Are we Aware?

The sound of bursting crackers hit my ear soon after I offered my prayers to Goddess Lakshmi on an auspicious day of Diwali. I lit the candles and went in the balcony to place them so that my home looks enlightened. As soon as I went in the balcony, I called my mother
“Mom! Can I get a handkerchief?”

My mother came and handed me that. I covered my mouth and tied it. Then I was only able to place those beautiful candles.

I could see people’s florid eyes while bursting crackers but a large amount of smoke in the air showed me a different story. It showed me that their florid eyes or the laugh on their face is transitory. The smoke showed me the future that our future generations will have to face. The children who were jumping merrily when some red coral rockets hit the sky with a bang were coughing later. Their florid eyes were filled with tears which was irritating them. I could sense smoke stating with a devil smile,
“Laugh for one day, you will cry in the years to follow.”

A spine chilling effect hovered my body and mind that I stood numb there. I wanted to make people realize the after effects of what they are doing but I couldn’t. The crackers continued to dominate and the harsh sound sniffed some of my candles.I had my dinner and slept but a deep thought bothered me.

The next morning, sun rays were trying hard to pave the way through the hazy sky filled with smoke in addition with many harmful gases. The biggest irony, same people came out and said,
“Pollution is increasing. Government should do something about it.”

We are the one who are responsible for this situation either we are not aware or we tend to ignore it. If we are ignoring then it’s alarming because we are ignoring our future generations which are yet to live their precious life. We think about giving a lot of things to our children but the bitter truth is that we can’t even give them fresh air to breath. We should stop, think for a second, and ask a question to ourselves,
“Are we aware?”

If we are not then we should to save ourselves and our future generation that is yet to come. It is not about crackers but also other things which add up to adulteration. The poison we are breathing is having an adverse effect on our body. Everyone should take a responsibility towards it otherwise be ready to face harsh days in the future.

TRIUND- Trekker’s Paradise

When we were about to reach….

I was witnessing a magical view while sipping tea on an oldest tea shop serving the trekkers since 1984. The shop’s name was even the same and the view completely justified it. I could see one large cloud looking like a sea monster following two small clouds who were crying for mercy.They were his prey and he was so close to get hold of them.The sky was a blameless blue and white clouds hovered all over it. It was little bit hot so we were sweating while ascending up. Last one km was exasperating for all of us as we have to pass through 22 tiring curves to reach the paradise for first time trekkers. I could see a valley on one side and Dhauladhar range surrounding it. The sun was about to set and the view was so fascinating that our eyes couldn’t believe for some time. It was like a scenery we used to make on drawing sheets in the childhood.

When we started the journey….

We booked Innova and six people got ready for a trek to Triund which is a paradise for first time trekkers. The cab dropped us at Bhagsunath which is 1.5 km from Mcleod-Ganj. We changed our clothes in the cab one at a time, carried our back packs and started the journey. The original trek was of 9 km but initial 3 km was a well-built road which couldn’t be considered as trek. The next 6 km is also a tranquil trek which could be accomplished by all age groups. A solo trekker could also complete this expedition very comfortably. It has an unambiguous byway which goes through beautiful mixed forest of oak, deodar and rhododendron. The nature has so much to serve us that we can’t imagine. As snack shops are there at regular distances which have far enough quantity of food to counter the hunger of the trekkers. But be ready to spend a pretty penny for the food as prices are directly proportional to increasing height. We filled up the declaration form at a government registered office and we ascended further. As it was a very small trek which could be completed in one day. Someone informed us that Initial 5 km is very easy but last one km is weary as it is known as “22 curves”. We had to pass through 22 tiring curves before we would finally reach the crown jewel of Dharamshala that is Triund.

So we started and we moved on the path where rocks were carving out like some earth quake happened a few days back. We laughed, enjoyed, took pictures and sometimes we were awe struck with the beauty of the views that came in our way. The allurement of the spots also increased as we ascended further. We found many solo trekkers on the way which surprised me a bit but soon I realized that Trekking is something to be done solo so that we could get a chance to meet new people and we had ample time to sit and enjoy the journey that nature proudly offers.

As someone said, “If you love nature, you don’t need anyone.”

Clouds hovered over us and it was a complete black out. The sun tried but clouds had the last laugh. So they started pouring water heavily and storm made it more menacing. It was a curve on the narrow way and valley on one side. The wind was hitting so hard that we couldn’t move forward. We could see a lot of trekkers waiting near the curve. Some people tried to ascend but it seemed like storm and rain ferociously saying,
“No! You can’t move”

It was so threatening that gave us a feeling to head back but we stood there and waited for it to over. Few were thinking of heading back but everyone’s effort forced the storm to show mercy and he decreased his speed to some extent.The rain was shocked by storm’s response. She tried hard to shower but she is not ferocious without storm. If she wants to scare anyone, she needs the storm. Soon the sun came out smiling and it seemed he was thankful to the effort we showed.

