DIWALI at Home and Remebering Ancestors as We Refugees Worship Neither Kali Nor Laxmi and Opt for Tradition Inspite of Rituals in our Life in Mourning Mode
Indian Holocaust My Father`s Life and Time- One Hundred and SEVENTY Six
Palash Biswas
http://indianholocaustmyfatherslifeandtime.blogspot.com/
DIWALI at Home for me has TWO dimension. Home means Basantipur Never Celebrated Diwali as RITUAL as we east Bengal SC Black untouchable Negroid people root in Folk and folklore not in Rituals. The Arya vedic Brahamins Converted us in hindutva late in Twelvth Century around. We were Nature associated Aboriginal Indigenous communities. The Foreigner Brahamins DENIED us every social religious Rights and Branded us Chandal.SO, even being Hindu, we had no Entry in the Religious Places nor in religious Rituals. But our people opted for Peace as they had been since ancient times. they NEVER worshiped DURGA, the War Goddess in their Home land as Durga Puja was all in all Zamindari affair. They worshiped Bholanath, Lord SHIVA , the God of Creativity. They worshiped fertility and Motehr Earth. They Worsipped Kali, the Saviour Goddess from calamities and Pandemic. My Basantipur Village worships the saviour Kali, Raksha kali.
We Never worshiped teh CHANDI nor the Laxmi as we had no right to ARMS, Knowledge or Property!
But my Home Town had been Nainital which happens to be a Hill Station and I had to celebrate my Diwali there since 1973. Leaving Nainital in 1979, I Never did Celebrate Diwali in either Form. Now, as I am aware of our History, I may feel that Diwali was an OCCASSION for us pepole to remeber our ANCESTORS. We lit around to remeber ancestors generation after generation! We emerge in the dreams of our Ancestors while predestined to be PERSECUTED Infinite!
and Remebering Ancestors as We Refugees Worship Neither Kali Nor Laxmi and Opt for Tradition Inspite of Rituals in our Life in Mourning Mode
Sabita lost her Mother for Ever this morning. I was just in the Bus to my way to Office when she called me and informed. she was WEEPING and NO Body was there to console her as her Neighbourhood frineds left for EXCURSION. Our Land lady was not at home. I just called Keutia and informed my Sister in law and nephews to help her. I may not miss the office as I am left alone today and it happens to be Emergency service.
I lost my Father in 2001 and Mother in 2006. Meanwhile I lost my elder Uncle in 2005. My Youngest Aunt, kakima expired in Sodepur in 1995 as she was staying with her son, ajournalist, working in Kolkata.Her Husband, My CHHOTOKAKA died in 1994. My Jethima, the eldest aunt died in 1992. I have not to mourn for my Elders nowadays. Now , Sabita also lost both her parents. She lost her father in 1989 while we were in Meerut, two hours awyay and we jined in the last rites.We were on LTC and staying in Bijnore having ailing Jethamoshai in new delhi ,at his son Arun, my Cousin`s residence. We were ready to leave for KOTDWAR while the News broke on Telephone. We could reach Basantipur to recieve the dead body of our Jethamoshai. But I was UNABLE to see my Parnts while they had their last breath.
We remain a THOUSAND Miles away from our HOME!
It was a busy and tense day all over. I had to go to the Market which is on FIRE due to Price Rise thanks to ZERO Inflation and Risilient Economy. Then I had to visit the Medical shop to purchase the latest installment of Sugar Medicines. Officilly, Life Saving medicines have to be Cheaper but we find them always more costly. Even the INSULINE.
I could sit calmly to read the Newspapers at MOON amidst the Newsbreak of DIWALI Festivity of Indian Incs symbolised the BULL Controlled SENSEX! Meanwhile, Bengal life was put on FRYING Pan amidst the DHANTERAS Marketing and Women flocking in Jwellery Shops. Sabit also went for DHANTERAS as she is very Religious and has very serious differences with me on RITUALS which she Performs as per as the Brahamin Ladies in the Neighbourhood. She wanted to buy some GLD and I promised her DIOMONDS provided the Weather in our Economic life clears out of Deep Depression!
