Srikhand- Beauty at its best!

Being a Himachali passion for mountaineering is in my blood. I have grown up listening to my dad say, ‘Always remain close to nature and try to develop a bond with it.’ This particular statement has had a great impact on my life. I have made it a point to tap every possible opportunity where I get a chance to be close to nature.

After almost an year and a half lady luck smiled and sent one such opportunity this July. The trek I was going to complete is the most difficult amongst all in the entire state. Scaling a mountain situated at a whopping 15000 feet (approx. 5000 meters) was no mean feat. However getting an opportunity to go on a trek and that too along with my dad was simply an icing on the cake.

Our journey began from Shimla. On day one we were to reach Sarahan, a beautiful unexplored town in Rampur district. We were to meet some of my dad’s friends there who were also scheduled to go on the same trek. After travelling for almost eight hours we were finally at this beautiful town. No doubt, the gruelling journey had sucked all the energy I had but experiencing the enthusiasm with which we were being welcomed, my tiredness was long gone. It has been correctly said that when it comes to hospitality, we the people of Himachal are second to none. After having served dinner by the most humble people I have ever met in my life, we were off to bed for day second was going to be a long one.

Next morning was really a pleasant one. I was spell bound by the beauty of this small town. The picture below is a proof to justify what I experienced. This temple, BHIMAKALI, holds a great historical and religious significance. It is one of the oldest establishments in the area and is duly respected by every single individual.

The second thing that caught my eye was apple cropping. This place is renowned to produce the finest of Himachal apples being supplied throughout the country. It was no surprise that I had to taste one. At the very first opportunity I went to the orchard and tasted the most delicious apple of my life. The morning mist and the cloudy weather made it all the very exciting. At 9:00 am we boarded the bus for the base where the trek was scheduled to start.

It was 10:30 am when we reached the beautiful place named Rampur. With river Satluj flowing with all its serenity and breath-taking beauty, a summer cottage at the very place was the only thing I could dream of. 

After paying our respects at two temples, it is part of the local tradition, we were once again on our way. By 3:30 pm we reached the point from where we had to start our trek on foot. The base camp was three kilometers away and with our enthusiasm reaching at sky high level we began our journey on a roaring note. Once again we were welcomed by the most hospitable of all people on planet earth. And then began the night of my life. Chants of BHAM BHAM BHOLE echoing, women dancing all around, musicians performing and men complimenting them all was a sight I am never going to forget. Though the night progressed like this till 2:00 am and we slept at almost 3:00 am, still everyone woke up fresh and ready to conquer another day filled with hardships and a total of 17 kilometers in the toughest of terrain, at 5 in the morning.

As time passed I realised that when they say this trek is indeed the most difficult one, they mean business. The rocky surface, uneven terrain along with wet mud was making it all together more difficult. The enthusiasm gradually started dipping. But then again, Mother Nature never disappoints. The photographs below speak volumes about the paradise and it’s mesmeric beauty we were experiencing.

   

We continued forging ahead taking rest at regular intervals. The terrain was becoming tougher with every passing kilometer but so was our determination. On top of it all witnessing these sages, barefoot and almost in a single piece of clothing, was simply an eye opener. At the age of 60 years,( I happened to have a conversation with these wise men) when an average man dreams of a comfortable life, these men were out to scale a mountain peak today’s youth fear to think of, let alone scaling it. Coming across such men was the dose of motivation we badly needed. After almost walking for 14 hours we finally reached base camp 2. We were scheduled to stay here for the night.

  

The next morning was the most important one. We were going for the final destination. It was the toughest of the lot. At 3:00 am, we began our journey. The picture below is one I clicked at 4:00 am and is one of my favorites.

I completely had no idea about the boundless beauty I was about to experience. But Mother Nature wanted to check my patience first. With oxygen level dipping drastically and dense fog it was becoming really difficult to cope up. My motivation level hit rock bottom when I saw two young guys’ dead body being taken back and another guy almost dying. My father came to my rescue at this crucial point and helped me gather myself. Undaunted we carried on our journey. We had to cross glaciers, rocks of unimaginable lengths and above all it started raining, adding more to our already existing problems. But it’s said, “Darker the night, closer the dawn.” After reaching the top what I saw was something that left me completely numb. It appeared as if I have attained nirvana.

