Pushpam Singh's Blog, page 2

Nag Tibba

Nag Tibba which means ‘Snake’s Peak’ has derived its name from the Temple of Nag Devta which is situated on the top of hill. But don’t go by the literal meaning of Nag Tibba, as there are no snakes on the top of hill. It is an absolute delight and treat for the eyes one you are on the top of Hill. The peak is surrounded by hills, tall trees, green vegetation, clear sky and breezy wind. Even the peaks of Badrinath and Kedarnath ranges is visible from top of hill.

I went there in the month of October with my friend. We had a bike and so we started early morning from Haridwar and reached the city of Thatyur by 1 pm. Haridwar to Mussorie – 58 km, Mussorie to Thatyur – 31 km. Once you are in Thatyur there are 2-3 options available to reach the top. Thatyur is the last motorable road when you are trekking to Nag Tibba. From Thatyur we were directed towards village of Mungalauri, which we had to trek to reach. We parked our bike at a distance from the village of Mungalauri and walked till the village.

This is the first view of the village of Mungalauri. This is the place where we had parked our bike and started walking. After walking for 2 km we reached the village of Mungalauri. There we inquired about trekking to Nag Tibba. Village head told us that we can’t make it to the top and also come back by evening. Plus we were not equipped for camping. So we decided to stay in the village. Village head offered us place in his home.

This is where we spent our night. In the photo is village head who offered us place in his home. We had early dinner and went to sleep.

We got up early in the morning as I had to take some early shots. It was a panoramic view from the top of hill. We were surrounded by serene beauty and I realized it when I got up early. Fortunately our phones were not working. Thank god there is someplace on earth where my cell wasn’t catching signal.

These are some of the early morning shots of the village we stayed. It was absolute pleasure to share the warmth of night with them.

Early morning view from terrace top. It was treat for my camera and my eyes.

After quick breakfast, we set on our journey at 7 am. We had planned to come back by lunch. Elder son of village head, Pardeep came with us to show us path. He said he could walk to the top and come back in 3 hours time. 20 km trek of steep climb in 3 hours…macho. We sticked to our limitations and started our journey through jungle.

First encounter with Jungle and we found ourselves in the peace and tranquility of wild life. Birds were chirping melodiously, a thin stream of water was flowing through the middle of jungle adding to the harmony of existence. I won’t call that a noise as it felt to my ears like an adagio. My lips hummed to that.

Initial trek path was slightly steeper but Pardeep was constantly asking us to gear up for the steep climb which can encounter us any  moment. With courage and promise of not to fail we were making constant progress towards the top.

Soon moderate pathways turned into treacherous steep climb. Suddenly we were removing all our woolen jacketing and packing them off. It was almost 90 degree climb. I was wondering how he could do it so easily which we were struggling to climb. Anyways we were not there to give up so easily and hence we were constantly moving.

After negotiating with tough path and steep climb up we reached our first milestone, which was a tree which belonged to Nag Devta. Local villagers prayed that tree. So Pardeep asked us to put a coin in its trunk. We did that.

Our another milestone wasn’t far from this place and hence with all our might we started our next trek. In 3 hours time we were on top of Nag Tibba. View from top was mesmerizing and it really pleased my heart. I felt that the pain we took was worth it. Those who carry tents and sleeping bags can also camp on top of this hill. People actually camp on the top of hill and also cook food. In true spirit it was a landmark visit. We halted again to have our breakfast. We were feeling hungry. Hence we opened parathas which were carrying and thanks to Pardeep’s mother we were having fresh parathas on top of Nag Tibba.

From top of this hill trek to Nag Devta temple is another 3 km, which is mostly flat. It can be easily trekked considering past trekked geography. Path to Nag devta temple from this place is mostly dense and wet out of heavy rain shower. Path is mostly wet. After recharging ourselves with quick breakfast we made our way to the temple with new energy and zeal, as we had covered difficult part of our journey.

Temple is a simple structure like any other temple with conical top pointing upwards to heaven. We had not expected anyone to be there but just as we reached 2 people came to the temple and performed their weekly puja. They offered us prasad too. We were delighted at the favorable ending of our trekking.

