शोधा आनंद वाचनाचा !

परवा पुस्तकांचे कपाट उघडले आणि पुन्हा एकदा तो जादूचा प्रदेश माझ्यासमोर हात पसरून उभा झाला. पुन्हा एकदा  पुस्तकांचा गंध पानाप्नातून दरवळत माझ्या आत पर्यंत शिरला. तीच ती ओळखीची पुस्तक मला खुणावू लागली आणि आपसूकच हात त्यांच्याकडे वळले. त्याच त्या पुस्तकांची तीच ती जुनी पण चालताना, वाक्या गणिक आणि अक्षरा गणिक ओळखीच्या खुणा पटू लागली, नाती-गोती उजळू लागली. आणि एकदम आश्चर्य वाटला. गेली कित्येक वर्ष मी हे करतो आहे. असाच कपाट उघडून बसतो, अशीच पुस्तक चालत बसतो आणि असाच उगाच काही तरी वाचत, आठवणींमध्ये गुंगून जातो. आठवत पण नाही किती वर्ष झालीत.
केव्हा लागला हे वाचनाचे  वेड? खरच नाही आठवत. हा पण एक आठवतं. लहानपणी पासूनच मी खूप वाचायचो. जे दिसेल ते. वृत्तपत्रापासून ते रस्त्यावरच्या जाहिरातींच्या होर्दीन्ग्स पर्यंत. काय वाटेल ते! पुस्तक दिसली कि हुरळून जायचो, लहान मुल खाऊ किंवा खेळणी दिसली कि हरखून जातात तसा. सहावीत असताना आम्ही महाराष्ट्र दर्शनासाठी गेलो होतो. ज्या ज्या ठिकाणी गेलो आणि जिथे जिथे पुस्तकांची दुकाने दिसली , तिथे तिथे पुस्तक चाळली आणि आई-बाबांकडे हट्ट केला. पुस्तक पाहिजेच. आणि प्रत्येक वेळी त्यांनी मला पुस्तके आवर्जुन घेऊन दिलीत. बाहेरगावी गेल्यावर घरी परततांना त्यांनी स्वताहून माझ्यासाठी पुस्तके आणलीत. माझ्या पालकांचे हे ऋण मी कधीही फेडू शकणार नाही. त्यांच्यामुळे मी वाचनाचा आनंद काय असतो हे अनुभवू शकलो.
वाचन का करावे, त्यचे उपयोग काय आहेत, त्यानी काय काय लाभ होतात या वर लांब लचक भाषण ठोकता येईल, दाखले ही देता येतील. पण मला असे वाटते कि वाचनातून जर काही मिळवायचे असेल तर, आनंद मिळवावा. आनंदासाठी वाचन करावे. वाचनातील आनंद काय असतो हे शोधून काढावे. म्हणजे मला
विचाराल तर सकाळी उठल्यावर चहा घ्यायचा, पुस्तक हातात घेऊन लोळत वाचत पडायचं, उठून आंघोळ वगैरे आटपायची, पुन्हा वाचत बसायच.    मग दुपारच जेवण, पुन्हा वाचन, मग झोप, वाचन, जेवण, वाचन आणि असाच क्रम सुरु! पुस्तकाऐवजी पेपर, मासिक किंवा दुसरे काहीही चालेल. मला वाचत बसायचा, लोळायचा पगार कुणी तरी देतो आहे आणि मी आयुष्यभर वाचत आहे असे स्वप्न तर मी किती तरी वेळा बघितले आहे. काश, यह सपना सच होता!!!
वाचनाने मला काय नाही दिले? आनंद दिला, अनुभवांचा आस्वाद घेणं शिकवलं, द्रुष्टिकोन दिला, विचार दिले, घटनांकडे बघण्याची नजर दिली, माणसे वाचण्याची सवय आणि आवड लावली, नवनवीन अनुभवांना सामोरं गेलं पाहिजे हा विचार दिल. मुख्य म्हणजे माणूसपण दिलं आणि माणसांचे महत्व ओळखायला शिकवलं. बाकी भाषण देण्यासाठी संदर्भ दिलेत वगैरे हे अतिरिक्त उपयोग!!!
असं असूनही मला खरोखर असं वटात की, अनेक उपयोग आहेत म्हणून कुणी वाचन सुरु करणार नाही. मला विचारलं तर मी हेच सांगेल, की बाबा रे आनंदासाठी वाच. discover it !!! वाचनातील आनंद काय असतो हे तू तुझे शोधून काढ. तो आनंदाचा शोध प्रत्येकाला लवकरात लवकर  लागो, हीच सदिच्छा!!

तीन प्रसंग......

चन्द्रपूर च्या ८५ व्या अखिल भारतीय साहित्य संमेलनासाठी वार्तांकन करुन अमरावतीला परत येत होतो. संमेलन अत्यंत सुंदर झाल्यने आणि त्याचे वार्तांकन करण्याची संधी मिळाल्याने खुशीत होतो.माझ्या परिने पूर्ण प्रयत्न केले होते आणि त्यामुळे एक समाधान घेउन परतत होतो. जिल्हा परिषदेची निवडणूक असल्याने अनेक गाड्या रद्द केल्या आहेत अशी माहिती मिळाली. अमरावतीसाठी थेट गाडी नाही हे कळल्यावर ब्रेक जर्नी करण्याशिवाय गत्यंतर नव्हते. नाइलाजाने चंद्रपूर ते वणी बस पकडली आणि वणीला पोचलो. पुढची यवतमाळ पर्यंतची बस यायला वेळ होता त्यामुळे बस स्थानकावर वाट बघत बसलो. शेजारी बलदंड शरीरयष्टीचा एक प्रवासी बसला होता. खांद्यावरचा चौकड्यांचा मोठा रुमाल आणि बोलण्याची ढब यावरून तो मुस्लिम समाजाचा होता हे स्पष्ट होते. ओळख झाली अन गप्पा सुरु झाल्या. मराठी साहित्य संमेलन हा काय प्रकार आहे आणि ते कशाशी खातात हे त्याचा गावीही नव्हते. किंबहुना तशी अपेक्षाही नव्हती. मी पत्रकार आहे असे त्याला सांगितले तर त्याच्या चेहर्‍यावर पत्रकाराचे साहित्य संमेलनात काय काम अस भाव प्रगटला. गप्पा पुढे सुरु झाल्या.
"कमाई तो बहुत होगी आपको?" त्याने विचारले. "ठिक -ठाक पगार मिल जाता है" इति अस्मादिक. "नही, वैसी बाकीकी कमाई?" आता माझ्या डोक्यात प्रकाश पडला. " वो धंदा नही करते है हम. एम्प्लॉई है हम. पगार मिलती है हमको", मझ्यातला मानी पत्रकार उत्तरला.
"अच्छा अच्छा. नही मैने ऐसे हि पूछा. हमारे पैचान के है एक पत्रकार. उनकी अच्छी कमाई चलती थी," असे म्हणून त्याने त्याच्या मित्राचे नाव सांगितले जो माझ्या ही ओळखीचा निघला. त्याचे नाव ऐकून जरा चमकलो