After admiring this beauty for 15 minutes and paying my respect to Lord Shiva I started descending. The sense of achievement I had was non-comparable (On an average out of 100 people only 40 complete this trek). My happiness knew no boundaries and it appeared I had accomplished all I ever wanted to. With my high spirits I came back to the camp and slept peacefully.

Next morning we had to cover a distance of 27 Kilometers. But since we were in high spirits it didn’t bother us much. On the same note we started descending. Yet once again Mother Nature made our day successful. With sun rising towards its zenith and the beautiful mountains, there was nothing better I could have possibly demanded. Pictures given below are some other highlights of this wonderful trip. All in all I had a trip of my life.

   

A perfect Yash chopra movie location. Simply mesmerizing.

Hats off to the shepherds- the real men. It's amazing to see how these guys manage the entire flock so efficiently despite all the nerve wrecking difficulties. 

Walking on a glacier is an experience in itself. No doubt it's a deadly act but then again it is so thrilling that one cannot resist.

Clouds back at Srikhand became friends with all of us. Always accompanying us everywhere.

Looking at the distant mountains and experiencing the serenity was something every single one of us did at one point or the other.

Nature carries immense beauty in every component it possesses. It's the way you look at it which makes the ultimate difference.

The Sachin Tendulkar of mountaineering- Gaddis. For these guys scaling the toughest of the mountains is a daily job. They almost fear nothing.

The superwomen- their grace, the Gaddans. Who says the fairer sex cannot do certain things men can? I can bet on my bottom dollar that these four women right here, or I should say superwomen, can trek better than the majority of men. Respect is all what I have got for them. 

The stand high and alone spirit was something I tried to learn when I saw this beautiful plant.

Authenticity and simplicity are the two greatest treasures that can make an individual's life beautiful.

                                         

                                 Rise and shine-in the end you are on your own. 

Trying, trying and still trying.....

The very title of this post can be perceived in many different ways. Well, if you are expecting a motivational story containing a struggle to achieve a specific goal or something like that, this post is certainly not for you. It contains a mystery I have long been unable to solve. It’s been more than 8 years of trying but still I have not been successful. In fact majority of men have tried and failed.

Last weekend I, along with a friend, went for shopping at one of the prominent shopping places in Chandigarh. Since I had been running short of good clothes for a long time, I was particularly very excited. Even after spending hours at all the brand stores I’m fond of, I couldn’t find even a single article that interested me. Disappointed I thought of heading back home when I saw a girl (yes! Here comes the topic of discussion) I’d give my eye teeth to be friends with.

The sudden urge to talk to her was so strong that I started following her and thereby upsetting all the plans we had for the late evening. After almost an hour and a half (we all know how much time an average girl takes for thinking what to buy and at the end of it all comes out buying nothing) I finally got an opportunity to make a move. Not wasting even a second (for if she had entered another showroom it would simply have meant waste of a couple of more hours) I made a move.

‘Excuse me. Do you mind talking to me for a minute?’ I asked.

‘No.’ said she with a little smile on her face. At this moment I was on cloud nine for there could not have been a better start.

‘I have been noticing you for the past two hours and I really find you very sweet. Is it possible for us to please be friends?’ I asked

‘I have never been approached like this before. I really appreciate the level of your confidence.’

Her eyes fairly glittered as she spoke, considerably surprised at my enthusiasm.

‘So is it a yes or no?’ asked I, my legs shivering.

She smiled an enigmatical smile. ‘Yes.’ she answered.

Continuing ahead I asked her cell phone number which she refused to give. Instead she took my number.

‘I will call you soon.’ she said, as she bade me good-bye.

‘Good-bye,’ I answered, and strolled along with my friend to the nearest food joint, considerably happy.

Such was the level of my happiness that I gave a treat to the friend who accompanied me. The entire episode was so overwhelming that I couldn’t get a wink of sleep that night. Usually my cell phone remains on silent mode but the next day I specifically kept it on general mode for I didn’t want to miss her call.

I waited all day long for her call but my phone didn’t ring. Thinking, perhaps she was making her mind I didn’t get disappointed and waited for her call for days together. A week went by but I didn’t receive any call. Finally I accepted the hard reality.

