tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87150929712272022182024-03-13T01:20:14.521-07:00GreetingsZerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09826329590603287472noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8715092971227202218.post-2286965458928322952020-06-19T07:12:00.005-07:002020-06-20T07:10:23.371-07:00Postage stamp and post mark<p class="MsoNormal">This post is about an interesting postage Stamp and the post
mark on it. Thanks to Anjali Tambe for the postage stamp with post mark on it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This stamp was issued on 30<sup>th</sup> March 1964, as a
part of UNESCO campaign “Save the monuments of Nubia”.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Abu Simbel temples are two massive rock temples at Abu
Simbel, a village in Aswan Governorate, Upper Egypt, near the border with
Sudan. They are situated on the western bank of Lake Nasser, about 230 km southwest
of Aswan. The complex is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the
"Nubian Monuments". The twin temples were originally carved out of
the mountainside in the 13th century BC, during the 19th dynasty reign of the
Pharaoh Ramesses II. Their huge external rock relief figures have become
iconic.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The complex was relocated in its entirety by UNESCO in 1968
on an artificial hill made from a domed structure, high above the Aswan High
Dam reservoir. The relocation of the temples was necessary or they would have
been submerged during the creation of Lake Nasser, the massive artificial water
reservoir formed after the building of the Aswan High Dam on the River Nile.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now some interesting information about the post mark, the
post mark dated 4 MAY 64, is coincidently, “4-5-64” the post office located at
“HOTEL METROPOLE, KARACHI” (Current Branch code:75520).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Iconic “HOTEL METROPOLE” at Karachi was established by
Parsi gentlemen, Cyrus Faramjee Minwalla in 1949 and was inaugurated by the
Shah of Iran in 1951. In the 60s and 70s, Hotel Metropole was the place to be.
From the Queen of England to the Shah of Iran, the Aga Khan and the Nawab of Bahawalpur,
they all used to have suites there.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been a
cornerstone of Karachi’s heritage lined with international airline offices on
the ground floor, including Pan Am, KLM and others. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lufthansa, Swiss Air and Condor’s crew used to
stay here. The entire fourth floor was just for airlines crew. No one else
could use those rooms. They also had their own restaurant and kitchen.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately, over the years occupancy and business declined
and due to financial constraints, in 2004 the hotel was closed down permanently.
As of now part of the hotel is demolished.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ironically, Nubian Monuments have survived but the Iconic Hotel
is gone forever.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here it is interesting to note that the Iconic Tajmahal
Palace Hotel, Mumbai was also built by Parsi gentlemen J N Tata. Taj was severely
damaged during the terrorist attack in 2008; however it not only survived but
also bounced back to its Iconic status in just few months.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWB8rH8tcm-KBD2trUSzzkMM1FcrHoYQTwttEFpQ-N0FpRMyKY-1OjlJOlnvmPeuMvYHpp14RnQ9ON0imx1ezWvVXMuEomytGVCg6AeUkJjaSDdhr9IsDJ_4aKoZeQhTNBEToeGYrHoAag/s542/pak12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWB8rH8tcm-KBD2trUSzzkMM1FcrHoYQTwttEFpQ-N0FpRMyKY-1OjlJOlnvmPeuMvYHpp14RnQ9ON0imx1ezWvVXMuEomytGVCg6AeUkJjaSDdhr9IsDJ_4aKoZeQhTNBEToeGYrHoAag/s320/pak12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScRxVoTpLpRa3UN_6Nx95cs3-bqz8wA7O-ZaKkUTwHr7C_-niC_wancp8ck7yHgIjVZcdsRU2aD7qs4KO_uic_5SNB3XV3uj07rOkrF_tt0bBlUxb0MAoOqHxAvBooNzbKvZ5MP1s56Ck/s1600/Great-Temple-of-Ramses-II-temples_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScRxVoTpLpRa3UN_6Nx95cs3-bqz8wA7O-ZaKkUTwHr7C_-niC_wancp8ck7yHgIjVZcdsRU2aD7qs4KO_uic_5SNB3XV3uj07rOkrF_tt0bBlUxb0MAoOqHxAvBooNzbKvZ5MP1s56Ck/s320/Great-Temple-of-Ramses-II-temples_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br />Zerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09826329590603287472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8715092971227202218.post-92231559795189985632020-06-12T22:45:00.006-07:002020-06-12T23:41:11.603-07:00Deltiology<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dear Friends,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yesterday, I received a book from </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shri. Sushil Mehra, " Glimpses of vintage Bengaluru". It contains a wonderful collection of Post cards and many items related to old Bengaluru. I came across the word "Deltiology" in the book and tried find more information on it.</span></p>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Deltiology" is the study and collection of postcards. After Philately and Numismatics, Deltiology is the third most popular hobby across the world.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">From my small collection of post cards, a set of picture post cards from "The Rambrandt House" museum, Amsterdam are posted here. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dutch artist, Rembrandt purchased the house in 1639 and lived here until he went bankrupt in 1656, when all his belongings went on auction. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Few years ago, the house was thoroughly reconstructed on the inside to show how the house would have looked in Rembrandt's days. The auction list enabled the reconstructions of all his belongings which are also on display in the house. Most of the belongings were retrived and placed back in there original place in the house. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">First card represents the house as it was in 17th century when Rambrandt used to stay. Rest of the cards are of reconstructed house as of now. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hope you find this post interesting. Your comments, suggestions are most welcome.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Best regards</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Zero</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
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Zerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09826329590603287472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8715092971227202218.post-66133846261371395592020-05-31T01:03:00.002-07:002020-05-31T01:03:40.466-07:00India's Freedom Struggle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: .1pt;">"</span><span lang="HI" style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; letter-spacing: .1pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HI; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">ए मेरे वतन के लोगों</span><span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: .1pt;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; letter-spacing: .1pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HI; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">जरा अंखमें भरलो पानी</span><span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: .1pt;">,</span><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: .1pt;"><br />
</span><span lang="HI" style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; letter-spacing: .1pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HI; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">जो शहीद हुऐ है उनकी</span><span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: .1pt;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Mangal","serif"; letter-spacing: .1pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HI; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">जरा याद करो कुर्बानी"</span><span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: .1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: HI;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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In 1818, with the defeat of Marathas and
annexation of its territories, British supremacy in India was
complete. The British East India Company colonized and ruled India till 1858. First
major struggle for freedom in 1857 resulted in British government taking over
colony administration from the company.<br />
Struggle for freedom, from the British continued for next 90 years till 1947.
