Six years old

My blog has grown six years old and I still write with same enthusiasm and whole hearty and have come across a lot of people who in turn continue to follow me as a reader, friend and many who left the blogosphere but still continue to support me as a silent reader has brought many changes into my life and I have learned a lot through there blogs and visits that encouraged me to withstand the strain I go through life has perhaps shaped me as a person to work with more confident and sustain here thus far.

(Its me, photo captured in kotagiri.)

Today many social networks and forms have come but like blogging nothing gives me content feeling and doing something worth to keep myself occupied and sharing my thoughts, experience and feeling with others. I just believe that best is yet to come even I am content with things happening and this attitude makes me progress and inspires to write more on places I explore and explain my thoughts and deeds in detail.

I take this chance to thank you all for being beside me, encouraging and supporting from overseas and I am still blogging is because of you, whose comments and messages convey me your direct support which influences a lot in leading my blog. I not alone thank you, because this two little words is not enough really to show my gratitude whose kindness and attitude in accepting the variants in thoughts and sense are not an easy thing to appreciate but accepting the truth is what I appreciate about blogs and being reliable to either is the source of this blogging.

Whatever I say, sometimes I write for myself. It’s the pressure that I need to release somewhere and things I can’t accept being abnormal and incredible against the sense and passion that derives me not to leave this space created for me to voice in society and access communication with others. There are networks like Facebook, Orkut, and Twitter… but nothing satisfied me like writing a blog. Yours truly!

I become a pilot

There’s no age to play things and it depend on mind completely and such things happen sometime seeing someone playing with something. I wish to play always and never feel I am growing except my thoughts and no one complain about it since mostly everyone treats me at home and families as a kid and I agree with it and only sense and knowledge have grown and physically I’m in a child’s stage.

I was at HAL Aerospace Museum in Bangalore recently checking the amazing old and renovated aircrafts at display and at the end of our walkabout inside the museum; we enter the main building to find out something and got to know about this remote control helicopter. First I wasn’t liked as I was looking out for RC Car, knowing my cousin’s interest and the helicopter takeoff really I want to go for it and it was wonderful from then to see it flying and operating was very fun and enthusiastic.

I enjoy it so much operating it and now I gave it to my cousin who’s in behind buying it to enjoy as much and it’s not easy to operate a copter in real and I was happy to be a pilot for this little helicopter sometime. The copter takes off 30 feet in height. Here I post a video (below) operating RC Copter. Mission impossible! :D

Haiku on moon

The moon in the picture was taken on Super-moon day couple of months back. The Haiku was inspired by the Lunar eclipse i missed to check yesterday.

Untitled

Wow… it was a super cool evening at last amid hot weather, the rain that last couple of hours yesterday reduces the temperature partially, leaps out frogs and mosquitoes outside the home and water stagnant on roads. I was just refreshing in the drops of rain at doorstep and the fragrance of soil that stimulates in touch of fresh raindrops and the wind that blows off pretty warm and later cool.

The day not alone end the hot weather was also off to summer holidays due to schools reopen today after two months holiday which extended by a week and so by the confusion behind bring the Samacheer Kalvi (Uniform System of School Education) for 1 to 10 std from this current year which brought by the latter government to give parallel education to everyone in the state opposed by the new govt. is in supreme court to seek justice as their favor to reestablish the syllabus from next year.

As per court order an expert committee has to be formed to clear it in three week, but schools reopened today what kind of lessons the 3 weeks going to teach the children has been put pause along with confusion which going to bring an extreme pressure esp. for the 10th std students who faces the public exam . This is a wonderful opportunity I think for schools to educate children about life and activities that bring out their creativity and moral sense which has to be developed and follow along their syllabus.

It’s obvious that there is a political game behind it and whatever it might be, when it comes to social interest and important, beyond ego, selfish and personal rages the significant has to be forced immediately. It’s quite foolish decision taken by the govt. to stop the uniform education system after a whole lot of books have been printed and yet to distribute, it doesn’t looks like public favor. The situation of opening schools from the actual date has never been too late like this and it could make children happy to go to school just to play and have fun with friends but the real pressure beyond their happiness is in cope with lessons.

I wonder why such things never happened in our life, so that we could have enjoyed going to school just to go play and have fun except nothing to study. Hehe… The cousin who has been along with me almost the whole summer vacation has left now with a lack of space of entertainment and support, it was wonderful learning many things from this vacation and traveling and it seems true that only we get closer we understand a lot about others, for good as well as to avoid certain things to continue a smooth relationship.

Mist Haiku

Just thought to write something and tried Haiku style of poem, inspired by the cool mist.

