Spending your days travelling through the smog filled city of Delhi? Longing to get away to a place where you can breathe clean, fresh air? You’re not the only one; many city residents are taking long weekend breaks and vacations to give their lungs a well deserved break from the pollution. If you’re trying to plan a clean, green trip to rejuvenate and re-oxygenate, whether you seek to travel North or South, our list of India’s least polluted areas should help you to decide on the perfect location.

1)      Kinnaur, Himmachal Pardesh.

The gorgeous city of Kinnaur, also known as ‘Land of The Gods’, in the much sought after holiday state, Himmachal Pardesh, has been recorded to have the cleanest air in the entire country, as per a study conducted by IIT.  Levels of air pollutant are recorded at fewer than 5g/m3, while India’s average is 40g/m3, and Delhi is at a staggering 150g/m3!

As well as its fresh air and clean green atmosphere, Kinnaur is also known for having one of the world’s best varieties of apple; world renowned for their unique sweet flavor and crisp crunchy texture.

2)      Chandighar, Punjab

Chandighar has long been hailed as one of the countries cleanest locations with the distinction of being one of India’s only planned cities. Chandighar really does offer the best of both worlds with the convenience of modern life with the cleanliness and fresh air of a more remote location. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or a lover of vibrant night-life, there really is something for everyone in this remarkable city. Some of the top attractions of Chandighar include the Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake.

3)      Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Another one of India’s planned cities, and the capital of the state of Gujarat, Gandhinagar offers a rich cultural heritage and serene environment to its visitors. As well as being one of India’s cleanest and least polluted cities, it is also famous for the Akshardham Temple, one of the country’s most beautiful temples. If you are planning to bring children on your trip, the Children’s Park is a wonderful location for children to play as well as for adults who want to soak up the greenery surrounding the area. Other religious sites, while not being as famous but still worth a visit, are the Hanumanji Temple and Brahmani Temple, sure to offer an enriching experience.

4)      Pathanamthitta, Kerala

Situated in the southern region of Kerala, Pathanamithitta is the smallest of all districts in Kerala and has nearly half of it’s total area under forest cover. Although it is excessively humid during certain times of the year, it’s a district that does not compromise on air quality. The district succeeds in meeting the benchmark of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the World Health Organisation has certified it as the ‘city with the cleanest air in India’. Considering the vast size of our country, that really is an achievement! Air quality aside, the district is also known as the ‘pilgrim capital of India’ as it is home of Sabarimala; a pilgrimage center which is visited by over 100 million devotees each year, making it one of the largest pilgrimage sites in the world. It is a wonder that with such an influx of people the district manages to remain one of the cleanest cities globally, perhaps it is due to the rich forest acting as the districts green lungs.

5)      Matheran, Maharashtra

Matheran is an important hill station of Maharashtra as it’s the closest one to Mumbai and Pune, offering residents of these busy locations a chance to escape the rat-race and enjoy this green and calm environment. Vehicles are banned in Matheran, which is what makes the air so clean and the journey to the hill station so adventurous. Not only is the air fresher than most of the country, it offers a welcome relief from the sound pollution most of us living in metropolitan cities grow accustomed to.

It’s elevation of 2,625 feet ensures that it never gets too hot or too humid,  making this a wonderful destination year round, although it’s recommended to book early due to the popularity of this hill station!

The concept of a cat cafe, while being completely utopian to some and nightmarish to others, is not a new concept as cat cafes have been opening from London to Seoul.

However India, Mumbai is home to the countries first cafe where visitors can spend time with furry felines while sipping a latte and enjoying a freshly baked cake. Cat Cafe Studio, located in Mumbai City, like any other cafe does not charge an entry fee to spend time with it’s furry residents.

All the cats at the cafe are rescue animals which have been nurtured to good health before joining the Cat Cafe clan, and all cats are up for adoption to loving homes. Pet therapy has been well documented and proven to work wonders to lift the mood, which is the basic premise of this cafe. If good coffee and great food aren’t cutting it, petting the cuddly felines at the cafe should surely do the trick.

As well as being a playful place for cats and cat lovers, the Cat Cafe Studio also hosts ‘The Art Studio’ a place where art work is exhibited and artists are able to perform.

