Achar, it is a Hindi word. In English it would be Pickles. It is not a part of regular western diet. It forms very much important part of Indian food. For poor it may be important due to its being an alternative to the ever rising costliest vegetables. When the labors purchase Rotis, unfried Dal comes free with it. Pickle will come free as a replacement to vegetable.

Labors going to field for work will get their Rotis prepared at field, they will enjoy it with Pickles.



In India it would be an important part of routine to make arrangements for annual quota of Pickle. Come summer market will be full of kutcha green mangos. These mangos forms basic raw material for the Pickles. Most of the Pickles are made up from the mango as raw material and bulk.

Ladies they get mangoes from the market, get them cleaned, specially cut in rectangular, round or long pieces, get them dried under sunrays, putting them in special china ware pots, mixed with various masalas soaked with edible oil. Oil and salt combination will act as preservative. Put under sun daily till it matures. Custom prevails, while making Pickles if a lady in her menses casts her shadow over it will spoil. It will never turn up good for consumption.

Similarly in summer Pickle of Nimbu will be made. Nimbu Pickle with the passing of time converts into a medicine. The older it is more beneficial it is for stomach.



Hardly any Tiffin box will be found in India that does not contain the piece of Pickle in it , I still remember in school when we will open the Tiffins in the class, Pickle smells would spread around. Smell would tell the type of Pickle the one carry in his Tiffin.

During train journeys the same thing happens, the smell of Pickle would spread in whole compartment, if one uses it.

In western country you can not take Pickle in your Tiffin in offices. Simply you will be annoying others with its typical piercing smell. Though their ladies would love to taste it.

Hotels will serve you mixed variety of Pickle the type put in market by Baedeker (its mixed Pickle variety ) . The mixed Pickle is now locally made, it is not a long lasting variety , it is made to consume within short period. The reason in hotels, you will get the cup full of mixed Pickle that would have the liberal pieces of mango , carrots and lemons and small round green balls ( Kerda, Delas ) .

Get food parcel from hotel they will give you plastic bag full of Pickles, which would last for a week of so if well kept in refrigerator.

I have almost traveled India. Every place they would have local fruits used in making Pickle . I love eating variety of sweet mango Pickle mostly prepared in tribal belt of Vadodara and Panchmahal of Gujarat. Raw green mango pieces are put in Jaggery and exposed to sun and moonlight together (they call in dhoop-chhanv).

Another variety of Pickles we used to prepare and have in UP were of Karonda. Small sour pieces cut half and dipped in lemon juice. Outside UP , I have never come across Karondas elsewhere. Another Pickle variety I like is of carrots. It is simple to make for fast use. Take red carrots cut its long pieces, size five to ten centimeters and one centimeter thick, dip them in vinegar. Sprinkle usual masalas as per liking ( Namak swadanusaar, remind Sanjiv Kapoor) . Put it in sunlight for few days. A little fermentation process will make it quite tasty.

Typical variety of Pickle I have enjoyed is of Bamboo, green Bamboos in its very early stage of growth, very small in dia are used to make Pickle.

Those who know Pickles are always vegetarian type. For their surprise, Pickle are also made from the pieces of chickens and muttons. They are used in local desi bars selling country made Liquor. Bacchus enjoy the Pickle daru combo.

Pickles though part of our Indian food. Whatever cautiously it is made it is always full of microorganism that are there in dormant stage. Mostly children and olds are affected by taking Pickle. Children's throat problems are due to consumption of Pickle.

Go to any mall you will find a section devoted to different varieties of Pickle. In Vadodara we have exclusive Pickle shops in Mandvi area. Catering to the Pickle lovers. You will find numbers of big glass jars full of different varieties of Pickle arrangrd. They even help you in especially packing Pickle to take it with you on your trips elsewhere.

Pickle is a cousin of chutney, both serve the similar purpose. Pickles live longer than chutneys. Life of chutney is very short. Chutney suffers a lot as it goes through the process of grinding, sometime subjected to bigger stones. Grinding in mixer is bit tolerable for chutney. Pickle is bit luckier it goes through the simple process of cuts only. Chutney is luckier it does not rot like Pickle in pool of oil with high volts spices. As such, both suffer a lot; they contribute immensely for poor and rich alike. We can't think our food without them.

A joke goes like this; an Indian in foreign land was confronted with white. White with complaining tone told Indian, hey! you Indian need lots of water in toilet to wash your buttocks. We simply do it with piece of paper. Indian took his white friend with his wife to dinner. They were served spicy food with liberal dose of Pickles. Both of them liberally enjoyed the food and went to sleep. Very early in the morning white rushed to the toilet. He passed the stool with spraying force spoiling the toilet seat. Once out from the toilet, Indian asked white, ya, now you know why we use lots of water.

It's the spices that play role. Western people eats breads, cakes and non veg items, their stool would be in single hard round piece. Requiring just piece of a paper. Spicy food laden with chilies of different color, the spraying stool will require, liberal dose of water to wash .

My father had migrated to Allahabad in the year 1947 from Lahore. He started his life from scratch. He occupied rented house no. 187 in Sadar Bazaar. Owner Jialal was dhobi by profession. He vacated first floor for my father. In this house I was born in 1957.

You will find Sadar Bazaar in every cantonment, and the pattern of lanes and houses would be almost similar. With little market selling almost everything of daily need. All services, you name it, you will get it. Sadar Bazaar will be the locality supplying civil work force to the army establishment. Allahabad had a big cantonment. Even when forced by whim and bit of sentiment, I take stroll in Sadar Bazar of Vadodara City. I found similarity it has with Sadar Bazaar of Allahabad. Same lanes same thatched row houses. Roads half occupied for daily cores. Even the same smell of soil and carefree people.



Though army establishment will extend facility and supply the things of daily requirements to their staff. Even staff would visit Sadar Bazaar for a change and reprieve from tough and discipline life and also petty things and services.

Administration of cantonment will be looked after by cantonment board. Those days I had seen a Christian Inspector would personally supervise the cleaning of Sadar Bazaar. Sadar had kutcha as well as pucca houses then. Open gutters and lanes kept neat and cleaned daily.

Mostly refugees from Punjab had come to settle in Sadar Bazaar, as this place was near to the offices like CDA and AG. Where most of the Punjabi refugees had their jobs. Sadar Bazaar during fifties and sixties would buzz with the activities of Punjabis and lanes occupied by Punjabi kids playing costless desi games.



All games would require locally available material, no money to purchase anything. All process environmental friendly. Just tennis ball would cost paisa twenty five or so that too would be purchased by pooling money. Rest all gadgets would be hand made, be it a cricket bat or stumps.

Life of Sadar Bazaar was so peaceful, people very helpful. Whatever happen anywhere information will spread instantly. People will always be ready to help. Main mode of civil transport will be faulty designed Cycle Rickshaws. Rickshaw wallas would be available round the clock. Even take you to the near cantonment hospital free of cost in emergency. In dire need even your whole cot would be lifted and transported you to the hospital and that was the spirit.

My old mother recall when I was born the hospital ward was full of people from Sadar Baazar congratulating our family. My father distributed laddus to all.

We kids would never be burdened with homework or studies. Studies would limit to school, back home we will play only play. This is what has made us physically and mentally tougher.

Some of my memories of Sadar Bazaar are still vivid in my mind.

Every year gudia ka mela would be celebrated. It would be of one day celebration. Even wrestling event would be organized. The wrestling pad would be freshly dug soil made soft and local wrestler would come and perform kushtis. And finally the winner would be paraded in sadar bazaar. Girls and ladies will not be allowed to see wrestling event. Another star wrestler was Hari chand, who had big farm near sadar bazaar he would grow Sweet gaurds and sell it. Harichand was tall well built guy, he would love to be dressed in white.



Most rich family of sadar bazaar was Sohan Singh army contractor; his house will shine amongst the other kutcha and pucca houses. Interior of his house will almost resemble living rooms shown in picture those days. Sohan singh had two beautiful daughters, Mohini and Amarjeet , resembling film stars. Both of them had a decent sense of dresses and hairstyles. Mohansingh who also belonged to this family was product of Boys high school , he was troubled child, he would make his own small radio receiver in soap box and carry it and proudly show it all to other kids. mohansing later opened his motor spare parts shop and was doing very fine. He must now be a big gun of Allahabad.

Among the influential business families I remember Chotelal jaiawal , he had his grocery shop just below the side of slanting road. All Punjabis would love shopping there. Chotelal had haveli type multistoreyed house in the middle of sadar bazaar. Famous mehi lal tailor , compounder Mishrshaji , and Rajaram had their shops in the ground floor of this building

Sons and daughters of chottelal were my classmates in Methodist School; we were going together in same rickshaw. Elder sons' Bindu and Lallan would help his father in grocery business. Bitten, who was daughter of chotelal, her marriage ceremony was a grand celebration in Sadar Bazaar as per the prevailing standards. I have never met this family after I left Allahabad. This family must be doing very fine now.

