Friday, 26 August 2016

Some Useful Household Tips


Some Useful Tips: Courtsey : http://www.domain.com.au/advice/top-25-best-ever-housekeeping-tips-20160808-gqkmh9/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=link-newsfeed&utm_campaign=c-os-overseas

1.Shattered a glass? After you’ve swept and removed the bigger pieces, pick up those tiny shards by pressing some soft white sandwich bread onto the area. Follow up by wiping with a wet paper towel. 
2. Got stubborn price-sticker residue ruining the look of your homewares? Dab any oil – olive, canola, sunflower, or eucalyptus  – onto a paper towel. Lay the towel over the gunk, wait a few minutes, then rub to remove. Just be careful that the oil doesn’t stain absorbent materials. You may want to do a test patch first. 
3. Hate how heavy furniture causes dents in your carpet? To remove indentations, place an ice cube onto the spot. Leave overnight and check the next morning. If it hasn’t covered completely, use a fork to gently raise the remaining fibres. 
4. Keep your bathroom mirror fog free by rubbing a dry bar of soap lightly onto the surface, then buffing it in with a cloth. 
5. Having camisoles, thin-strapped sundresses and other slippery garments slide off clothes hangers is a pet bugbear for many a fashionista. Instead of buying rubber grips, simply wrap rubber bands around the ends as a quick fix it. 
6. Want to make a candle last longer? Before you use it, place in the freezer to harden the wax, which makes it melt more slowly. If it’s a thin candle, it only needs an hour. Thicker pillar candles require six to eight. 
7. Sprinkle baking soda on your fabric couch and leave for a few minutes before vacuuming away. This will absorb any unwanted odours. 
8. Clean dusty fan blades with old pillowcases. The pillowcase captures any dust and debris so it doesn’t end up on the floor.
9. Flowers are lovely to look at, but pollen easily transfers to clothes and carpet. To remove a pollen stain, shake it vigorously, vacuum, and then wash as normal. Don’t blot, wipe or add water to the stain. And make sure you don’t touch the stain – the natural oils and warmth on your fingertips will set it. 
10. Stop ants marching into your kitchen by making a tape barrier. Simply line your windows and entranceways with double-sided tape. 
11. Clean a scorched iron with salt. Place several tablespoons of table salt on a cloth. Lay the cloth on the ironing board and iron over several times on the cotton setting, until the scorch marks disappear. Turn off and allow to cool completely before wiping the metal plate with a damp cloth.
12. Want to get those windows sparkly clean? Add a tablespoon of cornstarch to a litre of lukewarm water. Then spray and wipe with newspaper, cloth or a squeegee, as you would with usual glass cleaner. 
13. Lift limescale from your toilet bowl with a can of flat coke. The carbonic, citric and phosphoric acid means it effectively breaks down stains when left overnight. Pour into the bowl, being careful to get the sides and allow to soak before flushing away.
14. Deep clean mattress stains by applying a mix of ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide with one tablespoon of dishwasher detergent and table salt. Rub in before scraping away.
15. Use a cotton bud dipped in distilled white vinegar to clean your window traps, running it along the filthy cobweb- and dust-ridden frames.
16. Clean your garbage bins with toilet cleaner and a toilet brush before rinsing out with a hose. 
17. Got gunk build-up around your showerhead? Fill a plastic bag with distilled white vinegar. Attach it to the head with a rubber band, ensuring the showerhead is completely immersed in the solution. Leave overnight and scrub with a toothbrush the next day. 
18. Dust window blinds with an orphan sock wrapped around your hand or a pair of tongs with microfiber cloths wrapped around the claws. 
19. Always dust before vacuuming, so that you can suck up any dirt and debris that you dislodge. 
20. Remove rust stains from your bathtub and tiled countertops by making a paste of cream of tartar and distilled white vinegar. Apply and let sit for at least 10 minutes before rubbing with a rag and rinsing with soapy water.  
21. Quash foul oven odours with this common real estate trick: Put two caps of vanilla extract in an ovenproof dish and place in a 150-degree oven for one hour. Then wait for that sweetly scent to waft through the house. 
22. Find water pooling at your feet every time you take a shower? Clear the blockage with a hair clog remover or “drain millipede“. Steady your stomach. This ain’t going to be pretty. 
23. Use an old toothbrush to clean your garbage disposal, making sure you get underneath the splashguard. Gross, yes, but necessary. Then place lemon wedges in the disposal, running hot water to clean and deodorise your drain. 
24. The Magic Eraser is your cleaning BFF. Use on to treat stains on any surface – even your favourite pots and pans. You can even snip a corner off and flush it down the toilet to remove the ring stain.  

