Sunset at Raja's Seat

This is a popular tourist destination in Mercara. It consists of a viewpoint with a nice park attached to it. Though a bit touristy, one should not miss the glorious view of the sun sinking slowly into the hillside from this vantage point.

The ideal time to visit Raja’s Seat is around 5.30 PM. As the sun moves down the western horizon, the sky slowly turns reddish. We remember the words of the popular cinema song…”Oh, this is a glorious golden evening time… the sky-maid blushes deep red as she changes dress….!” Initially the horizon is pleasantly tinted pink and violet and as the blazing sun dips over the mountains in the distance, the sky turns maroon, carmine and finally an angry red when the sun finally disappears from view on the west. The whole event, this daily immolation of the sun on the mountain-peak happens over a matter of ten to fifteen minutes. As in all hilly regions, there is no distinct twilight; night swiftly engulfs the Kodagu valley and the whole area is at once plunged into darkness except for those pockets where man has, through electric lights created artificial islands of brightness.

Back in Bhandara

11.11.11

Here I am once again in Bhandara, Maharashtra. I am here to conduct a training progrmme for the engineers of Ashok Leyland Limited on Financial Awareness.

The weather is quite cold in the early morning as well as late at night. As Bhandara is very close to the jungle area the surroundings are calm and sylvan. A short drive out of the city towards MP would take one into verdant forest area. In fact the Leyland unit is almost inside the jungle. Black faced langurs and other kinds of monkeys are a common sight. Similarly different varieties of birds including herons and other waterfowl can be observed.

In the morning I walk over to the terrace adjacent to my spacious room and I am greeted by the shining disc of the rising sun in the east.

Sojourn in Serendip – IV

We wended our way from Nuwara Eliya to Colombo through Emerald green tea estates that rolled away on all sides. The road wound along the lush green estates. In the distance were the tall mountain peaks.

En route we came across numerous water falls and cascades created when the Kelani River meets a rock formation that defies erosion. The river then falls down to the next harder rock and so on as it creates a layered waterfall amidst the green fields.

We stopped at St. Claire’s Falls which is, by far, the most picturesque of the waterfalls in this region. We also saw Devon’s Falls which is just opposite the St. Claire’s Estate Tea Centre. We had an invigorating drink of the tea brewed on St. Claire’s Estate. Still further away is Hatton, a small British Settlement developed by Tea Planters during the British Colonial period.

In the distance we can glimpse the mist-covered heights of Adam’s Peak or Sri Pada, the second highest peak in Srilanka but arguably the more popular. The Sinhalese believe Buddha visited the Island Three times during his life.Every year thousands of pilgrims climb this figh mountain to view the foot print (Sri Pada) of The Buddha on the Summit. The Muslims believe the print was that of The Prophet Mohammed (May his name be Praised) and the Hindus that it is the holy foot print of Sri Rama! I am sure the Christians have an equally convincing story of a visit by Jesus to the Islands when he left his imprint on this high peak. Well, after all, Religion is not about God it is about Belief!

As we move down from Nuwara Eliya to Colombo, the Kelani River accompanies us singing a merry song on its way to the plains. The terrain on which the water flows makes it ideal for white water rafting.

For the curious movie buffs, it may be interesting to gret down from the car and take detour on foot to the lacation where the famous movie, “The Bridge on the River Kwai” was shot. The forest area between Khanchanabhuri (where the Tiger Temple is situated) and Burma is the place where the story of the famous movie, “The Bridge on the River Kwai” happened. My friend B Ramakrishnan has travelled on the legendary train across the bridge. But the movie was shot here in Srilanka on the River Kelani. A bridge was actually constructed here and was destroyed as part of the shooting.

Another place of interest could be the huge bungalow of Dr. Anand Jayasuriya, now converted into a restaurant which houses his imperesssive collection of classic vintage cars including a couple of Rolls Royce, a porche and a Jaguar.

