Morning train from Somnath to Dwarka; In Tirupati Srinivasam Complex the number of 300 Rs ticket dispensed each day which stands at 500 should at least be raised to 1000 each day

Morning Train from Somnath to Dwarkadish; Rs 300 ticket dispensed from Srinivasam Complex in Tirupati should at least be 1000 in number each day as against 500 nowadays

There should be a direct train from Somnath to Dwarka (both places in Gujarat) with train leaving Somnath in the morning and reaching Dwarka in the evening. Nowadays the train leaves from Somnath at Night.

In Srinivasam Complex in Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh State in India the number of 300 rs ticket dispensed stands at 500 each day. This should be raised to at least 1000 tickets each day as all can't go for online booking done weeks/months before darshan of Lord Govinda (Lord Venkateswara).

Best wishes for Ujjain (Lord Mahakaleshwar Temple), Somnath, Dwarkadish, Nageshwar and Tirumala.

Visiting Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh State in India

Visiting Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh State in India

On a Tuesday after visiting Lord Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain a little after 8.30 am i reached bus stand near Harsiddhi Mandir. I was told the bus for Omkareshwar had left. I tried to trace the bus with the help of an auto and boarded the bus near bridge. Passengers nearing 15 to 20 in number were inside the bus. It was Mitesh from Gujarat who lended his smartphone so that i could make a call to my residence in Delhi. Mitesh was helpful so was his friend that too from Gujarat. A little after 9.40 we were in Indore.

What i could gather was in cleanliness ranking survey across India Indore had taken the first spot. Indore a city about which i had no opinion appeared to be a business hub flanked by offices, malls and business quarters. By 11 the bus reached a place that looked packed to capacity, roads witnessing bumper to bumper traffic and our bus had to literally crawl. This state of affairs lasted for over an hour as that day was being observed as one to show gratitude to Narmada river. On the banks of Narmada scores could be seen bathing with equal number trying to access that spot. By 1 pm the bus reached the New bus stand in Omkareshwar with firm instruction by the bus conductor that passengers should reach the new bus stand by 4.30 pm sharp. From new bus stand i took an auto and reached a place from where i could take a boat to reach other side of river to gain access to Omkareshwar temple. It was tough time for boat man to procure enough passengers who wished to travel to other side. Once we reached the other side one has to negotiate stairs flanked by different set of vendors selling garlands and other stuff. After paying obeisance at Omkareshwar temple which was beaming with devotees, a fair conclusion could be drawn that much needed to be done to make this pilgrimage site reach new ladder of development. Here priests cajole you to take VIP route pass which comes for 250 rs. I fell for that bait later realising that general queue which i joined later wasn't that troublesome and in 15 to 20 minutes one can get more than a fleeting glimpse of Omkareshwar Shiva Lingam.

Later i crossed the river through bridge and visited Mamleshwar temple where there was a personnel named Rajo or Roja who was making every effort to make it comfortable for devotees visiting the sanctum sanctorum. Later i hailed an auto driven by Mr Ashish Yadav and reached New bus stand. It was little before 2.40 i was in the bus stand. It was endless wait where i was witness to filthy language being used by some staff of a restaurant where i was seated. The bus for Mahakaleshwar finally left at 5.40 , reached Indore a little after 8.30 and Ujjain at 9.45. It was a tedious journey with bus staff out to make a fast buck who wanted to get vacant seats occupied by hook or crook. For people who wish to travel to Omkareshwar hailing a cab would be a better option or take a bus and return by another bus rather waiting at the bus stand for over three hours.

Later in the night i took food from Hotel Nandi which had some of the best preparations in the city. I am grateful to Hotel Nandi for serving best delicacies as it does not lead to any sort of stomach discomfort. Probably the oil they use is neat and tidy and good for health. I am equally grateful to Hotel Chintaman Palace for making my stay comfortable in Ujjain.

Piece on National Creche Scheme where Centre needs to invest more by Mr Alexander in editorial page was good.

Anil Mama (Maternal Uncle) whom we knew

Anil Mama (Maternal Uncle) whom we knew

It was in the 70s when one night i was excited with the thought of going to New Delhi Railway Station the next day to receive Anil Mama (Maternal Uncle) Anil Kumar Mishra. I could barely sleep that night as the thought of receiving Anil Mama kept me engaged. A man of steely resolve and determination who stayed in Bihar State for 67 years, he was a man of few words and fewer inclinations. In the 70s when we decided to move to Safdarjung Enclave, on the occasion of Grih Pravesh (House Inauguration) Anil Mama was one among different relations who had come from Bihar. I still have faint memories of i along with my father going to New Delhi Railway Station to see them off. We were still in the train coach when it began to move. As we got down from a moving train we had no idea whether Anil Mama was in the coach or left in the platform. We took a trek from New Delhi Railway Station to Old Delhi Railway Station and by God's Grace we were able to ensure that Anil Mama was inside the coach along with my Bhagalpur Uncle Dr S S Rajhans.

