OCTOBER 2017
VOL 7
ISSUE 6
The on-board m agazine of Indi an railways
Heralding a new era Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project transforms India-Japan relationship THE MAGAZINE IS FOR ON-BOARD READING only. KINDLY DO NOT TAKE AWAY. READ IT ONLINE AT WWW.RAILBANDHU.IN or download the railbandhu app on your device.
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MINISTER'S MESSAGE
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6 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
www.railbandhu.in
CONTENTS
TRAVEL
RAIL UPDATE
30 LEAD STORY
Explore the different art forms of the State of Uttar Pradesh
28
48
ENTRY TICKET
CABIN CONVERSATION
Plan your trips around these days and events
20
22
Railwaysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; athletes making India proud with medals
IR conducted a nation-wide cleanliness drive
Actor Huma Qureshi shares her train-related memories
CULTURE
54
62
HERITAGE HALT
SILVER RAKE
Admire the magnificent architectural wonder of Konark Sun Temple 8 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
Discover the iconic fictional character of Feluda through the eyes of Satyajit Ray www.railbandhu.in
66
TALE SPIN
Bhilwara in Rajasthan is the perfect mix of history and beauty
S to r i e S t h at m at t e r
Bringing you the best and latest from the worlds of lifestyle, travel, entertainment and news
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LiSticaLS & e-commerce
Quiz/PoLLS
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inFLuencer network camPaignS
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For advertisement queries, please contact storycrux@maxposure.in
CONTENTS
DISCOVER
LIFESTYLE
70
76
ART CONNECT
A creative makeover of a government school building in Kerala
HOT PICKS
Celebrate the festive season with select Diwali gifting options
83
thou 'kSyh
STAR TRACKER Your tarot predictions for this month
85
92
SHORT TAKES
Movies to watch this month
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OCTOBER 2017
VOL 7
ISSUE 6
ThE On-BOaRd m agazInE Of IndI an RaILwayS
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Heralding a new era Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project transforms India-Japan relationship THE MAGAZINE IS FOR ON-BOARD READING ONLy. KINDLy DO NOT TAKE AWAy. READ IT ONLINE AT WWW.RAILBANDHU.IN OR DOWNLOAD THE RAILBANDHU App ON yOUR DEvIcE.
;g if=dk dsoy Vªus esa i<+us ds fy, gSA d`i;k lkFk u ys tk,aA RB Oct cover Modi-Japan.indd 1
WWW.RAILBANDHU.IN ij
vkWuykbu i<+as ,oa jsy ca/kq ,i MkmuyksM djsAa 10/11/17 12:23 PM
ON THE COVER The bullet train project revolutionises the train travel in India
RAIL ACHIEVEMENT
INDIA’S FIRST
HIGH SPEED RAILWAY PROJECT
This Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) project (popularly known as the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train) is a visionary project which will herald a new era of safety, speed and service for the people and help Indian Railways to become an international leader in scale, speed and skill
RAIL ACHIEVEMENT
MAKE IN INDIA
One of the prime objectives of the project is
Make in India,
which is to be realised before commissioning of the project.
As per the agreement between Governments, the MAHSR Project has ‘Make in India’ & ‘Transfer of technology’ objectives. Under the guidance of task force (DIPP and Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO)), action is being taken as per accepted concept paper guidelines.
The Make in India objective will also ensure that most of the amount invested in this project would be spent and utilised within India.
In addition, 300 young officials of Indian Railways are being trained in Japan to give them exposure in High Speed Track Technology. 14 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
Active interactions are already taking place between the industries of
Four sub-groups with representatives from Indian industry, Japanese industry, DIPP, NHSRCL & JETRO to identify potential items & subsystems for Make in India.
A dedicated High Speed Rail Training Institute is being developed at Vadodara. This institute will be fully equipped with equipment and facilities as are existing at the training institute in Japan. This institute will be functional by the end of 2020 and will train about
4,000
staff in next three years.
India and Japan. It is expected that many joint ventures will be formed in the time to come to take up manufacturing of various components including rolling stock. This will not only benefit the Indian Industry with new technology but will also create several job opportunities within the country.
The construction sector in India will also get a big boost not only in terms of investment but also with respect to new technology and work culture. www.railbandhu.in
Keeping in view the long-term plan for human resource development, Government of Japan has also offered
20
seats per year for Masters course from the universities of Japan, for serving Indian Railway officials. This programme is fully funded by Government of Japan.
CUTTING EDGE VERSUS CATCH UP TECHNOLOGY The project is set to provide reliable and comfortable service with high standards of safety. The technology regarding disaster predictions and preventions will also be acquired as a part of the project.
With the presence and availability of this technology, India will leapfrog to the cutting edge of latest train developments with passengers able to reach their destination in 2 hours as against the current 7-8 hours by train.
As the engineering staff learns the latest technology, it will also help in developing the same in India. For high speed project, country is getting a cutting-edge technology in totality. The Shinkansen Technology is known for its reliability and safety and is proven for more than 50 years. The train delay record of Shinkansen is less than a minute with zero fatality.
Other high speed corridors which are being reviewed are Delhi Kolkata, Delhi- Mumbai, Mumbai-Chennai, DelhiChandigarh, MumbaiNagpur, Delhi-Nagpur. All these corridors will also be able to operate high speed trains in the future. For this, the Ministry of Railways has constituted the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited, which is also implementing this MAHSR project.
SALIENT FEATURES OF HIGH SPEED RAIL PROJECT LOW COST, HIGH SPEED
1 Cost estimated at `1,08,000 crore-entire corridor elevated for safety and land economy.
2 Project funded by a loan on terms which tantamount to a grant.
3 81% of the project cost by Japanese soft loan at 0.1% per annum with repayment period 50 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;including grace period of 15 years.
4 First time in India that an infrastructure project is being funded under such favourable terms. Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 15
RAIL ACHIEVEMENT
SALIENT FEATURES OF HIGH SPEED RAIL PROJECT OVERVIEW
KEY FEATURES
HSR: Defined as Railway Systems Running Trains at Speeds in excess of 250 kmph. Presently, available in 15 countries.
Length 508km (approx.), doubleline through two states, Maharashtra (156km) and Gujarat (351km) and UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli (2km).
India was a lone exception among major passenger railway systems not to have one. Longest tunnel
21 km
Feasibility study undertaken by Japanese consultants in December 2013 and report submitted in July 2015
Recommendation of Empowered Committee for Innovative Collaborations (Chaired by Vice Chairman,NITI Aayog) and sanction by Cabinet in December, 2015.
switch 7km undersea (Thane Creek). 12 stations: Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, Sabarmati. Underground station Mumbai, all others elevated. Maximum Design Speed
350 kmph Planned completion by
December, 2023
320 kmph Journey Time: 2.07hrs (limited stops), 2.58hrs (stopping at stations) vis-a-vis existing train travel time of 7-8 hours
All-out efforts will be made to complete it by 15th August, 2022
16 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
Maximum Operating speed of
www.railbandhu.in
SALIENT FEATURES OF HIGH SPEED RAIL PROJECT
BEST TECH AVAILABLE TO INDIA
01 04
Shinkansen Technology is known for reliability and safety with proven track record of more than 50 years Reliable and comfortable services
05
02
Introducing Indian Railways to the select club of countries having the state-of-the-art technology
Project comes with technical support and hand-holding of the Japanese and will ensure complete transfer of knowhow to Indians for future projects
03 06
Punctuality record is less than a minute with zero fatality
High Speed Rail Training Institute at Vadodara to train 4,000 staff for operations and maintenance
Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 17
RAIL ACHIEVEMENT
SALIENT FEATURES OF HIGH SPEED RAIL PROJECT
BOOST TO ECONOMY & EMPLOYMENT
1
5
20,000 construction jobs
4
2 3
Boost to Urban and Industrial development along the corridor
Capacity building for other high speed projects
Ease of travel between cities and enormous capacity for commuting
4,000 direct employment for operations and 20,000 indirect jobs too
GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY Project commencement function at Sabarmati on Sep 14, 2017 by Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister and H.E. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, marked the commencement of the Project and laying of the foundation stone for the High Speed training Institute at Vadodara
18 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
www.railbandhu.in
SALIENT FEATURES OF HIGH SPEED RAIL PROJECT
Land acquisition-ROW requirement is under finalisation.
Social Impact Assessment (SIA) consultant for Gujarat and Maharashtra appointed.
3
4 General Consultant (GC) & Environment Consultant appointed.
5
Geo-technical investigations substantially completed.
Ground Survey completed using Aerial LiDAR Technique.
2
6
1 National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited, incorporated with equity by Ministry of Railways, Governments of Gujarat and Maharashtra in February 2016.
7 PROJECT STATUS: MAJOR PROGRESS MADE
Schedule of Dimensions (SOD) and Manual of Standards and Specifications for track, tunnels, bridges, signalling, telecom and OCC finalised.
Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 19
RAIL ACHIEVEMENT
Lifting
GOLD in Style The months of August and September have been outstanding for Railway athletes representing their country at the world stage. From weightlifting, powerlifting, boxing, swimming to track and field events, these athletes have made India proud with many medals and achievements 20 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
L
ast few weeks brought a lot of pride and glory for Indian Railways’ athletes both at the national and international stage. At the grand stage of the 57th National Open Athletics Championship, held in Chennai in September, IR Women’s athletic team convincingly won the Team Championship and the Men’s team too managed to be the runner-up. This is the 46th time that the IR Women’s team has won the championship. Railways’ L Surya clinched the gold in women’s 5000m while Chinta Yadav also from the Railways team clinched the silver medal. Yadav was also declared the Best Women Athlete in the National Championship. A number of IR athletes also won gold and qualified for the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2018 to be held in Gold Coast, Australia. Sivalingam Sathish Kumar,
Ragala Venkat Rahul and Pardeep Singh won gold medals in their respective weight divisions. Railways star weightlifter Rahul made several new records during this performance. His total standout lift of 351kg, including 156kg in snatch and 195kg in clean & jerk, left the onlookers spellbound. He competed in both senior and junior men’s categories. Meanwhile, Sathish, who won gold in the Commonwealth Games 2014, lifted 148kg in snatch and 172kg in clean & jerk for a total effort of 320kg in senior men’s 77kg. Gaurav Bidhuri, NCR
Boxer
He has won Bronze Medal in the World Boxing Championship-2017 held at Hamburg (Germany) from Aug 25 to Sept 03, 2017.
Deepti Panwar, WR
Aquatic player
She has won One Silver and One Bronze Medal in the 9th Asian Age Group Diving Championship held at Tashkent (Uzbekistan) from September 8-12, 2017.
Northern Railways’ athlete Pardeep Singh and Gurdeep Singh of Central Railways won gold and bronze in their respective weight divisions. Pardeep finished on the top of podium after lifting 147kg in snatch and 195kg in clean & jerk for a total of 342kg in 105kg category. In the process, Pardeep also overhauled the national senior record in the snatch event. Gurdeep Singh (+105 kg) lifted an overall total of 371kg (171kg + 200kg) to settle for third place. He also created a new record in the snatch section. If the men were winning gold, the women athletes of Railways too made their presence felt. Saikhom Mirabai Chanu and K Sanjita Chanu both made the country proud by winning gold medals and qualifying for Commonwealth Games 2018. Mirabai lifted 85kg in snatch and 104kg in clean & jerk for an overall total of 189kg to finish on top of the podium in women’s 48kg weight division. Like her male counterparts, she too broke the national record in the snatch event with her 85kg lift. Sanjita too qualified by finishing on top in the women’s 53kg weight division. Following Sanjita’s lead, another Railways athlete, M Santoshi booked herself the second place in the same category. Several other athletes too qualified for the competition ahead. Former bronze medalist (Commonwealth Games 2014) Punam Yadav won silver while Saraswati Rout and Vandna Gupta won bronze in their respective weight divisions.
Following Indian Railways (M&W) Weightlifting players had represented country in the Commonwealth Senior (M&W) Weightlifting (Qualify event for 2018 Commonwealth Games) Championship held at Gold Coast City, Australia from September 2-9, 2017 and won the following medals: S. Satish Kumar - SR
Gold
R.V. Rahul - SCR
Gold
Pardeep Singh - NR
Gold
Gurdeep Singh - CR
Bronze
S. Mirabai Chanu - NFR
Gold
Kh. Sanjita Chanu - NFR
Gold
M. Santoshi - ECoR
Silver
Saraswati Rout - NER
Bronze
Vandna Gupta - NER
Bronze
Punam Yadav - NER
Silver
The following Indian Railways Powerlifting players had represented the country in the Commonwealth Power lifting & Bench-press Championship held at South Korea from September 10-17, 2017 and won the following medals:V. Vignesh Kumar - SECR
Gold
Pardeep Malik - NR
Bronze
Aranya Gogai - NFR
Gold
Mamta Rana - NWR
Silver
Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 21
RAIL ACHIEVEMENT
‘SWACHHATA HI SEVA’ drive by Indian Railways
Indian Railways’ decisive battle for cleanliness and hygiene has got a fillip through Swachhata Hi Seva, ‘Cleanliness is Service’, which draws attention to making sanitation a shared responsibility
T
he objective behind this initiative is to spread wider awareness on sanitation and cleanliness in rail premises and make hygiene a habit amongst the travelling public drive was conducted in response to the nationwide cleanliness drive
22 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
conducted by Indian Railways in view of the Swachhata Hi Seva-Sramadhan conducted by Central Government on cleanliness from September 15 to October 2. Swachh Bharat Diwas was observed on October 2 to mark the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
(Clockwise from top) Railway officials undertook a cleaning exercise in station premises as part of the nationwide Swachhata hi Seva (Cleanliness is Service) programme
Artists performed Nukkad Natak showcasing â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Swachhata hi Sevaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; theme at several railway stations to build awareness regarding cleanliness amongst the passengers
Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 23
RAIL ACHIEVEMENT
Ensuring
SAFETY A
high-level meeting on Railways Safety was held in Mumbai on September 30, 2017, under the chairmanship of Honâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ble Minister of Railways, Shri Piyush Goyal to comprehensively review Safety measures in Mumbai Suburban Railways as well as entire Indian Railways. Various major decisions were taken in the meeting, wherein passenger safety
has been accorded the highest priority. Accordingly, several important decisions were taken to empower Railway officers to take strong measures to improve passenger safety and security. It is hoped that these steps will lead to improvement in the functioning and operations of railways to ensure improvement in the standards of safety. Shri Ashwani Lohani - Chairman, Railway Board, and senior railway board members were also present in this meeting.
RAIL ACHIEVEMENT
VARIOUS MAJOR DECISIONS TAKEN DURING HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON RAILWAYS SAFETY Additional
escalators
sanctioned at crowded Mumbai suburban stations and thereafter for all high traffic stations.
Foot Over Bridges (FOBs), platforms and pathways on platform end to have the highest priority as Safety items with no budgetary restriction.
For next 18 months,
General Managers Within the next 15 months, CCTV cameras will be installed in all suburban trains in Mumbai with monitoring mechanism. This shall be done in parallel across India as well.
have been delegated powers without limit for safety related issues. Financial Commissioner (FC) to be intimated within a week of sanction for provision and FC to respond within 15 days.
Station Directors at
75
stations all over India to bring dynamism in operations.
