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NRI Fantasy for Gurgaon
Good to find this site of Haryana.

As one who is keen to settle down some day soon in Haryana, I would like to know more about real estate developments and other
facilities like hospitals, schools and other infrastructures like a well stocked modern library, and other recreational centers and parks with shady trees and trail parks.

NRIs interested in returning to India, search for a modern housing and well laid roads, comfortable shopping places, environment friendly clean towns. 

Gurgaon can be
made one with above amenities, that could become the favorite place to retire.
Make Haryana attractive to the NRIs, and benefit out of it!
Sharda Devi

Thanks But Don't Assume the Gender Beforehand!

It is nice to know that Mr. Brahm Kataria supported my idea of volunteer group. I wonder why is it that only NRIs think in this way? Maybe because we have traveled across the world and recognized that our own country has everything which is needed to be affluent. Good family support system, great education system and good moral values. Like any other country we do have some flaws which we can work on.
On another note, I was surprised by assumption of Mr. Kataria that if I am a physician I must be a male as he referred me as "his ideas". Not that it matters but just to be correct I am a female physician. Dr. NR, MD

Great Idea

I am referring to the letter from the Physician (No Name Given)  now residing in the USA.

I think that the Doctor has a great idea. I had referred to the involvement of various Civic organizations and local politicians to clean up the city. Volunteer Groups from the Public can and should get involved Volunteer Civic Organizations and together with local politicians start a movement to clear the city of all the trashy areas, the unwanted animals and the unwanted structures.

Gurgaon is home to a number of "MULTNATIONALS"  that are benefitting tremendously from some very intelligent young people at a fraction of the cost that they would incurr in their home countries. GE Capital's profit growth of 18% per year, a phenominal growth,  would not come about if it did not utilize the cheap labor and low rent factor of cities like Gurgaon. These Multi Nationals are very active participants in Civic Affairs in their home countries and not only contribute large sums of money but also encourage their executives to be leaders of Volutary Groups in the communities where they do business. I recently retired from Ford Motor Company after thirty years with them. Ford Executives ARE REQUIRED to actively participate in civic affairs of the communities that they do business in. These  Corporations contribute millions of dollars each year and take pride in their involvement in the communities. LOCAL MEDIA PLAYS A TREMENDOUS ROLE IN ENCOURAGING MAJOR BUSINESSES TO GET INVOLVED IN CIIVIC AFFAIRS. Gurgaon is fortunate to have a lot of Domestic (like DLF, ANSAL etc) and Multinationals operating there. These companies make a lot of money from this community. They have a moral obligation to contribute to the welfare of this community. Remember, there is no better advertisement for these companies than VOLUNTARY PRAISES from their community for their involvement and civic responsibilty. It will pay them good dividends.

Another source would be Local Schools. If you can involve the children, not only would they get their parents (and therefore the public at large) involved, you would also be teaching a sense of civic responsibility to the up and coming generation. Reading, Writing and Arithmatic is not enough for education. Civic responsibilty, community welfare and leadership are the key characteristics of a propering nation. I beleive that the Poly Bag movement was started by the school children or at least they are very keenly involved. Great work kids. Keep it up.

I commend our physician friend for his offer to volunteer. Lets call on rest of the community (including all the business leaders) to volunteer and clean upp the city. If and when I get there, you can count on one more.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. YOU ARE A GREAT ASSET TO THE GURGAON COMMUNITY. TAKE THE LEAD.

Brahm Kataria

I'm referring to your feature "Morning Nightmare" by Dr Bhoon.

It is quite unimaginable that a country like India which is trying to
progress into the 21st Century should allow this to happen.

We need greater
municipal laws controlling the administration and organizations and
individuals that allow this to happen.

The state government should pass a law that is punishable to a fine and prison sentence for anyone allowing this to happen; I am in full favor with
Dr Yudhvir K. Bhoon regarding this matter. 
Raj Kashyap

Stop Cribbing; Get Cracking II

Continuing my article..stop cribbing and get cracking....just another thought which came across my gray matter....

Any form of change / revolution ( as you may call it) needs a strong thought of a person or a group whom we rightly address as a Leader. Taking something out of our very own "Bhagwat Gita". where Lord Krishna divided his followers according to their ability into " Tamas" ; "Rajas"; and "Satvas".

