SAFE SECURE PEACEFUL CLEAN COSMOPOLITAN
The city of Vadodara is a place in Gujarat province of India.
It belongs to all
Polls in India
World Biggest Administrative Exercise
Booth capturing or any other type of illegal practice is a thing of past. Even worst affected parts of India which were famous for doing mockery of democratic process are now fallen in line.
Deployments of Para military forces, as they come from other states they cant understand the local language is marvelous. They understand only one language which is to maintain law order. Once a dedicated gun wielding Jawan posted, outside the polling booth told me, Sir! Ask presiding officer to place EVM machine so as I can see it all the time. EVM was relocated so as from outside the room Jawan can monitor the process.
Micro observance of election is another innovative introduction. It is difficult for a central Observer to observe the election. Introduction of micro observance, in which building wise one micro observer (GOI Officer) was deployed. These micro observers were to observe the poll process microscopically and report to central observer.
Videography! It wonderful tool to scare and keep the mischief mongers away. It is very effective. During last assembly election in Gujarat videpgrapher given to me, exhausted his battery and he was expecting another set from his shop. I asked him to go on doing blank videography and it was keeping the troubles at bay. Any strongest trouble maker behaves properly before camera.
Fear of doing election duty is prevalent amongst the government employees. Some time they behave on getting poll duty order as if they are asked to go to the border to face enemy. They forget they are contributing this way to their motherland its democratic process and strengthening it. Why they forget, they are part of the chain. In any situation they are supported and protected by whole administration. Secondly do not you learn the different type of management? Poll management covers all types of management and you go through it. In this information age try visiting Election Commission web site. There are exhaustive literatures, e books available for staff as well as public to understand the procedure and perform duty effectively.
Indian poll exercise is biggest administrative exercise. It is complex but made simple administratively. Even in USA poll process is simple, lesser voters, only two parties. Process performed online. Even they mess up.
Words are reverberating in my mind as uttered by smart city collector of Vadodara (Baroda) Mr, Vijay Nehra. " I want to show the observers hailing from other states. Elections were conducted properly in past in Gujarat and will be conducted with full fairness and spirit." He said, I want to throw challenge my election staff is fully trained for the poll exercise. Just call anyone and check it.
He further emphasized, why NGOs go and ask public to Vote. Why not my own Sectors Officers go and ask Public to vote? Create confidence in them. Spread message in public Government cares.
And government really cares; mischief mongers are contained and controlled. Roads and streets leading to poll stations are smooth, safe and trouble free. Why not exercise and perform constitutional duty!
Honey Mooners Plight
Mount Abu

As you enter in city Mount Abu. You will be surrounded by numbers of agents. They will show you photographs of various hotels. You will definitely land up in a hotel located in the main part of the city. Though there are various good and really near nature locations, far from crowed.
Here what you will miss most will be the thing for which you have come to the queen of the hills that is the natural beauty. Come out from your hotel. You will listen non stop sound of menu served in various types of food ranging from local Rajasthani , Gujarati, Chinese to Punjabi.
If you stay here for two three days in such central location. Even if you have not tasted any food item at least. Some of the names of Punjabi dishes like, Mutter Paneer, Vegetable Kadahi , Kofta Nargisi, Subji Milizuli will reverberate in your mind.
Worst will be effect on males' honeymooners with beautiful young wives around. They will fail in performing the act for which they are there at Mount Abu. Because as soon as they will concentrate, Punjabi food items will buzz in their minds and they will be distracted. Pity gals on such honeymoon trips.
Next sound pollution creators are tour operators that affects you most. Little more you pay attention , your mind will be sub consciously craming the names of various points covered in conducted tours . Like Adhar Devi, Dilwara Temple, Guru Shikhar, Achalgadh, Sunset Point%u2026...
Mount Abu is mostly visited by Gujaratis . Main reason is its proximity to state and secondly free flow of wines. At wine shops I mostly see Gujaratis getting confused over which brand to buy ( gamme te aapo chalse , give me anything it will do )
As in Gujarat under prohibition, they do not know which brand they are gulping. What is taste of a particular brand? They rely on friendly neighborhood bootlegger who brings X and Y brand of liquor, mix it with water and some mysterious tablets and powder. He paste paper label of Z brand of liquor with home made gum. Finally cork it and deliver.
Gujratis are so addicted with this sort of amalgam they enjoy it sitting in metros of Vadodara, Surat, Ahmedabad and Rajkot. Gulping half bottle to get required little kick. This little kick is what they pay heavily for.
Now these honey mooners, just to impress their gals and distract them from the menu of Punjabi food and points covered in conducted tours. They gulp down half a bottle.
Addicted and stomach configured with duplicate liquor. They can't cope with the flow of fresh thing. Either they spend night vomiting or fall asleep under the heavy intake of fresh liquor.
Next day with heavy hangover they go for site seeing. Confused they move around. Half of their time goes in watching what others they are watching. They are worried about the prized possession they have with them.
And the prized possession is easily recognized as wearing red every where, from top to bottom, even floral design of mehndi appear dark red. Face of owner of this prized possession too turns red intermittently but in vain.
The time which is left, they are found busy directing their staff to tie reinforcement properly at site or directing their broker to upload stocks. One honeymooner was discussing Satyam stock on phone. We can just imagine his state of mind and expected performance in bed that night.
Honey mooners , here are some tips.
Leave your Ahmedabad, Baroda , Surat and Rajkot behind.
Leave your sites and stocks as and where it is.
Concentrate on freshly bought stock that is with you.
First day just dump your luggage in any near by hotel. Spend second half part of the day to locate hotel that suits your need, taste and budget. There are numerous hotels to choose from.
Prefer accommodation little away from the crowed of main city.
If drinking just enjoy light drink like Beer or Red Wine.
Avoid hard drink; you can not digest fresh things.
Avoid non veg, you won't guess what is served.
Better dress casually with very light makeup, avoid being spotted in red.
Last but not least, getting back , just confirm with your travel agent whether they will take the same bus to your destination or you will be dropped at Ahmedabad. Though they relocate you on connecting trip.
Thus you will perform well.
Why So Much Difference in Rates?
BRODITES YOU ARE TAKEN ON RIDE BY DOCTORS
However we have to see, to what extent we are cheated by ( Doctor + Pharma+ Lab) trio.
Net could be the place where you can know in details about the disease you are suffering from? . Verifying the prescription you could just know the brand name of the drug prescribed by the doctor
If you have microscope with you , you can just read the chemical contents of the drug. Some time even the print and texture of the strip is so user unfriendly, you will just fail in deciphering the content.
So to make it little easy, may I introduce you to a drugs directory called CIMS , published by CMPM India Pvt Ltd , Bangalore ( published quarterly) , costing just Rs 100.

If you just buy it once in a year by spending Rs 100 . You will not only get the return in the form of money saved but save you from lots of botherations that include mental tension, physical health and sense of being cheated.
This directory includes,
Medical Research Advances.
New Preparations
Manufactures
Pre and Post Prandal Advice.
Pregnancy Safety Index
Alphabetic Generic Index
Alphabetic Brand Index
You are not supposed to be an expert to read the contents. At least you can just know if your doc has prescribed you the right drug for your disease.
Cost of drugs and for the same chemical content and power ( in terms of mg) , how many different brands are available in the market.
How docs have taken you for a ride. Sometime prescribing the brand, the cost of which burn a big hole in your pockets. Though there are cheaper similar drugs available in the market.
And under the circumstances, when you are not following the advice of Ramdevji , and have a family budget of medicines on monthly basis. You can't do without the use of drugs. At least just check with the CIMS directory.

Here is an interesting example; a drug called Atenolol is prescribed by doctors for hypertensive patients.

I refer the directory, the drug that contains ( Atenolol 50 mg + Amlodipine 5mg) , will be sold for the price of a strip of ten, at Rs 9.90 by Mankind , Rs 36.00 By Cipla and Rs. 64.35 by Dr Reddy's.

I just find the difference of (64.35-9.90) = Rs.54.35 , if I consume one tab per day ( what our doc brothers call OD), on monthly basis , I m loosing , Rs 165, if I m prescribed the drug "Stamlo Beta" instead of "Amlokind - AT'
If this going on with you too. Please invest Rs. !00 by purchasing CIMS direstory, this is easily available at any medical book store in your city. As medicine students just keep it with them. Funny thing every pharmacist do keep it but never let you have the glimpse of it to you.
