Friday, February 28, 2014

'मुगल बादशाह और पानी का महत्व' - के. जे.एस. चतरथ



मुग़ल बाद्शाह शाहजहां


मुग़ल बाद्शाह पानी के महत्व को भलि भांति जानते थे। 'आयने अकबरी' में इसका वर्णन है। सरकार में एक अलग विभाग था - 'अब्दर खाना '. यह विभाग पानी की सपूर्ति एवं उसे ठंडा करने काय साथ साथ बर्फ़ कि उपलभ्धी का भी ज़िम्मेदार था. बर्फ़ उस समय जमी हुई अवस्था मैं हिमालय से मंगवाई जाती थी.

आईये 'आयने अकबरी' के इस विवरण को हिंदी मैं पढ़े: 'बादशाह सलामत पानी को जीवन का स्रोत मानते हैं यानि चिरायु का पानी कहते हैं. इस विभाग का दयित्व चुने हुए व्यक्तिओं को दिया जाता है. बाद्शाह सलामत खुद तो कम ही पानी पीते हैं पर इस विभाग पर बहुत ध्यान देते हैं.

राजधानी मैं रहते समय एवं बाहर रहते हुए केवल गंगा जल का सेवन ही करते हैं। कुछ विश्वसनीय लोगों को गंगा के पट पर नियुक्त किया जाता है और वह जल को बर्तनों में सील कर के भजते हैं.

जब मुःखयालय आगरा और फतेहपुर सिकरी में था तो पानी जिल्ला सारून से आता था, किन्तु अब जो बादशाह सलामत पंजाब मैं हैं तो पानी हरिद्वार से लाया जाता है. खाना पकाने के लीये यमुना याँ चेनाब के पानी, यां वर्षा के एकत्रित पानी को थोड़ा सा गंगा जल से मिश्रित कर के प्रयोग में लाया जाता है. बाहर जाने एवं शिकार को जाने काय समय अनुभवकारी पानी चखने वालो को साथ ले जाया जाता है.'


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Monday, February 24, 2014

'Selfie' in the Arctic Circle by K.J.S.Chatrath


That is a 'selfie' taken in the Arctic Circle in 2006. You can notice discomfort and pain in handling the extreme cold and icy winds.




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'Kuttianwali' village will be 'Sheranwali'- news by K.J.S.Chatrath


What is in a name, had mused the Bard centuries ago, adding that a rose would, by any other name smell as sweet. Perhaps the learned Shakespeare had not thought about names with negative connotations.

I have came across the interesting news that Mukatsar's 'Kuttianwali' village (meaning village of the bitches) has been re-christened as 'Sheranwali' (meaning the village of the lions). The people of the village are reportedly thrilled at this name change.

However I wish that the village been re-named as 'Shernianwali', meaning the village of the lionesses.

Incidentally this news item also shows how 'Federal' is our structure. For changing the name of the village reportedly the consent of the Central Government had to be obtained.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Muktsars-Kuttianwali-village-will-now-be-Sheranwali/articleshow/28856954.cms?referral=PM
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'Each Hindu couple should have five children'-says VHP'


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Each-Hindu-couple-should-have-five-children-VHPs-Ashok-Singhal/articleshow/30849177.cms

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Election Commission's "Chai Observers" by K.J.S.Chatrath

(Cartoon source: The Tribune, April 23, 2014)


Since there is nothing like a 'free chai', so one would not wont be surprised if the Election Commission presses into service a new set of Observers in the forth coming Lok Sabha Elections- The Chai Observers. They would be expected to count and calculate the amount spent on offering complimentary cups of 'chai' by each candidate. And being a 'chai' aficionado, I also hope that these high level Observers would keep a sharp eye on the quality and quantity of 'chai' being supplied to the hapless voters.

Chai Garam!

'Madhubala's death anniversary and her grave' by K.J.S.Chatrath



The legendry Madhubala was born on a Valentine day - 14th February 1933. She is said to have pined for love during her short life. She was diagnosed as having a hole in her heart which could not be set right in that period when heart surgery was still to develop. She died, on February 23rd, 1967, when she was just 34! She was buried in the then Bombay’s Juhu cemetery. If alive, she would have been 81 this year.


Though we kept on remembering Madhubala and her films, but overlooked her final resting place. The news came in February 2010 (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-02-11/mumbai/28121815_1_ground-islamic-law-new-graves)that her grave has been disposed off and tomb demolished.


