2011- A Challenge- Perceived by A Seer as a Year of Turmoil

Today before you say an unkind word
Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food
Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife
Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.

Today before you complain about life
Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before whining about the distance you drive
Think of someone who walks the same distance.

And when you are tired and complain about your job
Think of the unemployed, the disabled,

and those who wish they had your job.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down
Put a smile on your face and think
You are alive and still around.

Merry Christmas 2010- A Call to Serve the POOR

Christmas is a Spiritual and Sacred Festival as it celebrate birth Of Jesus.

Infant Jesus was born in Bethlehem -House of Bread- and his emergence was accorded deep reverence by poor shepherds, who first came to know about his birth and then by Three Wise Men of the East, who brought gifts of GOLD, MYRRH and FRANKINCENSE.

Jesus is known as 'ISA' in Eastern Lands, the dedication being fragrant with with sweet and sacred associations. However, the gospel records say so little about the early life of Jesus till he suddenly surfaced as a teacher at the age of 30. It is believed that Jesus traveled in Asian countries and came in touch with Budhist and Hindu influences. His gospel is reminiscent of the wisdom of Sri Krishna, Budha and Rishis-Hindu Sages. Quotes an Eastern record, "He is great and just Isa and Isu, in whom dwells soul of the Universe". His thought ' Be ye perfect as the Father in Heaven is perfect', shocked the Jews as the expression was essentially Aryan and thus Indian. His sayings were simple and revealed an artist and a deep thinker, in fact a Rishi-sage who saw the Universe with the eyes of a creator, soul of a seer and was a man of cosmic consciousness.

Jesus moved in an atmosphere of Essenes and observed the triple vow of poverty, vegetarianism and simple living and had the Aryan reverence for life. So Jesus, born a Jew, theoretically belongs to the Hindu group of Krishna and Budha and the trio are brothers in the Kingdom of Spirit

Puri, a township on the coast of Bay of Bengal in Orissa state, India,is an exotic place of Hindu pilgrimage. There stands the sacred temple. Near by roll and gush the waves of the sea and near the temple stands a small abbey- ashram with a beautiful garden dedicated to Christ . In the center is a small shrine having the Crusifix. Every day during a prayer meeting portions of Psalms and the New Testament are recited both by the members of the abbey as well as outsiders.

Jesus is a living truth, was despised, rejected and crusified by civilization, but today is enthroned in the hearts of both pious and sinners in the East and West . Jesus Christ belongs to the race of Prophets in this world of hate and strife. Will love triumph some how!

PANGOLIN -Amazing Remnant of PAST AGES

Rarely seen,the most remarkable animal to be found in Indian hilly and plain jungles is the Pangolin, a surviving and living relic of the past ages. I came to know about this weird creature when I was a student of St.Mary's High School, Mount Abu in the year 1952, while reading the autobiography of Jawahar Lal Nehru, independent India's first Prime Minister. The book written in 1932, when he was a political prisoner in Dehra Dun gaol, humorously recounts his life in gaol. Since the gaol was small, as a special case political prisoners were allowed, morning and evening to go for a walk outside the prison gate for a view of mountain ranges, the fields and for a glimpse of the public road.One day as Jawahar Lal was standing at the gate talking to the Jailer, he saw a tribal on the side of the road carrying a strange animal on his shoulder. Noticing the curiosity of freedom fighter, the Jailer obligingly sent for the man. At close quarters, Jawahar Lal Nehru observed a mammal that seemed a cross between a lizard and a crocodile about 2 feet long having claws and scales. The awkward animal, very much alive had been twisted in the form of a knot and the owner had passed a bamboo stick through it and was merrily carrying it on his shoulder. He,called it ' BO' and when asked what he intended to do with it, the man smacking his lips and smiling from ear to ear confided that he would make 'bhujji'- a tasty curry out of it. It was after referring to some books on wild life that Jawahar Lal came to know that the animal was a Pangolin.

