My heart is young
And always hard pumping
How old am I? What's my age?
Remain it a secret, don't even guess
I know not, in truth, even myself
Blame not me, I do speak with verity
Know I but, no child am I
Well, nor teenager nor in essence, a youth
Yet I do declare, I fail to see
What makes men serious
Why are they not free?
My mind is bubbly
And always fast moving
Know this, I am what I profess to be
Insist inquisitor and I'll tell you this
I'm in love with life and liberty
Know not I where to I travel
Nor how far my needs do take me
Care not I, let it remain a mystery
Winged am I, my heels are feathered
I'm mercury: fluid, cold and slippery
And I daresay, hard to hold.
1.First
of all, get rid of the thought that a day has only 8 hours, or 10, or 12. A day
has actually, 24 hours. You got a pile of pending work that needs to be
finished soon? Or maybe you want to get on with it so you don’t have a pile
leftover for the next day? Use more of the 24 hours. You can always catch up on
missed sleep hours some other time. And anyway, it’s common knowledge that top
world leaders didn’t need much sleep in the first place. Try it – sleep less
every night for a couple of days and see how your body adapts to the new
schedule. You’ll probably not feel that you are missing much after the third
day. What will you be gaining? A lot of valuable time. This puts you way ahead
of the next fellow all the time.
2.Use
technology instead of letting technology use up your life. Watching TV late
into the night isn’t a good idea – I’m telling you, you’ll miss nothing. They
do have reruns, you know? Besides, with the large number of channels today, it
would be a better idea to plan on watching only what you want. That way your
enjoyment will be more and you’ll really watch what you want without surfing
all the time and watching nothing at all. And of course, it’s no use watching
the news – not Nepal news at least – same old thing, sambidhan, sambidhan, all the time. As for other things, appreciate
the rice cooker more. Cook your whole day’s worth in the morning and keep the
rice cooker on. It’s not going to consume much energy and you’ll be saving good
time that you can use for other tasks.
3.A
computer is not a calculator or just a typewriter. Learn how to use it more
efficiently. You don’t have to be geek of course, but at least practice how to
use Excel better and yes, know that the thesaurus in Word does have reference
tools so that you don’t need to go Google every time you are confused. Excel,
in particular, can really make you self sufficient so that you don’t need to be
always dependant on others about where you or your business are headed. All you
got to do is crunch in the required numbers from time to time. This, I tell
you, is time well spent.
4.Keep
your mobile’s ring tone low so it doesn’t disturb you. Calling back (if you
have to) is a better option than taking all calls. There’s a reason why mobiles
have the ‘missed call’ feature. Remember that many calls are simply of
lazybones who think they are being more efficient than you by calling you to
ask directions to your office or home, after
you have already told them some calls ago. It goes without saying that some
calls are just too annoying – the ones that ask you about when you are paying
back a loan – surely you don’t want to spoil your day. They can wait.
5.The
laptop was designed in answer to the need for working at home. Bet they didn’t
think it would come in so handy in load shedding countries like ours! Whatever
the case may be, a machine is a machine, it has to be used to maximum capacity
to pay back its cost. A laptop is one such machine. Plug it in and keep it
switched on at home so that you can do some pending (or finishing) work while
the curry cooks and there’s nothing worth watching on TV.
6.Load
shedding is here to stay – heavy rains or not – seems like the hydropower
stations are so ill maintained (corruption, corruption) that they could close
down any day. And, while everybody curses except candle and inverter sellers,
you should use these four hours to clear your head and pump up your system by
taking a long leisurely walk around the neighborhood. Try finding out how people
spend their time in these hours of darkness. Now, since you can’t keep on
walking for four hours, you’ll be back home with a couple to spare. Go, check
out your mail on your laptop and finish answering any personal mails and or
finish your personal work (whatever that might be, like maybe watching some
special sites?).
7.While
the load shedding is on, and even if it is not, do your shaving in the evening.
