Seemaandhra Resolution

January 30^th 2014 will be worst ever day in the life of Shri Chandrababu Naidu.  He might have prepared marathon speech to present in the AP assembly.  He wanted to boast about the development of Hyderabad.  He thinks himself to be the architect of Hitec city and without him there wouldn’t have been ITES in Hyderabad.

 

When AP State Re-organisation bill was introduced in the AP state assembly, on the same day he was given opportunity to speak on the bill by the Hon. Speaker.  Though the speaker called him twice he never responded.  He encouraged his party people to create chaos in the assembly and council by shouting slogans.  As dodging the issue till the last minute is his way of dealing any important issue he postponed his talk.  As and when possible he supported anti-Telangana views and raised serious objections against Centre’s role in solving Telangana issue and also questioned the authority of Union government on states.  He encouraged AP CM Shri Kiran Kumar Reddy to move a resolution to reject the bill under rule 77 of state assembly.  He probably, in fact, wanted to mislead or fool the CM as that rule cannot be applied to the bill that comes from the President, the constitutional head of Indian Government.  But Kiran Kumar Reddy, after he spoke against the bill for three consecutive days, sent resolution to reject the bill by voting in assembly to Speaker on 25^th of January.  Chandrababu Naidu wanted to speak on 27^th and strongly present himself as the only shrewd politician working in the interest of Andhra people.  But his instigation to reject the bill by CM has boomeranged and Naidu lost an opportunity to boast his credentials in development of AP State.  He lost historic opportunity to speak for the last time in the last assembly of United Andhra Pradesh.

Chandrababu Naidu’s failure to act as a responsible leader and fulfill election promise to form Telangana state has lead to the death of more than 1000 Telangana youth.  He doesn’t deserve any better place in the history of Telangana State formation.

Finally Hon. Speaker Nadendla Manohar had done his bit as a Seemaandhra person and gained sadistic pleasure and accolades from Seemandhras.  On the last day of United AP State assembly he very quickly spoke of the ending of discussions on Telangana bill and forwarding the results to Centre.  In the same breath, without waiting for a fraction of second he said that the resolution given by Kiran Kumar Reddy as a resolution from AP government and passed it with voice vote.  Everything appeared as pre-planned.  Though the members were not seated and surrounding the podium and were in the well of the house the Speaker without even reading what the resolution has asked for voice vote and passed it. 

Now the world can understand how much Telangana people suffered under Andhra rule and the reason for formation separate Telangana state.  

ArKe Anarchy

I was very much disappointed as Honorable chief minister of Delhi Shri Arvind Kejriwal has called himself to be anarchist.  This statement is contrary to democracy or constitutional spirit.  He started his political outfit to bring good transparent governance to the people, to ensure benefits of constitutional rights to all people.  His dharna in Delhi to pressurise central government has only caused inconvenience to common people for whose cause he established his party.  His clearing of files on the roads simply degraded the office of a Chief Minister. 

The mandate in Delhi and forming government has gone to the head of AAP people.  They never expected to form government.  Without learning the nuances of governance the party is in a hurry to rise to the parliament.  With the following of the youth and gaining members in its recent membership drive ArKe expected to gain mileage with his dharna.  Unfortunately AAP’s ignorance or arrogance has made sensible people who thought AAP could be alternative to Congress or BJP to reconsider their options. 

Common people want transparent democratic responsible governance and not anarchy.

AAP will take notice of the effect of its recent folly and strive to take mature decisions in future.  

Pregnancy - Delivery-2

Conceiving and carrying on pregnancy for nine months smoothly is one part and delivery is the another part of safe outcome.  Gravida’s apprehensions increase as pregnancy progresses to term.  The fear of labour pains increases anxiety, sometimes cause difficulty in sleeping.  In the present day, under professional supervision delivery will be a smooth affair.  If the gravida is prepared what to expect at the time of delivery her co-operation will be more and tolerance to pain will increased.

Once the gravida has observed any of the symptoms of delivery she should immediately visit the doctor.  It is essential not to eat or drink before setting out to the hospital.  In pregnancy stomach emptying is slow and this further slows in anxiety and with labour pains.  If patient is on full stomach, and the condition demands emergency operation it may result in complications.  Even if the gravida continues in labour waiting for normal delivery she can have vomiting, causing inconvenience.  Also if gravida prefers analgesia or anesthesia for painless delivery it will be a difficult situation.  So once in labour gravida should not take any solid food, she can take sips of water or fruit juice, and follow the advice of the obstetrician.

