Sky watching session with kids and elders!

✪ International space station like a bright moving star!
✪ Saturn rings, Jupiter moons and orange Mars
✪ Beautiful Pleiades cluster- A scene of 400 years ago
✪ Moon craters and surface features
✪ Vast universe thrashes egoistic delusion
✪ Wonders to be watched just through eyes
✪ Zestful parents and energetic kids

Hello. Currently conditions are best for sky watching. Except for a few passing clouds, we can enjoy beautiful sky in the night. I got opportunity to show kids and elders the wonders of sky on the eve of 8th December when Ayurveda Vyaspeeth, Parbhani arranged a sky watching session. For this, first of all I thank Dr. Kanhe madam, Dr. Sandeep Chavan sir and their team, the organizers, the kids and also their parents. Here I would like to share which wonders we did enjoy and what fun we had. Recently I had taken such sessions for three consecutive days in Aurangabad, but the sky was not this clear there. On 8th December, the sky was so clear.

When some kids were still to come, we observed an interesting object. From north, a bright artificial satellite was visible. It was as bright as Jupiter and it was slowly moving towards East. It was visible for five- six minutes and then it went to South- East side and got out of sight. When I saw its speed and brightness, I felt this must be International Space Station- ISS. On the next day, I checked its timing and visibility location and then it was confirmed! So the kids who had come on time could also see the space station!

We started telescopic observation from Saturn. Everyone could enjoy its rings! Then we saw Jupiter and its four moons. Also within short time, we could also experience change in positions of the moons. Mars was in opposition recently (i.e. Sun- Earth- Mars in one line) and therefore it is much closer to the earth- at around 7.5 crore kms. Its red disk was visible in the telescope. The most beautiful object was Krittika cluster- Pleiades M45. Kids counted number of stars there. This cluster is located around 400 light years from us. That means the light departed from the cluster reaches us after 400 years. The light that travels 3 lac kilometers in a second! That means the stars we observe there are actually from the year 1600!

While observing this so much vast distance and stars much greater than Sun- forget our earth- makes us speechless. It is something like meditation. We always have delusions about us like I am someone special, this or that. Or my sorrow is greatest in the world. But when we see this infinitely vast sky, these delusions fade away! After the Pleiades, we saw the most thrilling objects for many- the Moon. Initially we saw with 20 magnification and later on also 50 magnification. Anytime one sees it, it is just beautiful and everyone likes it!

 

Cycling in 4 states on single gear cycle 4: Belgavi to Lokapur (108 kms)

4: Belgavi to Lokapur (108 kms)

✪ Riding across rural Karnataka!
✪ Influence of Marathi in Karnataka
✪ "Yargatti" village- O Yara, gati kitthe?
✪ "Sorry, we could not help you for stay here!"
✪ Riding 18 kms more for finding a lodge!

Hello all. Sharing joy of solo cycling in 4 states completed some time ago through this article. 26 September! I left Belgavi at 6:30 am. Today is the third day in this expedition. Yesterday I had good rest after passing through Chorla ghat. Now onwards I will have easy roads till the end. Before leaving, I inquired a little about route out of Belgavi and then left. Navratri festival has started. I think today is the second day. I saw some festival scenes in Belgavi. I passed by Belgavi bus stand and fort area and crossed Mumbai- Bengalore highway and reached Belgavi- Bagalkote highway. This road is passing through Belgavi airport area. Wonderful flat road! Large lanes. I saw a board alerting about thick population near the road. Today’s ride is small actually. I will stay at Badnur/ Kadampur after riding 89 kms. Due to the flat road, this distance will be easily covered.

Early morning time and nice road! Getting good speed. As I crossed villages near Belgavi, the traffic got reduced. After passing through mountains and forests Yesterday, today it is flat roads! Now there are farms and plain terrain in place of mountains and forests! Also no rain and clouds- mostly the sky is clear!

(All articles with photos can be read here. My experiences about trekking, cycling, running, meditation and sky watching etc. can be read on my blog.)

... अन् पुन्हा पसरो मनावर शुद्धतेचे चांदणे!

✪ नागपूरमध्ये विशेष मुलांसोबत भेट
✪ विशेष मुलांसोबत चालू असलेल्या कामाची ओळख
✪ स्वमग्न मुले की स्वमग्न आपल्या सगळ्यांचा समाज?
✪ ये शाम मस्तानी!
✪ मळभ हटताना
✪ आकांक्षापुढति जिथे गगन ठेंगणे
✪ गरज फक्त सोबत देण्याची

सर्वांना नमस्कार. नुकताच २ जून २०२२ रोजी नागपूरमध्ये एक सुंदर अनुभव घेता आला. तो अनुभव व त्यासंदर्भात मनात आलेले विचार आपण सर्वांसोबत शेअर करावेसे वाटले. नागपूरमध्ये विशेष मुलांना भेटण्याचा योग आला. काही कामामुळे नागपूरला जाण्य़ाचा योग आला व तिथल्या परिचितांची भेट घेण्याचं ठरवलं. मनमंदिर नेटवर्कमुळे जोडल्या गेलेल्या मंडळींना भेटायची उत्सुकता होती. त्यांनीही आनंदाने तयारी दर्शवली व आठ- दहा जण भेटण्याचं ठरलं. ह्या मंडळींमध्ये आकांक्षाताई देशपांडे होत्या, त्या ऑटीझम म्हणजे स्वमग्नता असलेल्या व डाउन्स सिंड्रोम असलेल्या मुलांसोबत काम करतात हे ऐकलं होतं. तेव्हा मनात विचार आला की, नुसतं भेटण्याच्या ऐवजी ह्या मुलांसाठी आपल्याला काही करता येईल का? मी मुलांसाठी जे फन- लर्न सेशन घेतो ते ह्या मुलांसाठी घेता येईल का असा विचार केला. आणि मी नागपूरमध्ये असण्याच्या दिवशी जूनमधलं ढगाळ वातावरण असलं तरी टेलिस्कोपमधून चंद्र बघता येईल, इतकं आकाश असेल, हेही लक्षात आलं. पण असं सेशन हे विशेष मुलांसोबत घेता येईल का, मनामध्ये शंका होती. हे नागपूरच्या डॉ. सीमाताईंना विचारलं व त्यांनी आकांक्षाताईंना विचारलं. आकांक्षाताईंसोबत मग पुढे बोलणं होत गेलं आणि एक एक गोष्ट ठरत गेली. फन- लर्नमधल्या सोप्या एक्टिव्हिटीज ही मुलं करू शकतील आणि टेलिस्कोपमधून चंद्रही बघू शकतील, असं ताईंनी सांगितलं. आनंदही झाला आणि खूप धाकधुकही वाटली की, ते मुलं तर करू शकतील, पण मला ते कंडक्ट करणं जमेल ना!

Cycling in 4 states on single gear cycle 3: Bicholim- Chorla ghat- Belgavi (88 kms)

3: Bicholim- Chorla ghat- Belgavi (88 kms)

✪ Chorla ghat and amazing Sahyadri!
✪ Wonderful forest, hills and climbs
✪ Bye bye Goa, God Bless you!
✪ Redbull incident!
✪ Mesmerizing ride and people's warmth
✪ How we can let you go without giving you anything?

Hello all. Sharing joy of solo cycling in 4 states completed some time ago through this article. 25 September! Second day of the expedition. Yesterday I had good rest in Bicholim lodge in Goa. Today there will be ghat section shortly once I start for Belgavi road. During Yesterday’s ride, there was fog on the road even much late, therefore in the ghat also there will be fog. I got ready, packed my luggage, brought down both the sacs near the cycle and tied them. Everyday I would be doing this task of 5 minutes- Loading the luggage and then unloading it in the afternoon. As I had told the lodge- persons in the night, I woke them up and got the door opened and left. Hardly had I pedaled, I realized that I had forgotten my helmet. So took it by coming again.

Cycling in 4 states on single gear cycle 2: Kudal to Bicholim (72 kms)

2: Kudal to Bicholim (72 kms)

✪ Flag off by Kudal cyclists!
✪ Marvelous nature and rains
✪ Interactions with school and SAHAJ Trust in Banda
✪ My name is Anthony..... Mai Cycle pe akela hun!
✪ Glimpses of Goa!
✪ Interactions with Saint Gadgebaba Old Age home, Shanti Kutir Old Age Home and Rotarians
✪ Legal rights of mental patients
✪ Meeting and dialogue significant

Hello all. Sharing joy of solo cycling in 4 states completed some time ago with you through this article. I had good rest on the night of 23rd September in Kudal. Got up early and was ready for the first day ride! Cyclists of Kudal- Rupesh Teli, Gajanan Kandalgaonkar, Amitji and others came sharply at 6:30 am to see me off. Family members of Dr. Damale also wished me and then I left! In any expedition, first three days are slightly tough. But I am so used to it that I am not feeling much anxiety. Started pedaling in fresh morning times. There is dense fog and visibility is poor! But seeing fog was good as it indicates that rain is away. Had some conversation with the cyclists accompanying me. They accompanied me till 10 kms and left by wishing me well. And also they had given me dry fruit and chikki before that!

(My experiences about trekking, cycling, running, meditation and sky watching etc. can be read on my blog.)

