With the depletion of forests and ever-increasing cost of acquiring bamboo, a collective effort is being made to use water hyacinth as an alternative. North-eastern region of India abounds in water resources and water hyacinth happens to be a common feature of ponds and lakes. Being an aquatic plant, it’s amply available in rural areas and considered harmful to aquatic life underneath.
Certain organizations have come up with a novel idea to utilize this plant in an eco-friendly manner and generate a source of livelihood for rural poor. The stems of water hyacinth when dried, can work in same way as cane. They can be hand-weaved to make bags, decoration pieces, furniture and other handicraft items. The products made might range between Rs. 20 to Rs. 20000.
As the flattening of dry hyacinth is tedious and time- consuming, machines are being provided in various villages to ease the task. With the collective participation of artisans, designers and manufacturers, waste like water hyacinth can bear fruits in traditional lifestyle product market.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
End of Hope!
Quite a few bridges had come up in 90’s to ease the flow of traffic on one of the oldest bridges of the city. Hope Bridge was constructed way back in 1877 under the supervision of the then district collector and magistrate, Theodore Hope. It was constructed at a cost of Rs. 0.813 million to connect two very popular parts of the district- Rander and Surat. Rander was at one time the seat of Muslim rulers who invaded and settled in the medieval times. Surat was always the gateway to Gulf and Europe with its main port at Magdalla.
Hope Bridge is located on Tapi River at Chowk Bazaar crossroads. This iron bridge was the only source of connectivity between Rander and Surat till the end of 1960. At the beginning of the year, when span of its approach end got titled, the Municipal Council decided for its dismantling and invited tenders for the scrap. However, the companies seemed hesitant to bid as the Council had set a high offset value. This had not proved feasible to the concerned parties.
Sooner or later, in case the scrap of the Hope is finally removed, one of the historic figures will see its end in a city increasing by square miles to accommodate the ever-growing and never-ending entry of people.
Hope Bridge is located on Tapi River at Chowk Bazaar crossroads. This iron bridge was the only source of connectivity between Rander and Surat till the end of 1960. At the beginning of the year, when span of its approach end got titled, the Municipal Council decided for its dismantling and invited tenders for the scrap. However, the companies seemed hesitant to bid as the Council had set a high offset value. This had not proved feasible to the concerned parties.
Sooner or later, in case the scrap of the Hope is finally removed, one of the historic figures will see its end in a city increasing by square miles to accommodate the ever-growing and never-ending entry of people.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Pushkar
Almost every year, I visit Pushkar. It’s a small town located a few miles away from Ajmer in western Indian state of Rajasthan. Pushkar is a renowned place of pilgrimage known for its one and only Lord Brahma temple. Located in the picturesque valley, the temple is surrounded by a huge lake with several ghats. Annually, lakhs of Hindus visit these ghats for Shraadh Puja. Till a few months back, there was no water in the lake as the government had ordered for its dredging to make it deeper.
One has to cross several lanes leading to the Main Temple. After climbing few stairs, as one enters the compound, one can see the idol of Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma possessed the supernatural power to give birth to living beings. HE had four heads which can see the entire world from all four sides. After offering prayers at the temple while going for parikrama, one comes across the Savitri Temple located in the rear side. It is believed that when Lord Brahma had to perform Yagna, he was asked to sit with his wife Goddess Gayatri. But, the Goddess couldn’t reach the venue on time so a woman name Savitri was made to sit with Him and perform the Yagna. There is Gayatri temple across the lake which can be reached only through the boat. As one moves forward, one will come across the Lord Shiva temple located a few stairs down the earth. There is a small Shivling in the enclosed space.
Pushkar happens to be a favorite among foreign tourists. Most of them settle in the local community houses, lodges or guest houses near the temple compound.
The Annual Pushkar Animal Fair is organized in the month of Kaarthik for five days. Camels from far and distant are brought here for sale. The other animals auctioned are ass, cattle etc. Tourists from abroad also throng to get a glimpse of once in the year event. Various programmes are organized like tug of war, matka-phod and longest moustache contest. Kaarthik Purnima- the Full Moon day (the last day) of the month is one day when innumerable crowd verge to take holy dip in the lake. It is believed taking dip on this day will help them achieve salvation and remove sins of life.
