A Hidden treasure in Andhra: Araku

  Amidst all this halla-gulla of telangana, when we decided to go to Andhra, the reaction of parents and well wishers was, "what? Why? You are getting too adventures" and blah blah. But we knew that "Dikhao pe mat jao, apni akal lagao" As we have booked tickets for Hyderabad in advance, we started our journey from Delhi as per plan. The destination was Vishakhapatnam via Hyderabad.

Vishakhapatnam, Gem of Andhra Pradesh as they call it, is a small business city located at coast side of Bay of Bengal. Its famous for its Harbor and vizag steel plant. Our destination, Araku hills were around 130 Km from her. We reached on 25th dec morning with two of other friends. To describe the city, its called a Big Village. Its developed with time but still people has this village kind of gesture and mentality. So You see high risers, wide roads, big malls but no road sense, very middle class dressing. The coast line is huge, in fact whole city is on coast side. Red sand, dangerous waters. A lot can be done around beaches. Municipal corporation needs to put some lightings, chairs shops etc on famous beaches like RK Beach and Rushi konda. But the other side of story is that the beaches are very clean and natural courtsey lack of commercailization.
There are few spots worth watching in Vizag aka Vishakhapatnam. Two beches I mentioned, Rama Krishna beach(There is a Rama Krishna Mission temple there), and other famous beach is Rushi Konda Beach. The Rushi Konda beach is said to be more violent but we saw more people bathing on Rushikonda than RK.
Also Rushikonda beach has some boats whoch can ferry you in sea but the condition of those boats and life jackets was too horrible. So just had some water-play and photo shoots and came back.

The next place we reached was Kailasagiri. Its a high point of vizag from where you see whole Vizag. Its good to plan to reach there by Sun set. There is a rope way to the top of hill. Cars can also reach there. There are few eating joints on top and a small toy train. You just sit there and watch sun seeting and whole vizag city.
I liked this spot very much and spent around 2-3 hours there. Specially aftre sunset you see whole city lights and huge coast line of Vizag.This was the last place we watched on our first day in Vizag.
Next day we started for the main destination, Araku. Its a Hill area located in Estern Costs. There is a East coast railway line going to this place with just one Toy train running on it. We couldnt get the tickets to this train as it was Chisrtmas weekend. But this train ride is very picture

Houseful: Theater bhale hi khali ho Film to houseful hai

Think of a parent who keep name of their child "intelligent". Even if he is dumb, people will still call him Intelligent. Or keep name of their ugly daughter "beautiful". Its true that we all love our possessions and creations, but that doesn't mean we close our eyes to the truth.
This is what has happened with Sajid Khan. The director, who always lives in a dream, that he is best director and all his jokes, on which most of the only he laughs, are the best jokes. The movie named Houseful, probably they were sure, will never be practically houseful. Though the timing of release was superb, people were desperate to watch movies. No new movie with good star cast was released in last 2 months due to IPL. The theaters were full. But the jokes, over acting, situations failed to bring a smile on audience face.
I am kind of loosing respect for Akshay Kumar after seeing movies like Chandni Chowk To China, Singh is King and now Houseful. With hoers mature and try to act in movies which not only fetch money but also bring them some place in history. But Akki is going other way. After doing such good comedies like Hera Feri, Welcome, Namstey London, he has fallen in trap.
Who was the casting director? Shoot him. Lara Dutta lookes like big sister to Ritesh, Ziya khan looks like daughter to Akki. Deepika is gorgeous and have a perfect belly(years after Shilpa) which she has flaunted almost in evry scene. But the pairing doesn click.
Boman tries to support in second half. He is bit successful as movie is still bearable in second half. And the climax scene, who the hell was they thinking will laugh on scene when a laughing gas will be filled in Queens Hall and everyone will laugh. They should have put some Laughing Gas diffusers in theaters also.
Over all, if you compare the movie with Welcome, Singh is King, it doesn't stand a chance. But if you have not seen a movie since ages and just wanted to watch, can be seen once in Multiplex Morning shows for 80 Rs. I will not suggest to spend 150 Rs for this movie. But any way, its your pocket. :)

Dil to bachchaa hai ji

The art of story telling which Basu chatterji, Guljar knew..in the new age directors I see Vishal Bhardwaj and Anurag Kashyap in the same league. I have seen Makbool, I have seen Omkara and Kaminey and now I see Ishkiya. The same art of story telling. Simple stories with complex human emotions where there is no villain no hero all are characters and each one is trying to outsmart other one. You take abba ji you take langda tyagi you take bhope all of them are neither hero nor villain but simple characters yet they have made their presence felt.
Ishkiya is simple tale of love where each one of characters are following their love and the results is some time comforting to each other some time confronting. There is no villain, no hero. Even a small character like Mushtak bhai and tai,  who fires the lamp is and Kakkad leaves his style. For me Arshad did best of all in front of seniors like Naseer. His language his timing his body language. He is too good. Vidya has done fabulous acting but she couldnt adopt the typical Eastern UP dialect. Her love making scene with Arshad shows the maturity of her as an actress. The small roles like Nandu and Verma also has done excellent acting.
Coming to story, it has some loose ends. Did mushtak bhai got his money back, did he kill the trio, whom did Krishna married in end, did they get money or just their lives back. First half was griping but second half became slow. Ibne batuta song could be put in movie. Over all movie is average. I will not consider it in the same class as Kaminey, Makbool or Omkara. But abhi to Abhisek bachha hai ji....So lets wait for some more from him.....

5 point someone aka 3 Idiots

The book was good but movie is superb. The book was for engineers and young, movie is for masses. Only youth cant make it 300 crores. The story telling redefined by Raju Hirani and Vinod Chopra. Abhijat Joshi and Chetan bhagat prepared the background. After all its a Amir movie which each one of us waits for 1 year. Far better than Gajhni less touching than TZP.
3 idiots impressed my family so much that they removed all the astrological rings from their finger. In todays world, where movies just pass 3-4 weeks in a Multiplex, time is fast, who has such impact. The theme was good, story was superb, actors justified characters, a bit of over acting by Boman and unnecessary delivery scene in end. Barring these small things it was perfect. Kareena looked good after Jab We Met. In very few movies, I like kareena, K3G, JWM and 3 Idiots.
Amir is now becoming an icon of acting. Every time he comes, he surprise you. God knows what will be his next surprise. Even in close ups he looks just like 20 yr old college going as he was in Kayamat Se Kayamat Tak. His body language his dressing, no doubt he is Mr Perfectionist.
I really liked the movie. Watched it twice. The betterment could be in music as except songs like Behati hawa sa tha wo and all is well, no other songs are good. Mr Mahadevan should have got some inspiration from Amir and tried to reduce his tummy. Overall All is Well

Have you met God?

God! As per Wikipedia "God is most often conceived of as the supernatural creator and overseer of the universe." As per oxford "noun 1 (in Christianity and other monotheistic religions) the creator and supreme ruler of the universe." For us, He is someone, who believers says that, will take care of all their needs, help them in distress and make the living easy.

Have anyone seen God? Most of us will say NO. Some will say, you never see Him but you can feel Him, like air. Some rare will say YES. So now I belong to those rare ones. I not only felt Him but saw Him in person.

This happened very recent. I went to see a Doctor for my wife in AIIMS(its India's best medical facility). For those who have never been AIIMS, as its best and only 1 in India, you see people all over from India(we are 1 Billion by the way) coming to AIIMS with their last hope. So its really crowded and even to get the registration you have to stand in a long queue(may be .5 Km long). We reached there early morning but when I saw the queue, I thought it will be impossible to see Dr. as by the time we reach at registration counter, Dr will be OFF. May be we should have come really early morning. We were standing near OPD gate and discussing what to do.

Suddenly a person in his early fifties came to us. He was wearing a Khaki uniform with AIIMS badge on his shoulder. He asked me, "Are you looking for a registration form?" , "Yes" I said. He gave me one and asked me to write the patient details and which department to see. I wrote over the slip. Then next step is to submit that slip on another counter(another queue) and deposit 10 Rs to get registration card. He asked me"Do you have 10 Rs change? or I have 10 Rs" I said "no no I have 10 Rs". He took the slip and 10 Rs and disappeared.

