a nonsense poem

Poets and We


Word, another word...so on, they write,

We know all those words – that is right,

But we could not put them orderly in our thought,

They could, because they are poets, we are not.

Indian & Innovation

Despite our unparalleled mastery over 'Jugad' (quick-fix solution), we Indians lag behind in innovation.
Here are my comments on 'Indian & Innovation' which published in Businessworld on 17 July, 2006

Mittal & Arcelor

Here were my comments on L N Mittal's bid to acquire Arcelor.
This was published in Businessworld, India's largest selling business magazine on 29 May,2006

Shilabati : a reminiscence

Shilabati.........so many memories of childhood are associated with this river...never forgettable...here is a brief about this beautiful river:


SHILABATI river (also known as SILAI) originates in the terrain of the Chhota Nagpur plateau in Purulia district of West Bengal, India. It flows towards almost southeast direction through the district of Bankura and West Midnapore. Shilabati joins with River Dwarkeswar near Ghatal and afterwards it gets the name Rupnarayan. It finally joins Hooghly river and falls into the Bay of Bengal.
Habitats along Shilabati mostly belong to farmers and they depend on Shilabati for irrigation. A large number of fishermen also earn their livlihood from this river. Shilabati is also used as waterways for transporting goods and passengers on boat & launch. Almost every year Shilabati causes floods particulary in Banka, Khirpai and Ghatal area. There is a small reservior on Shilabati near Khatra known as Kadam Deuli Dam where a canal from Mukutmanipur Kangsabati dam meets. You will get a picturesque view of this beautiful river near Garbeta while traveling by train in Kharagpur-Adra section of South Eastern Railway.

Teesta : Pretty & Mighty

Teesta nadi si tu chanchala,
Main bhi hoon bachpan se manchala.........
(You are exuberant like river Teesta and I am also fanatic of love since childhood)
These famous lines from a Hindi song of Yesudas & Hemlata rightfully depicts the nature of Teesta, the pretty & mighty river desending from Himalays. Teesta resembles perfectly a flamboyant enticing pretty teenage lass from highland. Her sparkling water...swift flow...slim and deep ravine...striking curves...pristine green mountainous ambience of Himalayas make you difficult to take your eyes off her.

Teesta river originates at Cho Lhamu Lake, bordering Tibet at an altitude of 5,330 m (17,500 feet) at North Sikkim District . This lake lies to the north of the Donkia Pass near Shetschen and fed by Zemu glacier. Teesta is known as Lachen chu from her place of origin to Chungthang, a small town in north Sikkim. Here she meets Lachung Chu and gets the name Teesta. The slope of Teesta upto this confluence is about 1 in 20. After the confluence the river gradually increases in width flowing down to Singhik whilst dropping in elevation from 1550 m to 750 m. At Singhik, Tessta receives one of her major tributaries, Tolung chu on her right.Tolung chu originates from Tolung glaciers, which are part of Khangchendzonga range. From Singhik, Teesta flows towards Dickchu in a very deep valley and drops from 750 m to 550 m. At Dickchu, one 96.45 m high concrete gravity dam has been construced for Teesta stage - V hydroelectric project(510 MW). From Dickchu the river flows in a big curve to Singtam with a drop of 200 m. Rongni chu which drains the Changu lake area joins Teesta river from the left at Singtam. Teesta receives Rangpo chu at Rangpo. After Rangpo Teesa starts widening rapidly and at Melli Bazaar joined by great Rangit river which originates from Rathong glacier. Between the towns of Rangpo and Lohapul, the Teesta flows with a very strong current, ideal for white river rafting. one 32.5 m high barrage is under construction for Teesta Low Dam - III Project (132 MW)near Kalijhora. One 30 m high concrete garvity dam is being constructed for Tessta Low Dam - IV Project (160 MW)about 350 m upstream of Teesta-Kalikhola confluence.Teesta leaves Himalayan mountain range at Sevoke and enters plains here. At Odlabari in Jalpaiguri district there is a barrage on Teesta.Teesta Barrage Project is one of the largest irrigation projects not only in West Bengal but also in the entire eastern region of India. This project has created 9.22 lakh ha. of irrigation potential in six northern districts of West Bengal and 67.50 MW of hydropower from canal falls. The Project has three different phases and the Project envisages utilisation of potential of the Teesta River in the field of irrigation, hydropower generation, navigation and flood moderation. Teesta passes by Jalpaiguri town. She makes her entry into Bangladesh north of Dimla and she meets Brahmaputra river at Fulcherry. At Doani in Lalmonirhat District (northern part of Bangladesh) one barrage is constructed on Teesta which is the largest in Bangladesh having 44 vent radial gates of each 40 feet width. The main purpose of the Barrage is to divert water from the Teesta River to the project command area through a Canal Head Regulator (CHR) and associated canal system for irrigation by gravity. Teesta has a catchment area of 6930 sq km (hilly terrain - Sikkim), 1121 sq km (hilly terrain – West Bengal), 2104 sq km (plains – West Bengal) and 2004 sq km (plains – Bangladesh) and travels 121 km in Sikkim, 151 km in West Bengal & 142 km in Bangladesh. Teesta is, by far, the largest tributary of the Brahmaputra-Jamuna system. Notably,Teesta descends from an elevation of about 5,330 m to about 213 m over a distance of about 175 km. There are total six hydroelectric schemes (Teesta-I to Tessta-VI with a total installed capacity of 3315 MW have been identified on Teesta in Sikkim. They are Teesta-I of 280MW, Teesta-II of 330MW, Teesta-III of 1200MW, Teesta-IV of 495MW, Teesta-V of 510MW & Teesta-VI of 510MW. Apart from these, one 210 MW capacity hydropower project identified on Lachen.

