Exploring Indian Union~~सत्यमेव जयते~~: November 2008

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Doordarshan [Nostalgia]

Doordarshan Logo, India's National Television.

During the good old days of 1990’s, we all grew up listening to our National Anthem and other patriotic songs notably ‘Mile Sur Mera Tumhara’. Those were the days! Peaceful, simple and we really enjoyed life. Now everything has become hectic. The world has changed quite a lot. It is infact now India needs such songs and music to make every Indian realize their needs. Forget all religions and caste systems. We all fought together for independence and it’s necessary to save it. Doing sin to a human being itself is a very big sin. It’s destiny why we are all here and we are here for a purpose and that purpose is not for fighting.

Let’s go back in time and examine what we had in the past and what we lack nowadays. I have also added a few off-topic humors. Whatever we do, we must enjoy doing it.

Let’s start with something, which you would like the most!

Mile Sur Mera Tumhara
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=caUMs9gKh7A&feature=related

This song was screened on August 15th, 1989 after the Prime Minister’s speech in Doordarshan. The song became immensely popular and was rated high in the public. The song contains the words, “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara” which is sung in all the local languages of India signifying India as a whole nation. The song features popular cinema actors like Kamal Hasan, Amitabh Bachan, Jitendra and Mithun Chakraborty, actresses like Hema Malini, Amala, sports stars like Srikanth, Syed Kirmani, singers Latha Mangeshkar, Bimsen Joshi. The song itself ends in the final notes of the Indian National Anthem.

National Emblem of India.

Education Ad by Doordarshan
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=HeaU9RcTuq4&feature=related
Doordarshan screened this short film often urging Indian citizens to send their children’s to the school.

Doordarshan Introduction.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=tFoNiwZNcrg&feature=related
Doordarshan’s opening introduction movie. Quite popular in those days.

Doordarshan Old song featuring all stars.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=ukqIgpcKSO8
This song portrays popular stars running a long run carrying light as in Olympics.

Bajaj Ad
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=xEV8MWd1p3M
Bajaj Ad! I am sure everyone would like it. It depicts a different idea. “Hamara Dil, Hamara Bajaj, Bulandu Bharat ki, Bulandu Tasveer…

Tiranga
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=jvA583Rv2Zs
Features life in India, republic day parades, army, military.

Ajnabi Serial Introduction

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=iXosmnvL2js
Introduction theme of Ajnabi. A serial which was screened in DD in the earlier days featuring Danny Denzongappa.

Dekh Bhai Dekh
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=3tc9rnZx5T8
Jaya Bachan’s hilarious comedy serial with Sameer acting!

Tale’s Spin
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=XIl5YwcO72g&feature=related

Tale’s spin is a cartoon, which came at 11:00PM.

Alif Laila
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=ItQnYEFdaMk

Arabian Nights. Contains adventures of the sailor Sindbad.

Shakti Maan
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=arLbuQbMlH4

Mukesh Khanna’s Shaktimaan! Unforgettable in the 1998’s and 1999’s.

Lord Krishna shows viswaroopam
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=g-V6g3a5jGo

Indian tri-color flag.

Tele Match
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=_QMGqtlplUg

Telematch was a programme by Transtel, German broadcaster. It features fun activities between different counties/villages involving water, snow, cycles, plastic articles, balls etc.

Duck Tales
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qn7ZczR8NY

It features the story of McDuck, the world’s richest duck and his nephew’s Huey, Lewie and Duey.

School Chale Hum
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=b_Hd16Si8TI&feature=related
This short film features children going to school lovingly to school urging them to study.

Jungle Book
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=G9hglv3Myhw&feature=related
Introduction theme of Jungle Book

Nostalgic 1980 ads of DD
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=E78RcIFQCRc
Compilation of a few ads, which appeared in the 1990’s.

Limca Ad
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb91UvW6zko

Viv Richards Vimal suiting’s ad
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=I0tnkUUHYAM&feature=related
Features cricketing legend Sir Vivian Richards.

Premier Pressure Cooker Ad
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=0U7Lz4reejE

For regional Tamil viewers this song must bring you some memories.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=0U7Lz4reejE

Lijjat Pappad Ad
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=E-Ol1Q3L-gI&feature=related

Old Vicks Ad
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=yRH-vIbwPjU&feature=related

Amitabh Bachan, Jitendra and Mithun Chakraborty singing 'Mile Sur Mera Tumhara'.

