30 second Speech by Bryan Dyson (CEO of Coca Cola) November 21, 2009

“Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them – work, family, health, Friends and spirit and you’re keeping all of these in the Air.

You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back.

But the other four Balls – Family, Health, Friends and Spirit – are made of glass. If you drop one of these; they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for it.”

Thank you to ‘LIFE’ November 16, 2009

I was born naked. I brought nothing. Every little or small thing I have today was added post birth. From nil balance at birth, I have lived a profitable life and will die a profitable death. The piece/s of cloth wrapped around me is a bonus. Whatever I will lose, material or relationship, will be a loss in profit.
I feel to whisper ‘ a big thank you’ to life for that piece of cloth wrapped around me and live out of happiness.

Think before you speak….U won’t stop laughing October 7, 2009

Awesome…Hilarious and the Best…
Have a good laugh

Think before you speak…

Here are six reasons why you should think before you speak -
The last one is great!
Have you ever spoken and wished that you could
Immediately take the words back…
Or that you could crawl into a hole?
Here are the Testimonials of a few people who did….

FIRST TESTIMONY:
I walked into a hair salon with my husband and three kids in tow
And asked loudly,
“How much do you charge for a shampoo and a blow job?”
I turned around and walked back out and never went back
My husband didn’t say a word…
He knew better.

SECOND TESTIMONY:
I was at the golf store comparing different kinds of golf balls.
I was unhappy with the women’s type I had been using.
After browsing for several minutes,
I was approached by one of the good-looking gentlemen who works at the store.
He asked if he could help me.
Without thinking, I looked at him and said, “I think I like playing with men’s balls”

TH IRD TESTIMONY:
My sister and I were at the mall and
Passed by a store that sold a
Variety of candy and nuts.
As we were looking at the display case,
The boy behind the counter asked if we needed any help.
I replied, “No, I’m just looking at your nuts.”
My sister started to laugh hysterically.
The boy grinned, and I turned beet-red and walked away.
To this day,
My sister has never let me forget.

FOURTH TESTIMONY :
While in line at the bank one afternoon,
My toddler decided to release
Some p ent-up energy and ran amok.
I was finally able to grab hold of
Her after receiving looks of disgust
And annoyance from other patrons.
I told her that if she did not start behaving
“right now” she would be punished.
To my horror, she looked me in the eye and said in a voice just as threatening,
“If you don’t let me go right now,
I will tell Grandma that I saw you
Kissing Daddy’s pee-pee last night!”
The silence was deafening after this enlightening exchange.
Even the tellers stopped what they were doing.
I mustered up the last of my dignity and
Walked out of the bank with my daughter in tow
The last thing I heard when the door closed behind me, were screams of laughter.

FIFTH TESTIMONY:
Have you ever asked y our child a question too many times?
My three-year-old son had a lot of problems with potty trai ning and I was on him constantly.
One day we stopped at Taco Bell for a quick lunch, in between errands
It was very busy, with a full dining room.
While enjoying my taco,
I smelled something funny,
So of course I checked
My seven-month-old daughter, she was clean.
The realized that Danny
Had not asked to go potty in a while.
I asked him if he needed to go,
And he said “No” .
I kept thinking
“Oh Lord, that child has had an accident, and I don’t have any clothes with me.”
Then I said,
“Danny, are you SURE you didn’t have an accident?”
“No,” he replied.
I just KNEW that he must have had an accident, because the smell was getting worse.
Soooooo, I asked one more time, “Danny did you have an accident ? This time he jumped up, yanked down his pants,
Bent over, spread his cheeks
And yelled
“SEE MOM, IT’S JUST FARTS!!”
While 30 pe ople nearly choked to death on their tacos laughing,
He calmly pulled up his pants and sat down.
An old couple made me feel better,
Thanking me for the best laugh they’d ever had!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST TESTIMONY:
This had most of the state of Michigan laughing for 2 days
And a very embarrassed female news anchor who will,
In the future, likely think before s he speaks.
What happens when you predict snow but don’t get any!
We had a female news anchor that,
The day after it was supposed to have snowed and didn’t,
Turned to the weatherman and asked:
“So Bob, where’s that 8 inches you promised me last night?”
Not only did HE have to leave the set,
But half the crew did too they were laughing so hard!

Now, didn’t that feel good?
Pass it on to someone you know who needs a laugh
And remember
We all say things we don’t really mean,
So think before you speak!!!!!

