Imprints of stray wandering [3/2/2013] I like playing golf and, whenever, i find time i never miss opportunity to join my friends in 9-hole or 18- hole golfing. I have picked it up, at Dehra Dun, during my deputation period in FRI and since then it has become a part of my way of life. Golf course is like the life trail that demand sense of precision, patience and consistency so as to putt in, in minimum strokes, avoiding obstacles on the way. As each stroke counts, so application of mind is must at each stroke to avoid penalty that is certain if we happen to lose our mind. Out of the innumerable possibilities, only one set of strokes is just right for a particular hole. Chances of get stray are pretty great if one is not focused and have little patience to absorb the shock of error or penalty. Pars and birdis do act as tonic and make it interesting and addictive, quite often. There is nothing alike, if we learn to enjoy it as it makes us happy, fit and smart and add to our longevity. No better medicine to stay fit and to enjoy life in its full, of course, if we remain away from petty maneuvering and sermonizing others about its rules and mannerism. Mine another indulgence is shaiyari [poetry]. It makes me feel as if i am not complete without it. It always gives me pleasure to read poetry and dribble a few lines quite often to give expression to my deeper urge. Whenever, I’m in poetic-mode, it appears to me as if I’m in different world- the world of my dreams, vision and fascination. Time and space become meaningless. It appears as if I am part of cosmos and is inseparably connected with it. When my mind begins to hear music of nature and vibrates with its rhythm words, lines and stanzas begin to take shape in form of poetic expression. When mind resonate with universal mind or act as universal mind, harmony and accord is the natural outcome. Hence, poetry oozes out as outcome of resonance and harmony with nature and urge to express our will and willingly accept our self as mode of expression of universal will. A good poetic creation nevertheless is like child-birth that lead to experiential feeling – a strange admixture of pain and pleasure. It is indeed catharsis of our inner being and makes us grow in a balance and harmonious way and also makes us sensitive to pain and pleasure of others. Poetic indulgence tends to evolve individual being as the universal being to assume larger being. I also like to wander in wilderness quite often to seek how life takes shapes and grows in wild. I like to see plants sprouting from seeds, chicks emerging from eggs. Shape, size, color and beauty of flowers fascinate me to my core and give me sense and vision to live in harmony and accord with nature and its beings. Music of running springs, flowing waters, rustling leaves, chirping birds, raining clouds make me resonate with nature and make me feel the experience of pleasure of cosmic being in dancing mode alike Shiva in Natraja mode. Nature is supreme and is end of all human striving. It makes us feel and acknowledge as the cosmic being – a part of the whole. Thus, passing a few moments, in company of beautiful wild beings, makes me feel one with it and gives sense to my striving. I am not an odd entity born out of merely coincidental meeting of two living beings but am being a outcome of union of two soul mates to give expression to will of nature to fill a role or space destined for me in the universe. My quest is to find role destined to me and give it shape and color befitting cosmic harmony and beauty. Ii] Nagpur [Dated 4/2/2013] My fascination for Pench National Park and Tiger Project is obvious and I never put a lid on it. I have been associated with its management for pretty over 4 years and its shape, size, aura and beauty has gone deep in me as part of my core being. My endeavor was to bring it to the international map as an attractive eco-tourist destination to serve the cause of tiger and its habitat conservation, world over. Pench TR has every facet in its confines to be a centre for nature awareness and ecotourism in Central India. It is close to Nagpur and is well connected through network of roads. It extends along Pench river and its two reservoirs at Totladoh and Navegaon Khairi – known as the life line of Nagpur city. Two water bodies are like two eyes of a lovelorn beloved in tears in search of her lover, seeking touch of caressing hands that may sooth her urge to be one with it. It is indeed like Periyar of Central India and is endowed with rich biodiversity and diverse landscape values. It has unique conservation value and appeal and is filled in to its brim with 3 Ts – Teak, Tiger, Tribal – the three distinct facets of eco livelihood and experiential learning options in central region. Its USP include following ingredients intermixed and dissolved to color it uno and distinct. o Central strategic location near city of Zero Mile – Nagpur – Tiger Capital of India o 24x7x365 connectivity with other attractions in the region and sites and places elsewhere. o True representative of Biodiversity and landscape value and beauty of Gondwana lands. o Existence of two large water bodies adding to its bio richness and landscape beauty. o Pench river – is indeed like mythical lovelorn Shakuntala - wandering through wilderness and thick jungles of