लोणार सरोवर जागतिक वारसा म्हणून घोषित व्हावा यासाठी महाराष्ट्र शासनाने आर्थिक तरतुदींसह घोषणा केली आहे.
लोणार सरोवराच्या परिसरात वनस्पती, पुरातत्व, जैवविज्ञान, पर्यावरण, भौगोलिक, खगोलशास्त्रीय आणि सांस्कृतिक स्वरूपाची कितीतरी आश्चर्ये आपल्याला खुणावतात. हजारो वर्षांची उपेक्षा पचविणाऱ्या या सरोवराचं नाव चंद्रावर असलेल्या अवशेषांशी असलेल्या साधम्र्यामुळे अचानक जगासमोर आलंय.
पण लोणार सरोवर नक्की कोठे आहे , आणि त्याला अचानक जागतिक वारशाचा दर्जा देण्याची शिफारस करण्याचे प्रयोजन काय हेही कित्येकांना माहीत नाही.
काही निवडक खगोलप्रेमींना जरी लोणार हे वितानतीर्थ वाटत असले तरी सामान्यांपर्यंत लोणारची महती पोहोचलेली नाही.
जागतिक दर्जाचा हा नैसर्गिक ठेवा आपल्या महाराष्ट्रात बुलढाणा जिल्ह्यत आहे, पण खुद्द बुलढाणा आणि लोणार सरोवरातल्या परिसरात राहणाऱ्या बहुसंख्य लोकांना आजही त्याचे महत्त्व माहीत नाही.
५० हजार वर्षांपूर्वीचा हा अमूर्त जागतिक आश्चर्याचा ठेवा उपेक्षा सोसूनही विश्वाला खुणावतो आहे.
http://www.loksatta.com/lokprabha/20100528/vidnyan.htm
June 13, 2010
सभ्य स्त्री-पुरुषहो
पुण्यातील आचार्य अत्रे सभागृहाचे उद्घाटन प्रसंगी, संयोजकांकडे चिठ्ठय़ा धाडून, प्रेक्षकांमध्ये बसलेल्या श्री. पु. ल. देशपांडे यांना बोलण्याचा आग्रह केला.
ऐनवेळी पुलंनी केलेले हे भाषण ध्वनिमुद्रित करण्यात आले होते.
हे अप्रकाशित राहिलेले भाषण पुलंच्या दहाव्या स्मृतिदिनानिमित्त (१२ जून ) दै. लोकसत्ताने छापले आहे.
"मी एकदा म्हटलं होतं की, अत्र्यांना त्यांच्या मास्तरांनी ‘बे एके बे’ हा पाढा न शिकवता ‘दोन हजार एके दोन हजार’, ‘दोन हजार दुणे चार हजार’ हाच पाढा शिकवला असावा. आम्हाला म्युनिसिपालिटीच्या शाळेतल्या मास्तरांना दोन म्हणतानासुद्धा आपण जास्त सांगतोय, असं वाटतं. अत्र्यांना कोण ते सासवडचे गुरुजी मिळाले कुणास ठाऊक?"
http://www.loksatta.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77194:2010-06-11-10-22-10&catid=104:2009-08-05-07-53-42&Itemid=117
ऐनवेळी पुलंनी केलेले हे भाषण ध्वनिमुद्रित करण्यात आले होते.
हे अप्रकाशित राहिलेले भाषण पुलंच्या दहाव्या स्मृतिदिनानिमित्त (१२ जून ) दै. लोकसत्ताने छापले आहे.
"मी एकदा म्हटलं होतं की, अत्र्यांना त्यांच्या मास्तरांनी ‘बे एके बे’ हा पाढा न शिकवता ‘दोन हजार एके दोन हजार’, ‘दोन हजार दुणे चार हजार’ हाच पाढा शिकवला असावा. आम्हाला म्युनिसिपालिटीच्या शाळेतल्या मास्तरांना दोन म्हणतानासुद्धा आपण जास्त सांगतोय, असं वाटतं. अत्र्यांना कोण ते सासवडचे गुरुजी मिळाले कुणास ठाऊक?"
http://www.loksatta.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77194:2010-06-11-10-22-10&catid=104:2009-08-05-07-53-42&Itemid=117
Every Breath A Stranglehold
Bhopal’s night of December 2, 1984, recounted by a foreteller
I was then a resident of old Bhopal, just a couple of kilometres from the Union Carbide plant.
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?265777
I was then a resident of old Bhopal, just a couple of kilometres from the Union Carbide plant.
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?265777
Shivaji Park, Mumbai
Who moved my ground?
That is the question Maharashtra politicos are asking about their favourite haunt in Mumbai—the 28-acre Shivaji Park.
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?265496
That is the question Maharashtra politicos are asking about their favourite haunt in Mumbai—the 28-acre Shivaji Park.
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?265496
Random sampling of cops in news
1. . Women cops slap a two-wheeler riding girl on Jangli Maharaj road, Pune, charging that she had jumped the signal.
Times of India, 11 June, 10.
2.New Delhi: A 30-year-old woman has alleged that cops at a west Delhi police post forced her to strip in the presence of her 12-year-old son and demanded that she had sex with her own minor son, all because the boy had been accused of stealing money from a car.
“After confining us to one room, one of the constables took my husband and younger son out of the room and locked it from inside.
When my elder son and I denied the charge, a constable allegedly asked the woman to strip.
When my elder son and I denied the charge, a constable allegedly asked the woman to strip.
“When I refused, the constable started beating me with his lathi and forced me to take my clothes off,” said Mayuri. One of the cops asked me to have sex with my son.
Both of us started crying and I begged them to let us go. Then one of the constables asked me to have sex with him instead.
We begged for our life. Finally, after about one or two hours, they released us,” she said.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIPU/2010/06/10&PageLabel=11&EntityId=Ar01102&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIPU/2010/06/10&PageLabel=11&EntityId=Ar01102&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
June 12, 2010
A single norm for India’s many ‘panchangs’?