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LATERAL AND LOGICAL THINKING August 27, 2009

Dear Friends
This is a typical mail forward but makes for an interesting read….hence thought to share with you all…enjoy

Many years ago in a small Indian village,

A farmer had the misfortune Of owing a large sum of money to a village moneylender.

The Moneylender , who was old and ugly, fancied the farmer’s beautiful Daughter. So he proposed a bargain.

He said he would forgo the farmer’s debt if he could marry his Daughter. Both the farmer and his daughter were horrified by the Proposal.

So the cunning money-lender suggested that they let Providence decide the matter.

He told them that he would put a black Pebble and a white pebble into an empty money bag. Then the girl would Have to pick one pebble from the bag.

1) If she picked the black pebble, she would become his wife and her father’s debt would be forgiven.
2) If she picked the white pebble she need not marry him and her father’s debt would still be forgiven.
3) But if she refused to pick a pebble, her father would be thrown into Jail.

They were standing on a pebble strewn path in the farmer’s field. As They talked, the moneylender bent over to pick up two pebbles. As he Picked them up, the sharp-eyed girl noticed that he had picked up two black pebbles and put them into the bag.

He then asked the girl to pick a pebble from the bag.

Careful analysis would produce three possibilities:

1. The girl should refuse to take a pebble.
2. The girl should show that there were two black pebbles in the bag And expose the money-lender as a cheat.
3. The girl should pick a black pebble and sacrifice herself in order To save her father from his debt and imprisonment.

Take a moment to ponder over the story. The above story is used with the hope that it will make us appreciate the difference between lateral and logical thinking.

The girl’s dilemma cannot be solved with Traditional logical thinking. Think of the consequences if she chooses

The above logical answers.

What would you recommend to the Girl to do?

Well, here is what she did ….

The girl put her hand into the moneybag and drew out a pebble. Without Looking at it, she fumbled and let it fall onto the pebble-strewn path where it immediately became lost among all the other pebbles.

“Oh, how clumsy of me,” she said. “But never mind, if you look into the Bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked.”

Since the remaining pebble is black, it must be assumed that she had picked the white one. And since the money-lender dared not admit his Dishonesty, the girl changed what seemed an impossible situation into An extremely advantageous one.

MORAL OF THE STORY:

Most complex problems do have a solution. It is only that we don’t ATTEMPT to think.

Cancer (Some Useful Information – Tips) August 18, 2009

AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY (TRY
THE KEY WORD) AND ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHN HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO
TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY .

1. Every person has cancer cells in the body.These cancer cells do not
show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few
billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer
cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are
unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the
detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person’s
lifetime.

3. When the person’s immune system is strong the cancer cells will be
destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple
nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental,
food and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and
including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly growing cancer cells and
also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow,
gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver,
kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages
healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce
tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not
result in more tumor destruction.

9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and
radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence
the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and
become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer
cells to spread to other sites.

11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by
not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive
enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified
and leads to more toxic buildup.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from
or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of
cancer cells and allows the body’s killer cells to destroy the cancer
cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor
ssence,Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins,minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable
the body’s own killer cells to destroy cancer cells.
Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or
programmed cell death, the body’s normal method of disposing of damaged,
unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind,body, and spirit. A proactive and
positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, un
forgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic
environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax
and enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising
daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular
level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.
*
CANCER CELLS FEED ON *

a. Sugar, is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one
important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like
Nutrasweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is
harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses
but only in very small amounts.
Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better
alternative is Bragg’s aminos or sea salt.

b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the
gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and
substituting with unsweetened soya milk cancer cells are being starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is
acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef
or pork.
Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites,
which are all harmful,especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds,
nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment.
About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable
juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to
cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of
healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and
drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and
eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at
temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea
is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water- best
to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy
metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

PLEASE READ ON

1. No plastic containers in micro.
2. No water bottles in freezer.
3. No plastic wrap in microwave.

Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This
information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as
well.
Dioxin chemicals causes cancer, especially breast cancer.

Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don’t freeze
your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from
the plastic. Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at
Castle Hospital was on a TV program to explain this health hazard.

He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we
should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic
containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat.

He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases
dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body.

Instead, he recommends using glass, such as CorningWare, Pyrex or
ceramic containers for heating food.

