Friday, October 24, 2008
Chandrayaan Launch Pics
These pictures were taken from outside the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota. Even ISRO officials did not get a full glimpse of the rocket, as within the first few seconds it went into a thick pall of cloud and reemerged at a higher distance.
Chandrayaan-The Launch
This story has been published, but only half. So here goes the whole story with pics taken by me
T.K.Rohit|Tnn
Sriharikota: The solitary tower on a non-descript road by the side of the Pulicat Lake overlooking the second launchpad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) was calm and quiet at 4.30 a.m. The stillness of the chilly morning was disturbed by a few lights on the road. Exactly one hour and 50 minutes later, there was a huge rumble, a ball of fire and a pall of smoke which finally disappeared into the infinite skies. Chandrayaan-I, India's first moon mission spacecraft had successfully taken off, carrying with it a billion Indian dreams to the moon!
About eight kms away from the launchpad stood the solitary tower, old and shaky, separated by the Pulicat Lake teeming with painted storks and a few other birds which were blissfully unaware of what was to come at 6.20 a.m. The two lights appearing on the deserted road was a van. Its progress was slow, courtesy terribly bad roads. When the vehicle came to a halt, out hopped a smart guy sporting a beard.
He proceeded with enthusiasm to climb the tower only to be told by one photographer that it was only for the media which had assembled there. So the young man went back to the bus and out came about 30 students, boys and girls. "We are students of the Institute of Mathematical Sciences in Chennai. We came here to watch the launch," G Philip told The Times of India. Abhinav Saket, a research student in physics at the institute said, "I will never have another opportunity to watch a rocket launch live, because this is my final year at the institute and I will be relocating elsewhere. It will be difficult to come back and watch another one." By 6 a.m there was a sizeable number of people at the spot, locals and people who had come from afar to watch the historical moment.
Chandrayaan being launched
But no one would have complained. All the large contingent of electronic and print media and ISRO officials inside the space centrw could be satisfied with was a just about two seconds of the rocket taking off, before it entered behind a huge pall of rain clouds and disappeared. But the people who had gathered at the spot near the Pulicat lake, had a glimpse of the rocket taking off from the launchpad, disappearing behind the rain clouds and reappearing at a higher level in the sky enroute its orbital direction. As the rocket reappeared from behind the clouds, people shouted, "Look, look...there it is," like children watching with glee a Diwali rocket light up the sky.
"It's spectacular!" remarked a girl in the group with happiness writ all over her face. A group of five young boys studying at the Sri Kalahastishwara Institute of Technology woke up at 2 am to ride on their bikes in the rain to see the launch. "We rode 50 kms from Kalahasti just for this moment. This is such a wonderful achievement. India will surely become a great
space power. Watching this was a great experience and such an inspiring moment,"N Vinay Kumar said.
Even as India took another giant leap towards becoming a technological superpower, it was the age old technology, the radio, that kept almost everyone at the spot keep tab with the launch for almost one and half hours till the rocket took off, giving intricate details about the launch and the countdown. A middle aged man kept the small FM radio glued to his ear all the time till the commentary said, "PSLV has now completed PS-II", and then he smiled!
A scientist with the National Geographical Research Institute said, "Now we will be on par with super powers of the world. Every Indian should be proud of this achievement," he said before helping a media personnel identify a species of birds at the Pulicat Lake, which was quite oblivious to India's leap into the international bandwagon of 'moon chasers!'.
T.K.Rohit|Tnn
Sriharikota: The solitary tower on a non-descript road by the side of the Pulicat Lake overlooking the second launchpad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) was calm and quiet at 4.30 a.m. The stillness of the chilly morning was disturbed by a few lights on the road. Exactly one hour and 50 minutes later, there was a huge rumble, a ball of fire and a pall of smoke which finally disappeared into the infinite skies. Chandrayaan-I, India's first moon mission spacecraft had successfully taken off, carrying with it a billion Indian dreams to the moon!
About eight kms away from the launchpad stood the solitary tower, old and shaky, separated by the Pulicat Lake teeming with painted storks and a few other birds which were blissfully unaware of what was to come at 6.20 a.m. The two lights appearing on the deserted road was a van. Its progress was slow, courtesy terribly bad roads. When the vehicle came to a halt, out hopped a smart guy sporting a beard.
