Enough of Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar - Thank you Sachin

If I remember correctly, my Cricket memories are since 1981, during a India England match where Sandeep Patil hit 6 fours continuously, next I remember is 1983 World Cup final which me and my sister watched it on 2 TVs, one with sound and another was with picture. And my journey started as a Cricketer, actually watching Cricket and also playing. My Cricket heroes that time were Sunil Gavaskar, Shrikant, Ravi Shastri, Kapil Dev, Kirmani, Azhar etc. Another most memorable cricket moment I had before Sachin was Javed
Miandad's 6 on Chetan Sharma's ball. I first read about Sachin Tendulkar when he and Kambli played a very long innings during their school days and discussed with school friends, can we even score 50 runs partnership. I really don't remember his debut, but started noticing him through matches and reading about him in newspaper.

My first match with Sachin - In 1991, South Africa visited India for a 3 match ODI series, 3rd match was in Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Me and my 2 other friends, Navdeep Arora and Vikas Maheshwari, bought Rs. 10/- ticket to watch the match. We were excited for few reasons, our first cricket match, we got the ticket very cheap, a day & night match, and chance to watch all cricket players. India batted first, Ravi Shastri, Shrikant and Sanjay Manjrekar played very well, everybody in the crowd bashing Shastri even though he scored century. Sachin already earned his name by that time and when it was a lot of shout when he came to bat (not like Sachhhhin, Sachin though) and unfortunately he got out very cheaply, not a big disappointment though during that time, but we were delighted that we watched him on the field. India lost that match even after a high score - 287.

My next match with Sachin - It was India / Zimbabwe Test match, my friend Vikas had a press card, me, Nitin and Vikas went for that match on the last day, enjoying the match sitting in the press box, Kambli scored double century in that match. After the match, we somehow got entry in to the player area, there we saw Sachin very closely along with Azhar, Kambli, Jadeja etc. We were very much excited Watching Sachin so closely along with other players, a memory to remember always.

World Cup 1996 match between India and Srilanka - Me and Nitin bought ticket for the match but due to over selling of ticket we were not able to enter the stadium, we were trying our best to get inside. While waiting in the line, we got a huge push from the back and Mathur fall down, few people were lying on top of Mathur, I somehow managed to pull Mathur out by pulling his leg. We tried entering via Ambedkar stadium without any luck, after sometime, we got to know that India is batting first, that means Sachin will be opening. I said Mathur, we should get inside somehow, we saw couple of barricades outside the gate, policemen moved the barricades for some people to get them inside, I shouted, Mathur bhaag, we gate crashed and started running, couple of policemen ran behind us. As Mathur is taller then me he were in front and I was behind him, policemen swing there batons and I got hit by 2 heavy batons - "Latth", one on my shoulder and another one on my thigh, but we could not stop running and entered the stadium. Everywhere it
was "Sachhin - Sachin", he was playing brilliantly and scored his highest of that time 137. Unfortunately, India lost that match too. I came out from the stadium with a swelled shoulder and leg but was delighted that we saw one of the best innings of Sachin. And we all know the story after that that India lost in Semifinal with Srilanka, I was among millions of Indians who were crying after seeing Kambli crying.

India Pakistan 1999 Match - Kumble 10 Wickets - I bought the season ticket for that match, I did not go for the first 2 days as I had to go office, third day I pleaded my boss that I must go today as Sachin will be batting, by the time I reached stadium, Sachin was going back to the pavilion scoring cheaply, but I managed to see him on the field. This match we all know that remembered because of Kumble's 10 wickets.

May 2000 - Goa - This is the most memorable part of my life and not just mine but my wife's Dimpi too. I love to narrate this story all the time to everyone and I must mention it here. We were on vacation in Goa in May 2000 and were staying in Heritage Village Club Resort in Southern Goa. One morning I was reading newspaper and found that Sachin was in Goa, I said Dimpi how nice if we could meet Sachin in Goa. We went out that day and came back in the evening, while entering the resort, few kids were trying to peek into a house opposite to Resort, I asked with curiosity as what is there. Someone told me that Sachin is staying there, we were excited to hear and tried to peek, but no site of Sachin. After some time, me and Dimpi came to the TT room, we entered the TT room with a surprise that Sachin was playing TT with his friend, it was hard to realize that Sachin is so close to us, I ran back towards the room to get my camera and camcorder. When I tried taking picture of Sachin, Sachin stopped me saying, "Wait, let me finish the game". After sometime he finished his game, then Dimpi asked him he can play some knocks with him, he accepted and played, I captured that in Video (I do not have it in digital form), my hands were shaking. After few knocks, he said do you want some pictures, I nodded my head and then he went near the pool table for a pose, I took couple of pictures of him then with Dimpi and myself. We were still in shock, he was sitting in the room, talking to the resort manager, then I went to him, asked for the autograph and some tips on batting. He pleased with the autograph and said just play your natural game and listen to your coach. We waited in the room till he was there and keep watching him. We were so excited to see him that we called everyone at home that night, and phone bill was of Rs. 2000. We will never forget this and I am sure nobody will ever.

