Protect wildlife …… from ourselves

 

Protect wildlife …… from ourselves

Once you get hooked onto the delightful hobby of bird/animal watching, it can get very addictive and you begin to appreciate nature. It is easy to dismiss these creatures that are way below on the pecking order, but when you discover that a they are on brink of extinction , your eyes open wide to a whole new  mind-blowing vista .

I  first indulged in the activity  of bird watching or birding a couple of decades ago not in any  lush green forest but in the Garden at home. Upon spotting a feathered species each time, the sheer excitement made me realize that an urban inhabitant engrossed in one's daily routine is completely oblivious to the beauty of nature!

Animals are a great joy. And to see animals in their natural habitat, during visits to sanctuaries and wildlife parks, is a reminder of the beauty and rich diversity of our astonishing planet. Nothing prepares you for the breathtaking feeling of seeing wild animals & birds in flesh gamboling around in the wild. It’s incredibly poignant. Like many people, I too love animals. And for a while now, I’ve been learning about the increasing threats to animals in the wild such as elephants, ungulates and the big cats.

We Humans only share Mother Earth with flora and fauna. It is not ours alone. We must bear greater responsibility in the welfare of all beings. What is required is a lot of compassion.

Like humans. Animals too deserve a life of dignity and liberty. There are workable solutions, but require humans to show greater empathy to ensure happy co-existence between all living beings.  Habitat conservation & Animal welfare has to be priority activity. This is the time to act, before it is too late. Because as the go….so will we!

As the years have rolled by, this urban nomad is being drawn more and more towards nature, and although the soul is willing, find little or no opportunity for bird watching or wildlife safaris. Digging into my  picture archives and flaunting a few favourite images is about the best alternative to relive & savour  treasured moments.

ಕಲ್ಯಾணமாம் ……… कल्याணம்

 

ಕಲ್ಯಾணமாம் ……… कल्याணம்  

Curiosity mounts as two millennial weddings in the family are about to happen. Fertile imagination goes into overdrive .Perceptions are formed about the specialty and scale of celebrations.

 Indian society is changing rapidly and so is the convention of marriage. Till about a decade ago, this was trapped in societal standards; decisions were taken by the elders of the family alone. With “Inter-cultural” Marriage coming into existence there is a radical shift in the way this union is regarded, The surge in such marriages   can be attributed to higher educational achievements, intellectual thinking, exposure to outside world and economic freedom.

When the bride and groom come from different cultures or different regions, the Great Indian Wedding is bespangled with unexpected pomp & surprises

When both sets of parents/elders are perfectly okay with the idea, only one question remains: What kind of wedding would it be?

Immediately, the families swing into action. They will not not let go of any opportunity to make the wedding a perfectly lavish cross-cultural affair.

The fun of mixing two cultures continues even after the wedding.

 Dreams come true only when you firmly believe in them and work towards making them a reality.

There are weddings and then there are Indian weddings, and it makes hell of lot of a difference when you get to be the part of them. Indian weddings are so much cooler and trendier than any other wedding these days, A modern wedding in India is the best bet to relish the finest of the country and guess what; the joyfulness is intoxicating & contagious! 

Ultimately, the wedding ceremonies are split into two beautiful parts:

 what matters most is the enthusiasm with which they take part in each other’s joy and ………….the craziness.

Even normal, sedate Indian weddings are characterized by elaborate rituals and chaos. Bring in rites and rituals from two different communities/cultures , a dash of  holly,bolly,kolly,molly,sandal  or whatever wood  bhav and  you have a heady concoction of  breathtaking  merriment You will encounter some or the other  creative/ crazy custom  at  all weddings these days.

In a cross-cultural wedding, both the sides not only want to give importance to their own rituals and customs but  strive to showcase them in the best possible manner .And thus the marriage is arranged in such a way that  either tradition is followed..  This leads to a long and elaborate celebration.  The bride and the groom immerse themselves in the resplendence and have the privilege to feel special.

With such marriages becoming norm rather than exception, the big fat Indian wedding celebration has also evolved leaps and bounds.

