The Indian Express article starts with
"From May 1, the Queen’s Necklace will loose much of its lustre."
- loose?? gain would be the right word.
"With an annual turnover of Rs 700 crore, Mumbai’s billboards often reviled, are also regarded as one of the city’s cultural icons."
- Cultural icons!!! Now when did that happen. When did those semi-nude, gross visuals became cultural icons...[ Ofcourse except for a Amul or even a Traffic Awareness campaign which was creative ].
‘‘It is a sad situation—we are talking of transforming this city into Shanghai—look at all the beautiful cities of the world, they are known for their illuminations,’’ argued Imtiyaz Vilatra, Ogilvy and Mather’s management supervisor for Landscapes, their outdoor advertising company. ‘‘I feel the state should look for more ways to generate power.’’
- Will someone enlighten Imtiyaz about the strict guidelines set by Shanghai with respect to semi-porn/nude and double entendre and the punishments meted out otherwise. Also you can check out the various ZEHER / KHAMOSH -KHAUF whatever / FUN -Dangerous Illuminations of monstrous sizes at various signals in the city. Some are right in front of the windows for all to see. As for the advice, there are people who rarely saw a lit bulb in this state, in remote villages...so wish you could have offered it earlier....heard of SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY..?
‘‘More than the monetary losses it’s a loss of creativity,’’ said Manish Jain, general manager of Bright Advertising.
- Spare me will ya...
‘‘People will miss the illuminated presentation of the city.’’ again Manish Jain.
- Not me!! I like one Illumination though and that is the Illumination of CST and Municipal Office [both heritage buildings].
Friday, April 29, 2005
A life wasted...
"Twenty-five-year-old Aditya Khemka, a second semester student at Rai University was found dead on Tuesday after being hit by a train at Belapur at 5.25 am.
While the police insist it was an accident, his hostel mates suggest it was suicide over a love affair gone wrong."
It seems he had approached the girl many times and had received a slap too from her in front of 25 students. He was in a depression since then.
What does the dean have to say? ‘‘Aditya was Senior Manager, Placements for his batch. He was a very good student and we’ve lost a good life. This has nothing to do with our affiliation problems’’. The affiliation problems are apparently giving the dean some nightmares, that's for sure.
As for such students, don't waste your life, because by doing so, you kill your family members too in a single stroke.
And yes please include COUNSELLING as a compulsory option in my earlier post for education, for students.
While the police insist it was an accident, his hostel mates suggest it was suicide over a love affair gone wrong."
It seems he had approached the girl many times and had received a slap too from her in front of 25 students. He was in a depression since then.
What does the dean have to say? ‘‘Aditya was Senior Manager, Placements for his batch. He was a very good student and we’ve lost a good life. This has nothing to do with our affiliation problems’’. The affiliation problems are apparently giving the dean some nightmares, that's for sure.
As for such students, don't waste your life, because by doing so, you kill your family members too in a single stroke.
And yes please include COUNSELLING as a compulsory option in my earlier post for education, for students.
I don’t know who the PM is !!!
I had sent a mail to Amit Varma about the need for awareness among the new generation.
The article from Indian Express, in mumbai expressline dated 28th April proves it. Read some of the quotes:
1. I don’t know who the PM is: Ishita, Std IX
2.‘‘I’m not interested in the Parliament; I don’t think it’s relevant to my life in any way,’’ declared Chaitali Palav, a Std IX student of St Mary’s Convent, Mulund.
3. ‘‘I know nothing about Parliament or its functions,’’ admits a cheerful Ishita Madanpura, another Std IX student. In fact, Madanpura says she doesn’t know who the prime minister is.
4. Tejas Prabhu, a Std VIII student of Saraswati Vidyamandir, Thane, was a little more interested. ‘‘All I know about Parliament is how it looks,’’ he admits. ‘‘But I’d like to know more.’’
5. Amruta Moholkar, a Std VIII student of Sulochanadevi Singhania School, Thane, was not too keen to know more about Parliament even if the information was ready-made. ‘‘I’ve heard the term Parliament in Civics. I know they make rules there,’’ she said.
Some on the positive side...
1. Aakash Jhaveri, a Std VIII student of Cathedral and John Conon School. ‘‘I read three newspapers every day. I think it’s very interesting to know what’s been happening in Parliament and in the rest of the country,’’ he said.
2. Rushank Kariya, a Std VIII student of St Joseph School, Wadala, was also quite
knowledgeable. ‘‘I read two papers every day. I follow the Sensex very
closely,’’ he said. As for Parliamentary affairs, he keeps tab on the “most
sensational news”.
‘‘I know that the Parliament has two houses and I know their functions.
But the textbook only gives us theory,’’ said Shriya Moghe, a
student of R P Wagh High School, Vasai.
Ask me, I am a part timer too in Management.
REVAMP the Education System, and see the changes in society.
1. We need uniform subjects across india, especially with respect to Indian History [ Past and Modern ].
2. English and Hindi should be made compulsory. Or there is no point in refering hindi to as our national language. English because there is a urgent need to bring the students from the rural and urban at the same level.
3. 2nd Language should be the language used in majority in the state. Offer other languages too, as optional subjects that gives student an opportunity to learn their mothertongue.
