A Note on Burj Khalifa, Dubai

     

                          

                                 

             

Burj Khalifa is the tallest skyscraper with residential, commercial and scientific uses. The construction of this megalithic and marvelous skyscraper was started on 12^th January 2004 and was officially opened on 4^th January 2010.

 It is eight hundred and twenty-eight meters (2716.5 ft) in height with more than 200 levels and has 163 habitable levels. It gives a panoramic view of Dubai. It has world’s highest elevator situated inside a rod at the top of the building. Of the 163 floors the public can go up to 154^th floor. On the 148^th floor, there is a sky observatory, the world’s highest observation deck at a height of 556 meters or 1823 feet. Business celebrities and film stars (like Shilpa Shetty and Mohan Lal) own properties in Burj Khalifa.

 Burj Khalifa is praised as a “Vertical city” and as “a living wonder.” It has nine hundred residential units (one, two, three and four bed-room flats) from 19 to 108 levels, and nearly ten thousand people can stay there. It has 16,000 bath rooms in flats, offices and public areas. It is three times the height of Eiffel Tower in Paris. Nearly seventeen billion people visit this building every year and 621 million dollars is earned as ticket revenue per year.

EMAAR Properties, the world’s largest real estate company is the master developer of Burj Khalifa. Adrian Smith, Chief Engineer of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill company in Chicago designed this tower. He is also the architect of Sears (Willis) Tower in Chicago. This design was derived from the Islamic architectural design of the great mosque of Samarra in Iraq and from the shape of the desert flower, Hymeno Callisor or spider lily. William Frazier Baker, an American structural engineer planned the unique hexagonal core structure of this tallest skyscraper. Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ( 7 Sep.1948-13 May 2022), Leader of Abu Dhabi and former President of U.A.E. provided aid in building this structure. As a token of honor and gratitude, this building was named as Burj Khalifa which means “King’s Tower.”

 In this tower are located hotels, restaurants, offices and residences. It has nine hundred residential units, and ten thousand people can stay here. Observation decks for tourists are at 124, 125 and 148 levels. Level 125 shows the special features of Arab art and culture. The visiting hours are from 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. on weekdays and from 5.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. during weekends. In the evening Burj Khalifa lit with laser lights sparkles with changing colors with a vibrant glow. 

Located at the foot of the Burj Khalifa there is the Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest fountain. The fountain jets up to 22,000 gallons of water up to a height of 140 meters at a time. This fountain was constructed in 2009 on the 12-acre Burj Khalifa Lake. It illuminates the surroundings with 6,600 lights and 50 colored projectors. This colorful musical fountain works every thirty minutes from 1.00 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. and in the evenings from 6.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. daily. On Fridays the fountain works from 1.30 p.m. to 2.00 p.m. only. All shows at the fountain are free of charge.

The famous “Armani Hotel” designed by fashion icon, Georgio Armani, occupies up to eighth floor with suites on 38^th and 39^th levels that is eleven floors.  Adjacent to this tower is seen “Dubai mall”. Burj Khalifa is cleaned four times a year. It takes three months to complete one cleaning cycle.

The modular spiraling Y-shaped plan helps to reduce the wind force on the tower. The telescopic spire is 200 meters long and houses communications equipment. Nearly four thousand tons of structural steel was used in construction of the telescopic spire. The top thirty floors contain electrical sub-stations, water tank pumps, air-handling units which operate the tower. The top four floors are meant for communication systems. The town’s water system supplies 9,46,000 liters of water daily to this tower. Fire safety and speed evacuation measures are taken as precautionary measures. In this tower there are 57 elevators and eight escalators. 

The Dubai Creek Harbor Observation tower of 928 meters height (2,717 ft) is going to be built in Dubai and work is now in progress. It will have 210 floors and will be higher than Burj Khalifa by 100 meters. The Jeddah Tower (3308 ft) 1008 meters high in Saudi Arabia under construction will become the tallest building structure in future. It will be 173 meters or 568 feet taller than the Burj Khalifa (828 meters or 2716 ft).

Burj Khalifa is truly one of the wonderful marvels created by masterminds which displays their talent, art and advanced technology. Burj Khalifa has become the iconic symbol reflecting Dubai's culture, technological progress, modern sophistication, tradition, commercial activism and eco-friendly development.

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

     12th January, 2024                    Somaseshu Gutala

This Precious Gift

 

               

                             

                                      

          This precious gift with which I play

             A trivial toy, a meaningless sport;

             Indeed, throwing away the costly pearls

             Into cinders of nothing; none to account.

