Pothi Padh Padh !

  By Ashish Kolarkar The train screeched to a halt at the small village station, its whistle cutting through the quiet afternoon. Meera stepped out, her crisp paithani saree, a testament to decades of hard work and perseverance. She looked around as staff members of her Office, eagerly waiting with garlands in their hands, gathered to welcome her. After all, she was coming there as head of an important Department. The familiar sights of her uncle’s village brought back memories she had buried long ago. This was no ordinary visit—it was an official tour. But fate had other plans.     Thirty years earlier, Meera had arrived at this very village, fresh out of college and unsure of her future. Her uncle, a respected professor, had offered her a place to stay for the summer. It was meant to be a time of relaxation, but life had other intentions.   One evening, while helping her uncle with his lectures, she met Arjun—a tall, fair student with a commanding presenc...

  A Rookie Journalist’s Ram Mandir Tale (Photo Coutesy : Jagran Josh) The Grand inauguration of Ram Mandir happened yesterday and my memo ries clouded with some of my encounters 35 years ago. The year was 1989. I was studying for graduation and journalistic bug bit me and I joined a local newspaper. It was BJP the rule in MP and very strict and disciplinarian Sundarlal Patwa was the Chief Minister. The newspapers had right wing leanings and used to sympathize with their issues. I used to work for Sports page and also support regional coverage of the newspaper. One day a young activist correspondent mentioned me about the Ram Janmabhoomi Babri Masjid issue and quizzed me whether I’m aware about it? It was a ‘PSPO’ moment for me. I was not much aware about it. He explained me the issue and also how the BJP is now trying to build a campaign for it. It was news for me. Later, Shri L. K. Advani, then the president of the BJP, announced the Rath yatra (from Somnath) on 12 September 199...

 A year ago while for a morning walk, clicked this photo. It looked interesting with different hues of light and shades.  Google reminded of this click. Hence sharing with appropriate Caption from Milind Tilwankar . मेरा शहर डूबा है कोहरे में  ज़रा संभल के आना ए धूप !

  Photo Courtesy : Outlook India.   The recently released Mini TV Series “Railway Men” ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16296870/ ) on Netflix directed by Shiv Rawail with star cast of Babil Khan, Kay Kay Menon, R Madhavan, Divendu, Mandira Bedi and Juhi Chawala is getting rave reviews.   The series has shown the Gas leak on the night of 2 nd December 1984 and havoc it caused for the Passengers passing through the Trains at that moment. The Union Carbide factory having very close to Bhopal Station posed a great hazard to incoming trains. The Deputy Station Superintendent of Bhopal Station Ghulam Dastgir, who was on duty on that fateful night showed exemplary presence of mind. He let go the Gorakhpur Express standing on the platform 20 minutes earlier which was against the rules. He also didn’t allow other trains to reach the Station saving Thousands of lives. He also helped the passengers and Staff present on the station to combat this deadly menace. Post Gas disas...

The first Rajkumar Keswani Memorial award for exceptional work in the field of Journalism and Social work is bestowed upon Dr Vartika Nada, a well known Social worker and former TV anchor of NDTV.  Dr Nanda has done remarkable work in Jail Reforms through her initiative "Tinka Tinka".  Late Rajkumar Keswani was a multifaceted person and has written Books, Newspaper Columns and also edited magazines. He was the first person who reported dangers of  Union Carbide. Unfortunately, nobody took him seriously at that time. He died during second wave of Corona in 2021. His family has instituted an award in his memory which contains a grant of Rs. 1 lac.  A large number of admirers of Late Keswani attended the event. Film Actor Rajiv Verma, Film Writer Rumi Jafri, Lyricist Irshad Kamil and well known Journalist Rajesh Badal graced the event. #Rajkumar Keswani #Vartika Nanda #Tinka Tinka    

  आस्था   जब से पत्नी ने उस अतिथि को   घर पर लाया था   वह मेरी नाराज़गी का कारण बन गया था ।   मेरा मानना है कि प्रकृति स्वयं की देखभाल करना जानती है उसमे हमें दखलंदाज़ी नहीं करना चाहिए । घर के सभी लोग उसे वी. आई. पी. मानकर उसकी खिदमत में जुट गए थे ।   हकीकत तो यह थी   कि मुझे भी उसकी सेवा में जुट जाना चाहिए था।     शाम को घर लौटा तो देखा कि उसका एक कार्डबोर्ड का घर बन गया था ।   उसके अंदर नर्म मुलायम रुमाल की गद्दी बिछा दी गयी थी ।   छोटे बेटे ने अपना ठिया वहीं आस पास बना लिया था ।   उसकी कौतुहल भरी नज़र उस नन्हे प्राणी पर टिकी रहने लगी थी ।   वैसे भी उसका जीव प्रेम जग जाहिर   था और कई बार उफन कर बाहर आ जाता था।   मैं नज़र चुराकर देखता था कि किस तरह पत्नी और बेटा मिलकर ड्रॉपर के माध्यम से उस जीव को पानी और दूध पिलाने का उपक्रम करते रहे थे।   एक दो बार मैं अपनी ' दुष्टता ' पर उतर ही आया था और गुस्से में कह डाला था "छोड़ आओ इसे जहाँ पर मिला था , वह अपनी जिंदगी खुद जी लेगा !" लेकिन मेरी इस फटकार का किसी ...