My emotions begin to collide
Calm and composed they claim
the so called self flourishes
amidst brief affirmative moments

My emotions begin to swell
Calm and composed they claim
the abode calls in the distance
Trapped between a grueling judgment

My emotions begin to raze
Calm and composed they claim
The dream goes into the oblivion
The conflict gets stern


The light ebbs
The night creeps in
Life goes on ...........

Media terrorism

It has been a week since terror struck in Mumbai, the city is back to its usual Hum-Drum. Most Mumbaikars have forgotten about the incident. However the relentless coverage by the media does not seem to die, a week after the attacks the media are still looking at new electrifying angles on the incident. . Most importantly they always speak about the so called "spirit" of Mumbai. While most people recognize that this too shall pass, the media keeps banging it back into their head that some thing terrible happened.
The Media was busy telecasting the assault in turn assisting the terrorist who where watching the live telecast in the hotels. The Ministry of Information and broadcasting had requested TV channels not to telecast the live footage as it could jeopardise the operations . But no, our TV Channels did not comply, they inturn sent out a battalion of reporters and camerapersons.

And the most frustrating craze ‘breaking news’, every telecast is somehow breaking news. The relentless pursuit of the gun battle inside the Taj was Hyped by the Media. And if i where given a choice i would say a big No-No


I choose journalism as a profession, am I in the right place ????

The boat sail's on
an still no direction
The water's become deeper
and tides become stronger
Should i jump into the water
or sail on ????

I sit here, with out a sail
Days pass, random thoughts repeat
Direction lacks, the Path is uncertian
Brief moments of joy, shadowed by moments of agony
The pain appears and again dissapears
Persistance , the only constant action
Seems to relieve the confused mind
Is it good ? is it bad ?

an itenary of a vauge traveller

Travelling is my Spa, it gives me the ultimate massage. My goal is to make enough money by the age of 40 and travel the rest of my life. Most people plan their vacation through some sleazy travel agent, who only cares about his pay check. A big con job who makes people go gaga over some monument, river, mountain or statue. Most people don't know that either ways they are going to drop their jaws over something beautiful, common logic.
When i travel i go by the cheapest mode of transport, not because i cannot afford it but because it gives you a better perspective.Trust me this is where you meet the most fascinating people You can actually strike a decent conversation with many folks there .
On my last trip i choose to take the local bus from Patankot to Dharmasala, i met this old man ( least a 90 + ). He told me stories on how he travelled 40 km on foot every day, once he reached kashmir on foot all alone. He jus amazed me by his strong character, i lent him a hand while gettin down but he refused.
I always wish i was born a few hundred years ago, i am guessing life would have been much easier. We so damn dependant on these machines. Put the most intelligent man with an IQ over 150 betcha he would not know how to survive over 2 days alone. I believe the whole purpose of life is to be able to use nature and learn to be one with it.
Ok back to travelling, a tip from me, when you are going to travel choose a place of choice, carry the minimum amount of money and clothes and just wander off - Don't plan
cheers

DIWALI

Diwali or the Festival of Lights is celebrated every year in India. Signifying victory of good over the evil and the end of the last harvest before the onset of winter. Every year crackers are burnt on a large scale and each house adorned with lights or lamps.

Ten years back the idea of crackers made me go berserk. Every Diwali my father brought home a box of crackers and just like other kids I blew them up till they all went up in smoke. Little did I know these where made by children my age, their hands endlessly toiling and struggling. I was burning the crackers carefully handcrafted by the sweat and tears of a kid whose world was limited between four walls.