The lawn

While it dawn
the dewdrops widespread the lawn
the sun rises
down, to break the yawn

Fresh in the morning
the mind rejuvenates,
while the mild sunshine
back with hope rays

Lass and kids
kiss the droplets at feet
while hanging around
lowness at lawn

In spirit and pride
like a crowned queen of hills
in the little feet
march-past the little myna
- in the lawn

A note on Bangalore trip

The city elevated from nearly thousand meters above sea level has very pleasant weather to stay among cities and even the sun beats down, the cool wind blows off the trees in and around the garden-city maintain the temperate but the critical and worst part was traveling within its boundary. No one stops the vehicle for any reason unless forced to stop it and it’s a challenge to outsiders to drive into the city and tough moving without guidance, it seems like conducting a race among the residence is easy and thus how rashes they drives. I know I know… Bangalore isn’t an only city to experience the worst traveling and many metropolitans perhaps more or less produce a similar challenge for riders but compare to Chennaites, Bangaloreans are fast moving and whatever the means of source it showdowns the worthiness of life and things.

Lal Bagh Glass House

Leaving away the nonstop challenge on roads in Bangalore and any other cities in India, it was very pleasant staying at a friend’s place in their care and comfort and guidance. Karthik’s mom who invited us to her home in Bangalore take care our complete stuff single handedly and arranged for a guided tour into the city, which helped us in checking out the Cubbon Park, Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, HAL Aerospace Museum, Ulsoor Lake and Lal Bagh.

To say about the places visited, everything has something interesting and worth visiting esp. the Visvesvaraya and HAL museums are remarkable by its facts and figures at display and operating each simple mechanism and instrument was fun. To say the most beautiful thing about Bangalore was the Lal Bagh, which brings the garden city feel within its premises unlike Cubbon Park which is parted by inner roads used by public vehicles.

Captured at Karthik's home

We stayed at Karthik’s home in National Games Village, Koramangala, which he bought before his depart and now his mother takes care of the things along with his memories and she never fails to visit his home ones in a month and she feels completely with his son the times being there and it’s the only solace and depression she bears in life. All over her home it was Karthik’s photos and she arranged his things and awards in the hall along with his bike he used at last.

Apart constant and carelessly driving fast, few are people friendly and helpful knowing we are from other state by indentifying our car number guide us at few places and on other day when we are on our way to Nandi Hills, a man in his middle-age drives beside us in his Maruti 800 until we take diversion to Nandi hills and his advice to maintain less than 80kmph helped us from getting fined. It was very difficult to find route on our own in Bangalore which hold partially Tamil speaking people and even they know Tamil they are avoiding to speak – may be they hesitate that it will affect their living.

Roses bloomed in Cubbon Park

We could see many luxury cars used as taxies in Bangalore alike in foreign countries and it was wonderful seeing Bangalore leading a international living in country and thus could be the reason everyone movies very fast in making money and lack giving due attention to others while driving and just moves fast even dash with other or make accident with lives. We witnessed two incident where both were taken casually and moves faster even someone bleeds. I wonder what a life they are living, keeping their everyday life as a bet to survive with money. I’m not complaining but just say what I think about.

Leaving to Garden City

The garden city is the nickname of Bangalore which has many gardens to derive its names from. I have come across Bangalore couple of time but only now got a chance to stay over and discover the places those are familiar with names of garden.

One of our friends, who come to know and become familiar via blog, had invited us to her home in Bangalore. The plan has been on consider for very long time and only get approved by us now, so leaving to Bangalore tomorrow with a list of places to visit and take rest in the presence of much better and very pleasant weather unlike Chennai, and moreover it’s the warmth and care wanted us to stay at her place.

Here I come up with few pictures captured from the Botanical Garden in Ooty, from our latter visit.

The Fern House (above pic) in the Ooty Botanical Garden is home to many ferns and orchids. Established in 1894, this house is dedicated to W.C. Mc. Ivor, in whose response the Garden has been developed to this stage from the then a patch of vegetable garden and wilderness of Shola and shrubs and the lower part as a swamp traversed by deep ravines.

Green lawns of Ooty Botanical Garden

Display of flowers : Ooty, famous for its annual flower show had begun recently in the botanical garden, with varieties of roses and flowering plants at display, and creation of sculptures using colorful flowers. Keeping in mind of India won the World Cup in cricket, a floral replica had been created which expected to attract more visitors this year.

KO - my view

Being a cinematographer himself has taken the photo journalism as the plot for his movie KO; K.V. Anand had directed a superb movie where I could see similar thoughts and dreams take stage on screen. As a believer in young people could change anything, with their tireless, energetic and exuberant I could follow my dream until the climax where things change with intend to end the story. Many scenes reflect what is in my mind and the camera played an important role rolling parallel to the fast track screenplay and discloses the media’s interface in bringing change in society.
As a photo journalist, Jeeva had a wonderful opportunity to play an ever powerful role as a smart hero with an introduction by chasing a tempo traveler to shoot the photos of the bank robbers and further blocking their progress, was a fantastic action scene could easily challenge the Hollywood. I think there couldn’t be a perfect time to release the movie which revolves around the media and politics what played a revolution recently in the rule of TN. The media had been portrait well and its importance and risk involved in collecting news and producing the result give an idea how things happen.

