Fragrance

Fragrance Aug-Sept Edition

October 6, 2010 - Posted by admin - 3 Comments

Dear Friends,

There is a beautiful song from Santha Kabir,

“Chalti chakki dekh kar diya Kabira rok,

Do patan ki bich mein sabit Bacha na koi,

Means the grinding stone grinds the grains to such an extent that none of them remains intact. Life is like those grinding stones that demands a lot. While performing our daily chores, we often forget our own self. Days become months and months become years and one day we will discover that we are in the brink of death. What left with us is nothing but to wait for that ultimate inevitable truth to bestow its mercy on us! How often we search for that inner voice which wants us to perform some job that really we want to do in life.

Like a morning dream, life becomes more and more bright the longer we live, and the reason of everything appears clearer. As we grow older, we can easily visualize the purpose life as a whole. And when we nurture that dream within us, life gets a purpose to it. Many people fail in life, not for lack of ability or brains or even courage but simply because they have never organized their energy around a goal. Goal setting is the most difficult task but once it is set life becomes worth of living. It doesn’t matter whether we live as a poor or rich, what drives us to live is our dream, our aim in life. And when defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild those plans, and set sail once more toward your coveted goal. But never give up dreaming…

With this thought presenting one more edition of Fragrance. In this edition we have plenty of poems, stories, few shipping article and Hope this will appeal you all.

If you have a yearn for writing do send your article, short stories , poems or shipping related article to us in our id writersadda@gmail.com or swayammaritime@gmail.com

Thanks & Regards

Swayamprava

Mermaid and the Sailor

Swayamprava

Once after my midnight watch, I was sitting on the deck below the dark star studded night. The Ship was drifting in the Pacific Ocean. The atmosphere was awesomely romantic.

Suddenly something touched my feet. I thought it was a snake. I was about to scream when two soft but beautiful white hands clasped me from behind. Before I could react they took me into its embrace. I was stunned . I lost my speech momentarily. In that deep embrace I could hear a human voice that started talking to me in a soft melodious tone,

“ Oh! Dear sailor, I am the princess of the Pacific Ocean. I need your help .Please help me.”

I was almost neck deep in her embrace. The vibes are too romantic to grasp. I gasp for a moment and said, “Dear will you please release your embrace as I can’t react. I am feeling breathless with your so strong vibes. I am feeling numb. My mind is going on an emergency shutdown mode from time to time.”

She smiled and said, “Dear sailor, I saw you when your ship passed through an Australian island. The moment I saw you I fell in love with you. Days and nights I am spending thinking about only you ! When I told about my love story to my father, he got so angry that he wanted me to marry to the Prince of North Atlantic in an immediate basis. I ran away in search of you and by the grace of god found you here!”

“You are so beautiful, so precious like a pearl from the ocean. But dear how can I marry a person with a tail like fish? ” I asked in a surprised voice.

She looked at me for a while. Here intense look started mesmerising me. Her romantic touch made me fall heads over heel for her . My senses refused to obey my commands. They just wanted to listen to her soft melodious voice and wanted to dive again and in that ocean like beautiful deep dark eyes…

When I was struggling hard with my senses, She took out a small conch and touched it to my eyes. It was like a magic world that revealed before me …I could see a rainbow spreading from sea to the sky. My mariner mind could locate our position. I felt, that position was just opposite to Bermunda Triangles. I saw hundreds of luminous paths spreading from that place towards sky. It was like a crossroad, and several lanes and by-lanes going to different stars. Suddenly, she took me into her embrace and jumped into sea. We swam towards a glowing blue lane. On the way she instructed,” Oh! Dear Sailor! You take this blue glowing road. It will take you to the Swati Star. You will find the cosmic dust on there. Bring that cosmic dust for me and apply it on my body. My tail will vanish forever.”

I took the path without any hesitation…

*******

Five years later she was sailing with me in the same ship with our son…

*******

My Teacher

BY-

Saurav Panda

My teacher is like a ray of light

She is like a key to success

She makes our lives bright

She makes our lives free of stress

Like a parent she takes care of us

I keep thinking of her in the school bus

I feel proud when I take her blessings

She is the one who teaches us all the values

With her precious knowledge she enlighten us

She makes us feel proud of being a successful students

She makes the world knowledgeable for us

She is like a rudder to our life’s ship

******

Still Rain

Susant Das

A colossal Chinese junk with

a dragon’s head,

spitting fireballs

hovering over head

A Satan’s roar

Innocent reptile closes ears.

A big battle is about to begin

Who cares,

what has drowned?

A floating foetus

a falling hut I

A half baked smile

a boiling stomach II

What is the logic in sticking to

an old argument,

already been violated

So many single ideas

and lines gone wasted,

Could have been a fantastic poetry

Concentration drizzling down heather and theather

May I be allowed some more time

to soak off all the dilemmas,

still raining within.

Three Books Written by Capt.T.K Panda

About The Author :- Capt. T.K Panda is an Extra Master. He has been teaching in competency courses, modular and value added courses for last 8 years. He is an external examiner for orals. They are Cargowork & Stowage, Ship Stability, Chartwork & Navigation

Cargowork & Stowage (Rs.395/- )
This book deals with Gas tankers (LPG and LNG carriers), Oil tankers and Chemical tankers , Bulk Carriers, Container Ships, Car Carriers ( PCCs and PCTCs) ,Grain Cargo, Timber ships, Livestock, Heavy lift ships and also Dangerous goods including IMDG Code, Dock Labour Safety (ILO-152), Draft survey calculations, Tanker and Derrick problems etc
Chart work and Navigation (Rs.295/-)

For Mate’s Phase-I Competency Examination and Mates’ & Masters’. It covers Chart work and Navigation principles including questions and answers from past questions in Competency Examination. The highlights of the book are Kepler’s Laws of Planetary motion, Resolving Celestial Cocked Hats, Great circle Distance including Composite Sailing, Simple Harmonic Method of Tidal Predictions (SHM), Projections (Mecator, Transverse mercator & Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM),Navigation in Ice and strengthening of ships, High latitude (Polar) Navigation and Polar Code developed by Transport Canada.)

Ship stability (Rs.195/-)

The book “Ship stability” is written, keeping an eye with NAVAL ARCHITECTURE PAPER-II of “CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF SHIP AND FOR PERSONS ON BOARD” Function of Mates’ phase-II competency Examination for Mates’ and Masters’. It covers Ship Stability and Naval Architecture Principles including questions and answers from past questions in competency Examination. The highlights of this book are all the areas of stability of Ships, starting from Simpson’s Rules to find area, centroid etc., Theorem of parallel Axis to find second moments of areas, centre of pressure for Fixed and Curvilinear Shapes, Bilging of Midship, Intermediate and End Compartments including Ship Shaped Vessel, Shearing Force (SF),Bending Moments (BM) and Torsinal Moments (TM),code of intact stability of Ships including IMO Weather Criteria, Angle of heel during turning, Rolling Period of Ships, Synchronism ,Parametric Rolling, Pooping etc. assembled in one book, keeping an eye especially Mates’ Phase-II syllabus.

Note :-

You can order it directly by sending a mail to

swayammritimeAcademy@gmail.com

contact

Mob :- 9768770865

Tel :- 022 27450109

For the member of writersadda,

If you have written any book recently pls send us a synopsis of the book, about the author along with the photo of the author and a photo of the cover page of the book. We will love to promote you book in the pages of “Fragrance”

Memories of my misspent days

Niranjan Nayak

Over indulged, over fondled and over protected by my doting parents, I was more like a zoo animal in my childhood quarantined from a lovely child’s world and child hood pleasures. I should not blame my parents for that because being a hypochondriac I had given them enough tense moments in their life barring occasional moments of happiness that every child strives to get for his parents in the shape of a good progress report. My childhood became a curse for me when I was made to realize that I could never be able to do what the other children of my age group loved doing most. I was never a rebel type and reconciled with my fate and accepted my parent’s oppressive love as a sort of divine wish.

Thus, I completed my schooling and passed my class 10 board examination with distinction. Now the real trouble started brewing at home since I was getting ready to make the decision of my life. I had two options before me: either I had to take admission in a local college and continue my study under my father’s supervision or to take admission in Ravenshaw College and stay in a hostel to prosecute my studies. Though I was a bit reticent and mild, I knew my own priorities. Then, I decided to voice my protest though in my characteristic timid manner and requested my father to allow me to study in a college of my liking. My father was shocked to know my decision. But he saw the logic in my decision. Moreover, he did not want his only son to go astray due to lack of proper exposure.

Finally, he got me admitted in to Ravenshaw college and managed to arrange a seat for me in East Hostel with the help of some of his ex-students working as professors there. And finally, the inevitable happened. Putting an end to all twists and turns of events I set out on my sojourn to have my own identity. My mother’s tears and my father’s skepticism about my ability to adjust in an alien culture could not come in the way of my mission. I became a proud Ravenshawvian.

I had to stay in a long dormitory accommodating nearly thirty students. Sun never sets in British Empire and light is never switched off in room no36. Sometimes, I had to jump over several beds like a monkey to reach the door. The ambiance was absolutely claustrophobic, but I had left my home with a grim resolution never to look back in life. My determination helped me relish the food that can kill ones taste bud forever and sleep in a room which can dampen even the strongest spell of slumber. I got used to this life. During the first few days, I studied seriously. The evenings during those first few days were spent in the college library. The vast stretch of unexplored knowledge fascinated me and heaps and heaps of books ravished me. It all went on well for some days. But when I was about to impress every one with my endeavour and attitude, three idiots made an entry into my life to become my best friends. One was a brilliant student who had lost his father at an early age. The second guy happened to be an average student who was interested in everything except studies. He was having a clandestine affair with one of his cousins and was always lost in a self made world of his own. But the third young man was from another planet. His reed thin frame and curly hair made him look like a creature from another terrestrial. I still do not know why I took a sudden fancy in him. Our friendship became the talk of the hostel and our presence irked many including the hostel warden.

Night was the right time for us to unleash our creative mischief and power failure in evening was a boon for us. I forgot my mission, my ambition and became Dennis, the menace to every serious student. Once, we requested the warden to allow us to watch the night show of a famous movie King Kong. On being denied flatly, we were disappointed. But we were not the kind of stuffs to give up so soon. We devised ways to give everyone a slip. In the evening, we purchased a hex and turned off the switch in our room to give the final shape to our notorious mission. With the hex, we cut down two railings of the window to create a narrow passage through which one could slide in like an acrobat. We finally watched the movie and while getting in to my room through the passage, we were caught by the hostel clerk. How we managed to stay in our hostel could be called the biggest miracle in my life.

My third friend was always under the illusion that he was the most sought after youngster of the campus and could impress any girl with his gallantry or good look. He fell in love with a new girl on every alternative day. But the most unfortunate thing was, he started using me as his personal assistant to write passionate love letters to those fast changing faces. Matters took an ugly turn when he fell in love with the only daughter of our assistant superintendent. Being a typical scheming type, he tried to befriend her brothers to woo his lady love. Expensive chocolates, candies, pastries and other delicacies were given to those two young kids with a strict instruction to share them with everyone. What they did with them is still a mystery to me. But one day my confident friend committed the greatest blunder of his life. He collected eight letters I-L-O-V-E-Y-O-U from one of our friend’s aristocrat brief case, kept them in a packet and scribbled down a note like this. Arrange these eight letters find out its meaning and send a reply to feed this starved heart. The message was delivered, but not to the prospective recipient, but her father. The lull that preceded the storm was more awe inspiring than the storm itself. Our assistant superintendent had a puffy and petulant face and with his grim appearance he could strike terror in any body’s heart. After receiving the packet, he solved the most challenging puzzle of his life by deciphering the message which left him stupefied. Right from the very next day, he started visiting our room regularly with an enhanced angry look on his angry face. His formidable presence unnerved us. The glare on his face gave us many a sleepless night because we knew that he would go hard on the culprit and his accomplices. My first friend went home on the pretext of visiting his ailing mother. One day the superintendent called me to his house and in a threatening voice asked me to ask my friend to throw off the idea of having anything with his daughter. Or else, he would not only destroy his life, but also my life for being Satan’s Beelzebub. With a head hung and tears rolling down from my eyes I left the place to convey the good news to my friend. Alas! He gave a mysterious smile and kept mum. Two days later he gave me the greatest shock of my life by letting me know that he had changed his girl friend.

When my friend was busy with his amorous exploits, something else attracted my attention. It was the vang coolfi available in college square. I suddenly fell in love with the idea of having a taste of the forbidden world of intoxication and ended up becoming an addict. My experiment had a dismal result when one day, I woke up and found myself lying on a platform where cultural festivals were held.

Two years passed like a long dream. Then came the worst news: the exam routine. The day I got it I fell ill. But after my recovery, good sense prevailed on me. I remembered the promise I had made before my parents. I spent the last few days with an unusual hurry and kept myself glued to my table at the cost my health. Finally after the exam I returned home with a heavy heart. I sincerely wanted to make amends. The entire month was spent in visiting temples to confess my guilt and beg forgiveness for the sin I had committed. My result came out in time and contrary to my expectations I had secured an impressive 70%. As an arts student, it was very impressive. I saw my father crying like a child. I promised on that day to say a big no to everything I had done to spoil my career. But could I really stick to my promise? Could I become successful in staying away from all those temptations that a Youngman finds attractive ? Please look forward to the second part

2^ND PART

I knew that I had a dream to fulfill, a promise to keep and miles to go before I would call it a day. The taste of success without much effort had given a tremendous boost to my confidence which was once sagging like the wrinkled skin of a centenarian. I wanted to make it big this time. The soothing effect of those happy drops of tears was very hard to forget. For the first time I realized the third, may be the fourth dimension of paternal love which once had smothered me in my own home. I made all mental preparedness to begin the second and the most important innings of my life. Same college, same friends and same ambiance, but my mission was to scale the height of the sky.

Ravenshaw college, the academic Mecca for every serious student, determined to excel in his life and exude before his knowledge hungry community that he is the best, I was there once again in my favourite campus with my favourite teachers and friends( please do not forget my favoureite trinity). This time I was more focused, serious and to be honest a bit proud too. When my friends opted for subjects like political science, sociology, psychology or economics, I preferred to stick to my puritanical attitude and took English as my major subject with history. My exposure to some fantastic classics in my school days had left a profound impact on me and I was just crazy to read more and more not only as a reader but also as a critic. History was never a tale dug out of past for me. Rather it was a creative projection of the life style of our ancestors and their achievements and failures; happiness and sorrows; jubilation and frustration. There was spontaneity in this subject and a strange life in the tales of the lifeless. I did never want to be a beauracrat but an honest dedicated teacher.

A few early setbacks like not getting a seat in my old hostel despite having good percentage of marks and an unwelcome pang of separation from my three old friends who were never willing to go to another hostel just because I was there shook me a little bit. Then I accepted it as providential separation and came to stay in New Hostel. A new environment, the luxury of having a single room and food items of better quality helped me forget my crush for East Hostel. I developed friendship with some inmates but religiously spent some leisure time in my old hostel with my old friends. In college my professors, books seminars and meetings kept me preoccupied. I soon became the blue eyed boy of my teachers.

When everything was going on in perfect harmony with my ambition, my dream and my desire, the naughty cupid shot its capricious arrow at me. I always had open admiration for psychology and unknown to me this admiration changed in to love and manifested itself in the shape of tempestuous passion for a pretty face having a close link with the subject. During the first few days it was my adoration for the subject that motivated me to read Sigmund Fraeud , Jung and Morgan. But gradually I realized how I was torturing myself with an arduous task of reading something too difficult for average human comprehension and struck a compromise with the subject by trying to learn it by keeping my eyes fixed on the pretty face of a serious student of psychology. Incidentally the department faced the platform built in SBI campus and had worked wonderfully as the most suitable Adda for a few gossip hungry youngsters of my age. I was coming to this place every morning to sip my morning cup of tea. But one day, I realized what important role this site would play in my life because from the raised platform it became convenient for me to stare at my object of love for hours together without letting her have a chance to guess what was brewing up in my subconscious mind. My hypnotized eyes captured every frame of her graceful movement. Her dark and flowing hair, her singsong voice, the spark in her eyes, they all created many tiny ripples in my super sensitive heart. I fell desperately in love with her. My close friends started eyeing me with concern. They did not want their most prudent and prudish friend to go astray in wasting time after a relationship which could never be formed. Moreover, they knew my guts and knew pretty well my inability to drag a girl in to conversation, what to speak of professing my love for her. But the love bug had thrust its lethal sting within my heart to trigger an obsession which one day proved fatal for me. Almost for a year and a half I spent many useful mornings gulping down cups after cups of tea to the utmost delight of the poor tea stall owner while staring at her with my obsessed eyes san any repentance and shame. But never was I able to elicit a casual glance from her. I was suffering from the pangs of unrequited love (if at all one can call it love). The sweet suffering made this experience more endearing than painful. I did not have the guts to write her name with my blood. So I allowed a mosquito to suck as much blood as possible and when its tummy swelled up like a balloon I killed it with one blow to write her name with my blood. The innocent mosquitoes’ were sacrificed on the altar of my love. Thank god I was saved from malaria! But I failed and so did my love.

In the month of January, Sanjay broke the worst news to me, the news of her engagement to a chartered accountant. I was devastated. My prolonged cat and mouse game came to an end at last. I cried but less with remorse and more with shame. My cards house collapsed right under my nose. My brittle dreams broke into pieces and the scattered splinters pierced in to me to leave me bleeding all over. A new route of escape opened before me. I came back to my hostel drunk. My roommate Ajaya was almost petrified to see me in this state. I had never seen him getting so angry during these two years. He threw me my out of the room. I spent the night with another friend in state of alcohol induced oblivion.

My love story came to an end and a chapter in my life too. But I was quick enough to forget everything. My new found love provided me with ample consolation. Bottles of bears were uncorked and empty bottles of whiskeys, vodkas and rums accumulated under my bed, leaving my friend in a state of exasperation. He finally gave up and I won the battle but lost a war. With a friend of mine who was a good example of a spoilt son of a rich father I squandered my father’s hard earned money. Somewhere within my heart, I developed a deep hatred for woman for a wrong reason at a very wrong time in my life. I gradually became famous as self styled misogynist because a few people knew about my love story. Otherwise, they could have called me a frustrated lover: a term that has a derogatory connotation for someone like me. The exam came at the right time. But this time I did not panic. Moreover I had nothing to lose. My parents already had turned into an irritating couple who should have been in a temple to deliver sermons to a group of stupid people grappling with their confusion. Neither did I have any fear for my father’s anger nor any concern for my mother’s love. I was too happy to reform/ or deform myself into a bohemian.

I passed the exam, but with a percentage that could put any good student into a state of shock. But, I had no repentance what so ever. I left Ravenshaw with bundle of failure. My friends admonished me to mend my ways. My father’s pale face hunted me day and night like a nightmare. Mt mother’s tears dissolved the frozen sins. I realized my crime and got ready to pass through the purgatorial fire to purify my defiled soul. The journey from inferno to paradiso was difficult but never impossible. My friends were too happy to discover a pleasing resurrection of their best friend who had once lost his ways but came home late. What I had lost could never be compensated and what I gained could never be lost. Life is full of twists and turns: surprises and shocks: ups and downs. But one has to live life to experience them all. Now as I sit and brood, I barely feel any remorse because a homecoming is a homecoming after all

******************************

Incomplete stories have mesmerizing gravity…

Vijaya Bhanu

We both will part hands forever in future

Packing bundles of memories to rub into torture

Dispossessing our entwined fingers to say good bye

We will display feeble smile…though it’s a pure lie…

Incomplete stories have mesmerizing gravity

To pull you though you flew away from their beauty

Evacuated heart still feels the love

Ticking alarm of restlessness still has a move

Swollen nerves triumph your peace

Invincible sleeping nights get battled into many a piece

Incomplete stories have encompassed gravity

To pull you though you go away from their garland so beady

Dwelling in the cocoon becomes your routine

But niches of incompleteness curses your fortune

Your life’s coral breathes for the lost color

Impact of your beloved leaves you with a drooping tear

Incomplete stories have defining gravity

To pull you though you run away from their border…blankly

A twitch hits your soul every time you ponder

The past switches your moods on it’s under

Radiance of your eyes still will leave me scarce of togetherness

Evolved emotions will find no way out of their harness

Incomplete stories have repeated gravity

To pull you though you hide from their waves so flaunty

*****

DO YOU WANT A HAPPY MARRIED LIFE..

Harekrushna Behera

A balanced married life gives you almost all pleasure, which you cannot avail, from any other kind of life. The full fledged, knowledgeable & learning based life is one’s married life. A sannyasi cannot return to the married life as he has the fear of condemnation from the society but a married man can go to have a life of sannyasi at the societal sanction. Learning & tests start as soon as you enter in to the married life. There is a great difference between the masculine & feminine gender. If both will be united then only possible the highest life. Sorrow lies in the isolation. In isolate searching for the God is meaningless. God dwells in the heart of everybody. If you are searching & finding the source of joy within your heart then there now God dwells, there is no doubt as God himself is the source of joy & happiness.

Life bleeds, it becomes helpless because of our own faults. We cry because we have no power of patience. We suffer from the diseases, as we have no time to spare for yoga & asanas. We divorce each other because we have not spared the time to understand each other & we have no capacity to maintain relationship. We dislike, as we don’t have the capacity to admire or praise. Even your dangerous moment can be saved & filled with joy if you have changed your attitude. The need in married life is to sing one song of faith & confidence by believing on the God’s blessings. Finding out faults in small small incidents in the married life helps in the pilling up of hatred, which leads to further distrust & frustration. Don’t break any body’s heart. A heart is more valuable than your lakh rupee worth car. Small small losses happen in the life just like clouds in the sky. They come & go. But if we patiently observe the hidden learning within these losses then we can understand the value of those that god has proposed for our life.

Life without hurdles is a dead life. The man who has already experienced some hurdles in his life he is the fittest among the others. A bed of roses is the bed of thorns of tomorrow. Hoping the God for the easy work is a lazy man’s crazy. Don’t hope such. If you want some thing from God, beg for the strength to cross the hurdles by struggle. Don’t fear of the challenges of the married life. Keep faith in yourself & face the life challenges one after another. There the real life exists. There, the joy & your happy life lie. Try to understand the secrecy behind this creation.

Harekrushna Behera

M.Phil, B.Ed, MBA

hare_321ku@rediffmail.com

****

Shipping Section

Reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs)

Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) – 61st session: 27^th September – 1 st October, 2010 at IMO head quarter in London

The reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from international shipping will be a major focus for the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), when it meets for its 61st session from 27^th September to 1st October, 2010 at the IMO Headquarters in London.

Also high on the agenda will be the expected adoption of the revised Annex III of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), covering pollution from packaged goods, and consideration of issues relating to the implementation of the ballast water management and ship recycling conventions.

Measures to address GHG from ships
The MEPC is expected to consider the approval of technical and operational measures to reduce CO2 emissions from international shipping (specifically, the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP)) as mandatory measures, possibly as amendments to MARPOL Annex VI Regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships, with the type and size of vessel to which they will apply also to be agreed.

A working group on GHG issues will be convened during the session to refine the regulatory text implementing the technical and operational measures as mandatory standards, as well as the formulas and guidelines supporting the regulatory text.

The MEPC will have before it for consideration the outcome of two intersessional working groups, one of which progressed work on the contemplated technical and operational measures to enhance energy efficiency in ships’ operations, while the other, consisting of a group of experts, conducted a feasibility study and impact assessment of a number of proposed market-based measures.

Adoption of the revised MARPOL Annex III

The MEPC will consider, with a view to adoption, the revised MARPOL Annex III Regulations for the prevention of pollution by harmful substances carried by sea in packaged form. The amended text, which was approved at the last session, is aimed at bringing the Annex up to date with the mandatory International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, specifying that goods should be shipped in accordance with relevant provisions.

Implementation of the Ballast Water Management Convention
The MEPC will address issues relating to the implementation of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 and is expected to reiterate the need for ratification of the Convention to achieve its entry into force. To date, 26 States, with an aggregate merchant shipping tonnage of 24.66% of the world total, have ratified the Convention. The Convention will enter into force twelve months after the date on which not fewer than 30 States, the combined merchant fleets of which constitute not less than 35 percent of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant shipping, have become Parties to it.

The MEPC is also expected to decide on proposals for “basic approval” or “final approval” of 10 ballast water management systems that make use of active substances, after consideration of the reports of the thirteenth and fourteenth meetings of the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environment Protection (GESAMP) Ballast Water Working Group, which met in May and July 2010, respectively.

Recycling of ships
The MEPC will continue its work on developing guidelines intended to assist ship recycling facilities to commence introducing voluntary improvements to meet the requirements of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, which was adopted in May 2009.

Following development by a correspondence group, the MEPC will consider draft Guidelines for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling, Guidelines for the development of the Ship Recycling Plan and Guidelines for the authorization of Ship Recycling Facilities.

The Committee is expected to encourage Governments to ratify the Convention, which has been signed, subject to ratification, by five countries, and to review the programme for technical assistance aimed at supporting its early implementation.

Revision of MARPOL Annex V
The MEPC is expected to consider the approval of proposed draft amendments to revise and update MARPOL Annex V Regulations for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships and its guidelines, following a comprehensive review by a correspondence group

Emission Control Area proposal
The MEPC will consider a proposal to designate certain waters adjacent to coasts of Puerto Rico (United States) and the Virgin Islands (United States) as an Emission Control Area (ECA) for the control of emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOX), sulphur oxide (SOX), and particulate matter under MARPOL Annex VI Regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships.

Currently, there are two designated ECAs under Annex VI, the Baltic Sea area and the North Sea area, and a third area, the North American ECA, was adopted in March 2010, with expected entry into force in August 2011.

Annex IV special area proposal
The MEPC will consider a proposal to amend MARPOL Annex IV Prevention of pollution by sewage from ships to include the possibility of establishing Special Areas for the prevention of such pollution and to designate the Baltic Sea as a Special Area under this Annex.

Proposal to make Strait of Bonifacio a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area
The MEPC will consider a proposal submitted by France and Italy to designate the Strait of Bonifacio as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA).

***********************************************

ECDIS & MRM becomes Mandatory from 1^st January ,2012

Major revisions to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (the STCW Convention), and its associated Code have been adopted at a Diplomatic Conference in Manila, the Philippines, thereby ensuring that the necessary global standards will be in place to train and certify seafarers to operate technologically advanced ships for some time to come.

The Conference was held in Manila from 21 to 25 June under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution from ships.

The amendments, to be known as “The Manila amendments to the STCW Convention and Code” are set to enter into force on 1 January 2012 under the tacit acceptance procedure and are aimed at bringing the Convention and Code up to date with developments since they were initially adopted in 1978 and further revised in 1995; and to enable them to address issues that are anticipated to emerge in the foreseeable future.

Amongst the amendments adopted, there are a number of important changes to each chapter of the Convention and Code, including:

Improved measures to prevent fraudulent practices associated with certificates of competency and strengthen the evaluation process (monitoring of Parties’ compliance with the Convention);
Revised requirements on hours of work and rest and new requirements for the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as updated standards relating to medical fitness standards for seafarers;
New certification requirements for able seafarers;
New requirements relating to training in modern technology such as electronic charts and information systems (ECDIS);
New requirements for marine environment awareness training and training in leadership and teamwork;
New training and certification requirements for electro-technical officers;
Updating of competence requirements for personnel serving on board all types of tankers, including new requirements for personnel serving on liquefied gas tankers;
New requirements for security training, as well as provisions to ensure that seafarers are properly trained to cope if their ship comes under attack by pirates;
Introduction of modern training methodology including distance learning and web-based learning;
New training guidance for personnel serving on board ships operating in polar waters; and
New training guidance for personnel operating Dynamic Positioning Systems.

Conference resolutions

In addition to two resolutions adopting the aforesaid amendments, the Conference also adopted resolutions on:

- Expression of appreciation to the host Government;

- Transitional provisions and early implementation;

- Verification of certificates of competency and endorsements contained;

- Standards of training and certification and ships’ manning levels;

- Promotion of technical knowledge, skills and professionalism of seafarers;

- Development of guidelines to implement international standards on medical fitness for seafarers;

- Revision of existing model courses published by the International Maritime Organization and development of new model courses;

- Promotion of technical co-operation;

- Measures to ensure the competency of masters and officers of ships operating in polar waters;

- Attracting new entrants to, and retaining seafarers in, the maritime profession;

- Accommodation for trainees;

- Promotion of the participation of women in the maritime industry;

- Future amendments and review of the STCW Convention and Code;

- Contribution of the International Labour Organization;

- Role of the World Maritime University and IMO International Maritime Law Institute and International Maritime Safety, Security and Environment Academy (IMSSEA) in promoting enhanced maritime standards;

- Year of the Seafarer; and

- Day of the Seafarer

*****************

An e-zine

from

Swayam Maritime AcAdemy

And its online wings

www.SwayamMaritimeAcademy.com

www.WritersAdda.com

www.ShippingTutorials.com

Fragrance July-Aug Edition

August 26, 2010 - Posted by admin - 4 Comments

Dear Friends,

Glad to present one more edition of fragrance. we have included a poem on “dreams”, a letter to monsoon , a thought provoking poem on “life and reality” , excerpts of a face to face interview with booker award winner ms. arundhati roy with our writer friend vijaya banu , a thought provoking write up on risk assessment and an article on OIL SPILL FROM MSC CHITRA AFTER COLLISION & GROUNDING.

“Swayam maritime academy” has completed just one year, this month. It has received lots of attention and pampering from almost all the leading shipping companies. In our journey your faith on us gives us enormous strength to grow and impart quality maritime training to our inmdian seafarers. In this one year we have installed two simulators, Transas Ntpro 4000 and IMC BTM simulators, We have 46 value added courses to offer and about 15 courses are running very successfully. We are dreaming to run a Framo course of 3 days duration including workshop, in near future. We have now fully AC classrooms, a guesthouse ,and 3 websites to our credit.

“writer’s adda” has also completed one year on this July. Now we have 335 members in www.writersadda.com. immensely talented writers , present in our website writer’s Adda ,are making this site a nice meeting and unique place for wannabe writers. In twitter we have now 73 followers, which shows, we are getting popular day by day.

We would like to hear a word from you. So don’’t forget to give your valuable feedback. Our e-mail id is www.swayammaritime@gmail.com & www.writersadda@gmail.com

Visit our sites

www.SwayamMaritimeAcademy.com

www.WritersAdda.com

www.shippingtutorials.com

Hope this edition will succeed in holding your imagination and wish to see your articles, blogs in the pages of writersadda.com as well as in this Newsletter “Fragrance” itself.

Thanks & Regards

Swayamprava

Dreams…

Swayamprava

Dreams…

Sometimes take you to ecstasy

Make you feel so special

Making life a worthy saga

Blossom everyday with new dreams to add on

Dreams…

Take you to new heights to scale the sky

Defying gravity, gliding in the cloud nine

You just keep on thanking your destiny

For making your life worth of millions

Dreams…

Stay as long as you see them in closed eyes

Simmer in its sweet sensation

Forgetting your world

You run after it like a passionate lover

Dreams…

So ethereal in nature!

They won’t come to your grip

Instead they create such a big vacuum

That nothing can pacify you anymore

Dreams…

Like a mirage it will always stay in the horizon

You just run to catch through out your life

Until you drop dead between the sand of dunes

In that hot dessert called reality

A letter to Monsoon

Niranjan nayak

Dear,

On getting the news of your benign advent, my heart leaped with joy. I lay down on my bed with my ears attuned to hear the tinkling of your anklets and jingling of your bangles. For a while I kept all my unhappiness and gloom suspended to create within me a perfect mood to welcome you like the crazy maenads, celebrating the ritual of ultimate ecstasy. From a distance, my eager ears could hear the rhythmic chanting of your palanquin bearers as they brought you nearer and still nearer to my modest cottage. I could hear that intoxicatingly sweet smell emanating from your body and see a part of the dark veil covering this harsh blue sky. I missed a heartbeat. In a state of frenzy I ran out of my house to inform the trees, the tiny plants, the humming insects, the lovely birds and the desperate men and animals about your arrival. Even the tears you shed while bidding adieu to your parental home for a while drenched my shoulders and soaked my heart.

But dear me, what happened to you on the midway. The news of your irritatingly sluggish approach has left me devastated. I have no oil left in my lamp to keep it burning till the end of this long night. Nor do I have much patience in my heart to endure the pang of this unexpected delay. Forget about me dear, your favourite floras and faunas have started withering in your absence. Wave your magic wand to bring back life within the dead and hope within the hopeless. Ask your palanquin bearer to hurry up and do me and my parched earth a great favour by bringing an end to this painful waiting. Unfurl your dark veil once again, and inundate my soul with those silvery drops of happiness. Instill life within the life less and inculcate faith within all those faithless braggarts who tinker with your sanctity with their stupidity interpreted as knowledge by a section of our insensitive brethrens. Forgive them and wash their sins off with your love, compassion and grace. But last but not the least; please do not forget my humble cottage and your ardent lover, sitting within keeping the window of his heart open.

Love to love you

Me and my loneliness

Honey Moon

Vikram Sharma

Being married for more than a decade we decided to get some time off from our busy routine … so as soon as my son and my wife Anjali’s summer vacations started, we got our son admitted to GoBanana Club for the summer camp…… and both of us planned a small trip to hills, visiting all the places we had visited about a decade ago during our “Just Married” time.

We started off from Chandigarh early in the morning at 4:00 am from Chandigarh to Shimla. Starting early had a great advantage… it helps to avoid the traffic jams that occurs frequently at townships like Kalka-Parwanoo on the National Highway to Shimla. In just two and half hours we were at Shimla covering the first 110 k.m. of our journey in which about 90 km were hilly drive. The road after Kalka is full of twists and turns and winds on the Kasauli hills. Kasauli is an important Air Force base which played a crucial role in 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan. Thouh Kasauli is on the side route , about 15 km away from the National Highway road that goes to Shimla. Near Dharampur, there is a diversion to go to Kasauli. We decided to avoid Kasauli and had for Shimla straight….

The straight strip you see in the pic above is the aerodrome near Shimla. Pic taken from Shogi, a small village about 15 km before Shimla Being a devoted Hanuman Bhagat , our first stop was at Sankat Mochan Mandir which is at TaraDevi, just 5-6 kilometers before Shimla. After the Darshan, we reached the out skirts of Shimla and took the Fagli by-pass to avoid the traffic at Shimla. Just after crossing Balueganj, we took the Fagli-Tutikandi road and reached Sanjauli, avoiding the busy Cart-Road and hectic bus-stand of Shimla, thereby saving our precious morning hours as sun rise of Kufri hills is one of the best sites which I would have not missed at any cost. Soon we crossed Fagoo and reached Kufri… the lush green valley with huge and thick forests of pine and devdaar welcomed us… the breeze was still virgin and carried the musky fragrance of pine glades…

We stopped for tea and snacks as after Kufri there is no quality-restaurant till Narkanda which is about 65 kilometers from Shimla and was about 55 k.m. from Kufri. The road is well maintained an is quite wide and efforts of H.P. to keep it free from land slides is quite appreciable. We gained height as we climbed to Theog and here we had a great view of wide Valley. Due to clouds and clouds engulfing the hills the visibility was quite dim, still the feel of clouds was enough to ignite romanticism in our hearts….

Soon the ascent increased and the coolness of air turned in to cold winds… that too on the morning hours of 27th May when Chandigarh experienced a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius.

From Narkanda again we took the road to Rampur Bushahr which was about 65 k.m. from Narkanda… a continuous descent …. And now we had too unwind the hills and loose the height we had gained. We could she the Himalayan terrain still clad with snow and the white hill peaks glistened in the morning Sun… the horizon painted with the vivid colors …. The binoculars gave us the feel of touching the snow… and yeah the Himalayan birds were too beautiful to be described in words…

The road from Narkanda to Rampur is covered with deep forests and on the pag-dandies, the small kachha paths on hills, we could see Pahari ladies in their traditional dress, wearing Razeita and Dhatoo (Long Skirt and cloth on head) with a Quilta (bamboo basket) on their backs. Water, vegetabls, fruits ad even kids are carried in a Quilta. Most of them carried water from the springs and Baoowdies (small out-lets of water in hills)…

Soon we reached SSB (Sashaster Sena Bal) camp and the site was quite beautiful… small small military cottages and buildings on the slope , well maintined by the military. And at that point we had the first view of the river Sutlez…. Which looked like an innocent hill stream from the height. In a fast pace we dropped fro heights to lower altitude and Sutlez river turned into a mighty roaring one. Kingal, Duttnagar, Sainz, Nogali… so many villages/townships with typically built houses formed a unique sight. But as we went closer to Rampur Bushahr, the next main town on our route, the houses style turned modern

and we missed the Himachali type of construction at Rampur Bushahr.

At the entrance of Rampur we again bowed before Hanuman ji (pic below)

The temple is just above the Sutlez River on the road side.

Threading our way through the market of Rampur Bushahr we saw the wooden palace of Raja Veer Bhadra (ex Chief Minister of H.P.) descendent of royal family of former Bushahr Estate. We saw the palace which is adjacent to bus stand of Rampur from out-side. The beautiful work on wood was quit evident but photography was not allowed nor anyone was allowed to enter as royal family still resides in there…..

