Recently, I accidentally went to a math lecture that I thought had some relevance in Political Science. As someone with varied interests and average intelligence, I optimistically thought that I would be able to understand roughly 15% of the subject matter and was looking forward to how ‘Lie Groups’ find application in politics. In came a young, modest-looking guy with a big smile on his face and it made me even more at ease to sit through. In humanities, we usually start a talk with a brief introduction to the topic, and the research question and then, delve deeper into the subject matter. So, when this ‘talk’ started right from the blackboard, I realized that I had charted into deeper waters. From start to finish I kept nodding in oblivion, as I witnessed that huge blackboard being subjected to mathematical symbols, expressions, functions, and whatnot. Far away from the numbers, we grew up thinking as Math! He spoke in a language that was unknown to me, it was maybe like attending a humanities lecture in Portuguese but that warm smile that made it look like this is just child’s play made me nod along. I might have been the only person nodding and smiling as all others I noticed were having a staring competition with the blackboard! They would often stop the speaker to clarify some doubt to make sure they are on the same page, while I was drifting to a far-off wonderland, thinking how puny my intellect is in front of these great minds!
An hour of understanding absolutely nothing can still teach you so much. The tall assumptions I held about myself fell flat and I was humbled by the vastness of knowledge. As soon as the talk finished, I sneaked out hoping to remain unnoticed. On my way back to the dorm, I mustered up the courage to ask one of the less intimidating professors if he could attempt to explain the topic at a layman’s level. Delving deep inside his brain he came up with a very simple definition of ‘Lie Groups’ which I could follow along with. He said, imagine a smooth continuous surface of 3D space, we attempt to operate on two points on the surface to get the third point. Just like 3 + 5 = 8, ‘+’ is the operation and ‘3’ and ‘5’ are the two points that give the third point as ‘8’. That sounds simple enough right, trust me it’s not! I confessed to him that I used to think I am smart enough to understand any concept, to which he upliftingly said, you can definitely understand any concept but some concepts require a longer time frame, say 10 years! Just like a vocalist could not play the piano without proper training despite her musical inclination.
The next day the same professor very warmly invited me for dinner with his colleagues and the guest speaker. I was obliged but nervous because after seeing them in their ‘natural habitat’ (the classroom) it was hard for me to think of them as ‘normal’ people. What would I even talk about with a group whose IQ would be multitudes of mine, I thought. But I was amazed at their humility and really appreciated the effort each one of them took to make me feel at ease. I had the most amazing time chatting about my chaotic world and interests to their patient ears. Who knows when I was chatting about baking and traveling, they would have drifted to a far-off math land! The speaker collated Math with fiction in a beautiful way. He said, in Math, we start off with some minimal assumptions and the soundness of the model lies in how far one can go without violating these assumptions. To some extent, it sounded similar to an economics model. I hope in the years to come, I get opportunities to peek into the beautiful world of Math and appreciate it as an art. Till then, I believe this was the most fortunate accident of my life, rendering a new self-awareness and friends to cherish for life.
Exploring the northeast of India and all its hidden wonders is a dream come true for most travel buffs! Recently I got the opportunity to live that dream through a trek organized by the Youth Hostel Association of India which brings to life the adventurer in you and provides a platform to explore the unknown with well-crafted trek packages at unbeatable prices. In the most unexpected and impulsive manner, I came across the Meghalaya Trekking cum Caving Training Expedition on their website and just knew that I couldn’t miss it!
Meghalaya is one of the most beautiful states in India, often nicknamed as the ‘Scotland of the East.’ It has Khasi, Garo and Jaintia hills on each side reflecting unique cultures and languages. Our trek started with a warm breakfast, a see-off, and a bus journey from Shillong to Mawphlang from where we would walk for 16 km along the David Scott route (a historical trail made by the British to carry goods from Cherrapunji to Bangladesh). I breathed in the fresh cold air as medicine for my “city lungs” and captured the greenery for my sore eyes. Lush ferns and this picture-perfect trail is ideal for a relaxed walk or a picnic. We met children playing on the hillside, herders and stopped at small Maggi joints along the route. And as fate would have it, after we exited the trail we treaded on the motor road impatiently for another 6 km to reach Sunny Hill school for our stay where sweets and chai awaited for our warm welcome!
Our rickety bus which drove 50 excited trekkers to the starting point of the trek.
Sweet waters…
‘Scotland of the East’ view!
We found these delicious berries growing along the route – snack time!
From the over-bridge
A stop for tea and maggi
These adorable children were happy to teach me some local games and share stories about their school
May I take a photo of you?
On the second day, we set out to Sohra (Cherrapunji) on a 15 km trek through the most exquisite waterfalls. Each stop was better than the last till you start to doubt whether this is heaven or earth. It was definitely a piece of heaven on earth! Intoxicating beauty which inspires you with its humbling serenity and calm. Words or photos can’t even begin to capture this beauty that brings you to your knees and you wonder how can one ever live a life without exploring the bountiful wonders of nature.
The massive Dainthlen falls
Weird green growing things..
Mawsaw dong falls
There may be another universe beneath these hollow structures
Flowing waters…where art thou headed?
Wei Sawdong falls- beauty that can not be captured.
My one good photo- Lyngksiar falls
When you are too tired to wait for a mattress!
