57. Two Years Ago

Dreams. Hopes.
Debates.
Enthusiasm. Eagerness.
Queues.

Crowds.
Slogans.
Speeches.

It was just two years ago.
We have lost the opportunity to bring in change.
Once again!!
Because we did not act in the right manner?
History will have a story to tell....

56. Food 1. Daman

Like circuit house, I suppose 'Food in India' also deserves a separate series.

Daman and Diu is one of the Union Terretories of India. Their closeness to two big states Gujrat and Maharashtra is obvious. Sometimes I felt that it was closer to Gujrat and at some other times, I thought it was closer to Maharashtra. Being a tribal locality, it also shows lot of Portuguese influence.

I stayed there for three four days and every time ended up eating Gujrati thali.

And if you like pickles, there are many options here.

Try one of these and you will like it. 

55. Circuit House: 1. Raipur

I know that we just shudder at a thought of staying even one night in a Circuit House. 

A Government Guest House is popularly (or un-popularly) known as Circuit House in India. 

It is a guest house where government officials can stay either for a minimum charge or free of charge. 

Some guest houses accommodate non government people who have are on government duty. 

I had an opportunity to visit number of these and I plan to present a series. 

Gone are the days of those stinky, old, ghost-like circuit houses. Modern construction is replacing the old ones. 

Here are some images of Circuit House of Raipur, capital of Chattisgarh. This is  'New Circuit House'

It is specious. It is clean. Service is good. Variety of menu is offered. 

In the front-yard, there are some sculptures. Have a closer look at one of those. 

From where it is brought, I do not know. 

And from the balcony it gives this kind of view.

It is peaceful, amazingly peaceful. 

For few moments, it helped me to forget the turmoil in the state. 

54. Art and Use!

Some people can combine Art and Work.
Of course, the perception of Art differs from person to person.
For example, for this man in a small town in the State of Bihar, this may not be labeled as art, but just hard work.

Can Art be perceived when one has to work hard?
Or Art is felt only when in luxury?
What is Art for one, is Work for other.

But whether Art or not, the 'work' of this potter has been used by many. 

53. Kamakhya Temple

It was after almost twenty years, I was visiting Guwahati. 
I had visited Kamakhya temple then, but hardly remembered anything about it.

So, one evening, when couple of colleagues asked me to join, I happily went with them.
The entrance was like any other temple.

However, the first view of the temple was beautiful.

And as I watched it more closely, it was amazing.

Only the site of animal sacrifice was heart-breaking.

Why this in the name of religion? After all, the Goddess does not eat anything, we human beings only consume the food!! 

52. Outsiders

They all had come to the place from outside.
Even I was an outsider.

I was at Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
Some of them had come there to enjoy and relax.

Obviously they had good time.

And there were others too, who also came from a distance of at least two thousand miles.
But they were here to earn their livelihood, do some hard work.
Food is different, language is different, living away from their dear ones.

Still it was amazing to see them smiling.

We were all outsiders .. to Golkonda Fort! 

51. Two Stations

Railway journey has always been a joy to me - in spite of the crowds, the dirty stations and the cockroaches in  the compartment.
Some of my best journeys are associated with railway.

Kanyakumari, the southernmost town has a beautiful station.

I have seen the station at different times and different phases of my life - and I have always liked it.

The other station that I liked but have never entered into it is thousands of miles away from Kanyakumari.

It is Agartala station in Tripura.
Once I want to reach this station by train.