The Great Indian Road Trip- Thrissur,Kerala to New Delhi, New Delhi Part Zero

Hell yeah!!! What you read is true, every word of it !!

Its been a while since I blogged here. Been on odd errands all these time, and add to it, what can be called a "writer's block" :) . But never did I dream that my return to blogosphere would be with something this joyful, that I can't still contain the sheer thrill of it!

Yes! We are embarking on our dream tour, from GEC, Thrissur, Kerala to Delhi( or New Delhi, New Delhi :) )( An ~2900km journey one way). A 12 day journey which includes about 5-6 days on road and a 2-day trip back home in train(courtesy: Indian Railways). No strings attached( except those budget ones :) ). Here's how it all came about:

I wouldn't disclose the entire details verbatim, but the capsuled data is here:

Rohit's dad has been transferred with promotion( cheers!!) to Delhi.

Problem: Make sure uncle wouldn't have no trouble whilst commuting in the Metro.
Solution: Their KL-08 P XXXX Maruti Zen :D!!

Rohit suggested, got approval and thus took birth the crazy idea of taking car to Delhi, driving the entire stretch from TCR! Not to mention the compulsive, obsessive, certified brain-damaged lunatic what-not-ic Bristow to boost the whole concept, the next thing left was to decide fellow tourers- Denny, Raman and Myself!
To put in simpler words, Drivers- Denny Machan n Brittoli, Tourers- Me :) n Raman, and
Last but the best Moyalali of the Vandi- Rayappan!!!

The trajectory and pit-stops haven't been yet decided but I'll update it soon here. Initial suggestion is Thrissur-Mangalore- Deviation to Goa- Pune- Agra- Delhi.

Return Journey tickets have been booked in Mangla Express on July 13th. Surprisingly, a sleeper class ticket from Delhi to Thrissur costs Rs. 600/- only( I ain't much of a rail gadi yathri hence moi ignorance to be tolerated!)

Rest of the details shall follow soon! Meanwhile, you can keep track of me on twitter as well.

Insignia '08, Hackerdom

...And thus began Insignia '08, Hackerdom.

Day: 28th of August, 2008
Time: 10.45 p.m
Location: Room No. C1, Govt. Engineering College Men's Hostel, Thrissur

Scene1:
The work on video editing progresses as the darker hours of night close in. Midhun, eyes swollen with lack of sleep, continues into what seems to be his eleventh straight hour in front of the system. Sailesh, assisting and intermittently performing the job of waking him up from brief accidental siesta, looked as alert and enthu-filled as ever. The job was getting on my nerves. It was our fourth day with the process of preparing a trailer video for Insignia 08, Hackerdom, yet it was where we had left it last evening. The mixing was taking helluva lot time, what with the format conversion of video files, cutting out clips for back ground music etc.

Scene2:
It was 1a.m. The video files and picture slides have been successfully blended in. BGM yet to be added. Midhun on the verge of calling it a day or calling it quit, two others(Sethu and Arun Rushdie) and me peacefully sleeping at one corner of the room, satisfied that our job of filming scenes for the video was completed in time. Krishnanunni, Convenor, Insignia 08, Hackerdom, walks in to view our progress. Anxiety was evident on his face, as he inquired the sleepy workers about the status.
Seeing that there needs to be another two or three hours of work needed on the video to get it completely done, manipulations happen ( :P) , an offer of Puttu and Kadala from Double-X the only hotel open at night in Thrissur. We ( the words Puttu and Kadala woke me up from the slumber instantaneously!) agreed and a half hour later, there it was, steaming hot Puttu and Kadala. Another two hours and lights off....

Scene3:
around 6.45 a.m, 29th.
I was the first one to rise( quite an unusual thing). Woke up the editors and mixers and blah blah and went about my chores. Two hours of sleep taking its toll, as they moved like zombies to begin where it had been halted.