You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV
dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the
container and heated in something else. Paper isn’t bad but you don’t
know what is in the paper. It’s just safer to use tempered glass,
Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food
restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin
problem is one of the reasons.

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as
dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the
food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt
out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper
towel instead.

This is an article that should be sent to all in your life.

SWAMINOMICS (Swine flu: Learn from ’94 plague ) August 17, 2009

Swine flu has killed 21Indians so far, and may soon claim hundreds, even thousands.

That is a tragedy. Even so, swine flu remains a very minor cause of death, far behind other diseases that kill millions. The panic generated by the media is unwarranted, and is worsening health outcomes.

In 2001-03, the Registrar General conducted a survey to gauge the main causes of deaths in India. Heart disease came first (19%), followed by respiratory diseases like asthma (9%), diarrhea (8%), respiratory infections like pneumonia (6.2%), tuberculosis (6%), and cancer (5.7%).

Applying these percentages to India’s annual deaths of around 9 million, we find that 1.37 million people die annually of respiratory diseases and infections, 7,20,000 of diarrhea, and 5,40,000 of tuberculosis. These are staggering numbers. They imply that on an average day, 3,753 people die of respiratory diseases and infections, 1,973 of diarrhea, and 1,479 of tuberculosis.

Seen in this light, 20-odd swine flu deaths are almost laughably trivial. I do not laugh, because every death is a tragedy. But i am infinitely sadder for the millions whose plight has been swept out of public view, and is actually being worsened by upper-class panic.

Make no mistake, swine flu panic is substantially an upper class worry. Why do the media overflow with news of swine flu while ignoring other diseases that kill thousands every day? Because those everyday diseases are the problems of the poorer half of India, and the media target the upper half. Some upper class folk do get asthma or TB, but they are quickly treated and rarely die of these diseases. The millions who die come from the bottom half, lacking access to doctors and medicines. They die so regularly in millions that their deaths are no longer considered news.

Then along comes swine flu. It is a new disease, and that itself commands media attention. The richer half is terrified that not even its money and access to doctors provides safety. As a disease carried by air travellers, swine flu is a quintessential elite concern. Elite panic soon spreads to lower rungs of society, as the media project a new apocalypse. This is true across the world. Globally, swine flu has infected 1,77,000 people and killed 1,126. The numbers are trivial compared with deaths from malaria, respiratory disease or diarrhea. Yet, the global media focus on swine flu.

Panic over a new disease of limited impact is hardly new. The 2002-03 epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS ) hogged global headlines for almost a year. Yet, WHO data between November 2002 and July 2003 listed only 8,096 infections and 774 SARS deaths globally.

India had a plague panic starting in Surat in 1994. Half a million people fled Surat, and more fled Mumbai and other cities in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Schools and businesses closed down across India. Business losses in Surat alone were $260 million. Foreign countries stopped buying Indian agricultural exports, causing losses of $420 million. Foreign investors pulled out of stock markets, 45,000 foreign tourists cancelled their trips to India, and some international airlines stopped flying to India.

The media duly reported these economic costs. Yet, arguably the greatest costs were borne, unseen, by the poor. Tetracycline, a cheap antibiotic popular with the poor, disappeared from chemists shops because of panic buying by plague suspects. Hospitals everywhere were inundated with lakhs of citizens wanting to be checked for plague. Only a handful of these were found infected. Indeed, only 53 deaths were ultimately attributed to plague, and some experts cast doubt on whether even these were plague cases. But doctors and hospitals across India were overwhelmed by plague suspects, and so had no space, time or medicine for those dying of other everyday diseases. This suffering, mainly of the bottom half of society, attracted no media attention whatsoever. In dealing with swine flu, we must remember lessons from the plague panic of 1994. The media must put swine flu deaths in perspective by also reporting how many people are dying of other diseases. Politicians and the media must repeatedly highlight lessons to be learned from the plague panic: how it hugely inflated fears and death estimates, how it crowded out medical attention to sufferers of other killer diseases, and how it imposed huge financial and psychological costs unnecessarily. The Prime Minister has appealed to the media not to spread panic. Yet, panic is inevitable when the health minister says in a Times of India interview that one-third of all Indians could ultimately be infected. We need cool heads and discreet tongues.

