How Tradesmen Ruined the Sangam in Name of "Religion"

Triveni Sangam, Allahabad

I went to Allahabad for work recently, where I decided to go see Triveni Sangam, where three rivers meet -  Ganga, Yamuna — and the invisible Saraswati River.

First of all, the boatmen charge a bomb to go there. Make sure you bargain and not pay over Rs. 450/- if you are alone (Initially, they quoted Rs. 1250/-!). The boat ride itself is pleasant, but the duration is exaggerated. It takes only about 20 to 25 minutes one way and they tell you it takes one hour.

When you reach Triveni Sangam, you are made to sit before an eternally smiling Pandit, who will have you believe he works for God, when he only works for the ‘Gandhis’ in your pocket. He’ll perform the puja and make you also pay for coconut used in the puja. Although, he says that ayment is optional and we can give whatever amount we choose, that is absolutely a lie. If you give a 50 rupee note, he will say ‘50 mein kya hota hai!?’and he will force you to pay at least 200! Please refrain from sitting with these pretend pundits.

The actual difference in the water colour is something which isn’t that evident. Perhaps it can only be seen in certain light at certain time. The Saraswati river is supposed to be invisible and it is believed to be flowing under these two rivers.

The only thing you will see for certain are people getting naked and bathing in the water to wash their sins, without even repenting them and tradesmen and “god-men” trying to exploit them... If you are religious, do go to the Sangam, but try to ignore all the things people trying to corrupt your religion. I think the State Government should regulate the fare charges and also the sums charged by the so-called “Pandits”. If this is done, the seren location will no doubt, become far more enjoyable.

----------------

Why I pick Trains over Planes

The Indian Railways is one of the biggest employers in the world. Even without statistical data, this is rather apparent to anyone who travels in inter-state trains, especially for long journeys exceeding 24 hours. Travelling in these trains will show you a variety of people, from different parts of India, having different backgrounds.

Trains v. Planes

From a plane one can see a whole stretch of land or a vast portion of the sea. But in order to really feel minuscule or insignificant you have travel the same distance by rail, since travelling in trains is like observing each and every dot of an impressionist painting. The only question you have to ask yourself is whether you are ready to witness the world from that perspective.

Building Character

I have, personally, found that travelling in General compartment for over 24 hours at a time builds character and endurance. All modern day philosophers must perform exercise at least two or three times. If you are not ready for that level challenge, the next but best thing is to climb into Sleeper class with a General ticket and pay the fine to the T.C. You won’t get allocated a seat, but you’ll be allowed to be inside the sleeper coach. Please don’t pick a high-end train like Rajdhani. Pick one of the lesser known trains.

This way you will have to learn to “manage”, and share seats. Your sitting down will depend on the kindness of others. You may find yourself constantly shifting from one place to another. Getting a place to sleep will be exceptionally tricky. If you are not so lucky you may have to stand for most of the journey.

You will get plenty of time for self-analysis and to be lost in thought. You all know what its like to sit at the window seat during a 20 minute bus journey. Now, imagine that lasting for about 24 hours. If you don’t have any luggage your mind will be free to wander. Keep a pen and paper on you in case you are the type of person who likes to jot down good ideas or thoughts that may end up be life altering.  However, if you do have luggage which you have to keep an eye on, that will make the journey all the more challenging.  

As for myself, I will be performing this ritual annually so that I am reminded to remain simple, considerate and cautious.

---------------------- 

Fun. Freedom. Confidence. The Datsun redi-GO.

Why choose one when you can choose both? We often find ourselves choosing between ‘fashion’ and ‘function’. But what if we could have both in one? Fortunately, when it comes to cars, we no longer have to choose just one. That’s right, the new Datsun redi-GO, with the nest of Japanese technology, has arrived. This car is the perfect fusion of compact crossover & urban hatchback. Style, comfort, looks, efficiency, you can have it all in just one brilliant car.

It would take me forever to go into the all the magnificent features of the Datsun redi-GO, that’s why I’m only going to tell you about my favourite three features:

1)      Superior Air-Conditioning: I don’t have to tell you guys how hot India is, especially during the summer. That’s why it is absolutely essential to have a powerful air conditioner. The Datsun redi-GO’s air conditioner makes sure that theinside of the car is cool,no matter how hot it is outside. So it doesn’t matter whether you are driving at Ladhak or through a dessert in Rajasthan, the passengers of Datsun redi-GO will have a peaceful and comfortable journey. The car’s AC has a huge 89 CC compressor with a high cooling capacity. Its AC vent ensures that half of the air flow is given to the passengers on the back seats. How considerate!

2)      Modern Exterior Design: Like I already emphasised above, and as I am sure you all will agree, looks do matter! A car is not just a vehicle to transport you from one place to another, but it also something you want to use show-off in public. The exterior design of a car is not just about looks, but also matters to its efficiency. The Datsun redi-GO’s exterior design is absolutely unique! It’s compact & sleek, yet it can intimidate all the other drivers on the road and show to them that you are not a force to be reckoned with. The instrument panel is fancy and efficient. The silver touch gives it a really classy look.

3)      Fuel Economy: Your car doesn’t belong in the parking lot. It deserves to be driven. But how far can you really afford to go? Fuel prices are going in only one direction – UP! We need and deserve a car which gives a good mileage. The Datsun redi-GO’s 799cc engine provides a peppy response and an impressive fuel economy of 25.17 km/L. There’s no need to empty your pockets just to go for a drive. Travel far and wide without a care in the world. Explore new places. Yes, all this is possible with the  Datsun redi-GO.

You can book your own Datsun redi-GO right now by simply downloading the Datsun India app. You can also book it through the e-commerce website ‘Snapdeal’, or by visiting your nearest Datsun dealership. I’m booking mine today, and after reading the above I’m sure that you will too!

Fun. Freedom. Confidence. The ultimate Urban Cross - Datsun redi-GO - the capability of a crossover with the convenience of a hatchback.