Mehi Lal would be the best tailor in Sadar Bazaar. Punjabis loved to get their cloths stiched from him.

Tahir and Gopi had vegetable shops, fetching fresh vegetables from main mandi of Khuldabad.

Kallu was our doodhwala , he had couples of cows and buffalos , his place will be full of Punjabis in the evening , in the evening ladies will fetch the milk from there, while waiting they would knit the sweeters . In the morning Punjabi gents would gather to collect the milk. Kallu will arrange wood fire during chilly winters of Allahabad. Very high degree of intellectual discussion would take place there.

Babulal was member of cantonement from Sadar Bazaar. He was down to earth always helpful. He would walk always his eyes down, as if searching lost coin.

Kalan was MP from sadar area. He in sadra bazaar had rare chance of listening celebrities fro a very close quarter in sadar bazaar , like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna , Janeshwer Mishra . Film star Dharmendar, Randhawa and Dara Singh have also visited Sadar Bazaar.

All the festivals will be celebrated in true spirit and fervor. Once they had organized kawalli festival in which famous Munnan Bano had participated. Holi Milan program that would last for 2-3 days every Holi festival will invite reputed artists from the city of Allahabad. Even I had rare chance of seeing Bismillah Khan and Kaka Hathrasi, performing at stage.

Taju , a muslim boy was my friend, he was shepered boy , he would take all the animals to the banks of Ganga for grazing. He was very kind to me in getting freshly chiseled Danda and Gilli , which he would make while her animals would graze. In the evening he would find time to play with me.

After almost forty years I recently visited Sadar Bazaar, it has developed, still having few old land marks. I met Lalla my childhood friend, he recognized me. The house in which I was living is still given on rent. Unfortunately the ladies did not allow me to go inside the house once I lived. Even my hard efforts and persuasions failed. I could just photograph the house from outside.

Once I recall an employee of the AG office, who was state football player, had fallen ill and doctors had declared he will not survive. He was brought back home. Activity of Sadar would come to the virtual halt. His house remained surrounded by people for almost a weak, till he breathed his last. He was give heroic departure by all Sadar Bazaar.

I still remember the names of my childhood friends like, Bachha, Banarasi, Ashok, Pappu, Mangroo, Prakash, Lallu and Khinni.

I am in contact with many of families who once lived in Sadar Bazaar; I found all of them sentimental once Sadar Bazaar is mentioned. They have view that life they spent there was the real, now what they live is fake and artificial. How can I forget Sadar Bazaar?

Flour is used by all, irrespective of cast and creed, rich or poor. Worldwide all countries and continents wherever the man is, the flour is.

I have seen my grandmoms ( dadi and nani ), grinding wheat at home , specially made domestic stone flour mill ( Chakki) . In which two round stones will be placed each over other. Top stone would carry a handle to rotate it over the bottom one. Top stone will carry a small hole in it to put the hand full of grains. Which shall go down between the stones, the rough teethings of stones will turn the grains into flour.

My grandmothers would use one hand to rotate the stone other to pour the grains. I bet my wife even by using her both hands can't move that stone. My daughter would see that chakki in pics and museum. My mom as she is eighty plus has tried her hand at domestic chakkis.

Chakkis would be used those days on daily basis. Ladies would make fresh atta daily and operating chakki would make them so stronger physically that no mod gym would match in providing workouts. During afternoons, group of ladies will make flour jointly while singing rustic songs. Desi rustic kitty party?

The chapattis ( rotis) made with freshly grinded flour would carry real aroma of wheat. They would mix various grains to make the unique flavored atta. When these chapattis will be eaten with dal cooked slowly in earthenware pot over wooden fire , would give unmatched taste . The taste even star hotels can match hardly.

People grew stronger started, become aware, getting educated made them realize they are unnecessary toiling. Radios and later TVs altogether changed their mindsets. Villages would have one or two large atta chakkis operated by bulls, churning out larger quantities and relieving our grandmoms.

With the facility of electricity in villages the latest version of atta chakkis came. They would make flour for you. People will take 10-15 kg tins or bags of grains to these chakkis and chakkiwalla would weigh it turn by turn and would grind it assigning priorities to the heavier loads.

I remember chakkiwalla would play trick in weighing and make allowances for loss and will give you flour less in weight. They called this loss jalan (means heat). They would burn us with this heat. Grains may be loosing weight on grinding, so they cut the jalan. We as kids will not understand the mechanism. Chakkiwala would make us fool. Some smart parents going themselves to get this atta chakki kaam done.

These mod days chakkis are found in every mohalla , street or lane. Normally they are catering to the clientele of lower middle class people.

Mini version of atta chakis , in Gujarat called Ghar Ghantis , would be found in middle class homes. Normally theses Ghantis are not so user friendly. Quality of floor is not as you expect. Even people keep them. It is necessity as indicator of your status and prosperity. Though you love fetching the flour from market. In general atta making in Ghantis is a tedious process.

Enterprising bizmens have made flour making a big biz, they sell all sort of atta, be it a Wheat, Jowar, Bajara , Makai, Chana %u2026%u2026.even they will make it coarse as per requirement (wheat grinded coarse, becomes dalia )

In Baroda we have shops excusively selling attas of all kind in all weigh packing ranging from 500 gm to 10 kg packs. Long back when I came to settle in Baroda, I wont get the flour of lal makki (we Punjabis were using in north. Makki ki roti and sarson ka saag is incomplete without lal makki). On my insistence I could get it from the shop and even now they are selling it, and is sold like anything. This variety of makki taste good. In Gujarat they use white variety of makki. Try makki ki roti in any hotel any where, they would serve you roti of lal makki.

Upper middle and premium segments get their weekly or monthly quota of flour from the malls. Malls have special counters%u2026.Shaktibhog, Pilsburry%u2026. National brands%u2026.numerous local brands%u2026.. Fortifying them with extra dose of vitamins , calcium and iron. Sometime giving you plastic boxes free as gift. Or giving a kg of salt, some would try selling ten kg pack with two kg pack free.

These flour making mills have saved you a lots of time, otherwise task of purchasing wheat , turning it into flour will floor you. Your wife will wash it , clean it, you will get it turned into flour by any means.

Nowadays getting atta is not as tedious as it was. We can't afford time to get that rustic flavour, nor are our madams' physically and mentally stronger to make the flavored chapattis. Flour packings are working fine till nuclear button chapattis are invented. So a single button swallowed will last for a month or so. All ho halla is about rotis and getting it.

Till I met him for the first time in the month of May 2005 , when he had come to take over the charge of Superintending Engineer at Vadodara, I had heard about Mr I K Vaghela being a very strict officer who will put discipline before anything else.

I would get chance to be very close to him as his Personal Secretary for almost one and a half year or so.



This closeness gave me chance to look deep into his all aspects of lives that how he was transformed from a humble disciplined lad to an Administrator and Technocrat of mark that Government of Gujarat needs.

He spent his childhood at Vasna suburb of Ahmedabad , he had a Gurukul sort of upbringing under the strict discipline and care of his Uncle.

Being a Civil Enginees and product of LD engineering college he started his carrier in Road and Building Deptt of Gujarat , later rose to the rank of Superintending Engineer in Water Resource Dept.

Me as working in the Professional Branch of Vadodara Irrigation Circle had a rare chance of working with veterans Superintending Engineers, each of them would be a special, typically different from others. I have found Mr. Vaghela unique amongst all.

I have tremendous regards for him as his being a most honest officer I have come across, he follows what he preach, no double standards.

Height of honesty in public life which I saw in him would be to an extent that he would not burn a milliliter of Govt oil, he would pay back even a kilometer of Govt vehicle if found accidentally used for the personal use.

Honesty in public life is very difficult to be maintained that too at the rank of Superintending Engineers. It is very difficult to contain the temptation. I am witness to this and he was maintaining it all with full dignity of the post. Not only this I have seen him fully committed to the job. In the monsoon of 2006, in the month of August there were heavy rains in Gujarat. All the public holidays (as plenty in August) were cancelled by Govt. I have found him actively involved for almost a month working in tandem with City Collector, Mr. Rajeev Topno, and that year with the meticulous planning city was saved from the fury of floods as very heavy floods via Vishwamity River were disposed off safely with advance forecasting and constant presence.

Even beyond this coming to the reforms he had initiated that were never done or even thought before, he turned the circle around by enhancing the water revenues bringing it to the recorded high, made the system fully transparent, awakened the staff from slumber, computerized the system, introduced paperless working by installing GSWAN, using fast channel of e-mails in communication, creation of data base, rationalizing of stores. In his short stint at the circle Vadodara Irrigation Circle was at historical best. Discipline, honesty, moral values and overall quality working atmosphere prevailed.