One has to cross several lanes leading to the Main Temple. After climbing few stairs, as one enters the compound, one can see the idol of Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma possessed the supernatural power to give birth to living beings. HE had four heads which can see the entire world from all four sides. After offering prayers at the temple while going for parikrama, one comes across the Savitri Temple located in the rear side. It is believed that when Lord Brahma had to perform Yagna, he was asked to sit with his wife Goddess Gayatri. But, the Goddess couldn’t reach the venue on time so a woman name Savitri was made to sit with Him and perform the Yagna. There is Gayatri temple across the lake which can be reached only through the boat. As one moves forward, one will come across the Lord Shiva temple located a few stairs down the earth. There is a small Shivling in the enclosed space.
Pushkar happens to be a favorite among foreign tourists. Most of them settle in the local community houses, lodges or guest houses near the temple compound.
The Annual Pushkar Animal Fair is organized in the month of Kaarthik for five days. Camels from far and distant are brought here for sale. The other animals auctioned are ass, cattle etc. Tourists from abroad also throng to get a glimpse of once in the year event. Various programmes are organized like tug of war, matka-phod and longest moustache contest. Kaarthik Purnima- the Full Moon day (the last day) of the month is one day when innumerable crowd verge to take holy dip in the lake. It is believed taking dip on this day will help them achieve salvation and remove sins of life.
Bihar Verdict-Women
The Bihar verdict is out and amazingly, the next four years seems to be lapped by the ruling party. It’s strange to see the near wipe out of all the other parties including the Congress. The new face reveals the toil and the work put in to improve law and order, concentration on developmental efforts and doing away with the literal and most provocative concept of “casteism”.
The things have wonderfully worked with a lot of promotional efforts targeting the women of Bihar. Women seem to have become more powerful by walking out of the four walls and voting in great strength. Unlike rest of Indian states, the ruling government has given half of the reservation quota to women in local village councils and government posts. The school girls (IX and X Class) are provided with bicycles free of cost as also school uniforms to school going kids.
It’s surprising to see the phenomal growth of women voters in 2010 with more than 50 % (54.85) turning out to vote. The backward and semi-backward towns like Katihar, Kishangunj and Araria have shown nearly 65% turnout of women voters.
The things have wonderfully worked with a lot of promotional efforts targeting the women of Bihar. Women seem to have become more powerful by walking out of the four walls and voting in great strength. Unlike rest of Indian states, the ruling government has given half of the reservation quota to women in local village councils and government posts. The school girls (IX and X Class) are provided with bicycles free of cost as also school uniforms to school going kids.
It’s surprising to see the phenomal growth of women voters in 2010 with more than 50 % (54.85) turning out to vote. The backward and semi-backward towns like Katihar, Kishangunj and Araria have shown nearly 65% turnout of women voters.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Marriage Season
The festival season is almost over but not yet. There’s Christmas next month. Hundreds of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) would flock their hometowns and cities. For NRIs, the long season of Christmas and New Year gives an opportunity to head back to their country, meet their relatives or otherwise get indulged in the wedding celebrations.
As the main festivity of Diwali ends, so starts the family festivity of marriage. Mangsir or Margshirsh is considered one of the main months of Hindu marriages. It is believed that, the wedding activities would start only once Lord Vishnu wakes after a sleep spell of six months. This happens from the day of Dev-uthani Ekadashi which falls on the 11th day of the second half of the month of Kaarthik. Kaarthik is considered the month completely dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu. On the no-moon day, Goddess Laxmi, wife of Lord Vishnu is worshipped which is called the day of Diwali.
Recent years have seen a spurt of marriages in this month leading to shortage of wedding venues. Certain dates are so auspicious and exclusive that sometimes as many as 40,000 weddings are conducted on the same day. As far as weddings are concerned, NRIs enjoy the most. This is so because they hardly get to see and observe such get-together in foreign countries. Also, like any Christian wedding, the Hindu wedding has to be done in a day. Thus, people cannot enjoy or celebrate the activities in a manner similar to those when they would have been in their home town. At the same time, NRIs have to follow and are accustomed to a culture very different from what exists in their own country. Rules and regulations abroad are very different and they have to abide by it once they spend life abroad.
Wedding is a season in India. It is celebrated just like a festival with lights, flowers, sweets, crackers. Everything is new, the house is painted new, the lawns are mowed and the exteriors are decorated with fresh flowers and lights. New clothes, shoes and jewellery are purchased. Each and everyone in the crowd takes part in the celebration and contributes himself in such a manner that it seems it’s his brother or sister or daughter or son’s wedding.