पण आश्चर्य वाटले नही.
सध्या पत्रकारितेत हे नवीन राहिलेले नाही.
कट टू अमरावती. दुसर्‍या दिवशी ऑफ़िस मध्ये बसलो होतो. ओळखीचा एक पत्रकार आला. आणि माझ्या सहकार्‍याशी गप्पा करु लागला. "फ़ोन आला होता त्याचा. बातमी छाप म्हणे माझ्या फ़ेवर ची. त्याला म्हटल पैसे किती देशील, तर म्हणाला सांगतो. साले फ़ुकटात बातमी छापून पाहीजे."
" डायरेक्ट मागितले कारे पैसे?", माझा सहकारी. " हो त्यात काय आहे. हे कमवतात आणि आपण काय तसच रहायचे?". किती हा निर्मळ्पणा स्वभावाचा! अगदी स्वच्छ विचार!
कट टू दुसरा दिवस. सकाळी ९.३० ची वेळ. एक राजकिय पक्षाच्या पीआरओचा फोन होत. ''आम्ही तुम्हाला इतक्या रकमेच्या जाहिराती देणार आहोत. आणि एक लाख रुपये तुमच्या साठी, वैयक्तिक.,"
कोणताही विचार न करता मी शांतपणे उत्तरलो. "त्या जाहिराती द्या तुम्ही. असे पैसे मी घेत नाही. त्या पण रकमेच्या जाहिरातीच द्या तुम्ही".
आणि समोरचा माणूस उत्तरला," मला वाटलच होत तू नाही म्हणशील म्हणून". आणी मग आम्ही पुढे बोलू लागलो दुसर्‍या विषयावर.
तीन प्रसंग. पत्रकारितेला लाज आणणारे. आम्ही पत्रकार खरेच एवढे भिकारी झालो आहोत का?
मल कदाचित कुणी वेड्यात ही काढतील. कारण पैसे घेण्यात काही चूक नाही, अस मानणारे अनेक जण अहेत. तालुका स्तरापासून ते आव्रुत्त्या जिथून निघतात तिथपर्यन्त सगळीकडे आहे. कुणी चिडवतील ही मला अश्या फ़ालतू प्रामाणिकपणाबद्दल. पण मला माहीत आहे मी बरोबर आहे. हा किस्सा मी घरी सांगितल्या नंतर माझ्या घरच्यांच्या चेहर्‍यावर जो आनंद आणि अभिमान दिसला, तो अशा अनेक रुपयांपेक्षा मोठा आहे. आणि असा काहि मी एक्टाच नाही. अजूनही पत्रकारितेत अनेक प्रामाणिक माणस आहेत. चला आशा करु या, की ही संख्या सतत वाढत राहो.
ता.क. हा माझ्या प्रामाणिकपणाचा डंका नाही. तर वस्तुनिष्ठ वार्तांकन अहे. झालेल्या घटनांचे जसेच्या तसे.

What Anna's recent agitation did is that it not only captivated the minds of numerous youths in the country but also motivated them to do something constructive for their motherland and development of the society where they live in. Taking inspiration from that movement and hearing to his inner voice Balasaheb Darade, a well educated youth has came back to Lonar to throw himself in the development work of Lonar and villages around.
Dreaming to bring glory for his own place and setting a role model of sustainable development of villages, Balasaheb Darade has returned to Lonar leaving his lucrative salaries jobs and promising carrer. An Electronics and Telecommnication Engineer from Jawaharlal Nehru Engineeing College, Aurangabad, Darade did his Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering from University of Cincinnati, USA. He also worked with many reputed companies in the field of IT in India and abroad.
Balasaheb was associated with the Art of Living movement of Sri Sri Ravishankar even when he was doing his jobs and still an active member. He always had participated in the construtive activities of Art of Living movement. During Anna's fast at Delhi he took part in that agitation and huge repsonse to Anna's struggle gave boost to hidden urge in the heart of Darade. " I thought this is the right time to give proper direction to the energy in youths and to start constructive work. I wanted to do something for my village and area around from where I rose up. I wanted to pay back to my place and decided to get settle here," told Balasaheb while talking The Hitavada.
After coming back to Lonar, Balasaheb has now started to gather youths in Lonar and motivationg youths in and around the place. Presently he has decided to work on creating sustainable model village considering 12 developmental parameters such as health, hygiene, food, water, shelter, education, income generation/job creation, energy, social equity, connectivity, spiritual well being & public domain. He also eyes to empower youth and leaders in villages to take responsibilities to uplift life in villages. He knows that this is a very difficult and long process and results are not to get in immediate future. But this youth with dreamy eyes is hopeful about good results and believes that youths in rural parts will bring changes and boost the development process. He already has started efforts in that direction and meeting with several stakeholders to catalyse the development of Lonar and surround areas. He sees many things which can be counted and used for developing this rural part. He has chalked down some plans and started work on those plans.
" I believe that once you have achieved certain things, you must share those with others who need it most. I wants to serve for my motherland so I came back. I get satisfaction from this work. Journey has just begun and I have long terms goals. Youths are giving good response to me and I hope only good will come out of the collective efforts," shared Balasaheb.