On the way we saw the famous Nathpa Jhakri Dam. After travelling about 25 km we reached Juri and Sutlez sai bye-bye to us and we turned upwards on the hill to reach Sarahan. We could just reach out and pluck apples on the way as apple, plum, apricot orchards were on the

road sides…. (but beware of dogs too as they are the main guards of the orchards… and take care monkeys can also rob your mobiles, goggles etc…) See the pic below… my wife shows the evidence of her “theft”….

We stayed at the Jeewan Jyoti Hotel, where all facilities were available from parking space to great food , from modern amenities to cable channels… with good rooms which had big widows to allow us to see the beautiful Shri Khand hills, the Valley of Bushahr region, th high hills and the Sutlez river… which looked like a small serpent now…..

In the evening we went to Bheema Kali Temple…. Since no camera was allowed inside, so we took pics from outer Sides…

Shri Bhima Kali Temple is a temple at Sarahan in Himachal Pradesh in India, dedicated to the mother goddess Bhimakali, presiding deity of the rulers of former Bushahr state. The temple is situated about 180 km from Shimla and is one of 51 Shakti Peethass. The town Sarahan is known as the gate way of Kinnaur. Sarahan is identified with the then Sonitpur mentioned in Puranas.

As per the Bengali tourists we came to know the history of the temple as , the manifestation of the goddess is reported to the Daksha-Yajna incident when the ear of the Sati fell at this place and became a place of worship as a Pitha – Sthan. Presently in the form of a virgin the icon of this eternal goddess is consecrated at the top storey of the new building. Below that storey the goddess as Parvati, the daughter of Himalaya is enshrined as a divine consort of Lord Siva.

The temple complex has another three temples dedicated to Lord Raghunathji, Narsinghji and Patal Bhairva Ji (Lankra Veer) – the guardian deity.The local Pahari priest told us that human sacrifice was prevalent in the temple which is now replaced by a sacrifice of a he-goat. The Lankra Veer is the main WAZIR (Prime minister type) of the Temple. An important deota often has another deota as its wazir and the wazir occupies a small temple adjoining the main one or his image is placed near the door. Thus Maheshra of Shingra is wazir to the temple of Bhima Kali at Sarahan. Unusual architecture and wealth of wood carvings, Shri Bhima Kali Temple at Sarahan is the major monument that is duplicated nowhere else in the erstwhile hill states.

SINCE no authentic story was heard by us from people and guides there I collected the authentic data from net as per the details given below…..

Dedicated to the mother goddess Bhimakali presiding deity of the Rulers of former Bushahr Sate, situated at 2150 mtrs MSL this magnificent temple is about 180 kms. from Shimla.With its capital at Shonitpur this former princely state was extended up to entire area of Kinnaur where for somtimes Lord Shiva disguised himself as Kirat.Today, the then Shonitpur is known as Sarahan. Banasur, the ardent devotee of Lord Siva, eldest among the one hundred sons of great oblative demon King Bali and the great grandson of Visnu votary Prahlad, during the Puranic age was the ruler of this princely state.Due to Usha-Anirudh affairs Lord Krishna fought here with him and in this battle Lord Siva stood against the former. The legend goes that head of the defeatd king Banasur was buried in front of the entry gate now marked as a raised platform to the first courtyard. Reaching a few steps up from the road to this paved courtyard pilgrims enter into a different world. After Banasur, Pradyuman the incarnation of cupid and the son of Lord Krishna became the Ruler of this Kingdom. Since then this Kingdom was governed uninterruptedly by the descendants of this dynasty till the end of the princely states in independent India .In the State capital this ruling family got constructed a splendid temple palace complex and recognised mother goddess Bhimakali as the presiding deity of the ruling house We attended the aarti in the evening . There is a bird sanctuary at Sarahan , but is closed from April to July due to mating season for birds At the foot of the sanctuary there is a temple of Shri Ram And on the way we could get glimpse of another Palace, mainly made with wood but were sad to see that modern maintenance had diluted the authentic ancient art …. A small stadium and heli-pad was also atop a small hill. Night was quite cold as the wind howled thru the green valleys and orchards… the clinging of Tibettan musical instruments could be heard at a distance . The architecture of the temple was unique and very different from rest of the temples of Himachal. The Pagoda style with Himachali artistic wood work… Inside temple the stairs were too small and of low height …(see the bumps I had on my head… ) Behind is the top of temple, see the metal (said to be silver and gold) at roof top. My wife was reprimanded to click the pic and our mobile was almost snatched away… Also see the water tanks… water is precious here.On the way ITBP camps and regimental building and training grounds give a beautiful view Next Morning we headed for Sarahan to Sangla, First we came back to Juri from where we travelled to Karcham , a Tehsil in Kinnaur and then diverted our way with the river Baspa and saw the huge machines of JP group building another dam there… the road that diverted to Sangla was quite narrow and at turns we had to reverse back t give way to vehicles. It was about 70 km drive from Juri to Sangla which took about three hours… thanks to dare devil roads which had deep gorges… if you drive just see ahead not o sides else you might feel dizzy Sangla is a beautiful valley with flowers. From Sangla we went to Chitkul as snow had started to fall. But the murky sky made it impossible for my mobile to click pics any further.We stayed at tents, though Banjara camps offered a night for Rs 4000 while Kinner tents charged about Rs 800 per night.

Next morning we headed back to Shimla with a long stop over at Narkanda again…. Since driving was tough so we decided to stay at Shimla again and this time we again went to Jakhu Temple at Shimla, Krida Devi and Tara Devi temple ….

Next day we were again back to Chandigarh….

Distance Chart :

Chandigarh to Kalka = 25 km , straight plain road.

Kalka to Shimla = 100 km , hilly but excellently maintained wide road

Shimla to Narkanda = 65 km with hilly road, with each curve you gain height

Narkanda to Rampur = 65 km with each curve you loose height

Rampur to Juri = 25 km , again you start the ascent

Juri to Sarahan = 17 km, you gain tremendous height again

Sarahan to Sangla (with back journey thru Juri) = 90 km , feel like gliding over hills and you learn what tough driving means. Make sure to get your car serviced after you return safely to you home…. I mean it

Sometimes…

Vijaya Bhanu

Sometimes…time seems to have stopped

You feel as if you tend to chase every second

Try to dig…but the memories say “touch me not”

Don’t know to where…but your shadow too disappears…informing not!

A seedling of a reflection….sowed in brain…

Struggles lot to escape from an un built wall

An explosion somewhere inside the heart

Doesn’t let your being sit calm!

Don’t know what…don’t know why…

An emotion sways all the nerves in pain

Don’t know from when it starts its hush

The ocean’s wave stamps the sand heaps of your feelings!

Don’t know what happens…

Time turns its flight towards you

Don’t know what happens to the planets of the body

There starts a beautiful song of rotation

Wearing the shining wings, those seconds you chased….start chasing you

Rock stone time turns into the song of a waterfall

The light of your individuality glimmers…

Thousand petal opportunity stands at your feet!

It doesn’t happen sometimes when you want to walk with a sword on the time’s edge

Breeze takes you high in its own palanquin sometimes….

Though you see the ladder in front, sometimes the legs won’t support

Sometimes the sky you want to reach….falls in your hands magically!

Meeting Arundhati Roy

Vijaya Bhanu

Social responsibility is my motto. Self confidence is my strength. I believe in my decisions and taking risk. I can’t ever have a boss. I endure difficulties and fight courageously.” Listen to these words and look into her beautiful and expressive eyes…you are sure to change your life style. She inculcates self confidence into your life. She has something in her words…an attractive tone and an innovative thinking. An inspiring writer and a great social activist…Arundhati Roy has many things to share in the meeting conducted by EMESCO and Prajaswamika Rachayitrula Vedika in union. Just to turn your thoughts and opinions into an altogether different way…she speaks out in her own way…knowing sternly…that you are going to change!

I had to rush into any train I could get on Saturday night (10th July 2010) when I got the message that I am invited for a meeting with Arundhati Roy in Hyderabad. Luckily a friend of mine was going to Warangal that night and I shared his seat during the journey. It was worth sitting on the berth all the night to see the illuminating face and to hear the enthralling speech of her. All was really worth. I felt mesmerized even by the tasteless veg biryani, the Stewart of the train pantry car handed over to me. I endured the paining legs thinking of how she would have gone through the long forests in dandakaranya few months back….result of which she wrote “walking with the comrades.”

When I got a little time of about 20 minutes to stand with her and have a bit of chat, I never thought that those 20 minutes were going to change me to the core. My one and only ambition in life toppled down to replace her words on the best chart of my mind. Jajula gowri akka (writer of the well known book mannu buvva) was introducing herself to Arundhati and I was looking at her face to read her response. She shared a few glances at me for a while and asked Gowri akka, “What does she do?” pointing at me. Knowing that I write poetry in English, she nodded her head and smiled in grace. Then we started our conversation. Not so long but worth sharing our feelings. Gowri akka was talking about “The God of small things” it was when I said “we all came to know about you with the publishing of that book, you getting a booker prize and denying the prize money.” She smiled and said in a low but firm voice, “that is not a serious thing for me now.” This single sentence squirmed my mind and made me go deep to find out what she actually meant through her words and speech. I asked then, “I have read in some news paper or a blog that you are going to operate a blog on internet to share your feelings. Is it true?” she smiled again and with a cool look she replied, “No! I am not going to share my feelings through the blog. I don’t believe in saying what I feel and what I meant always to people. They should know me by my deeds not words.” I loved that. She shared her information and gave us her email id. Few more questions raised from other writers present there and she was busy answering them with the same cool smile. I kept observing how a social activist and a great writer could handle people and their enthusiasm towards her.

In the evening of 11^th July 2010, she arrived early to the meeting venue,” EMESCO Sahitya Nilayam, Domalguda, Hyderabad. The meeting was on the topic, “The problems of women in present day society and the role of women writers in this context.” Every writer who attended this meeting went out with a new wave of activeness in her brain.

The way she speaks about the problem is entirely different. Before speaking about the problem, she speaks about herself. She says what she things, what she does. In little words she enables others to know how her thoughts transform into actions. Smiling always. She tips off the sleeping thoughts and deeds with her words and asks them to wake up for a purposeful life and deed.

“Never think that you are a victim. This is the thought which strengthens the enemy and gives him happiness. We you think you are not a victim and tend to fight with the problem, your enemies will be afraid and will get fantasized by you. This is feminism in my view.” Said Arundhati Roy.

“Many people think that they are victims though there is no reason or problem. Few people never think they are victims and keep fighting with the problems. There lie the difference between a strong and a weak person.” Said she aiming at the substandard thinking of many people.

“I have seen professional feminists who organize themselves into NGO’s. They never fight against the construction of dams, mining or displacements, though they know that women are the mostly suffered group in these circumstances. They are indifferent in these aspects, may be it was Bastar or Narmada valley.” She said about the professional NGO’s.

“We should be self sustained and self earning so as to live a life of our own. I never had a boss since childhood. I endure difficulties and stand against them. I never took anyone’s help when I was studying Architecture in Delhi. I worked to pay my fees. I didn’t see my father in my childhood and my mom always said, don’t marry. Though for the sake of doing something against my mom’s wish, I married few times.” Arundhati described her personal life.

“Being a victim is in mind set. We have to change this. We have to come out of this mindset. Change the discourse and even if you are fighting, it is better to be a fighter rather than being a victim. Refuse to be a victim. “Fantastic tradition of resistance is in your inheritance. Don’t forget that. “She tried to inculcate fighting for a cause in the writers.

“I am a badmash kind human being. I like asking for what I want and like to provoke and make people think about what I said. I don’t go for things which are bore some. Do things which give excitement.” She told how she acts to get what she wants.

“Don’t try to be a complaint book. Endure the hardships. I am not a prescriptive writer. I don’t want to say this should be like this and that should be like that. I write only when I can’t keep silent without writing. I write because I have to write.” She told why she writes.

The question are went very interestingly as she answered the questions of women writers and others who attended the meeting.

Q1. K.Saraswati (documentary film maker): what is your opinion on women reservation bill?

Ans:”I don’t say that women should not ask for reservation. The Bill runs the risk of being taken over by the upper castes or the Hindu majority. In my latest book `Listening to Grasshoppers’, I was critical of parliamentary democracy. It’s hollowed out,” she said.

Q2: K.Vijaya Bhanu (teacher and freelancer) : what are the suggestions you give to women writers so that they can raise social awareness and endorse social responsibility to lay women? ,

Ans: “After long conversations with adivasis, women activists and women in political parties what I understood was that there was no magic wand to change things. So, you keep writing what you feel and write when you feel that you can’t keep silent. See that your work reaches the laywomen change will come.”

Q3: Kuppili Padma (story and novel writer): why construction of dams going on despite protests against them?

Ans: “I had a devastating and precious understanding of politics when I came to know about the destruction caused by dams. When dams are being decommissioned across the world, the Indian government is constructing dams. They know the damage they are doing but keep lying and repeat it,”

Can you fire bullets on a river which can flood your house and leave you homeless? You know it’s wrong to build dams displacing human beings. But still they do it. Read the novel “; Collapse” written by “ Jaried Diamond.” People in the Easter Island know that they survive by palm trees only but due to a tradition that they should cut a palm tree when someone in their community dies, they cut down palm trees one by one until they destroy themselves.

Q4: Subhashini (story writer and assistant professor): now day’s youngsters are not aware of social issues. What is your opinion on this aspect?

Ans: everything is commercialized now a days. We can say that Edward Burnace is the father of this commercialization. Youth are crazy about commercial ads and other commercial products. They need a direction and need to know what reality is.

Q5: Vanamala (retired economics lecturer): can anybody expect such a level of success when someone is stuck in a structure?

Ans: even I was stuck in a structure. I ran away from home when I was 16 and worked to pay for my fees. I sold cakes on beach. I would just suggest that break the structures. End up speaking from the heart of the crowd. We have something to do about it.

Vanamala continued the question.

What would you do if you don’t have any option other than a single way you are given?

Ans: everybody finds a way. If there is no way or option there wont’ be any feminist on the earth.

Q6: Jwalitha (poetess): what is your opinion on violent love and the way out from this problem? What is your opinion on invidualities?

Ans: there can’t be two opinions on this context. All of this is just because of craziness in the society.

Each identity struggle should be viewed differently. There should be a particularity to discuss on this topic. This is a complex issue.

Q7: kuppili padma (story and novel writer): you wrote about a girl kamala watching ambush videos- in your article “walking with the comrades.” Would you like to comment on that?

Ans: trying to put things in context, I never enjoy violence. I liked the courage of that girl.

Kuppili padma continued her question.

What would you do if you are attacked?

Ans: you get sharpen when you are attacked. I write only because I have to write. When parliament was attacked, I thought I shouldn’t write but I had to write otherwise I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.

Q8: Sandhya (progressive organization for women): what do you have to say about the situation in central India? This is a treasure hunt. How can we focus on the green hunt issue?

Ans: this is one of the instruments of war. I am being tried to portray as a moron. This is much more than just mining. It’s on our part to stop the operation.

Q9: Dr.Chari: I did PhD on your book “God of small things” I found this to be my luck to speak to you on this occasion. Do you identify yourself with anyone of the characters in God of small things?

Ans: there am me in bits of every character, even bad ones. Sometimes I think I am two persons.

Q10: sakshi correspondent: what do you have to comment on honor killings in northern India?

Ans: these are extremely political issues which affect women.

Q11: Acharya katyayani vidmahe (writer and professor): so many deaths are caused due to polluted arrack. Still there are tenders invited for that and for my wonder I see that women are posting tenders. What would you say about this?

Ans: dumping liquor, growing opium are worse strategies. People should act quickly. It’s in your history to agitate against liquor. Just do it again. My question is….one day if the government says that it will legalize prostitution as it gains more revenue….what will you do?

Open ended and thought provoking answers and her way of expression lifted everyone from their levels. This was an awesome meeting.

Aharya Katyayani Vidmahe presided the meeting and Ghantasala Nirmala was the translator for Arundhati Roy.

There was a photo session after the meeting and Arundhati Roy mingled with everyone so nicely.Though my return journey was not certain as I had no reservation to get back, I was happy that I could meet someone very influential.

By the way, I didn’t tell you all what my prime ambition was, which she changed. I wanted to win The Man Booker prize in my life time. She changed that by saying “that is not a serious thing for me now.” Life is not all about self achievement but it’s about working for the benefit of the society. I realize this aspect to the core now!

Risk Assessment and afterthoughts

Swayamprava

Recently we are doing a new course in our Academy Called “Risk Assessment”. As per the new regulation all the seafarer has to do a risk assessment and planning, before proceeding to do a job on board. It can be routine work, non-routine or critical jobs and precautions i.e. , control measures i.e. administrative control, Personal protective equipments (PPE) etc, Safe operating procedures etc . Previously they were doing this job but now they are quantifying it finding the numbers, like what is your risk assessment ? And the answer can be either 6 or 4 or 1, depending on the way you have assessed its severity (consequence) and probability (likelihood).

Risk assessment is a proactive step in a risk management process. In this method, for every operation has to go through a few assessment processes. The activities like they have to first identify the hazard related to a particular work, they are planning do on board. Once they identify the hazard, they prepare for the measures to control the risk. Once they applied that control measures, the hazard level may come down but in spite of that few areas can’t be avoided like, health, hazard, safety, environment, property loss etc. So by this Risk assessment they have to determine the quantitative or qualitative value of risk related to a concrete situation and a recognized threat (also called hazard). Quantitative risk assessment requires calculations of two components of risk, the magnitude of the potential loss or the severity, and the probability that the loss will occur. As per the probability or magnitude of Risk and its severity they have to get a number multiplying both. They have been provided with their companies risk matrix to get the number.

Anyway, while I saw these people doing risk assessment, I go into an introspective mood. If you see in our day to day life, we always do this risk assessment before doing anything, like driving, meeting with the boss in office, talking to people, investing in something, buying new property and ya… giving birth and rearing up a child…who else can understand, other than a mother, how much risk assessment she has to do keep her child safe and healthy!

Recently one of our close friends lost his 7 years old son. They had arranged a party for him on the occasion of birthday. It was a big hotel near Juhu. The party was on the seventh flour on the terrace. While playing hide and seek this boy went to the edge, where few acrylic sheets were attached to give an illusion of roof. He couldn’t differentiate and fell down within no time. Now question is why this hotel fellow made such arrangements where this sort of mishap can happen. If they could have made a little hazard identification process and should have made this risk assessment, then this life could have been saved easily. On the other hand, when parents are arranging parties in such places, isn’t it their duty to look thoroughly into the place before taking kids and guests to that place ! Even at our place , if there is kid we do look into very small small things , like where to keep medicines, where to put the combustible substances, how to keep kitchen , kid’s friendly, and how to place a kid to avoid any slip or trip…

I can’t deny the fact “act of god, natural disaster, diseases are beyond human capacity. In spite of that if in our day to life we can spare some time to identify the hazard and quantify the risk related to it, then we can avert many dangers in life.

Risk Assessment and afterthoughts

Swayamprava

OIL SPILL FROM MSC CHITRA, AFTER COLLISION & GROUNDING

Capt. T.K Panda

MSC Chitra had a collision with another cargo vessel M.V. Khalijia III on Saturday, August 7, 2010 morning that caused OIL spill from one of these two ships off Mumbai harbour near Prongs reef light house. Both were the Panamanian flag Cargo Ships.A mumbai city Police lost his life during patrolling. The cop is claimed to have had a fall from a speed boat near MSC Chitra. while patrolling. Many police officials have been appointed for the patrolling near around the spot of collision. The constable who lost his life is Ramesh Tukaram More, 45. It is understood that More fell off the boat after he lost control. The other three constables also could not rescue him as none of them including the victim knew swimming”. All the 33 crew members were rescuedout of which 2 are Pakistanis.

It is reported that MSC Chitra, a container ship of 2500TEUS was sailing out from JNPT , Mumbai and was navigating in the fairway and M.V. Khalijia III was coming to inner harbor Mumbai where both the ships collided in the channel. After the collision, MSC Chitra got listed by about 25deg and later abandoned the ship and all crew were rescued after they got disembarked by pilot ladder including some family and children. Collision & Grounding can happen at sea and oil pollution was the outcome of collision & grounding. MSC Chitra had some dangerous goods containers like phosphine gas (rotten eggs smell) which is creating problems for salvors who are carrying out the salvage operation.

At present still containers are adrift which is a threat to surface navigation. Few containers are close to Uran and are smelling milk and tea. India should be prepared for such eventuality as traffic density increases. Mumbai Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) should warn the vessels for safe navigating in the channel . It seems that oil spill part is taken care of after putting plugs in the fuel tanks. Investigation of the incident is started by D.G. Shipping and we should wait for the outcome. It was reported in the media that steering failure of M.V. Khalijia –III has resulted in to collision as rudder was stuck on one side. Khalijia-III had a collision earlier as well. Khalijia-II suffered damage , but survived. But MSC Chitra will be possibly total toss as she was grounded on rocks off Prongs reef.

I will write another article for those who would like to know where Risk assessments should be carried out apart from collision, grounding, oil pollution, steering failure, Main engine failure, generator failure, Heavy weather etc. Risk Assessments should be carried out for Routine, Non routine, Critical and for Management of change (MOC)

Don’t Forget to send us your valuable feedback…

Fragrance May Edition

June 16, 2010 - Posted by admin - 0 Comments

Dear Friends,

Presenting the May issue of “Fragrance”. The feedbacks what we are receiving from all quarters, were just awesome. Here I am including one of our esteemed member’s tributes to our “Writersadda”.

A tribute to the Adda

Niranjan Nayak

We are now building up a tremendous fraternity,(sorry, for using the word fraternity here with the risk of being sued by a feminist) as majority of members of this family being women of substance. But it is gradually turning out to be a great platform for many talented creative writers, ready to provide substantial aesthetic pleasure with their intellectual exuberance. Getting published some where is the ultimate dream of any amateur writer, but most important thing that I find here is the desire to improve your own literary output. A writer can make you cry and bring smile on the face of the entire suffering humanity through his creations. Weird or exotic, sordid or surreal, everything can be created with a few deft touches by a thinking soul. This is perhaps the greatest asset of a writer.

Now I am happy to say that writer’s adda is gradually spreading its wings to give to its readers creative writings of unmatched literary excellence. It’s no longer an adda for a handful of fledgling writers. Gradually it is turning out to be a true launching pad for people gifted with real acumen to usher in yet another renaissance. I am proud to be the part of this elite forum.

Send your feedback & articles to writersadda@gmail.com or log on to www.writersadda.com

Pl note :- This Newsletter is distributed by Swayam Maritime Academy and its online wings www.writersadda.com & www.shippingtutorials.com

Rajneeti

Swayamprava

After a long break, IPL, followed by summer vacation, I finally got chance to watch a movie. Initially I was thinking to watch “Kites”, but the U/A certificate in it, made me refrain. I thought to go Rajneeti but that too has got a U/A certificate! My son was after us to watch Rajneeti and he tried to persuade us that he is no more a kid… I mean, he is approaching towards his teen age…Huh… I thought let it be that way. May be our film fraternity has taken up this job to teach all the kids all about that men women affair or the so called sex education, without giving much embarrassment to the parents ! I felt let our kids learn every thing in this filmy way…As it is now a days, there is hardly any movie with a pure U certificate…!

Rajneeti is all about the political game that is prevailing from the time immemorial, only the characters and situations get changed with time. It was a happy blending of the story of Mahabharat and real life story of one of the leading political family of our country, which is very tactically changed to mould it into Mahabharat way. The first half of the story was very much jumbled up as there were too many characters in it. One need to pay too much attention to find out the real relationship between characters and the list of friends and foes. After one paralytic attack and one murder, the viewer can really get a grip over the story …

There is nothing new in the story. But the star cast went beautifully with the story. After the initial few scenes, the story got revolves around, two warring cousin brothers Arjun Rampal and Manoj Bajpayee, and one illegitimate brother played by Ajay Devagan, and one younger brother Ranabir Kapoor supporting the elder brother Arjun Rampal. Ranabir Kapoor as summer pratap played the role of a very intelligent, shrewd person who was very reluctant to join politics but got dragged into it and took the situation into his stride, to set everything alright, after the brutal murder of his father. The way Ranabir as a character turned the entire scenario from a political chess board to a tranquil, enemy less place so flawlessly, that will really make the viewer get amused.

Nana Patekar, Naseeruddin Shah , Katrina Kaif etc, played their role very beautifully. The story also resembles with stories like Godfather and Sarkar Raj. Overall I enjoyed the movie inspite of too much bloodshed and death in it. One logic I could relate, was why we kill a goat , cause we want good mutton, like that why somebody will kill his own blood cause the other one wants a trouble free, political career. To survive one has to get removed…Emotionless approach to adopt the race called “survival of the fittest…”

*************

Nana Patekar – Brij Gopal; Ajay Devgan – Sooraj Kumar; Ranbir Kapoor – Samar Pratap

Katrina Kaif – Indu Pratap; Manoj Bajpai – Veerendra Pratap ; Director: Prakash Jha

Producer: Prakash Jha , Ronnie Screwvala; Written by: Prakash Jha

Only the eyes washed by tears can see clear

Yashasvi Sharma

Sitting huddled, with my face between my knees , an old gown over my back, I used to sit on the bed, looking out of the window, daring to thrust my arms out of the window to get a flake or two on my hands and then I would close the window again.

This was my favourite window as it provided me with a wide view of the valley, trees and the path-way which brought my dad from the main road to our house. I would sit there and count upto five hundred in the hope that as soon as my counting would be completed my I would see my dad, coming home with brisk steps…..

For the last three days I was not been fed properly nor did my mom serve me with my favourite dishes…..

Someone must be ill, that’s why such a simple diet is being cooked. The wails and cries that I had heard a day back confirmed my view….. who it could be.

Everybody wore those shabby clothes and the didi made sure I did not get out of the room …… poor didi, she tries to keep me in the room to prevent that infection of the patient coming to me…. She cares for me and so never allowed me to step out of my room these days.

And when Daddy would come, I would not talk to him…. I mean I would talk to him but only after he gives me five chocolates…… yeah I would not agree to be “abba” with him if he does not bring at least five chocolates….. these days, didi told me, he comes home late and goes for his office before I get up……

Hmmm… It’s cold these days that’s why grand pa and grand ma have come to our house from Delhi. Grandma makes my bed early so that I may not feel cold at night…… and I know every night when daddy come home, they stealthily enter my room and kiss my face……. Hey hey hey hey….and daddy thinks I am sleeping, but he does not know that their son is a grown-up boy of 5 years and 3 months now. I know how stealthily he enters my room an without disturbing others he kisses me.

Today I shall hold his arm when he comes for my good-night kiss. I would remember not to sleep early today. Aha…..he would be happily surprised to find tat his son has become so clever and naughty too…… and a smile danced on my lips as I winked my eye to the birds sitting on the branches of the deodar.

This deodar is a very serious type of tree…… always standing still….. its so fat it can never sway and dance with the wind…. Idiot tree, its stem is so rigid , just like my grandpa, never allows the branches to dance and play……Stupid tree…. See how gleefully those small plum and apricot trees sway with the light nudging of the northern wind.
My eyes were still on the path-way…deserted…..no one walking to-wards our home.
Daddy must be awfully busy, must be working over-time….. I had heard these words when daddy worked to earn a bit extra for my Didi’s admission. Huh.. did, the little devil, she gets so good uniform for her new school at the city, but these days she is also not going to the school neither she wears that dress…. Fool, does not know the dress would worn-out if she would not wear it…

The sun played hide and seek with the clouds and soon bade good-night, the sparrows had also went into their bed in the nest, but today I remember, not to sleep early….

Yeah today I would not sleep early, but this grandma would sing some lullaby and make me asleep ….. what should I do to prevent my-self from sleeping…

Hmm…. Come on think something….. I would pretend as if I am in deep slumber and then no one would pay attention to me. And Grandma would not sing her lullaby …

But I would not sleep and when Dad comes to my room, I would grab his arms…. Wow, a perfect plan.

Huh, and they think I am a kid and do not allow me to go the other rooms these days …… not even to see who is crying-weeping-sobbing in the near-by rooms.

After he same old dinner, I pretended to sleep, covering my face in the blanket……

My grandma and grandpa used to sleep with me.

“Is he sleeping….?” Grandpa enquired.

“Yeah…!” said grandma.

“What would we do now, shall take them with us and get them admitted at Delhi…?”

“Nah, let them study here and then….”

Ah….. these old people trying to get me out of here, why ? My ears became attentive.
Soon my uncle joined in the talks and all that I could make out was that there was no one to look after us and no one to earn money for us, none to protect us from bad people….. YOU idiots, my dad is there to earn for us, to protect us and to …… Even my grand-parents think that he is not there…..

What does that mean……

I could not translate all that I heard and soon I could listen the sobs of my grandma and grandpa as they discussed the matter further…..

They are all stupids talking irrelevant and irrational things…..

I could feel the hollowness and some alien feelings in my heart…..

I was wide awake under the blanket.

Soon the lights were switched off, I pinched my cheeks with my fingers to prevent the sleep to creep in me.

I felt the gush of air, warm air, that too when it snowed out-side.

I could feel the touch on my fore head and I raised my arms , jumped off the bed and shouted , “DADDY>>>>> I have caught you….. they all say you are now not there to earn for us ……show these idiots you are here……”

Soon I realized it was only air that had touched me, Dad was not there…..

My grand parents woke up, startled…..

My grandma took me in her arms and I thought it better to sleep coz my dad always came when I slept from that day onwards…..

SHARE OF HELL

Prakhar24

Last night,While I laid Sleeping I died ,or so it seemed .Then i went to heaven,But it was only in my dream. But it seems St Peter met me , There at the pearly gate He said ‘I must check your record So stand right here and wait I see that you drank alcohol And swore quite often ,too. Fact is that you did many thing That a good person shouldn’t do . We can’t have guys like you up here , Your life is full of sin” Then he read the last of my record , Grasped my hand and said ,”Come in”

He took me to the Big Boss who Said :”Take him and Treat him well. He worked in “SHIPPING”,Sir

He’s had his share of “HELL”

pilgrim’s progress

Niranjan Nayak

Tough, tedious and tardy slow, still we had to work very hard to fulfill our spiritual mission. When I left Orissa, I had to fight against an awe inspiring premonition of not being able to have glimpse of the magna mater. The morning of our journey began with an ominous note with two of the healthy fishes in my aquarium dying abruptly. Fighting hard to conceal my trepidation I boarded the train with my family. The train journey was pretty uneventful and the only source of comic interlude was the three year old wonder kid, AKshyat, the only son of my youngest brother in law. A garrulous Bengali couple added to our irritation with their endless chatter.

We reached Delhi the very next evening. After spending a day in the pleasant company of my one of my close relatives, we boarded jammu tai express the very next evening. The two hours journey from Jammu to Katra deserves a special mention as the bus we boarded started climbing the stiff ghat road through the mountain, negotiating many an interminable bends and the view underneath was awe inspiring. During my six years stay in north east, I have visited places like Gangtok, Darjiling and Shillong . So climbing the mountain was never a new experience for me. it was late in the afternoon when we reached Katrra, the base of our spiritual destination. As one of my relatives is a Jammu cadre IAS officer, we did not have much difficulties in managing a hotel, a VIP pass and a yatra patri for making our journey smooth, comfortable and risk free. After a very short break, we, a band of eight pilgrims that includes a three year old kid set out with a rare tenacity to reach the top on foot to have a glimpse of Maa Sherwali in her lofty abode on the top of the hill.

For people who are physically disabled or diseased, there are options of availing a horse ride which is no less tedious than this prolonged walk. Remember, you cannot call it climbing or trekking because a well constructed road spirals around the hill to take you to the top without much risk. Even one can avail Dolas, a type of palanquin borne by a few local people on their shoulders to help you reach the top, some 12kms away from the base. If you can afford, then helicopters are available to fly you to the top. But one has to pass through an acid test of one’s patience to reach this coveted point on his foot. The sight of meandering road and a blurred vision of the remote destination can inspire awe within a strong heart for a while. But once you reach Katra, you discover yourself in a no-retreat zone. The challenge of making it to the top makes the risk worth taking

We left Banganga at 9.30 pm after being scanned at a check post. I was not even allowed carry my favourite handy cam to capture many precious moments which were in store for us. Banganga is the point from which one begins the formal journey. Once upon a time it was a normal spring in which the pilgrims used to take holy dip before the beginning of the journey. But now it has shrunk and shriveled to become a dying source of water, though its sanctity has remained intact. We sprinkled some holy water on our head and started our journey amidst loud chanting of Jay Matadi. All our fatigue disappeared with the sight of hundreds of pilgrims from all age groups trudging along rapping their walking sticks hard to reach their spiritual destination. The entire atmosphere was reverberating with a loud, spontaneous and spirited chanting of Jay Matadi. There was tumult in every heart and a dream in every inspired mind. Our journey began…….

Part -2

The cool evening air made the journey less painful. There were shops on both the side of this illuminated road to provide you with hot and cold beverages and snacks. Elaborate rest shades have been built at regular interval to help you stretch your tired limbs. Strong and sturdy localites throng these areas with their magic massage to relax your stiff muscles. Loud beating of drums accompanied by holy chanting created an electric atmosphere. My heart soared. My 12 year old son was more excited than me and my wife. His spirited endeavour convinced me that there is something strange about this place, a miracle you can call it. What was more heartening was the determination with which my brother in law was climbing the stairs carrying his son on his shoulder. He was an athlete and that was why he climbed the stairs. We had hired a pithoo to carry our luggage, but he was in no mood to part with his son throughout this journey. My wife was at her steadiest best and walked patiently. We reached Adhkuanri at 1 am. This happens to be the midpoint. The newly constructed road is flat and thus the journey gets more endurable from this place onwards. This place has immense religious significance. Legend has it that Maa spent 9 months in hiding here after being chased by the lecherous demon, Vairon Nath who was finally vanquished and killed by Maa later on. But as usual he realized his crime and begged for divine mercy. The heart of a mother finally melted down and a rare privilege was granted to the dying demon. Maa assured him that a visit to her abode would remain incomplete if one does not climb further to have a glimpse of Vairon Nath.

There is a legendary cave in Aadhkuanri with a narrow tunnel within. Maa spent her 9 months in hiding here. The sight of the narrow tunnel can even create a flutter in any brave heart. But people take this challenge and pass through with no big discomfort. We trudged along dragging our tired feet. My only source of solace Akshyat was deep asleep in sling made by his father. The sight of the glowing light from maa’s Bhawan acted as an elixir and propelled us to overdraw from our reserve of stamina to reach the top. Finally at3.30 am we reached there. There was no time to waste. We rushed to the hotel to take our bath and wearing new dress we got ready to have the experience of the life time. Through a passage I elbowed my way while keeping an eye on my wife and son. We came closer and still closer to discover ourselves standing near our wish fulfillment. The sanctity of this place is unmatched and the feeling it generates is overpowering. I stood there gazing at the strange divine manifestations of the trinity: the source of wealth, knowledge and power, Laxmi, Saraswati and Kali. My mind became blank for a while. I wept like a child confessing his guilt after being caught in whirlpool of emotion. There is no idol here because idols can put a limit on the scope divine beauty and glory. But this place transcends them all. Unknown to myself I was pushed away by a group of eager pilgrims.

We came back to the hotel and slept like logs in our room. We woke up at 11 am and got ready to visit the temple of Vairon Nath. The road was stiff and so we decided to avail a ride. The ponies we hired trotted along carrying us to the top of the mountain, the home of Vairon Nath. We were perhaps on the top of the world. From VaironNath we started an arduous downhill journey, with strange feeling of being empty yet full; weak yet powerful and tired yet spirited. The effort we had put on was nothing compared to the pleasure we derived. It will sustain me and my family throughout our life and give us the strength to overcome whatever obstacle comes in our way.

Shipping Articles

SUA CONVENTION – 2005 PROTOCOL comes into force soon.

SUPPRESSION OF UNLAWFUL ACTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST THE SAFETY OF MARITIME NAVIGATION (SUA CONVENTION)

Adopted: 10 March 1988. Entered into Force: 1 March 1992. Duration: The Convention does not set any limits on its duration.

Number of Parties: 156

Signatories that have not ratified: 0

Depository: International Maritime Organization (IMO)

2005 Protocol to SUA Convention: Opened for signature: 14 October 2005

Contracting States: 11

Signatories that have not ratified: 10

Treaty / Protocol Text

Background: Concern about unlawful acts that threaten the safety of ships and the security of their passengers and crews grew during the 1980s, which motivated states to negotiate and subsequently adopt this convention. This concern stemmed from reports of crews being kidnapped, ships being hijacked, deli-berately run aground, or blown up by explosives. Due to these developments, especially the 1985 hijacking of the Achille Lauro, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 40/61 in 1985, urging States to cooperate in contributing to the elimination of causes underlying terrorism and invited the IMO to study the problem of terrorism aboard or against ships with a view to making recommendations on appropriate measures. In response to the Achille Lauro hijacking, the Gov-ernments of Austria, Egypt, and Italy made a propos-al in November 1986 that the IMO prepare a conven-tion on the subject of unlawful acts against the safety of maritime navigation.

