GO SOLAR!

Jayati and Ajeet, our DIL and son,  both actively and passionately promote and work, to reduce the carbon footprint and generally advocate ways for preserving the environment from further degradation. They practice what they preach and are always doing their bit and then some more.

During their visit in 2019, motivated by their zeal to preserve the environment and the pep-talk we decided to go solar even without waiting for Govt subsidy.

In July 2019 our solar plant of 7 solar panels, approx of 320 watts each, went online and was connected to the grid.

After a gap of almost six months got my electricity bill for the month of September 2022. 

MSEDCL levies mandatory charges of ₹115/- pm. After adjustment of units produced by our solar plant and units consumed by us not only our bill was  00:00 but we had contributed 79 units to the MSEDCL grid.

Unit consumption.

Contributed to the grid power worth ₹7430/-

During the last 12 months, except for the month of July when we took 15 units from the MSEDCL grid, we did not draw any electricity from the grid. July was an exception because Anuj, Puja and Kaya had come to visit from Singapore and the air conditioner was on for almost 12 to 16 hours a day! 

In all the other 11 months, not only we did not draw ant electricity from the grid, we CONTRIBUTED/ provided electricity worth ₹ 7430/- to MSEDCL.

Unfortunately, MSEDCL is not reimbursing us the cash, the day they start doing it, it would be like manna from heaven.

 

Solar Plant history.

Since July 2019 in three had half years our solar plant has produced 9643.6 KWh of electricity.

Since July 2019 in three and half years, we have not drawn any electricity from the MSEDCL grid but consumed electricity produced by our own solar plant. Electricity billing big fat ZERO.

Since July 2019 in three and half years, our go green effort has

- reduced CO2 by 3865 KGs.

- Saved 3865.9 KGs of standard coal, and

- Deforestation was reduced by 532. 

We are proud to contribute in our own small way to do a little bit for the environment.

A big thank you to Jayati & Ajeet for motivating us.

Anandam Veg Multi Cuisine Restaurant

 

Anandam Veg Multi Cuisine Restaurant.

Visited Anandam Restaurant for lunch.

Located in a new multi-storied building. The Restaurant is housed on the ground plus two floors. Sufficient choices for cater bigger or smaller parties as well as private parties.

The ground floor has two dining halls. Both with different decor. The ambience was nice. 

The staff was polite and courteous. Attentive to our needs. The menu justifies the name Veg "Multi Cuisine" Restaurant. Italian, Chinese, Thai and maybe couple more cuisines were listed. From our group, almost everyone wanted to try out one dish of their own choice. 

So we ordered, Cream of Tomato soup, Hot and sour Soup, and Fresh Lime Soda. For starters, we had Crispy veg and Bhatti ka Paneer Tikka.

Hot and sour Soup

Cream of Tomato soup

Amongst the main course ordered were Baked vegetables, Cheese garlic Bread, Cheese garlic Bread, Dal Fry Subz Diwani Handi and Tandoor Roti.  

Baked vegetables.

Penne Pasta.

Cheese Garlic Bread.

Dal Fry Subz Diwani Handi and Tandoor Roti.  

The person taking orders did not seem to know the composition of a couple of dishes of foreign cuisine we wanted to order. Even when we got an answer it was wishi-washi and not convincing.

In my opinion, overall grading, tastewise, of food, on a scale of 5  would be, at the most 3.5. 

 Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum.

Went to see the Museum of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Entry is from gate number 30 of Rashtrapati Bhavan Estate.

Gate Number 30 Presidents estate.

The entry gate for Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum. 

On either side of the gates, iconic lampshades designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, made in red sandstone are installed in well-maintained flower beds in complexly laid pathways. They look pretty good.

Iconic lampshades designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens on the right side of 

gate number 30.

Rashtrapati Bhavan is the home of the President of India. The Largest democracy in the world. As a home, in its grandeur, vast scale, area of its estate, its beautifully laid and maintained gardens Rashtrapati Bhavan will be the envy and put to shame royal places of erstwhile Indian Royalties. It is as good as, if not Better than the Royal Palaces of European and British royalty.

