Rock steady wisdom in Nainital

This writing was placed at the entrance of an artificial maze of rock caves developed by the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd in the two-century old hill station of Nainital. The piece of writing means "Oh rock you teach us how to remain steady in our principles while finding our path (the truth)." Another Indian dilemma! It actually means it's difficult being good, honest and adhering to our principles so one has to feel like a rock to practice the principles.
Understandably very few people, except the rock or pashan will have the ability to obey this saying.
(Photographed by Sourav Mishra at Nainital, Uttarakhand in May 2010)

The power of humility at Kathgodam

Discovering India on your own is more than just a discovery. It's surprising, enriching and always has a twisted tale to tell. All that meets the eyes of the unseasoned, unassuming explorers will be put here. The first post is sourced from a federal railway sponsored signboard at the Kathgodam station. In my view, cleanest of all north India stations, Kathgodam still smells of the niceties of any Raj-era infrastructure.
The board displays an integral ingredient of Indian value and eduction system. It says 'courtesy and humility makes everyone happy', the most effective communication passed on to us from our historical literature till the Neheruvian social era. This is one of the values that makes us good workers, managers and wealth creators. We as a nation, brand sell good values. But this is oxymoronic to a large extent. It kills the troublemaker in us but it also kills our power of questioning. We do lack candour culturally, but our intelligence and handwork makes for it at least in today's world. It's interesting to know social values inculcated in us is actually a powerful weapon to survive in a fierce capitalist environment.

(Photographed by Sourav Mishra in May 2009)