Travelogue: Lansdowne and Rishikesh-II

After two days of rejuvenation in the calm and serene town of Lansdowne, we started for Rishikesh. We drove downhill to Kotdwar and then through Najibabad and the Rajaji National Park to reach Hardwar. From there we took the road to Badrinath, crossed the Rishikesh city and an uphill drive of 30 kms later, we reached our destination- Camp 5 Elements. It took us around 4 hrs to reach.

It is a camp on the beach of Ganges. From the road it looked so tiny. We had to trek down the hill to reach our camp. There was a suspension bridge over the river, and this swings when the wind blows! Our friends, Priyanka and Raghav were already there. This was my first time in any camp and the idea of living in a tent was very exciting. I must say that the camp staff was very friendly and hospitable. As soon as we reached, we hit the sand. Played volleyball, tried rock climbing and rappelling. Then just sat on the rocks with feet dangling in water. We even had a pebble throwing competition. This was like being back to childhood! There was another group of 5 people there who joined us for bon-fire and we exchanged anecdotes.

The most amusing part of the camp stay was the toilets. Each tent had shower and bathing place inside, but the dry toilets were all separate. They are all sand pits and the idea was quite repulsive. Anyways, next day we were gonna move out for rafting. The most exciting part of the entire trip.

We started next day after breakfast. There was a base camp for rafter around 5 minutes drive from our camp. We all had adrenaline running high. All strapped up in life jackets and after safety instructions we started our journey on the mighty Ganges. This was FUN!!! We crossed three rapids- Three Blind Mice, Black Money and Wall. We did body surfing which was akin to taking a holy dip in the holy Ganges. The professionals with us were encouraging all of us to jump in the water. They gave loads of instructions at all points of time, so that we enjoyed and we were safe. In all, a fun filled adventure, which we already planned to re-do next year.

After a tiring watery session we changed and headed towards Hardwar. The camp people had sent our car through a driver to our finish point. We stopped over at Hardwar for lunch. And then on the Sunday afternoon, we were headed back home via Rishikesh, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut and Ghaziabad to reach Delhi. The stretch of the road from Meerut to Ghaziabad was very bad and it took us very long to cover the short distance. We dropped Priyanka and Raghav at their home and headed for our abode in Gurgaon.

A fun filled trip of 4 days and 3 nights came to end. A lot of memories etched in our hearts. I recommend rafting in Rishikesh to everyone. It is a MUST-DO in your lifetime. By far, our best vacation. And, here I am already planning for the next one...

Travelogue: Lansdowne and Rishikesh-I

We went for a weekend trip to Lansdowne and Rishikesh. It was a four day trip from 2nd to 5th Oct. Lansdowne is the closest hill station from Delhi (250km approx). So, here is a brief account of our trip- Travelogue on Lansdowne and Rishikesh. This is the first part on Lansdowne.

We started on 2nd Oct morning at around 7.45am from Gurgaon. We crossed Delhi and hit Ghaziabad by 9.00 am. From there we took the road to Hardwar, we were supposed to go via Meerut but somehow took a wrong turn and hit Hapur. So, it was a detour of around 30km to Meerut. It was Id-ul Fitr and we could see a lot of men and young boys in white kurta- pyjama and skull caps going to Idgah and mosques. It was a holiday and we were able to avoid the morning traffic of school and office goers. From Meerut we took the road to Mawana (town famous for sugar). The National Highway 119 was in a pathetic condition, and in saying pathetic I am being very generous. There is a stretch of around 25-30km which is just stones and dirt. even a village road is betterthan this NH. Anyways, from Mawana we reached an upmarket dhaba- Monty Millions. This is the only decent eating place en- route Bijnor from Meerut. We reached there at around 11.30am. After having our Aloo Paranthas and Cold Coffee, we started our drive again. We crossed Bijnor, Najibabad and reached Kotdwar. Kotdwar is the entrance or dwar to the Garhwal region of the Himalayas. The view of the mountains from the city was so refreshing and encouraging. As soon as we hit the mountain area, the weather became so cool and refreshing. We stopped on the way for posing and clicking. There was tea stall in a hutment where the chaiwallah still cooks in coal fed stove.

We reached Lansdowne at around 3.00pm. It is atop a hill. The view from the hotel balcony (Blue Pine Resort) was awesome. Clouds floating outside, and then again sunny...

