words are not enough

Granny’s diary

2010-02-18T16:48:00.001+05:30

I had the glimpse of
a few pages
in your book that’s
rotten since ages
never crumbled
through the passage of time…

The pages- where
you penned all your pains,
your gains,
your failures,
your triumphs,
that i could never
imagine in my dreams

you cheer us there,
you care,
with that gentle
smile
You wrote about
The simple pleasures of life-
the sparrows'
chirp, the calf's
call from the
backyard,
and about the murky
kitchen walls
where you spent
your entire life…
Often i wonder,

whether you still live on…
through the magnetic
words in your book…

The ink still fresh,
Through my mind
my memories gush,
unabated,
from this innocent
heart of mine…

ballalarayana durga, kudremukha trek

2010-01-13T08:14:00.001+05:30

2009 has not been really great for me...i missed my favourite hiking, my state karnataka suffered because of the heavy rain which resulting floods and huge life, property loss.

So i wanted to start the new year in a good shape, wanted to arrange some trekking to nature's lap. There umpteen number of places in our own western ghats, but whenever i was fixing the dates, rain god was showing his anger, due to which i had to postpone the trek 2 times.

At last! my friend Murali was also arranging some trek, to which i though i could join. I rang him up and asked him to include me in his list.

So i was in! But forgot to ask which were our destinations.

Our destinations were:

DAY 1 - Trek to Ballala Rayana Durga(fort)-

-Night Stay in Kudremukha guest house-

Day 2 - Trek to Kudremukha peak

I had already covered the above destinations, still i feel kudremukha is an evergreen destination to all. So i thought to see those places once again.

Our TT(tempo traveller) started from mangalore and we passed via kottigehara(chikmagalore district) and we reached a place called durgadahalli. A old KalaBhairaveshwara temple lies just below the Durga(Ballalarayana durga). The family of the temple priest was so cooperative that they had prepared some snacks(avalakki) for us. We started our trek at about 12 pm.

The initial hike is through thick jungles and then we step in to the bare mountain neck. One side you will see the steep valley and another side shola forest.And you will have to tread amidst this. Narrow path leads to you towards the fort of Ballala.

Its not at all a hard trek. There were several first timers in our team, but they were very happy and managed to climb up the hillock.

We reached the top at 1.30, wandered around the fort, saw Kotebagilu, a huge entry point to the fort, and then we started to descend.

Nice meals was waiting for us at priest's home when we reached at 4 pm! All were hungry and that made each one forget other things and concentrate in munching. We thanked the priest mr.Dongre for the hospitality and prayed Sri Kalabhairaveshwara, and our journey began towards kudremukha township

We reached kudremukha township, which lies in a place called Malleshwara at 7 pm, we had to take permission for kudremukha trek from the forest office situated at the township. We managed to find the staff after a few minutes of scouting. We took permission letter and identified a guide for us and then went to the guest house.

A few words about this township: Kudremukha Iron Ore Ltd was functioning here till 2005, and following Supreme Court's order, it had to stop its mining operations here. Thus the prestine nature is once again blooming in this area. The vast township of malleshwara consists of a large park, guesthouse, auditorium et al. Now since company cannot function in the national forest area, this infrastructure here lies idle. There is a proposal from state government to use this area as a police training camp.

Now back to our trek. It was very cold out side, and we fell asleep very soon in the night, since we had to start our journey as quickly as possible.

We all were ready by 6am, and bundled up the pack lunch started towards samse. We have to move towards Sringeri road, and deviate towards right to go to kudremukh. The road is in a bad shape, and soon after 2-3 kilo meter journey we thought it was safe to stop our TT there itself. So we took all necessary baggage, and started our hike from there itself. We met our guide in samse, and started the trek to kudremukha peak. When we were moving slowly amidst the coffee estates, a group of youth came in bikes, they too were heading towards the peak. In samse there are a few houses, and they provide all possible support to the needy trekkers. And any vehicle has to stop in that village and the road ends.

Then the real trek starts.

My knee was paining since i had slipped last day. Still managed to trek in the nature. I was all alone and in the last of the group. I was unable to rush like others. The last part of the trek is very tough and steep.

Still we reached the top of kudremukh. Now, the speciality of kudremuka trek is that water will be available abundantly throughtout the year in the trek. Many small springs on the way to kudremukha.

A big stream is flowing 365 days atop the peak, which is very helpful to the trekkersk, where we finished our lunch, and most of us were not bothered to speak, some fell asleep for a few minutes. The other team also reached and started to cook their lunch.

Wait..its still not peak. you are in the shoulder part of kudremukh, from there its about half an hour walk to the head of the horse. My knee was giving me utmost trouble, and i decided to descend as early as possible, and since i had visited kudremukh peak a couple of times, it was not a big disappointment for me. Once again all alone i stepped down very slowly, as i could not bend my right knee.

When i was reaching the village other members also joined me.

Each one of us enjoyed the trek, the sign was visible, a tired look outside, and a fresh feeling inside the heart.....

why always a farmer's sacrifice?

2008-03-20T13:12:00.000+05:30

It was just another luncheon meeting for the neck-tie wearing stiff businessmen....But for over 50 farmers all who had walked from nearbye bajpe village it was a matter of their existence.
Some offcials from Mangalore Special Economic Zone had come there to present a rosy picture of Mangalore and the surrounding areas, once SEZ was established.
Villagers who had to sacrifice their lands to appease certain businessmen were seen sitting in a tense, pensive mood. When the Kannadiga official started presentation in english, poor farmers asked him to speak the language they understand. Suddenly the president of the association, who organised the progrmme, jumped up from his chair and yelled out at the farmers.
`Nooooo, We have organised the programme, he will speak english only....' The president sitting just below a huge photograph of father of our nation MAHATMA GANDHI was issuing commands to the farmers as if they were pesky objects among trhe fleet of businessmen.
Ultimately an offcial understanding the situation, showed 'mercy' on farmers and agreed to speak in a mixture of kannada-english, which was followed by a thunderous clap from the farmers.

This took place a few months ago and now Mangalore SEZ has become one of the heated subjects of discussion in Mangalore. Officials and some vested interests always were trying to vacate the farmers from their fertile lands which spreads across thousands of acres. According to the 'official' report which has been prepared by one agency by the funding of MRPL, the promoter of Mangalore SEZ, says that almost all land over here is now useless for agriculture! That too according to their satellite surveys!
But for a person, who has little concern over human beings, the large areca gardens, paddy fields, can be found in this area. Even the team from Central Environmental Ministry which had visited the place very recently had a visit to the place, and sipping the cool tender coconut water they understood the real situation existing.

Yes. There are drylands in and around Bajpe, permude, Kalavar, Kateel and some parts of Bala, but these pathces of small hillocks are main areas of cashew cultivation. Even offcials from the Horticulture department agree that the large chunk of raw cashew comes from these areas. But if SEZ is established, not only the remaining green covers, but also these cashew bowls would disappear for ever.
People's representatives and officials always stick to the employment card. They say if SEZ is stopped, people wont get employment. But nobody assures what type of employment one can get, they also cannot specify whether or not the local people be getting priority in the recruitment.
Most agriculturists, if ,not all clarify any approching officials that they are fine in their farmlands when they try to lure them with lucrative rehabilitation package. What they want is not industries in their farms, they want these precious lands to be declared as SPECIAL AGRICULTURE ZONES.
Reason is pretty simple. Once an agriculture land is converted to industries, you can never find the green cover again.

Kusalli falls, a falls with 6 stages

2007-10-25T14:27:00.000+05:30

You tread...trek...drink lots of water....finally reach the destination....and there ends....there your mind and body make you relax....

This is what usually almost all trekkers do. But once you reach the ever enchanting KUSALLI Falls near Shirur in udupi district, you must never listen to your mind, in stead try to cross over to the otherside, and you will find the water falls in many stages, with multi dimensional appearance.

