Small but striking

Small but striking

Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.

Vincent Van Gogh

All of us want a positive change to make our life better and as never before. Betterment of life uplifts the standard of living. In country like India, the standard is decided by many factors which includes economy, environment, education and the political scenario. Economy and education drive other two very strongly. Several macro as well as micro factors helps in improving economy as strengthening the small but unique features make a greater impact on local and global economy. 

Tourism is certainly one of them. It helps the local community to thrive and avoid migration for earning. Tourism helps to preserve ancient institutes and imparts the sense of belonging to people. It connects people, motivates people and unites people.

India certainly has a great opportunity to capitalize on tourism to partly solve the problems like unemployment, migration, state-based-discrimination etc. Tourism will also help us to build a good image of diverse Indian culture. 

Till this point there is nothing new that I have stated. We all are masters of theory who miserably fail in implementing it. Tourism is neglected topic for most of our states. Many of our politicians doesn't believe tourism can help us removing poverty. For some large amount of funds are required for improving tourism. For some 20 second advertisement will attract tourists. For some tourism means water-park, zoo, museums, and all other sorts of artificial things. 

We all require to have a wider perspective when improving tourism. Many small steps must be taken in order to achieve a big dream of Tourism based economy. Some of these are

• Improving quality of transportation (especially railways and roads)
• Cleanliness of the tourist places, especially 
• Detailed information of tourist spots through updated websites, road signs, Information kiosk
• True advertisement creating impact among local as well as foreign visitors

Now the question is how to achieve all these with small funds? Ideas are already implemented by some smart administrators and creative thinkers. Here are few of them which have worked well in create small but striking impact on some of the above mentioned aspects. 

Near-road-wall painted with pictures depicting stories from the Indian culture, Rourkela (Odisha). As paintings are of religious nature, no littering has been seen around. Target of clean roadside is 100% achieved.

Walls painted with Varli paintings (A local folk painting) , Ratnagiri Railway Station, Maharashtra. Station certainly is beautified and also show cases local art. 

State transport bus painted with advertise related to state tourism, Sawantwadi, Maharashtra. Such decoration improves the image of local transport bus, generates funds and advertises local tourism features.

Tailed Jay - Graphium agamemnon

Scales of Tailed Jay

Fresh pupa

Tailed Jay -  Graphium agamemnon

• Predominantly green and black butterfly from swallowtail family

• It is a commonly occurring butterfly in India, mostly found nectoring near bushes of Lantena. 

• Another reason, Tailed Jay being common is as it uses false-Asoka tree as its food plant.











Eclosion sequence Tailed Jay





• Tailed Jay is also called green-spotted triangle, tailed green jay, or the green triangle.

Tailed Jay roosting 

• Jay is active from morning to late afternoon. It settles down in the evening, often hides sitting underside of the leaf of a bush in the dark.

• During nectoring Jay flutters quite fast and hardly opens the wing completely. It is difficult to get photograph of open winged tailed jay in the field. Chances of finding one are better in the morning when it opens the wing and sit for sun-bathing. However, it chooses top of a bush, thus makes it difficult to get good open-wing shot.

Similar looking species and occurring around Mumbai:

Common Jay

Common Blue bottle

Spot Swordtail

Campus Nature Diary : Traveller's dower

Campus Nature Diary : Traveller's dower 

Pluck not the wayside flower, 

It is the traveller's dower; 

A thousand passers-by 

Its beauties may espy, 

May win a touch of blessing 

From Nature's mild caressing. 

The sad of heart perceives 

A violet under leaves 

Like sonic fresh-budding hope; 

The primrose on the slope 

A spot of sunshine dwells, 

And cheerful message tells 

Of kind renewing power; 

The nodding bluebell's dye 

Is drawn from happy sky. 

Then spare the wayside flower! 

It is the traveller's dower.

Wayside Flowers by William Allingham

Campus of NIT Rourkela is now full of blooming garden-flowers. Winter on decline is the best season to watch some prettiest flowers around. Roses, Marie-gold, Dahlia and so many others ! Here is the close-up of few of them. Do comment your favourite.

A very happy new year 2015 to all ! Cheers and Enjoy :-)

New trains : Change is near !

New train : Change is near !

Bringing the promise of "Acchhe Din" is undoubtedly a herculean task for Modi government. I am sure with his efforts, sincerity and bit of luck about international economic condition, he will achieve it.

Obviously, it will take some time. We have to wait and we should be keen on the developments. Remember, inertia ! It applies for every thing, even market condition. We can sense upcoming good days looking at some sign round us. To make Indian life better, among many other issues, Indian Railways will certainly be a concern for Modi govt. Improving Railways is highly expected by the people, specially Mumbaikars. 

