Dudhsagar Waterfalls - A long wish fulfilled.....

When one hears about GOA, the only thing that comes to mind are the beautiful long stretch of beaches, shacks, parties and more parties... ;) Well most of the people going to Goa might just be soaking up in the winter sun, bathing in the warm sea waters, cooling themselves with chilled beers and partying up till late nights.  Most of the people visit Goa from October to March when its most happening.  

On my first trip to Goa some 10 years back, while talking to one local guy in the bus I came to know that Goa is at its scenic best in monsoon.  This year it just happened that I got the chance to visit Goa in the peak of the rainy season.  I think I should thank Madeleine for this.... ;)  So after 2 days of couchsurfing in Mumbai and visiting Gateway of India, Marine drive, Haji Ali, Colaba and the Borivali National Park we were in Colva, Goa on the 21st morning.  

Colva has been the place for me each time I've visited Goa, but every time its been in winter.  This time I was shocked to see it empty.  No beach shacks and almost no tourists, apart from some locals or people from nearby places who came there for the weekend.  So next day we decided to head to Palolem beach in South Goa.  The most important thing that I wanted to do on this trip to Goa was to go to Dudhsagar Waterfalls.  The reviews on trip advisor and other forums helped me to figure out how to go for it.  While going to Palolem in a taxi, I even asked the driver if the falls were open in monsoon and to my great joy he confirmed it.  Only thing the jeep's are closed and one has to go there either walking or on bike taxi's.  

Finally on the morning of 25th July, @ around 8:00 hrs after having a nice breakfast, we hired a bike and set off to Kulem. Kulem is one of the major railway station of South Goa.  The bike owner explained me the route but some how I didn't get it at all.  So I decided to use google maps on my Blackberry. Palolem to Kulem.  

So our route was fixed.  We drove from Palolem on N.H. # 17 to Cuncolim. Right turn from Cuncolim cross roads and then a left from a ' T ' towards Quepem. At Quepem took a right to cross the main circle and then left and again right to cross a bridge over the railway track and head towards Sanvordem via Tilamola.  The roads are very good except for some places where they are little bit broken.  

Once you cross Quepem, you will come across lots of trucks carrying iron ore from the nearby quarries.  Don't forget to wear a helmet with a front glass or a helmet and glasses to cover your eyes.  In monsoon the work at this quarries is not that much, so you find just few trucks on the roads, but in winter or summer I'm sure you shall come across a lot of them and an occasional traffic jam too.  

After crossing Sanvordem, keep an eye on the google map as at many junctions there are no signboards showing the way towards Kulem.  And if they are, their location is such that you might just skip them.  Twice I took the wrong way and then Madeleine would shout from behind, stop stop there is something wrong.  And so luckily we got back on our right way.  The entire road has paddy fields along both sides.  One can feel the fresh air while driving.  Finally after a drive of about 70 - 80 min. driving at an average speed of about 60 kmph, we reached Kulem.

Soon the guy from the bike taxi association approached us and offered for the drive to Dudhsagar falls.  In monsoon only the bikes are operative.  I tried to negotiate and ask the way towards the falls, but the guy told us that the way is through the forest and you might get lost.  Since we were there for the first time we had no option but to accept his offer.  The whole track was of 14 kms. We had a quick chai and 2 bikes were ready to take us to the foot of the falls. Luckily till now the rains had stayed away.  The bike riders keep spare rain jackets for the pillion rider.  They charge Rs. 500/- for the ride and Rs. 65/- as the entry fee that one has to pay as you enter the forest route. 

To our surprise or rather shock in few min. we were driving just next to the railway track on a 6" to 12" way made by the association of this bike taxi drivers.  Its a pretty dangerous track where at times if the bike slips you just go down and might injure yourself.  At times one has to go even on the gravels lined next to the track as there is no way to drive.  And this guys drive at the speed of 20 - 30 kmph. which sometimes can make you feel scared.  After driving for about  3 - 4 kms next to the track, they dropped us to cross the track and reach the forest entry point.  They drove the bike through a river passing from below the railway track and reached the entry point.  Again our drive started, but this time it was on an extremely bumpy way through the dense forest.  This way is laid with stones and red soil.  Its actually even worst than a dirt track.  Those with a weak back or with a heavy body should surely not try this track.  Its around 10 kms long and one has to cross some 5 small streams and 2 rivers.  

The water level is not very high in the rivers but the flow is quiet strong.  In one of the stream our bike went like half into the water. I said to myself thank god I decided not to wear my shoes. Whole day with wet shoes ? No way.... ;) Finally after a 45 min. drive we reached the last river to be crossed.  The water level was quiet high for the bikes to go through it. So we kept the bikes over there and crossed the river on foot and had to walk another like 20 min. to reach the foot of the falls.

