Suicide Of A Worker In Allahabad: Hope It Does Not Go Unnoticed!!
Shankargarh, an area falling in Allahabad district, has gained notoriety for being in news for all the wrong reasons. This area is infamous for illegal sand mining. If that’s not enough labourers in this area keep dying due to consumption of cheap liquor. We also often hear about fatal road accidents happening in this area, which make many families lose their only bread earner. Very recently, a police officer posted in Bara Tehsil of Allahabad was murdered by dreaded criminals in this region. And now it’s in limelight again after suicide of a worker named Ramesh Tiwari previous week. He was working for Bara Power Project, managed by Prayagraj Power Generation, a subsidiary company under aegis of Jaypee Group,
The exact reason for his suicide remains unknown. It’s learnt that he was working at this power plant since last two years. For past one year, he had allegedly been irregular at work due to medical reasons. His falling physical and mental health did not permit him to gain regularity, leading to financial crisis at his home. Incidentally at the same period a group of farmers, who had previously registered their protest for land acquisition done for construction of this power plant, entered into fresh sit-in-protests at the head office of this company situated at Bara Tehsil. Among many demands the most pressing was regularization of workers who have been working at this power plant. They also demanded for hike in their salary. To avoid the confrontation between management and workers attaining a vulgar shape, a meeting was convened by the company which made workers, management and local government officials sit together to solve the impending crisis arisen out of sit-in-protest. However, the talks failed. That led to pale of gloom among the workers.
It appears that Ramesh Tiwari on hearing about failure of talks became hugely depressed and before anybody could think of making him gain normalcy, he committed suicide. The farmers who were already agitated in regard to sad developments lost their cool on hearing about death of this Ramesh Tiwari-a farmer turned worker! They took possession of the dead body, not allowing the police officials to carry out the regular process. In the form of procession, they all reached to company’s main gate and there they staged a dharna (sit-in-protest) placing the dead body there. They wanted to have dialogue with company’s officials to seek assurances about proper compensation and job guarantee to one member of the deceased family. Strangely none of the officials of this company thought about diffusing the latest crisis. The company officials did not arrive on the spot to have words with the demonstrators.
Soon huge number of police officials appeared with Sub Divisional Magistrate who first ordered mild lathicharge, followed by the order to forcibly take into possession dead body of the worker. That’s how body was sent for postmortem. It’s a tragic coincidence that few weeks ago at the same power plant a welder named Lal Bahadur Singh met with serious accident. After preliminary treatment at local hospital, he got hospitalized in Allahabad, wherein he succumbed to his injuries. That time too workers had gone berserk, forcing the management to grant compensation of Rs Ten Lakhs.
This is travesty of natural justice that farmers who were first made to give up their lands in name of land acquisition are being made to face this sort of animalistic treatment once they have decided to be part of power plant as workers. They would have never imagined about receiving this sort of discriminatory behaviour, This area is also reeling under environmental crisis after this power plant came into operation. Many serious health issues seem to have started bothering residents of this area. However, people who made many sacrifices to make this power plant a reality, have been left at the mercy of fate!! In case of Ramesh Tiwari, an official of this company, on condition of anonymity, said that this worker had already left this company few months back and thus management can do nothing about him.
This has become order of the day that MNCs and some well-known Indian companies are prone to act of omission and commission in wake of fatal accidents occurring on their premises. Their immediate effort is to sweep the incident under the carpet. At this point I come to remember tragic death of Ambika, who died on 31st October, 2010. She was a permanent employee of Nokia Telecom Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Sriperumbadur in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. She met with fatal accident after she was allegedly compelled to work at panel loading machine in the factory. Originally she was handling task assigned to a assembly line worker and she did not at all have the expertise to get involved with technical task associated with panel loading machine. Unfortunately, call her bad luck that she met with terrible accident which killed her. A joint investigation by State Labour Commissioner and Factories Inspectorate swung into action but management at that point of time decided to play safe by engaging in shrewd manipulations.
Coming back to suicide of this worker, I am not sure what’s going to be the fate of this case. However, right now the situation remains tense in Bara Tehsil of Allahabad. Shankargarh area is once again in grip of volatile developments. Let’s hope Ramesh Tiwari gets justice. Let it not be one of the cases wherein death gets unnoticed.
( With inputs from Shri Rajendra Mishra, Human Rights Activist And Senior Journalist, Kashiwarta,Varanasi )
References:
बारा पॉवर प्रोजेक्ट में कार्यरत मजदूर ने की आत्महत्या: शुरू हुआ लीपापोती का खेल!!
Suicide of a worker in Allahabad: Hope it does not go unnoticed: LinkedIn
Death Of Another Worker At Bara Power Project
Death of Ambika: Kafila Publication
Pics Credit:
Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission: Let’s Hope It Regains Its Lost Glory!
For a writer it’s a matter of great satisfaction if the issues raised by him get snowballed into crucial developments at grass-roots level. I am really happy that Allahabad High Court quashed appointment of Chairman of Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission on grounds that it was “arbitrary” and “”breach of provisions of Constitution”. I had taken note of the grievances of agitating students much before it turned into a sub judice affair. I had kept a close eye on the affairs pertaining to the world of students besides taking note of key developments taking place inside the corridors of Public Service Commission. There was a personal reason as well. My father had served this institution and therefore issues related to it meant a lot for me at emotional level. It was really upsetting for me that such an impartial constitutional body had become playground of vested interests. The key posts went to people with chequered past. But none could raise objection since it was an autonomous body enjoying immense power. Of course, everybody knew that it was being controlled by “Y Factor” ( Yadav factor )
