In Two Minds On Going to South India

In Two Minds On Going to South India

As we are in two minds on whether to proceed to South India or not the probability of availing black tea in West Chitrai Street in Madurai is something to ponder and not flee. Black tea is all we would travel for in a nation not necessarily caught in a brawl. From Jubilee bus station the said bus would we be able to avail that would take us to Srisailam is not known. We still remember the last time when we were in Jubilee Bus Station in South India in 2018, the plush bus with its conductor reaching out to those who wished to travel to Srisailam. We had a flight booked for Delhi and as a result we could not travel to Srisailam.

As papers after papers in the National Capital of Delhi concentrate on uptick in GST collections which may hit a record high in the month of January, this January has been chilling cold with weather releasing all sound and fury and roar.

The indecisiveness on our part to hit a new destination stems from air fare touching a moderate high and travel in train coach of two tier being sum and substance of being bore. In February the cold wave may lessen a bit we hope and weather is perfect enough for us to record the travel feat. As we were all prepared to visit Nizamuddin railway station and roundabout the chill in weather kept us away from pursuing our dream without engaging in any bout. There is not much to write home about in a nation where people don't glout.

There is widespread unemployment across country and economy is in a tailspin and is running short of being in a state of zing. It would take days turning to months for economy to recoup the losses the record GST collections is something to cheer and know exactly who are our bosses.

I take this opportunity to extend good wishes to Ms Lorna and Ms Grace of Wales in United Kingdom. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend good wishes to staff members of Al Jazeera News Channel, CNN News Channel, NDTV News Channel, NHK News Channel, DD Podhigai, Manorama News Channel, SVBC Channel beamed from Tirumala, HT, TOI newspapers and other media conglomerates who have been doing noble service. Best wishes to tennis players Ms Gauff, Ms Naomi Osaka, Ms Serena Williams, Ms Venus Williams, Ms Steffi Graf and their family members. Best Wishes to Tata Group and its staff members across world.

Kudos to NYT staff members. The Bolton Bushfire would be hard to douse and it can leave the affected Prez with a lot of grouse. Nothing is heard of late on North Korea and its leadership which wants to pin down the West and rip. How is Berlin dealing with migrant issue is hard to guess and hope it has enough green shoots in the economy to bring a turnaround. Hope everything is well and New Zealand as a nation state is sitting pretty. Hope Asia and the Pacific gets dividend for the good work done. Hope peace prevails in the Middle East. 

Issues that come to the forefront while going outside Delhi

Issues that come to the forefront while going outside Delhi

Whenever we make plans to travel outside Delhi city there aren't enough occasions when we can get witty. Whether to hop on to a flight journey or take train itinerary the seat availability and the fare comes to the fore with unfolding fears that roar. The ride to a station or airport is sum and substance of no rocking boat and if the fare is steep and not steady we can't deliberate this with our buddy. As we pack bags and leave our residence with limited cash the prevailing thought is on a ride that won't bite. In this biting cold and smitten by leaderless polls, the flight journey comes with frisking and security check in with food outlets dispensing items that are haughty and at times can be naughty.

Food items come for a huge sum even when we have abhorred the idea of having rum. The restaurants/outlets across airports in India are pricey as far as food items are concerned and there is no authority that could derail their charges as if they are charging for rum which every passing season shows a price jump. As flight reaches its destination post weather turbulence from places as varied as Chicago to Chikmanglur the residents of these places turned as travellers have interaction that is limited with those who are labelled as flight crew. The train ride comes minus frisking and minus security check in and days are not far when it would host players like Michael Bevan. As train ride lasts minutes turning to hours to days the South India ride comes with a food that is occasionally less palatable and minus cake.

Opinion Poll Survey That Looks Fake

As one news channel is holding fort and declaring from its ramparts the findings of opinion poll survey on who is the most promising leader and which party is to get majority, it is all bunkum and enough sums have exchanged hands with those who are cheering with their pants. This news channel hobnobs with powers that be and looks somewhat fake and depraved are the leaders who have been declared prompt and prominent holding the cake. The nation is facing leadership issue as there is no leader small or tall who could guide us and the rampant disorientation and unforgiving abusive slang that unfolds in the Hindi Heartland shows the leaders are walking minus their pants. The leader is a shivering ladder who has a constituency to cater and this news channel needs to pull up its socks and present programmes/news that look real and this opinion poll survey looks to be a fixed match engineered by no independent batch.

CAA And Those Piloting It Are Pursuing A Wrong Agenda

In our country which is facing leadership crisis and CAA which comes with biting surprises the sooner the CAA is nipped in the bud there would be enough support that could be labelled as glut. As we reach our destination by train or plane, there is enough sighting of rain. The search for a room that would bloom is a tireless effort as it signals rut. As we zero in on a room with a view, the stay is for a limited duration with a tariff that looks timid and at the same time sensation. As we stay and write our thoughts on whom we met and whom we came across outside Delhi and in Delhi, there is occasional ranting of abuse necessarily mirroring who could be our boss throwing light on cops grouse espousing top political leader's cause.

As we spend hours turning to days outside the city of Delhi the prayer on our lips that rendezvous with a new destination should be an adventure that should be yearly. We find enormous unemployment across Hindi Heartland and no leader of any stature has been able to fix this economy rupture. As we are amidst a slowdown in our economy and across world the leader's policies in our country could at best be described as claptrap with no rap. The Public Sector Banks in our country and their uninspired staff is a source of concern as we hope no other PSU folds with broken bolts. The printing kiosks are dysfunctional at some of these bank branches and despite repeated reminders that these machines are not able to read barcode the customers still prefer to align with these bank branches and cast their vote.