I saw him handling very sensitive sort of enquiries in Saurashtra, sensitive to the extent that he was given armed guards. He handled it with great ease and with his presence of mind. Even in handling the mobs he was at his best.



He always propagated that Engineers should be alert, well informed, fast and equipped with laptops, digital cameras. He showed all these qualities at site when I accompanied him. He too was following it , I never saw him leaning over the table or bending on chair, sitting always upright throughout the day even nights. At sites no one was able to match his speed in walking.

At personal level he was equally soft and emotional when the matter concerned with dealing staff.

He created his presence, even created his presence in absence. As presently he is at STC, Staff Training college , Gandhinagar. He has turned around the college by introducing numbers of new courses and training sessions. He is instrumental in attracting the officers for quality training. STC in its new avatar is worth visiting its clean and neat ambience , its sparkling foors and walls reminds nothing is impossible if we are committed for a cause.

Summarily I say zeal, laden with discipline and topped with honesty make man , a force, that penetrate deep inside and brings the desired results.

Mr Vaghela is a force and be brings results.

City received 12 Inch of rainfall in a single night of 11th August 2008. Intensity wise seeing it was just one Inch per hour. It does not come under the definition of very heavy rain.

However it literally brought the city to halt. The main city route of station under bridge was inoperative, as generally it is during rains. The Akota side garnala (another route sharing the traffic) was forced to be closed.

The route via Shashtri Bridge was overstressed carrying half of the city traffic load, another route was via Vishwamitri bridge which was serving the load. Ten minute route by car was taking almost two hours to cover. Saving grace for the city administration was stopping of rains that never lashed the city after 11th night.

However the capacity of Vadodara city to absorb the floods was tested and it was found that post 2004 (when recorded floods were received) haphazard development has made city almost a wreck as far as heavy rains and floods are concerned. Reasons are,

Blockage of natural drains.
Natural catchments are part of development, societies standing over these areas.
Inadequate planning and capacity of surface storm water drains to combat floods.
VMSS not having hydrological and hydraulic experts on regular role.
Most of time reliance on consultants , who are nothing but bunch of retired Govt Engineers.
Roadside venders and Food Lorries throwing waste into the side drains almost blocking them.
Poor maintenance of gutters leading to the main gutter in the societies areas.
Indiscriminate use of plastic bags.
Poor and inadequate waste disposal system.

Other sides,

Surya Apartment in Nizampura standing on Bhukhi drain, drain passing below the apartment.
Rajstambh Society marooned in knee deep water.
Numerous societies get back water flow via bath and toilets and waste disposal points.
Plight of thousands of citizens can be imagined who will be subjected to the post floods ailments and diseases, least epidemics.

Solutions

Divert Viswamitri floods without letting it enter the city since topography permits this.
Broaden and deepen Vishwamitri River to carry more discharge.
VMSS to engaze consultant of repute to make a master drainage plan for the city.
Ban construction on natural drains or reclaimed areas.
Ban plastic bags.
Divert Bhukhi Drain before it enters the city.
Collection and segregation of solid waste.
Encourage industries around Vadodara to use solid waste of city to produce green power and avail carbon credit under Clean Development Mechanism.
Flyovers on important routes be planned and executed.

This refers to the latest incidence at Bodeli near Vadodara, where a ST bus carrying 44 Innocent student were drowned in the canal. Incidence is sad indeed, those who have lost the kids know the pain.

All are accusing ST, forgetting about the other factors, limitations of ST etc.

First of all , all state transport staff officers and those managing the state of affairs of transport Nigam deserves kudos and appreciation for effectively running the show with limitations and available resources. Though this incidence is sad.

In light of the latest incidence of ST bus plunging into the world longest Narmada canal at Bodeli, where the canal has flow section as good as big river. In the press there had been throwing of bricks and brickbats on ST, its working what not. Those doing so should first adopt bit balanced approach; one sided swayed approach is not appropriate and correct. Media and press should first see the similar STs running their affairs elsewhere like UP, MP, Bihar. Orissa %u2026%u2026etc and Punjab too , where on village routes at the falling of night , bus services come to halt , drivers and conductors relax with intake of desi stuff and get high and proceed.

Further if recalling the TV program "Great Laughter challenge", in which poet comedian Ehsanbhai had vividly depicted the running of ST buses in MP.

Here in Gujarat , after having moved around India , I could find the ST is best in itself, it is run to its fullest potential within available manpower, resources and funds. Most of the times Buses are timely run, staff are uniformed, responsible, attentive, polite. This can be checked randomly to be found true anywhere in Gujarat.

Any one looking into the depth of living style and status of ST staff, in their staff quarter would find the humble life they are living. Simply on comparing their living conditions and status with any other Government Board and Nigam staff quarters, one can guess how simply and honesty ST staff is earning their bread. Their state of living confirms the honesty adopted.

Driver side, some buses are run to have utilized them to their full potential even beyond, fully milked , buses rattle and vibrate excessively especially when run on tolled highways. Break down occurs and that is obvious. Divers are so expert at their best, they do all out efforts to make the passengers reach at their destination. They are sometime doing the jobs of mechanic too and efficiently. Their efficiency can not be questioned. Instead drivers be appreciated and awarded for running safely some of the ailing buses, in no case punished. Driving heavy vehicles on state of art foreign multilane highways is much-much easier than running some of the ailing buses on village roads. Drivers they do well.

Conductors, the most sober and polite elements of all the staff put together, they balance themselves on the bumpy roads, is an art. Air hostesses get training for balancing their soft bodies in the sky, where plains sails smooth. Our poor souls they not only balance them but side by side issue tickets handle money and come out with good handwriting while maintaining account. Managing intermediate stops and handling safe exit and entry of passengers. Never trained for public behavior, still know the art of public dealing.

Incidence of Bodeli needs to be taken in isolation, without questioning the efficiency of driver, ST Nigam and its working. Which, as said, runs at its best with available resource, manpower and funds.

Lessons can be learnt from such incidences, introspection done, more cautious approach can be adopted.

Driver of ill fated bus would not like innocent kids being killed, he too died with them. ST would never think of inviting disgrace to Nigam. What was destined to happen has happened? Media to spare the dedicated staff and administrators at Nigam.

In the year 1981 when I came to Vadodara, I had to work at three places, at the project site ( Dungarwat), some 100 km Vadodara, where one of the major irrigation project of the government of Gujarat was taking shape in its very foundation stage, second at the project main site office at Bodeli ( one of the major business center of this area and of recent bus accident fame in which 44 school kids were drowned ) , third at Vadodara in Design office and circle office. I had to move around these three places.

These three places were representing the rural (tribal), semi urban and urban area. I found that at all these places, the cinema was the main source of entertainment and masses were crazy about cinemas.

I enjoyed movie in rural areas in touring talkies, I also enjoyed the best of experience in those days in driving theatre at Ahmedabad, and experience at drive in was mind blowing, ultra big screen, total freedom, food of choice and mobility, very cost effective rates.

In the touring talkies , mostly tribal would sit on the ground in the make shift tents open to the sky , some chairs would be kept forming balcony or dress circle , cost of the ticket would be in metal currency, small denomination will suffice, hardly paper currency needed. The will change the reel with 3-4 small interruptions, will be showing complete old Hindi movies , though sometime if sequence not followed the end part will be shown first, movie will go on , you have to make the story complete.

Tribals least bothered about the storey, even if they bothering Hindi will be above their heads. What they enjoy like any other front benchers is the moment they forget their tough life and wonder in fairy lands. Stories are secondary to them. The most noticeable thing about the front benchers in Gujarat was that they sit calmly in theatre very disciplined crowed , that is quite contrarily to what I have witnessed in northern states, including our very own Delhi.

Theatre made huge profits till the invasion of VCP/VCR, when people preferred movie at home. Theaters were found empty; sometime I was wondering how they manage and run the show cost-wise. This lead to the conversion of prime land theater converted in commercial complexes that gave much more profits to the owners.

In Vadodara some of the theater that were ruling the cinema business like Alankar in Sayajiganj , Shantadevi talkies of Rajmahal road , Sapna , near ONGC Sharda of Sanstha Vasahat along with few others were converted into commercial complex.

Cinema theaters were just surviving,

Aaradhana : once this was one of the very important cinema theatre of Vadodara , still it is on the scene , showing new releases till date , multiplexes have attracted most of the crowd, still budget movie goers prefer Aradhana , Aradhana in the past has run silver jubilees. Architecturally and interior wise this theater was best, with round glass small glass studded ramp type approach to the balcony.

Rajshree : Runs English movies , very low rates, patronized by collegiate , since its proximity to commerce faculty of MS University , where fun is donating studies. Long back this theater was equipped with Dolby sound system. This had prompted me to see Hollywood blockbuster 'Independence Day'. I really enjoyed the top quality of sound, never experienced before in any theater of Vadodara.