To supplement their efforts, the Maritime Safety Committee of the IMO issued a circular (MSC/Circ.443) on measures to prevent unlawful acts against passengers and crews on board ships. According to the circular, governments, port authori-ties, administrators, ship-owners, shipmasters, and crews should take appropriate measures to prevent unlawful acts that may threaten passengers and crews. The Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation was adopted in Rome in 1988 Provisions: The Convention defines “ship” as any type of vessel whatsoever that is not permanently attached to the sea-bed, including dynamically sup-ported craft, submersibles, or other floating craft. Warships, ships owned or operated by a State when being used as a naval auxiliary or for customs or po-lice purposes, or ships that have been withdrawn from navigation or laid up are not included under the auspices of the Convention. According to the provisions of the Convention, any person commits an offense if that person unlawfully and intentionally commits, attempts to commit, threatens to commit, or abets the seizure or exercise of control over a ship by force or threat of force or any form of intimidation; or commits any of the fol-lowing acts if it endangers or is likely to endanger the safe navigation of that ship: an act of violence against a person on board; destroying a ship or damaging a ship or its cargo; placing or causing to be placed on a ship a device or substance likely to destroy the ship or cause damage to the ship or its cargo; destroying or seriously damaging maritime navigational facili-ties or seriously interfering with their operation; or communicating information he knows to be false. It is also an offense to injure or kill any person in con-nection with the commission or attempted commis-sion of any of the previous offenses. The Convention applies if the ship is navigating or is scheduled to navigate into, through, or from waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single State, or the lateral limits of its territorial sea with adjacent States. In all other cases, the Convention also applies when the offender or alleged offender is found in the territory of a State Party other than the State in whose waters the offense occurred.

States Parties are required to make the offenses punishable by appropriate penalties that take into account the grave nature of those offenses. Measures to establish jurisdiction over the offenses shall be taken when the offense is committed against or on board a ship flying the flag of the State at the time the offense is committed; in the territory of that State, including its territorial sea; by a national of that State; by a stateless person whose habitual residence is in that State; in an attempt to compel that State to do or abstain from doing any act; or when a national of that State is seized, threatened, injured, or killed during the commission of the offense. Compliance and Enforcement: Once jurisdiction has been established, States shall take the offender into custody and immediately make a preliminary inquiry into the facts. States Parties are required to either extradite the offender in custody or submit the case for prosecution. States Parties are also required to assist each other in connection with criminal pro-ceedings brought under the Convention. States Par-ties are also to cooperate in the prevention of offenses by taking all practicable measures to prevent prepara-tions in their respective territories for the commission of those offenses within or outside their territories and by exchanging information in accordance with their national laws. Reservations and Withdrawal: Under Article 16 paragraph 1, disputes between two or more States concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention will be submitted to arbitration at the request of one of the States if the matter cannot be settled through negotiation. However, at the time of signing, ratification, or accession, a State may make a reservation that it does not consider itself bound by this paragraph, in which case other States Parties shall not be bound to it with respect to any States Party that has made such a declaration. Under Article 19, the Convention may be denounced by any State Party at any time after the expiry of one year from the date on which the Convention enters into force for that State. Denunciation shall be made by the deposit of an instrument of denunciation with the Secretary-General and will take effect one year, or such a longer period as may be specified in the instrument of denunciation, after the instrument is received by the Secretary-General.

Amendments: A conference for the purpose of revising or amending this Convention may be convened by the IMO. The Secretary-General shall convene such a conference of the States Parties to this Convention at the request of one-third of the States Par-ties, or 10 States Parties, whichever is the higher figure. Furthermore, any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval, or accession deposited after the entry into force of an amendment will apply to the Convention as amended. 2005 Protocol to the SUA Convention: The 2005 SUA Protocol adds Article 3(bis), which criminalizes the intentional transport of any material, equipment, or software that is intended to be used to produce a biological, chemical, or nuclear (BCN) weapon. This does not include nuclear material under IAEA safe-guards, which is presumed to be for peaceful purposes. The 2005 SUA Protocol also criminalizes the trans-port of a person on board a ship knowing that he committed an offense under the SUA Convention or one of the other UN Counter-Terrorism Conventions. It also requires that States take necessary measures to enable companies, organizations, and similar entities to be held liable when a key manager commits an offense under the Convention. The new Protocol also modifies the SUA Convention’s boarding protocol by establishing additional guidelines for cooperation and procedures to be followed if a State Party desires to board a ship flying the flag of another State Party due to suspicion that the ship or a person on board the ship is, has been, or is about to be involved in, the commission of an offense under the Convention. Once alerted of intention to board a ship, the State Party of the flag the ship is flying has four hours to either deny or approve the boarding. If no response is received within four hours, the requesting State is allowed to board and inspect the vessel. The 2005 SUA Protocol text establishes that the agreement shall enter into force ninety days following the date on which twelve States have either signed it without reservation as to ratification, acceptance or approval, or have deposited an instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval, or have deposited an instrument of ratification. The 2005 Protocol to the 1988 SUA Protocol applies the same changes as above but in application to fixed platforms as opposed to moving vessels. Developments:

2010: On 9 March, the Dominican Republic acceded to the 2005 SUA Protocol. At this point, only one additional contracting state or signature without reservation is needed for the Protocol to enter into force.

2009: In 2009, Latvia and Liechtenstein became contracting states to the 2005 SUA Protocol. The Inter-national Civil Aviation Organization began the process of drafting an analogous protocol to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation.

2007: 18 States signed the 2005 Protocol to the SUA Convention.

2006: The 2005 Protocols opened for signature on February 13, 2006 and will enter into force 90 days after the twelfth country (three countries in the case of the Fixed Platforms Protocol) deposits an instrument of ratification or acceptance. The United States signed the protocols on 17 February 2006.

2005: The Diplomatic Conference on the Revision of the SUA Treaties, held in London from 10-14 October 2005, adopted new Protocols to the convention following three years of intensive negotiations. They are the 2005 Protocol to the SUA Convention and the 2005 Protocol to the 1988 SUA Protocol (the 1988 Protocol was related to fixed platforms). The new Protocols provide the first international legal frame-work criminalizing the use of a nonmilitary ship as a weapon or as a means to carry out a terrorist attack, and the transport of terrorists or cargo destined for use in a BCN weapon by ship.

2004: During its 88th session, held from 19 to 23 of April, the IMO Legal Committee continued revising the SUA Convention, taking into consideration other conventions and protocols related to terrorism. Most delegations expressed support for the revision and strengthening of the SUA Convention in order to provide a response to the increasing risks posed to maritime navigation by terrorism. Nevertheless, several delegations drew attention to the need to ensure that the prospective SUA Protocols did not jeopardize the principle of freedom of navigation and the right of innocent passage as prescribed in UNCLOS nor the basic principles of international law and the operation of international commercial shipping. The 89th session will be held from 25 to 29 October. The revision of the SUA Convention remains a central issue in the agenda. The objective is to have a draft text ready for consideration by a diplomatic conference in 2005.

2003: During its 86th and 87th sessions, the IMO Legal Committee continued to work on proposed amendments to the SUA Convention and its Protocol. The amendments would significantly broaden the range of offenses included in the convention to adapt it to emerging threats.

2002: During its 85th session the IMO Legal Committee held a preliminary exchange of views regarding the text of draft proposed amendments to the 1988 Convention. Four of these new offenses concerned terrorist activities taking place on the ship or directed toward the ship. One of the new offenses concerned the presence of tools or substances not usually used on a ship but useful in a weapon of mass destruction. Two of the new offenses concerned use of the ship for transport of substances to be used for mass destruction. Delegations expressed the need to carefully consider the proposals and to consider whether there was overlap with existing terrorism conventions. It was recognized that even with an expanded focus, SUA would remain a maritime convention under the competency of IMO, and it was important to ensure that the shipping industry does not become a soft target for terrorist activities.

2001: In November, the IMO Assembly adopted resolution A.924(22) calling for a review of measures and procedures to prevent acts of terrorism that threaten the security of passengers and crews and the safety of ships. The IMO Legal Committee (which consists of all member states of IMO) is in charge of the revision of the SUA Convention and its Protocol.

Point of Contact: International Maritime Organization 4 Albert Embankment London SE1 7SR, UK Tel: (44) (171) 735-7611 FAX: (44) (171) 587-3210 Telex: 235881 MOLDNG

Website: http://www.imo.org/

Fragrance April Edition

May 27, 2010 - Posted by admin - 0 Comments

Dear Friends,

Presenting the April Edition (Special Edition ) of fragrance which contains all the lovely entries of the creative writing contest which was sponsored and arranged by Writeradda.com, for the cadets of merchant navy at Training Ship Chanakya (T.S.. Chanakya ). T.S. Chanakya was conducting Xpressions 2k10- turning tide at Mumbai on 2nd and 03rd april, 2010. This event was supported by Dufferin, Rajendra And Chanakya Ex cadets Association (DRACEA).

Theme for creative writing was sea or ocean or waves. Title was to be chosen by the contestant for poem or essay. Poem required minimum 3 stanzas & essay required minimum 300 words to qualify. There were about 18 contestants & 26 entries from 4 premier maritime institutes i.e. T.S. Chankya, T.S. Rahman, Naval Maritime Academy, Samudra Institute Maritime Studies (Sims). Cadet Lokesh Shukla of T.S. Rahman stood first in creative writing contest for his very imaginative story ”The Triangle” and cadet Durgesh Upadhyaya from T.S. Chanakya stood 2nd for his thought provoking essay “Attitude” .

Enjoy the beautiful entries and if possible read these young, yet very strong willed minds, who in a few days will be ready to challenge those high seas and earn dollars to enrich this countries foreign currency reserve. If possible read their emotions and their thoughts and see how these young minds preparing themselves, for this challenging career throwing all their emotions far behind. It is because of their training and intelligence, which is making them the best seafarers around the globe.

Don’t forget to send your views, suggestions and most importantly, keep blogging only in www.writersadda.com and do all your value added Maritime courses at Swayam Maritime Academy, because Quality Maritime Training is our Motto.

Regards

Editor

www.writersadda.com

e-mail :- swayammaritime@gmail.com & witersadda@gmail.com

MONU KUMAR

T.S. CHANAKYA

Movement of human with movement of sea

This is well known to every school going that about two – this a of earth is covered with water in from of ocean or sea. And being a human we always tried to explore the major covering part of ocean. As a part of development gradually we have wave good relation with water body, it may be above the water or it may inside them.

As we proceed toward civilisation we heeded the help of other part of world for was of necessary and also for global in integrity and sea have played a major role in global understanding. Now days we became very familiar part of ocean but in starting days we have seen or faced lot of strange behaviour water bodies. But due to that facing we are now able to side the ocean. And believe it that siding the ocean is one of the best job in all human activities.

As concerned to human nature we always fear to move on water because it seems something’s a gains the nature we are made to move on ground but almighty have given a challenge that it we have guts, then move across the ocean and we have accepted the challenge of god respectfully and reached to this position. We are now familiar with every take of water and know to answer them.

Now about working on sea. It seems something unnatural but it is very in trusting. We need some hard disciplines and devotion on sea but it attracts only daring person. It is true that working on sea in full of risk and a single mistake may course death of every new but the joy we get their is not available anywhere else on earth and be sure that is you have a respect to ocean, she will also provide you nice hospitality. Carrying 95% transportation of world, it is only means of transport which have minimum bad examples. It is common to hear accident on ground and one or two air- accident but it is really tough to near any clash on sea. And it is only because of this devotion we get uncountable returns, the salary we get is not close to any ground working payments, then attend we get the chance to sea the world.

“Join the Navy, Sea the world”.

We are the only professionals who visit about whole part of world and go sound the earth. We get different types of job and not get bored because of same task throughout the life. As observed, office working people get bored by same routing throughout the life and never fulfil their own life. But on sea working part, we get lots of different task and challenges. Mainly money is main factor of sea mans but behing that their is also something specials which attracts only few and those few are the most enjoying people so if you have guts and want to enjoy your life, kike to take challenge and move across the work, come and try to side the ocean.

***************************

NAVAL MARITIME ACADEMY

CDT. SALMAN KHAN

This is for the first time I sailed…………

It is me alone in the middle & the sea

The might is dark, but I can see the star blinking bright.

The sea is calm and the wind is low

But when jam thinking & you sweetheart

My heartbeats grow.

I though of thinking & for myself

But know as I am alone in the sea

Myself includes you……………..

Because somewhere, somehow I know

I am wising you.

When I think & you……………..

The sea starts dancing

The waves go high.

The wild seems to sing a beautiful

Song for us,

Come on lets love again the sea is

Fowouriug us

I don’t know when will this excitement

Last,

But I know somewhere, somehow, I’ll

Think of us.

In the middle & the sea, I’m alone

Thousands of wills away know land.

I want to hear your same, but can’t ask

The same:

So I shout your fame to hear your Name

As I’m alone and away from you,

I have thousands & things to think

But I don’t know why I’m only thinking of you

Because form where, somehow, I know

I love you………

The loneliness, the sea, the waves, the winds

Everything seems to work for us….

They gave me a chance to think of you more

Deeply.

It seems as if they love us.

The sea is rough and rude most of the times

Left those who love seas, The sea loves them

Blue is my colour and sea is my home

Because I am a sailor born to side the

Storm, to rule the seas, to spread my

Love everywhere ………………….

That is why I think the sea loves us

That is why it is favouring us……………

**************************

Name : Nair sreejith Jayaprkash

T.S. Chanakya.

LESSONS OF LIFE

Tides high and low,

Crushing the rocks like foe,

Stood a baby grasshopper,

Unable to make it through.

He saw the monstrous wave

Bringing the god of slay.

A jump was all that he needed

To bring him out of his pain,

He clenched his hands on the rocks,

But waves rook him away.

To his surprise he was on the rock

Away from the midsea, near the shore.

He thanked his fate for second chance.

But his courage gave him the chance.

Ups and downs like waves are very much an unavoidable port of owl life, seeking pleasure from all walks of life is truly an wit. Smiling up’s and non-disheartening downs will only make a person willing and happy to lead his like

Another thing to be learnt from sea waves is to go with the flow, many today feel that “going against the flow” is a very great thing just because not many do that. Just imagine you are in midsea where waves are so large and huge that even going with the flow is impossible then how can one even think of going against the flow. One must always act according to the situation, eg: you know that there is a water fall then it’s your common sense that says “go against the flow”.

Adapt yourself; change yourself according to the environment. A person must be flexible like the seaweeds it cannot be rigid as the outside conditions are very strong for it to skivvies.

And the last lesson even the seas, oceans can be conquered. i.e nothing is so big that it cannot be ever conquered, combined and collect effort together will truly bring the joy of success. Hence collective work is very much importance. The move collective we are more things under owl foot.

“Live and let live” is final most lesson from the sea. Use me but don’t tamper with me.

***************************

Independent singh.

(Samundra institute of maritime studies )

The High wave

I sail the sea of high wave,

Which was stepping in a dark cave;

The wave made the boat crash,

Which was like a paper turn to ask.

The night was filled with lighting cloud,

That filled the sea with thundering loud;

I light with the wave with brave and pace,

But the wave was like a cat’s paw on my face.

I swam the sea,

Jill my life could see;

At last, I reached the beat save

I sail the sea of high wave.

*************************************************

The dreadful sea

The sea was smooth with a calm touch of a beautiful essence. I could see the horizon with the cloud above. The evening was filled with the reddish of the sun set.

Who knew that the sea with reddish sunset would call for a danger. The darkness came and soon the clouds covered the stores one by one. There was a loud noise and soon a lightning accompanied it. The wave roared high and the ship rolled hither and thither.

All got ready with the mind set ready. The captain shouted “no worry no danger, keep your in your heart and we will be alive once again”. Men run from her and there to set the ship in its hard time. All the men look to the captain for orders.

The captain believe in himself and with full bravery and his wit set the ship forward. The light between the ship and the storm continued. The sea was not given up and it was like the sea would swallow the ship. But the captains wit never gave up. Soon the time was over. The loud noise was reduce and the sea started to calm down.

The clouds clewed and soon it was a dawn. Everyone came out and soon saw the sun rising. The crew came out and rejoice to their victory. For it was like a life given to them. It all happen because of the brave captain.

Soon everyone notice that captain was missing and they went to the bridge. There they found the captain dead with his head bleeding. Thus the sea was dreadful and left the ship with tears on the people eyes.

**********************

CADET’S NAME :- RAVI SHANKAR KUMAR RAVI

NAME OF THE COLLEGE: – T.S. CHANAKYA

The Father of Mankind

I’m the world, I’m the life, people worship me, people rely on me but who cares………

You, you or you

NO ONE

Not the angle, nor the demon

M the FATHER

M the WORLD

M the LIFE

You worship me

You rely on me

But

Whe u do the fault

M the UGLY

M the DISASTER

Be aware of me

From the olden era I’m here, no one was here when I born. I’m the father of you, even god came or you can say born from me. I’m setving you for your whole life and what you give in response dirt, waste and more n more n more. Even god doesn’t know when you’ll stop it. You “the man” has just polluted me not from outside but even from inside. Scientist are using me as a dustbin to keep their useless machines. The goddess of nature is looking and she will curse you for your fault. No one will be forgiven.

Centuries ago people used to worship me. That was the when they came to us to pray for “way” remember the god Rama, who came to us to pray for passage to Sri Lanka. People not only pray but they telly on me. But due to their own fault they have to face our disaster in the kind of…..

Black Sunday

I’m not demons not even angels, but as your father, used to each to not do mistakes in your life and serve the nature as nature serves you, otherwise be ready for another

Bi………………………. or

2012.…………………..

******************

Cadet’s Name :-J PRINCE

(Samundra institute of maritime studies )

O OCEAN, WHERE IS YOUR MIGHT?

O sea, thou art my guide,

With whom am gonna be for rest of my life,

I know it’s full of your wave drive,

But I’ll vanquish it with my strive.

Your ragging wave may challenge my grave,

Your tossing wind may bet my losing mind,

But the are of my traversing will subdue your trend,

Which will make me a navigating legend.

Perhaps you may have never ending horizon, but i do have a destination,

You may change your tide,

But am not scared of your fight.

O Once where is your might?

O Sea where is your might?

O Wave where is your might?

I’ll face it with delight.

*************************

Essay:-

THE BIGGEST WAVE I’VE EVER SEEN.

One fine day, after spending a long night with my friends and relatives that was filled with fun and, Christmas gifts and Christmas carols, we set out to a famous prigrims of eastern Tamilnadu.

It was velankanni which is a famous pilgrim whose foot was often touched and kissed by the waves of Bay of Bengal. We hired a tourist van which was ordained to cavy us for 200 kms from my home to that pilgrim.

Early in the morning before sun wished us by its says we started our journey and the travel was pleasant as myself and my cousins were dancing, singing, mocking, enjoying the nature.

We reached our destination and we were rejoicing as we could feel the breeze of the sea and hear the roaring of the wave. The sun wished us and birds we singing for us.

We jumped into the sea and played like anything. We saw our parents becoming more younger than us while they stepped into the sea.

We played to the content of our heart and we planned to continue the play and merriness after worship. So we went to the church and prayed. Then we planned to go to shopping.

But suddenly we heard a great hostel and bustle among shop keepers and vendors’ and we asked them what? They told that suddenly all the waters near to the shore went inside while we were talking like this there was a great noise and would see people sunning. Immediately we turned back and saw a huge wave bigger than dinosaurs took of that scared us.

We were at a safe distance and you know what happened on 26^th December 2004.

********************

SUSHANT SINGH BHATIA +=

NAVAL MARITIME ACADEMY (NAMAC)

AHOY! THE SEA’S CALLING ME

There are two ways & living your life- “you can either just float on the surface of water, or plunge deep into it.”

I would any day prefer the latter.

Right since childhood, be very sound of waves hitting against shoals has enchanted me. The very sound is extremely soothing- cools down your spirits and calms down your nerves. I always dreamt of leading an adventurous life and traveling across various oceans and seeing be most “never heard of” places in the world. The concept of going on the voyage always enchanted me and that’s what made me join the merchant navy.

They say, the “ocean is wilder than fire” “you can play with fire, but not with water” because water can extinguish fire.

The oceans occupy be majority of the word’s area and hence navigating through oceans is imperative and unavoidable.

Now, coming to the creative aspect of oceans and tides, seas, water sodies etc.

These water bodies have been as muse for many poets and winters and has helped them make several master pieces.

However, life of sea, is not a bed of roses. You need to be very resilient, brave, determined to be able to survive. Truly, Darwin’s theory of “the survival of the fittest” is apt for sea- life.

It is an extremely challenging aspect of sea to analyze and understand meteorology. The wind cloud cover, play a vital role in the movement of sea currents and help understand their motives. However strong and experienced you may be, the wrath of the sea, in the form of “rolling” , pitching”, pounding”, still sends shivers down the spine of many able sailors.

However, in spite of it all, we all (sailors), prays to these oceans, seas, waves to have Marcy and be good to us. It implies, we truly respect our oceans, which are our bread and butter.

HENCE, INSPEITE OF THESE NUMEROUS HARDSHIPS, LIKE SINDBAD- THE SAILOR”, PROMISE TO LIVE, IN HARMONY WITH THE OCEANS, ALIFE FULL OF RESILIENCE, PERSEVERENCE & COURAGE. SHOW ME MY GOLDEN HORIZON & I SHALL LIVE UPTO AT TO THE FULLEST.

A HOY! HTE SEA’S CALLIN’ ME………….

****************

Abhinav Gupta

T. S. Chanakya

Enemy? Friend? Beloved?

Oh ocean, mesmerizing ocean.

I feel proud to fight with your commotion.

Your power is what challenges me.

And also it is what, strengthen me.

Sometimes I wish to render myself to your mighty power.

And sometimes I wish to conquer you.

I know it is a tough nut to crack.

But I’ll tight to my last breath.

I have in my neck.

I want my heart to be vast like you.

Oh ocean, grant me a wish, to be always a part of you.

Waves the greatest traveler of all.

I wish you to take my soul with you,

To places where no man ever conquer

Just you and me and my solitaire emotion

Watching sun disappear in your vast span.

I surrender to you, oh mighty ocean.

Oh ocean grant me a wish.

To be always a part of you just like a fish.

*******************************************

Ashit Deb

Samudra Institute of Maritime Studies (SIMS )

2. Essay:-

Sailing the high sea

According to John Mansfield’s poem “sea-fever”, a sea is a place where he urges to go leaving behind the monotonous grey city life and face the advanture out at sea. So, I to echo John Masefield and give my tribute to sea sailing.

As we know that one third of the earth is covered by land and the rest by mariners But sailing the seas is not so easy as it requires adventure spirit, danger, risk and a bit of sacrifice. But one where determination is as strong as John Masefield sailing the high waves is a piece of cake.

At sea, one can find nature at its best, pure oxygen contain and so leading a very healthy life. People in this career can visit many places and can interact with different people around the world in turn promoting unity.

So as one can see that sea life is mingled with danger and determination, risk and satisfaction, adventurous and controlled. At sea one also learn the true meaning of the saying “ God help those who help themselves”.

At sea one is alone with few companions so one has to depend only on him to survive the brutal nature of sea.

So in conclusion sailing the seas has some demerits and some merits but the bad points are outshone by the good ones.

****************************************

Ashit Deb

Samudra Institute of Maritime Studies (SIMS)

Poetry

I AM A Sailor

Leaving the solid out at liquid,

Trying to navigate but not stupid,

Closing the star,

And home at far,

I am a sailor,

I am a sailor.

Sailing the waves, wearing white,

Doing all duties with might,

Taking up all the responsibilities,

And full filling them without difficulties.

I am a sailor,

I am a sailor.

Unknown of tomorrow,

He goes on without sorrow.

Overcoming the perils of the sea,

Traveling the globe in glee

I am a sailor,

I am a sailor.

***************************************

Anshul Babbar

Samudra Institute of Maritime Studies ( SIMS)

Waves

I come and I go; no matter to whom I show.

All come to see me; feel me; rejoice me;

They write their name on the leachy land, dry mud or wet sand;

When I come I wash their name;

They abuse me and I feel shame.

But its not me who have to understand;

Its they who have to see that it is in nature’s hand.

Still I come and I go;

And in front of everyone I give show.

Than they (human) started observing me,

Experimenting me, disturbing me,

They try to change my path and peril

In return, I come like giant devil.

Some of them die and most remain,

And again abusing me I feel shame,

Its not me who have to understand,

Its they who have to see it in nature’s hand.

Winds blows over my head, and never keeps me dead.

They make me travel worldwide,

Whether it European or American side.

I have to go and hold his hand

Because this phenomenon is in nature’s hand.

My home is vast ocean and sea;

If you get time come on beaches to see.

You will meet my friends, my family,

As we all live together and happily.

**********************

Cdt Aveek Nath

Samudra Institute of Maritime Studies

Water by what we know is not only H₂O. It covers the ¾th quarts of the world. And the water is also present on the moon. A mariner spends entire life in the salted waters that foam in the yellow beaches.

It is more than that it is the part of the world where marine life exists. Exotic island, rare aquatic animals, are the most valved possession of the sea. Starting from sea turtles to the giant blue whales, legendary Moby Dick, violent sting rays form a major priced asset of the sea. Now what is the reason that they are getting endangered or distorted from their natural habitat, or destroyed during their various life cycle is all we are keen to know.

The disturbance of the hydrosphere results from the various operations due to human activity. Pollution is mostly caused by merchant ships that trade cargoes from various parts of the world. Discharge of oil, sewage, harmful substances, noxious liquid substance, garbage lead a vilot role in marine pollution. Let us take an example of a merchant ship taking ballast water into its tank from a loading port A & discharging in port B. All the small species of aquatic life in the port A region are taken into the ship’s tank. Out of which most of them dies. The remaining living part that are transferred to part B are displaced from their natural habitat & enter into a foreign port. As a result the life cycle at these species are disturbed. The new species becomes more violent during the voyage & on reaching port B they also complicate the sea life prevailing in the waters of port B. So the ballasting system of the merchant ships are to be changed to improve the life cycle of the marine life. Other types of pollution like discharge of oil, sewage, harmful substances may contaminate the sea water, endangering the lives of fishes & killing other aquatic animals. Therefore mariners or seafarens are more liable to cause pollution rather than common people. More stringent rules & regulations shall be implements to prohibit such pollution. Otherwise the sea will not be a safe place for the marine life. It will be black, full of pollutants. Unhealthy for the aquatic species. This is because the MARPOL came into picture. MARPOL means marine Pollution. In 1973/78, the international maritime organization created some rules and regulations that should be followed by every seafarer to impede the pollution. Now a days, discharging of oil, harmful substances, sewage, garbage are to be made in accordance with the rules & regulations made by the IMO in the MARPOL. If a ship does not comply with MARPOL it has to give high amount fires.

*************************************

Akshay Madan

T.S.Rahamn.

End of the Ocean

The arms of the ocean, they welcome me with an

embrace.

The sum’s billance, shattering, shimmering the dark

corners of my heart.

It’s a journey I have been destined & unravel,

Without an end, and without a start!

To the end of the ocean, is it just a dream?

Because, when at my forecastle deck, oceans smells of

Life’s hidden secrets and things never seen.

I will step the land again.

I will see myself being absorbed in cruel ambitions

Of the heart;

To the end of the ocean,

Without an end, without a start.

Who am I to question, the will of lord?

But Alas! Now I see, am not to question but

Answer the ocean.

Of my doings on seen basked land, little angles

And devil’s potion.

So I sail across, to another far away land,

Leaving behind answers to my own questions,

The ocean’s my life now,

The rhythm of the waves my heart,

Its to the ocean I belong,

Without an end, and without a start.

I see live meaning of life in the ocean’s arms,

The intensive love, which pours these lines in

15 mins without a pain and so much calm ….

Each line my friend is straight from the heart,

Without an end, and without a start.

******************************

Abhash Kumar

T.S Rajendra

Sagar Aur Navik

Sagar ki unchi laharon mein

Jab nav hamari chalti hai

Tufan mein udti sukhe pati si

Hichkote wo rawati hai

Dharti dol rahi hai esa lagta hai sanko par

Mujhko ma ki god ur bachapan ki bhul yad dilati hai

Rang berangi machhali laharon ke satha uchhalti hai

Tan ko mere , man ko mere khushiyon se bhar leti hai

Tab lagta hai anant sagar mein hamesa koi aur bhi hai

Bahati hawa aur laharon ko jhelne wale aur bhi hai

Kabhi kabhi ye man karta hai ke sang khelun mein

Tairti macchaliyon ke sath jindegi ki maja le lun mein.

Sagar ki laharein akroshit ho kar kahar jab barshati hai

Ham naviko ko ghar ki yad tab ati hai

Ma ka pyar ,priyatam ki ansu wapas hame bulati hai

Par chhod pyar ka moh nidar ho age ham badh jate hai

Sagar ko apane jiwan ki karma bhumi sa mana hai

Ish kathin rah mein mein chalkar hi safalata ki or hame jana hai

Jab lautenge ham sagar se tab ma ka pyar rulayega

Priyatama ke ansu , bacho ki hasi man ko mohit kar jayega

Ham phir se ma ki god mein sar rakhkar apana, soyenge

Bacho ki kilkariyan ke bich sapana sanjoyenge

Jab bache pas bulayenge, priyatam ka pyar rulayega

Yeh nirvayi sagar satane keliye wapas hame bulayega

Apno ko chhod ham phir se sagar ke god mein lautenge

Bada kiya hai apno se ham wapas phir se ayenge

Phir se man ki god mein sapno ki duniya basayenge

Apne wadon ko pura karke ham wapas phir se ayenge

Bon Voyage…

************************

The triangle

Lokesh Shukle (Winner)

T. S. Rahman

I am Lokesh Shukle, just a useful guy with usual, hobbies, passions, and fantasies do not expel much from my future but yes, once I had a dream too, a dream that had the power to change everything going around me. I had dreamed to be a part of the sea. Yes, that is what I always wanted to be.

It’s been ten years since my dream has turned to fantasy. I’ve bean living as a part of that sea for more than ten years now. We don’t have much of technology in our hands (AD1725) but we wish to color every part of the horizon on our maps.

I will share a story that happened to me in early 17^th century. It was the time when we were passing through an area known as “The triangle of Pandemonium.”

It is believed that not one has ever been able to cross it or pass through it neither did I want to. It was past midnight. I hadn’t slept for three nights and was keeping myself conscious width Runs & smokes the proximity between Diavolo(my ship) & the triangle of Pandemonium was reducing gradually & I realized it when I was able to see the snares of smoke rising from the sea in front of me. I had to time to turn my ship & go back but I couldn’t it felt like it was plugging us inside it, & we didn’t have the audacity to deny.

It was around four nautical miles away from us. & we were running straight into it.

The fear inside of me, I couldn’t feel was growling & forging to pull me back to hypnotism had taken over me though I would still feel my sanity in me.

Those thirty minutes were the hardest moment on me even harder than the time when a band of Viking had attacked us because then I could fight back to save us. But this time I couldn’t gather enough guts to fight my fear back all I could to was see my end coming closed to me.

We finally entered the lethal zone and we were now in a state of trans, Which was even stronger than a full bottle of triple X rum.

The sea was roaring like a tiger which has not hunted even a rat for a whole week. Our engines went dead and so were our winds.

But as we moved past it the fear gradually disappeared a feeling of satisfaction took ever me. The gusts of wind were not wet; they were dry as if I were in a continental bed taking sun bath. & when I finally was able to open my eyes the scene was what I had not seen even in wildest of my dreams.

It was the island of Tsukasa. Believed to be the true heaven on earth created by the god himself for those who are pristine at heart a place for salvation protected by the spirits and this is the place where I’ve spend my life till now and if an end comes for me I can go satisfied.

*********

ATTITUDE

Durgesh upadhyaya (Runners Up)

T.S. CHANAKYA

“life is a strange humdrum affair where few moments of peace snatched should he gratefully acknowledged.” Anonymous.

What is the thing that his between birth and death of a person. It’s his life, just like a vast expanse of waves, sailing slowly and slowly towards its end but cannot visualize the depth and its width. The only thing visible is the bright horizon with the sum shining to its glory. It engulfs us with the feeling of optimism, continuous struggle with the waves. Waves came and go, hit the sands of the beaches, struggling hard every bit to conquer wave and more land. They seem to depict every aspect that should be present in a human’s character.

“Life is a battle field,

Don’t be dumb driven cattle in it,

Be a martyr and fight bravely;

Remembers the ocean and its expanse

Still its effort to conquer more land;

Take your self to your maximum,

So that same forlorn ship wrecked sailor,

Might see your footprints on sand;

Be a guiding light to others.

To guide the world with your light and colours;

If still you are in hibernation, then arise, awake and stop not till you have achieved. Waves came and go; we humans also have this short life period to act. Sailing in the ocean, fighting the waves, making way through the storm; that is the attitude one should carry with himself. Remember the vast expanse of ocean trying to engulf every possible thing on its way. Its spirits so high, marching forward head held high. A diver has to struggle hard to beat its waves. It’s the attitude, it’s the spirit. Don’t get down by mere criticism of same fanatics as the waves too are being stopped by building walls. But don’t forget the great tsunami that came, and shattered every single boundary that came to stop its way. For when it comes to an extent when the water is above one’s head, one has the same amount of power as that of the cyclone. But we collapse at such please, not being mentally strong. “Watch the waves, watch the ocean. Learn from them because they are the perfect example.”

For someone has lightly remarked:-

“Personality opens doors of life; attitude makes sure that they remain open for the rest of the life.”

*********

Fragrance March Edition

April 16, 2010 - Posted by admin - 3 Comments

Dear Friends,

Writeradda.com sponsored and arranged a creative writing contest for cadets of merchant navy at Training Ship Chanakya (T.S.. Chanakya). T.S. Chanakya was conducting Xpressions 2k10- turning tide at Mumbai on 2nd and 03rd april,2010. This was the 2nd year. This event was supported by Dufferin, Rajendra And Chanakya Ex cadets Association (DRACEA).

Writeradda.com is very happy to be associated with Xpressions 2k10 where the budding talent who showed their intelligence by getting selected in T.S. Chanakya and other premium institutes proved that they are nothing less than anybody in literary world too. We wish the cadets best of luck in their future endeavor at sea. We have included the winning entries in this edition of “Fragrance”. To read the other entries and to see the photos , Keep visiting this space called www.writersadda.com.

*********

The triangle

Lokesh Shukle (Winner)

T. S. Rahman

I will share a story that happened to me in early 17^th century. It was the time when we were passing through an area known as “The triangle of Pandemonium.”

It was around four nautical miles away from us. & we were running straight into it.

The fear inside of me, I couldn’t feel was growling & forging to pull me back to hypnotism had taken over me though I would still feel my sanity in me.

We finally entered the lethal zone and we were now in a state of trans, Which was even stronger than a full bottle of triple X rum.

The sea was roaring like a tiger which has not hunted even a rat for a whole week. Our engines went dead and so were our winds.

*********

ATTITUDE

Durgesh upadhyaya (Runners Up)

T.S. CHANAKYA

“life is a strange humdrum affair where few moments of peace snatched should he gratefully acknowledged.” Anonymous.

“Life is a battle field,

Don’t be dumb driven cattle in it,

Be a martyr and fight bravely;

Remembers the ocean and its expanse

Still its effort to conquer more land;

Take your self to your maximum,

So that same forlorn ship wrecked sailor,

Might see your footprints on sand;

Be a guiding light to others.

To guide the world with your light and colours;

For someone has lightly remarked:-

“Personality opens doors of life; attitude makes sure that they remain open for the rest of the life.”

*********

Dairy of Narcicuss

Niranjan Nayak

Day One

This forest is my home. I know it from the day I became aware of my own existence. I know every inch of it during all these years. Its bare mountains have always inspired me to keep my head high. Its river while singing its melodious lullaby has whispered in my dormant ears to hate any form of stasis and be as spontaneous and agile as she is. Its thick canopy of leaves, while protecting me from the wrath of the sun god has made me feel how precious I am to this forest. I love this forest as passionately as a child loves his mother.

I wake up every morning as the sun jumps to the horizon. The hours to follow become a never ending affair of too many adventures and unlimited fun. Exploring this vast stretch of wilderness and experiencing the quaint pleasure of the formidable solitude all around me is something I relish most in this desolate forest. I have forgotten all these days that I that I am an orphan and do not have anybody’s’ protective hand on my head, because this forest has been more protective than a father and more possessive than a mother . I do not have regrets in my life. I run from one place to another place with passion, intoxication and with sheer triumph of life over every thing. My quiver is a miniature store house of my courage and my arrogant arrows, a manifestation of my supremacy over my neighbours here. The natives here are cannibals. But they worship me as son of god. The tribal girls swoon with excitement whenever they see me. They all think that I’m handsome like a Greek God and they are not wrong either because I’m one. But I never feel happy to receive all these attentions. I love this forest and I love everything about me.

Day two

Something very strange happened to me today. I was sitting on the bank of my dear river, throwing stones to create ripples. I love those crystalline droplets when they fall on my skin. I heard a peal of laughter from behind. It was as sweet as tingling of bells coming from a Hindu temple. It was as soothing to the ear as the murmuring of my dear river. When I looked back, I saw a girl standing and laughing. All of a sudden a silver trout raised its head from water. I forgot the girl and kept looking at it. Once again the same peal of laughter distracted my concentration. I looked back in anger and saw the girl standing there. She was not a vivacious beauty, but pretty and innocent. There was something fascinating about those two large eyes with two deep dark pools within. She was standing there transfixed with her eyes fixed on me once again. Oops! the silver trout gave me a slip. I cursed my fate.

