The Uttarakand Tragedy

The recent tragedy in the northern state of Uttarakand and to a lesser extend in the state of Himachal Pradesh has to be one of the worst in memory.  Due to cloud burst, rain came pouring down the hills and the river swelled and took everything in its paths. Big buildings were washed away in seconds. Thousands of people and pilgrims were either left stranded or lost their life.

This tragedy was waiting to happen. Due to pilgrimage sites like Kedarnath, Badrinath and many more and the natural beauty of the place, people from all over India and the world thronged the place. The locals saw a way to harness this boom in tourism and started developing the place. This put great burden on the fragile ecosystem of Uttarakand.  Increasing number of tourist led to greed and mis-governance and huge unauthorized structures were built on the riverbank restricting the flow of the river despite warning from numerous ecologists. They argued that it is a well known fact that during the rainy season, the river always breaks its banks and swoops down the hill with unimaginable force but unfortunately their warning was never heeded.

Now that this tragedy has happened, everybody is pointing fingers at each other. It may be the Congress or the BJP or any other political party, everybody is equally to blame. To satisfy their own greed and of their followers, they allowed unrestricted construction on the ecologically sensitive land.

Now the tragedy has happened, the rescue effort was not coordinated by our ruling class and due to this, many lives were lost unnecessarily. But like always our military came to the rescue and are doing a awesome job.

My point is that let this tragedy be a lesson to all those people who put their own benefits over lives of the common people andshould learn from their mistakes. If India is to develop all round, we should always place the people of this country above everything. 

A Journey down South

I like to write about things I see and hear. But today I am writing about a journey that I will be undertaking with my friends. And yes, I am excited about it. I haven't left Mumbai for a while now. It's not that I am complaining but seriously I need a good break from the hectic life in Mumbai. Initially, we had zeroed on Manali and Ladakh but then at this time of the year, Ladakh is not accessible through Manali so we cancelled the plan. Pondering over where we can go in the last week of March, we decided to drive down to South India. Now was the time to decide on the places to visit. After some serious discussion, we decide to drive down to a town in Karnataka called Gokarna which is a pilgrimage center along with a very happening and vibrant party scene. From Gokarna, we will head to Padubidri, a small town about 20 kms from the famous temple town of Udupi and it is my native place as well. We will spend time visiting temples and then head out to some of the numerous pristine beaches there. After distressing our self, we will drive down to OOty in Tamil Nadu passing the beautiful Coorg and the famous Bandipur National Reserve. To be very honest, I am much more excited about Bandipur then any other place that I am going to visit. Staying in a forest lodge for a night and then going on wildlife safari in one of India's best kept forest is a treat for me anytime of my life. After Bandipur, we will head towards Ooty, a beautiful hill station. On the way back, we may pass through Goa and stay there for a day. This is the plan but we have decided to keep it very flexible so that we can do what we like and if we feel like, we can extend or cancel any stay and place. Doesn't the plan sound exciting? For me, it surely does!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Battle of the Captains

Yesterday's match between Pune Warriors and Chennai Super Kings was a very significant match. The two teams were led by two of the best captains, India has ever produced. Pune Warriors were led by the Prince "Sourav Ganguly", while Chennai super Kings were led by the swash buckling Mahendra Singh Dhoni. If we were to have a debate as to who is the best captain India had, yesterday's match can be called an indicator to the argument. Chennai won the match by 13 runs but the match was not without its moment of ups and down. Chennai scored 164 runs for the loss of 5 wickets and Pune could make only 151 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. The Chennai score included two well make half centuries by Faf du Plessis and S Badrinath. The form of Sourav Ganguly is not at its best. In all of the previous matches played this season, he has not managed to make any remarkable impact. His fielding too has been far from satisfying and has given away couple of runs through miss field. Can a player be selected into the playing eleven just for his ability to captain the team well is a question most team management have to ask themselves specially in the 20-20 format where each ball, each wicket and each run can make the difference between victory and defeat. This also raises the idea of non playing captains whose job is to plan the strategy of the team like in lawn tennis. If the idea is viable, the IPL governing body should have a think about it. It may be beneficial to the teams and may increase the popularity of the tournament. On the other hand MS Dhoni was captain cool like he always is. Making some useful contribution in the end overs and commanding him team well. It has always been his trademark. Though Dhoni didn't get the start his team expected in this tournament by loosing some games but there are lots of matches left where both Chennai and Pune can up their antics and make an impression. Over all, the match can be summed up as the clash of the captains where both the captains have led well their respective teams and will certainly look to perform better.

