Himachal: The place of gods and godesses

Indian history

Many foreign travelers visited India from time to time and wrote about the life and people of country in their accounts. Their accounts constitute a primary source for the study of Indian history. Some of the foreign travelers who visited India are mentioned below: -

1) Megasthanes: Megasthanes was a Greek ambassador in the court of Chandragupta Maurya. He wrote a book called Indica. It describes the social and administrative conditions under Mauryas.

2) Fahien: Fahien was a Chinese pilgrim who visited during the reign of Chandragupta II. His account deals with the conditions under ChandraguptaII.

3) Hiuen Tsang: Hiuen Tsang was a Chinese pilgrim. He visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana.

4) Albiruni: Albiruni was a Persian. He accompanied Mahmud of Ghazni to India and wrote a book called Tarikh –ul-Hind. He was a Sanskrit scholar.

5) Marco polo: Marco polo was Venetian traveler. He visited the Kakatiya kingdom during the reign of Rudramadevi and paid rich tributes to her administration.

6) Nicolo Conte: Nicolo Conte was an Italian traveler. He visited India during the reign of Devaraya II, king of Vijayanagar.

7) Abdul Razzak: Abdul Razzak was Persian ambassador. He visited the court of Devaraya II of Vijayanagar Empire.

8) Damingo Paes: Damingo Paes was Portuguese traveler. He visited the court of Srikrishna Devaraya, the greatest king of the Vijayanagar Empire.

9) Al Masudi: Al Masudi was an Arab writer. He visited India in the 9^th century A.D. during the reign of Mihira Bhoja of Kanauj. His account gives information about a history of north India in the 9th century A.D.

10) Athanatian Nikiten: Athanatian Nikiten was a Russian merchant. He visited the Deccan (south India) in 1470 A.D. and narrated the condition prevailing in the Bahamani kingdoms.

Nagpur city was founded in the early 18th century by Bhakt Buland, a Gond prince of the kingdom of Deogad in the Chhindwara district. Than passed on to Bhonsles and It became the capital of the Bhonsles with the Bhonsle dynasty. In 1853 last generation of Bhonsles died without an heir to his kingdom. As a result, the city lapsed into British control under Lord Dalhousie's Doctrine of Lapse. In 1861, Nagpur became the capital of the Central Provinces. After Indian independence, Nagpur became the capital of Madhya Bharat state (C.P. and Berar). In 1960, the marathi majority Vidarbha region was merged with the new state of Maharashtra.

Nagpur City, the second capital of Mahrashtra, is at the geographical centre of the country. One of the six “Zero Mile” is located here. Nagpur has been adjudged the second greenest city of the country. It is also famous as “Orange City” owing to the production of the succulent fruit.Here you can enjoy both side of the world that is fast and happening or peaceful and relaxing life. Nagpur can be said a city with a perfect fusion of a metro and a hill station.

For nature lovers we have park like Japanese garden and Seminary hills Garden – where you have a ride in a small toy train, takes you the park and a small zoo and a very beautiful forest of teak, it’s a real treat for kids. Ambazari Garden again is a good option for a quite evening for elders and can be party time for kids – You and enjoy boat rides, musical fountains and food at their garden restaurants.

(Image is of Ambazari Garden)

Our own Telankedi lake Chowpathy – an imitation of Mumbai chowpathy, is a better version.Sitting near the lake or just having a stroll and for food junkie’s lot of good stalls to stuff themselves. There are other great food joints for food connoisseurs places; like Hot – spot, Ashokas or Divya Sagar ,Kamat Restaurant, Sadar etc, Ranging from High to economy level.
For party people hangout like Moksha, Rhythm n blues or V5 are pretty happening, and Saturday night can be just like any metros here, can find all party animals just dancing on the beats and having there time. While people who just want to relax and chill out can go to Telankedi Lake or can have a stroll at Ramgiri (Walkers) civil lines or just can have a cozy time and a quite evening at C P Club or Gondwana Club.