Being resident of this city, I always met students who informed me about the malpractices going on unabated inside Commission. The whole examination process for various examination had become a farce, interviews were being conducted in most discriminatory way. That meant end of road for meritorious students wishing to be part of system as government officials. Although I do not believe in being head on with district administration, I was devoid of saner choice other than asking students to demonstrate on the streets in a ferocious way. Fortunately, the agitations took the same shape with students going berserk! Number of petitions got filed in the court regarding the misuse of power and abuse of constitutional provisions. Like always Court had the last laugh when it showed the door to Secretary and Chairman of Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission within gap of few days. The High court set side appointment of Chairman treating it to be “ultra vires” of Article 316 pertaining to the guidelines related with appointment of Chairman and other members of Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission.
I came to vigorously pursue this issue through my writings. This post “The Tragic Transformation Of Public Service Commission Into Yadav Service Commission!“ which first appeared this website on July 29, 2013, referred to dirty games and shady deals happening on the premises of Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission. I dispatched this article to offices of mainstream newspapers but none dared to show enough guts to take anti-government stance in such a brazen fashion! Luckily, this article elicited huge interest of readers on my website. Obviously, now when High Court has finally ensured that natural justice and rule of law are above dubious interests of political masters by quashing the appointment of Chairman, I feel a deep sense of satisfaction within. At least, it makes me have this realization that pen is mightier than sword! That written words never go in vain if they truly represent anguish and dissent.
I need to clarify that Allahabad High Court dealt with this issue on entirely different grounds as ones raised in my article, “The Tragic Transformation Of Public Service Commission Into Yadav Service Commission!“, published on July 29, 2013. However, in the end, it culminated into the end as desired by me.Let’s hope constitutional bodies come to serve the people instead of serving political masters!
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I am posting below my article which first appeared on this website on July 29, 2013.
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The Tragic Transformation Of Public Service Commission Into Yadav Service Commission!
Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission is a constitutional body, which has been assigned the task to make selections in various governments department at a State level. One expects it to discharge its duties in impartial and sound manner. However, of late, this prestigious constitutional body has become like a caged pigeon in the hands of its incompetent officials, who are acting at the behest of political masters. The latest reservation policy row provides insight into the mindset of officers working at this prestigious office. The implementation of caste-based quotas at the preliminary level of many important examinations, mainly to benefit certain “caste”, without worrying about the collateral damage caused by it is an ominous sign. It’s supposed to act in neutral manner so as to ensure that the selections take place in a fair way. However, the new mantra for it seems to be that “foul is fair”. The appeasement of political masters is more important than selection of meritorious candidates through right process.
This government agency some decades back enjoyed a good reputation of conducting examinations, and later, making final selections in honest way. It had such an impressive track record that many other government agencies sought its help in making proper selections in their own departments, granting it the authority to conduct examinations. However, the scenario inside the office has changed dramatically in last few years, especially in the regimes of Bahujan Samjwadi Party and Samajwadi Party- the political parties which were in control of Uttar Pradesh in last few years. Their casteist approach demolished the reputation of this prestigious body. In their regimes, the key positions went to officers who played havoc with the selection process.
The students who ensured that controversial reservation policy gets scrapped are absolutely right in demanding that a high level inquiry committee should be formed to take note of the irregularities made in selections during last few years. The students need to be appreciated for their act of seeking relevant information in this regard under Right to Information Act. At present two officers from Yadav community are holding key positions in this office. Isn’t it highly shameful that students now treat Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission as ” Yadav Selection Commission”? Most of the bright students after completing the graduation go in for examinations conducted by Public Service Commission since selections to most of the the key administrative posts are made by it. Don’t these corrupt officials realize that by making selections in such arbitrary manner they are causing irreparable damage? First, they are destroying the future of genuine applicants, and second, they are paving way for incompetent people to act as government servants in future. What sort of decisions such government officials would make who got selected through such flawed process?
The reservation was introduced by makers of the Constitution for a specific period to enable marginalized castes attain a dignified position in the society. The sentiments of people, who introduced reservation, were really aimed at the welfare of weaker sections of society. However, that’s not the case now. It’s the most effective tool to destabilize societal structure. It’s the instrument to remain in power. It’s a weapon in the hands of dirty political minds to ensure that they remain relevant in political landscape. It’s high time courts and conscious citizens teach fitting lesson to corrupt political leaders and bureaucrats, who are demolishing the image of constitutional bodies.
References:
The Tragic Transformation Of Public Service Commission Into Yadav Service Commission!
NDTV
Firstpost
Images Credit:
पिता को समर्पित दिवस पर अपने ह्रदय की कठोर बात!!

