The Chhatarpur Temple, Qutb Minar & Raj Ghat - Day 3

18th April 7.00am

With a very good rest at night we started energetic to cover few more places today. We had a very long list to cover, but we were not aware that sun is going to act against us today.

We planned to cover today the 'Chhatarpur Mandir', 'Qutb Minar', 'Birla temple' and 'Raj Ghat' also. But our starting itself got into a trouble as we ended up searching for a restaurant for our breakfast and wasted about an hour on that.

Once we are done with that, we headed straight to 'Chhatarpur Mandir' - beautifully architected and very attractive temple. We were enjoying each and every moment there. It has various temples inside for 'Ganesh', 'Radha Krishna', 'Shiva' and 'Durga'. The pathway leads you to those temples in an organized way and I am sure you will enjoy the environment and the architecture.

Below are some snaps of the temple for your eyes

From here we went directly to 'Qutb Minar'. By seeing around I can recall all our History classes in school days. Well maintained area but they don't allow you to go inside the tomb. You can watch them from outside. The mughalai architecture is really good to see.

Below are some snaps from that place

The view of 'Qutb Minar' from different distance

The surrounding area of Qutb Minar

The famous Iron Pillar in 'Qutb Complex', which is standing tall there without any rust or anything all these years. This is one of the world's foremost metallurgical curiosity. Below see the picture of the same.

A side view of the complete Qutb complex for your eyes

It is 1pm. The sun is not at all mercy on us (seems that day Delhi was highest in temp.). So we decided to wind up from here and reached our hotel. Took rest and we started again around 4.15pm and went straight to 'Raj Ghat'

Below is the Map of 'Raj Ghat'. So many great persons are resting there.

First we visited 'Raj Ghat', where our 'Father of nation' is resting. A stone which has the words of Mahatma inscribed on it, placed near the shoe rack and we walked inside to see a good number of crowd there paying their respect to him. We too stood there and paid our homage to that great person who fight for the nation to get ourself freedom.

Moving from there we reached 'Vir Bhumi' of Rajiv Gandhi

and then to 'Shakti Sthal' of Indira Gandhi

Then we reached the 'Shanthi Van' of Jawahar Lal Nehru.

With this we completed our today's trip as we planned to visit 'Haridwar & Rishikesh' the next two days, we reached our hotel a little early to take rest.

Keep watching this blog to read my blissful experience I had in 'Haridwar & Rishikesh', especially about the Ganges.

Thank you,
Ragavan

The India Gate

17th April 7.30pm

Our vehicle reached the road that leads to 'India Gate'. I had a complete look on the famous 'Raj Path', recalled those Independence / Republic day parades. Now what I see is people thronging through out the lawns near 'Raj Path'

Below is the picture I took while we entered Delhi

But in the darkness the view was completely different and excellent. Parked our vehicle on the roadside, we walked towards the famous monument. I never thought i will be visiting these places. Though it is heavily crowded you can see a numerous attractive happenings around you viz. henna painting, road side pani puri wala, bombay mittai wala, kid toys and etc.,

Below are some snaps from different distance in the night view of the great monument for your eyes.

Enjoying all those and had a pleasant walk towards the main attraction. You can see the huge monument with a Black marble Cenotaph with a rifle placed on its barrel, crested by a Soldier's helmet. Each face of the monument has inscribed the words "Amar Jawan" (Immortal Warrior) in Gold. (Below is the snap of the 'Amar Jawan')

I heard that those walls have about 90,000 soldiers names engraved on it. So was trying to locate some of them and was lucky enough to find some and capture them on my camera in that darkness. Here are they...

While look on the top of the huge tomb, I noticed "INDIA" written in a huge letters below that there were some words scribbled, how much I try I couldn't able to read them. I thought If I capture that in my camera using my zoom... may be i will use some photo tools to read that. (Still trying ha ha ha...)

Walked around that place we picked up some toy for the kid and as expected the ladies were rushing to get their hands henna painted. And not to mention, we didn't forget to enjoy the tasty 'Panipuri', the best of it's taste.

Thank you,
Ragavan

The Bahá'í temple (a.k.a) The Lotus temple - Day 2

17th April 2010, 4 pm

After a short rest and freshen up we got ready to explore the exciting and attracting destinations of Delhi. Swam through the Delhi traffic we reached the destination. We thought we could cover few places on this evening, but due to a little longer rest we took, we decided to restrict this evening with one or two destinations.