             This precious breath we waste in empty sounds.

             To pollute and slander others.

             This gift which can reveal the spirit

             Beneath our senses, meaningful depths;

             This precious strength and spark we consume.

              In degrading ways, self-imprisoned idle pleasures

              Leaving behind, alas, an inner penury.

               As age engulfs with fangs of disease

               We curse in vain our crooked past

               Spent in worthless acts at expensive cost.

               This boon, this only chance with reason fraught

               We spend like airy nothing in worthless ways;

               The secrets of existence unexplored

               Without a solid foundation we hope

               To build our uncertain future;

               Without understanding Nature

               Without thrill of noble thoughts and devotion

               We drive our days downhill to doom;

               No lotus within our bosom blooms

               No coiled secrets do we unwind;

               In wretched chains we ourselves bind;

               Oh God! How can we account for thy gifts!

               A rudderless journey adrift;

               Time’s nearing threat we hear

               Till now our vision and goal unclear;

               What ransom avails to clear our debt?

               Once lost is lost forever. What our fate?

               We blame to justify our erring ways;

               Do we deserve in truth almighty grace?

               This precious gift we ought to care and know

               Of what we are, a spark of divine glow;

               With mercy, love and piety dwell

               Thy life, a kernelled fruit but not a shell

               Work first, you need not ask;

               God knows His mighty task.

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

        31st December, 2023                         Somaseshu Gutala

 

       

              

              

              

             

In the Prayer Room

        

                                                         

                                     

                                  

1. Like a parrot that imitatively recites

    Without inner throbbing of calm delight

    I chant thy sacred name with rhythmic voice;

    No surging feeling except loud noise;

    I wave around oil lamps before thy image

    No figure divine reflects in this fleshy cage

    My worship turned a mere daily routine

    I know not what true prayer means.

 

2       Like a humming gnat hidden from light

  A weird monotony far from Thy sight

  A cracked bell, not responsive to Thy call;

 How can I cut through this ignorant iron wall?

 My soul deaf to Thy melodious charm

 My soul blind to Thy dazzling form;

 How to move on this rugged path so long?

 How to cross this self-made barrier so strong?

 

3.    No signs of devotion I did feel

No gushing streams of swelling zeal;

No thrill of entering spiritual spheres

Forgetting worldly worries and fears;

No vibrant feeling flowing through my veins;

No placid contemplation serene;

Have my feelings dried up with growing age?

What is the use of reading many a page?

 

4.    What visions and dreams those wise men had!

How they felt elated and extremely glad!

Forgetting this world how happily they sang

With spontaneous bliss as temple bells rang;

What immortal lyrics they wrote thrillingly divine!

Drunk deep with devotion’s ambrosial wine.

Transcending poverty and worldly woes

How they prayed earnest with no splendid show!

 

5.    Never to such sublime level do I aspire

A tiny touch of grace, oh Lord! I desire;

A few moments of devotion I need

To soothe my soul, Oh Lord! my prayer heed;

What use mere rituals and reciting hymns?

What use mere reading bulky volumes grim?

Lift my soul unruffled in meditation calm;

Fill my soul with Thy peace-giving gracious form.

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

    18th December, 2023                      Somaseshu Gutala

 

 

 

 

 

The Kitchen-- Queen

         

                     

                   

            

1.    A useful invention thou art

A concrete help to culinary art

To lighten dreary household work;

No need for us our duty shirk;

A gift of science to every man;

Our work made quick, so spick and span.

 

2.    Without thee, much delay in routine

Now plenty of leisure and kitchen clean;

No suffocating smoke and dirt

No pungent vapors from vessels hurt;

All in one container thou art

A steaming treat, our fresh breakfast.

 

3.    Thy whistling hiss I cannot miss

A welcome sound fills me with bliss;

Everything is ready in time so short

All items fresh-cooked, piping hot;

No loss of vitamins, no half-cooked stuff

Open the lid, delicious smells you puff.

 

4.    Swishing, steaming and hissing loud

Thou art our precious possession proud;

Man-friendly gadget, Thou best friend

To all, with thee a happy time we spend;

A boon for ladies and gents indeed

Cooking no more a boring deed;

 

5.    Thy shiny, steel look adds grace to shelf

Thou art indeed a scientific elf

Thou, source of saving energy a lot.

Time-saver and server of dishes hot

Let people praise and take a lesson from thee!

