Rock gardens and Hills

Desperado come to senses

Today one more kind soul amongst us departed away.We were travelling from Chandigarh to Delhi on NH22.A political heavyweight was travelling in Honda CRV.The red lights on the vehicle blinking and making gruffy noises as if someone was struggling between life and death in the hospital.One Gypsy in front and another on the back of Honda were part of that entourage.Gun totting policemen ready to assault in the black scarf on the head were appearing more like devil than security officers. These are the people who believe in political extremism. A show of threatening and coercive hard power. As if the wolf has come out of den,grinning teeth and reddish eyes creating claustrophobia on the roads.Such is the breed of todays statesman.

Victim of this were two young men riding a bike,when they panicked with this threatening vocalization and collided with another car traveeling at a speed of 90 km/hr.Such high was impact that the bike went off in the air and these two performing actual vault with several twists and flips in the air,Landing on the ground with great thud. Elbow bone out of its joint and skull open, pillion rider went straight to heaven on the spot.The other one half dead or half alive, gasping for breath and twitching of an eye looking at the sky unawares.Extreme rosy hopes shattered for the youths carrying colourful Lilliput clothes lying scattered on the roadside.What an extreme way to die on road in a democracy by the people, for the people, of the people.Does 184 or 177 of Motor Vehicle act will be used to penalise the police drivers by finining them to maximum of rs.1000 or let them go scot free to intimidate another life on the road.

"Sorrow comes to all, and to the young it comes with bittered agony because it takes them unawares" a quote by Abrahm Lincoln comes to my mind.

UNTAMED-WILD/MILD BEAUTY AND ESCAPADES

We do not like to go for picnic or holidays on the lakeside or riverside where there is vitiation of atmosphere with defiled beaches.Simple reason being that it gives a sickening feeling even if we pass thruogh that boulevard.The feeling of nausea,repugnance with that reeky smell makes us repulsive.Whereas if we are at a beach or hillstation with trees all around,or white sand around its a different state of mind.The famished lungs yearning for fresh oxygen wanted to inhale deeply.This strong and persistent desire of my family was a promise fulfiled by me when I took my family to Shivpuri ahead of Rishikesh.
We had a nice two day camping trip when we wanted to plunge and immerse ourself in whole white sand beach,inhale all the available fresh oxygen and all ganges waters to be filled in the skin pores.Let me tell you nothing works better to unwind yourself other than the lap of mother nature. The spirit of adventure made us to do the rafting also.The fun of rumbling roars,deep rapids and pristine waves is awesome.Its all about inculcating the team spirit,survival in crisis,pushing,pulling and paddling when raft goes upside down in deep rapids.

Anu you missed it I dont know when you will have again this pulsating experience. It was you who needed the most to preapre youself for the battles ahead and the thrill to conquer it.We as indians are comparatively new breeds of adventure seekers.Altough we have best terrains to do that.Thanks to our own Akshay kumar for instilling the confidence.

I should also thank Marielou for really instigating me for it.Its true Marielou you should experience and participate with your kids before its too late.Its a preparedness of the lifes battles ahead.
It was not my intention dear Babu to leave you in the midst current when you were gasping for breath.Anyway you had those life jackets.Idea was to conquer the fear.Do you remember"Darr ke aagey Jeet hai." That is what paralyses our thinking in event of crisis and stops us from taking risks.But to instil this lesson in your mind I had a rebuke from Anu.But you will thank me Anu one day was implanting these values at young age.Didnt you saw how it was natural for Aaron during that journey.It shows the preparedness for emergencies and lifes bigger battles. The divine charm and aura of ganges gives a very different feeling.The mysticism,enigma and ecstasy of white water will allure me again and again,and I committed myself that I will come here again.I dont know the same commitment I had made myself for so many other places also in past.But this time I promised to that pristine beauty I come soon again in your divine lap.