The first one we selected was the 'The Lotus temple' or 'The Bahá'í temple'.

When we are about to reach the destination, on our way, amidst the pleasant evening of the capital, on the side of the road you can view the 'Lotus' like temple there standing gigantically surrounded with a beautiful landscape.

Got amazed with the structure and design, I was wondering the architecture of it. Designed like slightly opened lotus petals in two layers surrounded with a huge landscape, it was an outstanding view.

My hands picked up the camera automatically to capture that view. The view was excellent and I don't have any words to describe it. It was like huge gigantic white lotus flower popped out of the green landscape. With all people walking over here and there, you can see like people are getting in and out of that flower.

Nearing to the Lotus temple, we were doubtful whether they open now or going to be closed ?, though I noted down the opening timings from web, the driver said they will close in few minutes. Jumped out of the vehicle, I rushed to the main door to see the visitor timings and very happy to see that they are open for another few hours.

Happily stepped in and walked through the beautifully paved pathway leading to that famous location, we were getting closer to the temple. I had opportunity to capture that view in different angles from different distance. Some snaps from that are given here for your eyes.

While we get a little more closer, we can see volunteers with a sack in their hand asking us to wrap up our shoes, chapels in it for safe keeping while we explore the wonder building.

We walked up on the steps to reach the floor (the bottom of lotus petals). Nice floor with a carpet which helps to make a organized walk-in to the temple. Greeted by the volunteers there, we were organized into smaller groups by them, they started explaining about the Bahá'í culture and gave us a few inputs and pamphlets about that temple.

After that, We stepped into the hall. It is a very big hall, but you don't see any idol or statue inside that huge hall. The hall is full of benches aligned neatly wherein you can sit and meditate upon and spend your time. A complete silence is maintained there which is the center of attraction.

After spending some time over there, we stepped out to take some snaps and to have a view of the surrounding. There were steps taking you to the downstairs where you can see a small pond which is like a outer ring to the ground floor.

Overall it is a beautiful location with an attractive silence. Since the clock was creeping near 7, we walked out of the place and they also started preparing for the closing. Some snaps with the beautiful lighting for your views here.

Thats all here in the famous Lotus temple, await for my next blog about my visit to the "India Gate"

Post your comments and suggestions to encourage me.

Thank you,
Ragavan

Beautiful Chennai to Capital Delhi - Day 1 & 2

16th April 2010, 5 am

Our scheduled journey started from home. Our eager and anxiety didn't allow us to sleep properly in the previous night. All of us were ready at 4.30 am and waiting for the cab to come. Exactly at 5am we were all on board in the cab and heading towards the railway station.

It was a dream trip for me due to two reasons, with all my family members was the first and to my dream destinations is the second reason.

At 5:40 am we were all on board in the 'Rajadhani express' to Delhi, which was scheduled to depart in another 20 minutes.

When we booked our ticket itself we were asked for our food preference. And our co-passenger, an Army man, who is frequent in Rajadhani said food will be of excellent taste. Above all these, we heard one comment that they will be giving something to eat every 2 hours !!!

We all started early morning with just a coffee. So hearing all these we were eagerly waiting for the moment.

With a loud whistle our train announced the departure from Chennai.

We were enjoying the sceneries outside and were waiting for the morning breakfast. The clock was showing 9 am, and no breakfast still. It is not only our problem but every passenger's issue. Kids were really struggling to manage.

We can see food packets were being carried by the IRCTC staffs through our compartment but no sign of food. Finally at 9.30 am the much awaited breakfast has come. Tasty, good quality but very less quantity, for me the quantity is very low.

Luckily we were carrying some biscuits and snacks with us. Apart from the kids I was the lonely competing person for that. We were all playing the famous UNO card game and enjoying the journey.

The train had a sudden stop on a bridge and it was waiting for signal. My wife said to me, this is Vijayawada and she showed me the temple on top of the hill, it was a wonderful view outside. I took my camera and moved to the gate to take a snap of the view and returned back to my seat. (It is the Kanaka Durga temple with the Golden roof on the Hill)



When the clock touched 12 pm our train reached the Vijayawada station. Immediately my wife said, "Get some food packets from here. May be curd rice for kids, that will do"

My mother added to this conversation, "Raja get something for us too. The quantity will be low and we need some food to balance that."