Lansdowne is a small, beautiful, picturesque hill station nestled in the Himalayas. It is in Garhwal region and home to Garhwal Rifles. Lansdowne is mostly Army area and is the regimental HQ for Garhwal Rifles. Everywhere you see jawans going up and down the roads. There are so many tracks in the hills for the ones with an adventurous spirit. We took the off-road path and trekked up for 3.5kms to reach the market place, through the Lansdowne Golf Course. After a tiring trek we had pakoras and tikki at Mayur Hotel. Diet plan gone for a toss!

The places to visit in Lansdowne are Army Museum, Bhulla Lake, Tiffin Top, St Mary's Church, St John's Church and the market place. There is a Shiv Mandir, around 35 kms from Lansdowne on another hill, Tarakeshwar Dham. The drive is very bumpy but its worth it. For the last 5 kms there was no road! But, by far the best place I have ever visited. So calm, serene, in the lap of nature with trees all around. It seemed like a scene out of a picture book. A must visit for everyone. Another interesting fact about Lansdowne is that there is no petrol pump. You have to drive downhill 45km to get petrol. So, we were mostly on foot. There are local taxis available for local sightseeing and they cost around Rs 400/-.

Our hotel, Blue Pine Resort, is supposedly the best out of three decent accommodations available. Though the food was not as we had expected, but still it was reasonable, considering that was our best option. After spending two nights at Lansdowne we started of towards Rishikesh. More of it in the next post.

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Dealing with Doctors

In my present role with my organization, I interact a lot with the Doctors. All of them are Post Graduate specialists. I have always had deep regards for Doctors because I feel that their field of work involves rising above self and helping the mankind by curing diseases. But off late, this belief of mine has started weakening. Over the last one year there have been numerous instances which have caused.

I have experienced them to be extremely money minded. This is still acceptable because in today's world who isn't. But then they will still keep on glorifying themselves and their profession. Give me a break!!! Either you decide that you are God's gift to mankind or you run after money.

They do not have the basic etiquette. Calling someone at 10pm on a Saturday, just to check if you can go on leave 5 days later, is a torture. Most of them will call on Sunday afternoon to tell you that They have received Rs 500 less in their salary. Agreed that these things are important, but you were taught to read time on the watch in primary school. These can certainly wait one more day. Worst was one doctor who kept on arguing for increase in salary because he has done his MBBS, MD and studied hard to clear Pre-medical Test. I got so irritated that I had to tell him that look dude if you have slogged for PMT then I have studied equally hard, if not more, to clear Pre-engineering Test and MBA entrance exams. And, believe you me, I was not at all kind while explaining this to me.

Some where I feel that when these Doctors are studying, their exposure is only to the hospitals, where they are interacting with patients. But these days most of them chose to work in private sector medical set-ups and hospitals, and are not aware of the corporate culture. I strongly feel that even medical education should incorporate communication skills and basic management skills in their curriculum. At least e-mail etiquette are a must. Even if these Doctors have their own clinics, they need to have sense of managing things and Hospital Management programmes are the key.

Whether this happens with others or not, I am not sure. But for me this exposure has been an eye-opener. Still have a long way to go...

Quote of the day

"All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his."

- Oscar Wilde

Thought for the day

"Lead, follow, or get out of the way"

- Laurence J Peter

Happy Independence Day

Wishing you all a very Happy Independence Day.

Lets all use our freedom the right way. And every time whether its Republic Day or Independence Day, I just keep humming- "Bharat humko jaan se pyaara hai..."


Vande Mataram

Jam, Jamming, Jammed!!!!!!!!!!!

Thats what you feel if you venture out on Delhi roads these days. Its raining hard and roads are the worst of worst state and its I- day approaching. So, bad, waterlogged roads now have police barricades.

Today morning while driving to office, the traffic was really slow and as I was chatting to Adesh, I told him I could sense that I am entering a jam. 15 minutes later I told him that I am jamming (already a part of slow moving traffic) and another 10 minutes I was jammed. Traffic was not moving at all. The span that I cover in 20 minutes on a normal day took me an hour and a half. Urghhh!! It is so irritating. And one of the RJs on Radio Mirchi summed it all, ' Aaj Saari dilli Jam hai'. How true! Kya hoga Dilli ka???

Paani Paani Re...