Bhangra, Punjabi Dhol, the Haldi, Mehndi and Sangeet events have become common denominator with all Indian weddings. Unique Tambram rituals like Oonjal, Kasi yaatirai, Maalai Mattrudal, the elegant Madisaru & panjakachham, Bengali ooli , the Gujarathi pokhnu, Panchavadyam /chende percussions from Kerala are on verge of attaining the same status.

.  People from other cultures often find them amusing.

 Such marriages are an ode to the cultural mix. Familial ties discern no boundaries and no barriers. Weddings are believed to be the best occasions to understand the diversity our country  has to offer. Every culture has some unique and bizarre rituals besides a different set of   traditions and rituals. Barge into any millennial wedding & connoisseurs are assured a blast and Grand stand view of various cultures besides a Pan India Food tour.

Well, the two weddings in Namba family are done and dusted but the hangover lingers on. After trying hard to pick something distinctly different  about  the celebrations   , I have  come to the conclusion that the electrifying role played by our own Master of ceremonies, compère , quiz master, anchor person, photographer par excellence   and the  “ saapat ” as dear nephew would have it , will ever remain in my memory.

My pre wedding perceptions of the type and scale of revelry have not only been annihilated but have proved to be utterly antiquated  .

Thanks  Pranav &Gowri , Akash & Kanupriya for providing a rip-roaring fortnight  of colourful pageantry in what is  otherwise a monotonous, stodgy routine.

                                                                                             

                                                             

          ब्याव             ಮದುವೆ              கல்யாணம்       വിവാഹം

 

Mountains-Soul's Fuel

 

Mountains- Soul's fuel

Life is indeed an adventure and, so some form of daring diversion   is necessary. from time to time to demonstrate & affirm that you are still alive. It is an entirely different experience when you indulge in certain crazy things like mountain treks that others feel is getting involved in taking unnecessary risks and attempting dangerous activities

                         more altitude......less attitude

In simple words, these rather arduous yet delightful jaunts are about exposing a person to pleasure and excitement by discovering pristine destinations, mysterious cultures, and new people.one is pushed towards challenges and away from the comforts.. Every moment on the mountains, rivers, forests, valleys, glaciers, and other natural treasures can impart valuable knowledge

                 nearer to mountains......farther from Idiots

Bedecked with stunning scenery, alpine woods ,sprawling  meadows & quaint picture perfect campsites the Garhwal region in Uttarakhand is an adventurer’s paradise  and cutting through them are gorgeous trails that epitomizes  a mountain’s enchantment. Infinite vistas and snow-clad peaks keep enthralling your soul even as the aching body struggles to climb.

             where the WiFi is weak.

Located at an altitude of 2,500 meters and more these treks test ones perseverance & determination on several levels.Yet, mountains make you feel special about yourselves.

        

 mountain breeze and tall trees

To me, Mountain hiking has always been a spiritual experience, because you are often alone, immersed in nature. The peacefulness and beauty is very evident and all pervading.

 

               peak of a mountain is the closest place to heaven. 

I’m not able to get out to the mountains much  of late, but I’m not giving up  just yet, nor would I throw away  my identity of a proud   ‘mountain freak ’

               doesn't matter who anyone is

While the mountains have wrenched a piece of me, I too have snatched part of them and cherish the long range  relationship

                      finding paradise wherever I go

Here are a few experiments that I have tried while trekking which have provided great tranquility and replenished energy levels .…..and a few pictures to relive the dream

                 ......where you feel most alive

 

 

no stress zone

                                    middle of nowhere

Experiment 1:  On any trek trail, we invariably come across many small shrines/temples.Sit at any vantage point, take a moment to see how far you can see.  Then, try seeing even farther.  Turn around slowly and do      this in different directions. Close your eyes and sit facing the shrine. Slowly absorb the magnitude of what lies in front   and beyond. Allow yourself to feel the power and the joy of creation. Open your eyes slowly. All your physical senses seems to be more sensitive now As the warm sunlight beams upon you, a gush of energy   runs all over you,stimulating every muscle . You are instantly recharged.

perfect balance between physical and spiritual 

 

Experiment 2 : Once at the campsite,  reach down and gently caress the grass with your palms. Let the blades of grass brush through your fingers. Whisper to yourself that each blade of grass you touch has been touched by hundreds before you, and will become part of the story of  thousands who will come after you. You will feel a surge of energy flowing through your body.    

