Qualification: Post Graduate, Designation: Labourer

"People who dwell in  glittering cities are rarely aware of the hardships and humiliation that their brethren undergo in the darkness."

It was midnight on December 7, 2014. We had just had the good luck of darshan at the Bhawan in Vaishno Devi. The next 1.5 kilometres to Bhairon Baba Mandir looked quite daunting. My 7-year old cousin had fallen asleep. The poor child had walked all the way from Banganga to the Bhawan! We decided to hire a man to carry him on his back, locally called as the "Piththoo". This local set off at a brisk pace on the relatively steeper slope and I followed close behind. We covered the distance in no time. Obviously, by the end of the climb I was huffing and puffing like a steam train, while he hadn't broken a sweat yet.

While the elders were yet to appear in view, the local and I got chatting. He wasn't old, may be 27 or 28. He said that he hailed from Udhampur, a town situated not far away. We talked about the general benefits of living in the hills and other things. As time progressed, he spoke more about himself. He is a Post-Graduate! A Master of Arts (M.A.) from a state university! And here he was lugging children and luggage!

Why don't you have a job ? I asked stupefied by the revelation.

He had wanted to join the Army but his family had intervened and forced him to go for graduation. After having completed his P.G. he applied for government jobs but to no avail. Apparently, there is a nexus that has pushed down several of such deserving candidates. So, he is waiting, trying to get into a job. Meanwhile, one has to feed oneself, he says, so he works. About a thousand boys and men like him had come from Udhampur, with varying levels of education and are currently employed as menial workers in Katra and on the way up to the Bhawan. The old people working the route are mostly Kashmiris, he said. The younger ones are from the local region, desperate to find some work to sustain themselves as they seek employment.

I became uncomfortable. Here was a person, more qualified than me (I just have a Bachelor's degree) who was working day and night (It was past one a.m. by now) essentially as a labourer. I could not say anything more and was glad that the others arrived by then. The man disappeared into the crowds but left me pondering over a lot of questions.

The issue of unemployment and un-employability is one that has not seen significant improvement. Will the Skill India mission add anything? Where will the jobs come from? What about unemployed post-graduates? Where do they fit in the scheme of things? How does one contribute if possible to reverse this trend?

There are a plethora of questions that are yet to be answered and I am looking for answers beyond policies on paper, and in the areas of execution. It remains to be seen whether it turns out to be a demographic dividend that we reap or a demographic disaster that we suffer in the near future.

Making the pilgrimage!

Its only been 10 days since my latest pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi shrine in J&K and I am yearning to step out again and go on another such journey. I love going to holy shrines. Don't worry I am not a radicalised Hindu bigot (certification still needed!) but there are plenty of reasons I enjoy going to such places. For now, I'll keep my focus to Vaishno Devi

First, its the journey that makes it worthwhile. Climbing 12 kilometres to the Bhawan (from Banganga) and then 1.5 additional kilometres to the Bhairon Baba Mandir is an experience in itself. You go on driven by 'the call' of Jai Mata Di . Even the normal Namaste and Hellos are transformed into salutations of the Goddess. The atmosphere is electric as one passes devotees whether on foot, on horseback or in palkis. Moreover, it gives one ample time for solitary contemplation. The mind is at peace and one can probe the matters that trouble or cause irritation within. The feeling of tranquillity is unparalleled. A good occasion to trigger an epiphany perhaps!

Next, is the location. Nestled in the Himalayas, you are treated to the relatively clean atmosphere of the area (barring the constant smell of horse dung). Add to this the beauty of the mountains and you have definitely hit jackpot.

Finally, its the experience as one sees the representation of the Goddess in the Bhawan. My favourite though, is the crawl through the Garbhjoon at Adhkuwari , which lies midway between the Bhawan and Banganga. The width of the passage can easily scare off even the bravest as transit through it seems impossible at first look. But people are able to slide through the 24 foot passage with relative ease and with the image of the Goddess in our minds. The feeling of completion as one reaches the 'summit' of the pilgrimage at the Bhairon Baba Mandir makes you feel pretty good about the accomplishment. Well of course, the journey back to the base remains!

After Darshan at Adhkuwari

A little rest after Darshan at the Bhawan

Waiting for the others to catch up with us at the Bhairon Mandir @ 1 am in the night!

The return journey is a 12 km walk down relatively steeper slopes to Adhkuwari (via Saanjhi Chatt) and then onward to Banganga. It is this journey that takes a toll on one's joints.But, you carry through. Its better to walk on foot than use a horse. The walk finally ends at the gates in Banganga and the pilgrimage at the gates of your home.

I hope to go there again soon!

Jai Mata Di!

Book Review : The Green Room

 Genre: Horror Mystery

"Something terrible had happened in the Green Room the first time around, or at least, that’s what the stories said. And yet, Rohan finds, the old stories turn out to be true. "

If only there were more such tales from this age-old school!

As the title suggests, the story centres on elements in the Theatre and Dramatics of a 160 year old institution. The oft expected tales of horror and mystery that abound in schools of such age are to be found in the annals of this school's history too. A concoction used to spook the juniors turns real for Rohan and the Dramatics team as the unexpected begins to happen during their practice sessions. Things escalate when strange incidents occur with his childhood crush, Chandni Joshi. Rohan seeks answers as he is drawn further into the distinctly paranormal phenomenon that is engulfing his life and is threatening to ruin his final days with Chandni. What he finds, is more than a simple explanation. Skeletons spill out of the closet and the school squirms to hide the darkness of the past. It is a battle between the unknown and the school's prestige that  brings up the finale as Rohan strives to do his duty and answer a million questions. 

