taj mahal a victim of heat and dust

taj mahal hit by dust

with temperature recording new high, the dusty Agra weather is proving a hazazrd to the white marble monument.
the dry yamuna bed and the westerlies blowing across the city from the neighbouring Rajasthan district, have enveloped the historical monuments of Agra in a thick blanket of dust which is also roughing the surface of the stones, creating pox like marks.
efforts to clean the river have failed, and so have a series of initiatives to green the western periphery of the city.
if the monument has to be saved for posterity, the green cover around Agra must increase and the river filled with water round the year, say environmentalists

agratoday.in to give complete info on taj city

It is a great pleasure to present you this new version of our news website for the whole of Braj Mandal, Agratoday.in, more attractive and user- friendly than the earlier version.




When we launched Agralive.in three years ago, it became a kind of trend setter. The rechristened Agratoday.in has surprised us with a committed following and continuous feedback from our visitors, clients and patrons who have found the platform useful and unique.







Indeed in terms of sharing ideas, opinions and information Agratoday.in has scored quite a few successes. On several occasions breaking news stories much in demand these days, have been widely appreciated.







Many of you may have participated in the end of the year unique poll for the most popular personality of Agra. The tremendous response through emails and SMSs helped popularize the site, which now is poised for a make-over to attract the younger set. Many new features are being added. We would however continue to evolve and rediscover ourselves in this process of up-gradation. So if you have any ideas please let us know.







My colleague Dharmendra Kumar and his team do not want to rest on the laurels and be easily satisfied. He is now keen to take bigger challenges and incorporate some more innovative designing. He promises this will definitely be a very interesting and useful website in days to come. Needless to say, the contents will receive our full attention and we will not shy away from calling a spade a spade where public interest is involved.







The answer to the question why this website? First there are a whole lot of people of Agra origin spread all over the world. They are keen to know what is happening back home. Two, the mainstream newspapers do not always have the time and space for views and information that affect their commercial prospects. Here our website intends filling the gap.







Let me now tell you about the new features that have been incorporated to give it a new look and prove more useful for our valuable fans and users.







Let’s start from the logo. Logo gives the prominent impression of cultural and traditional aspect of Braj region. The identity of Agra, The Taj Mahal and of Mathura-Vrindavan, Lord Krishna and Radha appear on the logo.







For smooth navigation, there are three Menus on site one by one. First is Main Menu, which have Links for various sections as ‘News’, ‘Braj Ke Gaurav’, ‘Students’ Corner’, ‘Just Books’ ‘Editorial’ and ‘Tourism’. Second, the Special Menu, has various columns of famous columnists on various contemporary issues.



The third menu is for the legal and advertisement aspects of the website. It includes ‘About Us’, ‘Advertisement Enquiry’, ‘Privacy Policy’ and ‘Legal Disclaimer’ etc.







On the right panel of the site, there is a ‘Gallery’ which includes ‘Photo Gallery’ and ‘Cartoon Corner’ one by one. Below this, there are ‘Latest News’, ‘Popular’ stories, ‘Information’ and ‘Classifieds’ are given.







On left panel, there is a ‘Search’ field, by which users can search older stories on the website.







In the main body of the website, the top story is being presented with four other stories. Four more stories’ links are also provided at the bottom. Visitors would now be able to rate stories according to their interests and judgments.







Besides it, the story can be seen in PDF format, print can be taken and even one can send the story to friends. Related stories links also would be provided with each story. There would be more features for registered users. If they register themselves at below left panel.







RSS 2.0 version is also available for the visitors. With this service you can get the regular updates on your desktop. Even, you can add this service to your blog or Facebook profile.



A Poll Question has also been added.







Below, you will find information on how many visitors are viewing the site with you.



We have only three advertisement modules to ensure visitors don’t get irritated or inconvenienced. All the advertisements would be shown in these three modules one by one. And, strictly ‘No’ to pop ups.







