Railbandhu october 2016

OCTOBER 2016

VOL 6

ISSUE 6

THE ON-BOARD M AGAZINE OF INDI AN RAILWAYS

PLUS

TREASURE TROVE OF

HASSAN

Unravel its less explored secrets

durga puja A peek into the unique celebration

CORAL WALKING

An incredible world of marine wildlife

Majuli Island

Explore its traditional dance-drama

BANDRA STATION

A unique heritage of Railways

Tracing the footsteps of

Mahatma

A tour of places associated with Mahatma Gandhi The magazine is for on-board reading only. Kindly do not take away. Read it online at www.railbandhu.in or download the Rail Bandhu App on your device. ;g if=dk dsoy Vªus esa i<+us ds fy, gSA d`i;k lkFk u ys tk,aA www.railbandhu.in ij vkWuykbu i<+as ,oa jsy ca/kq ,i MkmuyksM djsAa

MINISTER'S MESSAGE

SERVING INDIA BETTER

Implementing greater reforms Dear friends, As always, it gives me immense joy to connect with you.

We, at Indian Railways, are striving to ensure improved travel experience and comfort for you. For that we brainstorm, innovate, seek and implement ideas on how we can serve you better. We are also working on major reform ideas which ultimately will translate into benefits for our travellers.

Last month has been special in our efforts and some developments deserve mention.

For the first time in independent India, and after 92 years, Rail budget has been merged with General Budget. So, coming year onwards you will not see a separate Rail budget being presented. This major step will lead the country to ‘One nation, one budget’ paradigm and free up resources to invest more in infrastructure development.

We came out with perhaps the world’s cheapest insurance scheme for you. At a premium of 92 paise only, you can get an insurance coverage of up to `10 lakhs when travelling with Indian Railways. As we strive for zero accident paradigm, this also gives you peace of mind.

SURESH PRABHU

Hon'ble Minister of Railways Government of India

Starting October 1, we have introduced a new time table adding 42 new pairs of trains. We have added 10 new Humsafar Express trains, 7 new Antyodaya Express, 3 new UDAY trains and 3 new Tejas Express to have a better travel experience. As per our Mission Raftaar, 350 trains of Indian Railways have been speeded up from 375 minutes to 5 minutes to reduce journey time.

Making travel easier and efficient for passengers, we will make Wi-Fi broadband services available at 100 stations across India by December 2016. This service has already been provided at more than 50 stations.

Scan this QR code from your smart phone to read more about the two-year achievements of the Indian Railways

At a premium of 92 paise only, you can get an insurance coverage of up to `10 lakhs when travelling with Indian Railways Rail Bandhu - October 2016 | 5

A dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power in half an hour

DASH CHARGE YOUR LIFE

WITH THE ONEPLUS 3 Tourists and travellers now have a reason to travel often with hassle-free "Dash Charging", available only on the OnePlus 3.

THE BEST SMARTPHONE EVER! Business Insider India calls the OnePlus 3, “A winner all the way” and other media outlets tend to agree on similar lines.

Packing 6GB of LPDDR4 RAM, a top-of-the-line Qualcomm® Snapdragon 820 processor and Adreno 530 GPU, the OnePlus 3 makes apps, games, and other intensive applications a breeze to use. The 16MP rear-camera boasts lightning-fast shutter speed, snappy autofocus, and intelligent software to deliver an unmatched user experience in capturing that stunning photo or video, every time. OnePlus 3 also features a dual nano-sim slot.

64GB of storage means you’ve got plenty of space for your favourite pictures, songs and movies, and UFS 2.0 technology moves data three times faster than the ubiquitous eMMC5.1. And with a 3,000 mAh battery, the OnePlus 3 will last through the day (and beyond).

The ultra-fast fingerprint ceramic-coated sensor unlocks your OnePlus 3 in under 0.2 seconds, even from a stand-by state.

DASH CHARGE : FAST, FUNCTIONAL AND SAFE This technology marvel allows you to get a day’s power in half an hour. No kidding. It remains impressively cool while charging thanks to its dedicated circuitry in the wall unit for heat management and dissipation. The fast charging option allows you to watch videos or play games while the phone is charging, with no net drop in charging speeds.

Plug-n-play. Convenient. Fast. This is Dash Charge.

SCULPTED TO PERFECTION The metal unibody is carved from a single slab of premium aluminium, resulting in an ultra-thin design with a satisfying, solid build. Constructed using premium space-grade aluminum alloy, the OnePlus 3 exudes strength, is light to carry around and emanates a premium feel in the palm of your hands. And at just 7.3 mm, the OnePlus 3 ranks among the thinnest flagships in the world.

OnePlus 3 is now available on Amazon India for ₹27,999

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RAIL BANDHU MAGAZINE IS PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY VIKAS JOHARI ON BEHALF OF MAXPOSURE MEDIA GROUP (INDIA) PVT. LTD. (MMGIPL) FOR THE INDIAN RAILWAYS AND PUBLISHED AT MMGIPL, PLOT NO 246, 3RD FLOOR, OKHLA PHASE-3, NEW DELHI-110020, INDIA. RAIL BANDHU MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE WRITING, ARTWORK AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHY CONTAINED HEREIN MAY NOT BE USED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF MMGIPL. MMGIPL / INDIAN RAILWAYS DOES NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE OF UNSOLICITED PRODUCTS, MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, ARTWORK, TRANSPARENCIES OR OTHER MATERIALS. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THE MAGAZINE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE PUBLISHER OR THE INDIAN RAILWAYS. ALL EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE WHILE COMPILING THE CONTENT OF THIS MAGAZINE, BUT WE ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE EFFECTS ARISING THERE FROM. MMGIPL / INDIAN RAILWAYS DOES NOT ASSUME ANY LIABILITY FOR SERVICES OR PRODUCTS ADVERTISED HEREIN. ALL ADVERTORIALS HAVE BEEN MARKED AS 'IN FOCUS' IN THE MAGAZINE. FOR INQUIRIES | MMGIPL TEL: +91.11.43011111, WWW.RAILBANDHU.IN, WWW. MAXPOSURE.IN

8 | Rail Bandhu - October 2016

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CONTENTS

TRAVEL

30

RAIL UPDATE

COVER STORY

Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad was the epicentre of Indian freedom struggle

28

72

ENTRY TICKET

OFF TRACK

Plan your trips around these days and events

Get mesmerised by the heritage of Majuli in Assam

14

18

Witnessing budgetary reforms

Indian Railways celebrates Swachh Bharat week

CULTURE

40 DREAM SCAPE

A heartening trek to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat

46 HERITAGE HALT

Delve into Hassanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s less-explored secrets 10 | Rail Bandhu - October 2016

www.railbandhu.in

60

TALE SPIN

Read about opulence of Bengali aristocracy during Durga Puja

CONTENTS

DISCOVER

LIFESTYLE

52 SILVER RAKE Read about Jimmy Sheirgill, the actor with guynext-door looks who dabbles in a variety of genres

66

WIDE ANGLE

Visit the marine wonderland of Gujarat

82

thou 'kSyh

SHORT TAKES Books to read and movies to watch this month

86

STAR TRACKER

88 91 92 96

uojkf= ds ikou volj ij vki ozr ds O;atuksa dk Lokn p[k ldrs gSa

OCTOBER 2016

VOL 6

ISSUE 6

ThE On-BOaRd m agazInE Of IndI an RaILwayS

plus

Treasure Trove of

egkcfyiqje esa ns[kus dks feysaxs vn~Hkqr okLrqf’kYi ds uk;kc uewus

Hassan

Unravel its less explored secrets

durga puja A peek into the unique celebration

Coral Walking An incredible world of marine wildlife

Majuli Island

Explore its traditional dance-drama

Bandra sTaTion

A unique heritage of Railways

i;kZoj.k vuqdwy fnokyh eukdj lekt ds izfr fuHkk,a viuh ftEesnkjh

12 | Rail Bandhu - October 2016

Your tarot predictions for this month

ckanzk jsyos LVs’ku dh ,sfrgkfld bekjr ds laca/k esa tkudkjh

www.railbandhu.in

Tracing the footsteps of

Mahatma

A tour of places associated with Mahatma Gandhi The magazine is for on-board reading only. Kindly do not take away. Read it online at www.railbandhu.in or download the Rail Bandhu App on your device. ;g if=dk dsoy Vªus esa i<+us ds fy, gSA d`i;k lkFk u ys tk,aA www.railbandhu.in ij vkWuykbu i<+as ,oa jsy ca/kq ,i MkmuyksM djsAa

ON THE COVER This month we celebrate Gandhi Jayanti, the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.

RAIL UPDATE

One Nation one budget In September 2016, Indian Railways witnessed the biggest budgetory reform.

In a landmark decision, the Union Cabinet has ended the 92 year old colonial tradition of presenting a separate rail budget by announcing the merger of Railway budget with the General budget. Despite merger, Indian Railways will maintain a distinct identity as a commercially-run department.

AL

BU DG ET

U YB WA RAIL

DG ET

R E N GE

14 | Rail Bandhu - October 2016

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MERGER OF RAILWAY BUDGET WITH THE GENERAL BUDGET The arrangements for merger of Railway budget with the General budget have been approved by the Cabinet with the following administrative and financial arrangements •

The Railways will continue to maintain its distinct entity - as a departmentally run commercial undertaking as at present;

•

Railways will retain their functional autonomy and delegation of financial powers etc., as per the existing guidelines;

•

The existing financial arrangements will continue wherein Railways will meet all their revenue expenditure, including ordinary working expenses, pay and allowances and pensions etc., from their revenue receipts;

•

The Capital at charge of the Railways estimated at `2.27 lakh crore on which annual dividend is paid by the Railways will be waived off. Consequently, there will be no dividend liability for Railways from 2017-18 and Ministry of Railways will get Gross Budgetary support.

This will also save Railways from the liability of payment of approximately `9,700 crore annual dividend to the Government of India;

The merger would help in the following ways: • The presentation of a unified budget will bring the affairs of the Railways to centre stage

DID YOU KNOW

The presentation of separate Railway budget started in the year 1924, and has continued after independence as a convention rather than under Constitutional provisions.

and present a holistic picture of the financial position of the Government.

•

The merger is also expected to reduce the procedural requirements and instead

bring into focus, the aspects of delivery and good governance.

•

Consequent to the merger, the appropriations for Railways will form part of the main Appropriation Bill.

Rail Bandhu - October 2016 | 15

RAIL UPDATE

Flexi Fare system for Rajdhani/Duronto and Shatabdi trains Ministry of Railways has introduced the flexi fare system for Rajdhani/Duronto and Shatabdi trains as per details given below 1 (A) The base fares will increase by 10% with every 10% of berths sold, subject to a prescribed ceiling limit as indicated in the table below. There will be no change in the existing fare for 1AC and EC class of travel.

In the tables given below, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Xâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; stands for the present base fares: Fare Structure for Rajdhani and Duronto category of Trains Charges % of berths

10%

10%

10%

10%

10%

10%

10%

10%

10%

10%

2S

1X

1.1X

1.2X

1.3X

1.4X

1.5X

1.5X

1.5X

1.5X

1.5X

SL

1X

1.1X

1.2X

1.3X

1.4X

1.5X

1.5X

1.5X

1.5X

1.5X

3A

1X

1.1X

1.2X

1.3X

1.4X

1.4X

1.4X

1.4X

1.4X

1.4X

2A

1X

1.1X

1.2X

1.3X

1.4X

1.5X

1.5X

1.5X

1.5X

1.5X

1A

1X

1X

1X

1X

1X

1X

1X

1X

1X

1X

X= Base Fare Fare Structure for Shatabdi category of Trains Charges % of berths

10%

10%

10%

10%

10%

10%

10%

10%

10%

10%

CC

1X

1.1X

1.2X

1.3X

1.4X

1.5X

1.5X

1.5X

1.5X

1.5X

EC

1X

1X

1X

1X

1X

1X

1X

1X

1X

1X

Other supplementary charges like Reservation charges, Superfast charge, Catering charges, Service tax, etc., as applicable shall be levied separately.

1 (B) Vacant berths left at the time of charting would be offered for current booking. Tickets under current booking shall be sold at the last price sold for that class and other supplementary charges like reservation fee, superfast charges, catering charges, service tax etc., as applicable shall be levied in full.

16 | Rail Bandhu - October 2016

1 (C) The information should also be displayed to the passenger during the booking, in case the fare of lower class becomes higher than the higher class to exercise option to travel by the higher class.

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1 (D) The last price for every class of tickets for the particular train should be printed in the reservation chart for the purpose of charging of difference of fare in the train or charging the passengers of the train without ticket, etc.

3 (B) There shall be no Premium Tatkal Quota in these train services.

4. Concession: Normal concession as applicable for respective concessional ticket will be admissible on the base fare of the ticket at each stage as per the table.

2. The flexi fare system for Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi class of trains will be based on their Base Fare.

3. QUOTAS AVAILABLE IN THESE CATEGORIES OF TRAINS SHALL BE AS UNDER: 3 (A) Tatkal Quota: The present limit of berths set aside for Tatkal quota in these trains shall be operated as per the existing guidelines.

However, no additional charges as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tatkal chargesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; will be levied. The berths assigned under the Tatkal quota shall be booked at the rate of 1.5 times of the base fare for all classes (2S, SL, 2A, 3A and CC) except 1AC and EC. Other supplementary charges like reservation fee, superfast charges, catering charges, service tax, etc., as applicable shall be levied in full.

6. Other Charges: There shall be no change in charges for reservation fee, superfast surcharge, etc.

Such charges, wherever applicable, shall continue to be levied additionally as per existing instructions.

` 7. Service Tax will continue to be levied as applicable as per instructions issued in this regard.

5. Refund Rules: There will be no change in the existing refund rules.

8. All other rules and conditions pertaining to the above category of trains shall be continued without any change.

9. The changes in fares as above has come into force w.e.f

09.09.2016 Rail Bandhu - October 2016 | 17

RAIL ACHIEVEMENT

Swachh Rail - Swachh Bharat

towards a cleaner India

Indian Railways has organised ‘Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ all over the country from September 17-25, 2016. This nine-day long public cleanliness outreach programme was launched by the Union Railway Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu in New Delhi.

Indian Railways conducted this drive to spread wider awareness on sanitation and cleanliness in rail premises and make hygiene a habit amongst the travelling public. It also marks out the Railway’s commitment by recounting the initiatives taken under the ‘Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat Mission’.

18 | Rail Bandhu - October 2016

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Highlights of the ‘Swachh Rail - Swachh Bharat’ drive as celebrated in different railway zones across India: SWACHH PARYAVARAN (17 SEP 2016) A massive tree plantation exercise, development of new parks, green belts and other eco-friendly measures were taken on this day.

SWACHH STATION (18 SEP 2016) Intensive cleanliness drive undertaken by involving NGOs, scouts and guides and all railway employees.

Rail Bandhu - October 2016 | 19

RAIL ACHIEVEMENT

SWACHH RAILGAADI (19 SEP 2016) Inspection of all trains undertaken by teams of officers and staff to ensure cleanliness onboard the train.

SWACHH NEER (20 SEP 2016) Inspection of all water installations including filter plants, sources of water supply, drainage systems and water taps for drinking water at stations.

20 | Rail Bandhu - October 2016

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SWACHH PARISAR (21 SEP 2016) Drive conducted to clean up and improve the circulating areas of railway stations and office complexes.

SWACHH SAHYOG (22 SEP 2016) Cleanliness drive at stations by associating NGOs, schools, voluntary groups and unions.

Rail Bandhu - October 2016 | 21

RAIL ACHIEVEMENT

SWACHH SAMVAD (23 SEP 2016) Organised seminars on sanitation and upkeep of railway stations and other railway establishments.

SWACHH SAMARPAN (24 SEP 2016) Carried out Prabhat Pheris and Nukkad Nataks to spread awareness among all railway employees and their families to ensure cleanliness.

22 | Rail Bandhu - October 2016

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SWACHH AAHAR (25 SEP 2016) Inspection of pantry cars, base kitchens, food stalls and restaurants located at the stations.

CONSOLIDATED FIGURES OF THE INITIATIVES TAKEN DURING THE NINE-DAY DRIVE No. of dustbins provided - 28,844

Inspection of trains by officers - 4,614

Cleanliness drive at stations - 14,185

Officers deputed for the drive - 15,037

No of saplings planted during the drive - 1,00,000

SWACHH BHARAT PLEDGE The Swachhta campaign culminated on 25th September (Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Jayanti) by taking Swacch Bharat pledge at Kozhikode Railway Station with Suresh Prabhu, Union Railway Minister and Venkaiah Naidu, Minister for Urban Development. The Swacch Bharat week will be held till October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti).

Rail Bandhu - October 2016 | 23

RAIL ACHIEVEMENT

Accounting Reforms in Indian Railways A decisive thrust towards Accounting Reforms has been provided by the Hon’ble MR, articulated through his Budget Speech in 2015-16 and 2016-17 wherein ‘Mission Beyond Book Keeping’ aims to take Accounting Reforms beyond Accrual Accounting into the realm of Performance Costing and Outcome Budgeting.

RIGHT ACCOUNTING

LINKING OF BUDGET

RIGHT COSTING

EXPENDITURE

RIGHT PRICING

OUTPUT

RIGHT OUTCOME

OUTCOMES

INITIATIVES OF ACCOUNTS DIRECTORATE

BENEFITS

• Strengthening and capacity building of human capital for the sustainability of Accounting Reforms

• Advanced Railway Pension Access Network (ARPAN), an online virtual communication for issuance of Pension Payment Order

• Help the management in strategic areas such as value creation, resource utilisation, product/service pricing, strategic planning, and risk management, etc.

• For Centralised processing of financial transactions, an ‘Integrated Payroll and Accounting System’ (IPAS) has been introduced

• A holistic transformation in the way IR perceives not just its accounting milieu but also the way it looks at its operations and business as a whole.

• e-Rail Lekha in which all the Zonal Railways upload data

EXTRA-BUDGETARY RESOURCES (INSTITUTIONAL FINANCE) • EBR-IF funds are low cost, long term funds which will be deployed to finance throughout enhancement projects of Railways, mainly doubling and electrification projects.

During the FY 2015-16 EBR-IF funds of `9,430 crore were utilised and the target for

2016-17

is

`20,985 24 | Rail Bandhu - October 2016

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crore.

A Memorandum of Understanding with LIC of India was also signed for availing funding assistance to the tune of `1.5 lakh crore over the next five years for financing Railway projects.

• World Bank has been approached for exploring the feasibility of setting up a Railways of India Development Fund (RIDF) for raising resources for long-term investment in Railways.

Increasing NFR Earnings Non-Fare Directorate is planning to improve NFR earning to 10-20% of Total Earning of Indian Railways in next 5 years.

Major Initiatives

1

New Digital Advertising Policy at more than 2000 stations is being rolled out to improve ambience of stations and NFR earning through advertisement

5 6

2

New initiatives being taken

by RLDA for commercial utilisation of vacant land for improving NFR earning by monetising vacant land

Soft data monetisation is being taken up Branding of Stations and trains with advertisements

7

3 4

The work of redevelopment of 400 stations is being expedited Portal is opened

by IR for online approvals of Track crossings and way leave permissions

On board entertainment, Wi-Fi and advertisements in trains

IR goals for 2030 Modal share in freight increased to

47%

from the present 33% Freight traffic to reach

3000 656

billion NTKM from

Punctuality

95% Network size to go up to

72,000 route kms

billion

Speed raising – for freight trains

100kmph from 25 kmph presently

Non-fare revenue to be increased from 3.4% to

20%

Country’s first high speed rail to be operational by 2023 between Mumbai and Ahmedabad Eliminate all unmanned level crossings on Broad Gauge by

2020 All level crossings to be replaced with grade separators by year

2030 To redevelop 54 ‘A-1’ & ‘A’ category stations by

2020-21 Rail Bandhu - October 2016 | 25

RAIL ACHIEVEMENT

Highlights of new Time Table 2016-17 Effective October 1, Indian Railways introduced and implemented the new time table 2016-17. This year, 19 pairs of mail/express train services (non-budget) have been introduced.

