If it was not Sanjay Dutt! What if it was me or You?

If it was not Sanjay Dutt, What if it was me or You!

It was 1993, just two decades back almost this time of the year 13 bombs exploded in Mumbai, erstwhile Bombay on Friday, 12 March 1993. It is still one of the most successful non war attacks on Indian soil which killed a minimum of 250 people and injuring lot many. The gruesome attack on Mumbai, its people and the country was executed by D-Company however; the conspirators included the likes of Sanjay Dutt.

 
At that time, he was a budding actor, a super-star's son but a spoilt brat caught possessing Ak-47s and live grenades. Are we letting him free too easily? Do we suffer from no memory or are we mocking standards of sympathy? Is it because collective memory is like a sieve or have we become too indifferent to crime and hate that we can let entertainers of the day scout free- just because the culprit plays a good cop in a movie, Gandhi in another or good/dancer/comedian in others?

Just to remind the depth of the tragedy- Sanjay Dutt possessed 3 AK-56 rifles, 9 magazines, 450 cartridges 9mm pistol and around 20 hand grenades. Initially, court hearing he claimed it was for self protection and said in his own words that it was provided by Hanif Kadawala, Abu Salem and Samir Hingora, complies of Anees, Daewood Brother and Daewood, to whom he got introduced years through actor-producer Feroz Khan. Later Sanjay understanding the danger of keeping them got consignment destroyed except for 1 AK-56 and some ammunition. The weapons and ammunition was "distributed among various underworld elements" to quote indiatimes news publication.

 
Recently, after the court had passed the verdict to imprison the person with mere 5 year minimum possible sentence for one of the most gruesome act in history of Mumbai, his backers like Gitanjali Jewels, Producers/Financiers, Film Fraternity has no sympathy for the victims or country but for the culprit actor. Or they don’t care till public gives them money? Do we Anna Hazares to fight unethical advertising?

Dutt like others was booked under TADA, it is widely speculated/believed the whole TADA act was repealed due to his father, Sunil Dutt’s, the then congress politician and ex mega star, through political persuasive aggressive lobbing. An act was repealed to save an accomplice? Post it, Sanjay has backtracked from most of the statement; previously he was released earlier then implicated terms for TADA was done away with.

People should remember in reel life a Khalnayak can pass off Munna Bhai portraying Gandhigari, however, should a Real life khalnayak get sympathy from the same society which was bombed, from the consumer who can be swayed away with emotion? Is it justified by advertisers and producers to be so insensitive to general public? Should not general public raise their voice against leniency shown?

He has neither rendered a public apology nor has come out clear with his involvement rather been retracting on his statements and with each p assessing year, denying the extent of the involvement. Would this kind of the behaviour pass off so lightly in any other community, state or even jungle raj? Has he even had change of heart? He was shamelessly contesting for Lucknow Parliamentary seat from SP in last elections, why – was he proud of history of bombing or evading the jails?

What if it was you who did it or I, a Good Samaritan or even an unknown commoner, even if by mistake? Would be treated similarly as this son of cinema with past dotted with drugs, his abuse of alcohol and alleged skirt chasing, having being a accomplice of people on most wanted global list and corroborated in the sinister bomb blast which changed the city forever can have all the leniency from getting a state act repealed to least possible punishment?

Would it happen in London, Cuba, Beijing, Washington, Moscow, even Dubai, Cairo why then it can happen here in Mumbai? Are we setting a precedent– Yes? What could be next leniency to rapist, murderer, terrorist, and rioter? Bollywood rules our heart for entertainment and it pay for it with affection and tonnes of money – next thing do they too want to above all and people? Would we in next advertisement see Deowood, Madani or Godsey promoting products?

Are we waiting for old Russian poem to be true?

“First they came for the communists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

 

Then they came for the socialists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.

 

Then they came for the trade unionists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

 

Then they came for the Jews,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.

 

Then they came for me,

and there was no one left to speak for me.”

 

Sources: (Much of coverage is missing online, i guess due to spine doctors)

http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/how-did-sanjay-dutt-become-involved-in-the-1993-mumbai-blasts-67595.html

Details of Killing:

http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/database/mumbai_blast.htm

Sanjay Hearing:

http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/nov/23salem.htm'

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=20070323003912800.htm&date=fl2405/&prd=fline&

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanjay_Dutt#Illegal_possession_of_arms

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_Bombay_bombings#Sanjay_Dutt_and_co-conspirators

Travelogue 9 – Velas-Turtle Breeding-Janjira-Murud– February 16-17, 2013

I was leaving for Idduki, Kerala next week for almost 15 days, therefore there was a huge temptation and advices from friend to stay at home this weekend and rest. However, back of my mind I was thinking if I don’t go to Velas then I could miss watching little olive riddle crawling to shore. Moreover, I was planning to stay in the village for a night that would make up for rest.

Till Friday, noon I was no sure where to take the bus from, in Maharashtra people usually reserved their bus tickets for long trips, which was new to me. I took from Mumbai Central a 00:30 AM bus, and slept as soon as after haggling conductor allowed me to sit in some seat in the back. Few hours on the road, I woke up when head had banged the handle of mirror on left. Bus was hopping from pothole to another, my was hit twice and paining, however as soon I opened the window, I could smell moist soil and very light drizzle may be first drizzle. The refreshing smell was conducive enough  to discourage one getting back to sleep, it’s been almost a year the smells was back, last time I was in UP, traveling Badaun around the election session.  Soon, I picked up Gandhi again, his observation 70-80 years back seems true even today, people struggling to keep afloat.