Amul Surabhi Ad
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=J1rNDOdFOYY

Cadbury Ad
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=OIb0sQdXw5A

Another Cadbury Ad
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=tU9PnVWBx2c&feature=related

Titan Ad
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=iEBftYQwTfo&feature=related

Hamara Bajaj Ad. 'Bulandu Bharati Ki Bulandu Tasveer.....!'

Nescafe Ad
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=xk7hG84VOIQ&feature=related

Gold Spot Ad
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=xOHbqON0A1w

He-Man Ad
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=sM7Jx8oggCE

Dekh Bhai Dekh!

Indian Flag.

Premier Pressure Cooker Ad
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=0U7Lz4reejE
After seeing the above link, you would say, “Those were the days”.

Spirit of Unity
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=CVfO0KsPftY&feature=related
After seeing these songs, you would just say to yourself, “I would go in a wormhole to those days”.

Twenty Years later! We have got almost twice what we had in those days. Weapons to destroy the world 5 times and more! High-Technology! More than 100 television channels. Where's the peace? Where are the moral values? Where are the ethics? Where are is the content lifestyle? Most of all, where's your origniality?

God save my land.

-Krishna Kumar.S

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Sadhuragiri-Part 6

Sundara Mahalingam.

Sadly, I witnessed something that disturbed me quite a lot and led even to depression, which lasted for long hours. Ramesh and myself reached had climbed down fast and we were the first to reach the entrance. We went to a small shop to have "Color"-Miranda. As I took a sip of Miranda, I noticed that a goat was standing. Water was poured over its head and some "kungumam" was kept on its forehead. I knew what was going to happen. Even as I saw, that guy started cutting its head with a knife without any mercy. It was a gory scene. I am not a sensitive person. But sometimes I am one. I felt ashamed of myself. I couldn't save that animal.

For a while, I gathered all my emotions and felt like throwing my wallet money at him asking him to stop this gruesome sin in the name of God. I felt ashamed. Lord Krishna came and saved Draupadi at the right time. But this Krishna stood and watched helplessly similar to the Pandavas as justice and human values were disrobed. When truth and justice aren’t valued, the society fails.

Twin Lingams otherwise known as Erattai Lingam. Pic taken by Senthil.

It brought back memories of my childhood days where I use to play with dogs, cats, goats, cows, and mongooses. I took immense pleasure in giving food to them and also giving them nicknames. For people like me who haven’t got any siblings, all these animals, WAP-4’s, WDM-2’s are like siblings. Sadly, nothing is permanent in this world. I really couldn’t understand why they kill animals in the name of God? God has created everything! He is the all-omnipresent reality. He never asked for anything. He has the power to create anything. I would have forgiven that guy if he had cut the goat for his breakfast/lunch, but this was ridiculous.

Sandhana Mahalingam. Pic taken by Senthil before he started down.

Pilavatik Karuppar Saami. Pic taken by Senthil.

Vana Durgai, pic taken by Senthil at Sadhuraigiri. Thanks for sharing the photos with me Senthil(if you reading this report).

Nishant, Ramesh and myself had cool drinks at the foothills! We started off in an auto towards Sri Villiputtur(SVPR) Temple. We had a nice darshan of Andal and Vadapadrasayanar at SVPR temple. We also saw Andal Nandhavanam the place from which Pei Azhwar picked up Andal under a tulsi plant. We also saw the well in which Andal was believed to have seen her reflection with Perumal’s garland.

To read more about such stories, you can visit my other blogs:-

www.krishnaanswers.blogspot.com

Entrance of Ninra Narayana Perumal Temple.

From Andal temple we boarded an auto to reach SVPR railway station. We were to board WDP-3A hauled Sengottai-Madurai Passenger till Sivakasi. I doorplated this train till Sivakasi. We got down at Sivakasi, as we decided to have our lunch here. Everyone had meals, but Nishant and myself had Tiffin. I settled down with Paratha while Nishant preferred Masala Dosas. Soon we set off to Tiruttangal. Here we saw Ninra Narayana Perumal. Excellent.

We then started to Madurai in an evening passenger. It was hauled by WDM-2#17699 LHF and it was bang on time. The temple authorities told that the train was generally late and even asked us to spend more time at the temple. But Aravind didn't take risk. He suggested that leaving to Madurai would be a better option. As he predicted the passenger train wasn't late! It came on time. If we had missed it, then we may have to board a bus and the journey could be too tiring especially during the busy evening hours.