4. Form a national committee, to set guidelines and prevent the syllabi from being used as a platform to preach pseudo ideological thoughts.
5. Involve the youth and the industrialists of the country to make the education system dynamic, ever evolving and practical.
6. Specialised courses in colleges, that give a fair idea to students of choosing the career path not as per their ambitions or because the career is lucrative but also whether they have the aptitude for the same.
The article from Indian Express, in mumbai expressline dated 28th April proves it. Read some of the quotes:
1. I don’t know who the PM is: Ishita, Std IX
2.‘‘I’m not interested in the Parliament; I don’t think it’s relevant to my life in any way,’’ declared Chaitali Palav, a Std IX student of St Mary’s Convent, Mulund.
3. ‘‘I know nothing about Parliament or its functions,’’ admits a cheerful Ishita Madanpura, another Std IX student. In fact, Madanpura says she doesn’t know who the prime minister is.
4. Tejas Prabhu, a Std VIII student of Saraswati Vidyamandir, Thane, was a little more interested. ‘‘All I know about Parliament is how it looks,’’ he admits. ‘‘But I’d like to know more.’’
5. Amruta Moholkar, a Std VIII student of Sulochanadevi Singhania School, Thane, was not too keen to know more about Parliament even if the information was ready-made. ‘‘I’ve heard the term Parliament in Civics. I know they make rules there,’’ she said.
Some on the positive side...
1. Aakash Jhaveri, a Std VIII student of Cathedral and John Conon School. ‘‘I read three newspapers every day. I think it’s very interesting to know what’s been happening in Parliament and in the rest of the country,’’ he said.
2. Rushank Kariya, a Std VIII student of St Joseph School, Wadala, was also quite
knowledgeable. ‘‘I read two papers every day. I follow the Sensex very
closely,’’ he said. As for Parliamentary affairs, he keeps tab on the “most
sensational news”.
‘‘I know that the Parliament has two houses and I know their functions.
But the textbook only gives us theory,’’ said Shriya Moghe, a
student of R P Wagh High School, Vasai.
Ask me, I am a part timer too in Management.
REVAMP the Education System, and see the changes in society.
1. We need uniform subjects across india, especially with respect to Indian History [ Past and Modern ].
2. English and Hindi should be made compulsory. Or there is no point in refering hindi to as our national language. English because there is a urgent need to bring the students from the rural and urban at the same level.
3. 2nd Language should be the language used in majority in the state. Offer other languages too, as optional subjects that gives student an opportunity to learn their mothertongue.
4. Form a national committee, to set guidelines and prevent the syllabi from being used as a platform to preach pseudo ideological thoughts.
5. Involve the youth and the industrialists of the country to make the education system dynamic, ever evolving and practical.
6. Specialised courses in colleges, that give a fair idea to students of choosing the career path not as per their ambitions or because the career is lucrative but also whether they have the aptitude for the same.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
What can a harassed Customer do?
I was browsing thro the net for management articles and came across this powerpoint presentation which is in fact a complaint by a customer.
http://www.hyperorg.com/misc/DoubleTreeShow_files/frame.html
Go thro the powerpoint presentation to see the detailed description of the harassment meted out to them. The slide that depicts the career path of the rude counter clerk takes the cake.
A damn good idea, but in India i guess, everyone would be a powerpoint expert just after a week of experiencing rude rickshawwallahs, bus conductors, taxi drivers, hawkers, BMC [ everyone ] , police, phew............
http://www.hyperorg.com/misc/DoubleTreeShow_files/frame.html
Go thro the powerpoint presentation to see the detailed description of the harassment meted out to them. The slide that depicts the career path of the rude counter clerk takes the cake.
A damn good idea, but in India i guess, everyone would be a powerpoint expert just after a week of experiencing rude rickshawwallahs, bus conductors, taxi drivers, hawkers, BMC [ everyone ] , police, phew............
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Burying Alive newborn kids !!
I just want to shout aloud loud, if it helps in removing the anger from within.....
Can the state government [Tamil Nadu] step in and take drastic action against the so called holy persons who conducted this rituals? This is worse that what shankaracharya is accused of....
Go ahead and read it on the following link....
http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Asian_Age/400x60/0
Can the state government [Tamil Nadu] step in and take drastic action against the so called holy persons who conducted this rituals? This is worse that what shankaracharya is accused of....
Go ahead and read it on the following link....
http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Asian_Age/400x60/0
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Privileged people
When a Salman is involved in hit and run, there is trial by the media. Police is very forthcoming in giving statements and details abt the case whereas in the mhatre case [Thackeray's driver] the police needs a directive from the judiciary to provide info abt the charges applied and the charges not applied.
Salman gives a huge amount to the victim's kin without waiting for any such directive from anyone. Whereas in the Mhatre case, the victim needs to go to court for compensation. The critics are unusually silent too on this issue and not much of paper reams is wasted on the Mhatre Case compared to the Salman case.
Manu Sharma is successful in getting bail after cold bloodedly murdering jessica lal in full public view, is the law bending backwards to accomodate the high and the mighty...??