Satpuda, seeking peace and solace in the lap of mother nature. o True exhibit of Gondwana landscape –Tribal - Tiger – Teak. Ecotourism indeed is tool of nature conservation. It induces conservation awareness and opens up eco friendly options of livelihood for local tribal communities. Nature immersion & experiential learning options provide innovative alternative to local populations and enhance their stake in conservation of natural ecosystems. It is indeed lab for imparting learning inputs on nature learning aiming at living in harmony with nature. Sites and ecosystems such as Pench are alike the ‘Golden Eggs’ – the precious gift of nature to humanity. Let’s join hands to protect and preserve these golden eggs and the proverbial hen - laying golden eggs - for posterity. And, pledge not to act as a foolish farmer who killed the hen for greed to be instant rich. Think clean and act green - is the key to low eco footprint living with nature in harmony. 5/2/2013; Nagpur Today was hectic for me as it was loaded with scheduled staff meet, progress review and plan for next year, actions as usual with little sense and fun. Quite often, I find myself in odd temper while dealing with routine matters of repetitive nature. It is not part of me to follow the old rut. I like & appreciate originality and like to shape it at lonely serene sites where I shall be in complete harmony and oneness with myself. It give me immense pleasure to converse with my deeper self and go deep to seek joy of exploring within to find what is therein to seek. In the evening, I was with myself looking at setting sun. Sun was cool and lovely and was humble to say good bye for the day. Bright light and cool breeze, as if, was inviting me to a different world of serene peace and beauty - a world even beyond horizon of my dreams and imagination. Sun was going down and moon was going up and red bright dusky scenario was giving place to cool white moonlight arena. It appears as night was entering in me in shape of white rays and filling me within with rays of hope and cosmic essence of being a unique creation of nature seeking its role to define and decipher its destiny by its own hands. To look beyond what is obvious keeps me busy and activate my inner being to seek flight into unknown worlds and wander in sands of time beyond horizon. I see my mind expanding to be become naught and merge with infinite universe as its soul being. Feeling of squeezing oneself to nothingness and expanding thereafter fulfilling the cosmos and merge with Supreme Being fills me within with joy and divinity. At times, it takes shape as a poetic creation or a few lines dribbled on blank pages as imprints on moving sands of life. To act to my best gives me joy and makes me happy. The day I do not perform to my satisfaction makes me feel low in spirit and energy. I do enjoy ups and downs of my journey, sweet and sour moments and swallow it deep in me to be part of me for eternity. Each rare event makes me grow and venture in unknown pastures to search for my real worth. I seek essence of Brahma-Vishnu- Mahesh and wish to evolve self to imbibe sense of trinity and to be creator of my own destiny. I hope my wandering would end in actualizing my worth and would make a few imprints on sands of journey emanating cues to the way ahead for a happy, dignified and harmonious living. 6/2/2013; Nagpur Morning was pleasant in the company of four-some in Golf course, at Nagpur. Golfing with known faces with matching frequency in foursome lifts mood that transforms game into an enjoyable experience. Morning sun was bright red radiating alike a large burning ball oozing out sweet cool rays in shape of pleasant cool breeze filling our hearts and minds. Golf courses are in fact green spaces have plenty of vegetation and greenery around and serve as environment parks. These are in fact act as avenues of valued pastime, good company in clean and green environment. A 9-hole stroll each day keeps one fit and smart. The full course venture, though a bit tiresome, but makes the day refreshing after a little pause of rest. It nevertheless is game that unfolds life as we go along from one hole to another seeking for birdis and pars but ending in bogeys and sometimes loosing ball in rash drive through. Besides, joy and fun each game is embedded with learning inputs. It needs practice, patience and focus to acquire precision to drop balls at desired placing with precise line and length and going for kill [putting] in minimum strokes. In golf each day is different. A good game lifts mood and spirit and makes the day, whereas, bad one spoils the day ahead. It is, however, seen and experienced that it is more a mind game rather than physical one. Our state of mind does reflect in outcome of each stroke we take to drive ball to its destined hole. When mind is cool and focused, we often see the ball obeying dictate of will. Whereas, when mind is nervous and chaotic we find ball moving astray adding to stroke numbers. So, if mind is calm, cool and focused outcome is rewarding. As mind strays, so does the ball and the game. I picked it up at Dehra Dun in PRIMA course –a unique mix of FRI and IMA. It is nice and well maintained 9-hole course. Memories of my early travails in this course are still fresh in me. Location is in backdrop of Mussoorie hills