At Tirutangal station, the platform height was too low. As the WDM-2 crossed me, I looked very puny. I felt like Arjuna watching the Viraat Swaroop of the Almighty. WDM-2 was too majestic and divine! I could see almost everything in the WDM-2. WDM-2A, WDM-3D, WDM-3A, WDG-3A, WDM-4. A flash of radiance and all Gods were visible. Like that, many locos appeared in my imagination. WDM-2 was showing its "Viswa Roopam". I was happy that I got the divine eyes to see the Loco’s awesome cosmic form. I could feel the heat of the engine. FIRE! I could see the headlights. It appeared endless as the skies. SKY! I could see the radiators filled with water. WATER! I felt the breeze as it passed me. AIR! I could see its wheels making sounds as it came towards the platform. LAND! AIR, WATER, FIRE, LAND and SKY. As it neared me the radiance of light become too high and grew higher and higher and it was endless. I felt humbled.

MDU-SCT Passenger leaving SVPR.

I door plated for a while. Thankfully, I got a seat as Aravind offered his window seat and went to the door. We reached Madurai around 19:30hrs. We immediately set off to Koodal Azhagar temple. We had a good darshan of the deity. Then we climbed on top of the temple gopuram to see a view of Madurai. Then we went to Murugan Idli shop to buy dinner. We decided to have dinner in train! We also had “Jikiridhanta”, famous for Madurai. It is actually a mixture of Badam milk, sugar and ice cream. Excellent!

We reached Madurai station at 20:30hrs. We were to return by Pandian Express. S10 was our coach. Ramkarthik and myself settled in for Side Upper and Side lower berth. I owe a lot of RK for allowing me to use Side lower berth. RK wasn’t just happy for many reasons. The Side Middle berth especially. And also there wasn’t any water coming in the taps. WDP-4#20059 LHF was our power. There was a middle-aged person with some extra pounds on the Side Middle Berth. I wondered whether I would be safe lying down. I forced Ramkarthik(RK) to take Side Upper and I settled in Side Lower. I listened to music as my train proceeded towards Chennai. I was awake till Tiruchi-while rest of the gang went to sleep. Both during UP and DOWN trips, we were in separate coaches as we had booked our tickets in tatkal as we felt that we won't be getting leaves by our higher authorities. It was a big surprise-as I thought that this trip was unlikely even a week before.

The run between Madurai and Tiruchi was good. I felt that WDP-4 could have done better. Rameshwaram-Chennai Boat Mail was made to wait at Tiruchi outer, while my train overtook that train near Tiruchi. I went to sleep and I woke up near Villupuram. My train was almost on time. I preferred to sleep and I got up here and there as my train blasted through darkness. I got up again at Ottivakkam and I stayed awake till the end of the run. We got down at Mambalam. My dog Damien gave me a suspicious look when I entered my house. I had no time. I refreshed myself and board D70 at Guindy report at my workplace. I returned only in the evening at 2100hrs!

-Krishna Kumar.S
a.k.a Junior KK

Sadhuragiri-Part 5

Aravind and Anand pose for a snap. Pic taken by Senthil.

Then the terrain became even more rocky and dangerous. Occasionally, we also met people coming in the opposite direction. At one point, Senthil disappeared mysteriously. For 5 minutes, we stood there and were shouting. Later Senthil called us from the top. So he was waiting there thinking we were all lost! Amusing! Anand wasn’t really happy with Senthil.

Mountains! Pic taken by Senthil at Sadhuragiri, Watrap.

Then came a scenic location called Korakkar cave. It is believed that Korakkar siddhar stayed in this cave. The water in this place was tasty! Wonderful! There was an another location a few meters away. It was more like a small pond. It had a lot of fishes too. While climbing down the next day we took bath there. Then we carried on with trekking. For a while, I felt like a Spetsnaz soldier in Afghanistan in the 1980’s as the terrain proved to be really interesting.

Pic taken by Ramesh.

I could see various different types of insects, fireflies, giant lizards, lot of dogs and monkeys too. The vegetation was also good and the entire forest looked enclosed. The sunrays penetrated only slightly. Thankfully, there wasn’t any rain around. Otherwise, things would have been really tough. We came across various idols in various locations in the hills. We reached the hilltop at around 16:00hrs. Prabhu, Anand and myself took rest in a small room, while Ramesh, Senthil, Aravind, RK and Nishant were chatting outside and they were still energetic.

Vazhukku Paarai, pic taken by Ramesh.

