An edited version of - UNAPPRECIATED!!!

 

An edited version of - UNAPPRECIATED!!! 

(Alterations/ addition done in editing the earlier  post are in block italics)

UNAPPRECIATED - Archaeological Survey of India. aka ASI.

 By and large workings of Government Departments are thought of as being inefficient. And not without reasons.

That is because the file pushing baubus are not accountable and answerable to anybody for their inefficient ways. Even in and when called to do so they have left sufficient loopholes in rules made by themselves, to wriggle out of the tightest spot. 

We are extremely lucky that there are still very very few Government Departments that stand out for doing their work efficiently and excellently.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is one such organisation. 

Recently we visited Mandu or Mandavgad. 

Mandu is an ancient city in the present-day Mandav area of the Dhar district. It is located in the Malwa and Nimar region of western Madhya Pradesh. In the 11th century, Mandu was the subdivision of the Tarangagadh or Taranga kingdom. This fortress town on a rocky outcrop about 100 km (62 mi) from Indore is celebrated for its architecture.

Department Tourism Government of Madhya Pradesh has been doing good work to bring Mandu on the tourist map of India and the world with some success.

All the monuments of Mandu have suffered as much through the ravages of time as by plunder, theft of building material, encroachment and careless attitude of the local population.

Archaeological Survey Of India is doing excellent work of restoration of the ancient monuments. 

It is to the great credit of ASI that detailed research is done before undertaking restoration work. As a result of research and dedication, even the mortar and plaster used in restoration is being made the way it was done all those centuries ago. Using good (jaggery), lime and other binding material.

A lot of excellent work has been done and is still going on.   

Extensive restoration work near Dilawar Khan's Mosque.(Pl.see in zoom)

Extensive restoration work near Dilawar Khan's Mosque.(Pl.see in zoom)

Extensive restoration work near Dilawar Khan's Mosque.(Pl.see in zoom)

wonderful job of restoration this dalan corridor of huge and tall ogee arches of Hindola Mahal.

Wish could go back after a few years to see the results. 

Not only Mandu, but ASI has also done restoration work 0n  our heritage monuments around Delhi, like Humayun Tomb and gardens, Lodi Garden housing   Mohammed Shah's Tomb, Tomb of Sikandar Lodi, Shisha Gumbad and Bara Gumbad, Monuments near Kutub Minar. There may be hundreds and hundreds more all around India.

Unfortunately, I do not have comparative ( before and after) photos to show for all the restoration work done by ASI. However, I will just put up whatever comparative photos I have. 

We had visited Mahabalipuram in 1982, putting  photos we took then photos taken in 2021  taken by my friend Gp Capt Shrish Tatwawadi during his visit to that place.

1982. Descent of the Ganges & Arjuna's penance. 

Sitting on the part of the rock almost halfway up the elephant seen here. The lower Portion of the monument was buried in sand and soil.

2021. Descent of the Ganges & Arjuna's penance. 

After restoration by ASI.

Photo courtesy Gp Capt Shrish Tatwawadi

 

1982. Butterball. The surrounding area was strewn with rocks, boulders big and small. Potholes, crevices etc. It was dangerous and one had to be very careful walking around.

2021. Butterball

After work done by  ASI.

Photo courtesy Gp Capt Shrish Tatwawadi

The Archaeological Survey of India is doing tremendous work in preserving our history, our heritage and our monuments. We should be proud of the work being done by ASI. 

Unfortunately, the work of the Archaeological Survey of India goes 

UNAPPRECIATED!!!

Foreign countries where ASI was called for and has done restoration work.

Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal, Bahrain, Angola, Afghanistan, Maldives, Bhutan and Egypt.

Kudos to ASI. 

Wish we had more such.

Jai Hind.

UNAPPRECIATED!!!

UNAPPRECIATED!!!

 By and large workings of Government Departments are thought of as being inefficient. And not without reasons.

That is because the file pushing baubus are not accountable and answerable to anybody for their inefficient ways. Even in and when called to do so they have left sufficient loopholes in rules made by themselves, to wriggle out of the tightest spot. 

We are extremely lucky that there are still very very few Government Departments that stand out for doing their work efficiently and excellently.

 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is one such organisation.

Recently we visited Mandu or Mandavgad. 

Mandu is an ancient city in the present-day Mandav area of the Dhar district. It is located in the Malwa and Nimar region of western Madhya Pradesh. In the 11th century, Mandu was the subdivision of the Tarangagadh or Taranga kingdom. This fortress town on a rocky outcrop about 100 km (62 mi) from Indore is celebrated for its architecture.

Department Tourism Government of Madhya Pradesh has been doing good work to bring Mandu on the tourist map of India and the world with some success.

All the monuments of Mandu have suffered as much through the ravages of time as by plunder theft of building material, encroachment and careless attitude of the local population.

Archaeological Survey Of India is doing excellent work of restoration of the ancient monuments. 

It is to the great credit of ASI that detailed research is done before undertaking restoration work. As a result of research and dedication, even the mortar and plaster used in restoration is being made the way it was done all those centuries ago. Using good (jaggery), lime and other binding material.

A lot of excellent work has been done and is still going on. 

Extensive restoration work near Dilawar Khan's Mosque.(Pl.see in zoom)

Extensive restoration work near Dilawar Khan's Mosque.(Pl.see in zoom)

Extensive restoration work near Dilawar Khan's Mosque.(Pl.see in zoom)

wonderful job of restoration this dalan corridor of huge and tall arches.

Wish could go back after a few years to see the results.

Foreign countries where ASIwas called for and has done restoration work.

Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal, Bahrain, Angola, Afghanistan, Maldives, Bhutan and Egypt.

