Stories Penned By My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans In Different Publications; From The Arrest Made By English Regime Of His Father Jaideo Rajhans Who Was A Freedom Fighter To India's March Ahead By Puneet Rajhans

Stories Penned By My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans In Different Publications

From the arrest made by English Regime of his father Jaideo Rajhans who was a freedom fighter amidst Quit India Movement to how Arabian Horse ran out of steam when it returned from Bhagalpur to Sultanganj to Japan's bid to strengthen its military given the churning in Asia My Father weaved pieces on varied issues

Writing in Haribhumi My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans noted on the issue of Kashmir most of the nations across world endorsed our stand underscoring the fact that Jammu and Kashmir is India's internal matter. At G-7 summit the leaders of India and US exchanged notes and radiated a bonhomie seen on fewer occasions.

Writing in another publication My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans wrote how English Soldiers came to arrest his father Jaideo Rajhans in Sultanganj who was a freedom fighter amidst Quit India Movement that was launched on August 9, 1942. His father was determined to stay put and get arrested rather than flee. Narrating in detail my father noted how the four sons of Jaideo Rajhans were made to stand in one place. One of the soldiers took out weapon and trained on four sons with a bid to nail them down but he was prevented from doing so by senior police functionary who was an SP. My father's grandmother weaved a tale to shield them by asserting that of the four sons the two senior most sons were of Bhola Rajhans and other two were sons of Jaideo Rajhans. By Grace of God all four sons were spared and Jaideo Rajhans was taken away to Bhagalpur prison. 

The relations in the neighbourhood were apprehensive that they too would get arrested and as a matter of fact they stayed away from our family and the Bengali families in and around came to their rescue. For months there was no contact with his father and after an interval of one year a letter was received stating that whosoever wished to meet Jaideo Rajhans should come to Bhagalpur on such and such date. Jaideo Rajhans's friend Morarka and elder son Shiv Shankar Rajhans agreed to visit Bhagalpur with Morarka stating that the road to Bhagalpur was in a dilapidated state and Buggy (horse-drawn carriage) should be employed. They went by Buggy to Bhagalpur and during the course of interaction in jail Jaideo Rajhans appeared apprehensive about his release. The Arabian Horse through which they came back breathed his last when they reached their home in Sultanganj. Few months later the US dropped bomb on Japan and subsequently the second world war came to and end. Henceforth all freedom fighters were released and as observed by my father being a festive mood Jaideo Rajhans was taken out in a procession across Sultanganj hailing his courage and determination.

Writing in Haribhumi on September 18, 2020 My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans noted that we are faced with surmounting challenge and rough terrain in Ladakh. Soldiers braving odd conditions are giving us protective shield. In all situations India would thwart designs of intruding neighbour. He noted Defence Minister had stated in Rajya Sabha (Lower House of India's Parliament) that neighbour had broken LAC (Line of Actual Control) pact on innumerable occasions and India was well within its right to protect its border and would give a befitting response to any aggression. My father noted Indian troops are well versed to engage in combat in hilly terrain whereas their Chinese counterpart were at a disadvantage. There is unanimity among political parties in India on how to engage in constructive dialogue with China not forgetting that any aggression would be dealt suitably.

Writing in Dainik Jalte Deep My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans noted that in adverse circumstances India had stood firm and provided a launching pad to become self reliant. Despite the virus and the challenges India had made inroads in various fields and one particular area was infrastructure. With renewed enthusiasm India has invested millions in infrastructure thereby leading to growth and employment. Four public sector banks reeling under heavy losses have been put in private hands and the workforce with no fear of losing job is working with more enthusiasm. 

Writing on Japan My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans noted Japan for the sake of its security seeks to be a major military power. During second world war Japan was a potent force bringing under its ambit a host of nations and following US intervention Japan was forced to retreat. When in 2012 Shinzo Abe became the Prime Minister he tried to weave an opinion across nation on the need for a strong military. In 2013 Shinzo Abe established National Security Council with a bid to strengthen and enlarge the military footprint. Japan faces twin challenges with tensions rising in East China Sea with China and the emanating threat from North Korea. The point to be noted is Japan is ageing fast and there is an urgent need to raise youth brigade for military and that would be a herculean task given the odds it is faced with. 

On migrant workers and the hardships they faced My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans wrote extensively which I would bring forward at a different time. On Occasions I would observe before my father that we are in minority in Delhi and the criticism that we face for the sole reason that we come from Bihar State in India shows the true colour of those who disturb our peace and are brutal by conduct. 

The Beating Retreat In New Delhi And Connect With The Masses

The Beating Retreat In New Delhi And Connect With The Masses

The Beating Retreat this year (January 29, 2022) was truly spectacular courtesy drone show and brought curtains on 73rd Republic Day celebrations that had its share of innovation. The Grandeur that marked this Beating Retreat mirrored a nation state that had instilled confidence in the masses and yet struggling to keep an inclusive agenda that should be the pledge of powers that be and those waiting in the wings and largely agree. 

As dusk descended on Raisina Hills the seat of administration it was exciting time for myriad shades of lighting come into play showcasing the road traversed, the feats accomplished and dreams realised and this was not done and dusted task as enough challenges needed to be surpassed.

The spectacular drone lighting untangled the web and released emotions of respect that this country commands across community of nations and is power in the making with enough balm. The outpouring of support for such grandeur occasions signal the intent of a nation to strive ahead and just under two-and-a-half year from now there would be celebration of democracy courtesy election that would be another power tranfer to public episode seeing elevation. The balm of togetherness during trials and tribulations that the nation has faced shows the connect with the masses and myriad tunes in play during Beating Retreat just enlivened that spirit. The Beating Retreat is ode to the nation that sums up the inventive spirit of over a billion people passing through moments of agony, ecstasy and exhilaration and is up to the challenge with self reliance index notching up every passing moment.

Of Mumbai ghetto and Australian Open with no thoughts on abolished SEATO

Of Mumbai ghetto and Australian Open with no thoughts on abolished SEATO

With the decision to scrap suspension of 12 legislators, it is time to visit Mumbai ghetto and search in the right earnest the go-getters. How does Mumbai ghetto look and is their absurdity index that someone wants to cook? Crooks may try to steal peace in vast swathes of ghetto and hope none of these surroundings emerge in Japan's Kyoto. Law and Order should be supreme in Mumbai and beyond the sea shores and unwanted attention could literally mean someone on neighbouring nation state pay roll.

Some drew delight in making Mumbai The Next Shanghai; we veto such remodelling endeavour, let the city be on its own and gyrate at its own beat and miles away from city hosting Houston Heat. Houston is celebrating for the very success in delivering justice to the masses, our thoughts are on Peru and the bosses.

With Ashleigh Barty becoming the first Australian to win home grand slam in 44 years, this feat and accompanying sentiments of rejoice she would narrate to her peers. She won on a tiebreak and deserves all accolades and praise. That was third Grand Slam title under her belt and in future her endeavour would be to be perfect and her occasional outing to be purfle with gold and no hurdle. Our best wishes to Ashleigh Barty and runner up Danielle Collins as they are smitten by the chase to win the crown and may visit the Italian city of Varese. Holding Australian Open when virus is around was a challenge and hats off to managers who not for a moment gave proof of frown. As Australian Open would wind up in a day, celebrations may break out with those out to cherish and play.

Stories Penned By My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans In Different Publications; From The Arrest Made By English Regime Of His Father Jaideo Rajhans Who Was A Freedom Fighter To India's March Ahead By Puneet Rajhans

Stories Penned By My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans In Different Publications

From the arrest made by English Regime of his father Jaideo Rajhans who was a freedom fighter amidst Quit India Movement to how Arabian Horse ran out of steam when it returned from Bhagalpur to Sultanganj to Japan's bid to strengthen its military given the churning in Asia My Father weaved pieces on varied issues

Writing in Haribhumi My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans noted on the issue of Kashmir most of the nations across world endorsed our stand underscoring the fact that Jammu and Kashmir is India's internal matter. At G-7 summit the leaders of India and US exchanged notes and radiated a bonhomie seen on fewer occasions.

Writing in another publication My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans wrote how English Soldiers came to arrest his father Jaideo Rajhans in Sultanganj who was a freedom fighter amidst Quit India Movement that was launched on August 9, 1942. His father was determined to stay put and get arrested rather than flee. Narrating in detail my father noted how the four sons of Jaideo Rajhans were made to stand in one place. One of the soldiers took out weapon and trained on four sons with a bid to nail them down but he was prevented from doing so by senior police functionary who was an SP. My father's grandmother weaved a tale to shield them by asserting that of the four sons the two senior most sons were of Bhola Rajhans and other two were sons of Jaideo Rajhans. By Grace of God all four sons were spared and Jaideo Rajhans was taken away to Bhagalpur prison. 