Being deeply interested in animals and more so in life history and habits of rare wild life and feeling that the Hills of Abu could be the home of the strange animal, I decided to investigate. I started with our milkman, a local tribal and drew a blank. Then I turned to a wizened Bhil woodcutter and struck pay dirt. The man smiled at the way I described the animal and confirmed having seen it on some occasions while collecting fire wood and called it 'Ban Rohu' -forest fish. Then he indicated the area where I should look, adding that I may be lucky to see the creature lolling in the sun. It being a warm afternoon during my school holidays in December 1952, I set off immediately carrying my air gun and Kodak box camera. The section that had been pinpointed was a small valley in the jungle,off Saal Gaon. The afternoon jaunt was a wasted hike. I did see an occasional rabbit skirting by, some wild fowls, painted partridges and many peacocks. Now more than determined, the next morning after breakfast, I set off again and was at the site around afternoon. It was warm and as I trudged along a not too defined path, I saw the creature lolling in the sun in full glory, camouflaged by the dry grass but as I mumbled 'Eureka' the creature stood upright for a moment and scuttled into the bushes. Now more interested and dejectedly, I loitered around for an hour, hoping for another glimpse of the recluse but no dice. So I returned resolving to get to the bottom of the intrigue. Now looking up a book on wild life seemed a likely solution. In my quest I went to the Public Library in the evening. My query about a book on wild life was Greek to the caretaker but he permitted me to browse the few racks of books available. . Not a single book on wild life existed. On seeing me depressed the caretaker suggested that I may try the elite Rajputana Club library. So I trudged to the exclusive club, to find it open but deserted. I explained my mission to the elderly caretaker and obligingly I was escorted to the library having hundreds of ornately bound volumes, neatly arranged in teakwood polished almirahas. The first almirah yielded what I was looking for- the book ' Jungle in Sunlight and Shadow' written by F.W.Champion, during his posting in Imperial Forest Service of India. A whole chapter suitably illustrated with prints of original photographs was dedicated to the animal.

Champion, a passionate lover of nature and wild life considered the Pangolin as the astonishing survivor of past ages. He had an exceedingly engrossing time in tracing and studying the animal as it spent most of its time under ground in burrows, rarely venturing out in day time. The animal with its armor consisting of thick scales overlapping like those of a fish seemed to have stepped straight out of a journal of ancient ages. The creature is a toothless mammal and so feeds on termites and all insects. Its flesh is regarded as a delicacy and also as an efficient aphrodisiac by tribals and jewelery such as rings crafted from its scales , when worn is termed as lucky charms.

The Pangolin, as a creation of Nature in all its finery, pleases, attracts and at times frightens and Mother Nature alone knows that it aims at and depicts.

SAAHIL - The Leader in Offing

My eldest grandson Saahil has turned seventeen today. Born December 12 1994 in a strong family of six aunts and three uncles, not to mention doting grand parents, his entry to volatile world was through natural birth endured hassle free by his slim and trim petite mom Anisha. Named Saahil by virtue of the first letter of a stanza-Shloka of our holy book- Guru Granth Sahib opened casually . As a baby, he made love strong, home happier, the past forgotten and the future worth living for. He has had commendable upbringing starting with primary education in Sophia High School for girls and boys till primary level. He was disconsolate with the co-ed system at being in minority but continued doggedly till my old alma mater, St.Mary's High School for boys only came to his rescue when he was admitted meritoriously through an admission exam.

He faired well in St.Mary's as a gutsy mediocre and a web addict who found time to study. As he embraced teens he tried to be an odd job help around house and reeling under procrastination, he would take apart anything that needed repair, only to abandon due to lack of expertise and the remark that 'the bloody thing was put together wrong in the first place by dopes who did not know what the heck they were doing.' At this stage he was not good at listening to his elders but never failed to emulate them.

But all said and expressed, Saahil at the tender age of fifteen passed Indian Certificate of Secondary Education examination of University of Cambridge aggregating 65%. Now in pursuance of higher studies he is commuting to Abu Road, 27km away daily to attend St. John's School, once again a co-ed institute. A natty dresser, Saahil, fair, tall and handsome,

immaculate in maroon blazer and worsted trousers, seems a man on the move.

Alex Gets A Home

One evening, to escape the wrath of barking pariah dogs, a stray mongrel sought shelter in my compound. He charged in through the open gate and feeling he was on safe ground, stood with his tail up and glared at his tormentors. The mayhem subsided abruptly. An alert black and white shape, the dog furtively looked around and seeing me sitting on an easy chair and observing him with interest, he favored me with a look of a shepherd at finding his long lost sheep and lay down on his stomach , put his head between his paws and crept slowly and confidently towards me whining gently, wagging his tail in an ingratiating manner and on reaching me rested and rubbed his face on my knee. As I reached to caress him he lifted one side of his upper lip and displaying his white teeth in a lopsided gratifying grin, again wagged his tail in a blur of excitement.