NEW TRAINS INTRODUCED 37 pairs of Mail/Express trains have been speeded up to Superfast category.

240 operational stoppages in 96 pairs of trains, involving 52 stations have been converted into commercial stoppage The State of Tripura has been included in the railway map with the introduction of

14019/14020 Anand Vihar (T) – Agartala Tripura Sundari (weekly) Express.

HUMSAFAR EXPRESS TRAINS

ANTYODAYA EXPRESS TRAINS

This will be a fully airconditioned Third AC service train with optional service for meals

This will be a long distance, fully unreserved, superfast service for the common man.

Jammu Tawi – Sealdah Bhubaneshwar – Krishnarajapuram Delhi - Gorakhpur Howrah – Yeshwantpur H. Nizamuddin – Durg Ahmedabad – Chennai Jammu Tawi – Tirupati Patna – Bandra Sriganganagar – Tiruchirappalli Kamakhya – Bengaluru Cantt

Jalandhar – Darbhanga Tatanagar – Lokmanya Tilak Santragachi – Chennai Central Firozpur – Bilaspur Gorakhpur – Bandra Howrah – Ernakulum Jaynagar – Udhna

UDAY EXPRESS TRAINS

This train will operate at speeds of 130 kmph and above, and will offer onboard services such as entertainment, local cuisine, Wi-Fi, etc.

This train is a Double Decker air-conditioned yatri express that will ply on busiest routes, enhancing carrying capacity up to 40%.

Chandigarh – New Delhi Anand Vihar – Lucknow Junction Mumbai (CSTM) – Madgaon (Karmali)

Bengaluru – Coimbatore North Jamanagar – Bandra Vijaywada - Visakhapatnam

TEJAS EXPRESS TRAINS

As per Mission Raftaar, 350 trains of Indian Railways have been speeded up from 375 minutes to 5 minutes to reduce journey time

26 | Rail Bandhu - October 2016

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Promoting

Creativity With a view to encourage artistic talent and writing skills amongst the children of rail-fraternity, Railway Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Welfare Central Organisation (RWWCO) annually organises All India Railway Drawing & Painting Competition and Essay Competition for the wards of Railwaymen.

T

his year RWWCO organised the Drawing Competition on September 11, whereas the Essay Competition was held on September 18 throughout the network of Indian Railways. In Rail Bhawan, Mrs. Rashmi Mital, President/RWWCO, personally supervised the competition. The winners were later invited to Delhi to receive the prizes during a special function.

RWWCO is the apex body of the chain of womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s welfare organisations spread

DID YOU KNOW? The organisation started its activities in 1962 after Indo-China War.

all over India, engaged in the task of welfare of railwaymen and their families through various need-based socio/welfare activities. While the primary concern of the Organisation is the welfare of Railway employees and their families, it has always risen to the call of the society and the nation - be it environmental awareness, family welfare drives, disturbances on the borders or the natural calamities. It is one of the fore-runner voluntary Organisations in the country today.

Rail Bandhu - October 2016 | 27

ENTRY TICKET

block your dates Special days and events that call for a quick trip to be a part of them JODHPUR RIFF 2016 (OCTOBER 13-17) In amalgamation with the global roots music, the interesting five-day music festival set in the blue city is an enriching experience of rustic Rajasthani music.

The festival provides an open stage to folk musicians and artists from India as swell as across the globe. Organised in and around Mehrangarh Fort, the celebration provides an opportunity to witness rare Rajasthani folk instruments, morning raga, jazz nights, meet and interact with legendary masters of the folk traditions.

Venue: Jodhpur How to reach: Jodhpur railhead is well connected by rail to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.

OLD WORLD THEATRE FESTIVAL (OCTOBER 8-16)

CHITRASHAALA 2016 (OCTOBER 13-20)

PADDY FIELDS (OCTOBER 15-16)

Pursuing its vision to promote and nurture theatre, the annual theatre festival will play host to diverse selection of stage plays from various parts of India.

The festival celebrates the mainstream as well as contemporary theatre. Witness the galaxy of theatre stars with some of the listed plays like Saurabh Shukla’s Barff, Ila Arun’s Doll’s House and QTP’s Wild Track.

Venue: New Delhi and Gurgaon

Paying homage to legacy, the second edition of Chitrashaala brings together forty noteworthy artists from India and overseas. Set in the middle of a private lake, the art endeavour is a celebration of a combination of architecture, music and art in Rajasthan. The festivities inlcude performance by the Barmer brothers, screening of a documentary by Utpal Pal and talk by Peter Markus and Reiner Langer.

The first folk and fusion music festival is a concoction of music, from timeless and traditional pieces to thrilling contemporary rhythms. Coupled with vibrant festival field, the two-day festival is an exciting line-up of both renowned and upcoming artists to explore the unexplored realm of folk and fusion.

Eclectic gastronomic experience, curated around the fusion theme is another highlight of the festival.

How to reach: The capital of India is wellconnected to all the major cities of the country by a dense rail network.

Venue: Chittorgarh, Rajasthan

Venue: Goregaon, Mumbai

How to reach: Chittorgarh railway station is well-connected to major cities.

How to reach: Mumbai is very well connected to the rest of India by trains.

28 | Rail Bandhu - October 2016

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COVER STORY

Tracing the footsteps of

Mahatma

Ahmedabad was an instrumental city during the freedom struggle of India. Sabarmati Ashram was the epicenter of that movement.

One must visit this place to understand Gandhi and India better!

Text: Abhinav Singh

30 | Rail Bandhu -October 2016

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Generations to come, it may well be, will scarce believe that such a man as this one ever in flesh and blood walked upon this Earth.

ALBERT EINSTEIN

T

hese words by renowned scientist Albert Einstein are still true for Mahatma Gandhi who roamed the length and breadth of this country and changed its history in due course.

Gandhiji visited many places in his lifetime which shaped the future of millions of people of India. His journeys left a lasting impact on the lives of people.

To understand him better, I embarked on a journey to Ahmedabad and headed to the place where he built the Sabarmati Ashram on the banks of Sabarmati River. Gandhiji lived here for 13 years along with his wife Kasturba. It is also known as Satyagrah Ashram because this was the place from where he began the Dandi march on March 12, 1930.

RELIVING THE ERA As I strolled through the pathways, the sprawling campus of the ashram overwhelmed me. And so did the quietness of the place. Cocooned from the noisy road outside, the tranquility of the ashram was

punctuated by the frenzied activities of squirrels and squeals of little kids. I got goose bumps when I realised that my footsteps matched with those of Mahatma. I stopped at Upasana Mandir, the place where Gandhiji used to attend the daily morning prayers followed by a question and answer session with the participants. Gandhiji also delivered many religious sermons from this platform.

It was a great feeling to imagine the time the ashram reverberated with the melody of Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, Gandhijiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite bhajan. Perhaps, standing there in silence, I could hear that rhythmic tone even in the present day. The calm waters of the Sabarmati river added to the allure of the place.

The ashram has a calming effect on you. It makes you quiet, reflective and thankful.

What was once the residence of one of the most important personalities which India ever produced is now a monument! Thankfully, the soul and purity of the place is still wellpreserved. As I approached Hriday Kunj, the living quarters of Mahatma Gandhi, I was

Sabarmati Ashram was where Mahatma Gandhi began the Dandi March in 1930

Rail Bandhu - October 2016 | 31

TRIVIA

COVER STORY

While at Sabarmati Ashram, Mahatma Gandhi formed a school that focussed on manual labour, agriculture, and literacy. This helped to advance his efforts and ideology about self-sufficiency, promoting economic freedom.

The pristine campus epitomises Gandhijiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s teachings on simplicity

humbled by its austerity. His former home is just walls and doors. Painted in stark white, the walls speak the stories of yore. A charkha is placed opposite a low rise seating, re-enacting the glorious past of the Ashram.

THE MUSEUM Hriday Kunj was initially turned into a museum but it was later relocated to a new building called Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya.

Designed by the architect Charles Correa (He has been awarded both a Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan), the museum was inaugurated by the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1963. The museum has many galleries which document the life and teaching of Gandhiji. There is also a booth where you can hear his recorded 32 | Rail Bandhu -October 2016

QUICK FACT

The ashram was set up on the banks of river Sabarmati on June 17, 1917.

The most moving pieces preserved here are the blood stained clothes of Mahatma speeches. Some galleries displayed his belongings, life size portraits and the original letters he exchanged. However, the most moving pieces preserved here are the blood stained dhoti, shawl and the watch that he was wearing when he was assassinated on January 30, 1948. One of the three bullets which ended his life is also displayed here.

Even the urn which carried his ashes for immersion in various cities is also on display.

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Pic by: Abhinav Singh

COVER STORY

The peaceful surroundings of the ashram

OTHER PLACES TO SEE Magan Niwas is another important place in the ashram dedicated to Maganlal Gandhi, the cousin of Mahatma Gandhi and also manager of the ashram. Gandhi saw him as the soul of this place. The plaque outside the cottage said that upon his death in 1928, Gandhiji said, “His death has widowed me.”

Vinoba Kutir was the cottage reserved for Acharya Vinobha Bhave, also known as the ‘National Teacher of India’. As a spiritual confidante to Gandhiji, he spent some time in the ashram and the cottage he stayed in was named after him. It was the simplest of the cottages and one was allowed to peek inside it. Vinoba Kutir is also known as Mira Kutir after a British woman Madeleine Slade.

Gandhiji gave her the name Mirabehn once she started to live in the campus. She left her comfortable life in Britain to stay in the ashram and followed a strict and disciplined life. She was actively involved in the activities of the ashram and was a close associate and disciple of Mahatma.

QUICK TRIVIA

Approximately 48 roads outside India are named after Gandhi.

34 | Rail Bandhu -October 2016

QUICK FACTS Mahatma Gandhi was nominated five times for the Nobel Peace Prize.

However, this honour is not awarded posthumously.

He corresponded with Albert Einstein and Leo Tolstoy, and he even wrote a letter to Hitler.

There are temples in India dedicated to Gandhi; one is in Sambalpur, Odisha, the second is at Nidaghatta Village in Karnataka and another is in Nalgonda, Telangana.

The title ‘mahatma’ was bestowed by Rabindranath Tagore. www.railbandhu.in

Originally called as the Satyagraha Ashram, it reflects the movement towards passive resistance Some non-profit shops are present near the museum. They have a huge collection of books and merchandise on Gandhi. I decided to pick up a book, some key rings and a miniature ‘charkha’ for my father, who is a Gandhian at heart.

As I leave the ashram, the corner of my eye caught hold of a placard which said, ‘My Life is My Message’. I took a deep breath and bid adieu to the squirrels that were still creating a ruckus. Until a few hours ago, I was unaware of the immense importance of this place. Much like those naïve squirrels!

However, few hours spent here changed something in me.

Gandhi was named Time Magazine’s ‘Man of the Year’ in 1930.

Delhi’s Airport Terminal 3 has the world’s largest wooden charkha.

COVER STORY

RAJGHAT, DELHI:

The Samadhi of Gandhiji is built on the banks of Yamuna river. He was cremated here on January 31, 1948. Today, a solemn black slab of marble exists on this particular spot.

KIRTI MANDIR, PORBANDAR:

Gandhiji was born in Porbandar on October 2, 1869. Kirti Mandir is adjacent to the ancestral home of Gandhiji in Porbandar. It is a memorial temple built to preserve his legacy.

A must visit for Gandhi followers.

GANDHI SMRITI, DELHI:

Formerly called Birla Bhawan, it is the place where Gandhiji was assassinated on January 30, 1948. He spent the last days of his life here.

DANDI, GUJARAT:

MANI BHAWAN, MUMBAI:

Between 1917 and 1934, Gandhiji often frequented Mumbai and the owner of Mani Bhawan hosted him during his visits. Movements like Non Co-operation, Satyagraha, etc., took shape here.

36 | Rail Bandhu -October 2016

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Map not to scale

A nondescript coastal town of Gujarat suddenly found itself on the world map after Gandhiji ended his famous ‘Dandi March’ here in 1930. Thousands participated in this march which began from Sabarmati.

Gandhi Trail A quick tour to some of the places associated with Mahatma Gandhi

ANAND BHAWAN, ALLAHABAD:

This grand house that belonged to the Nehru family was the hub of many political activities during the freedom struggle of India. One of its rooms was reserved for Gandhiji during his visits to the city.

How to reach Train from Delhi to Ahmedabad Train Number: 12958 Train name: ADI SJ Rajdhani Travel Time: 13:45 hrs

ASHRAM TOUR

Train from Mumbai to Ahmedabad Train Number: 12267 Train name: ADI Duronto Express Travel Time: 6:25 hrs

Sabarmati Ashram is open from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm, throughout the year, even on public holidays. Admission to the ashram is free.

For school tours and large groups, it is advisable to inform the Ashram so that a guided tour (free of charge) can be organised.

THE WHEEL CONNECT

A ‘charkha’ is a spinning wheel which Gandhiji used in his daily life in order to weave his own clothes.

His aim in popularising the ‘charkha’ was to teach people to be self-sufficient and independent. The ‘charkha’ even featured in the initial versions of the map of India.

Rail Bandhu - October 2016 | 37

INTERACTIVE

postcards Readers write back and share their memories with us

Aurangabad Railway station building Pic shared by:

CB UPARKAR

FEEDBACK The magazine is quite informative, made my tour special. Got to know the journey of Indian Railways.

SUJIT KUMAR via e-mail

Rail Bandhu magazine is so good to be read and really needful for everyone as travellers come to know about various updates from Railways.

ANKIT KANSAL via e-mail

I really liked the article on ‘Classic Cubicles’ and ‘Transforming Rail, Transforming India’. I really appreciate the hard work of team Rail Bandhu and hope this legacy continues.

AALOK NARAYAN via e-mail

Journeys are best remembered through postcards. Next time you travel by a train, do remember to take a picture of your journey or anything that catches your eye.

We will publish the best entries here.

The famous ‘Ganga Sagar Mela’, an annual fair is held in which state of India?

3

Ramman is a religious festival and ritual theatre of which State?

4

The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is associated with which city?

5

The famous Nabakalebara festival belongs to which State?

We will publish the names of the first five who give all correct answers. So, hurry, and mail us at railbandhu@ maxposure.in or post your replies on our Facebook page.

ANSWERS TO SEPTEMBER 2016 ISSUE QUIZ:

3. Oscar Wilde, prisoner of Cell 3, third landing, signed his poem The Ballad of Reading Gaol thus.

4. I n classical Sanskrit theatre, the sutradhar is a central figure, who creates a coherent narrative by acting as a producer, narrator, director, and even a manipulator of the performance.

Scrap Metal Sculpture at Mumbai Central Railway Station

5. P rimary Colours: A Novel of Politics is a work of fiction that actually describes real-life characters and events – namely, Bill Clinton’s first presidential campaign in 1992.

HOW DID YOU LIKE THE MAGAZINE? SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK

38 | Rail Bandhu - October 2016

2

2. A Comedy of Errors. The average length of a play in Elizabethan England was 3,000 lines and 14,369 words.

WELDER: RICHARD PAINTER: PRAKASH PURABIYA

railbandhu@maxposure.in

Historic Chandragiri Fort is located in which State?

1. Murder on the Orient Express

by Agatha Christie is based on the murder of an American tycoon who lies dead in his train compartment, stabbed a dozen times with the door locked on the inside.

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WRITE TO US AT

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JOIN, LIKE AND SHARE AT

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Four readers got all the answers right this time. Congratulations!

Saurav Singh, Ritika Sharma, Simran Gulati and Rishi Singh

DREAM SCAPE

A spiritual

rejuvenation Adi Kailash is an ancient holy place in the Himalayan Range, close to the Indo-Tibetan border. A trek to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat takes the mind and soul into the heartland of awe-inspiring natural beauty and splendour.

Text: S. Tripurasundari

A

di-Kailash is worshipped as the abode of Lord Shiva and has been considered as the most sacred and revered mountain ranges in the world. Om Parvat is a magical and inspiring mountain peak with an altitude of 6191 mt., in Dharchula district of Uttarakhand. It is considered sacred as the snow disposition pattern on it looks like the sacred Aum ( ).

and other disputes of the region), Jageshwar, (archaeological site having around 125 Shiva temples, notably the Jageshwar Jyotirlinga and the Mrityunjaya linga), and Patal Bhuvaneshwar (a cave temple of stalactite and stalagmite formations with interesting mythological tales, believed to have been discovered by King Rituparna of Treta Yuga).

The trek started with a darshan of Golu Devta temple, (the deity is known for settling legal

After visiting temples, the trek started from Mangti, accessed from Dharchula by road. Up to

THE ADVENTURE BEGINSâ&#x20AC;Ś

Adi Kailash stands tall at an elevation of

6191 mt.

40 | Rail Bandhu -October 2016

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DREAM SCAPE

Om Parvat is a magical and inspiring mountain peak and is considered sacred Adi Kailash the trek route is Mangti-Gala-BudhiGunji-Kutti-Joling Kong (a total of 5 days of trek).

The first day trek of 6 km is more of a warm up.

GALA TO BUDHI (20 KM) The trek from Gala to the next camp at Budhi is difficult, including a steep descent of 4,444 rocky steps, alongside the treacherous path of a roaring river Kali. One wrong step and one can tumble down into the river or ravines below. But the landscape is the most striking of the entire trek, since the walk is through the captivating beauty of Kali river, green mountains, numerous waterfalls, notably the Najung Fall, cliffs, etc.

BUDHI TO GUNJI (18 KM) The trek from Budhi to Gunji involves a sheer climb of around 3 km to Chiyalekh Pass and offers great sighting of the Annapurna peak, Garbhayang and Sithi village. A further 6 km of strenuous trek through beautiful meadows, along the river Kali, takes one to Gunji, which is also the medical check-up point for yatris.

QUICK FACT One folklore goes that Lord Shiva used to first reside in Adi Kailash, but to escape from Bhasmasura, who wanted to test his boon first on Shiva himself, Shiva went from Adi Kailash to Kailash parvat, through Navi Dhang, where he drew the OM to stop Bhasmasura.

42 | Rail Bandhu -October 2016

At the ITBP camp, one can get a clear sight of Adi Kailash with the form of Nandi in snow. One folklore goes that Lord Shiva used to first reside in Adi Kailash, but to escape from Bhasmasura, who wanted to test his boon first on Shiva himself, Shiva left for Kailash Parvat, through Navi Dhang, where he drew the OM to stop Bhasmasura.

A beautiful view awaits us at Adi Kailash. A further trek of 2 km took us to the Parvati Sarovar. At sunrise, golden rays illuminate the lake briefly. Although this sight was missed, we did manage to get the reflection of the mountain in the sarovar.

TREK TO OM PARVAT

How to reach The nearest rail head is Kathgodam railway station, 171 km from Bageshwar.

GUNJI TO KUTI (19 KM) The route to Kuti is lined with Bhojpatra (Himalayan Birch) trees, meanders alongside Kuti river, villages of Nabhi and Rongkong, and some glaciers, over which one must walk. It is the last inhabited village of the Bhotias on the route, named after Mata Kunti. After an early lunch at Nampha, one reaches Kuti village, where at ITBP camp, yatris get off their horses.

The locals at Kuti do not allow horses into the village for fear of any damage to medicinal plants. Here, houses are made of wood and have carved blue windows and doors.

KUTTI TO JOLING KONG (14 KM) The final part of the trek to Adi Kailash, i.e., Joling Kong is difficult due to decrease in oxygen. En route, one gets to see the Panchachuli peaks (legend goes that they

were used as the last cooking pots of the five Pandavas, before their journey to heaven).

The trek to Adi Kailash is mesmerising www.railbandhu.in

To visit the Om Parvat at Navi Dhang, one has to return to Gunji and then proceed through Kala Pani (where the mighty river Kali originates within the Kali temple). After a final arduous climb from Kala Pani, one reaches Navi Dhang, from where the OM Parvat is sighted.