He proceeded with enthusiasm to climb the tower only to be told by one photographer that it was only for the media which had assembled there. So the young man went back to the bus and out came about 30 students, boys and girls. "We are students of the Institute of Mathematical Sciences in Chennai. We came here to watch the launch," G Philip told The Times of India. Abhinav Saket, a research student in physics at the institute said, "I will never have another opportunity to watch a rocket launch live, because this is my final year at the institute and I will be relocating elsewhere. It will be difficult to come back and watch another one." By 6 a.m there was a sizeable number of people at the spot, locals and people who had come from afar to watch the historical moment.
Chandrayaan being launchedBut no one would have complained. All the large contingent of electronic and print media and ISRO officials inside the space centrw could be satisfied with was a just about two seconds of the rocket taking off, before it entered behind a huge pall of rain clouds and disappeared. But the people who had gathered at the spot near the Pulicat lake, had a glimpse of the rocket taking off from the launchpad, disappearing behind the rain clouds and reappearing at a higher level in the sky enroute its orbital direction. As the rocket reappeared from behind the clouds, people shouted, "Look, look...there it is," like children watching with glee a Diwali rocket light up the sky.
"It's spectacular!" remarked a girl in the group with happiness writ all over her face. A group of five young boys studying at the Sri Kalahastishwara Institute of Technology woke up at 2 am to ride on their bikes in the rain to see the launch. "We rode 50 kms from Kalahasti just for this moment. This is such a wonderful achievement. India will surely become a great
space power. Watching this was a great experience and such an inspiring moment,"N Vinay Kumar said.
Even as India took another giant leap towards becoming a technological superpower, it was the age old technology, the radio, that kept almost everyone at the spot keep tab with the launch for almost one and half hours till the rocket took off, giving intricate details about the launch and the countdown. A middle aged man kept the small FM radio glued to his ear all the time till the commentary said, "PSLV has now completed PS-II", and then he smiled!
A scientist with the National Geographical Research Institute said, "Now we will be on par with super powers of the world. Every Indian should be proud of this achievement," he said before helping a media personnel identify a species of birds at the Pulicat Lake, which was quite oblivious to India's leap into the international bandwagon of 'moon chasers!'.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
My First time....!!!!
It is my first time and I am all excited. As the bus reaches the place, dark clouds hover above. We are worried. Once the bus reaches the destination, we are herded into breakfast. One hour later, we are on the bus again. This time, lesser space for seating in the bus. This bus is almost like a school bus. It goes through a lone road, a one way with greenery on both sides. Two more buses are ahead of us. I'm reminded of a scene from Kamal Hasan's 'Kuruthipunal'. I jokingly say "It looks right out of the movie. Somebody is going to kidnap us and the police will come!!" Laughter all around. Now trees appear on the right side. Then,a brief gap between trees that are not so densely populated as before. Ah! Water...it's blue, Wow!! It looks like it would have been a extremely popular global tourist destination.
Almost nine kilometers later, we reach! Finally. Yes!! This was what I was waiting for, for more than a week. It materialised only the previous night amidst anger, frustration and confusion. After all, this was to have been properly finalised three days before, which it was but finally had to be changed.
And when the second launchpad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota loomed large in front of our bus, my camera tried to photograph from inside the bus. After all, not everyone gets an opportunity to see a launchpad of the Indian Space Research Organisation nor the rocket that will carry India's first ever moon mission satellite 'Chandrayaan-I'. Notwithstanding the fact that I was able to sleep only for two hours since the pick up for the media was slated at 5 a.m. Ultimately, the media pickup left only at 6.30 am and almost everyone of us caught up on the previous night's sleep on the Volvo bus. However, a couple of rather irritating tv media personnel, apparently from a local channel were listening to music with their cell phone speakers blaring out fully loudly, disturbing our sleep. This is the fourth time I am at Sriharikota, but the first time being taken to the launchpad. Journos are taken to the launchpad very rarely because its a high security area and only when some very important event happens.
The launchpad is huge. Never seen anything like it before. It's beautifully coloured.It has grey, blue, red and yellow all around. An ISRO official leads us to a board that has pictures and description of how the rocket launch takes place. I hang around for sometime. It gets too technical and the heat gets to me. I would rather go and take some pictures of the launchpad. I mite not get another opportunity for all I know. Slowly, the number of journalists surrounding the ISRO official dwindle and they move towards the launchpad. Photos are clicked furiously. I frantically keep looking for our photographer. He is not to be seen around. "Must have gone to get some unique pictures. He will return..."I tell myself. I open my camera. The batteries are almost empty and the camera keeps switching off. "Damn!" I fumble around in the camera bag and find four more batteries. "Hope this works" It does. I take a few pictures. A few journos are now standing near the pit from where the rocket will take off and are listening to what Guruprasad is saying. Guruprasad is the ISRO PRO. I go and try to get some 'gyan'. He is explaining something, then a few questions are thrown at him. I click a picture of the group. I m tired of so many questions being asked. The heat again! "Damn...and we all thought it was going to rain when the bus entered the complex..." I move out again. A few more pics are taken.
