Looking ahead...

The last year had been challenging. I shifted to a new country, amidst new people to do something which I thought I truly wanted to do. Maybe not... still figuring it out.

I think, I think a lot..and do little. This procrastination is causing me a great deal of trouble for it keeps bringing me back to the same old state of nothingness! Hollow! That's how I feel.
Maybe that's why Krishna said,

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
meaning you have the right to work only and never to its fruits. Let not the fruits of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction.

Inaction - that is a big roadblock. It stalls creativity and fosters boredom. When there is so much to do, so much to learn - there should be no place for inaction. The habit of inaction flourishes when there is lack of mindfulness. Being mindful of our environment, our actions and inactions both can help us become more and more effective. And hence it should be a conscious decision.

To be more productive with my daily life and derive more out of it, I am setting up the following goals for the next 2 months:

1. Developing new habits for a better lifestyle. I seek good health. My health defines me and therefore I am always going to give it a priority over everything else. This year, I plan to:
• Sleep on time and wake up early in the morning at 4 AM everyday, except Sundays, when I can take the liberty for sleeping 2 hours extra. 
• Have some physical sport in my routine everyday. One of running/walking/swimming or meditation.
2. I haven't read much in the last couple of months. Time to bring in my favorite - books. Books that challenge my thought process, add to my learning and help my growth. One book every week. The books for next few weeks:
• By July 17 - A colossal failure of common sense by Lawrence McDonald
• By July 24 - The Price of inequality by Joseph Stiglitz
• By July 31 - Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely 
• India and the global financial crisis
• India after independence
3. Finish a Coursera course.
4. Improve real world problem solving skills
• Work sincerely with a problem solving attitude
• Practice case works
• Solve puzzles
• Use Mathematics 
5. Meet 2 new people every week

Concluding it again with words from INTO THE WILD:

Make a radical change in your lifestyle and begin to boldly do things which you may previously never have thought of doing, or been too hesitant to attempt. So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity and conservation, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind. But in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. 

The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon. For each day to have a different sun. If you want to gain more out of life, you must loose your inclination for monotonous security and adapt a helter-skelter style of life that will, at first, appear to you to be crazy. But once you become accustomed to such a life, you will see its full meaning and its incredible beauty.

Closing within......Goals for 2015

Make a radical change in your lifestyle and begin to boldly do things which you may previously never have thought of doing, or been too hesitant to attempt. So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity and conservation, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind. But in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. 

The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon. For each day to have a different sun. If you want to gain more out of life, you must loose your inclination for monotonous security and adapt a helter-skelter style of life that will, at first, appear to you to be crazy. But once you become accustomed to such a life, you will see its full meaning and its incredible beauty.

This quote from IN TO THE WILD, summarizes life for me. My Nanu(my grandfather, my friend, philosopher and guide) used to say, 'find Who You Are! That's what your life is about'. While as a kid, I never understood that in its deepest sense, it is now that I think I have begun to understand his words. At the onset of this search within, one thing I have understood about myself very clearly is that I am an explorer. Rather, an aimless wanderer, who enjoys the road more than the destination. I am the breadth, which wants to experience different things and assimilate everything within. I am the depth that wants to be lost within my own abyss.   

So, it's never too late to do the right thing! We all need some goals in our lives to feel accomplished in this human life. Goals that help us connect with our inner beings, that make us feel alive and goals that give a direction and purpose to our lives. Hence setting goals becomes crucial to our healthy existence and growth.

In the past year, while I might not have accomplished all that I set out to achieve; might have failed on some, might not have started at all on few, but I have taken promising steps towards finding myself , for the better!

So, in this new year, I look forward to finding the better side of me. The side that's better than the last, more polished, more learned and more towards the TRUTH. 

