Category Archives: BLOG

Awareness, Transport

Surat gets rolling with E-bus prototype launched

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Highlights

  • Surat City has well established Public transport system under City Bus link as well as BRTS.
  • BRTS is well managed corridor with separate lanes for buses running with GPS controlled system.
  • Citizens can check live tracking of buses on Sitilink app as well as on Google Maps.

To add color to the existing bus network within the city, E-Bus have been rolled out as a prototype. On successful implementation of Electric buses in the city will ensure sustainable development as well as reduce carbon footprint of the city. This is will add to the overall green energy contribution and usage of the city. By using public transport, citizens can do their bit in contributing to the development of the city as well as reducing their own personal carbon footprint.

Almost all corners of the city are covered by existing bus network and new routes are added every month based on demand and usage. Major busy bus routes have buses running every 15-30 minutes depending on the hour of the day.

With the expansion of city as well as growth in population, Surat needs to add new cutting edge technologies and solutions to keep abreast in the growth and development of city. Electric buses are one novel solution alike.

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Awareness, SURAT

Nat Geo Show : The Next Frontier – Smart Cities India

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Nat Geo Show on Smart Cities in India has been very well documented. It features the development with respect to Smart Cities mission in cities like Surat, Vishakapatnam, Pune and Varanasi. Each city is leading it’s change in particular aspect as necessary in the city. As these cities set the benchmark for development, implementation and projects in regards to smart technologies, other cities can replicate similar implementation at their level.

SURAT

Under the Smart Cities implementation projects Surat is leading in transportation and public services. Surat Municipal Corporation managed Bus Rapid Transit System BRTS is a fully functional centralized GPS system based Bus transport system in the city with a separate corridor for the buses. The system is centrally managed and monitor with over 270 buses running across the city. Electronically managed timings shown on the display inside the bus stops provided a glimpse of the waiting time for the passengers. Online booking of tickets and schedule help to avoid queues.

To promote the use of Public transport – City mayor travels to work via BRTS once in a week. Surat also has bicycles for use at various junctions to provide last mile service. (Not shown in the show)

City is monitored from the command center and actions taken respectively to correct any course.

VISHAKAPATNAM

Vishakapatnam is leading this frontier by developing new projects in the city for beautification, public parks and various projects undertaken to set a benchmark in design, development and public awareness and sensitivity. Under such projects one of the park has been developed keeping in mind the requirements for special children who seem to be enjoying and having a good time everyday in such park.

Popularity of that park has raised curiousity in other city administrators and Commissioners who seem to be interested in replicating similar projects in their own cities. We must set such benchmark in every front of development and implementation in projects across India.

Similar large scale park is being developed with facility for skating at national level by the same team. Along with local plants and greenery, design and astetics are given prime importance. Such projects boost the morale of city dwellers and create a positive vibe for the future.

PUNE

Pune is leading in technology implementation under Smart cities. Pune has implemented Emergency Call Boxes which are attended and managed by a central help centre. Any kind of Emergencies are attended by a call and immediate action taken via various departments in place.

Entire city is under observation via centrally managed system and every occasion is planned for. Any traffic movement is routed via centrally managed display hoardings.

VARANASI

Varanasi is leading the change in restoring archeological sites and monuments of cultural importance. Once such project near the Ganga river is go restore a temple and build a complex which is connected to the river directly. Major services will be upgraded to latest modern technology and services like online darshan, pre-booking, personalized guide and similar are available.

Development across various cities and projects under taken to improve the functioning of cities along with public participation is bringing some of the cities to global standards and similar projects are replicated by smaller cities in frontiers of energy, transportation, digitization, cleanliness, hygiene, emergency and healthcare services and centrally operated services.

India is changing with it’s cities becoming smarter and people adopting new technologies. In times to come, some of the cities will be the leaders in many frontiers and set benchmark in city functioning. We wish to see many more such projects unfold and provide comfort to the citizens.

Awareness

Things you must do in heavy monsoon and flood-like situation

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  • Look before you leave on Maps
  • Do not panic if you find any route blocked or in water
  • Try to avoid street roads or shortcut roads. Take main roads and known roads.
  • Don’t go out unless necessary
  • Keep yourself updated with the situation by local newspaper, local news channels and your contacts in the city
  • Order online for things that you can
  • If you are stuck in somewhere, follow the herd and avoid taking any individual route. Follow the basics. Keep sanity and stick to the norms.
  • If you find anywhere water is sipping or rushing fast, avoid going that side.
  • Use a stick or some support, if you are walking in water. Keep high alert and keep calm.
  • Keep contact of emergency numbers handy like local fire station, rescue helpline, NDRF helpline, Ambulance and Police. As well as corporation helpline.
Festivals

Janmashtami 2020 – The Celebrations of Krishna Birth

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Krishna Janmashtami is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. It is observed according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha in Shraavana or Bhadrapad, which overlaps with August or September of the Gregorian calendar.

This year – Janmashtami falls on 12-Aug-2020

The celebrations are being done on family level and most of them either celebrating with a Krishna idol in cradle or dressing their little kids as young Krishna.

Overall ambiance has uplifted due to the celebrations and it is going to increase with more festivals in line.

