30th

A Bangladesh project

We were assigned a project on,"Review and  reconstruction of Anti-corruption of laws of Bangladesh”by ADB in 2007. We visited Dhaka from 23rd to 26th April and later from 2nd to 15th June,2007 in that connection. We stayed at local Sheraton hotel.  After day's hectic parleys with officials and and non-officials on the subject, we used to relax in the evening. The crooner would sing tilting tunes from Bollywood and English movies to entertain us. We generally  took light martini as our favorite drink. At the end of our stay, we submitted report which was  useful and appreciated. 

Quotable Quotes :"Doubt is the father of invention."Ambrose Bierce

 29th

Khyati passed 2nd year of her medicine course in Sheffield University,UK. Her grades will be announced later. She joins 3rd year now. She worked hard for it. Congratulations,dear Khyati. 

In all 33,667 new corona cases with 05,50,909 active cases and 32,36,63,297 vaccination were reported till 28th June in India.

Quotable Quotes :"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."Mahatma Gandhi

 25,26,27 and 28th

Pilku/Ruchi/Babloo/Neha/Abhishree and Amolika participated in the WhatsApp chat on Sunday the 27th June for about one and half hour. We talked about Corona's Delta plus variant,restrictions for Indians's visits in UK,further studies by Abhishree and Amolikaa,Wimbledon matches staring from 28th and offer of tickets for Finals on 11th July to Pilku  by All England Tennis Association. Akshat could not join .He was preoccupied with French tutions on line. After a long time it was a very lively chat.

In all 42,818 new corona cases with 05,72,187 active cases and 32,17,60,077 vaccination were reported till 27th June in India.

Quotable Quotes :"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."Mahatma Gandhi

 24th

A group(20)of IPS probationers came on Bharat darsan from NPA,Hyderabad to Guwahati as per their training itinerary to visit places in the northeast. They reached Guwahati by Assam mail early morning sometime probably in Nov 1977. I was already out for a ride. I received them in the railway platform.They were taken to the places of their accommodation. Later they expressed happiness for a grand reception...I invited them for lunch at a five-star-level Stadium guest house. I also invited all the local DIGs including the DIG of the IGP office (till then the senior-most police officer was IGP. Institution of DGP came much later). As Guwahati was a dry area i had not ordered drinks. All the DIGs were vociferously critical of the move so much so that i had to order the same. I did not take drinks. The guest probationers followed me and did not take. The DIGs drank like fish, particularly the DIG of the IGP office. Janta Gvt had taken charge a couple of month back. The Education Minister raised issue of police party with drinks and wanted action against me. I was summoned in the room of the then IGP. I told that it was the DIG of  his office who insisted for the drinks. DIG who was present in the meeting remained silent. I told the IGP that i would explain the episode to the Chief Minister and that he need not worry. And that was the end of the matter. The IGP was unhappy as he missed a chance to shift me from Guwahati. He was not so happy with me.

In all 50,636 new corona cases with 06,23,244 active cases and 29,4639,511 vaccination were reported till 23rd June in India

Quotable Quotes :"When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator."Mahatma Gandhi

 23rd

I am reminded of an episode of  my tenure in Nowgong when i was posted there as the then  DIG of Police, Central Range in Assam. We used to invariably go to second show (night show) of the film on the first day of its release in the cinema hall after the boys had slept . We were there on one wintry night in a cinema hall sometime in November in 1980 to watch a Hindi Rajesh Khanna starer movie. Venita noticed that only other occupant of the balcony class was young boy who was smoking. I went to him and told not to smoke. He did not listen. I told the constables on duty outside to inform the SHO. The SHO came and took him out of the hall. Next day the SHO rang up and asked as to what to do with the boy brought from the cinema hall. I told him to consult SP. I told SP the entire incident. Later someone made a complaint to the  DGP that i went to watch the movie without paying for it that i was drunk and that i misbehaved with a person in the hall. The DGP was quick to order an ati-corruption inquiry. Findings were interesting. These said that that as Nowgong was dry area the DIG did not touch liquor there and that he always paid for cinema tickets whenever he went to watch a movie. The SHO was fired by SP for trifling inquiry to him and bothering the DIG about it. All that was needed a non-cog report to the court under the Cinematographic Act. It appeared  SHO/the boy had engineered the anonymous complaint. After verification i remember to have made an entry in the ACR of the SHO. He was denied promotion to the next rank for some time.

