Home-made Bio-Ltmus Paper- His first invention

He was continuously raising his small hands. I was just entering our township.My reflexes acted sharply and the car came to screeching halt. It was my son Rony, who just opened the door of the car( it is never locked) and sat beside me. He had a packet with him.

“ Sorry Baba, but that is the only way to stop your car.’

While driving, my eyes can spot only the tyres of cycles and automobiles and only limbs (not the faces) of moving live objects. That is the only way to concentrate for an absentminded person like me allowing the mind to remain in restricted fields only.

We finished exchanges and I said “what made you to come here, I am returning now. We could have...”

“Baba, I want to get this done right now. Mummy is out on Ladies club meeting. This is the only time”

He took out a the small Rail engine “This is now moving slowly”

“Oh! These Chinese made toys are not supposed to last long. Next week I shall get you a better one. This time it shall be Japanese made”

He took out a rectifier from his pocket “This fire may improve this engine”

“ How do you know?”

“ Yesterday the maintenance people changed a thing like this for our slow moving fan. Now that fan is moving very fast, so, why not for this engine?’

“ Where could you get this thing?”

“I asked the mechanic uncle to give another such thing.”

“So what we do now?”

“Simple. Just let us go to market and give this to that Raduio repairing shop. He shall replace this with this one, …fire or something you said’

Only day before yesterday I gave this toy to him and thank god, it is intact until now. With any working toy, he was more interested in opening it, to see how it functioned rather than playing with it. He already knew that all these toys, there was a motor and from yesterday he knew not the motors moved speedily with the help of the rectifier.

The mechanic boy installed the rectifier and tested the speed. The engine now shot like a released Arrow from a Bow. Then, he was a six years kid.

The right time for him to make experiments was the siesta hours of his mother. He would take his toys, audio cassettes and his kite making kits to upstairs to begin his operations. He would either make new kite of various shapes or open up the toys and cassettes to see what made these objects work.

One afternoon when I returned my residence, I found my daughter Junia and wife was watching something made by him.

As I came near, my wife said “ Look at these blotting papers. We don’t have to buy Litmus papers for the chemical Lab assignments.

Junia was a student of Class 8^Th standard and they were supposed to buy litmus papers on their own for their Science lab experiment.

Seeing those blotting papers I said “ Only yesterday I saw a couple of this papers on the roof top”

My wife was complaining that She was finding only few Jaba (hibiscus) flowers, not enough for her daily “Puja” I went to see whether the flower plants require a replacement or there is some disease. I found none.

Junia said “ He rubbed the fresh Jaba flowers on these blotting papers and dried on sun. The red color disappeared possibly due to bleaching or something else. But see it works”

She brought two small glasses, one contained foaming “Surf” solution and another with fresh Limejuice. She dipped the blotting papers on both of them. The paper dipped in Limejuice became red instantly and in “surf” solutions, it became blue. Diluting the contents on both of them and dipping blotting papers on them produced the same results.

Junia said “ Baba, Citric acid is weak and when we diluted it to great extent it becomes more weak. Even then, these Litmus papers are sensitive enough to detect the presence of a weak acid and the other a weak base. I think these papers should work for all acids and bases strong or weak. Tomorrow I shall test it in our lab.”

His mother said proudly “This is his first invention and after all he is my son.” On such occasion, it is always her son only. I admitted like every time. This is not the time to debate but time to celebrate.

Next day, the results were successful in the lab and the science teacher congratulated Rony for his attempt. She said that she was not sure whether this is discovery but told them that these flowers contain an organic dye, which the blotting papers soaked. This dye might be sensitive to both acids and alkali resulting change in color. He presented this in the annual exhibition of the school and the title of his product was “ HOME-MADE BIO LITMUS PAPER.

Rony is 24 now, a software engineer with a multinational company. He is involving in developing some kind of new software product. Possibly, like charity, inventive brains develop at Home.

Holiday on Holi

HOLIDAY ON HOLI

My old friend GG, now a senior scientist at NASA, talked just now on telephone wishing me happy “Holi”. We both recollected his another "brain wave", just on the eve of “Holi”, We, four masketeers, as called by others , all got involved and enjoyed it.