Now I started thinking. Who He was? How did He know that I need a registration slip. Why He helped us? Is He some fraud who took my 10 Rs and disappeared. But then He appeared with registration card with my wife name. Handed over to me and blessed me that your problem shall be solved. I offered Him a 50 Rs saying thanks. But He denied saying that He doesn't do this for money. He just helps people in need. Then again He disappeared.

When was the last time, some one unknown came to you when you were in need, asked your problem, solved your problem without even you asking him to help and disappeared without any reward.

PS: By the way, that was last Monday of sacred monthe SAWAN and I was fasting too.

My IQ

Free-IQTest.net - Free IQ Test

In the name of Allah

Last Saturday, it was Delhi's turn. We all witnessed an act of shear frustration and coward ness. And that too in the name of "Almighty God". As the e-mail sent to various news channels suggest. These so called "Jihad's" or warriors for religion profess themselves as real Muslims and they attack Delhi because its capital of a "Hindutva" country India. All Delhites, specially people living in Karol Bagh and CP and GK, belong to VHP and Bajrang dal and these Freedom fighters wanted to take revenge from them

Now coming to the victims. A family of poor people from Haryana, lost all their bread winners. These poor people were selling old cloths used for cleaning engines in Auto Market in Karol bagh. Another poor guy, who was studying Chartered Accountant, from remote city in UP. He lost his one eye. Another poor rickshaw puller Kasim and Farooq, both lost their lives. He has left Kashmir, because of the violence to live(or die) peacefully in Delhi.

I ask this question to all the Jihads and people having sympathy to their cause. What these innocent people has done to them or their religion. None of them have ant relation to VHP or Bajrang Dal. All of them were serving all religions with equal pride and affection. Then why they?

Just because they are easy prays. These cowards jihads, who boast themselves in name of Allah, don't have even that much guts to face the real culprits. I would have no complaints if they have targeted Narendra Modi or Pravin Togadia or Babu Bajrangi. But these so called jihads are such kind of criminals, I don't know how they face themselves in mirror leave aside facing Allah. Its something like, some Pehalwan hit you hard. You were helpless. Out of sheer frustration, you get hold of next weak person and start getting your frustration out on him. And over that claim that you doing it for religion and Allah. Will Allah boast such acts of cowardice. Even in Koran, which came on earth in this holy month of Ramdhan, its strictly mentioned, Don't kill children and women. Fight when you are attacked.

If these so called Jihads or Indian Mujahidins, for me they are un-organized criminals who are psychologically disturbed. They have some grudges and frustrations and they are taking it out by planting bombs on innocent people, places sneakily. Warriors don't act in hideouts or nights. They have guts to challenge enemy and face them. I spit on the face of these worms, cynical people, someone like that psycho killer who kills innocent people in darkness of night, without any fault of victims. He kills just because he is mentally sick. He enjoys it.

I request all of my friends, enemies, family, non family to take good care of themselves. Keep an open eye and foil any bid by such criminals to disturb peace of our country. For such un-organized criminals, police cant reach everywhere. Its we as citizens has to help ourselves.

Bollywood blogs

Recently I got this new addiction for bollywood personality blogs. These blogs have nothing to do with those blogs referring to bollywood gossips and movie release and review. As cinema is a medium where an actor did is job and when the target product reach target audience can make any opinion on the movie. They may have some complaints be clarification to ask. How to do so?
With the Internet sweeping whole world, film stars also not immune to it. Now they are using this blog medium to connect to their audience. Here they talk to their audience as a person not a film character and share their joys sorrows and day today life. Also make confessions express their weekness. Interestingly such blog are huge hits and getting lot many readers. I give some link to some bollywood blog which i follow daily. Enjoy.

Amitabh Bachhan Blog http://blogs.bigadda.com/ab/ - Regular/Literary

Aamir khan Blog http://www.aamirkhan.com/blog.htm - Occasional/diary

Ram Gopal Verma Blog http://rgvarma.spaces.live.com/ - Frequent/thoughts

Salman Khan Blog http://duskadum.blogspot.com - Frequent/self appraiser

Here I give one more link. This site tells about box office statistics for all indian movie released.
www.ibosnetwork.com

Is it a luxary or bondage?

कभी एक छोटे बच्चे को देखा है? कुछ दिन पहले ही हमारे घर एक नया मेहमान आया है। मेरी बहिन को एक छोटा सा प्यारा सा शिशु हुआ है। देखने में भोला भला निरीह सा दिखने वाला... पिछले २-३ दिनों से देख रहा हूँ..कितने मजे में रह रहा है। न खाने ली चिंता ना नित्य क्रिया के लिए परेशानी। जब मन किया सो गए जब मन किया उठ गए। भूख लगी तो रोना शुरू और कोई न कोई दूध पिला देगा...माँ नही तो मामी नही तो नानी। अगर नित्य क्रिया करनी है तो बस कर दी और रोना शुरू। कोई तो साफ़ कर ही देगा॥ कितने मजे हैं..क्या ऐयाशी है देख कर कभी जलन होती है।



फ़िर ये सोचता हूँ की उस शिशु की क्या अपनी कोई इक्षा है? वो तो एक खिलोने की तरह है। जिसका मन आया उसे गोदी में उठा लिया..कभी खिलाया कभी जगा दिया कभी सुला दिया। कभी किसी और को गोद में दे दिया कभी कपड़े से अच्छे से लपेट दिया की सर्दी न लग जाए। इतनी सुविधा में रखते है उसे पर क्या उसकी कोई मर्जी है? वो तो पराधीन है। वो एक हिन्दी की कविता थी ना॥ "पराधीन सपनेहु सुख नही" तो क्या उसे सपने में भी सुख नही है? फ़िर उसे देख कर जो जलन हो रही है उसका क्या?



क्या हमारी जिन्दगी भी ऐसी ही नही है? जो हमारे पास नही होता उसे देख कर हम जलते रहते है पर उस वस्तू को प्राप्त करने के पीछे जो वेदना है, जिन परिस्तिथ्यो से वो गुजरा है जो बलिदान उसने दिए हैं..वो हमें कभी नही दीखते है। ऊपर की मलाई तो दिखती है पर उस मलाई को दूध से निकलने के लिए उसे कितना खोलाना पड़ा उसका क्या? अगर उस कीमत पे हमें वो सुविधाए चाहिए तो फ़िर क्या बात है?

Important customer care numbers

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Aao chalo kartoons banaye....

Another Good Movie: Jab We Met

So finally I watched it. It was long pending and I have not seen a good movie since ages. This one is best performance by Shahid. He acts so flawlessly, effortless acting. Remember scene where he is in train and Kareena is doing bak bak. Watch his face. Or when he meets dara singh(Kareenas grand father) first time. He is superb. What to say about music. After a long time there is a movie for which you would like to buy all songs. My favorite is Tumse Hee. Director Imtiaz Ali finally got his piece of success. His other movies as Socha na tha, ahista ahista, black friday..all were simple movies with no extreme action or extreme comedy or romance. Even this Jab we met is a simple movie which doesn't leave you heavy head.
Kareena looks pretty. She has lost lot of weight and is looking very gorgeous. As usual did overacting but in this movie may be it was required. Other casts were OK. The film becomes a bit slow after interval. May be director should have shown us more of India tourist spots. We can make a cinematographic good movie without going to Switzerland also.
Last but not least, worth to mention the song "ye ishk hai" picturised in manali. It beautifully captures local himachaly dance and local things.
Final word is that movie is paisa wasool. Should be watched in theater only.

Mauritius : Earths Best Honeymoon Destination

Hey guys! After marriage what next? Obviously honeymoon yaar. I was in Mauritius from 29th Nov - 6th Dec 2007 for 1 week honeymoon. Surely honeymoon, weather in Mauritius or in manali, its the best time of your life. I don't remember if I spend such 7 days and nights so tension free, relaxed, just two of us...lost in each other, ever in my life. Or I will be able to do so again. Being known to my wife for almost 5 yrs now, atleast I didnt have the pressure to impress my wife which was very obvious in other couples. We really enjoyed each and every moment of it to the fullest. We did so many things for the first time in life. Starting from parasailing to going 35 mt deep in water in Sub Marine, dancing on beach, salsa with my wife..and so many more. Ahh..wish I could stay there some more time.