and appears chosen one dotted with sylvan setting rolling in Dun’s lap extending midst shiwalik and Himalayas. Mornings and evenings in the course are too fascinating to resist its charms as the course begins to unfold in variant hues and color and challenges one’s grit to go for wild strokes. It was indeed a fascinating journey with unforgettable moments. Dehra Dun is a bright benchmark in my trail and golfing is way of life. It has made my trail so far smart and beautiful. It has sustained me and my endeavors so far and am sure I would sustain me till the end. A thumb rule in annals of forestry says that forestry needs ‘two pair of strong legs and little bit of brain’. So is in golfing - a pair of strong legs and bit of mind. So long as one walks on its legs can play golf. So long as one plays golf, can walk through and mark course of trail with one’s legs and feet. It is in fact a mark of fitness, health and longevity. Journey is on in search of joy and happiness and I feel golf is catalyst in seeking bits of joy and beauty – base elements of life endeavors. 13/2/2013 Chandigarh Yesterday, it was final day of Forestry Sports, organized by Haryana Forest Department from 8 -12 Feb 2013. I could not attend concluding function because of my personal engagement. Punjab being my home state, and I have fascination for City Beautiful – Chandigarh. I decided to spend some time with friends and colleagues, in service. It was my indeed soulful wish since my being come into existence to spend time in cozy milieu of Chandigarh in the foothill of Shiwaliks. Sports meet progressed well and I enjoyed my stay at Panchkula in company of golfers from department in Golf Link course in Sector 3. It is indeed a nice and beautifully landscaped 18-hole sprawling course spread along western flank of Ghagger river. Sight of the Nadda Sahib Gurudwara across river is indeed mesmerizing, inducing mind to take flight from temporal world to spiritual one in company of divine guru immersed in divine light and melody of celestial music. Three day golfing event was enjoyable and was indeed a learning experience. First day’s play was wild in the beginning, improved as we moved along and become steady in the mid way, ending with rash shot taking my score to 18 over par. Outcome was not, as per my expectation, however, it stirred my mind to scan about what and where the things have gone wrong. SWOT probing made me realize the essence of golfing – be and remain calm, cool and focused while going through tough phase. Take a pause and check your mind after every stroke and calm down if nerves go erratic after a good or bad stroke. Mind shall be calm and steady, while on position at the next stroke. The second day was better one. It appeared that experiential learning of first day has given me some edge and the score was quite satisfactory though not as per my wishes. The third day was a team event. My partner was a golfer but was not regular in practice. We were clubbed with Haryana team rated as a better playing team. Game began a bit wild start but improved steadily, ending in a very satisfying score. Together, we were placed in second position securing silver for Maharashtra. My individual event also got me silver thus adding my tally as 2 silvers in this meet. Overall outcome though was not as per my expectation yet it was quite rewarding and satisfying. It provided me firsthand experience of playing in an International standard course. Overall game was good except putting which I feel caused me loss of over 10 strokes thereby sliding my position to second place. I feel there is scope of improvement in short game viz the chipping and putting and to be more focused while on drive. Golfing indeed is like a trail of life that makes us think at each step and relook afresh for next move so as journey would be safe, secure and rewarding. Precision is the key however it comes with practice with patience. It makes you happy or gloomy at each stroke as each step counts in game. Experience of hell and heaven does take shape before our very eyes as we move along and get involved with it. Many years ago, while at Dehradun, I had made investment in this field and now find it a part my life as a soulful partner. Whenever, I go to another place I look for space nearer to golfing facility so as I may drop in, as and when, I find a little time. While at Panchkula, it was nice occasion to look around to find a reasonable proposition for stay after retirement refuge. We ventured into a few sites to find an ideal location to this end. Two sites seem to match my expectation. Cost is though beyond our expectation yet we kept the option live and open as sometime something may click as opportune for us to fulfill our wish to have decent house in Chandigarh or its vicinity. It appears to me that it would click and day is far off when I will be at my destination, envisioned and engraved in my imagination. I think and feel it would be so and wish nature around to work for it and move things and beings around to give shape to my vision - Nisargdham – a site in sylvan setting for ‘live in and work at, in harmony with nature. Seeking my vision to take shape soon. 14/2/2013 Nagpur Last night we reached Nagpur after a week-long wandering to Chandigarh -Panchkula and places on the way. Journey was quite interesting