Formal Declaration of Support to Kolkata Knight Riders

This is to announce to my blog viewers that I would be wholeheartedly supporting Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL-2010. This is my formal announcement in my blog. I request all my friends, relatives, fellow-travel writers, brothers and sisters to kindly spend the next few minutes reading this post as I reveal my thoughts and feelings. This decision has no connection with any prejudiced opinions and solely based on my own reasons and observations during my travels.

Before 1947, during the days of British Raj there were only two communities which were causing headache to Britishers namely i.e. Punjabi and Bengali. As per divide and rule policy, Bengal was divided and more atrocities were committed in Punjab by Britishers to demotivate people of Bengal and Punjab. India got independence finally thanks to freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Due to creation of East-Pakistan in 1947, more refugees from present day Bangladesh (erstwhile East Pakistan) entered into West Bengal. West Bengal became unstable due to over-population. It needed to support itself and also had the task of supporting the refugees. During 1971 Bangladeshi war, more refugees poured into West Bengal and Bengal became even more unstable. Law and order problem was inevitable and that’s the reason why even today West Bengal is unstable especially due to problems caused by Naxals.

We need to consider the fact that West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand are very small states geographically and currently supports population which even a large state like Madhya Pradesh cannot handle efficiently. I hope my readers can understand my view and analysis. Due to over-population, the Government isn’t able to support itself and provide education, healthcare facilities to people. Even though Kolkata seems to be developed; during my travels I have observed that many areas villages, towns in West Bengal still represent British-era. Many parts of Jharkhand, Bihar and Orissa are under Naxalite control and tribal people living in villages continue to face naxal atrocities.

The sad thing is that Eastern Indian states namely Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa are a bit unstable and certain areas are very unsafe. But the Central Government isn’t bothered about the Naxal slow poison. During my travels, I have observed that these states have received step motherly treatment. No child will develop if its own mother behaves like a step mother. The Central Government is the step-mother here. At present, India is the strongest workforce in the global arena and No.1 in Software industry. Many Southern, Western states are very well developed primarily due to software industry as the business is done in dollars.



Step Motherly treatment
Most people from Jharkhand, Bihar, and Orissa migrate to other parts of India in search of job. They take up job like selling Pani Puri’s, Bhel puri’s, working as security guards, drivers. Most of the corporate, MNC’s, foreign companies have security guards who are primarily from East Indian states and North-East states like Assam, Mizoram. Whenever there is a security threat, the Union Government sends NSG, MARCOS commandoes to I.T hubs but completely ignores its own people living in Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa who face the wrath of naxals daily.

Worst of all, whenever there is a terrorist attack in hotels (Remember 26/11 Mumbai attacks) the help of Indian Army soldiers hailing from Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa are needed, but people from East still face a lot of harassment and prejudiced opinions. Why are people wanted in times of need and treated as dog-food when their help is no longer needed?

Even today, many poor people from Bihar, Jharkhand leave their family behind having good faith that the Government would protect their families as they are away to earn money for their family. But most people who stay back are killed due to Naxal violence. Those who have migrated are also subjected to violence and harsh treatment. But the Government doesn’t seem to be bothered.

If the present situation needs to change there needs to be development in Eastern India. That’s possible only through tourism and sports. More International games should be organized in Jamshedpur, Ranchi, Cuttack, Guwahati, and Patna. This would attract more tourism and foreigners. Government would be forced to turn its attention towards undeveloped, unstable, unsafe areas. Considering Kolkata’s developed nature, it can be also considered as capital of East India. If there has to be stability in East Indian states, the entire world should focus on Eastern India. There should be more interest towards East India. This can be achieved only through Tourism and cricket. Owing to the popularity of the game, I am sure that’s the best way to attract Government’s attention to make it invest funds in improving infrastructure of East Indian states.

There is nothing called as an undeveloped state. The simple reason is that these states are unfortunate and they never had the chance. This is similar to a poor child being sent to work as it can’t afford for education or rather a child is not given a chance to study while the one with opportunity and money wins the battle without any competition. Give them a chance! That’s my final call. Remember, world’s first university was built in Nalanda, which is in Bihar. Jharkhand has got rich mineral resources enough to support India for hundreds of years and Orissa has got enough tourist spots like Konark, Bhubaneswar and Puri. These people have the ability to do anything. They have showed it in the past and they will show it in future.

During my childhood, when I use to watch cricket matches my father used to show more interest on teams like UAE, Canada, Namibia, Netherlands and Kenya. I use to ask my father how come such a small team win a team like Australia, South Africa and India. My father replied that small teams which aren’t good should be encouraged and not ignored. That’s the policy which needs to be implemented here.