So myself and my bro'in law stepped out of the train. we were very much surprised to see that not only us, almost every passenger was doing the same. The train departed from that station and while it reach Warangal station (the time was 2 pm) lunch arrived and as expected the lunch time went smooth with the surplus food packets picked up by us.

We were all tired, due to the packing process and early morning wake up and all. So we decided to take a nap and everyone went to their berth. I had a good sleep and my dad wake me up with a tap saying snacks time. I got down and freshen up and reached my snacks set to see the biscuits, samoosa (tasty punjabi samoosa's), son papdi (very tasty ones), and some bread sandwiches. Happy with the varieties i had finished everything.

Our happy journey continued and we are about to touch Nagpur, my dad started telling about his trip to Nagpur in 1970s and we were listening to him. He was telling the Oranges were tasty and we should pick up some if possible.

Our train halted at Nagpur station at 8.40 pm and I stepped out of train to look for some Oranges. Unlucky myself, didn't get a chance to see anything. Also my search was for some food packets for dinner. I am unlucky in that too. So returned back to my seat empty handed. I have almost walked end to end in the platform.

After out dinner, we were all playing cards and around 11pm, we all decided to retire. It was sound sleep, before I can hear my dad's voice saying if you all don't wake up i will take your breakfast. Got up fast and looked at my watch. It is 7 am.

Surprisingly our breakfast is already there. So got ready and finished our breakfast and we were fighting for the window seat because the next station is Agra. I thought we may be able to see Taj from there. I prepared myself with Camera and sitting ready near the Window. We reached Agra station and train started from there too. I was looking out.... looking out.... nothing.

I can see only landscapes and buildings and then I enquired our army friend he said "No, you will not get a view from here". So I sat down sad. My sister and wife started packing the bags and preparing kids.

Our train passed through Mathura station and we are all ready and sharp at 10.20 am our train entered the H.Nizamuddin station.

We reached after a 28 hour journey to Delhi finally. I wasn't aware that I am going to have a hectic trip all over for the next 7 days. We were greeted by friends of my Bro'in law. After the formal introduction over, we started walking towards the exit to the car park.

Leaving you all here, I will write about our trips on the next post - the first one will be our trip to Bahai temple and the photos of the same. Wait for the same to enjoy.

Kindly leave your comments and suggestions to encourage me to write more.

Thank you,
Ragavan

Inner Engineering - a drive to take care of my soul

Walking on the Roads of Chennai near my home I happened to see this advt. boards with the subject saying "Welcome to the Inner Engineering workshop".

What is this new thing all about? The usual human curiosity made me read the whole advt. and it is about the Isha Yoga course which is going to be conducted near my home for the next 7 days.

Yoga - has a different meaning or it is expressed in different ways by every individual, who is doing yoga or teaching yoga. Some says it is medically useful, some says that it will make you healthy. But the overall opinion is you will be better if you do Yoga.

Who don't want to be healthy ?, staying in Gulf for almost 9 years as a typical bachelor (a don't care attitude on food and eat when you get time), may be it is time for looking at my health too.

Stepped into the hall on the inauguration day of the session, I was greeted by few middle aged people dressed in white & white, folded hands and a typical Indian "Namaste", which is nowadays dieing on the verge of fashion and technology advancement, asked me to go and sit down in a big hall.

We were about 200+ people in different age groups, I can see people at even 70+ age group were there, with full of expectations. The much awaited moment has come and we were briefed about the class and the duration and all other required informations.

Happy on hearing all, I enrolled myself for the morning 6-9 am batch and successfully completed the course now. Now I am writing this, just to share with you the experience of mine, which may or may not make you feel like can we attend ?, but i wanted to share a different experience I had.

I am not going to say about the exercise or yoga what I learned or how to do that or anything. I am going to talk about a single day.

The course started as all other typical yoga classes (I have attended few earlier), but when it ended, it was a completely different feeling in everyone's mind. On the last day typically we were taken back to our good old days and they given us a practical experience of what we missed in our life and let us realize what is life too.