Then the news came. The lunch was ready! I woke up instantly and rushed to the spot. Ramesh surprised everyone by sponsoring for snacks. He bought a big pack of Karasev. Fantastic! I didn’t know about it earlier. Otherwise, RK could have used the big packet as a pillow in train(as he didn't bring pillows). Rice was hot and tasty. I think it was raw-rice. “Kootu"(as in Tamil) or side dish was excellent. All top five-star hotels would fail if compared to this dish. Take my word, it was that excellent. I would be failing in my duties if I don’t appreciate the cook! Karasev was like a feather in the cap! Million thanks to Ramesh for such a good note of friendship. Ramesh was in full form and energetic always throughout the trip!

The gang poses for a snap. I was wearing shorts after 5 years I think. I use to wear only dhoti's/lungi's. This trip has brought some changes indeed. Senthil(red shirt), Anand(blue shirt), Prabhu(orange full arm), Ramkarthik(behind me), Professional Porikki(shorts). Pic taken by Ramesh.S

Thankfully, since Aravind had booked for a room earlier, we got an accommodation easily as there were only a few rooms there. We need to pay Rs.100 to the Government for using that room. We were very tired and soon we were lying on floor. We took rest for an hour. Then we came out to see the pooja and had a nice darshan of Santana Mahalingam. Then the fun started. We weren’t willing to sleep. Anand, Ramkarthik, Prabhu, Senthil were playing cards. Aravind preferred to sleep. Ramesh and Nishant were listening to plays and tamil dramas. Since I didn’t know to play cards I just watched them.

Anand poses with the gang as we climb Vazhukku Paarai.

A sound was coming from somewhere. “Kee Kee Keee. Kee Keee”. What was that? We were stunned for a couple of seconds. We listened intensely. It was actually Ramesh laughing like Tamil comedian Madan Babu. He and Nishant were listening to Tamil Comedy King S.Ve.Sekar’s drama “Kadhoola Poo” in their mobile headsets. Funny! Ramesh is one awesome guy. We were also amused by his laughter tone and we continued to laugh. Soon the entire room was filled with laughter. The cards were spread and the game continued. Prabhu lost the first game. Then Ramkarthik lost the second one. Then Senthil taught me how to play. I was thinking of playing Mangatha. But since it was a divine hill I didn’t want to suggest such things, especially when an austere, "disciplined?" guy like Aravind was around!

Anand and Prabhu

We slept at around 2200hrs. There was a special pooja conducted in the morning and few members planned to get up early. But I wasn't the one among them. I did get up-but the weather was too cold. Nishant was wearing some sweaters and headscarfs. He looked like a terrorist in my opinion! I was lazy to get up at 03:30hrs to see the pooja. Senthil, RK and Nishant got up and went to see the pooja. They came back after half an hour. We all got up at 06:00hrs and we were ready by 07:00hrs. After seeing, Sundara Mahalingam temple we started to climb down the hill. The people uphill were very kind and they even gave us breakfast of upma. They never treated us like outsiders.

Probably a place where siddhars sat worshipped Lord Shiva?

Since we were to see temples down hills near Madurai we didn’t see Periya Mahalingam, which was at least 2-hour climb away from our room. We started our return journey at 07:45hrs. We had bath at the falls near Korakkar cave. It was loads of fun. Splashing water on everyone, shouting, cracking jokes. Happy moments were treasured in pictures, videos. We then had our breakfast. We reached down hill at around 10:30hrs. I walked fast to reach the entrance first, but something different happened.

Sadhuragiri-Part 4

Ramesh was in full form on both the days!

Since I was to climb up mountains next day, I didn’t want to stay awake for a long time. I decided to sleep after a couple of crossings. My train started from Villupuram negotiated an excellent curve near Kandambakkam. It was a beauty. It was past midnight and the weather was a bit cool. I am lucky! I decided to enjoy the ride than to worry about silly things. I observed the scenario and thanked the Almighty for giving humans a lot of things to enjoy.

Tired and taking rest. Long way to go!

My mobile was soon playing “They don't really care about us-Michael Jackson” as WDP-3A negotiated a curve ferociously. I could see the Asst. Loco Pilot exchanging green lamps with the guard. The whole coach was sleeping. I felt sorry for them as they were missing quite a delightful sight. The most charming thing in life is to listen to music as an express train tears across darkness. The train was passing through lonely stations and I could see the khalasi waving the green lamp. The moonlight was good enough and I could see the scenario quite easily. My train was put on loop for a few crossings after Villupuram to allow trains coming from south as after Chengalpet it is a single line section all the way till Kanyakumari.I was also updating the Chennai gang/School friends as and when the events occurred. I got some spottings wrong too!!