“Who is she? Why is she here? What does she want from me”, A flurry of questions winked in my mind. I never like some one who intrudes upon my privacy in this fashion. I looked back once again and saw her standing there, her feet rooted to the ground and her large fascinating eyes fixed on me. I’m neither a flirt nor a typical Looney lover. Women always stand outside my thoughts. She broke the silence, “Dear me, I’m Echo, the naughty elf. That’s what they call me. I am naughty but I’m not ashamed of it. I love people as much as I love this forest. I love talking to people, listening to their tales and relaying them to others. When someone calls me loudly I call back. But now a days, people do not love me. They avoid me. I feel so lonely here in this vast forest without any friend. I may be a bit boring but not so bad. Will you be my friend? Together we will have a great time.” I listened to her in abrupt silence and then I looked at her. I discovered a glint of happiness in her large liquid eyes and felt very bad when I thought how transitory they could be. Then I snarled at her waving my bow and arrows. I asked her to leave me as soon as possible. For a moment, I became a savage. Her innocence had no effect on me. She stood there for while. A drop of tear rolled from her eyes. Then she spun back and disappeared in to the deep forest, leaving me there with all my pride and prejudice and my arrogant quiver

Day Three

I couldn’t sleep yester day. Those two large innocent eyes kept hunting me throughout the night. I tried again and again to recall every word she spoke to me. There was something amazing about her voice. It was clear and resonant, a voice one would like to remember. Her giggle was so extraordinary, so uninhibited and spontaneous, like the celestial symphony we hear in heaven. How could I ignore her so effortlessly? Her invitation was so honest and so candid. It could have created a tumult even inside a very strong heart.” Do I have one beating inside my breasts?” I placed my palm on my chest to feel my heart beat. It was beating inside at a pace not faster or slower than that of a mechanical time keeper. “I’m fine, there is no gross abnormality within”, I consoled myself.

I tried to search her out to day. I wanted to say sorry to her. I knew I behaved like a filthy brute with her yester day. I still do not have any soft corner for her. Its neither love nor infatuation, just a good human gesture. I searched for her everywhere, explored every bit of this forest, called her by her name in a voice at its loudest best. But it was a hopeless search. When the sun was at its brightest, I came back, exhausted and disappointed.

THE DIARY ENDS HERE. What happened after that is more poignant than the sad tale of Echo. In his attempts to discover Echo, Narcissus explored every inch of the vast forest. But while coming back to his home, he went near a pool to drink water. As he bent down, he saw a charming face, much more charming than Echo, looking at him from under the water. He forgot his thirst and kept looking at the face. It was what we call love at first sight. He forgot Echo, his forest, the river and his cozy little home. He sat there hungry and thirsty for days together. Nobody knows what happened to him after that. But Echo is still there, wandering around. If you want to hear her story, then call her loudly in deep shiny solitude. She will call back, I SWEAR…….

*********

Castle

Swayamprava

The sea shore was full of tourists. The lined road side stalls were busy in selling fast foods. Tandoori chicken, chicken rolls, jhal mudhi, Gupchup stalls were spreading continuous aromas that was good enough to tickle the olfactory nerves of that of the passerby which was making them to flock around the stalls just like honey bees stay cling to their hives. The dressed horses and camels were busy in commuting tourists from one end of the beach to the other. The conch, kauriwalla selling the local handicrafts in a throw away price

Hey ! What are you thinking? Asked Rahul

Nothing dear! Just watching the hustle bustle of this ever busy seashore! Sarita said, with a smile.

“Do you really enjoying this place?”

“Ya ! Very much!”

“ Then let’s buy a place somewhere close to the seashore.”

“Hmm.. not a bad idea.”

“Then tell me in which place you would like to stay? Goa, Puri, Gopalpur, Cochin, Chennai or Mumbai.”

“I think Chennai will be a better place.”

“Why ?”

“Oh ! tell me why Vivekananda jump into the water and swam to that small isle which is now called Vivekanda Rock !”

“Why?”

“Cause that place was so breath taking that he couldn’t resist himself !”

“Ok…Ok…Now got it…You want to make home from where there will be nothing but mile and miles long sea !”

“Exactly !”

Ok …Done. We will buy a place just next to Rameshwaram and will build a Victorian model castle over there”

“You are such a sweet person! But you shouldn’t make it that ancient looking from inside!”

“Aha ! Not at all. There will an Italian kitchen, a Hollywood film style bed room and a huge garden around the castle. There will be soft green lawn and a huge swimming pool with the ocean in its back drop. In the ground floor, there will be a huge hall with Victorian style get up. There will be Rajastani style swing in between the shade between hall and the garden.”

“What about the idea of keeping a boxer or Doberman dog in this house!”

“Ya …not a bad idea ! After all what will all the fleet of servants will do though out the day ! When you live in a castle you can’t cook everyday.”

“Hmmm…I always love this caring attitude in you… Ya … you are right…If I cook when we will get time to make love…! We will keep a chef and two assistant chefs to serve us…”

“Ya… After all it is matter of heart and prestige girl…You are my sweet heart. What do you think I will never left any stone unturned in keeping you as a queen in my palace…I mean castle…!”

“So sweet…!”

“But one thing is you can’t keep on making love or get served by chefs only…make a Yoga room in the roof top and a gym in the garden area, So that I can keep myself healthy and charming forever.”

“Of course darling! I am thinking to make a big library just in the side of our bedroom. So that I can read romantic stories and tell you it in my own romantic way.”

The sun started sinking in the west, leaving the graffiti of colours in the west sky. The pinkish tinge reflected on her cheeks. He moved bit closer and placed kiss on her left cheek. She looked romantically towards him. He reciprocated with an equal gesture of love. Slowly the pink tinged twilight turned to dark night. The crowd started receding. He came closer to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. She stayed and enjoyed the warmth for few minutes

“I think we should move now.”

“Ya… we are getting late. The road was too bad. You can’t rely on an Auto rickshaw driver.”

“And water will come only till 8 o’clock.”

“I made a mistake by running away with you.” Said Rahul.

“I made a mistake by believing in imaginative stories.” Sarita said with an irritating voice.

“You had made my life miserable.”

“You only insisted to run away.”

“I would have tried for a better job and wealthy in-laws.”

“With my beauty I could have married to a really wealthy businessman!”

The debate started taking a fierce fight.

Both of them took the seat in the auto with a great rush.

“Dreams are always sweeter than reality…because we are the creators of it. “

“Oh! Please I am not in mood to listen to your Dreams…I will have to prepare the dinner and for morning’s breakfast and it is too late to dream.”

Rahul kept quite…

*********

My Spiritual Sojourn- Trimbakeshwar

Swayamprava

It is quite natural when a death takes away somebody near to you, a sort of emotional rollercoaster you generally go through. For a while you see the whole world in confusion and disbelief…You feel that emotional pang that nothing will last forever. It gives you the reality bite, about the harsh reality of this highly volatile, mortal world. My spiritual sojourn continued even after I left Orissa this summer, after attending my father-in-law’s funeral.

While we came back, my parents came with us to Mumbai. I had been to several places, set up my household several times. It was like a life of a nomad I was leading till we bought this apartment in Mumbai. We never stayed here regularly till my son started going to school. All these years I had invited my parents several times, to my ever changing houses and places. Every time they would give me some reasons to not come and bend me down to obey them. Might be they thought to give us that privacy, which we were badly missing in our several tours and responsibilities. But this time they agreed to come. Parents are like that, they know exactly when their kid wants them the most. Their visit really relaxed me a lot emotionally. Or else the gruesome thoughts would have accompanied me and even today I would have acted like an emotional wreck, jeopardizing the happiness of my ever happy household.

After reaching Mumbai, I wanted them to live the life, I usually prefer; a weekend movie, lots of junk food, a new novel, and a trip to a mall. That is the most convenient and relaxing way to pass your weekends in a place like Mumbai. In Puri there are several places to visit ; if you are feeling low then go to Jagannnath temple, If you are happy go to sea shore, If you want adventure then visit the hundreds of temples, natures beauty in the marine drive, go to Konark or Chilika…all are just around you in a stones throw away distance and are there to enchant you…But here ,all your emotions gets pack up in a small chamber in your heart and like an addict you search for a good mall or a multiplex to relax…I tried the same on my parents too, but alas! I was wrong. Papa was too reluctant to go to a mall. He believes, the malls are the money sucking enterprises, lure its clients with new new techniques to drain his money. Very thought provoking, but what to see in this ever busy Cosmopolitan in just a few hours, I wonder. Mom has got the way to pacify all with her hush hush way of telling things taking every body into confidence. She started the debate of visiting few spiritual places in and around Mumbai. Thus started our second phase of Spiritual journey, in this ever busy city!

But we couldn’t decide where to go first as Mom was interested to visit Siridi and Papa was to Trimbakeshwar We three had no choice but to wait for their decision, where to go first.

Initially we thought of going by our own car. But on our way, Papa got a strong bout of gastric attack, and we had to return back form halfway. I thought, they will never make it. For a while I even regretted for bringing them so far breaking their usual lifestyle. For next one week, they just stayed at home, exploring my household in its tit and bits They too get themselves adjusted with the surroundings and the weather. I gave him many print outs of Trimbakeshwar, Siridi, and Asthavinayak temples, downloaded from several sites with picture. He studied it keenly and made up his mind to visit these places. After exactly two weeks Papa was almost ready to visit Thrimbakeshwar. The initial charging up ceremony was over, I felt. So we all were ready for the adventure cum spiritual journey to explore the state of Maharashtra…

From Panvel we booked one Innova. The driver was a regular in that route .He only suggested us the route planed the visit in such a way that we can visit maximum places in a in a minimum time. So the route plan was like this, from Panvel we went to Nashik via Igatpuri ghats. From Nashik we went another 28 km to reach the Brahmagiri Mountains. Trimbakeshwar was situated in the valley of this Brahmagiri , which was also a part of the sayadri hill.

We packed our bags and early in the morning, after having a very light breakfast and tea, around 5-30 – 6 o’clock we left for Trimbakeshwar temple.

It took about 4-5 hours to reach Trimbakesar. By 10 o’clock we reached there. Trimbakeswer is a beautiful place surrounded by huge bulbous, Igneous Mountains. The road was naturally consists of several ghats and quite curly. An expert driver is needed to drive on those tough roads. For the first time I saw the villages of Maharastra and its life style. It was quite different from our villages in Orissa. The entire village was so barren that except the thatched houses you will long to see green vegetation through out your journey. Few villages probably have got irrigation facilities which look green and will give a smooth feeling to your eyes.

As we reached Trimbakeshwar , straight way we headed for the temple. It is situated in a valley with huge mountains all around. In few mountains we saw huge statue of Shiv linga , Duttatraya’s temple and few caves. But The Trimbakeswer temple was in a plain and visible only from a km distance. I couldn’t find a proper guide who can explain us about that place. So I bought a few books to know about it. Actually the surrounding mountains were called Bramhagiri Mountains. The first peak of Sahyadri is called Brahmadri. The story associated with this is that Shankar was pleased with Brahmadev and said “ I shall be known by your name”. Hence it is called as Brahmagiri. The mountain is 1800 feet high . Its height from sea level is 4248 feet. Five peaks of this mountain are called Sadyo-Jata, Vamdev, Aghora, Ishana and Tat-Purusha and are considered as five mouths of the Lord Shiva and they are worshipped. As Brahmagiri is considered as a huge form of Lord Shiva, hence the mountain climbing was considered as a sin. However in 1908 Seth Lalchand Jashodanand Bhambhani of Karachi and Seth Ganeshdas built 500 steps of stone at a cost of Rs. 40,000 then. This has facilitated easy access to Brahmagiri. Godavari is flowing in three directions from this mountain. The one flowing towards east is called Godavari, one flowing towards the south is called Vaitarna and the one flowing towards the west is called the west-flowing Ganga and meets Godavari near Chakra Tirth. River Ahilya meets Godavari in front of the Trimbakeshwar temple. Childless families worship at the Ahilya sangam and it is believed that they do get a child.

As we approached towards the temple, I took a glimpse of those huge mountains. It is said that, massiveness attracts”. These massive mountains were quite beautiful and quite mysterious at the same time. I felt as if there were a lot of story associated with these mountains. Its hugeness that attracts. I took a few photos, but couldn’t capture what I felt that day….

From the taxi stand to the temple, the entire road was full of shops selling, souvenirs, vermilion, vastu dolls, Siva lingas and the copper plates with three faced Siva engraved on it. People were selling flowers and various offering for Siva like coconut, packet milk, Dhatura flower, hibiscus and belpatta. One interesting thing I noticed that before entering to the temple people were buying a wild glass like herb with violet flowers on it and feeding aplenty to the bulls and cows present there. Mom too bought a few bundles a feed a bull. I was too irked and scared by the cattle and begger population and forget to feed them. But mom said, she had fed them on my behalf too…. I mean two bundles one for her and one for me. I relived.

From a distance I saw the black temple of Trimbakesar. The structure of the temple was quite different from that of Orissa. Trimbakeshwar Temple is an ancient shrine; however the current structure is a result of the reconstruction efforts undertaken by the Peshwa Balaji Bajirao in mid 18th century. The temple is built of black stone in the Nagara style of architecture and is enclosed in a spacious courtyard. The sanctum internally a square and externally a stellar structure houses a small Shivalingam – Tryambaka. This temple is of five domes, with symmetrical and smooth design.There were five golden pots on the peak of the temple. The sanctum is crowned with a graceful tower, embellished with a giant Amalaka and a golden kalasha. In front of the garbagriha and the antarala is a mandap with doors on all four sides. Three of these doorways are covered with porches and the openings of these porches are ornamented with pillars and arches. Curvilinear slabs rising in steps form roof of the mandapam. The entire structure is ornamented with sculptural work featuring running scrolls, floral designs, and figures of gods, yakshas, humans and animals.

I took a few more photos. As we entered the temple we found a huge line waiting outside the door of the main temple. For a while we felt frustrated as looking at the giant line anybody could feel how many hours it will take to see the god. But from nowhere a young priest came and asked us to pay him some money so that he can take us to the temple straightway. As usual we paid him and he took us from the back door. As we reached there we found that that door was for the residents of that place and they were free to take that route. I happened to see Anil Batsha ji (of Astha channel, who predicts and a expert in astrology) in the crowd.

The Shivalingam is seen in a depression on the floor of the sanctum. Water constantly oozes out from the top of the Shivalingam. But all these things were not visible. The only visible thing was a three faced silver mask with crowns was covering the Shivlingam. Usually, the Shivalingam is covered with a silver mask but on festive occasions a golden mask with five faces, each with a golden crown covers it. And the worst part is you have no option to reach near or touch the Lingam. From a distance we gave the offering to the Brahmin and he showed it to the Lord and returned it back to us. In Orissa, we were free to touch and go near the shivalingam and can offer our offering in front of us by a Brahmin. We sit there inside the shrine for a while chanting Siva Panchakyar. The feeling was awesome. I didn’t feel like coming there for the first time. It felt quite familiar to me.

As we came out of the temple, we found about a number of small shivalingas (about 24 or more) in small small temples fixed on the boundary wall. On the otherside there was a huge pond which was connected to Godavari . From the Brahmagiri Mountain the river passes through this pond inside the boundery of this big temple. We found a big Shivalinga inside the boundary itself. Ner that Shivalinga there was small hole where you can touch the replica of the Shivalinga, exactly what it is supposed to be inside the teple. It was three headed thumb like stone that you can feel dipping your hand in side that pool of water. It is believed that Traimbakesar represents the three gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in his three heads.

Trimbakeshwar Temple is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva and as the source of the river Godavari. Just as Ganga is known as Bhagirathi and is one of the most important river in North India, in the same way, Godavari is also known as Gautami Ganga and is the most sacred river in South India.

According to Shiv Purana, it is because of the earnest request of Godavari, Gautam Rishi and other gods that Lord Shiva agreed to reside here and assumed the famous name Trimbakeshwar. Interestingly, locals refer to the river here as Ganga and not as Godavari. All the heavenly Gods promised to come down to Nasik, once in twelve years, when Jupiter resides in the zodiac sign of Leo. On this a grand fair is organized at this place. Devotees take a holy bath in the Gautami Ganga and then seek the blessings of Trimbakeshwar.

Legend goes that a sage name Gautam Muni resided on the Brahmagiri hill with his wife Ahilya. By virtue of his devotion, the sage received from Varuna, a bottomless pit from which he received an inexhaustible supply of grains and food. The other rishis, jealous of his fortune, arranged for a cow to enter his granary and caused it to die as Gowtam Rishi attempted to ward it off with a bunch of Darbha grass.

Gautam Rishi, therefore, worshipped Lord Shiva to bring the Ganga down to his hermitage to purify the premises. Pleased with devotion, Shiva requested Ganga to flow down and make Sage Gautam pure. After that Ganga flowed down. Lord Shiva told Ganga to stay there eternally for the good of everyone. All the Gods started singing the praises of Gautam Rishi, Ganga and Lord Shiva. On the request of all the Gods, Lord Shiva resided by the river Gautami by the name Trimbakeshwar (one of the Jyotirlingas). Hindus believe that Trimbak Jyotirlinga is one, which fulfills everyone’s desires. It emancipates all from their sins and miseries.

Another popular legend behind Trimbakeshwar Temple is the legend of Lingodbhava manifestation of Shiva. It says once Brahma and Vishnu searched in vain to discover the origin of Shiva who manifested himself as a cosmic column of fire. Brahma lied that he had seen the top of the column of fire and was hence cursed that he would not be worshipped on earth. In turn Brahma cursed Shiva that he would be pushed underground. Accordingly, Shiva came down under the Brahmagiri hill in the form of Tryambakeshwar. Trimbakeshwar Temple is the only place where Shivlinga is not out but it’s inside the floor.

Some scholars say that Goddess Parvati also came down along Lord Shiva and Ganga. The place is therefore called Tryambakeshwa (three lords). Others believe that the place is so called because of the presence of three Shivlinga of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. The Shivlinga of Lord Mahesh has always-flowing water among the three Shivlingas.

After this enchanting trip of Traimbakeshaer we went to a road side Dhabba to have breakfast. After that we left for Godavari Snan.

P.S :- Story behind Traimbakeswar

Courtesy:- http://www.mahashivratri.org/trimbakeshwar-temple-nasik.html

Shipping Section

STS (Ship To Ship) Plan

ANNEX

(Addition of a new chapter 8 to MARPOL and Annex I and consequential amendments to the Supplement to the IOPP Certificate, Form B)

A new chapter 8 is added to MARPOL 73/78 Annex I – Oil :

“CHAPTER 8 – PREVENTION OF POLLUTION DURING TRANSFER OF OIL CARGO BETWEEN OIL TANKERS AT SEA

Regulation 40

Scope of application

1. The regulations contained in this chapter apply to oil tankers of 150 gross tonnage and above engaged in the transfer of oil cargo between oil tankers at sea (STS operations) and their STS operations conducted on or after 1 April 2012. However, STS operations conducted before that date but after the approval of the Administration of STS operations Plan required under regulation 41.1 shall be in accordance with the STS operations Plan as far as possible.

2. The regulations contained in this chapter shall not apply to oil transfer operations associated with fixed or floating platforms including drilling rigs; floating production, storage and offloading facilities (FPSOs) used for the offshore production and storage of oil; and floating storage units (FSUs) used for the offshore storage of produced oil1.

3. The regulations contained in this chapter shall not apply to bunkering operations.

4.The regulations contained in this chapter shall not apply to STS operations

necessary for the purpose of securing the safety of a ship or saving life at sea, or for combating specific pollution incidents in order to minimize the damage from pollution.

5.The regulations contained in this chapter shall not apply to STS operations where either of the ships involved is a warship, naval auxiliary or other ship owned or operated by a State and used, for the time being, only on government non-commercial service. However, each State shall ensure, by the adoption of appropriate measures not impairing operations or operational capabilities of such ships that the STS operations are conducted in a manner consistent, so far as is reasonable and practicable, with this chapter.

1 Revised Annex I of MARPOL, chapter 7 (resolution MEPC. 117(52)) and UNCLOS article 56 are applicable and address these operations.

Regulation 41

General Rules on safety and environmental protection

1. Any oil tanker involved in STS operations shall carry on board a Plan prescribing how to conduct STS operations (STS operations Plan) not later than the date of the first annual, intermediate or renewal survey of the ship to be carried out on or after 1st January 2011. Each oil tanker’s STS operations Plan shall be approved by the Administration. The STS operations Plan shall be written in the working language of the ship.

2.The STS operations Plan shall be developed taking into account the information contained in the best practice guidelines for STS operations identified by the Organization2. The STS operations Plan may be incorporated into an existing Safety Management System required by chapter IX of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, if that requirement is applicable to the oil tanker in question.

3. Any oil tanker subject to this chapter and engaged in STS operations shall comply with its STS operations Plan.

4. The person in overall advisory control of STS operations shall be qualified to perform all relevant duties, taking into account the qualifications contained in the best practice guidelines for STS operations identified by the Organization3.

5. Records4 of STS operations shall be retained on board for three years and be readily available for inspection by a Party to the present Convention.

Regulation 42

Notification

1. Each oil tanker subject to this chapter that plans STS operations within the territorial sea, or the exclusive economic zone of a Party to the present Convention shall notify that Party not less than 48 hours in advance of the scheduled STS operations. Where, in an exceptional case, all of the information specified in paragraph 2 is not available not less than 48 hours in advance, the oil tanker discharging the oil cargo shall notify the Party to the present Convention, not less than 48 hours in advance that an STS operation will occur and the information specified in paragraph 2 shall be provided to

the Party at the earliest opportunity.

2 IMO’s “Manual on Oil Pollution, Section I, Prevention” as amended, and the ICS and OCIMF “Ship-to-ship Transfer Guide, Petroleum”, fourth edition, 2005.

3 IMO’s “Manual on Oil Pollution, Section I, Prevention” as amended, and the ICS and OCIMF “Ship-to-ship Transfer Guide, Petroleum”, fourth edition, 2005.

4 Revised Annex I of MARPOL chapters 3 and 4 (resolution MEPC.117(52)); requirements for recording bunkering and oil cargo transfer operations in the Oil Record Book, and any records required by the STS operations Plan.

2. The notification specified in paragraph 1 of this regulation5 shall include at least the following:

.1 Name, flag, call sign, IMO Number and estimated time of arrival of the oil

tankers involved in the STS operations;

.2 Date, time and geographical location at the commencement of the planned

STS operations;

.3 whether STS operations are to be conducted at anchor or underway;

.4 oil type and quantity;

.5 planned duration of the STS operations;

.6 identification of STS operations service provider or person in overall

advisory control and contact information; and

.7 confirmation that the oil tanker has on board an STS operations Plan

meeting the requirements of regulation 41.

3. If the estimated time of arrival of an oil tanker at the location or area for the STS operations changes by more than six hours, the master, owner or agent of that oil tanker shall provide a revised estimated time of arrival to the Party to the present Convention specified in paragraph 1 of this regulation.”

2. In the Record of Construction and Equipment for Oil Tankers, Form B, new section 8A is added as follows:

“8A Ship-to-ship oil transfer operations at sea

(Regulation 41)

8A.1 The oil tanker is provided with an STS operations Plan in compliance with regulation 41.”

5 The national operational contact point as listed in document MSC-MEPC.6/Circ.4 of 31 December 2007 or its subsequent amendments.

To remind the readers (sea farers at sea & ashore)

ISM code amendments will come into force from 1^st July,2010 especially to carry out Risk assessments while carrying out operations.
Marpol Annex- VI Reg 15.6 requires all crude oil tankers to have a VOC Management Plan which gives written procedures ship specific to control emission of VOCs while loading, during sea passage & during cargo discharging. These plans are required to be approved by the Administration as well and requires to come into force from 1^st July, 2010. Persons involved in these operations are required to be trained.

SWAYAM MARITIME ACADEMY is instrumental in starting up a 1 day training programme for officers for VOC Management on board crude oil tankers and a Risk Assessment course of 2 days to ensure Risk assessment is understood and carried out properly before carrying out any operations identifying hazards, risks, consequence, likelihood, control measures (existing, additional control measures) & (administrative, physical control measures) etc. Identification of hazards, assessments of risks and minimizing risks are very important concepts to carry out risk assessments on board.

SWAYAM MARITIME ACADEMY

Nilakantha Darshan

Office No. 02 & 20

1^st floor, Near Panvel bus depot

Panvel-410206

Tel- 022-27450109 & Mob- 9768770865

Email- swayammaritime@gmail.com

If you wish to send some articles to us then send it to swayammaritime@gmail.com or writersadda@gmail.com

You can post your articles in the www.shippingtutorials.com/forum/ or in www.writersadda.com

For advertisements pls contact :-

Tel- 022-27450109

Mob- 97687708659768

Fragrance february edition

March 11, 2010 - Posted by admin - 0 Comments

This E-Zine is presented to you by SWAYAM MARITIME ACADEMY and its two online wings www.shippingtutorials.com & www.writersadda.com

Dear Friends,

Glad to present another edition of Fragrance. Every month new new writers are joining our site www.writersadda.com and we are trying our best to pick up the best of the articles from our site and make this e-zine more and more adorable. In our effort we need you support, feed back and articles on various topics to make not only Writers Adda a true meeting place for writers but also to make this e-zine more vibrant with various topics.

Life is like a flowing river. And we are like rolling stones in it. The more we flow with the river the less we are prone to gather moss on us .With new thoughts, new ideas and flowing with time we can make us to live life to its fullest. The same thing applies to “Fragrance” too. We will keep on changing its contents as per our readers’ demand and taste.

In this edition we have two lovely poems on life and human emotion, one short story depicting an unusual love story that will make you think for a while, One on board experience of a sailing Master when an unusual guest entered into the accommodation area of his Ship, three shipping based articles on “VOC management plans for Oil Tankers”, “Behavior based safety” the latest in Maritime training and “The safe operation of Ships and pollution prevention as per ISM Code amendment”. Hope this will appeal you all.

Thanks & Regards

Editor

Pls Send your feed back e-mail:-swayammaritime@gmail.com : writersadda@gmail.com : & shippingtutorials@gmail.com

Metamorphosis

Niranjan Nayak

Like a bird emancipated from the cage

Like a soul leaving the worn out fetters of the body

Like a surge of emotion finding a sudden outlet

Like a shriek escaping from a body in agony.

Down and down it rolled

Cooling my burnt cheeks

Touching one corner of my mouth

I relished its saline taste.

Down it fell on the ground

My pent up anguish

My frozen frustration

My condensed bitterness.

Down it fell on the ground

Turning itself into a lovely, little pearl

Revealing its beauty only when it was hard

The waiter

Pearl S

The “Flavors” was situated in the heart of the city. It was a big restaurant. The interior was awesome; the tables were decorated with latest design of flower decorations. The nook and corner of this restaurant was touched with an artistic touch and giving it that cherished perfection.

The tables had been separated from one to the other by thick etched glasses. The table clothes used to change and arranged according to the colors suited to a particular day of a week. They had a theme for every day of the week and according to the theme the chef used to serve a new menu to the guests along with the regular menus. The owner of “Flavours” was bit drawn towards astrology and made his restaurant vastu comply. Every day hundreds of visitors visit here for its nice food and hospitality…….. And in this restaurant, Somu was one of the most obedient and friendly waiter, who had made a distinction from rest of waiters for his good humor and perfection in every thing. Every day Somu laid the plates on the table with utmost care. White ceramic plates when still warm as taken from the dishwasher, Somu used to arrange along with the spoons, and forks and knifes……… Every time after arranging the tables, he used to throw a satisfied look through out the ‘Flavors’. It was his touch…that Midas touch….. This used to give this restaurant an unusual homely vibes. The guests arriving here always looked for Somu and usually prefer his charming way to serve them according to their wishes……..But that day it was not usual day. The restaurant was partially booked for a birth day celebration. And Somu was extra careful to please the guests for the occasion.

After putting the cutlery in its place Somu, proceeded towards the corner of the restaurant, separated from the rest of the tables. That day, for the birth day party, six tables were drawn together to give it an impression of one block. It was separated with potable glass barricades from the rest of the restaurants. With the help of another waiter he put the banner saying “Happy birthday Jay” .They managed to put some colourful balloons and ribbons along with the flowers to give it a party look. As the clock touched 8pm, people started pouring in armed with stylish gifts in jazzy wraps. Some came with a banquet of flowers. All were quite sophisticated; a touch of aristocracy was there. The suits look too expensive on the visitors and the ladies were looking very beautiful in their latest fashioned attires. somu’s eyes dazzled for a moment.

The menu was pre-ordered so Somu started to open the kingfisher bottles and pour in every body’s glass. They were about twenty people. The cake arrived and a small cheers spread amongst the guests. Suddenly he saw a push in the restaurant door. He hinted at the other waiter to open the door for the guest. There emerged she, the white but heavily worked saree clad guest.

Somu looked at that direction and stuck in his own thought. For a moment Somu stayed standstill. Somu lost his words….At once he felt an unusual sense of attraction towards that lady. In his 5 years job in this restaurant He had seen many people but he never felt such a feeling for anybody. A sweet feeling of belongingness spread allover Somu….

‘How on earth can somebody be so stunning?’ He thought. Somu was almost followed her like a dry leaf in a gush of wind, no control over his own self.

She entered in a grace walked along the restaurant till that corner, where party was going on. She took the seat and started chatting with others, leaving Somu completely absorbed in his own thought. Somu’s mesmerized look, got a blow when, somebody called him to pour some wine in that lady’s glass. Rest of the evening was just history for Somu. As he didn’t remember anything except that white saree clad lady……He remembered her face, in its tit and bits. He remembered her voice and could recall the resound again and again .He remembered, how she lifted the wine glass so gracefully and touched her sweet pink lips on it. After the party was finished he stole that glass and kept that glass with him avoiding everybody’s stare and brought it to his cabin to observe that pink lipstick stain on it.

From that day onwards somehow it became a ritual for Somu to wait. He was not certain that the lady will come again. But he passed the days waiting for her looking at the door again and again. He served the guests but eyes glued to the door. Every day passed in anticipation, a sweet pain in which he loved to get torture in. Just one glimpse of that lady was the most cherished wish that Somu could wish for, at that moment.

The wait………waiting for somebody to whom you love, waiting for somebody for whom your heart pounds in anticipation with that magic called love …how sweet that feeling is! Somu performed his duty as usual but he could feel the surge of energy in him. The world seemed to be a wonderful place to live in. The thoughts overpowered his daily duties and his job seemed to be the most cherished job on earth. He started loving his job more and more and did it in perfection as in every moment he wanted to impress his heart’s queen with his work. Every day he used to decorate the restaurant as if he was doing it for himself and her empress, the saree clad beauty.

Love does miracles and how can Somu be away from that miracle! Soon Somu gained that adoration from every body and accolades for his job. Because of Somu the restaurant got more and more popularity.

It was the happiest phase of his life when he fell in the sweet trap of love. Days passed and Somu’s wait got intensified. He started dreaming about that Lady Day in day out. He started seeing her in his dreams, in his bed, in his counter table and the more he started feeling her, more he became confident and self assured about his capabilities in every thing.

And one day it was heavily raining outside and the restaurant has got only three four guests and suddenly the door pushed in and there emerged the Saree clad lady, this time in a peacock green salwar suit. Somu’s eyes flashed like a thousand watt bulb. Somu couldn’t believe his eyes…He was too happy to move for a while. She walked in and Somu showed her the way to one of the tables. Somu ran inside to bring a towel and offered her a big towel to wipe out the water dripping from her hair. Somu framed the picture in his mind’s eye when his heart still aching in joy……

While taking the towel she said, “As it is raining heavily I couldn’t drive Coincidentally, I stopped just in front of “flavors”, now I think, I should have a cup of tea here!”

Somu smiled and thought,’it can’t be coincidence. You don’t know but I know how much I was thinking of you. It is my thought that drew you here….believe it or not……But I am sure of it.’

“I need a cup of tea and two samosas.” She ordered.

Somu looked at her, while taking away the towel. He smelled her fragrance on the towel and felt the numbness allover his body. Somu wanted to trap that moment and that place in a time machine till eternity. He wanted to take her into his deep embrace and smell the rain in her hair. He wanted to savor each and every inch of her body. He wished the time to freeze then and there so that he can look into her eyes till eternity in that rain drenched night.

The waiter knocked his shoulder with a tap and said, “How long are you going to stand here clinging to that wet towel. Are you not going to serve her?”

He felt the sudden blood rush in his face and felt very embarrassed. He brought the order quickly and said, “Sorry ma’m, I am bit late. BTW do you stay nearby?”

She was staying in some nearby suburb but her office was close to

“Flavors”. She was working as an engineer. But Somu couldn’t dare to ask anything personal to her. But looking at her status Somu suddenly went in a back foot. The questions which never came to his mind before started hunting him.

“Where she is and where I am”, he thought, “She is beautiful, she is so learned, I am of no match for her. She will never go for an affair with a waiter. ” For the first time Somu tried to realize the difference between her and him. For the first time Somu felt the meanness for his waiter status.

Why it happens…….when one can feel another person’s heart without being status conscious, why one needs that status to get approval for love! A sudden gush of depression spread allover himself. He felt a sort of void every where. The restaurant, no more looked to him, as lucrative as it used to be. He felt as if all his energies got drained of …he felt the darkness for the first time in his life.

From the childhood he has struggled a lot in his life. From an orphanage, his journey to become a waiter was a story in itself to be told. In spite of being a very talented student he couldn’t get the resource to complete his hotel management course. He knew that all these colleges were meant for the rich and he had to settle for something low ………. He had always taken life as it was….He was never so over ambitious and never took anything beyond his stride. He lived life as it happened to him. Till yesterday he was happy with what he was supposed to be. But that day every thing changed. That equation with life changed forever. That day he felt the need of a good job and a decent status for the first time. He wanted to fly away spreading his wings to conquer the whole world…so that he can impress his sweet heart with his capability and at par with her status…….

She left the restaurant that day giving a twenty rupees tip to Somu. Somu took the towel and the twenty rupees into his cabin and spread his fingers through out the currency note. He put that rupee in an envelope and put it in the inner locker where he used to keep his precious things.

He looked at the towel and the lipstick stained glass. He draped himself in that towel and touched the stain of lipstick with his lips .He felt her allover again. He tried to forget that day’s event. He tried to forget what he learnt about her. He tried to remember the first day and her first glance when she entered the restaurant. He started feeling her allover again in his dreams and remembered the sweet pain of waiting for her days in and days out in anticipation. He remembered her every gesture, the fragrance of her hair and smell of her lipstick….but he tried to forget the hard facts about her status, and his status. He kept her in the special chamber of his heart from where he can access her and can feel her, away from these harsh realities of this earth……

That night he wrote the letter to his boss…

Dear Sir,

It has been a great pleasure working here in “Flavors”. I loved and enjoyed each and every moment in this restaurant. As a boss you have been very kind to me through out. I will look forward to have a boss like you always in my life.

But sometimes some events do leave with us a few inspirations and are good enough to change our path and destiny forever. For the first in my life I found something and I would like to explore that. I want to fulfill my half baked dreams into a full fledge cake with an icing on it. Yes Sir, I would like to complete my hotel management course as soon as possible. For that I need to resign….. I may come back to you again. Hope you understand my sentiment………..

Regards

Somnath (Somu)

But in reality he left “Flavors” forever because he never wanted that sweet feelings to get contaminated with any other thoughts……….He kept her in his heart, as his muse forever

Selfish me

Minaz

I am so selfish,
I always want you to smile,
For your smile is mine.

I am so selfish,
I always want you to laugh,
For your laughter gives me happiness,

I am so selfish,
I always want you to be successful,
For your success is my success.

I am so selfish,
I always want you to achieve your goal,
For your goal is my goal.

I am so selfish
That I want you to live long and happy,
For your life is my life,

I am so selfish,
I always want you to be away from pain,
For your pain is mine too,

I am so selfish
I wish you all the luck, success, wealth, happiness and love.
I wish that all that you wish always come true
For darling your dreams are my dreams too

Python on vacation…..

Swayamprava

“Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid”, I just stumbled upon this movie while scrolling randomly in the T.V channels. I can’t understand the sentiment of the western world and their motive behind making such deadly movies. The Jaws, Jurassic Park, Godzilla, Mummy returns….to name a few and now this Anaconda !

A scientific expedition sets out for Borneo to seek a flower called the Blood Orchid, which could grant longer life and keep one young for longer time. A small filthy boat stuffed with two ladies and four young men scientists’ crew along with a very talented boatman who can take them in those forests where the blood orchids are blooming aplenty. The junior scientist who discovered this medicinal property was not only loved but quite exploited by her boss cum scientist in this project. On their way to this Jungle, the boat met with an accident during heavy floods in the river and turned into pieces. Thus started their trouble………! To reach there they had to venture into the deep forests and there they hunted by this deadly and very poisonous snake called “anaconda”, a huge snake of about 100 meter long with a very wide jaw line….. Looking at the ferocity of this reptile they all decided to return back. But the boss was so obsessed with money and fame that he even put the entire crew‘s life at stake to get those flowers. The slithering snake running through out the forest is so well conceived that you just feel the shudder within and feel the snake in your vicinity. I was watching this in the night time and believe me I felt the ghost of this reptile every where giving me goose bumps time to time….

While watching this movie one real life incident flashed before me.