The writer is posted in Railway Board. The trek to Adi Kailash and OM Parvat was organised by the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam.

IN FOCUS

FABULOUS FESTIVE FERVOUR AND FUSION

Goa’s wave of communal harmony, religious tolerance and peace and tranquil make it a perfect hub for tourists to get consumed into the culture and cuisine that revolve around the festive fervour

G

oa is a land of sand, sun and sea with feasts and festivals of all communities entwined into one big secular fabric. As the rains retreat and the sun shines brightly, the curtains are raised on a volley of feasts and festivals for three months before the year ends. Most of the feasts and festivals during the last quarter of the year are unique to the State and are a must see for all! The month of October is packed with religious events that take place all across the State.

1

THE COLVA FAMA This unique and solemn occasion is celebrated at the 400-year-old Our Lady of Merces Church, Colva where thousands of pilgrims throng to venerate the statue of Infant Jesus. This is held on the second Monday in October every year. Devotees seek the blessings of Menino (Infant) Jesus which is brought down from the crypt to the altar after which it is kept for public veneration till late night. It is an occasion where special blessings are invoked on infants and children and offerings made for favours granted. This year the Fama is on 10th October.

NARKASUR PARADES To mark the commencement of the festival of light and end of evil and darkness, on the eve of Diwali, the narkasurs (demon 2

44 | Rail Bandhu - October 2016

effigies) are paraded on the streets.

Thereafter, they are reduced to ash. Many competitions are organised and prizes are awarded. This life-sized effigies of the narkasurs are designed days before the festivities and both young and old engage in the painstaking job of constructing the effigies that dance on the streets on the eve of Diwali. Narkasur Parades are organised at Panaji – the capital city of Goa, Margao, Mapusa, Vasco and Ponda, and are attended in large numbers. This year the parades are scheduled on 28th October, and are a must see for all the tourists.

DIWALI Diwali in Goa is celebrated with much fervour and enthusiasm as in the rest of the country. The cities and villages are decked up colourfully and makes the State look picturesque at night. A lot of festive shopping offers add more fun and tourists enjoy the festivity and partake in the religious events at temples scattered across the State. One must visit Goa during Diwali to enjoy the colour and lights that dazzle!

Earlier on, Goa also celebrates Navratri and Dussehra with as much gala and gaiety.

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TRIPURARI PURNIMA Goa marks the end of Diwali in a very unique way. It celebrates the Tripurari Purnima, which falls on a full moon night during the Karthik month, according to the traditional Hindu calendar. This year it falls on 14th November and has been declared as a State Festival. As a part of its effort to promote local fairs and festivals, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) is assisting the Dipawali Utsav Samittee, Vithalapur Sanquelim to celebrate this occasion. The boat contest is one of the main highlights of the festival and draws a large number of spectators and participants from all over. The boats are miniature replicas of actual ships, while others are traditional crafts mostly made of thermacol and cardboard. This colorfully lit up scene forms a visual treat for the large numbers gathered.

INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL INDIA – GOA Goa is a permanent venue for the 10-day film festival - IFFI and has over the last one decade brought glamour and glitz to Goa. This year it will be celebrating the 45th

3

4

edition of IFFI in the State and is expected to be an extravagant event. Film producers, directors, actors and actresses, from Hollywood and Bollywood will descend in Goa to celebrate silver screen’s best achievements and performances. Movie fans from India and abroad throng to Goa to be a part of this festival.

to visit the Old Goa complex - UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see heritage monuments that are unique to Goa.

CHRISTMAS

Zatras are special Hindu temple feasts celebrated all over Goa, but in a grand manner at the temples of Mangueshi, Nagueshi, Ramnathi, Shantadurga and Shirgao to name a few. These zatras are held in November and one can get a glimpse of the Hindu traditions and customs that revolve around them. Tourists can experience the riot of colours, costumes, customs and cuisine that are a feast for the eyes.

Christmas is celebrated with a lot of solemnity and gaiety on 25th December and people from all walks of life partake in the celebrations. A unique sight during Christmas are the cribs constructed in wetlands, water bodies, along highways, farms and outdoors that are exquisitely presented depicting the nativity of Baby Jesus. Special Goan sweets are prepared and confectionaries are abuzz with activity in December. While in Goa, one must attend musical events, Christmas programmes and other family events held during this time.

Do plan your itineraries in advance to avoid disappointment as Goa is packed this time of the year.

FEAST OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER, OLD GOA.

OTHER FESTIVALS TO WATCH OUT FOR

The feast of St Francis Xavier is celebrated every year on 3rd December. It is celebrated by all religious communities. St. Francis Xavier is the patron saint of Goa and is revered throughout the world. Every 10 years his body is exposed for the public to see and venerate. The novenas of this saint are held before the feast and every day large crowds come for these novenas from all over Goa. One can also take an opportunity

Vintage Bike and Car festival 2016 is being organised by Goa Tourism for the first time on October 1 in the capital city – Panjim.

Vintage bike/car collectors and users and those from vintage bike/car museums will be participating in this one day event.

While the cars will be taken out in a rally in Panjim, they will later be exhibited at the INOX Courtyard. Goa Tourism plans to make this an annual event. So also,

ZATRAS

the Poderanchem (Bakers) fest at Socorro Village is scheduled from October 1-3, 2016.

Goa is hosting a Bird Festival from 11th to 13th of November, 2016 with the main objective of celebrating the State’s Avifaunal biodiversity.

The State has reported as many as 432 species of birds that inhabit its forests, wetlands and coastal habitats. Almost 100 birding hotspots have been identified where significant species diversity has been recorded. Bondla is the main venue of the festival. The participants are taken on conducted nature/bird watching trails in Bondla and Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Park on the first 2 days. The third day will involve visits to birding sites at Carambolim and Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Chorao. Soak in the sun, sway to the music, chant to the mantras and hymns and savour Goan festive food. Be in Goa and Celebrate with Goa!

For more information and booking call: +(91) - (832) - 2438830/31 Email: reservations@goa-tourism.com Online: www.goa-tourism.com officialgoatourism

In Picture

(1) View of Tripurari Purnima Boat Festival in Goa

(2) Glimpse of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa

(3) View of Zatra celebration, a traditional Hindu Festival in Goa

(4) View of Narkasur Parade in Goa

To download the app

TourismGoa

Rail Bandhu - October 2016 | 45

HERITAGE HALT

Hassan s

Less-Explored Secrets Tucked away in the folds of Karnatakaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s villages are several edifices that testify to the glorious period of the Hoysala rulers who held sway here from the 11th to the 14th centuries.

Text: Chitra Ramaswamy

T

emple-building reached a feverish pitch between 1163 and 1268 CE. As many as 1,500 or more shrines appeared on the region’s landscape.

However, a little over 100 survive today in various states of preserve. While the shrines at Belur, Halibedu and Somanathapura are indelibly imprinted on the tourist map, the others live in their shadows.

The Hoysala temples are known for the intricacy, depth, detail and exquisiteness of sculpture. One of the main characteristics of their architecture is the rhythmic pattern that manifests in all their works and symmetry.

The temples are built on star-shaped elevated platforms with circumambulatory path, a profusion of carvings on the outer walls done up in horizontal bands and vertical blocks, on windows, railings & doorways – are features associated with Hoysala structures.

Fascinated by their sheer grandeur, I decide

to explore few of the little-known edifices of Hassan district – at Arasikere, Haranahalli, Doddagaddavalli and Koravangala. Each monument reveals unique architectural aspects while retaining the Hoysala flavour.

ISHVARA TEMPLE, ARASIKERE The east-facing Ishvara Temple dedicated to Shiva, built in 1220, boasts unique design and layout within the Hoysala framework. Set amidst grassy verdure, it reveals artistic excellence among the surviving monuments of the era. The delicate sculptures on its outer walls and ceilings of its halls are particularly captivating. Though modest in size, this Ekakuta temple with a single vimana or cella, reveals complex architectural style. A distinguishing feature is the presence of dual mandapas or halls – one closed hall sans windows, and another, open. The prime attraction here is the 16-pointed star-shaped open hall with a domical ceiling. Almost the entire hall is laid with stone benches, another rare design feature of the

Pics by: Chitra Ramaswamy

HERITAGE HALT

Overview of Arsikere Isvara Temple

The Hoysala temples are known for the intricacy, depth, detail and exquisiteness of sculpture times. The ceilings are elaborately ornamented with sculptures that has elegantly carved niches with surmounted miniature towers, again a feature uncommon to single-shrine temples of this period.

TEMPLES OF HARANHALLI The hamlet of Haranhalli with its two temples is 8 km from Arsikere, one each dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva, built around 1235 CE.

carvings that include a long creeper scroll band and separate rows of yakshas and yakshinis, horsemen, makaras and swans. In addition, there is a profusion of larger figurines on the upper segment of the walls, of gods and goddesses associated with Hindu mythology.

The speciality of the temple is in the main Bhuvaneshwari or entrance porch, where the ornamented open lotus is surrounded by Vishnu in different forms.

CHENNAKESAVA TEMPLE The temple for Vishnu is of Trikuta style, having three shrines. Chennakesava, Venugopala and Lakshmi Narasimha form the trio of deities in its sanctums. Similar in structure to the Belur temple, it boasts sculptures crafted by Mallitamma, one of the best-known Hoysala sculptors of the 13th century. The base of its exterior wall comprises five divisions of horizontal bands, each bearing a frieze of

SOMESWARA TEMPLE A 200 m walk from the Vishnu temple brings you to the temple of Someswara, similar in design and structure, though less ornate.

Round pillars bedeck the closed hall stretching in front of the sanctum of Shiva.

Apart from the characteristic Bhuvaneshwari, its closed hall has twelve artistic ceilings in varied

48 | Rail Bandhu -October 2016

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QUICK FACTS The Hoysala era was an important period in the development of art, architecture, and religion in South India. The empire is remembered today primarily for its temple architecture.

A bedecked Nandi adorns the temple top of Shiva Temple Haranahalli.

Pics by: Chitra Ramaswamy

HERITAGE HALT

Above: Front entrance, Chennakesava Temple, Haranahalli; Top right: Partial view of pyramid tower, Doddagaddavalli

geometrical shapes, while its sanctum doorway has a flat lotus ceiling. Though Ekakuta in design, it looks like a Trikuta because of two simple shrine-like structures adjoining Shiva’s sanctum. A closer look at its tower reveals a new kind of articulation below, which is made up of two eaves with elegantly embellished miniature turrets. Its outer walls have sculptures of gods, animals and floral motifs.

MAHALAKSHMI TEMPLE, DODDAGADDAVALLI The temple, 92 km from Haranahalli, is set amidst coconut plantations, corn and ginger fields with a lake at its rear. Unlike most Hoysala temples dedicated to Shiva or Vishnu as principal deity, Goddess Mahalakshmi predominates at Doddagaddavalli.

One of the earliest Hoysala style temples built in 1114 CE, its architecture differs from edifices built during the later Hoysala period. The four shrines within the complex face the cardinal directions, not hitherto seen in the composition of a Hindu temple. Also, the shrines do not stand on a star-shaped platform. Further, each of the four shrines has a pyramid-shaped tower, only one of which is embellished with characteristic Hoysala patterns. The other three towers are like step pyramids with dented horizontal moldings and a kalash at the top. The Goddess stands tall at three feet and holding aloft in her four hands, the conch, discus, rosary and mace.

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How to reach The nearest rail head is Hassan Junction located at a distance of approx., 180 km from Bengaluru.

QUICK FACTS The east-facing sanctum of Bucheshwara Temple has a 6 ft tall idol of the Sun god, while the west-facing sanctum contains a huge Shiva Linga. Below is a picture of a hero stone.

The doorway sculptures are exquisite in their rendition. The carved goblins or betalas standing guard have been sculpted with finesse while 18 lathe-turned pillars support the ceiling of the main hall inscribing the four shrines. The ceiling portrays the guardian deities of the eight cardinal directions perched with their consorts.

The whole outer wall is richly decorated with pilasters in the form of miniature pyramids.

BUCHESHWARA TEMPLE, KORAVANGALA Travelling 31 km from Doddagaddavalli, we come upon one of the most beautiful Hoysala temples of Hassan. The Dwikuta or two-shrine Bucheswara Temple honouring Shiva, was built in 1173 by Buchi Raja, a wealthy chieftain of King Ballala II, to celebrate the king’s coronation.

A pair of exquisitely-sculpted elephants bedecked with ornaments, stand stately at its entrance with dwarapalakas standing guard behind them. Though it was originally built on a platform, today it stands barely elevated from ground level. The temple consists of a big hall supported by 32 bell-shaped lathe-turned pillars embellished with fine carvings. Its ceiling is adorned with aesthetically chiseled lotuses.

Hassan and its immortal monuments present stunning testimony to man’s creative ingenuity, the quintessence of ‘Indianness’ touching chords of our heritage and culture.

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SILVER RAKE

this interview, Sheirgill talks about his long journey, lessons, passion for Punjabi cinema and why he didn’t inherit ‘arty’ talent of his iconic grandmother Amrita Sheirgill. Excerpts: The joke that Jimmy Sheirgill doesn’t get the girl in his films finally ended with your latest movie Yeh Toh Two Much Ho Gayaa.

(Laughs) Some of my recent films where I didn’t get the girl were shot around the same time. So it turned out to be a marketing gimmick organically. In fact, the makers of Happy Bhag Jayegi played along this trick starting from the trailers where my brideto-be runs away on the day of marriage.

But we knew this joke would come to an end with Yeh Toh Two Much Ho Gayaa in which I finally get the girl! Plus it’s an actionpacked film that I’ve done after a long time since 2011, due to a back problem.

Jimmy Sheirgill

The sincere

actor

Jimmy Sheirgill is as honest off-screen as he has been towards his several memorable characters on-screen.

There’s certain conviction in each word that he utters that lacks any sort of animation.

Text: Karan Bhardwaj

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he actor with guy-next-door looks has dabbled in a variety of genres, from romance to action, thriller to comedies, in the last 20 years of his career. However, many still feel that the talented actor has not got his due. In 52 | Rail Bandhu - October 2016

Dream Trip

I am looking forward to travel in Konkan Railways from Mumbai to Goa. I have heard it’s really mesmerising as it passes through amazing coastal lines and picturesque landscapes.

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Unlike any other Bollywood star, you have been committed to Punjabi cinema religiously. You also joined hands with Eros International to produce movies. What draws you to regional cinema?

I was introduced to Punjabi cinema by Manmohan Singh ji in 2005 with his movie Yaaran Naal Baharan. I have known him since the beginning of my career. He was the cinematographer for Maachis and Mohabbatein. With Yaaran Naal Baharaan, I got to spend time in Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh and be closer to the regions I have grown up around. So I developed an emotional bonding with Punjabi Cinema. This film was also a watershed moment in Punjab with the audiences returning to the region’s cinema.

Then I decided to do at least one Punjabi film every year. Since 2011, I have been producing films too in collaboration with other production houses.

How’s content faring now in Punjab?

It has gotten really good in the last two years in terms of content as well as business. There have been some good indie movies too which have lured the audiences. I think things took a turnaround with Mel Karade Rabba which was a sweeping hit at the box office. The movie

SILVER RAKE

Since I am a student of cinema, I love understanding the ideation of stories and how they are chronicled on the screen created several records worldwide, even outnumbering several Bollywood movies that released around the same time. What is possibly lacking in that region is a governing body to support cinema, like we have in Bollywood. It helps get things organised.

You’re completing 20 years in the film industry. How has the journey been?

It’s been a satisfying ride. With time, one commits mistakes and learns from them. A lot of times we get excited by the scripts but when we look at the final output, or even in the middle of the shooting, we realise it is not what it was set out to be. In the last two decades, I have worked with some of the most talented actors and film-makers of the industry. I started with Maachis, where I had the opportunity to work with Gulzar sahab. But the real ‘film awakening’ happened with Yash Raj Films’ Mohabbatein.

It is then when I learnt the details involved in the process of film-making; the way scripts are chalked out, movies go on floor, the importance of production values, et al.

Besides the technicalities, I got to work with icons like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai. I am also glad to be a part of content-driven movies like Haasil, A Wednesday, Munna Bhai series, and both parts of Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster and Tanu Weds Manu.

What do you like to read?

Scripts... I don’t have time to read books but I love reading scripts (chuckles). I have a huge pile of scripts collected in the last six 54 | Rail Bandhu - October 2016

Jimmy considers his movie Yahaan (2005) as his ‘most heartwrenching film’. He played the character of Captain Aman in the movie.

His other well-known movies are Special 26, Eklavya: The royal guard, Dus Kahaniyan, Madari and Happy Bhag Jayegi.

months. Since I am a student of cinema, I love understanding the ideation of stories and how they are chronicled on the screen.

I don’t like narration and generally ask for hardbound copies of the scripts.

Your characters have mostly stood out in multi-starrer films. How do you choose these scripts?

It happens because of my commitment to my job. Even if there are ten seconds to perform, I take my work really seriously. Your performance is ultimately a reflection of your sincerity towards your movie. Like in Bang Bang, my appearance is very short, but it still required a lot of effort as that one scene covered many locations.

Your fans think you haven’t got your due in the industry. Do you think so?

I take it as a huge compliment. At least people do not criticise me saying, ‘Hero banta hain, acting aati nahi’ (He is a hero with no acting skills). I take my job really seriously and don’t wish to let my fans down.

Any special memories with Railways?

Indian Railways has been a part of my life since childhood. We would take trains to commute to different cities. Initially, to travel to Bombay and back, I usually used to go by a Rajdhani until and unless there was urgency and only then I would take a flight. Recently, I have wanted to travel in Konkan Railways from Mumbai to Goa. I have heard it’s really mesmerising as it passes through amazing coastal lines and picturesque landscapes.

Photo: Raunak Shrivastava

You are a descendant of iconic painter Amrita Sheirgill. Do you paint as well?

No, I don’t paint. My father is a sculptor and collector. Our house has many of his pieces but I have not inherited this knack of painting from my family.

QUICK FACTS

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IN FOCUS

THE SUNRISE STATE OF

ANDHRA PRADESH Evolving as the most preferred tourist destination, the State beseeches tourists to come and revel while they travel and enrich while they enjoy

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merging as the coastal paradise along the east coast of India, Andhra Pradesh draws great number of travellers owing to its ecologically, culturally and religiously rich variety of tourist destinations. These visual treats have a historical connect with the glorious Buddhist era that includes many heritage sites adorned with pristine magnificence, and forts and citadels that are architectural masterpieces built by previous royal hegemony and its noble emperors.

resorts, hill stations, caves, virgin forests, and national parks that a visitor can enjoy to his heartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s content. Of the later development are the theme parks, hi-tech hubs, world famous cine city, fun islands and fantasy worlds, golf courses and water sport grounds enabling sportive feats, and adventure parks for trekking and safari as part of adventure and cruise tourism. Also, tourism attributed to medical services, health, wellness, study and science is growing significantly creating new centres of importance and focus of attention.

There are beautiful dams, valleys, hills and ridges with the scenic dale, tranquil lake waters, swirling beach waves, meadows,

VIZAG Visakhapatnam, popularly referred to as Vizag, is named after God Vaishaka. Though

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BORRA CAVES, VISAKHAPATNAM Located in the Araku Valley of the Ananthagiri hill range, caves are drained by the Gosthani River. At the entry, the cave measures up to 100 m (328.1 ft) horizontally and 75 m (246.1 ft) vertically. considered to be an industrial city, Vizag has a rich and vibrant culture and heritage. The city was part of the ancient Kalinga Empire and was ruled by renowned kings including Ashoka and Krishnadeva Raya. During the 18th century, the city was a Dutch colony.

Today, Vizag embraces its past and present

seamlessly, making it an interesting and attractive city to spend holidays. The city is surrounded by three hills, Sri Venkateswara Konda, Ross Hill and Dargah Konda - each hill is home to a shrine - dedicated to three different religions. The Venkateswara Konda is home to the Venkateswara Temple, a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva; Ross Hill houses the Church of Virgin Mary; and the Dargah Konda is home to the tomb of a Muslim saint, Baba Ishaq Madina.

