Nothing but the Best!

A time capsule is defined as 'historic cache of goods or information, often intended as a method of communication with future people.' This would help the future anthropologists and historians. Emperor Asoka's pillar inscriptions of Sarnath is one example. Even though not even as close to being significant or historic like the Asokan pillars, the time capsule at the Mercedes-Benz museum in Stuttgart, Germany is useful for the common man to understand the shaping up of one of the world's largest economy. Yes, the museum devoted to exhibiting the development of the brand Mercedes, just like any other museum begins from the origin. But what is exciting comes after the origin. The way the company has taken shape and the way the entire country has developed as the automobile developed is explained quite brilliantly and that is the best thing about the museum.

The journey begins with the display of a superb model of a sports car. Probably that is the indication about the grandeur of what is about to come further. An elevator to the top floor from which the journey of the automobile starts is not just any ordinary elevator. It is the time capsule. As it goes to higher floors, there is a fast recap of videos visible on the wall opposite, thus taking us back in time along with it. At the entry, there is a statue of a horse as if to thank the animal for serving mankind so well before the automobile revolution. It could as well mean that the service of the animal stopped just at the entrance of the automobile. Either way, the horse is happy. It can have a life of its own.

Whether a coincidence or competition, it is a wonder that both Mr. Daimler and Mr. Benz had developed their own automobile in the year 1886. If Daimler modified a horse wagon, Benz made a carrier of his own. They both ran on gasoline. Thus started the journey. It goes on to show how the ambitious men that they both were conquered every part of the transport and logistics sector. The breweries in Germany were more than happy with the arrival of the automobile and were among the first customers. Later, an Austrian businessman, who wanted to win the annual vehicle race in France got a customised car made for the very same purpose and named the car after his daughter, Mercedes. After Benz and Daimler came together, they retained the name. Interestingly, it is only around the late 18th century that Germany as it is now has grown in popularity under the iron chancellor, Otto von Bismark. If this is a coincidence, then the crucial role played by the automobile companies during both the world wars is no coincidence. 

Once the war ended, west Germany, especially Bavaria grew in the automobile sector. Now, every fourth car on the road is a German car. Due to the destruction left by the war, nation building, like the breweries earlier required good transport and logistics facilities and Mercedes was in the forefront in grabbing that opportunity. So much did the car and their speeds develop that the group had to focus exclusively on safety at a point of time. Thus came the 'airbag.' No, the seat belt was invented by Volvo. Towards the end, there is a proud exhibition of the Formula One race cars, the suits worn by different drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Juan Manuel Fangio. Surprisingly, Micheal Schumacher does not feature anywhere. There are also exhibits of the original cars used by celebrities like Pope John Paul II (someone) - basically the papal car, the car used by Lady Diana, the truck that carried athletes during the 1972 Munich Olympic games, the car used in Jurassic Park etc. There is also a souvenir shop and a car showroom, into which people generally go to sit in the car and click photographs.

Any normal human being whose heart beats at 72 cycles per minute wishes to travel at least twice in that time capsule. This museum is a perfect reflection of the motto Mercedes-Benz: Best or nothing. It is nothing but the best!

Venkatappa Art Gallery, a steal for nice history!!

With the Cubbon park, the Viswesvarayya Science Museum, the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Planetarium around, the Venkatappa Art Gallery might not feature on 'must-visit' list of those who plan to go around the city of Bengaluru. But, this museum and art gallery are definitely worth going and taking a look! Definitely it is a steal for nice sculptures, paintings and antiquities at four rupees an entry ticket.

First, in the ground floor, it is excavation findings like pottery, stones and iron tools from Mohenjodaro and also surrounding areas. Items from the Mauryan age, Chalukya age, Satavahana dynasty and the Mayura Sharma, the first kannada king of Coorg. Of course, like any other museum in India, there are the swords, knives, blades, shields and cannon shells. I wonder, why do we not find things like a yarn spinning machine, or a printing machine. There were pot making things and others but, somehow I feel that Indians spent time mostly fighting. Even if we see our Puranas too, they are all full of wars! Of course, we were quite developed in that field(not anymore!!)

Then, in the first floor, one can see various music instruments like Coorg drum, Kinara Veena, Makhara Veena, bagpipe, Nagaswaras, flute etc.. of those times (which time? Don't ask!) Then, there are good paintings of Rama Pattabhisheka (swearing-in ceremony of Ram as king), Gajendra Moksh and an extraordinary set of paintings which describe the entire Ramayana. There are paintings from various times like the Mughal, Mysore, Amer, Kaushambhi, Vijayanagar etc..
There are sculptures of Buddha, Siva, Ganesha, Dhanvantari, Surya, Durga etc.. from various dynasties especially the Vijayanagar dynasty.

Then, since it is a government museum, you get archaeological publications to buy. Then, there is a nice cafeteria offering snacks and meals at reasonable rates. There is McDonald's opposite the art gallery. So, one can plan to go here during lunch time. There is nice tree cover too.
By the way, entry is not allowed into the museum when there is a power cut!!

Gladiators...ready for combat!!!

One hundred and forty lakhs...once...twice...thrice!!! No, it is not Gandhi's waist watch or Karl Marx's razor which is being auctioned. It is people, some of them idolised by millions round the globe that are "under the hammer!!" In the IPL 7 "auction" today, a famous Indian cricketer who has a great comeback story was auctioned and won by a liquor selling company for fourteen crores. The other sad thing is that people are watching every detail of the auction on television and are celebrating by sharing the happenings immediately on social networking sites!!