Wei Sawdong falls- a piece of heaven on earth!
With sore muscles we set out on an adventure packed 20 km trek for the third day. A 7 km steep rocky descent to visit the rainbow waterfalls followed by a trek through the sacred forests of Nongriat to see the living root double-decker bridge and then climbing 3000 steps to reach a small village called Tyrna for our homestay. There were moments of daunting fear and excitement when we trekked through delicate bridges, dense forests, and mesmerizing views. The fourth and final day of the trek required another bout of climbing (3000 ft) steps through a forest, cutting across the motorable road to explore the caves in the region. In knee deep water and torches in hand, we entered the Mawmluh cave and Arwah cave which is an explorer’s delight. The fossils and limestone deposits over millions of years really bring to perspective the maturity of nature around us.
Route through the sacred grove
The stairway to Tyrna
Picture perfect
It dawned on me while crossing this bridge how its all a dream come true!
You believe it when you see it!
Just another day for these young lads
When you regret not owning a DSLR!
Deposits in the Arwah cave
Tempted to take a lift, but a true trekker chooses the steps!
We were back to civilization the next day, alive to tell the tales! I tried my hand at cycling on the hills, eating local food, and exploring the museums and markets around us. To make the most of my time in Guwahati, I took a ferry ride from Kachari Ghat and visited the Umananda island (the smallest river island in the world) to enjoy the rich biodiversity of the region and the famous Umananda temple. It was heartwarming to see people so closely knit with wildlife as one family. Be it Govinda, the endangered Golden Langur or Chunchunni, the indigenous birds.
The streets of Guwahati are embedded with such beautiful display of art and culture
Umananda temple
War memorial at Guwahati exhibiting the Ahom general Lachit Borphukan’s strategic victory over the Mughal invasion.
Govinda is the last gonden langur on the Umananda island, his brothers were tranquilized and taken to the zoo but he did not budge. Now the locals feed him
Niangphlang- tangy fried worms
Green rice and pork/beef
Exploring such hidden wonders can only be possible through a trusted and dedicated organization like the YHAI (and I say that only because of the love and respect I have for them.) Often, I found myself in disbelief of the marvels that we experienced. I will be ever thankful to the numerous helpful strangers who offered directions, advice, and kindness. It makes one realize how similar we all are on a fundamental level. This trip has also given me the confidence to revisit, maybe this time for a road trip! So if you are hesitant to take that first step into the unknown, I hope my experience reminds you what awaits!
It’s the last day of 2025, and this is what it feels like. If you’re expecting another pretty article with a cheerful tone, you can stop reading. This is my brutally honest, pour out all the emotions ‘just as they are’ article. So read at your own risk, I wouldn’t want to bring down your New Year spirits.
I have been doing a mind numbingly boring job that has added little to no value to my intellect or skill. And the changes it has made are aplenty. I am far away from home, and for what? My sunshine beaming positive attitude to life just took less than 2 years to become dull, like the people I see all around me. I can hear my brain cells dying while I am clicking away at my desk.
I am constantly torn between different life paths, unable to make a decision as I am too afraid to let go of either. It’s like being in an escalator and ascending while still being confused about which floor I wanted to be on. In other pursuits, I failed again and again and again. And kept running away from the overwhelming emotions failure comes with. Because the 10-7 pm office rut didn’t even let me come face to face with my feelings.
This is also the year I gave up on my biggest dream. At 30, the future doesn’t look full of possibilities, it looks predictable. I can chart out my next 30 years based on my current trajectory, and I barely like what I see. But neither do I have the courage to change it, as stability wins over spark. The closing window of opportunity makes sure that I keep sacrificing all the little joys in life just to make sure that I am intently looking out the window when it closes shut on my face.
Nothing new or interesting happened around me for the entire year, and even if it did, I didn’t have the luxury to participate. Not a single academic talk, or creative event or anything intellectually stimulating. As you can already tell, I stopped being thankful this year. I was so frustrated for the most part of the year that I just could not be thankful. I reached out to God in times of despair to climb back up to give it one last fighting shot, just to fall back down.
Despite being passionate about creating a positive change in society, I didn’t help a single person this year. Proving that I am just a selfish person engrossed in my daily struggles. I even stopped caring about the events across the globe, be it atrocities towards minorities, political upheavals or even wars. Nothing moved me this year.
This was also the year where I lost all my friends. I had two friends. That’s all. And I lost them in a single stupid instant. After a decade of being misunderstood, put down and judged. It was a relief to let go of these “friends”. But not a single person was added to my friend list. No one to catch up with, no one to relate to. Just comparing my real life to the insta-life of my peers.
I used to be a person who could get genuinely happy for others, but 2025 has made me a person who is constantly comparing myself to others and falling short. Be it my siblings or friends. No matter what someone else does, I feel that I could have or should have chosen that path instead. All the while being afraid to leave where I am.
The only good thing that happened this year was that I got married to the love of my life. It was a beautiful fairy tale wedding, near perfect. But the months that led up to the wedding, I left my partner doing everything on his own as I was stuck in the rut of my work life far away from home. And after my wedding, I barely had time to spend with family before returning to my job. My first Diwali, Christmas, New Year, Birthday, Anniversary all spent alone. Weddings we were to attend as a newly married couple were also missed. My warped life choices stripped my old and new family of my presence at every single important milestone after my wedding.
