ARCHU

 

RAJ MATA GAYATRI DEVI OF JAIPUR

 One of the most beautiful personality of history

Born as Princess Gayatri Devi of Cooch Behar on 23 May 1919 to Maharaja Jitendra Narayan of Cooch Behar and Maharani Indira Raje (Maratha Princess of Baroda). She had two brothers Jagat Deependra Narayan and Indrajitentra Narayan and two sisters Ila and Menaka. She studied at Glen dower preparatory school in London,

Shantiniketan in West Bengal and later in Lausanne, Switzerland. She later studied secretarial skills at the London School of Secretaries.

Her father passed away when she was still a child. Her elder brother was appointed King and her mother acted as regent. She was quite the tomboy in her teenagers and enjoyed shooting and hunting. She shot a tiger when she was just 12 years old. She was an avid equestrienne and enjoyed playing polo. She met her future husband when she was just 12 years of age. Sawai Mansingh of Jaipur, fondly called ‘Jai ‘by family and friends, had come to Calcutta for a Polo match.Many years later she eventually became his wife. They married in a traditional Hindu ceremony in Cooch Behar. Life in Jaipur was completely different from what the young Princess was used to in Cooch Behar. It was quite orthodox and women strictly observed ‘purdah’ (not appearing in front of outsiders without a veil). She was a ‘different’ Maharani, who had bobbed hair, she wore slacks, rode horses and played badminton and polo on the palace grounds. She was a trailblazer in many ways and her husband completely supported her. Apart from the fact that she was very beautiful, she once featured in ‘Vogue’ magazine’s 10 most beautiful women list. She also actively worked and participated in modernizing education for girls. She established the most prominent School for Girls in Jaipur.

She had a son, Jagat Singh. She also ran for parliament in 1962 and won by a record margin for which she held a Guinness World Record. When emergency was declared in 1971 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, she was arrested and served a jail term for violating tax laws (which many claimed were politically motivated). After being released from jail, she retired from politics. She led a quiet life, working for the people of Jaipur and passed away on 29 July 2009 in Jaipur at the age of 90 after a prolonged illness.

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MY PARENTS

 While going through the following historical note : "Before independence the constituent assembly of India whose deliberation began in December 1946; when Sardar Vallabhai Patel wrote to the Dewans (administrators ) of the princely states urging them to ask their rulers to come to terms with the party which would now rule India. One of the first princes to come over to Patel's side was the Maharaja of Bikaner, his  Dewan was K. M . Pannikar a widely respected historian and administrator. After Bikaner success a dozen more states  accede to India many of them from Rajasthan ( several of the states were on the suzerainty of British Crown while others direct under British rule ). My father witnessed the ceremony  ( C.V.V. Raghavan ) a honours graduate from Christian College Madras got an interview call from the State of Bikaner in 1945 and was selected by Pannikar to join the State of Bikaner administrative services".

PEET COFFEE

 Memorable breakfast experience in downtown Berkeley courtesy Surendra SIRJI cannot be outdone - serving delicious Pancake cooked from coconut milk with fruit syrup along with customized Omelette bursting with flavors combining local products from the bay area with green vegetables it was simply sumptuous ; right across vine street corner “ Peet Coffee” reported having 200 outlets in west coast alone founded by Alfred Peet native of Berkeley in 1966( just two years before our SIRJI reached here to do his Masters at Berkeley ) the Peet specialty is its darker roasted Arabica coffee in various blends.

BEDOUIN

 BEDOUIN WITH HIS CAMEL: Bedouin religion represent the earliest primitive form of Semitic belief centered upon moon in whose light he grazed his flocks. Moon worship implies a pastoral society and sun worship represents a later agricultural stage .Further Bedouin belief that there live is regulated by moon which condenses the water vapors distills the beneficent dew on the pastures and make growth possible of plants and on the other hand  the sun does; creates harsh conditions  destroys  the plants , animal life and creates survival difficult.

Amer Fort

 Amer was originally a Meena kingdom town by the name of Khagong, ruled by the Chanda Meena king Raja Alan Singh, and was later captured by the Kachhwaha rulers in a bloody story of deceit and treachery. Sitting atop the Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles), the Amer Fort stands as a testimony to the valour and grandeur of its Rajput history. The construction of the fort began in 1592 by Maharaja Man Singh, a commander in the army of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, and was developed further by his descendant Jai Singh I. Amber remained the capital till 1722, after which the seat was shifted to the newly built city of Jaipur.