Now if I have a family with say three drugs dependent members, and this is going on with me for at least ten drugs I purchase, I will be loosing averagely some five thousand yearly.
Note : Try Rramdevjis' Divya Mukt Vati , instead of Ateneol + Amlodipine combo , or do little Pranayam plus furnace exercise ( Kapal Bhati) , I bet you will be saved from D-Pests.
Tarak Mehta Naa Oondha Chashma
TV serial that relieves stress and refreshes you
I generally do not find time to see TV. Surfing is my hobby I get myself relieved of my daily stress by riding on the cyber highway at least for an hour or two.
Just few days back this happened, I found my family members enjoying a TV serial , just for curiosity sake I joined them. Characters appeared known to me, Jethabhai, Tappuda, Dadaji etc.
I enquired, my daughter told me about the serial . The remake of satire that appeared every week in Chitralekha Magazine in Gujarati language.
I was thrilled to know. My association with this Magazine dates back to year 1981. After passing my BE from MNNIT , Allahabad. Our whole batch was invited by Gujarat Public Service Commission to join Irrigation Dept . Dept needed 800 hundred Engineers , they could just get around 400 applications, those had applied had got the Job as class II Gazetted Engineer in GSE cadre of Gujarat.
I too got the job , after passing GPSC , I was posted at Pavijetpur taluka of Vadodara Dist of Gujarat. Govt had started construction of one of its major irrigation project named Sukhi Project. I was given the charge of developing canal network of Project in its initial ten km reach.
Dam site was located in tribal area, where only Gujarati language with local touch and dialects will be spoken. I was new to this language. Secondly I will not earn my future increments and clear probation unless I pass lower and higher level of Departmental language examination.
Jungle area , our colony situated there, we will get the newspapers, Sandesh and Gujarat Samachar in Gujarati one day late. It was difficult to get the English newspaper even if I wanted to be delivered it on weekly basis. ( I will write a sepapreate Blog on getting Times of India delivered in jungle on daily basis.)
Newspaper in Gujarati was only source I could learn Gujarati language. I wanted to learn the language systematically, I contacted a school teacher and started learning the language , I found teacher could not deliver the required goods, though he was teaching me gujarati language, generally he would be telling me that his Hindi and English is improving while teaching me.
He did one good thing to me, he suggested me to read Chiterlekha magazine that was being published weekly, he helped me to get the same every week,
Fifty paisa per week, Chiterlekha mag helped me a lot in polishing my Gujarati language. Mag would contain a satire written by Tarak Mehta . Well written piece with a background of middle class apartment located in Bombay. I would read this satire piece many times till I get the next number. I would note down the difficult words to get the meaning of them from colleagues at site.
I passed my dept exams in Gujarati language , credit goes to magazine Chiterlekha and Tarak Mehta for his wonderful creation.
While reading this satire week by week I had made a imaginative backdrop where all the character like Jethabhai, Tappu and Dadaji, would perform in the backdrop. Even whenever you read any story or novel, in the imaginative backdrop you run the show live.
When first time I saw this serial, I was so surprised that serial is almost pasteurized in the same backdrop what I had it in my mind long back in the year 1981.
This is the art and beauty of the Tarak Mehta's mighty pen, his grasping the middle class mentality and presenting it week by week.
No other serial , floods of them with saas and bahu , adultery and business rivalry themes can give you mental peace, what this great and simple serial relieves your daily stress and refreshes you.
How I will forget, I learn Gujarati language with the help of Tarak Mehta's help. Now I know this language better than any native Gujarati.
I strongly recommend this serial, just try once I bet you will be hooked to it.
ATHANA, ACHAR,THE PICKLES
Important Part Of Indian Food
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 .
SADAR BAZZAR
They are Same Everywhere
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?
Ghar Ghantis
Churning Flour
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.
I K VAGHELA
A forceful personality
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.
Recent Rains in Vadodara
City comes to halt
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.
Election Commission of India.
Hats Off!
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.
Bus Plunges in Canal Killing 44 Students in Vadodara
Sad Indeed... But?
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.
Theaters in Vadodara
Soooo Thaaei Gayuu
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.
Water and Barodites
True Elsewhere Too
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.
Jaundice in Vadodara
& Elsewhere.

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.
Vegetable vendors and malls in Vadodara
A view
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.
Attack on Baroda Doctor
Humanity Weeps

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?
Kutch- Bhuj- Revisited
( How They Transform Lands)
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.
Love Making In Campus
MSU Vadodara

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.
Sexual Preference of Barodites.
Decent Approach
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.
Satans of Patan
Why Spoiling Gujarat
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 for Barodians
Developement Only
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.
Queue: Part of Discipline
Where there is line, symmetry and systematic arrangement, there is energy, abundance, happiness and discipline. Sikhs and Muslim follow some line arrangement at their religious places.
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.
Narendra Modi
He is Winner
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.
Jalebis In Vadodara: Truly an Indian Sweet
Jalebis, a truly Indian sweet is most liked by Indian throughout India.
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.
This Is Part Of Life.
Book lovers of Vadodara are found in 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.
My Mom And Vadodara
My mom is unique, she proved what mother should be, I found myself in this age of 50+ that I m not a suitable son not fulfilling my duties as a son of such a wonder mom.
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.
Plight of CNG Rickshawalla in Vadodara
: The lives of the green Rickshawalla are not greener, though they make city green. Getting CNG fill requires long waiting period on daily basis.

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.
A New Bata Store in Vadodara: A Sentimental Journey
Bata shoes and chappals were so popular in those days that thinking wearing other foot wears than Bata would amount to an unpatriotic act, people are still sentimental about Bata.

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.
Barodaites : Gift it to The Female You Love
Current October 2007 issue of COSMOPOLITAN magazine weighs 2.1 kg. Total 866 page of this magazine covers the wide varieties of healthy information ranging from law to sex. Ideal for gifting to any female you love.
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 before it is out of stock.
I wanted this pack to give my daughter as gift. I was surprised to find she loved it and happily accepted it. Even my wife was delighted to see the bundle.
I am fond of reading magazines since my college days at Allahabad. I would go to the kabadi market get the old issues at throwaway prices, just few bucks and bundle of mags which shall last over a month. Sometime I will find the current issues of mags dumped by people at kabadi shop. Kabadi not knowing he is selling current issues of mags like, India Toay, Illustrated Weekly, Femina, Savvy, Dharamyug, Manohar Kahaniyan etc at very discounted price. He always appeared happy at paisa 50 per mag. However kabadi knew the worth and importance of Debonair mag, which he shall keep in wooden box and will not part them for paisa fifty.
Even I was not so interested in purchasing them at higher price than what I could afford. Another reason was I will get it without paying a pie , when someone will slip old issue of mag in my hostel room and I will slip it to the next door, this free facility was available at hostel, courtesy wealthy guys at hostel.
Now at Vadodara I am having enough money to purchase all the current mags displayed at any counter, still I love to frequent the kabadi shops ( pastiwallas) and Sukervari Bazaar. Here again to get some of the current issues of mags, dumped there. Sometime even getting the books and other articles displayed which are rare and antique in style.
Current issue of Cosmopolitan magazine costing Rs 75=00 , gave me feeling of kabadi bazaar , that I got bundles of mags, paying this little price. If I m not wrong I got total 866 pages ( 466 +240+160 ) , weighing 2.1 kg plus sample of cream , etc.
Further analyzing, a page cost me paisa 8.66 and per gram of magazine only 3.5 paisa. In my lifetime I have never purchased such cheaply priced hard information on wide subjects at such a cheap rate.
Information inside the mag in real sense weighs in tons and very valuable and presented in healthier way. Even the matter on sex is healthy and sober.
Further the information ranges on wide varieties of subjects starting from serious stuff like law to the funny entertainment, supported by material on shopping, love, work, fashion, health and beauty, along with shopping guide and bonus Luxe supplement.
Cosmo Sutra, very informative coverage of illustrated 65 sex position given. Accompanied by write up on meter of difficulty level, how it is done and why u will love it. Even a square millimeter of it does not appear cheap or dirty. On the contrary is informative and full of life.
Mag pages are full of pictures of sexy models, none of them look dirty but are tastefully presented and are full of life and artistically photographed.
