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My Stay in Czech Republic 2009-2012

Part Three
Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq Mangat

July 2012

Hanover Fair April 19-23, 2010

Hanover is one of the biggest cities of Germany. It is situated on the river Leine and is capital of Federal State of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen). Its population is more than a half million. Hanover remained an important city in the past. It is still much important for Germany. It is well known due to exhibitions, being held here. Expo 2000 was held here, which is the largest fair in the world. Moreover, there are many colleges and universities here, which have earned high credit in the world. In addition, there are many national rail lines passing through city. Adnan Mazari and I decided to attend Hanover fair, which was going to be held in the end of April, 2010. The fair was about machinery and automation. However, there were also some stands related to technical textile. We booked Student Agency bus from Prague for Hanover, it is more than 9 hours journey. We decided to stay for one night in Hanover so that we may see the exhibition properly. For residence, we booked one room; address was written on the ticket. It was near to the bus terminal. We reached early in the morning in Hanover and showed the address to a lady working in one shop. She guided us and finally we reached at the address. It was strange for us that there was no person in office. It was a small office situated in a big building. Entrance was locked and only people having key can go inside. We kept on waiting but could not find any one. It gave us some frustration. Finally we decided to go for exhibition.

Hanover Industrial Exhibition

Hanover exhibition centre is one of the biggest exhibition centers of the world. There are 17 big halls and huge conference hall. Along with it, there is a vast open place. It is quite difficult to visit all halls in two days. Everyone has to buy a ticket of 30 Euro for the exhibition. We took guidance from people to reach the exhibition centre. It is in one corner of the city and the best way is to take train. Hanover has a state of the art rail system, under-ground as well as normal rails. We went inside the rail station and bought ticket. It is important to note that exhibition ticket is good to travel in the city. We met a person in tram who was selling exhibition tickets. We bought two tickets from him and finally reached at exhibition. There is a dedicated rail station for

3 exhibition. Finally we entered in the exhibition area. As written earlier, this exhibition has a huge area. We started our tour and spent whole day in the exhibition. In the evening, we went again to the office for our residence. Again we found that there was no person in the office. On calling on phone, we were advised to go the main area in front of main rail station. This is the main meeting area of Hanover. It is situated in the centre and there is a big horse. After few minutes, a person came to us and took us to the house where we were supposed to stay during night. It was situated 15-20 km away from the center city in a village. It was a house owned by the person who took us to this house. This house is used as guesthouse. Room next to our was also occupied. After putting our small luggage and we went out for dinner, . It was a small but beautiful village and a nice restaurant was there. We had a dinner in this restaurant. It was quite busy and looks that most of the people were for the Hanover exhibition. After dinner, we had a small walk and next day after taking bus then a train for exhibition. In the evening, we again rode on bus and came to Prague and next day morning back to Liberec.

Hanover: Once Destroyed by Allies

Hanover is nearly 1000 years old city. Its population is 0.5 million. Britishs then by Prussia have ruled this city. The important thing is in the history of Hanover is its destruction during WWII. One of Adnan class fellow was living there. She came to see us in the evening and took us to the Museum. In Museum, there were three big things; an aerial view of city before WWII, another view after WWII and finally current view. For me, it is quite horrible, and I was unable to see and imagine the level of destruction. How many people were killed, what was his or her fault, nobody knew. I believe that it was not a matter of ideology rather it was just matter of some persons. You can imagine the scene after WWII and it is quite amazing that how people of Germany made once again the Germany as one of the most developed country by rebuilding it from ashes. Following snaps are enough to understand.

Hanover Before WWII

Hanover after WWII

Pictures taken from Museum, it shows the devastated scene of Hanover in 1945

Current state of Hanover Front of Hanover Main Rail Station and a Big Meeting Point

Technology Cooperation Day

During the fair, it was planned that people should meet to discuss the cooperation to develop technology. We could not attend this meeting. But it shows that exhibition is not sufficient rather, a platform should be provided to discuss the outcome of such exhibitions.

Hanover Messe Stalls

It is not possible to explain all things we saw there. But I will try to explain few things, which may give us little knowledge about the level of technology being adopted in future.

Robot at Hanover Messe

The most common thing was exhibition of robots. The most interesting robot was walking through the hall. Select and change the path, moreover, give space for the persons coming from other side. This robot shape was like human and sometime looks difficult to recognize. We saw a small drone having four fans on it. It was flying and was controlled by the person through remote control buttons. This robot has the ability to land at position with in its range. There were many robots, which were working in manufacturing areas. They were so quick and precise that is not possible with manual working.

