tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36574964335208458332024-03-04T20:00:31.305-08:00Drama called Lifemizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-4269814396847644072013-11-22T10:15:00.002-08:002013-11-22T10:15:38.688-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45,"tn":"*G"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; outline: none; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Many would have read the conversation between me and Andrez. Just after Andrez got down at Margao, a couple boarded into the same compartment and sat in side upper berth. Soon I realised that they were hearing impaired. They were voraciously conversing all throughout, in sign language, till they reached Panvel, where they got down along with me.</span></span><br />
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mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-82718131253050860272013-11-21T13:39:00.000-08:002013-11-21T13:39:59.330-08:00Polandine kurichalla... Polandukaarane adhava polishine kurichu... (Politely speaking to a Polish)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The passenger sitting opposite to me in window seat looked like a middle aged foreigner. He had been taking photos in his camera along with me of the beautiful Konkan sceneries through the train's window from morning. He had a huge ba</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">ck pack which was the only baggage he was carrying. The Nagercoil-Gandhidham express reached Canacona. The fellow traveller suddenly shrugged and asked me.<br /><br />Fellow traveller(FT): Is this station, Goa?<br />Me: Yes, this is the start of Goa. Where do you want to go?<br />FT: I want to go to. Wait…<br /><br />he began to search in the front pouch of his back pack.<br /><br />Me: Margao? I asked.<br /><br />FT too some paper and said. "Yes, yes"<br /><br />Me: It is the next station. Thanks to the application "Rail Time" in my "smart phone" I was up to date of the stations the train plies to. <i style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/y5/r/EtWrwzVRlUf.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; min-height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><br /><br />His English was not that much fluent (as if mine is fluent) and so I asked from where he was from.<br /><br />Me: Where are you from?<br /><br />He seem to have mistook my question and he said.<br /><br />FT: I roaming around India. 2 months.<br /><br />Me: Oh, great. But where are you coming from?<br /><br />The train passing through the tunnels reverberated the sounds and it was difficult for both of us to hear. It was a tunnel some 1 minute long. <i style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/y5/r/EtWrwzVRlUf.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; min-height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i> So there was silence for about 1 minute or so.<br /><br />Me: Where are you coming from?<br /><br />FT: I am from Poland.<br /><br />Me: Oh Poland, great. So how long have you been in India?<br /><br />FT: 2 months. It is snow in Poland. So I came for a vacation of 2 months. I started my journey on<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_641703162" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">September 25th</span></span> (I guess?).<br /><br />Me: Ok. Where all you went?<br /><br />FT: I went to Kashmir, then to Nepal, from there to Kolkata, then to Huri.<br /><br />Me: Huli, what?<br /><br />FT: Huli, Kuli, wait…<br /><br />He again took another booklet. It was a big India map. showed me some place below Kolkata.<br /><br />Me: Oh, Orissa?<br /><br />FT: Oh sorry, Puri.<br /><br />Me: Oh, ok got it.<br /><br />FT: Then to Konark, this place.<br /><br />Me: Vishakapatnam.<br /><br />He started to show me the way he travelled.<br /><br />FT: Vishakapatnam - Chennai - Kannyakumari - Trivandrum - Cochin<br /><br />Me: Wow. Good good.<br /><br />FT: and now train to Goa.<br /><br />Me: Oh you boarded this train from Ernakulam?<br /><br />FT: Yes.<br /><br />Now I remember seeing this guy the previous night, under dim light. At that time I thought he was some North Indian guy, thanks to his 6ft height and white skin (:P).<br /><br />Me: I am from a place some 45 kms from Ernakulam.<br /><br />FT: Oh, nice.<br /><br />Me: By the way, what is your name?<br /><br />FT: I am Andrez.<br /><br />Me: I am Sridhar.<br /><br />We shook hands.<br /><br />Andrez: Just let me know when it reaches Margao.<br /><br />Me: Sure. It is the next station. Where all you are planning to go in Goa?<br /><br />Thanks to the 5 day Goa visit, just a month before, I was somewhat good at identifying places in Goa. Andrez again searched for some paper and took an old train ticket, in which it was written "Calangute Beach", "Baga Beach", "Aguada Fort".<br />I found all these are in North Goa.<br /><br />Me: Oh all these are in North Goa. You will have to go to Panaji from Margao.<br /><br />Andrez: Oh ok.<br /><br />Me: So where are you from Poland? Warsaw? I asked him the only place I know in Poland.<br /><br />Andrez: No. It is a place called Zakopane.<br /><br />Me: Oh ok.<br />Me: And what do you do there?<br /><br />Andrez: I make leather jackets, in there.<br /><br />Me: Oh Ok.<br /><br />So you went to Kashmir. Where. Ladakh?<br /><br />Andrez began to be vocal again. I found him to be a like minded person, thanks to his passion in travelling that too alone.<br /><br />Andrez: Yes. I went to Leh, then from there to Delhi, then to Nepal.<br /><br />Showed a few places in Nepal in his map and from there to Kolkata.<br /><br />Andrez: Yes. Kolkata. Mother Theresa's place. You know Mother Theresa?<br /><br />Me: yes, oh to Missionaries of Charity?<br /><br />Andrez: Yes. Kolkata is a nice place. Then to Puri. then…<br /><br />Again took another book. It was India tourist Guide. Showed me the temple and the Chakras of the Sun Temple.<br /><br />Me: Oh, Konark.<br /><br />Andrez: Yes. Beautiful place it is.<br /><br />Me: It truly is. I have also been once.<br /><br />Andrez: Train is really nice in here.<br /><br />Me: Yes, it is comfortable.<br /><br />Andrez: For me from Kolkata to Puri, it took 28 hours.<br /><br />He began to show the route once again in his map.<br /><br />Me: Yes Bus travel is tedious.<br /><br />Andrez: Also the roads were not good.<br /><br />Me: Yes, yes. That is also a problem.<br /><br />Andrez: From then only trains. Trains are good.<br /><br />Me: So where all went in Kerala?<br /><br />Andrez: I went in the boat. to…<br /><br />Me: Oh, Fort Cochin, Mattancherry.<br /><br />Andrez: Yes, yes. Then to beach.<br /><br />Me: Ok.<br /><br />By now I understood that he is a beach freak, different from my interests.<br /><br />Me: In Goa, you can try going to Dudhsagar waterfalls. It is good.<br /><br />Andrez: Ok. (Didn't seem interested)<br /><br />Me: So where all you have been other than India?<br /><br />Andrez: Oh me, China, Thailand, Malaysia.<br /><br />Me: Oh great. So how is China? Went to Great Wall?<br /><br />Andrez: Yes. Yes.<br /><br />He began to be vocal about China.<br /><br />Andrez: China is progressing, faster. Developing. Even USA knows it… India is not that developed.<br /><br />Me: Yes we are still a developing nation.<br /><br />Andrez: India has good resources. Farms, Fish….<br /><br />He began to be vocal about fishes, now.<br /><br />So many types of fishes you have. Delicious. Many are exported. India needs to export more. It has started now. Saw a news last week.<br /><br />Me: Thought "Oh these development maniacs" <i style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/y5/r/EtWrwzVRlUf.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; min-height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><br /><br />He was referring some US- Indo pact on export, which happened recently. I was not aware or interested in it. So tried to change the topic.<br /><br />Me: Oh Ok. So this is your first visit to India?<br /><br />Andrez: No, second. I have been to Mumbai.<br /><br />Me: Oh. ok I am going in there.<br /><br />Andrez: Oh ok, What do you do there?<br /><br />Me: Oh me, I am studying.<br /><br />Andrez: Oh great. India need intelligent people like you.<br /><br />Me: Just smiled , thinking ("Oh.. thank you thank you <i style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/y5/r/EtWrwzVRlUf.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; min-height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i>. There are many in here sir.")<br /><br />Andrez: Mumbai is crowded. I like places where there are less people.<br /><br />Me: Oh ok.<br /><br />Me: So you go to beaches mainly?<br /><br />Andrez: Yes, I come from mountains.<br /><br />Me: Oh your place is near mountains, in Poland?<br /><br />Andrez: Yes. I like to go there in beaches and just lie down.<br /><br />Me: Oh great. So in Goa, how many days?<br /><br />Andrez: 10 days.<br /><br />Me: Oh great. So after that when returning?<br /><br />Andrez: <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_641703163" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">December 2nd</span></span>.<br /><br />Me: From Mumbai?<br /><br />Andrez: No from New Delhi.<br /><br />Me: Oh ok.<br /><br />Me: You are there in Facebook?(Oh me, the Facebook addict)<br /><br />Andrez: What, face??<br /><br />Me: Oh leave it, give your mail id.<br /><br />Andrez: Oh mail id…<br /><br />He took a book from me and wrote his mail id in English with a bit difficulty.<br />he wrote something else too below it.<br /><br />Andrez: This is my address, he showed me his address too which he had written below.<br /><br />Me: Oh thanks Andrez.<br /><br />Meanwhile one vendor was carrying "pazhamporis".<br /><br />Andrez: What are these?<br /><br />Me: Oh those are pazhamporis, roasted bananas.<br /><br />Andrez: Oh, they taste good?<br /><br />Me: Yes, yes. You can try it out.<br /><br />He bought 4 of them for 40 Rs.<br /><br />Andrez: Have it.<br /><br />Me: No thank you.<br /><br />He again insisted to take one from it. So I took a piece of it.<br /><br />Andrez: Oh they make this from bananas.<br /><br />Me: Yes, using ripe bananas.<br /><br />Andrez: Delicious. For 40 Rs, it is cheap. Good.<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlz3iOz27I7dRCUlhH0r6DOEvZlEQfWSWmPpEKjpqbAcZZWqC5TOY0FyojUDMoa1OkJ8Q46gk7hvRzsyDOXh3zFtePddGNMGAh0fV3_GIVmsIirgr85R8CoVv8h5SOLv6SIHymfZYt4s/s1600/2013-11-20+10.27.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlz3iOz27I7dRCUlhH0r6DOEvZlEQfWSWmPpEKjpqbAcZZWqC5TOY0FyojUDMoa1OkJ8Q46gk7hvRzsyDOXh3zFtePddGNMGAh0fV3_GIVmsIirgr85R8CoVv8h5SOLv6SIHymfZYt4s/s320/2013-11-20+10.27.53.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /><br />Me: Yes it is nice.<br /><br />He again offered me pazhampori.<br /><br />I politely refused<br /><br />Me: You have it. I just now had break fast.<br /><br />Andrez: Food is delicious in here. Fishes, meat, seafood. But most are vegetarians in here. I guess about 80% of them.<br /><br />Me: not that much, may be 30-40%<br /><br />Andrez: Oh ok.<br /><br />Me: I myself am a vegetarian.<br /><br />Andrez: Oh. (he smiled)<br /><br />He was done with the pazhamporis and he promptly put the wastes in a cover he had kept beneath his seat. The fellow desi passengers who had also bought pazhamporis had just thrown away the wastes throughout the window.<br /><br />Andrez saw a magazine lying besides me.<br /><br />Andrez: what is it? Is it National Geographic Magazine?<br /><br />Me: Oh that is local environmental magazine. "Koodu" .<br /><br />Andrez: Oh local National Geographic magazine.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />I laughed…<br /><br />Me: yes kind of… <i style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/y5/r/EtWrwzVRlUf.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; min-height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><br /><br />He went throughout the pictures in the magazine, which had articles related to Organic farming, Silent Valley, Eravikulam etc… </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">He saw one photo and asked me:<br /><br />Andrez: What is this?<br /><br />Me: Oh that is jackfruit.<br /><br />Andrez: Oh it is a fruit.<br /><br />Me: Yes. You can see it even in here, on the way.<br /><br />Andrez: Oh, it tastes good?<br /><br />Me: Yes, it is good.<br /><br />Andrez: Great.<br /><br />He was in awe on seeing the Simhavalan Kurangu(Lion tailed macaque) in one of the pages.<br /><br />Andrez: Oh these monkeys. They are dangerous. There were plenty when I went to Nepal.<br /><br />Me: Oh.. But these are some endemic species present only in these parts. Endangered ones.<br /><br />Andrez: Yes, dangerous ones.<br /><br />Me: No, Endangered one.<br /><br />Andrez: Oh ok…<br /><br />Again some silence amongst us as we were passing another tunnel.<br /><br />Me: So to go to the beaches, you will have to go to Panaji from Margao and then from there you can go to Calangute, Baga and Aguada. So where will you stay there?<br /><br />Andrez: i will go to some tour planners.<br /><br />Me: Oh ok. Do try to go to Dudhsagar.<br /><br />Andrez: Ok, I will try.<br /><br />Me: Give a paper, i will write how to go there.<br /><br />Andrez gave me a piece of paper, in which I wrote the way to go to Dudhsagar waterfalls.<br /><br />Soon margao station reached.<br /><br />Andrez: Oh this is the station?<br /><br />Me: yes, you need to get down here.<br /><br />Andrez: Oh thank you.<br /><br />He took his back pack and was about to leave.<br /><br />Me: Bye bye, Andrez. Nice talking to you.<br /><br />Andrez: Thanks to you too.<br /><br />Me: You can get buses to Panaji from outside the railway station.<br /><br />Andrez: Oh sure, I will do that.<br /><br />Andrez: Oh forgot… can you get me that cover lying below. The cover with wastes.<br /><br />Me: Sure Andrez.<br /><br />I gave him the cover with wastes, which was almost full and waved bye bye to him.</span></div>
mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-1225216247027256072013-09-12T11:41:00.000-07:002013-09-12T11:45:48.769-07:00"Face" Book<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />I removed my bulgaan(french beard) and had clean shaven my face after 3 months or so.<br /><br />Few comments after this act of mine:<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br /><br />You look atleast 5 years younger...<br />Enthu patti? (What happened?) Some problem?<br />Were you nuts??<br />Why did you do this?<br />I didn't realize you.<br />I thought it as somebody else...<br />Oh, you look cute now...<br />Oh, is that you, Sridhar?<br />What the ****???<br />Maintain this and go for a spike... You look awesome.<br /><br />General trend which I felt:<br /><br />Many North Indians liked my new look(I suppose, from their comments) and South Indians thought I am crazy... Is it some cultural notion, we usually see? in film stars(clean shaven Varun Dhawan vs Fahad Fasil with a stubble) for eg. :) There was good gender balance also in the comments received.<br /><br />Never ever had I received so many comments after shaving...<br />I realized, in TISS you have people for and against in anything one does, including things as private as shaving one's beard...<br /><br />TISSians do notice and analyze people, unlike some "I don't bother" products of the previous organizations and institutions, I was associated with...<br /><br />Photos with the various facial expressions after seeing my face to be uploaded soon...<br /><br />PS: NOM to the "I don't bother" friends of mine. You respect my freedom of facial expression and I appreciate that... <i class="_4-k1 img sp_9lglf8 sx_7854d6" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yw/r/svhh826BLKd.png); background-position: 0px -2183px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i></span></span></span></span></div>
mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-45872103900147419662013-08-10T02:16:00.001-07:002013-08-10T02:16:31.402-07:00Adieu 09886546454... Welcome 09619435984...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="line-height: 20px;">It is always sentimental to part with something, that gets associated with us particularly when it had been so close to you for years. Dear 09886546454, you have brought me happiness, sadness, provided me opportunities, timely notifications and irritating promotions for the last 6 years or so. But as it is with any other materialistic phenomenon, time has come to part with you. You had been one of my identities and I had tried hard to make you my lifelong partner, but Govt of India ditched you and me, by not coming up with Nationwide Mobile Number Portability, though Kapil Sibal had promised to do it by early this year. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;">Thank you for serving me, till date and for being a virtual friend of mine. I will surely miss you as you were very glamorous and were very easy to remember. Also as I, along with the callers will take quite some time to get adjusted with your successor 09619435984, which doesn't have the 'order of numbers' which you have had, we will surely miss you dearly at least for the next few days if not months.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;">Adieu 09886546454... welcome 09619435984. Family, friends, enemies, promoters all please note.... </span></div>
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mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-2122162228154153942013-08-03T00:19:00.002-07:002013-08-03T00:19:31.591-07:00An appointment with a Doctor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Met Dr. Binayak Sen once again today, in the campus (Previously had met him when he came for the screening of Sanjay Kak's Red Ant Dream). This time around he had came in here to see some faculty. Greeted him and we had a 10 minute talk.<br /><br />He asked me which course I am into, also asked who all are teaching. Later on mentioning about<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"> the place where, I am from he was vocal about the Toll protest in Thrissur-Chalakudy highway and also the recent Kathikudam protest, where he had been 2 years back, before the current protests. He said, he is interested to have a talk with the Water Policy guys about the issues with water subsidies and dams in North East India. He asked my mail id and phone number. Amused by my mail id, he asked me what is "mizhaavu". I asked back whether he knows about Koodiyattam and that it is a drum used in it. So he asked whether it is similar to Chenda, for which I answered as Yes... Lastly when I said I had met him in Bangalore last year, he asked where I was working in and whether I was not happy with my software job, for which I said that only money speaks in there and that I wanted a career change which suits my interests.</span></span></div>
mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-54239968249766580602013-08-03T00:18:00.002-07:002013-08-03T00:18:37.232-07:00Kannada Kamadhenu, Karnataka Kalpvriksha... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Thus leaving Karnataka for a few years. Sure that I will be roaming around the outskirts of this beautiful state. For me the most travelled state in India, perhaps more than my home state of Kerala. Yes, I have travelled from Bijapur in the North to Chamarajnagar in the South, Kolar in the East to Gokarna in the West over the last 7 years. The fertile <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">plains of Raichur, arid, miners paradise of Bellary, jungles of Nagarahole, Bandipur, Kudremukh, the salubrious hills of Chikmagalur, Coorg, sexy seashores of Mangalore, Gokarna, breath taking water falls of Jog, Lushington and Shivanasamudra. I experienced the hustles and bustles of an urban city and also the hues and cries of the rural villages in here. I learnt how an MNC works and also what an NGO does in here. I came to know what is COBOL and Java as well as how eye catchy Jowar, Ragi, Sunflower farms can be. I won't say 'Kannada gothilla' now and its script is never broken Jalebi pieces. These Jalebi pieces have given the state the maximum number of Jnanpith awardees in India. Rivers Cauvery and Tungabhadra, their ecological and cultural sentiments are now mine too. Tipu, Hyder Ali, Adil Shah, kingdoms of Vijayanagara, Hoysala, have left behind some amazing architectural beauties. Jains, the Coorgis and the Tibetans have added the flavour to this state with their uniqueness. Karnataka is not about Bangalore alone but much much more than that. Rightfully acknowledged as "One State, Many Worlds".</span></span></div>
mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-85822447628289903012013-07-21T20:38:00.000-07:002013-07-21T23:27:18.572-07:00Caught in the Act!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Pre Script before reading this post: </span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">------------------------------<wbr></wbr>-------------</span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">-> I have high regards to people with disabilities and I am ashamed now for the fact that I was traveling in a compartment meant for them. </span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">-> I admit my mistake of traveling in a disabled compartment and the whole incident you are going to read below had a more serious and an uncertainty tag associated with it, though it appears cool right now. </span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">-> Moreover I from now on abide by the rules of the law and also I respect the police and the magistrate for all their duties on catching a person who has breached the rules.</span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">-> Do send in constructive feed back.</span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Caught in the Act!</span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">----------------------</span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Thus at last that too happened. I was caught by Railway Protection Force for traveling in a Disabled compartment of the Mumbai local train. I was lured by the almost empty compartment for disabled and Cancer patients in the morning rush hour, when I boarded the train from Malad. I was standing in the compartment, to reduce the "ethical uneasiness" </span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.984375px;">though there were seats to sit.</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;"> Train reached Andheri. I was just browsing in my mobile(FB, what else), when a police man came and asked "Vikalaank hein kya". Oops, I was caught and realizing this, I murmured no to him. He handed me over to another policeman outside. </span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">"Ek aur mila". </span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">He showed me the sign near the door of the compartment which showed "Compartment for Disabled and Cancer patients" and said:</span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">"Yeh dekh lo, phir police station jaake nahin bolna ki patha nahin kis liye pakde gaye".</span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">The other policeman caught hold of my arm and asked me, whether I had the proof to indicate disability. I again said no. He had another person held on his other arm, who was pleading him to release him and stating he would be late for his workplace. I came to know that he was caught for spitting in the railway station. I was more like a rat caught in a rat trap, still surprised (stunned?) by the proceedings, and not uttering a word. Holding two of us, the policeman started to walk. I came to know from the conversation between the policeman and the fellow culprit that we were heading to the Andheri RPF police station. I was surely stunned but don't know why I was not feeling afraid or panicky. This is perhaps the first time I am being caught for a violation perhaps after 10-11 years. That time I was in Thiruvananthapuram, where in I was caught for driving my scooter before the signal turned green. That time I escaped from their clutches, though I was riding without my license, perhaps seeing my worried, teenage, innocent face.</span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Let’s come back to our present day events from the flash back. My face didn’t seemed innocent enough to the Mumbai police to leave me. I had worn a "Bulgaan(so called French Beard)", shaven just a day before to increase my "maturity" and "decency". This might have further reduced my innocence in my "paal vazhiyum" face. :) The policeman was holding both of our arms in his heavy hands just like people carrying ducks in their throat, through the busy Andheri railway station. Andheri RPF police station is roughly quarter of a kilometer from the Railway station. All people around were looking at us. I could sense their amusement, as I have been there in their shoes many times. Weird things came into my mind at that time. I visualized Sreenivasan in movies like "Akkare Akkare Akkare" and "Chandralekha"(I had seen this movie once again, a day before, perhaps the reason) being carried by the police, before Mohanlal comes to his rescue. The situation was similar here, though no one was there for our rescue. </span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Soon we reached the police station. "Yeh dhonon bhi", the policeman carrying us said. </span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">I could see some 20 odd other people in the police station and the tiny room it was almost half full. "Purush Bandigruh" and "Sthree Bandigruh" were adjacent to this front room. I realized that all were caught for similar charges. As I have observed, anywhere you go, whether it be a job interview, studies, Short film festival, Baul music concert or in this case, even a police station as a culprit, you will have at least few with same credentials/interests as/than yours. That is the beauty of India. I checked with others for what their crime was. Majority were for travelling in the "Disabled Compartment". Few for spitting in the railway station and few others for crossing the railway path. Offenders were pouring in at equal intervals as the RPF police were on a catching spree that day. All sects of people were there. Few seemed IT professionals (even I am one, even now), one was a college student, a doctor, few daily wagers, a seemingly film professional, business men. The youngest one was a teenager and the oldest one a 50 year old. All were going to their work place/college. I also found that there were 3 Malayalees including the Doctor and me in the group.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;"> </span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">All wer</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">e restless and didn't consider themselves to have done a mistake and were pleading the police walahs to release them after paying the fine. They refused this and asked us to wait till the Inspector comes. Soon two lady police officers came in and took out a file which had a bunch of papers. The heading mentioned "Charge Sheet". Seeing this many had a sigh of desperation. A senior person in the group said: "Ab toh magistrate jaana padega. Aur der ho jaayega re." I was sure that I was going to miss my morning class soon as I was caught, so there was not much of an impact on me. People were more panicky on hearing this and started pleading the two policemen sitting in the front. The policemen refused and repeated what they said earlier. All were making calls to relatives, bosses etc. Soon the two lady police women started to write down the details of each of the culprits in the charge sheet. They were taking their own time chit chatting and making fun of each of the person while writing in the charge sheet. </span><div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">. "Jurm kya hein" based on which she wrote a Section number(mine was Section 155-1), "Naam", "Pathah" were the questions and also a sign on the back side of the charge sheet. The room was slowly getting crowded. I eagerly went and completed the formalities with the hope that I will be released soon. But that was not to be. The inspector came and called up the names of the first 6 from the list, in which I was part, to go inside the "Purush Bandigruh". There was also another person, who had attached Dr. prefixed to his name, to identify him to be a doctor. </span><i style="background-color: white; background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yK/r/r-s1sSegbX6.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: #141823; display: inline-block; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px; min-height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;"> The jail gate was not closed and inspector assured as soon as we went inside that we were not criminals and are being asked to stay inside the jail as the room is crowded and there was space constraint. He again assured the doctor that he values his profession and there wont be any verbal or physical abuse to anyone. I meanwhile found the things amusing and was naughty enough to send Whatsapp messages to my classmates explaining the situation and also browsing the Facebook(During that moment, I realised how addict I am to this social media, that I can't part with it even at the gravest of the settings). The police as said were indeed cordial with all and never spoke anything rubbish. Soon I started to voice record the conversations that were happening inside. One as I said was a under grad student, who had to submit his project report. He pleaded the police saying that others in his project group will not be able to submit theirs, in case he doesn’t reach the college. Another person was calling up his mother and saying that he was in a meeting at the office. I realised from the conversations inside that the Doctor saab was from Kasaragod and was a homeopathic doctor came to Mumbai for a conference. He was in discussion with a business man from Anand, Gujarat. Soon the inspector came in with the next set, instructed them to get inside the jail and again gave reassurances. He said if we comply, all the proceedings will get over in another half to one hour. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">The jail was a 2X3X4 metres cell. There were pan spits in every corner and there were no ventilation or light. Being the first experience inside a jail, I took a photo from inside the jail. With more people coming inside, it began to suffocate. Soon the inspector came in once again and called up once again the first set of people. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">"Iske andhar rahke kaise mahsoos ho raha hein? Saas atakh raha hei na? Yeh tho criminals ke liye hi sahi hein. Aap logon keliye nahin. Aap mein ek Doctor saab bhi tho hein. Dhoda dher hawa mein bhahar rahthe hein". </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Soon we were standing outside the police station, chit chatting each other. There were many and all of us were asked to wait until the charge sheet be prepared for all. There was another police officer guarding us who seemed rather new and jovial than the strict others. We just got to know about the further process from him. He opined that all will be took to the magistrate, where after the verdict as of how much rupees fine, will be released. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">People asked him, how much it usually will be, for which he said it depends upon the judge. He also said that this is a daily process and at least 50 get caught each day and the previous day the fine was Rs 300 and the day before it was Rs. 500. He said that the fine can vary from Rs 50 to Rs 500. Another person was bold enough to ask what happens if anyone run away. The police officer said politely that a case will be charged and he will be deemed as absconding and that everything was getting video taped.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Some were still pleading to the inspector to let them go for which the inspector said "aap thackerey ke aadmi ho, ya amitabh bhachan ki. Koyi phark na padne wala."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Soon the whole charge sheet making process was over and we were asked to make a group of three. The inspector commanded us to hold the hands. Other policemen were making sure everyone did this. Some were reluctant to do this for which he replied "Khush raho ki rassi se bhandha nahin". I and two others were leading the pack. We the group of 38 were walking under the command of the inspector across the busy Andheri roads, with people in the road quipping, "Kya hua?" as they saw the whole pack. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Soon we reached the Andheri metropolitan magistrate court. The campus was busy enough that we were rarely noticed. Soon we reached outside the court. We had to wait till the charge sheets were processed and reaches the court. It was a 20 minute wait in there. Meanwhile the policemen surrounding us asked us to put the mobile phones in mute or switch them off inside the court. Soon the charge sheets came and all the 38 of us were guided towards the accused stand, big enough to accommodate most of us. There was a lady judge presiding and there was another case going on for which we had to wait to get completed. Judge provided some verdict and took up our case. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">The foreperson (the one who speaks for the whole jury, another know how gained) began to take the attendance, for which we had to raise our hands and the inspector said "Aye he sir" for each of us. Thus instead of giving attendance in the class I gave the attendance at the court. The whole dialogues were in Marathi and I couldn't sense anything. I just chorused what my fellow accused uttered. The question seemed to have "Do you admit that you have traveled in a disabled compartment?" for which all replied "haan". </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">She gave a verdict, again in Marathi, which I later checked and came to know that was a fine of Rs.500. I was only having Rs 200 in my purse. We got outside the court and the police started collecting the money from each who had with them Rs. 500. Later they asked me to get the receipt from the room number 205. For 5 of us, who didn't had money but had the ATM card, the inspector collected our mobile phones and asked us to follow him to the ATM to get the money. Rest were asked to call up somebody and get money. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Soon after a walk, found an SBI ATM from were I and fellow culprits(still culprits until fine is given :-)) withdraw Rs. 500 and gave it to the inspector along with other four. The inspector gave back the mobile and said "Beta, iska bill lena hein tho court me 205 room pe jaon. Yadhi nahin chaahiye tho aap jaa sakthe hein". Freedom after almost 3 hours of caged existence. It was surely a sense of relief and did got to know the meaning of what real freedom is all about. Also got to know that if you have eaten salt, you definitely will have to drink water, sooner or later. Made a decision that from now on, I would never get into another compartment other than the one I am legally supposed to get into. Also on a positive note got to know the various proceedings at a police station and a magistrate. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Reached TISS by afternoon and shared the experiences with few of my friends. One of them was a pediatrician who is doing his Masters in Disability Studies at TISS and had his legs affected by polio from birth. He replied back "Bhahuth acha hua. Police ne tik kiya. Tumhe aisa sazaa hi milna chahiye." I showed him the receipt which had a mention of the Section under which I was fined. He took a note of it and said that in his home state of Bihar, people do this more often and no law prevents them creating problems for people including him. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">While in the evening it was raining and the trains had got delayed. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">In the Govandi station the speaker beamed with the Railway Rules.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Don't travel over the trains.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Don't spit in the railway station.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Don't cross the railway lines.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Don't try to board into a moving train.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Don't feed dogs in the railway station(??)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Don't travel in First Class compartment with a Second class ticket.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">etc... and at last if caught will be fined.