The 85 years plus aged lady, the mother of Sabita was suffereing from DEMENTIA. Her Eldest Son, my Brother in law Satya Gopal is a High sugar patient and has been shifted from Tehri dam Project, his workplace, in Dharmanagri in their vilage for treatment jsut after we reached back in kolkata. He was present at the last time though he is not well. Nitay Gopal, the Second brother in law works in IRRIGATION Dept in Rudrapur. He could not see her last. he would be reaching home in the Morning. Their Mother would be CREMETED in the Morning. But we have no means to reach there.
Late at Night I called Sabita to tell her that she should not miss INSULINE!
The history of Nainital is as old as 150 years.
I was disturbed in the NOON as I was on my PC and writing on line as the Window closed abruptly. Restart could not work as the menu was missing. I was midway in my Draft. For the first time, I noticed my son, Tussu behaving Clod Mind. He worked on the Computer for almost more than Two hours and Configured afresh. I sat on my PC aagain on 5 pm and completed the Draft and sent and posted. I left home at 6.30
Near Lalbazar sabita got me on my Cell Phone and told that Rathindra her nephew informed me about the tragedy.
Sabita ahd MEHENDI in the Morning and had facial in the Evening . she was in festival mood!Everything wasted.
The Corbett National Park, which was closed after the roads leading to it were damaged by rains this monsoon, was reopened to tourists today.This CORBETT park may not give you any Idea where our People had been DUMPED during 1952 to 54. The Density of the Terai Jungle arounnd Rudrapur Pant Nagar and Gadarpur may be understod with the fact that a HUNTER like Gim CORBETT NEVER visited the Area!
The roads have been repaired and the park administration is geared up for the tourist arrivals, its director said, adding that the Bijrani zone of the park is now available for visitors. We had no roads and the Man Eaters roamed FREE even during late Sixties. But we changed the Landscpae as well as Humanscape in the TERAI, now the Major IT and Industrial Hub under SIDCUL in Udha Singh Nagar!
A leopardess was found dead in Corbett Tiger Reserve at Ramnagar town in Nainital district, officials today said.The body of the five-year-old wildcat was spotted by forest guards while they were patrolling the Kalagarh range of the reserve recntly. Our Villagers and our Rai Sikh Relatives in Arjunpur did kill a LEOPARD in daylight between basantipur and Arjunpur, at the very Place where my father, the Gandhi of Terai Region sleep in restlessness after his CRENMATIN. All expired members of our Extended Joint family still EXISTING, basantipur, named after my Mother, Basanti Debi do also acompany their COMRADE in DEATH as they did in life! I know well my Father and know very well that his SOUL may not Rest in Peace as his people, the BLACK Untouchables are SUBJECTED to ETHNIC Cleansing all over the Divided Geopolitics Bleeding. His SOUL must be BLEEDING and we may not bail him out!
Located about 65 kms from here, the park is a major tourist spot in Uttarakhand.
Located in the state of Uttaranchal, Nainital is dotted with lakes and wooded valleys. The sparkling waters of the natural lake and cool weather make Nainital a sought after health resort and a popular hill station. But our People have NEVER been related to the Hill station. It had been our Costly District Headquarter and we could not afford to reach District Administration easily. Legal suits were very hard due to the Hill Station status of the Court City! We were not to sent to enjoy our Residense in the Himalayan Abde, the Heaven for the Ruling Class. rathe our People were Dumped in the Gim Corbett Fame Terai Jungles inhibited by Buksha and Tharu Tribals and Man Eater Tigers! This is our Home and our people got some relief with the Creation of Udham singh Nagar District thanks to Mayawati Rule. Now we have RUDRAPUR as the District Headquarter only a few KM away from Home!
But the Creation of UTTARAKHAND has created a major Change in Sico political scenerio as the Hills and Plains are vertically DIVIDED. In Terai region, Sikhs and Bengalies modified their realtions in better terms as they had been at LOGGERHEADS during Nainital age. But we lost the GOOD relations with the Hills as the Hill People now claim everything in the Plains which were HARVESTED by the Sikh and Bengali refugees. This UNITED the Refugee Communities as they had NEVER Been!