Salman gives a huge amount to the victim's kin without waiting for any such directive from anyone. Whereas in the Mhatre case, the victim needs to go to court for compensation. The critics are unusually silent too on this issue and not much of paper reams is wasted on the Mhatre Case compared to the Salman case.
Manu Sharma is successful in getting bail after cold bloodedly murdering jessica lal in full public view, is the law bending backwards to accomodate the high and the mighty...??
Monday, April 11, 2005
5th April, 2005. - For my Mom, Love you mom.
Dear Lord,
You gave me an angel from heaven,
Who tended to me every day.
She saw me through trials and errors,
Watched and prayed as I went on my way.
My angel protected me always,
And vigilant ever was she,
While fasting and praying for others,
And faithfully calling on Thee.
My angel from heaven did love me.
I was blessed from the day I was born,
For that angel was my precious mother;
And now, her departure I mourn.
So please, Father, give her that mansion
She talked about time after time.
Let her sing in your heavenly choir
Among angels' voices sublime.
Please bless her and keep her forever
In heaven, away from all pain,
And help me to be much more like her,
So I can be with her again.
Amen.
You gave me an angel from heaven,
Who tended to me every day.
She saw me through trials and errors,
Watched and prayed as I went on my way.
My angel protected me always,
And vigilant ever was she,
While fasting and praying for others,
And faithfully calling on Thee.
My angel from heaven did love me.
I was blessed from the day I was born,
For that angel was my precious mother;
And now, her departure I mourn.
So please, Father, give her that mansion
She talked about time after time.
Let her sing in your heavenly choir
Among angels' voices sublime.
Please bless her and keep her forever
In heaven, away from all pain,
And help me to be much more like her,
So I can be with her again.
Amen.
Monday, April 04, 2005
Mera Bharat Mahan.......
I was quite disturbed during the 92-93 Mumbai riots and this poem, although in retrospect i feel its a bit amateurish, came from my heart.
Not the complete poem, but i produce a part of it...
{Capitation fees}
Jahan Gyan ki Bhrastachar se Pehchaan...
Jahan Vidya ki Dhan se Pehchaan....
Us Desh main mere bhai bolo...Mera Bharat Mahaan ????
{Communal riots}
Jahan Insaan Bhool betha
ki hai pehle woh insaan....
Phir Hindu ya Musalmaan....
Us Desh main mere bhai bolo...Mera Bharat Mahaan ????
{Mandal Commission}
Jahan Mandal ka kafn pehnakar...
Ek Chandal Neta ne ki Masoom Vidyarthiyo ki
Atmavilopan [Death by Fire] se pehchaan....
Us Desh main mere bhai bolo...Mera Bharat Mahaan ????
{Bhagalpur Blindings}
Jahan gumrah insaano ki
karvayi gayi Andhkar se pehchaan.......
Us Desh main mere bhai bolo...Mera Bharat Mahaan ????
Jab is desh ke nawjawan
Jalake Kranti ki Mashaal....
Karvayange is desh ka naye Atmasamman se pehchaan....
TAB MERE BHAIO GARV SE BOLNA "MERA BHARAT MAHAAN"
Gaurang
Not the complete poem, but i produce a part of it...
{Capitation fees}
Jahan Gyan ki Bhrastachar se Pehchaan...
Jahan Vidya ki Dhan se Pehchaan....
Us Desh main mere bhai bolo...Mera Bharat Mahaan ????
{Communal riots}
Jahan Insaan Bhool betha
ki hai pehle woh insaan....
Phir Hindu ya Musalmaan....
Us Desh main mere bhai bolo...Mera Bharat Mahaan ????
{Mandal Commission}
Jahan Mandal ka kafn pehnakar...
Ek Chandal Neta ne ki Masoom Vidyarthiyo ki
Atmavilopan [Death by Fire] se pehchaan....
Us Desh main mere bhai bolo...Mera Bharat Mahaan ????
{Bhagalpur Blindings}
Jahan gumrah insaano ki
karvayi gayi Andhkar se pehchaan.......
Us Desh main mere bhai bolo...Mera Bharat Mahaan ????
Jab is desh ke nawjawan
Jalake Kranti ki Mashaal....
Karvayange is desh ka naye Atmasamman se pehchaan....
TAB MERE BHAIO GARV SE BOLNA "MERA BHARAT MAHAAN"
Gaurang
Thursday, March 31, 2005
The Interview With God
Check out this site and view the presentation.
http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/
Mindblowing indeed!!
http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/
Mindblowing indeed!!
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Taj Mahal - Not made by Shahajahan!!! BBC
Came across this article, couldn't believe what was written, especially as a name like BBC is involved.
The article produced can be viewed at the following link -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A5220
The Taj Mahal,located near the Indian city of Agra, is one of the world's greatest architectural treasures. The almost supernatural beauty of the Taj Mahal and its grounds transcends culture and history, and speaks with a voice of its own to visitors from all over the world of feelings that are common to all humanity.
There are two stories of how the Taj came to be.
The Taj's Love Story
It has been called the most beautiful temple in the world, despite the fact that it was built at the cost of much human life. The Taj Mahal is a real monument of one man's love for a woman. The story is a sad one, told many times. But it never hurts to tell it again.