If planning to celebrate Diwali and on shopping spree mag will give you ideas on purchasing.
This pack forms an ideal gift to be given to any female, she will love it.
Editor of this magazine Payal Puri, a fearless female deserves appreciation to adopt this innovative idea. Next time give us still bigger bundle all mags containing hard glossy papers spiral bound. Easy to turn stiff and crisp.
PANIPURI
Also known as Golgappe or Fulki, it is a part of culture of Vadodara
There is no Indian on this earth, who is not familiar with the Panipuri. Panipuri is most popular in India. It is available throughout India. Vertically Kashmir to Kanyakumari horizontally Srinagar to Silchar. Evenings are not complete without it.For those who are coming across this word first time, Panipuri is combination of Puri, stuffing, chutney and masala water. Very tasty and sort of addictive too. Panipuri lovers take it with them wherever they settle abroad. They never forget the taste of local Panipuri which they enjoy in their town or village during childhood and search and compare the same taste elsewhere they go.
Panipuri is very much important part of Vadodara culture. People go out and frequent pani puri larry. One such larry in Vadodara is near Fatehgunj crossing known as Rajasthan Bhel, the most popular Panipuri larry, I have seen in my life. Surrounded by Panipuri lovers. Popularity of this larry can be gauged by the vehicles parked near the larry.
Another place where Panipuris are available is Race Course opposite GEB, where Alkapuri main road ends. Three to four small cabins are seen catering to the needs of Panipuri lovers of Vadodara's most developed posh area Alkapuri.
All the restaurants in Vadodara serve this item; even fast food jaunts have this on their menu. Macdonald does not serve Panipuri in Vadodara. But just a floor down the Macdonald (Inox), Panipuri is available and most popular on menu. Mac should try it on their menu.
Costliest Panipuri I enjoyed at Mirch Masala Race Course , eight pieces per twenty rupees. The cheapest at road side larry in Nizampura 10 pieces per five rupees plus one dry piece as bonus.
In my life the unimaginably cheap Panipuri I ate at Sadar Bazaar, Allahabad , UP ( 1970 ), 10 pieces per anna ( six paisa).
The best taste of it I enjoyed at Nakhas Kona Allahabad ( in seventies ), opposite Bata show room. Another place that too in Allahabad, just outside Palace theatre. UPites know how to make tasty Panipuri. I think the main reason could be the availability of Tamarind trees there and the masala water which contains mint leave and Tamarind saves you from the hot winds , which predominately blow during summers. The people there also enjoy Jaljeera, which also saves them from the fury of hot windy summer.Once in TV program I have seen musician Shobha Mudgal telling about the tasty Panipuri of Allahabad. Even our ex PM Bajpai Saab is Panipuri lover.
Coming back to Vadodara, I have seen Panipuri is a major item that is served to the guests, enter any marriage pandal you will be greeted by stall of Panipuri. Seen crowded by ladies loaded with imported scents. Mixing their aromas with Panipuri aroma, which comes from the earthen pot of icy masala water.
Male would hesitate to go there, if any male dared to reach the counter, he would hardly get one pieces not more. Counter boys I don't know why avoid males and happily serve ladies. I can't say what works? Aromas that mesmerize counter boys or caterer are more attentive to serve weaker sex. Most of the time I wish an exclusive counter for males manned by ladies. They know the art of serving.
On streets, Rajasthanis are dominating this business. Rajasthan Bhel has become a brand in Vadodara. No crossing , street or area will be found where Rajasthani larry is not serving Panipuri. Vadodara is synonymous with Rajasthani Panipuri. UP Bhayiyas are also using the brand name Rajasthan Bhel on their larries.
Again the Rajasthen is very hot place, people there, know the right ingredients to save them from hot windy summers. Hence they too have perfected the art of making Panipuri.
It is an industry here and the important thing is management. Simply have larry located at strategic place. All the ready made ingredients will be supplied at the larry itself. Most of the puris are prepared at single location and distributed around Vadodara. However the success lies in making the masala water, the ingredients of which are a secret. This secret works for a particular larry and Panipuri lovers are attracted to larry.
Health wise Panipuri is very light. Taken in moderation it works as a good appetizer. Tamarind extract is digestive and cool in nature. It quenches the thirst, give feeling of satisfaction. Carefully made it is low on calories.
A tip for restaurant owners in any part of the world. If catering Indians, welcome them with 2-3 pieces of Panipuri. They would love it. Have Panipuri prominently displayed in menu. Try serving this to westerners, I bet they would love it.
i-pills are more useful than aspirin during festivals and vacations.
The facility available better use it , i-pill is more important than the aspirin, during festivals and vacations , carefree and festive mood may land you in trouble.
So the celebrations are in the form of nine nights of Navratri, Dushehra and Diwali. Diwali lasts for full one month , if counted seriously.
The days between Dushehra and Diwali are vacations for many of Gujratis they prefer to go outside Gujarat, they will be found at most of the holiday destinations in India and abroad. Counting the days the full one month is at the disposal of public of Gujarat to celebrate, enjoy the life.
So all will be in moods and they should be in.
There are so many of safeties you will take into consideration, the very important danger that always lingers on you during the festival are of unwanted pregnancies. During celebrations people more carefree and careless and riding the vehicles of moods.

It is not that this problem will be faced by the teenagers who are freer during the Navratri nights. This may be faced by any couple who is celebrating, who is out on vacations, because the most vulnerable you will to this situation when you are on vacation and out from home. The company mentions these circumstances.
1. Contraceptive failure.
2. Unprotected sex.
3. Improper use of your regular birth control method.
4. Forced sex.
Better carry these emergency pills with you, these pills, called i-pill, manufactured by CIPLA will be of quite use during emergency, when the nearest chemist will be the hundreds of miles away, and you have to take it within seventy two hours.
So going on vacation, keep i-pill with you in your normal emergency kit box along with aspirin.
Foreigners in Vadodara Celebrating Navratri
This year groups of foreigners are in Vadodara to see and participate in Navratri festival. Multicolor Navratri is something special to them. Sandesh Gujarati daily published from Vadodara covers the event.
News item says, group of Americans along with other foreigners are in Vadodara to see garbas. One such group (as visible in photograph) enjoyed the garba at united way of Vadodara, garba festival. Group was astonished to see thousands of boys and girls attired in colorful dresses dancing in a group to the tune of garbas. When contacted they told that they have never imagined that this festival is really so colorful and expressed their desire to come back again.
Gujarati celebrate Navratri in USA and other countries. Garbas there are confined to the four walls of halls and community centers there. Open multicolor gathering of such sort is something special to foreigners.
Appreciation of color by foreigners is understandable. For them marriages and deaths all are in black and white, bride wearing white dress the groom attired in black suite. For us both these colors are not meant for happy occasions. On the contrary our brides and grooms are decorated in scores of colors and hundreds of shades.
There are something more than colors theses foreigners like, that is union , steps and taal sangat of dance to the beat of drum and rhythms music. Tint of worship of Maa Ambe and spirituality involved, essence of pooja saamgri, all combined. Top of it Barodians dance in a big circles not in the personal small groups like of Falguni Pathak Mumbai style garbas.
They are more fascinated by the way we Indian celebrate festivals together, young and old, all generations jointly, irrespective of social and economic level, a big family concept. Socially we are so close and fully involved. This is what impresses all.
This is the real spirit we Indian celebrate festivals that go beyond multi colors.
Barodites : All Leakages are Repairable
Whatever complicated it appears, all leakages and seepages are repairable, even without dismantling or breaking. Technology and right skilled persons are available in your very neighborhood.
Plight of Mr. Nair is understandable; he would have gone through very painful mental condition before taking this extreme ultimate step. This happened in the city Mumbai, known as economic capital of India, where expertise in any field is available. Leakage repair is not a big problem; any sort of leakage is repairable, even if your upper floor neighbor is not cooperating. Various doctors, like Dr. Fixit, available handling the problems and solving too.
Leakage problem is more mental than physical it affects your mind thereafter your heart. Leaking drop hits the mind like a hammer. Imagine a silent night and tap of your bathroom or kitchen sink leaking drop by drop. A little drop weighing just few milligrams in weight hits you like a hammer of a ton.
