Allô Chatrath

  I have visited Ratangiri Monastery in Jajpur district of Odisha twice. It is on the flat hill top and affords a panoramic view of the surrounding. It might have been chosen by the Buddhist establishment for its isolated eminence which ensures the monks seclusion for the serene and calm atmosphere necessary for monastic life, meditation and studies.   Excavations conducted by Archeological Survey of India in late 1960s yielded the remains of an impressive stupa (Stupa I) surrounded by a large number of votive stupas of varying dimensions, two quadrangular monasteries (monastaries 1 &2), a single winged huge monastery with beautiful carved doorjamb and lintel, specious open court yard, cells and verandahs facing the courtyard with a large sanctum enshrining colossal Buddha. The existence of temple with curvilinear tower is only one of its kind discovered in Odisha. From the impressive remains and a large number of sculptures discovered during excavations, it is clear t...

  I visited the Bonda Hills for the first time in 1968 when I was under training in the undivided Koraput district of Odisha.   There was no road and we had to climb/walk for about 19 kms. I went there again in 2001 and noted that there were improvements. Road had been built for around 10 kms and there was a Kanyashram or tribal girls hostel nearby. The Bonda people are a tribal people who currently live in the hills of Odisha’s Malkangiri district in India. There are two different Bonda tribes: the Upper Bondas with a population of 6,700 who are the most isolated from mainstream Indian society, and the Lower Bonda with a population of 17,000. Upper Bondas have almost no connection to the outside world. On both the occasions I had a meal there. They grow brown rice which is almost roundish and has a pleasant aroma. The Bondas are generally semi-clothed, the women wear thick silver neck bands. The Bonda attire is expl...

  Coming very soon - my 32nd book with photos, on the Indian non-combatants who died in France during WW-I. They were non-arms carrying personnel who had nothing to protect themselves during War and were pure fodder. Details presented would include their names, details of the units to which they belonged dates of deaths, fathers’ and village’s names in India from where they went and the name and plot numbers of the cemeteries in France where they lie buried/cremated. ‘They’ have been waiting for more than a hundred years in France waiting for some one from their country to come and visit ‘them’. I spent a Diwali among some of ‘them’ in one of the cemeteries in France a few years back.

  ‘CAG reveals Rlys' insensitive handling of rescued kids’ news; https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/cag-reveals-rlys-insensitive-handling-of-rescued-kids-464590 With due respects Mr. C.A.&G Sir, your mandate is to check and audit the accounts. Examining and judging the ‘sensitivity’ of government departments does not come within the purview of your jurisidiction.

                               Yaksha Gomukha, found at Bhubaneswar, date circa 7th century AD.                Transportation of elephant by boat, found at Bhubaneswar, date circa 11th century AD.                                                       Cool entrance to the Museum    Chackakhai, found at Bahugram, date circa 13th-14th century AD.

 

  This broken piece shows that the deceased belonged to the 'Black Watch' unit of the Royal Highlanders. This grave stone is of Pte. Robert Walker, of the 42nd Royal Highlanders, The Black Watch, who died on 8th August 1864 aged 30 years and 3 months. Dagshai being at an elevation of around 6000 ft above sea level, was used for convalescence station of of sick British officers and soldiers. 

 

 Come visit Panchkula...Come visit my India.