Yayati......

Yayati.....................


Yayati is basically Marathi Language novel whiten by V.S. Khandekar.  The novel acclaimed the much famous award 'Gyanpit' in year 1974. For any writer aspiring to write something so beautiful and  his creation got such acclaimed award is just gaining the mastery of all writing for next coming infinite centuries.

I am quite unfortunate of not reading this novel in Marathi language despite having enough opportunities to read the content. But being late is far better than missing the bus. Today, I just finished the reading in english language. I felt like gaining a exposure of Jhumpa Lahiri which she experienced while writing her Italian language novel 'In Altre Parole'(in other words), the only significant difference is she wrote and I read.  Trying to put three main character in breath.

Yayati:

The novel depicts the story of sub central character of Mahabharata and story mentioned in Mahabharata- Adi Parva. He is one of the ancestor of Pandava and King of Hastinapur. The pages entails about the frivolous nature of Yayati his desire for love, sex. Being a kshatriya how he fall in love with his maids, how he marries to daughter of brahmin, his outlook towards women and wine. His aspects of life are definitely keeping readers spellbound.  Yayati character will make us kink the nature of human being,  'in spite of  much varied happiness, is always discontented and blindly running in pursuit of new pleasure. Desire will never be satisfied by indulgence it grows with every effort.

Devyani:-

Daugher of demons guru Shukra. She married to Yayati for sake of her aspiration. She was in love with Kachha but that relationship did not exist for longer time. Her ego always kelp her ahead of blindness.


Sharmistha:-

Daughter of king Vrishparva. As princes she would have married to king of any kingdom. But her quarrel leads her to become maid of Devyani for entire life. Her sacrifice for her father's kingdom make her different from all the characters. The depiction of surreptitious love between king Yayati and Sharmishta will make you fall in love with your love one again and again. She is idol for love, sacrifice, tolerance. He clandestine love with king and sacrifice for the offspring of love is really admirable.



Readers will enjoy the narration. I enjoyed it.




- Amol Nakve

Flowers to Flowers

-Amol Nakve

Preserving Kalka - Shimla Railways (World Heritage)

To,

Shri Suresh Prabhu, 

Honorable Railway Minister, 

India.

Dear Sir, 

Wish you a very happy Independence Day!

With strong belief that our Indian Railways will continue to grow at enormous rate and contribute in creating New India. 

I am sharing my world class experience which I witnessed during my Kalka – Shimla journey in month of April- 2017 and as a responsible citizen of country I would also raise the issue of pollution(tourism) as well as making suggestions on what need to be done to preserve the beauty of Himalaya. 

Kalka-Shimla Railways constructed during British raj to enrich connectivity to that times summer capital of India. The toy train goes through massive mountains of Himalaya, throughout its journey to reach destination it took 96 km of length of elevation of 2000 m above sea level. This narrow gauge is having 102 tunnels and more that 800 bridges. The route flows through mountains like river emerge out of waterfalls. Barog tunnel is considered as one of longest high altitude tunnel in India. The world heritage site is one the most innovative ways of transport and contributed in social economic development of an area. Looking at the uniqueness and importance, Kalka Shimla the toy train has been declared as world heritage site in year 2008 by UNESCO. And it is easiest accessible site to missions of tourists.  

On very unusual beginning day of summer I started my journey to Shimla from Kalka with Kalka Shimla Heritage train. A small train is having its own empire, narrow gauge but massive determination, small loco engine, with salubrious pace; tiny passengers with turbine sprite, semaphore’s arms are welcoming us to glory of Himalaya. The feeling was so pure, it felt like someone is breathing after decades and living in moments.

The Kalka Shimla toy train is offering joy to eyes, one is passing through magnanimity of nature, massive mountains, deep values, sharpen pine trees. Mesmerizing experience of inclining hills on narrow gauge. Indian railways efforts to make mechanical orchestra as living fauna are really appreciable. The journey of 96 km completed in 6 hours, conquest of reaching to queen of hills would never to quench without food. The quality of food offered in Kalka Shimla World Heritage Train is very good as compare to other food services offered throughout the nation. 

The only issue with this food is that it comes along with plastic disposable materials i.e. plastic plates, small bags etc. After having meals passengers are thrashing these leftover in this beautiful Himalayean region because of lack of adequate dustbins in trains and proper waste management systems. Food vendors are also not taking this issue on very serious note. The non-biodegradable plastic entered into system will remain for very longer time affecting an entire ecological system. Which in terms affecting tourism trade. This is also violation of India’s commitment towards international convention on preserving world heritage sites. This pollution may not sound very serious but it has very deep and irreparable impact on environment. The garbage in form of plastic (pollutants) in Himalaya is difficult to collect due to difficult geographic conditions and it will remain in ecosystem for very longer durable in comparison with plain region. 

Railways have to find out various ways to tackle these issues. Complete ban of serving food is not recommended as its affecting the losing the losing the USP journey. Proving dustbins, ban on non-degradable plastic, selection of environment friendly vendors, installation on integrated waste processing units, creating awareness drive among tourist (banners, leaflets, and posters in trains) would definitely help to resolve this issue. I am sure that railways under your leadership will act and resolve this issue; hence your attention is needed on very high priority. 

Here is the time to sensitize and act on preserving our heritage. 

Once again wish you a very Happy Independance Day! 

Regards

Amol Nakv

Bhag lo, ya, Bhag lo!