Kailasagiri Hill: The hill station of Kailash Giri offers an awe-inspiring view of the Bay of Bengal and is home to the beautiful Rushikonda Beach and RK Beach. The surrounding hills are lush and green, and offer a wonderful respite from the concrete jungle of Visakhapatnam. The main attraction is the massive statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati made from white marble. Other major attraction of Kailasagiri is a huge park called the Floral Watch.

Rushikonda Beach: Prettiest of all the beaches in the city, this serene and tranquil beach is located 8 km from Vizag, with colourful cottages facing the sea. An evening on this white sand beach, looking at the horizon from the hill that protects the beach and watching the sky change colours is often cherished by tourists. Sarva Rusheeswara Temple, that enthralls people with its legends about the Sapta Rushis from the Hindu mythology, is also on this beach.

Rama Krishna (RK) Beach: Located along the coast of Vizag, RK Beach is known for its pristine sands and crystal clear waters of the

View of Dolphin’s Nose from the beach

Reaching Vizag Vizag (Visakhapatnam) is an easily approachable city with direct flights and trains leaving at frequent intervals for it through all the major metropolis cities of the country. National Highway 5 passes through the city of Visakhapatnam.

THE PARADISE LAND FOR BUDDHISTS Bojjannakonda and Lingalakonda are two Buddhist sites which exist on adjacent hillocks near a village called Sankaram. It is located at about 45 km from Visakhapatnam and just a few kilometers from Anakapalle.

Bay of Bengal. It is adjoining the Lawson’s Bay Beach and offers awe-inspiring natural views, mesmerising sunrises and sunsets, and vistas. The beach is home to the Kali Temple, VUDA Park, a submarine museum

and a poignant war memorial on the beach called the Victory at Sea. Dolphin’s Nose: It’s a huge rocky headland, around 174 m in height, located in the southern part of Vizag. The rock, projecting into Bay of Bengal, gets its name because of its resemblance to a dolphin’s nose and is located 358 m above sea level. On top of rock formation is a huge lighthouse, which is renowned for its powerful beam, seen far out in the sea, about 64 km from land. This is the oldest lighthouse in the city and attracts many visitors.

Bheemili Beach: Situated 45 minutes from Vizag, in the coastal town of Bheemunipatnam, that is the second oldest municipality in the country. Other than the beach and lighthouse, tourists often find their way to this sleepy town to see its Dutch Cemetery, an ancient clock tower, the Erramattidibbalu (red sand formations).

Araku Valley: Peppered with coffee plantations and glittering waterfalls, the verdant expanse of Araku Valley is a delight to visitors. This perfect weekend getaway in the hills of Eastern Ghats is 120 km from Visakhapatnam and is home to 19 ancient Rail Bandhu - October 2016 | 57

IN FOCUS

tribes that fascinate travellers with their time-honoured lifestyle. One of the most significant tourist places is the beautiful Borra Caves, discovered by geologist William King in 1807. The stalactites and stalagmites in the caves are a part of many legends of the tribal natives.

VIJAYWADA Meaning ‘place of victory’ in English, Vijaywada is an important city in South India because it has the region’s largest railway junction. Also, known as Bezawada, this city is located on the banks of Krishna River and overlooks the Bay of Bengal.

The locals have abundant to talk about the beautiful springs, mouthwatering sweets and juicy mangoes of the Vijaywada region along with several stories of claimed mythological connections. Nonetheless, Vijayawada is a veritable paradise for people to learn more about the region’s history and culture.

Undavalli Caves: Located 8 km from the town, the caves date back to the 7th century BC and are a prime example of rock-cut architecture. Offering a unique perspective into ancient religious practices, the caves are carved out of sandstone on the side of a hill. The largest among the caves is the one that is most popular for its huge monolith of Lord Vishnu in the reclining posture, made up of a single granite block. It is believed that these caves were originally used by Jain monks because of its Udayagiri and Khandgiri architectural styles. The main cave is a prime example of Gupta

architecture style, which concentrated on primitive rock-cut monastery cells.

Kuchipudi: The ancient hamlet is known as the birthplace of one of the most popular dance forms of South India, Kuchipudi.

This beautiful and serene village is about 60 km from Vijaywada and is home to the Kuchipudi dance school. According to the locals, Siddhendra Yogi, the founder of Kuchipudi dance, used to live in this village.

Visitors can marvel and have an enriching experience visiting the hamlet and site of dance school.

Kanaka Durga Temple: The beautiful temple enshrining Goddess Kanaka Durga lies at the top of Indrrakiladri Hills and offers mesmerising views of the city. Local legend claims that Arjuna, the mighty warrior from the Mahabharatha, received his divine weapon, the Pasupatha, at this site and after getting the weapon, he constructed the temple to honour Goddess Durga.

Kondapalli Fort: This fort, constructed in the 14th century, has served many dynasties

Reaching Vijaywada The city has its own airport known as Vijayawada airport and is located at a distance of 20 km from the heart of the city in Gannavaram. There are regular trains from other major cities of the country to Vijaywada. The city is well connected by a network of state and national highways.

Undavalli Caves, Vijaywada

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AMARAVATI Amaravati, located on the banks of Krishna River, is about 33 km from Vijayawada and has historical importance. It was a site of an ancient Buddhist settlement, known as Chintapalli. The stupa at this site, said to be bigger than Sachi stupa, was built in the 3rd century BC during the reign of King Ashoka. There is a small museum that has collections right from the 3rd century to the 12th century AD and one of the images of Buddha has lotus symbols on the feet with long ear lobes and tight curls. The museum is fascinating. Aspired as the Peoples Capital, Amravati is being built as the new capital of the State of Andhra Pradesh.

Clockwise: Famous bridge of Govadari river at Rajahmundry; Sculpture made at Sand Festival held at Kakinada Beach; Boat house at backwaters in Dindi

ruling the region. It is located 16 km from Vijaywada and was used as a trading centre.

During the colonial rule, it served as a base for military training. The area around the fort is a relaxing picnic spot.

to Prakasam Barrage and is emerging as a popular picnic spot with great boating facilities, swimming pools and array of watersports. Floating restaurant on Krishna river is a major attraction on the island.

Hazratbal Mosque: The beautiful white mosque, located in the heart of the city, holds a special place as it houses a holy relic of Prophet Mohammed, the founder of Islam. The relic is displayed once a year and attracts people of all faiths. This day is considered auspicious for praying and paying respect, and indicates the existence of true communal harmony in the city.

RAJAHMUNDRY Rajahmundry, the cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh, is located west of Godavari River. The river is widest in the town of Rajahmundry, with width of 5 km. It is claimed that the Telugu language originated in Rajahmundry. The earliest rulers of the region were the Chalukyas. However, new archaeological findings suggest that history of this region may go back even further.

St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church: Also known as The Mother of Good Health, Mary Mathaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shrine and Gundala Matha Shrine is built on a hillock. Located in Krishna District, close to Vijaywada, this church houses a museum which has many valuable gifts as well as ancient relics. It is said that Father Arlati Pime, who was the rector of St. Joseph Orphanage, made a pathway leading to the hillock and placed a small statue of Our Lady in 1925.

Bhavani Island: Spread over an area of 133 acres, this is a river island that offers a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is a place to relax and enjoy with its mangroves, well-manicured gardens, pristine woodlands, rolling meadows and shimmering water bodies. Situated in Krishna River, the island is quite close

Konaseema backwaters, Dindi: The tranquil and panoramic village of Dindi, about 80 km from Rajahmundry, is renowned for its virgin backwaters that ooze of charm and splendour. The serene palm-fringed canals, lakes, lagoons and rivulets offer the perfect place to enjoy a soothing houseboat cruise.

The quaint villages nestled amidst coconut groves have pristine beauty that can leave one mesmerised. The oasis of Dindi and its unexplored beauty, rejuvenate visitors and offer a memorable getaway from the concrete jungle of the city.

Kotilingeshwara temple: Built in the 10th century, the temple is surrounded by several bathing ghats. It is believed that the lingam was anointed with waters of 10 million rivers, when it was placed by a

Reaching Rajahmundry Rajahmundry is well connected to other major cities of the country via regular flights. There are regular trains to Rajahmundry from other major cities of the country.

Also there are buses from other major cities of the country to Rajahmundry.

sage. Kotilingeswara Temple is popular with believers of Lord Shiva and the festival of Maha Shivratri is celebrated in the temple with a lot of fervour.

Markandeya Temple: Located in the town of Rajahmundry, the temple is associated with Muni Mrukhanada, according to a legend. It is claimed that she prayed to Lord Shiva for a child. Kakinada Port: A large complex comprising Kakinada Anchorage Port, Kakinada Deep Water Port, Kakinada Fishing Harbour and Ship-Breaking Unit.

Kakinada Anchorage Port has a centurylong tradition. Kakinada beach, developed on the port, covers 100 acres of land from port to Uppada area and is now one of the major tourist attraction of the region.

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TALE SPIN

Yaa Devi

Sarvabhooteshu...

This year, experience the sheer elegance and opulence of Bengali aristocracy at some Durga Pujas held privately in some families, who were affluent and stalwarts previously, specially during the colonial regime.

Text and photos: Anupam Chanda

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urga Puja has traditionally been the most celebrated festival of West Bengal in general, and Kolkata in particular. People from all sects and religions have been celebrating this event with great fervour and enthusiasm for years.

Zamindars (rich landlords) and aristocratic families of the state have long been known to celebrate this festival in their own unique ways, thus giving birth to the concept of ‘Bonedi Barir Puja’. Each generation passed on the baton to the next. And despite financial constraints, the families have adhered to these rites. Little wonder then, that thousands of devotees flock to catch a glimpse of the families and their rituals that were once the talking point of the town.

GRAND CELEBRATION It’s ashtami and Sandhi Puja is about to begin.

The cannon fires a salutary shot for Maa Durga, who has been the primary deity of the Daw household at Jorasanko since 1853. The cannon, a prized possession of the family, dates back to 1803.

Originally hailing from Kotolpur in Bankura, NC Daw settled down in Jorasanko and started his arms business in 1835. During those days, one did not require a licence to buy arms and hence they were freely traded across Nepal, Europe and the rest of India.

Till date, the family’s ancestral business is arms and ammunition, though the later generations after NC Daw have moved onto other businesses.

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TALE SPIN

North Kolkata is popular for this form of puja festivities and celebrations, and anyone can come here to witness it

idol of the goddess is an ekchala protima with daaker saaj. A particular family of potuas has been making the idol for generations. Earlier the idol was made from a very expensive variety of wood, goran kaath. Now one piece of goran wood is used for making the structure of the goddess.

The family mansion at Jorasanko has four courtyards akin to the old north Kolkata houses and an inner palace or living quarters that is separated from the public area to retain privacy. Victorian arches and a portico lend an old world charm to the house. The property is under a debottar trust that governs the affairs of Daw-bari and takes care of all expenses of the puja â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a grand event that continues to be celebrated with great splendour.

But the talk of the town is the beautiful traditional jewellery that the goddess has been adorned in for centuries. The gold ornaments include, chik, sitahar, mobchain and saatnali haar or necklace for the neck, bauti, chur and bala for hands, kaan for the ear and noth for the nose. The lion and the asura too wear ornaments. Everything is polished every year before rath yatra when the celebrations begin.

The entire Daw family gets together for the five day of celebration. For those based abroad, this is the time for home coming. The 12 feet 62 | Rail Bandhu -October 2016

QUICK FACT

The popular dhunuchi naach is a ritualised dance worship of Goddess Durga during aarti. It is accompanied with the dhak.

The best part about the celebration is the getting together of the entire family for lunch on all days of the puja. Eating khichuri together, all the sweets are made in the house, that includes

TALE SPIN

Right: The deities in all their splendour; Below: The idols are being painted on with life-like clarity

dress up in all their bridal finery. For the first year after marriage, women of the house are excused from following any ritual.

langcha, goja, naru and kheer items. The women of the house also chip in.

The elements of fun apart from the rituals are carried out with great fervour. The kalabou rituals is an elaborate one. At the crack of dawn on Saptami, the Kalabou – believed to be a manifestation of the goddess – is taken for a dip in Ganga river with male family members in tow.

The umbrella that is held over the deity’s head has a silver handle that weighs around 80 kg.

Sandhi puja on ashtami begins with a gun salute to the goddess. The women of the house 64 | Rail Bandhu -October 2016

QUICK FACT The new moon day in the Vikram month of Ashwin is the day of Mahalaya.

According to belief, this starts Devi-Paksha or Navaratri. Durga Puja is the time to invoke the Goddess or the Universal Mother Nature. www.railbandhu.in

Kumari Puja on Nabami is organised by the elderly women of the house. An elaborate immersion ritual takes place on dashami after which the guests take their leave. The married women of the family do not go for the immersion, but indulge in the baran ritual, wearing rich silks and matching jewellery.

Earlier, a neelkantha bird would be released before immersion but the ritual was later discontinued following a government ban. The goddess takes seven rounds before she leaves for immersion. Once the immersion party returns, the women of the house serve sweets.

PRESERVING THE CULTURE These affluent families have always given importance to preserving the culture and tradition in the finest ways, such that these festivities have always matched the opulence and charm of the common form of financed ‘Barowari’ pujos. With Bonedi Barir Puja, they have always exhibited the significance of age-old traditions, rituals and great culture of India.

WIDE ANGLE

The marine park is spread across

163 sq km in the Gulf of Kutch.

Coral Walking in Narara Marine

National Park Visit a marine life wonderland in Gujarat and wade through ankle-high water to watch the spectacularly colourful underwater species.

Text and photos: Nirdesh K. Singh

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T

he Narara Marine National Park and Sanctuary in Gujarat offers a pleasant surprise for travellers. Heading west towards Dwarka from Jamnagar along the Gulf of Kutch, I came to know about this Marine Park. Jamnagar is the petrochemical hub of India with sprawling refineries and related paraphernalia of mushroom like storage tanks and lines of tankers snaking around. It is hard to imagine a marine park co-existing with oil, as oil and water simply do not mix.

Turning right on the highway towards Vadinar, just past the Reliance refinery and few kilometres ahead, the creeks of Gulf of Kutch make their entry parallel to the dirt road that leads to the marine park. Birds tiptoe on their long slender legs poking into the water.

Stopping at the reception to buy an entry ticket

and to engage a guide, I make my way to the promised land or rather the promised waters.

This is the low tide time that stretches for twelve hours between two high tides and the perfect time to explore when the water is about a foot high.

REAL BEAUTY LIES HERE We make our way through a barrier of mangrove forest with aerial roots spurting through the ridge patterned sand banks to emerge into the vast reef. The Gulf of Kutch wraps us all around as it extends deep into the horizon. There is no need for ride boats or to wrangle for permits. All you need is to arrive at the time of low tide and simply start walking.

Narara turns into natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s marvel when water recedes and the flatland comes alive with marine life around your feet.

QUICK FACTS Established in 1982, the Narara Marine National Park is Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Marine Park and is part of the Marine Sanctuary that encompasses a group of 42 islands, ranging from the well known Pirotan Island to Dwarka Beyt.

About walking for a kilometre we arrive at the shallow waters. I am finally going to fulfill my wish to see the incredible world of marine wildlife and that too by just walking and splashing in the water. The show has begun as I walk around the rocks draped in wavy algae. Creatures of the sea dash around my ankles as sunlight creates magical shifting patterns on the rippling waters.

The disturbed sediment on the bed settles down even as I watch and the water again turns spectacularly clean. In the company of refineries and chemical plants, I can only marvel at the crystal clear water.

The guide has bent down and is poking the rock with his stick. Holding in his hand is the first catch of the day! He has a crab in his hand flailing his chelipeds or pincers. The Rail Bandhu - October 2016 | 67

WIDE ANGLE

Did you Know?

Marine mammals such as dugongs, porpoises and dolphins are also spotted here.

Some species of the puffer fish are known to be extremely poisonous, such as their liver and skin. The fish is considered a delicacy in Japan.

The sparkling rays of the sun too help camouflage the marine species

The marine creatures are masters of disguise but the trained eyes of a guide can spot them clearly marine creatures are masters of disguise but it is only the trained eyes of a guide that can spot them as they seemingly blend in with the background. After the little guy is photographed, the guide gently releases it into the water.

to the rock with their whip-like five arms even as a sea cucumber is trying to burrow into a hole.

The guide is just warming up. Scanning the waters he picks up variety of creatures â&#x20AC;&#x201C; there is a furry wolf crab looking like all dressed up for a trip to tundra; a colourful crab lights up the day as the showstopper, a sea cucumber looking as interesting as a cucumber. It takes time to find one but soon the guide is duelling with the tentacles of a slimy octopus! Seeing an octopus is a marvellous surprise. Once released, it

There are almost 108 species of red, green and brown algae found here.

Ray fish can also be spotted, along with crabs, molluscs and sponges.

The underwater vegetation is varied and interesting

WONDERLAND AT YOUR FEET Here, the waterscape is littered with these rocks that have green algae or sea lettuce clinging to them. The sea lettuce being rich in proteins is a source of food for both sea animals and humans. Some rocks seem to be wrapped in the cellophane like lettuce.

The rocks that form this reef are actually corals formed by secretion of calcium carbonate and over time have taken the looks of these grey and dark rocks. But once upturned, these rocks reveal the multicoloured corals underneath. There is a whole world of animals embedded on their uneven surface - brittle stars related to starfish cling 68 | Rail Bandhu -October 2016

Most sea cucumbers have a soft and cylindrical body. These are a known delicacy the world over.

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WIDE ANGLE

glides through the waters. There is brown sargassum weed eclipsed by the luminescent flowing green algae. Clumps of bead like sea grapes, another variety of green algae, bring in variety to the vegetation. And then there is another whole world of corals â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a brown coral that looks like a human brain, while another looks like a flower with purple petals and then there is one that looks as if the contents of a pink paint tube have been squeezed on to the rocks.

By now, we have walked several kilometres away from the mangroves. The afternoon is cool as I survey the vast waterscape all around. So far I have walked and trekked through national parks; this is the first time I am splashing around in water and getting dazzled by this colourful littoral marine world which I had no hope of ever witnessing up this close and personal.

How to reach The nearest rail head is Jamnagar Railway Station located at a distance of 56 km from the marine park, and connects to major cities like Mumbai, Ahmedabad among others.

Topmost: A type of green coral; Middle: A painted stork; Above: Octopus

70 | Rail Bandhu -October 2016

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My reverie is broken as I see the guide darting around. It is apparent that he has spotted another slippery animal. Finally, he bends down, scoops up his catch and presents it to me triumphantly. My eyes pop out. The guide is holding an almost spherical creature which from its pouty mouth should be a fish with plastic-like skin armed with spines. This is the puffer fish which in event of being threatened by a predator drinks a lot of water to suddenly look not so appetising. In fact, the blob like appearance looks quite intimidating.

Even as the fish is held in the hands, water keeps leaking from its mouth. Apart from sudden evasive burst of speed â&#x20AC;&#x201C; no wonder the guide had a hard time catching it â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the sphere like fish looks pretty unattractive to a would be hunter. The sullen looking ball of a fish is lowered into the water and it almost immediately transforms itself into a regular fish swimming away.

The unspoiled Narara Marine National Park is a little secret tucked away behind refineries and surprisingly, below these absolutely clear waters, pipelines bring crude oil from tankers berthed in the high seas that feed the refineries.

OFF TRACK

Heritage of

Majuli

During 16th century, the sage of Assam Srimant Shankerdev and his disciple Sri Madhavdev embarked on a tradition called AnkiaBhaona, to unite the state into the fold of communal harmony.

Text: Tej Narayan

T

he Ankia-bhaona traditional dancedrama emphasises the victory of good over evil while sending a message for elimination of difference in levels of castes. It highlights the good deeds of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama.

