Who is a Hindu?

To a question that was sent to him by one of the members of the audience. What is a Hindu? What is the origin of the world? Is there anything called Hinduism?

These were pertinent questions for the time. Gandhiji stated, “I am not a historian. I lay claim to no learning but I have read in some authentic books on Hinduism that the word “Hindu” did not occur in the Vedas, but when Alexander the Great invaded India, the inhabitants of the country to the east of Sindhu were described as Hindus. The letter “S” had become “H” in Greek. The religion of these inhabitants became Hinduism and, as they knew it, it was a most tolerant religion. It gave shelter to the early Christians who had fled from persecution, also to the Jews known as Beni-Israel, as also to the Parsis. I am proud to belong to that Hinduism, which was all-inclusive and which stood for tolerance. The Aryan scholars swore by what they called Vedic religion, and Hindustan was otherwise known as Aryavarta. I have no such aspiration. Hindustan of my conception was all-sufficing for me. IT certainly included the Vedas, but it included also much more. I could defect no inconsistency in declaring that I could, without any whatsoever impairing the dignity of Hinduism, pay equal homage to the best of Islam, Christianity, Zoroastrianism and Judaism. And such Hinduism will live as long as the sun shines. Tulsidas summed it up in one doha: “The root of religion is embedded in mercy, whereas egotism is rooted in love of the body. Tulsi says that mercy should never be abandoned, even though the body perishes”

M.K Gandhi

21 November 1947

Source: Gandhi Smriti. New Delhi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZBbLoLaR-E

Beloved Mumbai's Sad State of Affairs

• Mumbai is so dark, sadistic city. It seems this city is from the stone age era with modern inventions, struggling to set its feet into the future.
• Some parts of Mumbai looks like there has been a war, illegally demolished shops not cleared. Khataaras (old non-operational junk vehicles) lying all around the city.
• Mumbaikars are always in rush.
• Tin can BEST buses seem to be coming from a war zone.
• At the end of the day, Mumbai looks tired, according to research, a walk near the seacoast will help you to relieve stress, but our waterfronts are underdeveloped and unliveable
• Mumbai Eastern Waterfront is stuck in limbo with MbPT and Western Waterfront is in mess to make a way for the controversial coastal road.
• Mumbai needs a visionary leader with a strong love for people.

Travelling in Mumbai | Autorickshaw, Local Train, Bus, Metro

Travelling in Mumbai is not as easy as you think. It's a nightmare! Being a world-class city in 21st Century Mumbai still, don't have a common mobility card like major cities around the globe. We have no idea when it is going to be launch. Just like other projects, integrated ticketing is stuck in government bureaucracy and conflicts. In previous attempts, Mumbai did try to set RFID based smart card first back in 2000 and then in 2007 but because of lack of knowledge and lack of awareness to commuters the smart ticketing system failed miserably. Also, not to forget the lack of technical knowledge, the know-how of the card to authorities. 

The public transport in Mumbai consists of bus, monorail, metro, the local commuter train connecting downtown commercial district in the south with suburbs in the north-west and north-east. All of them are operated independently by different government organisation except for Mumbai Metro line 1 (Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar). Buses are operated by BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport). Brihanmumbai means Greater Mumbai. Monorail operated MMRDA, Suburban commuter train operated by Western Railway and Central Railway and Metro rail operated by Reliance (Line 1) and Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL). 

Then we have satellite cities of Mumbai (Thane and Navi Mumbai) operating their own buses within Mumbai city limits. 

All of them have their own ticketing system which makes commuting in Mumbai the most expensive travel. 

The suburban trains are known as the lifeline of Mumbai. It carries a maximum number of commuters than any other mode of public transport. You must have heard the term "Super-Dense Crush Load" this is the nickname given to an entire suburban rail network. This is because of the extensive reach of the train network across the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR 6,355 square km). The rail network is the most overcrowded in the world. Tourists are advised not to use trains during morning and evening peak hours. I have myself never travelled on a local train during peak hours. 

Western Railways operates train network in western part of the city from Churchgate to Dahanu Road and the railway line between Vasai and Thane on the Central Railway network

Central Railways operates train network in eastern part of Mumbai city limits, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivali all the way to Kasara in the east, Khopoli in the south-east, the harbour line connecting Mumbai to Navi Mumbai all the way to Uran (Uran line will be completed by December 2019) and lastly the trans-harbour link connecting Vashi in Navi Mumbai to Thane. Central Railway also operates harbour line on Western Railway from Goregoan to Kurla. 