According to popular belief, Amber derives its name from Ambikeshwar, a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the town. Another belief suggests that Amber is named after Lord Ambavati.

This fort, with five other forts of Rajasthan, was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013 for its outstanding heritage value.

Cyclone Nisarga

 Aftermath ( photographs attached of Saivilla ) of cyclone Nisarga, at MURBAD location 60 Km from Mumbai. The wind speed was 75 to 80 Kmph at that time and NOT A SINGLE TREE GOT UPROOTED OR DAMAGED. KUDOS TO OUR GARDENERS : SUNIL MALI, SHIVAJI RAO, NAMDEV, RAKESH KADAV, SHANKAR, DHANAJI RAO, YASWANT GORLE AND THE SITE INCHARGE AGIT. 

Pollachi Wild Life Sanctuary

 One of the most picturesque sanctuaries “ Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary “ covering an area of approximately 950 sq miles is flanked by the Annamalai Hills of the Western Ghat - the area extends to POLLACHI of Coimbatore. The Tiger Reserve has all kind of exotic endemic wildlife Leopards, Elephants, Tigers ,Sambar Deer, Sloth bear, Nilgiri Langur, Barking Deer, Indian Giant Squirrels, Horn bill, King Cobra more than 300 species of butterfly, Travancore Tortoises. TOP SLIP  a traditional wood cottages surrounded by massive trees and cottages are made on the middle of the tree having spacious Bedroom , drawing and rest rooms ( area about 1000 sq ft ) neatly furnished. The place is located in POLLACHI 75 Km from Coimbatore. Reservation is done by the Forest Range Department online. Photograph of mine a couple of years ago admiring fresh PUG MARK of an adult Tiger early morning.

GALTAJI Jaipur

 Galtaji is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage about 10 km away from Jaipur, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The site consists of a series of temples built into a narrow crevice in the ring of hills that surrounds Jaipur. A natural spring emerges high on the hill and flows downward, filling a series of sacred kunds (water tanks) in which pilgrims bathe. Visitors and pilgrims can ascend the crevasse, continuing past the highest water pool to a hilltop temple from there are views of Jaipur and its fortifications spreads out across the valley floor. It is believed that a Saint named Galav lived here, practiced meditation, and did penance (tapasya).

Dr Soumyan Dey

 D Y PATIL HOSPITAL and RESEARCH CENTRE is a charitable hospital in Navi Mumbai , Maharashtra , India; supposed to be the largest charitable hospital in India. Founded in 2004 by the visionary educationist Dr P. D. Patil to set up one of the best medical  college and hospital with backed up research center across the country, his efforts was rewarded by Dr D.Y. Patil a politician from Maharashtra state who established Dr D.Y. Patil Medical College Hospital and research center with a status of a University in 2003. D Y Patil Medical was immediately recognised by MCI for 250 seats. The institute is now offering post graduate degree and super speciality courses from this institute and students can undertake in 20 or more different subjects like General Surgery, Obstetrics Gynaecology, orthopaedics, urology etc. While in the SEVEN super speciality courses of M.Ch the main being Urology,Nephrology, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. The annual intake is restricted to just handful around 15 to 20 students. Besides these there are programs in all subjects and fellowship programme in few clinical specialities. The institute is now recognised  for its state of art facilities that are in line with the best in the world. The college has  now more than 2000 bedded well equipped hospital backed by a research center,175 intensive care beds,26 futuristic pirating theatres by MAQUETTE AND DRAGGER with advanced technology, 80 specialised outpatient consultations and 4th generation DAVINCI xi ROBOT for Robotic Surgery.The institute provides primary and secondary tertiary care for critically ill patients. The hospital toll two years ago has performed more than one hundred renal transplants, liver transplant and several corneal transplants . The college building is an architectural masterpiece. It has a mural of Lord Dhanvanthri on its facade and a magnificent fibreglass dome which can be seen from distance. DR SOUMYAN DEY MBBS . MS. MCh ( Urology) from Grant Medical College , Mumbai a. Consultant for urology and anthology known for his superb proficiency at Laparoscopic and endourological surgeries. Highly dynamic , cultured, self motivated superb human being with deft strong hands and belief with confidence. A diligent professional. Dr Soumyan  believes in scientific treatments and avoids surgery or unnecessary treatments. Dr Soumyan Dey has accepted the offer academically  from the department of urology of Dr D Y Patil Medical college this is the oldest department of surgery of the college and has been since inception. He is slated to join them as Associate Professor in the department of Masyet of Chirugiae ( MCh ) in urology a three year masters programme, the faculty has a rating of 4.15 to 4.30 in 2000.Dr SOUMAYAN DEY is also associated as consultant for urology  and andrology at Reliance Hospital Navi Mumbai, Currie Hospital Thane, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital Navi Mumbai, Wockhardt Hospital and Vinmra Swaraj Hospital Navi Mumbai. D Y Patil College  in order to strengthen the teaching of post graduates courses invited Dr Soumyan Dey to join as visiting Associate Professor . I congratulate and wish Dr Soumyan Dey success as I know him for resilience, hard work and persistence.