During this period millions of freedom fighters and Indians were severely
punished and killed.</div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Shruti; mso-bidi-language: GU; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Five major
mass movements for freedom during this period shock the British Empire and
finally forced the British Govt. to grant Independence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Shruti; mso-bidi-language: GU; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->First war of Independence, 1857: It was a major,
but ultimately unsuccessful, uprising in 1857–58 against the rule of the
British East India Company. The rebellion began on 10 May and posed a
considerable threat to British power. It was contained with the rebels' defeat
in Gwalior on 20 June 1858. It is believed that about eight Lakh Indians were
killed.<span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: .1pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Champaran satyagrah: The Champaran Satyagraha of
19<sup>th</sup> April 1917 was the first Satyagraha movement led by Mahatma Gandhi
in India and is considered a historically important revolt in the Indian
Independence Movement. It was a farmer's uprising that took place in Champaran
district of Bihar, India, during the British colonial period.<span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: .1pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Jallianwala Baug Massacre: The Jallianwala Bagh
massacre, took place on 13 April 1919, when Acting Brigadier-General Reginald
Dyer ordered troops to fire into a crowd of unarmed Indian civilians in
Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, Punjab, killing at least 400 people including men
and women. Over 1,000 people were injured.</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: HI; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Dandi
March: Also known as the Salt Satyagraha, was an act of nonviolent civil
disobedience led by Mahatma Gandhi. The
24-day march lasted from 12 March 1930 to 6 April 1930 as a direct action
campaign of tax resistance and nonviolent protest against the British salt
monopoly. Over 60,000 Indians were jailed as a result of the Salt Satyagraha.</div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">5) </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Quit India: On 8 August 1942, Mahatma Gandhi made a
call to Do or Die in his Quit India speech delivered in Bombay at the Gowalia
Tank Maidan. The British swiftly responded with mass detentions. Almost the entire leadership of the Indian
National Congress was imprisoned without trial within hours of Gandhi's speech.
Over 100,000 arrests were made, mass fines were levied and demonstrators were
subjected to public flogging. The Quit India campaign was effectively crushed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">These five miniature
sheets exhibit, of major freedom mass movements is a tribute to those brave
known and unknown freedom fighters who lost their lives in the freedom
struggle. </span></div>
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Zerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09826329590603287472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8715092971227202218.post-41427790069325287242020-03-22T04:17:00.000-07:002020-03-22T04:25:20.704-07:00One Page One Theme-TATA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Fellow Philatelists,<br />
<br />
Recently I came across a book "One Page One Theme" by Shri Praful K.Thakker. The book discussed about presenting a philetelic theme in a single page. There were more than hundred illustrations on differnt interesting theme.<br />
<br />
Just like Cricket, Philately has undergone a major change. From 5 day test series, to one day international to T20, Cricket match became short and intense. Similarly from classical collection of " Maximum counties-Maximum stamps, the change has been drastic to few counties and limited Thematic subjects. In Philatelic Exibitions apart from 5 frame exibit, 3 frame and 1 frame exibits are also acceptable.<br />
<br />
I have tried to make an One Page exibit on TATA. As far as I know, TATA is the only industrial house of having the honour of maximum number of Stamps issued by India Post.<br />
<br />
Your comments and suggestions are most welcome.<br />
<br />
Best regards<br />
<br />
Zero<br />
<br />
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Zerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09826329590603287472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8715092971227202218.post-26587294409099888302019-07-25T00:10:00.002-07:002019-07-25T00:18:11.468-07:00Engraved in our memory<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Canada Post's "400 years of French settlement" .<br />
<br />
This five year long series sought to commemorate the period that begins with exploration based on the trade potential in 1604 and culminates in the foundation of the city of Quebec in 1608.<br />
<br />
5 stamps issued in the series since 2004, plus three joint issue stamps are posted below.<br />
<br />
An enlarged engraving of 2008 stamp-numbered and signed by master engraver Jorge Peral is a unique item.<br />
<br />
# "Engraved in our memory", limited edition collectible album, by Canada Post.<br />
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Zerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09826329590603287472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8715092971227202218.post-53014628756107888692015-02-12T13:41:00.001-08:002015-02-12T13:43:39.591-08:00मंदिर, पुजारी आणी दक्षिणा<p dir="ltr">मित्रांनो,</p>
<p dir="ltr">नुकतेच माझे एक स्नेही मथुरा, वृन्दावन, अमृतसर इत्यादी गाव फिरून आले. तेथील अनेक चित्रविचित्र अनुभव मनोरंजक होते. मथुरेमधील एक अनुभव ऐकून विचारात पडलो. एका मंदिरात तिथल्या पूजार्याने आधी दानधर्माचे महत्त्व सांगून देवदर्शन करुदिल्याबद्दल दक्षिणा मागितली. त्यंनीं दक्षिणा देण्याचे नाकरल्यावर, पुजारी अत्यंत रागवला असे सांगत होते. त्यांच्या मते देवदर्शनाकरता दान दक्षिणा मागणे योग्य नव्हे. </p>