As mentioned on their website:

The independent art circuit of Mumbai welcomes you!
We at Cat Café studio invite photographers, painters, musicians, poets, writers, motivational speakers, stand up comedians, fashion designers, dancers and skilled professional to come flaunt their work to the city.

So there you have it, India’s metro cities and beyond are seeing the rise of independent ventures such as this, which prize creativity and ethics as central features. We only hope that this is the beginning and the country will see more to come.

In the meanwhile, take a look at Cat Cafe Studio’s website http://catcafestudio.com for more information on visiting and inquiries. You’re sure to have a purrrrrfect time!

CALL OF THE MOUNTAINS 

- Hema Iyer Ramani  

Costume designed by: V.V.Ramani

It was  pouring away when I walked into her studio, but she was already rehearsing. I made myself comfortable on one of the chairs. She swirled, she whirled, moving furiously , and then she calmed. I realized the rains outside had stopped, but in the studio, the rain had begun in all its  completeness…Indira Kadambi was dancing  to a piece she had choreographed, called  Varsha . She brought in the entire experience of the rain…from the drizzle, the joy of it falling on the leaf, the face, rain on the street  slowly breaking into a puddle, the flash of the heavenly cameras creating  flashes of light….the fearsome thunder, the mirth of rain by man and beast in nature was so beautifully encapsulated in her dance . By the end of her performance , I found myself wishing for the rain…if only to relive the magic of her rain dance.

Training under conventional set up brings about the classical flavour of the art. Yet there is a kind of magic when there is  a certain  uncertainty, an element of unpredictability , when you expose yourself to the vagaries of Nature.  I had admired her for her creative  style of dance before. But after her regular trips to the mountains,there seemed to be a change. I mentioned it to her, and she smiled in acknowledgement.

Travel had always fascinated Indira as a child just as dance had. “ I love routine, as much as I love to break it”, says Indira. While her Classical training kept her rooted, the wild called out to her and appealed to the adventurous side of her.  It was Nature that taught her to accept, to step back, to look with detachment, she said.

Scaling a peak may be the end, but if we do not concentrate on the  where and how of it, we miss out on the beautiful process of reaching the goal, she opined. In dance too, she found she was able to adapt this, because the mountains taught her an important lesson- to enjoy the moment, to bask in the glory of the process without a thought for the end, to find bliss without the final act of performance !

Costume designed by: V.V.Ramani

Watching the clouds sail by, watching the flight of birds, the animals, the trees, the waves…it would seem to an onlooker that she was just sitting in silence watching blankly ahead. But Indira absorbs  the entire process, the tempo, the sounds, the movements, the silence too into her system. In fact, she has just danced to  the stillness of silence- understanding that there is something that Nature teaches us- that it is not necessary to be talking all the time, there is need for a quiet- within and outside of us.

I understand this call of the mountains, because when you see around you high up on the mountains, seldom do you see the things around you- there are layers of misty clouds seemingly mysterious. Yet, when you wait patiently, the clouds clear to reveal the truth outside. The mountains perhaps taught her to step back, to relook. The mountains most importantly taught her to trust , and to explore, to acknowledge the greatness of the mysterious Nature, learn and respect . The mountains do engage in lessons of persistence and fortitude – they teach us how to stand strong and proud and be courageous to weather all situations. The mountains teach us to melt too just as the hard rock finally yields and breaks into little pebbles over the persistent cajoling of the seemingly gentle flowing water.

The mountains allow her to look within and realize that no matter how much of travelling one does, there are still “ miles to go” and many more peaks to climb.

Noida International Literature Festival- “VIBHOR” 

A Literature Festival like no other.

It is a unique celebration of the written words, celebrating the literature and writers from across the globe. The festival will take place against the stunning backdrop of Noida city, which is a beautiful amalgamation of modern architecture and carefully crafted green landscape.

This Literature Festival will draw over 100 writers, artists, academics, scholars, publishers from India and abroad each year. Over the span of 2-days, this festival will bring together the best minds in the world of literature within and outside India.