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">I ruminated the whole morning episode upon hearing this, while waiting for the train. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">While waiting in the Kurla station, a person sitting nearby asked me: </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">"Uncle, yeh CST keliye gaadi yahaan pe aayega kya?" </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">"Haan yahaan pe hi aayega. Aap ko Dadar jaana hein?"</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">"Nahin CST"</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">I started of a conversation with him. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">"Aap kaam kar rahe hein?" </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">"Haan Panvel mein"</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">"Kahaan pe" </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">"SSV internet" </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">"Aapke office Deonar mein hein?" As we had to get an internet connection at home.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">"Deonar mein nahin he, Chembur mein hein" </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">This guy was seen spitting in the railway station as he had pan in his mouth.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">"Aaj mujhe police pakada thaa. Disabled compartment mein se"</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">"Oooo, kahaan pe"</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">"Andheri pe, wahaan pe 38 log the hum, jyadathar disabled compartment mein yaathra karne keliye, koyi railway line cross karne keliye aur koyi station mein dhookne </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">keliye." </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">I said to him as he was about to spit </span><i style="background-color: white; background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yK/r/r-s1sSegbX6.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: #141823; display: inline-block; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px; min-height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">. He spit once again neverthless and said to me. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">"Hotha hein kabhi kabhi. Mere ko bhi ek baar TTE ne pakada thaa. Phir meine hath paav pakdke, gareeb hoon bolke nikal gaya"</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">"Chod diya" </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">"Mein kabhi bhi ticket nahin letha hoon, harbour line mein, Panvel se Kurla thak" </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">"Tho aap abhi bhi ticket bina yaathra kar rahe hein kya?" </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">"Central line mein nahin CST mein khoob checking hothi hein. Mein harbour line ke bhaare mein bol raha thaa".</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">The train came in for Dadar and we both boarded the train. Soon the train reached Dadar and I bye byed my internet-wala, bina ticket se chalne wala friend and got into the Western line to catch my next train. The experiences continue in the local trains.</span><br clear="all" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;" /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Thanks and regards, </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Sridhar</span></div>
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mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-34581106298950766602013-07-13T15:27:00.002-07:002013-07-13T15:34:13.258-07:00Prove the following - In Mumbai : Rains + Trains = Strains + Pains<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Prove the following:</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">In Mumbai : Rains + Trains = Strains + Pains </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">--------------------------------------------------------</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Rains in Mumbai has lost its vigour, it had during the initial two weeks. Mumbai had welcomed me (who had came in here for the 'Water' course) with 40% of the total average rainfall, clouds bursting out in the first few days of the monsoon itself. After that havoc, its strength has reduced considerably. But that doesn't mean it has lost its ability to slow down the usual pace of the city for a day or two. Last Friday was one such a day. It had started raining from early morning. It was gloomy outside when I woke up in the morning and I was sure that I will have to carry umbrella. I hate carrying umbrella(even during my school/college days in Kerala and mild drizzles of Bangalore, I seldom carried it), unless it is really needed. It is difficult to carry it, difficult to keep it and easy to forget it. The thought of travelling in local trains with umbrella makes it more haunting, here in Mumbai. I prefer getting drenched in rain, than carrying this cumbersome device. I could sense the rain's "ability to slow down" Mumbai during morning train commuting itself. The crowd was much less in the stations and I got a seat in two out of three trains, I travelled during the morning rush hours. This was first such instance over the last one month. Thus it was a travel in the "Business Class" and I had felt blessed. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Soon after the classes, there was a fun event organized by the TISS Counselling Team "Celebrating Mumbaiya Rains", where in there was a Mela, some games and also a Rain DJ. Most of the students enjoyed the concept of rain dance with many dancing to the tunes of the DJ drenching themselves in the rain and others viewing it from the balconies. It was a very well organized event, though I felt the selection of the songs could have been better. There were usual "Balma", "Munni Badnam Huyi", "Ringa Ringa" and few Punjabi beats, which kept on boringly repeating. Dinesh, Deepesh, Anubha, Vivek, Akhil, Apoorva were some of the fellow dancers. "Tip Tip Barsa Pani" was the only song related to rains, which was un-danceable number for an "below par dancer" like me. I too tried my usual steps(Jai Salim Kumar) in what in Kerala we call it as a "Koothara" event. After "celebrating" the rain, I decided to return back to Malad. My aunt had called me in the afternoon and had informed me that many trains had got cancelled due to heavy rains and hence to start early from TISS. I forgot that warning as I got too involved in the event. Now the question popped up as to "How to reach back to Malad?" It was around 7pm. Called up Elizabeth and asked her whether she is planning to leave. She accompanies me to Govandi railway station last few days, from where she catches a train to Nerul. Elizabeth was relishing the Kulfi (another Mela product) along with Nidheesh and her other friends(Anupa, Brinda, Aswati). Soon Nidheesh, Elizabeth and me left from there. Elizabeth and Nidheesh are from Public Health course and both are jovial Malayalees(conspiring regionalism :-)). Nidheesh stays in TISS hostel and before parting ways, three of us got involved in a discussion. The discussion was on the topic "Caste Reservation" with each having interesting(controversial?) views, that we stood there on the side of the main road under the umbrellas(yes, it was raining still) for around half an hour and debating on the topic. Elizabeth put an end to the discussion stating it's almost 8pm and that it is getting late. After saying bye bye to Nidheesh, we walked our way to Govandi station, got tickets to Nerul and Malad respectively. I was eager to check whether trains are running in the "Harbour Line", which is usually the one which is worst affected and the service gets cancelled in this route, in case it rains heavily in Mumbai. While on the ticket queue, found a train plying and I had a sigh of relief. My mobile had 2% charge. Called up my aunt and conveyed to her that I will be boarding the train and my mobile is about to switch off. She said as it was 8 pm and she will expect me to reach by 10 pm. Another train came just after getting the ticket, as the ladders were wet and slippery (and since the trains were aplenty) decided not to rush to catch it(Ahankaaram). Elizabeth's train came soon (train to the opposite direction) and she was fortunate to get into the less crowded ladies compartment sandwiched between fully packed "gentleman's" coaches. Usually there will be a digital time table of the next train as to where it is going and the expected time in all the stations and it works efficiently on all "normal" days. But whenever there is a delay or cancellation of services, this digital device always shows the timing as 00:00 which in a way states you are doomed and the train could arrive at any time or even not arrive. I got a non-wet seat after some search in the platform and waited for the train to come. My phone had dead and there was nothing much to be done rather than waiting for the train. Rain was pouring outside and the railway station speakers blared something in Marathi. From the message I could only sense the apology from the railway authorities, which I assumed to be because of the late running or cancellation of trains. The railway station slowly began to get crowded and I started to feel restless partly for not risking to catch the previous train. To make matters worse, 4-5 trains went past in the opposite direction. . At last after about half an hour wait, a train came moderately packed. The crowd outside was enough to make it fully jam packed. Got down at Kurla station and the situation was similar in the "Central Line" too. Trains were cancelled and the digital clock time table showed 00:00. Waited there again for 15 minutes. Train to Dadar was a relief and I got a seat to sit. Now the last part of my daily train expedition, the "Western Line". Here too trains had been cancelled. Here the digital time tables were not 00:00, but it showed a time one hour back. This digital time table also shows whether the next train is a Fast or Slow train. All the trains were showing up towards Virar that too Fast trains. Few of these trains stop in malad, where I need to get out. It was getting late and taking my chance I rushed into a Virar Fast and thought even if the train doesn't stop in Malad, will go and get out at Borivali, two stations after Malad and come back from there. I got a seat in the train and thought the drama for the day has unfolded. The train reached Andheri station. From here the train has to go slow(means have to stop in the minor stations, of which Malad is one), in case I want to get down at Malad. But soon the speaker blared that the next stop is Borivali. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Moments after this, there was some sort of confusion in the entrance, where in I saw a person coming in to the train and getting out with a bag from the baggage section of the train. The train just about at the same time started moving and another person rushed towards the door exit crying that it was his baggage. People standing near the door prevented him from jumping from the moving train. He tried to pull the chain but the fellow passengers said there is no use getting out as the person who took his baggage had disappeared into the crowd. The next stop being Borivali, the passengers began to circle round the "victim". I too went near to the person trying to console him and discuss what could be done. Some said to check the other person's baggage. All the passengers took their baggage and the one that was left behind was a pink plastic cover. I got particularly afraid while they were searching the baggage as two day's back I had that "Bomb"ay incident and aftermaths. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Two or three searched the bag and found that it has some spinach in it. Soon the discussions followed. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Pass 1: Arey, woh tho yahin pe khada tha. Door ke aas paas. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Pass 2: Woh chalke phir aaya, aur bag leke nikal gaya.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Victim: Mera purse, company id aur laptop uspe hein . (Frustrated, busy trying to call someone through his mobile, but couldn't get them) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Pass 3: Ab kya kare. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Me: RPF ko phone laga sakthe hein na?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Pass 1, 2 and 3: Usse kya hone wala hein. Woh chala gaya hoga.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Pass 2 to Victim: Chehra dekha aapne?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Victim: Nahin.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Pass 1: Meine dekha tha. Woh yahin pe khada tha. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Pass 1: Aap bhi na. Kyun yeh purse, id card sab uspe rakhe the? </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Pass 2: Laptop bhi hein. Aur kyon baggage vaha pe rakhe. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Victim: Meine andhar he rakha tha. Kisko patha kein ki utaake le jaayega wahaan se?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Pass 2 to victim:(Trying to console) Bale aadmi hein tho call karega. Uske andhar thera number hein na?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Victim: Haan. Sab kuch hein us mei.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Pass 1: Nahin tho samjho gaya. Lekin woh kyun bag leke baagega? Uski tho yahaan pe ek cover hein.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">This conversation continued and Borivali station came where I got out. (Hope that guy got his baggage back). </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Borivali station was again crowd sea. So many people waiting for trains. The effect of delayed and cancelled trains was clearly seen as the clock struck 10:00. Here too the digital time table was running 1 hour late. Soon I realised that the same problem which I faced in Dadar was in here too. All the trains that were coming were Fast trains, means they wont stop at Malad. Miser in me prevented from going in an Auto to Malad from Borivali. I had crossed the deadline given to my aunt, ie of 10:00 pm and with no mobile charge to call her up, I was sure about wrath There was another person who seems like a food vendor, an old man who also wanted to go to Malad. He was conversing to me in Marathi as he found me also bound to Malad. Though I couldn't understand anything he said, I just nodded my head to everything he was saying. Two or three fast trains went past. I was getting restless and decided to board the next train whatever it may be. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">In the digital notice board, for the next train it was mentioned as it will stop in Malad in one side and it won't stop in Malad in the other side. This added to the confusion. I decided to try my luck once again. Boarded into the train. The old man kept on asking me whether it will stop at Malad, but I didnt had an answer. I just said to him: "Dekh lethe hein, nahin tho Andheri jaakar, wahan se vaapas aa jaayenge." He rubbished me in Marathi and went on to ask others the same. Later I recognised that he had his vessels with him which would be difficult to carry if in case he had to get down and board another train. The train was not going to stop in Malad only for me and thus, I shuttled back to Andheri. I had to wait another 10 minutes there. There were many dogs lying around and I fondled it caringly. It was almost 10:40 pm and atlast a slow train came to Borivali. Slowly but surely, it reached Malad at around 10:55pm. There was a shared auto waiting for a person. Got into that and I reached my aunt's home at 11:15pm. They were surely tensed and I didn't describe all this to them to make matters worse . Was feeling horribly hungry after all this ordeal and hence gobbled up the delicious, home made dinner and went to bed.</span><br />
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Thus In Mumbai:<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Rains + Trains = Strains + Pains </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">Hence proved.</span></div>
mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-48765779052720256212013-07-09T12:05:00.003-07:002013-07-09T12:45:27.724-07:00"Bomb"ay... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;">The class got over early today and as a result was returning back to Malad before the rush hours begin. As a result could see the spacious interiors of the train and also got the rare opportunity to rest my weight on my buttocks in the train seats(I travel in 3 trains, remember). After a smooth ride from Govandi to Kurla and Kurla to Dadar, I took the third train to Malad. It was a Virar Fast and got a seat in spite of a crowd, thanks to an empty train. The train left Bandra and Andheri and the un-embodied lady voice in the speaker said "Poodil station Borivali". Borivali station comes two stations after the Malad station. Being a fast train, this train was not going to stop at Malad, just for my sake. Cursing myself for not getting down at Andheri to get another slow train, I hoped that TTE(have not seen him in local trains till date) wont find me in Borivali. Soon after the train left Andheri, suddenly there was a blast. People st</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;">anding near the door as well as few sitting panicked and started to run towards the other side saying "BOMB". I too thought something has went wrong, though didn't get up from my precious seat(chathalum vidilla(wont give the seat, even if dead) :-)). Soon there was an alcoholic smell all around. :-) Somebody was carrying a Beer bottle and it had broke due to pressure. Everyone started to laugh around realizing this and one mockingly said this is not allowed in train and we should call 1311(RPF number). Soon there were discussions and comedies regarding the same.<br /><br />Passenger 1(a middle aged man): Arey, mein tho socha bomb phat gaya?<br />Passenger 2(another middle aged): Haan bhai, mein bhi tho dar gaya thaa.<br />Passenger 3(an old man drenched one side with beer): yadhi bomb hua ho tho mera sar phat gaya hotha.<br />Passenger 1: aap hee nahin sabhi ke sar phat gaya hotha.<br />Passenger 1 to Passenger 4(the one with a broken beer bottle and seemingly broken heart): RPF ko phone laga dhoom? Beer train pe laana mana hein. Patha hein naa.<br />Passenger 4: <silent><br />Passenger 2: Chalne dho yaar.<br />Passenger 1 to Passenger 3(the old man): Aapse, beer ki badhbhu aa rahi hein, aapki biwi aaj daandegi aapko.<br />All passengers including me<laughing><br /><br />Soon Jogeshwari, Goregaon, Malad and Kandivali stations pass through, and people including me started to move towards the door to get down at Borivali. The whole place was full of Beer and there was an intoxicating smell all around.<br /><br />Passenger 5: Arey kissi police ya TTE aaye tho kya bolenge?<br />Passenger 2: Bol denge ki dharu ka bhaarish aaya thaa...<br /><br />Everyone including me laughed once again and all got down at Borivali... :-)<br /><br />Thank God I am alive. After all laughter improves longevity of life :-)<br /><br />Escaped from the TTE(if there is any) at Borivali station and took another train back to Malad.</laughing></silent></span></div>
mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-35089238250973453442013-06-30T13:00:00.003-07:002013-06-30T13:00:51.655-07:00Trains, trains come again… <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Mumbai local train lines are divided into mainly three - Western, Central and Harbour lines. These are parallel lines and to reach a destination in another line, we need to change trains at few of the common stations. Malad comes in the Western Line, while Govandi, the stop near to TISS comes in Harbour Line. So to go from Malad to Govandi in train means I will have to</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> change trains twice and thus travel in 3 trains. I usually get a train from Malad to Dadar(Western Line), then Dadar to Kurla(Central Line) and from there again another train to Govandi (Harbour Line). There is another way the number of trains traveled can be reduced to two, but that doesn't seem to be time efficient. Hence I usually take this three train approach. This non availability of a straight train had compelled me stay at a place near to TISS, though the expenses are more. I had been in Malad at my aunt's house last whole week owing to the need of Internet to do my IBM work. This made me travel to and fro TISS in the local trains of Mumbai and experience the rush hours, both in the morning and in the evening. Trains come and leave almost every 5 minutes at any station, up country or down. People bulging out of the trains are a usual scene during these hours. Some seem to love this as it is airy than the suffocating insides.<br /><br />Mumbai train commuting has made me spell bound, to say the least. Mumbai is the densest city in over populated India and the local trains in here are even denser. By far it might be the most efficient public transport system available in this world. Not only because these trains run on time and ticket charges are less but also because of the fact that it is used to its maximum capacity by the people. The train charges and nil blocks are perhaps the main reason why people opt this service even if they need to fight it out everyday with other people. Rains do reduce the time efficiency, with cancellation of services especially in the Harbour Line, but that doesn’t dent these services being the life line of Mumbai. All varieties of crowd can be seen in a jam packed train if we go at 9:00am. From college/school students, fish sellers, IT professionals, Bank Staffs, blind, deaf, differently-abled, wannabe directors, actors, all have made this part of their life. There are two types of services – Fast and Slow. Fast trains stop in few of the main stations, while slow trains stop in all stations. During rush hours, there is a heavy demand for faster trains. Each train has compartments meant for ladies, differently abled, first class and general. There are 12 compartment trains as well as 9 compartment ones. Moreover there are some trains exclusive for ladies.<br /><br />All railway stations I felt as neat and tidy, as per our Indian standards. All the railway stations have food joints, where they serve all Pav varieties, Lime, Orange, Kokam juices and other namkeens. The next train timing can be seen in the platforms and also the speaker blare moments before any train come, as to which time it is of and where it is bound to.<br /><br />You need to be fast, furious and more over physically and mentally agile in case you need to get into a crowded train. I am more of a safe traveler, who prefers to miss the train rather than clunging on to it. Being a bit fat commuter in Mumbai is a crime, especially if you are traveling in the local train. Anyways even if you are fat and manage to get inside, you will be squeezed to the portion allotted to you. Carrying a baggage again is considered an offense and in case you have one, it has to be within the space allotted to you by others. Most compartments have the station indicator installed, which blare out before every station reached. “Poodil station Malad followed by Agala station Malad“. The train stops for roughly 20 seconds in each of the stations. But as a matter of fact, it is advisable to make your way to the exit 2 stations before, in case you want to get down. Twice or thrice I have missed the station, simply because I had not prepared to get out well in advance. In any case verbal abuse is sure. Verbal abuse in various languages, you will get to learn in a crowded train. There is virtually no regards to people who are differently abled kid or a woman, but better I don’t generalize all.<br /><br />Rains + Trains = Pains in Mumbai. As mentioned above, trains run late in case there is heavy rain. Moreover people become more frenzy and aggressive. Even if it is an empty train, the crowd has developed the habit of mad-rushing into the train.<br />Just mentioning a recent “decent” conversation between two fellow commuters to give an idea of how the trains are interconnected to the everyday life (& perhaps death) of people in here. Though I couldn't see any of them, found the conversation interesting. It was the one which I heard as the train started from Malad. It was raining and I too rushed inside the train from Malad railway station like many others. A person was hanging out of the train, getting drenched in rain outside and this conversation was between him and a sympathetic person inside.<br /><br />Man Inside: Arrey, kyun aise latak ke aa rahe ho? Agale train pakad saktha tha naa, thu?<br />Man Hanging: Kaam keliye dher ho rahi hein. Is train choot gaya tho, late ho jayegi… Kaam choot jaayegi phir…<br />Man Inside: Train choot gaya tho, late ho jayega ya kaam choot jaayegi, uthna hi, yadhi thera hath choot gaya tho zindagi choot jayegi…</span></div>
mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-50404875663137097562013-06-30T12:59:00.003-07:002013-07-09T12:07:51.894-07:00"Zara hatke! zara bachke! yeh hein Mumbai meri jaan... "<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sorry for the delay in posting my whereabouts...</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Still in the transition phase, so traversing safely and slowly here in Mumbai... ( "Zara hatke! zara bachke! yeh hein Mumbai meri jaan... " :-))</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lazy Calm Bangalore to Speedy Crazy Mumbai... IT City to City of Dreams... Boring IT work to interesting Water lectures. Namma Bengaluru to Aamchi Mumbai... Salubrious drizzles to Torrential cloud bursts... Guro to Bhau... Bisi Bele Bath & Khara Bath to Vada Pav & Pav Bhaji... City Volvos & BMTC buses to Local trains & BEST Buses... Employee to Student... Salaried spend thrift to Unemployed judicious spender... </span><span style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yr/r/kX-8X2c2uc4.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: #333333; display: inline-block; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; min-height: 16px; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 16px;" title=":-)"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">TISS life going great, so far. Water Policy and Governance course comes under School of Habitat Studies. Thus after 7 years, back to school, with the same eagerness cum nervousness of a Kinder Garden student in the month of June. Heavy monsoon, new umbrella, sitting in class with drenched clothes, French Open and Wimbledon makes things even more eerie and similar. TISS campus has a lots of trees. Birds like bulbuls, magpie robins, sparrows, mynahs, crows, cuckoos have made it their home. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bonnet macaques, dogs, cats and squirrels roam freely in the campus. They too have their rights in here and should not be shooed away. But few Homo Sapiens do murmur/feel irritated when these four legged friends try to socialize with them in the canteens. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am the lone South Indian in the class of 12 (4 engineers, 2 BCAs, 1 Law Graduate, 1 Geologist, 1 architect, 2 Science Graduates -> 3 girls, rest all boys). About 12 classes each week, but lots to read before the lectures. Over last 2 weeks, introductory classes of Science, Law, Policy, Development, Financial, Philosophical aspects of water, were taught. Development, Science, Policy and Law classes are interesting. Financial course a bit tough. The class room strength varies from 800 students (when the whole batch is taught Philosophy, Research Methodologies at the Convention Centre), 100 students (Policy aspects taught along with other courses like Urban Policy, Regulatory Governance under the Habitat school) or 30 (Law taught along with Regulatory Governance course). This gives an insight of the inter-</span></span><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">disciplinarity</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> these courses offer. Plenty of people from varied streams and background. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">A film by Sanjay Kak "Red Ant Dream" was screened last week. The director was present after the film for a talk. Had a small talk with Dr. Binayak Sen (had met him in Bangalore some 1 year back at Bangalore, so shared that experience), while both of us were searching for the room where this film was being screened. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The accommodation is quite near the campus. To make some sense as to how near, the TISS Wifi reaches our home </span><span style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yr/r/kX-8X2c2uc4.png); background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: #333333; display: inline-block; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; min-height: 16px; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 16px;" title=":-)"></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">. At Deonar Farm Road. Couldn't see any farm in and around. Seems the farms have been converted into apartments. The owner is one Sunil from Irinjalakuda. Rent: whopping 31000 per month. This will be divided among 6 of us. Out of 6 room mates, 3 dentists (who are into School of Health, out of whom one is an Angamalikkaran, one from Chandigarh, another from Jaipur). 2 others from Pune (one into Disaster Management course and another a TISS passout, working in Mumbai). Yet to get the rental agreement. Net connection needs to be installed(The TISS Wifi is too feeble and only one laptop can connect, at a time). Yet to take a Mumbai telephone connection. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">IBM work is in tatters. Finding it difficult to sail with legs in "Randu Thonis"... Hope last day of my employment, July 30th comes soon and without much wrath from office. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Food: From TISS Dining Halls. As it is at any other educational place canteens, here too food taste varies from moderate to horrible. Curd/Buttermilk seems haraam in here. Soya curry which I ate yesterday was more of eraser put in some curry. Hope to influence my room mates with the idea of cooking food at least at night. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mani Chithappa/Pushpa Chithi prepared food provides reprieve during the weekends. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">TISS surely is a social science paradise with its 40+ different disciplines. Have made friends with fellow students of Media and Culture, HR, Disability Studies, Disaster, Hospital Management, Women Studies, Tribal Studies, Social Work and of course many from my own Habitat school. A healthy population of people with varied background, from almost all states in India and also few from abroad.</span></div>
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mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-29368324121273070112013-03-15T19:11:00.001-07:002013-06-16T03:35:13.518-07:00WiFi....then Wi Not?? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Traveled in a compartment (perhaps a train) with about 80% software professionals. WiFi in trains may be an opportunity to utilize the idle wo(man) hours for perhaps nations good. I feel majority of them carry their laptops with them too. Just as we can mention whether a doctor or not, in irctc website, while booking (oops after booking, considering the booking rush), it could be mentioned whether a IT professional or not. Work could be perhaps utilized for rural development activities and rewards could be a free IRCTC train ticket for every 40 hrs worked. There is a sense of satisfaction and also huge loads of team work involved I suppose, if we have such a venture.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Dear MBA friends of mine, get some business plan for the same and add on with your views.</span></div>
mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-17812774760027848492013-03-02T01:39:00.003-08:002013-03-02T01:39:27.575-08:00Politically tense!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
Travelling alone in a bus, I always think of weird things...<br />
<br />
Two politically sensitive issues have their prototypes in long distance semi sleeper buses...<br />
<br />
Prerequisite: Window seat and aisle seat passengers could be regarded as two different states...<br />
<br />
A. The window seat passenger always has the upper hand in controlling the incoming air flow. This could affect the aisle seat passenger. Relate this with the kaveri water problem, mullaperiyar issue or Indo-China water diplomacy. There have been strains between me and my co passengers on numerous occasions. So no wonder the states quarrel each other over the natural resources...<br />
<br />
B. The common hand rest for the window seater and aisle seater also provides another interesting political scenario. It is very difficult to partition it and there usually will be silent fights over this piece of 'land' particularly at night between the right hand of one and left hand of the other passenger. No marks for guessing where I am going to relate this to... :)<br />
<br />
Fighting continues between me and my aisle co mate...<br />
</div>
mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-51000864750883806462012-12-20T14:49:00.001-08:002012-12-20T14:49:08.067-08:00Breakfast with a Chef: <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
Bangalore is (in)famous for its IT professionals. The population of IT and ITES professionals is so much that there are even quotes stating:<br />
<br />
"If you throw a stone randomly, there is every chance that it will hit a dog or a Software Engineer. While the dog may or may not have a strap around its neck, the Software Engineer will definitely have one."<br />
<br />
(This doesn't imply you can throw a stone on a dog or a Software Engineer, to check if it is valid. Furthermore sorry to poor dogs for being compared to Software Engineers and moreover dogs are much worthier than Software Engineers. )<br />
<br />
But Bangalore does have many other non software professionals too who come from far and away the globe to make a living. Yesterday I had a rendezvous with one such non-Software professional working in Bangalore.<br />
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There are many ways to go to office in Bangalore. From your own private vehicles to public transport and semi public transport vehicles. Semi public are otherwise known as cabs and ply taking charge >= the public transport charge. They are mostly sought by the office goers at peak hours, since they are comfortable, less crowded, fast and can squeeze through the crazy Bangalore traffic.<br />
<br />
As usual on a cool, winter,lazy late morning(11 am), I got into such a cab yesterday and was sitting at the last row browsing FB in my smart phone. I was deeply into the posts, likes and comments, when the person next to me excused me and asked whether I will give him my mobile to make a call to his superior. Though I usually decline such requests when at a walk, I thought it was safe enough to give my mobile to him in a moving vehicle. The man had a North Eastern look(not being racist) and seemed genuine. He said his mobile had been switched off and wanted to inform his superior that he will be late to work. I gave him the mobile and he called his senior and informed him. After the call he promptly gave me back the mobile and conveyed his thanks.<br />
<br />
As usual we got stuck in the traffic and were snailing past Maruthi Nagar. I decided to have a chat with my North Eastern friend.<br />
<br />
Me: "Aap kahaan pe kaam kar rahe hein?"<br />
NorthEastFriend: "Mein Leela Palace mein kaam kar raha hoon"<br />
NEF: "Wahaan pe khaana bhanaatha hoon mein."<br />
Me: "Acha aap wahaan pe chef hein?"<br />
NEF: Haan<br />
NEF: Wahaan pe head chef hein. Unko hi phone kiya tha mein.<br />
<br />
I was amused to get an interesting co passenger to chat for the rest of the journey.<br />
<br />
Me: Aap kahaan se hein?<br />
NEF: Mein Darjeeling se hoon.<br />
Me: Tik hein<br />
NEF: Aap kahaan pe kaam karthe hein?<br />
Me: Mein IBM me... Software Engineer(yuck!! his stone hit me.)<br />
NEF: Tik hein.<br />
Me: Aap yahaam pe kithne saal se kaam kar rahe hein?<br />
NEF: Che maheene se kaam kar rahaa hoon. Darjiling me padaa tha usse pahele.<br />
Me: Acha, aap hotel management pade the?<br />
NEF: Haan.. Diploma ek saal ke.<br />
Me: Oh.. Baarah(12th) ke baad join kiye the kya?<br />
NEF: Haan.<br />
<br />
It came to my mind that I had not asked him his name.<br />
<br />
Me: Aapka naam?<br />
NEF: Vijay Rana.<br />
Me: Mein hoon Sridhar.<br />
Me: Acha, tho aap kya kya banaathe hein?<br />