The above summary forms the crux of this amazing story. The writer opens with an instance that is sure to spook you and further incidents in the book are definitely not for a quiet midnight read in the dark. A true mark of a horror story is the ability to scare the reader and keep them wanting more, this book scores a perfect 10 here. As the writer steers you cleverly through the mystery, you are definitely left biting your nails with the turn of the page. There are several side-stories too and these form the essential garnish required to portray the entire tale. Moreover, the boarding school narratives sprinkled across the pages rekindle emotions of huge variety among the reminiscing students. While the book carefully builds on the story, there are a few places where it slips and gets a little too sidetracked by other incidents that do not form the core of the story. While this is entertaining, steam is lost to some extent. Thankfully, the writer takes care of this issue and returns to the main narrative with a twist that is sure to get the residents of Ghost-town excited once again. The story wraps up with a heart-wrenching revelation which will bring new meaning to the phrase 'in stunned silence' as this will be the descriptor that the reader will attach to oneself as they turn the last pages of the book.

In my view, this is one of the top Horror and Mystery novels for the year 2015. I'll go so far as to say that if it weren't for the late release it would have definitely been a top contender for the Goodreads People's Choice Awards. It certainly is one of the best ones from an Indian author this year and we can only hope that Nag brings us plenty of tales to read from the corridors of Queen Victoria School. I must not forget to mention that this is Nag Mani's first book! An amazing talent come to light, surely.

My summary in numbers:

• Plot : 9/10
• Style of Writing: 7.5/10
• Flow: 7/10
• Entertainment Factor: 9/10

VERDICT : A must read entertainer! 

Some details:

• Pages: 223 pages
• Publisher: Notion Press; First edition (2015)
• ISBN-10: 935206383X
• ISBN-13: 978-9352063833

Here are the links where the book can be purchased:

Flipkart

Amazon IN

The Sugarcane Goddess

Each year, I look forward to the festival of lights with the excitement of a child. No, it isn't for the crackers and loud noises, rather its the sweets, decoration and meeting people that make it special. Though Diwali adds a lot of pollution to the air, it does its job on the belly as well in tandem. The guilt of consuming those calories is quickly washed down by the joy of the occasion. This time the day was all the more important as we had recently shifted to our new home and this would be our first Diwali here. So, it was time to clear up our act and go all out in decorations and celebrations.

As if in an annual ritual, we wait till the very end i.e. Choti Diwali to put up the lights. This year we were in a better position as almost half the lights had been put up by Dhanteras (after a very hectic day at the market).  An improvement you might say!

The next day was spent preparing the home for the 'traditional Diwali'. So, the floor decorations were done using geru and ground rice paste. 

The puja sthan

The main entrance

and the image/statue of the Goddess Lakshmi was made using sugarcane

and the Goddess's clothes all shiny and new

The puja sthan was then decked up with the essentials 

and the customary Rangoli

Not to forget the last minute rush to the market at 6 p.m. to buy new kurta pajamas  as we couldn't locate the ones we owned in all the packed cartons. Thankfully, the market was open and we were able to get new clothes.

This time the highlight in the 'fried category' were the 'singal' - a sweet, spongy fried dish that feels too heavy on the stomach!

To top it all, I again tried my hand at having a musical evening (it has turned into a tradition of sorts now!) to no avail. The instrument of choice was the flute. So, I spent the remainder of the time watching the fireworks. 

It was one good beginning to the festivities at the new place. I hope that all of you had a great Diwali. I look forward to adding more elements to the Diwali festivities next year (Especially more music!) 

Diwali Wali selfie!

Cheers!

An Upstream Story

For long we have been entertained by the lives and memoirs of Defence personnel and their kids ("Army/Air Force/Navy Brats") but rarely has someone shed light on the lives of civilians living in similar locations (though not as taxing) in the remote regions of the country.

I have lived a lot of my life (or rather the early part of my life) in the NHPC colonies in locations ranging from the Eastern Himalayas to the Kumaon Himalayas. I am if you would say an "Energy brat!" (borrowing from my brethren who have grown up with the defence background). Now, for those who don't have a clue, NHPC stands for National Hydropower Corporation. In simple terms, these people build dams on water and then generate electricity. If we stop and consider the previous statement for a bit and remember Geography from our Grade IX textbooks, it'll come as no surprise that NHPC's endeavours are centred around the Great Himalayas or "The Storehouse of Water". The thought of the Himalayas will certainly conjure up a beautiful image for you with majestic mountains rising tall, crowned with snow stretching to the zenith as to the endless horizons on both sides. However, for us they mean a little more than that. For, they are a symbol of a life-bond that we share for having spent some of the most beautiful times in them. 

While life in remote locations might be tough, we get some of the most amazing opportunities not so easily available to the average Indian. It is one thing to visit the 'exotic north east' once, it is quite another experience to live there for over five years. While a visitor gets to indulge in the local customs and traditions for a bit, we are soaked in this culture. As day to day interactions go, a bond is developed not only with the local populace but with people from all over the country who have joined the organization. There isn't much of entertainment in the modern sense in these areas and the prospects of eating out are nil. So, our fun consists (or did) of the regular get-togethers and picnics by the river side. A big dinner for everyone on a child's birthday held at the club is the highlight of the month. Festivals play a very important role -both regional and the more popular ones. Dressing up in traditional garb (even tribal clothes) and dancing to the melodious tunes from instruments that are alien to the eye is a beautiful episode that we cherish for a really long time.

