Month: October 2008

Trip to Kallar – Revisited memories in green

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This pic taken near the drivers seat from the KSRTC bus which took us to Kallar, Trivandrum. For those not familiar with this place, “Kallar”, I can give a brief from Wiki.

Kallar is a quiet little town on way to Ponmudi. Kallar is 45 km from Trivandrum. Ponmudi is a further 15km from here. The majestic Vamanapuram River with crystal clear water flows thru this place. Exercise caution while bathing in this river . Torrential rain can raise the level of the river and sweep the things which comes in its way. Kallar is a photographers’ paradise. Now Kallar is under the scheme for eco-tourism and offers a wonderful retreat for citizen craving for a close tryst with nature.

It was after a long gap that we all “Good Earth” members got together for a day’s trip to the woods. This bus took us to Kallar and after alighting we took breakfast from Ashokan’s tea shop. He is the local point where we get guides to take us more interiors and also a place where we can pack some food for our trek.

The day in the forest was well spent and within a hours walk we were in the depths of this lush ever green forest. Lot’s of clear water, a good place to swim and dip is more than what our tired body longed for.

We all ( six of us ) had a good time and now I wonder when will our next trip materialize. Each trip brings with it soothing moments spend in the green green lush patch. This is one big event I miss in Bangalore.

Moment well spend is more than what we longed for and for that I’m happy to have a great day out in the woods.

Too young to die – Balandur lake

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It’s a all familiar ugly side of Bangalore’s at Balandur lake. This wide expanse of water which seemingly look very serene is teeming with all known toxic waste. The lake flows out at two points and at these two side bore the tell tale signs of the level of pollution.

Every day on my way to work and back, our cab cross this route to avoid the traffic at Marathahalli. It’s at the crossing we get to know the stench emanating from this lake. Two things are evident; the foul odor and the frothy water.

At one side of the bridge where it flows out, the water looks as if someone has sprayed detergent. There is white lather at the sides of the water. I wonder how it comes like this

What went wrong? Why has this beautiful looking lake turned out to an urban dump yard of sewage? A lake so large, it can be used for recreation for the citizens but for the unregulated sewage gushing in to.

Blame game can fall on residents and factories run by people like you and me. Bangalore has swelled in size, in population, in prosperity and rampant corruption. No one cares to clean up the waste and it finds its way to such unregulated spots. While many authorities has stake in this mess, everyone will have ample reason to stay away from the blame.

Small wish

My only wish is to see a clean Balandur lake, where ordinary citizens can spend some quite moments with family and friends and cherish the beauty as they ride along in life.

Go Tatkal –

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Finally another successful Tatkal ticket booking. Today I reached Indira Nagar BDA office by 6:20. When I climbed the stairs leading to the booking office my heart sang a little when I saw the line of around 25 people. I stood at the tail end and the fellow in front of me gave me a friendly grin….

The shutter here open around 7: 00 and all the people get a chance to be in the booking hall around that time. Probably there are around 30 seats and all folks sit in waiting for the 8:00 on the clock.

The railway official in charge of these counter are seen very punctual and open the curtains at the strike of 8:00. Today 4 counters were open, and as the first set of people move in, people sitting in the chairs move forward…. It’s funny to see this happening. Sometimes I stand and wait instead of sitting down and again moving few seats ….

This time I have reserved for Kochuveli Train and I got the middle berth. The lower berth got over. Luckly got in the counter which accepts credit card and happily paid on credit.

I’m happy to travel by train, with those endless coffees instead of sitting tight in a bus with a faceless stranger. In train people are more friendly, talk more, share more and I get to see how India is changing. This time I’m armed with my new Canon S5IS.

Holiday time travel- B’lore to Tvm

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It’s just few more days for Deepavali . As always I made up my mind in the last minute to visit Trivandrum. Weekend and a Deepavali holidy means all pvt buses towards Kerala will be filled up very early. I called up the usual places, Kalada, KPN, and few others for tickets. It didn’t surprise me to get cold No from these high flying Gods.

Called ABT Travels for a ticket to Nagercoil. Again the reply was Friday, Saturday & Sunday booked. Too bad..

My hope of geting a Talkal railway ticket too dashed when I reached the BDA counter by 6:30 .. only to find a long winding queue. Thought I can try booking Tatkal through net. A big No for any one thinking of such foolish adventure. When the booking starts by 8:00 don’t ever think of getting a steady connection to the sit.. No amount of refresh made me through the first page….