That way you save precious time in the morning, and besides, you’ll have a sexy
five ’o clock shadow that the Hollywood blokes so proudly flaunt about. I would
suggest the same thing for brushing your teeth, but that’s only me. I know you
won’t feel comfortable without brushing your teeth in the morning as well as in
the evening – So! What else can you do at night to make the day-after more
efficient? Rest. Sleep in good time if there’s not much pending work to do.
8.Getting
to work is a drag because of the miserable traffic system (or, no-system) and
the pollution that comes with it. This can drain whatever fresh energy you have
in the morning. If in a car, make sure that you have some really soothing (or
mind blasting) music at hand to take your mind away from the messy world
outside. If you travel on a motorcycle, find out if there are other less busy
roads than the main traffic-heavy, noise-crazy, air-dirty road that you usually
take. If there aren’t, talk to your boss about adjusting a half hour or so maybe
before or after the office rush hour especially for you. Could work – although
I don’t think anybody has tried this out yet!
9.Lunch
hours at the office should be rejuvenating. They really should, but mostly,
aren’t. Why? Because you don’t get wholesome food that is filling at the same
time. Add to this, the unwarranted costs involved, and you’ll understand why I
say that they are not only non-rejuvenating, but dispiriting at the same time.
A better idea would be to bring lunch from home. Invest in a good thermocole
airtight tiffin box. Leftover rice from the night before, fried with onion and
chicken with pickle on the side, can be a great lunch and you can always
alternate this with egg rolls, sandwiches or chapattis and curry. Pickles
should, of course, be a regular feature. They help make anything palatable.
10.Lastly, never ever forget to be aware
of your health when working in the office. It’s the norm now to say that
sitting in front of the computer is what is considered work for most white
collared people. Don’t sit for more than an hour at a time. Get up, walk about,
stretch your legs, stretch your back. Not only does this help you de-stress but
it also allows you to know your colleagues better. You might in fact, become
more popular around the joint! And, this increased self esteem will certainly
also make you more efficient.
I reached Kathmandu on the last
week of November 2008 after an extended visit to Florida, USA.The very next day I flew down to Bhadrapur
from where I took a taxi to Kakarvita and then to Siliguri in India. I was in a
hurry to reach Darjeeling. Why so, you may ask. Well let tell you, the day I
landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport I came to realize that nothing
had changed in the country. First, two taxi drivers nearly came to blows over
the question of driving me home. Then, once on the way, and not even past the
big gates below, the driver says, “We’ll have to drive through Thamel and then
by the banks of the Bishnumati river to get to Chauni.” Why? “There is a bandh in the Kalimati area.” Why? “It’s
because of students protesting the killing of two students by the Maoists.” We
drove through the potholed road opposite the Pashupatinath temple, the teeming
lanes of Thamel, the dirt track by the river, through narrow alleys, and
somehow or the other reached my destination behind the military hospital in
Chauni near Swayambhu. Welcome home!
Please understand my plight. I
was in the States when the recession was gathering fast momentum; I was there
when the fascinating presidential campaign was on in full swing; I was there
when a historical election was held; I was there when the first black man was chosen
to be president of the most powerful country on earth. And, during all these
tumultuous times, I assure you as one present on the spot so to say, there was
not one single moment disturbing to the normal course of life. On election-day,
there were no processions and there were no crowds. The only campaign posters I
saw were a few small placards stuck on the grass at the intersections. So,
please forgive me for being utterly distressed and in a rush to get out of the
country. I didn’t have to be a genius to know that things were far worse
outside the capital.
It was fortunate that a cousin’s
daughter was getting married the week after in Darjeeling. That gave me a good
excuse and added incentive to make a headlong rush for the hill station. The
fact that it was the place where I grew up was of course an inherent
attraction. But once there, I am forced
to admit that Darjeeling is not what it used to be. But, still, what with
meeting long forgotten acquaintances and catching up with long lost relatives,
I stayed in the town for one whole month. Then I traveled back to Siliguri to
spend some days there with my sister. Siliguri is a big place; the heat is
suffocating; the hustle and bustle is a bit too much; the only good thing about
it is that from here one can travel to lovely places like Kalimpong, Mirik and
Gangtok very conveniently. After a week of fighting mosquitoes and battling
boredom, I decided to go to Kalimpong, 70 km away, and a mere two and a half
hours by road.