The major interchange on Suburban rail network are:

Dadar is the major interchange for the commuters on Central Railway and Western Railway.

Kurla is the interchange for the commuters on the harbour line to go to western suburbs

Thane is the interchange for commuters travelling on trans-harbour lin between Vashi and Thane.

Rail map of Mumbai

Historically, travel in Mumbai has always been north to south in the morning and south to north in the evening. This is mainly due to Mumbai's geography. East-West travel has always been a nightmare. Even after the opening of new roads Jogeshwari-Vikroli link road (JVLR) and Santacruz-Chembur link road (SCLR). Before the link roads, they were fewer roads to connect eastern suburbs and western suburbs.

Other modes of transport have management issues especially bus are making a continuous loss and are not able to recover operating cost as well. This is purely because of mismanagement issues within the organisation. 

The monorail is also into a loss because of improper planning. Hopefully, this will change when the entire line is thrown open to the public by March 2019. Fingers Cross! 

Mumbai Metro line 1 is the most expensive metro rail in the world and all thanks to the PPP model (Public-Private Partnership) with Reliance. While other lines of Mumbai Metro are still under construction will be completed by 2020-2023.

Non-Functioning AVTM

RFID Card for Western Railway

Functioning AVTM at Andheri Railway Station 

Santacruz Station Overbridge

Andheri Railway Station

The indicator on Andheri Suburban Railway Station 

The indicator (above) showing seven trains arriving at Andheri Station.

The format of the indicator is:

Number of rakes, Destination code, ETA, Fast/Slow, Platform Number

Mumbai Local Train Western Railway

Inside Mumbai Local Train

Auto Rickshaw in Mumbai

Traffic Jam in Mumbai

Western Express Highway Mumbai Metro (Line 1) Station

Old Rickety BEST bus Interior

Lost Civic Sense | Littering, Spitting Gutka and Paan Masala - The Thug Life of Mumbai locals

Disgusting and speechless and ashamed of my own countrymen who have no idea about their action and its consequences in society. No matter where you go in Mumbai or whichever building you enter you will see red paan(betel leaf) stains at every nook and corner of Mumbai. There are rules and regulations set by property management and civic administrators but sadly no one abides. 

The management is not keen to enforce the same. 

Don't know what to say about this Mumbai.

Why? Why? Why?

Do you do these?

Don't you want to keep our city clean, beautiful, safe and attractive?

Do you spit and litter in your own house?

No right, then why dirty public places in Mumbai?

You say NaMo again in 2019, let's vote for him in the next elections. But are you willing to follow the initiative started by him, Swaachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Movement)?

Slow down, think about your action!

If you spit deliberately, it's an assault. You can be booked and charged for common assault. 

Jio Fibre to home | Neighbours | Conflict | Light to the world

After waiting for months and months, Jio is finally decided to bring fibre from the road to my apartment building. The work has started with the installation of the terminal box inside the compound. Everything was going smoothly during the day, but at night just before midnight, one of the neighbours came out and ripped off all the protective coverings that were fixed to bring the fibre cable from the road into the terminal box (there were no cables inside.) He didn't even organise the meeting or talk just went out and ripped off the coverings

I blew my mind, raised my voice to the top when I saw him arguing with my father about the fibre to home internet connection. His argument, he doesn't want to get fibre in his apartment. I feel bad for raising my voice and I feel he was completely wrong to go out and ripped off the protective coverings. Literally felt like slapping on his face. In fact, I did pick up one of the pipes but I didn't hit him.

But later at home in my room, I had this question in my mind, How can I be the light on the mountain God wants me to be in this world, the light that I will able to attract people to Jesus?

I kept praying to God and consulting my brothers in Christ on personal messaging apps for encouragement. I didn't know what to do. 

I also read a devotion on Our Daily Bread, titled The Battle  

Psalm 39:1-7 spoke directly to my heart. 

I said to myself, “I will watch what I do

    and not sin in what I say.

I will hold my tongue

    when the ungodly are around me.”

 But as I stood there in silence—

    not even speaking of good things—

    the turmoil within me grew worse.

The more I thought about it,

    the hotter I got,

    igniting a fire of words:

 “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.

    Remind me that my days are numbered—

    how fleeting my life is.