Rotary performing machine A Czech company showed its products. One product was rotary performing machine. Its speed is 136 papers per minute and it can handle paper up to a width of 350 mm.

Siemens
High speed printing machine

This year slogan of Siemens was creating sustainable value. Siemens had the biggest stall in the exhibition. Here there is a link to see the video of the stall. The focus was productivity, ecology and efficiency. Things were amazing and beyond the expectation. A short documentary is available on the following link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUgomRLui_8 Hydrogen Cells One interesting work was development of hydrogen cells. It is a fast moving area of research. One company, who was showing latest development in this area, exhibited the production of hydrogen cell for industrial use. The product was amazing, how water was being used to get energy. You can have more information from the following link: http://www.h2fc-fair.com/hm10/exhibitors/accagen.html There were more than 50 companies who had stalls their and it looked that main source of energy in future would be fuel cell. It is important to note that third world is focusing on solar, wind and energy by using fuel in generators. All these are quite expensive and may take long time to become economically viable. Polypower This company makes products, which are used in making sensors. These are amazing

9 products. These are high-tech products and being used in high-tech products. A small video is available on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8en3T24oCs

Electric Cargo scooter One company showed an electric driven cargo scooter, which can go more than 100 Km in one charge and can have speed more than 50 Km /h. It may save a lot of fuel and much helpful in making environment neat and clean. More information on the following link: http://www.oxygenworld.it/content/one-platform-infinite-possibilities

Wind technology We saw first time wind machines. Their one propeller was in the exhibition. We could not imagine how it was transported. It was so big. Moreover, we saw many other types of winds, like horizontal instead of vertical movement. It all shows that in future, wind energy will be one big source of energy.

Stalls from Pakistan There were 3 or 4 stalls from Pakistan. They were all from Lahore and were supplier of small parts to different companies in Europe. It was a good effort by industry from Pakistan. But there is a need to have more. It is quite difficult to explain all stalls. I would recommend industry to participate in such exhibitions.

Passport checking process

On my first arrival in Czech Republic, after leaving the aircraft, we saw a group of police officers standing on the passage. Everyone has to show his passport. On my passport, there was first visa of Czech Republic and it was first arrival. I was quite afraid and became little nerves after seeing many police officers. I showed my passport to the police officer standing in front of me. He checked passport and took more than usual time. After few moments, I felt that he is not satisfied. Finally, he called another police officer and showed him my passport. He also took

10 more time and finally started questioning me about my visit. It took several minutes. After taking along time, he allowed me to go. This awesome moments are stick to my memories and whenever, I see such a group of police officers, I become nerves. I have seen on various airports that passport checking is on the counter not like this. This looks like a unique method, which Czech Republic police has adopted.

A day in forest
There were two Russian students; Archum and Alex living in room next to my room in the same section. One day we all three went for a three hour walk to the top of the mountain, which I used to see from my room window. We enjoyed a lot and were happy. I showed my interest to go for a long walk. One day Archum told me about his plan of walk with his friend. He invited me to join, which I accepted. It was last leg of summer, September, which is considered as last month before winter, which is considered as a cruel season. We were three and we all took our small backpack filled with some water and snacks etc. We started out at 7 AM and I asked Archum, how long this walk would be. He replied might be 8-10 Km. I though it is not too much. Our initial journey was through city, which is not important to narrate here. However, after 30 minutes walk we entered into a forest. This was my first walk through any forest. I did not know a lot about the travelling in the forest. But other two were much confident and much informative. I was just follower. From their discussion I came to know that we are going towards a very big lake. It is 10 Km from the outskirts of the city. The thing, which was added to my knowledge that there were certain tracks in the forest. In start there was a board, which tells about the length of track and final destination. Every track has a certain color. After every few hundred yards, a prominent tree was painted strips with special colors. These colored strips guide people about the track. So if you know the color of your selected track then you can confirm your selection.