In 1984 when i visited Balua Bazar an area in Bihar state bordering Nepal both of us visited Forbesganj to procure some products as his younger brother Sunil had recently got married. I still remember the vehicle in which we were travelling broke down and how he had to literally give a push to have it up and running. When we reached Forbesganj i came across a theatre running a movie named Coolie featuring Mr Amitabh Bachchan.

During my schooldays with the onset of  summer vacations we used to visit our Grand parents (my mummy's parents) residence in Balua Bazar and here we would often across Anil Mama who used to reside there as well. He was into business with returns enough to keep him busy and satiated. Probably in the 90s he shifted his base to Birpur another area in Bihar State bordering Nepal. He had a large shop engaged in the task of selling engine oils for car and other vehicles. Occasionally in the 80s, 90s and till recently he had the opportunity to visit us in New Delhi. In the early 80s during one of his visits to New Delhi i expressed a desire to board a bus from Kamal Cinema to Connaught Place. I went along with him all the way to the bus stop where he said it won't be appropriate for me to board a bus as i was too young.

Again i have faint memories of he taking up a job in Barauni in Bihar State in the 70s and we visiting him in the same place. We crossing railway tracks during night to catch a train to Delhi and he coming to see us off at the railway station. When i was in the college i had the opportunity to read International Herald Tribune with postings from that paper pasted on my cupboard and he making a noting of the same during summer vacations. He was simple, true to heart and a man who never missed an opportunity to express gratitude for the occasional grandeur welcome he came across. Balua Bazar and Birpur were the twin destinations in Bihar he spent much of his time and he would remain etched in our memory for long. 

Stay In Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh State

Stay in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh State

I reached Ujjain on a Sunday afternoon and left the same place on a Saturday morning. During my seven day stay in Ujjain i had the opportunity to visit Lord Mahakaleshwar temple on different occasions besides interacting with different set of people. It was a lone visit to Mr Gopal Rathore the tea vendor about 1.5 km from  Hotel Neha Palace. The tea that he dispensed and the tea that i had illustrated he had prepared the tea with love and with no biases.

It was Swagat Cafe (Pathan hotel) where i came across Aslam Lala, Kullu bhai, Shamsher Khan, Govind Malwi and Rohit. During winters they opened their outlet at 4 in the morning and during summers the opening time was 3 am. At Swagat Cafe on another occasion it was Mr Om Prakash who prepared tea. Had the opportunity to meet Mr Dal Chand Sirohiya who was known for opening his tea centre at 5 am sharp. Here i came across Mr Sunny Kumar who is a guide and gave visitors a decisive description about tranquil surroundings of Ujjain and roundabout. Mr Shailendra Gupta of Annapoorna store made it a point to visit his tea centre everyday. Welcome Ever fresh and tea stall where there were Iyaz bhai and O P Sharma was another place to get a new tea flavour.  On a Thursday near Choice Khamba Mataji Mandir at Dal Chand Sirohiya tea stall meet Mr Nilesh bhai Mahesh bhai Kapatel from Kapadawanj in Khera district in Gujarat. Meet Mr Roop Singh Kushwaha, meet Resham Bai an old woman selling toys.

Hotel Nandi where i used to take meals as well as black tea, the food they they dispensed was something to cherish. Here in Hotel Nandi i came across, Manish, Arpit, Ravi, Mohit, Dileep and Rohit. In the same hotel meet Mr Giri from Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. Meet Mr Korma Rao  from Vishakapatnam who had come with his family. I told Mr Rao that i opted for free darshan in Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirumala on more than three occasions when i visited the place in the month of September. Swami (Lord Venkateswara) is very kind to you is what he observed when he learnt about my darshan in Tirumala on different occasions.

Meet fruit vendor Mr  Abdul Rafiq father of fruit vendor Mr Irfan Khan. Meet fruit vendor Mr Manohar near Hotel Neha Palace. Took laminated pictures of Lord Mahakaleshwar from Mr Sharma, Mr Abhishek and Mr Khuswaha. Outside Hotel Nandi came across battery operated vehicle for Ujjain Darshan run by Mr Solanki. In IDBI Bank ATM meet security guard Mr Vishnu Sharma.

I visited Ujjain railway station on more than occasion. The day i was supposed to purchase train ticket it was automan Mr Rafiq who dropped me at the station and it was automan Mr Mahesh Yadav who gave me change. At the reservation centre Mr Divesh Dhanwan who had come to book a ticket was kind enough to let me know on the seat availability in different trains. 