In 1631, when his wife died in childbirth, the emperor Shah Jahan brought to Agra the most skilled craftsmen from all Asia and even Europe, to build the white marble mausoleum that is the Taj Mahal. He intended to build a black marble mausoleum for himself, and the link between the two was to be a silver bridge. This fantastic plan suffered a dramatic and permanent setback when the Shah himself died.
Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond description, particularly at dawn and at sunset when it seems to glow in the light. On a foggy morning, it looks as though the Taj is suspended in mid-air when viewed from across the Jamuna river.
This is, of course, an illusion. The Taj stands on a raised square platform with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and a symmetry of architectural elements.
If you don't want the huge crowds to distract you from your view, try arriving just as it opens or is about to close. A few minutes alone in the perpetually echoing inner sanctum will reward you far more than several hours spent on a guided tour. Especially if your tour guide is Murbat Singh, who makes it his job to find a new comic slant on the Taj story every time he tells it.
To really do the Taj Mahal justice, you should plan to spend at least a full day in the grounds, to see this stunning piece of architecture at dawn, midday, and at dusk. The colours and atmosphere of the gardens and the Taj itself constantly change throughout the day. Under moonlight the marble glows.
The Taj's Other Story
If you have ever visited the Taj Mahal then your guide probably told you that it was designed by Ustad Isa of Iran, and built by the Moghul Emperor, Shah Jahan, in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Indian children are taught that it was built in 22 years (1631 to 1653) by 20,000 artisans brought to India from all over the world.
This story has been challenged by Professor P.N. Oak, author of Taj Mahal: The True Story, who believes that the whole world has been duped. He claims that the Taj Mahal is not Queen Mumtaz Mahal's tomb, but an ancient Hindu temple palace of Lord Shiva (then known as Tejo Mahalaya), worshipped by the Rajputs of Agra city.
In the course of his research, Oak discovered that the Shiva temple palace had been usurped by Shah Jahan from then Maharaja of Jaipur, Jai Singh. Shah Jahan then remodelled the palace into his wife's memorial. In his own court chronicle, Badshahnama, Shah Jahan admits that an exceptionally beautiful grand mansion in Agra was taken from Jai Singh for Mumtaz's burial. The ex-Maharaja of Jaipur is said to retain in his secret collection two orders from Shah Jahan for the surrender of the Taj building.
The use of captured temples and mansions as a burial place for dead courtiers and royalty was a common practice among Muslim rulers. For example, Hamayun, Akbar, Etmud-ud-Daula and Safdarjung are all buried in such mansions.
Oak's inquiries begin with the name Taj Mahal. He says this term does not occur in any Moghul court papers or chronicles, even after Shah Jahan's time. The term 'Mahal' has never been used for a building in any of the Muslim countries, from Afghanistan to Algeria.
'The usual explanation that the term Taj Mahal derives from Mumtaz Mahal is illogical in at least two respects. Firstly, her name was never Mumtaz Mahal but Mumtaz-ul-Zamani,' he writes. 'Secondly, one cannot omit the first three letters from a woman's name to derive the remainder as the name for the building.'
Taj Mahal is, he claims, a corrupt version of Tejo-mahalaya, or the Shiva's Palace. Oak also says that the love story of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan is a fairy tale created by court sycophants, blundering historians and sloppy archaeologists. Not a single royal chronicle of Shah Jahan's time corroborates the love story.
Furthermore, Oak cites several documents suggesting that the Taj Mahal predates Shah Jahan's era:
Professor Marvin Miller of New York took samples from the riverside doorway of the Taj. Carbon dating tests revealed that the door was 300 years older than Shah Jahan.
European traveller Johan Albert Mandelslo, who visited Agra in 1638 (only seven years after Mumtaz's death), describes the life of the city in his memoirs, but makes no reference to the Taj Mahal being built.
The writings of Peter Mundy, an English visitor to Agra within a year of Mumtaz's death, also suggest that the Taj was a noteworthy building long well before Shah Jahan's time.
Oak also points out a number of design and architectural inconsistencies that support the belief that the Taj Mahal is a typical Hindu temple rather than a mausoleum.
Many rooms in the Taj Mahal have remained sealed since Shah Jahan's time, and are still inaccessible to the public. Oak asserts they contain a headless statue of Shiva and other objects commonly used for worship rituals in Hindu temples.
Fearing political backlash, Indira Gandhi's government tried to have Oak's book withdrawn from the bookstores, and threatened the Indian publisher of the first edition with dire consequences.
The only way to really validate or discredit Oak's research is to open the sealed rooms of the Taj Mahal, and allow international experts to investigate.
The article produced can be viewed at the following link -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A5220
The Taj Mahal,located near the Indian city of Agra, is one of the world's greatest architectural treasures. The almost supernatural beauty of the Taj Mahal and its grounds transcends culture and history, and speaks with a voice of its own to visitors from all over the world of feelings that are common to all humanity.
There are two stories of how the Taj came to be.
The Taj's Love Story
It has been called the most beautiful temple in the world, despite the fact that it was built at the cost of much human life. The Taj Mahal is a real monument of one man's love for a woman. The story is a sad one, told many times. But it never hurts to tell it again.