Four of us were from different states and social levels, but we loved each other a lot. Possibly love is best based without any rhyme and reason. GG was the talented most and besides studies he had several funny plans(“ Brainwaves” we used to say among ourselves)in which we all were either convinced and agreed to execute.

Few of his “Brainwaves” which we four participated are as follows

1. We, as uninvited guests, enjoyed the dinner of the marriage ceremony of the most miser( used to keep his Bunglaw gate closed during holi and Diwali but took plate load of food during Hall- days) H.O.D’s daughter’s marriage. With a fresh hair-cut, Dhoti-Kurta and Shawl we got mingled with “Bar-yatri”. Our Professor with folded hand requested us to take more sweets. We also took couple of icecreams too and a “sweet” revenge.

2. Posed as beggars in the crowded Gol bazzar of Kharagpur Town, we all earned Rs 25(in 1974) and enjoyed a dinner at Chhedy's Restaurant in our technology campus.

3. Shaved our heads, wore saffron dress with other accessories and moved around the India without ticket in 20 days by train. Besides the journey, We earned Rs 2000 as generous “Pranami”.

This incident dates back to 1971 when we were in 3rd year. GG and others were taking training at Kharagpur Rly. workshop and I was at GSI office at Kolkata. Including Weekdays, there were altogether 5 holidays for Holi. So I came back to campus.

GG and others came to my room, they already fixed up a plan to go to Digha one evening before holi and play the colors festival on Sea beach. There was an added attraction as narrated by GG.

GG heard that some characters of the Novelist Bankim Chandra Chatterjee become alive on the full moon night near a Kali temple located on a small hillock . The rendezvous might or might not take place but the breathtaking view of the sea and the big breakers of the full moon day tide hitting continuously on the empty midnight beach was guaranteed.

I was planning to go home but like every time I agreed to go with them and cancelled my plan.

DIGHA is the nearest Sea beach about 70 Km from Kharagpur. A professor of Aeronautical Engineering dept.(GG's dept and very close to GG) while going to his native place during summer vacation gave the keys of his house and imported Volkswagen Car to GG . We planned to go to Digha in that Volkswagen car. GG used to get a handsome money order from his rich parents and unquestionably he was the director cum financier of all such brainwave projects. Just before leaving we saw the registry peon of our Technology post office, who used to bring money orders also, was knocking the door of GG.

At noon we reached Contai(Kaanthi) and were taking lunch in a road side "Dhaba". Some people returning with families from Digha told us that all hotels are full and room rents are as high as Rs 1000 or more. Food and water are also scarce and very costly. Even mud built houses of Fishermen are full."

In that age nothing appears formidable and we as usually shrugged. Worst thing going worst, We might have to sleep in the car in the night, enjoy the day and should go back in the evening of Holi.

After a few Kilometers, the traffic moved at snail’s space. The single lane road was jammed with incoming and outgoing traffic. Many out goers commented 'No room any where even in the beaches of Old and New Digha."

GG driving the vehicle was silent and cool, the rest were not and discussing the alternatives. We reached Digha and found things are true. With influx of so many tourists, there was no point in looking for any kind of accommodation.

One of us, Arijit became sick suddenly and threw up, possibly due to tension. Our problems got more complicated. Staying inside the car and keeping the whole night awake may further worsen the situation.

GG now broke silence "If you guys have finished chalking out alternative accommodation, I have a nice proposal. It is going to be a rent-free decent stay within walking distance of the same sea beach, provided you just listen to me. Make a single and solid promise that you shall keep your mouths shut and open your mouth only when I say. Till your stay you shall only call me by my Nick name."

"Yes boss but what's all these ?"

"You shall come to know everything but are you making that promise or not ?"

Our inner strength was diminishing. A decent stay that too free only in lieu of keeping the mouth shut was most welcome, we all deserved a wash and freshen up.

We crossed the New Digha and was going towards Orissa border. Now the road was clear and after 10-15 minutes drive we stopped near a tea shop.

GG asked the tea shop owner, the path direction for a village called "TaalBagan" which was 2 Km further. As directed, GG left the main road, followed a dirt road and stopped near a grocery shop.