A year back, one of my husband’s colleagues,’ Capt. Shirsath was sailing in a SCI tanker, which was on a coastal run. From Mangalore port they loaded oil and left for Mumbai ButcherIsland. As usual the ship got unberthed. The ropes were secured in the forward store, for peak store. The ship was pulled out with the help of tugs. The pilot was on board. The ship cleared the channel and pilot was dropped. The sun was just set in but still visibility is there. In this twilight, Capt. Shirsath caught in his own thought proceeded towards the main deck of the ship to check every thing one more time for the audit to be carried in Mumbai. He was just a couple of feet away from the accommodation, where he saw the ropes were staked there below the pipelines. He got irritated and on his walky talky he thwarted his anger on the boson for his negligence. But the boson, on the other hand has got no clue about which rope the captain is talking about…….

“Sir, I had secured every thing in place how come the rope be left behind…Let me see.”

Captain’s order how come the bosun could deny. Before the boson could go close to the rope he could see something moving. Looking at it both Capt. Shirsath and bosun ran ………puffed breath, putting their heart in their mouth, terribly shaken, frightened and profusely sweating…….entered and closed the door, water tight doors and ran inside the accommodation. While running Capt. Shirsath told, “Seems it’s a python on the main deck. My god! Such a huge one! ”

Both ran to the bridge and announced in the public announcing system, regarding the presence of a python! Immediately the emergency was sounded…Every door windows of the accommodation wings were closed . They checked and closed every nook and corner of the ship from where the python could enter inside. But the python had got different plans. The Python followed the Captain and reached the Accommodation deck. It started showing up in the galley window and smoke room window….. Displaying its flickering split tongue it roamed around the ship randomly…….

In a tanker, there are still few areas which are quite open type, like the funnel of the ship, the AC ducts to draw fresh air, Engine room pipes to take the sounding, oil spillage pipes. In ship the AC ducts are really huge ones unlike that of Air crafts. The opening end of the AC somehow resembles that of a small Picher, just like the replica of the same in aircrafts. But in air craft you can’t even enter your little finger but here a small baby can easily stuffed inside it….Now this slithering snake has got abundance of chances to enter into the AC duct and show its face at any moment…..It was nightmarish….Nobody could sleep at night thinking this unwanted guest may show up any moment at anybody’s cabin…..They can’t keep the door ajar, thinking it may enter through the door itself.

The bridge was in more pathetic state… Navigation is done from the bridge with a look out….. Now he was so scared he just shut the door and navigated strictly relying on the ARPA, compass and GPS. Since it is a costal voyage, the presence of fishing boats couldn’t be ruled out…….

Capt. Shirsath sent an S.O.S massage to SCI and later Mumbai port control to allow them to berth so that the snake can be taken out of the ship….. But …thanks to Menaka Gandhi and cruelty to animal jagran….. SCI arranged forest department to board the vessel arrival Mumbai butcher island.SCI advised Capt. Shirsath to stay calm and look after the python properly. Somehow the Python falls in an endangered species category and forest department was too delighted to listen that one of them is sailing in a ship…….They sent one cheerful message that, “Captain, we are glad to know that your ship is carrying this endangered species…please take care of the python…feed it with mutton, chicken and its favorites…..don’t try to harm it as you may face criminal charges…lol….They sent him a big mail containing, the behavior, feeding habit, the likes and dislikes.

Capt. Shirsath was all baffled, bewildered and couldn’t understand to how to tackle the situation….. In the mean time the pilot boat arrived to board the vessel and boarded the vessel safely to take the ship along side Butcher island.

They co-existed in ship side by side….taking care of each other including the python…feeding him time to time and treating him as a guest…… The companies, the charters, the families, the media all sent them with messages wishing safe journey and advices, suggestions kept flowing in…..but no body could help them out to get rid of that beast……As they reached Mumbai for berthing, The Mumbai pilot was scared to board the vessel and told Capt. Shirsath to take care of their pilot and ensure that he should send back to the pilot station in full one piece.

“Dear capt. we found that your ship is having Python in it…..Looking at the safety aspect of my Pilot I would like to caution you that we had sent our pilot as one piece and we want him back in one piece too….”

After berthing in Mumbai port the forest department sent the good news that they had arranged one fellow who can catch the snake alive. The snake catcher finally arrived on board. He instructed captain to arrange four five strong people to help him out. The crews get ready on the deck and he made a small demo before them, on “what to do” and “how to do” while catching the snake .As a little mistake could prove fatal for him…..

The snake catcher went ahead and caught the snake’s hood in its strong grip. As he caught it the snake started rolling around him like a coil engulfing totally into its grip. But as instructed these five six strong crews caught hold of its tale and started uncoiling it……After about a half an hour struggle the snake was caught and put inside a box and transported back to Mangalore …….

P.s….Based on real life incident….Shared by Capt. Sirsath

Question : How did the python board the tanker in Mangalore ?

Can you guess !

*Shipping Section***

Behavior based Safety (BBS)

BBS emphasizes that take active responsibility for safety of each other. Target observable behavior, focus on positive consequence we expect to receive i.e. change unsafe to safe behavior; monitor behavioral trends of each individual or group everyday / week / month in order to understand percentage of safe and at-risk behaviors across departments during the years.

Total safety culture encompasses that safety mechanisms are in place and active, and then implementing BBS gives wonderful results. According to a senior safety professional, “punishment never works for sustainable results for safety in organizations”. Another safety professional added, “BBS is going to be one of the best components of safety in the years to come”. According to another senior safety professional, “you may have operational controls at the workplace; you may have told employees for safety, human beings still meet with accidents due to unsafe behaviors”. BBS believes that psychological change can be achieved with repeated and active care of each other. BBS underlines that when 80-90 percent of accidents and injuries are due to unsafe behaviors; let us focus on unsafe as well as safe behaviors. Behavior is objective, definable, observable, correctable and measurable.

A chief safety objective of every plant is to achieve zero accident. Since safety in the organization can not be less than 100%; the participation of employees from every plant in safety also has to be not less than 100%. That is what Behavior Safety is all about.

We can accomplish this objective if we train every workman / employee on the concept and process of behavioral safety. Before training of employees, we need to sensitize or promote the concept of Behavior Based Safety (BBS) among the HOD’s, and front-line managers.

Why Behavioral Safety?

Research and experience indicate that:

1. 90% or more of the accidents are due unsafe human acts or behaviors;
2. 50% of the unsafe behaviors are identified or noticeable at any plant at any given point of time;
3. 25-30% of safety awareness is lacking among employees which gets reflected in their unsafe behaviors;
4. Unsafe behaviors are at the core of any near misses, injury, accidents. If we control unsafe behaviors, we may not even have near misses.

So we need to focus our efforts on unsafe and safe behaviors in safety.
BBS secret of success is that the safety control is in hands of each employee, they feel empowered and responsible.

What Behavioral Safety Training Does?

BBS is one of the best and latest safety approaches. BBS is process of repeatedly going to an employee and making random observations till he reaches safe behaviors and learns the concept of self-observation and observing others for safe performance. Eight aspects that behavioral safety takes care of in order to prevent unsafe behaviors and promote safe behaviors are:

1. PPE
2. Housekeeping
3. Using tools and equipment
4. Body positioning / protecting
5. Material handling
6. Communication
7. Following procedures
8. Visual focusing

With the help of a checklist, BBS trained observers create data on the above eight critical behaviors to guide their observations. Each observer observes at least one of his co-workers daily. If there are 500 workmen, 500 checklists are created per day on unsafe and safe behaviors in the organization, this way safety becomes a daily reminder which in essence builds safety culture.
We can almost daily-check an increase or decrease in unsafe and safe behaviors by creating this BBS data base.

*************************

VOC MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR TANKERS CARRYING CRUDE OIL

{ Tankers carrying Crude Oil are Required to have a VOC management plan approved by administration , which will be applicable from 1^st July 2010 as required by MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 15.6, MEPC.185 ( 59) and MEPC.1/Circ.680

* MEPC :- Maritime environmental protection committee of IMO }

Introduction

VOC is an acronym that stands for Volatile Organic Compounds. VOC are components of hydrocarbon liquids such as crude oil and condensate. VOC means any compound of carbon, excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides or carbonates, and ammonium carbonate, which participates in atmospheric photochemical reactions. However, there is a list of compounds that are excluded from being VOC because they have negligible photochemical reactivity such as methane, ethane, and fluorinated and chlorinated hydrocarbons.

This technical information is compiled pursuant to the requirements in MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 15.6, and describes the general equipment, operations and conditions onboard a crude oil tanker with respect to the emission and ability to control Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions.

The Guidelines for the development of a VOC management plan state:

Objectives

The purpose of the VOC management plan is to ensure that the operation of a tanker, to which regulation 15 of MARPOL Annex VI applies, prevents or minimizes VOC emissions to the extent possible..2 Emissions of VOCs can be prevented or minimized by:

optimizing operational procedures to minimize the release of VOC emissions; and/or
using devices, equipment, or design changes to prevent or minimize VOC emissions.
To comply with this plan, the loading and carriage of cargoes which generate VOC emissions should be evaluated and procedures written to ensure that the operations of a ship follow best management practices for preventing or minimizing VOC emissions to the extent possible. If devices, equipment, or design changes are implemented to prevent or minimize VOC emissions, they shall also be incorporated and described in the VOC management plan as appropriate.
While maintaining the safety of the ship, the VOC management plan should encourage and, as appropriate, set forth the following best management practices:
the loading procedures should take into account potential gas releases due to low pressure and, where possible, the routing of oil from crude oil manifolds into the tanks should be done so as to avoid or minimize excessive throttling and high flow velocity in pipes;
the ship should define a target operating pressure for the cargo tanks. This pressure should be as high as safely possible and the ship should aim to maintain tanks at this level during the loading and carriage of relevant cargo;
when venting to reduce tank pressure is required, the decrease in the pressure in the tanks should be as small as possible to maintain the tank pressure as high as possible;
the amount of inert gas added should be minimized. Increasing tank pressure by adding inert gas does not prevent VOC release but it may increase venting and therefore increased VOC emissions; and
when crude oil washing is considered, its effect on VOC emissions should be taken into account. VOC emissions can be reduced by shortening the duration of the washing or by using a closed cycle crude oil washing programme.

Additional considerations

A person in charge of carrying out the plan, shall be designated in the VOC management plan to be responsible for implementing the plan and that person may assign appropriate personnel to carry out the relevant tasks;

Procedures for preventing or minimizing VOC emissions Ship-specific procedures should be written or modified to address relevant VOC emissions, such as the following operations:

Loading;

Carriage of relevant cargo; and

Crude oil washing;

If the ship is equipped with VOC reduction devices or equipment, the use of these devices or equipment should be incorporated into the above procedures as appropriate.

Training

The plan should describe the training programmes to facilitate best management practices for the ship to prevent or minimize VOC emissions.

Section 1 – The hull and its pressure limitations

Allowable cargo tank ullage pressure

The cargo tank structure is designed to withstand a range of design loads and parts of the tank structure will also contribute to the global longitudinal strength of the ship. The classification societies’ specified load conditions and loads are applied in verification of the structural design. One such load is the combined pressure from the liquid cargo and the tank ullage pressure. The tank ullage pressure is to be minimum 25 kN/m2 or the opening pressure of the pressure relief device (P/V valve), whichever is greater. Accordingly, the maximum allowable ullage pressure in a standard tanker is typically interpreted as 25 kN/m2 (i.e. approximately 2,550 mmWG). It should however be noted that global strength considerations and the impact of other design loads may imply that actual allowable pressure could be higher.

In terms of under pressure, SOLAS regulation II-2/11.6 indicates an allowable under pressure of -700 mmWG. From a structural point of view, the maximum allowable tank under pressure is presumably lower. Exceeding the maximum allowable pressures could lead to structural failures. If such a structural failure results in opening of the tank structure to atmosphere, uncontrolled VOC emissions will occur together with the possibility of oil pollution to the seas. Further, it could result in loss of inert gas protection with subsequent hazards related to fire and explosion.

Typical cargo tank venting systems

The design of cargo tank venting and inert gas systems is governed by SOLAS regulation II-2/11.6 and 5. Most crude oil tankers have a common cargo tank venting and inert gas main pipeline which is also used for vapour emission control (ref. section 4). Branches to each cargo tank are provided with isolation valves and blanking arrangements. The isolation valves and blanks are typically only used in connection with tank entry. SOLAS chapter II-2 requires that the isolation valves are to be provided with locking arrangements to prevent inadvertent closing/opening of said tanks. The cargo tank venting/inert gas main is connected to a mast riser. The mast riser has a minimum height of 6 metres with an IMO approved flame arrestor at its outlet. An isolation valve is provided between the cargo tank venting/inert gas main and the mast riser. Some designs have a small capacity pressure/vacuum valve fitted in a bypass across the isolation valve. This latter enables thermal breathing from cargo tanks when the isolation valve is closed. A liquid-filled P/V breaker is typically connected to the cargo tank venting/inert gas main. The P/V breaker has a capacity to accommodate the gas flow from cargo tanks during loading (125% of the loading rate and discharge rate). The cargo tank venting/inert gas main is typically used during loading and discharging operations. During loading the mast riser valve is open (unless vapour emission control is performed) and VOC is expelled to air. During discharge the same valve is closed and inert gas used to replace the tank atmosphere. The cargo tank venting/inert gas main is also used during voyage but the mast riser valve will be operated only in the event of increasing ullage pressure.

In addition to the common cargo tank venting/inert gas main, each cargo tank is required to have a pressure/vacuum relief device for thermal breathing in the event the cargo tank is isolated from the common cargo tank venting/inert gas main. Although classification societies accept that these devices have the capacity to accommodate gas volumes resulting from variations in cargo temperature only (i.e. thermal breathing), latest industry practices have led to the installation of devices with the capacity to accommodate the full gas flow from loading of cargo tanks.

Typical settings of pressure/vacuum relief devices

Although the design pressure of cargo tanks is typically +2,500 mmWG and -700 mmWG, the typical setting of pressure/vacuum valves on crude tankers is +1,400 mmWG and -350 mmWG. 1.3.2 The typical settings of the P/V breakers are +1,800 mmWG and -500 mmWG. It should be noted that for liquid filled P/V breakers, the settings have to take into account ship movement (rolling and pitching) as specified by the classification societies.

Section 2 – Crude Oil Tanker Pressure control/release systems

Introduction

Traditionally, vapour release from crude oil tankers occurs on three discrete occasions, they being: during loading, during the loaded voyage to the discharge port, and during the ballasting of cargo tanks at the discharge port. Since the introduction of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships together with its Protocol in 1978 (MARPOL), tankers built after 1 June 1982 (regulation 18), termed MARPOL tankers, are all designed with the required totally segregated

(designated) ballast tanks. With these regulations in force, cargo tanks are never used for the loading of ballast, except on very rare occasions for bad weather purposes where one of the Crude Oil Washed cargo tanks is dedicated to take in ballast water. Therefore, the displacement of vapour from the relevant crude oil cargo tank at the discharge port has ceased to occur for the MARPOL compliant type tankers. Given this situation then, only two occasions remain where vapour emissions from crude oil tankers generally occur, namely on loading and during the transportation of the cargo.

Section 6 – Training Programme

A training programme is to be developed for the persons intended to assume overall charge of the VOC management on board each ship. The programme is to include the following:

An introduction to the purpose of VOC emission control:

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may be toxic, and when they evaporate into the air they can react with Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) in sunlight and split apart oxygen molecules in air and thereby form ground-level ozone, commonly referred to as smog. The layer of brown haze it produces is not just an eyesore, but also is a source of serious illnesses. Ozone is extremely irritating to the airways and the lungs, causing serious damage to the delicate cells lining the airways. It contributes to decreased lung function, increased respiratory symptoms and illnesses.

Regulation 15 of MARPOL Annex VI

An introduction to the principles of VOC emission control:

VOC generation systems in crude oil (ref. section 3)

Crude oil tanker pressure control/release systems (ref. section 2)

General VOC emission control options:

Methods and systems for the control of VOC emissions (ref. section 4)

Ship specific VOC emission control options:

Ship specific methods and systems for the control of VOC emissions

Monitoring and recording of VOC release:

Methods for monitoring and recording of VOC emissions (ref. section 5)

Hazards and Safety related to VOC emission control:

.The hull and its pressure limitations (ref. section 1)

.Personnel safety hazards related to exposure to crude oil vapour.

{We, at Swayam Maritime Academy are conducting VOC Training course as required above in section 6 of VOC Management plan and implementation.

For further enquiry pls call : – 022 27450109 (Mon-Sat – 10 to 5 o’clock)

Mob: – 9768770865 (24/7)}

********************************************************************

AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT CODE FOR

THE SAFE OPERATION OF SHIPS AND FOR POLLUTION PREVENTION (INTERNATIONAL SAFETY MANAGEMENT (ISM) CODE)

1 GENERAL

Section 1.1 Definitions

1 In paragraph 1.1.10, the words .and includes. are replaced by the word .or

Section 1.2 Objectives

2 The existing subparagraph .2 of paragraph 1.2.2 is replaced by the following:

2 assess all identified risks to its ships, personnel and the environment and establish appropriate safeguards; and..

5 MASTER.S RESPONSIBILITY AND AUTHORITY

3 The word .periodically. is added at the beginning of paragraph 5.1.5.

7 DEVELOPMENT OF PLANS FOR SHIPBOARD OPERATIONS

4 The existing section 7 is replaced by the following:

.7 SHIPBOARD OPERATIONS

The Company should establish procedures, plans and instructions, including checklists as appropriate, for key shipboard operations concerning the safety of the personnel, ship and protection of the environment. The various tasks should be defined and assigned to qualified personnel.

8 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

5 The existing paragraph 8.1 is replaced by the following:

8.1 The Company should identify potential emergency shipboard situations, and establish procedures to respond to them.

9 REPORTS AND ANALYSIS OF NON-CONFORMITIES, ACCIDENTS AND HAZARDOUS OCCURRENCES

6 The existing paragraph 9.2 is replaced by the following:

9.2 The Company should establish procedures for the implementation of corrective action, including measures intended to prevent recurrence.

10 MAINTENANCE OF THE SHIP AND EQUIPMENT

7 In paragraph 10.3, the words .establish procedures in its safety management system to. are deleted.

12 COMPANY VERIFICATION, REVIEW AND EVALUATION

8 Paragraph 12.1 is replaced by the following:

12.1 The Company should carry out internal safety audits on board and ashore at intervals not exceeding twelve months to verify whether safety and pollution-prevention activities comply with the safety management system. In exceptional circumstances, this interval may be exceeded by not more than three months..

9 In paragraph 12.2, the words .efficiency of and, when needed, review. are replaced by the words .effectiveness of..

13 CERTIFICATION AND PERIODICAL VERIFICATION

10 The following new paragraphs 13.12, 13.13 and 13.14 are added after the existing paragraph 13.11:

.13.12 When the renewal verification is completed after the expiry date of the existing Safety Management Certificate, the new Safety Management Certificate should be valid from the date of completion of the renewal verification to a date not exceeding five years from the date of expiry of the existing Safety Management Certificate.

13.13 If a renewal verification has been completed and a new Safety Management Certificate cannot be issued or placed on board the ship before the expiry date of the existing certificate, the Administration or organization recognized by the Administration may endorse the existing certificate and such a certificate should be accepted as valid for a further period which should not exceed five months from the expiry date.

13.14 If a ship at the time when a Safety Management Certificate expires is not in a port in which it is to be verified, the Administration may extend the period of validity of the Safety Management Certificate but this extension should be granted only for the purpose of allowing the ship to complete its voyage to the port in which it is to be verified, and then only in cases where it appears proper and reasonable to do so. No Safety Management Certificate should be extended for a period of longer than three months, and the ship to which an extension is granted should not, on its arrival in the port in which it is to be verified, be entitled by virtue of such extension to leave that port without having a new Safety Management Certificate. When the renewal verification is completed, the new Safety Management Certificate should be valid to a date not exceeding five years from the expiry date of the existing Safety Management Certificate before the extension was granted.

14 INTERIM CERTIFICATION

11 In paragraph 14.4.3, the word .internal. is inserted after the words planned the..

Appendix

Forms of the Document of Compliance, the Safety Management Certificate,the Interim Document of Compliance and the Interim Safety Management Certificate

SAFETY MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE

12 The following new form is added after existing form of .ENDORSEMENT FOR INTERMEDIATE VERIFICATION AND ADDITIONAL VERIFICATION (IF REQUIRED).:

Certificate No.

ENDORSEMENT WHERE THE RENEWAL VERIFICATION

HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND PART B 13.13 OF

THE ISM CODE APPLIES.

From 1^st July, 2010 Risk assessments should be carried out on board before carrying out various operations as required by company’s SMS. Risk Assessment forms will be asked by auditors to verify ISM code amendment compliance.

{ We, at Swayam maritime Academy are carrying out Risk Assessment course which is of 2 days duration to ensure officers carrying out Risk assessment are aware of this aspect. We also conduct training programme of Accident Investigation – 2days programme on various methods of investigation like DNV MSCAT, STEP, 5 WHY & FAULT TREE etc and 1 day training programme for Safety Officer and Behaviour Based Safety (BBS) using START (Safe Today And Return Tomorrow) }

Fragrance January Edition

February 15, 2010 - Posted by admin - 1 Comment

Dear Friends,

I am presenting the January edition of “Fragrance”, a monthly newsletter from www.writersadda.com & www.shippingtutorials.com , the onlines wings of SWAYAM MARITIME ACADEMY. In this edition we have latest shipping based articles on Tanker Officer Training Standards (TOTS), ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA, Groundwork completed for Manila conference to adopt revised STCW Convention and Code. In our literature section we have a short story, a poem, a film review, a recipe, a travelogue and an article on self-empowerment through reiki .

Hope it will appeal you all. And Ya …before I go, I must remind you all that the contest is still on. Do participate and win …

Regards

Editor

1St Morning of 2010

Pearl S

A lunar eclipsed night

Dawned to be a perfect morning

Good wishes & greetings

Flowed without amiss

Friends and foes

Greeted in same voice

All corners of my heart

Filled with contentment

A new morning

A new year

A new thought

And a new adventure

A new passion

A new dream

A new venture

To get accomplished

No questions no answers

Do it or else nowhere

Every day is a day of happening

Every moment speaks a new thing

Ah! How much I am enjoying,

How can I express

My horizon is dazzling

With a bright new sunrise

Oh! God bless me

Keep me wondering in my wonderland

Thrill me by putting me on the edges

And keep on giving pleasant surprises

Indulge me so much in life

Make me forget all the bad memories

Let me live fresh and bright

Like a lighthouse, always beaming good vibes…

3 Idiots – My View

Vishnu Ch

http://www.writersadda.com/blog.php?user=Vichu&blogentry_id=987

I am just back from “3 idiots” movie. I thought I will “key” down my review before I become lazy and ignore this .. “3 Idiots” is one of those much hyped movies. As Aamir Khan is part of it, even I had set my own “high” expectations on this. Moreover, this was based on a good book – “Five Point Someone” and the gossip is that “the movie is good”.

The movie started with the introduction of Farhan (Maddy) and then Raju Rastogi (the other hero). The intro was good where Farhan gets off a plane which just took off and then Raju, hurriedly comes out of his house without his pant. They then start their journey to meet Rancho (Aamir). As with many of these movies, the flashback starts ..

Rancho, Farhan and Raju join the Imperial College of Engineering (ICE). It is projected as one of the top engineering institutes in India.

The intro of Aamir was good .. the way he teaches a lesson to his senior and then the way he handles with the institute director Virus (Bomna Irani). The movie then went on to its theme which is about “forced education” in India. I didn’t really like the way this concept was shown. If someone is doing engineering forcibly but is interested in photography, then that doesn’t mean his life ends there. He can join a firm as an engineer and parallelly go on with his favorite photography. When he gets a good chance, he can obviously change his profession. Profession is not your “wife/husband” that you can’t change easily in India .. Whenever you are confident and “ready to go”, you can change it. I would have expected the movie to show this instead of showing a guy quitting in the middle of his college or committing suicide (basically the focus should have been on the way millimeter was shown. He gets into school somewhat late).

Instead of just showing the negative side of it where parents force children, they should have also shown the positive side of it which a student can think of .. if you have a degree or a particular job and then you change to a different one, then think that you have “double talent”.

There is nothing hard and fast in this world. You can go back and change many things. Profession is also one of those. It’s just that you need to stay focused and give it some time.

One more thing which I didn’t like was the “copied” jokes. In some of the recent movies, jokes from forward mails are being copied. Even this had couple of them. Don’t do that yaar .. we know them already ..

Ok ok .. that’s about the concept of the movie which I didn’t like. Now, let me also talk about few good things in the movie.

I did like some of the jokes in the movie. The way replacement of “chamatkaar” with “balatkaar” changes the whole meaning of the speech .. Also, the way Rancho demos the stupid behavior of Suhas to Pia (Kareena).

The strict behavior of Virus and the “item” behavior of Chathur was fun to see.

In terms of entertaining the audience, it was overall a good movie. There were good number of jokes, songs, and .. oh aila .. I forgot about the heroine in the movie .. Pia. Kareena had a very limited role in the movie. She was sexy in the saree in “Zoobi doobi” song. That’s all I have about this movie .. let me now go and search for the “saree” pic .. ;-P

Mahodadhi

Swayamprava

Mahododhi, the sea shore of Puri, where on the golden sands, the dancing blue waves crush themselves in a rhythm. The huge swells pretend as if they are coming to embrace you and engulf you but sweetly touch your feet and recedes to form another huge wave. The Jhalmudhiwala, the samosa, rasagullawalla, the little boys selling conches and kauriworks…….all are there from ages but every time I visit there they look so dear to me.

I had grown up playing in this sands but never thought of writing about it .As a child I had a tremendous attractions towards this seabeach. Many times, I used to sit besides my father asking him curiously, what is there beyond that horizon. I don’t know why……… that curiosity to explore what is that beyond horizon made me ask several question to my papa. On this sands papa used to tell me the stories of Sindbad sailor, Oliver twist…… that time I felt as if papa has got the access to never ending treasure of stories and he told me with all that voice modulation and suspense punches which usually hung me around him all the time.

When I got married to my Captain husband and when he really took me that beyond horizon I was thrilled to see that all. I explored that horizon and I explored those countries beyond that horizon… However, after exploring the sea I thought I might loose my interest or that curiosity for sea and seabeach. Proving myself wrong still today, that horizon attracts me in the same fascination, creating that illusionary world where resides all those Sindbads and Olivers may be my very own dream of a fairyland.

This fascinating seashore has many folk stories of equally mystic in their nature. On this shore there are two places which every devotee visits after Jagannatha Darsan.- one is Swargadwar and the other is Chakratirtha

In the one end towards south situated the Swargadwar i.e is a crementing ground where every oriya aims to get cremented after his/her death. It is believed that in Dwapar Yuga When Lord Krishna got killed by Zara Sabara’s arrow his body got cremented in this place.The belief is that if cremented here the deceased goes straight to the heaven i.e swarga.

The Chakratirtha is towards North and about three km from Swargadwar. It’s believed that Raja Indradwimn* got the first log of wood to construct the idols of Lord Jaggannath as seen by him in his dreams. However, the main tale is that When Krishna found in his family only Pradumn has left alive, he sent his Sudarshan chakra to kill him. After killing him, Sudarsana fell down here and here Krishna’s next Avatar Lord Jagannatha got worshipped in the kaliyug.

This beach is believed to be a tirtha-sthala (place of worship) and people often come here to have a dip in auspicious occasions. But it never tarnish the joy of other people. You often come across newly married couples walking hand in hand in the sea shore. The world has changed a lot but this shore still keeps its tradition, free from all vulgarity. The entire belt is loaded with stalls, fast-food joints, restaurants and hotels all are very cheap and affordable to all works of people.

Every year in the end of Kartik month i.e the Kartik Purnima * here people float thousands of toy boats called Boitas to commemorate the rich maritime tradition of Utkal i.e Orissa. That is the day when in ancient times, merchants called Sadhavas, with their ships went for trade to places like Bali, Sumatra, Indonesia etc. After this month the waves and the wind direction changes which enables the sails on the sailboats towards south East Asia. It is really astonishing that when in the modern age people need GPS/DGPS, Electronic charts, compasses (Gyro and magnetic), IBS, and so many other equipments to navigate but that time with these big sails and the sun, stars and moon, the heavenly bodies on the sky they could trace their way in the open sea and returned back again to their home in Orissa .

This is the place where every year “Belabhumi mahoschav (Belabhumi festivals) was arranged to promote the trade, dance, music and handicrafts. And tourism in Orissa ,

Along the coast lies the famous temple of konark, Chndrabhaga, Ramchandi, Harchandi etc. Puri and Konark are well connected by the marine drive where one not only explores the beauty of nature while driving along the coast but also gets an birds eye view of the exotic and rich culture of rural Orissa.

This beach has a unique phenomena where the sunset and sunrise both can be watched. This charismatic beach is always my most favorite beach and I hope people who have visited it once will love to come here again and again.

*Kartik Purnima

The rich history of Orissa’s maritime activities may have been forgotten. But reminiscences of the sea voyages of Kalinga [ The modern Orissa ] continue to cling to the folk-lore of the land. Numerous stories speak of the Sadhavas (merchants) who went on voyages with their Boita’s (flotilla) and returned laden with precious treasures. The tradition of boat worship and boat sailing on the full-moon day of Kartika throughout Orissa awakens the memory of the gallant Kalinga merchants sailing to the distant islands for trade. The wives of the Sadhavas, bedecked with colourful sarees and ornaments, would perform puja for the safety and security of their husbands. There would be special rites to ward off evil spirits. As the sound of the conch and hulahuli filled the air, the Sadhavas would set sail with dreams in their eyes.

Kartik Purnima was regarded the most auspicious day by the traders of Orissa to venture out to far-off lands like Bali, Java, Sumatra, Borneo and Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Even today, on the full-moon day of Kartika, Oriyas turn out in good numbers to take an early morning dip in the river despite the shy advent of winter. Men and women float miniature boats made of paper or the barks of plantain trees with lamps burning inside them. This custom is symbolic of the sea-voyage of earlier times and is known as Boita Bandana. Panchuka refers to the auspicious last five days leading to the Kartik Purnima. Most temples of Orissa, from Puri’s Jagannath temple to small,nondescript ones in villages teem with devotees. There are religious sermons, discussions, devotional singing and the pounding of drums and clashing cymbals ushers in the sacred morning of Purnima.

Bali Yatra Festival in Orissa marks the culmination of several religious festivities held in the month of Kartik, which is considered the most auspicious month in a calendar year. Held on the full moon day in November – December that is celebrated all over Orissa as Kartik Purnima, Bali Yatra commemorates Orissa’s ancient maritime legacy. The fair attracts thousands of enthusiasts and is marked with fun and frolic on the banks of the river Mahanadi. As people enjoy shopping in thousands of stalls that come up, eating oriya delicacies, the tradition of the Sadhavas is rekindled and continues in the land of Orissa.

Fact File

Best time to visit is October to march

Language is Oriya, English, Hindi

Capital of Orissa is Bhubaneswar

How to Reach

By Air -Bhubaneswar is the only civil airport in the state connected to different parts of the country through regular flights. The major cities connected to Bhubaneswar are Calcutta, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.

By Rail -There is an extensive railway network that connects different parts of the state to the other parts of the country. Bhubaneswar and Puri are the major railheads for the state.

By Road -There is a good road network in the state connecting it with the other parts of the country as well as different places within the state. The National Highways 5, 6, 23, 42, and 43 pass through the state.

Annoyance

Swayam

I saw her from a distance. I thought I must avoid her. So I looked here and there and just turned to the left and went inside to catch the garden side road. I thought, ‘god I escaped from her. Don’t know who has given her this fancy idea of being business women. In my wild dreams I could never think of pursuing such a career of so called business from home. Is that not enough for we ladies to make gossip and get enough nightmare…… that some company got this wild idea to include ladies in this particular business enterprise using them to be saleswomen.’

I walked a few steps ahead when I found Rita coming from the other side. ‘God ….she will not leave me for today.’ I was not in a mood to waste my ‘afternoon jogging session’ for this lady. Her I got neither time nor way to avoid her. She came almost running and captured my hands.

“Hi ushi….are you jogging…..I mean walking.”

I thought, ‘Is it a question to be asked….she can’t see this or her eyes got vanished some where.’

I forced to smile a bit and said, “yeah…..Are you coming?”

“Why not? I will accompany you.”

We made two rounds around the jogging track. In the third round she opened her mouth.

“Ushi, don’t you think you are getting tired very first?”

“What does it mean we are walking so fast obviously we will breathe fast? You too seem to be breathless just lessen your speed nah…”

“No what I want to say is just try this product…..Soya protein you will get more energy and without getting too fat.”

“Look I don’t think I need anything like that, I am perfectly all right and carry myself very well and this synthetic energy drinks never suits me as I am prone to allergies.”

“ Arre …..You know what is the fault lies with you …you never tries any thing new.”

“Who said this?”

“I am seeing every time you are just refusing to listen to me.”

I got irritated. Why she is after me.

“Ok…ok …now I have finished with my walking I want to take leave.”

“Just have one more round…it’s my request…”

“Ok…but I am not interested to take that protein of yours.”

She smiled said, “ok…..but you can sale it to other people …I mean to say…. you know so many people and belong to elite groups…so my business will take off immediately.”

“Look I am not feeling well. I am going home to have some water first.”

I could see her annoyance but never cared to look behind.

*********

Every day she was just after me to sell those products and inspite of my repeated denial she never left a chance to convince me. Matters worsen so much that I literally hide myself from her.

After a long gap she became able to catch me.

“Hey ushi …just wait I am coming with you.”

I could not say anything.

“Look ushi after a few days we ladies will look old wrinkled face so it is necessary to take care for our skin….”

I thought my god now where she is leading….

“So to avoid that we need protection …to protect our skin from dust, dirt, pollution….But we couldn’t do it …”

‘Oh god what a horrible creature just after my skin’ I thought.

“Rita its too much….what is wrong with my skin. If at all any thing happens I will consult to the doctor rather than…..”

“Oh ushi…you know what is your problem…you always listen things half…let me finish nah….”

I thought, ‘Lo….she is now applying aggressive marketing strategy.’

“Ok …Tell”.

“This is a cream which protect you from all this.”

“You finished”

“Why”

“I want to go home”.

I came back.

At home I started feeling very irritated. I started thinking alternative method to shoo her away. But I could not get an answer.

********

That day She captured me in the jogging track again.

“Hey Ushi…Just wait I am coming with you.”

‘What a crabby character. God shave me from her’ I thought.

“So how is every thing going on.”

“Forgetting now a days about friends…”

“No…nothing like that.”

“So bhai saab is back from office.”

“Yes”

“He is alone at home and you are here.”

“No nothing like that, he may come down any moment”

“Yes I understand you need to walk every day or else…..Have you seen yourself in mirror.”

I frowned.

“Why…”

“You are looking so bulky…god if you continue like that only god knows what will happen.” She rolled her eyes in despair.”

This time I really got irritated. I thought, ‘you plump lady looks like a little hippo and telling me how fat I am? So what if I am fat. I am carrying myself .I am fit enough and above all I am not saying her to lift my weight on her shoulders…..stupid …idiot…’

I ground my teeth.

She looked at me with ought most ease as if nothing has happened.

I could not wait this time. I said with a comfortable tone.,

“What do you think… getting fat is so easy? Only peace loving, intelligent, romantic, and steady people gather fat around their waist. If you think that way first be a fat and then talk to me.”

She stared at me with a confused look. These hide and seek still continues…….

The treasure island i.e our mind

Swayam

In this world, there are several methods to heal our physical and mental health. Sometimes our way of living, our surroundings, and our environment affects us so badly that we fall ill. For healthy living, we need a calm mind, healthy body and a nice thought not only within but from people who are interacting with us every day. They can be our own father mother, son, daughter, spouses. Think of a society where all are thinking healthy, all are in good mood all are in nice repute and all are of same thinking level… Is it possible? You may say its only wishful thinking it can’t be possible. But I think it is possible if we can instigate our inner power to do so.

From ancient times our Rishis discovered the word “om” and they say it is such a word that can enhance your inner power and connects you to that supreme power through its vibrations. When Vishwamitra Rishi invented the Gayatri Mantra, it gave a sort of technical touch with some logic to the basic “Om Word” It included the “Bhu –earth” Bhubah –The Sky and swah- the universe. Chanting of which resonates in these three spheres… Isn’t it amazing! Like our Gayatri mantra, I happened to come across this word called “Reiki”. I was stunned to find this new word Reiki.

That time I was in my collage, may be last year of B.A, when my friend gave me a book on Reiki. To create interest in it she explained me in a nutshell, what is this Reiki after all. There was a visiting Reiki guru in our city and she was enrolled in that class. What she explained to me, was quite interesting.

Reiki is a healing method practiced in Japan. In this method the guru first introduce you with the six chakras that are present in our body. Then there are some imaginary figures, lines and few other things like different coloured lights , where in your imagination you have to create it as per your body’s need. Let’s say if you have a headache then you have to think the sign assigned for headache and then with few mantras you have to insert that sign into your aching head, exactly where it is aching. In a few moments of concentrated effort, you will end up not only vanishing headache, but also prevent it from occurring in future that to without popping a pill. I was impressed with it that time. I read the book and I was really stunned to see our own potential energy. Really what sort of power god has given to this human body! Luckily after so many years I found these lovely videos in YouTube. To see them pls visit this blog

http://www.writersadda.com/blog.php?user=Swayam&blogentry_id=796

When I watched this video I was literally floored with an unusual thrill that I felt ” A true romancha, Goosebumps” all over my body. Why our body gets attracted towards the energy (no matter positive or negative) and how it gets the energy from this Universe, the below video depicts beautifully. It resembles almost in the same way whatever I read in that book years back. Salute to the maker of this video who has made it in such a fashion, that it captured my imagination immediately. It depicts every thing, exactly the way I used to visualize while reading that book years back…. Lovely…

Here is an article below which explains Reiki very nicely.