Life is not all dance and merry-making. Troubles and difficulties abound. Apart from the treacherous routes that one must traverse to reach these locations (in a lot of cases), the connectivity on all fronts is quite poor. I know of an instance when in a location in Arunachal Pradesh, a person had to drive 30 kilometres to reach a point where there was a telephone connection! (this is a story from not so long ago). Not to mention interactions with militants - One incident occurred while we were in Loktak, Manipur. My mother was in-charge of the Project school and there was to be a flag hoisting (as there normally is) on Independence Day. On the 14th of August, militants carrying guns (mom says Big Guns!) arrived at the school and warned her not to go ahead with the flag hoisting the next day. They also paid a visit to our home and warned my father for the same (He was at home in the morning, his shift wasn't till later). The person who was to officiate at the flag hoisting decided to stay away seeing the threats and locked himself up somewhere safe. However,with utter disregard for the warnings the flag was hoisted, sweets were distributed and the children sent home, all at 5 a.m.! and that was that. It was here that several instances of firing between security forces and militants occurred during our stay. 

There are many such anecdotes to narrate and one can only reminisce as one lives in the hustle and bustle of the big city. Even though I have grown up now and am moving ahead with my life, I would love to return to a project, preferably in J&K or Himachal to enjoy the simplicity and fun of the life of the people upstream!

Nimoo Bazgo HEP , J&K 

Photo credit : Wikipedia

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I haven't been able to attach any photographs as none of them are in digital format and the ones I have are still packed in a carton somewhere in the store.

The curious case of 'Gulgule'

As winter has come knocking on our doors here in the great plains of India, I am reminded of our trip to Almora-Ranikhet last year. The thrill of the Himalayan winters can only be rivalled by the epicurean delights of the region, a place that I am a native to! 

Last year presented a special occasion. Mother had the opportunity to visit the place where she spent her childhood - Kailash Hotel , Almora. We took to the busy bazaars of this hill town this day to search for a sweet dish that mother remembered from her childhood - the gulgule. Now, as expected the area has changed in the more than 30 years that have passed. Old shopkeepers that mother used to know have been replaced by their sons and grandsons! Ancient buildings have given way to the suave  and modern architecture of today. Landmarks of yesteryears are few but still prominent. Yet much to our chagrin, the gulgule have disappeared from the markets. We searched high and low that day only to be presented with gulab jamuns and pedas but no gulgules. The near hour long walk yielded no results. 

It was with dejection that we returned to the home that we were staying in. No shopkeeper that we encountered in Almora had even heard about gulgule! But, luck smiled the next morning (or did not, as we missed an amazing snowfall that began hours after our departure!) as on a short stop at Karbala (A small hamlet downhill from Almora)  we sighted gulgule carefully put on display at a local tea stall. There they were all glistening in the sweet sugar syrup that they had been earlier dripped in. Success was achieved. We got a few packed and brought them all the way to Haldwani.

and true to the description that we had been treated to by mother, they were an amazing delight for our sweet buds.

A few months passed and we had the chance to visit Almora again. Guess what, we brought gulgule all the way back to Faridabad this time!

Though the calories may look forbidding for the health conscious, they are good for 'cheat day' Hope you have a great time discovering the gulgule!

Locations in the post:

Location shown with reference to New Delhi and Nainital

Top 7 Drugs For Motivation: My Daily Overdose!

The idea is that, one must never give up. No matter what adversities come one's way, you and I need to keep moving forward. It is as plain simple as that or so it seems. I have seen many of my fellow Out-Of-College-20-Something friends seemingly caught in that Not-Challenging-Enough trap that the majority of people face when they step out of college. Life may not be easy, yet we crib and complain, mostly regarding the stagnation (that we seem to have hit!). Mind you, I for one am not in this situation considering my career goals. In fact, such thoughts should be orthogonal to my mind set. Yet, I falter with my efforts and have to look for inspiration. These are some of the sources that I regularly use to boost my morale and get the engine back up and running:

# 1 Inspirational Speech in 'Rocky Balboa'

"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life.

But, it ain't about how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. It's how much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done.

Now, if you know what you are worth, then go out and get what you are worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not point fingers and saying you ain't where you want to be because of him or her or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that."

# 2 Inspirational Quote from 'Will Smith'

The only thing that I see that is distinctly different about me is I'm not afraid to die on a treadmill. I will not be out-worked, period. You might have more talent than me, you might be smarter than me, you might be sexier than me, you might be all of those things you got it on me in nine categories. But if we get on the treadmill together, there's two things: You're getting off first, or I'm going to die. It's really that simple, right?

You're not going to out-work me. It's such a simple, basic concept. The guy who is willing to hustle the most is going to be the guy that just gets that loose ball. The majority of people who aren't getting the places they want or aren't achieving the things that they want in this business is strictly based on hustle. It's strictly based on being out-worked; it's strictly based on missing crucial opportunities. I say all the time if you stay ready, you ain't gotta get ready

# 3 Inspirational Speech from The Legend of Bagger Vance

Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing.  Something we was born with.  Something that's ours and ours alone.  Something that can't be learned.  Something that's got to be remembered.

# 4 Swades: We the people, the Bollywood movie

I know this one's kind of weird, but it reminds me of the potential one has of influencing many lives radically. It is among SRK's most commendable performances. I watch it almost once every other month.

# 5 Pre-Workout Motivation Playlist

This playlist consists of some really good speeches. It's a good collection to listen to during morning runs.

# 6 The All Blacks Haka

This great Maori war cry will surely get your blood pumping. This ritual performed by the NZ All Blacks Rugby team is a real boost. Make the challenge with a Haka.