Here is the list of my goals for 2015:

1. The very first goal that I want to set for my entire life is - to set some new goals every year. You read that right! I have a feeling that with this I will be able to experience the vitality of my life. Guess I have started towards this goal with this list.
2. Developing new habits for a better lifestyle. I seek good health. My health defines me and therefore I am always going to give it a priority over everything else. This year, I plan to:
• Sleep on time and wake up early in the morning at 4 AM for at least 90 days. 
• Have some physical sport in my routine everyday. Be it as simple as running or walking for an hour. I can also substitute it with meditation, swimming, cycling, badminton or tennis.
• Say no to unhealthy outside food. I will refrain from over pampering my palate and will train it for limited and essential foods. 
3. I regret not being able to read enough books the last year. I plan to make 2015 an year of books (Mr. Zuckerberg, thank you for the idea!!). Books that challenge my thought process, add to my learning and help my growth. So, here is a list that I am starting with. I will keep on adding as and when I pick up a new one:
1. Meditation and its methods - Swami Vivekananda
2. Master the moment - Pat Brans
4. I want to learn more mathematics - advanced statistics and probability for a start!
5. For the explorer in me, I will learn a new art form this year. Maybe Salsa or Tango! 
6. Also, I want to learn to bake.
7. Continuing what I learnt last year, I will learn guitar further and practice every alternate day continuously for at least 2 months.
8. Over the last few years, what I have really missed doing is practicing my writing skills. Though I am no Bertrand Russell or Gulzar, but penning down my thoughts does relieves me of the stress. Hence, there is going to be a new blog post every fortnight. Let's keep a track!
9. I want to travel - to keep the wanderer in me alive. To where, is something I will decide.
10. Last but not the least, I will not procrastinate, because the moment is NOW.

I am excited for this year. Happy to learn, to explore and to be more close to myself.

Swami Vivekananda said "Arise! Awake! and stop not until the goal is reached." 

Trek to Chanderkhani ~13000ft

 Pat Conroy says, "Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never brake off from the journey". 

It has been 2.5 years since we have been colleagues at work, but i got to know the Traveler Shastry boss (respect your seniors!! :) ) some six months back. A very chilled out person, he dresses up likewise, with the same nonchalance of a wanderer who is too busy planning his next backpack trip and least bothered of what's happening around. So when i requested him to be a guest writer on my blog, it had to be about his expeditions. 

And here we are with the second post in the Guest Blog series about his latest journey ...Trek to Chanderkhani.

Hi hi hi ! Alright I'm not a neat and clean blogger and I like it RAW.. so I'm gonna narrate this as my thoughts flow. Here I go..

25th April:- Ran from my office @ 5.30 in the evening back home to catch my Cab @ 6 to the airport. I couldn't resist my excitement as this was going to be my first Himalayan trek. "Excitement Bardasht nahi ho raha !!" - I told some of the guys (including my boss :P ) at work, just thinking about it gave me goosebumps :) . Landed in New Delhi @ 10.40 pm, and checked into the YHAI dorm and had to wake up early to catch a bus to Kullu @ 6.40 am in the Morning. 

26th :- Woke up at 5 in the morning, with red eyes, left to catch my bus @ ISBT Kashmiri gate. My estimates were that I reach Kullu by 7 PM .. I turned out to be a bit optimistic.. Reached Kullu at 9 PM.. To my surprise, I happened to be the only person at Kullu Bus stop with not a soul around, all lights out and it was raining. After looking around for a few minutes, an Autowala came to my rescue, I told him "Bhayya ji, Seobagh jaana hai, YHAI base camp, Jairu Mineral water plant ke paas".. He didn't know the place, but after asking around, calling up some people, he said "Bhayya sau rupaye lagenge.." and I of-course instantly agreed as I didn't have any other option. Finally, what seemed like a never-ending journey came to an end for the day and I reached the base camp @ Seobagh. After reporting, they were kind enough to serve me dinner at 9.45 pm. Finally, I went into my allotted tent only to find out that there are 10 more guys inside. :) it was a big tent, I made myself comfortable and went to sleep.   