Travelling to Kerala

By Air :-
Kerala has the International airports at Kochi (Cochin), the capital city Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. You can also catch a direct flight from Abu Dhabi, Maldives, Singapore, Dubai, Colombo, Kuwait, Riyadh, Doha, Muscat and major cities of India.
By Rail :-
All the important cities and most tourist places of India are very well connected by rail to Kerala.
By Road :-
Kerala is connected to all the major cities of India.
Kerala celebrates…
In February, Kerala celebrates 7 days of Nishagandhi Dance festival; around April-May Pooram festival in Thrissur is celebrated; in May Flavor Food Festival for all the food freaks, happens at the Kanakakunnu Palace grounds, Thiruvananthapuram.
Onam is the annual harvest festival of Kerala, which begins in August and lasts for 10 days. This matriarchal society also has a festival for women, which is celebrated annually by the house lady, known as Pongala Utsavam, when women can visit Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, at Thiruvananthapuram.
What to wear ?
Though the average temperature remains same in Kerala through out the year. Light cotton clothes are advisable during summer to beat the heat. During monsoons one must carry protection. In winter it gets a bit cooler so light sweaters can be carried if you plan to visit during that season

Travelling To Gujarat

Gujarat is rightfully described as a paradise because of its variant and caring Gujarati people. Gujarat is visited by numerous tourists every year. The places of visit could be historic, modern cities or calm beaches. Plan your trip by any means possible from among the detailed below
By Air :
Gujarat has ten domestic airports, the largest in any state. The domestic airports are in many major cities like Surat, Vadodra, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Kandla, etc. The only international airport in Gujarat is located in Ahmedabad, named as the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
By Train :
Gujarat is connected via all the main cities in India through the very best of train network which operates smoothly. Yes, the trains could be a little delaying sometimes, but it will not affect your schedule.
By Bus :
The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) is the main body which operates bus routes in Gujarat. The entire network is very efficiently connected.
By Road :
The National Highway 6 is the best route to travel which connects all the major cities in Gujarat.
By Rickshaw :
Once you are in Gujarat, the most easily available public transport and fun to travel in is an Auto Rickshaw. This is a small three-tired vehicle that can accommodate three passengers at a time. The fares for a Rickshaw are moderate and make sure to read the meter-card before paying in order to pay as per the hire.

The magic of Mahableshwar

Mahableshwar meaning “God of great power” in the local language is a very beautiful and scenic hill station in the western state of Maharashtra in India. It is one of the most famous hill stations in Western India and was the summer capital of the former Bombay Presidency during the British rule in India. Mahableshwar is famous for its lush greenery, variety of flora and fauna which one can see through out the year.

When one visits Mahableshwar, it’s the old world charm coupled with modern amenities which makes it an idea place for vacationing. It has the distinction of being one of the very few places in the world having ever green forests. The stunningly beautiful peaks and the magnificent valleys of Mahableshwar are the high point of the place. The sight is so spectacular that one gets awestruck by them.

Mahableshwar is located at about 120 km from Pune and 285 km from Mumbai. Mahableshwar lies at an altitude of 1353 metres (4440 ft) above sea level. It is well connected by road from Mumbai and Pune. A new highway has reduced the traveling time between Mumbai and Mahableshwar to 5 hours.

Malcolm Peth, Old Kshetra Mahableshwar and the Shindola village make up Mahableshwar. Wilson Point (Sunrise Point) is the highest peak in Mahableshwar reaching a height of 4720 ft. Mahableshwar is the source of the Krishna River which traverses across the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Mahableshwar is thronged by tourists through out the year. Many people come here to relax amongst the nature. It is one of the most sought after place by honeymoon couples.
The Lake Venna in Mahableshwar is a picturesque lake surrounded by trees. A boat ride on lake Venna or horse ride around the lake is a must do for every tourist. There are numerous small eateries near the lake and food served is delicious.

Mahableshwar has numerous sight seeing points, each having a different story and view point. The Dhom dam is a good place to picnic and the scenery is charming to say the least. The famous Panchganga Mandir in Old Mahableshwar is worth a visit. About 24 kms from Mahableshwar, lies the historic Pratapgad Fort. One can sense the rich history of this place by visiting this massive fort. Some points like the Wilson Point, Connaught Point, Elphiston Point, Marjorie Point, Castle Rock etc. are worth visiting for their breath taking views and for the view of the sunrise and the sunset.

Strawberry, mulberry and honey are the chief produce of this region. Mahableshwar strawberries are well known throughout India. There are numerous farms cultivating these crops. One can take a tour of these strawberry fields in Mahableshwar for a nominal fee.


Panchgani is a town hill station town situated near Mahableshwar. This place is well known for its boarding schools and colleges. The unusual table-land of Panchgani is a treat for any tourist.

Mahableshwar is a fabulous holiday destination for most part of the year, but during the rainy season, the rains are very heavy and should be avoided.

So if are planning a relaxing holiday amongst nature with breath taking sights, Mahableshwar will make an ideal location.

The historic Amber Fort

A tour of Jaipur will be incomplete if one does not visit the historic Amber Fort. This magnificent fort was the capital of the ruling Kachhawa clan of Rajputs till it was shifted to Jaipur.

