tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5679224142041114562024-03-17T00:22:50.728+05:30Sundeep BhutoriaSundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.comBlogger1179125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-46928740719319905842024-02-26T16:02:00.032+05:302024-02-27T16:26:52.315+05:30An Exotic Getaway in Sun-Kissed Dubai<br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">I count my privilege of being able to travel around the world and stay at some of the world’s best on offer in far-flung as well as regular reaches — as being among my greatest gifts in life. Time and again I have traversed many lands, and cities, and been among people who have been gracious and welcoming. And on each time I have been understandably impressed with what I have experienced with my own eyes and feelings. One of the many interesting halts that I have taken in these sojourns of mine has been at the Dubai International Airport which as all would know happens to be the world’s busiest airport based on international passenger traffic. But I regret my halts have mostly been while en route to other places and I have not had the occasion to venture deep into this fascinating city and the reaches beyond the obvious.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The journey of Dubai from a sleepy Gulf port to a world-famous business crossroads in the time span of virtually a mere single generation is one to be in awe of and, needless to say, something that I have often read and admired about. In the course of my recent visit to the city, my perceptions stood greatly enhanced as I got to spend some meaningful time in this land of stunning architecture, fancy hotels, shopping festivals, majestic skyscrapers, glittering skylines, and of course, the enormous shopping malls and their vision for tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">I would, of course, be penning down my thoughts and experiences in the city but at this point, I wish to share with readers the wonderful time that I spent at Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, The Palm, Dubai — the newest addition of Taj international properties. Yes, this is the wonderful hotel that served as my ‘port of call’ in these rich lands. And it’s also the hotel where Prime Minister Narendra Modi had put up while he toured the Middle East in the recent past. And perhaps, I was treading unconsciously behind his hallowed footsteps. That being said, Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, The Palm is a beachfront property of the city where the word Exotic pans out in stark reality not only in terms of a superlative stay but also for being a perfect fusion of Indian and Arabian luxury at its finest.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzkNdvhHLQJVsn7Y2Qe_qnfx6GcNJDhSU1wIP1e70uTf99JF3sf_QQVTdkTi0tVUeLFoq-_BHRqFAaruzT8FiUvushcPL-WUYXBG-dkLqWAFXDymkjL9pNwH6YeIqe0z0ZTTDmaLsES5COB282ArZGPoSe05TG8UgYNtuX9_dJSGf0Y8AIPLeM6OhwQ/s1067/Sundeep%20Bhutoria%20at%20the%20Taj%20Exotica%20Resorts%20&%20Spa,%20The%20Palm%20Dubai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzkNdvhHLQJVsn7Y2Qe_qnfx6GcNJDhSU1wIP1e70uTf99JF3sf_QQVTdkTi0tVUeLFoq-_BHRqFAaruzT8FiUvushcPL-WUYXBG-dkLqWAFXDymkjL9pNwH6YeIqe0z0ZTTDmaLsES5COB282ArZGPoSe05TG8UgYNtuX9_dJSGf0Y8AIPLeM6OhwQ/w480-h640/Sundeep%20Bhutoria%20at%20the%20Taj%20Exotica%20Resorts%20&%20Spa,%20The%20Palm%20Dubai.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sundeep Bhutoria at the Taj Exotica Resorts & Spa, The Palm Dubai</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The Indian imprint of Dubai is unmissable as Indians create the largest ethnic community in the United Arab Emirates attributing nearly 30 per cent to the country’s population and being a seamless element of the region’s cultural ethos. It is thus hardly a surprise that the Taj group has put its heart and soul into creating a signature imprint through the Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, its third hotel in Dubai. Owned by A. Al Moosa, Arenco Group — a service-oriented conglomerate that includes a wide spectrum of business interests — this luxurious edifice on the east crescent of The Palm has 325 spacious rooms and suites, with most rooms facing the sea. Under the able guidance of General Manager Ranjit Phillipose, the area director, the Middle East has brought in his 30 years of experience to create an establishment that never fails to make memories in the lap of luxury and care. I had a great interaction with him during my both stays and learned quite a bit about the tenets and presences within this luxurious setup.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The owner of the premises rests with A. A. Al Moosa Enterprises (ARENCO), and his personal residence can be seen across the sliver of the ocean adjoining the hotel. Abdulla Ahmed Al Moosa, an Emirati Civil Engineer, established A. A. Al Moosa Enterprise (ARENCO Group) in 1971, when he set up the first national Architectural Design, Engineering and Consultancy practice in Dubai, UAE which in a very short time went on to become one of the largest establishments in the GULF region, maintaining a prominent position of leadership and pioneering among its peers through enterprises that range from Architectural & Engineering Consultants, Real Estate, Hotel Apartments, Hotels, Car Rentals & Auto Services, Manufacturing, Furniture Trading, Interior Design and Commercial Laundry Services amongst others. His taste and keen eye for fine design is very evident in the hotel’s architecture and the quality of furniture and fixtures used in the property.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfkWxKnXDr8-nIBcPCIJ9T5W2fohF3Dkyl1n1sSzQnWfH6baeazFdSCuHul4wVfxDE9KcM9wFx2IO1b4QJvuedtrwxiEazjZ0rh3HDy9UgshSPTRHPUsR4TGxijLD0pVwCoF7jJdjRthfWGHoqattqQjQuSKYiJazw2fJq2Im6ht_ZuQOjZfXSHMc_Q/s873/Abdullah%20Ahmed%20Al%20Moosa.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="873" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfkWxKnXDr8-nIBcPCIJ9T5W2fohF3Dkyl1n1sSzQnWfH6baeazFdSCuHul4wVfxDE9KcM9wFx2IO1b4QJvuedtrwxiEazjZ0rh3HDy9UgshSPTRHPUsR4TGxijLD0pVwCoF7jJdjRthfWGHoqattqQjQuSKYiJazw2fJq2Im6ht_ZuQOjZfXSHMc_Q/w640-h612/Abdullah%20Ahmed%20Al%20Moosa.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abdullah Ahmed Al Moosa</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai, is truly a distinctive island oasis that creates a desirable setting for one and all to discover the ‘tranquil side’ in the welcoming embrace of the Taj group. With the architectural direction of Arenco Taj Exotica and the spell-binding interior design signature of Hirsch Bedner Associates, this establishment is the epitome of a grandiose hospitality experience with strong influences of an Indian welcome in an Arabic space.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">I have been to the various Taj international hotels but what I experienced at the Taj Exotica has created a separate niche in luxury in my list of experiences and stays. There are many things that I wish to speak of — the top among them being the many hues of blue and brown that are so artistically woven into the hotel’s interiors to create a view that is breath-taking, a scene that blends admirably with the rainbow of aqua shades and mint green ever present from the individualised balconies of each room.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Then there is that exquisite chandelier, the Diamond Flow Chandelier by Preciosa, that sets the tone in the lobby itself for the opulence within. Fine dining at its very best is made available via the seven venues on offer with ‘Varq’ featuring on most lists as being the venue for serving Indian cuisine in an eclectic fusion of diverse regional flavours with an eye on tradition.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXkMadk_OsaD8b9vs0MYzMPAfbkWDkPU07C9fKnkbsETVnrh3bwTMfnJsAxGZK7rECr0uYsNHBsWA7OvUwugtQW9qi3UUQtNs_L92sY8lNg_0NlgJ8IFSmYauxJW8H-8H2s_dI2lSfDUIE6xUnIIfuiXKrVSEkkmtm3PvbR1hRAJZTfGT6WXGpJRENg/s5712/Food%20packed%20by%20Chef%20Sonu%20Koithara%20which%20Emirates%20served%20to%20me%20onboard%20the%20flight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5712" data-original-width="4284" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXkMadk_OsaD8b9vs0MYzMPAfbkWDkPU07C9fKnkbsETVnrh3bwTMfnJsAxGZK7rECr0uYsNHBsWA7OvUwugtQW9qi3UUQtNs_L92sY8lNg_0NlgJ8IFSmYauxJW8H-8H2s_dI2lSfDUIE6xUnIIfuiXKrVSEkkmtm3PvbR1hRAJZTfGT6WXGpJRENg/w480-h640/Food%20packed%20by%20Chef%20Sonu%20Koithara%20which%20Emirates%20served%20to%20me%20onboard%20the%20flight.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Food packed by Chef Sonu Koithara which Emirates served to me onboard the flight</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The other favourites for food choices include The Roaring Rabbit, then Raia Rooftop Bar and Lounge for that unforgettable panoramic view of Dubai’s skyline, Palm Kitchen, the Emperor’s Lounge and the Lime Pool, and The Coast. Among the hotel’s other attractions is the Spa Jiva which offers healthy dollops of Ayurveda, Indian Therapies, Yoga, and meditation. Mention must also be made of the DubaiHONEYCOMB HI-FI which happens to be an ‘Uber’ record store, besides being the Middle East’s first listening bar.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">In my opinion, The Taj group has outdone itself through this distinctive island oasis where the exotic can be celebrated. Set against the sparkling Arabian Gulf and Dubai’s shimmering skyline here shines a gem where one can give worldly affairs a miss and immerse oneself in experiences that only can come from all things “Taj”. I did. And, it made my stay truly memorable and more enriched, details that I would share shortly of the city and its attractions, and the undeniable Indian aspects. The executive head chef, Sonu Koithara, previously worked at Taj Bengal Kolkata years before. The way he packed my breakfast and lunch for my flight from Dubai to Los Angeles was unparalleled; I have yet to experience such packaging.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This article was published in News18.com on 26.02.2024</span></i> <a href="https://www.news18.com/opinion/opinion-bahar-bharat-an-exotic-getaway-in-sun-kissed-dubai-8792553.html" style="text-align: left;">https://www.news18.com/opinion/opinion-bahar-bharat-an-exotic-getaway-in-sun-kissed-dubai-8792553.html</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-34539485254628877212024-02-22T16:35:00.008+05:302024-02-27T19:00:49.380+05:30Rama in Literature<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">The enduring popularity of the Ramayana continues to propel various retellings and re-imaginings of the classic tale of the triumph of good over evil. The Ramayana’s enduring popularity is evidenced by its journey across borders, regions, languages and cultures. The most definitive of them all, is Valmiki’s Sanskrit text, Ramayana, dating back to 7th century […]<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_78ybBL8gSAOKdxKt73ENsPbqsjFDLoxZEha497KUGg_fqKvRoxhfwI1pGtsvil2az3mlrrNMoMSKi5AtROBsw7sn8Fp7h-g7LVzt8v-znefKvdjHKR5DKy3cW7Fl03z1W_qQxrw4BTcRuV6I-MBRGVuQSW9y_uOBKn2jNGnJS2klb59EhaPFbzS1hA/s1121/ramanaya.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="1098" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_78ybBL8gSAOKdxKt73ENsPbqsjFDLoxZEha497KUGg_fqKvRoxhfwI1pGtsvil2az3mlrrNMoMSKi5AtROBsw7sn8Fp7h-g7LVzt8v-znefKvdjHKR5DKy3cW7Fl03z1W_qQxrw4BTcRuV6I-MBRGVuQSW9y_uOBKn2jNGnJS2klb59EhaPFbzS1hA/w626-h640/ramanaya.jpg" width="626" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><i>The enduring popularity of the Ramayana continues to propel various retellings and re-imaginings of the classic tale of the triumph of good over evil.</i><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">The Ramayana’s enduring popularity is evidenced by its journey across borders, regions, languages and cultures. The most definitive of them all, is Valmiki’s Sanskrit text, Ramayana, dating back to 7th century BCE which details the story of Prince Rama in six kandas or chapters. (The seventh kanda – Uttarakanda is considered a later addition to the text.) Initial ‘tellings’ of the Ramayana were mostly oral, and there have been many additions and omissions in the ‘versions’ that were finally written down. But the Ramayana has become part of the warp and weft of the tapestry of common life in India and elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>In Medieval Literature</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Paumachariya in Prakrit is perhaps the earliest known of them. This Jain retelling, written by Bimal Suri in 4 C.E., is also the first known interlingual translation (Sanskrit to Prakrit). In 7 C.E., Bhattikaavyam, authored by Bhatti, retold the epic in Sanskrit itself. In the 12th century, one saw the epic retold by Tamil poet Kambar – his Ramavataram (Kamba Ramayanam), though there have been references to the Ramayana in Tamil literature much earlier. Nagachandra’s Kannada version, Ramachandra Charitra Purana, also written in the 12 C.E., portrays Ravana as a tragic hero in a departure from the Sanskrit text. In 15 C.E., Bengali poet Krittibas Ojha translated one of the available Sanskrit renditions into Bengali in his Krittibasi Ramayana (Shri Rampanchali), while Odia author Siddheshwar Das (also known as Sarala Das), subverted the tradition in Bichitra Ramayana. Jagamohana Ramayana (Dandi Ramayana) written by Odia poet Balarama Dasa, was most likely inspired by the Adhyatma Ramayana, a 13th-15th century Sanskrit text, attributed variously to Sage Vyasa and the Hindu saint Ramananda. Adhyatma Ramayana also inspired two seminal works: Tulsidas’s Ramcharitamanas in Awadhi in 16 C.E., and Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilippattu by Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan in Malayalam (early 17th century).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Mid-sixteenth century also saw one of the most subversive of Ramayanas – Bengali poet’s Chandrabati’s feminist retelling of the epic has her telling the story from Sita’s point of view. Meanwhile, in 19th century Bengal, Michael Madhusudan Dutta wrote Meghnad Badh Kabya, based on the episode in Valmiki’s Ramayana in which Meghnad/Indrajit (Ravana’s son) is killed in battle. Ravana is portrayed as a responsible king and a tragic hero, while Lakshmana is described as deceitful.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Modern Versions</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Many of us from a particular generation were introduced to the Ramayana and the Mahabharata through C Rajagopalachari’s faithful retelling of the epics. Published in 1951, they gave us a condensed version of both epics.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Four years later, however, Periyar EV Ramaswamy Naicker authored his blistering interpretation of the Ramayana (Iramayanakurippukal (1955) – Notes on the Ramayana), from his viewpoint as a leading figure of the Dravidian movement. While Aubrey Menen penned his version, Rama Retold in 1956, in which Sita has more agency than she usually does.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Famed Malayali litterateur CV Sreekantan Nair wrote Lanka Lakshmi, part of his Ramayana trilogy, in which he wrote about the tragedy of power as he portrayed Ravana as a tragic hero, caught in a moral dilemma due to his one unthinking act.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>In Popular Fiction</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">That the Ramayana has not lost its appeal over the centuries is evident in the slew of books that draw upon the epic and present modern interpretations of it from varying perspectives. Whether you are new to the epic or have read various interpretations before, these are some imaginative retellings that might whet your interest.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Series by Ashok Banker (2003-2012)</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Possibly the series that spawned the expanding mythology genre in popular Indian literature in English, Banker’s eight volume retelling of the popular epic is both sprawling and imaginative.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Modern Retelling by Ramesh Menon (2004)</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">One of the best modern adaptations of the Ramayana, Menon succeeds in conveying the beauty of the original in simple, lyrical prose that captivates the reader.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Asura – Anand Neelakantan (2012)</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Neelakantan attempts the impossible – making Ravana a sympathetic character instead of the monster he is, in popular consciousness. His Asura is not only of Ravana, but also of his people. He delves into the epic’s greyer areas, raising moral and ethical questions that persuade the reader to look at the epic from a different perspective.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Ramachandra series by Amish Tripathi (2015 -2022)</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Amish’s four-volume series begins before the birth of Rama and follows a non-linear narrative throughout. It takes many liberties with the epic as we know it, but it is a one-time read for readers who want to read a different tale.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>The Liberation of Sita by Volga (2016)</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Telugu feminist poet Volga retells Valmiki’s Ramayana from Sita’s point of view. Beginning after Sita’s abandonment by Rama post their return to Ayodhya, it shows Sita’s journey towards self-realisation, helped along the way by a host of extraordinary women. Volga also brings the minor women characters of the Ramayana – Renuka, Ahalya, Urmila and even Surpanakha – to the forefront, while her Rama, left behind in Ayodhya, weighs his dual roles as husband and king.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Arshia Sattar and Sonali Zohra – Ramayana – An Illustrated Retelling (2018)</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Sattar’s engaging retelling of the epic for younger readers is filled with lyrical prose and a deep understanding of the epic. Her Ram is not the divine super hero but a man with his own doubts, faults and foibles. Her nuanced take on beloved characters is beautifully complemented by Sonali Zohra’s fabulous artwork that adds deeply textured layers to the written text.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (2019)</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s novel also offers a unique perspective into the classic tale – that of Sita’s. Her Sita is not the passive character we have come to know from earlier versions of the epic – her Sita is more nuanced. She is also self-willed, strong and independent, and her journey from birth to her abduction by Ravana and her subsequent rescue by her husband is well narrated.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">This is by no means an exhaustive list of the many adaptations/interpretations of the Ramayana. Books like Bhanumati Narasimhan’s Sita, Vaishnavi Patel’s Kaikeyi, Manini J. Anandini’s Mandodari: Queen of Lanka, Kavita Kane’s Lanka’s Princess, are all reimagined retellings of the epic from the perspectives of diverse characters. There’s even an exciting graphic novel called Sita’s Ramayana by Samhita Arni and Moyna Chitrakar that offers a view into the lives of women that are upended by men’s wars.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">The Ramayana is more than a story; it enfolds within itself a multifarious and heterogeneous narrative culture. Each retelling of the Ramayana, therefore, only adds newer interpretations and fascinating perspectives, becoming many things to many people at once.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This article was published in the Daily Guardian on 22.02.2024</i></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><a href="https://thedailyguardian.com/rama-in-literature/" style="text-align: left;">https://thedailyguardian.com/rama-in-literature/</a> </p>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-36969005860829441552024-02-13T16:14:00.001+05:302024-02-20T16:44:03.119+05:30India Shining at the Grammy Awards<p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The 66th Grammy Awards demonstrated the enduring legacy of Indian cultural heritage. It was a night where dreams collided with reality, where tribulations gave way to triumphs, and where the bonds of friendship and camaraderie transcended barriers of language and nationality<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The 66th Grammy Awards will go down in history as the night of more than one global giant. One of these was Ustad Zakir Hussain, who became the first Indian to win three awards in a single night. It was truly Indian music’s time to shine on the world stage once again.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" id="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px; text-align: justify;">The allure of the Grammy Awards is undeniable. It’s a night where musical brilliance takes centre stage, where dreams are realised, and where the global music community unites in a celebration of excellence. For me, this year’s event held special significance as it was the first time I had the chance to attend. At the invitation of my friend, three-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej, I was in for a treat that turned out to be a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with unexpected twists and turns, culminating in a celebration of Indian excellence on the world stage.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" id="2" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px; text-align: justify;">On the day of the ceremony, Los Angeles was in a state of emergency due to an “atmospheric river” that dumped a historic amount of rain on the city known usually for its fine weather. I was staying at the JW Marriott LA Live, conveniently located near the Crypto Arena, where the Grammys were to unfold. The lobby where Ricky and I were supposed to meet was bustling. The hotel had created a special corner with a red carpet as a Grammy selfie station.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">However, as we prepared to venture out, a seemingly trivial obstacle presented itself — the need for an umbrella. To my astonishment, the reception demanded a staggering $50 deposit for the loan of an umbrella, a surreal introduction to the realities of being in LA during Grammy weekend. Despite being willing to pay, they said no umbrellas were available, though a tip to a bellhop did the trick.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" id="4" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px; text-align: justify;">I arrived at the venue only to be greeted by lines of fellow attendees braving the elements. As we waited, a mix-up regarding entrances led to a series of redirected queues, each more labyrinthine than the last. The storm was blowing the umbrella away and even those with the most red-carpet worthy looks were getting wet.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" id="5" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px; text-align: justify;">Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we were inside the Crypto Arena, greeted by the dazzling spectacle of the Grammy Awards in full swing. I felt a surge of pride as India already made its mark on the global stage. Ustad Zakir Hussain, a maestro of unparalleled talent, etched his name in the annals of history by clinching three Grammys in a single night, a feat unmatched and unprecedented by any Indian. Virtuoso flautist Rakesh Chaurasia also ascended to new heights, securing two coveted awards. The two won joint awards for their album, As We Speak, in the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album category and a song on it, Pashto, won for Best Global Musical<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Performance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Hussain also won Best Global Music Album as part of the group Shakti, which also features stalwarts Shankar Mahadevan, Selvaganesh Vinayakram and Ganesh Rajagopalan, for their album This Moment.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" id="7" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px; text-align: justify;">Prior to the Grammys, I had the privilege of attending a reception hosted by Ricky Kej, a luminary in his own right, at The Continental Club. Against the glimmering backdrop of Los Angeles, I witnessed firsthand the respect and admiration he commanded, not just as a musician but as a global ambassador for social change. The gathering served as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of music and its ability to transcend boundaries, unite hearts and inspire change. Moreover, the luncheon provided an opportunity to connect with music icons from around the world, including Rakesh Chaurasia. I was also impressed to see the energy of the 72-year-old Ustad Zakir Hussain, who performed on February 3 at the Kamani Auditorium in Delhi and made it to the Grammys just days later!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" id="7" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">In retrospect, the 66th Grammy Awards demonstrated the enduring legacy of Indian cultural heritage. It was a night where dreams collided with reality, where tribulations gave way to triumphs, and where the bonds of friendship and camaraderie transcended barriers of language and nationality. I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to witness history in the making, to stand shoulder to shoulder with musical luminaries, and to bask in the radiant glow of Indian excellence on the global stage. The night will forever be a cherished memory where the world came together, united by the universal language of music.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This article was published on News 18 on 13.02.2024 </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.news18.com/opinion/opinion-india-shining-at-the-grammys-8777192.html" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="background: white;">https://www.news18.com/opinion/opinion-india-shining-at-the-grammys-8777192.html</span></a></span><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-49191362829482132332024-01-30T13:03:00.010+05:302024-02-20T15:37:52.724+05:30हम राजस्थानी • गुलाबी शहर में आयोजनों की बहार<p><span style="font-size: medium;">जनवरी में संस्कृति-साहित्य की ऊंचाई छू लेता है जयपुर</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 22.826668px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px; text-align: justify;">गणतंत्र दिवस समारोह में अपनी विशिष्ट उपस्थिति से एक दिन पूर्व </span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px; text-align: justify;">25</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px; text-align: justify;"> जनवरी को फ्रांस के राष्ट्रपति इमैनुएल मैक्रों ने जयपुर का उत्सवी रंग देखा। उनके राजसी स्वागत में जयपुर जगमगा उठा। प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी के साथ गणमान्य अतिथियों ने गुलाबी शहर में आयोजित रोड शो में हिस्सा लिया</span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px; text-align: justify;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px; text-align: justify;">जो विरासत के संरक्षण के संदेश के साथ-साथ भारत और फ्रांस के बीच दोस्ती व सहयोग के मजबूत बंधन का प्रतीक बना। जंतर-मंतर से सांगानेरी गेट के बीच आयोजित यह अनूठा रोड शो महज राजनयिक घटना नहीं बल्कि फ्रांस और भारत के बीच साझा सांस्कृतिक लोकाचार का उत्सव था। </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">मैक्रों की यह महत्वपूर्ण यात्रा भारत-फ्रांस के बीच रणनीतिक साझेदारी की </span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">25</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">वीं वर्षगांठ समारोह के प्रमुख आयोजनों में से एक थी</span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">जो दोनों देशों के बीच स्थायी संबंधों और साझा मूल्यों को उजागर करती है।</span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">गौरतलब है कि परमाणु परीक्षण के बाद </span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">1998</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;"> में फ्रांस ने भारत का पक्ष लिया था। भारत में अपनी दो दिवसीय यात्रा के पहले दिन जब मैक्रों जंतर-मंतर पहुंचे... उनके कदमों की आहट उन पीढ़ियों के कदमों की गूंज थी जो इसकी दीवारों के भीतर मौजूद खगोल विज्ञान के चमत्कार को देखकर आश्चर्यचकित हो चुके हैं। मैक्रों ने हवा महल और आमेर किले जैसे स्थापत्य रत्नों का भी दौरा किया। उनके दौरे और रोड शो के लिए जयपुर को चुना गया क्योंकि जयपुर की खूबसूरती जनवरी और फरवरी में अपने शिखर पर होती है। सिर्फ मौसम के ही लिहाज से नहीं</span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">बल्कि आयोजनों</span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">त्योहारों और सांस्कृतिक समारोहों की वजह से जयपुर एक रंगीन कैनवास में बदल जाता है। इसीलिए लोग गुलाबी शहर को देश के सांस्कृतिक स्वर्ग का दर्जा देते हैं। अपने ऐतिहासिक आकर्षण की धरोहर के साथ-साथ</span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">यह शहर साहित्यिक और कलात्मक प्रयासों से भी गुलजार है। इसका चश्मदीद गवाह है जयपुर लिटरेचर फेस्टीवल</span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">पिछले </span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">16</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">वर्षों से जिसकी मेजबानी जयपुर करता आ रहा है। भले ही जनवरी की तारीखों से खिसकते हुए साहित्य का यह महाकुंभ इस साल फरवरी के पहले हफ्ते में आयोजित हो रहा है</span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">लेकिन हर साल यह दुनियाभर से साहित्य प्रेमियों को खींच लाने के नए रिकॉर्ड बनाता आया है। जनवरी तो जैसे जयपुर के ही नाम लिख दिया गया है। यहां का सांस्कृतिक उत्सव केवल किताबों के पत्रों तक ही सीमित नहीं है</span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">बल्कि जीवंत सड़कों पर फैला हुआ है। इस महीने में विविध आयोजनों के बीच पोलो और गोल्फ टूर्नामेंट भी होते हैं</span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">जो शहर के सांस्कृतिक परिदृश्य में एक गतिशील कड़ी जोड़ते हैं। वर्ष </span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">1727</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;"> में बसा यह शहर सिर्फ आयोजनों की मेजबानी नहीं करता बल्कि उन्हें यादगार अनुभवों के मनकों में पिरो देता है। यहां की पतंगबाजी भी बहुत मशहूर है। मकर संक्रांति पर नीले आसमान पर रंग-बिरंगी पतंगों की कशीदाकारी होती है तो रात को आतिशबाजी की जरी से वही नीला आसमान सज जाता है। तिल और गुड़ के जायके और पौष बड़े गुलाबी ठंड के मौसम में जायके की जादूगरी दिखाने लगते हैं।</span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">अपनी समृद्ध सांस्कृतिक और खेल-शैली के अलावा जयपुर जनवरी के महीने में मनोरंजन और उत्सव के एक विविध केंद्र में बदल जाता है। यह ऐतिहासिक शहर परंपरा और आधुनिकता के मिश्रण को अपनाते हुए</span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">जिफ व रिफ जैसे फिल्म समारोहों के साथ सिनेमाई कलाओं को फलने-फूलने के लिए एक मंच देता है। वहीं विरासत से वर्तमान को जोड़ती हुई सालाना विंटेज कार रैली क्लासिक ऑटोमोबाइल की शानो-शौकत व रिवायत को शहर की रगों में फिर से दौड़ने का मौका देती है। इसके अलावा</span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">संगीत समारोह भी रागों और साजों के साथ शहर की आबोहवा में गूंजने की पैरवी करते हैं। जयपुर सचमुच भारत की धरोहर</span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">संस्कार और मेहमान नवाजी को दिखाने का एक सबसे उपयुक्त शहर है</span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">, </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">बल्कि दृश्यों और अनुभवों का भी खजाना है। </span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">( </span></b><b><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">ये लेखक के अपने विचार हैं)</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">( <span lang="HI">जनवरी तो जैसे जयपुर के ही नाम लिख दिया गया है। यहां का सांस्कृतिक उत्सव केवल किताबों तक ही सीमित नहीं है</span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">, </span></b><b><span lang="HI" style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">इस महीने में पोलो और गोल्फ टूर्नामेंट भी होते हैं जो सांस्कृतिक परिदृश्य में एक गतिशील कड़ी जोड़ते हैं।</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;">)</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; line-height: 19.973333px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-p_4oyhGENOTWu9rsqtz6u_9p4dBy0aKk6kO_naS0AhZWmKSJo6Zzemlyy5NaHia1Jm8_Tp7UT_tX3nNbCde269KMFoVTBJ0e4tQApYIuug8gFczM7LO2Dv1C9ER_odKL6FIRMEJtKWLXN94b0oaCsy2ZpBEE0hCXVG3ydWhZybPFhzO09HWmLenMQ/s1280/WhatsApp%20Image%202024-02-08%20at%203.58.51%20AM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="630" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-p_4oyhGENOTWu9rsqtz6u_9p4dBy0aKk6kO_naS0AhZWmKSJo6Zzemlyy5NaHia1Jm8_Tp7UT_tX3nNbCde269KMFoVTBJ0e4tQApYIuug8gFczM7LO2Dv1C9ER_odKL6FIRMEJtKWLXN94b0oaCsy2ZpBEE0hCXVG3ydWhZybPFhzO09HWmLenMQ/w316-h640/WhatsApp%20Image%202024-02-08%20at%203.58.51%20AM.jpeg" width="316" /></span></a></b></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.973333px;"><br /></span></b><p></p>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-35280970136061798792024-01-19T17:41:00.000+05:302024-02-27T17:41:33.892+05:30 Rama's enduring legacy: Exploring the timeless appeal of Ramayana across cultures and generations<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">From the importance of truth to devotion to duty and the value of sacrifice, Lord Rama’s life offers lessons that are not just relevant to today’s society, but also necessary in a world riven by hatred and violence</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Ramayana, one of the two great Indian epics, is considered one of world literature’s largest ancient story poems with over 24,000 verses divided into seven kaandas (chapters). The story of Rama, or Prince Ramchandra, the heir-apparent of Ayodhya, said to have been written by Maharshi Valmiki, is a classic tale that has enthralled generations of Indians across the ages. The cultural connection to this story-poem spans states and regions, as well as divisions of language, class and caste. Indeed, as the epic is told and re-told, in both the oral tradition of story-telling as well as through literary texts that translate, adapt and even reshape the story to suit a more modern context, it is interesting to note that it remains a reflection of the Indian cultural ethos and way of life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">What makes Rama hold such sway over the hearts and minds of generations, both old and young?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Rama is considered the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the Creator, born as a man to rid the earth of evil. Though born into a royal family, Rama is forced to go into exile for 14 years, thanks to the machinations of his stepmother, Kaikeyi. His wife, Sita, and his brother, Lakshmana, join him voluntarily, each invoking their ‘dharma’ or duty. Here, it is pertinent to note that Rama and Sita are considered the ideal couple, virtuous and devoted to each other. In exile, not only do they experience poverty and hardship, but Rama is also faced with moral and ethical questions that are at odds with his personal views.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">It is his fealty to his father, his adherence to what he considers his dharma, and his honesty and integrity that make him the flagbearer of society’s moral values. By living his life according to these principles, he showed – rather than said – how a man must live his life to ensure the larger good of society. It is precisely for this reason that the Ramayana – and not the Mahabharata – is recited in many Indian households: the aim is to furnish a household, especially children, with role models who live their life with integrity, without violating their dharma. In a much broader sense, Rama embodies the values of Hinduism – love, compassion, obedience, duty, humility, and selflessness. He is seen as a symbol of virtue, and above all, of dharma, the act of living righteously. It is these characteristics that endear him to the common man, who sees in him a hero worthy of emulation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Rama’s popularity can also be attributed to his story becoming a part of the pan-Indian narrative through vernacular retellings. Adhyatma Ramayanam, an allegorical text in Sanskrit, Tulsidas’s Ram Charit Manas in Awadhi, Kamban’s Ramayanam in Tamil, Adhyatmaramayanam Kilippatu by Thunjaththu Ezhuthachan, as well as various other regional works, theatrical productions and oral re-tellings, for instance, helped popularise the epic across the nation. Moreover, the journey from Ayodhya to Lanka spans the length of the country, and each place that the exiled prince, his wife and brother stopped in, developed its lore and legends that are attached to this much-beloved trio.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ramayana has also spread its roots beyond the nation’s borders. Countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Cambodia, Burma, Nepal, Philippines, Malaysia, etc., have not only embraced this epic but, in their retelling, also added local characters and Buddhist, Jain and even Islamic cultural perspectives. The epic has also had a profound impact on the literature, art and culture of the sub-continent and other countries in South-East Asia.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Culturally, Rama’s name continues to hold great significance, especially in North India, where ‘Ram Ram’ is a common greeting. His name is also the one that is most invoked at death when chants of ‘Ram Naam Satya Hai’ accompany the deceased on the final journey. The reason for this is not hard to seek – Rama is considered to be the ‘Maryada Purushottam’, or the greatest among men, someone who never stepped outside prescribed social or moral limits.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Swami Vivekananda described Rama as the “‘embodiment of truth, of morality, the ideal son, the ideal husband, and above all, the ideal king.” His principles of justice tempered by compassion, his insistence on putting his subjects’ welfare above everything else, and the idea that a ruler must be accountable to the citizens he rules over is the reason why his reign is, even today, considered ‘Ram Rajya’ or the ideal state.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The paradox of a rapidly shrinking world in which communication is easier than ever before is that human beings are now increasingly isolated from one another. In a world that’s divided by hatred, the tale of Rama who faces adversity with patience, humility and compassion, and triumphs over evil, is an aspirational tale as well as an inspiring one. To follow in his footsteps on a path of righteousness is to sublimate one’s ego and broaden one’s consciousness to live a virtuous life filled with purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">It is perhaps time we are inspired to follow not only his name but also his values if we want to continue to keep ‘Rama’ relevant to modern society.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>This article was published in Firstpost on 19.01.2024</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><a href="https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/ramas-enduring-legacy-exploring-the-timeless-appeal-of-ramayana-across-cultures-and-generations-13632582.html" style="text-align: left;">https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/ramas-enduring-legacy-exploring-the-timeless-appeal-of-ramayana-across-cultures-and-generations-13632582.html</a></p>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-40178521299891055652024-01-13T21:46:00.005+05:302024-02-27T18:01:37.280+05:30Lord Rama in regional Cinema<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtErgPSC2VcLhHvv-OufDiVOweheJMVW95HKT_A4p81vEgdiwab8C2cPCNcmhiZejtCMtNSjzVXaq7Tuy3lb06eYjE4JpTA5utBlKW2XrwPa4qdCNSL9mQgkYyNUyQffXeahfhCopENvHLAylMM31vBDYMXgcAiU3ozv0ymKOszObRPFKsJ-X5Gj2Cw/s2560/lord-scaled.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2393" data-original-width="2560" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtErgPSC2VcLhHvv-OufDiVOweheJMVW95HKT_A4p81vEgdiwab8C2cPCNcmhiZejtCMtNSjzVXaq7Tuy3lb06eYjE4JpTA5utBlKW2XrwPa4qdCNSL9mQgkYyNUyQffXeahfhCopENvHLAylMM31vBDYMXgcAiU3ozv0ymKOszObRPFKsJ-X5Gj2Cw/w640-h598/lord-scaled.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The depiction of Lord Ram in Bengali and various regional cinemas beyond Hindi is a testament to the cultural diversity and artistic interpretations prevalent in Indian cinema. These adaptations not only retell the epic narrative but also reflect the regional nuances, cultural ethos, and artistic sensibilities of each film industry.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">While upholding the essence of the Ramayana, filmmakers in Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam cinemas have contributed unique perspectives, delving into the humanistic aspects, moral dilemmas, and philosophical teachings embodied by Lord Ram. Through their cinematic endeavours, they have created a vibrant tapestry of storytelling that resonates deeply with audiences, transcending linguistic and regional boundaries.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; overflow-wrap: break-word;"></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Bengali Cinema</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></strong></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Unlike in Hindi cinema and cinema in the south, particularly Tamil cinema, which is rich in mythological references, the cinema of Bengal has been largely ‘secular’. Even in the early days of the talkies when almost all studios in the country, barring Prabhat, made mythological films, New Theatres in Bengal was known for its literary adaptations. Madan Theatres was the only studio in Bengal that dealt in mythologicals and even they did not have a film worth the name around Ram.</span></div><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">More than Ram, it is Devi or Goddess Durga which has been part of Bengali cinema. There has also been in the works of Ritwik Ghatak the depiction of the woman as the Mother Goddess. The depiction of Ram, a revered figure in Hindu mythology, particularly in the Hindi heartland has had only passing and often oblique references in Bengali cinema.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In Bengali cinema, the portrayal of Ram often adheres to the traditional narratives as depicted in ancient texts like the Valmiki Ramayana or the Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas. Films such as “Sri Ramakrishna,” directed by Debaki Bose in 1936, marked one of the earliest cinematic representations of Ram in Bengali cinema. This cinematic endeavour aimed to depict the divine qualities and spiritual teachings associated with Ram, emphasizing the ethical and moral principles he embodies. In the film “Sita” directed by Debaki Bose, the focus shifts towards Sita’s perspective, highlighting her trials and tribulations, offering a nuanced portrayal of the Ramayana.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Furthermore, the character of Ram has been depicted through various lenses, reflecting the evolving socio-cultural landscape of Bengal. Films like “Ramer Sumati” (1947) by Amar Choudhury and “Sri Ramkrishna Leela” (1955) by Madhu Bose portrayed Ram as a symbol of righteousness and adherence to dharma (duty), resonating with the prevalent societal values during those times. These cinematic renditions aimed to reinforce moral virtues and ethical principles through the character of Ram.