Nevertheless, Nainital remained as my Home Town since my GIC Nainital days! Only I cry for the Old days while our relations were LIVE which Turned to be VERY VERY Casual nowadays!The hill resort of Nainital has since long been the refuge of the sun scorched souls of the plains. The British made it there summer headquarter. The British sugar manufacturer of Saharnpur brought Nainital into limelight. Way back in 1841 AD Nainital was frequented. The natural beauty and especially the Lake made Nainital one of the favourite summer destinations. Since then till date the people throng the hill resort of Nainital.
The best time to visit any hill resort in India is certainly the summer months from March to June. The months of September and October are also pleasant to be visited. Though the monsoon season in between from end of June to August should be avoided. Meanwhile,Environmentalists have always maintained that the rapid illegal construction were responsible for the decline of greenery in the city since Chipko Movement days during our student life in DSB College in Ayarpata Region.Situated at an altitude of 1,938 metres above sea level, Nainital is surrounded by mountains and boasts of a world famous lake named Naini, which is the prime attraction of the city.
Tourists in large numbers throng the city every year to catch a glimpse of its natural beauty, which unfortunately has been marred by the illegal construction activities.While the Municipal Corporation earns revenue by collecting boating tax, fishing tax and toll tax. The Irrigation Department earns a big sum by drawing water from the lake.Many believe that the District administration should be given the responsibility of maintaining the lake.
"District administration is the responsible authority. But it is not getting any benefit from it. It is rather the Municipal Corporation or the Irrigation Department, which are getting benefited from it. I believe that the lake should be handed over to the District administration because so far whatever work has been done there, it was by the District administration," said Historian and our friend, guide and Teacher in DSB, Dr. Ajay Rawat, an environmentalist.But no final solution has been reached, the Commissioner is working for documentary proofs. Professor Rawat is an Expert in contemporary History.
"Such questions have been raised since every Department has been taking benefits from it (lake). The Municipal Corporation is taking fishing rides and boat rides but when it comes to incurring expenditure, they turn their back. Similarly, the Irrigation Department says that it has the duty of closing the gates surrounding the lake but nothing towards its maintenance," said S. Raju, Commissioner of the Kumaon Mandal in Nainital.
He says: "I have been who is responsible for it. So far, I have not seen any documents."
Meanwhile, the Naini lake that draws so many honeymooners and tourists, is becoming dirtier with each passing day.
The hill resort of Nainital plays hosts to several fairs and festivals that attract tourists and the localities alike. As the name indicates the Autumn Festival is celebrated in the autumn season. The annual festival takes place in honor of the goddess Naina Devi in the month of September. The hill resort gets renewed after the monsoons.
The winter months of October and November see the Kumaon Festival. The Kumaon festival is Organised by the Tourism Department of Uttar Pradesh. Besides the gaiety in the air the festival is the perfect time to get an insight into the local cultures and traditions.
For the adventure sort lovers, Nainital is the place to be in for Regatta. Annually in the third week of June, a sailing race takes place in the Naini Lake. You may hire the Yachts from the Nainital Boat Club and enjoy!
Recently, Demolition drive to knock down illegal structures in Nainital got momentum!Civic authorities in Naintal launched a fresh demolition drive of illegal buildings and structures, which were posing a threat to the fragile landscape and environment of the region!on the other hand, For many decades, Municipal Corporation of Nainital and Uttarakhands Department of Irrigation have been earning revenues from popular Naini Lake. But no effort has been made by either of them to keep the lake clean.They have not been able to agree as to who is responsible for the lakes upkeep.Commissioner of Kumaon Mandal, S. Raju has been at his wits end trying to fix responsibility for the upkeep of the lake.
On the other hand, The hills are at the top of almost every property buyer's dream list. Given the distress sales and discounts from developers, owning a house in the hills can be a reality now. Besides, it makes for a good investment choice; prices in Shimla have gone up by more than 200% over the past five years and experts anticipate similar appreciation in the future too.
According to experts, those who buy homes in hill stations should look at locations close to accessible areas with convivial surroundings. In the west, the locations of choice are Lonavala, Khandala, Baneshwar and Alibag. In the north, Dehradun, Mussoorie and Nainital are popular. In the east, areas around Darjeeling are in demand, while in the south, Ooty and Kodaikanal are a hit.