This troubles you more when you are more attentive and your mind is set to receive the blows. Further this troubles you more when you are not aware this problem is just a call away to neighborhood plumber. Matter will just end up by replacing washer which costs just fifty paisa or so.
If you are smart enough and familiar with pipe opening implements or say have played with these implements in your childhood, this problem is not a problem for you, you will fix it without paying a pie.
These easy things sometime become major problems for intellectuals and experts, as they have never touched a screw driver or tester, though they are breaking the fundamental particle like atom.
Issue is something different, when the leakage is from the upper storey and your neighbor up stair is not cooperating. Problem compounds when the leakage is from toilet cum bathroom block, and the source of leakage is hidden. Nothing to worry about be mentally fit.
Little discussion. Three parties are involved, first one who creates leakage, the second who receive leakage, at the receiving end. The third the very owner, who is mostly away from the scene, rarely involved unless himself residing in his flat. Plight of second party can be gauged from the very incident in newspaper.
First party not directly suffering, though having sympathy with the sufferer. Factors affecting him are the cost of repair and the unavailability of facility of bath and toilet during repairing period, party being not owner and how to take the decision etc.
Second party is going through the mental pain, thinking why he should pay for the fault which he is not responsible. Even is he is ready, will the first party allow him to go for repair and cooperate.
The third party owner of the house more involved in his affairs, see let the problem be solved by the first and second parties. Though natural laws force him to come forward understanding the humane and mental aspect of the problem and the aspect this party is receiving the rent.
However problem can be handled jointly, with mutually agreeable solution. All those who will be reading this blog , and those who are silently suffering while living in high rise buildings and my Mumbites friends, who are hard pressed for time, mentally stressed, please read some of the tips, they will give you some relief.
1. Leakage hurts more mentally than physically.
2. Leakage problem in grams appear tons in weight.
3. Take leakage normally, a passing phase, a thought of leakage comes to your mind or you physically see it, just take few deep breaths, thought will dissolve and evaporate.
4. Keep in mind all sort of leakages are repairable, whatever hidden, tricky and complicated they appear.
5. Even technology available to instantly trap a leakage that too in wet flowing conditions.
6. Fast or instant curing sorts of compounds and sealants, available locally in your neighborhood hardware shop.
7. Leakages can be arrested without breaking or dismantling pipes or fixtures.
8. Even the leakages can be controlled or stopped without troubling your up stair neighbor.
9. Seeping water can be collected and bypassed safely without damaging your things.
10. Try discussing your problem with laborers around, in your very nearby locality laborers in the morning gather to be hired. These laborers have easy and reliable cheaper solution to your problem and they can repair it easily. If the problem is bit tricky they will make the skilled person available for you.
11. Is you are intellectual bent of mind make use of net using the keywords like " leak, leaking, stop - leakage, seeping roof, sealants, curing compounds, repairing - leakages etc %u2026 ", you will get the nearby dealer available for you.
12. Be social; socialize a little, at least with society and apartment members. You will get easy solutions to many of problems that go beyond leakages.
13. Keep daily use implements like screw drivers, testers, openers and wrenches, get familiar with them, play with them.
14. Adopt do-it-yourself approach to handle basic electric and plumbing problems.
15. Get your kids some of the basic implements; let them be familiar with them.
16. As a owner, keep one thing in mind, better repair is done timely, otherwise a more costlier damage will occur in future, making the property unfit for living.
17. Always adopt the holistic approach. Seek, you will get.
It is our collective responsibility, can we humbly say this simple sentence to a stranger we come across "what can I do for you", may be a stranger has a problem and we a solution.
Dushehra: End of an Evil
Dushehra celebrations, in the land of Lord Krishna, Gujarat, are not Lord Rama oriented. Celebrations are confined to the pooja of vehicles and eating Jalebis and Fafdas. NICA burns effigy of king Ravna, reminding a victory of good over bad or an evil.
Dushehra in Vadodara is an end of Navratri, the last day of the nine day celebration. Dushehra in Gujarat is not celebrated in real sense, except people eating Fafdas and Jalebis. Sweet makers make preparations in advance to make available these two items on the day of Dushehra. These two items are synonymous with Dushehra. The very next day of Dushehra newspaper will carry news item on front page that people of Vadodara consumed Fafdas and Jalebis worth rupees two crore ( loko be karod na fafda ane jalebi jhapti gaya) this all appears surprise but it is true. If Barodians can fly kites worth rupees two crores in a single day, the eating of these things is simpler. Barodians do it in king size.Gujarat is the land of lord Krishna. Birth place of lord Krishna is Dwarka, this place is located in Gujarat. The reason Janmashtmi is celebrated in Saurashtra with full pomp and show.
Dushehra is related with lord Rama, land of Gujarat remotely connected with lord Rama. Further very few Ram katha vachak are found in Gujarat. Though world famous Morari Bapu who is Ram katha vachak hails from the land of Saurashtra , Gujarat. Lord Krishna dominates here has a clear edge over Lord Rama.
Other importance this day carry is people do pooja of their vehicle , even prefer to have new vehicle purchased on this auspicious day. They believe vehicle consists of wheels and wheel is equivalent to progress and progress is money ultimately.
Teenagers are hardly out on Dushehra day. They relax after nine days long Navratri festival, after eating Jalebis and Fafdas.
NICA (North India Cultural Association) celebrate Dushehra in true north Indian style, creating the Ramayana alive. In Polo ground area a huge effigy of King Ravna is erected and in the evening made to burnt, reminding Barodians the victory of good over bad or evil.
Miniscule majority of Bengalis celebrate Dushehra in the form of Durga Ashtmi, in which worship of Maa Durga is done for a long period of Navratri. The celebration ends with the visarjan of Maa Durga. This festival is just little repetition of Ganpati Bapa festival. The Bengalis are very disciplined while celebrating this festival , taking Maa Durga to visarjan site very respectfully and religiously.
Dushehra in Gujarat is not lord Rama oriented.
Traffic during Navratri
A little care regarding traffic and following the tips will make the Navratri celebration more comfortable for self and others.
Though timings are different area wise, in general real Navratri festival starts between 9 to 11 pm. It comes to full swing after twelve gets peak around 2 am or so. Traffic consisting of bikes, scooters, cars, jeeps, auto rickshaws rules the roads between 9 pm till early morning. These vehicles spreading the dust fumes and other pollutants in the air, and Public inhaling the same. Speeding bikers become traffic hazards. Mix sort of unregulated traffic create chaos at various locations. Each one in a hurry accumulates the problem.Following tips in general for all irrespective of location may be helpful.
Share vehicles.
Move with average speed do not overtake. During congestion keep confined to single lane, do not enter in adjacent opposite lane. FM radios to help, giving regular traffic updates. Public to wait or avoid the congested areas, better wait till clearance.
Traffic cops equipped with wireless sets may be useful in regulating the traffic which is tending towards congested areas. Cops may be given mobile connections that are strategically located.
As live broadcasts of events are available. It would be worth taking advantages of the same, instead creating rush at the venues.
Organizers to have parking lots somewhat away from the venues. In this way the garba venues will be freer to move.
City administration to give temporary contracts to provide pay n park facilities.
Public to avoid use of vehicles if they can walk up to celebration venues.
Gals to be careful regarding flowing pieces of dresses, while driving or sitting as a pillion rider.
Naughty Side of Navratri
Let the naughty side of Navratri be naughty. Collectively we are not going to be so naughty crossing the limit creating troubles for self and others too.
Navratri festival starting today, the state of Gujarat will rock non stop during nights. Navratri, nine nights long, as a celebration of fun, frolic and worship matter most to the teenagers. All of them attired in attractive colorful dresses that may include Chania Choli, Ghagra Choli, Salwar Kamiz, Jeans, long and short skirts etc%u2026%u2026..Everyone would try to outsmart others, be it a dress, dance, pose or poise.Exposure in a most dignified way (after all you are dancing and not wering a veil) will be there and visible. There is a proverb used in north side of India, which means if you dance there is no need of shying. Within limit all goes well, beyond a point when situation becomes plastic, and it is difficult to bring the same back to a manageable state, distress occurs that is beyond repair and difficult to cope. Teenagers are aware enough.
As a meeting ground, platform for socializing, teenagers will meet to select life partners. The initiation will be a little naughty. This naughty initiation will bind many in nuptial knot.