Meanwhile Aravind's gang at the back of the train travelling in S1-coach were reading my SMS and correcting me if I had got any of the spottings wrong. I was surprised to know that many members working in nightshifts replied and corrected me when I spotted 6178 Rockfort as 6108 Mangalore Express. I went to sleep after my train crossed Virudhachalam Jn. I got up near Uttamar Kovil and was awake for sometime. I could see Sethu Express with GOC WDM-2. My train reached Tiruchi some 20 minutes late I guess. It was around 0330hrs in the morning. I preferred to take rest! I love the TPJ-MDU section-but I had no choice than taking rest as it would be too tiring when I report back to work on Monday.

Forest everywhere!

I got up at Dindigul Jn and I wasn’t willing to strain myself, so I went back to bed again. I got up just before Madurai, somewhere near Kodaikanal Road. The weather was cold. We reached Madurai slightly late. Harish Kumar came to meet me and bid good-bye as he was returning to MAS that day night itself after roaming around MDU. I brushed my teeth and later Ramkarthik and myself went to S1 coach to join Aravind & Co.

Senthil has just made an adventurous jump. Then Ramesh made it too, while I crossed the river on foot.

Our train reached Sri Villiputtur slightly late. Aravind, our trip organizer had already arranged for autos and other facilities. There were two autos arranged. Aravind, Ramkarthik, Ramesh and myself were in one auto. Anand, Senthil, Prabhu and Nishant were in other auto. We started towards a hotel to buy food.

Suddenly it grew steeper.

We reached the entrance by Auto and after reaching the foothills we needed to walk and there was no other option. We started climbing slowly. Luckily I was not carrying big baggages. It would have proved too tedious. There was a guide who helped us to carry luggage. You won’t believe! He carried 6 large tour bags and climbed the hill all the way up to 4000 feet along with us.

RK and Ramesh share a light moment near Korakkar Caves, Sadhuragiri.

Ramesh and myself were at the front. Anand and Senthil followed us. Then Ramkarthik, Nishant and Aravind followed us. Soon we reached a place called Thanipaarai. We decided to take bath here. This is where the fun started. Ramesh was in full form. We were soon in towels, shorts running loose all over the waterfalls. Aravind was yelling at everyone to take care and caution. Ramesh gave a fantastic pose! Ask him directly, as I don’t want to tell everything now. Then we played sliding board. Like kids we came sliding down the slope along with water. And man, something slipped out of my hands. It was my soap and soapbox. That could only mean that I had no soap for the next two days and I need to report to work without taking bath. Aravind was thinking twice but later he too joined the party. Then we had breakfast. Poori, Dosai with masala, Idli’s, Pongal. Yummy!

Korakkar Cave.

Then we started our journey again. It proved to be long, mysterious and interesting. We talked of things like S.Ve.Sekar, Crazy Mohan dramas, cinema dialogues etc. It was fun. As RK, Ara, Nishant talked of cinema dialogues, Ramesh and myself walked cracking jokes within us shortly followed by Prabhu, Anand and Senthil. At one point, we were to cross a small river and it had knee-height water. Senthil climbed over a few rocks and made a monkey jump. Since I was wearing shorts, I crossed the river directly.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Sadhuragiri-Part 3

The auto ride from Sri Villiputtur Railway Station to foothills. We are just unloading the luggages.

November 14th, 2008.

I started packing things at 4’o clock in the evening. For some unknown reason, my mother is never happy with my packing style. She always checks it twice. This is not the first time I am going out for an RF/Trekking trip but it always happens at my house. Generally I start 3 hours before the departure of the train. But for this trip I thought starting before two hours should be okay. Dunno why? I was to board 2661 Sengottai Pothigai Express at Egmore at 20:50hrs. I started at around 18:30hrs from my house and took the MRTS train from Kasturibai Nagar and reach Chennai Fort in 25 minutes approx. I walked towards the other side of the platform and waited for my EMU towards Tambaram to arrive.

WAM-4#20671 pulled in with Howrah Tiruchi Express near Fort. My EMU also came and I boarded it. My EMU soon accelerated and overtook the train. My EMU then honked. I thought it was a bit sarcastic. That’s life isn’t? Tough competition and there exists selfish people who take great pleasure in hurting others. As my EMU stopped at Park, the express overtook and entered Egmore first. Amazing! That's life. Tough competition. Now the Howrah-Tiruchi Express has won the battle!