The process of labour is divided into three stages.  The first stage of labour is the opening up of uterus (dilation of cervix) and descent of fetus into the pelvis (birth canal).  In the second stage the baby is born, and the expulsion of placenta (after birth) is the third stage. In general, in a normal case the process of labour takes 12 - 24 hours for the first delivery and gravida delivering 2^nd or later it will be 10 - 12 hrs.  Old text books say that a woman in labour should not see second sunrise.  But depending on the condition of gravida and fetus it may be prolonged for more than 24hrs.

Once the patient is having active labour pains, having pains once in 3-4 minutes and pain lasting for 40-50 seconds, and increasing gradually in frequency and duration will result in opening the passage of uterus and at the same time the fetus – head will slowly enters the birth canal.  With passing time there should be gradual progressive change in the passage and moving down of the fetus.  This is first stage which will be 6 – 18 hrs in first delivery and decreases in the later deliveries.  Once the passage opens up and head comes down low into the birth canal, the second stage of labour starts.  It takes 1-2 hrs for the birth of baby in first delivery and later deliveries it will take 30 minutes to an hour.  After the birth of the baby placenta will be expelled within 5 minutes.  It will not take more than half an hour.  This is same in first or later deliveries.

During the first stage of labour gravida should move about and can have small quantity of water or fruit juice.  If the labour is getting prolonged intravenous fluids are administered as per requirement.  Late in the first stage gravida will get confined to the bed.  When progressed to second stage she will be shifted to labour room or birth room and on to birthing table.  Woman who cannot tolerate pain can opt for analgesics in the early first stage and if facilities are available she can opt for epidural anaethesia.  Epidural anaethesia for vaginal delivery is not common practice even in metro cities and corporate hospitals in India.  

In the second stage the time of impending birth of baby, the labour pains are more frequent, once in every two minutes and pain lasting for more than a minute.  At this time gravida will have a strong urge to pass motion.  These are bearing down pains. With the bearing down pains and effort to push out will finally result in birth of baby.  Once the baby is out gravida feels relaxed. Obstetrician takes care of the baby, cleans eyes, clears throat and nostrils of the baby and hands it to the assisting staff.  By this time placenta is separated and expelled.  Obstetrician takes care to see that bleeding is minimal and examines for any injuries on the perineum or birth canal.  Any cut made in the perineum (area between the vagina and anus) to facilitate delivery and/or any injuries are sutured.  The parturient woman is cleaned and shifted on to her bed in post natal ward or room.  She is closely observed for another hour to watch for any excessive bleeding.  Later she will be under general nursing care. 

Woman who had endured pain for hours to give birth to a baby forgets everything in an hour and happily starts feeding it, and the bond between mother and child is strongest one on this earth.

Borra Caves

Borra caves are the deepest caves in India.  On the way to Araku from Vizag a diversion leads to these caves.  There is also a waterfall on this way which I could not visit as it was late in the evening and the charges demanded were very high. 

River Gosthani - On the banks of river limestone appearing as marble is seen.
just opposite to this site is the cave.
The Borra caves are more than 150 million years old and are supposed to be formed by the water flowing through it.  River Gosthani arises from the eastern hills flows through these caves.  We can see the water dripping from the walls and roof of these caves.  The dripping water with its mineral contents when forms spikes and hanging structures it is called stalacites and that falls to the ground and sediments is the called stalagamites.  At some places we see water flowing with yellowish or reddish yellow sediment because of the minerals and their chemical reactions resulting in the color.

'Borra as seen from inside the caves
The caves are named as ‘Borra’, as borra means a hole.  We can see an opening or borra in the roof of the cave.  This is difficult to locate on the hills above.  It is believed that once a cow grazing on the hills had slipped into the caves through this ‘borra’ and could come out with the help of gods residing within the cave.

Natural Shivalinga in the cave.  There is another Shivalinga near the roof top of caves

Nandi in front of caves

They have noticed the “Linga” deep inside the cave and started worshiping lord Shiva.  Lord Shiva’s vehicle ‘nandi’ is seen outside the caves.  It is also believed that Lord Rama and Sita lived here and worshipped Lord Shiva and the turmeric and vermillion they used for worship is the cause of colored sediment seen in the waters in the cave.  Archeological people have also discovered articles which suggest people lived in these caves hundreds of years ago.  A railway track runs on the top of the caves.