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Maharaja of Bikaner

 While going through the following historical note : "Before independence the constituent assembly of India whose deliberation began in December 1946; when Sardar Vallabhai Patel wrote to the Dewans (administrators ) of the princely states urging them to ask their rulers to come to terms with the party which would now rule India. One of the first princes to come over to Patel's side was the Maharaja of Bikaner, his  Dewan was K. M . Pannikar a widely respected historian and administrator. After Bikaner success a dozen more states  accede to India many of them from Rajasthan ( several of the states were on the suzerainty of British Crown while others direct under British rule ). My father witnessed the ceremony  ( C.V.V. Raghavan ) a honours graduate from Christian College Madras got an interview call from the State of Bikaner in 1945 and was selected by Pannikar to join the State of Bikaner administrative services".

Amer Fort Jaipur

 Amer was originally a Meena kingdom town by the name of Khagong, ruled by the Chanda Meena king Raja Alan Singh, and was later captured by the Kachhwaha rulers in a bloody story of deceit and treachery. Sitting atop the Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles), the Amer Fort stands as a testimony to the valour and grandeur of its Rajput history. The construction of the fort began in 1592 by Maharaja Man Singh, a commander in the army of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, and was developed further by his descendant Jai Singh I. Amber remained the capital till 1722, after which the seat was shifted to the newly built city of Jaipur.

According to popular belief, Amber derives its name from Ambikeshwar, a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the town. Another belief suggests that Amber is named after Lord Ambavati.

This fort, with five other forts of Rajasthan, was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013 for its outstanding heritage value.

Indian Bankruptcy 1991

 When India's economy was bankrupt in 1991

The then Prime Minister Narsimha Rao called Finance Minister Manmohan Singh and asked how much money is there in the treasury, Manmohan Ji's answer was that only 9 days we can run the country, that much money is left.

On this, Narasimha Rao ji asked how to deal with this situation? M Singh said that the value of the country's rupee should have to fall by 20%. Narasimha ji said, okay call the meeting of the cabinet and get approval. Manmohan ji got up and started going towards his room.

After going a few steps away, he turned back and said to Narasimha Rao that if the cabinet convenes the meeting, we will not be able to take these tough decisions. All ministers will address the vote bank.

Narasimha ji told Manmohanji that right now you go to your room. 

After 20 minutes, the secretary went to Manmohanji in his room by giving him a letter and in that letter.Narasimha Rao Ji had written, Done!!

Later, when he asked that what had happened in 20 minutes that you had surprised everyone, including the Cabinet meeting, 

Narasimha ji had said that I had spoken to Atal ji and done it.

Means you look at Atal ji was more than his cabinet, PM knew that Atal ji will speak in the interest of the country. It happens that after the announcement of the Nationalist Opposition and that drastic decision,

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not organize a protest movement, but supported the immediate Congress government to bring the country's economy back on track.

