For all Gujju food lovers part-1

To all my Tasty Food loving Gujjus---From the soul of my stomach

By Himanshu Acharya

By default, Gujju’s are food loving guys. They always in the mood of exploring new food spots and at the same time they don’t let go their original or you can say their fix food spots. So keeping in mind the same, herewith I will give you some very food spots across whole Gujarat, not only in Ahmedabad or Gandhinagar. Readers are not only encouraged but requested to fill the list at the max so that all are benefited. I mean to say comment more and more by giving more and more good places for food all over Gujarat. Let’s do it together both increase sales of these guys and our west size (tummy).

Let’s start it with in traditional style, from holy place called “DAKOR”:

You all have heard and tasted “MAGANVALLABH NA GOTA” from Dakor,, yes that very spicy in taste, very big, dark and served with curd opposite to Main temple in DAKOR. Many ladies bought “GOTA no LOT” from Dakor and later make it at home. But here I would like to inform you all about some other places in same DAKOR, which you tested once, will never forgot.

There is one place called VADABAZAR in Dakor and there one old temple under Baniyan Tree, exact adjacent to that temple there is one traditional gotawala called “CHETAN GOTAWALO”, who opens his shop only during morning 8 to 11 during whole day. But his gota is excellent, I visits Dakor generally 4-5 times during a year, but till date I had hardly tested MAGAN na gota 2-3 time but I visit CHETAN GOTA center each time without fail.

Second one is “BAHERA BOBDA’s VATIDAL NA KHAMAN”. This one is my most favorite as this khaman is soft and very spicy. This person is totally Deaf and Dumb, he only talk with us in terms of finger pointing. There is price list there, we have to point our finger toward 250G or 500G and he will pack accordingly. I can bet with you guys, you may buy from him once because of soreness, but you will surely buy second time because of taste. This place is near temple Gaushala, just ask anybody around the main temple he will definitely show you the way, it is very near to main temple.

If you go from Ahmedabad, both places com before the main temple

My Second one is Gandhinagar, as I am from Gandhinagar itself.

There is not any known place here like Dakor (gota). But I will tell you some places where you can find some very good one.

In sector-21, there is Saurashtra Pharsan House, in main Shopping Center. It is very famous and anyone in sector-21 can show you the way. Try here SAMOSA with his special Dalwali chutney, I have tested samosa at more than 100 places, but this one is unique in taste. I was generally visit the same once in a week. Specially hot samosa with chutney is really cool around 9AM

In sector-6, near Gh-2 petrol pump, there is one Rikshaw standing after 4PM everyday, his VADAPAV and DABELI is excellent. He uses special garlic dry chutney for vadapav. His vadapav is 1000% times better than original Mumbai VADAPAV. I can tell you the same as I am currently staying in Mumbai more than a year and eating vadapav regularly.

In Sector-22, Panchdev ni Panipuri, this panipuiriwalo is standing opposite to famous Panchdev Mandir, and his panipuri is highest TIKHKHI and tasty among all. Please note that there are so many puriwala’s standing there, you go to one where there is maximum crowd.

There is a TRIMANDIR (Dada Bhagvan one) near Adalaj chokdi. There is a restaurant in the mandir primacies, but go for BHOJANALYA of mandir itself, which is some 200-300 meter away from mandir, you can get the passes from mandir office (near shoe stand), it is relatively very cheap (15-20Rs). They give very simple food but taste is really good, it is worth tasting once. You can use this facility if you are coming or going from Ahmedabad-Mehsana highway.

To all Gujju Food Lovers part 2

For Ahmedabad, I would like to hear from readers. But I can’t stop myself referring one very good spot for Ganthiya lovers residing in satellite, bopal (new Ahmedabad).




Sanand is just 13KM away from Sarkhej, but this will be worth for food lover specially Ganthiya lovers. In sanand, on the main road itself (right side corner), near the Gadhiya Lake (talav), there is SAURASHTRA GANTHIYA HOUSE. His ganthiyas are as usual but main thing is his chutney (capcicum crushed chutney and special power on the ganthiya), which again I bet you will never find in original Saurashtra also. This one is my most favorite. You will surely not go to GANTHIYA RATH near to your house again once you taste this one.



If you are ahmedabadi, then will surely know Mother Dairy located near Indira Bridge(Bhat). Here I suggest you to go for AMUL PIZA, which is originally made in the same mother dairy as this dairy is affiliated to AMUL. Once you taste this 40 Rs or higher pizza, you will surely forget US pizza and pizzahut. I remember there was very small outlet outside dairy gate some 3-4 years ago and they sold daily 40-50 pizza when they started. Today they sold nearly 400-500 piza during weekdays and during weekend this touched to 1000 as well. It opens during morning 8 to night 11. Specialty thing here is their OWEN, which is very large and chain operated. You might have tasted Amul pizza somewhere else, but then also I suggest you too taste it once here, it is all different thing.





Now moving towards the Saurashtra region, on the Ahmedabad-Rajkot highway, there are so many hotels in between. There is one in Chotila called LALA RAGHUVANSHI KATHIAWADI HOTEL, which serves real kathiawadi food, specially at night. In one thali there is rotla, kadhi, khidi, special vadhvani marcha, and lot many other things. It requires 2-3 people to finish one thali. Taste is very good.





Now in Rajkot, there is one famous BHELWALo on Yagnik road, rest readers have to add.



Now this one from Kutch region, on the way to MATA NO MADH, just before the same (almost five kilometer before) on the turning there is one DHABA type hotel. Location is really good; some says District Collector would also like to eat here during the official visits in this region. Food is like full thali and chas with some very good sweet. There is a small hill exact behind the DHABA.