I wanted to write about this day to you.

It was a Sunday and we were told on the 1^st day of the class itself that it will be a full day program on Sunday (usually it is a 3 hour programme daily). On Saturday we were asked to volunteer in supporting there preparation of Sunday by bringing some vegetables, tools and etc.,

When they announced the schedule for the day, two things were seems interesting and they were

1. We have to gather in beach with flowers at morning 6 am

2. Afternoon lunch will be provided by them - What is interesting in point 2 - Not the food, but the preparation method they said is interesting & different. The lunch is a "Natural lunch" or "Uncooked lunch"

While waiting eagerly towards what will be on these 2 programmes, I spent my Saturday and the much awaited Sunday morning has come. Dressed as per the advised dress code reached beach to see a huge crowd there (We were told to bring our family members also). They asked me to hand over the flowers to a representative standing there and join to the group.

Then started the fun, we were playing games for about 2 hours nearly. It is almost decades I played like that. It was fantastic and mind blowing. Enjoyed a lot and when they called up and said "Ok we are winding up", I can feel sadness in each and every face there.

The sadness is because, the game we played made all of us together and it was joy and shouting all over. Just sit back, relax and think when did you play like this - with about 100 people in one time - and what sort of joy you had in your mind & body. I am sure everyone of us will come up with the same answer "In schools or college"

Those days, we never mind of our health or body condition or what so-ever problems. That was the same mentality I felt on that 2 hours of playing. I was relaxed completely in my mind. That made me think what am I missing in this so called "Fast moving technology developed world"

I agree with you strongly - "No one asked me to stop playing... no one stopped me from playing". But can you tell me one thing "Do we have time for those enjoyments nowadays ?"

Now the next much awaited attraction of the day comes, the lunch break called up and we all sat down in our designated place and they started serving the "Un-cooked lunch".

Before I share my experience of the same, I wanted to share those few words given to us by "Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev" about this food.

"We human think that by cooking a food we are making it better. But we are damaging all the nutrition out of the food and just eating the pulp thats all. The naturally cooked food or the uncooked food is the one healthier, tastier and supplies the full required energy to you.

A cooked food takes about 5+ hours for digesting completely where as a naturally cooked food takes just 2 hours for digesting. That is also a primary reason after a heavy meals one feels sleepy. So cooking not only damages the food quality but also the body which consumes the same."

Listening to those words from Sadhguru, I felt how this can be possible ? How one can eat uncooked food ? Can this be tasty ?, so many questions on my mind.

Believe me or not, the best food I had was on that lunch. 100% no cooking is done, only mixing of certain combinations. No heating also done. It was the tastiest food and I am sure I had it heavily twice thrice each items.

Now the next question running on my mind, if we eat heavily usually we will get sleep. But as per Sadhguru words, we shouldn't be getting if we eat this food. Does this apply even if I eat heavily like this too ???, Lets wait and see.

I wasn't feeling sleepy really and I felt little brisk compared to the other days. Note down one thing that I had a 2 hour play in the morning after years (decades i can say) and after such a heavy meal I wasn't sleepy. That was something amusing.

Now after completion of the course, when I sat back and think of the same what I understood is the following

1. Moving away from all our eating habits, we humans started eating everything and anything and that may be the primary reason to all our complications

2. Play & games were suppose to be part of our life, nowadays our work takes over us like anything and what is left for us is tension packed life. We carry that all over and the result is we spoiled each and everything.

3. If we can spend few hours on a play which will result in some sweat and sweet memories that is enough for a healthy living

It is really an "Inner engineering course", Because they re-worked my soul.

Just wanted to share this experience & thoughts with you, So scribbled these lines

Ragavan

A Reserved Journey

It was good day to start with. It was an early morning 6:00am in Bangalore and the outside climate was cool enough to make you think 'why did I come out of home ?'.

Reaching the Bangalore railway station to take my trip back to Chennai, I was waiting on the platform. Passengers and their accompanies as friends or relatives were rushing towards the respective compartment location mentioned on the digital board on top.

Looking at their tension packed faces, which was not having a single percent smile for that great morning, I was feeling really pity for them.

When the clock moved near to 6:40am the much awaited announcement has came about the train and it is expected in few moments.