I yearned to be with my husband, but unfortunately we didn’t even get a good 30 days of quality time together this year. Even when he took out time and visited me, I was preoccupied with commitments. All those precious moments that we spent apart, never to come back. What’s more, I think you would agree that with my current mental state, I wouldn’t be the ideal partner to be around during the holiday season.
Not every year needs to be perfect, but 2025 has topped it all. Leaving me with a gloom that would most likely spill into the next year. Usually I am so excited for the new year, new beginnings, but this year I am sorry, I just can’t say, ‘Happy New Year’.
Last December my parents and I decided to go on a New Year’s trip. The first time when I was in-charge of all the bookings as my parents took the backseat. Only to guide me at every step, but it was still a big change. Sharing a brief account of our experience of Bhimtal, a slightly less popular lake city in Uttarakhand. Bundled up, we reached the New Delhi railway station early morning and set off on our journey to Kathgodam in Shatabdi Express. It completed the journey in about 5 hours at snails speed but it was a comfortable ride. We had lunch at the railway station and set out to find a comfortable cheap transport share taxi. From Kathgodam you can either get share taxi for 100/- per person or bus for 60/ticket. But most tourists resort to taxis which charge about 800 Rs. The distance of about 25 kms is covered in under an hour if you don’t get traffic. As soon as we reached the hotel my mom crashed on the bed while dad and I explored the place a bit before joining her. At 2 pm we started mustering up strength to get back up and by 3 pm we left to explore Bhimtal.
A half hour walk (2 km) on a narrow road filled with traffic was not what we expected but the cute cafes on the way made up for the disappointment (at least for me.) Taking full advantage of my dad in ‘holiday mode’ we had pastries and puffs to our heart’s content at “Brownies.” On our way we also came across generous Sikhs celebrating Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti and distributing hot milk flavoured with sugar, cardamom and love. It warmed us, and for this day it replaced the mandatory evening tea for my parents.
Bhimtal is a long lake with circumference of about 4.5 km, it’s not as wide as it is long so you can see the other side easily with painted mountains on top and it’s reflection in the water. Bang in the middle of the lake is an Aquarium Café. For an entry fee of 100 Rs, you get to see a variety of caged fishes from as long as your fingernail to as big as a baby alligator. The café has a nice ambience with hefty prices, so we chose to just soak in the view! I know this is the major (and possibly only) tourist attraction here, but I found the system to be extractive. A 10 min boat ride to the café and back with stop time at the café costed us 1000 Rs ( brought down from 1550!)
The water in the lake is about 210 feet deep, freshwater and is believed to be formed when Bhima stuck his ‘gada’ here. Whereas according to geologists the origin of the lake is attributed to a number of faults which occurred due to the shifting of the earth’s crust. Bhimtal also has a dam made by the British in 1883, still standing strong. It also houses the ICAR directorate of cold water fisheries, which I personally found fascinating.
Early next morning dad and I set out for a morning walk to explore Bhimtal minus the traffic. It was a pleasant walk to the lake, which lay serene without any tourists paddling in its waters. It painted well with the morning sky and the constant chirping of little sparrows among other birds. A walk ahead was the Bhimeshwar mandir. It is believed to be 5500 years old and here there are some ancient idols of Bhim placed around a 1000 year old peepal tree. We went ahead to the Victoria Dam which was built in 1883 and manages the water flow from the lake to the adjacent areas. It was beautifully built with step well pattern which can no longer be accessed by the public. Bhimtal was much better in the morning with less people and can be a good choice for people who look for off beat locations. Apart from the new year rush, I believe this place is less frequented in winters. The cold is also enjoyable and less than Nainital which is at a higher altitude.
After breakfast we set out to our day visit to Nainital in a share taxi. It charges about 50 Rs/person and is just an hour away from Bhimtal. Upon entering Nainital one can immediately tell that it’s a popular tourist destination with heavy footfall and much better government facilities. The boating here is regulated by the government 210 Rs for a full circle and 160 Rs for a half circle of the lake. Half of this money goes to the rower and the other half is shared by the owner of the boat and the government. Seems to be a well thought out system, something that was missing in Bhimtal. The lake however falls short in comparison with Bhimtal. Nainital is about a 100 feet deep and 1.5-2 km in circumference. It is said to be filled by the tears of Naina Devi and there is a Mandir here dedicated to the devi. This legend is however not as popular as the legend of Bhimtal. Boating was fun and after it, we spent some time sitting on a bench enjoying the view, a facility we hope other destinations will also soon provide. The locals in Bhimtal claim that it’s popularity will peak with the upcoming mall road which is a novelty only Nainital enjoys in this district. I hope you can make a visit before the mall road is developed as it brings along a lot of traffic and cliché paraphernalia.