and, in fact, was a pleasant learning experience for me. Morning, I woke up late, hence, could not have company of my 2nd beloved viz. the golf. I look forward to see it tomorrow with fresh mood and flavor. It is said that things happen as destined in the universe and we are mere cogs in the whole process. At times, we wish to meet friends as per our choice. More often, it happens that we meet people as a chance encounter for being present at the same place at the same time. An evening, at Chandigarh, in company of friend was such a chance occasion. We were immersed in the magical music of old melodies on gramophone by famous singers of 1960s - 70s. Music was indeed soul soothing and so were the lyrics. My friend was so excited as if he wished to unfold his pages of life soaked in floating vapors of pain and pleasure. The meal wrapped in Punjabi traditional taste and ingredients was equally seductive? It was indeed an evening I would like to join time and again, planned or otherwise. It is true that one finds true joy and solace in its own milieu and in company of friends having same taste and frequency. Life is indeed a strange journey filled in with awe and mystery. At times, we feel as if we are on a conveyor belt and moving towards an unknown destination. Neither we know its beginning nor are we certain of its ends. Things happen in automation and we experience and feel momentum of things and beings, giving us illusion, as if, we are moving as per our own choice. Alike, a gushing spring at serene hilltop finds its direction downhill feeling as if it is its own inner flow that is causing it to move down and carve a trail of its voyage. In the flowing river, flux of water is never the same. Like ever changing flux, it moves on giving place to another whereby maintaining its flow and rhythm. The old saying that one never steps in same river twice is true. Today, in office, I happened to meet an interesting person deeply involved in study of Indian culture down to roots and its linkages with other communities. Culture entails us to our roots and gives us face and identity in the group. Place of our birth or origin and its milieu do help shape us as conscientious citizen. Basic ingredients of our making do come from soils, waters, airs, space and cosmic waves around us. Joy of liberty and freedom we feel in milieu that is cozier and in natural harmony to our own built. Indian culture has deep roots running through ancient historic tales, myths and traditions. It is like an old ficus tree that has grown over size and finding it hard to sustain its weight. We enjoy freedom and profess the way we choose better for our well being and also to keep our conscience clean. Such liberty is rare in any other community in the cosmic family. Diversity of views and beliefs is our strength and beauty. Over the ages, flux of communities has joined, intermingled and submerged in great ocean of Indian culture. Assimilation is the key and is due to natural, flexible and vibrant way of life of people. Western way of life appears to have dented us deeply thereby making us fragile at the base. Borrowed values have gone deep in our minds and like grafted trees we exhibit as the apt specimen of what we are not. Our inner core is Indian whereas outer appearance is western. Despite, long and rich history, at times, we feel that we have gone away from our roots and there is need to relook and make amends to seek our true self. Our so called strength, as multi-culture’s nation appears to have made us fragile and weak. We no more appreciate and take pride in our own freedom and values that are dear to dignified living. We have to grow on our roots and not to be swayed by artificial luster or undue influence of other nations. Every nation has gained from confluence of communities. History need be scanned through to find way ahead for a dignified life unfolding in peace, happiness and harmony around. Story of civilization makes us believe that we have shown resilience and have stood to our ground whenever crisis or chaotic occurrences have blown us off track. Solution to our riddles lies in seeking way ahead to our roots/origin. Way to the divine source. Moksha or solace to suffering humanity lies in abode of nature. For seeking joy and harmony in life, lets life flows into ‘Nisargam Sharnam Gachhami’ Nature shows, what to nurture Back to nature, back to culture 15/2/2013 Nagpur शायद ज़िन्दगी कुछ मेहरबां हो जाये दो कदम का सफ़र यूँ कारवाँ हो जाये शाम का वक़्त है आँख में जुगनू देखूं शब का पहर, सुबह का समां हो जाये किसी पतंगे कोजो शमापे जलता देखूं पहलू में दिल, कुछ और जवां हो जाये रेत के ज़र्रों को हवा में जो उड़ता देखूँ जिस्म का पिंजर युंकी बेकराँ हो जाये पिंजरे के परिंदे की गर सदा जो सुनूँ दो लफ्ज़ कलाम इक दास्तां हो जाये मौज की मस्ती का यह आलम है की गुम साहिल भी यूँ सूरतेतूफां हो जाये Nagpur/15/2/2013 खुश्क लब पर यूँ अनकही कहानी देखूँ तश्ना आँखों में यूँ जिगर का पानी देखूं कोई चेहरा यूँही नज़र में उबर आता है जब भी दिल में इक तस्वीर पुरानी देखूं तेरी इक दीद में गुम नम आँखों में रोज़ चश्मे नम आँख का अंदाज़ रूमानी देखूँ कची कलियों की खाली-खाली आँखों में इस दौर में जिंदगी के तल्ख़ मानी देखूं उस रोज़ तू मुझ को याद आए है बहोत रू ब रू जिस रोज़ मैं अपना सानी देखूं सहरा में भटकूँ की गुलिस्ताँ में बहकूँ हर तरफ एक सूरत यूँ पहचानी देखूं किस बात पर इसक़दर खुशरू 'साहिल' तेरे चेहरे पर यूँ नक्श कोई रूहानी देखूं ज सिं साहिल Nagpur/15/2/2013 Today, i was going through 'the Secret' by Rhonda Byrne. The book indeed reveals secret of those who achieved what they wished. I loved the way facts and fiction portrayed to unfold life in its myriad hues and colors aiming at empowering souls to shape its destiny. Life does unfold in steps in a defined sequence. Revelations, at times, suit our expectation. It is surprising, quite often, but nevertheless amazing and full of awe and mystery. It’s like as if one travelling by car at night from A site [Chandigarh] to B site [Nagpur]. The visible stretch of path, at a time, is hardly 50 to 60 meters ahead. As we move ahead another 60 meters stretch unfolds and so on…. In this way one may travel from A to B, a distance of over 1500 km, in one go with visible sight is just over 60 meters ahead. If we know our position and sense of direction and visualize one step ahead clearly than we may carve out our way ahead through mysterious jungle of life with one definite nd firm step, at a time. Life, like a river, begins at its origin and moves downstream towards its destination and during its travail carve out a course of action, in a defined rhythm and rhyme to follow through. Like each living thing or being it has its beginning and a destined end. It begins its journey from origin and moves towards destination guided by sheer will and vision. Vision sets goal for life to achieve and will urges to strive for achieving the set goals. To achieve goal in a planned way, needs road map for action in defined sequence. Unit of steps varies with nature of task as well as vision to shape. It may be a year/ month/week/day/hour/minute/second, at one go. Thus, one step at a time makes all the difference. Steps in sequence would as follows; • Set your start position [A] – Real life position • Translate vision into well defined purpose/goal/aims & objectives • Identify Inputs & actions to achieve objectives. • Prepare roadmap to achieve the goal • Set on task with missionary zeal. Once the goal is set and way is defined. Only thing to do is to walk along the path to the goal Journey, each step, opens up innumerable options, ways and means to destination. In the same way, life lived each moment fills within with sense of purpose and joy of living. Each point appears as if blooming with infinite possibilities and options and impels mind to ponder over for fresh and anew options. However, out of infinite possible only one has the chance to actualize, as the real one, for trail of life to move way ahead. Purpose is to choose the best one, at each step. In reality, by choosing one we discord the infinite ones that may be better suited to shape our journey. Zero [0] and infinity [∞] are two indeterminate figures, in mathematics. We, quite often, wax and wane between zero and infinity and hence end up nowhere. We overlook infinite numbers of finite options between zero n infinity and continue to oscillate in between. There are indeed infinite real life options around us at each step and each has possibility to click to lit the trail with sense, purpose and meaning. A step in right direction is key to joy and fulfillment. Journey accomplished each step is rewarding and worth living with joy and dignity. Each one has its own trail to carve out and destiny to make. If one is sincere and is on right track, nature does help to achieve the destined goal. Of course, goal shall be in harmony with nature and accord well with well beings others. After all, ends of life yearning appears to be; Do your best, and, Leave Him the rest. Nagpur/17/02/2013 रोज़ नई राहपे चलने की बात कुछ और होती है सफ़र के रंग में ढलने की बात कुछ और होती है सचकी रहपे चलना तो माना मुश्किल है लेकिन सच्ची राह पर चलने की बात कुछ और होती है यूँ तो कफ़स के परिंदे भी तो उड़ना सीख जाते है खुली फ़ज़ा में पलने की बात कुछ और होती है जिगर को चीर जाए है कमसिन आँख का पानी नज़र से बात करने की बात कुछ और होती है यूँ भी तिल तिल पिघले है दिल बेजा रंजिश में सूरते शमा पिघलने की बात कुछ और होती है सफ़र की तपिश में इक रोज़ यूँ भी बिखरना है सूरते गुल बिखरने की बात कुछ और होती है हर पांव के हिस्से में अलग इक सफ़र है लेकिन मिल कर साथ चलने की बात कुछ और होती है अजब कशिश है 'साहिल' नक़ली रंग में, लेकिन फित्री रंग में खिलने की बात कुछ और होती है ज सि साहिल आज भी नई सुबह की तलाश में कदम रहगुजर पर चल दिए इक शक्ल की खोज में जो हर पल बनती है जो हर पल बिखरती है नई सूरत में ढलती है फ़स्लेगुल यूँ निखरती है गुर्दे सफ़र में उकरती है मस्त हवा की तरह मचलकर आवारा परवाज़ में ढलती है फूल की महक में सिमट कर भँवरे की सीरत में पलती है सफ़र हर कदम इक आस में रहगुजर इक नए लिवास में रोज़ नए रंग में आये नज़र अबके फ़ित्रत मेरे हवास में दूर इक अजब सा नज़ारा लगा दिल को बहुत प्यारा ज़रा पास जो जा कर देखा खुश्क सा शजर इक बेचारा किसी मतबाली सी बेल का जो था कभी ऐकमेव सहारा पतझड़ की घुटन में गुमसुम सा नज़र आये है चलते चलते पांव यूँ किसी मोड़ पे ठहर जाये है ज़रा ठहर कर सोचता हूँ ----- सफ़र के मानी खोजता हू---- सफ़र में दूर तक मगर कुछ आता नहीं नज़र नज़र की हद्द से परे इक असीम शून्य के शिवा ------ ज सि साहिल Nagpur; 18/02/2013 Last Sunday, I decided to have a close look at nature trail along the periphery of Gorewada reservoir. It is indeed a beautiful area in vicinity of Nagpur, the chosen site for World’s first Biopark and Safari – an integrated wildlife attraction. Gorewada reservoir is crucial, as it serves as the main