STUPIDITY IS AN INCUREABLE BIRTH DEFECT

NOTHING.........

NOTHING LASTS FOREVER BUT THE TRUTH

My Day Out on India's 61st Independence Day

I was in a friendly country on 61st Independence Day of India. Though I have used the word ‘Friendly’ but I am not sure if that word is capable enough to describe the firmness of the bond between India and that country. The country is India’s most trusted all-weather friend from the time immemorial and the friendship is built on Trust, Respect & Cooperation to each other. It is a tiny & beautiful country and the countrymen are nice, peace-loving and god-fearing. The nation is not only a happy one but also a global leader in the promotion of "Gross National Happiness” (link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_national_happiness & http://www.alternet.org/environment/21083 )



Yes, I am talking about ‘The Royal Kingdom of Bhutan’.
I was on a business tour on this picturesque Himalayan country of pristine natural beauties on 14th & 15th August.
I left Siliguri around 12-00 noon on 14th and reached Jaigaon on Bhutan border at afternoon 3-45. It is nearly 150 Km and most of the journey was on NH – 31 which connects North-Eastern states with rest of India through the chicken neck of North Bengal.
It was drizzling and temperature was comfortable. We pulled up our vehicle at Jhajhangi on a road side dhaba to take lunch. The dhaba was one of the biggest of its kind I have ever seen. We passed through Jaldapara wildlife sanctuary famous for rhinos. We crossed three biggest river of North Bengal - Teesta, Jaldhaka and Torsa. Jalgaon town is on Indian side and Phuentsholing is in Bhutan. Phuentsholing is a neat, tidy & beautiful town at the foothills of Himalayas. The two towns are divided by a wall constructed by Royal Government of Bhutan. There is a sprawling gate and it reminds me of the gate with similar architecture I have seen in India – Nepal or West Bengal – Sikkim entry point. Nepal, Sikkim & Bhutan are having many things in common. I had to travel quite few times to these places for sake of my work. West Bengal police had a glimpse inside our vehicle for security check before entering Bhutan. As the next day was Independence Day of India, the security personnel were supposed to be more vigilant. Our vehicle reached near to the gate and Royal Bhutan Police checked our vehicle through windows – it’s like sort of formalities. Indian vehicles and personnel are allowed to enter Phuentsholing and they need not to show any documents for the same. But to go beyond Phuentsholing, pass is required from immigration authority of Bhutan showing proof of Indian citizenship. There is a consulate general office of India at Phuentsholing. At our company’s office at Phuentsholing, I noticed an invitation from Conusulate General office for Independence Day celebration. After finishing our work at office at Phuentsholing we came to Jaigaon and stayed in a hotel there. The next day 15th August we had to go to a place called Gedu. Gedu is 45 Km away from Phuentsholing. We hired an Bhutan vehicle to go there. We left our hotel at Jaigaon at morning 6-45 and entered Phuentsholing. We had some work at Phuentsholing office. We re-entered Jaigaon to have breakfast. At 10-00 am (Bhutan Time which is 30 minutes ahead of Indian Standard Time) we left for Gedu from Phuentsholing and reached there at 11-30 am. It was one of the typical journey through mountainous range of Himalayas which I did experience many times in Nepal, Sikkim, West Bengal or in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The road with sharp bends has mountain at one side and deep valley on other side - all covered with lush greeneries. I enjoy a lot this kind of journey through natures – be it in Konkan coast in Maharashtra or in Himalayas.
We had work at Gedu and we stayed there for 2 hours. We left Gedu at afternoon 1-30 . At roadside, local girls selling local bananas and apple . Apple is damn cheap – Nu 30 per Kg. Ngultrum (Nu) is the currency of Bhutan and it is having same value of Indian Rupees. Indian currencies are also accepted in Bhutan. We reached Phuentsholing at 3-00 pm, crossed border and had lunch at Jaigaon. Again we went to Phuentsholing and completed our job. We left Phuentsholing at 5-15 evening and reached Siliguri at night 8-30.

LONG LIVE INDIA

Unpleasant Truths

Below are my comments about some unpleasant truths involving most of us. My views were published in 'conversations with readers' column in The Times of India, Mumbai on October 19, 2004.

Infrastructure Development in India

India is experiencing unprecedented economic boom. To sustain this growth, India requires to improve her infrastructure.
Followings are my comments on India's infrastucture requirements which published in Businessworld,India's largest selling & most read business magazine . This was published on 20 November, 2006 issue.

Welcome You All

Hi Friends !!!
Today I have created this blog. I hope I would make a good use of it and post my thoughts, observations, feelings & reactions regarding various topics. I also be in touch with all of you through this blog.

Your comments are most welcome.

Thanks / Regards / Wellwishes,

Souvik Khamrui