Achievements and awards of Balasaheb Darade

* Resident Education and Development Outstanding Student Leader Award, University of Cincinnati, 2009.
* University Graduate Scholarship (UGS), University of Cincinnati, 2007-09.
* Outstanding Engineering Student award, IEEE, 2004.
* Outstanding Engineering Student, Dr B.A.M. University, 2003-04.
* Distinguished Alumni, JNEC Aurangabad.
* Government of India Scholarship for Engg Education 2001-2005
* LONAR RATNA, Award for Scientific Contribution for development of Lonar Crater, 2006.
* Best Paper Award (First position) in International conference on Systematics, Cybernetics and Informatics 2007
* First Prize: IMS (Indian Microelectronics Society Conference), 2005.
* First Prize: UG/PG Student Contest, IEEE Communication Society, 2004.
* First Prize: Hardware/software Project Contest, VIT IEEE SB, 2005.

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Two new species at Lonar crater

In a shocking thruth came to fore, two new species are found in the famous Lonar crater in Buldana district which has proved that the salinity of Lonar crater is reducing and life structure at this meteoric crater is changing gradually. Scientists have confirmed this fact giving reason that the drainage in surrounding premices of the world famous crater is mixing in it and creating threat for the crater.
Lonar crater is the world's only meteoric impact crater in Basalt rock and has internatioal importance. Many renowned organisations and scientists are still doing research on the life in Lonar crater and many secrets are yet to be resolved. Till now, species eating Methane as well as with magnetic properties are also found here. Development of many life cycles are still going on in the Lonar crater and hence Lonar falls in highly protected natural places category. Unfortunately, due to excessive presence of humans in crater area, human interferance and encroachment has caused the threat to all pecularities of Lonar.
Khagol Vishwa, a Pune based organisation working in the field of Science has started the campaign for Lonar crater conservation and protection and recently did the survey at Lonar lake on Oct 2. Khagl Vishwa found two species Corixa and Eristalis larva or rat tailed maggot. These are the first species found in Lonar crater other than the microorganisms in Lonar. Development of life in Lonar lake is considered as impossible due to its high salinity but presence of Corixa and Eristalis larva have proved that the structure of Lonar crater has started Changing. As these two species are generally found in soft water, there presence at Lonar crater has proven that original properties of Lonar crater are changing.
National Center For Cell Science has started further study on these two species and senior zoologist Dr Hemant Ghate from Pune has done their identification. While speaking to The Hitavada Dr Ghate confirmed that these two species are generally found in fresh water and sewage water. " Eristalis larva is generally found in human sewage. Its presene in Lonar crater proves that sewage water is mixing with lake water at Lonar and causing the sewage pollution. Corixa is a species in fresh water and as it is found in Lonar it proves that the salinity of Lonar is decreasing. This may change the original life cycle at Lonar lake and it is necessary to take urgent steps to stop mixing of any other water than the original. Otherwise the rare lives at Lonar will come to an end due to human interferance, " said Dr Ghate.


LOnar crater is considered as around 50,000 years old crater and is young as compared to other craters in the world. It has extreme importance from geological and ecological point of view. Rare life cycles are developed here in saline water in adverse conditions. Existence of historical temples in and around crater, existence of numerous species in crater area and other biologically importance things make this crater elligible to be included in the list of world heritage. NASA, Smithsonian Institute, US Geological Survey, Geological Survey of India, National Center for CEll Sciences, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, National Institute of Oceanography, IIts and many other universities are doing research on this crater since last two decades.
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छळ मांडला!!!

गेला एक-दीड महिना भटक-भटक भटकतो आहे. अगदी मेळघाट्च्या जंगलापासून ते केरळ-कन्याकुमारीपर्यन्त जाऊन आलो आहे. आयुष्यात पहिल्यान्दा सलग एवढा फ़िरलो असेल. माझे वाढलेले वजन बरेच कमि झाले हा एक महत्वाचा फ़ायदा धरुन इतर अनेक गोष्टी य सर्व प्रवासादरम्यान शिकायला मिळत गेल्या. अनेक अनुभव मिळत गेले, अनेक माणसे भेटलीत आणि मी आतुन सम्रुद्ध (हा शब्द देवनागरीत कस लिहू जर सान्गा बर) होत गेलो . निसर्गाची अनेकविध रुपे बघितलीत आणि अधिक शान्त होत गेलो. मग ते मेळघाटचे विस्तीर्ण जंगल असो कि कन्याकुमारीचा डोळे विस्फ़ारुन टाकणारा निळाशार समुद्र किंवा मग लोणारचे सरोवर! प्रत्येकच ठिकाणी स्वत:च्या खुजेपणाची जाणीव होत गेली. मनात विचार आला, आपण माणसे कशाचा आणि का एवढा माज करतो? या भव्य निसर्गासमोर आपला अस्तित्व तरी काय? आअपण तर अगदीच क:पदार्थ.
कदाचित असे विचार आणि असे अनुभवच आपल्याल खूप काही शिकवून जात असतील. म्हणूनच प्रवासाने मनुष्य शहाणा होतो असे म्हनत असतील, नाही का ?
हा निसर्ग, हे अनुभव, प्रवासात भेटलेली माणसे, मनात येणारे विचार सगळच काही शब्दात व्यक्त करत येणार नाही कारण काही अनुभव शब्दांच्या पलिकडलेही असतातच ना, आपल्या सर्वांचेच!
पण व्यक्त करता येण्यासारखही बरंच आहे! तेच शब्दात मांडण्याचा प्रयत्न करणार आहे. वज़्ज़र, धारगद, रायपुर, केरळ आणि लोणार!
मित्रांनो, छळ मांडला आहे, सहन करायला तयार रहा!

सुंदर!

निघालो आहे मस्तीत वेगळ्याच,
ध्यास घेऊन सुंदरतेचा
उर भरुनी प्रत्यय घेतो
जगण्याच्या या विशालतेचा!
अश्रू सुंदर, हास्य सुंदर,
मुखामुखावरील स्मितही सुंदर
धरती सुंदर, अंबर सुंदर
माणसान्मधील प्रीतही सुंदर!
मिट्ट काळोखी अन्धारही सुंदर,
मंद प्रकाशी दीपही सुंदर
विश्वात व्यापलेला अवघ्या
जीवन्ततेचा हुंकार सुंदर!
कवेत घेऊन जगणे सारे,
मस्त मोकळा गातो आहे
हात पुढे मी पसरलेलाच
जो जे देईल घेतो आहे!
माणूस सुंदर , झाडही सुंदर
अनादी सुंदर, अनंत सुंदर
प्रत्येकामध्ये लपून आहे,
व्याप्त तो भगवंत सुंदर!
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नक्षलवाद तुमच्या दारातही येऊ शकतो!