<p dir="ltr">थोड्याफार फर्काने हे चित्र बऱ्याच देवळांमधे दिसते. या ना त्या कारणाने पंडित/पुरोहीत लोक भक्तां कडून पैसे/धान्य वा इतर वस्तु मिळवण्याचा प्रयत्न करतात. बरेच वेळा भक्त मंडळी नाइलाजने अथवा भीती मुळे इच्छे विरूद्ध मागण्या मान्य करतात, नाहीतर अशा लोकंपासून सावध राहतात. अशा कटु अनुभवांन मुळे काही लोकांना मंदिरात जायला आवडत नाही. काहींना हा सर्व प्रकार पाहून हिंदु धर्माची लाज वाटते. आपल्याला पण असे अनुभव आले असतील.</p>
<p dir="ltr">खरे सांगायचे तर हि परिस्थिती बदलयची असेल तर काही गोष्टी आपण जाणून घेणे ज़रूरी आहे.</p>
<p dir="ltr">1. मंदिरातला पूजारी/पुरोहीत एक मनुष्य आहे. त्याच्या कुटुंबाची त्याच्यावर जवाबदारी आहे.<br>
2. त्याच्या उपजीविकेचे साधन फक्त दान/दक्षिणा आहे. इतर शिक्षण नसल्याने दूसरे प्राप्तीचे साधन नाही.<br>
3. त्याला मंदिर सोडून ठराविक वेळेत क्वचित् बाहेर जाऊन इतर धार्मिक कार्यात पौरोहित्य करता येते.<br>
4. लोक मंगल कार्यात हज़ारों रुपये आनंदाने खर्च करतात पण पुरोहिताला दक्षिणा अगदी अनिछेने उपकार केल्यागत देतात.<br>
5. लग्न कार्यात भरपूर वायफळ खर्च करतात पण पुरोहिताला निकृष्ट दरज्याचे कापड, धान्य इत्यादी देतात.<br>
6. वास्तुशास्त्री/फेगशुई एक्सपर्ट/भविष्य संगणाऱ्यांना वाटेल तेवढे पैसे द्यायला लोक तयार होतात, पण आपल्या घरच्या धार्मिक कार्याला वेळ देवून, आशीर्वाद देणाऱ्या पुरोहिताला थोडी जास्त दक्षिणा देणे आयोग्य वाटते.<br>
7. आजपर्यंत श्रीमंत तर सोडाच, मध्यम परिस्थितितला पूजारी कधीच भेटला नाही. सगळे जेमतेम आपला संसार रेटतात.<br>
8. हॉटेल मधे वेटरला पगार मिळत असला तरी स्वखुशीने टिप देतात पण मंदिरात पुजाऱ्याला दक्षिणा देणे मान्य नहीं.<br>
9. कधी पुजारी रीटायर होऊन आराम करताना पहिला आहे? आंगात शक्ति व् प्राण असे पर्यंत पुजारी सेवा करत राहतात. <br>
10. तुटपुंज्या आवक मुळे दिवसेंदिवस पूजारी कमी होत आहेत.</p>
<p dir="ltr">अशा परिस्थितीत, पुजार्याने काय करावे? ह्यावर काही उपाय सूचतो?</p>
<p dir="ltr">शुन्य<br></p>
<p dir="ltr"> <br><br></p>
Zerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09826329590603287472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8715092971227202218.post-7471825346246058822015-01-01T05:51:00.001-08:002015-01-03T20:33:52.916-08:00Reflection<p dir="ltr">Dear friends,</p>
<p dir="ltr">Wishing you all a very Happy New Year.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It has been quite long since I posted anything on this wonderful platform.<br>
Last year was a roller coaster ride with unexpected surprises some pleasant and some not so pleasant.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Hope all of you had a great year.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Best regards</p>
<p dir="ltr">Zero<br></p>
Zerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09826329590603287472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8715092971227202218.post-54415669010194567642014-07-09T15:51:00.001-07:002014-07-10T11:03:10.434-07:00A weekend in Istanbul<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span lang="EN-US">Dear friends,</span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US">Recently my cousin Amit and I were in
Istanbul for three days. Long back
during school days, we were taught about Constantinople (now Istanbul), a
unique city located partly in Asia and Europe, a strategic geographic location
and its importance in trade between Europe and Asia. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US">KLM’s night flight of three hours from Schiphol
Airport, Amsterdam to Ataturk airport, landed me in Istanbul at 1:30 AM.
Ataturk is quite similar to our old Mumbai airport. Hotel Boutique saint Sophia
is @ 20 kms from airport and located at Sultanahmet, very close to most tourist
attractions.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2wriw5TdGNk06_rTrKSmcPyyKDU2ENJF0vSCZ_Dw6fW04eIomBMG8TkzPfb-p-3btHY25BOai5z9pS5rhm7pEHQpoVFCR0xQwtJiIgltfOBPdGKBrRYXG5VMH5UT2MaoNjPATiXQthH3/s1600/100_5697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2wriw5TdGNk06_rTrKSmcPyyKDU2ENJF0vSCZ_Dw6fW04eIomBMG8TkzPfb-p-3btHY25BOai5z9pS5rhm7pEHQpoVFCR0xQwtJiIgltfOBPdGKBrRYXG5VMH5UT2MaoNjPATiXQthH3/s1600/100_5697.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dome of Hagia Sophia </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i><span lang="EN-US">Day 1: On the first day we visited Hagia
Sophia museum. Built in year 537 by Greeks, it remained a church till 1453, and
then converted in to a Mosque till 1935, and currently a museum. It is famous
for its massive Dome and paintings. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3sJikttqo2UkaWTyCMcZyaEGN8-Abs07_mtmZoOaBRtI4WCoud6U18m7hY2KxvPM2M5poFlZYXg-Qrg6I646Pvk53oIqIIZoEjvseUrq3NTWwngakJa5eTRf3LSQZOobus2nGOM3pqqC/s1600/100_5687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3sJikttqo2UkaWTyCMcZyaEGN8-Abs07_mtmZoOaBRtI4WCoud6U18m7hY2KxvPM2M5poFlZYXg-Qrg6I646Pvk53oIqIIZoEjvseUrq3NTWwngakJa5eTRf3LSQZOobus2nGOM3pqqC/s1600/100_5687.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting on the Dome</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFhuD1taOrT2AED2Vmx2PtUhuoF2aYUTd8WRFKadZtNgO-rAb9ycrUzhBgTHJUTyM5wQ3Yo6yskj-ITiLRfbHLRP6SfvdlUDrw_X5-snsh8207BDB2SO80OLY7SejxRf4DuBopDnis8i7/s1600/100_5702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFhuD1taOrT2AED2Vmx2PtUhuoF2aYUTd8WRFKadZtNgO-rAb9ycrUzhBgTHJUTyM5wQ3Yo6yskj-ITiLRfbHLRP6SfvdlUDrw_X5-snsh8207BDB2SO80OLY7SejxRf4DuBopDnis8i7/s1600/100_5702.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Church Bell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i><span lang="EN-US">Next, we went to Basilica Cistern. It is
an ancient underground water storage facility, famous for its carved pillars
and head of Medusa. It was used as a water reservoir to supply water to near by