(by SWAMINATHAN S ANKLESARIA AIYAR )

Present Continous July 9, 2009

Recently, I read an article emphasizing the need to constantly focus on the present, which is very hard to achieve. Nevertheless, one should keep trying.

Simple examples of how the happiness quotient is multiplied while staying in the present are as follows:
1) A hearty laugh on a joke, where we are all ears to the person telling it and we burst out later when we like it. The one who is physically present, but mentally absent, rarely understands what the joke was all about and in turn becomes a joke himself…but then, at that precise moment, we are neither dwelling in the past nor thinking about future (woes or anything else for that matter).

2) A live match of any sport say; cricket, tennis or football, gives you those emotional waves of shock, excitement, horror and probably if the result is to your expectations a great sense of joy….here too you would find yourself living in the present most of the time.

3) A bungee jumping thrill is a classic example of an adrenaline rush added to the excitement of living life on the edge….anyone trying this feat immediately responds to the sudden jolt experienced, mixed with fear, excitement and a sense of something achieved, in that spur of the moment…

If this is true and all of us understand the value of precious ‘now’, why does it so happen that we otherwise are never really present in the present most of the given times…

Our thoughts are either clinging to something related to the immediate or distant past or we may be worrying or speculating about the excitement of future…As I am typing this, a lot of these thoughts (for past and future) are playing havoc in my mind…the past ones direct me to the mistakes which I might do while writing this blog, the other influential people whose blogs I adore and the future anticipation of the criticism or applaud which this article might get…Why am I compelled to think so? Why cant I just do the task, enjoy every moment of it an leave the rest for the future (which mostly should not be anticipated)…Why I am lost? It is hard to find answers….

In her book, The Secret, Rhonda had said that on an average, a human brain processes some 60,000 odd thoughts in a single day…ridiculous, but true…and while doing so he loses the opportune excitement of living the ‘now’ !

I am sure, there is some way out. With meditation, pranayam and other spiritual activities mentioned in our holy scriptures one can attain such levels…The big question is, when does that time come for an individual to embrace this subtle path and live the happy life of the “present” ?

NDA Passing Out Parade (116th Batch) June 2, 2009

As a kid, I remember expressing my patriotic desire to be in the army (didn’t know airforce and navy existed) to my mother while ferrying from school. This dream didn’t materialised as I flunked in that exam for NDA and slowly I forgot that aspiration and mixed in the main stream of civilians pursuing engineering and job and finally settled on a business (which surely is interesting and challenging on most of the occasions…)

36 years, staying in Pune and didn’t had the glimpse of my countrymen who were ready for the big task ahead…Now, after witnessing the 116th POP (Passing Out Parade), I realised how much I have missed this for so many years…I mean its not really glamour of the parade, but their are few jobs who can give you so much of dignity and status as serving in the army (armed forces)…

For now, I am loving what I do for living ie designing, but there are always this thoughts which the restless brain keeps on popping outside so as to make life interesting….What, if I had been amongst these bravehearts! It would have been simply awesome (even thinking of it makes the pulse rate go higher)…There may be few who definetly will say grass is always greener on the other side…

One of my photographer friend Captain Nandu Chitnis arranged for some 18 passes and everything was arranged meticulosly for the photoshoot which we were eventually to do…The recce was the most fantastic thing to happen on 27th May as we could get some clear shots of Sudan block, Killer Squadron and Hut of Remembrance without as much as a single person in the view…Fortunately again there was a dress rehearsal going on and we were lucky to take some good shots of it….

The parade took place at Khetrapal ground, NDA and was reviewed by NDA Commandant Vice Admiral R K Dhowan. Around 832 cadets took part in the parade which was witnessed by school children from Pune and other parts of the country, NCC cadets, NDA cadets and their parents, service officers from the NDA and various units in the city as well as their families. The fly past by three Super Dimona aircrafts, three Jaguar and three SU-30 aircrafts formed the grand finale.

The Commandant also presented medals to cadets for outstanding achievements on the occasion. Cadet R P Singh was awarded the Commandant’s special medal for excellence in shooting. Cadet Vivek Kalukhe was awarded a medal for the best cadet in outdoor training. Cadet Gaurav Hridya was awarded a medal for best sportsman of the passing-out course.

After the parade, the crowd thronged all the major location supposed to be photographed by us and due to working day and the dispersed crowd, everyone opted to join the daily grind instead of continuing with the shoot. The few who were left got to see the Helicopter sorties which was again very spectacular event to witness.