"Tamas"; are people who don't have the ability to perform , therefore Lord Krishna told them to follow him blindly.

"Rajas" are those who have the ability to perform , but needs the direction to move.

And "Satvas" , are those who are the best in their own way and are delegated the work.

So in our society we have to find a "Satva" (that can be in form of a corporate society, or a civil corporation etc.) which in turn can find some "Tamas" and can get the mess cleared and can create awareness among the general public ("the Rajas") to get things moving.


Words are powerful if they are accompanied with actions...We have to get together and work a "one"..because remember " the world stands aside to let pass the man who knows where he is going....."

let us shooooot and shine....Sunil Kataria

Stop Cribbing; Get Cracking

I read the articles about the trash in the city. Not that I visit Gurgaon very often but I was a part of the community for about two months while working on a project. 

I somehow feel the case is not just restricted to this specific city but is a growing concern of all the cities in and around Haryana ."Who is to be blamed?" is a nice way to start solving the problem but not a solution. So Ii feel the "KEY " lies in a centralized approach to get rid of this mess we are in. It is not a one man show or a heroic task of a politician. Nor it is the responsibility of the corporate alone. I feel the solution is in creating awareness about the ill effects of this trash. 

We can start from the roots, as one of your your reader Mr. Brahm Kataria said.." from the school children" and move on to the branches. The basic effort has to be in the direction of generating the feeling of doing something for themselves and not for the society alone. I say this because today social service is a myth and reality is just the few words like "what is there for me" and that is where we have to hit...Create awareness that whatever has to be done "you" have to do it as it is there for "you" . Sunil Kataria

Help Needed for Family Roots
I am researching my family roots and would like to know how the name "Bagot" near Mahendragarh originated. 

Would you happen to know after which Bagot this place was named after and why was it named after him? I am assuming it was during British colonial rule. 

If you do not have this information, could you refer me to some place in India that does. I would like to visit this religious place someday. Thank you for your assistance. Carlyle Bagot, California

Club Parties Vs Boards
I am a regular reader of your newspaper and through it I shall like to draw the attention of the authorities of Gymkhana Club Sector-15 A Faridabad. 

The events and parties organized by the club for its privileged members have become a serious nuisance for the local residents of Sector-15, 15A who are based opposite the club. The DJ parties blow music at a very high pace and the sound pollution creates problem for all around. The Valentines Day event organized by the club was one such example. The board examinations are very near and the students working hard for that faced a lot of problem, so did the elderly whose sleep was all dependent on the music to end. 

I hope through your esteemed newspaper, I shall be able to bring a little peace to the residents of this area.
Nishtha Paul

Link to Parks

It's a great site. How about putting up links to all amusement parks near Gurgaon? Sanjiv Narayan

Gurgaon Memories in the Kangaroo Land

My association with Gurgaon started from 1986 when we were allotted a residential plot in Sector 10A . But in real terms I started visiting Gurgaon ( from Chandigarh) in 1993, as a research student for my PhD field work. 

In the next three years I extensively traveled in Gurgaon district to select my research sites and field work. I finally settled for Sir Basher Pur Reserve Forest as my research site, another 20 - 24 Km from Gurgaon via Sultan Pur Lake and Farukhnagar on Jajjhar Road.

Whenever I recall my days back at home, Gurgaon always float in my memory. Mata Shitla Mandir, my visit to Air Force Station, Huda Nursery, Forest Department, various villages on Jaipur road, towards Sohana, Pautodi Road and towards  Farukhnagar. 

I used to spend night in the thatched Hut in the Forest Nursery or in the road side temple at Farukhnagar. 

Today I am living in Australia and working in CQU, it was my experience from Haryana which helped me to attain this position here in Australia. My family is living in Gurgaon so now I have a permanent relation with Gurgaon, both personal as well as professional. 

I wish all of you at GurgaonHaryana.com and all residents of this wonderful township a very happy and prosperous 2002. Keep on doing good work and informing us about GURGAON.
Cheers!!!!!!!!!
Dr Rajesh Jalota, Central Queensland University
Emerald Campus

Schizophrenic Development

On my recent visit to Gurgaon around Diwali 2001, I was kinda astonished to see the development in the New Gugaon.

