Ezhilampala

 Ezhilampala (Indian Devil tree.)

The smell, that, comes from a tree named Alstonia Scholaris or Saptaparni or Ezhilampala (Indian devil tree) attracts the people of Delhi on the onset of winter. The presence of this tree just near to my office attracts people by smell of flowers and can be felt even 100 meters away. The tree bears a fruit which ripens and break open at night, spreading the aroma and the pollen. In Indian mythology, Yakshi the female goddess associated with the fertility of the earth, love, and beauty lives in Ezhilampala

                       In Kerala Yakshi is a very popular folklore character. Similar characters are known in many parts of the world. While the Yakshi of Kerala folklore prefers white robes, similar characters, the Scottish and Malaysian prefer green apparels. It is said that whenever a Yakshi appears there would be fragrance of Jasmine or Pala (Alstonia scholaris) - common name Indian devil tree.

                                                 A soft-stemmed tree with highly fragrant tiny flowers that open during night. Seven leaves arise from a single nod and several braches start from the same joint giving the tree a particular shape. Fruits are long shell that hangs in clusters. Ezhilampala is believed to be the habitat of fairies by Indian myths! The fragrance of its flower is sweet when light but causes giddiness when smelled; may be the reason for this innocent tree being called devil tree!

                                                                                                                              

This Ezhilampala is a dwelling place for parrots, dove, squirrel, crows, humming bird, pea cock apart from  Yakshi!!.

GOD'S OWN TRAIN

                                                              The northern state of India - Himachal Pradesh have the benefit of two narrow gauge Rail tracks - Kalka/Shimla and Pathankot/Jogindernagar. Kalka Shimla toy train run on these treks popularly called 'Toy Trains' by the tourists. Roundabout on Shimla toy train is a stimulating experience as one passes through the breathtaking landscapes of splendid Himalayas, tunnels, bridges and fertile green dale embroidered with pine, oak trees, leaving a long lasting memory of ecstasy and accomplishment.

At Shimla Station

                                                 The longest tunnel in the route is named after Barog, the engineer, responsible for scheming a tunnel near the railway station. He started digging the tunnel from both sides of the mountain, which is relatively common as it hustles up construction. However, he made mistake in calculation and the two ends of the tunnel did not meet. Barog was fined an amount of 1 Rupee by the then British government. This is equivalent to millions of dollars today. 

                                     Unable to withstand the embarrassment, Barog committed suicide. He was buried near the incomplete tunnel. The area came to be known as Barog after him and the tunnel is called unlucky tunnel. It is said that his dog upon seeing his master bleeding profusely ran in panic to a village, near the present Barog railway station, for help. However, by the time people reached the spot, Barog had breathed his last. There are different versions about the suicide as some say the dejected engineer shot his dog before he shot himself. He was buried in front of the tunnel, near the Kalka-Shimla national highway, about 1 km from Barog. It is now even difficult to locate the whereabouts of the dejected tunnel which has now been closed.

IN FRONT OF BOROG  TUNNEL

Later the mantle fell on Chief Engineer H.S. Harrington's supervison escorted by a local learned, Bhalku, in a short period from July 1900 to September 1903 at a cost 8.40 Lakh rupees (Rupees 840,000).This tunnel is the longest of the 103 operational tunnels on the route of the Shimla-Kalka Railway, which is 1143.61m long. Barog station is right away after the tunnel. Barog tunnel is the straightest tunnel in the World.Trains takes about 2.5 minutes to cross this tunnel, running at 25 kilometres per hour.Trains take about 2.5 minutes to cross this tunnel, running at 25 kilometres per hour.

MOTHERHOOD

                                                 JOURNEY THRO' JUNGLE.

Kalka Shimla Toy Train has about 7 coaches that can accommodate least 200 passengers in a single trip. The diversities of challenging weather do not extricate the pertinacity of the 700 horsepower B-B type diesel engines. They run vigorously taking up the hazards of adverse weather conditions - temperatures ranging from 0 to 25°C, heavy snowfall -average recording 2 feet during winters, and the annual rainfall of 2000-2500 mm, professed by the valley. The train acquires up a moderate average speed of 25-30 km throughout its passage imparting its travelers to delight in the full magnificence of the pleasing valley. 

