National Highways on wrong path again ?

Gangai Konda Cholapuram 

The National Highways Authority of India(NHAI) does the mistake again!  Yes. After facing strong resistance from the public on its attempt to grab a portion of historic temples at Panayapuram ( near Vikravandi) and Manampadi (near Cholapuram) few years ago, the widening of the highway by demolishing a portion of the 1000 year old temples at the above places, NHAI had given up the move. But similar attempt is initiated to lay the road about 100 meters close to the World Heritage site at Gangai konda Cholapuram. 

Times of India in its Chennai edition dated 8^th July 2019, has reported that Gangaikonda Cholapuram Development Trust, which works for the development of the place has approached the Madras High Court with the concern that the move would cause damage to the UNESCO Heritage site as it would violate the provisions of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological sites and Remains Act ( “No one should encroach or construct any buildings within 100 metres from the boundaries of such protected monuments.”)

The district collector of Ariyalur was also approached by the trust and the representation has been forwarded to the project director of NHAI. It is strange that the NHAI has failed to maintain compliance to the above Act . It has also disregarded the sentiments of the people although it has faced similar situations before.  The Archaeological Survey of India which maintains the Heritage site should have objected to the road work. The non coordination between these departments is thus exposed. Now it is left to the people to seek justice from the court.

However, we must be glad that at least few enthusiasts have taken the issue to the court. 

It is unexplained why the Indians are so lethargic in sustaining the Heritage sites. Is it because they are not groomed from schooldays about the importance of preserving the past glory? A Face book post shared by my friend yesterday is worth sharing here.

Courtesy: Liesbeth Pankaja

While the very purpose of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR&CE)board is to protect, preserve and maintain the tradition  of the temples, it is not known why they keep a blind eye on ancient temples for nearly a century. The dilapidated temple shown here may not survive if negligence continues. 

Source: Not known

This is just an example to show how the Government department works. The judiciary should intervene into the matter and an early verdict of the court may solve the crisis before it is too late.

Source: Unknown 

The Heritage enthusiasts will be surprised to know how lethargic the authorities of the temples maintained by HR &CE. It is shocking to find Sculptures tied with scaffolding as the one shown in the picture below. Are they not aware that the sculptures are likely to be damaged by this act? Are they meant for this purpose? It is nothing but shame on temple authorities. This is why people from various quarters want the exit of HR&CE from the temples to give way for an independent body to look after the temples. This will also prevent the encroachment of temple property, misuse of temple income etc.  We hope that the lethargic attitude of Indians vanish soon and a new chapter is opened to proudly say that the monument protection in India is the best in the world. Let us wait for the dawn.

IRCTC'S Nava Jyothir Linga Tour

I have always been apprehensive about the conducted tours on some accounts--- The accommodation, food, long hours of journey by bus etc. This time I wanted to make a try as it will be too difficult and tiresome  to cover all the 9 Jyitir linga kshetrams in ten days. IRCTC had planned the trip to coincide with  Mahashivarathri .  We thought that first week of March would neither be too hot nor too cold.  We were proved wrong.  The biting cold winds sweep  the region in the wee hours and the Sun becomes blistering right from 10 a.m. 

The train had a delayed start of about three hours at  Madurai, the place where it  originated. The delay kept on mounting and it reached Chennai Egmore at 14.15 p.m on 28th February.  More registered passengers joined us at various stations. After reaching Kurnool, we were taken in buses to a Marriage hall for bath and breakfast. However big or good it would be, how can it accommodate nearly 700 passengers at the same time ? Somehow we boarded the bus at 8 a.m and went to Sri Sailam. We  were taken to a Choultry where free food was being served. As there was huge rush over there, the trip guide could not suggest us the alternate place. The passengers divided themselves in small groups and went to nearby hotels.  Thus the IRCTC had failed to provide lunch for the passengers due to poor planning. We appeal to IRCTC to recover the Lunch expenses from Travel times (India) P.Ltd for not providing the service as  promised . 

After lunch, we went to the temple to have dharshan. In the absence of the guide, the passengers bought the special Dharshan ticket for Rs 200 ! We had to return to the bus in order to undertake the return journey by bus for another 5 hours. 

Waste Disposal appears to take the least priority on board the train. It is a common sight to see passengers of ordinary express trains dropping  all sorts of waste around their seats. It is also an eyesore to find  empty bottles  dropped inside toilets and wash basins. The toilet with an unbearable  filthy smell makes the journey a curse. On the contrary, this particular trip did not have these problems at all. Toilets were neat,dry and tidy. They were promptly refilled with water en route. But the credit goes to the passengers as well. 

When the passengers sensibly put all food waste into a black cover kept for the purpose, is it not the duty of the house keeping staff to tie it properly during nights and dispose them the following day ?The  house keeping boy did not even look at our face to reply. The contents of the bag were enough to attract rats . It did not stop there. The rats even invaded the compartments when the passengers were fast asleep. Bags / Luggage brought by fellow passengers were cut open .  Reporting the problem was in vain. 

The house keeping boy was seen collecting empty water bottles and throwing them out from the running train one by one. Any amount of advice did not work. Just imagine 5000 empty containers thrown on both sides of the truck during this trip !! All we could do was to make our points in the feed back form given to us. God knows who will read it and what action will be taken. 

Of course, we have travelled quite a lot of distance during this tour. It is not to be forgotten that most of the travellers are aged. By calling the facilities enough for a budget tour, does IRCTC shows blind eyes to the Senior citizens ? All we request the Railways is to provide atleast minimum standards of stay. Please do not insult them by showing places fit for tying cattle ! The one provided at Nasik road was just horrible. The dirty rooms with pungent smelling linens supports the above view. Will the authorities look into this? 

IRCTC can still make the trip more convenient by tightening the grip over Travel India , its service provider. If IRCTC still argues that this is all they can provide for a budget tour, well, it will reveal their unwillingness to improve customer service and in the future land  up in putting an end to many programs due to poor occupancy .