52. Outsiders

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

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

Obviously they had good time.

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

Still it was amazing to see them smiling.

We were all outsiders .. to Golkonda Fort! 

51. Two Stations

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

Kanyakumari, the southernmost town has a beautiful station.

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

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

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

50. Where is the Market?

Many times the poverty exists not due to lack of production but due to lack of access to market.

I was amazed to see this in Barmer district of Rajsthan.
Not once, but repeatedly.

There is so much watermelon, but no market to sell it.
Hence it is used to feed animals.

The people living in these types of remote areas will have a better life only if they have access to markets.

49. Hunger Feast

15 February 2013.
Delhi IIT. 

Panel discussion on: HUNGER AND NUTRITION: TIME TO ACT

The key speaker was:

Yes, Dr. Amartya Sen.

The IIT Conference Hall was overflowing with crowds.

It was interesting to listen to his ideas - about inequality, about development, about food security, about democracy ...

For me itt was a Feast on Hunger!!

48. Ki Noo?

The fruit looked like orange.
But it looked different as well.
The board on the tray said 'Ki Noo' in Devngari script.

I was wondering what this 'Ki Noo' could be.
Is it a Hindi name for orange?

I brought two.
They were glowing and fresh.

Smell?
Very much like orange.

I opened it.
It's skin is more thick within.

Tests almost like an orange.

After consuming it, I 'googled' the word.

And here it is "Kinnow"

Liked it.
Plan to have more of Kinnow now. 

47. Protest at Janatar Mantar

I went and joined the protest at Jantar Mantar on 31st December evening.

The wall of Rapid Action Force personnel was not looking aggressive at that time.

There were many groups and many people around. The media was eager to cover the happening.

The message is loud and clear. Are we (not only government, but all of us) listening?

46. Golden Temple

When I had an opportunity to visit Amritsar, I booked return ticket in such a way to spend some time at the  Golden Temple. 

And it was an amazing experience. The vast space was enchanting.

The crowd was well behaved. Devotional songs were adding a great value in the environment.

The view of Akal Takht reminded of the pain and the wounds associated with this place.

Credit must be given to all those who are involved in restoring the peace and sanctity of the place.

Golden Temple is amazing in many ways.
It was an experience, I would remember for a long time.

A place, one must visit.
A treasure, one must experience.

I am planning to go and stay there for a few days.
I don't know when that would be though!