NGOs' perceiving the naughty side will help the public in creating awareness, highlighting the safety measures that include the use of rubber plastic and pills.
Hope private security personals will not be naughty in facilitating the teenagers' private and cozy corner in exchange of few bucks.
Gynecs should not expect huge post garba rush, youngsters are more aware and NGOs' are there to create awareness regarding use of safety gadgets and taking care.
The problem which would trouble all will be the vehicular traffic, for the last two three years the numbers of vehicles are more than they were during last ten years. To be naughty while driving is not desirable, as resulted knot of bandage will not be as pleasant as garbas.
Senor Citizens avoid late night outings and also getting naughty, as the knot in this age, when healing powers are at low, will not be pleasant.
So be naughty within limit. Let us celebrate Navratri, happy days ahead for all, especially wishing all my Gujarati brothers and sisters very - very happy rocking Navratri.
Navratri Festival: Play Safe
Safe sex, AIDS, HIV, traffic congestion, sound pollutions are some of the issues which shall be of importance during Navratri festival. By understanding the collective responsibility, all have to behave in a responsible way to celebrate the great Gujarat
Tomorrow whole of Gujarat, and the places throughout the world where Gujratis are residing will rock to the tunes of Garbas. Presently all are busy, stages have been set. Final touches are being given. Parents of teenagers are worried. Leave alone the parents of gals, parents of guys are worried too. NGOs' are ready to help the teenagers to create awareness amongst the teenagers regarding safe sex, AIDS , and HIVE .Come Navratri it is anniversary celebration for many of soul mates, who initiated their love journey while rocking. The journey which culminated into the nuptial knot. This festival become a meeting point, the place to come closer, socializing and reinventing the bonds of friendship. Full exposure of dancing and singing talent visible. Creativity at full, for many of them a right time to relieve the mental congestion build up during the year.
Happy ending is what all expect and definitely they should. On the contrary sometimes teenagers are misled and with half cooked knowledge and craving to explore the prohibited areas, they land up in soup.
Awareness at all level is important. The roles are very important to play. Each citizen in whatever position is responsible for helping the society. All are to behave in a responsible way.
Public participating in Garbas needs to be aware the right times to be safe outsides. It is responsibility of public to make roads lesser congested. Better avoid four - wheeler if two - wheeler suffice. Better walk keeping vehicle parked away from the festival venue. If possible share vehicles.
Gals to know the right type of wear they are safe in and being aware they are creating signals which may go against them.
Organizers to be strict with the schedule, their role are important in regulating the show keeping the safety of all. Their role becomes more pronounced when they are charging hefty entry fee. Even sticking to the norms and rules could be of much help. This could save the city from the negative effects of all sorts of pollution, being created that may include the sound, dust and fumes. Top of it the plight of infants, animals, birds and senior citizens, their comfort is our duty, to be watched collectively.
Individually understanding of the responsibility could be of much help to the city administration, who are handling an uphill task to keep an overall watch over the city.
All those who have booked their stall should see the quality of stuff they are selling and charging the right prices. For the sake of few more bucks they should restrain from behaving in a greedy way, encashing the situation and surge of demand. And even all those who for the sake of some gain putting the others in trouble.
Collectively by understanding the individual responsibility we can make it a great, safe and sustainable show.
Navratri in Vadodara
Navratri festival (garba) in Vadodara, Gujarat, is celebrated with full zeal and spirit, keeping the ages old tradition alive. Festival of Navratri in Vadodara is noteworthy due to its unique style of celebration, maintaining and keeping the culture of Va
Initiated as a form of worship, maids dancing around sthapana of Maa Ambe forming circle, singing songs respectfully known as garba. Initially within the precincts of temple amd religious places. Later this style become part of social life, Garbas became the part of marriages and other social celebrations, what is now seen is a rage and craze. Garbas are very popular in Gujarat. In Vadodara they carry a special significance. Rightly said Garbas are synonymous with Vadodara.Garbas style of singing and dancing come alive during Navratri, the festival ends a day before Dushehra. Come Navratri preparations in Vadodara are first started by the organizers, leveling the grounds which become slushy during monsoon.
Barodites make beeline for shopping, bazaars become crowded. Shoppers start displaying the products attracting customers. All are found busy and actions are festival oriented.
The three festivals (Navratri, Dushehra and Diwali) combined together change the way people act, think and behave and ultimately celebrating festivals trio.
Kids have their own way of celebration. Exclusive Garbas are there for the kids by the kids.
All women Garbas are also there. Common Garbas are all around found in every nook and corner of Vadodara. No patch is empty. School and colleges before closing for festival organize Garbas for a day , which is symbolic to keep the tradition alive.
Garbas conducted by fine arts faculty of M.S. University is unique in its style. No lightings, fan fare and say sophisticated sound system, simple desi instruments and pure display of talents.
Recently opened big shopping complexes and bazaars have their own way of celebration, organization of events attracting customers, ultimately getting their pockets emptied.
Beauty parlors are found packed. Gals get them ready for the show.
Nine day long festival in Vadodara is celebrated with full zeal, pomp and show. Everything goes smooth, without a single untoward incidence or happening that go against the spirit of celebration or culture of Vadodara, which is Sanskari.
After the end of festivals the pockets of people are still full of money. As people of Gujarat know the art of making money, spending money and celebrating festivals having full fun. That is the abundance the Gujarat is bestowed with.
Gurdwaras in Vadodara:Place Open to All
Vadodara city has about ten gurdwaras, popular amongst the Barodites, majority of who are Sikhs, Sindhis and Punjabis. These places are also frequented by laborers, artisans, rickshawallas and pastiiwallas , as they get langar which come free with dose of
After pertition Indians who came back India tried to settle in various parts of India. The options with them to go various parts were limited in those days. There were two main train routes from Punjab, the Bombay via central India. Another one Calcutta via Delhi and Allahabad.
They had a little choice to go elsewhere. Those who had relatives in Punjab got the roof to live and survive. Those who with no such choice, had to take the routes mentioned above. During journey their friendships grew and groups decided to get down at random stations enroute to settle there.
Baroda (now Vadodara), did not fall on the route, so received little refugees. The limited number those who came here took the sea route from Karachi and reached port towns of Gujarat, and randomly settled in Gujarat towns. Example of such refugee settlement is Warasia in Vadodara.
Even some twenty five years back there were few gurdwaras in Vadodara. The main Khaderao Market gurdwara, which is historical one, where Guru Nanak Dev Ji, during his world tour passed through this place. Second one is at Channi village outskirt of Vadodara, on NH - 8. This was the gurdwara the construction of which was initiated by truck drivers from Punjab, now a well developed full fledged gurdwara. . The third one in Army complex EME, meant initially for soldiers now patronized by civilians.
The army in general in their establishments all over India gives importance to religion; they invariably have gurdwaras and temples, occasional churh and mosques. Gurdwaras are very important in army life, visited and attended by all army people. EME gurdwara is typical in design made up of steel structure that too designed by army officer. This gurdawara is well developed now. Here in this gurdwara army discipline prevails. That is very important if religion and discipline go parallel.
Now a days city has at least ten gurudwara , catering area wise sangat. Parts of the city like Alkapuri, Gotri and Subhanpura have no gurdwaras, these areas just being away from the Highways in general. Gurdwaras have proximity to busy highways in generals.
Gurdwaras of EME, Channi and Khanderao Market are not only popular amongst Sikhs, Sindhis and Punjabis. But numerous those who love to take Prasad and langar in these gurdwaras. Langar is free community kitchen, where meal comes free, irrespective of religion. Entry is just on humanity ground.
Any needy seen taking Prasad of guru, they come from so called lower strata. But all these people feel much respected, when they sit with other sangat at common level and eat langer jointly in same pangat (line). The religious place like gurdwaras lends them this freeness and equality, where all are at same level. Those visiting gurdwaras feel that they are part of the society, not the rejected souls. Entry is unrestricted without going through the process of strict chanting of religious verses, which is a must for some religious precincts.
There is no dearth of places serving poor in Vadodara, but gurdwaras are unique in the sense, they lend some respectability, which people need.
LEAST CRIME: LAND OF MAHATMA GANDHI
Crime rate in Gujarat state of India is least at 11.5 against Indian rate of 18.3. This is a true tribute to Bapu Mahatma Gandhi on his birth day 2nd October 2007.