Wedding venues are decked up with best lights, lamps and flowers. Tents are raised and carpets are rolled out. Stage is set for the groom and bride. Caterers get busy to prepare the best lunch or dinner. Commonly for any Hindu wedding, vegetable dishes made in ghee or refined oil are served with best spices. Rotis or nans are accompanied by salads, desserts and salty items. Dessert is usually a traditional sweet item. Sometimes arrangement for light snacks like pani-puri, pav-bhaji and aloo-tikki is also provided for a change. Most of the vegetable dishes are traditional recipes that differ with region. For instance, in a Marwadi marriage, Gatte ki subzi and daal-batti are served while in a Punjabi marriage, paneer tikka masala is accompanied by chole kulche or chole bhature. In a South Indian wedding, idli, dosa, sambhar, coconut chutney is common apart from rasam and rice.
Also the traditions differ from region to region. Hindu marriage is performed in front of the fire (agni–kund ) with the reciting of Hindu chants by the priest. The groom and bride take seven rounds of the fire swearing one another to help and respect each other in their relationship. The groom inserts red vermillion on the middle forehead of the bride and ties a black beaded chain (mangalsutra) around her neck. There are slight differences in the conduct of marriages in various parts of India. But the basic remains the same.
As the main festivity of Diwali ends, so starts the family festivity of marriage. Mangsir or Margshirsh is considered one of the main months of Hindu marriages. It is believed that, the wedding activities would start only once Lord Vishnu wakes after a sleep spell of six months. This happens from the day of Dev-uthani Ekadashi which falls on the 11th day of the second half of the month of Kaarthik. Kaarthik is considered the month completely dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu. On the no-moon day, Goddess Laxmi, wife of Lord Vishnu is worshipped which is called the day of Diwali.
Recent years have seen a spurt of marriages in this month leading to shortage of wedding venues. Certain dates are so auspicious and exclusive that sometimes as many as 40,000 weddings are conducted on the same day. As far as weddings are concerned, NRIs enjoy the most. This is so because they hardly get to see and observe such get-together in foreign countries. Also, like any Christian wedding, the Hindu wedding has to be done in a day. Thus, people cannot enjoy or celebrate the activities in a manner similar to those when they would have been in their home town. At the same time, NRIs have to follow and are accustomed to a culture very different from what exists in their own country. Rules and regulations abroad are very different and they have to abide by it once they spend life abroad.
Wedding is a season in India. It is celebrated just like a festival with lights, flowers, sweets, crackers. Everything is new, the house is painted new, the lawns are mowed and the exteriors are decorated with fresh flowers and lights. New clothes, shoes and jewellery are purchased. Each and everyone in the crowd takes part in the celebration and contributes himself in such a manner that it seems it’s his brother or sister or daughter or son’s wedding.
Wedding venues are decked up with best lights, lamps and flowers. Tents are raised and carpets are rolled out. Stage is set for the groom and bride. Caterers get busy to prepare the best lunch or dinner. Commonly for any Hindu wedding, vegetable dishes made in ghee or refined oil are served with best spices. Rotis or nans are accompanied by salads, desserts and salty items. Dessert is usually a traditional sweet item. Sometimes arrangement for light snacks like pani-puri, pav-bhaji and aloo-tikki is also provided for a change. Most of the vegetable dishes are traditional recipes that differ with region. For instance, in a Marwadi marriage, Gatte ki subzi and daal-batti are served while in a Punjabi marriage, paneer tikka masala is accompanied by chole kulche or chole bhature. In a South Indian wedding, idli, dosa, sambhar, coconut chutney is common apart from rasam and rice.
Also the traditions differ from region to region. Hindu marriage is performed in front of the fire (agni–kund ) with the reciting of Hindu chants by the priest. The groom and bride take seven rounds of the fire swearing one another to help and respect each other in their relationship. The groom inserts red vermillion on the middle forehead of the bride and ties a black beaded chain (mangalsutra) around her neck. There are slight differences in the conduct of marriages in various parts of India. But the basic remains the same.
Highway Travel
I have travelled on highways on several occasions with family. Passing each corner of the country gives a different experience. I stay on National Highway no. 8 that connects the two main metropolitans of the country- Delhi and Mumbai.
