Tuesday, August 25, 2020

'Has holding of India's NEET & JEE exams become an environment issue?' - by K J S Chatrath


Here is my humble suggestion to the iconic environmentalist Greta Thunberg who has advocated postponement of India’s NEET & JEE examinations:

Respected Ma'am......Reference your kind advice on NEET & JEE exams of India, why not keep your focus on environment and avoid trying to become an expert of everything? India is quite capable of solving its problems- big and small.
                                       With regards.....

Sunday, August 23, 2020

'Come on Indian Railways' by K.J.S.Chatrath ;


Indian Railways are in the news again. Sadly, again, for wrong reasons. It is a pity that senior Railway officials travel not by train but by plane on the pretext of 'saving time'
 
I am 77+ and used to travel regularly on long distance trains in India during Pre-Covid times, therefore I am better qualified to talk about railways than my friends who are the air borne types.
 
I may start by saying that I am a great admirer of Indian railways which is doing a great job of literally connecting India.
 
But having said that there are some problems that need to be highlighted. I have been briefly writing about some of these in my blog. Take a look:
 
'Papa, Pappu & railway blankets' by K.J.S.Chatrath ;
'The soft state?' - by K.J.S.Chatrath;
"Railways - 'easy to clean' versus 'actually cleaned' blankets" - by K.J.S.Chatrath
'Papa, Pappu & railway blankets' by K.J.S.Chatrath
'Indian Railway's Wordsmith (Slogan writer) chugs ahead of all others' by K.J.S.Chatrath
'Bring prices down now- Speeding up of trains & improving railway stations with foreign assistance can wait' by K.J.S.Chatrath
'These anaap-shnaap (skewed) priorities...'by K.J.S.Chatrath;
Chandigarh railway station to be made of world airports standards- news....totally skewed priority;
India's fastest train completes final test run in record time (ET)- Misplaced priority by K.J.S.Chatrath;
'Pappu, Papa and insects in Shatabadi food' by K.J.S.Chatrath
'Shatabadi going down the hill' by K J S Chatath ;
One hopes that things would improve, and improve soon… …

The original post was put up 3 years back...It has been re-posted now with some minor changes.

Friday, August 21, 2020

'Hello Bhagwan'.............KJS Chatrath


While thumbing through old magazines, I came across this lovely photo in India Today Travel Plus dated June 2006.

With my respectful regards to the Almighty and reverential greetings to the Holy Sadhu Maharaj.

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

'Genuinely fake' - by K J S Chatrath




I go to South India every year in January. The reasons are many - to escape from the chilly winds of Panchkula, to enjoy the great South Indian food and just to roam around on the Marina beach of Chennai.

I have found out a photographer on the Marina beach who has cut-outs of famous personalities and one can get oneself photographed with the politician or the actor of one's choice. I have got myself photographed with the cut-outs of Respected Amma (may her soul rest in peace!), of the Super Star Rajni Sir and a few others. I call these my 'Fooling Around' series.

Last time I went there about two years back, I chose the cut-out of Ms. Deepika Padukone and the photographer did a jolly good job.

 Genuinely fake, no?


With my respectful apologies to Ms. Deepika Padukone.

(This was earlier put up in this blog on 20.02.2017)




Thursday, August 6, 2020

'Inspirational Quotes- bah!'........................KJS Chatrath

"There is a subset of humanity that is wont to put up inspirational quotes on Facebook, impelled, it seems, by their wish to instantly transform the lives of each of the 999 faux-friends they have accumulated.. ..." (OPEN Magazine, April 21, 2014, page 54)
Stop thinking original- or better, stop thinking at all...Instead repeat  like a parrot what others, even C Class unknown foreign writers say ....If one thinks that re-repeating inspirational quotes makes one appear brainy and intelligent, then Ha...Ha and Ha.

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

'Respectful salute to some beautiful Mayors of Italy; - by K J S Chatrath



Mayor of Rome Ms. Virginia Raggi


Mayor of Torino Ms. Chiara Appendino

Mayors of Rome  and of Turino will hopefully set things right...

Would you ever dream of throwing even the littlest piece of paper on the road if you had a Mayor like that?

What am I planning to do now? Take a look at the photos of mayors of different cities of Italy.

And yes, you guessed it right. I am planning to visit Italy as soon as Covid subsides.

A presto Italy!

Sunday, August 2, 2020

'Che' Guevara, Pt. Nehru and Cuban cigars - the photo says it all' ......by K J S Chatrath


A justifiably happy Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru receiving a box of iconic Cuban cigars from Che' Guevara when the later called on him while visiting India.

Yes, it was long, long time back.

You are invited to take a look at my earlier post 'Cuban Cigars' - by K J S Chatrath by clicking at the following link: http://www.fiftyplustravels.com/?p=3374

Statutory Warning: Smoking is injurious to health.

Saturday, August 1, 2020

'Fooling Around in Ramoji Film Studio' - KJS Chatrath

Yes, that is a visibly thrilled me with Angelina. 
Did Brad break up with her after seeing this photo?

Maybe?
 Who knows!

Something wrong with my sense of humour? - by K J S Chatrath

I am choosy about watching TV programmes. A year or two back I tried to watch an episode of 'Oolta Chasma'. I just could not take the 'humour' for more than a few minutes and switched off the TV. Thereafter till date I have never tried to watch that programme again.

Today I saw a 'news' (?) item announcing its popularity: 'Most watched Indian television shows; Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashmah tops TRP chart'.

If a good number of  my fellow countrymen feel that this is really an excellent Tv programme, then surely I am wrong in not liking it.

I am afraid the obvious conclusion is that at 77  'I have started loosing it'.....

