Blast the right places

Now, it’s not like I don’t support unity walks and similar support efforts but I think I’ve had enough of unity walks and baseless email forwards in the name of religion. I mean, how can you just go on and on and confuse people even more than they already are. The human species, for the most part can be influenced very easily and if you just throw in a little sentimentality, we’ll fall for it. It’s a tried and tested method and it’s still prevailing.

Take for instance the recent terrorist attack on Mumbai. I know it was sad and I’m heartbroken, but I don’t need to see images of forced Muslim and Hindu coalitions to state that we’re united. I mean by my not being part of a peace walk or If I refuse to forward a unity email, do I become a non believer of unity and harmony in religion. I can go and on about this but somehow most people fall for this emotional gambol. I for one thing can’t stand too much of this show. I’m hurt and I feel helpless about these attacks and worry myself sick about what if I get blown out some day but I can’t find compensation for such fear in talks of communal harmony.

The matter that needs tackling certainly is the threat terrorism poses and not how united we stand in the face of attacks. I mean no one’s really going to ask our religion and then shoot you down; they’re simply going to take you down.

So, is it really important to be more enthusiastic about peace marches, candlelight vigils and sending out messages that speak the voice of communal harmony? The need of the hour is to tackle terrorism, strengthen forces, and make sure there are intelligence services that can anticipate problems and thwart attacks right at the onset. Even better provide security and a safe haven in quarters where inclination towards terrorist activity is almost expected.

I mean I always thought bomb the place out was just a thing to say when you’re frustrated but imagine people actually carrying it out. Can’t read into people’s minds for sure but there’s got to be something someone can do, especially since people are so busy making policies and grants. It’s time the real matters are addressed rather than let the matter fizzle away till another one takes its place.

Get to Pushkar

For everyone who didn’t go to Pushkar this year, its okay, go next year. I’ll tell you how to get there from Bombay because that’s usually from where I set foot, after starting out at Pune. For those travelling from Delhi or northern regions, the distance is even more manageable. You don’t want to travel to Pushkar just like that unless it’s for the cattle fair because the holy town of Pushkar wears a pretty deserted look at other times of the year and you’ll simply get roasted in the desert. Since this is for the budget traveller and women who get harassed, please plan your trips in the safest possible manner. This means your train departures and arrivals should be during the day because you don’t want to find yourself being bullied by strangers in the middle of the night. The RTDC hotels are brilliant but even the budget ones like Hotel Pushkar and Sarover become costly during the fair (mela) season so you can make reservations at RTDC Ajmer instead, it’s only 13 kms from Pushkar and you can travel by bus. The hotels to choose from are hotel Khadim, and Hotel Khidmat. I always choose hotel Khadim because it’s less than 3 kms from the station and the bus stop is just 2 blocks away and always populated.

 

Pune to Bombay

This post is for travellers who wish to embark on a journey from Pune to Bombay and is in reference to getting to Pushkar, an ideal travel destination. Getting to Bombay from Pune is very easy so don’t worry. You don’t necessarily need prior reservations especially if you are travelling on a weekday.

The traffic volume is high on weekends so you may not get a confirmed train reservation but you’ll find a bus or cool cab very easily. If you’re a group of friends, getting a cool cab is a good option. It seats 4 passengers and will cost you less than rs.2000 at anytime, at least this year (2008). If you go to an agent to get tickets or reservation, they charge a lot more, especially if you’re a foreigner that’s because only foreigners ask for reservations through agents most times. Make your own reservations.

Use private cabs at your own risk and preferably when you’re a big travelling group or very desperate.

You can get a bus ticket with Volvo from next to the Pune railway station. This can be done at the Amir Petrol pump. Many times, the bus isn’t parked there so you’ll have to travel about a kilometre to the Maldhakka Chowk or next to the railway station to get on. The ticket will cost you Rs. 150 on weekdays and Rs.250 on weekends and will take you to Dadar. From Dadar take a taxi and get to the Bandra terminus. The taxi will charge you Rs 80. If they bully a little its okay, pay them Rs. 100 because the traffic there is congested, its killing.

If you take a train, a regular reservation costs below Rs. 100 and an air conditioned compartment seat costs below Rs 200. Don’t leave train reservations, especially A/c seats till the last minute. You can make your reservations sitting at home through the IRCTC website but I don’t know if foreigners can use it because they have certain banks enlisted, it’s a direct debit system and saves on a lot of time. You just need to get a printout and carry an Id.

You can obviously fly, even charter a flight but I’m not getting into that.

Just travel

Here’s something for the budget traveller in India. Trust me it’s cheap and real. The write-ups on this niche will be specifically targeted for women travellers in India but can be used as guidance by everyone if you’re not a sucker for fancy five star amenities. All my experiences are a result of trial and error that may not always work right so you may want to make adjustments.