Enough is available on Google for Mauritius so I wont get into those details. May be some time I will put a travel blog. But right now I give some special tips for Indian Couples travelling to Mauritius. These are the things which we missed.

1. Water is really costaly inside all honeymoon resorts. In half-boarding travels, food is free but water is 150 rs a ltr. Better buy few bottles(a pack of 6) from Airport on arrival.
2. Do carry some cup noodles as most of the resorts/hotels dont have kitchens. So even maggie doesnt help. Cup noodles easy to cook and eat. Even heat and eat food is also good as you can use hot water in bath tap to heat it.
3. Carry some home made Achaar or maththee so that when you miss indian taste you can try it with local food.
4. Dinner is served at 7:30 PM in resorts/hotels. Be on time else you miss all good things.
5. Do carry Sun cream of SPF > 40 as sun rays are too direct.
6. In sight seeing tours, do carry some ready to eat food as biscuits cake namkeen fruits etc.
7. Floaters and swiming costumes are must. They are costly there(3-4 times).
8. In hotel, always pay in Euro as euro to MUR conversation rate is very poor inside hotel.
9. There is nothing worth in Mauritius Airport Duty Free Shop. If you plan to buy some gifts, shop around waterfront in port louis. You should bargain even in branded shops. The mall is costly but shops along water banks are good one. There are few good indian restarents around.
10. If staying in Indian Resort, ask your Candle Night Dinner in Haseena(Indian Restaurent) instead of Piazzata(Italian).
11. Catch up all free activities like glass bottom boat, kayak, paddling etc. They are worth doing.
12. La Cassela national park is very near and very cheap. Go for jungle safari. Lion observation is not worth. If you can spend, go for walk with lions(2100/- pp)

Marriages: Made in heaven, celeberated in India

So much is said about Fat Indian Weddings. One more wedding of mine to add. I got married on 25th of Nov 2007 and as usual, a lot of money was spend on decoration, tents, travel, catering. I keep on asking this question to myself..cant we do away with such a huge investment? Is it really a necessity to do so much or just a way of flaunting your economic status. Richer you are, more you spend.
Though it was a love-cum-arrange marriage, with so many Egos' crushed and crumbled, still the money spent on all the proceedings from my side and her side was huge enough to support a middle class family for 1 to 2 years with their monthly needs. I am not talking about expenses on cloths or ornaments or honeymoon as they are with you, but the expenses related to Band, Decorated Car, Grand reception of wedding, lights, camera person etc.
With camera person, I want to ask you people reading this, is there any spring in market which fits in your jaw and you always keep on smiling so that camera person can click your picture for infinite number of times. They say that its one time effort for life long memories, but with advent of these digital cameras where there are no limits for taking picture, especially wedding photographers irritate you so much that if you run all the still images taken by them, you will see a running movie.
What I like about our Desi weddings is the family ties which comes to surface. Though our lives becoming so fast we have very less time, but still our generation and last generation is trying to retain the traditions. Probably the kind of fun whole extended family does at a single place is only the marriages and few days before/after that. In my wedding I saw my mama jee dancing with us, whom we always saw in serious mood.
Obviously, a change cant be done by a single individual due to social fabric of India where each of us looks towards other and peer pressure is huge. The efforts like Delhi Sikh Committee banning night weddings and extravagent weddings are surely welcome. Unfortunately Hindus don't have a single body making social laws so some civil law from Govt might help in curbing such un-wanted and un-necessary expenses.

बचपन की कुछ यादे - भाग १

आज कुछ खास वजह नही है इस ब्लोग को लीख्ने की, बस यूँही अकेला बैठा बीबीसी हिंदी की कुछ कहानिया पढी और अपना बचपन याद आ गया। अब बचपन तो सबका एक जैसा होता है। कम से कम मेरी हम उम्र सबका बचपन एक जैसा था, चाहे वो किसी छोटे शहर में रहे हो या बडे में। मेरी बचपन कि कुछ धुंधली सी यादे मेरे नाना जी के घर कि हैं। उनका घर पहली मंजिल पे था जहा जाने कि सीधी सीधिया थी। एक गंदे से बदबूदार नाले के किनारे वो घर था। सड़क के उस पार एक पार्क था जिसमे एक मंदिर भी था। इन सब बातो कि तसदीक मेरी मा भी करती हैं। मेरे नाना के घर के नीचे एक और परिवार रहता था जिन्हें मैं नीचे वाली नानी कहता था। उनके हाथो मेने दाल और रोटी बहुत खाई है। कुछ धुंधला सा मुझे भी याद है, पता नही मेरी माँ ने बताया इस लिए या वाकई मेरी याददाश्त इतनी तेज थी क्योंकि ४ बरस कि उम्र में हमने वो घर छोड़ दिया।
मेरे पिता जी कि नौकरी एक छोटे से शहर के चीनी मिल में थी। वो घर तो मुझे अछे से याद है। खपरैल का बड़ा सा माकन, सामने खूब बड़ी खेती लायक जमीन जहा हमेशा बैंगन, टमाटर मूली उगी रहते थे। घर कि चौखट से अन्दर जाते ही एक बड़ा सा आंगन जहा बाई और एक टिन शेड मी सूखी लाकदिया और कोयला नहरे रहती थे। दाहिनी और शौचालय और स्नानागार थे। उसके बाद एक पानी का पाइप लगा था शायद बर्तन मांजने के लिए। दाहिनी और ही उस खुले पानी के पाइप के बात रसोई घर था। अन्दर से केसा था इसकी कोई याद नही। रसोई घर कि दीवार तक आँगन ख़त्म था। फिर बाये हाथ पर एक दरवाजा था जो कमरों का प्रवेश था। अन्दर शायद एक सीधी गैलरी थी या कुछ कमरे थे। कुछ ठीक २ याद नही। दर असल ५ बरस तक होते २ मेरा समाया मेरे नाना और मेरे पापा के बीच में कटा। अब जो कुच्छ आधी अधूरी यादे हैं बस यही हैं।
पर हाँ एक बात अछे से याद है और वो है चीनी मिल के गेट पर एक मंदिर। रोज़ सुबह वहा आरती होती थी और हम उस आरती के बाद एक बताशे का प्रसाद लेने पहुंच जाते थे। हमारे घर के पीछे कि खिड़की चीनी मिल के अन्दर खुलती थी जहा एक सुन्दर सा बाग़ था जिसमे गुलाब के फूल लगे थे। मुझे आज भी अछे से याद है कि एक बार उस बाग़ में पर्दा लगा के एक फिल्म दिखाई गयी थी और मैं खिड़की पर बैठ कर वो फिल्म या शायद फिल्म दिखने वाले प्रोजेक्टर और तरीके को देख रह था, मेने अपन खाना भी खिड़की पे बैठ के खाया था। पापा के यह मिल मी जाने का सबसे आसान तरीका था कि गेट पे जाओ गर्द अंकल को बताओ कि फलने आदमी बेटे हैं और बस..आप मिल के अन्दर। खैर ये सब तो थी ५ बरस तक कि धुंधली यादे...