The festival will initiate the conversation between authors, readers, literary agents, publishers, self-pub stars, humanitarians, politicians, sports personalities, and entrepreneurs.

Over and above all the extravaganza, The NILF will provide the life changing opportunity to the readers, audience and wanna-be authors to turn their dream into reality by providing them the publishing opportunity through its special initiative, “I Am Author”. NILF will include over 30 events and activities.

The festival will feature workshops, book readings, talks, panel sessions, debates, short-movies and documentary screening and performances from top Indian and international writers.

The Special Vitrine

After an all-embracing study for the five minds through ground-breaking projects that reach out to the sixth sense, or instinct, Noida international Literature Festival – Vibhor, will present: The Special Vitrine. Curatorially focused, the exhibition will explore how instinct has, in some form, shaped art from corner to corner, civilizations and generations. It will carry collectively historic, modern and contemporary works related to the concept of instinct, dreams, meditation, creative power and inspiration. The Special Vitrine is the ability to attain comprehension devoid of evidence, or conscious reasoning: a sensation that guides a person to act in a definite manner without fully understanding why.

The concept has been developed through installations, talks and by allowing people to experience new ways of seeing, simply to find means of relating with the intuitive responses to create the ultimate multi-sensory experiences.

.Art on Display

Each art piece at The Special Vitrine is inspired by a desire to trace the multidisciplinary route that epitomize life in art. The theme is therefore a perfect topic to explore in relation to the versatile and mysterious identity of the great Royalties of South Asia. The exhibition starts a many-faceted project which intends to provide now and in future years of a portrait of important Royals of contemporary art by presenting their valuable art collections.

The exhibition’s aim is to examine the question: how has the role of the Royalties evolved from the time of the great Renaissance collections to the present day?

Private Preview: Princess Nandini  Singh Jhabua of the princely state of Jhabua, MP, shall give an ode to her grandmother HH Rani Lok Rajya Lakshmi Devi w/o HH Raja Ajit Singh by presenting her private collection of Tangkasnet Art.

International artists – Niren Sen Gupta(Advisor – Habitat Centre, Principal – College of arts), Sameer bharthi, Atul Sinha, Paramjit Singh(All India Fine Art and crafts Society, Principal- College of arts, Delhi Silpi chakra), Rajesh K Baderia,

The Art Wall Project – Dr Abid Zaidi

Special Project – Interactive Art Installation.

The Special Vitrine is an ever evolving platform  to sense the pulse of creativity for the futurists of the world.

Interactive Dialogues 

The Special Vitrine’s Interactive Dialogues brings together artists, curators, critics and patrons held within the art and craft community of South Asia, to discover the cultural discourse across the world.

At the 2017 edition, conversations shall examine multifarious topics such as: How to grow to be a bridge between the great minds of our time – philosophers, sociologists, designers, architects, artists, writers, businessmen and opinion leaders— and the promising futurists of the generations to come.

 The relationship between Literature and Art’ shall bring to the focus that how Literature and Art can together nourish the creative creations that shall continue to inspire the futurists of the world.

Our Interactive Dialogues includes speakers such as: Dr Parag Diwan, Founder Chancellor – University of Petroleum and Energy Studies – Asia’s first core sector University, International artist Rajesh K. Baderia, Princess Nandini  Singh Jhabua of the princely state of Jhabua, MP, art Critic Aruna Bhowmick among others.

 Akhil Vadehra

Creator|Design Thinker|Imagineer

Belonging from a Family who developed the definition of modernity in the Indian Art separate from the colonial legacy and Global Intra-preneurs  has raised  Akhil Vadehra’s Creative Thinking and Imagination potential in an all-inclusive stage for the human race to gain assistance from. Akhil Vadehra is the youngest scion of his privileged family and grew up in a rich and artistic environment since childhood.

On 25^th of November, 2016, Akhil Vadehra was appointed as Albinism India Alliance’s Lifetime Creator – India’s First attempt for individuals with exceptional genetic conditions, to create AIA as a central figure in expanding a network of good dedicated to people with Albinism with Om Kothari Group of Companies.
Since the age of 6, Akhil brought many things that he imagined into a reality and passionately ideates to contribute to inestimable and great things in the ever evolving World of Creations.
Akhil has been an acclaimed pantomime artist and fascinates about traditional Indian art and craft. He works very closely with artisans from across the country and creates rare masterpieces.
Akhil has been awarded by various National Groups, Councils and organizations since childhood.