The relations in the neighbourhood were apprehensive that they too would get arrested and as a matter of fact they stayed away from our family and the Bengali families in and around came to their rescue. For months there was no contact with his father and after an interval of one year a letter was received stating that whosoever wished to meet Jaideo Rajhans should come to Bhagalpur on such and such date. Jaideo Rajhans's friend Morarka and elder son Shiv Shankar Rajhans agreed to visit Bhagalpur with Morarka stating that the road to Bhagalpur was in a dilapidated state and Buggy (horse-drawn carriage) should be employed. They went by Buggy to Bhagalpur and during the course of interaction in jail Jaideo Rajhans appeared apprehensive about his release. The Arabian Horse through which they came back breathed his last when they reached their home in Sultanganj. Few months later the US dropped bomb on Japan and subsequently the second world war came to and end. Henceforth all freedom fighters were released and as observed by my father being a festive mood Jaideo Rajhans was taken out in a procession across Sultanganj hailing his courage and determination.

Writing in Haribhumi on September 18, 2020 My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans noted that we are faced with surmounting challenge and rough terrain in Ladakh. Soldiers braving odd conditions are giving us protective shield. In all situations India would thwart designs of intruding neighbour. He noted Defence Minister had stated in Rajya Sabha (Lower House of India's Parliament) that neighbour had broken LAC (Line of Actual Control) pact on innumerable occasions and India was well within its right to protect its border and would give a befitting response to any aggression. My father noted Indian troops are well versed to engage in combat in hilly terrain whereas their Chinese counterpart were at a disadvantage. There is unanimity among political parties in India on how to engage in constructive dialogue with China not forgetting that any aggression would be dealt suitably.

Writing in Dainik Jalte Deep My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans noted that in adverse circumstances India had stood firm and provided a launching pad to become self reliant. Despite the virus and the challenges India had made inroads in various fields and one particular area was infrastructure. With renewed enthusiasm India has invested millions in infrastructure thereby leading to growth and employment. Four public sector banks reeling under heavy losses have been put in private hands and the workforce with no fear of losing job is working with more enthusiasm. 

Writing on Japan My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans noted Japan for the sake of its security seeks to be a major military power. During second world war Japan was a potent force bringing under its ambit a host of nations and following US intervention Japan was forced to retreat. When in 2012 Shinzo Abe became the Prime Minister he tried to weave an opinion across nation on the need for a strong military. In 2013 Shinzo Abe established National Security Council with a bid to strengthen and enlarge the military footprint. Japan faces twin challenges with tensions rising in East China Sea with China and the emanating threat from North Korea. The point to be noted is Japan is ageing fast and there is an urgent need to raise youth brigade for military and that would be a herculean task given the odds it is faced with. 

On migrant workers and the hardships they faced My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans wrote extensively which I would bring forward at a different time. On Occasions I would observe before my father that we are in minority in Delhi and the criticism that we face for the sole reason that we come from Bihar shows the true colour of those who disturb our peace and are brutal by conduct. 

Make The Move To Mac and it is time for students to board exam crack

Make The Move To Mac and it is time for students to board exam crack

Make The Move To Mac and it is time for students to board exam crack. At an exchange effective price of Rs Six Nine Nine Zero Zero it is time to emulate your hero. Times are uncertain, there is countdown to Union Budget which won't be a burden. Solitary nation that India is amidst upheaval across neighbourhood that should freeze. 

The liquor agenda of administrators is in tatters and it is inviting more bootleggers to become beggars. Booze and booze and beset with unfurling agenda are what the administrators want to do at a time when no one has any clue. In the city of Delhi as weekend curfew and odd even restrictions go away you can't let your guard down when uneasy lies the head which wears the crown.  

In the ocean of uncertainty Electric Vehicles (EVs) would be the road ahead and savouring that moment would be no less than betty. EVs are what people across world cheer and want and they should not come with their share of taunt. We Hail Biden's Presidency and moves that gyrate with confidence and consistency. The President may be criticised for his take on varied subjects but none of his resolution smack of his being puppet. The President won't get ruffled and in future he would have occasions to visit Tower that is Eiffel.

The Message From Vodafone Mobile Company (Vi) that was alarming and disturbing

The Message From Vodafone Mobile Company (Vi) that was alarming and disturbing

There was a Vodafone connection in the name of my father, the number went as 9999309687. I told the vodafone people in the month of December itself that I want to deactivate this number. The request was not entertained. This i reiterated  several times that i want to deactivate this number. Today i received a message that proceedings would be initiated against my father if he doesn't clear the dues for the month of December and January. Please make payment immediately to avoid legal proceedings. Contact our service team at 7838724239. This is travesty of truth. I don't want to continue with Vi number. This request was made in the month of December. And they are threatening proceedings against us. The Vi people can check the record that for the months of November, December and January not a single call has been made, not a single call received. The service is so poor that neither call can be made nor call received. I have been forced to shell out more than Rs 1000 for no service rendered. 

For the period for more than five to seven years that we have kept this Vodafone connection we have had to shell out huge sums for no calls made (at the most one or two in a month) and this is gross indiscipline and travesty of truth.

My father Gouri Shankar Rajhans toiled hard day and night to see through his challenges

My father Gouri Shankar Rajhans toiled hard day and night to see through his challenges

My father Gouri Shankar Rajhans toiled hard day and night to see through his challenges. In Safdarjung Enclave where we live he was an early riser something after 4 in the morning and after listening to AIR (All India Radio) news he would step out to take fruits from vendor Kalu. He would sift through pages of leading newspapers of Delhi Hindustan Times, Times Of India and Dainik Jagran keeping in mind who were the Doyen and Doyenne of Delhi. Then he would get on with the job of penning stories on varied fields courtesy dictation to assistants. He would essay thoughts on vivid areas with an attempt to sensitise public on issues that were close to his heart. Narrating tales of journey that he went through in Sultanganj in Bhagalpur in Bihar State he was keen the challenges he faced, the accomplishments he cherished and buoyancy index that he inherited from his parents were told in entirety. Resting on laurels he received from Bihar on articles he weaved were an inspiration to say the least. 

My father's odyssey in life has been with its share of ups and downs, the quantum of trials and tribulations knocking at the door every now and then. In 1968 a little after three years after return from Chapel Hill he fell sick and the turnaround in his health was much due to the perseverance that he and my mother were bestowed with. On July 20, 1970  my father noted it has been a while since his article was published in The Statesman. Taking a learned view my father Gouri Shankar Rajhans in 1970 wrote on Sino-India relations. This was followed by a write up on India-Nepal relations. The first was returned on the pretext that it was too historical and not contemporary and second was returned on the ground that the context had changed. Not deterred by these setbacks my father vowed to pen a piece a week and send it for publication with the hope that it would earn him Rs 150 to Rs 200 a week. This was the sum total of a contribution to a publication that time almost 50 years ago. My father believed there was no short cut to success and with hard labour and constant practice one could hit the target. Apart from remuneration the sole intention of writing these pieces for different publications was he could show these to prospective employees who were beneath a surface that was rocky. He noted that he should fix his goal and start moving towards that goal with single minded devotion. Off and on he could come across sermons that in today's India ( in the '60s and '70s) it was difficult to secure a good job without some pull. But he was not interested in none of that. While in Delhi he tried to tread cautiously with the goal of getting a good job and if that did not happen explore options of settling down in Canada. That country was on his radar but he left that option as time progressed.

The Winter brawl and those in liquor thrall

The Winter brawl and those in liquor thrall

Insane it may look the weather template of Summer turning to Autumn and Winter to Spring foretells the augment of excesses that are no less bling. The Winter onset peeves all and it doesn't necessarily lead to problems solve. Winter is harsh and barbaric, the piercing cold is by no means therapeutic. Ensnared by this weather some have the gall to take it easy; a shirt minus woolen isn't as creative as poesy. Those with loads of exercise and repeated intake of liquor may be able to beat the cold this story of going gaga over staying strong is something they repeatedly yell and in turn remember the works of Jean de Meung. 

A weather on prowl, the liquor gulped individuals send message of a feat as dry days in Delhi have been scaled down from 21 to three in a calendar year and that showcases city's residents pedigree. The revenue that administrators would access would see city in tear as the 362 days when liquor shops would be opened and this feat accomplished with no fear. Down with this liquor policy, down with revenue revolution the audacity of administrators to keep liquor shops open can only invite bile and can at most be revenue cushion. The Winter brawl post liquor intake from New York City Subway to Nairobi Highway sums up the mood and could be a reflection on family feud. 

The liquor maneuver across cities has gone in for an overhaul; the Delhi City is on liquor prowl. When would dry days be scaled up no one has an answer, the liquor stratagem the administrators are upbeat as it won't involve the services of nightclub bouncers. Liquor would be sold rotational free is the gambit that city administrators are working on, the days are not far when they would be reprimanded by bank con. 