In Surat, LOCHO is famous but I like it least.



But you can find Fresh NEERO (previous state of TADI), near the SURAT railway station. There is one place called Neera Bhavan on first floor of building, where you can have fresh neero in early morning also. Actually morning is the best time to have neero. It tastes like carbonated nariyel pani.



There is also one shop (Jalaram Khidi House) where you can find varieties of only KHICHDI on rander road, near new pani ni tanki, near sahaj store.



In Vadodara, there is one very famous thing from MANGAL BAZAR, a KACHORI. You should have taste it once. Also LILO CHEVDO is altime famous, but you should beware of fraud one. Go for original JAGDISH, it really matters here in this case.



In Nadiad, near Santram Mandir, towards Dakor side, just opposite to one theatre, there is one shop (I think its name is Yashoda), where you can find very good dry KACHORI (tuver wali - small round one) and SEV KHAMANI with special chutney.



In Khambhat, you might have heard about Khambat’s HALVASAN and Suterfeni, these both things are good here. But I would like to draw your attention towards one special thing which got enormous appreciation wherever I carry it (in podicherry also people like it). There is one shop called RK chavan mart, which only sold PAPADIYU CHAVANU, I again bet you, will not stop after eating one bite of this chavanu. But go for original RK only hich is situated at PITH area, near Zanda Chowk. Friends of mine who are reading this post will surely remember it.



In Ambaji, there is Mandir trust run Bhojanalaya, which is the best place to eat there. It is situated on the main road.



In Surendranagar, Sikander ni SING (groundnut) is very famous on main bazaar road. Other thing is Rajeshwari Farsan’s SEV-MAMRA which is exported by them.





All above things are personally tasted by me at particular place, and not only once but frequently/whenever I got chance. I am sure real food/junk food lover has definitely read until this line and he will also write his favorite one from his own city in the comments.



But Above all, best food in the whole world I have ever tested and tested until writing this post is My Mother (who forgets salt, chilly and many thing frequently now because of age), my SAS (mother in law) and my wife. I am saying this not only because of affection towards them, but really tastewise they cook everything better then all above. Especially mothers’s Undhiyu, SaS’s Punjabi dishes and wife’s alu parotha, dal dhokli (generally we eat once in a week) and many more things.



Amir Khan can only tell you “ALL IS WEL”, but I will give the same by saying that “ALL ARE WELCOME” to my home for testing. Please populate this comments list so that this post becomes precious posts ever till date. Add maximum places so that everyone can be benefitted.



Author can be reached at himanshu.acharya@gmail.com

IWDMS: Failed twice in other states, running successfully in Gujarat

IWDMS: Failed twice in other states, running successfully in Gujarat.
By Himanshu Acharya

Earlier so many people had asked/suggested/shouted for transparency in Government working style, accountability of officers, Speedy work like corporate, No Document loss in Government Offices and many more things which they see in their private offices, corporate culture.
But Now Gujarat Government has the answer which most of the readers don’t know/aware OR if they know, knowledge is very limited. Today I will provide you in detail article on IWDMS system. This system is currently used by all Govt offices in Gandhinagar/Ahmedabad, which includes Board/Nigam/Corporations since 2005. Initially usage was low, but gradually it has been increased with constant effort, training, and most important Government’s strong vision. First lets see;
What is IWDMS: Integrated Workflow and Document Management System.
This is custom software is made by M/s TCS as per the E-Gov initiative of Government of Gujarat. It fulfils mainly below points, while there are so many minor benefits also.
1) To provide transparency in the Government procedures
2) Which speed up the routine procedures,
3) Which digitise the Govt records, GO, resolutions, online service book, leave management etc
4) Which unify the Govt communication.
5) Which provides traceability of records.
6) Which provides accountability to the Govt. officers.
7) Above all provides green working environment, very less papers.

This common software is developed by M/s TCS. It is based on Govt Manual and general procedures followed by various government departments.
Now the some history of this software:
Our Govt is using this software since 2005. Govt of AP and Tamilnadu had used the similar software developed by same M/s TCS in their respective states earlier in 2003-04. They failed to continue with such software for long time (it ends in almost 2 years). The possible reasons are:

1) Main and most proven thing is Govt. Officers attitude.
2) Poor knowledge of computer and systems
3) Poor software training or training on paper only.
4) Some process takes more time than manual.
5) Last reason “They have to do work with accountability”, you can relate this with first reason.

So what Gujarat Government has done to cope all above possible reason to run successfully this project. We will discuss on same further, but let us have first common idea about govt working style.
Suppose there is one department, there are total 25 departments in Gujarat Govt. Now the structure is like this low level officerSection officer (SO)Under Secretary(US)Deputy Secretary(DS)Secretary(SEC). Now low level officer receives tappals marked for his department from the registry. He simply forward it to respective SO or US, they read the tappal and give the instructions like in put up a new file, or file that tappal in any ongoing file and put up OR simply record that tappal without any action.
There are bunch of physical files with every officer, you might have seen their table full with files. This is their main duty. Sometime some files are missing, lost or intentionally blackout. Now to solve this problem above said IWDMS project come to picture.
In IWDMS system, each tappal is the Central registry receives is converted into PDF and sent to respective department’s low level officer. He does the same as said above but only difference is electronically. He has to clear all his tappal from his folder within a day, then respective officers frequently checks their folder and instruct their subordinates what to on that tappal. Whole new files created based on that tappal electronically or Tappal is sent to archive. There is also provision of digitizing old physical files through scanning of the same.
Please don’t stop your imagination here, there are lot more uses of IWDMS. Like
1)E-filing 2) Easy archiving 3) Department specific application integration with common username and password 4) emailing in built 5) some forums are available for some specific purpose 6) reporting, etc and many more

Now one may think that how Gujarat Govt can do what other two can’t?
The reason is Gujarat Govt has made the IWDMS system in line with office manual; they don’t stick with age old rules, but become liberal where required. They first asked M/s TCS to study the system and instructed to make changes accordingly.
Second, there was a compulsory training for particular software for the Govt employees in Gandhinagar. This was done thrice not twice.