I hope, next occasion, Viren, my elder son joins me…and a distant dream that one from my family will make it here….

JAIHIND

For more photos on NDA Parade – http://www.flickr.com/photos/studioblossoms/sets/72157618861757504/

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserves May 30, 2009

Date – April 27, 2009 to May 3, 2009
From- Pune to Bandhavgarh and back
Route – Pune-Katni-Bandhavgarh and return
Trains – Dnyanganga Express (Pune – Katni) and Darbhanga Express (Katni-Pune)

The Dnyan Ganga Express leaves for Katni on every Monday from Pune at 4.30 pm. It drops you at Katni Railway Station by 10.30 morning. From there onwards we had AC SUVs to take our group of 30 people to Bandhavgarh (which roughly takes about 2 hours to cover a distance of 90 kms). It is recommended to travel AC Sleeper Class in summers as the train is over crowded and the scorching heat makes the journey tough.

 

Foliage Outdoors did a marvellous job in the entire arrangement…right from journey to stay and the food….The first day saw us lazing with the remaining time and getting acquainted with the other people who by that time were in different boggies of the train or while travelling in SUVs….Luckily, I had some 4-5 young school going children in my compartment along with the charismatic Devendra who was one of the team leaders….The children were full of enthusiasm and a continous chatter boxes….but fun on a whole….In the resort which was complete with AC rooms and bathtubs, I had Tanmay and Ketan for company…Ketan astonished us with his witty oneliners coz otherwise he was a saintly calm personality any other time. One needs lot of luck to have good buddies to share the room or else half the fun is wiped out if its not the case…I was lucky on this front too…One was a story teller ie Tanmay and another a silent or mute audience but nice one…

Their was this excitement (not that everybody displayed it on the sleeves) to see these tigers from close distances in the wild…For me, being the first hand experience it made more sense to become restless and excited at the same time…The early morning call at 4 am was to make sure everyone gets readied for the tea at 5…The leaders were camped near our room and hence got to know that they need to work harder to make it easier for us…The troupe reached at 5.30 am in the morning at the gates of Tala which is one amongst the three zones open for public. Tala is one of the most coveted one with sure sightings of tiger and other include Magdhi and Khatouli…which was for laggards who didnt make it in time…Only 45 Gypsies are allowed at any given time in the park in any one region.

 

 

Tala constitutes 105 sqkms of area which was open for public. Total sqkm area of Bandhavgarh Forest Reserve is 1161 sqkms and only a portion of it is open to public while the rest is untouched. Good to know this. The clock struck 5.45 and it was a kind of mad rush to be first on the given route. Out of the 4 routes A, B, C and D we got A first…It goes around the boundary walls of the park…We could see some houses just near the boundary of the park and were surprised of the guts of these people…Eventually it was learnt that the house which is closest and was undergoing maintenance and some new construction happening up was because of the aid they got from the govt and forest department when one of the tiger killed their kin just recently. The compensation was 2 lac INR which was enough for them to plan for new construction (as if a memoir to the deceased)

Fine the first sighting of a spotted dear was as if a dream come true…I talked with the guide to stop the vehicle so that I can take some shots…He smiled the most unassuming smile I had ever seen and told me that by end of the day, I will get tired to see them as they were more than 10,000 in numbers. Instead he advised us to spot the tiger first as it was a prize catch…And sure we did with Kallu and Lallu lazily lying on the foot of a small hill…They couldn’t be properly seen but whatever little did we see was worth everything (at that point of time)…In the forthcoming days we got to know more about the handsome beast in terms of their siblings, history, attacks and habits…

Except for one safari, we saw tiger almost practically every day…Not to forget Spotted Deers, Barking Deers, Sambars, Wild Boars, Neelguy, Peacocks, Sloth Bear, Monkeys, Jackals and dozens of exotic birds….

Afternoon safaris started at 3.30 and ended at 6.30. Well typically to mention of the routes they were alloted in the morning safaris but one was free to choose the course in the evening safaris…The morning safaris culminated at a Centre Point in the forest where one could have tea and snack and from there it was no hold search on any route you decide…I got to learn later that this was done to avoid any bias or over crowding of any particular route. So thoughful and nice of the authorities to think of this aspect….

