Friday, January 4, 2008

This article I found in,' The Tribune' online edition dated November 2, 2000

the link http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20001102/haryana.htm#1

Shot in arm for Prithvi Raj Foundation
Neemrana Palace hotel controversy
From Ravi S. Singh
Tribune News Service


NEEMRANA, Nov 1 — The standoff between the Samraat Prithvi Raj Foundation and the management of the Neemrana Fort Palace Hotel yesterday took a new turn with family members of late Maharaja Rajender Singh, the last descendant of Hindu emperor Prithvi Raj Chauhan, lending their support to the movement of the foundation.

There is widespread resentment among residents of Neemrana village in Rajasthan, a few kms from Rewari in Haryana, and surrounding villages against reported statement by the management of the hotel that Maharaja Rajender Singh was not a direct descendant of Prithvi Raj Chauhan. The royal family has taken offence at the stand of the management. The eldest of the two queens of the Maharaja, Ms Chandrika Kawar (81) expressed shock at the development.

A leader of the co-convener of the foundation and a leader of Haryana, Rao Shiv Rattan, alleged that the management was saying such things as it was apprehensive of the hotel being acquired by the government.

The foundation is spearheading an agitation to press the Union Government to bring the mortal remains of the emperor which it claims lie buried in Ghazni near Kandhar in Afghanistan. According to its findings, the site of the remains is humiliated by locals.

According to historians, the emperor was taken to Afghanistan as a captive by Mohammad Shabbudin Ghori. The emperor is believed to have slained Ghori in his own durbar. Subsequently, the emperor was done to death. History books are, however, silent on the details after the emperor was killed. Members of the foundation say they learnt of the indignities heaped on the mortal remains when an Indian Airlines plane was kidnapped and landed at Kandhar.

A local cloth merchant, Mr Ghanshyam Mudgil, said even before the foundation came in the picture, a number of agitations had taken place against converting the royal palace into a hotel. The descendants had set up the palace and the fort here after setting up one in Atteli (Haryana) and Mandan and Mundawar in Rajasthan.

According to residents of Neemrana and neighbouring areas, Maharaja Rajender Singh had gone in for a distress sale of the palace, the registry of which took place in 1986. The palace was sold at only about Rs 3 lakh. They say that the sale was illegal on account of the “distress” element. Also the concurrence of all members of the family was not sought. Their grouse is that at the time of the sale, the Maharaja was given assurance that it would be converted into a museum.

The residents are angry over the use of the royal insignia on kitchenettes and on trivia to increase the marketability of the hotel.

Mr Yuv Raj Singh, the only son-in-law of the Maharaja, alleged that one of the proprietors of the hotel took advantage of his proximity to the royal family and took away a number of family photographs in good faith. But the same photographs were being displayed in an “unbecoming” manner on the hotel premises. Mrs Sunita Singh, the princess whose photograph was published along with one of the proprietors, in a leading magazine during the midst of the agitation, said she was misled by the authorities.

The hotel management is said to be embroiled in another controversy. Mr Udai Shekhawat, a former sarpanch of a nearby village, said although the Maharaja sold only the palace, the management, in connivance with the district authorities, got the forts on two sides of the palace and the intervening land on the hills transferred in its name. This was illegal as the area fell under forest land and green belt. An official at the hotel rebutted the charges. Interestingly an official at the local tehsil office evaded a direct reply, saying that the documents concerned were presently with the higher echelons of the government. He, however, conceded that there was a controversy on the issue.

The foundation is, therefore, demanding that the hotel be acquired and converted into a museum.

It is also demanding that the queens of the Maharaja, who was the first to merge his state with India after Independence, be given the status of freedom fighters.

The foundation organised a three-day maha yajna near the hotel during the Navratras which was reportedly attended by thousands of people. The yajna was done to mobilise masses.

The matter was also raised in Parliament. In reply, the Union Home Minister had assured members, including former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar, that the government would look into the matter.