Leaving for Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh State in India

Leaving for Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh State in India


What had been on my mind for weeks together was on how to reach Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh State in India from New Delhi. After a thorough search of trains, it was Mumbai Rajdhani that looked to be the one that could be taken. Took ticket for Nagda Station for this train from Sarojini Nagar Railway Reservation Centre where collection of people was less with no trace of stress.

Meet a man from Dindigul in Tamil Nadu State; Mumbai Rajdhani for Nagda rescheduled

On a Saturday left home at 1.50 pm in an auto driven by Mr Azhar and reached New Delhi Railway station at 2.10 pm. From station straightaway went to Platform number 3 as Mumbai Rajdhani was supposed to depart from here. Came across a man from Dindigul  near Madurai in Tamil Nadu State going to Faridkot in Punjab state. I told him i had been to Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai and travelled extensively in Tamil Nadu State. Meet Mr Zuh from Nagaland State in North East India.
Two men who looked to be priests sought to know from me on train that would be going to Mathura. Meet Mr Abhishek giving offer on State Bank of India credit card. For over an hour spent time at this platform only to be told by Mr Dinesh Jain of Book Stall M.S. Pankaj and Co. that Mumbai Rajdhani had been rescheduled and would leave at 9.50 in the night instead of 4.30 pm. Mr Dinesh Jain suggested i better take a seat in waiting lounge on Platform One.

In Waiting Lounge

Announcements were being made for different trains. EMU from Faridabad to Shakurbasti arriving on PF 1, New Delhi Indore intercity stationed on PF 3, Bilaspur Rajdhani to depart at 3.45 from PF 2, EMU Palwal arriving on PF 5, Chandigarh Shatabdi coming on PF 1, Ranchi Rajdhani to depart from PF 14, Jammu Tawi Rajdhani to depart from PF 4 or 14, Gorakdham Express from Bhiwani arriving on PF 6, G T Express to Chennai to depart from PF 3, Malwa Express from Jammu Tawi to Indore coming on PF 5, Magadh Express to depart from PF 16, Ahmedabad Rajdhani to depart from PF 1.    In waiting lounge meet Mr Dinesh Jha going to Bihar State, meet Mr Sonu Anand Chaurasia who came from Lucknow and was going to Ahmedabad. Meet an Indian Air Force personnel hailing from Nainital in Uttarakhand State and going to Ahmedabad. To gain entry into Air Force for commissioned officer what was required was 10 + 2 + NDA or other option was Graduation + CDS.  It was difficult to spend time in the waiting lounge beaming with passengers and their not to lose luggage. Here passengers file in and file out. A lone vacant seat can be discovered after making strenuous effort. What was amply clear was that most passengers were tied to their smart phones with nothing else to do, some watching movies and some updating their CVs least bothered to engage in a conversation or two that would get them through. The wait is endless, the time is precious and the argumentative spin is specious. At times the passengers look at the display board to know about train timings and whom to court. It is warm inside made possible by convergence of people under one roof. Imponderable it may look for minute turning to hour to pass impossible it may not look for thoughts that won't be dubbed as crass. A little after 8 pm who are left in the waiting lounge are passengers meant for Mumbai Rajdhani as rest of the passengers have boarded their respective trains.

Mr Ganesh Chowdhary and Mr Ram Naresh of New Delhi Station very helpful

On PF 1 there is chart for AC Classes for Train Number 12958 Ahmedabad Rajdhani. On the same platform there is a book stall cum chemist corner run by Mr Ganesh Chowdhary who is very humble. Equally helpful is Mr Ram Naresh who gives me black tea not laced with sugar from Food Court on more than one occasion. Repeated announcements are being made that Mumbai Rajdhani route has been diverted and instead of going through Kota Junction it would go through Mathura, Agra, Bhopal and Nagda. I board the train a little after 9.30. The train leaves at 9.56 pm. Hazrat Nizamuddion comes at 10.10, Faridabad 10.28, Jhansi where the train halts at 6.47 the next morning. Here Kerala Express bound for Delhi is stationed on PF 4. In Jhansi station meet Mr Kamal Krishna Ojha who seem to be in his elements and speaks about the upcoming festivals including the one associated with Narmada river. In train meet Mr Balu Gadge who is a Custom Agent in Mumbai in a firm called V Arjun. Mr Gadge spoke at length on issues that tail mankind and showed his benevolent nature by extending help to anyone irrespective of caste or creed. I am all curious about when Nagda would come where i am supposed to deboard.