Reading Sandesh, Gujarti language daily, in its Vadodara issue on21st September, 2007 found an ad stating that in Gujarat crime rate per lakh population is 11.5 against Indian average of 18.3. Kerala state with rate 28.3 stands at the top, Jharkhand with 28.2 come next. High crime rate in Jharkhand is obvious, but high rate of Kerala with high literacy rate is something not digestible.
Gujarat figure of 11.5 lends some relief to Indian average, and bring it down in average, which is 18.3. Not a small contribution towards nation building.
The only state where prohibition is there is Gujarat. In the evening system does not come to halt that everyone running towards dingy dens to get high. Here people rush back home and join family.
They have developed set up of economy, no one sleep empty stomach. All have work to do. Empty minds are hardly available creating workshops of devils. People use more of brain rather physical strength. A normal brain can earn handsome amount to survive without cheating anyone. These elements work smartly but contributing positively.
Ladies move around safely during dead of nights, they come safely home after seeing the last shows of movie that too by hiring rickshaws. Elsewhere, leave apart your young sis and wife, you won't even think of sending your eighty year old mom outside after dark. Are your aged parents safe at home, when you are away?
Education institutes are co - education type, no girls school or colleges. Kids are allowed to intermingle from the day one in schools. Very healthy way of development! Separate girl's schools and colleges are hardly seen or heard.
The factors that prompt crime or corrupt the mind are already softened and stabilized.
Young gals wearing backless cholis and ghagra would be seen roaming and dancing celebrating nine day long Navratri festival escorted by none.
This is the true picture of Gujarat, no exaggeration. Come, check and confirm.
Planning vacation come Gujarat this time during Navratri see the arrangements, prosperity, abundance and healthy social setup. If at key level study Gujarat and try implementing the things learnt here, elsewhere.
Kharising , Singdana , Moongphali
Singdana , Kharising, salted Peanuts, Moongfali. Most popular, not only in Vadodara, Gujarat, but whole of India. Wish Lovely Sweet Maker of Jalandhar sell Kharising.
As far as Gujarat is concerned Kharising is a part of culture. It has very special value here in Gujarat. The way it is available in different forms, numerous types of perpetration and various types of packing, even available in pouches of 10 grams. No food is complete in Gujarat unless Sing is there, even cooking media is Sing oil (Peanut oil called Singtel).Gujarat boasts of having Peanuts in different eatable form. The state is large producer of peanuts. USA would have to learn from Gujarat that how Peanuts can be used tastefully in different form.
Nuts are very cheap in Gujarat, whole nuts are hardly seen in market as sold in other parts of India. In other part of India roasted nuts are available, which are eaten after removing the covering, or say after peeling the nuts.
Most popular forms of nuts are Kharising, the nuts are specially processed which give it a salted taste. In other states you are given spicy salt along with nuts.
Every preparation in Gujarat come loaded with nuts. Part of Daily meal, tuver dal is incomplete without nuts floating in it. Farsan (whose scores of varieties available in the market) is incomplete without nuts. I find it difficult to explain the word farsan. When I was living at Allahabad, people were using Dalmoth, whose two or three varities were generally available in the market. Gujratis are so innovative in making numerous verities of Dalmoths, each loaded with peanuts. Even the Dalmoths which are specially made for fasting people come in scores of varieties. Funny thing is Peanuts are fried in peanut oil ( Singtel).
In gujarat prosperity level of family is measured in terms of numbers of tin (15 lit each) of peanut oil used per year. Here people store peanut oil in the season when it is dirt cheap.
Peanuts are very much part and parcel of Gujarat family. Why should it not be? Gujarat is a large producer of peanuts. Peanuts are very nutritive as compared to almonds, provided taken regularly in limited quantity in its natural form.
Nuts are available in the packing of 500 gms, smallest packing available weighs 10 gms. If you are hungry while traveling, the most easily and nearly available thing in Gujarat would be the peanuts. Those who commute in bus and trains know how Peanuts are useful to them .
Gujarati versions of salted nuts are very popular outside Gujarat. Out state people living in Gujarat, without fail carry salted nuts with them, while visiting their home state. It is surprise for them; nuts are ready made salted too. To be eaten without hassle of peeling it. Wine lovers in Punjab love Gujarat salted nuts.
If Lovely Sweet makers of Jalandhar listening, will you help Punjabis, making Kharising available at your sweets outlets. Even do another favor, open your sweet branches in Gujarat. I get a jerk when I compare prices of Gujarat sweets with the prices of sweets available at Lovely Sweet outlets. Gujarat is a milk abundant state. White revolution took place here. Gujarat needs you.
Back from Punjab I carry lovely sweets with me, fondly read and compare the prices of sweets available in Gujarat and Punjab. Each sweet box of lovely comes with price list of sweets.
Surprisingly lovely sweet makers run Full fledged University at Jalandhar, perhaps teaching art of making and selling sweets to management students.
Some of the tips for Barodaites,
Avoid fungus infected nuts.
Fond of Peanuts better roast them at home, microwave is very useful in roasting nuts without oil.
Don't take water with nuts. Maintain gap.
Freshest Peanuts are available in Raopura opposite Duliram Pendawala, on footpath just at the entrance of Usha Kiran building.
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Duliram Pedawala in Vadodara
Duliram Pedas are synonymous with Vadodara city, festivals are not complete unless these Pedas. Unique taste of these Pedas ( Pendas) makes it a popular sweet. NRIs' love to carry these Pedas with them during return journey.
Pedas of Duliram are synonymous with the city of Vadodara. If you are living in Gujarat you are familiar with the Pedas of Duliram. Living in Vadodara, If you are not familiar with the name Duliram it implies that you don't love to eat sweets or you have never stepped out from your home. You are not a real Brodaite.
Duliram shop is located in the heart of the city, locality called Raopura. It is not a fancy shop with glassed enterance. Just a desi style typical halwai shop. Weighing scale put on raised wooden desk. Lungi waering man will sell the Pedas sitting on another small wooden desk. Even sign board put on the shop shall not prominently display the name of the shop that is Duliram Pedawalla, internationally famous shop for its Pedas. This shop just sells liited items like peda, burfi and mava. Out of these items the Pedas are hot selling item. Boxes in which the Pedas are supplied are not fancy type or say stiff enough to bear the load of Pedas. Even the shapes of the Pedas are not regular with color dark redish brown. What dominates is its taste which not only makes these Pedas popular in Gujarat but the whole world, where Gujratis are living.
NRI visiting Gujarat never forgets to carry the Pedas with them on their return journey.
During festivals Barodites without fail include purchasing of Duliram Pedas in shopping basket. They entertain their guests with Pedas. Guests too love to have pedas.
The secret art of making Pedas is only known to Duliram. What appear is the art of roasting mava to give it a grained texture, which are felt only when you put the Pedas in your mouth. The grains of roasted mava melts in mouth, giving a unique taste that one piece is not enough to satisfy your craving, which starts after gulping the first piece.
Even the taste remains in your mouth afterwards, you can not store these Pedas. You just can not stop yourself unless whole box is finished.
This is the secret art of making padas which Duliram has perfected.
Duliram peoples are hailing from U P Mathura (as generally believed). Mathura is a place where lord Krishna spent his childhood grazing cows and eating butter. Mathura being milk abundant place since Mahabharta days. Obviously the art of making the tasty sweets would come to them naturally. Duliram people they brought the Mathura Pedas in Vadodara, perfected it and put it on the international sweet map.
In Vadodara every sweet maker ( say halwai) will copy Duliram Pedas and will keep one tray of Pedas in their shop, such Pedas are known and sold as Pedas of Duliram, but copied version is far from the taste.
A long Q outside Duliram shop will remind you the festival next day. The Q is little longer the day before the board exam results. Small Q is always there.
Duliram people are concentrating on keeping the taste of Pedas the same which it was twenty seven years back when I first tasted these Pedas. I never forget to take numbers of packets with me when I visit my native place Punjab. My relative loves them. Even while giving it to stranger he would without fail admire and ask you from where you got it.
A FAST DEVELOPING CITY
VADODARA is a city people belonging to different castes and creeds have settled here.This city is very peaceful city, a big education center, a place worth visiting.