Like all those Royal places of erstwhile Indian Royalties, Royal Palaces of European and British royalty and the White House, the home of the President Of the US Of A Rashtrapati Bhavan is also open to the public. 

Permission to visit the Rashtrapati Bhavan can be obtained online.

After properly booking, visitors are taken on conducted tours of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Being vast sprawling property visit has been divided into "circuits".

Conducted tour for Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex( RBMC )is included in "Circuit - 2" of visiting programmes. 

Circuit - 2, The RBMC includes three buildings, namely,

1. The Clock Tower,

2. The Garages; and 

3. The Stables.

(Note: 

1. Conducted tours with a qualified and appointed guide are conducted as per the published programme and timetable. When we reached RBMC we had a choice of either seeing the RCBM on our own or waiting almost 45 minutes for the conducted tour. We opted to go around on our own. Did not see all the interactive or other audiovisual presentations which are not covered in this blog. 

An unfortunate omission.

2. To see 'zoomable' photos with captions go to the RBMC album link here.)

 

   The Clock Tower. 

This renovated heritage building was inaugurated by Shri Pranab Mukherjee President of India on 25 July 2015.

Previously, it was used as the Post Office of Rashtrapati Bhavan and also as residential quarters. 

Now the clock Tower is supposed to serve as reception for the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex (RBMC).

When we went for the visit to RBMC, the Clock tower was closed. A room near the entry gate served as reception for RBMC.

Note Additional information is given in the caption of the photo in the album.

 The Garages.  

 This heritage building earlier housed the garages of the Presidential Estate. 

When it was decided to build a Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex, (RBMC) it took almost two years of hard work and planning by the Museum Advisor and his staff to complete the work. The renovated "The Garages" complex of the museum was inaugurated on 25 July 2016. 

The Garage has Displays on the three floors, 1. Ground Floor, 2. Upper Basement and 3. Lower Basement.  

The Ground Floor.

Based on the type of displays the ground floor can be further subdivided into areas near the entrance, right of the entrance, the central portion and the Enclaves.

Near the entrance and central portion mostly the horsedrawn vehicles and a Mercedes Benz 

500 SEL are on display. All of these were used by previous Presidents. When more modern and appropriate vehicles were acquired for the use of the President, these were moved to the RBMC.

Victoria, Mercedes Benz & Luggage vehicles.

For zoomable photos with captions go to the RBMC album link here..

On the wall facing the victoria and the Mersdese are three beautiful bass reliefs, inspiration for which is the Northern Gate and other engravings from the Great  Stupa of Sanchi.

Decorative bass reliefs. Derived from The Great Stupa at Sanchi.

For zoomable photos with captions go to the RBMC album link. 

Another main display is a scale model of Rashtrapati Bhavan with Statues of people instrumental in creating and building this magnificent structure. The statues are of Sir Edwin Lutyens, Herbert Baker, the architects and Haroun-al-Rashid, Mr Sujan Singh and his son Shobha Sing who were the main contractors.

The ground floor also showcases the Nationalist movement by way of statues and tableaus about the freedom march by Mahatama Gandhi, Morley - Minto reforms, the Jalianwala Bagh massacre and other important freedom movements. 

Scale model of Rashtrapati Bhavan, Statues of Architects and main contractors.

tableaus depicting Nationalistic movements.

For zoomable photos with captions go to the RBMC album link. 

Another display area on the right of the entrance is related to the Constitution of India. It contains statues of the committee members formed under the chairmanship of Dr BR Ambedkar responsible for drafting the Constitution of India. 

It also has a facsimile of an original handwritten copy of the Constitution of India. This copy does not have the words "secular" and "socialistic society" as they were added later through an amendment to the constitution.

There are documents about important legislative moments like signed pages where past Presidents, and Chief Justices of the Supreme court of India after taking the oath and assuming the office of two of the highest posts in governing India. 

It is very interesting to see all these documents which were major milestones in the history of India. 

Legislative Milestones & Constitution of India.

For zoomable photos with captions go to the RBMC album link. 

The President, being the Supreme Commander of the Armed forces, a portion of the Upper Basement has been allotted to the photographs and information related to the Defence Forces.

