I tried again with a reflecter...no luck...perhaps the sun rays are not direct enough.
Let me end this experiment by taking refuge in Tennyson's words (with a little modification and lots of apologies):
'Tis better to have tried and lost
Than never to have tried at all.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Bali Yatra
More on India and Indonesia. Those thinking of visiting Indonesia may like to know that the island of bali had old trading links with India- especially with Orissa.
In olden times, merchants from Orissa used to trade with South-East Asian countries- including what is now Indonesia. And whatever items they brought from those places after trading Oriya goods used to be put up for sale in the then capital city of Orissa-Cuttack. People from all over the state and beyond used to come to Cuttack to buy these items. The festival of Bali Yatra which is now celeberated is in continuation of this old history and tradition. It is held every year in the month of November on the banks of the river Mahanadi. On this day paper boats are floated in the river as a token of the maritime voyages of the past.
In olden times, merchants from Orissa used to trade with South-East Asian countries- including what is now Indonesia. And whatever items they brought from those places after trading Oriya goods used to be put up for sale in the then capital city of Orissa-Cuttack. People from all over the state and beyond used to come to Cuttack to buy these items. The festival of Bali Yatra which is now celeberated is in continuation of this old history and tradition. It is held every year in the month of November on the banks of the river Mahanadi. On this day paper boats are floated in the river as a token of the maritime voyages of the past.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Light by the bottleful ... in continuation of my blog dated 25th November
Must share what I have been doing. I went shopping and got a small packet of bleaching powder. Finding empty plastic water bottles in the house was no problem. I put three table spoonfuls of this powder in one bottle and four tablespoons in the second. Filled up both bottles with clean water. Tightly screwed the caps and hung those at different spots- each spot getting direct sunlight.
Alas nothing happened - no light, no refraction.
I must have made some mistake- either the quantity of bleaching powder used was more/less than required or my choice of spots was wrong....I dont know
Anyway I plan to retry again today.
PS. Friends (?) have already started making fun of me saying that I have been taken in by some prankster...
Alas nothing happened - no light, no refraction.
I must have made some mistake- either the quantity of bleaching powder used was more/less than required or my choice of spots was wrong....I dont know
Anyway I plan to retry again today.
PS. Friends (?) have already started making fun of me saying that I have been taken in by some prankster...
Friday, November 25, 2011
Indonesia & Hinduism
Every year a Hindu festival called 'nyepi' or day of silence is celeberated in Indonesia. It is one of the national holidays in that country.
I have not heard of such a day of silence being observed in India. Have you?
I have not heard of such a day of silence being observed in India. Have you?
Light by the bottleful
The article in today's Hindu "Light by the bottleful" deserves a read.
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/article2657221.ece
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/article2657221.ece
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Wayanad Tea County
I would share the following with my friends:
"Wayanad Tea County is a resort owned by Priyadarshini Tea Estate pioneered with an endeavour to expand our tribal welfare activities. The income received from this resort is utilized to provide daily mid day meal to about 200 tribal workers of Priyadarshini Tea Estate. We invite you to contribute to our mission by choosing Wayanad Tea County as your choice for your vacation/ tour to Wayanad. Retiring to the comforts of this elegant resort situated in the midst of 130 acres of tea plantation will, for sure, be a rejuvenating experience especially for a family or a group. At Wayanad Tea County, the management and staff are committed to providing quality service to all the guests. Personal care and assistance is our forte. Welcoming you to cherish the environs of our endearing resort
With regards,
S.Harikishore, IAS
Sub Collector, Wayand &
MD, Priyadarshini Tea Estate
Address:
Wayanad Tea County
C/o Priyadarshini Tea Estate
Pancharakolli, Mananthavadyhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Wayanad 670 645
Kerala India
Mob : 9847117200
Email: contact@wayanadteacounty.com
Phone: 04935-274592
http://www.wayanadteacounty.com/index.html"
DISCLAIMER: Readers are advised to double check the above information before taking any decision. This blog is in no way responsible and the information above is being shared only for the convenience of the readers.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Sorry Mr. Comptroller & Auditor General, Sir
The Comptroller & Auditor General has been in the news since the last few months for his tough revealing reports. Bravo, Sir.
So when I read the following in The Times of India (November 19, 2011), I felt uneasy.
“CAG hauls up museum for irregularities: New Delhi: In a severe indictment of the functioning of National Museum (NM), CAG in its draft report has pointed out a series of anomalies like deviation from its core function to wide spread irregularities including holding back the retirement benefits of its employees.
