Vision Translated

Unbelievable truth of healthcare sector in India!

2016-06-29T10:56:00.000-07:00

I really fail to understand if we are moving forward while living in 2016 or going backwards! When will India will be adult and shall we be given the right behave like one. We are such hypocrites in all means! Our politicians and leaders are hellbent in proving Indians can shrug off the ‘Third world’ tag and can do much more than any other developed country. We have the capability of becoming leaders. On the other hand, it’s painful to see we still have to follow the rules of 1957 which is obsolete in 2016, but based on those few people are just pulling progress, as they are still law. This is disgusting! Are we really serious about the growth of our country and it’s people, or it’s just for the sake of saying!

Few days back Chennai Medical Association came out with a logic that doctors cannot list themselves on any internet listing site, as per a law of 1957 and some sections. Fare enough, but does the law say that people should be harassed and die before finding a doctor they need and meeting the doctor in 2016? I would like to know if there is any clarity about this in the law or not. This cannot be a good law which is meant for mankind for sure. When the lawmakers are so proud to announce 3G, 4G mobile circles selling at the highest ever price etc., when it is talked about the huge FDI and encouraging entrepreneurship and only in last week announcement of gala success of the launch of satellites; why can the same technology be used to find and book a doctor! Why not find and buy lab tests or medicines, keeping law in mind? If law needs to be modified a bit for the sake of mankind, what makes us not go for it!! I think it is expected from Indians, don’t expect anything from anyone from the country, other than God! So, look for a doctor walking across the street with a smart phone in hand, because some law does not allow you to do so. Or go to some unorganised doctor and in case you cannot reach at all, just die!

As founder of Lazoi.com, a healthcare portal, which provides doctor’s complete profile, so that at the time of need one can get a doctor; makes one book appointments with the doctors online effortlessly, provides complete CRM support to people booking an appointment, so that they reach the doctor as well as coordinate with the doctors for the, is a bad idea? Lazoi makes one find and buy lab tests online, keep medical records online for any registered individual which can save lives at the time of need. So, from this point it is surprising to see that the Chennai Medical Council and Medical Council of India is questioning the integrity of the portals providing doctors' information? This is absurd! Health is a serious issue, but it is a sin to not letting people find doctors and medical support in India through internet, in the age of internet. What are we heading for?

As per WHO, the doctor patient ratio is 1:1000 and in India, we have it almost double, 1:2000. So, if a doctor can manage his or her time well, can make the doctor attend to more patients. So, DocPractice is a Doctors' Practice Management software which Lazoi provides to doctors, which can make a doctors’ or clinics’ more organised, keep patients details and maintain records and billing, may face a question about the intention of making an innovative software too, as we provide doctor’s information as well to people? You never know. Larger hospitals using software maybe the next target, as we are ultimately walking backwards perhaps!

I certainly am not advocating for wrong publicity being done by any doctor, having said that, if it is said that 'any information of doctors should not be online, as we are not Western country’ can only push India back in healthcare sector too. Just to remind India earns a huge amount of foreign exchange in the name of ‘Medical Tourism’. Is a stop on that is coming next?

People should speak up against this, as in the end of the day it's we for whom the law exists. It's we the common citizen find it difficult when our near and dear ones fall sick and get the least help from any authority. It's we, who vote and for us the law exists. Then why is this law, which goes against us, and punish always!

I am completely amazed to see this news in some news portals, that doctors providing information is making an advertisement and that is not allowed as per the Indian Medical Association. So, even lazoi.com is NOT a listing site, I want to ask this question, if with the help of basic technology, helping people and trying to save life is not allowed in India in the year 2016.

Media, democracy and .. Nirbhaya!

2015-03-04T03:10:00.000-08:00

Is some light still there?

It is shocking to hear and see, that a rapist of Delhi brutal gang rape victim 'Nirbhaya' not only is saying his views on rape but also the recommending probable remedy to any other rape victims; what should and should not be done at the time of or after a rape is conducted. It’s difficult to reconcile how can the journalist with a team,(who apparently is also a rape victim, as she says) go inside a jail with recording equipment to record the views of a rapists for her documentary!

To me, what is more alarming and disturbing are the bold statements of two lawyers of the rapists on national televisions; one says almost the same version of the rapist said (what is still available on the internet) what a woman must or must not do for NOT being raped. Another goes a step ahead saying 'he would burn alive any woman of his family if found alone or any other man in the evening! Most surprisingly, they are proud to advocate their views and WE see them saying! Media is fine to broadcast and we provide TRP helplessly! Do you still blame Taliban, ‘Malala’? Please don’t, they are in all the corners and it's we who make them.

Is this the shadow of World’s largest democracy where brutal murderers, rapists and their protectors dare to speak out and justify the point on rape in front of media? Which in form of a documentary would make an entertainment for the World on women's day round the corner, March08, 2015! It indeed is amazing form of democracy I must say.

December16, 2012 when this incident happened in the heart of Delhi and the girl dies after 2 weeks of suffering till date, March04, 2015; is this not enough time to execute the death sentence on these criminals and send a strong message to those who got caught for the same crime and are still in the jail and to those who are not caught yet, that they are not far away from the justice and penalty? Does it not a question raises against the judiciary system as a whole once again? Why can't our law take actions against these lawyers for the rapists, who almost are nakedly advocating the rapists and encouraging others who even are thinking maybe of another such a brutal crime? How many more decades will we remain so tight-lipped!