# 7 If by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too:

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;

If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim,

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same:.

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings,

And never breathe a word about your loss:

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much:

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

# 8 Biographies/Autobiographies (Bonus!)

If you ever need inspiration, these are hands-down the best sources. The trials and tribulations that several leaders went through in their path to success shows that grit and determination can trounce all deterrence. No adversities are too great for man to conquer. If you are willing enough to sacrifice your today, you'll have a great tomorrow.

So, here are my regular pick-me-ups. Looking forward to adding more to this list from your suggestions. Till then, stay strong and stay motivated!

Around the World in 80 Books - The Asian Leg!

I have been slacking on my reading for a really long time now (over six months!) and this has left me all the more agitated. Having my hands full isn't really an excuse, since I do nothing except watch South Park in my spare hours (Yes Ladies and Gents, I watch a cartoon!) . In order to rid myself of this nasty habit, I have decided to resume reading and that too with a new challenge. I may not have any of the daredevilry or ingenuity of Phileas Fogg, yet I presume that I can read my way around the world in a year. So, here is the list of books I shall take up for this challenge, in the first leg:

S.No.	Book	Author	Country
1.	The Patience Stone	Atiq Rahimi	Afghanistan
2.	Bullets and Trains	Adeerus Ghayan	Pakistan
3.	Pax Indica: India and the World in the 21st Century	Shashi Tharoor	India
4.	The Lives We Have Lost: Essays and opinions on Nepal	Manjushree Thapa	Nepal
5.	Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew	Shehan Karunatilaka	Sri Lanka
6.	The Rainbow Troops: A Novel	Andrea Hirata	Indonesia
7.	The Sorrow of War: A Novel of North Vietnam	Bao Ninh	Vietnam
8.	Waiting	Ha Jin	China
9.	Kafka On the Shore	Haruki Murakami	Japan
10.	The Railway	Hamid Ismailov	Uzbekistan
11.	When My Name Was Keoko	Linda Sue Park	South Korea
12.	Throwing Sparks	Abdo Khal	Saudi Arabia
13.	My Name is Red	Orhan Pamuk	Turkey

The two criteria that I used to make the selection were the nationality of the author and the subject matter of the book. Coincidence of both these criteria allowed me to select the above books from my to-read list.

My literary sojourn spanning thirteen countries (in the first phase) starts tomorrow. So, when do you begin yours?


Happy Reading!

And You Thought Dragons Didn't Exist!

Towered it did, yet did not deter,

The flames could no longer be doused.

He bellowed and cast aside the fetters,

And made strong for the pinnacle, aroused.

They called him back, he heard no soul,

The ears deafened by his heavy pants.

He bled, a darker crimson toll,

Yet, trudged on into darker lands.

Screaming thunder, blinding lightning,

Curses thrown like rocks and fire.

Weary, the clutches of despair tightening,

He lunged for hope, meeting mock and ire.

Entombed in black, he withdrew,

Courting the dreaded darkened pull.

Faith he held, courage found anew,

The inner fire soon stoked to full.

He surged , the final hurdles stood beyond
Fought each one with rigour and zeal.
Climbed atop, triumphant , now reborn
Or, in another mythical land, we did see-

A fierce roar, he spewed fire.

As darkness melted, the demons did twist.

Unfolded its wings, leapt, soared higher,

And you thought that dragons didn't exist!

Each one of us is like a dragon. We are beings capable of the extraordinary on the routine. But, it may so happen that in the face of adversity, we lose hope and falter, turn our back in failure instead of persevering. It is not our destiny to sit back and despair, it would also be inhuman to do so. We should strive to soar high, like the mighty dragon, and fulfil our destiny. Let us not shy away from our demons but vanquish them with the fire of determination and success. My best wishes to everyone on their endeavours. 

How India Works. Where are we today?

It was business as usual today in the morning. After a quick jog and with a cup of green tea (A newly acquired taste!) I settled down to read the newspaper. Scanning the front page, I could not but be struck by the irony of the entire presentation. The entire efforts of the advertisement that boldly rests at the top are laid waste by the news item on the bottom right. The advert proclaims that there exists no crime or corruption in the state. To blow all such claims aside, the news item narrates the gruesome burning of a 'lower caste' family by members of the upper caste wherein two children succumbed to the burns. This horrific tale belongs to a village quite close to Faridabad, a satellite township of the National Capital Region. I'll leave the details out of this post but clearly there exists a big problem which the incumbent fails to realize. A few months have passed, but the memory of a communal clash in the very same region still remain. The evils that mark the old age divisions that we seek to abolish are visibly prevalent in the state - be it caste based discrimination or communalism. 

Not only Haryana (I hope the PR team will have realized its blunder by now), but the entire country is currently under siege from radical elements. The right to freedom of expression seems more precariously balanced than ever before. Being a majority/minority doesn't matter as pressure and interest groups are lobbying to wrest power to serve their narrow goals. While the media reports, it fails to rise above the bias and is increasingly falling into controversies that it can best avoid. Enough ink and blood has been spilled (literally!) on this in recent times for me to make any significant contribution.