Depleting water reserves across country; deboard near Ujjain

Some passengers occupying seats near me hail from Pune and one from Punjab. I tell the group from Pune that i have visited their city as well as other places in Maharashtra State. There is huge traffic in Pune which multiplies every passing hour and it is time electric public transport including buses are introduced across India. Electric buses are there in Bengaluru city in South India and attempt has been made to introduce the same in Delhi. All along they were talking about depleting water reserves in the country and wind power installations that they sighted on occasions. The ground water level has dipped enormously across length and breadth of India and if no remedial measures are taken we are in for hard times. Perhaps the next war would be fought on the issue of water and water alone is the thought that cross my mind.  Bina station comes at 9.20 am, Sanchi 11.20, Akodia 1.43 and train stops at Ujjain outer a little after 2.20. The passengers who are in my vicinity tell me that i deboard here as the train won't stop at Ujjain station. It is risky and i still heed their advice. I deboard and look for a gate that leads to a road. On the way in Ujjain City i meet Mr Jagdish of railways and later Mr Ram Gopal Sharma who is walking along with Junaid. Mr Sharma says walking is good for his legs perhaps a reminder it brings circulation to the legs.  Mr Sharma guides me to the much-famed Tower in Ujjain city and here i take Magic the vehicle driven by one Mr Rafique who drops me at Mahakal Chouraha (Mahakal Crossing). I first try for room in Rishi Kuti and later settle for a room at Hotel Neha Palace where there is Mr Manoj Aggarwal the manager at the counter. He is helpful and so is Mr Golu Bhat another personnel of the same hotel. Next morning a little after 4 am i look for tea and it is automan Mr Nandu who takes me to Mr Gopal Rathore the tea vendor about 1 km from Hotel Neha Palace. Mr Gopal Rathore is kind enough to dispense black tea. Later i take tea from Mr Dal Chand Sirohiya another tea vendor where i meet Mr Shailendra Gupta.

In Ujjain Meet Mr Mohammad Shabir, Mr Anuj Khatri of Hotel Satyam, Mr Pawan Kataria of Hotel Chintaman Palace whose visiting card has Mr Deepak Patwa at the helm.

There are 12 Shiva Jyotirlingas in India. There is Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain. A little after 8.30 i visit Lord Mahakaleshwar Temple and reach the Steps after half an hour. From Steps one can sight the Jyotirlinga. I spend over an hour here and visit sanctum sanctorum the other day.  

Live Darshan of Mahakaleshwar Temple Ujjain is not coming

Live Darshan of Mahakaleshwar Temple Ujjain is not coming

Political Dynasts and See Bee Eye in India to Pope's Visit to UAE

Political Dynasts and See Bee Eye in India to Pope's Visit to UAE

As different political dynasts in India are here to catch on the moment and play, their role and outpouring of support at times wavering and wilting would very much in the near future keep them in the fray. All being slammed by See Bee Eye CBI (India's Premier Investigating Agency) which is different from CPI, from Kolkata to Amravathi (Capital of West Bengal State and Andhra Pradesh State) it is the premier investigating agency that is unleashing arsenals from its KITTY. Its misuse over a period of time has been rampant and official, targeting political opponents has become an exercise that is no less commercial. Why target political opponents when polls are just two months away, it is the ruling party whose performance needs to be crosschecked and which has a feet of clay.

2019 polls may well lob up a prize as investigating agency overdrive ambitions are by no means wise. The more you target your political rivals the more you won't be able to reap a rich harvest, as functioning of this agency has shown that questioning anyone is followed by the much-famed tool of arrest. Target one political opponent here and target another political opponent there has become the norm, using see bee eye high handedness is out and out wrong. This see bee eye's functioning should be set free then and only then the people won't have fear and flee. Election blues one can't chase away like this, election clues one can't cling without an act of heist.

Right from media to political rivals on mezzanine floor have been targetted by see bee eye, it is time a course correction is brought in without shedding a  tear or waging a cry. The basic premise that one doesn't understand is that more this agency is misused more the judiciary and its men would in all probability stay away from hearing the said petitions and thereby recuse.

As people have a loathing for political dynasts and their hangers on, what is the alternative when feud has come out in the open in see bee eye on who will take the crown.  Govts after Govts in India have misused this agency for their personal gains, the time has come to set it free from political cranes.

As for those parties before polls in India promising moon like doubling income of farmers to universal basic income to waiving all set of farming loans, the exchequer can't afford all this with reenergised effort and tune. Talk sense, talk moderate, hope one gets enough numbers to form a minority govt that one can rate. Looking probable at this hour is a minority govt at the helm propped up by parties that are headed by other than those who are gents. What it would look like at other hour is not known.

As Pope Francis was in UAE (United Arab Emirates) and his call for peace in Arabian Peninisula, it is hoped the aid for Yemen would flow from hamlets not excluding a Villa. We Hope Pope's call is taken in all seriousness and peace has a chance in Arabian homes and tents. As UAE is home to diverse set of people, it is one region that can rip apart any foreseeable rebel.

Hope floods recede from parts of Australia and normalcy return to its much-famed area.