I was thoughtful and emotional today when the world celebrates “Father’s Day” and one word continuously haunted me is “Kal ho na ho”. Its 10 years now when we lost you daddy; but we miss you every day.
Most of us plan in our life that once I have money and resources, I will give all comfort to my parents. I also thought the same about my father; but one can only plan; ultimate decision maker is GOD. But I lost my friend and my daddy in 1999. I realized from that day that it’s better to live in present and take actions “now” rather than postponing them. I also decided not to dwell over the past and worry too much about future. In 2007, I started Atmachetna with the same quest.
I really miss my father more now, after being father of two kids - Sanchit & Udita. So many myths are broken when you yourself become a father. Now I try to be a good dad for my kids with help from my better half- Shilpi!. I really want to chat/discuss with you daddy; but can’t.
My advise to all those who say “oh I was remembering you” or “one day I will do this/that for my parents/friends” – just take the action now; b’coz you never know what GOD has planned for you. Please don’t postpone happiness and joy in your life and to other’s life through your actions and behavior.
Daddy, I really wish you were here with us now.
Happy Father’s Day – Daddy!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Exploring hills - I
Just returned from Amritsar and himachal after a 6 day break! Feeling re-invigorated by the nature walks and treks!
Started journey with Swarn Shatabdi to Amritsar on 3rd June (almost missed the train due to everlasting chaos on paharganj side of New Delhi station). We all enjoyed the 5 hours journey to Amritsar; especially kids who freaked out in the coach as it was 80% empty. Though Amritsar was almost boiling at 45 degrees; we got our hotel car waiting outside which took us immediately to a wonderful hotel called M K Hotel (probably the largest in Amritsar). After a brief rest and a simple lunch, we started our journey to Wagah border (around 40 min drive).
Wagah border is the border between India and Pakistan and every day a ceremony takes place there, which is attended by almost 1000 Indians and few Pakistanis on the other side. The ceremony is worth watching and is a wonderful experience. The ceremony starts at 6 PM in summers and 5 PM in winters. We were lucky that one of our friends arranged a VIP seats for us, such that we were almost at the gate where ceremony takes place. The place is filled with continuous playing of patriotic music and slogans by Indians. Everyone is so charged up that they almost shout at every slogan. The difference to note here between India and Pakistan side is that – In India we have mixed crowd of men, women and children and other side its mainly men; here we have almost 1000 indians everyday and other side is just few may be 50-60 people attending the ceremony; here all of us Indians sing, dance and enjoy the ceremony. The ceremony lasts for almost 40 mins.
We really enjoyed the ceremony and atmosphere at Wagah border and returned to our hotel filled with energy at 7.30 pm and then proceeded to Golden Temple at 745pm. I had visited golden temple earlier but others (my kids, Shilpi and my mother) it was 1st time. They were overwhelmed by the beauty and atmosphere of the place. We spent almost 3 hours there – praying and enjoying the warmth of the place. We finished our day with langar at golden temple. Even Udita enjoyed the langar!
Dalhousie
We wanted to start our next leg to Dalhousie from Amritsar by mid-day (4th June); but were advised by locals to start early due to some religious ceremony and expected tension on that day in Jalandhar and probably Punjab. So we started at 7:30 am after simple breakfast at the hotel for Dalhousie in an Innova taxi. Dalhousie is 170 kms from Amritsar by road. Enroute we crossed Batala and Gurdaspur and reached Pathankot; bought some fruits from Pathankot as my mother and Udita likes fruits (If you wish to go to Dalhousie or Dharamshala directly from Delhi- there are a number of trains from Delhi to Pathankot or chakki bank, which is 2 kms from pathankot).
From pathankot there are 2 roads – one going towards Dalhousie and other going towards Dharamshala, Mandi & Palampur. So we took the 1st road and stopped at “Mama’s Rasoi”- a resort for snacks. Nice place – just few Kms from Pathankot; as soon as the hills start; close to the army area. They make pizzas on Kulchas – not pizza bread; though we liked the pizzas; some of you may not!! They make fresh food – so it takes some time to serve.
