Ankleshwar

I travelled Ankleshwar (Gujarat) last weekend for back to back two sessions with youth in LEHER. I preferred to travel by train and worked out to find the appropriate train, unfortunately I didn’t find any direct train from Veraval although there is a train – Saurashtra Mail but it doesn’t have stoppage at Ankleshwar station!

Finally, I decided to travel via Rajkot junction which is almost 200 kms from my house and road transport, local trains are available to travel. I booked my upward ticket in 12998 Hapa-Ten SUP Exp. This runs from Hapa (Gujarat) to Tirunelveli (Tamilnadu). The train was scheduled to depart at 22:23 from Rajkot and I planned to catch the train by travelling in Veraval-Rajkot Intercity train from Veraval Junction at 17:45. I reached Veraval and inquired does the train reach Rajkot before Hapa-Ten SF Exp? In reply, I come to know that the Veraval-Rajkot Intercity reaches at destination around at 22:15 and chances to miss the next train if train gets late or signal problem! It was yet 16:30 on clock and I had 6 hours in spare, I changed my mind and rushed to ST bus station to catch an express bus for Rajkot! Generally, it takes 4 hours to reach Rajkot from Veraval. Fortunately, Una-Rajkot express bus was lasted by an hour and I got seat in it. Initially Bus speed was too slow and I was wondering how I will catch the train! But by the grace of God from Junagadh bus got speed and I reached Rajkot at 21:30 though bus had taken longer time than usual. I had a good company of Jaspal Solanki an 11th Science student in my Rajkot bus travelling, had words with him and chatted for long time. I had dinner at Dhaba and waited for train on Station at platform no. 3.

Train was little late by 10 minutes but journey time was not affected with it! I got into the train and slept well. What a train speed it was! Less stoppages, Fast speed in short a very good travelling. This train is suggested by me if you are travelling Mumbai from Rajkot or travelling Tamilnadu.

I had good time with Ankleshwar youth, had wonderful sessions and interactions. I thank all supporters who assisted and cooperated me for this trip! I back home by same night train. In between I enjoyed India Pakistan T20 WC match in Hotel. I stayed at Hotel Sha-Inn near to railway station Ankleshwar, at GIDC end. The hotel is good and very economical, Food quality is good and I liked their hospitality!

Thank U

Visited Botad

Hello friends

Yesterday, I returned home after completing my Botad (Bhavnagar, Gujarat) tour. On 22nd September, I rushed to Junagadh for catching the last bus for Botad which was schedule to depart at 15:45. I am thankful to Mr. Barkat who picked up me from Sangodra where I was taking a session with youth and dropped me at Junagadh bus station on time. There are limited buses from Junagadh to Botad and last bus is ordinary and takes 5 hours to reach there. This bus passes on route of Jetpur-Gondal-Aatkot-Jasdan-Vinchhiya-Paliyaad. 

I reached at 9 PM and Myself welcomed by members and rain!! It was heavy raining while I was travelling. I visited Botad first time, I stayed at H.H. Agakhan Hostel and had wonderful time over there. Let me discuss few interesting things about Botad.

Botad: -

Botad is one of the fastest growing city in India with a modest voter population of more than 3 lakh. However, the amenities that this city boasts of and its location (Ahmedabad-170 km / Bhavnagar-90 / Rajkot-120 / Surendranagar-90 - all district centers) can make many cities feel envy. Botad is surrounded by many small villages and lots of people from those villages are settled in Botad and lots of people are still coming for better opportunities and that's why population of Botad is doubling every few couple of years. One can say, the city is best for living for average income people. 

Botad is a gateway of Kathiyawad (toward Gadhada, Lathi and Amreli) and junction point of Gohilwad (towards Bhavnagar), Zalawad (Limbdi, Surendranagar) and Panchal (towards Paliyad, Vinchiya, Jasadan).

Botad is a Karma Bhumi of many great people like Javerchand Meghani (Gujarati Litterateur and Freedom Fighter whom Mahatma Gandhi spontaneously gave the title of. Raashtreeya Shaayar (National Poet)), Kavi Shri Damodardas Botadkar (Poet), Mohammad Makad (Litterateur and Teacher), and Bhanushankar Joshi (Freedom Fighter). Mahatma Gandhi visited Botad during one of his tour to Kathiyavad.