VR: Mein Chinese, Korean aur Japanese.<br />
Me: Oh bhahuth acha.<br />
VR: Head chef bhahuth ghussa vaala hein. Is liye hi phone karke bholna pada.<br />
Me: No problem.<br />
VR: Khaana banana hein naa. is liye hee<br />
Me: Acha. Yeh Chinese, Korean aur Japanese aap college mein pade the kya?<br />
VR: Haan.<br />
Me: Whaan pe specialisation kiye?<br />
VR: Haan wahaan pe hamare interest ke hisaab se chun sakthe hein.<br />
Me: Tik hein<br />
VR: Head Chef daant the hein sabko khoob. German wala hein.<br />
Me: Acha, Germany se hein? Naam kya hein?<br />
VR: Rrrudf. Couldnt hear him properly due to the honking of the vehicles in the infectious<br />
<br />
TB(traffic block).<br />
Me: Kyaa?<br />
VR: Rudolf<br />
Me: Achaa. Baahar ke log hein kya head chef?<br />
VR: Haa. Indian log bhi hein.<br />
Me: Tik hein.<br />
<br />
Me: Aapko Head chef ban ne keliye kithne saal lagega<br />
VR: Smiles...<br />
Me: Kam se kam.<br />
VR: Baarah saal lagega.<br />
Me: Tho abhi se 11 1/2 years?<br />
VR: Smiles again.<br />
Me: Aaap aur head chef ke beech mein kithne sections hothe hein.<br />
VR: He says some official bands which I couldnt hear as we had reached the next TB and<br />
<br />
honks.<br />
Me: Acha. Experience se ho jaaye ga<br />
VR: Haan. Experience aur education bhi.<br />
Me: oh. Tho Kaam ke saath padaayi bhi kar sakthe hein?<br />
VR: Haan. Training hotha hein. Mein bhi gaya thaa Chennai training lene.<br />
Me: Chennai mein. South Indian food ke?<br />
VR: Nahin. Wahaan ke Leela Palace mein. Chinese, Korean aur Japanese ka hi.<br />
Me: Oh training keliye bhi jaana hein?<br />
Me: Aap Chinese, Korean aur Japanese hi banaathe hein?<br />
VR: Haan.<br />
Me: Iske siva, Indian nahin banaathe hein?<br />
VR: Uskeliye alag se log hein.<br />
Me: Oh sab keliye alag se group hotha hein?<br />
VR: Haan.<br />
<br />
VR: Trainings hotha rahtha hein, Chennai, Kerala, Mumbai..<br />
Me: Mein Kerala se hoon. :-)<br />
VR: Acha mein bhi gaya hoon Kerala.<br />
Me: Oh<br />
VR: Kovalam.<br />
Me: Haan Vahaan ke Leela mein?<br />
VR: haan vahin.<br />
VR: Hamaare boss bhi Kerala ka hein.<br />
Me: haan patha hein. :-)<br />
Me: dekha hein ka aapne unko?<br />
VR: Haan ek baar dekha hoon.<br />
Me: Yahaan pe aaye the?<br />
VR: Haan Bangalore Leela me aaye the.<br />
<br />
Me: Achaa aapko Chinese, Korean aur Japanese mein kaunsa acha lagtha hein?<br />
VR: VR: <smiles> Korean.</smiles><br />
Me: Yeh Korean Sushi vagera hotha hein naa?<br />
VR: Sushi tho Japanese hein.<br />
Me; Acha.. Woh bhi banaathe hein?<br />
VR: Haan.<br />
Me: Lekin bhahuth expensive hotha hein naa?<br />
VR: Mainly vahaan pe bhahar vaalaa he aathey hein.<br />
Me: Oh. Diplomats, Corporates, vagera...<br />
VR: Haan. Five star hein na.<br />
Me: Achaa yeh bathaayiye yeh 5 star aur 4 star mein kya phark hotha hein?<br />
VR: Woh tho service aur comfort ke hisab se hotha hein. Rooms vagera.<br />
Me: Mein food ke bhaare mein puch rahaa hoon. Kya alag hotha hein 5 star aur 4 star mein?<br />
VR: Aisa tho nahin.<br />
Me: Aap chaay vagera bhi banaathe hein naa?<br />
VR: <smiles> Uskeliye alag se pantry section hothe hein.</smiles><br />
Me: Phir kithna hotha hein ek tea keliye :-)<br />
VR: He smiles.<br />
Me: 150 Rs hotha hein kya?<br />
VR: <smiles and="and" nods="nods"></smiles><br />
Me: tik hein.<br />
<br />
Me: Aapke number dhe dhijiye. :-)<br />
<br />
He provides me his number.<br />
<br />
Me: Mein bulaaunga aapko. Abhi tho switched off hein naa?<br />
VR: Haan.<br />
<br />
<br />
Me: Aap BTM mein rahthe hein kya?<br />
VR: Nahin wahin Leela mein he.<br />
Me: Tho kuch saamaan gareedhne gaye the BTM?<br />
VR: Haan..<br />
VR: Mera kaam subah 11 se 3 tak aur phir 8 se 11:30 tak hein.<br />
Me: Oh. Tho 3 baje ke baadh?<br />
VR: ROom jaa saktha hoon.<br />
Me: Oh lunch aur dinner banaane ka time.<br />
VR: Haan.<br />
<br />
Soon I reach my stop. <br />
<br />
Me: Tik hein Rana ji. Milthe hei kabhi. Jab kabhi mein Leela mein aaya tho. :-)<br />
VR: Tik hein. Milthe hein.<br />
Me: Phone karoonga mein.<br />
VR: Tik hein. lekin kaam ke vakth mobile mana kein. Security le lethe hein mobile.<br />
Me: Oh. phir 3pm se 8pm thak to kar sakthe hein naa?<br />
VR: Haan.<br />
Me: Bye bye.<br />
<br />
I give the money to the cab driver and get into the usual monotony with other tag worn Software colleagues. But loads of memories and info from our non Software, interesting, professional chef friend with whom I had a sumptuous chat feast.<br />
</div>
mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-45017838242280927742012-12-16T12:33:00.000-08:002012-12-16T12:50:28.604-08:00The Haven for the Gated Communities... Lavasa... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Saw a one page advertisement of Lavasa in yesterday's newspaper with bookings open for the gated communities... Thoughts went back to last 1-2 years... </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">For a one year period from late 2010 to late 2011, construction of Lavasa had to be halted due to orders obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.[8] In late 2010 it ordered Lavasa Corporation to halt further construction for not having gathered proper clearances.[7] </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">In November 2011 this ministry relented, and construction is no longer impeded by law.[8] While grant of an environmental clearance was recommended in May 2011, Lavasa was only alerted to the fact that clearance was granted on 9 November 2011.[38]</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">(See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavasa)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Read this along with the fact that Jairam Ramesh held Ministry of Environment and Forests from May 2009 to July 2011...</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Found funny on seeing this too in the lavasa website: </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">http://www.lavasa.com/high/fascinating_facts.aspx</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">which glorifies the bio diversity of the region which is in the banks of River Mosey, this time to market themselves... </span></span></div>
mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-76913438819691644712012-12-16T08:55:00.000-08:002012-12-16T08:55:46.259-08:00Killing pain and many others.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Just saw the advertisement which glorifies "Diclofenac in Iodex"... Diclofenac is an ingredient which is proven to reduce pain and stiffness and is used in pain relievers Volini(thanks to </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=562323478" href="https://www.facebook.com/venky.b" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: initial;">Venkatesh Balakrishnan</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> for this info) also uses this chemical... But it has been also proved as something which affects human health and more sadly over last few decades have been the main reason for the reductio</span><br />
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
n in vulture population(99 % reduction over last few decades :-( ) in India as they consumed diclofenac applied cattle carcasses & remains...<br />
<br />
Human use of diclofenac also has its effects though not properly studied...<br />
<br />
See some links and relate it and decide whether to use it or not:<br />
<br />
Iodex website: <a href="http://gsk-ch.in/Iodex.aspx" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">http://gsk-ch.in/Iodex.aspx</a><br />
<br />
Volini: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drugsupdate.com%2Fbrand%2Fgeneric%2FDiclofenac%2F13037&h=5AQGHExOU&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">http://www.drugsupdate.com/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>brand/generic/Diclofenac/13037</a><br />
<br />
Diclofenac effect on vultures: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D4ZB6kvi4SFM&h=rAQFmXbwy&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>watch?v=4ZB6kvi4SFM</a><br />
<br />
"Decline of vultures in Asia over last few decades is the fastest decline ever reported for a bird specie, faster than the dodo, which is now extinct."<br />
<br />
Horrifying Gyaan from the documentary: Vanishing Vultures, Mike Pandey's documentary over 30 years on disappearance of vultures: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3FNR%3D1%26v%3D5DO6kkOmZCQ%26feature%3Dendscreen&h=HAQEKxgdU&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>watch?NR=1&v=5DO6kkOmZCQ&featur<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>e=endscreen</a><br />
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642375}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642375}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642375}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]"><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642375}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0].[0]">How religious customs change when a specie goes endangered: </span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642375}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0].[1]" /><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642375}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0].[2]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642375}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0].[3]">In the several decades of the late twentieth and early twenty-first century the population of birds of prey on the Indian subcontinent declined, by 99.9% as of 2008, primarily due to diclofe</span></span><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642375}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3]"><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642375}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0"><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642375}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[0]">nac poisoning of the birds following the introduction of that drug for livestock in the 1990s[5], until banned for cattle by the Indian government in 2006. The few surviving birds are often unable to fully consume the bodies.[6] Parsi communities in India are currently evaluating captive breeding of vultures and the use of "solar concentrators" (which are essentially large mirrors) to accelerate decomposition.[7] Some have been forced to resort to burial, as the solar collectors work only in clear weather. Vultures formerly disposed of a body in minutes, and no other method has proved fully effective.</span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642375}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[1]" /><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642375}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[2]" /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakhma" id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642375}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[3]" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakhma</a></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642641}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]" style="background-color: #edeff4; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642641}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0].[0]">Info from Sadasivan Suryanarayanan - </span><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642641}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0].[1]" /><br id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642641}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0].[2]" /><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642641}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0].[3]">Sridhar.....Namaskaram...the 'Information' which I came to know from TOI....for Parsis...there is 'Tower' where 'dead' body is kept for 'vultures'..but while feeding on the 'Dead' the 'vultures' number is dwindled</span></span><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642641}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3]" style="background-color: #edeff4; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642641}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0"><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment550348038326287_6642641}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[0]"> due to 'poisonous' things in the 'bones' of the Dead' consumed by the 'vultures'..the 'poisonous' item is 'Analgins' like 'crocin'...'Anacin'..etc consumed by the most of the 'parsis' which is 'alive' in the 'bodies' of the dead...when the birds like 'vultures' consumes unknowingly the 'Analgin' plays havoc ..once it is 'consumed' its get 'embed' to 'bones'..that's why please 'stop' consuming 'Analgin' of any nature...it gives only 'temporary' relief..this 'news' I got from the Times of India..</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-44248709984625580632012-12-14T11:28:00.002-08:002012-12-14T11:28:15.963-08:00Gods...err... Dogs must be crazy... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">One month back dogs howled at night when the humans celebrated Rama's triumph bursting crackers on occasion of Deepavali... Today dogs howled as there was Carol where again humans celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ on occasion of Xmas... Seems dog is the satan... DOG opposite of GOD... makes sense... :-)</span></div>
mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-28907129701720149982012-12-13T12:27:00.001-08:002012-12-13T12:33:29.392-08:00Me and other animals... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Ananthnagar(Venkatesh Anna, Mythili Akka and <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Gin</span>'s abode) always is a favourite place for me for the uniqueness it has to offer not seen by me else where in Bangalore. Kept away from the chaos, dust and traffic of the Bangalored lifestyle(thanks to the Gowda Saraswat community, who have made it a norm here in Ananthnagar not to sell land to any people other than from their community), this place seems to be the last havens of the pensioner's paradise. With many plots in and around their home empty and without much man made structures, the surroundings offer a perfect place to observe birds,insects, even stars at the night.<span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Gin</span> and I went for a walk today evening and I checked out some new Ananthanagar Crosses and Mains(whole Bangalore is mapped with ever confusing Crosses and Mains). After scorching heat over the last 3-4 weeks, few drizzles here and there in Bangalore cooled the climate off to basic 20 degrees, in Bangalore. On the way saw the emergence of "eeyaamppattas" from the small pores, two Owls waiting for the dark, usual birds like fly catchers, drongos etc... clinching on to their last few preys before heading back home. After the walk for half an hour or so, <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Gin</span> led me back to home. On way met her new friend(a male one who is just few months old). They exchanged greetings and seems <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Gin</span> invited her to home(<span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Gin</span> never provokes any dogs). Then the last lap was with both of them criss crossing between my legs. Reached back home and Mythili Akka gave both of them few biscuits and dictated "Get Outhouse" stance to <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Gin</span>'s friend. Soon it was dark and a burst of "eeyaamppattas" were enjoying their life dancing around the CFLs outside the house. Soon two frogs, a lizard were part of this act feasting on this chaakara. <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Gin</span> lazying in a corner also was part of the party with occassional grab of his share, when any unfortunate fly passes by him. It is indeed wonderful to observe many of the 'life's epic dramas' like these when confined to a place where human/human made density is less.</div>
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PS: Kindly provide English words for eeyaamppatta and chaakara.... </div>
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mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-30736380058843929582012-12-12T12:08:00.005-08:002012-12-12T12:33:58.597-08:00Azhagarkoil Azhagu.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I had seen many centuries old Jain settlements and excavations in and around Madurai over map and net and while coming back from my Sabarimala pilgrimage, decided to visit one of them. My cousin also had pointed me to some Jain beds in this region and my uncle had visited few of them. <br />
Madurai was menacingly hot, even during this "winter season" and I was becoming weary and tired as the day progressed. After searching on my mobile net, I decided to go to Uppadaipatti, some 20kms from Madurai city, a village in the Alagarkoil valley. Arapalayam was the bus stand where I got down. I had my semi morning ablutions(everything else except bathing, I mean :-)) in this water scarce city with much effort and my morning breakfast was pongal-vada combo, from a hotel nearby. I got a bus to Periyar city bus stand. Uppadaipatti seemed unknown for people including the conductors and drivers, but the nearby places Kidaripatti and Sunderrajan patti provided some clue as to which bus I should take. Most of them suggested me to get a bus to Alagarkoil. So I got into an Alagarkoil bus and asked the conductor for a ticket to Uppadaipatti. The conductor looked confused, but with the help of the fellow passengers decided to give a ticket to Sundarrajan patti. After a journey of about 20 mins or so, the fellow passenger told me that the next stop is Sunderrajan patti an asked me to get down. I got down there and asked few localites chit chatting in the bus stop about the Jain settlements an Uppadaipatti. They said there is another Sunderrajan patti after Alagarkoil towards Melur, near to Latha Madhavan college. They asked me to get a bus to Alagarkoil and from there another auto or bus to Kidaripatti. I waved them good bye and got a shared auto to Alagarkoil. From there I got a shared van to Kidaripatti. The driver warned me that the place which I mentioned was some 2kms walk from the stop and one needs to walk till there. After a 10 minute drive, I reached Kidaripatti. I could also see the Latha Madhavan Engineering college and the Alagarkoil hills in the back ground. The van driver asked me to go straight a road meandering towards the village. After a half an hour walk, I reached a village. An old lady was filling water from the public sintex tank. I asked her the way to the Jain temple. She asked me back, whether I wanted to go to Pancharakaranji. I nodded and she pointed me a way. Soon I was greeted by the local dogs all barking violently on seeing an alien. I began to walk without giving them a notice and reached a dead end, where ladies busy preparing food for lunch. One of them said I had came the opposite way and I need to go another way from the point where I met the old lady. Again trespassing the dogs territory once again and with the dogs barking more vigorously, I proceeded the opposite way. Another villager showed me a path leading through the woods towards the hill. Walked some 20 minutes and I found myself to be lost. There were paths all over, but I was feeling a bit scared as no body were to be seen around. After a few more steps, I found an electric fence and an Archeological Survey of India board stating it as a protected site. I sighed relief as I saw a flurry of steps up the hill. <br />