source of water supply to Nagpur City. The reservoir is fed by canal from Pench reservoir – termed as lifeline of Nagpur and it’s adjoins. It is beautiful water body of irregular shape surrounded by forested catchments along its eastern, northern, western flanks. It is indeed site, as if, chosen by god as its homeland. Gorewada forests along with Seminary hill forests are alike two green lungs of Nagpur city and hence crucial for raising the ecological health status of Nagpur as amongst first clean and green cities in the country. The green spaces add green hue and aura to traditional orange color of the city. I decided to get start from nursery site – place chosen for entry point of trail. Lake view was indeed mesmerizing and magical. We drive along rough trail for about 3 km and stopped at site chosen for watch tower cum machhan on lake side for bewitching scenic view and bird watching. One the way, we could spot a kill of blue bull fawn by leopard from its pugmarks. Walking through deep woody patch had its own charm. It reminded me beautiful lines of Wordsworth; ‘Woods are lovely dark and deep, But I have promised to keep, Miles to go before I sleep Miles to go before I sleep’ Woods were indeed dark and deep and we went through awe and charms of woods in sylvan serene setting and naked and bitter self of nature and its wild beings. Irregular shape of water body was instrumental in wavy course of trail alike a python moving through woods, at its own leisure. Site of another machhan at mid course was surrounded by water from three sides and hence like a heaven for birding and bird watching. We decided to spend few minutes under shade of a large and dense imli tree. After a grueling walk through sun, soft touch of cool breeze along the lake shore was like wandering in dreamlands of heaven. Nature was in its best and in its calm and serene mood and was as if immersing me within and soaking me with invisible drops of love, care and affinity. The following lines begin to ooze out, as if, nature begins to flow through me in shape of poetic essence and giving me bliss of immersion in the great ocean of peace and tranquility. रोज़ नई परवाज़ पर जाना अच्छा लगता है फूलों से घर आँगन सजाना अच्छा लगता है सफ़र की धूप में चलते अगर पांव थक जाएं पेड़ तले कुछ पल सुस्ताना अच्छा लगता है यूँ तो सहरा का मंज़र भी, क्या खूब सुहाना है सहरा को मग चमन बनाना अच्छा लगता है सरगम की सी तर्ज़ है हर सफ़र की बंदिश में पा से दिल की लय मिलाना अच्छा लगता है हर कदम पर जीवन के कई नक्श उभरते हैं बगूलों के साथ हंसना गाना अच्छा लगता है साफ़ नज़र आए है सूरत फ़ित्रतके आइन में शोख फूलों से आँख लगाना अच्छा लगता है पांव थिरक रहे हैं साहिल मौज की मस्ती में मौजों के संग डूब के जाना अच्छा लगता है The evening, thereafter, was like my dream world taking shape into a beautiful site in sylvan forests – Nisargdham. In its final shape, nature trail would provide citizen of Nagpur an opportunity to take occasional dip in nature and to immerse in nature to seek sense of joy and meaning in harmonious living with nature. रोज़ नई परवाज़ पर जाना अच्छा लगता है फूलों से घर आँगन सजाना अच्छा लगता है सफ़र की धूप में चलते अगर पांव थक जाएं पेड़ तले कुछ पल सुस्ताना अच्छा लगता है यूँ तो सहरा का मंज़र भी, क्या खूब सुहाना है सहरा को मग चमन बनाना अच्छा लगता है सरगम की सी तर्ज़ है हर सफ़र की बंदिश में पा से दिल की लय मिलाना अच्छा लगता है हर कदम पर जीवन के कई नक्श उभरते हैं बगूलों के साथ हंसना गाना अच्छा लगता है साफ़ नज़र आए है सूरत फ़ित्रतके आइन में शोख फूलों से आँख लगाना अच्छा लगता है पांव थिरक रहे हैं साहिल मौज की मस्ती में मौजों के संग डूब के जाना अच्छा लगता है Nagpur; 23/2/2013 As usual, today began with golfing in the morning with friends looking for a few good strokes leading to a par or a lucky birdie, to make day amazing. However, things unfolded as they were and we ended with sweet and sour moments, having taste the better edge. Remaining day also passed as usual, a routine affair. In the evening, on my study table, as I begin to scan the day’s events, a strange feeling begins to creep in me making me itch within and explore what caused the day so dull and event free. At times, we are in best of ourselves while other occasions dip our energy so low that we hesitant to say even a hello to someone, so dear to us. Energy within waxes and wanes and so makes the day good or bad for us. There is no denying the fact that energy is always there. Then, what causes it to appear or disappear at times is the facet need exploration. In the event of assuming that we are cosmic being, having experience of life as human being. We feel part of cosmos and cosmic essence is well within us in shape of both active as well as in dormant mode. In active mode we become center of action thereby making the things happen as we think and wish. We do assume role of creator and set on making our trail of destiny as we wish. Will do take central role and induce things and beings in surrounds to take shape in accord with our wish. However, in case of dormant mode we become part of situation and act as a particle in random motion. We, thus, become pawn in hands of those who wield their will. In low vibrations, we do not play active role and hence do not enjoy the situation. Neither, we inspire others nor we seek any interest in making of situation. We indeed like dry fallen leaves sway with vagaries of wind and situational upheavals. Thus, what