Gone those Politicians, gone those day…

Maratha decline after Shivaji

 

Maratha rule post-Shivaji
After the death of Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1680, the Maratha kingdom struggled to hold its own against the Mughals. Shivaji’s sons, Sambhaji and Rajaram (both half-brothers) who came to the throne one after the other met with limited success in holding on to the kingdom that Shivaji had fashioned in western Maharashtra. Sambhaji was killed by the Mughals in 1689 and Sambhaji’s son Shahu was a prisoner in the Mughal camps of Malwa for almost eighteen years before his release in 1708. Succession battles between Tarabai, Rajaram’s widow who attempted to foist her son, Shivaji II on the throne after Rajaram’s death in 1700 and Shahu, who wanted to ascend the throne himself, also queered the Maratha pitch. Even though Shahu did ascend the throne in 1708, from 1713 onwards, it was the Peshwa, Balaji Vishwanath who came to hold the reins of power.

Till 1761, when the Maratha defeat at the hands of the Afghan marauder, Ahmad Shah Abdali, in the Third Battle of Panipat tempered Maratha power to an extent, Balaji Vishwanath, a Chitpavan Brahmin by caste and the Peshwas (his son and grandson) who followed him — Bajirao (1720 – 1740) and Balaji Baji Rao (1740 – 1761) — exercised power on the Chattrapati’s behalf. The Chhatrapatis who followed Shahu were reduced to being nominal heads and retired to Satara while the Peshwas held fort at Pune which came to be the real centre of power. The Peshwas were assisted in their military endeavours by various Maratha chiefs — Holkar, Scindia (Shinde), Gaekwad and Bhonsle — who led roving bands of soldiers that aided the Peshwa army.

After the 1818 battle, Maratha power, which was anyway on its last legs, was effectively finished. And, ironically, Mahars were involved in its final battle.

Pink City

 Jaipur my home town. There were not more than 25 south indian ( madrasi ) families living , the locals accomodated us with respect and never for once we felt outsiders.Now the population is close to 36 lacs while in 1950 it was just 1.50 lacs. The city was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Jaisingh II and is now ranked 7th best place to visit in Asia ( according to trip advisor ) and first among the Indian destinations for the year. Nahargarh fort is the main tourist spot. Jaipur is the hub for handicrafts, textiles, hand knot rugs, carpets, gemstones and artistic jewellery. There are about 2900 restaurants the place is a “ Foodie Paradise “ the flagship dish of Rajasthani Cuisine is Dal Bati Churma with Gatta Curry. The range is exciting like Ghewar, Mawa ki Kachori, Pyaz ki Kachori, Kalakand, Mirchi Bada, Rasmalai , Kesar Rabri Kulfi. Many of the city avenues is painted pink. Calgary ( Canada ) is the twin city of Jaipur.

Indian Pharmacy

 

India — which is called ‘pharmacy of the world’ for being a leading supplier of drugs to many Countries.
Despite being a leading supplier of high-quality medicines to several countries, Indian pharmaceutical industry is highly dependent on China for raw materials even to produce medicines as basic as Crocin.
These raw materials are called the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), also known as bulk drugs. Indian drug-makers import around 70 per cent of their total bulk drug requirements from China.
In the 2018-19 fiscal, the government had informed the Lok Sabha that the country’s drug-makers had imported bulk drugs and intermediates worth $ 2.4 billion from China.
But with an indefinite lockdown in China due to the deadly coronavirus outbreak, supplies of raw materials from China to produce drugs for treating HIV, cancer, epilepsy, malaria, and also commonly-used antibiotics and vitamin pills, are likely to be hit.
To prevent the shortage of medicines, the Narendra Modi government is considering curbing export of 12 bulk drugs. India lost its growing market of APIs to China in the 90s, due to largely , taxes, lack of support by way of subsidies, as a result the Chinese product were 20 to 25 percent cheaper and our domestic API products were squarely taken over by imports from China.

Sarma Thata

 Jaipur my home town. There were not more than 25 south indian ( madrasi ) families living , the locals accomodated us with respect and never for once we felt outsiders.Now the population is close to 36 lacs while in 1950 it was just 1.50 lacs. The city was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Jaisingh II and is now ranked 7th best place to visit in Asia ( according to trip advisor ) and first among the Indian destinations for the year. Nahargarh fort is the main tourist spot. Jaipur is the hub for handicrafts, textiles, hand knot rugs, carpets, gemstones and artistic jewellery. There are about 2900 restaurants the place is a “ Foodie Paradise “ the flagship dish of Rajasthani Cuisine is Dal Bati Churma with Gatta Curry. The range is exciting like Ghewar, Mawa ki Kachori, Pyaz ki Kachori, Kalakand, Mirchi Bada, Rasmalai , Kesar Rabri Kulfi. Many of the city avenues is painted pink. Calgary ( Canada ) is the twin city of Jaipur.