These are methods I’ve been trying over the years so it’s not a bad deal. The idea behind all the content uploaded is to make travelling an easy option rather than run behind travel agents that charge commissions.

There are travel options that you can take care of and handle on your own even if you don’t understand the language at most places. That could pose a problem but it’s not a deterrent. We are not going to discuss expensive air travel deals either, so it’s all going to be about budget travelling and seeing the best there is to see.

What about ICICI?

So, how scary can the American recession get for the Indian? Reality check: This evening’s rumor was that ICICI is going to be no more. Imagine shutting down all together. So fearful were public reactions that all long distance phone calls suggested people take out all their money from ICICI. Forget minimum deposit; forget accrued charges because of your impulsive actions because what good is maintenance of bank deposits if there’s going to be no bank at all. So, for a moment you fear.

Then you try to rationalize with those who fear. Your common sense prompts a thought. Can a bank you first heard of in your economics book in 1996 really shut down? Then it was about learning full forms to score so you mugged it, ICICI: Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India. Over the years I don’t know about industrial but it certainly serves as a brilliant personal bank. You pay your internet connection bills, pay your phone recharge vouchers, ask anyone for cash on broke days, send money to people, parents included, shop, watch movies, everything you can think of, ICICI does for me. So now if it just disappeared, I’d go back to the ice age.

People are cautious, the share markets spelling doom. ICICI share prices of 900 rupees, quoted 350 rupees today. Are you scared? Depositors rushed into endless queues to withdraw their hard earned money. The RBI issued a security statement and notices were posted outside all ICICI ATM’s stating that ICICI has enough funds to return all depositors funds. I believe ICICI will not liquidate; it’s just a passing tide. Obviously I need to believe because else all my NEFT transactions would come to a standstill. I also believe because since young I believed in everything red, my sports house, favorite clothes, football teams, my car colors, the red heart, everything. Today, I understand the consequence of my choices, Ferrari, Manchester United, Hastings House, and ICICI to name a few.

What started out as a red debit card with an understanding with HP, even though I don’t own a vehicle, it has come a long way. When the market is bleeding, hold your own, the market will turn. It’s a war between the bull and the bear, and when the bear sees red, you know what happens.

Durga Puja

 

Durga Puja 2008

 

For a person not celebrating Durga Puja in Calcutta (Kolkata) is not such a bad idea after all. Pune has its own charm in regards to “Sharodiya Shubheccha,” a celebration of life that happens each year and is fast getting popular. Not just the Bengali community, but everyone’s present to celebrate. Women in their best traditional sarees, jewelry, strong perfume and men in splendid kurta pajamas, it’s got the right flavour minus the clutter. That’s not all, there’s a feast available, true culinary delight, delectable fish preparations, soft lamb with steamed rice, chicken roll, and all the fried stuff. The ‘’Rosogolla,” “langcha,” and “shondesh” too made their presence felt. The stage programs, the semi “mela” set up, it’s all there. In fact, if one just happened to be there, it’s very difficult to tell whether you’re in a Kolkata “pandal” or not.

Here’s the Koregaon Park celebration, Pune.

Venue: Rohi Villa Palace.

Tata Nano

So, it’s happened, West Bengal and its little villages aren’t going to see the light of day. It’s alleged that Nano has shifted shop to Ahmadabad, almost. Here’s to Sanand, 25 kms from Ahmadabad. Singur has lost the battle or has Mamta Banerjee (All India Trinamool Congress) and, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya CPI (M) West Bengal, failed as leaders to herald the state to self sustenance.

This was one chance to redeem west Bengals glorious past, and it’s slipped away. Complicated politics, bullying and hooliganism has won yet again, treading upon common sentiments, may be no one cares. A progressive manufacturing unit shunned away to fight for land. Whose land is it anyway and what good is it? Innumerable factory lockouts, fading British sagas, and fields that aren’t so useful anymore. Wonder what the government proposes. Supply jobs, I don’t see it happening. Declare it a political fiasco and pass the blame.

Another serious thought: Who’s in power anyways? In this democracy, people still go by the rod. Call for a bandh, engage in terrorist like activities and bully the poor and powerless. What you get is self proclaimed, loud, selfish, politicians who aren’t doing anything for the government. This leads to another question. As people we are helpless. Why do we vote? Who do we bring to power? The ever so helpless common man who’s willing to place their trust in the government that’s not even shamefaced half the time.

Not that the CPI (M) isn’t too blame. After the exposure of involvement of their cadres in the Nandi gram violence, I don’t know what to believe anymore. Common sense suggests that everyone’s using pressure tactics to keep the less powerful mum. No one knows what’s happening, it’s chaotic and depressing. With every passing year, West Bengal falls deeper into controversy and people get more helpless. Some get disgusted, others adjust and live on, and some more like me, leave and drift away with the best of memories, but not a single step back home.