Slowly the Sun started to emerge out of the flog. What a road this is! It is Konkan! Road is slightly plain at the moment. Villages here are quite unique! There are many villages which form surnames of persons. For example, Tendola village is in this region only. And you must be knowing Sachin Tendulkar! Even in Karnataka there are villages which are surnames themselves! For example, there was one village I saw nearby on map. Its name was Telagi! Such fun. Slowly the fog got scattered and it was sunlight all over. Today's distance is very small. Around half way, I am meeting a school and SAHAJ Trust in Banda. Now I am seeing clouds formed at some distance.

Interactions with the school and SAHAJ Trust in Banda

I had got contact number of Meenakshi madam of SAHAJ Trust. This trust works only for mental health. When they came to know that I am cycling for this very cause, they were very happy. They mainly work in Sawantwadi and nearby areas. SAHAJ is a acronym of words which mean Rich and smiling world, their vision. They talk with the people about mental health, conduct workshops on this and work through counseling and self- help groups. Meenakshi madam is working on this issue since many years. Initially her family members opposed her when she took "this" subject for her work. But now her family members support her. Today also in villages persons with autism or slow learners are rejected. SAHAJ Trust talks to them and provide help to them. Meenakshi madam has planned my interactions with one school in Banda. Here students have made posters about mental health! In brief, I informed them about my ride and mission. Talked about physical and mental fitness. Told them importance of playing any sport of one's liking and also having sweat everyday. I answered their questions about my cycling. It was a programme of one hour and then I left Banda.

सिंगल गेअर सायकलीवर ४ राज्यांमध्ये आनंदयात्रा १: प्रस्तावना

 

१: प्रस्तावना

✪ कृतज्ञता!
✪ निसर्ग तीर्थयात्रा
✪ तयारी व नियोजन
✪ भारत विकास संगम आणि इतर अनेक संस्था
✪ वेंगुर्ला राईड- सागरा प्राण तळमळला!
✪ केल्याने होत आहे रे आधी केलेची पाहिजे!
✪ निसर्गाने प्रत्येकाला क्षमता दिली आहे
✪ कुडाळ आणि कराची!

सर्वांना नमस्कार. मानसिक आरोग्य जागरूकतेसंदर्भात संवाद हा विषय घेऊन महाराष्ट्रातल्या कुडाळवरून गोवा- बेळगांव- बागलकोट- कलबुर्गी- हैद्राबाद- वारंगल- गडचिरोली- नागपूर असा साधारण १४५० किलोमीटरचा १८ दिवसांचा सायकल प्रवास नुकताच केला. वाटेमध्ये खूप सुंदर अनुभव मिळाले. अनेक ठिकाणी स्थानिक संस्था- गट- लोक ह्यांसोबत भेटी झाल्या. शाळा- कॉलेजेसचे विद्यार्थी भेटले आणि त्यांच्यासमोर सकारात्मक आणि आनंददायक अशी गोष्ट ठेवता आली. एका अर्थाने हा सगळाच प्रवास अतिशय अविश्वसनीय होता. स्वप्नवत होता. हिरो रॅडीकल एसएलआर सिंगल गेअर सायकलीने कमालीची साथ दिली. इतक्या अंतरामध्ये सायकलीला काहीही म्हणजे काहीही झालं नाही. आणि वाटेतला निसर्ग- लोक- छोटी गावं- आदिवासी भाग- हे सगळं बघणं म्हणजे इन्क्रेडीबल इंडिया अनुभवणं होतं! सायकलवर मी एकटा असलो तरी अगदी रस्त्यावरही आणि वाटेतल्या गावांमध्ये कधीच एकटा नव्हतो. अनेक लोक अनेक प्रकारे सोबत करत होते आणि मदतही करत होते. ह्या सायकल प्रवासात अगदी सायकलचे तांत्रिक घटक समजावून सांगणे, संस्थांशी जोडून देणे, रूटबद्दल सांगणे अशा प्रकारे व इतर अनेक प्रकारे ज्या सर्वांनी अशी मदत केली, त्या सर्वांबद्दल आणि निसर्ग व जीवनाबद्दलही कृतज्ञता व्यक्त करून ह्या अनुभव कथनाला आता सुरुवात करत आहे.

 

नागपूरमध्ये अगदी ठरलेल्या दिवशी सायकल प्रवास पूर्ण करताना मनामध्ये जो भाव होता, तोच भाव हे लिहीताना मनात येतोय- कृतज्ञता! माझं नशीब किंवा माझी पुण्याई खूप चांगली असावी ज्यामुळे मला इतका जबरदस्त अनुभव मिळाला. कोकणातले चढ- उताराचे रस्ते- गोवा- बेळगांवमधला चोरला घाट- पुढे अनेक ठिकाणचा विलोभनीय निसर्ग- नंतरचं जंगल आणि अजस्र नद्या- अशा सर्व ठिकाणी सायकलवर फिरणं म्हणजे एक निसर्ग तीर्थयात्राच होती. निसर्गातील खूप मोठी प्रसन्नता आणि शांती मला ह्यामध्ये अक्षरश: लुटता आली. चोरला घाटाप्रमाणेच मी निसर्गामधला खजिना अक्षरश: चोरला. सायकलिंग पूर्ण झाल्यानंतर अनेक ठिकाणी ह्याबद्दल बोललो आणि अनुभव शेअर केले. त्यामध्येसुद्धा अनुभव सांगण्याबरोबर ह्या निसर्ग तीर्थयात्रेतला आनंद वाटून घेण्याचा भाग होता. आणि आत्ताही मी सविस्तर लिहून ह्या निसर्ग तीर्थयात्रेतला जास्तीत जास्त आनंद आपल्यासोबत शेअर करण्याचा प्रयत्न करणार आहे.

Cycling in 4 states on single gear cycle 1: Preface

1: Preface

✪ Gratitude!
✪ Pilgrimage into nature
✪ Preparation and planning
✪ Bharat Vikas Sangam and other organizations
✪ Wonderful sea ride at Vengurla!
✪ Everyone has got this capacity!
✪ Doing, doing, doing- it gets done!
✪ Kudal and Karachi!

Hello all. With an objective of dialogue on mental health awareness, recently I completed around 1450 kms and 18 days solo cycling expedition- Kudal, Maharashtra- Goa- Belgavi- Bagalkote- Kalaburgi- Hyderabad- Warangal- Gadchiroli- Nagpur. It was a wonderful experience. I could meet many local organizations, groups and people. I could also meet students of schools and colleges and could give something positive and joyful to them. It was actually a very unbelievable tour. Almost dreamlike! Hero Radical SLR cycle accompanied me wonderfully. During this long route- nothing- absolutely no problem occurred with the cycle. The nature on the route- people- small villages- tribal places- witnessing all this was witnessing incredible India! Although I was alone on the cycle, even on the road and in villages I was never alone. Many people were always there with me and were helping me. Now I am starting to share my experiences by expressing my gratitude towards everyone who helped me in this- those who helped with technical aspects of cycling, those who helped to connect with organizations, helped for the routes and in many other ways and also I express my gratitude towards nature and life.

 

While writing this, I am having the same feeling which I had when I finished it on the day exactly as per the plan- gratitude! My luck or fate would be very fine so as to give me this incredible experience. Cycling on all this route- up- down roads in Konkan, Chorla ghat between Goa and Belgvi and beautiful nature everywhere, the forests and the massive rivers- all this was nothing less than a nature- pilgrimage. I could just enjoy so much of grace and peace in the nature. I just looted this treasure! After completion of the ride, I shared my experiences at many places. Along with sharing experiences, it was also sharing of this joy in the nature- pilgrimage. Even now by writing this in detail, I am going to share my joy of this nature- pilgrimage with you.

Wonders of sky- Lunar eclipse on 8/11/2022!

✪ Lunar eclipse on 8 November- Visible all India
✪ Can be easily observed- can be seen with naked eyes
✪ Uranus will be just near the Moon- easily observable through a binocular
✪ One's own experience matters!
✪ Thought provoking experience and fun for kids
✪ Why the Moon looks red in the eclipse?
✪ My sorrow is greatest. Really?

Hello all. After the solar eclipse of last week, on coming full- Moon night- 8 November 2022, a lunar eclipse will be there. On this occasion, our kids and elders too can come out of their burden of competition and performance pressure and enjoy this different experience. While observing a solar eclipse, one has to take care of the eyes and we cannot just look at the Sun. But during the lunar eclipse, there is no concern for safety of the eyes. Therefore, we can easily watch the lunar eclipse. Even through naked eyes, on 8th November, we can see the Moon with slightly reddish top side after it rises. But for seeing it, we need a place where we can see East horizon properly. Better if find exact position of arising Moon one or two days before. Also, we can watch a bright Jupiter on South- East side of the sky, somewhat up in the sky. We can also see Saturn in South and Altar near zenith and Vega towards west- the bright objects in the sky.

 

When seen from India, the Moon- disk will pass through penumbra (outer shadow) of the Earth. When the Moon will rise in India, then the Earth's penumbra will be there and so it will be seen slightly red. From New Zealand, part of Russia and other places, it will be seen to be passing through umbra (inner shadow) of the Earth and therefore from there it will be seen very faint. But while observing it from India, it will pass only through the penubra and so it will look little red and within one and half hours after it arises, the eclipse will be over. Then onwards it will be as bright as a regular full- moon.

(Telescopic photos Crators of the Moon, moons of Jupiter, ring of Saturn, Great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, Occultation of Mars by the Moon, phase of Venus, Sun spots and Solar eclipse captured by me can be seen here-. For conducting sky watching programmes, Niranjan Welankar 09422108376)

Uranus!