Rupam: this theater also showed English movies, but had received some ill fame showing sort of C grade movies. I recall once almost all the movie goers were rounded up seeing these low taste movies, it was a big task for the cops to handle such large numbers for a single lapse.

Prince : This theatre overlooking picturesque Sursagar talav (tank) at Nayay Mandir , small in capacity , also carried sort of lousy posters probably catering to the need of hungry souls of Vadodara. Such theaters contributed immensely, balancing the feelings and providing some sort of emotional outlet to the public. Rates were generally affordable for common public in the era of multiplexes.

Though low - rated movies in the form CDs, available at larries, have snatched crowed of such theater. Nowadays each home in Vadodara is home theater with DVD players provided by malls at Rs. 999 per piece. High resolution stuff is available in the comfort of home.

Pratap : I once saw a movie in this theater normally one would avoid it, sometime the compulsion that come in the form of a particular movie forces you. I enjoyed Aardh Satya Movie here. This theatre sometime showed new hit movies in the past. So called elites of Vadodara were seen hovering around Gandhinagar Gruh.

Now multiplexes have changed the way of movies viewing, still these small theaters are contributing and taking section of society in fairy lands.

Natraj: this had never been in news, silently showing movies, patronized by collegiate and rural masses visiting city as its proximity to the Central Bus Station. This theater shows Gujarati movie too.

Sagar : Old design very small capacity theater , very small and congested , awful indeed. Once I was forced to visit the theater, I had no option; I had to see a particular movie that was being shown here.

Alpana , Apsara & Vihar: on Pratanagar road , bit confusing all three are quite nearer. I saw Gandhi movie in the year 1981, later Hum Apke Hein Kaun in these theater, can't say in which two of these. The theater that was showing Hum Apke Hein Kaun was once particularly renovated for the premium show during pre multiplex era.

Some of the theaters once the pieces of architectural marvel with best of interior are now in bad state.

Technology has changed the equations. People carry movies in their iPods and laptops. You can store movies in your mobile chip and view wherever you like.

Theaters were something unique, they provided much to the society beyond entertainment what can never be replaced by anything, multiplexes are noisy, confusing, dividing and crowded.

Vadodara city now reels under the pressure of water shortage, mercury touching 43 deg C. Many of summer diseases can be avoided by taking sufficient intake of water. Let we understand water.

If body is broken into spiritual elements, it shall be found that water is an important element (not chemistry element), no part of the body can function properly without water.

Water is very important for body the deficiency of it in the body will derail the vital functions.

We are aware, when body looses the water in the form of respiration, perspiration, urine, on the other side it requires the intake sufficient enough to maintain the balance, and when intake and loss is not matched more simply intake is not sufficient to the requirement of water for body plus loss, components of body are put to distress.

Even in a very simple way comparing the body flow lines with that of gutters, when the gutter lacks the flow sufficient enough to carry the stuff ahead, the stagnation results that create nuisance.

Insufficient intake of water, lesser the urine , clogging of kidney.
Feeling of tiredness when dehydration is there.
Skin becomes luster less.
Constipation, root cause of most of the diseases.

Imagine large intestines due to loss of fluid, stools get stuck, rots. Just the upper moist thin layer flows out that again depend upon the water intake. Most of the dried stool remains inside the rectum/large intestines. Waiting to be drained out and wait is endless.

A Naturopath once told me we in body carry dried stool that is months old, imagine the fate of storage point and other connected organs.

Why to suffer? When simple increased intake of water can solve most of the body problems that have become chronic due to habit of taking lesser or insufficient water.

Six to seven liters of water per day can solve most of our problems. It can regulate the waste disposal points or say the points are activated from where we expect the waste and toxic material to come out.

Water intake can be divided in parts. One part may be kept to be taken in the morning empty stomach. This habit works wonder.

One can combat the pollution of our polluted city with increased intake of water that whatever enters in the body is suitably and timely drained off.

Metabolism in body is dependent on very much important and most neglected (being internal) part of the body called LIVER. Most of us are unaware which side of the body it is stationed. Simply saying it is an organ working as natural sophisticated filter removing toxicity in the body.



Non functioning of Liver due to viral attack ( Hepa A, B, E etc ), excess of liquor, drugs reaction , results in the disease , Jaundice ( Kamala, Pillia) with symptoms loss of appetite, tiredness, loss of energy, discomfort in stomach area , yellowish urine, yellowish eyes and skin, nausea, body itching etc.

Consumption of contaminated and polluted water is the main source from where this disease is contracted.

Apparently there is no Jaundice specific drug for the cure. Food supplements and nutrients (primarily Vitamins) play important part in recovery.

There are following tried and tested desi methods that are working wonders, comes cheap and handy.



Take 4-5 Pipal tree tender leaves( Pipalo, Pimple, Ashvath, Ficus Religiosa Linn), grind manually with desi sugar ( Mishri, Shakar), strain the juice add water and take it twice for 3-7-21 days depending upon the severity and recovery.
Take leaves of Radish ( Mooli) with green stems , grind as above with desi sugar take the juice twice.
Take sugar cane wash properly cut in pieces and suck the juice directly, avoid sugar cane juice un - hygienically sold in the market.
Roasted Grams (Chanas).





Following medicines are worth trying with proper advice and consultation.

Liv - 52 of Himalaya drugs, only Ayurvedic medicine, Allopaths love to prescribe.
Ramdevji's "Divya Sarvakalp Kawath", costing just Rs. 20 per 100gm, available at Swamiji's centers.
Alpha Liv tonic, a Homeo preparation, by Schwabe India.





Key to recovery is rest, restricted diet and positive attitude.

I was returning from the recently opened hyper mart in Vadodara after purchasing vegetables and fruits. That were neatly stacked, appearing very fresh, correct weights and very reasonable rates lesser than what is available outside on larries and pop and mom stores. Polite young guys and gals helping you to complete shopping in an ambience that is par excellence far from what Barodian were pitted against rude vendor, stale products, kept appearing fresh by sprinkling water that made them more prone to deterioration, unreasonable rates that wood vary on the basis of what you wearing and what sort of vehicle you are using, improper weight, packed in low density and micron plastic bags that will any time fail to bear the smallest load, never giving assurance to land up safely at targeted location.

So the vegetable vendor met me and told,

"Sir, not visiting subji mandi, ok - ok hyper market", he recognized the hyper mart orange bags.
I had to accept that I have dumped him and chosen the new mart, that suits me in all respect, quality, quantity, price, weight, ambience, politeness of staff.
I asked him how this mall culture has affected him, he was confident and told, "if one avenue closes the another one come up, that too rewarding"
I asked, "Do you get the adequate customers to support you"
"Yes, I get", he replied.
He added , "all five fingers are not equal, so called Seths' are busy in business, sethanis they have no alternatives than to come to us, we provide door facility, sometime delivering the goods in emergency too, fully at their commands, quite useful to them", he flashed his Nokia mobile.
"But your stuff are not generally fresh", I asked.
"Not that they have never seen the fresh things in their life time, what we supplied was always fresh to them, they never object"
"But your rates are double than what these malls are supplying", I asked.
"That is illusion, you just end up paying double, we come to your doorstep, whereas, you burn costly petrol to visit malls. No one will attend you there, unless you go by four wheelers, you simply love the attention and pampering you get there, not the fresh things you are getting"
"Larri things are fresher and cheaper", he added.
"How come", I asked?
"Simple, you ever noted , what is given to you in fancy, laminated see through trays, the vegetables and fruit that has lost its freshness, is cut and nicely displayed and pushed through, with triple the rates, KC types take them happily".
What is KC? I asked.
"KC is simple, kaam chor" he clarified.
He further added, "ever used your senses, you pay Rs 10, for six inch Sugarcane piece, six ganderies of one inch length, I supply six feet ganna charging Rs ten "
I asked, "They give one free for one"
"They know the day after this product is going to rot, they push it through, just be attentive and see what happens to the free piece the day after", he shot back.
"But they exchange the stale stuff", I said.
"How many of you dare to go back, most of you follow, is baar jane do attitude, you are habituated with chala lo attitude", he clarified with confidence.
"Even though people love malls", I told.
"We too love malls", he told.
He added, "these mallwallas, they corner, all the vegetables and fruits from open market, directly from field, nothing is left for larriwallas, we too purchase the stuff from them and sell it at double the price outside"
"Do you get customers, nowadays", I asked.
"Ya, plenty and respectability too", he told.
"How come", I asked?
He added, "We larrywallas are consultant to malls, advising them how to sell the stale and rotten stuff, making overall handsome profit, by pushing the products in fancy packaging".
Even I put forth my argument, "Even you may be suffering by the malls invasion"
"Not at all", he told.
"Then who suffer", I asked
"Public as ever", he told.
He further added, "we get daily quota of fresh vegetables for personal use plus consulting fee"
"Not all larriwalas are consultants", I told.
"They too are earning much more than we as consultant" he told.
I asked how?
"They move door to door ,house to house, streets to streets, collect the information and sell it", he told.
What sort of information?
"Owner of which house is holidaying at hill station, moving patterns of house owners, houses occupied by frail senior citizens", he told.
"How this information is useful", I enquired.
"Sir, do not be so innocent, this information is supplied to money levelers, excess is pruned by them and needy gets the relief", he added.
"This is sort of anti%u2026." I suggested.
"What others are doing, these white collars' ones, is their activities, nationalistic", he asked me.
I had no answer.

