Our America Tour - Part II

From Washington D.C., we traveled by bus for about five hours to reach New York.

New York, better known as the 'city of skyscrapers', is the largest city in US, with a population of more than 8 million. This city is said to be the financial, cultural and media capital of the world.

Statue of Liberty which symbolizes the spirit of liberty of America is the greatest icon of New York.  The 302 feet statue made of copper and bronze was presented by the people of France to America during 1883. Our Patel's statue of unity on Narmada river stands 582 feet and is about two times taller, probably highlighting that it needs greater effort to attain 'unity' when compared to 'liberty'!

One World Trade Center (Pic above), another icon of New York was constructed as a substitute for twin towers of World Trade Center destroyed by the deadly terror attack of  9/11, 2001.  At the bottom of this 104-floor tower is the site of fallen twin towers, now left vacant as twin memorial for the 9/11 victims, designed in the form of special fountains (see pic below).

We were taken in special lifts of 'One World Trade Center' to the 102nd floor in just 50 seconds, from where we could enjoy the panoramic view of the New York City. Adjacent to the memorial is the 9/11 museum which displays objects, pictures and videos connected with the tragedy.

We also went round New York witnessing great land mark buildings like UNO-Head Quarters, Rockfeller Center and Times Square (Pic above) which is an important commercial intersection. 

All our tour-mates were now eagerly looking forward to witness the most famous water-falls of the world, the Niagara.

What makes Niagara unique is its huge volume of falling water which is perennial throughout the year.  Niagara is a group of three water falls which marks the boundary between USA and Canada. Moreover the length of all the three falls of Niagara which exceeds 1.2 kms, adds to its beauty. Surprisingly the source of water for Niagara falls is a huge lake called 'Erie'!  Americans are experts in branding their icons.  Multi-colored illumination (see left pic above) and exciting fire-works during nights are great tourist attractions.  Cruise ride took us closer to the water-falls which was a thrilling experience.

Our own Jog falls of Karnataka (middle pic above) is second to none in its glory, especially during its peak season (Aug-Sep). Niagara does not have the glory of 'flora and fauna' like our Jog falls. It has a great height of 830 feet (Niagara height is only 165 feet), but its length is less when compared to Niagara.  It may not be difficult to make this water-falls a perennial one by recycling water.  Further branding efforts like illumination, fire-works, water sports and cruise ride can certainly lift its glory.  It is an ideal location for arranging for 'sky-walk' by installing a glass-bridge across. But will our leaders bother to do all these?

Touring Washington, New York and Niagara ended our east-coast tour of US.  Now it was time to reach the west-coast.  From Buffalo-Niagara we had to travel 6-hours by flight to reach San Franscisco!

San Francisco is the highest rated American city on 'world liveability rankings'! Golden Gate Bridge across the Pacific ocean (1st pic to left above) is a great tourist attraction.

Why is Las Vegas called the Sin City?  This city is the center for numerous forms of adult entertainment! Las Vegas is famous for its luxurious casino-hotels.  Las Vegas by night attains its full bloom and we had the opportunity to witness it by walk, bus-travel and a helicopter-ride. This city which never sleeps is ideal for revelers and gamblers.

Grand Canyon (Pic above), one of the seven wonders of the natural world,  is about 3 hours bus-drive from Las Vegas.  Grand Canyon is a steep valley carved by Colorado river. Grand Canyon is 446 kms long, 29 kms wide and about 2 kms in depth! The highlight of our visit was the 'sky-walk' on a cantilever glass-bridge erected above a valley of about 5000 feet depth!

The last leg of our US tour was the city of Los Angeles. The home of Hollywood, Los Angeles is also known as the 'movie-capital of the world'. We visited the Hollywood Boulevard which hosts the Oscar presentation ceremony every year.  This iconic  

building also displays celebrities signature, hand and foot-prints (see pic above showing Marilyn Monroe's). 

A visit to Universal studios was the highlight of our Los Angeles tour.  A simulated show of our interaction with Harry Potter story events was a terrifying experience. 

Last but not the least (see pic above), we are thankful to our tour guides and captains (that is how bus-drivers are respected in US) who provided us an excellent support by coordinating the various events and requirements.

Thanks for reading both parts of 'Our Ameria Tour' blog.  Please send your comments and observations by uploading below or by sending whatsapp/e-mail messages.  (e-mail id: klakshminarayana1956@rediffmail.com
Whats App No. 98455 62603)

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My poem written on the occasion of my visit to STATUE OF LIBERTY on 14th Sep 2019.

