Towards a Sustainable State (Dharma Rajya)

A vast mosaic across the nation, biggest network of tracks and station. National integration in true sense, over mountains, plateaus and plains. Seat of commerce to seat of power, ”Rajdhani” thunders in top gear. “Gitanjali” comes singing from the east, “Dadar-Guwahati”, linking north-east. “Dnyanganga” to the place of knowledge, “Deccan Queen” straddles the Sahyadri edge. “Matysagandha” along the western coast, “Coromandal” spanning the other coast. “Jammu Tavi” to the land of serenity, “Avantika” goes to the ancient city. “Hampi Express” for the sculptor, “Karnavati” for the entrepreneur. Up to the border, take “Golden Temple”, “Konark Express” for the Sun Temple. Maharaja style, on the “Palace on Wheels”, “Deccan Odyssey”, as the history reveals. Toy trains to Matheran and Ooty, and to Darjeeling, the highland beauty. Cheetah on rails, the non-stop “Duronto”, “Shatabdi” comfort from metro to metro. Lifeline of India, since 1853, Bharatiya Railway...

Built across the rugged terrain, standing strong in sun and rain. They were the sentinels of the land, reminders of a culture grand. The ancient throne of Devgiri, the birthplace of freedom – Shivneri. Naldurg and Chakan protecting the plain, Gavilgad, Narnala, under Gond kings’ reign. Revival of the ancient throne, it began when Torna was won. Rajgad was the first capital, witnessed plans of many a battle. Sinhgad tells the valour of Tanaji, Panhala narrates sacrifice of Baji. Forest forts of Vishalgad, Pratapgad, spiritual vibrations at Sajjangad. Lohagad, as tough as iron, Purandar withstanding any canon. Glory of the Maratha power, Vasai to Sitabardi, spread all over. Janjira – a challenge throughout, Salher, Mahuli guarding northern route. Sindhudurg, Vijaydurg – mighty naval station, Raigad saw Chhatrapati’s coronation. The story of every fort and fortress, of vital pieces in the game of chess! -- Atul Sathe (© This content is under copyright. The writer can be contac...

Mother of all, ancient and divine, Sanskrit nourishing a culture fine. Literary stream of Maharshi Vyas, from language of God to Kalidas. Prakrit’s glory in Sant Dnyaneshwar, Tamil’s richness in Thiruvalluvar. The glory percolates in nectar sweet Marathi, sister Konkani and dialects like Varhadi. Punjabi pen, as mighty as the sword, merging with Pahadi as you go northward. Nation’s link language, Tulsidas to Premchand, Hindi supplemented by the Urdu tongue. Marwadi and Bhojpuri, spoken on either side, Bhil, Santhali and Gondi, in central countryside. Northern slopes echo Sharda’s word, Dogri, Kashmiri, Ladakhi, as you trek upward. Nepali, Lepcha, Lushai on the eastern trails, Khasi, Naga, Manipuri in adjoining vales. Bramhaputra of Asameeya, Mahanadi of Odiya, Rabindranath’s lines flowing in Bangla. Jhulelal’s praise, sung in Sindhi, bridge of Kutchi, Garba verses in Gujarati. Sandalwood fragrance of Kannada, Tulu, coast to coast, Malayalam to Telugu. Greatness of si...

मुंबईकरास खुणावती डोंगरवाटा हिरव्या, धकाधकीतून या थोडी सवड काढूया. नेरळ पासून पुढे चिमुकली आगगाडी, साद घालू लागे माथ्यावरची झाडी. नागमोडी वाटेवर सावरी आणि सागवान, पर्वत चढल्यावर दाट अंजनीचे रान. स्वागतास अंथरले लाल मातीचे गालिचे, संगतीस असती स्वर श्यामा पक्ष्याचे. नाही गोंगाट इथे कोणत्या वाहनांचा, निसर्ग घेई ताबा नकळत मनाचा. घोड्यांच्या टापांचा मधूनच आवाज, सोबतीला सळसळत्या पानांची गाज. शारलॉट तलाव दडलाय अरण्यात, बाजूच्या राईत ग्रामदैवत पिसारनाथ. जवळच असे बाजारपेठ टुमदार, रंगवलेले गवत व चिक्की चटकदार. निरनिराळ्या पॉइंटवरून विहंगम दृश्य, अनुभूती आनंदाची शांत अदृश्य. दूरवर शोभती प्रबळगड, इरशाळ, सुखद गारव्याची सुंदर सकाळ. दरीत पहुडला मोरबे जलाशय, कड्यावर तरंगत गरुड महाशय. चालता रानवाटा हात हाती धरून, मिळे मोकळा श्वास विचार मागे सारून. वनदेवतेचा एक रम्य अविष्कार, तरु-लतांनी नटलेले माथेरान पठार! --- अतुल साठे (© सर्व प्रकाशन हक्क लेखकाकडे - संपर्क atulsathe@yahoo.com )