Ajmal in a young leader character who want to bring change into politics resemble how someone would be in near future if youngsters enter politics and rule the govt. Not to forget the two sweet and cute heroines, Piaa and Karthika – the daughter of latter heroin Ratha, wasn’t just pretty, but exhibits really good expressions to be real in acting and cheerful in songs. The Piaa was as sweet as pie and best suited for a girlfriend character that anyone would like to have one alike her.

A movie from a cinematographer turn director doesn’t need a thing to say about how picturization would be, it was fantastic and outstanding. The song related sequence and actions are excellent and capturing exotic locations esp. the places around the cliff of Prekestolen of Norway for songs are fabulous and treat for eyes. To say about songs and music, it’s rare to come across a whole album which quite delights and to become all my favorites. To watch a decent political related feature and to experience the worth of delight in photography, KO is recommended.

The title slides resemble the flicker stream! I watched the movie yesterday at a night show in Drive-In.

Kotagiri – at arrival

Leaving home in Chennai at 7 in morning and reaching Kotagiri about 8 at night, the whole day went on traveling via en route Dharmapuri, Mettur, Sathyamangalam... it was partially wonderful as we travelled half the way through state highways which are my favorite routes that goes through small towns and villages. We stopped at Mettur Dam to have our fish fries for lunch and the home we know through our past visit treated us with fish fires identifying our latter visit.

While the fish fries get prepared; we explored the nearby shops by buying sweet corns, murukku, color candies… and the mobile vendor who selling porridge got lot of attention from people and being a hot summer day cousin’s chose to have it. We moved further from there and stopped for our lunch break under a shadow tree and after sometime leave to Sathy in search of rooms as we had book for only 3 days in Kotagiri and wanted to stay in Sathy and go to Bhavanisagar and Bannari temple, but we couldn’t get any rooms in ground floor so called the Belair cottages in Kotagiri and they were glad to advance a day in our booking and we went directly.

From Sathy to Mettupalayam, it was a wonderful evening time passing through the winding roads and Eastern Ghats followed by the Western are very pleasant while the sun settle down with different shades and shapes of clouds at various moment. After reaching Mettupalayam we took the Kotagiri road directly without going through Coonoor and the adventure begins here as we passed through the forest road that bears the warning signs of elephant crossing. As we were looking for something interesting, a wild elephant come into our way and it wasn’t hindering but standing beside the road eating bamboo leaves and leaving the dung on the road as a sign of exist.

We didn’t expect an elephant to be standing on a bend and we managed to pass him without fear unlike either vehicles standing on road to let him move and the thrilling part was when a guy suddenly tries to turn his car in scare of seeing an elephant interrupted our path with elephant behind. Parents and the drive come cousin whose fear about wild animals got little tension over this and I and other cousins who were expecting something like this – I mean the elephant, were excite more seeing a wild elephant.

The cold increases in atmosphere as our elevation rise, we had our coffee at a roadside shop near a small village, where a Toda festival was going on and the speakers were singing aloud a Badaga song which we couldn’t understand anything but my cousin identified it was Badaga as he’d studied a year in St. Jude’s public school, Kotagiri. The adventure doesn’t stop and it continued this time in form of mist and it was enormous to quite hide the road for a while nearing Kotagiri and nothing could be seen opposite except a gray screen. We stopped somewhere to let it clear, but it never seems to be so we moved slowly following the road studs laid on the center of the road.

Even it is difficult to dive in mist I feel wonderful moving into enormous mist and cloud that last for nearly an hour, sitting next to diver seat. It was very cold and lightning crosses the sky with thunder when we reached Kotagiri and things become normal soon and we felt very comfort at the Belair cottage. We were allotted to stay at the main building built in British period which is at ground level with couple of steps was very easy for my wheels to get in and the new blocks were at elevation. The people at Belair are friendly and lean any help and in order base they provide lunch, dinner and breakfast and on the opening night we had chappathi-kuruma. The preparations and serving are made by Manipur guys.

mom in front of Belair cottages in Kotagiri

Something extreme

What disturb me more than I was were the rising vehicles, pollution and population of people in India. We all know it doesn’t take place in India alone and everywhere it cause an effect, but unlike ever it causing much trouble because of its never ending progress of increasing concern. I wonder where we are going uncontrollable on the road which no one knows where it would leads so and the environment we are creating today and for tomorrow is to stay cool inside the home or vehicle to switch on the air conditioned wind to inhale than going out breathing fresh air.