Once the train arrived, as we all approach towards our compartment, there came an old lady & her son just pushed us away and started getting on to the train.

Surprised and just laughed on their behaviour everyone boarded the train and all were busy enough locating their seats, placing their luggage.

Since I was not having any luggage, I reached my seat and found that I am going to share my seat with the same Old lady & her son.

The only problem in Indian railway - during day time train is the sitting space. Though it is perfect for a 3 member team of lean people like me (and I am not lean nowadays), if any of the 3 is fat then you are done.

Looking at my team i am sure that i don't have enough space for me to make myself comfortable. Just to note, that I am returning back after a short visit to Bangalore and it is just few hours of sleep I had last night. So I was thinking to myself, how do I get myself comfort.

Sat on my allotted number, once the TTE verified my ticket I just got myself ready towards a sit-asleep posture. It was a wonderful sleep i was having.

And not sure, who is talking or where is it ? i heard someone calling me "Sir...", Is it real or my dream, once again I heard "Sir...", Oh it was my neighbor. I opened my eyes from a deep sleep, answered him, "Yes, what can i do ?"

The old lady was waiting for me to give way to move out of our seat. I appologised to them and gave way. While I decided to continue my sleep, He questioned me - "Are you single ?".

Already much irritated that he spoiled a good sleep of mine, I was about to say "No I am married and having a son", controlled my anger and answered him politely, "Yes."

He then asked me "Can you change your seat with my friend ? He is sitting in the next compartment."

Being helped by several people on several of my journeys, I couldn't avoid this request. I agreed to him. He was very much happy and called up his friend and informed about this. He said he will take me there and asked me to wait till his mother returns.

While we were waiting, let me explain the scenario of my current sitting location. It was 108 seater compartment. It has entrance at start, middle & end of the bogie. Not much crowded and the seats were not on a traditional way. Usually on a 2nd sitting coach the seats would be like 3 people will be facing each other like that way, you will have 6 seats on left & 6 seats on right.

But this one was arranged in a little different manner, like a Bus, 3 seats on right and 3 seats on left for each row and all rows facing same direction. There was not much gap between each row and it was quite comfortable for me to have a good sleep.

The old lady reached back, and then we moved to the next compartment. It wasn't an easy task. We have to swim through the crowd which was standing on the passage.

After a 10min travel, finally we reached the location. It is the same size bogie, but seats were like traditional (12 seats a row, and six on each side and 3 facing 3).

I occupied his friend's seat and we informed TTE about this swap. Now my mind said, common... go ahead and continue your sleep. I stretched myself and started my sleep again.

A little while after I felt the train was slowing down. Opened my eyes, It was a in-between station and so many people stepped in to the train. I was thinking, do we have that many space left for these people sit here. My mind said it is there problem, so I continued my sleep again.

Few more minutes passed, I was half asleep. I felt I am not comfortable. When I open my eyes, god.... between these 3/3 seat gap there was a small boy standing and then holding the bar on my seat back was a family like that everybody on the reservation compartment was troubled by an un-reserved compartment crowd.

Alas, my sleep is gone. How can I sleep when I can't stretch my legs freely. Neither I can put my head on the seat back nor I can move my legs. No space !!!!

We were eagerly waiting for the TTE to come. Promptly came our much awaited hero but failing all our hopes he just pass by murmuring to him self, "How many times i will say to these people to go to the General compartment ?"

I can hear the frustration in his tone. What to do ?. Let me try to continue my sleep. Somehow I managed to got back my sleep and it was a wonderful sleep i was having.

And at that golden moment, I felt like water is dripping on my pant & leg. Awaken immediately, I looked outside - and it was not raining. Then what is this. Look up and i can see our friend Mr.Unreserved was trying to open a water bottle.

Really frustrated with the disturbance I had i asked him "What is this yar ?." He replied very cool, "Nothing sir, you relax"

I got angry and said, "What nothing ? You poured water on my dress and my shoes, how do you want me to wear that again ?"

I just looked into his eyes, there was no answer. I told him "Move away". Knowing nothing can be done to this unforced errors, I continued my sleep again.

Next disturbance was scheduled after 10 min, not knowing the same I was slowly entering into the world of sleep. There came a tap on my shoulder. Waken up by that I just looked on the side, I can see the Pantry vendor (railway catering) standing there with a trey full of Dosas.