200
officers to be relocated from headquarters to field to strengthen ground operations and project implementation. 26 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
Posting brilliant and enthusiastic
Delegation of financial and administration powers to field units by next two weeks to reduce red tape and push development and delivery. www.railbandhu.in
Mrs. Arunima Lohani, President, RWWCO, distributing gifts to young artists
Budding Artists The children showcased their talent at the painting competition organised by RWWCO at Rail Bhawan
W
ith a view to encourage artistic talent amongst the children of rail-fraternity, Railway Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Welfare Central Organisation (RWWCO) annually organises an All India Railway Drawing & Painting Competition for the wards of railwaymen. The event was organised on September 10, 2017 in Rail Bhawan and was supervised by Mrs. Arunima Lohani, President, RWWCO. The children expressed their thoughts on various topics through their brush strokes.
QUICK FACT RWWCO is the Apex Body of a network of similar such Railway Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Welfare Organisations at Zonal and Divisional levels, along with Railway Production Units all over the country.
Children showcasing their drawing skills
Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 27
ENTRY TICKET
block your dates Special days and events that call for a quick trip to be a part of them
DIWALI (OCTOBER 19, 2017) The festival of lights marks the last harvest of the year. The festivities include Laxmi Puja in the evening to seek divine blessings of Goddess of wealth, variety of fireworks, diyas, candles and exchange of gifts. Venue: Pan India How to reach: The best places to experience the celebrations of Diwali are Varanasi and Amritsar. The places are wellconnected to other parts of the country by rail.
QADIR ALI BAIG THEATRE FESTIVAL (OCTOBER 27- NOVEMBER 5, 2017) The 10-day festival features a host of plays from across the country and overseas. Plays by renowned writers and a special live performance headlined by Anoushka Shankar and her orchestra from London comprise the mesmerising line up of the theatre extravaganza. Venue: Hyderabad How to reach: The railheads connect Hyderabad to all major Indian cities.
28 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
FLOW DREAMS (OCTOBER 6-9, 2017)
NA MONE LAAGE NA (OCTOBER 12, 2017)
The exhibition is a dance of colours on canvas setting its own rules and creative pattern. It is a treasure-house of images tumbling into each other, colours spilling, merging, fading, gushing into infinite forms, revealing the infinite possibilities of life.
This photography exhibition by Sanjay Bhattacharyya promises to be an unforgettable ensemble of human emotions and evocations. The show will exhibit the profound impact of travel on the artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life and the truth that an artist can also unconsciously be a brilliant photographer.
Venue: India Habitat Centre, New Delhi How to reach: The capital of India is well-connected to all the major cities of the country by a dense rail network. www.railbandhu.in
Venue: India Habitat Centre, New Delhi How to reach: A dense railway network connects Delhi to the all destinations in India.
DISCIPLINES
PROGRAMS OFFERED
B. Com. (Hons.)
in Journalism, English & Psychology
, Physics
MFA
in Bharathanatyam & Kuchipudi
M. Sc. M. Phil. (Integrated)
M. Sc. Ph. D. (Integrated)
Faculty & Staff
Khurja
Kannauj Lucknow Nizamabad
Map not to scale
Bhadohi Varanasi
Lucknow
Varanasi
Bhadohi
Famed for its Nawabi era and amazing food, Lucknow is a unique mix of the ancient and the modern.
Varanasi is the land where experience and discovery reach the ultimate bliss.
Carpet weaving is an important cultural expression of Uttar Pradesh practised in Bhadohi.
Know more
on page no. 32
30 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
Know more
Know more
on page no. 34
on page no. 36
LEAD STORY
UTTAR PRADESH A Rainbow Land
I had been to other countries - in Europe, Asia and the Middle East - but none of them had provided even half as much variety, or so much to see and experience and remember, as this one State in northern India. You can travel from one end of Australia to the other and would notice a colourless uniformity which is apparent in many other countries of the world, both East and West. But Uttar Pradesh is a world in itself. - Ruskin Bond
Khurja
Nizamabad
Kannauj
Khurja is known for glazed pottery with white background and blue and green patterns.
Nizamabad produces some of the finest Chunar black clay pottery inlaid with silver paint.
The town is known globally for its perfume production from flowers and natural resources.
Know more
Know more
Know more
on page no. 38
on page no. 40
on page no. 42
Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 31
Khurja
LEAD STORY
Kannauj
Lucknow Nizamabad Bhadohi Varanasi
Lucknow
The magic of Chikankari Popularly known as shadow work, Chikankari embroidery is a very delicate and intricate work from the city of Lucknow. A skill more than 200 years old, the embroidery is famous for its timeless grace ethereal essence, the delicacy and lightness of pattern, the minuteness of the stitches and the rich textures, lights and shadows of the whole. As per a popular narrative, the credit for introducing the art of Chikan embroidery to Lucknow goes to the Mughal Empress Nur Jahan, who was of Persian lineage. She was so enchanted with the jaali and delicate flowery designs from Isfahan, the Persian capital celebrated for the exquisite ornamentations on its buildings, that she ordered these designs to be replicated on wooden blocks, printed on cloth and embroidered on finest muslin. THE EMBROIDERY PROCESS The Lucknow chikankari technique can be divided in two parts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the pre- and the post-preparation stages. The pre-work involves determining of the design and engraving the same onto wooden block stamps. These stamps are then used for block printing the design onto the cloth with the help of neel and safeda dyes. The cloth is then cut according to the form that the garment is supposed to take. Then comes the embroidery process, where the fabric is set in a small frame, part by part, and needlework begins to trace the ink patterns. The type of stitches used depends on the type and size of the motifs. Some of the most popular stitches are the backstitch, chain stitch and hemstitch. 32 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
How to reach Charbagh Railway Station of Lucknow is one of the two main railway stations of Lucknow city for broad gauge trains. The city is well connected to other major cities of the country via regular trains. www.railbandhu.in
CHANGE IN TRADITION Started as a white-on-white embroidery form, over the past two centuries, Lucknow Chikan has evolved several distinct forms and embraced the use of colours. Initially, the favoured fabric was muslin as it was best suited to the warm, slightly humid climate. Today, the fabric has been swapped for lighter fabrics like cotton, silk, chiffon, organza and net. Floral patterns and chikankari go hand in hand. Due to its strong Persian influence, flowers have always been a staple with stems, buti and leaves added in to complete the design. Other motifs include embellishments like Mukaish, Kamdani, Badla as well as sequin, bead and mirror work, all of which give the simple work a richer look.
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Khurja
LEAD STORY
Kannauj Lucknow Nizamabad Bhadohi
Varanasi
Varanasi
The Colour Palette of UP Varanasi has long been famous for its Brocades and Saris. The weavers of Varanasi are internationally renowned for creating some of the most beautiful masterpieces. Banaras silk is mentioned in the Rig Veda and Buddhist history texts, which, together with images from the Mughal court, provide clues to its evolution. Embroidered silk material from Varanasi has been one of the most popular art forms from the Mughal period (16th century). The exquisite fabric is produced by weaving with warp & weft threads of different colours. THE WEAVERS The Sarai Mohana village is the weaversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; village known for its silk weaving. The Banarasi saris made by these weavers are known as the finest saris in India. A tour of the village offers a sneak peek into the craftsmanship of the weavers with their dissimilar design. The weavers work hard on designing these saris to maintain their individuality. A masterpiece of the sari requires 15 days to one month and sometimes up to six months to complete. DESIGN Banarasi Saris are known for their pictorial stories; the motifs on saris present a history book of influences â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Persian and Mughal and Hindu culture. One can find motifs like asharfi (coin-shape), gaindaphool (marigold flower), chand-tara (moon and star), lateefa (floral bouquet), etc. Based on the type of motif or pattern weaved on to the textile, various varieties of Banarasi saris are available. Top fashion designers of India have also come together to recreate the magic of Banarasi weaves with a contemporary twist. They help in reviving and sustaining this age old tradition. 34 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
How to reach Varanasi is served by three major railway stations: Varanasi Junction, Manduadih Railway Station and Mughal Sarai Junction. There are multiple daily services to cities including Delhi, Agra, Lucknow, Mumbai and Kolkata. www.railbandhu.in
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Khurja
LEAD STORY
Kannauj Lucknow Nizamabad
Bhadohi
Varanasi
Bhadohi
The Carpet City The home to the largest hand-knotted carpet weaving industry, Bhadohi has carved a niche in the weaving industry through the most famous types and intriguing designs. Also known as the ‘Carpet City’, the place is the biggest carpet manufacturing centre in India.
How to reach The town has its own Railway Station named as Bhadohi Railway Station which is connected to the major cities of the state. It has regular trains with the cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, Howrah, Lucknow and Varanasi.
The weaving of carpets dates back to the 16th century during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. The Iranian weavers stopped at Madhosingh village in Bhadohi while travelling to India. They had subsequently set up looms and manufactured the first carpet in the country. The place is a hub of various types of carpets including Cotton Dhurries, Chhapra Mir carpets, Abusan, Persian, Loribaft, IndoGabbeh and the recent shaggy type carpets. Bhadohi is not just famous for woollen carpets, the weavers also use twisted cotton
threads for producing handmade carpets. The hand-knotted carpet manufactured on a vertical wooden loom is one the most prominent ones. The designs depict flowers, animals, garden and tree in various hues and shades to liven up the space. The process of carpet making is not an easy task. It involves a number of steps like picking and sorting, carding and spinning, dyeing, weaving, trimming and washing. The desired design is a cue for choosing the colour of the dye. The dyed yarns are then weaved into carpets on the looms present in weavers’ home or weaving looms taken on rent on contract basis. The speciality of carpets in Bhadohi is their individual design developed by native weavers which has been famous worldwide since age.
QUICK FACTS Indian Institute of Carpet technology in Bhadohi is a unique institute in Asia offering courses related to carpet and textile. USA, UK, Canada and many European countries are the major markets for Indian carpets.
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Khurja
LEAD STORY
Kannauj Lucknow Nizamabad Bhadohi Varanasi
Khurja
Land of Potters When nearly 400 factories, making ceramic items, such as sanitary goods, electrical goods, tableware and decorative ware dot a place, you know you are in Khurja! Considered one of the oldest Pottery Centres, the art of pottery of the places has two tales to tell. One legend says that Afghan King, Taimur Lung accompanied Egyptian and Syrian potters during his campaign in the Khurja region over 500 years ago. The second legend states that potters had been moved to the region during Mughal Empire. Several steps go into making the beautiful pieces of art. Initially, the clay batter is created and made into circular sheets which are churned to a uniform mix. The mix is made into cakes and transferred to hand set into different moulds to give it shapes of mugs, bowls, etc. The clay form is taken out from the cavity and taken to the artists who add colour to the pieces. The paint is then left to dry and further sent to kiln for baking. The pottery is done with relief work using earth colours like
orange, brown, and terracotta on to a white background. The new contemporary designs have also fetched a lot of buyers. If you are a pottery lover, Khurja is a must-visit for you.
How to reach Khurja Junction railway station is an important station on the New Delhi â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Aligarh Junction main line. There are regular trains from other major cities of the country to Khurja. 38 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
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Khurja
LEAD STORY
Kannauj Lucknow
Nizamabad Bhadohi Varanasi
How to reach Azamgarh Railway Station is the major railway station to reach Nizamabad. Phariha Railway Station and Sarai Rani Railway Station are the nearby railway stations to Nizamabad.
Nizamabad
Unique Art of the town The state of Uttar Pradesh is littered with treasure trove that has an interesting historic trail, once such fine example is the pottery craftsmen of Nizamabad town in the Azamgarh District of Uttar Pradesh. The pottery is famous for its illustrious black sheen and rich history. The distinctive colour can be credited to the process in which the articles are fired in enclosed kiln with rice husks. The smoke generated in the process imparts the black colour. Designs are etched on the dry surface, which are then filled with silver paint that is made from zinc and mercury. To lend a glossy look to the products, some vessels are coated with lacquer when they are hot. The final work stands out for its striking design of flowing silver floral pattern. The potters make tea-pots, sugar-bowls and other decorative articles. The earthen 40 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
DID YOU KNOW
The famed black clay pottery of Nizamabad in Azamgarh district has joined the league of Geographical Indication (GI) tagged products. The GI tag is given to an agricultural, natural or manufactured product to indicate its specific geographical location or point of origin. The tag ensures that none other than those authorised are allowed to use the product name. www.railbandhu.in
wares and statues of Gods and Goddesses particularly of Ganesh, Laxmi, Shiva, Durga and Saraswati are also made. This unique art has its roots in the Kutch region of Gujarat, where itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s believed to have been brought to Nizamadad during the Mughal Emperor Muhi-ud-Din Muhammad era almost 400 years ago. The Mughal Emperor invited the potters from Gujarat to come and live in Hanumantgarh city, the name was later changed to Nizamabad and offered land to stay in. Since the town was surrounded by four lakes and were linked together with underground pathways and in order that the ladies of the town could bath in private, the potters were asked to make potteries for pouring and holding water. Over time their pottery style gradually became influenced by Muslim aesthetic form with highly intricate silver inlay incorporated into their pottery.
For Registration Visit : www.vibrantceramics.com Organisers
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Khurja
Kannauj
LEAD STORY Lucknow Nizamabad Bhadohi Varanasi
Kannauj
Pic Courtesy: Reck Fragrances
Perfume Capital of India
Multitude of fragrance waft in the air as you enter the city of Kannauj. The city, also referred to as the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Perfume Capital of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; has a long history of manufacturing perfumes and trading fragrances with the Middle Eastern countries. Kannauj manufactures traditional Indian perfume called Kannauj Ittar. Not only for manufacturing, the city was also known for distilling natural fragrance in the ancient times. Perfume makers at Kannauj still use the age old method of extraction being followed for hundreds of years. The art of perfumes is presumed to have been passed from various generations. The city produces only six types of perfumes like rose, bela, mogra, mehndi, hina shamama and mitti. They are manufactured from natural 42 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
ingredients like flowers including white jasmine, vetiver, rose, sandalwood and other aromatic substance like camphor, musk, and saffron. New fragrances are made by mixing the traditional ones. The perfume makers in Kannauj follow the century-old method of extracting perfume. The method involves boiling flowers in a copper vessel and condensing the vapours with cold water. Each bottle of perfume at least needs production time of about 15 days. The manufactured perfumes have no alcohol or chemicals added. The ittars are meant to be applied directly on the body to last much longer. If you are travelling to Uttar Pradesh, visit the Perfume Capital and grab your share of innovative perfumes www.railbandhu.in
How to reach Kannauj, on the main broad gauge route between Kanpur and Mathura, is wellconnected to all parts of the country by Express/ Passenger trains.
IN FOCUS
DIGITAL PAYMENT IN
INDIAN HEALTH CARE SECTOR Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has been working towards enabling all customer touch points with “Digital Payment” acceptance infrastructure at all the public and private health care organisations
A target of 91 crore digital transactions in the financial year 201718 has been allocated for health sectors including both public and private sectors at central and state levels.
India various payments in health care sector can be done by digital mode. Such payments include: •P ayments by the citizens/patients towards availing medical services for OPD, IPD, pharmacies and labs in all health care
I
ndia is moving towards a digital revolution. Transforming India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy is the vision of Government of India. Digital India is an ambitious programme to prepare India for a better future. “Faceless, Paperless, Cashless” is one of professed role of Digital India. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Government of India, is also encouraging the initiative of digital payment at health care organisations (HCOs).
2,500 crore digital transactions can be made through five payment modes namely UPl (United Payment Interface), USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data), Aadhar Enabled Payment System , IMPS (Immediate Payment Service) and Debit cards.
Promotion of digital payments has been accorded highest priority by the government and is one of the key highlights of the Union Budget 2017-2018. Accordingly, a pan-India target of total
Digital payment transaction means transaction in which the customer authorises the transfer of money through electronic means, and the funds flow directly from one account to another. In
44 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
A target of 91 crore digital transactions in the financial year 2017-18 has been allocated for health sectors including both public and private sectors at central and state levels.