On our way while walking we came across a baby snake jumping here and there.  I showed it to Madeleine and she was like, why did you showed it to me.  Now all the way I'll have to keep a watch as to not stamp over another snake... ;)  I just had got the weak link to scare her... ;)  All the way one could hear the sounds of birds chirping, frogs croaking and some strange sounds of insects.  Finally we were there.

Now here there is a small trap.  If you want to go right up to the waterfalls where the railway track is, one has to trek another 15 - 20 min. uphill to reach there right through the forest and for this the guide will charge you another Rs. 300/-.  While talking to one of the bike riders, he told us that out of the 500 bucks they charge, they have to give some to the railways, some to the forest officers and the rest goes to their own association which will finally divide it equally among all the members.  This 300 bucks that they charge to take you up to the falls goes directly to them.

In between the 2 Portuguese built tunnels.

The falls looked great from down below and so we decided to go right up there.  After climbing through the forest for some 15 min. and passing through the two Portuguese tunnels through which the railway track passes, we reached right up to the Dudhsagar waterfalls.  It was an aww moment.... :) The falls were mesmerizing.  310 mts. in height, the railway track is built right in the middle of the falls.  i.e. after 150 mts. and the rest falls and flows below the railway track.  And we also got company from some monkeys... ;)



One sight on the opposite side of the falls, and you can see clouds covering the green mountains of the western ghats. It was just beautiful. Soon heavy rains lashed the region and fog was everywhere around us.  There is a small shop and a platform built there which normally remains closed during monsoon except on weekends. It serves chai during weekends, winter and in summer months.  The rains were pretty heavy.  But still managed to click some pictures.  Soon we heard the sound of a train coming.

A Karnataka bound passenger train with 2 engines was coming our way.  This was the moment that I was waiting for.  A train passing as if almost through the waterfall and water running down behind.  I was fortunate enough to click that picture which I had seen in some reviews.  Loved it.

After talking with our guides for some time and understanding the geography of the region some what, I would want to visit this place once again.  This time I want to walk all along the railway track from Kulem station, covering a distance of 14 kms and back.  They said it takes around 3 - 4 hours to walk all along the railway line.  But they also mentioned that many times people reach here walking as the curiosity to reach here is immense but while going back they are mentally so drained that they ask this guides to take them back.  But I don't care I want to do it.  So I guess another monsoon trip to Goa has to be done... ;)

The entire trip that we took cost us around Rs. 1250/- per person on twin sharing.  This includes Rs. 350/- for bike hire, Rs. 200/- for fuel, Rs. 1000/- for 2 bike taxi's, Rs. 600/- for reaching the waterfalls with the guides for 2 people, Rs. 130/- entry fee for 2 persons and Rs. 220/- for food, water and chai.  I thought its certainly a good deal for first time.  If one treks all along the railway line, one can easily save Rs. 800/- per person.

Finally at around 15:00 hrs. we decided to return back.  The rains came heavily again and we had to take shelter at a bus stop for like 30 min.  But before that we got totally wet and the cold wind made me shiver a bit.  I looked to see if I could get some chai, but till Quepem I didn't come across any chai stalls. Finally at Quepem, we found a restaurant and a hot cup of chai brought the much needed warmth.  While coming back instead of going to Cuncolim, the road from Quepem straight goes to Baali cross roads which is much closer to Palolem and saves atleast 15 - 20 min.  By 19:00 hrs. we were back in Palolem. 

I would surely recommend this day trip to all those going to Goa.  Its worth visiting especially during monsoons.

Laziness is good sometimes... ;)

Its my first Sunday after a great holiday in Goa.  Last night after coming home after the Couchsurfing meeting, I just didn't wanted to sleep.  Was feeling sleepy, but didn't wanted to sleep.  I guess it'll take few days to come back to the routine of Ahmedabad from the routine of Goa that I got into while holidaying... ;)  

Finally managed to wake up on a lazy Sunday morning, read the newspaper, took my shower and was off to an inauguration invite to one of Ahmedabad's best photography and videography studio.  Lazy to cook, went to Subway for lunch and back home.  My whole afternoon and evening went in front of the TV.  Watched some movies and olympics.  The most interesting thing was on crime patrol.  How an Indian who strays into Pakistan and gets caught.  And how he is than released after spending many years in prison.  Heart moving but true also...