On this occasion, Uranus will be visible just near the Moon, just about 1.5 degree South- west. It will not be observed through naked eyes, but if we look at the Moon through a small binocular and if the Moon is in the centre, then there will be Uranus too in the field of view. While capturing Moon- photos through just a mobile and a tripod, if we use pro- mode and increased the shutter speed to 3-4 seconds and keep ISO to 800 or 1600, then Moon would be too bright in the photo, but Uranus too will be likely captured. If you are taking such a photo, then do keep 3 or 5 second timer, so that vibration of clicking the button will be off when it is captured and the photo would be still. For good photo of the Moon, in the pro mode, keep the shutter speed to 1/4 seconds and keep ISO 100- 200 and try. Then you can capture crisp image of Moon. But this photo will not show Uranus.

Jupiter- Saturn during their great conjunction. 

                      Mars after emerging from behind the Moon

                         Above is not the Moon, this is Venus!

           Sun spots- Solar filter is used with the telescope

                                Open cluster M45

                            Another open cluster M44

                 1.5 day Moon, Mercury and some stars

                             Ursa Major or Great Bear- सप्तर्षी

                       Top left Mars, right Jupiter with moons

                             Solar eclipse of 25/10/2022
 

One's own experience matters!

Such events always take place in the sky. On such occasions, we can give opportunity to our kids to get their own experience. In these times, forward knowledge and information bombarding is so high. But when kids experience such things themselves, try on their own and explore, then they do get joy. They also experience scientific things in an unique and joyful manner. They can experience it without any burden or stress of any competition. Exposure to such small but unique experiences can help kids discover their aptitudes and likings.

Why the Moon looks red during such eclipse?

In lunar eclipse, even in full eclipse phase, the Moon does not disappear completely. It becomes faint and red. In partial eclipse also, it looks little red. Its reason is that even if the Moon is inside umbra of the Earth, some light rays from Sun get scattered through Earth's atmosphere and reach to the Moon. Therefore even though the Moon is in shadow, it gets some Sunlight and therefore it looks faint red. And red colour is due to the fact that blue- green and yellow colours of the Sunlight get scattered in this distance due to their less wavelength and only red colour has high wavelength so that it reaches the Moon. Thus only red colour reaches the Moon after getting scattered in the atmosphere and the Moon looks red (It does not have its own light)! And due to this very reason, when the Moon, the Sun and planets also- when they arise or when they are close to set, their light travels through more air and they also look reddish. And therefore, traffic signals and railway signals are also red as this is the colour with high wavelength! And what will be the reason that in daytime, the sky looks blue?

When we see the lunar eclipse, from the Moon, it is the solar eclipse. Because as seen from the Moon, the Earth would be in front of the Sun. But as the Earth has atmosphere, the Sun would not be totally obstructed and there would not be complete darkness. But when we see a solar eclipse from the Earth, then as the Moon does not have any atmosphere and there is no chance of scattering of light, in a total solar eclipse, there is complete darkness!

My sorrow is greatest! Really?

So let's enjoy these scientific drama and also let our kids enjoy this experience. It can be equally joyful for the elders too. Many times we think that our sorrow is greatest in the word and our problems are largest! But when we look at these objects (When you see Jupiter, it will be around 60 crore kilometers away and Saturn will be more than 160 crore kilometers away)- planets and stars at a distance of hundreds of light years away, then we do realize how small we are and how feeble our sorrows and problems! We also realize that watching such distant objects through our small eyes is none less than actually a miracle!

(My articles about sky watching, Himalaya trekking, meditation, cycling, running and other topics are available on above blog. Niranjan Welankar 09422108376 niranjanwelankar@gmail.com Contact me for updates about fitness, meditation, trekking, fun- learn sessions and sky watching sessions and also for conducting at such a session in your place. Thank you.)

Thrilling solar eclipse and satisfaction of showing it to kids!

Yesterday on 25/10/2022, there was a partial solar eclipse and it was a thrilling experience! Nature fully cooperated. In a small programme, I could show it to kids and elders through a telescope with filter, solar goggle and mirror images. While experiencing it, the kids and the elders were so happy! Their faces were speaking and they were actually screaming in joy! They also were thanking me many times. Even for elders, it was a life- time experience.
Of course, the eclipse was wonderful. The moment the moon touched the image path of the sun, the circular shape of the sun got changed. It was a wonderful treat! I feel short of words to describe it! Within no time, the moon was coming before the sun. Everyone seeing this was thrilled. In Pune, the eclipse was only 23% - i.e. the sun light was just 23% obstructed by the moon, but it was a 100% delight. Just before the sun-set, the moon started going out. The sun was set in the eclipsed position to demonstrate a marvelous view! It was an unprecedented treat for the kids. They were even enjoying eclipse images of a small mirror. Along with the eclipse, we could also observe sun- spots. In the same place, I also showed Jupiter and Saturn in the night and for that too, the kids and elders came in large numbers!

I could experience that even with such small acts, we can give a great joy and never- before- experience to many people! Instead of merely seeing on a screen or just reading theory, even a little bit of practical experience is such a beautiful thing, we experienced. Photos taken during the eclipse can be seen here: 

The sun before the eclipse with wo sun spots!

(My articles about traveling in Himalaya, meditation, cycling, trekking, running and other topics are available on the blog. Niranjan Welankar 09422108376 niranjanwelankar@gmail.com If you wish to know updates about such sessions related to fitness, meditation, star gazing, trekking and fun- learn sessions for kids and if you wish to plan such a session at your place, then you can contact me. Thank you!)

सूर्यग्रहण बघण्याचा थरार आणि दाखवण्याचं समाधान!

काल २५.१०.२०२२ चं खंडग्रास सूर्यग्रहण खूप मस्त बघता आलं. निसर्गाने पूर्ण साथ दिली. एका छोटेखानी कार्यक्रमामध्ये मुलं आणि मोठ्यांनाही टेलिस्कोप, सोलार गॉगल आणि आरशाची प्रतिमा असं तीन प्रकारे दाखवता आलं. बघताना मुलं आणि मोठे मुलंही खूप खुश होते! चेहरे बोलत होते, आनंदाचे चित्कार दिसत होते! आणि धन्यवादही देत होते! मोठेही Life time experience मिळाला म्हणत होते. ग्रहण अद्भुतच होतं अर्थातच. चंद्राचा स्पर्श झाला आणि सूर्याचा वर्तुळाकार भाग लगेच बदलत गेला. अद्भुत अनुभव होता! बघता बघता चंद्र सूर्यासमोर येत होता. तासभर हा सोहळा रंगला. हळु हळु सूर्य झाकला जात होता. बघणारा प्रत्येक जण ह्याचा आनंद घेत होता आणि राहून राहून धन्यवाद देत होता. पुण्यातून चंद्र २३% इतकाच झाकला गेला, पण आनंद मात्र १००% मिळाला. सूर्यास्ताच्या थोडं आधी हळु हळु चंद्र बाहेर जायला निघाला आणि ग्रहण लागलेल्या स्थितीमध्येच सूर्य मावळतानाचा अपूर्व नजाराही दिसला! छोट्या आरशाच्या प्रतिमेमध्ये ग्रहण बघतानाही मुलं खुश होती. ग्रहणाबरोबर सौर डागही बघता आले. त्यानंतर तिथेच रात्री गुरू- शनी हे ग्रह दाखवले, तेव्हाही लहान आणि मोठ्यांनी गर्दी केली!

आपण छोट्या कृतीतूनही इतरांना खूप मोठा आनंद आणि नेहमीसाठी लक्षात राहणारा अनुभव देऊ शकतो हे अनुभवता आलं! नुसतं दूरून स्क्रीनवर बघण्यापेक्षा किंवा थिअरी वाचण्यापेक्षा एखादी छोटी गोष्टही प्रत्यक्षात केलेली व अनुभवलेली किती सुंदर अनुभव देते, ह्याची प्रचिती आली! ह्यावेळी घेतलेले हे काही फोटोज-

सुरुवातीचा पूर्ण सूर्य व त्यावरील डाग

 

 

माझे हिमालय भ्रमंती, ध्यान, सायकलिंग, ट्रेकिंग, रनिंग व इतर विषयांवरचे लेख वरच्या ब्लॉगवर उपलब्ध. निरंजन वेलणकर 09422108376 niranjanwelankar@gmail.com फिटनेस, ध्यान, आकाश दर्शन, ट्रेकिंग, मुलांचे ज्ञान- रंजन इ. संदर्भातील उपक्रमांचे अपडेटस हवे असतील तर आपला नंबर आणि नाव वरील क्रमांकावर पाठवू शकता. धन्यवाद.)