Transport, Road & Highways:

Botad is well connected to Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Surat, Vadodara, Bhavangar, Rajkot, Surendranagar etc. by Railway and Road. Even you will find direct train to Pune, Hyderabad, Kakinada and Kochuveli (situated on east coast of India).

The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) runs regular buses to and from Bhavangar, Rajkot and other cities of Gujarat. Botad is very well connected with Gujarat State Highways. Raghuvir travels is providing city bus service within Botad.

Places of Public Interests:

Clock Tower Botad saw its first phase of rapid development during rule of Maharaja Krushna Kumar Singhaji and Takht Singhji (Bhavnagar State). Shree Damodar-Jagjivan (Shah) built the Clock Tower. Today, Tower Chalk is the central business district on the city. There is a library in the building on his name.

Town Gate In those days (1800 until almost time of Independence), every town/villages used to have a wall protecting town from invaders and looters. Gate of town (Gam Darawaja) used to be at what is known as Din Dayal Chalk right now.

Lake Lake that supplies water to most of the areas of the town even today was built by Maharaja Krishna Kumar Singhji (Bhavnagar State). This is one of the beautiful place to visit and is a place for the Satam Mela (Get together place for celebration of one of the festival during holy month of Shravan).

Tajiyo This building was constructed with aim of building Clock Tower by a civil engineer/entrepreneur named Tulsi Mistri. He was not allowed to put a clock by the prince of the Bhavnagar state. This building later become famous as Tajiyo.

Haran Kui Haran Kui (Spring or Well for Deers) was a fresh water spring on northern part of the town where thousands of deers and other semi-wildlife used to thrive. Story goes that a Nawab had camped near Haran Kui and had killed many deers. This incidence and other factors like growing human population has almost wiped out wild life in nearby areas of the town.

Garden garden is situated near road for paliyad and famous for the speally children who are enjoying a lot. (Source: Wikis)

Indeed, it was pleasure to meet new people and dealt with them throughout the day. See you...

Sessions in Saurashtra

Hallo friends,

I have been travelling in Saurashtra for youth seminars since last two weekends. I interacted with 225+ youth in my last 4 sessions in Junagadh, Dhari (Amreli) & GIR. My Anjar-Kutch tour had postponed once again and had new destinations for session.

Second last weekend I had been in Junagadh & Dhari. I had been in Dhari after almost 5 years. It is near about 75 Kms away from Junagadh along to Bilkha & Visavadar. Mr. Pyarali Vadsariya accompanied me in our night on road bike journey. We started at 10 PM to Dhari for next morning session. Since it was night journey road was empty and it took 2+ hours to reach as we were driving in unknown area. We had been advised to stay in Hotel Krishna near Petrol Pump at Dhari, it was below expectation, not too bad as it was best option in Dhari. Next day after session I had to reach Junagadh again for next session! I had only 2 hours between completion at Dhari and Scheduled time at Junagadh. I seemed impossible to reach on time but Mr. Minaz and his driving abilities made it possible we started at 1.15 PM and reached 2.30 PM!! Within 1.15 Hours from Dhari to Junagadh, What a bike journey it was!!

It was great time to be in Dhari and Junagadh earlier and in Bhalchhel and Chitrawad last weekend, had wonderful time with sessions and discussion though it is always difficult to handle youth crowd that’s reason why I had to be more attentive and aggressive. I am also thankful to Mr. Barkat who dropped me at my home from Junagadh and obviously to introduce Darbari restaurant of Junagadh. It is small hotel though good. Its Dhaba type restaurant, I had food with Mr. Samir and Mr. Amir over there. Got so many Facebook friend request from participants, thank you for liking and respect. 

Come to know a new Hotel with AC Conference Hall – Hotel Sapphire opposite of Junagadh ST Bus station. Wonderful! It is great option for stay and for organizing seminars.

This weekend likely have more sessions in GIR itself and also Traveling Botad for my sessions scheduled on 23^rd of this month. Will get back with more sharing.

TC

Weekend LEHER

Hi!