अपने पिताजी के साथ कालेज के दिनों की तस्वीर: मेरे पिता मेरे लिए पहले भी आदर्श थे और भविष्य में भी रहेंगे मतभिन्नता के बावजूद!
पिता को समर्पित दिवस, जिसे आज २१ जून को पूरे विश्व में मनाया गया, पर अपने ह्रदय की कठोर बात!! अपना इलाहाबाद शहर विचित्र है. हम कहते कुछ और है लेकिन हमारे मित्र तक वही बात पहुचकर वो बात हो जाती है जो हमने या तो कही नहीं होती या फिर वो चीज़ हमारे साथ होती ही नहीं वैसा ही उस बात का स्वरूप हो जाता है. आश्चर्य तो इस बात का है कि मित्र सक्षम है दूध का दूध और पानी का पानी करने में लेकिन वे भी जो बात का आशय नहीं होता या फिर जो वस्तुस्थिति नहीं होती उसी की चर्चा करते है. अपने पिता से मेरे सिर्फ वैचारिक मतभेद है और होना भी चाहिए लेकिन इसका स्वरूप विकृत नहीं है जैसा मेरा कुछ मित्रो ने दुष्प्रचार शहर में कर रखा है.
नजदीक के मित्रो से अपेक्षा ये होती है कि वो जो सच है उसी का पक्ष रखे ना कि मिथ्या या भ्रामक बातो को फैलाए. मुझे मित्रो से कठोरता से बात करने में कोई दिलचस्पी नहीं लेकिन अगर वे इस तरह का भ्रम मेरे बारे में फैलायेंगे तो उनसे दूरी बनाने में मुझे कोई झिझक नहीं होगी. मेरे पिता मेरे लिए पहले भी आदर्श थे और भविष्य में भी रहेंगे मतभिन्नता के बावजूद. ये शायद मेरे सक्षम मित्र हज़म नहीं करना चाहते, समझना नहीं चाहते, महसूस नहीं करना चाहते. ऐसे मित्र फिर ना तो मुझे जानते है और ना ही मेरे जीवन के किसी पक्ष से उनका कोई सही लगाव है. शायद इसीलिए वे मेरे और मेरे पिताजी के संबंधो का सतही आकलन करने भर में ही ज्यादा दिलचस्पी रखते है. खैर ऐसे लोग ना मुझे ही जानते है और ना मेरे पिताजी को!! एक पीढ़ी और उसके बाद की जो पीढ़ी होती है उसमे वैल्यूज को लेकर उठा पटक तो रहती है और ये रहनी भी चाहिए विकास की धारा को नए आयाम देने के लिए. बस कुछ इसी तरह की बात है अपने और अपने पिताजी के बीच. लेकिन ये कभी भी विकृति के स्तर पर नहीं पंहुचा और उस स्तर पर पंहुचेगा भी नहीं. हा जो लोग सिर्फ और सिर्फ नकारात्मक ख्यालात के चलते इस तरह की कल्पना के लिए विवश है वे सोचने के लिए स्वंतंत्र है लेकिन ऐसे लोगो का उस हकीकत से फासला हमेशा बना रहेगा जो मेरी तरफ है.
चलते चलते इससे इतर बात कहेंगे. आज हम ये देखते है, खासकर कोर्ट केसेज में, कि बच्चो के अधिकार को लेकर पति पत्नी आपस में लम्बी कानूनी लड़ाई लड़ते है जो शायद ना उनके रिश्ते के लिए ठीक होता है और ना बच्चे के भविष्य के लिए. बच्चे के बेहतर भविष्य के लिए आवश्यक है कि बच्चे को माता-पिता का साथ बराबर अनुपात में मिले. ये भी एक खतरनाक ट्रेंड के रूप में उभरा है कि माता पिता अपनी अपनी काबिलियत को प्रमाणित करने के लिए अपने अपने कार्य क्षेत्र में इतने व्यस्त है कि बच्चे की परवरिश अपूर्ण तरीके से हो रही है. इस लाइफस्टाइल से क्या हासिल हो रहा है ये अभिभावकों को गंभीरता से समझना होगा. शायद इसी वजह से समाज का बिखराव कुछ निश्चित सा हो चला है.
An Evening With Friends At Historic Coffee House in Allahabad (Photo Feature)
“The love of family and the admiration of friends is much more important than wealth and privilege.” (Charles Kuralt) That’s one of the reasons why I always look for moments when I can be in company of my old friends. Their company helps me to assess my one’s own growth in better light. It’s interesting that one always looks for substantial cause to enter into celebrations. That’s something which makes me uncomfortable since I love to celebrate even if there is no such weighty reason around! This time I managed to persuade all my old friends to be at historic coffee house, Allahabad, all in the name of celebrating grant of fellowship by Aavartan Research Institute, Gorakhpur. That was enough to tame the curious minds of some of my friends too anxious to know the exact reason! The real reason, however, was to spend some fun-filled moments with them. Life has become so hectic that it does not allow two individuals, however close they may be as friends, to sit together and get lost in old memories. That was the ultimate purport of organizing this get together with some chosen friends!