Pichavaram--Still Moments among the Stilt Mangroves

I have heard a lot about the back waters and Mangroves of Pichavaram near the Temple town of Chidambaram and I have always wanted to visit. I managed this finally as, duly approved by the beetter half, we made our way to the backwater from Big Beach Puducherry. On the NH 45A after crossing Cuddalore one has to take a left near C-Mutlur (Okay there is an B--Mutlur but we never saw an A--Mutlur!) Pichavaram is situated in Kille thaluk.

The Boat House and Restarant are Okay. As we reached there mid-morning, the heat was terrible. We took a motor boat and traveled down the back waters. The ecosystem is essentially Halophytic or salt water tolerant. A peculiar flora of the region are stilt mangroves that are essentially inter-tidal marine plants mostly trees bordering coastal areas. In India they are found only in PichAvaram and the Sunderbans. The Mangroves consisting of plants like Rhizophora Apiculata or Rhizophora Mucanota grow on exposed roots that raise the plant above the sea level. The stems are able to exchange gases and as the tides raise every day they also take in water-borne nutrients. . The roots are embedded in the water-soil, and are similar to the Banyan Roots.

For an extra charge the boatmen will take you throgh canals with overhanging branches of Mangroves forming a tunnel of cooling shade.

Pichavaram may be visited once to see this unique eco-system in action.

Karl Kubel Institute, Anaikatti, Coimbatore

21.12.2010

I am here with my good friend and trainer Roopkumar to conduct a two-day Outbound Training Programme for the senior executives of Texmo Industries.

I have heard a lot about Karl Kubel from Coimbatore Trainers and corporate executives. But I could never visit. Nestled at the foot of the Anaikatti range of hills, the Institute is picturesque with green lawns and spreading conifers. It is run by an NGO founded by Karl Kubel a German philanthrophist. It has locational advantages for conducting Outbound training. More than 100 people can be accommodated in the various training blocks scatteres over the sprawling grounds. Each block has its own rooms for lodging and Training halls. The Dining area is common and centrally located. The food was healthy and hot and had a Kerala flavor. In winter when the air is vchilly, it is almost like a hill resort.

Behind the Institute from south to north the western ghats rear up majestically. The road passing by the Institute goes further up to Anaikatti and thereafter to Mukkali, Mannarkad, and Silent Valley in Kerala.

There is absolutely no external disturbance due to the remote location. The fact that the cell phone connection is fragile means we don’t have to bother about participants going out for taking calls.

My ears, so used to the continuous buzz and background muzak of city life were pleasantly relieved by the total silence prevailing in the institute. This absolute “Nisabdha” or “absence of noise” served to accentuate sounds and make them louder than usual. The chirping of birds in the morning and the sound of a twig cracking as someone steps on it were clearly audible.

There is a very tenuous moble connection outside the main gate of the Institute. I went thither after the morning tea break to call up my office. I squatted on a conveniently placed concrete seat (possibly made for this purpose?) and spoke to Chennai. As I sat there after the call, I could see spread out before me the magnificent view of the range of mountains, shrouded in greenery with a bald peak here and there rearing up above the emerald slopes. In the near distance the yellow and white moths flew from flower to flower and fluttered through the low-hanging branches of the trees lining the opposite side of the curving ghat road. I simply sat there “enjoying-the-moment.” Even the regret that I did not have my camera handy was silenced in the realization that enjoying-the-moment now was more important than attempting to capture 2D images.

Cyclone Jal at Puducherry

I was in puducherry when the cyclone Jal hit TN. The wind speeds were quite high and the lake enroute to Pondy on the ECr was brimming with water. The wind whipped at us and swirled all around.

We stayed at the Mother Sea View Guest house just behind Ajanta Hotel on the Beach Road. So we got a magnificent view of the besch and the high rollers as they crashed down on trhe black rocks. We simply sat in the balcony watching the waves and enjoying a ring side view of the force of nature!