Tigers like B2 was a topping on the icecream as we spotted him in the last safari which was not included in the itinerary. We all decided to go for it instead of killing time at the resort on the day before we were to move back. I had one of my friend Kiran Ghatge for company who was not the part of tour but happened to be in the place. Along with Yogesh his friend and me, we had amusing time waiting patiently for B2. He is the prize winning tiger and was recently awarded the prestigious ‘ Life Time Achievement Award’ by the forest department. Another female from Ranthambore received it along with him. I forgot her name though….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We could witness two kills during our 6 safaris and that itself was more than we could ask for…Now don’t go overboard with your imagination of we looking how they ate and stuff alike…The cats hide it in bushes, behind trees and savour it for couple of hours…The two big bros Kallu and Lallu could be literally seen moving with an effort after they hogged on the kill…That was one of the super duper shots to see them walk with such a poise and crossing the road infront of more than 2 dozen gypises….

These cats are real kings…they give a damn about you…wander carelessly when they want…mostly inactive from 7ish till evening time (say upto 5ish). The main drama happens after the sun sets….But normal visitors are back in their resorts by that time…I got to know that one is allowed to be on watch towers (with extra payments – officially) in the noons and in the nights…Hope so will try this in next visit.

The forest also has a fort which is associated with Ram-Bharat era and its said that this was a gift from Ram to his brother Bharat hence the name Bandhavgarh. Many rulers had their share in shaping this princely state resplendent with natural flora and fauna….One of them had some 1000 cats to his credit…Such was the hunting fashion…

Thanks to the stringent initiatives, Bandhavgarh today is a safe haven for wild cats. Did I told you about my meeting with Jonathan and Angela Scott…If not this blog remains incomplete and also without mentioning those with whom I spent lovely six days in the wild. Jonathan was particularly very fascinating personality. He chatted with us for about 10 mins on Masai Mara and Serngetti in Africa. The best thing about him was his passion which he lived in and out everyday for last 4 decades…in the wild, amongst the big cats of Africa along with his wife and children.

Aiding me to make this trip a memorable one were my friends Ketan, Tanmay, Rhino, Devendra, Anagha, Vidula, Sanjana, Aboli, Komal, Andi, Varun, Mihir, Shivangi, Aditya and the doctor couples along with many others who were ever enthusiastic and helpful.

The pollution free (noise, air and people) jungles made it harder when it was time to pack up. Who will not like to stay in an environment free of horns, crowded streets and pressing deadlines. I am sure wildlife will call back again and again.

For more photos please visit my flickr profile. The link is given here – http://www.flickr.com/photos/studioblossoms/sets/72157617681647053/

Mesmerising Mauritius May 28, 2009

Mesmerising Mauritius (Nothing Short of Heaven)

My first experience with international holidays began with Mauritius and I think it was a wise decision. It was a private tour for the fact that we didn’t wanted to be in a herd mended by a shepherd calling his shots atleast not when we had a 5 months kid. We wanted our own room to plan the day and hence opted for a family tour comprising of 7 people including my sisters family of three and mine 4.

The obvious choice of majority indians to plan there holidays are in Diwali, Christmas or summer vacations. We opted for Diwali as I have the liberty to be on successive 10 days no office show during this time of the year. The another criteria was to make it relaxed and not pillar to post running to see all the sites. As it is Mauritius is a tiny island where u need 3 dedicated days and 8 hours everyday to gobble most of the things…The remaining days were for fun, leisure and personal priorities…..

The total package we opted was of 6 nights and 7 days. Thanks to the not so efficient Air Mauritius they cancelled our one day much in advance for some technical reasons (they never tell this reason) and the second blow came when we got all prepared in the early morning for departure and were told by the Air Mauritius officials  that the flight was delayed…No phone call and no sms to intimate of this happening. Surprising but true. It was a very very poor show but kept my cool for the start should not be frustrating…

Finally we boarded the plane in the afternoon so as to reach the magical island by 10 at night. It takes some 6 hours from Mumbai to reach MRU. It takes something like an hour to reach the northern point where most of the tourist live but the ride was fun without as much as a bump….Effectively, we had lost 2 major days and a night….Our stay was in Corolia Mont Choisy for 5 days (3* hotel) and in Le Meridien for 2 days (5* Hotel)

The itinerary was to be planned in consultation with a tour guide of some agency in Mauritius. He was kind and hospitable enough to inform us about the sights relative to our needs of catering a baby who was too young….The best part of Mauritius is its easy going unlike other destinations. One can get up late and start even at 10 am wherein he is not a loss for time if planned properly. This is one of those destinations where tour operator include dinner in the package for the very reason that you are back to resort before dark….