I remember meeting Raja, one of the 80,000 children who painstakingly toil making our Diwali colourful at the Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu. Tell that to the manufacturers and the Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association (TFAA) who deny any use of child labour. Sivakasi is India's cracker capital which contributes to around 80% of the fireworks produced with an annual turnover of over 1000 cr. Produced by children between 9-14 years old these crackers take around 300 days to make, eventually taking 3 days to be up in flames and smoke

Most factories are unregistered and illegal, located at the back yard of tiny huts with minimal safety measures. Here underage children are crammed inside into dingy rooms, spending the whole day making crackers out of gunpowder, potassium nitrate, cadmium and potassium chloride. Which pose a deadly health hazard causing respiratory diseases, eye infections and skin allergies. Large scale illegal manufacture of fireworks have banned, with some indridents falling under the Class 7 category, under the Explosives Rules 1983. There have been many accidents that have disfigured the victim and sometimes ended up fatal. Because most factories do not have a valid license the victims do receive compensation. It's a pitiable sight to look at these children, their hands and bodies shriveled, the life sucked out of their faces

There are many arguments to this evolving dilemma, some say it's ruthless exploitation by the capitalist minded, and others blame the families. The government has been ignoring the Sivakasi issue for far too long, many laws have been past, many laws will be, but who bothers?

As for Raja who sits in a small hut behind stacks of paper and gunpowder working the whole day huffing and puffing deadly chemicals it's will be just another day at work. He too has dreams, but the mean harsh world he lives pushes him to work at this tender age. The money he makes goes to his father, who uses it to feed his thirst for alcohol. Paradoxically children of the same age have a fiesta perversely blowing these crackers. No one can blame them; they do not know the monster behind the curtain is.


The festival - treat or threat

This Diwali is undoubtedly going to start with a 'Big Bang'. With noise levels peaking, everyone is assured an ear popping experience. Noise and air pollution levels during Diwali have always been a problem. With Most crackers producing large amounts of smoke and unwanted noise.

There is a great battle during Diwali; there is safety and health on one hand, and customs on the other hand. Doctors have reported a worrying increase in the number of people complaining of bronchitis and asthma after Diwali. Hospitals get many visits from people who have suffered from partial and full burns, some of the cases happen due to the misfire of a cracker or rocket.

A report on the ambient air quality on Diwali night prepared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) highlights the high levels of noxious pollutants like Reparable Suspended Particulate Matter (PM10 - RSPM) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2). There have also been many reports of deaths. Over 18 people died in an accident that occurred at an illegal fireworks factory in the western Indian state of Rajasthan on October 23rd, 2008 just few days before the festival. All this indicates how unsafe the whole process of Diwali is.

The original idea of Diwali is to celebrate it as a festival of lights and lamps. Not to make a riot out of crackers. I don't burst crackers because I don't want to add another tear to Raja's eyes, do you? A festival, to celebrate a prosperous year ahead, is some time a sign of yet another year ahead at the back yard for the kids at Sivakasi.


SO STOP USING CRACKERS !!!!
spread the message , spread the love

Mc Leod ganj and Triund

Ramlila

Sakshi suggested me to watch the Ramlila, a significant event that occurred every year in North India. Since i was from south i never wintnessed such a event. There was no work at office, i decided go vamoosing to see the burning of Ravana and Co at the Ramlila grounds, which was a stones throw from my office.

Since Indian crowds are quite unstable and chaotic, i mentally prepared my self to the incubus i was going to face. One of my frineds Melina also accompnied me, she hailing from US was quite eager to see the fet. The smell of dust and sweat greeted me, the ground was filled with thousands of people from different walks of life who swarmed the ground.

The entrance was maddening with a pinch of ritious behaviour. After being thrown, showed and Pushed i finally entered the ground. Initially i felt i was in the wrong place, all i saw was this huge carnival with countless shops all around.

To my resuce, beyond the maddening crown i saw the wooden and hay statues of Ravana and Kumbakarna, this was all i wanted. A few snaps and i was off , not the type who appreciates crowds. I was a struggle but i finally got a few snaps.Not too great but will do.

I also convinced Melina to take a ride in the Desi giant wheel, Of course i decline to go along ( i have this phobia that it may fall off ). She kinda enjoyed it, at least thats how it looked.