As news comes in of outbreak of coronavirus in China we hope it is contained and China looks as promising zone with ambitious aim. This virus has to stop and its spread has to be contained and sooner efforts are made the better it would be. Our prayers are with China in this time of distress.

I would like to extend my good wishes to Ms Haru Mutasa, Ms Catherine Soi, Ms Ivonne Ndege, Ms Folly, Ms Ibrahim, Ms Ghosh, Ms Dareen, Mr Everton Fox, Mr D Jordan of Al Jazeera News Channel. Al Jazeera News Channel has been doing wonders and hats off to their endeavours. NDTV News Channels too have been reporting unbiased news and kudos to their staff members.

I would also like to extend good wishes to Ms Maggie Lake. I would also like to extend good wishes to Ms E Burnett, Ms Kinkade, Ms Sasha, Ms Amanda Davies, Ms Kristie Lu Stout, Ms Amampour, Ms Becky Anderson, Ms Hala Gorani, Ms Natalie Allen, Mr George Howell, Mr Cooper, Mr Wolf, Mr Anderson, Mr Nick Robertson, Mr Richard Quest of CNN, Ms Maha Siddiqui, Ms Marya Shakeel of News 18 News Channel, Mr Jim Clancy and staff members of New York Times.

I would like to extend good wishes to Mr Pope Francis. I would also like to extend good wishes to Mr Barack Obama, Ms Michelle Obama, their daughters Malia Aan, Sasha and all my Muslim friends from across the world including those in the Hindi Film Industry.

Restore Kashi Vishwanath Live Darshan Soon

Restore Kashi Vishwanath Live Darshan Soon

Extending good wishes

Extending good wishes

As we take this opportunity to extend good wishes to Ms Maggie Lake, the cold weather across North India is something we despise. This cold wave is meant to unfurl a format for which no one would show any grace.

Best wishes to Mr Elton John, Mr Stevie Wonder, Mr Phil Collins, Mr Lionel Richie, Mr Tom Cruise and all those who have been entertaining us for decades. Best wishes to Indian athletes Hima Das, Duttee Chand, CNN News Channel staff members, Al Jazeera, NDTV, DD Podhigai and Manorama News staff members. Best wishes to those residing in North East India.

Conversations centred around Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamama Anna Prasada Centre in Tirumala with those coming from Mumbai and Puducherry

Conversations with those coming from Mumbai and Puducherry

Conversations centred around Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamama Anna Prasada Centre in Tirumala which provided prasadam comprising rice, sambhar, rasam, chutney and butter milk. Hygienic standards are maintained and one is fond of Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamama Anna Prasada Centre for the services rendered.

As conversations with those coming from Mumbai and Puducherry lasted a little over half an hour, some were of the view that walking from Alipiri Gate to Tirumala was the best source of inspiration as it inspired many running into millions who undertook this trek each year. This walk sprinkled with emotions running high to be with the Lord and environed by pleasant beats was amidst scores of outlets dispensing out food items and cool drinks. This walk and the challenge to the same could be negotiated in three hours if there were no halts. Halts at different intervals were mandatory as it gave you the breathing space to a route which was largely steep in format. Not to be outdone and not to be outmanoeuvred this walk from Alipiri Gate i relished the most and have been bold enough to put it in my blog where i had least intention to boast.

Hats off to staff of Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamama Anna Prasada Centre

Walking from Alipiri Gate to Tirumala, the darshan could be taken next day and that grace period should be provided for those in the darshan fray. One gets exhausted by the time one reaches Tirumala and there should be a grace period of one day for one to have an opportunity to have a fleeting glimpse of Lord Venkateswara. As thoughts bordered on hope and aspirations the locales that we have visited in South India too came up for discussion. Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamam Prasada Centre has caught our fancy for long as it provides breakfast, lunch and dinner to those who after darshan want to partake Prasadam which has been prepared with due diligence. Hats off to staff of Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamama Anna Prasada Centre for keeping surroundings clean and preparing prasadam with utmost attention and thereby they could beam.

Tickets dispensed from Srinivasam Complex in Tirupati each day should be more 

As for Srinivisam complex in Tirupati where they dish out 300 rs ticket, effort should be made to increase the number of tickets dispensed each day so that those devotees who have not take online ticket can have the benefit of taking ticket from here. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my good wishes to Tirumala and its residents and hope the presiding deity keeps blessing the followers for trillion of centuries.

As for the occasional rain in the cities of South India including Bengaluru and Chennai the droplets made the places cool where the residents could duly drool. Here a special mention be made for Arun Stores and Mr Arun of Gandhi Nagar near Kempegowda Bus stand in Bengaluru and i would remain ever grateful to him. Having visited Rest House Road in Bengaluru some years ago when i found most residents cheerful and their face could glow. I was of the opinion that people in the South were more cultured and with wings to fly as their aspirational index was not dry. I for one would vouch for South and its various locales that had enough inspirational tales. We also dwelt on my recent visit to Varanasi and how from Buddhist monks from Hubbali in Karnataka to Osaka Guy in Japan the deliberations were frank and with no sighting of any felid. The share ride in a car from Varanasi Airport to place adjacent to Godowlia with a person from Hyderabad more interested in knowing the places from where he could get the delicacies delivered as the city and its proponents he almost revered.