Shopping freak can just freak out with wide varieties of things available at all ranges , you can have economy and local shopping at markets like Sita buldi or Itwari or can find big brands at branded stores or at malls like Pyramids or westsides.

All things later God comes first and Nagpur is having temples which are pretty acclaimed about, people from distance places come here for darshans, temples which should be never missed in Nagpur are Ganesh Tekdi, near railway station, Shri Balaji Temple, Seminary Hills, Shri Ramdeobaba Temple, Sarveshwar Temple, Ram Nagar, Kashibai Temple of Bhosle Period. Nagpur can also be said as a city of temples.

So you can say a city full of mix and matches, giving you all the colours of life at one place. It can be put as Nagpur is like a modern art painting having a traditional meaning.
Peaceful life of Nagpur makes a man relax and happy, more energetic and bright. Life here is like a perfect mix of work and fun. People here are pretty friendly and warm, always ready to help you out, out of their way.

There are many good places near Nagpur for a one day picnic like – Khindsi and Ramtek, here at khindsi water sports lover can just have their time out on motor boats and motor bikes. On the other hand seeing the sun set on the lake is an unforgettable experience in itself, sitting on the bank of the Khindsi River watching the waves or people swim in, you really feel like being in your own dream world of bliss and bless.

Than there is Tadoba national park one of the most attractive spot in Chandrapur district and is situated in the heart of the reserved forest around 3 to 4 hours from Nagpur. It is an ideal resort for the visitors who want to get away from the din and bustle of the city life and the modern civilization. Animals commonly can be seen at Tadoba Park, are Tiger, panther, bison sloth bear, hyena, jackal, wild dog, blue bull, sambar, cheetah, barking deer and a variety of other animals. You can meet animals face to face while taking a stroll in the jungle and can have a one to one chat. Isn’t it sound adventures, infact it is.

( Image shows a tiger in Tadoba National Park)

Khekranala Dam is situated in Khapra range forest say around 2 to 3 hours from Nagpur. This area is palm green and finest natural and fascinating with a bracing climate and healthy environment round the year. The water reservoir is quite and surrounded by thick forest on two sides. A place to laze around ,enjoy the sun and just come out of your hectic schedules and killing deadlines, a blissful holiday one can be spend here.

(Image is of Khekranala Dam)

There many other places with many interesting facts, a holiday in Nagpur can be an altogether different experience you may feel that time should stop here and your Nagpur holidays should never end or not to my surprise you may think of settling down in Nagpur.

Winter season can be the best season to enjoy and take all advantages of the place , but do carry your warm clothes ,as summers are scorching here the winters can be a chilling experience.
Being a Nagpurian I have a very special place for Nagpur in my heart, I have seen lot many places but never seen a place like Nagpur. If somebody even asks me to or give an idea to leave this city my heart stops pumping, it’s like my life blood and cannot stay without it.

We often hear about people complaining about suffering from writers block, what exactly does the phrase mean ? and, more importantly why does it happen ? I have heard of article writers saying that they are unable to write because of some reason or the other – some valid some imaginary and some personal.

The meaning

Writers block refers to a condition where the writer generally loses the ability to write or concentrate on their writing work, thereby unable to produce any new work. Their mind goes blank and no ideas are formed even when they keep trying to come up with new subjects and ideas. It can happen to anyone and there are cases where famous writers have not written for years together and one fine day, suddenly the block lifts and they are back at their work like before. It is a strange condition no doubt but we need to explore why this happens and how one can overcome it?

This condition was first noted by the famous psychologist Sigmund Freud in 1947 during one of his research process. He did some ground work and conducted many tests and has come up with a few reasons why it may happen.