And then out of boredom felt like I had to eat something... ;)  And to my surprise had a wonderful chat with Weronika on FB.  Been a while that we had talked.  So it was really good.  Suddenly I thought of making paneer.  When I was at my host's place in Mumbai, I read a book on cooking wrote by some European girl who was volunteering @ Iskon temple.  The book was all about vegetarian food along with some statistics that why one should quit eating meat.  So finally after 30 min. paneer was ready to be set into a block.  Just waiting for tomorrow morning to know how it tastes.... ;)  

So overall a pretty lazy day.  My friends asked me to go with them to Mother Teressa's missionaries of charity for a small event, but I was just too lazy and still I am.  Watching women's archery at the Lord's right now.  Might be trying to sleep early today to get back into my routine.

'Gangs of Wasseypur'

Last week I finally managed to watch 'Gangs of Wasseypur' - the much hyped film in the recent times.  Made by Anurag Kashyap, it is one more film based on a part of earlier Bihar, but now falls in Jharkhand.  I had just came back from the trip to Surat, tired but was full of energy to see this movie.  Took a shower and rushed to Wide Angle.  Before seeing this movie, my perception about it was that it will just be another movie with gangs of bandits or something like that.  Also never ever before had heard of this place called Wasseypur.  In short my idea about how the movie will be was totally vague. And the hype kind of forced me to see it before it got down from the theaters.

The star cast was very much new but most of them got into their roles pretty well.  The plot of the movie was pretty confusing.  At the end it leaves you struggling to link the different scenes and periods.  In two and half hours the movie shows three generations.  Pretty fast paced, but what it tries to portray in the early half - the mission of the lead hero Manoj Bajpayee (Sardar Khan) to destroy the local minister (Ramadhir Singh), goes completely off track.  The end however tells you that the sequel is not too far. ;)  The movie pretty well portrays the irregularities of running the coal mines in Dhanbad.  How the british founded the black gold, how they used to run and how after independence the local mafia's have ruled the poor miners and how they have exploited the entire region.  

The life of the miners and the owners of coal mines portrayed in the movie reminded me of the book 'The White Tiger'... :)  It just shows why Bihar till few years back (when Dhanbad was a part of Bihar) was one of the most under developed state with inhuman living conditions in most of the villages.  

What really makes this movie worth watchable is the timing of the abusive words used freely.  Right from the starting till the end.  The hindi punches in bihari way were just hilarious.  The timing and the way these cuss words are used, just make it extremely hilarious.  Loved it.  Somehow most of the movies made on Uttar Pradesh and Bihar uses abusive words pretty freely.  Not that there aren't other regions which don't use it in their day to day life.  But for long censor board never allowed movies with abusive words to get released.    Its been ages since the trend setter for such language in the movie, 'The Bandit Queen' was released.

How in the movie, the wife of Sardar Khan, Najma and her anger is portrayed is commendable.  Manoj Bajpayee is seen at his best after his act of 'Bhiku Matre' in Satya.  Reema Sen (Durga), after a failed bollywood career plays the role of being the second wife of Sardar Khan is made to look pretty sexy.. ;) Looks like another bollywood actress taking this route to revive her bollywood career... ?  Well who knows... ? ;)  

Anurag Kashyap seems have mastered the art of making movies that are so very different.  His vision on the topic he chooses is just too good.  Also what is admirable is his courage to showcase the many factions of relationships that exist in a double standard conservative society of rural India, but are very rarely accepted by the society.  Blood, rivalries, gun battles, sex, political crime, coal mafia's and some extremely comic hindi punches make this movie worth watching one time.  The fact that in the recent times the blowing off of the coal mine controversy in India, this movie gives a very vague and small highlight of how such a huge controversy might have taken place in a corrupted and politically controversial country of ours.

Rains are back again this week.... :)

Last Sunday was so much fun.  Going to Sun Temple - Modhera and Ran Ki Vav (Step well) - Patan was just perfect to try out my new gun, Canon 550D. Huich, Nishit, Palak, Anup and myself had a great time posing for the camera and trying first hand at my new DSLR... After looking desperately for some rains to come, we were just left with few minutes of rain drops...:(  But a it was total fun on a humid day.  Reached home at around 18:30 hours, took a shower and lied down for some time but it actually became a 12 hours sleep... ;)  

But come Monday and the rains were back after a long spell.  Its so surprising that where most of the states in India are right now facing shortage of rains, Assam is under floods.  East India is facing floods while West is having scanty rainfall.  Its kind of funny but serious too.  How in the last few years the climate in the entire world has changed and that too drastically.  Anyways I had a good time enjoying the rains.  It was the first time that I got drenched in the rains this season.  Some how most of the times it rains either when you are leaving for work or you are coming back from work.  And its most of the time a heavy downpour.  Never have I been able to understood this particular timing of rains... ;)  

