Delhi’s like an old school reunion. Faces I’ve encountered throughout India keep on popping up all over the place. Oh, Hi Danish couple from Calcutta. And my god, that’s the Belgians from Kerela. And that’s the Swiss couple I met in Aurangabad, isn’t it? In retrospect it’s not such a coincidence, because all roads lead to Delhi. It’s the hub of the north through which it’s necessary to reach all other destinations.

Other than the pleasure of meeting old friends, Delhi doesn’t hold many pleasures. Yes, it’s modern, and yes it’s got facilities that can’t be found anywhere else in the country, but that’s about the limit of its attractions. It’s a fairly common reaction among travellers, although this may be explained in part by the fact that for many it’s their first port of call, with all the culture shock that this entails. The old part of the city’s flooded and the new part’s heavily polluted, to the degree that it’s difficult to breathe at times. Janpath’s pleasant, the seat of government, all wide streets, grass and trees, the inhabitants resolutely upper class, apart from the rank-and-file workers who still effect a degree of prosperity that’s uncommon. Shops come provided with armed guards who sit by the doorways with an air of complete boredom, while the streets are populated with sellers of every type of goods imaginable, all primed to catch passing tourists.

Still, there’s good places to eat, to break up the monotony of the endless plates of dahl. In Nirulas there’s an all-you-can-eat salad buffet which is the cause of gluttony and purgatory both. Number one -rule in India – never eat any salads. The shits inevitably follow. It’s there I meet a girl from Edinburgh. She’s reached the end of her travels, spending the last few days buying presents before she returns home to start work as a barrister. She’s reading through mail that’s been sent to her, among which is the front page of The Sun newspaper which features a rather blurred photograph featuring one of her friends who has apparently been having an affair with an MP. This is the first clue that she’s well connected. The second comes when she reveals her astonishment that Tony Blair is now the labour leader. “He was in my class at school,” she reveals. “He’s a bit of Tory,” adding, after a pause, “But I liked him though.”.

When you see an ad for a cheap flight to Delhi, you should take advantage of the savings to have a wonderful holiday. Delhi is the capital of India and as such is one of the most wondrous cities of the world. Not only is the city a beehive of activity, but also a cheap flight to Delhi will place you in a location from which you can easily travel to other parts of the country, such as the Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and locations in North Central India.

Even though you might want to take advantage of a cheap flight to India, you really should spend some time in the city exploring the many impressive attractions. Explore ancient fortresses and majestic ruins where you can discover the history of this exciting and exotic India country. Here you will find a blend of the past and the present. Many dynasties have ruled this country through its lengthy and sometimes stormy history. The city of Delhi was destroyed on seven different occasions and has been rebuilt better each time. The many monuments throughout the city detail the pain and sorrow suffered by the people and stand as a testament to the past.

Forts and Monuments

A cheap flight to Delhi offers the opportunity to visit the forts and monuments of the city. There are so many sights to see in this great city that it is only possible to list a few of them.

Visit what some believe to be the predecessor of the Taj Mahal at Humayun’s Tomb. This monument, built of red sandstone by Haji Begum, the wife of Humayun, dates back to the mid 1500’s. It is one of the best examples of Mughal architecture in all of India. On the way to this tomb, you can also visit a mosque, called the Nizam-Ud-Din Shrine. Inside you will see a tank surrounded by tombs, but most importantly, it is the location of the famous Sufi saint for which the shrine is named.

Even if you don’t plan a layover as part of the itinerary of your cheap flight to Delhi, but have a few hours to wait, you will be able to visit the Safdarjung Tomb, as it is located quite close to the airport. This monument tells the story of a dying empire as the Nawab of Avadh built it for his father. It dates back to the mid-1700’s and lies in the middle of a garden spanning more than 300 square meters.

A must see when you do get a chance to fly to Delhi on a cheap flight is the Red Fort. This impressive fort has a perimeter of more than 3km, and the height of the wall ranges from 18 to 30 meters in places. During the evenings, you can enjoy a light and sound show that will give you a eyefull into the history of Delhi and the part the fort played in that history. The Lahore Gate is the site from which the prime Minister addresses the people on August 15 of each year. Just inside the gate there is a indian market called bazaar, where there is a shopping plaza with many types of items for sale.

The Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in India and dates back to its completion in 1658. This mosque has four towers and two minarets that are 40 meters high. From the top of these minarets, you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the entire city of Delhi.