My two grandsons Tanmay and Jatin who had since long cherished having a dog as a pet, playing nearby were distracted and at seeing the visitor had rushed away but were back in no time were back with two slices of bread and a bowl of milk. The bread was relished and the milk was lapped up. Excited, both the boys insisted on keeping the middle aged mongrel and christened him ALEX right away. Honored by the attention, Alex lost no time in following the boys around . They spread an old blanket in the corner of our garage, thus completing the home coming of Alex.

Despite his pedigree Alex has settled down admirably. His day begins with an early morning call at our entrance with a knock on the door and after awaiting an acknowledgment, yelping and wagging his tail happily, sets out for a round of our compound cum garden measuring some one third of an acre. He passes his time by sitting somberly outside our gate to keep out intruders, calling for meals at our kitchen and of course intermittent snoozing.

Sadhu Vaswani-Messiah of Compassion

To millions around the world, Sadhu Vaswani is a name synonymous with reverence for all life. Born on November 25, 1879 in Hyderabad, Sind to serve humanity, Sadhu Vaswani became the living embodiment of unsullied love that knew no bounds, a unique embracing love that included all mankind, animals and other creations. He cared deeply for the birds in the air and animals on earth and protected them whenever he could. More so, he realized the synthesis between the culture of the East and the West and the link between the ancient and new.

He founded the Sadhu Vaswani Mission in Hyderabad,Sindh and after partition of India in August 1947 settled down at Poona and gradually added many spiritual and educational institutes. Citing the activities of Sadhu Vaswani, Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, extolled ' The life of Vaswaniji is a saga of unassuming service, spiritual illumination and source of inspiration to all.' Thus he became one of the leading spiritual luminaries 0f India and a man of compassion and spirit.

He vehemently believed that all that all JIVAS-creatures are eternal and whosoever kills a creature for food or otherwise,hurts the Eternal Heart. In reverence to feelings of Dada Vaswani, November 25 each yearis observed as Meatless- Animal Rights Day.

Guru Nanak- Prophet of Harmony

November 21 this year commemorates the emergence of the Guru Nanak in turbulent India, 540 years hence in the year 1469.

Born to a grocer and apprenticed to the job at a tender age, he set about his task in a humble and philanthropic way and believing himself as a servant of Beloved God, asked nothing for himself but only opportunity to serve mankind. Later he traveled from place to place from Kashmir to Ceylon and also to Kabul and Mecca-Madina. During his travels in Punjab with his Muslim disciple,Mardana, he stayed for a while with a poor admirer, Bhai Lalu in Saeedpur, ruled by a Muslim Pathan tyrant with a Hindu minister, Malik Bhagu. The minister was hosting a Prayer meeting followed by a lavish dinner to which all were invited. Guru Nanak did not attend and his absence was sorely missed. In a rage, the minister sent armed emissaries to summon the ascetic. On his arrival the Guru smiled and asked Milak Bhagu the reason for his tirade. At this the minister thundered " How dare you neglect my function and abstain from lavish food?' To this the Guru replied ' I am a simple man used to simpler and sparse food but I shall partake if such is your desire'. Pleased Milak Bhagu ordered an elaborate layout while the Guru asked Lalu to bring whatsoever he had in stock. All Lalu could bring was a coarse roti. Now Guru Nanak took delicious looking victual of Milak Bhagu in one hand and a piece of Lalu's roti in the other and gently squeezed both hands. The spectators saw blood dripping from delicious food while Lalu's roti oozed milk. Now the Guru turned to the audience and enthused ' the blood is the result of ill gotten riches while the milk an example of honesty and and hard earned living.

By his companionship with Mardana Guru Nanak saw the value of Hindu Muslim comradeship, which alas! is a distant and irresolvable vision.

Rich has been the contribution of Sikhs to Indian history and great is the value of Guru Nanak's message for all those who will make India a force to reckon with in coming years.

Nakki Lake-An impowerished Beauty Spot.

With a belated but an active monsoon, the water woes of Abu have receded to a great extent. The original Upper Kodra Reservoir is full while its counterpart, the Lower Kodra Dam along side St.Mary's High School has overflowed.