Sriram Mills Mumbai

 How a downfall happens - this is primarily due to greed and poor planning. I was closely associated with Sriram Mills for 10 years supplying blended yarn about 45 MT rate approx  Rs 80 per kg ie 45000 kg per month valued Rs 35 lacs on 45 days credit ( 15 days interest free and 30 interest @ 18 % pa ) gradually I reduced supply and credit and offered liberal discount on supply on cash / LC . They initially took supplies and gradually they switched to other suppliers - ( Sriram were largest manufacturers of school dress fabrics from 2/40 PV 48/52 blended dyed yarn. In the meanwhile I established new markets in Punjab ( knitted acrylic yarn ) Hukumchand Mills Indore, Reliance Industries Naroda Ahemdabad and in Bhiwandi  - the Bhiwandi power loom association recognised our support during those days to covert their power loom from cotton based to synthetic blended yarn - we could successfully convince power loom owners like Gulam Nabi   Agarwal and Acharya, Mehboob Ali some of the prominent ones and our payments were 100% from Bhiwandi - I and Hema attended several functions in Bhiwandi due to our closeness with their families particularly Kedar Acharya - Agarwal's and Gulabnabi . The association of Indian Cotton Mills Federation ( ICMF ) recognised the efforts of 7 mills including ours Bhoruka Textiles ( A unit of transport corporation of india ) I was Vice President independent incharge of marketing

Wastage of resources

 A nation endowed with abundant natural resources supported by  perennial river system from Himalaya to the peninsular flowing to Deccan  down to southern india having multiple drainage in both coasts has during 75 years of republic achieved a meagre GDP of 2.71 Trillion  USD compared to China of 15 Trillion. While the richest state Maharashtra abysmal 400 Billion USD. A mediocre governance , people humbly accepted the federal system of democracy  where , "A rule by several people affiliated to various  political parties " REPUBLIC all over the world since inception has functioned under the leadership of oligarchic assemblies "  Naturally  ancient thinkers looked upon kingship as the commonest and most important form of governance; to them a rule of assemblies lead to persistent debates and disputes  (  political  stance in assemblies ) lack of consensus , inefficiency and wastages of resources. This is what the Indian public has been subjected to for decades. A  grim and pathetic state of affairs.

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THE ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF BHAGAVATISM

 Bhagavatism originated in post-Maurya period and was centred around the worship of Vishnu  or Bhagavata. Vishnu was a minor god in Vedic times. He represented the sun and also the fertility cult. By second century BC he merged with God called Narayana and thus came to be known as Narayana- Vishnu. Originally Narayana was non vedic tribal god called Bhagavata, and his worshipers were called Bhagavatas Thus worshipers of Vishnu and those of Narayana were brought under a single umbrella by merging Vishnu with Narayana. The former was a  Vedic  God and latter emerged subsequently with non vedic associations, however, two gods mingled and merged.Besides Vishnu came to be identified with a legendary hero of VRISHNI TRIBE in western India known as Krishna Vasudeva. The great epic Mahabharata showed that Krishna and Vishnu were one, by 200 BC the three streams of God's and their worshipers into one and resulted in the creation of BHAGAVATISM or VAISHNAVISM.. This religion was sufficiently liberal to attract foreigners. Krishna taught in the Bhagavadgita that women, vaishyas and shudras  who were born of sin could seek refuge in him. Bhagavatisim or Vaishnavism over shadowed Mahayana Buddhism and it preached doctrine of incarnation or avatar and it presented 10 incarnations of Vishnu. Each incarnation of Vishnu was considered necessary for the salvation of Dharma.By 6 th century Vishnu became a member of Trinity of god's along with Shiva and Brahma.After 6th century Vishnu worship and recitation of the  legends associated with him began to be established in eastern India. Several religious recitations including " Vishnusahasranama " were composed for the benefit of Vishnu worshipers. Idol worship in temples became a common feature of Hinduism from the GUPTA period onward and many festivals also began to be celebrated. Agricultural festivals observed by different classes of people were lent a religious grab and color and turned a useful source of income for the priests