areas.</span></i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdB_OwFOYP2fG5BbL_D3TdgxU-zeemt5fvyzOFhVr8m8Bt-2_l3T9S_hFjSi_1B3DmOt5WZoDzASEPcrngazRLtQUbgGeoQUdoGUxmLhvILc5fx0OZ7_TzsCPDR6AUmaLPyrQ5VkmNrV87/s1600/100_5727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdB_OwFOYP2fG5BbL_D3TdgxU-zeemt5fvyzOFhVr8m8Bt-2_l3T9S_hFjSi_1B3DmOt5WZoDzASEPcrngazRLtQUbgGeoQUdoGUxmLhvILc5fx0OZ7_TzsCPDR6AUmaLPyrQ5VkmNrV87/s1600/100_5727.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Head of Medusa at the foot of the Piler</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JEwq1oq3udZJM6MVlzrBNkhkefw6U21iuLnm_mmqUTGEULl2gUauBxIY-ziFlOkqkM1qyzu6mmTuD4jdAAuGmGLJq8NocI8gaI8WB1k_x79Mvy_8EgRiHHvdnEhmdPTXr0Ogn7WwwEid/s1600/100_5729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JEwq1oq3udZJM6MVlzrBNkhkefw6U21iuLnm_mmqUTGEULl2gUauBxIY-ziFlOkqkM1qyzu6mmTuD4jdAAuGmGLJq8NocI8gaI8WB1k_x79Mvy_8EgRiHHvdnEhmdPTXr0Ogn7WwwEid/s1600/100_5729.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Head of Medusa</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GKCfxYguIUV6jUy85x9ddKpe2qswGQHYjSh25-wL5O3UZmDisoTmoSBGi29wmdf3JotndN6_MBNyXRELcGPQQE3KNZIrYCQBZkXDNp0Sf0IDPFwBygPnDyNyf6peXRtycsS9pr-v5wIs/s1600/100_5718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GKCfxYguIUV6jUy85x9ddKpe2qswGQHYjSh25-wL5O3UZmDisoTmoSBGi29wmdf3JotndN6_MBNyXRELcGPQQE3KNZIrYCQBZkXDNp0Sf0IDPFwBygPnDyNyf6peXRtycsS9pr-v5wIs/s1600/100_5718.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arched Ceiling and Pilers</td></tr>
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<i><span lang="EN-US">Post lunch we visited the Sultan Ahmad
Mosque commonly known as Blue mosque one of the largest mosque in Istanbul. The
interior is beautifully decorated with blue tiles, stained glass windows,
paintings and carpets all over the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkGDJrAKre9Nzc7X3U5IylWlSV1_g3G5pNvgeVQmCtYDo8SRvblP-V8EmkqYT8zAqZ-t9c64556QlAIqyxa8LKHToqwiZP_zWrUDsdr3ETG2MSfObhtN6ge6Qajdf7u_lYMLtty6aQRRH/s1600/100_5735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkGDJrAKre9Nzc7X3U5IylWlSV1_g3G5pNvgeVQmCtYDo8SRvblP-V8EmkqYT8zAqZ-t9c64556QlAIqyxa8LKHToqwiZP_zWrUDsdr3ETG2MSfObhtN6ge6Qajdf7u_lYMLtty6aQRRH/s1600/100_5735.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colourful Windows</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaG983URVFyXG2jjMiQyyiuNH9Urmw4cThkDbr4L0pfBsKZd6RyTjHox6bilK0rH2gIrbcHDS_hcMOcdudu8jWScHEofuNse7E0rc-T0Grrd-Umn99jmNt-sK-lowmVYcdzW3WBprn3dLZ/s1600/100_5743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaG983URVFyXG2jjMiQyyiuNH9Urmw4cThkDbr4L0pfBsKZd6RyTjHox6bilK0rH2gIrbcHDS_hcMOcdudu8jWScHEofuNse7E0rc-T0Grrd-Umn99jmNt-sK-lowmVYcdzW3WBprn3dLZ/s1600/100_5743.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main Dome</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVpOZNQWjvO3F-bAZvHrqUhSgMYa2qJezO8ErCSLGFDZS52x_Yokxz8EX2-_GyeXXOXQDdecnWtaGx60BxoswqWjXitDatosFOmZKrg1uKL5rMOihZ7iwN6V4I9YiB43S40Q0ODIMolZT/s1600/100_5745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVpOZNQWjvO3F-bAZvHrqUhSgMYa2qJezO8ErCSLGFDZS52x_Yokxz8EX2-_GyeXXOXQDdecnWtaGx60BxoswqWjXitDatosFOmZKrg1uKL5rMOihZ7iwN6V4I9YiB43S40Q0ODIMolZT/s1600/100_5745.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walls decorated with Blue tiles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i><span lang="EN-US">A
tram ride from Sultanahmet took us to the Grand bazaar, one of the largest and
oldest </span></i><span lang="EN-US"><i><span style="color: windowtext;">covered markets</span></i><i> in the world, with 61 covered
streets and over 3,000 shops. In the evening, return ferry from Eminonu to
Uskudar in Bosphorus area gave a refreshing view of the city. The day ended
with a stroll at “Istiklal Street” a shopper delight, followed by dinner and
back to Hotel by Taxi.</i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US">Day 2: After breakfast we visited Topkapi
Palace a world heritage site. Built by
Sultan Mehmad II in 1439, it’s a huge complex of very old buildings, tastefully
decorated. The walls are decorated with decorative tiles, the ceiling painted
in decorative design, the windows made of stained glass work. The entire
complex is well maintained.</span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">Large collections of </span></i><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porcelain" title="Porcelain"><i><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">porcelain</span></i></a><i>,
robes, weapons, shields, armor, </i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_miniature" title="Ottoman miniature"><i><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Ottoman
miniatures</span></i></a><i>, </i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_calligraphy" title="Islamic calligraphy"><i><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Islamic calligraphic manuscripts</span></i></a><i>,
murals, and Ottoman treasures and jewelry are on display. The collection of
clocks and watches is unique. A Throne and few precious Items from India are
also on display.</i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZEuOpzSHs0LI7vcCamJQ1o4R5lcbIjDTrp6WtMEcOWw9YSYb8LolwWzVTXrkmHgLcIm-qaxCgmirHPpEl11uWpwZfXRjOCUIkA8QoVCh8vSHfSghty_vLyJQ3ZzWv-kmd6gSIYPMgkH0/s1600/100_5793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZEuOpzSHs0LI7vcCamJQ1o4R5lcbIjDTrp6WtMEcOWw9YSYb8LolwWzVTXrkmHgLcIm-qaxCgmirHPpEl11uWpwZfXRjOCUIkA8QoVCh8vSHfSghty_vLyJQ3ZzWv-kmd6gSIYPMgkH0/s1600/100_5793.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Topkapi Palace Entrence</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB24zlmBBVK6J_pz44CCseOf9j_CXZIq6nj3UNBUGJ8rDWGPF1To5iA9Wxaq7SjmA4Cxvx72vEPrmwhgMX1CT4yW4IFacDJ6KVX8VJX82U5EHqX1XHN3SAKT4Mb1H5-1bd0H_SHD7DymYU/s1600/100_5801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB24zlmBBVK6J_pz44CCseOf9j_CXZIq6nj3UNBUGJ8rDWGPF1To5iA9Wxaq7SjmA4Cxvx72vEPrmwhgMX1CT4yW4IFacDJ6KVX8VJX82U5EHqX1XHN3SAKT4Mb1H5-1bd0H_SHD7DymYU/s1600/100_5801.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural Daylight from the top</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRGFNwHObx-fNN77iKqooYMN_awHTsUMgPyXxo9vKxuRURxEts11BlgsW2vSI81jSQAJl4XBbGSk6aF8J8iY4GBzM7yjQST3gA_PeJechJWw0nwVhevAGcmqVE5Cv3rrSXUHhWBpTjKui/s1600/100_5807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRGFNwHObx-fNN77iKqooYMN_awHTsUMgPyXxo9vKxuRURxEts11BlgsW2vSI81jSQAJl4XBbGSk6aF8J8iY4GBzM7yjQST3gA_PeJechJWw0nwVhevAGcmqVE5Cv3rrSXUHhWBpTjKui/s1600/100_5807.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fountains inside Sultans private chamber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2Xn3fTBCT6UEtzk2PgfOIX7y422SHQqltbexS3-0cRwjhRRL58m41f1i4aHcqr1wI_B94vzrR38GQadLYmfs323u-vbpUjC9JY8qppMeADl9w1BriZLGvFEvWR-P_Og6cjr_EBCF8AR2/s1600/100_5846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2Xn3fTBCT6UEtzk2PgfOIX7y422SHQqltbexS3-0cRwjhRRL58m41f1i4aHcqr1wI_B94vzrR38GQadLYmfs323u-vbpUjC9JY8qppMeADl9w1BriZLGvFEvWR-P_Og6cjr_EBCF8AR2/s1600/100_5846.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i><span lang="EN-US"> </span></i><i><span lang="EN-US">After a short stroll around Hippodrome