Beauty lies in the eyes of beholder

The other day I had left my home early and was on my way to work.I saw this puerile damsel a pillion rider carrying stuff which included laptop and rucksack on her back.It was monday morning.Must be she was on her way to office directly.It was sure that she was working girl.We drove side by side for almost 4 kms and then bike zoomed somewhere into oblivion.The noveau riche lass epitomizing to be an ambassador of best of the cosmetics brands was so carefree about the pollutants and dust on the road.These cosmetic companies with their campaigns which has creeped into the minds of young ones that they do all to prevent their skin from pollution(Loreal's mineral to match any skin type),sunlight(Garnier to prevent those shades of black beneath your eyes).So much care of skin,body!!a divine attribute of complete perfection.Sometimes its supererogate and gives a feeling of mortification of beauty.A trenchancy to the quote of philospher Lao-tzu:

"When the people of the world all know beauty as beauty,
There arises the recognition of ugliness.
When they all know the good as good,
There arises the recognition of evil."

Dussehra

Today its Dussehra.A day to celebrate overpowering of evil.But even after centuries of celebration of this festival nothing has changed.What about the Ravana inside us?Have we thought to get away with that?It was beleieved that there was no scholar of his repute during his time.A simple one mistake he did of kidnapping of Sita.For that mistake he must be really repenting by seeing his effigies burnt every year from above.Apart from that had there not been Hanuman it was impossible to win this great war.That too wonder drug called sanjeevni found in Himalaya's.If sanjivini had not been there the course of history would have been different.The forests have been life line of India for centuries.Alas if we could accept this fact on this great occasion called of Dussehra

SLICE OF LIFE

Stars decide the destiny.Wanted to take a path not traversed by anyone.But finally with the time consoled that this is what it is.Its like coming out of own created web which is entangled so much when thoughts and action work in opposite direction.But then who will gather the courage to take a flight to different orbit.Its good to read 'road less travelled' but travelling unknown path is that much difficult.

SLICE OF LIFE

A Chamelion,we think are more successful in the herd of animals.
Its because he goes with the time and in the end comes out succesfully of all the testing situations.Can we all be chamelions????But then we want to stand tall in the storm and test our persistence.Do you think it works.Nope!! they are the first ones to break down.Have you seen the broken trees on the roadside after the storm? Weak ones still standing tall.Still we try to repeat the same again and again despite knowing the facts.After spending considerable hours I realised its values that determines the behaviour.And probably values are more difficult to inflence or modify.Values are the core of person's character.Are we giving enough value to persons character?Do we have recognition system to evaluate persons character or it is just a part of children's education curriculum .Do we remember this while performing our roles? Or the evaluation is purely on parameters and scale of success.Values are changing and so are we.

PUG MARKS OF RANI

The other day it was a sunny morning at Jim Corbett Park.Wanted to see some really wild ones ,but all had lazily hidden themselves in some unknown shrubs.Forest Ranger was desperately trying to convince me that the pug marks are fresh and maybe the wild cat has just crossed the road.But its always like that since last four years.Every year I visited remembering Sir Jim Corbett but all in vain.While speaking to the villagers inside the park I overheard that these forest officials have made pug marker for different species to create and maintain the mystery and charm in the wild life santuary.How do you feel if someone shows you the pug mark of Rani the Tigress in the mid of jungle and that too very confidently after sitting for a while and looking from different angles.Atleast I feel shudder in my spine and this feeling of adventure brings me to this place again and again.