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We knew the color of our track so after every few hundred yards we check our color and keep on moving. The second important thing was the maintenance of the tracks. Cutting the tress made most of the tracks and putting some rebels on the ground and it was seen that tree branches are cut regularly to keep the track clean. After a walk of around 10 Km, we reached on the bank of lake. I just calculated that if we go back from here, then it means that we would have a 20 Km walk in one day. It was quite sufficient. We decided to sit on the bank of the lake. We enjoyed our snacks and water and little chat. The view in front of us was awesome. There was a vast lake and people were sitting and enjoying on the sides of lake. The width of lake could be 1 KM. I saw a lady, who crossed the lake and went bank without taking any rest. It gave me a big surprised when I heard from Archum that we were going to another place, called Nova Loka. I decided not to resist and follow them. We passed a narrow passage through forest and finally reached Nova Loka place. It gave me a big surprise when I saw it. It was a vast valley surrounded by mountains. In the center, there was a huge building. It looked like a small hotel and restaurant. We went inside and took some drinks. I saw many old pictures on the walls, which show some hunting scenes. I was thinking that now other two people would announce another plan. It gave me more surprise when they said that we were going further to a place which was prominent for glass work and now in much bad conditions due to flood. We started our journey, but this time journey was on a metal road. We reached the place and saw a building, which was closed and destroyed, due to flood. There were boards etc. After spending sometime around we went through forest and they told me that we were going back but taking another route. This journey was again through forest and by taking a round trip we came to Nova Luka again. I saw board which shows that Liberec is 10 Km. I thought that they might take any public transport but it gave me a surprise third time, when they said lets walk. After travelling 10 Km we came to our hostel around 6 PM. I was quite tired;

12 particularly my legs were in a bad shape. I checked the total length of walk from Internet, it was 27 Km, maximum walk, which I had ever in one day. I wish I might break this record any time in future.

Visit of Czech Republic National Museum

Czech Republic has a very interesting history. It remained under influence of different powers. Being a small country, it was occupied by Germans and Russian. Many old people can speak German and Russian but they cannot speak English. The recent history of this country shows that it played a significant role in breaking the iron curtain of communist block. It got freedom from Russian influence. Museums are the best places, which tell you the real story. To have better and direct information, Adnan Mazari and me decided to visit the Prague Museum. Here is a brief description of our visit. Czech Republic has its biggest museum in the centre of Prague. It has many buildings; the main building was occupied by a special function. This museum was established in 1818. There are more than 14 million items sitting in this museum. Its origin is rooted in the organizing of Society of Patriotic Friends of Arts in 1796. This society collected many items after French Revolution. For more information, for more information, visit the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nrodn%C3%AD_muzeum_(National_Museum).jpg

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Prague Museum

This museum has many floors and many halls. One hall was dedicated to ancient coins, jewelry etc, one was full with pictures of the different players who took medals in Olympic. Czech Republic Olympic committee organized it. For me the most important hall was where they had put lot of posters, books, broadcasting instruments, pictures, arms, and military uniforms. All these were of the period during 1948-1989, the time of communist era. In one corner, there were posters, which were showing the enthusiasm of the people, particularly laborers showing the solidarity with the system. These posters reminded me the different slogans and poster in my child hood during 1970s in Pakistan. There was exhibition of posters books, stamps of Russian times. It name was Czechoslovakia and Communism: An Exhibition in National Museum (Nrodn Museum) of Prague

14 There were many posters exhibited. These posters are available for sale. Not the original one rather reprints. It was also reported on many posters that every young is communist. They tried to attract young people and made a lot of attraction for young people. It also reminded me that in my native city Toba Tek Singh, which was popular for its activities to promote communism. It was apparent from the biggest Kissan Conference in1970. In this conference participation of young people was dominant.

Prague Museum during Night

The second important thing in the museum was display of broadcasting equipment, which was used outside Eastern Europe. It was used mainly in Western Europe for propaganda against the USSR and controlled government in Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic separated from Solvak on Jan 1, 1993). A short visit provided a little information about the life under communism and freedom movement. There are many people who still believe that communist era was better than now. Majority of such people are old and I did not find any young person having

15 sympathy with communist ideology. The main different thing in the museum was exhibition of the struggle for freedom, which ended at velvet revolution. It is also important to note that revolution, which started from Nov 17, 1989, was completed on Dec 29, 1989. The major protests were carried out in front of the museum, it is the biggest square, I have ever visited. This square is a witness of Stalinism to Capitalism. I would say that every thing was not as bad as it was shown to outside the world. Russian block was less active on propaganda war as compared to their opponents. And finally, it lead to the end of this block and now the world is enjoying single super power based on capitalism. What capitalism claims, may be truebut I see more poverty in the world as compared to past. This is the fruit of capitalism working without any ethics or on so called business ethics.