From there we went non-stop to Dalhousie; road is decent and it took us around 1.5 hours for 60 kms. We stayed at “Silverton Estate Guest House” managed by Mr Vickram Singh and his family. A small heritage property built by his grandfather; with 5 rooms. Each room is nicely decorated and has an attached dressing area and large bathroom. The place is beautiful with a small garden in front with relaxing chairs. We were received with a glass of herbal soothing drink. The place is quite high and requires good driving skills to reach; but Mr Singh sends an escort to the road who will guide you to the place. Silverton Estate is above Govt’s circuit house. The family takes good care of you and provides you home food (breakfast & dinner). The food is simple and tailored to your taste. Lunch is not provided as you spend your afternoons normally outside. You are not allowed to eat anything inside the rooms to avoid smell and rats! Silverton Estate is nice place to stay as you don’t feel like closed hotel rooms – it’s like your home. The place is surrounded by deodar trees.
After relaxing for few hours; we started walking down to Gandhi Chowk (a prominent central place in Dalhousie). Incidentally Dalhousie is sandwiched between Dhauladhar and Pir panjal range of Himalayas and is a beautiful small unexploited hill station. It’s also called as walkers’ paradise; as it offers a number of walking treks rather than shops and congested roads like Manali and Shimla.
We were welcomed by almost 20 monkeys while descending from silverton to the main road and to avoid them we had to take a detour. Monkeys are there in plenty in Dalhousie and they can differentiate between a local and a tourist. They can be a problem if you tease them!! We reached Gandhi chowk and thought of eating our fruits and sat on a bus-stop shelter; which was almost empty. Soon a monkey decided to also eat the musk-melon we had and took away the fruit- eating every bit of it in front of us and teasing us also !! We realized we should not eat anything in open in Dalhousie. Then we started our walk on the road going to Subhash Bowli (1 km from Gandhi Chowk). Subhash bowli (spring) is the place where Subhash Chandra Bose got cured of his respiratory problem after drinking water from there, when he stayed in Dalhousie. It’s a beautiful trek on the road. All of us enjoyed the trek of 2 kms (to & fro to Subhash bowli - Its not a great tourist place but a good trek! Mr Singh from Silverton goes for an 8km walk on this road everyday (you lazy bums wake up!!!)
We returned to our hotel (quite steep ascend to Silverton Estate); those of you afraid of walking up-hill; be cautious! After a simple homely dinner we relaxed and enjoyed the good weather and decided to sleep.
Next day onwards in next post……..
Started journey with Swarn Shatabdi to Amritsar on 3rd June (almost missed the train due to everlasting chaos on paharganj side of New Delhi station). We all enjoyed the 5 hours journey to Amritsar; especially kids who freaked out in the coach as it was 80% empty. Though Amritsar was almost boiling at 45 degrees; we got our hotel car waiting outside which took us immediately to a wonderful hotel called M K Hotel (probably the largest in Amritsar). After a brief rest and a simple lunch, we started our journey to Wagah border (around 40 min drive).
Wagah border is the border between India and Pakistan and every day a ceremony takes place there, which is attended by almost 1000 Indians and few Pakistanis on the other side. The ceremony is worth watching and is a wonderful experience. The ceremony starts at 6 PM in summers and 5 PM in winters. We were lucky that one of our friends arranged a VIP seats for us, such that we were almost at the gate where ceremony takes place. The place is filled with continuous playing of patriotic music and slogans by Indians. Everyone is so charged up that they almost shout at every slogan. The difference to note here between India and Pakistan side is that – In India we have mixed crowd of men, women and children and other side its mainly men; here we have almost 1000 indians everyday and other side is just few may be 50-60 people attending the ceremony; here all of us Indians sing, dance and enjoy the ceremony. The ceremony lasts for almost 40 mins.