If stopping the broadcast of the documentary on ‘Nirbhaya’ is one part, the other side of the coin is certainly execution of the death sentence for the culprits. And whatever you say, there is a time for everything; it’s not revenge, which is delicious, if served cold. It’s death penalty of an unthinkable crime damn-it! So make it happen, make it happen real soon.

It's enough in the name of democracy and so called blame game in the name of politics! It's high time, please speak out. Make your voice heard loud and clear by the politicians and lawmakers! Let's demand for review of Indian law in all sections, change them as per modern time. Let justice be quicker and faster so that one thinking of making crime is scared, whatever that maybe! Let criminals in all format not slip from the hands of law!

#LetThereBeNoise

Lathmaar Holi in Barsana and Nandgaon

2015-02-12T11:16:00.002-08:00

A completely different kind of Holi (The Festival Of colours) is played within 100 kilometers from the heart of Delhi

In next few weeks there is another Holi coming up, the color of festival. A festival of joy and love. Holi in Braj region is played for more than a week in innumerable temples of Radha-Krishna with limitless enthusiasm and devotion by thousands of people.

I had been to Brindavan earlier, but not during ‘Holi’. So the experience of ‘Holi’ in Barsana and Nandgaon was simply out of the World. I drove down from Delhi. The journey started at 3AM in the morning to reach Barsana by 5AM in the morning. It was a smooth and nice drive. Reached Barsana just before the Sun shown it’s first ray. While enjoying a tea and a smoke, I started getting ready with my camera and few other things in a backpack to start the day sitting in a local tea shop.

A family tea shop. One of my most liked shoot.

While walking through the village upto the 'Radharani temple', which is quite a bit of walking up hill and I realised it was not too easy for the ones’ used to daily city life, like me. By then the ‘Holi’ in Barsana started. So, I started shooting things around me with a constant reminder at the back of my mind to save my camera and other instruments. It was equally important for me.

As it is one of the biggest festival celebrated allover in India, but it's even more special in the Northern part of India. One of it’s kind ‘Holi’ is played in the ‘Braj region’. The place, which is connected to Lord Krishna for thousands of years. They are Barsana, Nandagaon and Vrindavan. People for all over the World come throughout the year; but during holi, it's filled with devotees, enthusiasts and also media.

Yet not too commonly known a village, Barsana is the birthplace of ‘Radha’, the beloved of Lord Krishna. It’s located approximately 45 Km from Vrindavan (1.5 hours from Delhi), where men from Nandgaon, which is said to be the land of Krishna, come to play Holi with the girls of Barsana with extreme enthusiasm. It is said that this is the same way the holi is played, as it was played by Krishna with Radha and his ‘Gopis’. They come in a group for raising their flag over Shri Radha's temple, which is the only Radha temple in the World. But, instead of colours they are greeted with sticks by the 'Gopis'. It is not any ritual of mock hitting, these women really hit and hit hard to men who come from 'Nandgaon'!

Hence, playing this Holi gets the name, Lathmaar Holi (Playing holi with sticks). Men, even small boys come fully prepared with pads and shield made of cane, as they are aware of being welcomed by the ‘Gopis’, hitting with sticks. In this mock sort of battle ends with smiles from both the sides.

Somehow I managed to enter a local person’s house, tipping the gatekeeper. That saved me from being the mad rush and also I got some opportunity to take snaps from the top.Thousands of people from allover gather to play and watch this spectacular ‘Holi’. They get drenched in colours, visit Radharani temple, sing bhajans of ‘Radha-Krishna’. Men enhance the spirit of holi with ‘Bhang’ for some pure bliss along with the growing temparature of colours everywhere.

By the time, I came down from the temple and village, it was evening. Started for Vrindavan as it was already dark. The hotel was booked for staying the night. After a long shower and cleaning myself and the camera, went down for dinner and then before I could think anything, I was fast asleep.

The next day I started for Nandgaon early in the morning. Today is the day when it is the turn for revenge for the men from Barsana to Nandgaon for ‘Holi’ and ‘Lathmaar Holi’. They do reciprocate by drenching the women of Nandgaon in colours of kesudo, naturally occurring orange-red dye and red palash flower. So this is the day when women of Nadagon beat the invaders from Barsana. Once again, they do beat hard too!

From the top of the Krishna temple, when the group of Barsana starts for Nandgaon, can be seen. It’s a beautiful sight. As they keep throwing dry colors to the air while approaching Nandgaon, there is a coloured line gets drawn in the air showing their path.

A couple of hours approximately all men from Barsana sit in the courtyard of the Radha-Krishna temple sing and carry out rituals, which from the top over and over men throw colours on them.People in both the places are extremely friendly. They even welcome outsiders like me, who mostly is there for photography. It was 2012 March, when I went there. But, would like to visit again, one more time.

‘Holi’ of 2012, I will remember throughout my life! It was indeed a ‘Lathmaar’!

And then.. finally found Krishna again on the day #2 on the night of my way back to Delhi after an extremely tiring yet wonderful 2 days of a colourful holi!

But what I didn't know was another interesting 'Lathmaar' part was still waiting in Delhi!

That's another interesting story remain for another time!

Wish you all a very happy, colourful and a safe 'Holi'!