Strict orders from high ranks to follow the system and weekly, monthly monitoring is there in each department. Periodic assessment done by Chief Secretary (next to CM) level.
There is constant support from M/s TCS for whole three years in each department, so that minor issues can be solved easily and in timely manner. System got changed many times as it got evaluated.
It is true that there are majority of 50+ age persons in SO and LOW level officers as there is no direct recruitment in almost last 15 years. But then also they supported the system in good manner. There was some unhappiness or attitude problem in early years, but got resolved gradually.
This system is used by almost 11000+ Govt employees in Gandhinagar Secretariat and borad/Nigams offices. Initially there was only 25-50% use in most of the departments, only some 3-4 departments use this system optimally. But now due to constant efforts and by seeing the results itself usage is increased.
There were some instances where system got down for 2-3 hours due some technical problem, but such scenario was very rare. There is strict SLA and monitoring mechanism there.
IWDMS Project was selected by Public Sector Technology and Management Magazine, Singapore, for Government Technology Award, 2007 in the Connected Government Category.

One can find more information on the same from below link.
http://www.gujaratinformatics.com/gov/projects/depts/7_IWDMS.htm

You can find my articles published in leading Gujarati journalist Mr. Japan Pathak’s website “ DESHGUJARAT.COM ” These website has very good reader base of NRGs & main thing is that it updates hourly with latest and relevant news.

http://deshgujarat.com/2009/10/09/himanshu-acharya-writes-how-sicn-benefits-gujarat-govt/

http://deshgujarat.com/2009/10/20/himanshu-acharya-writes-gujarat-deserves-more-from-nrgs/

http://deshgujarat.com/2009/11/04/himanshu-acharya-writes%E2%80%93-gswan%E2%80%93-backbone-of-gujarat-govt1/

http://deshgujarat.com/2009/12/07/organic-agriculture-in-detail-the-right-and-ancient-way-of-agriculture/

I really thank from my heart Mr. Japan Pathak to trust me and publishing my articles and providing me the base.

Organic Agriculture in Detail-The right and ancient way of Agriculture

All the readers here are directly or mostly indirectly connected with farming. Either there father, uncle, grandfather or they themselves involved previously or currently in farming business. This article will be really useful for them as well for them who want to explore farming, but need the information like what to do and how to do.

I have searched and researched lot on Organic Agriculture; I would like to share that with all of you, so that awareness about organic agriculture can be increased. So below is the excerpt of the same.

Organic agriculture means without any chemicals, fertilizers at all, it simply means natural way. Now there are so many sub branches in organic farming, like;

1. SAJIV KHETI (vermicompost/earthworm): One which is done with the help of Worms (Adasiyu)

2. Farming with Cow & Neem: means it uses cow dung, cow urine, cow ghee for every need farming like pesticide, fertilizer etc.

3. Savesanghvi method: Use nothing or low proportion of both above methods and let is be grown in Jungle way, no widding, no water almost, no pesticides, no fertiliser.

4. Vedik Kheti: Which uses sound therapy and some proportion of above methods (vedic chanting, shlokas etc)

5. Homa farming/Agnihotra farming: Farming with reagular homas and havens in farm.

It is proven that whatever method you use, there will be more yield and/or more profit at the end comparing to current fertilizer/chemical based model.

Just think one thing; fertiliser has been invented some 60-70 years back, what Indian farmers do before that. This will automatically give you answer that we earlier used one of above method, but due to desire of more corps and with less hard work we changed our roots to fertiliser and chemical based farming model.

Now to focus on out main goal ORAGANIC AGRICULTURE, please visit first this website. http://www.savesanghavi.com/ These two gentleman named Mr. Save and Mr. Sanghavi are actively in same business for last 20-25 years, and fortunately they are from Gujarat (Umbergaon –near navsari). They have made almost 7-8 farms after success in 1 farm. You can visit the site and find out more how they did that, they have mentioned everything. They have written one book also in gujarati and English for our farmers based on their experiences and techniques, I request you all to buy that and give it to your village relatives who are active in agriculture business.

*I would like to quote one instance from the book………They give the weed (Nindaman) from their farm to one dairyman who has some 20-25 cows & buffalos, this continue to almost 4-5 years and one day they changed their mind and refuse the dairyman to give weed from farm. Surprisingly that dairyman asked them to pay any buck for that weed as his cows and buffalos after eating that weeds for years never got ill and become 2-3 times more productive.*

Second example. This location is near Bangalore and here they have integrated all the things solar energy, wind energy, organic, gobar gas, rainwater harvesting. Just see the results they got, now they are selling their organic items in Bangalore and it is in very much demand.

http://www.vanashree.in/

Third one:This gentleman has done organic farming experience on Tea plantation in Assam . He has converted once loss making estate (because of low fertility) into profit making through organic methods.

http://www.thesimpleleaf.com/behind-the-cup/binod-saharia/ &

http://www.sahariaorganicresort.com/ 

Fourth one: Some of you might have heard “Acres Wild Cheese”, it is grown in organic farm run by mansoor khan (director of qyamat se qyamat tak, jane tu jane na, etc). They grow cow and do farming organically and made cheese in natural way from organic techniques. You can visit below links and explore more on the same.

http://www.acres-wild.com/ & http://www.acres-wild.com/Blog.shtml

There are lots more examples with links I have, but main thing here is to involved in such things. There are

some known myths about organic farming; lets break that one by one. 