प्रकाश आणि सावलीचा दुर्मिळ सोहळा: २५ ऑक्टोबर रोजीचे खंडग्रास सूर्यग्रहण

२५ ऑक्टोबर रोजीचे खंडग्रास सूर्यग्रहण

पूर्ण भारतात दिसू शकेल

नमस्कार. प्रकाशाचा सोहळा असलेली दिवाळी लवकरच येते आहे. प्रकाशाच्या ह्या सोहळ्यासोबत ह्यावेळी प्रकाश आणि सावलीचा दुर्मिळ सोहळा म्हणजे खंडग्रास सूर्यग्रहणही बघता येणार आहे. २५ ऑक्टोबरच्या सायंकाळी चंद्र सूर्याच्या काही भागाला झाकणार आहे आणि हे बघायची संधी आपण सर्वांना आहे. अगदी दिवाळीतच मला स्वत:ला एक रमणीय असं सूर्यग्रहण बघितल्याचं आठवतं. पण ते वर्ष १९९५ होतं आणि तेव्हा मी लहान होतो. त्यामुळे मुलांसाठी ही संधी किती वेगळी असते ह्याची कल्पना आहे. मुलांसाठी नवीन आणि दुर्मिळ गोष्ट बघण्याची ही संधी आहे.

कसं बघता येईल?नुसत्या डोळ्यांनी सूर्याकडे बघणे डोळ्यांसाठी घातक आहे. त्यामुळे आपण थेट सूर्याकडे बघू शकत नाही. परंतु आपण ह्या सोहळ्याचा आनंद नक्कीच घेऊ शकतो. हे बघण्याचा सर्वोत्तम मार्ग म्हणजे सौर चष्मे. अद्याप काही दिवस आहेत, हे सौर चष्मे विकत घेता येऊ शकतात. ते ऑनलाईनही उपलब्ध असतात. अजून एक सोपा आणि सुरक्षित मार्ग म्हणजे पिनहोल कॅमेरा प्रोजेक्टर बनवायचा- ही एका खोक्याची अगदी सोपी व्यवस्था असते. त्यावर एक छोटं छिद्र (अगदी टाचणीने होणारं छिद्र- पिनहोल) केलेलं असतं आणि एका बाजूने बघण्य़ाची जागा असते. आपण हे युट्युबवर सहज शोधू शकता. असा पिनहोल कॅमेरा बनवताना मुलांना गंमत वाटू शकते. थोडी माहिती गूगलवर शोधा, काही युट्युब व्हिडिओज बघा आणि तुमच्या जवळच्या मुलांना हे बनवायला सांगा. स्वत: काही तरी करण्याची आणि स्वत: अनुभव घेण्याची संधी त्यांना देऊया. असा प्रोजेक्टर कसा दिसतो, हे माझ्या ब्लॉगवर बघता येईल- http://niranjan-vichar.blogspot.com/2022/10/a-rare-show-of-light-and-sha... माझ्या ब्लॉगवर मी घेतलेले चंद्र, सूर्य, ग्रह आणि तारकागुच्छांचेही फोटो बघता येतील.

A rare show of light and shadow: Partial solar eclipse on 25th October 2022

Can be seen from all India

Hello and Namaste. Diwali, the festival of light is coming soon. To accompany the festival of light, a rare show of light and shadow will also be there. Moon will partially obstruct sunlight on the evening of 25th October and so we will have a chance to observe a partial solar eclipse. I personally remember watching a wonderful solar eclipse as a kid in 1995. So for kids, this will be a wonderful opportunity to experience something new and rare.

How to watch?

Observing sun directly through the naked eyes is harmful to the eyes. So we cannot watch it by directly looking at the Sun. But we can surely enjoy this show. The best way to watch this eclipse is through solar goggles. Still there are some days, so you can purchase them. They are also available online. One more simple and safe option is to use a pinhole camera projector- a simple arrangement of a cardboard box having one small pinhole and one window. You can check about this on youtube too. Kids can enjoy making such a pinhole camera. Just google, find some youtube videos and let your kids do it. Let’s give them a chance to do something on their own and experience themselves!

अदू का आंठवा जन्मदिन: आनंद यात्रा के आंठ वर्ष!

 
१७ सितम्बर २०२२

✪ "ओह! मै कितनी क्युट थी!"
✪ वो छोटा बेबी कहाँ गया! ए वक़्त रूक जा, थम जा ठहर जा वापस जरा दौड़ पीछे!
✪ उत्तराखण्ड में लिया आनन्द और दिल्ली से वापसी की यात्रा
✪ मै दुनिया की सबसे लकी लड़की हूँ!
✪ स्कूल जाते समय स्वागत करनेवाले फूल!
✪ ना शेरवा का डर, ना बाघवा का डर, डर त डर टिपटिपवा का डर!
✪ ढेर सारी मौज और मस्ती

प्रिय अदू, यह तुम्हारा आंठवा जन्मदिन!! अदू, अब तुम सचमुच आंठ वर्ष की हो गई हो! हमारी पीढि की दृष्टि में कहें, तो कुछ कुछ होता है की‌ छोटी अंजली जितनी तुम बड़ी हुई हो! तुम्हारा एक फोटो भी था, बिल्कुल उसके जैसा!! हर साल की अनगिनत यादें हैं| लेकीन अब ये आंठ साल बहुत महसूस हो रहे हैं| और रह रह कर उस छोटे से बेबी की- छोटी अदू की याद आ रही है- वह अदू जो रैंगते रैंगते एक कमरे से दूसरे कमरे में‌ जाती थी| जो मिठी किलकारी मारती थी| उसे उठा लेना बहुत आसान भी था! उसे उठाने पर वो मुझे ठीक कन्धे पर ही कांटती थी! किलकारी मार कर हंसती थी! मेरे साथ बहुत खेलती थी और हाँ! वो बेबी दोपहर में सोता भी था! कभी कभी तो मेरे कन्धे पर ही सो जाता था! लगभग पीछले वर्ष तक तुम छोटे बच्चे जैसे रैंगते हुए कमरे में आती थी! तुम्हे उठाना आसान था| अब तो तुम्हे लगभग उठा ही नही पाता हूँ| अब तो तुम मुझे धकेल सकती हो, गिरा भी सकती हो! इतनी बड़ी हुई हो!

और अदू, एक बार जब मैने लैपटॉप पर तुम्हे तुम्हारे बचपन के फोटो दिखाए थे, तो तुम्हे कितनी ख़ुशी हुई थी! तुमने तुरन्त कहा था, ओह निनू, मै इतनी क्युट थी! रह रह कर उसे छोटे से बच्चे की याद आती है| उसकी, जिसने मुझे कहानियाँ कहना सीखाया, खेलना सीखाया, तरह तरह के आवाज सीखाए| वो छोटी अदू जो इतनी मिठी थी कि सिर्फ मेरे शर्ट के बटन से खुश होती थी! उड़ते हुए पंछी को देख कर खुशी से भर जाती थी! उस छोटी अदू को मै बहुत मिस करता हूँ| अब भी तुम उतनी ही मिठी हो| लेकीन उस बचपन की बात और थी| उस समय का तुम्हारा खुशी‌ से झूमना- चिल्लाना! ख़ुश होने पर तुम जोर से हसती भी थी और जब रोती थी, तो वो तुम्हारा ध्यान होता था!

रूकना जीवन का स्वभाव ही नही है! जो है, वो आगे जानेवाला है| जो अब है, वह अवस्था बदलनेवाली है| गति यही प्रकृति का नियम है! इसलिए प्रकृति तुम्हे ऐसी छोटी नही‌ रखेगी|‌ लेकीन फिर भी‌ मन में तुम्हारी बचपन की यादों को संजोता रहता हूँ, देखता रहता हूँ| तुम्हारे साथ की हुई मस्ती, तरह तरह के आवाज और तुम्हारा मैने खाया हुआ जंगल और चोटी! और हां, याद रखना, वह चोटी मेरी ही है, बस मैने सम्हालने के लिए तुम्हे दी है! तुमने लिए हुए तरह तरह के नाम- टमडी, टमकडी, ब्याऊ, पाबई ऐसे नाम और मुझे दिए हुए टोमड्या, ब्याऊ, निनू ऐसे नाम! और तुमने मुझे दिया हुआ और इस वक्त ट्रेंडिंग में होनेवाला नाम- टॉइंड्या! इन्हे लिखना भी कितना मज़ेदार है! यह सब देखते हुए बार बार मन कहता है- ए वक़्त रूक जा, थम जा ठहर जा, वापस जरा दौड़ पीछे! मुझे सन्तोष इस बात का है कि हर साल की ऐसी अनगिनत मिठीं यादे मैने तुम्हारे हर वर्ष के पत्र में लिखी हैं! और निश्चित ही मेरी फोटोग्राफिक स्मृति में भी वे सदैव जीवित हैं| और हम इतना आनन्द लेते हैं तो उसे आगे भी जारी रखनेवाले ही हैं!

