Travel to Vrindavan-Mathura-Agra

 Somewhere, I had read that  “A man, who travels, learns more than a man who reads from a book”. It's undoubtedly correct to every word. The travelling is such an experience , particularly when you do so in the company of  family and friends. I love to travel especially without a laid out plan, just a sheer excursion, behind the steering wheel ..... Ohhhh, it's so lovely to go through the dusky roads with green farm land, small sleepy villages and exuberant small towns on both sides, in between, a pit stop at a dhaba, tasting some local specials and having a family memoire in the form of photographs..... My wish to god is, pl give me enough energy,time and money to relish these moments and cover every small and remote part of the country through the highways and state roads, a SUV would have been an ideal partner but my friend Fiesta  has been good company so far.

Thankfully, there was a longer weekend with Independence Day and Janamastmi falling on the Friday and Monday with no exams for the children. I asked my mother to come along and decided - this time to cover the  Vrindavan-Mathura-Agra . I enquired to a few friends about the ideal route and places for stay but as usual every one had his own suggestions based on his own personal likings. Finally, I decided to just "let's go .....will find out on the way". Unfortunately, the Thursday was a bad day at office with one of the servers getting crashed, I kept praying till evening for its recovery and lord Krishna perhaps heard and gave enough illumination  to my great team to resurrect everything. I called up my wife at 6 in evening to tell her - "we would be leaving tomorrow morning".  Wow !!!, the children were thrilled...mother was happy and my wife - she was trying to hide  emotions with all excuses but I know, she would be the happiest.

The excitement filled within me didn’t let me sleep the night before. I had a late office party and in spite of all efforts, could sleep for hardly couple of hours . We had to start the journey at 5.30 and as always were on the road by 5.30 am. Sometimes, I feel envious of my punctuality .The morning breeze increased the excitement more and all of us were just enjoying it to the fullest. I decided to take Sohna - Palwal route to hit  Mathura road (NH-2). This was firmed only after sitting behind the wheel.......well, I am like this. Suddenly I realized I don't have the currency in the purse neither my wife had. The tank was full but no free currency. The credit card business has made the money purses starved. Even before my wife would have scremed at me, I stopped at the first ATM and draw whatever was there in the saving account. With all settled, I switched on the FM - my best friend on the road. Switched off the AC, pulled down the window pan to enjoy the lovely morning breeze.It was still a little dark outside with no one visible on the road. Some elders could be seen in their jogging suites but rest seems to be in longer nap on the Independence Day. After all it would a bit longer independence from the office corums . An apt time for bhajans and FM is always ready with the recipie of the moment . With Hari Om sharan and Anoop Jalota in the background , within minutes I was on the Sohna road. The hustle and bustle of the millennium city was behind. The farm views had started.There was not much traffic in the morning but still was not able to push beyond 80 - trying to have the glimpse of every thing what excites and suggest we should have this life only. Do what nature permit us to and in a way that no one else get harmed. Took a turn towards Palwal...a little bit of conglomeration of trucks and bit of bumpy ride , but within few minutes it was again back to smooth stretch. I always wonder, these truck drivers have the best of the world . They cross every part as if it is all theirs, decide to stop where ever they want to and drive their beautiful lady like the female elephant who is on way to entise the male counterpart. 

Travelling through the field of Haryana is always a beautiful site. You wouldn't find a barren land and without greenery. No wonder, why it is the province with best per capita income in the country. There were a lot of speed breakers ,buffaloes & tractors on the way till I hit the NH2, but with no qualms, it gave all of us a better opportunity to mingle with nature and kept the journey safe . In between , both my daughters had a good sleep on the back seat. My mother wanted to have tea and breakfast time was also nearing, so we stopped at a Dhaba to get our bellies filled. When we entered the dhaba, I was bemused to see so many travelers . Seems many family groups had descended from Delhi region and joined us in the same direction.It was now time to ingurgitate on the hot paranthas and tea. I must say that no restaurant can satisfy one better than the highway dhaba. One aloo paratha with a slice of butter and chai in the typical dhaba glass, a joy cannt be hold back. My wife had a long stare on the butter but I just kept looking aside as if I am having green vegetables and fruit . After all, I was on a day out without the bosses and customers !!! Why should I bother? After A few moments of photography session, I was back in the company of fiesta . 80-100 was comfortable while diving and we were cruising on NH2 leaving behind the trees and fields. A few industrial developments on way had killed the panoramic and serene view, but still the travel was awsome .