In 1631, when his wife died in childbirth, the emperor Shah Jahan brought to Agra the most skilled craftsmen from all Asia and even Europe, to build the white marble mausoleum that is the Taj Mahal. He intended to build a black marble mausoleum for himself, and the link between the two was to be a silver bridge. This fantastic plan suffered a dramatic and permanent setback when the Shah himself died.
Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond description, particularly at dawn and at sunset when it seems to glow in the light. On a foggy morning, it looks as though the Taj is suspended in mid-air when viewed from across the Jamuna river.
This is, of course, an illusion. The Taj stands on a raised square platform with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and a symmetry of architectural elements.
If you don't want the huge crowds to distract you from your view, try arriving just as it opens or is about to close. A few minutes alone in the perpetually echoing inner sanctum will reward you far more than several hours spent on a guided tour. Especially if your tour guide is Murbat Singh, who makes it his job to find a new comic slant on the Taj story every time he tells it.
To really do the Taj Mahal justice, you should plan to spend at least a full day in the grounds, to see this stunning piece of architecture at dawn, midday, and at dusk. The colours and atmosphere of the gardens and the Taj itself constantly change throughout the day. Under moonlight the marble glows.
The Taj's Other Story
If you have ever visited the Taj Mahal then your guide probably told you that it was designed by Ustad Isa of Iran, and built by the Moghul Emperor, Shah Jahan, in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Indian children are taught that it was built in 22 years (1631 to 1653) by 20,000 artisans brought to India from all over the world.
This story has been challenged by Professor P.N. Oak, author of Taj Mahal: The True Story, who believes that the whole world has been duped. He claims that the Taj Mahal is not Queen Mumtaz Mahal's tomb, but an ancient Hindu temple palace of Lord Shiva (then known as Tejo Mahalaya), worshipped by the Rajputs of Agra city.
In the course of his research, Oak discovered that the Shiva temple palace had been usurped by Shah Jahan from then Maharaja of Jaipur, Jai Singh. Shah Jahan then remodelled the palace into his wife's memorial. In his own court chronicle, Badshahnama, Shah Jahan admits that an exceptionally beautiful grand mansion in Agra was taken from Jai Singh for Mumtaz's burial. The ex-Maharaja of Jaipur is said to retain in his secret collection two orders from Shah Jahan for the surrender of the Taj building.
The use of captured temples and mansions as a burial place for dead courtiers and royalty was a common practice among Muslim rulers. For example, Hamayun, Akbar, Etmud-ud-Daula and Safdarjung are all buried in such mansions.
Oak's inquiries begin with the name Taj Mahal. He says this term does not occur in any Moghul court papers or chronicles, even after Shah Jahan's time. The term 'Mahal' has never been used for a building in any of the Muslim countries, from Afghanistan to Algeria.
'The usual explanation that the term Taj Mahal derives from Mumtaz Mahal is illogical in at least two respects. Firstly, her name was never Mumtaz Mahal but Mumtaz-ul-Zamani,' he writes. 'Secondly, one cannot omit the first three letters from a woman's name to derive the remainder as the name for the building.'
Taj Mahal is, he claims, a corrupt version of Tejo-mahalaya, or the Shiva's Palace. Oak also says that the love story of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan is a fairy tale created by court sycophants, blundering historians and sloppy archaeologists. Not a single royal chronicle of Shah Jahan's time corroborates the love story.
Furthermore, Oak cites several documents suggesting that the Taj Mahal predates Shah Jahan's era:
Professor Marvin Miller of New York took samples from the riverside doorway of the Taj. Carbon dating tests revealed that the door was 300 years older than Shah Jahan.
European traveller Johan Albert Mandelslo, who visited Agra in 1638 (only seven years after Mumtaz's death), describes the life of the city in his memoirs, but makes no reference to the Taj Mahal being built.
The writings of Peter Mundy, an English visitor to Agra within a year of Mumtaz's death, also suggest that the Taj was a noteworthy building long well before Shah Jahan's time.
Oak also points out a number of design and architectural inconsistencies that support the belief that the Taj Mahal is a typical Hindu temple rather than a mausoleum.
Many rooms in the Taj Mahal have remained sealed since Shah Jahan's time, and are still inaccessible to the public. Oak asserts they contain a headless statue of Shiva and other objects commonly used for worship rituals in Hindu temples.
Fearing political backlash, Indira Gandhi's government tried to have Oak's book withdrawn from the bookstores, and threatened the Indian publisher of the first edition with dire consequences.
The only way to really validate or discredit Oak's research is to open the sealed rooms of the Taj Mahal, and allow international experts to investigate.
Is Heaven In Yellow Pages?
Got this one by mail. Had to post it....Read ahead....
Mommy went to Heaven,
but I need her here today.
My tummy hurts and I fell down.
I need her right away.
Operator, can you tell me
How to find her in this book?
Is heaven in the yellow part?
I don't know where to look.
I think my daddy needs her, too;
At night I hear him cry.
I hear him call her name sometimes,
but I really don't know why.
Someone hit her car, he says.
It fell in the river and sunk.
Someone hit her car,
and daddy calls him a drunk.
