A drive to walk!

The idea to drive early morning specifically to a park, and that too for a walk (read exercise walk and not a leisurely stroll), sounds silly to me.

I wonder why one would drive when the idea is to walk. Why not just step out of your home and begin walking (mind you, people who regimentally drive to the park every day for a walk, hardly ever walk to the nearby shop to buy milk or other essentials, that walk is saved for the poor house help!).

On a personal note, I feel trapped walking in a park–surrounded by a hedge and then secured with a boundary wall. To make it worse, parks these days have a pre-decided path for walking which freaks me out.

Having a path denotes someone else is planning your walk and taking charge of your morning activity. You become a robot and start going in circles like a possessed soul. Since these narrow paths can accommodate one or maximum two people, rest of the walking enthusiasts form a queue – following each other’s steps, leaving nothing to the imagination, nothing to explore.  

I prefer walking on the road (obviously on the service lane or the pavement – and thankfully all roads in the area I live in have service lanes and pavements, which have greenery in abundance).

My idea of a walk is to step out of the home and start walking. Try this and you will understand what I mean.

Walking in the open gives a feeling of independence – it is like getting out of boundaries. It feels the whole sky is yours. Vegetation surrounds you randomly, in no perfect order. You become part of nature. Your movements are not restricted. Your activity is neither guided nor predetermined. You choose it. You are the one who is in charge of your actions and not someone else.

Many of my friends who drive for their walks argue on fresh air and no pollution in parks. In their defence, they blame lunatic drivers who love to race on rather empty roads in the morning. They are right in their argument but to some extent. If there are no footpaths and if there are no service lanes, then only a deranged person or the one with suicidal tendencies would dare to step out and face the road rage. But if you have the privilege of having a public friendly place, then please don’t take out your car first thing in the morning.

At this note, I must thank my stars to be at a place that is conducive to walking enthusiasts. The area has all elements – service lanes, pavements, and plenty of greenery. Walking on these roads is not only improving my health, it brings me back rejuvenated. I explore and spot something new every day – a new way, a new path, new vegetation, new flower, or some other element, which springs a new surprise.

This breaks the monotony and keeps the walk an exciting activity for the body as well as for your mind. 

Has the heavenly system gone corrupt?

‘The God’s own country’!

But, the God seems to either have forgotten about his/her own country or have developed a bad sense of humour to play a cruel joke on her.

Of all the states in India, states in the southwest and northeast are perhaps the most stunning places. Both regions are rich in natural beauty, rich in culture, rich in craft, and rich in culinary delights. Anyone, who has visited even a tiny part of these corners of India, can’t refrain from falling in love with the unique character, spirit, and culture that these regions have in abundance.

I have visited Kerala 2-3 times and all states of the northeast (except Tripura) innumerable times and I can vouch for their beauty and cultural richness.

However, the massive and devastating floods in both the parts – Kerala in southwest and Assam in the northeast have shaken my faith in God, who has distraught his/her own country.

I wonder, does it have something to do with Kaliyug (according to Hindu mythology – some describe it as the Age of Kali and others describe it as the Age of Kaal – in any way it denotes the era of destruction)‼

Kaliyug is associated with corruption at its prime, rule of the evil, and in a nutshell, flourishing of everything that is negative and bad.

The stories like those of Vijay Mallya, Neerav Modi and Mehul Choksi et el confirm the first association – that corruption at its prime. The fact that politicians are turning into dictators (you can’t eat what you want, you can’t wear what you want, you simply can’t express how you feel – in a democratic environment – mind you) confirm the point that Kaliyug is the rule of the evil. The fundamentalist forces which have a negative approach to everything are flourishing – so the third point is also established.  

Now the destructive floods in Kerala and Assam!

I conclude that on the pattern of corrupt bureaucracy, corrupt politicians, corrupt judiciary, and corrupt media, the system ‘above’ (at the Gods’ kingdom) have also gone corrupt.

The old bosses either have deployed corrupt Gods or have given the reins to those who have no clue about their role and responsibilities as Gods. They do not know which state needs rain which doesn’t, which family needs monetary help which doesn’t, who are the people who need opportunities to grow and who don’t, which are the places that need support and basic infrastructure and which don’t.

The result is in front of all of us.

States like Kerala and Assam are having floods while the water level is going down in hill states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, which are facing acute water shortage.

Scammers like Mehul Choksi and Neerav Modi are so loaded after fleecing the national banks now they are buying citizenship of other countries whereas, on the other hand, the country has millions of people who are unable to get two proper meals in a day.

Bureaucrats and politicians keep increasing their own salaries and perks while the rest of the nation struggles for survival although keeps paying taxes so that these public servants can have a ball of a time.

In every city, there are areas that have all the facilities – the roads have been built so many times that the pavement has gone down two feet lower. Then, there are areas in each Indian city which have no proper drainage, no sewage, no proper water, or electricity supply. In the name of roads, these areas have something that can put craters to shame.

