Laugh at Accidents

How many times in past have you met with an accident, that time was really bad, painful and the worst time ever, but now when you think about it you can’t really stop laughing. Once it so happened that a close family friend met with an accident. Till the doctor said that he is fine (which was by the way 4 hr after he was admitted to the hospital) the situation was very tense. When the doc said he is fine and sleeping the scenario changed courtesy his parents. They came up with so many anecdotes of accidents (of the same genre described above) that all of us couldn’t stop laughing. Finally the nurse had to put her foot down and kick us all out. (Yes even his parents.)

Let me tell you of one such incident. I was in 9th standard. My best friend and me had joined this basketball coaching during the summer vacations (I do miss those vacations now that I am in a job.) From 4 PM to 5:30 PM we had our basketball coaching. Then from 6 PM we had our Tuitions. (Khanna group) This used to take place in my house. It meant that we have to travel some 4 or 5 Km by bicycle in less than ½ hr. That we used to do all the time so not big deal. Now along the full stretch of route that connected the playground to my house there were many speed breaking bumps. Most of them were single bump and some space then another single bump. But there was a stretch where there was a rumble strip bump (or that’s what we used to call it. It is one of those annoying series of equidistant small bumps). What we used to do was, gain speed while coming up to this set of bumps. Jerk the bike at the 1st bump and land at the last one, and in the process reducing the pain of going over it with all the shakes that used to get amplified by the cycle. (Especially after a though workout at the basketball court). This was in a township of BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd.) Hardwar, which is very near to the Rajaji National Forest and so in summers we can see many wildlife coming to the township in search of water.

Back to the true story! One fine day we were coming back from basketball coaching and at that point (rumble strip bump) tried that stunt of ours. (It’s still a slow-motion memory of mine that happened in a split second.)

Speed increased. 1st bump came, gave the by-cycle a upward jerk, the cycle takes off in the air, (of-course I take of with it like one of those ET movies) then I see a fox running perpendicular to me and towards me. I was amused to see that creature thinking of waiting to see it for a while. All of a sudden my cycle stops moving. I look down and see that I have hit that fox while we all (fox, cycle and me) are in air. The cycle came to a stand still. But to my dismay I didn’t stop. I look down towards my cycle and it as doing a summer-salt. I on the other hand was like superman. Flying through the sky, uninterrupted! This thought did strike me and to tell the truth I was really excited. Then I saw the road coming at me with what looked like full speed. I didn’t want to break my hands. (There was a basketball match coming up) so I pull my hands back thinking of what next to do before hitting the ground.

Next what happened was something I believed happened in cartoons only. You must have see Roadrunner and Coyote. As soon as the coyote realizes that it is in air miles above the ground it falls leaving behind a puff of cloud. But till then it does all the stunts like its not in mid air. Same happened with me. It took me fraction of a nanosecond and I was on ground.

I sat down on the road cross-legged and tried to see if I have got hurt. Hands check, legs check, tummy….. It was soaked in blood. I was dead scared. But I wasn’t hurt there. Then my friend told me (to my relief that I am not dying) that it was my chin. And it was a nasty cut. The doctor latter on told me that it was adrenal rush that made that cut numb and I wish I was having the same rush when he put some 5 stitches there.

Then it was accident and now when ever I think of it I can not stop laughing. What was I thinking that I pulled my hands backward?

The mark is still there to remind me of the day…

Poll on kids smoking

For those of you who missed out on the poll and the post. This is in continuation of the post When your kid smokes. The question asked was “What will you do when you catch your kid smoking?”

Maximum people picked up the option “Try to reason and show the right way.” Some did nothing and some wanted to use the same technique that was (I hope) used on them. Brute force!

Few were confident enough to say that they will emotionally blackmail the kids. But the latest trend is the other way round. Kids it seems are better in blackmailing there parents. Through in the guilt conscious of the both working parents and kids get almost everything.

Couple of them picked the answered that they will sit and smoke with there kids. Well frankly I will wait till they catch there kids then see if they can really smoke with there kids.

Prithvi on the other hand had put what he might to in points as follows.

1. Force the child to smoke continuously till he/she is sick so that he/she never wants to try it again

2. Take the child to a lung cancer hospital and show the suffering that come from smoking, also show some burnt lungs

And at last I can say that you guys are as clueless as I am about this topic. But this forum did help some of us think of the various scenarios.

If you have some more comments on this topic feel free to put them in the comment section.

If you have any more such issues that you think are important and should be atleast thought of then also you are free to put them as comment.

Dancing in the Rain

It is a welcome site when after a hot and dry summer season rain comes to bless us with freshness, much needed relief from heat and brings in lots of greenery. Clear weather, rainbow, birds chirping, peacocks dancing, intoxicating zephyr with essence of earth and flowers, are just few of the things that is attributed to the rain. When I was in north India, (place with extreme whether) rain used to be a welcome relief. While in college there was a time when couple of my friends and me had to just get drenched in rain, no matter what. It was a sort of ritual. Then there was football. A game which when played in rain and mud increases the fun in exponential order.

Rain has been a natural force that always helped human. Euphoric kids playing, sexy gales, (heroines in the movies) forget all and drown in the moment and enjoying to the most (and that's when the hero sees her and falls in love.) it also kind of helps the sad people who can hide there tears in the rain. All and all a magical trick played by nature! A conjuring trick! Water falling from the sky. Magic that touches the flora and fauna and mostly brings them back to life.

But every good has its own bad. Ask yourself 1st that how many times you have washed your clothes, put them out side in the sun to dry and in matter of minutes rain comes pouring in. Or you had your bike serviced and then by the time you reach home, thanks to the bad roads and rain your bike is covered with mud. You think of attending some wedding at a farm house in your best sari or suit just to find that it’s ruined because of rain.

I am living in a city where it rains, rains every time you wash cloths, bike or the temperature goes above 25 degree centigrade. Some say this is the merry time climate, some say it is close to heaven, some call it the air-conditioned city and most know of it as Bangalore or Bengalooru. Initially when I came here I was bemused when I read one day in the news paper (yes I do read them some times) that “Monsoon to hit Bangalore in 2 days”. I kept laughing because Since January I witnessed rain almost every other day. There is one more thing that I hate is getting drenched in rain (when I don’t want to) and that too while driving me bike. When you are driving fast in rain the water has a tendency of slowly getting to you. Drop by drop it will wet you and that is really irritating.

But what I have started to hate the most about rain is that, whenever it rains I miss my gal even more. And it rains almost everyday here…….

Breaking III

On the lines of Breaking news and Breaking news II, I am giving you Breaking news III. Now this is a series thing. At the end I have put up another picture that might become breaking news some day.

The news is that a tiger and tigress are in love... tigress is older than the tiger and that there is a third person between them. It is some thing I always thought was a part of some Animal Planet serial or one of the National Geographic things. But when love is in the air guess any channel can pick it up.

There is this interesting picture that came by way today. It says in an Auto-rickshaw that not to call the driver brother (bhiya) if you are sitting with your boyfriend. The comment is intended for the girls by the driver I guess.

Nostalgia

It’s been quite a time since I left the college. Here is a extract of what I wrote as I was leaving the place.

“Now when I look back to the days of ragging, classroom fights, surviving quarrels in the group, fighting with friends and then buying them cold-drink to say sorry, endless nights of staying awake and just killing time talking playing guitar and making others life hell, doing classes just because the teacher is cool and bunking as we didn’t like the teacher, parathas at the canteen, trade fair, autoexpo, doing assignments (coping them) and most of the time not doing them at all, mass bunks, exam fevers, photocopying notes, one night studies, exam day, saying “Mai nani hota pass”, viva-voice, result blues, parties for apparently no reason, silly games invented to kill time, sports, cultural fest, movies, tillu da dhaba, having crush on every other girl, playing in the rain, solving issues among the love birds, comprehensive strategies for future life, planning and re-planning what to do with life, Valentines Day, holi, rose day, chocolate day, wish we could celebrate kiss day, diwali……”

I was able to put in most of the things, at-least I thought so then, but now I felt like adding a lot more to it.
Well when I saw this I feel like reliving those days again. And then I get a question “why do we grow up?”