The architecture of the Amber fort is a unique mixture of Hindu and Muslim style of architecture. The fort is built with white marbles and red sandstone. From the outside, the fort looks huge and rough but soon as one steps inside the fort, it is like a different world altogether. The interiors of the Amber Fort unlike its exterior are comfortable and splendid. There are water fountains, intricate carvings all over the place; the walls are filled with paintings of hunting scenes. The warmth and coziness of the interior is unparalleled. For a moment, one gets the feeling of being royal himself when he visits the grand Amber Fort.

The construction of the fort was started by Maharaja Mansingh in 1592. Maharaja Mansingh, the ruler of Amber was the chief commander of the Mughal army under Emperor Akbar and was one of the ministers of the famed nine Gems in Akbar’s court.
But it was one of his descendants, Raja Jaisingh who completed the fort.

At night when the reflection of fort Amber falls on Lake Maota on the foothills, it looks so unreal as if it is an illusion or a beautiful dream.

Nowadays, one can go from the foothills to the fort above on an elephant back. The ride reminds of the bygone era when the kings used to go there on elephant backs. From the top, one can see the skyline of the jaipur city.

If you want to see the best example of the blending of two different architectural styles or want to relive the pride, bravery of the Rajputs, then a visit to the Amber fort is an absolute necessary.

The other name of Dreamland – Munnar

If taking a stroll in the lush green hills and feeling the gentle and cool touch of the clouds as you pass by, is your idea of a relaxing vacation then the scenic hill station of Munnar is the place you need to go. Munnar is a beautiful hill station with plenty of breathtaking sights and visuals that are bound to create a lasting visual in your mind.

Munnar is situated at the height of around 2600 m from sea level in the Idduki district in the southern state of Kerala in India. As it is situated near three rivers, it retains its lush greenery through the year. The climate remains cool throughout the year, temperature ranges from -10° C to 0° C in winter and 8° C to 16° C in summer. Munnar gets heavy rainfall during the rainy season and as a result there are many small streams and waterfalls through Munnar adding to its beauty.

Since Munnar is a hill station, tea is grown on a very large scale due to its conducive climate for tea plantation. One can see the tea plantation for miles on the way to Munnar.
During the British rule, the British used Munnar as their summer retreat to get away from the heat and humidity of the lowlands. Today, Munnar is one of the foremost and most visited hill stations of Southern India. There are many wild reserves and national parks near Munnar which have an incredible and unique variety of flora and fauna and a visit to these places will captivate your senses.


Since Munnar is a famous hill station, there is wide range of accommodation available, from budget hotels to five star resorts. The roads are well maintained and transport is easily available to and from Munnar.

The nearest airport is Kochi which is about 160 km from Munnar. Kochi is well connected by air to all the major places in India and abroad. From Kochi, you can take a bus or a car to reach Munnar. The journey takes about 5 to 6 hours but the landscape on the way to Munnar is so spectacular that it will blow you away and you won’t even realize the time taken for your journey.

Munnar is a hotspot for honeymooners because of its natural beauty, serenity and splendid climate. It is one place which comes quite near to the so called dreamland.
So what are you waiting for, pack your bags and start your journey of heavenly bliss and sublime to the place called Munnar.

The beach temples of Mahabalipuram

About 55 kms from Chennai lies the pristine and beautiful beach of Mahabalipuram which is one of only few beaches in India which is still clean and untouched. A visit to this beach will relax your mind, body and soul and rejuvenate you . Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram in the local Tamil language lies on the shore of the beautiful Bay of Bengal in the southern state of Tamil Nadu in India.

Mahabalipuram has long and glorious history; It was a flourishing port city in the seventh century under the Pallavas. The Pallava rulers built some breath taking monuments along the sea which can still be seen today. This pristine beach is famous for its gigantic monuments like sculptures, monolithic Rathas, caves and temples. The monuments are so grand and well made that it is a major tourist attraction. Tourist from all over the world come to Mahabalipuram to enjoy the rich history and culture of the place and at the same time, enjoy the majestic beach.

The Mahabalipuram beach is a great place for sunbathing and the resorts near the beach offer various activities like surfing, diving and motor boating. For the adventurous people, there is a snake venom extraction center near the beach where venom is extracted from deadly and poisonous snakes like the Cobra, Russels Viper, krait to name a few. There is also a crocodile farm near the beach where crocodiles and alligators are bred and then released in the wild. Both these places are a must visit as they are unique and exotic.

As there many beautiful temple in and around Mahabalipuram, a visit to these places will make you re live the history and tradition of the place. The grandeur of these rock cut temples are to be seen to be believed. The Department of Tourism Of the Government of Tamil Nadu organizes a Dance Festival once a year on the Mahabalipuram beach, it's a must watch event.

The Mahabalipuram beach can be visited through out the year but the best time to visit is from November to February.

Mahabalipuram is well connected to all the major cities in India through air, rail and road. The nearest airport is Chennai. The nearest railway station is Chengalpattu which is 29 km from Mahabalipuram. The roads leading to Mahabalipuram are good and well connected to all the major places in Tamil Nadu.

So get ready to visit the beach temples of Mahabalipuram and enjoy the pristine beach at the same time.