The Karveer peeth Shankaracharya was getting requests from Maharashtrians abroad, asking if they could solemnise weddings during chaturmaas, the four monsoon months when muhurats aren’t given.
It’s time to revisit the unofficial ban on muhurats during this period.
The chaturmaas concept was relevant in agrarian societies without modern systems of transport and communication.
People had to tend to their fields, they could not travel by foot from one village to another in rain for weddings...these reasons aren’t valid now.
We need to iron out such concepts and revisit almanac-making for our times.
Muhurats for weddings and other auspicious occasions may be fixed during the so-called inauspicious monsoon months, and certain all-India festivals may fall on the same date in a year, instead of regional variations that now confuse people.
Necessity, in this case, is the mother of reinvention.
Hindu almanacs, popularly called panchangs across the country, are headed for fundamental changes, with the baby steps taken by a reformist group in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.
In time to come, there may be uniformity or at least agreement on certain almanac notings among the 40-odd almanac-makers in the country.
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?265668
In time to come, there may be uniformity or at least agreement on certain almanac notings among the 40-odd almanac-makers in the country.
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?265668
June 11, 2010
June 10, 2010
"जर इथं कुठं माझी विवेकबुद्धी हजर असेल, तर तिनं कृपया माईकजवळ यावं..."
अवधूत परळकरांची ओळ, कविता महाजनांच्या 'भिन्न' पुस्तकाच्या सुरुवातीला, एका स्वतंत्र पानावर उद्धृत.
June 9, 2010
सर्व लाईन व्य़स्त आहेत
माझी आई इचकरंजीजवळच्या लाट नावाच्या खेडय़ात राहते.
तिचा नवीन पासपोर्ट बनवायचा होता.
तिचा फॉर्म वगैरे भरून माझ्या भावाने पासपोर्ट कार्यालयात जमा केला.
माझ्या आईला लिहिता-वाचता येत नाही. शिवाय तिचे वय अठ्ठय़ाहत्तरच्या आसपास आहे.
तिचे रेशनकार्डावर नाव आहे. तिचे मतदारयादीत नाव आहे, तिचे परिचयपत्रही आहे. नियमाप्रमाणे तिची पोलीस तपासणी होणे पासपोर्टसाठी गरजेचे आहे.
माझ्या गावापासून जवळचे पोलीस स्टेशन आठ-दहा किलोमीटरवर आहे. पोलिसांनी अर्जदाराच्या घरी जाऊन ओळख पटवून आपला अहवाल पाठवायचा असतो. अनेकदा चौकशी करूनही काम होत नव्हते.
मी भावाला विचारले. तो म्हणाला, ‘दोन साक्षीदारांसह आईने पोलीस स्टेशनमध्ये जाणे गरजेचे आहे, तसा ‘आदेश’ आहे.’
माझी आई यापूर्वी माझ्याकडे जपानला आली होती, रशियाला आली होती. आता तिने मालदीवला यावे अशी माझी इच्छा आहे.
लिहिता-वाचता न येणाऱ्या आईचा मुलगा देशाचा उच्चायुक्त होतो यात मला माझ्या पराक्रमापेक्षा भारतीय लोकशाही यंत्रणेचा आणि या यंत्रणेतील सामान्यातील सामान्याला मिळणाऱ्या संधीच्या समानतेचा विजय आहे असे वाटते.
माझ्या आईच्या पासपोर्टवरती तिच्या डाव्या हाताचा अंगठा आहे तर माझ्या वाटय़ाला राजनीतिज्ञांसाठी असणारा लाल रंगाचा डिप्लोमॅटिक पासपोर्ट आहे...
...सामान्य माणसाला त्याचे जीवन सुरळीतपणे चालवण्यासाठी काही सरकारी कार्यालयात जावेच लागते.
ग्रामपंचायत, नगरपालिका, पोलीस स्टेशन, न्यायालय, जिल्हाधिकारी कार्यालय, पाणी किंवा वीज बिलाची कार्यालये वगैरे.
या कार्यालयांमध्ये आत जाताना आणि तिथून बाहेर येताना व्यक्तीची जी मन:स्थिती आणि चेहऱ्यावरचे भाव असतात त्यावरून लोकशाही किती व्यवस्थित कार्यरत आहे, ती लोकाभिमुख आहे की नाही, जनतेच्या मनात शासनाबद्दल कोणत्या भावना आहेत या सर्वाचे अनुमान काढता येते.
सरकारी कार्यालयातून ये-जा करणारी माणसे आजही बहुधा चिंताक्रांत, दडपलेली, पिचलेली, भयभीत संकटग्रस्त अशी दिसतात ही वस्तुस्थिती आहे.
http://www.loksatta.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=75145:2010-06-05-14-34-03&catid=55:2009-07-20-04-00-45&Itemid=13
तिचा नवीन पासपोर्ट बनवायचा होता.
तिचा फॉर्म वगैरे भरून माझ्या भावाने पासपोर्ट कार्यालयात जमा केला.
माझ्या आईला लिहिता-वाचता येत नाही. शिवाय तिचे वय अठ्ठय़ाहत्तरच्या आसपास आहे.
तिचे रेशनकार्डावर नाव आहे. तिचे मतदारयादीत नाव आहे, तिचे परिचयपत्रही आहे. नियमाप्रमाणे तिची पोलीस तपासणी होणे पासपोर्टसाठी गरजेचे आहे.
माझ्या गावापासून जवळचे पोलीस स्टेशन आठ-दहा किलोमीटरवर आहे. पोलिसांनी अर्जदाराच्या घरी जाऊन ओळख पटवून आपला अहवाल पाठवायचा असतो. अनेकदा चौकशी करूनही काम होत नव्हते.
मी भावाला विचारले. तो म्हणाला, ‘दोन साक्षीदारांसह आईने पोलीस स्टेशनमध्ये जाणे गरजेचे आहे, तसा ‘आदेश’ आहे.’
माझी आई यापूर्वी माझ्याकडे जपानला आली होती, रशियाला आली होती. आता तिने मालदीवला यावे अशी माझी इच्छा आहे.