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organisations including private health care organisations. • Payments by the citizens/patient at chemists and druggist shops, AMRIT pharmacies, Ayush drug stores, Jan Aushidhi centres, diagnostic labs / radiology centres and clinics including Ayush centres.
Touch Points for accepting Digital Payment in Health Care Organisations (HCOs)
BHIM AADHAAR Hospitals
Pharmacy
• Payment made by students towards college fee and other charges in medical, nursing, dental and paramedical colleges / institutes/ universities, training institutes etc. MOHFW has requested all the public and private health care organisations for enabling all customer touch points with “Digital Payment” acceptance infrastructure. To promote digital payment in all public healthcare facilities in time-bound manner, a Nodal Officer at state and district level will be appointed. Now the Patients/Citizen can pay by means of UPI, BHIM, Mobile Wallet, and Credits & Debits Cards in various health care organisations. Ministry has also developed an online reporting mechanism (MIS) of data pulling and data collating for digital transactions from the HCOs across the country. Designated nodal officer from state will populate the digital transaction data consisting of total number of digital transaction through different modes. Monthly transaction reports can be submitted to “e- transaction” operated by Centre for Health Informatics, MOHFW, Government of India. Different organisations/stakeholders like Indian Medical Association (IMA), All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD) have been consulted about the digital payment initiative in health sector for their cooperation at various levels of health care facility.
BHARAT QR CODE As India is gradually transitioning from a cash-centric to cashless economy; to
(VPA). Users can also make transaction using from their feature phone as well by dialing *99#. BHIM is available in 8 regional languages (Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Malayalam, Oriya, Gujarati, Kannada, and Hindi).
Diagonostic centre & Labs
Medical Colleges
BHIM Aadhaar App is a mobile based app enables merchant to receive payments without installing any physical POS (point of sale) machine. Patients/citizens can make payment by using his/her biometric thumb impression, Aadhaar number, and there is no need to use any card or OTP to make the payment. With BHIM Aadhaar Govt. has ensured that any citizen of this country can make payment digitally without usage of cards, internet, and smart phone.
IMPS Dispensaries
Regulatory & License bodies
encourage digital payments, Government of India has further simplified the things for service provider and customers by launching the Bharat OR Code. QR Code or Quick Response Code is a twodimensional machine-readable code that is made up of black and white squares. It is used to store URLs and other information. These can be read by the camera of a smartphone. Scanning the QR code through mobile will help in transferring money from one source to another. According to RBI; the Bharat QR Code is the world’s first interoperable payment acceptance solution.
BHIM APP Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) is a mobile application for payment transactions using Unified Payments Interface (UIP). Users can make instant bank-to-bank payments and pay and collect money using Mobile number, Bank a/c and IFSC code, Aadhaar number or Virtual Payment Address
Immediate Payment Service enables a user to send money 24/7 using mobile number, Aadhaar number and Bank a/c, IFSC Code. IMPS service can be accessed using internet banking, mobile banking and ATM.
BANKING CARDS Cards (credit, debit, and prepaid) can be used for digital payment. RuPay (debit cards has been launched by Government), Visa, MasterCard are some of the examples of card payment system.
USSD Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) has been launched as *99# service by government to take the banking services to every common man across the country. Banking customers can avail this service by dialing *99#, a “Common number across all Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)” on their mobile phones. *99# helps to bring under-banked society in the mainstream banking services. It can be accessed in 12 different languages including Hindi and English. National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) and Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) are other systems for money transaction. Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 45
INTERACTIVE
postcards Readers write back and share their memories with us
FEEDBACK It was an awesome journey from Sealdah to New Delhi by Rajdhani. Loved reading Rail Bandhu, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an awesome magazine, very good articles with lots of information. Congratulations to Mr Piyush Goyal for assuming charge of Minister of Railways. SHIVRAJ KAVIA via email
Travelled through Mumbai Rajdhani and thoroughly enjoyed reading the magazine. The durga puja article is very informative. Over all a good magazine to read.
Sunset at Saharanpur railway station Pic shared by:
AVINASH KUMAR
PRADHYUMAN via email
Picture captured during a journey by Konkan railway Pic shared by:
Delighted to see the Tamil language article in the September issue of Rail Bandhu. Have noticed that every issue has a regional language article and this step by Indian Railways is really appreciative. Well Done team. RADHIKA VASUDEV via email
SUJOY MAKHAL
A train chugging along blue waters of the dam Pic shared by:
VIPIN KUMAR
Enjoyed my travel in Bangalore Rajdhani. Got the opportunity to read the Rail Bandhu magazine and reading its in-depth articles on travel and fashion. The page, showcasing the images clicked by passangers, really looks nice. I am hoping to see my comment there :) SANKALP TOMAR via email
Young readers of Rail Bandhu Magazine onboard Howrah Rajdhani Pic shared by:
Loved travelling in Tejas and reading the Rail Bandhu magazine. A perfect travel partner during the wonderful journey. The information about the measures and steps taken by Indian Railways to ensure safe journey are commendable.
AMIT JOSHI
ANAY DAVE via email
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Rail Bandhu Magazine clicked while travelling to Guwahati from Dibrugarh by Rajdhani Express Pic shared by:
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A waterfall in the Western Ghats Pic shared by:
MUKESH BISHT
Journey to Karwar by Thiruvananthapuram Rajdhani Express Pic shared by:
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Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 47
CABIN CONVERSATION
On the fast
TRACK As a teenager, actor Huma Qureshi travelled by train for the first time from Delhi to Mount Abu for a school excursion. But little did she know that travelling with schoolmates would make it a trip to remember Text: Shillpi A Singh
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I
“
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I am yet to play a character close to my real persona. As an actor, playing different roles that are quite the opposite of your personality is fun
t was fun unlimited for other girls and me, and we played pranks on each other, enjoyed singing sessions, got smarter with dumb charades, vied to be the uncrowned queens of card games, and yes, also got to know of each other’s crushes. Of all the train journeys, I have fond memories of that particular trip,” says Qureshi. The all girls’ trip reminded her of a song from Rafoo Chakkar starring Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh and featuring Kapoor and Paintal singing and dancing Bombay Se Baroda Tak in a train, dressed up as women. “The actors looked adorable, but it is the song that is noteworthy for the fact that it was the first time that Asha Bhosle sang for a lead actor,” quips Qureshi. LAUNCH PAD With stars in her eyes, Qureshi landed in the City of Dreams after finishing college in Delhi. She started off with a two-year modeling contract with HLL. The assignment paved the way for her, and she bagged Mohsina’s role in Anurag Kashyap’s two-part gangster drama, Gangs of Wasseypur. Best remembered for the permission scene in the first part of GoW, she proudly calls herself a product of Anurag Kashyap’s cinema. “He directed my debut film, and I am glad that I was a part of GoW. It was the perfect launch for me. The film was significant because it gave a direction to my future journey,” says 31-year-old actor. ROLE CALL Qureshi, who has done a variety of roles since her debut in 2012, loves to play different characters. “I like challenging roles. I choose a film only if it offers something new or different,” she says. If she had rustic charm as Mohsina in GoW, she added spice as Harman, a Punjabi girl in Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana and killed the bill as RAW’s explosives expert Zoya Rehman in D-Day. She floored the audience with her vivaciousness as Muniya in Dedh Ishqiya, played Tamara with frighteningly good flair in Ek Thi Dayan, Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 49
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CABIN CONVERSATION
solicited attention as Jhimli in Badlapur, was seen as Pushpa Pandey in black comedy Jolly LLB 2 and shared screen space with real brother Saqib Saleem in Dobaara: See Your Evil. “I am yet to play a character close to my real persona. As an actor, playing different roles that are quite the opposite of your personality is fun,” she says. SIBLING REVELRY As two actors in a family, the real life siblings Huma and Saqib always wanted to share screen space with each other but didn’t know that opportunity would come so soon and that too in a horror film. The film was an official adaptation of the American horror film, Oculus. “It was great to have my real brother play my on-screen brother. It couldn’t have got better than this as both of us had significant roles,” she says. The actor chose a horror film as she had watched Oculus and liked it for the spooky moments, thanks to an antique mirror, which casts an evil spell on the siblings. “Even though Doobara was an adaptation, it had certain elements that made it a world-class film in this genre for Indian audiences,” Qureshi adds.
QUICK FACTS Before starting her career in Bollywood, Huma actually was featured in a commercial ad of Nerolac alongside of Shah Rukh Khan. She performed an item number in Freida Pinto’s movie, Trishna. In the year 2016, Huma got her first cover with her brother Shaqib Saleem launched by Femina magazine.
Gangs of Wasseypur and Gangs of Wasseypur 2 helped her earn Best Female Debut and Best Supporting Actress nominations.
GOING REGIONAL Qureshi, who has carved a niche with her performances, winning both critical acclaim and commercial success in Hindi films, made her debut in regional language cinema with National Award winning filmmaker Umesh Kulkarni’s Highway in Marathi. The film was a road story that unraveled on the PuneMumbai highway and showcased life in the two metros. It had Qureshi delivering her dialogues in Marathi. Last year, she was seen in Mammootty-starrer Malayalam film White. Mammootty played Prakash Roy, a middle-aged billionaire, and Qureshi his love interest. The older-man-youngerwoman romance failed to woo the audience, and the film tanked at the box-office. This year, Qureshi bagged the lead role in Pa Ranjith’s Tamil film Kaala Karikaalan opposite Rajnikanth. “Rajinikanth is humility personified. It’s an amazing experience to work with him,” she adds.
DREAM CATCHER Her latest release to hit theatres was Gurinder Chadha’s Partition: 1947. The film’s story revolved around the India-Pakistan partition, and Qureshi was seen as a young Muslim girl Aalia who works in the Viceroy’s House and falls for a Hindu servant, but the duo is torn apart as borderlines
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are redrawn. A fan of Chadha’s style of filmmaking, she lapped up the opportunity to work on the international film project that released as the Viceroy’s House elsewhere. “I had watched Bhaji on the Beach when I was studying in Gargi College and loved Gurinder’s way of storytelling. She’s passionate about the story around India’s Partition, and it was a fascinating and enriching journey for me as an actor to work in this film. Even though the political compulsions around Partition forms the backdrop, the core story is emotional and humane,” she says. AR Rahman was another big draw for Qureshi who calls it “an absolute honour to have him compose music that heals and soothes the soul.”
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HERITAGE HALT
KONARK The Sun Chariot The eastern seashore of India is blessed with majestic temples, living traditions and thriving crafts. Konark is undoubtedly the jewel in the crown of this ancient land called Kalinga and Odra! Text: Manisha Chitale
J
ust few kilometres to the east of Jagannath Puri, is the small town of Konark. Under the bright eastern Sun, listening to the waves lapping at Chandrabhaga beach, this small town on coast of Odisha boasts of the magnificent architectural wonder called Konark Sun Temple, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Konark is the glorious memory that Indian history has cherished for centuries. It belongs to Kalinga temple architecture which is a specialised Nagar style of building temples. The height is the key and curvilinear is the keyword! The temple pinnacles soar high with straight lines curving only at the end to hold the carved Amalak. The main temple has the highest shikhar, and it houses the main deity, known as ‘Rekha Deul’. The next ‘Mandap’ is called ‘Jagmohan’ and there are some more Mandap or pavilions such as Natmandap, and Ardhamandap, among others. The top point of Jagmohan is of the type known as ‘Pedha Deul’. THE DESIGN As we step into the campus lined with huge flowering trees of Saptaprani, the first in sight is the massive ‘Natmandap’. Supported by rectangular ornate pillars and with huge 54 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
Pic by: Dilip Banerjee
Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 55
HERITAGE HALT
The entrance to ‘Jagmohan’ is adorned with an elaborate ‘Dwar Shakha’, which are multiple door frames sculptures of ‘lion on top of elephant’ adorning the stairways, this is one impressive piece of architecture. The roof is missing and as you stand on the platform under the blue sky and age old almond brown khondalite stone sculptures, right in front of you is the black stone magic, sitting like a meditating Yogi, still and calm, and tall and sober. The entrance to this ‘Jagmohan’ is adorned with an elaborate ‘Dwar Shakha’, which are multiple door frames, all ornate and sculpted. Built on a very strong high plinth, behind this huge dome, there are ruins of the temple ‘Garbh-Griha’ or inner sanctum. Dedicated to the Sun God, there are three exquisite Sun idols at all three directions on the walls of main temple. Sprawled over a large area is the awe inspiring Jagmohan, the first pavilion. HISTORICAL REFERENCES The Sun worship in India dates back to several centuries. Rigveda has several references to Sun god namely ‘Bhag’ and ‘Pushan’. Later centuries saw several Sun temples flourish on eastern and western coasts of India including Multan in present day Pakistan. Konark is the cultural epitome of this Sun worship. Over a century ago, James Fergusson presented a drawing of this temple with a part of main temple still standing. Indian history’s great sage Chaitanya Mahaprabhu too had visited this temple while it was still intact. Built during Gang dynasty reign in the 13th century, this enormously sized Sun temple is still one of the most impressive monuments of India. An ancient Palm leaf drawing gives us a glimpse of what we are not able to see today. Standing erect at 30 mts, the Jagmohan itself is massive. Considering the temple architecture
Carved walls in Sun God temple, Konark
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Ancient sandstone carvings
guidelines, the main shikhar would have been 70 mts, if it was standing today, which is just 4 meters short of the great Taj Mahal. RESTORING THE GLORY NrusimhaDeva Gang, one of the capable kings of the dynasty, was supposed to have started the construction in 1238 AD and completed this mammoth task in a short span of 20 years. For centuries the temple attracted pilgrims and visitors. The destruction and collapse was initiated by the invaders. The main idol along with copper Kalash, was either stolen or destroyed in the process. Later decay was accelerated by nature and humans both and temple fell in oblivion. It was the British government, which saw the importance of this ravaged monument and recovered it to the present stage over a period of several years. Several interesting sculptures can be found in the whole complex of this monument. The Sun god images in three wall niches, with lotus in both hands and legs covered in
QUICK FACTS Konark literally means ‘Kon’ which is angle and ‘Ark’ meaning Sun implying
‘Sun from an angle’
The concept of this temple is that of a chariot of Sun god supported by 24 huge wheels of 3 meter diameter. This chariot is drawn by 7 horses, sculpted at the 2 sides of
Jagmohan entrance.
boots are sculpted in chlorite stone giving a greenish tinge. National museum in Delhi houses a Sun god sculpture recovered from Konark. The lotus petal shaped base of the entire monument is evident as you circle round this huge structure. Each chariot wheel is intricately carved. The massive monolithic sculptures of horses standing on platforms amaze you with their perfection and beauty. There is a Chhayadevi temple just behind the main temple again studded with beautiful sculptures. The sacred triangle of Bhubaneshwar, Puri and Konark is dotted with temples and lotus ponds on the backdrop of soft green rice fields, lining the horizon, criss-crossed by Mahanadi and other rivers. Sun kissed sculpture of Konark stands amidst, as a prominent landmark for pilgrims, travellers and seafarers too. The Black Pagoda beckons you with its beauty, to this eastern land of Sun! Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 57
IN FOCUS
ITPO - EVOLUTION FOR EXCELLENCE IN SYNC WITH NEW INDIA The transformation of Pragati Maidan into a state-of-the-art integrated exhibition-cum-convention centre (IECC) by ITPO is in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of a ‘New India’
T
here is a tectonic shift happening in the economic landscape across the globe. Due to the growing stature of India as one of the most favoured destinations for foreign direct investment (FDI) under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, India is also now increasingly seen as an attractive country for its business-friendly policies and reform initiatives. As the country is evolving into a ‘New India’, it resonates deeply with the mandate of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) to be an exemplary enterprise serving national priorities. A ‘Mini Ratna’ (Category-1) CPSE, ITPO has been promoting trade under the Department of Commerce, Government of India. It has earned a niche for itself in the direction of connecting India’s business fraternity to global buyers. ITPO has been guided by a simple belief that the Indian business fraternity deserves access to the world’s most potential markets. The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, Suresh Prabhu, has recently stated: “We are trying to work out what is to be done to promote exports in the shortest possible time, both in terms of value and volume. The ministry will work on several fronts including bringing in a new industrial policy, improving logistics for exporters, bringing in an agricultural export policy and integrating with the global supply chains”.