Clean and green “Kapu Beach”

Beaches on the western coastal line of India are a visual treat. The beach at Kapu or Kaup is one such beach where one can enjoy the sea at its best along with the lush greenery surrounding the beach. Kapu beach is very famous with localities as well as tourist, through out the year. The beach is clean with golden sand and crystal clear water.

The town of Kapu is in the Udupi district in the state of Karnataka. It is situated about 12 kms from the main Udupi City and 45 kms from Mangalore. Kapu is easily accessible by road. Buses ply on regular basis from Udupi and Mangalore to Kapu. One has to get down at the main Kapu bus stand and take an auto rickshaw. The fare is around 50 bucks one-way. The beach is relatively empty on week days and moderately crowded during weekends. During weekends, people come with family and friends to enjoy the serenity of the vast Arabian Sea. The waves breaking on the sands and the rocks are a treat to watch. There are many food joints along the beach which serve good cuisines. Try the local fish and crab dishes, they are simply amazing.

People visit the beach for the mystic sunrise and sunset which adds a new dimension to the whole experience. Taking a walk here is an experience in itself. Just stroll lazily along the beach and admire the beauty of nature.

Situated on one end of the beach is the famous Kapu Lighthouse. The light house was built in 1901 and is well maintained by the authorities. For a very nominal fee, one can visit the light house. The view of the Arabian Sea from the top of the light house is anything but breath taking.

Sometimes, the afternoons on the beach can get a bit hot so carry your head gear, a sun screen lotion and sun glasses along when visiting the beach. Though one can visit the beach anytime of the year but the rainy season is the best time to visit. The greenery along the beach with coconut plantations and the rough sea will mesmerize your senses.

So take a stroll at the Kapu Beach and rejuvenate your mind and your body and enjoy the bliss.

The most serene beach of the east coast - Gopalpur on Sea

Gopalpur on Sea is a quiet beach on the eastern coast of India in the state of Orissa. Once, a bustling port in the olden days, now it is a quiet town where people come to enjoy the serenity of the Bay of Bengal. Once can still see the crumbling remains of the old port built by the British. Because of the huge waves of the Bengal Sea, surfers thrive to this place to surf on the waves and thus this place is rightly called the surfers paradise. Since it has recently gained fame as a tourist destination, it still has the calmness where one can enjoy the sea and hear the wind blowing through the palm and coconut plantation and relax the mind and body. Taking a stroll on the clean sandy beach in the evening with the sound of waves beating down the shore will invigorate your mind, soul and body.

There is a lighthouse near the sea which gives a superb view of Gopalpur. A visit to the lighthouse is must for all. The largest saltwater in India, lake Chilka can also be seen from the lighthouse.

Gopalpur was originally a fishing village but gained prominence under the British rule. The British transformed the tiny village into a major port to export goods to Burma. Because of its natural beauty, it was a perfect getaway for the British and the rich Indians. But after the war, the trade with Burma stopped and it lost its status as an important port and reverted back to a small fishing village. It was only in the modern times that people recognized its value as a beach resort and tourism picked up.

Gopalpur is 16 km away from the nearest town of Behrampur and 180 km from Bhubaneshwar. One can catch the flight to Bhubaneshwar and then travel to Gopalpur by road. Since Gopalpur is tourist hotspot, there are many good resorts and hotel with brilliant sea view.

Though now regarded as one of the best beaches in the country, it still has not got the hustle and bustle of other famous beaches in India. If you want to enjoy a quite and pristine beach getaway, search no more, Gopalpur is the place.

Get closer to the wild side - Kaziranga National Park

Situated on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga National Park is a haven for wild life. Many different types of wild animals and plants are found only in this wild and unique national park. The dense forest and the tall elephant grass and numerous swamps make Kaziranga, an ideal habitat for wild life.

Kaziranga National Park is situated in the northeastern state of Assam in India. It covers an area of 430 sq km. with an additional area of 429 km. Kaziranga National Park was declared a protected wildlife sanctuary in 1940. In 1985, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its natural habitat and rich diverse wild life.

Kaziranga is famous for the great one horned Indian rhinoceros or the Asian rhino. It is the only place in the world where these majestic beasts are found in its natural habitat. Apart from the rhino, the park is also well known for its tigers. In fact it was declared a tiger reserve in 2006and boasts of the highest tiger density in the world. Besides these, a variety of animals like the Indian elephant, wild water buffalo, swamp deer, Indian bison, hog deer, sloth bear, leopard, leopard cat, jungle cats, otters, hog badgers, gibbons, wild boar, jackals, pythons, monitors, to name a few, are found in large number here. Apart from the wildlife, Kaziranga is a bird watchers delight. Many kind of rare birds can be seen here. Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black Shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Brahminy Kite, Pallas’ Fishing Eagle, White Tailed Eagle, Grey Headed Fishing Eagle, Himalayan Griffon are some of the raptors who dwell in this park. During the winters, many migratory birds like the Greylag Geese, Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall and many other types of birds come to the numerous lakes, water holes and the swamps in the park.