Battleground Delhi - BJP Vs AAP

2015-01-20T08:34:00.000-08:00

Countdown begins for the D-day, Feb10, 2015

Officially 40 crores of rupees, one lakh staff and police personnel were involved in last Delhi assembly election in the end of 2013. This is as per official information available on the net and from other news agencies. While on road in traffic, people in Delhi hardly heard any song on FM channels, as all political parties came with all sorts of attractive punch lines to allure us. Some focused on tradition, some one corruption and some only ‘change’! Of course we, the people, generated all TRP and made it a hit.

After the election was over, with lots of hope, expectation and expenses, what could not be achieved was a stable and honest Government in the state of Delhi, the Capital of India. After a lot of dilemma, AAP (Aam Admi Party) formed a Government with ‘unconditional support’ of Congress from outside, even AAP were at the second place in the rally after BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and to the utter shock, on 49^th day they quit. Leaving Delhi for another assembly election. What a waste!

The stage is set again (with 40 crores?) and actors are ready as always for the show on February 07 and the result on February 10th. In between a lot of drama, surprises, actions and emotions will be a part and parcel at our own expenses once again. Because we are happy to be a king for one day in five years, sometimes earlier, one year?. But, who cares!

In my mind, when I watch it from the side of drape, I see the election campaign is a complete corporate affair. There are truly interesting with proper management in each section. May that be planning on the each TV or FM campaigns, rallies and all related activities. There is no room for mistakes. Media certainly do their duty to add more spice and some fine touch, to make it more interesting each hour. Well you see “The Nation Wants to Know!”

For last week or so a very interesting ad is aired on all FM channels. Many times it’s on multiple channels together, so it’s difficult to miss. An elderly lady utters in an upset voice, “We relied and showered our confidence in you; and you left in 49days? Never again!!”

Now the other one, which starts in a cozy and super friendly voice: “Friends (Dosto)! I heard an elderly lady in radio says in grief ‘Never again’. It was a mistake and will not do anymore”. I don’t believe when the ad ends with, “give us another chance and don’t be so upset; now smile a bit please”. All happens in Hindi though and all through light background music goes on! Unbelievable!! I can’t stop laughing loud each time I listen to this.

They know exactly how use the sentiment of common people and how much we remember about past. So each time how to trap them is just a easy game! So, once again it’s time to watch again the fight between Lotus Vs Broom, ‘Season 2’ and see how much people remember.

It’s time for an exam on our patience as well. So, let's wait and watch!

Photos are taken in India Gate and Humayun's Tomb, on a rainy Sunday walk.

OMG (Oh My God) Vs Pk

2015-01-08T09:04:00.000-08:00

God created human and then human created 'Godman', who most of the times do not act as Godly as we much we keep faith in them. So, even when we have full faith in God in our own ways and not the way it's shown by the Godmen. It should be a direct call to the creator, God and no via-media is needed ever. Is that the truth? If that is accepted then both movies OMG and Pk hit the same goal.

Faith is needed to live, to move forward and that mostly comes from within. Faith maybe is a weakness for the human being, as future always holds the mystery and past have not been quite 'happening' mostly. So, the answer is a billion dollar business of 'Faith and hope' and the middle name of that are 'Godman'. They are the inter-mediatory between us, the often troubled common people and God. There is not any dearth of worry for downfall in this business and never have any recession. This is going on for hundreds of years, as we, the people provide TRP for that. It perhaps will go on for centuries, even Pk is now the best sold movie in Bollywood monetarily and OMG sends a even stronger message to us.

While travelling to Ladakh, I saw people hanging this coloured flags(the picture above), some make small to large stone cairn. It is said that if it stands, for a long time, a wish comes true. That's what our driver 'Gorang' told me. I remember his small eyes and always with an innocent smile till now. But, maybe they are some identification marks in that barren land, as there is hardly any tree which could do the same task. Maybe.. or maybe a strong faith again, which makes 'Gorang' or me strong from within.

Coming back to where I started from, I personally feel Pk could be a shorter movie and yet be effective for sending necessary message to people, while OMG (Oh My God) is a wonderfully done movie to me and sends a very string message in a much candid manner about God, faith and Godmen.

After a long time I went to watch this movie to a movie-hall. But was a little disappointed, which normally didn't happen in any of Aamir's earlier movies. Sorry, I am not a movie critic, nor am trying to be one, so if any of Aamir fan reading this, no offence please. This is only my personal opinion.

I was told by a friend of mine that OMG was a theatre and Paresh Rawal acted in that as well. So, acting in the movie (OMG) perhaps was only a natural movement for him. No need to mention how powerful and versatile actor he is for any role he acted till date.

Here are two of my Ladakh trip photographs. One of Aamir's icon movie, '3 idiots' inspired me to travel there. But, it was worth it! What a place!!

More soon.

Take care.

A new year again for making a brand new wish!

2015-01-05T06:57:00.001-08:00

First day of the new year makes us feel nostalgic, at least it happens with me sometimes. An audit goes on within the mind, as how the previous year passed and what will be the new year resolutions, validity for those resolutions become only for 10days .. ok, let's make it better ..20 days at the most?

So, I am starting to write today on the fifth day of the year 2015. As this writing falls in my new year's resolution. To write some, to click some, to draw some and also to play some. And to do lot more work. Too many things in the list? I too feel so. So, it's my time for the test and see how long can I continue and if they last beyond 15 days!

Last summer I went to Ladakh, but didn't still have gone through all my photographs nor could write more than two pages on the trip. But it's alright! It happens perhaps! Let's look forward and think that all those what happened last year and years before that. Let's think that they were the worst and now it can only get better.