दांतेवाडा घटनेने हादरलेल्या प्रशासन आणि शासनाला सावरायलाही वेळ न देता, नक्षलवाद्यांनी छत्तीसगढ मध्ये पुन्हा एक बस उडवून सर्वांना जोराचा धक्का दिला. या आणि अशा अनेक घटना घडल्यावर आपण नक्षल्यांवर टिका करतो आणि ते कसे चुकीचे आहेत हे स्वत: ला व इतरांना पटवून सांगतो. नक्षलवाद्यांचा मार्ग पटो अथवा न पटो, आपल्या प्रत्येकाच्या मनात एक कुतुहल त्यांच्या बद्दल, त्यांच्या आयुष्याबद्दल नेहमीच असते. आणि तरी सुद्धा कुठेतरी नक्षल्यांबद्दल मनात रागच जास्त असतो.
पिचलेल्या जनतेला न्याय देण्याच्या उदात्त भावनेतून चारु मुझुमदारांनी सुरु केलेली ही चळवळ आज, त्याच जनसामान्यांच्या विरोधात जात असुन त्यांच्यातच नवीन जमीनदार आणि बुर्ज़्वा लोक तयार होत आहेत. आज जरी या चळवळीची दिशा चुकली असेल आणि तिचे मार्गक्रमण हे दहशतवादी संघटनेकडे सुरु असेल, तरी जी परिस्थिती प्रखरपणे या चळवळीने जगापुढे आणली, ती परिस्थिती आज देखील कायम आहे, वेष्टन बदललेल्या स्वरुपात!
आज देखील सरकारी यन्त्रणेची मुजोरी तितकीच आहे, निर्ढावलेपणा तसाच आहे, माहिती अधिकार कायदा येउन सुद्धा त्यांचे छुपे व्यवहार व गरिबांना नाडणे तसेच सुरु आहे. अधिकारी, नेते, गुंड आणि उद्योगपती यांचे साटे लोटे तसेच सुरु आहे. प्रत्येक जातीतील ठराविक लोक सोडले तर अनेक जण 'वंचित' या एकाच जातीत सामावणारे आहेत. त्रास खेड्यातच आहेत असे नाही, ते शहरातही आहेतच, त्यांचे स्वरुप वेगळे असेल. आमच्या देशातील जे भाग १९४७ साली मागास होते, ते आजही मागास श्रेणीतच मोडतात. आहे रे आणि नाही रे यांच्यातील दरी विस्तीर्ण होत आहे. आमच्या देशातील सर्वच जाती समूहांना असुरक्षित वाटत आहे. अशी सर्व परिस्थिती ही नक्षलवादासाठी अत्यंत पोषक असते. याचाच अर्थ आमची शहरे देखील नक्षली गटांची ठिकाणे बनू शकतात. चळवळीला प्रतिष्ठा प्राप्त होण्यासाठी तिला बुद्धिवंतांची साथ लाभणे आवश्यक असते. काही वर्षांपूर्वी विद्यापीठांमधून शिकणार्‍या कम्युनिस्ट व जहाल डाव्या विचारवंतांनी, कलावंतानी, साहित्यिकांनी नक्षल चळवळीला अशी वैचारिक साथ दिली होती. त्यामुळेच या चळवळीला तात्त्विक अधिष्ठान प्राप्त झाले; अन्यथा ती मुस्लिम दहशतवादी चळवळीच्या मार्गाने गेली असती. आज ती त्याच मार्गाने चाललेली आहे. तिला पुन्हा सुशिक्षित तरुणांकडून समर्थन मिळू द्यायचे नसेल तर सरकार प्रमाणेच अम्हालाहि काही तरी पुढाकार घेऊन करावे लागेल. सरकार ने विकास कामांना आदिवासी भागात गती दिली पाहिजे, सुविधा पुरवल्या पाहिजेत, सरकारी यन्त्रणा अधिक माणुसकीपूर्ण झाली पाहिजे, हे अत्यंत आवश्यक आहे. तसेच नागरिक म्हणून आपण काय करु शकतो याच देखिल प्रत्येकाने विचार करण्याची गरज आहे. लहान पणापासून राष्ट्रवादाची भावना रुजविणे, सर्व काही मीच न ओढता वंचितांना काही देण्याची तयारी ठेवणे, त्या वंचितांपर्यन्त पोचण्याची, जाण्याची तयारी ठेवणे आणि नक्षली चळवळीला समर्थन करणार्‍यांचा विरोध करणे, आपापल्या ठिकणी हे आपण नक्कीच करु शकतो. गडचिरोलिला जाऊन एक वेगळे टुरीजम करणे, ख्रिश्चन मिशनर्‍यांच्या पैश्यावर पोसलेल्या आपल्या देशद्रोही मिडियाचा विरोध करणे हे ही आपण करु शकतो. हे खूप सोपे उपाय झालेत. काही उपाय आपण ही सुचवू शकता. मला अपेक्षा आहे प्रतिक्रियांची आणि ऊपायांची! वाट बघतो आहे!
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Yeh 'India' Ka Cricket Hai !