Gopu is around. "Hey take a pic man". The sun is beating down. He clicks a few. "I can't see anything on the monitor. The sun is glaring down on it," he says. He's taken a few good pics. Now it's his turn. I try to get a good pic of him. Comes out well. And after sometime, a few more journos want me to click pics of them. I oblige.
Finally, my photographer! Ah! There he is with another photographer. "Went to get some different shots," they tell me. Competition can force people to think differently! They take more pics and finally a few pics of me are taken by them professionally. By this time, all of us are asked to get onto the bus again.
"We are going to see the rocket..." Guru says. "We are going near the rocket? You are taking us there?" I ask. "Yes yes...let's go" Once more herded back into the bus. Two more kilometers later, the rocket building. Then the rocket in view. Everyone's excited to see the rocket from such close quarters.Water! A few hands stretch out for water.
TV journos make sure they have the rocket in the background when they deliver their PTC's. So what are we poor print people supposed to do? So we take pics.
Heavy security around. Chandra asks one security personnel in Hindi "How do u feel about Chandrayaan?" "We are very proud". "Why?".."Arrey...we are Indians. We are employed by the Indian government. You are an Indian. You also feel proud about this, so do we," he says. "Who are you people?" he asks apparently not seeing so many cameras around. "We are from the press in Chennai..." "You are from Chennai and you speak shudh Hindi?" he asks. "Ya...we do....," comes her reply and I lose the rest of the conversation as by this point, I lose interest again. Another angle, more pics.
We leave after sometime. There's some discussion about some orbit the satellite would be going through. "Ya Ya..it's all going over my head...the heat...the physics of the orbit....grrr" I think. The way back to the hall is not that scenic, am disappointed. We reach the hall...press conference in a few mins...nothing great is discussed. It's all routine stuff. I get my story on the way back and the story is...
Almost nine kilometers later, we reach! Finally. Yes!! This was what I was waiting for, for more than a week. It materialised only the previous night amidst anger, frustration and confusion. After all, this was to have been properly finalised three days before, which it was but finally had to be changed.
And when the second launchpad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota loomed large in front of our bus, my camera tried to photograph from inside the bus. After all, not everyone gets an opportunity to see a launchpad of the Indian Space Research Organisation nor the rocket that will carry India's first ever moon mission satellite 'Chandrayaan-I'. Notwithstanding the fact that I was able to sleep only for two hours since the pick up for the media was slated at 5 a.m. Ultimately, the media pickup left only at 6.30 am and almost everyone of us caught up on the previous night's sleep on the Volvo bus. However, a couple of rather irritating tv media personnel, apparently from a local channel were listening to music with their cell phone speakers blaring out fully loudly, disturbing our sleep. This is the fourth time I am at Sriharikota, but the first time being taken to the launchpad. Journos are taken to the launchpad very rarely because its a high security area and only when some very important event happens.
The launchpad is huge. Never seen anything like it before. It's beautifully coloured.It has grey, blue, red and yellow all around. An ISRO official leads us to a board that has pictures and description of how the rocket launch takes place. I hang around for sometime. It gets too technical and the heat gets to me. I would rather go and take some pictures of the launchpad. I mite not get another opportunity for all I know. Slowly, the number of journalists surrounding the ISRO official dwindle and they move towards the launchpad. Photos are clicked furiously. I frantically keep looking for our photographer. He is not to be seen around. "Must have gone to get some unique pictures. He will return..."I tell myself. I open my camera. The batteries are almost empty and the camera keeps switching off. "Damn!" I fumble around in the camera bag and find four more batteries. "Hope this works" It does. I take a few pictures. A few journos are now standing near the pit from where the rocket will take off and are listening to what Guruprasad is saying. Guruprasad is the ISRO PRO. I go and try to get some 'gyan'. He is explaining something, then a few questions are thrown at him. I click a picture of the group. I m tired of so many questions being asked. The heat again! "Damn...and we all thought it was going to rain when the bus entered the complex..." I move out again. A few more pics are taken.
