Delhi Trip

Delhi trip
To attend the 45th Personal Assistant (Refresher) Course [45th PAR] at the Institute of Secretariat Training and Management, Ber Sarai, New Delhi, from Dec. 3 to 14 2007, at Library Building (I Floor) Sessions 1st 0915-1030 hrs. Tea break 1030-1045; 2nd session: 1045-1200 hrs. 3rd: 1215-1330. Lunch 1330-1430 hrs. IV: 1430-1530. Tea break 1530-1545 hrs. V: 1545-1645 hrs.

30.11.2007 Fir.
Woke up at 4 AM. Was ready by 4.30. Fasttrack Call Taxi already at gate. Reached Central Station by 4.55 itself. Rs.145/- Boarded Rajdhani Express at Platform No.2. Coach B2 (III A/C) Upper Berth No.35 (as chosen by me). Many seats vacant till Nagpur (2115 hrs.) Departed on time at 0610 hrs. Occupied side lower berth till Nagpur. Route - Vijayawada, Warangal, Nagpur, Gwalior, Agra Cant., Faridabad, Tuglakabad and Hazrat Nizamuddin. (Due to derailment of a goods train and fog, arrived only at 1430 hrs. on Sat. 01.12.07, instead of 1015 hrs.). I had purchased The Hindu, but Indian Express was provided in the train. Welcome drink - Tea (prepare-yourself-kit), toffees & biscuits provided. Veg. breakfast - uppuma (bland), vadai (looked & tasted like bonda), chutney, bread, butter & jam, and dip tea. Later, mango juice in tetra pack. Lunch preceded by soup. Fearing another bland dish, I preferred NV lunch - chicken curry, chapatis-2, rice, dhal, dahi, pickle, and salad. For the evening, tea, toffee-2, wafer, juice, savoury pack, bread & sauce. The last three I gave away to a boy at one of the on-the-way stations. Dinner; Veg. - Chapathi, paneer curry, rice, dhal, etc. Did not have a sound sleep. Daytime reading included The Hindu, The Indian Express and Bharathiyar poems

01.12.2007-Sat.
Morning tea, biscuits & toffee. NV breakfast - bread & omelets, butter & jam. Tea & juice. Read Hindustan Times; interesting. While on the train, Banu talked about Mukundh’s leg pain and treatment. Taking tablets given by a Neuro doctor. Went to CGHS also, and was advised to take tabs and x-ray only. Due to fog & derailment of a goods train, reached Delhi only at 1430 hrs., instead of the scheduled arrival time of 1015 hrs. Lunch at IRCTC Canteen Rs.65. No facility to wash hands! Took an auto to ISTM Rs.1.20 PM. Rs.120/- The auto driver went around a bit, searching, to new JNU Campus instead of Old JNU Campus. Room No. 302. The balcony door of Room No.301, originally allotted, was not closing properly and there was a wide gap through which chill wind could freely blow. Hence requested and shifted to Room No.302. Walked around to get a feel of the area and noted down route nos. of buses plying through.

02.12.07 - Sunday:
Left ISTM Hostel with a plan to visit old Delhi but when I went to Metro to proceed there, Metro possessed me. http://www.delhimetrorail.com
Covered all the three routes by buying a single day pass for Rs.70 + a returnable deposit of Rs. 50 or so - Yellow Line Central Sectt. to Vishwa Vidyalaya (underground) (the last point); while returning, got down at Kashmiri Gate and boarded the Red Line (partly underground and overhead): Sahadhara to Rithala. Again got down at Kashmiri Gate and boarded the Yellow Line to Rajiv Chowk to board the Blue Line (mostly overhead): Dwarka Sector 9 to Indra Prastha. Got down after a round trip at Rajiv Chowk, boarded the Yellow Line and got down at Chandini Chowk. Went around the area, closer to Red Fort, window-shopping. Masala Dosa Rs.25, puri-channa Rs.20. It was around evening and I was very hungry, having taken only breakfast at ISTM Hostel Mess. Tea Rs.4. They prepare tea only when order is placed. Eateries are filthy, full of flies and unhygienic; Chandini Chowk to Central Secretariat by Metro, then caught bus route 680 and got down at Ber Sarai. Darshan and prasadham at Vaikundnathji Mandir. Red newspaper, dinner - roti, paneer-mutter, aalu (it is a must!), moong dhal, rice & dahi. When I returned to my room, light was on and I was shocked. But it was Mr. Sharma, my roommate, who had come from Narora Atomic Power Project in UP.