                                                                                                            

^{Perhaps this is the only train in India which waited for me to finish my refreshments at Barog station  !}       

The Past, Present and Future of Single Phase Metering In India.

With the implementation of RGGVY scheme, the requirement of single phase meters has become more and more. The financially crunched utilities are struggling hard to buy good quality meters  with communication  facility , as returns from these meters are meager ,but at the same time they have to come up with the technology for electrical meters underway  in  many  other  countries.  Here an attempt is made to go through various phases of this sector over the past few decades and years to come.

                  From the century old rotating wheel or Ferraris meter or    electro mechanical meter,   Utilities   in   India are following the trend in utilities in other parts of the world. With the advent of electronics and IT, the technology behind electrical meters underway tremendously but there is still many unanswered questions surrounding the best implementation system.

          The statistics about metering in India is quite astonishing. One of our neighboring states has about 5 million mechanical meters still in service.30 per cent of the meters in India are still with counter type display system on which any tampering can be done. Many utililities have just only stopped purchasing electro-mechanical meters. Now the utilities are considering LCD meters as the most sophisticated one’s as many readings can be obtained at the same time. With this background an effort is made to analyze the latest status of metering in India .Since India lives in villages and electrification of villages have not landed up anywhere, only single phase metering are discussed.

                                 From electro mechanical meters the first development was static meters with ADE 7751 chips., being the first tolerant electronic meters by Analog Devices, monitoring both phase and neutral current and billing is based on the larger reading. Indian market also attracted towards it, by utilities changing their specifications to incorporate such features into tender documents. It also became a way for utilities to improve efficiency and for meter manufacturers to differentiate their designs.

          The next development was ADE 7761 meter in which brought new concept of attending neutral missing. During these days the meters were neither electromechanical nor electronic but ‘hyrid’  in nature having the draw back of both.

          By this time, Indian Power sector has adopted a new concept of AT&C losses leaving behind the age old concept of T&D losses.Low metering efficiency, tampering etc. were the main loss for the utilities. Through out the development of electronic energy meter, India has stood out as a feature rich, cost driven market where producing a meter that meets the advanced specifications the lowest cost is essential for the success.

Metering today

The  need for rich specification meters at very low cost has driven the single-phase metering market to widely adopt the system-on-chip (SoC) solution, which has rapidly become more popular than a two-chip solution .  SoC technology combines the metering metrology with a low cost microcontroller and peripherals into a single package, thus reducing the overall cost of the meter. The SoC has met mixed success in various regions of the world.

          A full range of measurement of active, reactive and apparent energy measurement is required to be done to prevent the various malpractices adopted by the consumers. This may be added up with a LCD driver also as a precaution. The presence of external battery input and related circuits ensures the system function in the absence of voltages also. Thus the simplified design along with ability to note down reading even in the absence of power has made the system acceptable to all utilities. Many meter manufacturers have come up with design suitable to above solutions.

The future

The automated meter reading (AMR) network have provided sufficient incentives for many utilities to  commence    wide - scale  deployments of such technology. KSEB is yet to commence AMR. Apart from metering cost, removal of existing meter, replace with AMR etc will be saved by the savings in man power required to manually read the meter. But due to the comparatively less labour rate in India, it’s possible when many utilities abroad done with high labour cost. A two way communication would also help to facilitate whether a particular consumer has to be disconnected or not. A lot of man power can be effectively utilized by adopting to AMR. When communication is incorporated, memory requirements also comes to play. This may be arrived in consultation with utility as it may vary from place to place. Thus before Indian utilities a number of options are available as far as single phase energy meter is concerned.