Scene4:
10.45a.m, Seminar Hall, Govt. Engineering College
The Chief guest and other people presiding over the function- Curtain Raiser of Insignia 08, Hackerdom seated on the podium. The official welcome speech, followed by all the other speeches..


Scene5:
12a.m
Time to launch the theme music for the event, prepared by Jain. That was some music! A melodious mix of keyboard, saxo and drums, and many more that I couldn't comprehend.
Our video followed. Cheers from crowd....

Scene5 re-take:
Time to launch the theme music for the event prepared by Jain. Wait! what's happening? a sudden commotion in the rear end of the hall, and there drifts out a large mass of third years.
Reason: Results of Third semester exams announced. Memories drift back to last March-April, the time when we wrote it. Adam's Apple stuck half-way in my throat. The results couldn't have come at a better time than this. Tense faces all around. People scurrying around, searching for internet access. Dubious emotions settling around temples. Eyes glittering, water in them ready to pour out given the green signal...

I hate results!!

Red Ribbon Express: A Welcoming Initiative

The day began with all the noises of daily chores. In case you've forgotten, I've my parents and family living with me now! But does that mean I am gonna change what I've been for the last two years? Nah!

Ready and reached college for the news that classes have been suspended. And the reason was the arrival of Red Ribbon Express at Shornur Railway Station, about 40 km from Thrissur.The Red Ribbon Express was launched by the ministries of Health and Railway to travel across the nation and throw light on the causes and treatment for HIV and AIDS.

We reached Shornur Railway terminal by 12 noon. And whoa! The queue of visitors to the train was about a km long - twisting, turning and spiraling across the entire platform. The patient wait began as we were determined to see the train and the stuff inside after having travel over 40kms just for it.

At about 1p.m our end of the queue reached entry doors. There were volunteers from various non-profit organizations ,devoted to the treatment of AIDS, distributing pamphlets and stickers on general awareness about the most dreaded disease of this century.
What amused me was the street play by some professional artists who were also volunteers for the cause. Presented with a gist of humor, the play highlighted ignorance of our society regarding safe sexual practices and birth control. The play went on to female foeticides and I could see some faces surprised to hear that foeticide is an criminal offense punishable under law.

The train was totally Malayalified(all writings and explanations were being done in Malayalam). There were illustrious banners and posters on contraceptives, family planning and birth control. While one section dealt with the importance of checking quality of blood while undergoing a transfusion, another was about the safety of disposable syringes.

A map of our nation with red, white and green LEDs on it indicated the concentration of HIV/AIDS patients in various regions. The map was a clear indication of how education is related to health conditions and social outlook about a disease, that could be prevented if necessary precautions were taken.

Also under display were some medical specimen a glimpse of which i leave here.
Blessed are those souls(like mine!) who aren't doctors!
The train was definitely a new experience, and a look at the crowd could easily make one comprehend the results of such an initiative. kudos to the Railways and the Ministry of Health for this venture..

The Duck Tales

Set for the leap..

It had always been among my simpler dreams to rear a paddle of ducks. Its something of a wish that you tend to procure wacthing all those lush green fields and ducks swarming into water pools in unison, often a sight from some movie. A few days ago, the day after my lab exams to be precise, I had a chance to be with such a paddle.
A rather peaceful lot

The ducks were reared through a feet deep muddy fields, now water-logged owing to the monsoon rains. I stepped off my bike and went with the paddle for about a kilometre or so. It was pure fun, making the ducks run one way to the other, always doing so in a group. Two men on both flanks assured that the gaggle always moved in single general direction despite their helter-skelter runs.
Can you see the other end??

Upon being asked how they could manage to cage every single duck everyday, the men confessed that its damn tough to get near ducks if you are a stranger, but not so once they know you. Ducks have a tendency to follow the one in the front, and hence, marching the leader in the direction the men decide gets the others humming to the same tune as well!!! Interesting, isn't it??!!

Just another view, nothing big!!

There were about 200+ ducks in the swarm. The men walk with them everyday from noon till twilight before closing them in the pen. It was a remarkably unique experience and a bouquet of everlasting freshness..