On our taxi ride back to Bhimtal, we conversed with the driver who offered to take us to Sattal. It a conglomerate of 7 lakes- Purna tal, Lakshman tal, Ram tal, Sita tal, Garud tal, Sukh tal and Nal Damyanti tal. Four of these are connected by water other three by land. Glad that we took the detour because Sattal had a unique vibe of its own with heart warming tea and beautiful sights. At Sattal, river rappelling is quite popular but be sure to carry a change of clothes just in case you brush the water. We saw few people getting half dunked in the middle of the lake, however exhilarating the experience, the chilled aftermath might be enough to catch a cold! We trekked to the Christian ashram there but it was closed. It had a very interesting quote written at the entrance, ‘As you enter the Ashram you may hear the voice of God. However it is unlikely that He will call you on your phone. Please put your mobile on silent‘. This was a peaceful place just a short trek in the jungle but some locals had warned my dad about the risk of wild animals on this route. So while walking with a stick in hand I was rehearsing my response in the unlikely event of an encounter with a tiger. I know that tigers can’t stand loud noises so in my hyper realistic imagination, I would raise my hands and scream loudly to showcase courage that would scare away even a tiger. But at the slightest movement from the bushes, the only noise I could make was a squeak “paappaa!”
We came back to the hotel, and sipped some rum and my parents danced to their hearts content to old Hindi disco songs! It’s a rare sight to see them so chilled out and enjoying to the fullest! The next day we woke up to the last day of the year 2022. Bhimtal was buzzing with the “New Year” crowd. People much like us who want to make their new year memorable and maybe wanted to beat the crowd but it followed them to the hills. We set out for our morning walk again, a bit late today. We planned to go to a nearby “village” which was actually beautiful big houses on the slopes of hills. The locals here grew lemons the size of coconuts and oranges the size of amla. Their sustainable backyards and terraces to bask the morning sun made me envious of the luxuries they enjoy. The grass is indeed greener on the other side. After reaching the village we asked someone where the road leads, and found out that about 3-4 kms ahead on the mountain top is a mandir- ‘ghodagadi’ mandir as my dad recalls. The mountains are so alluring, the more we walked the top seemed like it’s just within our reach, but the path winds in such a way that the distance keeps on increasing. Well, we had not intended on a long trek, so after enjoying a bird’s eye view of Bhimtal we set back. Jogging downhill was fun! As my legs accelerated to a speed greater than my mind was prepared for. Soon we reached back to the hotel, where breakfast awaited.
We then set out for Naukuchiatal. It is said that the sages prayed here for a lake and were blessed with a lake with nine corners, which are placed in a manner that no one can see all nine corners at once. Here we had a refreshing fresh lime soda of the pahadi huge lemon and set out for boating. This was our third boat ride, and we chose the pedal boat. 300 Rs for 40 minutes. My dad took this deadline quite seriously, and in the 40 minutes he must have asked me 40 times, “what’s the time now?” We sped across the Naukuchia lake soaking in the view of the serene water and the forests that surround. The banj oak forests which surrounds the lake is vital, the locals here accredit the forest for purifying the water and preventing drought.
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One secret for a happy family vacation is to spend some time alone in silence. This restores our energy and patience. I did this on a wrecked boat overlooking the lake in 5 minutes of precious peace while dad ventured to sit on a tree bark and mom, our ombudsman, stood on the path right between the two of us.
After cooling off we set off on a trek in Naukuchiatal. This place has a lot of luxury cafes and resorts and the path is privately built by them. The barking dogs signalled the boundaries of the private properties while the screeching monkeys signalled that the natural habitat belonged to them. We humbly trekked through the route without a single place to rest. If you are an adventure enthusiast, Naukuchiatal has various sports and classy resorts and cafes. This seems like the equivalent of South Delhi for Nainital with huge beautiful estates, and private properties. At the hill top, adventure activities like paragliding, hot air balloon await. After my experience at Bir Billing I have lost faith in the private “adventure” club of India, but there are surely many takers for the same. The trail luckily ended at the Hanuman mandir which is a popular attraction here. It’s has an artificial cave like structure and houses the ashram of Mauna Mata- a lady who kept maun vrat (vow of silence) for 62 years. Right opposite to this is a hygienic veg restaurant called Balaji Restaurant. We tried Kumaoni food here- Bhatkidal and pahadi raita with ragi roti and rice. The food and service were true to its high image among locals.
At midnight when the world was hooting and welcoming the new year, I was tucked in a warm blanket in my mother’s embrace. We wished each other happy new year and dozed off listening to the DJ. We started the 1st with residual energy and did not do much other than bidding goodbye to the hills on a morning walk. We went out for pastries and packed some rum balls for the New Year. Soon we were on the bus ride back on a jam packed road in the hills. Accompanied by locals returning to work and blaming tourists for all the ‘New Year’ ruckus. We thus spent the 1st in local bus over the hills, then in train and finally in a cab to reach home by dark. Maybe not the most well thought out dates, but surely a trip I will remember with fond memories!
Yercaud was a spur-of-the-moment trip that has left me with bucketloads of good memories and a craving for more! Posting this write-up from five years ago. I was getting to it.
A friend suggested Yercaud, (a hill station in Selam, Tamil Nadu) in a casual conversation, a few minutes to check trains plying on this route and cheap accommodation and I was ready to hop on! After a surprisingly comfortable night in the ladies-general to Selam, I woke up to the buzzing excitement running through the bogey. As they approach the station, I saw mothers dressing up their girls. Fixing their hair in pretty plates and buns. Puffing up powder and getting their darlings ready to meet the rest of the group and arrive at the destination. Must’ve been tough for these young lads to travel in such crammed conditions, but then it’s not a choice for most. The perfect breakfast for a long winding road up the hill may not be, half a liter of ‘Kumbh’ but it’s worth a try! I sat in front of aunty as she prepared the drink for me. She eagerly waits for appreciation and smiles happily. Then she handed me a pickled mango and just before I take the last bite, she offers the chilly. She knows this one is too much for me and waits for me to cough, to chuckle! In 20 Rs you will be full for half a day with this refreshing local drink and all set for the palate that awaits!