This is what makes Kusalli falls special. Many trekkers after tiresome hike, likely to miss this scene simply because, its hard to even imagine that there would be much more to relish upon.

Our journey: We ten people went out last week for this amazing spot called Kusalli. The falls lies beside a small village called Toodalli, so some people call it as Toodalli Falls too. Shirur is 130 KM away from Mangalore. While on the way to Bhatkal in national highway-17, you will reach Shirur and in the town divert in a small road to the right to reach toodalli. We went there by a Cheverlot Tavera, which is very convinient for long distance travel.

We had started early morning from Mangalore, and condition of national highway was worst, which makes any journey a struggle, many of us later realised that the trekking was far easier than the vehicle journey!

We reached toodalli, and there we saw a narrow but concretised road holding on, some passers by asked us to proceed on the road to visit the falls. The road ends in Kallikone a small village. We met a farmer there named Isak. Isak called his servent Krishna and asked him to assist us in reaching the waterfalls.

Krishna uninterestedly took up the sickle from the house, and asked us to follow him. We changed our costumes, so as to face the attack from leaches. Even our cab driver showed interest and started with us.

The trek consists of journey inside thick jungle. A walk of almost 90 minutes takes you near the falls. We had to keep checking our feet for leaches. This path to waterfalls is new one, earlier trekkers had to take the river path and had to jump over the huge rocks. Rakesh Holla who had been to the falls few years ago told us that the journey earlier was very difficult and there was always a risk of skidding over the rocks.

We strolled amidst jungle and the sound of waterfalls was clearly audible, which made us to push up legs in a hurry to have the glimpse of falls as quickly as possible. At last around 11.30 a.m, I heard Abhi and Balakrishna shouting out of joy. Yes, they reached the falls and were thrilled of the scene, others too joined them.

Waterfalls : Kusalli falls is still pure and not littered, which made us like it very much. We five friends led by Rakesh crossed over to the otherside of the falls and started to mount up to 5th step of the falls. The rocks were very slippery, but we managed to reach the forest once again beside the falls. Within next 30 minutes we were atop 5th step of Kusalli. We filled our hearts with the beautiful scene of the green valley from there. When we turn.....Oh we were stunned. 5th and 1st stages of the falls were roaring.

The place is very open, and filled with boulders of various sizes and water gushing from the sides. We took enough photographs, then crossed the water stream and reached a pond. Holla told us that would be the ideal place for swimming. Within a minute we five were in the pond. The long swim in the icy clean water was mesmerising...believe me you will not be ready to come out of the pond.

Suddenly mobile in my bag over the boulder started ringing, people below calling us for lunch. Mobile network is available in and around that area, which is pretty helpful. We had to return, but Holla told, after November one can try to reach the next 4 stages of the falls, eventhough the attempt would be risky. It will surprises one that in kusalli between 1st and 5th stages, there are still 3 stages, which you can't see unless you go up the 5th stage.

We bid adeu to the gorgeously jumping 1st stage falls of kusalli, took her glimpse to our mind and with a hope to reach her next time, got down to the feet of the 6th stage. Our mates had already finished their lunch and taking a siesta.

Precautions: Never try to play in the rocks as there is always a risk of slipping. Dont try to go up to higher stages if you faint. Take food, dont litter the spot. Enjoy the trek.

A ship museaum called Tannirbavi!

2007-09-12T12:38:00.000+05:30

Tannirbavi beach has never been so attractive either to tourists or to Mangaloreans. Even the district administration's efforts to beautify this beach received lukewarm response from the public.

Only a few pairs who never wanted somebody keeping an eye on them dared to be in Tannirbavi.

But thanks to two unfortunate ships MV DenDen[belongs to Eritria] and MV Chang le men[A chinese ship registered in St.Vincent island], the beach has suddenly become a forerunner in attracting tourists, locals among other popular beaches of Mangalore like Panambur, Suratkal and Someshwara.

The potholed road to Tannirbavi is now busy witnessing the mud splashing cars and bikes racing towards the beach, often giving a feeling, good roads are no longer necessary to pull the crowds :)

The beach in Tannirbavi is a notorious one since it took away many lives including the three sailors belonging to DenDen ship and many stubborn persons who tried their chance in sea. Now in a flash has turned out to be a must watch for evey mangalorean.

Ice cream carry vans, chat shops, tea stalls have started to come up. The ship DenDen has fallen along the sea, and chinese vessel Chang le men is standing drifted across the arabean sea. Tannirbavi sea is hiding in its womb another ship Challenger, the tragedy took place a decade ago. The wreck of the ship is still under the sea. Another ship Marediane had been brought to Tannirbavi for ship breaking. But due to certain insurance related problems the ship was abandoned, the wreck is still seen in the waters here.

On last june 23, Denden ship carrying furnace slag capsized in the sea, unable to witstand the ferocious rain and the wind. Three men on board lost their lives while trying to swim to the shore. But 23 sailors were saved by the local fishermen.

The latest addition to the ship museam is Changlemen. The ship carrying 16,100 tonns of iron ore, heading towards china faced imbalance due to ingress of rain water. Then the ship started to tilt, and the captain of the ship had to beach the ship near Tannirbavi. Till today the salvage operation is on, and from last 4 days a team of experts from Holland are carrying this operation. They are hopefull of bringing the ship to sail-worthy condition soon.

But Tannirbavi for good or bad reasons has become either a museam or graveyard of ships!

Now on..no spots for trekkers!

2007-07-28T10:33:00.000+05:30

Very soon the the charming western ghats are going to be deathtraps for trekkers and the lovers of nature.
The spread of naxalites to the interiors of dakshina kannada, udupi, chikkmagalore and parts of shimoga has only worsened the situation. Already parts of dakshina kannada like neriya, shishila in belthangady taluk have become strongholds of ganja mafia.
Just few days before a person called chandrashekhar gore in hathyadka near shishila Now these naxalites are creating a kind of fear in this area. This has also effected the very spirit of the trekkers.
There is either a possibility of being shot dead by anti naxal squad misinterpreting a cargo clad, with rucksack on back trekker as a hardcore naxal, or by naxals who may think viceversa.
The famous trekking points like Barhana Abbi, Jogigundi, ArshinaGundi, evergreen Kudremukha peak, a series of peaks like kodekallu, minchukallu, erikallu in charmadi ghat are now on a scanner by police.
So an ardent lover of nature now no longer can enter in to the forest. Mangalore youth hostel secreatary Dinesh Holla too has expressed helplessness on the situation.
The main concern of him is on the possibility of treekers could now be seen in a suspicious eye by the villagers who reside near some of theses spots.
He told a villager near Elaneeru, many a times helped youthhostelites in assisting for Hirimariguppe and Elaneer Falls trekking is nowadays avoiding any calls made to him.
The problem of naxalites seems to be spreading day by day and trekkers losing their loved nature spots, but this pain is nothing against the pain and losses faced by the residents of these areas.

fascinating shinganigudda!

2007-06-05T20:00:00.000+05:30

It was a hot summer day few weeks back and youth hostel friends were out with idea of trekking.

I really needed a break from my job and i asked dinesh holla, the organiser of trekking to add my name in the list, there were already 24 names in the list!

Well, our destination was a nice hillock near Shishila called SHINGANI GUDDA. Shishila is a remote village near Dharmasthala. While on the way to Nelyadi in NH 48, a road deviates to Dharmasthala and around 25 kms journey half on smooth wide road while the other half is on a dusty coarse road.

There are few buses from Uppinangady and Mangalore connecting Shishila. Shishila is a small village which is famous for Shishileshwara Temple and mahashir fishes in the lake of that temple.Shishila comprises of mainly marathi speaking brahmins, who also called as chippavans.

Well, we started from mangalore in a cab and reached shishila at 9 pm. Holla had arranged dinner at one Gopu Gokhale's house. Gokhale is a freelance writer and has plenty of knowledge in art and trekking.