Now, I would like to share with you how I have been helped by my team mates who have put in a lot of hard work and imagination. I would like to name some of my friends who helped me in launching of this new version. Dharmendra Kumar, of course, leads the team, Sunil Kumar Sirij suggested the layout, color combination and Aarti Verma designed the logo and other banners.







Finally, we are committed to only good taste and we respect the privacy of every individual who needs his own space for self-growth. Whatever is in public interest and of interest to our readers and surfers, will find space on this site.







Your comments are always a source of guidance and inspiration.



Best wishes



BRIJ KHANDELWAL



Editor



Agratoday.in

andhi in agra

HIGH  SPM  LEVEL  AND  WESTERLIES  
BRING   LOTS  OF  DUST  TO  AGRA

dusty winds blowing across the city from the west last night suddenly changed direction, indicating some respite. a big cloud seems to be moving from the east. this could bring in some moisture.

meanwhile the dust in the ambient air of the city doubled from 300 to almost 600 micrograms per cubic metre.

experts have been suggesting for long there should be dense aforestation on the western periphery of the city, but the forest department has been sleeping over these recommendations.

the dry river yamuna is another cause for concern. without water the dust from the river is hitting tourists at the taj mahal which at the moment is enveloped in a thick blanket of dust.

the weather is rough, hot and dusty. those who can postpone their visit to agra, should do that.

introducing www.agratoday.in

It is a great pleasure to present you this new version of our news website for the whole of Braj Mandal, Agratoday.in, more attractive and user- friendly than the earlier version.


When we launched Agralive.in three years ago, it became a kind of trend setter. The rechristened Agratoday.in has surprised us with a committed following and continuous feedback from our visitors, clients and patrons who have found the platform useful and unique.

Indeed in terms of sharing ideas, opinions and information Agratoday.in has scored quite a few successes. On several occasions breaking news stories much in demand these days, have been widely appreciated.

Many of you may have participated in the end of the year unique poll for the most popular personality of Agra. The tremendous response through emails and SMSs helped popularize the site, which now is poised for a make-over to attract the younger set. Many new features are being added. We would however continue to evolve and rediscover ourselves in this process of up-gradation. So if you have any ideas please let us know.

My colleague Dharmendra Kumar and his team do not want to rest on the laurels and be easily satisfied. He is now keen to take bigger challenges and incorporate some more innovative designing. He promises this will definitely be a very interesting and useful website in days to come. Needless to say, the contents will receive our full attention and we will not shy away from calling a spade a spade where public interest is involved.

The answer to the question why this website? First there are a whole lot of people of Agra origin spread all over the world. They are keen to know what is happening back home. Two, the mainstream newspapers do not always have the time and space for views and information that affect their commercial prospects. Here our website intends filling the gap.

Let me now tell you about the new features that have been incorporated to give it a new look and prove more useful for our valuable fans and users.

Let’s start from the logo. Logo gives the prominent impression of cultural and traditional aspect of Braj region. The identity of Agra, The Taj Mahal and of Mathura-Vrindavan, Lord Krishna and Radha appear on the logo.

For smooth navigation, there are three Menus on site one by one. First is Main Menu, which have Links for various sections as ‘News’, ‘Braj Ke Gaurav’, ‘Students’ Corner’, ‘Just Books’ ‘Editorial’ and ‘Tourism’. Second, the Special Menu, has various columns of famous columnists on various contemporary issues.

The third menu is for the legal and advertisement aspects of the website. It includes ‘About Us’, ‘Advertisement Enquiry’, ‘Privacy Policy’ and ‘Legal Disclaimer’ etc.

On the right panel of the site, there is a ‘Gallery’ which includes ‘Photo Gallery’ and ‘Cartoon Corner’ one by one. Below this, there are ‘Latest News’, ‘Popular’ stories, ‘Information’ and ‘Classifieds’ are given.

On left panel, there is a ‘Search’ field, by which users can search older stories on the website.