By the time dawn break, I had hurt my head again and it would pain for at least a week. The first rays of Sun serving reminder the bus was late bus, but presented the beauty of Konkan. Bus was slowly moving on the hills, sea on the left side, in between came Savitri River, emptying whatever it was with left in the sea. I wish I could just get down, sit there relish the poster portrait of nature.

I had missed the morning session of the turtle breeding, when all the new ones are collected and left near the shore to walk their way, I surveyed the crawling marks of mother turtle which had come last night and left its track. The harmful creatures comes, crawls, digs up a hole and lays eggs expecting cooperation from humans to not disturb them. However, we thinking mightiest of all have ruined our own life and theirs too. In Velas social organizations like Kasav Mita Mandal and Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra Manda have done great work for their natural habitat conservation and making local environmental friendly. To an extend now local host the visitors at their home.

   I stayed at Santosh Joshi’s place, small family, masi was really nice showed documents she had collected over the years about turtle breeding and their daughter was involved in the conservation work since class 4. In day I went around, the Velas once famous for Nana Phadnavis, went to rameshwar shiv temple and the farms of my host. One could smell mangos in the breeze as Haapos tree were laden with greens.  Also took dumdum (auto) to nearby village Bankot, near the sea coast it has an old depleted fort Shiva ji Empire.

In the evening, I hurried to the Velas beach to the watch the main attraction of my travel. The cordoned off area had huge crowded, recent popularity had drawn crowd from all over Maharashtra. Anyways it was sight to see six of the tittle ones with tender, slow find they own ways to crawl the sea, its light they seek and sea offers them that bright light.

I was appreciating the beauty and struggle of the little ones, suddenly heard a comment which just pinched me, a kid also vitnessig the event for first time asked his mother why turtle are walking at different speed why not all of them are as fast as the first one, the sick lady replied the faster turtle was good kid, like kids in school those do study and listen to their parent come first and rest are bad and weak. I do not know why I wrote, when I heard this I felt, for kid for all of us, make are children machines in rat race, teach them about fulfilling wants and desires, coming first at any cost and forget that the little of innocence/ignorance may keep us more human.

After watching with delight, life events of freshly hatched turtles, I walked with my newly made friends Murli and Johnson to the dongar (hill) adjust to sea and watch the sun dip at the end of the horizon in the sea.  

If the lunch was best meal in the week, dinner was no less, once again I was lucky to gorge one more new Marathi preparation koshabhi, I presume mix of other veg with tomato. Dinner followed a play and few videos at the Durga temple. Two family at arrived at host’s place, post dinner I went on walk the family of Sandeep bhai, enjoyed with their twin little girls, cute kids.

I had stayed back, one more session with little turtles. Woke up early, probably was one of the first visitor to reach the beach, serene splendor when sun rise in the back and one sit enjoying the waves, I sat there wrote few poems and waited for hatched turtle to come out of pit of sand to be dropped near the shore.  After getting the eyeful of the baby olive riddle, it was time to move.

I took the bus with visitor neighbors – Saurav, his wife (forgot her name) and Sitaram. Now on the list was Jangira, one famous spot on Konkan I had missed, however latter released its over rated. Got down at Vesvi to take a boat for Harihasreshwar with Saurav, Sitaram parted straight for Mumbai.

I dropped the family, at Harihasreshwar, telling them about impressive old shiva temple there gorge behind it. Carried on in dumdum to Srivardhan, from where I had to take bus to Dighi. Almost 1 hour of wait and nothing came, finally jumped in a truck to Dighi, few hundreds meter on the route, tired got punctured; I was already late and had just few maps to guide on unfrequented road to an unfamiliar town. Trucker was disinterested to carry on the journey till the new get the tire repaired, left with no choice waving at each vehicle passing by. My a motorbike stoped, Santosh Dombe, I should never forget you, as you took me next 30 kms to Rajpuri, telling me more places and temples of Shiva. From Dinge we took a boat, boat, me and Good Samaritan.     

In front of Rajpuri, stood the Janjira fort, one takes a sail boat with 50 people to reach the sea fort, i felt this was best part of this attraction. Fort has massive walls, however most the what guide say here are utter lies, therefore I roamed around alone, and was able to shoots in few of their lies too. First one was fort has one gate, it has too and other one is more tourist friendly and half of the construction they pass of as old is new, on can easily see iron rods and cement beams. Coming back on the boats was stirring and entertaining, met an old fellow who has a handicraft shop in front of regal Mumbai, takes all his staff for a one day monthly tour.

Good time, wrote and read a little, met nice people and enjoyed nature.

Travelogue 9 – Velas-Turtle Breeding-Janjira-Murud– February 16-17, 2013

चलता रहा, हसता रहा !!!

दर दर तेरी आस में,
तेरे प्यार की सुअगत में!
चलता रहा,
हसता  रहा!

चोर चोरी कर गए,
में मासूम बनता रहा,
देश धरती भूल के,
इंसानियत चुन्गता रहा!

सरकारी किताब थी,
इन्फ्लेशन की मार ही!
आपराध सुजता समाज था,
स्त्री पुरुष पे कलंगो का भार था!

बहरूपियों का जंजाल था,
चिक्ति पुकार थी!
मांगती सर्कार थी,
सब बन गया बाज़ार था!

