BPL - The World Cup Hangover!

India won the World Cup to our immense joy on Saturday, the 2nd of April 2011. The Marina in Chennai at midnight was jam packed. Parties all over the city (and nation) went well into the night. It was a sin if you slept before 2 am! Inspite of all this there were this manic few who managed to get up early on the morning of Sunday, the 3rd of April 2011 and make it to BPL! BPL? Is it the Barclays Premier League? Oh no! It is the Bhumi Premier League, the cricket tournament held between the volunteers of various projects of Bhumi!

With a week's notice time, each of the four teaching projects of Bhumi came up with a team and a team name. The Dynamites from Dronacharya and Eklavya (DnE), the Kalakkal Kanini team, the GhiLE from the Little Einsteins (LE) and the MAD Madrasters XI were all set for the biggest cricket extravaganza of Bhumi! The Kalakkals and the Dynamites were the most punctual teams in that order and hence were blessed to play the first match when the sun was just about rising!

The first match proved to be an absolute run feast with the Dynamites sending the Kalakkals on a leather hunt. With a stiff target oh 120+ in 8 overs at hand, the Kalakkal Kanini went about their chase nonchalantly. Just when we thought the Kalakkals will be the runaway winners, a final over come back by Dynamites meant the game was tied and a super over was called for. It proved second time lucky for Kanini as they emerged winners!

Conversely, the second match witnessed some disciplined bowling from both GhiLE and MADrasters XI. MADrasters, batting first, set a modest target of 85 in 8 overs. The chase by GhiLE started of sluggishly, but picked up momentum past the halfway mark in their innings. With 11 required of the last 2 balls, two stunning sixes proved to be the clincher in this humdinger.

While the boys sweated it out in the sun, the girls split themselves to prepare refreshments and also cheer the teams on! The refreshments included the standard bread butter jam, fruit juices and a certain special drink which no one knows the name for. The drink's recipe was rumoured to have been trashed as soon as the drink was made. Nevertheless, most of us had second helpings and enjoyed it. Moving on, the finals between GhiLE and Kalakkal Kanini turned out to be a one sided affair. GhiLE with its continued disciplined bowling restricted Kalakkals to a modest score of 70 and knocked off the same with an over to spare and emerged comfortable winners of BPL. The biggest winners though were the HR team that put together this gala event which turned out to be a wonderful get together for the hard working volunteers. Three cheers to them!!!

Farewell my dear!

At the ripe old age of twenty one,

Began my affair obvious to everyone.

Through sweltering heat, sweat and grime,

I fought for her to be always mine.

She grew upon me, as time went by

And none could take her place, thereby.

Attention she drew, wherever I went,

A boon she was, that man didn't have to invent

They said she was soft, they said she was shiny.

They said she was cute, they said she was curly.

At times she went wild upon me,

And an hour begone, tame became she.

Until this day, I am happy to say,

I let my beloved be happy and sway.

But today! All the very best I wish you,

For, Oh my dear hair! I am going to miss you!!

-Irah

Venkatagiri Trek - Part II: 'CHEER UP! The worst is yet to come!'

It was a pleasant morning. The camp fire was dying down slowly and the sun raising up the horizon. With a very comfy sleeping bag I enjoyed a warm night's sleep with my pullover's hood doing its part in keeping the cold away. After a quick refreshment, we trooped to an amazing view, near the camp, of the peak we set out to conquer. After a quick photo session there, we started packing out things and were set to leave the comforts of our camp by about 8 am.

After a small confusion on the trial to be taken we hit the right path for the steep climb down. I should mention here, that thoughts of reaching the peak was aborted and everyone were set to enjoy the return. Slowly in batches we climbed down the steep trial back to the cross-streams and by 11 30 am we were all down, except for two. The first thing everyone did after coming

down was to jump into the pools around

and take a long dip. The small cascades of water nearby were too inviting to skip. It was a wonderful refreshment after the demanding climb down.

Meanwhile, the more senior members of the trek, curbed their instincts to set up the cook pots for some soothing tea and tasty soupy noodles. Thanks to them, all the hungry souls who emerged out of the pools had a wonderful and filling lunch. After enjoying ourselves till about 1 30 pm near the cross-streams we began our retreat. The two missing members came down through another trial while we were about to leave. It was decided that while some (which turned out to be half) of the others will stay back give those two company, the others will proceed with the villager in the lead.

The old villager led the lead pack at a flat dead pace, that was well kept up by the group. With breaks twice every three hours and one long break to make sure our fellow group of trekkers caught up with us at a major crossing, we still made it to our base camp without any delays as dusk set in at about 7 pm. Then began the long wait for the group that followed us. With little or no communication about them until about 9 pm, we were sure they were lost.