All in all a new experience.

day and night

The phenomenon of day and night has always amazed me. Both the sun and the moon have a special place in my heart, these objects portray supremacy and signify the battle of day and night.
Symbols of the sun have been know to be the oldest form of drawings and dates back to 10,000 years ago. Each culture and religion has some relation with both the sun and moon in the beliefs as well as scriptures, societies have worshipped them as god's.

One of the oldest description of them is in the egyptian culture. HORUS was the god of sun, Horus had a man's body and a falcon's head,he was told by his mother Isis to protect the people of Egypt from Set the god of the underworld. Horus was said to be the sky, he was considered to be the Sun. It is also said that the sun was one of his eyes and the moon the other, he moved in the sky as falcon. SET, an ancient god, who was originally the god of the deserts, storm and chaos was a sworn enemie of Horus. And that they had regular battles, many times interpreted like this - Every morning horus (Light) sent set to the underworld thus signifying the day, and every evening Set inturn (darkness) sent horus back to darkness. This battle evn goes on today.


Then there is the Yin and Yang, the oldest chinese representation of Good and Bad, some times signified as day and night also. The concept of yin and yang describes two opposing and at the same time complementary aspects of any one phenomenon. While "yin" would be dark, passive, downward, cold, contracting, and weak, "yang" would be bright, active, upward, hot, expanding, and strong. This is a striking relation to the day and night.

In India we have Lord Surya "supreme light". The term "Surya" also refers to the sun in general. Surya drives through the heaven in his triumphal chariot harnessed by seven horses which represent the seven colours of the rainbow or the seven chakras . Surya is considered to have a dry nature, he also represents the soul, will-power, fame, the eyes, general vitality, courage, kingship and authority Then there is Rahu , who is considerd to be the enemy of surya and always tormented him.
He is the cause of all eclipses and shines as the King of meteors.He drank some of the nectar of immortality, was then caught by the sun and moon who cut off his head, however the mouth having touched the elixir remained immortal and forever hunts the sun and moon, occasionally catching them and so causing eclipses

There are so many striking resemblances in many cultures around the world. I have been a follower of nature and the only thing tangible and physically present is nautre, over the past thousand years people have interpreted the nature and its phenomenon as god or deities, who they inturn worship. Naure has created life and this very nature controls the process of life. Dont be fooled by other intangible theories and myths.

When i first heard that each share of Google inc was valued at a mind blowing $474 i was taken aback. Imagine you owned 1000 of these babies, would equate to a hefty sum of $474000, nearly half a million, whoa ! That comes up to about two and a half crores.
I was under the assumption that google's share was the most expensive, then one of my colleagues let me in on a bigger secret, the price of Berkshire-Hathaway A-class share, brain child of one of the worlds richest man Warren buffet was valued at a meager $125,ooo. Now 10 of these babies would make some luck person a millionaire. Warren owns a 38% stake, a person who is know for take over of financially weak companies and turning them into profitable ones. He also has done all this by steering clear away from Technology and IT companies.

The job !!!

Education hasn't really been my strength,I was never the type of person who was excellent at academics, through out my life the grades i received where quite mediocre.Teachers hated me, my friends mocked me and my parents irked by my behaviour and attitude towards education. Since the Indian Education system is based on the 'Rote learning' system i never got a chance to do something purely based on my personal interests. Like other kids i never wanted to become a doctor, lawyer or engineer. Unlike the cliched society i wanted to do something different.
Most of my lecturers considered me to be unintelligent and dull, all they where looking out for students who would flatter them with praises and always be at their disposal. On the other hand i was completely lost trying to find out what i wanted to do.
First there was science, the subject which i despised the most. To get out of it i took up commerce. Though commerce was not that hard i barely managed to clear my subjects with good grades Finally after pursuing a degree in commerce i gave up. What was left ? ARTS. After months of deliberation and contemplation i decided to do a course in Journalism.
Though not being the best of writers this subject interested me a lot.
One this am very sure most of my friends from school who pursued what every one did are not really happy . so remember most things in life do not have to go according to plan. Just be positive and remember - everyone has a place in this world , don't fight for it , it will come to you.