Again when my primary school friends decided to meet up for coffee at Crossword on Wednesday afternoon, it began to rain just like an hour before.  I was like no way, why the rains wanna spoil our meet up.  But luckily just at the right time rains stopped and the sun was peeping out from the clouds with still some drops coming down.  I call it the naked rain... ;)  Yes rains coming down when the sun is shining is called NAKED RAIN.  Other than that I love rains... Particularly on a Sunday or a holiday watching the rain from the balcony, sipping hot tea on the swing and going for a walk when it drizzles is like heaven... :)

A quick one day trip to Surat on Thursday and a sudden plan to watch the movie Gangs of Wasseypur, turned out extremely good... ;)  After a very long time a movie that was totally different.  Can't say whether it had a kind of story or not, but the flow was good and pretty fast too.  Reality of Dhanbaad and how the coal mines over there are operated is shown in a pretty good way. Made me recollect some parts of the book 'The White Tiger'...  But more interesting and funny was the Bihari dialect of Hindi used in the movie... ;) Simply loved it.

And today finally I found a host in Mumbai.  After sending requests to more than 15 couchsurfers in Mumbai and it being declined by almost 6 - 7 of them, I found my host.  She'll be my 3rd Indian host... Looking forward to it.  And right now watching the movie Border I guess for the 10th time... ?

Good night .... :)

My new toy arriving.... ;)

2 years back on my first Couchsurfing trip to the forest of Shoolpaneshwar, I was bitten by the photography bug.  In few months I had bought a new little big advanced digital camera.  Have used it on so many travel trips in India as well as Europe and I enjoyed it.  But since last six months I was itching to move ahead and get on to the DSLR ammunition ... ;)  Ha ha yeah I call it my gun.  Finally after my peak work period of this year got over in June, yesterday I ordered for my new Canon 550 D.  And I'm really excited that it's gonna arrive tomorrow.  

With a trip to the Sun Temple, Modhera under consideration with my friends, I think its going to be a great Sunday to use my new toy and get the feel of DSLR photography.... ;)  With this the moth of July has started great.  Its time to say good bye to the hot summer period, with some medium showers of rain cooling the weather.  More are expected in the days to come.  Lot of new things and new responsibilities at work coming up and its going to be more and more hard work.  Seems like my time on FB at work will be reduced... ;)  Will have to work more hard and spend I guess more time at office.  But as they say, the real fun of partying comes after putting in some really hard work.... ;)  

Its Friday today and on the Friday after the next one I'll be in Mumbai on my way to Goa.... I'm giving this treat to myself after some real hard work of last few months.  I'm very skeptical right now about openly saying about my trip to Goa.  As its been in the past, whenever I've announced a travel trip, it fails most of the time.  But this time I'm leaving that feeling behind and sharing my super excitement here.  Finally after 2 failed attempts of going to Goa in the last 2 years, again for the sixth time is coming fast.  Can't wait.  And this time its gonna be different.  Goa in monsoon.  My dear time, please fly away .... ;)

Money flowing out of a rivulet ?

Do miracles ever happen ?  Yes they do happen.  If not for all, at least for some they do happen.  Last week on some news channel it was shown that some small rivulet in Assam became a money producing mine.... ;)  Sounds absurd ?  Well its true.  Assam right now is flooded with rain waters but still people living around this small wetland were making merry.  This small rivulet was flooded with currency notes of 1000 Rs. and 500 Rs.  There were people diving in to find as many currency notes as they can.  People stopped by to see whether the notes were true or they were fake as some one might have thrown all his fake currencies to escape being caught by police.  But a spectator who said he was working in a bank and had enough expertise to differentiate between fake and real currency, confirmed that all the notes coming out of the rivulet were genuine.  

Ever saw a water body throwing out currency notes ?  Well for the people around the wetland it was nothing short of a miracle.  From where the money came, no one knew about it.  There were only speculations.  Might be that some rich guy must have got rid of his black money from the fear of being caught by the IT department ?  Or the floods might have brought a big pile of cash from some rich man's house... ;)  No one knows.  But people had a ball collecting the money from the wetland... ;)  For them I guess its nothing short of a miracle.  

This reminds me of another miracle or whatever one can call it.  It goes back some more than 15 years when this thing happened.  And it happened all over the country.  All the idols of Lord Ganesha were drinking milk.  Yes idols drinking milk offered to it ?  Yes its true.  I had myself along with my mother and sister offered bowls full of milk spoon after spoon and the milk didn't got spilled on the floor but the idol drank it.  People were running to the temples to offer milk to the idols of Lord Ganesh.  Though the one that I offered was of Lord Krishna... ;)  Read the whole story here ....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_milk_miracle

Half of 2012 gets over with 'Hectic June' ... ;)

Today half of 2012 gets over.  Feels like so much has happened but yet its been so little.  The month of June passed in the wink of an eye.  But I'm glad it went off much better than expected.  My work travels were just great.  With the fears that the poor state of Indian economy would create a liquidity crunch, but the first quarter of 2012 - 2013 went fantastic.  And now the next 3 months I guess will be fun.  Travels, festivities, new responsibilities and much clear mind.  Only bad thing, that I'm gonna end the half with a lower back ache.  Don't know what caused it and I'm confused whether its a stiff back or something more serious.  I guess my horoscope comes true here that my whole life I'm gonna have back and stomach problems...  Hope this ones not very serious.