Visit the Rose Garden located in the Chanakya Puri section of the city. Here you will see many rare rose varieties. However, the best time to see the roses in bloom is during the months of December and January. If you are a lover of flowers and want to visit the many botanical gardens of Delhi, you should look for cheap flights for this time of the year.

Getting Around Delhi

Although you might save a lot of money with a cheap flight to Delhi, if you are not used to this city, you shouldn’t try to save money by renting a car. Take advantage of the many ways to travel in Delhi worry free. There are rickshaws or taxis available at the Delhi airport that will take you to your hotel. As soon as you clear customs, there will be many porters offering to carry your bags for you. You can arrange with the hotel where you make reservations to have someone meet you at the airport. If this is so, that person will have a sign bearing your name so that you can identify him. Check at the counter to arrange a taxi, as most of them have established rates from the airport into the city.

When traveling about the city, the hotel can arrange a taxi for you. Delhi is also a city of the rickshaw – a three-wheeled vehicle that is usually about half the price you would pay for a taxi. There is also a bus service that runs from the airport to the center of the city.

Enjoy your visit to Delhi, but remember that this is a big city where you do have to be careful of your belongings.

2 lakh people turned out across India to take the CAT this weekend. Were you one of them? We’re dying to hear how the Delhi area testing facilities were. Did you take the CAT? Did you do well? Let us know about your experience

It is human nature to use. Not something I have a problem with. Not that I like being used, but I guess it is something you have to get used to it. The funny thing, for me anyway, is the ease with which I find myself in the same situation over and over again. Complete opposite of learning from experience. The most-recent usee was a pretty woman with glaring eyes and a perky bum. Alright so it was a completely professional use-n-throw but still. Pisses me off!

Went to another place recommended by the EoID people, more specifically Kakke de hatti. Superb and they are not exagerrating about the size of the naans. Whenever I am feeling particularly lost, I go to Old Delhi. Wander along the streets and get lost for a while. There is something about that place which gives me peace. On a Sunday, it is quite empty though. Kids playing cricket in the parks and men playing cards in their shops. The great thing about this city is that there are ancient things all over the place. Luv it.

Also went out for a “shake the booty” night after ages. Suitably sloshed and then doing the stupid dance movies in a nice little place in Green Park. Kinda expensive and the dance “floor” is not really that big but who cares na? Bumped into a slightly sozzled Jat gentleman who insisted on telling me how cool life is and what are the pressures faced by the youth of this nation. Nice chap though the DJ did not think so. On the drive back home, stopped near “medikaal” for a late night chai. Watched the cars whizz by on the big, empty roads.

There is this add for HIV control in the metro. No issues with the intention but they have used a parrot as a mascot. I kid you not. A fukin parrot. Warning you to use condoms or whatever. A green, frikkin parrot!

Speaking of which, post the heavenly lunch and desert (gajar ka halwa driPPIng in ghee) took a bus back home. You know how all these airlines compete with each other regarding which one of them has the best “in flight experience”? Well none of them come close to a DTC bus. Especially the new, green ones with the pneumatic doors.

For the entire thirty minute ride, the following would happen with distinct regularity:

1. People would jump in and the conductor would yell “Andar andar”. Like space would magically be created!

2. The doors would close, someone’s shirt/pant/thumb/hand would get stuck. Conductor would then yell “Oye peeche kholo. Oye”. And then the door would open, the victim would pull back offending article/limb and people would laugh;

3. Some aunty would try and footboard and then a few seconds later start screaming “Bhaiya, aage chalo. Chalooooooo!” This would then be supported by conductor screaming “Oye madam ko aagey jaaney do. Chalo chalo”. And in the background you can hear the by-now desperate wails of the aunty.

Bloody hilarious, I swear. And I got front row seats to the entire show. Of course when it was time for me to de-bus, there were more than a few crushed toes, lost chappals et all but it was fun nonetheless. When you have to struggle, push and shove your way out of a crowded bus, the joy of actually getting out is priceless.

Hmmm, they should make a Visa advert on that:

Bus ticket to Naalson Mandela Marg: Rs. 15

Stomping over infants to get out: Priceless.

I worry about the disinterest in satire. Some times.

There is something so beautifully perfect about the word “clop”. You know “..the clopping of the horses awoke him from his afternoon slumber.” or whatever.  I mean it is so compact and so precise and so wonderfully accurate. Clop. Captures the essence of it all.

Photo shared by the Cubanese cabana. Kinda freaked me out a little.