लिहिता-वाचता न येणाऱ्या आईचा मुलगा देशाचा उच्चायुक्त होतो यात मला माझ्या पराक्रमापेक्षा भारतीय लोकशाही यंत्रणेचा आणि या यंत्रणेतील सामान्यातील सामान्याला मिळणाऱ्या संधीच्या समानतेचा विजय आहे असे वाटते.
माझ्या आईच्या पासपोर्टवरती तिच्या डाव्या हाताचा अंगठा आहे तर माझ्या वाटय़ाला राजनीतिज्ञांसाठी असणारा लाल रंगाचा डिप्लोमॅटिक पासपोर्ट आहे...
...सामान्य माणसाला त्याचे जीवन सुरळीतपणे चालवण्यासाठी काही सरकारी कार्यालयात जावेच लागते.
ग्रामपंचायत, नगरपालिका, पोलीस स्टेशन, न्यायालय, जिल्हाधिकारी कार्यालय, पाणी किंवा वीज बिलाची कार्यालये वगैरे.
या कार्यालयांमध्ये आत जाताना आणि तिथून बाहेर येताना व्यक्तीची जी मन:स्थिती आणि चेहऱ्यावरचे भाव असतात त्यावरून लोकशाही किती व्यवस्थित कार्यरत आहे, ती लोकाभिमुख आहे की नाही, जनतेच्या मनात शासनाबद्दल कोणत्या भावना आहेत या सर्वाचे अनुमान काढता येते.
सरकारी कार्यालयातून ये-जा करणारी माणसे आजही बहुधा चिंताक्रांत, दडपलेली, पिचलेली, भयभीत संकटग्रस्त अशी दिसतात ही वस्तुस्थिती आहे.
http://www.loksatta.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=75145:2010-06-05-14-34-03&catid=55:2009-07-20-04-00-45&Itemid=13
June 8, 2010
Most forwarded SMS of the week
How "Times" change.....
Pune was known as the city of PL Deshpande.
Now, it is known as "City" of IPL Deshpande!
Ref: A controversy over whether Mr Aniruddha Deshpande, director of City Corporation, was bidding for the Pune IPL(Indian Premier League for cricket competitions) franchise in his personal capacity.
Or, whether Mr Sharad Pawar and family have a stake in the bid, as 16% shareholders of the said City Corporation.
The Times of India broke the story.
Pune was known as the city of PL Deshpande.
Now, it is known as "City" of IPL Deshpande!
Ref: A controversy over whether Mr Aniruddha Deshpande, director of City Corporation, was bidding for the Pune IPL(Indian Premier League for cricket competitions) franchise in his personal capacity.
Or, whether Mr Sharad Pawar and family have a stake in the bid, as 16% shareholders of the said City Corporation.
The Times of India broke the story.
A sign in Gurgaon
"Minimum order - 50/- Vomiting charge - 50/- "
Photo in the Times of India, June 6th, 2010
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIPU/2010/06/06&PageLabel=11&ForceGif=true&EntityId=Ar01102&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
Photo in the Times of India, June 6th, 2010
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIPU/2010/06/06&PageLabel=11&ForceGif=true&EntityId=Ar01102&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
June 7, 2010
GOD FORSAKEN ?
Headline for a cover story on New Atheists and others, about the eternal debate on whether God exists.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TCRM&showST=true&login=default&pub=CREST&Enter=true&Skin=CREST&GZ=T
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TCRM&showST=true&login=default&pub=CREST&Enter=true&Skin=CREST&GZ=T
June 5, 2010
How can he not have eaten, drunk or excreted in over 70 years?
Science examines Chunri wale Mataji
A high-powered team of scientists of the New Delhi-based Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS) analyses reams of clinical data and readings.
These were taken earlier this month at Ahmedabad’s Sterling Hospital, where Jani agreed to be the subject of a unique 15-day observation study, one backed by cctv monitoring and 24-hour surveillance to ensure that he did not break his own strict rules.
Earlier, in November 2003, he was observed for ten days by a team of doctors led by Sudhir V. Shah, an eminent neurophysician keen to decode the science behind fasting and meditation.
Jani’s “no food, no water, no ablutions” claim was found to be genuine then, as it was by DIPAS this time.
Then, as now, a battery of tests had been carried out on him.
“The only condition he set us was that we should not conduct any invasive procedure,” says Dr Shah. “We respected that.”
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?265459
A high-powered team of scientists of the New Delhi-based Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS) analyses reams of clinical data and readings.
These were taken earlier this month at Ahmedabad’s Sterling Hospital, where Jani agreed to be the subject of a unique 15-day observation study, one backed by cctv monitoring and 24-hour surveillance to ensure that he did not break his own strict rules.
Earlier, in November 2003, he was observed for ten days by a team of doctors led by Sudhir V. Shah, an eminent neurophysician keen to decode the science behind fasting and meditation.
Jani’s “no food, no water, no ablutions” claim was found to be genuine then, as it was by DIPAS this time.
Then, as now, a battery of tests had been carried out on him.
“The only condition he set us was that we should not conduct any invasive procedure,” says Dr Shah. “We respected that.”
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?265459
Pune cops let handcuffed suspect drive stolen car on JM road
The suspect was holding the steering with his right hand while changing gears with the handcuffed left hand.
('Sakal' says, one suspect was controlling the steering, clutch & accelerator, while the other suspect changed gears. Both were handcuffed.)
The policemen were following the suspect’s car in another vehicle.
Jangli Maharaj road witnessed high drama around 4.30 pm on Thursday, when a stolen car driven by a handcuffed theft suspect hit as many as six vehicles as well as some pedestrians.
Five people were injured, one of them critically, in the incident.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIPU/2010/06/04&PageLabel=1&EntityId=Ar00102&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
('Sakal' says, one suspect was controlling the steering, clutch & accelerator, while the other suspect changed gears. Both were handcuffed.)
The policemen were following the suspect’s car in another vehicle.