commomly confusing words

Words Commonly Confused
by V. Bell, J. Cheney, P. J. King & M. P. Moore

Click on the words that you would like to study.

accept, except
brake, break
desert, dessert
its, it's
presence, presents
vain, vane, vein
advice, advise
breathe, breath, breadth
device, devise
knew, new, know, no
principal, principle

affect, effect
by, bye, buy
faint, feint
later, latter
precede, proceed
vociferous, voracious
allot, a lot
can, may
farther, further
lead, led
quiet, quit, quite

all ready, already
canvas, canvass

lay, lie
rain, reign, rein
waist, waste

capital, capitol
fewer, less
leave, let
raise, rise
weak, weak
all together, altogether
cite, site, sight
formerly, formally
loose, lose
sea, see

allusion, illusion
clothes, cloths
forth, fourth
notable, noticeable
sit, set
wear, were, where
altar, alter
coarse, course
good, well
object, subject
stationary, stationery
weather, whether, rather
among, between
compare, contrast
hear, here
passed, past
statue, stature, statute
whose, who's
are, hour, our
compare to, compare with
hole, whole


your, you're
award, reward
complement, compliment
imply, infer
peace, piece
than, then

compare to, compare with
consul, council, counsel
incidence, incidents
plain, plane
their, there, they're

bad, badly
decent, descent, dissent
incite, insight
pore, pour
threw, through

beside, besides
delusion, illusion, allusion
instance, instants
precedence, precedent
to, too, two

Three Olympic Medals and India is on a high. Not only does it reflect on the low self esteem India has, it also personifies their down right obtuse the Indian mind is. We live in a country of over a billion, and we send a 57 person convoy to represent our nation.

Most Indian athletes failed to meet the expectations with poor performances.
The way i look at it is based on simple math -
China 971 participants = 100 medals
India 54 participants = 3 medals

If 50 participants can win 3 medals then 1000 will win 60 medals.
Sounds very simple right, where are we going to get 1000 athletes who are Olympic worthy.


Micheal Phelps not only created won him self 8 medals he also proved that he could single handedly take on a country like India.

Most of my friends are optimistic that India will win more medals next olympics

were is my neighbourhood

Kannan and satish live beside my house, its been 3 years since I've shifted to this new locality, sadly i have never interacted with them ever. Neighbourhood is supposed to be a geographically located place were neighbours have constant interaction. Over the last few year due to the huge influx of people into bangalore i have noticed the idea of a neighbourhood does not exist any more. I remember the days were i knew everyone on the road i lived in: the residents, the maids , the postman, the shopkeeper, the sweeper etc.
Now the person who lives in the very next house does not even acknowledge me. Neighbourhood should not be looked at geographically, it should be seen socially marked by friendship and companionship. These days there is no such interaction between neighbours.
Previously i lived in koramangla for over 15 years, i knew all my neighbours, we used to interact regularly.
The idea behind a neighbourhood is to establish relationships. These days most people lock them selves at home, only to come for work. Many a times i want to escape from the city to my home town. Cities have become annoying and monotonous.

Pain is inevitable Suffering is optional

last tuesday i underwent an operation and replaced my ligament which i tore a year back. I was very optimistic that every thing would be as normal as ever post operation. I was discharged a day after the operation and then started the trouble.
Since they have cut a piece of my ligament from the front of my knee to replace the torn ligament, i have lost most control over my tigh. I also have about 20 stiches in three different location's and not to forget two 5 mm deep holes.
For the first few days i lost complete control ove the left leg. After undergoing intensive physiontheraphy i have slowly gained some amount of control. The only reason i underwent this operation is to be able to get back to my normal sporting activites. The doctor also warned me that am more prone to get arthritis if i prolonge the operation.
One very important person in my life said " pain is inevitable and suffering is optional ".
Though it is very hard to follow it makes so much sence, the pain is part and parcle of our lives the extent to what we suffer is our choice. The first few days i was cribbing about the pain, but now i have realised the more i keep thinking about it the more i feel the pain.
After all this operation is only for the good.