Gopu is around. "Hey take a pic man". The sun is beating down. He clicks a few. "I can't see anything on the monitor. The sun is glaring down on it," he says. He's taken a few good pics. Now it's his turn. I try to get a good pic of him. Comes out well. And after sometime, a few more journos want me to click pics of them. I oblige.
Finally, my photographer! Ah! There he is with another photographer. "Went to get some different shots," they tell me. Competition can force people to think differently! They take more pics and finally a few pics of me are taken by them professionally. By this time, all of us are asked to get onto the bus again.
"We are going to see the rocket..." Guru says. "We are going near the rocket? You are taking us there?" I ask. "Yes yes...let's go" Once more herded back into the bus. Two more kilometers later, the rocket building. Then the rocket in view. Everyone's excited to see the rocket from such close quarters.Water! A few hands stretch out for water.
TV journos make sure they have the rocket in the background when they deliver their PTC's. So what are we poor print people supposed to do? So we take pics.
Heavy security around. Chandra asks one security personnel in Hindi "How do u feel about Chandrayaan?" "We are very proud". "Why?".."Arrey...we are Indians. We are employed by the Indian government. You are an Indian. You also feel proud about this, so do we," he says. "Who are you people?" he asks apparently not seeing so many cameras around. "We are from the press in Chennai..." "You are from Chennai and you speak shudh Hindi?" he asks. "Ya...we do....," comes her reply and I lose the rest of the conversation as by this point, I lose interest again. Another angle, more pics.
We leave after sometime. There's some discussion about some orbit the satellite would be going through. "Ya Ya..it's all going over my head...the heat...the physics of the orbit....grrr" I think. The way back to the hall is not that scenic, am disappointed. We reach the hall...press conference in a few mins...nothing great is discussed. It's all routine stuff. I get my story on the way back and the story is...
Indian flag on the moon!! :)
T.K.Rohit| tnn
Sriharikota : On November 10 or 11, the Indian flag will crashland on the moon, kicking up dust, literally! When the Moon Impact Probe (MIP) is ejected from the Chandrayaan-I spacecraft onto the lunar surface, it will mark the country's leap into the bandwagon of countries aiming for the moon.
"A small Indian flag has been painted on the MIP. This is a matter of great pride and honour and when the MIP lands on the moon, it will signal India's entry into one of the intriguing aspects of the universe. The Indian tricolour has been painted of a size about 4 inches by 6 inches," ISRO officials told The Times of India on Saturday.
Courtesy:ISRO (This pic was not available for the story..So its now blogged" )
The 29 kg Moon Impact Probe which was originally not a part of the initial plans, was inducted into the payload at the insistence of former president Dr A P J Abdul Kalam. The payload developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre at Thiruvananthapuram will help identify future landing sites on the moon and will also aid scientific explora-tion of the lunar surface. When ejected from the Chandrayaan-I spacecraft, it will crashland on the moon, which will kick up dust. The Mass Spectrometer on the MIP will gather scientific details from the dust and send it back.
The MIP is one of the 11 payloads on India's first moon mission, Chandrayaan-I, taken on board the PSLV-C-11 and is one of the five instruments fully designed and developed in India.
On October 22, the PSLV-C11, also called as the PSLV-XL because of the increased weight of the six strap on motors, will soar the skies at 6.20 am from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. It will travel to the vicin-ity of the moon by following a path called Lunar Transfer Trajectory (LTT).
When the spacecraft reaches the vicinity of the moon, the spacecraft is slowed down through a process to enable the gravity of the moon to capture it into an elliptical or-bit. When the orbital height of Chandrayaan-I is lowered to its intended 100 km height from the lunar surface, the MIP will be ejected from Chandrayaan-I at the earliest opportunity on to the lunar surface in a chosen area.
"About 20 days from the date of launch, Chandrayaan-I will be in the required moon orbit. So we are looking at November 8, around noon," M C Dathan, Director, SDSC told the media on Saturday.
The spacecraft, which is being readied at another building will be moved to the vehicle building by October 14, following which another four days work will be carried out to marry the spacecraft with the launch vehicle. On October 18, the vehicle with the payloads will be moved to the launchpad. The 50 hour countdown for the October 22 launch will begin at 4 am on October 20, he said.
When the media reached Sriharikota on Saturday morning, signs of the monsoon setting in showed up. Dark clouds hovered around the SDSC. However, Dathan allayed any fears of the launch not taking place on October 22. "Considering that the North East monsoon setting in on the same day as the launch, met experts will reach here six days before the launch and will monitor the situation," he said.