We really enjoyed the ceremony and atmosphere at Wagah border and returned to our hotel filled with energy at 7.30 pm and then proceeded to Golden Temple at 745pm. I had visited golden temple earlier but others (my kids, Shilpi and my mother) it was 1st time. They were overwhelmed by the beauty and atmosphere of the place. We spent almost 3 hours there – praying and enjoying the warmth of the place. We finished our day with langar at golden temple. Even Udita enjoyed the langar!
Dalhousie
We wanted to start our next leg to Dalhousie from Amritsar by mid-day (4th June); but were advised by locals to start early due to some religious ceremony and expected tension on that day in Jalandhar and probably Punjab. So we started at 7:30 am after simple breakfast at the hotel for Dalhousie in an Innova taxi. Dalhousie is 170 kms from Amritsar by road. Enroute we crossed Batala and Gurdaspur and reached Pathankot; bought some fruits from Pathankot as my mother and Udita likes fruits (If you wish to go to Dalhousie or Dharamshala directly from Delhi- there are a number of trains from Delhi to Pathankot or chakki bank, which is 2 kms from pathankot).
From pathankot there are 2 roads – one going towards Dalhousie and other going towards Dharamshala, Mandi & Palampur. So we took the 1st road and stopped at “Mama’s Rasoi”- a resort for snacks. Nice place – just few Kms from Pathankot; as soon as the hills start; close to the army area. They make pizzas on Kulchas – not pizza bread; though we liked the pizzas; some of you may not!! They make fresh food – so it takes some time to serve.
From there we went non-stop to Dalhousie; road is decent and it took us around 1.5 hours for 60 kms. We stayed at “Silverton Estate Guest House” managed by Mr Vickram Singh and his family. A small heritage property built by his grandfather; with 5 rooms. Each room is nicely decorated and has an attached dressing area and large bathroom. The place is beautiful with a small garden in front with relaxing chairs. We were received with a glass of herbal soothing drink. The place is quite high and requires good driving skills to reach; but Mr Singh sends an escort to the road who will guide you to the place. Silverton Estate is above Govt’s circuit house. The family takes good care of you and provides you home food (breakfast & dinner). The food is simple and tailored to your taste. Lunch is not provided as you spend your afternoons normally outside. You are not allowed to eat anything inside the rooms to avoid smell and rats! Silverton Estate is nice place to stay as you don’t feel like closed hotel rooms – it’s like your home. The place is surrounded by deodar trees.
After relaxing for few hours; we started walking down to Gandhi Chowk (a prominent central place in Dalhousie). Incidentally Dalhousie is sandwiched between Dhauladhar and Pir panjal range of Himalayas and is a beautiful small unexploited hill station. It’s also called as walkers’ paradise; as it offers a number of walking treks rather than shops and congested roads like Manali and Shimla.
We were welcomed by almost 20 monkeys while descending from silverton to the main road and to avoid them we had to take a detour. Monkeys are there in plenty in Dalhousie and they can differentiate between a local and a tourist. They can be a problem if you tease them!! We reached Gandhi chowk and thought of eating our fruits and sat on a bus-stop shelter; which was almost empty. Soon a monkey decided to also eat the musk-melon we had and took away the fruit- eating every bit of it in front of us and teasing us also !! We realized we should not eat anything in open in Dalhousie. Then we started our walk on the road going to Subhash Bowli (1 km from Gandhi Chowk). Subhash bowli (spring) is the place where Subhash Chandra Bose got cured of his respiratory problem after drinking water from there, when he stayed in Dalhousie. It’s a beautiful trek on the road. All of us enjoyed the trek of 2 kms (to & fro to Subhash bowli - Its not a great tourist place but a good trek! Mr Singh from Silverton goes for an 8km walk on this road everyday (you lazy bums wake up!!!)
We returned to our hotel (quite steep ascend to Silverton Estate); those of you afraid of walking up-hill; be cautious! After a simple homely dinner we relaxed and enjoyed the good weather and decided to sleep.
Next day onwards in next post……..
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)