1) Myth: Production will be less in organic farming:

Actual: It is totally depend on which techniques you have used, and if production is less in first phase any reason, it will be definitely increased in next lot. We need to also change accordingly and implement the same with experienced person. Here one have to also look at the point that we are getting high quality, at less prise; so don’t hope for bumper production in first phase, later on it will be there for sure.

2) Myth: Organic products are very costly in market

Actual: Actually in organic farming the production cost is very much low compared to current ones, but some business minded people in the name of quality make it higher prise. We can sell our products at much much lower rates ( I have plans to do the same in future).

3) Myth: It uses worms, I don’t like that.

Actual: There are many more optional methods available in organic farming, like cow dung, cow urine, cow ghee, need etc OR you can use save-sanghavi method.

4) I don’t much about organic farming:

Actual: You can contact near Krishi Kendra or best thing is to visit any of four available Krishi Universities in Gujarat. They will give you all the details. You can also search on internet, there are so many groups, websites, articles which will clear your doubts.

5) There is no big market for Organic Products:

Actual: There is much much big market of organic products nationally and internationally, we need to explore little bit more. You can not only focus on organic farming but also on organic horticulture, organic herbal products, you can also use some by products. Main thing is that there is already market available and if it is not there we can create the market, people will surely come for organic as it not use any pesticide and chemical fertilizer.

Now you will definitely ask, if it is so much useful, high yields, high returns…………….why it is not much popular? So to answer this question let us first make some points clear.

Organic farming is our ancient method, there is no question of something totally new, we just forget the same. It is because of some vested interest of some MNC companies, chemical fertiliser companies and bureaucrats they don’t want this thing to happen or known by everyone. There are number of examples where people got really benefited from organic farming.

There is so many resources available on internet regarding how organic farming alone can solve India’s food problem, also some technical docs which shows how to make panchjanyamrut which may replace pesticides and fertiliser. You won’t believe there is cow dung, cow urine trading going on the net.

Some books and further readings:

* http://www.vedamsbooks.com/no49232.htm —“Panchagavya Boon to Organic Farming” by C Swaminathan; V Swaminathan and K Vijayalakshmi

* http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/org_farm/orgfarm_success%20stories.html —-very good resources, success stories and how to make organic pesticides and fertiliser.

* http://203.129.218.157/ojs/index.php/kjas/article/viewFile/947/904 —some technical detail of panchgavya

* http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=304&page=10 —–very good and latest reading in this field

Author can be reached at Himanshu.acharya@gmail.com

GSWAN-the backbone of Guj Govt

Today I am going to talk about GSWAN project, which is the backbone of all IT (voice, video, data) related projects in Gujarat since 2001 (Including SICN, SICN is for Gandhinagar only). You all have gone through SICN project in previous post.  As per the CISCO (Leader in Networking domain); GSWAN is the second largest IP based network in the ASIA region.

GSWAN stands for Gujarat State Wide Area Network. Network which connects each and every Gujarat Government offices through IP network up to TALUKA level and in today ‘s date almost at the village level(more than 11,000 villages covered out of total 18000 villages in Gujarat).

The most amazing thing here is that GOG (Government of Gujarat) has used single network(GSWAN) to connect all the GOG offices in Gujarat since 2001 itself, while so called advanced state in IT called Andhra Pradesh has used individual network, based on different topologies to connect major Govt. departments. You will really amazed by knowing that the State of Andhra has recently given contract to M/s TCS to do State Wide Area Network just like Gujarat in August-2009. You can judge the difference.

For all technical and non-technical readers some preamble:

Central Government(Government of India) has made one independent body called “National Informatics Centre “ (almost during 1985) having main office in Delhi. It has one state NIC centre in each state which helps individual state Government to fulfil their IT related requirements. Services of NIC are available to all states much before the 1995 and till date.

But as usual to distinguish in each and every field, Gujarat Government has setup “Gujarat Informatics Limited “in 1999 sidelining NIC in Gujarat. After that in 2000 Gujarat Government has started implementing this GSWAN and SICN project under guidance of rare available IES officers in India (Indian Engineering Service….just like IAS,IPS). His name is Shri R. K . Dave. We can say he is the father of both projects. Under his leadership both projects had been operational within a short span of 9 month to 1 year.

Technical detail of GSWAN project is available here.

For your curiosity, central Government has launched SWAN (State Wide Area Network) project/policy in 2004 for state wise uniform network. They have accepted Gujarat as roll model, because Gujarat has already done it way back with IP protocol, while other states had used some other topology and protocol (mostly failed).

Sadly, in today’s date very less number of states has done the same. While in other hand, Gujarat has successfully extended the network up to village level. Out of total 18,000 villages more than 11000 villages have GSWAN connectivity in today’s date.

Structure of GSWAN:

1)     More than 25,000 email user id created with different types of internet/intranet access based on their parent departments.

2)     Each have to login into client first (authorize) and then they can access internet.