Says Rajeev Rai, vice-president (corporate) of Assotech: "Homes atop a hill always buck the slowdown as they offer luxury of a different kind. Some developers are also offering a model, wherein the buyer can use his property for part of the year; for the rest of the year, it is rented out to users, thereby guaranteeing a return on investment.
Even as real estate brokers were virtually running out of work as transaction volumes reduced drastically, Ravinder Negi, a smalltime broker near Shimla, was making more money than he had done in three years. Savvy investors were queuing up to pick up property at distress sales. "When the prices were rising in Delhi and Chandigarh, many businessmen bought properties here hoping to make a quick profit.
However, having suffered losses in their businesses because of the slowdown, they are now selling at a loss, says Negi. He managed to sell at least one property every month between April and September last year, and has done so again in the past four months. This seems to be a common story at other vacation destinations. Here's why such property makes good investment sense.
The natural beauty of Nainital that attracts hordes of tourists every year is gradually fading away with the coming up of several concrete structures, both legal and illegal.
The Supreme Court also had taken a serious view of such developments, forcing the Nainital Development Authority to knock down all these illegal structures.
Need a break from the heat and the dust? Arrive at the hill resort of Nainital tourism. The popular summer retreat of India, Nainital attracts innumerable tourists during the summer heat. The hill resort is indeed a pleasure. The gorgeous greens and the majestic mountains add to the beauty of the hill resort. The small town of Nainital in Uttaranchal is dotted with cottages, villas and bungalows. Situated at an altitude of 1,938 meters the hill resort of Nainital tourism offers several places of interest to the tourists. The hill resort is believed to have derived its name from the goddess Naina. There is a temple dedicated to the goddess Naina too in Nainital. Other legend claims that the Naini Lake in Nainital lends its name to the hill resort. The natural beauty and the charm of the scenic spots besides the cool weather make Nainital the place to be in during the summers.
While in Nainital you must visit the Cheena Peak or the Naina Peak. You can enjoy the panoramic vistas of the snow-capped Himalayas and the Nainital Valley. Then there is the View Point that is another vintage point in the hill resort of Nainital tourism. Check out the spectacular sights of the Himalayas and the Tibetan borders too. You may carry or hire binoculars to get the better views. You may take the ropeway that starts at the Mall in Nainital. Naina Peak also known as China or "Cheena Peak" is the highest peak. From atop the peak, one can not only see a broad swath of the snow clad high Himalayas, but also obtain a panoramic view of Nainital town itself.
"Cheena Peak" is the highest mountain in Nainital, which is about 2295 meters above the sea level. Tourists climb up almost three kilometers to catch glimpse of Himalayan Mountains.
Large number of tourists throngs the Cheena (China) Peak, the highest mountain peak in Nainital, to feast their eye upon the enchanting view of snow covered Himalayas.
Tourists who visit Nainital, usually come to see the nine lakes and watch the view of snow peaked Himalayan mountains.The excitement of watching the Himalayas with the help of binoculars and telescopes is increasing every day.
Officials of the army have taken it upon themselves to revive the yatch and boat rides in the hill station dubbed as 'Lake Paradise'.
The army officials said that there was a time when the Naini Lake was famous and well known for its yatch rides, but owning to callous attitude of the authorities, the activity have taken a back seat.
"We are trying to revive the rides. We want to begin with inviting children from in and around Nainital. We will start a coaching program also. It would be a shame if we cannot keep the activities of a club that started in 1990 alive in 2010," said H S Panag, Lieutenant General, Central Command.
The Nainital boat house located at the edge of the lake exclusively manages yatching in the northern town.
But officials say that the activities of the boat house have taken a back seat and an association that used to actively promotes the sport including other water sports such as canoeing and parasailing is no more active.
Meanwhile, the natural beauty of the lake and the excitement of the boat ride continue to enthrall those visiting the sparkling lake bound by hills.
"This is the ultimate place, people should come and visit Nainital more," said Shuchi, a tourist.
Naini Lake, situated at an altitude of 2000 feet above sea level and surrounded by green hilltops, is a major tourist attraction. It is also the main source of drinking water for the resort.
It has been privileged with as many as 60 lakes. With the passage of time some 40 lakes disappeared because of deforestation, pollution and a general lack of awareness.
Nainital is known as the "Switzerland of India"" because of its picturesque lakes.If Nainital has still remained a tourist's paradise, the credit largely goes to its Naini Lake.