I did not watched any match of him in stadium for next 7 years as I was in US, but followed him and India team all through my time in US. There were many people who use to criticize him, being his fan and like other fan, I use to fight back with them. 2003 world cup was awesome, we use to watch the matches all through the night. When we were kids and use to play Cricket, we always wanted to be like Sunil Gavaskar. In 2003, when my 1.5 year old son took bat in his hand, I took a picture and wish that he becomes like
Sachin Tendulkar and this picture will be remembered as kid born with the bat (a typical Indian father :)) One of my American colleague once asked me about Cricket and he said I am sure your favourite player would be "Saachinn"??

Next I saw Sachin in couple of IPL matches in Bangalore, that was in 2011 and 2012. It was always delighted to see him on the field, did not matter to me whether he scores or not, but just wanted to see him bat or field or bowl. As like other Sachin's fan, I use to fight / argue a lot with people on his form, batting, injuries, his centuries related to win etc. etc. I remember his 200 score in the ODI, I took my son for his eye check-up, we were waiting for our call in the lobby. TV in the lobby was showing the India / SA match, Sachin was about to score 200, I was praying that doctor should not call until Sachin completes his 200. And it seems everybody was waiting for the same, eye hospital was stand still and everyone was glued to the TV in the lobby, people were bashing Dhoni when he was not giving strike to Sachin, everybody got stand up and clapped when he completed his 200.

And then come his retirement time, first he retired from International T-20, then from ODI and now from test. Everybody knew that it is coming, but no body in this country wanted to accept that. We always use to joke that there will be a day when Sachin will be playing with his son in an international match. Sachin announced his retirement, what a grand farewell and announcing Bharat Ratna for him is giving the right honour to the person like Sachin.

Thank you Sachin for living with us for past 24 years and even more than that in our memories.

IPL 3 and Pak Players

भाई IPL फिर से आने वाला हैं, और पाकिस्तानी खिलाडियो को क्यों नहीं लिया इसपर बवाल मचा हुआ हैं। हिंदुस्तान में SRK के सिवा किसी के पेट में दर्द नहीं हुआ, हमारा IPL हैं, हमारी मर्जी हम किसी को भी खिलाये। कर लो अपने देश में PPL, नहीं लेना किसी हिन्दुस्तानी खिलाडी को, में तो कहता हूँ की इतनी कम कीमत लगाना की हमारे भारतीय खिलाडियो को बेइज्जती महसूस हो.

परेशान सिर्फ खिलाडी ही नहीं, पाकिस्तानी सरकार भी हैं। वो शायद इसलिए परेशान हैं की खिलाडी विदेश में खेल कर आते तो कुछ पैसे देश में आते और कुछ दिन पाकिस्तान क्रिकेट बोर्ड का खर्चा चल जाता।

१ बात बताओ भय्ये, इतना बवाल तुम लोगो ने क्यों मचाया हुआ हैं। सवाल हैं की तुम्हे क्यों खिलाये? तुमने किया क्या IPL १ में? मोहम्मद आसिफ प्रतिबंदित दवाए लेकर खेलता रहा, अफरीदी साहब छक्के मारने के चक्कर में हैदराबाद को ले डूबे, शोहेब अख्तर आये, पहला मैच injection लगा कर खेले और हल्ला मचा दिया, दुसरे मैच में कुछ करने को मिला नहीं, तीसरा मैच होने से पहले ही उनके injection पकड़ लिए। १ अकेला सोहेल तनवीर ही था जो कुछ किया, वो भी शायद Shane Warne ने कुछ नहीं करने दिया होगा।

शोहैब अख्तर बोलते हैं की मेरे पैसे पूरे नहीं दिए अभी तक KKR ने, किस बात के पैसे भाई, तुमसे तो उलटे लेने चाहिए पैसे वापस। पहले तो पूरे मैच नहीं खेले। और वो SRK जो तुम्हारे गले में हाथ लेकर नाचे, उतनी देर अगर किसी शादी में नाचते तो KKR को कोई फुन्डिंग ही आ जाती।

अफरीदी को देखो, पाकिस्तान में खाने को नहीं हैं तो भाई क्रिकेट गेंद ही खाने लगे, हैदराबाद ले भी तो क्यों ले, उनकी गेंद खाने लगे तो हैदराबाद को और बदनाम करोगे।