A gentleman was coming on a bicycle from the opposite direction and just stopped there. Seeing our Volkswagen, he came forward with a smiling face.

"Sirs, it will take less than few minutes. I was getting anxious."

The gentleman asked us to follow him and we entered a two storied house with a sprawling big garden at the front. We were looking at each other and GG gave us a stern look reminding us our promise. The gentleman was possibly a caretaker of the house took care of the luggage.

GG told the man " We all four shall share the big room in the upstairs."

He said "Yes sirs. I arranged like that only."

There were three rooms in the upstairs we all settled in the biggest hall type 4-bedded room. Through the window, we saw the attached two diametrically opposite facing ponds of the house. Cool fresh flow of wind was flowing through the cross large windows of the room.

The caretaker appeared with a bunch of coconuts and right then a coconut water drink was just needed.

" Sirs, If you plan to take bath right now, I apologize. The generator is not working properly. You may have to wait for about an hour. Our people shall fill the tank by that time."

GG nodded " How far is the Sea beach”

“Sir, you may have a look of the sea from the terrace. It is just 5 -10 minutes walk. There is a path through palm- grove from the back yard of this house.”

The call of aroma of the fresh Sea-fish cooked in the kitchen of the house was irresistible in our empty stomachs and we signaled each other.

One of us said“We shall take bath in the in the backyard pond."

"Yes sir. The other smaller pond is for..."

“That is for cultivation of Prawns. You get a good yield?"

He replied " Sir, Production just started. Not yet up to the mark."

He ushered us to the bathing pond , kept few towels on the concrete stepping and said just before leaving.

"Enjoy your baths Sirs. I shall arrange a Petromax light( Kerosene Pump light) there."

" Do not take the trouble. Full moon shall appear very soon."

Except me, all others were excellent swimmers. I took few dips in the water and came back and others were continuing their swimming but gave up soon due to darkness. The thick clouds forbade the Moon to appear.

The caretaker ushered us to a tin shaded petomax lit big room near the pond. His men brought Tea in big thermos and Hot Pakoda and few plateful of fried sea fish.

By now we guessed this could be one of the ancestral property of GG that for some reasons did not tell us for some reasons.

One of us said" OH! This is all for you GG, had you not..."

GG forbade and said in a hushed voice" do as promised, I shall tell you everything a little later."

O.K who bothers. The rain started soon and the music of droplets of rain on the tin shade compelled one us to sing few songs and lastly one chorus.

As we were going to our room in the upstairs, The caretaker appeared " Sirs, any thing from the Cellar and what shall you like for the Dinner?"

GG quipped" Four bottles of beer and snacks. if it is not otherwise inconvenient for you then Khitdi(Rice and Lentil cooked together) and fried fish shall be the best.

" Done Sir. It shall be ready by one and half hour."

One petromax lamp was placed at the corner. The rain was continuing, I opened two cross windows partly and said, " GG, excuse me, I shall give you people company for the snacks , You know I do not.." GG signalled and I closed my lips. One boy arrived with a bucket of Beers kept in cold water and and another boy arrived with a big plate of heapful fish fry and Potato finger chips. As they left GG now said"While we drink I shall tell you everything, but less share for Snacks for non drinkers."

Finishing his mug GG handed us an Airmail envelope from his hip pocket. The letter addressed to identical name of GG with partial correct address.

There is a Taalbagan near our campus but other part of the address was overlooked and was delivered to GG.

One Mr. Pattanaik from US wrote" GG ,my four friends scheduled to arrive on 13th of June have cancelled their plans and may arrive during Durgapuja Holidays. If you have purchased things like Beer etc for them as I told you in my last letter do not return but keep for them during Durgapuja. They like beer very much.

We read the letter, unknowingly I gulped by mistake beer from one of the mugs and was about to throw up. GG pushed a Fish fry in my mouth and the bitterness in my mouth and throat went away.

One of us asked GG "Now tell us your part. We shall decide thereafter."

" I opened this letter by mistake and I did so because the name of the addressee was the same, I did not look further down the details of address. I read the letter and then only I knew it was not for me."