Nainital's Bhimtal Lake is home to a large variety of aquatic species. There is an island in the centre of the lake that used to have a restaurant, which fascinated a lot of tourists until its beauty was ruined due to public's leftovers.
The Nainital Lake Development Authority hence decided to develop an aquarium on the island. They have converted the restaurant into an aquarium to prevent pollution and clean the lake.
"Earlier, there used to be a restaurant on this island and a lot of tourists used to visit the restaurant. However, tourists used to leave behind waste that used to pollute the lake. The Nainital Lake Development Authority came up with the idea of converting the restaurant into an aquarium to stop the lake from being polluted," said Dhiraj Gartayal, Secretary of the Nainital Lake Development Authority in Uttarakhand.
A variety of fishes from countries like South Africa, Mexico and China have been kept in the aquarium that are captivating tourists' attention. They are excited to watch different species of fishes in it.
Developing the aquarium took a year for lake authorities here. The aquarium consists of around 12 'aquaboxes' that contain fishes.
With the introduction of a major new feature, it is hoped anyone visiting Nainital will enjoy here the most.
Nainital India - Fast Facts
Area 11.73 sq km
Altitude 1938 m above sea level
Population 29.837
Languages Hindi, Kumaoni, English
Religion Hinduism (75.80%), Islam (15.23%),
Sikhism (8.43%), Others (0.54%)
Annual Mean Rainfall 1294.5 mm
Maximum Temperature 18°C
Minimum Temperature 7.6°C
STD Code 05942
Main attractions in Nainital
Lake Naini
Nainital derives its name from this lake. The north end of the lake is called Mallital and the south end the Tallital. The lake is a great entertainment spot with yachting and boating facilities. The lake is in the centre of the town and is flanked on all sides by shops, hotels, the mall and residential buildings and beautiful views of the hills.
Aerial Ropeway
This is a major attraction in Nainital. The aerial ropeway starts at Mallital and connects the Snow View Point (2,270 meters high) with Nainital. The ropeway has two trolleys for passengers and takes 151.7 seconds to cover the one way journey. The Snow View offers beautiful views of the snow capped Himalayas.
Hanuman Garhi
Hanuman Garhi is a religious centre and is famous for its views of the sunset. The temple has the deity of Lord Hanuman. The Shitala Devi temple and Lila Sah Bapu Ashram are on the other side of the hill.
Aryabhatta Research Institute
The Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) is about a kilometer from Hanuman Garhi and is the centre for astronomical studies and optional tracking of artificial satellites. On moonlit nights, tourists can get a night time view of the stars and planets with prior permission from the Institute.
Naina Peak
Naina Peak or China Peak is the highest point in the town (at 2,611 meters). You can get a bird?s eye view of Nainital from here. The full Himalayan range can also be seen - Bandar Punch in the West to Api and Nari peaks of Nepal in the East.
Lands End
Lands End offers beautiful views of the neighboring hills and valley. On reaching this spot, the tourist actually feels that the land ends here. The Khupatal Lake is also visible from here.
Tourists can also visit the Zoo, Dorothy Seat and Tiffin Top and Caves Garden that make for ideal picnic spots.
Excursions around Nainital
Bhowali located 11 kilometers from Nainital is a road junction popular for its scenic views. It also has a hill fruit mart.
Bhimtal is about 22 kilometers from Nainital and 11 kilometers from Bhowali. Bhimtal has a lake that is larger than Lake Naini. Tourists can explore the boating facilities in the lake. Apart from a 17th century Bhimeshwar temple and a 40 feet dam, Bhimtal also has a restaurant that is set on an island in the middle of the lake.
Naukuchia Tal is around 26 kilometers from Nainital and is a good place for bird watching. Tourists can also try out rowing, paddling or yachting in its deep clean lake.
Kainchi Dham is a modern pilgrim center situated around 17 kilometers from Nainital. The famous Neem Karoli Maharaj Ashram is located here.
Mukteshwar is home to an old temple of Lord Shiva. Fruit orchards and thick lust forests make this place an interesting destination.
