Solution : Kedarnath Mishap

Since the tragedy has struck in our beloved mountains and homeland. I was thinking how we should bring relief, to our beloved mountain people, who treat us with amazing warmth, great hospitality, accompany us, and rather guide us to unseen natural beauty. Some said, lets take relief material, some said donate money in various NGO's or Prime Minister's Relief Fund etc. I am not sure that the funds will reach the needy and I am afraid that it would just land up with "THEKEDARS" or development incharges who will look after rebuilding infrastructure, or it will be spent on rehabilitating Kedarnath Shrine alone. As we all know the famous chaar dhams and Panch Kedar are the major revenue earners for the state and the local alike. 

Post this calamity mostly people will not be heading to Uttrakhand due to fear of what had happened. SO, why not lets all pledge to travel as much as possible to Uttrakhand in local transport aka buses, taxis and eat in small Dhabas, have refreshments from Chaiwalas, stay in guest houses and assist locals in whatever little we can.

I think the need of the hour is to bring the tourism back to the one of the most beautiful places in India as soon as the monsoon strikes are over and our lazy ass have done their bit to resurrect the road connections. Coming August end or mid September let's go there and let's give faith and courage back to our beloved mountain people. Let's give back life to Mountains, who have given us so much.

Written By: Sandeep Kohli

Edited By: Guy In The Blue Jean

Life Lessons

A young woman went to her grandmother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.

Her grandmother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her granddaughter, she asked, "Tell me what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they got soft.She then asked her to take an egg and break it.

After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The granddaughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The granddaughter then asked. "What's the point, grandmother?"

Her grandmother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity "boiling water" but each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her granddaughter.

"When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff?

Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.

When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level?

Sardarjee Baarah Baj Gaye !

During 17th century, when Hindustan was ruled by Mughals, all the Hindu people were humiliated and were treated like animals. Mughals treated the Hindu women as their own property and used them on their tunes and whims. They forced all Hindus to accept Islam and even used to kill the people if they refused to accept.

At that time, Nadir Shah raided Delhi in the year 1739, looted and plundered Hindustan and was carrying lot of Hindustani treasures and nearly 2200 Hindu women along with him. The news spread like a forest fire and was heard by Sardar Jassa Singh who was the Commander of the Sikh army at that time. He decided to attack Nadir Shah’s Kafila at midnight. He did so, and rescued all the Hindu women and they were safely sent to their homes.

It didn’t happen only once but thereafter whenever any Abdaalis or Iranis attacked and looted Hindustan and were trying to steal the treasures and the Hindu women along with them for selling them in the Abdal markets, the Sikh army although fewer in numbers but very brave hearted, attacked them at midnight, 12 O’clock, and rescued the women, the real treasures of men.

After that time, whenever there occurred a similar incidence, people started to contact the Sikh army for their help and Sikhs used to attack the raiders at Midnight, 12 O’clock. It continued and became a known fact that at midnight, nearly at 12 O’clock, it is very difficult to fight against Sikhs as the Sikhs get some Divine Power to save the Religion, the Nation the Women and the Humanity. Nobody can fight and win against them at midnight; this continues till now.

Nowadays, some “self acclaimed smart people” and some Sikh enemies who are afraid of Sikhs have spread these rumours that at 12 O’clock, the Sikhs go out of their senses. I, so wish that people will think before they speak.

Written By : Anureet Kaur Khuranna
Edited By : Guy In The Blue Jean