Thats what I was humming as I was driving to office. Its been raining cats and dogs every morning for the last few days. And the result, is more pot holes on much perforated roads. Plus the water logging. Aah, My Delhi!!! Though I am using Gulzar's song from Maachis in an entirely different context, but these were the first words that came to my mind when I saw the rain from the balcony. Leave aside the pot holes and water logging, I am just enjoying the weather. Oh , it so lovely! And, what a respite from the sweltering heat that had camped in Delhi. The weather man says it will continue only for a few more days and the heat will be back. But, for the moment Its raining...

Live Punjabi, Play Punjabi...

This is the anthem of Kings XI Punjab team. Whenever I hear this, I just start dancing. I am just so on to this song. And over the days I have realised, I support the team of my janambhoomi more than the Daredevils of my karambhoomi.

I just hope that Kings XI Punjab wins this season's IPL. And as Yuvraj says, Aaja Baee...

Thank You Boss

In my very short career of just 3 years, I have had more bosses than the number of organizations I have worked with, and certainly more than the number of years of experience that I have.

During my first job with Spectrum, I had two bosses, simultaneously. It was dual reporting.

Then my second job with RR exposed me to three bosses, three different styles of working and I learnt quite a lot.

My current job has me reporting to three different people at the same time. This means three different kinds of working styles. Not that they have weird whims and fancies, but still I am learning quite a lot at multi-people-tasking.

And, I am immensely thankful to all my Bosses for making me learn so much, from their competencies and incompetencies!

IPL- The Tamasha Begins

The much hyped and much awaited Cricket ka Karamyuddh, the Indian Premier League, starts today. It is being said that this will change the way cricket is played, forever.

Well, I am all for Kings XI Punjab, after all its the team of my janambhoomi, Punjab. But then, I also support the team of my karambhoomi, Delhi Daredevils.

Today, the first encounter is between my favorite cricketer's team, Rahul Dravid's team (Royal Challengers) and my favourite actor's team, Shah Rukh's team (Kolkata Knight Riders).

Oh! I am so confused. My loyalties are just shifting sides. I think for today's match I'll just sit in front of the TV screen and enjoy.

"My Delhi, I Care"

I really like this slogan of Delhi Government. It was coined to foster the involvement of people staying in Delhi with the Delhi city (or state). CM Shiela Dixit talks about this in a story which can be checked here.

Red FM has also stated a similar initiative, anchored by their RJ Nitin (my favorite!). He talks a lot about this in his morning show. Be it safety of women, bad roads and the recent one is the cleanliness drive. He has started going personally to clean the kurha-karkat in Delhi.

I think other states can learn a thing or two from the city. I have been in Mumbai, stayed there for almost an year. Never felt that anyone cares for the city, everyone cares for him/herself. The litter in the trains, along the roads, pathetic condition on roads are just few examples.

I, sometimes, consider myself as a confused Delhite. I hail from Punjab, studied in Delhi, worked here, moved out, returned back, got married and now working in Delhi but staying in Gurgaon. For an outsider I may still be staying in Dilli, as for them entire NCR is Dilli. But this does not mean I care less for Delhi. I have heard a few people say that it doesn't matter to them because they stay in Noida or Gurgaon or Faridabad, so they just don't care. Their place of stay is all they care, and just their society or colony or street. Is it a justified excuse? Definitely NO! Because I drive on Delhi roads, eat in Delhi restaurants, shop in Delhi markets, visit friends who stay in houses in Delhi, I feel responsible for the place. And, I damn very well care.

Growth From Within

A few days back I was at a friend's place and the discussion moved on to promotions in our respective organizations and the growth opportunities. The organizations prefer to grow people from within the ranks, to fill up the vacant position, to highlight growth avenues, to motivate employees and hence, to retain them. But, for people who are grown from the grass root level, have they been successful?

Agreed that the person who has worked his/her way up the ranks, is thorough with the processed, knows the system, knows the customer. But is s/he equipped with right skills to take up the leadership role, that is being offered. Most of the Government Organizations/ PSUs give promotion on the basis of your tenure in the organization. People keep on moving up the ladder. They handle teams, starting from one or two to tens or twenties. They probably understand the technicalities involved in the day to day work of their subordinates, but then leadership is not just that. Somewhere they are just not ready to manage the dynamics involved in handling people.