One Dream fulfilled...
Many to go...
Buzzing Off...
P.S: being a stranger to the ducks, I couldn't get close enough to take better pics.The above pics are good when seen in zoom mode.

Au Revoir...

And finally its here.... My mom has been transferred back to Thrissur, our native, after an eternal waiting for 15 years. The feeling of joy is inexpressible, undefinable in words.And its time to look back into the past for a quick glimpse.

The year was 1994 when she bade farewell to Thrissur, when I was in my first year of schooling and my brother still in kindergarten. Time flew by, and came the year of the dreaded Y2K virus. As per the rules of her firm, a transfer could be expected after minimum of four years at a place and we were into our seventh year at Thiruvananthapuram, where I completed my studies till 7th from Kendriya Vidyalaya Pangode. Obscure memories are what remain in my mind about that place. I gained back a few of those forgotten friends from the online friends network of Orkut.

The first transfer from TVPM was to the exotic hills of Kodaikanal, which she refused much to our dismay. The reason was the absence of a K.V there. The transfer to Mysore( or Mysooru) soon followed which she was obliged to take up and proceed with. We were "transshipped" to K.V Mysore, a school with a brief history and modest academic background compared to the giant from which I left.

It was really hard to adapt to the new circumstances ab initio. The major trouble was with communication. Though K.Vians are taught Hindi and English from primary classes, the medium of communication was often the local language among the students. As a result, we were more fluent in Malayalam than all the school's Kannadiga students combined!!

The next trouble was with food, and it really pisses you off, I swear! Though Malayali cuisine is liked universally, I could not somehow adjust with the Carnatic counterpart. It became traumatic during lunch breaks when everyone shared their tiffins. I was reluctant and this offended many!! Hey, what else could have I done??!!

The troubles ended almost as soon as they had come. I started learning Kannada and my first words ( other than swears) were " Nanige Kannada Baralla!!" (I don't know Kannada!). This single connected string helped me to hustle through the trouble of conversing with local Sabji vendors( called "tarkaariwaala") and shopkeepers who would soon switch to their version of English or Hindi, two languages that were known to almost all of them.
The Carnatic cuisine, on the other hand, turned out to be equally delicious as anything and I'm sure of missing the Bisibele-bath and Mosaranna among other delicacies.

If asked what I liked the most in the years I spent in Mysore the answer would be the beauty of this Royal City. The clutches of Urbanisation were defenceless against the expertise of the city planners in keeping the reminiscence of royal splendour exist in perfect harmony with the demands of the present. I haven't been to Paris or Kashmir, but would definitely dare to make the statement that 'here, is the heaven on earth'.

Every child's dream is a bicycle of his own. I got my "Hero Devil" as soon as we reached here. The cycle was sold later to make way for yet another hot entry in the market- The All-New Hercules Top-Gear :). Cycling through the wide roads which were once traversed by the kings themselves, exploring places and new hangouts had a special fervour of their own.

Its hard to digest the realisation of this moment to bid farewell to this city, the city which manured my childish dreams, my ambitions and my "firsts" in many matters.Hoping to return back here once again, after a brief period, alike M. Mukundan's return to Haridwar, to cherish these golden, nopes, priceless memories.
Adios Mio Splendido Paradiso......................................

Svarito Fotografia...

Since the moment I received my Sony Ericsson K550i Cybershot Mobile, I've been taking snaps of anything and everything that I felt like capturing. Nature is the theme here though this post also showcases other miscellaneous photos( svarito fotografia!)
Do post your comments about the deficiencies or proficiencies...

Exhibit 1:

The beginning of a new day...

Exhibit 2:

An evening @ Kuttimukk fields, with sunlight glimmering in the canal below..

Exhibit 3:

Sunset through the trees...

Exhibit 4:

Raindrops resisting the fall to sodden earth..

Exhibit 5:

From Nelliampathy with Love....

Exhibit 6:

Remains of a glorious past... Location: Karalam Fields, Irinjalakuda.