Jangli Maharaj road witnessed high drama around 4.30 pm on Thursday, when a stolen car driven by a handcuffed theft suspect hit as many as six vehicles as well as some pedestrians.
Five people were injured, one of them critically, in the incident.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIPU/2010/06/04&PageLabel=1&EntityId=Ar00102&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
April 30, 2010
India's Top Ten Lawyers
Fali S Nariman, Soli J Sorabjee, Ram Jethmalani...
They are paid Rs 2-3 lakh for a five-minute appearance, upwards of Rs 25 lakh for a full day in court.
Why would anyone pay a lawyer that kind of money?
Because a top-notch lawyer can save a corporate client hundreds, if not thousands of crores; he can save a person from a life in prison; and he can save a government from being unlawfully dismissed.
More importantly, he can help change society and shape public opinion by the power of his logic and the magic of his court craft.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=pastissues2&BaseHref=TCRM/2010/01/09&PageLabel=1&EntityId=Ar00101&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
They are paid Rs 2-3 lakh for a five-minute appearance, upwards of Rs 25 lakh for a full day in court.
Why would anyone pay a lawyer that kind of money?
Because a top-notch lawyer can save a corporate client hundreds, if not thousands of crores; he can save a person from a life in prison; and he can save a government from being unlawfully dismissed.
More importantly, he can help change society and shape public opinion by the power of his logic and the magic of his court craft.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=pastissues2&BaseHref=TCRM/2010/01/09&PageLabel=1&EntityId=Ar00101&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
Pune Cops Film Romancing Couples To Stop All Crimes
It cannot not get more ridiculous than this.
In the last three days, Pune police filmed 50 couples romancing at 13 places.
April 29, 2010
Fun with Advertising
Probably one of the oldest archived ads.
"Advertising Ka Kamaal:
An Academic Look at Advertising. Photos, Vintage Ads."
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Advertising-Ka-Kamaal-An-Academic-Look-at-Advertising/112210802146430
April 28, 2010
April 27, 2010
I can't believe this!
Some people are actually giving up something supposed to be coveted by every living being on earth : the American citizenship!
आयपीएल फायनल
‘चला, एकदाचा फायनलचा दिवस उजाडला.
मला वाटलं होतं च्यायला मीडिया आता आयपीएल बंद पाडूनच थांबणार बहुधा.’
‘वेडा आहेस का तू?
मीडियाला कोणतीही गोष्ट थांबवायची नसते, ती अधिकाधिक काळ चालवायची असते.’
‘अरे पण भीती वाटते ना!
च्यायला आपण आपले हजारो कोटी गुंतवले; आणि आपल्या शब्दाखातर आपल्या मित्रांनी, नातेवाईकांनीही गुंतवले, सगळं शेकलं असतं आपल्यावर.’
‘तू पण ना..!
करावे तसे भरावेचे दिवस संपले राजा!
आता करावे आणि बिनधास्त खिसे भरावे, हा नवा रुल आहे.
...बाकी साहेबांना मानलं आपण.
जिथं तिथं नावं आली छापून फक्त आपली आणि कमाई मात्र साहेबांनी आपल्या एवढीच केली.’
‘हो, पण तुला ठाऊक आहेना, साहेब म्हणजे डिझास्टर मॅनेजर आहेत.
संकटकाळी बाहेर पडण्याचा मार्ग!
ते त्याची किंमत वसूल करत असतात!’
...
मला वाटलं होतं च्यायला मीडिया आता आयपीएल बंद पाडूनच थांबणार बहुधा.’
‘वेडा आहेस का तू?
मीडियाला कोणतीही गोष्ट थांबवायची नसते, ती अधिकाधिक काळ चालवायची असते.’
‘अरे पण भीती वाटते ना!
च्यायला आपण आपले हजारो कोटी गुंतवले; आणि आपल्या शब्दाखातर आपल्या मित्रांनी, नातेवाईकांनीही गुंतवले, सगळं शेकलं असतं आपल्यावर.’
‘तू पण ना..!
करावे तसे भरावेचे दिवस संपले राजा!
आता करावे आणि बिनधास्त खिसे भरावे, हा नवा रुल आहे.
...बाकी साहेबांना मानलं आपण.
जिथं तिथं नावं आली छापून फक्त आपली आणि कमाई मात्र साहेबांनी आपल्या एवढीच केली.’
‘हो, पण तुला ठाऊक आहेना, साहेब म्हणजे डिझास्टर मॅनेजर आहेत.
संकटकाळी बाहेर पडण्याचा मार्ग!
ते त्याची किंमत वसूल करत असतात!’
...
Eastern Guru and Western Non-Disclosure Agreements
Rudyard Kipling will turn in his grave to see his 1892 declaration, "Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet" suffer a fall.
And how!
The professionally drafted Non-Disclosure Agreement the sex scandal Swami Nityanand, 32, from Bangalore made his devotees sign for his ‘Learning from the Master Program', will give the infamous American lawyers a run for their money.
Contents of the legal document at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Godmans-flock-signed-sex-pacts-/articleshow/5846585.cms
And how!
The professionally drafted Non-Disclosure Agreement the sex scandal Swami Nityanand, 32, from Bangalore made his devotees sign for his ‘Learning from the Master Program', will give the infamous American lawyers a run for their money.
Contents of the legal document at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Godmans-flock-signed-sex-pacts-/articleshow/5846585.cms
April 26, 2010
Promoted to 'In-charge' of a non-existent police station in Pune!
Inspector M G Pathan was happy when he was promoted & transferred to Pune eight months back,as an in-charge of the prestigious Koregaon Park area.
He has a jeep, a driver and a constable at his beck and call, and a police station on paper : in reality, it does not exist!
Hence, no staff, no jurisdiction.
So, as 11 investigating agencies descended on Pune to probe the German Bakery blast, Pathan was out scouring for space to set up his office.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=MIRRORNEW&BaseHref=PMIR/2010/04/24&PageLabel=1&EntityId=Ar00100&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
He has a jeep, a driver and a constable at his beck and call, and a police station on paper : in reality, it does not exist!