How to get here
The Pantnagar airport is located around 70 kilometers from Nainital and tourists can either take a bus or taxi to proceed to Nainital. The Palam Airport in New Delhi is about 300 kilometers from Nainital. Kathgodam is the nearest railway station that is 34 kilometers from Nainital. Direct bus services to Nainital are available from Delhi, Lucknow, etc. Kathgodam is also well connected by road to Nainital.
Where to stay
Nainital has high end as well as budget hotels. Guest houses and tourist rest houses that offer standard stay facilities are also available. Most of the high end hotels are located around Mallital on the northern edge of the lake. The budget hotels are around Tallital towards the southern side.
Shopping
Tourists can shop around for woollen garments, shawls, local handicrafts, Tibetan curios and locally manufactured tweeds from Kumaon Woollens.
Travel's back in focus this Diwali as economy lights up
16 Oct 2009, 0011 hrs IST, Jessica Mehroin Irani & Nina Mehta, ET Bureau
MUMBAI: Last year this time, a twenty-four year old software engineer Amit Singh was drowning his fears of a job loss in the pubs of Bangalore's
Brigade Road. Now, he is headed to Goa to have fun where he may splurge Rs 25,000 on the shores of Arabian Sea as he believes his chair in the workplace would remain on return.
Many people like Mr Singh are dusting off their backpacks as they hit the road to chill out this festive season as a year of economic horror gives way to hopes of steady growth, secure jobs and rising incomes, thanks to policy makers who printed and spent money indiscriminately with a single-point agenda of saving the world from a depression similar to the 1930s.
Indians, like many across the world, abandoned travel and spending on holidays last year fearing job losses and decline in salaries as the US, Europe and Japan, major markets for Indian products and supplier of capital, plunged into recession due to credit crisis. Things have improved since with companies beginning to hire staff, award bonuses and expand capacities.
"The beach, along with chilled booze, is a dream vacation after a stressful year," said Mr Singh who did not want his employer's name printed. "This is my first trip there with friends and I have heard that there are shacks where you get good food and cheap drinks."
Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys Technologies, among software developers and Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors in auto makers are leading the way in awarding bonuses as they see signs of economic recovery.
Tourists in India prefer Goa more than any other city because of a combination of beautiful beaches, affordable hotels with a range from a few hundred rupees for a room to private suites for lakhs, entertainment with inexpensive liquor, and better access through road and air.
Hotel bookings in Goa have surged 30% compared with the previous year, said Amit Sabherwal of Makemytrip.com. The city which normally witnesses reservations of 30,000 rooms a month during the peak season, is also benefiting from the sharp fall in tariffs.
In 2008, room rates for premium hotels were at Rs 7,346, which is forecast to fall 12% to Rs 6,464 in 2009, Crisil Research said. The average room rates had been on the rise for premium hotels till November 2008 when the impact of the global slowdown was felt in the coastal city. A 3-star hotel can cost upwards of Rs 3,000, although there is an option of staying at beach-side shacks for a steal.
It is not that Goa, an easy-to-reach tourist's paradise, alone is drawing people. There are many other destinations, including the picturesque hill stations dotted over the Himalayas.
While the Goa rush is mainly from Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka, people from Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana choose hill stations such as Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, or Nainital and Mussoorie in Uttarakhand, according to Makemytrip.com.
The demand for more expensive and fancy trips to Singapore, Malaysia and Maldives are also crawling back, as these are sought after by people in financial services who reaped the most out of the governments' benevolence because of increased affordability.
"Hotel prices have dropped by 25-40% in the south-east Asian countries," said Anand Kandadai, head of outbound travel at Makemytrip.com. "Last year, it was around Rs 55,000 per person for a week, including airfare, food, hotel, travel and taxes, this year it's around Rs 40,000."
Makemytrip.com has seen a 30% spike in bookings during Diwali, mostly to destinations such as Thailand, Maldives and Goa. The site last year saw 1,400 booking for foreign travel.
I need to be alone: Amitabh
Indu Mirani, MUMBAI MIRROR 30 September 2009, 09:59am IST
As Amitabh Bachchan sets out to play 'pop philosopher' to the inmates of a house isolated from the world, on a reality show, he tells Indu Mirani Amitabh Bachchan More Pics
about isolation and living life in the public glare 24X7
Have you ever been, either deliberately or by circumstances, isolated?
