Solar Eclipse @ Kolkata (22nd July 2009) - A Strange view

Most of us witnessed, seen & observed the Complete Solar Eclipse that occurred today on 22nd July 2009.

And as an avid lover of the same, I tried my luck to observe it too. Though the sky here was completely cloudy in the morning it still gave few momentary glimpses around 0625hrs. I took out my 2MP mobile camera and tried to click. I just wanted to 'capture' for my memory, nothing special.

People around have posted some breath taking images of today's eclipse and it was a real feast to eye. I later checked the ones I clicked and I was, "OoooO!".

Below are few pictures taken off my mobile phone camera. Nothing compared to the ones I saw taken by others today but these pics seemed strange to me. As you can see yourself in the pictures below, the eclipsed Sun is barely visible (though Enough from a 2MP). But what is interesting here is the red aura around it. This looked interesting. Not sure how it happened in all the pics, may be it got caused by the reflections on this low capacity mobile camera, but at the first glance at the pictures I almost yelled, "I caught the entire Solar System from my window, well almost!".

Just wanted to store it on my blog for my. Have a look...


I know this is interesting enough to put a smile on face ;)

Shall I click again?

Why Jhumri Telaiya is famous in Bollywood

Jhumri Telaiya (JT), my home town, is one small but beautiful place. Beautiful because I have my heartily attachments with it.

Wait wait wait, are you too thinking if there is any place named “Jhumri Telaiya”? Ahem! Yes ask me, there is!

Jhumri Telaiya is a small town in the state of Jharkhand, India. It's in the district Koderma, which is quite famous for Mica, Coal and Kalakand. Though it’s NOT a tourist place, it’s still hugely popular in Hindi films/songs (in a humorous way). I have seen curiosity in lots of people’s mind ‘bout this place so finally deciding to write something ‘bout it.

Here it is a small description about why Jhumri Telaiya is famous in Bollywood. Found these paragraphs long time back on some internet site (not sure ‘bout its origin). I had it saved with me for a long time and now posting it here. (it's written in Hindi, Try translating and reading this post in English using Google Translate. The translation is hugely inaccurate but still can give you a sense of understanding).

Why Jhumri Telaiya is famous in Bollywood:

अगर आप रेडियो के श्रोता रहे हैं तो फरमाइशी गीतों के कार्यक्रमों में ‘झुमरी तिलैया’ का नाम अवस्य सुना होगा। 1950 से 1980 तक रेडियो से प्रसारित होने वाले फिल्मी गीतों के फरमाइशी कार्यक्रमों में शायद ही किसी गीत को सुनने के लिए झुमरी तिलैया के श्रोताओं ने फरमाइश न भेजी हो। हाल यह था कि हर किसी गीत के सुनने वाले श्रोताओं में झुमरी तिलैया का नाम कम से कम एक बार तो जरुर प्रसारित किया जाता था। इस तरह झुमरी तिलैया का नाम दिन में बार बार सुनने में आता था जिसके कारण रेडियो श्रोताओं में झुमरी तिलैया का नाम प्रसिद्ध हो गया था।

सही अर्थों में कहा जाए तो झुमरी तिलैया को विश्वविख्यात बनाने का श्रेय वहां के स्थानीय रेडियो श्रोताओं को जाता है जिनमें रामेश्‍वर प्रसाद वर्णवाल, गंगालाल मगधिया, कुलदीप सिंह आकाश, राजेंद्र प्रसाद, जगन्नाथ साहू, धर्मेंद्र कुमार जैन, पवन कुमार अग्रवाल, लखन साहू और हरेकृष्ण सिंह प्रेमी के नाम मुख्य हैं। मुंबई से प्रकाशित धर्मयुग में वर्षों पहले छपे एक लेख में विष्णु खरे ने लिखा था कि उदघोषक अमीन सयानी को प्रसिद्ध बनाने में झुमरी तिलैया के रेडियो श्रोताओं में खासतौर पर रामेश्‍वर प्रसाद वर्णवाल का हाथ है।