Hence, no staff, no jurisdiction.
The police-station is supposed to cover:
- Kalyaninagar-Koregaon Park bridge to Alankar Cinema hall
- Mula-Mutha rivers to Queens Garden
- Boat Club Road, Dhole Patil Road, Mangaldas Road
- Bund Garden Road areas.
So, as 11 investigating agencies descended on Pune to probe the German Bakery blast, Pathan was out scouring for space to set up his office.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=MIRRORNEW&BaseHref=PMIR/2010/04/24&PageLabel=1&EntityId=Ar00100&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
One and a half tonne of gold at home!
One tonne = 1000 kiloes
One kilo = 1000 grams
One gram of gold = Rs.1800
One and a half tonne of gold, Rs.1800 crores in cash, and other large investments were found at the residence of the chief of the Medical Council of India in a raid by the C(entral) B(ureau of) I(ndia).
The MCI governs all the medical colleges - both govt. and private - in India.
It grants permission to open new ones, decides the number of seats, permits post- graduate courses, conducts regular inspections... in short, the MCI rules!
http://72.78.249.107/Sakal/25Apr2010/Normal/PuneCity/index.htm
One kilo = 1000 grams
One gram of gold = Rs.1800
One and a half tonne of gold, Rs.1800 crores in cash, and other large investments were found at the residence of the chief of the Medical Council of India in a raid by the C(entral) B(ureau of) I(ndia).
The MCI governs all the medical colleges - both govt. and private - in India.
It grants permission to open new ones, decides the number of seats, permits post- graduate courses, conducts regular inspections... in short, the MCI rules!
http://72.78.249.107/Sakal/25Apr2010/Normal/PuneCity/index.htm
Beautiful tigers on a stroll at Tadoba
Beautiful picture of tigers :a magnificent wild animal, now itself seriously endangered.
http://72.78.249.107/Sakal/24Apr2010/Normal/PuneCity/index.htm
http://72.78.249.107/Sakal/24Apr2010/Normal/PuneCity/index.htm
April 24, 2010
April 23, 2010
पाणी नाही, चारा नाही, वीज नाही
चंद्रपुर वीज निर्मितीचे सात पैकी ४ संच पाण्याअभावि बंद
गोसे धरणात गेली २२ वर्षे "काम सुरु आहे" पलिकडे प्रगती नाही.
गोसे धरणात गेली २२ वर्षे "काम सुरु आहे" पलिकडे प्रगती नाही.
- खामगावात १२ दिवसानी, बुलडाण्यात २४ दिवसानी एकदा पाणी येते.
- देउळगावराजा सम्पूर्ण गाव tanker वर अवलंबून.
April 22, 2010
Will there be any doctors around when I grow old?
Aspiring doctors in Maharashtra have halved while engineers doubled, in just 6 years.
Year Medical Students Engineering Students
2004 79,000 52,000
2010 33,000 1,05,000
April 20, 2010
Kitchen in Myanmar, bedroom in India
The chief of village Atanu Phukan Longwa,Nagaland, inhabited by tribe Konyaks, cooks his food in a kitchen which falls in Myanmar, while he sleeps in a room which is in India.
This remote village, divided into 2 nations, has been living in peace for years.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIPU/2010/04/20&PageLabel=14&EntityId=Ar01404&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
Love this FC road look
FC road wears a deserted look on Monday as the police imposed restrictions during President Patil’s visit to Fergusson college
April 19, 2010
जंगली महाराज व फर्ग्युसन रस्ते (पुणे) एकेरी केल्याबाबत, परिसर संस्थेने केलेल्या जनमत पाहणीचा अहवाल
http://www.parisar.org/activities/other-activities/113-parisar-report-on-jm-fc-one-way-scheme.html
http://www.parisar.org/activities/other-activities/113-parisar-report-on-jm-fc-one-way-scheme.html
April 17, 2010
Chindia?
चीनमधील जगप्रसिद्ध, सात आश्चर्यांपैकी एक असलेल्या भिंतीवर, काही जणांनी स्वतःची नावे मराठीत कायमची कोरून ठेवली आहेत.
http://www.esakal.com/esakal/20100330/5199243981600249224.htm
http://www.esakal.com/esakal/20100330/5199243981600249224.htm
April 16, 2010
Words fell me
Underlining twice doesn't make it a word
Are country and their country...
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/galleries/teabonics_the_flawed_language_of_protest/teabonics_the_flawed_language_of_protest.html
Times of India, Crest edition
This TOI supplement (every Saturday) is a veritable feast.
Do check... back issues too.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TCRM&showST=true&Enter=true&Skin=CREST&GZ=T
Do check... back issues too.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TCRM&showST=true&Enter=true&Skin=CREST&GZ=T
India has more cellphones than toilets: UN
Research shows roughly 366 million people (31 per cent of the population) in India had access to improved sanitation in 2008.
Other data, meanwhile, shows 545 million cellphones are now connected to service in India’s emerging economy.
“It’s an irony, a country now wealthy enough that roughly half of the people own phones, about half cannot afford the basic necessity and dignity of a toilet,” said Zafar Adeel, Director of United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=MIRRORNEW&BaseHref=MMIR/2010/04/16&PageLabel=14&EntityId=Ar01401&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
Other data, meanwhile, shows 545 million cellphones are now connected to service in India’s emerging economy.
“It’s an irony, a country now wealthy enough that roughly half of the people own phones, about half cannot afford the basic necessity and dignity of a toilet,” said Zafar Adeel, Director of United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=MIRRORNEW&BaseHref=MMIR/2010/04/16&PageLabel=14&EntityId=Ar01401&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
April 15, 2010
April 14, 2010
माझे वजन आणि मी
अभिनन्दन, डॉ. मुग्धा.
..."आधी व्यायाम तर दूरच, पण साधे १५ मिनिटे चालता पण येत नव्हते, खूप दम लागायचा. पायात गोळे यायचे. मनात ठरवले, वजनाचा आकडा विसरून जायचा पण आपलं शरीर आपल्या पायांना पेलवलं पाहिजे इतकेच ठरवायचं.