72 | Rail Bandhu -October 2016

CONTINUING THE TRADITION For staging of an ‘Ankia Bhaona’, a large rectangular pandal is erected in the ‘Satra’ (monastery) campus. The pandal is open from three sides. The fourth small side end is closed and a throne made of bamboo framework

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OFF TRACK

QUICK FACTS

and white cloth is erected. The Bhagvat Gita is placed on the throne. Opposite this holy throne, the seat of the singers and musicians is established. Between the ‘dohaar’ and the holy book, the available ground serves the purpose of ‘stage’ on which the artistes perform according to their roles.

The play usually starts with the prelude, or Purvaranga. Playing of the traditional percussion instruments accompanied by the big cymbal (mridangam) by the singer and musician duo (Gayan-Bayan) in a group. The instruments are played with exaggerated hand movements and in two paces called Saru-Dhemali and Bor-Dhemali. This creates alertness in the audience and they follow the message in the song with rapt attention. The success of the dance-drama lies in the forceful play of songs and ‘mridangam’ beats.

PERFORMING THE TRADITION After the prelude, the narrator, or Sutradhar, enters the stage and begins the actual performance. His dance gains speed as he chants the shlokas while the singers sing about the characters who are about to enter the stage for the dance-drama. By telling the audience about the play in advance, the Sutradhar plays the role of a modern ‘anchor’ 74 | Rail Bandhu -October 2016

Pic by: Tej Narayan

The dress of the Sutradhar includes a small cap on his head which has a tail-like long cloth stitched to it, a heavy white gown with a large opening at the bottom with colourful borders.

He wears broad silver bangles called ‘gam khadu’ and ‘ghunghru’.

This makes him stand apart from other characters.

The Sutradhar in the midst of the dance-drama

DID YOU KNOW? As per traditions, since its inception in Ankia shows, the role of female characters have been performed by men.

Majuli island was recently granted district status.

How to reach Majuli lies in the Jorhat district of Assam and Jorhat town is wellconnected by rail. From Jorhat, one has to take a taxi or bus to reach Nemati Ghat, about 15 km away. From Nemati Ghat large motor-driven vessels take off for Majuli and take almost two hours to reach Kamlabari Ghat. www.railbandhu.in

onstage. Towards the end, the Sutradhar goes near the holy-stage where the holy-book is kept on a small wooden stand called ‘thoga’, lifts it and goes towards the Satradhikar to seek his blessings and places the book at its designated spot in the ‘dohaar’.

After the exit of the Sutradhar’, the main Guru of the play announces the beginning of the Ankia and introduces the artistes. Throughout the presence of the artistes on stage, the singer loudly tells the audience about the role they play, after which the dance-drama begins.

During the entire performance, the dialogues are exchanged by the characters directly or sometimes the background singer narrates the events being played. There is also loud background music throughout the play. The role of background singers is very important, as it is through their voice-modulation and music that the characters gain force onstage.

At the end of the play, the Sutradhar again comes dancing on stage and lifts the holy book from the ‘dohaar’ and respectfully places the book at its original place. At this juncture, the full team of artistes, along with Sutradhar, come to seek the blessings of Satradhikar. The Ankia programmes begin late evening and may continue up to early morning.

KID ZONE

Paper Lantern It is time to be creative and get ready for the festival.

Try your hand at the paper lanterns to decorate your home this festive season.

MATERIAL NEEDED » Multi-coloured chart papers » Pens and pencils » Glitter Tubes » Decoration material » Tassels » Scissors » Glue » Tape

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

PREPARE CHECKLIST

TRACE THE EDGES

GIVE IT A SHAPE

FINISH IT

For paper lanterns you will need coloured chart paper, scissors, glue, threads, glitter, coloured pen, tassels, decoration material and tape.

Fold a piece of coloured paper lengthways. Draw straight lines along the fold. Use scissors to cut the lines. Make sure you cut lines till equal length.

Fold it into a cylindrical shape after cutting. Fix the fold with tape and use golden thread to to make a handle of the lantern.

Use a thread or a tassel to make the handle.

You can use the tassels for decoration too.

Decorate the edges of the lantern with glitter, stars and mirrors.

Rail Bandhu - October 2016 | 75

DREAM SCAPE

T How to reach: Sealdah railway station is one of the major railway stations serving Kolkata in India.

Sunderbans covers more than 10,000 sq km of land and water (more than half of it in West Bengal, India, the rest in Bangladesh) in the Ganges delta.

The Unpredictable

Delta The Sundarbans in Bangla means, ‘The beautiful forest’. Located at the mouth of the Ganges and Brahmaputra river, it offers a stunning vista for tourists.

Text: Bhaswati Goswami

76 | Rail Bandhu -October 2016

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he local train from Sealdah chugs to Namkhana station. Nestled in verdure meadows swaying with rabi crops, the sleepy station seemed a far-fetched gateway to the land of mangroves. A country van pedals us to Namkhana Bazar, a jumble of narrow lanes and cramped shops. We sail to the other side of Haatania-Doania river in full ‘jowar’(high-tide). The Ganga-Brahmaputra delta fans out like the braids of Lord Shiva covering an area of 354 sq km. The landscape consists of numerous meandering rivers, mudbanks and oxbow lakes spreading along the coast of Bay of Bengal. The flora and fauna here have adjusted to the tide cycle.

Our destination is Henry’s Island in ‘Badabon’ (Sunderbans). There are no borders here to divide fresh water from salt, rivers from sea.

Everyday thousands of acres of forest are swallowed up by water only to re-emerge hours later. At times water tears away large chunks of land to create new sandbars and shelves elsewhere. The mangroves gestate rapidly to cover up the new land. The mangrove forest with hetal sundari garan golpata is a universe by itself. There are no wild flowers and ferns, no chattering monkeys and cockatoos. The salt in air, surreal sand and sounds, secret domain of the red fiddler crabs, abandoned sail boats, skeletons of trees add to nature’s beauty.

Here dawn is beautiful in the way only a tidal country dawn can be. Honeyed in winter sun, flocks of herons and Siberian ducks fill up the mudbanks. As the tide surges they take wings in search of a more secure perch. The watchtower of ‘Sundari Complex’ offers a gorgeous view of the dense forest and hidden beach. The fog hangs low and settles on the leaves with sweet tinkles. The legions of red crabs rise to the surface to salvage rich haul of seaweeds.

Twilight tiptoes in the wings of swans that steal away the setting sun. The night is cool and the sky is intense and dark. The tidal country sleeps in dreary discomfort. Soon the eeriness will be a distant memory as the morning fog.

The narrow muddy road to the beach and the quaint bamboo bridge will wait silently for the footprints of a new dawn.

FIT BIT

Perfect

Diet for MEN! The most powerful strategy men can employ to have beautiful skin is to pursue optimal nutrition. Skin requires abundant supply of nutrients to look and feel its best.

LEAN PROTEIN

Low fat milk, milk products and lean meats like chicken, fish and egg whites.

DO’S VITAMIN C (ANTIOXIDANTS) Green

leafy vegetables, broccoli, parsley, bell peppers, papaya, asparagus, cauliflower, etc.

ZINC (IMMUNE BOOSTER AND HELPS COMBAT ACNE) Sesame seeds, pumpkin, VITAMIN E (ANTIOXIDANTS) Nuts, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, apples and carrots.

OMEGA 3 RICH FOODS

Avocado, olive oil, salmon, tuna, walnuts and flaxseeds.

poultry products, beans, chickpeas, almonds, peas and mushrooms.

B- CAROTENE (ANTIOXIDANTS)

Green leafy vegetables, papaya, pumpkin, carrots, etc.

COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES

Wholewheat food items like wholewheat rotis, dalia, wheat flakes and wholewheat breads, quinoa, oats, barley, jowar, bajra, ragi, brown rice and muesli.

VITAMIN A (IMMUNE BOOSTER)

Pumpkin, carrots, tomatoes, eggs, dairy food, etc.

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• Balanced diet • Promote intestinal health: Consume fibre rich food and probiotics • Promote liver health: Supplements like milk thistle are beneficial • Optimal hydration status • Antioxidants • Regular exercise • Good sleep • Anti stress management: Practice yoga and meditation • Omega 3 supplementation

DON’TS: • Avoid margarine • Food items that contain hydrogenated fat • Avoid refined flour • Minimise alcohol • Avoid smoking • Avoid sugar • Eliminate fried food

Rail Bandhu - October 2016 | 77

IN FOCUS

INDIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SUCCESS IN EARTH

SYSTEM SCIENCES

With presence of Earth System Science Organisation (ESSO) under Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), India is emerging as a knowledge enterprise in the Earth System Science for socio-economic benefits to the Nation

E

stablished in the year 2006 by bringing all the agencies of meteorological and ocean developmental activities under one roof, MoES endeavours to holistically address various aspects relating to earth system processes for improving forecast of the weather, climate and various natural geo-hazards. The mission of the Ministry is to provide services for weather, natural hazards, climate, ocean and coastal state, seismology, and exploring marine living and non-living resources and the polar regions.

Also, the ministry inter alia is responsible for development of technology towards the exploration and exploitation of marine resources in a sustainable way for the socioeconomic benefits of the society.

Over the past few years, the quality of weather, climate, ocean and seismological services provided by the ministry has been improved due to systematic efforts in augmenting atmospheric, coastal and ocean observations and survey, geophysical observations, polar research, developing adequate modelling strategy, conducting cutting edge research and investing in human resources development. Here are some of the major achievements made by the ministry in last 10 years.

WEATHER AND CLIMATE SERVICES Quality of weather and climate services has improved over the last decade, especially in the last two years. This includes availability of better quality and high resolution digital data from INSAT-3D satellite and other satellites, augmentation of surface observational network by increasing the number of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) from 125 78 | Rail Bandhu -October 2016

India is the only nation in the world to secure consultative status in Antarctic Treaty Regime within an year of establishing its first research station, Dakshin Gangotri in Antarctic

to 675 and by introducing 1330 Automatic Rain Gauges (ARG) leading to availability of meteorological observations from all the districts of the country, development of dynamical prediction systems based on the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Global Forecast System (GFS) and Climate Forecast System (CFS) models for short to medium range (up to 10 days), extended range (up to 20 days) and seasonal forecasts, and improvements achieved in skills of Heavy Rainfall Forecasts (False Alarm Rate reduced from 46% to 11% and Probability of Detection increased from 49% to 67% from 2002 to 2015).

OCEAN SCIENCE RESEARCH AND SERVICES Significant progress has been made in establishing a large ocean observing network for the Indian Ocean during the past 10 years. Systematic efforts were also made www.railbandhu.in

to develop high resolution ocean regional models with advanced data assimilation methods. In Ocean Observational Data, as of now, 19 moored buoys for providing continuous met-ocean data in real time since 2010. Additional 32 buoys were installed under the Research Moored Array for African-Asian-Australian Monsoon Analysis and Prediction (RAMA) project.

In case of Ocean Services and Research, routine forecasts of waves, tides and ocean general circulation parameters for various stakeholders is being carried out on a daily basis, that is accessed by 3.5 lakh users daily. Also, the State-of-the-art Tsunami early warning system is established for the Indian Ocean Rim countries at INCOIS, Hyderabad. It has been designated as Regional Tsunami Service Provider (RTSP) by IOC/UNESCO entrusting the responsibility for providing tsunami advisories to Indian Ocean rim countries.

OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERIC TECHNOLOGY With implementation of Low temperature thermal desalination technology, fresh water was provided in 3 islands of Lakshadweep and North Chennai Thermal Power Station.

An Autonomous coring system (ACS) was developed for ground truth validation of gas hydrate occurrence in Indian continental margins and tested over the sea floor of Krishna Godavari Basin. On request of Government of Puducherry, environmentally friendly shoreline stabilization methodology was evolved and demonstrated to restore the beach. As a result there is a gain of 60m wide beach.

OCEAN SURVEY AND EXPLORATION Major achievements in this sector includes, First partial submission of India’s extended continental Shelf claim to the United Nations. Also, comprehensive marine Geoscientific surveys were conducted in parts of the Central Indian Ridge (CIR) and Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR), thus providing significant clues about potential locations of hydrothermal sulphides in the region. There are survey and exploration, environmental impact assessment, technology development for mining and extractive metallurgy for polymetallic nodules (PMN) over the central Indian ocean in accordance with the contract with the International Seabed Authority.

the Himalayas and scientific studies.

Commissioned its third station ‘Bharati’ - a state-of- the-art research base at Larsemann Hills in March 2012. Six expeditions were launched from 2007 to 2016 with NationalInternational collaborations and multidisciplinary data were generated in the Southern Ocean. Success of Antarctic Ice core programme led to recovery and study of several ice cores from coastal Antarctica.

Study revealed a substantial warming of 0.61.00 C per century, Southern Annular Mode and the role of ENSO on Antarctic climate.

GEOSCIENCES AND SEISMOLOGY Seismic microzonation of a few urban centres namely, Guwahati, Bengaluru, Sikkim, Delhi and Kolkata is done to help in disaster mitigation and management, urban development, planning, design and construction, assessment of risk to existing life and property as well as public utilities and services. Also, National Centre for Seismology (NCS) at New Delhi is set-up to provide added thrust to seismological research in the country. Seismic Observational Network is strengthened, that includes 23 upgraded seismic observatories, 21 additional stations, and dedicated networks in NE India and Delhi. For the first time, Deep Sea Drilling was done in the Laxmi Basin, that enabled scientists to collect more than 1700m long sediment cores from the Eastern Arabian Sea to understand possible tectono-climatic link.

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POLAR AND CRYOSPHERE STUDIES This includes exploration of Antarctica, Arctic, Southern Indian Ocean and

The SAFAR Mobile application shows real time data generated through system along with forecasts

VISION 2030 Despite tremendous achievements in just one decade, ministry still sees a considerable scope for further accelerating these initiatives to enable the country to become a world leader in providing high quality services, and contribute to economic and societal benefits. It also envisages to extend its services in developing countries of Asia and Africa and has proposed a future plan-Vision 2030 keeping in view the set of Sustainable Development Goals to realise its vision by year 2030. Following is the glimpse of its extensive documentation for coming years: • To set up atmospheric observational network at 25x25 km grid and upper

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air observations at 100x100 km, complimented by Multi-platform Satellite and air-craft based profiler observations, Doppler Radars, Wind profilers, Radiometers, Lightning detectors, and LIDARs. Develop an Advanced Weather Prediction System, for block level forecasts, skillful for next 3-5 days and develop advisories for sectors for like Agriculture, Disaster Management, Water resources, Power, Tourism and Pilgrimage, Smart Cities, Renewable Energy Sector and Transport.

Develop an Advanced Regional Climate Services Framework to cater to the needs of Agriculture, Water Resources, Alternate Energy Resources and Health on the basis of location specific and user specific knowledge of the climate variability and predictions of climate variables.

Develop a State-of-the-Art Support System for Aviation Safety with the advanced meteorological instruments and advanced forecasting tools for all the civil airports in the Country.

Conduct cutting-edge research (through observations and modelling) to better understand the geology and climatic history of Antarctica and the Arctic, variability of the polar atmosphere and southern Ocean, environment and ecosystem dynamics, and cryosphereclimate interactions.

Explore the Polar Regions of Antarctica and the Arctic as well as the Himalayan glaciers for monitoring and predicting the variability of the fragile global cryosphere system.

Support the initiatives of Blue Economy by innovating, developing and demonstrating world class technologies for exploration and harnessing ocean resources- Energy, Water and Minerals.

Develop the state-of-theart sensors, electronics, communication and acoustic systems for ocean observation, exploration and deep sea operations Develop a Centre of Excellence for Rail Bandhu - October 2016 | 79

IN FOCUS

View of control room of The Indian Tsunami Early Warning System at INCOIS

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Deep Sea Research Promote the “Make in India” initiative by nurturing Indian industry in manufacturing atmospheric, oceanic and geological instruments Develop the state-of-the-art sensors, electronics, communication and acoustic systems for ocean observation, exploration and deep sea operations Conduct research on understanding the crustal structure, deformation, and rupture, mountain dynamics, critical zone studies, paleo magnetism, and earthquake precursors over high risk zones of the country.

Develop a Centre of Excellence for addressing the needs of Himalayan and NE States.

Sustain and expand the observational system including robotic observing systems (sea gliders, automated profilers) over the Indian Ocean and develop an ocean data management system.

Develop a Weather modification research strategy to carry out research studies on artificial rainmaking, hail suppression, fog dispersal and reduction of air pollution.

Monitor and document regional climate change by carefully monitoring the components of the climate system and essential climate variables and setting up climate reference stations.

80 | Rail Bandhu -October 2016

Dr Madhavan Nair Rajeevan, the Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) with his pathbreaking research on monsoon variability and prediction, cloud-radiation interaction and climate variability and change, plans to forge ahead in the climate research. In his conversation with our special correspondent, he highlights various achievements in last 10 years along with the future plans of MoES MoES in transforming lives of the citizens of India...

Three major contributions of MoES that helped in transforming lives are agro-met services for farmers, ocean services and fishery advisories for coastal population and the tsunami early warning system.

Monsoon plays a vital role in India’s agriculture sector.

Therefore, India Meteorological Department (IMD) constantly strives to provide the updated advisories to the farmers at the earliest. This has helped farmers to postpone sowing time, change crop variety, manage irrigation and spray pesticides and insecticides.

Advanced ocean services have increased productivity of the fisher people using satellite technology for forecast of potential fishing zone (PFZ) information along the Indian coastline and island regimes. As a result, additional expected profit in the hands of fishermen would be around `3,000 crore annually.

After the killer tsunami in 2004, INCOIS established a world class tsunami early warning system. Till now the warning centre has successfully recorded correct warnings averting false alarms that has benefitted the nation economically too. For Instance, a no tsunami threat advisory issued will avoid relocation and rehabilitation expenditures of human settlements in the affected regions.

Monsoon predictions as it plays a grave role in India’s economy...

Since monsoon directly impacts our economy, weather and climate prediction capabilities are drastically improved in last 10 years.

The operational prediction system based on statistical model proved skillful, as the prediction of the 2015 deficient monsoon was proved correct. Also, we now have a dynamical prediction system for both extended range forecasts (next 20 days) and seasonal forecasts (up to one season), that is very promising.

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However, the task of prediction still remains challenging as we still do not fully comprehend many physical mechanisms that cause the monsoon to vary from year to year. Though we believe that presently El Nino and Indian Ocean influence the most.

Extreme event prediction in changing climate scenario...

We are expecting more frequent and intense severe weather events like heavy rainfall, flash floods and heat waves. Therefore, MoES is devising a strategy to deal with prediction of these severe weather events, which may include dense observational network and high-resolution ensemble forecasting system for probabilistic forecasts.

However, these weather prediction models face serious challenges in predicting heavy rainfall. We need to improve them by data assimilation and also by improving model physics. MoES is setting up specialized observatories over central India - one is being set up at Sagar University for high quality atmospheric observations that help us to improve model physics.

Ministry’s mandate to provide sustainable livelihood for many...

The Ministry is working on emphasizing on strengthening climate services that include climate monitoring, prediction, diagnostics, development of climate data sets and climate change assessments. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has initiated a global framework for climate services, that we will organize into a national framework. The purpose is to provide climate services for our specific sectors like agriculture, water resources, energy, and health.

India’s presence in Arctic, Antarctic and the Himalayas, the glacial lands that hold much promise for the future...

Arctic and Antarctic are important as a part of global cryosphere system. Due to climate change, there are changes in the cyrosphere system. We need to monitor, document and even predict such changes, as any imbalance in the cyrosphere system may affect the global energy balance and impact the climate systems of tropical regions including the monsoon. In fact, the preliminary studies of the rapidly melting Arctic sea reveal strong tele-connections.

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IN FOCUS

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T Group of Institutions is dedicated toward achieving excellence in academics & research, along with delivering societal services for the benefit of rural and urban populations.

The programmes and teaching pedagogy are directed towards a holistic development of students Manbir Singh, MD, CT Group of Institutions for the current dynamic scenario, who can actively contribute towards the nation. The organisation has educational ventures set up at two mega campuses, Shahpur and Maqsudan in Jalandhar, and today, CT group is ready with its third venture, i.e., the upcoming CT University at Ferozepur Road, Ludhiana.