The foundation has also made the demand for bringing the mortal remains of Rao, Tula Rao, hero of the 1857 struggle, of Haryana, from Kabul.

According to the convener of the foundation, Capt Vikram Singh, the foundation has decided to launch a countrywide “Rashtriya Gaurav Raksha Abhiyan” and has decided to hold mahayajnas at Mukerian (Punjab) and Pilkuan, Meerut, Etawah, Mainpuri and Ghaziabad, all in Uttar Pradesh.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

ITA Awards

Happy New Year!





Episode on Saturday, December 30, 2007

That's all for today, says guruji, go and get some rest.
Naina asks if he'll eat some kir/puri.
Prithvi starts to practice with his sword into the night .
Guruji questions Naina did he eat his food yet? No she says.
In the morning guruji wakes up to find Prithviraj still practicing with his sword he is utterly pleased and gives a grin.
Guruji sits on the ground and plays the flute Prithvi comes close and watches him in anticipation, I am ready to continue on the 3rd test.
Guruji continues to play the flute he looks at Prithvi and shrugs his shoulders.
Look the fight is tomorrow and we have only come this far and you have not even started the training its getting late.
If you don't want to teach me then why don't you tell me clearly that you don't want to teach me at all, exclaims Prithvi.
Don't waist my time! yells guruji back.
Naina intervenes, just have some food please? Prithvi walks away.

Sanyo burns her hand while making bread, the evil lady watches her. Sanyo gets a flashback about Prithvi, when he tells her not to come in his way all the time.
The lady comes, and asks her that where is your attension? the bread is burning go and arrange the food and water. Secretly she puts poison in the food, Chachaji grins from a distance he is watching her moves.
In the night the lady insists she will serve the food to everbody, as they are seated she puts enough food on the banana leaves, when she reaches another pilgrim's leaf she accidentally spills all the food on the ground.
There is no food left for Sanyo, the children say you eat ours instead, Sanyo refuses and she forces them to eat their share.
In the morning at the camp Chachaji is in hopes his plan is working.
The children start to collapse one by one, Sanyo rushes to their attention and tries to revive them, the evil lady remarks the food must have been spoiled.
Sanyo is now reluctant to continue the yathra as she must take the children back to Kannauj. Chachaji intervenes, that it will be a jinx to suddenly cut off the yathra. He tells the children can be sent back to Kannauj alone they just need to relax at home.
Sanyo sits near the kids she is worried .
Chachaji says there is nothing to worry about, they will return to Kannauj and we will continue the yathra. The guards are ours they will accompany them safely back home. So don't worry at all, hurry up says Chachaji, the children are listening to the conversation and wake up. They tell Sanyo to carry on the journey.
We are definitely okay, go and complete your tasks its more important, she finally agrees to continue without them.

Guruji starts to explain the 3rd test. He starts kicking the the tree repeatedly.Pay attention to your goals to achieve your tasks and avoid your attention of the pain.
It will take some time but I am confident that before evening you will either lose this test or win the test. And if you win then I will continue the training as planned.
Very good! hit with all your might, make the tree fall down! Prithvi kicks and kicks the tree he remembers the guru's comments to stay focus on your goal.
Prithvi continues to beat the tree, but no luck, he collapses down exhausted, forget the pain, he remembers the guru say.
He gets up again and continues to hit the tree.

Chander also heads with them in the yathra. Sanyo's legs are hurt. The lady says you still have along way to the journey.

Prithvi still is at momentum kicking the tree he is getting very tired.
The guru watches, he taunts, you wanted to save the village folk from the game of death? really you can't even kick this tree down your just waisting my time.
Prithvi again puts more efforts in kicking the tree.
The guruji sees his strength and watches his dedication.
Finally after all that time the tree collapses down.
Prithvi is very ambitious and tells he has completed the 3 tests now and ready for the training.
Guruji replies there is no time left, one night is not enough, so I am not in the position to continue the training at all,
so you better leave now, go.