उत्तराखण्ड में लिया आनन्द और दिल्ली से वापसी की यात्रा

पीछले साल हमने बहुत मस्ती की और आनन्द लिया| पीछले जन्म दिन पर स्कूल बन्द होने के कारण तुम नाराज थी| तुम्हारी नई स्कूल- केन्द्रीय विद्यालय शुरू तो हुई थी| लेकीन ऑनलाईन स्कूल तुम्हे पसन्द नही थी| कार्टून देखते हुए और आर्टस- क्राफ्टस करते हुए तुम खुद का मनोरंजन करती थी| कभी कभी तुम्हारे दोस्त- भाई बहन को व्हॉईस मॅसेज करती थी| हम मिल कर भी कभी कहानी कहते थे| अक्तूबर में लेकीन बड़े मज़ेदार दिन बिते| हम १५ दिनों के लिए उत्तराखण्ड को- पिथौरागढ़ को गए थे| और तुम तो हमारे लौटने के बाद भी बर्फ देखने के लिए वहीं‌ रही थी! और वहाँ होते हुए भी जब हम गूँजी को गए थे, तब भी कुछ दिन हमसे दूर रही| बुंगाछीना, सत्गड़ और बस्तड़ी में बिताए तुम्हारे दिन लेकीन बहुत अनुठे थे! हिमालय के गाँव और खेत, बहुत सारे भाई- बहन- मौसी- नाना- नानी और कल्लू- भोटू जैसे बड़े "भ्याऊँ" और ढेरों बकरिया, पेड़ और पहाड़! ऐसे माहौल का आनन्द तुमने लिया था! मुझे याद है सत्गड में घर के छत पर पहली बार तुमने क्रिकेट ठीक से खेला था! और बाद में हमने बुंगाछीना में एक छोटा ट्रेक भी किया था! उसमें भी तुम्हे थोड़ी दूरी तक उठाना पड़ा था! और सत्गड़ में चढाई की पगडण्डी पर भी तुम चली थी और एक बार उस चढाई पर मै तुम्हे उठा भी सका था! ऐसे हमने बहुत मज़े लिए थे! और तुमने तो हमसे भी ज्यादा आनन्द लूटा, क्यों कि आगे भी एक महिने तक तुम रूकी थी| और तुम समझ रही थी कि कितनी‌ अनुठी चीज़ों का आनन्द तुम ले रही हो! तुम्हे आनन्द देनेवाली बहुत सी चीज़ें थी, फिर भी‌ तुम इतनी छोटी थी कि तुम्हे रोना आना स्वाभाविक था| फिर भी तुम ज्यादा रोयी नही| जब हम तुम्हे विदा कह कर निकले और तुमने हमें बाय किया था| उसके बाद तुम्हारा रोना टूट पड़ा था| अत्यधिक ठण्डे मौसम में भी तुम वहाँ अच्छे से रही और बाद में ओमीक्रॉन के चलते जब तुम्हे वापस लाने का निर्णय किया, तब भी तुम रोयी! बर्फ का गिरना शुरू होने के कुछ दिन पहले ही तुम्हे लाना पड़ा था|

तुम्हे ले कर की हुई दिल्ली से परभणी की यात्रा! तुम तो मौसी के साथ पिथौरागढ़- दिल्ली ऐसी थकानभरी यात्रा कर के आयी थी| तुम्हे बहुत नीन्द आ रही थी और मै जैसे तैसे तुम्हे सोने से रोक कर स्टेशन पर पहुँचा| तब मैने जाना कि समस्त महिलाओं को बच्चों को ले कर यात्रा करना कितना कठिन होता होगा! निजामुद्दीन के बाहर के ही होटल से स्टेशन के प्लॅटफॉर्म तक पहुँचना मेरे लिए एक मुश्कील अभियान ही था! लेकीन तुमने भी तुम्हारी एक बैग उठायी और मेरा हाथ थामे चलती रही| सीट पर पहुँचने के बाद तुरन्त सो भी गई! बाद में तुम्हारे हिन्दी और मराठी बोलने से और खेल- कुद से सभी सहयात्रियों को तुमने खूब हंसाया! लगातार खेलती रही, सभी का मन बहलाती रही!  पूरी यात्रा अच्छी बिती, लेकीन परभणी में प्लैटफॉर्म पर ट्रेन आते आते तुम्हे उल्टी हुई! लेकीन फिर भी वहाँ भी तुमने शिकायत नही की|

तुम शान्त मन की हो| भीतर से बहुत निश्चिन्त हो| एक गहरी समझ तुम्हारे पास है| इस कारण तुम्हारी बहुत सी चीज़ें तुम खुद ही करती हो और बहुत अच्छी भी करती हो| तुम्हारा चीज़ों को रखना इतना अच्छा होता है कि मेरी कोई चीज़ कहाँ है, यह मै तुम्हे ही पूछता हूँ और तुम भी वह बता देती हो! दिल्ली से लौटने के बाद कुछ दिन हम परभणी में रहे| वहाँ तुम अनन्या- आजू के साथ खेलती थी| परभणी का घर हम छोड़ रहे थे, इसलिए तुम्हे दुख हो रहा था| लेकीन वहाँ‌ भी तुम्हारी शिकायत नही थी| जो अभी सामने है, उसमें से ख़ुश रहने का विकल्प तुम बराबर ढूँढ लेती हो| परभणी का घर छोड़ना तुम्हारे मन में जरूर था|‌ क्यों कि बहुत बाद में एक बार तुमने दादाजी को बोला कि क्यों दादाजी, आपने परभणी का घर क्यों छोड़ दिया? तब तुमने उन्हे सजा के तौर पर रोज एक कहानी कहने के लिए कहा था! हम सब परभणी से एक छोटी बस से पुणे आ रहे थे, तब अंताक्षरी में तुम्हे पता होनेवाले गाने सुन कर सभी चौकन्ने रह गएं! सभी को लगा कि ये गानें तुम्हे कब पता हुए! (उदा., जैसे साजन का गाना)!

Solo cycling for mental health awareness

4 states, 1500 kms from Sindhudurg- Goa- Belgavi- Kalburgi- Hyderabad- Warangal- Gadchiroli- Nagpur in 20 days

Hello, namaste. Hope you are all fine. Mental health is very significant issue nowadays. Many times we see people committing suicide from very petty reasons (Actually, any so called severe reason should always be feeble to commit such a thing). After corona times and with economic slow down and all, mental health, stress management and positive mental health are key issues. So this issue is for all of us. Not only mental health sufferers, but all of us. From special people (such as people with autism, MR or Down’s syndrome) to even young students, everyone is important. This cycle expedition will raise this issue before the broader society. Awareness about mental sickness, mental problems and problems of differently abled needs to be there so that proper help can be given at the earliest possible time. This cycling expedition will create awareness about this by having dialogue with people in general- farmers, youth, students and all. Everyone is a party to this cause. Cyclist doing this expedition will also interact with social organizations, groups and people and also will understand local issues. He will use an ordinary- single- gear SLR cycle for this expedition. The message is that everybody can do such things with their resources, once they know how to tap their potential.

मानसिक आरोग्य जागरूकतेसाठी सायकलिंग

मानसिक भलायकेची जागृताय करपा खातीर सायकल चलोवप

ಮಾನಸಿಕ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಜಾಗೃತಿಗಾಗಿ ಸೈಕ್ಲಿಂಗ್
మానసిక ఆరోగ్య అవగాహన కోసం సైక్లింగ్


Why this route?

Because it is important to reach out to those who are not mainstream. Initially he thought to start with Mumbai based NGOs. But there is some awareness in cities in Maharashtra. So why not take the most remote/ backward region, And also the message is to look beyond our comfort zone, to go beyond our limitations and being sensitive towards unknown. So it will start in Kudal in Konkan and then from Goa it will continue via Karnataka, Telangana and again remote part of Maharashtra.

If you know any organization working in this route or if any of your friends are on this route-  Kudal- Goa- Belgavi- Bagalkote- Kolhar- Kalburgi- Hyderabad- Warangal- Gadchiroli- Nagpur, you can share this message with them. The schedule of this expedition is from 24th September to 14th October.

About the cyclist

Niranjan Welankar, 37 has completed several solo cycling expeditions including those in Ladakh and Spiti. Also he has cycled in Maharashtra for HIV and health awareness and also for promotion of Yoga and meditation. His blog- www.niranjan-vichar.blogspot.com 09422108376 niranjanwelankar@gmail.com

India's biggest cover up: अनुज धर ह्यांच्या २० वर्षांच्या नेताजींच्या रहस्याच्या अभ्यासाचा निष्कर्ष

सर्वांना नमस्कार. नेताजी सुभाषचंद्र बोस! लहानपणापासून त्यांच्याबद्दल अतिशय आत्मीयता वाटते. "महानायक" आणि "नेताजी" अशी मोठी पुस्तकं व इतर अनेक पुस्तकांमधून त्यांचा परिचय झाला. नव्हे त्यांच्या आयुष्यातला प्रत्येक प्रसंग, प्रत्येक घटना मनावर बिंबली होती. लहानपणापासून त्यांचं वेगळेपण, त्यांचे विचार, त्यांची बंडखोर वृत्ती, शाळा- महाविद्यालयातील पराक्रम, नंतर ब्रिटनमधील शिक्षण, गांधीजींना विरोध, दुस-या महायुद्धामध्ये केलेला अभूतपूर्व प्रवास, परकीय देशांमध्ये जपलेला स्वाभिमान, देश प्रेम, पुन: एकदा रोमांचक पाणबुडी प्रवास, पूर्व आशियातील रोमहर्षक महाभारत आणि... असे सर्व प्रसंग मनावर कोरले गेले होते. पुढे २००५ मध्ये आलेला 'नेताजी द फरगॉटन हिरो' हा चित्रपटही हा अनुभव परत देऊन गेला. नेताजींचा शेवट नक्की काय झाला, ह्याबद्दल मनामध्ये नेहमी प्रश्न होता. आता ह्या प्रश्नाचं सुस्पष्ट असं उत्तर नाही, पण एक निश्चित दिशा मिळते आहे असं वाटतंय. निमित्त झालं नेताजींच्या रहस्यांवर गेल्या २० वर्षांपासून अभ्यास करणा-या अनुज धर ह्यांच्या विविध पोडकास्टसचं आणि 'India's biggest cover up' ह्या त्यांच्या पुस्तकाचं. त्यांचे दोन- तीन तासांचे पोडकास्टस अक्षरश: न थांबता ऐकले आणि मग त्यांचं पुस्तकही सलग वाचून काढलं. नंतर मुखर्जी आयोगाच्या कामकाजावर आधारित असलेला गुमनामी चित्रपटही बघितला. हे ऐकणं- बघणं आणि वाचणंही थरारक होतं. आणि त्यानिमित्ताने नेताजींबद्दल खूप काही कळालं. निश्चित उत्तरांची दिशा कळाली. भारतीय राजकारणाची एक नवीन आणि खोलवर ओळख झाली. हा छोटा लेख म्हणजे हे पोडकास्टस, हे पुस्तक आणि ह्या विषयावर समोर आलेल्या सद्यस्थितीला थोडक्यात मांडण्याचा प्रयत्न.