We stayed in Shishila school that night, but before that we had a nice bonafire session. The speciality of this session is that each one of the team must open up and exhibit some or the other talent in him. Next day we had breakfast at Gokhale's house and were ready for the outing. The morning was hot and soon after few metres walk the new entrants started gasping. One lady had no knowledge of trekking and she had come on a pair of slippery chappals. And she had to suffer the whole day. But many members helped her by carrying her rucksack.

The route was cool in the thick forest, gigantic trees and slopes, heights were a challenge to the trekkers.

It was two-and-a half hours journey to reach the hill top. The journey was not so tiresome for a habitual trekker. It may create some problem for newcomers.

The top of Shingani gudda has got 2 big rocks which appears as an elephant head. And the lush green grass welcomes us and so as the cold breeze even in the midday.

We can see Ethinabhuja, Amedikallu, udayagiri and a few other hillocks. We returned to Gokhale's house and he welcomed us with delicious lunch, which consisted my favourite jack fruit payasa!

Suryakirans dance over arabian sea

2007-04-08T20:21:00.000+05:30

For the first time, mangaloreans got the opportunity to witness an amazing aerobatic show by TEAM SURYAKIRAN of much famed Indian Airforce.

Panambur beach marked the occassion to highest crowd pulling event in the recent past. The show was split in to two session. One was in the early hours of the day at 8.15 and second session was organized at 3.15.

A very large gathering was ready to witness the show even in the lazy warmer sunday. The crowd was expecting a full team of 9 aircrafts but they were in a way disappointed as only 3 kiran aircrafts appeared in the sky. It was just a practice session.
But the second show was appreciated by the crowd, since the full force of 9 planes undertook various skills that an Indian Airforce pilot is capable of. The loops, twists, barrel rolls, turns, star bursts, 5+1 cross, mirror run and such other skills enthralled a delectated crowd.

People cheered, clapped and children danced when the orange-white painted planes flied over their heads. They were dumb struck when two kirans rushed in opposite direction and were about to hit each other, but crowd could breathe easy when they saw the planes just could escape from hitting.
The show lasted for nearly 25 minutes. Surya kiran is an formation aerobatic team of Indian Airforce, which is stationed at Bidar of Karnataka. Kiran MK-II is the plane involved in the show. It can reach a maximum speed of 780 Kilo meters per hour.
More informations on the Surya Kiran enter this site.

being silenced

2007-03-28T14:57:00.000+05:30

Pages of a wanderer

2007-03-25T15:05:00.000+05:30

Alemari (wanderer)-as he calls himself, Rajesh is also called as waterfalls lover among trekkers of Mangalore and udupi.
He is ardent trekker, but he enjoys exploring waterfalls in the state and neighboring states of kerala and Tamilnadu.
Every weekend he goes out with his bike all alone! Collects information, and finds the way to waterfalls. For mangalore branch of youth hostel, he is a great asset and guide as far as waterfalls are concerned.
One thing we wonder is he has very less gadjets and baggage. When fellow trekkers carry huge rucksacks and everything from sleeping bags to binaculars, rajesh prefers taking a small auto digital camera and a small bag with basic clothings.
Whenever i feel to travel to some remote places, i consult him and he suggests some finest spots of nature.
Have a look in to Rajesh's experiences in nature.

hospitality of uttarakannada

2007-03-02T10:07:00.000+05:30

Recently i visited the prestine Uttar kannada district. Actually I had to bring a cocanut tree climber from Bhatkal industrial area. But fortunately the machine was not ready and no way i could return empty handed.
Mr G.T.Bhat who accompanied me belongs to Kumta in uttar kannada, and he forced me and Mr.Balakrishna to visit his home nad stay there. His contention was we could visit a few interesting places nearby and next day we could collect the climber and return to mangalore.
We thought and thought, we didn't have any thing not even a bathtowel to stay in anywhere as we had planned to return the same day. But owing to the pressure from Bhat, we had no options but to accept his advise.
So we caught a bus from Bhatkal and went to Kumta and from there to Hegade, where Mr Bhat's home is located. It was a nice journey we could see the ground-nut fields all along in both sides of the national highway-17. The climate is similar to that of Dakshin kannada district, since Kumta is also a coastal town.
The beauty of Uttar kannada is special because, we can spot the lush green paddy fields, large ponds, huge-sturdy buffallows, hardworking people. People are known for hospitality. You go to any home there, i bet they will make you stay and have lunch there even if you are a stranger!
Bhat's house is half home and half temple. Actually its a 'matha', where his forefathers used to offer pooja and lived in the name of God. The house may be some 50 years old. The centre of house is occupied by Lord Ganesha. Even the village people come there to offer pooja.
Bhat is an interesting personality. He was an officer in one of the fertilisers industry in Mangalore. He opted for voluntatry retirement scheme, and settled in his native. He could have settled in posh areas of Mangalore. But he is so simple and humble. His father and wife are no more, his two daughters are abroad. And Bhat stays with an assistant in that remote village.
So we had a fine lunch in his house, which consisted 'hashi' a dish which was made of buttermilk and cucumber, sambar, and rice, a simple menu. We also had a small siesta.
Later in the evening Bhat took is to Aghanashini estuary area. We walked by the waters in one side and the huts of fishermen at another side. Saw the setting sun, crossed aghanashini river to reach the Tadadi fishing jetty and returned by the same boat. And as we went on talking about various issues, Bhat broke in to tears, when he had to untie the bundle of grief of the death of his father and wife. The sea after sunset was roaring, and our eyes were moist.
Then we returned to Hegade. Night was even special in Bhat's house, as his assistant had prepared famous kesaribhat another u.k special sweet.
Next morning we visited apsarkonda near honnavar, which a sea side point. We can find hillock in the shore of sea, which is a fine picnik point.
We then walked towards Idagunji temple, where the main deity is Lord Ganesha, the sculpture of Ganesha is very nice.
Time was to bid good bye to Bhat, we thanked him for his hospitality and came to bhatkal to collect the coconut climber. It was ready and we purchased a unit and returned to mangalore.
To cherish Bhat's hospitality, we had brought a bottle of Kesaribhat with us. Kesaribhat would simbolise the hospitality of whole north kanara!

Good old hotels

2007-02-12T10:49:00.000+05:30

Few months back, i had to visit Madhur temple, which is in kasaragod district of Kerala state for some reasons. We 4 friends from Mangalore started early morning.

So it was around 9 am, when we started feeling hunger, obviously all of us were in search of one hotel, which is cheap and best. There were number of hotels in kasargod, but suddenly a hotel(GOKULA) in kumbla(comes in between mangalore and kasargod) came in to my mind, which i used to visit in my childhood days. We just turned our bikes towards Gokula.

The hotel was calm, and without any enquiry the bearer supplied cups of hot water and offered the menu orally. Neeru dose....moode....goli baje....and many more names, which are almost on the verge of extinct in cities.

Each one of us had stomachful of tasty neeru dose (prepared out of thin rice floor).

I like those old but nice hotels, which feels like home. Most of the time, i've seen the most well-liked hotels, the five-stars. But they usually give us all spicy and unhomely food, which i find difficult to digest!

So whenever possible i keep visiting some selected and homely hotels, which are a lot cheaper, simple, warm and intimate. In mangalore, we find Mohini Vilasa, Krishna Bhavana, Taj mahal, Indra Bhavana to name a few.

In countryside, we see some raw hotels and my friend calls them 'thatti bhavana' (thatti in kannda means the a sheet made using woven palm/coconut leaves and bhavana is home). Sometimes i feel should we pay more to get unhealthy stuff?(In some modish hotels).

Well the concern is slowly even in south kanara, the good old hotels are on the verge of closure and their place is either occupied by apartments or modern restaurants. The traditional food habbit is slowly taken over by chinese and european food. But still the major average mangalorean likes idlis and dosas, thats something unique!