THE ICONIC IECC A famed ‘Cradle of South-Asian Modern Fair Culture’, Pragati Maidan is poised 58 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
A model of the Pragati Maidan redevelopment design
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS OF IECC ☛T he CCEA approved the IECC on January 24, 2017 with the estimated cost of Rs. 2254 crore (excluding the cost on account of traffic interventions). ☛L ayout plan and concept design have been approved by Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC), National Monuments Authority (NMA), South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) and other statutory authorities. ☛L ayout plan and building plans have also been approved by Fire Services Department of Govt. of Delhi. Traffic Interventions have been approved by Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning & Engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC) in DDA and the Environmental clearance has been granted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF). ☛ I n addition, high performance of IECC infrastructure will have
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intelligent connections with energy sources, including the smart grid, and vital component of sustainable, smart urban plans that leverage symbiotic, whole system design principle to minimize waste and maximize efficiency, there would be a convergence of IT and building technologies. ☛ I t will have environment features reducing the burden of traffic, dedicated convenience parking with latest digital technologies to enhance quality and performance of services . ☛S tate-of-the-art information and communication technology will enable solutions over a common platform. ☛A part from extensive plantation, Convention Centre will be set up with GRIHA (4 rating) and Exhibition Halls with GRIHA (3 rating) and incorporating solar PV panels for solar power generation as per GRIHA guidelines.
(Left) Aerial view of the convention centre; (Right) Front view of the convention centre
for a complete revamp to fulfil the aspirations of the global exhibition fraternity. It promises to attract global participants and business delegates from across the world with its sheer magnificence, business conduciveness, architectural excellence, and being a majestic landmark destination to be experienced in its entire splendour. IECC will be a landmark and iconic spot in Delhi and a symbol of the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘New India’ in sync with India aspiring to be a global power. Fulfilling aspirations of expanding the business fraternity, IECC will mainly cater to G2G, G2B and B2B activities. With the latest architectural design along with basement parking for 4,800 vehicles and comprehensive traffic decongestion interventions, it will add to the grandeur, stature and profile of the capital city of Delhi.
CONVENTION CENTRE The convention centre will be a 32.4 m-tall landmark building on par with the best in the world. This structure will be on an elevated podium with a unique sloping facade incorporating the rich architectural heritage of Delhi. With a capacity of 7,000 persons in single format (plenary hall with fixed seating of 3,000 persons and multifunction hall of 4,000 persons), five times that of Vigyan Bhawan, it will also have
IECC will provide the necessary impetus and strength to the government’s resolve to achieve export targets. Infrastructure developers Shapoorji Pallonji have been awarded the contract of the IECC project. The work has commenced and ITPO remains fully committed to delivering the project within 24 months positively LC Goyal
Chairman, ITPO
an amphitheatre for 3,000 persons, and 27 meeting rooms of different capacities.
EXHIBITION HALLS The proposed redevelopment plan (Phase-I) will result in an exhibition complex of 151,687 sq m area. With integrated F&B facility with each exhibition hall, there will be six new modern exhibition halls with pre-function areas with covered exhibition space of one lakh sq m. There will also be an open exhibition area (15 acres) with three open amphitheatres (of 900, 600 and 300 persons), covered walkways/canopies, and skywalk connectivity with the Pragati Maidan Metro Station. It will cater to
ITPO’S FLAGSHIP ANNUAL EVENTS IN INDIA ITPO is known for high-image specialised events and attracting a large volume of people to visit Pragati Maidan. These events provide immense value addition to the participants. India International Trade Fair, New Delhi (Nov 14-27) AAHAR – The International Food & Hospitality Fair, Mumbai (Oct 11-14) India International Security Expo, New Delhi (Oct) East Himalayan Expo, Sikkim (Dec) Nakshatra, New Delhi (Jan/Feb 2018) New Delhi World Book Fair, New Delhi (Jan/Feb 2018) India International Leather Fair, Chennai (Feb 1-3, 2018) Tex Styles India, New Delhi (Feb/March 2018)
the needs of the exponentially-growing meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry and attract major events to the capital city of Delhi from across the world. Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 59
IN FOCUS
ADDING GRANDEUR TO THE CAPITAL CITY LC Goyal, chairman, ITPO, talks about ITPO’s mega redevelopment project of Pragati Maidan world class state-of-the-art exhibition-cum-
IECC and also for the benefit of the general
convention centre with the latest architectural
public. Essentially, Purana Quila Road/
design along with basement parking for 4,800
Mathura Road will be connected to Ring Road
vehicles and comprehensive traffic decongestion
through a six-lane divided tunnel cutting across
interventions. There is also a provision for
Pragati Maidan, also making Mathura Road
monetisation of land for a hotel in the complex.
signal-free.
The convention centre will be an about
All necessary approvals/statutory clearances
32.4 m tall landmark building on par with
have already been obtained and the work has
the best in the world. This structure will be
commenced on September 8, 2017.
on an elevated podium (5.4 m high), with a unique sloping facade incorporating the
What state-of-the-art facilities would come
rich architectural heritage of Delhi with
up in IECC?
inspiration drawn from Parliament House and
IECC project is of national pride and
Rashtrapati Bhawan. It will have a capacity
importance and goes beyond Pragati Maidan
of 7,000 persons in single format (plenary
in view of the proposed comprehensive traffic
About Pragati Maidan complex
hall with fixed sitting of 3,000 persons
solutions for the benefit of the general public.
Pragati Maidan, situated in the heart of the
and multi-function hall of 4,000 persons).
This project is the first of its kind, which does
capital city of New Delhi, is India’s largest
The convention centre will also have an
not add to traffic congestion in the area but
exhibition complex. It is spread over 123
amphitheatre with 3,000 persons. There will
provides comprehensive traffic solutions to
acres and currently has 65,000 sq m covered
be altogether 27 meeting rooms of different
decongest traffic in and around Pragati Maidan.
exhibition space. Pragati Maidan is managed by
capacities. The convention centre will be
The proposed infrastructure is likely to fill gaps
India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO).
built with a mix of red stone and Dholpur
in requirements for the meetings, incentives,
white stone and GFRC, and will have a
conferences and events (MICE) sector in NCR.
About ITPO
beautiful and splendid huge plaza in the front
The people of the capital city of Delhi and of
ITPO is a Miniratna category-I central public
with water bodies, the Ashoka Pillar and a
India as a whole will welcome and appreciate
sector enterprise (CPSE) under the aegis of the
musical fountain.
this project and will enjoy a landmark spot coming up in Delhi.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. ITPO manages the Pragati Maidan
There will be six new modern exhibition halls
complex and has subsidiaries in Chennai
along with air-conditioned pre-function areas
What is the timeline for this project and
(TNTPO) and Bengaluru (KTPO).
with covered exhibition space of one lakh sq
how much will it cost?
m. Each exhibition hall will have an integrated
The IECC project and traffic decongestion
Tell us about your flagship project of
F&B facility. There will also be exhibition open
interventions will be delivered within
redeveloping Pragati Maidan that is coming
area (15 acres) with three open amphitheatres
24 months from September 8, 2017. The
up in New Delhi
(of 900, 600 and 300 persons). The complex
total estimated cost of the IECC project is
An integrated exhibition-cum-convention
will also have covered walkways/canopies and
`2,596.25 crore.
centre (IECC) will be a landmark and iconic
skywalk connectivity with the Pragati Maidan
spot in Delhi and a unique symbol of the
Metro Station. The complex will also have an
Who are appointed as Project Executors?
Prime Minister’s vision of ‘New India’. IECC
administrative block of 8,857 sq m.
ITPO has assigned the work to National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd
will add to the grandeur and stature of the capital city of Delhi. IECC is in sync with
The basement parking for 4,800 vehicles will
(NBCC) as a project management consultant.
India aspiring to be a global power. The
have entry and exit points for smooth traffic
On the basis of global bidding, Shapoorji
concept design and layout plan were prepared
flow. Comprehensive traffic decongestion
Pallonji has been selected as the project
by ARCOP Associates Pvt Ltd with Aedas Pte
interventions have also been approved as
executor for construction of the IECC project at
Ltd of Singapore. IECC project will set up a
integral to IECC, to provide better access to
a cost of `2,149.93 crore.
60 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
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EXPLORE
JHARKHAND Return to the lap of nature, to be one with the calmness and peace that surrounds the many deep, lush forests of Jharkhand.You should never miss the opportunity to spend some time enjoying the silence of these jungles and Dams of the state of Jharkhand.
M.D.I. Building, 2nd Floor, Dhurwa, Ranchi 834004, Ph.: 0651-2400493, Fax: 2400492 Secretary Ph.: 0651-2400981, Fax: 0651-2400982, Email: govjharkhandtourism@gmail.com Director Ph.: 0651-2400493, Fax: 2400492, Email: dirjharkhandtourism@gmail.com
Website: www.jharkhandtourism.gov.in
SILVER RAKE
The Genius of Satyajit Ray
FELUDA Some say that Feluda is the Indian equivalent of fictional British detective Sherlock Holmes while others say that he is the alter-ego of his creator, legendary writer and filmmaker Satyajit Ray. While this beloved character started out as a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite but over the years he has become one of the most iconic fictional characters in India Text: Partha Mukherjee & Priyanka Mukherjee
62 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
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S
trikingly handsome, intellectual, reserve yet witty, charming and chivalrous, with a photographic memory and a knack for portraits, a music lover who occasionally hums a few lines of popular Bengali numbers and has his fingers set on the key-board of a harmonium. Such is the description of the famous detective Feluda, a fictional character, created by legendary Indian film-maker, fiction novelist and Oscarawardee, Satyajit Ray.
The character has drawn not only popularity but critical acclaim as well. It has grabbed the attention of intellectuals who have gone to the extent of analysing it and developing their own theories about the character. ALTER EGO Many scholars, associates of Ray including his son Sandip Ray, have opinions that Feluda was modelled on Satyajit himself. “Feluda likes everything my father liked, and hates everything my father hated. He most definitely based the character on himself. To be precise, he is my father’s alter ego,” says Sandip, while Bengali cinema actor Soumitra Chatterjee, who acted in 14 films directed by Ray has the same view. He says, “Feluda, who is not only a private investigator, an explorer of truth as well, is a reflection of Manik Da (Ray’s nickname) himself.” Rabi Ghosh, one of Ray’s favourite actors, who worked under his direction in films like Mahapurush, Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne, Aranyer Din Ratri, Jana Aranya, Hirak Rajar Deshe, Agantuk, etc., once wrote in his column, “Feluda is the second projection of Satyajit Ray.” Feluda is an equally voracious reader like his creator, which is evident in rows of books on several subjects we find in his study.
Actor Sabyasachi Chakrabarty is best known for portraying Feluda
“
The only solutions that are ever worth anything are the solutions that people find themselves
“
Between 1965 and 1991, Ray wrote a total of 35 Feluda stories, featuring the 27-year-old, a Kolkata-based private investigator, Prodosh C Mitter (the anglicised version of Prodosh Chandra Mitra aka Felu Mittir); his thirteen and a half years old cousin Tapesh Ranjan alias Topshe and Lalmohan Ganguli, known as Jatayu, a clumsy yet funny character who writes thrillers that sell like hot cake.
His interest in literature, epics, geography, science, conservation of nature and hunting, indoor games, magic, tricks of cards, criminal investigation, numerology, extraterrestrial influences on early human culture, etc., were all the things that Ray himself was interested in. “It should be mentioned that despite his extensive knowledge on several subjects, Feluda doesn’t show it off. He would rather share it with Topshe and Jatayu without posing as an erudite scholar. This trait of his character makes him so endearing to his readers. This was exactly how Baba soon became a friend to his child artists and viewers,” Sandip adds. KEEPING IT GROUNDED Ray wanted to project Feluda, as a very wellinformed person who contributes to the general awareness of the young readers, yet he never wanted Felu to become an imposing figure with some special qualities which might render him out of the reach of the children who love him. “The children should not be overawed at his brilliance. To them Feluda should be like a ‘popular elder brother’ in the neighbourhood who has a soft-spot for them. Initially, Satyajit put some of his special attributes in Feluda, Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 63
SILVER RAKE
DID YOU KNOW
Before films, Ray worked as a graphic designer of popular book covers like Man Eaters of Kumaon and Discovery of India
Satyajit Ray looking into the camera
but later removed them consciously,” says Ujjal Chakraborty, an eminent Ray-scholar of India.
INTERESTING FACTS Ray was drawn into independent filmmaking after meeting French filmmaker Jean Renoir and viewing Vittorio De Sica’s Italian neorealist film Bicycle Thieves (1948) during a visit to London. He has directed 36 films in his film career, including feature films, documentaries and shorts.
In ‘Feludar Goendagiri’, Prodosh C Mitter can identify the newspaper from the font Tinkari Mukherjee had cut-pasted to compose the threatening letter to Rajen Majumder. Similarly, in ‘Kailash Chowdhurir Pathar’ (Kailash Chowdhury’s Jewel: 1967), Topshe saying, ‘Feluda has an amazing ability to quickly make a sketch of a person, he had seen even once. Feluda’s love for music is evident in ‘Samaddarer Chabi’ (The Key of Samaddar:1973). He practices Sa-Re-Ga-Ma; he even hums Jab Chhod Chale Lucknow Nagari ... in ‘Badsahi Angti’ (The Emperor’s Ring: 1966), while travelling in a train to Bareilly. These were only a few talents highlighted by Chakraborty of an otherwise multi-talented Feluda. “Satyajit realised that so many special qualities in one man would make him a bit unrealistic for the young readers to accept. His brilliance might make him distant from the readership’s immediate reality. So he decided to prune these attributes in Felu to make him more relatable and enduring for the young readership. After ‘Kailash Chowdhurir Pathar’, Feluda was never seen doing sketches, nor did he sing even a line of any popular number after Badsahi Angti or hum lines from the Thumri of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah,” Chakraborty adds.
64 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
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ILLUSTRIOUS BACKGROUND Satyajit was born in a family with strong academic, art and cultural background. Among two renaissance families in the then Bengal, the Ray family was one of them. While Upendrakishore, a follower of the Brahmo movement (that spearheaded the cultural rejuvenation of Bengal) played violin and organ; wrote lyrics and composed music, Sukumar, his son, pioneered Bengali literature, illustrated books for children, and, as an eminent scholar of Physics and Chemistry, popularised science among youngsters. Satyajit Ray, Upendrakishore’s grandson, started as an artist par excellence, designed new fonts of Bengali and also in Hindi, in Roman (Ray Roman), composed music, wrote short stories for the children and serious essays on different topics and eventually emerged as the great creator of world cinema. “My great grandfather Upendrakishore, launched and edited Sandesh, a children’s magazine in 1913. It was an attempt to nourish young minds, especially the adolescent group. It deserves a mention that the Rays lived a culturally happening life, which they wanted to share with the upcoming generation. My forefathers always wanted to kindle flames of creativity in children.” Sandip says.