While i was surprising I haven't asked for any Dosa, he said "move your head, I have to keep the trey here on the seat back to serve Dosa"

Okie.... I will. Few minutes of waiting, got my permission again to sleep, continued the same.

About 10 min pass by, got a tap on my shoulder again. Opening my eyes with full frustration of "Who is this time ?"

It was my neighbour, asking what station is Next !!!!

By answering his question, took a magazine on my hand I was saying to myself

"No more sleep on a train, that too a day train, that too sitting on an aisle seat, that too when there is everyone around you is wakeup"

Yours
Ragavan

Barbarian to 'Bribe'rian

It was an usual hot sunny weekday of Chennai. Our friend 'Mr.A' was moving to the Railway booking office with his friend to collect his vehicle which he booked from his home town. Riding through the usual traffic of Chennai he reached the booking office on the side of the Chennai central railway station.

He was having the booking confirmation slip in his pocket, which says he can collect the vehicle by showing the same to the office in the receiving end. Once he reached there, he was approached by 'Mr.B'. He was a coolie there and asked him,


B: Ahh sir, enna sir, book pannanuma illa delivery edukkanuma ? (What sir, do you want to book or take delivery ?)


A: Delivery edukkanum, naan parthukkaren. (To take delivery. I will take care) - He was trying to avoid him.

While 'Mr.A' walked towards the office, 'Mr.B' also walks along with him guiding him towards the office. Once 'Mr.A' reached the office, there 'A' met his friend. His friend enquired him what is he doing there and all, and then told 'B' to help him. Happilly 'B' sped up his walk and approached the office staff there and started checking the ledger using the help of the staff to know the vehicle reached or not.

Now 'A' - who has already visited the station the previous night checked the vehicle is arrived there. But he was not able to take delivery due to the out pass issue time is over - confirms to the staff that the vehicle is here. The staff now looks at A and tells him,

Staff: Sare sir, poi vandi angathaan irukka illa eduthu godown kondu poittangalaanu check pannunga sir. Anga iruntha eduththuttu vaanga sir. (Ok sir, go and check vehicle is still there or did they taken to godown. If yes, then bring it)

(Kindly note this point - he was telling 'A' to bring the vehicle)

The staff also added,
Staff: Sir, vandi inga 8 hours mela irukku. So storage fees 80/- rupees kattanum Sir (Sir, the vehicle is here for more than 8 hours. So you have to pay the storage fee 80/- rupees also.)

Agreed to the same 'A' walks out of the room. Now 'B' walks briskly in front of 'A' towards platform 2A to take the vehicle. They both entered platform 2. Since Platform 2A is not a complete platform, they have to enter 2A via platform 2 only. Accompanying him to the same, 'A' talks to himself.

A: So for sure, 'B' is going to ask for some money. How much we will pay. 50/- rupees will be fine. Let us see.

Now 'B' started the conversation,

B: En sir, nethikke eduthiruntha intha dhutu waste agama irukkumla ? (sir, if you would have taken the vehicle yesterday itself this money would not be wasted na ?)

A: Naan nethikku vanthen sir, Aana 10 money ayiduchu. Athanala outpass poda mudiyathunnu sollittanga. Athan ippa vanthen. (I came yesterday. But it was 10'o clock. So they said they can't issue outpass. So i came again today.)


B: Oho... Athellam summa sir. Kudukka vendiyavangalukku kodutha ellam nadakkum (Oho, it is not like that sir. If you give something to somebody all is possible)


A: (Surpriced !!!!)....Oho, appadiya !!! (Oho, is it)


B: Munnallam railway la 24 hours free time koduthurunthanga. Ippa atha 8 hour a kuraichittanga. (Earlier railway use to give 24 hours free storage. Now they reduced to 8 hours)

Both of them reached the vehicle, now 'A' is identifying the vehicle and 'B' verified the way bill with the vehicle and then started pushing the vehicle towards the exit. 'B' pushed the vehicle towards platform 2 again. Now enters the next staff here. He questions,

Staff: Ennapa outpass pottacha ? (What man, outpass ready ?)