“Bhava Spandana is like making a person jump and look beyond the wall. He sees beyond his limitation experientially. Once he sees that, he knows that he must go over the wall one day to see what is on the other side.” – Sadhguru

Namasakar,

It gives us tremendous joy to announce the Bhava Spandana Program happening at Delhi. This is after a long time that BSP is being held out side of Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore. This indeed is a response to seamless requests by meditators of North India that this offering is being made.

Ladies BSP : 13-16 March 2010
Gents BSP : 18-21 March 2010

Venue : Acharya Tulsi Global Meditation Center,
Opposite Heritage School,
Sector 62,
Gurgaon, Delhi, India

Session Info for Ladies: Arrive by: 4 pm on 13 Mar.
Program ends: 5:30 pm on 16 Mar.

Session Info for Gents: Arrive by: 4 pm on 18 Mar.
Program ends: 5:30 pm on 21 Mar.

Program Donation: Rs.5,500/-

Pre-requisite : It is a residential program. Participants must have attended Inner Engineering and /or Wholeness program.

The program venue can accommodate only a limited number of participants and registrations will be done on a first-come-first-serve basis. For more information, please contact 9811309576 OR 9958008654.

Those who have already attended the Bhava Spandana Program are welcome to volunteer for Delhi BSP.

Pranam,
Isha Volunteers.
www.ishafoundation.org

With much difficulty, I have collected temperature data, as clinching evidence to prove my point.

 MEAN TEMPERTURE FOR THE YEARS 1951 TO 1980

 The mean temperature has been shown correct to one decimal point in the record whereas figures for 2007 are shown in round figures. So I have rounded off the mean temp. figures too,  for proper comparison.                

 Except in a few cases, there is remarkable similarity in temperature recorded 200 years ago and now ! This exposes the fallacy of global warm-mongers. In big cities like bombay the increase in temp may be due to huge concrete forests constructed and this can in no way be called global.                         

  Statement 2  (Mean temp. in degree Fahreheit)

Statement 3: Latitude and mean temperature

ANALYSIS OF TEMPERATURE DATA

 Figures speak the truth. The temperature data, comparing previous periods with the current period in respect of Indian and foreign cities are available in the statements above. Statement-1 shows temperature of Indian cities (both coastal and inland).

These have been collected from the meteorological department library at Mausam Bhawan, Delhi.

 You will see that in the cities mentioned below, the temperature has remained stable during the last 50 years.

 Bhuj, Bhawnagar, Surat, Punjim, Honavar, Alapuzha, Kakinada, Port Blair, Vishakhapatnam, Kolkata (temperature has actually decreased by 3 degrees), Bhubneswar (decreased by 3 degrees), Ajmer, Pune, Bangalore, Agartala, Alhabad, Kota, Madurai, Koimbature, Kolhapur, Udaipur, Nagpur.

 The increase in temperature by 5 degrees in Mumbai is glaring, especially when we see the temperature in Surat remaining stable. In other words, for Mumbai the reasons my be local and not global. This requires investigation. My guess is that the huge increase in concrete buildings in Mumbai has contributed to the increase in temperature.

 So far, I have been speaking about the maximum temperature. A scrutiny of the minimum temperatures reveals a certain trend of distinct increase.

 Bhuj, Bhavnagar, Mumbai, Ajmer, Pune, Hyderabad, Udaipur and Kanpur show increase in minimum temperature by 3 degree. If you total the minimum temperatures of all the cities,  then and now, there is an increase of 20degrees in respect of 15 inland stations whereas the maximum temperature in respect of the same stations show a decrease of 8 degrees. It should be remembered that the minimum temperature are recorded during winter months (December, January) when the sun is far away in the Southern hemisphere and this cannot be assigned to the heat radiated from the sun.  Mr. Milner has also written about the winter becoming milder over a period of time. In my younger days, I use to find it difficult to take bath in cold water in winter in Delhi. Now, excepting some days of severe cold mostly caused by heavy snowfall in the Himalayas, the water is not so cold.   The obvious inference is that this is actually global defreezing caused by geothermal energy.

 Statement 2 shows temperature variation over a wider period of 200 years. The figures for the previous period have been taken from Milner’s book which was published in 1853. As these figures are in Fahrenheit scale, current figures too are shown in the same scale. The figures in respect of the following stations indicate stability.

