Friday, November 6, 2026

THE GARBAGE GATHERERS

 




                      

 



                      

                     

                       


1       Flouting all rules, flats are built touching the sky

Not leaving an inch of space in between;

A concrete jungle grew without a patch of green

Like tower of Babel with so many floors high;

A huge mass of unmanageable garbage grows

Who manages this bulky waste, everyone knows.

 

2       Driven by poverty they accept their lot

To do this dirty work which none prefers to do

A daring, noble service, in every sense true;

Collecting wastage and sorting them from every flat;

People consume and throw away in reckless ways

If garbage is not cleaned, can they happily stay?

 

3       Even for a moment we can’t bear to stand

As stinking garbage trucks pass by;

We pause our breath and even to sigh

They sift dark garbage with their hands;

Sometimes, even without gloves and how hard

Is it to do this menial work, Oh God! 

 

4       Right from early morning till eve

They have to be on the move collecting waste

Spending their time in trucks in horrible state;

Ever exposed to stench; one can’t conceive

How they bear and breathe such unhygienic air

With no safety measures, meseems unfair?

 

5       Their only world- huge mounds of garbage

Surrounded by bundles of dank refuse;

To get used to such state, one should be a recluse;

Transcending sense-bound mortal stage;

No sense of abhorrence in them we find

No trace of aversion or irritable mind.

 

6       Working for hours amidst foul-smelling mess

Who is there to help them if they fall ill?

Who is there to pay their hospital bill?

To relieve them from economic strain and stress

Free medical care and free food they should get;

Collectors of garbage to their fate should not be left. 

 

7       They should be paid promptly their meagre wage

So many times, they helplessly complain

Of their pending dues; How can they maintain

Their families?  Belittle not their image

 or spurn; realize their vital role and take proper care

 Of their health with safety measures and their welfare.

 

8       Though humble it may seem, they serve a lot

To make us live in comfortable ways;

Their vital role indeed none can replace

With true patience and tolerance, they act;

But who can purge our greed and mental garbage?

Who can flush out our vices and verbal wastage?

                   *********************

  6th November 2026                   Somaseshu Gutala

Note :  In India nearly 1,70,000 tonnes of garbage material is generated every day. In cities nearly 5000 to 7000 tonnes of household and municipal waste is produced.  To check this citizens should try to reduce, re-use and recycle wastage and follow rules in segregation of waste and should reduce use of things made of plastic and harmful non-biodegradable material.

                         ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Thursday, October 29, 2026

In a Different World We Dwelt

 

           



                                     


          

                                       


                                


                             


1        You may treat me as a laughing stock

As age moves on, we get fixed in our daily routine

Of our old ways and customs and we cannot wean

Away, though you think us as weird and mock;

We were trained in such ways by our elders old

We meekly followed them and did what we were told

They gave us wisdom and patience, though not gold.

 

2        A different world entire in those old days

No explosion of technical tools as of now

No tractors to till land but bulls and plough

No domestic gadgets for women; all day

They worked hard using their manual skills

No imported cosmetics and fluttering frills;

And can’t get everything at their wish and will.

 

3        No luxury coaches, flights and taxis to ride

Mostly people walked or went by bullock-carts

On muddy roads with pits and pot-holes fraught.

No six-laned white-topped highways wide

Even school-going kids too walked miles with bare feet;

No flashy uniforms but simple dresses neat.

On floor they sat; no wooden benches and seats. 

 

4            Our parents too thought well of disciplined ways

     Our teachers were too stern and strict

They made liberal use of their sticks;

Our parents made us respect our teachers and obey.

In choosing our clothes or anything, no choice;

We had to listen to our elders’ voice

None dared to speak out or make noise.

 

5        Large families our elders had to maintain

No fixed income except what they could get

From their crops and cattle, their only assets

So, no scope for them to spend on luxuries vain;

To view movies for us, a heavenly sight

To eat in restaurants, a delicious delight;

To ask for more we had no courage or right.

 

6        Even during vacations, we had to read

Lest we forget if we idle away our days;

Old books from seniors we borrowed indeed

A few hours in studies, before we used to play;

No pleasure trips to places far away

But go to our relatives’ houses and stay

A jovial time for all of us those happy days.

  

7        We spent so many years in village though small

Even now we wish to visit this place at least

Twice in a year and all our relatives meet;

We eagerly respond to their friendly call;

Our home stored with many memories past

A comforting haven to all our hearts.