The best way of observing this rich diversity of flora and fauna would be on an elephant back. There are regular elephant safaris in the park for visitors. Also, there are jeep safaris organized by the park. Observatory towers are set in different places for people to observe the birds and animals with out disturbing them.

Apart from the park, visitors can visit the nearby, coffee and rubber plantations of the Karbi people. The Karbis are tribal people of the northeast. Visitors can visit their houses and get a preview about their culture, lifestyle, traditions and their way of living.

Kaziranga is open from mid November to early April. During the rainy season, the park is closed for visitors.

As the place is well known among wildlife enthusiasts, there are many hotels outside the park for accommodation and food.

Kaziranga National Park can be reach by air. Guwahati which is 217 km away and Jorhat which is 97 km are the nearest airports. There are regular bus services from Kaziranga to Guwahati and Jorhat. The nearest railway station is Furkating which is 75 km from the park. The park is well connected by roads to all the major cities of Assam.

If you are nature lover who want to witness wildlife in its full glory or want to have a thrilling jungle safari, then there can be no other place better than Kaziranga National Park. Pack your gear and head straight to the great wilderness called Kaziranga.

Get closer to the wild side - Kaziranga National Park

Situated on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga National Park is a haven for wild life. Many different types of wild animals and plants are found only in this wild and unique national park. The dense forest and the tall elephant grass and numerous swamps make Kaziranga, an ideal habitat for wild life.

Kaziranga National Park is situated in the northeastern state of Assam in India. It covers an area of 430 sq km. with an additional area of 429 km. Kaziranga National Park was declared a protected wildlife sanctuary in 1940. In 1985, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its natural habitat and rich diverse wild life.

Kaziranga is famous for the great one horned Indian rhinoceros or the Asian rhino. It is the only place in the world where these majestic beasts are found in its natural habitat. Apart from the rhino, the park is also well known for its tigers. In fact it was declared a tiger reserve in 2006and boasts of the highest tiger density in the world. Besides these, a variety of animals like the Indian elephant, wild water buffalo, swamp deer, Indian bison, hog deer, sloth bear, leopard, leopard cat, jungle cats, otters, hog badgers, gibbons, wild boar, jackals, pythons, monitors, to name a few, are found in large number here. Apart from the wildlife, Kaziranga is a bird watchers delight. Many kind of rare birds can be seen here. Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black Shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Brahminy Kite, Pallas’ Fishing Eagle, White Tailed Eagle, Grey Headed Fishing Eagle, Himalayan Griffon are some of the raptors who dwell in this park. During the winters, many migratory birds like the Greylag Geese, Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall and many other types of birds come to the numerous lakes, water holes and the swamps in the park.

The best way of observing this rich diversity of flora and fauna would be on an elephant back. There are regular elephant safaris in the park for visitors. Also, there are jeep safaris organized by the park. Observatory towers are set in different places for people to observe the birds and animals with out disturbing them.

Apart from the park, visitors can visit the nearby, coffee and rubber plantations of the Karbi people. The Karbis are tribal people of the northeast. Visitors can visit their houses and get a preview about their culture, lifestyle, traditions and their way of living.

Kaziranga is open from mid November to early April. During the rainy season, the park is closed for visitors.

As the place is well known among wildlife enthusiasts, there are many hotels outside the park for accommodation and food.

Kaziranga National Park can be reach by air. Guwahati which is 217 km away and Jorhat which is 97 km are the nearest airports. There are regular bus services from Kaziranga to Guwahati and Jorhat. The nearest railway station is Furkating which is 75 km from the park. The park is well connected by roads to all the major cities of Assam.

If you are nature lover who want to witness wildlife in its full glory or want to have a thrilling jungle safari, then there can be no other place better than Kaziranga National Park. Pack your gear and head straight to the great wilderness called Kaziranga.

The unexplored beaches of Ganpatipule

The western coastal region of India is well known for its majestic beaches; most of which are famous as tourist hot spots already. But, there are many beaches which are a great place for a quite vacation but still are still unexplored.

As these beaches are relatively unexplored, not many people know about them; such beaches can make am ideal getaway for an holiday. Imagine, no one to disturb or bother you while you enjoy the tranquility of serene beach. Doesn't it sound amazing and too good to be true ?

Ganpatipule is one such beach which is relatively empty though it is one of the most pristine beaches of western India. Imagine walking on the golden sand with waves from the Arabian sea crashing against it and making sweet sound of nothing in your ears. Its like a dream come true !

Ganpatipule lies in the western state of Maharashtra in India about 375 kms from the city of Mumbai. One has to take the scenic Mumbai-Goa highway to reach Ganpatipule. The road are a treat in themselves, with lush greenery and beautiful scenic beauty, mesmerizing you all the way. On the way one comes across many tiny fishing hamlets where people go on doing their daily chores in a very unhurried way.

Once you reach Ganpatipule, the first thing that you will notice are the crystal clear water and pristine beach. The beaches are devoid of rocks and humans which is a rare and welcoming site. As Ganpatipule is a renowned pilgrimage site, it is not difficult to find accommodation. There are many government approved and private hotels available.