Electrifying start to Alva's Virasat

2007-01-05T13:10:00.000+05:30

I am stunned and have no words to express....these were the candid words from the tabla mastero Ustad Zakir hussain and these were exactly the same words of everyone who had the opportunity to witness ALVA'S VIRASAT 2007. The huge stage, large gathering, January's cold breeze and in total, the ambience of SHOBHAVANA(a 100 acre botanical garden of Alva's ayurvedic college which consists of many herbs on a small hillock near mudubidre) was befitting for a musical and cultaral event of such stature. Ustad Zakir hussain was presented with VIRASAT award later, while the previous VIRASAT awardee Padmavibhushan Sonal Man singh inagurated the 4 day cultural fest on january 4th. It was astonishing to see music lovers flocking the remote village of mijar (where shobhavana is situated) in the dusk. As sun was setting in the arabian sea, the colorful lights in the bamboo pyramid structures lit up illuminating the entire hill, venue of Alva's festival. Few fire crackers were burst to indicate that VIRASAT of the seson had begun. The wee hours witnessed magical tabla-mridangam-flute jugalbandi of Ustad Zakir Hussain, Satish Kumar and Master Shashank. The whole gathering was electrified with the jadoo of music by these artistes .

The programme received wide applause from the audience. The whole idea behind this VIRASAT to strengthen the rich cultural heritage and legacy of india. And the effort is put forward by a single force called Dr.Mohan Alva, founder president of Alva's education Foundation (AEF).
Its his commitment, that gives opportuny to the students and public to witness international reputed artists. The strength of this man lies in converting dream in to reality.
(pics by R.K.Bhat)

Fragrance of life

2006-12-09T10:20:00.000+05:30

Have you been to any old temple?, I am referring to those, whose history can be traced back to a thousand years and more...

If you have then, you might have noticed a kind of redolence, that actually transforms the ambience peaceful and closer to your heart. Mixture of oil, incence sticks, the smoke of aarti etc. all create an unusual kind of smell, which soothens mind and body. But you will not find such smell in those temples run in corporate style. Where a devotee is more treated like a customer!

The fragrances close to our heart are, undoubteldy the smell of first rain, baby's smell, a mango tree when in full bloom, and their likes......

Even now i enjoy the smell of first rain. That smell is enjoyable, since the rain itself comes when we are expecting it for long. When an infant places its tiny arms and hugs you closely, that affection, that warmth and sweet smell emanating from the baby brings peace to mind.

I've also noticed a fragrance in rice mills when they steam the paddy before drying. I dont know whether these kind of smells have positive impact on body. But flowers are used in aromatic treatment, which itself is an indication of the positive impact of fragrances on body. At least these give you mental happiness, which is invaluable.

A new 'heat' companion

2006-11-15T20:38:00.000+05:30

Recently i had to bid adieu to my close companion, and a new substitute has come in to my life!

Its my bike!
My old splendor plus, who has been with me always is now with my uncle, who iam sure will take care well. In 2004 February Splendor had stepped in to my life, earlier i had to miss many important situations, occassions while going by bus. And sometimes i had top depend on others' vehicle to move to places while on some beats. But after i got my bike, my work became easy, and its simplicity and a kind of 'no problem' attitude had made me hero honda fan.
I have had tour to madikeri twice(which were long trips), ramachandrapur matth once and during that time there was no fuss in the bike. I had to rush to airport which is quite a bit far away many a times when some or the other VIP landed. In all my journey not even a single time my bike had given any trouble. He was 100 per cent in his duty. But since he belonged to 98 cc category, i could not rush to the spots during emergencey.
Even my uncle needed a second hand HH splendor, so he found my bike as satisfactory.
Now my friend is in my uncle's home, where he wont have to face theiron ore dust nor mud on the road like earlier. I wish a healthy life to him!
Now coming to my new friend, Suzuki Heat. He is a newcomer to the market, 125 cc, more power, good look, and hope he is a nice performer. Great thing is that i can ride in 20 kmph speed even when on 5th gear! Mileage is also good.
So welcome suzuki, bye bye hero honda!

Life saving trek !

2006-10-29T12:36:00.000+05:30

You would have heard or read about some of the bravery acts of dogs. But this account is something different.
Recently i had gone on a trek to a beautiful hillock called Ethina Bhuja(means shoulder of ox). No doubt our trek was a successful and relishing one. But a good thing during our journey atop the hillock was that we could save one life!

We a team of 12 people started our journey early morning, and after being bitten by umpteen number of leaches, all were tired and still hurrying to reach the top of hillock. We reached a place where the edge of forest met the green grassland. And some of us sat there just to have a brief relaxation. And we heard a strange voice of crying. 'It must be the voice of some bird', Nagesh, our team member uttered. But our guide, Eshwaranna, person from Shishila village, told it would be dog. He further elaborated that sometimes cattle caretakers from Bhyrapur village(in Chikkamagalur district) come to the hillock, to graze their cattle with their dogs, and sometime dogs get missed out in the jungle. We were still not beleiving his words.
But.....he was true. Very soon we spotted a feeble, pup haplessly crying out, abandoned to no where in the dense forest of western ghats!
'Look there...it is a dog, either came with village people from otherside of the hill, and missed out here or came with cattles, but could not return'. Balakrishna Bhat, took out some poha from his rucksack and offered it to the pup. But it was looking horrified to see group of human beings amidst the forest, and soon ran and disappeared in the jungle.
Then we forgot about the dog, and continued our journey. We reached the base of Ethhina Bhuja, where we had no option but to leave our luggage and climb the steep rocky structure. We reached top, spent sometime there, and we were so hungry that we badly were in search of water spot which was still a kilo meter away. So hurriedly, we descended from the top.
Alas! the pup was smiling at us ! Though weak, and about to fall down, he could manage to reach us. It appeared as if he was thinking us last ray of hope for survival. Some one gave some Semige to the pup, another pored some water. Pup had no energey even to eat it, still he swallowed whatever available.
Suggestions came from all corners about the future of that poor creature. But Eshwaranna had already made up his mind, 'Ill take him home, he is weak now, but will definitely pick up in a week', he told us.
As he told, he got one plastic bag from us, made a hole in it, put the pup inside, and now pup was really had a look of gratitude on its face.
If next time we visit Ethina Bhuja, we have to see Eswaranna's dog, nagesh announced, and we all gave a nod.

Mangalore back in track

2006-10-24T11:18:00.000+05:30

AFTER two days bundh, called by Bajrang dal and Sriram sena, 4 days undeclared bundh, i.e curfew imposed by district administration, now Mangalore seems to be normal. The communal riot in Mangalore, Ullal was hyped by our so called national channels, NDTV, Cnn Ibn, Aaj Tak, even when local and regional channels were just showing the reality. But these channels took a partisan step and 'created' the news! We local and regional media persons took a stand that we would not magnify any relatively 'sensitive' issues. Anyway, even after the continuous efforts of some of these media, the 'fact' finding committees to see mangalore burning, people seems to be liking peace and harmony. The wonderful thing to happen now is Ramzan and Deepavali two major festivals have come together. The message from God is clear-we must leave our all hatred, superstition and stay united. The last few days after curfew lifted, were witnessed by many organisation's, party leaders' visit to the sensitive areas of mangalore. One so called Fact(?) finding commitee which comprised leftists, held a press conference only to blame hindus for the communal riot, and another member told media never visited some places. To me, these so called rationalists would never realise the plight of the common men. They just want to spoil the situation or fish in the troubled waters. The reality behind the communal riots as media have understood is that it is the planned plot by some vested interests. Anyway these are all termed as assumptions and yet to be confirmed by COD, and Additional Chief Secretary Mr.Agrawal, who are conducting inquiry in to the matter. Now the only thing we can rejoice is Mangaloreans have atleast forcefully unlearned the bad dreams of curfew. Kids again are playing in the streets, Clocks in the towers have once again started moving!
So all friends and folks you can now without any fear can visit this amazing place KUDLA, i.e mangalore. Have a look at the astonishing temples, beautiful beaches, old churches. Have tasty sea food, drink narial pani(tender cocanut). Mangalore is no more burning.

