BUGLE

“DARJEELING”, the very name of this hill station in India reminds you the colonial days and tea. Because it was the British colonizers; who were constantly on look out for cooler places, obviously in India it uses to be in hills what would remind them their home. The temperature in tropical countries, particularly in summer months use to be unbearable for them for mercury touching anywhere between 35 to 44 degree Celsius! In India Shimla and Darjeeling earned their reputation for hosting the colonial administrators with their staffs with families during summer months for running colonial administration for years. Though with English rulers, gone are the colonial days and prestige of Darjeeling, but it still holds name in world for its tea. It still the producer of world number one flavored tea and sold at a price, unthinkable for we ordinary mortals! Off late, a new hue for Gorkhaland is raised time and again. It stared in the decades of 90s, lot of agitations, number of strikes call...

A recent report in news paper suggests that Nagpur ( a city in India ) is leading for the cause of waste management in India. Most of the metro or mega cities in India have undertaken various projects for waste management. Particularly, recycling the waste into fertilizers or bio-gas for environment friendly purposeful usage is becoming popular. In Nagpur, a company; The Unique Plastic Waste Management and Research Pvt. Ltd is engaged in recycling plastic wastes (including carry bags) into fuel oil. It is sulfur free equivalent of industrial crude. This can be readily used as furnace oil and can be subjected to fractional condensation to produce petrol. It offers enormous opportunity for such conversion, if done in a big way. The company presently purchasing 5 tons of plastic waste form the rag pickers and offering them good price for their sale. This can be followed in all urbane area to recycle the plastic waste, which is menacing otherwise by plugging drainage system or blocking the...

While handling with angry or irate customer, one must first of all give a patient hearing. Customer is the king in the modern world. Mind it , that as the old adage is `The King is always right`, thus the present marketing mantra is `Customer is always right`. But ironically, many a times you find that the angry or irate customer is not totally right, either he might have failed to note what was on offer or missed few lines in documents of offer , may be he might have failed to comprehend the matter sometime. Listen him carefully, in which ever service sector you are, listening is a must. You may not be able to solve the problem of the customer you are handling, but definitely you are able enough to calm him down at the first step. If the anger of the customer is for a just cause and due to negligence on the part of you or some of your colleague,immediately resolve the issue then seek his excuse, expressing your regret. One thing may work magic, when you handle a irate customer. Offer ...

The next world war will be fought over water --- was said by ex World Bank President, perhaps in 2005. I cannot recollect the year and the name of the thoughtful person. We are yet to comprehend that, especially those of us who live in cities or metro or mega polis. Thank god! We never know what a draught is or famine that follows! Sometime while sitting in our drawing rooms in cozy comforts, surfing television, suddenly some news channel ushers the news of draught or famine, starvation in Africa or elsewhere on the screen. Cold feelings may crawl down for seconds through our spinal cords or may not, because we quickly switch over the channel. After all such horrendous scene cools down our spirits which prefer to take off every evening for pleasure flights, we think it is not and never with us, but with them! Who are they? Are we not part or likely to be part of them, if not near but in far future? Let us see what is all about the water. Since, our childhood we all know that our planet...

Sea piracy is one of the oldest professional crimes, ever since men learnt to brave the high sea on boats or ships, sea pirates followed them to loot them. In mid sea, before heavily armed looters the sailors ever remained helpless. However in those days, the pirates were happy with their loots, whatever they could find on board. Latter in middle age they use to carry the sailors along to sell them off as slaves many times. The slave trade was thriving then. It is unfortunate that though we are exploring the surface of moon or mars but we are yet to purge the surface of our own planet! Sea piracy is very much on even now, the pirates use those ships that are not recorded with Lloyds. Nor they are satisfied with their loots what they usually find on the ships that fall pray. They take the seamen on hostage for ransom. Usually the they get it, on the face, from the shipping companies who own the ships. It is left to anyone`s guess who funds the shipping companies. After all you cannot ...