While the Rays raised the magazine with parental care, many other greats in the field lent the periodical hues of humour and fantasy. Even Rabindranath Tagore wrote poems, illustrated them and designed the layout of the magazine. Grown in such an intellectually charged atmosphere, Manik came up with ideas, most befitting for the changing time, as the baton reached him. INSTANT HIT It was in December 1965 when ‘Feludar Goyendagiri’, the first story of the Feluda series appeared in Sandesh, it became an instant-hit. The 27-page long story was carried in three successive issues (December 1965 - February 1966) of the magazine, considering the retentive capacity of children. It’s nothing unexpected that Satyajit’s taste, refinement, curiosity and even physical attributes would reflect on the character of the fictional detective. Though he hadn’t yet fancied doing a fullfledged series on Feluda’s adventure, success of the first story was so big that he couldn’t ignore demands of his countless readers. Inspired by the success, he wrote ‘Badshahi Angti’ (The Emperor’s Ring) in a single attempt, which came out again in Sandesh in 12 installments (May, 1966 –May 1967). Hereafter, almost every year he wrote at least one story – some years even two – on Feluda for the readers who awaited arrival of a new
QUICK FACTS Ray’s first film Pather Panchali, was made in a budget of less than
1 lakh
Ray went on to direct 8 films on his beloved character that immortalised the Bengali detective in our hearts forever
Ray has
4 Roman
typefaces patented under his name viz. Ray Roman, Ray Bizarre, Daphnis and Holiday Script. Ray’s films have bagged
32 National Awards
Ray made the first coloured Bengali film Kanchenjunga in
1962
His Apu Trilogy has been regarded as one of the finest films ever to be made in world cinema.
title on the sleuth. Another attraction was his illustration supporting the story – each a feast for readers’ eyes – a milestone in the history of book illustration. The practice continued till May 21, 1991, when he wrote his 35th story of the Feluda series – ‘Robertsoner Ruby’. Meanwhile, two things happened during 10 years (from mid-1960s to early 1970s) that changed the scenario of Bengali juvenile literature. ‘Professor Shonku’ – a collection of nine science fiction short stories by Ray was published in Sandesh (1961-1965, 1967), in the autumn 1966 issue of Ascharya and also in the form of a book published by NewScript Publications, Calcutta, in 1965 followed by the death of Saradindu Bandopadhya in 1970. RAY TO THE RESCUE With the demise of Bandopadhyay, an iconic name in the field of Bengali detective short stories who created Byomkesh Bakshi, the publishing industry of Bengal suffered a massive shock. Sagarmoy Ghosh, the then editor of Desh, was looking for a writer who could replace Bandopadhyay. Coincidentally, Ghosh had read ‘…Shonku’ by then and found it as a brilliant piece of work by Ray. However, Ghosh approached Ray, who, extremely busy with the production of his forthcoming film Pratidwandi (The Adversary), didn’t take Ghosh’s request seriously. But Sagarmoy, an intimate friend since their days at Shantiniketan, didn’t give up cajoling Manik and finally made him agreeable to write for Desh. ‘Gangtokey Gondogol’ (Trouble in Gangtok) happened and readers gorged on the story in Sharadiya Desh of 1970. And the rest is history.
Actor Soumitra Chatterjee in a still from Joy Baba Felunath
Feluda went on to become one of the most beloved fictional characters both on the written page and on the big screen. Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 65
TALE SPIN
Rural beauty of
BHILWARA Bhilwara in Rajasthan is the perfect mix of history and beauty. While most of its wonder lies in gorgeous architecture and heritage, it is also well-known for its natural beauty Text & Photos: Svetlana Baghawan
66 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
for miles. Solitude seems to be the joie de vivre here and even the occasional firewood collecting village women walk in silent trails. Silhouetted against the golden brown countryside, their bright clothes make them stand out like flashes of colour and the long bundles of kindling wood on their heads throw shadows in sharp straight lines. In closer proximity, these women stun you with their exquisite jewellery especially when the dazzling elaborate nose rings dance with the slightest movements. They are the Bhil ladies, a tribal group which is believed to have named the district of Bhilwara. Although not many of them still live in that region, the Bhils and the Bhilwara district remain deeply enmeshed throughout history.
I
magine softly rounded scrub-covered hills cradling a shallow bowl like valley where green thorny vegetation conceals tigers, leopards, and coiled pythons. Slender acacia trees leave deep purple shadows on the scanty underbrush and turbaned shepherd leads his trail of skipping goats over forgotten half ruined temples. Neon green parrots flock to those forests fearlessly and they are disturbed only by the bejeweled village women in multi-coloured veils walking miles to collect firewood.
How to reach Bhilwara Railway Station connects the place with major cities of Rajasthan and India. Best time to visit October to March
Such is the pristine beauty of rural Bhilwara district, one of Rajasthanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lesser known jewels. A visit to this district is a soul-soothing affair. Expect nothing, explore deep and go down the roads less taken. Rural Bhilwara will start to reveal its beauty gently and this landscape seems straight out of a Wild, Wild West movie. A SILENT ZONE It is a very desolate land and this is the most striking feature of rural Bhilwara. One can drive along the highway through the heart of the district and not see any other soul
THE HERITAGE One of the largest tribal groups in India, the Bhils make up for 39 per cent of Rajasthanâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s population. Also known as the Bowmen of Rajasthan, the Bhils are exceptionally talented archers and in the past used to work as hired mercenaries and hunters. They were often employed by the royalty of Mewar for guarding their supplies, families or as fighters. During the colonial times, their services were hired by the Rajputs and till day, the Mewar Bhil Corps is an acclaimed special division of Rajasthan police. The Bhils also have a very celebrated heritage which goes way back to the Indian mythological era. They have often been mentioned in the epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata and many legends are associated with them. One tells the Mahabharata tale of Eklavya, a Bhil who surpassed Arjuna in archery and in Ramayana, Bhil women supposedly offered ber to Lord Rama when he was searching for Sita in the Dhandaka jungles. The great sage Valmiki, who authored the Ramayana was said to have been a Bhil dacoit himself before he was reformed with the blessings of Saraswati, the goddess of learning. Incidentally, the Bhil Ramayana is one of the most important tribal versions of the great Hindu epic. Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 67
TALE SPIN
Jungle Book written by Rudyard Kipling was supposed to have been inspired by the wilderness of Bhilwara a dry scrubby landscape, which is beautiful in its own way. Gold and brown are the predominant colours of this area and this monotony is broken by still lakes, reflecting low hillocks and swooping kingfishers. Nature flourishes freely in rural Bhilwara and it is wild, uninhibited and gorgeous.
A broad gauge railway line connecting major cities passes through Bhilwara
DID YOU KNOW Bhilwara is called ‘Zoo of Minerals’ for its huge stores of mica, soapstone, copper, feldspar, quartz, white clay and garnet. Steel plants and glass factories can easily be spotted in and around Bhilwara. Bhilwara has a strong history of textiles dating back to the 60s when 200 second-hand looms from the British Raj were being run and a large number of cotton yarn producing plants were operating. 69 out of 892 spinning mills in India are located in Bhilwara district, Rajasthan which consists of spinning, weaving, dyeing, processing and printing units. 68 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
Bhilwara‘s literary mentions continue beyond the Hindu epics. Written by Rudyard Kipling, the setting of the Jungle Book was supposed to have been inspired by the wilderness of this region, until the researchers gave the credit to a place in Madhya Pradesh. However, in many places throughout the book, Bhilwara’s wilderness along with Udaipur and Chittorgarh have been mentioned. Collectively called the Rajputana, it has been the setting in which the black panther Bagheera trekked from Udaipur to the forests of Seeoni, in Madhya Pradesh, through wild rural Bhilwara. Kipling was in love with Rajputana, a place he knew like the back of his hand and had written another book, Kim in the neighbouring district of Bundi. In fact, the old Rajputana states of Bhilwara and Bundi are very similar in their geography and both the districts merge into each other seamlessly. It is not easy to tell where one ends and the other starts and this is also one of the best routes for exploring rural Bhilwara. The roads are good in most places and the whole region is an unbroken space of www.railbandhu.in
COLOURS OF SEASONS A change in seasons can be keenly felt here and each season paints the landscape in its individual style. Summers are cruel months when intense heat scorches the earth and dust storms dance with the fiery winds. Ruins of ancient temples which are scattered throughout the rural Bhilwara district stand out like bleached bones in the shimmering heat and at mid day shepherds seek shelter within the old crumbling walls. Monsoon brings relief by adding a moist greenery to everything in and the dry river beds, waterfalls, springs and streams come alive with flowing water. Beautiful waterfalls like the Menal gush down the rugged ridges, which house chains of caves filled with prehistoric paintings and birds sing riotously in joy. Flowers burst out in wild abundance and mating calls of animals fill the air. Autumn dons a sombre hue in rural Bhilwara and wood smoke and jasmine scent fill the evening air. The short, but intense winters make the village mustard fields bloom forth with dense golden blossoms. Experiencing such placidity of rural Bhilwara is like delving deep into the soul of India. Gorgeous, rough at the edges and blissfully relaxing, it is a place where there is the warmth of rustic hospitality and travel pleasure lies in exploring the rich wilderness, which still remains delightfully untouched.
ART CONNECT
Aboard the
LEARNING EXPRESS A train painted on a government school building in Keralaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pilicode village provides a fun-filled environment to learn and explore Text : Shillpi A Singh
L
ittle did anyone know that the graffiti that adorns the wall of the Government Upper Primary School in Pilicode, Kerala, would become the talk of not just their town, but the entire nation. The artist Sajeesh Vengara beautifully
70 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
transformed the drab walls of the school and turned it into something exciting as a surprise for their students. To make a point that learning is about understanding new things in a fun-filled environment, former headmaster Raveendran PV had proposed that the
The façade of the building has a train and a giant aeroplane, bearing the legend Pilicode Airlines, painted on the back of school building Images of animals and cartoon characters are painted on the walls of the school
building be painted like a Metro train, but Vengara suggested that it has to be something that is much like a school. Little wonder that he chose a train - steam engine and a couple of its coaches - as the subject of his graffiti.
themselves. Moreover, trains are our nation’s lifeline, connecting corners, breaking barriers and bringing people closer. Likewise, the school also connects people irrespective of all differences,” he says.
THE ARTISTIC BEGINNING With the efforts of the artist, the walls of the school building soon turned into a train with blue coaches chugging along a steam locomotive. The classroom entrance resembled the doors of the coaches to welcome school’s 300 odd children to take a magical journey into the world of learning when it reopened after summer break in June. “Children have beautiful memories associated with train journeys. They are synonymous with fun and frolic, and that is what we wanted our students to think when it came to a school. The graffiti has changed the image of the school in their minds, and they are quite excited,” says Sreehari V, who teaches Sanskrit at the school.
CREATIVE MAKEOVER The choice was partly based on his fascination with trains. “The sight of a steam engine and its coaches piercing the stillness of the serene landscape, its wheels screeching under the load of the mighty machine, rattling along the tracks, rolling through the countryside, past farms and fields, on its way to days gone by is fascinating, to say the least. I wanted to recreate that element of beauty and top it with some fun for children,” says Vengara.
The steam engine on the main block of the school building, where classes from 2 to 5 are held, is nothing fancy but has a lot of nostalgic and symbolic value. “I chose a train because it is a public transport system that accommodates all kind of people, irrespective of caste, colour, community and religion, just like the school where children from diverse backgrounds come to learn and empower
Even the pre-primary classrooms have undergone artistic renovation. The walls now flaunt paintings of cartoon characters and have become the object of attraction for tiny tots who love being in their company. And if front façade of the building has a train, there is a giant aeroplane, bearing the legend Pilicode Airlines, painted on the back of school building. The best takeaway for Vengara is smiling faces of children. “They were surprised to see this painting. Teachers told me that they are happy to come to school and I feel it is the biggest reward for me,” he says with all humility.
ABOUT THE ARTIST Sajeesh Vengara was born in Pilicode village in Kasaragod district. He started painting at the early age of seven, and is a self-taught artist. He might have painted many pieces but doesn’t have a single artwork created by him adoring the walls of his home. Vengara was the first choice for painting the school building.
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DREAM SCAPE
MULKARKHA LAKE Where wishes come true
An exciting trek of the untouched trail of the Himalayan range leads to the beautiful and serene Mulkarkha Lake Text & Photos: Sushobhan Roy
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TRIVIA
S
itting on the moist dew laden grass and staring at the reflection of Kanchenjunga on the tranquil water of a remote lake, mind constantly slips between the majestic appearance in front of the eyes and the twitching ephemeral image on the water. The magnanimity of this moment is hard to explain. At an altitude of 7,500 ft, one can experience something mystical in the august company of tall fig trees and mighty deodars. The lake known as Mulkarkha is considered sacred by the locals and is given the name of Manokamna (Wishing) Lake. There is a small dilapidated temple at the corner of that lake
Mulkarkha lake is popularly called a wishing lake. According to a belief anyone who makes a wish in that lake will definitely find the wish coming true. The lake is situated on top of a mountain surrounded by trees.
which basks in the glory of the imposing goddess of the mountains. The trek to this awe inspiring lake goes through small villages of Jhusing, Tagathan, Mularkha and finally Aritar. THE FIRST STEPS Rhenock is a small town about 50 kms from Rangpo, the gateway of Sikkim. Rangpo is about 80 kms from New Jalpaiguri, the nearest rail head for this trek. The ideal time to visit Mulkarkha Lake is from the month of October to December. It is at this time of the year that the serenity of the lake is at its magnificent best. The month of March brings all the villagers to this lake to celebrate Ram Navami culminating
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DREAM SCAPE
The view of cascading Servang falls on the way to Mulkarkha Lake
in worshipping the lake and praying in earnest for the water of this lake to never dry up. The trek route starts from Rhenock town on a motorable road of 2 kms to Lingzey village. The Himalayan village has the second largest temple in Darjeeling district. Several festivals are held in the temple courtyard. The Sanskrit Vidyalaya opposite to the temple stocks rare books in Hinduism. The road from the back of the temple in Lingzey village goes towards another village known as Pitamchin. A diversion in the road to the right leads to Jhusing, the next stop for the trekkers. BEAUTY OF NATURE The cozy atmosphere of Jhusing with the silhouette of Kanchenjunga at the back provides a wonderful stay after a tiring day. The Jhusing
OTHER PLACES TO SEE
Jhusing viewpoint offers panoramic view of Kangchenjunga and Neora Valley National Park.
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view point offers a spectacular sight of the sunrise over the Himalayan ranges. A route through the forest from the village of Jhusing goes to the hidden Servang falls. Take a stroll along the sunflowers, marigolds and tulips lining the boundaries of every house in this village. A U-turn at the end of a gravel path leads to the interiors of this thickly forested region of deciduous trees and walking along the narrow trail, one gets a glimpse of the huge canyon that lies at an armâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s length. Soon in an hour, the roaring sound of the water signals the proximity of the waterfall gushing nearby. A small clearing of the bush and the mighty spectacle of white cascading sheets of water begin to pound heavily in front of the eyes. The Servang waterfall ultimately meets the river which flows through the canyon.
Neora Valley National Park is given its name after the river Neora. It still has inaccessible forests in its territory. www.railbandhu.in
QUICK FACT Sanskrit Vidhyalaya in Lingzey, recognised by Rastriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi, is a study centre of Sanskrit Language & Hindu rituals. The study centre boasts of rare library stock of 4 Vedas, Upanishads, 18 Purans and other valuable books of the Hinduism.
Lepcha Monastery is a must-visit to know about tradition and culture of Lepcha tribe.