Why Coffee House? Allahabad has recently developed a lot having so many bright and glamorous food outlets but I selected Coffee House simply because being there means becoming part of its glorious history! This place is always occupied by legal hawks, writers and journalists during noon hours and by evening well-known oldies occupy the seats for long hours. This place in the past since early 50s witnessed development in lives of well-known geniuses belonging to Allahabad. Eminent literary figures like Firaq Gorakhpuri and Harivansh Rai Bachchan were frequent visitors to this place. Apart from them, the place has also witnessed rise of new creative wonders! The vibrations there ensure that there is no dearth of good souls in future!
I must thank to my friends from core of my heart that despite being trapped in busy schedules they managed to be part of this informal event at right time! It’s habit of the guests to worry the organizers with a deliberate delay! Mercifully, that’s not the case with events organized by me. I am spared this harassment for which I am really grateful to my friends. I must mention this fact that most of the friends who were part of this event have been my old friends and it makes me really happy when I state that they have all emerged as achievers! It was a moment of satisfaction for me to find them hale and hearty!
Obviously, the event was not solely attributed to dine together! We had some thought-provoking discussions. My friend Sheel, pursuing research in philosophy, rightly suggested that philosophy should also be taught at school level since that goes well with cultural legacy of this nation. Rajesh Kumar Pandey, legal correspondent associated with The Times Of India, lamented that Philosophy, of late, has become popular only because it helps students get good marks in competitive exams! It’s really hurting that a nation which is mired in philosophies of highest types has no mention about it at school level! My friend Ashish Nigam, on the other hand, asked me as to what was the method involved in my fellowship. I promptly informed him that besides books I was involved in interviewing concerned individuals. He also came to throw light on the glorious past of Coffee House, mentioning that visitors at this place love to sit here for long hours! It would not be out of tune to inform that most of the friends who gathered here were advocates associated with Allahabad High Court, who were also once upon a time had been my batch-mates!
There were some hilarious moments too when my childhood friend Pintu, lawyer at district court, got engaged in circulating images which showed us together as students in nursery days! Sangarsha Srivastava, who in past was a ferocious Communist leader and now an advocate, made everybody laugh by exhibiting that Coffee tastes less sweeter if you add more sugar in it! The only thing you should ensure is that stir it not well enough with a spoon and then drink it fast! Advocate Susheel Kumar Tiwary, Advocate Shashikant Kushwaha, Advocate Satyahdhar Dubey, Advocate Vinay Vishwakarma and Advocate Neeraj Shukla, who happens to be my brother-in-law, spent some qualitative time with me rising above constraints of time and without worrying about the fact that they have to return back home traveling long distance in night hours only to face ire of their anxious wives! It was heart-warming to hear Satyadhar ji asking me to make visit to this place till fag end of my life this way just like the oldies engaged in deep and interesting conversations sitting beside our gathering!
In the end I need to make special reference to contribution made on part of Arvind Kushwaha, advocate/computer programmer, and Arun Prakash Srivastava, District librarian. Arvind ensured that moments get captured in his camera while Arun ji ensured that all goes well in terms of management. Happily, the event ended on a high note with so many good feelings. That’s not possible without grace of Lord and, therefore, let’s thank the Almighty too for successful culmination of this event! “Take no pride in your possession, in the people (at your command), in the youthfulness (that you have). Time loots away all these in a moment. Leaving aside all these, after knowing their illusory nature, realise the state of Brahman, and enter into it. (Sri Adi Shankara in Bhaja Govindam; Verse 11)