Now we all moved in drenched condition. Shivering was there but the sun helped us to some extent. We reached the shop called “Best View”. We could witness a scenic view which was a treat to the eyes. We sipped tea while clouds flied over the mountains and some birds could be seen with them. Tea made all of us to shiver a little less.We took rest and then moved further. After passing through mixed forest of oak, deodar and rhododendron. We reached an oldest tea shop “Magic View”. It was serving the trekkers since 1984. The shop stood at the end of 5 km trek. I could see one large cloud looking like a sea monster following two small clouds who were crying for mercy. The view completely justified the shop’s alluring name. We clicked photographs and ate Maggie with tea.

Now the real hindrance was about to come. We moved and could see 22 curves which we had to pass in the last 1 km trek and reach the zenith of 2,828 m (approx. 9000ft). All were sweating but we pumped up each other and started conquering those curves. The most exasperating moment for all of us but was adventurous at the same time. When we passed through the 22nd curve and reached the paradise. We were spellbound with the beauty and the god’s own painted scenery. The sun could be seen setting behind the mountains. Clouds were looking like a heavy smoke coming up. Dhauladhar range was on one side and the valley on the other. The view was so romantic that forced me to say some lines,

“If he was the sun, then she was the ray.

  If he was the cloud, then she was the rain.

  If he was hers, then she was his.

  Both got separated but they came back in hope.

  We are the one and we will be the one”

We just stood there and admired every bit of the place. There were many people so we contacted the shops for camps and sleeping bags. They provided us all and we set up our camps. The temperature dropped to several degrees and we were shivering but enjoyment level was constant. We played games and gossiped a lot. Weariness made us to sleep.

The sun rose the next morning and sparkled the small pond there. The water was blue so sun made the pond to reflect blue color on the mountains. We just said one line,
“God is an artist”

We packed our bag packs and got ready to trek down.

Back to Bhagsunath…..

The downhill trek was far much easier and we took very minor halts on the way. We passed through every spot which we admired when we trekked up. The calf muscles started throbbing but we kept on moving with the help of moov spray. We trekked down without any hindrance of storm, rain or any other mountain abruptions. We all got separated but reached Bhagsunath in the afternoon and a feeling of satisfaction hovered our heart. Someone said it right,

“Travelling makes you humble, it makes you feel satisfied”

It was an easy trek and any trekker with no major health problem in any age group can complete this. Even Triund welcomes Solo trekkers because it is a commercialized spot. Food and shelter are easily available with every facility. So visit this paradise once in your lifetime.

Festival of Lights; Is it?

“I want new clothes,” A child demanded his father with an innocent look.

His father came home after a hard working day with a meager amount of money in his hand.  He looked into his eyes and a tear drop trickled down his cheek. But he moved away so that his child couldn’t see his tears.
He somehow bravely answered with a smile,
“We will eat food now. We will buy new clothes tomorrow”

“You always deceit Dad!” Child revolted back.

He prepared food in the kitchen for his son and came out with curry and rice in the plate.
“I don’t want to eat food,” His son said with pique.

He pushed the plate away and moved out. He could see homes illuminated with lights and decorated with candles. Some red coral rockets could be seen flying up in the sky and his eyes turned towards his home which was dead; no lights, no candles and no decoration. There was just a pulling rickshaw in front of the broken gate.
“Have your dinner son,” His father came out restating this multiple times.

Children were running on the streets, enjoying and bursting crackers but his son just stood there looking at his face with a hope that he would also get clothes and crackers to celebrate this festival of lights. His father held his hand and ferociously guided him inside the home.

He didn’t want to reprimand but he was helpless. He didn’t have food for himself but fed his child from the day’s earnings. Soon he consoled him and his son dozed off after few minutes.
“I am not able to fulfill my child’s wish again”, He pondered with his eyes wet.

I observed something very contrasting this time. Either I had never observed it before or I failed to do so every year.

 The sun rays faced a heavy layer of adulterated sky to pass through and reach the land covered with burnt crackers, packets of red coral rockets, and empty cardboard pieces with a picture of cock on it. I could see wrappers all over the land spread like a red carpet. Soon the sweeper came and swept the streets which made the red carpet to disappear gradually. A child wearing torn clothes could be seen with a bag to pick the rag. He was the rag picker of the area; he segregated the plastic and cardboard from the garbage and put it into the bag.
“He might celebrate the festival today,” I pondered.

There are many people out there who don’t celebrate this alluring festival of lights. We wish everybody prosperous life ahead on this day.
"Can’t we make life prosperous for some people?"

I think that will add more meaning to this festival. May be a two time meal is a festival for them or a box of sweets is a festival for them. Small acts can make them cheerful in the way you want. We spend thousands while we purchase crackers or gifts. We can at least give them something so that they can light up a candle in their homes and enlighten it on this special day.