How ancient India preserved the traditional heritage of water resources – The Hindu
Ahead of the World Environment Day, experts say that traditional knowledge methods seems to be the only way to counter the approaching national water emergency
Large number of water bodies built by women include step-wells, tanks and even ponds such as the world heritage site of Queens Step-well (Rani Ki Vav) in Patan, Gujarat, and the Rani and Padam Sagar in Jodhpur. There is the mention in a Kaifiyat (an early colonial document on land holdings) of a Devadasi building a tank in Yagati, and Nagamandala in Karnataka adds Navina Jafa in Hindu
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https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/art/drops-of-wisdom/article27298044.ece
Qutub Minar
The iconic Minar which is the attraction known to most of the people across the globe, for which people come to Delhi and the one that is known as Qutub Minar came into existence towards the end of the twelfth century.
The foundations were laid by Qutubuddin Aibak, however, the construction was interrupted by his death. Soon to be known worldwide, this iconic landmark was then completed by Iltutmish in A.D. 1230. However, it again got damaged by lightning, therefore, got some repairs from Firoz Shah Tugluq in A.D. 1351-88. Sikandar Lodi also administered some repairs on the tower in A.D. 1503. Standing tall at 72.5m the Minar has Arabic inscriptions and also some Brahmi inscriptions.
Monuments in the Qutub Complex :
- The Tomb of Iltutmish. (Lies north-west to the Quwwatu’l Islam Mosque.)
- Ala’i-Darwaza. (One of the gateways(southern gateway) among four gates constructed by Alau’d-Din-Khalji who also extended the Quwwatu’l Islam Mosque.)
- Ala’i Minar. (Its an incomplete tower started by Alau’d-Din-Khalji who wanted to make it double the size of the Qutub Minar.)
- Tomb of Imam Zamin. (Located to the immediate east of Ala’i Darwaza.)
- Serai. (Located at the eastern entrance gateway of Qutub Complex.)
- There is a Mughal garden in the north of the complex, and a mosque is there in the westside.
- Sanderson’s Sundial and Major Smith’s Cupola. (Located south-east of the Qutub Minar.)
One can reach Qutub Minar by metro or by bus although it is more convenient by Metro only. A single ticket can be bought for Rs. 40 for Indian nationals, however, the price is different for foreign tourists.
Address:
Mehrauli, New Delhi, Delhi 110030
Safdarjung Tomb
Safdarjung’s Tomb is a sandstone and marble stone built monument and is the last Mughal Structure. This heritage site has a very imposing presence with its arched red brown and white colored structures and is a historical monument that is a popular tourist spot in Delhi.
The foundations were laid by Nawab Shujaud Daula in the memory of his father Ahmad Shah Bahadur. The construction phase was from 1753-1754. The tomb was designed by an Abyssinian architect.
Safdarjung Tomb has the cultural aspects of the Mughals in its architecture. The main tomb is constructed using sandstone and marble stone in the shade of red. Height of the main tomb is 92ft. There are four towers along with the square chamber that has the tomb in the middle. There are three pavilions and an entrance gate. The three pavilions are known as Badshah Pasand, Jangali Mahal and Moti Mahal.
One can reach Sabdarjung Tomb by metro or by bus although it is more convenient by Metro only. Nearest metro station is Jor Bagh. A single ticket can be bought for Rs. 25 for Indian nationals, however, the price is different for foreign tourists. Opening hours are 7am to 5pm daily.
Address :
Airforce Golf Course, Delhi Race Club, New Delhi, Delhi 110021
Forest Research Institute, Dehradun.
Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehra Dun was established in 1878. It was declared a deemed university by UGC in 1991. Its primary importance is due to its prominence in the field of forest studies and also because it trains officers that are selected through UPSC exam under Indian Forest Services. The campus hosts Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy(IGNFA) and also enrols a large number of PhD students every year under different research topic.
The main building consists of six museums that are :
- Pathology Museum.
- Social Forestry Museum.
- Silviculture Museum.
- Timber Museum.
- Non-Wood Forest Products Museum.
- Entomology Museum.
Each one of these has exhibits related to forest studies one can see and understand. C.G. Blomfield was the architect behind this beautifully constructed building who focused on Greeko Roman Architecture. After its inauguration in 1925, it is now a very famous national heritage site visited by thousands of Indians as well as foreign tourist. One can take a guided tour for Rs. 50.
Address :
Chakarata Rd, New Forest, P.O, Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248006
Lotus Temple
Lotus Temple is a Bahá’í House of Worship. It was opened on 13th November 1986 and since then became a famous global tourist spot because of its unconventional flower-like structure. It is situated in New Delhi and is close to Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station from where one can either take a walk or get a rickshaw till the entry point.
Fariborz Sahba was the man behind this wonderful architecture who looked after the construction after being approached to design the temple in 1976.
The entire building consists of 27 petals-like structure which is arranged in groups of three to make nine sides of the building. These marble-clad petals made this temple prominent among other heritage sites. Its a Bahá’í House of Worship meaning anyone irrespective of their religion can enter the premise and follow the Bahá’í principle of reverence that is to gather, reflect and worship. One can feel peace and satisfaction after visiting this place. Its surrounded by lush-green gardens well-maintained by the several authorities.