Why, operator?
Why did he drink and drive?
If he had not done it,
My mama would be alive.
Maybe if I call her,
she will hurry home to me.
Is Heaven very far away?
Is it across the sea?
She's been gone a long, long time.
She needs to come home now!
I really need to reach her,
but I simply don't know how.
Help me find the number, please.
Is it listed under "Heaven?"
I can't read these big, big words.
I am only seven.
I'm sorry, operator,
I didn't mean to make you cry,
Is your tummy hurting, too?
Or is there something in your eye?
Maybe I should call my church,
Maybe they will know.
Mommy said when we need help
that's where we should go.
I found the number to my church
and tacked it on the wall.
Thank you, operator,
I'll give them a call.
Friday, March 18, 2005
Modi refused a Visa by US....
After granting visas to modi, US has revoked the visas citing a rule that states that the person concerned has "directly carried out, at any time, particularly severe violations of religions freedom" [TOI].
Wow, now thats interesting!!!The Indian Police should arrest Modi immediately, as the US through its intelligence network has found out the real villain of Godhra riots...
But who did grant tourism/business visa to modi in the first place, will that officer be sacked by US Dept of Immigration.
Relax, Modi Bashers, I am not Modi Fan but America has no moral standing to act righteous and teach us about Racial Discrimination, Racial Hatred etc.
For more info contact the Hispanic, Afro-Americans, Asian-Americans, Arab-Americans who were at the receiving end after 9/11.
Nobody is mightier than the Indian Public, even the the great Indira Gandhi was jolted by it...remember the emergency...
But I really love the functioning of the US Congress, just imagine if indians similarly could pass resolution to ban the entry of American Leaders, I am sure Bush, Powell, Rice and maybe an MJ too!! would be restricted from entering india too.
Wow, now thats interesting!!!The Indian Police should arrest Modi immediately, as the US through its intelligence network has found out the real villain of Godhra riots...
But who did grant tourism/business visa to modi in the first place, will that officer be sacked by US Dept of Immigration.
Relax, Modi Bashers, I am not Modi Fan but America has no moral standing to act righteous and teach us about Racial Discrimination, Racial Hatred etc.
For more info contact the Hispanic, Afro-Americans, Asian-Americans, Arab-Americans who were at the receiving end after 9/11.
Nobody is mightier than the Indian Public, even the the great Indira Gandhi was jolted by it...remember the emergency...
But I really love the functioning of the US Congress, just imagine if indians similarly could pass resolution to ban the entry of American Leaders, I am sure Bush, Powell, Rice and maybe an MJ too!! would be restricted from entering india too.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Wife of HIV+ Husband kills herself.
The Husband's Reaction?
"I think she was stupid to die like that. She thought I was going to die. I have had this disease for the past two years; nothing happens. I’m just a little tired, nothing else!”
[ *@#!--forget it, not worth commenting...]
The wife was not aware of his disease, she was told that he had contracted TB.
Read about the pathetic state of AIDS awareness and I feel human relations...
http://ww1.mid-day.com/news/city/2005/march/105640.htm
"I think she was stupid to die like that. She thought I was going to die. I have had this disease for the past two years; nothing happens. I’m just a little tired, nothing else!”
[ *@#!--forget it, not worth commenting...]
The wife was not aware of his disease, she was told that he had contracted TB.
Read about the pathetic state of AIDS awareness and I feel human relations...
http://ww1.mid-day.com/news/city/2005/march/105640.htm
Monday, March 14, 2005
Cutting dead bodies for 15 years...
Recently this article appeared in Mid-day. Click on the link -
http://web.mid-day.com/news/nation/2005/march/105528.htm
“The initial years of my profession made me a robot who went about cutting bodies without any emotion. With the passage of time, dead bodies of children and women killed in blasts and gunfire changed the robot in me to an emotionless statue"
Maqbool is Kashmir's only post-mortem specialist, he has been religiously performing this gory duty for last 15 years. How can it be that the government that spends crores on J&K could not find some more staff for performing autopsies.
He buys autopsy kits from his own pocket at times!!
“I have nightmares. Whenever I sleep, the faces of the dead keep on turning in my dreams.”
Isn't this duty too a violation of Human Rights??
http://web.mid-day.com/news/nation/2005/march/105528.htm
“The initial years of my profession made me a robot who went about cutting bodies without any emotion. With the passage of time, dead bodies of children and women killed in blasts and gunfire changed the robot in me to an emotionless statue"
Maqbool is Kashmir's only post-mortem specialist, he has been religiously performing this gory duty for last 15 years. How can it be that the government that spends crores on J&K could not find some more staff for performing autopsies.
He buys autopsy kits from his own pocket at times!!
“I have nightmares. Whenever I sleep, the faces of the dead keep on turning in my dreams.”
Isn't this duty too a violation of Human Rights??
Monday, February 28, 2005
live on - Surinder's Blog.......
I've dreamed many dreams that never came true,
I've seen them vanish at dawn.
But I've realized enough of my dreams, thank God,
To make me want to dream on.
I've prayed many prayers, when no answers came,
Though I waited so patient and long,
But answers came to enough of my prayers
To make me keep praying on.