In our lives- a precious, inseparable part.

 

8       Our elders never let us sit idle at home

We had to help them in orchards or in farms;

Right from childhood we bonded with Nature’s charms;

With cows in open pastures, we used to roam

The pleasant smell of fresh milk, we never forgot

The customs and worship of gods we were taught

About our ancestors too, we learnt a lot.

 

9        Though far away from home we never lost

Our connections with our village small;

From our elders’ experiences we learnt a lot

We are in touch with our friends, one and all;

Our elders felt contented with what they had;

Despite a few problems they never appeared sad;

They led a simple life peaceful, serene and glad. 

 

10  Sever not links from where you were born and bred

Break not roots which gave you life and did sustain

Close, intimate connections try to maintain

With your old home with sweet memories spread;

Live not like a vagrant moving from place to place

Cut off from your native roots and place

Ignorant of your language, customs and ways.

         ****************************

 29th October 2026              Somaseshu Gutala

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

POLLUTED LIVES

            


                                    



                                       


                      

                          


    I wake up and breathe polluted air

    I brush my teeth with polluted paste;

    I suffer my polluted coffee or tea

    I have my polluted breakfast next;

    I go out through polluted streets

    Filled with garbage heaps and clogged drains;

    Uneven lanes with bumps and potholes

    Breathing foul smell, dust and dense fumes;

    I travel through crowded highways

   Jampacked with cars, trucks, buses and bikes;

   Flouting traffic rules some young bikers

   Drove fast on broken pavements as if it was theirs;

   Driving is a near life-and-death experience here;

   I take my lunch polluted with too many colors; 

  My colleagues exult in cracking lewd, sarcastic jokes

  Trying to evade their work in sly, smart ways

  While stacks of dusty files lie crying for months;

  I wade through crowded streets, during rush hours

  Filled with cigarette smoke, petrol fumes and dust;

  In long queues, we wait like sinners in the hell

 I watch lots of crowds standing before the bars

 While some bargain in stealth for weed and drugs;

 Flashy bill boards cheat with sweet, false promises;

 Returning home I read a few sheets of news

 Nothing else new except sex, rapes and murders

And false rumors polluting people’s minds;

I switch on T.V. to watch and relax

Nothing but crime, horror and body-exposing scenes

And endless serials running for years long;

So many channels of pollution all around;

News of wars, crimes and violence loom everywhere;

Pollution poisoned man’s mind, body and heart;

Is this our contribution to the world?

In spite of advanced technology and science we lead

Polluted lives filled with hatred, revenge, and greed;

Our achievements however great we may brag

Our dreams and hopes tumble with utmost speed;

Man-made disasters drive us to ruin ourselves at last

Man in his own technological web is caught;

Wars and politics play with our lives, beware!

They cause much loss and make our lives nightmare.

        ***********************************

             "Respect Earth, respect Life."

    21st October 2026       Somaseshu Gutala

  

Note: Adulteration has spread in all things we use and consume. Adulteration has become a dreadful menace seen in food, fruits, pulses, cereals, oils, milk, dairy products, honey, ice cream, soft drinks,cosmetics, spices, medicines, fertilizers etc. It affects our vital organs like liver, kidneys, brain and lungs. It is also a kind of pollution which affects our living and health. According to Food Safety and Standards Authority India (FSSAI), The percentage of adulteration in various things is: Oils (30%-60%), Pulses (18% to 28%), Sweets (20% to 40%), Soft drinks (23% to 28%), Spices (12% to 28%), Cosmetics (30% to 40%), Chilli Powder (30% to 45%), Medicines (25% to 30%), Fertilizers and Pesticides (25% to 30%). In retail shops the percentages may be higher. Many harmful chemicals like Calcium carbide, Borax Powder, Aluminum Sulphate, Copper Sulphate, Arsenic, Caustic Soda, Lead Chromate and paraffin wax are used which affect the health of consumers and cause many kinds of health issues.Both pollution and adulteration are man-made devils created just for the purpose of getting wealth and power.