Cool nature of the city is due to its sons of soil, who never bothered what is happening around or unnecessarily poking nose in the business of others, they simply do their business, with full involvement. cool nature of the city is also due to the nature of migratory people who have come in search of jobs or the employees on transit, will stay in city for a year or so, minding their own business. Retired persons, who have chosen this city to play the last inning of life peacefully, also populate city. concerted nature of cool people make vadodara a cool city to live in.
Every big or small private company will prefer to have their regional or zonal office in the city. Big oil companies like ONGC, IOC, IPCL have their remarkable presence in the city, contributing to the local as well as national economy. Series of chemical and drugs companies are there in the outskirts of city, every second person who falls ill in India will have drugs on his bedside table manufactured possibly in vadodara.
All big brands of India and world have their showrooms in Vadodara. The product launched in other part of globe will be available in vadodara simultaneously.
Education wise vadodara city carries a unique image, multi discipline university MSU, named after its erstwhile Ruler Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad, is more than a century old. Placement wise, city has a tremendous potential. Here all are sleeping ,with belly full of meals. Beggars are rare site.
Here almost every member of the family is earning and they prefer to enjoy weekends , habit of taking meals outside depending upon the size of pocket, roadside jaunts are seen doing brisk business during the weekends.
Vadodara is also internationally famous for its navratri festival, nine day long dancing festival, a carnival, dedicated to goddess of power. People seen dancing around in each nook and corner of the city, with sense of full safety and security. Gals roaming free at the dead of night, no sense of fear. This gives city a unique character, which is never possible in the other part of India outside Gujarat.
Vadodara is famous for some of its eateries. Sweet preparation, duliram peda, giving typical lasting taste in the mouth. Another popular variety is specially roasted and salted peanuts. These two things top the shopping list of people visiting vadodara.
Vadodara is a planned and clean city, no open gutters; credit goes to king of vadodara and its local public who remove shoes while entering their houses.
Palace of vadodara standing middle of city still reminds the grandeur of royal state period. Pavagadh hills are a famous tourist point. At the foot of hills, remains of ancient town are preserved by World Heritage, a worth visiting place.
This abstract will never be complete without mentioning the fact that father of nation Mahatma Gandhi belonged to dry state Gujarat. State is following prohibition policy, since its birth, giving crime free fabric, which Vadodara city and Gujarat is proudly wearing.
Imagine Vadodara without Larries
Lorries are an Integral Part of Vadodara Life
Vadodara is a cosmopolitan city. It belongs to all. No group, caste or community can claim its hold over this lovely city. Here all are found working, leave apart working couples, even housewives sitting at home contribute towards the family income, and they do operate from home and provide services. This is the reason every family is averagely doing fine on economic front. For all of them weekends are time for fun and frolic, during weekends people prefer outing and evenings are mostly spent out. People prefer meal outside and ladies get reprieve from daily chores.Larries are very important here, interwoven with the culture. Average Barodian can't live without it. Even a millionaire by heart is a larry frequenter.
Most favorable items available on Larries are Panipuri, Punjabi meal, Chinese foods Omelets, Pavbhaji and Non veg items like chicken and mutton.
Hot saleable item is Panipuri, other items falling in this category are Sev Puri, Bhel Puri , Kachauri etc. the Panipuri lorry of Manmohan is very famous and it is located near Fatehgunj crossing. This larry is operated part time from 5 pm onwards and is found always crowded. This larriwala has perfected the art of making Panipuri, using a perfect blend and types of masala (secret formula). The servings at this lorry are very generous (Dil khol ke khilata hai).
All red cabins larries are serving Chinese foods , red cabins carrying the captions like China Town , China Gate , Chow Mow or Ching Fu etc. these lorry guys have perfected the art of making Chinese foods , one cant have such taste in home made Chinese food.
Omelets Larries are frequented by teenagers, at least they get required daily quota of nutritions.
Next type is Pavbhaji larry; this item is basically a Mumbai originated and is very popular here.
Barodian love Punjabi food. But what they are serving at these Larries is not at all Punjabi, it is a Gujaratised version of Punjabi food, heavily spiced loaded with extra dose of chilies. Reminding you till next morning that you have made mistake of taking this meal. What is served in original form is tandoori roti. Because it's Gujarati version is not possible. Gujarat public must be thinking that how strong a..s these Punjabis have that they can digest and pass st..l safely without affecting the system. If a real Punjabi accidentally eats gujarati version of Punjabi meal, he would think how strong Gujratis' are to digest this high voltage food.
VADODARA : THIS YEAR 2007 RAIN GOD IS HAPPY
CITY FELT NO DIFFICULTY VMC DESERVES KUDOS BRAVO KEEP IT UP
Credit goes to city administration this year the cleaning and broadening of drains works carried out before monsoon has helped city a lot. The places earlier seen flooding with little rain were seen fine, even during heavy rains.
Think about the Nizampura area during little rains. Chakli circle? , Genda Circle. This year no troubles were faced.
The pace of developemental work adopted by Vadodara Municipal Corporation , will further improve the quality of life during rains and heavy floods.
District has received required quota of rain.
This year River Viswamitri flowed within banks, no flooding, though city received full quota of rain.
This year 2007,disaster is afraid of Vadodara Collector Rajiv Topno, who is Disater Manager cum Expert. I have seen him calmly handling 2006 floods, operating from his office , taking information from net and predicting floods in Viswamitri river. Even monitoring,on phone ,a rescue operation involving villagers on flooded rooftop being evacuated by helicoptor.
Barodites can you guess the hillock you see in the picture? A very pavitra asthan!
Traffic Cops of Vadodara
Vadodara is fast growing to be a mega city. It has well managed traffic system and friendly cops. Population rise and developments are posing challenges, which are to be dealt with proper education of masses and adherence to the rules.
Vadodara is fast acquiring the status of Cosmopolitan in real sense. Vadodara Municipal Corporation is already known by the name Mahanagar Palika. Population of the city is fast increasing due to infux of migratory people. Laborers coming from nearby villages make Vadodara their permanent abode. Infrastructure is being burdened day by day. Some of the parts are so saturated that distresses are clearly visible. Roads are running to its full traffic potential and most of the time overstressing cause congestions. Roads here are quite traffic worthy, smooth and pliable.Traffic police with meager numbers are seen handling traffic. If you are seen violating the traffic you will be stopped by traffic cop one thing is certain you will have to pay Rs. fifty as fine, even if you have all the valid main documents with you (at least you will fail to produce one document). For example if you are caught entering wrong side or jumping red signal, you will not be penalized for the violation, but will be booked for not having either PUC or Helmet. Other way if helmets are being checked it may happen you will be booked for PUC. You will have to pay for what you are not having with you. Least will be explained about the rules you are violating and what can equip you to avoid the violation in future.
Sometime in order to chase the fine targets, cops are seen at a typical set up of roads where the public would hardly know the real things. They would only realize about the violation when they are suddenly caught. Instead of educating the people about the rules more attention is given to the fine collection.
Some of the points in vadodara are really confusing that if you are regularly using the route you will know it. Otherwise if you are coming first time there , you will definitely land up paying the fine. One of such confusing points is Kalaghoda. The public coming from Rajshree talkie going towards Fatehgung, by rule have to take turn towards left traversing around Dairy den circle opposite university gate to reach again at Kalaghoda and take turn towards Fatehgunj road. Public follow the straight route and violate the rule. If you are first timer you will definitely commit mistake.Some of the crossings are really confusing without prominently and clearly displayed markings, symbols and signboards.
Some of the suggestion for making Vadodara more traffic worthy.
Conducting seminars at regular intervals.
On the site education of the kids and public.
Introduction of chapter on traffic in school course.
Poster competitions.
Stress on creating awareness.
Cops to be polite, while dealing with public.
Distribution of traffic rule booklet.
Summarily, traffic cop are doing a fine job facing all kind of hardships, pollution, fury of nature and always unfriendly atmosphere. They are seen doing their jobs during festival seasons and at odd hours. They are much-much better on jobs than their counterparts in other states like northern states of India.
I feel like saluting these cops of Vadodara, when I see news items on TV, in which a petty thief is tied by rope and dragged by motorcycle.
I recall TV program 'Aap Ki Adalat', in which our very own super lady of discipline and rules Mrs. Kiran Bedi( her religion is humanity), a nice human being, on being asked why cops grease their palms; as she always best,she aggressively and rightly advocated that cops are normal human being they too want comforts and goodies at home. Are we perfect employer? And what are we doing for the welfare of cops?