What is Reiki?

The International Center

for Reiki Training

A Brief Overview

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one’s “life force energy” is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words – Rei which means “God’s Wisdom or the Higher Power” and Ki which is “life force energy”. So Reiki is actually “spiritually guided life force energy.”

A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many have reported miraculous results.

Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

An amazingly simple technique to learn, the ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but is transferred to the student during a Reiki class. This ability is passed on during an “attunement” given by a Reiki master and allows the student to tap into an unlimited supply of “life force energy” to improve one’s health and enhance the quality of life.

Its use is not dependent on one’s intellectual capacity or spiritual development and therefore is available to everyone. It has been successfully taught to thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds.

While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use Reiki. In fact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and will work whether you believe in it or not. Because Reiki comes from God, many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion rather than having only an intellectual concept of it.

While Reiki is not a religion, it is still important to live and act in a way that promotes harmony with others. Dr. Mikao Usui, the founder of the Reiki system of natural healing, recommended that one practice certain simple ethical ideals to promote peace and harmony, which are nearly universal across all cultures.

During a meditation several years after developing Reiki, Dr. Usui decided to add the Reiki Ideals to the practice of Reiki. The Ideals came in part from the five prinicples of the Meiji emperor of Japan whom Dr. Usui admired. The Ideals were developed to add spiritual balance to Usui Reiki. Their purpose is to help people realize that healing the spirit by consciously deciding to improve oneself is a necessary part of the Reiki healing experience. In order for the Reiki healing energies to have lasting results, the client must accept responsibility for her or his healing and take an active part in it. Therefore, the Usui system of Reiki is more than the use of the Reiki energy. It must also include an active commitment to improve oneself in order for it to be a complete system. The ideals are both guidelines for living a gracious life and virtues worthy of practice for their inherent value.

The secret art of inviting happiness

The miraculous medicine of all diseases ; Just for today, do not anger ,Do not worry and be filled with gratitude ,Devote yourself to your work. Be kind to people. Every morning and evening, join your hands in prayer. Pray these words to your heart and chant these words with your mouth

Usui Reiki Treatment for the improvement of body and mind

The founder , Usui Mikao

Courtesy :- http://www.reiki.org/faq/WhatIsReiki.html

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice

4 eggs

3/4 cup white sugar

4 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 cups honey

1/2 cup strong brewed coffee

1/2 cup almonds

1/2 cup raisins

1 1/2 cups honey

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/2 cup water

1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

2 ounces slivered almonds for topping

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and allspice. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, gradually adding the sugar. Beat until thick and light in color, about 5 minutes. Beat in the oil, honey and coffee. Stir flour mixture into egg mixture. Chop the almonds coarsely and mix with raisins. Stir into batter.

Oil the two pans and line the bottom with waxed paper. Oil again. Fill each pan with batter to within 1 – 1 1/4 inches from the top. Bake for 65 to 75 minutes until cake tests done. Do not overbake. Let cool 10 minutes and remove from pan.

To Make Glaze: Boil together 1 1/2 cups honey, lemon juice, lemon zest and water. When glaze reaches a thick consistency, remove from heat and drizzle over cake. Sprinkle with almond slivers.

Tanker Officer Training Standards (TOTS)

Capt. T.K. Panda

TOTS by INTERTANKO is intended to provide the tanker industry with a standard that ensures tanker officer competence through onboard and shore training, evaluating knowledge gained as a result of ‘time in rank’ and ‘time with company’. TOTS will help tackle the difficulties encountered by tanker owners regarding the ‘officer matrix’ requirements of different charterers. Importantly, TOTS also aims to address current increasing trends in tanker accidents

In TOTS there are 4 elements.

Element 1 – Time with Company : Module 1A , 1B, 1C and 1D

1A- Command Module, Master and Chief Officer

1B- Senior Engineering Officer Tanker Module

1C- Junior deck and Engineering Officers Module

1D- All officers Module

Element 2 – Computer Based Assessment (CBA)

The Computer Based Assessment (CBA) will be delivered via a CD-ROM, and all

assessment tasks will be contained on this CD-ROM which will be included with every

training record book. When a section of the training record book has been completed,

the user will be required to complete the assessment on the CD-ROM for that section,

to print out his/her certificate, and to ensure that the authenticated person logs and signs

completion of the activity and assessment in his/her training record book. The CBA will

not cover the tanker supplements as this will be verified by the simulator sections of

TOTS in element 4.When all sections and assessments have been completed the user will be required to complete a final assessment. This final assessment will be sat under exam conditions either onboard or ashore in the company. This CBA assessment is on a separate CDROM which will be either held by the Master or in the office.

When the candidate starts the CD-ROM they will be asked to select the module they are

taking (1A, 1B or 1C). The candidate will then be presented with the list of assessments

(Element 3) Company Based Assessment

Upon completion of Module 1D the company is to ensure that each officer undergoes

verification. This may be via a CBA system developed by the company which will

ensure the candidate is fully conversant with the company’s systems. Records of such

training and the individual’s verification process should be retained for audit purposes.

However, as a company-based system, it remains important that there is a verification

process involved that will over-arch the “Time with company” elements to ensure a

uniform system of implementation and application and that the system is fully

implemented and robust within that company.

(Element 4) Simulator Training & Verification

There are 6 simulator modules attached to the TOTS system which are

outlined as follows:

Tanker Type Simulator Training Modules 4A, 4C & 4E

The deck officer candidates either at the junior officer level or command module level,

as appropriate/necessary, will be required to attend an externally auditable maritime

training centre, upon successful completion of the appropriate tanker type supplement,

i.e. the chemical, crude or product, and to undertake the simulator training course for

the type of tanker upon which he/she will sail. There are three simulator training

modules in the TOTS system:

_ 4A Chemical Tanker Simulator Training Course

_ 4C Product Tanker Simulator Training Course

_ 4E Crude Oil Tanker Simulator Training course

Each module will complement the tanker supplements in the record training books and

ensure the candidate acquires “hands on” experience to build on the knowledge gained

in element 1. Having completed the appropriate simulator training course it is however

expected that the candidate will attend at a later stage to complete the appropriate

tanker type simulator verification course as part of the verification process of assessing

proficiency of knowledge at the senior level.

These modules are simulator models which determine the standard to be attained

through the simulator training course, and it is expected that the externally auditable

maritime training centre which runs these courses will ensure it attains the standard

that the models set out – and that it can demonstrate this.

Tanker Type Simulator Verification Modules 4B, 4D & 4F

The deck officer candidates, who undertake the command module (1A), will be

required to attend an externally auditable maritime training centre, upon successful

completion of the appropriate tanker type supplement, i.e. the chemical, crude or

product, and to undertake the simulator verification course for the type of tanker upon

which he/she will sail. There are three simulator verification modules in the TOTS

system as follows:

_ 4B Chemical Tanker Simulator Verification course

_ 4D Product Tanker Simulator Verification course

_ 4F Crude Oil Tanker Simulator Verification course

Each module will complement the tanker supplements in the record training books and ensure the candidate is assessed of his “hands on” experience to build on the knowledge gained in 1A.

These modules are simulator models which determine the standard to be attained

through the simulator verification course, and it is expected that the externally auditable

maritime training centre which runs these courses will ensure it attains the standard

that the models set out – and that it can demonstrate this.

P.S :- We are offering this course at Swayam Maritime Academy. For more details pls send a mail to swayammaritime@gmail.com & visit our site www.shippingtutorials.com

******

AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT CODE FOR

THE SAFE OPERATION OF SHIPS AND FOR POLLUTION PREVENTION

(INTERNATIONAL SAFETY MANAGEMENT (ISM) CODE)

1 GENERAL

Section 1.1 Definitions

1 In paragraph 1.1.10, the words .and includes. are replaced by the word .or.

Section 1.2 Objectives

2 The existing subparagraph .2 of paragraph 1.2.2 is replaced by the following:

..2 assess all identified risks to its ships, personnel and the environment and establish appropriate safeguards; and.

5 MASTER.S RESPONSIBILITY AND AUTHORITY

3 The word .periodically. is added at the beginning of paragraph 5.1.5.

7 DEVELOPMENT OF PLANS FOR SHIPBOARD OPERATIONS

4 The existing section 7 is replaced by the following:

.7 SHIPBOARD OPERATIONS

The Company should establish procedures, plans and instructions, including checklists

as appropriate, for key shipboard operations concerning the safety of the personnel, ship and protection of the environment. The various tasks should be defined and assigned to qualified personnel.

8 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

5 The existing paragraph 8.1 is replaced by the following:

8.1 The Company should identify potential emergency shipboard situations, and

establish procedures to respond to them.

9 REPORTS AND ANALYSIS OF NON-CONFORMITIES, ACCIDENTS

AND HAZARDOUS OCCURRENCES

6 The existing paragraph 9.2 is replaced by the following:

.9.2 The Company should establish procedures for the implementation of corrective

action, including measures intended to prevent recurrence.

10 MAINTENANCE OF THE SHIP AND EQUIPMENT

7 In paragraph 10.3, the words .establish procedures in its safety management system to.

are deleted.

12 COMPANY VERIFICATION, REVIEW AND EVALUATION

8 Paragraph 12.1 is replaced by the following:

.12.1 The Company should carry out internal safety audits on board and ashore at

intervals not exceeding twelve months to verify whether safety and pollution-prevention

activities comply with the safety management system. In exceptional circumstances, this interval may be exceeded by not more than three months..

9 In paragraph 12.2, the words .efficiency of and, when needed, review. are replaced by

the words .effectiveness of..

13 CERTIFICATION AND PERIODICAL VERIFICATION

10 The following new paragraphs 13.12, 13.13 and 13.14 are added after the existing

paragraph 13.11:

.13.12 When the renewal verification is completed after the expiry date of the existing

Safety Management Certificate, the new Safety Management Certificate should be valid

from the date of completion of the renewal verification to a date not exceeding five years

from the date of expiry of the existing Safety Management Certificate.

13.13 If a renewal verification has been completed and a new Safety Management

Certificate cannot be issued or placed on board the ship before the expiry date of the

existing certificate, the Administration or organization recognized by the Administration

may endorse the existing certificate and such a certificate should be accepted as valid for a further period which should not exceed five months from the expiry date.

13.14 If a ship at the time when a Safety Management Certificate expires is not in a port

in which it is to be verified, the Administration may extend the period of validity of the

Safety Management Certificate but this extension should be granted only for the purpose of allowing the ship to complete its voyage to the port in which it is to be verified, and then only in cases where it appears proper and reasonable to do so. No Safety Management Certificate should be extended for a period of longer than three months, and the ship to which an extension is granted should not, on its arrival in the port in which it is to be verified, be entitled by virtue of such extension to leave that port without having a new Safety Management Certificate. When the renewal verification is completed, the new Safety Management Certificate should be valid to a date not exceeding five years from the expiry date of the existing Safety Management Certificate before the extension was granted.

14 INTERIM CERTIFICATION

11 In paragraph 14.4.3, the word .internal. is inserted after the words .planned the..

Appendix

Forms of the Document of Compliance, the Safety Management Certificate,

the Interim Document of Compliance and the Interim Safety Management Certificate

SAFETY MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE

12 The following new form is added after existing form of .ENDORSEMENT FOR

INTERMEDIATE VERIFICATION AND ADDITIONAL VERIFICATION (IF REQUIRED).:

.Certificate No.

ENDORSEMENT WHERE THE RENEWAL VERIFICATION

HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND PART B 13.13 OF

THE ISM CODE APPLIES

The ship complies with the relevant provisions of part B of the ISM Code, and the

Certificate should, in accordance with part B 13.13 of the ISM Code, be accepted as valid

until ………

Signed ………………………………………..

(Signature of authorized official)

Place …………………………………………..

Date ……………………………………………

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

ENDORSEMENT TO EXTEND THE VALIDITY OF THE

CERTIFICATE UNTIL REACHING THE PORT OF

VERIFICATION WHERE PART B 13.12 OF THE ISM CODE APPLIES

OR FOR A PERIOD OF GRACE WHERE PART B 13.14 OF

THE ISM CODE APPLIES

This Certificate should, in accordance with part B 13.12 or part B 13.14 of the ISM Code,

be accepted as valid until …….

Signed ………………………………………..

(Signature of authorized official)

Place …………………………………………..

Date ……………………………………………

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

Groundwork completed for Manila conference to adopt revised STCW Convention and Code

Sub-Committee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping (STW) – 41st session, 11 15 January 2010

Draft amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (the STCW Convention), and its associated Code, have been approved by the Sub-Committee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping (STW) and are ready for submission to a Diplomatic Conference that will meet in Manila, Philippines, from 21 to 25 June 2010, for adoption.

The proposed amendments mark the first major revision of the two instruments since those, completely revising the original 1978 Convention, adopted in 1995.

Among those proposed this time, there are a number of important changes to each chapter of the Convention, including:

• In chapter I General provisions: improving measures to prevent fraudulent practices associated with certificates of competency; strengthening the evaluation process (monitoring of Parties’ compliance with the Convention);and standards relating to medical fitness standards for seafarers;

• In chapter II Master and deck department: certification requirements for able seafarer (deck); celestial navigation, automatic radar plotting aids and radar requirements; marine environment awareness training; leadership and teamwork; and vessel-traffic-services training;

• In chapter III Engine department: near coastal requirements; marine environment awareness training; leadership and teamwork; upgrading of competences for engineers; and certification requirements for able seafarer (engine);

• Chapter IV Radiocommunications and Radio Personnel is renamed Radiocommunications and Radio Operators and updated to reflect current regulations, including reference to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual;

• In chapter V Standards regarding special training requirements for personnel on certain types of ships: competence requirements for personnel serving on board all types of tankers, including liquefied gas tankers; and regulations for personnel on “ro-ro passenger” and “passenger ships” combined to cover all “passenger ships”;

• In chapter VI Emergency, occupational safety, security, medical care and survival functions, amendments include new requirements for maintaining professional competence in areas where training cannot be conducted on board; and new requirements for security training, as well as provisions to ensure that seafarers are properly trained to cope if their ship comes under attack by pirates;

• In chapter VII Alternative certification: changes in other chapters are reflected, including addition of requirements for certification of able seafarers and specifications for approved seagoing service and training required for certification of candidates at support level in various functions; and

• In chapter VIII Watchkeeping: updated and expanded requirements on hours of work and rest and new requirements for the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse.

The Sub-Committee also approved, for submission to the June conference, 13 draft resolutions relating to:

• The contribution of the International Labour Organization;

• Development of guidelines to implement international standards of medical fitness for seafarers;

• Revision of model courses published by IMO;

• Promotion of technical knowledge, skills and professionalism of seafarers;

• Attracting new entrants and retaining seafarers for the maritime profession;

• Promotion of technical co-operation;

• Transitional provisions and early implementation of the revised STCW Convention and Code;

• Promotion of the participation of women in the maritime industry;

• Accommodation for trainees aboard ships;

• Verification of certificates of competency and endorsements;

• Standards of training and certification and ships’ manning levels;

• Future amendments and review of the STCW Convention and Code; and

• Recommendation on measures to ensure the competency of masters and officers on ships operating in polar waters.

Last week’s work of the Sub Committee has now cleared the way for the amendments to be adopted.

“Our vision of the revised Convention and Code has always been that the two instruments would provide, at any given time, the necessary global standards for the training and certification of seafarers to operate technologically advanced ships today and in the foreseeable future. I am both pleased and confident that this vision will come to fruition in June. The Sub Committee deserves full credit for this” he said.

Review of the principles for establishing the safe manning levels of ships

The Sub-Committee also completed its review of the principles for establishing the safe manning levels of ships and agreed a draft Assembly resolution on Principles of Minimum Safe Manning, which would replace the Principles of Safe Manning (resolution A.890(21), as amended). The draft resolution will be submitted to the Maritime Safety Committee for approval at its 88th session in December 2010, subject to comments by the Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation (NAV) at its 56th session in July 2010. The Sub-Committee also endorsed proposed draft amendments to SOLAS regulation V/14 Ships’ manning, to require Administrations to take into account the guidance on minimum safe manning adopted by IMO (with a footnote referring to the Assembly resolution on Principles of Minimum Safe Manning), with a view to approval by MSC 88, subject to comments made by NAV 56.

***********

ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR

THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA, 1974, AS AMENDED

ANNEX 2

RESOLUTION MSC.256(84)

(adopted on 16 May 2008)

THE MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE,

RECALLING Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization

concerning the functions of the Committee,

RECALLING FURTHER article VIII(b) of the International Convention for the Safety of

Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974 (hereinafter referred to as “the Convention”), concerning the

amendment procedure applicable to the Annex to the Convention, other than to the provisions of

chapter I thereof,

HAVING CONSIDERED, at its eighty-fourth session, amendments to the Convention,

proposed and circulated in accordance with article VIII(b)(i) thereof,

1. ADOPTS, in accordance with article VIII(b)(iv) of the Convention, amendments to the

Convention, the text of which is set out in the Annex to the present resolution;

2. DETERMINES, in accordance with article VIII(b)(vi)(2)(bb) of the Convention, that the

said amendments shall be deemed to have been accepted on 1 July 2009, unless, prior to that

date, more than one third of the Contracting Governments to the Convention or Contracting

Governments the combined merchant fleets of which constitute not less than 50% of the gross

tonnage of the world’s merchant fleet, have notified their objections to the amendments;

3. INVITES SOLAS Contracting Governments to note that, in accordance

with article VIII(b)(vii)(2) of the Convention, the amendments shall enter into force

on 1 January 2010 upon their acceptance in accordance with paragraph 2 above;

4. RECOMMENDS the Contracting Governments concerned to issue certificates complying

with the annexed amendments at the first renewal survey on or after 1 January 2010;

5. REQUESTS the Secretary-General, in conformity with article VIII(b)(v) of the

Convention, to transmit certified copies of the present resolution and the text of the amendments

contained in the annex to all Contracting Governments to the Convention;

6. FURTHER REQUESTS the Secretary-General to transmit copies of this resolution and

its Annex to Members of the Organization, which are not Contracting Governments to

the Convention.

ANNEX

AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFETY OF

LIFE AT SEA, 1974, AS AMENDED

CHAPTER II-1

CONSTRUCTION – STRUCTURE, SUBDIVISION AND STABILITY,

MACHINERY AND ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

Regulation 3-4 – Emergency towing arrangements on tankers

1 The existing regulation 3-4 is replaced by the following:

“Regulation 3-4

Emergency towing arrangements and procedures

1 Emergency towing arrangements on tankers

1.1 Emergency towing arrangements shall be fitted at both ends on board every tanker

of not less than 20,000 tonnes deadweight.

1.2 For tankers constructed on or after 1 July 2002:

.1 the arrangements shall, at all times, be capable of rapid deployment in the

absence of main power on the ship to be towed and easy connection to the

towing ship. At least one of the emergency towing arrangements shall be

pre-rigged ready for rapid deployment; and

.2 emergency towing arrangements at both ends shall be of adequate strength

taking into account the size and deadweight of the ship, and the expected

forces during bad weather conditions. The design and construction and

prototype testing of emergency towing arrangements shall be approved by

the Administration, based on the Guidelines developed by the

Organization*.

1.3 For tankers constructed before 1 July 2002, the design and construction of

emergency towing arrangements shall be approved by the Administration, based on the

Guidelines developed by the Organization*.

2 Emergency towing procedures on ships

2.1 This paragraph applies to:

.1 all passenger ships, not later than 1 January 2010;

.2 cargo ships constructed on or after 1 January 2010; and

.3 cargo ships constructed before 1 January 2010, not later than 1 January 2012.

2.2 Ships shall be provided with a ship-specific emergency towing procedure. Such a

procedure shall be carried aboard the ship for use in emergency situations and shall be

based on existing arrangements and equipment available on board the ship.

2.3 The procedure** shall include:

.1 drawings of fore and aft deck showing possible emergency towing

arrangements;

.2 inventory of equipment on board that can be used for emergency towing;

.3 means and methods of communication; and

.4 sample procedures to facilitate the preparation for and conducting of

emergency towing operations.”

________

* Refer to the Guidelines on emergency towing arrangements for tankers, adopted by the Maritime

Safety Committee by resolution MSC.35(63), as amended.

** Refer to the Guidelines for owners/operators on preparing emergency towing procedures

(MSC.1/Circ.1255).

2 The following new regulation 3-9 is added after the existing regulation 3-8:

“Regulation 3-9

Means of embarkation on and disembarkation from ships

1 Ships constructed on or after 1 January 2010 shall be provided with means of

embarkation on and disembarkation from ships for use in port and in port related

operations, such as gangways and accommodation ladders, in accordance with

paragraph 2, unless the Administration deems that compliance with a particular provision

is unreasonable or impractical*.

2 The means of embarkation and disembarkation required in paragraph 1 shall be

constructed and installed based on the guidelines developed by the Organization**.

3 For all ships the means of embarkation and disembarkation shall be inspected and

maintained** in suitable condition for their intended purpose, taking into account any

restrictions related to safe loading. All wires used to support the means of embarkation

and disembarkation shall be maintained as specified in regulation III/20.4.”

_____________

* Circumstances where compliance may be deemed unreasonable or impractical may include where the

ship:

.1 has small freeboards and is provided with boarding ramps; or

.2 is engaged in voyages between designated ports where appropriate shore

accommodation/embarkation ladders (platforms) are provided.

** Refer to the Guidelines for construction, installation, maintenance and inspection/survey of

accommodation ladders and gangways, to be developed by the Organization.

CHAPTER II-2

CONSTRUCTION – FIRE PROTECTION, FIRE DETECTION AND

FIRE EXTINCTION

Regulation 10 – Fire fighting

3 The following new paragraph 4.1.5 is added after the existing paragraph 4.1.4:

“4.1.5 By the first scheduled dry-docking after 1 January 2010, fixed carbon dioxide

fire-extinguishing systems for the protection of machinery spaces and cargo pump-rooms on ships constructed before 1 July 2002 shall comply with the provisions of

paragraph 2.2.2 of chapter 5 of the Fire Safety Systems Code.”

Regulation 19 – Carriage of dangerous goods

4 In paragraph 4, the words “, as defined in regulation VII/2,” are deleted.

Regulation 20 – Protection of vehicle, special category and ro-ro spaces

5 The existing paragraph 6.1.4 is replaced by the following paragraph 6.1.4 and new

paragraph 6.1.5 is added after paragraph 6.1.4 as follows:

“6.1.4 The requirement of this paragraph shall apply to ships constructed on or after 1 January 2010. Ships constructed on or after 1 July 2002 and before 1 January 2010 shall comply with the previously applicable requirements of paragraph 6.1.4, as amended by resolution MSC.99(73). When fixed pressure water spraying systems are fitted, in view of the serious loss of stability which could arise due to large quantities of water accumulating on the deck or decks during the operation of the fixed pressure water-spraying system, the following arrangements shall be provided:

.1 in passenger ships:

.1.1 in the spaces above the bulkhead deck, scuppers shall be fitted so as to ensure that such water is rapidly discharged directly overboard, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization*;

1.2.1 in ro-ro passenger ships, discharge valves for scuppers, fitted with positive means of closing operable from a position above the bulkhead deck in accordance with the requirements of the International Convention on Load Lines in force, shall be kept open while the ships

are at sea;

.1.2.2 any operation of valves referred to in paragraph 6.1.4.1.2.1 shall be recorded in the log-book;

.1.3 in the spaces below the bulkhead deck, the Administration may require pumping and drainage facilities to be provided additional to the requirements of regulation II-1/35-1. In such case, the drainage system shall be sized to remove no less than 125% of the combined capacity of both the water-spraying system pumps and the required number of fire hose nozzles, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization*. The drainage system valves shall be operable from outside the protected space at a position in the vicinity of the extinguishing system controls. Bilge wells shall be of sufficient holding capacity and shall be arranged at the side shell of the ship at a distance from each other of not more than 40 m in each watertight compartment;

.2 in cargo ships, the drainage and pumping arrangements shall be such as to prevent the build-up of free surfaces. In such case, the drainage system shall be sized to remove no less than 125% of the combined capacity of both the water-spraying system pumps and the required number of fire hose nozzles, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization*. The drainage system valves shall be operable from outside the protected space at a position in the vicinity of the extinguishing system controls. Bilge wells shall be of sufficient holding capacity and shall be arranged at the side shell of the ship at a distance from each other of not

more than 40 m in each watertight compartment. If this is not possible, the adverse effect upon stability of the added weight and free surface of water shall be taken into account to the extent deemed necessary by the Administration in its approval of the stability information**. Such information shall be included in the stability information supplied to the

master as required by regulation II-1/5-1.

6.1.5 On all ships, for closed vehicles and ro-ro spaces and special category spaces, where fixed pressure water-spraying systems are fitted, means shall be provided to prevent the blockage of drainage arrangements, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization*. Ships constructed before 1 January 2010 shall comply with the requirements of this paragraph by the first survey after 1 January 2010.”

________

* Refer to the Guidelines for drainage systems in closed vehicle and ro-ro spaces and special category

spaces, to be developed by the Organization.

** Refer to the Recommendation on fixed fire-extinguishing systems for special category spaces, adopted

by the Organization by resolution A.123(V).

CHAPTER III

LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES AND ARRANGEMENTS

Regulation 6 − Communications

6 The existing paragraph 2.2 is replaced by the following:

“2.2 Search and rescue locating devices

At least one search and rescue locating device shall be carried on each side of every passenger ship and of every cargo ship of 500 gross tonnage and upwards. At least one search and rescue locating device shall be carried on every cargo ship of 300 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 500 gross tonnage. Such search and rescue locating devices shall conform to the applicable performance standards not inferior to those adopted by the Organization*. The search and rescue locating devices** shall be stowed in such location that they can be rapidly placed in any survival craft other than the life raft or life rafts required by regulation 31.1.4. Alternatively one search and rescue locating device shall be stowed in each survival craft other than those required by

regulation 31.1.4. On ships carrying at least two search and rescue locating devices and equipped with free-fall lifeboats one of the search and rescue locating devices shall be stowed in a free-fall lifeboat and the other located in the immediate vicinity of the navigation bridge so that it can be utilized on board and ready for transfer to any of the other survival craft.”

__________

* Refer to the Recommendation on performance standards for survival craft radar transponders for use in

search and rescue operations, adopted by the Organization by resolution MSC.247(83) (A.802(19)), as

amended) and the Recommendation on performance standards for survival craft AIS Search and

Rescue transmitter (AIS SART), adopted by the Organization by resolution MSC.246(83).

** One of these search and rescue locating devices may be the search and rescue locating device required

by regulation IV/7.1.3.

Regulation 26 − Additional requirements for ro-ro passenger ships

7 The existing paragraph 2.5 is replaced by the following:

“2.5 Liferafts carried on ro-ro passenger ships shall be fitted with a search and rescue locating device in the ratio of one search and rescue locating device for every four liferafts. The search and rescue locating device shall be mounted inside the liferaft so its antenna is more than one metre above the sea level when the liferaft is deployed, except that for canopied reversible liferafts the search and rescue locating device shall be so arranged as to be readily accessed and erected by survivors. Each search and rescue locating device shall be arranged to be manually erected when the liferaft is deployed. Containers of liferafts fitted with search and rescue locating devices shall be clearly marked.”

CHAPTER IV

RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS

Regulation 7 − Radio equipment: General

8 In paragraph 1, subparagraph .3 is replaced by the following:

“.3 a search and rescue locating device capable of operating either in the 9 GHz band

or on frequencies dedicated for AIS, which:”

APPENDIX

CERTIFICATES

Record of Equipment for Passenger Ship Safety Certificate (Form P)

9 In the Record of Equipment for Passenger Ship Safety Certificate (Form P), in section 2,

the existing item 11.1 is replaced by the following:

“11.1 Number of search and rescue locating devices

11.1.1 Radar search and rescue transponders (SART)

11.1.2 AIS search and rescue transmitters (AIS-SART)”,

and in section 3, the existing item 6 is replaced by the following:

“6 Ship’s search and rescue locating device

6.1 Radar search and rescue transponder (SART)

6.2 AIS search and rescue transmitter (AIS-SART)”.

Record of Equipment for Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate (Form E)

10 In the Record of Equipment for Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate (Form E),

in section 2, the existing item 9.1 is replaced by the following:

“9.1 Number of search and rescue locating devices

9.1.1 Radar search and rescue transponders (SART)

9.1.2 AIS search and rescue transmitters (AIS-SART)”.

Record of Equipment for Cargo Ship Radio Certificate (Form R)

11 In the Record of Equipment for Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate (Form R), in

section 2, the existing item 6 is replaced by the following:

“6 Ship’s search and rescue locating device

6.1 Radar search and rescue transponder (SART)

6.2 AIS search and rescue transmitter (AIS-SART)”.

Record of Equipment for the Nuclear Passenger Ship Safety Certificate (Form PNUC)

12 In the Record of Equipment for Nuclear Passenger Ship Safety Certificate (Form PNUC),

in section 2, the existing item 11.1 is replaced by the following:

“11.1 Number of search and rescue locating devices

11.1.1 Radar search and rescue transponders (SART)

11.1.2 AIS search and rescue transmitters (AIS-SART)”,

and in section 3, the existing item 6 is replaced by the following:

“6 Ship’s search and rescue locating device

6.1 Radar search and rescue transponder (SART)

6.2 AIS search and rescue transmitter (AIS-SART)”.

Record of Equipment for the Nuclear Cargo Ship Safety Certificate (Form CNUC)

13 In the Record of Equipment for Nuclear Cargo Ship Safety Certificate (Form CNUC),

in section 2, item 9 is deleted and items 10, 10.1 and 10.2 are renumbered as items 9, 9.1 and 9.2

respectively; and the renumbered item 9.1 is replaced by the following:

“9.1 Number of search and rescue locating devices

9.1.1 Radar search and rescue transponders (SART)

9.1.2 AIS search and rescue transmitters (AIS-SART)”,

and in section 3, the existing item 6 is replaced by the following:

“6 Ship’s search and rescue locating device

6.1 Radar search and rescue transponder (SART)

6.2 AIS search and rescue transmitter (AIS-SART)”.

***

Congratulations to all the Winners… Your cheques will reach you soon…

Pls send your feedback: – writersadda@gmail.com

Fragrance- Dec Edition

January 12, 2010 - Posted by admin - 0 Comments

FRAGRANCE

December Edition

*********************

Dear friends,

Welcome to December edition of “Fragrance”.

Life is a very complicated process which prompts several odd situations to tackle. Sometimes it brings loads of joy that smears our life with happiness and love, sometimes it takes away our most cherished dreams, friends, and loved ones and throws us in the verge of nervous breakdown. But the person who keeps his cool and tackles both the situations with equal spirit, the world bows down before him. He becomes unbeatable.

With this thought presenting you this December issue of “Fragrance” In this issue Vichnu Ch has contributed a romantic love story, Swayamprava shares her indulgence in Book, Travel to holy Godavari and Film review of much hyped Movie “Avatar”, Minaz has written a poem reflecting the adversaries of life, Capt Panda on “Victimization of Indian Sailors in Foreign waters. Watch keeping in the Age of Zero tolerance from BIMCO, Intact Stability (IS) code, 2008, a joke contributed by Nikhil.

The contest is still on. Keep posting your entries in www.writersadda.com your participation will make this place a true meeting place for writers …

Thanks & Regards

Editor

Writersadda.com

*****************************************************************

Book World

An Odyssey to book world

Swayamprava

http://www.writersadda.com/blog.php?user=Swayam&blogentry_id=408

Books are always a matter of fascination for me. From my childhood days to the present day I have changed my hobbies several times. But this single hobby of reading a novel or a fiction, has never changed and has always topped the chart in my hobbies list. And very passionately and with the grace of god I am still retaining this passion in me even today.

My passion for books got a great impetus, when certain website started giving us reward points. With my reward points I bought about 13-14 books. I added up my old collection to it, like Namesake, God of small things, the monk who sold his Ferrari (only self help book which I liked a lot and bring into practice in my day to day life, even today), Inheritance of loss, My Mills and Boons collection which are about 15books, collective novels complied by India Today group (about eight novels in two big books), short story collection from classic authors, Sahitya Academy published English magazines (they are as good as books) and of course my cook book collections, Dream books where I can decipher my dreams, Vastu books, Drawing books, Yoga books, classics like the Great expectation, Thomas Hardy collection , Hard times, Wuthering Heights…so on and so forth…

But the entire scenario got a face lift when The Odyssey opened its book store in the Galleria Mall. For me it was the first book shop after our Vani Vihar library*, where I got a glance of so many books in one place….. The very first day, when I explored it, I was like a kid roamed randomly from one corner to the other. I spent almost three hours, standing and reading, completely forgetting the world around, landed up with aching limbs till next morning! So many books and so many authors……Every book holds a different story, every book opens a new window to a different world………….. You can see this earth, its people and their thoughts from the writer’s prospective…..Isn’t it fascinating? The same earth and after reading a book, it will look bit different…You will think, Aha! I had never explored this part of human sentiment! Or …You will land up in a conclusion, how vast this earth is! And see we have not explored even a 1% of it! You can’t see Somu as a waiter , (my story the-waiter), or Faqir , Amitabh Ghosh’s Boatman,the hero of the novel, as an illiterate boatman…. Even Ashita and Goggle in Namesake will make you think, is it really worth to migrate to that foreign country, and you can spin a love story taking a father figure …huh…. And You will think looking at your Mom, Has she also got a past too or is it possible that she can fall in love…..crazy,,,,,, !!! Like JhumpaLahiri did in Unaccustomed Earth…And in Kerala, Don’t they have any other work or what. …..After reading God Of small things……! And you will think finally what is there store in future, is it really the whole world is taking initiative to fulfill my dream, like in Alchemist…But these two books I couldn’t complete, I really got fed up of the sheep, sand and oh! God never ending saga of dreams…And the former with too much on too little things….I didn’tI didn’t like it.

And every week, in my every visit I am adding one or two books to my mini library….. I do possess books from Chetan Bhagat , Ayn Rand, Tagore, Amitabh Ghosh, Karan Bajaj, Jeffery Archer, Wodehouse….titles like The voyage, Waiting, Hundred years of solitude, Mistress of Spices, English August….There are about 40-45 books……And I am so possessive about them that I will never give it to anybody and don’t even allow anybody to touch my books…huh…..

India Smiles ………Belts, Boots and Berets by Tanushree are now on display in the store. And I have got both of them……When I saw these two books I became very emotional and when you see the book written by known people , the feeling is just awesome……..out of the world…….

India Smiles from Penguin………Belts, Boots and Berets by Tanushree are now on display in the store. And I have got both of them……When I saw these two books I became very emotional and when you see the book written by known people , the feeling is just awesome……..out of the world…….

Getting selected by Penguin or Harper Collins, it self is a big thing and for that, apart from talent I feel luck plays a vital role….It came to my mind when I saw thousands of books from these publishers on the self…… I could feel the struggle, the emotion and the effort of the writer’s who made their way to fulfill their dreams and bring their dreams to reality through their books. And I really astonished when I saw so many are dreaming to publish abook….. In fact, wannabe writers are flooding, in the writers’ world………. “Anybody can write a book as everybody has a story to tell” I read this quote on a bookmark and I felt how true it is! That is why the same emotion looks so different when it is written by different writers…….

And I even stunned how these publishers making business that to selling nothing but creativity……Unproductive raw material but how productive the business is! For the mad people like me, the business is flourishing in many folds I felt….

In my Odyssey to book reading, I happened to read many nice goods books and I am exploring the world of books every day. I don’t know much about business or how to catch public attention through marketing gimmick. While buying a book I always see the presentation, the theme and the author’s insight into the subject. In case of multiple books by same author I usually buy one and after reading it I go for the second or third one……While roaming in the world of books I found that these books not only capturing my imagination, but also has given me a vivid imagery to see life differently and made me understand people and their sentiment, and different situations of life……….. I feel this is my unconventional way of learning and I will treasure it through out my life…

Poetry Of Life

Living With Pain

http://www.writersadda.com/blog.php?user=Minaz&blogentry_id=869

I have come in life to such a point,

I see my life from here disjoint.

Hatred is filling up my soul,

When I see him I see life cold.

These chills and boils are difficult to handle,

Wish I had never left my cradle.

I tried aplenty to make things nice,

But life’s cruel truths led me to think otherwise.

After seeing the mountain of difficulties, I didn’t loose hope,

But when I reached the top saw the truth my heart couldn’t cope.

I gave my life for this mean man,

Who my feelings could never understand.

On my heart he has stamped again n again,

Giving me more and more pain.

He has mentally tortured me so so much,

Brought me close to deaths touch.

Suicide is what I wanted to do,

But for such a man wasting gods life wont be through.

I am alive only because I am a believer,

My lord is my reliever.

I trust my lord, he will give me the best,

In life this for me is a huge test.