3)     Video conferencing facility is made available up to District and Taluka level whenever GSWAN is made available to the Taluka level offices (2-3 instruments in Taluka level office)

4)     In disaster event, OB VAN is there in four zones of Gujarat. Which can easily make available telephone, VoIP and network available in any geographical are of GUJARAT or INDIA.

5)     VoIP phone made available in district and Taluka level offices.

6)     All offices up to Taluka level can communicate with their parent department through voice, video and data. 

7)     Common portal for accessing email & common services. Email is also available in outlook on intranet.

8)     Webcasting can be avail for specific function, Govt program etc on GSWAN network.

9)     GSWAN is common network platform for all departmental application like treasury, IWDMS,HMIS, IFMS etc.

Security of GSWAN:

Security is almost full proof here through software like VLAN, partitioning, CYBEROAM, use of public IP address etc while at hardware level it used firewalls, routers for the same.

In part-II we will cover Various stages of GSWAN from 2001, Usage of GSWAN, Benefit of GSWAN, Future Plan , personal experiences etc. It is true that in the term of IT industry Gujarat is way behind Karnataka, AP and some other states, but it is very much true and fact that Gujarat is the way ahead of same states in the usage of IT in the Governance (E-governance). It is possible due to GSWAN only.

Used for useIt has got many awards nationally and internationally. More than 150 Government portals are hosted on GSWAN servers and network. Nowweb casting, video conferencing, website filtering, VOIP everything is available and optimally utilzed in this network.

NRG- non residential Gujaratis, please give direction to your charity work

Dear Non-Residential Gujaratis & NRIs,

This article is for them who gone to foreign countries thinking that let go to foreign, earn some handsome amount in dollar or pound etc & will be back within 5-6 year and then live life peacefully and serve relatives, society, Gujarat. But unfortunately the same could not be returned in 10-15-20 years.

There is no doubt they are doing for their village, their community up to some extent, but totally insufficient, otherwise there would be no poverty, illiteracy there in particular community, society. Main thing is that NRG/NRI is only interested in making one Decorated Gate at Village Entrance or bench in village garden or chawk in the name of their mother/father or beloved ones.

• When their precious time is required for encouraging young generation, they do a make a Clock Tower in their village and name it after their beloved ones and get satisfied.

• When their experience is required in guiding the community or society to perform best, they give chief guest speech and appearance and feel proud.

• When their expertise and money is required to build some assets like schools, central gober gas plant or any long term useful thing for the their own Village, they are happy in making Entrance Gate in Village and name it to their family members.

So people have to think their selves, in which direction they want to go, self-centric, family-centric OR society-centric. They all have guts and now money power to do so otherwise they cannot live in foreign country till date. So main thing now is to think beyond towers, Entrance Gates, benches and target on maximum employment generation with maximum gain to villagers. Few examples, what they can do;

• Make central Gober Gas Plant in their home village/town and surrounding 5 villages. So that there will be constant energy and fertilizer source for future, and for maintaining same employment will be also generated. Now in almost all the villages houses have cattle so it will be easy also. They need to search/research latest development in this field, import the same to their village and see it implemented and well maintained.

• Promote the local specialty business/art internationally and make more employment and prosperity. Use their foreign contacts to promote the local business/art. Adopt local SAKHI MANDAL and made them good village level business houses just like you have promoted your business in foreign land.

• Use combination of contract farming and organic farming and install latest technology in farming and make everyone involved in it more and more happier. Don’t just make farm house in villages make it farm mandir by above and also add dairy farming component in it.

• Think for whole village, community and ultimately whole society. Promote the education more and more, start from your own community and set the example. Think beyond mid day meal school schemes and design your own schemes for local school full attendance and enrolment. Government will surely support you in such things now under PPP model.

• Make whole village floored with kota stones just like 100 years back instead of RCC.

There are many such things which can make whole Gujarat better to best. Only thing needed is your support with intention like to do something for society and that also without any expectation.

Tell me, do you find there following things there;

• morning tea at tea stall where 2-3 newspapers are there and people discussing the current topics with extra joy.

• Eateries where early morning you can take phaphda, jalebi, samosa , kachori or ganthiya and people queue up for the same.

• Office friends and area friends with whom you can sit at the night or weekends and discuss how’s life going, troubles, support etc. You can play with them, arrange some local celebrations etc.

• Family relatives with whom you can share your past good memories & enjoy each and every occasion starting from God Bharai to till Besna.

• Government support in each and every thing starting from online birth certificate to become entrepreneurship with human touch, very liberal approach now, they change the laws accordingly.

• Temples like Dwarka, Somnath, Ambaji, Dakor, Shamlaji, Pavagadh, Junagadh, Ashapura, Matano Madh, Pipalav, Vadtal, Bochasan, Palitana, spread across Gujarat and tourist places like Ambaji, Abu, Mandvi, Div, Pirotan islands, saputara, Nal Sarovar, Zanzari, Narmada Dam site, Kutch Rann and many more.

• Don’t you miss festivals lime Utarayan, Vibrant Gujarat (it is now festival in Gujarat) , Holi, Shivratri, Gujarat Din (1st May), Janmashtmi, Rath Yatra, NARVATRI, Diwalli, Annakoot. Taking blessings of our elders in each festivals etc.

