Lord Ram & Politics

 Ram Janmabhoomi 'bhoomi pujan' was recently concluded with much celebration, security and with lots of enthusiasm and fervour. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a speech on the qualities that Lord Ram stood for and the struggles which have gone in the construction of this temple after decades. However, there was much politics and debate rather than peace and tranquility which should have been associated with a God like Ram.

Ram is associated with benevolent qualities of kindness, compassion, giving, love and peace. All of this was lacking in the location where the event went on with the speeches of Uttar Pradesh Governor and Chief Minister and RSS chief and Prime Minister himself.

Prime Minister seemed far from humble on this occasion and seemed himself like a valiant warrior out to take on a 'fight against evil' rather than showing equipoise, serenity and humility. Lord Ram has stood more for qualities of always fighting for the good, under all duress and adverse circumstances. Lord Ram has been associated with peace and brotherhood in the neighbourhood, village, city and the nation. But the very fabric on which this temple exists (after the violent demolition of Babri Masjid) questions the notion of 'peaceful co-existence'. Prime Minister would have done well by exhorting on all people to follow a calm serene quietude of Lord Ram. All that was missing. He simply spelt out the places in which Ram is worshipped, as though being pushed by a heightened sense of insecurity for his party's ideology and Hindutva agenda.

Lord Ram is the God for all, irrespective of the nationality. Yet for a Prime Minister to attend such an occasion is not a befitting answer to a country based on secularism and all-encompassing religions. India has always believed in 'Sarv Dharma Sambhaav' where all religions and communities live together for a common goal of security, safety and development without the notion of fear. A Prime Minister who instils fear rather than love and inspiration is not a versatile leader. It was not befitting for him to attend a totally Hindu occasion where minorities crave for attention and equal opportunities. It raises fresh questions about whether our country is indeed 'caring' for all communities' feelings and whether a national leader is sensitive towards feelings of all his countrymen irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

योग

करो योग, रहो नीरोग, बनो योग्य। हर दिन मनाएं‌ 'योग  दिवस'(21 जून)।   --- के सी  पाण्डे 

संगम

जीवन सफल हो जाता है
जब होता है संस्कृति और शिक्षा का संगम

गीत मधुर बन पड़ता है
जब होता शब्दों और संगीत का संगम

पुष्प सुन्दर खिल उठता है
जब होगा रंग और खुशबू का संगम

पेड़ पौधे बढ़ जाते हैं
जब होता वायु के साथ सूर्य का संगम

मधुर चांदनी खिल उठती है
जब होता चाँद और रात का संगम

चहक उठता मन जब होता
सुर से भावना का संगम

जीवित होती मूरत
जब होता भक्ति से भाव का संगम

महक उठता शैशव
जब होता मातृत्व से प्रेम का संगम

बढ़ उठते हैं हाथ आशीष से
जब चरणों से होता विनम्रता का संगम

बहक जाते हैं कदम
जब होता मदिरा से उन्माद का संगम

जल उठती है अग्नि
जब होता चिंगारी का लकड़ी से संगम

 बन जाती है ताकत
जब होता पांच अँगुलियों का मुट्ठी में संगम

हो जाती है क्रांति
जब होता विचारों का कर्म के साथ संगम

बन जाते हैं वीर नागरिक
जब होता हौसले के साथ आवाज़ का संगम

संगम, मिलन, एकाग्रता
शक्ति का प्रतीक - और लाती है
जागृति !!

Gujju Gyan!!

My first trip to Gujarat was made very memorable, thanks to the relentless efforts of my dear younger brother, Dhruv Pande. The trip began much earlier with my landing at Ahmedabad airport where for the first time I saw what seemed like 'labourers' to me in the aeroplane as my co-passengers (was Gujarat moving towards a 'classless' society?, Nah!!). Of course I wasn't travelling executive but only economy class. It gave me a feeling that Gujarat as a state was a very good employer for a lot of people from across the country and later I realized even countries like Nepal (https://www.gujarattourism.com/). Every restaurant I went to had a Nepali manager/employee.