I have learnt a lot of things about these mysterious creatures (girls) in the past few years but this event once again shows that I, and for that matter all the men and boys, need to work harder to unravel the mystery.

As they say, ‘A quitter never wins, a winner never quits.’ I ain’t going to quit and stubbornly carry on trying, trying and trying to understand what are these girls all about.

Why do you have to do it?

Why is it the very nature of certain people to poke their nose every now and then in someone else’s life? Why do these people can’t sit silently and let others live a peaceful life? Why is there always a bunch of losers in everyone’s life (correct me if I am wrong) trying every possible move to defame them? Why do these scumbags pretend to be your friends and at the very first opportunity backstab you?

After going through a lot of experiences I have finally realised it does not matter how much you try to resolve the differences with these people or how faithful you remain to them, at the end of the day they will do whatever they have to do. Well you can actually do nothing about such people. As the saying goes, ‘Once a thief, always a thief.’

A couple of days ago a very genuine friend of mine left me a message. It read about some rumours being spread about me. I was really taken aback by the category of the rumour. It being spread by one of the losers I unfortunately share a history with, added fuel to the fire. This douche has done such things in the past also and I have tried to the best of my abilities to resolve the differences but all in vain. Never has this person disappointed me when it comes to spreading malicious rumours or making a mountain out of a molehill.

Again the story does not end here. This douche has a best friend (a bigger douche) who equally takes pleasure in doing the same thing. I am sick and tired of the very existence of these people. I wonder how on earth do they find out time to do all of it?  Well the damage, as always, has already been done. Unfortunately I am on the receiving end again.

All through this phase one thing always helps me gather and pick myself. It’s the fact that I really don’t give two hoots to such people. Besides, presence of those handful buddies whom I can swear my life on is simply the icing on the cake.

After brooding over the kind of things these people have done I simply have figured out that I may find Salman Khan’s wife chatting with Manmohan Singh at Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement party (test cricket), but these people are not going to change even one bit. God bless you for only the Almighty can change your characters. 

Beware! Not all of them are genuine...

‘Private doctors have made it their business to exploit innocent patients’, said one of the relatives during the family discussion. The discussion which began after one of the family members was literally made to believe that he was having a certain disease (which he actually did not have) by one of the private doctors, concluded with a lot of criticism of all the private doctors with no exceptions. I was quite young at that time to have actually understood the crux of the topic of discussion.

Years went by but there was no love lost between the family (opinion) and private doctors. At times I used to think that it is simply over exaggeration by my family members. ‘How could a doctor, who takes an oath to help the patients no matter what, possibly exploit them in terms of money?’ was the question I used to seek an answer for. Almost 12 years later I have finally realised the actual truth. And yes, I no longer have the same question because I have got the answer too. PRIVATE DOCTORS DO EXPLOIT INNOCENT PATIENTS (my humble apology to all of the doctors who do not belong to this category).

A couple of weeks ago I developed a kind of infection on my face. At first I didn’t take it seriously because I thought it to be the routine irritation that happens every time the weather changes. But with the constant increase of the infected area and the irritation, it caught my attention. I discussed it with my mentor, the person who is responsible for every good thing that is happening in my life (my sister). “KHOOB PAANI PEEYA KARO. JAL HI JEEVAN HAI”, was the valuable suggestion given by her. As I do take everything she tells me very seriously, I increased water intake considerably.

Unfortunately it didn’t help much (still love you a lot sis). With ever increasing pain coupled with unimaginable irritation I took the decision to finally visit a doctor. Again my mentor was, as always, there with a valuable advice which I didn’t take (and I utterly regret having done that). She advised me to go to a government doctor instead of a private one. But out of the fear of inconvenience I would have to undergo visiting a government doctor, I instead went to a private doctor (female).

She had a number of degrees written in bold letters on a board placed outside her clinic. I thought I have found the right person. Everything was going normally. She checked my face, asked certain questions, told the do’s and the don’ts and cracked a few jokes. To be honest I was enjoying her company.

Well as soon as she produced the bill the enjoyment was long gone. I was literally in a state of shock (but I could do nothing as it was now a question of status). With my heart dipping I took out the money and handed it over to her. I got upset. Expecting to find a sympathizer in my sister (not realising that at the end of the day she too is a human being who on being not listened to would leave no stone unturned in making you regret)  I approached her and discussed everything with her.