Founder of NILF – Nidhi Sharma

Nidhi Sharma holds a Masters in Chemistry. She has juggled various roles as teacher, mother and social worker before turning towards advertising. She has years of experience in client relationship management and currently she is heading the advertising and event agency, Across The Road. She is also the founder of a child-rights organization, Nidhi Foundation. Nidhi is a proud member of Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs (COWE) and Assocham India.

For more information visit http://www.noidaliteraturefestival.com/

‘Everything comes to life through art’ Justa Resorts.

Justa resorts is a chain of hotels and resorts founded by Mr. Ashish Vohra, where Indian hospitality meets international standards. Being believers in individualized service, the hotels offer fewer than 50 rooms at all of their locations, resulting in an intimate experience for guests. Justa resorts has one crucial difference to other hoteliers presently in the market; it has centered the visitor experience around art and aesthetics in a unique way. Mr Vohra’s interest came about in a rather accidentally, when in 2007 he began to purchase artwork for a hotel which he had opened in Delhi. Initially as a seemingly cost effective option they went to China to source visual works for the hotel, which many hoteliers do. This seemed like a good idea until an artist friend of Mr Vohra came to visit the hotel and straightaway commented on how awful the works on the wall were, commenting that they were third rate replicas which are made in their thousands and sold. His outlook changed when he visited different areas such as Calcutta and got a taste of the wealth of quality original Indian art being produced currently. Mr Vohra subsequently visited many of these artists homes, got to know them and even visited the Young Artists Awards. He realized that India’s attitude towards art is completely unique, and at that time vowed to never again buy a piece of art work unless it was an original signed copy, even if buying a piece of graphic design. At this point he realized that he could base the hotels around art. Commercially this was an investment as well as aesthetically, because an emerging artist whom they brought work from could be a master in decades to come. It was not just creativity which brought the project about, but smart investment in adding value to the hotels and turning them into living art spaces.

Lake Naharghar Palace, Chittorghar.

As part of an initiative to generate art work for the hotel and to nourish the Indian art scene, Ashish Vohra has started an art residency called ‘Chitrashaala’ which is in it’s third year running, at the Lake Naharghar Justa hotel resort in the beautiful locality of Chittorghar.Chitrshaala began three years ago with a relatively small group of 10 artists at the Turtle Bay Justa resort in Karnataka, and it was at this small residency that the idea of expanding the residency came about. Three years on and Chitrashaala 2017 has involved artists from a variety of different countries including Egypt, Russia, Thailand, Syria, Lebanon and of course Indian artists including those from the local area.

The residency takes place over one week at the Lake Naharghar Palace resort, and artists are given free reign of the building for that week, setting up temporary work stations in the halls of the resort which brings another world of vibrancy to the building. The residency is not only beneficial for the hotel but it is of enormous benefit to the artists involved. Another central idea behind this residency project is that the Lake Nahaghar location itself provides the perfect environment for creativity to blossom. The seclusion of the area provides an opportunity for the artists to create work free from usual daily distractions, and gives space for creative thought process to grow. Artists have responded to the environment in a variety of unique and interesting ways, some covertly and some overtly.

Phad Painting – Mukesh Sharma.

Ashish Vohra teamed up with curator  Anirudh Chari and artist Avijit Mukherjee to organize this event and source the artists, who are brought together based on the quality and themes of their works. Artists are generally selected based on how well they will gel together in terms of interpersonal relationships and quality of the works. It’s both the segregation and lack thereof which makes this location so perfect for the residency, as well as being in the middle of a lake surrounded by natural beauty, one an also visit nearby areas such as Bundi and Chittorghar which are world renowned historical sites, even the direct local area provides plenty of visual stimulation – there is certainly no shortage of inspiration here. 

