2009 a year end post

A year of travel, family and friendship (not a prefect one, but yet nothing to lose either :) ). There hasn't been a single post this entire year on my blog, two reasons for that. One I never got the time ( which is a bs if you ask me). Other ( which is the most obvious one I may add) was, because the memories where fresh within me I never wanted to jot down events of 2009. But here I am putting down my memories in a blog, before heading to a new year.

The year began with daily morning newspaper reporting the financial crisis, and me following the same diligently. Was involved in working on a product right from scratch by spending weekends and public holidays in office for the first four months of 2009. Then the Himalayan trek happened (availed the comp offs get this going).. a learning should I say.

Sarpass events have given me a whole new respect for Nature and it fury (when unleashed) . Kasol was a fun place to hangout, especially when you are among the blacklisted dudes ;).. Amristar and Delhi visit were nice. The ‘lowering of flags’ ceremony at Wagah border was a patriotic experience. All lost when you see Pakistan and Indian bsf jawans complimenting each others outfit (good from brotherhood point of view and all that.. but sad with all the initial showcase).. neways good to see a united India singing songs from ‘Dil Chata Hai’ ;)


With my bros engagement this year and marriage happening next year.. loads of things are still in motion at family front. Got a chance to visit a pujabhi ishtyle wedding. Liked the glitz and glamor. The money that goes into a wedding up north is huge. All savings is blown in a 5day event. The dancing and singing is all good, quiet different from the silent n settled weddings that happen down south.

2010 will be with me and my babe.. (Ladakh being the top of my list).


would like to take my leave with quote from the movie ‘Into the Wild’


There is a pleasure in the pathless woods;
There is a rapture on the lonely shore;
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and the music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more...

Wishing you All a Very Happy 2010!!

Freedom

Chaos and panic is Terror,

Spreads Hatred and fear everywhere,

Lives are taken in the name of Religion,

Blinded by lies, without any reason,

No God accepts death as the path to heaven,

Heaven is for humans who Save Life’s

 

 

Honour the Martyrs of our Nation,

They sacrificed their Lives for one reason

To protect the innocent and defend our Nation

Fear has brought us all together,

Let’s use this Fear to fight the unseen,

Let’s all Stand and Unite with one Dream

 

A Dream of Freedom, Peace and Love!!

Wayanad in God's Own Country!!

Wet, Deceptive and cold, is what it should be called,

But unfortunately its not,

The peak that never ends,

Goes on and on till the end,

 

With cold winds blowing across,

Trekking with the leeches was one hell of a cross,

Sliding a slipping here and there,

We made it to the top with no fear,

 

 

Pictures were captured,

Caves where explored,

Lakes and mountains of different shapes,

A crouching elephant and heart shape,

 

How often do we see such sights?

Gods own Country we might,

Statistics and thoughts were exchanged,

Made new Friends till the end,

 

 

Pictures:

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/contactvin/Wayanad#

Move over it's my Right!!

An award winning article by me.. Award presented by my Company :).. 100% original

Move over it's my Right!!

 

Down the lane on the road,

I see a child begging for food,

Life's Tough, you know it too

Hear them look into their eye

Its not help that they cry

It's Freedom from hunger, money and pride

We Humans dwell upon, feed and feast,

To enjoy the various luxuries of Life

 

Materials are more of a need,

Blinding us with Money and Greed,

The future is staring at us through the car window

Learning to survive, Learning to Fight,

A day would come when we would realize,

That Mankind is preparing his own demise,

Polluting the air and fighting for land

Who is to question? Who is to Stand?

 

Let's unite, let's understand

Ask the Question which the Future would ask

It's our Future let make it Bright,

Stop Bribery, Stop the Fight

If you cannot then sit Tight,

Since it's  time to stand and say

"Move over it's my Right!!"

Dandeli, Kavala and River Kali

Brahmagiri Hills Trek

Brahmagiri Hills

Located in the Western Ghats of Sountern India lies the breath taking Brahmagiri Hills. At a height of 1608 Ft above sea level these range of Hills lie in between Waynad District of Kerala and Kodagu District of Karnataka. Our trek began on 14 October 2007 which was a Saturday. At around half past ten we left Bangalore heading towards the northern side of Karnataka with the weather playing no spoil sport. As true adventurers we travelled in a tempo traveller unlike few who travel via “volvo” bus yet find themselves exhausted even before stepping on the ground, with our organiser Chandrashekar braving a few kms of the journey by sleeping on the roof top of our transportation. Enroute to the hills on SH17 road we came across an injured motorbike rider who lost control of his vehicle due to few stray dogs crossing his path. The biker had not sustained any serious injuries as such, apart from the trauma that he had an accident. After safely moving him over to the foot path we left the police to take over the rest of the situation and proceeded with our journey.