 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.

    My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;

    at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude

 We are merely moving shadows,

    and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.

We heap up wealth,

    not knowing who will spend it.

 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?

    My only hope is in you.

Psalms 38 and 39 express David’s regret for unnamed wrongs (38:3–4; 39:10). He may have written these psalms after being forced to admit his adultery with Bathsheba and his conspiracy to kill her husband (2 Samuel 11–12). Or they might reflect the tragic aftermath of his decision to call for a census to assess the military strength of his nation (ch. 24).

What is clear is that with these two sad songs the second king of Israel gave us a picture of a heart on fire (Psalm 39:3). Both reflect the refining process used by the Spirit of God to lovingly burn away the illusions of our own efforts to satisfy or defend ourselves at the expense of others. Once begun, the fire becomes light. For David, the flames of his wrongs also spread to consume his confidence in a fleeting life (vv. 4–5) and our phantomlike rush to accumulate temporary material wealth (vv. 6, 11).

By: Mart DeHaan

I hope and I pray God takes control of this situation and make things right in this neighbourhood. 

May all the glory belongs to our God.

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

He is a car mechanic and he does not understand what is needed inside the building to have optic fibre high-speed internet. It is just like installing a DB box inside the apartment or cable tv box inside
the building or electric junction box in the neighbourhood. The "box" contains pairs of telephone connections say for about 8 to 16 Telephone connections in an apartment complex. The number depends upon the number of apartments or units in the building.

I hope the people in my neighbourhood understand they cannot say no to the junction box. 

All they can do is, do not sign up with the internet service provider. 

103 24-hour helpline | Eye Watch App | Women Safety In Mumbai

To keep Mumbai safe for all and increasing crime against women in the city. Authorities in Mumbai are continuous efforts to keep working ladies in the city safe from eve teasers, physical torture, mental and sexual harassment.

When you are in Mumbai, it is good to know what are your options when it comes to your personal safety.

1. 103  is a 24-hour helpline for crime against women in Mumbai and the police will be there immediately to take action. It is up to you to make that call.

2. Eye watch app (Available for both (iOSand Andriod)
According to Eye watch website, it is the most advanced personal safety solution.

"With the click of a button, Eyewatch informs your Call Guardians where you are and what is happening. Eyewatch is the only known app in the world which captures audio before activation, Records Video after, and calls your Call Guardians one after the other on Speakerphone automatically. Eyewatch uses both GPS and Network triangulation algorithms to determine your location with maximum accuracy and share it with your call Guardians."

Basic health & safety is non-existence in Mumbai | Road Safety

Mumbai the global city of India, the home for Bollywood Hindi and Marathi film industry. The place where everyone comes to fulfil their dream career. The place where everyone can live in peace and harmony. But with one condition. there is no regard for the human life in Mumbai, The basic health and safety regulations are in non-existence in Mumbai. From food eateries to road safety, from physical hazards to social egoistic self-centric issues (road rages) your life is in continuous danger. Whenever you leave your home, there is no guarantee you will reach home safe and sound. In the previous articles in this blog, you must have noticed some photos of the road code violations such as double parking, illegal parking in the middle of the road, wrong side driving, parking on the footpath, etc., 

In this article, you will see more shocking photos from a food joint and CCTV video footage of a road shared on Twitter, the popular social media site. 

The year 2018 the city has witnessed the number of fire incidents, Monorail fire, famously reported by media the Kamala mills fire and the countless number of fire in the apartment blocks. In the above photo, you can see the serious fire hazard, one accidental gas leak and one accident spark, BOOM! 

Unclean chairs, food not covered, a total unhygenic conditions.

No protective casing on wires, switchboard not secured

Wires on the floor, one can sprain their ankle especially one of their employees. 

Poor employees who have to work in these conditions just to earn their livelihood
and feed their families.  

Yes, this is a registered place, not an illegal roadside street food vendor located in
Vakola, Santacruz East. 

Road safety compromise during the nakabandi (checkpoints to checks on motorists and bikers). In the incident, the traffic police officer tried to stop a biker who was riding without the helmet, but unfortunately the biker tried to dodge the police officer. In the process, he hit the officer, himself and his female companion. The video is shared extensively on Twitter. The Twitterati have split minds with some blaming the officer and some blaming the biker for not stopping. Here is my unbias opinion on who to blame.