Mangalore in curfew

2006-10-08T11:21:00.000+05:30

Rush in a grossary shop during relax of curfew

My blog has been struck here from last few days, since Mangalore is in a serious situation. Curfew has been imposed for 2 days here. Curfew has been a rare condition here in this coastal city. Mangalore, a city which people call has scope for tourism and industrial expansion, now grappling in bundh, curfew and similar situations. Since Navaratri, vegetable and grossary supply has been cut to this from rest of the districts. Suddenly people started fearing this situation. People without having anything to eat at home, depending upon junk food like chips, maggie etc. The second day of curfew, on sunday curfew was relaxed for 2 hours, during which, people rushed out of home to get necessary items like milk, news paper, grossary. Huge queue was found infront of grossary shops, chicken centresm, milk booths and petrol bunks.
Right now we the journalists here spent 3-4 days night without sleep, with for each hour the situation changing, making us to change our reports. will file about the situation and lot more if get time, in the next post.

Daily dose of yoga

2006-09-28T21:03:00.000+05:30

I do not know what others have to say about this, but I must say that I’ve been benefited by daily yoga.

May be, many of you would agree with me that guided yoga is sure to be helpful in maintaining body control, and maintaining the body shape.
Studied in a hostel with distinction, i.e siddhavana gurukula in a way has kindled in me interest fort yoga. Some experts taught us practicing yoga there, and after about 5-6 years, now I have understood the importance of yoga.
A daily bike rider on a potholed highway, should have brought some kind of joint pain or back ache to me. But I feel that my adherence to daily exercise has successfully protected me from these ailments.
I do not practice toughest asanas, but a daily blend of simple asanas, suryanamaskar, and a few athletic exercises, keep me in tact whole day.
Padmasana, vajrasana, dhanurasana, bhujangasana, sarvangasana, veerabhadrasana, parvatasana, navasana, ardhanavasana, and a few moderations in these asanas. I don’t follow all these daily, but alternatively. Few push ups, chin ups, sit ups(for keeping belly in control J), are in my daily menu. It won’t take more than 35 minutes in the morning.
I feel fit in body, and feel the peace in my mind.
Exercise, has almost become my part of life and, my duty requires utmost concentration, and filed work too, which I think i could manage easily, only because of my practice.
Very recently after watching Ramdev’s yoga and pranayam feats, I too have brought his pranayam VCD, and trying to follow them.
If any of you have a mind in doing yoga, please get the guidance of a guru, or follow simplest yogasana. I am sure you would benefit by this.

Sad demise of Steve Irwin

2006-09-07T20:23:00.001+05:30

The death of a foreigner has really struck me, for the first time. Even though some foreigner's death has caused me concern, it has never touched my heart, but this green eyed person's death has really dampened my eyes.
Whenever i switched on TV, i would just have a look in to either discovery, animal planet or National Discovery.
Those are my all-time favourites, since they cater to my inherent surprise and quest to know about the world. And among these channels, animal planet was grabbing my attention, primarily due to this amazing personality-i.e Steve Irwin.
His ever-smiling face, kiddish acts with animals, entertaining and breathtaking endevours very soon has given Animal Planet a special attraction. His sad demise is sure to be a loss not only to channel, but for those who love nature, and fauna.
For more info about this amazing personality click here

a seascape

2006-09-04T11:46:00.000+05:30

This is another piece of work in ms paint, a landscape. hope you would enjoy.

alone under a tree

2006-08-26T15:23:00.000+05:30

Hi, for a change iam posting a sketch done in MS Paint in stead of a write up

Rakshabandhan to unite us

2006-08-19T11:33:00.000+05:30

From Kashmir to Kerala, kolkata to gujarat, this thread is being tied....Thread still rules.....

What wonders me is the fact that even youngsters who dont know how to respect their elders do remember the day of rakhi and tie rakshabandhan to their brothers, and classmates. yes rakshabandhan has remained in our hearts. and probably for years this would continue to be one of the popular festivals of india.
When my little cousin sister tied a rakhi, suddenly my mind recollected my college days. When i was in PUC, most of the girls came to the boys and statrted tying rakhis and used smile in a mysterious manner(as a preautionary measure later we found!). Anyway during those days for weeks together, each boy's forearm would be enriched with bunch of clolourful rakhis! Some boys were feeling proud while some felt helpless and betrayed:) Even in hostel, each boy used to tie rakhi each other, which in a way expressed our solidarity. A bond that would attach us and make us forgive each others' mistakes easily.
When we came to degree, number of rakhi tying girls decreased comprehensively, but never their love and care.
Rrashtriya swayamsevak sangh has been using saffron coloured rakhi for years, and today companies come out with novel ideas in creating colourful rakhis, to cater to the cross section of youths. Whatever the colours, ultimately the togetherness, and forgiving nature wins the hearts, i believe and hope you all too.

when mother is out!!!

2006-08-11T13:10:00.000+05:30

You can call this home alone special edition!

Its sure and is a mother is integral part of anyone, be it a animal or human being...

Mothers most of the time are responsible at least to their children and to their home, and duty-bound. All this eventhough i knew , but it took 26 years to realize. I could never appreciate a mother or take any woman in a home. I knew she is important, but never ever be able to understand how crucial she is maintaining the smooth functioning of an 'Industry' called HOME!

I'll call it an industry, as home creates an environment to each individual in its own way and influences his or personality. A father may look into financial matters of the family, and monitor social status of his family.But it is the mother who acts as chief executive officer and right from kithen to guest room, from garden to family functions, scrutinising her children's studies to examining each family members' health. She coordinates each and everything , i see it amazing, when i am down with fever, i cant even walk, but when my mother is ill, still she gathers her energy not to allow me to work and manage to arrange home.
Funny part of my life:
All these feelings suddenly came in to my mind when i miss my mother, for some reason she is not at home, probably for next few weeks. All of a sudden, i had to kindle gas stove, cook food for myself{so nobody there to critize the outcome:)}, she had directed me what to do and what not, still i stumble at many stages of cuisine. once i kept milk on stove and came out to see whether newspaper has come, when i returned milk had spilled over stove, another time, i prepared dal, which ultimately became a kind of watery flavourless fluid, which i had to push in to stomach without choice and i was interested to master the basic art of cuisine.
Still now i could understand this art about 10 per cent, and i hope when mom returns i should be able to prepare rice and dal for her.
Only these several days taught me a lesson NEVER THINK SHE IS 'NOT SO IMPORTANT', but think mom is ever ever important, she is the leader of home. But this doesnot mean she has to work round the clock, but my idea is 'only mom can be a mom'.

Builders of india....

2006-07-23T12:51:00.000+05:30

Skycrapers, multiplexes, and the mighty bridges and dams...

Its their quest for livelihood which makes these building projects a reality. Whatever novelty and creativity might be shown by the architects, its the workers' audaciousness matters in actualising the plans.
Buiding work has been one of the oldest industries in india. In karnataka, there are lakhs of toilers, in fact there is no statistics available for entire state. Trade union leaders say there will be 10 lakhs labourers in the state(This is not official compilation).
In mangalore city, we can see many points, where one can find these sort of migrant labourers, who lack all basic necessities.Generally, MESTRIES(work supervisors) come to these points and pick up them in whatever number he needs. Some times a tempo-full of workers are transported for bulding works, to the sites.
These poor workers, live in untidy tents, evenwhen the rain pours heavily! They bathe there, and openly defecate. People in the trade union opine that, basic ameneties should be provided by the authorities or builders, who employ them. But problem is that, labourers have no permanant work. Most of them in Mangalore are migrated either from northern parts of karnataka or nieghbour state Tamilnadu.
Often they fell prey to diseases like malaria, diarrhea.
Central government has already made an Act in 1996, but it is the state government which actually needs to formulate the rules. According to the central act, builders have to provide healthy shelters, toilets and other basic ameneties.
When buiders spend lakhs of rupees to get license and other permitts in unethical ways, but they deny minimum facilities, abourers deplore. They accuse that, buiders have successfully hindered state government in bringing out regulations. If state govt implements the rules, then builders have to shed one rupee for every cement spent worth 1000 Rs.
Whatever the accusations are, the irony is that when a skycraper is complete the worker would be still inside a tent, worrying about his next destination.