In September 2018 when i was in Tirumala i joined the general queue on all the occasions as the token that was supposed to be given for walking from Alipiri Gate to Tirumala could not be dispensed as some important person was visiting the place. The Lord is for all and despite pushing and shoving the fleeting glimpse is enough to keep you satiated for months to come.

As for Guruvayur and its precincts the shower more than occasional in nature keeps you miles away from being in a state of tense. We hope for peace in the Middle East and India.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my good wishes to those pursuing M.B.B.S. and hope they come out with flying colours. I would also like to extend warm greetings to Mr Lionel Richie, Mr Phil Collins, Mr Tom Cruise and people in South India. I would also like to extend good wishes to staff members of CNN and Al Jazeera News Channels.

Leaving Varanasi, Reaching Delhi

Leaving Varanasi, Reaching Delhi

Having reached Varanasi Airport in an auto which was mentored by Mr Babloo it was time to look at the food/snacks on offer at different eating outlets with no hint of hullabaloo. The snacks on offer in Varanasi Airport were highly priced given the international tourists that arrived round the year and were wise. None of the snacks on offer were below Rs 220/Rs 250 and this could hit the domestic tourist hard who with a limited budget desisted the idea of taking to airport a car. The interaction with Hyderabad Guy Mr Vamshi while stressing on the need to keep Amravati the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh lost no opportunity to list South India channels i watched including ETV Andhra Pradesh and ETV Telugu with favourite colour round the year being blue. There were abusive slang all across North India and we agreed the people in the South were more cultured. The amount of verbal abuse i came across in the city of Varanasi showed the leader was a diehard abuser who was delighted at the thought of posting abuse and with a repeated attendance. Even in the neighbourhood the abuse you come across is much to do with khakhiwallahs frustration.

Post frisking as i took a seat and completed my interaction with Buddhist Monks, Rev. Eruwewe Gunasoma, Rev. Sewangala Chandima, from Sri Lanka, to Ms Lorana and Ms Grace from United Kingdom's Wales to whom i stressed on the need to explore South India if and when they happen to visit India again a nation which was witness to winter rain. I would like to take this opportunity to extend Warm Greetings to tennis players Naomi Osaka of Japan, Serena Williams, Venus Williams of US, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and their daughters, CNN's Ms Amanda Davies and Ms Kristie Lu Stout their family members, CNN Correspondents, Al Jazeera's Ms Folly, Ms Ibrahim, Ms Ghosh and their family members.

Flipping Through Vistara Inflight Magazine

As i boarded Vistara flight to Delhi i began to flip through inflight magazine Vistara. Vistara Airlines has at its disposal 41 aircrafts flying to 34 destinations in India and abroad and the past five years had been no less sensational. There was a story on Mumbai's fish market, Waking up to Mumbai. From a noisy fish auction to street  vendors discover an unexpected side of Mumbai as it awakens and gets ready to face the day. Lively auctions for city's favourite fish Bombil.

Another story on carbon emissions in one chart: China's share 27.2 per cent, India's share 6.7 per cent, US's share 14.6 per cent.

As for Dream Destinations 2020 they were listed as
- Patagonia, Argentina
- Galway, Ireland
- Essaouira, Morocco
- Sevengeti, Africa
- Kyoto, Japan

Festivals to tick off your bucket
- Theyyam, Kerala
- The Colour Run, US
- Snowbombing, Austria
- Fringe Festival, Scotland
- Krampusnacht, Austria

Quirky Cafes for your caffeine fix
- Nekobiyaka, Japan
- The Laundromt Cafe, Denmark
- H. K. Giger Bar, Scotland
- Zapangi, South Korea
- Cereal Cafe , UK

Vistara Special flashback with picture of JRD Tata was good.

Another story on take the roads less travelled in 2020
- Transformative Travel. A journey involving life-altering experiences and the individual returns as      transformed person
- Culinary travel
- Buddymoon travel
- Travel for culture and heritage
- Ancestry travel

Story on Hampi. From 1420 the first European to set foot to 16th century when Hampi was the second largest city in the world.

Going behind the camera. Locales used for movie shoot
- Kualoa Ranch, Hawaii US
- Skopelos, Greece
- Namib Desert, Namibia
- Petra, Jordan
- Various Locations New Zealand
- London, UK
- Angkor Wat, Cambodia for Lara Croft Tomb Raider Featuring Ms Angelina Jolie
- Puducherry, India for Life of PI

17,000 ft Foundation. Reaching New Heights 17,000 ft Foundation is introducing Voluntourism which combines tourism and volunteers thus committed to social cause.
Once through with inflight magazine i deboarded the aircraft only to collect baggage and return home. The best thing about Varanasi is Lord Kashi Vishwanath Temple and having visited that one should vacate the place as early as possible.

