Mid week reviews

My initial enthusiasm at the beginning of the week when India Registered its second win over srilanka to take the lead in the 5 match one day cricket series, finally saw its logical end when india clinched series, with a win over srilnka yesterday.The fact that i was with my friends in front of big screen to see the final moments of some glorious batting by Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina added to its charm.Now the last mmatch is only for records and may not kindle any specific interest. Monday was spent by me in a meeting of Retirees where in i could see some old pals and rewind a bit, It also showed the strength of the retirees as a group , taking the second innings in great gusto ( if not by all atleat by a significant percentage).Seeing such people is an inspiration in itself. Tuesday was really disturbing to start with The sad news of tamil nadu express coach no 11 catching fire and the subsequent loss of lives ( 28 as i am penning this blog) once again made me to curse with anger at the systems in place with scant regard to common man's saftey,Though considering the size and volume of traffic handled by Railways,in INDIA, ACCIDENTS OS SUCH NATURE ARE are bound to happen once in a while, the lack of adequate precautions to reduce their recurring , is what adds tothe agony. When i was working at BANGALORE as a visiting faculty with MUBC when ever i have travlled toBANGALORE , I have been frustrated with the journey, time and again because of simple reason,Viz The unreserved passengers occupying reserved compartments at their own will and fancy, making the system of reservation of tickets it self , to be a mockery, as neither a seat/berth nor safety of reserved passengers is ensured. Added to this the TTEs always appear helpless in controlling such passengers who occupy the compartments, meant for reserved, I have taken thepains to send SMS to railways helpline atleast 3 times, pointing out to the conseqences of such unreserved passengers blocking the path ways and toilets, with scant regard to resrved paasengers, and had been greeted with a standard ack every time regretting inconvenience and promising remedial action.But nothing ever happened and the trajedy at TAMIL NADU EXPRESS confirmed my worst fears. It had come to notice that the unreserved passengers occupying the door ways, vestibule space and toilets prevented the escape of reserved passengers during the accident which took away precious lives. The worst part is that since the entire bogie was burnt and the passengers charred to death, it had become difficult evven to identify bodies as in a compartment which is supposed to carry 72 reserved passengers , more than that number have travelled and succumbed.It is a pity that the near and dear notonly lost their loves but were also not able to do the final rites because of difficulties in identification.Unless and until Railway force takes stringent action againsst such unauthorised travel and also control the crowds in train to some specified numbers (even if it be the unreserved general compartments) and also prepares itself to attend tovictims with first aid in the least possible time, these tragedies are going to make us speechless and dumbfounded. To overcome this trajedy, the meet with friends late in the evening helped in a significanr manner. And i was also able to take care of the requirement to complete formalities relating to registration with a couple of entities(with an eye on assignments to flow in the year 2012-13( which helped me to overcome atleast to some extent, the gory details of the trajedy which struck in TN Express. And Mr Chidambaram back as FM in ministry is the latest news with mixed response.It is no doubt a great honour for him, but whether he will do good to the sagging economy is to be waited and seen. To be continued.

A TRIP TO SHIMLA (CTD)

FOR fear of people mistaking my blog as a tavelogue of some sorts, i refrained from this post for some time. but the inner surge to sahre the beauty of that trip with some anticlimax and finally an wonderful climax prodded me to post this.Hence you are reading this .

First things first, the trip itself was a suddenly planned one, or the one thrust at the last minute (thanks to a scheme announced by credit card issuers some time last year for its Golden card holders,).Since i have already planned for a trip to Delhi inconnection with an official trip it became comparatively easier to extend the programme form Delhi to Simla. The added attraction is the presence of my wife by my side.The fact that we both had been looking for an escapade, after some hectic events back at home, which were physically and mentally tiring, all at the same time, we were in fact ( to gether for a change!!) looking forward to that trip.

AND THE CRedit goes to my ever inspiring and ever ready daughter , who checked and booked confirmed tickets for all legs from Delhi to Simla and back to CHENNAI.(in no time using her cards/online bank transfers etc). Special thanks to her for making the trip memorable, as things were in place even before we departed thus removing the uncertain elements.