27th :- The only thing I remember after I fell asleep last night was waking up to the call of Bed tea @ 5 am. This is when I got a good view of the base camp, the sound of chirping birds, the flow of the mighty Beas river just beside the camp, the fresh air, the morning sunrise.. the distant snow capped peaks.. ahh.. I was in Love.. :) This was sooooooooo much more than what I had expected.. At breakfast, I got a chance to catch-up with the other people from the group.. Lucky to have a diverse yet like minded people.. from all over the country.. from all age groups.. At 9.30 we left for our acclimatization trek (with our rucksacks  well not with the full load of course but a partial one) to a hill nearly. En route, we reached a house of a local gentleman.. the view from his place was just breathtaking, really envy him.. :( He offered to prepare Lassi and Chaas for us by the time we get back from the trek. Trekking ahead, we reached the end of the trail to a mud track where we took a break. After a round of introduction from all the group members, the trek leaders chose a group leader, co-leader, environment leader and entertainment leader and explained to them there responsibilities. On the way back, we stopped at the gentleman's house for lassi and chaas.. it was too good ! ( Just like his gorgeous daughter.. A local Pahadi gal.. :P ) We headed forward on a different route and reached a pristine waterfall, I don't think anyone knows about this place, it was well hidden inside jungle to be easily spotted.. After about half an hour of photography, we headed back to base camp for lunch by 1. Nothing else was scheduled after lunch until the night's "Campfire".. I'll tell you why that's in double quotes.. There was no actual fire.. !! It was just a gathering of people around a tree.. our host, the cultural leader took us through this with many performances from the groups and finally, lights out in the tent by 10. 

28th :- Routine morning schedule followed by rappelling, back to lunch by 1 followed by a surprise surprise... a steep ascent trail to a nearby hill, it was a narrow one with a steep fall on one side.. I was scared at a couple of curves, but everyone made it up. :) Had fun talking to the instructors at the very top where they shared some of there mountaineering adventure stories. Climbing down can be more scary than up, but luckily, they took us through a less steeper trail which was easily negotiable. IN the evening, we were instructed to ready our rucksacks for proceeding to the next higher camps, which were inspected and approved, additional baggage was deposited. The next group had already arrived and reported, so they took over and conducted the Camp fire tonight. 

29th :- The day had finally arrived. Today, we were to leave for the first higher camp.. Camp Yogso. After the morning routine, we got ready with our sacks to leave. The Field Director wished us luck for the trek and we set off by bus to the Malana Dam where our trail would begin. I recalled the song "The trail we Blaze" from the Movie "The Road to El dorado".. Aah the mountains were calling, I could feel it. Our guides had arrived to pick us up.. We trekked though the jungles, gentle uphill trail (sometimes was quite steep), crossed quite a few streams, some big ones, spotted many wild Rhododendrons.. and stopped for lunch @12.30 in the jungle. Well, some of us dozed off as we took an hour long break. We continued up and by 3, we were at the first higher camp, Camp Yogso.. in the middle of mountains from all four sides, it was an awesome place. The camp site was sort of inclined with the kitchen tent on the upper side.. so going from our tent to get dinner felt like so much of an effort. Worse, to attend nature's call, it was further up in the bushes (Jhadi ke Peeche).. so much more of an effort just to reach a convenient spot :P. Dinner and Lights out at 6.30, except that there were no lights here.. it used to get dark then so they served dinner early. Luckily, we were allowed to light up wood for campfire here tonight.. it was a lot of fun with old songs.. in the middle of the mountains at night.. :) 

30th :- Bed tea at 5, breakfast 1t 7.30 and we left for the next higher camp at 8.30.. camp Behali. This trail was through a very old village named "Malana". I'm not going to talk more about this village.. google it. Today the trail was initial steep climb followed by ups and downs.. with many streams on the way, pine trees all around.. Finally, we reached a crossing where due to landslide, the trail had almost disappeared. Thankfully, our leaders were experienced enough and helped all of us cross this. Just a few more steps ahead and we were at camp Behali.. The snow capped peaks definitely appeared closer.. This was one of the most beautiful campsites, with Malana Nullah flowing right by.. lush verdant greenery and many Himalayan birds.. I was lucky enough to spot a Himalayan Monal. Same evening routine of a higher camp, lights out by 7 (no lights as usual). 