 

 Apart from environmental pollution, Mass media cause mental pollution and encourage people to resort to crime, violence and sexual offences. They also mislead public by publishing biased views and sensational rumors just to catch readers’ attention and pervert their views. In spite of advancement in science and technology, man still behaves like a wild beast ever fighting and killing to retain his power and amass great wealth. He is not aware of the fact that by polluting Nature and his surroundings he is driving himself to his own destruction and doom. Man should realize his grave mistakes which cause irreparable harm to himself and his surroundings. He should make efforts to protect Nature and should not misuse his knowledge. Only in peaceful co-existence and simple living he can find happiness and true meaning in his life.

                   ***********************

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

On my Stay at ZIBE, GRT Hotels, Coimbatore (Tamilnadu)

 

            

Front View of "Zibe" Hotel, Coimbatore

                            

The restaurant "Tiffin Room:"

                              

Superior Room

                               

Deluxe Room

                               

Family Suite

                             

The logo of the honey-bee on the plate

                            

The Brand Image and Logo of Honey-Bee

                                

Mural paintings
                                   
Wall picture
                                  
Modern Paintings

                             

Dancing Figures

                               

Pictures of Autos

GRT Hotels & resorts is a premier South Indian hospitality chain and is a part of the G.R.Thanga Maligai group. It operates twenty-two hotels, luxury resorts and boutiques in Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Pondicherry and Kerala. In Coimbatore Zibe-GRT Hotels is located in the heart of the city on Avinashi Road, Peelamedu.  It is nearly 8kms from Coimbatore International Airport and 5.3kms from Coimbatore Junction Railway Station. This is a three-star hotel comprising fifty-six rooms of various sizes on four floors.  

There are three types of rooms: Superior rooms (260sq.ft), Deluxe Rooms with twin beds (340 sq.ft) and suites (520 sq.ft) with all facilities. This is a pet-friendly hotel allowing dogs and cats weighing up to 35kgs per room. Pet beds and pet bowls are supplied here. Excellent service, cleanliness and peaceful atmosphere are key features of this hotel. Kid-friendly meals and buffet are the specially given. All rooms are sound-proof with facilities like A.C. desks, chairs, complimentary toiletry, coffee/tea makers, lockers, cupboards and complimentary buffet breakfast (7.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m.) and complimentary hi-tea (from 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.) in the evening.  In the evening the snack options are very limited. It would be better if more snack options are added.  The check-in and check-out hours are 12.00 p.m (noon) and 12.00 p.m.(noon). 

There is an on-site restaurant “Tiffin room” which serves local South Indian and North Indian dishes.  The prices are a little bit high. Free private parking space, Fitness Centre, meeting rooms, spa, swimming pool, local shuttle, daily house-keeping, dry-cleaning and pressing, airport transfer facilities are available here. The artistic décor of this hotel attracts new visitors. The honey-bee is chosen as the central brand identity or logo to represent the hotel as an energetic, efficient community-focused hive for modern travelers. The honeybee design is seen on the plates, hand towels and wall mural paintings. The picture of the honeybee with the word-play slogan “Be yourself” written on the walls suggests that the guests are encouraged to be independent, comfortable and free. Zibe refers to its structured highly convenient work-friendly spaces as “Bee Hives”. Zibe provides a vibrant, collective space where tech-savvy business travelers and tourists can collaborate and connect and enjoy smooth stays. 

The walls along the corridor are designed with complex blend of images, and dancing figures which add charm and dynamic spirit to the ambiance. The tourist attractions are: Kovai Kutralam falls(3.15kms), Puliakulam Vinayagar Temple (4.5kms), Iachanari Vinayagar Temple(8kms) Gedee Car Museum and Science Museum(4kms), Patteswarar Temple(12kms), Marudamalai Hill Temple(18kms), Vellingiri Isha Yoga Centre(35kms). The tourists can enjoy a comfortable stay here and can visit many nearby tourist destinations.

           ********************************************       

          13th October 2026               Somaseshu Gutala    


Monday, October 5, 2026

At Narpavi Suvaiyagam Restaurant, Tiruvannamalai (Tamilnadu)

    

Front View

                                   

Wooden Image of Lord Ganesha

                                  


                         

Inside View
                                  



                                       

                              

Menu Board

                                 

Tasty Dosa

                            

Mini-meals

                                  

Chapati

This restaurant is near Thirumanjanam Gopuram street, Pavazhakundur of the famous Annamalaiyar (Arunachaleshwara) temple. This is a pure vegetarian restaurant with South Indian, Andhra and Chinese cuisine along with beverages and fresh juices. This is a self-service eatery. Without any flashy decorations this restaurant appears simple and clean in the busy crowded street of the temple town. Service is very quick and attentive.  The traditional ambiance is enhanced by the wall paper paintings showing Rangoli designs and pictures of chefs in traditional South Indian attire preparing various items and dishes.