Why you cannot? please teach me something, what ever you can, atleast in one night?
Alright I will use my strength alone and teach myself to fight instead.

Look I cannot teach you anything, why do you get so upset the tests were the training in itself, can't you see you have completed it in one day.
Go Prithvi your victory is waiting for you, success is inevitable go and win!

Episode on Saturday, December 29, 2007

Prithvi returns from the vaid's house, Arjun asks, so what did you do then?
There they fight in a different style at this gambling arena our own friend has been injured severely.
I will not allow this to happen to anyone else here after.
The vaid tells Prithvi to train and prepare for it the next 3 days. There is one guru who can train you, go to him. Guru Karnik is his name, go to the north after the hill you will see his hut.
Without waisting any time Prithvi is already on his way to find Guru Karnik's dwelling, he climbs the hill to get to the place.

Chachaji is brought blindfolded and led to an old lady within some cave.
She is going to be hired to kidnap Sanyo, the lady asks him where is she from? Chachaji replies Kannuaj. She asks how much will you give me for it?
Any price, Chachaji tells her.
The lady asks for 1/4 of the kingdom of Kannauj.
Chachaji replies done, we will rule together so take me to Rajkumari Sanyo.
Chachaji and the lady go back to the camp. He introduces the lady to Sanyo she will be accompanying us on the yathra, all of them travel ahead.

The pilgrims advance forward, a cloth is blown on Sanyo's face just as it did when she was with Prithvi on the last yathra at the very same place. Sanyo almost stumbles. The lady tells Sanyo to be more careful while walking Sanyo says I have no problem at all. The lady says then atleast we wont have any problem on our journey ahead.

Back at the camp Arjun keeps an eye on the invaders. The invaders are puzzled to why Chander is left there alone .

Mean while Prithvi has already crossed the hill and reached the forest, he yells anybody here and echos sounds.
Prithvi stumbles ahead and lands in a trap.
it ties up in his legs and he hangs upside down from it .
With that the Guru emerges form the forest.
Who are you? he asks, Prithvi replies I want to be trained the game of death,
sorry nobody here to teach anything.
Prithvi requests at least remove me from the trap.
The guru does nothing and Prithvi releases himself.
Prithvi again approaches Guru Karnik, he tells him about the incident of Pundir,
and wants to eliminate the game altogether. Prithvi requests guru to teach him the game please, once again.
Look I already warned you, I will not teach it at all especially when its for revenge!
No! Prithvi says, I want to stop these bad people and avoid this tragedy to happen to any one else.
Prithvi is fed up begging to him and finally says he will learn himself.

The guru finally agrees to teach Prithvi with one condition,
you have to give 3 tests without asking any questions.
Guru tells to walk on the path of fire.
What kind of test is this? I want to learn the game of death.
Look do it or go exclaims guruji.
Prithvi remembers the man at the arena who begged for his life .
Prithvi goes towards the charcoal, he takes of his shoes and starts walking slowly on the flames.Prithvi completes the difficult task so Guruji tells his daughter Naina to put ointment on his foot, he says no need, 2nd test please.

Morning Sanyo comes out off the tent to help Chamki prepare the food .
Chamki says, you look happy this morning then ever before.
She replies that she is confident that she will forget Prithvi by the time the yathra is over.
The evil lady and Chachaji are close by watching her, the main goal is to eliminate the kids first he tells the evil lady.
Those children will even sacrifice their life for Sanyo thats how close they are.
So we must get rid of them first.
But Chachaji aims to get rid of the lady too once they are gone.

Prithvi says, its getting late and tells guruji to hurry up and continue with the next test.
Look I didn't call you here! If you don't have patience go from here at once.
Ok what do I have to do next? Prithvi asks politely.
Guruji takes a large glass bottle and smashes it with his own bare hands.
He tells Prithvi to do the same .
Prithvi has his hands partly wrapped in cloth,
the guru says lets see how much strength you have in your hands!
Prithvi smashes the bottles, he is in severe pain.
Finish these bottles then continue the 3rd test,
hurry up or it wil be too late.
Didn't you say it only! Guruji taunts.