I said " When you got this letter and then why you did not redirect this letter?. Possibly this time it would have reached the correct addressee. "

GG said" I got this just before leaving and I thought if I post it at Digha. it may reach correct destinations. We reached Digha and found no accommodations and Arijit became suddenly sick. Then I decided to avail this accommodation which by all chances may remain vacant."

One of us said" Are we not staying here as Impostors?"

GG said " No. We have not yet told that we are the friends of that Gentleman. We came to this village and the caretaker took us here without asking our names. It is true he assumed it so."

One of us analyzed " I assume what GG is saying is correct. GG had a prior information of the accommodation through a wrong delivery of letter . Seeing Arijit sick and finding no accommodation he took this chance. He drove upto the village. In villages, cars seldom come and on hearing the sound of automobile, the caretaker also named as GG came out and he assumed us to be the guests and we reached here.”

True we have not posed as impostors but we made the caretaker to think that we were the proposed guests. Had we told him the truth he would have refused. With this continued rain, we would have been in lots of trouble. But it is better we now tell him the truth and if he asks us to leave we do so."

As we all got up GG said " He has left half an hour before to his village. Normally, he leaves after the guests take their dinner. But since it is raining he has to leave early and I said O.K. I tipped him Five hundred which he refused once, but took it after I insisted."

Arijit said “Possibly, GG did it for my sake, let us forget it.

" We all joined saying "Forget it. Tomorrow we shall see." one of us put his tape recorder on and we danced together. We had a hearty dinner of hot Khitdi, Prawn curry and Fried fish.

The rain of the night continued next day and upgraded into a 3 day long depression. The Causeway connecting Main town Digha and this village was about about to be flooded. We were compelled to leave in early morning without meeting the caretaker. We played holi inside the car in that year but not on the beach.

SWINE'S FLY TEA CART

His name is Birju Swain, some says Sain ji and others as "Swine" to tease him and his wife. They have a push-cart, selling Tea only and occasionally " Beson Bhunjia". A small board swings continually Swain's Fly Tea Cart to avoid any trouble from the Estate department of Mining Colony and Police.

This shop is seen daily, near the township Park from 5-30A.M to 7.00A.M and then in the Interstate Bus Stand till evening. His shop is very famous and outsells all other tea cart's although at present he is facing a whispering campaign "Swine flu Chai Dukkan" just by twisting the name of this Tea cart.

He sells varieties of teas. Traditional CTC tea boiled in Milk, Steaming hot water sprayed on tea stainer containing tea leaves and special Herbal black tea. The last variety is prepared with Tulsi-adrak-Basak and fresh Honey. With the spread of the rumor of Swine Flu this tea is now in hot demand.

To counter the whispering campaign by his competitors to day he has hung another Ad ' For 4 cups of tea and 1 plate Giloua( गिलौया)Pakoda, only one face mask free'. A famous Yoga Baba advised in TV that Chewing Giloua stems can save you from Swine Flu. The purpose of giving this Ad was perhaps chew Giloua Pakoda and combined with Face mask, do not Panic and throng as many numbers as you can near my Tea Shop. There shall be no spread of this deadly disease.

I asked for 4 cups for me and my friends. While tasting the Pakoda one of my friend told" have you seen ...Baba advising chewing the stem of this herb? I heard this is available in the forest. Can you get me one?" My site is inside a deep forest and I go there daily. I said " I do not know this herb. My friends gave me one during morning walk in the Park but I think I have now some throat problem? " गले में खराश? यू हवे sore throat " Coincidentally I have some difficulty with drinking hot herbal tea and I coughed.

This was a peak rush hour and people near me overheard me . Before I could look back, the crowd near the Tea shop melted thin and disappeared. Some people snatched some face mask without any order. The couple gave me a deadly look only. The lady threw a couple of masks although I deserved only one.

My friends separated at a far distance from me and yelled" Dr. Biswas, go to your house and stay there only and use the mask." News particularly rumors spray here more than supersonic speed and I saw that before reaching my residence.

I was reaching near to my residence and could identify my wife who was waiting anxiously at the gate. She prepared some mask last night for the children's drama for the Independence day programme and picked up the funniest one to place on her otherwise beautiful face to save herself.

