In The Lap of Mountains - My Mountaineering Training

Should be able to walk 15 km while carrying 15 Kg. load. OR Should be able to run 8 Km with 10 or 15 Kg at back OR Should complete 3Km/1000 Meter climb within an hour with 10 Kg. at back.” How would you feel if these are the pre requisites for doing any course? Eager to do it? And if it is conducted by Army then? Compelled to do it? ….. Well, these were some facts about month long mountaineering course I just completed. Like to know more? …… Read On :-) …….


Mountains, Trekking and overall adventure is where my heart is. So doing Mountaineering Course was my wish from childhood. But these courses are month long and that was main hurdle as getting such long vacation during school/ college and then during job was almost impossible. So I always postponed the thought or sometimes felt, it may not be possible. But then one fine day, decided, IT has to be now, Let’s Do It :-)


 Course and Institute :

Mountaineering Courses are conducted in India by 5 (Govt.) Institutes, each situated in one Himalayan state and all are affiliated to Indian Mountaineering Federation (IMF). These institutes are run by “Ministry of Defense”. There are two courses Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC) and Advance Mountaineering Course (AMC). Each course is almost month long (26 or 28 days). For AMC, you must complete BMC with at least “A” grade from any of these institute.

Since Govt. wants to promote adventure and mountaineering, these course are highly subsidised. (Our fees might not even cover our food expense. Total cost that institute must be incurring for each of us would be at least 10-15 times our fees). These courses needs lots of discipline and specialised training.  And Who else will have that but Army. These courses are conducted by Army…… So quality of it are always top class (Koi Shak ;-) ). These courses at these institutes are highly in demand, not only in India but globally. (Bear Grylls (“Man v/s Wild” famed on Discovery Channel) was also trained in one of these institutes for these courses). Due to this, courses are booked in advance as much as 1 to 2 years.

PreParation :-)

In Dec 2013, I was able to secure admission in JIM, Pahalgam (Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports) for May -2014 (BMC) course. It is situated at Pahalgam, Kashmir (Paradise on earth) J&K state. With above mentioned pre-conditions for course, bit of doubt was creeping in back of mind. Walking with load was never a problem but running was never my forte (Just 500 mtr. Running would make me breathing very fast). That too carrying weight…..That’s why Endurance Run was always worrying part for me. And these courses were conducted by Army, so obviously you can expect No Nonsense…..

By last week of December I started practicing for long run. Started with 2 Km then gradually started increasing it by half Km or so (Not ideal….it should be less in one go). I would run every alternate day. Kept on increasing till I reached 10 Km at stretch and then continued maintaining 8-9 Km at stretch per day. It is short two lines here but going through it was tough. Sudden and acute pain in some or other muscle was regular as I was pushing myself. Sometimes calf muscle or thigh or toe or heal or any other muscles. Sometimes pain would be so much that it would make almost impossible to move but I had to ignore it and continue with my practice. Every time after first 2-3 km body would start getting tired and then it’s all mind game. It would be very tempting to stop but I never, not a single time, stopped before planned distance due to tiredness. Sometimes I have to motivate my mind for some distance, then divert attention of mind from running for some distance (2-3 Km), then scold it (for wanting to stop) (4-6 Km) and then again cajole it till finishing it (7-9 Km). While coming back from park (yes, practice it outdoor, rather than on treadmill, it makes big difference), I would feel very light or like having no legs….The day I ran 10 Km at stretch, I was barely able to walk but in office had to try hard, not to show it.  Every time after I finish running, I would feel very nice but every time before start, I would dread the pain. Every time again same routine… Sleeping at 12.30 in night (due to my work hours) and getting up early was no fun. Also, When you are of 18 or 25 yrs of age, your body adopts easily for extra efforts, but after that you have to push it more. One day, to practice Endurance run, I filled bag with 12 kg weight and went to run. But after run children and people in park asked me so many questions that I decided to run without weight only from next time onwards. This routine continued till end of April when I started my journey for Pahalgam.