area and shopping of souvenirs in the nearby market we went for lunch. </span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFoI8ZbBSqVs7ttyTC6f0p0NONfXH4PqPvg2ffIvopkBPuQDIANzEqIktfcaFrOFSO0pM7dA49VEDRmfHyXE1S0KILhXpZLrWR2ioczhrunZBZbrX8ikE-6CcgSdeKyFjUIqKT08fbb6HS/s1600/100_5679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFoI8ZbBSqVs7ttyTC6f0p0NONfXH4PqPvg2ffIvopkBPuQDIANzEqIktfcaFrOFSO0pM7dA49VEDRmfHyXE1S0KILhXpZLrWR2ioczhrunZBZbrX8ikE-6CcgSdeKyFjUIqKT08fbb6HS/s1600/100_5679.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The German Fountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmSOawe75YmdcgmkBi7ptvUig8eYXhAIT9_Fya8bY7QNndam4lNoqHyw3ZRu_wsT5O2H2SzAxOnP5SyrZIfft-IAvoegIztTCfn0p_7XEBbZwxCco94NvJF5Xh8XStjLUMl0nOyV4JAxm/s1600/100_5857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmSOawe75YmdcgmkBi7ptvUig8eYXhAIT9_Fya8bY7QNndam4lNoqHyw3ZRu_wsT5O2H2SzAxOnP5SyrZIfft-IAvoegIztTCfn0p_7XEBbZwxCco94NvJF5Xh8XStjLUMl0nOyV4JAxm/s1600/100_5857.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Column at Hippodrome</td></tr>
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<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US"> After
lunch we went to Spice market near<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> Rustem pasha mosque and
then took a late evening Bosphorus cruise, the city looks so beautiful during
night. The giant Bosphrous Bridge connects Asia and Europe.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityplZp6BKRhljh0Bzk66CHYjtbxBNHe_MbHIsWg-4xJTt-uwdSMXYzRNgS4TT1AG0cStCK9aLP-uJShDSTFePz_iJVWkNCr3T1X157IbC0Nx57i4mylGJvchY17PzFzgepunW25vZlgYI/s1600/100_5776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityplZp6BKRhljh0Bzk66CHYjtbxBNHe_MbHIsWg-4xJTt-uwdSMXYzRNgS4TT1AG0cStCK9aLP-uJShDSTFePz_iJVWkNCr3T1X157IbC0Nx57i4mylGJvchY17PzFzgepunW25vZlgYI/s1600/100_5776.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bosphrous Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">Last day started with a visit to Gulhane
Park a beautiful garden adjacent to Topkapi Palace. A fountain in the form of a
book in the park was quite unique. Water used to splash from right to left as
if a page is being flipped.</span></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftsf8kv8-6bSHD8MojmqDaDJQytRBjIN1e7HTbRV38TbaMxfiGPesz0N1eYRv5vMDrAsdvJe4u2iB4dy41jGJjTT1yUHroODybwo0whbqe4L-nC8ejhJufu5P_wAg0r-JnKXNMSu3skKG/s1600/20140706_102607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftsf8kv8-6bSHD8MojmqDaDJQytRBjIN1e7HTbRV38TbaMxfiGPesz0N1eYRv5vMDrAsdvJe4u2iB4dy41jGJjTT1yUHroODybwo0whbqe4L-nC8ejhJufu5P_wAg0r-JnKXNMSu3skKG/s1600/20140706_102607.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fountain at Gulhane Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US"> Nearby Archeological museum was also equally
interesting. The last place to visit in Istanbul was IKEA store. This was
fourth IKEA store I visited till date. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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</v:imagedata></v:shape><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">Overall the visit was a great escape
from the monotonous routine. The Hotel was clean, comfortable & safe. The hotel
staff was very friendly and professional.
Local Taxi drivers tend to cheat the tourists and bargaining in the
shops is a common practice.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">Though it was Ramadan, food joints were
open during the day. Overall I found Istanbul a nice blend of old and new with
both east and west culture co-existing seamlessly. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZLB9eplQRGqF4bJIr_51DhzB4AJH2NWlHcdr8Lfea7VMnV5hFc6PK8KMKs9DM42wf55aTyLUzuRkjj3iUEpP4LgdQ_lz56KzFDQoJwocnERlmX6V5kJMvhkPGr7pzelgqCNbxUQyMVBT/s1600/100_5868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZLB9eplQRGqF4bJIr_51DhzB4AJH2NWlHcdr8Lfea7VMnV5hFc6PK8KMKs9DM42wf55aTyLUzuRkjj3iUEpP4LgdQ_lz56KzFDQoJwocnERlmX6V5kJMvhkPGr7pzelgqCNbxUQyMVBT/s1600/100_5868.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rustem Pasha Mosque</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">I hope this blog will motivate you to
visit places and share your experiences. Your comments, suggestions are most
welcome.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">Best regards<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">Zero<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</div>
Zerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09826329590603287472noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8715092971227202218.post-2314078292914534192014-01-22T12:28:00.001-08:002014-01-22T12:28:12.883-08:00Post card from Leiden, Nederlands<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Friends,<br />
<br />
Hope things are fine at your end.<br />
<br />
It's almost 3 months since I came to this interesting city of Leiden in Netherlands.
Initial couple of weeks went away in completing relocation formalities and adjusting to the new environment.One thing I liked most about this place is Bi-cycling. Most of the people commute on Bicycle. Designated Bicycle paths are there all over the place.
After coming here I was told that Amsterdam Stock Exchange is the Oldest Stock Exchange in the world. About 400 years ago, Amsterdam used to be the wealthiest city in the world.
Recently I had visited a very old but still working windmill. It was constructed in 1743! It is used to grind corn and now converted in to a museum.