Whether up to the specified micron thickness or not after all this is a mask and a must wear when the most absent minded creature of the world she ever saw( this is my decoration ever since my marriage) is the first patient of the colony.

She opened the gate, at that time a phone call saved me from the german'Gestapo' type interrogation. Doctor Chaturvedi a reputed senior Physician with a roaring practice was calling " Dr. Biswas tell Mrs Biswas to prepare those Nice Mughlai Parathas for me. I have few patients right now but I shall be at your residence positively within half an hour. "

With mask on, I communicated this to "her highness". The news of his arrival made her relieved. She pointed that armchair for me and left for kitchen. Well thank You Doctor for saving me from Immediate trouble but I understood your message. If you come to my chamber I shall loose 10-20 patients for the day. It is better to have a visit fee along with Mughlai Paratha. It is true, she makes one of the best Mughlai Paratha in this colony.

An hour later when I opened the gate for him his first words were

"Remove that mask and let me have a look at you."

He pulled a chair and sat beside me and started checking me.
" Since when you had that throat trouble?"
" An hour before. I am now feeling as if few needles are pricking my throat."
" You have a clear chest. But that smell in your esophagus ... Did you eat any thing, any chewable thing"
With my elephant's memory(I have a body like that also) I tried to scan well beside that herbal tea ..." well I chewed some Gioloua from the Park."
" Are you sure that was Giloua and why did you chew that?"
I refereed to that Tv Show in a News Channel prescribed by a Yogi Baba for a prevention cum cure for Swine Flu.

" Do you have a sample of that?"

I fished out from my pocket and showed to him. He covered that with a tissue paper and threw it to the dustbin.

" Never Mind Dr. Biswas. I know that herb. This one is not Gilloua. The one you chewedis diiferent and you are allergic to that. Your tongue and esophagus have been affected. Who else collected that?"

I answered " a lot many who claimed to know that collected from a corner of the Park. I followed them. They also chewed that."
" I may have few more patients like you if they are not immune to that herb."

My wife arrived with the the trolley, the aroma of Mughlai Paratha broke the dam of saliva and filled the mouths of both of us. . She studied our face reactions and appeared to be relived.

"Good Morning Mrs. Biswas. I have good News for you. This is a simple case of throat allergy. Will you please pass that Tamarind sauce to Dr. Biswas?"

My wife unwillingly passed that to me. " Take a spoonful of that and pass it slowly through your mouth"
Within a minute that needle pricking reduced.

Doctor Chaturbedi said" Are you better now?"

" Oh ! yes now somewhat better than before. "

Doctor Chaturvedi handed me a small vial of Physician's sample " If I may use your wash room then we may proceed. Myself for washing my hand before having these Parathas and you may gurgle a bit with this medicine."

Putting the tap waters at full speed I whispered to Doctor" Thank for not disclosing that chewing episode to her."

He whispered back" I saw her yesterday buying new Broomsticks " We both laughed loud and heard the ringing of bangles behind the door. May be with the sound of tap water she heard only our laughs.

When I returned, Doctor Chaturvedi finished one Partha and was enjoying the remaining half of another Paratha with a dash of homemade sauce. My wife was insisting for another but he refused." Another time Madam. My patients are waiting."
"Well Doctor if you may please spare few moments"
" Yes go on but till I receive another call from my assistants in my Chamber"
" How were you so sure that I am not having that disease?"
" Trade secrets. But I may tell you we observe certain physical symptoms. When an unknown virus infects your body the immune systems are on the full swing action drawing more energy from the body. People usually limp or spit throwing out the dead cells forming mucus on the throat.On my arrival the way you got up and opened the gates for me, your physical reactions do not suggest that. I checked further and found the system of your body working at normal pace and then I detected those marks of allergy. I tell you one thing. Children, senior persons and persons already having some illness of are more prone to this attack of new virus. Because their immune system is already engaged with fighting out the existing and have less energy to fight for a new arrival and that too unknown."
I asked " what is so special about this unknown?"