Service, the core of all beliefs in brief.

            **********************

9th December, 2023                    Somaseshu Gutala

 

 

                                  

Ode on Scarcity

                   

             

          

                   

 1.    Waiting and waiting in endless queues

Years and years wasted without any use;

 Hoping for food in agonized suspense;

 As scarcity looms in proportions immense

 With limited resources and hoarding ways

 The common citizen’s life – a daily race.

 

2.    With shooting prices and taxes high

What can one do, too horrible to sigh;

The promises made dissolve in vain

A degrading state, a shameful stain;

With ever growing population rate

What growth can vie, a worsening state.

 

3.    Under the grip of ruthless corruption

The rich and mighty thrive; no ration

For them, no shortage, no threatening sound;

They roll in luxuries nowhere else found;

Coupled with poverty and scarcity dire

Adulteration rages like forest fire.

 

4.    Who questions whom? A vicious circle indeed

None takes the blame; none helps our needs;

None tries to stop the ills that feed on men;

Problems prosper like worms in a fen;

While other nations grow with earnest work

We slink in dishonest ways and duties shirk.

 

5.    Oh, thriving superpowers and states!

Think of us, your fellow-creatures’ fates;

Is it your culture to ravish Nature

Till man degrades himself to a devilish creature?

Beware of Nature’s rule and mighty force

Bring not on all irretrievable woes.

 

6.    What wealth can shape our Nature again?

What dollars can reduce the dying pain?

What riches can repair our polluted air?

What power can set right our state unfair?

Think of your neighbors’ fate ere it is too late;

Nature’s gifts let us not overuse or waste.

 

7.    Oh, richest raving men of power and greed!

For pomp and show, waste not resources and wealth;

Don’t throw away food on which dogs and beggars feed

With gold we can’t get back lost food and health

Let temperate means prevail and kindness reign

Let us fight against scarcity and starving pain.

‘

8.    Till we cut down our wastage and pleasures much

We have to languish waiting in queues as such

Let us not overconsume with selfish lust;

By mutual help and understanding we must

Make this, a planet for all to dwell.

Not a risky, polluted devastating hell.

       Postscript:

        Oh, developed citizens of this mighty earth!

        Waste not, want not, if not face death

        Like primitive dinosaurs, a gradual death;

        Mere luxuries won’t ennoble a human beast;

        Think of starving millions, relent at least.

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

  A Note on Scarcity:

 

Abnormal and excessive use of resources result in scarcity as there is a limited availability of resources on this planet. Even products manufactured by man have limits and must be used wisely for the welfare and safety of present and future generations also. There is a close connection between scarcity of resources and endangered environment and climate change. The main causes for scarcity are : rapid population growth, natural disasters, shortage of storage facilities, over consumption, wastage, Pollution and exploitation of natural resources, impending wars, scientic experiments that are harmful to Nature and mankind, blackmarketeering, lack of financial support, lack of proper use of scientific methods and proper monitoring and corruption in all fields. So proper steps should be taken by all nations to save this earth and all living creatures from the impending disaster.

According to reports nearly 78 million people faced hunger in 2022 and by 2030 it may go up to six hundred million. Food scarcity is caused by drought, floods, indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers, industrial pollution of water and soil coupled with wastage of food. In global hunger index India ranked 107 among 126 countries. More than 43% of children in our country are undernourished. Nearly 68 million tons of food is wasted annually in Indian homes. Next to China, India comes second in household wastage of food though we worship food as the sacred form of God. Overconsumption of resources causes scarcity in the world. The largest consumer nations are U.S., China, Japan, Germany and U.K. In India 125 million liters of water is wasted daily, that is 45 liters by one person every day. China, U.S. Brazil and Russia are the largest producers of water waste. 

The emission of poisonous gases by industries, auto mobiles, gadgets and burning of fossils and waste matter causes air pollution. China, U.S. India, Russia, Japan, Germany, Iran, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia are largest producers of carbon emissions. As regards plastic pollution India, China, Brazil, Indonesia, Japan, U.k. Thailand and Egypt are some of the countries which cause damage to our surroundings to a large extent. Even in small countries like Finland, Estonia, Bulgaria plastic pollution is assuming alarming proportions. Unless we take remedial measures the prospects of scarcity will lead to starvation deaths and pose a grave risk to ultimate survival of mankind and other living creatures as well.