One does not know what is the status today but does she not deserve to rest in peace? Would it not be possible for her numerous admirers to chip in to ensure her a grave and a decent memorial?

Friday, February 21, 2014

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

" Few sexual crimes against women in Chennai as they dress up fully and regularly visit temples"

Just in case you missed it....."Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Babulal Gaur today said that there were few sexual crimes against women in Chennai as they dress up fully and regularly visit temples"....The Tribune, January 20, 2014.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140120/nation.htm#13

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Morroccon 'Paratha' by K.J.S.Chatrath


Indian 'paratha' and butter? Naw! The photo shows a fairly common breakfast in Morrocco.

Pappa, Pappu & Penguin

Pappu: Pappa, Pappa have you been following the controversy about Wendy Donigers's book on Hindus?

Paappa: Yes.

Pappu: What is your take on it?

Pappa: Don't act smart, tell me what do you make of it?

Pappu: I am convinced that this 'Penguin' is a chicken!

Monday, February 17, 2014

Raoul Vinci, M.Phil


Who is Raoul Vinci, M.Phil. from Oxford?

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140218/main6.htm

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Homage to late Madhubala on her birthday.



Madhubala's birthday falls on 14th February. This is a homage to that beautiful lady and fine actress. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

'Pappa, Pappu & AAP website' by K J S Chatrath

Pappu: Pappa, Pappa do you know what is the website of Aam Admi Party?

Pappa: How do I know?

Pappu: www.jharoo.com by any chance?

Pappa: Stop being irreverent and finish your school home work. Now!

'71-year old Peeping Tom held in Sector-8'- news

I got up this morning and still feeling sleepy, had my first sip of tea and opened the Times of India. I read the headline '71-year old Peeping Tom held in Sector-8' and I was stunned. The news read, "A 71-year old retired government official was arrested for peeping into the room of his 80-year old landlady with bad intentions....". I could read no further. Holy shit! I said to myself, I am 70 plus and I am a retired government official! I became nervous.

By that time the well brewed tea had woken me up fully. Relax, relax, I said to myself. I do not live in Sector 8 of Chandigarh. A few more sips of tea and it dawned on me that I do not have any land lady, let alone an 80 year old one!

That put me at ease and I poured in my second cup of tea.

Have a good day!

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/71-year-old-peeping-tom-held-in-Sec-8/articleshow/30216413.cms

Monday, February 10, 2014

'Mehangayee maar gayee (Oh this inflation is killing)' by K.J.S.Chatrath



Remember the song from Amir Khan's film 'Pipli Live'...'Yeh saiyan to bahut kamaat hai, mehangayee dayan khai jaat hai' (My beloved earns a good deal of money but this witch inflation eats up all)

The latest article of daily use whose price has shot up considerably is the lowly 'Jhaaru' (broom). Ever since a particular political party adopted it as its election symbol, the demand of 'Jharoos' has gone up by 100%. Families are now buying two each- one for cleaning the house and the other for keeping in the drawing room to show one's political affiliation.

Special stalls are being set up in view of, what the learned Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia would explain in the World Bank lingo- 'demand, supply side mismatch'!


Here is one such roadside stall that I saw outside the Kila Raipur Stadium near Ludhiana last week.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Mr. Yugandar, Sir


Mr. Yugandar, Sir, Mr. Satya Nadella, your brilliant son has done all the Indians proud.Sincere felicitations.

Conoor & Mr. Nilekani


I love Conoor in Tamil Nadu and I admire Mr. Nilekani. So the following article was doubly interesting for me. Do read it. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2014-01-05/deep-focus/45881743_1_nandan-nilekani-coonoor-alan-turing

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Monday, February 3, 2014

Old bureaucratic habits die hard!



I had got this photo taken on the Chennai beach a few years back. You can see me respectfully greeting the cut-out of Hon'ble Ms. J. Jayalalitha.

When today I read the news about the possible formation of a Third Political Front in the country with Hon'ble Ms. Jayalalitha as the Prime Ministerial candidate, I promptly brought out this picture from my archives, dusted if off and am putting it up.

You know old bureaucratic habits die hard!

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Punjab village unites to bring together married daughters


‘Unique fest: Punjab village unites to bring together married daughters’ (http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140203/main6.htm)- Oye Balley..Balley ji

Shame on you Woody Allen!


"Daughter says Woody abused her when she was 7" (The Hindustan Times, February 3, 2014)

Shame on you Woody Allen...Shame!