CRICKET MIXED DIPLOMACY

CRICKET FEVER is at its peak in the sub-continent and with arch-rivals India and Pakistan all set to take on each other at Mohali on Wednesday, the atmosphere is all charged up with emotions running high and people are making sure that they don’t miss this game wherever they are in the World as the mother of all games will decide who is going to the finals of the World Cup 2011 to be held in Mumbai on April 2.

The two teams have already reached Chandigarh and with all hotels booked to capacity, there are no rooms left for visitors from Pakistan, who are now travelling to nearby cities to get accommodation.

All roads lead to Mohali and with Indian players in great form, India hopes to get to the finals if diplomacy does not come to interfere in the match.

The recent invitation sent to Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani by Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to watch the semi-final match between India and Pakistan at Mohali, has put many minds in clouds of uncertainty as all have been reminded of an earlier invitation sent to the then Pakistan’s president Pervez Musharraf in 2005 to watch the India-Pakistan one day match at Feroz Shah Kotla.

During that match India literally gifted that series to Pakistan, Indian captain Saurav Ganguly looked completely dejected but could not utter a word, after which we all come across the term “cricket diplomacy.”

The India-Pakistan cricket match is mother of all matches. It is not less than a war of emotions and excitement goes high with entire nation coming to a halt to watch this game of cricket. I personally feel politicians should stay away and instead of sacrificing the spirit of game for diplomacy, better they watch it on their TV sets rather than going to stadium and putting unnecessary pressure on the players.

Many of us still are not able to understand what is the compulsion to invite Pakistan leaders to India to watch cricket matches, and what benefit will this move give in solving pending disputes between the two nations? Earlier also we have seen Zia ul Haq and Pervez Musarraf coming to India for cricket diplomacy but without an result? The disputes are still lingering on and we still stand on the losing side.

Let the diplomacy be limited to New Delhi only and Mohali be allowed to have a free and fair game. If diplomacy is going to take the driver’s seat then India is going to gift this match to Pakistan under  pressure. Better we allow the players to play their natural game and let the best team win the match.

EXTREMES on BBC

The apathy of National Broadcasters( sorry I should use a more relevant nomenclature here “Government’s Mouhtpeice”) all around the world had been can a common topic of gossiping all around the world. Be it the news they push on the their citizens or be it the content they serve to the them.

But then the world is full of “EXTREMES”, and one such is the most subscribed broadcasting service of the world better known as BBC(British Broadcasting Channel). The service making of the mark in 1932, capturing the royal times of England in its lenses still enjoys reaching to the largest reach in the world. Though they also had their piece of red , but even today also it keeps striving hard to bring new and original stuff to its BBCites and one such extravaganza from then is “BBC Extremes”.  

“Japanese people live the longest lives, with an average life expectancy of 83 years – almost twice as long as the people of Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, who can expect to live to 42*”

Contrasts such as these are brought up in a new series of special reports on the BBC’s international news services, called Extreme World, began in December. The series, on TV, radio and online, will studies some of the world’s most dramatic divides, highlighting the extraordinary disparities in people’s lives and lifestyles. Focusing on the boundaries of the planet, as well as cultural, social, geographical, political and religious topics, Extreme World explores just how different, and how alike, we really are – and asks whether one country's people can be measured alongside another when other key factors vary so dramatically.

From December 2010 to June 2011, eight key themes are being explored; the extremes in climate, corruption, dying, education, crime, business, waste and religion. In an increasingly connected world, Extreme World examines how great the world's divides really are and if these divisions can be clearly defined. On Wednesday 1 December, Extreme World launched from two very different parts of the planet; with journalists reporting from one of the hottest places on earth, and one of the coldest. Adam Mynott visited Siberia, while Pascale Harter traveled to the Republic of Djibouti, for BBC World Service and BBC World News, to discover how local residents live in such extreme conditions.

 When watching a episode on death and dying, for example which turned to my favorite, some of my perceptions were given interesting new contexts. Dying in a developed country, for example, might give you access to better medical care, but hospitals, hospices and care homes can leave people remote from their loved ones and sometimes completely alone. Poorer countries may have a lack of medical facilities, but the role of the community and family in a remote village in sub-Saharan Africa make a solitary death far less likely.

Extreme World promises to be an exciting and intriguing collection of content that will continue to take shape over the coming months, providing reports with fresh angles and perspectives and offering audiences a range and depth of compelling reports on TV, on radio and online. I’m optimistic  that it will offer a fresh way of looking at subjects which might otherwise get lost in the blizzard of 21st-Century media.

Moreover it provides not only a food for thought to me, but also a chance to appreciate how versatility of acceptance of human breed. My best wishes always remains with all those who are part of this experiment and to BBC for keep giving us such innovative and thoughtful contents, and living up to their reputation of being “WORLD BROADCASTER”. 

Kundalika River Rafting - Review

Kundalika river rafting is one of the only options from Pune, nestled amid the Tamini ghats roughly 100 KMS from Pune, Kundalika offers budding rafting enthusiasts an amazing experience.

We signed up with Himalayan Rafting for the rafting trip, for information you can check out their website www.kundalikarafting.in Need to pay their fees in advance, the lady who interact with you is friendly but does not provide too much of detailed information.