Buddhist prayer flags dotting the periphery of Mulkarkha lake
THE ENCHANTING LAKE An early morning sunrise enhances the glory of the lake by inundating the placid waters with the reflection of Mount Kanchenjunga. The hike to the lake goes through a narrow trail upwards to the right of the village. There are Buddhist prayer flags dotting the periphery of the lake and a small temple serves as a guardian deity with Kanchenjunga rising from the back of this temple. One can spend hours around this lake marvelling the grandiose of this view.
A small clearing of the bush and the mighty spectacle of white cascading sheets of water begin to pound heavily in front of the eyes The chirping of the early morning bird calls in the forest lend a musical jingle to the atmosphere and the narrow trail through the forest finally leads to a wider road entering into Tagathan Village, close to 3kms from Jhusing. The trail turns a bit steeper going towards Mulkarkha village at the top. A small number of houses rise from the bylanes in between the journey and provides glimpses of the rural landscape and culture of this region. There is a school before the Mulkarkha village which serves as a resting point for the tired travellers. Thick verdant bushes and shrubs dot the trail on both sides as nature beckons one to walk the coveted path. After the glimpse of the bounty of nature, the destination seems to be near as one reaches the Mulkarkha village. The serene Mulkarkha Lake is perched at the top of this village and takes around an hour to reach.
QUICK FACTS Dawaipani, the hot water sulphur-rich spring is said to have curative powers of many skin diseases.
Neora Valley National Park in Kalimpong district of West Bengal is home to endangered species like Red Panda and the
Black Asiatic Bear.
Savour a good hearty breakfast of sel roti and potato curry at Mulkarkha village and take the downward trail to Aritar, the nearest motorable road head. There are few houses which do peek a boo from the thick undergrowth of vegetation once in a while and after a good 1-2 hours, the town of Aritar begins to look up on the horizon. An artificial S shaped lake in Aritar known as Lampokhri Lake and the tastefully decorated houses with flower pots on the terraces leading to the lake tell a picturesque tale of the place and its denizens. After spending the night at Aritar one can move down to Rhenock. The enchanting affluence of this place lies in its simplicity and the gratifying wishes at the top are enriching to the nature lovers. Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 75
HOT PICS
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For the Joy of
GIFTING Bring on a flood of memories with the Diwali gifting options for your loved ones Text: Kritika Dhawan
T
he feeling of rejoice has gripped the people as we enter the month of the most-awaited festival of the year. Diwali is the time when brightly lit lamps, twinkling lights and sound of the bursting crackers bring together the aura of extravagance and reflect the spirit of the festive season. The meeting, eating and greeting of the season are incomplete without the shopping and gifting mania. Havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you pondered over the gifting ideas yet? With lot of gift options available in the market, scouting through them can confuse you. But donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry! Here are some thoughtful and impactful gift ideas to make the festive season a memorable affair for you and your loved ones. FOR THE LOVE OF BLING Amp up the celebration by adding some bling to the bright lights and festive cheer. The extravaganza is the perfect time to exchange some exclusive accessories. Take down the list to a wearable level and add some ethnic and trendy jewellery pieces for your fashion-forward friend. The traditional neckpieces or the potli bags can be perfect for mothers and aunts and can be paired with indo-western attire or a cocktail dress for the edgy look. A dose of embellished touch can be added with some
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HOT PICS
Indulge in Decadent Hamper by Sustenance Foods
gleaming metallic-shine home decor items like vase or kitchen accessories. Cheerful aura can be maintained with exotic lighting and fixtures like lampshades and chandeliers. The metallic-finish bowls can be a standalone accent piece on a bookshelf or server on a table. The nextbest thing in the glittery gift guide could be a bejewelled cat-eye sunglasses in
(Left) Pamper your loved ones with The Body Shop Strawberry Lantern, (Right) Wooden and Brass Etched Tea Boxes by Exhibit D
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TOP PICK
If you are looking to add a touch of extra thoughtfulness to your gift, make sure your goodies stand out and are healthy too. Tea hampers or customised hampers are sure to bring smile to recipients.
Cheerful aura can be maintained with exotic lighting and fixtures like lampshades and chandeliers shimmering hues that will really make the eyes sparkle. Paired with a little black dress, or with favourite jeans and t-shirt combo, the bejewelled pieces are sure to elevate any outfit. FOR THE TRAVEL BUGS Nurture the spirit of adventure and gift something everyone remembers when they hit the road for their next expedition. Choose from an assortment of luggage tags, bags, travel gear to passport holders for the travellers. Both style and substance, travel tags and
(Clockwise) Pinch Vase by Arttdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;inox; Potli bag by The Open Trunk; The Body Shop Lip Balm wand; Gorgeous danglers by Prakash Fine Jewellery
passport holders make for a perfect gift. What makes these beautifully tailored accessories special is the monogram of the name of the person which they can treasure for years to come. A utility bag for travel essentials is worthy for varied adventures. You can also gift an easy-touse and pack comfy cushion for the nap during the long journeys. FOR THE WELLNESS-OBSESSED Keep the make-up game on point and sharpen the beauty regime by gifting a special edition of festive make-up kits. Add plenty of vibrant colours and shades of lipsticks, blushes and eye make-up. The hamper can make your loved ones leap into a magical land which is naught and whimsy. You can either choose to make a hamper with one product with variants or add multiple beauty products to add extra care to your gift. For the festive season choose
from hues of reds and maroons when collecting stuff for the hamper. A shaving kit with products ranging from traditional shaving brush to a pre-shaving oil and cream is an amazing choice for the dapper dude. FOR FOODAHOLICS Brighten up the festive season with a collection of gift baskets. It is time to ditch traditional sweets and add a massively indulgent spread. During Diwali, nothing can replace the treats and bakeries, so it is perfect to put together delicious gift hampers for your loved ones. The much-loved bakery hampers can be loaded with goodies like brownies, biscotti, chocolate bars, cookies, and more. The traditional mithai is worth skipping for signature treats like Diwali fruit cake, anjeer ki burfi, macaroons and dry fruits. For the health conscious, you can choose from hamper loaded with oat cookies, dark chocolate and more. There is an endless variety of hampers to choose from in the market. Get one customised to suit your choice! Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 79
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આહવાની અડોઅડ
એક અણજા�ય ંુ ગજરાત ુ
અમદાવાદથી સાત કલાકના અંતરે છપાયેલો ૂ �ક ૃ�તનો ભરપરૂ ખજાનો: આવનારને આવકારતો Text: Margie Parikh
મ
થાળ ું વાચીને ું ક�ાંક એમ રખે સમ� બેસતા કે એમેઝોન કે નાઈલનાં જ ંગલોમાં, બાકીના �વ�થી સાવ અણ��રછયા જ ંગલ �દેશની આ ઝલક છે. અહી ં જવા માટે સડક છે, અહીના ં લોકો ગ ુજરાતી ભાષા સમજ ે છે, એમની પાસે આધાર અને બીપીએલ કાડ�, અને જન-ધન ખાતાં પણ છે! છતાં, આ એક એવો �દેશ છે, જ ે આહવા ગામથી જરાક જ દ ૂર અને ઘણા સહેલાણીઓથી અણ��યો હોય એવ ું �પ�ટ છે: ચોમાસાની ઋત ુ �ઉ� ં-�ઉ� ં કરતી હોય પણ ઉઠી ન હોય એવામાં એક ર�વવારે, જયારે 80 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
સ ુરતબાજ ુના સહેલાણીઓ ભરપ ૂર મા�ામાં દેખાઈ ર�ા હોય, �યારે અહી ં ફકત રહેવાસીઓનાં મોટર-સાયકલ નજરે પડે છે. હ� આગળ વાંચતા હો, તો એ પણ કહી દઉ� ં કે અહી ં જ ે તસવીરો મ ૂકી છે એ આ જ�યાઓને પ ૂરેપ ૂરો �યાય કરી જ શકતી નથી. સવારના �ાંસા તડકામાં એક તા�, �વ� શ�ટ એવા લીલા રંગમાં શોભતી વનદેવી, માટીનો રંગ ભળીને રજ�વલા બનેલ ી નદીઓ, ક�ાંક-ક�ાંક બગલાઓના ઉડવાથી સફેદ ટીકીઓથી મઢાઈ જત ું આકાશ… કેમરે ાની શી મ�લ
કે એ બધાંને અસલી રંગતમાં કેદ કરે? ને જ ંગલનાં �વડાંનો, ધોળે �દવસે પણ સતત ચાલ ુ એવો, તાનપ ુરાની સંગત જ ેવો અવાજ, નહી ં ઠંડી-નહી ં ગરમ એવી ભીની હવા, ખળખળ વહેતા પાણીનો પ ુન:ચેતના લાવી દેતો �પશ �… એ તો �તે અન ુભ�� ું હોય તો જ બને! તે છતાં, મારી આ ટકી ં ૂ મ ુલાકાતની ઝલક રજ ૂ કયા � �વના રહેવાત ું નથી. ભૌગો�લક દ ૃિ �ટએ ડાંગ બે �હ�સામાં વહે ંચવામાં આવે છે: ઉપલ ું ડાગ ું અને નીચલ ું ડાંગ. ઊપરનો �હ�સો પહાડી છે – મહ�મ ઉ� ંચાઈ લગભગ ૧,૨૯૦ મીટર. �યાં થતો ભારે વરસાદ � ગરા, પ ૂણા �, ખાપરી, અને અં� બકા એમ ચાર-ચાર નદીઓના �વાહથકી નીચે આવે છે. નીચલા ડાંગમાં મહ�મ ઉ� ંચાઈ ૫૯૦ મીટર છે. ડાંગનાં ઘટાટોપ વ ૃ�ો સ ૂરજના તડકાને પણ રોકી રાખે એવાં ઘેઘ ૂર છે. સાગ, ખેર, ટીમરુ, ઉમરો, ખાખરો, વડ, આમલી, પીપળો … ગ�યા જ કરો! ડાંગ એ �ાચીન મનાતો �દેશ છે. વાતા � તો એવ ું કહે છે કે રામાયણમાંન ું દંડકાર�ય એ જ આ ડાંગનાં જ ંગલ. �ક ૃ�તના ખોળામાં એનાં �ણસો ગામડાં લપાઈને પડ�ાં છે. એની અઢી લાખની વ�તી અમદાવાદના પાંસઠ લાખના માનવ-મહેરામણ સામે સાવ ટચ ૂકડી લાગે. નકશામાં ડાંગ � જ�લો પોતે પણ �ણે ગ ુજરાતની � શખાની ગાંઠને છેડ ે બાંધેલ ું ગલગોટાન ું �લ ન હોય, એવો લાગે. આહવા એની રાજધાની છે. વ�તીના ૯૪% તો આ�દવાસી ��તઓ છે, જ મ ે ની પોતાની ડાંગી, કો ંકાઈ જ ેવી ભાષાઓ છે. પણ ગ ુજરાતી, મરાઠી સમજનારા અને બોલનારા ઘણા નીકળી આવે. વતનીઓ આદિ વાસી છે, પણ પહેરવેશમાં શટ �-પે��, સાડી દેખાય છે. અહીના ં રહેવાસીઓની આ� દમતાની ગવાહી એમની વારલી નામે ઓળખાતી � ચ�કળામાં દેખાય છે, જ ે � ુગો પહેલાંનાં ગ ફુ ા� ચ�ો-શાં જણાય છે અને એમના સમાજ-�વનની ઝાખી ંુ કરાવે છે. નીચે મે ં જોયેલાંમાંન ંુ એક � ચ� પાનની � પચકારી અને પગની છાપો લાગેલ ી ભીત ં ઉપરન ંુ છે, અને મે ં સફેદ-કાળા રંગોમાં તેને ફેરવીને જોનારને અરેરાટી ન થાય એવો �ય�ન કયો� છે. વઘઈ એ બીજું મોટ ંુ ગામ છે. મોટર ર�તે વાંસદા રા��ીય અભયાર�યથી બહુ દ ૂર નથી. ચોમાસ ંુ એ ડાંગને મળવાનો ઉ�મ સમય છે, પણ વાંસદા અભયાર�ય આ ગાળામાં બંધ રહે છે. એને કોરાણે મ ૂકી ને નકશામાં બતા�યા �માણે અમે વઘઈથી મહાલ તરીકે ઓળખાતા જ ંગલ �દેશમાં પહો�યાં. …પણ ર�તામાં � ગરા ધોધની મ ુલાકાત લેવાન ું કેવી રીતે ચ ૂકાય? � ગરા નદીનો આ ધોધ, વરસાદ પડ�ો હોય �યારે તો જબરદ�ત જોશથી અને � દલ ખોલીને વહે છે: આપણી આશાઓની જ મ ે જ, કદાચ ખબર હશે કે આગળ જઈને પ�થર ઉપર ટ ૂટવાન ું જ છે, પણ છતા� વણથં�યો એ ધોધ પડ�ા જ કરે છે! Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 81
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આખા ર�તે અમને જ ંગલ અને ખેતર એકમેકમાં પરોવાયેલાં દેખાય છે. અ�યારે ડાંગરની ઋત ુ છે. અહીના ં લોકો ડાંગરને પણ ’ભાત’ જ કહે છે. ર�તાના �કનારાની ન�ક ચોખાથી ભારે થયેલાં �ોડવાનાં માથાં પવનમાં ડોલે છે અને રંગમાં ભ ૂખરાં લાગે છે. દરના ૂ �ોડનો રંગ, દરના ૂ ડુગરાની ં જમ ે જ ર�ળયામણો લીલો છે.
અમારે જવ ું હત ું સડા ું ગામ પાસે, બી� કે�પસાઇટ છ ે તેનાથી ઉલટા ર�તે. સડાથી ું અં�બકા નદીનો � કનારો પકડી રાખીને અમે ચા�યાં.
મહાલ કે�પસાઈટ પાસે નાનકડો � �ક છ.ે ભર બપોરે જ ંગલમાં �ાંયો છ.ે એક ભાઈ એમની વાંસની પ�ીઓથી વણેલ ી સાદડી લઈ સામે મળે છ.ે અમે ગાઈડ લીધો નહતો, પણ એમને ર�તો પ ૂ� ી ખાતરી કરી લીધી.
... નદી ઉપરના નાના પ ુલને � ેડે, જમીન ઉપર પર બેસી, � મ� સાથે દરૂ ક�ાંક નજર ઠારીને બેઠેલા સજજન...
ર�તામાં વળી ભેટો થયો – મા�લાં પકડવામાટેનાં વાંસનાં બે પાંજરાં નદીમાં ગોઠવવા જતા એક દાદા અને એમનો બકરાં ચરાવી ને પ�ો આવતો પૌ� ...
અને હાથમાં તમાકુ ચોળતો એક �ન�નંદી, જ ેને અમારું એમને તાકી રહેવ ંુ બહુ ગમ� ંુ હોય એમ ન લા�� .ંુ પણ તસવીર ખે ંચવા સામે એમણે �વરોધ પણ ન કયો� અને સંમ�ત આપી.
વળી થોડા વળાંકો અને ચઢાણ આવે છ ે અને અમને મ ઝવણ ંૂ થાય છ ે કે અમે સાચા ર�તે � ીએ કે નહી ં. બીજા એક ભાઈ મળે છ.ે જ ંગલમાં પોતાના ખભા જ ેવો કોઈ સ� ધયારો નથી. આ ભાઈને ખભે કહ ુ ાડી છ.ે "તમે લાકડાં કાપો �ો?" જવાબમાં એ હ�યા. "જ ંગલમાં આવ ું કાઈ ું ંક રાખવ ું પડે. વખતે કામ લાગે." "અહી ં દીપડા આવે?" અમારી ઉ�સ કુ તા પામી જઈને એ ફરી હ�યા. "આવે, પણ આવા બપોરના ના આવે." અમે વળી ર�તે પડ�ા�.
