Allô Chatrath

For non-veg lovers.........Photo sourced from Nazia Khan's Kitchen  

                                                      Ma-Muahg Si Chum, Sukhothai, Thailand   #    

                                               My kind of food. Photo sourced from 'Desi Food'.

 

  I would love some rasam on this cold foggy day. Photo sourced from Vidhya's Vegetarian Kitchen

  Each one of us bids farewell to the year gone by in one's own way. I spent 31st December 2023 in a cold, foggy cemetery a few kilometers out of the small town of Arezzo in Italy. There is a World War -II cemetery there, where 1265 soldiers of the Allied Forces lie buried/commemorated. Out of these 362 are Indian martyrs. Walking through this cemetery, what stunned me was that out of these 42 Indians had died at the ages of 17, 18 and 19 - in a War which was not theirs.  I paid my respects to these 362 Indians on my own behalf and on behalf of 1.35 crore Indians.   Here is a photo of one of the commemorative stones with details of the name, Unit and the age of the martyr. 45705 RIFLEMAN JAS DAYAL SING RAI 4TH B W O GURKHA RIFLES 27TH JULY 1944 AGE 19 I took photos of all the 362 commemorative stones of Indian soldiers in this cemetery and plan to get those printed in a book form, at my own expense- for documenting the details of the Indian martyrs. Incidentally, I have already got

                                    My kind of food.....Photo sourced from Ramandeep' Kitchen

 I visited and photographed the Monumental Cemeteries of Genoi, Milano and Torino of Italy in 2018.  A few days ago I was back on my trail visiting Perugia Cemetery.  Perugia Monumental Cemetery, also known as the Cimitero Monumentale di Perugia, is a captivating testament to the rich history, art, and culture of the Italian city of Perugia. Nestled on the slopes of Mount Golgota, this cemetery is an architectural masterpiece and a serene resting place that offers a unique blend of tranquility and artistic expression.  The Perugia Monumental Cemetery is not merely a burial ground; it is a veritable outdoor museum that showcases the talents of various Italian artists. Sculptures by renowned artists such as Pietro Tenerani and Prospero Antichi adorn the graves, contributing to the cultural richness of the site. The tombstones themselves become canvases for expression, with elaborate carvings and inscriptions that tell the stories of those laid to rest. Established in the lat

 I had heard of St. Francis of Assisi since decades but never thought that one day I would be visiting this town. I was able to spend 4 days around Xmas of 2023 there. Assisi is a charming town located in the Umbria region of central Italy. Renowned for its rich history, stunning architecture, and spiritual significance, Assisi holds a special place in the hearts of many visitors. Here are some key points about Assisi: Assisi is famously known as the birthplace of St. Francis, the founder of the Franciscan order and one of the most revered saints in Christianity. The town is a major pilgrimage site, attracting visitors from around the world to explore the Basilica of St. Francis and other religious sites. Basilica of St. Francis: This UNESCO World Heritage site is a masterpiece of medieval art and architecture. The basilica consists of two main churches, the Upper Church and the Lower Church, both adorned with frescoes by renowned artists like Giotto and Cimabue. The basilica is a