25. Leave odour removers on your fridge shelves. A cup of distilled white vinegar, baking soda, charcoal briquettes, a dish of dried coffee grounds and a bowl of raw oats works wonders!

Thursday, 11 August 2016

Ashok Nagar, Ranchi

Ashok Nagar Cooperative Society was established in 1975 by senior Bihar Government employees. It is situated in the heart of the city between Argora chowk and Kadru West. Ranchi Railway Station is at 3Km East. The Airport is 4Km SSE. The Vidhan Sabha and the Secretariat area is 6 Km North. The Firayalal landmark on the Main Road is 4Km NNE. The VIP road connecting Raj Bhavan and the Secretariat passes along its Western boundary.
Its maximum spread is 2.66 KM from East to West and 1.2Km from North to South. There are 500 residential plots divided into four categories namely A, B, C, and D. The biggest plot size is 12000 sq.ft. (A) and the smallest is 5000 sq.ft. (D). There are four parks with jogging facility. The biggest park near Society Office has an area of 125X75M. The park towards East of Road No.1 is 100X85M. The park along Road No.5 is 100X70M. The smallest park near temple precinct is 90X60M. Ashok Nagar temple and meditation center situated at far EES is its biggest attraction. The Southern landscape with passing trains on Ranchi-Hatia route enchants morning visitors.
There are two big marketing centers. One is at Argora Chowk and the other is between Road No. 2 and 3. In the morning these area swarm with tea stalls and paper hawkers.In the evening both the market turns into Chandni Chowk of chats and hot foods.
Ashok Nagar colony has the privilege of eminent residents of the rank of Chief Secretaries ,Chief Conservator of Forests, Chief Engineers, Chief Inspector of Factories and eminent doctors.
The colony was honoured by Eminent Litterateur and recipient of Radhakrishna Award winner Late Smt. Savitri Devi. Dr. Harivansh, who pioneered the famous Hindi daily “Prabhat Khabar” and now an MP lived here. Dr. Rama Singh , a prominent story writer, graces the colony with her routine morning strolls to the temple. Shri SS Ahulvalia, MP and Central Minister had his signboard for a considerable period. House of Shri BB Sharan, is also here, who built Ashtamatrika temple around Chhinmastika temple in Rajrappa. 
The colony is a show case of architectural brilliance. People from all over the country make it a point to visit this posh colony to have a heart fill view of beautiful houses.
This colony was conceptualized to house employees of the Bihar Civil Services and Central Services. With passage of time, parts of big houses were rented to others. Some apartments were intentionally made for the purpose of renting.
As of now, many residences have been converted into educational institutions, Banks, Government offices and private business houses. There are at least four holiday homes, equal number of nursing homes and therapeutic centers. One four storeyed marriage complex “Amaltas” also exists.  Almost 10 percent of houses remain deserted as their occupants went into oblivion with passing time.

At present, more than ten constructions are in progress, competing with each other in matters of excellence in architecture, grandeur and inputs.