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The 1960s and 1970s witnessed a shift in the portrayal of Ram in Bengali cinema. Filmmakers began experimenting with narrative styles and character interpretations, presenting Ram in a more humanized form rather than as an epitome of divine perfection. Ritwik Ghatak’s “Meghe Dhaka Tara” (1960) and Satyajit Ray’s “Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne” (1969) symbolically incorporated elements inspired by the Ramayan, exploring themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the triumph of good over evil. These films used metaphors and allegories derived from the epic to comment on contemporary societal issues and human struggles.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In more recent years, Bengali cinema has witnessed a resurgence in portraying the character of Ram with a blend of traditional values and modern sensibilities. Filmmakers like Srijit Mukherji in “Rajkahini” (2015) and “Gumnaami” (2019) delved into controversial theories surrounding the final years of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s life, connecting them with the persona of Ram. These films presented Ram as a symbol of valour, sacrifice, and patriotism, intertwining historical narratives with mythical undertones to provoke critical thinking and introspection.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Moreover, adaptations like “Ramdhanu” (2014) directed by Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee showcased Ram as a symbol of familial bonds and parenting. The film emphasized the challenges faced by modern-day parents in imparting moral values to their children, drawing parallels with the teachings of Ram to his sons Luv and Kush.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The portrayal of Ram in Bengali cinema has not been devoid of controversies and debates. Certain reinterpretations and artistic liberties taken by filmmakers have sparked discussions regarding the sanctity of religious narratives and the boundaries of creative expression. Instances where Ram’s character has been subjected to unconventional or non-traditional interpretations have sometimes drawn criticism from conservative quarters, highlighting the delicate balance between artistic freedom and religious sentiments. In recent years, there has also been censorship issues when a film, Rongbironger Korhi, used the names Ram and Sita for two principal characters. These point to a more strident take on religion infiltrating the general psyche.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; overflow-wrap: break-word;"></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In conclusion, the depiction of Ram in Bengali cinema spans a spectrum ranging from traditional retellings to contemporary reinterpretations. Filmmakers have utilized the character of Ram to explore themes of morality, righteousness, societal issues, and familial values. The evolution of these cinematic representations reflects the dynamic nature of storytelling, societal values, and artistic liberties, offering a rich tapestry of perspectives on the revered figure of Ram in Hindu mythology within the realm of Bengali cinema.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The portrayal of Lord Ram in Bengali and various regional cinemas outside of the Hindi film industry holds a profound significance, often reflecting diverse cultural nuances and interpretations. Lord Ram, a revered figure in Hindu mythology, has been depicted in numerous cinematic adaptations, each carrying its unique artistic flair and regional flavour. While Hindi cinema has produced iconic renditions of Ramayana, exploring the cultural representations in Bengali and other regional cinemas unveils a rich tapestry of storytelling, perspectives, and artistic expressions.</span></div><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Tamil Cinema</span></strong></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">Tamil cinema has also embraced the epic of Ramayana, presenting its own interpretations with a regional touch. Directors like K. Raghavendra Rao and Bharathiraja have crafted cinematic adaptations that resonate with the Tamil audience. These films often delve deep into the emotional nuances of characters, portraying Ram as the epitome of virtue and sacrifice.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The portrayal of Ram in Tamil cinema echoes the cultural ethos of the region, intertwining local traditions and values with the epic narrative. Films like “Lava Kusa” and “Sri Raghavendra” have presented Ram’s journey with a focus on familial relationships, valour, and ethical dilemmas, resonating strongly with the Tamil audience.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Telugu Cinema<span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Telugu cinema, known for its grandeur and larger-than-life storytelling, has also depicted the tale of Ram in various adaptations. Filmmakers like Bapu and Gunasekhar have brought their unique directorial perspectives, infusing elements of drama, music, and visual spectacle into the retelling of Ramayana.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The depiction of Ram in Telugu cinema often emphasizes his divine attributes and his embodiment of righteousness. Films like “Sri Rama Rajyam” directed by Bapu showcase Ram’s unwavering commitment to truth and justice, along with his struggles as a king torn between personal relationships and duty.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Malayalam Cinema<span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Malayalam cinema has explored the Ramayana through a lens that intertwines spirituality, human emotions, and socio-cultural commentaries. Filmmakers like G. Aravindan and Hariharan have offered nuanced portrayals of Ram, delving into the moral complexities and philosophical aspects of the epic.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The depiction of Ram in Malayalam cinema often focuses on his philosophical teachings and ethical principles. Films like “Sita Swayamvaram” directed by P. G. Viswambharan emphasize the spiritual journey of Ram and Sita, exploring their inner conflicts and the overarching theme of righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 19.5pt; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmJK9EAjEvVrT3O3gEuj5I3MeJqZp8NoaUjZQYT_V99jc7qA5iyaCbZKlqXqS2c94lCjUxLmtQrTSmqQMSFMhyt_NpSBMmvNAeuYFukutSFOYiX9ObZLaUgPeAWWO4kzEQfsNxqNycNMedQCYF16WnkcUJIfO6quCH-rGzV9qYlpFnCXAkubS9oN_qg/s1282/Image-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="1059" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmJK9EAjEvVrT3O3gEuj5I3MeJqZp8NoaUjZQYT_V99jc7qA5iyaCbZKlqXqS2c94lCjUxLmtQrTSmqQMSFMhyt_NpSBMmvNAeuYFukutSFOYiX9ObZLaUgPeAWWO4kzEQfsNxqNycNMedQCYF16WnkcUJIfO6quCH-rGzV9qYlpFnCXAkubS9oN_qg/w528-h640/Image-1.png" width="528" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbJuO9Avd3hgiq4gH9QPbUZvOhyhGjwvpTtL1sXccqQEAXH_KA0-G4WajHGDVXLejfchWCQe6pHSRLdSStFONnLM_6VWKa8iIuZqWYvwvsz4NlkNszrqwEzm1KSJFmlwOTIYXJyWW4v7iziV-zStYFz2pxF3tiKO2BnucYcAskwotWcCkMs7daihv9g/s1000/WhatsApp%20Image%202024-01-15%20at%201.00.37%20PM.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="1000" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbJuO9Avd3hgiq4gH9QPbUZvOhyhGjwvpTtL1sXccqQEAXH_KA0-G4WajHGDVXLejfchWCQe6pHSRLdSStFONnLM_6VWKa8iIuZqWYvwvsz4NlkNszrqwEzm1KSJFmlwOTIYXJyWW4v7iziV-zStYFz2pxF3tiKO2BnucYcAskwotWcCkMs7daihv9g/w640-h332/WhatsApp%20Image%202024-01-15%20at%201.00.37%20PM.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ytAts4Dnye57hKUfmKyhkzA1OmBdZ8-J01tb2YhCN7gK1XQRaGqI5wtI3Gk716Ii-iJCR9OEl267TMy6sG1EvIN3R3cjzldvVGllORNKa-w6TL7zCbyU67bsQxvrX5xnyao713oYG928rirlLq2NCQsmdloqVgWtQmGh69V40mcR6G7MWYJjIo5cZQ/s1386/WhatsApp%20Image%202024-02-26%20at%202.22.19%20PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="620" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ytAts4Dnye57hKUfmKyhkzA1OmBdZ8-J01tb2YhCN7gK1XQRaGqI5wtI3Gk716Ii-iJCR9OEl267TMy6sG1EvIN3R3cjzldvVGllORNKa-w6TL7zCbyU67bsQxvrX5xnyao713oYG928rirlLq2NCQsmdloqVgWtQmGh69V40mcR6G7MWYJjIo5cZQ/w286-h640/WhatsApp%20Image%202024-02-26%20at%202.22.19%20PM.jpeg" width="286" /></a></div><br /><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>This article was publised in The Daily Guardian </span><a href="https://thedailyguardian.com/lord-rama-in-regional-cinema/" style="text-align: left;">https://thedailyguardian.com/lord-rama-in-regional-cinema/</a> on January 13, 2024, The Pioneer and </span></b></i><span style="text-align: left;"><b><i>Aryavarta News</i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p></div>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-61753155983063276152024-01-10T19:57:00.012+05:302024-01-17T20:46:58.914+05:30भारतीय सिनेमा में दिखा प्रभाव <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="HI" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">उत्तर</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">से</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">लेकर</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">दक्षिण</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पूरब से पश्चिम तक हर जगह प्रभु श्रीराम का समान प्रभाव रहा है। इससे भारतीय सिनेमा भी अछूता नहीं है</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">, <span lang="HI">जहां पौराणिक कथाओं को बड़े पर्दे पर उतारने से लेकर नायक के गुणों तक में नजर आते रहे हैं श्रीराम। दक्षिण भारत सहित बांग्ला फिल्मों के इसी पहलू का विश्लेषण करता संदीप भूतोड़िया का आलेख...</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /><span lang="HI">भगवान श्रीराम सिर्फ उत्तर भारत के ही नहीं</span>, <span lang="HI">बल्कि पूरे भारतवर्ष के लिए मर्यादा पुरुषोत्तम हैं</span>, <span lang="HI">यही कारण है कि उनका वर्णन भारत में हर तरफ मिलता है। जब सिनेमा अपने शुरुआती कदम बढ़ा रहा था तब इसकी कहानियों में मुख्यत: भारतीय पुराणों</span>, <span lang="HI">सनातन संस्कृति पर आधारित कथाओं का ही चित्रण किया जाता था। जाहिर है कि जब सिनेमा समाज का दर्पण रहा है तो यहां भी उत्तर से लेकर दक्षिण तक भगवान श्रीराम व रामकथा को सिनेमा समय-समय पर अपने अंदाज में प्रस्तुत करता रहा है। हिंदी सिनेमा में तो रामकथा के रूप मिलते ही हैं</span>, <span lang="HI">तमिल</span>, <span lang="HI">तेलुगु</span>, <span lang="HI">मलयालम से लेकर बांग्ला सिनेमा तक में भगवान श्रीराम की मौजूदगी दर्शकों को प्रभावित करती रही है।</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /><b><span lang="HI">लोककथा दर्शाता तमिल सिनेमा</span> </b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /><span lang="HI">पौराणिक आख्यानों को बड़े पर्दे पर प्रस्तुत करने के मामले में तमिल सिनेमा का कोई जोड़ नहीं। आरंभिक दौर में तमिल सिनेमा ने आदिकाव्य रामायण को स्थानीय स्तर पर अपनाकर लंबे समय तक प्रस्तुत किया। के. राघवेंद्र राव और भारतीराजा जैसे नामचीन निर्देशकों ने आरंभिक काल में तमिल दर्शकों के लिए रामायण को सिनेमायी स्तर पर प्रस्तुत किया। सिनेमा हमेशा क्षेत्रीयता को संज्ञान में रखते हुए ही प्रस्तुतीकरण देता है। ऐसे में बात जब बड़े पर्दे पर रामायण की प्रस्तुति की आई तो तमिल सिनेमा ने श्रीराम की कथा का चित्रण लोकमान्यताओं के अनुसार किया</span>, <span lang="HI">जिनमें महाकाव्य के मूल्य स्थानीय परंपराओं के साथ जुड़ते नजर आए। इनका प्रस्तुतीकरण इतना मार्मिक व आकर्षक था कि यह दर्शकों के दिलों में भीतर तक अंकित हो गया। </span>‘<span lang="HI">लव कुश</span>’ <span lang="HI">और </span>‘<span lang="HI">श्री राघवेंद्र</span>’ <span lang="HI">जैसी फिल्मों ने पारिवारिक रिश्तों</span>, <span lang="HI">वीरता और नैतिक गुणों को केंद्र में रखते हुए श्रीराम की कथा को प्रस्तुत किया है</span>, <span lang="HI">जिससे तमिल दर्शक गहराई से जुड़ते चले गए।</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /><b><span lang="HI">तेलुगु भाषा में दिखा वैभव</span> </b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /><span lang="HI">बड़े पर्दे पर वैभव और लार्जर दैन लाइफ कथावाचन के लिए पहचान रखने वाले तेलुगु सिनेमा ने भी रामकथा को बड़ी संपन्नता के साथ प्रस्तुत किया है। गुणशेखर और बापू जैसे प्रसिद्ध फिल्मकारों ने रामकथा के प्रस्तुतीकरण में नाटकीयता</span>, <span lang="HI">संगीत और विजुअल प्रभावों जैसे निर्देशन के तमाम पहलुओं को जोड़ते हुए रामायण की गाथा को बड़े पर्दे पर प्रदर्शित किया और उनके प्रयास जन-जन में सराहे गए। तेलुगु सिनेमा में श्रीराम के दिव्य गुणों और ईश्वरीय अवतार को प्रमुख तौर पर दर्शाया गया। बापू द्वारा निर्देशित </span>‘<span lang="HI">श्रीराम राज्यम</span>’ <span lang="HI">फिल्म में दर्शकों के बीच श्रीराम की सत्य और न्याय के प्रति अटूट प्रतिबद्धता दर्शाई गई। इसके साथ ही उनके आपसी संबंधों और अपने कर्तव्य के बीच फंसे राजा के रूप में उनके संघर्ष को बड़ी गहनता से प्रस्तुत किया गया है।</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /><br /><b><span lang="HI">सामाजिक पहलू दर्शाती मलयालम फिल्में</span> </b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /><span lang="HI">भगवान श्रीराम के साथ भारतीय भावनात्मक तौर पर गहराई से जुड़े हैं। इन्हें बड़ी सरलता से प्रस्तुत किया गया मलयालम सिनेमा की राममयी फिल्मों में। यहां रामायण को आध्यात्मिक</span>,<span lang="HI">मानवीय पहलुओं और सामाजिक-सांस्कृतिक दृष्टिकोण से दर्शाया गया। जी. अरविंदन और हरिहरन जैसे फिल्मकारों ने रामायण महाकाव्य की नैतिक जटिलताओं और दार्शनिक पहलुओं पर प्रकाश डालते हुए श्रीराम का सूक्ष्म चित्रण प्रस्तुत किया गया। मलयालम सिनेमा में श्रीराम का चित्रण अक्सर उनके जीवन से मिली शिक्षाओं और नैतिक सिद्धांतों पर केंद्रित रहा। पी. जी. विश्वंभरन द्वारा निर्देशित </span>‘<span lang="HI">सीता स्वयंवरम</span>’ <span lang="HI">जैसी फिल्में श्रीराम और माता सीता की आध्यात्मिक यात्रा</span>, <span lang="HI">उनके आंतरिक संघर्षों और धार्मिकता के व्यापक विषय की खोज पर प्रमुख तौर पर आधारित रहीं।</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /><b><span lang="HI">बांग्ला में अध्यात्म व नैतिक मूल्यों पर जोर</span> </b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /><span lang="HI">हिंदी और दक्षिण भारतीय सिनेमा में पौराणिक कथाओं को प्रमुखता से प्रस्तुत किया गया</span>, <span lang="HI">मगर इस क्रम में बांग्ला सिनेमा प्रयोगवादी रहा। आरंभिक दिनों से ही बांग्ला सिनेमा में किसी नायक से ज्यादा साहित्य को प्रधानता मिली। उस दौर में मदन थियेटर एकमात्र ऐसा बांग्ला स्टूडियो था</span>, <span lang="HI">जो पौराणिक गाथाओं पर फिल्म निर्माण कर रहा था। हालांकि देवीप्रधान समाज के चलते यहां सिनेमा में भगवान श्रीराम के प्रभाव की परोक्ष उपस्थिति रही। फिर भी वर्ष</span> 1936 <span lang="HI">में देबकी बोस द्वारा निर्देशित </span>‘<span lang="HI">श्री रामकृष्ण</span>’ <span lang="HI">में तुलसीदास कृत श्रीरामचरितमानस से प्रेरित भगवान श्रीराम को सिनेमाई प्रस्तुति मिली। इसमें श्रीराम के दिव्य गुणों और आध्यात्मिक शिक्षाओं को चित्रित किया गया</span>, <span lang="HI">जिसमें उनके नैतिक मूल्यों और सिद्धांतों को प्रमुखता से दर्शाया गया है तो वहीं देबकी बोस द्वारा निर्देशित फिल्म </span>‘<span lang="HI">सीता</span>’ <span lang="HI">में माता सीता के परिप्रेक्ष्य से उनकी परीक्षाओं और कष्टों को उजागर करते हुए रामायण का सूक्ष्म चित्रण प्रस्तुत किया गया है। अमर चौधरी की </span>‘<span lang="HI">रामेर सुमति</span>’ (1947) <span lang="HI">और मधु बोस की </span>‘<span lang="HI">श्री रामकृष्ण लीला</span>’ (1955) <span lang="HI">जैसी फिल्मों ने श्रीराम को धर्म और कर्तव्य के पालन के प्रतीक के रूप में चित्रित किया</span>, <span lang="HI">जो उस समय के बंगाल में विकसित होते सामाजिक-सांस्कृतिक परिदृश्य व प्रचलित सामाजिक मूल्यों के साथ मेल खाता था।</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br />20<span lang="HI">वीं शताब्दी के छठवें दशक में बांग्ला सिनेमा ने श्रीराम को ईश्वरीय प्रतीक के बजाय अधिक मानवीय रूप में प्रस्तुत किया। ऋत्विक घटक की </span>‘<span lang="HI">मेघे ढाका तारा</span>’ (1960) <span lang="HI">और मशहूर फिल्मकार सत्यजित रे की </span>‘<span lang="HI">गोपी गाइन बाघा बाइन</span>’ (1969) <span lang="HI">में प्रतीकात्मक रूप से रामायण के सार तत्वों को शामिल किया गया</span>, <span lang="HI">जिसमें त्याग</span>, <span lang="HI">मुक्ति और बुराई पर अच्छाई की जीत जैसे विषय प्रमुख रहे।</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /><span lang="HI">हाल के वर्षों में बांग्ला सिनेमा में पारंपरिक मूल्यों और आधुनिक संवेदनाओं के मिश्रण के साथ श्रीराम के चरित्र को चित्रित करते देखा जा रहा है। नंदिता राय और शिबोप्रसाद मुखर्जी द्वारा निर्देशित </span>‘<span lang="HI">रामधनु</span>’ (2014) <span lang="HI">में श्रीराम को पारिवारिक बंधन और पालन-पोषण के प्रतीक के रूप में प्रदर्शित किया गया। फिल्म में आधुनिक माता-पिता द्वारा अपने बच्चों को नैतिक मूल्य प्रदान करने में आने वाली चुनौतियों पर जोर दिया गया है</span>, <span lang="HI">जिसमें श्रीराम और उनके पुत्रों लव-कुश की शिक्षाओं की समानताएं दर्शाई गई हैं।</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br />(<span lang="HI">लेखक संस्कृतिकर्मी हैं )</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJzqVdvQWXuqt3rPW_QP1j3A9_meGQufKng1-e-DZXJEO3g52Pqc4QeMlPbU8dnMuh3MqY08HGSeINyxBT7pWgFpi8puxk1UVSmuc04kjB8B6E8Jj5O13UXyq4OQ2kkdJ8CaBusCldO3n4u4UAor4QNGq4jeGyeYxl5iuV-Iv5UfMDkK4uwiYVLN0IA/s1669/IMG_1651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1669" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJzqVdvQWXuqt3rPW_QP1j3A9_meGQufKng1-e-DZXJEO3g52Pqc4QeMlPbU8dnMuh3MqY08HGSeINyxBT7pWgFpi8puxk1UVSmuc04kjB8B6E8Jj5O13UXyq4OQ2kkdJ8CaBusCldO3n4u4UAor4QNGq4jeGyeYxl5iuV-Iv5UfMDkK4uwiYVLN0IA/w640-h414/IMG_1651.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /></span><p></p>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-52848121140479634082023-12-29T12:50:00.000+05:302023-12-29T12:50:37.232+05:30A deep dive into what makes Ujjain a landmark city<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">One the oldest cities in the world – in the league of Athens, Rome and Varanasi – Ujjain is thick with history, culture and desi delicacies<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIRYuSsrkAiZmzYNp0h2z6YefICQVkZopMGNDVilBSkXfFhKn60Gd8Geicbk1Qml_JgJPuB3rSxzRKBTz9z4iYcgpXtWm2RRSuKp_IsLKtlth_1j7PGQq9dIvsASDOcYODDdJ5iJMFKeoT6xqLbp9CDi-ny523anmjU2ttkGqJMZ3AtI5NuIQILLeZg/s900/1702892639_istock-1433225178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIRYuSsrkAiZmzYNp0h2z6YefICQVkZopMGNDVilBSkXfFhKn60Gd8Geicbk1Qml_JgJPuB3rSxzRKBTz9z4iYcgpXtWm2RRSuKp_IsLKtlth_1j7PGQq9dIvsASDOcYODDdJ5iJMFKeoT6xqLbp9CDi-ny523anmjU2ttkGqJMZ3AtI5NuIQILLeZg/w640-h360/1702892639_istock-1433225178.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Temples on the ghats of the Kshipra river, in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh</h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">iStock</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ujjain is a city</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> best known for being the home of the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple. But during my recent visit there, I had a chance to dive deep into what makes this city such a landmark.</span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ujjain is considered as sacred as Haridwar, Nashik, and Prayagraj by virtue of being one of the four sites where the ‘Amrit’ of immortality spilled after the churning of the ocean – the ‘Amrit-Manthan’ or ‘Samudra-Manthan’ of Hindu belief. It is also one the oldest cities in the world, very much in the league of Athens, Rome, Alexandria, Damascus, Babylon and Varanasi. An account by an unknown Greek merchant refers to it as a city called ‘Ozene’ lying to the east of Barygaza, present-day Bharuch – one that excelled in the trade of a variety of commodities such onyx, porcelain, fine muslin and cotton and spikenard.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>How the city came to be</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">On the Kshipra River (also called Shipra) in Madhya Pradesh, Ujjain is on the Malwa Plateau. The city gained prominence from around 600 BC. Its present-day name is derived from the ancient names of Avantika and Ujjayini. The earliest known epigraphic record of the Paramaras, the Harsola Granth, issued at the beginning of the 10th century AD, maintains that the kings of the Paramara dynasty were born in the family of the Rastrakutas in the Deccan and the Udaypur Prasati mentions Vakpati I as the king of Avanti.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">As time passed, Mamluk dynasty’s first ruler Iltutmish invaded Ujjain and triggered a systematic desecration and despoiling of temples. This tide of destruction stemmed only in the time of Baz Bahadur of Mandu. Thereafter, Mughal rule heralded a new era of reconstruction. Emperor Akbar put an end to Baz Bahadur’s hegemony over Malwa and had a city wall constructed for the defense of Ujjain. This is how the Nadi Darwaza, Kaliadeh Darwaza, Sati Darwaza, Dewas Darwaza and Indore Darwaza came into being and served as the various entrances to the city.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjvkIeCyLoh_YXweWBo588UtIMN9l6vZt1O6TsqroVHCkNOdHAv1g84PIxtRndl8YnNUV-7pgBwyAQf90xjHN79nF3NRkBoleIK5mGwgXFDGKPc8K2LW4pF4mV4xuRNg0GTyBgcakHDt4BNGi_6o7qtwVYtqVvemKnw1cX6TdnROmHasAoKBaCa7oCQ/s900/1702892692_shutterstock_1888574809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjvkIeCyLoh_YXweWBo588UtIMN9l6vZt1O6TsqroVHCkNOdHAv1g84PIxtRndl8YnNUV-7pgBwyAQf90xjHN79nF3NRkBoleIK5mGwgXFDGKPc8K2LW4pF4mV4xuRNg0GTyBgcakHDt4BNGi_6o7qtwVYtqVvemKnw1cX6TdnROmHasAoKBaCa7oCQ/w640-h360/1702892692_shutterstock_1888574809.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">The observatory by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, which consists of 13 architectural astronomy instruments</h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Shutterstock</span></div><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;"><br /></h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span> </span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">During the reign of Mahmud Shah, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh was made the Governor of Malwa. The Maharaja was a great scholar of astronomy and under his directives, the observatory at Ujjain was reconstructed as well as several other temples. Subsequently, Ujjain and Malwa went through another period of invasion and dominance at the hands of the Marathas, the influence of which led to modern Ujjain coming into being. Most of the temples we see in Ujjain today were constructed during this period.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Amongst these, mention must be made of the Kaliadeh Palace, located on the banks of the Kshipra river. The Avanti-mahatmya of Skanda Purana describes the Sun temple and two tanks here – Surya Kunda and Brahma Kunda. A fragmented inscription recovered from this place records the building of the palace here in 1458 AD, by the Sultan of Malwa, Mahmud Khilji. Built on a mound, the palace, itself a beautiful example of Persian architecture, offers a breathtaking glimpse of the lands around. Sultan Naseeruddin Khilji diverted the flow of the Kshipra river through 52 tanks so the water would cool down. Mughal emperor Jahangir is believed to have been a regular visitor to the palace, where he listened to the discourses of saint Jadrup, who stayed nearby. Even today, neighbouring villagers come for a regular dip to Surya Kund around which some ruined sections of the old temple can still be seen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBV6JVNRG_YVwf2NlhjGxX45x-8T4b1o7dB9JnWTSJ41kceGzOBoaqtcbg-DxKDOoq03PPvqPE7K5_Pgl_DtOMnkCjMc66TaQCDvliJ23gB81IHYlWvBdz3U35GCTn-7GzEbztPeozPSnF6N_-D4EMR4-p8LzrbuvGqVv74pSmUR51Wq1jCyMtL3Edw/s900/1702892708_shutterstock_2016334922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBV6JVNRG_YVwf2NlhjGxX45x-8T4b1o7dB9JnWTSJ41kceGzOBoaqtcbg-DxKDOoq03PPvqPE7K5_Pgl_DtOMnkCjMc66TaQCDvliJ23gB81IHYlWvBdz3U35GCTn-7GzEbztPeozPSnF6N_-D4EMR4-p8LzrbuvGqVv74pSmUR51Wq1jCyMtL3Edw/w640-h360/1702892708_shutterstock_2016334922.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Part of the Kaliadeh Palace, located on the banks of the Kshipra </h4><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Shutterstock</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ujjain is now a religious centre for followers of Saivism, Vaishnavism, and their various sects as well as Jainism and Buddhism. The Avanti Khanda of the Skanda Purana mentions innumerable temples that were consecrated to Goddess Shakti and her various forms. Along with this, the Siddha and the Natha cults which were offshoots of Tantrism, also flourished in Ujjain.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>Once considered central meridian for time in India</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ujjain’s geographical location is also part of its legend. According to the 4th Century astronomical treatise the Surya Siddhanta, the city stands at the intersection of the zero meridian of longitude and the Tropic of Cancer. Ujjain was once considered the central meridian for time in India. Even today, as per Hindu belief, when a horoscope is prepared, the time as per the Surya Siddhanta is calculated. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Tropic of Cancer crosses the spire of the Mahakaleswar Temple as well. One of the 12 celebrated Jyotirlingas in India, its glory has been described in the Puranas. The linga in this temple is regarded as being ‘Swayambhu’ or having originated on its own, deriving its powers from within and is also called Dakshinamurti as it is the only one that faces south. Another notable feature is the ‘Shivnetra’ which is followed by Tantric believers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkMY1CsuRUlOy8dqlhNOEYOg2fkV-DgmFpFZS6qWOC3vFRv9bRzY1_wgMRiZLSRKhRAy1n1OOORp3k-3OJMemipmR2B_eg4hMYONqPaNDFB5Hvr5d_19vP9jpe3DpGoCtJpCuSuD_dMiFumX1uQ6OshXEbV1ooFqbLTLOOOKJyzOE2gHCykImUgZAEA/s900/1702892766_shutterstock_2173332105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkMY1CsuRUlOy8dqlhNOEYOg2fkV-DgmFpFZS6qWOC3vFRv9bRzY1_wgMRiZLSRKhRAy1n1OOORp3k-3OJMemipmR2B_eg4hMYONqPaNDFB5Hvr5d_19vP9jpe3DpGoCtJpCuSuD_dMiFumX1uQ6OshXEbV1ooFqbLTLOOOKJyzOE2gHCykImUgZAEA/w640-h360/1702892766_shutterstock_2173332105.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">The Tropic of Cancer crosses the spire of the Mahakaleswar Temple</h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Shutterstock</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">A narrative on Ujjain cannot be complete without mention of India’s fabled poet Kalidas, who belonged to these lands. Kalidas’s love of Ujjayini comes forth in full strength in Meghdoot, his poetic creation of over 100 verses where an anguished yaksha, separated from his beloved by a curse, sends a message to her in the city of Alaka through an imaginary rain cloud. The poet’s words offer a vivid glimpse of the social diaspora of the city immersed in their rich philosophical and religious dispositions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Another important part of this city’s heritage is ‘NBP’, or Northern Black Polished ceramicware. Often regarded as being among the best of the technically crafted pottery of ancient times, the name NBP is anachronistic as the form is neither northern, nor polished, and nor is it always black. Ranging from a brilliantly shining jet black to a deep grey or metallic blue brought about using either iron or carbon, this form of pottery eventually found its way to the northern Deccan from the Gangetic plains through Ujjain.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSKZZtQ_jgSDdLBDtpNgyvSmdMyF5jnw3HOTZWb3xZyvyXWrPeYKZjk78-pCdkCvaUSNY_xlNU0lOV9bFNyZWpM_2P2Uuo9Zf8J_YC2yIVwkho9pgGxpNq2WZ96sEATc6E-CR_arAgJ4msOKhtmRaruWplE5Yacm5ZZctcVwjm3Cx-W1T0Pen9zpmgQ/s900/1702892783_sundeep-bhutoria-at-the-mahakal-temple-no-credits-for-this-photograph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSKZZtQ_jgSDdLBDtpNgyvSmdMyF5jnw3HOTZWb3xZyvyXWrPeYKZjk78-pCdkCvaUSNY_xlNU0lOV9bFNyZWpM_2P2Uuo9Zf8J_YC2yIVwkho9pgGxpNq2WZ96sEATc6E-CR_arAgJ4msOKhtmRaruWplE5Yacm5ZZctcVwjm3Cx-W1T0Pen9zpmgQ/w640-h360/1702892783_sundeep-bhutoria-at-the-mahakal-temple-no-credits-for-this-photograph.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Sundeep Bhutoria at the Mahakaleshwar Temple</h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I cannot close this narrative without singing the praises of Ujjain’s many delicacies and eateries of repute. It offers an entire rainbow of food choices that never fail to mesmerise. In its modern-day avatar, Ujjain mornings are all about ‘Poha and Jalebi’: the ‘tasty starter’ stalls that pop out in every corner. Here I must mention New Bhole Namkeen Bhandar in Dabripeetha which is famous for the Khaman-Kadi and Bholaguru and Sons at Satigate, which serves delectable ghevar<span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;"> and feni. Sadly, their sweets are only available in the month of Shravan, but do not miss their landmark Makkhanwada. The sev of Ujjain is also legendary and, yes, ‘Ujjaini sev’ is different from ‘Ratlami sev’, ‘Indori sev’ and for that matter, all the other sevvarieties.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPXW4A3ZPek1x5xxr2fNacTOz0-8dkyo9H8ozuQD23L2HfE-2dxtWYSCcFi2pZeReO0LvAcLP2ExxVcakJm-YeiFw5utvA14fVxt0lSCUeSP4BlgMZuvOD1n9YR4Ax8bjGfQ2FfWymlsQrmaUjrkIJL4_XMpNmPVIgwWFb-iv-2aDYyRAvjWLZUNjIw/s900/1702892799_bholaguru-and-sons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPXW4A3ZPek1x5xxr2fNacTOz0-8dkyo9H8ozuQD23L2HfE-2dxtWYSCcFi2pZeReO0LvAcLP2ExxVcakJm-YeiFw5utvA14fVxt0lSCUeSP4BlgMZuvOD1n9YR4Ax8bjGfQ2FfWymlsQrmaUjrkIJL4_XMpNmPVIgwWFb-iv-2aDYyRAvjWLZUNjIw/w640-h360/1702892799_bholaguru-and-sons.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Bholaguru and Sons, at Satigate, serves delectable ghevar and feni</h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Kachori<span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;"> is intrinsic to the Ujjain palate, and these come in many varieties such as dal kachori, bhutta kachori (with a filling of fresh corn), mutter kachori, alu kachori, and pyaz kachori. Each eatery has its own style of serving kachoris along with an unforgettable chutney of mint, jaggery, tamarind, green chilli, dried mango, to name only a few. There is also the all-time favourite of Malwi food, the dal bafle laddoo. This is like dal-bati-churma, but is perhaps more delicious as it is made with lots of desi ghee and served with suji laddoo and mint chutney.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OBZfLLAANEPuuVvkjjHNJLgHV0ix1Ng5Du0iHkXTSiyfS-HgV47xEcQB8s3F55_n4Fk862mGwN2SDZOsdo752rbCf9s8trbA0Tmv_GZqkvdTq2Aytn18oIvxnKvRbYREpBepqtWisOUgJvDuAkzzz9wpDiSG1rbE8mO7z1BDqN7ZSIoFsDO65YlJNw/s900/1702892817_dal-bafle-laddoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OBZfLLAANEPuuVvkjjHNJLgHV0ix1Ng5Du0iHkXTSiyfS-HgV47xEcQB8s3F55_n4Fk862mGwN2SDZOsdo752rbCf9s8trbA0Tmv_GZqkvdTq2Aytn18oIvxnKvRbYREpBepqtWisOUgJvDuAkzzz9wpDiSG1rbE8mO7z1BDqN7ZSIoFsDO65YlJNw/w640-h360/1702892817_dal-bafle-laddoo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">The dal bafle laddoo</h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Shivam Restaurant, near the Mahakaleshwar temple, stands tall among the vegetarian options and their detailed menu is sure to steer you in the right direction. In Ujjain city, the Imperial and Modak restaurants are worth every penny while the Shree Ganga, Shree Govindam Restaurant, Swaruchi Restaurant, Sathi Cafe, Hotel Anjushree – place where I stayed for a day, and of course, Bholaguru and Sons are surely worth visiting. If you are looking for desi<span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;"> ghee puri sabzi and desi ghee Makhanwada, head to Bhola Guru in Ramji ki Galli. You’ll leave happy.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i>This article was published in The Telegraph on 18.12.2023 </i></b></span><a href="https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/a-deep-dive-into-what-makes-ujjain-a-landmark-city/cid/1987740" style="text-align: left;">https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/a-deep-dive-into-what-makes-ujjain-a-landmark-city/cid/1987740</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-53403598622479415522023-12-04T16:47:00.001+05:302023-12-04T16:47:31.397+05:30Clean bowled by Indore<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sundeep Bhutoria leads you through the roads and into the soul of Madhya Pradesh’s largest and India’s cleanest city</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3ruNhsYNaRIlM7rt2exgbnMtz68gkgf9-qZdaVnMZQmcfnSX9M1sQuHB2rqPxff83WnsTWYZ1vSSErPsOvujbTi0CDJCCk7hRiIY02Y3tVVY_VXxABmSnlo8fXpWMUV-QuHsOQrRh44phojEP4iKNslANgAb2yZc9_g6YkgETviBgR0tgt78YNH4rA/s900/1700137856_shutterstock_2329306265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3ruNhsYNaRIlM7rt2exgbnMtz68gkgf9-qZdaVnMZQmcfnSX9M1sQuHB2rqPxff83WnsTWYZ1vSSErPsOvujbTi0CDJCCk7hRiIY02Y3tVVY_VXxABmSnlo8fXpWMUV-QuHsOQrRh44phojEP4iKNslANgAb2yZc9_g6YkgETviBgR0tgt78YNH4rA/w640-h360/1700137856_shutterstock_2329306265.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Indore, Madhya Pradesh – as clean as a big city gets in India</h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Shutterstock</span></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">As someone who’s always on the move, my life moments are all about new experiences and newer discoveries. Let me now lead you through the roads and into the soul of a city that I just experienced – Indore.<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #110e0e;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #110e0e;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Madhya Pradesh’s largest and most populous city has been ranked as the nation’s cleanest city repeatedly, 2022 being the latest. Situated 190km west of the state capital of Bhopal and about 57km from Ujjain, Indore is an ancient city. A copper plate dating back to 465 CE, which refers to the city as Indrapura, has been discovered there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I was in Indore last month, and I was met by quite a few pleasant surprises. A personal high point was my meeting with the former speaker of Lok Sabha, retired veteran politician Sumitra Mahajan. The meeting was especially rewarding as I realised with no doubt why the ‘Tai’ of her constituents had won eight consecutive elections in the Indore constituency in Madhya Pradesh.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3Zhc6sXoQykiiZ3eykAKJn_crBGR_Co0ADq8tgKpb39OMlNhOUS3bOJxxThpLLc5CeRnT6KQj6zCIG-qpncBnEk4vg6f00y0XYr7OwG5MB6gBetjSzuObCg53fsD0AEaSacifMd_pSsA49H-C8BkGsoAq1-VMG422LgtTF4LY1tosMVGLDbiIsDGzw/s900/1700137876_sundeep-bhutoria-in-conversation-with-sumitra-mahajan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3Zhc6sXoQykiiZ3eykAKJn_crBGR_Co0ADq8tgKpb39OMlNhOUS3bOJxxThpLLc5CeRnT6KQj6zCIG-qpncBnEk4vg6f00y0XYr7OwG5MB6gBetjSzuObCg53fsD0AEaSacifMd_pSsA49H-C8BkGsoAq1-VMG422LgtTF4LY1tosMVGLDbiIsDGzw/w640-h360/1700137876_sundeep-bhutoria-in-conversation-with-sumitra-mahajan.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Sundeep Bhutoria in conversation with retired veteran politician Sumitra Mahajan</h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Indore is truly the cleanest city in India. The result of an effort by the authorities and different stakeholders and meticulous teamwork, Indore catapulted itself to the premier position from a lowly 149 position in 2015 within a mere 18 months. Challenge accepted, they formulated a plan of action and implemented it.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Here, in the middle of the night, you will invariably find streets vibrant with life and bedecked with colours of every hue, which combine with delightful aromas of various delicacies. One cannot miss the lively atmosphere and if you were to ask someone, the reply would be, “Why do we work? It’s all for the love of food.” Indeed, these are the people of Indore. Their mornings start with<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #110e0e;"> </span></span></span><i style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;">poha</i><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;">. At noon, they savour<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #110e0e;"> </span></span></span><i style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;">sev</i><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;">. And if you venture out in the evenings, you will find all this and more.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgou3GgZSMq9KbFf-yN9m68sH97omvgHSRl5S0CRYa7ivMCoHAGKYP1OKY2Z8r_G4vZG_Qmgs-I-HnTu_IrDDsWhufVAu3ywHaZkzzIDMNndA875f-_luJZXH9BqXws6hXMna6auV5Qb5L8CO9xIR4ddE7of_MSmEEncqTwVmy4ucC7C1OBdObRoUF6HQ/s900/1700137897_shutterstock_1801210384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgou3GgZSMq9KbFf-yN9m68sH97omvgHSRl5S0CRYa7ivMCoHAGKYP1OKY2Z8r_G4vZG_Qmgs-I-HnTu_IrDDsWhufVAu3ywHaZkzzIDMNndA875f-_luJZXH9BqXws6hXMna6auV5Qb5L8CO9xIR4ddE7of_MSmEEncqTwVmy4ucC7C1OBdObRoUF6HQ/w640-h360/1700137897_shutterstock_1801210384.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Indore is truly the cleanest city in India. The result of an effort by the authorities and different stakeholders, and meticulous teamwork</h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Shutterstock</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The development of the city of Indore can be traced back to the days of Rao Raja Nandlal Mandaloi around the year 1716, a prominent landlord who had anticipated the rise of the Marathas and provided them substantial support as they swept in from the south. His efforts culminated in him submitting a petition to the then Mughal emperor seeking tax exemption for merchants and traders. This led to a substantial influx of traders who found it profitable to conduct business and make it their new home. Amongst a host of other names, traders from Siyaganj moved to Nandalalpura and as time passed, prominent markets such as Raojee Bazaar, Nihalganj, and Nihalmandi gained recognition as centres for trading in commodities such as cotton, wheat, and opium. In 1733, the Holkars gained full control over Malwa and declared Indore their capital.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Thereafter, in 1866, the first textile mill in Indore was founded by Tukoji Rao Holkar, but Malwa already had a long-standing reputation for producing high-quality white cotton and textured fabrics. The renowned and enigmatic Holkar Rani Ahilyabai also held weavers in high regard and courtesy of her patronage, the fabled Maheshwari saris remains an emblematic product of the region even in these modern times.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56yPcNCKoDmX-2uZ-XJQhENbxL2lw_KoPsFchGtyVb1TOOvSExrtFikVlEWPUTsnJqfWz-ZyIiwNAJASJJcJ_1XqN5Qvd4Yyj2sBwvvdcf7Ldd6AtbuFpFKwQqrhvmRfLgIJYyY6c-ma1JutmCoYXFbmMdFAnIJeZUNvh21iCqqa9w4iivKnkEChi8Q/s900/1700137918_ahilyabai_holkar_1996_stamp_of_india.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56yPcNCKoDmX-2uZ-XJQhENbxL2lw_KoPsFchGtyVb1TOOvSExrtFikVlEWPUTsnJqfWz-ZyIiwNAJASJJcJ_1XqN5Qvd4Yyj2sBwvvdcf7Ldd6AtbuFpFKwQqrhvmRfLgIJYyY6c-ma1JutmCoYXFbmMdFAnIJeZUNvh21iCqqa9w4iivKnkEChi8Q/w640-h360/1700137918_ahilyabai_holkar_1996_stamp_of_india.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;">The patronage of the renowned and enigmatic Holkar Rani Ahilyabai helped weavers and the fabled Maheshwari saris remain an emblematic product of the region</h4><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Wikimedia Commons</span></div><div><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Amongst the bustle of markets, you will always find hubs of irresistible food that continues deep into the night throughout the year. Every day as evening takes over, the shutters of the countless jewellery shops in Sarafa Bazar drop and then, after only a brief interval, the whole area springs to life as if the curtains have been lifted for a new act of a play. The area, the roads, every possible place comes alive courtesy of food stalls.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LHg6padKntdkybH5eZHb6vhDQDCrofi1lc1RuCsNN7M3xt6qQOUiKSB9Jgzo8zNOxWQqe7THVxyMVkfG4rsJgPhnwXezMz2I05aLI2etEnnXqgsM30VVzUB9NPuuVVGsrTrsYi9GTzktkrX_og20RhT0EC5SNW3bOkxJCeQ7wR1VQ_7KU2ZcyXGnFA/s900/1700137937_shutterstock_1937777797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LHg6padKntdkybH5eZHb6vhDQDCrofi1lc1RuCsNN7M3xt6qQOUiKSB9Jgzo8zNOxWQqe7THVxyMVkfG4rsJgPhnwXezMz2I05aLI2etEnnXqgsM30VVzUB9NPuuVVGsrTrsYi9GTzktkrX_og20RhT0EC5SNW3bOkxJCeQ7wR1VQ_7KU2ZcyXGnFA/w640-h360/1700137937_shutterstock_1937777797.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Sarafa Bazar</h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Shutterstock</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Even a few decades ago, the scene here used to be quite different. In this marketplace, the lower floors of most houses were occupied by Agarwal traders, Marwaris and other business people, while the upper levels served as living quarters. The sons of these shopkeepers, after finishing the day’s work, would come together after their meals at home and just hang out with friends. Subsequently, some could be seen enjoying<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #110e0e;"> </span></span></span><i style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;">rabdi</i><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;">, while others sipped hot milk available from the few stalls there. Magahi Paan is something that all would enjoy and as the days passed, a ritual of carrying some<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #110e0e;"> </span></span></span><i style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;">khatta-meetha</i><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;">goodies for the wife back home became the practice. As times changed, the women joined them in the open-air environment of Sarafa Bazar. It was women who made the<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #110e0e;"> </span></span></span><i style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;">chaat</i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #110e0e;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #110e0e;"> </span></span></span><i style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;">pakoda</i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #110e0e;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span>stalls so popular as well as the Sabudana Khichdi and Aloo Tikki, staple foods during fasting periods. Soon, local delicacies such as Dal Bafla, Malpua, Mawavati, Shrikhand, and Falooda Kulfi became integral to the scene.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcEbN9BcRMgnEspLOjfTGJpkAMVTisYl6YqryDBjyBosPaOf_qjyg5yMAMQlIigO8zooIGfFS0s4tVq11iMV3nsmTBWG_A82Tv4jXbgw2McDLYQNxcT4vP52Q_2FDe8vlkjtXh387hNRyzBOwwc0jCNG9S7ClIJWyMUfXY3JuGYHBIvnyZZrTVMEymg/s900/1700137954_shutterstock_2100132349_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcEbN9BcRMgnEspLOjfTGJpkAMVTisYl6YqryDBjyBosPaOf_qjyg5yMAMQlIigO8zooIGfFS0s4tVq11iMV3nsmTBWG_A82Tv4jXbgw2McDLYQNxcT4vP52Q_2FDe8vlkjtXh387hNRyzBOwwc0jCNG9S7ClIJWyMUfXY3JuGYHBIvnyZZrTVMEymg/w640-h360/1700137954_shutterstock_2100132349_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Poha and jalebis – some of Indore’s favourites</h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Shutterstock</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The culinary traditions of Malwa exhibit a strong Marathi influence, thanks to the history of the region. In 1733, as a token of his victory in the war fought between the Marathas and Jay Singh of Amber in Mandsaur, Bajirao I awarded the war general, Malhar Rao Holkar with the Indore Puraskar. The Holkar family’s magnificent royal residence, an impressive seven stories with influences of Maratha, Mughal, and French architecture, was known as the Rajwada, which in our times has been transformed into a central hub for commercial activity. Nestled between the crowded streets of the Kajuri Bazar, Rajwada continues to be a major tourist attraction.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoz799R0q1mzM4j25d4VUPqKVN9v-aOutSrpy4Ht0_Ryu2m_t8N93nA_ASNGIsEwjZkH4N9d8x7EAWQP1v6dqgTFnAb8BI4q74BG7ekvU2k9Y8ZZy06BpM8UaOxSUG8tRr2D_lKtI3xk-kNOybd1UpyRlTkMedFLEJsHPIlSLACMZ4Om3VuJyx9cDquw/s900/1700137974_shutterstock_567029827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoz799R0q1mzM4j25d4VUPqKVN9v-aOutSrpy4Ht0_Ryu2m_t8N93nA_ASNGIsEwjZkH4N9d8x7EAWQP1v6dqgTFnAb8BI4q74BG7ekvU2k9Y8ZZy06BpM8UaOxSUG8tRr2D_lKtI3xk-kNOybd1UpyRlTkMedFLEJsHPIlSLACMZ4Om3VuJyx9cDquw/w640-h360/1700137974_shutterstock_567029827.