In cities, bikes has turned less than owning a car’s intention being raised took away every space to play as parking and owning two to three vehicles per home increased incredibly traffic on road and more than driving into the city it’s becoming easy driving far away from the crowd. The pollution has become slow poison to city dwellers and breathing fresh air has become a rare occurrence in cities except less space for parks and beaches where people gather a lot to exercise their breathe, but where to go when everyone need there space to breath.

The weather is becoming hot everyday and climate has been changing day by day but the cause to reduce these has becoming a mirage every time leaders gather to debate on conferences to end without a confidence to defeat. The income of the people has been increasing phenomenally when even recession and inflation has taken place the people hadn’t took much care outside their homes where the actual cause began or needed to be tackled down.

The replacement and building constructions has been taking place everywhere and often into the city, the debris and dust has been sent into the living space and spread into the homes and dishes that we eat into infections and disease. I had the worst day out into the city, moving in the traffic and the black smoking silencers and the noise has threaten me with caught and headache, even we were partially enclosed in vehicle I wonder what trouble the bike riders and pedestrians could suffer from. It’s incredibly worse what the way we are living by just reducing our life time to these strong odors, chemicals and in name of sufficient and carrying our family we disturbing the civilian society which includes one of us.

We could seek justice for everything and things happens in need and taking steps further increasing our status and none could deny it, but when things goes out of control or concern we are responsible for our future and upcoming generation. Everyone’s wish and concur comes closer or in line sometime to experience what others appreciate in life and there’s nothing wrong in it and we need to work with concern and sense.

Just wrote what I feel and thought about something that exists and come across in mind.

Fire summer

The ferocious summer heat is back here with never before fierce to make sure we suffer from its violent rays and struggle to beat it in various ways but still the construction of heat has been going strong unlike before. The Chitirai, the Tamil month that marks the begin of summer bears the period called Agni Natchathiram, which means ferocious summer heat that last for 21 days sharing the Tamil months Chitirai and Vaigasi on calendar.

(image: sunrise captured at kotagiri)

No one could say how intense it could be in coming days, but sure it going to be same or more unless a low pressure happens of either sea’s of Indian Ocean or the beginning of southwest monsoon which we all wish for. Whether we call it by any name, the world is become warmer day by day and a part of its reflection is what we experience in this summer season and the increase in using refrigerators and air conditioners can give a temporary state of comfort and cooling but they are preparing our earth to a intensify state of warm outside our home.

Chennai has been measured the highest degree in temperature across the state, which is 105 today and most of the cities in Tamil Nadu had scored more than a century. When the news flashes the beginning of rage summer heat in state, happily many part of it had witnessed storm rain and Kotagiri which we visited last week had high rainfall of 90mm. To our great disappointment, most of the places we came across last week with intense heat had gone cool over night due to sudden rainfalls had enthralled us.

The disappearance of clouds had given hand to the blue sky to flash direct sunlight on our poor people who were mostly scare about summer heat had began to frighten more than ever thinking about the skin disease had made distract more easily. The showers that where hot without heaters and the clothes get wither so easier in the heat waves could be grace, but the chart of cutoff current across the state esp. at the midday had been worst than anything. I myself being an open window delight couldn’t stop agree closing the doors to only open in evening for the sea breeze to take off which usually take place after noon had been delayed these day.

Hope and wish the intense heat expires soon…

Back from Blue Mountains

Last week I was in Nilgiris (Blue Mountains) for a week vacation and stayed in Kotagiri with parents and cousins. It was a wonderful journey traveled across the Blue Mountains carried by enormous mist, twittering sparrows and fun floating amid cousins and the space for breathing fresh breeze off valleys and mountains are fabulous. Couldn’t still come out of the sights and scenes that carried on mind and memories still inhale the fresh breeze of Blue Mountains, which are greener and sandstones taking place.

Wild bellis

Traveled on paths that have never been or even imagined and checking the innermost nature as it is through mind, sense and images are a greater opportunity I got through this travel. It was well comfort and pleasant stable at Kotagiri for 5 days and 4 nights in the Belair cottages surrounded by somewhat tea plants and green lawn are best at leisure.

The intend of this travel was to visit avalanche and to stay in the forest rest house for at least a night, but I couldn’t get the chance as it was booked for nearly 2 month, we just checked in and out getting permission from forest office in Ooty. It was an awesome ride into the dense forest of Avalanche and Upper Bhavani, and the whole ride was among road-less with either sides of shoals and grasslands.

Belair cottages kotagiri

I decided not to release any pictures that captured inside the prohibited area as it is worth to be protected from outside world knowing that it could attract anyone easily to be disturbed and I never know that I need to travel through this thick forest to check upper bhavani backwaters. Throughout the way it was astonishing climate and weather and was splendid beautiful. There was an excitement carried on within everyone as there was no man’s activity along the way and it was quite silent except for twitter birds and streams and falls noise.

