Arna-Jharna is a beautiful desert museum conceptualized by Padmashri Komal Kothari and brought to life by his son Kuldeep Kothari. I visited the museum about a year ago and was amazed by the way it was built up. Very small team, almost no machines used, 100% indigenous resources, using only the local knowledge for everything and anything. The museum is located on the outskirts of jodhpur. They managed to effectively collect water in the middle of desert and use some of Israeli irrigation techniques to make the entire patch green. This place is full of inspiration, I could share only the pictures.

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As the tragic events unfold since Wednesday in Mumbai the best and the worst of our country has clearly emerged. The real hero's like sandeep unnikrishnan who gave their life to save his fellow commandos and other trapped hostages. Not just the NSG (National Security Guards) but the ATS and Mumbai Police has made huge contribution and lost many brave men.

More about sandeep unnikrishnan

Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan when came into NSG started with the Bihar regiment. He belongs to the state of Kerela and like many other NSG Black Cat Commandos fought bravely.

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Rock on made me Nostalgic. The good old college days and moreover the drive to make music. Rock On! manages to engage you with a simple story of a rock band. How the Band forms, separates due to differences among its members and how they reunite. It is a feel good movie and worth a watch. I would rate this movie 7/10. Somethings that could have been "much much better": Music - Good songs but not great, been experimenting a lot these days with upcoming rock artist in India like Raghu Dixit and found that rock-on missed out making great "hindi rock" numbers. Reminded me about Dil Chahata Hai too many times. One friend who is also comical and easy-to-go patches up two other friends after many years. And many other instances. Characterization of some key characters were Weak. Rob & Joe in particular. How it reminds me of my jamming days at Orange Pale for almost 3 years. The last year in college the band lost some key members and I had to end up singing and manage with a 3 member team. I write much lesser these days and don't compose music anymore. Rock On sure rings a bell!

I have just commenced reading "The Collected Short Stories of Roald Dahl". Recommended by Suman Kumar. It spans to 762 pages, I hope I finish it someday soon. :)

I had clicked Ashwin's niece a few months ago. However, here comes the real beauty. Below is a painting by Ashwin based on a photograph that I had clicked. This is his first attempt to portrait a living person, and indeed a brilliant outcome. Painting by Ashwin Khariwal

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Pramod Mahajan the BJP leader, a great speaker, the mind behind the India Shining campaign is no more. Sad end to a personal who lived on a 'Never say die' attitude.

The first thing you would want to do is stop comparing it to movie like Lagaan and Bhagat Singh. This movie brings a new freshness and perspective to Indian Cinema. It's the story for a SIPOY called Managal Pandey who began the first revolt against East India Company rule in India. The story is not very gripping but that's were it makes a big difference. Aamir Khan who plays the role of Mangal Pandey is so much into the character. It's not being a Hero or how he inspired the freedom movement. Moreover, it's about how a man realizes the true meaning of freedom, self respect and courage.

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I am mad about Ghazals to the extend that I write some myself. There are tons of very high quality songs with soul stiring lyrical values. Nida Fazli and Gulzar are best at it. I was inspired to listen to Ghazal by hearing Nida Fazli's song "Garaj Baras pyasi dharti ko phir pani de moula" (sung by Jagjit Singh). I was generally doing some shareaza lookup for ghazals and hit upon this amazing ghazal written by Nida Fazli (sung by Jagjit and Chitra).

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Great leader and a great poet! I have been inspired time and again by Atalji's poems. My Fav: Kadam Milakar Chalana Hoga.. I salute him and hope to see him write lot more in the years to come. Long live Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

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