Sightings in Varanasi

Sightings in Varanasi

- The Pen Co
   Exclusive Pen Shop
- Tara Boutique
- Beauty Saree Selection
- Novelty Centre
- Suvidha Saree camp
- Tarang Saree
- Lucknow Chikan Ghar
- Rail Aarakshan Kendra
- Jalan Sarees
- OYO
- Roop Matching Ghar
- Maruti Suit Ghar
- Gupta and bros
- Ladli Suit House
- Tripti Hotel Lodge
- Hotel Ganges
- Laxmi Ladies point
- Laxmi Saree Ghar
 -Sahu Tea Co
- Monga Restaurant
- Dulhan Saree Ghar
- Zee Collection
- Sambhavi
- Sajni Saree Camp
- Bombay Sarees
- Munna Kangan
- New Collection
- Travel Agent money exchange
- The Varanasi Silk House
- S.N Ghosh and Sons
- Pushpa Sarees
- Banaras lodge
- Durga and co
- Durga brothers tailors
- Anarkali Suit Ghar
- Prabha Sarees
- Mangalam
- Shi Ganga Garment
- Kamla Medical Hall
- Here Meet Kan
- Hemandas and brothers
- Kesari readymade hosiery
- Hotel Lara India
- Tata Textiles
- Shri Ganpati Sarees
- New Neelkamal Saree Centre
- Utsav Family Shop
- Today's collection
- Roopali Sarees
- Hotel Samman
- New Generation
- Shree Gandhi Ashram
- Family Top Fashion
- Kerala Panchakarm Ayurveda Centre
- Balaji Fashion
- Govind Vastralaya
- Bombay Shoe Mart
- Palace Hotel veg meal
- Dawat restaurant
- Shiv Thandai
- Hotel Ganges Grand
- Kanhaiyalal Sharaf Jewellers
- Akshay Bhojanalaya
- Hotel Deva Inn
- Anokha Barber
- Sadhana Garments
- Neelam Sarees
- Vimal Sarees
- Kwality Wall's Rajshree
- Vikas Tailors
- Vidyut Upkendra Godowlia, Varanasi
- Kashi Chaat Bhandar
- Lucknow Chikan House
- Kuber Paan Bhandar
- Orient electric
- Harasundari Dharamashala
- C.V. Mart
- Mahadeve tours and travels
- ST. Thomas Church
- Tirupati Dosa Corner
- Tiffin centre
- Sandeep Coffee Shop
- Sale point toys and gifts
- Vijay Watch Centre
- The Kitchen Family restaurant
- Chaturvedi Paying Guest House
- Chaturvedi medical stores
- Central Academy
- Chaturvedi glass and plywood centre
- Saffron hotel and restaurant
- Khedanlal and sons
- OYO Hotel Pragya International
- Shyam medical stores
- Surya Residency
- Kashi Gomti Samyut Gramin Bank
- Baba Chatwale
- Jigar readymade
- Aashi collection
- Meet Mr Taufiq Ahmed banana vendor
- Shree Kashi Guest House.  Meet Mr Aashish, Mr Jitendar Yadav

Collecting Laminated Pictures Of Lord Kashi Vishwanath In Varanasi

Collecting Laminated Pictures Of Lord Kashi Vishwanath In Varanasi

As i collected laminated pictures of Lord Kashi Vishwanath on two different occasions, the different visits to Kashi Vishwanath Temple was the best part of my stay in the city of Varanasi. Staying at two different locales (two different guest houses)  with enough resounding tales, the occasional chat with Buddhist monks, some of whom hailing from Hubbali in Karnataka State, who had no hesitation to show their gait. The stay provided me an opportunity to witness semblance of order in the temple and its precincts with a large number of people offering milk, water and garlands to Lord Shiva and these very devotees showing no signs of being tense. The very fact that i came to know that Ramewaram-Varanasi train was very much in the running taking three days to cover the distance and earn much deserved fame.

Conversations In Varanasi; Brooding Over Germany; Tensions In The Middle East

As resident Mr P Sanyal put it Bengalis have been Staying in Varanasi for the past 300 years and these very centuries have made them bold even in a weather that was very cold. Blessed were those who had a hamlet to live and indulgences that did not make them crib and engage in an endeavour that was largely temple centric amidst varied weather including midwinter blip. As Mr S S Singh who made it a point to take a dip in River Ganga and mark his attendance in Temple each day for the past 32 years with none of the accompaniments that could be termed as fears. Meeting German Guy Mr Ristoff who was visiting after a long interval, this was his third visit to Varanasi in as many decades coming from a nation where none played a game called Cricket.  A pro photographer Mr Ristoff may be crazy for soccer with Germany having among its arsenal football clubs like Arsenal F C and Real Madrid in a nation where weather occasionally turned torrid.  Among players that often one saw making appearance were Julian and Gundogan who could be penalised if they could do any wrong. I was more interested to dangle the political colour of Germany a nation where most cared for every penny. Perhaps the tenure of a Chancellor as i could recollect from Helmut Kohl Days was seven years and no less in a nation where some were alarmed by working hours stress. The number of migrants to German cities would be alarming and at the same time the stress in the Middle East would show no signs of abating. The Iran-US tussle with the US pinning down Iranian Major General Soleimani showed Washington was at fault and it may have to face consequences even in areas where there is drought. Like Berlin, Washington too needs to up its security paraphernalia as it has irked a Middle East Nation that has huge oil reserves in its area. Tehran is strong and would continue to remain so the oil reserves would make it glow. More than five years ago while returning from Mumbai at Delhi Airport Waiting Lounge i came across a guy from Iran who was pursuing a course in Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and perhaps sharing space with people who came from a State in India called Assam.