ಅಮೇರಿಕದ ಲಿಬರ್ಟಿ ಪ್ರತಿಮೆಯ ದೇವಿ

ಭಾರತದ ಯುನಿಟಿ ಪ್ರತಿಮೆಯ ಪಟೇಲರನ್ನು ಭೇಟಿಯಾದಾಗ ಏನು ಹೇಳಿದಳು.............?

ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯ ದೇವಿಯು ನಾನು

ಏಕತೆಯ ಪ್ರತೀಕ ನೀನು

ಹಡ್ಸನ್ ನದಿಯ ವಿಹಾರಿ ನಾನು

ನರ್ಮದೆಯಲಿ ಮಿಂದೆದ್ದ ಧೀರ ನೀನು

ಮಿತ್ರರ ಬಳುವಳಿ ನಾನು

ಬೆವರ ಗಳಿಕೆಯು ನೀನು

ಮನುಕುಲ ಕಾಣದ ದೇವತೆ ನಾನು

ಮನುಕುಲ ಕಂಡ ಅಪ್ರತಿಮ ವೀರನು ನೀನು

ಗಳಿಸಿರುವೆ ನಾನೀಗ ಭಾರಿ ಹಣಬಲ

ತಿಳಿಸಿರುವೆ ನೀನೀಗ ಜನಬಲದ ಹಂಬಲ

ಎಲ್ಲರು ಬಯಸುವ ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯ ನಾನು

ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯ ಕಾವ ಏಕತೆಯು ನೀನು

ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯಕೆ ಸಾಕಂತೆ ಒಪ್ಪಟ್ಟು ಸಮರ 

ಏಕತೆಗೆ ಬೇಕಂತೆ ದುಪ್ಪಟ್ಟು ಎತ್ತರ

ದೊರಯಲಿ ಮನುಕುಲಕೆ ಶಾಂತಿಯು ಸರಸರ

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NOTES:
1.Liberty Statue of America is the symbol of liberty.
Patel's statue is the symbol of unity.

2.Liberty statue is in an island of Hudson river in New York.
Statue of unity is erected on Narmada river of Gujarat.

3.Liberty statue was gifted by French people to US.
Liberty of unity was built by people of India.

4.Liberty statue is a Goddess of Rome.
Sardar Patel is a real human.

5.America symbolized by statue of liberty is now a very rich country.
India's strength lies in its people.

6.A single effort (ಒಪ್ಪಟ್ಟು = ಒಂದು ಪಟ್ಟು) of struggle may get a country freedom. But it needs twice ( ದುಪ್ಪಟ್ಟು) that effort to attain unity and unity alone can safeguard freedom.
Symbolically height of unity statue (182 mts) is twice that of liberty statue (93 mts).

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Poem written by me on the occasion of my recent visit to Niagara on 15th Sep 2019

ನಯಾಗರೆ

ಅಮೆರಿಕ ನಿನ್ನ ತವರೆ

ಕೆನಡದಿ ನಿನ್ನ ಧಾರೆ

ನಡುವೆ ನಿನ್ಕಾಣ ಬಂದಿರುವೆ

ಬಾರೆ, ಬಾರೆ

ಸುಂದರ ತರುಣಿಯ ಚಹರೆ

ವಯ್ಯಾರಿ ನೀನು ಉಟ್ಟು ಬಿಳಿ ಸೀರೆ

ನಯವಾಗಿ ದುಮುಕುವೆಯಲ್ಲೆ

ಚಿಮ್ಮತ ನೀರ ತುಂತುರೆ

ಕೈ ಬೀಸಿ ಕರೆಯುವೆಯಲ್ಲೆ

ಜೋಡಿ ಹಕ್ಕಿಗಳ

ಚಿಮ್ಮಿಸುವೆಯಲ್ಲೆ ಥರ ಥರದ ಭಾವಗಳ

ತಡೆಯಲಾದೀತೆ ಬಿಸಿ ನೆತ್ತರ ತುಂಟಾಟಗಳ?

ಸಾಹಸಿಗರ ಛಲ

ಸಿನಿಮಿಗರ ಸಿಂಗಾರ

ಕಲಾಕುಂಚಿಗರ ಚಿತ್ತಾರ

ಪ್ರೇಮಿಗಳ ಶೃಂಗಾರ, ವಿರಹಿಗಳ ಉದ್ಗಾರ

ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗು ನೀನೊಂದು ಆಗರ

ಚಿರಕಾಲ ಹರಿಯುತ್ತ ಹರೆಸು

ನಿನ್ನರಸಿ ಬರುವ ಚರಾಚರ

Notes:
1. ಸುಂದರ ತರುಣಿಯ ಚಹರೆ = 'Bride's veil' which is the name of one of the three falls of Niagara

2.ನೀರ ತುಂತುರೆ = 'Maid of the mist', which visitors experience during cruise travel to Niagara.