The roads were nice and clean, the development looked very so called south delhi but unfortunately the old Gurgaon is still in the dumps. 

I have my ancestral house in new colony: the roads in new colony are almost non existent, the sewerage had major back ups during the monsoons, power supply is far from regular and so on.

I hate to say this but the civic authorities need to put their act together. 

Dheeraj Dogra, New York

Such a Trashy City

I am an NRI living in the US. I just started thinking about buying a place in Gurgaon to spend the winter months (Jan-March).

I just read Ms. Anupama Ghosh's article about the trash in the Sector 14 market. I am was under the impression that Gurgaon is a very well regulated clean modern city that houses a lot of multi-national companies. I am kind of surprised to read that even in this modern city pigs are allowed to roam in the open feeding on trash. In fact I am surprised that the city would allow trash to be dumped in the market place and the expensive stores would just ignore it. I guess some things never change.

I would like to commend Ms. Ghosh for bringing this issue in the open. I personally think that this issue should to be taken up with the various associations in the city. The City Council and the Civic Associations have a responsibility to impress the citizens to take pride in the city they live in and in the interest of personal and community hygiene, trash should not be dumped in places other than in community dumps. The city should provide seperate dumpsters for RECYCLABLE TRASH (paper, plastic products etc.) and other house hold trash. It does not cost any more to separate them. Residents can be encouraged to tie the Recyclable trash separately to assist the trash pick up. A little civic sense and responsibility can make a world of difference in the quality of life, health and pride of the community in which they live.

I hope enough civic minded people will join Ms. Ghosh speak up against trashing the city that people call their home.

Brahm Kataria

I Love my city Gurgaon !
Today when I read samachar.com, I discovered this news-site. I am very happy. I hope this site will help us to improve our Gurgaon City in all the fields. 

I am studying in Moscow. I have noticed here that people love there city like there home. They keep there city neat and clean. 
I love my city and hope in coming time we all will love and proud of our city Gurgaon. Thanking You.
Sunil Goel

On June 3, 1965, I was fortunate enough to receive a small booklet written by Professor Ramparsad Khatan. His address on this book has been given as Civil Lines Near Jonhall Gurgavan (Punjab). I understand that now this part of Punjab was carved out into a new state of Haryana. I wonder if some one can get Professor Khatana's deatailed address or his current whereabouts.

Professor Khatan is also the author of The Gujars of Delhi Ridge. I would like to get in touch with him.I hope some one can help me out. Kuldip Meelu

Missing Home
I am overwhelmed to find your newspaper on line while surfing through internet. I live in America but was raised in Gurgaon so miss my home town. It is nice to keep up with the news in Hayana and Gurgaon from miles away. 

Whenever I go back to visit my family I find few issues which can be solved by media only e.g. maintenance of the public parks, cleanliness, athletic events. I think it is great idea to start a volunteer group which can help in keeping / maintaining the city. It should involve the whole city and not the affluent areas only.

I am a physician by profession and would also like to help in volunteering for health screening or running a free clinic on my visits to India.

I have learnt over the years that sharing brings happiness but everybody has to take their job seriously.

Thanks for a great news paper again. Missing home in USA! 

Name Not Given

For Jokes' Sake

I thoroughly enjoyed your article on Sheetla Mata. It was very informative. 

However it will help if you can update your jokes section! Sarla Sharma

Sushmita's Gurgaon Connection

Why don't you include Sushmita Sen also in the Hall of Fame? She had studied in Central School Gurgaon! Rahul Sharma

Dictator Needed

I read Mayank Singh's column on different columnists and their view points on how Indians think on the issue of terrorism and also on the Pakistanis view point and Americans behavior pattern . 

I am sure India will be needing dictatorship as soon as possible. They will need to chuck out western powers (American and European powers) from the Asia and Middle east region.

Punit Puri

Leopards Can't Change Their Spots

Musharraf is a dangerously corrupt leader. Worse, he is deeply involved in terrorism. 

Only a brain-dead person would trust him or his lieutenants!!!!  He is very much part
of Pakistan the Taliban State.

S S Singh