The journey was to Delhi, and then from Delhi to KALKA and from KALKA to SIMLA and again from Simla to another peak point above simla (called KUFRI).The schedule was, on ward train from Delhi to be boarded at 9.40 pm, with the schedled arrival at KALKA at 4.40 am, (the next day), just in time to catch the hill train from kalka leaving from Simla at 5.40 am.The official duies were over as per plans and i was back in home to have a relaxed dinner and arrive in time at Old Delhi raiway station .Immediately on arrival we were greeted by the board at the entrance of Delhi station to the effect that the train frm Kolkata to Simla via Kolka is behind schedule by 2hrs and is expected to depart only at 11.40 pm instead of 9.40 pm.There were hardly any options left as the journey from RK puram (my brotherin law's place) to old DElhi has already consumed an hour and a quarter and thus the only choice was to stay at the station.Our immediate worry was that the connecting train from KALKA to SIMLA is not psossible to be boarded as our train , (going by the announcement )will reach Kolka by 6.40 am (instad of 4.40 am )whereas train to Simla is to depart at 5.40am. We do not know when is the next connecting train.Added to that the loss of tkt cost on account of train missed.All charms of going to Simla , HAVE STARTED DRYING OFF AT THAT MOMENT.

Still we were known to have come across several such instances in our life journey together and we decided to take it in its strides. There was a MACDONALD RESTAURANT AWAITING WITH ITS NEON sighns declaring 24 hrs "open" sign.WE decided to have a retreat there, to spend the next two hours and also to have a cup of hotchocolate (which is surprisingly not available in Macdonalds situated near our residence at Velachery , Chennai.)

We also thought we could engage in small and sweet conversations with my son (celebrating his 26th birth day , for the first time away from all of us at Hongkong) and daughter who is left alone at CHENNAI in the company of her grand mother.Accordingly we carried out our plans, talked to son and daughter, munched french fries and gulped hot chocolate, gossiped about our earlier visits to hill sations/resorts , and saw the time nearing 11.30 pm.In anticipation of arrival of train, we left the warmth of MACDONALDS,proceeded to the platform No 10, where the train from Kolkata is expected to arrive only to be greeted with the announcement that the train which was running late earlier by 2 hrs is running late by 4 hrs and the expected time of arrival was indicated at 2.30 am. We knew then for certainty that our plans are going helter skelter and we also know by then that what can not be cured shall be endured.The icy night and the blowing wind added to the discomfiture and again made an attempt to spoil our moods.But we have decided that what ever be the outcome, we are going to experience every minute as fresh and positive as it could be, for the day happens to be our son's birth day and we did not want any event to beseech our happiness on that day.

After a few more announcements stepping up the delayed arrival, by 15 minues each time, the train atlast came at 3.30 am.( A DELAY OF 6 HOURS).We immediately boarded and went to sleep, to compensate for the earlier loss of sleep. While my wife realy succeeded in getting some sleep, my ill equipped preapredeness for the late train joiurney, in dipping temperatures , made it difficult for me to sleep and as such i started travelling backward in my memory towards the earlier birthdays of my son and how each of his last 3 bith days were unique in some sence or other.2009 at Mumbai, 2010 at HYDERABAD and 2011 at Hongkong..wah:)By the time my eye lids closed on me due to sheer tiredness, and the early morning sun was slowly giving the much desired warmth as a shield from the previous icy night we have arrived at Kalka.Yes train has made up atleast 90 minutes of delay and reached Kolka at 9.15 am.

And when we hurriedly disembarked and started enquiring for the next train to Shimla, from Kolka we were informed that the next train is to depart in about 15 minutes from the adjacent platform.And when we reached in break neck speed to the platform we saw the galmour and splendour of the train Himalayan Queen , standing majestically , waiting to depart. And hold your breath...The attendants checked our tkts and escorted us to the Coach C1, WITH OUR RESERVATIONS intact and politely enquired as to the break fast that we would like to have, after serving us a hot flask of fragrant tea.My wife's sullen moods, if any all drifted away (surianai kanda pani pola)on seeing the flask with steaming tea(she is a connnosiur of good tea)and when we settled respectively in our seats the train left the plat form.

The journey time , is one of the longest, i have seen.It took about 5 and half hours and what a journey it is.Unforgettable one. There were 101 tunnels,enroute, besides double the number of bridges and curves.The sight which came before us was enthralling and engulfing at the same time. Nature's gift was at its best .THE BREAK FAST COMPRISING OF Alu tikkia, biscuits, and pot of tea were equally attractive.It was as if we have been transformed from human beings to DevaS.So lovely. so reassuring and so quietening on our nerves. WE missed our near and dear very much at that time. At the same time the manner in which the day has beautifully unfloded before us after a night of uncertainties, also gave a signal to us that our Son's birth day is going to be an unforgettable one and that the year AHEAD for him is going to be a glorious one.SENTIMENTS AND WISHES OFCOURSE!!And i am sure that they will come true.