और भय्या तुम्हे संपर्क करे तो कहा करे, अपने देश में रहते नहीं हो तुम, न कोई पता, ना कोई फ़ोन, दुबई फ़ोन करना हिंदुस्तान से गुनाह हैं। तुम यहाँ आयोगे तो तुम्हे सिक्यूरिटी और देनी पड़ेगी, हमारे देश के लोगो के लिए वैसे ही कम हैं, तुम्हारे लिए कहा से लाये।


जय हिंद।

Movie Review : Rab ne band di jodi: Cost cutting ka jamana

मूवी: Rab ne band di jodi
कास्ट: शाहरुख़ खान, अनुष्का शर्मा, विनय पाठक
निर्देशक: आदित्य चोपडा
म्यूजिक: सलीम सुलेमान

भाई बॉलीवुड में भी मंदी का असर साफ़ दिख रहा हैं, नही यकीन तो "रब ने बना दी जोड़ी" देख लो। इतने बड़े निर्देशक और इतने बड़े हीरो शाहरुख़ खान की फ़िल्म वो भी साल के अंत में, और कलाकार कितने, ३, गाने कितने, ४, स्विट्जरलैंड भी नही ले गए यश जी, जापान भी ले गए तो शाहरुख़ खान को तो वो भी सिर्फ़ तस्वीरों में। १ थिएटर में १ ही समय में ३ शो, पूरी फ़िल्म २ सेट्स में ही निकल गई। यश जी ने इतनी कोस्ट कटिंग की हैं की त्रिकोणीय प्रेम कहानी में तीसरा किरदार भी शाहरुख़ खान से ही करा लिया।

यश जी की सभी फिल्म्स की तरह ये फ़िल्म भी गाने से शुरू होती हैं, शाहरुख़ खान पंजाब पॉवर में नौकरी करने वाले, शादी कर लाते हैं। बहुत सीधे हैं शाहरुख़, पत्नी का प्यार पाने के लिए अपना रूप बदल लेते हैं, यहाँ भी कोस्ट कटिंग, रूप बदलने के लिए सिर्फ़ मूछ ही कटाते हैं और थोड़े से सस्ते कपड़े। और उनकी पत्नी, पता नही अपने पति को बिना मूछ के पहचानती ही नही और उनसे प्यार करने लगती हैं। खेर बाद में सब सेटल हो जाता हैं और फ़िल्म की हैप्पी एंडिंग हो जाती हैं, जापान वाली तस्वीरो में।

फ़िल्म की स्टोरी बहुत ही सिंपल हैं, बिल्कुल हिरोइन की तरह। विनय पाठक का रूप थोड़ा अलग हैं, गाने भी ठीक ही हैं। शाहरुख़ का १ अंदाज हो गया हैं की अपने १ गाने में सभी हेरोइंस को बुलाना, काजोल, प्रीति, रानी, लारा, विपाशा। कुछ रोमान्टिक्स हीरो की याद दिलाई, अमित जी बच्चन जी की नही, वो तो एक्शन हीरो हैं ना।

शाहरुख़ खान के फेंस को पसंद आ सकती हैं। हम भी ऐसे फेंस की, बंगलोर के लिए ६:०० बजे निकलना हैं लेकिन निकलने से पहले पहला शो १२ बजे का जरूर देखने गए गाजिअबाद मेंन।

ब्लॉग भी छोटा ही लिख रहा हूँ, कोस्ट कटिंग का जमाना हैं।

Disclaimer: Kripya is review ko padkar movie dekhne na dekhne ka aadhar na banaye। Movie jaisei bhi lage, apan uski koi jimmedari nahilenge. Aapka koi bhi statement hame ya hamre keyboard ya hamari prernako offensive feel kara sakta hein. Aur kripya comments is blog perchode.

Movie Review : Singh is King

मूवी: Singh is King
कास्ट: अक्षय कुमार, कैटरिना कैफ, जावेद जाफरी, रणवीर शौरी, सोनू सूद, ओम् पुरी, किरण खैर, नेहा दुपहिया, यशपाल शर्मा.
निर्देशक: अजीम बज्मी
म्यूजिक: प्रीतम.