Unlike museums all over the world, NM does not have the policy* of rotating art objects for display. Out of its collection of 2.06 lakh art objects, only 7178 have been displayed. Even in labels, in names and descriptions of displayed objects, there were spelling mistakes.*” (*Emphasis supplied)
The first paragraph sounds fine though we do not know the details. But it was the second paragraph which made me turn to my copy of the Constitution of India. I reproduce below the relevant Article of the Constitution laying down the duties and powers of the CAG.
“149. Duties and Powers of the Comptroller and Auditor-General - The Comptroller and Auditor-General shall perform such duties and exercise such powers in relation to the accounts* of the Union and of the States and of any other authority or body as may be prescribed by or under any law made by Parliament and, until provision in that behalf is so made, shall perform such duties and exercise such powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and of the States as were conferred on or exercisable by the Auditor-General of India immediately before the commencement of this Constitution in relation to the accounts of the Dominion of India and of the provinces respectively.” (*Emphasis supplied)
A simple reading of this constitutional provision makes one to believe that the CAG is to deal with matters relating to the “accounts of the Union and the States.” It therefore flows that he does not have powers to enter/comment on the field of policy making. It is in this background that one is totally confused to notice CAG commenting on the “policy of rotation of art objects”? Clearly the periodicity at which sculptures are to be rotated in the National Museum does not come within the purview of the CAG and is better left to the National Museum authorities and the government.
Similarly it is difficult to appreciate the constitutional authority correcting English spellings (of the type mentioned in the newspaper report) since it does not come under the purview of Article 149 of the Constitution as it is not a matter relating to the accounts of the Union and the Sates!
Sorry Mr. Comptroller & Auditor General,Sir, I am not with you on these two points.
So when I read the following in The Times of India (November 19, 2011), I felt uneasy.
“CAG hauls up museum for irregularities: New Delhi: In a severe indictment of the functioning of National Museum (NM), CAG in its draft report has pointed out a series of anomalies like deviation from its core function to wide spread irregularities including holding back the retirement benefits of its employees.
Unlike museums all over the world, NM does not have the policy* of rotating art objects for display. Out of its collection of 2.06 lakh art objects, only 7178 have been displayed. Even in labels, in names and descriptions of displayed objects, there were spelling mistakes.*” (*Emphasis supplied)
The first paragraph sounds fine though we do not know the details. But it was the second paragraph which made me turn to my copy of the Constitution of India. I reproduce below the relevant Article of the Constitution laying down the duties and powers of the CAG.
“149. Duties and Powers of the Comptroller and Auditor-General - The Comptroller and Auditor-General shall perform such duties and exercise such powers in relation to the accounts* of the Union and of the States and of any other authority or body as may be prescribed by or under any law made by Parliament and, until provision in that behalf is so made, shall perform such duties and exercise such powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and of the States as were conferred on or exercisable by the Auditor-General of India immediately before the commencement of this Constitution in relation to the accounts of the Dominion of India and of the provinces respectively.” (*Emphasis supplied)
A simple reading of this constitutional provision makes one to believe that the CAG is to deal with matters relating to the “accounts of the Union and the States.” It therefore flows that he does not have powers to enter/comment on the field of policy making. It is in this background that one is totally confused to notice CAG commenting on the “policy of rotation of art objects”? Clearly the periodicity at which sculptures are to be rotated in the National Museum does not come within the purview of the CAG and is better left to the National Museum authorities and the government.
Similarly it is difficult to appreciate the constitutional authority correcting English spellings (of the type mentioned in the newspaper report) since it does not come under the purview of Article 149 of the Constitution as it is not a matter relating to the accounts of the Union and the Sates!
Sorry Mr. Comptroller & Auditor General,Sir, I am not with you on these two points.
My new website: www.fiftyplustravels.com
My website on travel suggestions for fifty-plus is getting operationalised in a day or two: www.fiftyplustravels.com.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
God doesnt need big places of worship... ...
The Honable High Court of Bombay recently held that "God doesn't need big places of worship". Its Division Bench explained that "People are interested in building places of worship. But God is never interested in huge worship places. He is satisfied with a small place also..."*
Source: The Times of India, October 31, 2011
Source: The Times of India, October 31, 2011
An actor couple of yester-years...
An actor couple of yester-years has become parents of a baby girl.....so what? is that news?.....yawn....