Bangalore musings!

2006-07-18T12:18:00.000+05:30

It was 2002 june, when i stepped in to our RAJADHANI Bengaluru, which has fascinated me whenever i used to see its pictures and images on TV.
I was there for about 2 months on my interneship in Doordarshan Kendra, after completion of my P.G in Masscommunications. Those 2 months taught me enough and at the end i was compelled to return from Bangalore due to family commitments.
Sincethen, I have been working in a kannada daily in mangalore. My editor had asked me to undergo 10 days training in legislative assembly and council reporting 3 months before. And last week i had the opportunity to cover sessions again, for one week.
2 months in 2002, 10 days in this february and one week in July....my understanding of Bangalore is growing gradually. Its different from Mangalore in many ways if i take it professionally too.
Bangalore teaches one a lot and one can get good exposure to under many conditions which are helpful in growing oneself. And one can gain knowledge about state's overall affairs. A senior reporter of our news paper told the same to me and asked me to shift over to bangalore.( But my personal problems might not allow me to shift at present, i explained my inconvinience with him.).
He was right in many ways, there is a tendancy in journalism that whatever a district reporter does, goes unidentified in the eyes of many reporters who are located in big cities. But for the sake of reputation and fame, and offcourse professional growth, one has to compromise with personal interests, habbits. The mechanical wheels of urban life in cities like Bangalore curb one in doing any other activities other than his profession. There is a danger of being attatched to urban life, which may act as a filter through which one can't see the struggles of common man in rural areas.
So I felt i could stay back in my place and justify my profession well. Hope there are at least few voices which will support my views, even if i found out to be incorrect:)
Sakat cool maga: One gets up and looks like he attaches wheels to his legs and plunges in to the river called urban life in Bangalore. His looks, actions even his smile becomes almost plastic. I am not going to generalise, but i've seen many of my friends, unable to come out from this urban life circle. Except their profession one can't expect from them anything. They don't want their old friends, they think they can't maintain relations, whenever they get time, they silently keep themselves aloof from others, some go for shopping, and some to thetres.
Even in buses, people look like suffering from unknown personality disorders, and they rather behave strangely, or they don't behave at all! You can see apathetically sitting youngsters with headphones on, tense looking mid age women, pale eyed call centre employees.
I've wondered many times in bangalore, even when a bike rider fells down, or hits to other vehicle, and is crying out of pain, no one bothers, even to look at the sight of accident!
Still life goes on... The picture was same when i visited bangalore in 2002, its same even now...Eventhough life is placid, radio mirchi yells....sakat hot magaaa!!!

Be a bike freak !

2006-06-25T10:46:00.000+05:30

Vroooooooom......You might have seen mercurial Yamaha rx 100 bikes accelerating amidst heavy traffic in the cities. Then you might giggle yourself and say mad boys! Certainly there is a kind of attraction in biking!
There are many friends of mine who have bikes, and most of them love their bikes like their soulmates! I have seen many of them embellish and glamorize the bikes.
One of my friend Joymayya has done wonders with his Hero Honda Splendor plus. The 2 mirrors have been removed and a Moto-D race tyre has bettered the look, the steel carrier in the back has been replaced by sturdy looking black matt. Simple car mud flap replaces the original hero honda one, and now Splendor looks entirely different. The earlier elegance replaced by robust look! Mayya does not prefer tank covers, he says it disfigures the look :-)
Even i have been influenced by him and now my Splendor has changed a bit.
My photographer friend R.K.Bhat has suggested me to add some more sponge in to my bike seat, and after following his advice, i feel not only comfortable but also heightened in look! I have seen some persons careless about their bikes, those bikes...God! i really pity about them, sadly look hangdog, often not washed, with mud allover the engine, silnencer, and entire body appear to me completely dull.
Earlier , i too was lazy in washing my Splendor, but after listening to some of my friends, now i got my black splendor painted again, as it turned grey. Now because of my sheer passion, bike is awesome, it gives economical mileage and also steals my heart like a girl friend:-)
So my advice for bikers is that, love your bikes, adorn them, revitilse them, they would be loyal to you, like your loved ones.

Saintly students of siddhavana gurukula

2006-06-14T13:10:00.000+05:30

Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands
-ANNE FRANK
If this is true, then it is also true that an institution can make a person shape his destiny. And Siddhavana Gurukula a free hostel near Ujire in Dharmasthala of Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka is known for shaping destiny of thousands of students.
Gurukula is not a mere free hostel, but it is a training camp for those who have firm belief in values, and have commitment towards life.

Gurukula transforms a stubborn kid in to a matured guy who takes life as it comes, and equips him to tackle any sort of obstacles that he faces in journey of life.
The meritorious students, those who complete SSLC or PUC can find oneself a place in Gurukula. The selection procedure and the rules are followed strictly. I was one of those luckiest students who could enter this temple of life education and form my self in to a better human being. Those five years of training in Gurukula have been certainly the turning point in my life and I am sure of many others alike me.
Those who have brilliance in mental and physical attitude but who lack financial backing, can walk in to Gurukula and try in a better way, this temple helps him in providing right kind of environment. Educationist, sportsman, engineer, doctor, police officer, teacher, administrator, politician…. name any field, and there you will find a person who came from Gurukula in this part of the state.
Life starts thus: Here you have to say bye to the luxury of early morning sleep. Long bell rings in the dawn at 5 o’clock and you have to be ready to get in to a huge prayer hall, where we all pray for our day to be bright and cheerful. When you come out of the hall, hot tea waits you, after that you have to either work or read. Hostel inmates are divided in to two groups. When one group is working, another group has to study.
Work usually consists of taking care of cattle, growing vegetable, cleaning the surrounding, gardening etc. Even the dress is simple here. White dhoti and a shaul.
Ganji(rice and rice water) with chutney is served in dining hall exactly at 8 am, and after one must leave to college. In the evening every student must be in side the campus before 6 p.m. Again inmates must attend evening prayer at 6.30 from Monday to Friday. It would bhajan in Saturdays and cultural programme on Sundays.
After the supper at 7.30 students must study till 10.30, again dreaming for the spirited next day.
In total, siddhavana teaches you everything needed in life, makes you a man with comprehensive outlook.
Ambience: The atmosphere of this saintly place is astounding. Greenery around, the old prayer hall building…spacious dining hall…nice garden….beautiful cows….and a coconut garden on a hill…
Its perfect place for those who study, those who need spiritual life.

Rain brings memories

2006-05-30T11:49:00.000+05:30

Feels like i'm walking in the rain
I find myself trying to wash away the pain
Cause i need you to give me some shelter
Cause i'm fading away
And baby, i'm walking in the rain
-John Ray

From last four days, rain has started to lash south kanara district, which has not only cooled the earth but also dampened my memories. Every year, its does so. Especially the AATI MALE(rain in June end-July), during the same period, we loved to go out with friends, classmates and play water splashing games.
I came from Kasargod district, in which there is a place called Maniyampare(the name is rightly put since there we find laterite stone spread all over). Maniampare has got so many small ponds or PALLA and it was best water game place for children and offcourse for buffaloes.
It was in the same period, when it was raining cats and dogs, we had to travel considerable distance to reach school. Still we were enjoying our journey to school. After school, home going was still more pleasurable. Mother used to prepare hot coffee and snacks, most of the times tukdi made of jack fruit.
Our garden has so many ponds and small streams, where with my friends, i used to play whole day during holidays.
After getting cold and fever, mother used to care much, make me sleep in bed fully cover with woolen bed sheet and sit by my side. God it was the best feeling in ones life getting care by mother!
Still my mother is with me. She still loves me, but my job makes me out of home most of the time. Now also its raining heavily, i rush to perform my duty. Then when nostalgia rushes to my mind, work becomes easier. This may be the feeling of several.