भाई भारत में आजकल Singh is King ही हैं। संसद में मनमोहन सिंह, क्रिकेट में हरभजन सिंह, टेलिविज़न पर कॉमेडी शो के किंग सिध्हू पाजी, और फ़िल्म में अपना अक्षय किंग। पिछले कई हफ्तों से इन सिंहो ने धूम मचाई हुई हैं, मनमोहन सिंह ने अपने आप को किंग साबित कर तीन २२ जुलाई को। मनमोहन सिंह जी सिंह बने हुए अपनी सादगी से, दूसरी राजनितिक दलों को दिखा दिया की भाई हमसे घोडो के शिकार में कोई जीत नही सकता। हरभजन ने साबित कर दिया IPL और श्रीलंका में, हरभजन से श्रीसंत ने पंगा लिया तो हरभजन ने भी अपने को सिंह साबित कर दिया। सिध्हू पाजी ने लगातार ४ साल बिना बात हस हस कर कॉमेडी का समां बाँध कर। अक्षय ने सिंह बनकर दिखा दिया Singh is King में, और अक्षय ने तो गोविंदा के बाद अपने को कॉमेडी में अपने को किंग साबित कर दिया हैं।



मूवी की कहानी कुछ इस तरह हैं की, अबे मूवी में कहानी तो हैं ही नही, सिर्फ़ सिंह ही सिंह हैं, और सिंहो के मस्त जोकस हैं। सही में यार इतने सिंह मैंने आजतक किसी हिन्दी मूवी में नही देखे जितने इसमे देखे। अंडरवर्ल्ड किंग भी सिंह, उसके गुर्गे भी सिंह, उसको बचाने वाला भी सिंह, फ़िर भी पंजाब में बवाल मचा हुआ हैं, न जाने क्यों। आजतक किसी मूवी में सिंह बदमाश देखा हैं? ओह, शायद इसीलिए इतना बवाल मचा हुआ हैं, भाई समझो की ये मूवी हैं, इतना बवाल तो अपने मनोज कुमार जी ने नही किया ॐ शान्ति ॐ के लिए।


चलो कुछ कहानी बनाते हैं, सुना हैं की अक्की भाई को १ ट्रक के पीछे Singh is King लिखा दिख गया, तो उन्होंने निर्देशक साहब को बोला की यार इस टाइटल के ऊपर कोई मूवी बनाओ, अब निर्देशक ने बना दी मूवी इस पर। १ सिंह लखपत सिंह को भेज दिया ऑस्ट्रेलिया और उसको बना दिया वहा का अंडरवर्ल्ड किंग Lucky सिंह। अब पंजाब की पिंड में उसकेमाँ बाप को मरने से पहले उससे मिलना हैं, तो पिंड का मुंडा हैप्पी सिंह निकल लेता हैं उसको वापस लाने के लिए, अब सोचो की क्या वो Lucky सिंह को वापस लेकर आएगा। भाई, इस मूवी में सोचना पड़ेगा क्या? हैप्पी सिंह लोगो की मदद करता हैं, इस मदद के चक्कर में वो बन जाता हैं अंडरवर्ल्ड किंग। लेकिन मुन्नाभाई स्टाइल में वो सब गैंग वाले सिंहो को सुधार देता हैं। बीच में Triangle रोमांटिक एंगल भी


अक्की किंग की कॉमेडी शानदार हैं, और बहुत ही सोना सिंह लगा हैं पगरी बहुत शानदार बंधी हैं। बीच बीच में जो लीचड़ पना किया हैं वो अक्की किंग ही कर सकता हैं। कैटरिना तो हैं ही शानदार, लेकिन उनसे ज्यादा रोल नेहा दुपहिया का लगता हैं। जावेद जाफरी की भी अपनी स्टाइल हैं, बिना अपना शानदार डांस भी दिखाया हैं। रणवीर शोरी के साथ आजकल विनय पाठक नही नजर आते, और जरूरी ही नही की आप हमेशा उनसे कॉमेडी की आशा ही रखे। पहले आजा नचले में हिरोइन से प्यार हुआ, फ़िर, और इस बार सिंह बीच में आ गया। ओम् पर की शुरुआत अच्छी रही, लेकिन बाद में बिल्कुल ही गायब। किरण खेर का रोल १ दम सेट हो गया हैं, अच्छी माँ, और हिरोइन की मान हों तो और भी अच्छी हो जाती हैं।


पहली बार हिन्दी मूवी ने Egypt के दर्शन हुए, ऑस्ट्रेलिया तो खेर अब स्विट्जरलैंड उर गया बहुत। गाने ठाक हैं, १ गाना हैं "भूतनी के", क्या हो गया हैं दलेर पाजी को, लेकिन वो भी तो ठहरे पञ्जाबी पॉप के किंग।


कुल मिला कर अक्की कॉमेडी किंग से जो आशाएं थी, वो सही रही, 1st day मूवी देखने का मजा ही कुछ और हैं, पब्लिक बहुत जोश में रहती हैं, अक्की किंग पर खूब तालियाँ, और कैटरिना पर खूब सीटियाँ, टाइटल सोंग पर पब्लिक का जोश, वाह भाई वाह।

Disclaimer: Kripya is review ko padkar movie dekhne na dekhne ka aadhar na banaye। Movie jaisei bhi lage, apan uski koi jimmedari nahilenge. Aapka koi bhi statement hame ya hamre keyboard ya hamari prernako offensive feel kara sakta hein. Aur kripya comments is blog perchode.

