Pages of a wanderer
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.
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
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 d
eath 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!
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 d
eath 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
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
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 j
anuary 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)
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
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
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!
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 !
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.
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
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.
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
Rush in a grossary shop during relax of curfewMy 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.
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
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
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
Rakshabandhan to unite us
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 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!!!
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'.
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....
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!
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!!!
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 !
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
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 FRANKIf 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.
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