झारखण्ड में गया रेलवे स्टेशन के अगले स्टेशन कोडरमा के बाहरी क्षेत्र को झुमरी तिलैया के नाम से जाना जाता है। यह बिहार की राजधानी पटना से 200 किलोमीटर की दूरी पर स्थित है जिसकी आबादी एक-डेढ़ लाख के करीब होगी। यहां विश्वविख्यात अभ्रक की खानें हैं और यहां का कलाकंद भी प्रसिद्ध है। वर्णवाल के बारे में लोगों का कहना है कि उनकी पहली फरमाइश रेडियो सिलोन से पढ़ी गई थी। फ़िल्म ‘मुगले आजम’ का गीत ‘जब प्यार किया तो डरना क्या’ के लिए उन्होंने टेलीग्राम से फरमाइश भेजी थी। रेडियो सिलोन से अक्सर यह प्रसारण होता था कि आप ही के गीत कार्यक्रम में झुमरी तिलैया से रामेश्‍वर प्रसाद वर्णवाल ने ‘दो हंसों का जोड़ा बिछुड़ गयो रे, गजब भयो रामा जुलुम भयो रे’ फरमाइश की है। झुमरी तिलैया से गंगालाल मगधिया, कुलदीप सिंह ‘आकाश’, राजेंद्र प्रसाद, जगन्नाथ साहू, धर्मेंद्र कुमार जैन, पवन कुमार अग्रवाल, लखन साहू ने भी इसी गीत की फरमाइश की है।

रेडियो पर फरमाइश को लेकर कई अजूबे जुड़े हुए हैं। एक बार ऐसा हुआ कि ओल इंडिया रेडियो पर गंगा जमुना फ़िल्मका गीत दो हंसो का जोड़ा बिछुड़ गयो रे बज रहा था। गीत समाप्त होने पर उदघोषक ने घोषणा की कि अभी अभी झुमरी तिलैया से रामेश्‍वर प्रसाद वर्णवाल का भेजा हुआ टेलीग्राम हमें प्राप्त हुआ है, जिसमें उन्होंने दो हंसों का जोड़ा सुनाने का अनुरोध किया है। अत: यह गीत हम आपको पुन: सुना रहे हैं। टीवी के व्यापक आगमन से पहले रेडियो के अलावा मनोरंजन का दूसरा साधन नहीं था। ग्रामोफोन प्लेयर बहुत कम लोगों के पास था।

फरमाइश भेजने वालों में हरेकृष्‍ण सिंह ‘प्रेमी’ कभी पीछे नहीं रहे। यह अलग बात है कि वे अपनी हरकतों व कथित प्रेमी होने के कारण हमेशा चर्चा में रहे। फरमाइशों में अपने नाम के बाद अपनी कथित प्रेमिका प्रिया जैन का नाम भी जोड़ा करते थे जिसके कारण वे प्रसिद्ध हुए। यह बात अलग है कि उनकी प्रिया जैन से शादी नहीं हुई।

एक और दिलचस्प बात यह है कि रेडियो पर फरमाइश भेजने वालों में आपसी होड़ इस हद तक बढ़ गई थी कि लोग एक दूसरे की डाक को गायब करवाने और रुकवाने के लिए डाक छांटने वाले कर्मचारियों को रुपए देते थे। तब कई गंभीर श्रोता फरमाइशी पत्रों को भेजने के लिए गया और पटना तक जाने लगे जिससे डाक खर्च भी बढ़ गया। उन दिनों इस तरह के पत्र पर कम से कम 25 से 35 रुपए खर्च होने लगे।

झुमरी तिलैया के संबंध में सबसे ज्यादा रोचक बात यह थी कि जिस किसी फ़िल्म के किसी गीत को सुनने के लिए झुमरी तिलैया के श्रोता अपनी फरमाइश भेजते थे उस फ़िल्म को और उस गीत को मुंबई फ़िल्म उद्योग के बॉक्स ऑफिस पर हिट माना जाता था। यह सिलसिला कई साल से ख़त्म हो गया है। निजी टीवी चैनलों और दूरदर्शन की मार से रेडियो श्रोता बहुत कम रह गए हैं, साथ ही झुमरी तिलैया का सरगम भी खो गया है।

Interesting isn’t it?

Here are few pics of the near by lakes (somewhere close to the DVC Dam). I have personally been there few times many years ago, and yes it's a beautiful landscape.

Few more pics collected from internet.

The JT Railway station named after the district "Koderma".

The Local market of JT "Jhanda Chowk", in the center of the town.

Rikshaw stand near the theater Jawahar Talkies.

Hope you will never ask again, “Is Jhumri Telaiya a place in reality? And I thought….” :)

Cheers!