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjkil1bGgFlkkUopPxh1CjT0tvdXLJQACAxGPUS4vvUFqhYcac3MwlrDVf3QTOqpfJLdpJOzRZaReFVAFmaHNEpRDzjdBtlNspnj0GfcXuhK5Kihgcv0CAWxzjJJZ7mPdPavbmw1-lHth/s1600/20131208_132701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjkil1bGgFlkkUopPxh1CjT0tvdXLJQACAxGPUS4vvUFqhYcac3MwlrDVf3QTOqpfJLdpJOzRZaReFVAFmaHNEpRDzjdBtlNspnj0GfcXuhK5Kihgcv0CAWxzjJJZ7mPdPavbmw1-lHth/s400/20131208_132701.jpg" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
</blockquote>
If interested, for more details do visit <a href="http://molendevalk.leiden.nl/">molendevalk.leiden</a><br />
<br />
Best regards<br />
<br />
Zero
.<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
</div>
Zerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09826329590603287472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8715092971227202218.post-77738500249978207242013-11-07T10:03:00.001-08:002014-01-22T12:28:43.038-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Friends,<br />
<br />
After a long gap of couple of years I am back at Bloging and hope to continue for a while.
To begin with I have moved to Leiden, Netherlands on an International assignment.I hope to work on some challenging assignments, meet interesting people and visit some wonderful places.<br />
<br />
Best regards<br />
<br />
Zero</div>
Zerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09826329590603287472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8715092971227202218.post-44077575833774535092011-02-15T23:13:00.000-08:002011-02-15T23:14:54.732-08:00Life… a roller coaster ride.Dear friends,<br /><br />Recent post by Idlemind literally forced me to introspect and write a post after a long time. These days majority of us (including myself) are complaining about fast pace of life, about short lived excitement and long periods of dullness…..<br /><br />A bit of introspection about this high and low made me think about roller coaster ride. A roller coaster ride starts slowly, goes at a steady pace for a short while, then gradually starts rising and after reaching the top, the real action begins, first it falls sharply, then turns us upside down a couple of times, the pace keeps on increasing and decreasing, moving up and down, changing directions and slowly at the end finally comes to a complete halt. <br /><br />First time riders either enjoy the ride and look forward for a variety of different options or take a bow and walk away, rarely to ride again. People of different apatite for excitement, choose their small/big/simple/complex roller coaster and enjoy the ride as frequently as possible. Interestingly, very rarely people fall from the ride or get injured due to roller coaster failure. The safety record of roller coasters is excellent.<br /><br />I think our social and professional life is also like a roller coaster ride. Initially childhood is slow and steady, youth is an uphill task and the middle age is a challenge full of high and low, right and wrong…., and then at the end we slowly exit from active professional and social life. If we consciously keep on experimenting without fear of Injury or falling down and choose the right life style (roller coaster) that suits our temperament, then we may enjoy every bit of it and look forward for the next ride with more excitement.<br /><br />Recently I met two great personalities; the first one is an Industrialist who set up a large specialty chemical manufacturing unit after retirement at the age of 60 and at present he is heading the company at 85! The other great person is an author of books on classical music and a practicing painter at the age of 100! I salute these two great souls, who seem to have chosen roller coasters that suits them best and continue to enjoy the ride.<br /><br />Hope we are riding the right roller coaster. If not, how about exploring a bit more? What say?<br /><br />Best regards<br /><br />ZeroZerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09826329590603287472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8715092971227202218.post-49459549877142874862010-01-02T22:10:00.000-08:002010-01-02T22:18:30.980-08:00Are Battery operated two wheelers cheap and pollution free?Dear friends,<br /><br />Wishing you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.<br /><br />It has been long since I wrote anything. <br /><br />After returning to India, I find many Battery operated 2 wheelers on the road. Without any noise or warning, they simply zip past you. Few handbills and advertisements in local news paper promote these as a cheap, safe and pollution free mode of transportation in the city.<br /><br />I wonder are they really cheap and pollution free?<br /><br />First, these vehicles run on batteries that are recharged at home using Electricity. Generally Electricity for homes is subsidized by charging higher tariff to the Industry, thus it appears to be cheap because of the subsidy. If the real cost is considered than it may not be as cheap as the general perception is.<br /><br />Secondly, recharging battery is an inefficient use of electricity. Lots of electricity is wasted in heat and vibration of electrodes. As the battery ages, it consumes more and more Electricity for every recharge. People, who use Invertors at home, are well aware of this high consumption of electricity. Typically Invertors in home take almost double the time of usage for recharging the battery. Replacement and disposal cost of old battery is also high.<br /><br />As far as source of electricity is concerned, most of the electricity generated in our country is by Thermal Power Plants by burning Coal. These plants are the biggest polluters of environment as they generate Green house Gases like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide plus NOx and SOx responsible for Acid rain. Huge amount of Ash (up to 30% of the coal consumed) that contains heavy metals and toxic chemicals is generated as a residue after burning coal, ultimately contaminates soil and ground water. Transmission and distribution losses from the Power plant, up to the house hold are also high (up to 20%). Thus the source of energy itself is the biggest polluter.<br /><br />For burning, pure Hydrogen is the cleanest fuel, followed by Natural Gas/LPG followed by Petrol/Diesel and then last is Coal. Hydro-Electric, Nuclear and Wind Power are also relatively less polluting, but have their own issues of heavy Capital investment, Safety and Social issues.<br /><br /><br />Another observation is that, to save power, the driver of these vehicles tends to drive it without switching on head light during night, posing serious safety hazard for him and others.<br /><br />As of now, I feel that by using these vehicles people are in fact increasing pollution. By just shifting the polluting source elsewhere, people are fooling themselves with a false sense of savings and so called eco friendliness.<br /><br />Having said all that, I must acknowledge and accept that these vehicles are amazingly silent and definitely reduce sound pollution on roads drastically. Let us hope that in future, major source of electricity will be clean like Wind or Nuclear power or something else and the society will truly benefit by using these vehicles.<br /><br />What do you say? Feel free to share your thoughts.