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">The Holkar family’s magnificent royal residence, known as the Rajwada</h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Shutterstock</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Today, many of these street food stalls have developed into permanent fixtures and on festive occasions, such as Ganesh Chaturthi and Anant Chaturdashi, finding a spot here can be quite a challenge. The unique Indori twist on the wide range of vegetarian dishes is not to be missed, such as enticing toppings for their offerings, while others showcase their unique culinary techniques.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">From Joshi Dahibadawala’s impressive preparation of<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #110e0e;"> </span></span></span><i style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;">dahibadas<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #110e0e;"> </span></span></i><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;">to the alluring aromas emanating from Vijay Chaat Center, and the delectable confections at Agrawal Sweets – if you haven’t tried these, you haven’t fully embraced the essence of Indore. And without enjoying Akash and Prakash’s savoury snacks, no Indore experience can ever be complete. The Dahi Bada, Bhutte ki kees, Desi Chinese, Tokri Chaat, Indori Malai and Garadu with its special secret masala, if you seek to pamper your craving for street food, this is the city you must head to. Just remember that this is Indore, and there is simply no room for littering.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-XtNk9O-HjMDKTUJYYoVdM1qg8ussxfn3aOvoYdznyC5smlf4Xs4JTJ7UBt6MWVm6PWRtSKv4n8rPFYFV8lmlYkq9RSW3JsuJmOs3VZbrRgvPbhRA5aCzDwTq615gBji6oYjlxxL8P2844KtD9wOLIZ1aaULEk5xSnRCJhn3y_ChWsr8tIig2V2Z5A/s900/1700137991_shutterstock_2279928379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-XtNk9O-HjMDKTUJYYoVdM1qg8ussxfn3aOvoYdznyC5smlf4Xs4JTJ7UBt6MWVm6PWRtSKv4n8rPFYFV8lmlYkq9RSW3JsuJmOs3VZbrRgvPbhRA5aCzDwTq615gBji6oYjlxxL8P2844KtD9wOLIZ1aaULEk5xSnRCJhn3y_ChWsr8tIig2V2Z5A/w640-h360/1700137991_shutterstock_2279928379.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Chappan Dukan has 56 shops serving authentic Indore snacks and sweets</h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Shutterstock</span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>This article was published in The Telegraph on 16.11.23 </b></i><a href="https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/clean-bowled-by-indore/cid/1980468?utmsource=twitter&utmmedium=social&utmcampaign=mkdaily_tw">https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/clean-bowled-by-indore/cid/1980468?utmsource=twitter&utmmedium=social&utmcampaign=mkdaily_tw</a><br /> </span></span></p>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-89838125147434467472023-11-09T15:35:00.003+05:302023-11-09T15:35:52.837+05:30At The Pierre, connections in an elevator lift the hospitality higher<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Taj’s flagship US property occupies a unique position in New York — more for its people than architecture<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8xxCqVgIfpg9S3usAfOxJBxdigK1pGWH1XGLI35emh-D6H1ULBtjMrcyjGYAS24notmlVv-jbFY6MJJMJDLvYzx9EOLsS3s7eNMwGx9ye1iF0nNeDZQ6YVcO4pU2HLMvGEdnHw3HMfscz2XC1Fb029AhoDVlWndpYhGUiAavcx-5mLNk8yYvK67Cvg/s900/1698586215_collage-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8xxCqVgIfpg9S3usAfOxJBxdigK1pGWH1XGLI35emh-D6H1ULBtjMrcyjGYAS24notmlVv-jbFY6MJJMJDLvYzx9EOLsS3s7eNMwGx9ye1iF0nNeDZQ6YVcO4pU2HLMvGEdnHw3HMfscz2XC1Fb029AhoDVlWndpYhGUiAavcx-5mLNk8yYvK67Cvg/w640-h360/1698586215_collage-a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">The Taj’s flagship US property occupies a unique position with a copper mansard roof that stands out even in New York’s remarkable skyline</h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Have you ever stepped into an elevator and been greeted with a friendly smile, sincere enquiries about your well-being and wishes for a wonderful day ahead? Or have you received a weather update with tips about whether your clothes would be appropriate?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Well, if you have had the pleasure of visiting The Pierre, the luxurious Taj hotel in New York, then you have in every likelihood experienced just this. The Pierre’s elevators are no ordinary lifts; they are staffed by a dedicated team of nine who ensure a warm and welcoming experience around the clock.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">From the moment you step into The Pierre’s elevator, you are met with a level of hospitality that sets the tone for an experience beyond compare. It’s a unique practice in today’s day and age in New York to have elevator attendants who create such a positive impact on the guest, but here it is an established tradition: three out of the present nine have over 20 years’ experience under their belts, while four others have served for over 10 years. Their presence is a testament to The Pierre’s commitment to providing a memorable and enjoyable stay for every guest.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopPfJeSaM3Pg0tq_JaH44mdTGkporYo4Zm1vKka8j3Vr4FZzciKE4PY2G4budjnf8rmGtljeTbnWDyUXPJUSeN-u7tgM_AHrMOmZf7NJacFA7g8F3Y7ihnPLTz35lQFNQU3eAeBI5YZTFh2hYsGHCy7iHtYA-79YpSGyPq-BCGLXim-kDKdOxkWTQJA/s900/1698586239_the-pierre-rotunda-picture-courtesy-taj-hotels-website.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopPfJeSaM3Pg0tq_JaH44mdTGkporYo4Zm1vKka8j3Vr4FZzciKE4PY2G4budjnf8rmGtljeTbnWDyUXPJUSeN-u7tgM_AHrMOmZf7NJacFA7g8F3Y7ihnPLTz35lQFNQU3eAeBI5YZTFh2hYsGHCy7iHtYA-79YpSGyPq-BCGLXim-kDKdOxkWTQJA/w640-h360/1698586239_the-pierre-rotunda-picture-courtesy-taj-hotels-website.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">The Pierre rotunda</h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Located across from Central Park at 61st Street, on the famed Fifth Avenue, the Taj’s flagship US property occupies a unique position with a copper mansard roof that stands out even in New York’s remarkable skyline. This epitome of timeless luxury and impeccable service has been my ‘go-to’ address over my many visits to the metropolis, sitting very much at the bustling heart of New York and nestled amidst the city’s skyscrapers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">There are many things that stand out within the hallowed portals which I could speak of, but today I would like to highlight a very special human touch that adds that special worth and meaning to this hotel. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of crossing paths with an extraordinary individual named Khady. One of the elevator attendants, she’s one of the many people who makes Taj Pierre a remarkable experience, a symbol of the heart and soul that powers this iconic hotel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGMMDwpzefHwPvTVW_zg-LCMxEAjddLJ5NIF88_SE6XRrs1zLdViNBFgZvFXXjBVlDNOf4BijCOsIaFo-aicUqtG1V9HvHrFFyZmmgLVhyphenhyphenojeTsXFM016X3x_qIqaX22R8M-kRRv3TuEsATeNmPRMqawDZswoyUJsr9u3zG84MiIzn9kRvz17QV4LLw/s900/1698586266_khady-gueyesall-courtesy-cathy-tongper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGMMDwpzefHwPvTVW_zg-LCMxEAjddLJ5NIF88_SE6XRrs1zLdViNBFgZvFXXjBVlDNOf4BijCOsIaFo-aicUqtG1V9HvHrFFyZmmgLVhyphenhyphenojeTsXFM016X3x_qIqaX22R8M-kRRv3TuEsATeNmPRMqawDZswoyUJsr9u3zG84MiIzn9kRvz17QV4LLw/w640-h360/1698586266_khady-gueyesall-courtesy-cathy-tongper.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Khady Gueyesall has been an elevator operator at The Pierre since 1990</h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Intrigued to know more about this warm, energetic presence, I learned that Khady Gueyesall has been an elevator operator at the Pierre since 1990. She has always regarded the mahogany-panelled cabin as her ‘office’. A Senegalese by birth, her parents made their living by selling vegetables grown in their garden. Those hardships, however, never reflect in the radiant smile with which she goes about her job. She has an innate talent for welcoming every guest with a grace that’s infectious and heartwarming. Though I have appreciated her energy over many years, it was not until my recent visit when New York was flooded with water, and they declared an emergency that I really got to have a chat with her.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifR3VpeUi7k7NJzovN3TZLf7eHSZ4CbmhwM8Rn_nDnQ9pda8DAAuNSdBxabxftgS4ZL11x_-trA0sSoxKVR-OW-7EEGugQe4uqYsPKd6r4HZYw1Rp8WWpWcB-VzbMB0dADNRK_-KaUY7dFgR5dK2XySzkaGu4Bh7Jaf6vVF7nl4ObqaqMjb4WCfrW-MA/s900/1698586285_sundeep-bhutoria-with-khady-gueyesall-courtesy-cathy-tongper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifR3VpeUi7k7NJzovN3TZLf7eHSZ4CbmhwM8Rn_nDnQ9pda8DAAuNSdBxabxftgS4ZL11x_-trA0sSoxKVR-OW-7EEGugQe4uqYsPKd6r4HZYw1Rp8WWpWcB-VzbMB0dADNRK_-KaUY7dFgR5dK2XySzkaGu4Bh7Jaf6vVF7nl4ObqaqMjb4WCfrW-MA/w640-h360/1698586285_sundeep-bhutoria-with-khady-gueyesall-courtesy-cathy-tongper.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Sundeep Bhutoria with Khady</h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As I tried to understand the role of the elevator attendants, I discovered that Taj Pierre, unlike many other hotels, upholds a tradition where the elevators are staffed 24/7. This attentive service is part of what makes Taj Pierre, with 72 privately owned apartments and 189 rooms, stand out. Their presence helps maintain the elegance and safety of these exclusive accommodations, making the service a crucial aspect of the guest experience.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Currently, nine dedicated individuals take turns operating these elevators, and Khady is undeniably one stalwart of this unique team. Her journey began in the hospitality industry as a housekeeping professional at Helmsley’s Palace (now known as New York Palace). Over the years, Khady’s warmth, dedication, and exceptional service have earned her the trust and admiration of countless luminaries. Michael Jackson was one such icon whom she served for four memorable years. The list of celebrities she has not just served, but also befriended, includes the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Lionel Richie, Janet Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Kirstie Alley, Patti LaBelle, Oprah Winfrey and many more. She’s even been featured in Kirstie Alley’s book, a testament to her exceptional service.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_HO6jHiiU-XGuBKTiJX3n7T6ZX3J4ZzImWGmGcTqmZhSppu1ZGxXwMnde5ebWCv3X7S-rropZY5VG2-chWQqjNJh4vcl_iNKE5INKiTjTQ9L3YGGjRgUPCEw-Fe6RNjTrdEXcW6PXGpw69cIVK93536zggcwJcDzVE3DjdJJ0AQCuyDwcdmn6rP0fg/s900/1698586305_collage-b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_HO6jHiiU-XGuBKTiJX3n7T6ZX3J4ZzImWGmGcTqmZhSppu1ZGxXwMnde5ebWCv3X7S-rropZY5VG2-chWQqjNJh4vcl_iNKE5INKiTjTQ9L3YGGjRgUPCEw-Fe6RNjTrdEXcW6PXGpw69cIVK93536zggcwJcDzVE3DjdJJ0AQCuyDwcdmn6rP0fg/w640-h360/1698586305_collage-b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">The Hall of Fame and collection of memorabilia at The Pierre</h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It’s not just Khady’s warmth and grace that sets her apart, but also her genuine compassion. She recounted a heartwarming story where she made a profound difference in a young boy’s life during his three-week stay at Taj Pierre with his father and stepmother. Khady’s innate curiosity and empathy led her to discover that the boy was missing quality time with his dad. With her characteristic magic, she not only offered advice but also facilitated a heartfelt conversation with the boy’s stepmother, mending relationships and bringing tears of joy to all involved. This story is but only one example of Khady’s remarkable ability to connect with people.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdtNhqRTfEUui88DpnMIzwGaKvxbTnY4e1r0d32D5fg1ZWuJrjBFp2eYUb_EXLo1RNO6O2iHUbFlztDGisJ0ewsTwnA3iGfg_fBRxxxiswpdLFzAKhq6wFWR4gzuoXPy_FLFVa8Mmf7nxs6THv133tYPck8p38njcgz66bhH2b4CuC58ito6QRIoUKw/s900/1698586324_collage-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdtNhqRTfEUui88DpnMIzwGaKvxbTnY4e1r0d32D5fg1ZWuJrjBFp2eYUb_EXLo1RNO6O2iHUbFlztDGisJ0ewsTwnA3iGfg_fBRxxxiswpdLFzAKhq6wFWR4gzuoXPy_FLFVa8Mmf7nxs6THv133tYPck8p38njcgz66bhH2b4CuC58ito6QRIoUKw/w640-h360/1698586324_collage-c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">The author at The Pierre’s entrance and a short history of the hotel</h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Taj Pierre was formerly known as the Four Seasons, and it’s a matter of pride to experience how the establishment has seamlessly transitioned under the management of Taj Hotels. It has maintained the hotel’s importance as a city landmark even today, with the same attention to service and detail it’s had since the 1930s. The white-gloved elevator attendants, a Les Clefs d’Or concierge team and trained housekeepers, are always on their toes in maintaining the quality of service, upholding its reputation for uber refinement, relaxation and indulgence.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In the realm of luxury and hospitality, it is not only the infrastructure but also the people who make the difference. And Khady, the smiling face in the elevator, is not just an employee; she is the heart and soul of Taj Pierre.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">This article was published in The Telegraph on 29.10.23</span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><a href="https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/at-the-pierre-connections-in-an-elevator-lift-the-hospitality-higher/cid/1976201" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: left;">https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/at-the-pierre-connections-in-an-elevator-lift-the-hospitality-higher/cid/1976201</a></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-49411976902754184742023-09-27T07:06:00.002+05:302023-09-29T07:31:19.505+05:30‘Khamma ghani Jodhpur sa!’<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Sundeep Bhutoria’s brief account of a family, a state and a city that has been on the forefront of splendour, valour, skill and creativity<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmPZJ1GPr84rWIzkbbplyYeGB7NyrGQlxN5jUuFUUvr-58sX9stsa1IYu8CMZ_mXPdwdRxITDuZZerwhy9A1-K4YWZGMM5ghbtWDWVeop29s5H29w6gxj7DuNS-_YOU8AZY75ppSWSEz4Y3T8mfTThKOSDu9N_H23WTSzMCb4XjwDOIbUESFdoxMKgQ/s900/1695645378_cms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmPZJ1GPr84rWIzkbbplyYeGB7NyrGQlxN5jUuFUUvr-58sX9stsa1IYu8CMZ_mXPdwdRxITDuZZerwhy9A1-K4YWZGMM5ghbtWDWVeop29s5H29w6gxj7DuNS-_YOU8AZY75ppSWSEz4Y3T8mfTThKOSDu9N_H23WTSzMCb4XjwDOIbUESFdoxMKgQ/w640-h360/1695645378_cms.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Blue houses in the old section of Jodhpur at sunset; (right) Sundeep Bhutoria, who was there in the city on Independence Day 2023</h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Shutterstock; Umaid Bhawan Palace photographer</span></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">On Independence Day 2023, I was in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, where I had the privilege of staying at the famed Umaid Bhawan Palace, which is the residence of the present scion of the royal family of Rathore Maharaja Gaj Singh. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The palace is part home to the royal family, part museum and part luxury hotel. Managed by Taj hotels, it is the flagship in the hotel’s luxury palace portfolio, and for good reason.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">To understand the importance of Umaid Bhawan Palace, we must first learn a little about the city of Jodhpur. One of the jewels in the rich canvas of Rajasthan, it is northwest of the Luni River, on a sterile tract of land bounded by lofty hills of sand. A desert climate prevails in the region marked by a near complete absence of precipitation. The average temperature in Jodhpur is 26.5°C and approximately 323mm of rainfall occurs yearly. Summer begins at the end of June, but May is when the mercury shoots up, often reaching upwards of 34°C. Monsoon is but momentary here, and the arid sub-tropical climate and its location in the driest part of the state are enough to earn it the moniker ‘Sun City’.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jodhpur is also known as the Blue City thanks to the many blue buildings in the older sections of town. There are many theories to explain this unique feature, but whatever the truth, it makes for an unforgettable sight.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BRqX8V_mkwZQd6Cg-nGxGzfjTGdAhyphenhyphenwl6-sEAnAiiRF8rR7Z_8QE0KrG1uCvU4FCksnVKtuLYxIe5s0-tOg5C-l2l_5hUUcHkxe6YB52aBFS38ktSE5eGbLg91U8JJOJL65FKhme58shLaJdkFj3WhNHl0hM8PLc7CTUdQP0uH_VFsH674r3snteAQ/s900/1695645565_shutterstock_1945561645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BRqX8V_mkwZQd6Cg-nGxGzfjTGdAhyphenhyphenwl6-sEAnAiiRF8rR7Z_8QE0KrG1uCvU4FCksnVKtuLYxIe5s0-tOg5C-l2l_5hUUcHkxe6YB52aBFS38ktSE5eGbLg91U8JJOJL65FKhme58shLaJdkFj3WhNHl0hM8PLc7CTUdQP0uH_VFsH674r3snteAQ/w640-h360/1695645565_shutterstock_1945561645.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Jodhpur has the moniker ‘Sun City’ as well as the Blue City </h4><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Shutterstock</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The city of Jodhpur, now the second largest in the state, was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, a Rajput ruler, and served as the capital of the princely state of Jodhpur which reached its heights under the ruler Rao Maldeo between 1532 and 1569. Over the years, the three princely states of Jodhpur, Jaipur and Udaipur forged an alliance to prevent the Mughal onslaught and the reins of power passed to the Marathas, eventually coming under the British colonialists and then joining the Indian union as the state of Rajasthan in 1949. The princely states were officially dissolved in subsequent years.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Rathores are known for their keen interest in architecture and public reform. The history of the region is dotted with their many social initiatives and fine constructions such as step wells, dams, temples and even palaces. One of these is the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, with its various palaces, such as Phool Mahal, Moti Mahal and others, built in different centuries. Mihirgarh, as the fort was originally known — a name derived from the words “Mihir” which means the Sun deity and “Garh” referring to the fort — is also the biggest fort in India, covering an area of 1,200 acres.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The full flow of these reforms was felt during the reign of Maharaja Jashwant Singh II (1873 - 1895 AD), best remembered perhaps for establishing courts of justice. The mantle passed on to Maharaja Umaid Singh, under whom began the golden era of the dynasty. He is credited with having built hospitals and educational institutions that are still in use today. His finest structure is also the greatest jewel in the state’s architectural crown, the Umaid Bhawan Palace. The youngest palace in Asia and among the largest private residences in the world, it is the epitome of Rajasthan’s royal heritage.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5prHtaIbfY57q4Zy3PYqdsgeLgXreHUWN6vV_RteVAA7K9hmmQocTd4updWNiDzoWruDCWAkxISX11h7lYklWQjHicZYR7e1F09FH4rLal0F-8AB1pWL-xFLy20APd4kxEFOG4hixfdpwkFDd1aOh02iXgtaCd4MYt4PIgICSFkaCCVdhHn5dHts2Q/s900/1695645600_collage-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5prHtaIbfY57q4Zy3PYqdsgeLgXreHUWN6vV_RteVAA7K9hmmQocTd4updWNiDzoWruDCWAkxISX11h7lYklWQjHicZYR7e1F09FH4rLal0F-8AB1pWL-xFLy20APd4kxEFOG4hixfdpwkFDd1aOh02iXgtaCd4MYt4PIgICSFkaCCVdhHn5dHts2Q/w640-h360/1695645600_collage-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">The Umaid Bhawan Palace, and a room in the hotel</h4><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Shutterstock</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Upon his demise, Hanwant Singh became king at a very crucial time in Indian politics. He served as the last absolute ruler of Jodhpur before Indian Independence stripped the maharajas of their power. Rajasthan’s first democratic elections were held in 1952 and Singh and his party romped to victory with a huge margin. But alas, he perished in a plane accident soon after.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">That’s how the present maharaja, Gaj Singh, came to be crowned on May 12, 1952, at the age of only four. I feel extremely honoured to have a friendly relationship with him, and to stay with him and his family at the palace. During our interactions, I have learned that “Baapji” as he is lovingly called, still remembers how father and son used to fly in their own aircraft.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Maharaja Gaj Singh did his early schooling at Pune Military School and then went over to England, where he studied at Eton and then Christ Church, Oxford, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, politics and economics. His journey as a young maharaja began in 1970 when he returned to his homeland. The entire city turned up to welcome him back. They performed aarti every step of the way and thousands of residents showered flower petals as their king made his way to the palace, in a journey that took hours thanks to the massive crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jAjGNtsYiZhkBKnf1_rJNjqGUf1QB_McbzWCfn4m1k4BR9D2BWlqv6N7rp68rriwDmoH07KDZyhKXbW452KbDuD7USJAwNhZT7Q15JYOWLg6SV7_3oq0D5ux0X70Ngssi1fOP8vUsFItgyQoFhYGeJfwj-UvIudSLMwMtPJvHmHyRVIOOIsWGx9tgQ/s900/1695645652_3-sundeep-bhutoria-along-with-the-erstwhile-jodhpur-royal-maharaja-gaj-singh-ji-at-a-get-together-hosted-by-him-in-jodhpur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jAjGNtsYiZhkBKnf1_rJNjqGUf1QB_McbzWCfn4m1k4BR9D2BWlqv6N7rp68rriwDmoH07KDZyhKXbW452KbDuD7USJAwNhZT7Q15JYOWLg6SV7_3oq0D5ux0X70Ngssi1fOP8vUsFItgyQoFhYGeJfwj-UvIudSLMwMtPJvHmHyRVIOOIsWGx9tgQ/w640-h360/1695645652_3-sundeep-bhutoria-along-with-the-erstwhile-jodhpur-royal-maharaja-gaj-singh-ji-at-a-get-together-hosted-by-him-in-jodhpur.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Sundeep Bhutoria along with the Erstwhile Jodhpur Royal Maharaja Gaj Singh ji at a get-together hosted by him in Jodhpur </h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Dinesh Sharma</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Maharaja Gaj Singh responded to this adulation by assuming the role of a caretaker of his people, and for this he was fondly called ‘Baapji’. He married the Princess of Poonch, Kashmir, Maharani Hemlata Rajye and has two children and now, two grandchildren as well. In his desire to connect more closely to his people, he has walked all the way to the Ramdevra Temple, 190 kms away in the Jaisalmer district. Singh has led the reorganisation of his affairs and vast estates, laying the foundations for a brighter future for the state. His major focus has been on improving the tourism sector and in preserving the heritage of Rajasthan. The Mehrangarh Museum was developed, and many heritage buildings and step wells were restored. Singh was among the first to propose repositioning of the state’s heritage features for tourism. In fact, the pride of the Indian Railways today, the country’s first luxury tourist train, the Palace on Wheels, was his idea.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVbY6aL1ZJbjXqod7BEVWuu936sQsqfx-wujEXjuOUWSJ39q1WeCkPGMdF-rxoGGx6uJ2qw4HTQsvtyFHXUOppguTNUMj6LQBAE0ahK7JJBTxrz6dWaRWX5Sc0B8nfl8ZkhywVoy3dM0HYqSxBS4KLyXvuHLRLu_F4REHmbWoYiVI9r3_rW-8hjyaag/s900/1695645719_sundeep-bhutoria-manjari-maheshwari-bhutoria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVbY6aL1ZJbjXqod7BEVWuu936sQsqfx-wujEXjuOUWSJ39q1WeCkPGMdF-rxoGGx6uJ2qw4HTQsvtyFHXUOppguTNUMj6LQBAE0ahK7JJBTxrz6dWaRWX5Sc0B8nfl8ZkhywVoy3dM0HYqSxBS4KLyXvuHLRLu_F4REHmbWoYiVI9r3_rW-8hjyaag/w640-h360/1695645719_sundeep-bhutoria-manjari-maheshwari-bhutoria.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">(L-R) Sundeep Bhutoria, Manjari Maheshwari Bhutoria along with the Erstwhile Jodhpur Royal Maharaja Gaj Singh ji and Erstwhile Royal Maharani Saheb Hemlata Rajye ji of Jodhpur at the get-together</h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Dinesh Sharma</span></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">An ardent fan of polo, the maharaja continues to organise many events such as the Hermes Cup, Maharaja Gaj Singh Cup, Vaara Rajye Cup amongst others. He is also a patron of the Marwari Horse Society that is the custodian of the ‘Marwari’ breed of horses. Recently, Bangladesh has shown an interest in procuring some of these special horses. His contribution to the field of education is immense and for girl students, he has established Rajmata Krishna Kumari Girls’ Public School as per his mother’s vision. He has also commissioned projects for women’s empowerment such as Shakti Veerni and Jal Bhagirathi.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTPTA1BY-Y9pw6IDoGwYnTsMDqWaMVB9HliPwSoQv1IPd2nZVav_ke_cWwqSX_ecWTlY2YXQ7ZaJXAFWhb4BGFGlEmoWWUszspIMcJjkvYPG-Sv74MrlsK0feGHlbvZmmJ3-yHDy5CxvCS9yzIvd4KAek1DAM3Hi56fKT5FXUFuYfwXNPxw-O4wCoxQ/s900/1695645753_4-sundeep-bhutoria-with-kavita-rathore-and-fashion-designer-raghavendra-rathore-at-a-get-together-hosted-by-him-in-jodhpur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTPTA1BY-Y9pw6IDoGwYnTsMDqWaMVB9HliPwSoQv1IPd2nZVav_ke_cWwqSX_ecWTlY2YXQ7ZaJXAFWhb4BGFGlEmoWWUszspIMcJjkvYPG-Sv74MrlsK0feGHlbvZmmJ3-yHDy5CxvCS9yzIvd4KAek1DAM3Hi56fKT5FXUFuYfwXNPxw-O4wCoxQ/w640-h360/1695645753_4-sundeep-bhutoria-with-kavita-rathore-and-fashion-designer-raghavendra-rathore-at-a-get-together-hosted-by-him-in-jodhpur.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Sundeep Bhutoria and Shelja Singh Rathore with (right) Kavita Rathore and designer Raghavendra Rathore </h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Dinesh Sharma</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Heroism seeps out of every grain of sand in this region, but simple mortal as I am, and a die-hard foodie at that, my narrative would not be complete without a note on the food of this region. Special mention must be made of Chaudhary’s mirchi bad<span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;">, Surya’s samosa, Shri Ram’s mogar kachori and Manak Chowk’s pyaaz kachori. Bhawani’s Daal baati and churma and Bhati for its chai are a rage in the city, as are the Vijay and Shandar restaurants which are famous for cooking traditional delicious food in desi ghee. As for sweets, Chotu Motu’s jalebi, Chaturbhuj’s gulab jamun, Mulji’s malpua and thhor, Mohanji’s laddoos and ghewar have their special position in Jodhpur’s culinary scene.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1yksLtxWyYSNq9Z6O16GjVXmywEPu8e3D0GzePFxfHg8kv4-gA7Plxl0mr1pmv3vHWyPEd-K2B4iELBhEOcU-r_NbreknsgklM9I1QSGW_X9bGU1sBe_QyFkDcTCBUGo_lAYvO8QnkcUbvq6bwke1u5-ryjrDx-7giZz6f9zKburtzTGCZq6UwnFjQ/s900/1695645861_collage-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1yksLtxWyYSNq9Z6O16GjVXmywEPu8e3D0GzePFxfHg8kv4-gA7Plxl0mr1pmv3vHWyPEd-K2B4iELBhEOcU-r_NbreknsgklM9I1QSGW_X9bGU1sBe_QyFkDcTCBUGo_lAYvO8QnkcUbvq6bwke1u5-ryjrDx-7giZz6f9zKburtzTGCZq6UwnFjQ/w640-h360/1695645861_collage-02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Some of Jodhpur’s food gems. (L-R) Surya Namkeen for the best samosas, a close-up of a Shri Mishrilal Hotel favourite and Mohunji Mithaiwala for the best laddoos and Ghewar</h4><div><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-size: x-small;">Kamal Singh Bhati</span></i></div><div><br /></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">During my last trip, I also hosted a get-together of friends and acquaintances at Umaid Bhawan itself and was thrilled when they all went gaga over the Italian and Rajasthani cuisine that was served by the palace.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Every speck of Rajasthan has a rich tale to tell. This is a very brief account of a family, a state and a city that has been in the forefront of splendour, valour, skill and creativity. Its richness can’t be captured in so few words and must be experienced by all with an interest in India’s history.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>This article was published in The Telegraph on 25.09.2023</i><a href="https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/khamma-ghani-jodhpur-sa/cid/1968904"> </a></span><a href="https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/khamma-ghani-jodhpur-sa/cid/1968904">https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/khamma-ghani-jodhpur-sa/cid/1968904</a></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-78032404259246488052023-09-19T03:42:00.001+05:302023-09-23T04:13:25.316+05:30 An epicurean trail through London<p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">There is no denying that when it comes to food or theatre, despite its myriad issues, London puts up a great show, writes Sundeep Bhutoria</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDlTKaEbaP8kzLsdn9NgO8JkHo2Rn2LRpxAppALuzd8alr0om86Ky-858k5N2l0mhcF2W88xgWjCbSa9UYrQoIvGp_DmSMMBi6I-x-ntrEmembg-ku02ZmiLUzBF-cFRnSjI_Yuoabn18KpQBdja41Y3cDbu01MEat0dHRZrbi4P-LHEb2V0O64H-PQ/s900/1694947321_1-sundeep-bhutoria-with-sangeeta-datta-shekhar-kapur-shabana-azmi-javed-akhtar-suhel-seth-abhishek-khaitan-and-soumilya-datta-before-the-dinner-at-the-house-of-ming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDlTKaEbaP8kzLsdn9NgO8JkHo2Rn2LRpxAppALuzd8alr0om86Ky-858k5N2l0mhcF2W88xgWjCbSa9UYrQoIvGp_DmSMMBi6I-x-ntrEmembg-ku02ZmiLUzBF-cFRnSjI_Yuoabn18KpQBdja41Y3cDbu01MEat0dHRZrbi4P-LHEb2V0O64H-PQ/w640-h360/1694947321_1-sundeep-bhutoria-with-sangeeta-datta-shekhar-kapur-shabana-azmi-javed-akhtar-suhel-seth-abhishek-khaitan-and-soumilya-datta-before-the-dinner-at-the-house-of-ming.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Sundeep Bhutoria (third from right) with (L-R) Sangeeta Datta, Shekhar Kapur, Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, Suhel Seth, Abhishek Khaitan and Soumilya Datta before a dinner at the House of Ming, in London</h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">A while ago, I wrote about London and its changing perspectives, and I was rather hard on the current state of affairs. Yes, many changes have occurred in recent decades and not all have been beneficial to the city or its residents and visitors. But as a great admirer of the city, I am also extremely lucky to be familiar with some of the real jewels in the crown.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">London’s multicultural nature means it is a hub for gourmet food from across the world. There is no denying that when it comes to food, despite its myriad issues, London puts up a great show with a choice of local, Indian, Chinese, Italian, Mediterranean, African and every possible cuisine of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">London’s culinary scene is renowned for its unparalleled variety, embracing even those flavours that are difficult to find outside their own specific homelands. Many Indian travellers say one can eat better Indian cuisine in Dubai and London than in India itself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">As air travel gradually resumed after the pandemic, Indians flocked to London. Visits to top restaurants and theatres weren’t merely about enjoyment but also fodder for social media feeds. In the summer of 2022, one of the hottest destinations to be seen was surely Novikov. With both an Asian and an Italian restaurant at the same address, it’s remained a top draw. Novikov’s Italian restaurant has an imposing wood-fired oven, an aura that is accentuated with suede wall panelling, mirrors in solid oak frames and rustic chandeliers. The menu offers regional dishes with a contemporary twist and the restaurant is an even bigger hit as its downstairs Lounge Bar stays open till the early hours.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXR9NGBSiB5N24KBszYzh4-DrzNT-mTK2rcQwVmnSSayvQXaDWaIj1SMmtf5cOtWyW7m7zCCjW10mOK9IaJzjuvzdEQ-An2fk_5Xl22b0QlBKLRjqju_R6_T379W5nRDPr9c-fzf55bIvhIu5UCdif15DlKGCtMsod4zr6gcECgsLw73sxvz-PcO1ww/s2029/Screenshot%202023-09-22%20at%206.25.19%20PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="2029" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXR9NGBSiB5N24KBszYzh4-DrzNT-mTK2rcQwVmnSSayvQXaDWaIj1SMmtf5cOtWyW7m7zCCjW10mOK9IaJzjuvzdEQ-An2fk_5Xl22b0QlBKLRjqju_R6_T379W5nRDPr9c-fzf55bIvhIu5UCdif15DlKGCtMsod4zr6gcECgsLw73sxvz-PcO1ww/w640-h328/Screenshot%202023-09-22%20at%206.25.19%20PM.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Another popular spot is Hakkasan, the Michelin-starred modern Chinese cuisine restaurant for those in search of a little extravagance. Opened in 2001 by the famed Alan Yau, the brains behind the city’s Wagamama Japanese restaurants and the Yauatcha restaurant, this popular eatery serves haute Chinese cuisine in an upscale format.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Shopaholics from India also make a beeline for Harrods Pizzeria & Pasqua and Brasserie of Light at Selfridges, both of which have great food and a chic ambience. Even though a lengthy queue forms at the Pizzeria at Harrods, few will go across the road from Gate No 4, which offers equally delightful pizzas with the allure of al fresco dining.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Ishbilia and Al Waha, two establishments offering Lebanese cuisine, were also highly sought-after during the summer of 2022. As an aficionado of Lebanese fare myself, I found these options to be top-notch, visiting them multiple times during my stay. Since Ishbilia restaurant opened in 1998, owner and chef Mohamed Alkhlaifaoui (Abu Mahmoud) has built a reputation for producing the finest and most authentic Lebanese cuisine in London. Al Waha restaurant also serves Lebanese fare of the highest order. It’s in a rather small corner setup, a reminder of how Lebanese food should be – traditionally and painstakingly prepared and always a joy to eat.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQmHpo2a7cdgl4B1fzdMXtBblfv5I5cf39G6QMmX-sADuU9AtMNFs6RCTTU4t3a2SrgZziIcaxloshZuCA9jp-WDONBBFC5IRRTeBkx2GVCGKQGhsmXMKRcKDDLKQWlqtNBwc7L7t4WNLVHB4wdpdxlyqKCSGOA1f5O9-3l46jwq1gaaNOyru-gwB4A/s2053/Screenshot%202023-09-22%20at%206.29.28%20PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="2053" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQmHpo2a7cdgl4B1fzdMXtBblfv5I5cf39G6QMmX-sADuU9AtMNFs6RCTTU4t3a2SrgZziIcaxloshZuCA9jp-WDONBBFC5IRRTeBkx2GVCGKQGhsmXMKRcKDDLKQWlqtNBwc7L7t4WNLVHB4wdpdxlyqKCSGOA1f5O9-3l46jwq1gaaNOyru-gwB4A/w640-h398/Screenshot%202023-09-22%20at%206.29.28%20PM.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">This year, too, I visited London after the peak months of May and June and could explore its culinary landscape anew. My London address of over 20 years has been the Taj 51 Buckingham Gate. This time round, I experienced the charm of the House of Ming, where I had the privilege of hosting an evening for renowned individuals such as Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, Shekhar Gupta, Suhel Seth and Mehrnawaz Avari amongst others. Housed at St James Court, a Taj Hotel, it opened in May and is inspired by regional Sichuan and Cantonese cooking. Chef Sujoy, who was once the executive chef at Taj Bengal, leads the team now.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7CQRSrqUIwAIIzvH1gl-QLYxK--LU7LOU9GgXNgWzTgHrjLDp4YiSYn4_QGrrFUk6v8fpAEJnj2HRmS8Q8Rysh0PuIZdsATVMG09eglQj2-leYw3Q2z63rx6jm8W-vzhEUINSEbx0EK7KMl-gzl1_a-ATncrtcjMEZoROg6fwEvhP8uOn0phoSZ_gQ/s900/1694947471_lead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7CQRSrqUIwAIIzvH1gl-QLYxK--LU7LOU9GgXNgWzTgHrjLDp4YiSYn4_QGrrFUk6v8fpAEJnj2HRmS8Q8Rysh0PuIZdsATVMG09eglQj2-leYw3Q2z63rx6jm8W-vzhEUINSEbx0EK7KMl-gzl1_a-ATncrtcjMEZoROg6fwEvhP8uOn0phoSZ_gQ/w640-h360/1694947471_lead.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Chef Sujoy at the House of Ming; (right) some of the restaurant’s offerings</h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The restaurant opened under the direction of an outstanding team with a wealth of experience working in kitchens in Hong Kong, China and London. The menu has been carefully curated with culinary additions specific to London, including an impressive selection of vegetarian and vegan options. I must also mention the dedicated tea sommelier, and the unique tea trolley with a wide variety of Chinese white, green, black and oolong teas.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Another notable culinary venture is Bacchanalia at Mount Street, where, thanks to my Afghan friend and her valuable connections, I could secure a table for myself. This striking restaurant has renowned British artist Damien Hirst seamlessly blending his extraordinary sculptures with the sophisticated design envisioned by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. In all fairness, this is not merely a restaurant; it is a breathtaking feast for the senses, a gathering place to feel moved, immersed in another world. It is imagination on a glorious scale.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMQr32gyiUp-KW-X11NsFC6_zT1DKsb6Q4ZD7zo55cipyzZfUT2QjYvD6sGm0tY_rh36hdbAttKKkKDWkjKOY21ycjNp8n7MyT03ogw_cHSE2LbHdeqsw3ndKbMKTXGhtrP_iOZXuTsLsXEMFjZhKEPiB1GbLBuaBtqHB4Lqzj876kyRe20FpPF2iUg/s900/1694947499_2-sundeep-bhutoria-with-his-friend-lubna-hussain-at-the-bacchanalia-restaurant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMQr32gyiUp-KW-X11NsFC6_zT1DKsb6Q4ZD7zo55cipyzZfUT2QjYvD6sGm0tY_rh36hdbAttKKkKDWkjKOY21ycjNp8n7MyT03ogw_cHSE2LbHdeqsw3ndKbMKTXGhtrP_iOZXuTsLsXEMFjZhKEPiB1GbLBuaBtqHB4Lqzj876kyRe20FpPF2iUg/w640-h360/1694947499_2-sundeep-bhutoria-with-his-friend-lubna-hussain-at-the-bacchanalia-restaurant.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Sundeep Bhutoria with his friend Lubna Hussain at the Bacchanalia restaurant</h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">There is an awe-inspiring collection of art pieces, including mesmerising mosaics, statues carved from Luna marble, and intricately hand-painted murals on the ceilings. Within the heart of the dining space, Hirst’s ingenuity takes centre stage with five celestial figures adorned with wings, lions, unicorns, and angels soaring above the room. These coexist alongside depictions of Medusa with her serpent-hair and Bacchus, the Roman deity of wine and agriculture. As guests explore the distinct chambers of the restaurant, they encounter spaces paying homage to various Greek gods and goddesses, further enhancing the immersive experience. As for food, it’s Mediterranean with the finest ingredients, with Greco-Roman classics being reimagined for the modern palate.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHcPsxAZ_a8L2tHFF8HeOgPi7hKEG3Btrvlb8cYYOx55pBoJM8IZvCeYUkKjhtCJ6RsfBJz-QdtIrE_4RUhuiGgnYkeEZqSA6MowRnBIh0zH80cfenllff_GO8tXmHKSCtCAUPSZ3cSiCYgBQrjjzniF8Zhv-hVCWN0sFuKvswnHQD72aQObuIL8xxg/s900/1694947528_3-at-hotel-cafe-royal-with-mehrnavaz-avari-uk-area-director-and-general-manager-of-taj-51-buckingham-gate-suites-and-residences-and-st-james-court-hotel-london.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHcPsxAZ_a8L2tHFF8HeOgPi7hKEG3Btrvlb8cYYOx55pBoJM8IZvCeYUkKjhtCJ6RsfBJz-QdtIrE_4RUhuiGgnYkeEZqSA6MowRnBIh0zH80cfenllff_GO8tXmHKSCtCAUPSZ3cSiCYgBQrjjzniF8Zhv-hVCWN0sFuKvswnHQD72aQObuIL8xxg/w640-h360/1694947528_3-at-hotel-cafe-royal-with-mehrnavaz-avari-uk-area-director-and-general-manager-of-taj-51-buckingham-gate-suites-and-residences-and-st-james-court-hotel-london.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">At Hotel Cafe Royal with Mehrnavaz Avari, UK area director and general manager of Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences and St James Court Hotel, London</h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">For vegetarians like me, I wholeheartedly recommend the newly opened Armenian restaurant Lusin, located opposite the Indian offering Jamawar. Lusin, which takes its name from the Armenian word for “moon”, is the latest addition to an established chain that pays homage to Armenian cuisine. Foodies who love Spanish cuisine as well as a view along with their choices must try Decimo, where Chef Peter Sanchez works his magic. And yes, for the perfect London afternoon tea, a delight as always – Hotel Café Royal at West End offers the best of vegetarian and eggless pastries. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Before concluding, no matter how many hackles are raised, I’d like to emphasise that our Indian cuisine stands above all. It’s a matter of pride to know that even at Wimbledon, you’ll find Chicken Tikka Masala and Masala Dosa prominently on the menu.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZCwDzz7qHs9x-nZf6iciFoI5wADusj2rNdElCfTnzGyXORXn2ADFKPu5UI8uFAhBNRLUH4Y6tfz5hRH2_-W4iw0lYuPdVVZ2aGZrxlL07aiAtoyk6upKG73HecJhD_TxAcIrT_uyeQxHfFWpgMBFic35smlNQYjHLnLgoCpQ8bcXBKsxUyWshRokDA/s900/1694947546_6-one-of-the-enticing-menus-offering-indian-dishes-at-the-wimbledon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZCwDzz7qHs9x-nZf6iciFoI5wADusj2rNdElCfTnzGyXORXn2ADFKPu5UI8uFAhBNRLUH4Y6tfz5hRH2_-W4iw0lYuPdVVZ2aGZrxlL07aiAtoyk6upKG73HecJhD_TxAcIrT_uyeQxHfFWpgMBFic35smlNQYjHLnLgoCpQ8bcXBKsxUyWshRokDA/w640-h360/1694947546_6-one-of-the-enticing-menus-offering-indian-dishes-at-the-wimbledon.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">One of the enticing menus offering Indian dishes at Wimbledon</h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Food aside, a visit to London remains incomplete without a taste of the rich theatre scene. Landmarks such as the National Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe can both be found on the South Bank, the Barbican in the city, the Royal Court Theatre in Chelsea which specialises in new drama, and the Old Vic and Young Vic, both in Lambeth. I was fortunate to witness three remarkable productions: Patriots, Dr Semmelweis and Guys and Dolls. Mark Rylance’s turn in Dr Semmelweis has been acclaimed by The New York Times as some of the finest acting in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">All this to say, despite its decline in some areas, London’s magnetic appeal, flavoured with its culinary wonders and captivating theatre, continues to leave an indelible mark on any traveller, including this one.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>This article was published in The Telegraph on 17.09.2023</i></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/london-amazing-food-and-theatre-to-match/cid/1966951" style="text-align: left;">https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/london-amazing-food-and-theatre-to-match/cid/1966951</a></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-48814677980888653932023-09-13T02:46:00.072+05:302023-09-23T03:22:54.802+05:30 London’s charm is a thing of the past<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The historic metropolis is undeniably vibrant, but are we being too charitable in showering it with glowing accolades, asks Sundeep Bhutoria<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDRCkxhFGn7UjHRfdtWJeuc2yuUR6FIL3biPeWa0BE_lvD1WM7Hl1CzuB4hHsSMH7EHb_SNtmvIur_gT7l8c6XLQ6Ujcu4cooCnNLx0bEx3LqwBW_-P22Di-W064C4Ul33u10QnTKk-upVnhUcvxufJW3YYDD01d-d2MhO-DlfRDvPzuz_u871gEhgQ/s900/1694424142_shutterstock_1611626704.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDRCkxhFGn7UjHRfdtWJeuc2yuUR6FIL3biPeWa0BE_lvD1WM7Hl1CzuB4hHsSMH7EHb_SNtmvIur_gT7l8c6XLQ6Ujcu4cooCnNLx0bEx3LqwBW_-P22Di-W064C4Ul33u10QnTKk-upVnhUcvxufJW3YYDD01d-d2MhO-DlfRDvPzuz_u871gEhgQ/w640-h360/1694424142_shutterstock_1611626704.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">London Bridge may not be falling down, but is the city losing its sheen?</h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Shutterstock</span></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The city of London stands out as special in the minds of many. With an undeniable impact on the world of arts, fashion, entertainment, commerce, finance, education, science, technology, healthcare, tourism, transport, and all forms of communication, London is an undeniably vibrant, electric place. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Because so many regard it as the city of their dreams, it has attracted people from as many as 270 communities and likely more, with an estimated 300 languages spoken there. When it comes to multiculturalism, a cosmopolitan lifestyle with history and iconic buildings to match, London undoubtedly still reigns supreme.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">But going by trends that are becoming increasingly unmissable, perhaps we are being too charitable in showering the historic metropolis with such glowing accolades. London’s air during the industrial revolution and its aftermath was sometimes called The Big Smoke, and now some of the same effects are coughing their way back in a new avatar. Modern life aided by vehicular traffic, industries and human apathy reels in the throes of increasingly poor air quality after decades of clear skies.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdKNyv5ikdSkHkRp9wI9o2GO5b5njUpEQEtrN_GRY0KxFsAuqZXMtqTK2abHMsWASEdEkywxgwS1YYFx395EsIzLs2ErAPT2BjlKKTKMRXhKE5tASKppaqSfRSNb_X1VwWrIS6vDgQwjGYm7qTezWWYEsJW7rum6aVkEnkIzgY6XGPVP2Z463LfgIIA/s900/1694424157_shutterstock_242297389.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdKNyv5ikdSkHkRp9wI9o2GO5b5njUpEQEtrN_GRY0KxFsAuqZXMtqTK2abHMsWASEdEkywxgwS1YYFx395EsIzLs2ErAPT2BjlKKTKMRXhKE5tASKppaqSfRSNb_X1VwWrIS6vDgQwjGYm7qTezWWYEsJW7rum6aVkEnkIzgY6XGPVP2Z463LfgIIA/w640-h360/1694424157_shutterstock_242297389.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">London’s air during the industrial revolution and its aftermath was sometimes called ‘The Big Smoke’, and now some of the same effects are coughing their way back in a new avatar</h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Shutterstock</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">News and statistics aside, there are many personal anecdotes that paint a grim picture of the city life of today. I’ve heard quite a few instances that I never imagined I would hear about a city we all hold so high in our esteem. My friend and member of the Central Board of Film Certification Vani Tripathi Tikoo has one such account. She was mugged inside the haven for toy lovers, Hamleys, of all places.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Only last summer, another friend’s phone was snatched as she was attempting to call an Uber. This incident occurred as she stood with all her shopping bags from Selfridges, a luxury department store just across the street.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I have personal experience of this change, too. I was leaving the home of a prominent London barrister in a posh locality this summer when an Italian friend of mine did something surprising. She removed her jewellery and her watch and stashed them deep in her purse before stepping out on the road. She lived only five minutes away and was going to walk back home. I found it hard to believe the London of today has become unsafe to this extent that so much caution had to be exercised even in an area so posh.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hRp4LIVuIq7KNpMyjYl_1E08dm0cXljUZAXmOQ9aYuhpUQiqdQGBzQlKqhzTYD2g5k_QYIF0zdo606BFB5n36OElrUJVWDbCd7crTebR3xUQx-aHtqpSkuPpzsusg-6uqdcDYG_OMYN0CmCYY9_1uDLGMc0AjI_WawY39AhLR-Lr8QeRR91bfG8LEA/s900/1694424177_gettyimages-1618289043.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hRp4LIVuIq7KNpMyjYl_1E08dm0cXljUZAXmOQ9aYuhpUQiqdQGBzQlKqhzTYD2g5k_QYIF0zdo606BFB5n36OElrUJVWDbCd7crTebR3xUQx-aHtqpSkuPpzsusg-6uqdcDYG_OMYN0CmCYY9_1uDLGMc0AjI_WawY39AhLR-Lr8QeRR91bfG8LEA/w640-h360/1694424177_gettyimages-1618289043.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">London of today has become unsafe to the extent that much caution has to be exercised even in its posh areas</h4><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="pt2" style="color: #8d8d8d; display: inline-block; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; text-align: start;">Dan Kitwood/Getty Images</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In yet another shocking instance, another friend was at the receiving end of an impressive sleight of hand with disastrous consequences. At the historic luxury retailer Harrods, she was so lost in the charms of a product that caught her fancy that she failed to notice her bag had vanished! She managed to identify two women making off with her belongings and immediately came forward to the authorities. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">But their response was far from swift. The sales executive made a series of calls, resulting in bureaucratic delays and security protocols being deployed. After an endless wait, my friend was finally only offered video footage with evidence of the theft, but only after a formal police complaint had been lodged. No one, from the shop-floor assistants to the management, seemed to care. Even the iconic Harrods reflects a London that has been reshaped by forces quite alien to our romanticised notion of the city.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaOKHy-bgV176AOAcAKExQLa8IWnJA-Z8MZFu2c84kfCUWQTXPMydRfxFAF-tBqdiG9yji6cXwU-V1AbG3HT-acr_KEQTGpNkQTwkbTwkW9Eyuj0uV6y3vrXHUjxX8OCzs8tNBKTpFiEeZv9YeDSb2v1bAxUANEiiwlin6snTHC76xBRJI0cC8F_w3Q/s900/1694424192_gettyimages-1240155163.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaOKHy-bgV176AOAcAKExQLa8IWnJA-Z8MZFu2c84kfCUWQTXPMydRfxFAF-tBqdiG9yji6cXwU-V1AbG3HT-acr_KEQTGpNkQTwkbTwkW9Eyuj0uV6y3vrXHUjxX8OCzs8tNBKTpFiEeZv9YeDSb2v1bAxUANEiiwlin6snTHC76xBRJI0cC8F_w3Q/w640-h360/1694424192_gettyimages-1240155163.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">A doorman at Harrods luxury department store in London </h4><span class="pt2" style="color: #8d8d8d; display: inline-block; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Hollie Adams/Getty Images</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I am not an economist and cannot claim to be well-versed in the intricacies of the impact on globalisation, but even I can’t help but reflect on the evolution of London. From my inaugural visit in 1994, an annual summer visit to London is a tradition I have upheld, apart from the covid lockdown years. Aside from a certain familiarity – the café and unchanging newspaper stands at Victoria Station, the Indian grocery shop opposite the Euston station by-lane and so many more — the city’s essence has undergone a remarkable transformation. The search for traditional British elements within this iconic capital is now akin to a treasure hunt; a quest to find the authentic threads of the nation’s identity. Traditional shops at Old Bond Street, once oozing British finesse, are now just a little diluted. The arcades, which used to house renowned hat shops and boutiques for cufflinks and leather accessories that were quintessentially London, have seen a transformation. Quality, while not entirely replaced by Chinese alternatives, has shifted. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The police, the famed Scotland Yard, have become so busy that with petty crimes, handing over a copy of the complaint is the best they can do. That at least ensures a successful insurance claim can be filed. I have also heard that nowadays the police either would not pick up the phones or arrive or respond to a complaint they receive for hours. Is this the new London? How I wish it wasn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvTfJeNdsCjvPZn5TJAblQnZvqCMIUcYmURb2QotY9FGNzPXp4gN59zO29OltzTTtUPmFciWYb4ev_yMn19WeWmQ34-BC71q1imtEVgozEn04HGcMCIXTh5ZplEWv_jkw1iBPkG0xpY07-DdLVNDXNoxijS7_NE228FYVrl3kJ6T8X13hcQgJmlYA5g/s900/1694424206_gettyimages-1475001903.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvTfJeNdsCjvPZn5TJAblQnZvqCMIUcYmURb2QotY9FGNzPXp4gN59zO29OltzTTtUPmFciWYb4ev_yMn19WeWmQ34-BC71q1imtEVgozEn04HGcMCIXTh5ZplEWv_jkw1iBPkG0xpY07-DdLVNDXNoxijS7_NE228FYVrl3kJ6T8X13hcQgJmlYA5g/w640-h360/1694424206_gettyimages-1475001903.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">The police, the famed Scotland Yard, have become so busy that with petty crimes, handing over a copy of the complaint is the best they can do </h4><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;"><span style="color: #8d8d8d; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Dan Kitwood/Getty Images</span></h4><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The acceptance of this new identity was even more apparent to me while I was in Scotland. After all I had heard and seen, I was extra cautious with my belongings while trying out some sunglasses at a store. The counter attendant noticed this and assured me with a smile that I could relax – I was in Edinburgh, not in London.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Another thing to keep in mind: there is no way you can reach on time for meetings in central London anymore. Not by road, at least. The vast increase in the number of residents in the city has added yet another undesirable facet with its congested roads. Only recently, London’s traffic was ranked as the worst in the world for a second year in a row and the downslide continues each day. As per a global study conducted by INRIX in 50 countries (which, according to my quick research, does not include our teeming Indian metropolises), London was the most gridlocked. The net impact of this? Londoners need to recalibrate their sense of time. It can become next to impossible to honour commitments or promises as all good intentions go down the drain while waiting and wallowing in agonising traffic. Of course, London’s famed Big Ben still tells the time, but that means nothing on the ground! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">London has changed, and most certainly, not for the better.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">This article was published in The Telegraph on 11.09.2023</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><a href="https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/londons-charm-is-a-thing-of-the-past/cid/1965404">https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/londons-charm-is-a-thing-of-the-past/cid/1965404</a></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-52320836989688102482023-09-06T14:20:00.003+05:302023-09-06T18:24:23.650+05:30संस्कृति की बागडोर से शीर्ष पर तिरंगा<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><b><span face=""Nirmala UI", sans-serif">जी-20 के सदस्यों के बीच गूंजती है भारतीय संस्कृति। वर्षों से यहां का स्वाद, संगीत और साहित्य विश्व में अपनी पैठ जमाए है तो वहीं कलाएं दर्ज हैं गिनीज बुक आफ वर्ल्ड रिकार्ड में, बता रहे हैं</span> </b><b><span face=""Nirmala UI", sans-serif">संदीप भूतोड़िया...<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><b><span face=""Nirmala UI", sans-serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span face=""Nirmala UI", sans-serif">आज सतत</span> </b><b><span face=""Nirmala UI", sans-serif">विकास और समृद्धि के लिए संस्कृति को सहायक माना जाने लगा है। चूंकि वित्त और अर्थव्यवस्था जी-20 के उद्देश्यों का अभिन्न अंग हैं, ऐसे में भारत इन जी-20 सदस्यों का एक ऐसा भागीदार है जो अपनी संस्कृति के जरिए समूह के शेष राष्ट्रों व पूरी दुनिया को एक सूत्र में बांधने में मुख्य स्थान रखता है। अब चूंकि भारत जी-20 अध्यक्षता कर रहा है तो संस्कृति कार्य समूह ने ‘कल्चर यूनाइट्स आल’ कैंपेन लांच किया है जो भारत में विविध संस्कृतियों और समुदायों के बीच शांतिपूर्ण सह-अस्तित्व पर आधारित बहुपक्षवाद में अटूट विश्वास को उजागर करने को दर्शाता है।<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><b><span face=""Nirmala UI", sans-serif">स्वाद ऐसा जो हर दिल को भाए<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span face=""Nirmala UI", sans-serif">आज अगर चिकन टिक्का मसाला इंग्लैंड का राष्ट्रीय व्यंजन है और अंतरराष्ट्रीय हस्तियां दुनियाभर में भारतीय रेस्तरां की ओर रुख कर रही हैं, तो इसमें आश्चर्य नहीं। आज भारतीय व्यंजन अंतरराष्ट्रीय रसोइयों में अपनी खुशबू बिखेर रहे हैं। हो भी क्यों न, हमारे देश के कोने-कोने में स्वादिष्ट व्यंजनों की भरमार है। कोस कोस पर बानी बदलने वाली बात तो प्रसिद्ध है ही मगर यहां हर किलोमीटर में मिलने वाला स्वादिष्ट भोजन तो जगप्रसिद्ध है। जिस प्रकार अंतरराष्ट्रीय आम महोत्सव हर जगह आयोजित किया जाता है ठीक वैसे ही मसालों से भरपूर भारत का स्ट्रीट फूड हर जगह मशहूर है। मुगलई, अवधी, दक्षिण भारतीय, बंगाली, पंजाबी... गिनने को अंगुलियां कम पड़ जाएंगी।<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><b><span face=""Nirmala UI", sans-serif">रिकार्ड में दर्ज हो रही विरासत<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span face=""Nirmala UI", sans-serif">भारत की जी-20 अध्यक्षता के तहत ‘कल्चर यूनाइट्स आल’ की प्रमुख पहलों में से एक में संस्कृति कार्य समूह ने ‘लंबानी कला की वस्तुओं के सबसे बड़े प्रदर्शन’ कर गिनीज बुक आफ वर्ल्ड रिकार्ड बनाया। इसमें लगभग 450 महिला शिल्पकारों के प्रयास शामिल थे, जिन्होंने लंबानी कढ़ाई वाले 1,755 से अधिक पैच बनाए। यहां तुंगभद्रा के तट पर मौजूद 14वीं शताब्दी के विजयनगर साम्राज्य की राजधानी हंपी में प्रसिद्ध विरुपाक्ष मंदिर के करीब येदुरु बसवन्ना परिसर में इस सुंदर कला को तैयार किया गया था। लंबानी पैचवर्क कढ़ाई में भारत की कई पारंपरिक टिकाऊ जीवित विरासत प्रथाओं का उदाहरण प्रस्तुत किया गया, जो भारत के जी-20 संस्कृति कार्य समूह की ‘जीवन के लिए संस्कृति’ पहल के साथ मेल खाती है।<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><b><span face=""Nirmala UI", sans-serif">साहित्य के रस में डूबी दुनिया<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt;"><b><span face=""Nirmala UI", sans-serif">भारत ने दुनिया और जी-20 के सदस्यों पर अपने साहित्य से एक और गहरी सांस्कृतिक छाप छोड़ी है। यहां भी वही बात लागू होती है कि देशभर में 30 से अधिक भाषाओं और कई बोलियों में साहित्य की विशाल विविधता मौजूद है। लगभग 20 वर्ष में देश के 100 से अधिक शहरों और कस्बों में साहित्य महोत्सव शुरू हो चुके हैं। इनमें से कई के तो अब अंतरराष्ट्रीय संस्करण भी हैं जहां अंग्रेजी और अन्य भारतीय भाषाओं दोनों में सर्वश्रेष्ठ भारतीय लेखन को सम्मानित किया जाता है। यदि अरुंधति राय, विक्रम सेठ, अमिताभ घोष, रोहिंटन मिस्त्री, चित्रा दिवाकरुनी जैसे भारतीय लेखकों की सफलता ने वास्तव में अंग्रेजी को भारतीय भाषा बना दिया है, तो गीतांजलि श्री की ‘टूम आफ सैंड’ को बुकर पुरस्कार मिलना सम्मान की बात है। इसमें कोई दोराय नहीं कि रवींद्रनाथ ठाकुर, प्रेमचंद आदि अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर भारत की साहित्यिक उपलब्धियों के अग्रणी हैं।</span> </b><b><span face=""Nirmala UI", sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><b><span face=""Nirmala UI", sans-serif">दुनिया नाप रहा सिनेमा का पहिया<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><b><span face=""Nirmala UI", sans-serif">और फिर हाल के दिनों में भारत का सबसे बड़ा सांस्कृतिक निर्यात है- सिनेमा। यदि राज कपूर 1950 में सीमाओं के बंधन तोड़कर रूसी सिनेप्रेमियों के दिल में बस गए, तो भारतीय सितारे अब कई महाद्वीपीय देशों के साथ-साथ मध्य पूर्व में भी लोकप्रिय हैं। हिंदी सिनेमा की लोकप्रियता में आई इस उछाल का संबंध इसके गानों से भी है। जहां एक समय में ‘मेरा जूता है जापानी’ सोवियत संघ में गूंजता था, वहीं आज ‘जय हो’ और ‘नाटु नाटु ‘ ग्रैमी और आस्कर के मंच तक पहुंच चुके हैं और शीर्ष अंतरराष्ट्रीय सितारों को अपनी धुन पर नचा रहे हैं।<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><b><span face=""Nirmala UI", sans-serif">(लेखक संस्कृतिकर्मी हैं)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><b><span face=""Nirmala UI", sans-serif"><br /></span></b></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><b><span face=""Nirmala UI", sans-serif"><br /></span></b></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWWw2zvpjIkpvZPNPpqCKxIlo02y1FK7Yaw2cViBDuTkCJnTnmdDQV2ErY7OFhQbH1XeKSi3bbjkOzKCnkOBEiY5m6d7G2Tdm3DVTdy1P5HFeaiGvZexD_kP93aRITJwTm9yUum2etX69-T7UhsLpbX70jrkesqWy4OVvZh_ZvNX9866o7c4gW9z5mA/s1304/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-09-06%20at%206.22.53%20PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="1304" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWWw2zvpjIkpvZPNPpqCKxIlo02y1FK7Yaw2cViBDuTkCJnTnmdDQV2ErY7OFhQbH1XeKSi3bbjkOzKCnkOBEiY5m6d7G2Tdm3DVTdy1P5HFeaiGvZexD_kP93aRITJwTm9yUum2etX69-T7UhsLpbX70jrkesqWy4OVvZh_ZvNX9866o7c4gW9z5mA/w640-h498/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-09-06%20at%206.22.53%20PM.jpeg" width="640" /></a></b></div><b><br /><span face=""Nirmala UI", sans-serif"><br /></span></b><p></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 12.65pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b><span face=""Nirmala UI", sans-serif"> </span></b><b><span face=""Nirmala UI", sans-serif"><i>This article was published in Dainik Jagran on 03.09.23</i></span></b></p><p></p>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-43519193216638085452023-09-05T18:40:00.001+05:302024-02-27T18:44:59.162+05:30Culture becomes important tool to bind G20 nations<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">India’s rich cultural traditions have echoed with the world and are an important part of India’s soft power diplomacy among the member countries of G20.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">While finance and economy form an inalienable part of the agenda of the G20, India’s pole position in the group has led to the highlighting of culture as an important tool to bind the member states of the group and the rest of the world. Culture is now recognised as an enabler of growth and sustainable development. The UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development, MONDIACULT 2022, declared culture as a “global public good”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” shapes India’s vision in many of its international engagements. Drawing upon it, India’s G20 presidency “aims to nurture, celebrate, and incorporate the cultural diversity of the member states while striving towards achieving holistic living and building a pro-planet society”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Under India’s G20 presidency, the Culture Working Group (CWG) had launched the “Culture Unites All” campaign to highlight India’s unwavering belief in multilateralism based on peaceful coexistence among diverse cultures and communities. Towards this end, the CWG even released a special stamp to commemorate the campaign on 26 August 2023. According to the CWG, “The Culture Unites All postage stamp has been crafted as a distinctive emblem combining the ideas of connectivity, communication, and journey representing a cultural exchange and establishing cultural context.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">In one of the major initiatives of “Culture Unites All”, the CWG under India’s G20 Presidency set a Guinness World Record for “the largest display of Lambani items”. This involved the efforts of nearly 450 women craftspersons who created over 1,755 Lambani embroidered patches that formed a beautiful art installation in the Yeduru Basavanna complex close to the famous Virupaksha temple in Hampi, the capital of the fourteenth-century Vijayanagara kingdom on the banks of the Tungabhadra. The craft is unique in the way it pieces together patches of discarded fabric through intricate stitching patterns, which are embellished manually. “Commendable effort, which will popularise Lambani culture, art and craft as well as encourage Nari Shakti participation in cultural initiatives,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tweeted. The Lambani patchwork embroidery exemplifies the many traditional sustainable living heritage practices of India and strongly resonates with the “Culture for LiFE” initiative of the G20 CWG of India, promoting an environmentally conscious lifestyle and concerted action towards sustainability. The techniques and aesthetics of the embroidery traditions of the Lambanis recur across Eastern Europe, West Asia and Central Asia. Regional embroidery traditions—kantha, kashida, phulkari, chikankari, etc—are vibrant facets of India’s creative economy. As repositories of centuries-old cultural expressions, these traditions not only fulfil social and economic needs but also narrate stories of our collective wisdom.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">At the 4th G20 Culture Working Group (CWG) meeting in August 2023 in Varanasi, Govind Mohan, Secretary, Ministry of Culture and also Chair of G20 CWG, said, “India aspires to adopt outcomes by consensus that places culture at the heart of policymaking, leveraging its interplay with other key policy areas such as trade, tourism, and digital sectors. It is my firm conviction that culture will inform renewed, more inclusive approaches to development, while also reshaping our vision of the global economy as a whole—thus speaking to the core G20 mandate.” The delegates got an opportunity to explore the world-renowned Ganga Aarti, and the beautiful history of the lion capital of Sarnath. The G20 Global Orchestra performance titled Sur Vasudha, celebrating the rich musical knowledge and heritage of G20 member nations and invitee countries, was another attraction. These initiatives truly seek to position culture at the heart of policy making. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">In fact, India’s rich cultural traditions have echoed with the world and are an important part of India’s soft power diplomacy among the member countries of G20. These include its age-old traditions of spirituality and religion, music, the arts and literature, and culinary heritage. Indian cuisine is now an international sensation. If chicken tikka masala is the national dish of the UK international celebrities are making a beeline for Indian restaurants the world over. India’s street food—rich in spices—is now celebrated all over as is the International Mango Festival. No country in the world offers such a variety of cuisine—Mughlai, Awadhi, South Indian, Bengali, Punjabi, to name just a few.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Another big cultural imprint that India has left on the world and on members of the G20 is in its literature. In the last 20-odd years, literature festivals have sprung up in over a hundred cities and towns of the country. Many of these now have international editions where the best of Indian writing—both in English and other Indian languages—are celebrated. If the success of Indian authors like Arundhati Roy, Vikram Seth, Amitav Ghosh, Rohinton Mistry, Chitra Divakaruni have indeed made English an Indian language, the Booker recognition for Geetanjali Shree’s “Tomb of Sand” has been a shot in the arm for home-grown languages. Rabindranath Tagore, Premchand, of course, continue to be the leading lights of India’s literary achievements at the international level.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">And then there is the biggest cultural export of India in recent times—cinema, in particular, Hindi cinema, or Bollywood as it is popularly called. Bollywood is now very much an international phenomenon, with US Presidents and other leaders routinely quoting our films and their dialogues. If Raj Kapoor broke through the Iron Curtain and into the heart of the Soviet people in the 1950s, Indian stars are now among the most popular in many Continental countries as well as in the Middle East. India is also a major destination for an increasing number of filmmaking nations. Related to this spurt in the popularity of Bollywood is its songs. While at one point of time “Mera joota hai Japani” echoed through the Soviet Union, today “Jai ho” and “Naatu naatu” have reached the Grammys and the Oscars, and are making top international stars dance to their tunes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Indian classical music has been popular the world over for decades. Ever since stalwarts like Pt Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan took Indian music to the West in the 1960s, it has found a loyal following. Ravi Shankar mesmerised audiences worldwide with his appearance at Woodstock, and his association even inspired the most popular pop band ever, The Beatles. The efforts of stalwarts like Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pt Bhimsen Joshi and Ustad Bismillah Khan have resonated the world over. So great was Bismillah Khan’s influence that American cultural gurus time and again urged him to shift to the US to teach students there, only to be disarmingly told that whatever benefits the US offered, it did not have the “ghats of the Ganga” and the “temples of Benares” that inspired the legendary shehnai exponent. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I have had the privilege of journeying to about 50 countries, affording me the opportunity to engage with the vibrant Non-Resident Indian community. Amidst my extensive travels, I’ve encountered remarkable Indian individuals—from the visionary proprietor of a Dominican Republic restaurant in Punta Cana, to an enterprising owner of an Indian movie theatre in Peru. Undoubtedly, the Indian diaspora stands as an exceptional custodian of Indian culture abroad. Their contributions are all too evident, whether it’s the transformation of a former church in Edinburgh to a Hindu temple and cultural centre, where I observed Teej celebrations with Anju Ranjan, the then Consul General of India in Edinburgh. Likewise, during my sojourn in Lebanon, I witnessed the preservation of traditional marriage rituals in a gurdwara established within a building.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Over the past decade, the realm of arts has witnessed a transformative journey, with myriad activities by the ICCR as well as several other NGOs such as the Prabha Khaitan Foundation. Ours have extended to more than ten G20 cities. Our commitment to propagating literature and fostering artistic activities has contributed in its own little way to the global resonance of Indian cultural diplomacy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7cadxUQ8Kipf2fKJ9GRo-swSS6kb50UK1GZBnkiTwWylToBdW7C0PZvVSYxrXsvUbpbJxiLULm-hZL_N0oWdAKxxwQnhyphenhyphenCx6NdtXvHTF8FQb0hd3Pr_wPQES43rTRd-wVZy6PA0GLbDd4KV50LHJRe_AwKWqf6z57W6igWbgkiZT74Z2K3wwBvrSPw/s1600/F5Pc4vca8AAMMMA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1312" data-original-width="1600" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7cadxUQ8Kipf2fKJ9GRo-swSS6kb50UK1GZBnkiTwWylToBdW7C0PZvVSYxrXsvUbpbJxiLULm-hZL_N0oWdAKxxwQnhyphenhyphenCx6NdtXvHTF8FQb0hd3Pr_wPQES43rTRd-wVZy6PA0GLbDd4KV50LHJRe_AwKWqf6z57W6igWbgkiZT74Z2K3wwBvrSPw/w640-h524/F5Pc4vca8AAMMMA.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>This article was published in the Sunday Guardian on 03.08.2023</i></span></p>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-2045010562341401392023-08-24T23:36:00.000+05:302023-08-24T23:36:11.541+05:30 Chandigarh: India’s city of beauty<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">A creation of Le Corbusier on the lines of classical Rome, Chandigarh is now more than the sum of its parts, Sundeep Bhutoria discovers</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTeAQXdK69t7NHysBeB7J_E0EE8xpOAuZdSc7eaptEwRwvr-eGFeJpeVZ8pyfPplNTMRqBmYHFe9eTQ3EMt4L2gKPA4hrVJywbSiSw3EwN9wy3qlXG2q_BLcU1nAUrVhi1lCwpb962ioGWmJtbztW9wKgVUi_u2xrP0NxVqXvC0JgYHEGEnHJqtjUSg/s900/1692446720_shutterstock_1187245654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTeAQXdK69t7NHysBeB7J_E0EE8xpOAuZdSc7eaptEwRwvr-eGFeJpeVZ8pyfPplNTMRqBmYHFe9eTQ3EMt4L2gKPA4hrVJywbSiSw3EwN9wy3qlXG2q_BLcU1nAUrVhi1lCwpb962ioGWmJtbztW9wKgVUi_u2xrP0NxVqXvC0JgYHEGEnHJqtjUSg/w640-h360/1692446720_shutterstock_1187245654.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">An aerial view of Chandigarh</h4><span class="pt2" style="color: #8d8d8d; display: inline-block; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Shutterstock</span><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The tag of being one of the best planned cities in modern India undoubtedly rests heavily on Chandigarh’s shoulders. Its reputation precedes it, which is why recent reports of significant waterlogging in the city have left many like me baffled.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I recall how, during my first visit there, I had gone on a leisurely stroll around the city and found parallels with the Quebec province of Canada, thanks to the yellow and reddish leaves that lay strewn along the walkways. That allure, that charm that I had admired so much, is corroded today when I see the waterlogging which has created such havoc in the city. Around 300mm of rain over two days was enough to expose the flaws of such advanced thought and urban planning and it was found that the sectors above 30 can deal with only 15mm of rain, while those below can contend with 25mm of rain per hour. The city’s drainage system is not geared toward heavy rains and so waterlogging is but a foregone conclusion.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vP-R1mM9vn2BHX7GF0vbnCFlVj_QGZtQNEKPYE_XnIHJTlTp0oOyAMe08uEr9zmjc_wGVhGPAMKz9Iadm2fwHHe70Rxxgnf556w9o2GnB8hnjQE4rCuhmOB33oUyPd7qiZ27G8tTSHgikJguzM03hQOjmfQQw6kycuU0YZ1wI-LILyNHFii7_LGzbw/s900/1692446876_download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vP-R1mM9vn2BHX7GF0vbnCFlVj_QGZtQNEKPYE_XnIHJTlTp0oOyAMe08uEr9zmjc_wGVhGPAMKz9Iadm2fwHHe70Rxxgnf556w9o2GnB8hnjQE4rCuhmOB33oUyPd7qiZ27G8tTSHgikJguzM03hQOjmfQQw6kycuU0YZ1wI-LILyNHFii7_LGzbw/w640-h360/1692446876_download.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Around 300mm of rain over two days was enough to expose the flaws of such advanced thought and urban planning </h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="pt2" style="color: #8d8d8d; display: inline-block; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; text-align: start;">TT Archives<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What is even more disconcerting is that the N-Choe, the seasonal stream that helps deal with the stormwater, had not been levelled well enough to allow the heavy flow of water to go out. Again, many sectors had blocked the flow of the accumulated water by adding “tourist attractions” which further aggravated the situation. Such lack of foresight does not befit a city that presents a very advanced image of itself to the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Lying as it does near the foothills of the Himalayas, some 260km north of New Delhi and 229km southeast of Amritsar, Chandigarh today is home to many renowned individuals from all strata of society, including serving or retired government officials. The idea of Chandigarh makes it an aspirational destination for the crème de la crème, and that’s not entirely without reason.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8g6y0UWAfqm5_Swubk7yhrlC_YyGljCRXGSQPKBDGiteUZ22xBeskt4S9EhfGa7Am3owNJ59KF95x2fR56BpeLU2L9FH1XPOO5eghQfREXHQ7eW9xwTmlsKKmEM6RSl2SIlzRR1L87zMzf4saCE_yZb4QxBd2h5GnGn6Qd2HxQqSJrqIKKANW1futVw/s900/1692446908_shutterstock_2321494033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8g6y0UWAfqm5_Swubk7yhrlC_YyGljCRXGSQPKBDGiteUZ22xBeskt4S9EhfGa7Am3owNJ59KF95x2fR56BpeLU2L9FH1XPOO5eghQfREXHQ7eW9xwTmlsKKmEM6RSl2SIlzRR1L87zMzf4saCE_yZb4QxBd2h5GnGn6Qd2HxQqSJrqIKKANW1futVw/w640-h360/1692446908_shutterstock_2321494033.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Chandigarh lies near the foothills of the Himalayas, some 260km north of New Delhi and 229km southeast of Amritsar. Above, the Chandigarh railway station</h4><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Shutterstock</span> </h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The sense of order is hard to miss, especially because most major urban areas of the country are in disarray and, at the cost of raising hackles, in utter chaos. A creation of the feted Le Corbusier on the lines of classical Rome, the master plan of the tri-city was conceived as a living organism, a human body complete with a head, torso and limbs. Segregated into 56 sectors connected through wide boulevards and ample greenery, parks and avenues that cloak modern concrete structures in green, each sector has its own share of amenities and centres of education, health care, restaurants and cafes. These are the credentials of the city as one of the greatest experiments in the contemporary history of planning and architecture.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QJP7ZuKpUm--J6wL1uRQ35_69gpscGs_jDLWZtjuJy2fLq9TmerXLIW6muDtnXtLTzGnL1h2XlWKz26VPwMJJns-Plqdkbz0E1DPkjiaf8Mlc_y69SQiuH7bk2yLPS2RPyuPlcYKE40EvcvTCr27orzyoAT3gLdRaD-iJB-aHvR9fyjpZV7mKtMZAA/s900/1692446937_shutterstock_725113981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QJP7ZuKpUm--J6wL1uRQ35_69gpscGs_jDLWZtjuJy2fLq9TmerXLIW6muDtnXtLTzGnL1h2XlWKz26VPwMJJns-Plqdkbz0E1DPkjiaf8Mlc_y69SQiuH7bk2yLPS2RPyuPlcYKE40EvcvTCr27orzyoAT3gLdRaD-iJB-aHvR9fyjpZV7mKtMZAA/w640-h360/1692446937_shutterstock_725113981.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Segregated into 56 sectors connected through wide boulevards and ample greenery, each sector has its own share of amenities </h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Shutterstock</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">My second visit to the city was more of a stopover as I was headed to the Baralacha region, the high mountain pass in the Zanskar range, connecting Lahaul district in Himachal Pradesh to Leh. Now, Chandigarh is also the gateway to Himachal and thus plays host to countless tourists and offers a comfortable night halt before one heads off towards the lofty mountains. That was what necessitated my second stopover too, as there was a flight from Chandigarh to Kullu’s Bhuntar airport, the small domestic airport about 11km from Kullu town and 52km from Manali. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Chandigarh is a complex place, administratively speaking. It is a tri-city, or an amalgamation of three cities that works as one. These include Mohali, Panchkula and the area of Chandigarh itself. Between the years 1952 and 1966, Chandigarh was the capital of Punjab, but then Haryana was created, and it too claimed the city as its capital. To avoid trouble, they declared Chandigarh a Union Territory in 1966. Since 1984, the Governor of Punjab was tasked with the administration of Chandigarh as adviser to the administration and, as per constitutional provisions, state assembly elections are not held, and one seat is allocated to the UT of Chandigarh. At present, the city is governed by a civic administration that is headed by a municipal commissioner and a mayor, and it is divided into 35 wards represented by as many elected councillors and nine nominated councillors.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yrP8KdK5CgSpNiilGEHEDA3rP2CLojVmfdJQAAmYjyazghcUWktdAnM8e9V5MMzB62LPkEqm-PgEi_SLEqwX8p2f-DvZsf5D3dHnQ8Gw5qKSZtyBlIe6nappfe42t8UXjVVgy_NC5KI00hGWdKk1x1-fhQISSsD2ln2L4f2nNQsA64rRZTzeECzETA/s900/1692446982_shutterstock_2317949561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yrP8KdK5CgSpNiilGEHEDA3rP2CLojVmfdJQAAmYjyazghcUWktdAnM8e9V5MMzB62LPkEqm-PgEi_SLEqwX8p2f-DvZsf5D3dHnQ8Gw5qKSZtyBlIe6nappfe42t8UXjVVgy_NC5KI00hGWdKk1x1-fhQISSsD2ln2L4f2nNQsA64rRZTzeECzETA/w640-h360/1692446982_shutterstock_2317949561.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Chandigarh is a tri-city, or an amalgamation of three cities that works as one. These include Mohali, Panchkula and the area of Chandigarh itself</h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Shutterstock</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Chandigarh is named after the Hindu Goddess Chandi, while ‘Garh’ means ‘fortress’. There is an ancient Chandi Mandir in Panchkula district which might be the source of this name.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As a seasoned traveller and a connoisseur of good hotel stays, my first inclination is always to head to the best hotels and, in more cases than one, I have landed at the Taj Group’s doorstep as a Chambers member. This time, however, research suggested that the Taj in Chandigarh might need an overhaul. With more exciting options now available, I stayed at the newly renovated Hyatt Centric Hotel. It was an experience that left me pleasantly surprised and suitably impressed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU6XJ_AZXjZNV8aZSLKNydrykieBH4ZizrqJed7z6Y9aXBah7-8a9EPH4sI8hHPeFmsjxk9szNkLMk4ZVMQ-ug9DMytiB6pXYQcXq2TgTNc3ELkowHNWbN0IifBHG5IGlx2ZY5pXOfEIXdO5W6Bh2aCQxAmVlYhBO_excGsUR1hZsTkGChOugeq1iLA/s900/1692447006_robatayaki-grill-pic-credit-hyatt-centri-chandigarh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU6XJ_AZXjZNV8aZSLKNydrykieBH4ZizrqJed7z6Y9aXBah7-8a9EPH4sI8hHPeFmsjxk9szNkLMk4ZVMQ-ug9DMytiB6pXYQcXq2TgTNc3ELkowHNWbN0IifBHG5IGlx2ZY5pXOfEIXdO5W6Bh2aCQxAmVlYhBO_excGsUR1hZsTkGChOugeq1iLA/w640-h360/1692447006_robatayaki-grill-pic-credit-hyatt-centri-chandigarh.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">The robatayaki grill at Hyatt Centric’s Koyo Koyo </h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Hyatt Centric Chandigarh</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A fine statement in luxury, Chandigarh city’s Hyatt Centric is a perfect symbiosis of Punjab’s enviable spirit of welcome and refined elegance with a stunning display of French architecture. There are many points of attraction in the hotel and its contemporary façade combines artistic flourishes with deft touches of minimalism that are so synonymous with the city. As for the food on offer, Hyatt Centric dishes out a gastronomic delight each time through its multi-cuisine three-meal restaurant, Corby’s.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGUPU6jVFg93fox3YEL-oehzsda3aswzFUP2Ilr3UAFL5bxkqbXnN3Zr-Ssx0Z_5ehG9HzGyczCNs7wIC65tWQpIZJIP8uWpOn6viN8y9BXm388DTTyEFvlwO8srFSp92UqtcKvbpzjhlaUZ1mI82bhpJVJfHJwOTAAKamVmnlfgsPX2DPKM0MUBPrA/s900/1692447061_sundeep-bhutoria-with-singer-sunaini-guleria-sharma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGUPU6jVFg93fox3YEL-oehzsda3aswzFUP2Ilr3UAFL5bxkqbXnN3Zr-Ssx0Z_5ehG9HzGyczCNs7wIC65tWQpIZJIP8uWpOn6viN8y9BXm388DTTyEFvlwO8srFSp92UqtcKvbpzjhlaUZ1mI82bhpJVJfHJwOTAAKamVmnlfgsPX2DPKM0MUBPrA/w640-h360/1692447061_sundeep-bhutoria-with-singer-sunaini-guleria-sharma.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;">Sundeep Bhutoria with singer Sunaini Guleria Sharma</h4></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What made my visit even more memorable was the fact that during my stay, the hotel management readily opened the yet-to-be-inaugurated Asian restaurant, Koyo Koyo, for me to host some of my acquaintances in the city including my old friend late comedian Jaspal Singh Bhatti’s wife Savita Bhatti, artist Mitul Dixit, art curator Mehek Bhan and singer Sunaini Guleria Sharma. The special style of cooking over the charcoal robatayaki grill was both entertaining to watch and led to delicious results that were appreciated by all.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And before I close, I must also recommend Chandigarh’s famous Pal Dhaba, as regardless of hygiene concerns, this is an experience no one should miss.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZXY_3EJZsqdjtZeTppvqQHDByp8TKZUgKVwtIBIA7OJdoAwQflt1_M2b4i0a_pHANTg6E6IsrGI_Yrmj_xaXuaE1-po4zoH3JtLLkpGQEbJZpVP2l3w7eh2_Kb-r4YO1zSQedCXs2ZBtdkuuianTk5NMejVlB7IY5PcK_j6sgB89us_eA8c-mVQqZw/s900/1692512061_pal-dhaba-pic-credit-apra-kuchhal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZXY_3EJZsqdjtZeTppvqQHDByp8TKZUgKVwtIBIA7OJdoAwQflt1_M2b4i0a_pHANTg6E6IsrGI_Yrmj_xaXuaE1-po4zoH3JtLLkpGQEbJZpVP2l3w7eh2_Kb-r4YO1zSQedCXs2ZBtdkuuianTk5NMejVlB7IY5PcK_j6sgB89us_eA8c-mVQqZw/w640-h360/1692512061_pal-dhaba-pic-credit-apra-kuchhal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Pal Dhaba </h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Apra Kuchhal</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This article was published in The Telegraph</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/chandigarh-indias-city-of-beauty/cid/1960113?utmsource=twitter&utmmedium=social&utmcampaign=mkdaily_tw" style="text-align: left;">https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/chandigarh-indias-city-of-beauty/cid/1960113?utmsource=twitter&utmmedium=social&utmcampaign=mkdaily_tw</a></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 45pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-47719324516735253562023-08-06T22:21:00.003+05:302023-09-23T06:00:56.131+05:30Soft Power of India - UNMESHA 2023<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ERX712kSkI0E3br9MABL0fOAInXBevxLldllpbiaztxXw2NsaCYKsKWP9jGRcX-MTQ3ko0b5ywd1I1sCLi10JbswFXMFBElSer3hJG6UVEVfxKyNvwWYNRuhBRQINuCraafDcyytS7SYHTrQqvZJE_h26gdE_9m29Xy2XxxoDVzPthXUMItZweFeZw/s5568/12.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ERX712kSkI0E3br9MABL0fOAInXBevxLldllpbiaztxXw2NsaCYKsKWP9jGRcX-MTQ3ko0b5ywd1I1sCLi10JbswFXMFBElSer3hJG6UVEVfxKyNvwWYNRuhBRQINuCraafDcyytS7SYHTrQqvZJE_h26gdE_9m29Xy2XxxoDVzPthXUMItZweFeZw/w640-h426/12.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Let me start with the most talked about film of the year, Oppenheimer.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I was most intrigued to discover an Indian link during the promotions of the Christopher Nolan film about the father of the atom bomb; and no, I am not talking about the obvious scene here.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">During a media promotional, two actors of the film – Matt Damon and Emily Blunt – face off over American vs British food. The British actress manages to silence the American actor by saying: “Do you know what the number one, most eaten food in England is? It’s the Chicken Tikka Masala… how cultural is that?!”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;"><a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/lSohiwBYD5c?feature=share">https://youtube.com/shorts/lSohiwBYD5c?feature=share</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A film on an American scientist, made by a British-American director, starring an Irish actor in the lead, distributed by US giants Universal Pictures, tipped to be an Oscar favourite – and the Chicken Tikka Masala makes its way to the promo table, effortlessly.<br /> <br />That, dear ladies and gentlemen, is a taste of the soft power of India!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">अंतर्राष्ट्रीय</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">संबंधों</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">में</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> '</span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">सॉफ्ट</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">पावर</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">' </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">वाक्यांश</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">का</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">जितना</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">दुरुपयोग</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">हुआ</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">है</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">उतना</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">शायद</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">किसी</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">का</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">हुआहो।