Exhibit 7:

Flowers on sale at a Bud nursery en route Palakkad

Exhibit 8:

Miles to go before I sleep...

Exhibit 9:

The Hills beckon you..

**********************************************

Now for some pics which caught my amusement!

Exhibit 10:

The picture is from the streets of Mysore. These hawkers are trying to sell what apparently is a Pain balm. Humongous crowd gathered but buyers were not many..

Exhibit 11:
Rays of Hope...

Exhibit 12:

The final Showdown.. Interzone '08

Exhibit 13:

Dedicated to my GEC Comrades...

Exhibit 15:

Its time to celebrate...

Exhibit 16:







Bleeding Hearts, Aching Minds...
from an Anti-Chinese Protest in Mysore..
Here I met people, people like us, flesh and blood, fighting for their rights, fighting for their homeland, fighting for what is rightfully theirs...



*******The Beginning*******

Mysooru ( Mysore ) Majaa Maadu

Location- Gokulam Residential Area, Mysore, Karnataka, India
Subject- Fourth Semester B.Tech student
Combat Update- Close Range Encounter Accomplished
Head Count- 4
Inflictions- 2
E.R.S(expected result for the semester)- 2 Backlogs
POW s- In accordance with the declared war on the evil forces, the extermination team CS/GEC0610 reported at the combat zone at 0930hours. The battle for final stronghold continued for 180 minutes, at the end of which the team yielded to unconditional surrender. Expected POW count stand at 30 with more left stranded and on AWOL.

POST COMBAT BRIEFING:
As was planned, seven of us started out on a tour of Mysore on 9th April.

Our last exam screwed up totally though it couldn't achieve any merit in demoralizing our spirits. We started from Thrissur that evening itself, reaching Mysore in the early hours. The gang included Ashith, Arun, Raman, Rogen, Rohit, Sailesh and myself. Three days we had in our hands and to make the most out of it. And thus started our Mysore Tour.

Day 1:

After accomplishing a primary objective of our existence, sleeping, we got ready for the first day in Mysore. Our first destination was, S.G.S Ashram, a less known tourist spot, more of a spiritual center, about 6kms from the town.

Sree Ganapati Sachidananda Ashram, Ooty Road, Mysore
The Vishwam museum here, was swarming with rare collectors item from across the globe, which included various ivory carvings, exquisite and intricate works on precious gems and stones.


Our senses reached saturation in no time, unable to comprehend the volume of knowledge the place emanated. The Nada Mantapam, which could accommodate over 4000 people was a wonder in itself. read the Flex below to know more.


The next stop was the Jayachamarajendra Zoological Garden, simply called the ZOO. As seen in every museum across the country, there were animals, and there were BIRDS, and there were more animals and more birds. We finished with the zoo pretty soon, being tired of the 4 km long walk.

The final destination for the day was Karanji lake, a wonderful place to be at, with your loved one, as we could observe. Karanji lake and the park adjoining it is home to migratory birds from as far as Siberia. The aviary had the uniqueness that you could actually touch the birds on exhibition which included white peacocks, swans, strokes, and pelicans.

We stayed there until the park closed, around 6pm. The day ended with a Tonga ride from there to town, a first time experience for many of us.


Day 2:

The temple of Chamundeshwari atop the Chamundi hills(1150m), about 15 km from the city was our first destination on day 2. We had decided On utilizing local transportation for the whole tour. The trip to Chamundi hills was, therefore made in a VOLVO B7R.
Volvo B7R, Centralised A.C, equipped with Mobile Charging points and Rear-view T.V
Yes, the authorities of the district were generous enough to provide Volvo luxury buses that ply from town to Chamundi hills every half hour. We were the only passengers during the onward journey and while returning as well.
Mahishasura statue at the entrance to Chamundi Temple
The temple Gopuram is seven stories high.