The small bus meanders its way
through the dark green forests of the Mahananda Wild Life Sanctuary and then along
the Teesta River, almost rock dry at the moment. Groups of small monkeys
congregate at the roadsides, nonchalantly sunning themselves in the early
morning sun. Soon enough we are in Teesta bazaar and crossing the big bridge to
now climb steadily upwards to Kalimpong 16 km away. Teesta bazaar is designated
as zero mile as a distance marker for Kalimpong. Thus the road from Teesta, as
it winds up, becomes 1st mile, 2nd mile and so on relative to the town with the
town center being on the 10th mile. The magic, however, starts to unfold from
the 1st mile itself.Now, the small and
colorful wooden cottages come into view, nestled on hillocks and hills
adjoining to the road. The presence of these neat little houses surrounded by
greenery and tall trees on all sides is a sight for sore eyes. As we approach
the 8th mile, I see some of the world famous nurseries Kalimpong is renowned
for.
There are many nurseries in this
town and their produce are exported the world over. If one doesn’t know that
Kalimpong is renowned for its flowers, then one really knows very little. The
excellent weather all year round is the reason for the region being so
conducive to the growing of plants of all hues and colors. As it is, Kalimpong
is ensconced within verdant green mountains and lush forests and as if that
weren’t enough, nature has blessed the region with so many pretty flowers that
one is treated at all times to a riot of colors everywhere one looks. And then
there are the orchids – lovely orchids in various colors – that are the true
treasures of Kalimpong and much in demand all over the world. All these provide
for a tranquil ambience and gives hope to my weary heart that there are still
some places near to home that remain as beautiful as has always been imagined.
I get down at the busy bus stand
near the town center, which is a beehive of activity. Here are located most of
the shops, the restaurants, the parking lots and the haat bazaar.Expectedly, there is the hustle and bustle of
large numbers of people wandering around and the general environment is further
enhanced due to their friendly nature and bright faces. There appears to be a
preponderance of youth and this would seem appropriate keeping in mind that
there are quite a few well known schools located here. Schools like Dr.
Graham’s Homes, Scottish University Missionaries’ Institution (SUMI), St. Joseph’s
Convent and St. Augustine’s besides many other lesser known names. According to
locals, education is the number one economy of Kalimpong.
The town center is a
comparatively small area and it is but a hop, skip and jump away from finding
oneself on roads that are comfortable to walk along on in quite different
surroundings, in seclusion without being secluded, as one carries upwards on to
11th mile or, inversely, downwards along 9th mile. The change in setting is immediate
and so dramatic that one can state with some conviction that Kalimpong is a
haven for those who follow the creed of healthy living through the lively
exercise of walking in a clean and unpolluted environment.
So, I decide to walk - the continuation
of a favorite activity that I had practiced with gusto while in Darjeeling. My
destination is near the end of the 12th mile, where an uncle and his family
live. My sprightly steps soon leave the animated bazaar area behind. The
traffic is light on the road. I stride forward with renewed vigor and find that
although there aren’t many people on the road, a continuous line of houses and
small shops are lined alongside. The landscape is fabulous - miles and miles of
rolling green hills and tea gardens with colorful houses scattered at places. The
air is refreshing, the weather is mild - a perfect place to take long walks. My
poetic side comes to the fore and the thought goes through my mind, “here one
can walk in solitary splendor without feeling isolated.”
As I near the 12th mile, I cross
the sentry guarded Bhutan House, set amidst splendid environs. I stop nearby at
a bend where, across the road, water is gushing through a thick rubber pipe down
a hill and two cars are being given a wash over. Near to it is a tea stall. I
sit down on a moss covered embankment and drink some of the cardamom scented tea.