आत्मा की आवाज़ थी,
माँ की पुकार थी!
में चलने लगा,
हसने लगा!

Travelogue 8 - Trek Naneghat-Jivdhan Fort- February 2-3, 2013

Even before coming to Mumbai I had googled trekking destinations in the vicinity. It was after a year being here and almost three years of last trekking experience; I was about to trek Naneghat and Jivdhan. We started early Saturday morning, reaching Kalyan by local train. From Kalyan, we took the state transport bus heading to Junnar. Bus would drop us at base of Naneghat. We had planned first to trek Naneghat (750 m), a mountain pass in the Western Ghats (near village Vaishakare, Malshej Ghat, Junnar in Pune), by the evening and next day do Jivdhan (1145 meters). Almost half an hour of journey our bus broke down. All my plans seem to be in jeopardy; luckily we managed to get in other bus. Anyways, we reached the post around 2 o’clock, and realised we had forgotten to bring torch and adequate water.

Hill walking is like a meditation cutting yourself off from the city life and immersing in lap of nature. One can contemplate bits and pieces of life, walking up and down the mischievous terrain which is quite similar to that of life. Sometimes, you are following the right trail and one wrong turn disappoints you. At some places, the pinnacle seems just above you, however, after climbing one understands that it was just a mirage, curves of hills playing tricks with you. What you see may not be the best hill offer, but best of your ability at specific moment. As I said hill walking is for me is time for introspection, deliberation and contemplation.

In beginning, I was exhilarated and confident, however, within 20-30 minutes I was breathing heavily, realising no fitness regime and bad life style with age was coming back to me. Even on such an early stage of trek I was dragging myself and promising myself to build up endurance, once back. Due to less rain in Maharashtra this year, the natural habitat was dry and hot with sun on top. Unable to enjoy beautiful views, I was gasping for air. Taking breaks every few minutes with heavy chest and cursing myself, this was proving to be one of the most difficult treks ever, even though I had been to tougher destinations.

In the middle of no-where, over our heads were high voltage power-lines coming from one side of horizon and disappearing into the other side climbing the hill. In a few minutes, we could hear a buzzing sound; first I thought it was chirping of birds, however soon I realized that it was rather sound coming from these wires. I was wondering the extent of exploitation by man to hedge a comfortable life and this irritating constant buzzing sound possibly disturbs birds and animals. In cities, I had not heard the sound of these wires may be due to noise of population and other noise pollution. We were walking in middle of wires running parallel on each side, the noise became a nuisance. Sorry, to write a too much on it, I hated the meddling with nature.

We had finished two water bottles in an hour and half. There was no sign of any other trekker, only faded trails, still air and amazing sight which I was hardly noticing given tiredness. I would have given it up, if we were a larger group or i was alone. Two hours must have passed when we heard human chatter, hopefully not far ahead of us. My friend climb up, it was great relief that they had given us some water and informed a water source was not far. We hurriedly reached there, drank and splashed water on ourselves and started again for top. By the way, we had a taken a longer way doing a round of dried waterfall.

Once I reached Naneghat, it was spectacular panoramic view, I felt relaxed disregarding the gruelling journey. Historically, Naneghat was a used a tollbooth for using the pass between Junnar and Kalyan, and inscription in the cave at top indicates the work of Satavahana rulers and their a powerful woman ruler Naganika mentioning names of gods Yama,  Indra, Chandra and Surya and cute beautiful temple of lord Ganesha in cave.

Strolling through the Naneghat pass and then climbing hills on the side, standing on the cliff and enjoying the tranquil nature and stimulating views, it was dark before I released. I was completely lost in the place. Around 8, we found a house of Santosh Shinde, rather he found us, as we standing in dark guessing what to do. Post dinner at his place and offer to sleep at night, we headed for a late night walk. I ate for first time – home cooked bhakri, nachni with peethla and pejholi.

What followed would hard to forget for long time now. After across the cave, and four man made big water hole, we sat on edge for few hours on a joint. While walking back after few seconds I released something happen. My right leg, slipped in the last water hole, which was way of the symmetrical line of other holes. My foot hit the water, I could remember hearing the sound of splash. My left hip had hit the floor, fortunately left hand got hold of a iron railing outside. Intuitively, I flung myself out of the hole. Within, seconds it all had happend. When I came out I released, that i had fallen and was out too. Friend walking behind me, released it too after I was out. Hip, knee arm and ankle were paining terrible, however we laughing loudly on the way this occurred and how i was came out.

After this unasked for risky adventure, i decide to stay at Santosh’s place for night and see in morning if I can go further. Day two, I woke up early. Sat on hill top and stretched for some time, it was so tranquil I was wishing to live there forever. The breeze was soft, casual and calm. Eyes were absorbing stimulating nature in flawless morning the sun light. I hovered there for hour or so.

Leisurely, walked to Satosh’s home for Marathi breakfast. Around the same time, three guys came in asking for tea. They had climbed after sun, were not sure to go back or do Jhivdhan too. With in no time and short conversation, we all decided to do it together.

Around 9:30, we started for Jivdhan, first headed for other direction to have a look at the small lake near the lodging and then carried on with trek. We had to aim for Khada Parsi (aka Wanar Lingi) (a 130 m high pinnacle) which would help us reach Jivdhan. After some time, we were in small patch for dense jungle. Finally, after losing our way again, struggling, getting help from people at top, we were able to reach to top. On all the sides, we could see ghats and peaks. Btw, here yet again i had small fall between rocks, guiding the way. The place was appealing and .

