Delhi for a Day

It was a meticulously planned exercise–so much so that how much time will go into seeing what was decided beforehand and the average time for each stop was also calculated. Everybody’s interests and demands were taken into consideration–Prerna’s fascination for dolls, hence the Dolls Museum, Khalid’s enthusiasm for Maths and Science, hence the National Science Centre, my inclination towards things artistic, hence the National Gallery of Modern Art and well Abhinav’s residence’s proximity to Chanakyapuri and hence the Rail Museum.
In the midst of all the planning and enthusiasm, the weather Gods decided to play spoil sport–morning came with a dust storm making it hazy and dusty. Two cars were pressed into service, but parking problems on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg were well anticipated, and therefore one was parked at Mandi House. Chivalry took a back seat and so did two of the men as the sole woman of the group drove us up to BSZ Marg, only to find that there was no parking left at all. We cut across the by-lanes of BSZ Marg, much like a Mumbai criminal evading arrest in the by-lanes of Kurla. We finally found a spot, parked the car and got out to know that the place was “reserved”. Abhinav used his persuasion skills and struck a deal with the attendant. Once inside the museum, perhaps one of the first things we all noticed was the neglect the museum was subjected to. Though the museum had dolls from some of the remotest parts of the world, they were decades old and many of them were in such dilapidated condition that they resembled characters more from a horror film than dolls children could play with. Nevertheless, we had fun, indentifying the clothes of the dolls with our cultural knowledge of the world. While Khalid had fun looking at the ‘tau’ dolls from Haryana, I had fun looking at the Native American dresses dolls from South America were wearing. We were done soon and headed towards the National Science Centre.
This place has changed little since the last time some of our team members visited it; that was the 1990s. Though there were some new instruments like the stringless piano, the main area looked more or less the same with age-old scientific tricks. We later discovered that they have added an entirely new section dedicated to innovations in information technology that could help a novice understand the computer and digital technology better–a must visit for those of us who are curious to know how a command given to a computer gets converted into action on screen. One could also find a dummy replica of the Morse code machine–the instrument that helped ships in the nineteenth century to communicate and send SOS signals.
After a sumptuous meal at the Sri Ram Centre’s canteen we headed to the swanky new wing of the National Gallery of Modern Art. Opened in 2009 by the UPA President Sonia Gandhi, the gallery has works from medieval India to works of some of India’s best known modern artists like SH Raza, Satish Gujral, MF Hussain, Amrita Sher-gill, Raja Ravi Varma, and many more. A visitor is treated to four floors of art and paintings and that is excluding the old wing of the gallery. While the new wing’s exterior depicts traditional Indian use of red sandstone, the interiors of the gallery are designed totally in European architectural form (this contradiction coupled with traditional Indian art on display inside and the sitar music in the background makes the visitor bewildered about the ambience the gallery is trying to create). Nevertheless, we completed our sojourn well within the average time we were allotted.
Our last stop was the Rail Museum though it was initially distracted by a brief windstorm. Inside the museum we saw remains of some of the most luxurious compartments of the Indian railways during the Raj. Trains of Patiala State Monorail Trainway, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the majestic Fairy Queen of the East Indian Railway (rolled out in 1855) and many more. Our trip ended with a ride on the toy train and a visit to the museum (that had miniature models of levers and pulleys used to change tracks as well as railways seats from the old era).


While our choice of places to visit reflected our individual choices, they were also chosen because some of they are longer on the upper-middle class Delhites radar, but are worth (read required) a visit to understand a Delhi beyond the glitter of shiny malls and hotels. All in all a good trip spoilt partially by the weather gods but saved by our enthusiasm. I highly recommend everyone to visit some of these places when they get a chance.


Jasmeet Singh

Ashwani Arora Speaks

Dear All,
I would like to introduce myself, My name is Ashwani Arora and I handle Journals Sales and I am being nominated for the post of Vice President and would like to thank Marketing Department for that first of all.

Just a brief intro so that “Janta” should atleast know whom are they supporting.

I honestly have no experience about organizing events but fact of the matter is I just love trying new things and experience all such adventures, I hope 95% in T&F are young and would not mind handling few adventures

Being young and fresh you can always utilize the underlying and sleeping caliber as it just needs a spark and I guess that spark is nothing but your votes and support

Here comes the youth and please find enclosed the promotion material for everyone’s convenience

Yeh hai youngistan meri jaan,, T&F ka WOW

Vote for Ashish Purwar

As you all know that I am representing for the position of secretary of our recreation club. Many of you might not be aware my abilities, so I would like to mention my experience in the field of recreation activities in my previous organizations. These all were apart from my primary job, i.e. of Software development.