Sunflowers

A field of sunflowers on the route from Pandharipur to Pune on our return.

Rainbow--Photographed on the way to Pandharipur

Sunset on the Wainganga

This shot was taken from the Wainganga bridge on the Bhandara-Raipur Road from the Eastern side towards the southern side. I liked the play of the setting sun on the water and took the shot with a little strip of land visible on the extreme western bank.

Wainganga bridge

On the road from Bhandara town to the Ashok Leyland plant, there is a river that cuts across the road. This river is the Wainganga which is a tributary of the Godavari. The Wainganga has its source in Madhya Pradesh and flows through Maharashtra. The river is pretty sluggish here as it passes near Bhandara on its way to joining the Godavari near Nashik. Currently the river is crossed by a strong concrete bridge. From this bridge you can see the former bridge built one hundred years ago by the British. The locals say this bridge has survived many floods. During the monsoons this bridge would be submerged.

I took this shot from the eastern ewnd of the new bridge in the evening around 6:00 PM on 14th September.

Vaizag Landing - 1

On my way to Vaizag this time, I begged the air hostess and got Seat 2 B, a window seat and managed some good aerial shotswhile landing at Vaizag.

Dark Tree

I photographed this tree from the Window of the ICAI Branch. I am experimenting with the Picture Manager. By reducing the saturation and increasing the contrast I have made this image look like it was shotlate in the evening on a stormy day. It wasactually shot in full sunlight at 16:00 Hrs.

Scenic Landing at Vaizag

I am here at Gitam Institute of International Business, Vaizag handling the second installment of the course I offer here on Business Strategies and Management Control Systems. I landed up here on 23rd August at around 12:30 PM. On the way to the GITAM University I requested my driver to stop on the beach road a little distance beyond Kailash Giri where the road curves right. I got some classic shots of one of the best the stretches of Vaizag Beach. The terrain of Visakhapatnam is very interesting. The azure blue sea, the sands of the beach, the low hill ranges lining the bcity on the east and west. All this when taken together makes for a panorama of scenic beauty, especially on the beach road which twists left and right throwing up vistas of sea, sand and hills with every turn.

The sunrise is pretty early here possibly because of being further east when compared to Chennai.

Landing at Vaizag airport during daytime is always worth a window seat. During my landing I got a classic aerial view of Vaizag from the craft. First the blue green sea, so calm and still like water in a tub with small toy-like ships floating on it. From up above these huge vessels piled with containers looked no bigger than the miniature ships that children play with. Then the unbroken golden yellow line of the sandy beach followed by a belt of greenery. As the plane prepares to land, the docks come into sight. The sea extends into the land through a natural inlet navigable by lagrge vessels. Huge vessels lie safely docked in this inland harbor. As the plane turns again, the beach road, a winding black line between sea and city is seen. Then the city and the highrises, the railway track and finally greenery again as the plane swoops down to land at the runway of the Vaizag airport. From my window I see a line of emerald green hills just opposite the airport on the otherside of the Highway.

A canvas in the Sky

I shot this Photograph just before boarding the flight from N Delhi. I can never cease to marvel at the wonderful canvas of the sky that the Almighty uses daily to paint millions of colorful scenes for us to behold. Just looking up at these glorious evening sunset skies makes me want to fall on my feet and offer thanks to Him for painting these pictures with such subtle colors and giving me the blessing of eyesight to see and appreciate them!

Emerald Carpeting

12.02.2010

I visited the Park Global Institute of Management Campus at Kancheepuram. The campus is situated on 12 acres of open land surrounded on three sides by lush green fields.

I had the unenviable task of sharing my thoughts on Management Accounting and Controls with a dozen MBA students whose lack of interest in acquiring managerial knowledge was almost equal to their inability to comprehend it. I wish they had brought as much enthusiasm to acquiring managerial skills as they had evinced in playing cricket in front of the building.