Back in the 17th century, when colonies were established by the Dutch and the English in the Americas, people were taken from Africa into America for work. Soon, they were kept as life long helpers. Oh! wait there is a word for this right! Ha...slavery! Yes, people were enslaved for a lifetime too by the colonizers! Auctioning people has an even more history to it. In Rome, I do not know the exact time, slaves (women included, yes!) were bought in auctions. These slaves were initially kept in a pen, cleaned and applied tar/oil so that their skin would look attractive (you are guessing it right!!). Even today, there are countries to which people are being "sold". Coming to sports and slavery...

Player No. 143!!

Recently one morning, as I ran for the newspaper to gobble the sports news, my room mate asked me what was so important in sports that I follow it so feverishly! I have one explanation I guess! When humans grew in population, they became what we call, 'social'. Then was discovered the fire around which people used to gather, sing, dance, cook and play!! Soon it turned out to be more of competition than entertainment. Humans evolved, empires formed, emperors ruled (of course!!) Emperors needed entertainment. Soldiers who were enslaved became "Gladiators", fought against other gladiators, wild animals and criminals!!

The EPL, IPL or whatever it is, I do not see any difference from the history. Historically, slavery was institutionally recognized by most societies and having slaves was considered a royalty. Examples can be found in Harry Potter series too. Elves were enslaved!! In the auction of IPL 7, players are being tagged and called by numbers!! I remember reading that such a thing was done to slaves put to work in tea estates in Sri Lanka and gold mines in Africa! But these are players of national importance we are talking of! They are our heroes, not antique tea cups!! How can some one BUY them in an auction and own them. They belong to the country. If they want to conduct a league, find better ways, atleast like how it is done in football!
I wonder...hundred years back, if an Indian was asked who he was enslaved by, he would have replied, the British! But now, who or what are we a slave of??

Crawling through the rise and fall of Delhi emporers !!

Last December, I wrote a lot about policies and politics. This has been mostly because Delhi and its politics have been the central focus of the entire media and I had no job to do other than read the newspapers in my winter vacation. I also visited Delhi and met a "beauty" I have known for quite sometime with who I have fallen in love very recently. This beauty also had been following the happenings in Delhi since, maybe the mid eighteenth century!! Ah! the beauty I am talking about is "Chandni Chowk," the moon-lit square. I call it the 'beehive of Delhi' for it is always busy and bustling with activity and is swarmed by people flocking the box like shops and eateries!!

The Jain Mandir opposite Red Fort

Curious after my visit to this wonderful place, I browsed for and read a book, 'Some Blunders of Indian Historical Research,' by P.N.Oak in which he talked about Delhi and old Delhi in particular. This book is worth reading and gives a lot of insight about India even though some articles are very hard to believe! The author also mentioned about the Red Fort, supposedly built by Shah Jahan. He said that Prithviraj Chauhan, the ruler of Ajmer and Delhi lived in lal-kot on the banks of River Yamuna much before Shah Jahan (yes! the same lal-quila/Red Fort. The author claims that the latter became famous due to Mughal/Urdu influence). Apparently, red fort is full of Rajput architecture (Ex: Elephant statues at the entrance). The red fort stands facing this "busiest market in India." And according to Oak, there was a guy from Mongolia, Taimurlang ( this guy bettered the art of cruelty than Allauddin Khilji!!) who invaded Delhi, massacred people (it took decades for Delhi to recover) and then wrote about Delhi including Red Fort and Chandni Chowk. This fellow was from the late 14th century and Shah Jahan was from the late 16th century!!

Chandni Chowk(??)

The history is fine but I am interested in the geography of the congested wholesale market which the Red Fort stands overlooking!!
What is so special about this Chandni Chowk that I loved it so much is the following.

One: The skinny gallies (streets)
Two: The millions of shops that fit in a single street
Three: Rabdi in the paratha galli where you could slip in for a bite. This street has hundreds of paratha and sweet shops!
Four: The electric bazaar( I want to live here for once in my life, atleast)..Again for someone aspiring to become an entrepreneur like me, the way business is held in this small area is astounding!!

The streets are so thin that they are good enough only for two bikes together. No cars of course!
The variety of parathas, the custard apple chutney, Rabdi, Kachori, Namkeen lassi, the small streets in which there are hundreds of electric shops and most importantly the GAP and Tommy Hilfiger hoodies sold on the street side are very much attractive!! Shop keepers will ofcourse pull you into their shops..if you are male, into a suitings shop, if you are female, into any shop!! By the way, this is just along one street which I came across!!
Even for the religious types, there is a Jain Mandir, an age old Shiv Mandir and a Gurudwara. At all these places, the free prasad is simply superbbb. I went into the Gurubwara thrice for the prasad!!
This area has a lot to offer for tourists including pollution. Nevertheless, its fun to roam on such a busy area. Just make sure it is not a very hot day! There is a metro station for your convenience too!

Anyway, this historical Delhi beauty is a must-visit for all Indians. If you get a chance, go. If you do not get a chance, create one!P.N Oak titled ‘Some Blunders of Indian Historical Research.’P.N Oak titled ‘Some Blunders of Indian Historical Research.’ P.N Oak titled ‘Some Blunders of Indian Historical Research.’