As for Ristoff the travelling aficionado, this German Gentleman had made innumerable visits to China and Vietnam where some had learnt the art of spelling the future by reading the palm. From Frankfurt to Bonn, Mr Ristoff came from a city called Cologne. Mr Ristofff was carrying a huge camera which he placed on the table while visiting SHREE Cafe Restaurant in Varanasi a city where people attended to their chores and largely remained busy. As for meeting the Italian Couple in the same restaurant Berlusconi at the helm in the 90s was something to chew over in a nation where people drove Land Rover.

Sankatmochan Odyssey; Places Visited in South India

The Sankatmochan Odyssey could not be a success as doors were shut and Lord Hanuman was omnipresent and people who revered him were in a flow as large as Glut. I may have to Visit Varanasi again to pay obeisance at Sankatmochan temple where post visit the devotees are sanguine and not hopple. As for the Hyderabad Guy Mr Vamshi whom i met at Varanasi Airport, the deliberations centred around different temples and places that i had visited in South India including Tirumala, Rameswaram, Kanniyakumari, Kancheepuram, Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Hampi, Madurai, Chennai, Secundarabad and Udhagamandalam. He suggested a huge Lord Ganesh Temple in Kanipakam in the South which i should try to visit some day. The people by and large were more civilised in South India and this was a remarkable feat in a nation where summers had enough enduring heat.

As for Vistara the inflight magazine in its January issue had a story on Vistara's five sensational years starting with two aircraft between three cities it was now 41 aircraft at its disposal flying to 34 cities in India and overseas. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my warm greetings to Ms Lorna and her daughter Ms Grace hailing from Wales in UK whom i met at the Varanasi airport. I would also like to extend Good Wishes to Queen Elizabeth II of Britain and her family members.

As for the newspaper of the day with the ad on We Are One First mirrors the urgent need to protect constitutional values. There was another story on envoys from 15 nations visiting J-K a state with airports that have a parking bay. As for the JNU violence it was unprecedented and it was all stage managed with arsonists enjoying the right wing party's support and students in the melee were left to fend for themselves. People from varied fields including Hindi Film Industry visiting JNU should be welcomed by one and all as they showed solidarity with students who were in the firing line on Sunday with no fault. 

As for New York Times which carried a story on Ukrainian flight being hit over Iran is something that is highly unfortunate and it is time tensions in the Middle East Ebb. Fires in Meroo National Park in Australia as reported in New York Times is something to ponder over and when they would abate is hard to guess. Sooner they are tamed the better it would be.

Restore Kashi Vishwanath Live Darshan Soon

Restore Kashi Vishwanath Live Darshan Soon

Leaving For Varanasi Airport; Let Andhra Have Sole Capital In Amravati, No Need For Three Capitals

Leaving For Varanasi Airport; Let Andhra Have Sole Capital In Amravati, No Need For Three Capitals


Having vacated the room in Maa Padmavathi Guest House in Dasashwamedh in Varanasi it was time to leave for Airport. Mr Tanna Lal Prajapati carried my baggage all the way to the auto stand. I could not trace Mr Munna the automan whom i had promised the previous day to take his auto for airport ride. Hailed an auto driven by Mr Babloo who had fractured his leg not that long ago and found it difficult to walk.

Left Kashi Vishwanath at 12.40 pm, going past Varanasi Cantonment, Varanasi Vikas Pradhikaran, Doordarshan Kendra Varanasi. Spate of flyovers came on the way. Reached airport at 1.37. The airport is in an area called Babatpur. Since i had arrived in the airport quite early the screening of the baggage was to be done two hours before flight departure. Met Mr Vamshi who reported to work at Fab Group in Hyderabad which ran hotels across India. He had returned from Pattaya in Thailand where his indulgences primarily centred around deep sea diving. The certificate for the same sport i understand was issued by Australian authorities. The Indian Rupee like other currencies too had found acceptance in Thailand and that was a welcome sign.

Let Amravati Remain Sole Capital of Andhra Pradesh, No Need to Tinker With This Project

We broached over the issue of proposed three Capitals of Andhra Pradesh. The proposed three Capitals, Kurnool, Visakhapatnam and Amravati, mooted by the present Andhra Pradesh Government was ill conceived move given the fact that Amravati comprising Vijaywada and Guntur as the State Capital as decided by the Previous Government with huge investments already made stood to lose. We agreed Amravati as the sole Capital was an issue that should not be tinkered with. With so much resources parked in Amravati by people of the State they faced uncertain future with no possible returns on their investments. The Andhra Government should not derail the projects that the Previous Government laid the foundation for given the huge investments that it entailed and with a wisdom that it was in the interest of residents of the State.

Figuring in discussion with Mr Vamshi was the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and how with no logic this Act came into being. It was time to nip in the bud the CAA and other aforementioned programmes and see to it that no divisive agenda is pursued by the Central Government. For all its persuasive skills and brute mandate the Central Government would be well advised to do away with CAA which was out and out discriminatory and those who have claimed to attain a facile victory. The palpable rush that the Central Government showed in piloting the CAA project and protests that broke out across country illustrated that it was on a losing side with a losing mandate. Also happen to meet Mr Jackie from South Korea a country which had three religions. It was Mr Jackie's first visit to India and he had covered places like Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and Varanasi. I brought to his notice that Mr Mcbride, who was Al Jazeera correspondent in South Korea, was the one we followed. I met Mr Rusunn a monk from Mcleodganj in Himachal Pradesh State.