"Only if a cyclone occurs or extreme bad weather conditions prevail, will there be a problem with the launch. Otherwise, even under rains, the launch will take place," he added.
Sriharikota : On November 10 or 11, the Indian flag will crashland on the moon, kicking up dust, literally! When the Moon Impact Probe (MIP) is ejected from the Chandrayaan-I spacecraft onto the lunar surface, it will mark the country's leap into the bandwagon of countries aiming for the moon.
"A small Indian flag has been painted on the MIP. This is a matter of great pride and honour and when the MIP lands on the moon, it will signal India's entry into one of the intriguing aspects of the universe. The Indian tricolour has been painted of a size about 4 inches by 6 inches," ISRO officials told The Times of India on Saturday.
Courtesy:ISRO (This pic was not available for the story..So its now blogged" )The 29 kg Moon Impact Probe which was originally not a part of the initial plans, was inducted into the payload at the insistence of former president Dr A P J Abdul Kalam. The payload developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre at Thiruvananthapuram will help identify future landing sites on the moon and will also aid scientific explora-tion of the lunar surface. When ejected from the Chandrayaan-I spacecraft, it will crashland on the moon, which will kick up dust. The Mass Spectrometer on the MIP will gather scientific details from the dust and send it back.
The MIP is one of the 11 payloads on India's first moon mission, Chandrayaan-I, taken on board the PSLV-C-11 and is one of the five instruments fully designed and developed in India.
On October 22, the PSLV-C11, also called as the PSLV-XL because of the increased weight of the six strap on motors, will soar the skies at 6.20 am from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. It will travel to the vicin-ity of the moon by following a path called Lunar Transfer Trajectory (LTT).
When the spacecraft reaches the vicinity of the moon, the spacecraft is slowed down through a process to enable the gravity of the moon to capture it into an elliptical or-bit. When the orbital height of Chandrayaan-I is lowered to its intended 100 km height from the lunar surface, the MIP will be ejected from Chandrayaan-I at the earliest opportunity on to the lunar surface in a chosen area.
"About 20 days from the date of launch, Chandrayaan-I will be in the required moon orbit. So we are looking at November 8, around noon," M C Dathan, Director, SDSC told the media on Saturday.
The spacecraft, which is being readied at another building will be moved to the vehicle building by October 14, following which another four days work will be carried out to marry the spacecraft with the launch vehicle. On October 18, the vehicle with the payloads will be moved to the launchpad. The 50 hour countdown for the October 22 launch will begin at 4 am on October 20, he said.
When the media reached Sriharikota on Saturday morning, signs of the monsoon setting in showed up. Dark clouds hovered around the SDSC. However, Dathan allayed any fears of the launch not taking place on October 22. "Considering that the North East monsoon setting in on the same day as the launch, met experts will reach here six days before the launch and will monitor the situation," he said.
"Only if a cyclone occurs or extreme bad weather conditions prevail, will there be a problem with the launch. Otherwise, even under rains, the launch will take place," he added.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Will our politicians have the guts to take on each other in a public debate like the US presidential candidates?
In the second such debate that was televised live across the world, two opponents met on a common turf to thrash out issues and prove who the stronger candidate was, to become the President of the United States of America, something that will shape global policies and decisions of governments worldwide. Both the candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain had their opportunity to talk on various issues, something that tested their skill and knowledge of world affairs, matters of the economy and other such issues. It was 'civilised', to be to the point.
And to be a part of the debate needs 'guts'. These debates tests the skills and seeks to bring out the real person. This sort of also helps people make up their minds if the person they are going to vote for in the November elections has the stuff to be a good leader, a leader who can take tough decisions.
Now, think...Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa on a platform like this. Or Sonia Gandhi and Vajpayee, Advani...Amar Singh and Mayawati, Buddhadeb Bhattarcharya and Mamta Banerjee on one platform debating. Hehe...even hard to fathom what I have written, right? These are leaders who during press conferences and public meetings dare their political opponents for a public debate knowing fully well that it will never happen. They are so courageous to dare their opponents because they know that the political system in India is so entrenched with regionalism, language, casteism, corruption that the people will not be able to accept such a debate. In case such a debate does take place and one loses, then all the theories that the debate was a political conspiracy, against a particular caste, will crop up. These are just a few options that I can think of. The politicians will easily come up with the most ridiculous ideas.
