Wanna be overwhelmed? Then a visit to Peb should be on your bucket list

The hustle-bustle of the city life does put you into a monotonous mode over time. And the craving to seek a getaway to the country roads is what you start to yearn. I found myself in the similar situation and that's when I decided to explore the hills around this bustling city.

Being introduced to the Tatva group by their hardcore fans and frequenters, Shweta and Jeaneatte, I knew where to look for an adventure as I was seeking. After lot of calendar clashes and necessary visits to Goa, my home State, I zeroed in on the weekend on March 18th for a trek with tatva. Unfortunately, the organizers cancelled it. So I had to settle for the coming week's Trek, and that was to Peb Fort, Matheran.

Bought a torch, recharged my batteries, stocked up quick bites and water for the trek, armed with passion and enthusiasm boarded the local to Neral from the VT. Confused on who all around me are going for the trek. I saw a gentlemen who looked geared up for a trek, whether he is going to the same destination as mine, and he answered in a negative. Embarrassed I didn't dare ask anyone else. Though my whatsapp notification kept informing that there was another person in the same bogey as mine. He even asked me to give my location, wave my hand, etc etc, but no avail. Now as to why we couldn't identify each other, 'Keval" woh hi jaane..... (pun intended as his name is Keval) It was the first time I noticed that the fans in the local train are numbered.

As the train approached our destination, it was evident that the bogey was full of people I was gonna trek with. Once alighted at Neral, unfamiliar faces but with the same aim and conviction to conquer the night and the mountain, greeted each other with unease. And then started then the fun began. Armed with torch light, we climbed and climbed and climbed, the serpentine trails of the mountain in the pitch dark of the night. At times hugging the pot bellied boulders, or the over-sized roots of the trees, amidst the peculiar noise of the transmission of the high tension overhead electric wires, we marched forward gazing into the darkness above whether the summit was anywhere near. A rock patch, a loose gravel climbs, ladders, and mighty inclines provided us the perfect dose of the challenges we were geared up for.

Panting for breath and our throats drying due to the conjusey suggested by Lawry for our ration of water, we reached the temple of Devi Peb after almost 4 hours of climb in the dark. I just crashed under the open sky watching the stars above and the city lights below, and in no time my tired body zoomed into sleep.

The cold chilly mountain breeze acted as the alarm clock that announced the arrival of the morning. The mountain tops surrounding the Peb fort started 'Peak-ing' out of the darkness. The moment of watching the mighty mountain range around us come to life as the day light greeted them was fabulous. Out came our DSLRs, to capture whatever we could in our lenses. After greeting the sun after it made its grand entry on the beautiful landscape and the horizon we started to move towards Matheran. The hike here too was interesting. Going up and down the mountain trails, from one hilltop to another, navigating over the edge of the steep valleys, and finally a set of stairs before reached the famous narrow guage rail track of Matheran. Till now, no one was a stranger to another. The experience of together conquering the mountain, cemented the foundation of new friendships and companionship. With promises to meet again, to conquer another mountain trail, we bid goodbye.

Photos of this incredible journey can be found here 

As I bid goodbye to the city, this trek was a perfect way to end my last weekend. If God willing, I shall definitely return to more amazing treks with this lovely group. Viva!!!!!!!

Why is India divided?

For the past few days, my FB wall is flooded with posts of support as well as condemning or trolling a girl who spoke her mind and her ideology. First thing it takes courage to speak out in this country and this girl definitely had the bravado to express her views. Gurmehar Kaur is definitely someone who broke the societal mould and chose to stand for her point. 
Secondly her statement for which she is being trolled by some celebrities, "Pakistan didn't kill her father, War did" is in itself a manifestation of how evolved and mature her thoughts or philosophy is. It is expected that many in this country who are politically charged or challenged will never understand. 
Thirdly, about her political or ideological affiliations can be questionable, but it doesn't take away her right to emote and definitely not to be on the receiving end of trolls and rape and death threats. 

To the question of Pakistan, war and Kashmir, there doesn't exist a convincing answer. In my understanding Pakistan is not a democracy, but a military ruled state, for their democratic fabric is dictated by the military. So it is a section of Pakistanis that is the problem. Secondly war isn't inevitable, when the other side provocatively tries to capture your territory. You definitely can't have a red carpet for them. You retaliate in defense. If peace has to be established it should be from both ends, not just one. 

As for Kashmir, it is a disputed property since independence. Had our leaders then, or even later showed some maturity in handling the issue, this day would have been different. Even today many of our soldiers sacrifice their lives cause of this disputed State. I say disputed because why would the local public pelt stones on its own army? Is it out of their own conviction or are they easily brain washed and why? Whether Kashmir should belong to India or Pakistan or a separate entity under UN, has to be decided once for all and soon. India can't afford to lose another of her sons. 