Some of the major reasons

1, The first and the most important reason could be that the writer has simply run out of ideas - this could also be because of limited field of work or vision or creativity or whatever that is inherent in the person. The writer or author in effect has limited capability which he or she has exhausted all the ideas and is unable to come up with new ideas or write on new ideas. There are examples where leading or well known writers have decided to write a great epic only to find that they are unable to complete it because they are unable to put in more ideas or run out of ideas and left the project half way through. This happens in any creative fields – paintings, art work or films !

2, Secondly , the reasons may be practical, like for example if the writer has had a great personal loss or has been ill or has had a calamity that has taken up all his/her time and effort, in which case it is not possible for an individual to concentrate on coming up with new ideas. The only thing that can be done is to wait and hope that the thing blows over and he or she is able to get back to their writing or creativity like before.

3, The reason also could be due to insecurity and self doubt in some cases. If a person has written a commendable piece that has got positive and overwhelming response and become extremely popular, he or she may feel diffident in bringing out another work with the fear that it may not come up to the previous standard of writing and hence may decide not to write again. They in effect remain one book wonders. The world would never know whether they had the capacity to produce more such work or what happened was just a flash in the pan.

4, In some cases, some of the people do have many ideas and would like to put them on paper but they are not fluent in the language in which they intend to write which becomes the reason why they stop writing or never take up writing . They fear that their grammar and structure may not be up to the mark and thereby never take up writing although it is something they can identify with.

5, It could also be plain laziness and a laid back attitude that stops some writers from writing. They may do so only when they are compelled to do so when there is financial pressure or have stiff competition coming from close quarters. This may spur them into action and they may take an interest in their writing.

There could be many other minor reasons as well that stop a writer from giving up writing altogether and sometimes giving it another try after a few years.

How to overcome writers block?

Self analysis always works – An honest self analysis by the writer as to why he or she is unable to come up with ideas, covering every aspect is bound to help. If one were to dispassionately go through their work and also probe their mind and get to the bottom of the problem area which creates the block, they are bound to come up with a solution.In fact, this one point is enough to find a solution and get the writer attempting to write again.

Start writing again – Instead of giving up altogether, many psycho analysts suggest that one should keep a note pad and keep writing as and when ideas form on a daily basis and once this habit gets established it is not difficult to get back your flourish and enthusiasm for writing in a few weeks time, may be even earlier .

Discipline yourself – It also has a lot to do with setting goals and working towards achieving it. Once you have made a self analysis and are aware of your strengths and limitations , you have to concentrate on those areas where you know you could excel and try and improve in other fields by getting more information on the subject and doing some research work. This work itself is an anti dote that gets you out of writers block and you are sure to begin your work.

Being a perfectionist – this is the reason why many writers stop writing because they want to write nothing less than a perfect piece of fiction or non fiction. If that is your problem , it may be a good idea to keep writing and ask for suggestions from eminent writers and keep improvising your work until you are satisfied with it. This way you are writing as well as improving in your job scaling new heights.

Meditation helps- Meditations seems to have positive effect on everything in a human beings life. It clams your nerves and gives a clarity which in turn makes you a much more creative person since you are able to focus better. Meditation has an all round benefit for both body and more so for our mental well being.

Don’t worry about the beginning – Many writers have a problem with not knowing how to begin their article or fiction or non fiction or whatever they intend to write, so they they keep delaying and finally give up altogether although their mind is active and overflowing with ideas. The best thing to do is to write whatever cones to your mind on a note book and format it later. Once you begin writing you will also get an idea as to how to begin and end your writing.

Conclusions

Most analysts agree that physical health and mental well being go hand in hand. So once a person is leading a healthy fulfilled life there is no reason why he or she should not be able to write and produce decent literary work. Writers block need not be an obstacle for not writing once you have probed and analysed and come up with possible reasons for not writing.

So, if you have the interest and the inclination to write and find that there is something holding you back go through the steps and get yourself back on track and you will once again write without any blockage. Finally, none of us is perfect and we all learn and become better with time and experience .One should constantly look for means to improve by reading on various subject matters and taking an active interest in what is happening around us. There is an interesting subject matter in every little day today matter, if one has the vision to convert it into an article or fiction.