In today’s political scenario, it would be disturbing and dangerous to ask the government to fix things. But, for mortals like me, it’s easy to blame the God and his/her kingdom, where everything is going wrong, and where the impact of Kaliyug is as clear as water in Kerala!

However, while the systems have failed, Gods have given up, we humans can do whatever is in our capacity. We can extend help to people, who at this time of crisis need support from all of us.

The beauty that stayed in my memory

It was simply serene and surreal with cool breeze outside.

The road was veering through dense forest on both sides. In between were scattered tiny houses secured with bamboo-fenced courtyards, a typical sight in the state of Odisha. The fences adorned recently washed utensils shining like silver in the bright sunlight (people hang utensils on the fence for drying). We were on our way to Malkangiri district.  

The area is considered sensitive for Naxal activities. Hence there were CRPF jawans (Central Reserve Police Force men) who had made their makeshift base at every curve of the forest area. They were checking every vehicle passing by although there were not many of them on the deserted road. It was quite strange to spot one or two motorbikes parked after every couple of km. Helmets hanging onto their handles but no person in sight. Our driver did not find it peculiar because for him - a resident of the area, the sight was routine.  Acting like our guide, he informed us that those vehicles belonged to cops, who hide in the forest to keep a watch on the activities inside the forest area as well as outside on the road.

As we moved a little further, there appeared a river–broad and big with sea-green water. The river flows between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. The driver could not tell its proper name and the signs in Odia language were only squiggles for me.

The abundance of the virgin beauty of nature around the area was simply breathtaking. The river had a few small islands and each island looked like a bouquet of trees sitting in the middle of the river and welcoming the travellers. The whole area could have been a perfect weekend getaway. Had it been in any other country it would have been converted into a tourist site. This was the Chitrakonda area of Odisha where we could not restrain ourselves from taking a break.

The river has a huge dam, Balimela Dam. The water gushing out of its gates invariably attracted all motorists. Photography is prohibited at dams and putting aside the urge to share this natural beauty with friends and family back home, we decided to soak our eyes with the splendour of nature. Seeing the exquisiteness of nature in its raw form was a truly overwhelming and awe-inspiring experience. 

It was a work trip but someday I would love to revisit this area which remains untouched by any human intervention although recently a bridge has been made to connect the villages which remained cut off from the rest of the state due to rough and tough approach. 

I know it is not fair that I am now sharing the photos of the place that I am describing with so much passion. But, sometimes it is compelling that you admire the beauty with your eyes and arrest the moments in your heart, rather than capturing them in the camera. 

It is true that moments captured in the camera can be relived every time you look at the photos, but reminiscing the beauty of such exotic locations with eyes closed and reliving every moment with real pulsation, has its own charm. Now close your eyes and try to draw the picture of Chitrakonda area, and I am sure you will see the greenery around and smell the fresh air.

Driving blindfolded

Bhadrachalam Road…

The name on the building sounded strange, at least to me, if not to others!

Obviously, because Bhadrachalam Road was not the name of any street but it is a railway station in Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana). From here, we had to travel by road to Malkangiri district in the State of Odisha. The strange name was a hint that the journey would be an interesting one.

Malkangiri had no railway links.

Only in February 2018, a 130-km railway project has been approved by the Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (Government of India). So, the only way to reach the place was by road.

Thankfully, the driver (sent by the host) was waiting for outside the station, with a Mahindra Scorpio SUV (the only vehicle one can find on that road which passes through rough and tough terrains of the forest area.

We packed ourselves for the next 6-7 odd hours of the road trip through the rugged roads.

The fun (pun intended) began the moment we were out of the station. It was the middle of the night. The road was engulfed in thick winter fog with zero visibility. The windscreen was covered with mist. However, it did not perturb the driver who was zooming at 80 km.

Wondering why the driver was not using wipers to clear the screen, I was about to interrogate the driver. Before I could complete my question, he stated, as a matter of fact, “Wipers are not working, Madame”.

Seriously!

It was useless to discuss the matter further so we mentally prepared ourselves for the adventure. Thankfully, I was travelling shotgun so had the privilege of a seat belt whereas the rest of my co-passengers (including the driver) were happy travelling dangerously. The back seat did not even have any seatbelts.

The driver kept following the white dividing line on the road; and carried on racing unabated. In between, a time came when even the driver struggled to see where the road actually was. He had to stop the vehicle to clean the windscreen.

The adventure was over with the first ray of sun when finally we were able to see where we were going. The adventure topped with life threat was over. Looking around I realised that the beauty of nature in its virgin form was breathtaking. 

Malkangiri is surrounded by forests. The next hour helped us forget the nightmarish experience of driving blindly. Nonetheless, the experience also made this travel into a memorable experience!