On this note, want to thank you for visiting my blog.

Wish you a very happy new year 2015! Let us live to the fullest and remain safe!

Stay blessed!

Suvro

Missing you two!

2013-05-15T02:22:00.000-07:00

Missing you two!

A smile on your face
A grin in your eyes,
A hug, you said am warm always,
A kiss from your unclean lips!

Few minutes of a day,
Walking you at the my back, tired,
Those careless talk holding me tight.
A laughter from you, echoes still.

Those minutes have been my days,
My life and a reason to live,
I missed them although, but
No-more I have to cry ever.

Your smile has changed for me, forever,
Nor do you miss me for anytime, not a minute,
Your hug was not asking for the warmth,
Nor the careless talk were carefree anymore.

Your lips in the crowded road was dry,
My mind was numb and your eyes lied, last evening.
Your half truth hurt me, but will not count,
I will not think why you did it, I know my love.

In an awaken middle of the night, I miss you,
I miss your calls, like a purpose of my life,
Miss your hugs and kisses as all my efforts ever,
Miss you, saying 'miss you', to lose have I all.

But I have to change, as I love you,
As I have to live, to love you again!
I love you still and always will, but
Let me not drown for your love for now, my loves!

My love for you will remain unsaid forever!

It's not any emotion, but a question !

2012-12-23T10:10:00.000-08:00

A shame for the Nation, once again!

In any country we see, at the time of any major crisis or a matter of any serious concern, where people get involved, the head of the Nation comes up to expresses and assures the people of the country, to express the views and the futures steps to people for the matter of concern, who elected them and who they are answerable to the people for forming the Government. The statement makes people of the Nation can rely on them, as the elected Government and that the peoples’ views and concern taken care of and the Government is connected to the people, who elected them. What are they busy for or they are trying to show that the incident is ‘just another one’ or they know we are helpless! Time for to know what they think as elected public servant about public and them for them to prove to public.

As the biggest democracy we failed to display this always. In last few weeks, we have seen President Barrack Obama shaded tears, on the firing in the school on children. Why our President or Prime Minister is so quiet when there is a huge outrage of people on the incident after one full week? It’s about a week now, the girl and the boy were thrown from the bus after repeated rape to the girl and hitting the boy along with her and then thrown out of the running bus naked, maybe around this time only. Does it mean that it's not that important, as it happened many times before? Or being assaulted is only a routine we should also get used to and we are only instrumental to elect them or they are also used to see, we the people, to forget this of this incident and replace this with another breaking news!

May that be political or a sports, entertainment, spicy or something else! What is that is also a wait .. we are too patient and the people elected are aware of that! That’s what they know perhaps and are expecting us be act, be patient, as they know we got too used to it!

Who is to answer, politicians? Media? A film? Or WE!

Why the world cares so much about Malala Yousufzai

2012-10-10T12:58:00.000-07:00

Source: http://www.ndtv.com/article/people/why-the-world-cares-so-much-about-malala-yousufzai-277966?pfrom=home-topstories------------------------------

I salute !!October10,2012A nerve shaking and a nerve of steel instance !!

Dera Islmail Khan, Pakistan: A 14-year-old Pakistani schoolgirl campaigner shot by the Taliban had defied threats for years, believing the good work she was doing for her community was her best protection, her father said on Wednesday.

Malala Yousufzai was shot and seriously wounded on Tuesday as she was leaving her school in her hometown in the Swat valley, northwest of the capital, Islamabad.The Taliban claimed responsibility saying her promotion of education for girls was pro-Western and she had opposed them."She is candle of peace that they have tried to blow out," said one Pakistani man, Abdul Majid Mehsud, 45, from the violence plagued South Waziristan region.In the Swat valley, a one-time tourist spot infiltrated by militants from Afghan border bases more than five years ago, her family and community are praying for her survival.Her father, Ziauddin Yousufzai, who ran a girls' school, said his daughter had wanted to go into politics.He said that of all the things he loved about her, it was her fairness - her democratic ideals - that he loved the most.Malala, then a dimpled 11-year-old with dark eyes, shot to fame when she wrote a blog under a pen name for the BBC about living under the rule of the Pakistani Taliban.The militants, led by a firebrand young preacher, took over her valley through a mixture of violence, intimidation and the failure of the authorities to stand up to them.Even after the military finally went into action with an offensive in 2009 that swept most of the militants from the valley, it remained a dangerous place.Malala didn't keep quiet. She campaigned for education for girls and later received Pakistan's highest civilian prize.Her prominence came at a cost."We were being threatened. A couple of times, letters were thrown in our house, that Malala should stop doing what she is doing or the outcome will be very bad," her father, sounding drained and despondent, said by telephone.But despite the threats, he said he had turned down offers of protection from the security forces."We stayed away from that because she is a young female. The tradition here does not allow a female to have men close by," he said."NEVER FEARFUL"Malala had spent many sleepless nights kept awake by gunfire, had been forced to flee her home with her two younger brothers and walked past the headless bodies of those who defied the Taliban.Her parents also wanted her to have some chance of a normal childhood, her father said. Security in Swat had improved after the army had pushed back the Taliban in 2009."We did not want her to be carrying her school books surrounded by bodyguards. She would not have been able to receive education freely," he said.Her parents thought she would be safe among their neighbours in the town of Mingora, nestled among the snow-capped mountains that earned Swat the nickname of the Switzerland of Pakistan."I never imagined that this could happen because Malala is a young innocent girl," her father said. "Whenever there were threats, relatives and friends would tell Malala to take care but Malala was never fearful.""She would frequently say 'I am satisfied. I am doing good work for my people so nobody can do anything to me'."Recently, Malala had started to organise a fund to make sure poor girls could go to school, said Ahmed Shah, a family friend and chairman of the Swat Private Schools Association."She had planned on making the Malala Education Foundation in Swat," Shah said, adding that the Taliban even used to print threats against her in the newspaper.On Tuesday, a gunman arrived at her school, asking for her by name. He opened fire on her and two classmates on a bus.Now her father is waiting for her to regain consciousness as she lies swathed in white bandages in a military hospital."Doctors are hopeful," he said. "I appeal to the country to pray for her survival."Ziauddin Yousufzai said the shooting would stop neither him nor his daughter from their work.He echoed many people who said that the shooting was against Islamic law and against the culture of the ethnic Pashtun region, which forbids the targeting of women."We will focus even more on our work with more strength," he said. "If all of us die fighting, we will still not leave this work."