However, sadly, the Glamor Point, the once enchanting Nakki Lake, presents an impoverished spectacle with its shrunken expanse of not too clean water. Nevertheless, it is suitable for boating that enthralls the gullible touch point visitors.

Summer Safari

Shortage of water in Mount Abu led to closure of all boarding schools for a month beginning May 15. For the first time in academic history of of the hill station, the boarders were exiled to the sweltering heat of the plains, the temperature crossing over 46 C, at times and the innocents were exposed to uncomfortable existence, acute inflation, scams, accidents, terrorism and so on.

The two schools of prestigious standing namely St. Mary's High School for boys and Sophia High School for girls, reopened on Monday the 14th June with a sunny morning. It being midway to the beginning of the monsoon, the clouds abscond and dryness persists, adding to the woes of suffering population, mostly the business community, that is financially hit on account of a poor summer seasonal as well as school business.

Peepali Poornima in Mount Abu

Today is Peepali Poornima-Full Moon day of the Indian month of Vaisakh. On this auspicious day, the tribals of Abu Hills gather in Mount Abu to immerse the ashes of their departed elders in the Nakki Lake. The tribals are termed as GIRASIYA as they are Gir Vasi-Residents of the Aravalli Hills. Bathing and shedding of the nails in the lake is customary and a sacred ritual on account of the firm belief of the colorful community that the Nakki Lake was excavated in ancient times by the sages with their finger nails-Nakh and so the name.

It is more a celebration.stoic and addiction to indolence and ease with an aura of nonchalance. While women adorn ethnic colorful clothes, the men, mostly in tribal garb and youngsters, now suitably modernized, as far as dress is concerned, sport western garb and together move about, profusely garlanded, brandishing spears and knick knacks, with song and dance, partaking of the delicacies on sale with due partiality to country liquor. After day long merry making in tipsy stupor and towards the evening, they reluctantly start the return journey to their respective abodes in the hills and plains.

Platonic Romance

Back to Holy Abu. To the south of Delwada Temples, a short distance away are the shrines of Kanya Kumari and Balam Rasiya. These bear an inscription of the year 1440 A.D. The folk lore is intriguing, romantic and tragic.

Kanya Kumari was the virgin daughter of a chieftain in Abu. Balam Rasiya, a sage in penance was enamored by her beauty and renouncing his afflictions, sought her hand in wedlock. The crafty mother, however, did not approve the match. But to honor the feelings of the saintly paramour, set him the impossible task of laying 12 different approach paths to Abu in a single night before the first crowing of a cock in the morning. Aided by spirituality, Balam Rasiya set to work zealously and had almost finished the project, but the scheming mother anticipating the loss of her comely daughter to a sage, feigned the crowing of the cock just as the work was about to be completed. Tricked, demoralized and frustrated, the ascetic in a rage, threw a magic spell that turned the mother and daughter into idols of stones. The idols, simply enshrined in a small temple, quite unpatronized but looked after by generations of priests, illustrate this fact and remind the interested and visiting onlookers of the romantic past.

Discipline Triggers Achievement

My uncle Manghan Singh, a Sindhi Sikh, was a Travelling Ticket Examiner in the North Western Railway and was posted at Larkana Station in Sindh before India became independent in 1947. The partition of the country displaced millions but after safe arrival in India, all British Government servants were absorbed in similar posts and Manghan Singh was posted at Abu Road station. His line of duty was on up trains up to Ahmedabad and down trains up to Ajmer. On duty, while his colleagues settled down with a game of cards as the train moved out of the station, Manghan Singh, chiseled to perfection by the British school of adventure,thrift and integrity and thus a hard core disciplinarian and savior of the Railway Exchequer and getting over the woes of emigration, went about his duty diligently. Moving from compartment to compartment, he abhorred ticket less travel and relentlessly booked offenders much to the chagrin of compulsive and habitual freebooters. Apart from hawkers, the main tormentors of the Ticket Examiners were the college students who commuted on the Ahmedabad route from Mehsana. The matter had been the hot topic of discussion among the T.T.Es but none had initiated the move to apprehend the violators.