Vassan Sitthiket

The organizing trio make an effort to reach out to the local community, recognizing the wealth of talent in the local are and the need to nourish and encourage those engaged in the arts. Two artists from the local area were present this time; Mukesh Sharma who specializes in Rajasthani traditional painting as well as contemporary, and young conceptual painter Shradda Solanki. The event is also open to for the public to come and view the works being created and there is an open exhibition at the end of the residency. 

The next Chitrashaala residency will take place in another Justa resort in Udaipur, where the improved connectivity of the location should draw in more members of the public. 

Hopes for the future of Chitrashaala, other than it’s vibrant continuation, are to plan an exhibition in Delhi in the near future, so that the artists in involved in Chitrashaala can gain more exposure. 

The organizers aim to keep this residency going each year, and further nurture the growing community which is Chitrashaala. 

Chitrashaala 2017

Garo’s are mainly known for there richness in non-vegetarian dishes, and they are really so delicious that once and all everyone should try it. Kappa is the one which is made in almost every household, and is very delicious and simple dish.

Kappa is actually a dish made with soda which is helpful in digestion, and also helps in reducing calories. This dish is mainly light but is full of deliciousness, its spiciness and richness. Since the weather of Meghalaya is very cold Garos mainly prefer their food to be spicy, they take it with rice which is their staple food.

INGREDIENTS:

1) 1 kg pork

2) Soda powder

3) Ginger

4) onions

5) Fresh coriander leaves

6) Spinach

7) Salt

8) Green chilli

METHOD:

Before cooking the pork should be boiled for about 30 minutes so that the meat has softened up more.

Now add 3 tbs of smashed ginger to the pork and put them together in a pot.

Some people prefer vegetables along with the meat but this completely dependable, but adding spinach to the meat makes it more flavorful.

Along with this add some chopped onions and green chillies.

Then add 1 tbs of soda and salt to taste.

Then put it in the stove for boil it will take almost 20 minutes to get completely cooked.

After few minutes add some water so that it doesn’t get stuck with the pan.

For garnishing add some chopped ginger on the top and the dish is ready to be served.

“Garo hills o songdonggipa A.chikrang gipin ka.tong minsingan baksanaba uamang bijak songanirangoba namen changbegipa onga”

“People of Garo hills not only known for their good hearts but also for their good foods”

Visit Garo hills to try this particular authentic dish………

TOP 5 THEMED RESTAURANTS AROUND THE GLOBE

- Ashima Sharma

Let it be hundred and fifty feet above the ground or meters down in the sea, these stunning restaurants deliver you taste in the most astonishing ways.

Presenting you the top 5 themed restaurants all across the globe. Number 3 is my personal favorite.

1. CANNIBALISTIC SUSHI

Nyotaimori is an unrecognized Japanese practice of serving sushi on the body of the woman, generally naked. This practice was more common in ancient Japan, it is now relatively rare. If you want to experience “NYOTAIMORI” you can head to “CANNIBALISTIC SUSHI”, a Japanese restaurant.

In this restaurant rather than eating the meal off of a woman’s body, diners eat the actual body itself. The dish is a life-size, replica of a woman complete with dough skin, sushi guts and blood red sauce.

2. UNDERWATER RESTAURANT

If you ever visit Maldives, this restaurant has to be on your list. “ITHAA”, means mother of pearls in DHIVEHI (local language). Ithaa is an undersea restaurant located 5 metres below sea level at the Conrad Maldives Island.

The restaurant is encased in r-cast acrylic with a transparent roof offering its diners a 270° panoramic view. It has a seating capacity for 14. Therefore advance reservations are necessary. The restaurant serves contemporary fusion Maldivian cuisine with western and Asian influences.

3. DINNER IN THE SKY

Dinner in the sky is a Belgian based restaurant serving in 45 countries including Australia, Japan, India, Dubai, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, China etc. According to the Forbes magazine it is one of the world’s ten most unusual restaurants.

This restaurant hoists its diners, table and waiting staff hundred and fifty feet into the air with the help of cranes. So, to experience a dinner with your loved ones with city lights beneath your feet and stars above your head, this is the most unique moment to grab.

4. MODERN TOILET RESTAURANT

If you love to try new things and weird places this themed restaurant is waiting for you. It is a unique bathroom-themed restaurant chain, based in Taiwan with several branches all over Asia.