Indians hardly love any other thing with such fascination, desperation and aggrssion than Cricket. Whether we love cricket stars or the sport itself has remained the topic of debate always. For me, the thing to mention is that these cricketing stars reflect the changing mode of our society, change in attitudes of our people and in general changing India.
Indian Cricket got real world recognition only after Sunil Gavaskar. Before him, our Cricket was under big impression of Britishers as our country was in that period. Mind you, Gavaskar came in 1971 and Amitabh Bacchan did his entry in same '70s. Indians had started to come out of any sort of obligation and binding of others in that period and hence his 'Angry Young Man' image was so much accepted. During same years, Gavaskar came on the circuit and since then he took Indian cricket to a newer height earning respect from cricketing world. Kapil Dev was also the product of this decade. The first Pokharan was also done in same decade. Is it a coincidence?
Cut to 90's. India was striving to sustain and earning greater credibility in the world. Some aggression based on old basics was coming both in cricket and in society before 90's. After the globalisation, scenario change. This is the decade, when the ever great batting trio of India, Sachin, Saurav and Dravid came and rocked the world. It was the next step, when aggression was increased, confidence was on much higher levels. Throwing all shackles, the regenerated India, in Cricket, was ready to set a big challenge in front of other cricketing countries. Was not this the same story for India as a country in world affairs? Sachin, Saurav and Rahul were the icons of that generation who had seen old values and want to go ahead without going away from those values. Politeness, patience, down to earth attitude of the trio was the peculiar characteristic of Indian society then. How can I forget Anil Kumble in this list? In 1997,Kumble took 10 wickets. 1998 was the most successful year of Sachin and he was acclaimed as best betsman by the world after this. Second Pokharan was also done in 1998. Was it a coincidence?
Cut to 2005, India was emerging as a power in world and in Cricket also. There comes the entire new generation. Yuvraj, Dhoni, Harbhajan,Gambhir. More aggression, more confidence, totally different attitudes, values, beliefs and styles. Sometimes, loosing ground due to over confidence and over aggression. Isn't it a story of Indian youths after 2005. Mind you fiends, college going students have changed tremendously after 2005. Same is the Cricket. They want to do new things, hardly ready to listen others and believe much in themselves. IPL came after this? Breed of young politicians in India also came after this. Is this too a coincidence?
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Refreshed and Silent!

Jungles fascinate me and for me those are like schools. Every visit to forest carve out some different lesson hidden in the treasure of the nature and makes me wealthier than last visit. The recent visit to Tadoba gave me similar experience which can only be termed as 'spiritual' and i became literally 'speechless'.
Tadoba tiger project is in Chandrapur district. Taru Ba is the god for Madiya and Gondi tribals in this area and hence the jungle is known Tadoba. Gond king use to organise Pooja and fare in this jungle earlier. For Tadoba, we started at 6 a.m. in an open gypsy and with a young enthusiastic guide. As like our family, people go to Tadoba, with the one and only desire, that is to see the Tiger. It is not totally wrong with that, but the danger is that we may miss to spot on the other beauty of the forest. There is one board at the entrance of Tadoba forest. It says, no one can assure you that tiger will be spotted, but the real fun lies in this unpredictability. Apart from Tiger, there are Cheetal, Chuasingha, barking deer, wild dogs, bison, crocodile, beer, wild cats, any number of beautiful birds and of course amazing forest. There is tree called 'Karai', it turns white in summer, green in winter and red in rainy season. When it turns white, with its peculiar branches, it looks like a ghost and hence also called as 'ghost tree'.
Tadoba as like many other forests really have many fantastic stories about forest and animal. along with us, there was a foreigner researcher on the tour and it was his ninth round to forest. Inspite of that he had not seen the tiger and was determined to do the 'task'. Now, when I am writing this, I am sure he will be on the Safari doing same mary-go-round activity. As our guide told, once he was as usual surfing through forests along with his troup of tourists which also had one professional photographer. On the way, they found four wild dogs, trying to hunt a mother deer and her two baby deers. For any nature photographer the seen was rare and an exciting opportunity to capture. Two wild dogs, seperated mother from her babies and two others were killing those babies. When dogs were trying to leave the mother, she was attacking them and babies were running away. The fight continued for 15 to 20 minutes and at last wild dogs got the success. These dogs eat the prey when it is alive. Dogs were eating small deers when they were alive and their mother was just seeing it helplessely. A minute later, teers fell on the earth, from the eyes of mother deer and also of the tourists who were watching that struggle for life. The photographer, just shut down his camera, even though it might be a supreme snap for him and sat down in shocked, speechless condition, the scene was such a horrible. Neither deer nor wild dogs were wrong. There are many things in life which might be wrong from our eyes, but can be the reason of sustaining for others. As deers were important for dogs for their living. Many times our fate, lies in the control of others. Ah!
We also saw the dead beer killed by the tiger just a couple of days back, a Chuasingha falling fruits with its awsome horns, the idle looking crocodile on the bank of the lake, birds flying over water in style, the blue- green parrot and the beautiful lake in forest. The beauty of Tadoba or of any jungle lies in, just seeing what comes ahead of you. What I like personally, is the silence in the jungle, which is a thing to experience personally. The refrshing experience!
So, it was my another tour which ended on positive note and an invitation from the guide to come again in Tadoba in summer, just to see the king of Jungle, The Tiger. Who knows I may go again there, as the first eye contact with that beauty, has already created eagerness and excitement in me.
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Happy New Year of Hope!

And here the new year starts! One more time, lets pray for everything better! The year of new hope, new inspirations, new zeal, new freshness, new feel, new romanticism and new facts. The year of new dawn of better life has started. Keeping a step on the stone we turned last year, lets go on more height. Lets cross some more distance in the direction of everything that is good and noble.
This year's morning has peeped into my life with a great freshness. It has brought the message from somewhere that the new year will be better than last year. Today's morning came giving birth to some beautiful words in my mind. Consequently, those words spread on the paper in the form of a poem. Obviously, the poem reflects the happiness, which has come today to reside in me.
On this first day, let me demand something from The Almighty. I hope that I will come across good persons more than last year and give me some more friends. Hey God, give me huge number of and variety of experiences to enrich my life, give me the vision to see everything that is beautiful in the life and give me the power to make this world beautiful. The year has started beautifully and I hope that this beauty will continue to reach to lives of all of us.
The only thing I felt sorry about! Remember, in the last week or fortnight, entire world was expressing the big concern over climate change. The farce of Copenhegan was on mount and global warming had become the buzzword. For media people like us, the conference was as like festival and everybody was talking or writing on it. Yesterday night everything against that concern about climate occured and the fact came ahead crying that our concerns were so temporary and false. The fire works on the eve of arrival of new year at the midnight, might have done such a huge pollution about which we talk making a big mouth. But, media does not care about it nor does many others. Sound pollution and the garbage we would have done at various places, that is different. Developed and developing countries, both were jubiliating and polluting the world on yesterday night. Who should blame on whom? Hope we will become serious about this climate change issue and do something beyond conducting conferences in AC rooms, the most dangerous polluter!
Sorry for bringing this unpleasant topic amidst festive mood and ending here it immediately as I know that we all are happy and fresh today. I wish all of you a happy new year
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I condemn this democracy!