Most of the travel happens between Coonoor-Kotagiri and Kotagiri-Ooty as the places we wanted to check were laid on northwest we touched either city to connect the roads and was suppose to be tire hold to the many curves. Partially it was a successful and dream come true travel, but still I hang for these places to be revisited and wanted to go beyond these place next time. Thanks to the Scorpio and its tubeless tires, and excellent driver come cousin and without them it’s hard to move into this off-road terrain in and around avalanche towards upper bhavani.

Countryside near ooty

Off to Blue Mountains

Hoping for less traveled western catchment areas and exploring more destinations of the endless nature and beauty of the Nilgiris. Here some pictures captured from my previous visit to Blue Mountains.

blue Mountains

lovely landscape

green valley

pretty pansies

blue delphinium

Tirumala Tirupathi Trip II

Getting darshan at Tirumala Tirupati temple had been tough for our family who went to stand in queue at night for free darshan could not get vision even after morning, whom were shut in rooms the whole night are released only in morning after devotees got furious to open the gate, the temple authority took a photo and gave everyone a timing card to bring back after couple of hours refreshing at room. The dad who was taking care of me at night was supposed to go for darshan after grandma, mom and cousins return, was anticipating the whole night for their arrival, but they came at last after our breakfast with an intense stress and sorrowful face of not getting vision.

(A free bus service in tirumala, operated for the benefit of pilgrims.)

I was expecting them to be soon so that I can visit other places nearby and on way back to home; it was disappointing the time took for them to receive the vision of lord and the cousin who spent the whole night in the rooms refused to go back thinking it might delay again. After lunch, gandma, mom and a cousin went again with their card to return in 2 hours only come out by 5 and the hotel we book in for a day was suppose to vacate by 3 pm so before they say we vacated the room and parked within their premises among the Woodside waiting for them.

In meantime we checked the Silathoranam, which is a Natural Arch located 1km from the Tirumala temple is a wonderful archeological site considering enormous value to the department’s point of view. Silathoranam, which means is a rock garland stung over a threshold, is an arch… measuring 8m in width and 3m in height is a natural formation dates back to a billion and a half years old.

This is a place elevated from the temple town towards left is surrounded by trees and rocks replacing a sight of forest, attract many visitors who come to tirumala and almost the Jeeps take control the need of bringing people to this natural arch. Following the arch, steps lead down to more rock formations and the view from this point is evergreen and gray rocks which are quite opposite to the temple town valley that rose in bricks and cements.

The arch is one of a few natural arches or bridges in Asia withstood to intensify weathering and erosion of steam action is found during the excavation that take place in this area in 1980s. The nature rock arch has two dissimilar set of rocks with a connecting thin link. We then drive toward another place called as sri padam, but we withdraw it rather after going somewhat through this forest road, which was quiet and visible of some anthill, thinking it might take much time, we get back to our parking area and waited till we receive a call from cousin.

It was dusk surrounded while we decide to climb down and it was quite dark half the way down hill, the tirupati city has began to twinkle away. It was wonderful seeing those colorful lights spread down and the multi hairpin bends and wild animal’s news of late are something bothers me as it was even dark. It was night as we drive home and nothing to observe like arriving, I missed the opportunity of visiting some places en route and it was dark everywhere giving company in the light of Lories and trucks that passes us. We had our dinner in Tiruvallur as a last customer to close the hotel since it was nearly 10pm and reached home at 11.

City of Tirupati

Post poll occupation

Avoiding the morning hour’s rush and crowd to stand in line, we decide to poll our right in the state election afternoon and it was my second time to vote after parliament election and it was lacking crowd when we reached the polling booth. There’s a rule that vehicles should not allowed within 200 meters of polling booth, but for me they give excuse to land near the entrance of the govt. school to then move in wheels into the allotted room for our area voters.

We moved five years ago from the area in Adyar to Thiruvanmiyur and our voting continue from our former native residential address and there no need a change since both areas come into one constituency and only the ward council is different. After completing the simple formalities of proving we are and let ink on finger, I enter the booth and pressed the blue button on EVM. It’s wonderful and content feel that I did my basic right and thus the chance provide by democracy and prior given to us as being special.

We moved out of the booth to know it’s an hour to go for evening and unwilling to go home we decide to roam around and went to our home in Adyar and to a café in Besant Nagar to have bonda and coffee. The cousin who is spending his vacation with me want to know to whom I voted and he keep on urge me with same question and not alone he many ask me at certain after return from polling but I managed by smiling saying myself why should I say even I don’t fear to say.

I don’t know what is there for them to do by knowing to whom did I vote and it’s none of their business and right to ask question, though they are open about their poll on vote there isn’t that I should be. I hate this questions and contempt people who haven’t vote saying that no one is correct and who would vote at. It feels stupidity to see when the vote percentage is at high unlike ever there are people still avoid voting and make their vote insignificant. In Chennai, the vote percentage is 60 and coming second, at least, made me wonder where gone the 40% avoiding those out of city on various reason.