Indian Government and their offices

The primary reason why the Indian Government never performs properly is due to a lack of drive and passion. Most politicians and bureaucrats join the Government to full fill personal gains. No wonder our country of a billion odd people does not go forward.........

I am undergoing my internship with the power corporation of the Karnataka Government. Over the past two weeks i have noticed a voluminous air of lethargy that fills the office. Also lack of a systematic and objective approach is lacking..... which is why private corporations do fairly better.

Since the organisation's primary role is to generate and provide power to the general public they have no inclination to make profits. I will not disclose the yearly turn over but it is rather poor. I do agree that their primary role is service, but a little bit of profit making will also help.

Most people in the office are very stereotyped and mechanical. They only work if ordered to, other wise just waste their time..... no wonder many people opt out for government Jobs...... they pay is not so great ..... but there is job security.

The modern world we live in demands radical and pragmatic ideas. In this organisation old ideas are still persistent. At times many employees spend an hour of efficient work. The rest would involve hours of gossip, nonsensical and unwanted conversations, family problems blah blah ........

What is even more depressing is that many of these employees are highly educated and qualified.... It is sad to see them spending 30 years of their live in between four walls with absolutely no aim...... WORK SHOULD BE CHALLENGING AND EVER DAY MUST BE ONE.....

Sangam ride

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Usually i never plan, i simply choose a highway and keep riding till i find a peaceful place to relax.
This time i choose Kanakpura (KP) road. For company i took along a friend, to whom a ride was due. Though the scheduled time of departure was 7 am we managed to leave the city only by 9 am.

The outskirts of bangalore offer us a great means to relax, for me taking a ride once in a while keeps the flow going, though it must be done more often. Kanakpura is a small hamlet about 70 km from bangalore, following which places like Snagam, mekadatu, Shivanasamudra and kollegal can be found. The roads are excellent and considerably less in traffic. Maintaining a constant 70 kmp, i reached KP by aroung 10 am.

After crossing KP there was a board which said- sangam 41 km. Since i have never been to sangam , i decided to take that route. Initially the road is no that great, later on it gets better. Once you cross about 15 km from Kp you will have to take a deviation to the left. From here the road get narrow but is filled with challenging turns.

Finally at 11 am i reached Mutathi, ( very beautiful from far, once you get close you will see more plastic and booze bottles than the greenery). Many people keep dying here, prime reason being alcohol induced behavior, in most cases death by swimming....... It was quite hot and to coll off i wanted to swim. As i went closer to the water i realized it was filthy..... thus ending my chances of a perfect trip. This is the very same cauvery water we drink

We Indians take our dirty habits every were go. There must be a certain amount of respect we need to give back to nature. Most tourist spots are ailing proper maintainance.

Any ways i thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Looking forward to this weeke ends ride

my 1st poem

Awake the dawn, innocent and scared,

Shake fear which it bring within,

Naked into the world that embraces its own.

Whispers of echoes surround,

Break free into the enchantment that surrounds,

Into a world not known, seen or heard,

Mysterious rays colorful yet not known,

Urge to go explore the unknown depths

Marked by its presence,

Shining into the abyss and beyond,

Imagining with innocence,

Suddenly bursting into thought,

Starting to play with time,

Beginning to embark on the purpose of life,

Suddenly all that surrounds is secrets,

Of the past and present,

Then it starts to sail the skies if infinity,

Come evening dreams becomes reality,

Mysteriously the light starts to fade into time,

The inevitable end that surrounds it,

Slowly starts creeping into its depths,

And in great silent times comes vacant spaces,

Disappearing into the darkness of the night.............