It’s a herculean task to ask friends to be present at one place on a working day! And they all appeared at appointed time!

The ambiance inside Coffee House permits deep and meaningful talks! You can see few people engaged in deep talks 😛 😛 😛

This time I did not say anything and simply enjoyed the whole affair. My friend Sangharsha did say few words in hilarious style 😛 😛 😛

Some of us decided to sit again and taste Coffee for one more time 😛 It’s called partying after party gets over 😛 😛 😛

The Party Ended On A Blissful Note! I Am Really Thankful To Lord For Sucessful Culmination Of This Event! Hope All My Friends Remain Hale And Hearty In Post-Party Life 🙂 Let me mention names of people who gathered: (From Extreme Left) Rajesh Kumar Pandey, Sangharsha Srivastava, Pintu Jaiswal, Sheel Kamal, Swajit Gupta, Arun Prakash Srivastava, Pankaj, Shashikant Kushwaha, Neeraj Shukla 🙂 The Author Stands In The Middle 😛 😛 😛 Those who are not in the frame Arvind Kuswaha, Satyadhar Dubey and Vinay Vishwakarma.
A Brief Meeting With Dr. Genady Shlomper- Hindi Instructor In Israel!

In company of an academician: Met Dr. Genady Shlomper who happens to be a Hindi Instructor at Tel Aviv University in Israel!
Dr. Genady Shlomper came to Allahabad both as a tourist and as a person with purpose! He was here to attend a function organized to mark Hindi Divas on September 14. I could not be part of this function since I had to attend another event organized in a different city. As a result of that I could not meet the professor at this event, but next day I got an opportunity to meet him. It was a hurried affair since he was about to leave for Ayodhya. Anyway, it did not deter me from asking some interesting questions. Interestingly, it was a memorable experience to seek an appointment with a foreigner in my own language. The few minutes of talk over telephone in Hindi to fix time for the meeting was an unique experience.
This time too when I met someone from foreign land I noticed remarkable simplicity. Right in the beginning he confessed that he is no big guy! True, he might not be a celebrity but you need not to be a celebrity to enjoy a dignified stature! Speaking about his love for Hindi he stated that there was no emotional reason to learn Hindi. He embraced this language because he found it to be useful in scheme of things about to unfold in future. The market is growing and more and more job opportunities get concentrated in Asian countries. Therefore, it’s always going to be beneficial to learn Asian language instead of learning European language! It appears “Capitalism” has proved to be lifeline for Asian languages languishing under weight of English!
Speaking about the influence of Hindi in Israel he said that it’s not very commonplace to notice Hindi speaking person there. However, in modern times there is always a greater space for assimilation of newer ideas from other nations and people in Israel are not hesitant to fall in love with Hindi! On a different note, speaking about the specialties of Allahabad, he said that he found nothing fascinating about it! The only striking thing about this city was confluence of three rivers at Sangam area! Hearing this I was but compelled to ponder about one of the ills of globalization: That it’s fast making cities across the globe to lose their uniqueness! All cities are simply becoming clone of each other!
This brief meeting ended in few minutes but it gave rise to so many ideas as food for thought. That’s the plus point of being in company of academicians!
P.S. :- Dr. Genady Shlomper is a Hindi Instructor at Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Allahabad: A City Wherein Global Salutes The Local (Photo Feature Part 3)
I have no hesitation in admitting that Allahabad (ancient name Prayag) redefined my beingness.It made me down-to earth, allowing me to view life in its true shades. Although I tried my best to capture all the shades of Allahabad, I am sure I would have missed some beautiful locations. I hope future writers would explore these untouched places in a colourful way. However, in the last part of the photo feature, I have shifted my attention from modern landscape of Allahabad to areas which still remind of the ancient times. Infrastructural bottlenecks prevented me from using state-of-the-art technology in capturing the images and that made me bit depressed. However, now in the aftermath of the publication of photo features, I feel pretty satisfied that I still came to do some good work. These photo features are a tribute to great city Allahabad- my birthplace. A city that taught me how to emerge successful in rising above contradictions to have glimpse of the Absolute!

Such roads making their way through dusty colonies of Allahabad remind me of Varanasi! This road connects Anand Bhawan area with Katra. Katra is very poular among middle class section of Allahabad. It’s also most favourite destination of students; after all, it lies close to Allahabad University 🙂

It was cold and foggy when I came to visit Katra but observe the rush at this place. On ordinary days, this popular crossing at Katra is so full of people that traffic policemen are reduced to caricature of sorts while managing them!

One of the eminent hostels associated with Allahabad University. It’s named after Sir Sunder Lal, who in 1906 became the the first Indian Vice Chancellor of Allahabad University! He was by profession an advocate, who later also served as High Court Judge.

Right in front of one of the gates of Allahabad University-Oxford of the East !

One of the things which separates Allahabad University from Benaras Hindu University, Varanasi, is the quality of roads spread in University area 😛 😛 .. The streets adjacent to Benaras Hindu University are so much in love with potholes that while walking you have to look downwards all the time with fear ha..ha ..ha ..That’s not the case in Allahabad 😛 😛 😛

Once upon a time I always ventured on these beautiful roads situated on the Allahabad University’s Campus 🙂

In my days it was not a Central University. Today, it has attained the status of being a Central University!

Road adjacent to Allahabad University…When you move ahead on this road arrives Prayag Railway Station!

Notice the activities on main University Road. Streets remain the same but faces of students get changed!

The most prominent Sports Complex in Allahabad! It’s named after movie superstar Amitabh Bachchan, who hails from this city 🙂

CMP Degree College in Allahabad- a constituent college of Allahabad University. It has produced great students in past. And so it really saddens me when I hear about stories of violence, disruption of studies on its campus. I had been student of this college and we remember that in our batch most of the students came to score more than students of Allahabad University in prominent subjects like Philosophy, English Literature, Physics and etc. !

And under this great tree Philosophy and English Literature students often had great discussions. Long Live This Cute Tree 😛 😛 😛

At this place it was so hard to control the tears..At this place I found some great teachers like Anand Srivastava Sir (Philosophy), K K Ghatak Sir (English Literature), K C Srivastava (Ancient History) and many others who imparted so many values to young and fresh minds like us! In fact, they were generous enough to give additional lectures in staff room during lunch hours!

I hope new students who become part of this great college would keep its standards high. I am happy to notice that most of my friends from this college of that batch, from both Arts and Science Wings, have done exceptionally well in their post college lives! And I should not hesitate to state that I also fell in love with someone at this place 🙂

This cute Krishna Temple in Meerapur area makes me smile. That’s because this area has prominent Shakti Peeths of Allahabad: Lalita Devi Temple And Kalyani Devi Temple!

Goddess Lalita Devi Temple In Meerapur Area! It’s one of the Shakti Pithas in Allahabad!

Actvities like Ved Paatha always takes place inside Lalita Devi Temple 🙂 Sadly, I could not get a better image 😦

Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Allahabad. It was established by by Swami Vijnanananda in year 1908! He was a monastic disciple of Sri Ramakrishna!