અમે સોએક પગ�થયાં ચડીને જજ�રતાનો અંચળો ઓઢીને � ેકરી પર છપાયેલા ૂ મહાદેવ મં� દરમાં દશ�ન કરવા ગયાં. દા’ડી પતાવી પાછી વળતી છોકરીઓ અમને જોઈને હસી પડે છે, ને છોકરાઓ દો� મ ૂકે છે. સમી સાંજન ંુ ધ ુ�મસ ઉઠવા લાગે છે એમ લોકો છાપરાની છ�છાયામાં શરણ શોધે છે. પરસેવે રેબઝેબ એવાં અમે અં� બકાન ંુ શરણ ંુ શોધીએ છીએ. ઢળતા તડકાએ નદીના પાણીમાં ચાંદી ઢોળી દીધી છે. નદીની આ ડ ૂબકી શાતા અને તરવરા� બ�ે સાથે આપે છે. એ�લામાાં જ ંગલખાતાના અ� ધકારીઓની �પ આવે છે. સાંજ ઢળી ગઈ હોવાથી આ જ�યા બહુ સલામત નથી, કેમકે જ ંગલના �વોને પાણી પીવાનો સમય થયો છે તેવ ંુ એ લોકો અમને કહે છે. અમે આહવા જઈ �થા�નક ભોજન: નાગલીના રો�લા, પરવળન ંુ શાક, વાલની દાળ – જ ે અહીન ં ંુ પારંપ� રક ભોજન છે, તેનો ભરપે� આ�વાદ લઈએ છીએ, અને ડાાંગને �વદાય આપીએ છીએ.
હવે આગળ થોડી ગાયો ઝાડનીચે વાગોળતી બેઠ ી હતી અને એમને ચરાવવા બે ભાઈઓ સાથ ે આ�યા હતા. ગાયો આરામમાં હતી એટલે એ લોકો પણ �નરાંત-�વે ઉભેલા હતા. પોતાનો ફોટો લેવાતાં તેમને કદાચ સભાનતા આવી ગઈ હશે. પણ લીધલ ે ા ફોટા અમે જયારે એમને બતા�યા �યારે જ એ જરા હળવા થયા. સવારનાં નીકાળેલાં અમે બાપોરના સમયે અમારી મલ ુ ાકાતના બી� ચરણમાં �વેશવા ત ય ૈ ાર હતાં. અમને અણસાર સ � ુ ાં નહતો કે આગળ શ ું હશે 82 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
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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)
You won’t feel capable of mastering the steps it takes to succeed, but someone or something will come along that will help you or make your work easier. There will be small gains in your finances. You may have problems with your legs but avoid surgery; a little rest will do wonders.
A sudden surge in your business or career and a call from a lover will come as a much-welcomed surprise. Expect to hear some good news soon. You will have good luck in metaphysical pursuits, mending hurt feelings and attracting romance.
A business proposal or the possibility of a new avenue to pursue will soon be presented. A letter or package you’ve been waiting for will arrive. Financial gain will come through investments, speculations or a well thought out plan of action.
Lucky Colour Peach
Lucky Colour Indigo
Lucky Colour Purple Lucky No. 4
Lucky No. 6
Lucky No. 7
Cancer (Jun 21 - Jul 21)
Leo (Jul 22 - Aug 21)
Virgo (Aug 22 - Sep 21)
The work that you ordinarily love to do will become an unbearable chore and you will be frustrated. You will suddenly come into more money but you will have to be more assertive. Wait a while before you invest your money in property.
Your financial situation will be especially good because you will acquire money through a new project, business deal or settlement. New avenues will spring from old, in both your business and your personal affairs.
A fixed attitude, unworkable environment or unpleasant experience will come to an end and in its place will come a new perspective or an uplifting turn of events. You will want to share your feelings but will keep them to yourself because you can’t find an ‘outlet’.
Lucky Colour Lemon Yellow
Lucky Colour Magenta Lucky No. 2
Lucky Colour Jade Green
Libra (Sep 22 - Oct 22)
Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 20)
Sagittarius (Nov 21 - Dec 20)
You will have to deal with very unpleasant people or circumstances in your work and will feel that you are wasting your time and effort. A lover will call or many admirers will pursue you. You could experience a lack of energy or fatigue.
Some areas will be at a standstill while you wait for things to develop. You may be considering a new line of work or money making venture. The entry of a third person could mess up your relationship.
You will want to work in a human potential profession that motivates others through self-actualization or creative interaction. Expect a postponement or delay in affairs concerning finances, but the money is forthcoming.
Lucky Colour Olive Green
Lucky Colour Green
Lucky Colour Orange Lucky No. 3
Lucky No. 1
Lucky No. 8
Lucky No. 9
Lucky No. 5
Capricorn (Dec 21 - Jan 19)
Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18)
Pisces (Feb 19 - Mar 19)
You’re going to be over worked and over tired but will complete the project (s) you set out to do successfully. There could also be a change of residence. Be determined to get what you want; the goal is within reach.
You will come together with someone to discuss a business idea or venture that could improve or market your work. You will feel uplifted, renewed and in a sociable mood. Someone will help you collect money that is owed to you.
You will soon be receiving money from something that was held up or that you should have gotten in the past more than anticipated. You will not be happy with your present partner and will want to come together with someone else.
Lucky Colour Brown
Lucky Colour Red
Lucky Colour Ink Blue Lucky No. 3
Lucky No. 9
Lucky No. 8
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 Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 83
IN FOCUS
COMFORTABLE FOOT FORWARD Take the footwear fashion one level up with the exciting range of Healers
G
ive your feet the best of health with combination of style and comfort. Liberty, the country’s leading footwear manufacturer is all set to launch the Healers range with profound health benefits. The collection includes a variety of foot massagers, shoes, insoles and sandals to relax, stimulate and improve your health. They combine style and technology to achieve more in terms of improving circulation, increasing energy levels, and adding vitality to your life. The footbed consists of massage nodules, shaped and graded to the contour of the foot for comfort, stimulation and support. The trendy yet comfortable collection comes with six basic models and is sure to provide a foot massage at every step.
Healers’ innovative construction along with the anatomical orthotic insoles aims to enhance comfort from heel to toe and provide relief to heel, foot, knee, and lower back pain. The model with H technology insoles improves sleep pattern and enhance blood circulation. The H8 technology massages 8 key pressure points on the sole connected to your vital organs.
The range also includes footwear with H4 technology that features an air circulation system which keeps your feet fresh all day long and the one with Memory Foam technology prevents foot tiredness and heel shock. Healers also come with HA Technology that relieves stress in the feet and H1 technology eliminates heel pain. If comfort and style is the choice, Healers are a good addition to the wardrobe.
FASCINATING FURNITURE
Adorn your gardens or terraces with brimming sophistication, style and luxurious ambiance of trendy collection of outdoor furniture by Wisma Atria Interiors
K
nown for her aesthetically curate high-end selection, Interior designer Nomita Kohli of Wisma Atria Interiors has launched the uniquely designed, Outdoor furniture Collection by its Italian furniture brand DFN, The Outdoor Company. The furniture collection comprises of a designer range of sunbeds, chaise lounge and armchairs in a sinuous shape for decorating outdoors with ease. Available in many colour options like brown, grey, teak, black, blue and green, the collection features aluminum frame covered in hand-woven synthetic resin supplemented with a cushion for optimum comfort and a headrest with removable roller.
84 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
“DFN develops, produces and distributes luxury outdoor furniture collection with the brands Samuele Mazza and Dolcefarniente”, says Nomita Kohli. Through the use of high quality materials and sophisticated processing, DFN gives life to furnishing projects and each piece of furniture can be adapted to the customer’s requirements and completely tailored for specific projects.
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It is available at Wisma Atria Interiors by Nomita Kohli and is an embodiment of fascinating furniture pieces to serve you with an amazing experience in the outdoor spaces. Available at: Wisma Atria Interiors by Nomita Kohli F-208, Lado Sarai, Old MB Road, New Delhi 110030, India Phone : +91 11 4107 6115
SHORT TAKES
Entertainment Calling We bring you a selection of movies for the month
NARAYAN The film is about grit and determination of a father in the quest for protecting his son. It is a tale of how a father becomes a preserver for his son and how he transformed himself to bring back his son from goons. The film is slated to release in November and features Jogesh Sehdeva, Rahul Aamath, Anchal Goswami, Karishma Singh, Eklovey Kashyap, Nirnay Sehdeva, Harinder Singh Sekhon, Rajesh Dhadhwal in the pivot role. Release date: November 3, 2017 Director: Jogesh Sehdeva
SECRET SUPERSTAR The film revolves around a teenager who aspires to be a famous singer. Director: Advait Chandan Cast: Aamir Khan, Zaira Wasim, Meher Vij Release date: October 19, 2017
RUKH The drama is all about the journey of a boy rediscovering his lost familial ties. Director: Atanu Mukherjee Cast: Manoj Bajpayee, Smita Tambe, Kumud Mishra Release date: October 27, 2017
KALVARI: THE FIRST SCORPENE SUBMARINE History was written at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders with the delivery of the first Scorpene submarine, Kalvari, to the Indian Navy
T
he first Scorpene submarine, Kalvari was delivered to Indian Navy on September 21, 2017. This historic event reaffirms the giant strides taken by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in the ongoing â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Make In Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; programme, which is being actively implemented by the Department of Defence Production (MoD). Kalvari is named after the dreaded Tiger Shark and will now be re-incarnated, by Mazagon Dock. The state-of-art technology utilised in the Scorpene has ensured superior stealth features such as advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimised shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy.
With the delivery of Kalvari, MDL has mastered the complex art of submarine building and India has cemented its position as a submarine building nation. The second of the Scorpenes under construction at MDL, Khanderi, is currently undergoing the rigorous phase of sea trials. The third Scorpene, Karanj, is being readied for launch later this year.
Scorpene submarines can undertake multifarious types of missions, i.e., Anti-Surface warfare, Anti-Submarine warfare, Intelligence gathering, Mine Laying, Area Surveillance, etc.
The Scorpene project would not have achieved the current progress without the support and active encouragement of MoD. It is pertinent to mention that the two MDL built SSK submarines are still in service today, after more than 20 years; testimony to the skill and capability of Mazagon Dock. Rail Bandhu - October 2017 | 85
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- vDVwcj 2017
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,u,pih Hkkjr
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1800-180-1104
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- vDVwcj 2017
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Hkkjrh; jsy }kjk cuk, x, rFkk ns'k Hkj esa cuk, tk jgs fofHkUu jsy iqy vius vki esa vfHk;kaf=dh ds mRd`"V mnkgj.k izLrqr djrs gSa
dks czsFkosV ,aM daiuh }kjk cuk;k x;k FkkA ;g jsy iqy dkaxM+k ?kkVh dh iBkudksV&tksfxanj uxj dh uSjksxst ykbu ij cuk gSA ;g iqy o"kZ 1927&28 esa cuk FkkA ;g vkdZ iqy] eky LVhy ds xMZjksa dh esgjkcksa ls cuk gSA ;g iqy ck.kxaxk unh ij cuk gS tks dkaxM+k íkgj ds ikl gSA