FYI

ABT Travels ,
MAS Residency Compound,
Hosur Main Road
Phone ( 080) 65305672
Mobile 994569311

http://www.abtxtravels.com

Sleepy thoughts

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Time is past midnight, and I’m weary. The weekend had unfolded new events and for which I’m happy. Yes, experiences maketh a life and each little dots in the life take on to make the complete impression.

I’m leaving for my bed, to dream, to labor on the thoughts of today.. Goodnight friends…

words maketh a sale?

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For those who live by communicating with words, words takes a larger than role in life. Yes, I’m talking of folks like me why wrestle with words to express those thoughts.

Reading, writing and it’s endless maze all comes in throes to guild a writer as a master story teller. It’s painfully slow and I wonder how many seasons it will take for me to get to that wonderful horizon.

Chilled only till 11

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Pubs and beer culture in Bangalore is one lively stuff I love of this fast life . But recently political leaders are trying to clamp on these spirited live with a midnight curfew. The top orders are strictly followed by the high handed cops. Joints close by 11:00.

No doubt it’s archaic law and what really stuck me is the way it is religiously followed . While returning from work, I pass through many small time joints and most often I see Cowboy cops standing in front of these joints to ensure it’s closure.

I wonder how they get so strict about maintaining this part of their job, while you can see total inefficiencies in their day- today administration. I think it’s quite useless to write of these issues, as every day we see write up about in Times of India. In spite of all these public upheavals, these high handed creeps who lead us are just blind to some basic facets of individual freedom … Can’t blame them for we have had chosen them ….

All in all it’s a reflection of Indian democracy…..

Cowboys of Bangalore

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White Enfield, the power behind Bangalore Traffic Cops. Initially I was drawn by their looks.. White cowboy caps and those images are replaced by their not not good shader tales of corruption & ineffectiveness…

Can’t blame them entirely. Banagalore has gone for a spiral growth and with it the population of two wheeler and four wheeler…

Traffic is a mess, and the attitude of drivers is even worse. At any unmanned junction, you can see how drivers try to overtake each other.. .it resembles no less than the nature of the beast ….

At times I wonder if it b’cos of the rampant growth or the new culture of competition on the roads. People honk at every point. I’m a kind who hardly honks, for I think it hardly makes a difference. What annoys me is to see people honking even when the traffic is dead slow or just when the signal has turned green..

Wonder if the commuters are driving with so much of tension that they can hardly wait or just they are venting out the frustration through high decibel honks..

Often I hear reports in newspaper of action taken to reduce honking, but on the street it hardly makes a difference… I don’t see any immediate hope for people like me who detest honking.. only think I can do is to get drive away from this mess or If I was a tad richer I can buy a four wheeler: with windows shut, it will a little less on my ear drums..

Beemapalli : Teasure trove of classic DVD’s

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All familiar payment side store. Sale of pirate DVD’s and CD’s is done in broad street light..
The price of DVD’s goes around Rs 40 – Rs 50. After I bought a DVD, one of my first purchase was from a street vendor. I bought Indiana Johnes collection, Batman collection.. 4 movie in 1 DVD.

But my initial enthusiasm dried out as soon I saw the movies.. The image quality of these CD is very low and it robbed me the dough I spend and my initial euphoria…

After this incident I’ve moved from these street side pirates to the big time pirates in Trivandrum. Beemapalli in Trivandrum a erstwhile landmark for sale of foreign goods has now embraced movie piracy in a big way.

Now most of the shops has moved to piracy CD selling and from the row of shops, one shop has a good collection of classic movies. I’ve purchased lots from this place.. U get all time classics to Italian, Iranian, Japanese movies in here.. I’ve amassed Satyajith Ray’s collection and all these just for 30bucks including a plastic cover.

Of course some CD’s are incomplete… One DVD, My Fair Lady doesn’t have the last scenes and it’s disappointing.. It’s a fair chance to take, and the print quality is good. As long as I can’t afford the branded one, I’ve to stick to the offering from the pirated CD’s of Beemapali.

Next time I visit my hometown, I need to replinish my CD stock with all new stuffs… , Of course some hot stuffs in my shopping cart…

Cambridge Layout – view

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Wildcraft outlet at Cambridge Layout. It’s located in the same road where Sai Baba Temple is located and next to Airtel office
This shop offers a wide variety of backpacks, camping and offdoor equipment…. It’s a kind of store you would love to revisit and check on the new product updates….

I’m looking to buy a backpack for a 3 day trip.. but somehow, I’m not getting to see the design in these bags… I’ve seen a bag with one of my friend, but now that model is not available… Well, got to revisit this shop for a new look ….