The Course :

After 30 hours of train journey from Mumbai, I reached Jammu and then another 12 hours reached to Pahalgam (Via Khanabal, Anantnag). In J & K, Public transport is almost nonexistent, so you have to be at mercy of private operators.

Our institute JIM&WS is situated around 3 Km, before Pahalgam (Place called Nunwan) and at the bank of Lidder river. It is adjacent to area where Base Camp for Amarnath Yatra (Pilgrimage) setup. It is beautiful surroundings with Snow clad peaks all around and nice, cool temperature (Well, when not raining).

Our instructors were not only from Army but were instructors of HAWS. The High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) is a training and research establishment of the Indian Army. It trains Indian Army personnel in high altitude mountain warfare and develops ideas and techniques for fighting in such difficult terrain. It is the one of the best mountain warfare training schools in the world.  – Wikipedia. Our Instructors are trainers there, So Do I need to say anything more :-). One of our trainer was also Everester (Climbed Mt. Everest couple of years back).

On first day we were given Track suite (which became our second skin), Sleeping bag, Sleeping Mat, Ruck Sack, Sling (Piece of rope) individually and allocated 1 tent for almost 8-9 people. Then we have given some stuff for group (We had 3 groups in batch of around 50 people). So everyone got something to carry, either Ropes, Carabiners, Pittons, Helmet, Mittons, Harnesses etc.

Schedule :

We had almost 13-14 days for Rock Craft training and 11-12 days for Ice Craft training. During rock

Craft training our schedule would be 7 to 8 am P.T. (for first 6-7 days then next 7 days it was Endurance Run), then 8 to 9 am Breakfast , 9 am to 2.00 pm Training like bouldering, rock climbing, rappelling, pitch climbing, stream crossing or Zip line etc. then come back and Lunch. Then Again at 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm Lectures like Cold Injuries, Avalanche, CPR, Glaciers, Mountain Hazards etc. Then free time or sports time (Volley Ball was fav. Sport) till 7.00 pm. (If somebody feeling sick then all those should line up at 6.00 pm and then instructor would take them together to our Medical Officer).  Then again Fall in (that is standing in queue) at 7.00 pm where we were given next day’s prog. Then at 8.00 pm Dinner and back to tents. 10.00 pm was deadline for lights off.

Discipline was paramount and we were expected to be in lines 10 min. before start of every activity. Shoes were compulsory everywhere, not only at fall Ins but even at dinner (Slippers, Floaters, chappals were not allowed) Also wearing JIM’s track suite was mandatory. All the movements, activities has to be done in queue or as per instructed.

I used to get up at 5 am (Getting out of sleeping bag in low temp. so early, takes bit of efforts ;-)), After morning chorus, wait for hot water. (We used to get Tea and hot water to drink at 6.00 am).  Then I would do pranayama till 6.30 (Not all days, but many days I did that). Then get ready for Fall in at 6.45 am. For P.T.

This first one hour would be grueling. Pahalgam is at 7500 ft. from Mean Sea Level. That means there is already less oxygen than what we have at Mumbai, So it would make Physical Training more demanding. First we have to run (may be around 3 km, I lost count of distance and time there) that too on road which would go steep up and down. Then as we start to go out of breath, keep on running while touching ground with palm, come up and then next hand, keep on doing it. Then keep on running with holding hands parallel to ground….then straight up…..then run sideways, then change sides…. Then instructor would ask us to stop (but don’t be happy yet) then position down for pushups (yes, on the road, sometime in dust). This one (Pushups) was our instructor’s fav. As we would do pushups any time anywhere. That too on fingers. Touch only toe and fingers and then count, 15-20 -25…. If any boy in group make mistake in taking position then that push up won’t count…after pushups again run. Then run on steep gradient, touch the tree and come back fast, We would reach at place of activities. Here we would be asked to do Sprints (deadly, already tired and then run without oxygen), twice, thrice then sometimes dyno jumps (Seating down on toes then jumping up with full force and hands up in air, shout “Hey’ and coming down on toes again) that too 25 then 15 etc., then if iron bars are available then on it or holding one another, pushups again in almost vertically upside down positions (yes on fingers always, 15-20……), then sometimes hold another guy at back, run and complete circle of ground. Sometimes crawl etc. many such exercise for 1 hour. Then come back running again with all combinations mentioned above or crawl like Scorpio but face skywards and back down or cover distance by jumping or combination of jumping and running. When we come near to our camp then..yes sprint again…..Don’t be happy yet, then at camp, 2-3 rounds of Lungady (jumping on 1 leg while folding another) then pushups again , then 20 touch downs, stretching backwards, sleep down and legs in air and many such stretching…. After that it would be over.  It would be nice energetic feeling once it is over but that 1 hour would take life out of us. This all was necessary to prepare our body to withstand rigors of climbing on rocks and Snow.