The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Defence Forces,

Other display areas on the ground floor are divided into a number of cubicles called "Enclaves". 

These enclaves among other documents contain architectural drawings, watercolours done by sir Edwin Lutyens, and a copy of the agreement that was signed between two architects and the British Government for the construction of New Delhi.

As an architect, Lutyens not only designed the Rashtrapati Bhavan but he also tried his hand at designing furniture, chairs and tables of distinctive and at times quirky looking furniture.

The enclave also displays chairs designed by Edwin Lutyens.

The "Enclaves" on Ground Floor.

For zoomable photos with captions go to the RBMC album link. 

A few of the enclaves also display miniature watercolours on paper of British Indian army sepoys. and officers (NCOs & JCOs) painted by William Luker who was a painter of figures, animals, landscapes & portraits and an illustrator. 

The Enclaves-Miniature watercolours by William Luker.

For zoomable photos with captions go to the RBMC album link here..

As mentioned earlier none of the audio-visual or interactive electronic media aids/ displays on the Ground Floor are covered in this blog.

Upper Basement.

It won't be an exaggeration to say that the upper basement is dedicated to The  Presidents of India. 

It has portraits of all Presidents of India since India's independence in chronological order.

One can also have a look at what President's study looks like.

Personal belongings and memorabilia of former Presidents are on display at Upper Basement. In fact, some of the memorabilia of Ram Nath Kovind, the present President of India are also on display here.

Upper Basement also has an area dedicated to President's Study.

Presidents Study.

Upper Basement. President's Study, Personal belongings & Memorabilia of Presidents.

For zoomable photos with captions go to the RBMC album link.

A passage here informs the visitor through the medium of pictures about the flora and fauna within the Presidential Estate.

One is shown a glimpse of the Presidential Kitchen.

Presidential Kitchen. upper basement.

For zoomable photos with captions go to the RBMC album link.

 Then there is a full passage lined with glass cabinets where bone china and porcelain crockery, tea and coffee and dinner sets used during the viceregal era with emblems of the Queen and the King. 

It also has bone-china and porcelain crockery, tea and coffee and dinner sets used in Rashtrapati Bhavan dining halls. They carry the emblem of the lions of the Ashoka pillar.

 Bone china and Porcelain crockery used in Rashtrapati Bhavan.

For zoomable photos with captions go to the RBMC album link.

As mentioned earlier none of the audio-visual or interactive electronic media aids/ displays on the Upper Basement are covered in this blog.

Lower Basement.

The lower basement covers larger than life paintings of important persons of Royal Lineage and statues of the vice-regal period including those of the King and the Queen.

A lavish silk canopy with very rich and magnificent gold and silver zari embroidery presented by the goldsmith of Delhi on the occasion of Delhi Durbar is also on display here.

Statues, Paintings. The Lower Basement.

For zoomable photos with captions go to the RBMC album link.

A tableau where the settings depict the Silver Trumpet Banner Ceremony has been created in the lower basement, This ceremony takes place once in five years of a presidency of horse-mounted Presidential Guards. 

The Silver Trumpet Banner Ceremony.

(photo courtesy RBC website.)

As mentioned earlier none of the audio-visual or interactive electronic media aids/ displays on the Upper Basement is covered in this blog.

The Stables.

 

After exiting from the Garages one can see right cross the road an identical building.

This is the Stables and as one can guess at one tome this building was used as stables to house the horses of the Presidential Estate. 

The Stables.

The Stables have a Left Corridor, a Right Corridor and a Long Hall.

Long Hall has a collection of gifts received by previous Presidents.

I have taken only six photos there. 

One gift presented to President Pranab Mukharjee by the Indian Air Force on the occasion of Standards and Colour Presentation to 119 HU and 27 ED on 4MAr16 captured in-camera is given below.

Gift from The IAF to President Pranab Mukharjee.

The Stables.

For zoomable photos with captions go to the RBMC album link.

 Other shots taken at the Stables are given below.

Photos taken at the Stables.

For zoomable photos with captions go to the RBMC album link.

