Everyone is worried

The election scene is hotting up. However, the end result is what counts. The electorate is concerned and what is not good, but at the same time can be expected, given the political situation, is the talk about the negative vote to register one's rejection of all the candidates in the fray. Over the years one had confidence in the party's choice and one voted no matter who the politician was, but the quality of candidates have deteriorated. Criminalisation of politics has come to stay. Before party hopping would be a joke because not much changeovers took place. Now it is the coalition government with the majority that counts. So you may have a party that switches sides at the drop of a hat so to speak.  As some of our popular politicians saying `there are no permanent foes in politics. That's a pretty convenient argument.

Pup adopted

Right from mid-Jan I fed this pup every day, that is, even on holidays. During this time it had started getting around more. It even sought out my son in his class which is a good distance from the school gate. Then he would follow us to my scooter where I would feed him. Then one day I couldn't find him only to be told by the gate-keeper that a man had taken him away as a pet.

From the Shepherd's Archives

Taken at no. 13 old Lawrence Terrace perhaps at the end of the 40s or early 1950's. My dad, Ivan and mother, Tessy and Nana Mabel are seen clearly. In the shadow is probably Aunty Ivy (Hourigan) . Below is Uncle Jim and Aunty Maud. Jim was the only sibling of my dad's to settle out of the country (UK) where he died not long after getting there in 1968(?).

Pics taken more than 60 years ago. Some people may not be surprised. Most people live in the present, I live in the past. The first two pics were taken at Lawrence Terrace while the third one either at the Residency or the Prince of Whales Zoological Gardens, Lucknow. The name of the zoo was changed in the last ten years. Standing is Aunt Maud, my dad's sister, Ivy, my dad and mum, cousin, Dorothy (James), Glenna and Maurice James. On the ground is Uncle Jim and his son Hubert.

La Martiniere taken from the dry lake bed in 1999

The sorry state of the Lart that has had all the bricks carried away from the surrounding wall. This became possible with the drying up of the lake and the construction of the embankment to prevent the riverwater entering the city.

Bibipur Kothi taken in the summer of 1999

Bibipur Kothi, located in the Military Dairy Farm, Dilkusha was built by Claude Martin

for Nawab Asaf-ud-daula and was used to house the incoming British Resident before he took over at the Residency in the city. My son, Glenn in pic.
The history of the building given on a board states:
Located on the right bank of the River Gomti, this building was built
by Nawab Asif-ud-Daula (1775-97 AD) and designed with the assistance
of Major General Claude Martin. It ws used to entertain European
guests. After the demise of the nawab in 1797 a darbar was held here
and Sir John Shore (Governor General from 1793-97) declared Saadat Ali Khan
as the rightful successor to the throne. After the annexation of Awadh
in 1856 the place was used by the British, particularly Army officers for
various celebrations.

The front of Bibiapur Kothi has lost much of what can be seen
in the top picture taken in 1999. 

The rear of the building

Get-together

It's not easy to get back to one's blog as much as one would like. During the day while one is occupied with other matters plenty of thoughts and ideas pass through the mind. Some are great ideas which are all too soon forgotten by the time one could sit down to the computer. Now when the family have come together for a Sunday lunch, as at present, to try and keep the blog spirit up is not the ideal time. But one has to somehow register one's presence even if it's with something less than ordinary.

Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire winning 8 Oscars has been is something great for India. In recent years people in India have been reportedly trying to promote their films in Hollywood.  Of course I'm not aware of the procedure anyway. What is very clear is that things don't work that way with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.