The Group includes multiple institutions and programme; inculcating the entrepreneurial culture in students. The group has established 17 professional institutions offering 70 UG and PG programmes in campuses stretching over 50 acres of land.

Certified organic products sans chemicals, promoting a healthy lifestyle

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itro Natural has introduced a natural insect repellent cream, gel spray, body spray and floor mop to keep insects and mosquitoes at bay. These products do not contain any chemical and are safe for even small children. JK Baid is the Promoter Director of Poly Medicure Ltd., (A BSE Listed Company) and Vitro Naturals and this firm is approved by Eco-Cert France, in health juices and organic cosmetics. The firm also collaborates with CSIR, Government of India.

In the market, while most repellents are chemical based that can cause various diseases, Vitro Natural’s Dengi Plus, contains natural substances such as papaya leaves, ginger, giloi, tulsi, neem, mulethi, etc. This is effective in Dengue and other viral diseases. Another product, Flengy Plus helps improve the immune system while Sleep Well Plus reduces stress and aids in sleeping. Triphala Plus is helpful in liver and digestion system.

The products are exported to the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia and Russia among others.

Reading Corner Grab a copy and transport yourself to the world of books

RIGHTFULLY WRONG WRONGFULLY RIGHT

BY VARSHA DIXIT RUPA PUBLICATIONS

82 | Rail Bandhu - October 2016

The unforgettable story of hurt, hearts and hope is a journey of two wrongs who might make everything right.

The books revolves around the life of Gayatri, a rich, spoiled diva. Caught between her wish to break free on her own and her father’s dos and dont’s, she often blunders in her decisions. Viraj, having grown up with an abusive father despises violence against women. From the moment Gayatri and Viraj set eyes on each other, an electric chemistry sizzles between them despite their dislike for each other. Their paths cross and life becomes a battle of feisty wills and desire.

HOOKED, LINED & SINGLE

BY RASHMI KUMAR SRISHTI PUBLISHERS & DISTRIBUTORS

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The book revolves around the life of an author who is independent, successful, well travelled and a divorcee, Alafia Singh. The story decodes the patriarchal approach of society in which marriage is an overrated word. The protagonist, an independent woman, succumbs to the pressure of the society and meets all sorts of men in search of a perfect match and settle down in life. In her quest of finding the right man, Alafia acquires the status of being cynical, demanding, chronically single and ambitious. The book explores how social stigmas change a person’s perception.

IN FOCUS

JHARKHAND USHERING IN AN ERA OF

INDUSTRIAL GROWTH

Chief Minister Raghubar Das launched Six new ambitious policies related to IT and IT enabled services, BPO, Start Ups, Electronic System design & manufacturing, Automobiles and Auto Components and Textiles Apparels and footwear during Mumbai Road Show

T

he Mumbai road show, at Hotel Taj Mahal, attracted large number of investors across the investment spectrum of higher technical education, healthcare sector and urban onfrastructure. Parallel workshops catering to investor awareness about the above sectors were also conducted following the main programme. These sessions focused on salient features of concerned policies, highlighting the sectoral investment opportunities and responding to investor queries.

Jharkhand is geared up to showcase its enormous potential to the national and international investment communities in order to attract suitable investments who will become long term partners in the burgeoning development of one of India’s youngest states. The Chief Minister has been quick to assure potential investors that his government is ‘committed to protecting and securing the wellbeing of investments, public life and property’.

Jharkhand is considered as the backbone of Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Make in India’ agenda since it holds 40 per cent of India’s natural mineral wealth and is on track to become the country’s power hub by 2019.

With the world’s most robust IT-enabled registration and licencing processes to help prospective investors start their business with a couple of clicks of the mouse, Jharkhand is pulling out all stops to stay ahead in alluring investors. Its reformed business climate, backed with its successful framework of the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ (ranked third in India by a World Bank report) and it’s simplified responsive operations is set to play a vital role in

Chief Minister Raghubar Das with investors during the Mumbai Road Show

addressing the needs of cautious investors.

In addition, Jharkhand has an enormous land bank to lure potential investment in the state. “Land acquisition has never been a challenge for us as we have a land bank of 1,75,000 acres which is readily available for different industries to set up their business in our state,” revealed the Chief Minister during ‘Momentum Jharkhand’ investment promotion campaign in Mumbai. The state has identified Ranchi and Barhi to be developed along the lines of its Greenfield smart city agenda—aimed at speeding up the urbanisation process.

“Momentum Jharkhand” Global Investors Summit, scheduled for February 16-17, 2017 in Ranchi, is a global networking platform. The Summit is being partnered with Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and will be graced by leaders of several countries, academicians and prominent business heads from around the globe

Under the “Momentum Jharkhand”, GOJ’s maiden international sojourn to the USA comprised an intense 5 day outreach and networking programme. The delegation led by Chief Minister Das first attended MINEXPO 2016 in Las Vegas, where the state had a dedicated pavilion. Thereafter, the delegation visited Hewlett Packard Enterprise at San Francisco to sign MoU in the areas of teleeducation (virtual classrooms) and IT enabled primary healthcare. Another MoU that focuses on developing skills required for the new digital economy by providing them with the required technical knowledge through Cisco Networking Academy Program was signed at CISCO’s San Jose headquarters.

Final stop in the US was at New York on the East Coast. The Government also sealed collaborations with leading organisations, industrial institutions, chambers of commerce and trade bodies with the objective of boosting American familiarisation with and investment in the state. The Government of Jharkhand has further planned its second international circuit to reach out to East Asia – primarily China, Japan and Korea.

(Written by Kumar Kaushalendra)

Rail Bandhu - October 2016 | 83

QUICK LOOK

Hot picks

We’ve got the latest products in fashion, lifestyle, decor and wellness that are currently in trend, for you.

PROMOTE NUTRITION THROUGH TRADITIONAL ART Horlicks has come up with its firstever special edition packs inspired by traditional art forms which have been a part of the multi-faceted and diverse Indian culture. With the intricacy and beauty of Madhubani and Jamini art forms, this step by Horlicks promotes the message of nutrition with creativity and imagination.

For centuries, Indian art forms have been used to narrate tales, tell ideas visually and not just in words.

Horlicks decided to adapt its graphics

as regional art forms and in the art styles of famous painters in a modern way. This makes the packs look culturally more relevant, while still remaining truly Horlicks. The initiative makes Horlicks nutrition become more intuitive and at the same time takes an innovative form to connect with consumers in a local or regional flavour.

The Horlicks bottles are collectibles and will be available on Amazon.in.

Price Segment

Nikon Camera

`5,000-25,000

COOLPIX A100 COOLPIX W100 COOLPIX A300 COOLPIX S7000 COOLPIX B500

BUILDING NARRATIVES WITH NIKON `25,000-50,000 Train journeys are often more memorable than the destination itself… The long stretches of the beautiful landscape change patterns at every turn. Imagine if a camera could transpose these sightings into freewheeling conversations.

As you head out for a vacation, rely on Nikon’s COOLPIX collection. In addition to stills, the digital cameras are capable of shooting great videos. Nikon recommends the COOLPIX S7000 that is among the lightest in design and

84 | Rail Bandhu - October 2016

packs a phenomenal 20x optical zoom lens.

The COOLPIX W100 presents a new level of fun in high-definition for beginners.

For anyone venturing into D-SLR photography, the Nikon D3300 has a guide mode for great shots in different scenarios. The advanced version of this camera, the Nikon D3400 offers an extended ISO range of 100 – 25,600 to capture brilliant images. Nikon D5300 is a full-featured DX-format D-SLR providing outstanding image quality. www.railbandhu.in

Nikon1 J5 COOLPIX P900 Nikon D3300 Nikon D3400 Nikon D5300 Nikon 1 V3

`50,000-75,000

Nikon D5500

`75,000

Nikon D500

SHORT TAKES

Entertainment Calling We bring you a selection of movies for the month

INFERNO (MAX)

Director: Ron Howard Cast: Felicity Jones, Tom Hanks, Irrfan Khan, Ben Foster Release date: October 14 Robert Langdon wakes up in an Italian hospital with amnesia. He teams up with Dr. Sienna Brooks to race across Europe against the clock to foil a deadly global plot.

MIRZYA

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN

Inspired by the folk tale of Mirza Sahiban, Mirzya is an epic set in contemporary times. The tale of star-crossed lovers played in two parallel worlds, one real and one fantastical.

The girl on the train is the story of Rachel Watson’s life post-divorce. Everyday she takes the train in to work in London and every day, the train passes by her old house.

Director: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra Cast: Saiyami Kher, Harshvardhan Kapoor Release date: October 7

Director: Tate Taylor Cast: Emily Blunt, Justin Theroux, Lisa Kudrow Release date: October 7

STAR TRACKER

the Month ahead Be it love, career or health, here’s what October and your stars have in store for you Aries (Mar 20 - Apr 18)

Taurus (Apr 19 - May 19)

Gemini (May 20 - Jun 20)

The week begins with a celebration in the family. A lot of workload is on you, which does not seem to ease this week. You will meet someone influential who will help you out with a stuck deal. Finances show a small rise towards the weekend.

A good day and then a bad one. This might continue for a little while more. The peace that was lost in the family returns this week.

You will make a renovation or will change house. Remove that clutter from the mind and let bygones be bygones.

Too many unnecessary arguments causing emotional loss. Divert your mind towards work, as there might be certain changes you would have to make. Do not make any investments yet; wait a while. The worry on your mind will ease out this week.

Lucky colour Orange Lucky No. 5

Lucky colour Red

Lucky colour Parrot green

Cancer (Jun 21 - Jul 21)

Leo (Jul 22 - Aug 21)

Virgo (Aug 22 - Sep 21)

The disappointments will soon come to an end. Good news comes to you by midweek changing a lot around you. Your court cases will soon get resolved in your favour.

You will also now be able to get rid of your loans. A friend needs you, so help him.

You need to ‘let go’ or else you will be caught in your own web.

Don’t be stubborn. There will be a fruitful travel towards the sea. You may also decide to settle abroad. A project now nears completion, something that was getting delayed for some reason.

You maybe going through problems in marriage. This is due to the interference of a third person. You are undergoing a change, which is why everything dipped low. You will have to face a tough competition so be ready.

Take care of your health.

Lucky colour Yellow

Lucky colour Sky blue

Lucky colour Black

Lucky No. 8

Lucky No. 1

Lucky No. 5

Lucky No. 3

Lucky No. 9

Libra (Sep 22 - Oct 22)

Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 20)

Sagittarius (Nov 21 - Dec 20)

It’s time to reap the rewards of your hard work. A lady overseas will be helpful in your venture and there could be a sudden monetary gain too. Watch out for cheating from your own people. Some chest or lung problems may come up.

Your decision-making power is weak right now, so don’t take any major decisions now. Your money, which was stuck, gets released but control your expenses. Give a little more time to your family, as they really need it.

It’s time now to lay the base for a new venture/business. You will change your line of work where you will excel. There is no satisfaction in whatever you are doing which is frustrating you, but wait for the right opportunity.

Lucky colour Silver

Lucky colour Pink

Lucky colour White Lucky No. 9

Lucky No. 3

Lucky No. 7

Capricorn (Dec 21 - Jan 19)

Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18)

Pisces (Feb 19 - Mar 19)

A new alliance is forming soon. Childhood memories will keep popping up, making you nostalgic. You will meet a very old friend soon. Some family feuds may arise over property matters, so be prepared. Don’t wait for things to happen, make them happen.

You may move base. A change in home/work environment is strong. There will be an increment or a raise in your position. Be careful of a lady who will try to harm you. You will receive good news through mail. Watch out for stomach issues.

You have been overworking your mind these days. Don’t take so much tension. There will be a monetary gain around Friday. You will get a lot of help from someone most unexpected. You will also make some renovations at home/office.

Lucky colour Maroon

Lucky colour Purple

Lucky colour Royal blue Lucky No. 4

Lucky No. 2

Lucky No. 4

Poonam Sethi is an internationally-acclaimed Tarot card reader, Reiki healer, colour therapist, Feng Shui practitioner, crystal healer, a specialist in removal and balancing the negative evil eye energies and a rudraksha consultant. She can be contacted at poonamsethi27@hotmail.com 86 | Rail Bandhu - October 2016

www.railbandhu.in

fo’ks"k miyfC/k

,d vuks[kh

fojklr cka

nzk jsyos LVs’ku ds Hkou dks fojklr dk ntkZ fnykus] i;ZVu ,oa lkaLd`frd dsna z ds :i esa fodflr djus ds fy, jsy ea=ky; rFkk ;wuLs dks ds chp 26 twu] 2015 dks ckankz LVs’ku ds lac/a k esa ,d ,sfrgkfld ,oa egŸoiw.kZ le>kSrk gqvk gSA blds varxZr LVs’ku Hkou dk iqu#)kj djds blds fodkl o laj{k.k dh ;kstuk rS;kj djds bl LVs’ku Hkou ls tqMs+ lM+d ;krk;kr esa lq/kkj] QqVikFk] ;kf=;ksa ds fy, lq[k&lqfo/kk,a] lkaLd`frd :i ls lqn<` + cukus] LFkkuh; dykdkjksa }kjk dykRed cukus rFkk blds lkSna ;hZdj.k dks c<+kus tSls dk;Z lfEefyr gSAa

130

o"kksZa iqjkuk gS - vDVwcj 2016

ys[k% foeys'k panz

cgqeYw ; fojklr ckankz jsyos LVs’ku Hkou dks egkjk"Vª ljdkj ds fojklrh vf/kfu;e 1995 ds varxZr Js.kh&1 ds :i esa fojklr lajpuk dk ntkZ izkIr gSA ;g jsyos LVs’ku eqca bZ ds jsyos LVs’kuksa esa ls ,d Js"B miuxjh; jsyos LVs’ku gSA ;g Hkou yxHkx 130 o"kZ iqjkuk gS tks lu 1888 esa cuk;k x;k FkkA ckgj ls ns[kus ij ;g Hkou fo’ks"k izdkj dh lksikuh Nr ;k fijkfeM dh lajpuk tSlh fn[kkbZ nsrh gSA ;g bekjr 19oha lnh dh fof’k"V okLrqdyk ds :i esa fn[kkbZ iM+rh gSA bl LVs’ku dh ,sfrgkfld o ’kkunkj bekjr xkWfFkd rFkk ojukdqyj ’kSyh esa cuh gSA

ckanzk jsyos LVs'ku dk vkd"kZd Hkou

88 |

ckanzk jsyos LVs’ku dks /kjksgj ds :i esa lgstdj j[kk tk,xkA blds fy, leLr rS;kfj;ka dj yh xbZ gSa

www.railbandhu.in

le;&le; ij bl Hkou esa vusd fuekZ.k ,oa cnyko fd, x, rkfd ;g Hkou ;kf=;ksa dh vko’;drk,a vkSj LVs’ku ds dk;Z iwjs dj ldsAa eqca bZ fojklr laj{k.k lfefr dh Lohd`fr feyus ij bl Hkou dk iqu#)kj vkjaHk fd;k x;k FkkA ;g dk;Z 2009 rd iwjk dj fy;k x;k FkkA vc bl LVs’ku Hkou dks ;wuLs dks ds lg;ksx ls fo’oLrj ij iqu%LFkkfir djus] blds ,sfrgkfld egŸo dks lcdh tkudkjh esa ykus rFkk bls lkaLd`frd o i;ZVu dsna z ds :i esa fodflr djus ds fy, ;wuLs dks ds lkFk ;g le>kSrk fd;k x;k gSA vc bl Hkou dks blds ewy :i esa ykdj bl xkSjo’kkyh Hkou dks fo’o fojklr ds :i esa fodflr fd;k tk,xkA ckankz jsyos LVs’ku dks ^miuxjksa dh jkuh* uke ls Hkh iqdkjrs gSAa xkSjo’kkyh bfrgkl ckankz ls jsyxkfM+;ksa dh vkoktkgh 28 uoEcj] 1864 ls vkjaHk gqbZ FkhA ;gka 150 o"kZ iwoZ loZiFz ke eqca bZ ¼if’pe jsyos½ ds varxZr xzkVa jksM VfeZuy ls lwjr ds chp jsy pykbZ xbZ FkhA ;g jsyxkM+h losjs lkr cts xzkVa jksM VfeZuy ls jokuk gqbZ FkhA ;|fi LVs’ku ds Hkou dk fuekZ.k dk;Z ckn esa vkjaHk gqvk tks 1888 esa cudj iwjk gqvk FkkA bl LVs’ku ds fuekZ.k dh lai.w kZ :ijs[kk yanu esa rS;kj dh xbZ FkhA ogka ls tyiksr ds ek/;e ls lktks&lkeku yk;k x;kA lu 1869 esa leLr lkeku dh enn ls fuekZ.k fd;k x;kA bl Hkou dh Nrsa fijkfeM ds vkdkj dh rjg yxrh gSAa blds Vkbynkj :Q+ VkWoj o yacs cjkens bldh vkSifuosf’kd o ojukdqyj lajpuk ds vn~Hkqr mnkgj.k gSAa vU; jsyos LVs’kuksa dh rjg bl jsyos LVs’ku Hkou dk fuekZ.k rRdkyhu ckWEcs cM+knS k ,aM lsVa ªy bafM;k jsyos }kjk fd;k x;k FkkA izkjaHk esa bl Hkou ds dejksa vkSj Q+’kZ ij bVSfy;u VkbYl yxh gqbZ FkhaA

ckanzk LVs'ku ds fuekZ.k esa yxHkx 1-44 yk[k #i, vkbZ FkhA ;gka yksgs ls fufeZr izkphu [kaHks ns[kus dks feysaxs vn~Hkqr fuekZ.k dk;Z vkjafHkd nkSj esa ;gka dsoy nks IysVQ+kWeZ FksA orZeku eas Hkh ;s IysVQ+kWeZ la[;k 1 o 2 ds uke ls tkus tkrs gSAa ml le; jsyxkfM+;ksa esa de dksp gqvk djrs FksA blfy, ml le; ;g IysVQ+kWeZ Hkh NksVk Fkk fdarq mldh ewy lajpuk vc Hkh oSlh gh gSA IysVQ+kWeZ dh Nrsa v/kZoŸ` kkdkj yksgs ds VqdM+kas ls cuh gSa rFkk Nr ij yxs bLikr ds VqdM+s Hkh vkd"kZd Lo:i esa fufeZr gSAa ;g LVs’ku Hkou Hkkjrh; jsy ds Hkou fuekZ.k dyk dk mRd`"V uewuk gSA igys ;gka ,d NksVk lk LVs’ku FkkA bl LVs’ku ds cM+& s cM+s njokt+]s f[kM+fd;ka] cjkens] NTts rFkk yky Vkbyksa ls cuh Nr rFkk mlds nks IysVQ+kWeZ 1888 esa iqu% cuk, x, FksA bl Hkou ij cuk VkWoj laHkor% ml le; okWp VkWoj ds :i esa mi;ksx fd;k tkrk FkkA bLikr lajpukvksa ls bl Hkou dk fuekZ.k] Hkou vfHk;kaf=dh dk vuks[kk mnkgj.k gSA bl LVs’ku ds fuekZ.k esa nsjh dk eq[; dkj.k ;g Fkk fd yanu ls eaxok;k x;k lkeku Hkkjr esa foyac ls igqp a k FkkA lkeku igqp a us ds ckn gh mls tksMk+ x;k FkkA jsyos LVs’ku dk Hkou rks iwjk gks x;k Fkk fdarq mldh Nr nsj ls cuhA bl dkj.k ls ;g LVs’ku vketuksa ds fy, 1889 esa [kksyk x;k FkkA bldk dqN fuekZ.k dk;Z rRdkyhu esllZ ck>ksuth ,aM nkslk HkkbZ ckxth us fd;k FkkA bl izdkj ls csgn iqjkuk ;g ckankz LVs’ku vusd dhfrZekuksa ls Hkjk iM+k gSA

eqacbZ dh thou&js[kk dgh tkus okyh yksdy Vªsu ds vykok ckanzk jsyos LVs'ku ij dbZ ,Dlizsl rFkk lkekU; jsyxkfM+;ka #drh gSa

