Panoramic view of Golconda Fort
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Against the Sunset
The Wall of the Fort
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Reading Books - Fiction
Ever since the Hyderabad tour, I have picked up on a lost hobby - reading books. Really, when I come to think of it, I was such a voracious reader when in school and gradually through college and during my pursuit of MBA, reading fiction was like vaporized. There was always so much to do and if there wasn’t anything much to do, I would just lie down and listen to some old Indian music. Tiredness is a killer. A killer of hobbies. (Excuses!)
I have read three books in rapid succession.
The Afghan by Frederick Forsyth
Five Point Someone by Chetan Bhagat ----------- courtesy Joyjit
One Night @ the Call Center by Chetan Bhagat ----------- courtesy Hemant Sir
Well, Frederick Forsyth has always been one of my favorite authors, ever since I read the Day of the Jackal. It became the bible of thrillers for me. Then I started to pick up all his thrillers one by one. And by the end of it, I was a self-proclaimed authority on World Politics of the 20th Century. I have even thought about writing a book on the subject!!!
In the Afghan, Mike Martin is back in action in the gulf. A serious Forsyth reader will recall Martin from The Fist of God. An ingenious idea of passing the Westerner as an Arab among the Arabs to find out about Al Isra – a mission that was exposed by investigating the hardware of a financer of Al Qaeda. The story is fast paced and zips across the world. Pefectly readable.
In the last one year, I had heard of Chetan Bhagat and his two books on the younger generation of India. Well, to be honest, I was quite dismissive about the idea of a young writer and thought it was more hype than content. My apologies to Chetan Bhagat, I am truly sorry. Sorry also to have delayed in picking up the books to read.
Amazing stories. Beautiful narrative, fantastic story-telling ability, good context, lucid and everyday language and normal problems of normal people. Fantatstic read. Both of them.
Five Point Someone is subtitled What Not to do at IIT. A story about three friends and the struggle through life during their IIT years. And yes, Neha, the Professor’s daughter. Refreshing. However, when I was almost done with reading this book, I met a certain senior HR manager for a PSU at Hyderabad, who also appreciated the book, but wondered what Chetan Bhagat was trying to say, like what was the message kind of things. I remember having chatted with him for quite a while on this and it was very interesting.
Oh and thanks to Frederick Forsyth’s Day of The Jackal again, my copy of which Hemant Sir lost during his brief stay in Kolkata and gave me One Night @ the Call Center in return. A story about six people at the workplace – a call center, set on one night, when they receive a call from God. A lot of punch in the summary. A seller. I wonder if Chetan Bhagat specialized in Marketing from IIM Ahmedabad. But the book is great. I liked it so much that I reread the book the very next day. Loved the way the book is written, the humor and how the individuals’ psyches are exposed.
However, a lot of questions arise while reading the two books by Chetan Bhagat. I would refrain from putting these up here. But of course, if I get an opportunity to interact with the writer I would love to have a discussion.
I have read three books in rapid succession.
The Afghan by Frederick Forsyth
Five Point Someone by Chetan Bhagat ----------- courtesy Joyjit
One Night @ the Call Center by Chetan Bhagat ----------- courtesy Hemant Sir
Well, Frederick Forsyth has always been one of my favorite authors, ever since I read the Day of the Jackal. It became the bible of thrillers for me. Then I started to pick up all his thrillers one by one. And by the end of it, I was a self-proclaimed authority on World Politics of the 20th Century. I have even thought about writing a book on the subject!!!
In the Afghan, Mike Martin is back in action in the gulf. A serious Forsyth reader will recall Martin from The Fist of God. An ingenious idea of passing the Westerner as an Arab among the Arabs to find out about Al Isra – a mission that was exposed by investigating the hardware of a financer of Al Qaeda. The story is fast paced and zips across the world. Pefectly readable.
In the last one year, I had heard of Chetan Bhagat and his two books on the younger generation of India. Well, to be honest, I was quite dismissive about the idea of a young writer and thought it was more hype than content. My apologies to Chetan Bhagat, I am truly sorry. Sorry also to have delayed in picking up the books to read.
Amazing stories. Beautiful narrative, fantastic story-telling ability, good context, lucid and everyday language and normal problems of normal people. Fantatstic read. Both of them.