There is just one photo which gives a glimpse of one of the corridors. That and the absence of any more photos and no recollection of seeing anything else, I feel that we did not explore the Stable part of RBMC as thoroughly as we should have done.

A missed opportunity.

However, for information of those who read this in the hope of finding details about the Stables, there is a link which gives very good information about this part of RBMC.The Link.

https://rashtrapatisachivalaya.gov.in/rbtour/circuit-2/stables.

 

Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum.

Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum.

Went to see the Museum of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Entry is from gate number 30 of Rashtrapati Bhavan Estate.

Gate Number 30 Presidents estate.

The entry gate for Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum. 

On either side of the gates, iconic lampshades designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, made in red sandstone are installed in well-maintained flower beds  in complexily laid pathways. They look pretty good.

Iconic lampshades designed by Sir Edwin Lutyenson the right side of 

gate number 30.

Rashtrapati Bhavan is the home of the President of India. The Largest democracy in the world. As a home, in its grandure, vast scale, area of its estate, its beautifully laid and maintained gardens Rashtrapati Bhavan will be the envy and put to shame royal places of erstwhile Indian Royalties. It is as good as, if not bertteand the Royal Palaces of Europian and British royalty.

Like all those Royal places of erstwhile Indian Royalties, Royal Palaces of Europian and British royalty and White House, home of thePresident Of US Of A, Rashtrapati Bhavan is also open to public. 

After properly booking visitors are taken on conducted tours of Rashtrapati Bhavan. 

Conducted tour for Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum is included in "Circuit - 2" of visiting programmes. Circuit - 2, The Museum circuit includes three buildings, namely,

1. The Clock Tower,

2. The Garages; and 

3. The Stables.

   The Clock Tower. 

This renovated heritage building was inaugurated by Shri Pranab Mukherjee President of India on 25 July 2015.

Previously, it was used as the Post Office of Rashtrapati Bhavan and also as residential quarters. 

Now the clock Tower is supposed to serve as reception for the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex (RBMC).

When we went for the visit of RBMC, Clock tower was closed. A room near the entry gate served as reception for RBMC.

Note Additional information is given in the caption of the photo in the album.

The Garages.  

 

 

This heritage building earlier housed the garages of the Presidential Estate. When it was decided to build a Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex, (RBMC) it took almost two years of hard work and planning by the Museum Advisor and his staff to complete the work. The renovated "The Garages" complex of the museum was inaugurated on 25 July 2016. 

The Garage houses artefacts, documents of historical significance, Historical background and information about the construction and building of The residence for the Viceroy of India, Viceroy's House as it was then called.

The Garage has three floors, Ground Floor, Upper Basement and Lower Basement.      

An incomplete blog will complete later.

Hoshang Shah tomb, Mandav / Mandu.

Hoshang Shah tomb
I have paraphrased the information given at the Mandu Tourism, Sarmaya, British Library, Wikipedia and ASI websites and added my thoughts about the Hoshang Shah tomb at Mandu.
This has been done with the aim of not only giving historical information but also making it more interesting to read. (I hope 😊)

Hoshang Shah Ghouri(Ghori) was the Second Sultan of the Malwa Sultanate. He succeeded his father who had proclaimed independence from Feroze Shah Tughlaq, Sultan of Delhi who had sent him to Mandu as a governor.
The tomb is a magnificent square edifice topped with a huge and impressive dome built on a high square plinth.  

Hoshang Shah Tomb.

All built-in white marble. This is supposed to be the oldest and the first building built in white marble. It is considered one of the most refined examples of Afghan architecture. It is said that Mughal emperor Shah Jahan was inspired by Hoshang Shah’s tomb to build The Taj Mahal.

Photo courtesy Mandutourism.

We approached the tomb by a paved pathway bordered by a hedge of small neatly trimmed hedge plants. The path is laid on a well-maintained lawn. By this path, we reached the rear portion of the tomb. 

This side had Three arched openings, the central one slightly bigger with smaller arched openings on either side. All the three arches were snuggly fitted with intricately carved marble screens.

All the three arches were snuggly fitted with intricately carved marble screens.