Muddumalai and Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary - Night Safari

Bhayya Muddumalai and Bandipur National Park kya ho kar aaye, mere beti ghar mein sabka naam animals per rakh diya hein. Myself "Dinasour", my daughter Navy"Chhoti Dianasour", Bete Ujjwal ka "Chhota Deer", meri niece Aditi ka "Elephent", Meri wife Dimpi ka "Monnkey",.mere bade bhai ka tiger, meri bhabhi ka peacock, friend ka Camel. And on top of that, she calls us by these name, watching it on TV a tiger chasing deer, she says, "Tau ji is chasing Bhayya", I want to take a ride on Sanjeev chacha (Camel).

Well, we 5, me, my wife, my niece, my son and daughter, drove to Masanagudi, Tamilnadu, it is 290 KM from Bangalore, we took Bangalore-Mysore highway, and then towards Ooty/Bandipur. From Gundelpet, there are 2 roads to Ooty, 1 via Bandipur and another one is a Ooty/Coimboter highway. I realised this while coming back, otherwise I was wondering if this is the main route to Ooty. For about 60 KMs, road is not good, there is hardly any road on few patches. We reached Bandipur in the afternoon, had lunch and crossing Bandipur Jungle we moved towards to Masangudi.

Drive is pleasent through the jungle, we saw few deers, langoors, and a traffice jam. Why traffic jam, are bhai, elephent baby and his mother were standing on the the main road, and no body dared to honk to push them aside the road. Watching so many people staring at them, mother elephent secured the child elephent and pushed him on the other side of the road, wow, we are in Muddumalai national park, Tamilnadu. My camera was back in the trunk and I was not able to capture that. We reached Muddumalai city in 30 minutes and inquired about our GlenView Resorts (www.glenviewresorts.com). It was further 15 KM on Ooty road. When we reached near resort, there was no road, I called the resort manager and asked for the directions, he said just follow the road, I said there is no road man, he said, this is the only no-road to reach us. Driving slowly, we found ourselv in a jungle, foothills of Blue-Hills in Nilgiris. There were few other resorts on the way and our resort was the last one. We reached there around 4:00 PM, met resort manager Suresh. Resort was pretty nice, inside the jungle, he allocated us a room on a tree, which was quite big for 3 adults and 2 kids.

After having a tea, Suresh briefed us about the activities, Elephent camp, Muddumalai National Park Night/Day safari, camp fire, trekking etc. We got excited about the Night safari, my kids were excited for the Elephent camp. We decided to go for Elephent camp first, which is just outside the Muddumalai National park. There were about 9-10 elephents, getting ready for their food.

One baby elephent was very friendly, you pay some money to the caretaker, he allows you to touch the elephent trunk, baby elephent was so friendly that he put his trunk around my neck. Elephent camp has a small museum, having elephent and other animal story. A "lesson" from Elephent camp. If elephent is angry, he raise three alarms, 1st Alarm, "Guys, get ready to run", 2nd Alarm, "Start running now", 3rd alarm, "Sorry guys, you are in big trouble now", elephent is very friendly, but when he got angry, he is the most dangerous animal, so, don't even give any chance for the first alarm itself.

After the elephent camp visit, Suresh asked us whether to go for a night safari or not, we all were ready to go and that too inside the deep jungle. While driving on the main road, we saw few samabar deers, baison. And then the fun begins now, Suresh warned us that it is illegal to go inside the deep jungle in the night, and we would not be able to see any animal, no body should make any noise. With some feer, we asked him to move on, it was 9:00 PM and our jeep was the only vehicle in the jungle, driver had a torch to locate any animal, we drove around half an hour, very dark, scary, reminding movie Kaal. Luckily, we spotted a rabbit, kids were very delighted, tried to make some noise, but Suresh asked them to keep quiet.

Suddenly, driver stopped the engined, shut off the head lights. I wondered if something happened to the jeep, and then Suresh, whispered, "Sir, feel the nature now". I glanced to the surroundings, wife and kids face, and whispered, "Bhai, lets go back now, before nature start feeling us". Suresh asked if we want to go further down, I said, it's enough, let's go back. We drove back, came out of the jungle, everyone was looking a little tired and sigh of relief. On the way back, we saw Poccupine and couple of biasons. We finally reached to the resort around 10:30, had dinner and though of going for trekking next morning. Next day was a late morning, so missed the treeking on Blu-Hills and went to Ooty-Connoor (will write seperate stry about it).