Five Point Someone is subtitled What Not to do at IIT. A story about three friends and the struggle through life during their IIT years. And yes, Neha, the Professor’s daughter. Refreshing. However, when I was almost done with reading this book, I met a certain senior HR manager for a PSU at Hyderabad, who also appreciated the book, but wondered what Chetan Bhagat was trying to say, like what was the message kind of things. I remember having chatted with him for quite a while on this and it was very interesting.
Oh and thanks to Frederick Forsyth’s Day of The Jackal again, my copy of which Hemant Sir lost during his brief stay in Kolkata and gave me One Night @ the Call Center in return. A story about six people at the workplace – a call center, set on one night, when they receive a call from God. A lot of punch in the summary. A seller. I wonder if Chetan Bhagat specialized in Marketing from IIM Ahmedabad. But the book is great. I liked it so much that I reread the book the very next day. Loved the way the book is written, the humor and how the individuals’ psyches are exposed.
However, a lot of questions arise while reading the two books by Chetan Bhagat. I would refrain from putting these up here. But of course, if I get an opportunity to interact with the writer I would love to have a discussion.
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Sunday, May 20, 2007
LOST @ Golconda Fort
My sympathies with those who lost their lives and were wounded.
Here's an image from Golconda Fort. I have titled it LOST. Would love to get some reviews on it. What would you have done to improve the picture, what you like of the picture and what you don't.
Here's an image from Golconda Fort. I have titled it LOST. Would love to get some reviews on it. What would you have done to improve the picture, what you like of the picture and what you don't.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Hyderabad Bomb Blast
Around 1:30 pm today, a bomb rocked the Mecca Masjid compound in Hyderabad when the Friday Namaz was being offered. This being another ghastly and dastardly act by some terror mongers to foster a divisive influence among the masses. Clearly, the peace and harmony of the wonderful and high spirited Hyderabadis was targeted. First and foremost, I would like to urge the people of Hyderabad not to press the panic button, and not play into the hands of those willing to instigate animosities and provoke communal disharmony.
The Mecca Masjid stands 100 yards Southwest of the Charminar. The mosque is said to comprise bricks brought from Mecca built into the central arch, hence the name. The five arched facades were carved out of a single piece of granite, a stone which took five years to quarry. The courtyard houses a large pond flanked by two stone and slab seats. Legend has it that a visitor who sits on one of these seats will definitely return to Hyderabad. A room in the courtyard is said to contain sacred relics, one of which is the hair of Prophet Muhammad.
The construction of the Mecca Masjid was begun under the orders of Sultan Quli Qutub Shah in 1617 and was completed in 1694 under direct orders of Emperor Aurangazeb. The mosque is one of the largest in the country and can accommodate ten thousand people at one time. It is the biggest mosque in Hyderabad and is adjacent to Charminar just across the road. The constructions of this mosque was started by Sultan Muhammad Qutub Shah, The work continued during the reign of Abdullah Qutub Shah and Abul Hassan Tana Shah and was completed in 1694 by the Moghal Emperor Aurangzeb.
The hall of the mosque is about 75 feet high, 220 feet wide and 180 feet long, Each of the two octagonal columns on either side are made out of a single piece of granite, It took about 8000 Masons and laborers and 77 years to complete.
It is said that when the foundation stone was being laid, Sultan Muhammad Qutub Shah invited all the pious religious elders of the city. It was announced that the king wanted the foundation stone to be laid by one who had never missed his prayers. None came forward, therefore Sultan Muhammad himself laid the foundation for he had never missed even his midnight prayer since the age of 12.
Unfortuantely, 12 namazis lost their lives, while they were closing their prayers. That’s real sad. The bomb used RDX and is assumed to have been set off by a mobile phone as a trigger. Police rushed to the spot at the earliest and avoided a worse scare. They discovered two more similar bombs which did not go off.
While all politicians have come out to condemn the heinous act, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YSR Reddy have asked the citizens not to listen to rumours, nor to spread them. All caution has now been taken with Section 144 imposed in the area thereby banning the assembly of more than four people. Police remains at the spot and central RAF have been kept on stand by for the city. Also forensic experts from the Centre have been called in to investigate the site.
Following the blast at the Mecca Masjid, the injured, numbering in the 40s were rushed to the nearby Osmania Hospital. There were road blockades in different parts of the city. Police, however, rose to action to disperse any such mobs and things became normal. However, shops remained closed and not many buses were seen plying across the city. The characteristic autorickshaws were also not zipping across the city as frequently as they normally do.
It gives me such a weird feeling. I visited this place just last week. Here’s a picture that I took from the Charminar.
My condolences for the lives lost.