To make the long story short, we checked in at our resorts at 4pm(behind schedule by 4 hrs)took a long hot shower bath, went down to the lobby to the bar to keep ourselves warm, had some hot chapathis and fried rice and retired to bed just in time to discuss the next days programme.Simla was at its best in the glowing sun, the next day morning. As usual after missing the buffe break fast (which was supposed to be available up to 11 am , which was however declared closed at 10 am itself when we arrived at the restaurant,)we settled for some hot puris and sambarvadas.When we enquired about sight seeing we were informed that there is nothing much to see except hills , hills and hills in that order.However when we rechecked again we were informed that 12 kms from where we stayed (Mind you we were at a height of 2800 meteres above sea level-i,e 7500 feet above sea)the town Kufri has got a few market places besides horse riding etc. The temperatures were hovering between 1 degree and 10 degrees and as such we have to physically do some thing to keep warm and hence we decided to move out.ANd what a fantastic experience it turned out to be.

After initial reluctance to go for horse riding, some how we managed to reach the concensus and took to riding along with another couple and then suddenly saw the entire place was swarmed by people of all ages from all parts of the world, riding on the back of horses of various sizes and colour.It was a journey of 2 hrs up and down by the horse.After being tempted to take the photos on the backdrop of ice and after having slipped twice in the process (fortunately no major injury to either) we decided to call it a day and return back. Then we saw the nature's gift of ice and snow. What started as small drops sooner grew in size to that of pellets and when we were half way thru our return we have been covered by snow and ice and the entire area became a dream coloured in white, absolute,unpolluted white ice and snow.We took a few photos again in the back drop of snow (which came much more beautiful than the ones which we took at the spot intended for such photos earlier after almost breaking our knee joints!!)Oh Eththanai Kodi Inbam vaiathai engal Iraiva!!

And the story never ends when the tide is good and flowing . THE MOMENT WE CAME DOWN to the place frm where we started and got down from the horses, the aroma of hot tava chapathis accompanied by the smell of the side dish from a near by hutment drew us (like a magent attracts the iron ore) and each us us after the horse ride were really ffeing hungry. Thus the food we had in the back drop of the icy rain is one of the most unforgettable ones and the priceless one at that.

the photos we took as memoirs will always bring back the pleasant memories of this trip and if there could be another trip, i wish the same to be in the company of my son and daughter so that the smiles and warmth of the journey will ever be itched in memeory.

LOVING A CITY

New places have never been uncomfortable to me. In fact i love visiting as many places as possible,in the span of next 10 years or so (when my mobility is still intact)so that i can mingle with these places and get to know their nuances.

Perhaps all this liking started because of my father's employment in Raiways.He used to get passes for journey for himself and his family atleast once in an year.Possibly that was the greatest charm of railway employment in those days.I remeber travelling with him to quite few places during my child hood(i.e for about 5-6 years) as my father retired from active service when i was just 5 years old.Still there were visits occasionally after his retirement too,but these were far and few.

In the cosy comfort of the first class(you may hve to travel 30 years back to imagine what a first class compartment would look like in those days),in the warmth and security of father's arms , each station that passes by is a treat to watch. More importantly , because of the position that my father occupied in Railways and due to the respect shown in those days to those travel by first class(mind you it wasa luxury to travel in first class those days,A/C trains were not heard then), in each station uniformed railway staff would keep enquiring about food/coffee /tea requirements.And the food that is served used to be of great taste and quality.MEALS USED TO BE SERVED IN LOVELY designed plates(with no spilling over) with a beautiful cloth wrapped around the contents till it is served.Similarly the tea/coffee jars will have a unique style and greatness about them(Possibility of the british culture inculcated in them).To supplement the same, mother (who is equally fond of travels) used to bring some select items (nothing when compared to waht my wife packs of fro a train journey when she is in the right mood to travel).But a mother's touch is always different ..is it not? That much as reasons behind my fondness for travel.