This three-storey restaurant is all about the items from a bathroom. Walls are covered with checkered tiles and adorned with shower heads, while plungers hang from the ceiling along with faeces shaped lights. Diners sit on actual non-working toilets, dishes are served on plastic miniature toilet bowls. It might appear cringy to some people but if ever plan to visit here get ready for some sweet and salty poop!

5. THE CAT CAFE

If you are looking some furry love, head to the cat cafe in Mumbai, India. World’s first cat cafe, “Cat Garden” was opened in Taipei, Taiwan in 1998, the concept blossomed in Taiwan and became famous in a really short span of time. This is India’s first cat cafe, popularized with the name, “Cat Cafe Studio”, opened in 2010. It offers you a variety of munchies, books, free wifi and obviously the cats.

TOP 5 BIZARRE PLACES ON EARTH

- Vaishnavi Pal

From creepy island filled with spooky and haunting dolls to a temple full of holy rats. Earth is a miraculous place, and always surprisesus with bizarre places, so bizarre, you won’t believe your eyes. Here are Top 5 unusual places on earth:

1)The Island of the Dolls, Mexico

Just south of Mexico city , between the canals of xochimico  lies a mysterious island, it both terrifies and enthrall whoever visit. The island is known as isla de las munecas (island of dolls). Hundreds of photographers and thrill-seekers travel to the haunted island of dolls every year, but it was never meant to be a tourist attraction. According to the sources, the dolls were put by a Mexican man named Don Julian who moved to Xochimico canals leaving his wife and child behind.

In 1950’s he came across a body of a young girl who had drowned in the canal. Several weeks later he also found a doll, imaging it belong to the little girl, he hung it from a tree as a way of Honoring the child.

Many believed dolls themselves are possessed. People claim to have  seen them moving , laughing and even whispering. In 2001, Julian died and the place became a major tourist attraction. Even 14 years after his death this place still has the power to torment.

2)KrzywyDomek, Poland

Krzywydomek is an oddly shaped building situated in Sopot, Poland. This fairy-tale looking house was designed by szotynscy& Zaleski. The mystical place attracts many tourists every day to conduct business, eat to enhance their health or do shopping.

In evening, the place is energetic and exciting as clubs and pubs provide large – scale programs of events.Their top quality and diverse catering will satisfy all tastes – both  sophisticated and traditional ones.

3)Temple of Rats, India

Karinimata temple, also known as the temple of rats, is a holy place  where thousands of rats move freely without fear of humans. The 600 year old karnimata temple, located in Dosdhnoke  in Rajasthan. The holy rats are called kabbas, and many people travel great distance to pay their respects. These rats are shown respect, they are generally fed and protected from predators. Various wires and grills designed to keep out animals such as cats and birds of prey. Visitors are said to remove their shoes.Don’t be scared because these tiny- little creatures won’t hurt you.

4)Prada in the desert , U.S.A

Prada store in the middle of nowhere as usual as it sounds, it is in fact , an art installation by artists Elmgreen and Dragset about consumerism called pradamarfa. The structure includes luxury goods from prada’sfall collection from that year. It is situated 14 miles northwest of Valentine, Texas, just off U.S highway 90, and about 26 miles northwest of the city Marfa. This bizarre store has no door, though its front windows which display 20 left-foot shoes and six purses. In the middle of dry dusty desert this place can fulfill your fashion thirst.

5) Leila’s hair Museum , U.S.A

It is a museum in independence, Missouri that displays examples of hair art dating back to the 17th century. It is only museum in the world, boasting over 600 hair wreathe and over 200 pieces of Jewelry made of human hair. The oldest brooch in the museum with a pieces of hair enclosed in a crystal was made in 1680.

The hair wreaths, many in their original frames are considered pieces of art.