Meditation room inside this Mission having images of Sri Ramakrishna, Ma Sarada Deviji, Swami Vijnanananda ji and Swami Vivekananda ji!

Swami Nikhilatamanandaji, current head of this center in Allahabad, giving lecture on relevance of Swami Vivekananda’s views in modern times!|

Khusro Bagh in Allahabad…A place that gives glimpse of Mughal architecture. It has “tombs of Khusrau Mirza (died 1622), eldest son of emperor Jahangir, Shah Begum, Khusrau’s mother (died 1604), a Rajput princess and Jahangir’s first wife, and that of Princess Sultan Nithar Begam.” (Text borrowed from Wiki)

This place cultivates best varieties of Guava. This park is about to get the status of National Eco-Knowledge Park!

As informed earlier such parks in Allahabad are often occupied by students preparing for competitive exams…See how they are engaged in studies 🙂

Very old Banayan Trees inside Khusro Bagh…If you sit under them you are bound to engage in deep meditation 😛

Very Beautiful Scene Inside Khusro Bagh…Leaves Everywhere…A Very Striking Image Both Philosophically And Aesthetically 🙂

A flower fallen on ground yet it has such a bright smile 😛 ..We should be like this flower: Broken and dejected yet always smiling 🙂 🙂 🙂 Anyway, it’s called flower of Semal Tree (Bombax cieba)

That’s commonly called Cotton Tree (Bombax ceiba). In India it’s called Semal and we often notice this tree along the road in Allahabad!

May Lord always give such unfortunate souls enough to eat! I wonder why state-governments do nothing for these abandoned souls? It’s really a sad scene!

And these are fortunate souls, who came to take a dip at Sangam during Kumbh Mela..Now they are happily returning back to their respective places! They come from distant lands, facing all sorts of hardships!

Unlike women from cities, these rural woman are quite tough both physically and mentally! The city women are usually bit lazy types 😛 😛 😛

Varanasi sees foreign visitors throughout the year but in Allahabad foreign visitors come only during special occasions like Kumbh Mela, International Conferences and etc. Here they are seen waiting for train at Allahabad Junction!

This pic is especially for the likes of Sucheta ji and Carmenji living in foreign lands 🙂 I hope Suchetaji, living in USA, comes to notice at least one cute activity taking place on Indian roof 😛 😛 Kids from my family having a great time on the rooftop 🙂

Kids engaged in serious discussion right in the middle of the street! Kids have become so serious nowadays 😛 😛

A Railway Over-bridge close to my locality!! And notice one guy walking in the middle of the railway tracks! That’s why tragedies take place!

Activities Near Baluva Ghat. Well, ghat in India signifies that we are close to the bank of a river!

Ma Yamuna ji ..She is very dear to Lord Krishna 🙂 And I am really disappointed to see so much garbage on its banks..Let’s not forget that it’s a very busy place owing to religious ceremonies taking place throughout the year.

India is land of great rivers and great mountains. It’s our duty to keep them clean. Why are we so casual in keeping them in good shape? Hope Sri Yamunaji remains evergreen in this nation. Just see what we have done to her in Delhi area! Let’s not the same happens to her in Allahabad. Jai Sri Yamunaji..Pranama to Everybody: Sri Radha Krishna, Gopas, Gopikas And Cows 😛 😛 😛
P.S. :- The copyright of these images rests with the author of this post. Anybody making use of them without prior permission of the author, or without giving due credit to the author, could be penalized as per legal norms.
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Reference:
Allahabad: A City Wedded To Realism (Photo Feature Part One)
Allahabad: City Of True Beauty, Real Romance And Mysticism (Photo Feature Part 2)
Allahabad: City Of True Beauty, Real Romance And Mysticism (Photo Feature Part 2)
Many find Allahabad a very tough place to live an honourable life. That’s because even though it came to enjoy a wonderful divine legacy, it never ensured a desired vibrancy for average souls. It never created any scope for living a truly fun-filled life, being all the time involved in dry intellectual activities. Lack of proper encouragement on the part of city towards its vast pool of talented brains have now given way to brain drain sort of affair. Many great souls remained an unsung hero in this city. However, what’s amazing is that it keeps on producing great souls at a regular interval! In nutshell, it’s a city of true beauty, real romance and mysticism. The city teaches you how to remain true to life in a real way, making it very clear to any conscious soul that life is not a bed of roses and it is meant to discover new mysteries of nature. Naturally, average souls running after money, fame, beautiful girl, big house, big car and many other cosmetic affairs would always feel disappointed to be part of this city. Having said that, I hope this city learns to truly honour its exceptional souls and also learns to be bit more blissful!

That’s one of the major Lord Hanuman Ji’s temples situated in the heart of the city.. Anyway, it’s so ironic to see love birds engaged in romantic talks at this place 😛

Hard to forget this guy…During university days, I came to buy so many great classics, costly magazines at very reasonable rates..And this person made way for all sorts of desired adjustment. He proudly told me that someone from Times of India also came to click image of his magazine corner…This shop is hot favourite among students! Although Internet has affected the sales, it was good to anticipate the great spirit of his father, also seen in the pic, who digested the change in philosophical way. Now that’s called wisdom!