 Cairo, Algiers, Cincinnati, New York, Beijing (decrease of 3 degree), Paris Dublin, Copenhagen (decrease of 6 degree), Quebec, Petersburg, Bordeaux, Vienna (decrease of 4 degrees) – 12 out of 20 cities. London, Geneva and Paris show exceptional increase. However, it should be remembered that the increase is over a period of 200 years.

 A word of caution: the current data have been extracted from the website “World Weather Information Service” and so the authenticity has to be verified independently.

 A very reliable and scientific method for evaluation of the temperature of the globe, is latitude wise mean temperatures. Milner’s book shows 29 degree centigrade at equator, gradually and linearly decreasing to zero degree centigrade at the poles. I am unable to get corresponding figures for the current period. However, I could see from the website that figures remain almost constant, even though the figures for the polar region,  now shows as approaching minus 20 degree centigrade. This may be due to better technology being employed by scientific team exploring the polar regions. I have calculated the value of current mean temperatures in respect of a few stations, comparing this value with that shown in Milner’s book. These are given in statement 3.

 MELTING OF POLAR ICE CAP

 The density of water at zero degrees centigrade is 0.9999 grams per cm. The density of ice at zero degree centigrade is 0.9150. In other words, 1 cc of ice weights only 0.91 gm and hence will displace only 0.915cc of water, when the ice is floating in water. When the ice float, almost the whole of body sinks below the surface of water, expect a small portion projecting above the surface. In the North Pole area, there is no land. The crust of the earth forms a huge bowl filled with seawater and a huge mass of ice floating in it just like an ice cube placed in a bowl of water. The volume of ice submerged below the ice may be almost 9 times more than the icecap which we observe above the surface of water. The molecules covering the underwater portion of the icecap absorb heat from the sea water in which it floats and melt into water. This is a continuous process happening round the clock, allover the year, irrespective of summer or winter. As I have explained in my booklet, the necessary energy is supplied by the earth itself. The role of the Sun which shines only for a limited period is too insignificant to have any impact on this process. As the density of water is more than that of ice, the volume of water generated by the melting of ice is less than that of water originally occupied by the ice block in the ratio 9999:9150. Therefore the sea level will actually  come down because of the melting process. In practice, this may not happen because of the continuous deposition of snow in the polar region which will continuously push down the ice cap.

 A lot has been talked about the rising of sea level because of Global warming. This is a misconception. In some places, the sea level goes up and in other places, it recedes. This phenomenon has been extensively discussed in Milner’s geography.

 My contention can be tested by a simple experiment. Place ice cubes in a tumbler and fill it with water until the water overflows. Leave it until all the ice melts. Watch for any overflow of water during this process.

 I quote from Milner-page-513

Excessive summers

In 763 the summer was so hot that the springs dried up.

In 870 the heat was so intense ,that near Worms the reapers dropped dead in the fields.

In 993 and again in 994,it was so hot that the corn and fruits were burnt up.

The year 1000 was so hot and dry ,that, in Germany ,the pools of water disappeared ,and the fish ,being left in the mud ,bred pestilence.

In 1022 the heat was so excessive ,that both men and cattle were struck dead.

In 1130 the earth yawned with drought. Springs and rivers disappeared ,and even the Rhine was dried up in Alsace.

In 1159 not a drop of rain fell in Italy after the month of May.

The year 1171 was extremely hot in Germany.

In 1232 the heat was so great ,especially in Germany, that it is said that eggs were roasted in the sands.

In 1260 ,many of the Hungarian soldiers died of excessive heat at the famous battle fought near Buda.

The consecutive years of 1276 and 1277 were so hot and dry as to occasion a great scarcity of fodder.

The years 1293 and 1294 were extremely hot ;and so were likewise 1303 and 1304,both the Rhine and the Danube having dried up.                    

In 1333 the corn fields and vineyards were burnt up.

The years 1393 and 1394 were excessively hot and dry.

In 1447 the summer was extremely hot.

In the successive years 1473 and 1474 the whole earth seemed on fire. In Hungary , a person might wade across the Danube

The four consecutive years  1538, 1539 ,1540 ,and 1541 were excessively hot ;and the rivers dried up.

In1556 the drought was so great that the springs failed. In England wheat rose from 8 shillings to 53 shillings a quarter.

The years 1615 and 1616 were very dry all over Europe.

In 1646 it was excessively hot.

In1652 the warmth was  very great, the summer being the driest ever known in Scotland. A total eclipse had happened that year, on Monday the 24^th of March,which hence received the appellation of ‘Mirk Monday.’ 