1. I worked as a member of north zone “Satyamotsav” organizing committee for 3 consecutive years with Satyam Computer services and received certificate of appreciation for the same. My job was to manage all the cultural events and finalizing the venue of the events.
2. I worked as Outbound manager for 6 months with Valuefirst Messaging Pvt Ltd, and have organized several tours for the organization successfully. The impression was that the tours organized by me were the most remarkable in the history of the organization.
3. I have prepared an agenda for the responsibilities which I am going to handle as the secretary of the recreation club. Kindly go through it and vote me if you think that I will be able to handle the same:

1. Maintaining membership records
2. Recording attendance at meetings and reporting attendance figures to the vice president.
3. Sending out notices of meetings of the club.
4. Recording and maintaining minutes of club meetings.
5. Working with other club leaders in organizing different club events.
6. Catering all type of IT needs which our club will require from time to time.
7. Helping all the members with all the information they want regarding the club activities.

Thanks and regards

Ashish Purwar
Sr. .Net Developer
IT Department

Taylor And Francis Books India Pvt. Ltd.

New Delhi, 110011

Mobile : +91-9871610567

Vote for Rimina

Bhaaiyon aur beheno,


YEHI MAUKA HAI KUCH KAR DIKHANE KA!

HAMARE RECREATION CLUB KI LAAJ RAKHIYE, RIMINA KO VOTE DIJIYE!

VOTE FOR RIMINA, VOTE FOR RIMINA!

VOTE FOR?

RIMINAaaa!!

PS. LADIES…STREE SHAKTI KYA HAI, SAB KO DIKHA DO,

RIMINA KO VOTE DO, USKO JITA DO!

PPS. YOU WOULD ALL AGREE, GREAT THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES!

VOTE FOR RIMINA, VOTE FOR RIMINA!

(vice presidential candidate)

Rima Kar Campaigns too!!

Hello everybody,


Now that the raised eyebrows have returned to their usual stations (mine included) let me introduce myself, I’m… well, I’m Rima, contesting for SECRETARY-Recreation Club. Just that and I’ll complete 6 months in the organization next week so you could well make Thursday my lucky day.

For fresh ideas you should vote for a fresh candidate in the field. And that is, ME of course, I’ve never been there and never done that (unless being a Head-Girl in highschool counts…) So, you see there’ll be sane ideas, insane ideas and YOUR ideas. Obviously I’ll listen to all your ideas and suggestions, I’ll be a crusader for your views… and… and…

and… and.. OK so you get the idea.

On a serious note, I can assure you that I will fulfill all the responsibilities of the post and try to meet all the expectations of this office. I can assure you that you will be represented and served in the best way. So, you could visualize me as…

Not, quite but then again. I’m all for fun and frolic and I’ll add wonders to the recreation club. If you put me up, I won’t put you down (wow! That came out nice).

For all those who know me and all those who don’t (there’s a pic of my hand in our office blog… on second thoughts, never mind the pic of the hand, I’ll come around) I’ll learn from you and work with you. I’ll be counting on your support.

Vote for Ashish Purwar

apna vote na karo behkaar


recreation club ka karo udhaar

secrt. ke liye khade is baar

hmaare pyaare ashish purwar



nausikihon ki hame zarurat nahi

ideaon ki hame kami nahi

jisne kiya pehle ye kaam nahi

vo kya jaane experiense ka daam sahi



hamaari nyaari jo sanstha hai

use chahiye sateek vyavastha hai

vote kare ashish purwar ko

kyun ki yahi sahi ek rasta hai



utha dete hain nai leher

dha dete hain unnati ka keher

padne do apne pe ashish ki meher

fir jee ke dekho apne aathon peher



saari umar hum... mar mar ke je liye

ek pal to ab hamin jeeno do

la la laaa .. lalalalala...



Thanks and Regards,

Amit Ahuja

Ph. No - (+)91-011-43155177 (O)

09711007399 (M)

Sangeeta Menon Campaigns for her Cause

Dear friends,


I know that the you all are talking amongst yourselves wondering who to vote for. And some of you are wondering who the others plan to vote for . While some of you have decided, others have kept your decision still hanging . To my decided and undecided friends, all I have to say is that the ball is in your court and must choose someone who knows and understands that though we work for the same organization (or the same floor), T&F is an amalgam of very different personalities . Chose me, Sangeeta Menon, as the President of the Recreation Club because I am outgoing, funloving, travelled wide and far in this country and beyond and have, in the past, brought together people of various ages and personality together for good fun. As someone who is young and single, I know the importance of having fun and socializing, I am a safe bet and soon shall have you dancing for making the right choice of choosing me as the President of the Recreation Club . Make no mistake! This is not a trick .