lkekU; tkudkjh ns'k Hkj esa cus vusd jsy iqy ,sls gSa tks Lora=rk izkfIr ls iwoZ cuk, x, FksA brus o"kZ chr tkus ds ckn Hkh bUgsa mi;ksx esa yk;k tk jgk gSA bldk Js; Hkkjrh; jsy ds vfHk;arkvksa dks tkrk gSA os le;&le; ij budh ns[kjs[k dk dk;Z djrs gSaA
iqy la[;k&541] ;g iqy pkj eaft+yk gS tks vkdZ xSyjh uqek gSA ;g iqy o"kZ 1898 esa cuk FkkA ;g iqy Hkkjrh; jsy dk lcls Åapk vkdZ xSyjh iqy gSA bldh yackbZ 52-90 ehVj ,oa ÅapkbZ 23 ehVj gSA blds pkj ekyksa ;k ryksa esa dqy 34 vkdZ cus gSaA ;g iqy 48 bap dh fjolZ doZ ij gSA ;g vius vki esa ,d vuks[kk iqy gSA yksgs ls cuk ,d vkdZ okyk jsy iqy&#.M jsy iqy] dkaxM+k ?kkVh jsyos ;g jsy iqy dkaxM+k ?kkVh esa fLFkr gSA ;g ,d vkdZ iqy gSA ;g vius izdkj dk Hkkjr esa igyk jsy iqy gS tks bLikr ls cuk vkdZ iqy gSA blds LVhy dksEiksusaV
xksnkojh vkdZ fczt ;g u;k iqy iqjkus iqy ds ikl gh cuk gSA ;g u;k vkSj rhljk jsyiqy gkoM+k&psUubZ jsyekxZ ij jkteqanjh ds ikl fufeZr gSA ;g iqy dsoy jsy ;krk;kr gsrq gSA bldk fuekZ.k dk;Z o"kZ 1991 esa vkjaHk gqvk Fkk vkSj 1997 esa dke iwjk gqvk FkkA ;g bdgjh jsyekxZ okyk jsy iqy gSA bl iqy dh yackbZ 2]745 ehVj gSA dukjk jsy iqy ;k 13 vkdZ fczt ;g iqy vius vki esa ,d vuks[kk iqy gSA blesa 13 vkdZ cus gq, gSa ftl dkj.k ls ;g 13 vkdZ okyk iqy dgykrk gSA ;g jsy iqy iqukywj rFkk rhu dk'kh taD'ku ¼nf{k.k jsyos½ ds chp dksye&lsuxksV~Vkjh jsy [kaM esa fLFkr gSA ;g dktkFkq#Fkh unh ij cuk gSA bldh yackbZ 103 ehVj rFkk ÅapkbZ 5-18 ehVj gSA ;g iqy 1904 esa cuk Fkk tc dksye ls psUubZ ehVj xst jsy ykbu cukbZ xbZ FkhA vc bls cM+h jsy ykbu esa cny fn;k x;k gSA - vDVwcj 2017 | 89
gekjh ijaijk
?kj&?kj esa
dykdkj
vksfM’kk ds j?kqjktiqj xkao ds fuokfl;ksa }kjk cuk, x, iVfp= o rkyi= fo’o Hkj esa yksdfiz; gSaA orZeku esa Hkh ;g yksddyk ikjaifjd rjhdksa ls cukbZ tkrh gS ys[k% ’kf’k xks;yk
Hkk
jrh; yksddyk ds ekufp= ij mHkjdj vk;k j?kqjktiqj vksfM’kk esa HkkxZoh unh ds rV ij clk ,d ,slk xkao gS tgka cPps dks dykdkj cuus dk xq.k ?kqV~Vh esa gh feykdj fiyk fn;k tkrk gSA Hkkjr f’kYi xzke dh mikf/k ls vyad`r j?kqjktiqj ds ?kj&?kj esa dykdkj tUe ysrs gSaA ;g vksfM’kh u`R; ds fo[;kr xq# dsyqpj.k egkik= dh tUeHkwfe gSA fd’kksjksa }kjk fd, tkus okyk yksdu`R; xqVhiqvk ;gka dh laLd`fr dk vk/kkj gSA iVfp=ksa vkSj rkyi= dyk ds vfrfjDr ;g xkao fHkfÙkfp=ksa ds fy, Hkh yksdfiz; gSA bl xkao dh izR;sd ih<+h viuh ijaijk dk laj{k.k djrh gSA ;gka ds dykdkjksa dks ns[kdj ;g fo’okl gks tkrk gS fd ’kksHkk o lkSan;Z dh Hkkouk ekuo tkfr ds lkFk vfr fudV lgpjksa dh Hkkafr ijaijkxr Le`fr ds :i esa lnSo cuh jgrh gSA
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- vDVwcj 2017
vkd"kZd dyk ds n’kZu iqjh ls yxHkx 14 fdyksehVj nwj jktekxZ ls ,d lM+d ,Iyhd o iSpodZ ds fy, yksdfiz; fiIiyhxzke rFkk nwljh j?kqjktiqj dh vksj tkrh gSA ;g xkao Hkh ns[kus esa if’pe caxky ds vU; xkaoksa dh gh Hkkafr yxk tks [ktwj] rkM+] ukfj;y] lqikjh] dsy]s dVgy vkSj vke ds isMk+ as ls gjk&Hkjk gSA ;gka dk [kku&iku Hkh xzkeh.k caxky dh rjg gS cl ifjos’k o izof` Ùk fHkUu gSA ;gka iryh lM+d ds nksuksa vksj ,dnwljs ls lVs vf/kdka’k iDds ijarq dqN dPps nksefa t+yk edku gSAa Vhu ;k Qwl dh Nr] gj ?kj esa ,d pcwrjk o cjkenk Fkk tgka dksbZ u dksbZ x`goklh fdlh u fdlh dyk esa O;Lr fn[kkbZ fn;kA ,slk yxk] ^;s thou f’kYih ds ?kj Fks] >kM+&Qwl a ds fooj ughaA* bl f’kYi txr dks fudVrk ls tkuus ds fy, ge f’kYih larks"k dqekj csgjk ds ?kj igqp a x,A ?kj dh ckgjh nhokj fpf=r FkhA ;gka u dsoy LusgHkjk vkfrF;
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vkt ds nkSj esa Hkh bl dyk dks jpus okys n{k gkFk ikjaifjd lkexzh dk mi;ksx fd;k djrs gSaA bu ij izkd`frd jax p<+k gksrk gS
fiNobZ] vklu tks Hkxoku txUukFk dh ihB ij fcNk, tkrs gS]a os j?kqjktiqj ds daBh can dykdkjksa }kjk fpf=r fd, tkrs gSAa nso’k;u ds volj ij d{kk esa yxk inkZ rFkk jFk ;k=k ds rhuksa jFkksa dh dykRed lTtk ;gha ds dykdkjksa dh dYiuk dk deky gSA rHkh dqN vkSj yksx vk x, rFkk ydM+h o isijes’kh ds pVdnkj jaxksa okys f[kykSus ,oa eq[kkSVs lkFk ysdj vk, FksA lqna j uDdk’kh fd;k gqvk ltkoV dk lkeku Hkh FkkA
feyk vfirq vklikl ds ?kjksa ls izQYq y] txUukFk] lqdeq kj] iq"ik] bafnjk o ’kksHkk uked f’kYih Hkh vk x,A ;gka dh dyk ;k=k esa efgyk,a o iq#"k nksuksa lgHkkxh gSAa ;gka geus fofo/k izdkj ds vR;ar vkd"kZd iVfp= o rkyi= fp= ns[ksA bu dykdkjksa ls geus ;g tkuk fd fp=dkjh dk leLr miknku izdf` r iznÙk gSA beyh vkSj pkWd dks mckydj tks xwnk rS;kj gksrk gS] mldk iz;ksx rkyi=] diM+s vkSj dkxt+ dks lh/kk vkSj dM+k djus ds fy, fd;k tkrk gSA /kq,a ls dkyk jax] ihiy dh Nky dks mckydj Hkwjk] lhdj dh csfj;ksa dks mcky o dwVdj uhyk rFkk lse dh yrk ds iÙkksa ls xgjk gjk jax cuk;k tkrk gSA blds vfrfjDr xs#] fgaxy q k rFkk ’ka[k dk pwjk Hkh iz;Dq r gksrk gSA fHkfÙkfp= cukus ds fy, tks IykLVj rS;kj fd;k tkrk gS og pwuk mnZ dh Hkhxh gqbZ nky] twV o csy ds xwns dh yqxnh dk ?kksy gksrk gSA o`{k dh iryh Vgfu;ksa ;k fn;kflykbZ dh lhad ij #bZ cka/kdj rwfydk rS;kj dh tkrh gSA gka] vktdy cz’k dk iz;ksx Hkh gksus yxk gSA
dyk ds u, vk;ke iVfp= vkSj rkyi=kadu j?kqjktiqj dh fo’ks"krk gS ijarq ftl izdkj ;gka ds dykdkjksa us viuh dyk dks u;k vk;ke fn;k] og mudh ftthfo"kk dk izR;{k izek.k FkkA eq>s vuqHko gqvk fd ijaijk esa fu"Bk j[krs gq, orZeku dks lkeus j[kuk vko’;d gS D;ksafd ijaijk dsoy vrhr ls izkI; dk izs"k.k ugha] vfirq og O;ogkjxr rFkk izrhdkRed iquq#fDr }kjk gh viuh vfLerk cuk, j[k ldrh gSA ;g fpÙk vkSj lkekftd <kaps dks fLFkjrk iznku djrh gSA j?kqjktiqj dh ubZ ih<+h i<+h&fy[kh gSA thfodksiktZu ds fy, xzke ls ckgj Hkh tkrh gSA viuh fojklr esa budh dSlh fu"Bk gS bldk vuqHko rc gqvk tc fo|ky; ls ykSVs cPpksa dks f’kYi ds fofHkUu miknkuksa dks lgstrs ns[kkA ,d nks rks ,sls Fks tks Lo;a fp= cukus esa yx x,A lH;rk ds fodkl ds lkFk&lkFk vf/kdrj iSr`d O;olk; dk ewy:i vkNUu gks tkrk gS ijarq bl NksVs ls f’kYixzke us vktrd vius dks vrhr ls tksM+s j[kk gSA
uohu lajpuk,a lHkh fMt+kbu dykdkj dh rwfydk dk gh deky gksrh gS ijarq dHkh&dHkh ^LVSfa ly* dk mi;ksx Hkh gksrk gSA fp=dyk ds vf/kdka’k fo"k; ikSjkf.kd vk[;ku ;k /kkfeZd ekU;rk,a gSAa fdarq ubZ ih<+h ds dykdkj orZeku dks n`f"Vxr j[kdj uohu lajpuk djus yxs gSAa ;|fi fo"k;karj vf/kd ugha gqvk gSA csgjkth dk iq= iVfp= cuk jgk FkkA ftl izdkj ls dkys jax ls nksgjh vkmVykbu [khaph tk jgh Fkh] mlls vkfnokfl;ksa dh xksnuk isfa Vax ;kn vk xbZA izfl) dykdkj ;kfeuh jk; us ,d ckj dgk Fkk] ^^vkneh dh tM+as gksuh pkfg,a /kjrh ls tqMh+ gqb]aZ vU;Fkk og e’khu gSA** eSua s ns[kk fd j?kqjktiqj ds f’kYih viuh /kjrh ls cM+h xgjkbZ ls tqMs+ gq, gSAa vr% budh dyk esa u rks vf/kdrk gS vkSj u gh f’kfFkyrkA ,d o`) dykdkj us crk;k fd mudk gLrf’kYi mruk gh izkphu gS ftruk txUukFkth dk eafnjA vkt Hkh bl nsoLFky dk panksok]
enn dk gkFk vksfM’kk ifjHkze.k dsanz us izpkj dk;Z fd;k vkSj j?kqjktiqj nslh o fons’kh dyk izsfe;ksa dk dsanz cu x;kA ftl izdkj ls ;gka fons’kh i;ZVd fn[krs gSa] mlls ;gka ds f’kYi dh yksdfiz;rk Li"V gks tkrh gSA Jh csgjk us dgk] ^^tsyh eka gekjh y{eh o ljLorh nksuksa gSaA** ’kke gksus dks Fkh geus ogka ls fonk yhA gekjs lkFk vesfjdu nEifÙk Hkh pyus yxsA mUgksaus dgk fd j?kqjktiqj esa dyk dh vfojke /kkjk fujarj cgrh gSA ;gh dykdkjksa ds fo"k; p;u dh izsj.kklzksr gSA bu dykdkjksa ds fy, eu esa tks Hkko mBs os dfo fnudj ds ’kCnksa esa izLrqr gSa] ^^fut deZ dk ikyu djks] pkjksa Qyksa dh izkfIr gks] nq[k&nkg] vkf/kO;kf/k lcdh] ,d lkFk lekfIr gksA Åij ls uhps rd ,d lqj Hkh ,slk ugha] lRdeZ esa jr ns[kdj rqedks] tks lgk;d gks ughaA**
gekjh lEink
vewY; Hkkjr esa nks ls vkB vDVwcj rd oU;tho lIrkg euk;k tkrk gSA o"kZ 1952 ls ;g lIrkg blfy, euk;k tkus yxk rkfd oU; izkf.k;ksa dks laj{k.k izkIr gks lds
ekSle dk izHkko ubZ fnYyh ds ckgjh oU; {ks= esa ,slk n`'; lkSHkkX; ls gh ns[kus dks feyrk gS tgka lqgkous ekSle ds izHkko esa vkdj nks eksj opZLo dh yM+kbZ ds fy, vkeus&lkeus vk tkrs gSaA
Nk;kfp=% fouksn xks;y
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- vDVwcj 2017
www.railbandhu.in
vkt ds nkSj esa Hkh bl dyk dks jpus okys n{k gkFk ikjaifjd lkexzh dk mi;ksx fd;k djrs gSaA bu ij izkd`frd jax p<+k gksrk gS
pky ls >ydrh ’kku taxy dk jktk ck?k tc viuh jkg ij pyrk gS rks mls ns[kdj fuLlansg eqag ls fudy tkrk gS fd okg D;k pky gSA dkUgk jk"Vªh; m|ku esa bl ck?k dks ns[kdj gj dksbZ vfHkHkwr gq, fcuk ugha jg ldkA
I;kl cq>kus dh yyd fte dkWcsZV jk"Vªh; m|ku esa jkr gksus dks gS vkSj ;s fgj.k unh dh vksj blfy, Hkkx jgs gSa rkfd os viuh I;kl cq>k ldsaA lw;kZLr ds le; ;s fgj.k okdbZ cgqr lqanj yx jgs gSaA - vDVwcj 2017 | 93
gekjh lEink
eLrh esa djrs fopj.k fte dkWcsZV jk"Vªh; m|ku ds fMdkyk {ks= esa ,slk n`'; de gh ns[kus dks feyrk gS tc gkfFk;ksa dk >qaM eLrh esa ;gka&ogka ?kwerk fn[kkbZ nsrk gSA ge ekuoksa dh Hkkafr gkfFk;ksa dks Hkh ifjokj esa jguk cgqr Hkkrk gSA
lqj{kk esa [kM+h eka ckf?ku bl ea'kk ls pkSdUuh [kM+h gS rkfd mlds cPps ikuh ihdj viuh I;kl cq>k ldsaA dkSu dgrk gS fd oU; i'kqvksa esa vkReh;rk ds Hkkoksa dh deh gksrh gSA ,sls Hkkoijd n`'; de gh ns[kus dks feyrs gSaA
¼fouksn xks;y iwoZ ofj"B iz'kklfud vf/kdkjh gSa ftUgsa Q+ksVksxzkQ+h esa csgn #fp gSA fiNys 14 o"kksZa dh vof/k esa mUgksaus 60 ls vf/kd vHk;kj.;ksa o jk"Vªh; m|kuksa dk Hkze.k dj fofHkUu oU;thoksa dh nqyZHk xfrfof/k;ksa dks vius dSejs esa dSn fd;k gSA½
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- vDVwcj 2017
'kgn ds fy, dM+k ifjJe ukxf>jk oU;tho vHk;kj.; esa 'kgn dh pkg esa ;g Hkkyw isM+ ij tk p<+kA ;g dguk xyr ugha gksxk fd euilan oLrq ds fy, D;k ekuo vkSj D;k taxyh tkuoj lHkh cM+s ls cM+k d"V lg ysrs gSaA
SHORT TAKES
Reading Corner Grab a copy and transport yourself to the world of books bu dforkvksa esa thou vkSj tx ds jkx dk mRlo gSA dfo dh dfork,a le; dh lewph nq[kkafrdh ,d isM+ Nrukj ls ifjfpr gSaA ml iwjs volkn ls Hkh ftls le; us viuh miyfC/k ds :i esa vftZr fd;k gSA fdarq og mEehn dh viuh t+ehu ugha NksM+rhA dkj.k ’kk;n ;g gS fd tuthou] yksd&vuqHko vkSj Hkk"kk ys[kd% fnus’k dqekj ’kqDy ds Hkhrj fuc) tulkekU; ds eu dh rkdr dh ,d cM+h iwath muds ikl gSA ;s dfork,a viuh Hkk"kk jktdey izdk’ku lkeF;Z ds fy, Hkh tkuh xbZ gSA mUgksaus viuk ,d vyx jax jpk gS vkSj Nan ijaijk dks ubZ dfork eas fHkUu dkS’ky ls cjrk gSA ;s dfork,a turk dh ihM+k mtkxj djrh izrhr gksrh gSaA ewY;: `300
THE MAVERICKS OF MUSSOORIE BY M. RAMACHANDRAN RUPA PUBLICATIONS
THE WORD THRICE UTTERED
PRICE: `395
The book offers an inspiring look at how an IAS officer, in his individual capacity, can work to influence and execute policies that make a positive contribution to the country. In this candid memoir, the writer opens up on how and why, despite a distinguished career, the post of Cabinet Secretary eluded him. This book unfolds what transpired and reveals what happens behind the scenes in Indian bureaucracy.
BY PARVEEN TALHA NIYOGI BOOKS PRICE: `350
The book is a collection of short stories portraying the diverse realities of life through the protagonists - children, women, men, animals, even supernatural beings. The stories have a plot, run on a theme and have turns and twists. The stories are layered with hidden depths and nuances exploring the many dimensions of human nature.
izHkk"k tks’kh us fganh i=dkfjrk dks u, eqdke rd igqapk;kA ’kCn vkSj deZ dh ,drk ds fo’oklh Jh tks’kh us tu&lac) i=dkfjrk ds ,d u, nkSj dk vkjaHk fd;kA fganh i=dkfjrk ds fodkl esa ,sfrgkfld Hkwfedk fuHkkus okys Jh tks’kh ds thou dh ;g dgkuh muds le; dh Hkh dgkuh gS D;ksafd muds fy[kus vkSj thus dh ,d gh eaft+y Fkh] og Fkh yksd&lac)rkA bl yksd&lac) O;fDrRo dh thou&xkFkk ds vusd iM+ko gSaA bl thouh esa vkidks mu iM+koksa dk foLr`r vkSj izkekf.kd fooj.k feysxkA izHkk"kth ds O;fDrxr thou ds vutkus izlaxksa ls vki :&c&: gksaxsA bruk gh ugha muds lkoZtfud thou ds fuHkZ; lksp ds lanHkksZa ls vki voxr gksaxsA
yksd dk izHkk"k ys[kd% jkek’kadj dq’kokgk jktdey izdk’ku ewY;: `250
96 | Rail Bandhu - October 2017
INDIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S
No.1 Best On-Time Performance in the year 2016-17
Highest Occupancy Rate for 29 consecutive months
The results were announced on 20th November, r 2016. r,