Peace and harmony!
The Mecca Masjid stands 100 yards Southwest of the Charminar. The mosque is said to comprise bricks brought from Mecca built into the central arch, hence the name. The five arched facades were carved out of a single piece of granite, a stone which took five years to quarry. The courtyard houses a large pond flanked by two stone and slab seats. Legend has it that a visitor who sits on one of these seats will definitely return to Hyderabad. A room in the courtyard is said to contain sacred relics, one of which is the hair of Prophet Muhammad.
The construction of the Mecca Masjid was begun under the orders of Sultan Quli Qutub Shah in 1617 and was completed in 1694 under direct orders of Emperor Aurangazeb. The mosque is one of the largest in the country and can accommodate ten thousand people at one time. It is the biggest mosque in Hyderabad and is adjacent to Charminar just across the road. The constructions of this mosque was started by Sultan Muhammad Qutub Shah, The work continued during the reign of Abdullah Qutub Shah and Abul Hassan Tana Shah and was completed in 1694 by the Moghal Emperor Aurangzeb.
The hall of the mosque is about 75 feet high, 220 feet wide and 180 feet long, Each of the two octagonal columns on either side are made out of a single piece of granite, It took about 8000 Masons and laborers and 77 years to complete.
It is said that when the foundation stone was being laid, Sultan Muhammad Qutub Shah invited all the pious religious elders of the city. It was announced that the king wanted the foundation stone to be laid by one who had never missed his prayers. None came forward, therefore Sultan Muhammad himself laid the foundation for he had never missed even his midnight prayer since the age of 12.
Unfortuantely, 12 namazis lost their lives, while they were closing their prayers. That’s real sad. The bomb used RDX and is assumed to have been set off by a mobile phone as a trigger. Police rushed to the spot at the earliest and avoided a worse scare. They discovered two more similar bombs which did not go off.
While all politicians have come out to condemn the heinous act, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YSR Reddy have asked the citizens not to listen to rumours, nor to spread them. All caution has now been taken with Section 144 imposed in the area thereby banning the assembly of more than four people. Police remains at the spot and central RAF have been kept on stand by for the city. Also forensic experts from the Centre have been called in to investigate the site.
Following the blast at the Mecca Masjid, the injured, numbering in the 40s were rushed to the nearby Osmania Hospital. There were road blockades in different parts of the city. Police, however, rose to action to disperse any such mobs and things became normal. However, shops remained closed and not many buses were seen plying across the city. The characteristic autorickshaws were also not zipping across the city as frequently as they normally do.
It gives me such a weird feeling. I visited this place just last week. Here’s a picture that I took from the Charminar.
My condolences for the lives lost.Peace and harmony!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Hyderabad Tour
Well, at the outset I must caution the neutral reader that I shall not remain neutral. In fact, you stand cautioned by the fact that my opinion of Hyderabad is rather biased, due largely to the summer heat. Clearly, one must never ever venture to tour Hyderabad in the summer. Make it in the winter and maybe you will like it more.
Hyderabad, the capital city of the state of Andhra Pradesh has developed in recent years at a fast pace. So much so that it is considered to be at par with Bangalore. Well, the Telugu speaking populace would claim Hyderabad or Cyberabad to be the IT hot spot of the country, whilst the populace of Bangalore will vouch for itself. Let’s just keep it at the fact that both have grown very fast in recent years and that both have traversed the IT path in a major way. By the way, did you know that the Indian HQs of Microsoft and Oracle are in Hyderabad?
Anyways, as I was saying, summer is the time to avoid Hyderabad. The temperatures soar above 40 degrees Celsius, not the exact comfort to travel around. Make it in the winter, when the temperatures remain at a pleasant 16-18 degrees.
The airport is situated at Begumpet, and is well connected to important parts of the country and abroad. The main railway station is Secunderabad. In fact, Secunderabad and Hyderabad are twin cities connected by the Tank Bund. However, many are not aware that there is another major railway station - Hyderabad Decan, at Nampally, which is closer to the Old City. As a traveler, perhaps this is where you would like to be.
There are two trains from Howrah Station that travel to this city. One, the Falaknuma Express, and two, the East Coast Express. Go for the Falaknuma Express, it is faster, has a pantry car and does not stop at some 58 stations like the East Coast Express.
There are many places to stay in Hyderabad. There are budget and economy hotels to really luxurious ones. Take your pick. I wish to refrain from making any advertisements for the Hyderabad hotel industry.