Third day, we started very early in the morning to reach Bandipur National Park so that we can take another jeep safari. We reached Bandipur, Karnataka about 7:00 AM, we saw a group of elephents while crossing the Tamilnadu/Karnataka border, this time I was having my camera inside driver's cabin. I went to the ticket counter and asked about the Jeep safari ticket, clerk said that Jeep safari should be booked in couple of days adavance, and we were left with the van safari option. I was very upset, but then purchased the tickets for Van safari. While parking my car, one monkey came inside the car through window, and took my daughter's sipper cup, smart monkey :)

Bandipur jungle was all dry, we were hopping to see some bear, elephent and the big cat. But, we saw lots of lots of deers, peacock and what, nothing. It was very disappointing. Bandipur National Park is a Project Tiger, but you hardly see any Tiger there. We drove back to Bangalore, on the way, I took my niece to Mysore palace, kids took the camel ride and reached home in the evening.

Glenview resorts in Masangudi is a nice place to stay, a little higher on price, no TV, no phone, but have comfort of AC, geyser, nice food, on demand drinks. Airtel doesn't work here, Vodafone works fine. Suresh, the property manager is very friendly, he can accompony you for jungle safari as well as for trekking. All the time we had mixed North Indian and south indian food, Tamilnadu sambhar and rasam is much much tastier then Karnataka sambhar / rasam.

Muddumalai National Park is in Tamilnadu, where you can watch elephent, bear, wild pig, deer, biason. But it has left with very few animals due to the shortage of water and most of the animals has moved to nearby Bandipur National Park. You can see lots of policmen patroling the park, and no traffic is allowed to Ooty after 8:00 PM.

Bandipur National Park is in Karnataka, and host Tigers, elephents, deers, langoors, sambar deer. Jungle Resorts is the place to stay, but expensive for a big family / group. You can book the government jungle lodges/bunglow, but you have to book that in very advance. You have to send a letter to Forest officer and he will confirm you if it is booked. It's cheap, you can enjoy morning tea with deers/peacock, and a very rich Karnataka food on request. There are several other private resorts here as this is one of the popular weekend gateway for Bangalore people, and it's a good idea to book your stay in advance during summer vacations.

Question from the trip: Why Lion is called as the King of Jungle, why not other cats? Any answer?

Bannerghatta National Park - Bangalore

Me and my kids always gets excited whenever we make plans for Bannerghatta National Park and we have already visited 5 times in last 1 year. Actually this was one of the negotiating attractions for my kids when we are planning to move from Seattle to Bangalore. While in Seattle, my son always kept asking, “Does Bangalore has Seattle Center”, No, hmm, “does it have snow in winters”. No”, “Rains”, oh Yes, comparable to Seattle, “ a Zoo”, oh Yesss, It has Bannerghatta National Park, which hosts Lions, Tigers, Bears, elephants, dears, bisons and a butterfly park too.

The very first time I visited Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) in 2001 with Nandan and Our latest visit was in 1st week of March 2008, while my cousin visiting Bangalore. We planned to start early so that we reach there by 10:30-11:00 covering around 35 KMS from Whitefield to BNP. Morning is a good time to see most of the animals as after breakfast they love to spend time outside with their family and an "after breakfast nap" (Kya thaat hein, apna to breakfast ke baad BLR ki roads per hi time jata hein). If you reach say by 2:00-2:30 then chances are high that all tickets would have been sold out due to holiday rush.

We reached there as expected, parked the car in a huge parking area, we purchased a grand safari ticket which include trip to watch all the available animals plus Zoo. There are several other options, such as Lion only safari, Lion and Tiger safari, Zoo and prices are different. Well, it was a crowded day and due to that, we waited for about 45 minutes to get on board the safari bus. To my surprise, this time all the buses were new comparing to my last visit, where buses in were very poor condition. Bus is like cage, fitted with grills on windows with a small hole to put your camera lens or barrel of your gun (not allowed but just imagine, you can not even carry any form of plastic). Luckily we were able to find a front seat as these are the best seats to watch all the animals clearly and you can even stare in the eyes of Lions / Tigers (glass ke aage bhi jaali lagi hein, otherwise kis mein himmat hein Lion ki aankhon mein aankh daalne ki).