I've trusted many a friend who failed
And left me to weep alone,
But I've found enough of my friends to be true
To make me keep trusting on.
I've sown many seeds that fell by the way
For the birds to feed upon,
But I've held enough golden sheaves in my hands
To make me keep sowing on.
I've drained the cup of disappointment and pain
And gone many days without song,
But I've sipped enough nectar from the roses of life
To make me want to live on.
http://surinderxx.blogspot.com/
I've seen them vanish at dawn.
But I've realized enough of my dreams, thank God,
To make me want to dream on.
I've prayed many prayers, when no answers came,
Though I waited so patient and long,
But answers came to enough of my prayers
To make me keep praying on.
I've trusted many a friend who failed
And left me to weep alone,
But I've found enough of my friends to be true
To make me keep trusting on.
I've sown many seeds that fell by the way
For the birds to feed upon,
But I've held enough golden sheaves in my hands
To make me keep sowing on.
I've drained the cup of disappointment and pain
And gone many days without song,
But I've sipped enough nectar from the roses of life
To make me want to live on.
http://surinderxx.blogspot.com/
Friday, February 25, 2005
Back To School
It is back to school for me. When I enrolled for Part-Time Master's in Marketing Management, I felt like Rodney Dangerfield Star of "Back to School". Being Married and having a 5 year old kid, I was nervous as hell and at the same time excited too at the prospect of gaining management knowledge, access to a swell library and making new friends.
The class comprised of students younger and older to me too [That helped me relax !! I was not the odd one out].
Not quite a part of academic intelligentsia, I never had any pretensions of joining IIM or something equal. Still I managed to get into a college with very good infrastructure and a damn good library, [Yea! You will find me mentioning that quite often !!]. Where else would you get to read Khuswant Singh, Jane Austen, Shakespeare, P.L.Deshpande, Grisham, J.D.Krishnamurthy along with the management regulars like Jack Welch, Peter Drucker, Arindam Chaudhari to name a few.
And the friends I made? Couldn't have asked for better inspiration and motivation. I have for colleagues, a lady with college kids, 2 Sisters who stay at Kalyan, Work at Andheri and come to Bandra everyday to study !!, A smart talking business kid with a great sense of humour, Some highly exploited [ :( ] and yet always cheerful Coke Sales guys, A guy from a faaaaar away place called Belapur who recently had to give up his newly acquired bike due to accident and some beautiful and determined to make it in life kinda gals too [ With Brains !!! ]......
If I had a dream cam like the one i mentioned in my earlier blogs, i would have shot a new episode daily and believe me it would have been a super duper hit series....
More of my college pals later....
The class comprised of students younger and older to me too [That helped me relax !! I was not the odd one out].
Not quite a part of academic intelligentsia, I never had any pretensions of joining IIM or something equal. Still I managed to get into a college with very good infrastructure and a damn good library, [Yea! You will find me mentioning that quite often !!]. Where else would you get to read Khuswant Singh, Jane Austen, Shakespeare, P.L.Deshpande, Grisham, J.D.Krishnamurthy along with the management regulars like Jack Welch, Peter Drucker, Arindam Chaudhari to name a few.
And the friends I made? Couldn't have asked for better inspiration and motivation. I have for colleagues, a lady with college kids, 2 Sisters who stay at Kalyan, Work at Andheri and come to Bandra everyday to study !!, A smart talking business kid with a great sense of humour, Some highly exploited [ :( ] and yet always cheerful Coke Sales guys, A guy from a faaaaar away place called Belapur who recently had to give up his newly acquired bike due to accident and some beautiful and determined to make it in life kinda gals too [ With Brains !!! ]......
If I had a dream cam like the one i mentioned in my earlier blogs, i would have shot a new episode daily and believe me it would have been a super duper hit series....
More of my college pals later....
Ahhh The Dream Machine.......
Man just look at the piece...a HDTV Cam...A boon for amateur and aspiring film-makers...
Would like to get response from like minded people about this cam...Do let me know...By the way it is a Sony HDR-FX1
HIV Terror !!!
This mail from a pal..."sunil paulose"
FW: CAUTION!!!!
MAIL FROM S. Dinesh Gopinath, I.A.S, Director of Medical & Research Div, Chennai.Dear All,Kindly take a couple of minutes to go thru this mail. If useful may advise others also . Please pass this on to othersThis happened in Paris recently and may happen elsewhere also. A few weeks ago, in a movie theatre, a person felt something poking from her seat. When she got up to see what it was, she found a needle sticking out of the seat with a note attached saying
"You have just been infected by HIV".
The Disease Control Center (in Paris) reports many similar events in many other cities recently. All tested needles were HIV Positive. The Center reports that needles have been found in cash dispensers at public banking machines. We ask everyone to use extreme caution when faced with this kind of situation.
All public chairs/seats should be inspected with vigilance and caution before use. A careful visual inspection should be enough. In addition, they ask that each of you pass this message along to all members of your family and your friends of the potential danger.
FW: CAUTION!!!!