Dec. 03 2007 (Monday):
Breakfast - cornflakes and puri. Session started. Mr. AJK Menon, Asst. Director & Course Coordinator, handled. Registration/Introduction/Course Expectations & Overview. Study tour to Gwalior & Orchha in M.P. We are 32 in total, almost 50% from outside Delhi and the other 50% from Delhi itself. It was `working lunch’. There were other groups also who had come for the training and there was heavy rush; People were literally snatching phulkas (sukha rotti)! I could not believe their behaviour. Rice kheer was tasty. I could manage to get only one phulka; satisfied with rice, dhal and subji.
AN session on HIV/AIDS. Quite informative; by Delhi State AIDS Control Society, like the TANSACS in Chennai. Over by 4.30 PM. Read paper; rest. Then visited Kamakshi Temple and Vaikundnathji mandir along with my roommate RK Sharma. Went around Ber Sarai market. It was unbelievable that the by-lanes were a maze of network and kept extending. So narrow, just an auto could only enter, or two scooters side-by-side. Sharma felt chocked. I found it quite interesting; there was underground structure in many buildings; must be okay during winter; hope it will be cool and comfortable during summer also. Before returning to hostel room, spoke to Abhi (daughter of Vimal & Thyagu, both of whom had gone out); tried Mrs. Santha Balakrishnan, but she was out of station to Mumbai. Spoke to Banu at home. Raining in Chennai. For Meera, the 1st pre-board exam started today. Withdrew Rs.6,000/- for the study tour payment. For dinner, leftovers of lunch!

Tuesday Dec. 04 2007:
For breakfast, only chapatti and dhal; no cornflakes or dahlia (kheer made with broken wheat). Paid the Study Tour advance of Rs. 6,000/- Mr. Sareen conducted session on Office Procedure. Mr. Bihari Das on OLI policy. He explained how Hindi had borrowed from other languages also and adapted - Tamil ‘villangam’ and ‘adamanam’ given as example. In the AN session, AJKM took Duties & Responsibilities, and Role in Office Meetings. Latecomers were admonished by AJKM. Generally, the hostellers reached on time, while the Delhites reached late, blaming traffic problem. Lunch menu: 3 phulka, saag (ground like paste) & paneer, and semiya kheer. Not very hungry, hence avoided rice. In the evening, took 680 bus and had a round trip up to Central Secretariat (Kendriya Sachivalay) and back to Ber Sarai (Rs.7 + 10) Observed that Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi was closer to Kendriya Sachivalay Metro Station. Saw New Broadcasting House, Akashwani Bhawan, PTI, Udyog Bhawan, Rashtrapathi Bhawan, Parliament Museum, Nehru Museum, Shanthi Path, Rail Bhawan, Rail Museum, while on the move.
Found my roommate to be so boring. Gets up in the early morning and makes a lot of noise bathing & brushing and doing pranayam & other yoga in the open balcony. As warned, he caught severe cold and throat pain. In the night, he snores heavily. Does not move out of the room.

Wed. 05.12.2007:
Because of Sharma’s ‘sound’ snoring, could not sleep ‘soundly.’ Mr. Sareen on Office Machinery; informative. Details about study tour revealed by Mr. AJK Menon. In the AN session, Mr. Har Govind (he had worked in our I&B Ministry) handled Time Management and Managing Office in the Absence of Boss. Now & then, in the room, I am reading the biography of Lenin, bought in the 1960s just for 1 rupee! Walked up to Katwaria Sarai, on way to NCERT, where we stayed while on LTC a few years back. Due to traffic jam, could not proceed up to NCERT. For dinner, the mess cook had prepared pepper ‘rasam’ with the help of a Tamilian lady of another batch. Tasted good, though a bit sour; if a pinch of salt was added, it tasted ok. I suggested the mess people to declare it as “pepper soup” to the diners, who relished it (the North Indians in particular for the new taste, and the South Indians who were dying for something Southern) very much, to my amusement.

Thu. 06.12.2007:
Before attending the morning session, I used to go through newspaper at the Library, which was in the ground floor. Setting up & Winding up of office by AJKM, Leave Rules by Shri Parth Vasania; in the AN, Interpersonal Relations/Organisational Behaviour. Busy packing in the evening for the study tour beginning from Friday. Deepak and Jain, coming from Gurgaon and Vaishali, stayed in hostel.

Fri. 07.12.08:
Left ISTM Hostel by bus by 5 AM to New Delhi Railway Station. It was cold. Boarded New Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdhi Express. My desire to travel in Shatabdhi fulfilled. On board, I felt feverish; took some tablets. Got down at Gwalior, by bus to Orchha. Due to hastiness of Sharma, could not stay in tent. After white rafting, went to Ram Mandir; bought two old coins, a little Buddha statue for Rs. 25. Curios and antiques are quite costly, maybe because of the number of foreign visitors.