Our America Tour - Part 1

America, the land of opportunities holds an unique attraction for people all over the world. For many, visiting America at least once is a life-time dream.  We had the fortune of undertaking a tour of this great country for a period of 20 days from 2nd Sep 2019.

We are thankful to our good friends Ms. Ragini Darshan and Mr. Darshan, who have settled in US,  for instilling in us the desire to tour US by repeatedly sending us affectionate invitations. We chose to visit their home first at Princeton, New Jersey before joining the 12-day conducted tour of a well-known tourist operator. We felt highly honored to be received by the great couple at Newark Airport, New Jersey (pic 3, top row above).

Our host's residence built of wood, stood on a plot of 1.25 acres of a virgin forest. Entire colony is a forest. No street lights here to leave the environment unperturbed. Cutting trees is a big no. Tender animals like deer are frequent visitors! Living with them gave us an insight in to the way of life Americans prefer to live and their concern for environment.

We started exploring US under the guidance of our host, by visiting Dukes Park at Hillsborough, NJ.  J.B.Dukes (1856-1925), a leading industrialist has developed this 3000 acre park for the cause of environment. Compare this to 'big people' in India who encroach thousands of acres of forest land every year for selfish use!  The park open to public, is a green beauty to watch which is the home for many rare plants, trees and animals.

Next day our friend took us to Edison National Historic Park.  Edison is the greatest scientist of 20th century who is better known as the inventor of the 'electric bulb'.  His inventions in the fields of power generation, mass communication, motion pictures and sound recording have revolutionized the world.  He holds the unique record of over 1100 patents for his inventions.  Visiting his house of residence and laboratory of research was a special experience. Antique car (pic 2 in top row) seen above was gifted to Edison by his good friend and scientist Ford during early 1900s. The car is in running condition even today!

Mr. Darshan (with red shirt) induced me to go for a bit of adventure of climbing the nearby Sourland Mountain. Being a Sunday, I saw quite a good number of natives venturing to climb the hill.  Many of them were cycling to go up with their pet dogs.  Americans prefer to enjoy their week ends to the fullest extent.

Spending a few days with our friends gave us the confidence to take up an independent trip to Boston (through a local tour operator) for 2 days.  Boston is a very nice city with many parks and monuments.  In this tour we also had the opportunity to visit Harvard and Yale (2nd pic, top row) universities. Earlier we had visited the nearby Princeton University (3rd Pic, top row) wherein our dear son Dr. Subhash had done his post-doctoral research.

On 11th Sep, before joining our tour party, we visited the famous Museum of Natural History, one of the most visited museums of the world at Washington D.C.  How nature evolved is the theme of the museum.  Nature includes both living and non-living beings.

The museum collections include 126 millions of specimens of plants, animals, rocks and minerals.  The museum is also the research lab for about 185 natural scientists.

After joining the tour party, our first visit was Air & Space Museum. The museum is the research center for history of aviation and space travel.  The heroes of the museum include Wright brothers (inventors of aeroplane) and Neil Armstrong (first man to land on moon). The museum includes innumerable interactive models to highlight various scientific facts related to air and space travel. Playing with a few of them was an experience of 'fun and learn'.

Washington D.C. (D.C. stands for District of Colombia which contains the city of Washington) is known for its historic monuments.  Second World War memorial (pic with fountain) includes tributes to thousands of soldiers from different states of the US, who laid down their lives.  But I didn't observe any mention of the thousands of soldiers from other countries, who too have laid down their lives for the cause of US-led alliance.  India alone has lost about one lakh soldiers in this ugly war fighting for the US-alliance.

The capitol (lowest in pic above) which houses legislative assemblies of the US,  the official residence of the US President- White house and Lincoln memorial are interesting to watch.

We were fortunate to travel together with 47 enthusiastic and friendly passengers, mostly from Namma Bengaluru. They were all persons from different walks of life who had all fulfilled most of their life goals.  Moreover every one of them was creative in many fields of life and were good presenters too.  Long bus journeys were God sent opportunities for lively interactions and songs. I too was an active participant and I am thankful that our tour friends over a period of time gave me the role of compere for the journey performances.

Our US tour continued for ten more days.  I assure that I will provide you further details by next week.  In the meanwhile I wish you all 'a happy World Tourism Day' (27th Sep).  Your thoughts on this occasion are most welcome.

Why two beds in US hotel rooms which accommodates only one couple?

