IHM in Hunger Pandemic

The unending pandemic has understandably brought the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) to a jolting stop. But it is time to wake up and lead the fight against Corona from the front. At a time where the nation is assembling every resource at its disposal, let us not forget the key role IHM can play in the hunger pandemic. With state-of-the-art infrastructure and an unmatched organizational scheme, the 46 IHMs in the country today find themselves in a rare position to alleviate the distress of the hungry poor. I humbly propose the following ideas for your speedy implementation;

IHM-Langar, a volunteer-based program to efficiently utilize the resources in these colleges like industrial-sized utensils, ovens, gas burners, to prepare simple food and distribute through bake shops outside the college at a nominal cost.
The government could start a Hunger Helpline and Hunger Ambulance to reach out to helpless people with lifesaving food.
With its rich contacts in the hotel industry the IHM faculties can host a BAKESALE to raise funds toward PM CARES or similar government aid.
The students of IHM can be enrolled in all the above on a voluntary basis to utilize their skills and contribute towards the Nation.
Tie up with NGOs providing food to Covid effected families and assist in logistics and guidance utilizing the rich experience of faculties.
The above can be started on a pilot basis and then expanded to include all residential hostels and even mid day meal facilities in schools can be put to good use.

There are certain moments in our life that define us as a society, let us take this opportunity to share responsibility and brave the situation ahead. Let not another life be lost while we continue to trudge through administrative bottlenecks and static thinking. I hope these suggestions help to move the needle and result in a positive response from you. Let not a single day go by when we do not do everything we can because;

‘A life spent making mistakes is not only more honourable,

but also more useful than a life spent doing nothing.’

‘I lost her’

This pandemic has forced people to take on social media groups with requests about oxygen, medicines, plasma, and whatnot. It has also brought out solidarity in humankind by trusting strangers to help save the life of your loved one. I am in one such group of ‘CovidWin’ and even though I am hardly active on this group (because of how stressful it is) I often observe the activity of one person who is available 24×7 and jumps to action at every request. Yesterday night when I saw him active at 2.30 AM, I did something I hardly ever do; texted a random stranger.

I simply said to him, you should get some sleep now, and his reply shocked me. As if waiting for just someone to hear his story, Sameer poured out his heart and told me everything about his life. He hasn’t had a good night’s sleep for 9 months as this young man lost his wife, 25; due to typhoid and an incompetent public healthcare system. He says, ‘there are many whom I can share with, but the truth is nobody can feel my pain.’ He works incessantly to help others in distress as he found himself all alone abandoned by friends and family in his darkest hour.

For once, I wanted to free my mind from its overworked network of Do’s and Don’ts and simply surpass all socio-economic differences and connect with someone on a human level. We stayed up all night texting and he shared everything clogged in his heart.

Sameer has no formal education, taking inspiration from movies he ran away from his home in Moradabad (the brass city), Uttar Pradesh and came to Delhi as a 13-year-old, with one aim – Earn Money. Taking up odd jobs and surviving through the day he somehow taught himself English and Graphic Designing among other things. He now supports his parents, and 6 siblings and their children. He has travelled to 200 cities in the last 8 years and enjoys singing; his late wife was a dancer. He proudly showed me a photo of him participating in SaReGaMaPa, a talent show. He has a 4-year-old son, his only reason to carry on. Like any proud parent he flooded me with photos and videos of his son; dancing, singing and just being adorable. Later I found out that his joyous son was a victim of fate as well, he has a hole in his heart.

Just like millions, the economic downturn has not spared Sameer’s family either. He is out of a job for 9 months now (around the same time he lost his wife) and has since dipped into his savings which are ever dwindling. He anxiously awaits his future and hopes he does not lose his son to the same fate.

What would you do if you receive a chocolate with your morning newspaper?

Coming back from my morning walk today this idea popped in my head. Motivated to spread smiles I went to the nearby shop and bought 10 chocolates worth 10 rupees each.

I offered one to the security guard of a nearby maternity hospital. He looked up confused, not willing to accept the suspicious offering. It was only after his colleague assured him that I live nearby that his hesitancy was partially overcome.

Next was the sweeper in our area, with a broad smile and a big thank you he accepted the chocolate to my delight. I then returned to my block approaching the newspaper that started it all. I placed a chocolate inside the awaiting news, a small change from the gloomy reporting during this unending pandemic I thought.

Bubbling with joy I came back home, giving is often better than receiving I thought to myself. So again, I ask you, what would you do if you find a chocolate with your news? Well, some of my neighbours decided to simply toss it out on the street. Maybe even a justified response during the times we live in.

Some I retrieved and gave to a few kids on the road and others still live in my fridge waiting to put a smile on someone’s face, or maybe destined to find me on a rainy day!

Jaipur

This is an experience from 2014 written by my travel partner, who is now much more 😉

Having chicken rolls from Mayur Vihar Phase 1 was the plan and we woke up in Jaipur, just in time for our train thanks to the scooter wale bhaiya for the triplet ride to Old Delhi. The trip had been a collection of first time experiences.

From being hit listed by the ticket checker in the train, to being accused by the police for PDA (she was merely taking my support); to travelling in general bogy and witnessing sunrise in central park! (they have one in Jaipur too)

Amber fort safari and the tedious trek to Jai Khand, it was like Jaipur was beneath our toes.