But, I look for hope. I search for change and believe me that it exists. I do not brag about big government schemes or multimillion dollar investments pledged from the PM's foreign forays. Look around you as I do around me. The boy who comes and cleans our car at 4 a.m. finances his school education with the money. The maid who works in three houses is sending her children to school and spending time on their studies. While people leave their parents on the doorsteps of old-age homes, we have a friend who is taking all pains to shift his parents with him abroad. On my daily runs, I come across young kids who will pick up trash and throw it in the bins even as several adults just remain indifferent. There are illiterate workers going to night classes to learn the alphabet. Religious and caste differences lose all meaning during a football match on the basketball court each evening as kids jostle with each other to score goals. Many don't care about Indo-Pak tensions but would love to see an Ind-Pak cricket match once again. It is these little things that make you believe that hope exists, that the society is resilient and will never succumb to the twisted needs and beliefs of a few. It is this quality of being human that unites us not only as a nation but as a species. It is this that the policymakers of today must take lessons from and contribute more to 'Make India' rather than ' Make In India' (yes I borrowed a line from the Delhi CM's recent rants!)

To end, each time I see the negatives bearing me down, I watch this ad from Coca - Cola Umeedon Wali Dhoop! and smile for there is still hope!

Source

Cheers!

Jose Mujica - An Inspiration for Global Policymakers!

Source 

Today, I stumbled across this wonderful speech by Jose Mujica, former President of Uruguay. For those who don't know where Uruguay is, I have marked it here. (I know a lot of us are unaware of certain things, so here is the information that you may/may not need.)

A small country sharing borders with Argentina and Brazil - Uruguay!

In the video, the President speaks about himself and his understanding of the values of being human. His perception of democracy transcends the political definition and embraces the socio-economic aspect . The continent of South America has witnessed many revolutions in the past century. His struggle was related to one of them in his home country. A fight to secure justice in all aspects of life so that people could grow and develop together, in an all-inclusive manner. He talks about how the world is dragging its feet on the Kyoto Protocol. It stands as a shame that the second- largest carbon dioxide emitter is yet to ratify the same. Moreover, the Protocol though comparatively sound in wording, has seen a significant lack of will on the part of the member states. This is a story for another post, another day. He mentions the instance when the government of Uruguay prudentially purchased a helicopter for emergency services rather than an expensive jet for the President. He talks with pragmatism.

This is the man who realizes that we should learn to think as a species, rather than individuals or countries as he is quoted to have said :

"We can almost recycle everything now. If we lived within our means, by being prudent, the 7 billion people in the world could have everything they needed. Global politics should be moving in that direction. But we think as people and countries, not as a species" - Source

The most important take away from the speech is the way the man conducts his life. He doesn't lecture us with ways to live, rather the exemplary way in which he lives leaves a lasting impression and makes you think twice.  He might be tagged as the 'Poorest President - BBC' but he is the 'Richest' when it comes to service to humanity.

His is a life that should be taken note of by policy makers too. While, expenditures on health, education and poverty alleviation are on the rise, downward trends are not visible in contentious areas such as defence. Certain splurges of the governing and the governed have no place in the developmental goals for tomorrow. This year is important as we have reached the deadline for the MDGs and are poised to take on the Sustainable Development Goals. Progress on the MDGs has been mixed with some goals achieved and others still sitting a long way off on the distant horizon. The SDGs lie on a steeper slope as the global dynamics are constantly changing. In fact, the entire SDGs rest on the bedrock of SDG #10 i.e. Reducing inequalities. So, it is up to the stakeholders to take wise decisions and create pathways that make the achievement of the SDGs possible.

17 SDGs as listed on the UN Website.

Remember:

A show of strength doesn't feed the poor. 

A girl denied freedom, doesn't preserve your culture. 

A shell fired doesn't protect biodiversity.

Most importantly, hollow agreements just sit as scribbles on paper.

So, it is but our responsibility to think as one, to act as one and to create a world that benefits generations to come.

Useful links:

• Kyoto Protocol - Wiki
• Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Country -2011
• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• United Nations Millennium Development Goals

_____________

I just realized that this is the second President that I have written about in two days. Two amazing lives to gain inspiration from, for me!

Dr. Kalam's Greatest Contribution to the nation : My thoughts

A little over two months have passed since the people's President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam breathed his last. Today is his birth anniversary, a day when millions not only in India but the world over are paying homage to one of the greatest sons of the nation. He is recognized as the face of India's missile program and the controversial nuclear tests which cemented the arrival of India as a nuclear power on the world stage.

His achievements are too many to count for at this stage. A few of the more well known ones include his tenure as Project Director for ISRO's Rohini launch aboard the Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III) and as Chief Executive of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). For those unaware of the IGMDP, the programme includes development of the Prithvi, Akash, Trishul and Nag Missiles. The successful Pokhran-II tests saw his fame soar to new heights. These and many more stars dot his glittering career culminating in his election to the Presidency of the nation. 

Elected as the 11th President of the Republic of India, it was here that the next phase of his career began which by far has resulted in the biggest impact on lives all over. A few knew Kalam, the Missile Man, a bit more - Kalam, the nuclear scientist but it was Kalam, the President who influenced more people all around the globe than any of his achievements before. It was his ability to inspire generations with his words and deeds that even today he stands out as an icon for the youth to follow. His is not a story of rags to riches, but that of a poor boy from a small town who changed the very face of the nation and its standing in the world. The fact that his personal belongings only reflect the bare essentials that one needs gives us an example to emulate in our personal lives. No, he wasn't neglected by the state and neither did he have to spend a life in penury. He was a man dedicated to the nation, to public service and to rouse the young generation. There is no denying the fact that he was a 'jewel of the nation' a Bharat Ratna! 