The reality

                                             The RGGVY scheme has revealed astonishing figures in certain states like Arunachal Pradesh, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Orissa etc. where majority of the house holds are still not electricfied. This shows the  future of single phase energy meter is quite reasonable in India. But it remains to be seen that how many   financially crunched states and utilities would change to such high end meters at the expense of few thousands and  that would fetch only  a couple of hundreds as revenue and this I apprehend  may lead to again hybrid meters and Ferrari meters to trust worthy consumers which will  continue to play a key role at least for a decade in Indian power sector. 

INDIA POWER :January-March Issue

FDI –To kill middle man or middle class?

It is just 6 PM only but pitch dark outside. The entire North India is celebrating Deepavali and the sound of crackers and cold wave penetrating into ears and body. My evening walk land up me at a local market where millions of porcelain Lakshmi and Ganesh idols, made in China are flooded. Last month only I blamed US for getting its flags from China, but now the elastic purchasing power of middle class welcomed these Chinese products in Deepavali. Even the crackers could not divert my attention from the cute idols, thanks to the FDI. What is FDI? Is it something to be scared of or a phobia induced by something? Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is direct investment into production in a country by a company located in another country, either by buying a company in the target country or by expanding operations of an existing business in that country. FDI is done for many reasons including to take advantage of cheaper wages , special investment privileges such as tax exemptions , as an incentive to gain tariff-free access to the markets or the region. This is contrast to FDI in portfolio investment in the securities of another country such as stocks and bonds. Like every issues, political parties agrees to disagree for all issues. And there is no national consensus on allowing FDI in retail. Supporters of FDI push it as a much-needed policy drive that could arrest the economic recession, bringing in not only foreign funds but advanced technology and expertise, create infrastructure, offer better prices to farmers, generate ancillary industries ,create millions of jobs, and what not. However, majority of Indians, being skeptic, consider FDI as something like end of the world and will wipe out small farmers and traders, results in job losses and will wide open gates for cheap goods from countries like China, adversely impacting Indian industry. While both arguments have some legality, the two sides err on the side of extremes. FDI in retail is not an unmitigated disaster as projected by some, nor a magic rod leading to instant economic growth. If allowed with professional care and safeguards, it is in the country's national interest to allow FDI in retail. The both side are partially true only. I remember, two decades back, when I was employed in Bangalore, I’d to travel 2-3 Kms to just make a telephone call to my home which we cannot imagine now. Opening up the telecom sector to foreign investment has brought a communication revolution that embraces everyone. We make the advantage of this giant leap to canvass against the very same policy which brought telecom revolution. For decades, Indian roads have the privilege to see just 2-3 types of scooters and four wheelers. Similarly, there was the long wait even for outdated scooters and cars. When Pizza Hut, Domino's, McDonald's, KFC and other such international brands were allowed, there were stiff opposition and they were highlighted as anti-people and anti-Indian enterprises. We were told and in turn we conducted campaign that the local Haldirams, Bikanerwalas, Nathus ,Bengali sweets etc will soon vanish. Presently All these Indian companies have multiplied their outlets, spread their production line, upgraded their packing and presentation, and are doing exemplary business and many have Indianised their products also. Where else in the world would other than Connaught Place you find a McDonald burger with paneer and potato patties and coriander sauce? Even in a small city like Trivandrum we find Spencer’s, dominos etc. Have they wiped out any indigenous companies? Have they brought reduced business to any margin- free markets? While many starve, millions of tonnes of grain become rancid for want of adequate storage facilities. Ask how farmers in Punjab feel when their produce is not picked up and lies unsold. Can they negotiate higher prices? When the mercury rises, fruit don't last more than two days. Why we can’t find a solution till date? Recently we have seen series of raid in food outlets in many parts of Kerala.This includes shops in private, foreign and government sector. Who is to blame? FDI in retail or the shop owners? No one should underestimate the creativity of ordinary hawkers and small grocery owners. They know how to reach out to their potential customers. Today, in many areas of Delhi, vegetable vendors present their carts, laden with fresh stuff straight from the farm, as early as 6:00 am and this helps many joggers to pick up their daily requirement of vegetables from these vendors. Small grocery shops realize the value of home delivery; small stores also reduce a rupee or two on most items. This demand-and-supply relationship will remain unchanged in spite of the entry of big wheel like Wal-Mart. Even without FDI in retail, more than half of electronic and electrical items, machine tools, hardware, fittings and sanitary ware, lights and chandeliers etc sold in India are made in China. The Government can ask FDI to undertake R&D for better and higher-yielding seeds, build connecting roads, set up a chain of warehouses, cold storages, food processing plants and create green belts in the vicinity of stores as also schools, hospitals, sports and recreational facilities for their employees. The list is endless. Anyone claiming that FDI in retail will not create jobs is being dishonest. If there is a will, there is a way. Now its high time to think of the benefits of FDI. It will kill the middle men and not the middle class .At the same time we should understand that FDI retail come to India to make profit and not to donate money or achieve the good will. They should be allowed to make reasonable profit within the laws and frame work and in return we get more job opportunities and diverse products. I’m not overlooking the fact that when coca cola was banned in India in seventies, it gave opportunities to a number of indigenous drinks. This has given opportunities to many companies to improve their products also. Those who staunchly argue against FDI may please examine what effort done by authorities to boost up the market of coconut or even coconut farmers, who are lucky if at least five rupees is obtained. ? Mega stores of FDI in retail can also co-exist with small traders, grocery shops and corner vendors; they will attract customers from different sections, as has been the case in the restaurant business. Those raising the trouble against FDI in retail are the same persons who opposed FDI in the telecom, automobile and restaurant sectors. We had seen the same faces when computers and television came to this country, but with only one difference: there was no TV channel to air their discussion against it. I am writing this article with a hero pen made in China which costs about twenty in Bengali Market. Its presence has no way affected the sector, but only the FDI-the Fear Dominated Indians.