हळूहळू उत्साह वाढला. कमी होणाऱ्या वजनाबरोबर गमावलेला आत्मविश्वास परत आला. सहा महिन्यांत ३८ किलो वजन कमी केले. जेवण बंद न केल्याने अजिबात अशक्तपणा आला नाही.
९० किलोवरून ५२ किलोवर आले.
२२ साईझच्या कपड्यांवरून ४ साईझवर आले.
माझे दोन्ही बाळंतपणानंतर मिळून एकूण ७६ किलो वजन कमी झाले आहे.
व्यायामाने आणि जेवण न सोडता वजन कमी केल्याने शरीराच्या सर्व भागात ते समप्रमाणात कमी झाले आहे."...
http://www.esakal.com/esakal/20100412/5701033286536201617.htm
..."आधी व्यायाम तर दूरच, पण साधे १५ मिनिटे चालता पण येत नव्हते, खूप दम लागायचा. पायात गोळे यायचे. मनात ठरवले, वजनाचा आकडा विसरून जायचा पण आपलं शरीर आपल्या पायांना पेलवलं पाहिजे इतकेच ठरवायचं.
हळूहळू उत्साह वाढला. कमी होणाऱ्या वजनाबरोबर गमावलेला आत्मविश्वास परत आला. सहा महिन्यांत ३८ किलो वजन कमी केले. जेवण बंद न केल्याने अजिबात अशक्तपणा आला नाही.
९० किलोवरून ५२ किलोवर आले.
२२ साईझच्या कपड्यांवरून ४ साईझवर आले.
माझे दोन्ही बाळंतपणानंतर मिळून एकूण ७६ किलो वजन कमी झाले आहे.
व्यायामाने आणि जेवण न सोडता वजन कमी केल्याने शरीराच्या सर्व भागात ते समप्रमाणात कमी झाले आहे."...
http://www.esakal.com/esakal/20100412/5701033286536201617.htm
'Secularism in India' = ' लैंगिक (sexual) शिक्षण' ...
...translation for Marathi medium students, of a question paper, final exam, M. Ed., University of Pune.
http://72.78.249.107/Sakal/14Apr2010/Normal/PuneCity/page4.htm
...translation for Marathi medium students, of a question paper, final exam, M. Ed., University of Pune.
http://72.78.249.107/Sakal/14Apr2010/Normal/PuneCity/page4.htm
April 13, 2010
Scales of Escalation
Bhosary (Pune) over-bridge status update:
2008: construction began; estimated cost - Rs 12 crore
2010: incomplete; sanctioned escalated cost - Rs 108 crore
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=MIRRORNEW&BaseHref=PMIR/2010/04/13&PageLabel=2&EntityId=Ar00200&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
2008: construction began; estimated cost - Rs 12 crore
2010: incomplete; sanctioned escalated cost - Rs 108 crore
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=MIRRORNEW&BaseHref=PMIR/2010/04/13&PageLabel=2&EntityId=Ar00200&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
April 12, 2010
कूकरची शिट्टी होऊ देऊ नका!
शरद काळे, भाभा अणुसंशोधन केंद्र, मुंबई
दैनंदिन जीवनात वैज्ञानिक दृष्टिकोनाचा अभाव जाणवतो.
विज्ञानाला पुस्तकांमध्ये बंदिस्त करून ठेवल्यामुळे अनेक घोळ होतात.
केवळ अंधश्रद्धाच आपल्या समाजाचे नुकसान करीत आहेत असे नाही; तर वैज्ञानिक दृष्टिकोनाचा अभाव हेही तेवढेच किंवा त्यापेक्षाही अधिक नुकसानकारक आहे.
.....
...प्रत्येक गृहिणीचा आडाखा हा शिट्टय़ांच्या संख्येशी निगडीत असतो. भातासाठी दोन, डाळीसाठी तीन, राजम्यासाठी चार किंवा अधिक शिट्टय़ा झाल्या की कूकर बंद केला जातो.
कधीकधी आठ-दहा शिट्टय़ासुद्धा होताना आढळतात.
पण ही पद्धत अतिशय अवैज्ञानिक आहे.
... कूकरची शिट्टी केल्यामुळे ही वाफ तिचे कार्य होण्याच्या आधीच बाहेर फेकली जाते व पुन्हा अधिक इंधन खर्च होऊन नव्याने वाफ बनते.
दुसऱ्या शिट्टीला पुन्हा ती वाफ वाया जाते!
असे होत होत शेवटी जो पदार्थ शिजतो त्यातील जीवनसत्त्वे, त्याला असलेला परिमळ हे हवेत निघून गेलेले असतात. आणि आपण हकनाक अधिक इंधन जाळलेले असते.
तेव्हा कूकरची शिट्टी होऊ देऊ नका!
http://loksatta.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61077:2010-04-09-05-25-33&catid=194:2009-08-14-02-31-30&Itemid=194
शरद काळे, भाभा अणुसंशोधन केंद्र, मुंबई
दैनंदिन जीवनात वैज्ञानिक दृष्टिकोनाचा अभाव जाणवतो.
विज्ञानाला पुस्तकांमध्ये बंदिस्त करून ठेवल्यामुळे अनेक घोळ होतात.
केवळ अंधश्रद्धाच आपल्या समाजाचे नुकसान करीत आहेत असे नाही; तर वैज्ञानिक दृष्टिकोनाचा अभाव हेही तेवढेच किंवा त्यापेक्षाही अधिक नुकसानकारक आहे.
.....
...प्रत्येक गृहिणीचा आडाखा हा शिट्टय़ांच्या संख्येशी निगडीत असतो. भातासाठी दोन, डाळीसाठी तीन, राजम्यासाठी चार किंवा अधिक शिट्टय़ा झाल्या की कूकर बंद केला जातो.
कधीकधी आठ-दहा शिट्टय़ासुद्धा होताना आढळतात.
पण ही पद्धत अतिशय अवैज्ञानिक आहे.