Highway infrastructure has improved by leaps and bounds in last ten years once the expressway culture got adopted due the vision “The Golden Quadrilateral”. After the Central Govt. decided and started work on improving the roadways of the country, the consumption of time and energy of reaching spots nearly halved. Highway travel has become more enjoyful with less traffic jams and road mishaps. Several highways have been broadened with six to eight lanes. Neons and sign-boards are placed at various distance points for travelers ease. These boards not only indicate the distance to reach the nearest destination but to the far off places too. Tolls have been constructed on several points to charge for the daily maintenance of these highways. Highways are properly fenced with aluminum planks. At several other points, one can see the facility indicating phone, food, bus stop, speed break, curves etc. One also comes across the greenery on the dividers on the middle of the road. Pedestrian crossings, traffic lights and service lanes are very prominent. It is surprising to see that the road to the smallest and remotest village is also very well indicated through sign boards.
The Golden Quadrilateral, not surprisingly, brought a surge in realty prices. The tourist destinations are well-connected. The villagers have set up small and pretty dhabas. Several shops on the highway cater to everyday goers like truckers and cargo-movers. The accessibility of the villagers to the cities and towns has proved to be fruitful. Cities located near metros have received more benefits. With no space left in metro, people are finding it better to stay and work in nearby areas which give equally good bonanza. For instance, Gurgaon or Noida have achieved fame not only in respect of residential accommodation but commercial ventures too. In fact, staying in Gurgaon is more costly than staying in Delhi.
Change of season has not disturbed the flow of traffic on highways that much. Earlier, foggy winters slowed the pace of vehicular traffic while traffic snarls worsened due to rains. Rains usually created pot holes that led to accidents or slow traffic. Cemented roads have eased the vehicular movement. One cannot compare these highways with any American or European highway; yet, the road ahead has solved most of the difficulties of travelers.
Highway infrastructure has improved by leaps and bounds in last ten years once the expressway culture got adopted due the vision “The Golden Quadrilateral”. After the Central Govt. decided and started work on improving the roadways of the country, the consumption of time and energy of reaching spots nearly halved. Highway travel has become more enjoyful with less traffic jams and road mishaps. Several highways have been broadened with six to eight lanes. Neons and sign-boards are placed at various distance points for travelers ease. These boards not only indicate the distance to reach the nearest destination but to the far off places too. Tolls have been constructed on several points to charge for the daily maintenance of these highways. Highways are properly fenced with aluminum planks. At several other points, one can see the facility indicating phone, food, bus stop, speed break, curves etc. One also comes across the greenery on the dividers on the middle of the road. Pedestrian crossings, traffic lights and service lanes are very prominent. It is surprising to see that the road to the smallest and remotest village is also very well indicated through sign boards.
The Golden Quadrilateral, not surprisingly, brought a surge in realty prices. The tourist destinations are well-connected. The villagers have set up small and pretty dhabas. Several shops on the highway cater to everyday goers like truckers and cargo-movers. The accessibility of the villagers to the cities and towns has proved to be fruitful. Cities located near metros have received more benefits. With no space left in metro, people are finding it better to stay and work in nearby areas which give equally good bonanza. For instance, Gurgaon or Noida have achieved fame not only in respect of residential accommodation but commercial ventures too. In fact, staying in Gurgaon is more costly than staying in Delhi.
Change of season has not disturbed the flow of traffic on highways that much. Earlier, foggy winters slowed the pace of vehicular traffic while traffic snarls worsened due to rains. Rains usually created pot holes that led to accidents or slow traffic. Cemented roads have eased the vehicular movement. One cannot compare these highways with any American or European highway; yet, the road ahead has solved most of the difficulties of travelers.
Kaartik Purnima- 2010
It’s a Sunday today. The day is Kaartik Purnima. It marks the end of auspicious month of Kaartik. Purnima implies the Full Moon day. Among Hindus, it’s a significant day as it’s believed the gates of Heaven open for all those who are invited by Lord Vishnu. The gates of Vaikunth (place where Lord Vishnu resides) are wide open.
In Gujarat, it marks the end of Diwali festivities. People call it “Dev Diwali” as they believe the Gods and the Goddesses celebrate their Diwali on this day. It is day of the “Last Bath” or “Last Kaartik Snaan” in the holy rivers of India like Ganga, Yamuna, Tapi, Narmada, Shipra etc.