makes the difference is our feeling. If, we feel ourselves, as a part of universe in the making and feel ourselves lucky to play a unique role, destined for us. We begin to enjoy life made every moment by our own endeavors. Thus, to feel as a part of cosmos, tuning our frequency direct with and in harmony with nature and cosmic essence, we feel as if part of the supreme creator and original source – cause of all creations. While in dormant mode we feel apart from both the nature and the creator. We do activate the things around but for narrow ends to seek personal gratification of self. Common good does not make sense and we feel as if confined in an island of our own making. Ups and downs of voyage make us sad and happy but no ends of fulfilled life seem near in sight. There is need further to explore ‘what makes sense for us. It’s journey or its ends viz. destination.’ Destination is a fixed landmark that makes us orient our actions and direction. Urge within to seek ends make us move towards our goal. The course we trace each step gives shape to our life trail while our way to destination. Journey envisioned, planned, moved and enjoyed, step by step, makes it joyous and fulfilling with essence and happiness. Quite often, in quest to seek our ends, we overlook journey and do not enjoy it in its making. Aim becomes our desired end and course of journey does not figure in sense of achievement. As we see journey different from its ends we see it in parts rather that a whole cosmic entity. Life is nothing but living each moment of it with joy and fulfillment. Each moment lived, sets trail seeking next envisioned mark more safe and better suited to give expression to its being. We seek basic inputs from our surrounds and our destiny unfolds in visible marks. When, we are sure of our ends and the way to it. What remains thereafter is to walk the path to the ends. As cosmic being our end is certain. So, why to bother about it? What is desired to make journey interesting and fulfilling each moment so as story of life would become a joyous and colorful experience. Following lines trace it to its essence; रोज़ नई राहपे चलने की बात कुछ और होती है सफ़र के रंगमें ढलने की बात कुछ और होती है J singh Sahil जिस हम सफ़र की तलाश में मैं उम्र भर भटकता रहा बनके गम मेरे जिगर में वो बुझता कभी सुलगता रहा इक ज़रा सी आहट पर वो सिहर कर लिपट जाना तेरा यादों की सरज़मीं पर मेरी यूँ मिटता कभी उकरता रहा किसी राह की तकदीर बन सके न मेरे कदमों के निशाँ रेत के टीलों की तरह कभी बनता, कभी बिखरता रहा मेरी भटकन का ही सिला लगे मेरे कदम की आवारगी कभी बना सफ़र की दास्ताँ, कभी जाबजा भटकता रहा जो खुश्क लब न कह सके, नम आँख ने बयां कर दिया ताउम्र अश्क तेरी आँख का मेरी आँख में छलकता रहा इक सोहनी सूरत ज़हन में मेरे इस क़दर घर कर गई अक्स उस शख्स का शबोरोज़ हर चेहरे में तकता रहा नई सुबह की तलाश में कुछ कदम साथ चलना तेरा तनहा सफ़र में सूरते हमसफ़र साथ साथ चलता रहा कोई अमृत कोई ज़हर भी मेरी तश्नगी न मिटा सका ले समंदर अपनी आगोश में इक बूंद को तरसता रहा मेरे दिलकी बेकसी को सुकूँ मिले किस तर्ज़ 'साहिल' हर वक़्त जो ज़हन में मेरे कुछ भंवर सा मचलता रहा J singh Sahil Nagpur; 3/3/2013 Life indeed is amazing every day. It all depends on one's state of mind. If we feel good we see the things around blending in our environment giving us a very pleasant experience. Yesterday, while on my visit to Nagzira for inspection, I found things are not on right track and pace of progress not up to the mark. Query within revealed that things are not being tackled in right perspectives. At times, we become so engrossed with enormity of situation that we do not see simple solutions, at our door steps. Approach to eco-tourism needs simple home made options & alternatives having very low foot imprints on local surrounds. We have tendency to seek macro solutions even for simple problems. It often leads to change in local ecology and milieu thereby further leading to intensify environmental issues and concerns. If a small key can open the gate there in no need to break it with hammer or otherwise blast it. Each problem situation arises due to small specific reasons not taken care in time and hence demands site specific inputs to address the same. And, each problem however tedious it may be has germs of solution built, within. What is require to see within it and seek cues from it. If we approach with positive mind and focus on addressing the specifics, solution does emerge from within. Thus keeping our mind on positive frequency with intent to solve the problem is key to it. Lets seek key to problems around us and use it with care to solve them. Think good, speak good, act good lead to feel good and it would help create firm and positive frame of mind the base essence for seeking an appropriate key to solution. Thus; Think Good, Act Good, And; Feel Good By All Ways & By All Means. Things would begin to blend around and take shape the way you like and making you feel as one with the situation and its surrounds. JSG Nagpur; 3/3/2013 कुछ सोच, ज़रा ठहर, यह वीरान सा सफ़र कहाँ जाएगा आखिर, कुछ कर इधर नज़र ज़रा सी थकन उतार लूँ ज़ख्मेपा निहार लूँ कोई सूरत निकल आये इक रात गुजार लूँ कई रोज़से तश्ना लब ज़रा इक जाम हो जाए मस्त साकी के पहलू में कोई तो शाम हो जाए नज़र में अब मेरे कोई मंजिल का अक्स नहीं रहबर जो बन के आए कोई ऐसा शख्स नहीं खाली आँखों में मेरे कोई तस्वीर तो बन जाए राहपे थिरकने की कोई तदवीर तो बन जाए सफ़र के वास्ते यूँ पांव में