This question has certainly haunted the minds of US-travelers. I invite our friends to upload below/or whatsapp their views on this interesting puzzle! (My whatsapp No. +91 98455 62603, e-mail id-klakshminarayana1956@rediffmail.com).  I am sure this debate generates loads of fun!
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Cricket Tragedies!

Last Saturday (17th Aug) was one more bad day for the world of cricket! Smith, arguably the greatest batsman among current cricketers was brutally felled by a vicious bouncer from Jofra Archer (Aus-Eng_2nd Test_4th Day at Lords). Helmet he wore was of no help, as the ball hit the back of his neck below.  Were lessons from similar hits witnessed earlier just ignored?

 The Aussie had to be taken on a stretcher for 'concussion tests'. On that day the word 'concussion' was the most searched word from cricket lovers, which meant that it is a state of 'temporary unconsciousness and other symptoms caused by a blow on the head'. Brave Smith came back after a while to resume batting and eventually got out at 92.

That was not all for the great batsman.  On next day morning he was diagnosed with aggravated symptoms of concussion and could not take the field.  Cricket's first-ever 'concussion replacement' was allowed by replacing Smith with Labuschagne who went on to bat, and save the Test by scoring 52 runs. In the meanwhile Smith is ruled out of the next Test (3rd Test) and may even miss out the entire series.  Entire cricketing world is praying for his safe and early recovery!

Smith's injury takes us to the painful memory of young batsman 

Philip Hughes' (25) tragic death.  The Aussie was a promising bat with 26 Tests behind him. On 25th Nov 2014, Hughes was hit by a vicious bouncer on lower-back portion of the neck below the helmet in a local first-class match. He instantly fell down to never get up again.  He died on 27th Nov 2014, three days before his 26th birthday.

Our own Raman Lamba who was not so lucky in cricket with India (only 4 Tests & 36 ODIs)  had to seek fortune by joining a Bangladesh club for playing

club cricket.  In one of the Bangla league matches on 20th Feb 1988 he was fatally hit on his bear head while fielding at 'short leg' and slipped into coma.  He died 3 days later. Unfortunate Lamba, little earlier had ignored the offer to wear a helmet, as only 3 more balls were left on that fateful day.

Our veteran Test skipper Nari Contractor was from an era of 'no-helmets'! He had won a local Test series against England during 

1961-62 and had continued to lead the side in an away series at West Indies.  In a local match against Barbados, while batting he was hit on the back of his skull by a nasty bouncer from Griffith.  He suffered a huge loss of blood.  None other than the rival skipper Sir Frank Worrell donated blood to save him.  No doubt Nari was saved, but he could never return to international cricket again. Nari who wanted to play at least one more Test, never knew that Cricket can be so cruel too!

Dreaded batsman of the 70s-80s, Vivian Richards was fortunate because he never had to face the battery of deadly seamers who were all mostly from his team during those days.  He has the 

distinction of playing throughout without wearing a helmet,  although helmets had already made their way by then to cricket field.

Dennis Amiss of England was the first batsman to wear a helmet in the 'Kerry Packer's world series of cricket' during 1977.  Spectators booed him for his 'act of cowardice'.  During those days many including our own Gavaskar viewed wearing helmet as a distraction for batting.  Slowly helmets became popular with both batsmen and close-in fielders as 'safety first' became the priority. There is a further cry now to remodel the cricket helmets in order to cover the back portion of the neck too, fatal injury to which caused the death of the young batsman Philip Hughes!

 Introduction of helmet has also led to an amendment of cricket rules.  If a ball hits an helmet on the field which is not in use by any player of the fielding side, the batting team will be awarded '5 runs'!
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Tail piece:

Congratulation to Mr. Kumara Sangakkara, the former Sri Lankan wicket-keeper-batsman who is now appointed as the first-non-British President of M.C.C. of England.  M.C.C. which has pioneered the cause of cricket owns 'Lords stadium' and is the repository of cricket rules.  Let's hope Sanga will do yeoman service to the world of cricket like he did for the Sri Lankan cricket as a player.

Kannada film songs based on classical ragas

Aradhisuve Madanari
Film: Babruvahana
Year: 1977
Raga: Karaharapriya
Music Director: T.G.Lingappa
Singer: Rajkumar
Lyrics: Chi. Udayashankar

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Bombeyatavayya
Film: Shree Krishna Gaarudi
Year: 1958
Raga: Darbari Kaanada
Music Director: Pendyala Nageswara Rao
Singer: P.B.Srinivas
Lyrics: Hunsur Krishnamurthy

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Kana Kanade Sharade

Film: Apthamitra

Year: 2004

Raga: Jog (nearest equivalent raga in Carnatic music is Natai)

Music Director: Gurukiran

Singer: Madhu Balakrishnan
Lyrics: Kaviraj

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Natavara Gangadhara, Uma Shankara
Film: Swarna Gowri
Year: 1962
Ragas: Aabheri, Darbari Kanada (Ragamalika)


Music Director: M. Venkataraju
Singer: M. Balamurali krishna
Lyrics: Dr. S.K. Karim Khan
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Yava mohana murali kareyithu
Film: Mysura mallige
Year: 1991
Raga: Desh

Music Director: C.Ashwath, MysuruAnanthaSwamy (Right-below)
Singer: Ratnamala Prakash (left)
Lyrics: Gopalakrishna Adiga (Right-top)

Infamous Tie-breakers!