Hkou dh lajpuk ckanzk jsyos LVs’ku if’pe jsyos ds eqacbZ eaMy esa miuxjh; jsyos esa vkrk gSA bl le; ;gka lkr IysVQ+kWeZ gSaA fojkj vkSj cksjhoyh ls vkus okyh if’pe jsyos dh jsy ykbu bl LVs’ku ls gksrs gq, ppZxsV rd miuxjh; jsy ykbu ds :i esa rFkk eqacbZ lsaVªy rd esu ykbu ds :i esa tkrh gSA bl LVs’ku ij gkcZj ykbu Hkh gS tks fd e/; jsyos ds LVs’ku N=ifr f’kokth VfeZul rd tkrh gSA bl LVs’ku ij if’pe jsyos rFkk e/; jsyos dh jsyxkfM+;ka vkrh&tkrh gSaA bl LVs’ku dk uke igys ^canksjk* Fkk tks fd ;gka fLFkr canjxkg ds uke ij iM+k FkkA canjxkg dks lkekU;r% canj dgk tkrk FkkA dkykarj esa bldk uke ckanzk iM+ x;kA ejkBh esa bls ckanzs dgk tkrk gSA bl LVs’ku ds uke dbZ miyfC/k;ka nt+Z gSa tSls loZizFke ;gha ij efgyk izrh{kky; [kksyk x;k Fkk rFkk f’kdk;r iqfLrdk dh ’kq#vkr gqbZ FkhA bl LVs’ku dk vkjaHk 1864 dks canksjk uke ls gqbZ FkhA blh o"kZ osfVax :e vkSj usfVo jsLV gkml dh O;oLFkk dh xbZ FkhA - vDVwcj 2016 | 89

fo’ks"k miyfC/k 1

[k+jhnkjh dk vkuan

fofHkUu dykRed oLrqvksa dh [+kjhnkjh djus ds 'kkSdhu yksxksa ds fy, ;g bykdk tUur gSA ;gka fLFkr fgy jksM o fyafdax jksM ij ;qok oxZ [+kjhnkjh djrk gqvk fey tk,xkA blds vfrfjDr cSaMLVSaM yksxksa ds feyus&tqyus dk vkd"kZd xarO; gSA bl {ks= esa jkr dks ckgj ?kweus&fQ+jus dk viuk gh et+k gSA bruk gh ugha ;gka dk e'kgwj oyhZ lh fyad ns[kus yk;d gSA tkWxlZ ikdZ Hkh i;ZVdksa ds vkd"kZ.k dk dsanz gSA ogha ckanzk&dqykZ dkWEIysDl O;kolkf;d xfrfof/k;ksa dk izeq[k xarO; gSA bl bykds esa 10 flusek gkWy gSa tgka yksx fQ+Yeksa dk vkuan ysrs gSaA

i;ZVdksa dh tUur ckanzk esa ns[kus yk;d cgqr dqN gS vkSj ;gka ij vki vusd yt+ht+ O;atu Hkh p[k ldrs gSa

2

3

ekmaV eSjh ppZ

vkidks ckanzk tkus dk volj feys rks ekmaV eSjh ppZ ns[kus vo'; tk,aA iqrZxkfy;ksa us bldk fuekZ.k lu 1640 esa fd;k FkkA ejkBk 'kkldksa us lu 1738 esa bl bykds ij vkØe.k djds dSFkksfyd fxfjtk?kj dks {kfrxzLr dj fn;k FkkA ;gka fo|eku izfrek dks 1761 esa lsaV ,aMª;wt+ ppZ esa vLFkkbZ :i ls LFkkfir dh xbZ FkhA ;g lky Q+hLV vkWQ+ vkWoj ysMh vkWQ+ n ekmaV dk vkjaHk ekuk tkrk gSA ;g eksaVh Q+sLV vFkok ckanzk Q+sLV Hkh dgykrk gSA bl fxfjtk?kj dk okLrqf'kYi cacbZ ¼orZeku esa eqacbZ½ ds 'kkgiwjth pankHkkbZ us rS;kj fd;k FkkA 1879 esa te'ksnth ththHkkbZ us lhf<+;ka cuokbZ FkhaA 90 |

- vDVwcj 2016

4

ckanzk rkykc

;g bykdk i;ZVdksa ds vkd"kZ.k dk dsanz gSA ;gka Lokeh foosdkuan rky Hkh gS ftls LFkkuh; yksx ckanzk rkykc ds uke ls tkurs gSaA fojklr lajpuk dh Js.kh ds varxZr ;g yksVl VSad dgykrk gSA bldk fuekZ.k ,d /kuk<~; dksad.kh eqfLye O;kikjh us djk;k FkkA ;g rky 7-5 ,dM+ {ks=Q+y esa O;kIr gSA ckn esa blds j[k&j[kko dk chM+k xzsVj eqacbZ uxj fuxe us mBk;k vkSj bldk uke Lokeh foosdkuan ljksoj j[k fn;k FkkA yxHkx 200 lky iqjkus bl rky ds fdukjs dbZ lkaLd`frd dk;ZØe vk;ksftr fd, tkrs gSaA yksx vdlj 'kke fcrkus bl rky ds fdukjs ifjtuksa ds lkFk vkrs gSaA www.railbandhu.in

[kkus&ihus dh ekSt

yt+ht+ O;atu [kkus ds 'kkSdhu yksxksa ds fy, ckanzk esa dbZ jsLrjka fo|eku gSaA vki fgy jksM ij fLFkr ,Ydks ekdsZV QwM TokbaV o ,l-oh- jksM ij fLFkr ydh jsLrjka esa fofHkUu izdkj ds O;atuksa dk Lokn p[k ldrs gSaA buds vykok us'kuy dkWyst ds ckgj jkt lsaMfop ij vkidks Lokfn"V lsaMfop [kkus dks feysaxsA fgy jksM ij twl dh dbZ nqdkusa fo|eku gSaA blds vykok fe=ksa ds lkFk 'kke fcrkus ds fy, vki Xykscy ¶+;wt+u] yseu xzkl] 'kh'kk ykmat] gDdklu rFkk gokbZ 'ksd dk #[k dj ldrs gSaA ;gka jkW;YVh] iYl ,aM flu tSls yksdfiz; fMLdksFksd Hkh gSaA

ozr ds O;atu

uojkf= esa ukS nsfo;ksa dh iwtk&vpZuk gksrh gSA bl ioZ ds nkSjku lkfRod Hkkstu djus dh ijaijk jgh gSA ,slk er gS fd ;s [kk| inkFkZ HkfDrHkko c<+k nsrs gSa

Hkk

jr mRloks]a R;kSgkjks]a lekjksgksa vkSj ioksaZ dk ns’k gSA ;gka izR;sd ioZ dh viuh fo’ks"krk gSA lkyHkj ;gka dksbZ u dksbZ R;kSgkj euk;k tkrk gSA mUgha ds lkFk ozr o miokl tqMs+ gSAa ;fn ckr gks uojkf= dh rks /kkfeZd xzFa kksa esa bl ioZ dk fo’ks"k egŸo gSA leLr ns’k esa bls vR;ar mRlkg ,oa HkfDr&Hkko ls euk;k tkrk gSA nsoh dks izlUu j[kus ds fy, bu fnuksa HkDrx.k miokl Hkh j[krs gSAa dksbZ nks fnu rks dksbZ iwjs ukS fnuksa rd miokl j[krk gSA bl nkSjku ftl izdkj dk lkfRod Hkkstu fd;k tkrk gS og cgqr Lokfn"V gksrk gSA lkFk gh muesa ikSf"Vdrk dk Hkh iqV gksrk gSA bu mi;ksxh O;atuksa dks [kkdj ^ftruh ’kfDr] mruh HkfDr* dk fl)kar vo’; viuk,aA Lokn dk rM+dk vkerkSj ij miokl ds nkSjku vki lkcwnkuk ls fufeZr fofHkUu O;atu tSls lkcwnkuk dh f[kpM+h o lkcwnkuk ds oM+s [kk ldrs gSAa buds vykok lkcwnkuk] vkyw vkSj dqVV~ w ds vkVs dk ijkaBk Hkh [kk ldrs gSAa vki pkgsa rks fla?kkM+s ds vkVs rFkk jktxhj ds vkVs ls fufeZr ijkaBk]

ys[k% oh.kk lcyksd ikBd iwjh vFkok gyok cukdj [kk ldrs gSAa vki vxj de rsy dk [kkuk ilan djrs gSa rks ozr ds pkoyksa ls fufeZr mRie] <ksdyk] iqyko rFkk bMyh cuk ldrs gSAa pViVk [kkus esa #fp j[kus okys dPps dsys o vjch ls fufeZr ’kq) ’kkdkgkjh dckc [kk ldrs gSAa ogha fla?kkM+s ds vkVs dh djh rFkk vkyw dh pViVh lCt+h Hkh [kk ldrs gSAa eqga ehBk djsa vkidk vxj ehBk [kkus dk eu djs rks e[k+kus dh [+khj cgqr cf<+;k fodYi gSA e[k+kuksa dks ?kh esa rydj rFkk mu ij pk’kuh dh ijr p<+kdj [kk ldrs gSAa vki iuhj dh [k+hj Hkh cuk ldrs gSAa bruk gh ugha lkcwnkuk ls fufeZr [+khj Hkh vkidks cgqr ilan vk,xhA

HkfDr esa 'kfDr bl volj ij ns'kHkj esa dy'k dh LFkkiuk djds eka nqxkZ ds Lokxr dk vkºoku fd;k tkrk gSA 'kfDr dh nsoh dks izlUu j[kus ds fy, gh ozr j[ks tkrs gSaA

fofHkUu ’khry is; fnuHkj rjksrkt+k jgus ds fy, vki Q+yksa ls fufeZr fofo/k izdkj ds is; ih ldrs gSAa [ktwj o vathj dk is; Hkh LokLF; ds fy, ykHkdkjh lkfcr gksxkA miokl ds nkSjku ikuh dh deh u gks blfy, Q+ykgkj djrs jgsa rFkk i;kZIr ek=k esa ikuh] NkN] uhcw ikuh vFkok 'kjcr ihrs jgsAa cnyrs ekSle esa ;s dkjxj fl) gksx a As

- vDVwcj 2016 | 91

gekjh fojklr

dYiuk&dyk dk

vn~Hkqr laxe

nks gt+kj o"kZ izkphu uxjh egkcfyiqje esa LFkkiR; dyk dh vuwBh /kjksgj fo|eku gSA ;g lSykfu;ksa ds vkd"kZ.k dk eq[; dsanz gSA fo'o fojklr LFky ds :i esa lgstdj j[ks x, fofHkUu fuekZ.kdk;Z ns[kdj i;ZVd nkarksa rys maxyh nck ysrs gSa ys[k% ’kf’k xks;yk

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egkcfyiqje fLFkr fofHkUu fuekZ.kdk;ksZa dks ns[kdj vkHkkl gksrk gS fd rRdkyhu okLrqf'kYi fdruk mUur Fkk

ps

UubZ ls yxHkx 60 fdyksehVj nwj ij egkcfyiqje fLFkr gSA Hkkjr ds vU; NksVs ’kgjksa dh Hkkafr ;gka ij Hkh dgha pkSMh+ rks dgha iryh lM+das Fkha] nksuksa vksj ckt+kj Fks ftuesa nf{k.kh O;atuksa dh Hkjekj FkhA gesa NksVh pgkj&nhokjh ls f?kjh og izkphu /kjksgj fn[kh tks vius uke ds vuq:i fo’kky o l’kDr FkhA bldk eq[;}kj rV dh vksj gS tgka ls fVdV ysdj Hkhrj tkuk iM+rk gSA ;gha ij izkphj ls yxk ,d xfy;kjk Hkh gS

tgka LFkkuh; f’kYi dh vusd nqdkusa fLFkr gSAa ’kgj ds eq[; }kj rd ;gha ls gksdj tkuk iM+rk gSA esjk vuqHko gS fd ,sfrgkfld LFkyksa dks ns[kus esa jl rHkh vkrk gS tc mlls lacfa /kr bfrgkl dh lai.w kZ tkudkjh ys yh tk,A eq[;}kj ls Hkhrj izo’s k djrs gh ,d lwpuk ifV~Vdk fn[khA blls u dsoy bl LFky dk vrhr Kkr gqvk vfirq ;g Hkh irk pyk fd ;g la;Dq r jk"Vª la?k }kjk fo’o Lekjd LFkyksa esa ls ,d rFkk Hkkjrh; iqjkrRo los{Z k.k ds laj{k.k esa gSA - vDVwcj 2016 | 93

gekjh fojklr

egkcfyiqje fLFkr fofHkUu eafnjksa ,oa Lekjdksa dh nhokjksa o eq[;}kjksa ij lqanj uDdk'kh rFkk fofHkUu vkd`fr;ka ns[kus dks feysaxh

xkFkkvksa dk fp=.k eq[; }kj ls Hkhrj ?kqlrs gh ftl pht+ us cgqr izHkkfor fd;k og Fkh iRFkjksa dh dykd`fr;ka ftldk ,d&,d fgLlk rjk’kk gqvk FkkA xzus kbV tSlh dBksj f’kykvksa dks ,slk vkdkj nsuk vn~Hkqr gSA izLrj f’kYi Hkkjr ds fy, u;k ugha gSA nf{k.k esa gh izkphu izLrj dyk fo|eku gSA fdara q vf/kdka’k iRFkjksa dks jxM+dj] fpduk] eksVk ;k eghu dke fd;k x;k gSA ,yksjk dh xqQk+ vksa esa ewfrZ;ksa ij iM+us okys izdk’k o Nk;k dks n`f"V esa j[kdj jpuk dh xbZ gSA ;gka okLrqfo|k dh lHkh ’kSfy;ksa dks viuk;k x;k gSA igkM+kas ds ckgjh fgLlksa dh xgjh x<+kbZ ds lkFk] xqQk+ cukdj vkSj Hkhrj&ckgj nksuksa vksj] Åij ls uhps rd nhokjksa dks mdsjdj lk/kkj vkSj eap cukdj nksuksa izdkj ds <kaps cuk, x, gSAa vf/kdka’k dh txrihB uhph gSA dqN pV~Vkuksa dks pkSdksj dj] mu ij eaMi cuk, x, gSAa bekjrksa ij fofHkUu ikSjkf.kd xkFkkvksa fo’ks"kdj }kij ;qx dk fp=.k gSA blds vfrfjDr dqN vkdkjksa ij ckS)

3LFky n’kZuh;

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- vDVwcj 2016

okLrqdyk dk izHkko Hkh Li"V fn[kkbZ nsrk gSA loZiFz ke izfl) rVh; eafnj ns[ks tks dHkh la[;k esa lkr o ’kh"kZ ds vkdkj ds dkj.k lsou iSxksMk ds uke ls tkus tkrs FksA orZeku esa mŸkj] nf{k.k o iwoZ dh vksj ds rhu eafnj ’ks"k cps gSAa buesa ls nks f’ko rFkk ,d fo".kq dks lefiZr gSAa fo".kq eafnj pkSdksj xHkZxg` okyk gS tgka pV~Vku ij LFky’kk;h fo".kq dks mdsjk x;k gSA Hkxoku ds can us= o eq[k ij O;kIr ’kkafr bl izfrek dks vn~Hkqr cuk nsrh gSA blds pkjksa vksj ifjØek LFky Hkh gSA lanq j uDdk’kh rVh; eafnjksa dh ckgjh o Hkhrjh nhokjksa ij uDdk’kh dh xbZ gSA ;s nsoLFkku nwj ls ,d tSls fn[krs gSa fdarq buds fofHkUu vkdkj ds fHkUu&fHkUu :iksa esa vyadr` okrk;u gSAa nsoky;ksa ds eq[;}kj ij ekuo vkdkj ds xaHkhj eqnkz esa [kM+s }kjiky vkSj flag ij vk:<+ efgyk,a cjcl /;ku vkdf"kZr djrh gSAa bu rhuksa eafnjksa ds rhu vksj

enzkl ØksdksMkby cSad VªLV

exjePNksa] ?kfM+;kyksa] liksZa] dNqvksa ds laj{k.k ,oa mudh la[;k dks c<+kus ds fy, bl dsanz dh LFkkiuk 1976 esa dh xbZ FkhA lkseokj dks vodk’k jgrk gSA

eqŸkqdknw >hy

;g >hy ukSdk fogkj ds fy, mŸke LFky gS tks egkcfyiqje ls yxHkx 21 fdyksehVj nwj gSA 1984 esa bls i;ZVdksa ds fy, [kksyk x;k FkkA

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vk;kstu LFkyh ,dy pV~Vku ds ikl cM+s vkdkjksa ls lth uhph txr ihB ij ,d ukV~; eafnj fLFkr gSA ikap [kaHks vkSj Hkhrj eap tSlh [kkyh t+ehu gSA ;gh ,d LFkku gS tks v/kwjk lk yxrk gSA fdarq ;gha ij ’kfuokj vkSj jfookj dks la/;k le; xku o ok| dk vk;kstu gksrk gSA ;g LFky ohj iYyoksa dh euksjatd LFkyh FkhA

osnkaFkkaxy i{kh vHk;kj.;

74 ,dM+ {ks=Q+y esa O;kIr ;g Hkkjr esa LFkkfir fd, x, izFke i{kh vHk;kj.;ksa esa ls ,d gSA bldk bfrgkl fczfV’k dky ftruk gh izkphu gSA