The Taj Mahal - The Magic Of Love. Continues!

The Taj Mahal has always been and will always be one of the most enchanting monument for me and I believe it is also for most of the people around the globe. And once again, after 2200 years, the world has re-recognized its magic.





It has once again been voted as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

The 20 Finalists were (Monument & Location, Construction Date, Symbol Of):

• Acropolis, Athens, Greece (450 - 330 B.C.), Civilization and Democracy
  
• Alhambra, Granada, Spain (12th century), Dignity and Dialog
  
• Angkor, Cambodia (12th century), Beauty and Sanctity
  
• The Pyramids of Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico (before 800 A.D.), Worship and Knowledge - In Top 7
  
• Christ Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1931), Welcoming and Openness - In Top 7
  
• Colosseum, Rome, Italy (70 - 82 A.D.), Joy and Suffering - In Top 7
  
• Eiffel Tower, Paris, France (1887 - 89), Challenge and Progress
  
• Great Wall, China (220 BC and 1368-1644 AD), Perseverance&Persistence - In Top 7
  
• Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey (532 - 537 A.D.), Faith and Respect
  
• Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto, Japan (749 - 1855), Clarity and Serenity
  
• Kremlin/St.Basil's, Moscow, Russia (1156 - 1850), Fortitude and Symbolism
  
• Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Peru (1460-1470), Community and Dedication - In Top 7
  
• Neuschwanstein Castle, Fussen, Germany (1869 -1884), Fantasy and Imagination),
  
• Petra, Jordan (9 B.C. - 40 A.D.), Engineering and Protection - In Top 7
  
• Pyramids of Giza, Egypt (2600 - 2500 B.C), Immortality and Eternity),
  
• Statue of Liberty, New York, USA (1886), Generosity and Hope
  
• Statues of Easter Island, Chile (10th - 16th Century), Mystery and Awe
  
• Stonehenge, Amesbury, UK(3000 BC - 1600 BC), Intrigue and Endurance
  
• Sydney Opera House, Australia (1954 - 73), Abstraction and Creativity
  
• The Taj Mahal, Agra, India (1630 A.D.), Love and Passion - In Top 7
  
• Timbuktu, Mali (12th century), Intellect and Mysticism
  

The voting, which continued for months, ended yesterday (6th July, 2007). The results were declared on the 7th July, 2007 (GMT) @ Lisbon. It was 0230am, 8th July in India. And I just managed to watch the live concert online. I was overjoyed to hear the list of new wonders, it included my pick.

Though it doesn't really matter if The Taj is 'officially' in the list of wonders or not b'coz it's always going to be the most wonderful monument ever made. But still at some part of my heart it really feels proud to see its worldwide recognition. It's the one and only entry from India and is amongst the World's Top 7.


And if you are one of those unlucky people who are yet to see this glory in reality, you can take a small virtual tour of the Taj Mahal here: http://www.taj-mahal.net/augEng/main_screen.htm
(Use your mouse to walk through. Watch out for Yellow arrows to move to another section OR use the Orange dots on the map-view placed on the right side of the page.)


Long live the greatest monument of love......The Taj Mahal.

Happiness is a voyage, not a destination. Find out the ‘The’

It was one of those sweet moments which came after a long time for me. I was on a 2 days off again. It’s not that I don’t take leave but this time it was a little different. I had gone to Deoghar to my parents on their memorable wedding anniversary. Instead of celebrating with tens of people we decided to be with god & nature. We moved to Parasnath. I have been there so many times but this time it was after a gap of 4 years. I felt again that it’s one of the most beautiful places I would ever visit in my life. Parasnath is considered one of the most auspicious places for Jains. Few people also call it the Macca of Jains, no wonder why. The atmosphere, the scenery, the peace, the excitement all grips you so much that you feel you have suddenly come to heaven.

We decided to go by road and the journey was a mere 2.5 hours long. But for me, it looked that I have travelled ages. If my memory goes right, it must have been 8-10 years since I travelled by road in such a manner. It was a sheer pleasure this time. It was summer at its peak with blazingly hot air, but still it didn’t seem to bother me much. Why? B’coz I was completely in the nature. I kept looking outside and as far as I could see it was green, green and more green. People were seen busy in their daily hustle bustle of life but at the same time they seem to enjoy whatever comes their way. They were sweating, they were tired but they had a streak of smile on their face every other moment. By looking at them one could very easily identify if they had enough resources to eat twice a day or not but still they were as agile as they can be. Agile enough to face and at the same time enjoy life. It takes great courage to live your life in limitations.

