I'm Glad, we were Wrong! :)

India, Incredible Indeed!! :)

(Click on image to Enlarge)

Photo Source: http://www.weareholidays.co.in/articles/arts-and-culture/3-incredibles-incredible-india/

In the first week of October'13, while working at Sainsbury's, during our lunch break one of my colleagues, a 40 year old British woman mentioned to us about her upcoming trip to south east Asian countries with her husband and children. She asked me and our other Indian colleagues about interesting places to visit in India, we made a long list of wonderful places and gave it to her. Along with that, we had an even longer list of 'things-not-to-do' and precautions for safety while travelling in India. 

We told her about the ghastly incident in Delhi last year where an innocent girl was brutally raped and murdered and thrown out of a bus and the incident brought bad reputation that India is not a safe country for women to live or travel to.

She was back to work today and she got lovely gifts for all of us from India :) 

She said, "I followed the first list you've given me but the second list wasn't necessary at all, India is an amazing country, people are so caring, warm hearted, everything is so colourful, lively, honking, tuk tuks, we loved each and every day of our stay - lots of sunshine, lush greenery of Kerala,  beaches in Goa, the pink city Jaipur, the majestic Taj Mahal, the golden temple in Amritsar, etc - they were all absolutely fantastic places and the food was delicious".

"Thailand and Singapore were good too, but the hospitality we received in India was unmatched, India is simply the best. We loved the place, people and food so much, we didn't feel like coming back. I'm sure we'll plan for a holiday in India again after a few years. Such beauty everywhere - we took over a thousand photos in India alone, I would definitely recommend my friends to travel there".

She even learnt some Hindi words, "Namaste, aap kaise hain, main theek hoon". 

Foreign tourists enjoy at a moustache competition at the annual fair in Rajasthan.

Photo Source: www.deccanchronicle.com/121127/news-current-affairs/gallery/24-hours-pictures

She laughed as she said, "You guys scared me, created a fear in my mind, I was like so worried, I told my husband about all that you have cautioned me - the rapes, violence against women, etc. And he said, 'Don't worry, we can cut short our trip if we sense any trouble'. But we were surprised to get such warm welcome everywhere we went, your country is nothing like what you said - men there are just like you guys - they are polite, humble, respectful and helpful."

She confidently said, "Indians all through the country from South to North were very friendly to us - so, don't let one or two bad incidents define your country. Don't trust everything that media tells you, some news are biased".

And that comes from a British woman who travelled across India earlier this month - for the first time in her life with her family.

Hearing that, we were all so happy - we were wrong!! India was and will always be a beautiful country!!

Photo Source: http://www.tanujathakur.com/2012/06/16/वन्दे-मातरम्/bharat-mata/

We smiled and said, "Yes, you've proved us wrong, who wouldn't love their motherland? We love India and we are proud of India. It is a beautiful and colourful country, rich in its cultural heritage and traditions. But because of 25% bad behaving people, the rest 75% good people have to take the blame".

So, that was about the good news from work today. Here is one of my favourite patriotic songs, Rahman's Maa Tujhe Salaam:

After the 2012 Delhi gang rape, media criticized Indian men a lot, but there is good and bad everywhere in the world, so not all India men are socially immoral or rapists, majority are in fact good. I am reminded of a recent article written by a woman in The New York Times which brings out the truth about how good Indian men are --> The Good Men of India by a novelist, Lavanya Sankaran. She says Indian men are among the kindest men in the world :) 

So, to conclude, I'd say, "The world is like a university and we are all students who travel across the university to meet new people, make new friendships and learn new things, experiences and ideas which makes life more interesting to live" :)

Proud to be an Indian, Mera Bharat Mahaan!! Jai Hind!! :)

Nilgiris Calling again…

Here is a sequel to one of my popular September'08 posts "Nilgiris Calling…"

Time for us to revisit the Nilgiris - the majestic mountain ranges with gigantic peaks, breathtaking views, lovely landscapes, widespread tea plantations, beautiful gardens, rushing streams and munificent meadows.

This view from the dolphin's nose peak provides an excellent picture of the Catherine falls and a vast expanse of verdant plains. These cool and cascading waterfalls fill our hearts with a gamut of positive emotions.

As luscious flowers bloom, they fill the air with fresh fragrance so that the birds, along with the bees and colourful butterflies, sing the song of nature's freedom and joy. This view shows us how the leaves are secretly whispering "you look amazing today" into the tender ears of the flowers.

This view from the side window of our car shows the trees with bright leaves, standing blissfully in tranquility. Even the view reflected by the car's side mirror is lovely and eye-catching.