There is a small roof top cave where we find a naturally formed Shiva Linga receiving regular ceremonial worship rituals.  Large number of locals visit this temple on Shivaraathri (Hindu festival of worshipping lord Shiva all day and night). Here it is very dark.  One has to climb steps to reach the narrow lobby.  Only one person can stand here and see the Shiva Linga.  There is little space where a pujari sits.  The steps to this place are straight upwards and difficult to climb.  People who have joint pains should think twice before climbing on to these steps. 

There is total darkness in the caves.  Some movie shootings have taken place here.  During shooting of a movie, ‘Jambalakidi pamba’, the caves were electrified and lights arranged at some places.  After the shooting of the movie those lights were left here for the benefit of the tourists.  In the recent past, few more lights were arranged by the tourism minister of AP, Hon.Minister Mrs.Geeta Reddy.  These lights help us to walk in the caves without hitting the walls or stalactites or stalagmites and fellow tourists. 

This is the only pillar like stalagamite extending from the floor of the cave to the roof

Stalacites presenting like floral festoons / chandeliers

Photography in the caves is difficult due to lack of light.  The stalacites and stalagmites formed on the walls present us many structures, imagination is the limit.  The commonest recognised and shown by the guide are the a tiger sitting, mother and child, Lord Ganesha, Shiridi Saibaba, corn cob, human brain etc.  You can see many more with your imagination.  Visiting Borra caves is unique experience of being within moist rocks and water below here and there.  Having a strong torch light for illumination can help in taking photographs.

This is impression of Lord Ganesha

This is said to look like brain.  The surface looks more like a coral

The impression of  Shri Sai Baba is there on the top of the picture

? Rishi?  Can imagine many more pictures

It looks like Amarnath Shrine.  We can also see Brahma.  There is water on the floor here,
may be water trench.  If there had been no railing there is every possibility of falling in it.

Imagine what you can see

I could see a person trying to get up

There is gap/joint between the two rocks.  This joint extends from one end to the
other across the roof of cave.  This indicates two mountains joining or close to
one another.  This distinction is again difficult to notice above the mountains.

View of the entrance to cave from inside the cave

A Beautiful Journey

Padmapuram gardens - Entrance

Last month I happened to be in Vizag, a north Andhra district in India.  Whenever I go to a place I plan to see some nearby or important tourist places in that area.  As I heard that Araku valley and Borra caves are the most important places to be seen in Vizag I planned to visit these places. 

On the way to Araku

Araku was 115Km from Vizag.  The journey is the beautiful than the destination. The winding roads running on the hills besides dales takes more than three hours. The landscapes, coffee plantations, winding roads on the mountains, clusters of dwellings on planes in the valley, all are a visual treat.  The sunset across the hills and trees was splendid.  The changing colors in the sky are the ever ending art of Nature.

Young mother - Child with a kid at Araku

The native folk appear innocent and beautiful untouched by the city ‘culture’.  They are pleasant mannered and friendly.  The places of interest in Araku are the Padmapuram gardens and Araku Museum.  I was very much impressed by the rose garden and statues in the garden.

Araku Garden

The museum has presentation of tribal life style artifacts.  Photography in the museum is prohibited.  There few stalls here selling handicrafts of local people.  There is a swimming pool which is not well maintained.  The amphitheatre here is large enough to hold a huge gathering.

Araku Museum

The best part of Araku visit is the journey.  People who have motion sickness should take tablets to avoid giddiness and vomiting during the course of journey.  The journey though pleasant is risky, only expert driver can take safely.  Even these drivers before embarking on the task will pray at a temple on the road for safe return.

Pregnancy - Delivery

The fetus and placenta are called as products of conception.  The expulsion of products of conception is known as delivery if it happens after 37 completed weeks and before that period it is called an abortion for all practical purposes.  If the delivery takes places after 28 completed weeks but before 37 completed weeks it is termed as premature delivery.  A term delivery is after 37 weeks and before 42 weeks of pregnancy.  After 42 weeks it is called post maturity. 

The expected date of delivery/confinement is calculated based on the first day of last menstrual period.  This is nine months plus one week or forty weeks or 280 days.  If a woman had her last menstrual period on 5^th January, her EDD will be 12^th of October. Applying this (Naegele’s) rule anybody can calculate their EDD.  This is applicable only when the woman has regular menstrual cycles. 

Early symptoms of impending delivery are

-Excessive mucoid discharge

-Passing of blood and mucus discharge

-Rhythmic backache and abdominal pain

-Watery discharge.