On the beach, there are other activities like para gliding and going with the local fishermen for fishing. One can hire a car and drive on the beach. During the evening you can enjoy a quite drink in the moonlight or can dance and enjoy with your friends and family all through the night. The options are endless. Enjoy the beach, the way you want it and get disconnected from the stress and tension of your hectic life. People who have visited this place, do visit again and again.

Apart from the beach, Ganpatipule is well known for its temple of Lord Ganesh known as Swayambhu Ganpati. The entire hillock where the temple is located, is believed to be Lord Ganesh and is revered by the people. There are numerous other temples worth visiting in Ganpatipule.

Though Ganpatipule can be visited through the year, but the best time to visit is during or after the monsoons as various springs and waterfall come up all over the place and the place is lush green. It is a delightful sight to watch and feel the nature.

Mumbai is the nearest airport which is 375 kms from Ganpatipule. By rail, get down at Ratnagiri and hire a rickshaw to Ganpatipule, the distance is about 45 kms. Buses from Mumbai and Pune ply regularly to Ganpatipule.

So what are you waiting for pack your bags and endeavor yourself on a journey of bliss.

The Silent Era of Indian Cinema

Indians are known to follow three things religiously namely cricket, cinema and religion itself. Among these, cinema has influenced their life more than anything else. And this love for cinema is old as cinema itself and people used to flock the theatres to see the silent movies. The history of Indian cinema is more than 100 years old. The first silent movie to be released in India was on 7th July 1897 at Hotel Watson in Bombay by the Leiumour Brothers who produced the film. The film had only six scenes in all and was 10 minutes long. The first Indian to produce a film was H.S.Bhatwdekar. He got a camera from London and shot 2 scenes of 3 minutes each. He titled them as Do Pahalwanon Ki Kushti  and Bandar Kho Nachata Hua Madaari, which was released in December 1889. On 1^st January 1900, a Britisher by the name of Mr Taivello released a silent movie at Novelty Cinema at Lamington Road, Bombay. Fatima, an Indian dancer was the star of the movie. Ram Chandra Gopal Torne, N.G. Chitre and Stevenson, a cinematographer jointly produced a 22 minutes silent film named Pundalik. This film was based on a life of an actual saint from Maharashtra. But the year 1913 saw the real evolution of Indian cinema. A full length silent movie was produced by one Mr Dadasaheb Phalke, who later on earned the title of the father of Indian cinema. The name of the movie was ‘Raja Harishchandra’ and it was based on the Sanskrit epic of a famous mythological king of India. The total length of the movie was 40 minutes. A unique feature about this movie was that there were no female artists in it as working in a movie was a taboo and the male artists enacted the roles of female characters. It was a taboo to such an extent in the society that Dadasaheb Phalke had to tell his artists to tell everybody that they were working in a factory of a man named Harishchadra. The movie had English and Hindi subtitles and was released at the coronation Cinema in Bombay. Dadashaeb made many other movies after this. He made Mohini Bhasmasur in 1913, Satyavan Savitri in 1914 and Lanka Dahan in 1917. Lanka Dahan went on to become India’s first box office hit. Many silent movies were made in the 1920’s. Dhiren ganguly made Bilat Ferat, a love story in 1921. Madan made Nala Damayanti in 1921, Pati Bhakti in 1922 and Noor Jehan in 1923. The famous Baburao painter made Maya Bazaar in 1923, Kaala Naag in 1924 and Cinema Queen in 1926. Other  notable silent movies were Bhaneli Bhamini, Anarkali, Gopal Krishna, Chandramukhi, Hatim Tai, Diler Jigar, Raajrani Meera. Though these movies were known as silent movies, they had music which was made by certain instruments like a tabla, flute or a sitar which would accompany the scenes. As there were no dialogues, they had subtitles mainly in English and one regional language. In the year 1931 Ardeshir  Irani made India’s first talking movie that is movie with sound and dialogues, Alam Ara. With this a new chapter in cinema started. Silent movies were still produced at this time but within a short span of time it eventually died out as it could not meet with the competition of talking cinema as people preferred the later. Many artist who did very well during the silent era struggled as they were not good in dialogue delivery but at the same time artist with excellent voice and acting power came to the limelight. Songs were an addition feature added to the cinema. Nearly half a century later, in 1988 S.Sreenivas Rao experimented with a silent movie named Pushpak which had no dialogues or subtitles. Well known actor Kamal Hasan was the lead actor of the movie. The movie was made very well and went on to become a big box office hit.

