Letter to Editor.

Sir ,

A news item published in 28 December 2011 issue of The Hitvada caught my attention.

It was about award of two and half years in jail and imposition of fine of Rs 10,000/- for taking bribe of Rs 300/-

Out of curiosity I just googled for "corrupt  Indian politicians". The search revealed 4,490,000 entries . The figure was mind boggling . Further search at wiki link ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_politicians_in_India_charged_with_corruption ) gave incomplete list of Indian politicians charged with corruption.

Few of them were acquitted for various reasons.

As given in the above link Sukh Ram was tried for unaccounted sum of Rs 3.6 Lakh and sentenced to 3 years in jail.For another scam when he was Telecom Minister he was sentenced to 5 years in jail . In this case amount of money involved is not known to me.

Taking  the punishment mated out to the hapless DDA official as datum, Sukh Ram should have got 2400 years of jail and a fine of 96 Lakhs.Mind boggling !!

Suresh Kalmadi is being tried for alleged scandal of Rs 95 crores . If ( and it is big IF ) found guilty he should get jail for approximately 62000 years and a fine of Rs 2850 crores.MIND BOGGLING !!!

A Raja and others charged with alleged corruption of 176000 crores, If ( and it is big IF ) found guilty , would get a jail sentence of 16600000000 years and a fine of Rs 5280000 crores. MIND BOGGLING !!!

It would indeed be interesting to see the amount of Jail sentence and fine  these worthies are awarded , If  ever they are found guilty or may be they have different laws for the rich and the politicians. 

PM Velankar,Nagpur.

  

Hotel Gasthof Fuchs,Matrei am Brenner ,Innsbruck.

After dinner at Sahib restaurant we proceeded to Hotel Gasthof Fuchs which is in municipality of Matrei am Brenner about 17 kms south west of Innsbruck .
Reached there by about 21:30 . The route , the countryside as well as the location of the hotel was picturesque surrounding.
The hotel itself was old style built mainly of timber , with timber flooring . No air-conditioners and for heating there were radiators. Hotel had photogenic qualities . Our photos have turned out quite well.

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As I said , Old Style Alpine Hotel.Do not miss the Sun Dial .

Interior Decor on the first floor.

The Reception.

No Lifts , the staircase .

Picturesque surroundings.

                                        

                        At the hotel

Well maintained flower beds.

Innsbruck.Austria,Europe Trip.

First place to be seen in Innsbruck was " The Golden roof ".As the coach could not go to Golden roof , We were dropped near Tiroler LandsTheatre in Innsbruck from where it was only a short walk . 
Of all the things it started raining .we had no choice but to part with some dough. Topkars  also wanted a umbrella so we went and bought an umbrella for 5 Euros. Later it stopped raining and did not rain throughout our trip  ;-(
It appeared that other than " Golden Roof " there was no plan to visit any other place as we wandered about aimlessly and were generally led to where the coach was waiting to take us to Sahib restaurant for dinner after which we were to go to the hotel where night stay was planned. 
But before that little gen on Golden roof . 
It is a three storied balcony with with 2657 fire gilded copper tiles . It was built in 1500 AD for Maximilian I , Holy Roman Emperor who would sit facing the main square where sport tournaments and other public functions were held.Our photos :-   

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The Golden Roof.

Golden Roof.

Imperial Palace ,Innsbruck.

Helbling House , Innsbruck.

Buildings in square of Anna's Column.

Another view Imperial Palace.

 Annasäule, Anna's Column,Innsbruck.

 Two views of 

Bridge on River "Inn"

Statue of Maxmilian I ln background Modern Sculpture near Imperial Palace .

 Modern Sculpture near Imperial Palace .

Two views.

 Sahib Restaurant , Innsbruck.

On the way to Innsburck, Europe Trip .

From San Marco Square we had reached back Terminal Tronchetto by 12:55. Got in the coach without wasting any time and proceeded to Rangoli Restaurant at Padova.
Lunch was over by 14:30 and we set course for Innsbruck,Austria.
After covering a distsnce of about 350 KMs.Reached there by 19:00.
The route passes through some of the most beautiful countryside . Castles and big Villas from the past can be seen all over Austria and that part of Italy, and our route had its share of these Castles and Villas. Take a ride from Rangoli to Tiroler LandsTheatre in Innsbruck where we were dropped for further sight seeing.

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Rangoli Restaurant Padova . We had lunch here on 12 May before proceeding to Innsbruck.

The Castle of Sabbionara (also Castle of Avio), near village of Avio.

Beautiful mountain ranges en route  Innsbruck.

Castel Beseno, Besenello, Italy

Castello di Presule, Province of Bolzano-Bozen, Italy.

Outskirt & subrubs ,
We are almost there in Innsbruck.

Venice Part 2,Europe Trip .

After the Gondola trip we did what other 50,000 odd people did that day . We did sightseeing , and yes , it is estimated that almost 50,000 tourist visit Venice every day and which proves Venice as one to the most sought after tourist destination of the world .

Its popularity is due to uniqueness and rich musical and artistic cultural heritage . For the  rich and famous it had become a place to be seen in and so its popularity as tourist place increased many fold.It became a place for Venice Film Festival , Venice Biennale which further attracted the visitors for their cinematic , cultural , musical and dramatic contents. Revival of Venice Carnival also helped.So far as architectural attractions are concerned it has St Mark's Basilica , Piazza San Marco , Grand Canal and Palaces of Doges which was the residence of Doge of Venice , Supreme Authority of Venice republic.
There were no Venice Film Festival , Venice Biennale or the Carnival so we are the poorer for  missing out on all that  cinematic , cultural , musical and dramatic contents :-)
We die see the other attractions from the out side . I felt that Piazza San Marco which has St Mark Besilica , the famous St Marks clock tower, Doge's Palace and other historical monuments and pillers , as the most popular tourist place .
However in recent years the city is threatened by "High Water" or "Aqua Alta" which is flooding by high tides particularly in Autumn and Spring.This is caused even by adverse high winds .Large areas are flooded .In many localities lower floors have become unusable .Stagnant water gives rise to unwelcome smells and for some days makes life difficult for local people.The city seems to be fighting a loosing battle against times . An impression strengthened during our gondola rides where almost all the buildings needed re- plastering . The canal water dirty and stagnant.
But today we still have the Piazza San Marco and all the wonders . Have a look as long as they are there.

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Hotel Daniele , haunt of the rich & the famous.

 On the Left.
Another view Daniele.

                     On the Right.

             View of Doges Palace

Doges Palace , San Marco Square , Venice.

St Marco Clock Tower .Must see Wiki page on this.

 On the Left.
Another view of St Marks Clock Tower.

                 On the Right .
Basilica of St Marks as you enter San Marco Square.

Basilica of St Marco, Piazza San Marco.

Column of San Marco or commonly known as Venetian Winged Lion.

Column Of San Teodoro at the entrance of Piazza San Marcos.

Our Group at Piazza San Marco.Basilica of San Marco in the background.

Basilica of San Marco in the background. 
Do not miss 
The Triumphal Quadriga or Horses of St Mark's above the arch.

 On the Left .
 Doges Palace & St Marks Bell Tower.
                                     

                                    On the Right .
Another view of St Marco Basilica.

General view of Piazza San Marco , Red Tower is St Mark's Campanile or St Marks Bell Tower.

 On the Left .
San Marco Square,

                             On the Right 
Canal bridge near San Marco Square . Sorry for the house with peeling plaster.

A restaurant at San Marco Square , Footpath restaurants are very common & popular .That part of the World.

Aftre this we return to Tronchetto terminal , Have dinner at Rangoli, Padova and Proceed to Innsburck.