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Went up the hill but soon realised that I had lost my path once again. The scorching sun was making things even worse and was showing no pity on me. The hill had also became molten and the steep sides were again another matter of concern. I was about to return back declaring the mission as failed, when I saw a boy coming up the hill. He was holding a bag full of clothes. <br />
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Me: "Ithu thaana vazhi?" <em>Is this the way?</em><br />
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He: "Panjarakaranjikka?" <em> Is it to Pancharakaranji?</em><br />
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Me: "Aamaam" <em>Yes</em><br />
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He: Intha vazhi vaanga annay. <em>Come this way elder bro.</em><br />
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Me: Saringa <em>Yes boss</em><br />
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He: Neenga engerunthu varenga? <em>Where are you coming from? </em><br />
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Me: Sabarimalayilurunthu. Swantham ooru Kerala.<em> From Sabarimala. Native is Kerala.</em><br />
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He: Oh, appadiya. <em>Oh, is it.</em><br />
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Reached a spot where the hill was steep, but steps were cut on rock.<br />
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Me: Unga perenna thambi? <em>What is your name young bro.</em><br />
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He: Azhagu. <br />
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Me: Naan Sridhar. <em>I am Sridhar.</em><br />
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Azhagu was holding his bag in one hand, had no slippers but was swiftly moving through the steep patch like a Tahr. <br />
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Azhagu: Bhayappedaama summa vaanga annay. <em>Don't be afraid. Just come along elder bro.</em><br />
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He adviced as I was reluctantly trying to get down the rocky steps. I gathered courage and got down. <br />
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Me: Intha vazhi thaana thirumbi ponam? <em>Do we need to come through this same path while coming back?</em><br />
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Az: Amaam. <em>Yes</em><br />
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I got a bit nervous as getting down is always a problem for me in the steep hills. Anyways decided to continue. <br />
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Me: Neenga enga porenga? <em>Where are you going?</em><br />
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Az: Thuni thovakkanam.<em> I need to wash my clothes.</em><br />
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Me: Appadiya. <em>Oh is it.</em><br />
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Soon few more steps and we reached an imposing cave like structure, with a water body. The natural cave formation is of thousands of years old and I soon went and sat in the shade as I had got tired after the journey. Azhagu, meanwhile began to take out his clothes from his bag and started to put it in the water. <br />
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Me: Nee enna panray Azhagu? <em>What are you doing, Azhagu?</em><br />
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Az: School ile padikkiren. <em>I am in school</em><br />
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Me: Appadiya, ethanaavathu class? <em>Oh, is it. Which class?</em><br />
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Az: Pathaavathu. <em>10th class.</em><br />
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Me: Kolla Pareeksha ennakku? <em>When is your final exam?</em><br />
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Az: Ini 2 maasathile. <em>In two months from now.</em><br />
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Me: Appadinna Febrauary maathathileya? <em>Oh that means in February?</em><br />
Az: Aamaam. <em>Yes</em><br />
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He began to wash his clothes. He had bought a new Power Bar soap with him. Peeled the cover and started washing.<br />
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Az: Neenga intha idathukku eppadi vanthenga? <em>How you came to this place?</em><br />
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Me: Ange bus irangi, Kidaripatti ilurunthu. <em>Came in bus. From Kidaripatti</em><br />
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Az: Angirunthu nadanthu vanthengala? <em>From there you walked?</em><br />
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Me: Aamaam. Kidaripatti - Uppadaipatti vazhi. <em>Yes. via Kidaripatti - Uppadaipatti.</em><br />
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Az: Naan ange thaan irukken, Uppadaipatti. <em>I am residing there, Uppadaipatti</em><br />
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Me: Appadiya. Naan antha vazhiaaka thaan vanthen. <em>Oh is it. I came via those village.</em><br />
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Az: Paathirunthaal koode vanthirukkalaam. <em>We could have came together, if we had seen each other there.</em><br />
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Me: :-)<br />
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Az: Itha paarukkava vanthenga? <em>You came here to see this?</em><br />
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Me: Aamaam. <em>Yes.</em><br />
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I could see the jain beds and frail scriptures in the cave, but couldnt see any temple as the site had said. <br />
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Me: Inge kovil ethaavathu irukkingala? <em>Is there any temple in here?</em><br />
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Az: hmm, anthapakkam. <em>Yes. That side.</em><br />
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I stood up and was about to check out, while he said:<br />
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Az: Ange chappal pottukka koodaathu. <em>You should not put your chappals there.</em><br />
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Me: Sari. <em>Okay.</em><br />
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Respecting his orders, I removed my chappals and went towards the other side of the cave. The feet burned as soon as I came out of the shade. I was wondering how Azhagu had came till here without chappals. I saw a Shiva Lingam carved and which had blackened with the burning of oil lamps. Few more Jain stone beds and inscriptions I could see along the cave. I took the photos in my mobile. The Jain cave had been made to a sort of Hindu temple now. I at times wonder, why this kolaveri over Babri Masjid, when I see places like this. Hindu religion like any other religion also was a parasite of the religion which existed. <br />
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Meanwhile our friend Azhagu had started to wash his clothes. After washing each of his clothes, he goes and put it under the <br />
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sun for drying. <br />
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Me: Neenga ella naalekkum inge varuvengala? <em>Do you come everyday here?</em><br />
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Az: Aamaam. <em>Yes.</em><br />
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Me: Appo school ulla naalakku? <em>So when you have school?</em><br />
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Az: Varuven. <em>I will come.</em><br />
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Me: School enkirukku? <em>Where is your school?</em><br />
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Az: Ingirunthu 2 km. Melur pokum vazhiye. <em>From here 2 kms, towards Melur.</em><br />
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Me: Eppidi povenge? <em>How do you go?</em><br />
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Az: Bus varum. Neenga bus irangina idathil. <em>Bus will come. Same place where you got down.</em><br />
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I found somebody had cooked in there and also could see bones, presumably that of chicken all around. <br />
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Me: Inge yaaraavathellaam varuvaangala? <em>Do anyone come here?</em><br />
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Az: kudikkaravanga varuvaanga. <em>People come here for getting drinking and making merry.</em><br />
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Az: Neenga enge porenga? Ingrunthu? <em>Where are you going from here?</em><br />
Me: Bangalore kku.Neenga Kerala/Bangalore vanthirukkengala?<em> To Bangalore. Been there to Kerala or Bangalore?</em><br />
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Az: Naan ithu varekku intha oora vittu ponathille. <em>I have never been out from this village. </em><br />
That made sense to me now. <br />
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Azhagu had complete his washing now and was about to bathe. I looked at him and amazed on how simple he was and how dedicated he was into his affairs. Washing has always been a daunting task for my laziness, even after the invetion of washing machine, but here is a boy, perhaps half my age, coming up a hot hill everyday and washing it. I really felt ashamed of myself and my luxuries at this moment. After putting all clothes to dry, Azhagu started to bath. I was also unbathed but didnt wanted to take a dip in unknown waters. <br />
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The cave by itself was surely a relief from the scorching sun. Gentle breeze and presence of water made the temperature so cool. Sun decided to take a nap behind the clouds and I decided to do a bit more excavation. This time I found few more Jain <br />
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beds and also a carving of a Theerthankara along the sides of the cave. Clicked few more photos. I could also see frogs and fishes in the cave pool, which implied there is good bio diversity. But felt sorry for the vandalised scriptures and stone beds. Though it is a protected monument, doesn't seemed to be protected enough.<br />
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Me: Intha kulam vatti pokuma, venal kaalathile? <em>Do the water in this pond get evaporated fully?</em><br />
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Az: hmm..<br />
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Me: Enge vara thanni varum, mazhai kaalathile. <em>Till where water comes up?</em><br />
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Az: He pointed to a spot well over were I was sitting. "Ange vare"<br />
<em>Till there.</em><br />
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Soon he had finished his bathing and went to the other side of the pool to get the soap cover, which had float to the other side. I was soon into a reclined position and the Sabarimala trip along with the day's proceedings were slowly showing up as sleep.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_MqUCUyws6jUIf7uu1005y21q11IXc1KgU3IhmGf7LDQ6oOCnpjZyKGnXSWYRR5aXcppeCMEXVom7oNVCyYhN9pLPZvTcNhcKbJHBPXnRCgOkerUjtPU96z2XIk2dz1ziT3yUTxVbyc/s1600/azhagu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img bea="true" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_MqUCUyws6jUIf7uu1005y21q11IXc1KgU3IhmGf7LDQ6oOCnpjZyKGnXSWYRR5aXcppeCMEXVom7oNVCyYhN9pLPZvTcNhcKbJHBPXnRCgOkerUjtPU96z2XIk2dz1ziT3yUTxVbyc/s400/azhagu.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Azhagu bathing in the cave pool.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After 20 mins or so, I woke up to see the smiling face of Azhagu. <br />
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Az: Thoonki poyttengala Annay? <em>You fell asleep?</em><br />
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Me: :-)<br />
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Me: Thuni onagiduthaa? Polaama? <em>Did the clothes got dried up?</em><br />
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Az: Polaam. <em>ok. fine.</em><br />
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Azhagu had already packed up all his clothes. <br />
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We started our journey down the hill. I had to just follow my young guide's path, without seeing how steep or deep the sides are. As said earlier, getting down the hill is always a phobia for me, thanks to my fear for heights. The return was swift anyways. <br />
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Az: Itha paarkava annay neenga vandhenga? <em>Did you came here to see this cave?</em><br />
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Az: Neenga yen ottakku vanthenga? <em>Why you came alone?</em><br />
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Me: Summa thaan. Just for fun.<br />
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Me: Soodu thaan thaanga mudiyale. <em>Can't withstand the heat, but.</em><br />
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The path was slippery and I slipped once or twice as my feet got entangled in the twigs.<br />
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Az: Amaam.Paathu nadaanga. Seruppu pottu nadakkumbthu idaraamal pathukkungal. <em>Yes. Walk carefully. Be not to slip with chappals.</em><br />
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Me: Ninga aanaal seruppu podaamale intha soodu kallile nadathengale? <em>But you were walking without chappals in this heat.</em><br />
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Az: Namakku pazhaki pochanney. Dhinamum nadanthu nadanthu kaalu thenchu pochu. Got used to it. as we walk everyday.<br />
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Me: Amaam. Inge vere yaarellaam varuvaanga. Government ilurunthu varuvaangala? <em>Who all have come in here? People from govt come?</em><br />
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Az: Varuvaanga. Aanaal kudikkathaan naraya varuvaanga. Yes, they come.<em> But most people come for drinking and making merry.</em><br />
Me: Appadiya? <em>Oh is it?</em><br />
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Az: Maathathile onno rando naal naangalellaarum(Azhagu and his friends) inge vanthu kari samaichu saapputtu povom annay. <em>Once in a month, we come 2-3 days and we prepare meat and eat, elder bro.</em><br />
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Me: Kozhi kari yaa, Aaadu kari ya? <em>Chicken or Mutton?</em><br />
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Az: Kozhi annay. <em>Chicken, elder bro.</em><br />
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That explained the bones in there.<br />
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Az: Annay 3 manikku Periyar pokum vandi irukku angirunthu. Athukku pinbu 4 manikku thaan. <em>Elder bro, there is a bus at 3 pm to Periyar bus stand. After that bus is only at 4pm.</em><br />
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Me: Appadiya? <em>Oh is it?</em><br />
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Az: Ille, Azhagar kovil poyi agirunthu polaam. <em>or else go to Alagarkoil, from where you will get many buses.</em><br />
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Soon we reached the Uppadaipatti village. The dogs were murmuring but had stopped their barks. Azhagu showe me his house and asked me whether this was the way I came. I nodded and gave him a shake hand. Also I wished him good luck for his 10th exam. <br />
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People were gazing at both of us. I wanted to treat him with a tea or snacks, but couldnt find any nearby. Also I felt awkward doing that coming to his abode. <br />
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Walked back to the bus stop. Got a shared van which went till Azhagarkoil. <br />
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I was indeed tired after back to back hill climbing. Wanted to watch Thuppakki in Madurai, but as I couldn't see any theatres nearby and was totally weary, decided to stop my solitary adventures and head back to the crazy life of Bangalore. But Azhagu had imprinted into my mind with his simple, innocent and hard working life style.</div>