                                                                                                              गंगा प्राण है, शोभा है

                       Gorgeous  mountains  and tranquil rivers

Experiment 3 : While trekking, rest points are normally near one of the many streams flowing down the mountains. Sit on one of the boulders, in the middle of the stream a little further away from the group with  bare feet dipped  in the cold water. Close your eyes and listen to the water gently trickling by and the cold breeze blowing across. Listen to the sounds around you as you empty your thoughts of all but your breathing, you will hear the mellifluous song of the wind. & the swaying trees.

:

                the relentless train 

top  of the world

                       Look no farther! This is  heaven

Dual Duel

 

Dual Duel

Born & brought up in a God-fearing Hindu household,  we were taught that every living being, insignificant, small or big  is endowed with a soul and should to be treated with compassion. Hence, killing any form of life  was considered scurrilous. We followed religious ceremonies and celebrated festivals in traditional manner. For our nuclear family, it was an opportunity to dress up, and savour choicest food and we loved to engage in gregarious banter (gossip?) about everything under the stars. 

Decades later, I started living a life suited to the times & circumstances, adapting to a wider circle and drifting a little away from my initial training.  Or so I thought!

 

 I encountered a crazy trial last week…which can loosely be termed as   the      The “DUAL DUEL .”

Following a commotion at 9.15pm  I rushed to the dining room . Broom in one hand and a long stick in the other, the missus was in samurai mode, waving her “weapons” & delivering various commands (Expletives?) to the TV. Nonplussed I stared at the TV. Nothing there!  I tried calming her down. “There, There It is ” she screamed   “Go away,Go away”! Shooo, Shhooo !. % # * @ ) _ +

She had seen a small mouse sitting on top of the TV. Search operation revealed nothing. “It happens once in a while “ I said consoling her.

 A week later, for some unknown reason, Insomnia struck. I couldn’t sleep.  Neither Counting Sheep, Cow & every other animal nor chanting the names of 32 ( 33?) crore Gods/Goddesses helped improve matters. So the logical refuge

was “Idiot Box” (see, I’m a normal Human being). Watching movies alone late into the night became the new Normal. Thankfully,insomnia provided a great opportunity to watch some interesting fare.- “Trance”,Malayan Kunju, Lucifer, Grahan, 12^th man,Cutputli, Vikram …….. and then!

 

On the fifth night, I encountered the little rascal. He crawled up the TV & took position on the Top .Lifting up his face he smelt the air. Lowering the TV volume, I began observing him. He possessed delicate round shaped ears which kept twitching now and then. Suddenly he raised his forelegs and started twirling his  whiskers. Watching his antics was more interesting than what was playing on the screen.   I became engrossed and even loved some of his antics.

My assumption that it would just be a short, perfunctory   visit was wrong.–   Making himself comfortable, he continued his nervous activities.. Suddenly, he stared at me . I muttered. & become very agitated.

 Fed up with his pranks, I eventually, decided to open the door leading to the backyard .to encourage him scamper away, for the sake of our own respective sanities.

I hoped that he would oblige and that I would not have to live with the guilt of killing the little guest  ( read“pest”).  Returning to the room I saw our Mr. Rooney trotting out of the dining room towards the veranda   looking mighty pleased & smug!  he even guffawed with delight. The little mouse had vanished. I now felt perturbed    ... err…   relieved …But dismal…

Minutes later I heard a feeble squeak. Looking around, I saw the pesky creep perched on the  ventilator sill high above. With a series of jerky facial contortions he disappeared through a hole in the insect mesh.

I must confess that at a certain point I was even considering murder. But the truth is, whichever way  we’re raised, and however far we have drifted from our “Old fashioned” virtues, during times of extreme indecision or stress one is promptly reminded of the dominance of  a higher power.

It is a matter of great relief that the mouse fled, and I’d not need to take a legion of liars to put up a bluff to reassure the indomitable samurai.

     I confess that I still can’t kill a mouse without feeling terrible. As far as I am concerned I have won the “Dual Duel” and I think that’s reasonable.

 

 

 

 

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