Solutions
1. Tourism Development through sports.
2. Tourism development through propaganda.
3. Focus on agriculture. Agriculture is the best occupation for mankind and stable life.
4. There need not be Monginis, Barista, Pizza Corners, Mary Brown, Coffee Days but there can be at least one Apollo hospital.
5. There need not be pubs for youngsters to date, but there can be one temple, mosque and a church for the elderly people to pray and meditate.

I am not sure how long I would be alive, but let’s say that at least till 50 or 60. I would be the happiest person if in future, Jharkhand’s GDP, literacy rate overtakes the leading Indian states like Maharashtra, Tamilnadu and Kerala and I want it to happen within my life time. Most of all, it is only possible only if proper encouragement is given. People should be proud of themselves and the inferiority complex should be eliminated. They should come out of the nutshell. Glory awaits!!

-Krishna Kumar. S

Divinity in Madurantakam

Gopuram of Madurantakam-Yeri Katha Ramar Temple.

Why I like Madurantakam?

Madurantakam is a small town 84km away from Chennai. It is famous for a Ram Temple. I personally like Madurantakam very much for many reasons. I visit the Ram temple at Madurantakam almost every two months. Being a devotee of Lord Vishnu, I am always interested in Vishnu Temples. I am personally impressed with the overall majestic appearance of Lord Vishnu as Lord Ram in the Yeri Katha Ramar Temple. His brother Lakshman’s majestic appearance adds more beauty. As far as I know this is the only temple in which Lord Ram is portrayed as holding Sita’s hand. I got this information through the temple gurukkal with whom I converse often. One of my ambitions in life is to give Yeri Katha Ramar-a dhoti and thundu. I hope He would accept my gift.

Madurantakam has an interesting legend associated with it. It is believed that Lord Ram gave darshan to Lt.Colonel Plaze, a British collector when he prayed to Lord Ram to assist him. It is to be noted that Plaze was a sceptical person.

In the year 1796, the temple authorities decided to build a shrine for Janakavalli Thayar (Goddess Sita). It was a rainy season and Madurantakam Tank was getting full. There was a fear that the bunds would give away and water would come into the town. At that time, Lt.Plaze noticed a huge pile of stones piled up near the Temple. He inquired the purohits why there were so many bricks and stones inside the temple complex.


Temple Tank.

The purohits replied that those bricks were to be used for constructing a separate shrine for Goddess Sita. The collector was amused. Lt.Plaze said that building a shrine wasn’t a priority. He believed that the bricks should be used for repairing the bunds of the tank which had broken. The purohits replied that Lord Vishnu never betrayed any devotee and He always answers the prayers of his devotees. Purohits asked the Collector to pray to Lord Ram sincerely from his heart and they assured him that his prayers would be answered.

The rains never stopped. The entire town of Madurantakam was filled with water everywhere and daily life was affected. Many feared that the tank would overflow and water will come into the town. As a District Collector, Lt.Col Plaze had a lot of work pressure and he was extremely worried. He went to the spot along with his team and inspected the bunds. He prayed at heart that the bunds shouldn’t break.


Yeri Katha Ramar in all glory.

There was a flash of lightning. He saw two figures standing at a distance. One of them had a bow in the hand. Lt.Col. Plaze was amazed and spell bound. It was none other than Lord Ram (Vishnu) and his divine brother Lakshman. His prayers were answered! Lord Ram and Lakshman themselves have taken the task of protecting the tank. When the rains stopped, the Collector approached the purohits and apologised to them for being sarcastic. He personally took charge of the construction expenses and a shrine for Janakavalli Thayar was built. A small idol of Col.Plaze is engraved in the walls of the shrine of Janakavalli Thayar as a sign of respect. Even in the temple entrance Col.Plaze’s name is mentioned in the pillars.

While browsing through the Internet, I came across this legendary story. I was impressed. I visited Madurantakam for the first time in 2008 and as on date, I have been to Madurantakam 13 times. Tamilnadu has got lots to offer the world in my opinion. A British Collector believes in Lord Ram, but why do people over here inquire about the engineering degree of Lord Ram? I am confused and at the same time amused. British people are generally reserve and they follow a lot of rules. Even they have understood the existence of Ram. Whenever I visit Madurantakam, I generally spend more than 4-5 hours at the temple complex.

I like the taste of the divine theertham (water), the fragrance of camphor, the oil lamps, the granite floors, and the taste of tulsi leaves which my Lord Narayan likes very much. Madurantakam is one awesome place overall.

-Krishna Kumar.S