A service to the nation, a service that transformed India's defence capabilities radically, a service that inspired 1.3 billion citizens of the country and millions of others, to that service I pay homage. To that man, I can only say that :

Sir, 

Your life speaks volumes even after your death. It is your hard work, that I take inspiration from. It is your humility and unparalleled dedication that serves as a reminder for me to give a little more each day in order to achieve my goals and to serve the society. It is the utmost friendliness that you demonstrated even in crowds of hundreds that showed me the value of being nice, of helping people and of  smiling. Tomorrow, I look to don my wings of fire as I take off into the world and script my life. Here, I hope to be of service to the nation and the society and when I look up for guidance, I hope to be led by the values that you have left behind.

Thank you for everything Dr. Kalam!

I suggest  that everyone who still hasn't read Dr. Kalam's works should give them a try. I list his works below:

• Wings of Fire 
• India 2020
• Ignited Minds

There are more, but these are the ones (except the last one, which is on my To-Read list) that I have read and found highly informative and inspiring. Why not add them to your 52 week, 52 books challenge?

Picture credit: A P J Abdul Kalam Wikipedia Page

Why Do I Blog?

After my daily dose of Quora and taking a break from the regular and mundane, I decided to review my blog last night. It has been five years since I began blogging on 'Deconstructing the Half-constructed' and it seems that the deconstruction has gone at a snail's pace. A mere five and forty posts over a span of its existence really made me think as to why do I still write here? I was confused. For one. the blog did not have a central theme (it appeared thus!) and there was no coherency - just hops and jumps! I remembered all those well structured blogs that I follow and envy reared its head. The childishness of the past seemed like a rebuke on the seriousness of today. The summary seemed quite disheartening.

While I looked for reasons, I began re-reading everything I had written over all these years. These posts invariably drove home the point. My expressions bore fruit as I relived those moments again. The joys of the past somehow elbowed past all that was rotten. It felt good to be there once more. This gave new meaning to my blogging. Here, I write, 

To express happiness, I scribble

With a tinge of sadness, I write

On boundless love, I compose

To nudge a thought, I opine

and to cherish a memory, I blog!

So, I continue to blog and add treasures to the book of life!

Confronting the question, as to which post would I consider as my favourite, I'll say there are so many that listing them here becomes irrelevant. You should stop being lazy (Look who's talking or rather typing?) and explore the blog to find out more.

P.S. For all those who care, the childishness still remains (Some things never change, I guess!)

A Citizen's Tribute : The Indian Air Force

Yesterday was October 8, the raising day of the Indian Air Force, a jewel among the armed forces of the country. A day that is celebrated each year with an amazing display of daredevil acrobatics performed by the brave pilots of the IAF. To these warriors, I raise my hand in salute.

As a civilian, I have always been overawed by the armed forces,, especially the Air Force. Seeing jets fly across the sky on every Republic Day and Air Force Day teases the imagination and compels one to fly alongside in a daydream as winds rush past and the aircrafts turn circles. It is a reverie that has kindled patriotic ambitions in the kids of the nation since the introduction of the IAF. A few of them have gone ahead and today serve the nation as proud members of the IAF. To these bravehearts, I raise my hand in salute.

A report released in 2015 states that the IAF has the fourth largest active fleet in the world comprising of combat aircraft, transport aircraft, training aircraft, helicopters etc. A fleet tasked with the mission to defend each and every inch of the 3.28 million sq. km of Indian territory. It is the presence of this impregnable line of defense that allows us to feel safe in a land that is constantly under a threat of attack from external forces. It is this might that holds them at bay and it is this factor that fills us with pride and awe as we witness the sacrifices of the IAF members. To those on a constant vigil, I raise my hand in salute.

Since its inception in the pre-Independence era, the Royal IAF (then) and the IAF (since 1950) have contributed successfully to many victories in the battlefield. From stopping the Japanese in their advances during World War II in Burma to the Kargil War, the IAF has been instrumental in turning the tide against the aggressors. Not only domestic security, but the participation in UN missions is another badge of honour for the IAF, To those who have laid down their lives for the nation, I raise my hand in salute.

In recent years, the most promising development has been the increasing role of women in the IAF. Active participation in rescue missions during the latest disasters proves their mettle and shows that they are second to none. To these women of steel, I raise my hand in salute.

Fly brave warriors , fly high

Touch the zenith as you beat the clouds

Show your valour, conquer the sky

Hold the enemy, fulfil your words avowed

The nation, the mother-as you defend

We salute you, O lion-heart

Be the protectors, the foe's dreaded end

O immortal souls, script your glorious part!

Best wishes to the nation and the IAF on this Air Force Day!

Jai Hind!

Note:I do not hold the rights to the above image and it has been sourced from Indian Air Force Official Website : Photo Gallery

Sources : World Air Forces 2015 - Special Report (Flightglobal)

#EE- Rounding Up The Final Two Years

This is a sequel to a post that I wrote two years back #EE- Summing Up two years , which was a review of my first two years with Electrical Engineering. I finished college a week ago and it only seems appropriate to pen (type) this final chapter before the next story begins.

Now that I am wiser by a few more shocks, I have plenty to say on the topic . Re-reading my last post on this subject matter, I realized that I had done injustice to the subject. But, then it was written in a lighter mood, with a glass of juice , light music and probably an active skype connection (I guess!)

On the matter of insulation (that's where I left off last time), I suggest you take it very seriously. I have recently been made aware of certain tragic incidents in the field. Play it safe, use insulation. To the lighter side, or in a more cliched sense - up the tough mountain. I'll not say much on the courses this time around. Go download the syllabus, or contact me for a pdf! 