... कूकरची शिट्टी केल्यामुळे ही वाफ तिचे कार्य होण्याच्या आधीच बाहेर फेकली जाते व पुन्हा अधिक इंधन खर्च होऊन नव्याने वाफ बनते.
दुसऱ्या शिट्टीला पुन्हा ती वाफ वाया जाते!
असे होत होत शेवटी जो पदार्थ शिजतो त्यातील जीवनसत्त्वे, त्याला असलेला परिमळ हे हवेत निघून गेलेले असतात. आणि आपण हकनाक अधिक इंधन जाळलेले असते.
तेव्हा कूकरची शिट्टी होऊ देऊ नका!
http://loksatta.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61077:2010-04-09-05-25-33&catid=194:2009-08-14-02-31-30&Itemid=194
....... रुग्णालयातर्फे जनसामान्यांना हात जोडून विनंती इतकीच की, आय.सी.यू.ची खाट हा स्टेटस् सिम्बॉल किंवा प्रतिष्ठेचा प्रश्न करू नका.
रुग्णालय व्यवस्थापन कधी कधी आपल्या भावनांचा मान राखण्यासाठी वॉर्डातल्या आपल्या रुग्णाला आय.सी.यू.त हलवेलही, पण त्यामुळे दुसऱ्या एखाद्या गरजू रुग्णाचा अधिकार डावलला जाईल.
तेव्हा रुग्णाला आय.सी.यू.मध्ये ठेवण्याचा निर्णय डॉक्टरांनाच घेऊ द्यावा, हे उत्तम!
आय.सी.यू. हे रुग्णालयाचे धडधडणारे हृदय आहे.
अतिताणामुळे त्याला अॅटॅक न आला म्हणजे मिळवले!
---डॉ. संजय ओक, Chief of Surgery Dept, KEM Hospital, Mumbai
http://loksatta.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61108:2010-04-09-08-54-27&catid=249:2009-12-30-13-44-34&Itemid=252
रुग्णालय व्यवस्थापन कधी कधी आपल्या भावनांचा मान राखण्यासाठी वॉर्डातल्या आपल्या रुग्णाला आय.सी.यू.त हलवेलही, पण त्यामुळे दुसऱ्या एखाद्या गरजू रुग्णाचा अधिकार डावलला जाईल.
तेव्हा रुग्णाला आय.सी.यू.मध्ये ठेवण्याचा निर्णय डॉक्टरांनाच घेऊ द्यावा, हे उत्तम!
आय.सी.यू. हे रुग्णालयाचे धडधडणारे हृदय आहे.
अतिताणामुळे त्याला अॅटॅक न आला म्हणजे मिळवले!
---डॉ. संजय ओक, Chief of Surgery Dept, KEM Hospital, Mumbai
http://loksatta.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61108:2010-04-09-08-54-27&catid=249:2009-12-30-13-44-34&Itemid=252
April 10, 2010
April 9, 2010
पाटीच नसलेली, किंवा, पुढे वेगळी-मागे वेगळी पाटी असलेली पुणे म्युनसिपल बस कुठे जाणार ते ओळखा आणि बक्षीस मिळवा
http://72.78.249.107/Sakal/9Apr2010/Normal/PuneCity/PuneToday/index.htm
http://72.78.249.107/Sakal/9Apr2010/Normal/PuneCity/PuneToday/index.htm
April 7, 2010
A matrimonial classified in daily Sakal
Quintessential Punekar.
Humble classifieds are literature unto themselves.
(Picture courtesy: self)
(Picture courtesy: self)
April 6, 2010
Mumbai apt sells @ Rs One Lac per sq ft in auction
Well, at Rs 99,000 per sq. ft, the rate's almost a Lac.
The last highest transaction recorded was at Rs 97,842 p.sq.ft in 2007.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIPU/2010/04/06&PageLabel=1&EntityId=Ar00108&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
The last highest transaction recorded was at Rs 97,842 p.sq.ft in 2007.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIPU/2010/04/06&PageLabel=1&EntityId=Ar00108&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
गेल्या वर्षा दीड लाख नवीन वाहने पुण्यातील रस्त्यांवर दाखल
गेल्या वर्षात दीड लाख नवीन वाहने पुण्यातील रस्त्यांवर दाखल
म्हणजे रोज जवळजवळ ५०० नवीन वाहनांची पुणे RTO कड़े नोंदणी होते.
... दै. सकाळ
***
हा दर सुमारे गेली 10 वर्षे सतत कायम आहे.
म्हणजे रोज जवळजवळ ५०० नवीन वाहनांची पुणे RTO कड़े नोंदणी होते.
... दै. सकाळ
***
हा दर सुमारे गेली 10 वर्षे सतत कायम आहे.
April 5, 2010
The Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon
Baader-Meinhof is the phenomenon where one happens upon some obscure piece of information – often an unfamiliar word or name– and soon afterwards encounters the same subject again, often repeatedly.
Anytime the phrase “That’s so weird, I just heard about that the other day” would be appropriate, the utterer is hip-deep in Baader-Meinhof.
http://www.damninteresting.com/the-baader-meinhof-phenomenon
Wikipedia definition:
A common name for a form of synchronicity where one happens upon an obscure piece of information, and soon afterwards encounters the same subject again.
Baader-Meinhof is the phenomenon where one happens upon some obscure piece of information – often an unfamiliar word or name– and soon afterwards encounters the same subject again, often repeatedly.
Anytime the phrase “That’s so weird, I just heard about that the other day” would be appropriate, the utterer is hip-deep in Baader-Meinhof.
http://www.damninteresting.com/the-baader-meinhof-phenomenon
Wikipedia definition:
A common name for a form of synchronicity where one happens upon an obscure piece of information, and soon afterwards encounters the same subject again.
April 4, 2010
25-year-old, US-returned, MBA girl gang-raped in car in Pune
I had decided against putting this news up here; but am too affected to not do it.
US General in Afghanistan
If an army marches on its stomach, General Stanley McChrystal, who runs thirteen miles a day, eats one meal and sleeps for only four hours a night, would prefer that it wasn't full of burgers and pizzas.