Bandaje falls enchants

2006-05-21T11:49:00.000+05:30

You are a hardcore trekker, and want a hard place to conquer.
You like to see the evergreen forests, and shola clad mountain peaks of western ghats.
You dream to have a cool bath amidst thick forests, where nobody can have a peep:)

Then here the famous Bandaje Falls welcomes you! western ghats provide ample oppotunity to the trekkers for admiring awesome nature and each place in the ghats is different in its feature. So Bandaje too is quite different and a 365 days flowing falls. Eventhough a famous falls, this spot is clean and tidy, and nature is left unharmed, mainly because piknic freaks dont dare to come over here. As the onward journey to the upper part to the falls is pretty tiresome, which expects tremendous energy. So those who love nature are the usual goers to Bandaje falls. If you start from Mangalore, towards Chikmagalore, you have to get down at Somantadka 4 kmts from Ujire. Its 2.5 hours journey from Mangalore to Somantadka by bus. You can hire a jeep at Somantadka and go to Valambra, which is the starting point of trek. In valambra you will find A Gowda house, the owner is Venkatraman Gowda, who usually provides all necessary information and bottlefull of water too. From there you have to a couple of kilometres in hot sun and this journey is tiresome. But once you enter the thick forest area, you dont have the problem from scorching sun. But its the height, which poses all kinds of difficulty for not only to the beginner, but to the experienced trekker too. Usually after tiresome trek of around 5 hours exhausted, you reach grassland which is stark except a few palm trees. In another one hour, you will have a glimpse of the falls, and another half an hour, you will be right near the falls. You can swim in a pond just a few metres above the falls, and can refresh all your tiredness. Bandaje jumps to a valley nearly 200 feets deep. One can trek to the bottom of the falls too, for that that you have to deviate in your journey when you find a water stream below, and follow the stream, which takes you to the bottom.
Our trekking team stayed atop hill listening to the sounds of beckoning hills, roaring falls and chirping birds. The next morning we saw a dramatic sky around, which altogether brought so much joy and spirit.

Dont we need shady trees?

2006-05-12T11:18:00.000+05:30

They always have been the targets in the gallop of a country. Be it highways, or pipelines, dams, mining…in all these big projects, we have cut lakhs of trees.

Karnataka state has not lagged behind in this national phenomenon.

Recently we have another dream project, which has already set in, the fourlaning of national highways. The stretch of highway between Suratkal and B.C.Road of Bantwal taluk is being upgraded in to fourlane road. Main purpose of the project is to meet the demand of vehicle traffic and port connectivity.

As expected we had our trees cut in the initial stage of the project. As many as 600 big trees are cut. Using powerful bulldozers, within a few hours IRCON, the agency, which has got the fourlaning contract, cleared the tree cover beside the road.

It is true that we need our roads to be widened, and if required, we have to cut trees. The important thing is our departments forget to replace the tree cover once the project is finished.

So we have been losing out greenery, which is of utmost necessity to human beings to survive.

Digital printers-Threat to screen printing?

2006-05-09T12:50:00.000+05:30

Screen printing, which boasts of printing virtually on any kind of surface, is on the verge of being eliminated out of the business in mangalore city.
Around 70 odd screen printers in the city are facing a grave future due to a stiff competition by the ultramodern digital colour printing technology and the entry of mini offset machines in the printing arena.
Earlier, screen printing was an easiest choice among the consumers in printing. Generally those who wanted to print visiting cards, invitation cards, stickers were largly pulled towards screen printing. But the onset of mini offset printers and the latest digital based laser printers, with reduced printing cost is proving to be a doom for screen printers.

Digital popular : The colour laser printers are being installed in every corners of the city, which provide high resolution multi-coloured prints, on glossy papers have grabbed the attention of the customers.
Eventhough these printers came 3-4 years before, its only in the last 2 years, they are spreading their wings in full speed. At least 20-25 colour laser printers are operating in the city. For an A 3 size multicolour print the charge around 30-40 Rs.
People generally get attracted towards this high tech printers since they get prints relatively faster than any other kinds. Another reason behind is the sheer fine quality.

Less Investment : In 1984-85, most of the screen printers started functioning in the city. The prime reason of early, quick expansion of this business was requirement of meagre investment. In as less as 5000 Rs, one could start a screen printing business.
The screen printing technology involves a small screen print instrument, and chemicals and ink. It is as simple as that of an art shop, does not require large machinary. People could walk in to the shop and order for 100, 125 cards. The screen printer would not take more than 5 hours to furnish the demand.
Screen printing enterprise had given employment opportunity for urban and rural youth, that too, women in particular. 'But now our future seems to be fading away, and we fear this business may not last more than 2 years' apprehended Premnath Shenoy, who is running this enterprise in Car Street from last 18 years.
As many as 300 people were in our field before. But unable to meet the stiff competition from the latest printers, mini offset printers, they most of them have moved to other profession, he laments.
Now only those who have a passion for this old type, and a few cashew industries come to screen printing. Cashew industries give bulk sticker orders to the screen printers.
Government industries should give bulk orders of stickers, and other printing orders to screen printers to save us from the closure many screen printers opined.

interested in photoshop?

2006-05-08T14:18:00.000+05:30

Are you a person who is avidly interested in photoshop work? then why dont you check out the website www.pslover.com

First rain of joy off course with a few grave notes!

2006-05-05T13:35:00.000+05:30

ts something like your dream….a little bit like a mother pouring water on her young child…You crave for it especially in the areas where it sweats a lot….

The first rain which anyone welcome with utmost joy. Children love getting under the downpour, playing in it, even though their mothers will not allow them to. The elders too, like it especially the redolence, the first rain spreads over.

We in cities in the name of development, pile up enough dirt allover the buildings, the trees if any remaining, which can be cleansed only by the first rain! It cleanses the roads, buildings and scum and sludge layers on the grizzled petty shops and hoardings.

Happiness not for all ! : Like other cities, Mangalore alias Kudla also experienced its first rain on May 4^th which in general brought enough happiness to people, but not so for some specific reasons.

The development drive taken up by some apartment builders in mangalore and the seashore areas of Hosabettu and Chitrapur, causing nightmares to the residents there. A main stream which takes the rain water from the low lying areas of Hosabettu is now filled with soil, for building purpose. The villagers are appealing continuously the district administration for taking necessary steps.

These low-lying areas, which were once paddy fields, and now kept idle. Since the farmers families have hardly any interest in cultivation, they find it better alternative to sell the land to all-powerful apartment builders.

The residents of Hosabettu and chitraputr are also alleging that the Tavarekere a lake which is under government’s hand could fall in to the builders hand. So they have asked DC of dakshina kannada to preserve the lake.

The problem of unscientific land filling is sure to pose grave problems to local administration. The problem is not only seen in Hosabettu, but also in Jeppu, Kottara and several other areas, where loads of soil is being dumped in the way of streams. And there is a possibility of Mangalore becoming Bangalore at least with regard to drainage system concerned, if not in development.

So the first rain has come with a clarion call to administration, to get ready for coming mansoon.

No show off, just you and me! blessings from all!

2006-05-04T12:36:00.000+05:30

Hundreds of truly blessing hearts around...rhythmic beat of 'chenda' (drum type of musical instrument) and 'valaga' (another musical instrument)...encouraging words of your close relatives...what else you want when you enter in to a wedlock!
When the dusk set in the sky, 125 pairs et in Dharmasthala a town in South Kanara district of Karnataka.

This has been a regular scene in Shree kshetra Dharmastala since 34 years. The welfare project, which aims at simplifying and applying a kind of brake on costly marriages.