<br /><br />Best regards<br /><br />ZeroZerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09826329590603287472noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8715092971227202218.post-82944104715386377882009-09-02T11:37:00.000-07:002009-09-02T20:33:48.095-07:00SPRITUAL BUT NOT RELIGIOUS?Dear friends,<br /><br />Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Spirituality and Religion. I had posted the same question on ibibo and got equally interesting five responses. Your feedback gave an insight in to what people generally think about Spirituality and Religion.<br /><br />The gist of replies is as below:<br />Except one, all were of the opinion that a person can be Spiritual but not religious.<br />For most of them Spirituality was like, quest to understand oneself, identify self with universe, selfless service to the society, humanity, believe in super powers of human mind and body etc<br /><br />As far as religion is concerned, all of them thought that religion is limited to believing in the concept of God and worshiping God by various means like performing rituals, Idol worship, chanting mantras etc.<br /><br />Some expressed their dislike towards religion while one said that religion is a journey to achieve Spirituality and once achieved, one need not follow religious practice of rituals etc.<br /><br />All these answers were a great help in my quest of learning. Now I share my thoughts on the subject. <br />As far as I understand, Hinduism as a religion is based on following Three Yoga.<br />1)Gyan Yoga (Study and practice to achieve supreme consciousness OR Sampurna Vairagya)<br />2)Karma Yoga. (To perform individual’s duty without bothering about the results)<br />3)Bhakti Yoga. (To worship God Almighty)<br />All above mentioned Yoga are the basic pillars of Hinduism. All three are independent and also complimentary to each other. The ultimate aim to achieve Supreme consciousness can be achieved either by following any one or all of the three in any combinations by humans.<br /> <br />Feedback from my friends regarding Spirituality is actually a combination of Gyan Yoga and Karma Yoga, which is an essential part of Religion. However not following Bhakti Yoga doesn’t mean that a person can claim to be “NOT Religious”. This is like saying “I am a Neuro Surgeon, but not a Doctor” OR I am a Marathi (or from any other state) but not an Indian!<br /><br />My limited understanding says that “If a person follows any of the following Yoga, then he is Religious”. What do you say?<br /><br />Lastly, I would like to share a few thoughts on Bhakti Yoga.<br />As per Bhagwat Geeta, in this Kaliyug, to achieve Supreme consciousness, the easiest and most appropriate Yoga to practice is Bhakti Yoga followed by Karma yoga and last Gyan Yoga, the reasons...<br /><br />1) For practicing Gyan Yoga one must have a Guru who has already achieved Supreme Consciousness and finding such a Guru in Kaliyug is almost impossible. <br />2) For practicing Karma Yoga, one must be selfless while doing each and every activity (KARMA) with total attention on the task and not on the results (Karmphal). In any case his mind should never get diverted in the thought process of results/rewards. In this world of moha maya and expectations is it really possible to do anything without thinking about the results/rewards?<br />3) Bhakti Yoga is relatively easy to practice. Contrary to general belief, one need not really follow rituals etc if he/she does not believe in it. There are NINE different methods to practice Bhakti Yoga including Manas puja, which requires nothing to be physically done nor requires any material or external support. One can decide upon which method is most suited for him and can practice it to achieve the ultimate goal of Supreme consciousness.<br /><br />Thank you for going through this long post patiently. Comments as usual are most welcome.<br /><br />Best regards<br /><br />ZeroZerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09826329590603287472noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8715092971227202218.post-40292107196301850812009-08-22T19:40:00.000-07:002009-08-22T19:42:41.303-07:00Ek SawalDear friends,<br /><br />I came across a statement on many blogger profiles and was quite surprised and confused. The statement said “Spiritual but not religious.”<br /><br />My limited understanding says that Religion and Spirituality cannot be separate. Spirituality is an important part of Religion. Study and practice of religion and its teachings makes a human spiritual.<br /><br />I wonder is it really possible to be Spiritual but not religious? I have been pondering over this statement for quite some time, but did not get any convincing answer yet. What do you say? Any Clues? Please do share your views.<br /> <br />Best regards<br /><br />ZeroZerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09826329590603287472noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8715092971227202218.post-70264127198677754402009-08-04T09:00:00.000-07:002009-08-04T09:31:00.601-07:00Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisod3zGEAUKrl9NjMhgmjHQ5hm7W9IdynByJdVVYTnv9C3Dqk9Wn5VTHgJWHrYYIsd0OhjLLr4IszDyGijrSRnVoNX8egiAUt8DSGLyll1JM2g0SE2JV_pbu_J9jzcEjX3_zxw-SjqWfso/s1600-h/1.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisod3zGEAUKrl9NjMhgmjHQ5hm7W9IdynByJdVVYTnv9C3Dqk9Wn5VTHgJWHrYYIsd0OhjLLr4IszDyGijrSRnVoNX8egiAUt8DSGLyll1JM2g0SE2JV_pbu_J9jzcEjX3_zxw-SjqWfso/s400/1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366146738753612258" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgrPvXcc3FmVAcb51WQah_2O2A0G2-sCcgB7QG3yrc7ECbUIkt6DqTLVgW1B7nMGKYeI19F9rsgP0zNrEYj247I1S7xQiW_ulsK2AK9sFOehe2V-08egemr0Mc-DKDVQjEXBdbyj3VCv3/s1600-h/2.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgrPvXcc3FmVAcb51WQah_2O2A0G2-sCcgB7QG3yrc7ECbUIkt6DqTLVgW1B7nMGKYeI19F9rsgP0zNrEYj247I1S7xQiW_ulsK2AK9sFOehe2V-08egemr0Mc-DKDVQjEXBdbyj3VCv3/s400/2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366146736013706578" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcUE5z_zr6W-8O9ZskHmiA-36l-CZ29U-WLurz_V3CR8OOU-IhHQDWcbMDFhZzVkbNpstKjyIvrwdAAKjw9i51KqP1-1k6WRtzvUm7mI0C6HQAw81TGNzix59tG21gSA95dJ0RvAPHBn2/s1600-h/3.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcUE5z_zr6W-8O9ZskHmiA-36l-CZ29U-WLurz_V3CR8OOU-IhHQDWcbMDFhZzVkbNpstKjyIvrwdAAKjw9i51KqP1-1k6WRtzvUm7mI0C6HQAw81TGNzix59tG21gSA95dJ0RvAPHBn2/s400/3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366146727444819650" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFQWnfT6XQGGYI84ymnXAc_jsDpJeCtaxzI8Ibr_xlZG_3MCZQbDTgJomGtDYcnp-x0NKPUNtf3SdB6R5gfJ9wHiJskQewz-2WIpuqq_RYc1IuPTbyz-HjafmxwFddT6JLTx4xewvqmME/s1600-h/4.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFQWnfT6XQGGYI84ymnXAc_jsDpJeCtaxzI8Ibr_xlZG_3MCZQbDTgJomGtDYcnp-x0NKPUNtf3SdB6R5gfJ9wHiJskQewz-2WIpuqq_RYc1IuPTbyz-HjafmxwFddT6JLTx4xewvqmME/s400/4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366146720891972498" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8Wcwi6-O_WBY77CPAwXuTovvnGkHtVB9qQgpbKnPHJnGVtN1iW3tjefJfG2voB7SgwLonyp1FizEY8kWNwhez5guILvdAQBv5DQwA3iOV5mtvtYXPGDfP0lefpgi6sjzSO0F8dqFTB63/s1600-h/6.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8Wcwi6-O_WBY77CPAwXuTovvnGkHtVB9qQgpbKnPHJnGVtN1iW3tjefJfG2voB7SgwLonyp1FizEY8kWNwhez5guILvdAQBv5DQwA3iOV5mtvtYXPGDfP0lefpgi6sjzSO0F8dqFTB63/s400/6.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366146715810600306" /></a><br />Dear friends,<br /><br />You may be surprised by the title of this post and wondering what the heck is this?