Aga Khan Palace: Revisiting Gandhi

Agakhan Palace - Pune

Mahatma Gandhi, a father of Nation, who influencing the world with message of peace and non-violence. Aga Khan Palace is the place where he spend time when he held captive during 'Quit India Movement' between 10-Aug, 1942 and 06-May, 1944. He was accompanied by Miraben, Shri. Pyarelal Nayar, Smt. Sarojani Naidu, Dr. Sushila Nayar and his Personal Secretory Mahadevbhai Desai.

Some Milestones in Mahatmaji's Life at Aga Khan Palace

About Aga Khan Palace:

The Aga Khan Palace also known as Gandhi National Memorial was build in year 1892, by the 3rd Agakhan, Sultan Mohammod Shah Agakhan who was the 48th spiritual head of the Khoja Ismaili religion. He constructed this place intended to be as source of employment for the feminine-struct villagers in the surrounding area. It took five years to complete the work of this palace and one thousand people were employed and they were given full heartened wages for their livelihood and 12 lakhs was the cost. 

In the year 1969, Prince Karim EI Husseinim Agakhan IV, came to India and donated this palace with surrounding land to the Government of India Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, New Delhi in memory of Mahatma Gandhi and his philosophy.

Mahadevbhai Desai - Death of Gandhiji's son:

Mahadevbhai Desai was personal secretory of Gandhiji who served him nearly 35 years without any rest. Within a week of detention at Aga Khan palace, on the morning of 15-Aug, 1942, he died of heart attach. One of the information slate at the memorial states that, Gandhi stood by the bedside calling out, 'Mahadev, Mahadev'. Inanguish, Gandhi Said, "If he only opens his eyes and looks at me once he won't go". Mahadev never opened eyes.

With trembling hands, Gandhiji washed the body and annointed it with sandal and decorated it with flowers whispering, 'Mahadev, I thought you would do this for me. Now I have to do it for you". The authorities had brought lorry with police and Brahmins. They wanted to take away the body and cremate it. But Gandhi would not have it. "No father can hand over the body of his son to Strangers", he said, "Mahadev was more than a son to me. I would like to perform his last rites myself. But if the Government can not take me outside, I am prepared to hand it over to friends, but I won't hand it over to the jail officials".

Gandhiji sat thinking for a moment then he said, "I do not want to make the death of my son into political issue. If government will not allow me to go out and cremate the body nor hand it over to friends, I will have the cremation here." Ultimately, the government yielded. In the afternoon a mournful little procession followed Mahadev's bier the the improvised burning ground in a corner of the palace grounds. Gandhi followed the body with a staff in one hand and a pot of fire in the other. After a short religious ceremony, Gandhi lighted the pyre. And soon there was a blaze. "Mahadev was lived up to the 'Do or Die' mantra" he asserted. "The sacrifice can not but hasten the day of India's deliverance".

Samadhi of Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadevbhai Desai

About Kasturba Gandhi:

Kasturba Gandhi breathed her last after a prolonged illness on 'Mahashivratri', 22-Feb, 1944. Kasturba cremated near the place where Mahadevbhai Desai cremated. Palace hold samadhi of both of these in the surrounding area. Beside these Samadhi, you can find statue where ashes of Mahatma Gandhi rest.

Statue of Kasturba and Mahatma Gandhi

The palace preserve the thing Gandhiji used during his stay in the palace. It has dining table, Charakha (domestic spinning wheel used chiefly for cotton), cloths etc. My photo album does not have photos of these things as I want you to visit and experience on your own.

Read post on my travel experience:

Visit Bandra-Worli Sea Link - http://maddyconnect.blogspot.in/2015/06/mesmerizing-sea-link.html

Visit Lohgad - http://maddyconnect.blogspot.in/2015/05/bike-ride-lonavala-via-lohgad.html

Visit Keral & Kanyakumari - http://maddyconnect.blogspot.in/2014/11/short-vacation-to-keral-via-kanyakumari.html

10 Safety First Advice While Driving

Source: www.jersey.police.uk

Recently, most talked Monsoon hit an Indian territory. Most of the new roads and highways made up of cement and causing to accidents due to slippery nature during rainy season. Roads become slippery due to mud at hillside roads or water layer on the road due to downpour. 

Irrespective of causes for accidents here are some do's and don'ts while driving during rainy season in India.

1. Follow Speed Limits and Traffic Rules

2. Avoid driving stunts and risky overtaking

3. Announce lane change using indicators in advance

4. Maintain safe distance between vehicles

5. Avoid applying sudden breaks

6. Start slowing down from distance

7. Avoid speeding and overtaking in tunnels

8. Hire experienced drivers to control steering of your vehicle

9. Ensure regular interval maintenance of your vehicle

10. Do travel, if necessary.

Stay safe!

Stay indoor!!  

Happy Monsoon!!!

Read post on my travel experience:

Visit Lohgad - http://maddyconnect.blogspot.in/2015/05/bike-ride-lonavala-via-lohgad.html

Visit Keral & Kanyakumari - http://maddyconnect.blogspot.in/2014/11/short-vacation-to-keral-via-kanyakumari.html

Mesmerizing Sea Link

Bandr-Worli Sea Link

Rajiv Gandhi Sea link, alternately called Bandra-Worli sea link is famous landmark in Mumbai.

30-Jun-2009, I know very well, when I took taxi at Dadar station to visit Worli sea face along with few friends of mine. A taxi halted at sea face and sudden rush of people gathered around the taxi. When we stepped out of taxi, we found that it's inauguration day of the Sea-Link and ride is toll free for the day.

We blamed our luck for leaving taxi as it was not easy to get taxi as most of the people their awaiting for the ride. Finally we disappointed and decided to ride any other day, but of course it will not be toll free ride, on top of that it will not be first day anymore. After that day I traveled a lot in Mumbai but did not get chance to visit this marvelous architecture.

13-Jun-2015, almost after six years, I again got a chance to hire taxi at Dadar station. As I seat, it reminds me the day when I missed ride to iconic structure on a historic day. I asked driver to ride through the bridge to Bandra.

Banda-Worli Sea Link

A 5.6 km long sea link start at Worli sea face and ends at Swami Vivekanand Road in Bandra. A structure looks magnificent adding beauty at the cable stayed portion. A bridge has toll-post at Bandra side with Rs. 60 per ride, Rs. 90 for return journey and Rs. 150 for daily pass. This sea link has 4 lanes each side, however at toll end it spread to 8 lanes each side to cop up with traffic at the end. A short ride to this bridge gave feeling of man-made marvels. Adding cost of hired taxi and toll charges, I spend Rs. 240, however it was worth.

Then I rode to bandstand to have glimpse of this magnificent statue till my eyes got tired. You can check glimpse at Mesmerizing Sea Link

Bandra (West) Local Train Station

After having visit to Bandra fort at Bandstand, I started my return journey. I reached at Bandra local train station. An entrance is revamped with paintings describing history of western railway and culture of Bandra. You can check glimpse at Mesmerizing Sea Link

Read post on my travel experience:

Visit Lohgad - http://maddyconnect.blogspot.in/2015/05/bike-ride-lonavala-via-lohgad.html

Visit Keral & Kanyakumari - http://maddyconnect.blogspot.in/2014/11/short-vacation-to-keral-via-kanyakumari.html