Once upon a time, there was Shivaji maharaj fort on Jivdhan (3754 ft above sea level); one can only imagine the strength, strategy and valour of Shivaji and his army to make provisions at difficult places. I had read that one can have full panoramic view of peaks - Harishchandragad, Chavaand, Ratangad, Naneghat, Manikdoh Dam and the entire Junnar plateau. However, I was enjoying the site, not knowing one peak from another. We cooked soups at the top and ate Bhakri-thecha packed by Santosh.

After wee hours at top, we started back, on the way back from sides towards Ghatgare village; my shoe cracked negotiating the awfully rough rock patch. We had to slip and crawl our way down. After shoe giving way, I had to carefully manage the steps, lest I slip and fall. Almost around 4 we reached the village, filled water bottled and ran to catch the jeep for Junnar, base town for Shivneri(birth place of one of the greatest king Shivaji), for there we reached some fata (crossing). Rest was easy, though one of us got separated, as in he was quick enough to get in right bus, while we were busy buying fruits.

Travelogue 8 - Trek Naneghat-Jivdhan Fort- February 2-3, 2013

Travelogue 7 - Ajanta, Ellora and Girsneswar - January 25-28, 2013

When I started this trip, I was not sure, how it would turn up. Budget constrain, wasn’t feeling best of in shape, busy work week and lastly, was wondering would it be just another history tour. Nevertheless, when one had to go, one has to go. The weekend trip itinerary had on the list Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Kailasnath Mandir, Girsneswar Jotyiling, Devigiri fort, and few other old monuments if time permits. I also wanted to visit nearby Gautala wildlife sanctuary; however time constrains couldn’t make it in plan. Moreover, I would have been uncomfortable seeing plight of forest and farmers due to less the average rain in this region of Maharashtra, this year.

As usual, we took late evening Friday bus to Aurangabad, in history titled as Devgriri. On the sideline, recently there was proposal to re-name it as Shamba ji nagar, the proposed move was defected due to incumbent central ruling party government favored the current name Aurangabad. It’s named after one of the last effective Moghul king Aurangzeb, after  he made this city - capital of his empire. He was infamous communal oppressive autocratic rule.

Reaching around after 12 hours, our cabbie Bhagwat picked us up. He was well informed and good company. Day 1 had on list: Ellora, Devgiri and Girneswar. Ellora is around 30 km from the city, famous for its Buddha, Jaina and Shiva Caves including Kaliasa Temple Complex (“one of the great monolithic structure in the world”) and Chaitya temple (from which todays chapels and cathedrals are supposed to be inspired from) thought to be constructed between 5^th and 13^th century. On the way near Ellora, there is old city, now town daultabad (dault-wealth), on the hill overlooking town stand impregnable (as of my friend called) Devgiri fort. From the bottom of the hill, fort seems crown on top of the hill, a formidable fort of a city once famous for its of wealth and rich society; then righty called as Devgiri (abode of gods); falling on ancient trade route of dakshinapatha.

4 km from there, are the Ellora structures, formally known as Elura, Verul and even Charanadari meaning “denizen of celestial region” for its scenic beauty. Roughly in the middle of the all caves stands the magnificent marvel Kailashnath temple. It took an hour, for the magnetic and astounding story of the temple to sink it. It is a single rock temple, made top to bottom front to end, from a mountain. No boulder was moved from distance, no external rock used. Sometime 1000 year back in history, they carved an artistic temple out of mountain. With intricate designs, double story, magnificent, yalli (tamil name), gopurams, panels depicting of Mahabharat & Ramayan, sculptures of Shiva and other others, it’s a sight one wonders if we are going back in time or just imagining it. Even to think about its construction, seems a herculean task. I climbed on the part of the hill above temple, for overwhelming bird eye view.

Experiencing reverberating sound of chanters in the Chaitya hall (cave number 10), makes the hill live one forget about the travel and place stop seeming old but functioning. The Mahayana and Hinayana caves with darpalas, padampani, varjapani, tara and other sculptures, belittle todays achievement of progress. The Jaina caves – one is a mandir known as chota kailasha. The caves have intricately carved idols of gods and goddess, and Tirthankars. One of the most noticeable is seated Mahavir attended by yakshas and yakshis. There Ellora caves are attributed kings -Krishan I, Rastrakutak king –Dantidurga, Calkuyas of Badami, however to me there seems no conclusive proof of time of construction and the reigning kings objectively.  

In the evening, after completing the group of monuments, we went for dinner at a restaurant Virandaban recommended by Bhagwat. The place had best thali, I have ever head after coming to Mumbai.

Next stop was evening darshan at Girneswar Jyotilink. The mystic place of Shiva has a dress code, males can enter garbha grah only shirtless, precisely topless. All the days travel and tiredness disappeared sitting in the temple premise, calmness and peace prevailed over worrisome thoughts of mind time.

Day two it was Ajanta, around 100 kms from city, on the way, talking to locals and farmers, I released extend of loss suffered due to less than average of rain. Drying cotton plants were standing in the field with no cotton. The forest wore a worn out demeanor. Usually at this time of the year, water is receding in the seasonal water bodies, cultivators fields are blossoming and forest is green, however this year all were facing adversity and our big metropolitans were not even talking about it, too lost in their own agendas. By the way, two handicrafts from the region are Paithani and Himroo.