Two political rivals, from same party, met once at a cross section. One is seating MLA as well as a minister while the another one is an aspiring candidate of assembly elections from the same constituency. Both are trying to overpower each other in getting assembly elections ticket. The minister says,” I built roads and flyovers, made the city beautiful, I am trying to bring industries in the SEZ sanctioned due to my efforts, brought the new airport, I am a close associate of former chief minister and have good connections with high command, what do you have”?. The another person replied “Mere Pass Maa Hai”!
This is the anecdote which is nowadays getting told in political and social spheres of Amravati. The minister is Dr.Sunil Deshmukh who has every right to demand a ticket for next assembly elections due to developmental works he has done while the aspiring candidate is Raosaheb Shekhawat, son of President of India, Pratibha Patil. Shekhawat has all of sudden emerged on political scene of Amravati since one year from nowhere, no need to mention due to backing of post of President of India. This is the story of entire political sphere of our country.
You must be remembering, Poonam Mahajan had made a cry on not getting Lok Sabha elections ticket. In these elections of Maharashtra, many political leaders of the state are trying to project their wards as their political heirs. Bhujbal, Pawar, Munde, Anand Adsul, Ranjit Deshmukh, Vilasrao Deshmukh, Sushilkumar Shinde, Datta Meghe, Ranjit Deshmukh, Madhukar Sarpotdar, hundreds of Shikshan and Sahakar Maharshees and many others political leaders are trying to make grounds for their children in coming elections. Are we living in democracy? I have stopped believing in it. If these people are natural choices for candidature, what should a common party activist do, who spend his valuable days and years for party work? How can a common person be given a chance to represent people.
Few years back, Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party used to give tickets to common party workers and made many leaders from those activists. But, this practice is stopped almost completely in all parties. Our shameless leaders ask, if a doctor’s son can become doctor, lawyer’s son can become lawyer why not a politician’s son become a politician? Hell with these shameless leaders. They are talking as if politics is a business and this country is their private property. Are we living in monarchy? Is this country is kingdom of these useless political leaders?
Government makes campaigns for increasing voting percentage. They appeal us to awake and vote for making our democracy stronger. But to whom should we vote when successors of well settled political leaders are only persons contesting elections just due to ability of spending more money earned by their fathers doing all malpractices. Then when will a common person get a real chance to participate in democracy, as mentioned by our constitution and which is buried in those large books only. I don’t believe that we are living in real democracy.
I condemn this political system and such ‘power-blinded’ leaders and their akas. If you think there is some sincerity in my feelings, please condemn this monarchial practice of India. Forward this to all your acquaintances, comment on it, discuss this at your meetings and gatherings, react on it. This will not only do things correct, but at least the subject will be discussed at many avenues. Many great things happen from some small starts only. Choice is yours!
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Please! Time is Precious

Is it so difficult to keep the time? Can't we reach at a particular place five minutes before the desired time? It must have been difficult, otherwise everyone would have reached at every place on time.

We meet once in a week for playing volleyball in the RSS shakha for college students. One of my friends reach there at least ten minutes late every time. He has hardly ever reached in any programme on time despite being in RSS, the organisation which boasts for discipline. This is not the case for RSS but for entire society.

During our college days, one of my friends was such an habitual latecomer. We used to decide one time for reaching at certain place, he used to start from his house on that time making others to wait for some more minutes. Once we were going for a camp and it was decided to meet on railway station on 7.30 p.m. at max. Departure time of train was 8 p.m. This 'delayer' friend of mine as usual came late and saw the face of railway station at 7.50 p.m.. Until he reached the station, we all remaining guys were calling him several times on mobile and getting frustrated only. His comment 'Gadi chooti Kya' was an addition in our anger.I always think, whether these habitual delayers ever think that they are wasting valuable time of other people. I am nowadays coming to conclusion that they hardly ever think about others.

The story of delays by 'politicos' is another topic of write up. More you delay, more your importance increases. Another facet is that people also do not reach in most of the programmes, political or cultural on time. Absence of listeners or viewers give excuses to delay by political leaders, orators and performers.

Latecomers irritate most n the cultural programme,cinema hall or in a lecture. They come late, then try to find their seat in dark, gives dashes to some people already seating in chair, they don't keep their mouth shut while searching for the seat and disturb few rows if not entire hall. Don't such people feel awkward by doing this?

Keeping the time, I feel, is the habit and definitely a good quality. Most people don't matter it, but the truth is that, if you are keeping the time, people for whom every second is important, also respect you, entertains you. Being in the field of journalism, I have experienced this during any number of meetings with so many important people. Most of them have lauded me for my habit of reaching on time, which is very uncommon in journalists at small place like Amravati.

But during all these years, I have wasted so many seconds, minutes, hours and days just because someone other delayed and we could not start the decided activity on decided time. Will I get those hours in my life back again? Why should I loose my life in such a way? But again, this entire frustration is of mine and those who are responsible for this, might not even have noticed this. They might have been delaying and wasting some others time. They are already delayed. How would they get time to listen this cry of mine?
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Why election fever is not there?