Ganesh Chaturthi - 2012

2012-10-06T08:12:00.000-07:00

Some snaps of the immersion of Ganapati ... the festive session begins !

Believers

Last sight for the year... come soon next year

God loving or God fearing

Solitude

2012-09-14T11:45:00.001-07:00

A painting on roadside in the outskirts of a big city

It was a Sunday, yes it was a bright Sunday morning trip to Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary. I woke myself up, with a lot of effort after a rough week at work. My friends were telling me a lot of ducks were there must be clicked. So, reached with my camera and after a lot of walk inside, reached to the lake where lots of ducks indeed were like waiting to be clicked. It was worth walking those extra kilometers. But, it was not the end.

After coming out, the weather was becoming cloudy, I was fortunate is all I thought. As taking few snaps and the walk in the green washed away my tiredness.

To have a cup of tea, I stopped my car beside the highway and say with some localities, waiting for my cup of tea to come.

Just opposite side of the road, I looked at the bright yellow mustard field, behind which the clouds were giving a lot of hint that, a storm is about to hit. The tea came and I was just amazed to see the changing colors of sky.

A lady, holding a huge bunch of hay was walking towards me. Not bothered about herself, nor the weather, nor the colors at all. From the colors behind the sky she kept walking like a strongest person on Earth. She is here to reach her destination. To reach the place, for the hey she is carrying can reach, No matter what happens to the World around. Mission must be accomplished.

"She walks through the same path for last 2 decades carrying the hey for her cattle, to bring up her only son. Her husband left her and today that son is grown left her too, but she still thinks he is a kid and waiting for her at home", said the man in his sixties next to me. "She is mad", was his next sentence almost whispering. 'How do you know so much', came from my mouth without even knowing.

"I am the man, who left her with a son", he answered.

Life behind curtains

2012-09-05T12:42:00.001-07:00

A splash of sky and a lot of shadow

https://www.facebook.com/Suvroghoshphotography

It was raining for last couple weeks, maybe more. Today after I got us and looked at the sky and the driving to office, the sky was deep blue, clouds were white, silky. There was no pollution in the air is what I felt sitting in the locked AC car. So, all was good and a feel good factor working in my mind, while driving listening to some mind blowing song on my favorite FM radio station.

After I reached office, I was late though, I started working and the window and the blinds beside in my cabin was diverting all my concentration out; through that small light coming through the window and mixing it with the artificial light in my room was a magic. It was strong enough to take my mind and soul look through, out.. to the sky, sun peeping through the blinds and then I distinctly could see the sharp shadows on the blinds, the sky and the ray of Sun.
Standing behind the blind I looked at the watch to see the time or towards my life, is time is running faster and I am falling behind? Am I burning myself too fast to look around all good things happening around me? Sun always was bright like this earlier and it will even after today, it even could be brighter. But, in the life of mine, Sun will loose very little mine, the time of a human being, as the life of Sun is many thousand years.
There can be a day, when the sharpness of the shadows and the brightness of Sun will hardly matter to me, but by then where will I stand !
The time is moving faster. So, rather than looking at it, realizing, enjoying it a bit, are we all are running,? Towards what is what I don't know, do you?

What if we live a colorful life than a black and white, although black and while is more meaningful and remain still !
Please share your views is all I want ! Please speak up or should time pass and we peep through the blinds to our lives !

In the search of life

2012-09-02T00:29:00.001-07:00

In the search, till eternity

Keep looking for something makes us feel we are live. A search, always for something. Each day, each moment the search in on for something and the other, knowingly or unknowingly. If the 'search' makes you realize, you are alive.

Search for a toy, maybe broken, is the first search in early childhood after the lap of mother. It moves to searching for books or a pen, lost in school, when grown and start going to school. Search goes on for the favorite and lucky pair of jeans or a Tee, perhaps the next search. Search for few moments of togetherness in adolescent, to give a letter filled with love or a rose or the first kiss is something unforgettable. Search for a job, money, growth and more growth comes thereafter.. and the search goes on. To makes you feel, you are alive.

From the search of love or an emptiness in-spite of being with all around us, we search for something more. We search what we don't have and mostly miss, what we have. Which maybe more invaluable, but often ignored.

A search for anything and getting it is what makes us feel successful and not getting it often gives the feeling of unfulfilled or unsuccessful. And we keep searching again. The search for money is for some who has lots and still looking or have none continues still.