B: Illa, poiththan. (No not yet. We have to go there)


Staff: Athellam aavathuppa, problem theriyumla. Sare oru paththu rupa teakku vaangiththa sareya. (It is not possible man. You know na. Ok ask him to pay ten rupees for my tea expense)


B: (with complete tired) sare pa. (Ok man)

Now both walk towards the exit.

B: Sir, Veliyila vandiyila petrol irukkannu ketpanga sir. Illainu sollunga. Illaatti rendu perukkum pirachini aayidum sir. Neenga apparum 1500/- fine kattunum sir. (Sir outside they will ask, do you have petrol in vehicle. Say no. Otherwise it will be problem for you and me. You also have to pay 1500/- rupees)


A: Vandiyila unmaiyave petrol illa sir. En kooda en friend vanthirukkar. Avar kitta bottle la petrol kondu vanthirukken (Really there is no petrol in the vehicle. My friend who is with me, is having petrol in bottle)


B: Oho.. Avara kooda veliyil nikka sollunga sir. Itha kooda securityla sollatheenga. (Oh... ask him also to stand outside. Don't tell this also to the security)

Now our next artist enters the scene. It is 'Mr.Policeman'. Dressed decently, he approached both 'A' & 'B'. He questioned 'A'

Police: Where is the outpass ?

'Mr.A' shows the slip what he holds to him. But the policeman refuces to accept that and started shouting at 'B',


Police: Ennaya, outpass illama vandi edukka koodathunnu theriymla ? (What man, without outpass you can't take vehicle. Don't you know ?)

now our person interrupts and says,

A: Sir, naan office ponen, avangathan vandi eduthuttu vanga. Outpass pottukkalam endru sonnanga. (Sir, i went to the office. They only told to bring the vehicle to make outpass)


Police: (He ignores 'A' and turns to 'B') Solluya, outpass illama edukkakoodathunnu. Enna parthukkuttu irukka. (Tell man, with out outpass you can't take. What you are looking)

While 'A' was amazing about this policeman's duty conscious, 'B' whispered in A's ears


B: Sir, oru pathu rupa kodu sir (Sir give him ten rupees sir)

Got shocked with this statement, without any option 'A' gave him a 10/- rupees note to the policeman and he happily took that and walked. Now 'A' had several questions on his mind.

Before we got to his questions they reached the end of the platform. 'B' asked 'A' to enter the office and finish formalities while he wait near the security gate. So 'A' entered the office again. There comes the complete picture of 'Bribe'. He is a railway staff. He tried to pull the delivery slip from the hand of 'A' and says,

Bribe: Enna sir, deliverya ? (What sir, delivery ?)


A: No problem sir, naan parthukkaren (I will take care)


Bribe: Sir, inna sir, nee 'B' ittantha aaluthane. Kodu sir. Namma aalu sir avan. (What sir ? 'B' only brings you na. He is my man sir. Give me)

'A' walked to the desk and but the staff is only talking with these sort of people. They just ignore the general public. So 'A' finished all the formalities with the help of 'Mr.Bribe' and 'A' paid the storage charges and then collected the out pass. Now 'Mr.Bribe' came there and took the out pass (actually pulled) and left only the copy of the out pass with 'Mr.A' and went away.

Our 'A' stands there without any help. He can't do anything. He is completely helpless. Now he walks out of the office. He was surpriced to see an arguement going on there between his friend and 'Mr.Bribe'

A's Friend: Enna anne. Sollu enna amount (What brother, tell me. How much)


Mr.Bribe: 250/- kodukka sollupa (ask him to give 250/-)


A's Friend: Enna anne, vilayaduriya. Vandi delivery edukka 250 ah. Naan 'B' kitta than help ketten. Avar oru 50/- rupees koduthu iruppar. Nee enna ivvalu ketkare. (What brother, are you playing. For taking vehicle delivery 250 rupees. I was asking 'B' to help. He would have paid 50 rupees to him. You are asking too much)


Mr.Bribe: aai, 'B' yaaru theriyuma avan. en aalu (oye, do you know who is 'B'. he is my man)


Mr.Bribe: Sare, friend nu solre. Evvalavu neeya sollu. (Ok, you are telling friend. Tell me how much)


A' Friend: Sare anne. 100/- vangikko (Ok brother. Take 100/-)


Mr. Bribe: Ennathu 100/- rupees ah. Oru vandi edukka 350/- rupees aagum. Nee friend nu sonnathunaale naan 250/- ketten. Naan yaaru theriyuma railway staff. En help illama nee oru out pass vaanga mudiyuma. (What!!! 100/-rupees. For taking one vehicle we charge 350/-rupees. Since you told me friend i asked 250. Do you know who I am ?, I am railway staff. Without my help can you make an out pass ?)