LVs’ku dh tkudkjh psUubZ lsaVªy orZeku esa nf{k.k jsyos dk eq[;ky; gSA ;g nf{k.k Hkkjr ds izeq[k jsyos LVs’kuksa esa ls ,d gS tks ns’k ds izeq[k ’kgjksa ls tqM+k gqvk gSA 142 o"kZ iqjkuh ;g bekjr psUubZ dh egŸoiw.kZ bekjrksa esa ls ,d gS ftlds okLrqdkj tkWtZ gkfMZax FksA yxHkx pkj yk[k ;k=h bl LVs’ku dk mi;ksx izfrfnu djrs gSaA blesa 15 IysVQ+kWeZ gSaA bl LVs’ku dh yackbZ 950 ehVj gSA bl LVs’ku ij izfrfnu djhc 200 jsyxkfM+;ka vkrh gSa rFkk ;gka ls 19 jsyxkfM+;ka lapkfyr gksrh gSaA ;g jsyos LVs’ku xkWfFkd ’kSyh esa cuk gqvk gSA

jktk LVªhV ij vki dk"B] iRFkjksa o /kkrq ls cuh ewfrZ;ka] uDdk'kh fd, gq, dykRed LraHk [+kjhn ldrs gSa

fdys ds ijdksVs tSlh pkSMh+ ij uhph nhokj ij et+crw o cM+s vkdkj ds flagksa o cSyksa dh ewfrZ;ka iafDrc) gSAa eq[;}kj ds lkeus fo’kky uanh cSBs gSa vkSj muds ihNs vyadr` fo’kky /ot ;k nhi LraHk gSAa blh LFkku ds if’pe esa cfyihB gSA LraHk ds ikl dh pV~Vku ij p<+ tk,a rks dyiDde U;wfDy;j ikoj LVs’ku fn[krk gSA bl LraHk dks vkyksdukFk eafnj Hkh dgk tkrk gSA ;gka x<+s x, lHkh nso vkdkj leHkaxk ’kSyh esa gSa flok; d`".k eaMie~ ds tgka d`".k] f=Hkaxk :i esa fLFkr gSAa bu rVh; eafnjksa dks nf{k.k eafnj f’kYidyk dk vxqvk ekuk tkrk gSA rVh; eafnj ls Hkhrj dh vksj c<+s rks ,d fo’kky flag dh ewfrZ fn[ksxhA ;gka nsoh nqxkZ vius okgu ij fojkteku gSAa flag ds isV esa NksVk&pkSdksj Nsn gS ftlesa flag ij vk:<+ nsoh dh gwcgw vkd`fr mdsjh xbZ gSA Nsn ds Hkhrj dBksj iRFkj ij fd;k x;k ;g eghu js[kh; dk;Z vk’p;Z esa Mky nsrk gSA izfl) iapjFk ;gka ij iapjFk Hkh ns[kus dks feysA nf{k.kh fljs ij fLFkr pkj jFk fo’kky ,dy <kyw pV~Vku ij x<+s x, gSAa lcls Åaps fgLls ij ;qf/kf"Bj dk jFk gS tks gfjgj ;k v/kZukjh’oj dks lefiZr gSA rRi’pkr Hkhe o vtquZ dk jFk] vafre jFk nzkiS nh dk gSA FkksMh+ gh nwjh ij udqy&lgnso ds jFk fo|eku gSAa izFke rhu Hkkb;ksa ds jFk vk;krdkj rFkk nks ds v/kZoŸ` kkdkj gSAa bu jFkksa ds ckgj nks }kjikfydk,a] i’kq&i{kh] fdUuj&xa/koZ] laU;klh o xzkeh.k tu cus gq, gSAa xzus kbV dh pV~Vkuksa ij cuh vkd`fr;ksa dks ns[kdj vius f’kfYi;ksa vkSj viuh laLd`fr ij xoZ gqvkA buds fudV pV~Vku dks dkVdj eqdVq cuk;k x;k gS ftls jFk eafnj ds ’kh"kZ ij LFkkfir ugha fd;k x;k gSA egkcfyiqje ds jFkksa esa ifg;ksa dk vHkko gSA bu jpukvksa dks ns[kdj Li"V gksrk gS fd nsoh&nsorkvksa dks lefiZr gksus ij Hkh ;s iwtkLFky ugha FksA ;s jFk izLrj f’kYi ds fofo/k :iksa dk f’k{k.k dsna z jgs gksx a As dykRed dkjhxjh blds fudV ,d vuks[kh dykd`fr gS tks izLrj f’kYi dk fo’o esa mRd`"V mnkgj.k gSA bls vtZuq riL;k ;k HkxhjFk riL;k ds uke ls tkuk tkrk gSA ;g 25 ehVj yach ,oa 12 QqV pkSMh+ ,dy pV~Vku ij Åij ls uhps rd] cM+& s cM+s vkdkjksa ls vyadr` gSA vax&izR;ax lqx<+ rFkk fo"k;kuqlkj Hkko&Hkafxek,a gSAa xgjkbZ ls mdsjh xbZ bl pV~Vku dk fo"k; /kkfeZd o ykSfdd vk[;ku gSA lalkj ds fo’kkyre ckl fjyhQ+ ds chp LokHkkfod iryh njkj gSA ;gka ls dHkh xaxkty cgrk FkkA njkj ds ,d fgLls esa dBksj ri ls gM~Mh dk <kapk cus ekuo dks fn[kk;k x;k gSA dqN yksx bls jktk HkxhjFk ekurs gSa rks dqN ikaMiq = q vtquZ ftlus f’ko ls ik’kqikr vL= izkIr djus ds fy, riL;k dh FkhA lkFk esa iap egkHkwrksa ds izrhd f’ko ds iapx.k lw;& Z pan]z fdUuj] ;{k vkSj xa/koZ fo|eku gSAa bl LFky dk Hkze.k djus ds i'pkr gesa iw.kZ :i ls Kkr gqvk fd gekjh laLd`fr fdruh le`) rFkk gekjs dkjhxj fdrus n{k gqvk djrs FksA

meax rjax

i;kZoj.k vuqdwy gksxk

nh;ksa dk R;kSgkj bl nhikoyh vki ladYi ysa fd jks’kuh dk ;g R;kSgkj vki bl izdkj ls euk,axs ftlls u rks okrkoj.k iznwf"kr gks rFkk u gh LokLF; ij nq"izHkko iM+s ys[k% nhfIr vaxjh"k

vk

i fo’ks"k gS]a rks meax o mYYkkl eukus ds vkids rjhds Hkh [k+kl gksx sa As fnokyh nLrd ns jgh gSA blds vk;kstu esa jhfr&fjokt+kas esa uohurk dk rM+d + k vkidks lcdh ut+jksa esa fo’ks"k cuk,xkA lp ;g gS fd blls dsoy vkidks ljkguk gh ugha feysxh vfirq vki lekt esa ,d tkx:d ukxfjd gksus dh felky cusx a As lky esa ,d ckj vkus okys nhiksRlo dk eryc ;g ugha gS fd vki vius mlwyksa ls f[kyokM+ djsAa ;k ;wa dgsa fd R;kSgkj ds cgkus fujad’q k gks tk,aA bl fnokyh vki gekjs lkFk ladYi ysa fd jks’kuh dk ;g R;kSgkj iVk[k+]s /kqvka] izn"w k.k] ’kksjxqy ugha cfYd lekt esa txex djrk mYYkkl fc[ksj+ x s kA vFkkZr i;kZoj.k vuqdy w fnokyh eukbZ tk,xhA nhikoyh lq[k] le`f) o

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[kqf’k;ksa dk R;kSgkj gSA O;atu o feBkbZ [kkdj vkSj nhi tykdj viuksa ds lkFk [kqf’k;ka ckaVAas iVk[k+kas dh xwt a ij yxke dlsa ojuk os cgjkiu dk dkj.k cudj] lkal dh chekfj;ka] Ik;kZoj.k nwf"kr djrs gq, Ik’kq&if{k;ks]a balku dks viax cuk ldrs gSAa bl [kqf’k;ksa ds R;kSgkj esa vki iz.k djsa fd i;kZoj.k lqjf{kr j[krs gq, fdlh dks gkfu u gks rkfd eaxy ds bl ioZ ij dksbZ veaxy u gksA nh;ksa dh e)e ykS ?kj&vkaxu dks bysfDVªd ykbVksa ;k >kyjksa ls jks’ku u djsAa bu >kyjksa ls fctyh dh [kir vf/kd gksrh gSA ;kuh dqN iyksa dh [kq’kh ds fy, Hkkjh&Hkjde fcy pqdkuk gksxkA blls cpus vkSj i;kZoj.k vuqdy w fnokyh eukus dk ikjaifjd rjhdk mfpr gSA vki tgka vius

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vkf’k;kus ds dksu& s dksus dks nh;ksa dh ykS ls jks’ku djsx a ]s ogha fctyh ds fcy esa o`f) ugha gksxhA nwljh vksj] blls vki nwljksa dh fnokyh dks izdk’keku djus dk ekSdk nsx a As ;k ;wa dgsa fd nh;ksa dh [k+jhnkjh ls nh;s cspus okys dh vkenuh c<+x s hA vkids jks’kuh ds t’u ls mudh nhikoyh Hkh izdk’ke; gksxhA ,d lykg] nh;s&ckrh dh [k+jhnkjh esa eksyHkko u djsAa nwljksa dks Hkh dqN dekus dk volj nsAa D;ksa gS u nhikoyh eukus dk csLV rjhdk! nhikoyh ij feV~Vh ds nhid tykus dh ijaijk jgh gS fdarq cnyrh thou’kSyh ds pyrs budh txg vc bysfDVªd nh;ksa us ys yh gSA blls fctyh dh T+;knk [k+ir gksrh gSA ,sls esa feV~Vh ds nh;s vkSj eksecfÙk;ka i;kZoj.k ds fe= gksus dh ftEesnkjh fuHkkrs gSAa lLrs gksus ds lkFk ;s LokHkkfod rjhds ls u"V Hkh gks tkrs gSAa lkFk gh ?kj dks Hkh ikjaifjd yqd nsrs gSAa vxj vki fctyh dh >kyj vkfn dk bLrseky djuk pkgrs gS]a rks lknh ykbV ds ctk; ,ybZMh ykbV dk iz;ksx dj ldrs gSAa blls ÅtkZ dh [kir Hkh de gksxh] jks’kuh Hkh T+;knk feysxhA bZdks ÝsM +a yh iVk[k+s ns’k esa fnokyh ij ,d fcfy;u MkWyj ds iVk[k+kas dk dkjksckj gksrk gSA ;g ’kks’ksckt+h o iSlksa dh cckZnh ds flok; dqN ugha gSA bUgsa tykrs le; iy Hkj dh [kq'kh feyrh gS fdarq izn"w k.k lkal ysuk eqf’dy dj nsrk gSA dbZ ckj iVk[k+kas dk ’kksj dku ds inksaZ ij nq"izHkko Mkyrk gSA lekt dks uqdlku igqp a kuk gekjk mn~n’s ; ugha gSA bl nhiksRlo ij izn"w k.k jfgr o fcuk ’kksj&’kjkcs okys iVk[k+kas ls [kqf’k;ka euk,aA çnw"k.k de djus dh lksp ds pyrs bl ckj ckt+kj esa bZdks&ÝsM +a yh iVk[ks+ is’k fd, x, gSAa fnokyh ds bl lhtu esa fo'ks"k iVk[k+kas dk cwe vk;k gSA bu iVk[k+kas dh [kwfc;ka ;s gSa fd bUgsa gkFk esa idM+dj pyk ldrs gSAa buls /kqv a k ugha fudyrk cfYd jax&fcjaxs dkx+tk+ as dh irafx;ka ;k FkekZdksy dh jaxhu xksfy;ka Q+Ookjs ds :i esa fudyrh gSAa nwljs iVk[k+kas ls vf/kd /kqvka fudkyrk gSA buls /kekdk Hkh cgqr rst+ gksrk gSA ;g /ofu ljdkjh ekud Msflcy dh rqyuk esa T+;knk gksrh gSA ;kn jgs vkidh ,d NksVh igy gekjh /kjrh dks cpkus esa ,d ;ksxnku fl) gksxhA vkils izfs jr gksdj dbZ vkSj yksx Hkh bZdks&ÝsM +a yh iVk[k+kas dk iz;ksx djsx a As blls i`Foh dks cpkus esa lQyrk feysxhA D;ksa gS u fnokyh eukus dk ;g uk;kc xzhu rjhdk!

Qwyksa ls egdk,a ?kj dk dksuk&dksuk tc rd ltk;k ugha tkrk] rc rd nhiksRlo dh meaxksa ls ?kj ugha txexkrkA vHkh rd vki blds fy, IykfLVd ds Qwy] vkfVZfQ+f’k;y o pedhyh >kyjks]a yfM+;kas o Qwyksa dk iz;ksx djrs jgs gSAa vki tkurs gSa fd ltkoV dk ;g rjhdk Hkys gh lqna j

Kkuo/kZd tkudkjh vkerkSj ij ,d O;fDr 60 Msflcy rd vkokt+ lqu ldrk gSA blds ckn gj 3 Msflcy vkokt+ dh o`f) [k+rjukd lkfcr gksrh gSA lqryh ce ls 115 Msflcy ls Hkh T+;knk ’kksj gksrk gSA ,d v/;;u ds vuqlkj fnokyh ds nkSjku T+;knk ’kksj Jo.k ’kfDr dks {kfr igqapkrk gSA fo’o LokLF; laxBu ds vuqlkj nqfu;k ds lcls çnwf"kr 20 ’kgjksa esa ns’k ds 13 ’kgj gSaA fnokyh ds fnuksa esa rks ok;q çnw"k.k dbZ xquk c<+ tkrk gSA lkFk gh nwljs fnu ’kgj dh lM+dksa ij dbZ ehfVªd Vu vfrfjDr dpjk Hkh feyrk gSA iVk[k+ksa ds çnw"k.k ls nek] fexhZ o dSalj dk [k+rjk c<+ tkrk gSA mPp jDrpki o ân;jksx ds ejht+ iVk[ks+ QwVus ls vlgt gks tkrs gSaA blesa Hkjk lhlk o ikjk fdMuh] Qs+Q+M+ksa o uoZl flLVe dks {kfr igqapkrk gSA

yxrk gks ysfdu i`Foh ds fy, ?kkrd lkfcr gksrk gSA ;s ltkoVh pht+as u"V ugha gksrhaA okrkoj.k dks nwf"kr djrh jgrh gSAa bu ij yxke ugha yxkbZ tk, rks buls fudyus okys v?kqyu’khy rŸo chekfj;ksa dks U;kSrk nsrs gSAa bl nhikoyh ij gesa buls iwjh rjg ls nwjh cjruh gSA ltkoV ds fy, vkaxu o gj dejs dh ngyht+ dks rkts+ Qwyksa o vke ds iŸkksa ls egdkuk gSA vkaxu dks jaxksyh ls ltkus ds fy, Hkh rkts+ Qwyksa dh ifŸk;ksa dk iz;ksx djsAa bl ltkoV ls nks ykHk gksx a As ,d rks okrkoj.k LoPN jgsxk] nwljk vkidh esgur ls [kqf’k;ksa ds bl ekSds ij vius vkSj djhc vk,axAs bl ckj ltkoV cukoVh oLrqvksa ls ugha vfirq izkd`frd pht+kas ls dh tk,xhA izdf` r ls izfs jr migkj vki ltx ukxfjd gSAa okrkoj.k lqjf{kr j[kuk pkgrs gSAa blds fy, migkj Lo:i vki izdf` r ls izfs jr oLrqvksa dk gh vknku&iznku djsAa feykoVh [kks;s ls cuha feBkb;ksa ls nwj jgsAa blls vkidh vkSj vkids viuksa dh lsgr Bhd jgsxhA [kqf’k;ksa ds ekSds ij migkj nsus ds fy, izkd`frd oLrqvksa ds dbZ fodYi ekStnw gS]a tSls vkWxfZs ud feBkb;ka] vkWxfZs ud Q+y] pkWdysV] gSM a esM dSM a y] gSM a esM ySia ’ksM] vkWxfZs ud lkefxz;ksa ls cuh dkWQh+ ] pk;] csdjh mRikn] gcZy ’khry is; o twl vkfnA lkFk gh bldk Hkh iz.k ysa fd vki t:jreanksa dh vo’; enn djsx a As vki lk/ku&laiUu gSa fdarq ftu yksxksa ds ikl dqN ugha gS mudh D;k fnokyh] D;k gksyh\ ioZ eukus dk ;g u;k vankt+ vkidks t+:j yqHkk,xkA t+:jreanksa dh enn ls vkidks vkRe larks"k dh izkfIr gksxhA R;kSgkj ds volj ij vki ?kj dk lkeku cnyus dh lksp jgs gSa rks iqjkuk lkeku cspdj equkQ+k dekus dh u lkspAas ?kj dh iqjkuh phts+a o iqjkuk lkeku t:jreanksa dks ns nsAa mUgsa [kqf’k;ka iznku djsAa nwljksa dks [kq’kh nsuk gh R;kSgkjksa dh vlyh [kq’kh gSA vkidks crk nsa fd dbZ xSj ljdkjh laxBu iqjkus diM+]s lkeku vkfn vkWuykbu Hkh ysrs gSAa iqjkuk lkeku fdlh vkSj ds psgjs ij [kqf’k;ka yk,] fnokyh eukus dk blls vPNk vkSj dksbZ mik; gks gh ugha ldrkA

meax rjax

fQ+Yeh flrkjksa dh fnokyh e'kgwj gfLr;ksa us bl fo'ks"k ioZ dks eukus dh rS;kjh vHkh ls gh dj yh gSA vkb, tkusa fdl izdkj ls eukrs gSa os jks'kuh dk ;g R;kSgkj ys[k% nhid nqvk

,s’o;kZ jk; cPpu

j.kohj flag

fnokyh eSa ikjaifjd :i ls vius ifjokj] nksLrksa vkSj fç;tuksa ds lkFk eukuk ilan djrh gwAa eq>s cpiu ls gh bl rjg ls fnokyh eukuk ilan gSA oSls esjs ifjokj esa lHkh yksx fQ+Yeh nqfu;k dh O;Lr gfLr;ka gSa ysfdu ge ges’kk lkFk esa fnokyh eukus ds fy, le; fudky ysrs gSAa cpiu ls gh ;g esjk ilanhnk R;kSgkj jgk gSA eq>s ;kn gS fd bl fnu eSa viuh eEeh ds lkFk feydj iwjs ?kj dks ltk;k djrh FkhA vc Hkh eSa viuh ns[kjs[k esa gh ?kj dks ltkus dk dke djrh gwAa

gekjs ;gka ijaijk jgh gS fd fnokyh ds ekSds ij ge lc esjh ukuh ds ?kj ij ,df=r gksrs gSaA ogka nhikoyh ds volj ij ,d cgqr cM+h Q+Sfeyh ikVhZ gksrh gSA blesa leLr ifjokj ds lHkh lnL; lfEefyr gksrs gSaA lHkh yksx feydj /keky djrs gSaA feydj iwtk djrs gSaA iVk[k+ksa dk eq>s cpiu ls gh cgqr ’kkSd jgk gSA eSa vkt Hkh [+kwc iVk[ks+ QksM+rk gwaA iVk[k+ksa ds lkFk&lkFk eq>s rjg&rjg dh feBkb;ka [kkuk Hkh cgqr ilan gSA

nhfidk iknqdks.k

fnokyh dks eSa vius fy, cgqr ’kqHk ekurh gwa D;ksafd bl ioZ ds ekSds ij gh esjh igyh fQ+Ye ^vkse ’kkafr vkse* fjyht+ gqbZ Fkh vkSj fgV Hkh gqbZ FkhA fQ+j nks lky igys esjh fQ+Ye ^gSIih U;w bZ;j* Hkh fnokyh ij gh vkbZ FkhA blfy, pkgs dqN gks tk,] eSa fnokyh t+:j /kwe/kke ls eukrh gwaA bl R;kSgkj ds fy, eSa fo’ks"k :i ls ikjaifjd fMt+kbu okyk lwV ysrh gwaA mlls eSp djrh Tosyjh [k+jhnrh gwaA vius ?kj dks [+kwclwjr <ax ls ltkrh gwa vkSj nh;s tykrh gwaA

jkspd

rF; 98 |

- vDVwcj 2016

dkyh dh iwtk

leLr mŸkj Hkkjr esa tgka y{eh dh iwtk dh tkrh gS ogha ns'k ds iwohZ jkT;ksa esa yksx thou esa vkus okyh vM+puksa ds fuokj.k ds fy, eka dkyh dh Lrqfr djrs gaSA

_frd jks’ku

eSa tks’k ds lkFk fnokyh eukrk gwaA eSa iVk[ks+ NksM+rk gwa vkSj <sj lkjh feBkb;ka [kkrk gwaA iVk[ks+ eSa cgqr laHkydj NksM+rk gwaA cpiu esa eSa cgqr ’kjkjrh FkkA fnokyh vkus ij eSa nhokuk gks tkrk FkkA fnokyh ds ,d lIrkg igys ls gh eSa vius nksLrksa ds lkFk iVk[ks+ NksM+uk ’kq: dj nsrk FkkA ,d ckj fnokyh ij j‚dsV NksM+ jgk Fkk tks lh/ks iM+ksl esa jgus okyh ,d vkaVh ds ?kj esa tk ?kqlk Fkk vkSj muds u, insZ ty x,A rc ls eSaus j‚dsV NksM+us ls rkSck dj yhA

eks{k dh izkfIr

fnokyh ds NBs fnu egkohj dks eks{k dh izkfIr gqbZ FkhA blfy, fganqvksa ds vfrfjDr tSu /keZ ds yksxksa ds fy, Hkh bl R;ksgkj dk cgqr egŸo gksrk gSA www.railbandhu.in

fl[kksa esa egŸo

xq# gj xksfoan flag dks Xokfy;j fdys ls tgkaxhj }kjk fjgk djus ij fl[k leqnk; ds yksx bl fnu canh NksM+ fnol eukrs gSaA

y{eh dk okgu

ns'k ds dqN fgLlksa esa O;kikjh leqnk; ds yksx /ku&laifŸk ds fy, y{eh ds okgu mYyw dh Hkh iwtk djrs gSaA