Two of the group that already reached decided we will need to head back and find them. They wanted a third and I volunteered. And so began the rescue mission.

Trekking in the night is so much different from that in the day. The obvious trial that we followed a day ago in broad sunlight was not so seemingly obvious in the darkness of the night. We had one off the trial detour which was enough to tell us that we could not do this without more help. We called up the remaining guys at the base camp and told them to get some villagers for help.

Meanwhile, as suggested by Nagin (who was one of the other 2 rescuers) we started laying markers to mark our trial. Soon, we hit the right trial and were on our way. We reached a point on the trial where none of us could predict the right path. So we decided we'll wait for more help at a known location than get lost ourselves. We waited for about 15 minutes at the dirty stream crossing. Help, in the form of 4 energetic villagers, soon arrived. They led us at a sure pace through the forest to our friends in another half hour. Finally the entire team of 50+ trekkers reached the base camp safely by midnight and back to Chennai in the morning. All along in my mind, I thought the T-shirt I wore that day said it all: 'CHEER UP! The worst is yet to come!'. Thus ended the trek that I enjoyed and learnt a lot.

New Year's Eve

It was 3:45 am in the morning. Masoom and me had missed our stop at Sulthan Bathery. We got down at a place called Kalpetta and the night still cold and unrelenting. Ambling across the road we seated ourselves at the bus stop to re-track our way back to Sulthan Bathery. After a 15 minute endurance wait we got into a bus that will take us to our destination in what we thought would be an hour's time. We were wrong. It took us only 30 minutes. Welcome to Kerala - God's own country!

We soon met up with Justin, who had found a room for us to crash in that unearthly hour. After reaching our dorm, we killed time chatting or sleeping (in my case) until about 7 am. A quick bath and a refreshing breakfast @Indian Coffee house, we were ready for the Chembra peak, the highest peak in Wayanad District. Passing through the winding, twisting and scenic lanes of Ambalavayal, Vaduvanchal, Meppady (where we quickly shopped some fruits and grub for the trek) towns in Justin's Swift, we reached the base camp of the peak by about 9 30 am.

The peak, 2100m above sea level, was nestled among the protected forests of Kerala. We had to obtain a pass of Rs. 500 (valid for a group not more than ten in number) for a trek to the peak. What was more surprising is that the forest officer demanded Rs 200 as deposit against the plastic bottles we were carrying uphill. We happily paid the deposit. It was really heartening to

know that atleast one state in India cares about its tourist spots and reserved forests (as we saw the trend continued throughout our trip). We also got a guide, one Mr. Mohan Raj, father of two girls, who led us up the trial.

We were allowed to drive another four plus kilometers before we pulled into a parking area and began the trek at about 10 am. Initially we hiked for about 2 km to reach the watch tower, after which the real trek began. The trek basically consisted of crossing 6 peaks and a lake before reaching the actual peak. Ten minutes into the climb, we were soon panting. The incline was as such, and the inclination further was relentless. Half way up the first of the peaks, we found a trickling stream of water that was cold and refreshing! Rejuvenated, we reached the first peak in good time and had a quick photo session.

We had a brief respite in the form of some flat terrain after the first peak. But that was just a teaser. The climb got steeper and tiring. Two more peaks past, we reached what was called the Hridayasagar lake (so named for its heart shaped bank). The lake lives up to its name and serves as a perennial source of drinking water for the wildlife existing in the forest. We also got to see the now prohibited camping area near the lake. Unfortunate that camping there was banned since a forest fire broke out few years ago, destroying some part of the forest and the wildlife.

Soon we were back up the trial in quest of the peak. We passed, what our guide knowledgeably guessed as elephant and leopard trials, but never came across the owners of the same. Maintaining a steady banter and pulling each other's legs we reached the peak at about 1 pm for some of the stunning views. It was peaceful and breath taking. We just couldn't stop clicking on our camera! And in about 15 minutes we were soon covered by mists on almost all sides. More reason to take out the camera! We were snapping away for sometime and lo! it was time to start the descent.

The climb down was surely faster but the incline was such that, we (at least I) felt our knees taking in a lot of pressure. So after a steady and slow one and half hour climb down we were back at the parking area. Justin with his 'mallu' bonding with Mr. Mohan Raj got us to enjoy a refreshing dip at a stream flowing near the base camp.

The water was super clean and super cold! After splashing around for sometime, we were off. We caught a quick bite on the way at Meppady.