By the time we finish it, it would be 8.15 am. So we have to quickly finish breakfast and ready for fall in again by 8.45 or 8.50. Then at 9.00 am walk all the way again where rock face (around 3 km) is located for training. We have to carry all those things that were distributed to us, count and after training is done, count and carry back. Not a single miss of smallest piece like piton was allowed. If it is less then count, search would continue till we find it.  We may get Tea or Kava (Kashmir’s black tea) at 10.30 or 11.00 am.  We come back and finish our lunch by 2.30 or 3.00 pm. Some time we use next hour, if possible, for bathing or washing clothes etc. Then at 3.55 pm, (3.40 pm For group with responsibility to arrange chair) gather for lecture. Then after lecture some free time and at 7.00 pm fall in again (In whole day we would easily cover 12-15 km on feet). Again next day same routine.

Almost, whole day, we would be on our legs. I was feeling that we were ready for running or pushups anytime in the day (Sometime when rain would trouble us, we have to come back running from training area after we finish our training) Rain was the factor that would make life more difficult there. It not only cause temperature drop (sometimes as low as 4 degree Celsius) but wet our clothes, shoes and other stuffs which would take long time to dry and remaining in wet stuff in low temperature and at given terrain would surely be invitation to trouble. 

One day we went for trek to Baisaran (and ahead of it). It is very beautiful place and tourist has to come on pony as tar road is not there. It was nice climb and back.  After 3-4 days we had the long trek to Betab Valley and beyond (it was till just 4 km short of Chandanwari) and back. It was total 26 Km walk with our sacks at our back carrying our distributed stuff. Betab Valley is called so because Hindi Movie “Betab” was shot here. We went ahead and stopped 4 km short of Chandanwari. Road was blocked with snow
due to Avalanche previous day. All tourist vehicles were lined up on road and stalls selling food items came up. We went some distance further and rested.  At this place couple of scenes of movie “Ek Tha Tiger” was shot. Then we started back. We were tired but fine, most of us had blisters in foot. Other than that most of us were fine. Good point was rain didn’t trouble us much on that day.

Endurance and Rock Craft Tests :

After 6-7 days, Morning 1 hour of PT was changed to Endurance Run for next 7 days. Means we would do ALL THOSE THINGS like we were doing in PT but with Ruck sack at the back loaded with weight like Sleeping bag, Filled Water bottle, wind cheater, slings and other things to increase weight. While doing pushups, sack would move from back to head and make things more difficult, or while running sack would pull us back especially while running on steep gradient. After 6 days of Endurance Run, we had Endurance Test where we have to run carrying ruck sack with all given  load plus one stone weighing around 3 kg in our sack. Route was around 6 – 8 km. long. First half of route was gradual climb but second half was steep climb, uneven path and mud at many places. Based on first runner’s time, rest would be given marks. I was ranked 23 at first token point and 19 at second token point. Not sure where I have finished but must have improved. Finishing in first 20 was Not Bad considering batch of 50 ;-). Then after breakfast we again went to rock face and had other tests in rappelling, rock climbing and base making.