Naina serve me some food what is the menu today kir/puri.
Prithvi continues the test and smashes more bottles, his hands become all bloody he stares at them.

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Episode on Friday, December 28, 2007

In Chattargarh betting takes place Kalia is the prime, strongest fighter. Sultan has bet for Prithviraj Chauhan in advance.
Prithvi still cannot find Pundir he has gone without telling anybody. Sanyo is near by watching him.
Prithvi and Arjun continue to search Pundir and leave Chander to keep an eye on the invaders.
Pundir is prepared to be a contestant to fight Kalia at the gambling ring.
Pieces of glass are glued to their fists, somebody tells Pundir, that you are brought here to fight and then die,
your opponent is Kalia,
look at him carefully, the master will get a good sum for this bet when Kalia finishes you.
The bid goes on 600 sikas, then 1000 sikas.
The fight is on.
Pundir attains severe bruises and cuts his bones are crushed repeatedly.
From a distance Prithvi and Arjun hail Pundir! Pundir! Pundir!

Time passes Pundir is getting the punches of his lifetime,
repeatedly he gets bashed and hard blows to the head.
Still Prithvi and Arjun are not able to locate him, by the time Pundir is
unconscious and the master gives orders for Pundir to be picked up and thrown away.
Still,
Pundir! Pundir! Pundir!
the two yell from a distance.
His body is dumped nearby where they both search but they are not aware of it.
They start heading into another direction and enter the town, again Pundir! Pundir! Pundir!.
They decide to separate and search individually, Prithvi goes and searches in one direction and Arjun another.

Night falls Sanyo is at her tent, now her task is to collect the soil, Chamki calls her to sleep its getting late.
Sanyo is in a condition that she cannot continue her journey, Chamki insists that Sanyo take a firm decision either do it or don't.
Chamki tell Sanyo that Prithvi is the truth that you cannot ignore or live without him.
Sanyo thinks in her mind the the swayamwar will definitely take place no matter what. She grips the soil in her hands, this is my first move to victory I will succeed this time.

Both still cannot locate Pundir, Prithvi stands by a shop where a vaid purchases some medicines for a wounded man lying on the ground. Prithvi takes a chance to see if that could be Pundir he's talking about and asks the description of him to the vaid.
Prithvi calls Arjun and they go to the vaid's house.
They are relieved to see Pundir in the care of the vaid and getting treatment. Prithvi asks who did this to you ?

The vaid replies, this is the work of Bushan the gambler.
He has this game of death .
My daily job is to pick up the losers of the game, who are severely injured and nurse them back to health, as I'm doing now to your friend. Prithvi asks the vaid where is this Bushan and where can I locate the arena.

Prithvi heads for the arena alone, there Kalia is warming up for the next contestant
The opponent begs for his life .
He doesn't want to fight Kalia as he has responsibilities of his small children to take care of at home.
Please let me go! he begs,
he asks for mercy. Never the less the fight is on, glass pieces are glued to his hand,
and Kalia once again starts to pound the weak man.
Prithvi advances towards the arena and intervenes, he comes to the rescue of that man .
Prithvi yells, don't you dare touch me!
Kalia says, how dare you interfere in this fight!
Prithvi starts to bash Kalia,
they continue to bash each other Prithvi punches hard blows on the latter.
Kalia also hits back equally.
Stop! says the master Bushan. Who are you and what do you want? he asks Prithvi,
Prithvi answers, I want to kill Kalia.

Bushan says, yes you can fight but also you have to make arrangements for your last rites like wise .
But all the dates are booked, you will have to fight him only after 3 days.
My schedules are fixed accordingly.

Be prepare for your death!