Our next stop was at Ambalavayal to get some food packed for the night. By 7 pm, we met up with the owner of our to-be camping site for the night and by 7 30 pm we were at the place! Our campsite was to be a rocky area covered by a forest on one side and an upcoming resort (which the owner is yet to complete) on the other side. Masoom and myself quickly set about setting up the tent at the campsite. Justin meanwhile, helped the owner and the caretaker set up the bonfire. By eight we were all set!

The night was cool, the fire blazing and pitch darkness all around us. The tent set sturdy, just a few feet away from the fire with comfortable sleeping bags waiting for the occupants. It was a perfect new year's eve for the three of us! We settled around the fire chatting and munching, on and on, on and on. In between we did our best to keep the fire ablaze until midnight.There was enough firewood and oil to last two nights! Soon it was time for the countdown and out came the cake we bought on the way. 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...Welcome 2011!!

Venkatagiri Trek - Part I: Yaay! My First Camping Trek

The scheduled departure according to the prep mail was 3:20 am from Koyembedu. My heart sank seeing that. The last time I had to catch a train around that time, I dozed off nicely. I set myself up to do my office work until late on friday to make sure I didnt miss this time around. Well, as it turned out, I didn't miss the bus after all. My scooty was happily parked in the CMBT stands and I was walking out of the terminal towards the assembly point well on time. Slosh! My right leg went right into a tarred slush accumulated along the pavement outside. After registering my attendance, I had the unfortunate chance to grace the toilets of CMBT to cleanse my dirt. Not sure if I cleansed it or added more, but my newly purchased, 1 day old pair of shoes took the treatment well enough for me to continue.

After some incorrigible delays we finally set forth on what was my first camping trek to Venkatagiri hills, somewhere near Renigunta in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh by 5 am along with 54 other members of the Chennai Trekking Club. I peacefully slept off my journey and woke on time for the breakfast near the base. The target as per the maps distributed was a total of 40 km in two days. We started Day 1 at 11 am from the base village into the hills. The initial part was a hike past the dams, wading through a dirty stream, walk across a pebbled river bed and into the tree cover leading to the foothills.

Next came the walk along the wide stream. This was a mixture wading in the stream, jumping across boulders on either side of the stream or fighting your way through the brambles along either of the banks. After slipping and sliding along the stream, we made it to the first pool by around 2 pm, right on time to munch into our Tamarind rice for lunch. The next part was pretty similar, except that both the boulder jumping and wading the stream became more slippery. After around an hour and half more of saving our ankles and legs from visible damage, we made it to what can be called as the pool by the cross- streams. The pool here was fed by two streams falling in between the mountain's steep.

The senior trekkers, after an hour of scouting and discussions, decided that the steep climb would be the best way to reach the peak which was our destination. By 4, half the group crawled their way up the steep, marking the trail with ribbons for the followers. I, along with my newly found friend, Ashok, started a little later on what was the best part of the trek! I loved the climb as it was challenging and a slip would be as costly as one's life.

We caught up with the crowd ahead in pretty quick time. The plan was to locate a campsite near an upper stream and attack the peak either by night or by early morning. Alas, after much searching, it was found that a campsite near the upper stream was impossible and the peak unreachable from where we were! By then, the remaining half joined us uphill and we were able to thankfully locate a campsite by around 9 30 pm. Not many thought of food as everyone hit their sleeping bags as soon as they could...

Going MAD @ICCW

It begins after work every Thursday. A slew of messages. Few confirmations. Some explanations. And hence some substitutions. And we are all set for Saturday at the least. Oops, the preparations? Well, that happens either late on Friday nights or Saturday mornings. Ironically, Sundays, which are substitution days have better preparations.

The weekends for me unusually begin by 6 am with either cricket on Saturdays or football on Sundays. Making it home by 9 30 am becomes quite a challenge! What with a bath and some quick preparations (if its Saturdays) to follow! But still, after what they call a 'crow's bath' and a quick revision, am off by 9 50 am. One thing that is of great help to me is that the destination is just a minute's drive away. I somehow make it before 10 am.

Once at ICCW (Indian Council for Child Welfare) with my fellow teachers, the English class, preceded by a quick discussion (on the topics to be covered), begins. My 'wards', for want of a better name, are only four or so they seem. They are christened as Chandiran, Amul, Balaji and Deepan. The youngest, Balaji, is playful all the time and ever so restless, but has prompt, witty and correct replies to any of my questions. The oldest, Deepan, finds some reason or the other to skip the classes but catches up with the fellow mates pretty easily, when he does attend. Chandiran, would love, not to play games, but to finish of the day's lesson at the earliest. And Amul, the conformist would agree to anything I say. I couldn't have ended up with a more complicated set.