Probably the day our politicians come onto a common forum and start debating and discussing issues, is the day India will move forward. But that day, atleast to me, seems far far far far away.
And to be a part of the debate needs 'guts'. These debates tests the skills and seeks to bring out the real person. This sort of also helps people make up their minds if the person they are going to vote for in the November elections has the stuff to be a good leader, a leader who can take tough decisions.
Now, think...Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa on a platform like this. Or Sonia Gandhi and Vajpayee, Advani...Amar Singh and Mayawati, Buddhadeb Bhattarcharya and Mamta Banerjee on one platform debating. Hehe...even hard to fathom what I have written, right? These are leaders who during press conferences and public meetings dare their political opponents for a public debate knowing fully well that it will never happen. They are so courageous to dare their opponents because they know that the political system in India is so entrenched with regionalism, language, casteism, corruption that the people will not be able to accept such a debate. In case such a debate does take place and one loses, then all the theories that the debate was a political conspiracy, against a particular caste, will crop up. These are just a few options that I can think of. The politicians will easily come up with the most ridiculous ideas.
Probably the day our politicians come onto a common forum and start debating and discussing issues, is the day India will move forward. But that day, atleast to me, seems far far far far away.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Real life Calvin!!
My Six year old neighbour, Aakash is one bundle of energy and extremely naughty. If he can, he will sell the whole world!! Three days back, he was chatting away with my mother, when he was telling her that his mother had gone off to some relatives place and his brother had gone missing leaving him all alone at home. "I do not know where he disappeared. He just vanished," he said. So my mom asked him who was cooking food or if they bought it from the hotel. The kid retorted back..."Why...My dad cooks" So my mom teased him that he should invite her to his house for lunch. He said "NO" and ran away. A few minutes later, Aakash's mother appeared from within the house. My mom was confused. After they had discussed what the little boy said, his mother asked "When did I go to my relatives' place?" Presently his brother appeared from within the house with a notebook in hand and asked "When did I disappear? You come inside..." he threatened. Aakash looked around, shrugged and walked off coolly with his hands in his pockets. And on Saturday, he tried to play the same trick again!! Another Calvin in the making!!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
The Sun and the Moon
The Sun...
The sun rises slowly on the horizon, while we were en route Sivaganga early in the morning.
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A little higher
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It's hidden behind the trees as the road gets closer to the field.. Hence unable to see the sun rise a little more higher
The Moon...
The moon tries to break out of the clouds...
Still is trying...moves towards the left..
goes a little higher up on the sky and towards the left, yet does not manage to break free from behind the clouds...
The sun rises slowly on the horizon, while we were en route Sivaganga early in the morning.
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A little higherhref="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWkCYVJ9_9HW_ZTdcOfCkHz9iFAr1fklOMmcPRERmUDmQz7CwlyvEMrCppPRNIH2xhfZZVirXCawqz1l2LhusZn8fMWWbiPzWS2O0ZFvoyppDyCPmak5MwC8fyZ6mhjpnfefETlypFbE/s1600-h/sunrise3.JPG">
It's hidden behind the trees as the road gets closer to the field.. Hence unable to see the sun rise a little more higherThe Moon...
The moon tries to break out of the clouds...
Still is trying...moves towards the left..
goes a little higher up on the sky and towards the left, yet does not manage to break free from behind the clouds...
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Smoke'free' India?
I despise smokers. But nothing can be done about it. If someone I know smokes and I need to talk with them, I put up with their smoking. I am a compulsive passive smoker! or passive smoker by compulsion?! This is a democracy and I can not force someone to not smoke, especially if they ll anyway not listen. But, if one cigarette moves onto the second one, then I protest mildly, in a manner that I will try to make them put it back in the cigarette dubba.
I hope I will not need to do that anymore. With the smoking ban in public places coming into effect from today, things will hopefully improve. Already, I have seen signs of it. My colleagues have been forced to walk down to the road or go to the rooftop to smoke. Hmmmm...So they are getting some exercise before they puff away a few minutes of their lives.
I have to admit that of the many ministers in India, I seem to like Anbumani Ramadoss. That man has guts! To take on Amitabh Bachchan or Shah Rukh Khan and face the ire of the media, when the actors professed 'creative liberties' against ban on smoking on screen, is no mean task. He had his own reasons and rightfully so. He pointed out that youngsters in India get influenced by movies, especially actors like Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. But the actors did not agree. But the fact is that people get influenced by actors and movies. Neither do we see any of our 'netas' standing up for the people of the country. "I am the health minister of the country and it is my duty to protect the health of my people," Anbumani says. The tobacco and liquor lobby in India have always been strong and tried to prevail over any of the government's decision to ban or restrict the sale of liquor or cigarettes in the country.