And from next month the new season of cricket will start too.... ;)  After a new found interest in soccer watching the Euro 2012, now its time to get back to watch and follow what I love the most in sports - Cricket.  With the T - 20 world cup coming up, its going to be a great feast to watch it.  So now looking forward to July - August - September.  Hope its going to be just great with the next month starting with a visit to the doc.... ;)

Finally my travels will start once again ... ;)

That's it.  I've had enough of sitting in my office and working my ass off in this summer months.  Its been already almost 3 months and I haven't been on my work travels and will be almost 7 months that I've take a break from work.  So finally I'll start with my work travels from tomorrow.

So it'll be Surat - Diamond city that I call it, from where my work travels will start. Looking forward to meet up with my childhood school buddy Mrinal and those egoistic customers whose ego's i'll have to pamper.  And yes over the last 7 - 8 years I've kind of mastered how to pamper your most important customer's ego... ;)  And believe me it always works.  If you are at fault or not but if you know what your customer's character and attitude is like, you can always get what you want out of him.  Like the saying we have in Gujarati, 'Gaal joine tamacho maray' - means 'See the cheek and accordingly slap'.... ;)  

And then Rajkot to follow and then the Southern part of Gujarat.  I hope the rains will start and set it.  As it'll be an enjoyable trip to south gujarat, being able to drive 1200 kms.  And hopefully will end the work travel with a trip to Kutch.  

Finally it'll be the time to take a moderate break from work and head to Mumbai and Goa.  Tickets are booked but I'm really glad that finally after 2 years of not being able to travel to Goa, this time I'll make it.  First time during the rainy season.  And as they say Goa is at its scenic best during monsoon.  No touristic crowds and peaceful beaches.  Only thing that I'm going to miss are the beach shacks.  

So the next 45 days I think gonna be great..... :)

Religion

What's Religion ?  You'll call me a dumb ass or a stupid person to have put this question ?  But no, after almost 34 years on this earth still today I have not been able to understand religion.  

• Where did this thing come from ? 
• Who started this different religions and why ?  
• In the name of religion why human beings in this world are divided ?  
• Do we follow our religion religiously ?
• How important is religion to us ?
• Is religion bigger than humans ?

So many questions but I have still today never been able to get a justifiable answer.  I live in a country which is the most diversified country in the world in terms of religion, language, culture, physical appearance, geography and so many other things.  All religion's as I've heard preaches its followers to live with love and peace.  Many say practicing one's religion leads to GOD.  But in today's world we forget to respect and co - exist with fellow humans and other creatures who are GOD's creations itself and still claim to be religious.

I guess to understand religion first one needs to believe in GOD.  Unless one has the faith in this supreme power one cannot understand or follow his own religion.  I have wondered many times that how human beings used to live when this thing called religion didn't exist.  And then some human being (as they say the messenger from GOD himself in the form of human) descended on earth from time to time and led people to believe in the principles that were the need of that period of time, which lead to the formation of one religion after another.  I might be wrong here as this are just my own thoughts.  But that's what I think right now.  So religions were formed and then I suppose as every religion had their own form of GOD, they might have wanted to build some buildings where believers and followers of that religion could come and pray.  So temples, churches, mosques, gurudwara's and others were built. How sad it is that millions live without a house and still thousands of religious buildings are built.  People donate millions to build such buildings where there name and family name is engraved, but very very few actually donate or try to provide shelter to homeless.  Is this what religion tells us to do ?

And I suppose the most recent religion that has come into existence is the BAHAI faith which built their own building, The Bahai house of worship - popularly known as The Lotus Temple.  When a new religion or faith was founded by some messenger of GOD, people who believed in its ideology started to follow it and spreading it.  History has witnessed, that many wars have been fought when the religious leaders of one religion / faith got aggressive and forcefully tried to spread their religion.  So a faith that was founded to bring peace and love and bring people together did just the opposite.

Since ancient years powerful and religious leaders have used religion to manipulate people's mind, brain wash them and use religion for their own selfish means.  And still today the same is happening.  So instead of giving importance and following GOD why we follow any particular religion ?  After all GOD never told humans that do this ritual or that one to please me.  Offer that sacrifice or donate this much money to make me happy or seek my blessings.  I suppose the messenger's of GOD that took birth on earth came with one mission and that was to remove human suffering's.  To teach us to co-exist and take care of each other.  To support the weak and spread love and peace everywhere around us.  So why in today's world people differentiate between GOD's creation and still call themselves religious ?  They go on preaching what is a SIN and what is a HOLY deed.  But with every religious leader the thoughts of sin and holy deeds change.