Power Electronics, this is where electrical engineering actually got real for me. Electrical Drives in the next semester is what kept me going and  remains my favorite till date. My fascination with electric drives and the automotive world led me to select (Foolishly or wisely, I don't know!) my final year project in the same field. (We'll come to that later)

Power Systems got more interesting with the study of Power System Operation and Control, Protection, HVDC, FACTS etc. These are just fancy terms that actually stand for - High Voltage DC (HVDC) and Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS). This is where Power System design and Power Electronic devices come together.

Machines continued to be a severe pain (you-know-where). To top it all we even studied Design of Power Apparatus, which on the whole is a very interesting subject in the lab and a curse in the classroom.

SCADA and related courses were a walk in the park (not so much by examination scores, but who cares, eh?)

Two dreadful courses that I have kept for the end are Microprocessor and its Applications AND Digital Signal Processing/Processor and its Applications to Electro-mechanical Systems. The course name in each of the cases above can be broken into two - Microprocessor/DSP + applications. It is the latter that proved to be our Waterloo or Plassey or Abbotabad (whatever!) . In my opinion it should be sacrilege to conduct theory exams for such courses, a design practical would suffice. But, a man's got to suffer when he has to suffer (And so we did, Twice!)

This just about sums up Round 2 of Electrical Engineering.  Battered and bruised, the ordeal ended with the close of last month and we emerged Engineers! (result awaited!)

One additional course, (that was intentionally skipped) is the final year project, otherwise called the Major in our Uni. A lot of thought (or a trip to Janakpuri) goes into the selection of one's final year project. An interest in ED (Electric Drives) led me to opt for the development of a closed loop speed control mechanism of a brush-less DC hub motor. This machine, though the talk of the industry today, turned out to be too hot to handle! Getting it to run was tougher than anything we had attempted so far. After an agonizing wait and efforts coupled with terrible setbacks (Our karma - to pay for other's blunders with our own suffering!), it finally did run with expected performance and to say the least, we scraped through without much drama.

After the Project defense!

Looking back, these four years do not seem as tough as we made them out to be. It was more of a perceived notion that led us to believe that choice of electrical engineering as a major would prove to be our nemesis. I still continue to hold my stance from two years back - This was the best decision that I took in the last four years of my life and having attained the fulfillment of this dream, I am ready to take on the next challenge (which is another mammoth altogether!)

Closing lines :

Shocks and smoke may jar my bones
And my grades forever hurt me
I find pride and honour, nonetheless
In being an engineer of electricity!

-Anurag Arya, Electrical Engineer!

(forgive my poetry!)

Edit: Results were declared in the evening today. Cleared all subjects! (Whew!)

The Day I Walked Out on Everything - My First Solo Backpacking Adventure!

Plagued by a persistent itch to getaway from everything normal and mundane, I decided to step out and lose myself in the beautiful vales of Himachal. Even though my search for a companion yielded no results from all quarters, my ambition had already taken shape. I set off for this adventure all alone. This, I believe, was one of the best decisions I had taken in a very long time. After a quick post-exam celebration, I packed my bag (it was a borrowed one, actually!) and rushed to the Kashmiri Gate ISBT.

Delhi-Kasol

The first leg of my journey was a 13-hour bus ride to Bhunter. There isn't much to expect from this stage of my trip. I was asleep for a major part only waking at the two short stops we made for meals and snacks. One thing that struck me immediately in the hills of Himachal was the utter lack of good food in the road-side dhabas. Kumaon has a clear advantage over Himachal in this respect. Try the pahadi raita with chana and pakodas in Uttarakhand, this violent combination creates a sensation that leaves you yearning for more. 

Back to Himachal now. The bus dropped me off in Bhunter and after a quick homely meal in a small restaurant, I boarded a bus for Kasol. It is nearly 30 kms from Bhunter which means a one and a half hour ride in the hills. The road follows the curves of the river and is not in a very good condition. Yet, the scenery created an expectation of better things to follow in the immediate future.

Kasol - Manikaran

The first thing that strikes you when you get down at Kasol is the crowd! All around you, people with backpacks, some Indians, a lot more foreign travelers ( a vast majority hailing from Israel) milling around with an acute sense of wanderlust prevailing in the air. The excitement that accompanies it is visible in the crowd, in their motions and their gestures. Within minutes I was discussing the trek to Khirganga with a couple from Israel. They intended to make it there by nightfall. I on the other hand, had different plans. My first task was to secure cheap accommodation, which I did after some serious haggling (emotional jabs mostly!) and was able to get a decent room for INR 350 a night (pretty good bargain right?). 

View From My Room (Neat, right?)

The bus ride had left me tired, so I decided to take a nap before exploring Kasol and the neighborhood. My first excursion was a leisurely stroll to Manikaran which is 4 kms away. Manikaran has a Gurudwara with hot spring water to take a dip in. I took a detour  to the river bank halfway to my destination. The river, still in its youthful stage, gushed violently past not caring for anything that lay in between creating a picturesque scene that is mesmerizing for the beholder.The Gurudwara is approached over a bridge, below which the river churned over rocks creating scary rapids. The hot water bath in the Gurudwara is another unique addition. The steam rising from the surface of the water betrayed its temperature and true to its appearance, the water was extremely hot! 

Enroute to Manikaran

At Manikaran Gurudwara, Notice the steam rising up from the discharged hot water

The heavens shortened my stay at Manikaran as dark clouds began rolling in slyly from behind the tall peaks. A strong breeze followed by a short but heavy shower made me take shelter first, beneath an overhanging bush and later in a man-made establishment.