A mortar statue of demon king Mahishasura welcomes visitors. After a quick darshan of the royal deity we started climbing down the 300 steps which lead directly to the rock cut Nandi, the holy bull.
Nandi, Chamundi Hills
There are about 1000 stone-cut steps leading from the temple to the foot of the hills, and we contained the temptation to walk all the way down for safety reasons( :), ya, I was lazy and others had to follow!!).

Next stop- Jaganmohan Palace and Art Gallery. The visit, as none of us were of the category "Art-enthusiasts", was primarily to see the 14 or so Raja Ravi Verma paintings exhibited here. This palace was built for the wedding of Krishnaraja Wodeyar in a short period of 70 days. The structural magnificence of the palace is beyond comparison.

That done, next in the day's menu was lunch at Hotel RRR. One of the busiest hotels in Mysore, RRR provides excellent Andra-style Biriyani and other delicacies.

Tummy full and ready to continue, our destination was the mighty Mysore Palace itself. The majestic structure in the heart of the city, was completed in 1912 to replace the one that was partially burnt in 1897. The palace wears mind blowing festive look during the Dasara celebrations, when it is brightly illuminated and processions take place.

Mysore Palace as Seen from the direction Facing Chamundi Hills

The palace bears exhibits from the golden times of Maharajah's rule, the remnants of a vibrant past. The interior consists of vast pillared corridors and stately halls, elaborately carved ceilings, with antique mosaic floors. Lush garden around the palace is well maintained and is occupied in the evenings by people waiting for a glimpse of the palace illumination.

Palace Gardens

At about 3 P.M, we reached the fourth spot- St. Philomena's Church(St. Joseph's Cathedral). A Gothic structure with two spires, standing about 180 feet high, the cathedral is said to be modeled on the cathedral at Cologne. The church was built by Maharajah Krishnaraja Wodeyar in 1933.




The windows of the church are made of stained glass from France.The aura here was quite soothing and pleasant inviting to spend more time in the altar, to pray near the feet of the crucifix.





The final stop was at the Railway Museum, only one of its kind in South India. The engines and wagons kept for display here were used well before our country's independence and thus hold great emotional value.


Interesting to note here was the Maharani's Saloon- 2 coaches that contained all the luxury for the queen of state on her rail trips. Read below for more detailed description:





A drop at Pizza hut summed up the second day's journey through the heart and essence of Mysore.

Day 3:

The long walks had started taking toll on our legs and body by now. Since we had covered five places the previous day, day three was entirely for the ultimate Vrindavan Gardens in Krishna Raja Sagar Dam. A quick trip to Mysore AIR Station, the very first Akashavani in India with its parliament like structure and palatial interior, adored equably with machines from earlier periods of communication such as valve tube and crystal oscillators to the advanced F.M transmitters was, frank to admit, a new experience.


Under the F.M Antenna tower

We boarded the afternoon Volvo to Vrindavan gardens, passing through lush greenery and then the industrial suburbs which included the training facility of Infosys, largest of its kind in Asia, and other major MNCs and were among the first batch of tourists to reach the garden.


An evening in Vrindavan

The beauty of sunset over the seemingly endless horizon across river Kaveri is definitely a heavenly pleasure.



The illuminations and fountains started at 6 P.M. The mist that rose as water fell on marble tiles created a foggy shade around.



Musical fountains where water sprays seemed to dance to popular tones of bygone era was definitely worth the applause it received. The gigantic variety of shrubs and plants cleansed the air and elated us to newer levels of spirituality never reckoned before.
( Got ya!! nothing of that sort, it was all together quite cool and pleasant thats all!!)

And that was it, three exhilarating days spent in the lap of culture, the birth place of Carnatic music and the abode of love. Three days that passed in a blink of eyes, three days, that will stay in our memories for a long time, among the first thoughts while contemplating the good times we shared...

This article is, as I intended it to be, a mini-tour of Mysore, the Pensioner's paradise. A visual and verbal journey through the royal city discovering roots from a rich past. Do comment on my success or lapses...

The greetings bell at Pizza Hut