One more thing that hugely keeps me wondering is after one religion / faith was founded, someone from within went on to create a sub - faith in it.  The main religion largely remains same but they have their own followers.  Even lot of their rituals tend to differ.  So how to believe that religion is all about GOD and following the principles of a particular religion is considered as living a holy and pious life ?  It logically forces me to still believe that religion was created by we human.  For me after all, it comes to our own logical thinking.  When a person thought what is right for him, he started following it and believing that religion.

Also with time the definition of sins and holy deeds have changed.  Religion as of now seems to be that of convenience.  What we can follow easily we follow and things that are not convenient enough are just left out.  So as we humans have evolved and our life style has evolved over decades, it seems like ways of following one's religion has also evolved.  In such times if a person claims to be religious and preaches the principles of his religion how to believe in him ?

My knowledge of the principles of my religion itself is limited.  So its out of question that I might know even a little bit about other religions.  But still for me logically following the ideology of any religion is confusing.  For me its all about following the principles of humanity.  Though honestly its difficult to follow but I want to try my best to do what I can, with a hope that one day religion is not used to manipulate and it helps in the betterment of human beings.

P.S. :  Please feel free to put your views or suggestions.  I've just mentioned what I feel and think.  And I'm not an Atheist.  :)

Mixed feelings......

Hot hot summer is here.  Still at least a month more.  Though I'm loaded with work, but still feel I'm having lots of free time.  I guess summer makes me lazy and all those things that I had planned to do in this summer months, when I don't have to travel for work, didn't happen.  Just because I got lazy. ;)  But this summer has been kind of mixed.  Full of mixed feelings.  

Few goodbye's, new people, better friendship with old contacts, meeting old friends after almost more than a decade, some of the sourness in friendship getting cleared, negativity making way for more positive thoughts, some old messy situations still stagnant and some exciting future plans in the making.  Wow when I go through each of this I feel how can my life be boring ?  

Many times I wonder, why not live life in the present ?  But somehow I kind of like to lie down lazy like a hippopotamus and get lost in my future dreams. ;)  Sounds funny. But yes I like.  Though I always try to cut down on day dreaming, but some thoughts are so good that I can't help getting lost in them... ;)  I've always many times felt that such dreams for me never lead to reality.  Reality comes always opposite to my such thoughts.  

Now I'm just waiting for this summer days to end.  Lots of new things may happen or may not.  But some are bound to happen and I'm very much looking forward to them. Lastly I must say it feels great to be honest.  Like Raju Rastogi says in 3 IDIOTS ;) .  It has certainly not been easy, but now that it is there I wanna keep it and enjoy.  

Women empowerment in India.....

Since last few days I am getting bumped into messages, newspaper articles and some other stuff all related to women empowerment in India.  Its been a big topic of discussion and action since decades in India.  Having missed the last Sunday show of Satyamev Jayate, I thought of seeing it on yahoo yesterday night.  And it too turned out to be on women empowerment, not totally but in a way yes.  The show was all about empowering women who had been victims of dowry and financial mess their family had been put into because of the heavy expenses they had borne in their daughter's marriage.

I've always been a believer that everything has its pro's and con's.  Like the 2 sides of a coin.  

Today I was reading a newspaper article, wherein the topic was about women accusing men of RAPE in a relationship gone sour and filing a police complaint against them.  Its true that many men lure women with false promises of marrying them and than getting into a relationship.  Its in a way a kind of cheating which is absolutely not tolerable.  During the course of their relationship they had consensual sex.  But once the woman comes to know that the man is making excuses to marry her and all this time he was making false promises, the woman goes to the police and files a complain of rape.  The newspaper article states a lawyer's argument that in such cases wherein both persons, the man and the woman are adults and since sex happened with the consent of both it cannot be termed as rape, but instead the case happens to be of cheating and fraud.  The article also states that the number of such cases in recent times have gone up drastically.  Many times a relationship gone sour, turns out to be like a nightmare for the man, for the woman in the relationship who doesn't want to leave the man, just files a rape complain with the police against the man, gets him arrested and he has to spend 15 days in judicial custody before being granted bail.

Over the years in India, many laws have been made to empower women in India.  The atrocities, humiliation and problems they have faced and are still facing definitely need to be taken care of by we the people of India and the govt.  The laws that have been formed after independence to empower women, and making women aware of them surely has helped a lot in making their lives better.  But, but many times the same laws are used in the wrong way and its very much possible that a genuine guy gets into trouble.  The laws are not to fight someone, they are there to protect people.  