It depends on how you treat isolation. When I was sent to boarding school I felt isolated because we were in Sherwood School in Nainital and we had to do nine months at a stretch from March to November. There were no breaks, we never came home and we only saw our parents after nine months. When you get your first job, you have to go to a new city, you are in a completely different environment, and you feel isolation. But at the same time you have the independence of earning your own money, taking your own decisions.
When I was in the film industry, I took a sabbatical some years ago for about five years. I lived in other parts of the world. That was isolation, but in a different sense. There was the joy of getting my own groceries, making my own breakfast, parking my own car, doing things that were ordinary.
There are times, I must admit, when I need to be left alone. We are all artistes and deal in a profession that is very sensitive in many ways. We are constantly trying to portray characters which are, perhaps, completely alien to us in nature, in constitution, in words, in action. And, after continuously being in this loop of repetitive impersonations of different people all the time, maybe we forget who we actually are. Therefore, we need to be by ourselves, just to do ordinary things, spend time with our grandchildren and just walk in nature and do nothing.
So isolation is not really bad?
No, it's not. Recently, I was with a friend, who was ill, for about two-and-a-half months without any pressure of work. I had deliberately not taken on any work and it was a very refreshing time for me even though I was there for something which was more medical centric and we were always tense. But it was great to not have to get up at a stipulated time and not worry about whether I need to have a shower now and get ready, or I need to be at the dining table at so and so time otherwise the lunch break will be over, to just be able to not do anything that is routine or has been stipulated as routine. I never watched TV, never read papers. Just sat there, looked out of the window or just sat by myself. At times, though, I began to wonder "What am I doing? I need to occupy my self" because I am used to working for such a long period of time and suddenly I had nothing to do. That was very disturbing.
How does being in the public glare 24X7 change you as a person?
With the benefit of being a celebrity, there is also the burden of being a celebrity. You have to be on your best behaviour all the time. You must not be seen doing things that are objectionable to society, to the constitution, to the law. But I think if you reconcile with that and conduct yourself in a manner where you follow the rules, then you are fine. As individuals and as a nation, I think, I have always wanted to express that there should be a national policy, which is what our attitude should be. I want that there should be a very definite identity, what an Indian is when he goes out of his shores. I see a German and there is something definitive about his nature. I want a distinctive positive quality but it should be universal. I go abroad and sometimes when I meet my countrymen they say, "I am from Kerala or I am from Bengal", I would like him to say, "I am from India".
How do you account for the fact that today people are willing to come on national television and talk about their lives, something that didn't happen before all these reality shows?
I think it is to do with the way we are developing, the fact that we are unable to keep other influences, other cultures away from us because of the communication facilities available to us. We see other channels from other parts of the world, we see them behaving differently and there is an intent or desire or perhaps just a commercial desire to emulate that. I think that we are growing as a nation and we are still at a developing stage. Until we reach a certain stature, we will have to go through this process. And then eventually, one day, society itself will decide and say "No you can't do this." Just like one would say that we are Indians and this is not our culture. How did we get that? There is a huge history behind us. These are phases; we will sift the good from the bad, and then eventually live with the good.
You are always very politically correct, where does this come from?
I don't know what you mean by politically correct. Sometimes people ask me how you like a particular person. I will obviously like him and say good things about him because perhaps I haven't seen the other side of his personality. I would have to feel ugly inside to sniff out the ugliness in anybody else. I would rather say he is normal; every body has good and bad qualities, why talk about the bad ones. What good is it to you? Is he going to change? Are you going to change his psychology? Are you going to change yourself with respect to him? He is still going to be that way. So why go through this whole trouble of disturbing my internal system in trying to decipher that his internal system is wrong. I think it's a waste of energy.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/I-need-to-be-alone-Amitabh/articleshow/5070736.cms
Saat Taal: Calm of the hills, comfort of home
4 Oct 2009, 0316 hrs IST, Amit Sharma, ET Bureau
It's like this. If you are tired of the daily drudgery of urban life and decide to go on a quick trip on a weekend, which are the places that come
to your mind? I belong to the old school of travellers and still vest my faith on the therapeutic effect that hill station visits provide. So when it came to deciding on a place to go for a long weekend, Nainital was an immediate choice, almost a no brainer for me.