एक छोटी सी कहानी

वो दोनो बहुत डरे हुए थे। शायद ये उम्र का तकाजा था या पहली बार ऐसा करने का डर..लड़की ने बहुत समझाया कि नही मुझे ये नही करना। पर लड़के ने उसे अपने प्यार का वास्ता दिया। "क्या तुम मुझसे प्यार नही करती? मुझपे भरोसा नही है?" अब वो भी तैयार थी। लड़के ने उसे समझाया "बहुत मज़ा आएगा हमे और मैं भी तो हूँ न तुम्हारे साथ!"
लड़के ने पैसे दिए। दरबान ने उन दोनो को घूर के देखा। लड़की ने अपनी नजर नीचे झुका ली। अब वो दोनो भीतर आ चुके थे। लड़के ने अपनी जैकेट उतार दी। लड़की ने भी अपना दुपट्टा उतार दिया। वह पर कुछ अल्मारिया बनी थी। दोनो ने अपने कपडे उसमे रख दिए। लड़के ने लड़की से कहा " पहले तुम!" लड़की ने लड़के का हाथ पकडा और बैठ गयी। लड़का भी उसके बगल भी आकर बैठ गया। उसने अब दरवाजा बंद कर दिया। लड़की ने अपनी आँखे मूँद ली और लड़के का हाथ जोर से पकड़ लिया। उसकी साँसे ज़ोर-जोर से धड़क रही थी। उसके सांसो कि गर्मी लड़के के कंधो पर महसूस हो रही थी। लड़के ने प्यार से लड़की के माथे पर आ रही लटों को सुलझाया। और अपनी हथेली से उसके गालों को थपथपाया।
तभी जोर कि आवाज हुयी और लड़की जोर से चिल्लाई। अब वो दोनो ही बहुत डर गए थे। कभी ऊपर कभी नीचे। दोनो ने अपनी आँखे मूँद ली। लड़की ने लड़के के सीने में अपना मुह छुपा लिया। उसकी सांसे अब और जोर से धड़क रही थी। अब लड़के कि भी धड़कने तेज हो चुकी थी। अब तक वो अपने डर को छुपाने कि कोशिश में कामयाब रह था पर अब उसके चेहरे पे ऐसा कुछ पहली बार करने का डर साफ दिख रह था। या शायद हर बार ऐसा ही डर लगता।
अचानक सब कुछ शांत हो गया। लड़की ने अपनी आँखे खोली। उसने राहत की सांस ली। सब कुछ शांत हो चुका था। लड़के ने दरवाजा खोला। पहले लड़का बाहर निकला फ़िर उसने अपना हाथ बढाया और लड़की ने उसका हाथ पकड़ा। उसके हाथ अभी तक काँप रहे थे। कांपते कदमों से वो बाहर निकली । बाहर जाकर वो बोली " ख़बर दार जो आज के बाद तुम मुझे कभी रोलर कोस्टर पे झूला झूलने लाये तो?"

A new radio channel in town - Meow

This is my latest addiction. Though this channel claims to be indias first radio station, by woman, for woman and of woman. But its also Indias first radio station which is based on talk show. That means there are very few songs and rest is just people calling in and expressing their views on some topics which are sometime picked up from morning Times of India or contemporary.

For me, I normally dont listen FM radio, because I want to listen to the songs which I want not which some body else make me listen. So I always carry a good collection of Cassettes while I drive, yes i still have Cassette player in my car. Now with this new channel, most of the time, while driving long hours from Noida to G.Noida or back, I am tuned to Meow.

In morning, some shows are specifically for woman, related to kitchen, beauty and other stuffs. But in evening, you have tu-tu meow meow where they ask both genders to participate and express ur views. The best thing is that they dont pass judgement and there is no conclusion. So its just a way to listen what others think.

Also one of their programs, between the sheets, which I am not able to listen much as I myself between the sheets. This program is about the topics, strictly related to physical relations what women think about such things. The host is very popular among woman and even the show.

As I get bored with things easily, lets see how much time I am going to stick with this channel. I know I will come back to my good old RD Burman songs very soon..Till then I am enjoying it. And haan I once called in one of the show by Dr Kiran bedi to give my feedback about police reforms.

Best of luck Kailash - Part 1

Tonight it will be last night of my dear friend Kailash in India..at least for a while. Finally after 8 long years of stay with me..he is leaving for new avenues. In this short life we meet so many people, but only few leave mark like him.
We met some 8 years and 3 odd months back when I joined ST in 1999 june. I was a fresh graduate from lucknow, first time leaving my home. I was too scared and bit introvert. I exactly don remeber now, how and when I met Kailash in office or what was my first impression about him. Obviously he was 7 days senior to me in office so it must be office where I met him. The same day I joined ST guest house. He was also staying there and there was a group of Pant Nagar people there. These boys, Rajat, Kailash .... all have enjoyed their hostel life, which I missed being a day scholar, and very extrovert. They always had so many stories to tell about their college days. This was my first set of friends I made. Kailash was freevlous, jolly and was person who can mixup with any group of any age any type and will enjoy. I remember that on my first birthday in ST, just 8 days after joining ST, I was feeling a bit alone. So I invited Kailash and Rajat to join me for a dinner in motimahal(in front of Shipra hotel, sector 18 side) sponsered by me. They were surprised and were assuming that I must have got some other job. Then I told them about my birthday.
Kailash was in my team, led by bhawna and we used to interact a lot in office and guest house. After one month it was kailash birthday and I still remeber how he distributed the sweets and wished by so many people. Next day he was in fever, which he blames on a special person with whom he shook hand. Then came Dr. Midha, who was nearest doctor in that locality and always wanted to put glucose on him. That time, I some how felt a sense of responsibility and did what I could have done for a friend in need.
After spending 3 months in guest house we moved to our first rented apartment. It was fun those days sharing a house with altogether unknown people. Those were some learning years for me where I learnt how to live and how to share.
Coming back to kailash, we again came very close to each other when we spent some 2 months in Catania. It was a new place, new country but Kailash is one of such person who can make any place fun. I was known for my research and knowledge where as he was known for his jovial nature, easy going attitude. Thats why, I suppose, almost whole ST knew him. We shared some very special moments there. Kailash! do you remember our Naples trip? In train how you managed to explain an italian that we wanted him to change his compartment, just by sign language.
I have moved out of that rented apartment beacuse of my another very dear friend Manish has joined ST. But the relation we shared was still the same. Almost same time danish joined ST and a trio was formed. Danish was a sincere, khadoos kind of guy. In coming years this relation was going to reach new hieghts.

काराओके Karaoke bar in Delhi

Those who know me well, also know I have recently developed a passion for Karaoke Singing. Karaoke is a form of singing in which you sing along a pre-recorded background music of some famous song. I have setup a small studio at my home with 5 speaker system and have a good collection of new and old songs.
Karaoke started in Japan where there are bars/clubs where you can go and have lunch/dinner and also share your singng talent with other like minded people. Its something like you have some salsa nights in delhi discos. I also caught some KARAOKE bars in Milan.
Last week while visiting Pacific Mall in Ghaziabad, Near Anand Vihar ISBT, I entered, I suppose, Delhi's first Karaoke bar. Its nice and well decorated located at 1st floor of mall, in front direction as you enter. The bar has small cabins in which you have a TV, a karaoke player and a big couch. You can order, from a limited menu(just snacks and drinks(soft)..dont expect lunch or dinner). Then you can opt for a karaoke session. There exist a karaoke song menu, very exhaustive, both hindi and english including old kishore songs to new Shanker Ehsan Loy songs.
The rates are a bit high. They charge 150 bucks for a half and hour session of karaoke which is extra of what you order for food.

Casteism: Does it still exists in our generation

This is frankly a shocking thing happened to me last week. I was chatting on a site when I met a girl. She was from Noida itself and pursuing her MBA from some Gaziabad college. After usual stuff of introduction, she asked me whats your full name. I asked directly, "Do you want to know my caste?" She didnt reply. Then I said "I am ambedkar". For those who dont know ambedkars are un-touch ables who used to do dirty jobs of collecting garbage's etc in last decades. Now she replied "Bye". I was so surprised. This was first case of Caste ism happened to me on a virtual world. I asked her, "So if I am an un-touchable, you will not even chat to me on a virtual site leave alone sitting with me in class? What kind of thinking you have?" Now she came in defensive mode saying " I hate mayawati and her policies so I hate ambedkars." Which is just a nonsense excuse. Then I took a leave from her and logged out.
But that made me think about the deep roots of this caste ism in us. What if she after doing her MBA joins a company as HR executive who plays key role in selection of candidates. With this mindset, she will never appreciate the potential of a candidate if he/she belongs to some lower caste. If a young girl of our generation has such thought process, what about our last generation where such thoughts were so much deep rooted. People with such hatred and paranoid about schedule castes, that too in most of higher positions of power and selection, will never allow any candidate to enter though he/she is capable for that.
Doesnt this justifies RESERVATIONS. If we, at upper castes, are being un fair to them because of our inherent thoughts, why not they should use some unfair means like RESERVATIONS to reach equal to us? What do you guys say..