It is a challenge I cherish. Trying to play a game for three while the fourth sits trying to get on with the class can be mind boggling. But that happens every Saturday to me. Even when all three (Deepan rarely attends) listen to my class, one steams ahead like a jet, the other rattling along like train and the third crawling along like a cart. Patience, to answer their doubts even when they may have to be repeated to each one individually one after the other, is a prime ingredient. The gauging of the kids' moods for the day is also a huge help. This, I realised while handling the younger kids. It is impossible to do something they don't want to. Playing along with them when gets their attention much better than rebelling against. Just to make sure they sit with you all through the two hours is simply an achievement in itself.

Its amazing how one improvises without meaning to, during the two hours he/she spends while teaching. Only last week, I had to engage 7 of the youngest kids, in rotation so that my fellow teachers could conduct one-on-ones for their 9 wards. A word building, followed by a spelling contest, followed by Chinese Whisper, and then a story time. The last one was straight out of my granny's favourite reciting to me and my cousins. It gives you enormous satisfaction when cute little bright faces drink in whatever you say like it was something really sweet. What is most encouraging is, when I get back next week, their recollections/remarks on what they learnt/heard last week.

Well what is the moral? A fortnight ago I was attending a family function, where my cousin's kid was stuck to her mom all morning. Pop, comes my other cousin's kid with her grandparents. An idea strikes! I got them together, and together they were for the remainder of the function. They still quoted the 'high-five' game, I introduced to them out of nowhere, when I met them during Navrathri. The nursery rhymes we sang together still resonate. But most of all, the twinkle in their eyes and the innocent laughter I heard that day will keep me going for more. Time to get more MAD!!

P.S: MAD refers to Make A Difference, an interactive English learning programme for children who have limited or no proficiency in the language.

This one's for my Granny...

Thursday, 7th of October 2010

The days preluding were filled with excitement. I used to bug my Paati (granny) to decide what is that new thing we should get that year. Something always was new every year and so it should be according to her. Finally when the first day arrives, I used to get so excited that all my time at school that day would go in thinking about the evening. I used to beg her always, 'please don't start without me'. And always, she used to wait for me.

Evening I come back from school, expecting appa (dad) or chithappa (his younger bro) to come from office, because without them nothing would start. First the basic framework gets down from the dingy lofts in the corner room. Then the seven long steps. And I always had to help in their descent. Whether I am big or small didn't matter. Always. Once they are down, the building of the frame is done. My paati ever so thoughtful, used to soak the screws, nuts and bolts a day before in keroscene. After appa and chitha are satisfied with the frame, the steps are placed and two pure white dhotis (8 ft long) cover the entire set up.

Meanwhile paati starts clearing the things above the age old trunk box in the store room, to start unloading our complete repertoire of dolls. Oh my! Each doll was precious. I used to recite out how many Ganesha, Murgan, Krishna, Shiva and what not! we had every year to my sister (Sharanya). And every doll had its own story. It was so much fun listening to them. The little Appu dolls (that I still have) were the most dearest. Paati always used to tell that the pair cost just 50 paise.

Once my shuttles between the store and drawing rooms are done and the trunk empty, we move back to the corner room for the unloading of more dolls! Appa likes to pull my leg there by wantedly skipping several sets of dolls that I used to look out for. The 6 dancing girls, 5 freedom fighters, the ladies with the kids, the fruits and vegetables set, the three biggies (Lakshmi, Saraswathi and Murugan), the Ramar crowning ceremony, the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, the two Kamadenus all had to be there. The tantrums I used to throw when something was missed by appa there. Ahh!! I used to shout so much. But paati patiently would tell appa what was missing and where to look, making sure I was satisfied.

Then, I, being so short and unable to keep the dolls in the topmost step used to direct appa to keep what dolls where, with paati pushing my him wherever she had to. Then once the top steps are completely filled and we are down to the bottom few, I take over completely. Paati would help me keep every thing the way I want. And once all the steps are filled and with the big Murugan on a plank, for itself, on the floor, my real work starts!

The biggest fun of all Navrathri celebrations for me was the spreading of sand on the floor and laying out the cricket set, park set, band set, a zoo, a temple, a pond and what not! Patiently from around night 9 30 pm after dinner till almost midnight, I used to do my favourite thing. I never let anyone else help me. Paati would soak some seeds in water 2-3 days before to add some real greenery to my setting. Wow how much I loved it!

And today, when the day came back, it hit me, how much I miss the fun I had with Paati all those years. Miss you so much paati...

With lots and lots of love

Appu