Gobind and Jania playing prank with me 2013

Offering me a pose before leaving for the San Francisco International Airport on their way to India.

Burning 'Dilli' in May 2013

Delhi Gate was built by Nawab Qudsiya Begum, the wife of Moughal Emperor Ahmad Shah in 1751.

India Gate

Built in 1931, the monument was inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, which in turn was inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus. Originally known as the All India War Memorial, is a prominent landmark in Delhi and commemorates the 90,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who lost their lives in World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. You will also find names of all the soldiers who have given their lives during the wars of World War 1 as well as Afghan war encrypted on the red Sandstone walls completely from top to bottom

The 42-metre tall India Gate, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens is situated in such a way that many important roads spread out from it and you can see the Canopy through the Gate seen from Vijaya Chowk.

 

In the honor of Chinese Premiere, flags of both countries seen fluttering

India Gate Lawns and the water stream passing through them

The 17th century Red Fort built by Moughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the walled city of Old Delhi that served as the residence of the Mughal Emperors. The construction of the Red Fort began in the auspicious month of Muharram on 13 May 1638 and was completed by 1648. The Red Fort covers a total area of about 254.67 acres enclosed within 2.4 kilometres of defence walls.

Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, is one of the nine historical gurdwaras in Delhi. First established in 1783 by Baghel Singh to commemorate the martyrdom site the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur. Situated in Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi, it marks the site Sikh Guru was beheaded on the orders of the Mughal emperor on the 11th of November, 1675, Aurangzeb, for refusing to convert to Islam.

Jain Baradari House, Chandni Chowk

The Chandni Chowk Bazar

Making Paronthas in 'Paronthe Wali Gali'

Our driver Sunil joins us to enjoy the Paronthas.

I am enjoying my Paronthas.

My mouth watering Parontha served along with sweet Chattney, sour Chattney, mixed vegetable dish and salad. Of course I opted for mineral water.

Sis Ganj Sahib Gurdwara from Kotwali side.

Hot weather made it easier to take a snap of the front of the Gurdwara Sahib because of rarely thin crowds.

Mix of old and Modern.

South Extension

Window shopping

Calling the driver. Oshnak Mal where we had major shopping on Shiv's Wedding in late Dec 1999.

The Canopy where once the bust of George V was established

Sumptuous lunch at Taj, Khan Market

The Yellow rain flowers, 'Amaltaas'

Our 7 years old Jania makes a vow- Keep Earth Healthy & Clean

Tracking the Lost iPad

Shiv has been traveling for the 12 days, he took a cab and reached home from Oakland International.

He usually tries to get unwind himself straightway. Home made food was awaiting for him. After small exchange of pleasantries, he went to bed early. 

As we were asleep and in the middle of the night, we found him awake in the very early morning with lights switched on in the rooms and hallway. Both Shiv and Shilpy were trying to look for Shiv's iPad. 

As Shiv traced his activities backwards, he felt that he had left the iPad in the Cab which brought him home from the Airport. 

So as the day progressed, he called the Airport Taxi people to find out if the same was in the lost and found enclosure. He also tried to track the whereabouts of the Taxi driver. The operator promised to help and revert to us to pass on the feed back.

Famous Scott Restaurant at Jack London Square, Oakland California

In meantime, he used his 'To Find Phone' app to track the iPad. To his surprise he found that the iPad was parked in 5536 Lawton Ave and he came running to wake me from my slumber that he has traced it and wanted me to accompany him there to retrieve the same.

This place was about 30 minutes away from our place, we took the directions and started heading for the destination. He also passed on the message to inform the message board that this iPad was lost and belongs to Shiv available on  his mobile number. As the pad was password protected, no body else could use it though. He also came to know that it has only 6% of battery life left as shown below:

He waited for half an hour but could my get not get any response but to his relief he came to know that somebody has put it on recharging its batteries at the same location. So as long as the batteries are not dead, he will continue to get the information of the movement of the iPad.

It continued to charge at the same location. He continued to track iPad. By now it has charged 15 %, when we reached the location. It was a big relief.

As we knocked at the door and have bell, no body answered the bell. 