Recent attack on Dr Machhar by the relatives and well wisher of patient who died during treatment in city of Vadodara OHM, ICU in Nizampura area, one of the attackers was innocent looking student leader Jaha Bharwad.

Doctors struck the work for a day in support of the fellow doctor who got the thrashing.

IMA came out with an emotionally crafted press note in ad form in Gujarati in local daily, highlighting how medical fraternity is committed to the social service. Wordings in Gujarati are quite indicating the very concerns of docs towards public.

No doctor on earth true to his salt would like patient to die in his clinic, it will not only bring adverse publicity to his clinic, and also the credibility marred. Leave all this apart a doctor is human, very humane; he can't think except healing and cure.
Vadodara docs are famous for their expertise, there is no doubt they bring the required and needed results, patients from neighboring and far off states come to Vadodara for treatment. Almost every fifth shop is occupied by doctors. We Barodites know the area in Vadodara where we get density of docs in three figures per sq km. (every alternative shop is occupied by docs).

However some fishes in the tanks..

Top of it Barodites, real sanskari , they have tremendous yielding, bearing and sustaining power. Hardly uttering a word against repression and injustice. Even tremendous paying powers that have made some professionals so professional and powerful.

We can not run away from the responsibility in light of the following,

Don't public provide the treatment cost in advance, before services are actually delivered offered?
Are clinics equipped with the facility in tune or in line with the fees and charges that are expected and actually levied?
Are nursing and supporting staff fully equipped with knowledge and qualified enough to handle cases that really need constant attention.
Do poorly paid frustrated staffs doubling as nurses understand the delicate side of patient psychology and consoling words and behavior patients expect.
Final break up of the bill carries the details or some sub items that are not even provided.
Trios of, Doctors, Pharmas and pathologists working in tandem to jointly save (treat) the poor soul that is patient.
Why it is insisted to get the things from a particular shop?
Do we suggest preventive post clinic steps than suggesting further costly investigation and even costly alternatives?
Who foots the bills for the vacations enjoyed that are on national and international soil, water and air?
Ever heard of the views, feelings and sentiments of the common public after their voyages and stays in the clinics. few may be wrong but large public can't be wrong.
Why after coming back fully treated and healed from week long stay in clinics , patients some where in heart feel like cheated.

O, Sanskari people of Vadodara, listen what holy figure Baba Ramdevji propagates, simple breathing from nostrils, jerking stomach, avoiding junk, healthy mental attitude will give you the immunity from some prying medics, druggist and pathos, the peelers. Need to awaken from slumber and come out from the cocoon.

Can't we have hospitals charging us the real cost of treatment plus small profit, beyond greed and lust.

What happens if relative of the deceased pay the bill and silently go and bury the dead. The negligence aspect if any would have buried with the dead. How the sufferer would get the justice? Shall we wait till the natural justice prevails upon the errands?

Plight of Mr. Rajan Taylor who is fighting alone battle is visible from the photograph below, he needs justice he wants to be heard, he lost his wife supposedly negligence, Mr. Taylor is not a doctor, or backed by prestigious association. His protest is peaceful and graceful. His concern for departed wife is noteworthy. Is Administration equally responsive and responsible? There is still hope; Vadodara is full of NGOs' some of them are of international fame. How we can help Mr. Rajan to get justice?

Where the humanity goes when a Prego Adivasi lady is not admitted in the clinic for want of money , delivers the baby in open.( collectively our heads fall in shame be it a public, medics, rulers, or our very prestigious associations)

Intermittently these incidences stir the mind of everyone connected. All start behaving realizing the responsibilities. For how long?

Standing amidst new Bhuj ( Kutch Dist of Gujarat) , recalling the day ( 26th Jan 2000) after the massive earthquake occurred . Those providing alms to beggars pre earth quake days were standing in a row rubbing shoulders with same beggars to get the food packet and pouch of water. Smell of rotten bodies had started erupting. Dust still hanging trying to settle, sky showing the color not pleasant to the eyes, earth still shivering. Roaring mysterious sounds around. Looters appeared from nowhere looting the valuables to remove the gold worn by dead and struggling to die.

Recalling army people loading the dead bodies on truck for mass cremations, a captain fired at two people removing the gold ornaments from the dead bodies directed his sentry to load the looters body first on the truck. Captain saves the humanity from being disgraced.

NGO , Social Service groups had started pouring in from far off places, planes descending with loads of foods , medicines , blankets , tents what not.

Humanity was at its best and even worst. Some dying to help others and others not letting the dying one's to die with dignity.

Picture of city could not be painted with mere description of words, situation and scene will turn anyone psychic.

After eight years no sign of unrest, cracks, distress, pain, disgrace, new Bhuj is standing tall in the saucer surrounded by fort walls, high rise buildings with reflecting sheen, seen every where. People carrying the winning smiles, signs of bravery clearly visible on their faces. Though earth is still boiling inside giving mild shocks , sometime mild to medium shocks showing presence. People taking them lightly.

Transforming the city from piles of debris to the modern city is not a small thing. This is possible on the soil of Gujarat and particular Kutch, where people since ages know to brave with nature. Kutch people are sturdy, tall , well built and attractive in their local attire.


Government of Gujarat deserves kudos for transforming the city of Bhuj particular and Kutch Dist in general. Attracting industries on the hostile land of Kutch is not a small achievement , that too in short time. Mineral extraction and its use in making cement and other chemical is enormous, projects visible from miles extending miles till touching the frontiers. Creating townships in water scarce area is not a small achievement. Tankers constantly fetching water from far off places to the place of work depict how companies are worried and caring their staff , who hails from the different corners of India , making these townships real India.

Kutch has a long coastal line , I was surprised to see the beach of Mandvi, seeing the mighty Arabic Ocean , wind tunnels standing and guarding as sentinels What a beautiful beach , clean , uncrowdwd , carrying enormous untapped tourism potential , throwing challenge to Goa and other crowded beaches worldwide.




Mandvi beaches lined with mighty ships under fresh construction and many others under repair. Work being carried out manually without support of sophisticated machineries. It is an art to join the multisided wooden planks sandwiched with rope sort of lining to make it water tight. While looking at ships under repair one wonders how a big portion of ship remains under water. How powerful are the engines to pull this monsters. What powerful a man is who create it.




Mandvi city having a bridge constructed by Britishers hundred years back, bridge is replica of London bridge with rectangular building as entry point, bridge still appearing strong, recently Mandvi civic authority has received a letter from original contractor from UK that bridge has completed one hundred years of its defined age, they are now onward not responsible for it. What a piece of an assurance and public care.

Kutch dist in Gujarat has record numbers of small and big dams, some of them forming a perfect backdrop for picturesque sequences, eternal peace is felt there.




Gujarat Govt has almost repaired the damages occurring during earthquake in the past. Migratory birds some of them rare species visit these dams and stay in the reservoir. One can easily spot crocodiles in some of the reservoirs.


Some Godly power is working in Kutch lending helping hands. Presence of God is felt in some of the temples, where typical peace and serenity prevails. In the Narayan Sarover Gods and Goddesses descends in the evening to perform pooja on earth. Little faith and connection can get you to this feeling on earth.


Samadhi of Jesal and Toral in Anjar Town , heavily devasted in 2002, typically carries a peace and calm, giving feeling that you are being heard and watched by those powers. These two samadhis are coming closer each year.


Kutch dist now give modern highways and internal roads with new railways line, bridges renovated, strengthened and widened.


Kutch is unique , it is on border , it has attracted lots of industries no border state will generally attract. Dist has got a tremendous tourism potential to tap. Govt has initiated many promising steps towards this. Kutch transformation tells world nothing is impossible. It is an example to be followed by other states that how committed people with government leadership and support transform the states.

Sandesh newspaper carried a news item on 22nd Feb.2008 in its Vadodara edition depicting how MS University students openly indulge in lovemaking in campus. This time they have come up with a CD as a proof. CD is not held by an ordinary person but a famous lawyer Shri Narendra Tiwari.

Earlier there was news in the papers that Modern day's gurus see porno on computers that were donated to pursue R &D work.