Words worth

There was a time when a friend of mine was preparing for the GRE and he bought himself a book by Barrons. It was told to him that apart from math’s he needs to work on his vocab and some 3500 words of barrons was more than enough for him. (Here I would like to tell you in advance that it was as thought he has a queue type memory. You know first in first out with limited storage space. This meant that he would memories a word, and in doing so forget a older word he had learnt once.) So he embarked upon a journey to learn all the words in that book and in the same time forgetting what ever he had learnt till then. This of course was a nuisance as he started asking for the meaning of the words commonly used in day today life. Words like “imposter”, “stoop”, “triumph” and some times words like “being”. Now explaining the 1st set is easy, but how do we explain “being”. And that to when the person is adamant that we tell him the dictionary meaning.
One fine day when we were blabbering something on success and failure, my newly enlightened friend spoke up:
Frnd1: Failure is not a word that is present in my LEXICON.
Me: You mean your dictionary.
Frnd1: No! I mean Lexicon
Frnd2: What’s that?
Frnd1: (now with a bright smile and a look that meant we are a useless lot) Lexicon is what lexicologist writes.
Frnd3: (rolling his eyes… actually we all were rolling ours) and who is this lexicologist.
Frnd1: Makes that book with all the words and meanings in that.

By this time we all were frustrated and we left him to him.

There was one more incident that happened and this time Frnd3 wanted to know a meaning of a word. (Now let me point out here that we are a lazy lot and we can’t open up a dictionary (Read Lexicon) and see the meaning but we ask the person working on words (Read lexicologist).) The word in question was “Evanescence”. This was an easy word for Frnd1 doing all the mugging up of words and he said promptly. “Fugacious”
Frnd3 was perplexed and asked very politely along with some swear words what this new word meant. This time Frnd1 was in a fix for some time but then with twinkling eyes he said “Ephemeral”.
Frnd3 had given up hope but just for the heck of it asked Frnd1 again to explain all the 3 words. This unfortunately my Frnd1 didn’t know.

Result: Frnd3 beat Frnd1 up and I help Frnd3.

After getting beaten up many times my friend Frnd1 had stopped showing off his words worth powers. Good habits are hard to break! And so one fine day to some conversation Frnd1 said, “Oh! I know that’s an oxymoron”. Without missing a beat another friend pipes up “No! That’s not an oxymoron you are. You and an Ox and a Moron”

There are many more such instances but let me stop here before the post becomes too long.

PS. Do take part in the poll if you haven’t yet taken part. The results will be published once the poll is over.

When your kid smokes

IT Company! This brings a picture of people coding or testing away at a feverish pace, groups brain storming on bugs, team meetings, discussion on tomorrows technology and apart from all that and more it is know for people smoking away and making the friendly cigarette wala rich.
Pick up any company and you will see a cigarette wala outside the on a cycle catering to the nicotine needs of the junta (People). Before you know it he starts coming in a luna then opens up a shop nearby and keeps growing his empire.

Today just like a usual day we all went down to the shop and there we met a guy from our team who was not smoking. He is a non smoker. So we asked him what happened. His story was the usual too. Dad caught him smoking, thrashed him and he left the dam thing. That’s when another guy looks at his cigarette and said “Wish my dad had slapped me, he didn’t and the effect of the scolding was not as long lasting as his (the guy who didn’t smoke).” That’s when it struck me and I asked this question.

What will you do when you catch your kid smoking?

After this I kept asking this question to many and got various results.

Think about it and let me know what you think of it. You can post it as comment or take part in the poll coming up shortly.
I am still confused as to what I will do. But being to the place where I am one of the smokers I seriously don’t what my kids to take it up….

Project planing and Marriage

Let me start with an apology, for the delay in this post to come up. Actually I got caught up in lots of things (some call it live) and couldn’t keep up with posting. But now I am back… and I agree it’s after more then 2 months but never the less I am back.

Coming back to the topic. In last two and half months I came to know of many well know and many lesser know love affairs to have changed to a marriage alliance. Add to that a large chunk of my friends I knew of sending me there wedding invitation. Suddenly IPL, movies, freaking out on weekends, and many more activities took a back seat and marriage was the order of the day/month for the guys getting married.

Recently I also had to attend a training set up by the HR of the company for brushing up the rusted brain. And in that Project planning or SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) was a part that was taught to us. The teacher who came to teach us was fundo. He starts of the class by asking us where does the SDLC start and end. And we all in a monotone, bored, lazed out and bugged voice said “Project Proposal and Delivery of the final project.” To this answer he said in a very amused tone, “And imagine the human life cycle starts at Delivery!” During this class I couldn’t help but to think how the SDLC is related to the life. Below is the sort of notes that I made in that class. I am putting just a small bit here so that this post does not become as boring as the class was.

Project Identification:- This is what is called finding the right girl. May it be love, or arranged. This can be finding the suitable boy too.
Project Proposal:- This is the part when the actual proposal happens.
Now here the feasibility study in case of software is already done in 1st part. But in life most of the time the feasibility study happens at this stage. This is true for the love (well to some extent). But in arranged marriage scenario the feasibility is done in the first step. (At least a part is already done by parents)
Agreement with Customer/Partner:-This is where the major stake holders meet and formally discuss the project and all the things related to it. So the Parents, elders in the family, the girl and the boy meet for what we know as “sagai.” Many times its also called a “roka.”
Project Kickoff:- Now that all the inputs are taken and all the formalities done, its time to formally start working on the project. This is project kickoff or what we can say as marriage.
Project planning:- Planning and re-planning goes on through out the full life cycle of the software and the human. Things like project scope, resource planning, cost management, time management and many more things come into play.
What will we do after marriage? (project scope)
We need to make space for parents. (Resource planning)
We need a policy for kids. Save for home, car, what’s the monthly budget…. (Cost management)
I need to finish my work and be back at home early and then go to shop grocery. (Time management)

Ideally no project can go as per plan and the same is true for life. In fact when ever you plan, life happens. Before you know you would be expecting parents. The full planning goes haywire and immediate crisis management takes the place. This goes on for quite a while. (At least till the kids are on there own doing good at job.) And then things settle down. The cycle repeats it self and this time kids are planning.

I can go on and on but let’s face it. I really can’t make this post too long or you won’t read it. So let’s close it here. And let me know what you think about this whole thing. And in the end I must say that the SDLC is being developed form the real life cycle.

Breaking News II

News channels has done it again.... check this out (Breaking news : the earlier post on the same topic...)

Well media i must say is getting ..... errrr... ummmm .... whatever day by day.... ;)

Holi Hai!!!

Holi! The festival of colors! (Follow the link for more details) Let me start by wishing you all a very happy holi and may this year brings to you and your family happiness and joy at par with the vivid colors this festival showers at us. This festival has a very long and rich history. (Something you can read in wiki if you are interested that is.) Let me come down to the things that are most memorable for people like us.
As most of my life I have lived in north India, I may have some different perspective of this festival. It starts with the Holika dhanan (The Holi bonfire). Preparations used to start many days ago where we all would pick up a place and start stacking up wood for the bonfire. Day by day it used to increase in size. Some times there was competition of whose bonfire pile is bigger or taller etc. (This by the way cleaned up all the mess created in a year by fallen tree branches, bushes, leaves and what not. Cleans up the city I say) On choti holi or what we can say is a day before holi we have the bonfire, a mark of start of holi, and enjoy. (Holi has started).
Holi is the day when we all come out and meet everyone, put colors on each other. Offer sweets, refreshing drinks and colors to people coming to home. This thing goes on till late afternoon after that we would clean up. (a tough thing to do after being painted black, blue, red). The milan (meeting, wishing and eating sweets) does not stop. Many times the milan goes on for days altogether. Many of you might remember putting oil and other creams before coming out to play. Elders generally played with dry colors (gulal) and kids (us) with strong wet color and lots of water. These colors take a lot of time to go also (Many times it takes weeks before the color comes of). Many on the roads are seen playing with paint. There are many variants also where you can use colored water, balloons, mud and what not. Bhang is the official thing used to get high on that day.
What remains of holi is a funfilled day or days (whatever is your idea) with pink, green, silver and all the other colors still on your face even after the skin is raw after scrubing, torn cloths (yes! It is fashion, tear the cloths. And some times people find it hard to cover up as everything goes… gross some say) and lots of memories…
Happy holi to all of you there again and enjoy this day of colors. :)