In my view working of traffic police at Bangalore be set as benchmark, to be followed by other cities.
Rains and Floods Tips for Barodites.
Avoid pleasure trips during monsoon. If necessary ascertain weather forecasts using satellite imageries, avoid crossing low lying dips as floods in Gujarat are sudden and flash type. Recent incident near Bhavnagar Gujarat is indicative. Little wait is wor
The ladies, following them in another vehicle, were saved. The driver of ill fated Qualis was saved as he jumped out timely to tell the story what happened. Driver had warned the family to wait till water recedes. This incident raises many questions, but only thing remains is to be seen is to learn lesson and to be cautious in future. Few tips would be worth noting and following. The tips would be applicable uniformly throughout India, especially Gujarat and Saurashtra area of Gujarat where topography is very steep and slopes towards sea.
1. Avoid planning pleasure trips during monsoon.
2. If trip is urgent, avoid journey during heavy rains and especially during nights and floods.
3. Those comfortable with computer can know in advance the weather forecasts by referring satellite imageries.
4. If rains are heavy avoid crossing low lying dips carrying floods water over them.
5. Wait water to recede. Waiting time may not be long, but worth waiting.
6. If crossing the road is utmost necessary, better walk on foot ascertain the road condition and force of water current.
7. Don't try to follow a truck or heavy vehicle, the flood negotiation capacity of heavy vehicle is different from passenger cars.
8. Follow the advice of driver, as he is familiar with local conditions and obstruction time.
9. During rains keep safety kits containing umbrellas and life jackets in your vehicle with you.
10. Doors of the vehicles are very difficult to open due to water pressure, while entering floods, keep window glasses open for lessening the water pressure that causes overturning of vehicle.
11. Water depth rises in seconds in steep topography.
12. Before entering the floods always watch water profile, the abrupt change in water profile indicate the pit or washing of road.
13. Floods in Gujarat are flash type, sudden with occurrence time very short. Worth waiting to be safe.
14. NRIs' visiting India during monsoon need to be extra cautious, as with limited time they tread fast.
Lord Ganesha Bless We All Barodites
This is festival most celebrated in vadodara. Lord Ganesha say Ganpati Bapa visit thousands of households, saying bye on tenth day to come again. CM Narendra Modi is central theme in all decorations in city. Vadodara city is celebrating the progress which
Ten days back the lord had made entry in numerous households in India. Barodites welcomed the lord. The lord who would take all the troubles and make the trouble vanish, ultimately make us trouble free. Abundance will come throughout the year and the year will be prosperous for all the humanity.After Holi and before Navratri Ganpati fest is most popular in vadodara. During the first day lord Ganesh sathapana is done respectfully. People get big or small sized Ganpati idols from the market and place them respectfully in their houses. In vadodara artists hailing from other states make idols throughout the year, they do brisk biz during this festival. Wait the lord to resurface again next year.
Barodites celebrate the festival with full faith and respect. Bid good bye to lord respectfully immersing him, with a request to come again.
This fest has a special meaning for Maharashtrians. Whatever state they are living they would celebrate the fest with great fervor.
Most respected way of celebration is small idols placed respectfully inside the homes. Another form of celebration is, area wise big idols are placed by the local associations. This is sort of community celebration combined with cultural activities by the respective association.
These area wise celebration becomes a big event, involving a sort of competition amongst the association, whose lord is bigger, well decorated, and which lord is attracting maximum numbers of people in their pandals. Some association charge for lord darshna. Unaware of the fact that all idols are equal irrespective of size, big or small, whether placed inside or outside of house. All idols carry the same essence; everyone deserves free darshna of lord.
Idols immersion starts from the second day till 10th day. It is a big challenge for city administration. Efficiency and capability of city admin is put to tough test. Bigger the idol, difficult it is to immerse. Helps of various agencies are taken to accomplish the task; they work in full conjunction with each other to see all the idols are respectfully immersed.
Sursagar lake is centrally located and first most preferred place for immersions. Next come the Mahi River. Environmentalist make fruitless hue and cry. Even banks of the lake are not fit for bearing the pressure of peoples and machineries help immersion. Lord Ganpati Bapa takes care for all.
Summarily we can say the celebrations a matter of faith and unites we all, whole Baroda celebrate the fest. Each Ganpati decoration carries a theme that sends a message and educates masses.
This year our beloved CM Shri Narendra Modi is a central theme of decoration, and why should he not be? he deserves to be central. State has made a tremendous progress. Vadodara life is very easier, safe and smooth. Vadodara city has made a remarkable progress during last two years. Progress is visible. Just move around to confirm.
However, complete celebration needs to be overall sustainable, not going beyond yield point. Whether the matter is traffic congestion, noise pollution, environment or communal harmony.
Barodites are very cultured. They know to behave act with sense of responsibility. This is the reason life here is smooth and easy.
Lord here is worshipped since ages. Kings Gaikwads' had been keenly involved. Still I see long Qs inside the palace , people waiting for lord darshna.
How I was Duped at R - WORLD Reliance Vadodara Gujarat India
R-World Providing Broadband Service in Vadodara Duped me
I am sorry to state that when I was back to R world, Race Course , Vadodara, Gujarat, on 10th Sept 2007 after say something around 15-20 days, and logged with my ID, mmsingh1, I was shocked to found that my balance which was hovering around Rs. 1700 was suddenly reduced to Rs. 44.20/zero pulse. Very immediatly a young lady, as if was waiting my arrival suggested me to recharge the balance.
Earlier too during month or two back I noticed that something abnormal is happening to my account, like fast pulse rate and also noticed a sudden drop of balance from something Rs.3000 to 1990. I took it normal.
Also on earlier occasions the staff always offered me various schemes to opt for , but all the time I was asking them that I have sufficient balance, for the time being I do not need recharge.
However the boy at the counter told me that he would enquire the matter with Mumbai office .I want to know the following.
1. What has happened to my balance?
2. Can R world give me my daily usage hours and net balance at the end of each day for the last one year? So that I could know what was the balance at the end of each day.
3. Do R world comes under RTI act and what is the procedure to seek information under RTI Act
Can anyone throw light?
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Reply
- rushi patel rushi patel Nov 1, 2009 @ 10:57 pm
- right on
mirror image of baroda,
for me
baroda is similar to bombay
i dont want baroda to grow like bombay though.
its better today.
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Reply
- panchal sanjay panchal sanjay Sep 18, 2008 @ 5:15 am
- Hi there, iam also barodian,i really impressed, when i read about vadodra. also fill pride of the city where i put my child hood with bycycle
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Reply
- Ravi Vyas Ravi Vyas Jul 30, 2008 @ 8:07 am
- After reading major points from all the above articles, I can proudly say that "I am Barodian".
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Reply
- priyanka_barkana priyanka_barkana Feb 24, 2008 @ 12:16 pm
- well astonishing!! mi the part of the most known and prestigoius univ!! i doubt !!! well i blive and agree with the info given ..itz true,concrete and dame to the dart!! some reformation .... some big change
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- Rajays Rajays Feb 5, 2008 @ 2:10 am
- Heh Manmohan great lens. You make Baroda sound like a very nice and interesting place. Your personal views and feelings depicted here is awesome and makes it a fascinating read. Well done.
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- hemant Surve hemant Surve Jan 24, 2008 @ 7:02 am
- Hi there, i am also a barodian would like to say that this is a nice and informative lance about vadodara I am also agree with you about R WORLD ISSUE all the staff of R World is a group of cheater all the time they begging for renewing internet account & offering us faltu sceems. i m also having internet data card for my laptop with tons of issue waiting for resolution.there r so many complaints about staff & services but don't have enough space to tell u.
but would like to give u my mobile no 9913806803 if u have any other way to fight back with this scum backs.
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- Quikening Quikening Oct 26, 2007 @ 11:46 pm
- HI. Interesting read. I am in Vadodara for 2 weeks. 1st time in India. As much as I was prepared for what I see here, I find myself truly culture shocked at the standards of living. Reading your article gives me a more positive perspective of Vadodara.
by manmohansingh
Man Mohan Singh born 19th August at Allahabad, a spiritual city. Passed BE from Allahabed University in 1980, working As Deputy Executive Engineer in...
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