MSU is famous for its biggest faculty known as commerce faculty where students in groups' outside the campus moves around as if study is not at all in their list and fun is the agenda on priority. This faculty accommodates almost all the students who can't make entry in any other faculty. They are in thousands here. Spreading love virus.

Discipline wise our Doctor brothers and sisters in medical top in MSU and are visibly found serious in their business of studies. Next come the Engineers in faculty of technology and engineering, they too found next to medical peoples. I think alumnus of these two faculties commands the respect world around and help bring the respectability to the university. Some time traces of epidemic are seen here but antidotes are enough to suppress.

What factors forces our students that they indulge in love making in public that too in the very precinct where Ma Sarswati resides. It is not so authority is not aware. We are collectively responsible for this mess.

As a parent our responsibility lies in the rearing our kids where just giving those physical comforts and liberal dose of pocket money suffice. Kids need more than all these things they need parents who doubles as friends. Provide mental security and much needed mental outlet. What we give them in the form of computers, internet and inattention , prompt them to search the same outside , that result in what we see in very picture published in news paper , a girl finding solace in the embrace of a boy sitting on bike. Rearing our kids and keeping some time free for them is equally important business and investment that will help our kids to grow and mature suitably giving immensely in return not only in personal terms but society at large.

Do we have a system of education where we provide right information to the kids at right time lack of information and instinct to know more lands them at wrong place?

Responsibility of society is not to allow this nuisance to grow so as to become a monster to control it at later stage, cant we ask the kids in embrace to behave properly in public, gardens are not meant for lovemaking. This nuisance grows when society neglects its responsibility. Just recall how ladies were behaving in a dignified way facing the elders at public place. What a contribution we are making to the society when for few bucks we are renting our premises and hotel rooms in the form of privacy on hourly basis. Can't we develop an approach where we see society as a family and each one its member. Just nipping the nuisance in its bud.

Vadodara (formerly Baroda) known as Sanskari Nagri (city of samskara), sex in the minds of Barodites, majority Gujaratis is hardly seen exposed in general as it is seen visibly in preference and behavior elsewhere ( northern states).

It does not mean people are kind of impotent, one thing is certain sex is not troubling Barodites. Baroda lacks in night life, club culture is non existent, pub culture one can't think due to prohibition.

Men (sons of the soil) here are seen more busy in day to day affairs of business. Smell of notes and news of allotment of shares attract more than anything else, whatever else attractive may be at its place. Men they never discuss sex at workplace like the north Indian where main subject of discussion is sex. Or they zero on to sex if discussing else. Sometimes somewhere we see very - very isolated incidences, when a male under natural excess of hormones in blood streams straying occasionally.

Reason of such non-attraction towards sex may be the ignorance (as generally books are hardly read) and Gujarat could hardly effectively contribute towards the literature as it should look to the vast potential and population. Baroda in particular and Gujarat in general lacked the colonial establishments during British regime, hence the institutions considered as catalyst to spread English could hardly be found. The reasons English here is not blooming. Further land was never invaded culturally giving the right impetus.
Locational advantages made them safe hence they did not bothered to cultivate the relation with next door neighbor. Just managing the biz they are in alone.

Further comes the food , the general food a combination of sweet plus sour flavors in everything hardly pumps the required adrenaline in blood stream. What pumps the energy in food is almost neglected. Fruits are taken when prescribed by doctor, not as a regular intake. Barodites are best following the advice mentioned in bestseller, Think and Grow Rich, in which one of the methods to grow rich is to convert and divert the sexual energy; Barodites are using this method to grow rich.

Second reason sex hunger dying down is early exposure to sex, and amenities available to experiment at the age which in real sense lacks the much needed maturity. Kids ( as really they are ) meeting in private , in gardens , cinema theatre running flop movies almost going empty, providing much needed privacy to the kids. Nowadays during weekdays multiplexes are safe to the kids, who hardly see movie almost laughing at the slides shown during interval and at the start of the movie, carrying captions, "you are being watched" or "we can catch you".

Prostitution going on in a very low pace here, administration knowingly ignoring it as this too contributes towards the social safety. Persons patronizing pros are not real Gujaratis, but are mostly who live in Baroda, with wives away back at home town. Barodites (I say GUJRATIS) hardly like this pros biz, as they generally require go signal from their wives even for third half cup of tea. Leave apart flirting business.

Vernacular papers full of real life fabricated sex stories, sending some current into the blood stream, sometime the description of the story so vivid that it forces to think if correspondent or journalist was himself present on the scene. Journalism contributing towards keeping the blood warm or fearing they may loose the interest and things go extinct like those species going extinct before being recognized. Sometime I surprise if public really seek info from agony aunt, or just queries are pressure cooked. Anyway local press is feeling the pulse and feeding the stuff, contributing positively and constructively.
Gay sites are full of profiles of Barodites. One or two NGOs' helping gays to live contended with what they are. Gays are very safe to the society. Gay here thinks all Punjabi guys are gay. Do not get surprise if you are Punjabi and new here, you may get passes from your counterparts' males, though you are ogling at attractive gals. A prince here of gay orientation has come up openly to propagate the causes of gays; he even attended international fame TV show.

Whatever the preference of Barodites they are maintaining dignity and Baroda is best places to live in, women are safe here and respected.

Refer recent attack on professors by students' and parents at Patan college of Gujarat for allegedly gang raping the student by six devil professors. These devils were at large for the last ten years. Dictionary in any language of the world do not carry the word to condemn the act.
Million salutes go to the lady professor who first bore the pressure herself and later dared to expose the devils.
Sex is not bad in its any form. We are outcome of this very activity. Each living organism here is for the act of multiplying which is a universal agenda and attraction towards opposite sex is obvious.
Equally obvious is the attachment with opposite sex, as the first such life fulfilling experience the man gets is from the lap of her mother; thereafter he seeks the same touch and care for his remaining life.
Sex becomes wrong when it is done or one indulges or even thinks of it at wrong place and time.
Wrong places are educational institutions, work places, religious precincts, though theses are the places where one gets the shield and come closer towards the opposite sex.
Northern states hardly have women exclusive educational institutions run by males. Though they (North Indians) are termed as law breakers at large. Simply saying co education has not been encouraged there.
Gujarat should be proud of having co educational institutions at large scale, in true sense serving the very purpose for which they should be there, but when such institutions are used for such a mean purpose of disgracing the women folks, in very lap of whom man learns his first lesson of ethics.
Indian mentality had never been at worst as it is in these days of channel invasion, Indian never knew what women body basically is , though they belong to the land where Kaamsutra was created. Surprisingly Indian indulged in sex act for the purpose of multiplying and creating not for the fun or pleasure. I am sure that our male elders they were so reserve and were respecting women folks that they were hardly knowing or aware of the women body. They even did sex with full dignity and their body fully covered. Far from what is now shown on TV channels invariably? Telling us how beautiful and attractive stuff it is made up of and further telling how to indulge in it.
Sex was never bad and even this is not bad now, what the bad are intension, place and situation we choose to indulged in.
Satans of Patan they had wrong intension, their place was wrong and the situation? Very soul of the Gujarat is stirred. Educational institutions have been wrongly used by males in the past too. Increasing numbers of women at the workplace have made the work places insecure for them.

Women they too have learnt the art of enticing men and bosses at work places to get the favors like bunking the office, being irregular in attendance and getting out of turn promotions. Such women should think twice before doing this, what the hell they are creating for other women.

Men why they seek sex at wrong places from the wrong parties, why don't they go elsewhere to seek the willing partner rather polluting the places like educational institutions where Ma Sarswati herself resides.
Let us,

Respect places of education, religion and work.
Before showing disrespect to women think twice that women has kept you in her womb that you can never pay back in your many lives together.
Say no boldly.
Discuss the matter the matter with right person.
Seek help of NGOs'.
Maintain respect for women at work places.
Avoid enticing and being enticed.
Those who are seeking virtual pleasure while surfing are far - far better than those who seek it at wrong place from the wrong person.
There are appropriate means of satisfying biological hunger.
Those who are indulging in such activities are not bold; women can very well handle them with little threat.
Males your moms, sisters, wives and daughters are constantly under pressure , eyes of your very own species are over them seeking favors, so be cautious.

Year 2008 is very important to all us Barodians, I see,

Progress and only progress will prevail.
Rate of progress will be much faster than the rate seen during last 3-4 years.
Neighboring towns will have taste of mall - culture; they will have it right at the door step without facing the congestion of Baroda.
Baroda will have more of mall - culture; many of new malls will be thrown open to public.
Everyone would get job at least to support oneself, if one is little pushy.
Most of the house maids who at present cleaning the utensils and polishing floor will be seen proudly behind the cash counter of the malls reading barcodes, wearing smart uniforms with much better salaries.
Kids would have international standard schools in their towns, no problem of admission.
Streets will be less flooded this year monsoon.
Central and state employees will be cheered with new pay packets, celebrating Diwali of 2008 with fervor and spirit never seen before.
Baroda will attract business and tourists that seen never before due to changed and inviting environment.
Computer will be much affordable prices falling below Rs. 10,000 per machine. Laptops will be affordable touching Rs 15,000 a piece.
Numbers of online transactions will increase as seen never before.
Influx of NRI will be seen, willing to settle here in Baroda.
Groceries will be delivered free of cost at home by neighborhood malls.
Rs. 1 lac car will hit the roads.
Pollution and congestion will be more than seen earlier.
There will be smiles on many more faces of Barodians this year in 2008.
BARODA will shine as never shone before.