(शब्द संख्या- २६३९ वाचन अवधी १० मिनिटे. हा लेख इंग्लिशमध्ये इथे वाचता येईल)

✈ नेताजींना जाऊन तर इतकी वर्षं झाली. आता त्याचं काय? "मेरे पिताजी हैं, उनका सच मुझे जानना है|"
✈ २० वर्षांचे परिश्रम आणि अथक अभ्यास- अनुज धर!!
✈ १९४५ नंतर रशियामध्ये नेताजींच्या उपस्थितीची साक्ष देणारे अनेक पुरावे
✈ आपला भारत देश असा- इतका उदासीन, इतका अंधारात आणि इतका भ्रष्ट?
✈ देशप्रेम आणि स्वाभिमानापुढे सगळ्या अडथळ्यांची शरणागती
✈ Your dead man- गुमनामी बाबा!
✈ नेताजींच्या केवळ १% हिंमत, साहस, शौर्य, बुद्धीमत्ता आपल्याला कशी मिळेल?
✈ जोदी तोर डाक सुने केउ ना आसे तोबे एकला चोलो रे एकला चोलो एकला चोलो रे

नेताजी! स्वातंत्र्याचे एक शिल्पकार! डॉ. बाबासाहेब आंबेडकर आणि ब्रिटीश पंतप्रधान एटली ह्यांनी म्हंटलंय की, भारताला स्वातंत्र्य मिळालं‌ त्यामागे मुख्य कारण आझाद हिंद सेनेमुळे प्रेरित झालेली व ब्रिटीशांची चाकरी सोडून देण्यास सज्ज झालेली भारतीय सेना हे होतं. आता भारतीय सैनिकांचा भरवसा आपण धरू शकत नाही, ही खात्री ब्रिटीशांना झाली. आणि त्यातून देश सोडून जाण्याची भुमिका ब्रिटीशांना घ्यावी लागली. नेताजींनी वस्तुत: अशा शेकडो गोष्टी केल्या आहेत, ज्यापैकी एक गोष्टही कोणी करू शकला तरी तो स्वत:ला धन्य समजेल. मग ते तत्कालीन आयसीएस उत्तीर्ण होणं असेल, गांधीजींना थेट विरोध करणं असेल, मणिपूरपासून पेशावरपर्यंतच्या लोकांसोबत नातं जोडणं असेल, उद्दाम विदेशी सत्तेच्या गुहेमध्येही स्वाभिमान आणि देशप्रेमाने कार्यरत राहणं असेल! किंवा अतिशय भयंकर असा अंधारात उडी मारून केवळ स्वत:च्या हिमतीवर केलेला कोलकाता- काबूल- मॉस्को- जर्मनी असा प्रवास असेल किंवा १% पेक्षाही कमी शाश्वती असलेला अर्ध्या जगाला समुद्राखालून प्रदक्षिणा घालून केलेला पाणबुडीचा प्रवास असेल! किंवा पूर्व आशियामध्ये थायलंड- म्यानमार ते मणिपूर- इंफाळ परिसरामध्ये दिलेली अफाट झुंज- संपूर्ण भारतातील विविधतेचं केलेलं नेतृत्व! तेही‌ असं की, शेकडो सैनिकांनी युद्धात आहुती द्यावी आणि लाखो भारतीयांनी त्यांना सर्वस्व द्यावं! ह्या शेकडो गोष्टींपैकी जो एकही करू शकत असेल तो स्वत:ला धन्य समजेल. असे नेताजी! देशगौरव नेताजी! आत्ताच्या लेखाचा विषय त्यांच्या रहस्यावर अलीकडे पडलेला प्रकाश हा आहे, त्यामुळे त्यासंदर्भात बोलतो.

India's biggest cover up: Inferences of 20 year- study of Anuj Dhar ji on Netaji's mystery

Hello all. Netaji Subhas chandra Bose! I feel very attached to him since childhood. I was introduced to him through Marathi books such as "Mahanayak", "Netaji" and others. Rather, each and every incident and milestone of his life was engraved on my mind. His uniqueness since childhood, his thoughts, his rebel nature, his heroics in school- colleges, his education in Britain, his opposition to Gandhiji, unprecedented journey he undertook in the World War II, how he remained confident and patriotic in foreign lands, once again the nail biting submarine journey crossing half the world, his wonderful leadership in the battlefield of East Asia and ..... All those heroics were engraved on the mind. Then the 2005 movie- 'Netaji the forgotton hero' once again recalled it. Always there was that question in mind- what was the end? Now an answer is emerging, not very clear, but certainly showing one specific direction, I feel. It all started with some podcasts of Anuj Dhar ji and his book 'India's biggest cover up.' His 2-3 hour long podcasts I listened without gap and then read his book too. Later on I could not refrain from watching the movie Gumnami, loosely based on proceedings of the Mukherjee Commission. Seeing, reading and listening all this was wonderful. It threw light on several aspects of Netaji. I came to know about a definite direction of the answers. I came to know to new and deep aspects of Indian polity. This small article is an attempt to present what I came across these podcasts, the book and on this subject.

(No. of words 3328- Reading time 15 minutes.)

✈ Now so many years passed since he is dead. Now why? "He is my father, I need to know the truth."
✈ Hard work of 20 years and wonderful study- Anuj Dhar ji!!
✈ Many evidences indicating Netaji's presence in Russia after 1945
✈ Why our India so reluctant, in darkness and corrupt?
✈ All obstacles surrender before love for the country and pride
✈ Your dead man- Gumnami Baba!
✈ How we can strive to have just 1% of Netaji's bravery, courage and intellect?
✈ जोदी तोर डाक सुने केउ ना आसे तोबे एकला चोलो रे एकला चोलो एकला चोलो रे (Even if no one responds to your call, keep going yourself)

Netaji! One architect of the freedom! Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and the British Prime Minister Attlee had stated that the main reason for Indian independence was that Indian armed forces were shaken by Azad Hind Fauj and they were willing to quit serving the British. The British were convinced that henceforth they cannot take for granted the Indian soldiers and so they had to agree to leave the country. Netaji actually had done hundreds of marvelous things that even if anyone manages to do just one such thing, then he or she would feel grateful. It can be then passing the ICS examination of those days, directly opposing Gandhiji, connecting with people from Manipur to Peshawar, working confidently with love for the country in dens of arrogant foreign powers! Or it may be be the non- probable jump into darkness- single handed leap from Kolkata- Kabul- Moscow to Germany or it can be the submarine journey of covering over half the planet which had success chances lesser than 1%! Or it can be the unthinkable battle he waged and led in East Asia from Thailand- Myanmar to Indian areas of Manipur- Imphal- his leadership with followers as diverse as all India! And such leadership that hundreds of soldiers sacrificed their lives for him and lacs of Indians gave their everything to him! Even if we can do any ONE such thing out of such hundreds of achievements, our life would become meaningful. This is Netaji for you! Pride of the country! Topic of this article is light recently thrown on his mystery, therefore let me talk about it more.

The air crash happened on 18th August 1945 was not accepted even then by those who knew some inside aspects and even British and American officers did not accept it. There were many lacunae in eye- witness accounts, there were no direct evidences. Many things were suspicious. But for some people, it was convenient to state that Netaji had died. Therefore that was the truth, it was stated again and again. A few people here and there know with evidence that Netaji was in Russia. After some years people even had seen him in India. But this thing never became the “Government stated truth”. Why? To understand this, one has to listen to some podcasts by Anuj Dhar ji. Salute to Anuj Dhar ji! At a time when this topic was almost forgotten, he started with the mantra of Ekla Cholo re. He committed himself to digging the truth about Netaji. It now has become his life. I remember reading a series of articles ‘Enigma of Netaji Subhas Bose’ in Hindustan Times on internet around 2004- 05. It was his work. He took off from this story in Hindustan Times and then it became his mission. Later on he was joined by Netaji adorer and researcher Chandrachur Ghose and others. They found their way with the Government by resolving innumerable difficulties and resistance. Getting a thing done from the Government people in India is next to impossible! Slowly with the help of some Government officers, some Netaji admirers and some retired officers, they brought some information forth. They also explored information from more transparent countries. Later on they employed the tool of Right to information act and also global communication possible with Internet. In the same times, i.e. in 1999, the third Commission was established to dig mystery surrounding Netaji. The Mukherjee Commission did excellent work and proved that there was no air crash on 18th August 1945. It also brought forth indirect evidences almost proving Netaji’s stay in Russia and his return to India. But the Government in 2006 rejected this report. But despite of all this, the truth is coming up directly or indirectly. Many people knew this in a scattered form. But now many threads are getting linked. In this era, new technologies are helping to connect the dots. In 2016, Modi Government declassified many Netaji files. Although it cannot be called as Government truth, but there are many things that are coming to light. If we have love for our country and love for those who had worked for us, then other dark things also will come into light.