My first day in Yercaud was like everyone else’s – Lakes, parks, viewpoints. Being an amateur solo traveler I am overcautious and sometimes even outright rude as a shield for the scared little girl inside. Girls are often trained to look at every man as an attacker and while that may be for our own safety it harbors insecurities. Like when I was strolling in one of the less frequented parks of Yercaud, I became overly cautious of a man and launched phase one of ‘stranger-danger’ protocol– flaming-eyed tough stares! The poor fellow got offended and made it a point to tell me in the little English he knew that he does not mean any harm- “brother-sister madam!”
To catch the sunset I walked to the viewpoints and got a lift midway by a sweet couple with a four-year-old. They drove in from Bangalore. Peaceful wind gushing through my ears (yes I caught a bad cold) and the city of Selam glistening under me. I came home to my hosts who asked me about my day and then laughed, “you saw nothing child!” I sat with them chatting through the night, nanna told us about tales from the jungle! How she has come face-to-face with tigers, and wild elephants and saved herself. Moments she remembers crystal clear even after 70 years. She says “I turned ninety but I don’t feel it” what energy.
Early the next morning I went with my host, Vijay to the Killur waterfalls through a private estate. We sat on the rocks through which the fall originated. Vijay told me about the place and what it was like growing up there- flying kites and riding bicycles. After lunch, he was kind enough to drop me at a junction from which I could walk to Pagoda point. On my way back I saw the car door open. It was the same couple smilingly dropping me off again. On my way to the next stop- Shevroy temple, I asked an auto driver for directions. He explained all the tourist spots in Yercaud and handed me his card. A little later I saw the same man he offered me a ride to his destination which was 6 km before the temple. As he dropped me off he said, any problem call me! (Almost sure I wouldn’t be able to walk all the way). I started on the way lost in the picturesque beauty. I saw tempos, cars, and bikes speed through the hills. Owing to the elevation, the last kilometer was the worst. I panted and stopped every few steps. I would look like a lost puppy to the people passing by. A biker stopped at a distance and waited for me to catch up. He asked if I needed a lift and I was too tired to be polite. NO! I was set on completing the task at hand. On reaching the site all the people who drove past me cheered. I was a celebrity! People asked me to sit down, and brought me tea and snacks. A local group of three men and a woman asked me if I knew karate! They told me that when they saw me on the way they wondered how I have the courage to walk alone on this route and arrived at the conclusion that I must be a Blackbelt! On telling them that I did not face any such problems he replied “then today must be your day.” Well, I guess he was right as the shack owner and his wife offered me a lift back on their scooty. As I sat sandwiched between the couple they spoke about me in Tamil. I could understand bits and pieces, the lady was amazed how I came alone all the way from Kerala to which her husband replied, “if she goes this way she will be 40 when she marries!” (Well, I hope not.)
My brother who is also a mentor to me had advised me to be as kind and helpful as possible. To go out of my own way to help people in unexpected ways, and, I have tried to imbibe his advice. Yercaud was a personification of such kindness. Habited by people who would wait to ask you if you need any help. Smile and proudly present their culture to you on a plate. Their respect and hospitality has inspired me. Not only will they happily seat you as a pillion but also tell you to not be afraid, for they are like friends or brothers to you. I will be forever indebted to the kindness and generosity that this family and Yercaud have shown to me. A debt I will only be able to repay by showing the same hospitality to fellow travelers.
Sarpass is the pride of YHAI and rightly so, a trek that has been en route for 48 years hits the right spot in every trekker’s heart. When I got the opportunity to cross Sarpass off my list, I started out with nervous questions and ended with a calm that surpasses it all. You can indeed never cross Sarpass off your list, it’s a feeling that calls you back time and again. This trek has something for everyone; for the novice, it has a thrill that boosts your confidence, while the seasoned trekker comes back to relive the experience every time. Don’t be surprised to find participants in your group who are coming back for the same trek for the sixth time, you’ll soon understand why! We ourselves had the privilege of experiencing this trek with its pioneering camp leader, Mr. Ratan Singh (lovingly known as Bhati Sir) who has completed Sarpass innumerable times. When asked to share some words of wisdom he says, ”There are only two ways of gaining wisdom- literature, and wandering.” The wisdom I gained from Sarpass has surely enriched my life and I hope you receive the same nestled in the lap of nature.
The trek starts along the Parvati river, with a slight uphill to reach Grahan village. You’ll witness a peculiar Israeli culture in stark contrast to the traditional wooden temples in the village. The locals here are ever smiling and kids are ever ready for a toffee!