"Maharaja"s in India before independence were spectacular in their life style,pomp and shows. There are many stories hover around them, in fact they are not stories but facts read like stories, as it is truly hard to believe them. Here is one of such facts or stories , as call it; Maharaja Alwar had six Rolls-Royce cars. He wanted the company to do some modifications, which Rolls-Royce refused . Maharaja got angry and converted all these cars into garbage trucks. Probably Alwa r(an Indian Princely State, before Independence) would be the only city in the world where Rolls-Royce was used for garbage collection

...when you were born, your brain weighed about 350-400g and you had almost all the brain cells you will ever have. In fact, your brain was closer to its full adult size than any other organ in your body! And... .that your brain stopped growing at age 18

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat.They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, " Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old.

In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase......... "goodnight, sleep tight" Los Angeles's full name is "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula" and can be abbreviated to 3.63% of its size, "L.A." Many many years ago New Year was celebrated on April 1 after the closing of accounts in March. Later the Roman calender became official and January 1 was declared as the New Year, but there were still many people who did not know this and celebrated New Year on April 1 - they were termed as fools and that's how APRIL FOOL'S DAY was born. Here are some facts about the 1500's: These are interesting. Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers ...

The by far most important means of public transportation in Japan are the trains. Aside from Tokyo and Osaka) the subway lives a　shadowy existence and many times is even outclassed by the buses.　Incidentally Hiroshima is the only town with a tramway. The delightful thing with this concept is the fact that the trains are nearly always　precisely on time: If the　board display "Departure: 17:08 o'clock", well you　better be sitting in the train at 17:08 or else its gone, however　it doesn't leave one minute before either. Such a refreshing difference to our train system. One fact is confusing the first few times: There's not one train line but thousands　and thousands of them and　nearly all are independent from each other and parts of different companies. In spite of that they all cooperate perfectly, the harmonize in a manner of speaking.

Yesterday was the day, marked for one of the last monarchy`s fall. The King of Nepal, the small Himalayan kingdom has ended its centuries old monarchy. The King Ganyendra is no more the king, the irate mob attacked the royal palace in Kathmandu, as every time such thing happens when a monarchy or dictatorship ends anywhere in the world. It happened recently in Iraq, we watched on TV, how the tall statue of Saddam Husain was pulled down by hilarious mob. The royal palace is likely to be converted into a national museum. The King is likely to stay elsewhere as an ordinary citizen. Nepal has become a republic after lots of struggle. Now the world will watch how the republic is run in future. In fact history offers evidence that in past, where ever the democracy emerged ending the monarchy it lasted and in many cases as a true democracy. But where democracy emerged ending the colonial rules as in India, sometime it was very short-lived. As we find in the case of Pakistan, Myanmar (former...

The Tibetan issues, that surface time to time, whenever there is some news related to Dalai Lama , their religious leader. Otherwise it is a long forgotten affair. Dhramsala a hilly township on the lap of Indian side of Himalaya, where the Tibetan refugees are camping since 50s, rarely make it a news for them. China`s Olympian aim being fulfilled while hosting Olympic this year, to show the world their miraculous achievements, brought forth the Tibetan issues on the fore front. All over the world the Tibetans in exile are protesting, drawing the otherwise asleep and indifferent international community. Where ever the Olympian torch relay is taking place, it is marred by the protest by the genuinely aggrieved Tibetans. After all the torch is symbol of friendship and fraternity. As if it is mockery of the Olympian torch, while Olympic being held in China at the support of global big bosses. Since, they are gradually getting entry into the vast unexploited Chinese market. Wiping off a c...

Think, you are standing in a bus stand, waiting for a particular bus, one after another buses are coming, jetting out black smock right on your face and whizzing away. This is very common in any Indian city, more so in Kolkata. It is objected elsewhere but not here in Kolkata. Here people are so use to it, they accept it as the way of their daily life. The air pollution in Kolkata has reached to a dangerous level already. The ever increasing number of vehicles is adding the woes. Where as in Delhi, use of LPG (liquid petroleum gas) is mandatory, in Kolkata they talk of it but never enforce by law. After all the power that be , are much concerned about their vote bank than public health. After all voters with lung cancer can vote. But the army of transporters with their dilapidated vehicles, getting awry is taboo. Every day 5 million vehicles are scampering on the streets. Leave the use of LPG afar, 50% of them are using cheaper fuel ( a mixer of kerosene oil with petrol or diesel)...