The placement of barricades, If you notice the barricades are placed one on the left and other on the right. This is done so that motorist can slow down and go zig-zag. But in the video, you can notice motorist have right of way to go straight in full speed. Seriously Pathetic!

So, who is to blame? Well, every operation has the manager and the supervisor who is responsible for the safe execution of the operation and they are also responsible for the health and safety of their employees and patrons.

In this case, the head constable or supervising officer needs to be called for further investigation and should be suspended for a month and biker should be booked for negligent, rash driving and causing intentional harm to the officer.

What actually happened: Biker was booked but no investigation was carried within the department.

Unless enforcer authorities are not trained properly such incidents are bound to happen.

Online Job Scams

Internet fraud is rampant, and scammers prey on job seekers. Your best defence is to do your research and report internet job scams.”

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/top-job-scam-warning-signs-2062181

Job scams, they are everywhere. If you are peer pressured by from family, relatives and friends in looking for a job, you are more likely to fall victim for these scams. And because of peer pressures, it is hard to tell the difference. Here are some of the ways that can help you to identify fake job offers and avoid getting scams.

1. Scammers do not follow standard procedures. Google is your best defence. Be suspicious, Do your own research. If you are not sure, ASK PEOPLE AROUND YOU.

Don’t be pressured to act immediately. Always be vigilant in your job search.

2. If they call you or you have made a contact with the scammer via phone or in-person. Note they will always insist you to PAY FIRST.

DO NOT PAY A SINGLE AMOUNT VIA ANY MEANS.

NO WIRE TRANSFER, NO PAYPAL, NO WESTERN UNION, NO MONEYGRAM, NO DIGITAL WALLETS AND OF COURSE NOT EVEN CRYPTOCURRENCY OR GIFT CARDS

No employer will ever ask you for money. Do not pay any money not even visa charges.

3. If scammers have their own website. Don’t fall for it. The design of the website may seem impressive but there are numerous errors on their website.
Some of the subpages on their website does not exist
Social Media page does not exist. Their social media page is almost non-existent. Despite displaying social media icons on their website.
You will see following address on your address bar www.website.com/#
The mobile number displayed instead typical landline number.
Google Reverse Search the images on the website. Images either taken from free stock photos or from a totally different website.

4. Google the content of the message.
The best way to avoid being the victim of the scam is to Google the contents of the message. Chances are you are not the first victim of the scammer. Googling the contents will definitely put more light on the recruiter and the company.

“All that glitters is not gold”

5. You receive a text message, “Your cv is has been shortlisted as a Security/Guard for Singapore job Kindly send your resume and passport in this mail id given below. mayra@huxley.co.in” If you have received these kinds of messages. Do not fall for it. It is definitely a trap.
Warning Signs: There are grammatical errors in the message.
And the most important, if they have your CV why do they want you to send your resume.

Most Important, Do not be afraid to pray for help. There is no point in suffering any longer than you have to. God not only accepts our calls for help; He encourages them. The Bible’s book of Psalm gives many examples of believers, who had exhausted their own resources and needed divine help.

Psalm 116:3-4

Death wrapped its ropes around me;
the terrors of the grave[a] overtook me.
I saw only trouble and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“Please, Lord, save me!”

Mumbai International Airport | The Peacock Theme Terminal 2

Mumbai International Airport's Terminal 2 is the award-winning world-class airport terminal building in India. The design of the terminal is based on India's national bird, Peacock. I clearly remember when I first step into the old terminal building which now completely demolished. the place of smelly and filthy and reminded me of the smell of files and folders in the government office. But now the airport has been completely been transformed into a world-class terminal.  

Here are some of the glimpse Terminal 2:

The beautiful green trees at the fresh new feeling to the travellers. 

Nicely parked airside people mover buses. Sadly, you will never see this kind of parking and road marking in the city. 

Jaya He Art GVK museum is wonderful to tribute artists in India. You will see artworks all around the terminal even at the baggage carousel. The artworks at the terminal help to rejuvenate one's mind after landing, you can look around at the artworks as you walk towards the border and immigration control checks.  

For more information on Jaya He Art Museum:

Visit their official website https://csia.in/atcsia/jayahe.aspx

Airport Operation Nightmare: Immigration Bureaucracy: This is so ridiculous.
Immigration Dept doesn't trust their own officers. They need a second officer to double check thus delaying passengers from taking their baggage from the conveyor belt. 