What is eco-friendly electricity?

When we say eco-friendly electricity, we generally mean its generation causes least disturbance to eco system, like electricity from wind, Solar, bio-gas etc. Even the hydro electric projects pollute the eco system, though marginally with the production of methane gas. Then what should be eco friendly electricity? What is the function of eco friendliness in transmission and distribution of electricity? All These thoughts would have remained utopian had I not made a trip to Kolkata, West Bengal in India. I have never been to Bengal earlier and that’s why I accepted the itinerary, though it was not flexible. This is an old city. Nostalgia of British raj is still here. It is located in eastern India on the east bank of the River Hooghly. The colonial city was developed by the British East India Company . The city was the capital of the British Indian empire till 1911 when it was relocated to Delhi. Kolkata witnessed a fast rise as the second city of the British Empire in the 19th century accompanied by the development of a culture that was a merger of European philosophy with Indian tradition. The city is also noted for its revolutionary history, ranging from Indian struggle for independence to the leftist Naxalite and trade union movements. The city of Club football, Trams, The first in India where electricity generated for commercial purpose ie. Sindra Pong in the 19th century. etc. Labelled the "Cultural Capital of India", "The City of Processions", "The City of Palaces", and the "City of Joy", Kolkata has also been home to luminaries such as Rabindranath Tagore, Subhash Chandra Bose, Mother Teresa and Satyajit Ray. etc A lot of other credits are to be boasted of like the place where the cream of Indian society lives (d) etc…