</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">अमेरिकी</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">विदेश</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">नीति</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">के</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">अपनी</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">पीढ़ी</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">के</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">सबसे</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">प्रभावशाली</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">विद्वानों</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">में</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">से</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">एक</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">जोसेफ</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">नी</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">ने</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">जब</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">इसवाक्यांश</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">को</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">गढ़ा</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">तो</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">उन्होंने</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">बेहद</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">महत्वपूर्ण</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">लेकिन</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">कभी</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">भी</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">ढंग</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">से</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">समझी</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">न</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">गई</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">अंतर्राष्ट्रीय</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">रिश्तों</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">कीएक</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">ऐसी</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">प्रक्रिया</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">पर</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">रोशनी</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">डाली</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">जिसके</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">ज़रिये</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">दूसरों</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">से</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">ऐसे</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">परिणामों</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">को</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">मनवाया</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">जाता</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">है</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">जैसापरिणाम</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">आप</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">ख़ुद</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">दूसरे</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">की</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">संस्कृति</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">राजनीतिक</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">मूल्य</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">और</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">विदेश</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">नीति</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">पर</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">होते</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">हुए</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">देखना</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">चाहते</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">हैं।</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">आज</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">दुनिया</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">के</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">सबसे</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">बड़े</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">लोकतंत्र</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">के</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">रूप</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">में</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">भारत</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">सॉफ्ट</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">पावर</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">का</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">बेहतरीन</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">मॉडल</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">है</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">और</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">आने</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">वालीचुनौतियों</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">का</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">आईना</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">भी।</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">By popular wisdom, the three primary components of India’s soft power are: cuisine, culture and tourism.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In all of my travels abroad, through the years, sampling the Indian food on offer has been a constant. Nothing Indian permeates different cities, countries and continents quite like our cuisine. From the ubiquitous Tikka Masala to the Daal, Biryani to the Samosa, Curry to the Kebabs…. At any table in the world serving Indian cuisine, the conversation invariably starts from food and meanders through cultural explorations that inform and enrich.</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br />From cuisine to culture.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">From India? Amitabh Bachchan!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">From India? Shah Rukh Khan!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This has brought a smile to countless Indians travelling abroad for several decades now. <br />Bollywood remains our potent instrument of Soft Power. With an increasingly vocal and empowered diaspora, the importance of Indian mainstream cinema cannot be overstated. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What one hopes to see in the years to come is India, in its many-splendoured cinematic glory, becoming a favoured destination for global film crews and post-production operations. Already, VFX studios in India or run by Indians are propelling the big Hollywood dream forward. One hopes to see Indian cinema and Indian cinematic expertise growing in strength and stature under the global spotlight.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Sb_Ve7HWVCJk6nc0wTwUZN74YW5mTQRgMGu6lYrwRSIClqGSux4_m6RwWzex5OR0hw-BghlbT04EmCY12mF2Vn6dnBa4VRVRA8BNJ3lH3qAIJDJfHnFGS4ruuoOT5Iy59n7-ISlOdQaHjLNL3nRpl-mqlnbvW3vFeIy7OCav5ySzVQquh4ROJjkSXw/s5568/4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Sb_Ve7HWVCJk6nc0wTwUZN74YW5mTQRgMGu6lYrwRSIClqGSux4_m6RwWzex5OR0hw-BghlbT04EmCY12mF2Vn6dnBa4VRVRA8BNJ3lH3qAIJDJfHnFGS4ruuoOT5Iy59n7-ISlOdQaHjLNL3nRpl-mqlnbvW3vFeIy7OCav5ySzVQquh4ROJjkSXw/w640-h426/4.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /> <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Indian arts, culture, yoga and spiritualism, music and dance, festivals and folk forms, have attracted people from all around the world for centuries. These are all now travelling faster and further. The International Yoga Day, for instance, is now embedded in the international calendar around the world. Traditional Indian medicine, Ayurveda, and alternative forms of treatment are also gaining ground year on year. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-ayush-mission-1"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">AYUSH</span></a> (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homeopathy) centres overseas could well become central to our Soft Power strategy in the days ahead. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Yoga Certification Boards for certifying Indian yogic practices and therapies, under the AYUSH and External Affairs ministry can also be a step in the right direction.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">While browsing some of my earlier blogs, I came across this passage penned back in 2018: <br />Overall, what I realized during my trip to the UK is that there is a growing eagerness among the Britishers as well as among the prominent Indians residing there to engage in events and activities related to India and know more about Indian culture. The cultural capital base of India in the UK has certainly moved up a notch. As a visitor, I could feel a newfound interest, recognition and warmth towards India’s cultural heritage. The positive impact of all this is the flowering of a vibrant cultural scenario in which India is the fulcrum.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Five years on, this has only flourished and flowered ever more. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN64M6K_isBmJ8BilnHB10T21Wf3tzYRWDj2sjND3AyNtWZ0BgP4vq4p7QnZMCGy5Mau4oX6QBJG5sHsqVjpMJ3m66JzHK5OeckBQEw2vtzpx6PheDojITbPZOgmMsgonIY3S9Or9TWa43kOaTpyWT9cLBi5XpPZAolrB9sm3NeonuKaoxdcc6C_U05g/s4074/5.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="4074" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN64M6K_isBmJ8BilnHB10T21Wf3tzYRWDj2sjND3AyNtWZ0BgP4vq4p7QnZMCGy5Mau4oX6QBJG5sHsqVjpMJ3m66JzHK5OeckBQEw2vtzpx6PheDojITbPZOgmMsgonIY3S9Or9TWa43kOaTpyWT9cLBi5XpPZAolrB9sm3NeonuKaoxdcc6C_U05g/w640-h584/5.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; text-align: start;">Sundeep Bhutoria along with other panelists during their talk on the topic ‘Soft Power of India’ at UNMESHA, International Literature Festival in Bhopal (L-R) Pankaj Mittal, HS Shiva Prakash and Ashwani Kumar</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As for Tourism…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Few countries offer the kind of expanse as India does when it comes to tourism. From the Himalayas to the seas, to one of the world’s largest deserts, to the lagoons and backwaters of Kerala, to UNESCO World Heritage Sites (India has more WHSs than all but 5 countries in the world), to ancient civilisational and pilgrimage sites, we have a luxury of tourist spots. Incredible India is now an international brand, which can only grow bigger and better. Especially with the kind of thrust on infrastructure development – roads to highways to bridges to speed trains – that the government has embarked upon.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And so many unique stories dot the Indian landscape. A small personal example of a magical discovery on my travels through our wonderful country is Bera. A little-known leopard colony in the forests of Rajasthan, where leopards live harmoniously with humans. Thanks to Shatrunjay Pratap Singh, who despite his royal lineage and US education, lives in Bera and devotes himself to preserving its ecosystem and photographing its wildlife, I could discover the diverse ecosystem of Bera, and was witness to the camaraderie that exists between the leopards and the locals of the area, the Rabari tribe. This, I have tried to capture in a picture book, The Bera Bond.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hundreds of such magical discoveries dot the India we still don’t fully comprehend and celebrate.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">At a personal level, if I was to sum up our endeavours at Prabha Khaitan Foundation, we showcase India to the world, we make all efforts to connect India to India and we also try to bring the World to India.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">हम</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">दुनिया</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">को</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">भारत</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">के</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">बारे</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">में</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">बताते</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">हैं</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">हम</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">पूरे</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">भारत</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">को</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">असली</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">भारत</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">से</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">जोड़ने</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">की</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">क़ोशिश</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">करते</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">हैं</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">और</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">हम</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">पूरी</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">दुनिया</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">को</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">भारत</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">लाने</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">केलिएभी</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">प्रयत्नशील</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">है।</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Through the Prabha Khaitan Foundation, we carry out various cultural activities with the aim of preserving and promoting India’s rich cultural heritage. Round the year, indeed round the year, we at the Foundation are busy conceptualising and curating, strategising and managing a plethora of social and cultural activities in around 50 cities in India. So, in our own humble way, we are part of the Soft Power chapter that is so vital to the India growth story.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I would like to end by touching upon the growing linkages between Soft Power and Creative Economy.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">There are multiple definitions of creative economy. But for this forum, if one was to stick to the UNESCO-World Bank framework, Creative Economy would encompass:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin-left: 36pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">● Audio-visual and Interactive Media (films, TV, radio, streaming, podcasts and video games)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin-left: 36pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">● Literature and Press (books, newspapers, magazines, libraries and book fairs)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin-left: 36pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">● Performing Arts (drama, live music, dance, festivals, feasts and fairs)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin-left: 18pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">● Visual Arts and Crafts (fine arts, photography and crafts)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin-left: 36pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">● Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) (Festive events, rituals and social practices, oral traditions, knowledge, skills and traditional crafts, culinary traditions and gastronomy)<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin-left: 36pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">● Design and Creative Services (architecture, fashion design, graphic design, interior design and advertisements)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin-left: 36pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">● Heritage and Tourism Activities (historical places, archaeological sites, natural heritage and cultural landscapes, museums and tourism activities)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">स्पष्ट</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">है</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">भारत</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">के</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">पास</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">क्रिएटिव</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">इकोनॉमी</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">क्षेत्र</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">में</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">विस्तार</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">की</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">अपार</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">संभावनाएं</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">हैं</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">जिन</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">पर</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">ध्यान</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">देने</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">सेवे</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">भारत</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">की</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">सॉफ्ट</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">पावर</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">को</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">और</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">भी</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">पोषित</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">करेंगी</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">उसे</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">और</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">बढ़ावा</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">देंगी।</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">यहां</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">उन्मेष</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">में</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">मौजूद</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">हममें</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">से</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">हर</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">कोई</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">इसका</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">हिस्सा</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">है।</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">यहां</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">सॉफ़्ट</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">पावर</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">को</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">और</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">भी</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">अधिक</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">शक्ति</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">दी</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">गई</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span face="Kokila, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt;">है</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The above is an excerpt from the </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;">presentation by Sundeep Bhutoria during the UNMESHA-International Literature Festival in Bhopal on the panel 'Soft Power of India'.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 13.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 13.8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwTIWs_HOk8i-IBdJUWx-OfkJXedQ8ULBVioDAeAtO5IXktnvna3XVHVnWxQs7N821PwI5YE0uBiEZowpcdBw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /> <o:p></o:p></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The video is an excerpt from the </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;">presentation by Sundeep Bhutoria during the UNMESHA-International Literature Festival in Bhopal on the panel 'Soft Power of India'.</span></i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-37627931772207198772023-08-06T21:00:00.002+05:302023-09-23T06:17:19.349+05:30Value of Literature - UNMESHA 2023<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIg4J2SYsZLAvs0WxOUxxnV7tIJmcxGP6lMDI0JK54RSlPydX7RmC9pf7U7jvt3XSebzlHdS6CQa6LjOVuxZKQjKDN2tU7NuLHulHi5rIFxvBNnUCuogCJan-ptEmcdSTYeoCcTcQ1DP57USMp98u3ggxzuDmRaS7V72cc9jF_XLGx_Dqxzj1bqJNBPw/s3712/F21z-ghaoAEl_EE.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="3172" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIg4J2SYsZLAvs0WxOUxxnV7tIJmcxGP6lMDI0JK54RSlPydX7RmC9pf7U7jvt3XSebzlHdS6CQa6LjOVuxZKQjKDN2tU7NuLHulHi5rIFxvBNnUCuogCJan-ptEmcdSTYeoCcTcQ1DP57USMp98u3ggxzuDmRaS7V72cc9jF_XLGx_Dqxzj1bqJNBPw/w546-h640/F21z-ghaoAEl_EE.jpeg" width="546" /></span></a></div><br /><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;">নিজে নিজে সন্ধান করা ও আবিষ্কার করা সত্যকার আনন্দ “Nije nije sandhan Kara o abhiskaar Kara satyokar anondo” … in exploring and discovering by yourself lies the real joy </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;">Therein lies the true value of literature, as described in such simple yet profound terms by Rabindranath Tagore. After all, literature is all about exploring and discovering – the past, the present and the future; the self and the other; the world within and the one beyond.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"><w:sdt id="87659550" sdttag="goog_rdk_0"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">आख़िरकार</span></w:sdt>, <w:sdt id="-1850470810" sdttag="goog_rdk_1"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्य</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">तलाश</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अन्वेषण</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ही</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">तो</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है</span>- <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अतीत</span></w:sdt>, <w:sdt id="-1492792491" sdttag="goog_rdk_2"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">वर्तमान</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">भविष्य</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">का</span></w:sdt>; <w:sdt id="-285199312" sdttag="goog_rdk_3"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">स्वयं</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अन्य</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">का</span></w:sdt>; <w:sdt id="1437487685" sdttag="goog_rdk_4"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अपने</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अंदर</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">की</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">दुनिया</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">बाहर</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">की</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">दुनिया</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">का।</span></w:sdt><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_4"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /></span></w:sdt></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_4"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;">A work of literature can be valuable in so many ways to an individual. Let us start by listing a few…</span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"></span></w:sdt></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_4"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></w:sdt></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_4"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;">Literature has - </span></w:sdt></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">(</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"><w:sdt id="-1580055366" sdttag="goog_rdk_13"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्य</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">का</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्रभाव</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हम</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पर</span><i>)</i></w:sdt></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_13"><i><br /></i></w:sdt></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 21.333334px;"><i>Entertainment value - It is a great way to pass the time</i></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: 21.333334px;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">मनोरंजन</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">स्तर</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">पर - </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: justify;">समय</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: justify;">बिताने</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: justify;">का</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: justify;">एक</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: justify;">बेहतरीन</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: justify;">माध्यम</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: justify;">है।</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: justify;">Political value - </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">It can change the way we live with and influence each</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> other.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">राजनीतिक</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">मूल्य - </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"></span><span face="-webkit-standard"></span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">यह</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">हमारे</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">रहने</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">के</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">तौर</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">तरीके</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">में</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">बदलाव</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">ला</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">सकता</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">है</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">और</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">एक</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">-</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">दूसरे</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">के</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">साथ</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">को</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">प्रभावित</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">करने</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">में</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">सामर्थ्य</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt;">है।</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_4"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /></span></w:sdt></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_4"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">Artistic value - </span></w:sdt></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">It helps us contemplate the nature of beauty and human creativity</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कलात्मक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मूल्य</span> -</span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"></span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">यह</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">हमें</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">सौंदर्य</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">बोध</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">, </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">प्रकृति</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">और</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">मानवीय</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">रचनात्मकता</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">को</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">विकसित</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">करने</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">तथा</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">उसमें</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">एक</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">नई</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">सोच</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">विकसित</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">करने</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"></span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">में</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">मदद</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">करता</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">है।</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">Cultural value - </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">It sheds light on the place and time of the author and the work</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;">सांस्कृतिक</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;">मूल्य - </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"></span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"></span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">यह</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">लेखक</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">की</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">रचना</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">धर्मिता</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">उसकी</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">कृति</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">के</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">स्थान</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">और</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">समय</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">को</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">उजागर</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">करता</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">है।</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">Historial value - </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">It helps us know the past, comprehend the present, and prepare for the future</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ऐतिहासिक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मूल्य</span> -</span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"></span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">यह</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">लेखक</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">की</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">रचना</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">धर्मिता</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">उसकी</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">कृति</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">के</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">स्थान</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">और</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">समय</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">को</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">उजागर</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">करता</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">है।</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">Philosophical value - </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">It explores human knowledge, how we know and what we know.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">दार्शनिक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मूल्य</span> - </span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"></span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">यह</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">हमें</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">अतीत</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">में</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">झांकने</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">, </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">वर्तमान</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">को</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">समझने</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">और</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">भविष्य</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">को</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">बुनने</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">में</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">मदद</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">करता</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">है</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">Moral value - </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">It teaches a lesson that will inspire us to live a better</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> life</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">नैतिक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मूल्य</span> - </span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"></span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">यह</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">हमें</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">जीने</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">का</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">सबक</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">सिखाता</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">है</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">जो</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">हमें</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">बेहतर</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">जीवन</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">जीने</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">के</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">लिए</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">प्रेरित</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">करता</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">है।</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">Ethical value - </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">It helps us ask questions related to good and evil.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मूल्यबोध</span> - </span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"></span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">यह</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">हमें</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">अच्छे</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">और</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">बुरे</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">का</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">बोध</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">करवाता</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">है</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">ताकि</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">हम</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">उससे</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">संबंधित</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">प्रश्न</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">पूछने</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">में</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">सामार्थ्यवान</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">हो</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">सके।</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3340" data-original-width="5016" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgLkRVYxOB3VCAt0DwXxcqRG_7MDPYI707xqPQcKoIwMTv28uja5z2XcL5sE1JaXTXpGnv-bRPyBWss_BBVEs6dui66QMUKJyPEcW2BAxmjVTkql4yjFWMOqQlyT2pEusyQH_aMQn--I_ptXZoq8xLGB1YcuY0ors5igpv8blcSaMOHdfIbHbNTYxiA/w640-h426/2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UNMESHA 2023 in Bhopal</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgLkRVYxOB3VCAt0DwXxcqRG_7MDPYI707xqPQcKoIwMTv28uja5z2XcL5sE1JaXTXpGnv-bRPyBWss_BBVEs6dui66QMUKJyPEcW2BAxmjVTkql4yjFWMOqQlyT2pEusyQH_aMQn--I_ptXZoq8xLGB1YcuY0ors5igpv8blcSaMOHdfIbHbNTYxiA/s5016/2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"></span></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 21.333334px;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;">And, above all, literature can touch our innermost being.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;">As described so evocatively by WB Yeats in his Introduction to Tagore’s <i>Gitanjali.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="text-align: start;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">I have carried the manuscript of these translations about with me for days, reading it in railway trains, or on the tops of omnibuses and in restaurants, and I have often had to close it lest some stranger would see how much it moved me.</span></i><span style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: start;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">क्या</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कभी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">किसी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">महान</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्यकार</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ने</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">दूसरे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्यकार</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">लिए</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">इससे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अधिक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">भावपूर्ण</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">श्रद्धांजलि</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">लिखी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है</span>?</span><span style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt id="1421375665" sdttag="goog_rdk_23"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जीवन</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">को</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">समझने</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">में</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्य</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">की</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">बहुत</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">बड़ी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">भूमिका</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है</span></w:sdt></span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_23"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /></span></w:sdt></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_23"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt id="1922755453" sdttag="goog_rdk_24"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">स्वयं</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अच्छे</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्यिक</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कार्यों</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">से</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">रूबरू</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">होना</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">, </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">किसी</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">को</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सर्वोत्तम</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">शिक्षा</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्रदान</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">करने</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">समान</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है।</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">यदि</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">आप</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अच्छे</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्य</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">संपर्क</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">में</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">नहीं</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">आते</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">तो</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">उसका</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">तात्पर्य</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कि</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">स्वयं</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">को</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">विकसित</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">होने</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अवसर</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">से</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">वंचित</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कर</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">रहे</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है।</span></w:sdt></span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium;"></span></w:sdt></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_23"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_24"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /></span></w:sdt></span></w:sdt></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_23"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_24"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt id="-2100168667" sdttag="goog_rdk_25"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">महान</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्यिक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">काव्यात्मक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कृतियों</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">को</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पढ़ने</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">से</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ही</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">व्यक्ति</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जीवन</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">को</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">समझ</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सकता</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है।</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अच्छा</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्य</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ही</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">व्यक्ति</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">को</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जीवन</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">विभिन्न</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पहलुओं</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">को</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">करीब</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">से</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">देखने</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">में</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सहायक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">होता</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हैं।</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सही</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मायनों</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">में</span>, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्य</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अपने</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">विभिन्न</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">रूपों</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">में</span>, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जीवन</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जीने</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्रति</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">नजरिए</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">को</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">बदल</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सकता</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है।