In search of peace, we see saints leave family and go places and we visit temples, when peace is only within and around and overlooked. We search it in form of some God. We try and think that our search is over and peace is there, when we know well from inside, it is not.

Search never ends. After one search is over, maybe achieved or failed to achieve, it always leads to another. Thoughts are gathered for another search. In the search of one country, India Columbus got a continent, America.

Till eyes are closed forever, search continues, just like our breath. Unknowingly, we breathe as a system of our body, mind and soul to realize we are alive. It ends only when the life ends and our thoughts die.

What never will end is our Vision we leave behind. Then some same search continues...from one sunrise to the other .. till eternity !

What is any search for... A desire, want or just a need !

Faded colors of past !

2012-08-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

A clorrful life

Not a good practice, but I overheard the elderly lady, Mrs. Bakshi was talking to her friend Mrs. Srivastava over phone sitting beside me. As a neighbor she knew me, so she didn't bother talking to her mind sitting beside me. I was in the doctors clinic too, waiting for my turn on a Sunday afternoon. Later I saw Mr. Bakshi, with his white hair coming out from the chamber of the doctor. So, I understood that Mrs. Bakshi was perhaps accompanying her 75 year old husband. Someday he must have been a smart man and she too!

While sitting beside me, I heard her saying over phone to her friend, "writing a new story, 'The Need Of The Hour', part 2", It's difficult though to write these days and my grandchildren keep asking me each hour "what do you do the whole day". 'RUPA' only is publishing it. I am happy, but I will not be in India on 8th Sep, 2012, when they publish it, as my husband wants to go back to our own small town". The question came from Mrs. Rudra was not known perhaps, but, Mrs. Bakshi said, what I heard 'I am just out of regular lives and letting my children live they way they live, which is different that ours, but that's life all about I think. We are living only for my grandchildren and for the happiness for our children. I am alive now for my husband and my grandchildren. We both are living now only for them. To get them close for sometime, to see them and hear when we are away."

My inner eyes open once again. Some known words, very known made made a cloud in my mind.

In the bright colors of today's life I too perhaps let my parents live a similar life. In their own home, away from me and my children. They are living lives in their own home, but like an 'old-age home', alone. They too have done their all and to the best of their ability, for which I am here today, whatever better I have been able to be today and do for my wife and children.

A 'name' is the only thing we are carry from our parents. Sometimes that's not too are stolen by some other near and dear ones or for some so-called modern official reasons. 'Shyam' to "Sam' is quite known and nothing to be surprised about.

My father never asked me, 'Can you not do without it', when jeans just came to our small town and not that popular, he made a customized one going to the nearest city. I remember. I do remember after a lot of fight, my mother, made him approve to get me a bicycle, I do remember that I was in the 9th heaven and started talking to the air, keeping my feet on the paddle. Faster ... and faster.

Today a bicycle is not that important to my kids, maybe that has been taken over by some gadgets and soon they are replaced by some other thing and previous becomes 'not that important or good' in the modern age and World. But, perhaps we all need to look back at times and remember today, to the bicycles or our first pair of jeans.True, that before us the world was there and it will be after us too. But, still once let's think once !

It's not a matter of the fun what we got in our childhood but also the people who gave their best effort at that time to provide or present that, just to see us happy. Today why we think so many times before buying a gadgets for them, what we buy without a blink of an eye for our children or ourselves maybe,.. why! Why we think, what will be the exact use of it 'in percentage', while their happiness perhaps would only be 'my son or daughter presented it' and with that maybe with a small use some 'apps', one 'apps' will only be there to talk to and see the grandchildren or their children, who maybe far away from them? That's the price and time, which they may ask from us, only to talk or see we are fine, can make them live few more years, is so critical for us? Is it that unjustified for them to ask and so critical for us to provide them with, against the lives they provided us with everything?

Lifespan of human has increased is what science has provided and researches tell us. But, not many death, in which-so-ever way give us much time to reach the near and dear ones at the time of death. A snatch and all is gone in moments. It can happen to me, you, someone in my family and someone in yours. We will again go back for a while for their cremation, when still they will wait on ice, to go for their last rite and we will only do a better show-off that time, maybe with a huge cry or otherwise, just to prove how we are placed in our lives, to the people living still. Not many times feeling that we lost a soul, who gave their best to reach us upto any level we are in.

let's think of our old parents once today and know that we are moving to that age first ... very first ! Then what ..!!

Down Memory lane

2012-08-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

Down Memory Lane

SmileZ

Alwar Fort

2012-08-17T09:03:00.000-07:00

A snap from the top of Alwar Fort

A palace made in 1815 A.D. and in Early 19th Century A.D. Rani Moosi's 'Sati Rite Funeral' is our next journey into another story of Indian history ....

Road

2012-08-09T08:19:00.001-07:00

A Road Again

A road connects both way. We decide if the trip is for coming or going to the place we want. There are times when we also don't know while walking, if it is a one way trip. When wanting to come or going back where we want is just a wishful thought. But, we keep walking into that cycle with or without even knowing the destination of life!

Life goes on !