How to know when your daughter is falling in a relation?

Hi guys!
Again I am back with a thought. As I have been in a relation and was able to fool the parents for so many years ;-). Now when I am finally marrying the same girl so I thought why not give some tips to the parents. So they can relate more to their child? Why not have a cordial relation with your son or daughter? Obviously we in india are not so open that a girl or boy will tell her/his parents about her relation frankly. The initiative should be from parents side only. So here are some tips for them when they know about it. Please post replys to add some more.

1. When ur daughter starts coming late frequently unreasonably.
2. When suddenly she starts demanding more money than usual.
3. When all of a sudden she starts taking interest in fashion and dressing sense.
4. When she start talking on phone for hrs n says she's talking to her fren regarding studies.

मेरा पहला hindi blog

प्यारे दोस्तो,
मुझे कुछ दिन पहले ही यह पता चला कि मैं हिंदी मे भी ब्लोग लिख सकता हूँ। यह मेरा पहला प्रयास है कि मैं कुछ हिंदी मे लिखू। मैं धन्यवाद देता हूँ एक अनजानी मित्र का जिन्होंने मेरे ब्लोग पर कुछ तिप्पदिया छोडी थी और उन्हें पढ़ कर मैं जब उनके ब्लोग पे गया तो देखा कि उन्होने तो सारा ब्लोग ही दिन्दी मे लिखा है। ब्लागस्पाट मे settings मे जाके आप हिंदी ट्रांस्लितेरेशन on कर दे और आप भी हिंदी मे ब्लोग लिख सकते हैं। चलिये फिर मैं जल्द ही कोई सुरुचि पूर्ण कहानी या विचार लेके आऊंगा तब तक मेरा ब्लोग पढ़ते रहिए.....फिर मिलते हैं। अलविदा

Movies I saw in last month

Please dont consider it as movie review. Its my personal say on the movies(old and new) I watched in last couple of weeks. To begin with, I started with a DVD containing Namesake, Provoked, Salam-e-Ishk and Guru. Well I wont discuss the last two.
Namesake: Story of a Indian bengali couple living in US of A trying to adjust with changing values of their kids and still retaining core. The protogonist is Gogul, played well by Kal penn, who is stuck in middle of his parents,Irfan khan and Tabbu, value system and his inherited US culture. The movie is different from other movies based on this topic as it shows a middle of path approach. Specially a scene where these yound bengali couple get marry in bengali style and then they celeberate honeymoon typical US style. A bit slow movie but good watch on DVD.
Next was Provoked. A sadistic movie trying to show a fight of woman against domastic violence as well as herself to be able to get freed from jail for killing her husband. Ash does her role well and some times you want to kill Naveen Andrews for beating her. I didnt like the movie that much.
Then I recently watched two World War-II based movies. Schindlers List and Life is Beautiful. Well what to say about them. Both won so many oscars. Now I think that if you wanna win a Oscar, just make movie on plight of Jews in Germany. Oscar gauranteed. Schindlers list is master piece and will certainly bring tears in your eyes. I cant imagine something like that happened in so called civil society and how One man alone, Hitler, could convince whole of machinery and people of Germany to do something so in-human. But history says that 60 Million jews killed in 6 years. But history is written by winners. May be US will right off Saddam Hussain killed all Iraq's in 10 years war(though 80% got killed in US Bombings).
Life is beautiful is about a Jews family kept in such concentration camps where father(Robert Bertini) shows a false and beautiful picture of this prison to his son। He tells him that its a game and we live like this so we earn points and in end who has maximum points will ride a Tank. In end, when germany get defeat, the child really rides a tank and believes his father(who got killed by germans). Movie is good and you feel good how our parents make life so beautiful for us taking all atrocities over them.
अंत मे मेने कितने दिनों बाद एक गोविंदा कि फिल्म देखी। पार्ट नर । एक इंग्लिश फिल्म Hitch का हिंदी रीमेक कह सकते हैं परंतु दविड़ धवन ने अपनी छाप छोडी है और सुमधुर संगीत इसे और भी अलग बाना देता है। कहानी है एक प्रेम गुरू और एक असफल बेवकूफ आदमी कि जो अपनी कंपनी कि मालकिन से प्यार कर्ता है। प्रेम गुरू उसे कुछ तरीके बताते हैं जिससे वो अपने प्यार को पा सके। साथ मे प्रेम गुरू का अपना भी प्यार चल रहा है। अंत मे कुछ गलत्फह्मिया और फिर सब मिल जाते हैं। अभिनाय्के मामले मे गोविंदा ने सलमान से बजी मारी है पर सलमान भाई तो दिन पर दिन जवान होते जा रहे हैं। गोविंदा कि उम्र अब दिखने लगी है लेकिन अभी भी उन्हें कैटरिना कैफ़ जैसी सुन्दर नायिका मिल जाती है। फिल्म का कमजोर पक्ष है थोडी बहोत asynchronization गोविंदा और सलमान मे। बाकी बधिया टिम पास हैं

My Patent

Hey Guys!
Just to share this. I got my patent applied to US Patent office(Its already been granted in India). To see the link, click @
http://appft1.uspto.gov/

My GuruDwara Experience

Hi folks,

Here is something that I would like to share with you. Its some strange thing that haapend to me yesterday. Its not that I have never been to any religious place ever. Most of you know that I visit temple every Tuesday. It is also not that I have never been to a religious place from some other religion. I have been to Mosque twice (once in Lucknow Imambara and second time in Delhi Lal Quila), been to Church thrice ( to my school church, in Italy and in London, once also attended prayer). But till yesterday I had never been to a GURUDWARA. I always had a curiosity that how Sikhs offer their prayers. But luckily or unluckily never got a chance. And now I am going to share my experience I got when for the first time I entered in a guru darbar. Lets briefly describe situations in which I reached here.
I was to go to Chandni Chowk to do some shopping with my aunty. So she called me their and told me to wait outside famous SHEESHGANJ GURUDWARA their. Its martyrdom place of guru Teg Bahadur also. It was evening time around 6:00 PM and I was waiting outside for her. Mercury was too high and monsoon seems to knocking at Delhi. But yet not raining.
Suddenly a person came to me and told me, " I am seeing you standing outside gurudwara from last couple of minutes. Either you go inside or please move from here." I had no other option to go inside. So honestly speaking, it was not my faith which brought me there. As I was about to enter, a sardar jee with a long Bhala stopped me. I thought, "May be non-sikhs are not allowed". But how the hell does he know that I am not sikh? He pointed his finger to a bin. Lots of small cloths were there in it. He told me to wear one. So finally I got his point that you cant enter a gurudwara Bare-head. I opted for my handkerchief ( I dont know why I hesitated to wear one from them). I tied it one my head and entered inside.
It was a large hall with a large carpet on the floor. At one end of hall, there was a kind of platform on which some thing was kept. Near to him three persons were sitting and singing some religious song. I first gazed at the architecture of whole building. There were lots of chandeliers and big lights. The hall was two floored with upper floor used for some offices. I went inside and sat down quietly on the carpet.
Then something strange happened. I found myself filled with some strange feeling. I was out of this world with no body around me. I don't know where I was, what I am listening to, what I am looking at.This strange thing have never happened to me. Even in temple also, lots of vague thoughts keep coming to me when I am praying to God. But here, It was so quiet, so blank. No thoughts, pure SHANTI. I dont know how much time I was there. When aunty touched me from back I was back to earth.
I had never had such a feeling so I thought to share with you. May be any of you have felt the same. We go to religious places so many times but few times present their mently. Same thoughts keep haunting there also. But NOT THIS TIME.
My apologies are again with them whome religious sentiments are hurted by any words above. I have just written truth.

This happens also in Italy!!