Ice Craft :

Next day, we spent preparing to move for glacier. Took all hardware, covers and other parts required from stores for 9 tents, checked it and arranged it pickup vehicle. We have been issued Snow shoes (weighing around 3 kg) , Ice Axe and Crampons (metal spikes for snow shoes which has to be put on in Snow only) to each individual. So we have to pack in ruck sack these things, clothing (normal/warm) for 7-8 days, sleeping bag, sleeping mat and many such stuff. My sack had additional weight of my SLR camera. My ruck sack was weighing around 18 Kg. Others too had almost weight around 15 Kg. in their ruck sack. It was very hard to lift a sack, once you put it down.

Next day was “Move to Glacier” day.  We had to move to Chandanwari- distance of almost 20 Km. from our base in Pahalgam that too carrying such heavy load of our Ruck sack (Mine 18 Kg.). It was 2000 ft gain in altitude also (Pahalgam 7500 ft.- Chandanwari 9500ft.) Also sharp metal objects like crampons and ice axe which were tied outside ruck sack were making life difficult (That day I had at least 3-4 bruises because of that). Slow and steady we started. I already had blisters and cut on one finger in my feet. First break we had after 9 Km., then had couple of more break. It was very very tiring and uphill climb. At first break I even placed cotton between my fingers. For last 4-5 Km, I was so irritated that I stopped talking to anyone. Finally after hours of walk, tired and  sweating, we reached till our base for Glacier training at Chandanwari.

Chandanwari is place where route for Amarnath passes through and tar road ends here. From here onwards a trail leads to Amarnath during yatra. But otherwise that whole area remains covered with snow. Other time it serves as tourist place as people come here to enjoy snow.

We had quick lunch and started putting those big tents in hurry as it has started raining. Finally we placed all those big tents and then rested. It was nice scenic location on the bank of river.  We use same water for drinking, washing our plates etc. But every time, after one put hand in water, one has to prepare for recovery time as water was coming straight from glacier and too chill, sending those chill waves all the way till brain through hands. 

Here schedule was bit different as there was no PT/Endurance hour. Rest of the part remain same as we would move to Glacier up for snow craft training from 9 am -2 pm then come back, lunch and lecture, fall in at 7.00 pm and dinner at 7.30 pm. But life was not easy, as there was no electricity, water was chilled, in night 4 layers of clothing and sleeping bag was inadequate, a nice trek for morning ritual (and we have to use Cat method – dig hole and then after wards cover human waste with soil – not to make any pollution) then spending 15 min. to get senses back every time we use water till I brush teeth…. (Every day at this point I would count days remaining in glacier and tell my mind, only these many days and then we will be back :-) ).

We had to walk around 3 Km in snow to reach training area. Walking at such gradient that too in

show was tiring. We learned self-arrest (how to control when there is a fall on snow slope, I liked this but was bit scary when coming down, head upside down and face up, on steep snow slope at high speed till instructor call “Arrest”), 2 point, 3 point, 4 point, 10 point climb (How to climb in different gradient from 0 to 90 degree angle) , Crevasse crossing and rescue, Base making in snow, Shelter makings and many other things.

Rain was a factor that makes life more difficult there. Every day after around 12 in afternoon, it would rain. Some times less, sometimes heavy. On one day we had lunch and dinner in continued heavy rain and one other night skipped dinner altogether, remained in our sleeping bag, during continued rain. But training would continue, in rain, in wind etc. In Pahalgam too rain troubled us on few days but here it was more.

One interesting thing here was Sentry duty. Each group had to perform each night.  9 hours (9 pm to 5.30 am) would divide in 12- 16 people. So 2 people would keep watch around whole Camp area for around 1-2 hours as per given slot. This is to keep watch on Wild animals around tents in night (We were staying in snow bound and forest area) (Snow leopard arrived in one of previous batches) as well as any eventuality like Avalanche or cloudburst. It would be difficult to remain out of tent in such cold nights (temp. would near to zero to one degree Celsius in night). But it was fun.