The second day is a trek to Ming Thatch, if the weather is on your side, it will be an energizing walk through the woods. We started out with so many questions about the destination, but Sarpass dissolves all doubts and brings home the point of trekking- the journey! As we reached the lunch point, it started raining, huddled under a tarpaulin we witnessed the changing shades of nature, from a mild drizzle to hailstorm and thunder! At night we enjoyed the clear sky with a glass of born vita in our hands like the stars were looking down at us in congratulations! For the journey ahead we received a motto from the camp leader,
“pet mein roti
haath mein soti
kadam choti choti”
When we set out to Nagaru, the highest camp in the trek at 12500 ft, we saw the snowy mountains camouflaged with the cloudy sky, like we were ascending to the heavens. There is a clear shift in perspective, as we enter a meditative state. As we look upon the mighty mountains a feeling of constancy fills our hearts. No matter what walk of life you are in, regardless of the worries of our daily lives, life has so much more in store to experience! The value of each day, and each moment fills our hearts and we truly feel alive with each step.
From Nagaru, we attempt Sarpass, with the utmost respect to nature and to the power the mountains hold. Our camp leader briefed us about the challenge ahead, we can try our best he says, but our fate is in the hands of nature. At the altitude of 12500 ft, at 4 am, we sing the National Anthem, our hearts are filled with pride in our nation and humbled by the mighty mountains that surround us. Armed with torches, raincoats, and sticks we laid the first steps in the fresh scrunchy snow. Every step gaining in confidence lifts our spirits. The highest elevation we reached is 13800 feet but with the experienced guides of YHAI and our trek family, one has nothing to worry about. We reach the much-awaited snow slide, depending on the snowfall this experience can vary, but it’s always exhilarating! We reached down with a sense of accomplishment and wonder. It was hardly 12 pm, and we had already made a mark on the day! We played in the snow to our heart’s content and trekked back to the green pastures at Beskeri.
Don’t think the trek is over yet, cause Sarpass has more in store for you. The last camp is Bhandak Thatch, also known as mini-Switzerland. For our batch, this entire day was a trek in the rain, which is a blessing and a curse. The forest comes alive in the rain, its beauty captures everything. But the swamp makes every step a slippery descent! But don’t let it hold you back, because the scenic waterfalls and the beautiful meadows of Bhandak Thatch make it all worthwhile.
On the last day, my feet refused to walk, not out of exhaustion, but because I just didn’t want the trek to end. But all good things must come to an end. The group was dancing in the meadows, full of energy like the last day of a big family vacation. From trekking along the riverside to inside dense forests; from rock climbing to drinking directly from the waterfalls; from the expansive snow to sliding down a mountain, Sarpass surely has it all! It’s a classic trek, intelligently designed and perfectly executed by YHAI.
Sarpass covers thrill, enjoyment, leisure, and focus. So, if you are like me, questioning whether you would be able to do it, just have faith in the organization. YHAI believes you can do it, which is why it’s on the itinerary. Sarpass will leave you with a sense of pride and accomplishment, a boost of confidence, and a longing to come back for more.
I usually set high hopes for New Year’s Eve, like the fortune of the entire year depends on this one day! A habit that has often overburdened my close ones and led to disappointment. This year was no different, but before I could impose a celebration, the government imposed a curfew! Without any plan to fall back on, I was ready to bid goodbye to my luck this year. But as soon as I laid the weight of a perfect New Year off my shoulders, perfection striked.
I had the most memorable lunch date with my mom, at the Bikaner House. Nestled in Pandara Road, built during the British Era for the Maharaja of Bikaner. The grandeur, the expansive lawns and the exquisite artwork, it was a feast for the eyes as well as our taste buds. We ordered the Aloo Bukhara Mirchi Korma with Crispy Garlic Chilli Naan! The food was delicious, what was even better was the service. Our server was kind enough to give us a photo tour around the restaurant.
I came back elated and baked a cheerful rum cake for New Year’s. And just as if to add some excitement to my day, my dad came home and asked if I wanted to go shopping at Hunar Haat– an exhibition for food and handicrafts from around the country. If you knew my dad, you would realise why this was a miracle indeed!
As the festival was closing early owing to rising cases in Delhi, we got crazy deals on a lot of food products including Kerala spices, halwa and chips; flavoured gur from UP; woolens and what not! He even bought me the hippiest pair of haram pants 🙂 Bargaining is surely an adrenaline booster. I came back home jumping with excitement to share all our best buys with mom. The energy of the entire year packed inside my heart.
My parents prepared a sumptuous dinner while I packed away all our little “trophies” into cabinets. After dinner, we prayed together as a family and headed to our respective rooms. When I look back at this day, I am filled with gratefulness and joy. Acknowledging all the blessings life has offered.
Loving parents, a comfortable home, someone to hug even when I am at my lowest, and someone to depend on. These are the things that I am thankful for this year. I know this year didn’t go as planned for many of us, but in times of trial, Count Your Blessings! Happy New Year 2022!
It took the human race another couple of decades of failed negotiations, blame games over climate change, wars over water, mass extinctions, and millions of climate migrants to finally realize that we are all in this together- for better or for worse! Governments caved in for an international pooling of resources and collective decision-making for the ‘common good.’ Our grandkids hardly understand what ‘nations’ were and what exactly borders guard. They often ask, were men and women enslaved by their ‘national leaders?’ If not, then how could 7 billion ‘free’ individuals ignore nature’s cry for help? I sometimes ward off these questions by saying, ‘You kids won’t understand our times’ but then I am left alone to ponder, why did we push the snooze button on all the wake-up calls?