I wrote this poem comparing life with the day- morning, afternoon, evening and night.

Dont know how goods it is, but good for a first attempt :)

DOCUMENTARY...... SWIMMING, RAPPELING, TREKKING

THATS YOUR TRULY RAPPELLING



RAJENDRA- the outdoors guru

This sunday i had been to savandurga yet another time. This time to film my documentary on Adventure sports. I met up with Mr.Rajendra from Nisarga India, who conduct rappels frequently at Savandurga. We met at The Big Banyan tree and proceeded to the Manchanbele reservoir were we shot and swam for a while, after which we moved to Savandurga.

Rajendra picked up the equipment at a shack and we headed to a small rock nearby the monolith. He started to set up the cables to a tree while in the process explaining to me also. After showing me all the safe ways to tie knots and the purpose of each hook, he proceeded by explaining to others how to rappel. I got my camera and set it up, and got a few shots from the top and bottom with a few interviews also .

As everyone finished Rajendra offered me a chance, he harnessed me onto the belt and also attached the cords and off i was, my first rappel. The fist few steps are quite fearful as your body has to get into the 'L' shape. Remembering the instructions that i must keep my feet far apart and not to bend my knees i confidently and successfully completed my first rappel. I forgot the pinnacle came when Rajendra asked me to leave both my hands when i was dangling 30 feet of the ground. I did it as i trusted him. Cheers to that .

Thanks Rajendra

Technology sum some

Wake up in the morning only to the call of an Alarm, brush your teeth with an electronic brush, geysers and hair dryers, toast and coffee machines and how can i forget the cellphones, PDA's and laptops. Yes, my friends am talking about technology and gadgets. Our very helpful set of friends will do all our daily activities, what would we be without them i wonder. We live in a world were we walk, talk and if necessary sleep and eat technology. It has become like a second skin that we wear and abstaining from its use leads to total chaos and destruction. Its like some sort of a drug that we are Dependant on.

These fellow mates have such added value and they make our life just easier. I remember the days were the only machines were the Tv, fridge and a vacuum cleaner. Now there is a gadget that fits in to every category of our lives ( am sure there is also a gadget that washes your hind when you done with you know what). i have seen may people's lives go hay wire because their cell phones or laptops were not working. This has also happened to me, but in some ways i have been able to handle it.

Am sure most of you have watched the movie Terminator, who can forget the battle between machines and man. I must say James cameroon had a wild imagination and far sightedness . Why do i say, i have this crazy but in some ways believable idea that matches James's, that man is only going to perish because of machines. The thought is very weird but just think of it there is a very good chance that this may happen, Now i don't think and John connor is going to save us. I feel that there is absolutely nothing like the doomsday or judgment day. Man is only going to kill himself and he is just making it even more easier.

NANO OR NO-NO

If there could be a Henry Ford there is also a Ratan Tata.

The launch of the Tata Nano has bought a new meaning to cheap and effective travelling. The car costing around one lakh has made the possibility of owning a car for the Aam Aadmi, inspired by the scene of an Indian Family of four travelling on a bike which is unsafe and risky. Ratan Tata discussed this with his colleagues and around 500 engineers and designers started to work on the car in terms of safety and efficiency.

The critics seem to be having a field day with their allegations. They say that the250, 000 odd cars Tata plans on selling cars every year which will in turn have a an adverse effect on the environment but it is a very small figure amongst the millions of other cars produced in India. They also claim that the car is very unsafe for Indian roads; no owners of the Nano are going to Zip on highways or even have a drag. At the end of the day we have to remember that the Nano is here to give safety and comfort to the lower middle class family who use motorcycles.

Many tests have been conducted to prove the reliability of the car and the verdict, Nano is a safe and environment friendly car. If people are so worried about the environment then there must be an equal amount of enforcement by the government on other cars. Why target the Nano?