The main trip began with us going to Gir Wildlife Sanctuary which was a beautiful drive from Rajkot. It took us around four-to-five hours to reach our destination at Gir (https://lionsdengir.chobs.in/) homestay which was a lovely bungalow with two-room duplex house and a kitchen to cook in. Our family loves homestays, always! The ride was a smooth one with our driver, Mahendra Singh Kaka being a chatterbox. He shared stories from mythology to politics to travel, everything on the planet, including Modi-and-Shah. The following morning Kaka had seen a leopard close to his car in which he slept while we headed off to Ambardi Safari Park to pay a reasonable Rs. 190 each to see the Lion King. And did we see it? I almost jumped off my seat as everyone shouted 'Woh raha, woh hai Sher'! (That's the lion). We all got clicking and in half-an-hour were out of the park feeling satisfied we had had our money's worth, more than anything else!!

Next our stop was the former Portuguese colony, Daman and Diu. It was a drive of another four hours. Lovely landscapes, toor farms, acacia trees, millets in the fields welcomed us and flanked our driveway. It was the first time I did not sleep on a drive. Gujarat was so peaceful- it gave me the feeling I was travelling abroad and not in India. Gujarati villages seemed much less populated and more systematic and organized. Although we were staying at a place called Palms at Nagoa beach, a place worth trying is definitely the Diu tentcity (https://www.diutentcity.com/). This was real excursion. It had a Goa-feel and weather was lovely as I woke up early the next day to head out to a view of the beach. There was lots of sightseeing to do- Diu Fort, Diu Museum (earlier called St. Thomas Church), St. Paul's Church, and the beach. My father, an adventurer, did parasailing where I edited his video and shared it on all my social media platforms. It was a lovely walk by Nagoa-Khodihar beach. We also visited Naida caves and Gangeshwar temple before heading out for tea at Hotel Krishna, the most popular one in Diu.

Early next morning we headed out for our pilgrimage- to Somnath temple and Dwarkadheesh. Both the places filled me with humility, courage and love. The best part was the steamer ride to Beynt Dwarka. We donated our share and collected our share of the prasad for friends and relatives before heading out for Rajkot.

Another great sightseeing was the Gandhi Museum at Rajkot which had multimedia installations, including audio-visual aids to take us through the Mahatma's journey. An enriching tour of Kaba Gandhi Delo, too, which left me even more humbled than my trip to the two temples of Gujarat.

At the end of the tour I realised Gujaratis were fun-loving people who believed in 'eat, drink and be merry' but not at the cost of work. I loved to see the work ethic and work culture among drivers, security guards and domestic help. Even a tea-seller seemed to follow a system without indulging in unnecessary PRing and 'making friends'. I hope I get some 'Gujju Gyan' to attain financial freedom and organized mindset!!
                                                     Club House at Lion's Den homestay

Parasailing by Papa at Nagoa Beach, Diu

Homestay at Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat

The lion at Gir (Front view)

Dev Antarrashtriya Yoga Centre

If you have been cut up after an operation and are looking for a way out of your suffering and pain, then this is the place for you. If you want to make a last ditch effort to cure yourself before going for an operation as the last resort, then this is the place for you. If you would like to remain healthy based on a natural Yogic lifestyle and diet, then this is the place for you- Dev International Yoga Centre cures and provides holistic healing and wellness to all who come here in search of inner and outer peace.

Run by well-known naturopath, Dr. Om Prakash Anand and his wife Poonam Rani the duo have dedicated their lives to building this organisation and place as the hub of all alternative healing practices- core expertise in naturopath, the centre also provides assistance in learning Reiki, magnetic therapy, acupressure and Yoga.

The Centre has a hospital with 7-8 beds but it is on very rare occasions that patients are admitted. Here you will always find somebody with a magnet on their head or shoulders or stomach, when you walk inside you can hear sounds of coughing and there are 5 toilets specially designed to help one do the various Kriyas- the innermost bath has the entire paraphernalia for a steambath. Outside all these bathrooms is a Naali where there are benches and chairs and people sit and do Netis and Kriyas- within Naturopathy the Centre provides Hip Bath, Mud or Cold Pack, Hot Foot Bath, Sitze Bath, Leave Sun Bath, Steam Bath in box, Local Bath, Friction Bath, Hot-Cold Fomentation, Anaema, Round Massage, Chest Pack, Vaginal Douche, Fasting, Wet Sheet Pack and Full Mud Bath.