Many of my readers may be having over shyness before girls or vis- a -vis, at least on their first date. It is observed that some persons are naturally so. They may receive time to time counseling, but still find it difficult to overcome the problem. I find a report that may interest those suffering from such problem. It is an outcome of Swiss research team; they developed a sort of nasal spray containing oxytocin--- a love chemical naturally produced in the brain. A product, they claim help banish excessive shyness in people. It has been nicknamed `cuddle chemical` or the `love hormone`, oxytocin plays vital role in social relationship and maternal bonding and also released in sex. Amygdala ` -- a region linked with fear, danger becomes less active with inhale of the hormone. Trials are underway on many to help treat the pathological shyness. The suffers usually receive therapy of some kind and the trial helps to see if oxytocin can speed up the process. Results are expected this yea...

A recent news paper report suggests that Thailand one of the biggest exporters of rice in the world is considering a rice cartel in line with the OPEC; oil producing and exporting countries. The news is not likely to be amusing to US, UK or the other bulk rice importing developed, developing and under developed countries. The latter is going to suffer maximum. They as per the report approached other major rice exporting countries, like Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and few more. The developed world as well as the rest of rice importing nations are already feeling the heat this year. The shortage is so acute that first time ever the last great war , in US Wall Mart is rationing the rice. In UK the restaurateurs and take away owners have given a representation for withdrawal of EU taxes on import of rice which is currently Euro65 per ton. As instigated by the oil price hike to $126 per barrel this year; in a year increased around 100%; the counter measure proposed by Thailand is not very s...

The all around price rise is a global phenomena now. Not only the developing nation, the developed and super developed nations like US are in the grip of this. Recent volley of of US President Mr. Bush blaming India and China for global food shortage and oil price hike, is what warrant the gravity of situation. The first time in post world war , the Wall Mart in US is rationing the rice! It is interesting to note the stuff matches the surname of secretary of states of Bush administration! However, the accusation of Mr Bush is base less; India has no role to play in oil price hike. India`s per capita oil consumption is lowest in the world average per capita consumption. Which is 925 Kg. India`s is only 117 Kg, comparing to US`s 3429 Kg, Japan`s 2082 Kg, European nation`s 1113 Kg; India stands no way for the oil price hike. On the contrary the common American citizens are oil guzzlers and car addicts too. Off course they can afford that as their economy and standard of living is quite...

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On the ever of Olympic games , the Tibetan uprising for independence and subsequent mayhem by Chinese red army raised a lot of hue and cry all over the world. The Tibetan settlers all over the world are staging agitation. The Olympic torch is where ever being ritualistic run irrespective of country are facing agitated Tibetan protesters. At this juncture, a fresh report of satellite image revealing existence of secret harbor in China, where nuclear powered submarines are manufactured is disturbing. This will all the way dislodge the balance of power in the region. The region is controlled by the big brother US marine power. Upsurge and building of n-powered submarines by China may pose a threat. The US reaction to the report is yet to come. Since US economy is passing through a stage of recession, their foreign policies are also likely to affected by that. The Bush administration has to think twice before making any comment. Or may be so, that it already has an under table understan...

In India, the month of May is not pleasant. The scorching sun raise the mercury, in some areas in northern India , the hot air called "loo" blows with high speed, carrying along the dust, sands et al. I had opportunities to travel widely and have short and long staying in most of the parts of this sub-continent. It has enriched my coffer of experience. I have seen how the climate changes with the growing greenery. I was born in a industrial town immediately after independence. It was a Railway township; CHITTARANJAN. where the locomotive engine factory was set by Indian Railway. In early 50s the township was barren, just newly built up staff quarters, roads, factory sheds and water reservoirs without a shade of green existed. The town planners took the pain to plant many saplings by road sides and where ever they felt it would be decorative and off course in the parks. During those early days there the heat of summer was extreme. I remember the how tough it was going to scho...

Today, 2nd May 2008 I am creating this blog in the name of Bugle. Bugle is military brass instrument like a short trumpet without a valve. Valve means a check; it is without a check. So my blog "BUGLE" is crated to vent my feelings , opinion without a valve or check. This does not mean I shall indulge in blasphemy; I condemn that, I do not intend to hurt any body`s religious feelings or social sentiments related to specific customs. But I shall take freedom to criticize what deserves. Obviously I shall try to remain unbiased and free form any prejudice. The international relations related issues will be my main concern. Though I shall put some lighter side of the life too. Wish me good- luck.