The decision to put flags at 75 places can't instill patriotism as it is inbuilt and doesn't require flag vision. Putting flags at the most at five decorated places of the city would have been enough, this wasting money agenda is minus aces. The Indian Oil dealer (Indane Dee Pee Enterprises) men at work taking phone calls are haughty and nuisance even after online payment for cooking gas coming for 900 rs they can't mend their ways and cross the delivery fence. They bang down your request on phone as if they have undergone training in Rome. Cooking Gas coming for 900 rs and you have the gall to repeatedly bang down the phone to accede to the request to deliver as if you are part of a system that has incendiary tone.

Hail Democracy, Hail Ascendancy, India's Odyssey To Being A Republican State At 73 Is No Icy By Puneet Rajhans

Republic India At 73 Purfled With Middle Of The Road Glee

A Sovereign, Democratic and Republic State that India came into being after it took constitution under its belt the road traversed so far has been a mixed bag with what to be ascended is no less crag. With sovereignty assured given the consent that emanates through exercising franchise and make no mistake the aura of invincibility is a long chase. A Sovereign Republic that has dreams to chase and a constitution no less than a cushion the rights of the people are secured as long as principles of equality irrespective of caste, creed and colour are on board.  

Howsoever fragile the nation state may look these 73 years of being a Republic has made a large number to cherish with evolving polity given an electorate that is not somnolent. Turning Republic at 73 has been a rich haul not denying the fact that outpouring of support for three pillars of democracy the executive, the legislature and the judiciary has wilted given occasional sermons from the electorate. When the three pillars have been at the crosshairs of public wrath this has largely to do with decisions taken overnight where the do able index was blight and it largely showed the polity in poor light. 

The Green Revolution that ushered in was the much-needed course correction and for all practical purposes repaired the agriculture rupture. To bring manifold increase in food production to feed the millions across country it was spread between '68 to '78 and it turned India from a food deficit nation to  increasing footprints of agriculture and that was a revelation. Prior to that indecision may have cost the country dear and the Chinese onslaught in '62 war showed the nation at receiving end and this was a noticeable resurrection of a decrepit neighbour with no fear. 

The watered down democracy that enthralled the powers that be with the imposition of Emergency was an aberration of sorts and no sooner than later order was restored with no cynical plot. The democratic backsliding that the nation state witnessed has been seen through the prism of dismissal of various states/provinces govts at different intervals and that has been corrected with occasional court intervention purfle. Right at our doorstep the occasional bumper to bumper onslaught on farmers who were at the altar of being crucified the state's stratagem went in for an overhaul when contentious farm laws were imperiled and that was a righteous step taking them away from a state of feral. 

The power that lies at the doorstep of those with no benign voting rights has brought the nation state tantalisingly close to where diktats would be nailed down with no hiccups and sound. The 73rd Republic tidings are purfled with its share of optimism and cynicism and what would stand out would be the enshrined democratic credentials that are not to be sacrificed howsoever might be the state and it being reverential.  

The public discourse has gathered steam thanks to Republic beat and hymn. The media which is purfled with Fourth Estate Slang hasn't dwelled with scathing criticism coming now and then; the impartiality test it hasn't passed and is content with laurels grunt. It is neither indispensable nor its caveat torrential; the mannerism and reporting is uncouth given no middle of the road internship that should be routh. Singing paeans to leaders at helm, idolising the same is no act of brinkmanship; surfeit of challenges await them and middle-of-the-road reporting they should see it as a job that is plum.

Hail Democracy, Hail Ascendancy, India's Odyssey To Being A Republican State At 73 Is No Icy. 

The View From India, Let Opinion Polls Be Banished As It Can't Uptick Euphoria

The View From India, Let Opinion Polls Be Banished As It Can't Uptick Euphoria

Opinion Polls are in contravention of Model Code of Conduct and infuse imagination in a party of handful of hopeful who are out and out guileful. These spate of opinion polls are coming to the rescue of a party of melodramatic persona who is down with puna. Opinion polls are running wild in a nation comprising 29 states the chorus to curb this malpractice that is far and wide is inviting rile. 

Opinion polls are running wild even hurting those seated next to aisle. Opinion polls be condemned in all sincerity; it is one tool of electronic media to evoke praise and be in the noticeable race. Assail this tool of electronic media to stay fit as they dread being hit by a regime that is no sacrosanct and has among its insiders sprat. 

Opinion polls are not commensurate with the democratic fabric of a nation that will usher in 73rd Republic Day on January the 26th and there would be emotions that would be blithe. Opinion polls hit at the very base of a nation and make mockery of entire polling schedule which is no less punishing given the seven phase rule. It is all apparent that these spate of opinion polls are travesty of justice and there are no words less to express that they are out and out artifice. With no caveat thrown in these opinion polls need to be sentenced to dustbin. 

The people by and large have disdain for these opinion polls which haven't ascended dizzying heights and are full of gaping holes. Let there be admonition of these opinion polls and there be investigation of those who are on a political party roll. From LoC (Line of Control) to those having flat facing sea opinion polls irk one and all and lead to night curfew and brawl. It is high time these opinion polls are stopped in entirety and not even crawl despite some staging thunder and growl. Make no mistake these opinion polls release emotions of fret and hate. Why the poll watchdog is not clamping a complete ban on them given these spate of opinion polls that are unleashed in entire surrounding that is thrum. Be it Russia, Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia opinion polls one hardly comes across as one day poll is no ruse and the boss.

Tensions are rising in Eastern Europe as Western allies upgrade security in Baltics and East Europe. De-escalation is the key, Russia should freeze its troop movement and should take this with radiating glee. Beijing's planes intruding into Taiwan's airspace is worrisome and this can't be contained by resorting to the use of besom. Let Beijing respect identity of other nation states and this in turn would earn praise as entire community of nations have fixed their gaze.

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans Negotiated Challenges As And When They Came By Puneet Rajhans

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans Negotiated Challenges As And When They Came By Puneet Rajhans

The Thoughts That I Am Going To Pen Are An Inspiration From My Father

From Media house minefield to political maelstrom my father Gouri Shankar Rajhans negotiated challenges given immense faith he had in Lord Shiva. Upbringing in middle income household he knew he had to defy diktats largely illustrated through belligerent English Rule to eroding sources of income given his father's fluctuating fortunes in business he had seen it all and accepted them as and when they came. From occasional pessimism that invaded Bihar The State he came from during school and college days he stood up to the challenge and created a niche for himself. Scoring first rank in Economics (Hons) in Graduation lifted him from moments of despair and this elation he carried with him when he went to pursue higher studies in North Carolina University in Chapel Hill. The scale of honesty that he learned from US guided him entire life. The return from Chapel Hill was amidst a climate when India had lost war to China and India's vicissitudes mirrored an essay of an era where judgements in varied fields were flip-flop. From Kumardhubi to Kolkata the two places where he worked the myriad of upheavals that he confronted were not few and far given the closed economy the country had and the job opportunities that were drying up with each passing hour. He stuck to his roots and never ever ran out of hope howsoever voluminous the path may be.

The media house innings may have illuminated him but they were not with its share of ifs and buts. I can still recall Weekend Review and Contour were the two publications launched in early '80s and sliding circulation base of the latter and how he was able to convince the powers that be that launching of Contour was a decision taken in haste and rectitude of his argument could not be questioned. Novels he pinned during his lifetime were inspirations from the daily grind of a common man. 

Elation the family had seen from time to time and one such moment was when his brothers were quite elated at his Parliament Victory and telephonic conversations from Bhagalpur to Canada summed up the euphoria. Even during his college days he spent much of his time with his nieces Kalpana, Pramila and nephew Anand and that were the moments that stayed in his memory for long. His days as Ambassador to Laos and Combodia were the moments that kept the family euphoric as well. 

His Parliament Stint was emancipating and it opened doors for him to realise his dreams. Speech after speech he underscored the need to bring relief to the common man as the man on the street was under illusion that a brute majority for a party in Parliament could do wonders for him. The creaking medical infrastructure and the need to correct it, the elusive job something mirrored even today were the requests made from his constituency people and he tried his best to ameliorate their sufferings with whatever tools he had at his disposal. His coming to the rescue of then MP Sunil Dutt who was at the receiving end of a fellow MP in Parliament for the sheer reason that he came from film industry background won him an all-weather buddy.

A loss in elections did not deter him and his extensive observations through his writings on booth capturing episodes in Hindi Heartland were one among different attempts and that brought slump in the fortunes of booth capturers. The search for adversary and there were some who did not appreciate his Parliament Stint and his Diplomatic Odyssey was a new chapter that he relished. Exchanging notes with powers that be of that era the bonhomie that he radiated with Cambodia King Norodom Sihanouk the moments were swathed in diary writing that were by no means less than grandeur.