In the main body of the website, the top story is being presented with four other stories. Four more stories’ links are also provided at the bottom. Visitors would now be able to rate stories according to their interests and judgments.

Besides it, the story can be seen in PDF format, print can be taken and even one can send the story to friends. Related stories links also would be provided with each story. There would be more features for registered users. If they register themselves at below left panel.

RSS 2.0 version is also available for the visitors. With this service you can get the regular updates on your desktop. Even, you can add this service to your blog or Facebook profile.

A Poll Question has also been added.

Below, you will find information on how many visitors are viewing the site with you.

We have only three advertisement modules to ensure visitors don’t get irritated or inconvenienced. All the advertisements would be shown in these three modules one by one. And, strictly ‘No’ to pop ups.

Now, I would like to share with you how I have been helped by my team mates who have put in a lot of hard work and imagination. I would like to name some of my friends who helped me in launching of this new version. Dharmendra Kumar, of course, leads the team, Sunil Kumar Sirij suggested the layout, color combination and Aarti Verma designed the logo and other banners.

Finally, we are committed to only good taste and we respect the privacy of every individual who needs his own space for self-growth. Whatever is in public interest and of interest to our readers and surfers, will find space on this site.

Your comments are always a source of guidance and inspiration.

Best wishes

BRIJ KHANDELWAL

Editor

Agratoday.in

yet no doctor on call at the taj

Yet again, no doctor on call at Taj


Agra, May 20 – An elderly tourist from Karnataka died of a heart attack at the Taj Mahal last week, raising questions as to why the authorities had not been able to provide prompt medical care and why no ambulance was available at the World Heritage monument visited by millions of tourists.
‘He got medical help only after 45 minutes,’ a guide at the Taj Mahal told IANS.

Rakesh Chauhan, president of the Agra Hotels and Restaurants Association, who was present when the tourist suffered a stroke, told IANS: ‘He could have been saved had facilities like an ICU van been available to transport the victim.’

An official at the Taj Mahal told IANS: ‘As of today there is no ambulance or doctor available at the Taj. We have a first aid box.’

‘The issue has to be sorted out by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Agra Development Authority (ADA) officials. Ideally there should be an ambulance available at the parking slots,’ the official added.
Earlier also Indian and foreign tourists have suffered injuries, slipping or falling from the staircase. In many cases, there has been critical delay.

Chauhan said he had now offered to provide ambulances with support from charitable organisations in the city, but the ASI and the ADA are not granting permission for the same.

‘Whoever wants to provide an ambulance will need to secure special permission for a petrol-based vehicle, which is not permitted within 500 metres of the Taj,’ the official said.

‘Last year the ASI had announced that a doctor with an ambulance would be permanently stationed at the Taj, but no follow-up action was taken,’ Abhinav Jain, an emporium owner at the Taj Mahal’s eastern gate, recalled.

‘They make so much money from the Taj, but when it comes to providing basic amenities to the tourists the official agencies are seen dragging their feet. For instance, at the height of summer, the Agra Development Authority could easily provide umbrellas, the ASI could spread out carpets all over the stoned pathways, but one notices the callous nonchalance and apathy towards the concerns of tourists,’ Jain said.

Despite the heat the number of tourists at the Taj Mahal has not shown any decline this year. Domestic and foreign tourists are braving the summer in Agra.

‘The temperature Tuesday was close to 47 degrees Celsius and the red sandstones were sizzling hot. Lots of students are visiting the Taj Mahal these days due to summer vacations. We can be sympathetic to their plight, and provide shelters or shamianas (marquees) and a good number of drinking water points,’ said Surendra Sharma, president of the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society, a voluntary outfit.

Chauhan feels the facilities offered aren’t enough.

‘It is shocking that while the foreign tourists are given disposable shoe covers, Indian tourists are not, as if their feet were made of iron or stones. They can easily provide carpets for the convenience of tourists.’