A white flower just after rain

2012-08-08T08:14:00.002-07:00

A simple while flower on my way this afternoon

World Friendship Day - Aug05, 2012

2012-08-06T05:15:00.003-07:00

Friendship day

As a single child I grew up in a old city of Eastern part India, with a lot of my cousins of different age groups. But, that hardly used to matter anyways. The team also used to include cousins' cousins and their friends as an extended part of the joint family. All were friends, to do a lot of planned activity, to get scolded later from elders. Also, there was a lot of fight, shouting and yelling while playing, which also used to end only after some scolding from any of the elders. After few years, the group size only increased, as few school friends were also added and very soon became a part in the group of friends.

As I can see that 'Friendship day' started in 1935, when US congress dedicated the day to honor friends. But, that was not the age of Internet, it was transistor radio, which was the source of important news only, so in India this was not known almost.

Time changed, as we all grew up and then came to some serious life, work to earn. The office colleagues came in our lives and few became friends and some remained acquaintances only. Some of my cousins got married and got busy in the race of life, some moved outside the city or country and life moved on. But, the childhood bond remained the same and that was strong enough like tall pillars tied with steel ropes. One still can count on the other. In the age of cellular and internet, we are still connected in the web of our minds and share almost the same bond of childhood, depending on the closeness, which increased or decreased for reasons, over the years. We still can bridge the distance each individual is.

Then came the 'Mall culture' only few years back and the kids started celebrating all occasions may that be a 'Friendship day', 'Birthday party' or 'Valentine's day', 'Father's day' or 'Mother's day' or just for fun in different malls. The muddy playgrounds of our childhood, where as children we used to play football or cricket the whole afternoon, in any weather, after school, has now either become a huge Mall or a huge modern residential complex, for any hangout. So perhaps that is the reason in this age and later, they would need to remember friends on a particular 'Friend's day' only. In the era of commercialization, all these days also translate to a big business.

But, even today when I try to remember friends, to my mind I see a lot of faded faces, whom I have not met for years, some have gone up very high in life and some couldn't. Some also left world at a very young age, but their faces I remember, like the same way as I met them last. At some time, all these faces used to be a close part of my daily life. May that be a cousin, or cousins' cousin or school or a college friend.

Like any other day I wish them all, lots of peace and love, where ever they are, not only on this 'friendship day', but for every single day in their lives !

Rafting in Rishikesh - 2012

2012-07-26T06:56:00.000-07:00

A small weekend trip to Rishikesh

My first trip to Rishikesh was about 6 years back. I drove upto a place called Devprayag. 30 km uphill drive was a nice and thrilling experience. Indeed the place very well could be a place for God. Peace everywhere and lash green woods and the roads are only made by human. Ganges flows down below, which makes the only soothing noise to the ear and ofcourse cars and trucks.

In these years things have changed. More people on the road, more cars. Rafting has become a major interest and grown a booming business. I saw people only coming for rafting in 1000s. Camping also picked greatly and numbers are only growing of different type and price.

Often roads are jam packed and cars are in more than one row, which used to be free and a nice drive, even few years back.

Depending on the age group for rafting of 26km stretch, from Rishikesh to Hardwar, distances are set, as who can cover upto what distance.

Nights are beautiful in camps, beside the flowing Ganges.

Lakshmanjhula

One of many saints, with a smiling face, on their way for 'Moksha'

Panorama of Haridwar ghat.

When men tried to hold the force

A story of Fathepur-Sikri and Akbar

2012-07-25T12:38:00.001-07:00

The story of Sheikh Salim Chisti Darga and Mughal Emperor Akbar’s links with it !

Near Agra and Keoladeo National park, there is a World Heritage Site, which is the palace of Mughal Emperor Akbar and adjacent the tomb of Seikh Salim Chishti, which surprisingly shares the same wall, but it is still now is a personal property. The ancestors of Sheikh Salim Chisti still stay in the compound.

Each time I visited the pace for a weekend long drive, came to know little bit from each guide and then read more to know some more. Each part of it was more interesting more the interesting story.

Salim Chisti, leading his Shaikzada Division, fought in the Battle of Haldighati for Akbar, against Maharana Pratap, that’s another story. Salim Chishti was a greatly worshiped Sufi Mystic who, it was thought by many, could perform wonders, which very truly in 2012 is also showing the wonders in all means.

The Mughal Emperor the great visionary ‘Akbar-e-Azam’ (Inhsah Allah) went to the shrine of Hazrat Ashraf Jahangir Semnani, But, had received inspiration to go to see Salim Chishti somehow. So, Akbar came to the holy man's camp deep in the desert of Rajasthan, seeking a male heir to his throne. Salim Chishti blessed Akbar and soon after that the first of three sons were born. The first son was named ‘Salim’ (later emperor Jahangir) in honor of Sheikh Salim Chishti. Ironically a daughter of Sheikh Salim Chishti, was the foster mother of Emperor Jahangir, which is found rarely, even by browsing the history books reputedly. It is said that the emperor was too attached to his foster mother, as reflected in the Jahangirnama. He was extremely close to her son Qutb-ud-din Khan Koka, who was made the governor of thethen ‘Bengal’ and his descendants are still to be found in Sheikhupur, Badaun.

Sounds interesting? Let’s move a bit further inside the story!

Akbar (being a great a great lover of Sufi music) held the Sufi in such high regard that he had a great city Fatehpur Sikri built around the Sufi Saint's camp. Akbar relocated his Mughal Court and Courtiers in Fathepur. But, unfortunately a shortage of water is said to be the main reason for the city had to be abandoned. Now although the city is in remarkably good condition and one of the main tourist attractions of Indian ancient history lovers.