Writing for Hindi Heartland he cherished as his sole motive was to bring awareness among the masses on the issues that bother the have-nots. These issues were dwindling fortunes of common man, the need to eradicate poverty and not the poor, the urgency in raising girl child with no diffidence, the lackadaisical medical care in remote parts of India, the need to give respect to migrant workers and the ones uprooted by unchecked economic lib. 

His writings were an inspiration and his constant endeavour to bring in focus the narrative guiding nation earned him respect and a ringing testament to the fact that no nation state can stay mute for long to the demands of the masses. His writings were not diminutive by any means and they were reflections on politics that is occasionally crass and a rush to grab chair. 

His odyssey to Middle East, China and Hong Kong as part of Parliamentary Delegation showed him the other side of the world prosperous for the very fact that they cared for the masses. He was die-hard optimist and one who kept himself briefed all through the day with news. The dispatches from life were on occasions crude but he kept those tales to himself. 

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans is not amidst us but he would continue to guide us all through life and the thoughts penned here are an inspiration from him as well.

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans Was Steadfast In Negotiating Challenges By Puneet Rajhans

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans Was Steadfast In Negotiating Challenges By Puneet Rajhans

From Media house minefield to political maelstrom my father Gouri Shankar Rajhans negotiated challenges given immense faith he had in Lord Shiva. Upbringing in middle income household he knew he had to defy diktats largely illustrated through belligerent English Rule to eroding sources of income given his father's fluctuating fortunes in business he had seen it all and accepted them as and when they came. From occasional pessimism that invaded Bihar The State he came from during school and college days he stood up to the challenge and created a niche for himself. Scoring first rank in Economics (Hons) in Graduation lifted him from moments of despair and this elation he carried with him when he went to pursue higher studies in North Carolina University in Chapel Hill. The return from Chapel Hill was amidst a climate when India had lost war to China and India's vicissitudes mirrored an essay of an era where judgements in varied fields were flip-flop. From Kumardhubi to Kolkata the myriad of upheavals that he confronted were not few and far given the closed economy the country had and the job opportunities that were drying up with each passing hour. He stuck to his roots and never ever ran out of hope howsoever voluminous the path may be.

The media house innings may have illuminated him but they were not with its share of ifs and buts. I can still recall Weekend Review and Contour were the two publications launched in early '80s and sliding circulation base of the latter and how he was able to convince the powers that be that launching of Contour was a decision taken in haste and rectitude of his argument could not be questioned. Novels he pinned during his lifetime were inspirations from the daily grind of a common man. 

Elation the family had seen from time to time and one such moment was when his brothers were quite elated at his Parliament Victory and telephonic conversations from Bhagalpur to Canada summed up the euphoria. Even during his college days he spent much of his time with his nieces Kalpana, Pramila and nephew Anand and that were the moments that stayed in his memory for long. His days as Ambassador to Laos and Combodia were the moments that kept the family euphoric as well. 

His Parliament Stint was emancipating and it opened doors for him to realise his dreams. Speech after speech he underscored the need to bring relief to the common man as the man on the street was under illusion that a brute majority for a party in Parliament could do wonders for him. The creaking medical infrastructure and the need to correct it, the elusive job something mirrored even today were the requests made from his constituency people and he tried his best to ameliorate their sufferings with whatever tools he had at his disposal. His coming to the rescue of then MP Sunil Dutt who was at the receiving end of a fellow MP in Parliament for the sheer reason that he came from film industry background won him an all-weather buddy.

A loss in elections did not deter him and his extensive observations through his writings on booth capturing episodes in Hindi Heartland were one among different attempts and that brought slump in the fortunes of booth capturers. The search for adversary and there were some who did not appreciate his Parliament Stint and his Diplomatic Odyssey was a new chapter that he relished. Exchanging notes with powers that be of that era the bonhomie that he radiated with Cambodia King Norodom Sihanouk the moments were swathed in diary writing that were by no means less than grandeur.

Writing for Hindi Heartland he cherished as his sole motive was to bring awareness among the masses on the issues that bother the have-nots. These issues were dwindling fortunes of common man, the need to eradicate poverty and not the poor, the urgency in raising girl child with no diffidence, the lackadaisical medical care in remote parts of India, the need to give respect to migrant workers and the ones uprooted by unchecked economic lib. 

His writings were an inspiration and his constant endeavour to bring in focus the narrative guiding nation earned him respect and a ringing testament to the fact that no nation state can stay mute for long to the demands of the masses. 

As Rains Lashed Delhi, The Hands Are Full For Climate Envoy John Kerry

As Rains Lashed Delhi, The Hands Are Full For Climate Envoy John Kerry

As rains lashed Delhi the hands are full for Climate Envoy John Kerry. John Kerry wants to ensure climate crisis is addressed with pious intent and in entirety and leaders across globe show arete. In India, the focus was on less prudent officials in UP State titling towards one party and evolving gaiety. Poll watchdog issued orders of transfer signaling impartiality would be the key in a State where nothing comes for free.  This door to door campaign minus mask is inviting trouble that won't be curn. What is the comfort level when you can't mask yourself and doesn't invigorate others to do the same as if you are in the act of adding pelf.  As onus is on digital campaign parts of India are home to unseasonal rain and this is adding to discomfort and this unseasonal rain is expected as well in the city of Wayne. As rains disperse and divulge a script of purge the one day series in South Africa has shown one contesting team which seems to be in gurge. 

From Beijing to Botswana the temperatures may oscillate and there would be handful who would weather abbreviate. Tel Aviv and the fief is not noteworthy; the Ukraine standoff shows someone batty. When would curtains come down on Ukraine standoff is not known, this is one irritation that shows West not on same page as Russia and invasion by the latter would sum up the loss of ergasia. Leave Ukraine at peace with itself; any intention of invasion would invite admonition. 

Hope crude prices don't gallop upwards and Middle East doesn't erupt. The Houthi rebels are facing Saudi Arabian onslaught which is not crud and largely to dismantle the opinion that those out to unsettle Middle East would go unnoticed and import of campaign would be to see traitors are brought to book and who are by no means prude.

The Coming Of Rajhans Title And The Narrative Weaved By My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans by Puneet Rajhans

The Coming Of Rajhans Title And The Narrative Weaved By My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans by Puneet Rajhans

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans's brothers used persuasive skills from time to time to see that he get on with the job of penning history of our family. As my father noted their ancestors hailed from Panchob village in Darbhanga District of Bihar. And there was nothing unusual about it. Among those one learned individual named Pandit Devkinandan Jha was a Judge in Mughal Empire in Agra. The Judge's remit is to differentiate between truth and deceit similar to a bird named "Rajhans" which differentiates between water and milk. The Mughal Emperor gave the title of "Rajhans" to Pandit Devkinandan Jha and this was no less than an honour for the entire family. During that time the River Ganga was known for its pious quality and in Sultanganj Uttar Vahini Ganga used to flow with a beat of its own. 

Post retirement Pandit Devkinandan Jha settled in Sultanganj and from their members of his family migrated to different parts of the country. Adding to that during Mughal Rule one branch of Rajhans family left Agra and got settled in Maharashtra region. The point to be noted is that in the State of Bihar in different districts there are a large number of families carrying the title of Rajhans.   

When my father was an MP there were interactions with fellow MPs from Maharashtra and during course of these deliberations they told him there were a large number of people with Rajhans surname in the state. Among these there was a prominent singer Balgandharv. 

This is how we acquired Rajhans surname and this is a legendary tale with no ifs and buts. 

Promises Galore In A Season Where There Are Individual Named Errol

Promises Galore In A Season Where There Are Individual Named Errol

As promises galore the brazen poll brouhaha can't be in a state of frore despite not being in contest Errol.  Of staggered polls and staggered promises, this poll is essentially minus aces. On poll pitch there would be enough candidates face to face with rebel glitch.  As polls would wind up the promises made and the endeavour to keep the date would wilt under fiscal pressure and that would be seen as in a state of blubber. Those out to get clever post polls would still try hard in a nation that has not earned the global ire and wrath even from a nation that at one point housed Ferber. As poll hysteria would wane the outcome may not be praised by the likes of Ewan. 

The decision to reopen schools in Maharashtra may lull as the virus is not facing peril. How the virus would run out of steam is not known enough bulwark has been created as imagined by powers that be that need not necessarily be of foam. 

As reports appeared that mid-air collision was averted over Bengaluru city in India we hope the air space is safe in Honolulu. How are the weather and people over Honolulu little is known as people from far away places crave to visit including Rome. Honolulu is 11, 899 kms from Delhi Capital of India where enough is made of an ODI contest that witnesses enough layers of deceit and unwarranted phobia. Doyen And Doyenne Of Delhi State guide you to an empire where miniscule look good and tidy and majority don't have the time to invoke howdy. 

