Travelogue: Wall Painting in Patna

A Wall Mural in Patna showing women empowerment theme Madhubani Paintings:

- Rahul Tiwary | Patna | Feb 2019

#Environment: Plastic Ban and its Impact on Paper Consumption

Several states have banned single use plastic and plastic carry-bags in India. The change is obvious in these places. Plastic use is now very less and people have started using paper, clothes and jute bags instead of plastic carry bags. But this good development has potential to create a new problem - increase in paper consumption would mean more trees being cut for increased paper production!

Domestic paper consumption has been increasing in India. As this article from CARE Ratings published on 12th Feb, 2018 tells, the domestic demand in India grew from 9.3 million tonnes in FY08 to 15.3 million tonnes in FY16 at a CAGR of 6.4%. But this plastic bag ban is a game changer - this would definitely lead to increase in per capita paper consumption; which may be good for paper industry in India but not for the environment. 

According to references, 1 carton (10 reams) of 100% virgin copier paper uses 0.6 trees (Ref). According to this Quora thread, "each ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees and a multitude of other resources such as oil, water, landfill space and the energy used to produce paper. The average person in the United States uses approximately seven trees per year in various paper products, totaling 2,000,000,000 trees per year."

Another report from the USA tells, "The United States produced about 20,700,000 tons of this paper last year, which by my reckoning (see below) takes 55 to 110 million trees, but we only recycle about 11,000,000 tons, or 53 percent, according to those who should know: the American Forest and Paper Association." 

The solution to this threat is to re-use paper to the extent possible before throwing, and to recycle more paper than we are doing now. 

If we re-use and recycle more then this will reduce the harmful effect of increased paper consumption due to plastic-ban. 

- Rahul Tiwary

#Pictures: First doggie in the world having created its own "nest"

This is the one of the pups about whom I had posted earlier here and here; he is now grown up a bit. 

- Rahul Tiwary | Pune | Feb 2019

#Pictures: Gauraiya (Sparrows) in Food Court

- Rahul Tiwary | Place: Pune

#Video: Shivshahi Bus and Shivaji Idol Video

Someone has made this amazing video clip of a Shivshahi Bus going in the background while an idol of Chhatrapati Shivaji can be seen inside the traveling car: 

Shivshahi bus is launched by Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and you can check more details and features about this very good bus service at this website: http://www.shivshahibus.in/

- Rahul Tiwary

#Travelogue: Dal Lake, Leh and Ladakh

In his recent visit to Jammu & Kashmir, Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi has posted two amazing pictures, one of iconic Dal Lake and the second of Leh and Ladakh: 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Dal Lake, Srinagar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Leh Ladakh

Picture Source: https://twitter.com/narendramodi

These pictures once again remind us of the natural beauty of this earth and the blessing India has got. After all, Kashmir is called Switzerland of India. 

Once upon a time, Kashmir was a major tourism destination for domestic Indian tourists. But along with rise in Pakistan supported militancy, gradually tourism declined and now if anyone plans a domestic tour, Kashmir does not most likely come in the mind at first. Thanks to the Prime Minister, we are reminded once again of its beauty. 

The number of domestic and foreign tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir in 2016 were 94.15 lakh and 62,000 respectively, registering a positive growth of 2.95 per cent and 7.92 per cent, respectively over 2015 (Source). Tourism is a major source of income for Kashmir. Looking at tourist inflow data, it seems even foreign tourists are not flocking in in large numbers. We need to create more awareness among tourists, since not all places in Jammu & Kashmir are impacted by terrorism. Also, the local population has to keep a positive mindset. If they continue to pelt stones at Indian Army men in exchange for a Rs 500 note from the pro-Pakistan militant groups, it won't help their state. 

Let us hope that tourism booms in Jammu and Kashmir once again and very soon.