Money is finding its way and an array of election campaign rallies is seen all around, but nobody knows why, the enthusiasm in voters who are most important component of elections, is disappeared. All the aura created by media and politicians about elections has failed to capture the imagination of voters and the elections atmosphere is not yet created.
Elections are to be held from Apr 16 in the country. Since a week, all political parties and candidates have started full fledged campaigning and trying to reach every corner of the constituencies. Top brass of different parties have started addressing rallies, one after another in a day and appealing voters to vote for their candidates. But the problem is that using every 'funda' for campaigning and wooing voters, they are seeming most disinterested in the process and hardly showing any enthusaism in the proces. Discussions in small groups are occuring occasionally but the election fever in general is not visible anywhere. Candidates are organising
public meetings, corner meetings, Padyatras, scooter rallies, gatherings of different communitiesand are living no stone unturned to attract voters towards themselves but all is proving to be of little use.
Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, former Lok Sabha President and SS leader Manohar Joshi, BJP state president Nitin Gadkari recently toured through Amravati district and held rallies. But, the attendance to these rallies was close to poor, comparing to the stature of leaders, and only showing extreme disinterest of people for going to such rallies. Candidates are taking out Padyatras and scooter railles but are not getting as many activists and enthusiasts to participate in it. Apart from paid activists and the mob brought by organisers, which is becoming a diffcult task for every party, the voluntary participation is very rare. In addition to this
lack of enthusiasm, the model code of conduct and fear of Election Commission have brought restrictions on candidates. The autorickshaws roaming through city, banners, posters, campaigning vehicles are disappeared from pictures which were used to be in ample number in earlier elections. Restrictions on spendings has brought constriants on free hand expenditure necessary for various aspects. So, it is only the media, activists with their 'interests' and politicians who are showing interests and involvement in election developments.
Many leaders of political parties have also agreed this in private that their events are not getting the response as expected. A state leader of a prominent party couple of days back attributed this disinterest to lack of faith in political parties including his own. According to him, due to unfaithful behaviour in parties and alliances, factions in parties, lack of character shown by political leaders, self centric attitude of people's representatives, their disassociation with common public and the rat-race for power have disillusioned voters in the country. Impression of the betrayal by political leaders is clearly visible in the lack of
enthusiasm among voters. Another leader of a state party said that barring a few leaders on national level, it is hard now to attract voters in the public meetings of political leaders. He also said that gone are the days, when people used to vote according to directions of a specific leader. Now, people think at themselves and vote to the candidate whom they want. These and some other reasons, but the fact is that, nobody knows exactly what is the their hidden in the minds of voters. It is yet to be seen whether this disinterest remains same in actual voting or anything otherwise would occur. It seems difficult that people will feel enthusistic in coming
eight days and will show enthusiasm using ballot machines.

Singh Is King

Politics In A TunnelManmohan Singh, GeorgeW. Bush, Aishwarya Rai and Sonia Gandhi were traveling in atrain. The train suddenly goes through a tunnel and it getscompletely dark. Suddenly there is a kissing sound and thena slap! The train comes out of the tunnel. Sonia and Manmohan are sitting there looking perplexed. Bush is bentover holding his face, which is red from an apparent slap.All of them remain diplomatic and nobody saysanything.Sonia is thinking:"This guy (Bush) is all crazy after Aishwarya. Bushmust have tried to kiss her in the tunnel. Very proper thatshe slapped him".Aishwarya is thinking:"Bush must have movedto kiss me, and kissed Soniainstead and got slapped."Bush is thinking:"Damn it! Manmohan must have tried to kiss Aishwarya,she thought it was me and slapped me."Manmohan Singh isthinking: "If this train goes through another tunnel, Icould make another kissing sound and slap Bushagain."Singh is King! Singh is King!!

Efforts for bringing the village in mainstream

Pimpalzira Pardhi settlement is slowly changing its outlook and nature to start a new way of life. The community here is now thinking more on earning their livelihood through hard work instead of traditional 'professions' of hunting and doing thefts.Pardhis on this settlement has not yet left thefts and hunting completely but slowly moving towards other professions.

As told by Harish Bhosale, the Beda tried to do collective farming at nearby land. " They also took some crops like brinjals, popaya and ladies finger in last few seasons. Some people have started sheep and goat farming to earn bread and butter for the family while some others are taking cotton in their land. They are now thinking on fish farming in the well just behind the settlement which will not only satissfy some need of food but also earn some pennies for them. We are thinking on banning the hunting thoroughly. Many people have already stopped begging even," Bhosale said. Moving ahead from where they are, Pardhi people lead by Bhosale has prepared a combine saving group of men and women.

Harish is now planning to organise a cleanliness campaign at Pimpalzira. equipments for daily cleanliness at house and village will be provided and some prizes will also be given to people doing good work for this. I am also thinking on propogating de-addicition programme by doing some street plays, he revealed. Now, Harish is working on the development of Pardhi and Bharadi community at settlements near Pimpalzira. People at Pimpalzira and other Bedas are now striving for getting electricity and water connection. One can see these people busy in filling in various forms of resepctive departments by their hands or with the help of some others.

The man who worked tirelessely for bringing good days to his people has also brought changes in his family also setting an example for others. His wife Sangita was totally illiterate at the time or marriage. When their first child started going to school, she also felt about getting the education. Harish taught her for one year or so and now Sangita is successfully writing his name, can do signature as well as can read. She proudly says that her husband behaves differently than how other Pardhi men treat their wives. Sangita now goes at village school and also take care that every student should get afternoon meal adequately. Pardhis do not believe in using a toilet and hence sanitation is still a big problem. Now, Bhosale himself is building a laterine at his home showing a way for others. It is not that every problem of Pimpalzira has been sorted out totally. People in main Pimpalzira village are still allege that thefts by Pardhis have not stopped. Addiction, disputes, quarrels have not yet ended completely. Inspite of all odds and many failures, Bhosale has not put down his shoulders. After all demoralising incidents, he vows to work more from here till the sunlight becomes fresh and clear.

Enlightenment at Pardhi Beda in Amravati district

No one can change the entire world and all persons around him even after taking enormous efforts. But everyone can light at least one small lamp in his or her corner to end the darkness surrounding him or her and thus things can be changed. This has been proved by a small but slightly more enlightened activist in Pardhi community who is not only striving for changing the destiny of his family but also of some Pardhi settlements including his.

Harish Bhosale has, with his efforts, definitely brought about some transformation at the Pimpalzira settlement in the Amravati district. His family do not have any educational background but his father whose main profession was nothing but hunting, sent his three sons and a daughter to a school. Harish completed his HSSC in horticulture and presently working in MIDC. He used to be worried seeing the plight of Pardhis at his settlement and that gave rise to a will of working for his people.

He started working for an NGO and tried to send maximum students of Pimpalzira to schools. Pardhi community has become a symbol of addiction, disgust, repulsion, unhigenic living. It is also identified with quarrels, thefts and crimes and many other things. Harish took the inititative and told students and their parents about importance of education, cleanliness and health care. He asked some teachers from Zilla Parishad schools to come to the settlement to convince students to go to school. The result is quite visible now and most of the students are going to schools. Parents are also insisting on giving education to their wards which they were not fortunate enough to get.