 We should not misuse and overconsume available resources. We should check wastage and recycle the wastage items. Safety measures should be taken up in industrial sector to prevent pollution. Green technology to preserve our natural surroundings should be adopted. We should change our living style and lead a simple life without vain luxuries and wastage of resources. The outbreak of wars and production of nuclear weapons poses another grave danger to our world. We should reduce overuse of chemicals and follow organic methods in production. Nonconventional methods should be adopted in energy sector like wind, water and solar energy.

As per Paris Agreement (2005), the global warming has to be kept under control below 1.5 centigrade and emissions have to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. In G20 summit held on September 9^th 2023, Sri Narendra Modi assured the nations that carbon emissions will be brought down to zero level in India by 2070 if adequate funds are provided by developed nations. Let us hope that all nations will strive to make our world a safer and clean place for the survival of all living beings.

As Gandhi aptly said we should think about others and live a contented and peaceful life.  “The earth has enough resources to meet the needs of all but not enough to satisfy the greed of even one person.”

“If you exhaust natural resources, there will be nothing left for your children.” 

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

           24th November, 2023          Somaseshu Gutala

The Song of an African Slave

                 

                                                 

                                                         

1.                                                                               I live like a log

                                I live like a dog;

                                Without freedom’s breath

                                This life is worse than death.

 

2.                                                                            Is God colored or white?

                                He made the day as well as night;

                                But man with his brutal might

                                Killed freedom, God-given right.

 

3.                                  You raped our mothers

                               You killed our brothers.

                               You looted our palm- huts

                               You made us lick your dust.

 

4.                                                                        You seized our land in stealth

                              You plundered our land and wealth;

                              You whipped us to obey your rules.

                              You used us like lifeless tools.

 

5.                                                                     Our work and toil you need

                             We sweat to death unfreed;

                             You beat us blue and black

                             Our life—a jig-jag track. 

 

6.                                                                     We breathe same air like you

                             We eat and drink like you

                             We love and talk like you

                             We live and die like you.

 

7.                                                                    When will we see our land?

                             Palm-trees and flowers bland

                             The sounds of drum and horn

                             The roots and sweet-smelling corn?

 

8.                                                                    In Nature’s lap we are born free

                             We worship each bird, beast and tree.

                             Can’t you treat well your fellowman?

                             Who works for you, white man?

 

9.                                Too long we lived in misery

                             Don’t drive us mad with fury;

                             No more can we live in death

                             For rights we fight till our last breath;

 

 10.                     Black clouds with lightning burst

                           Chains break and power curst

                           Will crumble to wretched dust

                           For freedom till death fight we must.

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

      17th November, 2023                      Soma Seshu Gutala

   

 

   

 

 

     

 

A Birthday poem

 

                                    

     1.     Like a lamp scattering radiance around

         You drive away darkness profound;

         Like a star with sparkling festive light

         You ever remain positive and bright;

         Your presence instils hope and trust;

         Our sulky feelings blow away like dust.       

        

  2.   Right from childhood you showed your intelligence;

        You loved to study well and did hard work immense;

        You made everyone happy with cheerful looks

        You honed new skills and read so many books;

        You mingled happily with others and felt free

        No noisy quarrels but always making peace.

 

 3.     An active part in competitive tests

         You took; in cultural contests you did your best.

         From all teachers you earned good name

         But never turned proud but remained the same.

         Your convincing words and encouraging style

         Drive away our doubts and make us smile;

 

   4.   So many medals and compliments you won

         That shows your worth and dedication.

         Your earnest, loving attitude your words reveal

         A happy togetherness with you all feel;

         By earnest efforts in career, you rise

         Upgrading your skills with proficiency, no surprise.

 

   5.   Facing problems never made thee lose heart

         You acted wisely with vision and forethought;

         A steady, planned approach ever you maintain

         You express your views to others without causing pain; 

         Angry words and frowining looks never made thee fret  

         You pacify others with cool and calm mind-set.

 

   6.  Hard work, patience and unyielding will

        Made the improve your talents and skill;      

        Your life-companion gives you good guidance

        We commend his support and concern immense;

        This star-lit night with sparkling glow

        Your birthday celebration with jubilant show;

 

  7.   This sky like a dark chocolate iced cake seems

         With starry candles’ radiant beams.

         The star-studded night dazzles like heaven

         Blessing you with bright future, joy and fun.

         We wish you both a harmonious and joyful life

         Accomplishing your goals without much strife.

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

  (Dedicated to my dear daughter G.N.S. who was born on Diwali)

            12th November, 2023             Somaseshu Gutala