Result: Baggage handlers take off the bags from the conveyor belt and place them in a hazardous manner.
The employees and the management have successfully turned world-class terminal into a third class terminal

Shivaji Park | Dadar Beach @ Night

Matunga Flyover | Mumbai

The nicest thing I have seen in Mumbai after ten years the beautification of the space underneath the Matunga flyover. This is wonderful to keep away slum dwellers, roadside gambling den, drug addicts from encroaching into public spaces making our city ugliest city in the world.

Have a look at the amazing work:

Traffic violations is everywhere in Mumbai

The traffic violation is the common sight all over Mumbai. Citizens hardly care about the city and authorities, especially traffic police have given up penalising citizens. Oh! do citizens even pay traffic infringement penalty in Mumbai? In this article are some of the photos of common traffic infringement in Mumbai.

10 years ago, there was the rule for parking, based on dates. On even dates park on left-side and on odd dates park on right-side. But now, people hardly care about parking they park where ever there is space. The lane in Ganesh Peth Lane, Dadar. There is a sign on the both telling the drivers, which side to park on a certain date. But unfortunately, as usual, the sign is not maintained and needs to be redone.  

A driver of this vehicle has to be very careful while passing through such lanes.

I would blame BMC for not removing or monitoring the removal of debris by the demolition contractors. If this debris is not removed where will motorist and bikers park their vehicle? Court of Law, are you listening?

Traffic violation by Auto drivers. They hardly care where to park and look for fares, not to forget they have the habit to refuse fares. 

Internationally. there is a rule. You cannot park 20 meters away from the bus stop and  5 meters after the bus stop, but here in Mumbai people don't care about such rules and authorities are not even willing to paint yellow lines to warn drivers.

There might be no road markings, but about common sense.
It seems that people have lost common sense in the chase of money and luxurious lifestyles

And in the absence of any road marking,
people stop on the road for the bus stop.

Internationally, this could be illegal. But not in Mumbai

Double parking violation, does this biker and driver of the Honda city even care for other road users? Turn on the hazard light and relax and wait for your passenger to finish shopping. 

This mini truck lost his mind completely. I doubt the contractor or the loaders know this can be the hazard for other road users? Even red cloth is not tied to the end. 

Where are pedestrian suppose to walk?
The dear car owner is it ok if I climb over your car? 

Or have you sold your common sense to buy these cars?

I understand, the footpath is wide enough, but still,
this is not an excuse to park on the footpath. 

Where is the parking? Right in the middle of the road

I wouldn't be surprised if this could start a road rage.

Take another look!

If you can see the boundary of the car park,
you know these three cars are illegally parked on the road. 

This car is not broken down, just illegally double parking on the turn. Using hazard lights is the new fashion to park anywhere in Mumbai.

This car is not broken down, just illegally double parking on the turn. Using hazard lights is the new fashion to park anywhere in Mumbai.

If the biker had parked his bike properly. they would have been enough space for 

the car to park in the bay.

What is wrong with these cars? Just look at the distance from the kerb.
Who gave them a license to drive?

How many hazards can you see on the footpath in the photos below?
Dear Authorities, Ask yourself some of these questions:
Is it safe to walk?
Is it safe for all masses, including disabled and blind people?

this is one of the reason why pedestrian always walks on the road.

How many abandon cars do we see on Mumbai roads?

Ladies parked their car in the middle of the road and chit chatting.
Did you actually sell your common sense to buy Chevy?
Oh! almost forgot. common sense is not common anymore.

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Is this sign deliberately moved, to avoid infringement?

Another one!

and another one, and there are many such signs in Mumbai City limits

Parking just before the pedestrian, obstructing the view of pedestrians who want to

use the crosswalk. Isn't this dangerous?

Obstructing the view of the bus for public transport users

Driving from the wrong side just to go to another side of the road.
People are so impatient

Here is another biker

This car over the top, Parking on the directly on the traffic lane.
look at the lane division lines.

From the front, look again!

The Internet is full of such photos, but yet the authorities who can make a change and penalise errant citizens have turned their blind eye towards all these situations. Things are just looking to get worst.

Every day when I look at the twitter handles of city dwellers, my heart boils with anger, but sadly I can't do anything as my hands are tied by the law of this land. I feel utterly helpless and I am sad to see this world-class alpha city getting perish under corrupt, non-performing civic workers.