Sat. 08.12.07:
Visited the palace; fine stone carvings; Haggled and bought an antique (?) lock of 1845 period for Rs. 350 or 250 (the same old lock is available in Pudu Mandapam, Madurai, for Rs.750, and a brand new copy for Rs.350!), calcium carrier Rs.150; picked up a carved stone piece that had fallen from the palace; none of my batch mates showed any interest in the curios or antiques; they must have thought me a mad person for treasuring the stone piece! Then we visited Taragaon, the NGO village. Left for Gwalior and had lunch at MPTDC Hotel there. Visited National Institute of Physical Education (NIPE), Light & Sound show at Gwalior Fort and then dinner. Watched a live ‘baarath’; quite funny! The groom was sitting like an idiot on horseback. Felt feverish, hence swallowed some tablets.

Sun. 09.12.07:
Visited Sun Temple, Jaivilas Palace’s Museum, lunch, Gwalior Fort - station - Shatabdhi - Reached New Delhi Station by 11 PM - bus - reached by 12 ½ AM.- Ms. Susan and Ms. Kunte make a racket by having the key in their handbag but blaming the caretaker for missing it. Slept by 1 ½ AM. Deepak & Jain stayed back. Not a sound sleep. There was a small game ‘naming the batch mates’ organised by Mr. AJKM after our visit to Jaivilas Palace Museum. I got almost all the names correct, while Ms. Kaur was unable to identify not more than two of us. She seemed to be a haughty person, because of her imagined beauty?
==============

Report on the Study Tour to Orchha & Gwalior
Dec. 07 – 09 2007
…. S. Balakrishnan

Intro: As part of the two-week 45th Refresher Course for PAs, ISTM, New Delhi, organized a 3-day Study Tour to Orchha & Gwalior in M.P. from Dec, 07 to 09 2007. All the participants, except two, joined the study tour, conducted by Mr. AJK Menon, Asst. Director & Course Coordinator.

Objectives: I could realize the objectives of the tour, about which I was quite apprehensive at the beginning, as the tour progressed from day 1 to 2, to 3 and as we landed back finally at ISTM. They were, as I could visualize, – 1. to improve inter-personal relationship among the participants, 2. coordination/cooperation among the participants, 3. to gain knowledge about the socio-economic conditions and progress of our nation, 4. working of NGOs and 5. functioning of national-level institutions.

Working of NGOs: A visit to Technical Aid for Rural Advancement (TARA), an NGO working in Orchha, was our first programme on the first day of our study trip on 07/12/07 (Friday). This NGO has set up a unit where waste wood is converted into pulp to generate power; also, waste cotton from the far off Tiruppur (Tamil Nadu), the hosiery town, is converted into various handmade paper products, using non-toxic and natural vegetable dyes. These products are not only eco-friendly but also longer lasting. Such a venture has provided the rural people of this dry region (someone commented it had not rained there during the last four years) permanent alternative jobs with steady income, without solely depending on the unreliable and seasonal agriculture/farming jobs alone.




Other site seeing at Orchha:
* White water rafting in Betwa & Jamni rivers was a refreshing experience. It taught us coordination/cooperation among the rowers as well as to obey the commands (of the head boatman) to attain our goal.
* We worshipped at the Ram Temple, whose rule is still supreme in that town. Guard of Honour is given only to Lord Ram and none else, not even to President!
* The trip to the Orchha palace on the second day (Saturday, 08/12/07) gave a glimpse of the rich architectural heritage of Bundhelkhand Rulers. It was a mixture of Hindu (Rajput) and Muslim/Persian styles of architecture and interior designs/patterns.
* Shopping: Orchha is a rich source for antique/curio shopping and I could not resist indulging in some, with my money purse becoming thinner and thinner.

Rani Lakshmibhai National Institute of Physical Education (NIPE): After winding our trip in Orchha, we visited NIPE, Gwalior, in the afternoon of the second day of our tour. A top institute to train physical educators, it has all facilities for providing overall training in various sports, games (both indoor and outdoor), track events, gymnasium, martial arts like judo, body-building, swimming, etc. It has to be pointed out that the facilities are of the highest standard also. The fee for these fully residential courses is highly subsidized by the Union Government, which shows the importance the Government attaches to developing physical education in the country. It has courses at Diploma, UG, PG, M. Phil levels.
* To conclude the second day’s programme, we enjoyed the Sound-&-Light show organized at the Gwalior Fort, describing the history of the fort and its rulers.