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mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-6729223960278243562010-06-16T03:09:00.000-07:002010-06-16T03:39:54.590-07:00Plight of our waterfalls.<div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Plight of our waterfalls:</span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">See the picture below to see the visibly large variation in the flow rate of our rivers in Western ghats between summers and monsoons. This is largely due to massive deforestation and damming activities upstream. It shows a bird's eye view of how human activities affect these natural wonders.<div><br /></div><div>The waterfalls are the Mighty <span class="il" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(94, 160, 227); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Jog</span> in Karnataka and Elegant Athirappilly in Kerala... The rivers Sharavathi and Chalakudy, originate from ranges where rainfall is almost perennial. The full throttle happens when the dams are opened to check the huge inflow owing to heavy monsoon.</div><div><br /></div><div>See what Wiki says about <span class="il" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(94, 160, 227); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Jog</span>:</div><div><br /></div><div>"<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; "><i>Before the onset of the monsoon, when there is not much water in the Linganmakki dam, the<span class="il" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(94, 160, 227); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Jog</span> Falls are nearly unrecognizable. Instead of the roar and the spray and the massive flow of water, there are only a pair of thin streams of water trickling down the cliff as the water collected in the dam is exclusively for generation of electicity and during monsoons local rain-water is the source of water to the falls. If you happen to ask any of the local people what happened to the falls, they would tell you that the authorities open the dam only during week ends, when there are a lot of tourists to view it.</i></span></div><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; "><p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><i>During the monsoon of 2007, due to heavy rains, the authorities at the falls had to open the dam. Due to this, the water falls was seen at its best. Unfortunately this also resulted in the flooding of many villages down the river, destroying crops and the fishing industry for weeks</i>"</p></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Click the picture for a larger view.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vs4LPBsQJVX_6Nh8qNb4-rWtxahAmomrDdVzxYCZLB-pZb5JpYLdxBR8iWrw91qS0yrIvTmTYYUEPjk3KijTsczmzu5SFb8yEMWp6gB52bsGcmYzEooP1ls3_0pIP9VHKCrZET06mCI/s1600/Plight+of+our+waterfalls+(1).JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vs4LPBsQJVX_6Nh8qNb4-rWtxahAmomrDdVzxYCZLB-pZb5JpYLdxBR8iWrw91qS0yrIvTmTYYUEPjk3KijTsczmzu5SFb8yEMWp6gB52bsGcmYzEooP1ls3_0pIP9VHKCrZET06mCI/s320/Plight+of+our+waterfalls+(1).JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483312607087726610" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /></div>mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-40043046421995536962010-05-28T00:53:00.000-07:002010-05-28T00:55:21.831-07:00WHY PEOPLE OF CHALAKUDY RIVER BASIN OBJECT TO ATHIRAPPILLY HYDRO-ELECTRIC PROJECTGreetings from Chalakudyriver Protection Forum<br /><br />A Campaign to save Chalakkudy River in Kerala India.<br /><br />The Immediate target of the campaign is to stop the proposed<br /><br />Athirappilly Hydro Electrict Power Project in Chalakkudy River.<br /><br />The proposed HEP & Dam will destroy the remaining biodiversity & lives &<br /><br />livelihoods of people based on river<br /><br />We send herewith an article by Sri.G.Krishnan<br /><br />WHY PEOPLE OF CHALAKUDY RIVER BASIN OBJECT TO<br /><br />ATHIRAPPILLY HYDRO-ELECTRIC PROJECT<br /><br />"The kings of Kali Yug will be addicted to corruption and will seize the property of their subjects. Then property and wealth alone will confer rank; falsehood will be the only means of success. Corruption will be the universal means of subsistence. In the end, unable to support their avaricious kings, the people of the Kali Yug will take refuge in the chasms between mountains''<br /><br />- ‘Vishnu Purana’<br /><br /> The proposed 163 MW Athirappilly Hydro Electric Project (AHEP) is to be located across the Chalakudy river at Vazhachal, 35kms away from Chalakudy town. The 140Km long Chalakudy river is the fifth largest river in Kerala and drains the runoff from a catchment area of 1704 Sq.km. The free flow of the river is already blocked by the construction of 6dams - Thunacadavu, Peruvaripallam, Parambikulam, Upper Sholayar, Lower Sholayar and Poringalkuthu. The first four of these dams are controlled and utilised by Tamil Nadu as per the Parambikulam - Aliyar Project Agreement and entails an annual transfers of atleast 16 tmc water to Tamil Nadu, since the 1960s. Subsequently, in the early 1990s a diversion canal from the Poringalkuthu reservoir was constructed to divert the monsoon flows from the Chalakudy river to Edamalayar dam. In turn, over the past 50years, these water diversions have caused an alarming fall in the flow of water through the Chalakudy river by approximately 40% to 45%. Thus, the newly proposed Athirappilly dam, will be the 7th across an already water starved river!<br /><br /> The project authority, Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has a one point justification for the project. They point out to the increasing demand for power and the need to bridge the demand - supply gap. They cry wolf and claim that without implementing projects such as Athirappilly and Pathrakadavu, the economic development of Kerala is doomed. While this claim can be effectively countered, no attempt is made to do the same in the present article as the same will require a separate article by itself. So, at this juncture, I will merely point out two facts : i) This is the same argument which KSEB raised in the 1960’s to justify the Silent Valley Project. But today, even without Silent Valley Project, KSEB and Keralites have survived! ii) Assuming that the death -wish of KSEB is granted, one has to ponder over the question: What after Athirappilly and Pathrakadavu? Even if all the possible hydro-power sources in Kerala are dammed and damned, it will not yield more than an additional 700-800 MW.! So, where does the KSEB go thereafter? Surely, the answers lies elsewhere - alternatives and renewable sources of energy!<br /><br /> The ongoing struggle against the Athirappilly project by the people of the Chalakudy River Basin spearheaded by the Chalakudy River Protection Forum (CPF), an apex body of 40 odd organisations, is based on well researched and well established technical, economic and environmental factors. Let us examine them briefly.<br /><br />Technical and Economic Factors<br /><br /> The first and foremost among them is the half truth that project will generate 163MW of electricity. Please remember that the figure of 163MW being frequently bandied about by the authorities is only the installed capacity of the project. The actual production of power will be 233 Million units which is the approximate equivalent of 27MW of power! The fundamental reason for this alarming variation between the installed capacity and actual production is the insufficiency of water in the river, except during rainy season. In fact, while briefing SNC - LAVALIN which had at one point acted as a Consultant to the KSEB, the latter had accepted that 163 is not the optional sizing for the project. The Consultant was also told that 163 MW installed capacity should not be changed and must be accepted by them (Source : Athirappilly Study : Start-Up Document, Document No.360-02/985, KSEB/SNC-LAVALIN). The net result is that, the actual power generation from the project will be only 16% of its installed capacity, thereby bestowing on it the dubious distinction of being the least efficient power project in Kerala! This also explodes the myth of cheap electricity from Athirappilly!<br /><br /> A related aspect is the cost of the project. It has varied from Rs.151 crores in 1992 to around Rs.700 crores in 2007. But even in January, 1998 SNC - LAVALIN had placed this figure at Rs.675crores. As pointe out by LAVALIN, "This is definitely an area of uncertainity”. Moreover, while calculating the cost of power from the project, it is to be borne in mind that an analysis of cost escalation incurred by the 12 KSEB projects completed during the period 1985-2000 indicates a cost overrun of 326%. Therefore, it is clear that if and when the Athirappilly project is completed, it will not cost the people of Kerala anything less than Rs.2000/-crores! In this context, it must also be pointed out that the techno-economic clearance for the Athirappilly project accorded by the Central Electricity Authority, New Delhi mandates the completion of the project at a total cost of Rs.385.63 crores! (Incidentally, the current Technical Clearance has expired on March 31, 2008 and as such the KSEB will have to obtain a fresh Technical Clearance for the project)<br /><br /> The water flow data pertaining to the Chalakudy River used by the KSEB for formulating the project is a figment of fertile imagination. To cite an example: According to the KSEB, the average monthly flow/discharge of water at the Sholayar reservoir has remained steady at 11.04(m3/sec), every year from 1941 - 42 to 1995-96, without any variation at all! Moreover, the river flow data used by the KSEB does not show the average annual transfer of 15.74 tmc of water to Tamil Nadu under the Parambikulam - Aliyar Agreement, and the consequent reduction in the availability of water in the Chalakudy River. Nor does it take into account the annual transfer of about 8% to 10% of the river water to the Periyar River, via the Idamalayar augmentation scheme since 1993. The apparent result is that the Athirappilly project has been designed without taking into consideration the fact that since the 1940’s the water flow in the river has dropped by about 40% to 45%!<br /><br /> The economic viability of the project is also very much in doubt. While the annual recurring expenses for the project on account of repayment of loan, maintenance, salaries etc. will work out to a minimum of Rs.150 crores, the total revenue from the sale of electricity will be only around Rs.50crores. This means that the project will impose an additional annual burden of Rs.100crores on the KSEB, the State Government and ultimately, the people of Kerala who pay taxes and bear all the burden - financial and environmental!<br /><br />Effect on the Twin Waterfalls<br /><br /> The Athirappilly dam proposed to be located a mere 400 meters upstream of the Vazhachal rapids will eventually kill both the Vazhachal rapids and the framed Athirappilly falls, located about 5kms downstream. This is obvious from the fact that whereas the flow of water through the twin penstocks to the 160MW main powerhouse will be, as per KSEB estimates, about 1,25,000 lit/sec.The water released through the 3MW dam - toe power house proposed for maintaining the Vazhachal rapids and Athirappilly waterfalls will be a mere 7650 lit/sec!This implies that, out of the total water flow in the river, more than 80% will be diverted away from the Athirappilly falls and will join the river about 1.5km downstream of the Athirappilly falls. The consequent, slender, ribbon - thin waterfall will only destroy the magnificient falls and drive away the tourists, thereby paving the way for the destruction of the local tourism driven economy.<br /><br />Impact on Tribal Population<br /><br /> KSEB holds that there are no tribal families in the project area. This is once again the old Goebbelean principle at work or a case of selective amnesia. Anyone who has visited the project area could see the Pokalappara Tribal Settlement which have 22 tribal families. And tragically, these are families who have undergone dislocation twice earlier, on account of the construction of dams upstream. It is merely a fact that can be observed even by a casual visitor that the Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of the Athirappilly dam will submerge at least most of their colony.<br /><br /> Another disturbing fact is that the project authority and their masters have chosen not to look at the existence of the Vazhachal Colony with its 50 odd families, Tribal School and Hostel. Though, technically this area may not fall within the project area, the fact is that it is merely 400 mts away from the dam site. Therefore, it will be practically impossible for these families to continue their stay in the present location when the project work begins and more than 2500 odd workers make their presence felt in the area. However, the KSEB and the government have chosen not to look into the matter. In fact, the EIA conducted by WAPCOS does not even make a mention of this fact. And the earlier study of TBGRI puts the distance between the colony and dam site as 4 kms!<br /><br /> Meanwhile, acting on a petition submitted by a local tribal woman, the State Tribal Commissioner, after visiting the project area has recommended that as the tribal settlement is a mere 400mts. away, the massive construction activity will adversely impact the life of the local tribes and that they should therefore be honourably resettled at least six months prior to the commencement of any dam construction activity. However, the project authorities have turned a blind eye to the recommendation!<br /><br />Impact on Irrigation<br /><br /> Both KSEB and WAPCOS which conducted the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) admit that due to the paucity of water in the Chalakudy River, the AHEP has been designed mostly to address the peak load requirement. As far as farmers who depend on the Chalakudy River Diversion Scheme (CRDS) for their irrigation and drinking water requirements are concerned, this very peak load station nature of the project is its major pitfall and destructive core. The peak load factor of the project becomes more pronounced in the December - May months. During these six months, the operation of the 160MW capacity main powerhouses will be possible only for less than 2hours in the evening. The dam-toe powerhouse is said to operate for 24hours. However, even according to the admissions of KSEB/WAPCOS, during December - May the total daily water flow through the toe - powerhouse will be only around 37% - 38% of the water available in the river. This directly implies that for almost 22 hours a day, water available at CRDS, Thumburmuzhi for distribution through the Left Bank - Right Bank canal systems would be about 62% - 63% less than what is available today. In practical terms, the water availability at Thumburmuzhy would drop to about 6200-7600 liters per second whereas according to the calculations of the CRDS authorities, the reasonably efficient working of CRDS requires about 20,000 - 25,000 liters of water per second at Thumburmuzhi. For an already water starved CRDS, this positively spells disaster and destruction. Therefore, the contention of WAPCOS/KSEB that AHEP will not adversely impact on the CRDS is factually incorrect and ludicrous.<br /><br /> Another reason for this potentially disastrous situation is that during the months of December - May, when the main 160MW power house operates during the peak evening hours (6 pm - 8pm), almost 68% - 70% of the daily flow of water in the river will be received at Thumburmuzhi during the night, in a time span of 2 - 2½ hours. This amounts to approximately 1,32,000 liters of water per second arriving at the Thumburmuzhi check - dam. The small check - dam cannot accept and store such a large quantity of water and almost 80% of the water received during this period is sure to spill over the dam and flow down stream. The Thumburmuzhi dam is not designed as a storage dam. It is only intended to divert the river water to the Left - Right Bank Canals. The left and right bank canals can accept only a maximum of 25,000 liters per second. CRDS officials stationed at Chalakudy point out that if the project is to be run effectively, they require a constant, steady flow of water in the river at Thumburmuzhi. The EIA said to have been conducted by WAPCOS has conveniently neglected this critical aspect of water budgeting. In fact, in their wisdom, they have cleverly concealed this problem by showing the monthly cumulative water availability/discharge of the CRDS. (Table 4.11, Page 4.37 of the EIA by WAPCOS). WAPCOS have not even attempted to discuss this critical and vital matter with either the CRDS authorities, local panchayaths or the water users in the project affected area!<br /><br />Ecological Damages<br /><br /> Chalakudy river especially the Vazhachal Forest Division, within which the proposed Athirappilly project area falls is unique in many respects for long term conservation as pointed out by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board. Further the riparian vegetation (special vegetation along the river) offers a uniqueness unparallelled anywhere else in the state or even the country.<br /><br />Loss of several endemic species<br /><br /> The Athirappilly area has not yet been subject to any intensive studies and hence, the bio-diversity of the area is not completely documented. However, the occassional studies conducted by various agencies indicate a very high proportion of endemic species in the area. Even the short, inadequate Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted by WAPCOS, shows that a large number of endemic species of plants, butterflies, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals occur in the area. The report does not cover several species including those which are nocturnal. Even the endemic and threatened species such as the Travancore Flying Squirrel, Petinomys fuscocapillus fuscocapillus occuring in the area is not recorded.<br /><br />Loss of high fish diversity and connectivity<br /><br /> The area is so rich in fish diversity, including endemic and endangered species, that the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources has recommended the area to be declared as a Fish Sanctuary. Five new species and 18 critically endangered species have been recorded. Population of one species of fish found only in the Chalakudy river has reduced 99% during the last two decades. Construction of the dam prevents both upstream and downstream migration of some of the fishes which is a vital activity for their survival.<br /><br />Unique area for bird conservation.<br /><br /> i) All the four species of hornbills found in Kerala, namely Malabar Grey Hornbill, Grey Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill and Great Indian Hornbill occur in the Athirappilly - Vazhachal area; a very rare phenomenon ii) 12 of the 16 species of the endemic species of birds seen in the Western Ghats are present in the Athirappilly - Vazhachal area. Recognising the high diversity in birds, Birdlife International (based in Cambridge), in a process of identifying important areas for bird conservation all over the world in 1995, identified the Vazhachal - Sholayar areas as an Important Bird Area (IBA).