Monday, April 27, 2020

Sunday, April 26, 2020

'The biggest race in human history' - by K J S Chatrath


No photo description available.


The race has begun. The biggest race in human history has begun. It is for finding a cure to Covid-19. Who so ever wins this race will get billions of dollars in royalty and prizes, and one is sure, Nobel Prize for Medicine too. This has made the race very keenly fought.

Various countries too are in the race. France is testing, much to the delight of the smokers around the world, if putting nicotine in human body helps.

Many non-scientists too seem to be trying hard to come out with innovative solutions. You know what I mean, no?

Bacchus lovers everywhere are convinced that drinking in right quantity regularly would kill the virus, or at least make it friendly to those who drink. Now the issue of research is finding that elusive right quantity.

One is sure that Yoga experts are searching for the right yogic exercises to help subdue the naughty virus. There is no news yet, but one does hope that ‘Baba’ Ramdev Ji would come up with something for the benefit of humanity.

Some are of the view that one must fall back on spirituality to be able to overcome this scourge. All eyes are on ‘Sri Sri’ Ravi Shankar Ji in this regard.

Some IT minded experts are convinced that having battled various viruses for decades, Mr. Bill Gates and his Microsoft will come out with an appropriate software, or, would it be Apple with a more sophisticated and considerably more expensive solution?

Some believers (in the aliens have visited earth in the past theories) are sure that we will get help from aliens in this hour of need. ‘UFO Hunter’ has put up a  clip on the Youtube ‘showing’ aliens leaving earth in their space ship having become terrified of Covid.

Another suggestion has been to go to ‘future’ (one does that so easily in  movies) pluck the formula of Covid Eliminator Vaccine, return back to ‘present’ and bingo- get the vaccine prepared in huge quantities in India (where else?)of course!

Learned people are scanning old treatises to locate the clues given in there. And ofcourse new interpretations are being given to what Nostradamus wrote centuries ago.

Have I left out any important area?

One thing is sure, whosover wins this race will go down in the history of humankind as a great benefactor and would gain sincere thanks and gratitude of the entire world.

However in the meantime, please follow the lockdown instructions scrupulously and maintain social distancing.

We shall surely overcome, soon….

Monday, April 13, 2020

'Lead, kindly light' - by K J S Chatrath

I have, not yet, come across any kind advice on how to handle the scourge of Covid-19 from the usual do-godders "Baba" Ramdev Ji and "Sri Sri" Ravi Shankar Ji....

Saturday, April 4, 2020

'Gun sales surge (in U.S.) as coronavirus pandemic spreads-CNN'- K J S Chatrath

"Gun sales surge as coronavirus pandemic spreads" (https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/19/business/coronavirus-gun-sales/index.html)

Perhaps they plan to shoot down Covid-19  virus with gun shots...

  God bless America!

Monday, March 30, 2020

'Handling the scourge of Covid-19' - by K J S Chatrath

Eagerly awaiting advice from Baba Ramdev Ji and Sri Sri Ravi Sankar Ji to guide us with yogic and spiritual ways to handle  & defeat the scourge of Covid-19 quickly.

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

'Lockdown & those unwilling asses' - by K J S Chatrath


Instead of taking the challenge to slow down the spread of Covid-19, some people are behaving in an obstinate fashion and not following the lockdown orders in letter and spirit.

 Behave and follow the lockdown instructions you asses!


Monday, March 16, 2020

'Social distancing' and all that jazz - by K J S Chatrath

The scourge of Covid-19 has really shaken up the world. One is really worried. But what to do besides washing hands umpteen number of times a day?

As usual some smart wordsmiths have quickly latched on to a new expression 'social distancing'. It means, in normal person's language- don't get physical.  Keep a physical distance from other human beings, that is if you come out of your cocoon, which one is advised to remain in.

And what does one do then- take every opportunity to smile and try to reduce one's level of tension.

So, tame a look and smile:

 One of my friend's has sent me this:


Friday, March 13, 2020

Washing hands.......by K J S Chatrath


The only solid advice that I have read about keeping oneself safe from corona virus is to wash one's hands. Though there are differing  pieces of advice on which is the best way of washing hands!

Two doubts....
(i) I hope there is no harm in in washing them with soap, say- 20 times a day,
(ii) should there be a connecting caveat NOT to wash hands if not necessary....Imagine the amount of water saved if 130 crore of us do not wash our hands unnecessarily say 5 times a day!

I remember an old venerable lady in our family who would call for the servant. As soon as the servant came she would say go and wash your hands first and then come.  When the servant would reappear after washing hands, the lady would say, now go and get me a glass of water....

By the way, it is interesting how soap and disinfectant industries have suddenly gone hyper in their 'social responsibility' advertisements,

My take: Wash hands as often as required but do try to ensure that no water is wasted.

'Coronavirus, Google, and all that rummy' - by K J S Chatrath




Ramoo: Bad news! Bad news!

Shyamoo: What happened?

Ramoo: Bengaluru Google Employee has Coronavirus!

Shyamoo: So?

Ramoo: Should I stop using 'Google' on my smartphone?

Shyamoo: Your are not smart but are dumb!

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Black Humour at its best....K J S Chatrath


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Black Humour at its best.................................

Saturday, February 15, 2020

'Kidstuff' - by K J S Chatrath

Elmer Fudd- My favourite cartoon character from my younger days.

My son has given me a Netflix connection and I watch it's programmes quite often- my favourite being the programmes/movies about aliens.

Suddenly something funny has happened. My  Netflix connection has got jammed at 'Kids Section'. I can now only watch cartoons and kids movies. I am trying to set it right.

In the meantime, I have been watching some of the kidstuff. I must confess that I have never smiled and laughed so much for quite some time.