Kundalika's main water are the monsoon rains and Tata Hydel Project nearby. During non monsoon months, the only source of water is the outflow from the hydel project. The gates open at around 8 AM every morning and the currents are dependent on the number of gates that have been opened. One gate is also good enough to give the desired thrill to an amateur but this requires you to be there by 8 AM.

How to get there:
Need to take the road from Chandini Chowk towards Pirangut, Mulshi, Tamini ghats. There will be a toll booth few meters from Chandini chowk, where you need to wave your hand and pass thorough :) the Pune style. Of the total 100 KMS, for about 30 to 40 Kms, the roads are bad, not too sure if this is how it is through out the year but safe to add few hrs to your travel time. The bad roads, ghats and narrow state roads meant that we covered the distance in 3 hrs.

Despite the road condition, drive all along is very pleasant and the natural beauty that you get to see is simply awesome, the hills, water reservoir and the fauna along the road. Direction map provided is barely sufficient, the lack on road signs adds to your anxiety. Surprisingly Kundalika is not that very well known with the locals en route so if you ask for directions many times you might get misled.

Reporting:
The reporting locations are 2, whether you have a driver or not, check with the company on where they need you to report as the distance between the 2 points is roughly 10 kms. Transport is available from one point to the other but this is charged extra and they do not bargain.

We did not have a driver, so we drove up to the office, changed into our rafting gear and then took a Commander jeep to the start point.

Instructions ....that scare you ...
Once you get into your rafting gear, put on the safety vest and helmet, its time for the safety instructions. Our guide Ravi, did have a unique way of scaring everyone with the instructions especially the ones where he tells you how he will pull you in if you drop into the current.

The instructions are very clear and basic - forward paddle, back paddle, stop, etc. anyone with basic understanding will grasp all that is required. Do pay special attention to the safety tips, not sure when you will require. Once the instruction are over, the raft is ready, the team (you included...) now carry the raft into the river and there starts your river rafting experience on the Kundalika.

Rafting ...not all about the rapids ...
The raft we had was a oar boat model and according to our guide, Ravi, its the one with the least possibility of ever toppling in a rapid. Good to hear this. The other aspect of the oar boat is that, you contribute only 25 to 30 % of the total effort, the main controls are with the Guide who sits controlling the 2 oars. Good for first timers, not sure if the experience guys will ever like this..

The total rafting is for 10 Kms on the river and takes roughly 3 hrs to complete. This includes 6 to 8 rapids, that range from Grade 2 to Grade 4 and between the rapids you get to admire the river banks that are lush green with their special guests the cranes and other bird species.

The rapids themselves give you the thrill for which you drove early in the morning and so would the drift down the current and also the swim in the calmer waters.

The rafting trip ends with you carrying back the raft on land and then taking the jeep back to the base camp. Once on the road, you get what is packaged cold drinks (that surely has been packages some where nearby and not in any bottling plant), tea and vada pavs. All are reasonably priced. The vada pavs help in filling your tummy after the 3 hr drift down the Kundalika.

Overall:

• Monsoon or no monsoon - a great place
• Rafting in non monsoon months - only for amateurs
• Rafting in monsoon months - for the thrill seeker
• Drive - Great for the scenery, bad for the road quality
• Mercury Himalayan Explorations - Great
• Food availability - Decent veg and non veg food right through the drive
• Petrol - Need to fill up before you start or need to drive towards Mumbai Goa highway from basecamp for a bunk
• Liquor - available all the way
• ATM - Very rare, Carry cash for Tips, Jeep Rental and Food

Read my other travel experiences like Dandeli Jungle Safari, Kundilika River-rafting, Bhimashankar Treking, Benaras:Journey Back into Ages,Konkan Railways

EXPLORING DANDELI

It will be a fascinating travel destination sure to sweep you off your feet. Dandeli is located in the state of Karnataka and is positioned in the Western Ghats, from Goa it is at a distance of 125 km and is famous for its adventure tourism, wildlife and considered as an educational hub. Dandeli is a small place with migrants from across India settled here for employment. Nearby cities are Hubli, Dharwad, Belgaum, Karwar, and Goa. One can reach Dandeli easily as its accessible through road from all the destinations.



Dandeli is an undisturbed place in the midst of Undisturbed Dense forests. The Natural flora and fauna found in these forests are in abundance. Karnataka's feather in the crown as Dandeli is now a Tiger reserve, a Hornbill Reserve and more to it is a Crocodile reserve too.

Language: One can easily communicate here with his/ her own language, Hindi is common language with Kannada, Konkani, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam following majorly.

Cost of living: Compared to cost of living in cities its cheaper.



Activities:

White water Rafting is a well known activity here and is believed to be the first of its kind in South India after the Himalayas. Its been carried out by experienced professionals from the UK. Once you are on the raft, you can feel the adrenaline gush out of you giving you a real thrill. There's no need for you to be a swimmer even a novice can go and experience the rafting.

Jungle safari, Trekking, White water rafting, Canoeing, Ab sailing, rappelling, Fishing, Jacuzzi, boating, swimming, birdwatching, coracle ride, sight seeing and rope activity are some of the activities once can chose . For more Information you can call up the no listed below for detailed information.

The mornings are a rare experiences, birds singing in the morning wake you up, you go bare feet and experience the dews kissing your feet, the fresh air filling your lungs making it more alive and fresh..




Read my other travel experiences like Dandeli Jungle Safari, Kundilika River-rafting, Bhimashankar Treking, Benaras:Journey Back into Ages,Konkan Railways