The Rose Park in Ooty has many exotic varieties of roses. This view of the rose garden, with thousands of multi-coloured roses, is simply mesmerizing.

The Nilgiris, called the 'Queen of Hill Stations', is a true symbol of beauty and a traveler's destination of freedom, happiness and inspiration.

A Salute to the Musical Maestro…

By winning the Academy Awards for best original score and song from the film Slumdog Millionaire, Rahman proved that music and films can bring people together despite boundaries of race, nationality and religion. This man is a genuine genius. He is the "Mozart of Madras" and also "Isai Puyal". His music is like a sweet oasis found in a hot sun-scorched desert.

What can be said about such Indian musical gems – Vande Mataram(Album), Roja, Bombay, Rangeela, Dil Se, Taal, Gentleman, Indian, Jeans, Lagaan, Boys, Yuva, Swades, Rang De Basanti, Guru, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Jodhaa Akbar, Ghajini, now Delhi-6, Slumdog Millionaire and the best is yet to come.

I'm a fan of both Rahman and Ilaiyaraaja. I feel that we are lucky to have such maestros in our generation and able to hear their melodious tunes.

“ Jai Ho Rahman! ”

Celebrating India's 60th Republic Day...

Photo courtesy: Vande Mataram footage, BharatBala Productions

The Republic Day is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm all over the country on January 26th every year. The patriotic fervor of every citizen gets multiplied on this day, showing India’s strength as unity in diversity.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Indian constitution and the country is all set to celebrate its 60th Republic day tomorrow.

Our first woman President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, will take the salute.

Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh will miss the special occasion for undergoing a coronary artery bypass graft surgery. This is for the first time in the 60 odd years since Indian independence, a Prime Minister will be missing the Republic day parade.

Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who is on a four-day visit to India, will be the chief guest at this year's Republic Day parade.

The Grand Republic Day parade, held in New Delhi, is the main attraction of the day. Different regiments of the army, navy and air force march in all their fineries.

One should look out for the group dances, cultural programs by school children and the tableau display of beautifully decorated exhibits from different states of the country.

As we get ready to celebrate our 60th Republic Day, there is one question which people pause to think over every year, especially during these two occasions - the Republic Day and the Independence Day.

The big question - Is India really shining?

Nilgiris Calling…

Nilgiris….here we come, bruised by the busy and polluted city life. Time to relax for the tired hearts and enjoy the beauty and bliss of nature - blooming of flowers, ripening of fruits, songs of the birds and dance of the squirrels. This atmosphere will surely infuse a new life into the stressed out mind, reminding the precious bond between man and nature. There are many choices; you can seek beauty in meadows or in woodlands or on the mountain tops. The breathtaking view of clouds kissing the hill tops, to pour down the joy of rain, is priceless.

Nilgiris (meaning - the blue mountains) are a range of mountains famous for high altitude hill stations, extensive tea plantations, beautiful lakes surrounded with magnificent gardens, dense forests, scenic views of valleys, sparkling tiny streams and what more can you ask for, everything that nature has to offer is available in the Nilgiris.

The Nilgiris, because of its pleasant climate and natural beauty, is a tourist’s dream. I happened to fulfill that dream this year, in mid-July and here I am, glad to share my experiences… Drink the dew collected on the tender tea leaves; you feel the taste of eternity.

Udhagamandalam (Ooty), called the Queen of hills, is a very popular hill station, located in the Nilgiris, it has gardens with cool green grass on which the tired minds may lie down to relax. Boating in the lakes surrounded by scenery, is such a pleasurable experience one would never like to miss out. The green carpet of tea plants on the hills is sure to develop passion in everyone, for the sensuous beauty of nature.

The scent of flowers blooming, in air we breath, give an everlasting and soothing effect which energizes our lungs. Midst of such beautiful sights and sounds of nature, one can imagine playing in the lap of nature, like a baby with its mother. Interpreting this beauty in spiritual terms, knows no bounds. Spiritual manifestations of nature appeals more than its eternal or physical manifestations. Here, you can realize the God in nature and nature in God.

Travelling in the ‘Nilgiris toy train’, which connects Ooty to Mettupalayam, is an experience of a life time. As the train takes you up the hill and down the valley, through tea estates and tunnels you get numbed by the mesmerizing beauty of nature. The view of tea plantations from the train window, leaves a mark on you, giving you a feeling that the colour green, is at its best ever.

One good visit to "The Majestic Nilgiris" will not only refresh the body and the mind, but also strengthens the soul...