I wonder what doing the election commission which has applied strict restrictions unlike ever when the media persons go and surround the polling booth when celebrates or a VIP is poll a vote. Is it the propriety? Don’t the media guys have a sense, how secure is ones vote should be and aren’t there act disturb and disclose their private decision. I also contemn the behavior of some actors, who wanted to poll directly without standing on the line and whoever could be them, everyone is equal while voting except they aren’t special person and elders who can’t stand long to get prior.

A cute candid shot that turn motion blur…

The talk on poll also continue as we visit the beach in evening, the grandparents joins us later got to chat more on election and being pubic holiday there was unusual crowd in beach which look unlike a weekday. I love taking my grandparents out since they always stay at home, the beach platform provide a better pathway for my grandpa to take leisure walk. It was lovable to see kids take over our sight in there pretty action and movement, one was striking a ball with plastic bat thrown by his father and another kid was very cute come after to take cool breeze in baby trolley was much smiling at me, may be attracted by my wheels. It was wonderful moment I would cheer every time to come and sit for such chitchat and relaxation that quite clam and bring please to mind.

Well decide to poll

At last the month long propaganda for the state legislative election for April 13th has come to conclusion today and what it provides these days was an irritating entertainment, and showcasing personal hatred against each other was the most aspect of this in name of election. Not like to mention some ones particularly, on one is clear about their intention this time and highlighting the party was there most important thing provide by both the candidates and expected voters.

I wish whom to lead the government and don’t know will it happen or not but sooner or later, hopefully he will be the next CM if the party continues to power. If we seek the political background of most of candidates, there is something more or less disgrace occupies there past rather in person or public in no man’s perfect attitude; there is a chance for everyone to change or retain to serve the people.

I don’t take serious the people promote the candidates in fame, since it’s their job of acting in reality for money they disappear as soon there work is finished, but what we hear from candidate is important unless they weed out their silence which rarely take place only to highlight the party and leaders. I decided whom to vote this election and every candidate expresses similar thoughts in different volume and size, and selecting one among them is little hard so I derived someone in general who could support the leader I wish to lead the government in order.

People could not forget his planning and wide thinking about Chennai as a Mayor has impressed me from then to today, the way he receives people and to give importance to their need and planning projects are amazing. I believe such attitude would continue and take greater stages if we give him a change to rule the government and climbing to this post he deserves a lot in both as a party and public functionary.

Hope everyone poll there right and bring a bright future for our state and self.

Tirumala Tirupati Trip

Last week went to Tirumala Tirupati on a two day trip along with grandparents, parents and cousin, the same as the team on journey to Palani in previous post. We begin leisurely after sunrise than the usual early morning drive; it was though Tiruvallur, Thiruthani and Tirupati which was a two way national highways with some better views of hills, passing lengthy goods train which could be nearly 2km long in two pulling engines and the road lead has many curves and bends.

As nearing Nagari we get to see a peak from distance which I later come to know as Nagari Nose – as it resembles the shape of nose, the peak is a cliff off Chittoor district of Andhra is used as a light house in olden days as a signal to Bay of Bengal. The day was very hot indeed and getting near and climbing the hill was much heater. After getting checked in the tollgate at foothill Tirupati, we are diverted to take the downhill road which took some more time and difficult in reaching the Tirumala by noon.

The downhill road has more the 40 hairpin bends and taking the same road to climb up and down got vehicles disturbed wherever to stop and leave way for either vehicles. It took 14 years for me, mom and grandpa to visit the Tirupati-Tirumala – which remark the epic story of Rama return from forest after 14 years, the last time we visited was along with our late uncle and it was grandpa’s wish to visit tirumala at least for once. As a travels driver then, my grandpa had visited Tirumala-Tirupati immense times and often regularly, he’s familiar about this place and even due to old age he could recall certain about his travels.

After enquiring at the administrative office knowing that taking a room under the temple authority would need an hour to stand in queue, we hire a broker who led us to a private cottage with needed facilities, we settled for Hotel Woodside, run by Karnataka govt. We are well content by the comfort room in ground floor and attached restaurant helped us in reduce weariness, and after our lunch we decided to go for Papavinasam knowing that the next darshan (vision) time was by 6pm.

Papavinasam is about 10km from temple town towards north, which lead through thick bushes is a must passage for enjoying pleasant nature and clean air. On the way we stopped at Gogarbham Dam for a best nature viewing lake and forest behind and the windmills on the other side of the hill is visible clearly and nearly from here. Adjacent to the dam has a small garden and not to mention about, it has a statue of Krishna on the five header snake and it’s a place to relax sometime watching the windmills rotate.