When I say it’s a romantic place I really mean it too..Just close to this tea shop in Civil Lines area we have many beautiful plant nurseries.. So the air is full of fragrance 😛

Allahabad’s museum inside Chandra Shekhar Azad Park (Alfred Park or Company Garden). This museum displays the vehicle which carried the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi for immersion at Sangam and many other articles of great historical significance!

This park established in the memory of great revolutionary Chandra Shekhar Azad is now favourite place for morning walkers living in the heart of city.. In the noon time, one notices new- age romance 😛 Anyway, it’s a great place for an outsider wishing some isolated hours!

Company Garden has the honour of having this wonderful Government Public Library. This majestic building built in Gothic style was designed by R. Roskell Bayne. This building is of immense significance since here only Legislative Council for the North Western Province and Oudh held its first meeting on January 8, 1887. Let’s not forget that Allahabad was capital city of United Provinces from 1902 to 1920! Anyway, I am happy that in my college days I was the most frequent visitor! Even now also I can be seen here 😛

It’s not that one notices only romance in parks..In Allahabad most of such parks are occupied by serious students preparing for competitive examinations!

And those students who are not studying inside Company Park are seen ferociously involved in Cricket match 😛 ..This is the biggest park of Allahabad.

That’s the road which connects Company Garden with Civil Lines-the heart of city dominated by glamour and modernity!

Statue of Subhas Chandra Bose Amidst Mall Culture 😛

Laxmi Book House is first choice of any journalist! By the way, how many times do you notice cinema hall and prominent magazine/newspaper corner close to each other 😛 😛 😛

Palace Theater enjoys a great place in the memories of all good cinema lovers. It’s one of the oldest theaters in the city. However, its old charm has given way to this new modern appearance ! My choice also witnessed drastic changes from “Thodi Se Bewafai” (1980) to ” Ship of Thesus” (2012) at this Palace Theater 😛 😛 😛

However, this historic cinema hall in old Allahbad, Niranjan, failed to start again. This hall needs to be renovated at the earliest. Two prominent movies which I came to see here when they got released were Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi(1982) and Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park (1993).

Indian Coffee House enjoys a special place in hearts of all literary class. It has witnessed many great literary and political figures carving a niche for themselves at global level since late 50s!

Public Service Commission – an office where my father worked as an officer. And we lived in the residence situated on the huge campus of this office. Later, we shifted to Lucknow branch of the same office! Allahabad is city devoted to prominent government offices in Uttar Pradesh. Civil Lines area is mainly occupied by such government institutions.

Nearly all newspapers have their offices in Civil Lines area. However, Northern India Patrika’s office holds a special place in my heart. This is one of the oldest newspapers in India which started in year 1868. It was then named Amrita Bazar Patrika. Today, all good news editors and journalists are by-products of this newspaper. Today it’s financially not that successful but editors like V.S. Datta have kept its standards high. V.S Datta, senior-most journalist from Allahabad, is its editor since early 60s. And when my first article appeared in print in this newspaper in year 1995 he was the one responsible for its publication. I owe a lot to him for all my accomplishments as a writer/journalist. May Lord give him long life and good health!

Lawyer’s Hanuman Temple 😛 😛 😛 It’s situated close to Allahabad High Court. Most of the lawyers first have Hanumanji’s blessing and then proceed towards their respective chambers 😛 😛 😛 …

These areas are so over-crowded that one thinks twice before paying a visit ! This place is called Kotha Parcha. Courtesy Telephone Department that I have to come here quiet often to buy phone related instruments 😦

Pathar Chatti Ramleela Committee’s Venue which hosts many programmes related with cause of Hindus! It’s situated in Ram Bagh area of Allahabad.

This Hanumanji’s temple in Rambagh is also quite well-known temple in Allahabad 🙂 Hanumanji rocks in Allahabad 😛

Theosophical Society in Allahabad. ” Blavatsky portrayed the Theosophical Society as being part of one of many attempts throughout the millennia by this hidden Hierarchy to guide humanity – in concert with the overall Intelligent Cosmic Evolutionary scheme – towards its ultimate, immutable evolutionary objective: the attainment of perfection and the conscious, willing participation in the evolutionary process.”

This place bears testimony to meeting of Rishi Bharadwaja with Lord Rama…However, this park is nowadays chosen spot of lovers 😛 ..Anyway, meeting of Sri Rama, Sri Vishnu’s incarnation, with Rishi Bharadwaja would always remain one of the most significant moments in the history of Prayag!

Sometimes some places in Allahabad give you the feeling that you are moving in Kashi 🙂

That’s the ancestral home of India’s first prime minister Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru which Indians know as Anand Bhawan. It played a significant role in Indian freedom movement. That’s why visitors never miss this place 🙂

Hope new generation gets right message from being at such places. This place also has a famous planetarium.