The earliest journey green in my memory was the journey from Villupuram(Tamil nadu) to Vijayawada(Andhra pradesh).The hot iddlies on arrival at Vijayawada (with its great combination of Gongura chutney..my mouth waters even writing about it)the sound of train when it passed over the river Krishna, the rushing waters of Krishna below, the beautifully illuminated Goddess KANAGA DURGA temple at Vijaya wada all engraved in my memoery, instantly.SInce then there were quite a few small journeys between Chennai and Kumbakonam where my brother was staying.It used to be a night train and when we get down at Kumbakonam in the early morning hours the wind will carry a chill (courtesy , the river Cauvery which used to run at the back yeard of the houses, to its brim in those days) , the different types of Holy songs from the loud speakers from various temples in and around(Kumbakonam is called as City of temples for obvious reasons), the flavour of steaming coffee (from the famous Mangala Vilas -Brahmanal coffee kadai in those days)again stole my heart.

Then there were journeys to various places on account of career/Job.To Hyderabad,To Bangalore, To Kolkata ,To Mumbai ...all most all main metro cities .I had never felt alien or disturbed in any of those places. Instead i used to feel the very moment of my lnding at these places as if i used to belong to these places for ages.I am still unable to decipher the reson for the same(one of the points which used to be the cause for chiding by my wife who loves Chennai, Chennai , Chennai in that order!!) .Probably this made my stay/settlement at thse places much faster as compared to siblings of my age in those days.When you like a place(or for that matter a person, with out anticipating anything in return) i belive that there is more than reciprocation form the other end too and that has made my living an easy task in these places.

Yes, When you go to alien places, start developing a natural liking to the place, you will find that all other routine obstacles of anew place will fade into oblivion.And all said and done, i havae to admit one thing...The charm of journey under the warmth of my father , is not felt since then..Perhaps it is my turn to pmart that warmth to my children..I have been trying to do it whenever i can, and i think that they will also enjoy these conmforts and satrt liking the places they vist in their journey of life.

A TRAIN JOURNEY

Train JOURNEYS have always been close to my heart,Whether i travel, or whether i am there i see off some one or to receive some one.The cause is not important, but the effect.

My earliest remembrance of an enjoyable train journey dates back to when i was 7 years old, when i travlled in the cozy comfort of the then Ist class compartment (maintained neat and clean with attendants enquiring your needs every now and then) along with my dear fathe rand other family members. The journey was to Vijayawada. The train reached in the early morning hours to the welcome breeze of the River KRISHNA and the steaming IDDLIES of Vijayawada accompanied by the Gongura CHUTNEYS and samabar all served in spotles plates ..a privilege enjoed by the Railway employees of higher cadre those days.

THEN CAME A NUMBER OF JOURNEYS, NOteworthy among them are my journey to HYDERABAD, to join the CA course with out knowing what it is all about, journey to MUMBAI to attend a marriage at the famous Shanmughananda hall (attended by famous film personalities from MUMABI)of my aunt's son(who breathed his last a couple of months back, on the same day as my elder brother...briefly putting me off), a journey to Kolkata to take up an employment, a journey to the same place accompanied by wife after the marriage (with a delay of 24 hrs due to a bandh at kolkata), a journey to
Bhopal and Delhi accopanied by Children,A journey to OOTY(less said the better ) A journey to a resort at Ernakulam with wife, son and daughter,a journey to Hyderabad again (after 27 years of my first visit, carrying nostalgic memeories of the past) to take up higher responsibility and in particular to join my loving son, a journey later back to CHENNAI on transfer in a coupe compartment with my dear wife ,a journey to Raichur and then to Mumbai to spend some quality time with my daughter and son..

EACH ONE OF THEM IS MEMORABLE AND UNFORGETTABLE IN THEIR OWN WAY.

Then there are innunerable occasions to see off some one or to receive some one, with accompanying feelings of glee and sorrow.

And this post arise as a result of one of those send offs yesterday at Central. I bade fare well to my son and the next moment felt a little disturbed and uneasy,restless all at the same time ...as usual .

Then i remembered the train and its OWN JOURNEY. It runs every day. Thousands get in and get out. But its journey goes on and on. It has got miles to go, destination to reach. Nothing else is important for it.So also for those who travel by train.THEY HAVE GOT A PURPOSE TO ACHIEVE, a goal to reach, a project to complete,a friend to meet, a reunion awaiting and so on. What is there to get disturbed with it. Instead let us welcome those who arrive with a glee never felt before and let us send off those with good wishes for all their desires to be accomplised...

TRAINS.A NAME RIGHTLY COINED. YES IT TRAINS YOUR THOUGHT AND MIND.