Environment,Ecology and 'Neel Gai'

The move to shoot Blue Bulls popularly known as "Neel Gai" is shocking to save the crops.There is a news in Hindi daily today that hunters have been called by UP government on a contract of shooting these shy creatures at rupees one thousand per antelop.This comprehensible act should be condemned at all levels.
This is in view to curb the menace of destruction of crops in districts of Banda,Bulanshahar,Muzzafarnagar,Shahjahanpur and Pilibhit.How can these kinds of decisions can to be taken by so irrespossibly??.They are a protected species under the wild life protection Act 1972.
In Haryana and Rajasthan also they cause damage of crops worth of crores every year.Due to tendency to run over the road they are menace for highways also.But due to strong pressure group created by Bishnoi's and also since this creature carries the name of "Neel Gai" the sentiment to shoot the animals has strong resentment among the villagers of Haryana and Rajasthan.Goverment also bows down under there pressure and they gained lot of attention after the court took strong views against Salman Khan and Nawab Pataudi for killing of other antelopes.
These are shy creatures and come out in open only due to lack of food and fodder.The reducing forest cover and conversion of wastelands into agriculture lands has led to blue bulls coming out in open and destructing the farmers’ fields all over the state.As winter advances the scarcity of fodder in forest forces these animal species come out to adjoining village areas of forests,and attack their fields at night.The animals descend on the fields in herds, making it easy for them to damage large areas of farmland within a matter of minutes. These animals have been frequenting for the past many years and often destroy their standing crop of maize, wheat, sugarcane, fodder like barseem as well as seasonal cash crops.
This animal can run upto 50 km per hr thus destruction is within a very short span of time.There population is definitely on increase in northern india and probably that is the reason why it has been termed as low risk of extinction by IUCN Red List. The population density in central india is .07 animals per sq km.But we should not forget that these species are available in India only.
If at all we need to curb the menace it should be tackled keeping the environment in mind.Millets and grasses should be sown in forest and the conversion of wasteland into agricultural land should be stopped. Better forest management and wildlife management should be ensured by the forest and wildlife department so that they remain in their natural habitat. If they are confided to the forest a proper eco system is maintained and their growth and extinction is maitained.By this the menace of destruction of crops can be avoided to a large extent.
Help can also be taken from the Nath tribes who are excellent trackers and adept at capturing and handling wildlife.A method should be devised wherein they can be trapped and dropped to there natural habitat.This will definitely help in a balanced approach towards the environment and maintaining the eco system.

Dying Vultures

Today I was talking to some environmentalist about the decling population of Vulture's in Delhi.A surprising fact came to notice that that there population is dwindling mainly because of unethical practices used by human beings.Rampant use of antiinflamatory drugs which has diclofenac in it by vetenerians to releive the pain of old aged cattles is the main reason.If these cattles caracss is consumed by vultures it creates a dehydration and ultimately resulting in kidney failure. Just consume this fact that two decades ago the poulation was more than 80 million reduced to not more than 4000 today.Now IUCN(International Union of Conservation of Nature) has listed these as endangered species.It is same like Tiger and one horned Rhino.It is a dangerous sign for declining population of scavengers.Who is going to clear the dead caracass of animals?The whole eco-cycle is going to get affected.It will lead to increase in the poulation of dogs who feed on dead animals making them more ferocious and spread of rabies.Now the floods in major north indian states large population of cattle had been dead and caracass of animals unattended.This has all the reasons for outbreak of epidemic pollution of waters,a long lasting stench of livestock caracass making life unbearable.

Celebration/Lamentation of Evolution

The months of Shrawan and Bhadrapad are the months when nature is at its best.Rain droplets,clouds playing hide and seek,moist air with fragrance of flowers around signifies love and longing.These are the months when everyone is breeding,whether it is mosquitoes,insects,reptiles,canines,flowers and plants.All the flora and fauna around at their best looking ecstasic and appearing more green ,bright and vital.There are no figures to corroborate that how much human beings breed during the period,but it is fact that opposite sexes get most promiscous during this time.It is a celebration of evolution of all living beings.It can be seen vividly seen in the writings of the indian texts by poets and story writers.In bollywood movies it has a very special significance and some of the very best song sequences has been created by the lyricists of all the times.''Mere Naina sawan Bhado'',''Lagi Aaj Sawan ki Jhari hai'',''Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke'' are the some which comes to my mind.Thumri's and Kajri's of classical music has been based on these themes and aspects only.Mythologically it is mentioned in hindu texts that during the same period Lord Shiva and Parwati united.Devotees celebrate the festival of Teej to take the blessings from Parwati for marital bliss, happiness,health and vitality of their husbands in the Sawan month.In the Folk songs of Teej one can see the imagery of monsoons, rains,black clouds and the longing of woman to meet her lover.