As a proof, I am attesting my personality test  .

VOTE FOR SANGEETA MENON and relax…you have made the right choice …

Report: Onsite visit to Udayan Care Home for Girls, Sant Nagar, New Delhi

Date: The onsite visit was conducted on 04 May 2010.

Carried out by: Anjali Madan (AM) and K.E. Priyamvada (KEP). They were accompanied by Gita Ranjan and Sadaf, members of Udayan Care.

Purpose of the visit: the purpose of this initial visit was to see the Home, understand the needs of the children and see how Taylor & Francis India Pvt. Ltd. (T&F) can associate itself with Udayan Care as part of its CSR programme.

Observations: The Sant Nagar Home for Girls is a residential facility which currently houses 12 girls aged 7 to 17. All of these young girls are orphaned or have been abandoned by their families. Udayan Care provides shelter, food, clothing, counselling, facilitates admission to leading schools of Delhi and coordinates volunteer activity to provide the children the opportunity to have as normal a childhood as possible. Upon reaching the age of 18, the children have to leave the home and are assisted in finding courses of further study or job opportunities, as well as hostels to stay in.

There is a mentor mother who lives in the Home and helps the children with their daily routine and homework. There is a cook who takes care of the nutritional needs of the children. Volunteers come to the Home in the evening to help the children with their homework or carry out other learning and development activities. The home itself was clean and had a homely atmosphere. There was a positive interaction between the children and AM and KEP. One of them shared her poems and artwork with us. Another told us about her experience at school. We also met a girl who had left the home after turning 18. She is independent (working with Nirulas) has continued her association with the Home and in turn is mentoring the young residents.

The young girls are friendly and seem open to learning. They are used to interaction with volunteers and so have no fear of strangers. It would not be difficult for people who may have no prior experience of teaching or volunteering to interact with the children.

The children attend school during the day, therefore the summer vacation for schools (June) would probably be the best time to send volunteers from T&F.

Given the size of the Home and the available space in its common areas, sending a group of 3-4 volunteers would probably be best.

The overall impression was that there was a genuine effort being made to help the children grow up in the environment of a home, as well as have a childhood with access to opportunities that would lead to their developing into independent adults.

Anjali & Priyamvada

Udyan Care

Following up on the volunteering policy that we have been discussing for some time now, I have some more news:

The representatives from the organization Udyan Care were here to meet us recently. All the team leaders attended this meeting. Many possibilities were discussed and amongst them, one was to collect old ‘wearable & usable’ following:
• clothes – adult and children sizes
• toys
• stationery
• books
• food items; packaged
• anything else that children could use.
• Cutlery
• utensils

This act of kindness is purely VOLUNTARY and I would like to propose a call on behalf of Taylor & Francis India to all of you to come forward and donate things that are perhaps kept in our homes for a long time, without being used. If it can be of use to children, we’ll perhaps be doing an act of kindness which could form a human chain……


The collect would be donated to Udyan Care on behalf of Taylor & Francis India.

There is a large carton being placed next to Aman’s cabin, where you could anonymously donate material on the 9th floor. Another carton is being placed at the entrance of the 8th floor. Both the cartons will read: UDYAN CARE…….The cartons should make their appearance by today evening or tomorrow morning. As I mentioned earlier, the donation is purely voluntary and you could either leave your name on the packet or donate it anonymously.

I hope as an organization, we’d be honoured to participate and make a small difference to the lives of the under privileged.


Thanks


The Marketing Team

23rd April is World Book and Copyright Day

UNESCO recognizes 23rd April as a day on which we “pay tribute to books and authors, encouraging everyone, and in particular young people, to discover the pleasure of reading and gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable contributions of those who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity”. The date 23rd April was chosen because it is a day when the lives of several great writers either began or ended. For instance, both William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes passed away on 23rd April 1616.

For those of us who work in publishing it’s a reminder of the fact that the stock market may go up or down, the economy may go boom or bust, but as writer Christopher Morley once said, “Words are a commodity in which there is never any slump”.


Best wishes,


Priyamvada