I would suggest that  a referendum be called out, and all those who were descendants of the place up to two generations down, should have the right to vote. This will ensure all those who left the valley during the exodus also have the say in the referendum. Let voting be held in Kashmir and neighboring states where Kashmiris reside. The whole exercise can be held under the watch of UN to rule out any bias from either side. The outcome  could then be interpreted and used for further policy decisions.  

As I said, the solution to the Kashmir deadlock has to be found soon. The politicians across party lines are misusing the subject in promoting hatred in the name of pseudo-nationalism and pseudo-liberalism. It pains my heart to see people so easily being carried away by the tide. This needs to be stopped now. 

Moments

The clock may stop, but time never does
Its a undeniable reality, some do say
But it does stand still at times
And you never know; why.

Sometimes they make a tear to roll
And sometimes a blush from ear to ear
Some you wanna cherish lifelong
Some you wish never happened.

Some tell you that you belong
To that place, that time or that person
Let this experience never end, you pray
But why doesn't it, you reason.

Moments make you a person are
They do give a direction too
But it's you who has to steer,
To a storm or to waves of cheer.

So catch as many as your can
Create some, let some surprise
And enjoy the feeling of being amazed
For their arrival is seldom announced.

Who shall bell the Cat this elections? #GoaElections

Less than 20 days to the elections in Goa, the picture isn't clear yet, in which direction will the people's verdict be going this time. With alliance talks, import-exports still taking place, the equation is rendered too complex with the many many variables and the numerous constraints.

So does that mean that NOTA is the best option? That's a debatable option as voting NOTA is as good as not voting. (May be in the future The Election Commission may think of implementing it seriously).

Election Commission needs to be commended for their decision to make this election banner-free, clutter-free, noise-free, and forcing the candidates and parties to in-person campaigning. Seriously it doesn't feel that the elections are just two week away. So calm the Goan roads are.

Frankly speaking the Goan Voter today is completely clueless of the political equation that has become highly volatile  every passing day. Even after the nominations are frozen, the likelihood of the equation stabilizing can't be guaranteed. So what does the voter do? Vote for the candidate/party that he was traditionally loyal to, or give a new face a chance or choose the lesser of the evil or choose not to vote at all?

Personally, I haven't made up my mind as I have reservations and apprehension about the intent of the players in the ring. Some of  them, I fundamentally do not agree to their ideologies and vision and some I am not clear what their ideologies and vision are. So at this point my best bet is NOTA. (Let me remind you it's Secret Ballot, so you may never know who I will vote eventually)

But what I am looking for this election is NOT which party will win how many seats, or which candidate will win in the 40 constituencies. I will be more interested and excited to watch the results on 11th March  is where the vote share swayed. The benchmark obviously be the 2012 Elections and 2014 Elections (though 2014 voteshare will reflect BJP-MGP-Independents combine)

2014 Election Voteshare
BJP 53%
INC 37%

2012 Election Vote-Share
BJP:  35%
INC : 31%
MGP : 7%
NCP : 4%
TMC : 2%
UGDP : 1 %
Goa Vikas Party : 4 %
Independents : 17%

It will be fun to watch to see how the battlefield responds to the complex political equation on 4th of Feb. Unfortunately we will have to wait for over a month to know the result, post the Election day.

Bombay: It's a emotion, not a city.

Officially known as 'Mumbai', I like to call it, what most Goans like to call it 'Bombay' or 'Bomai'. Yeah it is not just another city, but an indescribable emotion.

It is called a city of dreams and many do set foot here with hopes of making it large in the city. With hopes high up in the sky and dreams larger than life, many don't even get a place to sleep. The amount of sweat this city demands can't be easily ignored.

Given all that, the city has an important lesson to teach. No matter what, the city never stops. Among all the fanfare and glamour attributed to the city, it has also terrifying tales to tell. However hard it might get, the city always tells you to Get Going my friend!

This city has given me the best of times that I could imagine, but it's the same city where it all ended too. As I travel in the city, it is very hard to keep my heart from wandering in the by-lanes of the past. Considerable time has passed by and a lot have changed since then. But do I regret those times? No. Do just as the city teaches, Do not stop and Get Going my friend!

It is this never dying spirit that you will find in every person you meet in the city. May be it is in his rush to get in the already crowded local or the many people  who dream at the marine drive. It is an emotion that you can only feel but can't describe.

It is BOMBAY: an Emotion and not a city.