Cold Wave And Intake Of Bread Pareve

Cold Wave And Intake Of Bread Pareve

Handful of pistachios and cold doesn't go away despite some resorting to intake of cachou. The cold wave has left millions shattered and when would this turn benign with no traffic challan and fine. Motoring to place of work can wreak havoc and here this fog thrilled clime can be seen even among those housing WAAC. Ensnared by this cold wave some move to South India destined as Pride Of India. How is the weather in South India is not known but given any day or night it would be million times better than North India Cold that doesn't let anyone to step outside and sight thorite.

The never to end cold has made many weather a storm would this lead some to lose their crown. Answer is not in the air and those attending the fair and in the era of traffic snarl not turning to tear that is unveiling aura of invincibility wear. 

The audacity of opinion polls is troublesome as reading the manuscript of assembly polls which won't be short of crim. Would the poll watchdog be lenient towards them, the decision to ban poll rallies only till Jan 22 is no wise move; week after week announcements to this effect is no action that can sum up the mood and groove. These spate of polls are a waste in a nation that is risking millions in Central Vista infatuation.

The Kazakh unrest has inflammed passions for such wild scale protest; hope nothing of that happens that may look to be a tall order in containing the same akin to a challenge of scaling Mount Everest. 

Cruising to peace should be the sole agenda as we are in a nation that has miles of quinta.     

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans Wrote Extensive Stories By Puneet Rajhans

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans Wrote Extensive Stories By Puneet Rajhans

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans Wrote Extensive Stories. His grip on history was firm and he had enough anecdotes to this effect. China was one area where he wrote stories from time time with the objective to bring to light that liberalisation that China had initiated in the '70s under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping had lifted millions out of poverty not forgetting there were pitfalls of the same largely seen as capitalists enmeshed in profit taking and this taking a toll on social commitments.  

Mao Tse-Tung and the revolution that he unveiled in China was very much he could recall and my father made these observations take shape while writing gamut of stories.

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans Penned Stories With An Intent To Bring Awareness By Puneet Rajhans

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans Penned Stories With An Intent To Bring Awareness By Puneet Rajhans

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans Penned Stories With An Intent To Bring Awareness. His writings in Hindi gathered steam after he returned from Cambodia in July '96. He knew he had ample time on hand and wrote about the people in distress to those who suffered for want of proper medical care. He never forgot his roots Bihar the State And Its People and they were inescapably on his mind when he penned thoughts. 

The laidback approach of powers that be that encouraged migration from Bihar from time to time remained mired in his memory and whenever opportunity came he made notings to this effect. Inescapable was the reality that Bihar lagged behind in different parameters of growth and a creaking infrastructure was much to blame for getting the tag of  BIMARU. A backward state that stared challenges at every passing hour, would Bihar be able to rein forces that were detrimental to it was something that bothered My Father. 

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans Wrote From Dainik Jagran, Ranchi Express, Sanmarg, Purvanchal Prehri, Aaj Varanasi, Jalte Deep Jodhpur, Dainik Navjyoti Jaipur To Lokmat Samachar, Navbharat Bhopal, Prabhat Khabar, Rajasthan Patrika And Haribhumi

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans Wrote From Dainik Jagran, Ranchi Express, Sanmarg, Purvanchal Prehri, Aaj Varanasi, Jalte Deep Jodhpur, Dainik Navjyoti Jaipur To Lokmat Samachar, Navbharat Bhopal, Prabhat Khabar, Rajasthan Patrika And Haribhumi

The Scold From Cold Is Getting Bold; From China To Cincinnati There Are Enough Who Are Not Haughty

The Scold From Cold Is Getting Bold; From China To Cincinnati There Are Enough Who Are Not Haughty

As temperatures dip, which people by and large can't rip, this bone chilling weather has led to all round clamour that cold abate and Indian denizens need not be levied cold freight. North India is home to a weather that is lavish and livid given cold that is largely seen in Cowes and hurting those who are gravid.  Economy is no thrill, employment milled as the weather is a long lasting session of grill. When would this weather improve, sighting groove and fog trail disappear and clear sighting and clarity appear is not known in a nation that is home to varied nature and sighting of drone.

The dip and prick is hitting us hard, the biting cold is no holds barred. From aircraft to aeronautics all are standstill waiting till the skies get clear and they release themselves from all pervasive fear. It is of paramount importance that we spare a thought or two for the distressed who in his inhuman climes have enough to chase and none to praise. How they would unwind in this tormenting weather is not known, sleeping under open sky is a challenge and still they are up against destructive forces that want to avenge.

In India December to February the hostile weather is on a crescendo with no sighting of holes and inviting enough innuendo. This brings back the memories of Somnath in Gujarat State where the sun shines and spillover effect is felt all over place and one doesn't cringe and is in a playful mood to chime. The macho image that one chases giving the impression that cool breeze leaves them unruffled is an illusion and illusory tactics are at play despite they getting grey. The auction of this weather would have few takers and bidding adieu to this pugnacious weather would be welcome and invite gathering of the likes of PRM. One who stays steadfast, raised on a diet of dry fruit cart may be able to stand up to this challenge for those on lower layer of society they may see this as nature trying to steal avenge. Bid Adieu to this weather template lock stock and barrel, the road to chivalry has enough pebble. From Antarctic to those zones housing lions named Asiatic, the temperatures would plummet and there is no reason to believe that other territories should essentially erupt. From China to Cincinnati the unfolding weather would be a rap on the knuckles one can only hope that vitriolic cold wanes and gives soothing comfort to zones that see exchange in Cain. 

Passing away of NDTV's Kamal Khan is a loss to nation and world

Passing away of NDTV's Kamal Khan is a loss to nation and world

Kamal Khan was a veteran journalist. Associated with NDTV News Channel for three decades he was known for unblemished reporting. He had innocence of his known and that mirrored in the assignments he handled. Known for exemplary courage and upright reporting he was blessed with repertoire of skills which came handy on different occasions.

His reportage was in-depth and covered a wide canvas right from political minefield to social engineering. His quotes from different books and his innate skills in putting them in poetic enunciation were widely acclaimed. He never ever digressed and stuck to his honest roots. Reporting largely from Lucknow and other cities/towns of State of UP in India he could traverse wide range of subjects as and when the occasion demanded. His bipartisan attitude saw him court different political personalities/pundits and that could easily get him a response to any happening which other journos found hard to get. Be it fugitive from dictatorial regime or fence sitter he could gauge the sentiment and do reporting accordingly. Apart from Lucknow he had been tasked with the responsibility of reporting from Ayodhya that had witnessed churning each passing year and here his poetic push came in for praise from different quarters.

The Scold From Cold Is Getting Bold; From China To Cincinnati There Are Enough Who Are Not Haughty

The Scold From Cold Is Getting Bold; From China To Cincinnati There Are Enough Who Are Not Haughty

As temperatures dip, which people by and large can't rip, this bone chilling weather has led to all round clamour that cold abate and Indian denizens need not be levied cold freight. North India is home to a weather that is lavish and livid given cold that is largely seen in Cowes and hurting those who are gravid.  Economy is no thrill, employment milled as the weather is a long lasting session of grill. When would this weather improve, sighting groove and fog trail disappear and clear sighting and clarity appear is not known in a nation that is home to varied nature and sighting of drone.

The dip and prick is hitting us hard, the biting cold is no holds barred. From aircraft to aeronautics all are standstill waiting till the skies get clear and they release themselves from all pervasive fear. It is of paramount importance that we spare a thought or two for the distressed who in his inhuman climes have enough to chase and none to praise. How they would unwind in this tormenting weather is not known, sleeping under open sky is a challenge and still they are up against destructive forces that want to avenge.

In India December to February the hostile weather is on a crescendo with no sighting of holes and inviting enough innuendo. This brings back the memories of Somnath in Gujarat State where the sun shines and spillover effect is felt all over place and one doesn't cringe and is in a playful mood to chime. The macho image that one chases giving the impression that cool breeze leaves them unruffled is an illusion and illusory tactics are at play despite they getting grey. The auction of this weather would have few takers and bidding adieu to this pugnacious weather would be welcome and invite gathering of the likes of PRM. One who stays steadfast, raised on a diet of dry fruit cart may be able to stand up to this challenge for those on lower layer of society they may see this as nature trying to steal avenge. Bid Adieu to this weather template lock stock and barrel, the road to chivalry has enough pebble. From Antarctic to those zones housing lions named Asiatic, the temperatures would plummet and there is no reason to believe that other territories should essentially erupt. From China to Cincinnati the unfolding weather would be a rap on the knuckles one can only hope that vitriolic cold wanes and gives soothing comfort to zones that see exchange in Cain.        

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans Wrote For The Masses: Wrote For The State Of Bihar As Well

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans Wrote For The Masses

With the avowed aim of giving insights on how employment could be given to masses my father Gouri Shankar Rajhans wrote extensive stories from time to time. Employment was something he was concerned about with no regime at any point of time having looked at from the prism of initiating long lasting solution and he wrote with the intent that powers that be gathered tools at their disposal to break this unemployment chain. Bihar the State that he came from had seen surge in migration in the '90s and continuing to date much to do with lopsided policies of leaders which led to large scale resistance from industries spread across wide canvas to set their base and the ground reality summed it all. 