The tour package is broadly classified in three sections
North Island Tour
Ile Aux Cerfs
South Island Tour

Ile Aux Cerfs

The best attraction of the entire tour was Ile Aux Cerfs… parasailing happens here. Its one of the tiny islands where you are transported thru a speed boat and then its all to your will and wish….I imagined it will be very exciting on the parasailing sessions…and to my utter surprise its not so much of that super thrill, but definetly worth a try…My elder kid, Viren did it without a hiccup and was raring to do more….I had couple of aerial shots while i tried it for second time… One crosses Port Louis maximum number of times…as many a destinations fall on the route passing it.

Ile Aux Cerfs

One can enjoy Speed boat/banana boat/Tube/Parasailing/drive through grse waterfall in a speed boat,etc or simply enjoy the warm sand,sun & sea. It’s up to you.

The North island tour consists of visit to the capital of mauritius, Port louis, Caudan Waterfront, recreational and shopping centre and Jumbo hyper market.

South Island Tour comprises of floreal factory shop (which we didnt visit), the town of curepipe, the dead crater volcano, trou aux ceres, the natural reservoir of mare aux vacoas, the black river gorges, the chamarel waterfall and the seven coloured earth of chamarel…

The Chamarel waterfall consists of two falls one aging some 2 million years ago and another relatively young with over a million years of age

The black river gorges is yet another sure attraction and its said that the black slaves use to run and hide from the oppressive rulers in this jungles which was a safe haven for them. The river is covered in the dense forests and the rock is solid black in colour making the terrain hostile for the comparatively soft britishers or frenchmen to hunt for them. One can buy goodies available from the locals who have set shops here. Keychains and photo albums are good along with necklaces and other fancy jewellery.

One can enjoy the interaction with lions from close quarters (I forgot the name of the place) and they are really gorgeous animals.  The waterfront offers variety of cuisines mostly french and continental. There is this french fort in the middle of town with a very antique canon been displayed. Bang opposite is the church where Akshay Kumar and Akshay Khanna shot for movie Muzhse Shaddi Karoge with Priyanka Chopra…Yet another good place to visit….

 The best thing after you had seen most of the tourist attractions is to enjoy the beaches from morning to evening. Try your hands on undersea walking too. I missed the submarine ride but hope so it holds lots of promises. Also don’t forget to visit the Ganga Talab or Ganga Lake…One can find the biggest idol of Lord Shiva there. It is estimated that over 5 lac pilgrims come to temple on the day of ‘Mahashivrtri’.

 Our stay at Le Meridien was the best one. Except for a decaying bathroom door everything was perfect. The hospitality, the ambience and the food….except it digs a bigger hole in your pocket. Ideally their rate card said 430 Euros per day…but i guess with us as a package from the operator it could have been cheaper than quoted. Mauritius is for those who love to forget the pace behind them. No hurry, no rush for sightings and absolute calm prevails.

As a family with sizeable number we enjoyed a lot, may be with seaside walks, lying lazy in room, food courts or looking at the setting sun. All was worth every penny spend. 

Hope so life has more in store of such lovely offshore destinations.

 

Fact File
1) The island of Mauritius is renowned for having been the only known home of the dodo
2) Hindus make up 52%, Roman Catholic 28.4%, and Muslim 16.6% while other unspecified religions around up to 3%
3) Languages – English, Creole Morisien and French
4) Sega is a local folklore music
5) Population of the Republic of Mauritius stood at 1,264,866
6) Water sports are facilitated as the island is surrounded with coral reef, providing plenty of relatively shallow and calm water
7) The cuisine of Mauritius is a blend of Indian, Creole, Chinese and European influences. It is common for a combination of cuisines to form part of the same meal
Most Creoles are Christians. The majority of the Muslims and the whole Hindu population come from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Some Muslims are also from the Middle East. Hindus include Bhojpuri, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu speakers
9) Economy mainly based on agriculture and tourism. Don’t be surprise to find sugarcane fields everywhere and people are too hospitable. Tourists are their bread and butter.
10) Climate – There is a warm, dry winter from May to November and a hot, wet, and humid summer from November to May. Anti-cyclones affect the country during May to September. Cyclones affect the country during November-April