Kahna- First Day First Show

While travelling back to Bhopal and thought of peeping inside the national park of Kanha. It was the occasion for the national park to open to the public with some pomp and festivity. I chose to turn my gaze to Mandla, the villages Kanha and Kisli are towards Mandla that gives it the much popular name. The stay near the forest was itself so enchanting, engaging and engrossing that I fell in love with the place immediately. My stay was a kind of meditation that itself provided a rejuvenating spiritual experience. Yet the visit isn’t complete unless one takes a ritualistic dip in the dark and deep woods sufficient to take one out of the burden of city life. The excitement grew, it was raining heavily. a day before but the continued spell made me doubted of the opportunity to finally go inside. As luck would have it, rain stopped. The next morning was thick with fog and I entered the park. It was a tar road that became dark black with humidity. As we moved ahead after being welcomed by the park staff we saw a few vehicles standing and gazing deep in the jungle. Our guide told us after some deliberation and sharing of some encrypted messages with other guides that a leopard had just crossed the road and had vanished inside the woods. A bit disappointed in being late to spot the leopard we moved ahead with a lot of hope beating in our hearts. Fog and mist reduced the visibility but added to the excitement. The trees were healthy, rivers were smiling with muddy water rushing crazily towards its destination and roads were good despite heavy downpour. In general the park appeared well maintained. As we moved further ahead, the guide told us about the trees and birds and the process of relocation that resulted in development of huge grasslands, which support the herbivore. He gave us a detailed overview of the national park as we sat tightly in the vehicle on the curvaceous road with ups and downs of the forest topography. We started spotting wild. Deer, black buck, sambhar, langur and many birds kept us engaged though getting up early had forced everyone to be lethargic in the absence of the unmet expectation of seeing big wild cats. As the time progressed and the guide told more about the forest we listened without deep appreciation. Suddenly one jeep passed us and the guide in that vehicle informed our guide that they saw a tiger passing. The call by a male deer and repeated calls by languor confirmed their information arousing our curiosity to the peak of those high saal trees. The guide and driver were intelligent and witty. They discussed and took the vehicle to a place about 1 km away and parked the vehicle there. We wondered why he brought the vehicle that far. On being asked he responded, ‘This is the path of the tiger and if he is walking he would pass from that place.’ There were thick bushes amidst long trees filling everything before us with the shades of green. We watched eagerly but nothing came out. Our patience was running out yet our good sense prevailed and we stayed on. After a long silence the dead appearing bushes started scratching each other and wind filled our souls with excitement yet again and within a minute our zing was rewarded with a sight worth waiting for… 

A big male tiger coming out of the bush with his gaze full of anger growled at us. Our excitement grew by leaps and bounds and our eyes fixed to the moving magic for the next few moments. Tiger crossed the road and continued the journey away from our sight. Happy as we were, but it was not enough for our driver. He drove forward and waited at another place and once again the tiger came out near a stream and took a long dip inside the water giving us a rare glimpse seen only on TV so far. 

The happiness drove away the lethargy and we were up with further expectations. We moved forward to see more dark magic of the forest and we reached a place to have the breakfast we brought with us. A giant beautiful arch made by the antelopes of deers collected over the years from all over the forest distinguishes the park from others that I have seen so far.

After the break we were taken to a very well organised museum located nearby. We fell in love with it at first sight. The first room displayed a model of a dark rainy night in the forest drenching all the animals sending goosebumps on our body about the struggle of animals in the forest and the extreme conditions they face. Then there was another room with details of the tiger and its struggle and another room displaying the topographic details. The museum is rich in its informative demonstration about the flora and fauna that characterize Kanha and it presents a very creative picture of the topography of the national park. At last a dark room with a small dramatic yet real appearing scene of a kill by a tiger, when it jumps on the prey stealthily instilled fear in our minds and added further value to our experience of the park. 

The educative tour followed by a feast of a sort ended when we disembarked and started back for the park gates as the time to finish approached near. We returned back to our rooms to pack and start once again towards our home. 

The long ride completed in only a few days was full of memories and pictures in our mobile as was the river adjoining the place we stayed for the night after a spate of heavy rain. Kanha, invites all with its charm and enchanting environment. A well maintained park added sweetness to the unforgettable unwinding short trip enriching our life experiences.

Operation Ganga

 

This is a book written on contemporary issue which reflects the success of emerging India. The book shows the efforts made by Government of India, Indian missions abroad, overseas Indians, Indian industry and many social organizations to evacuate Indians trapped in Ukraine after the war started between Russia and Ukraine. It presents a fine example of excellent coordination and crisis management done by the Government of India.

ऑपरेशन गंगा

जब यूक्रेन पर युद्ध के बदल मँडराने लगे तब वहाँ रह रहे हज़ारों भारतीय विद्यार्थी और उनके माता-पिता चिंतित हो उठे।इस चिंता ने भारत सरकार को भी चिंता में डाल दिया। कुछ विद्यार्थी समय रहते यूक्रेन से निकल गये, परंतु बहुत से इसआस में वहाँ रहते रहे की युद्ध नहीं होगा या हुआ भी तो उनकी पढ़ाई पर कोई प्रभाव नहीं पड़ेगा। लेकिन उनकी यह आशातब निराशा में बदल गई जब सभी विद्यार्थियों को वहाँ से निकलने की समझायीश दे दी गई और सभी ने निकलना प्रारंभकर दिया।

किसी ने नहीं सोचा था की पढ़ाई के बीच कभी कोई ऐसा व्यवधान हो सकता है या उनके सपनों में कोई ख़लिश आसकती है।