Russia via Manchuria!

I just present all threads coming to forth from this research. Those who have more interest can listen to podcasts of Anuj Dhar and they can also read his book ‘India’s biggest cover up’ written after study of 20 years and with evidence of hundreds of documents. I am just presenting some of the inferences. All these things have indirect evidence and can be proven. The air crash of 18th August 1945 was just a projection. You may remember, when Netaji left for Germany from Kolkata in 1941, when he had actually reached Kabul, the ‘news’ that he is no more in the house was out. In the same manner, ‘news’ of this alleged crash was conveyed from Tokyo on 22 August, by then he was likely to have reached near Manchuria. Later on he went to Soviet Russia. An American journalist Alfred Wegg had told Nehru in his press conference that he had seen Netaji after 18th August 1945. After the independence, one Indian engineer had gone to Soviet Russia for some automobile project. On his specific project, his leader was a German working in Russia from several years. He took this Indian engineer in confidence and told that he had met Netaji. He had known Netaji as he had seen him face to face in 1941. When he was in a Soviet camp for professionals and political leaders, he recognized Netaji there and also talked with him in German. He was given the status of a diplomat. When the engineer shared this information with the Indian ambassador in Moscow, the ambassador warned him to focus only on his work! Later the engineer returned to India and after he was retired, he recalled this and also presented his account before the Mukherjee Commission. One year after the alleged air crash at Taipei in July 1946, Gandhiji’s secretary and Dadabhau Naoroji’s grand daughter Khursheed Naoroji had written to American journalist Louis Fischer that if Netaji comes to India with Russian military, Gandhi- Neharu could not do anything and entire the country would go with him.


Our great country!

One would wonder then, if he was alive in Russia, why he did not come to India. And even when he came later on, why he was hiding? One reason for this is that maybe there was one confidential term in the agreement of Indian Independence (Transfer of powers) that if Netaji comes to India, then he had to be captured and be given to the British as a war criminal. In fact, threads coming from inside also suggest that this independence was not a true independence. It was rather dominion status. And it is a fact that till 1955, Indian military was led by British people. Even Nehru himself had taken oath to be committed to British Queen in 1956. Another shocking and less known fact is that Indian police who had fired bullets in Jalianwala Baug were Government servants and they were getting pensions in free India. And at the same time, soldiers and officers fought in Azad Hind Fauj were not regarded even as freedom fighters. Also, in free India, there were many such laws that any pride and patriotic person would not accept. It was in 1955 that the unaccountability became illegal by law. The black act of the Criminal Tribes Act was there till 1952. So one has to think, whether it was actual independence or just the dominion status. The British were regarding Netaji as the war criminal, in fact much more than that, but not a single Indian leader ever regarded British as criminals due to their atrocities conducted during their rule.

Whatever was the Government stand, close associates of Netaji, his two brothers, wife Emilie were aware that he was in Russia. One more reason indicating this is that till 1968, Netaji’s family was snooped by the Government. Why it is necessary to spy a family of a dead man? Thus, it was a known truth for those who know deeper things. Therefore, the first Commission to resolve this mystery was formed around 1956 and second commission was formed in 1970. Many times the Government tried to end this issue by bringing so called relics of Netaji from Renkoji temple of Tokyo. But Netaji’s family always opposed to this and hence the Government could not do this.

The Government mostly tried to avoid the truth coming up. The Government did not allow the first two Commissions to go to Taiwan due to lack of political relations of India and Taiwan. Or it might be afraid that after going there, the Commission might realize falsity of fabricated ‘evidences’ for the so called air crash. Whereas, Netaji on the basis of his confidence and his friends from across nations was taking massive leaps in unknown lands of Manchuria- China and Russia. How many countries and lands!! From Afghanistan- Russia- Italy- Germany and later on Myanmar- Thailand- Indonesia- Singapore- Japan! All these were not his friends. Here too there were arrogant rulers and officers. But Netaji overcame all of them with his love for his country. The arrogant rulers tried to dominate him, but he never ever was suppressed and stood firm on his objective. Even he gave taste of his pride to Hitler too. Indian people are just like goats, was the opinion of Hitler. But he too changed his stand. He looked directly into his eyes and shook hands with him with a great confidence. His stand was that the help from other countries was the help given to a free nation and after the independence, the free country would return it with gratitude. But then Indian leaders were thinking as if meeting Hitler is like getting buried in the hell. They were accepting India hater Churchill who would say, “If Hitler attacks Satan, I will support Satan.” Indian leaders were okay with Churchill who had murdered 30 lac Bengali people due to artificial famine, Churchill who wanted to keep India slave.

Your dead man- Gumnami Baba!

Today we can say that after spending some years in exile in Russia and waiting for the rulers of India to become favourable, Netaji finally returned to India as Gumnami Baba. Of course, there are scattered threads that even when he was in the exile in Russia, he would travel to the communist nations and would be in touch with their leaders. After 1955, he came to stay in small towns such as Basti and Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh not far from Nepal border. He would stay totally alone and behind the curtain. His face was always covered and he would not meet anyone. But his possessions included English- Bengali and German books, books on subjects such as war, international developments etc. Later on senior personnel from Azad Hind Fauj, his old friends and associates came in contact with Netaji. Later on slowly, Netaji’s inner circle came to know about his arrival. There are evidences that his, i.e. Netaji’s childhood friends, youth colleagues, party workers and personnel from Azad Hind Fauj had met Gumnami baba aka Bhagwanji aka Pardewale Baba and they remained in touch for several years. Letters written by Gumnami Baba are available. All these people would ask him, why don’t you come out? On that, he would state that my coming out would not be in the interest of the country. Maybe civil conflicts in the country, resistance from preachers of non- violence, India’s dependence on other countries due to food and other kinds of support and India being not actually free country would be some reasons.

Many then would think, what Netaji was actually doing when he was hiding even in India? There are two- three clear answers to this. One thing he was undergoing a sadhana. Remember, when he was 17, he had gone to Himalayas for 7 months. Sri Aurobindo was also a revolutionary, but later on he devoted himself to spiritual sadhana and that too was for the country. Netaji’s sadhana was now going ahead. Also, from his letters and conversations, it seems that he was in secrete contacts with many Asian leaders including the communist leaders and he was guiding them also about various issues and crisis such as Vietnam war. He also states that he had secretly intervened/ assisted in Indo- China war and also Bangladesh war of independence. This all looks very unbelievable. But let us recall again what kind of man he was. He was active in India for 20 years- from 1921 when he had resigned from ICS till 1941 (even some years he had to take forced rest outside India due to medical reasons when he had met European leaders). In his active life of 20 years if we count breaks such as imprisonment, house arrest, imprisonment in Mandaley, then hardly for around three and half years he was free and still he created such great influence. In entire the country he had followers. He fought an election against Gandhiji and he won it. He was supported from provinces such as Madras. The man of this calibre- even foreign rulers with awareness would not reject him. He had just flown away out of British grip like Shivaji Maharaj had flown away from Agra, he had so much command on secrete communication and channels that he immediately recognized a secrete group in Nazis opposing Hitler. Then which borders can stop him? And then how it can be a wonder that he was in secrete contacts with rulers of many countries? Then such a person even does not need to come out in light to work. There are many indirect evidences pointing this direction. There are many dots which we can connect with our intellect. Mystery surrounding death of Shastriji and references from rule of various PMs in free India from Indira Gandhi, Morarji Desai, V. P. Singh, Narsingh Rao, Atalji, Manmohan Singh come in this study. Every non- Congress Government had done something to solve this mystery, it is seen. The External Affairs minister in the 1995 Government who later became President of India- is seen as forcing Emilie Shenkl to sign the proposal to bring back Tokyo relics (whom she tells to leave her house). Evidence of many such things are in the Government papers. It is there in many documents which are declassified now.

The Mukherjee Commission had conducted tests of handwriting of Gumnami Baba and his DNA. One expert inferred that the handwriting matches. The Government experts inferred negatively. Results of DNA tests with family members of Netaji were shown as negative. But Netaji adorers attending proceedings of the Commission know well that the Government labs were giving fabricated results. Therefore, the Mukherjee Commission had to state that it cannot clearly state that Gumnami Baba was Netaji. Because there are evidences, but they are not clinching on paper. What to say about reluctance of out nation, lack of awareness and corruption! But while speaking in private, Justice Mukherjee had clearly stated that Gumnami Baba was Netaji only. Incidentally this was shooted on a cemra and this video is available today also. You can just google. He too was knowing that Gumnami Baba was Netaji, but due to fabricated results of the tests and due to lack of cooperation of the Government, he could not prove it. But there are several indirect evidences. Many Bengali revolutionaries and leaders such as Lila Roy, MP Samar Guha, veterans from Azad Hind Fauj, the then Chief Minister of UP Sampurnanand had regarded him as Netaji. But due to above mentioned reasons, it could not become established truth.