We see so Many youngsters nowadays zipping around in their modified cars. Whats wrong if Ratan Tata wanted to make a car so that the common man could travel comfortably. This is one reason Indian entrepreneurs never do well, not because of their vision but of because the number of critics waiting to pounce at them. In the latest many foreign companies are looking forward to make cars like the Nano. I feel that Ratan Tata should be applauded for his noble contribution and people like him are who make India proud.

WE

we

We

Royal Enfield

It was love at first sight, not one of those ordinary ones. This one has payed of both emotionally and mentally. This baby has no tensions, listens to me always and is there at your disposal any time. Yes, bloggers this is the one and only Royal Enfield. The bike in the picture is a Royal Enfield bullet electra 4s (2004), Got it on about 4 years back. Though i am not one of those biker with rough looks or affiliated to a club, i still consider myself as a biker( u dont need to be a part of a club or have macho look u c). The best part is this bike puts all those 100cc change bikes to shame.
People tell me am mad because i travel about 40 km in Bangalores rush hour traffic. My father curses me for spending hours washing my bike on sundays, but its the love you see. If you do not own one you will not understand what i am saying. I tell you something go tomorow and buy a RE, you wilkl know what i mean. Still thinking, then you better go for a Pulsar or one of those 100cc cycles.

GOKARNA

This place is located towards the northern part of Karnataka, around 35 km from karwar and 40 km from Kumta. Its is considered as one of the most holy places, were Lord Shiva had a battle with a sea demon and it is due to this one of the beaches is shaped as 'OM' after his victory over this demon.

Gokarn consists of 5 beaches
- Gokarna beach
- Kutle beach
- Om beach
SUNRISE AT KUTLE BEACH - Halfmoon beach
- Paradise beach

I have visited gokarn about 3 time and i must admit it is a very beautiful place. A perfect place to get away from the city humdrum. The beaches are quite unspoilt and are very safe to swim during Nov-march. The water comes into the beach during the monsoon. I have spent many sunrises, sometimes in the company of Dolphins. During december you could swim about 1/2 km into the beach as it is not too deep for a long stretch and waters are generally safe.

So if you are looking for a quite holiday, think no more. Go to Gokarna.........

cheers

Three Amigos

In a recent visit to the outskirts of the city i witnessed something very striking.I met these three boys. They are just like the ordinary children who live in the city. But there is a difference, these boys are as happy or may be even happier than the kids from the city even thought they are void of the materialistic life that we live.

Though technology is also catching up on them they seem unaffected. They too are very intelligent, i gave my camera to the one on the extreme right (very bright chap is must admit) and to my surprise he learnt how to use it quickly and effortlessly.

Spending a little time with these guys made my day. I was so happy to be with them Just look at their smiles, they are so genuine. I promised them ill be back to spend more time with them .

Trek to Savandurga

A few weeks back me and a two close friends thought of breaking free from the normal city routine. And so we decided to go for a trek to Savandurga. We reached there by 5 and waited for the sun to come out. Savandurga is one of India's largest monolith situated 70 kilometers from Bangalore.

We started our ascent to the top of the hill located around 1250 ft above sea level. The trek is quite hard as some places of the rock face can be as steep as 50-60 degrees. And it gets slippery if it is not cautiously scaled. The monolith has many forts built around during the 1700's and the name was coined then 'Savandurga' or fort of death. There is a Nandi on top of the hill to mark the kempegowda empire, there are many stories.

Many people told me it is very unsafe and risky to climb the hill, Trust me it is very easy and quite safe. Suprisingly me and my friends took just a little over and hour to reach the top. Though my calves were paining it was all worth when we had the most magnificent view from the top.

We spent about and hour up and then proceeded back down which took us just under an hour. All in all the three of us felt satisfied as it was mission accomplished.