MAIL FROM S. Dinesh Gopinath, I.A.S, Director of Medical & Research Div, Chennai.Dear All,Kindly take a couple of minutes to go thru this mail. If useful may advise others also . Please pass this on to othersThis happened in Paris recently and may happen elsewhere also. A few weeks ago, in a movie theatre, a person felt something poking from her seat. When she got up to see what it was, she found a needle sticking out of the seat with a note attached saying
"You have just been infected by HIV".
The Disease Control Center (in Paris) reports many similar events in many other cities recently. All tested needles were HIV Positive. The Center reports that needles have been found in cash dispensers at public banking machines. We ask everyone to use extreme caution when faced with this kind of situation.
All public chairs/seats should be inspected with vigilance and caution before use. A careful visual inspection should be enough. In addition, they ask that each of you pass this message along to all members of your family and your friends of the potential danger.
Recently, one doctor has narrated a somewhat similar instance that happened to one of his patients at the Priya Cinema in Delhi. A young girl, engaged and about to be married in a couple of months, was pricked while the movie was going on. The tag with the needle had the message "Welcome to the World of HIV family".
Though the doctors told her family that it takes about 6 months before the virus grows strong enough to start damaging the system and a healthy victim could survive about 5-6 years, the girl died in 4 months, perhaps more because of the "Shock thought".
We all have to be careful at public places, rest God help! Just think about saving a life by forwarding this message.
Please, take a few seconds of your time to pass along.With Regards,S. Dinesh Gopinath, I.A.S, Director of Medical & Research Div, Chennai. Rather than forwarding irrelevant mails, kindly pass this to every one. Probably ur mail can help some save his/her life.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Idle worship - A post by Amit Varma
I agree with this. Hypocrisy is what bugs me....And I do not understand HOW a temple of a SPENT leader can be important from the "tourism point of view"....
======= Read along =========
Some people in Gwalior are opening a temple dedicated to the former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. A gentleman named Vijay Singh Chauhan, a lawyer by profession, is the man behind the project. He says, "The temple will be a source of inspiration for future generations and will be important from the tourism point of view." Vajpayee's idol will be installed in the temple on December 25, his 80th birthday anniversary, after being dipped "in the Ganges and Yamuna rivers". What astonishes and repels me is that, at the time of writing, Vajpayee hasn't yet spoken out against this. Is this how he wants to be remembered, as the idol of an irrational bunch of zealots? On the other hand, he did lead the political arm of the Sangh Parivar for quite some time, didn't he?
amit varma.....................
==================
======= Read along =========
Some people in Gwalior are opening a temple dedicated to the former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. A gentleman named Vijay Singh Chauhan, a lawyer by profession, is the man behind the project. He says, "The temple will be a source of inspiration for future generations and will be important from the tourism point of view." Vajpayee's idol will be installed in the temple on December 25, his 80th birthday anniversary, after being dipped "in the Ganges and Yamuna rivers". What astonishes and repels me is that, at the time of writing, Vajpayee hasn't yet spoken out against this. Is this how he wants to be remembered, as the idol of an irrational bunch of zealots? On the other hand, he did lead the political arm of the Sangh Parivar for quite some time, didn't he?
amit varma.....................
==================
wise log keh gaye hain !!
The best way to get even is to forget...
Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death.
God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts...
Some folks wear their halos much too tight...
Some marriages are made in heaven, but they ALL have to be maintained on earth...
Unless you can create the WHOLE universe in 5 days, then perhaps giving "advice" to God, isn't such a good idea.
Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, and faith looks up...
Standing in the middle of the road is dangerous. You will get knocked down by the traffic from both ways.
Words are windows to the heart.
A skeptic is a person who when he sees the handwriting on the wall, claims it's a forgery.
It isn't difficult to make a mountain out of a molehill, just add a little dirt.
A successful marriage isn't finding the right person-it's being the right person.
The mighty oak tree was once a little nut that held its ground.
Too many people offer God prayers with claw marks all over them.
The tongue must be heavy indeed, because so few people can't hold it.
To forgive is to set the prisoner free, and then discover the prisoner was you.
You have to wonder about humans, they think God is dead and Elvis is alive.
It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.
You'll notice that a turtle only makes progress when it sticks out its neck...
From a very nice blog: http://surinderxx.blogspot.com/
Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death.
God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts...
Some folks wear their halos much too tight...
Some marriages are made in heaven, but they ALL have to be maintained on earth...
Unless you can create the WHOLE universe in 5 days, then perhaps giving "advice" to God, isn't such a good idea.
Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, and faith looks up...
Standing in the middle of the road is dangerous. You will get knocked down by the traffic from both ways.
Words are windows to the heart.
A skeptic is a person who when he sees the handwriting on the wall, claims it's a forgery.
It isn't difficult to make a mountain out of a molehill, just add a little dirt.
A successful marriage isn't finding the right person-it's being the right person.
The mighty oak tree was once a little nut that held its ground.
Too many people offer God prayers with claw marks all over them.
The tongue must be heavy indeed, because so few people can't hold it.
To forgive is to set the prisoner free, and then discover the prisoner was you.
You have to wonder about humans, they think God is dead and Elvis is alive.
It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.
You'll notice that a turtle only makes progress when it sticks out its neck...
From a very nice blog: http://surinderxx.blogspot.com/
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