Minaz

Oct 09

Traveller in Me

My Spiritual sojourn – Godavari

Swayamprava

http://www.writersadda.com/blog.php?user=Swayam&blogentry_id=862

For previous part see http://www.writersadda.com/blog.php?user=Swayam&blogentry_id=719

After Trimbakeshwar, our next destination was Godavari. The Godavari River is a major waterway in central India, originating in the Western Ghats Trimbakeshwar, in the Nashik Subdivision or District Of Maharashtra and flowing eastwardly across the Deccan Plateau through the state of Maharashtra. It is the second largest river in India. It is known as dakshin ganga. It enters Andhra pradhesh at Kandhakurthi in Nizamabad District, crosses the Deccan Plateau and then turns to flow in a southeast direction until it empties into the Bay of Bengal through two mouths.

As we reached the Godavari River, we were quite enthusiast to see the river. Mom was in a mind set to take holy dip in it. We too all were thinking in the same line. But when we really reached there all our enthusiasm just faded away. I am not new to Godavari, as few years back, on our way back from Tirupati , we stopped near Rajamundry to take a dip in Godavari. In that place Godavari was so vast that from one shore one can’t see the other side. The river was not only vast but also its current was quite high. Even a few steps away from shore is good enough to flow along with the flowing water. A few brahmins , came in with huge half torn, yellowish stained book to find out the record of our ancestors who previously came there for holy dip. So we all are in a mind set that we were again going to see the same Godavari in Traimbakewshar too. But to our astonishment what we saw is a thin canal resembles like a drain with dark black smelly water. For a while we thought we had come to a wrong place, but when I saw the Kubha mela photos, near by we could recognize it as Godavari. God fearing my mom dared to dip her finger in that water. In spite of my urge to touch the holy water, I couldn’t stop my reflex action which again and again warned me that it was not Godavari but a very dirty drain, so dare not to touch! Anyway, may be due to short rainfall it resembled like a canal , but during the time of Kubha mela it must be very attractive with lots of water in it… Every twelve years, Pushkaram fair is held on its banks of the river. Thousands of people have a holy dip in the sacred waters of the river to purify themselves of all their sins. The Godavari River is considered as very sacred to Hindus and has several pilgrimage centers on its banks. It has been held as a special place of pilgrimage for many thousands of years. Many famous personalities, including Baladeva (5000 years ago) and more recently Chaitanya Mahaprabhu(500 years ago) have bathed in her waters as an act of worship.

There are a few lovely stories associated with Godavari’s origin and Kubha mela. According to Legend, Sage Gautama lived on the Brahmagiri Hills at Triambakeshwar with his wife Ahalya. The rishi used to keep his stock of rice in a granary. Once, a cow entered his granary and ate up the rice. When the rishi tried to ward the cow away with Durbha grass, it fell dead. The rishi wanted to relieve himself of the sin of ‘Gohatya’. He worshipped Lord Shiva and requested him to bring Ganga to purify his hermitage. Lord Shiva pleased with the rishi appeared as Triambaka and brought along river Ganga. Since Ganga was brought down to Triambakeshwar by Sage Gautama, she is known here as Gautami. She is also known as Godavari because the river helped Sage Gautama to relieve his sins.

The observance of Kumbh Mela dates back many centuries in Ancient India, to the Vedic period, where the river festivals first started getting organised. In Hindu mythology, its origin is found the one of the popular creation myths and the Hindu theories on evolution, the Samudra manthanepisode (Churning of the ocean of milk), which finds mention in theBhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.

The Gods had lost their strength, and to regain it, they thought of churning the Ksheera Sagara (primordial ocean of milk) for amrit (the nectar of immortality), this required them to make a temporary agreement with their arch enemies, the demons or Asuras to work together, with a promise of sharing the nectar equally thereafter. However, when the Kumbha (urn) containing the amrita appeared, a fight ensued. For twelve days and twelve nights (equivalent to twelve human years) the gods and demons fought in the sky for the pot of amrita. It is believed that during the battle, the celestial bird, Garuda the vehicle of Vishnu flew away with the Kumbha of elixir, and that is when drops of amrita fell at four places on earth: Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik, and that is where the Kumbh Mela is observed every twelve years.

First written evidence of the Kumbha Mela can be found in the accounts of Chinese traveller, Huan Tsang or Xuanzang (602 – 664 A.D.) who visited India in 629 -645 CE, during the reign of King Harshavardha

Since we couldn’t took bath there, we made it short and without any delay we proceed to the nearby temple resembled exactly that of Trimbakeswar temple. It was a Siva temple. From there we went to Panchavati. In Panchavati, there were several temples of Rama, Laxman Site, Hanuman, and Laxmi. That place resembled more or less like Puri and the areas adjacent to Jagannath temple. Here we offered oil to Hanuman, which was quite a new way of worshipping for us. From there we preceded to Sita Gupha i.e Sita’s cave. It was a small narrow tunnel through which only one person can go partially titling forward. One can’t stand inside that tunnel upright. After passing the tunnel one can go to the cave, which was small chamber. There one more tunnel to come out of that cave. The most striking part here was to enter into any temple one has to stand in queue for hours. We too stood there for an hour or more and finally when we reached near the tunnel, I got scared. Looking at the narrow tunnel, I felt suffocated. As I stopped, my papa too stopped going inside,. But mom was so enthusiastic that in front of us she nicely slide through the tunnel and emerged from the other end completely drenched in a pool of sweat. My hubby and son neither stood in a line nor saw what was there, the nicely enjoyed the freshly plucked guavas sitting below the panchavati i.e five holy trees like banyan, aswatha , amla, deodar, . For a while I thought of my position and amused to see how I am joining two completely different thought levels and maintaining the balance…The most interesting part is they all part of me only…

After Sita Gumpha (cave), we said goodbye to Nashik and proceeded to Siridi… On our way we had a lovely lunch in one road side Dhabba , (restaurant) by a fellow Oriya… We reached Siridi by 6 o’clock

Story Of the Month

Short Love story

Vishnu

http://www.writersadda.com/blog.php?user=Vichu&blogentry_id=812

Is she the one? Is she the one I am looking for? These are the thoughts which went through my mind when I met someone .. someone who is so special to me.
There was so much of coincidence between what I wanted from a girl and what she was. I felt happy that I found her and very happy when she used to spend time with me. She looks amazing in the way she talks, the way she behaves, the way she looks (and the list just doesn’t end).
Suddenly, life became so colorful and happening. There was a change in the way I was living, such a change that I was doing nothing but thinking about her. Things were looking very different than before. I was dreaming, and dreaming all day and night. She just became an integral part of my thought process. Whatever I thought or planned, she was part of it. “Kuda jaane ki mein fida hoon ..” kind of songs all over in the mind. Career ka tho pata hi nahin .. I used to tell to all my friends about my girl.. And tell that so happily! This is what I call is the “The Beginning” .. the “Beginning” of my journey to LOVE.

I just forgot everything else other than her. I started doing things which I never used to do, but just do them because she likes it. It’s very strange how it happens but it just happens. You just get ready for anything for her. All this was the first stage before these thoughts come to the mind .. ”Is she also thinking in the same way? Am I the guy for her? Does the closeness between us mean that?” That’s when I started thinking of the proposing her .. ! “If I propose will this ruin our friendship? Am I taking the right step? When is the right time to propose?” Amidst all the nice time I am spending with her.. these thoughts just disturb my mind.
I thought, thought again and again, and finally the day came when I concluded to propose.

It was the day, the day I decided to propose her!

My mind was not in my control. At one side I was worried that this might hurt our friendship and on the other side I was afraid that I might loose her if I don’t tell her for ever. Many people who fall in love face this .. ! They have to take that decision, a decision which changes everything.

In a corner of my heart, I had a feeling that even she is waiting for me to take the first step. This little feeling was the confidence, which gave me the power to go ahead.

Now that I decided that I will tell her, how do I tell her? Should I take her for a long drive to a scenic location and propose there? But what if she reacts other way and we end up being in a position that we can’t come back together? Should I take her to a candle light dinner and tell her with a rose and a love card amidst of lovely music? Or should I propose her in a filmy way? Lying on the knees with a flower and say “I love u”?

The answer is a straight ‘No’. My girl is not that kind, these filmy stints doesn’t impress her. She loves everything to be natural. Though she talks a lot and does few modern day stuff, she is a traditional girl by nature. The words “I want to marry you” will be better than saying ‘I love you’. I just wanted toTring tring .. tring tring .. she picked up the call. Ahh .. ab kya hone wala hain ..

I kept my cool and started as any other call. Did some routine chit chat for a while (good morning .. wat doing .. etc, etc) and then I alerted her that I am going to say something .. something which I wanted to say since few days but was waiting for the right time.

I brought her attention and just said what was in my mind .. “I love you a lot and I want to marry you”. As I thought, she expected this and handled it well. She was silent for few seconds and asked me why I felt like that .. if it was her behavior that made me think like that. I just managed telling something. I then somehow convinced her to come out and talk. I disconnected the call and said to myself “Ahhh .. fufffff .. bol diya .. jo bolna tha bol diya .. ”.

It’s a once in a lifetime experience. Those who face it, know it .. I just did something which I only heard and only saw in movies. I smiled for a while and drove to the place we were going to meet (a lakeside restaurant).

On the drive I was little afraid if she gives me a bang .. “no no, why would she? she won’t .. ” I just convinced myself. I was eagerly waiting at the gate for her to come. Tension .. tension .. what is that she is going to say? will she accept? will she ask me to wait or will she ask me to talk to her parents? “ah .. come quickly dear .. “ I thought. I was looking at every auto that was stopping there ..

After a while, she came (hammaya came alone .. mujhe marne ke liye kisiko nahin laayi .. ). She looked at my tensed eyes and made me cool down. She chit chatted for a while and then asked me why I felt like that and the discussion went on .. she said she was not ready for marriage yet and would leave any such decision to her parents. I said I will wait for her and she asked me not to wait and so on .. at the end of it, I understood that she is ok for me but not fully yet. Her parents are also going to play a role in her decision.

We went back to the campus. With a little yes and no in mind, I started the standard chat and she replied as usual. “Hammaya .. ok ok ..” I thought

Few months passed after my proposal, it was the period when my heart was just filled with love and nothing else! We were just passing time as we were before, in fact more than before We were getting closer day by day. There wasn’t a count to the phone calls and messages we exchanged.

Then came the day on which every lover runs around to get wonderful gifts and beautiful cards for their lover. Even I was roaming around, jumping into every decent gift shop that I see. What’s that day? I think u got it already .. yeah it was Valentine’s day! I was so excited that day. It was the first time in my life when I had a girl friend on V-day. I finally got few interesting gifts. For some reason, she was busy that day and just took them. She felt very happy looking at them but we couldn’t go out. Hmm .. plan flop.

Though she did not commit to me, I was confident that she loves me. I got another chance to make her feel special. This time it was her birthday! It was good that it came in a time when we were so close. I wanted to make her day so special that she shouldn’t forget in her lifetime. Ab kya karoon mein? What will make her feel special? How should I impress her? Buy a good gift and card? Wish her with a song? Wish her with candles? “Chass saale ! Movies se copy math kar ..” I just said to myself . Then I thought of something. Haan .. this might work!

It was the day before night 11:59:50 PM. Few more seconds .. tik, tik, tik, .. and it was 12. I was just in front of her. Surprise! She just couldn’t believe that.

She: Hi .. Tum yahan pe?

Me: Isiko surprise kahte hain ..

She was all smiles ..

Me: Happy b’day Shalini !!

I just said that and opened the cake. It was easy for me as she was with her friends in a flat .. We celebrated her b’day there. She was so happy that there were gentle tears coming out from her eyes.

She said “Thanks Suraj ..” with an emotional look. “Bas hain, this is enough After so much of effort convincing ur friends, itna sa effect bahut hain ..;-)” I just said to myself.

She invited me for a treat next evening .

We went to dinner on her b’day. It was on the terrace of a restaurant with just a small candle and no other light around. The place was so beautiful. It reminded both of us of our childhood days. She was talking about those days when her family used to eat on the terrace of their house in their village. At that time, when she smiled, I saw her face glowing more than anything else around Ahh .. wat a evening!

I asked for a drive and she said ok. We were going in my car .. cold breeze added to the moment. We went outside of the city. I suddenly stopped my car.

She just looked at me and said .. “What happened?”

I looked into her eyes. I slowly moved my head towards her. She (with shy) moved away. I moved forward further and .. I kissed her ! After a minute, while I was moving away, she opened her eyes slowly and (with smile) said .. “I love you too Suraj”. Ahh .. this is the day I was waiting for !

I just said “I know it .. ”

We started back to her room. It was just silence for few minutes during the drive and then she was just explaining how much she had it inside ..

“Suraj, when u proposed, I was just thinking .. whether u r the one for me. I knew you love me but didn’t expect you will propose within 2 months after you came to know about me. But yesterday night, I felt your love to the fullest. I just didn’t sleep the whole night. It’s 6 months now that you proposed. There are so many moments between us. I was just thinking about you. There was nothing else in my mind. I just couldn’t wait .. and you have my reply ..”

Me: So did you decide that you will tell me today? I was dying for this reply.

Shalini: Yeah .. but I actually wanted to tell that at the end of the drive. Thoda jaldi bol dhi ..

We reached her room. She gave me a hug and got down. While, she was walking, she was again and again looking back. I was just smiling there .. I was so happy !

After I dropped her, I went to my friend’s house (remember the fellow who helped me on the day before I proposed her .. ).

Me (running into his house): Navin, Navin, ..

Navin: Kya huan bey? Kyun chilla rahan hain.

I jumped on him and said .. abbey she accepted. She has finally committed ..

Navin: Kya? Masth hain yaar. Congratulations ..

We then went to a bar and had enough drinks .. enough for a hangover the next day.

The next morning when she called me, I told her what happened the day before night. Haan .. Little after .. I realized I did a wrong thing telling her. You know why? Hmm .. let me tell. Thode ladkiyon ke baare mein aap tho jante hee hain. As soon as they commit, possessive ho jaathe hain. Conditions shuru ..

“Drink only once. Only two pegs in a week. Non-veg bhi only once.”

“Shadi se pehle hi itna tho baadh mein kya hoga?” I just said her.

Shalini: This is just the beginning ..

“Baap re” I just said to myself.

We were moving around much more closely. Every weekend ek naye place ko jaathe the. Bahut masthi karte thhe (bowling alley, resort, theatres, go-karting, etc).

One day, (about 3 months later), she asked me to meet her cousin.

Shalini: Hey, my cousin wants to meet you.

Me: Cousin .. (surprisingly) .. usey kyun?

Shalini: Just aise he. I told him about you and he just wants to see you once.

I said ok and we met in a restaurant. World looked much smaller to us on that day. Her cousin actually recognized me from my face! He knows our family (my elder brother was his brother’s roommate). What a surprising fact for us !! I felt much happier as there is some link between our families and it would be easier for their parents to get convinced.

I felt she had a reason why she wanted to meet him. But anyways, all looked fine to me and was not worried ..

While we were moving around happily, it was time for the final exams .. the last semester !

We finished our exams. It was the last day in college .. we just wanted to spend some time before we leave home.

Shalini: Suraj, mujhe pata nahin ki mein tumhare bin kaise rah paungi. Mein ghar mein bol doongi. Lets get married.

Me: Yeah .. I have the same feeling. Even I will tell about this in my house. I have told this to my brother already. He was very happy that you are his friend’s cousin.

Shalini: Pehle tho I wanted to wait till we get into work and tell this in my house when they bring the topic of marriage. But I just can’t wait .. can’t stay without you ..

Me: Me too sweetheart ..

I gave her a big hug and we left.

A month passed but she was still saying she did not ask in her house. I had already talked and got a go ahead in my house.

Suddenly, she messaged me saying she can’t talk to me anymore. I knew something would have happened in her house. But had no idea as I couldn’t see any problem. I tried talking to her but she didn’t pick up the call. I even tried to get something from my brother but was unsuccessful. Even his friend was not commenting.

I was really worried and asked my friends who stay in her town to have a close watch just so that nothing goes out of my hands. I waited for 2 months till she joined in her company where she got placed. It was really different

days in my life .. I never waited so much and was never so tensed !

After she was done with the first day, she was coming out. It was 3 months since I saw her .. she was in a blue salwar in which she always looks beautiful.

Just when she came out of the gate, she slowed down .. she saw me ! I could see in her eyes .. her feelings .. some worry as soon as she saw me. I was just a few feet away from her !

She looked down and started going away from me. I took few quick steps and caught hold of her hand from behind .. She looked around and I saw small tears coming out of her eyes .. I asked her to come with me.

Me: Shalini, please mere saath aao. I want to talk to you. Please, and we need to talk right now. I can’t wait anymore .. agar kuch hain tho I am sure we can solve. But we just can’t be like this.

She silently walked along with me. We got into the car and while we were on the drive, I asked her.

“Hey what happened? What happened suddenly? Why are you not talking? Tumhare ghar mein kya huan?”

She started talking in a low voice .. “Unhe ye rishta pasand nahin hain. They don’t want this to happen. My mom is completely upset with me. Please, please stop the car Suraj.”

Me: Aisa kyun kah rahi ho. I will come and talk in your house.

She: It’s not going to happen. Forget this .. they are serious.

Me: I think I can talk to them. Have some confidence on me ..

She: No Suraj. I can’t tell you everything but I know .. they are not even nearer to acceptance.

Me: Do we need their acceptance? Tum mere saath aajao mere ghar. My parents will welcome you. There is no problem in my house ..

She: I can’t do that. Agar ye hoga, tho mere ghar walo ki marji se hi hoga. Now, please, please stop. I have to go.

I stopped the car.

She said “Bye Suraj” and got down from the car. While she was walking I was just looking at her .. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t take my eyes of her until she got into a taxi and left ..

Few days after that I got the news that she is getting married .. just a week to go for the wedding day ..
I just couldn’t bear the news. As soon as I heard that she was getting married, I almost went dumb .. I didn’t knew what to say. It took a day for me to recover from dumbness. I was thinking and thinking .. what should I do now? should I go and bring her out? “Ah God .. give me the strength !” I said to myself.

I went to her town and was talking to a friend on who she is getting married to.
And then came her day of wedding .. She was in a saree. Cream colored, full of chamki’s and hand made work. Necklace around her neck, ek ek haath pe dus chudiyan .. She was like a queen ! She was slowly walking towards the mandap.

She got into it. And everyone was waiting for the groom. Then he came .. sherwani mein (not much to describe about a guy’s dress .. ).

Her mom and dad had a smile. She saw them and turned her face around to see the groom. And that was me !
She wide opened her eyes and was surprised. Then she was half-smiling and confused as to what was happening.
Everyone including me said .. “Surprise !”.
Her face had so many expressions .. happiness (he did it), confusion (but how !) and then anger (saala last minute thak mujhe nahin bathaya).
She couldn’t believe it. She gave herself some tests to prove it was not a dream. She asked me in lunch, she asked me almost 10 times that day .. “What did u do? How did u turn this around?” I just said “That’s the power of love .. ”
And her parents were saying “That’s Suraj .. ”.
Only in the nite I told her how it happened ..
The initial groom (whom their parents chose) was my friend. When I asked my friends about the groom .. I was surprised that he was my school friend. We didn’t meet for couple of years and were out of touch. I met him and told everything. And then, he and his parents helped me in convincing her parents.

And then .. the routine pati aur patni ka pyar aur jagde ..

Nothing more to say ..

thanks all for reading this and your encouragement ..

Today I went to watch the much hyped film “Avatar” My initial impression was , as if I was in a mission in my son’s play station games . There was a planet called “pandora” far from earth but somewhat like earth with lush green as well as blue, violent pink tinted vegetation which has the capacity to illuminate at night too. The second impression was it was like a dream world with unusual creatures…In my dreams I must have gone to such planets several times… Any way it was neither my dream world nor was a play station game…It was about a story of a handicapped soldier, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), confined to a wheelchair and without any use of his legs, is stationed on the far-distant planet Pandora where “everything wants to eat you or kill you”, from the vegetation to the wildlife to the natives. He eventually posted on a mission to befriend with this aliens in “Pandora” and learn about their way of living and study the rich vegetation.

From a space station a challenger like space ship took these soldiers to “Pandora” Planet. In that planet there was another huge lab where scientists were in a mission to study the flora and fauna of this jungle like planet and to throw away the natives to acquire their land. There were huge trees which was supposed to have lots of medicinal properties from which number of nerve like florocent ropes dangling. Below these tree the natives could take away the soul from one body and place it in a different body…I mean they one alive by so….

In that lab two aliens were grown in test tubes probably injecting DNA of the native’s of Pandora in human being… One such body was created out of this wheel chaired soldier’s brother and the female body was of that of the lady scientist who was mission in charge. The soldier has to go into a incubator or one can say scanner .From where he went into deep sleep to a dream like world. His soul got detached from his body and entered into that test tube body .Thus he resembled same like the natives of Pandora and could survive in that extreme condition, where humans can without the oxygen mask on.

Every time he to activate his Avatar body in the Pandora planet, he had to go into that incubator and had to go to deep sleep. Infact his body was kept in a preserved state so that his soul can re-enter into it. Few years back my mom used to tell me about this sort of Yoga, where the Yogi, leave his body in care of his students or Sishyas and enter into other animal or human body to accomplish certain job or cure or something good for all. Even the Buddhist monks practise this practice to leave one body and enter into the other… Anyway, where he may have taken this theory, it was presented nicely.

So Our hero Sully in his Avatar, strayed away from his group and got attacked by several unusual looking animals resembling somewhat like dogs, rhinos etc. He somehow fights back and encounters with beautiful local alien called Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). She “adopts” him as she found some heavenly blessings in form of a typical looking flower shower. Love blossomed between them. Where their norm was to attack these false military avatars and kill them as soon as they show up on Pandora. She led him through a variety of coming-of-age rituals in her culture that were part of the popular “going native” and made him like one of them. In one such occasion Sully was made to fight a pterodactyl-like creature and force it to succumb to his will and thereby he could mount it and later on it became his means of air travel on the planet. Since this planet has some unusual feature like huge mountains and landscapes were dangling in air conjoining each other in by the huge strong roots of giant trees defying all the gravitational laws. So to move from one island to the other this bird/pterodactyl- like creatures were of great help. She taught Sully how to connect with the deadliest of the animals by bonding with them through his antenna like tail. Through this she made him to get vibes from heaven and energy from the nature too…

As the story goes on Sully became more concern for these natives forgetting his own mission. The other scientists couldn’t take it and took him out of his avatar body drastically .It created lots of confusion among the natives… The story conceptualizes the conflicts and incorporated it in the story. Sully not only got over from this but also helped the natives to get back their land from the human intrusion. There were lots of air strike, modern vs primitive warfare and few scenes resembled like Rama Ravana war where animals and bird took lots of responsibility in the war…

In the end Sully stayed back in Pandora forever taking his avatar body. This transition was quite a scene to watch…

You must be thinking instead of a short review why I gave you the entire story! There is reason to it. First of all the American English is too ambiguous to understand. Secondly in the first half the story tries to accommodate many a things which makes it very complicated. So it is better to know the story beforehand to enjoy it more. And believe me even after knowing the story, the thrill will not curtail down. The cinematography, the concept and the amazing set of creating a dream like planet will enthrall you through out… Watch it in a big screen and if you get a ticket to watch in 3D format then you will experience the Pandora journey very much…

For Theme song of Avaatar Visit below link posted by Fragrance

http://www.writersadda.com/blog.php?user=Fragrance&blogentry_id=915

Recipe of the Month

Kadhi Paneer is a great main dish for any special occasion. Paneer and colorful bell peppers are sauteed in spicy tomato gravy.

Recipe serves 4.

Ingredients:

1/2 pound paneer

1 medium red bell pepper (shimla mirch, capsicum)

1 medium green bell pepper (shimla mirch, capsicum)

3 tablespoons oil

3 medium tomatoes

About 1/4 inch piece of ginger

1 green chili

Pinch of asafetida (hing)

1 teaspoon cumin seed (jeera)

1 and 1/2 tablespoons coriander powder (dhania)

1/2 teaspoon turmeric (haldi)

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 tablespoons chopped fenugreek leaves (methi) or dry fenugreek leaves (kastoori methi)

3/4 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste

Method

Cut paneer and bell peppers into ½ inch cubes.

Blend the tomatoes, ginger, and green chili to make a puree.

Heat the oil in frying pan on medium heat and stir fry paneer for about 2 minutes – take them out before paneer starts changing color.

Next stir-fry bell pepper until they are tender. Do not over cook the bell pepper. Take them out and drain on a paper towel.

Using the same frying pan, Test the oil by adding one cumin seed to the oil; if seed cracks right away oil is ready.

Add the asafetida and cumin seeds.

After the cumin seeds crack, add the tomato puree, coriander powder, turmeric, fenugreek leaves and cayenne pepper.

Cook for about 4 minutes on medium heat.

Tomato mixture will reduce to about half in volume.

Add about 2 spoons of water, and the salt.

Wait till gravy comes to boil add paneer and bell pepper and let it simmer for about five minutes on low medium heat.

Now it is ready to serve

Shipping Section

Visit :- www.blog.shippingtutorials.com

Watchkeeper: An age of zero tolerance

Life in 2009 is as risky as it has ever been. Why would it not be, when we demand to travel at great speed, when impatience is a characteristic of the age and when we are trying to push our limits all the time? But at the same time, there has never been a period when we are so intolerant of accident, and yet nobody seems to see any connection!

“Living with zero tolerance” was the subject of the recent 2nd Lord Kelvin lecture at the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, last week, given by Vaughan Pomeroy of Lloyd’s Register. Lord Kelvin, who lived from 1824 to 1907, was a Scottish mathematician and physicist, whose work strayed into virtually every area of modern science, but whose eyes saw the most astonishing changes in every type of technology, many of which he would have a part of.
Vaughan Pomeroy, whose career began in aviation and whose work in LR has taken in military ships and merchant vessels alike, is a thoughtful lecturer. He reminded his audience of the age they are living in, when public perception and political pressure are very real realities which thrust themselves into our consciousness with their demands for an accident-free industry.
Is this even slightly realistic? And is there anything very wrong with the trend of losses of ships, which has been steadily going downwards despite the age of the world fleet? But course it is not the trend which is remarked upon after a spectacular accident which provide us with a “shock to the system” and precipitates changes. And for all our regulations and science and engineering, we are human beings and make mistakes! Vaughan Pomeroy points out the basics of a “Universal Learning Curve”, identified by Duffey and Saull, who note that the learning rate is a function of a number of errors and accumulated experience, that the human contribution is part of the risk, which dominates as technology advances. They also suggested that we have both a learning curve and a “forgetting” curve, and that it is possible to derive a formula for the minimum error rate.
And the interesting consequence of this is that while technology changes, year on year, the minimum error rate does not change! In fact the MER has not changed in 200 years, producing for the shipping industry about 75 casualties per annum, which is roughly the same for aircraft crashes and other industrial sectors.

An interesting comparison might be the loss of the Swedish King’s ship Vasa in 1628, with any modern major casualty. This ship, which flooded through her lower gunports and sank in Stockholm, was lost because of a confluence of factors, human element and latent errors. Indeed, if we were to sum up this tragedy in modern terminology, it would be a combination of inadequate training, poor operating and emergency procedures, faulty design, incomplete research and development, insufficient validation, faulty commissioning and non-adherence with procedures which did for the Swedish ship. Does any of this sound familiar?
Do we still need “shocks to the system” to help us improve? Vaughan Pomeroy suggested that we were still very vulnerable, in this age of intolerance, to serious accident. There was, he suggested, too much reliance on complex electronics and systems which were insufficiently reliable and to maintenance failure. We need systems for the average competence, more dependable software, and better automation. We are still reluctant to tell people what happened so that improvements can be made.
We need, he concluded, to gain new skills, to better understand risk and reliability, improve our education and training, and, while there were new lessons to be learned, we need to remain very aware of the lessons of the past! All of which is even more important, in an age of intolerance.

Source: BIMCO

INTACT STABILITY (IS) CODE, 2008

The International Code on Intact Stability 2008,2009 Edition

The International Code on Intact Stability, 2008 (2008 IS Code), presents mandatory and recommendatory stability criteria and other measures for ensuring the safe operation of ships, to minimize the risk to such ships, to the personnel on board and to the environment. The 2008 IS Code (resolution MSC.267(85), adopted on 4 December 2008) will take effect on 1st July 2010 upon the entry into force of the respective amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention and 1988 Load Lines Protocol.

The 2008 IS Code features:

• A full update of the previous IS Code (2002 edition; resolution

A.749(18), as amended by MSC.75(69))

• Criteria based on the best state-of-the-art concepts available at the

time they were developed, taking into account sound design and

engineering principles and experience gained from operating ships

• Influences on intact stability such as the dead ship condition, wind on

ships with large windage area, rolling characteristics and severe seas.

This publication also presents Explanatory Notes to the 2008 IS Code, which are intended to provide Administrations and the shipping industry with specific guidance to assist in the uniform interpretation and application of the intact stability requirements of the 2008 IS Code.

The 2008 IS Code, 2009 Edition should be of interest to maritime

administrations, ship manufacturers, shipping companies (owners and

operators), education institutes and others concerned with stability criteria.

Burning Issue

ANOTHER INDIAN MASTER VICTIMIZED

Barely has the maritime community heaved a sigh of relief at the release of two Indian seafarers from S. Korea, comes the news of M.V, ‘TOSA’, Master, Capt. Glen Aroza – an Indian National being detained in Taiwan. This incident points to the need for concerted efforts at national and international level to protect the rights of innocent seafarers.

Capt. Glen Aroza has been detained in Taiwan since April 17 2009, after M.V, ‘TOSA’, which is a large crude carrier registered in Panama, was taken at gunpoint from the high seas from international waters to Hualien in Taiwan said Capt. V.K. Gupta, Master of CMMI. Two other crew members, namely the second officer (a Bangladesh national) and a seaman (a Philippines national), who were on watch at the time of the alleged incident, have also been detained in jail without bail.

The allegations against the Master are vague and have been changed / amended a number of times at the whim and caprice of Taiwanese authorities.

It was first alleged that the TOSA had collided with a Taiwanese fishing trawler in international waters as a consequence of which the trawler capsized and two fishermen lost their lives. When inspections of the hulls of the trawler as well as the TOSA revealed that there was no physical contact between the two vessels, it was alleged that the trawler (whose length is said to be 21.6 meters and deadweight about 100 tons) capsized due to the wake of the TOSA. On the face of it, this allegation is ludicrous. Any one with even a nodding acquaintance of the ships and the seas knows that it is impossible for a trawler of that size to capsize simply by the waves created by a large ship – unless of course she was inherently unstable and un-seaworthy. This allegation is all the more atrocious in view of the fact that the wind force at the time was only about force 5/6 on the Beaufort scale.

Subsequently, records and investigations revealed that the second officer was independently in-charge of the navigation watch and though the Master had left WRITTEN orders to give all vessels – especially fishing vessels, a wide berth and to be called in case of doubt, the second officer did not consider it necessary to inform the Master as, in his opinion, the TOSA had passed the trawler at a safe distance. The allegation against the Master was now changed to “involuntary manslaughter” , failure to render assistance (even though, no distress signal – whether visual / wireless or otherwise were sent out either by the trawler or by any other station on shore or at sea) and / or failure to train the second officer and the seaman on duty.

Even if one ignores the patent impossibility of the alleged facts, detention of and investigation against the Master and crew of the TOSA are patently illegal and without jurisdiction for the following reasons:

1. It is an admitted position that at all material times, the second officer was independently in charge of the navigation watch and that the Master was not on the bridge – indeed he first learnt about the alleged incident from Taiwan coast guard nearly nine / ten hours after the event. STCW Convention clearly provides that the duty officer remains fully responsible for the safe navigation of the watch even if the Master is present on the bridge – unless the Master takes over the watch. Thus, if at all any blame attaches to the TOSA for the alleged capsizing of the Trawler; the officer of the watch is solely responsible and the allegations of any neglect or wrongful act on the part of the Master are without any basis.

2. At all times, the TOSA was on the “High Seas” as defined in international law (well outside the territorial waters of Taiwan) – in fact she was forced into Taiwanese ports illegally and under threat of armed force against all international law and accepted norms of civilized behavior. Thus, even if all the facts as alleged are true, Taiwanese authorities have no jurisdiction whatsoever – whether civil or criminal.

3. Article 92 of UNCLOS 1982 states: “Ships shall sail under the flag of one state only and, save in exceptional cases expressly provided for in international treaties or in this Convention, shall be subject to its exclusive jurisdiction on the high seas.”

4. Article 97 of UNCLOS further holds that “no arrest or detention of the ship, even as a measure of investigation, shall be ordered by any authorities other than those of the flag state.” The flag state in this case was the Republic of Panama- where the TOSA is registered. 1

5. Article 1 of “The International Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules Relating to Penal Jurisdiction in Matters of Collision or Other Incidents of Navigation” provides: In the event of a collision or any other incident of navigation concerning a sea-going ship and involving the penal or disciplinary responsibility of the master or of any other person in the service of the ship, criminal or disciplinary proceedings may be instituted only before the judicial or administrative authorities of the State of which the ship was flying the flag at the time of the collision or other incident of navigation.

Article 2 of the same Convention provides: “No arrest or detention of the vessel shall be ordered, even as a measure of investigation, by any authorities other than those whose flag the ship was flying.”

This is not the first time Taiwan has detained an Indian citizen and merchant navy officer in violation of international law. In 1996-1999, Captain Raj Goel was detained in Taiwan for three and a half years.

Recently, two Indian merchant navy officers were illegally detained in South Korea for over one and a half years. It is no exaggeration to say that these officers were released mainly because of the pressures brought about by the international shipping community. Efforts by official circles in India were woefully inadequate and consisted of no more than lip service.

It would be naïve to expect Taiwanese authorities to abide by international law unless sufficient pressure is brought on it. It would be equally futile to hope that those in power will do any thing at all to protect Indian sea-farers unless they are compelled to do so. It is time the maritime and shipping community in India join hands to wake up our political masters and civil servants from their slumber and indifference.

Footnotes

The incident of Maersk Dubai is worth recalling here

if only to highlight the double standards observed by Taiwan.

The Maersk Dubai was a Taiwan registered vessel owned by Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation. She was manned by Taiwanese officers and Philipino crew.

In March 1996, two Romanian nationals were discovered in one of the containers on the ship and ordered overboard on a makeshift raft, a pproximately 38 nautical miles off Gibralter.

Again, about two months later, while proceeding towards Halifax, another Romanian was found in a container and forced overboard by the Master – one Captain Sheng Hsiu and four of his officers. A fourth stowaway was discovered by one of the Filipino crew and was kept hidden until the ship arrived at Halifax, where eight Filipino crewmen jumped ship and reported the incident to the authorities.

Captain Hsiu and his officers were arrested and charged with first degree murder. The radio operator attempted to escape by jumping into Halifax harbour but was later arrested.

Captain Hsiu attempted to deny access to the ship under “international shipping laws”.

Romania requested extradition of the Master and the accused officers. The Presiding judge held that he did not have jurisdiction as the alleged crimes had been committed on the high seas. However, he added that but for the lack of jurisdiction the Court would have committed all of the officers.

“Taiwan protested the storming of the ship and the arrest of the officers, and contested the attempt by Canadian authorities to extradite them to Romania citing Articles 92 and 97 of UNCLOS.

The officers were eventually extradited to Taiwan.

Captain Hsiu was charged with criminal negligence causing death and was subsequently acquitted for lack of evidence regarding the stowaways’ death.

None of the other officers were brought to trial.

It was widely reported that the Pilipino crew who reported the crime to the Canadian authorities were victimized and their families harassed and threatened in the Philippines.

It is yet another ‘Seafarer AT SEA’. Will the Master M.V, ‘TOSA’, Capt. Glen Aroza get justice? If ‘Hebei Spirit’ incident has proved one thing, it is this, even the high and mighty cannot withstand the combined pressures of maritime constituents.

Capt. T.K. Panda

And in the last a small Joke for you (Contributed by Nikhil)

Wrong email id — too good

A man checked into a hotel.
There was a computer in his room,
So he decided to send an e-mail to his wife.

However, he accidentally typed a wrong e-mail address,
and without realizing his error, he sent the e-mail.

Meanwhile… Somewhere in Houston ,
a widow had just returned from her husband’s funeral.
The widow decided to check her e-mail,
expectingcondolence messages from relatives and friends.

After reading the first message, she fainted.
The widow’s son rushed into the room,
found his mother on the floor,
and saw the computer screen which read:
*
*
*
*
*To: My Loving Wife
Subject: I’ve Reached
Date: 28 July 2008

I know you’re surprised to hear from me.
They gave computers here,
and we are allowed to send e-mails to loved ones.
I’ve just reached and have been checked in..
I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow.
Looking forward to seeing you TOMORROW!

Keep smiling and wish you all a very happy and prosperous year ahead.

Happy New Year to you all

Fragrance Nov Issue

December 7, 2009 - Posted by admin - 0 Comments

Fragrance

A Newletter from www.writersadda.com

Dear friends,

Welcome to another edition of “Fragrance. In this section we have a lovely poetry by our blogger friend Sneha Sahithi, Travelogue, film review and a short story by Swayamprava, A book review by Capt. T.K Panda, A lovely Joke was shared by Mr, Prakhar Singh Chandel. And in the shipping section we have tried to include the latest IMO and shipping News. In this We have attached a file on “best management practices to Deter Piracy inGulf of Aden. Hope This will help our sailing members and officers to combat the grave issue of Piracy in the Gulf Aden Coast. You are most welcome to share your thou ghts, experience and suggestions. Writerrsadda is waiting eagerly for your thoughtful articles and your visit to our cyber home. The Contest is on. Pls send your entries for the next issue of Fragrance.