<br /><br />Loss of overall biodiversity<br /><br /> According to the Biodiversity conservation strategy and Action Plan for Kerala prepared by French Institute, Pondichery, the conservation value of the Vazhachal (project area) is as high as 75%, (one of the highest!) which itself justifies the importance of the area for conservation.<br /><br />Loss of ecological functions and characters of the river system :<br /><br /> Construction of the dam will completely alter the ecology of the river system, both upstream and downstream of the proposed dam site (from the dynamic and vital ecosystem to merely a physical water transporting system devoid of various ecological functions). One of the vital reasons for the high species richness and endemism of the area is the total volume of water flow and the fluctuation in it from a minimum of 7.26 cumec in May to 229.97 cumec in August (average of 50 years). Regulation of the flow to 7.65 lit/ sec, as specified in the project proposal, will destroy the original ecosystem characteristics.<br /><br />Alternative to Athirappilly Dam<br /><br /> The most frequently asked question by the proponents of the Athirappilly project is : Without Athirappilly project, what do we do for power? The truth is that there are varied alternatives to cope with the peak load shortage of power. Experts suggest the following:<br /><br /> According to the estimates of the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad if the 67-70 lakh consumers replace their ordinary 60W bulbs with CFL’s, about 300-350 MW of peak power can be saved. This will not cost more than Rs.140-150 crores. Further, cutting down the transmission loss of KSEB from 25% by a mere 5 percent will save about 130-150MW of power and earn for KSEB about Rs.600 crores! Moreover, there is a definite limit to the exploitation of hydel power sources and the time has come to look at alternates such as wind power and solar power which together hold the potential of generating about 6500MW of power! The technology is available and costs are coming down. Only the willpower seems to be lacking.<br /><br />************<br />G.Krishnan is an economist by profession. He started his career as an Executive in the National Dairy Development Board, Anand. Later he moved on to the Co-operative League of the USA where he worked as Project Officer. Subsequently, he moved on to the Financial Sector. In 2000, at the time of seeking voluntary retirement from service, he was the Chief Economist with a leading Bombay based Public Sector Financial Institution. Presently, he is engaged in farming in the Chalakudy River Basin. Since 2002, he has also been engaged in the ongoing people’s struggle against the controversial Athirappilly Project.mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-59897607775548581192009-01-27T13:05:00.000-08:002009-02-01T11:55:51.965-08:00Kuhu kuhu bole koyalia...<span style="font-family:verdana;">I heard this song at first sung by the Amrita TV Super Star participant and eventual winner Roopa. A melodious classical song which is actually a ragamalika(garland of ragas). I wanted to get the original song and with <a href="http://www.4shared.com/">www.4shared.com</a>, i could get the Hindi duet sung by the greats Lata Mangeshkar and Mohd Rafi. I was reading the review of this song and it said the original composition of this song "Hayi Hayigaamani Saage" was made for the Telugu movie "Suvarna Sundari(</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><em>1957)</em></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">" by music director Adi Narayana Rao. This film was later dubbed to Hindi. So I went on searching for the Telugu original and eventually found it. Thanks to <a href="http://www.google.com/">www.google.com</a>. This song was sung by Shri Ghantasala and Jikki. Jikki was the one who sung "Kadhali vaazha thayyil irunnu" song in Malayalam. Further googling helped me to get the Tamil version of this song "Thesuluvathe". This was sung by Ghantasala and P. Susheela. In this ragamalika, the ragas switch from </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >Sohni (Hamsanandi), Bahar (Kanada), Juanpuri (Juanpuri) and Yaman (Yamuna Kalyani). </span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> The Hindi version had won the national award in 1958, where as the Telugu original was neglected. One more interesting observation is that the female voice in Telugu version of this song is of Jikki, whose mother tongue is Tamil while the female singer in Tamil version, ie, P. Susheela's mother tongue was Telugu. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Music surely has no barriers, at least not language. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Telugu version:</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"> <a href="http://www.oldtelugusongs.com/newsongs/vintage/SuvarnaSundari_1957-Ghantasala&Jikki-HayiHayigaaamaniSaage-SamudralaSr_AdinarayanaRao.mp3">http://www.oldtelugusongs.com/newsongs/vintage/SuvarnaSundari_1957-Ghantasala&Jikki-HayiHayigaaamaniSaage-SamudralaSr_AdinarayanaRao.mp3</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Hindi version:</span><br /><a href="http://www.4shared.com/file/36871029/11805392/kuhu_kuhu_bole_koyalya.html?s=1"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.4shared.com/file/36871029/11805392/kuhu_kuhu_bole_koyalya.html?s=1</span></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" ></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Tamil version:</span><br /><a href="http://www.4shared.com/file/80769179/5a0d5706/gandasala_thesulavuthe_with_susila.html?s=1"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.4shared.com/file/80769179/5a0d5706/gandasala_thesulavuthe_with_susila.html?s=1</span></a><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><strong>Lyrics(Hindi version) :</strong></span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><em>Raaga: Sohni</em></span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >kuhu-kuhu bole koyaliya</span></p><p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >kunj-kunj mein bhanvare dole </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >gun-gun bolen... kuhu ... </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >saja singaar ritu aayi basanti </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >jaise naar koi ho rasvanti </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >sa ni da ma da ni sa, ga ma ga ma da ni sa </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >re sa ni da ni sa re sa ni sa re sa ni </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >da ni ni da ni ni da ni, ma da da ma da da ma da </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >sa re ga ma da na </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >saja singaar ritu aayi basanti </span></p> <p align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;">jaise naar ho rasvanti </span></span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >daali-daali kaliyon ko titaliyaan choomein </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">phool-phool pankhadiyaan kholen, amrit gholen, aa ...</span> </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><em>Raaga: Bahaar</em></span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >kaahe ghata mein bijuri chamke </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >ho sakta hain megharaaj ne baadariya ka </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >shyaam-shyaam mukh choom liya ho </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">chori-chori man panchhi ude, naina jude aa ...</span> </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><em>Raaga: Jaunpuri</em></span><br /></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >chandrika dekh chhayi, peeya, chandrika dekh chaayi </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >chanda se milke, man hi man muskaayi </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >chhayi chandrika dekh chhaayi </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >sharad suhavan, madhu manbhavan </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">virahi jaanu ka sukh sarasaavan</span> </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >chhaayi-chhaayi poonam ki ghataa, ghoonghat hata </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">aa ... kuhu-kuhu ...</span> </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><em>Raaga: Yaman</em></span><br /></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >saaras raat man bhaaye preeyatama, kamal-kamlini mile </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >kiran haar damke, jal mein chaand chamke </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >man saanand, aanand dole re </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >ni re ga ma da ni sa, da ni sa, sa ni sa, ga re ga </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >sa re ni sa da ni ma da sa, ni re ni re </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >da ni da ni ma da ma da ga ma ga ma </span></p> <p align="left"><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">ga ma da ni sa, ga ma da ni sa, da ni sa</span> </span></p><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" ></span>mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-71346979166688067852009-01-22T10:14:00.000-08:002009-01-27T14:38:13.465-08:00My rendezvous with Butterfly effect...(An old mail)<p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(Posted as a mail on 30/9/2009... )</span></p><p>Hi Hui Hi All,<br /></p>Heard of Butterfly effect… Today morning I had a taste of this…<br /><br />“If a butterfly makes a flutter in Africa, it creates a hurricane in America”…. That is what scientists tell about this effect… It is actually a combination of relatively small events which at last creates havoc. The movie “Dasavatharam” is based on this effect…<br /><br />What happened today:<br /><br />As all of u know, Lehmann Brothers crashed few days ago…<br />ICICI bank seems to have a small share in it….<br />From last evening, some hoax mails and gossips led to fear in everyone’s mind that ICICI bank is going to collapse and become bankrupt… …<br /><br />All took money from ICICI bank ATMs, and reports say there where long queues in front of all ATMs in the city…<br /><br />Situation was same in Infy ATMs also…<br />Today morning, I was having not even a single paisa in my purse…<br />I came to Infy with my room mate Anoop but said to him that will have breakfast only after checking my mails…<br /><br />Checked my mails and went to get cash from ATMs… One two three four… ATMs in all the corners of the sprawling Infy campus were virtually penniless or bankrupt…<br />Long queues dispersed within a second…<br /><br />Went to another room mate Vinumon’s desk to get cash… Got a 500 Rs note… :)…<br />Rushed to the food court at 10:25am… Food usually would be there till 10:30 only…<br /><br />Purchased coupon for one and only thing left there – Aloo Parata…<br />Went to the counter to get Aloo Paratta… Only Parattas available…<br />“Eat with chutney or sambar” adviced the servers…<br /><br />“No thanks” My reply…<br /><br />Got back 16 Rs on giving back the coupon…<br /><br />Totally brain dead, I am back to my cube to get back to what one calls “hectic schedule” …. Hope 12’ o clk dings early today as I am suffering from hunger and drowsiness…<br /><br />All in all, Butterfly effect took me for a ride…. :(:(:(…. What happened in America, made me suffer from hunger today morning… Poor me… :(:(:(…<br /><br />Blabbering from a wailing heart and hungry stomach,<br /><br />Sridharmizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-33107638694600974862009-01-21T13:51:00.000-08:002009-01-27T14:38:45.595-08:00The Ticket Rush<p>Whether it be for a festive season or a normal weekend, the preparations to go home for an NRK(Non Resident Keralite) in Bangalore starts exactly 90 days before. Yes.. that is the day when the railway ticket reservation starts before a particular date of journey. Costing deliciously at around 200-300 Rs for a Sleeper class ticket as compared to 500 - 1000 Rs in private buses and other modes of transport and the less tedious journey to top up; almost every Bangalore Malayali (or more lovingly called Mallu) tries his/her luck to get their names in the railway reservation chart. Just 4 trains to savour the gluttonous rush for tickets, it is a race against time and as always the few lucky early birds catch the pray. The others are left behind with RACs and WLs and a lot of chaos and vagaries to deal with. The same exercise happens 5 days before the date of journey too... That is when our next hero "Tatkal" comes into play. Though costing 150 Rs more, but surely less than the cost of most of the other modes, the failed birds give a try to this also. I was a bird of this kind on 21st Jan 2009. Pledging precious morning sleep at always cool M10, Gopalan Gardenia and determined to book a Tatkal ticket from Ernakulam to Bangalore for 26th, I glued into the www.irctc.com site from 7:30 am onwards without even brushing my teeth. The booking exercise starts at exactly 8:00 am railway time every morning and lasts for a few minutes usually. Clicking on the "Find Trains" tab every half a minute and logging in multiple tabs in Opera and Firefox, I didn't gave any chance for relegation till the booking started. Booking started at 8:00 am. My reflexes were agile and clicked the "Find Trains" tab and followed subsequent formalities. The make payment screen came and when I was about to make the payment, my eyes fluttered over the Total Availability.</p><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><strong>Total Availability at IST 8:02 </strong></span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><strong>WL 96/WL 96 Sleeper Class</strong></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><strong>(SL)</strong></span></p><p>More than 96 birds had flew over me to grab the prey in a time less than 2 minutes. </p><p>I realized at that moment 2 minutes meant a lots of time in a game like this. :(:(:(</p>mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657496433520845833.post-35594362823691864772009-01-20T06:09:00.000-08:002013-06-16T03:12:29.463-07:00The unethical Silk Route...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Silk happened to be an accidental find for man but an unfortunate and brutal accident for the Bombyx mori species. All round the world the fibroin segregation from the 'silkworm of the mulberry tree' has a huge demand. India is the second largest producer of Silk in the world, which from an animal rights activist's perspective means, lakhs and crores of silkworms are being steamed and gassed alive, just to produce the silk threads which subsequently is woven into costly silk garments.<br />
Fine, tightly woven silk is valued not only for its smoothness, lustrous beauty and luxury, but also for its purity. As per Hindus, silk is a symbol of sanctity and used for the purity of soul at two important events of human’s life – marriage and death. In recent Priyadarshan film "Kanchivaram", which tells a silk weaver's story, the sense of pride that silk has on a man's life is pointed out. Some people even feel there is no need to wash silk clothes before ceremonial use. The hard core Brahmins, who boast of not harming any animals and preach Ahimsa, as they do not include meat in their diet, are much biased against these gentle worms, when it comes to silk sarees and dhothis and ironically believe it to be one the most pure substance. I doubt many of them dumbly follow the traditions, without even questioning their origin and process by which they are made. The process of silk manufacture, involving mass murder of these gentle beings was kept a secret when it was first exported into an Ahimsa influenced India, under the Sanskrit name "Chinanshuk" from China some 2000 years ago. From that time it is just viewed as the most expensive and beautiful fabric available and a pride asset for many. <br />
How millions of life can be wasted just for the sake of man's greediness is seen explicably during silk making... For getting 1 gram of silk about 15 silkworms are killed which corresponds to massacre of 1500 of them to get one metre of cloth and again about 5000 of them make an elaborate Kanjeepuram saree with exquisite zari work. <br />
The cocoon the silkworm spins around itself as a protective covering, ironically, spells doom for itself. These cocoons are boiled killing the chrysalis inside them to get silk threads. Some cocoons are not boiled and are allowed to become the moths. That is not coz of sympathy but for mating them and let the female lay the eggs. They are also not spared and once the eggs are laid they are crushed to death. This is to see whether they have any diseases and if so the eggs are destroyed. (See:
<a href="http://www.bwcindia.org/Web/Awareness/LearnAbout/Silk.html">http://www.bwcindia.org/Web/Awareness/LearnAbout/Silk.html</a>).<br />
There are some organizations which voice against this cruelty.<br />
Beauty without cruelty (<a href="http://www.bwcindia.org/">http://www.bwcindia.org/</a>) organization is an organization which publicize cruelity hidden in beauty industry and provides alternatives to such products.<br />
Researches by Kusuma Rajaiah has conceived a new, innovative concept of "Ahimsa Silks" (See: <a href="http://www.ahimsasilks.com/">http://www.ahimsasilks.com/</a>) where there is no killing or cruelity involved while the manufacture of silk. Only after the silkworm has completed its metamorphosis and emerged from the cocoon that Ahimsa silk is extracted. This silk may not replace exact silk but surely has an ethical value attached to it.<br />
Life is precious even if it is in the form of a man or a worm and hence if someone does want to do something against this cruelty, the following suggestions may help you:<br />
Do not buy silk items: Apart from the cruelty involved in its production, silk is expensive and becomes useless when wet—unlike cruelty-free synthetic fibres, which retain their insulating capabilities in all weathers.<br />
Get alternatives to silk: Which includes Nylon, rayon, polyester, tencel, milkweed seed-pod fibers, silk-cotton tree filaments etc.<br />
Rather use Ahimsa silk.<br />
"Live and Let Live"</div>
mizhaavuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07614580071890521287noreply@blogger.com5