Oxygen and Water are still our primary concerns, those humble cotton masks you wear will soon be replaced by portable oxygen masks. Turns out you can put a price on every single breath. Food and Nutrition have been redefined. We now consume tablets and potions tailor-made for our bodily requirements. Humanity (and its evil offspring, capitalism) could no longer be trusted with gluttony. Each ‘Citizen of the Earth’ is scanned at birth for all potential genetic and environmental diseases. Ze has to adhere to a strict protocol derived by AI to maximize life expectancy. (Yes, we finally ended the age-old gender debate, He/She was replaced by a singular pronoun, Ze)
As you might have guessed, we deconstructed our society into a ‘gender-neutral’ world. We are free from all gender conditioning and social roles. Individuals are valued purely for their talent and intellect. I sometimes miss the hustle but it’s all for the best. We, as humans finally took a stand to leave nature alone, to restore itself, and if possible, rectify our mistakes. But trust me, your actions today will leave the Earth in a state of agony and revenge. We are still repaying our dues.
The only crimes we hear now are cyber in nature. Since our entire life is online from health to education to investment to relationships to identity. Owing to cryptography, Privacy is not a myth anymore, it is the most valued right of the citizens of Earth. Honey, could you please get over your fear of technology and national laws; and invest in Bitcoin. We all knew in our guts that governments have lost significance since the 2020s itself when the world watched its national leaders fail the Earth. But the last nail in the coffin was none other than ‘Satoshi Nakamoto’ zeself.
The revolution in Education was the most exciting to witness. Without governments, people realized that we need to train our young to lead and not merely follow. As information was aplenty, we redirected to focus on emotional intelligence with the environment at the heart of every subject. Young lads today don’t know what rote learning is, but their unleashed potential surprised us all. The ones who excel start with uncovering every crime we committed against nature and then move on to finding solutions to restore and forge ahead.
The placebo of the masses is no longer necessary. With a highly controlled population of just one million, each individual is expected to rise to save the Earth rather than just waiting around for a savior.
We eat less grow more
Talk less ponder more
read less think more
live less and die more!
Sometimes I feel like one of the devices that surround me. The stories and ideas that made us human are no longer sold in the marketplace of souls. Love, Hate, Sadness, and Joy is alien to us. I think we underestimated how important the idea of ‘God’ was to our social fabric. It brought down with it the institutional pillars of marriage, and humanity and crippled the zeal that came with belongingness to a region/faith/nation. In a sense, life is much simpler now but I really miss the theatricals!
Living up to a 100 is the norm not the exception anymore. Our shrinking gene pool and heaping vulnerabilities did not stop us from beating the odds! Well, it’s anyways all about utilizing scarce human resources to the maximum. We chose quality over quantity. I am going strong at 65, with a quarter-century more to go before retirement age. Who knows if we keep at it, I would live to see the Earth restored again by 2100! I hope future generations will remember us not just for our pitfalls but also for our sacrifices. With the advancements in geo-tracking, we can’t even hope to fabricate our environmental history Digi-books!
Signing off
Abhilasha ShibuP.S. give UPSC CSE another shot for me 😊
Every morning I feel the lightness in my step, an exhilarating realization, I am not restrained at this moment by anything in the world. I could go to class and learn something new or catch a train and find myself indulged in another culture in another State. Finish an entire season of my favourite show or open the textbook for the first time one day before the exam. Or I could just sit in my room all day and do absolutely nothing. The sweet guilt of oversleeping! Only as a student can you get out of deadlines in a second and ask for as many retries as you want. This is not a mere coincidence. It’s a well-thought design to provide a space to nurture the young in a society so that when they step into the real world, they have the ability and the resources to change norms and push the human race forward. Any university space thus is a collection of the freest minds in the world and inside these walls, we can together create utopia. How exciting it is to look around and find nothing stopping you from being yourself; discovering yourself!
Completely unconstrained and immune to the forces of society. Within these walls, no power on earth can stop me from challenging the status quo. Each one of us abounds such infinite potential which might be limited and persuaded by the societal forces of power and money coupled with the sweet sorrow of responsibility in the real world. But the playground knows no such rules!
We can make this playground free of power play, discrimination, and the evils of the world outside. Where people are valued by the opinions they hold, not judged by caste or income brackets. Where one does not feel powerless and inclined to hide under flags of different symbols and colours. Where we are powerful alone and unstoppable together! “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high” need I say more?
It breaks my heart to find myself surrounded by people who are oblivious of their spirit. Who are numb to groundbreaking ideas and have boxed their imagination. It’s sad that we have learned to blame the worldly and unworldly for our failures. Because the truth is- No administrator, teacher, political leader, or even God can stand in the way of your limitless thought, and if you feel constrained to dream, to think, believe, speak up or act then the only reason is You!