Group of rock cut caves at Ajanta are dedicated to Buddha, the enlightened one. Even the bus ride from parking to caves suggests that we are going back in time traveling in the serene natural beauty, one is bound to contemplate. Lost in jangles and mountains, the first view of caves is breathtaking. Out of nowhere, one sees caves after caves along the hills with a corridor and below now seasonal river Waghore, and a waterfall Satkund (dry when I visited).  Once upon a time, rock cut caves (viharas- monasteries) were used as rain shelters for monks in the mountain. The first of mural painted caves are estimated have been constructed around 2^nd B.C. In early 19^th century a Britisher hunting for lion, who has itched his name on painting on the pillar, accidently discovered these lost caves. Just for FYI, there are no lions in the forest now.

Paintings depict events in life of Buddha, and only personal experience of being there can make one understand the artistic, spiritual and architectural depth of these monuments. My best three are a painting of Buddha in yellow robe (cave-17, tried clinking it number of times, however could not get on camera what my eyes experienced),   sculpture of Buddha lying in one of the last caves (it was calm and smiling –as asking you purpose of life) and equality of sexes so common to historic Hindu art and culture which we find missing in today’s world.

Described many time as second to none, in these monuments are paintings more than a millennium old, staring at you from all dimensions, not asking you for attention but understanding of society, life and history. What must have gone wrong and what is still to be resolved.

In the evening after dinner and chat with friends at a restaurant Windsor castle. I was wishing to have spent at least day more here, visiting the national park, Pitalhora caves (40 km away from city), two caves in the city of Laxmi and Ganesh in the city and spent more time with around there city. However office calls, monthly bills have to paid: P

The last minute in city was most dramatic, in the conversation with friends we missed our bus. By the time we released it, taxi was gone. We had to take auto till next stop of the bus and ask bus to slow down.

Travelogue 7 - Ajanta Ellora and Girsneswar - January 25-28, 2013

Travelogue 9 - Sandhan Valley Trek– February 8-10, 2013

Personally, hill walking is like introspection and Sandhan valley trek was one of the best experiences till date. The trek was descending through the greatest canyon in Maharashtra, only of its kind I have ever been to. It has a beautiful path with iridescent shades and shadows of mountains running on the side, short walks in knee deep waters, spots where your eyes just want to absorb the beauty, but cautioning to watch ones steps. I couldn’t help comparing it with life, while moving through depressing downhill turn, can suddenly slip away. Everything else is exciting around you; however, life is testing you at every turn - flinging the worst it can – coercing you to turn away. The path was sliding gradually for miles to ground level, negotiating way through rough rock patches. It had rappelling, hopping over rocks, however, with enough time for deliberations, star gazing at night, swim in natural pool and napping under the sky. Drawing a parallel to my life, after MBA my social venture went bust and brought me to ground zero costing a year and half among other things, but at the end life seems beautiful with or without  complaints.

It was very last minute plan; busy week had ensured no time to plan for the weekend. I knew I had escape from Mumbai for two days, didn’t know where. On the Friday noon, a friend goggled TMI, a group leaving late night for some Sandhan valley trek and luckily had space for few. At 7 o’clock I called them, doing last round of query, still to finalize between the option of trekking  Harishchandragad peak by ourselves, one I was longing to go for some time now or this descend we had just googled and saw some snaps . We decided to decide after reaching a Ghatkopar station, least common denominator for both destinations. We left for dinner around 9, packing the bags after buying new pair of shoes; old ones had ended their support on the last trip to Naneghat Jivdhan.

On station we met few people from the same group, we all boarded 11:17 PM local to Kasara. At Kasara we joined rest of TMI group and finally knew were we were going (still joining the group I was nt sure where I was going…lol). It was a group of 30 individuals from different walks of life; all struck a formal friendly chord instantly. This was first time I was traveling with an unknown organized group. Around 2:30 AM we boarded local jeeps from Kasara to Samrad village (3000 fts above sea level). Reaching there around 5 AM, while rest of group decided to sleep, three of us went for late night stroll. Few miles from village, lying on the rocks by country roadside with silhouette of mountain at a distance in front, sky watching – saw few shooting stars, slice like moon hidden behind some hill. It was worth skipping the sleep, I had already started enjoying the place. About 7:30, we started descend, after having breakfast of PoranPoli, chapatti made with jaggery – Marathi special.

Sandhan valley is situated in the Sahyadri, Western Ghats, near Samrad village in Nagar District near Ratangad peak. Few minutes in the canyon/ gorge, it becomes clear why it’s called valley of shadows. Valley of Shadows is surrounded by Alang, Malang, Kulang, Kalsubai, Ratangad and Ajoba peaks, at some places has just few feet of space to walk and sun rays fail to touch ground between the natural walls of mountains. It’s a water carved ravine two km (approx) long and 50 to 400 feet deep, with few water filled patches, making sure it drenches you waist deep.

Gradually place sinks in, if rocks make the knees crack and shadows of the mountain with each step promise eyes the more magnificent views. As soon as you start enjoying the trail, spot comes where the way forward is walking through waist deep water. Out of water, drained energy makes you forget about drenched cloths. Before one reaches the sudden fall of 50 feet (rappelling point); the walk through water faints into memory. This was first time, I would be doing rappelling, walk till now had silent and retrospective for me. At beginning, I was walking with friend made in local, after water patch had separated. It was insightful silent watchful walk, only few instants getting or extending support on uneven surface to each-other in the group. The ways through hills  are like ways through life, intriguing personal and impersonal simultaneously. In between, I started walking with a group singing songs – old melodies in most unusual of the places may have disturb some but it made my journey more relaxing and thoughtful.