The summer of 1679 was extremely hot.It is related ,that one of the minions tyranny ,who in that calamitous period, harassed the poor Presbyterians in Scotland with captious questions, having asked a shepherd in Fife ,whether the killing of a notorious Sharp, Archbishop of  St.Andrews, which had happened in May,was murder; he replied , that he could not tell, but there had been fine weather ever since.

The year 1700 was excessively warm, and the two following years were of the same description.

In 1718 the weather was extremely hot and dry all over Europe. The air felt so oppressive that all the theatres were shut in Paris. Scarcely any rain fell for the space of nine months and the springs and rivers were dried up. The following year was equally hot. The thermometer at Paris rose to 98 degree Fahrenheit. The grass and corn were quite parched.

In some places the fruit trees blossomed two and three times.

Both the years 1723 and 1724 were dry and hot.

The year 1745 was remarkably warm and dry; but the following year was still hotter insomuch that the grass withered, and the leaves dropped from the trees .Neither rain nor dew fell for several months ; and ,on the continent, prayers were offered up in all the churches to implore the bounty of refreshing showers.

In 1748 the summer was again very warm.

In 1754 it was likewise extremely warm.

The years 1760 and 1761 were both of them remarkably hot, and so was the year 1763.

In 1774 it was excessively hot and dry.

Both the years 1778 and 1779 were warm and very dry.

The year 1788 was also very hot and dry ;and of the same character was 1811 ,famous for its excellent vintage, and distinguished by the appearance of a brilliant comet.

As some of you know, tonight I leave for India.  The background is this: my brother-in-law (and great friend) has been living in Bangalore without his family for the past year to build a new off-shore team for his company.  When he was deciding what to do we talked at great lengths about the opportunity and sacrifices he would have to make.  Easy for me to say since it wasn’t my decision, but I recommended he do it – it was a good career move.  When he made the decision and moved to Bangalore in Dec 2008, I decided I’d really like to go there and see him/India.  Well, a year has gone by and here I am, sitting in the Red Carpet lounge waiting for my flight to Frankfurt, then onto Delhi.

Yes, I’m actually going for fun.  No business on this trip.  I’m off the grid.  Going for fun seems to be uncommon.  Unless you have family ties there or travel for work, few people go just for the hell of it.  I guess I’m that guy.  This should be awesome…I’ve always wanted to see the Taj Mahal and I can’t wait.  Several years ago my wife gave me the book “1000 Place to See Before you Die” and the Taj is on my list.

When my family and I had the fortunate experience of going to Europe last summer for a month, my wife and I blogged every day.  People followed us and commented, but more than anything we were able to document our trip for our kids to look back on in the years ahead.  It was a lot of work, but totally worth it.  So, I’m doing it again for this trip.  However, I’m going to attempt to be a bit more realtime with shorter, more frequent posts.  I’m putting my iPhone to the test and going to be blogging via my phone (yes, there’s an App for that!).

I hope you find this interesting.  If you want, you can subscribe, check back daily, follow me on Twitter (smcdermott) or follow the blog via RSS feed.  NewsGator has some great RSS readers if you are so inclined.

A big shout out to my wife who is staying behind to hold down the fort and hooking me up with a Kindle as an early Christmas gift.  I love you honey!  And to my three angels, I love you too.

Namaste…

Cette année, vos deux Frenchies fêteront Noël à la mode japonaise au milieu de la côte ouest indienne. Itinéraire d’un voyage sac aux dos aussi long que magnifique, au départ de Delhi et direction la pointe Sud de l’Inde.

- Étape 1: départ de Lima et arrivée à Delhi

• 8-9 déc.: départ de Lima à 1h20[1], arrivée à 16h45 le lendemain à New Delhi après 26 heures de voyage.
• 9-12 déc.: visite de Delhi (Delhi)

- Étape 2: le Rajasthan et le Gujarat

Cliquez pour agrandir

• 13-14 déc.: visite de Jaipur (Rajasthan)
• 15-16 déc.: visite d’Udaipur (Rajasthan)
• 17-18 déc.: visite d’Ahmedabad (Gujarat)

- Étape 3: Bombay et Goa

• 19-23 déc.: Bombay (Maharastra)
• 24-25 déc.: Goa

- Étape 4: le Kerala

• 26 déc.: Ernakulam – Kochi
• 27 déc.: Allepey, Kollan, Trivandrum
• 28-29 déc.: Trivandrum, Kovalam
• 30 déc.: train de Trivandrum à Goa

- Étape 5: Goa et Pune

• 31 déc.-1er jan.: Goa
• 2-5 jan.: Pune
• 5 jan.: retour à Delhi

[Part of  a Series. See For Movement]

UK-based budget hotel chain Premier Inn has expanded into India, with the opening of a new property in Bangalore. The 105-room Premier Inn Bangalore Whitefield is located along the city’s main road in close proximity to the business district and major shopping malls.