Places like Anand Bhawan are not picnic spots but these places are now best remembered for spending few hours in fun-filled way..Anyway, historical legacy has ensured survival of these small shopkeepers selling eatables!
P.S. :- The copyright of these images rests with the author of this post. Anybody making use of them without prior permission of the author, or without giving due credit to the author, could be penalized as per legal norms.
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Reference:
Allahabad: A City Wedded To Realism (Photo Feature Part One) Allahabad: A City Wherein Global Salutes The Local (Photo Feature Part 3)
Allahabad: A City Wedded To Realism (Photo Feature Part One)
Allahabad enjoys a glorious legacy. It’s a city that has been dominated by best minds since time immemorial. Its ancient name Prayag is associated with Rishis (saints) and Devas (demigods) eager to have an opportunity to live in this city. Sri Rama, incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and, Sri Shankaracharya, incarnation of Lord Shiva, both came to interact with this city in their own ways. Needless to state about Kumbh Mela, which provides it a global appeal. And who can forget its role in Independence movement? And in post- Independence era, it still continues to dominate the course of this great nation by giving birth to remarkable thought patterns. Leading politicians, top bureaucrats, great literary figures and etc. all belong to this city. This city wedded to realism is very very slow in embracing ultra-modern changes, but now it has started accepting bizarre changes all in the name of being in tune with time!

This city has imbibed secular spirit so well without any adherence to so-called secularism demonstrated by modern India’s so-called secular leaders. It’s beautiful Central Methodist church located in Civil Lines.

Another beautiful church located in Allahabad called “All Saints Cathedral” (Patthar Girja)! Designed by William Emerson this church depicts Gothic style.

A Busy street in Chowk Area. It’s always a great rush here!

Don’t be confused! It’s not a gali of Benaras. It’s Allahabad’s Loknath Ki Gali 🙂 Here too, like Varanasi’s gali, you would find Lord Shiva, Bull, Bhaang, Mithai, Chaat and sea of people 😛 😛 😛

This is Baldau’s famous newspaper corner at very busy crossing of Johnstonganj 🙂 These two brothers started this shop in late 90s and even in era of Internet they have done well to retain the flow of customers!

It’s the place which defines the existence of Prayag..It’s the place which bears testimony to one of the largest gatherings on planet earth called as Kumbh Mela..This is Sangam area, which is confluence of three rivers, namely, Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati!

Usually one finds Pandas beneath such constructions-the people who perform religious rituals on banks of rivers…However, at this time, we are noticing only the devotees 😛

Glimpse of devotees at this place. They come from various parts of India with a hope to have their wishes fulfilled. But not without taking a dip in the icy waters 😛 😛 😛

This Is Allahabad’s Fort built by great ruler King Ashoka! Now it’s under the control of Indian Army!

This is famous Akshayavat Temple situated inside Allahabad Fort. This temple has so many great stories associated with it from being the only place to survive during great annihilation of universe by the Lord to a place associated with visit of Lord Rama, Sri Sita Maiyya and Sri Lakshmana!

This is Bade Hanuman Ji’s Temple located in Sangam Area. It’s an extremely popular temple among the devotees! Notice the huge number of devotees at this place! Interestingly, every year Sri Hanumanji, who is in lying position in this temple, is made to have total bath by Ganges at least once 🙂

Modern upper class women might not be interested in buying any item from these shops but women from rural belts spend a long time on these shops to have their beauty enhanced 😛

This is a temple dedicated to Sri Adi Shankaracharya ji. Sri Adi Shankara ji was India’s greatest philosopher who added new dimensions in Advaita Darshana. This temple is managed by Shri Kanchi Kamkoti Peeth.

Various episodes from the life of Sri Adi Shankara have been shown via images carved on the walls of the temple. In this one, we find him having a dialogue with another great philosopher of his times Sri Kumarila Bhatta 🙂

Now who can forget Sri Adi Shankara’s debate with Sri Mandana Misra– a great Hindu philosopher ? 🙂 🙂 🙂

Just close to this temple one would find this beautiful shop selling decorative items made of brass and other metals!

Close to the Sangam area lies Allahbad’s Daraganj area. Allahbadis best remember it for Niralaji’s presence, who happened to be doyen of Hindi literature. Notice his statue behind the vegetable shop!

Daraganj area has many well-known temples. One of them is associated with Goddess Shakti: Alopi Devi’s Temple. During Navratris there is huge flow of devotees 🙂

Now how can Lord Krishna remain far behind 😛 😛 This temple known as Rupa Gaudiya Math is part of Vaishnava cult. It’s learnt that Srila Prabhupadaji took initiation here from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati ji Maharaja! Jai Sri Krishna 😛 😛

And I also came to notice this Sanskrit College associated with Sampoornananda University, Varanasi, in Daraganj area 🙂

Have you tasted Dehati Rasgulla 😛 If not, then it’s time for you to taste them :P. My favourite shop lies in Bairahana area..During my college days, this was my favourite place for Rasgullas 😛 …And notice the huge crowd 😛

They taste really good :P…Just have them before I come back with Part 2 of photo feature associated with Allahabad 😛 😛
P.S. :- The copyright of these images rests with the author of this post. Anybody making use of them without prior permission of the author, or without giving due credit to the author, could be penalized as per legal norms.
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References:
Allahabad: City Of True Beauty, Real Romance And Mysticism (Photo Feature Part 2)
Allahabad: A City Wherein Global Salutes The Local (Photo Feature Part 3)
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