The Sikhs celebrate it as Guru Nanak Jayanti. On this day, the founder of Sikhism “Guru Nanak Saheb” was born in Nanaksar in NWFP region of Pakistan. Sikhs visit Gurudwaras, offer prayers and organize community langars (lunch) for all.
In my life, today holds more importance than any other day. My mother left for heavenly abode on this day of Full Moon in the year 2006. English Calendar indicated the date as 5th of November. She died early morning during “Brahma-Mahurat”- the time of early dawn. It’s surprising that God chose this day for her to come to Heaven. This day was a Sunday; “Ashwini” Nakshtara; in “Surat”- the present “Suryapur” i.e. place of Sun. One typical quality common about giving these details is that the Sun was very strong in her horoscope. Her zodiac sign too happened to be Leo. She was, in fact, an Iron Woman, who never compromised under any circumstances, come what may. She was very active and strong in her speech or voice. She was a good orator. Had situations been on her side, she would have become an excellent lawyer or may have become the Chief Justice of the country. Her way of debating was extraordinary. Nobody gathered the guts to speak out. Check and Mate…….
She was a firm believer in Kunj Bihariji (Shri Radhe-Krishna). Being greatly attached to her own mother i.e. my grandmother, she received a lot of attention, love and respect. My granny was a great worshipper of Kunj Bihariji. The God had too chosen Rama-Ekadashi for her to come to Heaven. I and my family always felt that my mother had received “darshan” of Shri Nathji much before, perhaps, two-three days. But, we felt, Lord Vishnu chose the right time, right day and right place to invite and stay with Him on this auspicious day.
For right time and right day, reasons are revealed, but why the right place? Karna, the great Mahabharata legend, chose Surat for his pyre. He had asked his step-brothers to find the purest and holiest place on Earth for his pyre. When, they found the ghat of Tapi (daughter of Sun God) to be holy, they brought his body from the battle field of Kurukshetra to Surat. This ghat where the crematorium was later constructed is known as Ashwinikumar (son of Sun God).
In Gujarat, it marks the end of Diwali festivities. People call it “Dev Diwali” as they believe the Gods and the Goddesses celebrate their Diwali on this day. It is day of the “Last Bath” or “Last Kaartik Snaan” in the holy rivers of India like Ganga, Yamuna, Tapi, Narmada, Shipra etc.
The Sikhs celebrate it as Guru Nanak Jayanti. On this day, the founder of Sikhism “Guru Nanak Saheb” was born in Nanaksar in NWFP region of Pakistan. Sikhs visit Gurudwaras, offer prayers and organize community langars (lunch) for all.
In my life, today holds more importance than any other day. My mother left for heavenly abode on this day of Full Moon in the year 2006. English Calendar indicated the date as 5th of November. She died early morning during “Brahma-Mahurat”- the time of early dawn. It’s surprising that God chose this day for her to come to Heaven. This day was a Sunday; “Ashwini” Nakshtara; in “Surat”- the present “Suryapur” i.e. place of Sun. One typical quality common about giving these details is that the Sun was very strong in her horoscope. Her zodiac sign too happened to be Leo. She was, in fact, an Iron Woman, who never compromised under any circumstances, come what may. She was very active and strong in her speech or voice. She was a good orator. Had situations been on her side, she would have become an excellent lawyer or may have become the Chief Justice of the country. Her way of debating was extraordinary. Nobody gathered the guts to speak out. Check and Mate…….
She was a firm believer in Kunj Bihariji (Shri Radhe-Krishna). Being greatly attached to her own mother i.e. my grandmother, she received a lot of attention, love and respect. My granny was a great worshipper of Kunj Bihariji. The God had too chosen Rama-Ekadashi for her to come to Heaven. I and my family always felt that my mother had received “darshan” of Shri Nathji much before, perhaps, two-three days. But, we felt, Lord Vishnu chose the right time, right day and right place to invite and stay with Him on this auspicious day.
For right time and right day, reasons are revealed, but why the right place? Karna, the great Mahabharata legend, chose Surat for his pyre. He had asked his step-brothers to find the purest and holiest place on Earth for his pyre. When, they found the ghat of Tapi (daughter of Sun God) to be holy, they brought his body from the battle field of Kurukshetra to Surat. This ghat where the crematorium was later constructed is known as Ashwinikumar (son of Sun God).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)