In all 37,448 new corona cases and 06,30,295 active cases with 28,87,66,201 vaccination were reported till 22nd June in India.

Quotable Quotes :"There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supercedes all other courts."Mahatma Gandhi

 22nd

Met Shri K.N. Shrivastava,IAS(Rtd.),DIRECTOR,INDIA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE. 

In all 39,705 new corona cases with 06,60,040 active cases and 28,00,36,898 vaccination were reported  till 21st June in India.

Quotable Quotes :"There is more to life than increasing its speed."Mahatma Gandhi

 21st

In WhatsApp interaction on Sunday we had a long interesting chat with Akshat.Babloo and Neha. We got acquainted with their daily routine in corona time in details. Pilku could no join due to urgent work. Silku and family are not joining it for preoccupation otherwise. It is upto all to join or not. Our interaction with whosoever is available will continue. In this connection a sms from Khyati  is   relevant. She says,"Let us chat on WhasApp! It's fast,simple,and secure app we can use to message and can call each other for free.Get it at https//whatsaap.com/dl/"

In all 49,235 new corona cases with 06,99,297 active cases and 27,23,88,783 vaccination were reported till 20th June in India.

Quotable Quotes :"A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people."Mahatma Gandhi

 20th (Sunday)

 On Father's day i brood to find out how children feel about their father today. I re-read what they conveyed me through a card on 26th August 1995. They said,"And somehow we have known that beneath that tough exterior was the most special loving and caring father in the world....We love you, too...we always will." I have kept the card with me as souvenir now for over 25 years.

In all 54,898 new corona cases with 07,26,191 active cases and 27,23,88,783 vaccination were reported till 

Quotable Quotes :"There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed."Mahatma Gandhi

19th

While India and New Zealand battled World Test Championship Crown and rain played spoilsport on 18th June at Southampton, i was reminded of my visit to a fire station there in 1980 winters as part of my itinerary during stay in then UK's Bramshill Police collage (since closed). 'Southampton Water is a tidal estuary north of the Solent and the Isle of Wight in England. The city of Southampton lies at its most northerly point.'(Google).Met the fire station officer. He took me round and explained how various gadgets worked and were used for what purpose. At the end of his briefing he took out a bottle of Bell's scotch whisky and offered a drink. I did not take. All the time i was watching how Southampton waters were hitting the shores, beautiful sight. I am sure i would have been in London on 18th had it not been for pandemic. Never missed Wimbledon matches earlier, now starting on 28th. 

.In all 56,664 corona cases with 07,56,637 active cases and 26,89,60399 vaccination were reported till 18th June in India.

 Quotable Quotes :"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."Mahatma Gandhi

 17 and 18th

The latest video of the Uspunnen Castle in the Interlaken Area by Siddhartha is published.The Unspunnen Castle in Wilderswil, Switzerland, was built in the early 12th century. May like to view.

In all 58,266 new corona cases with 07,95,964 active cases and 26,55,10251 vaccination were reported till 17th June in India

Quotable Quotes ;"A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes."Mahatma Gandhi

 16th

Silku's video-blog on Zurich is appreciated by all. 'Like other videos shot by him in Switzerland, this  also is all encompassing. But there is less of nature in it.' I commented.

In all 58,420 new corona cases with 08,61,533 active cases and 25,90,44,072 vaccination were reported till 15th June in India.

Quotable Quotes :"In a gentle way, you can shake the world."Mahatma Gandhi

 14 and 15th

Today Abhishree is 19. Leaves teens behind.