Just few meters from the temple is Guest House which is mostly in abandoned state but even this GH can be used as a place for night halt and good news it that you don’t need anyone’s permission for this. All you to bring is your own sleeping bag and you are all set to spend night there.

As soon as we finished discovering most part of Hill we were all set to get down. Pardeep told us anout Jhandi Top which was further 4 km trek from this place but time and our situation didn’t permit us that and hence we were forced to return. We made quick return back to the base. We had quick lunch and started our journey back home.

While my friend was driving I was thinking all about the place ; beautiful serene calm quiet. I was also thinking about the people who were living there. What kind of people would offer us their bed to sleep even without asking for our IDs? I am sure true hearted people. I just hope no one spreads the message of treachery there and spoil the environment. Trek to Nag tibba was one of life time experience.

Justice couldn’t be delivered..

Today I came across another sad story on the fate of whistle blower. This time in news was Ravinder Balwani from New Delhi. His courage and his deeds finds a place in national daily, which I am sure he and his family wouldn’t have wanted to see in this fashion. They would have been rather happy to see him alive. Ravinder Balwani had exposed the alleged corruption by some IAS officers working with the Delhi Transco.

Question arises, Did he deserve this for his action?

There is no answer to that question. To find right answer we all must look within ourselves, within our sicken souls hungry for lusting power of money and power. We all must pause for a moment and ask ourselves – Is this why we are here? Is this what we are supposed to do? Is this right ?

Someone may ask, what is right or wrong? What may be be wrong for you may be right for me. Agreed. But still there is something called absolute truth and no matter through which lens or film you see it, it remains truth.

If someone is stealing hard earned money of people, then that action can never be justified as right in any circumstances. If someone blows the whistle against such a crime, then that action can never be wrong.

Some of us close our eyes and move ahead saying “..that doesn’t concerns me..why should I bother” but then there are people like Ravinder Balwani who takes up the challenge, without worrying about family, about relatives and blows it off.

If Shaeed Bhagat Singh was alive today he would have hugged the soul of Ravinder Balwani, which anyways he will but I am sure no one in his family would really want that. All they wanted was a peaceful life like others in society. They don’t want to become heroes of 120 crore people who sit back and enjoy the show. They don’t want to lead pack of 120 crore people to justice when they themselves have been denied justice.

Why should anyone lead people to justice when in this Nation no one is bothered about deaths of true leaders? Why should I vote for PM when Ravinder Balwani has done a deed which is expected out of our PM and his counselors? The biggest shame is yet to come when we will know that even after years this guy will be denied justice he expects from us to deliver to him. The biggest shame would be when we will read in news that another Ravinder Balwani was killed for raising a alarm against enemy of states.

What an irony of fate, same courage would have been awarded gallantry award if he was in some other Nation but he smells dust when he is here.

Finally when he is brought to the court of justice, Judge looks away from his eyes and declares “Justice couldn’t be delivered”

 

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India in Indian

India in Indian

“…Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our

pledge…At the stroke of the midnight hour when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and

freedom…”

These were the first words which was spoken by our first Prime Minister as free Indian. It was meant to axe the inter-linked chains of slavery in which we were tied for long time. While the applaud which followed this speech created a resonance in the Lutyens Parliament, it never made its way through the heart of millions of people who expected our first prime minister to speak in our language, and not imitate British.

How does one justify such an errant behavior towards his own people? Was that an attempt to impress

guests with his polished oratory skills or to buy some foreign hearts? Was that an attempt to buy tickets to the future?

Whatever may have been the attempt, it let down the hearts of millions of natives. At the time when hardly 2% of overall native population interacted in English, why our prime minister gave the first speech of our independent India in English?

Was that just an indication of transition of phase of our rulers?

Our Prime minister was not the only Indian who tried to copy their way of life. Even today we have living

examples of people who copy them. Recently I read a book titled “Becoming Indian by Pavan K Varma”.

In his book, author talks about various aspects of our culture which we have just ignored in a mad rush

to be like them. Why should we try to copy them when we have such a rich cultural background?

Any civilization stamps its authority from the work in the field of art, music, literature and technology.

We are the descendants of one of the oldest civilization of the world. Indus valley civilization dates back

to 3500 BC at a time when not much was known about other parts of the world. The architecture of the

city during that time very well competes with modern planned cities and is masterpiece in their own

way.