This is my 3rd trip to Italy. But it happened first time. Though I have seen many people playing some instruments in Metro in my last trip and collecting money, but this was one of its own type. Yes, you must have met people on traffic lights in Delhi, asking you some help as someone has pick-pocket them. They need to go to their home and ask a small amount let say 10 Rs. This time something similar happened to me in Milan.
I was sitting on the stairs of this famous church Duamo on one Sunday afternoon with one of my friend. Suddenly a guy came and said something to me in Italian. I said "Non capito" which means I don't understand in Italian. He then spoke in English, Do you understand English? I said yes. Then he said, "I am in big trouble someone has pick-pocket him and he needs to call his friend urgently, so can I lend him some money?" I said "how much" "may be couple of Euros" he replied. This guy was looking more of a European but his English was fluent. I was about to give him 1 Euro, suddenly I thought. I have purchased a new Italian Sim card with a very cheap plan in which I can call anywhere in world at 15 cents. I thought may be I can help him by allowing him to make a call from my mobile. I said, "where does your friend live?" Now he was not prepared for this. He said hesitantly "Africa". I said "Ok, you can call your friend using my mobile" "No, no its my personal no. How can I show it to you? You give me money I will call from Public Booth" I said " Ok you can delete the no after u call" Now He was not in good mood. He said angrily "you don't want to give me money" "No" "Ok Fine" and he left. By now I have remembered all such incidents that have happened with me and my friends in India(also shown in movie traffic signal).So both of yes started laughing and said "This happens also in Italy"

Home delivery in noida

This sunday I wanted to get some delicious chicken delivered to my home in noida and I got stuck as I didnt have phone numbers to call. Then I collected few of them posting them here. I hope people will append them as comments.

Kam Bhoj - 0120-2430413 Sec 37
Kitchen of punjab- 9873263285 - CSM
Tiffin - 0120-4254990 - Sec 20
Pizza hut - 0124-3911111 Centralised call center for NCR
Mc Donald - 0120-2513634
Dominos - 0120 - 2512049-53 Sec 18 Noida
SkyLark - 0120 - 2525336 - Sec 19 Noida
Yo China - 0120 - 4326615-18 - Sec 18 Noida

VCD Home Delivery
-----------------
Pandey - 0120 - 4354026 Sec 12 Only original
colaba - 9810576111 - Sec 22 Pirated too

Very good delhi govrnment website

Hey guys!! I recently browsed through this interesting link. Might be useful for people living in delhi.

delhigovt.nic.in - All delhi govt department listed
mapmyindia.com - Detailed road map, better than google.

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Die Another Day

If I would have got some indications about this from my Kundli
Software, I might have not taken this chance. Guys! yesterday I met
with a real streat "gunda" in person, as you may have seen in moovies.
Coming straight to the point.

Time : 6:00 PM
Place : Backyards of Golcha cinema in Daryaganj.

We started early for moovie Die Another Day as I was planning to buy a
Telephone. First we booked tickets for evening show. After buying
phone we were at GOLCHA by 6:00 PM. Moovie was to start at 6:30 PM but
we thought to park the bike first and then roam around.
For those who have not been to Golcha, the parking is in its backyards
and nearby is an old muhalla. Its too congusted. Suddenly a Car came
from opposite side. I took my bike to my left. Suddenly I heard some
"gali" and some body pushed my bike from back. He was saying "Kya be!
rasta chhod". We turned around and saw two men. Here we means myself
and my freind Atul. I stared at them and Atul respond to them saying " dekhte nahi ho kaha se nikale". Suudenly the taller one (5'10") turned
around and attacked on me with a Knife. I dont think he wanted to hurt
me as he hitted on my Helmet thrice with his knife. I was stunned. The
left hand or right hand of that "bhai" also shouted on Atul. He was
shocked too. The people around us were watching this exactly like in
moovies. All those scenes from Mumbaiya style moovies flashed through
my eyes in which a streat mawali beat and kill some "aam aadmi" like
me on streats.
They left us shocked and stunned. The public was staring at us as if
we were from some other planet. I first thought to enquire about him
but then it may be dengerous. All the nearby shopkeepers may be "apne
aadmi" of that guy and think that I am going to report it in police.
This may start an action/reaction. So I calmly parked my bike. Then
entered the hall as if nothing happened. In the cinema hall, I
analysed the situation. It could be my last day. But probably I have
to DIE SOME OTHER DAY.

Waterbanks Adventure in DamDama Lake

Venue : Damdama Lake, 25 Km North West of Gurgaon on Sohna Road
Date : 25th Dec 2005
Description : Masti, Dhamal and Adventure. These three words describe
the whole trip. We started at around 9:30 AM from Noida. It was a bit
late as we reached there by 12:00 PM. The place is located around 1 km
from main road and now days can be reached by Car in muddy roads or by
boat. But in rainy seasons, only way to reach there is by Boat. The
place is a dense a forest with camps and adventure games located in
between.
Games : As soon we reach there, breakfast(Veg Sandwitch, Soup and
Tea/Coffe) was ready. After re-charging ourselves, K&K went for Table
Tennis and V&S started to look around. The place is big almost size of
two football stadiums with various sports facilities like Rope Burma
Bridge, Tarzan swing, Flying Trapeze, Tampoline, Spiders web, Valley
Crossing, Shooting etc. In mid of all this, you can just enjoy sitting
in Hamaks and Easy chairs also two big halls(hut shaped) to protect from
rain. A 1000W music was playing in the main hall where a TT table and a
Basket ball is also placed.
How we went: We started first with Burma Bridge. The bridge start
swinging when you are in middle. I tried to scare others by jumping when
they were in middle. It was not at all risky as instead of roap in base,
tehy have used wodden planks. Yes, but coming down from the bridge, the
web is very loose and you have to be carefull not stucking in it. K has
to go for a rescue operation for a uncle with his little daughter
Tamanna as he was not able to cross the middle portion alone.
Next thing was Trapeze swing. For those who dont know, its a pulley on
which you just hang by your hands and slide downa rope. Though it was
not more than 100 mt, it was fun. Next we went for spider web, It was a
net(same used in Football Post) spread over a frame like tent. You have
to cross it from one end to other. We started with a challange who cross
it first. KD started very fast and was almost to reach till end but he
has to come back to help KK. V started slowely and together as family
won the race. Next was Tarzan swing as you have seen in movies hanging
on roap and crossing a small pot. It was very small mainly for kids.
Then we went for Rock Climbing. Again, KD started first but was unable
to reach top. I touched the top. Gals were also able to reach till
midway. We also jumped on Tampoline.
Now it was time for lunch. The lunch was quite good with chicken curry,
paneer, aloo gobi, dal makhni, roti, rice and gulab jamuns. Now with
stomach full, we spent some time on green grass in bright sun.
Last thing we did was shooting, The aim was a bottle hanging in middle
from a tree. Initially it seemed difficult but all of us hit it.
Amazing. Now it was 4:30 and we have to leave.
The things we couldnt do or try were, valley crossing, some group games
like fighting your enemy in jungle and fishing. And yes we do saw some
wild animals like Neel gay and fox and peacocks.
This was end of the trip.

Venice : The city of Love

Venice: The city for lovers. Aptly said. I missed my sweetheart. The city of canals. Every where you see water. You walk in any direction for 100 mtr and you find your way is blocked by a canal. People have steamers parked outside their homes like we park cars.
Reaching there: Checkout Google.
What to see: Again lots of sites giving this info. I suggest take a Grand Canal Pass for 9 euros. Now you have two ways either by walking or by steamer. The city is very small. Do visit Murana Iceland and its Glass Factories. I missed it. Wait till night in Venice. The city looks marvelous in water. The lights twinkling in water. Enjoy the cool breeze at the port. Just watch setting sun. Too many things to do too short a life.
Gondola: This is special kind of Boats in Venice. The charges are too high. For 40 minutes and up to 5 people they charge anything from 80 euros to 150 euros. Do bargain.. I prefer to go on gondola ride in evening but its up to you.
Gifts to buy: You can buy the masks of PoP. Don’t buy from shops on main streats. Go inside on smaller Gallis and you find things cheaper. Silk ties and Murana Glass items are other things to go for.