Each room at the hotel can accomodate a family of 4. All rooms are furnished with a comfortable bed, bathroom with bathtub and shower, flatscreen television, complimentary high-speed internet access, work desk, in-room safe and coffee-/tea-making facilities.

The hotel offers guests 2 food & beverage outlets. Linx restaurant serves simple meals of European, Oriental and Indian dishes, featuring meats, seafood and vegetarian creations in a relaxed surrounding. For light snacks and drinks, The 87 offers snacks and a selection of beers, wines, cocktails and mocktails.

For business travellers, Premier Inn Bangalore Whitefield has intimate meeting rooms for discussions and conferences. Guests can relax with a workout at the fitness center after a day of business.

Premier Inn’s development in India follows the brand’s expansion out of the UK into Dubai, where it currently has 2 properties. A second Premier Inn is set to open in New Delhi’s Shalimar Bagh district, with plans to open a further 9 hotels in India within the next 5 years.

For more information, visit www.premierinn.com.

Drums made of styrofoam and sticks, these boys were playing a mad beat on the streets of Delhi.

Being back in India is both surreal and familiar. My friend Sonam said that when he saw me at the airport I was walking as if India was my second home. Familiarity does not however remove the feeling of being a stranger in a foreign land, especially in a metropolis like Delhi, with its frenzied pace and relentless motion, and the impersonal feeling this gives. Nor does it hide my differentness as evidenced by the penetrating stares.

With each trip, I continue to learn how to use the Metro – Delhi’s subway system – with it’s vast number of rail lines, platforms and stations. And passengers. Yesterday I waited for the metro to arrive in the crowded platform. The uniformed man blowing directives through a whistle tried to get everyone to form single lines, to no avail. Few paid attention and those who were close to the front did not want to lose their place. It seemed everyone had to be somewhere in a hurry because when the metro arrived there was a mad rush to get onboard and secure one’s place before the doors closed shut.

Less than five minutes later another train arrived. In one giant pushing motion, squeezed tightly together as one entity, we piled onto the subway, everyone jostling to find a place to stand and hang on. My arm was curled around the waist of a young man to reach the pole in the center of the aisle, where I found a space, among the other hands, to hang on. A few minutes into the ride, a gloved hand started caressing mine. I moved it down the pole, the hand followed and continued its caress. When I looked over in the direction it seemed to be coming from I caught the eyes of a man in a leather jacket and gloves. I again moved my hand, and close enough to someone else’s so that if he continued, he would have to be caressing both hands. The man to his right probably wouldn’t have appreciated it, so he stopped.

India is crowded, chaotic and alive! The streets are a virtual panoply of activity – whirring sewing machines, haircutting and shaving, children playing, men sleeping, women laundering, dogs scavenging, beggars begging, food cooking,vendors hawking, brooms sweeping, metallurgists pounding, fires burning. It never sleeps. All night long from my fourth story hotel room I hear the roar of traffic, the blare of horns. Fortunately it stops once the dreams start, but sometimes when I wake I feel the dust of the streets in my eyes. And I wonder if I slept at all.

Happiness is not so much in having as sharing. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

–Norman MacEwan

I was humbled by my encounters with these unknown large-hearted people inhabiting this non-descript Bharat Ram Road, a street adjacent to the local police station in the Daryaganj area of Delhi, famous for its Sunday book bazaar…and reaffirmed a thought that I always believed in..one doesnt get rich by what we have, we get rich and happy by what we give and share! Read their full story by clicking on the following below Hindi text on Visfot.com :

गुमनाम दिलवालों की अनोखी दिल्ली

Daryaganj's Daryadils (big-hearted people) : From Top (Left to Right): Chowkidaar Birender with one of the dogs he feeds, Birender's gas stove tucked in a corner next to Sunil's street shop (this is what he cooks rotis on), Birenders's son Binod, at present doing his B.A studies by correspondence and enrolled in a 2 year Diploma Course in a Technical Institute, The Cats and dogs feeding milk put by a lady labourer in crates outside the Mother Dairy Stall. Bottom Row (From Left to Right): A street dog who was healed back to fitness by Birender and Sunil after he lost his leg to a car driver's rash driving, other dogs sitting on jute bags placed for them on the pavement to keep them warm on Delhi's chilly winter nights, Sunil Kumar, the street shop owner who helps Birender in healing the sick dogs back to good health..