Me and my kids were excited as we were on the first trip to BNP, I asked my kids to start naming the animals now so that next time we know which animal was missing during the trip. We started the journey, we were in a cage and animals supposed to be roaming freely (ye apun ka ilaka hein boss)

The first park was the residence of Deer (bara-singha), Biason (apna bhensaa), Sambar Deer, they were either taking a nap or still finishing off their breakfast. We saw few of them and moved on to the park of Bears. There are lots of black bears in the park and you can not

miss cousin's son asked, uncle, when we will see the Lions, I said beta, they are highly paid heroes and they will come in the last, same as Shahrukh Khan who comes at the end of each show.

Next park was of Tigers, you can see lots of tigers here, you would never see in any Zoo. They were grouped with their family. Each family had it’s own territory. Then we moved to white tiger park, it’s a rare specie which you can find only in few places.

Then we moved to Lions park, population of Lioness is more then the Lions, bole to 5 Lioness ke liye 1 akela Lion hi kaafi hein (don’t be jeolous please, wo jaanwar hein). Lions were sitting on the roads, you can directly stare in their eyes, Lion is a very lazy animal, unless bus reaches very close to them, they will not move from there place, or they might be thinking, if possible, driver can take the vehicle from the side. We say a chase where 3 lioness were running after 2 people (must be park workers) and Mr. Lion were backing them. Though, Lioness and park workers were seperated by the barbed wires and they were safe, but everybody could see the feer on their face and joy on our dear friends Lions.

You can take very good pictures, or you can even ask driver / assistant to take pictures and tip at the end of the trip. I got to know from the driver that park was opened in 1971, as Bannerghatta was a jungle area, government converted it to a biological park, where they kept the animals captured from pochers, circus, or injured animals. All the different parks are separated by gates and electrical wirings so that animals do not cross each other’s area. It’s the duty of government to feed them.

There is a jungle lodge as well inside the park, I think this has been opened recently as I never saw it in my last 5 visits. Now the safari is over, it took around 1 hour. While coming back, driver showed us a covered area, where he told that there are about 100+ lions / tigers are there, which were captured from circus and they are under medical treatment. My son reminded to watch for butterfly park, we asked driver to drop us at butterfly park.

This is a recently opened park and you have to purchase a separate ticket for it. This park is also very nice. Butterfly are kept inside a dome, while you walk you can see butterflies flying over you, you have to be very careful with your steps as butterflies could be sitting in your path. You then enjoy butterfly museum, a 20 minute movie on butterfly. Kids were busy watching the butterflies and running after them.

After spending about an hour there we moved down to BNP, Zoo, there you can see white peacock, elephants, you can even take an elephant ride, snakes, birds, crocodiles, gharial (crocodile family animal), a small aquarium is also there.

After watching all the animals, we decided to have food, kids decided to enjoy the swings, slides they found in the park. It was about 4:00 PM when we decided to leave from there and I decided to come once more in summers and will stay in the newly opened jungle lodge.

Hamari doosri Mysore Yatra

June ka achha mausam tha aur hamara bhateeja Ayush Ghaziabad se aaya hua tha, kahi ghoomne jane ka man tha aur din tha 1. To socha chalo bachhe ko Mysore hi ghooma do. Nai Car ki long drive bhi test karni thi, to 1 Sunday subah nikle Mysore ke liye. Is baar agenda mein tha Tipu Sultan ka Srirangampatnam, Mysore palace aur Brindavan garden. Whitefield se Mysore Road pakadne mein 1.5 ghanta lag gaya, aur 2 ghante mein ham pahuche Srirangampatnam.

Waha per 1 guide ne hamko lapet liya aur bola ki bahut kuch dikhaoonga, hamare paas samay tha kam, hamne kaha 2 jagah hi dikha do।

Pehle usne hamko dikhaya Tipu ki jail, aur uske baad dekha Tipu Sultan ka "Mrityu Sthal", raaste mein aage chale to guide bola, wo dekho Tipu ka "Lal Mahal"। hamne kaha ki bhai kaha hein, wo bola ki ye jo toota huan khandar hein wahi "Lal Mahal" hein, hmmmmmm। Hamne kya aab kya dekhe, wo bola ki chalo Tipu ki kabr per। Waha pahuche to wo "Dargah" type thi,

Waha se nikle aur aadha ghante mein pahuche Mysore Palace. Baccho ka man tha is baar Horse ride ka, to bachho ko karai "Ghud-Sawari" aur fir dekha 1 baar aur Mysore Palace. Mysore Palace andar se bhi bahut sundar hein, pata nahi kyun andar ki pictures lena allowed nahi hein. Ayush ko bhi Palace bahut bhaya.
Waha se fir nikle Brindavan garden ke liye, jo ki palace se kareeb 20 KMS. hein, raasta pata nahi tha, logo se pooch pooch kar road pakdi. Raste mein Brindaban garden ke sign boards ki jagah KSR dam ke board the, ham jisse se bhi raasta poochte, wo KSR dam wala hi raasta bata deta. Brindaban Garden pahuch kar gyan hua ki garden KSR dam per hi bana hua hein. Brindaban garden pahuchte hue raat ho chuki thi aur kaafi rush tha. Cauvery river vivad ki wajah se Brindaban Garden 3 mahine band tha, isiliye shayad bahut rush tha. Suna tha ki Brindaban Garden raat mein bahut sundar lagta hein, aur musical fountains bhi hein, to samay hamare liye 1 dam perfect tha.

