Dreaming of a World without Borders

i seldom follow the lives and lines of international or national movie stars, but a recent quote that i came across got me thinking and did tempt me to pen down my views.  

“I am the kind of person who doesn't recognize borders. I don't understand why we think it is okay to keep someone within one border when they are unable to feed their family when they could be getting help somewhere else. I don't see people as different so I don't understand the idea of borders in this world.”

These words by Angelina Jolie make so much sense today with countries combating poverty, hate crimes and militants, all at one go. It is appalling to know children are dying out of hunger and disease in some part of the world for the only reason that they were born in the wrong country; that a hapless government, with its own set of international debts and internal agitations, hasn’t got funds enough to feed its people.  How fare is it that while one country strives to put together these funds to feed and nurse its ill, another spends billions on putting together ammunitions for the Armageddon?

Couldn’t there be a way that the United Nations or the World Bank probably, like many other international regulations, makes it mandatory that every developed nation puts aside a fixed sum of money for the les misérables of the world. When the good-fortuned can glide past physical boundaries of a country to fix their businesses and salaries, why shouldn’t there be some way that the ill-fortuned get treatments, food, or even shelter across borders at minimum expenses. 

Picture epitomising our world today

When there’s no census on how many birds flew past the border and how many remained in the country, i wonder why we bother to have the same for humans. When nature doesn’t confine itself within borders, why then would a part of the desert be India and the other Pakistan! Why should one end of the road be in the US of A and the other in Mexico, while they could have rather been a part of one unified nation, that which belonged to the whole mankind. Couldn’t the world tread along in the direction set by the European Union?

From the current standing of the nations of the world, visa regulations to travel from one part of the moon to another, could soon be the norm, even before we decide who’s gonna travel next to the moon. On a lighter note, if this was a world without borders, i could be an Indian and still be saved from the months-long visa process to travel abroad for a vacation! True, that wouldn't be called travelling “abroad”, then!

Let the divine lamp light the lives of one and all! Happy Diwali all!

This Diwali, when it’s time to celebrate the festival of lights, i pray for a world without borders, one that would bring life, light and peace to all, across borders, religions and ethnicity. i pray for a world that is united in a mission, to bring smiles on the faces of the less-fortuned.

A "night-out" at the Sholay hills, Ramnagaram!

There are many-a-places around Bangalore which nature-lovers and history-enthusiasts like me would love to visit on a free day at hand. In this post i bring to you my experiences from one such place, Ramnagaram aka the Sholay Hills.

Probably the spot from where Gabbar kept an eye on Ramgadh 

Ramnagaram is known to most people as the Ramgadh of the evergreen blockbuster of Hindi Cinema, Sholay! Yes, this is the place where Basanthi was wooed by Viru, where Jay stole glimpses of the widowed Radha, where Gabbar Singh screeched “Arey o Samba! Kitne aadmi the!”Although at a distance of just 50 kms from the city, the villages around these hills are sparsely populated and hold good their rural feel and splendour unlike most places around Bangalore. The barren, rocky hills of Ramnagaram still seem to echo of Gabbar Singh’s grunts and screeches.

Our outing was an overnight one complete with tents and a camp-fire. With torch lights by our side and muddy sleeping bags to keep us warm, we lay down in our tents. Camping overnight in the fields, under the stars, for me, was a never-before experience. The only thing visible in the dark was the faint light of a far-away lantern probably hung outside a villager's home. Away from the hustle of the city, in the eerie-silence of the fields, it was a dreamy night under the tent, like a page out of Enid Blyton’s mystery plot in the moon-lit English moorlands. Well now, this was an experience straight out of my travel-wishlist!

Sri Ramanjaneya carved on a rock

In the morning we trekked up the highest of the hills, past the Ramagiri temple from which the town gets its name. Quite a tortuous path it was for a non-trekker like me, with narrow steps carved out of rock as we neared the peak. The sprawling view from the top though, like from most hill-tops, was one worth the trek. All around were rocky hills and boulders, dotted with green shrubs, quite a treat to the eyes!

Back from the trek, at our camping site we had some nice, steaming hot South-Indian style idli-vada breakfast waiting for us. We ended the outing with some Rock climbing and Rappelling activities. It was a wonderful trip, the best part of it being the night-stay in the tent and waking up to a foggy morning in the fields. Looking to have more such trips in the lap of nature! Looking to share more such travel-experiences that did strike a chord with my otherwise not-so-easily-excited-heart!

TRAVEL TRIVIA:

Tidbit! Ramnagaram is home to Asia's second largest (silk)cocoon market 

Best Time to Travel: Round the year
Location: Bangalore-Mysore (Karnataka) State Highway 17; 

• Distance from Bangalore - 49 kms  (approx. 1 hr by road)
• Distance from Mysore - 94 kms (approx. 2 hrs by road)

Amche Gao... G O A

GOA!! For many the party paradise, for some the place to find peace along the Sea. Surprisingly, i, have always had a different picture of Goa in my mind. Away from the partying zone, the other face of Goa is what excites and interests me. Nestled in the hills, are those ancient temples and churches, in the land of the friendly Konkani-speaking farmers and fishermen. And this picture always brings an amazing sense of tranquillity to my mind!