Krishna is considered to be the avatar of Vishnu, one of the Trinity – other two being Shiv and Brahma.

The Purpose of Birth

Krishna’s avatar was responsible for curbing the evil spread by Kansh who happens to be his maternal uncle. The birth story of Krishna involves lot of hurdles which his parents being put in prison and how he escapes it in a magical way. The Leela of Krishna starts from early childhood and continues until he plays a crucial role in the Kuruskshetra war between Pandavs and Kauravs.

Krishna has provided baseline lessons regarding every phase of life and also preached about the right way to live :

  • He has shown by example of his life.
  • He overcame his situations and became the master of it.
  • He faced innate difficulties yet always showcased positivity.
  • He was a guide in true sense.
  • He was a warrior in his own life.
  • He was a musician – playing beautiful music on flute.
  • He was a king. He was a ruler of Dwarka. He was a good friend to Sudhama.
  • He was a charmer in love and relationships.

He has so many names based on his Leelas and roles he has taken in his life. And he has left behind a blueprint for living social life. He has given his teachings in the form of Geeta – The Bhagavad Geeta – one of the finest lessons of life. It is said that all answers lie within it. One who seeks will find it.

Krishna belief has transformed India in ways that has never happened. Places like Mathura, Vrindavan and Dwarka are associated with Krishna. These places are considered to be Religious spots and are revoured deeply by the people of India.

Dwarka is considered to be one of the “Char Dham” – places of prime religious importance. The Char Dham are located in different directions of India forming a logical geographical boundary. Badrinath in the North, Jagannath Puri in the East, Rameshwaram in the South and Dwarka in the West.

The disciples of Krishna are huge and follow various interdisciplinary ideologies based in location and the era they belong to. Similar one modern belief group of Krishna – ISKCON is internationally famous and followed across countries around the world. The people who seek peace and harmony, find the answers and way through the consciousness.

The beauty of the Life of Krishna has lessons which are timeless, priceless and very much relevant in modern times. We can seek and find ways to uplift our social, personal and professional lives.

May you find the path you seek – by consciousness.

Posts by other creative bloggers

Gokulashtami 2020 by Vidraghu

JANMASHTAMI CELEBRATION IN INDIA BY KUNTALA

Health

What should be your diet if you have Corona like symptoms

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Corona like symptoms – cough, cold, shivering, fever, sour throat, bitter taste, body pains and similar experience related to ARI. For any examination and diagnosis, contact doctor and medical expertise for relief and immediate attention.

You may follow similar diet to get relief and feel better –

  • Drink lukewarm water
  • Add honey and lemon juice into lukewarm water
  • Drink citrus juice – Orange, Mosambi, Melon and others
  • Eat fruits – Apple, Pine Apple, Pomegranate, Papaya, Kiwi and others
  • Drink Kadha – made from Indian spices as a constant immunity booster and instant relief to throat and nose.
  • Keep clean and dry
  • Wash your hands often. Use sanitizer. Keep distance
  • Read books if you like. Watch movies. Check old albums/photographs. Keep light environment and avoid heavy debated talks or discussions either over phone or directly.
  • Try looking at nature – birds, animals, plants, tree and likewise.
  • Create craft or paint if you like or have interest. It is a good pacifier.

Drink some liquid every 2 hours and possibly hot beverages. Avoid coffee if possible.

Take medication if any issue persist and always seek medical attention by doctor.

Keep smiling and stay positive. Stay at home and stay safe. If you or your family members have to go out, keep your mask on and follow social distancing. Avoid touching surfaces and avoid strictly avoid touching your face at any time.

Invest in good mask if you are going out frequently and keep it clean and dry at all times.

It’s Monsoon in India – so keep precautions and watch. Avoid getting drenched as much as possible. If you have to go out – use raincoat and umbrella.

Share positive thoughts and stories. Pray if you may like. And keep calm.

Festivals

Festivals in August

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This year festivals are flying by like a blink of eye. One day you wait for a week to come by and then it’s already a week over. August is the month of festivals in India. Below are festivals of 2020. Though there is not much celebrations outside homes due COVID19 pandemic, within the hope and energy for people is slowly starting to rise.

1 August Bakri ID

3 August Rakshabandhan

Festival of Bond between Brother and Sisters. Analogous to modern day friendship bands. A Rakhi (band) is tied by sister on the right hand wrist of Brother, symbolising promise, power and bond. Sweets are exchanged. Brother gifts sister usually some clothing, ornaments, money or anything she may like. Even after marriage, women visit her maternal home and celebrate this festival.

11-12 August Janmashtami

Festival of fun, energy and joy. It is the festival celebrated in the memory of Shree Krishna birthday. It is believed on this day at midnight Krishna is born. People fast whole night with hymns and kirtans to welcome Krishna. During the next day, many places celebrate Duleti where they mimic the Krishna playing with his friends and breaking butter filled pots by creating a human pyramid.

15 August Independence Day

India got independent on 15 August 1947. This year the parade and all the celebration will be minimal. No schools or colleges are open yet so no celebrations at those locations. However FLAG hosting and ceremony will be done.

16 August Pateti – Parsi New Year

22 August Ganesh Chaturthi

29 August Muharram

31 August Onam