Engineering Disaster

This is not about all the destructive thing engineering has given to world. This post is not on explosives, tanks etc, it’s not on destroying anything (well not intentionally at least.) Well with this disclaimer let me start.
From very early I was fascinated with the engineering world. I used to love watching the Steam Locomotives and ask dad all sorts of silly questions. Watch the video of the rocket launches and imagine being a part of one such launch one day. To the extent that, I had opened up all my toys to see what is inside them. What makes it make noise, or give up sparks, why some of them when pulled back goes in front, why does the talking doll talks, I even blew up the small “hot wheels” to see how strong they are, opened up the small dc motors (and think how can this thing go round and round?) As I grew up, the understanding of such things improved, but the habit did not go. To the extent I even opened up the old TV the day new TV came inside the house. Opened up mixies, irons, even the scooter (I was amazed when I opened up the engine and then the equally amazed mechanic came to fix it,) I had opened up cameras and what not. I used to make things too. Small kaleidoscope, telescope (well you could not see much through but it was a good one) and many more things.
All this was attributed to my dad who also been an engineer would open up the home appliance to fix it himself and I would tag along with him. My mom also got used to it with time. There were some success in such experiments and more often then not there were disasters, what my mom used to call engineered disasters. Here are some such disasters.
Disaster one!
Once the mixer grinder we had stopped working. So mom asked dad to get it fixed. Dad as usual kept saying yes then conveniently forgot all about it. After a week of such daily routine ignorance dad got, well let’s just say, an ultimatum. So on a weekend he picked up the thing and started working on it. Me happily got tagged in as an assistance. What followed was a brief happiness of success and an engineered disaster. The mixer grinder got fixed ok! It worked for a day also, but then it started giving electric shocks every time it was switched on. Since only mom used it she got quite a few of them. Then she picked the thing up and threw it in the trash can and got a new mixer grinder. It wasn’t just that. Even the work area where we worked was a disaster. Oil spill, tools thrown here and there, wires, paper and many such things. After work dad and I happy with the results left the place just like that. Mom had to fix that war zone (place where we worked) up too. Oh! By the way it took dad full 3 months to realize that we got a new mixer grinder. (May be because he hardly went to the kitchen)
Disaster two!

Desert water cooler

Most of you must know the thing called a water-cooler (Desert water cooler). This small metal box with a water tank, a fan, a water pump and Khus-Khus pad on the 3 sides, were prominent thing when Air-conditioners were not there. Or they were too costly and meant for the rich and famous. (So to pump the water on to the Khus-Khus pads these things have a small water pump. Mostly the Tullu brand!) One summer our Desert water cooler stopped working and the trouble was pinned down to the water pump. We needed a new one! So dad and I went to the market to get a new one. We saw a more powerful thing as compared to what we had and bought is quickly. Came back home, installed it and switched on the full thing. The pump worked like charm, throwing water with good pressure on the Khus-Khus pad and the fan blew out cool damp air. We were very happy. But this happiness was short-lived. What followed was that the pipes with in the thing could not sustain the pressure and burst open. Water spray started to pour out and into the room. By the time we could stop it the room was fully wet. Bed, table, books, actually the full bedroom. Mom was obviously mad at us but she calmed down when we helped her clean the mess up and get a smaller pump for us.

I got a bagful of such stories but they never stopped me or my mom and dad encouraging me to keep experimenting. Sometimes though, my mom says, “God bless your wife. Whosoever is she. :))
PS. Its not that we (dad and I) always had disasters. We had our share of successes. Will write about it some other day.

Best Dress Poll

Before I put up a new post let’s have a opinion poll on what is the best dress for girls.
Do consider the fact that this question is valid for special occasions. Like marriage and more. Start voting. This will be open till next week.

Marriage

Last week I went to a friend's marriage. Well Best friends marriage. "RG weds VR". Both of them were/are very good friends of mine since college time.
The thing started when one fine day I got a call from VR that finally the marriage is being fixed. Dates finalized. I was threatened with deadly consequences if I don't turn up. So I called up the others (those who got similar threatening) and planed out the trip.

AJ and RS were supposed to meet me in the night and then we were to leave for the shaadi (Marriage) on a train. Both were drunk when I met them. RS was (more) drunk and fell asleep as soon as he got on train. AJ and I started chit chatting. Then in the night (at around 1 AM) our destination came. AJ tried in vain, to get RS up. So I pinched RS hard. He got up. "Chal oye RS Moradabad aa gaya"(Moradabad is here lets go). To which RS replied "Aane de" (let it come) (some thing like that add of chote nawab ke bahaduri puruskar add). I tried again and this time he said "so what" and promptly went back to sleep. Trust me even Kumbhakarna (only the sleep part) was better I think. Some-how we got him off the train. AJ was kind of skeptical as we never got any invitations or no one was there to pick us up from station. But then what are friends for. On reaching VR’s home and initial bharat milap all of us were fell asleep.
Next day we got up, freshened up and had a gastronomic breakfast comprising of jalebi and Moradabadi dal. Then started the celebrations! Now let me tell you VR and family lives with many other relatives in a joint family system. And it is a very big family. When all of them come together it seems like the full barat. So people start poring in the small hall where all the rituals were supposed to take place. AJ was made the official photographer. It was almost like one of those K type serials. With lots of chachs and the chacis, buas and the phuphajis and their kids (we call them chilar or change in English) and god knows how many more relations. There was a new lot of chilars since last time. (Ok you dirty mind readers don’t get ideas…….) The day passed by quickly. In the night we were discussing who will go get K and SS. K doesn’t need any one to guide him. We also predicted that he would actually ride the rickshaw and let the rickshaw wala sit behind. SS on the other hand didn’t know any thing about the roads so some one had to go. Soon every one succumbed to sleep. At around 1:30 midnight I woke up and saw a silhouette of a giant at the door. Before I could say anything the figure launched him-self in the air and landed on one of the guys sleeping. In split seconds he was again in air, flying over my head, he landed on another poor chap leaving behind a faint oooooofffffffff (by the 1st guy he landed on). After few more jumps and few more injuries he switched on the lights. It was K around 6 feet and well builds. Imagine us poor fellows getting squashed by him. He told us that he had to ride the rickshaw making our inside full predictions come true. Then SS came in. (we all were sleeping and I think RS went to pick him up)
Day next: this is the day when all the happening things started. K, AJ and I were fighting our wits out with the entire family member to get some nechawar (you know when you take out a note rotate it in the air over the head of the bridegroom and give it to some one else) amount as the official photographer and his assistance and put it in the galla (or a sort of piggy bank). This was a good source of income but we gave a good amount to the bai (House helper) who works there and used the rest for buying the chilar party ice-creams (well there are more than 50 chilar there (approx)). Then we also started the bhai (brother) thing. Every one of us got a OM on our hand with Mehndi. Now the rule was that every one with this mark are a part of bhai cult (made only to enjoy this party) and when any one puts up the hand and say Bhai others have to show there hand and shout bhai. This was a instant hit and we did make a lot of noise like that. Then there was antakshari, pulling each others legs and what not. Now I think of it we had so much to do.
Next day was the D day for RG and VR as they were to get married. The day passed by as usual like the previous one with the addition of DS, AS, MM, SG, IL and NL. In the evening we all got dressed for the Shaadi. Boy! I must say that the girls were looking mind blowing with saree and suits. And we boys were also attracting lots of babe attention with our dresses and cool looks. (ok ok girls don’t be J ;)) The barat started at home. We all danced and had fun with lots of fireworks. We reached the final place where the garland exchange and the usual photo session happen. We ate, danced, got our pics taken, pulled each others legs, all ‘n’ all had loads of fun. Finally after the fere (going around the holy fire 7 times) they where pronounced husband and wife. (and no we dont have "now you may kiss the bride in such marriages! sad know ;))

Apart from the usual the full arrangement was too good and the bride and the bride groom looked really good. MFEO (made for each other) I say. We also felt that we all have grown up. This is the 1st marriage from our group. And inevitably we all will get married. (No I am not scared ;)) May god bless us all!

