Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

With the new government, we have lot of expectations and confidence. Cleanliness and hygiene is something India was in need since inception and now we have a right guide with a perfect vision. We see all the celebrities and public figure too promoting and demonstrating Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Cleanliness should start within, start from our home, our surroundings. While I come outside the house, my own neighbors keep the garbage bags outside. Poor dogs, they try to find something to eat resulting in scattering the garbage all over.  I see lot of people, who may keep their house and surroundings clean but don't bother about the public property, like throw the paper, plastics in the road and lot more. We should think that every public property is our property, we are the ones who pay tax and should be responsible to care about that. Hope to see all this get in order at the earliest.

We start now and start breathing fresh air, enjoy the beautiful vision of each and every corner of India soon. It’s possible only if WE DO IT.

I had shot this image last December on the way to Goa. Even, this will have a new look if WE DO IT.

No more Kambala's at Kadri

Image Credit: Prashant Bhandare, the winning entry of the contest Redefining Storytelling conducted by Sapient India.

Kambala - the most awaited traditional sport of tulunadu (Coastal Karnataka, India). It is the traditional buffalo race in the slush water held during December to March in various districts of Coastal Karnataka. The buffalo's running at headlong speed, it is an absolutely breath taking and thrilling experience. The racetrack is around 159 mts and the buffaloes take 20/30/40 seconds to complete the track. You can get the detailed information about the Kambala at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kambala

Years back, there were paddy fields throughout Mangalore city and each region would organize annual Kambala events. With time, all the regions stopped farming, sold the land, fields turned out to monstrous buildings but Kadri Kambala field being in the midst of the city has kept the cultural game alive until last year. Kadri Kambala is also known as Devara Kambala, as it is related to Kadri Manjunatha Temple.

It was disheartening to see the Kadri Kambala field filled with soil on one side. At first, my thought was they sold this land of cultural importance. Later, while browsing through the news I studied that due to some land dispute, they had to stop this and the bottom line is there will be no more Kambala’s organized in this place. In spite, there will not be any Kambalas within Mangalore city as Kadri Kambala is the only one, which was organised within the city.

The coming generation has already lost many historical, cultural experiences. Kambala was one such event, which our current generation was witnessing. One by one, even this experience is stolen from the next generation.

Few of the picture memories from Kadri Kambala of year 2011.

P.S: Image is copyright protected to Prashant Bhandare. Anyone who wants to publish or use these images for any purpose, please contact the concerned for permission.

Dancing 'round the nature!!

The point is that when I see a sunset or a waterfall or something, for a split second it's so great, because for a little bit I'm out of my brain, and it's got nothing to do with me. I'm not trying to figure it out, you know what I mean? And I wonder if I can somehow find a way to maintain that mind stillness. 

~Chris Evans

I feel the same when I'm around nature, especially near a waterfall or a stream. It's so relaxing, peaceful, stress-free, and secure. 

Change of name = Changing your identity!

Few things makes me think that we are still in the 19th century. I see most of them follow the same age old system of changing their name after marriage.

Most of the well educated, independent women these days change their identity when they get married. I don't understand what is the necessity to change their identity, is it from pressure or the age old system rooted within them. Personally to me, I have made my identity and people know by my name, and I will not change my identity for anything in this world. It's against my rule book. My name is my pride and I wouldn't let anyone change that.

When I was a child my parents just gave me my name and an initial just to segregate from the similar names. As I was growing up I did not find my initial fancy enough. I changed my name to my fathers surname. That was years back when I left school and I made my identity with that name. 

The younger generation now does not require their fathers name or husbands name. They just need a name. They will make their own identity. My niece and nephews all four of them are not given any surname or fathers name or mothers name. They have their first and middle. names which is different and unique. They are happy with their names and they feel different from the crowd.

I have also seen few people, if their wives has not changed the surname after marriage, they hesitate or not ready to include the spuoses name in the passport! This is heights, it's each individuals perception, whether to change or no. 

Women adjusts almost everywhere and in everything after marriage. Is it an adjustment all the women do in changing their name? In my opinion, changing the name is not a Requirement, changing people's perception is the Requirement.

Equality between men and women made me think of this topic this morning.

Bangalore Rains...

Pre-monsoon rains started in Bangalore... Getting the good feel so far...

Chitra Santhe 2014 - Assembling the platform

Tomorrow the streets of Chitra Kala Parishath and Kumara Krupa Park will be filled with various Art Work and Art Lovers. This year it's the 11th year of Chitra Santhe, unlike every year is on the first Sunday of January.

I was around here today at the Karnataka  Chitra Kala Parishath, the preparations are in full swing and the team is assembling the platform for tomorrow's inauguration. 

Few flicks from CKP

Be there on 5 Jan 2014 to encourage the  artists, also do visit the stall no. 856 beside Sindhia School.

Thank you for 2013 & HaPpY NeW YeAr 2014!

Year 2013 was a fantastic year, full of challenges, a year to be remembered - filled with memorable moments and journeys all over.

Welcoming the new year on the move, journey from Ankola - Yellapur road was awesome and the NH4 highway too. 

Flicks on the move...