For my part, I stayed at a Government Guest House, thanks to a kindness of a gentleman whom I wish not to name. All I can say is that this Guest House is in Basheer Bagh, really not far away from the older part of the city, and also very close to the Assembly House.
I will detail the various places later. For now, I would just like to mention that I couldn’t travel like a tourist due to the oppressive heat.
And would like to leave you with a picture of the Charminar, which supposedly is the hallmark of the city.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Going to Hyderabad
I am going to Hyderabad tomorrow. Accompanying my wife on her training and hoping to visit some places of interest in Hyderabad. However, the temperatures there are scorching. In fact, I was reading about Hyderabad in a website and it said something like - if you were planning to tour Hyderabad in the summer, you must have survived the Saharan (or sub-Saharan, i don't remember which) climate for 6 years, and should have done splendidly well. Not very encouraging, is it?
Anyways, I had to go, and if I can, I will visit some of the places. Of course, I also intend to shoot lot many pictures and hope to post some here soon.
For now, I may be off blogging for a while. I want to enjoy my vacation. So wish me luck.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
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Sunday, April 29, 2007
Whistler's Mother
This particular painting has also been a part of a movie - Dr. Bean
And Parna's grandma reminds me of the painting
And Parna's grandma reminds me of the painting
Monday, April 23, 2007
A TRIP TO BAKKHALI
Bakkhali, a wonderful place to spend a quiet weekend, is about 132 kms from Kolkata. It is one of the many deltaic islands spread across Southern Bengal. Reaching there is absolutely no problem, as it is only about 3 hours drive from Kolkata – Esplanade. One can also take the State Govt buses from Esplanade, which charges barely Rs.70/- and take around 4 hours. The route is via Diamond Harbour Road. 
My suggestion would be to take car, because en route you would feel like stopping at several places inventing many excuses, but primarily to absorb the ambiance that Diamond Harbour offers. The buses leave at 7:15 AM and 8:15 AM and go directly to Bakkhali. If you miss those buses, you could board one of the buses for Namkhana, cross the Hatania-Doania creek in a special ferry.
My suggestion would be to take car, because en route you would feel like stopping at several places inventing many excuses, but primarily to absorb the ambiance that Diamond Harbour offers. The buses leave at 7:15 AM and 8:15 AM and go directly to Bakkhali. If you miss those buses, you could board one of the buses for Namkhana, cross the Hatania-Doania creek in a special ferry.
The next stretch of the journey is very smooth, with an excellent road leading to Bakkhali.There are many hotels to put up at Bakkhali. Though advanced booking is always desirable, even the ones without reservations, find adequate accommodations. We stayed at Bay View Tourist Lodge.
The hotel looks splendid at night too.
My close friend, Sayan accompanied us in our trip to Bakkhali...
and when we reached there, he couldn’t wait to get a feel of the water. He waded in straight
The ashen beach was wonderful…. 
With red crabs everywhere…………
Parna was happy too………
There is hardly much else to see in Bakkhali. The only mode of conveyance is the rickshaw van. The enterprising rickshaw pullers take tourist to see the different places. One such place is the Henry Island Project – a fish cultivation project of the State Government.
There are 162 ponds which make up this fish farm. A couple of shots from a tower ……………
And now the tower itself………………
The gentle waves rolling …………
The day was coming to a close and the sunset was splendid beyond the trees………
And we watched India lose to Bangladesh in the Cricket World Cup and thereby face an early exit from the Championship.
At the beach in the next morning, shot a few sunrise pictures………. This one turned out well
Later we took a ride in a crude bhut-bhuti, a motorised country boat, from Frasergunj Fishing Harbour to Jambu Dwip, a small, uninhabited and forested island out in the sea. It was a thrilling experience.
Sayan was lost in thought during the journey………….
Well, I knew well to shut up and enjoy the view.
Parna landed at Jambu Dwip and was pretty excited…………
And the windmills at distant Frasergange were a mere speck, but not for my camera………….
We returned on the same day starting in the afternoon and reaching home by evening.
Some more memorable shots from bakkhali………..
Life Boat
The fishermen
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Bakkhali
Parna and I went to Bakkhali for a weekend trip and enjoyed our time over there.
Would soon post the pics from Bakkhali. Here's for starters:
Would soon post the pics from Bakkhali. Here's for starters:
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MY FAVOURITE TAJ MAHAL PICS
These are the two pics of the Taj Mahal, Agra that I love the most.
Reader comments are welcome.
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