Few days back, I was waiting to catch a train from Thane station. I saw a new train, probably being tested. Here are some pictures. This train is supposed to shuttle from Diva to Boisar.

These pictures, plausibly, indication of better days for Indian Railways.

All the photos captured with Moto E.

Trance state - What next ?

Trance state - What next ?

Photowalk : Shantadurga Temple (Goa)

Photowalk : Shantadurga Temple (Goa)

The temple is dedicated to Shantadurga, the goddess who mediates between Vishnu and Shiva.

Place of worship is sacred for Goud Saraswat Brahmins (GSB) community.

To offer to gd, Locals sale flowers specially the bunch of lotus flowers merely ten rupees.

Large cmplex of Shantadurga Temple is located 33 km from Panaji in Ponda Taluka, Goa.

This current temple structure of Shree Shantadurga devi was built during the period from 1713 a.d to 1738 a.d. 

• There is a main temple and three smaller temples of other deities which have been built on three sides of the temple. The temple consists of a collection of pyramidal roofs with an interesting dome. The pillars and floors are made of Kashmir stone. 

• Many renovations have been done over the years to the main temple and to the temples of other deities besides the guest house which is built on three sides of the temple.

• The temple has a huge tank, a Dipa Stambha and agrashalas (guest houses).

Idol of Shantadurga , Ref Wiki

after Devpuja (worshipping the god) some time for Petpuja (Dining). Small huts just outside the entrance sells beverages, snacks, memorabilia and even typical govian style cloth

Reference: 

http://shreeshantadurga.com/homepage.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanta_Durga_Temple

Wandering destination: Namdapha NP (part 6: Landscape in photos and videos)

Wandering Destination: Namdapha NP (part 6: Landscape in photos and videos)

Valleys of Namdapha National park are rich with flora and fauna

Destination amidst cool and calm nature, far away from urban life. An unique experience.

River bed right in middle of the park brings life to it, literally

Enchanting landscapes adds to the beauty

Check other posts for details:

Part 1 : Preparation for Namdapha

Part 2 : Accommodation at Namdapha
Part 3 : Flora around Namdapha
Part 4 : Butterflies
Part 5 : Namdpha in HDR

Why Pak fighting terrorism halfheartedly?

Why Pak fighting terrorism halfheartedly?

Sponsored terrorism is now a characteristics of the foreign policy and army of Pakistan. Sponsorship has started backfiring severely against themselves, its intensity is increasing day by day or should I say blast by blast. Recent Peshawar massacre followed by Talibani threat to further attack children is not going to force the Pakistani leadership to change the course of action in fighting terrorism positively. However there are certain strong reasons Pakistan do not want to do which us right, do not want to full fill the demands of humanity. 

1. Funding from US and other nations: 

If Pakistan succeeds in curbing the terrorism totally, it will stop incoming funding. Funding helps Pakistan to buy weapons and aid its military to fight proxy war against India. 

2. Friendship with US and China: 

When terrorism vanishes from Pak soil, US will have no more interest in maintaining strong relations with Pakistan. Pakistan, as it doesn't have any vital resources or strategical geographical positions, it wont be logical for US to continue ties with Pakistan. China considers India as its one the greatest enemy. Helping Pakistan is the only solution to suppress India's growth indirectly. China is following US way and gaining power over south Asia.

3. Check on India: 

Keeping terrorism alive comes with an indirect advantage for Pakistan. It keeps Indian government to go slow on Pakistan. India is unable to take harsh actions as US is still with Pakistan. India don't want to slow down the progress of friendship building measures with US. Crab mentality of Pakistan is proving a strategic asset.

4. Involvement of Pak army: 

Pak army is deeply involved in supporting the activities of several terrorist organisations. Army helps terrorists to cross the border and supplies arms, food, shelter etc. Removing soft corner  and changing the mindset of some is herculean task. 

5. US Hypocrisy:  

US is clearly Hippocratic when comes the question of supporting or opposing a nation. How useful that country is for US is the key to US decision. It depends on presence of oil, its geographical position, political status of that country. US recently have openly stated that it cannot end the relationship with Pakistan even though its the source of terrorist activities. Hippocratic policy of US has backfired in cases of Afganistan, Iraq, Vietnam.  So question is, if 9/11 fails to change US mind, who will ?

These reasons are strong enough to say that Pak will never ever be successful in irradiating the terrorism from its soil. Unless and until somebody creates anti-terrorist god ! 11th Vishnu Avatar ?