F1 2009

A new season of F1 is all set to begin. It will be an exciting season if any indication of the last two seasons can be taken into account. Lewis Hamilton won the drivers’ championship from Filepe Massa by a single point in the last race of 2008. It could not get more exciting than this. This year’s F1 season will be very different to the last years as FIA, the governing body have made many changes to the season . Slick tyres will make a comeback after nearly 10 years. There are stringent aerodynamics regulations. The front wing will be lower and wider while the rear wings will be higher and narrower. This will enhance the mechanical grip of the car, A new system known as Kinetic Energy Recovery system (KERS) will be introduced where the energy generated during braking is stored and can be used to give the extra boost and acceleration when needed, though this optional. The pit lane speed limit has been increased from 50 mph to 62 mph. A massive cost cutting has been put to place and the budget of each team may be cut to half the amount they had spent last year. The engine has to last 3 races, the gearbox has to last 4 races. The team will be penalized 5 places if they put a new engine or gearbox before this period. The rule that the pit lane is closed during the safety car period is done away in 2009. There was supposed to be a major change in the Driver Championship allocation wherein the driver who wins the most number of races will be given the title instead of the driver who has the most points like previous years but this rule was taken back after strong opposition from the participating teams.  The 2009 calendar will have 17 races in all. The season will begin with the Australian GP in March and will end with the newly constructed Abu Dhabi GP in November. The French and the Canadian GP have been dropped from this year’s calendar. There will be a night race in Singapore. Ten teams will be taking part this season. Team Honda has been bought by Ross Brawn, the former technical advisor of the Ferrari team and has been renamed as Brawn- Mercedes team. Interestingly a huge controversy is brewing among the F1 teams regarding the use of diffusers on the car. A diffuser is an extension of the floor at the back end of the car, between the rear wheels to gather and organize the high speed air rushing under the car. This reduces drag and increases down force, so the speed and agility of the car is increased. Some teams like Toyota, Williams and Brawn have diffusers which are working better than other teams so their cars are much faster . Teams like Ferrari and Renault have lodged a complaint against this and the hearing is to take place sometimes  soon. Will it again be team Ferrari dominating as we have seen many times before or teams like Mclaren, Toyota, Renault going all out for the championship. This only time will tell but one thing is for sure that there will be no shortage of drama, suspense, thrill and controversies when the season will finally kicks start on the 29^th of March on the famous Melbourne Grand Prix circuit. Get, set, go.

A pristine beach in the Konkan known as Ladghar

To beat the summer heat, there is a beautiful place known as Ladghar which is famous for its clean, unspoilt, scenic beach. Its near Khed in the Konkan region. Catch a train from Mumbai to Khed as there are many trains between the two places or drive down to Ladghar which is about 7 hours drive on the Mumbai Goa Highway or catch a MSRTC bus from Mumbai.The train journey takes about 5 hours. Once you reach Khed catch a MSRTC bus from Khed to Dapoli. The ride will take about 25 minutes. Get down at Dapoli and again catch a MSRTC bus to Ladghar which is 24 kms from Dapoli and it will take you about 45 minutes. Do not worry about the bus as their frequency is good. As you reach Ladghar one has the choice of staying at the famous Sagar Sawali hotel which has both air conditioned room as well as non air conditioned rooms or staying at the shacks which the locals have built for tourists which are good for tourist with a low budget. To get the real feel  of the place I advise you to stay in the local shacks which are built on the seashore and they provide with homemade food which adds to the wonderful experience . The climate there is cool even in the summer due to the cool sea breeze blowing from the Arabian Sea. In Ladghar go for a stroll along the beach and collect colourful sea pebbles. This place is less crowded as many people do not know about it. At times you may be the only one on the entire shore. This place is very famous for its dolphins. To sight the dolphin pods, the local fisherman will take you into the open sea early in the morning in their boat for Rs 800. This is a must do as the boat trip on the sea waves itself along with the dolphin sighting is mind blowing. One important thing worth mentioning is that as Ladghar has few shops so to shop you must go to Dapoli which is not very hectic as there are regular shared Tempo Trax taxis which charges Rs 10 per person along with the regular MSRTC buses to and fro from Ladghar and Dapoli. Other places worth visiting are the ancient temples of Veleshwar dedicated to Lord Shiva which is more than 1000 years old and Lord Datta temple which is situated on a hill. One has to trek about 30 minutes to reach the temple but the journey to the top is awesome with a small pool of spring water to freshen you on the way. This trek is through some heavy plantation of coconut and betel nut trees so it is kind of walking through some dense vegetation which is very refreshing. Do make a point to eat at the local homes while coming down as it adds to the experience. The food is delicious and inexpensive to say the least. Then there are the famous Panhalekaji caves. These are ancient caves with Buddhist and Hindu sculptures  and are worth a visit. Other places of interest are the clean and pristine beaches of Harnai, Murud, Dabhol. Over all this trip is for those who want to get away from the maddening crowd, pollution of Mumbai and other places for a short period and as this place is not far away from Mumbai and Pune and is inexpensive, give it a try. I bet people who have come here alone or with their friends or with their family will come back sooner or later. The pros of this place are proximity to Mumbai but still has that very village feel. Its well connected to other places and the roads are good. The place is pollution free and the most important factor is that it’s not crowded as there are less number of visitors throughout the year but do not know for how long. The con if any is that this place has limited options for accommodation. Still undoubtedly, one of the best place I have every visited.