I had not yet gotten over with the earlier shock when a new shock awaited me. The doctor almost charged 3 times the normal price for the medicines she gave me (at first I lost my cool and decided to confront her. But it’s said that everything happens for a reason. So I let go of the thought). As if this was not enough the medicines didn’t give me a bit of relief.

Finally I went to a government doctor. With spending almost one fourth the amount which I earlier spent and tremendous improvement, I have had a real eye opener. So my dear friends save yourselves from the clutches of these devils (pretenders to being the saviours). 

Luck- The Ultimate Cheater

Cost accounting has always been a pain in the ass for me, whether it was CA inter or B.com II. It simply isn’t my cup of tea. Even after completing the course textbook twice, I still doubt my ability to solve the given problems. About 9 hours ago this subject once again proved that there’s little love lost between us.

I had cost accounting exam today. Officially 3 days were given in order to prepare the exam. But as I’m a lazy lad, I wasted two days fantasizing about the new cell phone I had plans to buy (with utmost regret I want to inform you all that I no longer, with no other choice left, desire to buy it anymore). The sudden urge to watch the movie ROCKSTAR (it was the fifth time) coupled with the fact that I got up at 1pm wasted half of the third day as well. With a mammoth task of completing the syllabus in hand, I decided to finally pull my socks at 5:30pm.


For us, the B.com students of Punjab University who buy the textbooks a week before the exams commence, there is a HOW TO GET SATISFACTORY MARKS WITHOUT PUTTING IN LEAST EFFORTS guide known as ‘DPT’. By putting all my faith in the same guide I started preparing for the exam. Hours went by and I was really doing well (only the important stuff). 


According to Punjab University’s exam pattern it is customary that half weightage is given to practical questions and half to theoretical questions. Since I have always had affinity towards practical problems, I was wholeheartedly preparing for it. I sat till 3am and almost completed the practical part. With a belief that I’d do the theory in the morning I finally slept at 3:30am (however my plan didn’t turn out as it was supposed to because I was fast asleep till 12pm).


Finally at 1:45pm, 15 minutes before the exam was scheduled to start I reached the examination hall. With all the anxious faces of my fellow students and the extra confidence which I was having in my practical preparation, I was on cloud nine. But this state of mind was short lived.


As soon as I read the question paper it sent shivers down my spine. Not even a single question (yes, not even a single damn question) was practical. This meant the preparation which I had immense confidence in was rendered useless. The next thought which struck my mind was to take help of the guys sitting around me. But I out of the fear of flunking had forgotten that these guys had no confidence in what they had prepared let alone asking them for something they had not even dreamt of.


Before I could start praying to the Almighty that the question paper is one hell of a mistake and should be replaced with the original, the HOD (Head of Department) came and put all our doubts to rest. He said and I quote, “KUCH NAI HOGA CHANGE AB. YE PUNJAB UNIVERSITY KA EXAM HAI. TUMHARE GHAR KA EXAM NAHI. JITNA AATA HAI UTNA ATTEMPT KAR LO AUR BAAKI BHAGWAAN PAR BHAROSA RAKHO.”


For a split-second my world turned upside down. However I had no other option than to attempt the questions. With all the knowledge which was totally irrelevant I attempted the questions and am proud to say that I filled all the sheets (as they say, length is all that matters). I have even written certain answers in this exam which I prepared for some other exam.
While I’m waiting to see where my irrelevant knowledge takes me, whether I flunk or not, I suggest you all not to base everything on luck because luck may not always be on your side…  

Someone Like You!!!!

The year 2010 was a very significant year in my life. It was a year where I learnt a lot of lessons-people showed their true colours, failure became a foregone conclusion, loneliness was all that was left. Everything was topsy-turvy in my life at that moment. Little had I known back then that a simple song coupled with few other things which happened during the course of time would change my life. Yes, you heard me right. A song.. A song named SOMEONE LIKE YOU.