Meeting Monks From Sri Lanka

Post frisking which was done by Mr Dhav Singh i took a seat only to discover two monks from Sri Lanka who went by the name Rev. Eruwewe Gunasoma and Rev. Sewanagala Chandima. The first name was village name. They had come to attend a convocation in Banaras Hindu University (BHU) that primarily centred on Sanskrit. Both were settled in Colombo with 75 per cent of the population in the country Buddhist. As the display board showed flights to Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Dehradun, Delhi and Kolkata, we spoke about different political affiliations/colours that Sri Lanka as a nation entailed at different point of time. The issue of a Sanskrit Teacher from Minority Community not able to take classes in BHU too figured in the discussion which primarily showed the inward approach of the said students. Despite being from Minority Section (Muslim) the first and foremost thought was he was a human and we should respect that.

Meeting Ms Lorna And Ms Grace From Wales In UK

i came across Ms Lorna and her daughter Ms Grace from Wales in United Kingdom. This was their first visit to India, having been to places like Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and Varanasi. They were thrilled to be in India and whichever place they visited there were people in multiples as against none that could be sighted for miles if one went to countryside or from London to Wales. Ms Grace's curly hair was something to ruminate over and there were many in India who wanted to click a picture with her. Soon they brought out playing cards and immersed in a discussion that was not audible. They were supposed to take a flight to Delhi which would land at T1. I suggested to them to take a taxi to T3 from where international flights arrive and depart. They were concerned about the weather and anxious about purported fog and whether they would be able to make to their Delhi Departure Lounge in time to catch a flight which was supposed to leave at 4 in the morning. Wishing them safe journey i made it a point to observe that Mr Johnson had returned with affirmative mandate in UK and decks were cleared for Brexit. Ms Lorna had a fancy for being on a seat with Taj Mahal in the backdrop something that high net worth individuals from her country had done in the past. Ms Grace had the aspiration to be a Doctor and i hope she comes out with flying colours in her mission.

Speaking about Margaret Thatcher who was Prime Minister at one point of time, Ms Lorna revealed that she was a child when Thatcher was at the helm. I could not bring out in open the issue of protests that raged Hong Kong now and then and how Hong Kong was once colony of Britain with Mr Chris Patten at the helm. Post these deliberation i boarded Vistara Flight To Delhi.

Violence In JNU Campus Needs To Be Condemned By One And All

Violence In JNU Campus Needs To Be Condemned By One And All

When hooligans entered JNU Campus. Hooligans are having a field day in the city of Delhi. They are out there to wreak havoc and none can derail them. 

Stay In Varanasi For Five Days; Friday For Future Movement In Germany

Stay In Varanasi For Five Days; Friday For Future Movement In Germany

It was Mr Raj Kumar of Padmavathi Guest House who assured me room would be spared once you leave the guest house in which you were residing. Given this assurance which meant a lot to me i vacated Luxmi Guest House in Dashaswamedh and moved to Maa Padmavathi Guest House. Mr Upendar Yadav was at the counter who handed over the keys of a room on first floor. Having reached Sankatmochan Temple (Lord Hanuman Temple) i could not access the same as the doors were closed and i returned to my room in battery operated e rickshaw. E rickshaws galore in the city of Varanasi with the belief that its plying doesn't add to pollution. Pollution per se is non existent in Varanasi and that's the sweetest part about this holy place. As i began the search for flights to city of New Delhi from Varanasi from Sai Travels located in Tripura Bhairavi in Dashaswamedh, the wait was long as the proprietor going by the name Mr Abhishek didn't have enough funds in his account to issue a ticket. It almost cost a fortune as far as air ticket for Delhi meant as flights limited in number were on the brink of getting filled. During course of my stay in Sai Travels i came across a group from South India which was eager to get ticket issued for travelling to Bodh Gaya to and forth.

With air ticket in hand i set out for having food and SHREE Cafe in Dashaswamedh was kind enough to dispense meals even at 4 pm. During my innumerable visits to SHREE Cafe i came across different set of individuals. There was one guy from Okinawa in Japan and another Mr Ristoff from Germany. The Okinawa Guy was staying in Varanasi for the past 10 days and something that showed his craze.  A professional photographer, Mr Ristoff had visited Varanasi in the past in 1999 and 2002. He spoke about Friday For Future Movement In Germany. This movement entailed school students along with their pupils skipping schools on Friday to protest and lend their voice to issue of climate change across Germany and stress on efforts that each individual should make to to nip the climate change intoxicants. I broached the subject of different chancellors like Helmult Kohl in the past to Ms Angela Merkel at present. Mr Ristoff seem least interested in politicos and their caravan given their inward outlook and their inability to gauge the mood of the populace. Same was true for politicos in India who were hellbent in pushing an agenda like CAA which was out and out divise. Mr Ristoff had made innumerable visits to China, to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh in Cambodia, the latter which i had visited in the mid- 90s. Mr Ristoff hailed from Cologne in West Germany. A Special word of thanks to Mr Babloo and Mr Subhash of Raja Tea Point near Baba Store, Mr Anurag of tea centre near Baba Store, Mr Dinesh Yadav who ran his tea store from a place opposite Aditya Inn Hotel.  A Special word of thanks to Baba Store for dishing out biscuits. Not to miss were occasions sprinkled with abuse that greeted me now and then that had its origin in large scale unemployment in the country and some khakiwallahs strength to act as devil. Perhaps they were carrying on with the legacy of abuse from the National Capital of Delhi where there was rampant hooliganism not only in your neighbourhood but across Delhi State. I also happen to have spicy snacks from Kashi Chaat Bhandar which witnessed a large turnout in the evening hours. This snacks along with taking meals late in the evening had led to acidity and except for this stomach irritant the stay in the city was largely good on my stomach.