शिवाजी टर्मिनसहून निघाली लोकल, विजेच्या वेगाने भायखळ्यात दाखल. गिरणगावातून पुढे अग्रेसर, स्वामीनारायणासमोर गाठले दादर. शहराची शीव ओलांडली दणाणत, कुर्ल्याला आभाळी विमाने लुकलुकत. उपनगरी वेध लागती घाटकोपरात, तुरळक झाडी खंडोबाच्या डोंगरात. लोहमार्गाच्या पूर्वेस सरस्वतीचा विहार, गोदरेजकारणे मग हिरवळ अपार. खारफुटी परिसर उगवतीच्या दिशेला, मुलुंडला रामराम मुंबईच्या वेशीला. पश्चिमेस शोभे येउर पर्वतराजी, तलावांचे शहर ओळख श्रीस्थानकाची. घालून वळसा पारसिक टेकडीला, नमस्कार माझा मुंब्र्याच्या देवीला. सुन्द्रीचे वन दिव्याच्या वाटेवर, बगळ्यांचे थवे खाडीच्या वाऱ्यावर. संस्कृती आगर जन्मगाव डोंबिवली, बायकोची ऑर्डर, “उतर, आलं ठाकुर्ली”. असा होतो प्रवास खिडकीतून बघत, जाताना सासुरवाडीला रमत गमत. --- अतुल साठे (© सर्व प्रकाशन हक्क लेखकाच्या हाती - संपर्क atulsathe@yahoo.com )

My friend beckons me night and day, monsoon and summer, Monday to Sunday. He’s the sun, brightening our lives, he’s the moon, sailing starry skies. I meet him in the dense forest, and on the high mountain crest. He follows me down the river, soothes me with heavenly shower. Escorts me to the beautiful beach, he’s the ocean so deep and rich. He takes the form of magpie robin, and the frogs when rains begin. In falling almond leaves of autumn, in the spring foliage of silk cotton. In the melody of whistling thrush, I draw him with my paint brush. My buddy on the lovely meadow, I see him in light and shadow. In rustling leaves of peepal tree, and in the butterfly carefree. Friend, philosopher and guide, there with me on every tide. Brother nature at every destination, Almighty’s loveliest manifestation! -- Atul Sathe (© This content is under copyright. The writer can be contacted on atulsathe@yahoo.com )

A wide spectrum of habitats, sheltering song birds and big cats. From the rain-swept Radhanagari forest, to Tadoba, with Tigers the best. From Toranmal, the Forest Owlet land, to the vast Nannaj grassland. Leopards with pin code dwell in Borivli, majestic Bison stroll in Chandoli. Watch the Crocodiles in Kokan rivers, while Nagzira lake has playing Otters. Bhimashankar, home to Giant Squirrels, and Velas hosting Ridley Turtles. Explore Melghat’s rolling hills, Malvan Dolphins bring lots of thrills. Bird pilgrimage at Jaikwadi, Blackbucks chasing does in Rehekuri. Hornbills soar in the Koyna jungle, flocks of Hariyal, in Phansad they mingle. Visiting Jumbos in Sindhudurg are new, Gadchiroli has wild buffalos few. Enjoy wildlife of the Maha state, develop only at a sustainable rate. -- Atul Sathe (© This content is under copyright and the writer can be contacted on atulsathe@yahoo.com )