" EDICTS" edited

The First National Ruler of India Chandra Gupta Maurya's grandson Emperor Ashoka  about 2300 years ago engraved in one of the numerous Edicts addressed his thoughts as well as direction to the state officials,courtiers and his subjects that " All people are my children and just as I desire my children that they may enjoy every kind of prosperity and happiness both in this world and in the next so also I do desire the same for all my subjects" and further exhorts his courtiers in his edicts that at all times even when I am at rest in my privacy or in my ranches or in place of my religious instruction ..... anywhere the reporting officials of my state should make known to me the people's affairs.....I shall never feel satisfaction in my exertion and dispatch of business ; for work I must for the welfare of all the folk .....for nothing is more sacred and essential than the welfare of all my subjects . We have come a long way the concept and desire of our leaders are radically transformed it has shaped thus could possibly be defined  some what like this " I DESIRE FOR MY FAMILY AND CHILDREN AND CAREFULLY SELECTED SUPPORTERS THAT THEY  ENJOY EVERY KIND OF PROSPERITY AND HAPPINESS IN THIS WORLD -AT ALL COSTS AND PRAY THAT I CONTINUE TO PROTECT THEIR WELL BEING AND INTEREST WITH ALL MY MIGHT AND POWER AT THE EXPENSE GOOD WILL OF MY SUBJECTS" We should ceaselessly  work like Rambo,Superman or even Spidermam to airlift subjects plagued by nature's ire even though governance had not thought of proper arrangement for CHAR DHAM YATRA even after 12 years of formation of  Uttarakhand. 

"Track Shoe Clinic"

The first purchase on reaching America in 2003 was a pair of track shoe a gift from my brother in law ,a quick mental calculation revealed that back home I could have got several pairs.This tradition is being methodically followed by my children and relatives here depending on where I arrive during my sojourn to States . This time due to baggage restrictions prefer to reach here without shoes confident as usual that my folks will show their generosity and take me to the town's best store and allow me the liberty to choose any brand without restriction. Anand my son on this occasion had different plan, this store he selected for me here in Des Moines I came across is a sports- shoe clinic a very specialized store, whose staff came with concept like" Motion control and Maximum Heel Rotating Flexibility "  .I was beginning to assume that soon a physician will examine me and I will be deprived of selecting a track shoe of my liking.My son told them that in Mumbai father is a compulsive brisk walker and as a routine covers a distance of 10 to 12 kilometers in a well measured timing They were not impressed queries like" Are you aware that it is a myth about a foot size does not change in adults - the shoe store specialist emphatically said that foot size changes in adults and it is more pronounced among sr citizen like us (  for a moment I believed at least we are somewhat capable even now ) so we have to measure once a year yet another point feet swell over the course of the day, they also expand when you run or walk so shoes should fit your feet when they are at the largest . The average pair of track shoe should be replaced after using for 300 Km. The prescription was a pair  recommended not made in USA but made in Japan . Anand  satisfied and happy that he will be able to sustain and prolong  the family's tradition.   

Dicky "DJ"

Dickey Rutnagar - D.J. ( Dickey )  passed away  yesterday the 20th June in London, was an Indian sports Journalist for the Hindustan Times during 1960's and later on covered cricket as a commentator cum sports journalist for the Daily Telegraph ,U.K. In 1961-62 Dickey covered the tour of the Ted Dexter MCC team to India and a 3 day fixture match was played with Rajasthan team in Jaipur. Dickey covered the match. I happen to view the game from the journalist/ press gallery ,courtesy Directorate of Public Relation Department Govt of Rajasthan where my father was Deputy Director  ( News), for three days I saw the game placed just behind " Dicky " never missed an opportunity of the batting display of Ken Barrington hitting 3 consecutive SIXES off the bowling of Salim Durrani  unfortunately Ken got out for 97 while later Durrani scored a hard hitting stylish 117 against a bowling attack of pacer White and spinner Tony Lock, simultaneously admired Dicky furiously using his portable typewriter covering the proceedings.The Rajasthan team was represented by players like Vinoo Mankad, Vijay Majrekar, Subash Gupte, Hanumant Singh, Rajsingh of Dungarpur pacer Sundaram the side led by Maharana of Mewar. It was a memorable moment of my life which I still remember Ted Dexter guarding the covers area of the field  and bowling medium pacers a great smooth flowing action. I was barely 14 then. This game made me a cricket enthusiastic and within next 2 years I was selected to represent my state for Rajasthan Schools and subsequently till 1971 participated actively and Captained Rajasthan University was among the probables in the RanjiTrophy for Rajasthan State where the side had 9 Test Players and it was great to be in the squad.
I will always remember the fair, tall, spectacled,slightly leaning to his right, having a majestic gait reaching the venue by crossing lush ground through the middle with all his paraphernalia with supreme authority.   

The killer mansoon which struck on the morning of june 17th causing excessive rains, cloud bursts and landslide in Uttarakhand trapped over 20,000 pilgrims in the districts of Rudraprayag, Tehri and Chamuli . We all are aware that while Air, Water and Soil seemingly come for free but these resources require stewardship for the benefit of mankind; nature reacts to large scale changes as it is the law of nature. It is therefore vital to tackle and reduce the severity of consequences of human error large scale disasters  by putting in place the tools of Risk Management for preventing incredible devastation and also what essential measures do we take to try and ward off such calamities.

This is a test blog post  .

Still testing..

PREVIEWING