The Papavinasam is a dam come artificial waterfall constructed beside a wall to provide holy water to devotees always after dismissing the diminish nature holy waterfall here. Beside the steps, a ramp lead to the water fall helped me to go on wheels to the gate of the dam and lookdown the water fall where grand-parents took the water and sprinkled on the head. On the way it was interesting to see two very little monkeys which behaviors are similar to kids and a real kid visiting the falls was so excited seeing the monkeys but sadly it was chained to a man’s hand who beg for money showing the monkeys.

The way back we passed the Aakasa Ganga waterfall and a temple, leads stairways to destination want us to avoid both the place and back to room. The sun was shining brightly way back peeking through the trees and it was by 6pm parents left us (me, grandpa and cousins) at room and went for checking with special queue to be back in couple of hours after darshan, but the chance has been dismissed for them as the special counters where closed to open only next day, parents back to room to later go for free darshan at night.

Continue…

Travel to Palani II

After sometime in room, we leave to Palani Murugan Temple by early evening guided by a guy name Raja, who works in the temple arranged by our caretaker in Palani, who booked our rooms. Actually I wasn’t interested to visit the Temple and it was dad’s wish to visit Palani for long time and want to take me to Hill temple which I once climbed on my bare foot. The parents who listen to Raja believed to take me to Hill temple in winch along wheels and I just nod to go with their decision as no option and also got ticket and wait to board the winch.

After sometime the winch climbed down and at first sight itself I felt it’s impossible to board the winch, which stands in a slanting platform and position and has small doorway to enter. Somehow my grandfather managed to climb inside and I quite denied taking the risk and refusing parents request, l stayed back leaving them to go ahead and confine in care of cousin Logesh and friend in driver Jagan as company.

The winch roped away in despite anxious parents whose thought where on me and gladly with the assist of cousin and Jagan I shifted to Scorpio (SUV car) from wheelchair and was ready for our trail which was our actually plan to check the places around Palani in meantime parents temple visit. With no idea where to go and mom taking away the camera to hill temple, we come around the hill and checked with a person who directed us to a dam in 12kms at the foothills of Kodaikanal on the Western Ghats.

I was interested to take this route to Kodaikanal which I haven’t done so far and it was very cool as we nearing the foothills and it was a small dam built partially on the nature made rocks called Varadhamanadhi Dam. The dam is told to flow anytime and since the gate was closed we couldn’t drive inside the dam, but the dam was almost visible from the gate and could hear the stream flowing aside.

We stayed sometime there and the weather was very pleasant and cold since evening, we decided to drive some more on this stretch till foothill and was excited when come across the warning boards of elephant crossing in this area. The road to foothill was so chill and dense by coconut and mango groves on either side is fenced by electric wires to protect from wild animals and the more eager Jagan stopped a man and asked where we could see elephants. The man’s answer was funny and in fade told ‘that he didn’t see elephants for last 10 days and they were shifted to another area’ and he’s very sad about it to say unsteadily.

It was awesome feel to see the cloud capped hills so close and the coldness in air cause refreshing and kept me inhaling the fresh air deep into the lungs and experiencing the cold wind and moisture while return back. On way back dad called to arrive soon as their vision has been completed and waiting for us, the darkness has already surrounded and when I told mom about the dam and weather, she was surprise to say that they were seeing that dam from hilltop and captured the views which are sure to have us somewhere there hidden!

My parents had already planned for an Amman temple in Palani and it was festival time in that temple and was tented around and the time we checked, the idol was brought in an elephant as a procession. The elephant belong to the Palani Murugan Temple was tied by Nettipattam – a elephant ornament tied to its forehead – cause a glorious look and been moving along couldn’t get a good frame out of shaking pictures.

Unwilling to go to room, we went around the Palani hill again for parents who haven’t gone and went to the newly build children’s park on the outside of the town and behind the hillock. As it was closing time we parked the car outside the park and had our tea beside the cool breeze blowing off while the rope cars exchange view and the twinkling lights on the hillock was a wonderful sight! Again after our dinner in Nalapakam, we head to room and tried slumber in a strange comfort.

Pity life of a little squirrel

As usual it was another wonderful evening wake from the courtyard of our apartment complex, where I wander usually in wheels as a favorite pastime listening to various sort of birds chirping form the lust green wasteland opposite to my house including the frequent and rapid cheep by squirrels from the trees and sight of birds.

The list of birds could be least to count but the songs they chirrup are enthusiastic and resonates eternal joy listening to more than one bird and sometime I try to mimicry there chirp as a replay call at themselves and wonder where will I go to listen to them if constructions come into this site and where the birds will disappear. There not alone humans but nature also inbuilt its curse to tackle each other animals to live nod me to realize hardly again by a curse incident that affect me very close to heart and sight.