This is not the case with only Government organizations or PSUs. Many of the private sector organizations or the MNCs also tend to ignore this. They may keep on blowing the trumpet of growth avenues within the organization, in the name of 'Succession Planning' but what about training and mentoring? Have you prepared the person to handle the new role? Just because customers are happy with an employee does not mean that s/he can lead a team?

I feel rather than just promoting people in the name of growth and motivation, there has to be a proper growth route laid out, that is, succession planning. Organizations, of late, are realizing the importance, but still it has to go a long way. Till the time it gets applied to PSUs and Government set ups, I will not term it as a 'success'.

Trip to Corbett Tiger Reserve

We had been to Corbett over the Holi weekend. Corbett Tiger Reserve falls in Distt Nainital and is nestled in the hills with rivers criss-crossing the jungle.

We had made reservations a couple of months in advance, with Tiger Camp. We started Friday morning from Gurgaon, at 8.00 am, planning to reach by 3.00pm. But destiny had something else in store!

The road till Hapur, NH 24, is damn good. Post that, till Moradabad, it is OK. Around 15 kms before Garh Mukteshwar, there was an enormous traffic jam. We had started off towards the jungle to get away from the hustle-bustle of the metro, including traffic jams, but it would just not leave us. We managed to cover 13km in 2hrs. I guess, it summarises our situation.

Apparently, it was purnima and near Ganga ghat there was some pooja. This led to congestion on the river bridge. And hence, the jam. By this hour it was already 2.00pm. So much for our planning. On the way, we stopped at A1 Plaza at Reliance Petrol Pump. It was something out of loyalty to my ex-employer and Adesh's present employer. We hit Moradabad in another hour and a half. Discovered the local market in our effort to buy a memory card for the digicam. Last minute shopping... Finally after another 2 hrs, we reached our destination.

En route, we discovered a local village market dealing in cattle. Also, a lot of mango orchards. Weather was cool at Corbett. The moment I stepped into the resort, I was spellbound. It was WOW!!! So green, so cool and so relaxing... And, we had an entire cottage to ourselves! No TV, No Newspaper and Low mobile network. It would be interesting. That very evening we went down to the Kosi river (which flows next to Tiger Camp) and walked along the bank. We also watched a couple of wildlife documentaries.

Next day, early morning we went to discover jungle, riding an elephant. Ours was a female elephant named Padma. It was 6.00am and sun had not risen yet. We carried our cameras, hoping to spot a tiger, which we could not. We did spot some herds of Cheetal and Sambhar. Also lots and lots of langoors. The ride was fun. We saw a lot of different kinds of birds. The elephant would just wander in the forest on its own. She would stray away from the path and enter the bush. It was some adventure, though it left me with bad scratches on hands and arms.

We came back at around 8.30 and savaged the breakfast. It was holi and we played with colours. The reserve was closed, so we just chilled out and relaxed in the resort. The next day, after spending few hours in the reserve and driving around, we started the return journey.

It was a refreshing break from the monotonous schedule that both of us follow. We returned recharged and rejuvenated and full of fond memories. The vacation was awesome and memories are still fresh. A must visit for all nature lovers.

Indian Summer

It is mid of March and the Great Indian Summer is already making its presence felt. Can you belive it... its just third week of March... its Delhi... and the AC works on full blast during day. Global warming indeed!

Last Sunday, I had been for grocery shopping and was surprised to find watermelons and mangoes flooding the shelves.

Also, this weekend is Holi weekend. Its going to be so colourful. But this Holi holiday is a weekend getaway plan. And we are off to Corbett National Park. I am so much looking forward to it. A detail about the trip when I am back.

Till then, keep yourself protected from the heat.

A new chapter

Finally, I could put an end to chronicling my wedding. Its been a long, long, long and tiring job for me. More than one post a day. So I took a well deserved break!

I have started a new chapter in my life. I am now someone's wife. Wow that rhymed!

Well it is so far so good. That is what I tell everyone who asks me about the married life. As of now I am enjoying this new phase. I have my own home.

Will keep writing about my new experiences. Keep visiting...

Wedding Chronicles- XI

After all the ceremonies, I was so very tired. Infact, Adesh started making a note of the rituals that we had to go through. Phew!!!

Well, next one week was mostly at home.