I know the route and the place very well and despite being crowded, it is still a top draw for me when I plan to take a spontaneous, quick break. So I packed my bags and darted off for Nainital in my hatch. The route is simple. There are long stretches of paved highway, which are clear, well maintained, cruise-worthy roads that are lined on both sides by picturesque scenery — fields, forests et al. I was able to drive at over 80 km/hr for three hours at a stretch - after which I chose to take a break at a roadside dhaba, sampling some well-made paranthas and achaar.
Thereafter, I stepped on the gas, making it to the foothills of Nainital, only to find that vehicles had clogged the route to the hill station. Entry to Nainital was blocked as there was no room for more people. So I had to make a choice. Either sleep in my car (all hotel rooms were already booked) and head home next morning, or visit Saat Taal, Nainital's quieter, less fancied twin destination, about 25 km below it.
I chose the latter and ended up thanking myself for having done so. I had a great time at Saat Taal and got just what I was looking for — serenity, calm of the hills and the comfort of home. Soon as I reached Saat Taal, a quiet place and relatively unexplored by tourists, welcomed me with all its splendour. Flower bushes line the small road that leads to the lake, which is perfectly idyllic for leisure boating. There were a few tourists as most headed to Naini Tal.
Boating in the lake was a sheer delight for the senses. It cleared a mind tired of the urban grind, filling it with positive thoughts, energy and verve. The locals are simple people, most hospitable and friendly; a fact that I discovered when listening to their tales by a makeshift campfire at night. I stayed at a local guest house and had local food such as Ras Daal (lentil soup) and Kafuli (a thick gravy dish made from green vegetables), with roti.
I particularly relished Kafuli, so much so that I actually donned the apron to learn how to cook it because it is both tasty and very nutritious. I stayed in Saat Taal for two days, leaving for home in Delhi with a rejuvenated mind and a resolve to come back soon to what was indeed a weekend escape in the true sense.
One more tested positive for swine flu in Uttarakhand
STAFF WRITER 17:47 HRS IST
Dehradun, Sep 26 (PTI) One person from Nainital tested positive for swine flu in Uttarakhand taking the total cases in the state to 62.
"Till date 62 samples have tested positive for swine flu virus and they are being treated. We received reports of four patients yesterday and one of them from Nainital found positive," Dr Pankaj Jain, Nodal Officer for swine flu, told PTI.
Two persons have died of swine flu in the state.
Of 62 positive cases, 47 are found in Dehradun and 14 in Haridwar. Most of the patients are being treated at their homes, Jain said.
As many as eight students of Delhi Public School in Haridwar tested positive for the H1N1 virus and due to this the school will remain closed till September 29, he said.
Tourists will have to pay eco tax for entry to Mussoorie
D S Kunwar, TNN 23 September 2009, 12:33am IST
NAINITAL: It may not be good news for tourists but for Mussoorie it could literally mean a breath of fresh air. The Uttarakhand government has
decided to introduce eco tax upon entry into the Queen of Hills with immediate effect, which is a first in the history of Mussoorie. It will be in line with the Naini lake tax charged from tourists
in Nainital.
The tax — of Rs 100 from heavy vehicles and Rs 30 from cars and jeeps — will be levied by Mussoorie Municipal Board either through its employees or contracted agents from motorists at Kolhukhet — Mussoorie's entry point. Those planning to spend their holidays at Uttarakhand's most pictureseque resort should now be ready to cough up ecological tax as their mite towards preserving the pristine greenery of the region.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, chairman of Mussoorie Municipal Board, O P Uniyal, said each private bus will be charged Rs 100 whereas the driver of a small vehicle will have to pay Rs 30 per entry. Two-wheelers will pay Rs 5.
"The decision has been taken. The government will strictly endorse these taxes with immediate effect,'' said chairman Uniyal.
The objective is to collect revenue for preserving the town's environment, its heritage, apart from maintaining its sanitation and cleanliness. The money will be spent on encouraging plantation and educating tourists against using plastic while in Mussoorie.
"We don't know whether the new tax will get good response or not, but we have done this to help preserve Mussoorie's beauty and eco-system without causing any setback to tourism,'' said a senior IAS officer in Dehradun.
No comments:
Post a Comment