Ticket lekar pahuch gaye ander, musical fountain ka pata kiya to janta boli ki bas chalte raho aur sabse aakhir mein wahi milega. Ham chalte rahe, Cauvery river ke daam ke upper 1 pedestrian bridge bana tha, waha se najara bahut sukhad tha, beech mein 1 fountain aur door colourfool fountains dikh rahe the. Khoob cale, khoob stairs bhi chade, Hare, neele, peele, laal fountains bahut hi shaandar najara de rahe the, fountains dekhte hue kai pictures ke scene yaad aa rahe the, jisme se 1 movie yaad aa rahi thi "Padosan".
Finally pahuche musical fountain, aur fountains thirak rahe the "Dhoom Machale" gane per aur "Kendi PO PO" gane per. Bachho ko bahut maja aaya aur wo bhi naache. Musical fountain show khatm hua aur hamne kaha ki chalo aab wapas chale. Bachho ka man 1 baar aur tha dance dekhne aur karne ka, ham 20 minute aur ruke aur fir se 1 baar Dhoom machaya. Aur wapas nikal liye Bangalore ki taraf. Raaste mein ke 1 midway restaurant padta hein, waha shaandar dosa/idli aur mashoor "Medhu Vada" khaya aur nikal liye ghar ki aur next trip ka agenda banate hue.

Movie Review: Aaja Nachle

फिल्म: आजा नचले
निर्देशक: अनिल मेहता
कलाकार : माधुरी दीक्षित
संगीत: सलीम सुलेमान

उत्तर प्रदेश और पंजाब जैसा कर्नाटक मे न हो इससे बचने के लिए जितनी जल्दी फिल्म देख लो उतना अच्छा। उप्पर से माधुरी कि फिल्म, और वो भी 6 साल बाद. जैसे ही स्क्रीन पर दिखी और "नमस्कार" किया, तो 1 ही सवाल निकला, "कहा थी आप", और आवाज आई, "मैं कर रही थी किसी अच्छी और मुझ पर केन्द्रित script का इन्तेजार", सवाल जवाब तुरंत ख़त्म कर 1 dance नम्बर और सिट्टियो का शोर शुरू ।

जिस तरह माधुरी real life मैं नेने के साथ अमरीका चली गयी, उसी तरह reel life मैं भी गोरे के साथ अमरीका चली गयी। फिर वापस आ गयी, अपने शहर के डान्स स्कूल को मॉल बनने से रोकने के लिए। शहर वापसी पर माधुरी का ऐसा स्वागत नही हुआ जैसा कि रियल लाइफ मे हुआ।

डान्स स्कूल को बचाने मे उनकी मदद करी कोंकाना सेन, कुनाल कपूर, रणवीर, वगेरा ने, और एरिया के सांसद अक्षय खन्ना, और लोकल बिल्डर इरफान जो उनके दुश्मन थे, वो फेन हो गए।

फिल्म के गाने, अछे हैं, माधुरी डान्स के बारे मे तो कोई सवाल ही नही,। कोंकाना भी बहुत versatile हैं. climax मे २० मिनट कि स्टेज sequnce बहुत ही अच्छी हैं, बोले तो सभी को पूरा मौका मिला हैं और बहुत ही शानदार फिल्माया हैं।

पता नही कि ये फिल्म लोगो कि कितनी पसंद आएगी, लेकिन हम को तो entertaining लगी, माधुरी के फेन जो ठहरे, लेकिन सबसे बडे तो फ़िदा हैं फ़िदा साहब, दुबई मे पूरा सिनेमा हॉल ही बुक कर लिया।

माधुरी के फेन उत्तर प्रदेश मे भी कम नही हैं, खुद फिल्म देखने के बाद, फिल्म ही बंद कराने पर आमदा हो गए, बहन माया ने तो मनमोहन जी को पत्र लिख दिया कि भाई पूरे देश मे फिल्म बंद करो, पंजाब वालो ने जब ये सुना तो पंजाब मे बंद कर दी।

अंत मे तो यही कहूँगा कि एक बार तो देखना बनता हैं।