Over the years it seems like the major part of our social structure is lacking maturity.  Seems like our age old conservative social structure is finally taking its toll on the young generation.  Marriages and relationships are such important part of any society, that if they are not handled with maturity the society is gonna come crashing down.  So many questions are coming up in my mind when it comes to understanding the social structure in our country right now.

• Why have we today reached a stage where both men and women are not able to understand the intricacies of relationships ?  
• Why are parents not bringing up their sons and daughters in such a way that when they grow up they are mature enough to respect the opposite sex ?  
• Why are daughters not brought up in such a way that when they grow up they are confident enough to take care of their financial and emotional needs ?
• Why is that in most families a woman is not allowed to work so that they can have their own money and if they do why they are still not given respect ?
• And if woman in a family works to earn money for the family, why can't the man in the house take care of the kids and the house and help the woman ?
• Why teenagers are stopped from dating and especially the girls are almost kind of banned from socializing with boys ?
• Why aren't boys taught at home to respect girls ?
• Why today, boys and girls if a relationship gone sour consider that the life gets finished if their relationship comes to an end ?

Laws to empower women is surely a way to protect them and they should be there.  But that's not the solution to the problem we are facing.  Laws that empower women in India are now a days always used in false ways by women to fight innocent or genuine men.  So I still feel that its more on to our society, parents and elders to change the mind set of the new generation.  But first for that our conservative society and parents will have to change their shallow mind set.  And then only I feel India will have a society where in laws to empower women will be there, but there won't be instances or cases to use them much.  :)

Gym, Swimming or both.... ;)

After almost 6 months of laziness and gaining back those few kilos out of those that I had lost, I started my workouts at Vala's.  But soon a friend gave me the info of a club where I can join and start swimming once again.  The fees were pretty OK.  And I would have my friend's company too.  But the only problem was the timing.  The only option I have is the evening batch.  So once I leave my office at around 19:15 hours I have to go home and rush straight to the pool.  Office to home takes 25 min. and from home to the pool would take like another 20 min.  And a margin of another 15 min. will take the time to 20:15.  Which will leave just 45 min. exactly.  

And then come back and cook and eat.  So once I leave office no breather for at least 2 hours.  And with a lazy bum that I have I'm still undecided whether to join or not.  Still working out at the gym. but wanna swim too.  My friend's being really pushing me to join it.  So lets see will I pretty soon will be able to kick my laziness away or not.... ;)

Is it easy to embrace change ?

CHANGE, a scary word for some ?  May be.  But also for some its exciting.  As they say nothing remains same forever.  People change and also things around us.  Change as they say is inevitable.  In the last few years I've been getting hammered with the thoughts of having to face some big time changes if not drastic. And everything around me might change.  When you are living a pretty constant, comfortable and easy life, suddenly if something tends to change that, is it easy to accept it ?

The comforts and ease in life over the years, when gets boring and unacceptable, is it that simple to leave it and embrace changes which may or may not work ?  Its good to have some changes in life after living through a period of monotonous life.  Things that you want to change if happen, its pretty exciting and gives you that little bit extra push to keep carrying on.  But what if while trying to make that few changes may result in lots of things getting changed.  And above all the uncertainty of when this change may happen and how they will happen can really drain you out.

Its pretty amazing how some people just keep wanting to have changes in order to live life to the fullest.  The thrill that they find attached to changes is what makes them going in life.  And its also with pretty ease they just embrace it and keep going.  And at the other side there are people who just can't get along with the changes that keep coming in their lives.  They so very much love the comfort of a constant life and feel relaxed with it that even the thought of some changes might scare them.

But still changes are going to happen.  Like it or not.  And we will have to adapt it and move on with life.  At some point of time things have to and will change for the better.  When and how we just have to keep waiting. 

Sunday television was about Female Foeticide

This Sunday some how I managed to wake up early than I usually do.  After having breakfast with my German CS guest, I dropped him to the BRTS bus stop and came back home.  As usual was feeling Sunday lazy, so switched on the idiot box and also logged into Facebook.  The idiot box starts with SONY channel and a very interesting series on crimes, 'Crime Patrol' was running.  And the first news feed that I got on Facebook was of Ranjana's status saying 'Aamir khan desperately trying to be Oprah Winfry on National Television...'

I was kind of eagerly waiting to watch the first episode of this new series as from the promotional trailers it was quite obvious that the series will be taking on some social causes.  Before I switched the channel to Star Plus to watch Aamir Khan's new series 'Satyamev Jayate', I was keenly watching Crime Patrol's episode on female foeticide. This episode was based on the some Dr. Shastri and the crimes that he committed by using ultra sound on determining the sex of the foetus and in turn abortion of female foetus which is totally against law.