One beneficial fall out of the visit was that I got to spend time in open countryside on a pleasantly cool February day, breathing fresh air. The continuous carpeting of green fields visible from the class room window was a treat to the eyes. I was extremely energized by viewing the unending vista of fields going right up to the distant horizon.

Lament

I weep for my loss

I weep for yours

I weep for those things

We may never see again

I weep for the Royal Bengal Tiger

Striped, striding, strong and sure;

I weep for the life giving Paalaar river

Wide, winding and wondrous pure

I weep for the Banyan,

Pulled down to make way

For the convenient, useful

Four- lane Highway

I weep for lives that might have been

I weep for dreams undreamt

I weep for a childhood spent in joy

Running free with hair unkempt

Nature's Language

I handled Life Skills sessions for the Articled clerks at the Smart Trainees Programme conducted by Prime Academy. The programme mainly focused on improving their skills on the job.

The group of about twelve people were quite receptive and highly interactive. They raised many critical questions.

For example Joseph one of the participants asked me the meaning of "Nature's Language!"

Elsewhere in this Blog I have given my transliteration of the popular tamil lyric from the feature film Mozhi. As I was reciting these words to them, Joseph ventured this question.

I asked how many of them came from suburban areas like Nangnallur, Madipakkam etc., A few hands went up. Then I told them to wake up at around 5:00 AM and go up to their terrace. There they should attempt to listen to the birds. In the still and silent morning hour the strident birdsong is a melody of medley. After sometime each note is discerned as unique. After a couple of days of this abhyaas or practice each individual bird can be identified by its note.

Another way to discern nature's language is go to the seashore and listen to the sea. At first, the waves appear to be beating against the shore erratically . Later we can sense the rhythm of this beat and the perceptible half minute of deep resonating silence between two wave falls! When we can listen to this central silence we are in the very lap of the Sea Mother. All cares, concerns and emotional unrest slowly subside and as the all pervading calmness takes over we can reach into deeper reserves of strength within us! The languge of the sea is different in different locales. I have heard different rhythms at Puducherry, Kanyakumari, Goa and Trivandrum. No two beaches have the same rhythm.

Check out these two activities and once you can discern Nature's language, the tongues of men are indeed of no conern!

A Hectic Week

Sunset at Mettur Dam

Today we were shifting our office from T Nagar to Mahalingapuram. The entire activity is being planned and executed by the team. Empowerment at work!

Today (Saturday August 18, 2007) was spent monitoring the movement and also in addressing budding CAs who are doing articleship training. One of the participants was a vivacious young girl who is a fan of director Shankar. She did not agree with ny comments about Sivaji! Told her to read my Blog on this and react. Let us continue the debate on the Blog!


The afternoon was spent delivering a seminar on Information Systems Security for Management Study Centre to a mixed group of corporate executives. Had a nostalgic conversation with Ms. Sumathi from Turbo Energy about our experiences as Audit Managers with Price Waterhouse. (when it had no Coopers tagged on to it!)

The week was hectic. After a relaxing Sunday ( August 12, 2007) with my wife Kala and my children, I left for Mettur to conduct a programme on Personality Development through Transaction Analysis for the Madras Aluminium Company (MALCO) belonging to the Vedanta group.

I reached Mettur at 6:30 AM and after freshening up at a comfortable room in guesthouse no. 5, went to the training hall.
There were about 25 participants. As MALCO was acquired by the Vedanta group, the employee demography has a wide range from people who have bee with company from the age of sixteen, to freshers who have just joined.
The participants were quite interactive and we discovereed different approaches to work related issues using the Transactional Analysis Paradigm.

In the evening I accompanied Mr. R Kandasamy AGM (HR) of MALCO to the Mettur dam which was nearby. The Kaveri was in full flow and the water poured out in mad torrential rush from the dam.Mettur town could be seen in the distance. Westward, behind the dam, the setting sun made a glorious sight as it sank down behind the mountains.