Wishing 2014 filled with joy and happiness, hoping for 365 days of paradise, filled with great journeys, sweet surprises, all in all wonderful year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014!!! Wishing all a peaceful year ahead.

P.S: Thank you all Bloggers and Readers for reading and supporting my blog.

Thoughts from The Universe!

Between here and there, the only thing that matters is what you think, from now 'til then. 

Choices, choices, choices - 

The past is simply what you choose to remember, if you even choose to remember it.

Vibrant GoA

Colourful huts at Morjim

Typical Goa - Coconut trees and the river banks... 

Fernando's Dolphin boat at Morjim

Sunset at the Manderam beach

Fiery!!!

Fiery performance at the Baga Beach!

Goan SeAson

St. Anthony's Church - Siolim lit for Christmas.

Tomorrow brings a better day!

Watching Sunset at Arambol Beach, Goa

Handling traffic situations

Blogger has always given me the space to share my joy, vent out my frustration, share knowledge, and write whatever I want to.

Today I want to know from my fellow bloggers and readers about how can we tackle the traffic problems in India. It has really become pathetic, especially for working individuals to travel to and fro everyday. We feel so happy if our of the blue, you find the road free without any vehicles. 

I live in Bangalore and we all know that there was no development plan for Bangalore and the city has grown overnight due to the immigration of IT companies. But this does not mean that the infrastructure cannot be improved. Who is responsible for this improvement, is the department doing any progress, Metro is only on their plan?

I pity the condition if roads, the condition of vehicles plying in those roads, most important people travelling on these roads. I pity myself everyday, why do I need to go through all this after paying huge amount of tax every year!

If you see the KR Puram bridge, it'll take 30 minutes to cross the bridge, with damn slow moving traffic, to add to this are the pot holes and the narrow roads after that. Going forward from there, depends on you what route you take. The private vehicle pliers keep discovering a new route everyday, in the hope to avoid traffic, sadly they get stuck at one or the other signal. For Whitefield route, Graphite signal is a nightmare. This signal will test your patience. 

I really don't see any solution coming up here. Wonder, what'll be the condition when metro work begins on this phase. With all this, I think should we really elect anyone in this country who cannot think of the common man, what our city is going through? We as a citizen, how can we solve this problem?

A Beautiful Day!!!

Morning at Cubbon Park, Bangalore

A fresh morning and these flowers are treat to the eyes. 

Thank You!!!

Two of the most powerful words in the English language for bringing about change, are "thank you." Especially when offered before the change even occurs and everything still looks pretty much like it did yesterday.

You'll have to think of something to say afterwards on your own.

Thank You!!!

P.S: Image is copyright protected to Prashant Bhandare. Anyone who wants to publish or use these images for any purpose, please contact the concerned for permission.

An evening at Rankala Lake, Kolhapur

Would it comfort you to know, that there is always a solution, there are always "happy grounds," and that everything is going to turn out in your favor? 

My travelogue - Linger Balur

Finally, I got some inspiration to update my blog. I had a great time at Linger Balur Estate last year. It is the best way to experience monsoon in the Malnad regions. 

You can view my post at:

http://travelsoiled.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/do-nothing-vacation-at-linger-balur-estate/

P.S: Pictures to be updated soon.

Words of Wisdom

Dominion over all things doesn't come with age, spirituality, or even gratitude. In fact, it doesn't come at all. You were born with it, and you use it every moment of every day, whenever you say, "I will... I am... I have..."

And for that matter, whenever you say, "It's hard... I'm lost... I don't know..."

Careful where you point that thing!

Life's not about learning to find your power, it's about learning to use it.

Courtesy: TUT... Notes from the Universe

Indianism

Indianism is a term exclusive to Indian English. I could list few terms that we usually use though we should not be using as per Standard English.

Do the needful

Do the needful is very old-fashioned English, It went out of style decades ago, about the time the British left. This term is outdated all over the world except in India.

Examples:

I have done the needful. – Incorrect
I have done what is necessary or needed. – Correct

Please do the needful. - Incorrect
Please do what is necessary or needed. - Correct

Please do the needful to attend the mentioned training. – Incorrect
Please do what is necessary to attend the meeting. - Correct

My computer's broken. Please do the needful. - Incorrect
My computer is broken. Please look into this. - Correct

I have sent you an email. Read it and do the needful. – Incorrect
I have sent you an email. Read the email and do what is necessary. – Correct

I am very hungry. Please do the needful. - Incorrect
I am very hungry. Please make me a sandwich. – Correct

Kindly revert

In Standard English, Revert means to return to a former state.

Examples:

Kindly revert back to me. - Incorrect
Please reply to me. – Correct

Kindly revert back for any clarification. - Incorrect
Please contact us should you need assistance to proceed from here. – Correct
Please feel free to call us for clarifications. – Correct

Please revert at the earliest. - Incorrect
Please reply at the earliest. – Correct

Reply back

The use of reply back is wrong because it contains a redundancy. The word reply means to say something back. The meaning of the word back is already contained in reply, so there is no need to use them together.