Finally we finished our Snow training, Completed Snow craft tests and marched back to our base at Pahalgam. Good thing was this time it was gradual slope, so that has reduced our efforts. After coming back to our tents in Pahalgam, we felt happiness of coming back to home.

Then next day we had viva and Written test. After that Graduation ceremony and Finally day to say Good bye. 26 days went so fast. We learned so much but I realised that there is still so much more to learn. Life in mountains is always unpredictable and always at risk as we learned while hearing various spine chilling Avalanche rescue missions that our instructors conducted. Personally too, I realised so many things and thoughts. But about it later some time :-).

Just like to note a thought which our instructor told us while discussing Mt. Everest mission and its difficulties – Harna nahi hai, Chalte raho, Appko Koi rok nahi sakta !!! (Don’t give up, Keep Walking/Putting efforts, Nobody can stop you). …. Yes Sir, Jai Hind !!!

- Amol Chaudhary

Whom Do We Reward?

Whom Do We Reward?

Before we begin, let’s answer this question in your mind and revisit it at the end of the topic.

So most expected answer for this question (more so from corporate world), “We reward top Performer”. But if I say, in reality, most of us, many times, Reward Inefficient or to be more precise, to use word from banking parlance, Willful Defaulter and corollary to it, we punish efficient or sincere, many times. I can see strong “NO” from most of the readers, but let’s see few situations.

Very familiar situation. Group of friends, going for picnic. Meeting point and time is communicated to everyone. Person A gets up early makes all adjustments in a hurry and reach there bang on time or even before that (as they say “Problem in being punctual is that, there is no one to admire it”). AND guess what, Person B, without caring much for time, takes extra hour of sleep and reach at meeting point leisurely an hour late. Now both enjoy same picnic spots and also miss same spots due to delay. Difference is, Person B even though Inefficient or Willful Defaulter is rewarded with extra hour of sleep while Person A who is sincere is deprived of equal amount of sleep. Does Person B get any punishment? SELDOM

Another situation, Siblings in family. A is very sincere and obedient. B is clever in avoiding household work, sometimes by vanishing at the time of work. Next time, when parents have some work, who will be directly assigned with that work? No prize for guessing. A is being assigned with more work (punishment?) and B enjoys leisure time (Reward?). Rarely any other punishment or reward takes place to reverse it. Most of the time, it will continue as it is.

Let’s move to corporate world, where we have highly refined, Rewards and Recognition policies in place. But here also, many times, we can see same thing. I am not talking about Super performer and Non Performer. I am talking about Good Performer and (Willful) slow performer. If A can complete 10 things and then B (knowingly) will do only 7 or 8. A will keep getting new work because he has finished earlier whereas B will not, because, he is still finishing it. Many times, the difference is so subtle; that A will not get any recognition or B any stick, for such difference. To make matter worse, if B is smooth talker or good at selling himself, then he will get reward for completing such HARD (because B has convinced so) work. But in reality, at the end of the 5th day, A will be assigned with his 51st assignment whereas B will be assigned with only 36th. (That reminds me a quote in one cartoon strip, where one employee is advising other “Those who work, Get more work, and those who doesn’t, Get reward, recognition and pay hike”).

This applies to Individuals, Society and Country equally. Some one buying home legally has to pay steep per sq. ft. rate and on top of that all types of duties and taxes, charges and surcharges. On the other hand, just encroach a land, build slum and you get free house and some money too. Punishment for being legal and Reward for being illegal? If you jump the traffic queue then you move early But you obey queue discipline then you get delayed due to other “intruders”.

This list can go on and on and on. But the question is, “Can we stop this?” and answer is “Yes, certainly”. But to achieve that, we, each one of us, have to make sure that at every level and every time, such defaulters are punished and Performers are rewarded.  Hence it is so important that, at each stage and each situation we ask ourselves “Whom Do We Reward? “

Three Cheers for Our Luck

We are luckiest people in the whole world. We should feel proud about our luck. So Much so that we should celebrate that. Don’t believe me? Soon you will.