Abhishree was born on 14.06.2002 at 6.55 pm GMT (11.25 IST  ) at Wellington, South West London, UK,19 years back. According to Indian calender,Tithi was Chaturthi,Sulkapaksh,Mah Jestha, Din Shukravar and Samvat 2059. We wished her many happy returns of the day. Venita did puja and distributed sweets and 'halwa' to all. We prayed for her happiness,health and long life......WhatsApp chat could not take place due to poor connection. We could,however, talk to Abhishree for some time. It appears some Covid restrictions of lockdown are likely to continue in UK.....We took anti-flue vaccine for the year 2021-22 a couple of days back.

In all 64,161 new corona cases with 09,72,879 active cases and 25,31,95,048 vaccination were reported till 13th June in India

Quotable Quotes :"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."Mahatma Gandhi

 13th

Wished happy birthday to Anjali. Talked to Shanno also. Our Sunday WhatsApp chat is postponed  to next day ,viz.,Monday the 14th June,birthday of Abhishree.

In all 84,332 new corona cases with 10,80,690 active cases and 24,60,85,649 vaccination were reported till 12th June in India.

Quotable Quotes :"Where there is love there is life."Mahatma Gandhi

 12th

A herd of elephants

We were traveling in Assam from Lumding(District Nowgong) to Hoflong(District North Cachar Hills) one evening by road sometime in early winters in 1981. We crossed a forested area on way. At a distance of 200 yards we saw a big herd of elephants crossing the road. It was led by a huge elephant with long tusks. The driver stopped the car. Escort vehicle also stopped. All the constables with closed eyes and folded hands prayed to them to pass. Plku,then about 12, asked,"Papa why don't we shoot ?". Driver whispered to him to remain silent. The herd passed in 10 minutes,over 20 of them,mother,baby elephants and others. Driver explained to Pilku that we could not have subdued them with our guns. They can sense our intention. So all us prayed to them to go their way and that we would not disturb.They went away smiling at us.

In all 78,967 corona cases with 10,74,608 active cases and 24,60,85,649 vaccination were reported till 11th June in India.

Quotable Quotes :"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."Mahatma Gandhi

 11th

Falling into a drain

The incident happened in 1977 at Guwahati when i was posted there as the Superintendent of police in Kamrup District of Assam.I was on surprise inspection of security duties in connection ensuing general elections.I was on my favorite horse (in fact a mare),named, Bhagwati. It was early/slightly dark wintry morning around 5.30 am. I was galloping in full speed. Road from bungalow to my destination was without traffic.Horse suddenly stopped at turn to a lane. I was not prepared for it. I was thrown over the horse into a little over 6 feet deep filthy drain on the side. Drain water was touching my lips. I tried to come out of it. I could not. Only one constable on horseback had accompanied as escort. He came running and helped to come out of the drain. My horse stood motionless with drooped neck as if it was feeling guilty. In fact it was not at fault. Quite often i used to go for supervision of security duty at a strong room,situated inside the lane. The ballot boxes were kept there for safe custody. Perhaps it thought that i would have liked it to take turn inside the lane. Its fault was it took turn without any direction from me. A horseman gives direction to the horse by his feet/knees. ....When i came back home drenched with filth, i was confronted with the children (age group about 6 to 9)who were ready to go out with me for cross-country ride. They giggled and ran to call their mother to come and see the scarecrow  Papa.

In all 85,859 new corona cases with 11,18,028 active cases and 2 fot4,27,26,693 vaccination we reported till 10th June in India

Quotable Quotes :"A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people."Mahatma Gandhi

 10th

A friend sent this mail,"A few weeks ago I saw Rekha in Indian idol. At 66 yrs she looked gorgeous. And Zeenat Aman a couple of days ago. At 69 she had no wrinkles, not even thin lines on her face and the neck. In fact she kept lifting her chin to show a smooth neck. These women obviously have had a perfect job done on a face lift. Where do they go for it and how much does it cost?" Known to them only.

In all 87,405 new corona cases with 11,64,221 active cases and 23,90,58,360 vaccination were reported till 9th June in India.