Other site seeing at Gwalior:
* Sunday began with an appropriate visit to Sun Temple in Gwalior (Vivasan Mandir). It is said to be a replica of the world famous Sun Temple of Konark in Orissa, which, I felt, was not at all true. The Konark Temple cannot be replicated; because, even in ruins it is a master piece, more beautiful than Taj Mahal itself!
* We paid homage at the tomb of Tansen, one of the Nine Gems of Akbar’s court. Musician Tansen was buried in Gwalior, his native district, adjacent to his Muslim guru’s tomb. The annual Tansen Samroah was being organized there.
* A trip within the Jaivilas Palace of the Scindia royal family gave us an idea of the rich life style of our ex-rulers. The most striking piece was the massive chandeliers in the gold-plated assembly hall and artifacts from China.
* The last item in our schedule was a visit to the Gwalior Fort atop a hill, the Saas-Bahu temples and Guru Hargobind Saheb Gurudwara. Though in a hurry to catch the train back to Delhi, the guide took us around the important places within the fort. The intricate stone works, ventilation/lighting even in the underground chambers, decorations, etc. of the Maan Singh Palace attracted us very much.

Experience: The study trip offered some unique first-time experiences to me, like the white water rafting, visit to a Gurudwara, etc. I felt proud to roam in the land of the brave Lakshmibhai, Jhansi ki Rani, who fought against the British and sowed the seed for our independence. It gave a close-up view of the working of an NGO and a national-level educational institution. My desire to travel by Shatabdhi Express also got fulfilled (both ways!). The tourism potential of the area was unbelievable. Like the squirrel that played its small role in building of the Ram Sethu, I carried out my minor role in the smooth conduct of the trip.

Conclusion: Our sincere thanks to ISTM for planning such a wonderful trip as part of the course, to Mr. Menon, for the flawless execution, to MP Tourism for the excellent planning of the visits, transport, and board & lodge both at Orchha and Gwalior. Last but not the least (to use the unavoidable cliché) to all my friends for making the tip a memorable one.

S. Balakrishnan
(45th PAR Course)
PA to ADG
Press Information Bureau
Min. of I&B, Govt. of India
Shastri Bhawan, Chennai – 600 006
krishnanbala2004@yahoo.co.in
Ph.: Off. 044-2822 81 46 / Resi. 044-2472 61 26

Mon. 10.12.07:
Felt sleepy; some Delhites came quite late, especially women. Mr. AJKM, course coordinator, upset. He gave instructions about preparation of study report. Mr. Nafe Singh, handled TA/DA rules. Mr. Yogesh Dwivedi, handled pension rules. Prepared the Tour Report in an internet café; internet café is security conscious; they checked my id card and noted down its details; saw mail; Colder today (6 degree something) due to wind and snowfall in Shimla.

Tue. 11.12.07:
Mr. Har Gobind handled Effective Communication System and Managing Visitors. The III session - Foresight and Security - was also handled by him.
IV & V Sessions on Stress Management were handled by AJKM. In the evening, Mr. Jain helped me reach Delhi Haat, showcasing handicrafts/handlooms from almost all the States. Bought miniature Sholapuri leather chappal, 3 earthen works, all costing Rs.20 each.

Wed. 12.12.07:
Today’s sessions were on Noting & Drafting, Income Tax, and Self Motivation.

Central Information Commission (CIC) had at last responded and called me for a hearing today. This letter had reached home and Mukundh had scanned and sent it by e-mail. Banu alerted me. Luckily, it was in the same Old JNU Campus. A day or two before, I had gone to the office of Information Commissioner, Dr. O.P. Kejariwal, and had a chat with Mr. G. Subramanian, Assistant Registrar. [For full details, refer ‘My Experiment/Experience with RTI] I took permission and attended the hearing. From PIB HQ, Mr. Narendra Singh, JD (Admn.), and Ms. Parkash Kaur, DD (Admn.), represented. Both were stiff and curt. Dr. Kejariwal was visibly upset that even PIB could refuse providing the Notings. He pointed out that CIC was the authority. He said something had to done with regard to DoPT website. He remarked that he ought to have slapped fine on PIB, but set 15th Jan. as deadline for providing - free of cost - all the information. I bunked the afternoon session and without even lunch, went to PIB HQ after informing Mr. Nambiar to fix an appointment with Pr. DG Ms. Deepak Sandhu. Boarded 680 bus and got down at Central Sectt. stop. After a little fumbling, reached Shastri Bhawan. Pr. DG was ‘busy’. So I met Mrs. Swatantra Radhakrishnan, Ram Kumar, S.O. Mr. Chawla, met Mr. Venkataraman, PS in the Ministry - briefed them about the past situation in PIB Chennai. Met Mr. Narendra Singh, JD, and enquired about certain admn. matters to which he curtly replied ‘let your ADG ask in writing’. I retorted ‘If you are not going to respond, I am not bothered because it has got nothing to do personally’ and quit the room. Again went to Pr. DG’s office. She was ensconced with two media people who had attended a press conference at PIB itself; later she was in a hurry to attend a meeting with the Secretary - I&B. If she wanted, she could have spared just two minutes to say hello, but I knew from the beginning she would avoid me, a “trouble maker”.