</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">महान</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">लोगों</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">की</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जीवनियां</span>, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">आत्मकथा</span>, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहस</span>, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">बलिदान</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अच्छे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मूल्यों</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">की</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">वास्तविक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जीवन</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">की</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कहानियां</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हमेशा</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ही</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्रेरणादायक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">होती</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है।</span></w:sdt></span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium;"></span></w:sdt></span></w:sdt></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_23"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_24"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_25"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /></span></w:sdt></span></w:sdt></span></w:sdt></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_23"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_24"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_25"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt id="109865217" sdttag="goog_rdk_26"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्य</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ही</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">वह</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">माध्यम</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जिसके</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">द्वारा</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हम</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">समय</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पीछे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जाकर</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">उस</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">समय</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">काल</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">खंड</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">को</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सकते</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है।</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साथ</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ही</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हमसे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पहले</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पृथ्वी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">में</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जो</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">आए</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">थे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">उनकी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">बातों</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">को</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सीखने</span>-<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जानने</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">का</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अवसर</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">भी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्य</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ही</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">देता</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है।</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हम</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">संस्कृति</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">की</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">बेहतर</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">समझ</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पा</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सकते</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हैं</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">इसकी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सराहना</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कर</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सकते</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हैं।</span></w:sdt></span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium;"></span></w:sdt></span></w:sdt></span></w:sdt></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_23"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_24"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_25"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_26"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /></span></w:sdt></span></w:sdt></span></w:sdt></span></w:sdt></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_23"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_24"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_25"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_26"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">साहित्य</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">का</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">विराट</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">स्वरूप</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">है</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">, </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">गद्य</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">, </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">कविता</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">, </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">नाटक</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">, </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">निबंध</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">, </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">कथा</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">, </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">दर्शन</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">, </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">कला</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">, </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">इतिहास</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">, </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">धर्म</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">और</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">संस्कृति</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">पर</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">आधारित</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">साहित्यिक</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">कृतियां</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">इसके</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">साथ</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">-</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">साथ</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">वैज्ञानिक</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">और</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">कानूनी</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">लेखन</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">को</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">भी</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">साहित्य</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">के</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">अंतर्गत</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">वर्गीकृत</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">किया</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">गया</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">है।</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">पुराने</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">समय</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">की</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">रचनात्मक</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">कथेतरता</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">और</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">साहित्यिक</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">पत्रकारिता</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">भी</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">साहित्य </span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium;"></span></w:sdt></span></w:sdt></span></w:sdt></span></w:sdt></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">के</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">अंतर्गत</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">शामिल</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">है।</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">लॉजिस्टिक्स</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">और</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">गणित</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">जैसे</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">कुछ</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">बेहद</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">तकनीकी</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">लेखन</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">को</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">भी</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">साहित्य</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">का</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">हिस्सा</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">माना</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">जाता</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">है।</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कुछ</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">महान</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्यिक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कृतियाँ</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जैसे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">बाइबिल</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">भारतीय</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">महाकाव्य</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जैसे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">रामायण</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">महाभारत</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">आदि</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">समाज</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">को</span>, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जीवन</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मार्गदर्शक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सिद्धांत</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्रदान</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">करती</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हैं।</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">विवेकानन्द</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्लेटो</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जैसे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">दार्शनिकों</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">की</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कृतियाँ</span>; <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">शेक्सपियर</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सॉनेट</span>, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">टैगोर</span>, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">निराला</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">वर्ड्सवर्थ</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">की</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कविताएं</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अधिकांश</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सभी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">रचतनाएं</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कालजयी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हैं।</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जो</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हर</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">काल</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">में</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्रासंगिक</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है।</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कुछ</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्यिक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">काव्य</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">रचनाएं</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जीवन</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">का</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मर्म</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">बताती</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है</span>, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सीख</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">देती</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हैं</span>, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">वहीं</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कई</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अन्य</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">रचनाएं</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हमें</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सोचने</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पर</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मजबूर</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">करती</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हैं।</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्य</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पाठकों</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मन</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">में</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">इन</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">रचनाओं</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">का</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सीधा</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">गहरा</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्रभाव</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पड़ता</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है।</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जिसका</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्रभाव</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जीवन</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पर</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">भी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">नजर</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">आता</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है।</span></span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhtcF2vVzxZ4eMkm_mxYLfzOTGfZ5pUBVIaV0hu6U5uFG5X9pHhJ4nWyS2zyBS_3yWwyMtvnKdwJuljcGMh0OpdbmkJMGmxJsJoMHbKaqCKO0GcvFlL0EW0lFLk2Jy3IlY1McwRVJDg3IY3VAsWrrX4jCp2fKWkK4j0vyUoIOGCbe-OlwlJUlGW6DEQ/s5364/3.JPG"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5364" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhtcF2vVzxZ4eMkm_mxYLfzOTGfZ5pUBVIaV0hu6U5uFG5X9pHhJ4nWyS2zyBS_3yWwyMtvnKdwJuljcGMh0OpdbmkJMGmxJsJoMHbKaqCKO0GcvFlL0EW0lFLk2Jy3IlY1McwRVJDg3IY3VAsWrrX4jCp2fKWkK4j0vyUoIOGCbe-OlwlJUlGW6DEQ/w640-h442/3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px;">Sundeep Bhutoria along with other panellists during their talk on the topic ‘Value of Literature' at UNMESHA, International Literature Festival in Bhopal (L-R) Anindita Bandyopadhyay, AP Maheshwari, Vishwas Patil, Bijayananda Singh, Shiv Narayan Singh and Satish Alekar</span><br /><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;">Literature Helps us Deal with Life Better<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;">Let me turn the page back to WB Yeats’s Introduction to Gitanjali. I read Rabindranath every day, to read one line of his is to forget all the troubles of the world”, is what a reader told the Irish Nobel Laureate about the impact of the Bengali Nobel Laureate’s works on his people. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Reading a good book does wonders for a stressed mind. I sincerely hope we can inculcate this in our young, who will be dealing with unfathomable stress in the years to come.</span></div><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Imagination must be one of the weapons we arm them with, and what better way than through the pages of an engaging book?</span></div><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;">Literature motivates critical thinking<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;">To live a fulfilling life, the young must think critically. It helps people figure out what the truth is and work through problems. Literature is an excellent way for students to learn how to think critically. To fully understand what’s going on in the book, readers must pay attention to details, form relationships, and develop their individual ideas. Books are frequently used by teachers to help expand students’ vital thinking skills.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;">Literature can motivate kindness<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;">Empathy is necessary at every level of society, or else we descend into a ruthless world. The study of literature has shown that reading can make one feel more empathic. Fictional literature has a particularly powerful effect on empathizing. Why? Because it forces the reader to put themselves in the shoes of more complex characters. Scientists at Princeton’s Social Neurosciences lab have discovered that reading fiction regularly improves one’s ability to guess and gauge what other people are feeling and thinking. That, of course, is the first step to compassion.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"><span lang="EN" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><w:sdt id="-67422403" sdttag="goog_rdk_29"><b>(Literary Festivals)</b> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्य</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">उत्सव</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">की</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्रासंगिकता</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">महत्व</span></w:sdt></span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: medium; text-align: start;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"><span lang="EN" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_29"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /></span></w:sdt></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"><span lang="EN" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_29"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt id="1894839746" sdttag="goog_rdk_30"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अंत</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">में</span> , <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मैं</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्य</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">महोत्सवों</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">की</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्रासंगिकता</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">उसके</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">महत्व</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">की</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ओर</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">रुख</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">करना</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">चाहता</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हूं</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जो</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हमारे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सांस्कृतिक</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">परिदृश्य</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">का</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">एक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">महत्वपूर्ण</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पहलू</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">बन</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">गए</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हैं।</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">वे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">लेखकों</span>, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्रकाशकों</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पाठकों</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">को</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">एक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साथ</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">आने</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्यिक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कार्यों</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साथ</span>-<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साथ</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हमारे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">समाज</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पर</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">इसके</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्रभाव</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">बारे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">में</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सार्थक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">चर्चा</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">में</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">शामिल</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">होने</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">लिए</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">एक</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मंच</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्रदान</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कर</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">रहे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हैं।</span></w:sdt></span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium;"></span></w:sdt></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"><span lang="EN" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_29"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_30"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /></span></w:sdt></span></w:sdt></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"><span lang="EN" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_29"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_30"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;">मुझे </span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium;"></span></w:sdt></span></w:sdt></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">उन्मेष</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: left;">’</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">में</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">आकर</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">और</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">साहित्य</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">अकादमी</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">और</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">संस्कृति</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">मंत्रालय</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">द्वारा</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">साहित्य</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">पर</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">एकाग्र</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">ध्यान</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">केंद्रित</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">करते</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">हुए</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">देखकर</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">अत्यंत</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">प्रसन्नता</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">हो</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">रही</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">है।</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">अफसोस</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">की</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">बात</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">है</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">कि</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">हाल</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">के</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">दिनों</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">में</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">कई</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">साहित्यिक</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">उत्सवों</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">के</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">व्यावसायीकरण</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">के</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">कारण</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">मूल</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">उद्देश्य</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">से</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">हट</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">गया</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">है</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">और</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">अब</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">ध्यान</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">गंभीर</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">साहित्यिक</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">चर्चा</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">के</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">बजाय</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">सेलिब्रिटी</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">उपस्थिति</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">और</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">विपणन</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">अवसरों</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">पर</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">केंद्रित</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">हो</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">गया</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">है।</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><w:sdt id="-1374383058" sdttag="goog_rdk_35"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अब</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">समय</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">आ</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">गया</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कि</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हम</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्रत्येक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">लेखक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">विद्वान</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">को</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">उनके</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">वास्तविक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मूल्य</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">लिए</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पहचानें</span>, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">चाहे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">वे</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अंग्रेजी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">में</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सबसे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ज्यादा</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">बिकने</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">वाले</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">लेखक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हों</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">या</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ग्रामीण</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">क्षेत्रों</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कम</span>-<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ज्ञात</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">क्षेत्रीय</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">भाषा</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">लेखक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हों</span>, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सभी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">को</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">उनकी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">उचित</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मान्यता</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">दी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जानी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">चाहिए।</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सभी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">भाषाओं</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्य</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जश्न</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मनाने</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">की</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जरूरत</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है</span>, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">भले</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ही</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">उन्हें</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कौन</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">लिखता</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है</span> - <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सेलिब्रिटी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">लेखक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">या</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कम</span>-<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ज्ञात</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्रतिभा।</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">इसके</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">लिए</span>, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्यिक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">उत्सवों</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">की</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">बागडोर</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">उन</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">लोगों</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हाथों</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">में</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सौंपी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जानी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">चाहिए</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जो</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">वास्तव</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">में</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्य</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">से</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्यार</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">करते</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हैं</span>, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ठीक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">वैसे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ही</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जैसे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">यहां</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">उन्मेशा</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">में</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">होता</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है।</span></w:sdt></span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_35"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /></span></w:sdt></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_35"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt id="227744230" sdttag="goog_rdk_36"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">दुनिया</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">की</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">निगाहें</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हम</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पर</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हैं</span>, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">उन्मेशा</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जैसे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">साहित्यिक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">उत्सव</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हमारे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सांस्कृतिक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">वास्तव</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">में</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सभ्यतागत</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पहिए</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">का</span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">एक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">महत्वपूर्ण</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हिस्सा</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">बन</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सकते</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हैं।</span></w:sdt></span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium;"></span></w:sdt></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_35"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_36"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /></span></w:sdt></span></w:sdt></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_35"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_36"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt id="-389960184" sdttag="goog_rdk_37"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हमें</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सीमित</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">का</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पता</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">लगाने</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">और</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अनंत</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">को</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अपनाने</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">में</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मदद</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">करने</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">के</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">लिए</span>, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">या</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जैसा</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कि</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">टैगोर</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ने</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">संक्षेप</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">में</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कहा</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है</span>:</w:sdt></span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium;"></span></w:sdt></span></w:sdt></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_35"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_36"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_37"><br /></w:sdt></span></w:sdt></span></w:sdt></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><w:sdt id="-795610231" sdttag="goog_rdk_38"><i>“ </i><i><span style="font-family: "Kohinoor Bangla";">সীমা</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: "Kohinoor Bangla";">আছে</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: "Kohinoor Bangla";">এ</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: "Kohinoor Bangla";">কথা</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: "Kohinoor Bangla";">যেমন</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: "Kohinoor Bangla";">নিশ্চিত</span></i><i>, </i><i><span style="font-family: "Kohinoor Bangla";">অসীম</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: "Kohinoor Bangla";">আছেন</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: "Kohinoor Bangla";">এ</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: "Kohinoor Bangla";">কথা</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: "Kohinoor Bangla";">তেমনি</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: "Kohinoor Bangla";">সত্য</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">।"</span></i></w:sdt></span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_38"></w:sdt></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;">“Sima ache e katha jemon nischit, ashim achen e katha temoni satyo”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><w:sdt id="956992227" sdttag="goog_rdk_39"><i><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अर्थात</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सीमा</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">का</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">होना</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जैसे</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">निश्चित</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">वैसे</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ही</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">असीम</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">का</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">होना</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">भी</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सत्य</span></i><i> </i><i><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">है।</span></i></w:sdt></span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_39"><i><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /></span></i></w:sdt></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_39">एक सार्थक पहल के लिए सभी को आभार।</w:sdt></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_39"><br /></w:sdt></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_39"><br /></w:sdt></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.533335px; text-align: start;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_39"><i><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">The above is an excerpt from the presentation by Sundeep Bhutoria during the UNMESHA- </span></i></w:sdt></span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><span style="font-size: 21.333334px;"><i>International Literature Festival in Bhopal </i></span></span><i style="font-size: 21.333334px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">on the panel '<b>Value of Literature'.</b></span></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="font-size: 21.333334px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="font-size: 21.333334px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 21.333334px; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxMzJohagFa_4IqbKz6vM7H-9kLwx8NvNEWc6hRQBCRkK4qh2oh2hk4CGKp445-MXom07-62jEwQsrRmopEqA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></i></div><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; line-height: 24.533335px;"><w:sdt sdttag="goog_rdk_39"><i><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">The video is an excerpt from the presentation by Sundeep Bhutoria during the UNMESHA- </span></i></w:sdt></span><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif; font-style: normal; text-align: justify;"><span><i>International Literature Festival in Bhopal </i></span></span><i style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">on the panel '<b>Value of Literature'.</b></span></i></span></span></i><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-41312546085310230652023-07-13T19:15:00.000+05:302023-07-13T19:15:22.166+05:30Lucknow — The land of time travel, ‘tehzeeb’, and happy taste buds A tour of the historical city reveals boutique heritage stay, cultural festivals and lip-smacking street food<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy03VzPgRjEQoRjaEhRtBwzbKrnX9JQ0aZJBeeP5St8_xMQdRfTLZeJUePdkmdC-YMycTqainfzqCB-n6zKS_VTiO4edr-oLm_NBVS6ovidquVemLBAmubKVtjhfo5k322n35glV0fOIo_9LypO3PX-ISL-wv8cY9Z_KjrABFEX_lgH6bkoTvslNVOuA/s900/1689152506_03-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy03VzPgRjEQoRjaEhRtBwzbKrnX9JQ0aZJBeeP5St8_xMQdRfTLZeJUePdkmdC-YMycTqainfzqCB-n6zKS_VTiO4edr-oLm_NBVS6ovidquVemLBAmubKVtjhfo5k322n35glV0fOIo_9LypO3PX-ISL-wv8cY9Z_KjrABFEX_lgH6bkoTvslNVOuA/w640-h360/1689152506_03-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm;"><i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The famous Rumi Darwaza of Lucknow is said to have been modelled after the Sublime Porte in Istanbul<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: #8d8d8d; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141);">Shutterstock</span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p></h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Lucknow has always been one of my most preferred cities. I have lost count of the many visits I have made to this ever-attractive destination. I am tempted, as so many others have before me, to refer to it as the city of Nawabs, of <i>tehzeeb</i> and <i>adaaye</i>. But that would be too predictable.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b>A historical city</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Lucknow’s past runs deep and is still at the crux of the city today. There can be no denying its enviable mix of the ancient and the modern, where history rubs shoulders with contemporary industries in every conceivable field, including aerospace. Situated at the junction of many roads and rail lines, with the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport only about 10km away, Lucknow is a marketplace for many agricultural products and a hub for food processing, manufacturing, handicrafts and railroad shops. It is also often said — and I agree — Uttar Pradesh controls Indian politics.