There were few young (junior) travellers whose energy was all used up by their vocal chords and jaws and when it came to using the rest of their body muscles they were really lagging behind. Let’s not bother !! now back to the trek…. So were where we … yes!! We reached one of the many ranges of Nagarhole Wild Life Sanctury around 5:00 am on 15 Oct. 07. With the Forest officer still asleep I had decided to sleep on the ground listening to Mr.Chandrashekar talking about Cobra’s in this region of the forest. Yep!! that’s exactly what I wanted to hear. All petrified I decided to sleep in the cab. So they barricade was finally lifted at 6:00 am on a Sunday morning. Every one with their Digicams and mobile cameras in hand were eagerly looking out for some wildlife. Few were “spotted” here and there. I meant spotted deer were spotted here and there. With a reasonably good Breakfast of idlies, sambar, and chow chow bath our trekking began at the base of Iruppu Falls.

Some Mythological Gyan!!
Iruppu (or Irpu or Lakshmana Tirtha) Falls of the Lakshmana Tirtha River lies on the Karnataka side of Brahmagiri. According to legend, when Rama and Lakshmana were searching for Sita, they became thirsty. Lakshmana shot an arrow into the Brahmagiri from which the river sprang. Rama is said to have dedicated a Shiva Kshethra known as Rajeshwara Temple on the banks of river Lakshmana Tirtha. The Lakshmana Tirtha river eventually flows into the Kaveri River.

With Karnataka blessed with few weeks of heavy rainfalls the water was just cutting across the stones like the buzz of a millions bees flying in the air. At temperatures between 5-6 degree Celsius it was quiet refreshing to see something so pure and clean. The ground was moist and the perfect resident under such moist conditions are none other than leeches. These blood sucking creatures just latch on to you until their tummies are filled with your blood. Tried the salt trick by applying some over the leg but it seems that these were immune to them. So finally decided to donate some blood to Mother Nature I guess it was due since a long time. The after effects of rains was visible all around, with green covered hills covering distances that my eyes could manage to see. With patches of trees on the hills it seemed like some one had taking a huge scissors and had managed to give a very clean haircut to each of these hills. Covering a distance of 9kms (one way) on our way to conquer the highest peak we came across a herd of Wild Elephants at a reasonably good distance we stayed back and began analysing these mammoth sized animals. After a close observation we all came to the conclusion to conquer the highest peak when our tusker friends leave that hill and move over to a different one.

Hence we made our way back after trekking 1608 ft. On our way back we came across a male tusker who seemed quiet relaxed eating out his afternoon lunch. Cautiously without alarming our four legged friend we crossed the stream and his path when his back was turned. I just din’t want to scare the poor creature ….:) . Back the base of Irupu Falls with Glucose biscuits in our hands we left the ever beautiful Brahmagiri Hills and returned back to Bangalore just to realise the fact that tomorrow we are back to our way of existence in this Planet which is work, eat, talk and sleep. Back to the hustle and bustle of us humans to trying so hard to sustain ourselves in this World of Ours which by the way seems so little when compared to creatures who sustain themselves in the Wilderness of the Jungle.

The Enigmatic SRK

Born on November 2, 1965 in a Pathan Family and being raised by Hindus most of his life he well know for his dimpled smile and off late for his six pack abs. He made is debut in Deewana (1992) which catapulted him into Bollywood. Through his movies such as Baazigar and Anjaam villains became someone whom people would shed a tear when they die in the hands of the hero. Then came Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge a movies which had a great commercial success and won many critical acclaims. He became a common household name. His venture into the production world with Dreamz Unlimited did not work as expected with his first movie Phir Bhi Dil hai Hindustani crashing out in the Box office. This did not deter him. His next movie launch Chalte Chalte was a box office hit.

He further went on launching another production company called Red Chillies Entertainment were in he produced and starred in Main Hoon Na a directorial debut movie of Farah Khan. His recent movie Chak De India has won many critics. At the age of 42 he still is able of pull off the hero’s role in his forthcoming movie Om Shanti Om . He is either seen supporting Indian 20-20 cricket team or advertising for one of the Network Operators. Shahrukh Khan as he is known is truly an enigmatic actor. As Theatre Director Barry John, at Delhi's Theatre Action Group once commented that
“The credit for the phenomenally successful development and management of Shah Rukh's career goes to the superstar himself[1]”.

Keep going King Khan we all love you!!
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahrukh_Khan