To think about it, it’s Durga puja, I’m a miles away, but it still leaves a bitter taste, and a hollow feeling. I know Singur was a feasible option and Tata meant progress, but that’s the past now. With the walkout, it’s certain we aren’t expecting any big company to set foot in the state. People are scared. We do this to an Indian (Ratan Tata) in India itself, the world is watching. I can’t imagine any proposals sitting at the minister’s desk for approval. Just like the plight of jute factory workers and industry workers, and so many ventures, even this is passé.

What’s next?

Pushkar

Fair dates: 2008- November 10 – 13, 2008

Though there’s plenty of tales doing the rounds saying Pushkar has lost its charm, it’s a personal matter if you agree or not. So, if you want to be there at the camel fair, watch the holy dip or be part of it, visit the only Brahma temple in the world, visit acres of flea markets and eat humus late into the night, Pushkar is the place to be. There are plenty of hotels and tents. So whether it’s the sunset café or Pink Floyd café, internet cafes, forex, anything at all, you’ll find Pushkar convenient in all quarters, though I don’t remember an ATM, so you go to Ajmer. If you want to know more about the trip or wish to join in, make your travel plans now and ask whatever you need to here. Let’s go to Rajasthan. Come see India.

Economic hotels

http://www.rtdc.in/sarovar.htm

http://www.rtdc.in/khadim.htm

Bike deal

http://www.orkut.co.in/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=7829163&tid=5250181835261403131&start=1

For everyone with a Pulsar, this needs a special mention. I was on the bike when this happened and it was heartbreaking to see the riders’ distress. Apart from this, we obviously need better trained mechanics. One great thing was that they did send a delivery van for the bike, so that’s really thoughtful. It’s obviously a great bike but such things can happen. Probably the blames to be borne by the poor condition of roads in Pune, the bike wasn’t at fault. They even reimbursed a major part by check, so not a bad deal really, but the sounds still audible.

You’ll need to log into orkut to see a real image of what happened

I am human

Well, similar to aspirations and dreams that you nestle, I too have mine. I wish to spend my life smiling and making you smile if that’s humanly possible. John Lennon sang “Imagine”.. I would like to live that life. That’s how I see it, so my friend unless someday I do rob a bank or win a lottery I am not going to be very rich, financially that is to speak. But despite that, I’ll help you smile.

Since, I don’t have realistic dreams and plans; at times I do wish to be involved in things that are of consequence in any little way. I do acknowledge most online forwards because a few of them make me smile. The other reason being, some of them have been mine to pen from scratch. I love writing them, of course now the content I write is a wee bit different, but I will always support happy forwards.

The latest agenda of any importance to me is to speak up for ‘Jai Hind’. It is an honest soul’s endeavor and I wish him luck. It doesn’t take much. But try feeling it. I believe all land and water is a gift to mankind, but if you don’t learn to cherish your land, you’ll never be able to identify with another land. That’s just how I see it, you may disagree. So what has this country given me? I am going to play counter strike now, for and against.

Pollution…A grave situation especially since our count is really high. Everybody says India is polluted, you and me too. There is a solution. Try car pool. Use one car in the family. Stop burdening yourself with loans. You know honestly if more of us used public transport, the government would have to do something about it. But of course we feel a lot more superior to being classified as superior. So I really wish we run out of fuel and instead of sixty something, fuel prices should soar to 500.

Cleanliness…Well a distant dream again…we thrive on takeaways and keep discarding packages on the way. We actually use plastic…hehehehehehe…..we crib about society charges and can identify with swiping plastic at expensive dinners…

Equal opportunity…we think the country isn’t educated but wants the best only for our children… no one cares a damn whether the village rustics get any education at all…

We make issues of caste.. hehehehe.. So actually we’re not human.. We only identify with branding ourselves. We also wouldn’t dress below our dignity..Come all ye designers..I was born to be your patron…

We don’t go for picnics any longer but organize official buffets..one phone to another, from desktop to laptop, from one loan to another…brand equity, …..And we are even recognized as frequent fliers; obviously the job requires it…

We talk about corruption but you wouldn’t join politics.. And we would pay the rickshaw guy extra… We would haggle when caught without a license, we take all liberties to use cell phones when driving, we love shopping at the mall…we have all reached is what we believe…

And I am not even going into discussions about men and women…

Obviously we can’t change everything. But something’s you could…

So honestly my country is beautiful, so I say Dream on… Humankind is selfish. This isn’t my land to destroy. It is my reality to support, conserve and preserve…