But, our today’s story is of Sheikh Salim Chisti next comes the Royal story of Akbar’s palace, in the next story will come next !

The Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti was famed as one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in India. It was built sometime between 1580 and 1581, it is faced south, towards Buland Darwaza and It enshrines the burial place of the Sufi saint, Salim Chisti (1478 – 1572) and also a descendant of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer, Rajanthan who lived in a cavern on the ridge at Sikri. The mausoleum was constructed by Akbar as a mark of his respect for the Sufi saint, who foretold the birth of his son, Prince Salim after him and succeeded Akbar to the throne of the Mughal Empire, as Jahangir.

I read that the tomb of Shaikh Salim was originally built with red sandstone but later converted into a beautiful marble tomb. Salim Chishti's Mazar is in the middle of The Emperor's Courtyard at Fatehpur Sikri.

It is believed that by offering prayers at this Mazar whatever one wishes will definitely get fulfilled. Especially childless women, continue to pray on bended knees before his tomb for getting an heir.

There is also a ritual of tying a thread at the marble windows of this Dargah to in order to have one's wishes fulfilled and consequently many threads can be seen to be tied there. After the wishes are fulfilled one needs to go back, to unknot thread to give the respect to the Khowaja. The ancestral house of Shaikh Salim Chishti, has now a large Sun motif at its main door and inside the tomb has a beautiful array of impressive stone screen and exquisitely carved herring bone roof it is attached to the first building built in Fatehpur Sikri, is known as "Sangtarash mosque" or Stone Cutter's mosque. There is a wonderful drainages system in the tomb, made in a Marble column.

Fatehpur, the mosque was first built by the local stone cutters in honor of Salim Chishti, with some beautiful architectural features, marking the incorporation of indigenous architectural styles in the construction. When visited, lot of them tried to give the belief then they are the real ancestors and try to sell their artwork. They are nice too, sometimes !

Last part of Salim Chishti's mazar is one of the most notable accomplishments of Mughal architecture and where no particular religion comes, not Hindu not Muslims and not Christians, it’s for the humanity.

A faith is which is believed in when we are weak, but often forgotten it in other circumstances till the year 2012!!

Akbar used to come from his adjacent palace to the shrine for his daily prayers when he used to be in the palace.

Surpassed only in reputation and is flanked by the massive Buland Darwaza or Victory gate on the southern side facing which the tomb is faced. The Badshahi Darwaza or Emperor's gate on eastern side is a grand of the mosque as well as by courtyards.

A pool reflecting the mosque and other tombs. Emperor's gate on eastern side and a grand mosque Jama Masjid on western side, as well as by courtyards, a reflecting pool and other tombs. Construction commenced in 1571 and the work was completed fifteen years later.

Love Exit of Anarkali

It is believed that Anarkali - love of Salim's life went through this door and left for Delhi !

Buland Darwaza meaning 'Height' or 'great' gate’. It is also known as the "Gate of Magnificence". Buland Darwaza or the loft gateway was built by the great Mughal emperor, Akbar in 1601 A.D. at Fatehpur Sikri. Akbar built the Buland Darwaza to commemorate his victory over Gujarat. An inscription on the central face of the Buland Darwaza throws light on Akbar's religious broad mindedness.

The Buland Darwaza is made of red and buff sandstone, decorated by carving and inlaying of white and black marble and towers bove the courtyard of the mosque. The Buland Darwaza is semi octagonal in plan and is topped by pillars and chhatris with Buland Darwaiosks on the roof, stylized battlement and small turrets and inlay work of white and black marble. On the outside a long flight of steps sweeps down the hill giving the gateway additional height.

A Persian inscription on eastern archway of the Buland Darwaza records Akbar's conquest over Deccan in 1601. It is 40 metres high and 50 metres from the ground level. The total height of the Structure is about 54 metres from the ground level which is a 15-storied high gateway that guards the southern entrance of the city of Fatehpur.

As said, it’s another story coming next .. Akbar’s Mahal of Fathepur-Sikri !

A bike parking area

2012-07-24T09:49:00.001-07:00

A path in the crowd or a crowded path

A most common sight in any parking area. Lots of speed machines together, yet to calculate the horse power and the human power for all of them.

Bubbles to earn, not for joy !

2012-07-19T09:02:00.001-07:00

Bubbles are not always for fun, they are a times for earn too

A handful of sky

2012-07-16T11:58:00.000-07:00

A handful of sky and rain

As per MET department I heard that the rain is happening here and there, but today while I was driving back to office after a meeting, the sky suddenly became dark and a splash of rain made the windscreen wet .. my vision went just blurred and the road, signage the sky electric high tension towers, the light poles and metro line over the sky became hazy infront of my eyes.

I kept driving into that unknown path ! The path was once chosen by me. Pass by the road is a destiny, cannot stop. What in the bright light I see the path everyday, is this the same path I am still driving? Or it's only the rain making when vision blur, is it time when I must slow down and think if I am in the right way and still I want to carry on? But, I chose it this is none but, me who took the path to reach my destination! But, cannot stop now, just cannot. Even for that I need to run the wiper fast, to make the screen clear and my mind, where a lot of memories and stories are gathered, They just wait to pop up one after the other. Just waiting for a little weak time to come out.

But, I must try and forget them all now and focus on my journey. Even it is embracing a new one or just pulling throughout life.

2012-07-12T09:29:00.002-07:00

Bird Story - 2

Purple Sunbird