Coming back home

The scenery outside the window is moving fast. Trees, green fields, lakes, rivers, bridges, animals and people, all zooming backwards at a dizzying speed. This is when our hero is standing on the gate of the train. Wind sweeping through his hairs as he looks at the horizon ahead. The train slows down and as it comes to the station and finally stops. The railway station was hustling with people coming in and out of the city. He gets down and looking all around walks out of the station. The main entry/exit gates seemed to him like the main gates of a fort. The only gate to get inside the city or to get out of the city. As soon as he steps out he is greeted with a cacophony of blaring horns and engines. The auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws, buses, tempos, scooters, bikes, people... it seemed like an organized chaos. He stares at them for some time then stops a tempo and gets in. Surrounded with strangers he looks outside the small window. “That building was not there when I was here last time!” Suddenly the old place where he had lived a life seems to be a new one. New buildings, cars, better roads... Some changes were prominent and some subtle. Soon he reaches the cross road from where he as to walk to home. He pays the tempo wala. “The cost has gone up from Rs 5 to Rs 8!” it seemed to him like a long time since his last visit. Soon he reached home. He is greeted warmly by mom and the doggy. The doggy was going nuts, wagging the tail furiously, barking, licking and jumping to get on to him. It’s amazing, how these animals win over your heart and become a part of your family.
He freshens up and sits down beside his mom. They start chatting. School friends, who is where doing what, who got married, small incidents that had happened lately, incidents what were a distant past, news politics, cars, neighbors, sports, office, crushes... the endless list. No work pressure, no getting up early to go to college, no cooking, just sleeping, eating and chatting.

Going back home is such a different feeling. Most of you must be working or studying in a different city. If you are a student then you must be going back home quite often. As soon as you get into work (especially if the work place is 3500 Km away) you tend to come back home after long time gaps. If you are outside the country then the gap increases. I figured that the farther you are less is the frequency to come back home. The less the frequency of coming back home the more nostalgia hits you.
But in the end it’s a nice feeling coming back home to your parents and pets. The unconditional love and affection! Gourmet food through out the stay and most of all no work (as in office work)

Hindustani Classical

Bangalore! a city, with discos, pubs and a good night life. (Ok! Ok! I know the city night life is till 11:30, but I know of some small places which stay open till 1 or 2 in the night. Sheesh….. It should me called till mid night life…) Now in this happening city there are many concerts, rock shows, shows and what not that keep. I have been to Aero-smith, Strings, Local Rock band competitions, Indian Ocean, Parikaram (with Saif Ali), Jonoon just to name few. But on Saturday I went for a Hindustani Classical show by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma (on Santoor) and Zakir Hussain (on Tabla).

I know this is completely a different genre of music, something people in India are going away form. A genre, that we generally attribute to old people, but let me tell you guys, you are wrong. I have being to many SPICMACAY programs and have seen these veterans do magic. Yesterday, I witnessed these two veterans do magic on the crowd of hundreds, mesmerizing and hypnotizing them. Well I was one of them (along with many more beautiful babes around me ;))

They started with playing some composition that had a cool soothing effect. After a while they stopped and told us that “It was a demonstration of tuning and sound balancing.” (God! I mean I can’t even play the guitar in tune and these guys I tell you can tune the instruments like they are playing music.) Then the music started. There were times when they were playing very slow and then they picked up the beats, finally the melodious crescendo would take us all to a new level. At times Zakir Hussain would tune his Tabla in the middle of the composition. He would pick up a small hammer and start hammering the Tabla. The best part was that he didn’t miss a beat, and hammered the Tabla along with the beat.

All n all it was an experience different from all the rest.

Ps. Go through the links with the names for more details.

Breaking News

Breaking News: Amitab Bachan is down with cough and cold.
This is what our media and news channel has reached.

I still remember the days when 9 Pm used to be the time when we all would sit together to listen to the Doordarshan news. It used to be of 20 min. ok! 30 min including some small and fixed Washing Powder Nirma or those “Tumhare kapre mere kapro se jayada safed kaise?” types of ads. Then there was “The World This Week” which used to come on Saturdays (well may be Friday, don’t remember….. Well my educated readers you can pitch in with the correct day in case you remember.) This used to be a full 1 Hr show with most importance given to the international news. (Remember watching Gulf War) Prannoy Roy single handedly took this small one hr show to what NDTV is today (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NDTV). Then things changed. Cable TV was the order of the day. Suddenly there was a boom of news channels. News was on air 24X7. We were relieved as now dad could see the news any time. And we also didn’t miss out on our cartoon shows and mom could see her K type serials. But alas it was a short lived happiness. Soon Breaking news like the one shown above started to come.

Thinking of it now it was a time when we were new to so many options to watch. It was fun at times. You know dial chasing through the channels. New and improved ads, new serials, think of it as a boom of new ideas. But news channel then also used to show breaking news that really broke into the house. Remember 9/11, or Kargil war.

But lately it seems that the news channels are more, time not a factor and too less news. Or how else will you define the kind of Breaking News we get now a days. “Amitab Bachan came to receive his daughter in law” and then the question. “Why didn’t Abhishek come?” I say, the poor guys don’t even have privacy now. Some how, I have noticed that these reporters also came up with weird, irritating and some times funny questions too (well it’s funny to us when we think of it).

Here is another one, after Salman Khan was released from jail this sweet looking reporter comes to him and asks, “Now that you are out of the jail, how are you feeling?” Oh come on give me a break. Then there was the next question, “How are your parents feeling?”
This was the best one I think. Salman immediately pipes up saying, “My parents are devastated. They are really sad and trying to convince the authority that I should be put back to jail.”
Recently the TV news channels have also started showing full serials (Indian idol types). Soon we will be getting Breaking News like

Breaking News: The maid didn’t come to Ms. Chaddas home. She has logged an FIR for the mental trauma given to her on the unfaithful day.

Breaking News: Mr. Chopra’s head was broken by a flower, thrown along with the vase.

Breaking News: Another post by Abhinav was posted on Breaking News to make fun of us and the readership has increased as a result of this.

Absentminded

There have been times when I was so absentminded that didn’t even realize that I am not wearing specs and thinking why the hell has the world blurred out?
Well it happens with me all the time. And the other day I was relived to hear it from a friend of mine that it’s same for him.
This is how the story unfolds:
He fell asleep one day. (every one does in full 24 hr some time sleep so what so great?) So this fellow was enjoying his dreamy sleep when, suddenly mom comes and shakes him saying, “Get up! How long will you sleep?” Just like a shaken up kid in the morning this fellow makes lots of faces, tries to get up. With dream still in his eyes he looks at the clock. Bang! He gets hit by a speeding locomotive. 7 ‘o Clock! 7 ‘o Clock! 7 ‘o Clock! (Gosh! Writing the same thing 3 times makes it more cool know. Just like that 3 shakes in the K type serials ;)) Dreams vaporized to nothingness as swiftly as the cartoon disappears with a cloud of smoke in place of itself. So our hero gets up wide eyed, goes to the toilet, brushes his teeth and shouts to his mom.

Kid: Mom! Moooooommmmm! Get the breakfast ready, will be out of bath in a sec.
(The guy goes in the bathroom, takes a quick bath. The poor fellow is confronted by his mom as soon as he gets out.)
Mom: “What are you doing?” (It was one of those demanding, scolding and threatening tones. She is some how looking odd, you know perplexed and hairan paresha types)
Kid: “Getting ready for school!” (A polite answer from a good school going kid)
Mom: Have you gone mad? (Still the expressions haven’t changed)
Kid: (thoughts bubble) she has to react like that on the day I have finished my homework and want to go to school. Why didn’t she say so yesterday when I didn’t do my Hindi home work and was punished in front of the full class? I even tried to fake fever….. Sheeshhh! Moms these days……
Mom: (cutting the kids thoughts) do you have any idea of the time? (She is still angry. And the kid still doesn’t know why)
(the kid looks at the clock and says meekly)
Kid : 7:30 (he is now trying hard to figure it out.)
Mom: its 7:30 in the evening. Dad will be home soon. And get yourself dry properly or you will fall sick and miss school tomorrow.
Mom goes away leaving behind a kid half happy and half amused.

But now we all laughed at this story of his.
But there was a part of me thinking, how many times I have done the same thing. How many times I have got eggs instead of bread, or studied for physics exam just to be told that it is chemistry (well the results were just as bad for physics as I lost interest), or realized in the end of the mid week holiday that its not Sunday. Come to think of it the list goes on and on and on…
That particular time is a bit embarrassing but mostly these times give us a heary laugh.

Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality! A term, which is core of today’s Tec-world. Cyberspace (anything and everything to do with cyber be it space, life, sex and what not), our thoughts for future (the dreams aspirations we have, thing we work to achieve. The things are not there so in a way they are virtual till we realize it), stories (fiction for example), Math’s (yes Mathematics, the same subject people say is very much real has given us the term iota or i. i=square root of -1. a value that does not exist. But math’s has very conveniently used this to solve so many problems and helped physics, chemistry, architecture and god know how many more subjects), Psychology (not just that, but the study itself, is based on assumptions and general trends and hence some what virtual and some what real.)

I mean when you start looking at this term and try to apply it to any place you will find some thing that is not present and is as good as reality. Look at today’s games for instance. Start playing games like NFS, Commando, Half life and many more, and suddenly you will be a part of the game. Every thing will have its own real perspective. Sites like “second life” give a person a second life as it says. It is as real as it can be. And still its absolutely virtual.

Science has its own share of virtual reality. World started form big bang (there are people who think otherwise) but the question is what was before that fateful big bang?

Even money seems like virtual reality. Just take a look at the way transactions happen. Take example of a simple transfer, of say Rs. 10,000/- online or by a cheque, from one bank to another. All the time no one gets to see the money. But it switches hands quickly. What about share market?

Some times I do get a feeling that I am a part of Matrix. You all must have seen the movie. It was complete science fiction. But it had some uncanny resemblance to reality. Reality, that didn’t exist! Or did it?

We ourselves create a virtual world around us. Each and every one has his/her own world of fictitious characters, dreams, lives that we all would like to live subconsciously. This is not just a case of psychological disorder but a very normal phenomenon.
Think about it. Are we (what we are), our emotions (what we show to others), our thoughts (what we think all the times about people, situations etc) real or just Virtual Reality?

Republic Day

After independence (15th Jan 1947) India was struggling to be independent, to be self sufficient enough, to be a nation that can have its own economy, its defense, its agriculture and what not. On 26th Jan 1950 India became a republic nation. That fateful day India got it one constitution, its own law. (check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_Day_Parade)

As kids it was a special day. We used to be part of Parade, some in the march past, some in the tableaux. I don’t think any one of us would be with the crowd. We all were part of the show. And we took pride in that. The rehearsals used to start with the New Year. The sport teachers busy with a lot shouting and practicing for march past, the music and art teachers busy with a lot for the tableaux, and other events like a dance past (you know the one where you keep dancing and at the same time moving forward types). Well all ‘n’ all it was a fun thing we did, looked forward to and took pride in. Apart from that I we were addicted to the Parade that happens every year in New Delhi. Specially the part when all the tanks, missiles, and Jets (when they come in V formation and paint the sky with 3 colors, or do some of those death defining trick). Thinking of those days just floods the mind with memories.
But I miss being, that kid, the most……

Today I miss being a part of such a grand celebration, with so many events and what not. A day we were proud of, a day we are still proud of.

Happy Republic Day to all. And Jai Hind.

Database

Below is the list of all the blogs i had once... had to delete it though... so here is a full set of full blog which once i wrote.... :)... and more coming up :)
Database of what i have typed away in the hours of ..... you guessed it :)



Tuesday, January 15, 2008
The Ghostly Raillery
Fine let me ask you a question. How many of you believe in GHOSTS? Ok! Think about it and then go ahead.The origin of this question for us was during the time when we were bored and had to pass the full night ( Actually the spirits were high and we never felt sleepy a bit. People in hostels or partying out can easily understand.;))Eventually these questions came up. What used to follow was an assortment of some Ernest, grave anecdotes and most of the time ghostly raillery.There is this particular story that we like a lot since our college days. Well the story goes on like this."The place is secluded and has only one exit back to Shimla through twisty, meandering roads covered with heavy forestation. The saying goes that the road is not used at all after its dark. Reason is simple ghosts. So the main protagonist of the story, Uncle of a friend of mine, was coming back from work. He had to take up the same road back home. It was pre-winters post-monsoon time. The forest was greener and darker, temperature on the chilly side but not yet cold. Sun was due to switch off its warmth and light in some time.Uncle was kind of nerved out, chilly breeze, sky getting darker by the seconds, no bus. Like many other bystanders he was waiting for the last bus back home. The bus was late. After 10 odd minutes, which seemed like hours, a bus came. Uncle ran to get on the bus. He got in, saw a empty seat and sat down. Heads down, he as panting hard, gasping for every single breath. Euphoric about catching the last bus, getting a seat to sit and mostly able to get out of the place before dark, he closed his eyes and took some time to relax and cool down. After a while he opened his eyes, the bus was gathering speed, the pleasant chilly breeze coming in from the window was helping him to cool down. Uncle looked around, some of the seats around him was empty. Cowards he thought. Then he noticed that there was no conductor either. He was pretty happy. “If this conductor guy is so scared I would come in the last bus only and save some money and travel for free.” he thought with an evil smile. He looked around and then a shivering chill went through his spine. The pleasant chilly breeze converted to some thing sinister sending shivers down his spine. There was no one on the bus. Not even the driver. The bus was moving fast. Ahead of him he could see a turn. If the bus didn’t turn he would go down god know how many hundred feet's with the bus. But who will steer the bus? He started praying to god. Just before the turn a miracle happened. Two hands came into view from nowhere and turned the bus in the right direction. Uncle was relieved but he knew that more such turns were coming up ahead. He started to chant prayers at a frantically feverish pace. Needless to say god it seems were on his side and at every turn they would send a pair of hands to correct the course of the bus. After what seemed like eternity the bus came out of the jungle and into the open where shops and people started showing up. The bus was also slowing down. As soon as the bus came to almost a dead stop uncle jumped out of the bus and ran back home, half terrified by the ordeal he went through and half happy to have survived the experience. "Epilogue:The people surrounding the bus were pretty shocked to see uncle jump out of the bus and run. Some of the people got scared as every one thought it was an empty bus. But the driver and the conductor was heard commenting that, uncle should have also pushed the bus like other passengers were pushing. Besides it was really difficult for the driver to get to the steering on time and turn the bus at that speed. If uncle were in the bus he should have at least helped him steer the bus.Think about it and you will also come up with such many stories. Stories told by our grand parents, in parties, offices, hostels and where not.By the way do you really believe in ghosts?
posted by Abhinav
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Monday, January 14, 2008
Stealing Halwa.
Ok! Let me ask you a question. How many of you can remember all the times when you got something and were so happy about it that it gave an altogether different feel to the situation or the time(especially now when you think back)?Ya I know. It's too vague a question. Let me give you some idea of what I am saying. What I am talking about are the times when you got your 1st tri-cycle or your favorite hot wheels or G I Joes or Barbies (well girls I am really sorry but never liked the idea of playing with girls and their toys. So my GK about the toys they used to play with is pretty limited).When I started to think on this line I remembered my Mom telling me that on my 1st birthday I got a Tri-Cycle (you know the Tobu ones) and I didn’t get up from my cycle that entire evening and even fell asleep on cycle. The time when I got my bi-Cycle, when I got my bike (that too with my own money and not Dads. Dad, it seems was prouder of that fact than I :)). Well don’t get me wrong it's not that I only get happy when I get some vehicle. There are other things also like my computer, guitar, laptop, my 1st travel by air, when I saw the ocean for the first time… boy, now that I think of it, the list is really long. It even includes stealing cookies, cakes and other goodies from the fridge and not getting caught!Here let me tell you an incident. I remembered the time when I did get caught after I stole (and ate) some Gajar ka halwa( hmm mouth watering it was)… Well, it reminds me of the movie "The Italian Job". I also had an accomplice (ok! Let me tell you guys making faces now, this was not a high tech robbery. sheesh you guys!!!!). It was already dark outside and we had just returned from our evening round of the muhalla on our cycles. We were hungry but Mom was angry. This generally meant that we couldn't have a sneak peek of the food before dinner was served. Just then the power went off and the whole house got engulfed in darkness. Without wasting time we attacked the container of the halwa and start eating (Yummm! It was too good. Sigh! Ma ke hath ka halwa - Halwa made by Mom). Then after some time we got out of the scene (quite intelligent, what say?). The power crisis soon got resolved and all the bulbs opened their eyes to witness the empty bowl. The same bowl which once had some really tasty halwa (well we too came to know about it later only once we had finished the whole thing). Without our knowledge the crime scene was visited (by the one and only private eye, mom!) and then we heard a high pitched voice. "You are grounded". Our mistake - we ate all the stuff when it had been specially made for some guests. There is a saying in hindi, "dane dane pe likha hai khane wale ka nam." Moral of the story? Eat only as much as you don’t get caught!So now you must be thinking, Where does this story fit in the picture? Well I was really happy, really happy - that is till I got caught. And even now when I think of the times mentioned above and many more I get a smile and an urge to do what I always want to do and then feel happy when I have done it.
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posted by Abhinav