With so much of love in the air during the month of Sawan,our diffrent state governments feel feared to face and cope up with it every year.Who can forget the pain of Mumbaikars two years back with all these fantasies in background.Fear Psychosis grips us all on the advent of monsoons.How funny is the situation when administrators blame it to rain god.In a study it has been revealed that Mumbai can only cope up with 40 mm of rains.How do we tell the rain god not to pour more than this???Or else why we even need the rain in Mumbai.Two days of rainfall in Delhi and city goes for toss.Still after so many years of continuous failing we are unable to tackle the situation and city going berserk.Come on lets join hands together to pray from the god to exclude cities like Mumbai,Delhi and Kolcutta from rainfalls.Ultimately we have to be dependent on these policymakers and administrators who are not able to develop the infrastructure to tackle the situation.This is the price we pay for development.We get far far away from the small pleasures which we long for.Instead of enjoying we bemoan and lament the monsoons to get rid off as fast as possible.Living in Metro's we do not have any pleasurable memories associated with it.Next generation would not be able to associate Sawan's significance which is in our writings and scriptures with current state of affairs.

Vultures in Sky

Today I see vultures in sky, after a long time.Dont know where they have been these days.Maybe the dirt,refuse and caracass of animals have stopped coming to dumpyard close to my place.Some crows were seen feeding a bit of morsel of the caracass to their young ones last week on the roadside.Every morning 15-16 truckload of dumpers are seen offloading the refuse of delhi on the borders of Ghaziabad.Still its unknown to me if any standard practices are followed to manage this whole garbage.Broken trucks where each part of the machine is rattling its own song have been assigned to carry the whole heap of garbage out of the city so that it looks clean and habitable.But its pity to see these mean machines also been discriminated on the basis of its creed amongst the fleet of vehicles of Delhi government.

A truckload of dirt and garbage emitted from the beautiful and posh houses of Delhi is being carried in most wretched conditions.Uncovered trucks carrying the rubbish and refuse with hoards of crows looking for their prey, roaming around is an interesting to watch.Before it reaches the dumpyard half of it has already offloaded on Delhi Roads to make Dirty again.And God forbid if you are behind these trucks specially on two-wheelers,you dont know what is going to happen with you apart from being exposed to unhygenic viruses.

Dear Vultures you have done a great job by rejoining.I feel happy to see you roaming in round and around the sky.Being custodians of keeping the city clean whom can we depend upon???????????

deserts

How the vegetatation changes on small distances travelled.While travelling from Haryana to Rajasthan on can experience the same.This part of Aravali range you can find all the green vegetation and fields and just 5 Kms across in Rajasthan the things are just changed.The Shrubs and the dust in the air makes you realise that you are in desert.Anyway these roads are less travelled and no habitat across the roads.Your eye sight finds difficult to fathom the distance of village with large areas of field lying barren for ages.Even the Rain God doesnt have a very favorable response at these places.Maybe the places are destined to be like that.

Lets see if a mankind with latest inventions do some change in their charecteristic outlook when country is progressing GDP's is growing and all things happening we can call ourself moving towards developed nation.