One fine morning while on duty and waiting for the train to pull out of Mehsana station, Manghan Singh witnessed a mad scramble by a group of students to board a compartment. Hell-bent on a showdown, he followed the unruly crowd and set about the task of checking, leered at by ticket less travelers occupying the seats while the ticket holders stood by. As he motioned for the tickets to be produced every offender pointed to their ring leader who sat cross legged, with a stub of a ticket protruding from the strap of his chappal and belligernatly pointing to the same. Humiliated and appalled by gross lack of respect for elders, Manghan Singh quickly slapped the antagonist left and right, pulled him up by the scruff of his neck and dragging him to the exit, booted him and threw him out of the compartment, as the train started to move. The rest of the offenders seeing the plight of their leader had in the meanwhile scampered, making room for the ticket holders who quickly made themselves comfortable. A bit out of breath, Manghan Singh amazed all onlookers, by nonchalantly going about his duty.

With unpleasant incidents galore during his line of duty over the years which were best forgotten, Manghan Singh had reached the retirement age.Having attained the post of Head TTE, he was on the last lap of his duty from Ahmedabad to Abu Road where he was to be felicitated and escorted home by a distinguished gathering of Railway employees. As the train screeched to the stop at Mehsana station and he got down to stretch his legs, he was approached respectfully by an official who ploitely requested that the Honorable Member of Parliament, Shri Hasmukhbhai Patel desired his company in the first class compartment. Flattered and alarmed by the summons, he entered the compartment to see a distinguished looking individual awaiting his arrival. Seeing the Head TTE, the MP was up on his feet and with outstretched arms bade him sit by his side. In a split second, Manghan Singh placed his arrogant instigator of perhaps twenty five years hence and started to enunciate an apology, only to be cut short by the exuberance of the MP who loquaciously proceeded to regale his company about his thrashing at the hands of the Sardar Jee that had propelled him to be elected as Member of the Parliament. Amused by the unassuming admission, Manghan Singh guffawed and related the incident as his line of duty and now sincerely asked whether he could be of any service. The MP with a twinkle in his eye smiled solemnly and said " Yes Sir, I desire just another thrashing. Who knows, it may earn me the post of a Cabinet Minister".

Saint Patrick

Revered as St. Patrick"s Day, March 17 is celebrated by Christians all over the World spontaneously with parades and night long parties.

St. Patrick, known as the Apostle of Ireland became the Bishop of Ireland some time after the year 431. Many legends exist about his life including that he drove the snakes out of Ireland.

His Gospel was, CHRIST WITH ME, CHRIST BEFORE ME, CHRIST BEHIND ME, CHRIST ON MY RIGHT, CHRIST ON MY LEFT, CHRIST WHEN I LIE DOWN, CHRIST WHEN I ARISE, CHRIST IN EVERY EYE THAT SEES ME and CHRIST IN EVERY EAR THAT HEARS ME.

The Saint Marians in Mount Abu have upheld the doctrine of St. Patrick's Feast every year in true spirit.

CHETI CHAND- The Sindhi New Year

Incarnation of JHOOLEY LAAL is celebrated instinctively on CHETI CHAND, the first day of Hindu lunar month Chaitra, in Sindhi CHET in The month of March every year by the Sindhi community throughout the world.

The Hindus and Muslims in Sindh had settled down to a blissful life. The coordinations was slated to last for aeons but was marred by a sour factor. The Hindu was smitten with Muslim culture and lifestyle. The influence was remarkable that brought about conversions, inter marriages vice versa. Even GOD frowned on this absurdity. So emerged JHOOLEY LAAL as the divine savior of the Sindhi Hindu. Born in Nasarpur-Sindh to Ratan Rao Lohana and his wife Devki, he was seen in infancy as a fair and beautiful baby boy in a silver swing-cradle (jh00l0/peengho in Sindhi). In his youth he was a handsome young man having Aryan features and fair complexion who performed miraculous feats and lastly he appeared to be a stately old man with a flowing beard , seated on a fish, braving the waves of the Indus. Hence the title RIVER GOD. Presence of JHOOLEY LAAL was a catalyst that neutralized the infatuated Sindhi HINDU and subdued the romantic feelings for Muslim culture. The Hindus, at last, had some thing to concentrate on. To one and all he is also known as UDERO LAAL, AMAR LAAL and LAAL SAAEEN. A true saint whose following is gigantic having shrines all over Sindh and places of worship in Sindhi strongholds all over India.

