VIZAG matters - Sohan Hatangadi's Blog

  Carl Sagan   QUOTES BY CARL SAGAN Carl Sagan died in Dec 1996. When in Chennai (then Madras),  during the 80's, I used to watch his TV programs on my 14" B&W TV. Freaked out then and still do. A great thinker  and someone who worked tirelessly to spread a scientific temperament. I found these quotes on the net and wish to share them with my friends. A celibate clerg y is an especially good idea, because it tends to suppress any hereditary propensity toward fanaticism.   All of the books in the world contain no more information than is broadcast as video in a single large American city in a single year. Not all bits have equal value.   But the fact that some geniuses were laughed at does not imply that all who are laughed at are geniuses. They laughed at Columbus , they laughed at Fulton , they laughed at the Wright Brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.   For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to pe

First please read the article in The Hindu with headline: " Anrak in talks with Glencore to source bauxite ore?"  at the following link. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article2760124.ece If APMDC mines Jerrala and supply Bauxite to Anrak here is what we can expect. TRANSPORTATION NIGHTMARE The ANRAK website has this sentence at the end of it:  "A newly laid road is envisaged which will be traveling for 15 km in forest land starting from Jerrela village to the state highway near Pederu. From there it is connected to NH5 for onward movement to the proposed plant location." I could not figure out how they will reach Makavaripalem from Chintapalle via Paderu and NH5. This is like going to Delhi from Mumbai via Chennai. Instead, it is obvious that they will come down via Lambasinghi and take a left before  Narasipatnam. I understand that they have already started making a road diagonally from a few kms before Narsipatn

First I urge you to read this brave article. It is poignant and powerful. If you love Vizag please pass it on http://www.thehindu.com/ todays-paper/tp-features/tp- metroplus/article2640606.ece? mid=53185 My take: For those of us who schooled and grew up in Vizag the news that the  port  wants to  expand Northward  is a  horror movie  still unfolding.  Only problem is that this is not just a scary yarn, we are not going for a popcorn break - its a chilling possibility - and if Vizag's gentle population are silent - a  certainty . The  "One Town"  or  "Soldierpeta"  area was where Vizag's  heart was. The  Jalaris  along with the local community defined  quintessential Vizag .  A fishing net drawn in from the beach by a dozen fishermen would bring in  half a ton of sparkling catch . Then the  Iron Ore arrived,  crossing over the area on Japanese funded, conveyor belts.  The  Port  authorities said that the ore moving on the bel

My Vizag’s Beach View from our beach home balcony in 1960.  Then an outer harbor Iron Ore jetty came up on the beach. A large wall blocked off the beach for the residents. Half a century ago, as a child I lived in an old stone building by the sea. So close in fact that, in stormy weather, the crashing waves sent a salty spray into our home. Ah the smell of the sea! The constant crashing of the waves! So subliminally deep was it driven into my psyche that, even when I went inland on vacation, I could still smell and hear it. On these sparkling waves and golden beaches we first learn to swim. All through summer vacation the neighbourhood boys frolicked among the waves. At dusk, we came home reluctantly, only when we were exhausted or when mom came looking for us, threatening dire consequences if we did not drag our salty black bodies back home. Here, I cast my catgut line with a bottle cork for a float and steel nut for weight, and caught my first snapper, and zebra fis

Click on this link to see what came in the press:   WE WILL BE LIKE LIKE MUMBAI HE SAID : Our youthful collector also said that Vizag will become like  Mumbai  in 10 Years. All Vizagites must be jumping up and down with joy to hear such good news! Wow - imagine 2022 - Bomb blasts, local trains, slums, Bollywood, bar brawls, smog, and malls and gangsters, single bedroom apartments for Rs. 2 Crores and a really cool 35% voter turnout! Vizag wont be the quiet peaceful BORING place any more.  I wonder who gave our collector the impression that we want Vizag to be like Mumbai - if we find that adviser we must really thank him properly WE WILL BE A TOURIST DESTINATION WE MUST HAVE A TOURISM FAIR THEY SAID Tourism for Vizag   “This city is so beautiful” the wise men said "The news of its charms, we must spread" The IAS boss of the town announced “someday… Vizag will be just like Mumbai” We must get the crowds here they declared For this a