Mehngai sirf Delhi meh badi h shayad- aalo paratha rs15, huge mirch pakoda rs10, pyaaz kachori rs11 (bargained from rs15) jalebi rs10 n lots of murmuraa for rs20!!!

All this is possible only with you, life had never been so unexpected and adventrous. Looking forward for more such vellapanti 😛 had a great time 😀

Travelling with “The Boyz”

Is walking the best option? How steep is it? What if a truck driver gives us a lift? Can we split into groups of two and meet at the top? What would be the likeliness of each group getting a lift in reasonable time?

When travelling with three boys these questions that are usually met with compelled replies of my boyfriend were now hit down with mockery and “buck up sissy.” I don’t know if this is a disturbed girl-thing or the confessions of a control-freak.

It would not be right for me to assume that all women function like me or all men function like my dear friends but it surely left me on the brink of an epiphany to understand the simpletons a step further. Its only when you let them be as they are that you are able to peek into their beautiful mind. As I adapted towards the end I discovered a new ease in travelling. Looking at options in isolation and having singular goals – WALK EAT SLEEP!

Not to sound as pretentious as I do when I explain myself but I think that evolution has led a woman’s mind to think of a hundred scenarios and multitask whereas a man has been gifted with the focus on a sole event. Elaborate assessment vs Quick decision making. That’s what makes us fit like a jigsaw.

I was dragged out of my comfort zone when my lovable, wish-granting boyfriend turned into one of the boys who would pull my ponytail in kindergarten. Don’t get me wrong I thoroughly enjoyed the metamorphosis. It made me realize how much he sacrifices on our trips as a couple to keep me calm. After I had learnt the trick to thinking less and enjoying more it became evident why we say, ‘men will be men’ and how cruel it is to force them to understand your multidimensional mind. It’s not that they can’t, it’s just not what they signed up for. I wouldn’t make this as a single narration by saying I did all the adjustment. Lord knows how much they suffered because of the unending questions and disapproving ewwwss.. I am sure each of them had to tweet their habits to make me as comfortable as they did. I am just happy to have discovered a possibility to travel with others.

Sharing these epiphanies with my sweetheart I was convinced that his friends are better companions for travelling. He looked at me lovingly (the way Parineeti looks at her tedhi Kurkure family) and said “they can never connect with me the way you do.”

Agra chalein kya?

It started with a night out near Nizamuddin railway station, a thousand bucks in our pockets and lingering boredom. We took a lift from an autorickshaw (people are unimaginably pleasant at night) to Nizamuddin Dargah for a lip-smacking dinner. Beef Korma, Bheja fry and romali rotis, just for 106 Rs for two. As we were walking back to the station around 2 am we realized that a police van had been tailing us all this while. To get off the hook we told them that we are waiting for our train, I guess that’s when it struck us! We were in a railway station and could technically go anywhere in India! Soon we realized that the next train goes to Agra.

Took tickets for the general bogie (It is a compartment attached to both ends of a train and is the cheapest and deadliest way to travel in Indian Railways unless you are a saint, they don’t care for tickets altogether) and came back to the platform, the train had already entered the station but we didn’t realize it’s ours until the departure we ran towards it and got into the sleeper coach. We had money, but not for the fine so we handed him 90 bucks and claimed it’s all we had (One of the many perks of being a woman is that they have to go through a hassle before they can lay hands on you!) He kept 50 for himself and tucked the rest 40 Rs in my friends pocket, ‘chai paani kar lena’ (cover your basic expenses). We were impressed by our act like it came naturally.

Upon reaching Agra in the morning we realized that they don’t just serve you with Taj Mahal you have to buy your way to it. Volvo, taxi, auto all lined up for business. Had to give in and take an auto for 400Rs. The rickshaw took us to the Taj Mahal. We had to prove to be Indians to avail the cheaper ticket and amusingly all we had was a Delhi Metro pass. In hindsight, it was pretty stupid to travel without a basic identification proof, but let’s not go down that road as this list will be never-ending. My friend was visiting for the first time and we took our time to admire its beauty. We were not in such mood as to read about the history and architecture but we could always google that back at home! We spent a couple of hours in the Mahal and its adjoining market and then to our next destination, Red Fort. By the time we finished we were dying of hunger and asked the auto driver for a cheap authentic restaurant. After rejecting a few places because of the money constraint he drove us to a street vendor selling Chicken Biriyani. Though the area was dirty it was the best biryani I have ever had and for a mere 30 Rs a plate. It is indeed true that the culture of a city is imbibed in its street food. We headed back to the station as I had to reach home next day and boarded a train to Delhi. Back home it was just a stayover at a friend’s place.

It was an unexplainable high probably because of the beauty of one of the seven wonders or the thrill of deceiving or just the freshly discovered passion for traveling. We realized after this trip that we clicked in almost a magical way. There was this instant connection and we knew that this is going to be our thing. We know we were not smart enough and many things could have gone wrong. But there is always a start and this was our start “to elope with thousand bucks in our pocket and open our eyes to a new world, a new us.’’

Meghalaya- your heart to the clouds!

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!

Photo Credits- My reliable Asus Zenphone Max3