Doctor Chaturvedi replied" When Cholera, Typhoid was new, many people died. As time passed, the defence mechanism identified the germs and produced 'Antibody'. This virus is new, with time, body shall identify this virus and keep the required antibody prepared. The virus itself is not very strong. It may affect only the people, whose defense mechanism is already weak and most unlikely for you to become an easy prey. What is required is not to panic and get treated by a Doctor and not taking any unidentified object for Chewing as you did."

As he was opening the door of his car I saw a vehicle marked 'PRESS' stopped. I know these people, they are from the local news channel "Dainik Tehlka". My news of H1N1 virus attack spread well.

Upon being discouraged by the Doctor, they left immediately. I was an object of tremendous 'News Value" being the first case of Swine flu and an attractive material fit for a Front Page story. But Now I am just an ordinary simple man.

ON RETURN FROM SCHOOL.

ON RETURN FROM SCHOOL

PRADIP KUMAR BISWAS

( This is one of my sweet memory of boyhood days narrated in a story form. The actual names of the characters are changed)

Unlike others, they come back home from school not in the crowded school bus but through a shortcut and reach township only little later than the Bus.

The journey on foot is more exciting to them and provided more pleasures and mischief. Today is one such day.

The four boys are Shyam, Nitya, Deva and Kartik. They yell and shout so much that people crossing them and living in the houses falling on their path know their names.

Right now, they are crossing a lane. A big garden-house, surrounded by barbed walls and a long front gate is on that lane. The house-owner visits frequently from the adjoining town .A caretaker, whose eyes are always red as an after-effect of drinking “Bhaang”, looks after the house. His afternoon siesta hours coincide with the return timings of these boys.

The gangue of four now looked at the empty guava trees and sighed so high that few leaves from the tree fell to the ground.

Deva said" Only yesterday this tree, near the boundary, was full with guavas. We only picked up just six of them"

Nitya said angrily " That toothless 'Maali' ( Gardener)must have sold all the guavas to buy 'Bhang 'for his siesta"

Shyam and Kartik now angrily threw few stones, which failed to break his sleep but his new "desi" dog barked loudly and came near the big long gate.

The closed tall gate assured them all the protection and they made some ill postures making the dog to bark more loudly. That was sufficient to disturb the intoxicated afternoon siesta of the gardener cum watchman.

He came limping near the gate giving the boys time enough to hide near the other sides of the wall. Finding none, the dormant “Vesuvius” in him became active through his mouth venting out the filthiest possible swears in Hindi. The boys enjoyed the violent reactions of him from their hideout. The watchman and his dog disappeared.

Nitya said "One of you take out your color pencil box. I have an idea. I read a notice of the house owner at the front wall just near the gate. That needs to be amended." The notice was written with deep orange color in bold captions.

" TO LET .
THIS HOUSE"

Nitya took out a matching color pencil and filled the gap between To and Let with an appropriate Vowel. After reading the 'corrected' version of the notice, they laughed loudly and left quickly.

Near the adjoining crossing, Shyam said " Stop here for a moment. Look, Satya and his group have just arrived. This notice was hanging in the gate yesterday, nobody read. Now see they are looking at the empty trees and reading the notice ( the notice now read as TOILET....)"

"Aare Deva! Look, Satya and party took the notice seriously and they are performing an appropriate action."

They were sure of future recurrence of this activity by the next team arriving shortly. Who knows even elders passing this garden house may also join? Why should the 'Malli' fellow eat these guavas all alone? Let him smell the stink also.

They are now entering the township. Before dispersing to respective houses Shyam and Nitya sat on a twin seat at the Bus stand as if just like all other 'good boys' they also just came down from the Bus and taking a rest.

Shyam was looking minutely at the garden of one residential Quarter. Few corns are hanging down the fence. "The uncle- auntie of that house left for a walk. Nitya, these corns should not go waste. Let us pick them. The gardeners in the park have now put fire on the garbage. That is the best place to roast them. Who wants those Maggie's every day?"

The boys picked a good number of Corns. They peeled the green leaves of corns and threw the green leaves deliberately just near the gate. Uncle and Auntie after their return from their walk may make loud " Hai- hai" and they may enjoy the same from the Park.

