Funny Laptop

We bought this laptop, Lenova Thinkpad E420, in Sep 2011. From the beginning, its touch pad did not work. I had to use external mouse. Moreover, I have sent it for repair two times for other complaints.

Strangely, the touch pad started to work this month!

Musical Instruments of Vasava People

A poster from Netrang, Baruch District.

Modified Wheel Chair

Bangalore Baptist Hospital has this modified chair for patients.

Our Road to Office

After heavy rains in Bangalore, the road to our office from our home is filled with mud. Huge heavy trucks comes this way. The road further damaged.

My friends were glad there is rain in Bangalore now. That means more water will be available now. They were glad that is answers to pray. I told the answer to that prayer damaged my road. Then they suggested, why don't you pray for your road? Pray for tar road!

Ankleshwar Railway Station

18 August

Cargo at the station 

Funniest cartoon I've seen recently

This is in the context of Opposition Leaders demanding resignation of PM MMS. (Photo: Hindu, 29 August 2012)

Places visited in August 2012

New sights in Baruch and Narmada Districts

This is a "water house". Inside there are three mud pots.

Mud pots in closer look.

Transport vehicle - functions like autorickshaw in other towns.

This breed of cow looks like a bull. See its horns and hump.

Mahoda tree: products from this true is used for making local alcohol.

A cows and goat herd in Gujarat

17 August
The southern parts of Narmada District has lots of cows, buffaloes and goats. I saw a huge herd mixed of them. I was surprised because:

• They march together. I thought how could they remain bhai-bhai.
• This large herd could belong to a rich family. I learned later that each of these belong to different families. And a "professional" look after them. They will pick up in the morning and leave in evening. He is paid for that.

Amas

On 17 August, we were in Sagbara, Narmada District. That day was Amas - a rest and respect day for bulls, not cows. Bulls pull plough the farm and that produce the food need for the family.

On this special day, they decorate them beautifully. The pair in pic has all kinds of color all over their body. Some others make headgears for them.

One side slipper

Funny experience! My right slipper dropped off the railway track while boarding the train back to Bangalore from Ankleshwar (18 Aug). I checked whether I could pick it up. No chance...

Liahey with the left pair of the slipper (taken in train no. 19406).

On getting inside, I walked around like that. Mid night I "borrowed" a right pair from co-passenger (no lights on!). When I reached the toilet, I saw it belonged to a woman. Anyway I quickly got back to my berth.

For moving around inside the train, first I borrowed from a young man and then an elderly person offered his.

As soon as I arrived at Yashwantpur station in Bangalore, I was expecting my friend would bring my chapal. He forget it and walk around barefoot (I left the other pair in the train).

At the office, my friend commented that I arrived as sanyasi (ascetic).

Bu then, when the old is gone, new has come! I bought this nice sandal from Khadims' shop, in Kamnahalli, Bangalore. I learned this newly opened shop and a new brand!

Hotel vs Mission Center

Last 10 days we have been staying in hotels. Today we have an opportunity to stay in a mission guest house. I felt I experience several differences.

HOTELS	GUEST HOUSE
Mostly in the center of city. Its noisy.	In a village, about 3 km from main road. Its very quiet.
Television: we spend time watching movies and other programs in evening.	Just chat around with other mission people. My friends even slept 30 mins earlier!
Food in restaurants.	A staff cook food and we shared together. We ate in verandah. Some even under trees!
Walking around in crowded vehicles and people. No fun.	Its open place. I went for evening walk for about an hour.

Mela in Bardoli town

10 August

We were roaming around Bardoli town and just outskirt of this town we saw this fun mela going on. It was fun to see people in festive moods, especially children were at their peak with their parents by their side cheering.

View of a market.

Mela is taking place just by the road - Bardoli to Vyara.

Mainly its a kids affair.

My friend bought balloons.

For small kids.

My friend shot some and spent Rs 50!

Target.

Good sights I'll sure remember in Gujarat

11 August: While waiting at Surat train station, this green creature rested on my bag for about 10 mins and flew away

A butterfly on my bag.

Usually I see telephone cables are by the side of the roads. This one is dug in the centre of the road.

Dug for cable lines in Dahod.

As in other parts of the country, Gujarat too has plenty. I saw this group this morning.

Dog gang in Dahod.

Style of Samosa changed here.

Samosa

13 August: Its been raining non-stop for three days in Dahod. We saw this bull in the same position at 1 pm and then again at 4 pm. Looks like its been taking rest well.

A bull enjoying shed in a closed shop.

I know there is "Bullet Rice" in Kerala. For the first time I saw there is Veg. Bullet and Paneer Bullet. I didn't take chance to taste these items:(.

Veg bullet and Paneer bullet.

I heard about "holy water". For the first time I saw this practice in a church on Sunday in Daman.

A pastor praying for the water.