Ancient temples of rural Goa are in themselves a theme for the travel bugs

So are the Portuguese-era churches!

i’ve travelled to Goa quite a few times, essentially to visit the temple of the family deity that lies there. But all these visits were usually pertained to the temples and a short visit to one of the beaches around Panaji. Of late, during such trips i would long to get down from the vehicle and walk around the towns that we left behind, to explore the beautiful old houses and the rustic lifestyle of the local people.

So last summer we went exploring these parts of Goa on a rented bike. And a fun experience it was to say the least.

i had to tediously research the web to find out more places to visit in Goa, i.e. beyond the packed beaches. In the pursuit of something more serene, something off the beaten track, i came across a note about a village called the Chorao Island (natively, Chodan Island). i liked the description of the village along with the fact that there was a huge lake in there. Also, what caught my excitement was the ‘Island’ part of it.

From the mainland we took a ferry down the river from Ribandar (which comes from the two Konkani words, Rai – King and Bandar –Port; the port is said to have been built by an unnamed King centuries ago). A surprising fact about this ferry is that they don’t charge you; the service is free for the people, by the local government. Also, people can, not just transport themselves, but also their two- and four- wheelers to and fro from the Island village thanks to the ferry service. So we did not have to depend on any other form of local transport to explore this village.

Ribandar, the beautiful, unexplored countryside of Goa

Ferry to the Chorao Island (seen in the backdrop)

Goan house on the Chorao Island

The ride around the island village was a fun experience. We spent some time at the scenic Mayem Lake here. Back in the mainland we explored some local churches in Old Goa. A quiet, laid-back, breezy evening along the Mandovi River at Ribandar seemed to us the best way to end the eventful day. With the sun setting in the far west, as we rode back on our bike, my thoughts wandered to the Goa of the Portuguese era. How would life be in those beautiful archaic bungalows, with the arched entrances, mosaic floors and solid pillars! It all seems like an out-of-the-world dream!

The ride through the rustic towns, getting our roads right from those blushing village ladies across the road, hogging "bhaji-paav" with extra paav in the local eateries; these experiences were some of those many things that made it a truly unforgettable goan road-trip.

I would say, in the lines of Amitabh Bachchan, "Aayei, kuch din toh guzariye Goa ke in gaon mein! Breathe in a bit of rustic Goa!" Beauty for the eyes, and hospitality for the senses, someone aptly called it, The Rome of the East!


TRAVEL TRIVIA:

Best Time to Travel: Mid-September to Mid-March (Dec, Jan get crowded due to Christmas, New-Year celebrations; Summer months - hot and humid)
Location: South-western coast of India; 

• Distance from Bangalore - 578 kms  (approx. 10.30 hrs by road)
• Distance from Mumbai - 584 kms  (approx. 10.30 hrs by road)
• Distance from Mangalore - 357 kms  (approx. 5.30 hrs by road)
• Distance from Pune - 440 kms (approx. 8 hrs by road)

Suggested Mode of Transport(within the state): Rent a 2-wheeler/ 4-wheeler(with or without driver)

The forgotten people of Australia

i first learnt of these Australian people while watching the well known television show of yesteryear, Surabhi, on Doordarshan. The hosts were speaking about the origin of Boomerang, the hunting weapon used by tribal communities in many parts of the world. Then is when i first heard of the Indigenous people of Australia, the Aborigines, who are considered to be the inventors of the Boomerang. This was something new, since i'd never before known of this lost culture of Australia.

Various articles and accounts that on the indigenous people of Australia narrate how, ironically, the native people were living in an apartheid society since the arrival of the Europeans 200 years ago. With no access to modern education, and basic human rights, these people were marginalised, abused and pushed to extinction in their own native land of nearly 40,000 years. The rich cultural heritage of the Aborigines now lives as mere artefacts and sepia-toned pictures in the museums.


People have short memories, and the older memories, if any, are conveniently altered to one's comfort. It's truly dismaying, the fact that all our technological advances haven't really made way for intellectual advancements! While browsing through BBC's Magazine section i came across this article about an Indigenous Australian human rights activist, Eddie Koiki Mabo. The originally uneducated Eddie Mabo fought for Aboriginal land rights throughout his life. Success did come, in 1992, when an Australian Court passed the Mabo law for native Australian-held lands, though Eddie Mabo, Australia's own Nelson Mandela, was already dead for 5 months by then.

Among the most barbaric chapters of Aborigine-abuse was the era of the Stolen Generations of Australia. These were the children of the indigenous people that were snatched away from their families by State-funded missionaries and agencies. Some were killed, some abused and the others grew up hundreds of miles away from their families, thus losing all contact with the Aboriginal culture.

Photo: Bill Bachman, Courtesy: australiangeographic.com.au 

Be it with the Native Americans of North America, the Dalits in India, the black inhabitants of South Africa or the Aborigines of Australia, the limit of human-induced abuse and torture on another human being was surpassed. 