Kudos to ASI. 

Wish we had more such.

Jai Hind.

Unknown, Unappreciated, Unsung and Unrecognised Talents of India.

Unknown, Unappreciated, Unsung and Unrecognised Talents of India.

The "Paji" of Mandu.

Paji is the honorific title for the elder brother.

Recently we visited Mandav, Mandu as it is known locally and in Madhya Pradesh.

As we were leaving Jahaj Mahal and were on the way to Jal Mahal, we came across a spot where the Archaeological Survey Of India (ASI) was preparing mortar and plaster by mixing lime 'good' (Jaggary) and other building material same way as these ancient monuments were built all those years back.

A couple of stonemasons were also working on a slab of red sandstone. Nearby was something placed under a cover. Through this torn cover I could see something interesting. Requested our guide if we could see what was under this cover.

He was reluctant. On our insistence and request, the local supervisor removed the cover.

Lo and behold! We saw partially completed, an exquisitely crafted scale model of Jahaj Mahal. See the photos.

Partially completed sandstone scale model of Jahaj Mahal.

Partially completed sandstone scale model of Jahaj Mahal.

Finished tiles to be put up on the unfinished right facade are stacked on the right of the model.

Our guide introduced us to one of the stonemasons working. We saw a physically challenged stonemason working on a slab of red sandstone. 

He was introduced simply as "Paji". The guide informed us that the scale model we were seeing is being made by Paji.

Being asked his name we were told that everyone simply called him 'Paji' - The elder brother.

Paji, the sculptor, artist and craftsman of the Red sandstone scale model of Jahaj Mahal.

Paji, the Unknown, the Unappreciated and the Unsung, unrecognised talent of India.

To me, Paji represented the Unknown, the Unappreciated and the Unsung and unrecognised talent of India.

I only hope the authorities bestow on Paji what his talent and craftsmanship deserve.

Peacocks - in heart of Indore City.

 Peacocks - in heart of Indore City. 

The other day, while in Indore during my morning walk I spotted quite a few peacocks in the babool forest. 

At one time this very area was barren land and known as Ganjee Compound.

 

Peacocks in Ganjee Compound.

Peacocks in Ganjee Compound.

Peacocks in Ganjee Compound.

 Today's younger generation of Indorians may not have heard of Ganjee Compound. 

Just a brief note for their information.

 

 This pinkish shaded,13.7 hectares of defence land shown on the map of Indore was known as Ganjee Compound.  

Ganjee Compound - Hay Storage Compound.

Up to the late 1960s, the shaded area was known as Ganjee Compound.  I have no idea what it is called today.

Ganjee as it was/is called in Hindi is a small hand-tied bale of hay.

Ganjees of (animal Fodder) from surrounding areas of Indore were stored here. Bigger and proper bales were then made for dispatch to Mahow and other cantonments for feeding the horses of cavalry units.

With the passage of time and modernisation, the army requirement of hay was reduced to nil.  Today, with verdant babool forest, the land of the former Ganjee compound acts as lungs for the city of Indore and home for peacock and other avifauna.

Cleanest City In India.

Cleanest City In India. 

AN APPEAL TO NAGPURIANS.

This is a follow-up to my post of yesterday.

Indore became the cleanest city in Inda for the fifth time running. This would not have been possible without the cooperation of the citizens of Indore. 

To start with, municipal authorities may have obtained this cooperation by coercion by imposing exemplary fines for littering and spreading garbage. Now the situation is that citizens of Indore, except for a few wayward people, themself are helping the municipal authorities in keeping the city clean. 

I know for a fact that Mr Prashant who is a safai supervisor of my locality is a conscientious and hard worker. Another person who cares for the city is the Municipal Commissioner, who as per an article I read, during his 9-10 KM walk or 30- 40 KM of cycling issues on the spot orders for corrective actions to be taken.

I am sure that just as these two gentlemen others in the corporation are also trying their best to keep our city clean.  

Please do not think that I say this only to please the concerned authorities. I say this with solid photographic evidence. See the attached photos of my post yesterday and the photos which were taken today. 

Yesterday.

Today a Job well done.

Yesterday.

Today.

They are doing their job, let us do our duty.

Those who are supposed to keep the city clean are doing their job.

2021 Poulation of Nagpur is 2,940,000. At the maximum, those responsible for keeping the city clean in the corporation may not exceed 1000 odd.

There is no way a few thousand odd people trying to keep the city clean can win against 2,940,000 odd people most of whom are hell-bent on keeping the city dirty It is my sincere appeal to citizens of Napuur to do every bit they can and help municipal authorities to do their job.

Thank you and Jai Hind.

  

Cleanest city in India.

Indore. The Cleanest City in India FIFTH time running.  

WILL NAGPUR EVER COME ANYWERE CLOSE ?

After what virtually amounted to the house arrest of almost two years and before omicron reared its ugly head we had gone on a trip to Indore, Mandav(Mandu) and Maheshwar.

Earlier in the year, Indore was declared the cleanest city in India for the FIFTH time running. 

Today every Indoreian is proud of this achievement and ensures policy of not littering and disposing of the garbage ONLY garbage collection trucks after segregating in six different categories.

Despite this stupendous achievement, the Municipal Authorities are not resting on their laurels. They are working as hard and are as vigilant as they were before they won the title for the first time.

I was an eye witness to a house owner, despite his denials, being fined ₹ 500/- for a few banana peels lying in front of his house.

In Nagpur, along my morning route walk, I find garbage lying in the proximity of commercial establishments and private houses. 

As long as no punitive action is taken against the offenders there are NO CHANCES of Nagpur coming even within the 100 clean cities of India.