It was a rainy day somewhere in the middle of July as a result of which I was confined to my room. I was watching VH1 and the top song of the week was SOMEONE LIKE YOU-ADELE. The first thought that came into my mind was that with such a weird name, Adele, how could someone possibly sing a song which turns out to be the top song of the week? Well, I made fun of the artist’s name and didn’t even bother to listen to the song once. It was a week later when I was having my lunch and scrolling through the channels to find something of my interest that I landed watching video of the same song. I was so mesmerized by the lyrics and the voice of the female artist that I almost forgot to finish my meal. As soon as I finished my meal I took my cell phone and started downloading the beautiful song. There has been no looking back ever since.

I was so deeply in love with the song that my day began and went off listening to it. My obsession with this song grew so much so that I began listening to this song even during my gym hours- for all of those who haven’t heard this song let me tell you this is that kind of song which you would like to hear when you are upset over your love life or are in a low life condition (a song not at all meant to be heard while hitting the gym).

Almost two years have passed ever since but there is no trace of me getting bored of this song. I perhaps have heard this song so many times that a regular guy would have lost his faith in music had he been in my place. But trust me, every time I hear this song it teaches me something new. It rejuvenates me. It kind of completes me. Not there had been a single day when I haven’t heard this song from the time I heard it for the first time.

Adele-the artist who has composed and sang this song-is the love of my life. At times I simply sit down and spend hours thinking as to how could someone on earth possibly have such a melodious and angelic voice? Besides her ever so sweet voice, Adele’s adorable. She’s beautiful. I simply wish that I could find SOMEONE LIKE YOU, Adele.

                               LONG LIVE ADELE!!!!! LONG LIVE HER MUSIC!!!!!

Jesse Ryder- The cricketing rider is down

Being an Indian it's needless to say that my love for cricket is immortal. The only thing different about my love from majority of the other Indians is that I love cricket as a whole. My love isn't limited and doesn't revolve around Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni or a number of other Indian cricketers. I respect the game a player plays- it doesn't matter whether that player is from Australia or Bangladesh.

My average day begins with the astrology section of the newspaper(I'm a staunch believer of astrology). But today was no usual. Right on the front page, the headline, "JESSE RYDER IN COMA AFTER ASSAULT" caught my attention. For a moment I couldn't believe what my eyes were making me read. Reading the news further I came to know that the talented New Zeland batsman was brutally assaulted just a day before he was due to leave for New Delhi to join his new IPL team, Delhi Daredevils. It was heart shattering news for me and the rest of the cricket lovers.

Jesse Ryder is undoubtedly one of the most devastating batsmen Newzeland has ever had. Already short of world class talent, it comes as a major blow to the New Zeland cricket team. There is no denying the fact that Ryder has always been part of various controversies but achieving all what he already has is no mean feat. One of the reasons for his troubled career is perhaps his troubled childhood.The big guy(Ryder) who we see make ball disappear with his exceptional skills has suffered a lot. His parents split and his father abandoned him when he was merely 14 years old. Despite all odds this young man has done tremendously well in cricket. 

With  thousands of guys(cricket lovers) praying for his good health and speedy recovery, I'm more than sure we all are going to see the big man in the field soon. GOD BLESS.

Why does it always happen???

With only 4 days left for my exams to commence, I out of nowhere have this sudden urge to create a blog. A normal guy at the same position would rather prefer studying. I, on the other hand, after creating a blog am writing this post. This isn't the first time it's happening. Everytime I have some important event in terms of studies coming up, my mind automatically starts wandering.

 The last time when I had my CA exams, my heart suddenly fell for a neighbour who on a regular day I never even gave a glance. I remember waiting all day long for the clock to strike 5pm. This was the time when she used to return from her college. Even with a success rate of nearly 20%(once in 5 days I 'd get a glance of her) my inspiration was never gone. A major chunk of my valuable time was lost everyday but I was so deeply in love(one sided) with her that I wasn't ready to see the bigger picture(me flunking in the exams). Days went by and there wasn't even a slight dip in my ever so increasing urge to waste time. With the preparation not satisfactory at all I went and took my exams.

A day after my exams got over all my plans to enjoy, live life to the fullest, etc, etc out of  reasons not known to me, came crashing down. Adding insult to injury was the fact that my heart no longer felt for the neighour any more.

With a few days left for my exams and I being following a routine where I sleep for almost 14 hours a day, I ask the Almighty,

                                    "WHY DOES IT ALWAYS HAPPEN"??