Now a days, we have got used to, to bad news so much that we hold news paper and straight away start looking for latest scam, accident, corruption, bad roads, bad public transport, bad infrastructure, bad system, bad this and bad that……… But don’t feel so bad about it because we are very very very lucky people.

Today Just came across news about some malpractices by Navi Mumbai builders regarding FSI rule violation. But most of the builders in Navi Mumbai are anyway known for such practices. If not FSI violation then selling flats with invisible area under name of super, duper, built up, scrap down areas and other imaginative title and so…..and why only Navi Mumbai, even in Mumbai things are not much different.

Just take an example. As per Fire department’s guidelines every building must have separate external staircase for Fire Escape. Without that, Fire Dept. does not give its clearance and building does not deemed fit for stay. Hence they do not get O.C. (Occupation Certificate). But 99 % of residential building does not have separate staircase for Fire Escape. (That explains why most of the building does not have OCs) but still BMC allows builders to let people occupy building. (Only many new commercial buildings have external fire escape, that too because commercial client normally demand this)

But most of the people do not understand its ramification. Suppose person stays on 3rd or 4th floor and fire catches up at 1st floor. That person will come to know, only when smoke will start entering into his house. That means by this time, whole staircase, lobby everything is already filled up with smoke. Obviously lift cannot be used. While trying to go down to escape smoke, through only staircase which is, almost all the time, internal and filled with thick smoke, within seconds (and much earlier than you expect) person will fall unconscious even before reaching to 1st floor. And if he doesn't get immediate help, within next few minutes, he will be dead, even without actually getting burn from fire.

If this is a case with some one staying on just 3rd or 4th floor, just imagine, what is chance of survival for people staying on higher floors? And we have building with 15,20, 25, 30 floors with same danger present all the time (and add to that, most of the time, people are not trained about how to respond in emergency situations or whenever  such training takes place, it is not taken seriously by people) .

But we are very very lucky people. Just like we survive because terrorist don't feel like striking too often (yeah, if empty ship can reach to our shore without any problem after sailing for more than a month, why not terrorist), similarly we are lucky that fire mishap doesn't happen too often. Otherwise, in both cases, we are sitting duck.

Three Cheers for Our Luck !!!

Do you believe?

Do you believe? ….No, no, don’t look for rest of the sentence….there is no “remaining part” of the question. Question is just that much…… Or should I say, do you believe in believing… Ok, before you dismiss it as some weird sequence of statements, let me talk about some part of this statement. Do you believe in dreams, Big dreams….or coming to basics, having one? Do you believe that we can do great things, as an Individual, as a team, as an organization, as a Nation?.......

There could be many such ”Do you believe” questions but I have just mentioned few here. This basic question came to my mind because of one interesting conversation I had with one of my colleague. I was discussing about one of my favourite book “You can Win”, authored by Shiv Khera. I was talking about how we can implement those things in day to day life and pat came reply, “Usaka kya jata hai likhane me, yeh sab ho nahi sakta” (Author can very well write anything but it is not possible to do it practically). I was surprised because I can understand if there is disagreement on few points or way to implement it but this person was not at all believing that even as an individual, life can be happy and successful, can achieve great heights and all that while having high values……Hence that question came to my mind….

And there is totally opposite side to it. Believing right from bottom of the heart. When you fully believe in yourself, your dream, then all things start happening in right direction. Do you remember what Paulo Coelho said in “The Alchemist”, “When you really want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”……. It’s 100% correct. All of a sudden, you start getting right clues, directions from no where. Has this happened to you?