Sadhuragiri Entrance.

I reached Egmore at 19:40hrs. Ramkarthik came in an EMU from Mambalam. We both waited for Aravind and gang to come from Saidapet. A surprise visitor showed up! It was S.V.Sriram. He has come to send me off. S.V.Sriram looked quite different than I expected. French beard, fair face, professional looks(???) and I didn’t believe that he was 35! Soon Aravind and Co came. The power was WDP-3A#15515. Nishant, Aravind, Anand, Senthil, Harish Kumar, Prabhu were in S10 while Ramkarthik and myself were in S1. Perhaps, the first time I was traveling in anything other than S6 and S2. And it was the second time I was behind a WDP-3A. Pallavan Express ride on February 17th, 2007 during my third year at college was my first ride behind WDP-3A. HWH-TPJ Express started a few minutes earlier than us. That would mean we would be trailing that train.

Lots of advice from the Forest Department.

We started on time and soon we were accelerating. WDP-3A was doing well! Ramkarthik and myself got busy with our routine discussions regarding railways and other stuffs. What I believe is that too much of anything would be boring. Generally, I prefer to talk off-topics! Try that, you would enjoy that too. WAP-4#22218 was seen hauling 6128 GUV-MS Express and was entering Mambalam when we crossed Mambalam at a good speed. As the train curved out of Saidapet, I could see Aravind’s parents ready to wave out to him from the legendary South Cabin. I felt peace when the train curved outside Guindy. It was like a long snake with a shining body as the lights inside the coaches were still switched on and it wasn’t sleeping time yet. A couple of EMU’s crossed us. We were running parallel to an EMU for sometime but later we overtook. That’s life isn’t it? Life itself is a railway track. Green lights, occasional yellow lights and sometimes even red lights. But aren’t red lights always better than simply crashing somewhere?

List of medicinal herbs, vegetables found in Sadhuragiri.

My train crossed Pazhavanthangal. It brought different feelings. Though I always say nothing is permanent, there are a few things, which still retain the same charm. There are a few things like: -

1. Lord Vishnu resting majestically on Adhi-Sesha.
2. The divine grace seen in Lord Jesus’s face.
3. The vibrant energy that’s felt when the Quran is recited.
4. People of Pazhavanthangal still retaining Indian culture.
5. And of course, the WDM-2! 30 years and more, but still chugging along. Loyal work horse

Traditional things have got a lot of value! Maybe we should go back to the Vedas.

A warning board as we climbed the hill.

Ramesh.S was boarding S10 at Tambaram. I felt bad when I heard the day earlier that Harish Kumar.R was pulling out of the trip due to sudden work. Instead of coming for trekking, he was traveling with us till Madurai and he was to return to Chennai on Sunday.

Save forests!

At Chengalpet, I bought idly and vadai. It was around 21:50hrs. I finished it before my train even crossed the outer of CGL! I drank the sambar, as it was more like Masala water! By this time the berth was put, so I sat in Ananta Sayanam similar to the Lord's pose to look out of the window. Ramkarthik and myself talked for sometime somewhere till Melmaruvathur. Then RK went to sleep. I thought of practicing my favorite hobby. RK warned me not to strain myself as the upcoming climbing task would then prove to be tough.

Mountains.

I connected the headset to my mobile and started listening to songs. Sheer bliss! Nothing to beat Backstreet Boys! I took a deep breath and inhaled fresh air. The train was now going past green fields. I could see a lot of coconut trees. My mobile’s music player was playing,” Back Street Boys-I want it that way”. “Ain’t nothing but a heartache, ain’t nothing but a mistake, I never wanna hear you say, I want it that way”. Excellent lines, wonder how the BSB wrote such scripts!

Pic taken using my camera mobile.

There was a freight train in loop near Melmaruvathur. My train passed at a slow speed near Tozhuppedu. Wonder why? I could see the stationmaster waving the green torchlight. It was around 22:20hrs I think. I was listening to music and I was enjoying. One way or another, I wasn’t giving my 100 percent. I didn’t know why? I was thinking too much about my deadlines in my workplace. At Mundiambakkam, my train stopped and waited for 5 minutes before moving into Villupuram Jn. HWH-TPJ was there and my train was likely to overtake it again as mine was more of a prestigious Super fast. Amazingly right! That’s life isn’t it? Heavy competition, unpredictable?