The only sounds are those of the drivers joking with each other and small birds
twittering away among the tall bamboo trees. I am in no hurry to reach
anywhere. It is a luxury I possess at the moment and so I take my time to
imbibe the rich feeling of being one with nature. I feel alive - truly alive. When
in Florida, I remember having remarked often, “heaven can’t be anymore perfect
than this,” on experiencing life amidst the perfectly maintained surroundings.
Now I think, “This too is perfect, but more natural. This is it.” I don’t miss
the lovely landscape of Florida anymore. I feel that now I am home among the
verdant greenery and pretty flowers of Kalimpong.
Talking of flowers, exotic plants
like gladioli, orchids, cacti, amaryllis, anthuriums, roses, gerberas, dahlias etc.
are grown in a number of nurseries here. And there is no more ideal a place to
luxuriate in their beauty that at the Orchid Retreat on 12th mile, which
incidentally, happens to my destination. At the risk of sounding euphoric, one
must say that nature at its most beautiful can be said to exist at the Orchid
Retreat. Originally (since 30 years ago), and still, the leading nursery in the
region (the Shri Ganesh Mani Pradhan Nursery), and specializing particularly in
orchids, ten years ago some lovely cottages were placed among the profusion of
nature’s bounty to create a retreat where one could find a virtual paradise on
earth. I will be spending the next two weeks here, lodged in one of those charming
cottages. How lucky can you get?
Now, let’s pause here for some
smart facts: Kalimpong is located at an altitude of 1250m and cradled between
Deolo Hill (1704m) and Durpin Dara Hill (1402m).Naturally, both offer fantastic
views. Durpin Dara (‘binocular ridge’)
is about 5 km southwest of the town and from here one can get a panoramic view of
the whole Chola Range of Sikkim including the Jelep La Pass as well as the
Kanchenjunga range and Tiger Hill. Deolo
Hill, besides offering as spectacular a view, also has a wonderful park and
science center. On the lower slopes of Deolo Hill lies Dr. Graham's Homes, a school founded in 1900 and sprawling over
500 acres of wooded land. Boarders are
housed in Scottish style cottages. The school is certainly a school like
no other and quite in tune with the ambience of the town and its beautiful
chapel is an architectural wonder.
One fine morning, after a few
days of exploring the bazaar and adjoining areas, I decide that it is high time
I underwent a real test of stamina. So I decide to hike up to Deolo Hill and
back. It is a long way uphill and takes me through the lovely grounds of Dr. Graham’s
Homes. Near the school and some way to the side up a hill, I notice a cemetery.
Intrepid traveler that I am, I cannot resist giving it a visit. My intentions
are not as noble as to pay my respects; rather, I have always believed that one
can learn much about a place’s history via its cemetery. I take my time reading
the headstones, some are so old that I cannot decipher what’s written on them. Anyway,
having satisfied my curiosity, I carry on climbing the road. It’s worth repeating
once again, in Kalimpong one can walk in solitude without feeling isolated. Further
ahead I come across a botanical garden. I take a welcome fifteen-minute breather
here - climbing continuously uphill is a strenuous affair. The garden has an
innovative display of the history of the plant kingdom, and I gather that it has
been planned with an educational purpose in mind.
It is getting pretty warm now,
all that walking uphill: I crane my eyes upwards - my journey’s end seems close
to the heavens. Dispelling my mounting self doubts, I trudge on reminding
myself, “Every mile I walk, I increase my life by five minutes.” Besides, I
don’t think I’ll ever find a more blissful place to walk than right here - and I’m
not one to miss such an opportunity. Around the next bend I meet a young man
going my way. He is poorly dressed and carries a wooden fiddle - the famous sarangi - a traditional Nepalese musical
instrument. Now my journey becomes livelier. We talk. He is going to Rongpo in
Sikkim. That’s a far way on this route but he doesn’t seem perturbed.“It’s easy for me,” he says. “If it gets dark
I’ll just request lodging and food at someone’s house.” I look surprised. He
explains, “You might not have it so easy but in the villages everybody welcomes
a gaine (singer). I’ll sing some
songs in return for their hospitality.” Ah, the simplicity of his words, the
simplicity of life! His words bring cheer to my heart - this is the kind of
thing that uplifts me.
