Big Thanks for a job well done.

 Big thanks for a job well done.

Road stretch between Hingna T point and Ambazari lake is very popular with "morning walkers".

One of the reasons is continuous without a break footpath of one kilometre plus length. I have often referred to this footpath and written about it in my blogs and posts. For example, this blog was written a long time back. Link to it is <https://velusr.blogspot.com/2017/01/ : People caring organisation.> and <https://velusr.blogspot.com/2021/01/mislead-by-name.html>

Morning walkers would love to use this footpath when it is in OK condition.

A few months back at the end of the monsoon, the complete length of the footpath was overgrown with weeds and grass. There was hardly any portion of the footpath which could be used for walking. To add to it open manholes of storm drain were so badly overgrown with weeds and grass that it was impossible to see the danger. ( see photos 1-3) 

Footpath full of weeds and grass.

 

 

Open manholes, many of them full of weeds and grass. 

This forced morning walkers to shun the footpath and use the road. Being a hazard to themselves as well as to the traffic.

 Few months I was It was very pleasantly surprised to find that the complete length of the footpath, including the open manholes, were cleared of the weeds and grass. I addition regular sweeping is being carried out to keep the footpath in a clean of garbage.

On behalf of all the morning walkers, I would like to say a big thank you to MNC authorities for doing such an excellent job. (See photos 4-6)

Happy to say that work of removing the rubble between the footpath and the road is in progress

 However, no matter how well I did a job, throughout my service, I had to listen to the words "there is room for improvement". 

My message to those worthies is there is still lot to be done. What needs to be done is to complete the pavement work which is incomplete, Cover the manholes and remove the rubble between the footpath and the road. (See photos 4-6)

Weeds and grass has been cleaned,

Pavement work still incomplete

A plant and garden lover for sure.

 A plant and garden lover for sure. 

During my morning /evening walks, I have been admiring these colourful flower pots for a long long time. 

I have no idea who stays there nor do I know anything at all about them.

I am 100% sure who so ever they are they passionately love nature, flowers and plants.

I respect and admire all those who passionately love nature/plants/flowers and take pains to nurture this noble hobby.

My salute to those who are maintaining such beautifully colourful flower pots. May they forever retain this noble trait. 

PS.

I sincerely hope they do not mind my transgression by this photo. Apology tendered.

Peacocks on my morning walk route.

 West of  Subhash Nagar Metro Station and south of Hingna - Ambazri road there is huge huge open ground housing GAGAN Reference Station. 

In monsoon, except for little area all around the lone building, rest of the area is full of thick verdant wild growth of plants, trees and grass. It is a green oasis among concrete buildings all around. Peacock calls were heard regularly during the morning walk. When it was thick overcast I often saw peacocks and peahens perching on electrical poles in the ground. 

Thick of monsoon, peacock/peahens on poles.

With the withdrawal of monsoon except for old mature trees rest of the plants and grass is dried up and turned brown. What was once a green oasis has now turned brown. For long time had neither seen them nor heard peacock calls.

A few days back when on an evening walk with Priti saw six or seven pea hens foraging in the grass. They were quite voung. Before I could take out my mobile from the pocket they ran away and were lost in the thick growth.

A couple of days back, again during the evening walk, the same place saw about 5 or 6 peacocks. These were also young, not mature or fully grown. This time my mobile was in my hand and I was able to get couple of photos. Unfortunately could not get more than three in one frame. 

 Peacocks.

It seems that peacocks have raised new families this monsoon.

In the thick of summer, even the green grass withers away and other than larger and mature plants the huge ground becomes quite barren.

I am worried about the fate of these beautiful birds. I have doubt if they will be able to survive in this harsh barren field. 

Can anyone help me with contact numbers of forest officials who can relocate these birds in a safer environment. 

 

    

 

Mislead by a Name.

Mislead by a Name.

The northern side of my morning walk route, Hingna T point - Ambazari road, is dotted with buildings with residential and commercial accommodation.