Couple of months back, I had written about a famous New Zealander  “Mark Inglis”, in  this blog (Thode Vede Vha). He is very famous personality (This person is double amputee, who lost his both legs 20 years back in the expedition of Mt. Cook, New Zealand at the age of 23, but 20 years later, in 2006, he was on summit of Mt. Everest.)…… Then around month back I read about Apa Sherpa, Very famous sherpa (People from Nepal, who help climbers in Himalayan expeditions), who has world record of reaching to summit of Mt. Everest 21 times……….and suddenly on last Saturday, I came to know that both of them are coming to Mumbai, for one gathering. I called up there to check the time and it was at 5.30 pm. I was already out for some work and wasn’t sure that I could reach that place before 5.30. After, all the train delays, rain and other problem, I was surprisingly able to complete all my work and reach there by 5.27 pm. I talked to both Apa Sherpa, Mark Inglis, attended their presentation/interview. I have even taken autograph of Mark on his book “Legs on Everest” (I generally never like to take anybody’s autograph, no matter how big star/ celebrity, he or she may be but this was different (or should I say, rarest of rare) case) )…….This incident has again reinforced my belief in those lines “When you really want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

So ……..Do you believe?..........

ALL is Well ?

Read the subject line of email, from one of our trekking group member, who wanted to ensure that all group members and their families are safe after (yet another)13th July attack on Mumbai. Thankfully, everyone from group is safe........


But but but.....does that mean All is really well? ..........Really?........how can it be? when some one slaps you repeatedly and you do noting, then you are giving invitation to slap you next time. Why it is so?......that too when we have power...........To stop it, you don't have to hit it every time, don't have to wage a war....just show them, WE HIT BACK....hit it hard and hit it where it hurts most....Just once and they won't dare to do it next time........but why don't we do it?.....does delusion of this artificial glory of so called restrain is so strong that in comparison to that, there is no value to life of my fellow citizen?.......

Now all chorus of praise of "Resilience of Mumbaikars" will grow strong, will go on for few days and fade away gradually......till next attacks occurs.........Mumbaikar certainly have resilience but what is use of such resilience
which knows only getting up after getting hit every time , just like spring joker.....We certainly have power to come back to our feet after getting hit.........but its enough now.....now it is a time to be more than just spring joker and hit back, first to those people who allow such things to happen and fail to avoid it........
 
Now talks of "intelligence failure" will do rounds. Every channel, newspaper will put its theory of how it happened.......some analysis, some committee and some months later....everything will be back to normal......till next time same failure leads us to same fate.......Is it that no one, not a single person, among those "Rulers" (yes, all those in power, bureaucrats and safety apparatus, all are rulers only) had read 2000 years old "Kautilya's Arthashashtra" where Chanakya has devoted whole chapter about spies and their structures and arrangement. No one, wants to learn? no one wants to learn from Civil and Military strategy of Shivaji Maharaj? No one?....why....then why they are there? what they do? ... don't they have any inner voice?........

and Again I will be disturb, may be a day or two more.....boiling blood will eventually cool down........ Conveniently make my mind assume that I cant do anything more.....and will happily go about my life, thinking All is well......till it strikes again.....and somewhere deep down in my mind, because I know, it can happen again and more so, why it would happen, that small corner of my mind will be on continuous agitation with so many questions.......... All is not well............

थोडे वेडे व्हा... Thode Vede Vha

तुम्हाला  कधी  वेड  लागला  आहे ? कदाचित  तुम्हाला  वाटत  असेल  कि  हा  प्रश्न  विचारताना  मलाच  वेड  लागला  आहे ….. नाही  पण , सांगा  ना, तुम्हाला  कधी  वेड  लागला  आहे ? जरा  तुमची  मदत  करतो , उत्तर  द्यायला . हे  वेड  अमावस्या  किंवा  पोर्णिमे  ला  लागणारं वेड  नाही . हे   वेड आहे  सचिन  (अर्थातच  तेंडूलकर ) सारखं. आता  तुम्ही  मला  नक्कीच  माराल, सचिन  ला  वेडं म्हटल्या  बद्दल . पण  खरच  तो  वेडा आहे  आणि  मला  त्याच्या  क्रिकेट  कौशाल्या पेक्षा  त्याचं वेडंच आवडतं. त्याच्या  वेडाची अनेक  उदाहरणं देता  येतील  पण  आठवा  तो  1999 चा  world cup . दौऱ्या  वर  असताना  त्याचे  वडील  वारले . तो  भारतात  आला  आणि  ४च  दिवसात  तो परतला  देशासाठी  खेळण्या  साठी …..२४ -२६  तासाचा  जेट  lag  आणि  पहाटे पोहोचून  सुद्धा  लगेच  ८ -९  वाजता  मैदानात  उतरून  १४०  धावा  फटकावल्या  पट्ठ्याने .  वडिलांचा  मृत्यू , २४ -२६  तासांचा  जेट  lag आणि  वन डे मध्ये  १४० रन बनवणे , या  तिन्ही  गोष्टी  स्वतंत्र पणे  दमवणाऱ्या  आहेत …..आणि  एकत्रित  करणं  फक्त  वेडा  माणूसच  करू  शकतो ….(ऐकायला , वाचायला  सहज  वाटता  पण  स्वतःला  त्या  ठिकाणी  ठेवून  पाहिलं   कि  कळत)  म्हणून  मी  म्हटला  तो  वेडा  आहे .