A dozen or so people are busy
repairing the road up ahead. Sighting us, somebody shouts, “Gaine aayo! Gaine
aayo!” Everyone perks up. “Sit down gaine, and sing us some songs,” one of them
pleads. I feel proud to be with my new found friend. We sit on a low mound and
the workers crouch down on their haunches in a semi circle. The gaine tunes his
sarangi and asks, “What would you like to hear? Folk or modern?” One of the men
says, “Let’s have a modern song.” My friend launches into a peppy tune and I am
taken aback at the range of his powerful voice. “Who would have thought?” I
think, looking at him in surprise. He sings with his eyes closed and with a
fervor that is impressive. Now I understand what a gaine really means. The
requests keep on coming and soon there is quite a crowd gathered, the womenfolk
from nearby hamlets having joined the gathering.My friend is a rock star! Looks like he will
be stuck here for some time.
Regretfully, I take leave and
continue my journey alone. At last I reach the plateau. I notice some deep water
reservoirs and beyond that, an apparently well maintained park and picnic spot.
There are quite a few visitors. Right now, however, my priority is something
else. I sit down at one of the roadside eateries near the gate and wolf down a
couple of plates of excellent beef momos. Only those who have undertaken an
odyssey like mine (walking uphill for hours) can understand when I say that I
could literally feel the nourishment flooding through my veins. Thus fortified,
I take a round of the park which has a government tourist lodge at a vantage
point. From here I can see Kalimpong town and the Teesta River
far below as well as the surrounding villages of the Relli valley. It is all a
splendid sight.
An hour later, I walk towards the
Science Center and Park some distance away. It is something I didn’t expect -
really very interesting, and the best thing about it is that one can actually
have hands on experience of the exhibits on display. These are working models,
experimental in nature, on various theories like gravitation, light spectrum,
centrifugation and so on. Many school children are here today, and very soon I
too become one, so high is my childish enthusiasm at the wonders of science.
The park outside is equally fascinating and I have a whale of a time
experimenting around with sound waves, lever mechanisms and so forth with the other
children. Having at last learnt some real science, I start walking back to town
and take a circuitous route. You can imagine, the walk downhill is a cakewalk
and the scenery is beautiful. Oh, here I must not forget to mention that from
atop Deolo Park I actually saw an eagle soaring. An eagle soaring? So what, you
might say. But wait, I haven’t completed my sentence; the eagle was soaring
hundreds of feet below me and not above as is normally the case. Now, isn’t
that something marvelous - to be higher than the eagles for once?
Anyway, by and by, I reach a
small monastery beside which is a cave. The sign above says that some sadhu is
doing tapasya (meditating) inside.
Crude wooden steps lead into it. I peer into the cave but don’t want to risk
falling headlong in the darkness. I walk around it and find that the exit is
only a few meters behind – so isn’t much of a cave as such. By now the sun is
beginning to set, and near the Sherpa village, I take a short cut on the advice
of a local. Walking down the stone steps at first is pleasant enough but I find
to my surprise that the descent is taking longer than expected and with no end
in sight. I pass a couple of hamlets with pretty cottages and small gardens on
the waysides but as I reach some bamboo groves, darkness overtakes me. Let me
tell you, walking down a partly forested hill in the dark is no small matter
and it becomes quite scary when going through thick patches of dense trees. But
I trudge on, the sound of barking dogs giving wings to my feet. At last I land
on the asphalted road. Relieved? You bet I am. I don’t much fancy being set
upon by dogs in the dark. But as I reach the road, I look left and right, which
way is 12th mile? Fortunately, I make the correct decision and finally reach
the Orchid Retreat. Oh, the quantity of food I devoured that evening! Oh, the
depths of sleep I plunged into that blessed night!
That wonderful day of hiking up
to Deolo Hill capped a perfect two weeks of my blissful stay in Kalimpong. I am
sure all that walking must have added at least an hour to my lifespan, but more
important, my heart was filled anew with a whole new spirit of life.