I didn't realize, how fast I was approaching Vrindaban, till I saw the left turn arrow sign . Originally, I had planned to go to Mathura first, leave the car and take some local taxi to move around but again my instincts made me to turn left and enter Vrindavan . Another 5-6 Kms on the road and we were on the main Vrindavan road. A lot of queries regarding locations on the way from driving seat itself and We were guided to reach the bank of Yamuna . We got down, entered into the narrow lanes where Krishna perhaps would have his early days. The first place we touched was Nidhi van - where Krishna use to have the best of time with 16000 + beautiful ladies. The aloofness of morning had gone and many big groups - rich & poor alike were easily seen roaming around. The chanting of Radhey was in air and seems everyone was only trying his wishes to reach Krishna in a more vociferous way. A few priest also having their business in full swing and happily playing with these mortel's emotion and faith. But the beauty was, none of them were feeling getting cheated and surrendering themselves to Krishna as if whatever they have is courtesy him only and whatever they will have would also be due to him only. I could see in everyone's eyes. We continued walking through the temples, again come back on the main road, parked the car at one place and went to modern temples like ISKON and Prem Mandir . They have  been built with lot of grandeur and have beautiful architecture. A lot more cleaner and well maintained compared to old temples and children were loving it. The little one found empty spaces,beautiful marble structure and depictions of old Vrindavan quite fascinating. Still, she was wondering, where the Krishna and her friends are? She had imagined she would be able to meet all of the Discovery kids characters in live form- unfortunately, I had no options but to tell her some stories, her dream of meeting Krishna remained un quenched.

It was almost 1.00 and tiredness and starvation were creeping in fast. We decided to move towards Mathura. Another few enquiries with window pan getting Up and down and I was on the road to Mathura . Within 10-15 minutes , we were there. I located a small decent hotel and decided to stay there. We all needed proper food, so the first thing after keeping the baggage was to get quickely on the restaurant table. Without much of pondering, we ordered the regular stuff of dal , roti and panner. After, our tank was full, we had an hour rest and in the meantime, I tried to catch up with Modi's first 15th August day speech. The reception staff told that Mandir opens around 4 and it is just 5 minutes from there , so we could leave at around 3.30. We went out at around 330 , had tea on the road side and walked to the Mandir gate. Krishna's birth place was really a jail. I wonder if this much of security personnel would be there even during kansha period!!! We had deposit everything from car key to mobile phones and stand in long queue to enter the temple. But inside was very nice and calm. People were just moving along in the queue, going inside the place where lord was born. My daughter had a interesting question- why his parents were in jail? Only those people who committ sins goes to jail? And the most she was still searching for Krishna and her friends... I don't had the answer. Why his own maternal uncle would have done this. The human relations are such that. The life and preaching of Krishna is so relevant. From here we took hand rickshaws to go to Dwarikadhish temple and had feeling of mathura lanes and life , it was so distinct but at the same time so similar to any of the old towns of northern India. Everyone is busy but seems to be knowing everyone. The smell of lassi and peda were filling up the lanes. No other mode of transport other than rickshaws could have taken us there. We returned to hotel by 8, had our dinner and with everyone extremely tired, it didn't take lot of time to get into the deep sleep at the birth place of Krishna.

Had to get up early so that we can reach our next destination Agra to see the TAJ MAHAL. The highway is really in very good condition and one can drive easily at an avg. speed of 80 kmph. On way, we had a look at sikandra also, but quest of Taj made me go faster.

It took 1 hrs to reach Taj Mahal, just because of Agra city’s traffic and our unawareness of the route.But I think, it makes it even more interesting. We  wanted to have the breakfast so that after getting inside we would worry about filling the stomach. We all had the Puri  in the ITDC restaurant after getting down from the battery operated vehicle . The queue was long particularly for the male. Females could had the easy entry and kept waiting for me till all security check was over. I sometimes wonder, why at such places we have to wait so long in queues? is it to makes us more anxious or dull? But all said than done, I was really thrilled to get inside and capture the beauty .After all the hustle-bustle there, I was standing in front of one of the most beautiful monuments in the world.