A chowkidaar named Birender earns a meagre 2500-3000 Indian Rupees every month by doing a night duty on this road guarding cars and cleaning them every morning…with this amount, he not only feeds himself, but also educates his son Binod and feeds 20-25 dogs daily…cooking 2-3 rotis each day for each one of them and on a day when he earns a lucky tip or two, he treats them with milk as well and he has been doing so religiously since the past 14 years..

Not only does he feed all of these animals but also tends to their injuries and wounds by getting them medicines..even rubbing ointments on their swollen limbs and spines when they get trampled over by cars or hit by strangers! None of these dogs carry a name, they understand a different language of love altogether, that needs no words..he has been doing this

Birender’s companion in taking care of these often-maimed dogs is Sunil Kumar, a 50 year old Rehriwaala who runs a stall on this road. Sunil came to Delhi from Muzaffarnagar area in Bihar 30 years back..he is severely handicapped, dwarfed and inflicted with polio, cant stand on his legs and walks using his hands..thats why he probably understands the pain and handicap of these speechless animals and pitches in his help in tending to the wounds of these dogs, who have lost a leg or had a hit on their spine!

An unknown lady dressed like a labourer walks in every evening next to Mother Dairy and buys packets of milk, opening one each in crates outside the Dairy outlet..two cats come to feed from the crate on the top of the pile whereas two street dogs sip milk from the crate on the floor..as I try to stop the lady and check in on who she is, she disappears into oblivion and darkness on this cold winter evening..

I walk back and make my journey home soaking in all that I had learnt by seeing and meeting these true dilwaalas of Dilli.

Giving joy to someone doesn’t require a reason..experience the joy of giving by sharing what you have, for its the joy that we give to others that ultimately comes back to us.

“Never underestimate what a simple gesture can do. It is the little things that you do that make a big difference in other people’s lives.” 

 – Catherine Pulsifer

*Just for note: many of these dogs were sterilized and vaccinated in a drive undertaken by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi in this area, two years back.

Photo (C) Vasudha Mehta

While it is certainly an achievement that the Delhi Metro has ferried 1 billion people, it is sort of amazing that years into this project they still haven’t linked Gurgaon to Delhi. One just needs to spend one day driving the Delhi Gurgaon Expressway – or worse yet, MG Road – to realize what a ridiculous amount of pollution – and frustration – is caused by the lack of adequate public transport between the two cities.

Now, the Metro is slated to begin operations on one sector in the next 12 months – but the route misses the majority of the office parks in Gurgaon. As a daily commuter between Delhi and Gurgaon – I for one think it is ridiculous that seemingly lakhs of people are further congesting the roads & polluting the airways while DMRC boasts of a successful Metro System.

It is time for Delhi to get serious about reliable & clean public transport between Gurgaon & Delhi.

Tarot reading is an art and not a science. I, Tanya Kapoor, have been using this art and providing Tarot Reading Services and Tarot predictions to my clients since past few years following my own standard procedures for Tarot Reading, which have helped me a lot to enhance the accuracy of my tarot readings.

Tarot Reading can be learnt by anyone and if you truly believe that you have what it takes ‘the gift of intuition’ then these tips can help you bring your divine tarot powers to the surface:

• Use red and yellow color to enhance and invoke your Tarot cards and psychic reading ability. Yellow is a soothing color, the color of the sun, so wearing yellow above your waist or golden yellow colors of smiling figures of Buddha opens your senses, you are more aware of the energies around you and you are in a state of heightened senses and can communicate with the Tarot cards.

• Red is the color of power and it gels well with the Tarot cards. Thus using a red surface (soft cloth preferably satin / silk / velvet) to spread your Tarot cards will enhance the Tarot Reading.

• As a professional Tarot reader you will encounter a number of negative energies when people call you with their problems. To counter with such issues I use vanilla fragrance (healed by me prior to the tarot reading) during tarot readings as it helps me to relax, concentrate better and ultimately provide accurate tarot reading and future forecast to my esteemed clients in India, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, USA, UK, Canada etc.

• Use Rose water to cleanse the environment before you start tarot reading procedure. This will prevent the negative effects and help us assist our clients efficiently.