Last Sunday, the 14th July 2019 was a great day for the world of sports. The less pampered game of cricket proved that it is second to none in generating heart-stopping excitement! The battle between two equal-giants in Wimbledon Tennis was more than matched by world-cup cricket finals between veterans England and lesser known giants New Zealand.

The double-tie of cricket was broken by the 'count of boundaries', which most fans are ruing as the most unfair tie-breaker. The longest ever final tennis battle too was decided by the tie-breaker in the 5th set.  Many fans still argue with the count of scores that  Federer was the real winner.  Tie-breakers without exception always result in heart-breaks, both for players and fans! 

Most tied-matches are better known for controversies.  Overthrown boundary which trickled from Ben Stoke's bat is now famous as 

the 'bat of God' has even eclipsed the infamous 'hand of God' of Maradona in the 1986 world-cup football semi-finals.  The hand push of Maradona went unnoticed by the referee and the resultant goal was allowed.  Argentina won (2-1) and even they went on to  win the ultimate championship.

In fact the dictum of tie-breakers is as old as mankind.  Poet 

Valmiki could never think of an example to describe the fierce battle between Ram and Ravan.  It was a true battle between equals and even Lord Ram was clueless when head after head started reappearing for Ravan, in place of the one destroyed.  The tie-breaker was provided by Vibhishan, ironically the brother of Ravan who advised Ram to use the 'brahmastra' and aim at the 'amrit kalash' inside the chest of Ravan.  No doubt Ravan was killed, but there is no dearth of sympathizers for Ravan!

When Lord Ram wanted to bless dying Ravan, Ravan stopped him and remarked.....'Oh Ram, you are no match to me in bravery.  You won because your brother Laxman was with you and I lost because my brother Vibhishan was not with me'! 

Mahabharath is also full of unfair tie-breakers.  Karan was a 

peerless warrior and Arjun was no match for him.  Still Krishna provided the tie-breaker by inducing Arjun to aim at helpless Karan who was trying to lift his sunk chariot-wheel. Grieved sympathizers hail Karan as 'Daan Veer, Shoor'!

Even Indian history is not without unfair tie-breakers. Demand for

a separate country by Muslims had reached the stage of an endless battle.  Cunning British brought in the tie-breaker by way of partition which is not accepted even today by many on both sides of the border.

The injustice of tie-breakers haunts lives of common man too!

The sequence of triangular love too is as old as mankind.  In fact it is a powerful theme for our film world.  In films it ends with sacrifice/death of one of the contenders.  In real life many times the ruling of seniors ends the tie! Unpleasant memories continue to haunt, but life keeps moving.

Most often the mother of the family becomes the referee for 

arbitrating the tied-battle between the egoist father and the aggressive son.  Unable to take sides, the grieving mother tries to work out a compromise giving a feeling of victory to all concerned. 

Coming back to the world of sports, tie-breaker of penalty kicks

was used for the first time in a world cup football finals during 1994. The crucial penalty kick was assigned to the key player,  Roberto Baggio of Italy.  To the disbelief of the fans all over the world,  Baggio's kick ballooned out of the goal post resulting in victory for Germany.

Let me end by recalling the memory of the first ever tied-test 

played between Australia and West Indies.  This was the real tied test, as all 10 wickets fell in all the 4 innings.  The match went on till last but one ball of the match, with two runs needed by Australia to win with the last pair batting.  Batsmen had taken the tying run and the victory run was being tried. Then came the famous throw from Joe Solomon who aimed at the single wicket visible to him from 12 meters and hit the stumps directly to remove the last wicket, leaving the question......why most ties are created by run-outs?  No tie-breaker was resorted to and probably for this reason this test is remembered even today by all concerned!

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(I am thankful to the sources of pictures used here.  I solicit their permission for using them).

Some of my friends have found difficulty in uploading their comments below.  I suggest them to send me their comments through mail (klakshminarayana1956@rediffmail.com) or whatsapp (98455 62603).