The Taj Mahal is really one of the most magnificant craftsmanship in the world. The stunning architectural beauty is beyond description. Different people have different views of the Taj but it would be enough to say that the Taj has a life of its own that leaps out of white marble . Wandered around every corner of it, and it looked the same. Yamuna with heavy rains in the catchment area was flowing like song and love was in air. Awsome view on the riverside along side the monument of love. Wish I could have stayed till late night to see the white lady under the cover of moon light. All chords were moving together and melodies were caressing the ears. Thought to just sit alone in a corner with loud Sufi song in the background ..... but ......

Captured lots of pictures, had a glimpse of Agra Fort and we finally left for Delhi at 1.00. This time I decided change the route and take the express way to enjoy the love of my Fiesta with modern day concrete. We bought the petah of Agra, and stopped after the first toll and had the thali to keep the belly satisfied. I guess, I had the drive of life, easily crossing over 140, the lure of going more and more was there. But Mom dissuaded and kept me pulling back to normal . However,within 1.5 hrs , I hit NOIDA. The drive was as beautiful as the view of Taj. I was really happy thinking that everything went fine wih no issues and suddenly the car had to be stopped. I realized, I am in delhi now and stuck in traffic and this is the reality of daily metro life. TAJ and expressway can't be everywhere.

Anyways when I reached home, I exclaimed ‘success’ . I felt like a conqueror and traveller together . I travelled a good 480 kms touching the speed of 140 kmph and saw the marvels of love and faith.

So friends bye for now till we go for another ostentatious journey like this.

One language is not enough...

There is a saying in Bihar - when a child starts Montessori, the first alphabet taught  by his parents is UPSC in stead of ABCD . Perhaps, this is the reason quite a few of them find it too demanding to answer the ABCD questions of UPSC . Like most of us, I too had this bug bite while studying in college but sooner than latter realized that this is mammoth and I may not see the light of the day, if I get capitulated. But the love was never lost and three letter word still mesmerizes. The hot debates and discussions on CSAT pattern still made me to wonder , what actually it is ? This was not there while we were dreaming to have the three letters in the end of our name. Tried to do some study around this new introduction, and now I wish, had this would have been there in those days, my dreams would not had the untimely death.

So, why so much of hue and cry? What is making the ministers shiver ? The country which has been at cross fire of reform vs populism for last so many decades has again found a topic which can tilt the balance of power. The politics of language is again taking some shape in Hindi heartland and no political power has the ability to out-rightly reject or accept it. 

The CSAT exam carries questions on comprehension; inter-personal skills; logical reasoning and analytically ability; basic numeracy; decision-making and problem solving; general mental ability; and a bit of English language - This is absolutely fine. All the best exams in the world SAT, GMAT, GRE etc has these as part of their selection process. I imagine , this should have been there much before 2011. A administrator is expected to be analytical , having great comprehending ability and last but not the least - be good at the joining language in this vastly differentiated country. The policy making not only needs a social & political understanding but it also needs sufficient abilities in reading the balance sheet, profitability, disinvestment, economic and technology aspects. The people who are going to frame policies have to show enough abilities and that is only possible by questioning their mind. So, what is wrong in it? 

People are calling it urban biased. I fail to understand- being logically strong cannot be a urban phenomenon. In fact, my personal experience suggest - those coming through a traditional vernacular schooling have a better grasp on matter related with analytical thinking. How can be person from vernacular medium be at disadvantageous position.  As far as English language is concerned, now a days, everyone studies it as second language, so there should not be problem in answering a few basic level English questions. Putting English aside , just because it is symbolic of colonial mindset is too much of exaggeration, when the language has gone into the DNA of the country far too deep. Amusing it may be,but believe it or not, the problem is not in questions but in way it has been represented. English is no doubt essential but it becomes harassing if one starts thinking in English. The thinking and hence the question pattern should be in vernacular way and then it should be converted to English. On the contrary, the Hindi version of the question paper, is being generated using Google translator, which has naturally led to a lot of confusion. The core problem can be resolved very easily with proper translation. But, country which is trying to regain the path of growth with some new building blocks is being misguided with science vs humanities and English vs Hindi debate. In no circumstances, the testing pattern should be dropped, if we wish to have  the bureaucrats who are more appropriate to country needs. My request to those in power is to show some spine and let the apex body take a final decision without tinkering it too much under political compulsion.