The uncle and auntie of that house instead of entering the house changed their mind. Frustrating the boys, the couple decided to take a rest in the park. The boys sat under a tree and opened their school bags. They posed as very sincere students who started their home works before entering their house. They have to wait for the couple to leave the park and approach near their residence to discover the missing corns. Auntie has a shrill voice. It is a worthwhile waiting to enjoy the “Hai- hai” performance coming out of her large open mouth.

Shyam said " do you know the simile.. for Kitchen?"

Deva Said "Pantry"

" Are you sure Deva? Mam shall beat us if it is wrong."

" I am sure. That is the place where Moms of every House tries some thing on Pans."

" Most of which are boring like Maggie's?"

" I do not Know my friend."

CHITRAKUT WATERFALL

CHITRAKUT WATERFALL- NIAGARA OF INDIA

Driving 300km through NH 43 from Raipur, the capital of Chhatisgarh, we reached Jagdalpur at about 2 P.M. It was a fortunate clear sky in the month of july in Chhatisgarh. We took this oppurtunity to see some steel grade limestone deposits around Jagdalpur of Chhatisgarh . As we were planning to work on the Limestone deposit on the following day we were looking for a good hotel In Jagdalpur a district city of Chhatisgarh. Besides many budget hotels there are 4-5 good hotels at Jagdalpur. We stopped near Rainbow hotel just at the heart of the city and there I had a different idea. I told my counterparts" If you want to see the real rainbow on the Niagara of India it is Chitrakut and just 30 km towards Northwest through a equally good road of NH 43. There is a good resort just by the side of the waterfall. It shall be a full moon light and you may view the waterfall as long as you want. Further more our limestone deposits arealso near to that" The idea sold like hotcake and we immediately started. Half an hour later we were hearing the roaring sound of waterfall even from 2 Km away. Reaching at the parking lot about 500 m away from the fall I put my raincoat and gumboot and I told them "if you do not mind wetting your dress and spoiling your shoes you may dress like me, choice is yours." Looking at the sky with little cloud some preffered not to dress like and repented later on. As we reached near to the fall, the drops of water were already wetting few of us but those who followed me enjoyed a wonderful scene. The river indravati fed by the huge catchments of rainwaters both from Orissa and Chhatisgarh is in it's youthful energy. The place near the fall is about 300m wide and forms a horse shoe shape just before the fall.

The water was falling to a vertical drop of 100feet and a nice rainbow was formed in the sky by the combinations of continual sprayed droplets of water and the falling lightrays of the setting sun .
The full moon flooded the sky and we continued till late night seeing this fall from our rooms from the resort. I saw this waterfall so many times while propecting for limestone deposits. But as our work mostly take place during winter I saw the calm waterfall. The seven distinct falls from this horshoe shaped opening is clearly seen at that time.

Approach:

1. From Raipur end: Raipur being the state capital of Chhatisgarh is well connected by Air and Rail on Bombay-Howrah route Via Nagpur.

From Raipur through NH 43 the district headquarter of Jagdalpur is 300 Km. From
Jagdalpur it is only 30Km. Lots of Volvo delux buses ply from Raipur on Raipur- Bailadila route. This route offers spectacular view of the forests betwwen Dhamtari and Kanker. Between Kanker to Keshkal the drive through a spiralling high way through a hill is spectacular.
2. From the Vizag end: One may also follow train route of Jagdalpur from Vizag, the Coastal city of Andhra pradesh. Vizag is well connected by train and Air. This is a spectacular journey, the train route follows the highest broadgauge tracks of the world passing through 28 tunnels. Delux buses also run from Vizag to Jagdalpur.
From Jagdalpur it is advisable to hire a private car or Jeep on contract basis.
Stay: Jagdalpur has both budget and luxary hotels. People prefering to stay at Chitrakut may either stay at the Luxary resort just near the waterfall or few more hotels which are also at walking distance. But from these hotels the spectacular view of waterfall partcularly at night is not possible. The lighting arrangements are there to view this but nothing comparable to naturall lighting of fullmoon days. on full moon days the lighting system is kept shut.
Other places to visit near to this: There are seven such places around Jagdalpur. Three of them are very near to Jagdalpur within a radius of 35-40 Km. The rest may take 3-4 hours to reach by car. All places are connected by good road.
1.Maharaja palace and also known as Bastar palace at Jagdalpur and museum near the palace is worth seeing.The Bastar Palace, one of the splendid creations by the King Dalpat Deo of Kaktia manifesting superior art and architecture of yesteryears. In 1936 Maharaja Pravir Chandra Bhanjadeo became the first oriya ruller. He was killed in a "police action" on 25 March 1966 when he revolted against the Union Of India for the rights of tribals in his erstwhile principality, hundreds of tribals got killed in that police action defending their Maharaja, who ultimately succumbed to 13 bullet injuries in Baster Palace.
2. Dalpat Sagar lake: spread over 400 hecters in the town built by Maharaja Dalpat deo Kakatiya is also worth seeing. The evening sunray falling on this lake and the return of series of boats of fisher men and their songs of local fairy tale of Maharaja makes agreat relaxing evening. You may also enjoy the boating in this lake.