However, it has to be seen how this ban will be enforced. The minister says policemen, security personnel, NGOs and other organisations will be given the power to levy fines. But how effective will it be? A journalist from another media organisation was telling me last year that when smoking was banned in public places a few years back in Chennai, he was smoking opposite Kamaraj Arangam, near the Anna flyover. "An inspector at the police station next to the hall saw me lighting up and came running, jumped over the median on the road and came near me. I thought I was going to be fined. But after taking a couple of deep breaths, he asked "do you have a lighter". I was taken aback. I handed him my lighter and both of us had a good conversation over a couple of cigarettes."
If this is going to be the state of affairs this time around too, then any further effort to ban smoking will not be fruitful until and unless India bans selling of cigarettes.
But we will have to wait and see if Anbumani wins the next elections and holds onto the health ministry. What if somebody else becomes the health minister next time around and overturns the ban?--Anything is possible with Indian politicians!!!
I hope I will not need to do that anymore. With the smoking ban in public places coming into effect from today, things will hopefully improve. Already, I have seen signs of it. My colleagues have been forced to walk down to the road or go to the rooftop to smoke. Hmmmm...So they are getting some exercise before they puff away a few minutes of their lives.
I have to admit that of the many ministers in India, I seem to like Anbumani Ramadoss. That man has guts! To take on Amitabh Bachchan or Shah Rukh Khan and face the ire of the media, when the actors professed 'creative liberties' against ban on smoking on screen, is no mean task. He had his own reasons and rightfully so. He pointed out that youngsters in India get influenced by movies, especially actors like Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. But the actors did not agree. But the fact is that people get influenced by actors and movies. Neither do we see any of our 'netas' standing up for the people of the country. "I am the health minister of the country and it is my duty to protect the health of my people," Anbumani says. The tobacco and liquor lobby in India have always been strong and tried to prevail over any of the government's decision to ban or restrict the sale of liquor or cigarettes in the country.
However, it has to be seen how this ban will be enforced. The minister says policemen, security personnel, NGOs and other organisations will be given the power to levy fines. But how effective will it be? A journalist from another media organisation was telling me last year that when smoking was banned in public places a few years back in Chennai, he was smoking opposite Kamaraj Arangam, near the Anna flyover. "An inspector at the police station next to the hall saw me lighting up and came running, jumped over the median on the road and came near me. I thought I was going to be fined. But after taking a couple of deep breaths, he asked "do you have a lighter". I was taken aback. I handed him my lighter and both of us had a good conversation over a couple of cigarettes."
If this is going to be the state of affairs this time around too, then any further effort to ban smoking will not be fruitful until and unless India bans selling of cigarettes.
But we will have to wait and see if Anbumani wins the next elections and holds onto the health ministry. What if somebody else becomes the health minister next time around and overturns the ban?--Anything is possible with Indian politicians!!!
Is Gandhi relevant today?
It's just like any other day today. Except that dad is at home. This is the second successive holiday. Yesterday was Eid, today is Gandhi Jayanthi. Even before I wake up lazily at 10.30 a.m (one of the few days I have slept so late in the past two months), dad and mom are at the Community Hall at the end of the street. The singer, who used to sing alongwith M S Subalakshmi is there to perform, my mom tells me. She returns after an hour, after I have finished my cup of green tea and an apple and finished reading the papers. Dad is still at the Hall. Am told that he is listening to someone speaking about Gandhi. He returns after an hour. I don't ask about what was spoken about Gandhi.
Gandhi is not relevant today. His ideals are. I dont like Gandhi, the man. Have never liked him. There are atleast a few thousand youngsters like me, who believe the same. Many of my friends detest Gandhi, a few of my teachers have. Gandhi is always a hotly debated topic, be it in schools, colleges, the media or by the politicians.Even US presidential candidate, Barack Obama swears by Gandhi. Obama is now a household name across the world, like Gandhi was, when India was fighting for Independence. Gandhi was fighting for freedom for a country of a few million people. Obama is supposedly fighting for change in a nation. The two big democracies in the world.