• Don’t you like to be a part of special Gujarat Government celebrations like 26th January, 15th August and 1St may(Gujarat Din) which are now celebrated other than Gandhinagar. Now it is celebrated in different District Headquarter each time and you will be really amazed to see festive mood during that period in that particular District. Don’t you want to see successful Vibrat Gujarat Summit, Krishi Mahotsav (every May month), Kanya Kelvani Mahotsav, Vibrant Navratri, Kutch Sharodatsav, Ranotsav, Modhera Sun Festival, Vadnagar Tanariri Mahotsav, Vibrant Navratri celebrated by Gujarat Government. Please note Govt has now whole year calendar full of activities for every department.

Now don’t compare all above things with mere things you are getting over there, like;

• Cleanliness far better from Gujarat, but tell me didn’t you played in same mitti, ret in your childhood. Cleanliness is necessary, but not a must thing, sometimes it is required to learn something. Now Guj Gov has initiated Nirmal Gujarat abhiyan and it has received good response.

• Second point you will tell that here in foreign you earn some good amount of money; but at which cost; you all know the answer. Just accept it now.

• Other point is good Government support system; It is now available here also, just come and feel it. Better life is also available here today, just visit Amdavad today and feel the changes.

• Now you will tell it is very hot in Gujarat; yes it is true, but we don’t have control over it, then also situation is changing little bit due to large scale Govt Initiatives like checkdams, boribandh, tree plantation, mangroves, open canals etc.

Now there are no more points you can tell me, and I have so many things to tell you. So just don’t think much, just give a chance to your heart over your mind and decide accordingly. Money is not the driving force you mind and your good intention is the only driving force in you. So don’t wait for enough money, just get necessary money and go for your goals with which you had left the Gujarat. You all should read Book written by Acharya Shri Vijay Ratna Sundersuriji Maharaj “Kyak ruko, Kyarek ruko” & “Lakhi Rakho Aaras ni Takti Par”. I bet you that you will surely cry during reading the book. So don’t wait to convert million into billion, come here and get joy (santosh) worth trillions by making more and more employment, educations to all.

So people who have read till this line will definitely think about it and try to do the same, but here I would like to tell you that do not only try, just make it confirm. Your decision will surely give fruits within short time. Trust my words and your heart both and see the extraordinary results. This is the best time when Gujarat is celebrating Golden Jubilee.

Please Note: I am also an IT engineer. I also aspired to do something for my community, society after earning something. I had got chance to go foreign countries, but I had given preference to my family & society. I accept that with healthy money backup it is very easy, but without it, it is not that much difficult main thing is intention. So I waited for some years and now finally chosen the second way till I create first one. I will do this kind of indirect work and motivate and lead others who can do that right away. By doing this my ultimate intention is to serve my society, Gujarat and finally India.

Identify the politician

Herewith, I am going for most debated personality of India, it is better you go first by following para and identify him. In later part I have given reason why he is that much famous and successful.

First Case: Highly Educated Class

Have you ever imagine IAS/IPS officers (more than 40) to give honour to politician every 10th minute of his one and half hour speech by standing and clapping. He is giving speech on the topic of teamwork, proactive governance, power delegation with relevant examples.

Some of junior ones can do that for some specific reason, but senior IAS officers also did the same. So there must something extraordinary in that politician.

Second Case: Middle class

Have you ever imagined full pack hall, people are standing in the passage, some are watching him in the lawn outside the auditorium/hall. He was giving speech for changes required in Society, encouraging social activities, support to Govt initiatives etc.

All people come to hear him only. They are not interested in others, and when he starts there is a pin drop silence in the hall. Clapping becomes full stop of his speech.


Third Case: Village Level

Have you ever imagined free flow of villagers to hear a single person, and special thing is that more than 95 % villagers comes without any provocations like free money, breakfast, saree etc. They all come by themselves. He was delivering speech for encouraging villagers to start taking maximum advantage of rural schemes, ensure them for better life etc.

Almost all give reply in single word or phrase when they are asked by him. Rallies become live when he delivers the speech.

I think you all have single guess for the person, yes it is right. The name of politician cum motivational speaker cum village level leader is “Narendra Modi”.


You will not find same kind of personality in any of the politician in India today. So what is the driving force of this man, why there is undisputed support from every part of society. There are so many but to list some 2-3 major points, here it is;

1) His rock hard Intentions and his true Nationalistic approach, ……..which he derives from RSS, 3 years living in Himalayas, Saint like life for more than 35 years and regular yoga at 5 am.
2) He does what he says by delegating power to officers and encourages them to perform at their best. Set practical timeline and complete before that.
3) His belief in PPP model, involve mass, give them feeling like they are the stakeholders.


If you want to hear his speech given at Chintan bethak of IAS/IPS and Ministers meet, go here. It is in Gujarati

Articles about SICN project officially and from media

Links:

Unofficial:

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/ew/2004/11/22/stories/2004112200030100.htm
The idea of GSWAN was conceived as early as 2000 and the bulk of the network became operational by 2002. In addition, the Secretariat Integrated Communication Network (SICN), which connects all the offices of the Secretariat through dedicated leased lines for telephony applications, has been integrated with GSWAN. SICN connects nearly 5,500 offices and the daily call flow on the network exceeds 1.25 lakh.