3.The Tirathgar waterfall :
This is in the kanger valley National Park and another spectacular fall, about 45 Km from Jagdalpur.
4. Dantewada Temple:

This at a distance of 87 km from Jagdalpur at the spectacular confluence of Dankini and Sankhini river.Parts of the dead body of Goddess Sati were scattered to fifty-two different places, which were consecrated as Shakti Pithas by different names. It is believed that a tooth of Sati had fallen here and Danteshwari Shaktipith was established. Resurrection of the present construction of temple was done before Independence of India. The temple is divided into four parts such as Garbh Griha, Maha Mandap, Mukhya Mandap and Sabha Mandap. Garbha Griha and Maha Mandap were constructed with stone pieces. It is said that several statues were brought from Barsur and were established here. A Garud Pillar has been erected in front of entrance of the temple, which was brought from the temple of Barsur.Chalukya rulers were the dedicated devotees of
5.Barsur : 75 KMs from Jagdalpur on the way to Dantewada a small town Geedam is situated, 24 KMs towards North of Geedam village Barsur is located on the banks of Indravati. The present small sleepy village was once the capital of Gangawanshi rulers in 840 A.D. It is believed that there used to be 147 temples and equal number of ponds here in the towering days of Barsur. Some of the temples worth mentioning are Mama-Bhanjaa temple, Chandraditya temple, Battisa temple and a mammoth statue of Lord Ganesha. Apart from these temples one vast pond of pre-historical days is worth visiting.
6.Bodhghat Sath Dhar : - 6 KMs from Barsur, river Indravati divides into 7 parts to form one small waterfall. This spot, fully covered with dense green forests stands to explain the beauty of the combination of the river, water and the mountains. With all its beauty and peaceful locality Sath Dhar is an idle picnic spot.
7.Kutumsar cave and the musical Kailash Gufa: Both situated in the Kanger Valley National Park, stand at 38 km and 40 km from Jagdalpur respectively. The Kutumsar Caves which are 1327 meters long display magnificent formations of stalactites and stalagmites and are probably the darkest of their sort, 35 meters below the ground level. These are possibly the world’s second largest caves formed naturally and house five natural chambers and quite a few blind wells.
The Kailash Gufa is situated on a small hillock and looks similar to the Kutumsar Caves. A 100 meters long cave, it is also pitch dark and has a narrow entrance. Discovered in 1993, the cave houses stalactites and stalagmites galore. There is a special stalagmite formation which can be seen at the end of the cave in the shape of a Shivlinga. The reverberations caused here are strangely musical.
People coming from Vizag end enjoying the serene beuaty of the hills,valleys and tunnels may stop over at Arraku for a night to see this wonderful hillstation.

35 km from Dantewada, Bailadila is the largest mechanised opencast mines of iron ore where N.M.D.C is currently mining. Essar and Tisco are also likely to put up their mines shortly and at present detailed exploration is going on. Myself and my team are working on this. We enjoy the beauty of this place and quite often take rest beside this fall.People interseted in seeing these may also visit. Permission to see the mines may be obtained from N.M.D.C Authorities.