Shelter during the drizzle! (Later on it it turned to heavy rain and I had to seek shelter elsewhere)

It was seven by the time I returned, giving me ample time to explore Kasol. Tea and view of the snow capped Himalayan peaks left me fresh. After several introductory conversations with various travelers and an occasional talk with the local folk, I decided to have dinner at a place recommended by a friend - Stone Garden Cafe. It wasn't something great, rather an okay-ish establishment.Dessert from the German Bakery made up for this ordinary experience as I sampled at least 3-4 of the wares on display. It is a must try for everyone who visits Kasol. A short after-dinner stroll and I was ready to call it a night around half past eleven.

Kasol-Barshaini-Kheerganga

Up early the next morning, yet I was only able to get the 9:30 bus to Barshaini. This village is an hour's ride from Kasol. The bus frequency is quite low, with the first one coming two hours before and hence this bus was crowded. I jostled for space in the aisle with a bunch of school kids and a cage with two baby-goats. The bus emptied in Manikaran and I was able to secure a seat for the reminder of the journey. 

At Barshaini, I had my brunch in a small restaurant run by two ladies who happened to cook the most delicious of meals (another recommendation). After having my fill, I proceeded to gather directions for the trek from another restaurant owner nearby. His map and a graphic description of the wonders of Kheerganga only added to my curiosity and anticipation. (He described a lot more in context with the 'wonders of the Kheerganga valley'!)

Tasty and amazing!

The hand drawn map to Kheerganga (N is Nakthan, RN is Rudranag, PD is Pulga Dam)

The trek to Kheerganga would be a 11 km long one . I sighted plenty of travelers heading in the direction of the trail and chanced to ask a group of three whether they were heading for Kheerganga. After the first few introductions, we headed off together along the trail becoming good friends in the process.

The trek begins!

Markers are available all along the route (8 kms to go!)

The trek follows a beautiful trail with sights of small waterfalls, snow capped peaks and green slopes all around. The first leg of the trek is from Barshaini to a village called Nakthan. From Nakthan, we head toward Rudranag. Here the water scoops upwards in a small cup in the rock and subsequently falls as a projectile. It is a place of worship and the last bit where the easy walk ends. The next five kilometres were the most grueling ones with an uphill trek. We ended up going round robin on the backpack with the tent. (My companions were carrying a tent and I had agreed to camp with them!) . The path is marked with several small streams rushing down from the snow melt. The cold water left us gasping when we accidentally submerged our feet (shoes and socks) while crossing one. We stopped on a number of occasions and were only able to complete the trek in 4.5 hours! (The locals say that they do it in 3!)

The beautiful hillsides

The snowcapped peaks

Rudranag

The feeling of accomplishment at the end of the trek was dwarfed by the beauty of the Kheerganga meadow. Lying in an oval -shaped valley between mighty peaks, this meadow was a lush green setting dotted with rocks and a small human settlement. After a visit to the temple at the top, our first task was to setup the tent, which we did in quick time (And in this process I learned how a tent is assembled!) . Following the completion of the above, we rushed to take a dip in the hot spring pool to ease the tiredness of the journey. As we sat in the hot water pool, the cool breeze played a good companion to the heat from the water and this combination was refreshing.

On reaching Kheerganga! The smile cannot convey the feeling!

The hot water spring pool!

Following this, I spent some precious moments of solitude (numbering some 90 minutes!) just taking in the breathtaking scenery around me. From my vantage point, I also had the opportunity to interact with a variety of other people who were headed to and fro from a gathering a 1.5 hour trek away. (I gave it a miss owing to the tiredness that had set in now). By now the sun had almost completed its southward journey. The multitudes of colors on display that came with the setting sun were a bonus. As night crept in, the temperatures dropped. We built a fire (after prolonged efforts) and I had to don warm clothes, lest the cold troubled my sinuses again. Swapping stories (And stuff!) around the fire was fun! A less than palatable dinner in the small shacks (restaurants!) was a dampener for the spirits but what followed afterwards cannot be explained in words.

Enjoying these moments of solitude!

As we lay around the fire looking upwards at the heavens, we were taken by surprise by the night sky on display. It was a new moon night and the entire sky was dotted with stars sparkling small and bright. The valley seemed entombed in a beautiful shroud of twinkling stars . We lay admiring the needlework of the Gods on the dark wool of the skies as the sound of the river rushing deep below filled the silence.  With flames giving way to embers, we too decided to call it a day around midnight.

The next morning, I was the first one up and spent another beautiful period of solitude. It was the best feeling. With no contact from the outside world (there are no cellphone signals up there except for a lucky few like BSNL) and everyone, these moments of mine seemed to stretch into eternity as I forgot all and lived another life in those moments, among these hills. 

Our shelter for the night

Another dip in the hot water pool and we bid adieu to this enchanted location. The descent was quick and we made good time completing the journey in a little over two hours. From there it was a bus ride to Kasol where I parted ways with my new found friends who journeyed on to Kullu, while I stayed back to have lunch at Evergreen, which was a good recommendation.

The morning dip

On the way back!

Kasol-Kullu-Delhi

After a final walk around Kasol, I had to wait for a long time for the bus to Kullu. The bus dropped me off at the Kullu bus station with minutes to spare. The fact that the trip was ending didn't strike me until the bus had started moving off towards Delhi. As the rain splattered the windows outside, my eyes could not leave the hills beyond. I drifted to sleep with images of beautiful vales, gushing rivers and mighty mountains all left behind in this wonderful world.

8 am I touched base at ISBT and in 45 minutes I was back to college again!

Cost of the trip : 3,950 INR (Delhi-Kasol-Kheerganga-Delhi)

The experience : Priceless!

I am itching to run away again!