1st May :- After the morning routine, we left for the next higher camp - Camp Waching. The trail was a steep uphill climb after which, what we saw surprised us all.. A flat ground, big enough to play cricket at such a height, with such a view of a snow capped peak on the opposite side.. It was as if we were in a high altitude meadow. We could see the locals playing cricket up there.. Well, it suddenly started to rain, we put on our raincoats ran for it to the next camp and soon, the rainfall turned into snowfall.. we ran faster and reached the next campsite.. Camp Waching. This camp had jungles on the mountainside, and a snow capped peak on the other side of the valley. What a view ? Now I never wanted to leave.. I was in love with the mountains.. the fresh air, the beautiful view, the simple life.. aah.. how beautiful are the creations of Nature ! Evening routine followed and we were singing oldies till we fell asleep. 

2nd :- We left for Camp Nagroni.. aah, the name itself had a suspense. The trail was a gentle ascent, partly on soil, and later on snow. The entire campsite was laid out just beside snow.. Snow snow everywhere... it was just beautiful. Excited, we all started to play in snow.. hitting each other with snowballs..hahaha.. it was sooooooo much fun ! Some of us took off our top just for the heck of it.. :P. The D-day was tomorrow !! when we had to cross Chanderkhani to the other side. We were at 10000ft today and tomorrow we had to ascend till 13000 ft and descend again to the other side to 10000ft to camp Naya Tapru. 

3rd (The D-Day) :- Snow snow snow, we started our ascent to Chanderkhani at 04.30 am. It was an enduring trail.. well, there was no trail, the snow cutters hired by YHAI were making the way for us. We reached a point where they could not locate an easier path upwards. They took out the rope and tied it to a pivot on a tree uphill.. We held the ropes and took the steep path upwards, almost 45 degrees uphill climb for 20m. Further ahead, more snow.. and finally reached the top of Chanderkhani @ around 11. Hey Hey !! We made it ! I felt proud of myself. I could get a 360 degree view of all the peaks around, they seemed to be at the same height as us.. it was just such a breathtaking view.. I can still recall it just by closing my eyes.. Such a beauty ! aah.. Now suddenly, it started to snow.. and we were all scared. We decided to wait for everyone to reach the top before heading further. Luckily, the clouds cleared in an hour and it was all good ! Now, a point where there was a 10 meters steep descend, again they took out the ropes. We walked and walked along the mountain to the other side of it and reached a sliding point.. :) Yey ! We could sit on the snow and slide down almost 100ft.. it was one of the best experiences of the trek.. ! A further descend took us to the next camp Naya Tapru @ 4.30 pm. We were exhausted after this 12 hour trek, but everyone was proud with a sense of achievement ! It was a wonderful feeling to have successfully touched the summit of Chandekhani.. :)

4th :- Today, we left Naya Tapru back to the base camp via the jungles though the villege Naggar. It was a simple downhill trail and we reached Naggar by 1.30pm. Took a bus back till seobagh base camp and we received a Grand welcome by the Field Director of the Program. His eyes were filled with tears of joy and he gave a warm hug to every single participant for the successful summit ! A nice feast was for dinner and we all feasted in glory, narrating our experience to the other groups who had just reported at the base camp.. it was just a pleasure.. as we were the first group to return from Chanderkhani. :) Some of the members left for there further journey today in the evening and the group broke out. It was very difficult to say goodbye.. :( 

5th :- The rest of us who had chosen to stay for the night left today. Everyone from the group received an invite to a whatsapp group.. :) the CP1 rockers ! (CP1 - Chanderkhani Pass Group 1 - thats what we were referred to as by YHAI) and shared pics, and keep in touch even today. 

I made so many friends.. pals.. travel buddies.. !! and as John Mayer says: "Friends never say Goodbye!" Overall, this trip was an absolute delight and triumphant ! I fell in love with the mountains and what they had to offer.. ! Sometimes, they speak to me in my dreams and ask me: "When are you coming again?"..

Me la alma errante.....