Mentioning the above brief, was important as discussion with few of these people, which started at rappelling point continued till end of the trek and was in continuation of my deliberation about society and life in last few years. It also reminds me of few similar discussion at other unusual (may seem awkward places to many) places with people I had just met – like at Brighton beach, Humpi Badami trip or talks at UP election travel with strangers. The discussion engulfed the topics ranging from society, economics, spirituality and India vis-à-vis its spiritual traditions.

The rappelling may have been one of the most existing new things I may have done in couple of years. Though I was profusely sweating when reaching down, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Seeing sudden fall of 50 feet didn’t give as much thrill as rappelling it down. The next four rock patches till roping were I guess most difficult ones on the track. At second last of them one has to slip through cavity in the rocks and one drops down from hole below to ground below it. Thanks to shouts, we wouldn’t have found the hole in the rocks. Most of the tiring trail was covered, with only a roping point, once doing it was all smooth walk. However, majority of best scenic place had past too. Sun, shadow, walls and falls with breeze passing through the greens, make the ravine delight to eyes and mind.

Henceforth, the discussion developed, becoming more stimulating and insightful. By evening time we reached our resting site for night. Leaving our bags, most of us jumped in the pond in vicinity (I guess a small waterfall in monsoon), big water hole between the massive rocks. The way pond was laid out by nature, it seemed as much a wonder as the valley of shadows we had just passed. Pond had big rocks on three sides, in front a flat entrance side and rock bang opposite entrance side had feet long space above to sit or dive in deeper side. As others cooked dinner, the discussion picked up again till night sky was filled with start on a no moon night, Amavasya. The yesterday’s sky watching gave way to star gazing, (of course a new friend knew most about them, and was kind enough to share). After, school may be locate Orion, Sapt Rishi, Milky Way and lot many others till I fell to sleep.

In morning, it was swimming time again in the pond. It seemed private pool then as hardly anybody dared to get into water, maybe wrongly presuming it was cold or may be disinterested. For me it was more relaxing than the night sleep. After breakfast we started again for end base village and end of my weekend. It was a walk on relatively flat ground towards the Dehane village (Base of Ajoba fort) in Thane district. It seemed the valley, pool and nature were tempting one to stay back, and forget the tiredness. The descend, like spiraling down phase of life, too just leaves enjoyable memories and rest all would be a passing phase. Back to ground zero, we had Marathi lunch of peetla, bakri, kadi at a house in the village with friendly kids and got in jeeps to catch local. You can desire to get away from maddening life of concentrated human habitation, called cities, however to escape is different game altogether.

Still to visit: Harishchandragad peak, Aswala Fort, Bhairavgad Fort, Pabargad Fort, Ratangad, Alang –Madan-Kulang Fort, Kalsubai (5400 ft. highest peak in Maharashtra)

Travelogue 9 - Sandhan Valley Trek– February 8-10, 2013.

An Indian's Dilemma - It’s not censorship, it’s Censurers You should be scared of

In a recent spate of bans, feel yourself lucky if you get a casual or an unimportant SMS in India. Targeting online social media and limiting SMSes are the latest form of censorship solutions that the Indian government has stumbled upon to combat the homegrown fundamentalist Islamic terror threats. In addition, as usual Indian government is putting the blame on our irresponsible neighbor-cum-cousin Pakistan. Would these majors address the issue, or vice versa help the perpetrators or assist party at center to achieve its personal goals or congress would be successful in subduing one more Indian autumn.

The strategy seems to be successful, because ‘aam janta’ which was questioning the extent of corruptions and appeasement politics is wondering now either about the extent of ban on online social space or grappling with understanding and managing a censorship balanced status on social sites and number of SMSes, giving government space to avoid the real issues and behave as it has been doing recklessly. It is a curtailing freedom to speech, however one is wonder to what extend and its implications, as for first time masses had voice even against media. A free space to opine and take on biggest of stalwart of deceit.

Not denying the gravity of the situations in regards to security of Indian populations in current times from Pune serial blast, unannounced lathi charges, economic ratings coming down due to uncertain political climate, to Azad Maidan, threat SMSs and curfews in few cities are testimony to the fact that Indian Government has failed to provide basic necessities to the countrymen. It's obvious that urgent method was need to stop the SMS scare, but what about finding and nabbing culprits, and why online media censoring - our intelligent cabinet and bureaucracy could not find a better way than choosing to curtail the rights and freedom. However the reasoning and credibility of their short sighted and lame censorship should not be a surprise as just six months back Indians Cabinet Minister, Mr Kapil SIbal  had warned  of “stern action” against social media for not regulating articles which either ridiculed or criticized his government. His party’s moment awaited has come, the current event gave them an opportunity as the saying goes “One man’s misery is another man’s fortune”.