The Dharmastala which is known for its 'anna dana', 'vidya dana' and 'nyaya dana'(three type of charity work daily meals programme, free education and disbursing justice), and the mass marriage ceremony is equally famous among Heggade's other welfare programmes.

Even though the marriage is held under the auspices of Dharmasthala Heggade, The couples are allowed to obey their own religious practices. After that religious head from Kshetra preaches the oath, which stresses that the couple would not indulge in a manner, which will spoil them, or they would not get in to bad practices.

Earlier this, Dr.Veerendra Heggade distributes Mangalya to each of the couple. Under a single roof, more than hundred couple exchange garlands on the eve of Godhooli muhoortam, which is believed to be a very good for marriages.

There will neither be any show offs from unnecessary personalities, nor the exhibitionism from rich class.
The main intention behind arranging mass marriage is to promote simple marriages says Dr.Heggade. In the earlier times, the working class, primarily agricultural labourers had been in pathetic situation, and the young brides and bridegrooms had to face financials problems. Then it was thought that only mass marriage is a way to solve such a problem he says.
Heggade is happy for the issue that many temple trusts and associations are keen on arranging such mass marriage ceremonies.

Pix: R.K.Bhat

May day memories

2006-05-02T15:40:00.000+05:30

This graphic shows the never ending fighting spirit of
working force, which still struggling in this country.

WATER... WATER!!!

2006-05-01T11:48:00.000+05:30

This graphics depicting the summer water problems, using the wonder design software Photoshop.

'Lion king' expected at pilikula zoo

2006-04-30T18:20:00.000+05:30

If everything works well, mangaloreans and the tourist coming here would be fortunate enough to have a glimpse of Asiatic lions, within a month.

The only Zoological park in D.K. district which is situated in Pilikula(where it is told that tigers used to come to drink water in a lake here) would be having Asiatic lions. The zoo authorities are contemplating to bring such Indian breed lions from Gir forests, which are situated in Gujrath. The other zoo in the state has the foreign breed lions, which belong to afro-Asiatic origin. There is likely that one male and 2 lionesses may be brought to pilikula.

Now Central Zoo Authority has upgraded the zoo to the status of medium zoo, around 4 months back, after thorough inspection. The animal health, total management is a reason for this promotion says the director Jayaprakash Bhandari.

Right now zoo has got 3 tigers, 3 leopards, sambar, monkies, deer, variety of snakes including king cobra. The Zoo has to shed around 15 lakhs Rs. Annually for the maintenance of the zoo including feeding cost.

Recently zoo has started adoption system, which has ignited a nice response from mangalore entrepreneurs. Around 6.25 lakhs Rs has been collected already within a period of 3 months after the announcement of adoption system.

The approach road to pilikula zoo is posing problem. The road still left without tar. The stones on the road are a big problem for two wheelers. The gate collection is estimated around to be 12 lakhs Rs. Says Bhandari.

The gate collection would go beyond 15-17 lakhs Rs annually if the road is well maintained. And the tourist can be satiated well.

AMIDST BISILE RAIN FOREST

2006-04-30T13:28:00.000+05:30

Very recently i had the opportunity to participate in a unique book release function.
Dinesh Holla, an avid trekker, graphic artist by profession, wrote poems and those poems were brought out as a nice anthology named ADAVIYA NADUVE.
The venue of book release....can you imagine? a hotel hall...or a posh lawn in the city...no..oops Whetre then?
It was arranged amidst thick forest of YESALUR RANGE in BISILE ghat, which bosts of having thickest shola cover in the state.
There were a few peaks like the mejestic PUSHPAGIRI, Doddabetta and a river too watching all these the proceedings. well, it was not just book release. but Holla had a nice idea of neatly bringing together artists and poets amidst nature. Canvas were distributed poets started playing with words. soon we could see nature redefined in their own way.
The children who were left to themselves free seemed to be enjoying an entirely different set up which you can make out from the picture here.

Can we save KUDLA?

2006-04-28T14:46:00.000+05:30

Multiplex….Pizzahut….ATMs in every corner….multistoried buildings….concretized roads…So Are you happy Mangalorean?

A person with a bit concern can just think and analyze the direction of Mangalore city's development. Our builders are ready to bulldoze any hill or forest canopy in the city, for them all these are mere obstacles to so called development.

So from last 2-3 years, we see the buildings without shades of tree. The sad thing is that most of us too have started to believe that life is just earning, spending and nothing else. Its not fair to generalise but still most of us neither like our children play in the shades of trees, nor we are ready to allow them to play in the village with their The easy money has started to come through mushrooming call centers and such other institutions. So for the professionals here we have got multiplex, pizza centers.

The irony is that our lalbagh hasn’t a single tree. So now we can happily change the name to concretebagh!

How nice our MG road is now without those old trees!

No tiles house: We now don’t have those good old tile roofed houses. You dont see those green paddy fields in the city limits. Even if a farmer is happy ploughing, our builders are brilliant enough to lure them, and acquire the land. If a NRI who had gone to foreign a few years back and if he returns now, it may be hard for him to identify his own house and surroundings.

We see a few such traditional houses in old port area. Similarly we can spot a few trees at kadri gudda and old court hills. The famous light house hill looks paralyzed after it was dozed and now its converted to a big ditch. The famous woodside hotel and the cool trees around are no more. Within a few months we can see a skyscraper over here.

Finally, who has to correct all these? A question needs to be answered soon, lest we will loose our beautiful costal city KUDLA forever.

2006-04-28T12:30:00.000+05:30

Hi, friends, Here are a few pics of enchanting doodhsagar falls, which i have taken a year ago.

2006-04-28T10:16:00.000+05:30

Enchanting western ghat...the seriously looking rocks...the long and roaring goods trains pulled and pushed by several engines... .and amidst these settings jumps `Doodhsagar' the name means ocean of milk in hindi.
This picturesque falls can be spotted on the trainway which runs from Madgon to Londa. The speciality of the falls is that the top of falls is in Karnataka where as the bottom is in Goa. On your way to Doodhsagar, aroun 2 Kmt before the exact spot of falls, you can get the glimpse from varoius angles. There is only train to take you there. Otherwise you should be ready to spend more than 2,000 Rs for Tracks service available from Kulem, which only foreigners chose.
One can erect a tent near the falls, and spend the night with the backdrop of roaring falls, gigantic goods trains and the serenity of thick forest.
Why delay? Rush now....you can still find enough water in falls....which gives different view altogether in the rainy season.

2006-04-21T16:25:00.000+05:30

This was my personal experience of visit to MAHARAMAHAYANA SATRA which is being held at Hosanagara ramachandrapura Matha.
We three, KMT, Giri and i(Venu) started early morning 6 o'clock from suratkal on our favorite hero honda bikes. the onward journey was a memorable experience. We had breakfast at kundapur, which was not upto the mark. The ride through the thick rain forests in the mookambika range was a soothening experience. Kmt had a unexpected meet of his aunt and brother in kollur temple. we took snaps too. Kmt later had met several of his relatives in Mahasatra.
we reached there at around 11.30. The parking slot was spacious. there were generous volunteers chanting HARERAM again and again, and ready to help of any kind. people were made in to single line and being lead to the huge Mahasatra campus. The main attraction was GOSHALA, consisting attractive cows mainly from northern india.
it was sad to watch a few dying cows too. later we had a glimpse of Matha, Ravana, Ramapattabhisheka mandira and hundreds of Kolyas chanting ramayana. There was a huge venue for Yaga.
vounteers were spirited in distributing panaka. Kmt showed interest in drinkg as much cups of panaka as possible. Lunch was arranged in a nice manner, the taste was praiseworthy.
we started from there around 3 o clock, after few minutes rest in parking slot. we came through Theertha halli, attractive Agumbe, Manipal and reached Suratkal at 8 pm.

Of course riding gives this much long brings fatigue but also joy