Red Army in 1945 in Prague

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Poster in Communist Era

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Poster in Communist Era

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Russian army in Center of Prague, which became later center of protest, On back, Prague Museum. http://www.aworldtowin.net/resources/PragueSpring.html

Visit to Mala Skala

Mala Skala is located in a protected area, which is called Bohemian Paradise. It is also called pearl of Bohemian. It is one of the most beautiful places of Czech Republic. It is 10 miles from Liberec and old city of 15th century. The amazing thing is old castle Vranov, which is built on sandstone cliff above the river Jizear. Population of this small

19 village is around 2000. God blessed Rehan Abassi with a lovely daughter. Rehan, Zameer, Adnan Mazari and me decided to celebrate it by having a trip to Mala Skala. We planned to have a barbeque in Mala Skala. We took train from Liberec and reached orn Mala Skala train station. It is a very small station but very old. I saw there a small train passage on the opposite side of the platform. It was consist of a small demo type engine that is going inside the mountains. More than 50 people left the train and we all went inside the city towards a small river, which runs along the mountains. There were many trees and playing places along the river. A number of people were there. It was summer and people were there for summer vacations. We selected a place for sitting and started our barbeque. We had chicken ready to roast, colas etc. The only thing we were worried about the permission to do it. We saw many unburned coal pieces, which gave us strength to ignite the fire. Mr. Zameer knew cooking better than us. He started cooking and we were his helpers. I saw some people playing games under the bridge. One interesting game was to catch an empty bottle hanging under the bridge. There was a man who was offering this game. He used to hang the empty plastic bottles and offered people to catch while passing under the bridge. After having lunch, we went to see the castle. This castle, Vranov, also known as Pantheon stands on the steep of cliffs called Mala Skala. It is 5 Km away from Turnove. I remember that a river flows between Mala Skala and Turnove. People used boats to travel to Turnove. This castle is unique. It is situated on the cliff and its length is around 1300 ft. It was established in 15th century. Many ruling families kept its ownership. We walked through forest and many times climbed the rocks to reach at top. We visited the castle from one corner to other and found very difficult to walk. This castle gave a big surprise. How it was built? Answer is quite difficult. It tells story of human imagination

20 and hard work. Moreover, the view of valleys was not only eye catching; rather it was heart catching. I believe that this awesome view forced people to built this castle. On top, we had some drinks and bought a small cowboy hat and in the evening came to castle.

Adnan at Mala Skala Train Station

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In Mala Skala

A Visit to Hrdek nad Nisou

Hradek was established as a small village in 10th century. Now population of this town is 7500 people. It is located in Liberec district on the bank of Neisse River. This river serves as political and geographical boundaries between Czech Republic and Germany. This city has a long history and many people influenced during its construction. The most significant event of current history is visit and unofficial opening of Museum in March 1996 by Prince Philip, duke of Edinburgh. After this visit, this town got importance among the tourists. Second importance of this place is joining point of Czech Republic, Germany and Poland. There are many lakes in this area. One famous lake is Kristna.

Adnan Mazari and me decided to visit the place in May 2011. We took train and

22 reached in Hradek. It is a small city with beautiful cite square. After passing the square we walked towards the point, where three countries meet each other. It is almost 10 km away from the centre city. We passed through forests. It was summer; every thing was blooming and giving a fresh look. We saw a big lake on our way. Many people were there and enjoying the sunshine. It was a sunny day. Fresh air, warm climate, open area still is in my eyes and much difficult to forget. We took help of signs and finally reached in a big area. There were three signs at this place, which show the countries. There was a small canal moving between Germany and Czech Republic. At the same time, a small canal was between Poland and Czech Republic. We could see the difference among three countries. Agriculture of German side was well organized and healthier. We met a man who was there for cycling. We had a chat with him. In past he was doing business of towels. Communication was difficult with him but we kept on talking with him. We saw a young lady reading a book laying on ground and enjoying the sunshine. The most beautiful thing we saw was field of mustard. A full view of yellow flowers stretched upon a large area gave an awesome view, which was still in my eyes. Later, we came to know that oil from these seeds is used as partial replacement of petroleum products. It was a long journey; we came back to city centre and had a lunch in a small traditional restaurant. It was nice food and nice atmosphere. After completing our tour, we took train again and came to our Harcove hostel.

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Point where three borders meet with a German cyclist

Figure 1 A place where Czech Republic, Poland and German borders meet

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At Hardek rail station waiting for train

1.1 Visit of Dresden

Prof Lubos Hes had a plan to go Dresden to deliver lecture at Dresden University on April 28, 2011. He asked me to company. It was a great pleasure for me to travel with him. We took high-speed train and it took around two hours and we reached at Dresden.

25 Prof Lubos Hes went to a shop to buy some meters etc. I bought a small bag from here. Dresden is an old city. Its roots can be found more than 6000 years. It is situated in the valley of river Elbe. Moreover, it is next city after Czech Republic border. People prefer to travel to Germany through Dresden. Once Dresden was called a jewel. It was famous due to many monuments and its cultural activities. Unfortunately, this city was destroyed in WW II in sever bombing. More than 95% of the city was destroyed and many thousand people were killed. For Part Four visit www.scribd .com