Even the first episode of Aamir Khan's show had focused on female foeticide.  I wasn't able to watch the entire episode, but saw the last few minutes of it and it was clear that the efforts made are really serious and its one more step in India, by the media to create social awareness towards hundred's of issues that are currently hindering India's social development.  

Soon there were few friends updating their FB status and it was mostly related to Aamir Khan's show.  And few internet sites too started putting up their reviews with lot of people expressing their views towards the show.  Since 1990 when the government started economic reforms to open up India's economy to the world this country has seen rapid economic development.  Though it is plagued by some bureaucratic bottlenecks and huge corruption scandals, but still one cannot deny the vast economic development that has happened in the last 2 decades.  But as one would expect that with better economy, the social scenario of a country should improve, that didn't happen in India.  The progress of social development didn't keep pace with the economic development.

The shallow and conservative mindset of we Indians has still not opened up.  People are still stuck up with age old stupid and shameful thoughts, belief's, rituals and acts. Its not that there haven't been any efforts made to change and better the social belief and social structure and mindset of people.  There have been laws enacted, NGO's working towards social betterment and media also doing their bit.  The progress is also there but not fast enough.  India's lethargic judicial system has been one of the major hurdles in bringing many social criminals to justice.  

With states like Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and even parts of Gujarat where people still want to have a male child first, abortion of female foetus is widely prevalent.  Forget the rural people, even well educated rich families in urban India too have this pathetic mindset where the daughter - in - law is forced to abort the female foetus against her wish.  Efforts have been made to make people educate and try to change their thoughts and laws are made to punish the doctors who resort to sex determination of foetus and abortion of female foetus.  But I suppose in a country where idiot box rules the night time in majority of families, this new effort by the media group and Aamir Khan is surely commendable.  

No matter how much money they'll make but their efforts will surely create social awareness across the country and I'm quite hopeful that it will bring results.  But than it hurts to see we Indians criticizing him for making money.  We compare the show to Oprah Winfrey's show and he trying to be the Oprah Winfrey of Indian television. Come on guys give me a break.  Why this fuss ?  Why we are always trying to pull down someone who goes on to do something good for the society ?  We the people of this country for decades have remained just spectators towards so many social issues. We keep on babbling about things but never did we stood up and did something for such social issues.  So why not for once stop criticizing and support not just Aamir Khan but all those who are standing up to fight the social issues of India.  Why not ignore the fact that this guys might earn some bucks and try to see that their efforts with our support might bring the much needed social development in the country and change people's mindset for once and for all.  

Update : After effects of this show.

*   Satyamev Jayate mums should have gone on a ‘sex strike’
http://www.firstpost.com/living/satyamev-jayate-mums-should-have-gone-on-a-sex-strike-302172.html

A new theory - Suggestion from a friend

This Saturday I had to attend the couchsurfing meeting for which I had posted an event when the week began.  But by Saturday, I was too low on enthusiasm to go for it.  Don't know why.  While at the office  that evening I was having a chat with my friend Weronika and we were kind of talking on how we are going to spend the weekend.  I told her about the CS meeting and how I was not willing to attend it.

So on this she told me about her recent experiences that she had and she had concluded that "if you are not feeling like going to some place or doing something, than you should go for it.  Mostly something might turn out or happen and you'll have a great time."

So I took her word and decided that I'll give it a try and see whether this new theory of her's really works or not.  Last few CS meetings were really fun and attended by quite a few CS'ers and old CS friends too.  But this time I was kind of knowing that not many would attend it.  But still I had to go.  I reached there like 20 min. late and in total we were five CS'ers, out of which one came late.  He some how always prefers to arrive at least 45 min. late. The meeting turned out to be just a short one.  While at the meeting I got a call from my friend that couple of friends have gathered to hangout for some drinks and I was invited.  

This CS meeting was attended by a German CS'er who was working in Baroda and had come to Ahmedabad just to attend this CS meeting and explore some parts of Ahmedabad.  But his main purpose was the meeting.  While he was looking for a host, as he wanted to stay for one more day and had no one to host, I agreed to host him for one night.  And then he also joined me to my friend's place for some drinks and to hang out.  And than all the fun started...  

There were few old friends and some new people whom I met.  I spend some few hours there and had some fun jokes and nice conversations with friends.  In all Saturday night went great, much better than  I had expected.  And I text'd Weronika that her new theory worked, at least for this time..... ;)  I guess her belief in her new experience would grow strong with this.... ;)  For me I'm gonna still experiment with her theory more and see how good it works... ;) 

Till than Ciao..... ;)