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Thursday, January 03, 2008
Travelogue Year 2007 (Part one)!!!!
Yesterday I was thinking (Yes! Yes I know some times I think also). You know! The year that was… More of what all I have done... Now it’s just the 2nd day of year 2008!!! How do you expect me not being nostalgic? So I thought I will let you know about all the places I have being to (You know some one also commented that I have become a genie. The kinds who can be anywhere anytime types, and not the ones who make your wishes come true.)So here is Part one!2007.Udupi and Mangalore (15th Jan):This was the 1st trip that year. It was more or less the same group that went for the Jog falls trip. We went to Udupi.
Murudeshwar:
(Now let me digress here and tell you that this was the 1st time I saw an ocean. That too Arabian Sea. Let me tell you, he is a Huge, blue, deep and a serious water body. I must say I was impressed).Kaup Beach: Look at the light house.
Kaup Beach from the Light house.
Check out the Rath(Gods Chariot)
This Chariot we saw at the Krishna temple in Udupi. (The Myth is that at this temple the idol is facing the back of the temple, unlike the usual where the idol is facing the gate of the temple)Next stop was Malpe beach and St. Maries Island.All ‘n’ all it was a great trip. Fun-Do I must say.Goa (26th Jan):NS (over the phone): Oye, what say of a GOA trip?Me: Yeah! Why not ( I looked at my watch. 10:30 AM, and I had a feeling he was joking, specially knowing the kind of lazy fellow he is)NS: Call up RB.(I called up RB)Me: What’s all this about GOA? (I demanded)RB: You interested?Me: Yeah! (still I was apprehensive)RB: Meet me in ½ hr at NS place.
Well yes I know what you are thinking. Bangalore to Goa! No plans, don’t know where we will stay, no itinerary. But then who cares. So I pack my bag and head towards NS home. In about 45 min we were in RB’s car. When we stopped for lunch, at a desolated Dhabba, after many hrs. drive. I finally called up Mom.Me: Mom going to Goa I think.Mom: Cool, so which train? (Mom knows how much I roam around :))Me: No… No we are with RB and going by car.Mom: Which route?Me: Don’t know. We got some maps. And we are asking our way through.Mom: What if you get lost? (you know parents concern)Me: will see some new place and come back.Mom: cool then enjoy, and let me know what all happened. (my mom is great)
(This is NS, RB and P along with the trusted car)
Yes folks! That's what it was all about. Immediate plan, and execution. Have to hit Goa. We knew the general route to take but none of us sure and we didn’t even know where we will stay. But the drive was too good. We went Via NH 4 to Hubli. Stayed there overnight. The next morning hit Goa (Calangute Beach). The full day we were at the beach. Eating, taking a dip in water, staring at babes, eating, and of course Water sports (Water scooter, Banana ride).


(Me on the water Scooter)

Full day masti! We stayed in a place we discovered in the evening. Spent the early night at Mambos. (as Titos had couple entry only. Worst no babes waiting for us. and to those girls who were in Titos that day: No thanks!!!). We came out of the disc at around midnight then spent some time at the Beach. (It was awesome, you can imagine. Black ocean and a streak of silver shining light of moon over it). Next day we started back early in the morning. It took us around 14Hrs. to reach back home. This was when we drove through Western Ghats, passed Jog falls and so many other places. And I fell in love with this country.Then in March we went for shorter distances. Karawarahellypitu ( that's what i think the locals were calling this place), for trekking... (Disclaimer here for Girls, I am not being chauvinist here, it’s just that even girls were picking on NS). This was the place where NS disgraced the Boys community by being the slowest while climbing up and crying while climbing down. Can you believe it? The Girls were faster than him.Well with this let me conclude Part one. Wait for part 2 to come up. Keep reading guys… :)
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posted by Abhinav
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Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Happy New Year!!!!
New Year, another 366 days of fun, laughter, party, trips, new learning’s, new friends, reunion with old, spending time with near and dear ones, hard work for our dreams, aspirations, imagination and love…. What not actually. 366 days to grow a year wiser, a year more experienced, a year more to achieve those personal targets…. Besides this year is a leap year so we get one extra day for all the things.Well readers: Wish you all a prosperous and fun filled happy new year.I am personally waiting for this year. Very near and dear friends of mine RG and VR for engaged. Still seems like yesterday when they met. Then one thing started another. And now they are getting married. God bless them both.There are some of my friends planning to get married. You know talk to his/her parents. Get the things fixed and all. Best of luck to them also.So best of luck to all you out there as you get ready to embrace the coming year with affection and care, best of luck to all out there getting married, to all who are still working towards finding a guy or a gal, best of luck to all those looking for a switch, best of luck to people traveling abroad for work, or people just traveling (like me), ……There are going to me more posts coming your way so keep reading and keep commenting. Happy new year again.;
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posted by Abhinav
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Saturday, December 29, 2007
The Friendly neighborhood thief!!!!!!!!!
I know a friend of mine NS, who has gone through a bad phase of time off-late. He being a very enthusiastic, adventurous (read laid back and lazy) fellow, bought a new pulsar 150 a year back. This bike of his was his pride, which he used to clean and start, keep the engine running for few min then switch it off (“Good for engines health” he said) on weekends only as he was too busy to do that on week days. His reason, “Office se atee atee der ho jati hai”. (It is late by the time I reach home from office). And when confronted with the idea of taking the bike to office, his answer used to be “Bohut dur hai” (It’s far off). Well I thought that’s why people opt for their own vehicle, hmmm.So one fine day his friendly neighborhood thief (lets name him Z{read zee}) thought of visiting his house. So as per the FIR (Friend Information Report) given to us by another friends of ours RB. This person Z came into the house by breaking a BIG lock hanging at the back door. This lock was no bigger than the locks that ones we all must have used to lock the carry bags zippers together, when we went to some place on the trusted Indian railways full of friendly thieves. So Z comes in the house and is greeted with lots of posits ( the yellow sticky things we write on and paste it any where as notes), having pointers, directions and other helping symbols to guide him to the duplicate keys. So Z picked up the keys and other things like one trouser and a shirt (very choosy dude I must say). They also used up some of the kitchen ration, cooked a good healthy meal, ate and then went. Needless to say NS was devastated. “Z didn’t even leave back a thank you note!” he said.This thing happened before Diwali. Few days’ back he got a call from the Police that his bike has being traced. Then started another ordeal, to get the bike back from the police station. I was there with NS all the time. And thanks to him I was able to see the civil court in Bangalore. After 2 days consistent running after people in court and police station and spending some more money he was rewarded with his bike.Now he is again a proud owner of a Pulsar 150, which he takes out only on weekends. (To wash only) and then put it back again. Now a days, he worships all the possible gods, praying that Z or his friends don’t come back again. He says the new big lock is too costly and he has depleted all his Posits. (What about the bike dude) :)On a serious note, do take care of your things and house, be causes of people like Z. And do take your Bike or Car out for rides. Don’t just keep them at home.On an even more SERIOUS note NS is taking us out on a grand Treat. Tell me guys which is the costliest Pub, Disco and Eating joint in Bangalore. Guys do come back with suggestions. ;)
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posted by Abhinav
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Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Adventurous Escapades!!!!!!!!
Well when I started this blog more than a year ago, it was just a place where I wrote and posted my diary entry (some thing I do very rarely) on to net. “Try the blog thing”, I told myself. Its being a long time, last year!It’s almost New Years Eve. 2008 coming! Me getting a year old, a year wiser (I hope), a year more experienced (job is what I get my bread and butter from), a year more full of memories (good, bad and the ordinary). Today when I visited my own blog after a year and now this silly blog “Adventurous Escapades” meant something more to me. It started off with the Jog falls a trip that was adventurous and it started a whole new thing in me.Have you seen the movie “Bluffmaster”, There is a dialog this character said, he asked why do we count our age in years, months, days, hours, min, sec etc. rather it should be the times we cherish life long. Times like getting the 1st job, 1st time riding a bike and more cool examples were given.2007 when I think! I have being to most of the places in and around Bangalore (Yeah I know it amazes me too). I have seen India and I have fallen in love with this country and it’s Beauty. I have met some wonderful people. Did some new things I thought I can never do.Now I realize that it was not just the traveling or adventure sport I go for that can count as Adventurous Escapades. Life is a greatest adventure we go on. Each thing that has happened, every thing we have done, every decisions we have taken, … every thing was an adventure in itself and we have embarked on these adventures knowingly and unknowingly. We have learnt some times and forgotten many things. But this year was amazing for me, and I am flabbergasted now! (Most of the time I am. Knowing the restricted vocabulary I have). Thinking what all has happened and putting it under this adventurous Escapades group.So now I am going to board this new adventurous trip to BLOG. Hopping to learn and do new things. So guys here I come.
posted by Abhinav
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Monday, October 09, 2006
Journey to Jog Falls
“The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.”- Robert Frost