युद्ध ने जहाँ एक ओर यूक्रेन के नागरिकों पलायन प्रारंभ करवाया वहीं दूसरी ओर बहुत से देश अपने नागरिकों को लेकरचिंतित हो उठे जो युद्ध प्रारंभ होने के बाद भी यूक्रेन में रह रहे थे। लेकिन समय रहते भारत सरकार की चिंताओं ने एकअभियान का रूप लिया जिसे हम ऑपरेशन गंगा के नाम से जानते हैं।

इस ऑपरेशन में भारत सरकार ने यूरोप के तमाम देशों और उनमें बसे प्रवासी भारतीयों, भारतीय दूतावासों, भारतीयमंत्रियों, कॉरपोरेट जगत, सामाजिक संगठन एवम् धार्मिक संस्थाओं का आवाहन कर भारतीय विद्यार्थियों को सफलतापूर्वक संकटग्रस्त क्षेत्र से निकाला। यह डायरी उन सभी के प्रयासों की कहानी है जिसमें विद्यार्थियों की तकलीफ़ें एवंउनकी यात्रा है तथा भारत सरकार और असंख्य भारतीयों की विद्यार्थियों की निकासी में भूमिका है जो भारत की सशक्त भारतीयता को प्रदर्शित करती है।

https://twitter.com/tarunpithode/status/1626564174548721664?s=12&t=U69HRpk_Vk-yco10X-cwQA

https://www.abplive.com/news/india/ukraine-russia-war-know-operation-ganga-courage-story-of-indian-students-who-studies-in-ukraine-ann-2351421

 https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/operation-ganga-how-india-ensured-students-evacuated-from-ukraine-could-bring-pets-along-2343338-2023-03-06

https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/madhya-pradesh/bhopal/operation-ganga-story-written-by-mp-ias-officer-tarun-pithode-during-russia-and-ukraine-war/articleshow/99817977.cms

https://www.patrika.com/up-news/operation-ganga-book-by-tarun-pithode-said-this-is-not-just-a-book-but-an-important-document-8212156/

https://www.amarujala.com/madhya-pradesh/read-the-story-of-bringing-back-about-17-thousand-indians-from-ukraine-in-ias-pithode-book-operation-ganga-2023-05-13

https://dainik-b.in/V4ZjuiaaTzb

The Battle Against Covid

The book is about my experience of dealing with the first wave of COVID pandemic and the experiences of various bureaucrats from across the country in dealing with COVID pandemic during the first and the second wave. The book further outlines the strategies employed for understanding the virus and containing the spread of the virus, and the role of institutes and hospitals. 

It further broaches the challenges faced by various other states with experiences and stories of how my seniors, friends, colleagues and juniors managed tense difficult situations in their respective states. It also covers the travails and woes of the migrant workers in detail. 

The book vividly captures heroic stories of people, doctors, police officers, administrators, everyday heroes. It later chronicles briefly the arrival of the vaccine, touches upon the topic of emergence of the deadlier second wave and the strategies employed by my colleagues to deal with the virus.

This book is an effort to weave my impressions of the pandemic, the outcomes and the profound lessons I took away as an administrator and an individual.

Reviews:

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/books/reviews/the-battle-against-covid-diary-of-a-bureaucrat/article65320216.ece

https://twitter.com/amitabhk87/status/1495660459810508801?s=12

https://twitter.com/iasassociation/status/1495679841953521665?s=12

https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/opinion/cool-breeze-diary-covid-times

https://www.news18.com/news/opinion/how-this-ias-officer-and-team-in-bhopal-prepared-for-the-covid-challenge-in-march-2020-4949993.html

https://apnabulletin.com/article/panel-discussion-on-ias-tarun-pithodes-book-the-battle-against-covid

https://www.amarujala.com/madhya-pradesh/bhopal-ias-tarun-pithode-booktrail-campaign-will-start-will-gift-3-thousand-books-kept-in-the-shelf

टूटते रिश्ते दरकते घर

 

टूटते रिश्ते दरकते घर, एक सामाजिक विषय पर लिखा गया उपन्यास है।

Happiness

 

This book presents a new model of human behaviour, which explains various emotions and behavioural responses of human being.

My Novel

It gives me immense pleasure to share with all that my first novel is out in print with the title 'I M Possible'. It is published by Prabhat Publication, Delhi (http://www.prabhatbooks.com/i-m-possible.htm#). I am happy to share, as it was really impossible for me to write, as I had never imagined in my life that i would be able to write someday. It was in fact a journey from impossible to I M Possible, thus came the title. I am sure the title will stand upto it. Those who are struggling to chase their dream will find it worth.
The experts from the cover page of the novel is as follows:



It is a story of a boy, Aditya, who struggles hard to achieve his dreams despite many odds. The novel takes the reader through  Aditya’s  early childhood adventures to success in the school and college. The college trekking expedition to Himalayas takes the reader through beautiful unique experiences of Himalayas where Aditya wins his love.
It describes ways to understand the world in a different way and even touches various social issues prevalent in India like caste, religion, child abuse, corruption and inflation.
In the final part, it talks of the inner voice and mysticism of the universal soul which are considered to be great guiding forces for a human being, provided he lowers his defence mechanisms to hear it. It is a philosophical, psychological and motivational story.
This book won’t let its reader lose the battle of life. It equips them to understand the world better and never get used by anybody.
A self motivating novel which will provide energy to its readers to excel and succeed in life, especially those who are in search of their dream.