Whats happened to bangalore ?

Though born in Chennai, but consider myself a genuine Bangalorean. Its been 21 years since my family came here. I remember the days were the weather was amazingly pleasant, people took pleasant morning walks, neighborhoods coexisted in unmatched unity and not to forget less traffic and pollution. Now it is very distressing to say i live Bangalore.

The IT and BPO boom may have bettered the economy and pumped oodles of money into the state, even the dictionary got an addition of the word 'Bangalored'. Any true Bangalorean would agree with me that we do not live anymore in what used to be one of the best cities to live in.

The most saddening aspect is that people from all parts of India come and dictate terms to us, saying that we would not be were we are without them and that they think Bangalore in not a good place to live in. Then i ask what in the hell are you doing here ? Why don't you go back to your so called happy and peaceful city. And most people from out side cite Auto drivers as a major problem, i remember were these people used to be very caring and friendly. Why do they treat you like that ? because we Bangaloreans used to function in a different way. I have seen the way (no offense) most North-Indians speak to the people here with absolute disrespect. Am not blaming you, probably thats just the way you guys function there, but please keep all that non-sense there.

And yes when you continue to crib about our state after buying a house , a fancy car and all those things you could never even imagine getting in you so called city don't forget the same thing is gonna happen to your state. Am waiting for the day all the unwanted people leave this city only to find that their state will never be like ours.



cheers

Tiger's where have you gone ?

We take deep pride in claiming the Tiger is our national animal. Sadly, they could be extinct in few more decades. . Many Tiger reserves in India have not been able to stop the killing and poaching of these exquisite and majestic creatures. Conservationists and the Indian government plan to create eight new reserves to protect the country’s dwindling tiger population.

The survey conducted recently shows that there are only 1411 surviving Tigers in India compared to 4000 odd tigers 5 years back. Shocking figure that owes to heavy poaching and loss of habitat. Now is the government to blame or the poachers ? Seems like by the time a solution will develop there will be no more Tiger's.

Another primary problem is that the tigers are at the top of the food chain and if they will keep dying, there will be a chain reaction which will lead to an increase in the population of other species. This will lead to an ecological imbalance, which could have drastic effects. Seems like people just go to zoo's and look at a tiger and say"wow, what a majestic creature" and go back home not to remember that they are fading. Thus,

There are two types of nature lovers-

1 the ones who like to sit and watch nature and admire it.

2 the other are the people who enjoy nature and also protect it

So which one are you ???????




Here is a poem by william blake :-
The Tiger

Tiger, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder and what art
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And, when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand and what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears,
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did He smile His work to see?
Did He who made the lamb make thee?

Tiger, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

William Blake


Just see the beauty of the poem, A poem based on a creature like the Tiger. Look at how William blake has described the Tiger. Its seems very doubtful if we can see these animal around. I pray that Government stop fooling around and do something constructive, otherwise the Tiger will be just another Dodo.......

The Sun and The Moon

Here are a few photos i took of the sun and the moon using a canon S5is.

valentine's day

Feburary 14th every year is celebrated as valentine's day. The air is filled with love and affection, couples gift each other flowers and choclates. But this day has lost its love appeal as it is become more of a commercial affair. More than the value of love most couples spend time on trying to woo each other with gifts. Its probably an inferiority thing that people posses, that only can they romance each other with material endowments. Now the question i ask Are gifts, wining and dinning more important than true passionate love, which can be accomplished by spending quality time.

birds and monkeys

These are a few photos i took

in and around the outskirts of bangalore.

The kingfisher and the cranes are from mallur

Billigirirangana betta

Following are the photos from billigiranganna betta ( B.R.Hills)
located around 200 km from bangalore
Can be reached from Bnaglore-kollegal-B.R hills
Shivanasamudram comes on the way,
various kinds of fauna and flora are present at this place.

There are many places to stay including the famous jungle lodges in

k-gudi.