***********************************************************

Remembering 26/11

Swayamprava

Yesterday, in IBN 7 there was a program based on Mumbai terrorist attack 26/11 last year. In that program they showed the families of all those Martyrs, who died while fighting with the terrorists. In that episode they showed Major Sandeep. Unnikrishnan’s parents and their views on the entire operation. That transported me to my past when I personally happened to interact with a few fauji in real.

Few years back, while coming back from Orissa to Mumbai, a few NDA entrants entered to our boggie. Army cut hair, huge tin trunks and spring on their feet. They were all smart, one way or other very handsome in their posture and talk, very polite and very loving and caring in nature. Slowly as the train pulled out of the station my husband started talking to them. 38 hours journey is not small thing…From their talks I found out that after successfullycompleting NDA they were posted in a few sensitive areas. That time they were returning to work after

spending a few days as holiday in their native place. Looking at their confidence, I felt very proud of them. They too were very proud of their profession too. In the middle of the night I woke up hearing whispering talks in the neighboring seat. As one of them saw me, he flaunted a sweet smile and told me sorry for the disturbance. He was trying to hide his diary from his friend as he had written something on his own girl friend… I smiled at him, he switch off the light literally pushing his friend away. Next day morning he was quite familiar to me and my hubby. He gave me to read a few pages from his dairy. As went through the pages I could read his mind with

every letter he had written on it. It was all about his daily routine of his job but at the end of every day he had added a few lines straight from his heart… He said, his family is not happy about his joining in army. His brothers and sisters were all well established, two of them were in USA. But it was his wish that enabled him to join in defense services. His parents, his girl friend all were pressing on him not to go back. I could see how terrible he was feeling while telling me all those things but he nicely masked every thing and showed only his determined dedicated soldier’s face to us. I don’t know why I told him that what he is going to achieve in this, he will fight, and people will say we are proud of you and after a few days leaders will meet and end every thing with a treaty dedicated soldier’s face to us. I don’t know why I told him that what he is going to achieve in this, he will fight,and people will say we are proud of you and after a few days leaders will meet and end every thing with a treaty with high funda talks and then nobody will remember except his crying parents or your girl friend…He looked at me for a while and said nothing… But looking at him my eyes definitely got moist. As if I could see his future in front of me….After a year or two Kargil war started and every soldier, every officer died, made me remember his face. I don’t know, whether he is still alive or not but that meeting is definitely a memorable encounter for me…

Years after, yesterday I saw Major Unnikrishnan’s father’s interview, saying those same words, with same emotions for his son…. He tried his level best to prevent his son from joining defense but he failed to convince him…Now he feels that his son is not a Martyr but killed by a street urchin…Oh! What a pain I felt with that one sentence!

Which parent will feel proud when he sees that street urchin Kasab adorning the center page of all leading newspapers! Which parent will feel proud that the terrorist for whom his son has died is alive and getting so much attention as if he was a film star ? Whereas, when he went to Taj and said that he is Major Unnikrishnan’s father, they said, which Unnikrishnan? They had their own security, who tackled every thing ! Is this what is the cost of our blood…! Tomorrow one kidnap of an influential person and Kasab will be a free bird…

Remembering 26/11 gives pain, but every day reading Kasab’s story in front page of all leading newspaper boils my blood…What evidence he will give ?Are evidences are so unknown to our intelligence… Actually we are so selfish, we don’t care about the other persons emotion…and our political parties they know only politics…nothing else…I would have felt proud if we could have given our Martyrs their exact due.. Even in Mahabharat war Sri

Krishna never let any culprit alive, then why our country is so benevolent

***********************************************************

MUMBAIKARS TO REMEMBER MARTYRS OF 26/11

Writer

I WAS WATCHING ON HEAD LINES NEWS YESTERDAY WHERE THE JOURALIST WAS ASKING MAJOR SANDIP UNNIKRISHNAN’S PARENTS. HE WAS ABSOLUTELY BROKEN DOWN THE WAY THE MARTYRS OF 26/11 WERE TREATED BY GOVT,TAJMAHAL HOTEL STAFF WHERE HIS SONWAS DIED FIGHTING WITH TERRORIST WHO HAS SIEGED THE HOTEL COMPELETELY. HE FELT HURT THAT HE SHOULD HAVE ASKED HIS SON NOT TO JOIN ARMED FORCES. I URGED EACH ONE TO SEE HIS INTERVIEW AND JUDGE THE PAIN AND ANGUISH THROUGH WHICH THE PARENTS ARE GOING THROUGH.NOBODY WILL JOIN ARMED FORCES IN FUTURE IF SOMEBODY SEES SANDIP’S PARENTS.MR. UNNIKRISHNAN ALSO SAID,NO BODY EVEN RECOGNISES MAJOR SANDIP UNNIKRISHAN.I THINK THAT’S AN IRONY .HIS FATHER FEELS HE SHOULD NOT HAVE DIED FOR SAVING TAJMAHAL HOTEL THAT TO FIGHTING WITH TERRORISTS LIKE KASABWHO IS ENJOYING IN MUMBAI JAIL,ALWAYS IN THE HEADLINES FOR EATING THIS,MEETING HIS MOTHER.I THINK OUR INDIAN MEDIA IS UNNECESSARILLY GIVE WRONG THING HYPE UP JUST TO GIVE ANY NEWS. ALL JOURNALISTS/CHANNEL/NEWSPAPER ETC. SHOULD HAVE SOME COMMON SENSE WHILE SHOING ALL ABSURD NEWS.

*******************************************************************

Oh ! My Love…..

Swayamprava

He stared at me. My heart pounded. He came closer to me I sulked behind .What a nonsense,I thought. He almost grasped me in his strong arms. I could not move, I could not run I stood there spell bound. He held me as if he would crush me into pieces. I cried, “leave me, leave me ……”

and woke up. ‘Oh……what a bad dream.’ .I searched for the bottle of water placed it in my side table I was perspiring and my heart was beating like hell. I switched on the lamps. I needed a glass of water to smoothen my dry throat but a sort of emptiness surrounded me. ‘What is going to happen’?

I could not sleep rest of the night. That figure……that ghostly figure…so far I

could not see his face. But who it might be or it is just a bad dream.

**********

In the university campus, we were walking hand in hand. That Gulmohar tree look awesomely beautiful .He softly pressed me to the tree trunk. He placed few kisses on my lips. His soft touch enchanted me. A strong shiver passed through out my body. “Akash ! What are you doing?

We are in the campus. I know they compliment us by saying ‘made for each other’. But in the public like this….!” “I love you, why to care about anybody!”………. “You are too much….Oh …er…hallo Sir”.

“Sir.” “you naughty!” I ran away.

He touched me but never spoiled me. He was so protective about me. He wanted every inch of me, my mind, heart and soul. He used to tell me “Mona you don’t know how beautiful you are? I always love the way you think. Every bit of you is full of sweet surprises. You will always remain as a sweet memory to me.” “Why memory, who will part us, you know every body thinks we are made for each other.” “Destiny…. Darling…. destiny! So far I don’t have a decent job and you are of marriageable age. May be your parents got you married. “I will tell them to wait”. He did not say anything. But I could feel his mind’s struggle. All my thought got adulterated with his thought. My days started with him and nights,thinking of him. Like a lethal poison he spread through out my body killing softly with his touch, seductive talks and display of emotion. I could not focus in my studies but I had no regrets for that. I started moulding myself as per his needs and expectations. Like that laden Gulmohar, my life too blossomed and I was so happy, like a fairy dancing in clouds. I was thinking how beautiful this life is!

***************

That day I was in the library, I saw him coming towards me. I smiled, he flew a kiss. I

got nervous. Stared all around thinking somebody might have noticed this gesture. ‘Thank God …nobody has seen it’ .He came closer. Pull out a paper from the pocket, spread it before me. “I am going to America. After ten days I will be leaving.” I was very happy for him. “But, before going you

must meet my parents.” He smiled. In the afternoon he came to my house, met my parents. Both of us

were happy at that moment. “He requested not to reveal any thing before his parents and once training

was completed he would talk to his parents. One year of my studies was still there. He hugged me,kissed me, embraced me, and pretended to be broken heart while leaving. I spent about a month soaking my pillows with my tears.

As soon as he reached there he started writing letters but day by day it seemed as if his emotion along with his letters faded away. He stopped writing to me. I thought maybe he was busy in his job or training period may be tough one. His emotion along with his letters faded away. He stopped writing to me. I thought maybe he was busy

in his job or training period may be tough one.

*******

Three years passed. Many proposals came to me for my marriage. But I waited for him.

Like a meditating devotee I started to wait for his return. But he did not return, his letter accompanying

his marriage invitation card returned. I could not cry as there were no tears in my eyes. I could

not do anything.For last six years as I had not done anything except thinking about him. For few days

I became dumb, deaf and motionless. An exceptional tranquility surrounded me. I thought if I would

have dead then this must be the feeling.

*******

He got married leaving me in the doldrums of thoughts. My parents felt the ditch.

They became more and more caring for me. Papa brought the finest collection of books, DVDs and

planned a holiday trip to Tirupati. Mom gave me all her spiritual books to read but they were after me

to get over from this.

I went to Tirupati, saw all the DVDs, read all the books. The saints and there life attracted

me a lot. My parents took me to different spiritual assemblies’ .Every day I started visiting temples. This was the time I used to dream about that horrible dream.

*******

A year passed, I was sitting in the stairways of the temple one handsome fellow came smiling at me. I was very annoyed looking at his gesture. ‘When I didn’t know him how come he smiles at me?’ I thought. I thought of my horrible dream, who knows he may be the person of my dreams.

“Hello, I am Arjun. I am working as a Professor in a top management Institute in Singapore.” I thought why he is saying it all. “For last one week I am seeing you sitting here and I don’t know why I felt some strange feelings looking at you. If you don’t mind should I sit for a while with you?” He

talked, I listened .He suggested, I argued .He told about the world, politics, cinema, cricket and Singapore. I told her my studies, my parents, my shattered dreams and my mental agony. He encouraged me to finish what I was dreaming so far. He told me , If I wish he will search for a good job in Singapore itself. And if I wish he will try in his Institute itself. I asked my parents and they liked it. Days passed on, I started thinking about another world apart from Akash. Arjun was very much concerned about my mental agony and used to tell me, “why to think of such a person who not even bothered to

think about you twice. Life is not Akash, life should be the way you love to live, and you nourish your hobbies and fulfill your desires. Come out of that circle of unpleasant memories and start living life in your own terms.”

I don’t know what was there with him but in that one month every day he used to say something which made me think for the entire day. His philosophy, his positive thinking and never say die attitude made me think of living life again. From the ashes of my dead love he could able to blossoma new flower full of enthusiasm and full of beauty.

He left for Singapore as his leave was about to finish but he left his contact number and address with me. In the airport along with both of our families, I went to see him off. We became very good friends. After a few days I got the job in the same institute where he was working. I flew to Singapore to join. In the Changi airport, I found him in the reception lounge with a bunch of red roses. His eyes were sparkling .I could see the happiness oozing out of his romantic eyes. But that point of time, I did not want to recognize that as still I was thinking of him as my best friend. He arranged every thing…. from an apartment to the necessities to run a household….he was always there for my help. Even if we spent the whole day with each other still we never reveal our feelings for each other. Even if I could read his state of mind, I did not want to face one more blow as Akash gave me.One year passed. Both of us returned back as our holidays started. I was talking to my mom about Singapore, about Arjun and my newly found life with him. By that time telephone rang. It was Arjun’s Papa who wanted to visit our place. My parents were very happy. They came and gifted me a beautiful jewellery set and a saree…..a wedding saree. I was little bit annoyed but never protested.

Within a week I was married to Arjun. I did not say anything.From that day to till our first meeting as a married couple on that flowery bed we never

talked to each other. That day he came closing the door behind .I was literally in a shaky state. He came closer…..very very close, took my hands into his. In a whispering voice he said, “Are you not happy with me or do you think I am selfish ? But don’t misunderstand me. You must be thinking I did every thing having this in my mind. But that is not true. Your papa and my papa were childhood friends and when he said about you and Akash , my papa readily accepted to help your papa. When they narrate me every thing I went to explore you.” “But believe me at the very first glance on the templestairways I fall for you. My God! You are so beautiful. As I started talking to you at once I decided to marry you.” “I am sorry I did not say it in Singapore as my feelings were so intense that if I would have uttered a single word to you then I may not able to maintained that separation till our marriage.”

I saw through his eyes. A mixture of love, happiness and guilt was there in his eyes. Suddenly my mischievous mind started tickling. I came closer to him .Suddenly pressed my lips on to his.He was startled and then embraced me hard till I became breathless. Thousand colours showered on us, all my guilt vanished away, I forgot my yesterday, and I forgot the tomorrow. I enjoyed every bit of that moment and life became so colorful for me.

**********************************************************************

Aloo Paratha

From Swayam’s Kitchen

For Stuffing

Boiled Potatoes -3-4

Finely chopped onion-2 medium sized

Finely chopped green chilies as per your taste

1inch- ginger finely grated

Finely chopped Tomatoes- 2 Medium sized

Salt to taste

For Paratha

Water about 2 cups

Salt to taste

2 big cups of Wheat flour

Oil (refined) – 3-4 table spoon

Ghee to fry

Optional:

Add finely chopped coriander leaves – 3-4 table spoons

Add ½ teaspoon full Kasuri Methi

Method :-

Heat the oil to its smoking point. Add the oil to the wheat flour in a mixing bowl. Add salt.

Mix till it crumbles evenly. Add little water and knead. The dough should be smooth and

leave your hand and the bowl. Keep aside for 15-20 minutes. Make small balls of equal size

to roll the chapattis

Mash the potatoes. Add rest of the ingredients. Add salt to taste. Keep in a freeze for ½

hour, as it will make it hard and it will be easier to roll.

Now take make small portion and roll it out with the help of a rolling pin. Make two chapattis.

Put one chapatti on the rolling board. Then, spread the Potato stuffing evenly in a thin

layer. Put the other Chapatti on it. Close the edge tightly. Roll lightly so that both the

chapattis stick to each other along with the stuffing.

Now, On a frying pan (tawa) put the paratha. Add little ghee. Fry both the sides till it becomes

crisp.

Searve hot

****************************************************************

This One Is For Cricket Lovers !!!

Most cricketers, who are not comfortable in conversing in English, go prepare for some standard

questions that are asked to them when commentators chat with them during the awards ceremony.

Inzamam was once asked a different question after Pakistan won the match, for which he was not

prepared. He always used his standard response to the first question after winning. But this

time………

Tony Greig :So Inzi, that’s fantastic, your wife is pregnant for the second time and u must be happy!

Inzamam: Bismillah-e- Rehman-e- Rahim! All credit goes to the boys. Everyone work hard for it, especially

Afridi. It was tight situation when he went in. Also Bob Woolmer was keeping close watch on

progress and giving instructions. It’s all team effort. Insha Allah, we all will work together as a team,

put in big effort and deliver good result all the time and will be able to REPEAT the same result.

Tony fainted… !!!!

Courtesy :- Mr. Prakhar Singh Chandel (technical Superintendent)

************************************************************************

2 States – the story of my marriage – A Book Review

Capt. T.K Panda

Written by Chetan Bhagat

Price – Rs 95/-

Pages- 269

Publisher – Rupa & Co.

2 States – the story of my marriage is written by Chetan Bhagat,his 4th book after five point someone, one night@ the call centre and 3 mistakes of my life.

Boy loves a girl and the girl loves the boy. They get married, pretty simple but In India for inter community marriages is done in 3 stages, Boy loves the girl so as the girl, boy’s family should love the girl so as girl’s family to boy and both families need to love each other, then nonly marriage between 2 lovers in India take place in other words one needs to convince the families of both sides boy and girl. In arranged marriages in India girl gets the boy’s whole family i.e. boy’s parents, brothers and sisters and in laws as well. Of course inter community marriages are more complicated considering the traditions, customs,rituals followed by the community.

The cover page shows the maps of both states , the boy, Krish Malhotra, an IIT graduate in IIMA and the girl, Ananya Swaminathan , an Economics Graduate from Delhi University in IIMA. This can be construed as a continuation from Chetan’s maiden mnovel Five point someone – few tips which is not be done in IIT. Krish met Ananya in the IIMA canteen while taking sambhar, and they started liking each other. Ananya seems the most beautiful woman in the fresh batch and Ananya warned Krish that she was already been proposed many times and she does not want the list to go further. Krish had no other option but to continue with her as a good friend. Then she had some doubts and she requested Krish to come to girls dorm and they studied for few hours. Later Krish could not concentrate any more as he does not want the plain “friendship’ tag. Krish refuses to study with her .Ananya had no option but to come to boys dorm to Krish’s room. Later Krish explained that he can’t see her face continuously; he feels like to kiss her. Ananya said, oh kiss ,then she kissed him. Then what obviously if you keep lot of books around a boy and girl as my grandmother used to say always one cann’t keep a boy and girl without any fire.Sparks have to fly and fire will take plce. Fire took place and Krish and Ananya had sex which was Ananya’s ,1st time. Both seems o have enjoyed.It is if Krish and Ananya were staying together and studying for MBA in IIMA. That is possible in IIMs only . Two years passed like that in IIMA .Both of them thought their parents can meet each other during convocation day. Krish’s father did not come. Ananya’s parents and brother and Krish’s mother came for convocation day. Krish and Ananya tried their level best to ensure both families like each other but it was 180 degrees apart as one family Punjabi, from North India and other Tamil , from South India. like each other but it was 180 degrees apart as one family Punjabi, from North India and other Tamil , from South India. . Both Krish and Annaya got selected in campus , Krish opted for Citibank, to earn first,bucks and Ananya wanted make a career in Hindustan Levers Ltd.(HLL).She opted for Chennai and Krish opted for Delhi and Chennai as Krish was staying Delhi and Ananya in Chennai.Ananya was insisting Krish to opt for Chennai so that her parents will come to know Krish.Meanwhile Krish’s mother took Krish to see a girl named Dolly who was from a rich family.Krish told her to say no as Krish is planning to leave Citi job and would like to become a writer.. Both of them kept talking to each other on phone to find details.

Finally Krish got the Citi appointment in Chennai as a trainee. Ananya told him that he has to try his best to win their parents’ hearts. She requested him to come to her house to give Manju, her younger brother tuition for IIT entrance exams at 6 am which he did. Krish managed to impress her father by assisting him for his bank, bank of Baroda’s ppt presentation which were very much appreciated by the bank. In between Ananya’s Aunty, Shobha aunty brought a proposal for Ananya, boy’s name Harish who was working for CISCO. Krish won Ananya’s mother heart by asking her to sing for Citi bank’s carnatic concert along with P.S. Bala Subramaniam and Hariharan which was very well appreciated.

Once Ananya’s parents’ agreed, it’s the turn of Krish’s mother to accept her as daughter in law. Krish asked for transfer to Delhi and asked Ananya to come along for a week’s trip on behalf off HLL north India trip. He wanted her to get accepted by her mother at least if not hi father which he thought , will never happen.

Krish’s cousin sister Minti was getting married to Duke, a B tech from donation college. He asked Ananya to come along for the engagement as well as wedding. Ananya bailed the family out when they were keeping their ornaments as loan for exchanging Hyundai Santro to Accent which Dukes’ parents insisted upon. His uncle Rajimama appreciated Ananya so as

Kamla Aunty. Once Krish’s mother’s family accepted Ananya, there is no more problem except the families to like each other , the last stage of inter community marriage. Then they planned for a trip to Goa so that the families know each other. Krish’s father refused to come there. They went for sight seeing but no inclination to know each other well. Ananya’s parents got offended by some sarcastic comment by Krish’s mother. Everything seems to have shattered suddenly. Krish went into a depression. He stopped eating properly. Once he went to Chennai to convince Ananya in HLL office, but she was adamant that his mother should apologize her parents as she said that Krish was trapped by Ananya’s parents. She asked him to forget Ananya.

Suddenly Krish saw his father became more interested to know about Ananya and his Citibank work in Delhi. He asked him to type 3 letters for his pension work. One fine day Ananya called up Krish to inform that his father came to Chennai and requested them that Krish and Ananya Delhi. He asked him to type 3 letters for his pension work. One fine day Ananya called up

Krish to inform that his father came to Chennai and requested them that Krish and Ananya should get married. Krish could not believe this,his father and marriage. Suddenly everything changed. Ananya’s parents decided and informed the marriage date. Krish booked Rajadhani train tickets for all his relatives to go to Chennai for marriage. Even if Krish’s relatives were not happy with idli, sambhar and chutney with banana leaves , all of them enjoyed typical Tamilian marriage to a Punjabi boy. All that ends well is surely enjoyable for everybody.

Finally Ananya became Krish’s wife. Later she delivered twin baby boys which he said neither Punjabi, nor Tamil but Indian. I know that’s the beauty of Indian families and bonding, may be little extreme. If look at western world, there is no family which is the other extreme. Now how to get somewhere in the middle , which will give a bit of both. I know of late things are getting changed.

As I had a 5 days Diwali vacation, I could complete the fiction one go, which is rare in mycase. I must complement Mr. Chetan Bhagat that he had kept the interest going throughout

******************************************************************

My Boyfriend

Sneha Sahithi

My boyfriend

He talks of other girls in my presence

He thinks of me only in my absence

My boyfriend

He gazes freely all other girls in my presence

He feels inconvenience if I gaze at other boys

My boyfriend

He enjoys other girls wearing minis

He prefers me wearing only Saris

My boyfriend

He teases me to the extent I cry

He cuddles me whenever I cry

My boyfriend

He likes all movies of Karishma and Kathrina

He hates movies of Salman Khan as I like him

My boyfriend

He suggests long plait if I come with ponytail

He prefers loose hair if I come with long plait

He suggests long plait if I come with ponytail

He prefers loose hair if I come with long plait

My boyfriend

He never takes anything serious

He meets challenges as a part of life

My boyfriend

He pretends not listening to my words

He solves my problems before me ask

My boyfriend

He is not mine. He is not mine. He is not mine

He is my love. He is my life. He is mine only

Sneha

*****************************************************************

My day out In Lonavala

Swayamprava

At the entrance of the cave we found this recently built temple; accompanied by a pillar

from the Buddhist period. The facade of the caves is formed by carved temple screens,

sculpted with railing ornaments and human couples. Outer and inner screens form an antechamber

to the main cave. The panels of the wooden doors and windows are finely

decorated with intricate sculptures of couples embracing.

By the central doorway, I found a huge stone pillar with four lions facing towards the

four directions east,west,north south. In my history book I must have read about these

chaityas and caves and these Ashoka stumbhas(pillars) several times. That time remembering

it was the most difficult part. But when I saw an Ashoka stambha in real I was

quite thrilled. In the entrance to the cave, I found several figurines along with Buddha

preaching while seated on a lion-supported throne. Apart from this there was a magnificent

carving of three elephants which are very intricately and delicately carved on stone.

In that very hot afternoon, when I entered that main cave, I was shocked to feel the

difference in temperature! It was so cool as if it was air-conditioned. I found many people

sitting on that very clean cold stony floor, The hall was beautifully carved, out of

stone with about, fifteen pillars in each side separating the narrow aisles from the central

arch. The pillars are adorned with motifs of elephants, men and women riding, etc.On

few pillar some inscribed letter, I think in prakrit language has been inscribed, probably

depicting the preaching of Lord Buddha. The Karla caves are centuries old and probably

having the largest collection of Chaityas. The caves with Viharas were excavated for the

Buddhist monks, who used to gather here during the monsoons. Built in the time of the

having the largest collection of Chaityas. The caves with Viharas were excavated for the

Buddhist monks, who used to gather here during the monsoons. Built in the time of the

Hinayana sect, during the Satavahanas rule, these caves do not actually show the Buddha

figure or idol in it.These Theravada Buddhist caves (hinayana) is built on the difficult

terrain of a rocky hillside. The complex also happens to be one of the finest examples of

the ancient rock-cut caves found in India. The large Karla caves were excavated by hewing

out the rock. Great windows light the interiors.The main cave has a magnificent

Chaitya with huge pillars and intricately carved relief’s dating back to the 1st century

B.C. There are well carved sculptures of both males and females, as well as animals, including

lions and elephants, a testimony to the skill of the artisan builders. A feature of

these caves was their arched entrances and vaulted interiors. Built in the time of the

Therabada Buddhists, these caves do not actually show the image of Buddha The outside

facade has intricate details carved to imitate finished wood. The central motif is a large

horseshoe arch. There is a lion column in front, with a closed stone facade and torana in

between. The 45-meter (148 foot) long Chaitya, which I visited was possibly the finest of

its kind in the country.During this period it is likely that thousands of caves like Karla

were excavated in the Sahyadri Hills.Afterwards by the seventh century AD, the Mahayana

sect took over and representations of Buddha became more common. Within the

complex there were many other magnificently carved prayer halls or chaityas as well as

viharas, the dwelling places for the monks we found. But after climbing up so many steps,

we were left with hardly any energy to climb a few more steps to visit all.

A little study made me found a number of interesting facts .It seems Buddhist and Jain

monks built many structures, one can say their unique style of carving, which were carved

out of a single massive rock or monolithic in structure. They built these chaityas which

were the halls used for worship and prayer meetings. These were known as cave temples.

About 1200 such cave temples were built throughout India. The most important are at

Karle, Ajanta, Ellora, Udaigiri, Aurangabad and Nasik. They were rectangular halls, with

finely polished interior walls. There were a number of well proportioned pillars and a semi

-circular roof and all were monlithic in nature. The stup usually stood at the end of the

hall or chitya.. All the pillars have capitals on them, with carvings of a kneeling elephant

mounted on bell shaped bases. The Stupa at the end of the Chaitya Hall has an umbrella

at the top There is a wooden facade, made out of teak wood. The facade makes it look as

if the entire structure was resting on the back of an elephant with ivory tusks and metal

ornaments. The Chaityas were almost 40 mtrs long, 15 mtrs wide and 15 mtrs high!We too

saw a huge stupa inside this hall and the umbrella on top of it. I had seen this stupa before

, during my visit to Lalitgiri and Udayagiri in Orissa. But that was in an open area and

one can see it from a distance. Here it was inside the cave that made it more illusionary

and gave vivid thoughts about that period and transported me to that era of history…

Many stories of Buddha and his disciples started floating in my mind’s eye. How people

swayed in the wave of Buddhist preaching and how they followed this cult abstaining

themselves from all sorts of earthly desires, that made me ponder for a while.

Since we have six more ladies waiting downhill with their kids, without wasting any time

we started to come down the hill. Climbing down was also not that easy as the steep steps

were about a foot in height and little bit sloped ,that made it more difficult to climb

down. When we were coming to this place the ladies accompanied me sounded quite enthusiastic

initially. But when it really came to climb all of them stayed back except us

three along with our children climbed the mountain. One thing I realized when you want

something, never wait for anybody or ask for help, as people may take advantage of you

and may harass you in the midway as I found a few of them just left us without even telling

that they were going back. Last I heard that they were going to purchase flowers and

sweets to offer near the caves. In the middle when I looked back, I found none of them.

For a while I was so dishearten that I wanted to come back. But by then the other two

ladies called me from the top to join them. A faint smile spread in my lips as I found

them there. Sometimes to whom you relied on the most may not proved to be that reliable,

but in your journey there were strangers who can do a lot for you which you never

ever have expected. I went there with my own effort and what I got after that hardship,

that feeling, I will treasure it forever. And one more thing that every religious place

has got a different sort of vibration around it. Every pilgrimage place has its unique effect

of calmness and tranquility, that our mind feels when we visit it.

For Photos visit :-

http://www.writersadda.com/album.php?user=Swayam&album_id=52

For Part 1 read here :-

http://www.writersadda.com/blog.php?user=Swayam&blogentry_id=543

**************************************************************

Shipping News

Fresh Somali Pirate attacks-24 Indians taken as hostages

Pirates attacked two ships in the Indian Ocean and succeeded in hijacking one while the other managed

to get away. At least 24 Indians were taken hostage by Somali pirates who hijacked an Indianmanaged

and Panamanian-flagged ship near Seychelles today, officials said.

The two ships MV Jolly Rosso, an Italian flagged Ro-Ro Cargo ship, MV Al Khaliq, a Panama

flagged bulk carrier were attacked.

Jolly Rosso was attacked, 400 nautical miles east of Mombasa, Kenya, by two small skiffs, but she

managed to evade the attack and proceed on her voyage. The 32,000-tonne Italian vessel Jolly Rosso,

also came under fire from pirates north of Seychelles, but the hijack bid was unsuccessful.

Al Khaliq the second ship that was attacked was not so fortunate. The vessel was attacked 180 nautical

miles west of the Seychelles at almost the same time as Jolly Rosso. In its last contact the ship had

reported that two pirates were on board trying to access the accommodation. The 22,000-tonne bulk

carrier, MV Al Khaliq, was seized by the pirates in waters off Somalia, Noel Choong, head of the

piracy reporting centre of maritime watchdog International Maritime Bureau (IMB), told PTI

here.The EU NAVFOR Maritime Patrol Aircraft has confirmed that “the hijack of MV Al Khaliq, 6

pirates on board and two attack skiffs in tow. The mother skiff has already been taken on board with a

crane”.

Mombasa-bound Panamanian-flagged Merchant Vessel Al Khaliq was captured in Seychelles off the

Gulf of Aden. Of the 24 Indians, the Captain and the chief officer and two senior members are from

Mumbai. However the crew members have not been compiled as yet, said an official from Directorate

general of Shipping.

Gulf of Aden. Of the 24 Indians, the Captain and the chief officer and two senior members are from

Mumbai. However the crew members have not been compiled as yet, said an official from Directorate

general of Shipping.

“There were 26 crew on board , 24 of whom are Indian and two Burmese,” a spokeswoman for

NATO’s anti-piracy mission in London has been quoted by AFP as saying. NATO’s closest ship in

the Somali basin was eight hours away from the Al Khaliq when it was seized. The EU’s antipiracy

naval force has said in a statement that the incident took place 180 nautical miles west of

Seychelles

The incident comes less than a week after Singapore-flagged MV Kota Wajir with 21 crew members

on board, two of them Indians, was hijacked.

******************************************************************************

June 2009 amendment

Entry into force: 1 January 2011

ECDIS and BNWAS to be made mandatory under SOLAS

Amendments to SOLAS regulation V/19, to make mandatory the carriage of Electronic Chart Display

and Information Systems (ECDIS) and Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm Systems

(BNWAS), under SOLAS chapter V, Safety of Navigation. The requirements will be mandatory for

new ships and phased-in for existing ships.

Other SOLAS amendments

• an amendment to SOLAS regulation II-1/3-5.2, to prohibit all new installations of asbestos on

board ships, without exceptions; and

• amendments to the title of Chapter VI to read, Carriage of Cargoes “and Oil Fuels” and to Regulation

VI/5-1 on Material safety data sheets (MSDS) to require MSDS to be provided for ships

carrying oil or oil fuel, prior to the loading of such oil as cargo in bulk or bunkering of oil fuel. The

MSC also approved Recommendations for material safety data sheets (MSDS) for MARPOL Annex

I type cargoes and oil fuels

IMSBC Code 2009

International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code, 2009 Edition.

The IMSBC Code replaces the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes (BC Code). The

IMSBC Code, adopted on 4 December 2008 by resolution MSC.268(85), may be applied from 1

January 2009 on a voluntary basis, anticipating its envisaged official entry into force on 1 January

2011.

The primary aim of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code, which replaces

the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes, is to facilitate the safe stowage and shipment of

solid bulk cargoes by providing information on the dangers associated with the shipment of certain

types of solid bulk cargoes and instructions on the procedures to be adopted when the shipment of

solid bulk cargoes is contemplated.

Timeline

The IMSBC Code may be applied from 1 January 2009 on a voluntary basis, anticipating its envisaged

official entry into force on 1 January 2011, from which date it will be mandatory under the

provision of the SOLAS Convention under Chapte VI (Carriage of Cargoes ) and VII (carriage of

Dangerous Goods) .

Changes

In ordr to keep pace with the expansion and progress of industry, in recent years, the Code has

undergone many changes, including:

· Fully updated individual schedules for solid bulk cargoes

· New individual schedules for such cargoes as spent cathodes and granulated

tyre rubber

· New provisions about sulphur

· References to the most recent SOLAS amendments

· Updated information from the 2008 edition of the IMDG Code

Aditional Information

This publication presents additional information that supplements the IMSBC Code , such as the

Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers (BLU Code)and Recom-

“No contact has been established yet. We have informed the families of the crew members… All

crew members have been with us for years and we’ll make sure they are released,” said S.C. Sehgal,

managing director of SNP Shipping Services Private Limited, manager of the Al Khaliq.

Administrations and the shipping industry with specific guidance to assist in the uniform interpretation

and application of the intact stability requirements of the 2008 IS Code.

The 2008 IS Code, 2009 Edition should be of interest to maritime

administrations, ship manufacturers, shipping companies (owners and

operators), education institutes and others concerned with stability criteria.

Aditional Information

This publication presents additional information that supplements the IMSBC Code , such as the

Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers (BLU Code)and Recommendations

on the Safe Use of Pesticides in Ships applicable to the fumigation of cargo holds.

The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code and Supplement is recommended to Administrations,

shipowners, shippers and masters and all others concerned with the standards to be applied

in the safe stowage and shipment of solid bulk cargoes, excluding grain.

This code has 13 Sections and 4 appendices as compared 2004 edition BC Code which was having

12 sections and 5 appendices. Section 11 – Security provision which was the additional section in

IMSBC Code. Appendix 5 is deleted exemption for fixed firefighting system amd appenidx 4 is

replaced with index. Try interprete with the words Shall,Should and may as below.

Shall – Mandatory

Should- Recommened

May – Optional

***********************************************************************

The International Code on Intact Stability 2008,2009 Edition

The International Code on Intact Stability, 2008 (2008 IS Code), presents mandatory and recommendatory

stability criteria and other measures for ensuring the safe operation of ships, to minimize

the risk to such ships, to the personnel on board and to the environment. The 2008 IS Code

(resolution MSC.267(85), adopted on 4 December 2008) will take effect on 1st July 2010 upon the

entry into force of the respective amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention and 1988 Load

Lines Protocol.

The 2008 IS Code features:

• A full update of the previous IS Code (2002 edition; resolution

A.749(18), as amended by MSC.75(69))

• Criteria based on the best state-of-the-art concepts available at the

time they were developed, taking into account sound design and

engineering principles and experience gained from operating ships

• Influences on intact stability such as the dead ship condition, wind on

ships with large windage area, rolling characteristics and severe seas.

This publication also presents Explanatory Notes to the 2008 IS Code, which are intended to provide

Those who are selected for this issue ,pls provide us your address so that we can send you the prize money

Questions or comments? E-mail us at writersadda@gmail.com

Contest

November 9, 2009 - Posted by admin - 3 Comments

Contest

Dear Freinds,

In our effort to make writersadda,a true meeting place for the writers, We are glad to inform you that we have launched a new service that is designed especially for you,a newsletter named as … “Fragrance“.

Here our intention is to publish your articles,blogs on various topics picked from our blog section that you will place in a months time.A prize money worth Rs.3000 will be distirbuted to six articles published in this newsletter, every month .

Rules:-

1. You have to be a member of Writersadda.com

2. The write ups will be choosen every month from (1st to 30/31st)

3.Whichever blogs will be placed in a months period will be considered to get published in the next months edition of the “Fragrance”.

4.Please don’t post the blogs anywhere other than writersadda. Or else it will be disqualified. After two months of your submission you are free to post your submitted articles, wherever you liked to publish…

5. You can post as many entries as you can The more the blogs the more is the chance to get published.

So what are you waiting for !!! Rush with your entries The contest starts from 1st Of November, 2009

This Newsletter will be submitted to hundreds of our associates,friends and will be distributed to thousands.You are free to send it to your near and dear ones…all free of cost and at the same time you can increase its viewership too… Looking at your participation and interest we may increase the prize money in near future…

writersadda
- Albums
- Blogs
- Classifieds
- HomePage
- Polls
- Shipping Tutorials
- Videos
Tags
articles BBS Behaviour based Safety blogs contest First Edition Fragrance Framo Pump ISM code Newletter newsletter October Issue poem Rs.3000 shippingtutorials.com Short story Story STS swayam maritime academy Traimbakeshwer VOC Volatile Organic Compound writersadda writersadda.com www.writersadda.com Xpressions 2k10_turning the tide
Articles for E-Zine “Fragrance”

Rules:-

1. You need to be a member of Writersadda.com

2. The articles will be chosen every month and will get published in the monthly E-Zine “Fragrance”.

3. The blogs will be of minimum 700 words. And poetry blogs will have at least 3 stanzas .

4. You can post as many entries as you can .

5. This E-zine is published online and getting distributed to all the clients of Swayam Maritime Academy.

Metamorphosis

The waiter

Selfish me

Python on vacation…..

*****************Shipping Section*******************

Behavior based Safety (BBS)

VOC MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR TANKERS CARRYING CRUDE OIL

AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT CODE FOR

THE SAFE OPERATION OF SHIPS AND FOR POLLUTION PREVENTION (INTERNATIONAL SAFETY MANAGEMENT (ISM) CODE)

1 GENERAL

Section 1.1 Definitions

writersadda

Tags

Articles for E-Zine “Fragrance”

*Shipping Section***