The very word Ahimsa or non- violence conjures up Mahatma Gandhi., who used Ahimsa effectively against the oppressors instead of violence and hatred to achieve freedom to India.

Passion for truth.

Even  from his child hood Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi had a passion for truth. The story of Satya Harishchandra, who gave up everything for the sake of truth, had a profound impact on Gandhi. At that early stage Gandhi’s thoughts were so firm and unwavering, that his commitment to truth and integrity remained unshakeable unto the last. 

Our elders said,’ one practical thought is always better than thousand impractical thoughts.’  Which is why, our thoughts should be practical. Thoughts without practicality is an exercise in futility. In this respect, one wonders, how Gandhi identified the practicality aspect of his thought at such an young age and adhered  to his thoughts religiously all along his life.

Just think, how much thinking goes in to the preparations you make before going on a holiday. What should be the mode of transport, Bus, car, plane or sea. Then we turn our attention towards economic factors. And then towards the convenience aspect. And the list goes on. 

Now come to think of it. We give such an importance to a small holiday trip. How much planning and thinking  is necessary  do you think for a life’s journey?

Decision making is an Art.

Decision making is such an Art with several complexities , even the most seasoned decision makers too falter and fumble at times. Hence, it’s evident, none is assured of  100 % right  decisions. But we can endeavor to commit fewer mistakes by devoting more time and energy to observe the situation and circumstances.

Decision making is directly connected with the level of confidence in you. A person with confidence in his abilities will have a very clear picture of his aims and objectives.

No scope for ambiguity. 

Just take a small example. Those who make a simple list of the things to be bought in the market, will finish off their shopping  in no time .And those who are without a plan will waste their time plagued by indecisiveness and un certainty.

This is all to drive home the point, ‘Decision makers are Destiny makers.’

A Decision that changed the destiny of a Nation

Everybody knows the fact that India was invaded by several rulers of several countries in the past. All the invaders not only plundered the country, but made us slaves and we were subjugated for centuries. Seeing this dismal condition of a Nation with a fabulous heritage many attempts were made to regain the past glory of India. But none succeeded in getting the freedom to India

In the year 1888, a young man Mohan das Karamchand Gandhi, from Gujarat went to London to study Law. He came back to India  in 1891 after finishing his law education. In the year 1893, he has been entrusted the job of representing an Indian firm in Durban, South Africa.  

Gandhi’s sojourn in  South Africa was an eye-opener for him. The racial discrimination of the English rulers was so appalling, that Gandhi, who never thought of his own country’s  slavery thought  about the atrocities committed by the British rule for the first time .The fact that people were made slaves in their own country made him sit and think.

He found lot of similarities between the people of South Africa and India. Both were crushed under an alien rule. Both were suffering silently. But why? That question haunted Gandhi day and night.

The last straw.

Once , Gandhi was travelling by a train in a first class compartment. A white man who was also travelling in the same compartment could not tolerate the bitter fact that a black man is also travelling in the same compartment in par with him. The white lifted Gandhi’s suit case and thrown it out on the platform. Then, he has thrown out Gandhi also. In that humiliating condition , wisdom dawned on Gandhi.

Gandhi thought, ‘This white man thrown me out of the railway compartment. But, I’ll see that all  whites are thrown out of my Country.’ Note, that it was not angry outburst with vendetta in Gandhi's mind. It was a decision which Gandhi wanted to make as the guiding principle for the remaining part of his life. 

Though he spent a duration of 21 years in South Africa, not a single day passed without the thought of. ‘How to get back my country’s independence.’ 

At last in 1915, Gandhi set his foot on the soil of India.

This turned out to be an epoch making event in the independence movement of India.

 What Gandhi is made of?

Gandhi never proved his leadership qualities, before he plunged in to independence campaign. Then what made him so confident ? What made him to give up a lucrative profession and plunge into an unknown realm?