Before a b c d is learnt in pre nursery, kids learn the first lesson to be in line (there is difference between line and Q). Innocent kids lined up in Morning Prayer learn the first lesson in discipline, Q is a part of discipline. Where the Q is necessary if it is not there , indiscipline starts which can seen clearly, time is wasted, it results in not getting the desired results, waste of energy, what not? Even the nature falls in line and follows some symmetry, some arrangement on the lines (of Q).

Birds fly in group but follow some lines, Ducks do the same. Ants move in line carrying the weight more than their own weight and passing information while moving. Aunts, birds are not taught lesson of discipline in school.

In aquarium fishes too follow some arrangement. Line when defined its most simple definition may be the points placed together. School kids and soldiers are points place together following some manner.

If lines and Queue are compared. lines are what found in school drill, soldiers falling in line for physical exercise or specific purpose. Q (Queue) is the term which indicates people lined up to get something. Most simple example will be of beggars lined up in Q to get alms, Q to get the cinema ticket. Q to get the ration, Q to get water, means you are lined up to get something.

Muslims do prayer while standing lined up shoulder to shoulder in sync, symmetry in mosques. Symmetrical calmness prevails in churches too, Sikhs if not doing prayer duly lined up at least they take Langar sitting in line, called pangat . (In Hindi say pankti)

Q and lines make the things simpler, easier manageable. Soldiers lined up in attention form can take command more effectively, Stiffer they are more attentive will be their brain faculty to take the command and obey the order.

The moment there is a line, there is discipline, particles around immediately gets aligned, positive energy starts flowing in, and abundance comes. On the contrary unlined arrangement, energy starts leaking, arrangement become lifeless, chaos starts , particles become unaligned.

I recall my college days at Allah bad, leave aside those disciplined missionary school. Indiscipline prevailed everywhere, no where Q will be found, energy missing, abundance missing. This is the reason people are still poor, as compared to their counterpart in other aligned Indian states.

Recalling very amusing thing , while buying ticket for cinema people will even gather up as mob ( not lined up ) well in advance at the ticket windows ( better say a tiny hole, just few finger will go inside. Purchaser and seller not seeing each other, communicating audibly. Moment the window will open people starts doing Dhaka mukki, no one to get the tickets, considerable time and energy wasted, had they follow the line all would get the tickets in much lesser time wasted otherwise. Cinema ticket case was common in those days, applicable to others, be it a bus, train or ration.

The state of Gujarat in general and Vadodara particular fascinates me. I love Vadodara city. Lines are there Qs are there, symmetry there, discipline there, all are aligned. No curve curvature (Curves and curvatures are very much there where they should be, indeed smooth and pliable), indiscipline, chaos all line up in tune with nature and the reason Barodites are satisfied, have abundance. God is helping them.

Commission presence was felt by everyone who was directly or indirectly connected with the work of conducting recent elections in Gujarat. Had they not been on the scene at micro level in Gujarat, winners would have been accused of using unfair means by the losers.

Winners here are really winners, no where even a millimeter of deviation was allowed from the standard practice.

Commission eyes and ears were always there from the day one till the final declaration of results.

First time micro observers were deployed in every building where election booths were established, these micro observers directly reported to the main observers who were there full time constituency wise. Every thing was being video graphed. Everyone was careful before uttering or even thinking of doing anything that would land them in soup. Politicians their workers were polite and sober.

Govt initiatives to instill the confidence amongst the voters was noteworthy, officers were moving in the catchments areas to gauge the vulnerability and building the confidence for fair and unrestricted movements of voters well before the election.

Sensitive areas were specially monitored. Paramilitary forces were deployed at every point, these forces did real hard work to manage the people at booths also their eyes were on the voting machine, without entering inside the booth. As paramilitary people hardly understood the local language, this experiment worked well for them in controlling the things.

First time government guides were deployed at election booths to guide the voters that helped in easing the burden on presiding officer.

The things which were introduced first time in Gujarat election really worked well eased the tension of staff connected with the election duty. First time election staff felt that they are safe even in remote corner of the state. Even they enjoyed doing election duty first time.

State machinery that is put under ECI during elections burnt tones of midnight oil to conduct the show. It is not an easy job to extract the work from thousands of govt employees and officers, but they did this smoothly.

Jalebis are most popular in India. It is difficult to find a sweet maker in India or say Halwai Ki Dukan, where Jalebis are not prepared and displayed prominently.

The most consumed and loved sweet in India is Jalebi, they are made on daily basis in the morning. In north India every halwai will start his day preparing Jalebis before people line up to purchase them. In U.P. people do morning breakfast that consists with Jalebis with milk or Jalebis with curd ( Dahi Jalebis).

Dahi Jalebis combination is considered auspicious, as a good omen there is a practice to eat it before going for an important assignment.

Those who do not know how Jalebis are prepared would wonder how sweet sugary syrup is injected inside Jalebis. Indians know this easy open secret. One would find numerous jokes on Jalebis. Even phrases.

The Jalebis are very cheap cost wise. I can recall the cost of cheapest Jalebis I ate in my life. This was the place Sadar Bazaar at Allahabad, where a only Halwai in whole bazaar would sell brownish red crisp Jalebis costing Rs. one for a kg. Halwai would give Jalebis packed in dona (basket made up of dried leaves). Polyethylene bags were not invented in those days, card board boxes were not used for packing Jalebis. Even today Jalebis and her sister Imurtees are not packed in boxes. Dahi which came with Jalebis were given in earthen cups (called Kulhaar). Nowadays it is a fashion to serve curd in earthen pots in premium restaurants.

Sadar Bazaar Jalebis I ate were really tasty, typical colour and taste, difficult to find that type of Jalebis out side UP. Lala Halwai making them, frying on coal fired bhatti (furnace).

Jalebis are Jalebis truly Indian, will be perfect in its original form. One would fail in doing different experiments on them, frying in desi ghee adding flavors are not going to enhance its value on the contrary devalue it. Original Jalebis are cheap in cost, very much desi liked by all including laborers, an affordable breakfast. Greeb Ki Mithai ( sweet of poors)

Jalebis should be left in its original form. The art of preparation of Jalebis lies with Halwai of villages. They prepare them keeping those Jalebis lovers in mind who would line up before the shop to purchase it, Halwai are emotionally involved so are the society emotionally attached with Jalebis.

Coming back to Gujarat, Vadodara my karma bhoomi. Jalebis prepared in Gujarat are not as tasty as prepared in north India. Here jalebis are yellow in colour and bit sour in taste (when compared with brownish red Jalebis of north).

Those who have taste of north version of Jalebis will miss them here in Vadodara. And real north types Jalebis are available in Mirch Masala , Alka Puri. Here single piece of Jalebi dia six inch cost Rs. Twenty Five. They are freshly prepared on order and served hot, comes as a desert course.

He did it. It was predictable from the day one that he will emerge as a victor. He was accused of using various cards, the card basically he used and which actually worked was development card. It is true that Gujarat under the leadership of Narendra Modi did a remarkable progress in every walk.

Various measures and methods which are adopted to have Total Quality Management (TQM) had been used by him to make the Gujarat a model state. Sometime it was told that Gujarat is a laboratory where experiments are done, this is aptly true various experiments of developments which were done here are now done elsewhere to bring about the developments.

His critics are no where. Can anyone imagine how Narendra Modi was facing the attacks single handedly? Keeping critics as well as supporters together, and not missing the pace of development.

Developments achieved during the last few years are not hypothetical or a mere propaganda, come Gujarat and check it, at every inch you will find remarkable changes. Day to day life is easier, smoother and safe.
No field, whatever it is from infrastructures, roads, airports, ports, IT...to health, education, governances and services, remains untouched where progress and development is not visible.

So, again we got a chance to lead by an excellent manager in the form of Narendra Modi , let us make a good start to make Gujarat a model state in full. These model states will make our nation India a secure, secular and model country.

Crossword is a part of my life, I can not do without it, I visit it every weak, or whenever I have time I would love to see it. I am talking about bookstore in Vadodara called Crossword; it is a chain of bookstore. Vadodara is lucky to have Crossword.