It seems Congress Government of India, rather than finding solution to the current issues has found an opportunity sought after by politicians across party lines to regulate the internet. One more new form of censorship used in India and constitutionalising unconstitutional measure without implementing emergency, like the banning books(tonnes of academic and perfect books have been banned in the country),  booking people under 153A and 295A of the Indian Penal Code (among other incidents, on feb 2009, the police booked Kumar and Anand Sinha, the editor and the publisher of The Statesman under section 295A reprinting an article from The Independent by its columnist Johann Hari - "Why should I respect oppressive religions?), lathi charging innocent masses protesting with Ramdev against corruption, waiting endlessly to Anna’s campaign to die down then implement anti-graft law, etc.

Have we lost the bare minimum freedom and democracy we fortunately got online? Would the censorship rightly used? The freedom which was even from press seems to have whisked away. It’s not the current capping of SMSes that hurts by it’s the authority behind it and history of misuse of the responsibilities placed by constitution on Parties ruling the center giving goose bumps. Especially track record of appeasement politics, it feels evident now anyone who is pointing the finger at the perpetrator of crime can also be censored without even a whisper been heard. Under the pretext of clearing the spam hate messages and morphed pictures which Indian Government could have dealt within the preview of currents laws, the recent demonizing of online services can serve their ulterior and unintelligent motives. As soon as news of hate SMSes campaign and fake online pictures spread across, the censors, Indian Politicians, started blaming social media sites, some even went to extent of suggesting temporary banning.

Don’t trust Censurers: Indian Politicians Banning and Censoring Communication: Reasons people at large and track to understand that if the government intention is well place or ill placed:

The real issue which is still largely ignored was illegal international immigration in India, and its implications and complication arising from it, resulting in riots Assam, followed by protest on 11 Aug 2012 by Indian Muslims (organized by Raza Academy, with permitted 1500 crowd, however estimated conservatively 15-20,000, by some claim 30000) at Azad Maidan, Mumbai in support of illegal immigrants  ensuing flatouts of it - hate speeches by Islamic Extremists resulting in inciting hate and anger therefore  vandalism and harassment(2 people died, 12 female police man molested,  3 media vans burnt, amar jyoti vandalized, stolen two police self-loading rifles (SLR) and one revolver, etc. followed by chain of SMSes spreading fear not only in Assamese.

This is after Supreme Court, as early as 2005, three-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice R.C. Lahoti, Justice G.P. Mathur and Justice P.K. Balasubramanyan, said "The presence of such a large number of illegal migrants from Bangladesh, which runs into millions, is in fact an aggression on the State of Assam and has also contributed significantly in causing serious internal disturbances in the shape of insurgency of alarming proportions." Supreme Court struck down the IMDT Act (Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act, 1983) as unconstitutional which government has claimed as hurdle in deporting illegal immigrants. This proves as ever human rights standards in addition to illegal immigration the practice was also causing human right violation as rights, land and life of Assamese were disturbed. Its more than unclear seems gloomy that what was stopping government to seal the border even after 65 years of independent India. According to “REPORT ON ILLEGAL MIGRATION INTO ASSAM” submitted to  K R Narayanan then  “THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA” by Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha, PVSM then “THE GOVERNOR OF ASSAM “ on “8 November, 1998”, Bangladesh was doing nothing to prevent immigration and  their then Prime Minister Sheikh Haseena had even exclaimed that there was no illegal Bangladeshi living in India.

Now that all the government actions are doing is concealing the real issue, and stopping the news to spread.  That’s all government want to do to fix the issue and sweep under the carpet, at the maximum would punish few rogue elements  who involved in the recent incident which raise eyebrows in sleeping India janta to pacify the issue and satisfy the voters. What about the real issue? What about illegal immigration and immigrants? It is due to illegal immigration estimated by Election Commission out of 27 districts of Assam 11 have a Bengali Muslim majority, even though according to old and conservative GOI census  of 2001 there were 3,084,826 Bangladeshis in India, number which have grown multiple times according to intelligence reports 5000 to 6000 Bangladeshi enter India daily. T. V. Rajeswar, former Governor of West Bengal and Sikkim, quote in Tribune sometime back that there are at least 16 million Bangladeshis in India. Some estimates even claimed them to be more than 2 crores.

Normally expected reply from Congress government – India’s has international boundary issues with Bangladesh, it is not government supposed to sort them out in last 65 years, it has behave recklessly and only sufferers have been native inhabitants of India. The current issue has grown to an extend that in addition to adding to cheap labor, population and poverty in India; violating human rights of people  where illegal immigration have illegally occupied land of locals and disturbed cultural ethos. It has grown to lethal proportions, ignited growth of homegrown terror and terrorist the country. Introduced emergency like situation for all the citizens living country, curtailing communication it first  affected daily ration of SMSes, Online freedom etc. It is by basic definition is “governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviors”. It gives reasons to suspending rights and freedoms, in modern technological worlds rights to speak free are as important as decades back it was to write in newspaper. Indian government has successfully implemented the step one that too  for unclear and undefined motives with no major outcry from media, and has astonishingly convinced masses so well of its propaganda that  they are not even releasing their freedom has been taken away for no use rather may be misused.

Or was it because for Congress Government, learning few tips from Arab Spring and has been able to successfully avoid Indian Autumn, as Indian who were very active online for first time, would be afraid to speak online about anything against Congress Government and its appeasement politics or even against the issue and its perpetrators. Finishing off the current topic with these dangerous opportunities unethical and biased censurers,  threat freedom of speech of north-easter, ethnic minority and north easter hindu / christian human rights groups/ individuals raising their voices against illegal occupation and terror would be unimaginable.