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow is situated right in the centre of the state, with the Gomti river flowing through it, while Kanpur lies 72km to its northeast. It is believed that Lord Rama gifted the city to his devoted brother Lakshman after his return from exile. Lakshman is said to have stayed in the area called Lakshman Teela, which is on high ground by the banks of the river. According to one school of historians, they knew the city as Lakshmanavati (Sanskrit for ‘fortunate’). In time, the name changed to Lakhanavati, then Lakhnauti and finally Lakhnau, to emerge eventually as today’s Lucknow.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cdycn_JnaT1hh8PKhOl8ZBVAWW5PT8G-G-ga8WtufZo-jgKdmGIkAOONohGD_wWELH9soP1xdljHiTcen0sAS4zT4uoI06CszStgJPvEFbaqp68fWs96YUdE4UyXsAABKSrCYWUkTE0h7E02YH63QP_VZb3c5vWeCeA_IrwvwTadm6aR-YMvb2-zZQ/s900/1689152732_02-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cdycn_JnaT1hh8PKhOl8ZBVAWW5PT8G-G-ga8WtufZo-jgKdmGIkAOONohGD_wWELH9soP1xdljHiTcen0sAS4zT4uoI06CszStgJPvEFbaqp68fWs96YUdE4UyXsAABKSrCYWUkTE0h7E02YH63QP_VZb3c5vWeCeA_IrwvwTadm6aR-YMvb2-zZQ/w640-h360/1689152732_02-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm;"><i>An old illustration of main street in Lucknow, India. Created by Freeman and Godefroy-Durand after De Lagrange, published on L'Illustration Journal Universel, Paris, 1857 <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: #8d8d8d; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141);">Shutterstock</span></span><o:p></o:p></i></p></h4><div><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The city’s other identities are an amalgam that occurred under the Delhi Sultanates and the Mughal suzerainty. Having passed through many hands, the city came under the patronage of the Nawabs of Awadh, after which Lucknow earned the name the ‘Golden City’ or ‘Constantinople of the East’, in the 18th and the 19th centuries. The emergence of the East India Company in India began an era which witnessed the fall of Awadh and the last Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was exiled to Calcutta. But the city of Lucknow has remained important to the Indian ethos.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b>A heritage stay</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">Highlighting historical hotels is always one objective of these columns, and one such address is the unmissable Lebua Lucknow. This unique boutique hotel in the old part of the city has been my address there ever since they opened their doors. Led by visionary CEO Deepak Ohri, the Bangkok-based hospitality group takes a unique approach to the service sector, which taps into a deeper level of exchange with guests by creating emotional connections. In India, the group has two properties, namely Lebua Lucknow and Lebua Corbett.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cmmZpMTxEWu-adOu625mUawIzJan7MJJijdp9UDByhqd3PsikJ-I_11NW3ke4kjzSOdwmcb5O23JtiUpw0PqAMX2w7mA9sT8H4j4b_yRnUngMDg54VJTYoE1ReP82mwRSh1h9uy6SZUtPcOO_Gq8HanEV_ENOlJUiqns8HjJfYzt9AYcSVP8JcmEEA/s900/1689152974_lebua-lucknow-entrance-courte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cmmZpMTxEWu-adOu625mUawIzJan7MJJijdp9UDByhqd3PsikJ-I_11NW3ke4kjzSOdwmcb5O23JtiUpw0PqAMX2w7mA9sT8H4j4b_yRnUngMDg54VJTYoE1ReP82mwRSh1h9uy6SZUtPcOO_Gq8HanEV_ENOlJUiqns8HjJfYzt9AYcSVP8JcmEEA/w640-h360/1689152974_lebua-lucknow-entrance-courte.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm;"><i>The entrance of the Lebua Lucknow, a unique heritage property in the city<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: #8d8d8d; font-size: 9pt;">Courtesy Lebua Lucknow</span><o:p></o:p></i></p></h4></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The Lucknow property was built in 1936 and belonged to an army brigadier who, along with his wife, ran it as a guest house. Changing hands with the passage of time, the resort came into the possession of the Lebua group, which converted it into a boutique resort while retaining the original structure. The only certified heritage hotel in the city, Lebua Lucknow was conceptualised as a traditional 19th-century bungalow, proudly reflecting the art deco influence on the architecture and design of early 20th-century Lucknow.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">I recall my first visit to this hotel shortly after its opening. It was a chilly winter’s evening and courtesy of a much-delayed flight, I arrived well past midnight. Finding the hotel was quite a challenge as neither the driver nor the police officer on duty nor any auto rickshaw driver was familiar with its location or with the name Lebua. Eventually, the hotel came to my aid and arranged for a car to pick me up from the main road. Ever since then, room 101 at Lebua has become my go-to address whenever I visit Lucknow.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOurzZmN3giBni1jKUlEzFhrAziGcEXVyJ6ycB_L-ZpMJ_G5Gz4A83T88h1NCONrfy-HIj22YbgTvS1tTiN111k7160sXjnAmz28YGJO6HvJXTqEuulluVeYLW_NFVlx_PqJ_PHii7-z_YenF6newyaxd-tFbYnowol12-cmPqoWMDavy7MSs7wbcaA/s900/1689153104_collage-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOurzZmN3giBni1jKUlEzFhrAziGcEXVyJ6ycB_L-ZpMJ_G5Gz4A83T88h1NCONrfy-HIj22YbgTvS1tTiN111k7160sXjnAmz28YGJO6HvJXTqEuulluVeYLW_NFVlx_PqJ_PHii7-z_YenF6newyaxd-tFbYnowol12-cmPqoWMDavy7MSs7wbcaA/w640-h360/1689153104_collage-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm;"><i>Knick-knacks and vintage memorabilia like add to the old-world charm of Lebua Lucknow <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: #8d8d8d; font-size: 9pt;">Sundeep Bhutoria</span><o:p></o:p></i></p></h4></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The hotel exudes an old-world charm that imparts a unique and delightful ambience. The art deco facade looks out onto sprawling lawns while a large porch, an outer verandah, and the office reflect a more modern aesthetic. One walks back in time through the many French doors and windows, stained glass ventilators, arched doorways, mosaic floors, and of course, the elaborate chandeliers. The two-storey property bedecked with multiple terraces, courtyards, lawns, and corridors seamlessly transports visitors back to the famed <i>Lucknavi</i> lifestyle of the past. I must salute the painstaking efforts of the restorers to recreate the splendour of the olden days, finding reflection in the <i>zardosi</i> frames on the walls and the <i>chikankari</i> cushions in the rooms and elsewhere. There’s a yellow Lambretta scooter and an old Morris, both of which continue to occupy their place of pride on the grounds.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">During my last visit, however, I broke with tradition and stayed at the Taj. I had been invited to speak at a cultural festival which was located right next to the property and the current general manager Vinod Pandey, who had previously overseen the food and beverage operations at Taj Bengal, ensured my stay was as pleasant as could be.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b>The many flavours of Lucknow</b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Lucknow is emerging as a centre for literature, art and cultural festivals that are being staged throughout the year. It is interesting to note that it was Nawab Wajid Ali Shah who had sown the first seeds of such events and it continues to be a tradition that many cherish for the cause of promoting and conserving culture. Artist Muzaffar Ali started a festival in his name inspired by his legacy, which has now become a catalyst for other festivals in Lucknow as well. The goal is to acknowledge new literary talent and honour the legends while restoring literary traditions of the past. It puts a spotlight on Lucknow’s unique heritage and evokes the interest of the new generation in all things <i>Lucknavi</i>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">When talking about Lucknow, the beautiful <i>chikankari</i> embroidery must come to mind. We find references to the art form in the writings of Megasthenes who, in the third century BC, wrote about the “use of flowered muslins by the Indians”. It is said that this style of white-on-white embroidery came to India as part of a culture of Persian nobles at Mughal courts. Now <i>chikankari</i> has permeated all corners of the country and many new innovations have crept in while maintaining the basic tenets of this tradition.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1bMCHexG4kmHC6WgjhMSLHF_HNJJE7o7NSjAzyiyixoY07yCCK1ljdRiBVqaLGdaKvz7ZFpKZrCWrGHSC8JmDSpvdZjFwYfX1pFvdFYwBr1toEmBKVm6ARakuweEaGv13KZt9vRL_ZoIm0UiHLakQHvtX2YxHQ9b3cLUVpbX_QNwx09Gsu9P5cQ0eQ/s900/1689153197_04-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1bMCHexG4kmHC6WgjhMSLHF_HNJJE7o7NSjAzyiyixoY07yCCK1ljdRiBVqaLGdaKvz7ZFpKZrCWrGHSC8JmDSpvdZjFwYfX1pFvdFYwBr1toEmBKVm6ARakuweEaGv13KZt9vRL_ZoIm0UiHLakQHvtX2YxHQ9b3cLUVpbX_QNwx09Gsu9P5cQ0eQ/w640-h360/1689153197_04-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm;"><i>The famous Tunday Kababi, known for their ‘galouti kebabs’<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: #8d8d8d; font-size: 9pt;">Shutterstock</span></i></p></h4><div><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Now onto Lucknow’s most famous food. Being a vegetarian, the charms of the famed <i>galouti kebab</i>from Tunday Kababi might be lost on me, but this is a landmark that never fails to arouse interest of most visitors. Its origins can be traced to Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula, who was a food connoisseur of the highest order. Advancing age and the precarious state of his teeth led him to request a soft kebab, to which his kitchens responded with the venerated creation that has become a rage. The temptation for the popular dish is so strong that during a recent interaction, an army general and his wife revealed how they would abandon protocol to reach the eateries via auto rickshaw to satiate their craving.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">As a connoisseur of delectable flavours, I too have plenty to choose from in Lucknow, and pay regular visits to the renowned Sharma Ji Ki Chai for their mouth-watering samosas and other delicacies. The shop is over 50 years old now and the family’s third generation is at the helm. Sharma Ji Ki Chai is known for being pocket friendly and delicious. Don’t miss their tea and <i>muska bun</i>, familiar flavours to lovers of Kolkata’s malai toast.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJfCTsRZtKXAaE6afi-5f0qkKcS-ii9Rk--WcPCJJ4VCmPU-maL2c5JLUmSkXZbSf1EUWmrmIMlSm9x1XLYJEvankJW_OViaBhVjJx91qrOfjEeigrSwQADVi23wri6vEyJXqjuZJeUDMYwXTH5PtpbKt9aK4KKGdBk_AvPb9_ThKdgAvpMTS3k-sXg/s900/1689153224_01-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJfCTsRZtKXAaE6afi-5f0qkKcS-ii9Rk--WcPCJJ4VCmPU-maL2c5JLUmSkXZbSf1EUWmrmIMlSm9x1XLYJEvankJW_OViaBhVjJx91qrOfjEeigrSwQADVi23wri6vEyJXqjuZJeUDMYwXTH5PtpbKt9aK4KKGdBk_AvPb9_ThKdgAvpMTS3k-sXg/w640-h360/1689153224_01-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm;"><i>At Sharma Ji Ki Chai<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: #8d8d8d; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141);">Manisha Jain</span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: #8d8d8d; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141);"><br /></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: #8d8d8d; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141);"><br /></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: #8d8d8d; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141);">This article was also published in the Telegraph</span></span></i><br /></p><a href="https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/sundeep-bhutoria-samples-the-history-and-flavours-of-lucknow/cid/1951552?utmsource=twitter&utmmedium=social&utmcampaign=mkdaily_tw">https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/sundeep-bhutoria-samples-the-history-and-flavours-of-lucknow/cid/1951552?utmsource=twitter&utmmedium=social&utmcampaign=mkdaily_tw</a></h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-54485740924445405542023-07-04T17:49:00.000+05:302023-07-04T17:49:21.811+05:30Dehradun — a hill station getaway for all seasons<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">With countless coffee shops, eateries, spectacular landscapes and pleasant weather, it’s a city where you can unwind and enjoy nature</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzz-eHjUBMUOTq_8aIr50RjwfNd3hg59MgmL3Mlp-TQ5y6skAiE0AQAXMSUrQKa0fdh99IIZt3UkSGUKyXmZl0qcyrugUHPE8HbhM9NmwjaCRs6D0wnB5esJw1p4HSEnLqiTwlq6A0M7FR8GB-YJbTT72lBu0azo4a_IXlX-YCNPHzQf2qYXHLSHcSA/s900/1688116580_dehradun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzz-eHjUBMUOTq_8aIr50RjwfNd3hg59MgmL3Mlp-TQ5y6skAiE0AQAXMSUrQKa0fdh99IIZt3UkSGUKyXmZl0qcyrugUHPE8HbhM9NmwjaCRs6D0wnB5esJw1p4HSEnLqiTwlq6A0M7FR8GB-YJbTT72lBu0azo4a_IXlX-YCNPHzQf2qYXHLSHcSA/w640-h360/1688116580_dehradun.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Dehradun, one of India’s most cherished hill stations in India, lies approximately 240 km from New Delhi, in the Doon Valley</h4><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Shutterstock</span></h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Dehradun is a name that instantly conjures up vistas of an idyllic life in the mountains. One of India’s most cherished hill stations lies approximately 240 km from New Delhi, in the Doon Valley. It is famed for its spectacular landscapes and pleasant weather all year round. Situated amid lofty mountains, under the cover of </span><i>sal</i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> trees, Dehradun is the gateway to many attractions and purposes at the heart of the region. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Having never been to Dehradun before, I discovered myself there on three separate occasions within a month recently, each time for a different purpose. The city has gained in importance as many bureaucrats and celebrities have made it their home because of its weather, facilities and enviable location. Today, Dehradun is a city that attracts people for both business and leisure. Once a sleepy retirement haven, it now has modern amenities such as cafes and restaurants to add to its many attractions, but it still retains its charm. In many ways, it reminds me of Chandigarh.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">One of Dehradun’s draws is as the education hub of northern India. Prestigious educational institutions such as Welham Girls School, Welham Boys School, The Doon School, and several other schools are near the city. Dehradun is also the proud home of the Indian Military Academy, which, since its inception in 1932, has been shaping boys into army officers. Another icon, the Forest Research Institute of Dehradun, housed in a majestic colonial structure, has served as a bastion for geology students for generations.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaGewQyQLUFLZGGFl4B4YKFE5QVaKDiceocJjQ6hvR-1RPQXN5tZe5dXghdwntGWDWWBtq0VUt7Aq6dn0KguT_dRGU-rlW-wALzMWhDzqV2UfpvMwQI7JHtGbbLpBViR2XpzRSOa6crzkawATHaKEBpiXbu_1QWPqRM9Xoy1WT8wQMmsdLgl8CQY1Mw/s900/1688117590_sundeep-bhutoria-with-the-hon_ble-governor-of-uttarakhand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaGewQyQLUFLZGGFl4B4YKFE5QVaKDiceocJjQ6hvR-1RPQXN5tZe5dXghdwntGWDWWBtq0VUt7Aq6dn0KguT_dRGU-rlW-wALzMWhDzqV2UfpvMwQI7JHtGbbLpBViR2XpzRSOa6crzkawATHaKEBpiXbu_1QWPqRM9Xoy1WT8wQMmsdLgl8CQY1Mw/w640-h360/1688117590_sundeep-bhutoria-with-the-hon_ble-governor-of-uttarakhand.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Sundeep Bhutoria with the Honorable Governor of Uttarakhand</h4><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Courtesy Raj Bhavan, Uttarakhand</span></h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The city of Dehradun is a gateway for religious pilgrimage, as the point where lakhs begin their journey to Kedarnath and Badrinath and other places of religious and tourist interest, such as Hardwar, Rishikesh and more. People arrive for the</span> <i>yatras</i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">, as the locals call it, at many times of the year, and you will find the roads teeming with such folks.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">With all this interest, it’s not a surprise that the road from Dehradun to Rishikesh, which should take 40 minutes, took me over two and a half hours instead. The traffic seems to emanate from the sole airport that caters not only to Dehradun but to the entire region: Jolly Grant Airport. About 20 kilometers from the main hub of Dehradun, it contends with the multitudes who descend for their various purposes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The name Jolly Grant is bound to pique curiosity, but try as I might, I could not arrive at a very convincing explanation as to its origins. Some believe the airport gets its name from a British Air Force officer named Jolly Grant, who was highly acclaimed but perished in a plane crash. Others believe the name comes from a ‘grant’ of land given by the Shahs of Nepal (as Garhwal at that time was under Gorkha rule of Nepal) to the British. There are many other grants in the city, such as Arcadia Grant, Markham Grant and Majri Grant. There is even a hospital bearing a similar name. Yet another explanation is that a village named Jaeuli was handed over via a grant to the British by the Nepalese royalty, from where the name evolved over the years to Jolly Grant. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Well, grant yourself the liberty to choose what appeals to you, as the fact of the matter is that the name is a mystery. What is very obvious, however, is that the airport is groaning under the onslaught of countless arrivals. Incidentally, the Uttarakhand government has renamed this airport after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, but our plane tickets still bore the name Jolly Grant.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); text-align: start;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0-svJBFxVNL-cvRGCZqFXqoL0NKUCVD8lsLEkkGjJ7j4ZArlpA21j6Jrgt4mEsEG9kp_Jd84FuJ3PSMQ3ckRJyglaNWZIZvg2Kco4thZbPE2X1n9ynluRZOx46klnefMZgwmMP2QFb3OjvoZGwm1i77HAEHcnzWYg9OCBFSXfrwaos6xaY8_bthnsQ/s900/1688117684_ganga-arti-is-must-for-every-hotel-whereever-you-stay-in-and-around-dehradun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0-svJBFxVNL-cvRGCZqFXqoL0NKUCVD8lsLEkkGjJ7j4ZArlpA21j6Jrgt4mEsEG9kp_Jd84FuJ3PSMQ3ckRJyglaNWZIZvg2Kco4thZbPE2X1n9ynluRZOx46klnefMZgwmMP2QFb3OjvoZGwm1i77HAEHcnzWYg9OCBFSXfrwaos6xaY8_bthnsQ/w640-h360/1688117684_ganga-arti-is-must-for-every-hotel-whereever-you-stay-in-and-around-dehradun.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">Ganga aarti is a must for every hotel you stay in and around Dehradun </h4><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Manjari Maheshwari</span></h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The spurt in footfalls has resulted in the mushrooming of hotels and, from a scenario as recent as five years ago when only one hotel of stature, namely Madhuban Hotel, was the destination of choice, today there are multiple options. Just before the pandemic, Hyatt Regency Dehradun Resort & Spa, a luxury hotel at the foothills of the Himalayas on the Dehradun-Mussoorie Road, had opened its doors. Overlooking the picturesque Malsi Forest or the majestic Himalayan mountains, this hotel has become a much-hyped property for weddings, largely because of its locational advantage.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzRPWyTJXvGwTf3pTJ2rgfTpF9BEboYwqPKIh7I2_p7FYuSbjBwBYgSdFF474KxAa1HonjyvIBdVP_IoSNpQvOakyGqW7644E0VfanHVCZK1cTgh5IKlKD4iTGQABhPjVTy_9Pd5Q03hAtWIYEKPXpNKg4hAy9pd0QQNowe5eBH12xr0HMc_ZfVpsCA/s900/1688117761__bbh1808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzRPWyTJXvGwTf3pTJ2rgfTpF9BEboYwqPKIh7I2_p7FYuSbjBwBYgSdFF474KxAa1HonjyvIBdVP_IoSNpQvOakyGqW7644E0VfanHVCZK1cTgh5IKlKD4iTGQABhPjVTy_9Pd5Q03hAtWIYEKPXpNKg4hAy9pd0QQNowe5eBH12xr0HMc_ZfVpsCA/w640-h360/1688117761__bbh1808.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">A security guard holding a sign en route to the hotel in Dehradun</h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Bhumesh Bharti</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">On my way, I noticed a person sitting on a chair by the road with a signboard to show the route to the hotel. This was odd, as usually, boards are affixed on the sides of the road. Apparently, the hotel could only put up a board on land that belonged to them. As the spot where the board was needed was not theirs, in came the man with the chair and the signboard! I unfailingly saw a person at that spot each time I passed by.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Overall, however, I found the service at the hotel to be quite average. Perhaps my expectations were high, as I had heard so much about the property beforehand. Weddings there can be lavish affairs with quite a bit of gimmickry. I’ve even heard of a flower shower from a helicopter and various other extravagant displays. The hotel, however, is still not fully operational, thanks to some unresolved engineering issues. I understand this hotel bears the enormous burden of being the luxury property nearest to the city or in the city, but it still needs improvement in pretty much every sector, apart from the spectacular views it offers. When the hotel opened, quite a few people from Hyatt Kolkata were part of the operations, but inexplicably, they all moved out. With JW Marriott Mussoorie and Taj about to enter the region, the onus now lies on the Hyatt group to pull up its socks.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigH3WQ9JgNLGpL4wPRARFK7HXi17tcayH6VT5XXKvQDU6BGvULaDZ1CAQL9DE6fmF1aZ_FfhHEVzzpO0CUYFrHee6s1NiydFdsQxJz_zeAoBjwdI2waigu0vMwATfdO_2639qK20lOOQ5ZVYfQ4AiE-9n47B6LnqJSv3wzt1eLP4SETu5ha5mHLKAgTg/s900/1688118422_view-from-taj-rishikesh-three-bedroom-presidential-villa-which-has-a-private-swimming-pool-sauna-steam-and-a-huge-sit-out-area-as-well.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigH3WQ9JgNLGpL4wPRARFK7HXi17tcayH6VT5XXKvQDU6BGvULaDZ1CAQL9DE6fmF1aZ_FfhHEVzzpO0CUYFrHee6s1NiydFdsQxJz_zeAoBjwdI2waigu0vMwATfdO_2639qK20lOOQ5ZVYfQ4AiE-9n47B6LnqJSv3wzt1eLP4SETu5ha5mHLKAgTg/w640-h360/1688118422_view-from-taj-rishikesh-three-bedroom-presidential-villa-which-has-a-private-swimming-pool-sauna-steam-and-a-huge-sit-out-area-as-well.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">View from the Taj Rishikesh</h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Manjari Maheshwari</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">There are other options even now. The Taj Rishikesh isn’t far, and during my stay there, I dined at another Taj property, Anand Kashi by the Ganges, located approximately 15 minutes away. Personally, I found Anand Kashi by the Ganges to be the more peaceful of the two, and I believe that in the days to come, Taj Anand Kashi by the Ganges will become a highly sought-after destination. On the bank of the Ganga, this hotel provides its visitors with the unique experience of being able to feel the gentle caress of the sacred river against their fingertips amid an idyllic, tranquil setting.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbNOJa5S197eP4tBreSlB1VJDEDDSFqnhCGTXuguTW3CNRC-xVUIDJvBwdyCRK1lVmUZ5IN-A7_OEbyUC450tzpCT9qsOTjmC51jfZxCno_Fo21h9JQVSIRp3mn6QprZSvciE1ZGr5lhLVZW-wfmVweGrPmMN5iTSPMeVNK1KPLOywJ2VOlyXHr5jHQ/s900/1688117496_sundeep-bhutoria-with-nagendra-singh-negi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbNOJa5S197eP4tBreSlB1VJDEDDSFqnhCGTXuguTW3CNRC-xVUIDJvBwdyCRK1lVmUZ5IN-A7_OEbyUC450tzpCT9qsOTjmC51jfZxCno_Fo21h9JQVSIRp3mn6QprZSvciE1ZGr5lhLVZW-wfmVweGrPmMN5iTSPMeVNK1KPLOywJ2VOlyXHr5jHQ/w640-h360/1688117496_sundeep-bhutoria-with-nagendra-singh-negi.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">with Nagendra Singh Negi</h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Hotel aside, the most pleasant part of my visit to the city was the opportunity to interact with a cross-section of the city’s dignitaries and folk artists. Thanks to our network of Ehsaas women, my list included the honourable Governor as well as authors, folk artists as renowned as Nagendra Singh Negi, amongst many others. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1Nx6-mKLgWHpub75Cx81Gs2xaW1cPzMlW5lt_kjC6uJo08mBNbF_8w37mUU5sNFNG1MzPqntng-UR5AQwMtHUGX5q-NOM-KRJQPeKxCdN5Sl21fpfDJfL91NwinLd5NhsjDe9pkwZ55Q0_ZW7RVEdFj9PjPxzgY9PYGniNd2whjNJv-fyfoHFCOPkQ/s900/1688118671_on-route-from-dehradun-to-rishikesh-few-places-on-the-road-there-is-an-elephant-corridor-as-well-and-leopards-are-also-sighted-on-route-to-taj-rishikesh-not-sighted-leopard-but-a-lizard-popped-out-to.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1Nx6-mKLgWHpub75Cx81Gs2xaW1cPzMlW5lt_kjC6uJo08mBNbF_8w37mUU5sNFNG1MzPqntng-UR5AQwMtHUGX5q-NOM-KRJQPeKxCdN5Sl21fpfDJfL91NwinLd5NhsjDe9pkwZ55Q0_ZW7RVEdFj9PjPxzgY9PYGniNd2whjNJv-fyfoHFCOPkQ/w640-h360/1688118671_on-route-from-dehradun-to-rishikesh-few-places-on-the-road-there-is-an-elephant-corridor-as-well-and-leopards-are-also-sighted-on-route-to-taj-rishikesh-not-sighted-leopard-but-a-lizard-popped-out-to.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">En route from Dehradun to Rishikesh, there is an elephant corridor and leopards are also sighted on the way to Taj Rishikesh. Leopards were not in sight but a lizard popped out to surprise us</h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Manjari Maheshwari</span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="pt2" style="color: #8d8d8d; display: inline-block; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; text-align: start;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Food is another high point of a visit to Dehradun. There are, of course, countless coffee shops and eateries that beckon even the most critical of foodies. But don’t miss a stop at the evergreen Dwarka Bun Tikki. City folks are extremely proud of their ‘Bun Tikki’ – the </span><i>tikki</i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> or patty made with potato and </span><i>chana dal</i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">, flavoured with spices, served in a lightly toasted bun with tamarind chutney and other condiments. There are many places that make this dish, but one and all would unanimously agree that the Dwarka Chowk Bun Tikki stall is the hands-down winner. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="caret-color: rgb(17, 14, 14); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">My first visit gave me many new experiences and Dehradun is a city that I absolutely want to visit again and again.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><avp-player-ui _382ee1c8-h="" _382ee1c8="" avp="" class="avp-player-ui avp-horizontal" data-content-type="video" h="x4s x3s xxs" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; align-items: center; background: none; border-radius: 0px; border: medium; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--avp-color); cursor: inherit; direction: ltr; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: Gilroy, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Helvetica Neue", Arial; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline: currentcolor; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; pointer-events: inherit; position: static; tab-size: 4; text-align: left; transform: none; transition: none; vertical-align: initial; white-space: inherit; width: 640px;" w="x4s x3s xxs xs s m"><avp-caption _1a962852-h="" _382ee1c8="" avp="" class="avp-caption" style="--avp-secondary-control-padding: var(--avp-caption-padding); --avp-secondary-control-size: calc(var(--avp-caption-height) - var(--avp-close-button-overlay-bottom)); align-items: flex-end; background: none; border-radius: 0px; border: medium; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: inherit; display: flex; flex: 1 1 0%; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; height: auto; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline: currentcolor; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; pointer-events: inherit; position: static; text-align: center; transform: none; transition: none; vertical-align: initial; white-space: inherit; width: var(--avp-view-width);"></avp-caption></avp-player-ui></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">This article was also published in </span><a href="https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/dehradun-in-uttarakhand-a-perfect-place-to-unwind-and-enjoy-nature/cid/1948876" style="text-align: left;">https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/dehradun-in-uttarakhand-a-perfect-place-to-unwind-and-enjoy-nature/cid/1948876</a></p>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-21309451588927413522023-06-27T15:36:00.000+05:302023-06-27T15:36:19.762+05:30Varanasi: A historic city on the path to modern metamorphosis<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Sundeep Bhutoria writes about his travels in the ancient city of Benaras and how it is moving ahead in a contemporary time</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhq_eYkHaOQmgNdL5p_vNoKPA4D4UEyVDDkrHFC2r--vP3aivAjgaVunjob3IBLZ1QqZB7UmNgnRwOhceDYHQOLb6QjB8tUwpoyfJcqtX2DSdDGeoWHfFFXvw9u4qy3THwbZocdhwlkHboyfp-JIVVUv1fvInHP30bRqmqroGVKvBa3W664BYFpOWiGg/s900/1687778169_varanasigange-wikimedia-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhq_eYkHaOQmgNdL5p_vNoKPA4D4UEyVDDkrHFC2r--vP3aivAjgaVunjob3IBLZ1QqZB7UmNgnRwOhceDYHQOLb6QjB8tUwpoyfJcqtX2DSdDGeoWHfFFXvw9u4qy3THwbZocdhwlkHboyfp-JIVVUv1fvInHP30bRqmqroGVKvBa3W664BYFpOWiGg/w640-h360/1687778169_varanasigange-wikimedia-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;">The timeless city of Varanasi prepares to quietly undergo a modern metamorphosis, says the author</h4><span class="pt2" style="color: #8d8d8d; display: inline-block; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; text-align: start;">Wikimedia Commons</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Kashi, Banaras, Benares, Varanasi – all synonyms for one of the oldest continually inhabited cities of this world has history ingrained in its every brick, nook and corner. Named after two tributaries of the mighty Ganges, — Varuna and Assi — that mark the borders of this city in the Bhojpur-Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh. Within its hallowed portals lives and breathes a city that is but an embodiment of all things holy, a place of pilgrimage, salvation as well as of education and classical music of the land. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Since ancient times, and even in our contemporary days, endless pages have been written on the city but in all fairness, I choose to refrain from treading the beaten track. Swayed no doubt by the electric atmosphere I, however, would like to focus on things that are more contemporary and perhaps to the many devout here, needlessly mundane.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNMfgILDofML4swFigg-MYY1lCtVoJBQSJeJ92eulzjQxJKVFtUBtnIDCmizroe3OCdQ_gm-EZkLsm8-OURjTVAMas8OE57ZB60cWZpd-fqTpLG6LqkxWrHPD5FfJPb0MpqaXAAC6FiSFyuhmLZ1bJ-8ryKS4xue0tYF0d9FY9La23BL9AFg8Uilcbw/s900/1687778470_rajghat-bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNMfgILDofML4swFigg-MYY1lCtVoJBQSJeJ92eulzjQxJKVFtUBtnIDCmizroe3OCdQ_gm-EZkLsm8-OURjTVAMas8OE57ZB60cWZpd-fqTpLG6LqkxWrHPD5FfJPb0MpqaXAAC6FiSFyuhmLZ1bJ-8ryKS4xue0tYF0d9FY9La23BL9AFg8Uilcbw/w640-h360/1687778470_rajghat-bridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;">Rajghat Bridge</h4></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">This is my second visit to Varanasi where I have been invited to an event curated by a few key people of RSS. A few selective speakers from various parts of the country have been asked to speak. My first visit to the ancient city was at a time when Rajnath Singh was the chief minister of the state, and I was present as the youth president of a Marwari organisation. That event was the inauguration by him of the local chapter of the organisation and organised by renowned businessman Ganesh Prasad Lohiya who was in a trade of the famed Banarasi sarees, which incidentally was the predominant trade of city in those days. If compared to the present scenario, things then were a lot different, simple, if I may say so with HHI (Hotel Hindustan International) being the only favourite hotel and Kolkata connect prevailed as the hotel owners, the Jaiswal’s had a hotel in Kolkata, the all too familiar HHI of AJC Bose Road. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3IqbR-YkZj3_L9xk0Oo4Z65YULrUybTxrqZJggVJinkf_umYebdZBcoTuUW5cWGTGXOA-IOhkMO847cgvB2GnGNF8OuIlUVIPDiwNzDBmzpOBQQ_FEk9kbZadLhfROUwwVsmZ7rljPsCPkYBu9dQ2wuEceVeN3V3pIABtzOpBpWyQUvXNN3Uf3wiow/s900/1687779409_namo-ghat-varanasi-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3IqbR-YkZj3_L9xk0Oo4Z65YULrUybTxrqZJggVJinkf_umYebdZBcoTuUW5cWGTGXOA-IOhkMO847cgvB2GnGNF8OuIlUVIPDiwNzDBmzpOBQQ_FEk9kbZadLhfROUwwVsmZ7rljPsCPkYBu9dQ2wuEceVeN3V3pIABtzOpBpWyQUvXNN3Uf3wiow/w640-h360/1687779409_namo-ghat-varanasi-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;">Nammo Ghat</h4></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">But the city as it unfolded before me in this recent visit was vastly different from how I had remembered it. Much has been written about how Varanasi has changed courtesy Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal interest in “Swachh Kashi Sundar Kashi”. Changes on the religious front largely include the ‘Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor’, cleaning of the Ganga and other admirable initiatives that are quite evident. But another change has also taken place, one which is a direct result of the huge influx of visitors. Bursting at the seams, most hotels are unable to deal satisfactorily with the footfall and this naturally has led to a huge spurt in hotel tariff with some premium hotels charging anything between Rs 60,000 to even well over a lakh per day. The state government has taken some admirable steps to solve this issue but more on that in a while.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6zfXQMu2jv5QRBblGuJ1G_tOrITtK1Ye_RDHKcc6VBh5sjos2wrF1htu4ME-m6mzjY1dHDr9sgfMaEu-sHc8olPpxWJbGBKCWT61Lbhg96A7l6wce5wlENdEGi3ZGjIIltfJkl7NH8mMUC7vmc_sNXIamwfDBpGT9Y2R21TY8fDTw5Nl97U4mn5hBA/s900/1687778791_kashi-shadboutsav.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6zfXQMu2jv5QRBblGuJ1G_tOrITtK1Ye_RDHKcc6VBh5sjos2wrF1htu4ME-m6mzjY1dHDr9sgfMaEu-sHc8olPpxWJbGBKCWT61Lbhg96A7l6wce5wlENdEGi3ZGjIIltfJkl7NH8mMUC7vmc_sNXIamwfDBpGT9Y2R21TY8fDTw5Nl97U4mn5hBA/w640-h360/1687778791_kashi-shadboutsav.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;">At the Kashi Shabdotsav</h4></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The purpose of my second visit to Varanasi is courtesy an invitation to the three day ‘Kashi Shabdoutsav’ which was being staged at the Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre – Uttar Pradesh’s unique and state of the art conference centre built with Japanese aid via Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Built in the shape of a <i>Shivling</i>, this well-equipped convention centre, comprising a main hall with a seating capacity of 1,200, a gallery, meeting rooms, and parking for over a hundred cars is something that all must see. What pleased me more was when I learned that no freebies are granted to anyone by this centre and not even the highest government office can circumvent the rather stiff charges which must be borne by some department in the respective ministries. Of all the changes which modern Varanasi was imbibing each day, this surely had to be among the foremost of them. The Varanasi of yore is accepting a new feather — emerging as a new city for convention-style events. And how beautifully that new design is becoming a reality.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Here, credit must also be given to the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, which in collaboration with private organisations, has created ‘Niraan’ – an entire tent city on the banks of the river where a luxurious and unforgettable stay is being offered. Operational during the months of January and May, this ‘impromptu’ resort offers a pleasant alternative to the difficulties faced while finding a place to stay at Varanasi. The 140-odd tents have been divided into four categories but are all equipped with every modern facility, a personal stretch of the riverbank and of course, a very personal picturesque view of Varanasi city and the ghats. There is however one catch – at the time of my visit there wasn’t a single tent that was vacant and as I was told, there hardly ever is one. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZETLxkK2dU6gWMNlyl9RqlaQ7dEjR1zHJp2LMI4O1RPGeE69g7e7GEyGMHPlSsV09MthQWwTHASJbrkXbEKC67C3z-51ugP7mN7siURjyr84GnJhmsH76VWJFEl2V-F6skaV1aOqDbbsqaaWW21p5IKKofXGHMnCyiUreQeu2ObPpDym5c0Ghkvi6_Q/s900/1687778829_tent-city-wikimedia-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZETLxkK2dU6gWMNlyl9RqlaQ7dEjR1zHJp2LMI4O1RPGeE69g7e7GEyGMHPlSsV09MthQWwTHASJbrkXbEKC67C3z-51ugP7mN7siURjyr84GnJhmsH76VWJFEl2V-F6skaV1aOqDbbsqaaWW21p5IKKofXGHMnCyiUreQeu2ObPpDym5c0Ghkvi6_Q/w640-h360/1687778829_tent-city-wikimedia-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;">Niraan tent city</h4><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #8d8d8d; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Wikimedia Commons</span></h4></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">I stayed at the His Highness Vibhuti Narain Singh Suite at Taj Nadesar Palace. Nadesar Palace is the smallest in terms of inventory out of the Taj Palace properties and has only fourteen keys. They are all of different designs and have played host to legendary personalities like the Prince and Princess of Wales, who later became King George V and Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth II, King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia, Lord Mountbatten, Jawaharlal Nehru and His Holiness Dalai Lama. The suites are also named after patrons who once stayed in them. In fact, the suite where I stayed had played host to none other than Hilary Clinton herself. There is little doubt that of all the Taj Palace properties this one most certainly is the crème-de-la-crème of them all. Having travelled extensively, and having stayed at the very best hotels in the country and beyond, over extensive stretches I believe I am very justified in making the above observation. To put it mildly, the hotel is as exclusive as can be and has history in every inch of its presence. Constructed in the 1700s by the East India Company, this palace is a “splendid piece of Neo-classical architecture, with a large porte-cochere out front, and a magnificent porticoed balcony out back.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOhgwG5MBsFlEdPhyzpYJzvQzXP-dlaQvnTgqdUIIR8iXd5EZGL2MY4HgDx-ov-3wWxCK2CuhYaOSHf0obzcuchujr3igS_SuX-YeJ81R6L0NEVzGpnJGMoyfxpXOgOmqN-P9ZCwaJLYJtu_xfNSSKhXCxFq4T_1BdGi7WWBL2vFtUjzSpk5kPX7euw/s900/1687779083_whatsapp-image-2023-06-26-at-4-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOhgwG5MBsFlEdPhyzpYJzvQzXP-dlaQvnTgqdUIIR8iXd5EZGL2MY4HgDx-ov-3wWxCK2CuhYaOSHf0obzcuchujr3igS_SuX-YeJ81R6L0NEVzGpnJGMoyfxpXOgOmqN-P9ZCwaJLYJtu_xfNSSKhXCxFq4T_1BdGi7WWBL2vFtUjzSpk5kPX7euw/w640-h360/1687779083_whatsapp-image-2023-06-26-at-4-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;">Naseem (inset) and his horse carriage</h4></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">For those who harbour an interest in the colonial past there are countless antiques and other works of art that can be admired for hours on end. The palace happened to be in the possession of Maharajah Prabhu Narain Singh of the Royal House of Benares till it eventually came to be acquired by the Taj Group of Hotels. Of all the attractions here, there are also the palace grounds that one may tour and here comes up something that captured my imagination instantly. To me, the hotel’s top draw would have to be Naseem Mohammed and his horse drawn buggy that appears to have withstood the test of time. It is a 150-year-old tradition that began with his grandfather Late Ghosi Budao, and then went on with his father Late Gafur Mohammed. Naseem Mohammed is living through the third generation of the royal buggy drivers. His ride across the property not only informs but transports one back to days long gone by.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUojRjvN_j6k2ketMpr0F7TbdHMmnjFqHyVaKh_rJKiWcABbKtB_X1fIXQL94TUUyvInVpElZk6Cls-kQHAOxSu4gylIVMdxlXEtz9qtVdDKjeYl0uPxi2cIYKArNN_WNnJ5-kVsc5atrqSQHHkQOBsXSzpDHT6EsaI7vjYIegSe1PDUem6KnU1-ItA/s900/1687779237_whatsapp-image-2023-06-26-at-5-0-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUojRjvN_j6k2ketMpr0F7TbdHMmnjFqHyVaKh_rJKiWcABbKtB_X1fIXQL94TUUyvInVpElZk6Cls-kQHAOxSu4gylIVMdxlXEtz9qtVdDKjeYl0uPxi2cIYKArNN_WNnJ5-kVsc5atrqSQHHkQOBsXSzpDHT6EsaI7vjYIegSe1PDUem6KnU1-ItA/w640-h360/1687779237_whatsapp-image-2023-06-26-at-5-0-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;">At Varanasi's famous chaat shops</h4></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Apart from what the appealing sights, how can I not include the pure joy that I experienced while savouring what Varanasi is also famous for —food. A visit to Varanasi is never complete without a food trail and here the most critical of foodies would accept that chaat in Varanasi is but the very best. My trips to Kashi Chat Bhandar, Shree Ram Bhandar, Deena Chat Bhandar at every given opportunity compels me to state that the chaat of Varanasi is indeed excellent and exotic, and very deserving of its worldwide appreciation. And yes, there is no way that you can get it packed to eat later in Nadesar Palace or in Brijdham, you must eat there on the streets itself. I also visited the old and iconic Laxmi tea stall located in the old bylane near Kashi Vishwanath temple which serves Calcutta-style tea and butter malai toast.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1KD37cYTrO2Z9vWpGvFYO--jiermPRStVUTFyusjULznM5TUrehaHiES7w-gC5NtDTfLBeZJ1OuxkBBCqY9ajMKMPMDniKjQUwY6JUJ19SMO0uDnW7_PMnS204Za55mpUH4waZ3oK9GwzGiTnqC8ewqB53dmQzIWt7kbmMqf86cVXhmGFJV2I26bFA/s900/1687778925_manikarnika-ghat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1KD37cYTrO2Z9vWpGvFYO--jiermPRStVUTFyusjULznM5TUrehaHiES7w-gC5NtDTfLBeZJ1OuxkBBCqY9ajMKMPMDniKjQUwY6JUJ19SMO0uDnW7_PMnS204Za55mpUH4waZ3oK9GwzGiTnqC8ewqB53dmQzIWt7kbmMqf86cVXhmGFJV2I26bFA/w640-h360/1687778925_manikarnika-ghat.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;">Manikarna Ghat from a boat ride</h4></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"> </p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Finally, before I conclude, a word on the inevitable country boat ride on the Ganges, seeing the many ghats while floating on the age-old ‘creations’ that appear to have remained unchanged over civilisations is but a foregone conclusion. I submitted to the lure as well but couldn’t help reflecting on how much more needs to be done for tourism purposes. Yes, the government’s four modern boats, able to seat 50 odd travellers in air-conditioned comfort, were on view but clearly, they were far too insufficient given the massive footfall each day, every year. Fluent as he was in many foreign languages, my guide did not have an answer to my query of ‘why no proper boats were being brought in’. Perhaps, the days ahead would see that happening as well but for the moment, one and all, me included, remain happy to be mesmerised by the spectacle of the Ganga aarti while the timeless city of Varanasi prepares to quietly undergo a modern metamorphosis. The most precious memory that I carried back with me from this trip — the unforgettable time that I spent with the legendary Padma Vibhushan recipient Pandit Chhanu Lal Mishra, whom I was meeting after a long time while he was recuperating at this home after a foot surgery.