Monday, November 14, 2011
Sorry, Rock Garden is not a guest house
"Nek chand staying in Rock Garden" says a headline in the Times of India. It is reported that his personal house is under repairs and so he requested Chandigarh Administration to allot him a house temporarily for 6 months. Not getting any such allotment he has moved to the Rock Garden along with his wife.
I dont think any citizen, howsover talented, is right in expecting the government to arrange accomodation for him while his personal house gets repaired.
And moving in to Rock Garden to stay? I am not sure what is the legal status of the Rock Garden, but I have my doubts if it belongs to Mr. Nek Chand. No one would doubt the amazing creativity and the contribution of Shri Chand in conceptualizing and making it happen, but that does not give him the right to move into it to stay whenever he wants to.
You may call me petty minded, but I feel that law has to treat all the citizens equally.
Sorry Mr. Nek Chand, I am not with you either in your demand to the government for a temporary allotment or in moving into the Rock Garden to stay.
I dont think any citizen, howsover talented, is right in expecting the government to arrange accomodation for him while his personal house gets repaired.
And moving in to Rock Garden to stay? I am not sure what is the legal status of the Rock Garden, but I have my doubts if it belongs to Mr. Nek Chand. No one would doubt the amazing creativity and the contribution of Shri Chand in conceptualizing and making it happen, but that does not give him the right to move into it to stay whenever he wants to.
You may call me petty minded, but I feel that law has to treat all the citizens equally.
Sorry Mr. Nek Chand, I am not with you either in your demand to the government for a temporary allotment or in moving into the Rock Garden to stay.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
11.11.11
What did I do on 11.11.11? Well, I went and stood in a small queue in a bank to apply for my Aadhaar card. But this was the easier part.
Earlier I had tried on the internet and found that there was an address in Panchkula (where I stay) where applications for such cards were being accepted. On reaching there I found no activity. On enquiry the guard told me that there was a camp for accepting Aadhaar applications but that I was late by about two weeks as the camp had been wound up and relocated at Muncicipal Corpn of Chandigarh’s office in sector 17 in Chandigarh. I was there the next day only to be told that they don’t do any such thing. Again the helpful information was to go to the Central bank in Sector 17. Tired and almost wanting to give upI dragged my feet to the latest address and struck gold there.
The wait took about 5 minutes and the process only 10 minutes. It reminded me of my visit to the American Embassy in 2005 when I had applied for an American visa. I had not been to USA and was not very keen either but then with life slowly coming to an end, I thought the heaven ad hell might have been taken over by the Americans to introduce more democracy there. In such a case the first question put to me would be “Have you been to the States?” Not willing to take any chances I had decided to make a trip to the USA and had applied for a tourist visa. When the turn came for photographs/finger prints and photo of iris of the eye to be taken, I had mixed feelings. I was overawed by the American technology. At the same time my inner self resented at this intrusion of my privacy.
Surprisingly my feelings were totally different and positive this time. I felt proud that India has absorbed new technologies so effortlessly. My coming here was totally voluntary. I wanted the Aadhar card to be made since the process will help not only me but also my country.
Coming back to harsh realities, a copy of the application receipt with my photo printed on top was handed over to me by the operator. I was told that the card would reach me at my address in about two months time. I felt even more proud of my country.
And then I saw the photo on the receipt. It was the photo of an ugly puffed up old man. That’s not me, I protested to myself and almost wanted to disown my face. But no, that was my photo alright. Then I remembered that about a month back I had been photographed when I applied for a passport. On taking the photo the tall young lad had helpfully suggested “Uncle ji, see if the photo is alright? I had failed to take the hint and found out a little later that it was one of the most terrible mug shots of me. I am not too keen on early receipt of my passport with that bad photo.
These two incidents have brought me to doubt myself. Is it only the photo that is bad? Or maybe with the passage of time and age, this is what I really look like now, but am not willing to admit it?
Earlier I had tried on the internet and found that there was an address in Panchkula (where I stay) where applications for such cards were being accepted. On reaching there I found no activity. On enquiry the guard told me that there was a camp for accepting Aadhaar applications but that I was late by about two weeks as the camp had been wound up and relocated at Muncicipal Corpn of Chandigarh’s office in sector 17 in Chandigarh. I was there the next day only to be told that they don’t do any such thing. Again the helpful information was to go to the Central bank in Sector 17. Tired and almost wanting to give upI dragged my feet to the latest address and struck gold there.