- Rahul Tiwary

#SocialNetwork: How to Delete your Facebook Account

It seems there is some confusing about finding the option to delete one's Facebook account; since the menu path does not show it at all. In order to delete your Facebook account, you can go to below link:

https://www.facebook.com/help/delete_account

If you want you can only deactivate the account instead of deleting it; or else choose permanent deletion. Many users deactivate their account fearing loss of data and connections in case of permanent deletion; but end up remaining 'enslaved' to Facebook since they tend to return back and log in again after a few days/weeks. Hence, ponder over pros and cons of permanent deletion, take necessary backup beforehand and then make your final decision of deleting the account.

Remaining logged into Facebook and its excessive usage has taken a toll on many people's mental and personal wellness. And the recent privacy concerns and instances of users data being sold to third party apps and businesses for making commercial gains has dinned the credibility of Facebook a lot. This is why #Delete Facebook is a live and progressing trend on Twitter for long.

Have a nice day! 

- Rahul 

#Television: National Geographic Documentary on Pablo Escobar of Colombia

I watched a documentary on National Geographic on Pablo Escobar, a drug-lord from Colombia in the Investigates series. There are several such videos on YouTube and I am not able to locate the exact one which I watched on TV, but here is one pretty close and may be even better: 

Nat Geo Investigates: Hunting Pablo Escobar

Nat Geo website mentions: "In the cocaine capital of the world, violence is the law. One man, more than any other, holds the country in a bloody death grip Pablo Escobar, the worlds most notorious drug-baron. With US support Colombias President fights back, but Escobar is too strong. In a desperate bid to bring peace, the President resorts to offering a tempting deal if the drug-lord serves just a few years, hell emerge with a clean slate. Escobar surrenders, but his luxurious prison offers him a safe place to keep running his business as usual, and even commit murder. When the government decides to act, after a year of humiliation, Escobar simply walks past the guards and disappears. An elite Colombian force, backed by top-secret US military technology, finally get their man following one of the biggest manhunts in history."

After watching the documentary, the most interesting thing I could notice was the state of total "defiance" in Pablo Escobar. He did not fear the cops, he did not fear the government, he did not fear the President of the country and he did not even fear the American troops who went down there to eliminate him. I wonder how could be have such kind of absolute defiance and fearlessness in him. 

Another interesting aspect was how Pablo helped his local community and supported the poor and needy people in the time of their need. Pablo was also a "family man" and he loved his family immensely; including his wife, children and his sister. Since he loved his family too much, government tried to use that against him and indeed in the end his weakness for his family was exploited in tracking him down and killing him. 

I watched that in the end, the police and armed forces were able to track him down by putting a "trap" for him by forcing him to call up his son and his family who were kept captives by the police. He talked to his son for a long time over phone, answering questions which were supposed to go to the press; without a hint that due to the phone call he was being tracked down by the police. I don't think there was something wrong in it, may be even from ethical point of view, if I think of the menace he had become and the number of lives lost due to his bombings and shootings. 

Still, as the documentary showed in the end; when Pablo Escobar was killed, his rival groups soon took up the position vacated by his group and Colombia still produced 75% of coke supplied illegally into the US. Then the question rises that what was really gained by killing him? It tells that often the war is too difficult to be won and the only consolation is the occasional small battles that can be won. 

- Rahul Tiwary

#Books: PM Modi and his book Exam Warriors

You must have heard about a book for children written by our PM Narendra Modi. It is named "Exam Warriors". You can check about it on Penguin's website  and it is also being sold on e-commerce websites like Amazon and Flipkart. And lately it is also being sold by NaMo Merchandise website. 

It is really amazing to see how India's Prime Minister cares about our children and young students. I had never imagined that a Prime Minister would think of such a matter which is considered mundane and yet, is very important. Yet, a Prime Minister should care about such a matter of examination related stress, still bewilders me... 