Journey with Sri. M during Mambazhakkalam

- Hema Iyer Ramani

It was the month of May- that time of the year when Summer makes himself most comfortable in the city of Chennai and continues to stay on for several months through the year ,compelling its residents to ask: Athithi,tum kab jaoge ! That’s the time I choose to stay indoors. Yet, when I had the opportunity to meet a remarkable person, I couldn’t let the chance go by. I had to meet up with Sri.M and since I didn’t exactly have the physical stamina to follow him to the Himalayas, I decided to meet him at Madanapallee, where he has his ashram.We decided to travel by road to Madanapallee in Chittoor district , to meet him and talk about his various travels. The drive was quiet and I was fascinated to see little mountains of mangoes beautifully arranged. Mambazhakkalam! A dear friend was my travel companion. We unrolled our windows and allowed the mixed aroma of the different varieties of mangoes to invade our nostrils! We didn’t allow ourselves to be distracted by something as inanimate as the mangoes .

A quick stopover for breakfast and I was all geared up to meet the extraordinary man who had travelled 7500 kilometres across the length of India from Kanyakumari to Kashmir on a padayatra, walking ‘The walk of hope’ for the Manav Ekta. That was in 2015, begun on the day commemorating Vivekananda’s birthday and the journey continued for more than a year. It sent a message across religion , caste, region and language that there was a great need for a humane look to issues and he preached love and tolerance wherever he went. He spent time talking , singing, exchanging thoughts and ideas, wherever he stopped and spread the message of hope. Crowds gathered in large numbers joining him at various points throughout his walk . In all humility he says: “ it is not a novel concept” . It is true many before him have gone on a padayatra, but he made it a mission to walk on a hope that rested on the spirit of oneness. People joined him on his mission to express their faith in oneness and as in any travel, one never ceases to wonder at how much a particular travel can teach you. Sri M admits that he received so much more than what he could give. “India is such an inclusive country and there was not a single place where we did not encounter hospitality of the most generous kind. The journey was so beautiful and we took care to visit every place of worship that was on our

way. We discovered minorities blending peacefully with the majority groups- there never seemed to be any discomfort- often we go to teach but we in turn discover and learn new facets”.

For Sri M, travel is two pronged. The one kind of travel as the walk of hope is for a purpose- that is external. In this kind of travel, no matter wich of the world he may visit, he proceeds on a padayatra to connect to people, to spread his message of hope, love and secularism. He sets to even spread awareness of the importance of planting trees and also continuing to see that they are looked after- just as giving birth to a child alone is not enough, its nourishment and upbringing is just as vital.

However, Sri M enjoys the travels for his personal reasons even more than any other travel. As a young boy, Sri M found he could never stay for too long in any place. Speaking of his Guru he says, “Babaji often remarked that I had roller-skates under my feet”.

“Observe the trees- the stronger the tree grows, the deeper its roots grow too, and it becomes difficult then to move without uprooting the tree .” It made me understand why he led an almost nomadic life. I was reminded of the time when we read in books about settlement leading to private property and bringing with it the ills of mine and thine.

“ To me, travel is spiritual.” He spoke of the need to travel inwards , for what is to travel, but to really grow? Every travel teaches us something and with every new lesson, we actually grow. So at these times of his personal travels, he moves into the quiets of the forests or the mountainscapes of his favourite Himalayas. He speaks of the Buddha-Buddham sharanam gacchhami ….what is gacchhami? It implies travel, movement, to go, to seek. That is what true travel is all about- to seek, to go- but not just physically but spiritually too.

As I left the room, I took in the quietness of the place, its serene atmosphere and wondered whether the inmates would be influenced by the whole ambience. I decided in the affirmative when I discovered I slept so peacefully that night in my own little cottage.Everything was perfect- the prayer hall, the idols of worship under the trees, where Nature participated in pooja by allowing the fruit to gently hang overhead should any devotee seeking to offer should see the need. As for flowers, there was a gentle shower every time the Wind God willed it ! Dogs moved freely too making themselves completely at home in the surroundings. Madanapallee was also the place where Tagore had

the Jana Gana Mana set to music. I realized the place is naturally positioned at an elevated level because the place leaves you exhilarated as well.

As we left Madanapallee , our hearts were full. This time when we passed the mountains of mangoes, we stopped not only to smell them but to savor them as well. After all, Mambazhakaalam comes only once a year and we had to celebrate our fruitful journey.