Dr. Anand after a good experience of more than twenty years has come up with a form of Yoga called Panchang Yoga which amalgamates the following different types of Yoga- Ahaar Yoga through food, Dhyan Yoga through meditation, Sainyam Yoga through control of thoughts, Vyayam Yoga through Yogic exercises, Shodhan Yoga through cleansing. This Panchang Yoga is complemented with Naturopathy or different practices related to cleansing the body within.

The Centre always has various short and long courses going on associated with one or the other forms of Yoga- Home Herbal Therapy, Reiki and Attunement, Shivambu Therapy through urine, Gomutra Therapy through cow's urine. Such practices have known to cure patients in last stages of cancers and relieve patients of pain after a major operation.

This place is always full of young and old faces with fresh herbal food being cooked all the time. Dr. Anand has a little counter of books and appliances being sold at the gate for new and old patients. There is accommodation available for outstation patients and practitioners at a nominal cost.

If you are on a lookout for some Yogic retreat, herbal therapy and detox mode on your trip to Kanpur, then do not miss this brilliant Yoga Centre!!

Welcome 2 P-P-Punditz!

Punditz is not a very new restaurant in Kanpur- its Rocket Chauraha branch has already been very popular among the local residents. Its Rajasthani village feel along with Rajasthani cuisine won the Kanpuriya hearts many years ago. However the new self-service joint opened by Punditz opposite Ranjit Nagar is yet another feather in the cap of Mr. Vijay Pandey, the owner of this chain of food restaurants.

Punditz New may not reflect the cultural ambience of the Old Punditz, far from it this new branch walks away with star points on organizing a Domino's, McDonald's type self-service culture with locals lapping up not just the scrumptious food of this multi-Indian cuisine but also admiring its seating arrangement, decor and lighting to die for.

It may not have an elaborate Antarang-type North Indian family menu, or elaborate Chinese of Chin Mi or even beer, wine, pizza and pasta of the rooftop Terrazza at Rave 3 or Uttapam and Dosa of Rasam; nor does it boast of a Baingan and Mirch Salan and Biryani of Tadka or Lasagna, Risotto and Soup of Palate yet its South Indian dishes, Chinese Chowmein and Spring Rolls, Punjabi Chhole Bhature and Pao-Bhaji win accolades not just for the taste of the regions but also for their methodical and quick preparation.

This new glitzy Punditz attracts you from its exterior itself- the bright lights glimmering in the otherwise not-so-well-lit area, the active parking guards fanning off cars coming to and fro making sure all guests and neighbours are happy and not crying for parking space. You walk in and there's smooth floor finish you can do gymnastics on with a clean, hygienic toilet to the right in an alley, couches kept right there for people to wait incase of a completely booked restaurant. Even after the well-couched lounge or waiting area there's a good amount of space inside as soon as you enter making sure guests are welcome and not driven out even if its choc-a-block full on festive occasions. In short architecture is amazing!

There's a single cashier to take the orders who does it with over-the-counter dexterity. The same counter is full of sweets, namkeens and various other tidbits, especially on Diwali, Holi and New Year's. After taking tokens for various orders, chaat on the extreme right, Chinese, South Indian and others at the inner end you don't have to wait for more than half-an-hour for your food to be ready. Sometimes you even get your drinks-cold drink or chhaachh or aam pana before your main order.

The place is possibly the best one if you would like to grab a quick bite, celebrate a friend's birthday (it's much different from the wild Hookah though) or see a girl or a boy for a wedding...there is a seating arrangement outside and towards the inside as well with more comfortable cushioned seats there. I have often seen women's kitties and 'marriage parties' enjoy the corner seats with games and talks. Please visit this if you are in Kanpur...incase you don't you will be missing a rather contemporary eating joint!!