We had to walk around the square-shaped high plinth on which the tomb has been built to reach the entry gate.

Photo courtesy Wikimedia commons.

There is a wide stone stairway to access the gate of the tomb. Central huge and impressive arched gateway with two arched openings gives entry to the tomb which is topped with a magnificent huge dome.
The big central Arch housing the arched gate has carvings of lotus flowers which are also repeated on the arched doorway.
Each side arched opening is fitted with a screen made of marble with beautifully carved geometric designs. Each screen has six square and two angular panels. That between a total of 16 screen panels, not a single design is repeated speaks very highly of the knowledge and mathematical knowledge of those artisans.
Under the dome, there is the main sarcophagus of Hoshang Shah which is carved in the form of a casket with receding bands and with a mihrab moulded at the top. There are other graves also below the dome, three of which are in marble.
As per our guide, Hoshang Shah was buried in Hoshangabad in MP, and his real tomb is built there. Could not find anything to support this statement on google.
After spending about an hour at this beautiful structure we bid it farewell,

The Archaeological Survey Of India has been doing a wonderful job of restoring historical monuments. Just to emphasise the point I have also included a photo of Hoshang shah’s Tomb taken in 1882 by Lala Deen Dayal. The photograph courtesy British Library online gallery is from an album containing architectural and landscape studies of various sites in Central India. The majority of the photographs were taken by Deen Dayal while on tour with Sir Lepel Griffin (1838-1908), who served as Resident at Indore and Agent to the Governor-General of Central India between 1881 and 1888
.

Hoshang Shah Tomb 1882.

Roopmati Pavilion.

 Roopmati Pavilion. 

Rani Roopmati Pavilion which is also alternately called Roopmati Palace is located on a precipice at a height of 365 meters/1200 feet. From this commanding height, it overlooks the Nimar plains for miles all around.

It can be reached by a motorable blacktop serpentine winding road with a lot of hairpin bends. As per instruction from ASI, tourists are not permitted to take cars up to the top. After parking the cars at the parking lot at the bottom of the hill one has to walk up to Rani Roopmati Place. A shortcut in a staircase of 3 to 4 feet long stones sticking out a wall is also available. Physically challenged people should not take this shortcut.

Road to Roopmati Palace. The railing and top flight of the shortcut staircase are visible at the left bottom of the photo.

Roopmati Pavillion on a hill top.

Due to its location at a commanding height original purpose of some structures must have been built as an observation post and used for that purpose for a very very long time.
It is said that Rani Roopmati was a devote worshipper of River Narmada and had her meals only after having a 'darshan' of river Narmada. 

As per the legend and intermingled history cum folklore, King Baj Bahadur built this pavilion for his lady love Rani Roopmati. She came here and from its commanding height had a darshan of the Narmada River.

Rani Roopmati Palace is built of red sandstone and has domed chambers at either end of the terrace.   

Arched dalans/ chambers and an inbuilt water storage tank give some idea about the architecture and water harvesting technique of that time.

Water harvesting - water storage tank.

A garden with a lawn has been made by the side of  Roopmati Palace. It is a nice place for a picnic. 

We did climb to the top of the Roopmati Pavilion. The panoramic view from its commanding height of 2000 feet higher than the surrounding Nemar plains is really awesome. Saw shining water from lots of water bodies made for irrigation purposes but no view, not even a glimpse of the Narmada River.

Unsung Heros.

 The Unsung Heros.

They are out and on the job at first light.

During my morning walk, I see them hard at work every day!

By the time I have done half my walk, they are almost finishing their work in their assigned territory.

They are the ones who clear tons of garbage and the waste created by us.

These days, at the height of the fall season, with scattered leaves all over, even nature is adding to their workload.

They are the ones who keep our surroundings clean, spick & span. They make our surroundings pleasantly livable and garbage-free for us.

Please do not litter. Help them in keeping your city clean.

They are our safaiwallas!

I salute these unsung heroes.

This time of the year even nature adds to their workload.

Maintenance of his weapon

Hard at work.

The unsung heros.

They are our safaiwallas!
I salute these unsung heroes.