The next day, that is, on 20th Nov we went back to my parents place for phera. We stayed there overnight and returned back the next evening. A day later we went to Adesh's ancestral village to pay homage at the Gurudwara there.

But, over that one week, I had very anxious moments. The bride is not supposed to enter kitchen for a minimum of 11 days. This period can go over to 40 days as well. But, I insisted on 11 days. Imagine, everytime you need water, you ask someone to please get it for you, in your own house!!! Though Adesh's family, which is now My Family made me feel very comfortable, I still had initial ionhibitions in terms of opening my mouth too much.

After spending a week at Patiala, we finally returned to Gurgaon, to a new home, to a new life!

Wedding Chronicles- X

Ceremony IX: Reception


The next day, on 19th Nov, there was Reception function. It was a day function, that started at 12.00pm. But for me, the day started pretty early. I left for parlour at around 10.30 am. Again it was the same exercise. Wearing heavy dress, read lehnga, adorning heavy ornaments and putting on make-up. Thankfully, this time it was an old acquaintance of Ma, who has a parlour. So, it was comfortable and customised for me.

At around 12.00, Adesh and my nanad, came to pick me, and we went to the venue. There were already a lot of guests. We were taken for a round of introductions. My neck started aching with constant bowing to the elders, not that I resented it. After coverning every nook and corner of the venue, we were taken for a session by photographers. And that, believe me, is a pain.

After a gruelling half an hour with the camera guys, we went for another painful session. This is called sitting on the stage. Two huge chairs, more like thrones, were set up for us. I couldn't believe that the decorator intended us to sit on those. But we had no option. So, after throwing some tantrums, the newly wed couple went to the stage.

By this time, my parents had arrived. I was so glad to see them. It was a similar feeling that comes when you go to hostel, and parents visit you for the first time. Though it had been just a day that I had been away from them, considering that I stay away from my parents, I was grinning.

It was all set for us to cut the ceremonial, three tier cake. It was a yum pineapple cake. And, we were made to eat so much of it, I think I'll never ever eat pineapple cake agin.

Then, the gifting ceremony and photography started. A lot of smiling!!!

Another hour and we started looking for an excuse to get off the thrones. And, we managed to do that pretty soon. How? We simply hit the dance floor. And then, there was no going back up. We grabbed a couple of VIP chairs (read front row chairs) and watched the family members celebrate our wedding. We were mere spectators!

Jokes apart, after so many days of functions and travelling, we were very exhausted. So, we quickly had lunch. And after another hour or so, we left the venue.

Finally, I could get rid of the make-up, the jewellery and the heavy clothes. And, I watched TV. It was already evening. Relatives had left. It was only the new family. Fortunately, I was the VIP! The next few days would be a test for me, I was wondering. I planned to take it it as it would come.

Wedding Chronicles- IX

Ceremony VIII: Munhdikhai

At around 8.00pm, we reached Patiala, Adesh's home. Everyone was eagerly waiting for the bride! I was delighted at the grand welcome.

My Ma-in-law, first welcomed me at the doorstep with sweets. Then we went inside and I was introduced to all the relatives. Both of us were made to sit on a sofa, and everyone came and gave their blessings, and of course the gifts! It was for bride's munhdikhai (face viewing).

After an hour or so, we had dinner, and finally I could change into a salwar-kameez, and get rid of the heavy jewellery. It was a relief!

Wedding Chronicles- VIII

Ceremony VII: Doli

After Lunch (after Anand Karaj), we left the hotel, accompanied by the band and the entire set of relatives to our home. Ma and Papa and my side of relatives had left a little earlier. So, when we reached, it was all set to make me push out of the house!!! It was quite an emotional atmosphere.

My cousin sisters were given kalicharis (gold bands) by the groom, and they applied mehndi on Adesh's palms.

Then, Ma made us both drink milk. Finally, it was time to say good-bye. As we were coming out in the courtyard, I threw back rice grains, symbolising that I had paid back the debt to my Parents. I was all tears when I was hugging my Parents and Brother. As we sat in the flower decked car, the Doli, Papa, my brother, other male relatives and Pap's friends, all pushed the car till we left the threshold.

The feeling at that moment was so different. I had never thought that I'll feel so sad, considering that I have been staying away from home for more around 9 years. All I could think was that every time there is a chutti, I will not come to this place, but to a new home. And, I was so nervous of being a part of a new household.