Influenced by Henry David Thoreau. 

The main inspiration  behind Gandhi’s action to plunge in to Indian independence movement was, He happened to read an article written by  Henry David Thoreau , The name of the article was ‘Resistance to Civil government.

Gandhi was well convinced that through the movement of Civil disobedience, he can carry on the fight with the mighty British empire I India. The principle is simple and very effective. Above all, it’s a passive resistance, which doesn’t need any arms. There is no scope for violence.

Innate leadership qualities

Gandhi was a born leader. His firm belief in, ‘Service before Self.’ Stood in good stead and made him a natural leader. Owing to this reason, he always laid stress on Responsibilities rather than on Rights. Gandhi ‘s commitment to service owes its origin to his quality of ‘ Pro-activity.’ That means, he cannot remain as a mute spectator to any sort of injustice perpetrated by mean minded oppressors. 

Hears inner voice

Gandhi always believed that inner voice is the mouth piece of one’s conscience. You can deceive hundreds of others, but never your conscience. Owing to this reason, Gandhi, in his book. ‘My experiments with truth’, without any hesitation, he has clearly and openly accounted all the mistakes he committed.

Gandhi felt that every leader should learn to listen his inner voice and follow its diktats. This  crates a trust in the followers. And a leader with such followers can conquer the world. 

inventor of a new weapon

The credit of inventing a new weapon  to defeat the opponents however strong they be, goes to Gandhi.  Gandhi knew the might of his opponent. To defeat him and get back the lost freedom of India is no small a task. But Gandhi is not a person to be cowed down by the physical strength of his opponent.

He invented a new weapon, ‘non- violence’ or Satyagraha to face the ego and might of the British.  Satyagraha  doesn't believe in using any form of violence. A person who believes and practices Satyagraha will never indulge in inflicting injuries on his opponent. Through his non- violent protests, a ‘Satyagrahi’ appeals to the reason of his opponent.

Gandhi said, Satyagraha intends to bring a change through the suffering of ‘Satyagrahi’.

Dandi March, Salt Satyagraha , Burning the foreign goods are a few victories credited to ‘Satyagraha.’ The Britishers were perplexed seeing the behavior of Satyagrahis.  They bore the lathi beatings silently. They neither protested nor turned violent against the British Police forces.

To everybody’s surprise, he won the freedom to India using his newly found weapon.

‘De Di Hqmein Azaad bina Khadg bina Dhal

Sabarmati Ke Sant Tu ne Kar diya Kamal.

(O, the saint of Sabarmati, what you have done is magic. You gave us the freedom without using a sword or an armour.- Kavi Pradeep.)

His Vision

Gandhi visualized long before he decided to come to India, what India needs. He realized that India needs ‘Swaraj’, the power of ruling themselves. ‘Swaraj’ is the source from which, the entire Gandhian Philosophy emerged out.  Gandhi has seen ‘Swaraj’ as the starting point for achieving ‘Self – Reliance’ in economic, social and moral spheres.  And the most heartening feature of ‘Swaraj’ was it’s equally applicable to individual or the institution. Society or state.

His moral and ethical strengths.

Gandhi’s belief that a leader should lead by example is visible in all the spheres of life. A leader according to Gandhi is one who hears his followers. He never believed in thrusting is own one-sided views on his followers.

It’s the general belief that a leader is one, who is in power. But in the case of Gandhi. He never held any position. But he had the entire nation at his back. The reason for this is that Gandhi is a leader from all the conventional leaders. He is a learner first and a leader last. 

A great CEO

A Chief Executive Officer of an organization, is not a mere head. A CEO  is the one who knows the aims and objectives of the organization. He knows how to make them work in order to take the organization in the path of progress. He knows how to involve and motivate  the people who work for the organization. Akin to this, Gandhi stood as a Beacon of light to the people of the nation and led them all as a single unit in to the paths of success.

Image : Author's creation