Milan

Milan: The city of fashion, fashion capital of world, the city of culture fused with modern values. I happened to be here for a while. I will share my experiences in few lines below. Don expect it to be informative but its just my experiences.
City : The main city is very small, probably within 10 km from 1 end to other but like other big cities if world, the sub urban area is developed and quite large. Starting from Monza in North to Turino in east. By the way, turino is the place from where Sonia Gandhi belongs to. City is full of medieval period monuments and Italian know the art of preserving their cities. I have seen it in Pompeii.
Traffic: The traffic inside Milan is very busy. You will find signals every 100 mt. The lights are never synchronized. So you clear 1 light and wait for next one. Its better you use ATM (Azencia Transport Mialno) metro services. Very good and very fast. Many roads are single ways so even you make mistakes and find yourself lost.
Eating: My favorite. Being an Indian, I prefer to eat Indian food and you have plenty of Indian restraints in Milan. I visited around 7 or 8. The best one is Rangoli in Via salferino. Take a metro to Mascowa(on green line near Garibaldi FS). From there its walking distance. Wonderful ambience along with warm reception from host makes you feel like being in India. The food is good. The owner Mr Mohan Chauhan is a nice person who make it sure that he take care of each customer personally. Second rank holders are Sukriti(1st Indian restraint in Milan), Just Indian and Angan. The worst ones are New Delhi, Taste of India, Tandoor. For list of all restraints checkout http://www.indiandinner.com/. Apart from Indian food, I tried Mexican(DixiLand near Garibaldi), Italian(all other) and Chinese(very bad). There are Mc Donald all over so no problem if you eat non veg. For vegetarians, Pasta and Marghrita Pizza is good option.
Shopping: three kinds of markets. First one is very costly. These shops are located near Duamo(central Cathedral). Le Rinnasante, Zara, Upim are famous ones. Second level is medium budget. Try shopping at Corsa Bunes Aires near Loreto. Checkout sale at UCB shop near Lima Metro stop on Corsa Bunes Aires. Just get down at Loreto and walk straight forward on this road. You have so many shops with reasonable prices. The road side market is cheapest one. Try a Saturday road market on a street near Corsa Buenes aires(Right if u r going from Loreto to Lima). For electronic goods, Mediaworld and Euronics are good chains. Caution, checkout prices of any product on to or three shops before buying. The prices vary on shop to shop.
NightLife: There are plenty of bars and discos in Milan. Most of them are near Garibaldi. I went to one near corsa Sampione. Its name is bhangrabar. They have a happy hour in which you can get indian buffet with 1 drink in 5.5 euros. The food is rice and pakoras with a dal mixed with pork that too cold. Good place to drink but not good for food.
Things to see in Milan: Aah, you can find many on Google.
Tips: If you want to roam around Milan in train, check the Trenitalia website (Trenitalia.com). There are some schemes by which you can purchase tickets at damn cheap rates.

Pisa

Pisa is another 100 Km from Florence. If you want and you dare then you can cover both the cities in 1 day. We started at 6 in morning from milan and we reached in Florence around 10. After 3.30 we left florence for Pisa. Pisa is a very small town only famous for its leaning tower. You dint find any thing else.
Leaning tower is situated near a cathedral, which is again a master piece. The leaning tower is wround 150 ft high(there are so many sites to tell you about it) and you have to pay 15 euro to be on its top. Notmuch to say so I am attaching some of the photos. Enjoy!!

Florence

Hello dosto,
This time I took a long leap and fly few thousands Km to reach Italy, the country of great Roman civilization. Obviously I was on a official trip but I managed to visit some cities in the wekends. The First weekend was Florence and Pisa. I was stationed in Milan from where Florence is around 350 Km South east. Its a straight 330Km Auto Strada(Toll Road) taking u to Florence or firennzia as they call it. Try www.expedia.com for finding driving directions if you want to drive. The site is fundoo and accurate.
The way from Milan to Florence is through hills. Florence lies in tuscon region of italy which itself is like Himachal or Uttranchal of India. The beuty is immense and if you have some time, do visit tuscon villages. Florence lies in a valley.
Florence is a city of Rensessance period. Most of the artists and sculptures werer based here. Even the city is preserved as it was in medival times making it impossible to drive car. Most of the roads are 1 way. The best thing will be to reach a place called Michelangelo Piazza. This is a place at some height from where you get full view of city. Park the car here and you can roam around. The city is full of meuseaums, cathedrals(called Duamo) and old style buildings. There are very long queues for entry in meuseams. Also very famous is a bridge(see in pic). There are so many jwellary shop on that bridge. Also there is a statue on which people were putting Locks with their names written on that. I suppose it was for fulfiling their wishes.
You can buy some soveniours from the city. I bought some mouse pads with pics of city, statue of Michelengelo, a calender. Just a piece of advice, dont buy them from any main shops. You will find same thing at cheaper rates inside city. Food is a problem so better carry fruits and biscuits.
Overall a old city with so many monuments. In Italy they call it a dead city whereas Venice with old monuments a live city.

Lensdowne & Pauri's Mountains!!

Here I am again with a new trip story. Aap bhi sochte honge ki kitnaa bhoomtaa hoo main. You must be thinking how much travel i do. This time we planned to start towards Himalayas again but somewhere uHello Guys! Here I am again with a new trip story. Aap bhi sochte honge ki kitnaa bhoomtaa hoo main. You must be thinking how much travel i do. This time we planned to start towards himalyas again but somewhere un known un touched virgin.GNC cameup with idea LENSDOWNE.

This is a small place with command office of Garhwal Rifles Regiment. About 80% area is under Army control and rest is supporting. Few places to roam around like tiffin top and a church. Thats what information we could gather from internet. one more info was given that since town is small, only 3 places to stay. We thought less info is given about this place.

Initial plan was to go via road as its just 300 KM from delhi. But I suggested Train route. Last station is Kotdwar(BEL factory). From there Lensdowne is 41 KM. Tickets were booked for all 13(a unlucky no?) of us but on final day only 7 of us were going. GNC was going in Taxi with shirish and Kiran dropped out on last moment. So it was (lucky) 7 of us started. It was a good journey as all have been in past.We enjoyed the company. The train reached Kotdwar by 6 in morning. Kotdwar is a small town with few good restraunts and all basic infrastructure. You can compare it with Kathgodam. We hired a taxi to go to Lensdowne. The fare per person in Geep is 35 Rs so a sumo comes around 350 Rs.

The way from Kathgodam to Lensdowne is full of lush green forests and blue pines. Till a point named Duggadda, road is quite good(National Highway 119 connected pauri and Kotdwar). After that road is OK types. You watch for Sri Sidhbali temple and Sri Durga Temple on way from Kotdwar to Lensdowne.

You can not see lensdowne until you reach there. yes its hidden behind majestic himalayas. Its very small, even smalled than you have thought. It has just one bus stand around which you will find 2-3 eating points and 1 hotel (Mayur) + 2 lodges.

The condition of lodges in worse than a person from delhi can think of. Mayur hotel seems good from outside. What we expected after reaching there was un expected. All hotels full. There is 1 travel rest house(TRH) and 1 hotel called fairy dell. Both were jam packed as it was a 3 day weekend. We even tried for military guest house near kaleshwar mandir but its only for army staff and we were civilians. This brought all our enthuse to bottom level.

GNC was panic as with kids and ladies it was very difficult. He even didnt get hotels in Haridwar on the way(as planned). We have atleast a full night sleep. What next??? The question was big as there was no place near by. Nainital was 200 KM. Dehradun was 150. Haridwar was 100 but nobody wanted to go there. Some one came up with name PAURI. Its a hill capital of uttaranchal. Again a small place, definitely bigger than lensdowne, with some accommodation(that was on priority). The decision to go pauri brought our trip to lensdowne to end.

At this point, while writings this blog, i think we should have given a thought of staying in Kotdwara than going to Pauri. We could have stayed in some hotel in Kotdwara(first check after etting down from train that are there good hotels in Kotdwara), trekked in Lensdowne and enjoyed scenic beauty. The way from Lensdowne to KOTDWARA is just 1 hrs so it would have been less painful.