While in the car, I just kept looking around making sure that I don’t miss anything. It’s my habit to look deep and try to see the unseen, something which is not visible but can be felt. One thing I realized, again, that what matters most to people is not leisure but happiness. No matter how the life is, no matter how the day is, no matter how the night is, people look for happiness and they work very hard for it. There are few people who keep crapping about the problems in their life……..I feel sick of my life, I am not earning well, I have a pathetic family, I am not doing enough for my family, my sister has to get married but I don’t have ‘enough’ money for a royal marriage, I am not satisfied with my job, I don’t have responsibility in my job, I have to take so many responsibilities in my job, I proposed someone but he/she rejected my, etc, etc, etc. And then there are people who want to be happy in whatever way possible…….my life is great even if I don’t live a royal life I am enjoying every moment of it, I am earning nice and I just have to carry on this, I have a lovely family and they love me very much, I am planning to marry my sister next month; the ceremony would be very simple but would be very alive, my job is nice and I am very satisfied with it, I am happy that at least I could express my feelings to the person I love, so on and so forth. Now you better know which of these two groups is happier.

I was just going through an old presentation last night which also says…..”Happiness is a Voyage not Destination”. So true! We need to learn to ‘be’ happy rather than thriving for happiness. I know it’s easier for me to sit here with my parents and key in these thoughts than to go and face the various nitty-gritties of life. But still the question is, is it really so tough to be happy?

Once we entered Parasnath, we could sense the sweet fragrance in the air. It feels as if flowers are floating in the air all around and you can’t help but throw your fist in the air to grab some of them. I did. The place is completely surrounded by the holy mountain on one side. It’s tall, it’s green, it’s enchanting, it’s so close to you that you feel like going ahead and embracing it. The mountain is very auspicious b’coz it has in it many holy temples. People get up early in the morning, around 4am and get ready to mount it in a group of 5-10-20-50-100. It’s mere 27km...9 km upwards, 9 km scattered & 9 km downwards. Scared? No need to be. Once you start mounting it you forget all these stats. It’s green, green & more green all the way through once again. People keep chanting religious Namokar Mantra, bhajans, etc all the way through. And you certainly realize how beautiful nature is when it’s left un-tampered. Why do people cut trees, Why? All in all it’s a complete ‘fun’ time being there b’coz....b’coz it gives you happiness.

Though we didn’t mount as we had not planned for that in advance and also because we had to leave the very next day, but suddenly I happened to ask my mom, “Maa, can’t we stay here for a week more at least?” And before I could wait for an answer I, myself, replied…………”Aha! May be some other time.” And we all smiled. I wished if I could freeze the moment.

We returned back by road, again meeting life in its various faces on the way. I remember that while returning back, we had run out of water. We stopped by a hand-pump and I got out with the empty bottles in my hand. Before I could approach the lady filling up her bucket on the pump and ask for her favor, I could see her pushing her bucket aside and giving me the way. I can’t help but stand for few seconds and realized the hospitality. I took the bottle to the pump while the lady pumped it until it was full. I just thanked her and was back in the car. I turned back and saw her back to the duty. It was raining fire on her head and she had 10+ buckets besides her. But still she had a smile on her face. Hats off.

Don’t we all have to carry on our duty everyday but most often than not we start feeling tired? Then...then we complain, my life is not happening, the job is very monotonous. I want to switch to a newer organization at least it would give me some fresh moments and when that starts boring I will switch again. And the chain continues. I am thankful to god that I don’t suffer this phobia. For me life is beautiful and it gets better every second. I just happen to live it in the best way. Not much of beguilement but enough to enjoy each bit of it. Job…………I just love it. I make sure that at job I don’t work rather I play. And that’s what keeps me energized. I don’t work because it’s my duty, I work because it’s fun and it gives me happiness.

We finally reached home and we all were very happy about this small trip. We didn’t carry any cam else I would have put few snaps of the place here. And today when I am writing this post, I can very clearly sense the fragrance following me even here. I will remember this small trip for a long long time.

That’s it. A small post on a small trip.

Did this post seem like an over statement of a small thing?

Or, did this post seem too much tilted towards the happy parts of life?