<br /><br />Last Sunday we visited a UNESCO world heritage site. It is a testimony of prehistoric life and the customs of aboriginal people in prairies. <br /><br />The interpretive centre at the site has a well organised museum and a mini theatre that screens a short documentary film. In-depth understanding of buffalo (American Bison) mentality, innovative methods used for mass killing of buffalos and cruelty of the tribe men was both fascinating and also shocking. <br /><br />The local aboriginal community in prairies (Blackfoot tribe) depended on buffalo’s meat, fat, skin and bones for their survival through the long and chilly winter. During fall season, after performing customary rituals, tribes men used to identify a herd of buffalos for the kill and drive it towards the cliff in a systematic and organised manner. Elaborate arrangements used to be made by posting tree branches and rocks for marking the track and to ensure that the herd drifted towards the cliff through a narrow channel. Finally the entire herd was tricked by the tribes men wearing Wolf and Buffalo calf skins and made them jump from the 10 metre high cliff. It is believed that, this method of killing buffalos was practiced for about 5500 years. During excavation, researchers found buffalo bone deposits about 10 meters deep at the bottom of the cliff.<br /><br />According to legend, a young Blackfoot wanted to watch the buffalo plunge off the cliff from below, but was buried underneath the falling buffalo. He was later found dead under the pile of carcasses "where he got his head smashed in!<br /><br />Thus the site is called- Head Smashed in Buffalo jump!<br /><br />Few snaps of the site are attached. Conical shaped tents made from animal skins called Tipi, used to be home of Blackfoot families. Now a days these tents are made from Canvas and are used by campers near the site.<br /><br />Best regards<br /><br />ZeroZerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09826329590603287472noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8715092971227202218.post-77548571669418560812009-07-12T17:58:00.000-07:002009-07-12T18:00:57.406-07:00THE TASTE OF INDIADear friends,<br /><br />Recently I came across a news item saying India will now export milk products to New Zealand, the global dairy capital ( “Kurien’s Kiwi dream gets real …..” http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/Kuriens-Kiwi-dream-gets-real-/articleshow/4698884.cms)<br /><br />Indeed India has come a long way. I still remember those days, as a young boy standing in a long queue with empty bottles in a bag waiting eagerly at the milk booth for the milk van. Those days Amul butter and powdered milk for babies were only known milk product for the masses. Flavoured milk, cheese and milk chocolate bar (Popularly known as Cadbury), Ice-cream were a rare treat. Ice-cream party and Ice-cream making used to be a seasonal summer family event.<br /><br />Over the years, glass bottles got replaced with plastic pouches and also availability of milk improved drastically. Now queue for milk is a past story. Today one can choose from many variants of milk and buy any time from many places. Thanks to Amul, the number of milk products available in the market and affordability also went up drastically. Ice-cream party is no longer a seasonal event but a year long treat. Interestingly few years back one of my friends tried to buy an Ice-cream making machine/Ice-cream pot and to his surprise, he could not find any. Every where the answer was, kya kare sahib, Amul Ice cream itna sasta hai, ke ghar mai ab koi Ice cream nahi banata.....!<br /><br />Today India is the largest producer of milk in the world. Interestingly, though expensive compared to local products, “Amul Cool” flavoured milk is available at some shops in Calgary!<br /><br />You may be happy to know that Mr. Harichand Meghaa Dalaya was the first technocrat who successfully made milk powder from buffalo milk at Amul, probably first time in the world! The breakthrough technology of spray-drying and processing buffalo milk, developed by him was one of the key factors that contributed to the Revolution.<br /><br />I salute Dr.Varghese Kurien, Shri Tribhovandas Patel, Shri. H M Dalaya and millions of other associates for introducing “THE TASTE OF INDIA” to the world.<br /><br />Best regards<br /><br />ZeroZerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09826329590603287472noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8715092971227202218.post-69023885995187152832009-06-23T21:06:00.000-07:002009-06-23T21:09:22.965-07:00Zero got GOOGLED !Dear friends,<br /><br />More than a decade ago, I started using Mahajaal (Internet). You may agree that this is one of the most important invention of century that changed life of almost entire literate population through out the world. Those days, for a layman like me, using Computer was a Love/Hate experience. <br /><br />My introduction to the fascinating world of Google was also almost at the same time. I used Google as a search engine to search information on net. It was and even today very simple. You type the name/subject, hit enter and PRESTO! A list of well sorted sites is in front of you to explore.<br /><br />Than came Google earth, the most fascinating and mesmerising experience of seeing various places on earth from the sky. Our own locality, friends house looks so different from the top! Google maps is a great help in North American cities to find address. <br /><br />G-mail gave an altogether different experience of e-mail usage. The well laid out mail box is so convenient to use. G-chat side bar lets me know about online friends and occasionally I did chat while writing mails. Google Calendar is very useful in keeping my commitments. It sends an automated e-mail to remind me about important events.<br /><br />After coming to Canada, I discovered YouTube, the wonderful entertainer on the net. It is just an ocean of visual world. I could enjoy many rare songs, movies, Interviews, news snippets and what not, on YouTube. I could even communicate with Remo Fernandes, my favourite singer through YouTube.<br /><br />Picasa web album gave me the opportunity to see and share photos with my friends & relatives across the globe. The convenience of uploading photos just once and sending the link to others saved lot of time. <br /><br />Overall till date I am very happy with Google products. For a layman like me, Google gave me a very fascinating experience of this real cum nareal (virtual) world.<br /><br />Now with the recent developments among us, I try my hand at Blogger the blogspot by Google. I hope as usual it will be a satisfying experience.<br /><br />Lastly you may be aware that this year in August “Blogger” will be completing 10 years. <br /><br />Best regards<br /><br />ZeroZerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09826329590603287472noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8715092971227202218.post-28366305568472156402009-06-18T19:05:00.000-07:002013-06-25T08:00:53.211-07:00Hello FriendsDear Friends,<br /><br />Welcome on this new platform. I hope you will have equally exciting experience in communicating as we had earlier.<br /><br />I must acknowledge and thank Chhaya for her taking lead and putting up the hard work for this migration. I am sure more and more friends will join soon.<br /><br />Comments as usual are most welcome.<br /><br />Best regards<br /><br /><br />ZeroZerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09826329590603287472noreply@blogger.com6