There are two definite objectives to recall Netaji, his contribution and his truth. Firstly, it is my right to know what happened with my father. Any son or daughter would not feel satisfied without knowing it. Also, it is important to carry forward this legacy, his inspiration and the energy to this and coming generations. Such unbelievable kind of person existed, we must know and we must get confidence that we too can become at least 1% of him. We too should get indomitable spirit to overcome innumerable obstacles. Today the freedom- however limited it be- we are enjoying, we are experiencing this satisfaction, we must know what was its actual cost. If we have this awareness and memory, then we can internalize him at least up to 1%. There can be many ways to do this. It can be working with courage and pride and self- motivation in our fields. It can be sharing this to new generation through street- plays, essay or speech competitions. It can be exploring truth in our own path. Even if we are able to do 1% of this, then our life will become meaningful.
 
In the movie ‘Netaji the forgotten hero’, there is a song- Ekla Cholo re and it has one line. If as a country and as children of Netaji, we can internalize him for 1%, then the next line of that song too would become meaningful.

मज़िलें कभी क्या मिलेगी हमें
होगी क्या सहल कभी जो राह है कड़ी
आज हर जवाब हमको मिल जाएगा
आ गई है आज फैसले की घड़ी

(How long let it be, we will embrace our goals
At one point, the hard path would ease out
We will get every answer
Time of judgment is right there)

(Niranjan Welankar 09422108376, niranjanwelankar@gmail.com)

प्रीसिशन सर्जिकल स्ट्राईक करनेवाला और मधुमख्खियों के झुण्ड पर हमला बोलनेवाला कश्मीर फाईल्स!!

नमस्ते| आप सब कैसे हैं? हाल ही में कश्मीर फाईल्स फिल्म देखी| उसके बारे में मेरे विचार शेअर करता हूँ| शायद आप कुछ मुद्दों से सहमत होंगे, कुछ से सहमत न भी होंगे| लेकीन अलग अलग सोच, विचार और नज़रिए कम से कम सुनने या पढ़ने तो चाहिए होते हैं ना| इसलिए यह शेअर करने का मन हुआ|

कभी ट्रेकिंग, कभी घूमना, कभी राहत कार्य के लिए कश्मीर जाना हुआ| कश्मीर घाटी में कई जगहों पर जाने का मौका मिला- श्रीनगर, पुलवामा, अनन्तनाग, छत्तीसिंगपोरा (जहाँ बिल क्लिंटन की भारत यात्रा के समय ३६ सीख्खों का कत्ल मिलिटरी के भेस में आए आतंकवादियों ने किया गया था) और शंकराचार्य हिल भी! बचपन से कश्मीर के बारे में बहुत पढ़ा भी था| यह फिल्म देखते समय कश्मीर में देखी हुई बातें, वहाँ के अनुभव और वहाँ की घटनाएँ याद आ रही थी| जम्मू से टैक्सी द्वारा श्रीनगर जाते समय साथ में होनेवाले कश्मिरियों की खामोशी और उनका बातचीत में उत्सुक न होना, श्रीनगर में ऑटो रिक्षावाले ने सबसे पहले पूछना- हिन्दु की मुसलमान हो, श्रीनगर में गोलीबारी की आवाज, पथराव (स्टोन पेल्टिंग), छत्तीसिंगपोरा में अब भी सीख्खों का घूमना- रहना, अनन्तनाग को इस्लामाबाद और शंकराचार्य हिल को सुलेमान टॉप कहा जाना, कुछ स्थानीयों द्वारा अक्सर एक तरह की दूरी रखी जाना, मिलिटरी की भारी गतिविधियों के कारण स्थानीयों को असुविधा होना भी देखा था| यह भी देखा की, सब तरह के फर्क, भिन्न पृष्ठभूमि, अलग किस्म का रहन- सहन होने के बावजूद लोगों में अपनापन और सरलता देखी| मिठी सी कश्मीरी भाषा में हिन्दी और संस्कृत के शब्द भी सुने थे| इन सब अनुभवों के आधार पर कह सकता हूँ कि इस फिल्म ने एक ऐसे सच को सबके सामने पटक दिया है जो अधिकांश लोगों के सामने अब तक नही आया था|

(जम्मू- कश्मीर में २०१४ में आयी आपदा के दौरान राहत कार्य में सहभाग के अनुभव यहाँ पढ़ सकते हैं|  निरंजन वेलणकर 09422108376, niranjanwelankar@gmail.com)

हिमालय की गोद में... (कुमाऊँ में रोमांचक भ्रमण) १५ (अन्तिम): हिमालय से वापसी...

इस लेख माला को शुरू से पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक कीजिए|

९ नवम्बर को पाताल भुवनेश्वर की रमणीय यात्रा हुई| अब हिमालय से विदा लेने का समय आ रहा है! लेकीन १५ दिनों तक हिमालय में रह पाया और हिमालय का सत्संग ले सका! निरंतर बने रहनेवाले घाट की सड़कें, शानदार ट्रेक, रमणीय हिमशिखर, गूंजी की रोमांचक यात्रा, नए जगहों पर भ्रमण, रात में उमड़नेवाली तारों की बारात! लेकीन मज़े की बात है कि हिमालय से विदा लेते समय पहले जैसा होता था, वैसा अब होमसिक नही हो रहा है| स्पीति में‌ साईकिल चलाने के बाद हिमालय की आज्ञा ली थी, तो लगा ही नही था कि मै बिछड़ रहा हूँ| हिमालय जैसे साथ ही रहा| खैर| १० नवम्बर को बाकी लोगों को एक जगह जाना था, इसलिए उनकी यात्रा शुरू हुई| अदू हमारे साथ वापस नही आनेवाली थी, इसलिए वह सत्गड में ही ठहरी और मै उसके साथ एक और दिन सत्गड में ठहरा| दिनभर अदू पास पड़ौस के बच्चों से खेलती रही| खेत, आँगन में झरना, पेड़ और छत! पूरे दिन बन्दरों की एक टोली आयी थी| आँगन के पेड़, खेत की फसल आदि का बहुत नुकसान कर रही थी| लेकीन अदू को जैसे बन्दरों की लॉटरी लग गई! सब जगह वही थे! वह भी बिना डरे उनके पास जा रही थी| बहुत उपद्रव हुआ, तब कुछ लोगों ने घर में होनेवाली एअरगन से उन्हे डराया| लेकीन फिर भी शाम तक वे वहीं पर थे| शाम को अदू और दूसरों के साथ सत्गड में ही एक छोटा ट्रेक किया| शाम की रोशनी में शिखर लाल दिखाई दे रहे थे| दूर से ही उन्हे अलविदा कहा| अन्धेरा होते होते उस ट्रेक से घर लौटे और अदू एकदम से रोने लगी| दिनभर तो वह खेलने में व्यस्त थी| लेकीन रात में उसे माँ की एकदम से याद आ गई| उसकी माँ और नानी दूसरे स्थान पर गए थे, मौसी भी साथ नही थी| इसलिए एकदम उसके आँसूओं का बांध टूट गया| उसे ऐसे रोता देख कर शक हुआ कि क्या वह हमारे जाने के बाद भी यहाँ रह लेगी? उसका ऐसा रोना देख कर एक बार तो तय भी किया कि हमारे फ्लाईट का टिकिट कैंसिल कर उसके लिए ट्रेन का ही टिकिट निकालूँगा| रात में उसका सामान भी पैक कर के रखा|

 

हिमालय की गोद में... (कुमाऊँ में रोमांचक भ्रमण) १४: रोमांचकारी पाताल भुवनेश्वर

इस लेख माला को शुरू से पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक कीजिए|

कल महाशिवरात्रि थी और आज मै एक अनुठे शिव मन्दिर पर लिख रहा हूँ| उत्तराखण्ड में होने के दौरान पाताल भुवनेश्वर को जाने का अवसर मिला| यह ट्रेक नही था, लेकीन एक ट्रेक जैसी ही थकानेवाली दूर की यात्रा थी| हिमालय में भ्रमण समाप्त होते होते वहाँ जाने का अवसर मिला| ९ नवम्बर की सुबह| गूंजी जैसे ही यह यात्रा जीप से करनी है| पाताल भुवनेश्वर पिथौरागढ़ जिले में ही स्थित है, लेकीन जाने का रास्ता बड़ी दूर से और घूमते हुए जाता है| मज़े की बात यह है कि हम जिस बुँगाछीना में कुछ दिन रहे थे, वहाँ से पैदल पगडण्डी से पाताल भुवनेश्वर पास ही था| लेकीन सड़क घूमते हुए जाती है| सुबह आठ बजे सत्गड से निकले| निकलते समय सत्गड पर बादल छाए हैं और ध्वज मन्दिर बादलों में खो गया है! इस बार हमारे साथ होंगे जितूजी, जो गूंजी के दौरान भी हमारे साथ थे| गाड़ी भी उन्ही की है| पिथौरागढ़ के पास तेल डाल कर बुँगाछीना- थल रास्ते से निकले| निकलते समय जाने की ही यात्रा लगभग १२० किलोमीटर की- कम से कम पाँच घण्टों की है, इसका अन्दाजा नही था| इस रूट पर मै थल- चौकोड़ी- बागेश्वर ऐसा दिसम्बर २०१२ में‌ अकेला घूमा था, उस यात्रा की याद आ रही है| पिथौरागढ़ में २०११ में पहली बार गया था, तब से पाताल भुवनेश्वर के बारे में सुना था| लेकीन जाने का मौका आज आया है!