Monday, 1 August 2016

एक और रिक्शावाला

मेरा अन्तरंग मित्र लक्ष्मी रांची आया था, मुझसे भी मिलने दो वर्ष के अंतराल के बाद । आते ही उसकी तबियत ख़राब हो गयी । रांची की बिन बताये झमक पड़ने वाली पहाड़ी बरसात धमका रही थी । बादलों के झरोखे से कभी-कभी धूप छनकर आ रही थी ।  आखिर हिम्मत करके घर से निकला । लक्ष्मी आठ किलोमीटर दूर रहता था । रास्ता मेन रोड बाजार से होकर पुराने जेल रोड जाता था और उसके बाद करम टोली । बाजार पहुँच कर मैंने एक जवान आदिवासी रिक्शेवाले की सवारी कर ली ।  पानी बरसने लगा था । उसने हुड फैला दिया । मैंने अपना छाता उसे दे दिया ।
अब जेल रोड का जेल शहर के सरहद पर चला गया है । उसकी जगह एक पार्क तैयार किया जा रहा था । जेल और उसकी चाहरदीवारी अभी भी कायम थी । मेरे मित्र के पिता 1970 के दशक में रांची जेल  के असिस्टेंट जेलर हुआ करते थे ।  कॉलेज का रास्ता इधर से ही होकर गुजरता था, जाहिरन मैं हफ्ते में एक-दो बार लक्ष्मी के घर बतियाने और जलपान करने रुक जाया करता था । जेल की चाहरदीवारी के बाहर चारो और बहुत सुन्दर  नयी चाहरदीवारी बना  दी गयी थी जिसपर झारखण्ड की संस्कृति और वन्य प्राणियों की टाइल्स पर मनोहारी चित्रकारी भी चुन दी गयी थी ।
मैं शारीरिक श्रम से चलने वाले रिक्शे पर आदतन नहीं बैठता हूँ । अपराध भावना घर करने लगती है । अब चुकी उम्र की गुजारिश थी और बरसते पानी में दूर तक जाना था इसलिए मजबूरन इसकी सहायता लेनी पड़ी । सड़क समतल थी । मैंने अपना और रिक्शेवाले का मन लगाने के लिए बातों का सिलसिला छेड़ दिया ।
मैंने पूछा- ऑटोरिक्शा क्यों नहीं ले लेते बैंक से लोन लेकर । आजकल तो लोन लेना बहुत आसान हो गया है ।
उसने बताया –“लोन में बैंक वाला बहुत परनामी ले लेता है और सूद भी लगते रहता है । उसके बाद पुलिस और रंगदार लोग भी रोजाना वसूली करता है । रिक्शा अपना है । रोजाना 250-300 रुपया का कमीनी हो जाता है ।“
मैंने बात आगे बढ़ाई, पूछा – “क्या तुम्हारे बच्चे भी रिक्शा चलाएंगे ?”
उसने कहा कि अभी उसके बच्चे नहीं हैं । जब होंगे तो उनको पढ़ा-लिखा कर साहब बनायेंगे  ।
उसकी उम्र पैतीस रही होगी । मुझे उसकी परेशानियों में ज्यादा झांकना उचित नहीं लगा । मैंने बात बदलते हुए उससे कहा कि मैं जिस दोस्त के पास जा रहा हूँ उसके पिता इस जेल के जेलर थे ।
मुझे अचम्भा तब हुआ जब उसने पूछा कि उनका नाम क्या था और किस समय थे । मैंने बताया कि वे 1970-80 के समय इस जेल में पोस्टेड थे । आगे उसने जो बताया उसी के लिए यह लिखना पड़ा ।
वह 1997 से लेकर 2010 तक जेल में कैदी की तरह रहा । कैदी कि तरह इसलिए कि न तो उसने जुर्म किया था, न उसकी वकालत किसी ने की । उसे सजा भी हुई तो मात्र छ  महीने की ।  पर उस सजा के फैसले के लिए उसे १२ वर्ष से ज्यादा जेल में रहना पड़ा ।  उसने बताया कि वह सूरज उगने के पहले पांच मील की दौड़ लगाता था । जिला के मैराथन में हिस्सा लेता था और हॉकी का अच्छा खिलाडी था । एक सुबह वह चोर-चोर की आवाज सुन दौड़ता हुआ रुक गया । पकड़ा गया । थाना हाजिर हुआ । उसके बाद १२ वर्षों से ज्यादा जेल में रहा । खेल से भी गया, जेल के बाद कही नौकरी भी नहीं मिली ।
रिक्शा अब दाहिना मोड़ लेकर सर्कुलर रोड पर विमेंस कॉलेज की तरफ जा रही थी । उसने दाहिने, जेल की १५ फूट ऊँची दीवारों से झांकते पेड़ों की और दिखाया और कहा-वो सभी पेड़ हमलोगों ने लगाया था  । अब कितना बड़ा हो गया है । उधर कोने में हम मेस में काम किया करते थे ।  हम जेल नहीं जाते तो बच्चा बना लेते । मालूम नहीं जेल का रोटी में इ लोग कौन सा करंट मारता है । सबकुछ ठीक है पर बच्चा नहीं बनता है ।“                                                                        
बातों-बातों में मैं भी गलत रस्ते की भेंट चढ़ गया था । मैं भी तो पांच वर्षों बाद इधर आया था । उसने मुझे हिम्मत दिलाई और घर खोजने में मेरी मदद करने की बात कही । मैंने उसे मना कर दिया । वह मुझसे इस मेहनत का पैसा नहीं लेता ऐसा मुझे लगा ।
रांची बहुत बदल गया है । आदिवासी अभी भी वैसे ही भोले-भाले हैं ।