He banned junk food yesterday.
In September, the General had banned alcohol at his headquarters, after complaining that too many staff had hangovers.
He banned junk food yesterday.
In September, the General had banned alcohol at his headquarters, after complaining that too many staff had hangovers.
“Supplying non-essential luxuries to big bases like Kandahar makes it harder to get essential items to combat outposts and forward operating bases, where troops who are in the fight each day, need resupplying with ammunition, food and water.”
“This is a war zone, not an amusement park.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/afghanistan/article7080774.ece
April 3, 2010
April 2, 2010
This hilarious piece, circulating on the net, was supposedly written by a Dutchman - an IT guy - who spent two years in Hyderabad, India.
Driving in India
For the benefit of every Tom, Dick and Harry visiting India and daring
to drive on Indian roads, I am offering a few hints for survival. They are applicable to every place in India except Bihar, where life outside a vehicle is only marginally safer.. Indian road rules broadly operate within the domain of karma where you do your best, and leave the results to your insurance company. The hints are as follows: Do we drive on the left or right of the road? The answer is 'both'.
Basically you start on the left of the road, unless it is occupied.
In that case, go to the right, unless that is also occupied.
Then proceed by occupying the next available gap, as in chess.
Simply trust your instincts, ascertain the direction, and proceed. Adherence to road rules leads to much misery and occasional fatality. Most drivers don't drive, but just aim their vehicles in the generally intended direction.
Don't you get discouraged or underestimate yourself except for a belief in reincarnation,
the other drivers are not in any better position. Don't stop at pedestrian crossings just because some fool wants to cross the road.
You may do so only if you enjoy being bumped in the back. Pedestrians have been strictly instructed to cross only when traffic is moving slowly or has come to a dead stop because some minister is in town. Still some idiot may try to wade across,
but then, let us not talk ill of the dead. Blowing your horn is not a sign of protest as in some countries.
We honk to express joy, resentment, frustration, romance and bare lust (two brisk blasts),
or just mobilize a dozing cow in the middle of the bazaar.
Keep informative books in the glove compartment. You may read them during traffic jams, while awaiting the chief minister's motorcade, or waiting for the rainwater to recede when over ground traffic meets underground drainage. Occasionally, you might see what looks like a UFO with blinking coloured lights and weird sounds emanating from within.
This is an illuminated bus, full of happy pilgrims singing bhajans. These pilgrims go at breakneck speed, seeking contact with the Almighty, often meeting with success. Auto Rickshaw (Baby Taxi): The result of a collision between a rickshaw and an automobile. This three-wheeled vehicle works on an external combustion engine that runs on a mixture of kerosene oil and creosote. This triangular vehicle carries iron rods, gas cylinders or passengers three times its weight and dimension, at an unspecified fare. After careful geometric calculations, children are folded and packed into these auto rickshaws until some children in the periphery are not in contact with the vehicle at all. Then their school bags are pushed into the microscopic gaps all round so those minor collisions with other vehicles on the road cause no permanent damage. Of course, the peripheral children are charged half the fare and also learn Newton 's laws of motion enroute to school. Auto-rickshaw drivers follow the road rules depicted in the film Ben Hur, and are licensed to irritate. Mopeds: The moped looks like an oil tin on wheels and makes noise like an electric shaver. It runs 30 miles on a teaspoon of petrol and travels at break-bottom speed. As the sides of the road are too rough for a ride, the moped drivers tend to drive in the middle of the road; they would rather drive under heavier vehicles instead of around them and are often 'mopped' off the tarmac. Leaning Tower of Passes: Most bus passengers are given free passes and during rush hours, there is absolute mayhem. There are passengers hanging off other passengers, who in turn hang off the railings and the overloaded bus leans dangerously, defying laws of gravity but obeying laws of surface tension. As drivers get paid for overload (so many Rupees per kg of passenger), no questions are ever asked. Steer clear of these buses by a width of three passengers. One-way Street: These boards are put up by traffic people to add jest in their otherwise drab lives.. Don't stick to the literal meaning and proceed in one direction. In metaphysical terms, it means that you cannot proceed in two directions at once. So drive as you like, in reverse throughout, if you are the fussy type. Lest I sound hypercritical, I must add a positive point also. Rash and fast driving in residential areas has been prevented by providing a 'speed breaker'; two for each house. This mound, incidentally, covers the water and drainage pipes for that residence and is left untarred for easy identification by the corporation authorities, should they want to recover the pipe for year-end accounting. Night driving on Indian roads can be an exhilarating experience for those with the mental make up of Genghis Khan. In a way, it is like playing Russian roulette, because you do not know who amongst the drivers is loaded. What looks like premature dawn on the horizon turns out to be a truck attempting a speed record. On encountering it, just pull partly into the field adjoining the road until the phenomenon passes. Our roads do not have shoulders, but occasional boulders. Do not blink your lights expecting reciprocation. The only dim thing in the truck is the driver, and with the peg of illicit arrack (alcohol) he has had at the last stop, his total cerebral functions add up to little more than a naught. Truck drivers are the James Bonds of India, and are licensed to kill. Often you may encounter a single powerful beam of light about six feet above the ground. This is not a super motorbike, but a truck approaching you With a single light on, usually the left one. It could be the right one, but never get too close to investigate. You may prove your point posthumously. Of course, all this occurs at night, on the trunk roads. During the daytime, trucks are more visible, except that the drivers will never show any Signal. (And you must watch for the absent signals; they are the greater threat). Only, you will often observe that the cleaner who sits next to the driver, will project his hand and wave hysterically. This is definitely not to Be construed as a signal for a left turn. The waving is just an statement of physical relief on a hot day. If, after all this, you still want to drive in India , take your lessons between 8 pm and 11 am - when the police have gone home and - The citizen is then free to enjoy the 'FREEDOM OF SPEED' enshrined in the constitution.
http://www.mail-archive.com/better_personality@googlegroups.com/msg00056.html
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