It’s surprising how one human race can be considered superior to another; and how somebody can do to a fellow human being what you don’t do to an animal! There are people who treat pets as family, how then can you consider a person lesser and take away his basic rights!

"You can play a tune on black keys, you can play a tune on white keys, but both are needed for perfect harmony."

PASTOR DOUG NICHOLLS

Pictures from the native soil..

This time I've put together some clicks from around my home town. The place close to my soul and partly the reason behind why i am what i am. Again, i am no where near to being called even an amateur photographer. But pictures do speak louder and better than words. Hence, here i go, (visually) bragging around about the place i love the most! Reliving divinity, on replay mode!


People on the hunt for serene beaches that seem to be picked out of some western travel magazines gotta come over here. No exaggeration. Come over on a Saturday evening, and blessed you will be. You can be as selfish as you possibly can, 'cause you'd be having the entire length and breadth of the beach all for yourselves.

There's more to this place than just the serene beaches. Flowing rivers, sprawling lakes, rocky hills and paddy farms; the place offers to you the diverse sides of nature on a platter, garnished with the simplicity, humility and friendliness of the native people.


 A walk along the Sita Nadi (Kannada term for 'River'), on the outskirts of my home town, as the sun sets in the far west, is an experience i love to indulge in when i'm home on a long vacation. A mode of reconnecting with the nature,it is; something not readily doable in the city!

Pictures from the native soil.., a set on Flickr.

Pictures from my travel to Chikmagalur

The velvety green hills of Kemmangundi, lying between the sprawling tea and coffee estates of Chikmagalur and the Bhadra Sanctuary, are a treat to the travellers' eyes.

In this collection i've put together few clicks from different places around Chikmagalur that i've travelled to - Kemmangundi, the Bhadra Sanctuary, Halebidu, and Kalasa.   I've loved each one of these scenic towns!  

The journey to Hebbe falls needs a special mention. This place was one that we initially voted against visiting, cursing ourselves through the 13 km long bumpy jeep ride on the rocky dirt track. But, walking/wading through three knee-level streams that took us to the falls in the middle of the jungle, did make us feel really thankful for opting to visit this place.  The ride to the falls too, although spine-rattlingly tiring, was very very scenic, with the green hills and tea estates all around. The Chikmagalur trip would be incomplete without this bumpy adventure!

Beauty, truely heavenly. But a place, sadly, very understated!

Find more of my travel pics at divya.nayakBhat's photostream on Flickr.

The Nilgiris.. Bandipur, Nagarhole and more..

i never was (or probably never realised i was) a serious nature enthusiast. Never been the gardener-kind. But seems like my recent trips through the forests of South Karnataka did awaken this side of me; love for nature and forests and the wild.

We've driven through different parts of the Bandipur and Nagarhole forest reserve, south of Mysore city, many a times. This includes the drives to and from Ooty in Tamil Nadu, Wayanad in Kerala and the trip to the serene Gopalaswamy Betta. And each time it's been a mesmerising experience. Be it the herds of deer grazing in the greens or the wild elephants that were at touching distance. Every single time it’s been a treat, to the eyes, ears and the soul!

There's been a sense of excitement each time we've entered the sanctuary and, not to exaggerate, but a sense of bereavement at the sight of that sign post saying “Thank you for visiting Bandipur National Park. Visit again!”, and “visit again”, i’ve always wanted to, each time i’ve been there!

A Giant Malabar Squirrel that we spotted in the jungle

These drives were enchanting, to say the least. You know it when you enter the forest. There's an amazing quietness. It seems to be just you and the sweet sound of birds chirping away happily and probably a few locusts whistling through the trees. What you feel for the rest 20 kilometres is just divine! As you drive towards Ooty, you enter the Madhumalai Forest Reserve, which is the same forest but in the limits of the Tamil Nadu state.  

The drive through Bandipur forest, towards Ooty!

A must-visit-place inside the national park is the Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, an ages-old temple atop the highest peak in the Bandipur forest, 80 kms south of Mysore. The name literally translates to the 'hill of Lord Gopal', and the fact that it's covered by fog almost throughout the year makes it ‘Himavad’. The place is frequented less by people and more by elephants and thus still holds its serenity.   Although we did not come across elephants here during our visit, we did come across fresh elephant dung as we drove to the hill top. There was a sense of excitement in the air that there were elephants around few hours before we reached the place.

Holy Cows! On our way to the Gopalaswamy Betta..

A very misty view from outside the Temple

Entrance to the Gopalaswamy Temple

Then there are those tribal settlements you come across inside the Nagarhole forest reserve. These people have been living in the forest for generations, amidst the wild animals. Their way of living is truly fascinating given the age of internet banking and online shopping that we live in. They seem not very touched by modernisation and probably live without electricity and running water. But thankfully, the governments have set up schools around the settlements in order to educate the tribal kids 

Lion Tailed Macaques around the settlement

This journey was a beautiful one. And as i write these words i long to get back to the wilderness soon. The next thing on my vacations-list is a Jungle Safari. Divine Bliss, it's gonna be!