The fate of migrant workers and the schism between the administration and them had for long not been addressed something reflected in my father's writings. His writings mirrored the apathy that administration had shown against migrant workers and what all needed to be put in place to address their grievances. The Scourge Of Pessimism that India went through from time to time be it the droughts/floods that affected swathes of territories, the hate campaign that made inroads in different territories bothered my father and he wrote with the intention of bringing these issues under spotlight. 

In the '70s and later in the '80s he had the fortune of visiting different cities/territories in India like Ahmedabad, Allahabad and Kashmir. The Kashmir Sojourn was at a time when peace was no luxury in the Valley and the alacrity that people by and large amassed reaped huge dividends for a long time. His odyssey to Kashmir coincided with a regime at the Centre that was open to their ideas that emanated from far and wide terrains of the Valley. Novel Salma that he penned is inspired by his Kashmir Sojourn.

Abhijit Banerjee who scaled new heights and won Nobel Prize in Economics in October 2019 was mentioned in his story in Hindi publication Haribhumi in its Bilaspur edition. Abhijit Banerjee shared this honour with Esther Duflo and Michael Krumer. This story was published on Oct 18, 2019 . Abhijit studied in Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi and later taught there as well and there was mood of celebration when news broke about Nobel Prize. As my father noted Abhijit in his research underscored the point that children of poor parents need not remain poor and if conducive environment was provided to them they could easily outmanoeuvre children coming from affluent background and the need of the hour was to alleviate their suffering. My father further noted how his research is utilised by nations across world would be interesting to watch.

In Haribhumi in Delhi Edition on November 7, 2019 my father wrote about all pervasive pollution in Delhi and NCR and with the intervention of court solution should come sooner than later. This story was published in Hindi Publication Aaj in Varanasi Edition. In Haribhumi in September 2019 he wrote about forced conversion and how this challenge should be met. My father often raised the issue of those coming from Hindi Heartland like Bihar and UP and step motherly treatment that was given to them for the sheer reason that they were poor. I would often observe that none were original residents of Delhi as those who claim to be so actually came from Pakistan and here who had the gall to give step motherly treatment to those coming from Hindi Heartland hadn't seen frail side of humanity.

My father spent his lifetime raising issues related to common man and given his humble background and accomplishments he cherished and they are worth noting. His stint in Sultanganj in Bihar bring out interesting tales and despite limited means the entire family excelled in whatever they went out to do.

As polling hours would open in State Of UP people would be stable enough given enough dose of OPV

As polling hours would open in State Of UP  people would be stable enough given enough dose of OPV

As polling hours would open in State Of UP, some would quiver but stable enough as they have taken enough dose of OPV. The descending temperatures would make majority take comfort in shawl with EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) developing snag leading day to night unmotivated electoral staff tag. In all 403 seats are up for grabs in a State where factory after factory with none inventory collapsed over the years and diminishing employment leaving much in a state of aghast. 

Polling in this State is cumbersome, this State has enough tales of movement of whisky and rum. Here it lags in employment door to door campaign to convince them against incendiary threats may be lumpsum, the underlying sentiment is people by and large live in fear, those tasked with the responsibility of Richter Scale Reading don't care. How polls would unwind in this BIMARU (Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh) State is not known by the time results start trickling in who would wear the crown that may be essentially favourite of Singer Brown. Here one doesn't listen about paycheck and emoluments as vacancies dwindle given no employment. Here polarisation take centrestage and it is no illusion that in a nation state where people irrespective of caste, creed and colour of cash rash should be treated as one but none of that is happening as polarisation is unnerving something not seen in the city of BENONI where one can access enough quantum of honey.

Some have a disdain for electronic media as they focus on one party and the script of phobia. Electronic Media in India is in a state of illusion as they are still nascent and don't do justice despite having in their presence individual named Eustace. Maturity is miles away from them and when would they do  reporting that is less lamenting.

String Of Polls In This South Asian Nation And Those Hauled Over The Coals

String Of Polls In This South Asian Nation And Those Hauled Over The Coals

Much is being made of State Assembly Polls and some may be hauled over the coals if benign verdict may lead some for all times to come political chapter fold. The Top Chair Vault and those who would bemoan and revolt are inescapable facts in a nation like India comprising 25 plus provinces which won't be minus poll hysteria. Election watchdog may have a tough task ahead to hold polls in five States which are out and out agrarian occasionally witnessing a campaign of hate and miles and miles away from city of Uvalde. One is at fault for keeping roadshows and poll rallies banished only till Jan 15 which seems the decision has been taken by a teen.

There should have been blanket ban on poll rallies and roadshows till March 10 when it would get clear who would win and henceforth not complete the tenure and see his party in ruin. Win or loss the entire poll machinery is hogwash; millions are spent on campaign that is nonetheless a season of backpain. Parachuting from top the political party honchos would promise moon; post poll brouhaha they would disappear and get noticed for riverside croon. Polls are a wasteful expenditure in India where healthcare is in dire straits and irrespective of caste, creed and colour of cash the health sector is rash. Why waste millions running into billions on polls when the politico to be picked and hailed has a future pyramid that is frail. These two months when poll hysteria would engulf this South Asian nation state which has millions going unfed every night and this evolving picture is blight. 

Essentially tremors may not be felt post polls but those hopeful of completing tenure may be bulldozed to another reality where they may be called to visit Dentist to clear cobwebs and cavity, where the political party they praised may dump them midway in entirety. For India the decades of '80s and '90s were no boredom everything moving at snail pace was the natural rhythm. We still revel the era of Doordarshan as the solo TV channel in India and with the onset of electronic media beverage the task of news reporting became haughty and below average. Day in and day out they spend invaluable hours in putting under spotlight this brazen politico or that indefensible superstar forgetting that in this melee the lesser known entities with no fear on whom the stories should be spun be it miniscule share. Those who rose from ranks coming from humble background never ever have been praised and they have not been put under spotlight despite they having enough grace. In the passing away of lesser known entities even in ticker they didn't find mention as all these channels are amassed with wealth and are assured of lifelong pension. Why not berate the powers that be over rising unemployment and rising inflationary trends in a nation caught in a whirlpool of not tolerating dissent. In India Writing in English is considered luxury, those writing in vernacular mode are banished and considered even less than the likes of Cavalieri.

Electronic plus print media is at fault for focusing on trivial issues like security breach and not so noteworthy glitch when they are in the know of things that this South Asian nation comprises millions of individuals who have nothing to eat and pass each day minus feast. When the spotlight would go away from these obscure politicos who are out and out wackos and train guns on an administration that doesn't perform and administrators at large wearing a frail crown. From Leh To Lisbon the weather is out and out freaky and when we would be spared from this biting cold that is no rickety. Logging miles and miles in air is no wonder and from affluent politico to those with expansive portico they are all adding to climate chaos and day may come when they would eventually lose the title of frosh. Taking credit for air connectivity is childish as aviation sector has host of challenges coupled with men at their  disposal who are no prudish. From Air To Fair mass gathering should be discouraged in a world where the response to fight myriad of challenges is average.

Novels Penned By My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans

Novels Penned By My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans

Some of the books, novels penned by my father included Biography of Congress Leader Motilal Nehru, "Salma" (Based on his sojourn in Kashmir), "Tum Phir Aana"(Based on days spent in North Carolina University in Chapel Hill), "Abhisapt", "Aana Ek VIP Ka", Ujli Rekhein Bhi", "Videshiya", "Pretatma Bikau Hai", "Booth Bahadur Ki Jai", "Practice Politics Ki". Hindi Satire "Practice Politics Ki" was brought out by publishing house Jagatram And Sons. 

Moments I Shared With My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans

Moments I Shared With My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans

Known for his upright bringing my father Gouri Shankar Rajhans's innings in life were built around goals he chased and dreams he cherished in a young nation young at heart freed from the shackles of English Regime and where one could realise their lofty ambitions. String of novels he wrote at drop of a hat is something illustrated from '70s to '90s. Education apart he excelled in writing and this had reflections in score of stories he contributed for Hindi Weekly Saptahik Hindustan and other publications much in demand when they were at their prime. The then Bharatiya Jana Sangh leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani appreciated stories that my father penned in the '70s. In the same decade when Doordarshan was the lone Television Channel in India he participated in a large number of Group Discussions and on All India Radio his participation in debates went much beyond 2005. In the '70s and '80s the different visits to Agra the city in Uttar Pradesh much famed for Taj Mahal are still fresh in my memory.

During AICC (All India Congress Committee) Session in 1985 he wrote biography of Congress Leader  Motilal Nehru who had served as Congress President on two different occasions and this book was released by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. 