आणि  असे  वेडे  हि  काही  कमी  नाहीत , समोर  १०  जण  भांडायला  आले  कि  कोणीही  पळून  जाईल.  पण  ५००००  च्या  फौजेवर  फक्त  ७  जणांनी  तुटून  पडायला  वेडेच  लागतात , फक्त  ३००  सैनिक  घेऊन  कितीतरी  पटीने  जास्त  असलेल्या  सैन्या ला , ते  पण  धो धो  पावसात  दर्या  खोर्यात  पळत  असताना , तासन  तास  झुन्जावायला , वेडेच  लागतात .

आम्हला  तर  तेवढा  नुसता   ट्रेकिंग   करताना  घाम  फुटतो , आणि  लढणं तर  सोडा  साधी  तहान  आणि  भूक  पण  सहन  होत  नाही.

.

हा  सगळा  वेडेपणा  आठवण्याचं  कारण  म्हणजे   अजून  एका  वेड्या  बद्दल  वाचनात  आलं. मार्क  इंग्लिस . त्याने  माउंट. एवेरेस्ट सर  केला ............ बरेच  करतात , त्यात  काय ……त्यात  एवढाच  कि  तो  double amputee (कमरेपासून  दोन्ही  पाय  नसलेला ) आहे …. २२  वर्षापूर्वी  माउंट . कुक वर  गिर्यारोहण  करताना  हिम दंशा  मुळे  त्या  चे  दोन्ही   पाय  कापावे  लागले  होते . दोन्ही  कृत्रिम  पाय  लाऊन  तो  माउंट   एवेरेस्ट चढला.

वेड  लागल्या  शिवाय  कोणी  असा  वेडे पणा  करू  शकत  नाही.

पण असं वेड विचार करून घेता येत नाही, ते वेड लागावाच लागतं. चढाव  लागतं  , अंगात भिनाव लागतं. असं पूर्ण वेड लागल्या वरच  मग अश्या अशक्य प्राय गोष्टी घडतात.

.………मग तुम्हाला वेड लागलं आहे का ?

who is Pilot of your life?

Hey Guys, after opening mail there was a HUGE GAP but yes here is a great posting......


Just received from a friend. Thought this is worth sharing.


This guy had been on a long flight. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on: "Fasten your seat belts."


Then, after a while, a calm voice said, "We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."


As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. . Later, the voice of the announcer said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time.


The turbulence is still ahead of us." And then the storm broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightening lit up the darkening skies and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.


The man confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying.


The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm. And then, I suddenly saw a girl to whom the storm meant nothing. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat and was reading a book. Everything within her small world was calm and orderly. Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm, when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid."


The man could hardly believe his eyes. It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, he lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time.


Having commented about the storm and behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid.


The sweet child replied,


".Sir, my Dad is the pilot and he is taking me home."


Trust? Innocence? Whatever it is, it is so very powerful!


Who is the pilot of your life ???? a big question


Try to Find answer to this question.