The Great Indian Election

The election season is back again. The whole country is now gearing up to vote. The Congress is trying to retain its government in the centre and the main opposition party the BJP are trying their best to dislodge them and come to power. But with these two main parties, a third front has come to the party which comprises of the Left parties, the CPI and the CPM and regional parties like the BSP, PSP, Forward Bloc, JD(S), TDP, TRS and the AIADMK. The Congress is banking on its performance in the last 5 years. Honestly speaking I don’t see much of a difference their policies have made for the country. Everything has gone haywire, inflation had shot up to a new high, unemployment increased but we can give them the benefit of the doubt as we may put this on global recession. But the security scene was if best described at its worse. There was the Malegaon, Ahmadabad, Bangalore and Allahabad blasts and to add to it there was the dreadful and unforgetful Mumbai terror attack which left many people dead and the whole country in a state of shock and fear. Some people attribute this to the weak anti terror policies of the government. Then there is the issue of farmers committing suicide in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra and in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The BJP are playing their card on these policies and promising a great change for the country but as during their their time of governance, they made little impact and were voted out of power by the people of this country. Their poll manifesto includes promises of tougher anti terrorism law, creation of new state for better governance, good governance and development. They are putting themselves as a party with a difference. What difference will they make for the country is still to be seen. The Third Front is purely formed on the basis of the aspirations of their leaders. Most of them like Mayawati and HD Devegowda who are a part of this coalition want to be the PM of this country incase their Front gets the majority. This is highly unlikely scenario but then you never know in Indian politics. Anything can happen here. Poverty, terrorism, naxalism, population boom, unemployment, development, crime, corruption, illiteracy, malnutrition etc are the problem which are haunting our country today. Something must be done now to solve these problems. But with the candidates, the parties have put up and the sincererity of the political parties who want to solve these problems, the problem seems to be far from being solved. But like every single election in the past, we as responsible citizens should go out in large numbers and vote expecting at least this time, there will be change for the good for us as well as for India and hope for the best.

Kaun Banega Pradhan Mantri

 

In India most of the politicians ultimate aim is to be the Prime minister. These politicians can go to any length to have a go at the chair. Here are some potential aspirants for the prime ministerial post. Atleast some of them think so !

·         Dr. Manmohan Singh – The best  finance minister India ever had and the present prime minister .This is the person who is sure to continue as the PM of this country if the Congress does well in the elections. The Congress has portrayed him as the PM if it wins and the chances are looking good. One advice to Mr Singh, please make some decisions on your own without the advice from MADAM.

·         Rahul Gandhi- Scion of the Gandhi-Nehru family. His biggest advantage is that his father, grandmother and great grandfather were all PMs so he is following them. It sounds like dynastic rule in a democratic republican country. He is too young without much experience so he has to wait but his time will come for sure.

·         Lal Krishna Advani- Leader of the Opposition, the BJP. He is the party’s Prime Ministerial candidate if they come to power in the centre. The chances look slim but can happen. Mr Advani nurtured the ambition of becoming  the PM from a long time. They did not come to power for a long time and when they did, Mr A.B. Vajpayee was made the PM with a consensus much to the displeasure of Advaniji. At 82 years, I guess he will  leave no stone unturned as he will feel this is his last chance at the PM’s chair. Hope he wont beat Morarji Desai in it.

·         Narendra Modi-Some BJP members had come up with his name as a probable candidate for the post of PM. But since Modi was never involved in national politics and has limited base that too in Gujarat, he is not likely to be BJPs  face for the PM’s post. But now even though he has started taking interest in national politics, there is a long wait for him to take a shot that the throne.

·         Sharad Pawar- Leader of NCP which is a part of the ruling UPA. Mr. Pawar , union agriculture minister in the government has been known to switch parties in the past. He has made his ambition for the post of the PM public. He has limited time to fulfill his ambition as he is not keeping good health. In desperation he is switching sides, sometimes he is seen with the Congress, sometimes talks of his alliance with the Shiv Sena are doing rounds, and at times he is attending rallies of the Third Front. I guess he is trying every equation available that will make him the PM. All the best Mr. Pawar. Try, try till you succeed even if it means going to the extreme and teaming with people you hardly know.

·         H.D. Deve Gowda- One time Prime Minister of India (for a very very short time) made a statement saying that even if the Congress or the BJP offers him the PM’s post he will not accept it. Mr. Gowda, it’s a good thing that your are very optimistic but optimism does not always pay. Please do not fool anybody by telling them that you are a strong contender to the PM’s post.

·         Mayawati or Behenji – She formed the Third Front with other parties and declared herself the Prime Ministerial candidate from this Front. This lead to much heart burn within the Front as other leaders have the same aim. She was finally forced to withdraw her name and was decided that the Front will name the Prime Ministerial candidate after the elections that is they get any kind of majority. No one thinks they can. And as everyone knows the Indian political system and the games that are played there, you can’t rule her or  for that matter  anyone out of the race.