'Athiests on the increase?' by K.J.S.Chatrath

"Britains's 2011 national census shows a 12% drop in the numbers professing Christianity since 2001, and a 10% increase in those declaring they had no religion". (Source: The Economist Intelligent Life, March-April 2013, page32)

'Celebrating World Environment Day brouhaha- Seminars, lectures & marches vs. concrete action' by K.J.S.Chatrath

A lot of brouhaha over celebration of the World Environment Day - A number of seminars, lectures, marches and expressions of good intent but but very few concrete steps.

Just a quick back of the envelope calculation. We Indians are now 1.25 billion plus. Let us presume that each one of us- man, woman and child plants a sapling this year. Let us also presume that the mortality rate of these saplings is zero. We continue doing it each year for the next 5 years.

Calculate how many additional trees would we have in India and what positive impact it would have on India's environment!

‘Democracies elect prime ministers, not emperors’ writes Khare.

After a deluge of adulatory articles on the ‘anniversary’ here is one that is frank and forthright. Harish Khare, who has just joined as Editor-in Chief of the Tribune Group of papers has come out with his first article in today’s The Tribune. ‘Democracies elect prime ministers, not emperors’ writes Khare. Take a look:

‘No room for an emperor’ by Harish Khare
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/no-room-for-an-emperor/89633.html

India's fastest train completes final test run in record time (ET)- Misplaced priority by K.J.S.Chatrath

'India's fastest train completes final test run in record time' (ET)

To my mind, it is a classic case of misplaced priorities.

Those who talk about speeding up of our trains are perhaps the air-traveller types who are far removed from the reality of travelling by Indian railways. I am proud of Indian railways, but let us first emphasize on cleanliness, punctuality and safety in our trains.

'Town Park, Panchkula' by K.J.S.Chatrath

I go for an evening walk to the Town Park, Panchkula. This is what it looked like yesterday.

'Postal Department's salutation to Indian Cinema' by K.J.S.Chatrath

Here are a series of postage stamps brought out by the Postal Department a few years back to honour the achievements of Indian cinema during the last 100 years.

Take a look:

I may be forgiven for giving more space to my favourites- Madhubala and O.P.Nayyar:

No IAS officer should be given extension/re employment/or given any assignment after retirement by K.J.S.Chatrath

I wish the Pay Commission adds in its Recommendations that "No IAS officer shall be given extension/re employment/or given any assignment by GOI, any State Govt. or any of the PSUs or Organisations after retirement".

In my view such extensions/assignments etc tempt some of the officers to work towards this end while in service, besides demoralising younger officers...So when such officers are asked to bend, they do not take a stand but bend. And later on,after the expiry of the extended tenure/assignment complain of political interference.

  .....
My websites & blogs:
www.fiftyplustravels.com,
www.gravematters.in,
www.traveltalk.co.in
www.anaap-shnaap.blogspot.in,
www.francophilesonly.blogspot.in,
indianrestaurantsworldwide.blogspot.in/
www.indianheritagephotos.blogspot.in
Email: kjschatrath@yahoo.co.in; chatrath@gmail.com