Obama said "Gandhi's significance is universal. Countless people around the world have been touched by his spirit and example, his victory in turn inspired a generation of young Americans to peacefully wipe out a system of overt oppression that had endured for a century, and more recently led to velvet revolutions in Eastern Europe and extinguished apartheid in South Africa. Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama and Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr., spoke of their great debt to Gandhi. His portrait hangs in my office to remind me that real change will not come from Washington - it will come when the people, united, bring it to Washington."
A bespectacled, lean man with no shirt, a stick in hand, made a nation dream. Dream, that is what Dr Abdul Kalam tells the world.
When we were working on a story for Independence Day, I went to meet a freedom fighter,a member of the Indian National Congress who had spent two years in prison during the freedom struggle. While he was talking about what was happening in India during that time, I decided to prod him on the question of Gandhi and Subash Chandra Bose. I, for a large part of my largely insignificant life, have believed that Subash Chandra Bose would have driven the Britishers out of the country sooner and with lesser sacrifices. The freedom fighter doesn't disagree with me. He tells me that even among the people at that point of time, there was a slight dissatisfaction. Some of the youngsters began to believe that violence was a way out. The Indian National Army was gaining ground.
"But, both Bose and Gandhi believed that the time for taking up arms had not come," he said. Bose was waiting for his time. He told some people that the time for violence was not yet there. "This is time for peace. The time for violence will come," Bose reportedly had said. But, before the time for taking up arms had come, Bose died in an aircrash.
If a person like Subash Chandra Bose believed that peace was a way out of problems, Mandela,the Dalai Lama and leaders like them have proved it. 9/11, the 11/11 bombings in London, Godhra, Kandhamal, the spate of bombings across India and even Pakistan, leave us with a sense of distaste. It's even getting boring.What do they get out of all this? Probably, a few lives, at the most. Violence does not make a statement or else Lage Raho Munnabhai would not have been such a hit. No one wants to see violence, want to be a part of it. Probably, Gandhi is relevant. No... his ideals are!
Gandhi is not relevant today. His ideals are. I dont like Gandhi, the man. Have never liked him. There are atleast a few thousand youngsters like me, who believe the same. Many of my friends detest Gandhi, a few of my teachers have. Gandhi is always a hotly debated topic, be it in schools, colleges, the media or by the politicians.Even US presidential candidate, Barack Obama swears by Gandhi. Obama is now a household name across the world, like Gandhi was, when India was fighting for Independence. Gandhi was fighting for freedom for a country of a few million people. Obama is supposedly fighting for change in a nation. The two big democracies in the world.
Obama said "Gandhi's significance is universal. Countless people around the world have been touched by his spirit and example, his victory in turn inspired a generation of young Americans to peacefully wipe out a system of overt oppression that had endured for a century, and more recently led to velvet revolutions in Eastern Europe and extinguished apartheid in South Africa. Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama and Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr., spoke of their great debt to Gandhi. His portrait hangs in my office to remind me that real change will not come from Washington - it will come when the people, united, bring it to Washington."
A bespectacled, lean man with no shirt, a stick in hand, made a nation dream. Dream, that is what Dr Abdul Kalam tells the world.
When we were working on a story for Independence Day, I went to meet a freedom fighter,a member of the Indian National Congress who had spent two years in prison during the freedom struggle. While he was talking about what was happening in India during that time, I decided to prod him on the question of Gandhi and Subash Chandra Bose. I, for a large part of my largely insignificant life, have believed that Subash Chandra Bose would have driven the Britishers out of the country sooner and with lesser sacrifices. The freedom fighter doesn't disagree with me. He tells me that even among the people at that point of time, there was a slight dissatisfaction. Some of the youngsters began to believe that violence was a way out. The Indian National Army was gaining ground.
"But, both Bose and Gandhi believed that the time for taking up arms had not come," he said. Bose was waiting for his time. He told some people that the time for violence was not yet there. "This is time for peace. The time for violence will come," Bose reportedly had said. But, before the time for taking up arms had come, Bose died in an aircrash.
If a person like Subash Chandra Bose believed that peace was a way out of problems, Mandela,the Dalai Lama and leaders like them have proved it. 9/11, the 11/11 bombings in London, Godhra, Kandhamal, the spate of bombings across India and even Pakistan, leave us with a sense of distaste. It's even getting boring.What do they get out of all this? Probably, a few lives, at the most. Violence does not make a statement or else Lage Raho Munnabhai would not have been such a hit. No one wants to see violence, want to be a part of it. Probably, Gandhi is relevant. No... his ideals are!
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