Its open from 9 AM to 7 PM in the summer season. During winter it gets closed two hours early than usual i.e 5 PM. The best part is that there is no entry fee however, you have to take special permission to take photographs there.
Address :
Lotus Temple Rd, Bahapur, Shambhu Dayal Bagh, Kalkaji, New Delhi, Delhi 110019.
Chandrayan II simulation under Prof. Manohar Khushalani’s guidance | DD News |RSTV
Doordarshan News was showcasing Chandrayan-II Launch and Journey Modeled and Animated by Students of IIIT-Delhi, under the guidance of our editor, Prof. Manohar Khushalani
The interview and animation were telecast all day on the eve of the launch.
https://youtu.be/pwHYXPecA_4
That was Doordarshan. It was on Rajyasabha TV also as part of all it’s hourly news bulletin. On YouTube, this video posted by RSTV had already clocked nearly half a Lac hits (50K)
Rajya Sabha TV
Displays Chandrayan-II launch Modelled and Animated by Students as part of an Independent Project under the guidance of Prof. Manohar Khushalani at IIIT-Delhi.
This program had been telecast every hour with every news bulletin on the day of the launch
Modeling and Animation has been done as an Independent Project in IIIT-Delhi under the Guidance of Prof. Manohar Khushalani by Students Katyayni Singh and Harshit Verma
Chandrayaan-2 is India’s second lunar exploration mission after Chandrayaan-1. Developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the mission is planned to be launched to the Moon by a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III).
A lunar orbiter, lunar lander and lunar rover mission, Chandrayaan-2 was scheduled to be launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh on a GSLV Mark III rocket sometime in April. However, this is a visualisation and not an exact depiction and is based on the information available at that time
To see the original simulation click below;
Chandrayaan-2, India’s second mission to the Moon is a totally indigenous mission comprising of an Orbiter, Lander and Rover. After reaching the 100 km lunar orbit, the Lander housing the Rover will separate from the Orbiter. After a controlled descent, the Lander will soft land on the lunar surface at a specified site and deploy a Rover.
The mission will carry a six-wheeled Rover which will move around the landing site in a semi-autonomous mode as decided by the ground commands. The instruments on the rover will observe the lunar surface and send back data, which will be useful for analysis of the lunar soil.
The Chandrayaan-2 weighing around 3290 kg and would orbit around the moon and perform the objectives of remote sensing the moon. The payloads will collect scientific information on lunar topography, mineralogy, elemental abundance, lunar exosphere and signatures of hydroxyl and water-ice.
Through our modelling and animation, we have artistically visualized the launch and landing of Chandrayaan 2. The film begins with shots of GSLV MK III from diverse angles. To capture this historic launch, media houses have sent their helicopters. A few seconds before the launch, the viewer hears the countdown to liftoff. As anticipation builds, the smoke from the rocket increases. The rocket lifts off uproariously, ascending towards the sky. The payload separates from the rocket at this stage. Once the payload exits the atmosphere, the effect of gravity is nullified. From the payload, the lander floats towards the moon until it lands. The ladder opens while landing. The rover exits the lander. (This is not a manned mission, but, the ladder still opens, as a rehearsal of the next Manned Mission
Don’t Be Fooled By Palm Trees In Delhi | New Delhi Nature Society
Palm trees are not actually trees, they are in the grass family. Did you know that Palm Trees are not native to Delhi? You must have noticed them planted outside malls, hotels, inside parks, gated communities and even outside a few houses around the city. They don’t provide much shade, don’t have branches for wildlife to make nests and no flowers or fruit to feed the local fauna.
Given Delhi’s high intensity heat and pollution problems, we must refrain from planting Palms. Many authorities have fooled the public by saying they are planting native trees, and they have gone ahead and planted palms as a compensation for killing big healthy sacred Peepal or Banyan trees. This usually happens when somebody travels to Dubai and sees Palms planted everywhere, so they come back and feel like planting Palms in a city which is unsuitable for this tall grass confused to be a tree.
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Chari: I am a universal soul,
I am a universal soul, free like the soul that is the Brahma soul you see, the cosmic soul. Why am I bound? Because I think I am in this body, I am a slave of my body, I am imprisoned in my body, I am a slave of my bodily desires for pleasure, for satisfaction and for comfort, therefore I am bound. Nothing binds me. In this prapancham [universe], nothing can bind me unless I bind myself.
– Guru Chari Ji
How one apartment in Chennai beat water crisis – The New Indian Express
CHENNAI: While homeowners and residents associations across the city are busy squabbling and haggling with water suppliers, ever since an acute shortage in supply began this summer, those living in an apartment complex in Kazhipattur have been able to keep away from this these troubles.
The 160 families residing at Akshaya Adora have not bought water in the last two years. Instead, they put together a robust water harvesting and recycling system that takes care of all their needs. Water drawn from borewells and an open well at their premises is recycled, eliminating the question of shortage.
Close to 1.5 lakh litres of water used by the residents on daily basis gets treated and harvested.
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