Official:
Gujarat Govt Sites

Gujarat IT POLICY(2006-2011) SICN EXCERT:
http://dst.gujarat.gov.in/pdf/it_policy_2006-2011.pdf
10.2.2 Sachivalaya Integrated Communication Network (SICN) – SICN is the
voice communication network for Government offices at Gandhinagar, which is
connecting almost all the government offices like Krishi Bhavan, Police Bhavan,
Udyog Bhavan, MS Building, Civil Hospital etc. At present with 6800 voice
connections, the project has enabled faster & better communication within the
network at no extra cost to the Government. This facility handles about 1,25,000
internal calls and a further 70,000 calls outside the network each day.

http://financedepartment.gujarat.gov.in/budget08_09_pdf/33%20-%20Development%20Programme%20(English).pdf
Sachivalaya Integrated Communication Network (SICN)
8.5 SICN is a voice communication net work for various Govt. offices in Gandhinagar.
Currently this net work connects a large number of Govt. offices including the
residence of Hon. Ministers, Krushi Bhavan, Police Bhavan, Udyog Bhavan, MS
Building, Civil Hospital, etc. For this purpose SICN utilizes Optical Fiber Cables
(OFC), jelly field cables, CAT cables, etc. Currently there are 7532 voice
connections provided under SICN. For this purpose, 380 outgoing and 120 incoming
lines have been provided. This project has rendered quality communication services
to the Sachivalaya and various HoDs in Gandhinagar. In addition, SICN has
provided telecommunication services to various Govt. offices in Gandhinagar in an
economical manner


Central Govt Sites:
http://www.csc-india.org/info/files/downloads/pdddocs/egov/CSC_Services_Analysis_Gujarat_Report.doc


SICN Sachivalaya Integrated Communication Network
State-of-the-art EPABX of 5100 subscribers, CCTV, Inmersat telephones for disaster communication, video conference facility attached with EPABX with multi conference unit, and data communication back bone. Some of the points kept into consideration were number of users and the coverage area.
Has been completed and very much in operation with high traffic figures of
Average 1,25,000 calls are made within the network every day;
Average 60-70,000 calls made out side the network every day and
Average 40,000 calls are incoming every day.
http://www.ibef.org/download/IBEF_GUJARAT_26052008.pdf

http://www.pppinindia.com/infrastructure-gujarat.asp
Secretariat Integrated Communication Network (SICN) has more than 7,500 voice connections.


Other News headlines:

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/court-seeks-list-of-mps-not-paying-phone-power-bills_10080793.html
Court seeks list of MPs not paying phone, power bills
Counsel also submitted that the agencies have no difficulty in recovering money from sitting MPs but it was a problem in case of those who are no more a MPs and have dues running into millions of rupees.
Counsel for the ITDC said a total of Rs.10 million was pending against 244 MPs and it had initiated proceedings against 37 MPs.
The NDMC’s lawyer informed the court that the unpaid bills of MPs added up to Rs.50 million though he did not mention their number.
The MTNL counsel said MPs owed it Rs.60 million.

Technical and implementation detail of SICN

Name of the project: Sachivalaya Integrated Communication Network (SICN)

SICN is a network owned by Government of Gujarat for their Voice, Data & Video Communication needs. This is Asia’s biggest network of Govt. of its kind. This Network is spread in the periphery of 12 kms. Connecting almost all the Govt. Boards and Corporations offices in capital of Gujarat Gandhinagar...
Department under which the project was taken: Information Technology Department, GAD, Government of Gujarat
Project Description:
SICN is a network owned by Government of Gujarat for their Voice, Data & Video Communication needs. This is Asia’s biggest network of Govt. of its kind. This Network is spread in the periphery of 12 kms. Connecting almost all the Govt. Boards and Corporations offices in capital of Gujarat Gandhinagar.

The core of this network is Lucent make DEFINITY G3r EPABX with the capacity of 7000+ lines and 570 trunks working on E1 R2 MFC and ISDN-PRI, expandable up to 25000 lines.
Through OFC this EPABX is connected to 11 remote units.

As a backbone around 100 Kms. Of Optical Fiber has been laid and 150 Kms. Of JFC has been laid with Structured cabling for Voice & Data nodes. There are 7000+ Voice Nodes and 5000 Data Nodes.

Network Architecture:

This Network is equipped with the DEFINITY Enterprise Communications Server (ECS), which organizes and routes voice transmissions. It can connect to private and public telephone networks, Ethernet LANs, ATM networks, and the Internet.

This network has the following components.
§ Processor Port Network
§ Remote Units.
§ OFC and UTP Backbone
§ MDF and IDF
§ Patch Panels
§ Endpoint (Analog or Digital)

Every DEFINITY ECS has one Processor Port Network (PPN). The PPN houses the Switch Processing Element and Center Stage Switch (CSS). The Switch Processing Element (SPE) contains the central processing unit, which supervises system operation. It also contains a mass storage system for loading system software and saving system translations. The Center Stage Switch (CSS) is a connection hub that provides port network communication to allow for growth. RUs are connected via fiber links to provide the connections required for voice and data information transfer. It provides both circuit-switched and packet-switched connections. Fiber Link Administration creates the translation data defining these links by identifying the endpoint pairs for each link.

OFC has been laid as the back bone for data networking. These OFCs are SMF and MMF both.

Remote Units (RU) are used when the system grows beyond the capacity of a single port network or must serve geographically dispersed offices. (RUs) provide additional ports as needed.
A system can have up to 43 RUs, Subscriber lines are coming from these RUs and these lines are connected at MDF & IDF and then carried by JFC cable to the distribution panel. From Distribution Panel / Patch Panel through CAT-5 Cable (UTP Cabling) it goes to the end subscriber.