Or, did this post seem like an exaggeration on anything?

No matter what it felt to you, for me it was just an attempt to focus on the happier side of life. And for me this post ‘again’ gave me few streaks of happiness and every time I read it I can’t help but close my eyes and feel life.

Now the question is, what is ‘The’ most important thing in life: Being Happy with what you have OR Striving for the unseen? Close your eyes and Think. The choice is always yours.

Cheers!

When in India do as the Indians do

3 attempts.
1st) 6 hours in line. 1st counter: cleared. 2nd counter: rejected. Result: 2+ hours sitting on stairs thinking what to do.
2nd) 2 counters: cleared. 3 verifications: negative. Result: 2+ days sitting in dark thinking what to do.
3rd) Bribe (read ‘donation’). Result: Passport in hand.

Lesson learned: “When in India do as the Indians do”. Welcome to India Ro!

I know most of the people reading this post will say, “It is alright, Ro. It happens here daily. And after all, all is well that ends well”. Agree.

But this was one thing which kept me worried for over a year since I took the 1st attempt. When I first filed the application for my passport 12 months ago, I had doubts in my own mind but someone vowed me his strong back-support (what was the word: “contacts”). And the words after the result, “Come back, let’s plan the next attempt”. I vowed, “I won’t with you”, and I didn’t. 3 months back I filed again through an agent (the word this time: “care”). And the words after the results, “You should have made some offerings too”. I talked to myself “I have never done it. I don’t want to either. Let’ see if things can be done without dirtying my hands”. Then came the third attempt with the same agent a month back; the weapon this time: bucks. And it worked. Congratulations!!!

Even still today I am unable to believe that I did such things to get things done. And I don’t know whether I should feel happy or frustrated. I had heard it many times that in India (at least) you need to pay the officers some money ‘too’ to seek happy ending. But I thought that there are only few people who expect such. But I was wrong. All men are same. I don’t know if I have got this mentality of donating injected in me now, but at least I will not be showing a cold shoulder to it if needed. Life has again been very educating through these attempts.

And today when I am writing this post, one of my friends is suffering the same problem. No offerings have already resulted in a negative feedback. Time for another warm Indian welcome, hun?

I was reading an Article in the Times of India (Newspaper, India) last week. The front page headline read “India: World’s No. 1 Bribe Payer”. No wonder to me as India has always been at the top of these lists. But this time I said to myself, “I am also a part of it, now”.

I contributed just for my passport. People do it for so many other things, everyday, everywhere.

Corruption is far dangerous than diseases like Cancer and AIDS today. Rather it would be a foolish act trying to make any comparisons. We all have read it so many times in printed media and have seen on electronic. But what are the reasons behind such bribing all around us? Who are responsible? Let’s check out the viruses:

Virus I: The Politicians. Every 1 out of 3 politicians today are charge-sheeters. No wonder that they are great inspirations to the public. And it seems like we love them so much hence re-elect most of them.

Virus II: Judicial System. 365 days in a year, 730+ scams. Lots of hearings, lots of accusations and lots of escapes (read: clearance). No big player goes to jail. Another great source of motivation.

Virus III: Population: Everything in India can be cursed to population. Too little jobs and too little average household income. Most of the people in public departments are not paid properly; hence they are forced to take bribes (officially?). Too many applicants and fewer seats; hence they are forced to make bribes (officially? Yes.) and get in. Officially because institutes/schools call it “donation”. Bribe got this official name long long ago.

Virus IV: You and Me.
Most of the people today have “I don’t care” attitude. It seems like we have become used to it. We don’t really care anymore and are ready to pay bribes as it would speed up our work. And those who don’t or can’t bribe, never raise their voices against it. I hear people say, “Who wants to take the pain of shouting, is it worth? I will find another way myself”. Seems like we all believe in system at first, don’t we?

I won’t quote lengthy on this topic because everyone knows how things work or how to make things work. So I am skipping those great stories here.

Though I personally feel (read: believe) that there is no solution to this bug but if there is any it has to be a change in our attitude. Not just me, not just you, everyone.

Time for self-check: Have you ever bribed someone in any way? (I can already see you nodding yes so many times). Feel free to share your brave endeavors with us here.

Right now, I am also in a fight with an apex Educational institute. Once it’s over, I will share the story.

With the hope that our ranking goes down.
Signing off.