And now we decided to lodge a complete for the loss of the iPad. We completed the formalities through our mobile while awaiting the response. We were too near and too away from our property which was hardly lying 100 ft away but could not hold it. An email confirming the approval of the complaint was received through email. In the absence of no response, we had no option but to came back. The Oakland Police instructed us to call them as they will stand by when you ask for your property. Before proceeding back, Shiv kept his visiting card at the door with a note that he knew the property was inside the house and requested him to call his phone so that he can pick his iPad. That message should scare him to death, thanks to the apple technology, he cannot escape this trap.

So finally the driver called us to tell that he has the iPad as he was unaware of Shiv's contact, hence he could not inform us. He requested us to get back for picking the iPad in an hours time as he had to sleep for a while.

Now the scare came, the iPad stopped getting charged and started moving to another place and after 4-5 miles gets parked to a new place. 

So we decided to proceed to Oakland again. Oakland is notorious for bad elements and guns are the call of the day, mostly the people are scared to go there even during the broad day light. 

Family members warned us to be doubly careful in picking a place for meeting the driver. Shiv decided to go to Jack London Square as he had been there for a lunch of his Board meeting.

Now we called him again and again without response. Even the movement of iPad was not being traced. Shiv decided to send him a SMS to respond immediately. No response what so ever.

After another 10 minutes, we sent him strong message to call us back in 10 minutes otherwise we shall be constrained to take further serious action.  

To our surprise, an immediate response came telling that he was fast asleep and will be there in 5- minutes to hand over our property.

We picked up a bright spot with people around and asked him to come there. Finally a all came that he will be there in 30 sec and we found a red colored taxi approaching us and there he was. He simply handed over the iPad and Shiv handed over twenty bucks to him. He never deserved it as his intentions were not at all fair. But the curtesy demanded it and even a potential thief got rewarded.

End of School year 2013 G&J

This is the end of the School year. The studies are over and the kids are enjoying extra curricular activities. Every fourth grader student displayed their individual presentations in the Multi-Purpose-Room.

Gobind making a presentation of his Project to Jania

Gobind listening to Harvinder

Colorful games being enjoyed by Kindergarten students

I also enjoy the fun.

Color Canvas

Gobind also joins along with his class mates

Jania in rust color top and beige slacks waiting for splash game along with her First Graders.

This Visit to Badbar and Golden Temple May 2013

My specific reason, to visit Badbar this time all the way from USA, was to get my land marked and measured as per the revenue 'Fard' records. We decided to dig four feet deep holes and install eight ft piles so as to secure my parcel of land. Having known the kind of difficulties I was to face, I managed to get some connections through with the result that the revenue officials were on their toes to get my land's measurements done on priority basis.

I had a strong desire to wear the clothes like my fellow villagers wear, our man Pawan helped me to get this suit custom stitched in 10 hours time. I feel proud to wear the same.

The entire crew of revenue officers accompanied by half a dozen helpers started the job on time as per schedule. All doubts about the ownership were clarified. Finally it revealed that not much peace of land was grabbed by any of my neighbors except a few technical problems of boundaries between the two villages. Fortunately there was no contest from any side and everything went so smoothly. As I shall go through the report of Tehsildar and would try to getsmall trifles straightened out.  The report has been witnessed and signed by 14 persons on the spot.
Harvinder enjoying the snake cucumber
This is fake cart though.
'Kaddu'
Freshest Lady Finger
We allow the dirt to remain on the onions so that they are preserved for a longer period.
The major point of doubtful dispute on the trees at the boundary between the two villages of Badbar and Bhuare is over and these trees are finally declared common trees which are on the boundry. We will plan to get them uprooted and sold. The money will be devided among us the two neighbors ie me and Bawa Mistri family of village Bhuare.
On Way To Darbar Sahib, Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar.

Volunteers washing the entrance at 2.30 AM




At 2.30 AM

Enjoying Puri-Chhole at Haveli, Jallandhar on our way back
In the process, we took the opportunity to visit Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar. The measurements have also been completed on the Maaru side of the lands. There is no major change. 

My thanks to Kanugoh, Tehsildar, Dy Commissioner and the Commissioner who helped me to get this job done on priority basis.

All this was possible by the influence of my esteemed friend Amar to whom I shall remain indebted for life.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Badbar and Amritsar

Location:Sherwood Ct,Danville,United States