No matter what we do no matter how quick we are I have seen that most of the cool fundoo trips to exotic places are on the spot thing. I don’t know but its true. How many time did you plan a trip a month or a week ago. And it worked for you (no offence but don’t ask yourself this if you are married) but I can say this with some safe estimations that this is true for married people too.That being a generic comment lets add some thing called job life into it. Now the chances of planed trips reduce. Know why? Because unlike college we can’t bunk. Well let me not bore you with all this crap and come down to the trip we went for on 1st-oct-06.The whole thing started of with the fact that we had an extended holiday i.e. sat sun and mon(2nd Oct) thanks to our Gandhi ji. Well so at the last moment we had a brainstorm that we can utilize the holidays to go somewhere. Now all sort of places came to existence. Coorg, Ooty… finally jog falls.Funny! How life conspire against you or some times for you. Just when we were bogged down by the basic questions like where to go where to stay how to go, is bus a better option or a cab, should we go for a nights stay or one day if night stay where will we stay, how to book hotels more important was how to know which hotel and its phone no. boy planning is tough. So I was saying life conspired for us this time and team mates of ours Sudheer and Ankur… sorry Mr. Sudheer.B.M (now onwards we will call him SBM) came to rescue. SBM’s home town is Thirthahalli (approximately 350km from Bangalore). He helped us plan the trip and at the same time book hotel room for us near his place. So these two came together and came out with a plan that, day one we’ll start, reach Thirthahalli, freshen up in the hotel then SBM will take us to the nearby places and next day will go to jog falls and then back home. Estimated time of start was 4am and return was 9pm. After too much of juggling as to who is going who is not taking time, days and festive season as constrain total 8 of us agreed to go. A cab was booked. Hats off to Ankur man! I don’t know how on the final hr. this fellow arranges for a cab be it a sumo or a quails. But he some how magically bring the car out from under his cap. Well then the time of departure was to be set. 4am seemed to be a good option for a 7 hr estimated ride. And the day decided was Sunday 1st-oct-o6 as Saturday the girls had fast because of Navratra.Day 1 (1-Oct-06)The fun part of the last min program is they are never stable. So on Saturday we decide to start at 12 midnight. The cab reached our place dot on time and by 12.30am all of us were onboard with full enthusiasm and anticipation for the up coming 2 days. The night journey on it self was a surprise to me. I had a feeling that every one will sleep (except the driver I hoped) but the whole night we all howled and shouted some time just like that and most of the time on each other. No! No! it wasn’t a fight just a friendly gesture. We had a stop for tea and biscuits at some small town bus station. By morning every one was poofed out and all of us fell asleep. At around 8 in the morning we were woken up by the one and only SBM. We had come to a dam. UTP DAM or Tunga Dam as this is on Tunga River. Dam what a Dam! ;-)Cool morning breeze, the freshness in it was intoxicating and we all were back to jumping and shouting. Most of the time, for our snap to be taken. This place was cool we went to the dam then went down to the base. It wasn’t a big thing but it was beautiful. The sound of water rushing and the cool morning breeze. It was a great place. Isolated from the city and so very close to nature. After some time and many snaps later we started our journey towards the hotel.This journey at least I was awake the whole time and we passed a jungle. It was really dense and at one place I saw a board with tiger on it. Guess if we would have waited then may be with some luck we could spot a tiger. But for consolation I did spot a couple of Foxes.Let me cut short the details of the hotel and say in so many words that the hotel was cool and after freshening up there we all went out to eat lunch. Here we went in 2 restaurants and came out of them because of various reasons before setting for the 3rd one. No idea about others but I was hungry and ate like anything. But I guess SBM was hungry as he was too keen on parceling the food for journey he said. Rest of us think otherwise.Back to journey SBM guided the driver to a place called Bhimamanakatte on the river Malti. This was an ancient looking temple propped up on the background of a river with rocks and a sort of a sand beach. I now think that the worth seeing places are not just the ones that are on tourist maps. One should always go with the locals to places only very few people go and this was one of them. We were the only people on the beach and that too was clean and soft and … and … I don’t have words for it now. Shouting, jumping, swimming, writing all sorts of things on the sand, making sand house’s (at least we tried), dancing, running and last but not the least getting our picture taken. We had a blast!What was next to come? No body knew but surprises of the day just started to unfold itself. As nature started playing prank on us, by raining for short spells from time to time.Some time latter we reached a place called Kundadri. This place is a Jain Temple (or jain tempul)(sorry rama just had to type this) that is on a hill top. I have lived a major potion of my life near the himalyas and I always used to think that they are the steepest mountains. But I was soon to be proved wrong. This hill was too steep and at one time the car was really straining to go up with all of us on it. So we all decide to hike to the top. This hill is a monolithic block of granite rock.Here again we found a really old Jain temple and 2 kunds or ponds of water with fishes in it. A caretaker was there who seems to be really happy to see us. We had a strange feeling that we were 1st humans to go there in ages and so this fellow was really happy. Kundadri, is a hill situated in Teerthahalli taluk of Shimoga. This place is not explored by general tourist and so has remained un-spoilt. In the course of conversation with that caretaker we found out that the temple is more than 2000 years old and is a major pilgrimage place of Jains. Located 3200 feet above the sea level and offers a 360 degree view of the forests, ponds and paddy fields below. From top all the connecting roads that are twisting and turning in this place full of dense forest and small villages with some farming land. The day we went to this place it was really cloudy. No doubt as this place receives the highest rainfall in Karnataka. The clouds were all around us and were lower in height than us. And at one point of time we had a feeling of standing at the top of the world as all the cloud below us had made up a floor and we were not able to see below it.After doing some search on the net latter on we found out that this hill is in fact a single gigantic monolithic rock formation and has a dense outgrowth. It is said that the hill is named after a Jain monk called Kundakundacharya who is believed to have lived here and observed severe penance. Every year, on the day of Makara Sankranti, a large number of Jain pilgrims gather on the top of the hill to celebrate the gala of Kundadr.Time to move on! Next stop would be trek to Barkana waterfall. It is said to be some 850ft high. The trek was supposed to be some 3 to 4Km. after driving to the supposed place and asking some locals we reached the place form where we would start the trek.The misadventure begins. Just as soon as we started we came across a river sort of a thing. Now here I must tell you I was amazed by the courage shown by the girls namely Shveta and Jyoti who crossed the river. We boys do it all the time no big deal but I had a notion after seeing the river that we will have to go back as girls wont come. Enough! Back to trip. It was a small river and was not very deep. So we all pulled up our jeans and walked across it. The jungle was getting denser and denser as we walked on with some patches of clearing but this place was beautiful. Every thing was vibrant with energy. We all were following a track (I guess made by jeep in the summers as they seemed quite new and no undergrowth was there) that was there in the middle of the jungle.Some times I feel whatever happens, happens for good. Take this as example we didn’t had the idea that were we were heading was a place dominant by naxalites. And I must thank mother nature to unleash leeches on us so that we would stop on our way and return back. This is not a fiction but the reality. We had gone around 2 Km in when one of the girls noticed that some black thing is one her feet and then on close scrutiny came to know that it is a leeches and then came the shrill cry of a feminine warrior determined to get all these slimy things off them and so we came to know about leeches. (Some how I had a feeling that these leeches instead of sucking on our blood and reducing some energy does the opposite by pumping energy into us as was evident by the kind of speed and energy shown by the girls). So after killing and throwing some of the poor creatures we started back. We came back to the cab after some time and with few more leeches on us. Cleaned up the leaches and headed back to hotel. On the way we came to a place called sunset point. But 1st Oct’06 was not a good day to see the sunset as it was too cloudy.Finally we came back to hotel. Freshened up. Ordered some thing to