लखुना देवी मंदिर

हाल ही में पूरे परिवार का प्रोग्राम बना कुल देवी के मंदिर लखुना देवी मंदिर जाने का। मैं पहले तो झिझकी 'लखुना देवी मंदिर ??' नाम ही कैसा है लेकिन फिर झट से तैयार हो गयी।  हमें देवी की पूजा करनी थी और उन पर कुछ खाना प्रसाद के रूप में चढ़ाना था।

कार्यक्रम शनिवार का बना। तय हुआ कि शुक्रवार की रात तैयारियां कर ली जाएँगी ताकि शनिवार की तड़के सुबह हम समय पे जा के लौट सकें। तो शुक्रवार को ही माँ ने सब काम करने वालियों को बता दिया कि शनिवार को केवल शाम को ही आना क्योंकि हम लोग अपनी कुल देवी के मंदिर लखुना जी के दर्शन करने जा रहे हैं।

इंतज़ार की घडी खत्म हुई और शुक्रवार की शाम आई.… हम सब शाम ५ बजे से ही जुट गए। पौधों में पानी डाला , खाना बनाने वाली के आने से पहले सूजी का हलुआ बनाया , चौदह चौदह पूड़ियाँ बनायीं, अपने लोगों के रास्ते का भोजन पकाया - पूड़ी , आलू की सब्ज़ी और मेरे लिए फल एक पन्नी में पैक करके फ्रिज में तैयार कर लिए।  एक ज़्यादा बोलने वाली काम करने वाली ने कहा , 'दीदी, देवी को बासी खाना चढ़ाएँगी। '
मैंने कहा , 'नहीं सब श्रद्धा की बात है। सुबह उठ के तुरंत निकलना है। अंदर से भरपूर श्रद्धा है। '
'कोई बात नहीं।  ठीक है, ' उसने कहा दादी अम्मा की तरह।

हालांकि मुझे उनका बातूनीपन बहुत पसंद है , मैं भी उनको उसी तरह जवाब देने लगी हूँ।  रात को जब १० बजे टीवी देखने का समय आया तो मैं घबराई कि सुबह इतनी जल्दी कैसे उठूंगी।  ३:३० बजे उठकर पोछा लगना था , पौधों में पानी डालना था और गाड़ी साफ़ करनी थी।  तो मैने सबसे कहा कि मैं जल्दी सोने जा रही हूँ।  लेकिन हाय री किस्मत।  जब जल्दी सोना है तब निगोड़ी नींद ही नहीं आती।  बिस्तर में थोड़ी देर हिलडुलकर मैं फिर उठ बैठी और टीवी  देखने लगी। आखिर घडी में १० बजे और तभी मुझे नींद आ पायी।

सुबह ३:३० बजे अलार्म बजा और मैं थोड़ी देर करवट लेकर उठ गयी।  नित्य कामों से निवृत्त होकर झाड़ू उठायी और घर भर में एक हाथ लगा दिया।  कूड़ा इतना निकला जैसे पिछले दिन झाड़ू लगी ही न हो।  तुरंत डंडे की मदद से पोछा भी लगा दिया।  झट से घर के ताले खोले और ऊपर पौधों में पानी डाला।  तब तक पिताजी गाड़ी साफ़ कर आये।  उसके बाद सबने नहाया धोया , मम्मी ने फ्रिज से निकालकर सारा खाना और प्रसाद दो डलियों में रखा और ठीक ५ बजे हम घर से रवाना हुए।

रास्ते में ऑर्डनेन्स फैक्ट्री देखी और चूंकि पिताजी आगे ड्राइव कर रहे थे  मैं पीछे की सीट में अच्छी तरह चादर बिछा के सो गयी।  सोते सोते प्रारब्ध मिटाने वाली चौपाई का हलके हलके जाप करती गयी।  जाप करते करते कब नींद आ गयी, पता ही नहीं चला। इतनी अच्छी सड़क कि एक बार भी गचका नहीं लगा।  अकबरपुर से सिकंदरा तक तो बिलकुल ही सरसराता हुआ राजमार्ग था।