Then I remind myself of the first time Narendra Modi went to Lal Quila for flag hoisting. In his speech, he talked about need for sanitation and launched Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, a cleanliness drive. Similarly, one of his pet projects is to provide cooking gas to poor women. Looking at his initiatives, it is clear where his ideas are coming from. He is a man on the ground and he thinks for the welfare of the poor and downtrodden and from there, his thinking is taking shape into policies and initiatives.

I am really proud of having such a Prime Minister who cares about such matters related to the life of Indians. Kudos Modi ji.

- Rahul Tiwary

#Pictures: Crow Inside the Glass

This crow sitting outside the building is looking at its own reflection and shouting for a long time at the 'crow' inside the glass. 

- Rahul Tiwary | Place: Pune

Books: शरत चंद्र चटोपाध्याय के उपन्यास

पथ के दावेदार 

"पथ के दावेदार" शरत चंद्र चटोपाध्याय की एक उच्च कोटि की रचना है जो उन्होंने स्वतंत्रता सेनानियों के ऊपर लिखी थी। इन सब के बीच ये एक विचित्र प्रेम कहानी भी है - अपूर्व और भारती की। इस कहानी का नायक सही मायने में  सव्यसाची, जिसे सब डॉक्टर पुकारते थे, ही माना जाना चाहिए। अपूर्व भी नायक है पर शायद उन थोड़े नायकों में से एक है जो "दोषरहित" नहीं है। एक पढ़े लिखे धनाढ्य वर्ग के पर अपनी ही चुनौतियों से जूझता उसका एक विचित्र किरदार है।

कहानी में एक रोचक बात ये है कि भारती जो कि क्रिस्तान हो गई थी (अपने माँ के पुनर्विवाह हेतु किये धर्म परिवर्तन के कारण), उसका ब्रिटिश और यूरोपियों के लिए सहानुभूति रखना। इसी कारण बहुत से लोग ईसाई मिशनरियों को यूरोपी साम्राज्यवाद को छद्म रूप से बढ़ाने का माध्यम ही मानते हैं। इस बात को कहानी के कई मोड़ों पर देखा जा सकता है।

ये कहानी इस लिए भी रोचक है क्योंकि इसका अंत पूर्ण नहीं होता - पाठक सोचते रह सकते हैं कि अपूर्व और भारती की शादी हुई होगी या नहीं।

कुल मिलकर "पथ के दावेदार" आजादी की लड़ाई, साम्यवाद (कम्युनिज्म) की विचारधारा, युरोपियन उपनिवेशवाद, ईसाई मिशनरियों के काम इत्यादि पर रोचक टिपण्णी करती है और शरत चंद्र चटोपाध्याय की एक उच्च कोटि की रचना है।

- राहुल तिवारी

#Pictures: दो बालक घुड़सवार

दो बालक-घुड़सवार सुबह-सुबह कहीं चले जा रहे थे। साथ चल रहा था उनका सफेद पालतू कुत्ता। अचानक एक जगह घोड़ों को रोक कर ठहर जाने पर कुत्ता पीछे मुड़ कर देख रहा था और सोच रहा था कि "यहाँ क्यों रुक गए - अब आगे क्या?"

- राहुल | स्थान - पुणे

#Travelogue: National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi

Pictures of National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi

Following are some paintings from the great painter Raja Ravi Varma: 

Below: Portrait of Esther; By: Antonio Xavior Trindade (1870-1935); Oil on canvas

Wonderful scene of the multi-storey gallery: 

Below: Human Figure; By: Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941); Pen and ink on paper

Below: Young Girls, 1932; By: Amrita Sher-Gil (1913-1941); Oil on canvas

Below: Head Study, 1950; By: S. Bakre; Bronze

Below: Mahisasura Mardini, 1957; By: Dipen Bose (Born 1921)

Below: Saraswati; By: Chitragara Krishnappa; Mixed media

Goddess Lakshmi: 

Below: Yatra; By MS Rawat (Born 1957); Wood

Splendid building of the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi: 

(C) Rahul Tiwary; Pictures taken in November 2018