Quotable Quotes:"It is better to be violent, if there is violence in our hearts, than to put on the cloak of nonviolence to cover impotence."Mahatma Gandhi

 9th

Corona is making life insular. We do not know where we are heading to. Let us remain optimistic. Things will settle down sooner than later.

In all 84,822 new corona cases with 12,15,301 active cases and 23,61,98,726 vaccination were reported till 8th June in India

Quotable Quotes :"Where there is love there is life."Mahatma Gandhi

 8th

We wished happy birthday to Dear Ria and many returns of the day.

In all 80,160 new corona cases with 13,09,090 active cases and 23,27,86,482 vaccination were reported till 7th June in India.

Quotable Quotes :"It is better to be violent, if there is violence in our hearts, than to put on the cloak of nonviolence to cover impotence."Mahatma Gandhi

 7th

It was quite hot and humid day. We remained confined to our homes.

In all 93796 new cases with 14,03,280 active cases and 23,13,22,417 vaccination were reported till 6th June in India.

Quotable Quotes :"An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind."Mahatma Gandhi

6th

Observed Ekadasi fast....On Whats-app chat we talked about Covid situation in UK. Akshat is back in Vatika at Gurugram. He is happy in his room. Talked to Abhishree, Amolikaa and Akshat. Babloo has started on line office work from Gurugram. Talked to Ruchi,Neha,Pilku and Babloo. It was refreshing to talk to them.

In all 01,06,236 new corona cases with 14,77,366 active cases and 22,78, 60,317 vaccination were reported till 5th June in India.

 Quotable Quotes :"It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver."Mahatma Gandhi

 5th

Internet service has been quite erratic by MTNL. It is restored after lot of effort and threat to report to PM'S website.

In all 01,11,025 new corona cases with 15,59,975 active cases and 22,41,09 448 vaccination were reported till 4th June in India.

Quotable Quotes :"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."Mahatma Gandhi

 3rd and 4th

Vandna alias Gilloo was born on 4th June. We wished her many happy returns of the day.

In all 01,22,297 new corona cases with 16,36,032 active cases and 22,10,43,693 vaccination were reported till 3rd June in India.

Quotable Quotes :"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."Mahatma Gandhi

2nd

We visited Sheffield on 12th October 2019 to look up Khyati, two days after her 18th birthday . She had joined a course on medicine in the university there. She had arrived there a few days back. We were then in London. Although her mother had visited the place earlier and saw it, but we wanted to be sure that Khyati was living there comfortably in good environment, had credible company and was getting proper food. We undertook the journey to her place. Distance between London and Manchester was 320 km and Manchester and Sheffield 62 kms. We covered distance between London and Manchester by train and thereafter by taxi. We were happy to meet her and her friends there and got reassured of her well being.

In all 01,23,630 new cases corona cases with 17,96,485 active cases and 21,60,46,638 vaccination were reported till 1st June in India.

 Quotable Quotes :"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."Mahatma Gandhi

 31st May and 1st June

Latest research in human behavior shows that whatever 'sense and sensibility' a child picks up in the first three months remains its beacon . You see their reflection in her/his over all personality throughout. I am reminded of an episode in this regard. When we came to know of the birth of dear Khyati, we had strong yearning to see our first grand child. We were told that we should not come to the hospital and come home after mother and child shifted there. They were not sure when they would shift to home. We told our son that we could not wait.  We gatecrashed to the Holy Angels hospital,Vasant Vihar on 11th October about 3 pm. She was born at 12.10 pm on 10th October. We got the information of her birth on 11th in the forenoon. We visited her and the mother with flowers and sweets. Khyati had been watching the drama. When we were about to leave,she raised her both the hands over the shoulders/head with a smile of not even two day old and said, 'Thank you Dadi Dada' .To hear her say that you needed her 'sense and sensibility'. We heard her clearly.

 In all 01,42,826 new corona cases with 20,30,244 active cases and 21,20,66,614 vaccination were reported till 30th May in India.

Quotable Quotes :"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."Mahatma Gandhi