Lack of hygine is the most visible thing at any Pardhi settlement but Pimpalzira is proving to be an exception to that. Gradually but definitely, the 'Beda' is transforming into a clean place to reside as everybody is taking care of personal and collective hygiene. Meetings were taken to stop addiction and decision was taken to give up liquor consumption at the settlement. After many months of consistent efforts, some Pardhi people at Pimpalzira have given up liquor. All these things had it positive impact on the settlement as quarrels have come down and cases of domestic violence have reduced.

Harish has, with the help of some other youths, formed a Panchayat and it was decided that every dispute will be sorted out at the Panchayat and no quarrel will turn into a crime. "In last 10 years, not a single case against any person at Pimpalzira settlement has been registered in the crime diary of police, thanks to the Panchayat and people's contribution to it," told Harish. Working since last 10 years, Harish Bhosale has, with the help of some NGOs, turned the Pimpalzira settlement's outlook and mindset. Wandering from one place to other is the destiny of this unfortunate community. But now, Pimpalzira Pardhi settlement residents have settled down in real terms. The Beda has 40 families and 38 out of these have got their houses in government schemes like Gharkul or Indira Awas scheme. The settlement is now on the verge of making a new beginning.

The silk route for Vidarbhian farmers

By Mandar Moroney

State Silk Park in Amravati, the first of its type in the country, is heading towards a thorough guidance place for farmers as well as tourists and educational spot for students. The silk directorate and silk park in city are empowering farmers to earn their alternative income using silk route. The Silk department was a part of Khadi Gramodyog board earlier. In 1997, with the view of developing silk industry in the state, a separate Silk directorate was set up which has its headquarter at Nagpur. Under this directorate, a silk park has been formed in the city which was inaugurated last year. The silk park has now become the asset for the city as well as farmers esepcially in Vidarbha. The park has 18 acres of land and out of that, highly productive Mulberry variety has been planted on eight acres. There is also a silkworm rearing house, cocoons and silk thread formation centers at this park. Here, directorate has developed all these things to give demonstrations to farmers who are willing to do this business. Eggs are developed here at the park using Mulberry leaves, scientifically, after which silkworm starts weaving the Cocoons around itself. After a period of 20 to 25 days, these fully woven cocoons are taken out from trays and then are dried into the drying machine where all worms are killed. Then separating these died worms, cocoons are heated and converted into silk thread using machine. The entire procedure can be seen at the Silk park as all machineries and equipments are available here to do the same. Recently, the silk directorate has started arranging trainings of farmers at this park to give the detail technical knowledge about this supplementary business. " We take 30 people in one batch lasting for seven days. We give them knowledge of every little thing necessary for beneficial silk farming and increasing the productivity. Along with theoratical knowledge, they get the chance to see actual work at the park and to understand its method. In addition to that, we arrange their tours at the places of farmers who are doing silk farming, successfully," informed P. N. Chalpelliwar, Assistant Director of Regional Silk Office, Amravati. According to Chalpelliwar, Mulberry farming is more beneficial than cotton or soyabean farming. If farmers have some acres of land, irrigation facility and adequate indoor area, then this side business is of good profit as there is no threat of whims of nature in it. Even if land is not available, farmers can take silkworm eggs from department and can bring back cocoons to it. Silk department provides eggs, variety of Mulberry, gives training of doing this work, various things necessary for it and also buys back the cacoons from farmers. As there are no middlemen in it and government is giving assurance of buying cocoons, there are no chances of cheating of farmers, says Chalpelliwar. Presently, Government is giving price of Rs. 15,000 per quintal of cacoons to farmers, he claimed. Till now, 150 beneficiaries have taken benefit of silk park and are doing this business. The department is aiming at developing the park and has planned to construct farm lake, nursery and to avail demonstrations of 'silk to milk' supplementary business. Schools now also have started bringing educational trips of students here and the frequency will increase after complete development. Chalpelliwar appealed farmers as well as other people to take benefit of this novel park in Vidarbha.

tribals learning diamond faceting.

Moving away from traditional jobs like honey hunting and bamboo arts or working as labourers on government works tribal youths in the district are going down the 'Diamonds Way' these days to get a cutting edge to life. Government along with a private institute training tribal youths of
faceting to diamonds so that they can stand on their feet in future. Tribal pDevelopment department has the scheme of training tribal youths in delicate and cumbersome
work of faceting the raw diamonds. Shri Chandan diamond institute from Amravati and tribal
development department took initiative in that and decided to implement this programme.
Additional Tribal Commissioner G.P.Garad and Vishwas Sherekar, Director of the institute,
finalised the thing and confirmed to implement the programme. Now Chandan Diamond institute is
running a three months programme from Jan 1 and 50 students have been enrolled in that. Tribal
department selected 50 youths from Dharani, Chikhaldara, Chandur Bajar, Teosa, Chandur Railway
along with some from Pardhi community. These youths are getting all practical and theoratical
lessons in the institute and opprtunity to work directly on diamonds. On a raw diamond, student
learn to do Brutting, Table Cut (one facet), bottom making (24 facet), top making (32 facet)
after which a polished diamond is created having 57 facets. Youths are getting first hand
experience of working along with thorough basic knowledge. " I am dreaming of making a diamond cottage industry here in Amravati as like Sachin Diamond Park
in Utna town near Surat in Gujrat. Presently, around 3 to 4 lakh workers in Maharashtra are
working at Gujrat as labourers. I want to settle those trained labourers at here in Amravati and
also dreaming for creating small scale industrialists. We will give jobs to these trained
students in April this year," informed Sherekar. Chandan Institute is aiming on making small
industrialists in diamond faceting. Sherekar has also shown readiness to provide raw material and
buy finished products from these small industries. He has aimed to train around 1000-1500 persons
in future and to settle them in industry.Students who are undergoing training since Jan 1 are learning details and intricacies of diamond
work under the guidance of experienced teachers who have worked in diamond industry for more than
10 years. Playing with eye glass, tang and machines tribal youths are trying to shape diamonds as
well as their careers. " I have accepted the challenge of giving jobs to 80 percent of these
trainees and hoping for fulfillment of that," said Sherekar.