When any of these symptoms are present the gravida should immediately consult obstetrician and follow the advice.  When there is watery discharge, depending on the condition of fetus and mother delivery is planned.

In conditions of mucus or bloody mucus discharge obstetrician waits for spontaneous onset of labour pains if mother and fetus are normal.  The onset of labour pains may happen within 24hrs.

Many times labour starts with pain abdomen without any other premonitory symptoms.  Sometimes these pains could be false.  The pains occur occasionally for an hour or two and subside with rest.  This may happen more than once before the onset of true labour pains.  Gravida need not worry about it as long as her general condition is good and fetus is healthy and it is not more than 40 weeks of pregnancy.

True labour pains once set will not subside until delivery.  These pains are rhythmic occur initially once in every 5-10 minutes, gradually increase to once in every 2-3 minutes.  Duration of the pain also increases from 30-40 seconds to 60-90 seconds in the final stage of  birth of the fetus.  The severity of the pain also increases.  The pain usually starts in the back and extends from above the abdomen to low down.  The pain is like a wave starts mildly increases and then slowly subsides.  This repeats again and finally the baby is born and placenta is expelled.

There are techniques to make labour pains tolerable.  First and foremost is the tender loving care, and support of the loved ones. Understanding the process of labour and breathing exercises also help in tolerating pain.  Analgesics and anaethesia also be preferred for painless delivery.

However much gravida may experience pain, she forgets everything and smiles when she hears the cry of her newborn baby and want to hold it immediately.  The new life begins.

Looking Forward - 2014

The beginning of the year I was busy.  Next for four days there is no net connectivity.  In fact, I wanted to be regular in posting my blogs.  Unfortunately circumstances were not conducive.  But this is just beginning.  Sankranthi is ahead.  I always find reasons for not doing something I should.  If I do it just happens and there is no other go.  Happy 2014 to all who are forced to visit my blogs, or who just happen to stray in.

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The dramas enacted by Seemaandhra representatives are unending.  I really do not understand whether they are really able to impress the people of Seemandhra and gain political mileage in the coming elections.  The politicians in India always underestimate their electorate.  But people always were teaching them lessons which they never learn.  The common people rarely have a good choice.  Even then they always threw out the government which acted against the public interests and electing another that promises something better.  The politicians just get over it saying anti-incumbency factor but fail to evaluate their performance in progressive socialistic perspective.

In the present day the politicians are generally corrupt, in fact, they are entering into politics to enrich themselves and safeguard their ill-gotten wealth and some to carry out their mafia activities under the garb of political power.  A few years ago scams involving politicians or their kin were in tens of crores, but now they are in lakhs of crores. Most surprising to me is even some senior politicians getting associated with persons who are indicted in serious financial crimes, the oldest national party discreetly supporting scamsters for future political gains.

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The AAP’s election in Delhi has come as a beacon of hope.  The formation of government by AAP is hopefully a step towards a new era in politics and governance. The party in its victory josh is aiming high. It will be good to have few politicians with an intent to work for social cause be present in the Parliament.  It is just one step forward but we must wait and see how the team ArKe carries its agenda forward. 

                     

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KCR has shown his farm house.  Is it to clear the doubts of the people or exhibit his modern farm?  I appreciate his interest and praise him for the model farm.  But what is the percentage of farmers with more than 2 acres of land and financial support system as KCR.  If farmers can get at least a lakh for an acre more people would have opted for farming than private jobs.  Ours is basically agricultural nation.  If agriculture is given importance and farmers are given due help and encouragement our nation will definitely become a developed wealthy nation.

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Prime Minister Shri Manmohan Singh’s farewell speech was dull.  I dissent his endorsement of Rahul Gandhi as natural leader and expressing that it will be disastrous if Shri Narendra Modi becomes Prime Minister of India.  So far RaGa had been acting behind the screens without taking any responsibility.  His outburst on the criminal politicians in Parliament bill was immature.  RaGa may be the heir of Indira Congress party but a reluctant politician who fails to present as a decisive leader.  NaMo is a grass roots man with experience and enthusiasm.  But Godhra has become indelible blemish on his governance.  The party above which he had grown is fascist and in the name of Hindutva what cultural imposition will be made on the generation is a daymare.

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This year brings many changes in Indian politics. This year we are going to have assembly and parliament elections.  Which ever party forms government it should try to fulfill the basic needs of the people, food, clothing, shelter, education, health and employment that helps to live people with dignity.   It is NaMo or RaGa or ArKe people want change, change for assertion of their right to live with dignity.