I happen to meet a group from Trichy in Tamil Nadu State in India and they disclosed that Rameswaram had connectivity with Varanasi with a train starting from there on Monday and reaching Varanasi on Thursday. I told this group that i had travelled extensively in Tamil Nadu State to places like Chennai, Rameswaram, Kanniyakumari, Udhagamandalam and Madurai. I also happen to meet a group from Slovenia which was headed towards Goa. On Monday i visited Kashi Vishwanath Temple in the morning and evening, the evening visit giving me an opportunity to touch Lord Shiva's Lingam something that would remain etched in my memory for long.

Tuesday as usual i took black tea and got ready to leave for Kashi Vishwanath Temple. In no time i was inside the temple and evening sortie was no different. Wednesday i was supposed to leave for Delhi and being a New Year Day there was palpable rush in Temple. The serpentine queue to Gate Number One made me opt for Gate Number Four and sighting of Lord Shiva's Lingam was all i craved for. With near perfect sighting i exited from Gate One and returned to guest house. Not to be set aside the observation that the cops inside the temple were cooperative and unassuming with no lust for power that some politicos of this country longed for. Post meals from SHREE Cafe which ran under Mr Santosh Pandey's watch who was a photo journalist i returned to my room only to leave few minutes later. While leaving i came across Mr Ashok Yadav who made it a point to stress on the fact that people of this city revered Sankatmochan Temple and the presiding deity and the rush on New Year Day was huge.  I would remain ever grateful to Mr Tanna Lal Prajapati the porter who carried my baggage to the Auto Stand from where i was supposed to take auto for Airport. In all i stayed for five days in Varanasi and the itinerary was built on hope and largely linked to aspirational index.

The best part about Varanasi is the Kashi Vishwanath temple and the occasional visit that one makes to occasional chat with Buddhist monks and the urgency that one shows to take a dip in River Ganga that has been revered for centuries.

Restore Kashi Vishwanath Live Darshan Soon

Restore Kashi Vishwanath Live Darshan Soon

Why we relish going to Kashi Vishwanath

Why we relish going to Kashi Vishwanath

Had it not been for Kashi Vishwanath Temple the longing index to access Varanasi would not have been there. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is Magnificent and so its Grandeur.

The so-called VIPs and political leaders enter and exit from Gate Four as it has all the trappings of a connect that they aspire for. The common man can too enter from Gate four provided no VIP is expected otherwise Gate One serves as the launching pad. From Gate One there is three layers of frisking mirrored by the fact that safe and sound surroundings have to be maintained at any given point of time. From Gate four the frisking is at two places with metal detectors in place that look non functional. There is a need to get these metal detectors up and running at all the gates so that any untoward happening could be prevented. Those coming with writing pad should be provided pen in the premises of the temple so that they could write a prayer or two. As for the other two gates, Gate number two and three, not much is known. As for the numerous vendors the fact of the matter there is grave unemployment across Uttar Pradesh State and they don't want to miss an opportunity to earn and that right should be respected.

Sighting the Lord Shiva's Lingam should be sufficient and one should vacate the sanctum sanctorum as soon as possible. Perhaps the very fact that there is no entry fee makes the temple terrain more hospitable and prized. On all occasions when i entered the sanctum sanctorum there was no pushing around and that added to its lustre.

In the city of Varanasi and in a radius of five kms of temple the sale of gutka, thambaku and zarda  (products that give you high) should be done away with. Once the sale of these products are stopped the spitting and its infectious volatility would be contained. Stray dogs galore and there is an urgent need to pick these dogs and release them far away from the temple and its precincts. Stray dogs do pose a threat to those visiting the temple and adjoining places and it is better these dogs are released in the wild. The very fact that these dogs litter the area as well makes a sound case for them to be released in the wild. A cleanliness campaign should be evolved whereby residents and the vendors are enlightened on the issue of clean surroundings.

There is an urgent need for more tea centres to come up and tea points like Gopal Tea Centre serving black tea should be given a helping hand. Gopal Tea Centre run by one Anurag has to bloom as the unassuming nature of its owner is itself an invitation for tea buddies. The arrogance of a tea point whose allegiance is with the country's leader should be asked to mend his ways.

Metal detector at Dasaswamedh Ghat should be up and running as seven priests perform the Aarti. The approach to Gate Number One is lined with shops who prod you to keep your belongings and footwear there with the rider that you would purchase something to be offered to the Lord from them. There is a large hall on way to Gate One and that could serve as footwear stand. Those coming to the temple haggle with the shopkeepers and devotees be better advised that cell, pen and other items which are banned is left in the hotel room/dharamshala.

The best part about this temple is that once you have paid obeisance you should vacate the room and the city as the sole purpose was to sight Lord Shiva's lingam with a prayer on your lips. This was my first visit to Kashi Vishwanath and i am enamored by this temple odyssey. 

Kashi Vishwanath Live Darshan is not coming. Please restore Live Darshan

Kashi Vishwanath Live Darshan is not coming.