So, according to the post title you must be understood that I am going to have sessions with youth at every weekend. Yes, you are right. I have planned few trips for LEHER and few trip plans are under discussion. From tomorrow I am travelling to Junagadh and Dhari (Amreli) for 3 sessions, later I am likely to travel Kutch as well for Anjar- trip which was postponed in July. Cities such as Rajkot, Gondal, Botad are also in list to be travelled for same reason in upcoming weekends.

Having a session tomorrow in Junagdh after long time of period, travelling Dhari tomorrow evening after 4 years. last travelled in 2008 for attending a meeting. I had many sessions in Junagadh & Dhari earlier but this time audience would be different, their need would be different. looking forward for all 3 sessions.

See you with updates soon.

Sharing Talaja Trip

Writing this post after two days of my Talaja trip! I am just become able to write my views for last trip. As I have shared in my earlier post, I was supposed to take two sessions with youth. This was new destination for me and I travelled the city first time though the travelling routes were in my mind. There are major three ways to travel Talaja form GIR, all routes reach almost at same time.

1. Via Talala, Veraval, Kodinar, Una, Timbi, Rajula, Mahuva & Talaja (N.H. 8E)
2. Via Talala, Jamvala, Una, Timbi, Rajula, Mahuva & Talaja (N.H. 8E from Una)
3. Via Sasan, Mendarda, Junagadh, Amreli, Bhavnagar & Talaja

I preferred to travel via first option and started my journey on 27^th Morning. Got the Bus from Veraval at   11 in morning and reached Talaja by 5:30 in evening.The route was familiar up to Timbi as I have traveled thrice in my history but after Talaja the whole way was new for me. I observed new cities like Rajula, Mahuva and Talaja during the trip. You will witness the damaged roads after Una, Indeed this is the area of work after all it is National Highway no. 8E!

Gurjarnagri Bus

If you are travelling Talaja or Bhavnagar from Veraval, choose bus wisely for comfortable travelling. There are not any private tourist buses on road as the service is not presently available. You have only one option left and this is State Transport Bus! There are few categories in Gujarat State Road Transport Cooperation, Local, Express, Deluxe, Gurjarnagri, Luxury and Sleeper. This route don’t have luxury and sleeper class bus services so you had better to select Gurjarnagri for comfortable travelling as it’s have better seat to sit properly and rest your back. The bus takes almost 6 hours to reach the destination. Porbandar-Bhavnagar, Veraval-Bhavnagar & Mangrol Bhavnagar are the few buses which pass along to Talaja. There are few highway hotels in talaja if you are planning overnight journey. Good restaurants and dhaba are available on Bhavnagar Highway. Talaja is beautiful town surrounded by hills. There is a Temple on hill which makes the hill very attractive. You can see it while travelling on road.

I stayed 2 nights and a day in Talaja. Really it was pleasant stay, met my past mentees and new people as well. I also met ITREB colleague and friend Altaf Vasaya after long time. I must say, I liked the group, their attitude toward learning; they were very open to learn new things so that I enjoyed interacting with them. Alhamdulillah! Sessions went well according to the feedback what participants personally gave to me. Thank god for the success once again. I thank those people who were helped me throughout the stay. I especially thank Muiz Vasaya for care! May god bless you all.

Talaja, Bhavnagar

This weekend I am travelling to Talaja, Gujarat. The reason why I am travelling is to deliver the sessions. This time talking on two subjects; Islamic law & Being extraordinary creation! The target group is youth. Insha’Allah it will be fruitful time to be there.

Talaja is situated on national highway no. 8 in between Bhavnagar – 50 km and Mahuva – 40 km. It is a Taluka place falls in Bhavnagar. Also known as the birthplace of the poet Narsinh Mehta, Talaja is also house of important sites for Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. There are around 30 ancient Buddhist caves cut into rocks, with fine carving of Boddhisatva. Talaja is having a site placing 3 religion’s important monuments; Jain temple on a hill alongside the town, 13 Buddhist caves on same hill and Hindu temple of Khodiyar Mata is on the same hill as well!

Talaja is reachable place from anywhere as road, rail and air transportation are easily available. I am travelling first time this area. I will share more about Talaja after my trip. Stay Tuned.