Mr. Bribe: Naan ulla officerkku 20, securitykku 20, outpass podara edathula apparm police ethini perukku kodukkanum theriyuma. (I have to give to the officer 20, security 20, outpass incharge 20 and police like that so many i have to give, do you know ? )


A's Friend: Anne Ennanne nee. Jasthine ithu.(What brother, this is costly)


Mr.Bribe: Avaru storage fees 80/- thararu. Ithu thara maatara.(He is giving storage fee 80/- rupees, can't he give this ?)


A's Friend: Athu avar panam na (That is his money brother)


Mr's Bribe: Sare vidu. 150/- rupees thara sollu (Ok, ask him to pay 150/- rupees)


A's Friend: Illane jasthi. (No brother, too much)

'A's Friend' turns to him and said, friend give him 100/- rupees. So now 'A', A's friend, 'B' & 'Mr.Bribe' walks to the security door. 'A' signed the ledger and moved out of the office. 'B' came till the exit and helped 'A' to remove the cover and fill the petrol. 'Mr.Bribe' came again and argue for 120/- rupees.

Finally 'Mr.A' forced to pay 120/- rupees, 'Mr.B' standing there was litterally cursing him with complete bad words. 'Mr.B' said, 'Mr.Bribe' is a railway staff and doing all these Officially. He is so much greedy and a complete nonsense there.

While our 'A' move from the booking office following questions where running in his mind

1. If outpass is compulsory to take the vehicle out of platform, why then the staff ask you to bring the vehicle without that ?
2.Knowing all these is the staffs there are playing to generate 'Bribe revenue' for them ?

3. If Mr.A just taking a single vehicle is having all these trouble... what is the situation of others ?

With all these questions 'Mr.A' was laughing to himself with the following calculations
Vehicle booking charges - 400
Vehicle delivery Bribe - 150

Jai Hind
Yours
Ragavan

A Beginning...

In todays Modern world, everything is going towards Computerization. Internet facility is now a must one for all customer oriented service. On this moment, i wanted to share something through this powerful media, that led to this Blog.
Still now, 3 times i have started like this and the end it went on a different direction. So many blog names under my account, nothing fulfilled my wish. And some even turned out as my mother's cooking recipe page (mummys-kitchen.blogspot.com)
This time I wanted to make a difference, I want to write.
About what ????
Wait... & Watch
Yours
Ragavan

இன்றைய உலகம் இணையத்தின் பிடியில். எங்கு நோக்கினும் கணினி மயம். "Internet" வசதி இல்லாத சேவை நுகர்வோரின் ஆதரவில்லாத சேவை. இப்படிப்பட்ட சூழ்நிலையில் இணையத்தின் மூலம் மக்களிடம் ஏதாவது ஒன்றை பகிர்ந்து கொள்ள ஆசைப்பட்டத்தின் விளைவே இந்த குறிப்பெடு.
இதுவரை 3 முறை இது போல ஒன்றை செய்ய ஆசைப்பட்டு அது நான் பிள்ளையார் பிடிக்க குரங்கை ஆன கதை. அதை சொல்லி உங்கள் நேரத்தை வீணாக்க நான் விரும்பவில்லை. அந்த முயற்சிகளின் விளைவு சில பல குறிப்பேடுகள் எந்தன் பெயரில். நான் ஆரம்பித்து அது என் தாயிடம் சென்று சமையல் குறிப்பு பக்கம் ஆக மாறிய கதைகளும் உண்டு. (mummys-kitchen.blogspot.com).
இந்த முறை இது எனக்கென்று நான் உருவாக்கிய குறிப்பெடு. என்ன எழுதப்போகிறேன் என்று அறிய ஆவலாக உள்ளதா, வாருங்கள் இணைவோம் இணையதளத்தில்.
உங்கள்
ராகவன்