The electricity sector in the city is in dilapidated situation. Near to the place where I had my lunch, the above electric post is seen erected. Mind it ,it took more than 15 minutes for me to ascertain whether electricity is flowing or not …… i.e. whether the line is live or not. The nearby posts are also silimar. I enquired the watchman of the Hotel, who in turn enquired with the electrician of the building. They pay all respect and attention to me as if I am from their power utility, came for inspection. The electrician led a 5 member team (Electrician- The leader, the guard of the hotel-Personnel security officer, Driver of my vehicle –guide, my host-the silent and the unfortunate person to witness all the out of Agenda works, and myself.)Finally we find the line live and there is no wonder for them to have an electric line like this. At one side huge amount is pumping to power sector by the Government of India, and at another side it is being wasted. It’s high time to realize that we are pumping the hard earned money to leaky buckets. Mere capacity addition will not help to tide over the power crisis in India. Equal effort should be given to reduce the electricity losses. As a thumb rule, for every addition of 100 MW to the system in India, The net result would be around 50MW only. Thinking all these, I travelled through the busty street of Kolkotta. This is a city ruled by a single political party for more than three decades together. No sign of flags of political parties are seen .Why? No explanation from my host who otherwise gave me a clear picture of labour unrest in the Industrial sector in the State. The scene of a bare footed Rickshawala, pulling 4-5 persons in the hot climate of about 35 degree pulled my heart. My thoughts travelled past as we crossed the Hooghly River. One of the most notorious incidents of the 18th century was the trial and execution of "Nuncomar" or, more correctly, Nanda Kumar (d. 1775), who had been the governor of Hughli and had been appointed collector of Burdwan in place of Warren Hastings, which resulted in a long-standing enmity between the two . In 1775, when Hastings was Governor-General, Nanda Kumar brought accusations of corruption against him, accusing him of accepting bribes and other abuses of power. These were taken up with enthusiasm by Hastings' rivals on the Governor General's Council. Whilst this matter was still awaiting investigation, Nanda Kumar was indicted for forgery of a deed, condemned and executed. There was a strong suspicion that the charges had been invented by Hastings, and that he had put pressure on the judges to pass sentence of death. At this date it was far from clear whether or not English law applied in Calcutta, and it was extremely rare for the death penalty to be applied for forgery even in England. Warren Hastings and the Chief Justice, were both impeached, and were accused afterwards of committing a judicial murder. Hastings Impeachment ended with his acquittal in 1795 after a seven year trial. Ok let’s forget about the past, don’t be a pessimist………. be positive or B positive? .In every name, I find the use of B, the second letter, though Bengalese are second to none. B for Bengal? B for Backward state? B for Banarjee, the Mamta? B for Budhadeb Bhatacharya? B for Basu, The Jyothy? With these mixed thought, I arrived the International terminal, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International terminal, Kolkota for my onward journey.Here also I find a B. B Stands for nothing else………….. Bose, the Nethaji.

The Oblations

The oblation (Shraddh) is the ceremonies and rituals performed for the departed souls of dead ancestors. It is believed that the souls will attain peace by the rituals performed during the anniversary days. It is Yama, the god of death in Hindu mythology, who explained the importance of Shraddh. The rituals are usually performed under the guidance of a learned person or priest. To remember the ancestors is something to do for the descendants. This can be done informally in one's own private time. The ancestry goes as far to the first humans. It then could go through the different stages of evolution. Before the first human and the first life form there was the interaction and compounding of matter to make the conditions to allow life to begin its progress. Before the existence of matter there was emptiness. These are all points derived from evidence, postulations and assumptions. Still, besides this many varied theories on this existence have been passed down by soothsayers, seers, oracles, scholars, and those who are involved in religious, spiritual, mystical affairs. All give more meaning and hold many interesting ideas on the details of creation, existence and interrogatives related to these topics.

The Solitude place at Haridwar where I usually offer oblations to my beloved father. The Ganges is believed to be the most sacred and is also a lifeline to millions of Indians who live along its course and depend on it for their daily needs. It has also been important historically: many former provincial or imperial capitals (such as Patliputra,Kannauj,Kara, Kashi, Allahabad, Murshidabad, Munger, Baharampur and Kolkata) have been located on its banks. The Ganges was ranked among the five most polluted rivers of the world in 2007 with fecal coliform levels in the river near Varanasi more than one hundred times the official Indian government limits. Pollution threatens not only humans, but also more than 140 fish species, 90 amphibian species and the endangered Ganges river dolphin The Ganga Action Plan, an environmental initiative to clean up the river, has been a major failure thus far, due to corruption and lack of technical expertise,lack of good environmental planning, Indian traditions and beliefs,and lack of support from religious authorities.