eat. Ate. And then fell asleep.Day 2 (2-Oct-06)Gandhi Jayanthi.As per plan we all got up early and were ready to move by 7.30am. Our plan for day 2 was that we will leave the hotel at 7am have breakfast then leave for jog falls which by the way will be some 2 hr journey. So we will reach the falls by 10am at the most. As we wont have much to do the safe estimate that we had was that we would leave the falls by 1pm so that we can reach home by at the most 11pm. Lets see what happens as we were already 30 min late in our plan.We had our breakfast and then headed towards this temple that was the last stop in Teerthahalli. This place was really old looking. It was beside this riverbank and that was also cool. Cool morning breeze. And we were all full of energy. guess most of the energy got used up to make sure our picture came. Even if it was supposed to be solo or all girls or all boys pictures. You should have seen us running just to be in front of the camera as soon as some one else posed to get his or her picture taken.Soon we packed up and started off towards Jog falls. The journey was approximately 90Km from our hotel. So once again music CD, shouting, howling, pulling each others legs, singing at top of our voice as if the whole world is listening and we don’t have a mic to make our life ease. Oh! By the way there was a certain time in this small sub journey when the cards came out and along with it brought lots of war cries. Especially “cheating, cheating” or “I won”, “no you didn’t” “yes I did” “how could you I had all the cards” “no you didn’t you were cheating” “don’t look into my hand of cards” “shut up” etc. (all of them continently translated to English for our English readers. The players were Ankur, Prerna, Shweta, Rama and SBM. Though, they were playing in turns.We had a stop at a place in mid way and had some refreshments. By afternoon we were at Jog falls. It was drizzling a bit and was too cloudy. We all went to the cemented edge to see the falls and all we could see was clouds below us. But we could hear the sound of water rushing. That was kind of frustrating. After talking to some locals Rama and SBM told us that we could go down to the base to see the water fall. We all agreed and started the trek down to the base.
(Fact time so that you have some idea of whatwe were going to see. This water fall is approximately 830ft+ high. It has 4falling streams that have being named in accordance with their perceivedtrajectories:Raja (King): Named so because of its apparently 'dignified'and 'serene' fall (first from the left).Rani (Queen), also called Lady: Thestream has a winding, twisting trajectory, said to resemble the movements of afemale dancer (third from the left).Roarer: This stream appears out of amass of rocks, making a tremendous amount of noise (hence the name) (second fromleft, starting from middle height).Rocket: Consists of a large volume ofwater streaming out of a small opening at a very high speed (first from theright).Associated with the waterfall is the nearby Linganmakki Dam acrossthe Sharavathi River, and the hydro-electric power station that it serves. Thepower station has been operational since 1949, and is, at 1200 MW capacity, oneof the largest hydro-electric stations in India and is a significant source ofpower for Karnataka. The power station was previously named Krishna RajendraHydro-Electric project, after the King of Mysore at the time. The name was laterchanged to Mahatma Gandhi Hydro-Electric Project. It was served by theHirebhaskara dam until the 1960s. At this time, a dam across the Sharavati riverwas built just before the river jumps into the Jog Falls, and this dam has beenused for power generation since then.The dam has led to a reduction of theamount of water reaching the falls during the summer months. During the rainyseason (June-October), the floodgates of the dam need to be opened and thewaterfall runs full. This is also the main tourist season at the waterfall.Just 4Kms from Jog Falls is China Gate. It is worth a visit specially duringthe rainy season when the Dam gates are opened.This info is thanks to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jog_falls . Thanks wiki. )
Back to journey as we started down we were able to see the falls clearly and at that height all the people were looking like … like … ants! Really. We were soon down to the base and the fall was around 100 or 200 mt away. It was mesmerizing to see the water fall from such a height. It was really grand. We boys decide to go to the base and that this distance is not much. So we waded along. When we came across the water streams, we took out our shoe and carried it along with the obvious intentions that the shoes should not get wet. This was the time when first the shoes went then the owner followed. So most of the time we were first passing all the shoes to the person at the front and then helping each other to that point or should I say to the shoes. The water was cold and the girls didn’t want to get wet while crossing to streams. The place was rocky and most of the time slippery. I have really lost count as to how many times Rama slipped but we all had our share of slips. The one that really scared me was when Shveta slipped and as I was just behind her when she fell and pushed me I slipped. Some how we reached the mid point with some minor bruises and cuts. Till now we boys were actually all wet as we were venturing into the water so that we can find the perfect path for the girls so that they don’t get wet. This place had some deep places and connecting shallow deep rock bridges. These bridges were the ones we were using to bring the girls with us without getting them wet. At this point just when I was helping Shveta to cross a particular stretch she slipped or what I think is tried to place her feet on some rock and couldn’t anticipate that it was deep. With a splash and a shrill cry she went in the waist deep water. To top it up she got all wet. Shweta was not very keen on reaching the base so sat down on a rock and we all deposited our cell phones, wallets and most important of all shoes with her.Done with our safe deposit at bank of Shweta (without interest) we started of towards the base. It took us ages to reach that place. And I really don’t know why the girls were so keen not to get wet. The water spray was so much that we all got wet and to compliment that god made the clouds to release there water load. “Water water every where and not a place to stay dry” … PJ I guess. Anyway! We boys took a dip in the water. Had a competition as to who can hold his breath under water for longer time. I won!!!! Then we started to go back. While going back we saw too many people surrounding a boy and a girl (who were facing there back toward us). The boy was wearing all white dress, white pant, and white tee shirt. Seemed to me like one of the “sfedi ki chamkar” add personal. And the girl in a white mini, and grey spaghetti or whatever the name is. No! No! I don’t have a photographic memory. It’s all in the pictures that we had taken. So I was saying. These two are dancing. We cant hear a single sound that would suggest that there is some music nearby. And these two cartoons are dancing in full synchronization. Some time latter we understood that some movie shooting was going on. As we came nearer we could see the cameras and all. We were getting our snaps taken when the director found the rock on which we had kept all our shoes. Some how despite all the shoes fond that rock to be artistic enough and got the heroine on the rock and started to throw our shoes away. Just then our one and only “jahasi ki rani” Shweta came into picture and scolded the fellows like anything. Rama and me came to rescue and got the shoes away form the camera shot. Shweta got her picture taken along side the heroine (Arti Chabria). Then Ankur stood there posing and Shweta refused to click his picture. You should have seen how many poses that poor chap stood beside the heroin but Shweta didn’t bulge and till date we don’t have any photographic evidence that Ankur was standing there along side Arti.Hard luck! After some time we decide to head back as it was getting late and suddenly reaching home early was at the top of the agenda. We all started our trek up. This is when at least I realized how steep the road up was. It was almost perpendicular at places. The trek up was really energy drainer. By the time we reached up it was already 4pm. We were already late by 3hrs. Anyway we all dried up changed and started back home by 4.30pm.Energy levels were dangerously low and we all were feeling hungry. We reached a small town and had evening tea and biscuits. SBM also got some band-aids as some of us got injured in the journey to the base of the falls. Rama also sported a band-aid on his left forehead. Some girl said he really needed it. Small break and we all started back home. We had a stoppage at a restaurant where we had dinner. Then a round of paan. Journey back home was uneventful with a exception that we had seen a bikers group riding back home and a stop for tea. Rest of the time we all were either fully asleep or in my case half asleep.Reached home at around 2.30am (3rd-oct-06). Fell asleep and next day was office. Seriously if you ask me I felt like going back to school after a long fulfilled summer vacations.Oh by the way in the end let me tell you who all went. Some of the names you have already gone through.Ladies first:JyotiPrernaShwetaShvetaNow the gentlemen:AnkurRamakrishna (Rama)Sudheer (SBM)And last but not the least Me Abhinav
posted by Abhinav