Checkpost - 1

Check post is a series I have started (at a blink of thought while reading Hot Tea) where I would like to share moments related to check posts that I have come across during my travel. I could remember some check posts that went smooth with the guards permitting, giving tips on the route and encouraging kind of guards and some are stubborn to stern to warn us to turn back and it’s not the check posts actually but the location and places we like to venture makes it possible or not. There are check posts on every border of states, districts, and restricted areas like forests and dams and the foothills to prevent illegal activities and preserve nature and environments. Check posts really plays significant roles in controlling smuggling, verifying vehicle documents for right registration and makes sure a secure travel.

I remember my first encounter with a check post was in 1997, a barrier belong to Tamil Nadu forest department held us for some time when we try to visit Hogenakkal Falls in Dharmapuri district. We just drove from Mysore, after our visits to Ooty and Mysore; it was almost night or around 8 when our car (Maruti 800) was stopped by the forest department denying permission to allow us into Hogenakkal which is located inside the forest. Unlike today, it wasn’t a greatly popular tourist place with plenty of lodging and restaurants then, so the movement of vehicles are less and no vehicle is allowed after 6 pm to visit the falls at the bank of Cauvery. It was pitched dark around us except a bulb light from the check post, and a silent noise of forest surrounds us while my dad and uncle was convincing the guards to permit us as we had no other option or idea to return. The guards came down after sometime and we were in chaos sitting inside the car and a mild fear of forest as we couldn’t see even what is near us. We drove past the Ghats section with a small terror after getting permission and we stopped at the Tamilnadu tourism hotel, for a night stay and visited the falls next day morning.

Actually there were 8 members in the hatchback and I was 12 then and my brother was 3 years younger to me and my cousin was 2 years. Sometimes I sit in the front seat adjusting with my maternal uncle and other two take the laps of our parents throughout our journey and the trip was entirely memorable and I could recollect the moments still.

Winter Sunlight

My window reflected 

a winter sunlight 

mild, yellow, warm light 

glare its presence 

before hideaway 

behind a building.

Pongal 2019

Mom's Pongal pot Kolam

I still going through the painful arm (read here if you missed) at night and the muscle spasm  have formed well on the upper arm and it’s taking time to heal. Being a muscular dystrophy, with weaker muscles, an extension in healing is no wonder. But I could feel better than earlier and still shifting positions kicks pain and I continue to ice and heat therapy. In between we had a far better Pongal and after 2010 we got to celebrate Pongal along with our uncle’s family who lives adjacent and the extended balcony (for my wheelchair movement) has gave enough space to lit firewood stove and Pongal was cooked in mud pot. Pongal is a harvesting festival of Tamil and thanksgiving to nature that nurture our lives and making Pongal in open space means dedicate to the prime natural source Sun and make thought the year become all success and happier.

Making of sweet Pongal by boiling rice, milk and jaggery

The weather is pretty cool all these days and the sun is bright enough to balance the heat and the Pongal was cooked despite the warm sunlight that kept producing heat. The night before Pongal, mom and aunt got their hands on beautifying our front yard or the space between the road and our house and both made two colourful Kolams aka Rangoli using colour powders. First time mom took effort to draw a big Kolam after her surgery in May, though it is a simple kolam for her but just put this effort for me as  I love kolams. Every year she used to draw Pongal Kolam and adds colors according to the design and this time along with the aunt they turned more colourful the way it used to be. Other than paying homage to nature esp. the sun, and making Pongal on the balcony the days were spent mostly on TV and i went around our streets in the evening to check neighbours Kolam but to my disappointment most of them had drawn small Kolam or design which I would sharing in another post. Hope you liked our celebration.

View on other two kolams by aunt, from balcony

Year began with pain

A new year had begun and already 10 days had passed into the year and everything went as usual fine and obviously nothing to anticipate or perhaps change at this least time but it was the Sunday turned thing worst for me. As you people know the state of me, with difficult progressing on day-to-day life since the discovery of Dad’s coronary artery disease that prevents him lifting me I was look after by my brother and cousin but to put things a little ease we looked out for a part time caretaker to put me on bath and thus came one on Sunday and on the very first day itself I got hurt my arm through an unexpected move from him although he was cautious, it happened unintentionally and I’m still going through the pain which raises at night to keep me unsleeping. Both my arms have limited access and putting a bit pressure above it will reflect pain or tear of muscles or rarely fractured alike the one I got in 2013 on the femur. Though I wasn’t content the way he handled me, I understand he was not intended to do that hurt me but his quick attitude could never work with me and we have put hold him already until I heal to decide to continue with him or not. Right now I couldn’t think more while spending painful night sleeps and I believe it wasn’t a fracture. From Sunday I have been applying ice gel over the painful shoulder and right arm and my physiotherapist started the ultrasound therapy to support healing and ease pain but it was paining more and i couldn’t work on laptop for last few days and I post this from iPhone which was easier to use now than laptop. Will check all your post later or when I feel good or less pain! Have great Year all

Happy New Year

The year has come to end and a New Year is beaming in front of us, flashing rays of hope that should be only taken as betterment to lead us into the future, to be a fruitful to anyone looking out for changes in life, in a prospect of sour security, skinny web of friends and family as enclosure to the lavishing lush and red pupil heart of love, turning the lives into meaningful, kindest and sweetest towards eternal. Let’s wish for a change or continue to sail as long it’s peaceful, successful, and useful to throw lives into organic, healthy and happy.   

Wish you all Happy New Year again!