Network Diagram

Status:

(a) Year. 2000
DESCRIPTION
QTY
Project Award on
22/3/2000
Project commissioned on
30/9/2000
Project Cost
9,54,17,008/-
EPABX System
AVAYA make Definity G3r.
Total Remote Unit
10
Total Voice Connection
4500
Total Data Connection
4000
In coming Lines
180
Out Going Lines
180
Average Internal Calls (Daily)
> 90,000 To 1Lac
Average Incoming Calls (Daily)
> 18,000 to 20,000
Average Outgoing Calls (Daily)
> 40,000 to 45,000
Remote Units At
New Sachivalaya, Old Sachivalaya, Vidhansabha, Sector 19, Sector 20, Udyog Bhavan, Police Bhavan & Krishi Bhavan
(b) Year. 2009(Till 15th July)
DESCRIPTION
QTY
Expansion At
New Remote Unit at Old Sachivalaya 500 lines & Expansion of Udyog Bhavan Remote Unit 250 Lines.
Total Remote Unit
11
Total Voice Connection
7245
Total Data Connection
7500
In coming Lines
180
Out Going Lines
480
Average Internal Calls (Daily)
1,80,000 Approx.
Average Incoming Calls (Daily)
20,000 Approx.
Average Outgoing Calls (Daily)
1,10,000 Approx.
New Office connected
298

List of the some initiative taken by Government of Gujarat after 2001.

Please don’t stop yourself to write a comment and also if possible click on Google ads, I am going to donate the earnings from adsense to mentally retired people and Panjrapol (shelter for holy cows) as mentioned at top right corner.

Gujarat as on 2009 after 2001 - you will not read/hear it in national media

Before I start you must keep in mind that

• We should appreciate 80-90 % work against 20-30%, if we find mistakes in that it is also not 100% or it is on not 80-90 it is 79-89%, then problem lies in ourselves.
• When we are clear in what to do (targets/dream/scheme), how to do (policies/collective efforts) and when to do(practical timeline), we will surely achieve target. Common principle for efficient government is to make everything straight, simple & accessible by all.
• Whenever work done by heart means you like your work, you feel proud in doing so (national/society interest work) than there will be a no stress, no complains, no age problems occurs.
You all thought why I am giving lecture, but it is related to our post. Just read on and you will connect all the dots by yourself.

Industrialization :
Earlier: Infrastructure without proper facilities (i.e roads), no long term policy, common policy for agriculture, industry, small scale industries, no interlinking of various businesses.
Now: Proper road connectivity, street lights water facility available in almost all GIDCs, separate policy for dairy industry, agriculture, small scale industries and that also changes every 5-6 year to improve further (keeping long term targets and make practical solution of small problem faced by end user/industrialist). Make everything straight and simple & accessible by all.

Agriculture:
Earlier: excessive use of water and urea, ground water level decreasing, no planning for new initiative/canal projects/dams etc. No government help to end farmers, one krishi university for whole state.
Now: Educated farmers to use drip irrigation and organic farming, not only tried but actually water levels are increasing in most of the region, new initiative like open canal (sujlam suflam), small checkdams, renovate all the existing market yards and connected it with main centers. Make four universities to reach out more and more region/farmers.

Security:
Earlier: As you read in earlier post
Now: No more gangs, Mafias active in all over Gujarat. Police become more efficient. Lease crime rate in all over India. Reforms in Home department. Police station are now connected through internet network, common database available in most of the police station – special software is developed by TCS and in testing phase in some police station. Forensic Lab is well equipped, new police university created

Riots:
Earlier: Frequent riots, curfew in sensitive areas of big cities almost 3 to 4 time a year.
Now: No more riot reported from 2002 to till date even after bomb blasts, and encroachment demolition (Mandirs and Masjids also), No curfew imposed in last 6-7 years in all over Gujarat.

Water
Earlier: tankers, droughts, schemes on paper, no long-term initiative/policy
Now: 98% no tanker, in last eight years we have received excessive rain but not less than normal, 2 Lakh Checkdams, boribandh(small checkdams with the help of empty urea bags), farm-ponds, PPP model initiatives, every year cleaning of major natural drainages in rural areas. Schemes as per particular region requirement. Make awareness in public about water. Interlinking of river and lots more but will cover in series 3 of post.

Light (Electricity):
Earlier: Frequent power cuts in villages, theft, transmission loss at its high etc
Now: under jyotigram all villages gets 24 hr light, Electricity board police station created and working efficiently to stop the theft, All the power generation stations were given target to increase in capacity, efficiency, and decrease in transmission loss. One of the reasons behind 24 hr electricity as they achieved in most of the areas. No free electricity but continuous light.

Economic Situation:
Earlier: deficit budget, frequent overdraft from RBI, mostly figures only.
Now: Find the loopholes, use latest technology to prevent the same. Now surplus budget, no overdraft since last seven years. Clear in incomings and outgoing, no hypothetical schemes like loan waiver, No free things, no free electricity etc.

Govt Companies/employees:
Earlier: Companies headed by political persons, rude attitude of Govt employee towards general public, loss occurred by most of the companies.
Now: All the things are predefined now. Targets, timeline and course of action. Companies headed by 100% IAS officers, better efficiency and results are in front of you. All the companies are profit making. Attitude is changed towards general public. One day governance concept introduced for some small and basic requirements.

Now you may want to know how these happened. I will go into detail each of the topic in coming posts. I will post some major initiative taken by Gujarat Government in supplementary post 2A tomorrow.

Now tell me is it not all round performance, is it possible without Government support, or is it possible without clear vision and targets. You judge by yourself and reply.

Please don’t stop yourself to write a comment and also if possible click on Google ads, I am going to donate the earnings from adsense to mentally retired people and Panjrapol (shelter for holy cows) as mentioned at top right corner.