From there we started around 11:00 AM. All were tired, hungry and frustrated. It was one of its kind incident happened with us that we reached some spot and didnt get any accommodation. Any way Manuj and Piyush arranged some snacks and drinks(which proved disatsrous later) . The distance between Lensdowne and Pauri is 84 Km but Taxi driver asked 1000 bugs for this distance(more than 12 Rs/km). Actually there is no direct route btw these two places and as per taxi driver, he has to be back empty. The road from Lensdowne to Pauri is with all the zig zags a mountain road is famous for. Over that some of us (in fact all of us excluding me) have that jumpin and chips in their stomachs. Over that, the driver was driving very fast. This caused all of us to a vomiting session mid way. Myself and Piyush were robust enough to avoid. I dont have photos else I can show the same scene if you have watched Problem Child -2. In that movie the kid does some trick in my fair lady and all passengers starts vomiting. Finally we reached Pauri at around 2:30 PM.

Pauri is again a small town with very few basic ammenities for travellers. Infact I can now safely comment

Ganga Kinare mera gaon ho

Ganges River, India - 2nd 3rd April 2005
By Vishal K Srivastava

Standing there on the bank of Ganges you can hear the 'gentle' roar ahead till you go a little further and it transforms into a thunderous one.

You can see the water foam, swirl, make whirlpools and rise to form sheer walls. The waves crash into each other in their pristine fury as if they are trying to drown each other.

But you can never even come close to imagining the power of the river. Yup, for a starter, imagine being a pair of Levi's in a washing machine set at top speed!

White water rafting on the Ganges was 'pioneered' by a few adventurous Canadians way back in the early eighties. (A few of the rapids are named after them!)

It's a fully fledged industry now. Around seventeen camps were operational on the entire stretch from Rudraprayag to Rishikesh this season, though most of them are concentrated up to a place called Kaudiyala, 40 kms from Rishikesh.

I and a few friends did about 36 kms of rafting in two days. We started from Shivpuri 1st day and Marine drive 2nd day. The excitement built up as we climbed aboard in calm water. We were taught to respond to 'all forward', 'right back', 'lean forward', not to panic if we fall over or capsize and the rest of the 'boring' safety routines.

Floating into the froth you can truly appreciate your senses tuned to the slightest sound from your guide, the slightest movement of the raft, and the numbness of bone chilling water sprayed on your skin.

The best seat on the raft? Undoubtedly the guys who lean forward and meet the water head on!

Then we let the Ganges take over. First day we did some milder grade I or II rapids, a few names that I can recall were, 'Crossfire', 'Black Money', 'Return to Sender' (or centre ?), 'Golf Course' and a cracker of a rapid where you can body surf.

Then came the 'Roller Coaster', cousin of 'The Wall' with the same terrorising tendencies. Grade IV plus and very very mean.

On second day we did some more rapids like 3 blind mice which we hit most excitingly and all the ones which we did on first day.

We climbed a wave crest and were held there for a trifle longer than required, enough to make everyone scream out of sheer adrenalin-laced thrill. Once past this monster, it is an easy going till Rishikesh, with a couple more rapids where you can body surf too.

The rafting season on the Ganges is from November to mid April. In summers the water level rises and the rapids become dangerous for rafting for mere mortals like me and all but few camps pack up. Though that should not deter the pros who dig for raging rivers!

I would suggest staying in a camp on the bank of the river. There are plenty to choose from. Most of the operators will provide you with pickup from Delhi and back, food, bedding and equipment while you stay on their camp.

It is also possible to sign up with them for the rafting trip only. Of course, you will have to arrange for your stay and food separately. Expect to pay anywhere in the range of 1300 - 2000 Rs per night depending on the facilities and extra frills that each campsite provides. A stand alone run of 12 kms on the river should cost around 400 Rs per person.

Most of the good camp operators have websites, so do a little bit of dry surfing on the net before the real wet thing!

Chokha Sahar

Top Staring Local Sight seeing/Shopping ChokhiDhani Fair Some Tips

Hello Friends!
Starting
I am here again with yet another trip story. Last Friday, bored of our daily routines and normal life, we(our DCH group) decided to do some Xing-bang(as koke says). The initial destination was Chandigarhan then may be kasuali, but mood changed and hence destination. The Car was now heading on NH-8 for Jaipur instead of NH-1.We started at 8:00 PM and took our dinner at Haldiram's on NH-8(nice building and nice food). After that I took on driving seat and Dany started to catch his breath seeing speedometer crossing 130-140. The dialogue of trip was " AbeyVishaldheerechalnaa!!Abeysaaledheere hi to hu. Sirf 120 hi to hai." Initial Plan was to stay in "Chokhidhani" the famous theam based resort. But when we inquired about the lodging rates, 3500 bucks per night/per couple was not a economic choice. So we took a medium class hotel for 500 bucks near Bus Stand with TV, attached bath and 3rd bed.
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Local Sight seeing/Shopping
Next day plan was to visit HawaMahal and some forts and then gotoChokhiDhani(Now onwards CD). Not much to visit around BadiChaupar and hawamahal but one can do some shoping and so we did. Thank god they accept Credit Cards, we spend some good amount for our near and dear ones. Next was to have aelephent ride in Aamer fort. But elephents
refused to load two more elephents(apne 2 mote). So we decided to go in Car. Again not much to see in these forts when Sun is showering all its might straight on you. A good hide out for local lailamajnus like we have seen earlier in KANAKGARDEN(remember GNC!). We left straight for CD from AAMER Fort.( A piece of advice: The best time to reach CD is by 6:30 PM. Why? u will see in following lines).
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ChokhiDhani
We were there at 3:30 PM. Its around 20 KM from Jaipur on JaipurSanganer Highway (but Road Marks say that we are going toKOTA). Anyway, everyone is fully aware of CD and no problem in locating it. Even Police man addressed us with Sir. Its a big resort with two parts. One is for stay and other for there daily village fair. You can buy a entry ticket for 190 bucks and this includes EITHER lucnh(continental/indian/chinese) or dinner(pure rajasthani). The lunch is served till 3:00 PM so we had our lunch not in CD but a CHOKHA DHABA just opposite to CD. We had 2 hours for CD village fair, main attraction, to open. So we entered the resort area. They have made huts of mud with A/C fitted and all modern emenities like swimming pool, sauna, lawn tennis, pool, dance floor etc. So guys if looking for 5 star lodging go for it. There was a cot lying under a mango tree infront of a villag e hut. We were feeling tired so took a nap there for next hour.
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The Village Fair
The fair started to pick up by 6:00 PM. It was a pure village fair like. Wahisarekheltamashe,jhoole, bailgadi, unt, hathi, chaupal. And everything included in that 190 pass. Ham teenowahajakeekdambachche ban gaye.Jhoolejhoolna, fall se slide karnaa, untkisawarisabkuchhkiyahamne. Even body and head message bhikraraya. Wow! kyapakode the....raja maharaja kitarahtakiyalagakekalbeliya and bhawariya dance dekhnasath me chaiaurpakode..wah! anandaagaya. Fir suruhuajadoo ka khel. It was such a nice experience watching a magician sitting at “chaupal” and we all sitting on cots around him. We also met a astrologer. There was long queue of girls and boys waiting. Here are some edited forecasts(some portions are edited as per requests ;-))

Vishal: You can make friends easily and able to impress people. Very Straight forward.Likely to start business in near future.Marriage within a year.

Kailash: You can make friends easily and able to impress people but not your wife. Sometimes bit arrogant. Will be a “joru ka gulam” Apnakaamkarega.

Danish :Bahot lucky hai par Apneliyeutnaa lucky nahijitnadoosarokeliye. Shadikikataarmeinhai.Paisaabahothaipargaya paisa wapasnahiaayegaa. Isliyekisiko paisa mat do.

Best part was dinner. Proper Indian style sitting in queues with food served in “pattals” and water in “Kulhads” Menu consisted ethnicrajasthanibajrekiroti, make kiroti, gehukiroti, moth bajrekikhichari with 3 full table spoonful ghee and boora. Over that “MaalPua”.Aisaa lag rahathakisasuraal me kharahe ho. Jabardasti ka rkekhilarahe the. We had a stomach full and started back.

Kul milaake maje me rahe…
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Some Tips: If you want to visit the place, start in morning from delhi such that you reach by 4 to 5 PM(It takes around 5:30 Hours from noida to jaipur). Go directly to ChokhiDhani, spend the whole evening, and return to jaipur city. Stay in some hotel. Next morning visit other places in JaipurCity and by evening leave for delhi.

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