Various tasty dishes like masala Dosa, steaming Idlis, crispy vadas, Pongal, Uthappam, Veg Fried Rice, Veg Noodles, Gobi Fried Rice, Mini-Tiffins, Filter Coffee, Tea are preferred by most pilgrims here. Vanilla, Pista, Strawberry, Butterscotch and Chocolate milk shakes along with Badam Milk, Madurai Jiggarthanda, and Rosemilk are also available here. Visitors feel a homely atmosphere here with friendly and attentive staff and quick service.  For pilgrims going to temples nearby this is a very convenient food-stall serving tasty dishes at affordable prices. This restaurant is open from Monday to Sunday from 7.00 a.m. to 10.30 p.m.The name of this restaurant “Narpavi’ in Tamil means ‘Wishing peace and well-being for all people.” The Tamil word “Suvaiyagam” means “The abode of taste” or “the world of flavor”.

                                  *************************


   5th october 2026                             Somaseshu Gutala

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

On my Stay at Sree Sakthi Residency, Kancheepuram (Tamilnadu)

      

                           

Front View of Sree Sakti Residency


Hotel reception

                                        

Lord Vinayaka at the entrance

                                               
Corridor

                                             

Upashana restaurant on the ground floor

                                           

Inside View of the restaurant

                                      
Lobby Room

                                     
Single deluxe room

                              

Double deluxe Room

                             
Premium Double Deluxe Room
    
                                 
Triple Bed Deluxe Room

                            

Way to car parking


This two-star family budget hotel is located in Nellukara Street within walkable distance to Sri Kamakshi temple and is very close to Chitragupta Swamy temple. This hotel has twenty-eight rooms on three floors. To suit the convenience of tourists, there are three types of rooms: six Single Deluxe Rooms, fourteen Double Deluxe Rooms, four twin-cot Double Deluxe Rooms and four Triple Deluxe sound-proof Rooms with black-out curtains. The premium Double Rooms are newly upgraded units with modern designed interiors and modern tables and seating chairs with aesthetic finish.

This hotel provides free parking, lift facility, twenty-four hours power backup, Wi-fi facility, hot water supply, twenty-nine-inch LED T.V. with satellite channels.  The facility of providing cars on hire is also there. Full security is there with installation of CCTV cameras. Though the hotel looks simple without much show-off decoration, it has got all facilities. In each room there is a table, two chairs and a cupboard. Dry-cleaning and laundry services are available. Complimentary breakfast is included in hotel tariff. In each room complimentary bathroom kit is provided. The room service is very prompt. In maintaining cleanliness and in supply of towels and bed sheets, some improvement is to be made.

On the ground floor “Upashana Restaurant”, a pure vegetarian restaurant is there. In this restaurant tourists can taste many varieties of typical South Indian dishes like Medu Vada. Pongal, Rava Dosa, Idly-Vada and Kadai Chettinadu Mushrooms etc. Along with this, North Indian dishes like Chola Poori, Kaju Mushroom Masala Mushroom, Chana Masala, Chola-Poori, Gobi masala, Mutter-Paneer masala are served.  One can also taste Mini-tiffin, a combination of favorite dishes, mini-meals and special meals are also provided. This restaurant is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. Room service is available from 6.00 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. 

 All the temples are very near to this hotel. Sri Kamakshi temple is just 400 meters from here. The Ulaga Perumal temple is nearly 300 meters. Sri Varada Raja Perumal temple is 4 kms and one can go there by car in 20 minutes. The distance to Kanchi Mutt is 1.5 kms and one can go there by auto in five minutes. The most ancient Kailasanathar temple is just 5kms from this hotel. The other nearby tourist destinations are: Siriperemubudur (35kms), Arakkonam (35kms), Chengalpet (38kms), Mamallapuram (65kms), Chennai (75kms) and Vellore Golden Temple (80kms). For tourists visiting temples, this hotel is very convenient and affordable with all facilities.

                         *******************************

         29th September 2026              Somaseshu Gutala