Before Crossword was not in the scene, people of Vadodara had little choice. They would go to the railway station platform no.1 (AH Wheeler), or would be member of circulating library. These libraries, mostly situated near central bus depot would extend the bestsellers on rent; they would also sell the pirated versions of bestsellers, at one third of one fourth price, mostly in paperbacks.

Earlier Vadodara people would wait for the book exhibition to purchase the annual stock of books.

Crossword has contributed much to the book lovers, ever since it was opened, you will find numbers of vehicles parked outside. Young, old, kids and ladies would love to visit crossword. Here you can see the books, read the preface, check the price if liked purchase it.

Calm and peace prevails in crossword, you become disciplined once you step in. All would be found engrossed in seeing, reading and referring the books.

I love purchasing magazines from crossword. Here they are given in unbroken sealed covers as originally received. In Vadodara other book stalls or library wallas would, supply you already opened, second hand and tampered copy, charging full price. In crossword especially computer magazines are fresh, unopened, unread, comes complete with gift coupons, free goodies, promotional offers. You do not feel like cheated here.

Kids, tiny tots love crossword. They can see colorful books comics, workbooks all neatly stacked. Kids also find whole range of toys, gift articles and attractive range of stationery items.

You are not supposed to pay a pie or purchase a book to be here. You will not be asked anything. On the contrary staff would lend you help, if needed.

Crossword has two branches in Vadodara. Landmark has landed in Vadodara, giving competition to crossword. People of Vadodara love crossword. It is their first love.

I do not know that I will be doing proper justice in putting my mom in the lens. My mom a real Punjabi lady hailing from village Daulatpura, Distt Ferozpur . she never saw school in her childhood. Married my father who was hailing from village Raikot of Dist Ludhiana. I was born at Allahabad in the year 1957, since then my mom is with me, I am half century old, my mom is seventy five plus. We stayed together first at Allahabad, till my father retired later we shifted to Baroda (Vadodara). My mom is with me, I m not with her only when I am out for a day or so in connection with my job. My mom do not like if I go outside the city. She would be confident and assured if I say I m not going alone, we are going in group.

I never tell her what sort of difficulty I would face as a Civil Engr outside away from home; I will just cook up the storey to tell her I was very fine outside. She would be worried if I ate well, got the good food outside. She will wait for me till late night, will go to sleep only when I m back and had taken the meal. Till this day she would prepare at least one subji or dal of my liking, she knows my likings and disliking, which my wife with me for the last twenty years or so could not know.

I would not be able to describe that how she looked after me in my childhood. But I know she will all the time pray to the god with folded hands that I m ok.

She will never tell me that she is having any health problem till that problem overpowers her and she is helpless. Even if she is not well at least she will sit on the chair will have evening tea with me. I will have to judge from her face whether she is fine or not.

My father would generally tell me that I will look after her well, when he is not there. I m doing that as far as I can but still I feel that I m not doing proper justice to her by being all the time with her.

At this age she is touching 80 , she cooks her meal, make tea for her , washes her cloth ,take medicines herself , she cant read English , but she know the right medicine and will take it without mistake. Old people had their way of recognizing the things; they use colour, size and shape, rather what is written.

Whenever any one comes to our home, she will enquire if we treated him or she well, offered tea or not. She says whoever come to you did not go without taking something from your home. In the morning she feeds birds. She has special affection for birds and home attendants working with us, she will see whether they took meal in our house, if not taken she will pack it for them.
Her aim in life is not to burden anyone unnecessarily. Self help is prime, living for others carry more meaning and maintaining dignity in life.

I know that I m nothing without her. This is her affection and good karmas that everything is fine with me. Even god is helping me. I m Govt officer, I try to get back at home timely to be with my mom. My mom like Vadodara very much, she goes gurdwara every week, she has social circle of Punjabi ladies. She attends ladies sat sang, marriages, birth day parties, get togethers. God is helping us. Surroundings are in our favor.

Few months back while passing along the main Nizampura road, Vadodara I found a very long Queue of auto Rickshawalla. Rickshaws all green and yellow parked in line along the footpath.



Later I could know these guys are waiting for getting there CNG tank filled. Earlier they were getting filling facility outskirt of the city, but later this facility has been started at the petrol pumps within the city. Long queues are found opposite Inox, opposite Vadodara central, both of them are famous Vadodara malls. I talked with Rick men, they told it is their daily routine to stand in queue to get daily refill of CNG. Normally they spend 3-4 hours in Queue.

These queue have become selling point for some small timers, selling water pouches, kachoriwalla selling their kachoris. Sing danawalla are loitering around. Recently I saw a kakadiwalla ( called Kheera in UP ) do brisk selling extending affordable kakdis to waiting Rick men, smart Rick men would skip the waiting period to hand over the Rick to the man ahead in Q. they are helpful to each other, solving problems and reducing stress of waiting period.

I have never seen these Rick people fighting , arguing , tu tu me me , simply waiting. Had it been my birth place UP , all would fight over to get the fill, the one who is wielding Rampuri will get the fill. And this is the reason they run cycle Ricks which do not require Q and fill, simple fill they need is air fill that too manually.

Each CNG filling in Vadodara costs Rs 120 and supply lasts for a day, normally a Rick men will get Rs 200 as profit till supply lasts. Getting back again to be in Q.

Monthly earning of these Rick people speaks that how difficult is to survive with meager amount of income. This will help all those who are part timers, operate Ricks during off hours , Full time this is not enough to support a family. Circumstances forcing these guys to be rude with customers cheat them and fight.

CNG Ricks are not polluting, they are green, help making Vadodara green. Green are not the lives of all those who make Vadodara green.

There was a period in the past in India when anyone mentioned shoes or chappals, there would be a single name "Bata". I think most popular name after Tata. The brand Bata was household name then. It reigned market as leader till recent years when various national and international brands came up. I know the Bata shoe lovers so addicted with Bata , for them thinking shoes other than Bata was an unpatriotic act.



and in reality in those days some of the other brands like Dalda, Rath, Surf, Nirma, Fiat , Bajaj , Hamam , Atlas , Lifebuoy and Godrej etc were so popular and household names that people will not just digest any other name. For my old mom all washing powders are still Surf and all Ghees are Dalda for her.

I remember my Allahabad days, when just a hint from parents that we shall soon get a pair of shoe will make us so happy that we would eagerly wait the day when we shall get the pair of shoes. We liked the shoes very much that we shall polish it daily and will keep the polished shoes in sunlight so that they shine more. It was a real fun to have pair of Bata shoe.

There were other Bata stores at Allahabad , but the store in Chowk was the biggest. I still remember the leathery smell of Bata shop (show room definition came much later). When inside the shop the salesman will be as happy as if %u2026.. He would ask us to put the foot on inclined scale, will measure the number and will be back soon with a box of shoe , and the shoes will fit well. Limited colour and style, we would have black pair of shoes and blue chappals, with round dubbi of cherry blossom polish and brush. No choice, no selection, no tantrum, my father would pay Rs. XX.95. We would walk out the shop so proudly as if awarded Padam%u2026.. Leaving the typical leathery smell behind. The joy of the purchase would last many days to come. Those were the golden days when a little thing in life was giving utmost pleasure.

Bata shoes were very cost effective. Bata had something for every section of the society. Now when I purchase anything I miss the thrill. The reason is not that I can not afford it. I m definitely missing the joy, that I got, wearing the Bata shoes in my childhood. Quality wise the shoes will last well over 3-4 years. Even after that the children of our kaamwali ( maid servant) will wear them for another year or so.

In Vadodara recently we have a new multistoried Bata showroom in Alkapuri, a posh locality, next to Inox. I was very sentimental the day I read the announcement. I was tempted to take the look inside. I missed the very typical leathery smell I used to feel in my childhood when entering Bata store. Even I missed humble salesman uncle, who at Allahabad would welcome us in Bata store, like we his own children. He will remove our shoes, take measure and help us wear the new pair of shoe and tie the straps. We would hesitatingly take his service. We Indians don't like elders touching our shoes.

The Bata store at Vadodara is perfect in shape, style ambience, content, all interwoven nicely, complete with what such a store should be, a complete shoe bazzar in itself, even the choice is not limited to single black color, which we wore as kids.

Bata was a single name in the mind of Indians, it was considered a patriotic act to wear Bata. People wore Bata proudly. People switched loyalty in due course of time. Some where in heart, people still have love and fascination for Bata. Very emotionally attached like me.

A little surprise for me, as frequenting landmark in Vadodara, in their book section I found a bundle of magazines, packed in transparent polyethylene bag with handle, displayed on the magazine stand.

I was bit bewildered turning up and down the bundle, remote camera filming my movements being watched by security people. As the bundle was heavy and I wanted to confirm the price of magazine which was Rs. 75 only. Salesman first appeared bit confused but immediately confirmed the price by reading the bar code. I hurriedly purchased the bundle befo