A Small Suburb in Mumbai- NALASOPARA

Location: District Thana (Maharashtra) - Lat 19º 25'N, Long 72º 4

Nalasopara is a small suburb of Mumbai. It can be approached by easily by trains. It is a place where only trains are available for transport to distant place. This place is not much known to the people but now it is coming in lime light because of its historic importance. Recently, some of the fragments of rock edicts of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka of 3rd century BC has been discovered. This site is locally known as Buruda Raja ka kotha or buruda Raja fort. This site contains a large circular ruined dome.

In ancient times, it was the largest township on India's west coast, trading with Mesopotamia, Egypt, Cochin, Arabia and Eastern Africa. Proof of Ashokan inscriptions have also been recovered .Buddhist text gives details that is was a prominent Buddhist area. During excavation ruins of a Buddhist Stupa were found. From the center of the stupa (inside a brick built chamber) a large stone coffer was excavated which contained eight bronze images of Maitreya Buddha which belong to the 8th-9th century A.D. The coffer contained a relic caskets, numerous gold flowers and fragments of a begging bowl. A silver coin of Gautamiputra Satakarni was also found.

As this place is now become a historical place, efforts are being taken to recover this site. Living in Nalasopara since so many years, even I had no idea of this site. It’s because of its mention in newspapers now local people are aware of this place. This site still does not have many visitors. There is a lady at this site locally known as mataji who has been taking care of this place since 14 years. When I interviewed her, I got to know that there was a time when Nalasopara was very famous for its sandalwood cultivation. It was started by a follower of Lord Buddha. Before his death he donated all his wealth in the name of Lord Buddha.

Even now this stupa is eroding and no precautions are taken to protect this place. The Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation is looking into this matter. There are now records being kept of the people who visit this place. They are also given a book to help them know more about Lord Buddha and his followers. Recently a statue of lord Buddha is placed here by a monk from Thailand. Being an important place, we can only hope that this site is recovered and maintain because it is important from the point of view of our heritage.

TELE TODAY!!!!

Television today has reached every nook and corner of India. Be it a house in rural India or a pent house in urban India, they have become a very important part in the life of Indian women. These soaps have typical stories but still they are enjoying the support of majority women.

Most of these serials are viewed by ladies who are either house wives or by senior population. These serials show the women protagonist dealing with various problems in a very tactful way. The problems they face are generally harassment by in laws, or ill treatment by her in laws and at times even their husbands. Women's easily relate to these serials as they might have also faced some of theses problems in their life.



Today in this 21st century every women has her own stand and is not at all dependent on her husbands for her needs. One thing that will never change is that however educated the female is she has to suffer in her in-laws place or any other problems and to cry in all the possible episodes. There are women who face the same problems or at times even worse conditions but they do not keep crying all the time.
Why can't a Indian daughter, daughter in law be happy??

The directors infact should try to show the Indian audience a wider and brighter side of a womens life. They should focus their camera to the changing world rather then sticking to the same old stories. Today there are many Indian girls who are very happy even in joint families.for example sasural genda phool- it is a story of a girl who is a spolit brat and lives life according to her own principles. but she changes herself and changes for good after her marriage. She is very happy at her husbands place.

My view to today's television is to not exaggerate the problems but to show Indian daughter in-laws happy and changing for good in her husbands place.So lets hope that the future television soaps will bring in the new era in the lifes of Indian womens in the television world.