save ganga

The way our population increased it is difficult that ganga will take all the load to disburse wastes and pollutants.When population was low all the economic development and agricultural developments happened at the banks of Ganga and Yamuna in northern india from centuries.
It was assumed that ganga has lot of curative powers and it can cure anyone who touched her.If we look at the reasoning behind it the path that it traverses from himalaya till the northern plains it traverses through himalaya's and the hills and forests of Uttarakhand.Anyway these hills and forests have plants with lot of medicinal value.Maybe that is the reason which justifies the healing and medicinal properties.
It is believed that bathing on certain occasions in Ganga specially at Haridwar,Allahabad and Kashi relieves the persons from sins and helps to attain salvation.Its still a practice today specially in hindus that after the death ganga water is put is poured in mouth so that person achieves moksha.
It also retains a high level of oxygen in the water but the reasons unknown so far.Probably that is the reason why all the hindus keep Ganga Jal in their homes and use it for purification of house from time to time and other important occasions.
But in todays context all these doesnt have mach relevance.If we see the major polluting places it is mainly Haridwar,Kanpur, Allahabad and Varansi. Haridwar is mainly affected with human pollutants like bathing and perfoming the last rites.In Kanpur which is a major cause of worry because of leather industry passing their wastage in the river and which will ultimately be main reason for people loosing their faith and river ganga loosing it sheen and charm which was held since vedic days.

Government of India announced the Ganga Action Plan with crores of rupees fund to cleanse river Ganga.But nothing happened so war.Its a same state of affairs.We are in process of loosing a way of life,a civilisation and a great culture like Kartik Snan,Kumbh,Chatt Puja etc.
We need to seriously look at this and put all our efforts to preserve the heritage.Gift of King Bhagirath and blessings of all the gods specially Loed Vishnu to Ganga Maiya has to be preserved for the future generation.

Ganga my influence on childhood memory

I remember during my childhood that is almost 30 years back,when I used to visit my dusty village on the bank of river Ganga in Varansi district of UP.It was a way of life starting a day for village folks.You cant imagine a life without that river.In the morning all the socially active people used to meet at the ganges.Different interests group attracted the people from all walks of life.If it was a adolescent ones they had all the reason to be there in there best form as nubiles would visit alongwith there mothers or grandmother.A glimpse of a face in dupatta or saree would make there day.Exercising and pushups in the white sands was more to create an impression in the minds of young and unmarried girls than a healthy way of life.Probably fitness and being healthy was at the back of there mind.

Another group of young ones would brush there teeth with "Neem Datun" and have a round or two of "Kushti".Some of them were heroes of local "Dangals" a la great Khali.After this they would take a dip in Ganga with a reverence of mother.Jai Ganga Maiyya.

A little intellectuals would carry the edition of "Aaj" and discuss the local and national politics sitting on stone under the banyan tree.Acchey chacha was only listener and very important part of this group.Carrying a long "Neem Ka Datun" he would endlessly brush and scrub his teeth till it became a 5cm's in size.It would take a minimum of one hr to complete this exercise.I always used to accompany him as I had become used to this lifestyle.Frankly speaking in my summer holidays when I used to visit my village from Pratapgarh where my father was working,I really longed for this kind of outing.A fresh cool breeze when you walked towards the river still refreshes my face today also.Passing through the lanes where people sitting on the pavements of there houses,it was a customary to greet everyone.My chacha also got his ego boosted as I was the only child among the same age group of village who can read and write English.Oh! that days were full of joy cool and carefree.

Recently I had to visit the village again due to some family function.I had a deep desire to revisit and experience the whole magic.I was excited like a young child from the night itself about the pleasant morning.And then the morning arrived and I asked my Chachaji to come alongwith me but he refused because of his old age and poor health.I decided that I will go myself and took the "Gamcha" and put on my shoulders.I decided that I will take a "Neem ka datun" from the third left turn towards the Ganga Maiya.But Alas! that tree was not there.I thought maybe I will get a little ahead.But sorry without any success.Finally I decided not to brush my teeth.

To my utter dismay whole environment and activity which reverberated the life of village had vanished.It wa s all empty,no pahalwans,no akhara's,no groups discussing politics.In fact even the water had lost its glow.It was not the same water,almost black as if dirty water coming out my washing machine.I took the same water in my palms and could'nt believe it,was it the same water which we kept in our houses to purify our soul.??????No it wasnt the same.I decided that I had to wash my hands with dettol soap so that I do not carry any infections with me.