The message is Adobe Flash Player blocked. Request is hereby made to Kashi Trust in Varanasi to see that Kashi Vishwanath Live Darshan is restored soon.

The Stay In Kashi Vishwanath In Varanasi; Dasaswamedh Road Sports Dishevelled Look; Restore Its Pristine Glory

The Stay In Kashi Vishwanath In Varanasi; Dasaswamedh Road Sports Dishevelled Look

Those visiting Varanasi by air should seek bus service from Varanasi Airport to Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Godowlia Crossing). The State Govt should deploy buses for passengers in Varanasi Airport. In the city of Bengaluru down South there are bus services from airport to the main city.

Dishevelled is the look of Dasaswamedh Road leading to Dasaswamedh Ghat in Varanasi

The approach to Gate Number 1 of Kashi Vishwanath Temple is neat and tidy. Flanked by vendors and shops one gets smitten by the fact that Kashi Temple could be so close and people by large have contributed to its upkeep.  But that is not the case for Dasaswamedh Road leading to Dasaswamedh Ghat. From Godowlia Crossing to steps of Dasaswamedh Ghat dishevelled is the look of Dasaswamedh Road. The road is dug up at several places with no repairs undertaken for years together. From Godowlia crossing only two wheelers are allowed on Dasaswamedh Road sharing space with pedestrians. It was choc a bloc with public in the run up to New Year and on New Year Day. Vendors can be seen selling wares with stores lined up on either side. Maximum stores perfect the art of selling sarees with the loud and not benign claim of having genuine clothing.

Search for writing pad; meeting a guy from Osaka

With accommodation taken in Luxmi Guest House on Sunday i set out in search of stationery shop to get the requisite writing material. Shree Kashi Paying Guest House in Naisarak opposite Geeta Mandir doubled up as accommodation point as well as stationery shop with Mr Aashish and Mr Jitendar Pandey at the helm. Both were polite and unassuming. It was way past 10.30 am i could lay hands on writing copy and pen. The place was in grip of cold wave and in the Guest House the water that came from the tap for bathing was mild hot, not exhilarating enough to keep you warm. Having visited the temple roundabout 1 pm the walk back to Guest House was a bit tedious given the exit gate number four which i took. After trying different routes i finally found my way to Guest House. Manager Mr G C Tripathi persuaded me to shift to first floor with the rider that this room was more convenient than the previous one.  In the winding hours of afternoon i took food from SHREE Cafe a veg restaurant with veg thali enough to fill the belly. While taking meals i happen to meet a guy from Osaka in Japan and broad contours of discussion relied on dip that one took in river Ganga, this Osaka guy had precisely done that to NHK news channel beamed from Japan. We also spoke on Kyoto and the large number of temples that dotted its landscape.

While taking tea from Raja tea point, the owner Raja had turned wild one day with the foul language that he employed which showed the arrogance of the man and his depraved nature. On Umpteen occasions i was witness to abuse fleet being dangled around here and there by innumerable men with no break and with their confidence that this could unnerve me. In the Hindi Heartland in which this Uttar Pradesh State was located there were some residents who didn't hesitate to fling foul/abusive slang as i went past them with the meteoric rise their acid tongue had been witness to. In the corridor and adjoining room of Guest House they would foist their foul language agenda. Perhaps with no gainful employment and in sight of a template that promised little to them, foul fort meant a lot to them. In sharp contrast to these less disciplined souls, there were occasions when i came across Mr Vikas Maharaj, Mr Abhishek Mishra and Mr Musa here to Mr Pandey and Mr S S Singh there who seem to gel with a flow that was out and out constructive and polite. Some asked me to take time out to visit different ghats of Varanasi. Perhaps a word by the administrators of the town that foul fort could get dismantled and infectious spitting in this holy town should be nipped in the bud. Spitting in this holy town should be discouraged. The temple and the area in its vicinity has been spared from spitting and that is a welcome sign.

Mr S S Singh hailed from Uttarakhand State in India and had been staying in Varanasi for the past 32 years, with bathing in river Ganga to visiting temple part of his daily routine. He spoke extensively on govt properties like buses and police post that had singed in the wake of protest against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). All these were raised with taxes that public paid and there was no logic of setting them on fire. The other day i happen to meet Mr Lalit Gupta from Bulandshahr while taking tea from vendor Aashish who was kind enough to dole out black tea. I made it doubly sure that i had alternate accommodation in hand before vacating the room in Guest House. Monday i left Luxmi Guest with Mr Tripathi and Mr Pappu Dubey kind enough to make my stay comfortable.

With room taken in Maa Padmavati Guest House, i set out for Sankatmochan Temple (Lord Hanuman Temple) in a share auto only to realise that its doors were shut between 12 and 3 pm. I returned to my room and began the search for booking a flight ticket. The steep rise in air fare of Vistara flight to Delhi showed the occupancy level was on the brink of getting filled. It was from Sai Travels and after a long enduring wait i was able to access my ticket for which i had to shell out huge sum. Mr Abhishek was at the counter in this travel store. Mr Abhishek was polite in his conduct and kind enough to lend his PC so that i could do a story. During my stay i had the opportunity to witness Evening Aarti at Dasaswamedh Ghat with a synchronisation that was hard to believe. There were seven priests in all who participated and the rhythm they constructed was something to cheer about.