Empty stares at 12.30 am..standing right in front of me..I look up to a striped tucked-in T-shirt wrapped around a puffy man with a neat moustache; continue to read my book. “Goa?” He asks with fruitless audacity. “Alla” I look up and reply “Kerala?” “Hmmm” “Evade?” “Kasargod” “Acha..” silence.. still staring.. I ask him, “taangal ippa keriyadaano?” “Aa” “Eda station aa ida?” “___” “Kerala poanno?” “Ade..Kollam pouva” I smile familiarly.. a little excited, I say, “nyannum kollam inna” now I am obliged so I move my leg and ask him to sit “Sherikyo!? Kollam ill evade?” “KundAra” I emphasize on the ‘A’ as learnt recently.. “Nyan___….ende pengal proper kundara inna____” he speaks about some places I’ve never heard and pauses to check if I follow. “Nyan poettilla! Inikya stalam ariyatilla” “Pinne aevadenna sherikyum?” “Delhi”… “paapa kollam inna” “Muslim aa?” “Alla, Christian” “‘Appa’ paranyu adonda chodichada..” “Papa!” I smile..and I continue reading my book. Pause. I can feel that he is still looking at me. “Goa poittundo?” Now Goa means a lot of things to kerlalites so I decline “Munnar poutundo?” “Haan” I say with a flashback smile “Ooty?” “Illa” I turn back to my book constantly after every answer. “Enda Kasargod ill?” “Padikyua” “Delhi inn vann ivade padikuaano?” “Ade” “Enda padikenne?” “PG” “Subject?” “Economics” “Panda evada padichada?” “Delhi tanne” “Kollam epara poyda?” “Cherpakallatil” “Avade aara?” “Ippam,Aarum illa” “Sadarana e train ill aano?” “Aa” “Delhi ill enda cheyanne?” “Tamasikyum” “Acchha k enda joly?” “Defence” “Pinne epara Delhi ponne?” “Arithilla” pause.. Basic enquiry over. “Avade onam undayirunno?” “Aa..onam holidays kya poyada” I smile “Ethara divasam?” “Path” “Athil 4 divas train ill..” he calculates I smile and continue with my book “Reading aano hobby?” “Ade” and I continue A while later we reach Madgaon. He says that he will ask the TT about a seat in sleeper or AC, “kitillengil adjust chayane” I smile. As soon as he leaves I sleep off. Hoping he will go elsewhere. He comes back after a while, wakes me up and informs me that he will get a seat after Mangalore. I gesture toward the compartment in front and show him 4 empty seats. He says people might be boarding from Madgaon. I see that no one did but he chose to sit on my seat itself. I slouch myself to half the seat and close my eyes. I fall asleep to the lullaby of the tracks. A while later I suppose I turn in sleep just to find myself trapped by his cold cold feet. I try to push back only for him to squeeze me further. Cant move now.. But he is sound asleep.. I wait. Look up at the moon try to fall asleep again but the cold feet on my ribcage is too much to ignore. I sit up. He asks, “bag veno” pointing to my bag that he was conveniently using as a pillow.. “no..venda”. Now I am wide awake he goes back to sleep. I access the situation. He has neatly occupied more than half the seat now. ENOUGH this has to end. Am I helpful or just a pushover. I ponder and stare outside for a good 10 minutes and then muster up the courage to tell him, “I cant sleep like this” he gets up instantly, “can you please adjust somewhere else?” He says, “the TT said I’ll get a seat after Mangalore” “That’s a long time now”..(it was 3.30 and 3 more hours to go) “I’ll go check in AC, my bag is here ok?” He walks two steps and comes back for his bag “AC will be far.. I’ll get a seat from Mangalore.. And stands there atop of me breathing down at my throat” he keeps standing there like a doofus. I think of all the times I’ve travelled in sleeper with a general ticket. Never have I ever encroached upon anybody’s space this much. And never has a stranger given me half his seat for nothing.. Maybe my boyfriend is right after all.. I do attract creeps.. As I think of all this he is still standing right there looking at me like a lost puppy.. I tell him there is plenty space there to sit in the next compartment. As he moves I say out of courtesy “Sorry haan” “Eh?” “Umm” “EH?” “Nothing” and I turn away to sleep. Goodnight!
Dear Chief Minister Sir, I have a confession to make and a story to share. I volunteered to donate plasma at the Delhi Plasma Bank, ILBS. Eventhough the staff is cordial, I found out that they are not extending the benefits promised to donors in your website. As an unemployed youth, I found it hard to arrange for my travel and other expenses. I humbly requested the staff to offer the promised travel compensation of 1500 rupees, so that I can continue to donate, but I was blatantly refused and demeaned. The staff claimed that ‘delhifightscorona’ website is fake. I came back home disheartened and frustrated. When I got an acceptance call, I shared my grevience, but the staff rudely told me to not come if I have a problem, and hung up. My mental peace was disturbed, but I didn’t want the complacency of the ILBS staff to damage someone’s chances of recovery. I decided to be a replacement donor instead. After donating plasma, the patient’s family thanked me and voluntarily offered to cover my travel expenses and extended 2000 rupees for the same, which I took. Coming back home I read up articles about the black market of plasma and how despite government regulations, donors are earning good money in exchange of their plasma. This is where greed tried to eat into the compassion in my heart. I thought to myself, why should I risk my life and choose to spend my own money and time to donate to an institution which does not even value my contribution. Just for a couple of Marie biscuits and Frooti? I know the Delhi government is trying to cope with this pandemic, and our State Health Minister has warned police action against black market donors. But my kind suggestion to you is to incentivize citizens to do the right thing and pledge to keep your promises. Reimburse travel, offer food coupons for a sumptuous meal (the food court can be used for the same) and make volunteers feel respected and valued. The certificate is surely a nice touch, and I will always treasure it. I am sorry for trying to take the wrong path, and I can promise to donate to ILBS till I have antibodies, if you pledge to abide by your promises.
Chasing Sunsets 