The small Sindhi community in Mount Abu, absolutely well off in life, boasts of a JHOOLEY LAAL Temple at Shivaji Marg and CHETI CHAND is celebrated with gaiety every year with a full day activity followed by a colorful procession with song and music, carrying an effigy of the Saint that is submerged in the Nakki Lake as a tribute to RIVER GOD.

Hindu New Year- Prayer and Penance

This is the beginning of Hindu New Year with fervor and day long religious activity, lighting and fireworks by a New Year Celebration Committee in Mount Abu. The day also commemorates Vasanth/Chaitra Navratri - Spring's Nine Auspicious Nights of Prayer, Penance and Fasting dedicated to a different deity every day, by all, to appease Goddess Parvati or Gauri in the form of the Goddess Ambe Mata.

The town of Ambaji, some 45 km away from Mount Abu on the Rajasthan Gujarat border, is the seat of Ambe Maa, the Mother Goddess. Millions of devotees visit Ambaji every year especially on Poornima-Full Moon days of every month with the Bhadrapadi Poornima as the main festival that falls around September every year.

The Chaitra Navratri is celebrated in Rajasthan and Gujarat to welcome the seasonal changes and the rest of celebrations of the year and also as Gudhi Padwa in Maharashtra, Samvsar Padvo in Konkan, Ugadi in Andhra and Karnataka and the Sindhi New Year-Cheti Chand, the next day.

Gudhi Padwa is dedicated to the worship of Lord Brahma. There are interesting legends associated with the festival, the most important being that on this day the Universe was created by Lord Brahma.

Ambaji, now a religiously commercial hub, is a must visit place for all foreigners and others, visiting Mount Abu and vice versa.

Wither Indian Hockey- The Grand Plummet

The modern game of hockey grew from English Public Schools in the 19th century and the game was brought to India by British servicemen. Pioneering the Indian dribble and entering the Olympic Games in 1928 at Amsterdam, India won all the five matches it played without conceding a single goal and beat Netherlands 3-0 to win the Gold medal. The winning spree continued with dribble master Major Dhyanchand at the helm, to Olympic Golds in 1932, 1936,1948, 1952 and 1956.

While the Indian team reigned supreme Internationally, alongside hockey in Mount Abu enthralled with regular indulgence. Summer heralded the hockey season. The Polo Ground, venue of games activity every evening throbbed with friendly action packed matches and cheered at by addicted spectators. The game gathered momentum by participation of the local and upcountry teams in the Reynold's Cup and Sanghi Cup Tournaments. With local teams such as the Abu Club, Walter High School and team of artisans, Abu Green Stars and outsiders as formidable contenders, the St. Mary's High School team of teenagers spearheaded by brothers Kenny and Rodney Essai, playing with lightening speed and aided by dribble expertise of Om Prakash Sherman, a civilian teacher, retained both the trophies in Mount Abu for years.

Then alas, perhaps weighed down by the responsibility of the young republic and increased International competition, Indian hockey deteriorated within half a century and touched an all time low of 8th position in World Cup Hockey 2010 as Australia from down under emerged as the World Champion beating Germany.

Marvels in Marble

The exquisite Jain Temples,located in the village of Delwada, lend to Holy Abu an importance unprecedented in the history of a hill station and house MARVELS in MARBLE that are the finest dedication to Jainism for centuries to come. Unofficially ranked by connoisseurs as one of the Wonders of the World and second to none, these temples have a rather shabby exterior. The unimposing and concealed entrance, however, leads one into a rare world of spiritual enchantment and sculptured beauty.

The temples of white marble, are authentic specimens of Indian art and sculpture in the medieval times. Here precision and tranquility are evident as the main characteristics and more so the sculptures represent yet another significant trend. Extraordinarily rich in ornament and sculpture, the temples with rare religious affiliations reveal remarkable stylistic affinities which suggest that the artists were more concerned with the surface of marble than with the spirit behind form. For amongst the most striking features of this group of temples is the meticulous attention to details and rigidly ornate finish. Then these carvings serve a very useful purpose in the sense that they proclaim the heights which Indian workmanship could reach at a time when nothing else mattered. Thus they are lso typical of the age in which they were conceived and built.