The wait took about 5 minutes and the process only 10 minutes. It reminded me of my visit to the American Embassy in 2005 when I had applied for an American visa. I had not been to USA and was not very keen either but then with life slowly coming to an end, I thought the heaven ad hell might have been taken over by the Americans to introduce more democracy there. In such a case the first question put to me would be “Have you been to the States?” Not willing to take any chances I had decided to make a trip to the USA and had applied for a tourist visa. When the turn came for photographs/finger prints and photo of iris of the eye to be taken, I had mixed feelings. I was overawed by the American technology. At the same time my inner self resented at this intrusion of my privacy.
Surprisingly my feelings were totally different and positive this time. I felt proud that India has absorbed new technologies so effortlessly. My coming here was totally voluntary. I wanted the Aadhar card to be made since the process will help not only me but also my country.
Coming back to harsh realities, a copy of the application receipt with my photo printed on top was handed over to me by the operator. I was told that the card would reach me at my address in about two months time. I felt even more proud of my country.
And then I saw the photo on the receipt. It was the photo of an ugly puffed up old man. That’s not me, I protested to myself and almost wanted to disown my face. But no, that was my photo alright. Then I remembered that about a month back I had been photographed when I applied for a passport. On taking the photo the tall young lad had helpfully suggested “Uncle ji, see if the photo is alright? I had failed to take the hint and found out a little later that it was one of the most terrible mug shots of me. I am not too keen on early receipt of my passport with that bad photo.
These two incidents have brought me to doubt myself. Is it only the photo that is bad? Or maybe with the passage of time and age, this is what I really look like now, but am not willing to admit it?
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Come on grow up Rediff.
"Saif crowned the Nawab of Pataudi" reports rediffmail.com.
Come on grow up Rediff.
Come on grow up Rediff.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Publication of my 14th book - "The Balasore Papers"
I am happy to share with you that my 14th book “The Balasore Papers - A compendium of important documents relating to the Anglo-French dispute ever the French Loge in Balasore, India: 1693-1949” has just been published.
Oh no, not another book on Balasore, you might say.
But believe me this book is different from my earlier book on Balasore (“Some Vignettes of Balasore and its French Loge”). The present book is a compilation of hitherto unpublished Franco-Britannic documents from 1693 to 1949 relating to the French Loge in Balasore India. A number of these documents have been translated from French to English by me.
Ten pages of the book have been put on the web (http://pothi.com/pothi/book/k-j-s-chatrath-balasore-papers) and may I invite you to thumb through some of these pages?
Oh no, not another book on Balasore, you might say.
But believe me this book is different from my earlier book on Balasore (“Some Vignettes of Balasore and its French Loge”). The present book is a compilation of hitherto unpublished Franco-Britannic documents from 1693 to 1949 relating to the French Loge in Balasore India. A number of these documents have been translated from French to English by me.
Ten pages of the book have been put on the web (http://pothi.com/pothi/book/k-j-s-chatrath-balasore-papers) and may I invite you to thumb through some of these pages?
A chilling portrayal of reality....
A few years back a Pakistani, Mohammed Hanif, wrote his first book, “A Case of Exploding Mangoes”. It turned out to be an instant bestseller. Now he has come out with his second book - “Our Lady of Alice Bhatti”, which is of a totally different genre. It deals with social issues and especially with the plight of women in Pakistan.
Hanif says quite candidly that women are “shot at or hacked, strangled or suffocated, poisoned or burnt, hanged or buried alive” daily. He goes on to add that “suspicious husband, brother protecting his honour, father protecting his honour, son protecting his honour, jilted lover protecting his honour, feuding farmers settling their water disputes, moneylenders collecting their interest: most of life’s arguments, it seems, get settled by doing various things to a woman’s body.” (emphasis mine)
What a chilling portrayal of reality!
What he writes about Pakistan, applies equally to the situation in India. What a shame my fellow males!
Hanif says quite candidly that women are “shot at or hacked, strangled or suffocated, poisoned or burnt, hanged or buried alive” daily. He goes on to add that “suspicious husband, brother protecting his honour, father protecting his honour, son protecting his honour, jilted lover protecting his honour, feuding farmers settling their water disputes, moneylenders collecting their interest: most of life’s arguments, it seems, get settled by doing various things to a woman’s body.” (emphasis mine)
What a chilling portrayal of reality!
What he writes about Pakistan, applies equally to the situation in India. What a shame my fellow males!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)