While boarding Rajdhani for Bombay my father came across a British Journalist and at length he explained the trials and tribulations of running a regime with Congress Party running a Govt at the Centre. A short story he had written for Saptahik Hindustan and while returning from Bombay in April 1986 a woman was able to place him and the short story. My father was thrilled to note that people's  at reading skills were very much there and Hindi stories were read by a large gathering. There are dozen other anecdotes similar to this. In the latter half of '70s we all went to watch Kissa Kursi Ka a movie which drew much of its tale from Emergency that was imposed in India and the then then ruling regime that was at fault. Before his stint in Parliament he had served as Director U.N.I. News Agency, Searchlight Patna, Bihar Textbook Corporation, Govt of Bihar, Patna and Member Executive Committee Indian and Eastern Newspaper Society (IENS) New Delhi. I can still recall in November 1992 Ugam Mathur Uncle came with a bouquet just before my father was supposed to leave for Airport to take flight for Bangkok and later Vientiane for taking up diplomatic assignment in Laos. A month before that his brother in law Vinay Mishra came to our place and spoke in detail about Laos which was a landlocked country and my visit to Laos Embassy in Friends Colony in Delhi to gather inputs about that country were appreciated by my father.

Rewind to January 2001 I am in Tirumala having stayed in the Seven Hills for more than a week and I rejoiced telephonic conversations with my father based in Delhi with the phone booths in Tirumala coming handy. During AICC Session in Tirupati in 1992 when Narasimha Rao was the Congress President and Prime Minister he attended the said session and was able to visit Tirumala and the prayer that he put was answered. 

Rewind to January 2007 I am in Ahmednagar in Maharashtra my father asked me to put in a prayer for my sisters Dolly and Leena as well and the stay in Ahmednagar was for a week or so. During 1982-83 we visited our relations in Krishna Menon Marg in New Delhi and the Video Cassette Recorder (VCR) we sighted there and no sooner he arranged VCR for our household as well and we watched Hindi movies on day to day basis. This was the time when Cable Television had not invaded the households across India. 

The bonding that he shared with his brothers Shiv Shankar Rajhans, Karuna Shankar Rajhans and Gyan Shankar Rajhans are still fresh and the narrative was spun around the childhood days to period when they went abroad to pursue studies.  In his last surviving days he would often recall the years spent in his birthplace Sultanganj and the inspirational index that he and his brothers inherited from their parents.

Winter Months Are Cruel And Life Passage In Brule

We Dread Winter

Winter Months Are Cruel And Life Passage In Brule

Winter months are cruel. They hit you hard below the belt and mirrored in reflet and lodge us in a compartment that essays life passage in a territory as virile as Brule. In countryside the life is more fearsome given no power and everlasting silence every passing hour. We dread Winter and its onset and when it is at prime, we suffer in silence akin to punishment for crime. We can pen thoughts on Winter in North India; the South and West have been spared from travails and phobia. The Winter descent releases hysteria in a nation where there is widespread feria. Winter be short and sum up as an act of shrift, its departure should be swift something largely seen in Crete. In North America, Latin America, Europe, Russia, Commonwealth of Independent States, China and beyond the Winter is harsh with enough hiccups, the temperatures falling below zero and there is enough clarity given no sighting of kouros. When would biting cold abate and the affected lot would have nothing to berate is not known from November to March one has solitary consolation in home and home alone.

Those surviving on crumbs the life is a challenge and seeing through this biting cold which at no point they want this winter template to usher even in Kazakhstan amassed with tenge. In India especially along the roadside millions spend their nights under open sky and there are none to shed a tear and cry. What would be the state of affairs in a distant territory as Siberia which all through the year has plummeting temperatures which a disciplined lot does not want to hear. Let Winter subside, the sky slide open, the aeronautics mishaps reduce to zero, the aviation sector facing myriad of challenges even in distant places as Kuorou. We have Winter Olympics to Winter Semantics all along in a world where for majority of occasions virus is rare and with its onset and imprint send shower of fear. It has been over a month over 40 days to be precise since we watched melodramatic news channels and here newspapers are no good operating under the lens of an administration which is no miniscule and doesn't pule. The turn of events have made us wonder where we went wrong and there are pitfalls of hospitalisation of elderly who was with us all along. 

Winter blues are hard to fade and recede in a world/universe where people are aghast and hesitate to greet. We have heard about snow clad territories all through the year and in our country from Kedarnath to Badrinath devotees push themselves in queues when doors are open and this is no rare. We hold Kedarnath to Badrinath Shrines in high esteem some believe the reigning deity would shovel away challenges that are extreme. Course correction as far as virus is concerned is not known and since Dec 2019 virus and its virulent nature is the underlying foam. It is a pity that despite reminders people don't mask themselves and keep social distancing; the New Year revelry was crude and hallucinating. It would be an uphill task to keep the doors of Kedarnath and Badrinath Shrines open from Spring to Autumn given the fusillade of weather change that can surprise the likes of Newton.

One doesn't know if virus would have abated or not if elderly had been taken care of, mistreatment and indifferent attitude was omnipotent and brought life to a halt. Virus vicissitudes are all over there and how to read its gait and curb it no one has an answer and is the impending fear. We still hope the virus script to dwindle in a world seized by upheaval. Let respect to each and all be the abiding goal, cash push and holding rank/position should be stopped and torrentially fold. Irrespective of caste, creed and colour of cash, respect be bestowed on everyone maltreatment to even small entity can be lethal and set maelstrom run.

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans Came From Humble Background

My Father Gouri Shankar Rajhans Came From Humble Background

Coming from humble background my father Gouri Shankar Rajhans negotiated challenges in life thanks to his upright upbringing in Sultanganj in Bhagalpur District in Bihar State in India. He would often narrate tales of Sultanganj sprinkled with optimism that his family radiated even in odd moments. When dacoits were out to launch an assault on his household how one of his relations spun a magical tale of his house being beehive of large number of family members and that was enough for dacoits to retreat. Ajgaibinath temple he and his family would often visit for which one had to avail a boat ride. When he fell ill in the first half of 1968 he was confident that he would stage a comeback and so was my mother with enduring faith reposed in God. 

His march to adulthood was amidst an environment where with limited means they had to content with something mirrored in the breakfast comprising Chura (beaten rice) and Dahi (curd) with the latter out and out bitter. But none of the four brothers would complain as they were in the know of the things that their parents had spared no effort to ensure their children were in comfort zone. He would often observe that how his father Jaideo Rajhans would have raised four children as the resources he had at his disposal were depleting with each passing day. My father would often recall how his father would observe that his body's resistance was not keeping pace with his body and he was not keeping well. In the last surviving days my father had body pain something akin to my grandfather.

He lost his father at 68 and that was an immense loss to the entire family. Thanks to the Lord he was at his usual self soon and back to the day to day grind in Delhi. 

In the early part of '80s I was operated for appendicitis and my father who was all by himself ran from pillar to post to see everything went smoothly. The entire expense was borne by him keeping Dr Mohan in the know that entire expense would be reimbursed something that was not to be. In the '70s and early part of '80s his younger brother Karuna Shankar Rajhans and his family would visit us during Christmas/New Year and this august gathering was a force to reckon with. In the same period at quick intervals we would visit Badkhal Lake in Faridabad with T C Goyal Family. Goyal Uncle used to take me along with his family members to Safdarjung Enclave Club whenever there used to be screening of Hindi movies. When my father was an MP the tap water that was coming was dirty and Goyal Uncle observed that my father should raise this issue in Parliament. My father used to take us to Ramleela organised under the aegis of Shreeram Bhartiya Kala Kendra near Delhi Gate and those in occasional attendance were Karuna Shankar Uncle's family members and Mishra family members. In 1980 0r 1981 we were all set to embark on a journey to Kashmir but at the last moment this plan was shelved as Sobha Mausi and K K Jha Mausa came to stay at our residence. My papa went to Kashmir alone and the sojourn is mirrored in a novel named "Salma". During those days Gulzar came to his office expressing his intent to make a movie based on "Salma" but he couldn't meet my father as he was away attending to office responsibilities. 

Some of the other novels penned by my father included "Abhisapt", "Aana Ek VIP Ka", Ujali Rekhaiya", "Videshiya", "Pretatma Bikau Hai", "Tum Phir Aana", "Practice Politics Ki". He excelled in Hindi Satire as well and this was reflected in "Practice Politics Ki". 

During his days as Member of Parliament he would visit his Parliamentary Constituency Jhanjharpur in Bihar every month and his associate Durga Babu was quite handy. His visits to Jhanjharpur were with the intent that he could address the grievances of his constituency people as well as see to it there was a representative of them in Delhi who would take up their cause as and when the need arose. He would respond to every letter from his constituency something that kept them in good humour.  His umpteen trips to AIIMS to get his constituency people treated is still etched in my memory. 