These temples keep the modern architects wondering. It is beyond one's understandsing as to how heavy blocks of marble were brought to such a great height in the days when there were no mechanical means of transport.

The first of these temples Vimala Vasihi was built by Vimal Shah, minister to King Bhimdeo, the first Solanki ruler of Gujarat in the year 1031 A.D. This temples is dedicated to Adi Nath, the first Tirthankar-Holy Man of the Jains. The temple is oblong in shape. In the center is a huge shrine where a gigantic statue of Lord Adi Nath is installed. The approach to the shrine is through an imposing hall having twelve decoratively sculptured pillars, intricately carved arches and a dome that has a cluster of marble pendants hanging down in the center. This is easily the most beautiful section of the temple. Then all around is a a wide courtyard lined with 53 small square cells in each of which is enshrined a statue of a Tirthankar. In front of each cell is a small portico with a carved roof. All of these have elaborate reliefs, illustrating not only Jain legends but also themes from Hindu mythology. The ornamentation is a brilliant example of tileless inventiveness in the art of marble sculpture.

The second temple in order of paying homage to is the Luna Vasihi. The artistic temple was built by two famous brothers Tejpala and Vastupala, ministers to Raja Viradhavala, also a ruler of Gujarat in the year 1230 A.D..It is dedicated to Lord Nemi Nath the 22nd Tirthankar of Jains. The layout corresponds to that of the Luna Vasihi and its most striking feature is the marble pendant in the dome pf the porch. It drops from the ceiling like a cluster of half open lotus flowers whose cups are so finely wrought and carved that they appear to be almost transparent.

The third temples Pitalhar has a brass-Pital statue of Rikhab Dev weighing about 4000 kilograms and the same was installed in the year 1468 A.D. Khartar Vasihi completes the foursome and is said to be built by the artisans who worked in their leisure hours, using the left over material. The imposing three-storyed temple, with a commanding view of the surroundings is dedicated to Lord Parsava Nath the 23rd Tirthankar and is named after Khartagacha- a Swetambar Jain monk of whom the artisans were the followers.

Indian Women's Day

As a gift to the Indian women, on International Women's Day, the historic Constitution Amendment Bill, granting one third reservation to women in parliament and state legislature was passed by the Rajya Sabha after frenzied opposition and repeated disruptions by male chauvinist members. How the miscreants had been elected reeked and reflected on Indian politics and the way of life after over sixty years of freedom.

While in Mount Abu, women from all walks of life sans the down trodden, staged a play ' Hell in the Open' conceived by a local activist, perhaps in repentance as many years back he had discarded his wife. The performance, awakened convincingly but temporarily the spectators, mostly well off and modern women,while harping on female foeticide, domestic violence, dowry extortion with killings, human trafficking, child marriages,gender disparity and so on. The play ended with a vail by a visually impaired little girl, imploring her parents to allow the female fetus to survive and be born. The women of Abu said it through a play but did not pledge a rigid implementation of justifiable ideals. However, an over all redemption to women was provided by the Government of Rajasthan, by announcing free travel for them in Government Roadways Buses during the day.

The Sindhi

I have just finalized the manuscript of 'The Sindhi'. It is a memoir based on real life experiences and relates to life and upheavals faced by the Sindhi Hindu in Sindh from 7th century onwards till 1947 when entire Sindh became a part of Pakistan. The saga continues with the resettlement of the Sindhi Hindu community in India, shifting for a while to the plight of Sindhi Muslims in Pakistan.

Now begins the search for an international publisher. Wish me luck.

ICSE 2010 Exams start today

The third generation of the family,my grandson, Sahil student of class X in St Mary's High School is all set to appear for the Board exam, the first paper being English I. Its Bon Voyage to all the students attempting the crucial tryst with career. Incidentally Sahil is a mediocre and serious study has not been his cup of joy. He revels in buffoonery with a yen for computer and outdoor activities.Notwithstanding the initial drawback, he is slated to go far.

Abu is cold

For the third day in succession the temperature is-2, the redeeming feature being bright sunshine through out the day.The best part of the winter is over The schools will reopen on Feb 15, say three weeks earlier, looking to the shortage of water in the coming months, say till the monsoon starts by middle of June. Till then its sailing in shallow waters for the locals as well as the visitors.

Abu has been confirmed as a Eco Sensitive Zone and the affects of the ordinance are fearfully awaited.