The bibliography of the work carried out in the field of literature is tremendous. Mahabharata and

Ramayan are the two longest running compositions in the world and is a tribute to the world by India.

They are approximately 4 times longer than Iliad and Odyssey. Other major works in the field of

literature are Kalidas’s Shakuntalam, Vishnu Sharma’s Panchtantra, Ved Vyasa’s Bhagvad Gita, Bharata’s

Natyashastra, Kalhana’s Rājatarangiṇī, Kautilya’s Arthashastra and many more.

Other major literary works whose author’s could never be traced to single source are 4 volumes of

Vedas, Upanishads, Vedanta and Puranas. They talk volume about the richness of Indian culture and

advancement at the time when the world was in sleep in the dark caves of ignorance.

Nalanda University founded around 5th century BC had students from all over world studying spectrum

of subjects varying from mathematics, astronomy, politics, religion and architecture.

Contribution of Aryabhatta in the field of mathematics and astronomy need no introduction. He was the

first one to calculate value of ‘pi’. His other contribution includes algebra, arithmetic, trigonometry,

quadratic equations and the sine table. His greatest contribution was ‘Zero’. He also correctly computed

circumference of earth.

Bharata’s Natyashastra composed around 200 BC talks about performing arts, music and dance. It is the

most comprehensive and detailed work in the field of art, music and dance. It talks about various

aspects of dance, moods and rasas.

Major contribution in the field of architecture includes Temples of Khajuraho, Ajanta caves, Konark

temple, Sanchi stupa and various others built by the Chola kings and Mauryan Kings. Modern day

architecture stands on the pillars of Taj Mahal, Lotus Temple, Golden temple, Qutab Minar and various

others.

The intent is not to copy and act like them but to be original and feel proud in being original.

Unfortunately young generation finds this whole idea obsolete and invalid considering the globalization

which is taking place at such a fast pace. Most of this can be attributed to the failure on part of older

generation who allowed the tender mind to astray. There has never been any significant effort from top

to revive the Indian Culture. There has never been any appreciable effort from top to make all this

count.

Now the time has come to act and we must act considering our glorious past, considering our tribute to

the world in the field of literature, art, music, dance, architecture and science.

What if our first prime minister failed to deliver his first speech in HINDI? What if some people still find

western architecture superior? What if some people find their music more relevant? What if some

people find pride in interacting in English?

We still have more people who feel proud in being called INDIAN. We still have INDIA in INDIAN.

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Idea of a Genius Mind

An Idea is important. A Mind which gives birth to that Idea is more important.Before we get into the Idea, it is important to understand a Mind.

A Mind either creates, follows or criticizes an Idea. While a genius mind creates, a good mind follows, a destructive mind always criticizes. So it becomes important to draw quadrants and place our mind in different quadrants as per situations and as per deeds.

Work of a genius Mind reflects his independence and his readiness to challenge any powerful force which might curb his Idea. He is never afraid to express the echo of words humming inside his wall-way. He is never afraid to sing the music of melody beating inside his hall-way. They are a rare breed of human beings, often residing in human deficient locations, for reasons known to everyone.

An artist, A painter, A writer, a poet, a scientist, a musician, a thinker are few such exceptional league of minds who think different and alike. They are not afraid of expressing the strangeness of their thought, emotions and feelings. They flow like river, blow like breeze, sing like sunrise and laugh like sunset. It is that expression of Idea which separates a Genius Mind from rest.

What makes a Genius Mind? Well if I have to answer that, I would say every bright star has a hidden flame burning him from within. For a light to shine, something has to burn. It is that readiness of their heart to burn everything else, in order to create something new for generations to come, that creates a Genius. It is not easy. It is one of the most difficult tasks to perform when stakes are so high. But hearts still win it for them.

A painter knows exactly the right mix of red, blue, violet, orange and yellow to achieve a perfect shade of beautiful sunset. A musician knows exactly the right mix of bass, baritone and tenor of various instruments in order to create a melody. A writer knows exactly the right mix of words to be used to be able to paint the scene in the minds of reader. A Poet knows exactly the right mix of words to be used to form a musical lyrics.

Not all minds can be Genius. Blessed are those who can and who want.