• Read as much as you can on tarot, tarot cards, tarot spread, tarot card meanings but follow only what you feel is right.

• Last but not the least and the most important is – “Create your own way” to tarot Reading. Yes I know this is completely different from what most tarot reading theory courses will tell you but you need to be comfortable and the tarot cards need to be comfortable too. So choose your Tarot deck, your environment, your time of the day and the Tarot cards, then your Tarot Reading would be more effective and believe me “It works”. And stick to the same procedure every time you start the tarot reading.

Using these simple procedures I am to deliver the accurate tarot reading forecast to help my clients make choices for themselves without being judgmental about them. My aim is to provide them with as much of information as they need to walk away, feeling clearer, stronger and lighter, and even more in tune with their path and purpose.

My Tarot services aim to provide a clear vision and act as an inspirational source for a bright future. As my clients say – even my telephone readings are just as incredible as face to face sittings and tend to be just as accurate.

To know more about Tarot Reading, you can reach me at:
+91 9871534997, +91 9911680182

Or feel free to drop an email at : tanya@tanyatarot.com, tanya.tarot@gmail.com

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INDIA. Delhi. Phone call. ⓒ Julie Mayfeng

In tilt, in India, il megacomputer che doveva gestire la prima prova dell’accesso degli studenti agli Indian Istitute of Management sparsi su tutto il territorio nazionale. Quando stamattina gli oltre 240.000 primi aspiranti si sono collegati al computer per cominciare il test in dieci giorni, hanno avuto una brutta sorpresa: il programma non funzionava. E’ la prima volta che in India gli esami di ammissione alle prestigiose universita’ e agli istituti di istruzione superiore vengono effettuati tramite computer. Nessuno sa spiegare il fallimento del programma, realizzato da una societa’ americana in collaborazione con un’indiana. Almeno sei le citta’ nelle quali il programma non ha funzionato, tra queste Calcutta, Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai e soprattutto Bangalore, la capitale dell’Information Technology indiana, la Silicon Valley del sud est asiatico, dove hanno sede tutte le grandi aziende indiane e straniere di software. La direzione degli Indian Istitute of Management hanno assicurato che gli studenti avranno un’altra possibilita’ per tentare l’esame. L’anno scorso oltre 276.000 studenti tentarono l’accesso al network di istituti diffuso in tutto il Paese. L’esame veniva effettuato su moduli a lettura ottica. Ma problemi erano stati segnalati anche prima. All’atto della registrazione di quest’anno, molti aspiranti studenti si sono lamentati che il programma non funzionava.

I really needed that!! I’m in the most intensely insane and filthy city in the world and my first couple of days were spent laughing with a couple of awesome Brits I met on the train! They saved me from my seriously too expensive hotel room and provided a sense of humour I’ve been craving! I loved Benares but it was so Serious!!

Jess and Toby have flown home so in preparation for the beginning of my whirlwind tour I spent yesterday in chill out mode, well kinda! I had a yummy poori (fried bread thing) with bean veg curry for breakfast, Skyped with my glorious family, set out to my closest cinema complex and watched ‘2012′ (that’s the ‘kinda’ chill out mode bit…intense much?), and settled into my favourite south Indian house of feast awesomeness for some lunch! I talked to my BumbleBee and caught up with some other friends in the early evening…nice!

I heard horror stories of Delhi and if I was just arriving into India I’d be seriously overwhelmed, yet I find myself at peace and comfortable within the throng of life that buzzes, heaves, splutters and spits around me. Perhaps it’s the learnt language that is providing relief, perhaps it’s the fact that I’ve now been in India for seven weeks or perhaps it’s because I’ve sunk, settled, surrendered and embraced the Indian life and am now happily floating within the greater consciousness of the mad Indian spirit.

I’m not loving my newly acquired hacking Delhi cough though. It is akin to my hacking Bangalore cough and can only have been caused by the seeping polluted air I’ve been sucking into my battered lungs. It hurts and I dissaprove, both at my bodies lack of resilience and the staggering environment I’m now part of.

Next stop is the desert state of Rajasthan. Day one brings a camel safari that will take me into the Thar Desert for an overnight camping trip and hopefully some cleaner air to breathe.

Today I started my whirlwind, 37 day, Intrepid Tour that darts through the north and then south of India ending in the beachside bliss of Goa. My group is young but lovely. There is even a small contingent of queers from Sydney which is pure joy!

Chapter three of a cub’s India begins!