Examples:

Please reply back as soon as possible. - Incorrect
Please reply as soon as possible. – Correct

I’ll reply back to the email. - Incorrect
I will reply to the email. – Correct

Prepone

Prepone is one of a few words that we Indians have created for our own convenience. Apparently, this phrase has become so popular that it’s even been added to a few dictionaries!

Examples:

I have preponed the meeting. - Incorrect
I have rescheduled the meeting to . – Correct

Please do XYZ without fail

Here, Please is a request and without fail is an order.

Examples:

Kindly attend the meeting without fail. – Incorrect
Kindly attend the meeting. Please do not fail me in this. – Correct

Please intimate me

To intimate is a rare verb meaning to inform someone privately.

Examples:

Please intimate me. - Incorrect
Please inform me. – Correct

Do one thing

Do one thing is the direct translation of Ek kaam karo and this usage is incorrect. One thing can be ten things, but it is still one thing.

Examples:

Scenario: My computer keeps getting hung.

Indian Usage: Do one thing. Clear your history. Delete your cookies. Defrag your hard drive. Run a virus check. Restart your computer.

Correct Usage: Do the following:
Clear your history.
Delete your cookies.
Defrag your hard drive.
Run a virus check.
Restart your computer.

Do one thing. Take a left turn there. - Incorrect
You can take a left turn there. – Correct

Let’s do one thing, let’s order both veg and non-veg. - Incorrect
Let’s order Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian. – Correct

Do one thing, set the headline in Times New Roman. - Incorrect
You can set the headline in Times New Roman. – Correct

You have carpal tunnel? Do one thing, adjust your chair higher, put something underneath your feet, and put the keyboard on your lap. - Incorrect
You have carpal tunnel? Adjust your chair higher, put something underneath your feet, and put the keyboard on your lap. – Correct

Note: Carpal tunnel means cramp.

Out of Station

Out of Station is widely used in India which is incorrect.

Examples:

If you lose your card or it stops working and you happen to be out of station, then you cannot apply for a new card. - Incorrect
If you lose your card or it stops working and you happen to be out of town, then you cannot apply for a new card. – Correct

He is out of station. - Incorrect
He is out of town. – Correct

Discuss about

The word discuss means to talk about. There is no need to insert the word about after discuss.

Examples:

What shall we discuss about today? - Incorrect
What shall we discuss today? – Correct

Let’s discuss about the issues. - Incorrect
Let’s discuss the issues. – Correct

Order for

When you order something, you order it, you do not order for it.

Examples:

Ordering for Pizza. - Incorrect
Ordering Pizza. – Correct

I’ll order for Pizza. - Incorrect
I’ll order Pizza. – Correct

How to order for Pizza? - Incorrect
How to order Pizza. – Correct

Can be able to

Both can and able to hold the same meaning.

Examples:

I can be able to do it. - Incorrect
I will be able to do it. – Correct
I can do it. – Correct

You can be able to understand. - Incorrect
You will be able to understand. – Correct
You can understand. – Correct

I can be able to communicate in English with people all over the world. - Incorrect
I am able to communicate in English with people all over the world. – Correct
I will be able to communicate in English with people all over the world. – Correct

Pohe

Rice flakes are used for quick breakfast in every household in India. Every region has a different cuisine and Pohe is the Maharashtrian specialty. I’m not a great cook and I keep hunting simple breakfast recipes and every time I land up preparing Pohe. It’s very easy to prepare and is time saving.

  

Ingredients
2 cups thick Beaten rice/Avalakki/Pohe
1 medium sized onion - Chopped
2 finely chopped Green chilies
10-12 curry leaves
2 tbsp Peanuts (Optional)
1 tsp Mustard seeds
1 tsp Cumin seeds
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1/2 cup finely chopped Coriander Leaves
1 Lemon
Salt to taste

Method:

1. Wash and soak the rice flakes in water. Drain all the water, splash some salt over it and keep it aside for 15-20 minutes. Make sure to select the thick rice flakes. Do not use the thin/paper soft rice flakes as it’ll dissolve while you wash the rice flakes.  
2. Heat oil in a kadai, add peanuts and fry them until brown. Remove the peanuts and keep aside.
3. In the same oil, add the mustard seeds. 
4. Wait until the seeds sputter, then add curry leaves, Cumin seeds, Green chilies and Turmeric powder. 
5. Add finely chopped Onion and sauté for some time.
6. Now, add soaked rice flakes and stir gently. 
7. Add salt for taste.
8. Garnish the cooked Pohe with finely chopped Coriander leaves, fried Peanuts, and Lemon.

Snippet on Imagery – just a try!

Watching out through the window on a rainy day…
Oh… the monsoon rains!

As I watch the muddy water flowing through the stream,
The smell of the mud that quivers my senses.
Array of paper boats that flows through the gushing water,
Smiles and Giggles, watching them flow and doom.

The cool breeze of the trees from the woods; wet and dark,
Soft and lush green foliage of this grass, all bowed down.
The vivid hues of wild flowers dancing in the rain,
And the chirping  birds overflow with music.

Oh… the monsoon rains make me feel euphoric and at peace,
My dwelling, this is the place where I belong, where I’m myself.