In the latter half of '90s I had severe acidity and the private hospital in our neighbourhood advised I be admitted but my father did not relent as he was well aware of pitfalls of hospitalisation. The next day with medication taken at home I recovered and here my papa's stand was correct.

His conversations with Cambodian leader Norodom Sihanouk in the '90s and at the same time with his son Norodom Ranariddh when he was India's Ambassador to Cambodia was one of the high points of his diplomatic assignment days. In Laos and Cambodia then then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao and my father used to exchange letters quite often. He would exchange letters with the then Opposition Leader of that time Atal Bihari Vajpayee and my father sent him a congratulatory note for being conferred the Best Opposition Leader Award. He shared good equations with L K Advani as well. He shared good equations with President Ram Nath Kovind as well.

As learned Congress leader P Chidambaram used to often observe during his meeting with my father "Once An Ambassador, Always An Ambassador". My father shared bonhomie with political leaders cutting across party lines. With Division Number 406 his seating arrangement in Lok Sabha in Parliament was with Mamta Banerjee and Shantaram Naik. Then then Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar my father shared good equations. Even the present Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla used to often send letters to my father. Previous to Om Birla Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and my father shared good equations. 

My father wrote for different publications like Dainik Jagran, Ranchi Express, Sanmarg, Purvanchal Prehri, Aaj Varanasi, Jalte Deep Jodhpur, Dainik Navjyoti Jaipur, Lokmat Samachar, Navbharat Bhopal, Prabhat Khabar, Rajasthan Patrika, Haribhumi and others and he could do so only with the efforts of his associate Arjun Singh and Arjun Singh alone who used to take dictation. These articles in Hindi published in different publications were circulated by his younger brother Gyan Shankar Rajhans based in Canada. My father and his elder brother Shiv Shankar Rajhans quite often used to recall the days spent in Sultanganj with their parents during their telephonic conversations.

My Father Dr Gouri Shankar Rajhans Whom I Knew

My Father Dr Gouri Shankar Rajhans Whom I Knew

Born and brought up in Sultanganj in Bhagalpur District in Bihar my father Dr Gouri Shankar Rajhans was raised in an environment where the initial innings were subject to diktats from English regime which was harsh and in haste. Innumerable episodes were recalled by my father where Englishmen with boots came to his residence to initiate proceedings against one or the other. Post Independent India my father who was one among four brothers was brought up with limited means when my grandfather's business was no less than a rocky boat. All four brothers excelled in studies with the rider that brothers by rotation would recite biography of statesmen of that era. After excelling in graduation my father won Fulbright scholarship and was henceforth enrolled in North Carolina University in Chapel Hill. The discipline of Economics was his forte and he did fairly well during the period he stayed in the US. 

I can still recall that Economics (Hons) that i was pursuing was difficult to fathom and my father came to my rescue on more than one occasion. In 1962 skirmishes with China that India was trying to unravel was the period when my father stayed away from his family with my mother unable to join him in the US. I can still recall that there is a photo frame of my father meeting political stalwart of that era Jawaharlal Nehru before his odyssey to the US hanging in one of the rooms of Sultanganj residence.

On occasions more than one my father recalled how his elder brother Shiv Shankar Rajhans got married at an early age and there was commotion all around before the ceremony and it got subdued in record time with the intervention of well wishers in a place named Tarar near Sultanganj. With employment innings divided in places as varied as Kumardhubi, Kolkata and Delhi my father was steadfast in negotiating myriad of challenges and his Delhi Stint brought him closer to people of political fraternity. My father was instrumental in launching Dishakal a publication that tried to stem the media tide that was up and floating against L N Mishra. Innumerable tete-a-tete with L N Mishra in Udyog Bhawan and later in Rail Bhawan was recalled by my father whenever an opportunity came. My father was able to win confidence of political stalwarts of that period L N Mishra and Sitaram Kesri with the former having enough belief that he had found a true friend in my father who could with his versatile talent turn the hostile media in his favour. 

I can still recall that during our stay in Old Rajinder Nagar my parents used to make a beeline to Karol Bagh Market with the salary that my father was drawing was limited and we had to manage with that. There was a grocery store man Maila Ram in Old Rajinder Nagar and my mother's success in day to day grind and how she managed to make purchases with limited cash in hand was noteworthy. At that time Narain Singh was the driver who used to take my father to office and back. When we moved to our house in Safdarjung Enclave my father won admirers in Katara, T C Goyal, Bakshi, Vidyarthy, Bansal, Raja, Kochhar, Suri, Ugam Mathur, Surana, Dutta, Ohri, Panjwani and later O P Ghei and others. My father's interactions with them during New Year and Deepawali cheered the either side and with the onset of New Year the calendars were delivered to them which came in lumpsum from HT. 

In 1982 my father was all set to join political fraternity as he aspired to be a Rajya Sabha member and in the final moments it was sabotaged. In the fag end of 1984 he registered victory from Jhanjharpur constituency in Bihar with record votes and that ensured his stint in HT. In Parliament he spoke on varied subjects with his Division Number being 406. The matter under Rule 377 saw him take up the cause of floods in North Bihar which was recurring in nature and the havoc it wreaked was unbearable; the other being the need to bring Maithili which was spoken by 3 crore people in the country in the 80s in the Eight Schedule. He spoke in March 1988 when he observed that realising the importance of Maithili Nepal had accepted as its second official language and it was misfortune that despite our repeated requests it had not been included in the Eight Schedule of the constitution. His oratory skills were well recognised by political stalwarts of that era Rajiv Gandhi and Narasimha Rao. 

My father's interactions with relations at different points of time were commensurate with the objective that they were at ease whenever they visited us. In the '70s his brother in law Sunil Mishra came to pursue studies in Modinagar and his halts in our residence in Delhi off and on was praiseworthy. His  brother in law Pramil Mishra came to pursue studies from Hindu College and he also made it a point to visit us whenever opportunity came. His brother in law Govind Mishra did his schooling from Delhi Public School Mathura Road and later went on to pursue graduation from Delhi University and his occasional halts at our residence cheered us all. In the '70s and '80s my father used to take the entire family to restaurants of the likes of Sona Rupa, Kwality and United Coffee House in the precincts of Connaught Place much famed for their delicacies. Movies of that period that we watched with full attendance with my parents, my sisters Dolly, Leena and members of Mishra Family like Sushma Mausi and Sobha Mausi were Gandhi, Masoom, Karz, Parvarish and Angoor. In the '70s and '80s we had two car drivers at our disposal who went by the names Budhi Singh and Budhi Chand and their efforts were remarkable.

A cricket contest here and there he could manage passes for the same and I and Govind Mama did not miss an opportunity to watch cricket proceedings. In 1982 Asian Games he purchased tickets in plenty and we made rounds of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to watch different sporting disciplines. In 1982 we secured the First Colour Television Set from Canada thanks to efforts by his younger brother Gyan Shankar Rajhans. Whenever Gyan Rajhans Uncle used to visit Delhi with his family members my father spared no effort to make his stay comfortable with arrangements made for his visits to Agra and Bombay (Mumbai). Notably Gyan Uncle had been visiting us since our Old Rajinder Nagar Days and his visits during our stay in Safdarjung Enclave were no different. In 1983 my father was instrumental in bringing his cousin Shambhu Nath Jha to Delhi who worked for different advertising agencies before starting his own eatery. He used to spend considerable time with my father in his office and was quite elated on his electoral victory. In 1988 and 1989 I along with my father visited Bhagalpur and Sultanganj where his tete-a-tete with his mother Kiran Mai was something to rejoice.

The first tenant we had in our house went by the name Subramaniam who worked for MMTC and this was followed by Chatterjee who came with his wife and two daughters Dipashree and Madhumita.

When Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990 my father wrote extensively in publications with the intent that Kuwait be freed and this operation was undertaken successfully under the leadership of Colin Powell. His lengthy stories on Iraq's invasion of Kuwait were shared extempore with his brother in law Sanjeev Mishra. 

In 1992 the then political stalwarts Narasimha Rao and Sitaram Kesri were instrumental in getting a diplomatic assignment for my father. Having landed in Laos for which he had to break journey in Bangkok there were two domestic helps at his disposal going by the names Madan and Vijay Jha. In 1992 December the country was witness to Babri Masjid demolition and my father's diplomatic credentials were stuck as the Narasimha Rao Govt was facing heat from all directions. Finally he was able to present credentials. I joined my father in Cambodia in October 1995 and stayed there till January 1996. During that period I along with my father visited Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh city. When my parents returned from Cambodia in July 1996 my father contributed a large part of his time in writing for different publications including one on aviation sector with his stories largely based on Bihar state, the churning at the Centre, those in distress with his off and on reminder on large number of people who spent their night under open sky in winter months outside govt hospitals. My father dreaded winter as he could catch cold and that was the troubling aspect.