365*2 days of escape and struggle - a personal life post

Its been almost two years, I last blogged - wrote my views and thoughts. Since lot has happened in the while and I was moving from desperate situations to other, I have decided to write a personal life blog, unlike my most other post till date. In two years, am not sure if I have any learning, however lot has changed. Realization of importance of patience and subduing of the rebellious streak has calmed the frustration and consequences of the struggle that has followed in last two years. Learning of spirituality has hopefully sank skin deep, resulting in falling of few more walls/barriers, world seems more of family then it seemed then. People I oppose and the ideologies I was against, now seem no more important. I biggest understanding has be been better understanding of materialistic nature of the world, its importance, maybe due to debts i have incurred as result of gaps in financial planning of my social organization's establishment. 

 Moving in rush from UK to India, with passion to start a my own brand of social organization at once, has had shocking crash landing. It started, when I arrived in Delhi around July, was interesting till my travel of Rajasthan in August, went worse till I went on to travel few constituency Uttar Pradesh in election around mid Jan. Continues when I arrived in Mumbai to search for job, which I hadnt planned in last 3-4 years. Delhi was the new this time. 

It was fun and relaxed if I look at it now. If traveling Rajasthan from Jaipur to Ajmer, moving to Jaiselmair then Jopdhpur ending at Udaipur was beautiful, unnerving and interesting rest all was drastically opposite. Then it seemed like my tower of silence, after couple of months of running from one office to another, after one person to another to get the social organization registered with almost no support from anyone except few friends. It was in between struggle for basic essentials, few things i guess are of no use talking about but would be remembered for life. Few months passed in a jiffy, compiling paper, getting right people on them, in initiating things as soon as it happened, end of the saving nearing. In the rented apartment I had, there are was always stream of people/friends/strangers coming in and staying for few weeks. It seemed almost like dharmashala or a road side pit spot. Now in retrospection it seems those where metaphorical bad days - to recall a incidence my landlady moved my belonging of 1BHK out on the open roof almost 10 days before my contract was ending(MIND IT - MY RENT WAS PREPAID OF THIS MONTH TOO) as while I was away understanding rural side of UP in elections,she has found a tenant. All temporary roommates had also finished their work in Delhi and were leaving for their home, after depositing keys with the landlady.  As soon as I came back, and was about to take out keys to open the lock, I saw no lock was there. Surprised, I called the people staying in my flat to check if one of them has shifted his relatives there. As soon as I realized their is a big goof-up, I met my landlady and listen to hear story of how she feels that I am her son and she knew I would understand thats why she moved my stuff from the extra laptop, bedding, kitchen, degrees to cloths out in sun and rain.At that moment all I had was laugh, life was coming with one joke after another. Best thing I could do was smile and move on.

 My understanding of depth of destitute(not level as level i feel are just numbers now) and lack of governance in India, was turning point I feel. Sometimes I too feel what i choose after was an escape, however when I was making a decision it felt the best way forward in life and its passage. Must have traveled at least 350 villages till March. Sometime covering 9-10 villages in the day in convey of cars, at few of the instance leading the convey, sometime traveling whole day on foot -padh yatra from one village to another, covering 6 villages in the day. Traveling in one of the most underdeveloped districts in India #Badaun where just couple years back one can hear stories(real life incidence) of country-made/smuggled gun toting docaits(like we show in #Sholay and #Clint Eastwood movies). Places where when last time Samajwadi Party came to rule in the state, couple of villages of lodha rajputs on lonely banks of Ram Ganga, were several night. Where a dacoit called #Kallu, rolled tractor with harvester over 9-11 innocent people forcefully laid on their own farming fields, chopping them into pieces. The same Ram Ganga, which we call Ganga, which swells again with water when farmers is blessed with great monsoon and just before he can enjoy the blessing, makes sure the blessing turns into sorrow as government again is missing to save them from flood. No wonder global super power in agriculture production are waiting for Indian Government snail paced thoughtlessness to pick up pace, made start importing from abroad food grain it can export to world and gradually destroy its indigenous agricultural production.
I left for Mumbai but bad luck :P came along at least of sometime, as within a month wallet was flicked, then my blackberry bold.

There have been some High points too- 

• working with Japanese student in Glasgow to raise funds for Japanese earthquake victims ... #Glasgow for Japan 
• with NUS - thought didnt spend enough time there make sure the name of Black student campaign changes to Ethnic Minority - one of the task i took on and still want to finish... why do we need to create a color barrier when we want no bias on skin color #NUS 
• Internship with GHRD... commendable work #GHRD does for marginalized .. specially woman, religious and linguistic minorities Traveling UK for GHRD- 
• staying with interesting people I had just had an introduction : Thanks to all of you... I have stayed with in UK # its was a pleasure to know you all and spend time....always be a fond memory.. I have hundreds of names to mentions here  
• Political Activism- almost everything i realized has made a mark.. from pad yatra, to canvassing in convey, organizing the event for big leaders speeches ...  
• Hill Walking/Climbing, 
• Establishing #GUDS - GCU Universal Dharma Society 
• organizing and doing  protest in #glasgow in support of Anna very first time he sat on fast
• Great Friends I made on the way- 
• Thanks so much all of you... apologies for not been able to keep in touch.. humble request ..please feel free call,text, mail/message anytime...  
• Finally - struggle and consequences of following the dream and failing at it miserable atleast for time being