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-usUbD0wa2VOPdy9JAvtOcAVgcERhd-DcYzh_8u_q7YWwwGQvRvCFXFqThdl3UPPpTuRUzEUavab0eOrvBXyZrqe_kUMzI2IkBOiX3fVdqh5PXIG9Xs8m_OKYEmOZaje4JBJRnSgBjl1kShDxfjIqhsjS_kkoeFaf5ScjAI2k1yo7aj1RN5C5fZpUA/s900/1687779338_pt-chhanu-lal-mishra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-usUbD0wa2VOPdy9JAvtOcAVgcERhd-DcYzh_8u_q7YWwwGQvRvCFXFqThdl3UPPpTuRUzEUavab0eOrvBXyZrqe_kUMzI2IkBOiX3fVdqh5PXIG9Xs8m_OKYEmOZaje4JBJRnSgBjl1kShDxfjIqhsjS_kkoeFaf5ScjAI2k1yo7aj1RN5C5fZpUA/w640-h360/1687779338_pt-chhanu-lal-mishra.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;">With Pandit Chhanu Lal Mishra</h4><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwaipyzNSZH2ZOg4v8P4qWL_hliDZZGBfgBdegzaWiKCyJrn5SkrBrRHMXklBMluCT23GwigVo8OgxjQGKdIA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table>This article was also published in <a href="https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/varanasi-is-a-historic-city-undergoing-a-modern-metamorphosis-says-sundeep-bhutoria/cid/1947857?utmsource=twitter&utmmedium=social&utmcampaign=mkdaily_tw">https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/varanasi-is-a-historic-city-undergoing-a-modern-metamorphosis-says-sundeep-bhutoria/cid/1947857?utmsource=twitter&utmmedium=social&utmcampaign=mkdaily_tw</a><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div></span>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-56461152336576777812023-06-11T11:30:00.001+05:302023-06-12T12:39:25.887+05:30 Basu Chatterjee made ‘small’ beautiful and successful, with the life of the Everyman<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">By the end of the 1960s, Hindi cinema was poised for a change. The decade had largely been about escapist cinema, and though some of these had great songs, there was little that was creative and path-breaking by way of content. The odd exceptions – Bandini, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Anupama and Teesri Kasam – only proved the rule about a decade that replaced the artistic aspirations of the 1950s with what has in effect come to define ‘Bollywood song-and-dance’ cinema. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">The advent of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in 1962 played an important part in this change, with its first batches beginning to enter the industry, bringing in a change in aesthetics. The year 1969 was to be a watershed in the history of Hindi cinema, with three films that proved instrumental in ushering in a new language, heralding the New Wave in Hindi cinema: Mrinal Sen’s Bhuvan Shome, Mani Kaul’s Uski Roti and Basu Chatterjee’s Sara Akash (all three were shot by K.K. Mahajan, who had graduated from the FTII in 1966, and who became synonymous with the New Wave and with the cinema of Basu Chatterjee).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">Of these three film-makers, Mrinal Sen remained rooted largely to Bengali films and Mani Kaul carved a space for a personal cinema free of commercial considerations. It was Basu Chatterjee who, in conjunction with the films of Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Gulzar, provided an alternative to the big-budget extravaganza of mainstream films of the era (the Manmohan Desais and Prakash Mehras) and the spare aesthetics of arthouse cinema (driven by Shyam Benegal). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">The importance of Basu Chatterjee lies in the kind of cinema he popularised when juxtaposed against the cinema that ruled the box office at the time. The 1970s was the decade of the big blockbuster – Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Deewaar, Sholay, Amar Akbar Anthony. Yash Chopra and Ramesh Sippy, Nasir Hussain and Shakti Samanta were the dream merchants. Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra, Rishi Kapoor and Rajesh Khanna were the role models for the filmy hero, while Zeenat Aman and Hema Malini set a million young hearts aflutter. The aesthetic of Hindi cinema was larger-than-life. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">They were not heroes and heroines, but the man and woman next door<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">Basu Chatterjee provided an alternative. His debut, Sara Akash, belonged firmly to the New Wave school of spare film-making. He however jettisoned this soon, opting for a middle road between this and the big-budget extravaganza. In doing so he made ‘small’ beautiful and commercially viable. With Rajnigandha (1974), he revolutionised Hindi cinema, casting rank newcomers in a literary classic by Mannu Bhandari. The film, unlike any other film of the time (a runtime of approximately two hours, no lip-synched songs, no fights, no flashy clothes and make-up for its actors who looked nothing like Greek gods) broke all records at the box office. He had already shown a penchant for a different approach to the cinema of the city in Piya Ka Ghar (1971), dealing with a couple finding their way to love and domesticity in the confined spaces of a one-room tenement in Mumbai shared by the extended family. While the latter starred Jaya Bhaduri (in one of her early roles) and Anil Dhawan (fresh from the FTII), Rajnigandha made stars of the unlikely duo of Amol Palekar and Vidya Sinha.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">Over the next few films, Basu Chatterjee made his school of cinema an audience favourite. Chhoti Si Baat and Chitchor, both 1976, starred Amol Palekar, who soon came to be termed ‘the Amitabh Bachchan of middle-of-the-road cinema’. In Vidya Sinha, the director gave Hindi cinema the very antithesis of the ’70s heroine. His characters epitomised the Everyman. They were not heroes and heroines, but the man and woman next door. The men were not macho style icons. They were often gentle, hesitant and even lacking in ambition. The women were down to earth and real, not coy and simpering. And their world consisted of humble middle-class drawing rooms, local bus stops and trains, and office corners. Even when he cast superstars like Amitabh Bachchan (Manzil, inspired by Mrinal Sen’s Akash Kusum) and Dharmendra (Dillagi, with Hema Malini), the stars willingly shed their starry mannerisms to play everyday characters. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">His spotlight was on literary classics, communities and women<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">No one brought alive particular communities as lovingly as he did in his films like Khatta Meetha (the Parsis) and Baaton Baaton Mein (the Christians in Mumbai). And few film-makers of the time were as adept at adapting literary classics as he was – Sara Akash (from a novel by Rajendra Yadav), Piya Ka Ghar (Vasant Kale, or Va Pu), Rajnigandha (based on a short story by Mannu Bhandari), Ratnadeep (Prabhat Mukhopadhyay), Swami and Apne Paraye (based on novels by Saratchandra Chattopadhyay) – giving his cinema a unique literary sensibility.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">One of the most revolutionary aspects of his cinema lay in the woman his films portrayed. Right from Malti in Piya Ka Ghar, they were independent women with a mind of their own. They were determined, focused and unwilling to bow down to convention just because society demanded it. Vidya Sinha’s Deepa in Rajnigandha is revolutionary in the way she is shown as unable to make up her mind about the two men she is dating. Zarina Wahab’s Geeta in Chitchor decides to follow her heart in the face of family opposition. In Swami, the woman reads Thomas Hardy and is torn between the man she thinks is her intellectual equal and her ‘simple’ husband. These women challenged the existing tropes on the portrayal of women in Hindi cinema.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">Wah, what songs! ‘Yeh jeevan hai’ to ‘Kai baar yunhi dekha hai’ to ‘Rimjhim gire sawan’ <br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">This ability to carve out a different cinema was visible in the songs in his films as well. From ‘Yeh jeevan hai’ in Piya Ka Ghar to ‘Rajnigandha phool tumhare’ in Rajnigandha (‘Kai baar yunhi dekha hai’ from the same film won a National Award) to the evergreen songs of Chitchor to ‘Rimjhim gire sawan’ (arguably the finest rain song in Hindi cinema) in Manzil, the cinema of Basu Chatterjee provided Hindi cinema with some of its most loved and enduring classics.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><a name="_heading=h.gjdgxs"></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">The dream of 1969 was to prove short-lived. By the end of the 1970s, the cinema of the Basu Chatterjee-Hrishikesh Mukherjee-Gulzar School was shutting shop. Driven by a changing demographic, the onslaught of video piracy, some indifferent films by the film-makers themselves, and the advent of TV as a popular medium, kitschy commercial films were making a comeback in a big way and the next decade would witness a new low for Hindi films. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><a name="_heading=h.eva2f2g6omst"></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><a name="_heading=h.xtpvalvemqlk"></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">Basu Chatterjee, of course, led the first wave of top-notch and popular content in television with serials like Rajani, Byomkesh Bakshi, Darpan and Kakaji Kahin proving to be trailblazers. His legacy lives on in the cinema of every filmmaker who explores the life and world of the Everyman.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><a name="_heading=h.nw76i2xmj98o"></a><a name="_heading=h.vw1mkstzxd25"></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>This article was published in many online publications as well as print media.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.indiablooms.com/showbiz-details/B/17317/basu-chatterjee-remembering-bollywood-s-god-of-small-things.html&source=gmail&ust=1686631899634000&usg=AOvVaw2egqb0shfIXvrQA2astVVi" href="https://www.indiablooms.com/showbiz-details/B/17317/basu-chatterjee-remembering-bollywood-s-god-of-small-things.html" style="color: #1155cc; text-align: left;" target="_blank">https://www.indiablooms.com/<wbr></wbr>showbiz-details/B/17317/<span class="il">basu</span>-<wbr></wbr><span class="il">chatterjee</span>-remembering-<wbr></wbr>bollywood-s-god-of-small-<wbr></wbr>things.html</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1DyAEh46Yc5RGGZy6E3mwoZWRZVisegguJuyjDfMLvxy1C3gdsIAnanF6YTZOtYBMeYJ92hYfdMN0kysJFMMX1o4kAPANBvf_UOFbMn2mp7T2XH4yAxJSF0dfPB8b2zZnGjbuB2NGUS8uN8sX-cLp9dWREtuUlhdTAtgON_6yJTn4QCAAg9X_WM/s2758/11%20June%202023%20Print%20Media%20Coverages-1_page-0001.jpg" style="clear: left; 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font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLo9p_-5Tr38pZWOZzBcaBVWpXRHF4yTwOtMCz-i1ZY_UHaGoErCC6EJeydLDdxTmtsscIN76L1VpSTMlCYj5_mqexyHEp7r4pzxpvy5FHiEu5wwM0Q3NWHYyT7BAJGfUutuUhdwoOanXV7zXYrNsYiGL4g1u3fhQxeWx1Bpzxv5YCrRkHEo7lBHA/s5633/11%20June%202023%20Print%20Media%20Coverages-2_page-0001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5633" data-original-width="2357" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLo9p_-5Tr38pZWOZzBcaBVWpXRHF4yTwOtMCz-i1ZY_UHaGoErCC6EJeydLDdxTmtsscIN76L1VpSTMlCYj5_mqexyHEp7r4pzxpvy5FHiEu5wwM0Q3NWHYyT7BAJGfUutuUhdwoOanXV7zXYrNsYiGL4g1u3fhQxeWx1Bpzxv5YCrRkHEo7lBHA/w269-h640/11%20June%202023%20Print%20Media%20Coverages-2_page-0001.jpg" width="269" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p></p>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-25009120270259223602023-06-10T23:49:00.002+05:302023-06-10T23:49:48.249+05:30History, beauty, luxury: Retreating to The Savoy Mussoorie<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, The Savoy Mussoorie, is a gem of a stay in a gem of a town, writes Sundeep Bhutoria<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQzqMCw7kA_j7Tulxq3UZTNUFkwI9M3YZ-Ae_APj2itahqUPFzt774E2WmDbb6eaoCRB5ne6SApqykB0LdHhhK8prriNJqqZVLj15kunVcI-cTY_Tr6UozFJTKMxwK33XaIitheEsjM_wnUyVZbSPr1G1JXuxY6xcmhUVuLH-ke0AP8ZqTlOToF8/s1460/English%20Garden%20-%20Facade..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1011" data-original-width="1460" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQzqMCw7kA_j7Tulxq3UZTNUFkwI9M3YZ-Ae_APj2itahqUPFzt774E2WmDbb6eaoCRB5ne6SApqykB0LdHhhK8prriNJqqZVLj15kunVcI-cTY_Tr6UozFJTKMxwK33XaIitheEsjM_wnUyVZbSPr1G1JXuxY6xcmhUVuLH-ke0AP8ZqTlOToF8/w640-h444/English%20Garden%20-%20Facade..jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;">The inside facade of The Savoy Mussoorie</h4><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #8d8d8d; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, The Savoy Mussoorie</span></h4></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">“When words fail, music speaks.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">You’ll find these words on a board atop a historic piano at the Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, The Savoy Mussoorie. They quite aptly capture the charm and indescribable allure of one of India’s most popular hill stations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Known as the Queen of the Hills, An Author’s Retreat and Lover’s Paradise, Mussoorie has earned several monikers over time. It touches each soul in a unique way, and my personal enchantment became evident the moment I laid eyes on that plaque and the piano. With a love for music, I immediately recognised this exquisite piece as one of the finest creations from Schiedmayer & Soehne, later learning that it had been carried to its present location on human shoulders. Balthazar Schiedmayer began making pianos in Erlangen near Stuttgart in 1735, producing high-quality instruments noted for their stunning build and impressive musicality. Today, Schiedmayer pianos of all eras are treasured by connoisseurs for their musical quality, and this upright piano dates back to 1895<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGjhsbYuH-SViPk90dVDjKV5JFnBK6vQcQNbTl3cx1qfv9IPd_qdfRHEGKq-oU9dGEkITghWyhkuY7iCR7XkuJvBj3EpJTc5B-S9L5Fh4Imb0vP1TjZh85vBmZ2w78Mvn35NbgxJFQfsAa962yBBR6T06DOsyb3ySKqQktABexcTDnPwBdv4i4h4/s1080/Historic%20Piano%20(Pic%20by%20Savoy).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGjhsbYuH-SViPk90dVDjKV5JFnBK6vQcQNbTl3cx1qfv9IPd_qdfRHEGKq-oU9dGEkITghWyhkuY7iCR7XkuJvBj3EpJTc5B-S9L5Fh4Imb0vP1TjZh85vBmZ2w78Mvn35NbgxJFQfsAa962yBBR6T06DOsyb3ySKqQktABexcTDnPwBdv4i4h4/w640-h640/Historic%20Piano%20(Pic%20by%20Savoy).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">One of the finest creations from Schiedmayer & Soehne, dating back to 1895 </h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels’ The Savoy Mussoorie</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The instrument became the perfect backdrop for my stay in Mussoorie, with mesmerising and beautiful views of the Himalayan peaks in the western Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Situated at an elevation of 2,000 meters above sea level, Mussoorie’s 15-kilometre-long horseshoe ridge offers an unforgettable view of the Himalayas. In 1827, two Britishers, Captain Frederick Young and F.J. Shore, climbed up the hill from the Doon Valley and discovered this ridge with its breathtaking views and equally attractive climate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">While Mussoorie has retained its natural beauty and peaceful surroundings over the years, it has also undergone significant development since Uttarakhand became a state in 2000. Improved connectivity has transformed the town in many ways. It now boasts excellent schools that attract students from across India, and it has become a haven for authors and artists drawn to its serene environment. One of the most famous residents is Ruskin Bond, the renowned author. I had the opportunity to visit him at his home, as well. And actor Victor Banerjee, my neighbour in Kolkata, spends much time there too, completing my Bengal connection to the town.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNu_UOtGU-31rwuehX2lGFSeNNtR8TttGKFsH22nqEDDXQPCm0fhRAyoAk1xLMpLb-5nwBsUxu_7LblKEdKOR-NZk06eonkwxNS28ts8Rw7PR2MJxqK3k_8jGsNsrc_M_lI79DoZiCWdEsALS9FXhzTX5Q5iPohA4B7KZJiV-cLbH7i7U7zTT5bo4/s1024/Sundeep%20Bhutoria%20with%20Victor%20Banerjee.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNu_UOtGU-31rwuehX2lGFSeNNtR8TttGKFsH22nqEDDXQPCm0fhRAyoAk1xLMpLb-5nwBsUxu_7LblKEdKOR-NZk06eonkwxNS28ts8Rw7PR2MJxqK3k_8jGsNsrc_M_lI79DoZiCWdEsALS9FXhzTX5Q5iPohA4B7KZJiV-cLbH7i7U7zTT5bo4/w480-h640/Sundeep%20Bhutoria%20with%20Victor%20Banerjee.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;">Sundeep Bhutoria with Victor Banerjee </h4></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">My first visit to Mussoorie was when I was in school, but I was so young that I can barely recall anything. What brought me back this time was a CSR committee meeting of a public sector company. I stayed at Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, The Savoy Mussoorie, and words simply fall short in capturing the splendour of my experience. Offering breathtaking views from every room, Welcomhotel The Savoy is an elegant and historic hotel built in the English Gothic style. Irish barrister Cecil D. Lincoln opened the hotel, known simply as The Savoy, in 1902. It quickly became a favourite retreat for British officers and their families seeking respite from the plains’ heat.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SFd2ECUb0di9QaX-00RpFmDcMOPNm8D62dYmNEEWjLwuEe9yozYterY-kqkd7vy-PoX_aNm2VbzkyzilwgVSIZq1zCSap6CbdxJSjSJHtmqYMBdKlr-NeBB57EKzSb8XBAbtF69Gzlfwub3EuDFIKHcNndpcpjJwhe1KyxrUWW9Ruz56C7t3sho/s1024/Snow%20time%20at%20Savoy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SFd2ECUb0di9QaX-00RpFmDcMOPNm8D62dYmNEEWjLwuEe9yozYterY-kqkd7vy-PoX_aNm2VbzkyzilwgVSIZq1zCSap6CbdxJSjSJHtmqYMBdKlr-NeBB57EKzSb8XBAbtF69Gzlfwub3EuDFIKHcNndpcpjJwhe1KyxrUWW9Ruz56C7t3sho/w640-h480/Snow%20time%20at%20Savoy.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></o:p></p><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">The Savoy during winter </h4><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels’ The Savoy Mussoorie</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">This century-old landmark seamlessly blends old-world charm with modern conveniences, boasting several unique features. At the top of the list is the hotel’s own post office, making it perhaps the only hotel in India with such a facility. The Savoy Post Office has been operational since 1902 and even has its own postal code. Mussoorie and the hotel were popular among the British, and the administrators wanted guests to have easy access to postal services. Over the years, the post office has become a tourist attraction in its own right, drawing visitors who wish to send postcards with the unique Savoy postmark. The post office is still run by the Indian Postal Service and functions like any regular post office. One can buy stamps, mail letters and postcards, and even have parcels picked up and delivered. It’s a quirky reminder of the hotel's rich history. Even in today's digital age, it keeps alive the tradition of handwritten communication.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BZRqFaNpG-WdWeyXr-T6RNQpRi5t98sE7Jr0gTpVFFWK3wDdYeFWqzU3i2lGh4EN2xghrJpxkMiz8cKeLofHwOtbyKGYGJzKGvjXodHJnRlDpiTgfbTO2mrqWm-AUufM3gnhsGebbCpWjsx29FySpEQW2ncVkgUsTMYWx67P2fr9Svcv40eSxLk/s1024/Savoy%20Post%20Office.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BZRqFaNpG-WdWeyXr-T6RNQpRi5t98sE7Jr0gTpVFFWK3wDdYeFWqzU3i2lGh4EN2xghrJpxkMiz8cKeLofHwOtbyKGYGJzKGvjXodHJnRlDpiTgfbTO2mrqWm-AUufM3gnhsGebbCpWjsx29FySpEQW2ncVkgUsTMYWx67P2fr9Svcv40eSxLk/w640-h480/Savoy%20Post%20Office.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;">The Savoy Post Office has been operational since 1902 and even has its own postal code </h4><span class="pt2" style="color: #8d8d8d; display: inline-block; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; text-align: start;">Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels’ The Savoy Mussoorie</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">No matter what state of mind you might be in, the very first steps into the hotel transport one back in time. The high ceilings, wooden furniture, and vintage decor create an old-world charm that is hard to resist. With stunning views of the Himalayan mountains from most of its rooms and public areas, waking up to the sight of the peaks in the distance is an experience one can never forget. You also can't help but notice the grand, ornate billiard table situated in the corner. It commands attention, drawing your eye with its rich mahogany finish, mother-of-pearl inlay and intricate detailing. That table was made in Kolkata in 1820 and was carried by porters all the way to Mussoorie. I was told that movie actor Mithun Chakraborty was the chief guest at the event when they re-launched the billiard room along with author Ganesh Saili.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWdnJIR_oFfVFxzplwd1WGpuFhnOeBuDb4a3oLVhh2ejv96jmW4z6pz6NJEICz7JrKsedmXz0GWHyW41r-r2HYyxefAsRBEQEM5B7c9r8fESZop-cjg0H9Q3bLh8lus8lwqklk4Rrq7Pe30S2mdUHf7Fq8I7ZJeQBiuGeRW6zRcss5Cl02p1HyxI/s5472/Billiards%20Rooms.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWdnJIR_oFfVFxzplwd1WGpuFhnOeBuDb4a3oLVhh2ejv96jmW4z6pz6NJEICz7JrKsedmXz0GWHyW41r-r2HYyxefAsRBEQEM5B7c9r8fESZop-cjg0H9Q3bLh8lus8lwqklk4Rrq7Pe30S2mdUHf7Fq8I7ZJeQBiuGeRW6zRcss5Cl02p1HyxI/w640-h426/Billiards%20Rooms.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;">The billiard room, with a billiard table made in Kolkata in 1820 and carried by porters all the way to Mussoorie </h4><span class="pt2" style="color: #8d8d8d; display: inline-block; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; text-align: start;">Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels’ The Savoy Mussoorie</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">General manager Gautam Valli gave me a tour of the property and showed me the new wing, which will be operational before the end of this year. It will add a Presidential suite to the inventory. The lavish gardens spread over several acres feature manicured lawns, flower beds, and tall deodar trees.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The Savoy, which was renamed The Savoy Hotel in 1920, claims to be the oldest hotel in the country. Incidentally, Taj Westend Bengaluru also stakes a claim to this title, but Welcomhotel The Savoy has the proof! The guest list is also a veritable who’s who of the world’s personalities across generations and includes no less than viceroys, maharajas, and famous authors such as Rudyard Kipling, amongst others. The lobby, dining halls and rooms feature beautiful woodwork and Victorian decor in every nook and corner, which stand as living embodiments of the past. Some of the preferred culinary traditions of colonial times continue as well, such as high tea served with scones, jam and clotted cream.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUY0gagabOWiqy5JN1amFrSVVlWMqpYZcNP79vGakfRu4q3JDS0SqG7WxK99h7Q2NBYVwu-QaEon5nMcYqRjoNSklhk80mHVPtr_el9KFHXvqRCabejH-8IcH2fVXoQp3mnIsiKbKOPZ8c41Xj4ztcDk27ToJjIuZP4fSZ_btLrXVi3eoajbpxJ0g/s1522/The%20Royal%20Ballroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1522" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUY0gagabOWiqy5JN1amFrSVVlWMqpYZcNP79vGakfRu4q3JDS0SqG7WxK99h7Q2NBYVwu-QaEon5nMcYqRjoNSklhk80mHVPtr_el9KFHXvqRCabejH-8IcH2fVXoQp3mnIsiKbKOPZ8c41Xj4ztcDk27ToJjIuZP4fSZ_btLrXVi3eoajbpxJ0g/w640-h458/The%20Royal%20Ballroom.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;">The Royal Ballroom</h4><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels’ The Savoy Mussoorie</span> </h4><div><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The hotel ultimately came into the possession of the present owners, and Welcomhotel The Savoy was renovated and restored between 2009 and 2013. Today, it offers modern amenities alongside its rich history. Guests can enjoy curated heritage walks around the hotel to learn about the moments in history it has witnessed and its famous patrons. Again, literature reigns supreme as countless authors have graced the establishment, and there is even a walk proudly proclaiming the name of the authors in the vintage Writer’s Bar. The hotel also has a cosy library and a collection of old photographs, and hosts screenings of movies and documentaries.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZtYs9FGI9ZPhUzMPA7rlhoxojC_KF7gSSl9YVcKpT7Z4JVPPKq2yqtNnDUvNtE7HXkMQK7Zh-CgWuLkR9e0bgIEJqn2QkRfsH6zERxhxalE4XwWNAtLysVKEORWv1DVuSU4vr7YPFCj1tVmEvNNKQEk9cI5zKICw9txL5B5W7Uhx6FU3S-he1Os/s4000/Writers%20Bar..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2670" data-original-width="4000" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZtYs9FGI9ZPhUzMPA7rlhoxojC_KF7gSSl9YVcKpT7Z4JVPPKq2yqtNnDUvNtE7HXkMQK7Zh-CgWuLkR9e0bgIEJqn2QkRfsH6zERxhxalE4XwWNAtLysVKEORWv1DVuSU4vr7YPFCj1tVmEvNNKQEk9cI5zKICw9txL5B5W7Uhx6FU3S-he1Os/w640-h428/Writers%20Bar..jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;">The vintage Writer’s Bar</h4><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(141, 141, 141); color: #8d8d8d; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;">Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels’ The Savoy Mussoorie</span> </h4></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">Incidentally, an hour-long documentary about the hotel titled ‘Savoy: Saga of an Icon’, has bagged the best documentary and best cinematography awards at the 10th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival Awards 2020. The hotel’s ties with tinsel town go beyond this too, as more than 50 Hindi movies have already been shot here.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxddLE2l7K6TL_ixRu6pRKZc1AxacTtLQ6iS9GCxnFvJB7oMx6y3jAvCSC4_BuIb2T9UOI0TbMvo7HKjyFXtYzvQwXlZciutLIN7XlSAeAN7UqXoIOTi5omTVOPqdCsQTDpFwA1znuEWWAtZ9P63HJyqffCEi5eDFFKwVWYpx9c54WU4x3G-9ncPg/s900/1686403535_prominent-guests-at-savoy-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxddLE2l7K6TL_ixRu6pRKZc1AxacTtLQ6iS9GCxnFvJB7oMx6y3jAvCSC4_BuIb2T9UOI0TbMvo7HKjyFXtYzvQwXlZciutLIN7XlSAeAN7UqXoIOTi5omTVOPqdCsQTDpFwA1znuEWWAtZ9P63HJyqffCEi5eDFFKwVWYpx9c54WU4x3G-9ncPg/w640-h360/1686403535_prominent-guests-at-savoy-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;">Framed photos of prominent guests</h4></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">What is truly remarkable is how the hotel has painstakingly restored the endless amount of wood on the premises. Now, we all know how difficult, expensive and meticulous a task this can be, and I bow my head to what has been achieved. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">The hotel’s large imperial dining room and ballroom, which was the talk of the town in its heyday, continue to be just as impressive now. An example of the finest level of restoration and diligence while keeping alive the charm of an era gone by, impeccable service and a spectacular location all blend to make this hotel what it is — a gem of the greatest order.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaVWsfJao_5PEklwOC2m1II-eAcwj3QFuhn3Bki-C-i0mvSFH0b-VV39HD1FSGZGT6qPA-4n47zwG_zJfbvUcHdAgGo7vJ4oiSEmL7yzKIAK5cVKr8msCYwB15bAT1vCj1zU26PDwb1TvKJO4WteW7kouzDIQPRX_OElxovNfE298OZfc-C0ZxjM/s1024/Sundeep%20Bhutoria%20signing%20the%20guest%20book%20at%20the%20Hotel.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaVWsfJao_5PEklwOC2m1II-eAcwj3QFuhn3Bki-C-i0mvSFH0b-VV39HD1FSGZGT6qPA-4n47zwG_zJfbvUcHdAgGo7vJ4oiSEmL7yzKIAK5cVKr8msCYwB15bAT1vCj1zU26PDwb1TvKJO4WteW7kouzDIQPRX_OElxovNfE298OZfc-C0ZxjM/w480-h640/Sundeep%20Bhutoria%20signing%20the%20guest%20book%20at%20the%20Hotel.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 class="pt10" style="color: #606060; font-family: Bitter, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: start;">The author signs the guest book at the Savoy</h4></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">I happened to meet Sanjiv Puri, ITC’s chairman, the same day I checked out, as we both were flying back to Kolkata from Delhi on the same flight. Puri confessed that while he had not yet stayed at Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, The Savoy Mussoorie, he was aware of every detail of its restoration. It is clearly a precious addition to the chain, even though it is one of the smallest establishments in their kitty.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i>This article was also published in <a href="https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/history-beauty-luxury-retreating-to-the-the-savoy-mussoorie/cid/1944059" style="text-align: left;">https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/history-beauty-luxury-retreating-to-the-the-savoy-mussoorie/cid/1944059</a></i></p>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-81168633840230061842023-06-06T20:58:00.004+05:302023-06-11T13:58:26.904+05:30जब दीप जले आना
निर्देशक-पटकथा लेखक बासु चटर्जी की फिल्में हल्की-फुल्की कहानियों, सामाजिक मूल्यों और पारिवारिक संबंधों पर केंद्रित रहती थीं। रजत पट पर स्वर्ण युग के साक्षी बासु दा (पुण्यतिथि चार जून) पर संदीप भूतोड़िया का आलेख…...
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIsYDRvvldj9PzRgEELTmmMpdU9jHliuWg7h4L91_-lWP1ot7GWjmLqvYBWFetr9wtQ5Ylm0UeEXKCRwM4iW-Nd-R200raBHwgareeUsGirOqU8gWPg44AKPjFHv_biU3pSGJRNk1WBRlmQUprKvNhpoTUrykoo62T2yveMD9zhJpExiWv65dWIQ/s800/5b397ec684ce5f6c3fb7e3fd64fda266.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIsYDRvvldj9PzRgEELTmmMpdU9jHliuWg7h4L91_-lWP1ot7GWjmLqvYBWFetr9wtQ5Ylm0UeEXKCRwM4iW-Nd-R200raBHwgareeUsGirOqU8gWPg44AKPjFHv_biU3pSGJRNk1WBRlmQUprKvNhpoTUrykoo62T2yveMD9zhJpExiWv65dWIQ/s600/5b397ec684ce5f6c3fb7e3fd64fda266.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">यह बीसवीं शताब्दी का उत्तरार्द्ध था, हिंदी सिनेमा को कुछ नए की तलाश थी। बड़े पर्दे पर एकरूपता से कैमरा भी उकता रहा था। कहानी से लेकर गीतों तक में ताजगी नदारद थी। ‘बंदिनी’, ‘साहिब बीबी और गुलाम’, ‘अनुपमा’ और ‘तीसरी कसम’ जैसी कुछ गिनी-चुनी फिल्में थीं जो सिनेमा की छवि को सकारात्मक और कुछ बेहतर की उम्मीद दे रही थीं, अन्यथा अब सिनेमा की पहचान बस नाच-गाना भर ही रह गई थी। अपवाद तो गिनती के ही होते हैं, लेकिन नया सिनेमा गढ़ने की जिम्मेदारी उठाई फिल्म एंड टेलीविजन इंस्टीट्यूट आफ इंडिया (एफटीआइआइ) ने। एफटीआइआइ अभिनय जगत की बारीकियां सिखाने की पाठशाला था और सिनेमा को सशक्त बनाने का गुरुकुल। वर्ष 1962 में यहां कोयले से हीरा बनकर निकले पहले बैच ने सिनेमा में बदलाव का पहिया घुमाना शुरू कर दिया। वर्ष 1969 हिंदी सिनेमा के इतिहास का स्वर्ण काल बन गया, जब एक ही वर्ष में आई तीन बड़ी फिल्मों ने नया सूरज चमकाया। मृणाल सेन की ‘भुवन सोम’, मणि कौल की ‘उसकी रोटी’ और बासु चटर्जी की ‘सारा आकाश’ ने सिनेजगत को नई भाषा की उस ताजगी से भर दिया, जिसकी कमी खल रही थी। इन तीन शिराओं का केंद्र थे के.के. महाजन, जिन्होंने 1966 में एफटीआइआइ से पढ़ाई पूरी की थी, और इन तीनों ही फिल्मों की सिनेमेटोग्राफी की थी। बाद में बासु चटर्जी के साथ उनकी जोड़ी खूब हिट रही। कालांतर में ये तीनों निर्देशक अलग-अलग राहों में बढ़ गए। मृणाल सेन ने बांग्ला सिनेमा में आगे बढ़ना चुना तो मणि कौल ने कामर्शियल सिनेमा की राह छोड़ अपनी तरह की फिल्मों के लिए बागी रवैया अपनाया। अंततः यह बासु चटर्जी थे, जिनके पास रचनात्मकता और गंभीरता दोनों को मिलाकर कुछ खास रेसिपी बनाने का सीक्रेट मसाला मौजूद था। वे हृषिकेश मुखर्जी और गुलजार की मेनस्ट्रीम फिल्मों से एक कदम आगे की फिल्में ला रहे थे तो वहीं श्याम बेनेगल द्वारा प्रवर्तित कला सिनेमा में भी योगदान कर रहे थे। उस दौर में जैसा सिनेमा छाया हुआ था, उस लहर के एकदम विपरीत जाकर बासु चटर्जी ने अपने तरीके की फिल्मों से डंका बजा दिया। यह वह दौर था जब ‘यादों की बारात’, ‘दीवार’, ‘शोले’, ‘अमर अकबर एंथोनी’ जैसी बड़ी ब्लाकबस्टर फिल्में चर्चा में थीं। यश चोपड़ा, रमेश सिप्पी, नासिर हुसैन और शक्ति सामंत जैसे बड़े खिलाड़ी सिनेमा को नए आयाम दे रहे थे। अमिताभ बच्चन, धर्मेंद्र, ऋषि कपूर और राजेश खन्ना लोगों के रोल माडल थे और जीनत अमान, हेमा मालिनी लाखों दिलों की धड़कन। तब सुरुचिपूर्ण सिनेमा सामान्य फिल्मकारों की सोच से भी परे था। बासु चटर्जी हिंदी सिनेमा में विकल्प लेकर आए। अपनी पहली फिल्म ‘सारा आकाश’ से उन्होंने फिल्म निर्माण को अपने नजरिए से दिखाया। एक थाल में सब कुछ परोसने के बजाय बासु चटर्जी ने कामर्शियल और समानांतर सिनेमा के बीच का रास्ता अपनाया और कम में ज्यादा की संतुष्टि देकर दर्शकों का दिल जीत लिया। 1974 में आई ‘रजनीगंधा’ में बासु चटर्जी की क्रांति की खुशबू थी। अब तक आ रही अन्य फिल्मों की तरह इसमें कलाकार न तो बागों में नाच-गा रहे थे, न कोई बदले की भावना थी और न ही चमक-दमक वाले कपड़े, मेकअप से सजे हुए बड़े-बड़े कलाकार थे। बासु दा की यह फिल्म मन्नू भंडारी की कहानी ‘यही सच है’ पर आधारित थी। अपने जैसे ही दिखने वाले किरदारों से सजी इस फिल्म की सादगी दर्शकों के दिलों में घर कर गई और अमोल पालेकर-विद्या सिन्हा उस घर के प्यारे सदस्य बन गए। दरअसल, सिनेमा का यह पहलू बासु चटर्जी वर्ष 1971 में ‘पिया का घर’ में दिखा ही चुके थे, जहां अपने आशियाने की तलाश में मुंबई आए प्रेमी जोड़े की कहानी चुपके से दर्शकों के दिलों में आशियाना पा चुकी थी। अगली कुछ फिल्मों के साथ बासु चटर्जी का पाश और गहरा होता गया। साथ ही गहरे प्रभाव छोड़ गए अमोल पालेकर और विद्या सिन्हा भी। दोनों ही कलाकारों की पहचान उन दिनों के हीरो-हीरोइन वाली श्रेणी से एकदम अलग थी। अब लोगों को हीरो की तरह स्टाइल नहीं मारना था, हीरोइनों की तरह सजने-संवरने का भी शौक कम हो रहा था। सौम्यता, सरलता, सकुचाहट, यहां तक कि आगे बढ़ने के लिए जरूरी आत्मविश्वास में कुछ कमी भी सामान्य स्थितियां मानी जा रही थीं। मध्यम आयवर्गीय परिवारों के घरों को बड़ी ही सहजता से बड़े पर्दे पर दिखाया जा रहा था, जहां लकदक रोशनियां, लंबी-लंबी कारें नहीं बल्कि लोकल बस और ट्रेन में सफर करता किरदार ही मुख्य था। इस बदलाव का प्रभाव ऐसा था कि अब कहानियों में अमिताभ बच्चन (मंजिल) और धर्मेंद्र (दिल्लगी) को अतिरिक्त मेहनत करनी पड़ रही थी ताकि वे अपनी बनी-बनाई छवि से निकलकर इन आम किरदारों सरीखे नजर आ पाएं। विविधता का देश है भारत, मगर बड़े पर्दे पर जिस खूबसूरती से बासु चटर्जी ने समुदायों की विविधता को दर्शाया, उसका कोई सानी नहीं। ‘खट्टा मीठा’ (पारसी), ‘बातों बातों में’ (मुंबई में बसे ईसाई) जैसी फिल्में इसी की बानगी हैं। तो वहीं साहित्य और सिनेमा की दूरी पाटने में भी बासु दा का जवाब नहीं था। ‘सारा आकाश’, ‘पिया का घर’, ‘रजनीगंधा’, ‘रत्नदीप’, ‘स्वामी’, ‘अपने पराये’ साहित्य के प्रति उनकी समझ को दर्शाने वाली फिल्में हैं। इसके अलावा जिस एक क्रांतिकारी परिवर्तन के लिए बासु चटर्जी को याद किया जाना चाहिए, वो है फिल्मों में महिला किरदारों की उपस्थिति। ‘पिया का घर’ में मालती हो या ‘रजनीगंधा’ की दीपा, बासु दा ने समाज में महिलाओं की उड़ान को पंख देने का काम किया। प्यार में चुनाव से लेकर समाज में अपनी मर्जी से जीने की राह चुनने तक, बासु चटर्जी की फिल्मों में महिला कलाकार मजबूत इच्छाशक्ति की बेजोड़ मिसाल रहीं। ऐसा नहीं है कि बासु चटर्जी ने फिल्मों के किरदारों और प्रस्तुति को ही विशेष योग्यता दी। बासु दा की ये सादगी उनकी फिल्मों के गीतों में नजर आती है। ‘ये जीवन है इस जीवन का’(पिया का घर), ‘रिमझिम गिरे सावन’ (मंजिल), से लेकर ‘रजनीगंधा फूल तुम्हारे’ (रजनीगंधा) और ‘चितचोर’ के सभी गीतों में बासु चटर्जी ने अपनी सादगी बरकरार रखी और सिनेमा के इतिहास को बेहद सरल, मृदु और बेहतरीन गीतों की माला से बांध दिया। फिल्मों के साथ ही बासु चटर्जी ने टीवी पर भी अपना जादू चलाया। ‘रजनी’, ‘ब्योमकेश बक्शी’, ‘दर्पण’ और ‘कक्काजी कहिन’ ने छोटे पर्दे को समृद्ध किया। आज भी जब कोई फिल्मकार आम इंसान की खास दुनिया को सबके सामने लाने का प्रयास करता है तो बासु चटर्जी का पूरा सफर उसके लिए गाइडबुक का काम करता है।</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Published in Dainik Jagran on 04.06.2023 with other photos</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-G5aVLUD6fX8goDMyseEcWLRO2gvyO7zo4Uurom-Uw0rdecx9WShQOZjzoIsh1bWD_zRhjA8ozbPEtmXWCjd2nq00BR9ZDwxq8uOecGXzzNWRsWriadGbrxHpLWxVuqjJ5klRTZjUR7X-0sdsg_S_2FbOekt2FntKtMJbifA373xIogt9-keZszQ/s1671/FxyZHwHaAAA2y1C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1671" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-G5aVLUD6fX8goDMyseEcWLRO2gvyO7zo4Uurom-Uw0rdecx9WShQOZjzoIsh1bWD_zRhjA8ozbPEtmXWCjd2nq00BR9ZDwxq8uOecGXzzNWRsWriadGbrxHpLWxVuqjJ5klRTZjUR7X-0sdsg_S_2FbOekt2FntKtMJbifA373xIogt9-keZszQ/w640-h368/FxyZHwHaAAA2y1C.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-567922414204111456.post-15017261155727701972023-05-31T14:21:00.000+05:302023-05-31T14:21:20.685+05:30‘Up In The Air’: It’s great that ‘everyone’ is flying, but…After facing social turbulence at 30,000 feet, I wonder how we as a people will cope with a changing air-travel scenario
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mM6hsAaIPfuioHfQopdAgmn_O-5J2Qm4iMY23ysTMDO0-_m5a6wOJUBo6HM5R99kERczKiKmSLI3i3IItdGyrJu9nXNqQInbLNPke2peDjqhOtYNSXU7s7q7721E43A53ZLDInlxapMqYLRurrIoFp7FIvFPiJTyA0qeihILGYGvQNxlixllqKU/s900/1685450343_flight.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mM6hsAaIPfuioHfQopdAgmn_O-5J2Qm4iMY23ysTMDO0-_m5a6wOJUBo6HM5R99kERczKiKmSLI3i3IItdGyrJu9nXNqQInbLNPke2peDjqhOtYNSXU7s7q7721E43A53ZLDInlxapMqYLRurrIoFp7FIvFPiJTyA0qeihILGYGvQNxlixllqKU/s600/1685450343_flight.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<i>As the country moves ahead at jet speed, many have or are doing their best to catch the wave
TT archives</i>
<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">No matter how frequently one travels, the start of every journey is always a mixture of emotions. There is trepidation over what lies ahead, what the outcome could be and of course, how the journey itself will go. That was pretty much how I felt as I took my designated seat on my latest trip from Kolkata to Dehradun. Little did I know that what was in store for me was an encounter that would make me contemplate the very nature of Indian society.
As I boarded, I noticed there were two women sitting on seats 1B and 1C, and that they had kept some of their belongings on seat 1A, which, incidentally, was mine. As anybody would have done, I politely told them the seat was mine, which under most circumstances, would signal that they should remove their luggage so I could settle in. However, their response was one I wasn’t expecting in any way and, for a while, it failed to even register.
“We were here first and so the right to occupy seats is entirely ours.” </div><div><br /></div><div><b>The skirmishes were far from over</b> </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I soon gathered that this was their first experience of flying and, not willing to make matters worse, asked the flight crew to explain how it works to them, which of course they did. Or should I say they tried to, only to achieve partial success.
Upon the insistence of the crew, the ladies grudgingly removed their bag and I was able to claim my hard-fought throne. But though the war was won, the skirmishes were far from over. Traditionally attired and in bright colours as they were, the vanquished now simply refused to place their precious bag in the overhead storage, insisting they would rather make the whole journey with it on their lap. Explaining their logic, one of the ladies said that there was a substantial bit of cash in the bag, around Rs 33,000, and so there was no way she would let it out of her sight. And now that they had been forced to advertise its contents, there was even less chance they would comply with the crew’s request.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> <b>‘It would be heinous blasphemy to let the bag touch the ground of mortals’</b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RoeNnx5Z-JDclLK1VVIHF_kKFC1rN2CKjVjtOERyQ1cUVKDO6AJenZmt_iFDQl0bHhVVDaCmoqsDaiWc3LE2NKVtJYm9D2MJOpZjAta34IDKnHoT6vyPGlMq94Y_sE-Vf2sEM3O0zjOgKmuxV4H4PPt_ExylAfFSyV7PZ9rq0wUTxVaig3dIFb4/s900/1685450422_1599089040_airport.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RoeNnx5Z-JDclLK1VVIHF_kKFC1rN2CKjVjtOERyQ1cUVKDO6AJenZmt_iFDQl0bHhVVDaCmoqsDaiWc3LE2NKVtJYm9D2MJOpZjAta34IDKnHoT6vyPGlMq94Y_sE-Vf2sEM3O0zjOgKmuxV4H4PPt_ExylAfFSyV7PZ9rq0wUTxVaig3dIFb4/s600/1685450422_1599089040_airport.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<i>A crowded Kolkata airport. According to DGCA reports, India’s domestic air passenger traffic grew to 1.20 crores in February 2023
TT archives</i> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One would think that the matter had been resolved, but no, there was more to follow. The flight attendant then requested them to place their bags under their seats. More vocal than ever before, both ladies expressed their shock that an educated person could even suggest such a thing. The bag bore sacred ‘Ganga Jal’ – a must for their pilgrimage to the Kedarnath temple and it would be heinous blasphemy to let the bag touch the ground of mortals. Faced with such divine complications, the crew elected to let matters be and withdrew. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The plane took off and somewhere during the journey I learned that my fellow passengers were from Jamshedpur and were on a pilgrimage to Kedarnath. Once we landed, the travails of the ladies continued when the aerobridge failed to appear. At a crossroads now, they had to turn to their recent adversary to get their bearings. I informed them that their salvation lay neither to the left nor to the right, but on board the bus that would take them to their sanctity – the lobby. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>India on its way to becoming the third-largest domestic aviation market</b> </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With that, the eventful journey drew to an end, but the turbulence that was created in this jet stream rattled my mind and thoughts for quite a while. With a past that is deep-rooted in rural India, it was not difficult for me to understand the expressions, doubts, education or even the actions of the ladies. But the present complex existence of our land became all the more evident. Here, in flesh and blood, is our Bharat today. It is indeed a matter of pride that India is well on its way to becoming the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world and will overtake even our erstwhile colonialists, the English, to become the third-largest air passenger market by 2024.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVlAY_lRLI3Dx2__mQTL8SqLiPtteDMSDGmHOTrNIOHyjsLlaPJ9LflPppnKjdtaLtm6FL1p3_9cN4O31LEksuGZMw_ovdjdG_eA_TxRcs1eyY5OrHwqtOTPwFexEsdP2WCoOCJYj3vYEmrcygA4J42b4_ozoJM0CkYpTamaQlOx4NPIbCyMKjZ0/s900/1685450500_1628884705_flight.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVlAY_lRLI3Dx2__mQTL8SqLiPtteDMSDGmHOTrNIOHyjsLlaPJ9LflPppnKjdtaLtm6FL1p3_9cN4O31LEksuGZMw_ovdjdG_eA_TxRcs1eyY5OrHwqtOTPwFexEsdP2WCoOCJYj3vYEmrcygA4J42b4_ozoJM0CkYpTamaQlOx4NPIbCyMKjZ0/s600/1685450500_1628884705_flight.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<i>Nearly 70 percent of India’s population still shies away from flying, choosing roadways and railways instead, with cost being the prime reason for their decision
TT archives</i> </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to DGCA reports, India’s domestic air passenger traffic grew to 1.20 crores in February 2023 and there has been no looking back for a long while now. Buoyed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal initiatives and vision of “Hawai chappal-wearing common citizens also being able to travel in Hawai Jahaj”, this is a reality that is becoming more prominent each day and his UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagarik) scheme, intended to make air travel accessible to lower-middle-class families, is gradually bearing fruit. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But even today nearly 70 percent of the population still shies away from flying, choosing roadways and railways instead, with cost being the prime reason for their decision still. And our lands, our people, customs, traditions and rituals will remain unique as ever. The country moves ahead at jet speed and many have or are doing their best to catch the wave, but it would be interesting to see how we, as a people, carry and merge our existence in the face of this new turbulence that, even as it buffets us, thrusts us forward.
</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>This article was also published in </i><a href="https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/lifestyle/up-in-the-air-its-great-that-everyone-is-flying-but/cid/1940818">https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/lifestyle/up-in-the-air-its-great-that-everyone-is-flying-but/cid/1940818</a><a href="https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/lifestyle/up-in-the-air-its-great-that-everyone-is-flying-but/cid/1940818"></a></div>Sundeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05784039182392206421noreply@blogger.com0