AN OLD FRIEND REMEMBERS:                                                                   03/07/2008.

                 Yesterday evening , while watching a TV  programme casually in Brahmaputra Hostel in JNU , I got an SMS alert from someone. The weather was rainy outside.My mood was to keep glued to some chakde-Bachche programme that was on in the TV as it was raining outside and I had no one to talk to after I met some, in the JNU Library during the day...

The SMS made me to think for a  while.." Who could this one be?.. 

                                                                                (To be continued)...

Dear Rediffland Bloggers

BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008.

ALOK RANJAN PRADHAN.

HILLQUEEN SHIMLA :

For a change , I visited Shimla lastweek (21-27 SEPT'07 ). It was my fourth visit to Shimla in the last 5 years.There is not  much change out there. It's the beginning of winter there now. Mornings and evenings are cooler. But one change that I made this time was the travel by train from Shimla to Kalka while returning to Delhi . It was a very picturesque travel with mountains, tunnels, trees and natural sorroundings on the way. I started  from Shimla in the Deluxe Express at 5:40pm to reach Kalka at 10:25pm.The train provided tea and snacks at the start of the journey. Later, at around 8pm it provided dinner (Chicken for me).The ticket was reasonably priced (Rs.280).The train with five bogies had around 70 passengers in all. Each compartment had 18 seats  with  deluxe push back chairs.It had decent passengers mostly honeymooners or young couples / lovers  without kids.The travel this time was quite memorable.

If you are a member of Youth Hostel Association of India , you can stay in Satkar Hotel at Lakkad Bazaar near the Mall. It is opposite the Medical College there. Nearby Dhabas provide quite delicious food at reasonable rates. Although the local travel agents charge more for local travels , you can always bargain to see places of your interests. The places to see there are mainly  Kufri, Green Valley, Sankat moc-han Temple and Taptapani. The night view by train or bus from Shimla to Kalka is colourful especially around Solan with its lights that looks like a  Diwali festival  there.

GO GOA :

Goa as seen in Bollywood films is a paradise for the Romantics or the ones who dream more of Romance.I too was one who also dreamt of visiting the beaches, Nightclubs and dancebars to see if it is in reality or it is in one's imagination. I wanted to see it for myself. May be I thought I will have plenty of attractive women in the Beaches who are willing to explore Love and Romance near the beaches! I always had plenty of Romance with strangers especially on the beaches in my dreams.

So, there I was! On September 10th 2005, I thought to visit Goa through Bombay as I wanted to witness the Ganpati Feastival in Mumbai and Goa. So,I took the day flight from NewDelhi at 1300hrs to reach Mumbai at 1500hrs. After visiting Mumbai on a Cab that gave me a quick look at the Ganpati Festival pandals there, I went to check, if I could get a train Ticket to Goa as I wanted to see the picturesqe beauty of Konkan Railway that connects Mumbai to Goa. Luckily, there was a Ganpati Special Train for the festival season then.I took the train at 1a.m. and reached in Madgaon next day at around noon. The sight  was really beautiful. After  that I checked in to a Youth Hostel at Miramar, in Panjim which has its boundry walls and on one  side it nearly touches the rough sea.The sea-current is very strong there.The scenery on the way was very beautiful. The backwaters, the greeneries, the sorroundings  were just very romantic.It was raining a little, when I reached Goa.The weather was otherwise quite pleasant.The Miramar road was very beautiful with flowering trees on both of its sides.There were some good hotels nearby, including the Marriot. During my four days of stay there , I visited almost all the beaches. Went to all  markets.  The wine and alcohol there is very cheap and of  high quality. So, I enjoyed a good amount of it alongwith Fish which Goans cook very deliciously. It is spicy, with less of chillies in it. So, it's very tasty. The meals at Madgaon Railway Station by a Caterer is very sumptuous and delicious at a very reasonable price(It was Rs. 30/- , with Rice, Fish fry,Fish curry, Puris and 4 other subjis). If you are a foodie, you must try your meals here.The place around Dona Paula, is also quite beautiful. You can see a number of Cargo Ships from the Cliff of a monument there. It's quite picturesque'. Calangute is another place with a sea beach with good shopping avenues. You find leading designers there with their Boutiques.The beach is quite beautiful with foreigners around. If you are there by around noon , you can have a bath in the sea. It feels good , with some bikini beauties around.They are very open. If you are decent enough , you can strike a conversation with any of the bikini clad beauties. May be, you can end up with an affair to remenber..., if you are pleasing. I did not go that far, although I made some female friends.They were very nice. I had some bottles of beer with them on the beach ( There are some huts there,  who provide beer and wine. You can change your dress there, if you want to have a bath ). My evenings were spent around Goa, visiting Ganesh pandals there. The festive spirit is  quite high there as with the Mumbaikars in Mumbai.Cultural festivities accompanied wherever there were pooja pandals.A good number of children played and enjoyed rides and food there alongwith their families.The people were very receptive.

Goa, is very beautiful with greeneries, waterfronts. It's less crowded, has  decent localities with people very accomodating and helpful.Overall , it's a very nice place to visit. But to think of it as a haven for Romance with raunchy girls is not true.One must avoid roadside bars which provide cheap liquor and it could be risky.

Overall, an enjoyable trip.

Hi !

Rishikesh is a place to visit if you want to breakaway from the maddening hectic city life of NewDelhi with traffic, pollution, and crime on the rise...

I prefer to visit Rishikesh whenever I feel I need a break...The place with a cool climate with gracious mountains and the holy Ganges welcome you  to purify your soul for the moment...If you are a member of Youth Hotel Association of India, it is the best place to stay, just along the river Ganges where your garden touches the Ganges on its shores. In the evenings, you can see  Eupoeans with their Bikinis on the river banks practising Meditation which to me is crazy but still a case, to give a serious thought about religoius/ spiritual travels in India.But there are some who are very spiritual and learned in the Indian Spiritual practises. They have a thorough knowledge of our religious scriptures and gods.I happen to meet many Europeans mainly Pofessors, Doctors, Students who are mostly seen around SwamiRamas's Ashram or on the river banks, wandering.Their perception about Hinduism is very enlightening.I have met young American girls with matted hair who  are seen walking  near jungles barefoot, without fear and favour. Their answer to my questions is always very positive although most of the times: very confusing . It's simple. "I am searching my self and searching for  an eternal bliss."

The places around Lakshman Jhula, Ram Jhula and Triveni Ghat are very  happening and busy in the evenings. The Aarti at Triveni Ghat to the mother "Ganges " in the evening is just beautiful with the sunset in the background.The water there ,is just purely crystal clear.

Non-vegetarian food and alcohol are strictly not permissible in Rishikesh.

One must Visit Rishikesh for a refreshing change ; to understand

one- self with nature, god and spiritualism.

BOU, My mother is my inspiration. Her sacrifices and affection is boundless for her children ;just to see us happy. The affection she shows to her grandchildren is just exemplary.Hope she remains my guide throughout my life.The days spent with her during my holidays will be cherished throughout my life.May God keep her healthy and happy throughout her life!
With Regards, prayers and Best Wishes Bou..