Went around Janpath and Palika Bazaar (the underground shopping complex). Bought a Che Guvera printed black Tee for Mukundh for Rs.200 and a camel bone pink necklace for Meera (Rs.100) respectively in these places. I doubted the size of the Tee and when I wore it the next morning, found it to be small indeed. Had a telephonic chat with Mrs. Santha Balakrishnan, who had earlier served in PIB Chennai and who helped us book accommodation at NCERT Guest House in Delhi when we visited a few years back.

Thu. 13/12/07:
Sun shone like a focus lamp, round & red, but no heat; quite windy today. Thick fog and chilly weather. Today was the photo session. Harish Aria’s and Valsamma’s daughter’s birthday; sweets were distributed. Today’s sessions were - I & II RTI by Mrs. Poonam Goila, Jt. Director; III -LTC Rules by Mr. Rajesh Saxena, DD, and IV & V Communication Skills by Mr. AJK Menon.
In the evening, boarded the bus to Daula Kuan, climbed a highway bridge, used its subways, escalator-aided pedestrian bridges and returned to Munirka and bought woolen dress for Rs.150 for PMS’ son. Walked to Ber Sarai, withdrew Rs.2,500/- from ATM (it was not working properly since yesterday); bought dahi cups (Rs.12 & Rs.5), green plantain Rs.2 each. Spoke to Vimal & Thyagu.

Fri. 14.12.2007:
Heavy fog in the morning.
Valedictory in the afternoon after a film show on ‘Effective Secretary’. Copies of the group photograph, address list of participants, certificate distributed. Some were keen on being photographed while receiving the certificate. Cake, sweet, savoury, juice served.

In the evening, thought of going to Malai Mandir (Murugan Temple) in Munirka but dropped due to headache and tiredness. Phoned to home early, watched TV for some time.

Sat. 15.12.2007:
Saw off my roommate Sharma to Inter-State Bus Terminus, onward to Narora. Packed up and left hostel to catch the Andaman Express from Jammu Tawi to Chennai from New Delhi Rly. Station leaving in the afternoon. Almost on time, despite my fear of delay due to fog or starting from the troubled state of J&K. Had good company - 2 teachers from rural Maharashtra after a training on cultural diversity of India; a lady, also from Maharashtra, doing Ph.D. and going to Chennai for a seminar after attending one in Delhi, two Tamilians, one from BSNL, after training, another from BHEL, Ranipet, after attending union meeting.

Mon. 17.12.07:
Reached almost on time, around 1030 hrs. Reached home and then office in the afternoon.

I was determined to attend the training, because I had saved govt. money by not joining at Thiruvananthapuram when sent on transfer along with the post in Dec. 2005 by the then DDG T. Jayaraj. The unutilized savings was partly spent on this training.

After putting 30 years of service, there was not much to learn; however, some nuances were learnt; some could be of use in higher level of working with Secretary or in Delhi atmosphere. It was nice meeting people from different states and sharing each other’s experience. Experience of Delhi participants was entirely different from the rest, as they work in the seat of power. The study tour was quite enjoyable; I could also fulfill my dream of travelling in Metro, Shatabdhi train, seeing Delhi Hatt, visiting PIB HQ (though could not meet Pr. DG), etc.

HQ had first refused permission, stating that I do not belong to CCS. But I had sent an advance copy to ISTM and they had approved it. When this was pointed out, HQ (Ms. Parkash Kaur) acceded to my request. ADG, PIB, Chennai, Mr. K. Ganesan, was also supportive of my desire to undergo a training. I learnt that the Head Clerk, Mrs. V. Bhooshnam, had commented, “I’ll see how this fellow goes for the training”. What a crooked mentality, despite reaching 60 years!

On the whole, a rich experience.
^^^