When I heard Eddie Vedder croon 'Long Nights' in the drop dead silence of a languid night, it struck a cord, 

Have no fear, For when I'm alone
I'll be better off than I was before

I've got this light, I'll be around to grow
Who I was before, I cannot recall

Long nights allow me to feel I'm falling, I am falling
The lights go out.
Let me feel I am falling, I am falling safely to the ground 

I will take this soul that's inside me now
Like a brand new friend, I'll forever know

I have got this light, and the will to show
I will always be better than before


Every word eloquently gave expression to my numb reverie. As Vedder's baritone profusely delineated my thoughts, i found myself staring into the dark horizon of the night, my thoughts.....wandering. 

There are days when i am full of random thoughts. Sometimes, i imagine myself to be a roadside Dhaba chef, listening to all the stories the vagabond truck drivers have to tell. Then there are days when i want to be a cobbler on the road, in wait of a shoe-struck pedestrian, waiting to showcase my immaculate art of stitching shoes. I am a backpack traveler on most of my days, sometimes awestruck at the majestic Ladakh mountains and sometimes gaping at slapdash palm trees along the beautiful backwaters of Alleppy. And at last, i just want to sit in front of the endless sea, communicating in silence with the ever-gushing waves, still and thoughtless. 

Yeah, i want to be a traveler!! An intrepid and jovial nomad, living on the road, under the roof of the azure sky, midst the bountiful nature. Growing with each pleasant day and each languid night. 
That's where my solace lies.

Escape Route

When i first met Animesh during a placement session in college, i had no idea that he was into writing. Thanks to Facebook, where he would publish excerpts from his stories, that i got to know a budding writer. I have often marveled at the innate talent people have and how they nurture it effortlessly in to an art. I think the same of his work. Fortunately for me, he agreed to be my first guest on this blog. So here we are, with the first post in this series.....the ESCAPE ROUTE.

Every day I would go to the fields, bake myself under the sun and watch young boys immerse themselves in a game of cricket. In the adjoining farms, I'd talk to a few farmers about their anticipation of rain juxtaposed with torments of paying tax. Women carried water from wells to their homes in earthen pots. The place had a strange sense of peace and security about itself. It was a small town, not a village exactly. Nobody here knew what kind of background I came from. I have to confess I underestimated the power of indifference.

From the other side...

Most of the times I find myself wandering aimlessly in to the world of thoughts. Thoughts... Another never ending phenomena! One goes and another comes. Sometimes I wish I could be thoughtless for a while, but even then the thought of 'I am being thoughtless now' is always there.

Anyways, this time around I have decided to sneak a peek in to the thoughts of others; friends, family, acquaintances and anyone else willing to share his side of the world through my blog.

And therefore, I am starting a series of guest blogs! I will be trying to get people from all walks of life here, people i have met at different times, different places and some that i haven't met as well! It will be incredible to see them sharing their passions, their journey and well yeah ... their THOUGHTS!!

Let's see who excepts my invitation first!

Yes, the little bird has learnt to fly!!!

Unable to seize that raindrop running against the glass window next to my desk, i suddenly remembered those rains at home. Home ..sweet home!  The first monsoon splash that would come knocking on my rooftop and me and my partner in crime, my adorable sister, would barge out and rush to the rooftop.  Shruti, i prefer to call her Maatu...it takes me back to my childhood..when you call everybody by their nick names and first names...who cares about them then.

But, Shruti, with her heavy black hair neatly tied into two pleats, brings out the kid in me. We sing, we dance, we laugh out loud (literally). And then we call out on our third musketeer, Nanaji! Believe me, Grandparents are the best possible gift one can ever get. This is one bond that is nurtured by pure love. Love, without expectations, selfless, in its purest form...where they share every moment with you. So, we make him our official photographer and yes, he doesn't charge us for those everlasting photo sessions!! Blissful moments those were. Life felt as good as it can get. 

 

And then as i turned to the hibernated monitor screen, i said hello to this girl reflecting back from the blank screen. This image of a confident and independent girl waved the "hello" back to me. Right out of college, on her own, trying to make her way through the trodden lanes of adolescence...not easy..i would say..but steady and poised. Whoa.... i have grown up!!