Commercial establishments all have hoarding/name boards indicating their business. Every other hoarding/name board is an eating joint. Then there is a Ceramic Studio (on the first floor). It has a glass frontage. From the hoarding and what can be seen of the display from the road, it appears to be a showroom for bathroom and sanitary fixture. Why anyone would name a shop selling washbasins and commodes a "studio" is beyond me. Unless it was to sound 'arty" or jara hatke. There is also a "Lok Suvidha". Never gave it much thought.

The southern side of the route is devoid of any building. It is one huge open ground. It houses GAGAN Data Receiving Center Nagpur of ISRO and DGCA, Govt of India. Along the boundary wall of this place is the longest uninterrupted footpath of Nagpur. Almost a KM and half of the continuous footpath with only one break for entry gate of Gagan. Ideal for morning walkers. Unfortunately due to the infamous and notorious habit of a lot of Indians / Nagpurians, it is also the longest urinal. Most embarrassing and smelly sight, particularly if your better half is with you. One may argue that urination is the most natural thing, why to be embarrassed by it.  I can only say that when one sees a fellow human, discarding all social norms behaves like a dog, an animal, it is indeed an embarrassing sight. 

Long back I had written about the lack of public urinals in my blog. Here is the link to it 

https://velusr.blogspot.com/2019/02/a-thought-provoking-incident.html . 

When you are nudging 79, lot of bodily functions diminish. Bladder control is one. Nowadays before I leave home for any purpose including my morning walk, I ensure :

 a visit to the bathroom to empty the bladder. 

Check mobile, wallet in the pocket, 

the zip is closed. 

Mask is in place.

Today forgot visit to the bathroom. All the water and tea I had taken since getting up at 430 AM had its effects by the time I was on my way home.

Remembered the board 'Lok Suvidha', translating it to "public convenience",  I felt this place would meet my need. Entered the premise. Looked all around. Nothing looked like anything which would serve my purpose. Some young girls were waiting for the lift. I asked them about Lok Suvidha. I was told it was on the third floor and it was a financial firm. My problem had had nothing to do with finance.

Hurried home and it was a big relief!!

PS 

With unconditional apology to Lok Suvidha. I totally misunderstood the meaning of the name  Lok Suvidha was intended to convey.

Beauty all around you.

Beauty all around you. 

Along with all the bougainvillaea on the road divider have been also seeing this beauty during my morning walks. 

flaming glory bower (clerodendrum splendens)

These are Gowrybower blooms. The bright red flowers bloom in large bunches and look beautiful. This plant is located at the entry gate of FDCM building.

It is very sad that in these times of rat race people do not have time to enjoy the simple joys of seeing the beauty which is all around. Only if they care to pause and look around.

People give yourselves a break, take time to enjoy simple things in life.

A big Thanks.

During the monsoons I had brought out that the plants of the dividers have grown too big, are spilling on the road and reducing the effective width of the road.

To my pleasant surprise, extra growth was trimmed.

 A big Thanks to Nagpur Municipal Corporation and Majhi Metro for nicely maintaining the plants on road dividers near Hingna T - point and Hingna - Ambazari Road.

They are very nicely trimmed. It is also the time when bougainvillaea is in full bloom. 

Near Hingna T point.

 Nicely trimmed plants and bougainvillaea flowers in full bloom are a sight to behold. 

Near Subash Nagar Metro Station.

Bougainvillaea flowers in full bloom are a sight to behold. 

Near Subash Nagar Metro Station.

Nicely trimmed plants and bougainvillaea flowers in full bloom are a sight to behold. 

Every morning (after 9 AM) during my morning walk I pass both these locations. At that time there is a lot of two-wheelers and four-wheeler traffic.

While I am enjoying the beauty of bougainvillaea flowers in full bloom, every vehicle is just zooming past me. The riders of two-wheelers and occupants of four-wheelers all seem to be in a tearing hurry with no time to see or enjoy what they are missing. I feel sorry for them.

Once again big thanks to all those who have done a wonderful job of maintaining the road divider plants.