I couldn’t take it easily because of the fateful happen in front of me and the cheeping aloud squirrel that continue to resonant in mind and remind me the incident every time I get to hear the creep sound around. It was really a sweet moment when I see these two little squirrels near our compound wall, leaping here and there to climb the wall, in which one seems elder to another. The young one was trying hard to climb the wall by various attempts in the present of another, which had already climbed on and thus I wanted to capture the scene and so asked dad to bring the cam.

The little squirrel fascinated me a lot through its cute and small unlike ever seen appearance. It was the moment I come around a car that parked in the apartment to capture the squirrel closely and I took couple of shots of the squirrel which was trying hard to climb quickly with just seconds to go for another shot, a black cat pounced from behind the car caught the little squirrel and run away… I was shocked by this sudden attack and couldn’t express anything at moment inadequate to response in grief.

I was touched by this not less similar incident of Big Cats attack animals in one pounce catching the throat and it was such the black cat’s hiss on the little squirrel. After sometime dad came to ask did u captured the squirrel, I replayed it’s gone, where he asked again and I said it’s gone. The cat took it away. Oh! What touched a lot was the other squirrel which was cheeping rapidly moving its tail up and down from the tree in the distress of missing its well bond little partner. I wonder now whether the little one might know a cat could take it into prey that’s y it was trying hard to climb the wall!

I FEEL VERY SORRY FOR THE PITY LIFE OF THIS LITTLE SQUIRREL, WHICH MADE MY DAY THROUGH ITS SIGHT AND CUTE GESTURES.

Travel to Palani

It was partially wonderful traveling from Thanjavur to Palani after our breakfast in Hotel Saravana Bhavan – popular for delicious taste across the state; we directed by our friendly caretaker in Thanjavur to reach Trichy. My only intention was to visit Thanjavur Big Temple on its 1000th year, so I missed many wonderful places within Thanjavur, including the Palace and Raja Raja Cholan memorial hall which we passed with an unease mind of just lookout structure.

On the way in the NH towards Trichy we find an interesting building in the name of Tamil University. Living in Tamil Nadu and speaking the language, I never know there is a university in name of Tamil dedicated to the classical language and to do advanced studies and research on its linguistics, literature, translation and art including conducting various programs regard to language, literature and sculpture. We stopped sometime to glance the building in a modern temple like structure with two tiger pounce statues on either side of compound.

The roads were partially good even under constructions and after crossing Trichy it was pleasant and calm but certain diversion between lanes disturb and a small mistake divert us on Madurai road instead of Dindigul to later take a U turn in a km. It was really an uncertain signboard with least different in showing the direction could confuse any unfamiliar in this route.

I liked the floating clouds in this route and its dark shadows falling on the hills are a very nice and the big Murugan statue that stands on this way is one of an attraction which I missed couple of times to capture before. This stretch of road just feels like so dry with lack of green fields and farms but the hills provide a good set of views. The huge pipes transported in two trucks cause a wonder and got to think what purpose these pipes except the thought of windmill poles.

The many hills come across want me to guess about certain hills that ponder in mind but they all take diversion from my way and at last took right to Palani from Dindigul - the fort seen far away. It was truly pleasure drive thought this stretch with the enormous sight of my favorite Western Ghats following aside and the foothills are surrounded by green fields and the breathtaking views and breeze carries me away…

I really enjoyed my stay in Palani and going around the places was an enchanting trail in the witness of Western Ghats that almost visible from everywhere and sometimes mist capped. We reached Palani in afternoon and stayed in the New Tirupur Lodge booked by my dad’s friend’s relatives there and had our lunch in Hotel Nalapakam, which is in the ground floor of the same building.

I must really need to say about the Hotel Nalapakam which treated us in a very kind manner that I never felt like ever. The servers there are very friendly and esp. towards me, their way of showing concern and care at my content feed is enhance and moved me enormous to feel like at home. They have separate places for breakfast and lunch, and being difficult for me to enter the lunch hall; they allowed having my lunch in breakfast hall, and one of the servers was pointed to take care of my need and an old man in grandpa age brought tub for me to wash hand.

I wonder how many restaurants treat people like this in a very kind and home alike attitude and care. I feel gratitude towards their attitude to make certain that we feed content and more or less the price comes only next and they don’t stretch bills and what we pay in fair to cashier is taken into account. This showcase their trust in there customers but as fair as we are such attitudes will continue and I sure there must be someone noticing us silently.

We took leisure sometime after our lunch in the room before proceed to Hill Temple. We stayed in the first floor of the lodge which has a lift facility to make certain comfort and pleasure comes for the balcony of the lodge which cause cool breeze and views of the Western Ghats and the lake opposite. Presented in the main road lead to the foothill of Palani, the street provides a good time pass in the presence of shops, horse carts and people and being unseasonal the place lacks crowd.

continues...