१२५ किलोमीटर का सफर हमने २:३० घंटे में तय किया और पौने आठ बजे हम मंदिर के सामने वाली दुकान  में जूते उतारकर चढ़ावे का सामान ले  रहे थे।  तभी मुझे वहां एक हिजड़ा दिखाई दिया।  मंदिर से नगाड़ों की आवाज़ आ रही थी।  ढोल और नगाड़ों के बीच हमने देखा कि वहां दो मिटटी के ज़मीन से सिर्फ डेढ़ - दो फुट ऊंचे चबूतरे बने थे. प्रत्येक चबूतरे में से एक लम्बा सा डंडा निकल रहा था था जिसमें लाल रंग के झंडे लगे थे।  इन्ही डंडों के आगे छोटी सी मूर्तियों की कतार - सी थी जिस पर गेरुआ रंग था।  ये दोनों मूर्तियां दो कालिका देवी बहनों की थीं। चबूतरों से कुछ दूर एक मज़ार थी - सय्यद बाबा की।  हमने पहले पूड़ियाँ निकाल कर दोनों देवियों पे चढ़ाईं फिर बाहर  से खरीदा हुआ चढ़ावा बाबा की मज़ार पे चढ़ाया।  सभी पंडितों को दक्षिणा दी और फिर एक कोने पर जो नगाड़े बज रहे थे वहां हाथों में थोड़ा गेहूं भरके , हाथ ऊपर करते हुए कुछ चक्कर लिए और नाचा।  मम्मी ने नाचते हुए झट से फोटो खींच ली।  पापा  हम दोनों को पूजा करते देख रहे थे और एक कोने में बैठकर सब कुछ निहार रहे थे. यह एक छोटा सा मंदिर था जिसकी दीवारें बहुत ऊंची थीं  और सफ़ेद चूने से पुती थीं।  यहाँ लोगों की संख्या उतनी नहीं थी जैसे कि पनकी के हनुमान मंदिर में किसी मान्यता - प्राप्त मंदिर में।  लेकिन यही इस जगह को और धार्मिकता प्रदान कर रही थी। बाहर निकलते ही एक महिला मिली जो काली माता के कपड़ों में थी , चेहरा रंगा हुआ था।  एक सेकंड के लिए  मैं तो डर ही गयी।  फिट ठिठक कर उसने जब दान का कटोरा आगे बढ़ाया तो कुछ रुपये मैने उसमें डाल दिए।  तभी वह हिजड़ा आया जो उस समय मुझे दिखाई दिया था।  उसका चेहरा काफी भयानक था जिसको वो साड़ी के पल्लू से आधा ढके था।  उसको भी थोड़ा दान दे कर हम लोग चलते बने।  एक ही घंटे में दर्शन और  पूजा समाप्त हो गयी थी।

तभी मम्मी को भूख लगी। तो गाडी को किनारे करके एक छाँव दार  वृक्ष के नीचे रोककर हमने पूड़ियाँ और हलुआ निकाल लिया। मैने अपने लिए एक खीरा काटा और आधे घंटे में हमने भोजन कर लिया। लेकिन अभी भी इच्छा थी की रास्ते में सूर्य ढाबा में रुका जाए।  मेरे अंदर एक अजीब सी भावना आ गयी थी जिसको मैं समझा नहीं सकती।  भक्ति भी नहीं, आसक्ति भी नहीं, आस्था भी नहीं, श्रद्धा भी नहीं , प्रेम भी नहीं , समरसता भी नहीं, बस भाव - विभोर थी।  लग रहा था मम्मी और पापा इतनी बातें क्यों कर रहे हैं , बस मुझे मंदिर से निकलने के बाद जो महसूस हुआ है, उसी में डूबे रहने दें। सब एक सपने की तरह चल रहा था।

एक घंटे बाद हम सूर्य ढाबा पहुंचे जहाँ मम्मी ने परांठा खाया, मैने चाय पी और फिर बाहर निकालकर हमने कुछ फोटो खींचीं।  यह काफी बड़ा होटल था जहाँ रास्ते भर के पर्यटक चाय - पानी के लिए रुक रहे थे।  यह खचाखच भरा था।

आधे घंटे रुककर हम यहाँ से चल दिए और फिर लगभग डेढ़ घंटे में हम घर पहुँच गए।  मुझे आज भी लगता है वह मंदिर मुझे बुला रहा है और वहां का सादापन और उस जगह की मार्मिकता मुझसे अवर्णनीय है।  मैं अभी भी लखुना देवी के मंदिर के बारे में सोचती हूँ निस्तब्धता अनुभव करती हूँ।  आप भी वहां अवश्य प्रोग्राम बनाएँ।