इक खराश जरुरी है मंज़र के वास्ते नज़र में कोई तलाश जरुरी है ज़रा देख हसीं सहर जाँ तलक भी जाये नज़र क्या खूब आए नज़र हरेक पत्ता फूल, शजर किसी गुल को निहार ले धडकन में उतार ले सफ़र में जो साथ चले वो हमसफ़र पुकार ले फिर कदम जाएँ जिधर उसतरफ आए नज़र एक हरा भरा चमन खूबसूरत सा एक मंज़र Nagpur; 3/3/2013 Today, morning while returning from golfing, it appeared to me as if I am floating in the air. I have to get fill for my car and hence turned to Wadi for fuel. A strange feeling begins to make me feel lighter in weight as if my body is empty within and I am as light as a feather. Sight was indeed clear but things appear as if they are floating and blending with situation around and non [thing or being] have distinct entity or existence. It was a bit hazy but things were clear and visible so as I may drive through them. I reached home safely and begin to reflect on the experience. I could not fathom the depth of it. Feeling of being one with situation and that of environment around was distinct and amazing. It was as if my mind is blank and there is no flicker of any idea or thought except a sort of dim lit awareness of my being flowing in empty space as waves in ocean and seeking joy of being part of the whole universe. Journey of our becoming, as conscious being, opens up window to cosmic reality of our existence and give us feeling and experience of joy and fulfillment. In the physical realm though we are distinct but we feel empty within. As a cosmic being we feel filled in by cosmic essence of our existence as a part of whole. As we transcend beyond our physical being we move towards conscious being passing through realm of mind and self; and even beyond and feel as if we are a spike set in cosmic vibration alike any, thing or being else in this universe. Our journey as conscious being moves from solid to fluid, fluid to flight, flight to vibration phases and thereafter in midst of pure consciousness to the original source of creation. Universe around exhibits as if vibrations of pure being have assumed distinct shapes and forms to give expression to universal will and fulfill space with thing or being destined to assume that role. Never ever I have experienced world around so beautiful, charming and amazing. It reminded me beauty of ethics put forth by Spinoza when we conduct ourselves as universal being. As universal being we think and act as part of whole and flow accord with universal order and harmony for overall well being of one and all. As individual being we act as being apart from rest of universe and focus on preservation of our own self and existence as physical being. We thus do not accord with universal laws of nature and hence become cause of strife, chaos and disorder. When we think and act as universal being our conduct is ethical whereas when we act as individual being our conduct do not accord with universal laws and harmony. Vedic way of life lays focus on good conduct and harmony. What is true that is right? What is right that is beauty? Truth, justice and beauty are base premises of ethical living. Beauty in fact is visualized as perfection personified in ethical conduct of life aiming at seeking joy and harmony. When we are in harmony with our surround we feel lit up and flowing with situation like a hill river ever afresh, live and beautiful. Life nevertheless seeks pure joy and happiness while fulfilling its destined role. Nagpur; 4/3/2013 Philosophy of positive thought lays focus on positive outlook, goodness and well being of all in the entire universe. It is indeed alike Vasudevam Katumbkkam ~ the universe as a cosmic family - visualized in the Vedic texts. If we live as a family of comic being wishing well being of fellow brethren and feel good and joyous while on celestial voyage and travail through this universe, we are making our destiny for better tomorrow. As we analyze our nature and conduct it appears as if our true self has been eclipsed by a thick sheet of dust and mist thus making mirror of our conscience blurry and hazy, in the process. Negativity has become an integral part of our psyche exhibiting through our thoughts and actions. Its origin runs deep into our chaotic past – churning mix of invading tribes and populations with distinct way of life and beliefs – thus, making lasting imprints on the mind. Bapu ke teen Bandars portrays it, aptly. Do not see evil [Bura mat dekho] Do not speak evil [Bura mat kaho] Do not hear evil [Bura mat sunao] Focus is not to do the bad things instead of doing the good things. It is presumed that if we check our negative being, positive being within us will emerge on its own. However, nature has its own laws and norms. Nature does give us back what we think or focus the most. If we focus most on negativity, it will multiply, and would create a gloomy scenario. If we focus most on positive things, beings and events, it would lead to a promising bright and bloomy scenario around us. Thus, if we jot down above phrases, in positive blend, as follows; See Good. [Achha dekho] Speak Good. [Achha bolo] Listen Good. [Achha suno] We shall be focusing on positivity, goodness and well being of all and the scenario would begins to turn promising, beautiful and blooming; emitting joy and harmony around. Cosmic reality is complete; it has both the dark and the bright facets. If we focus on darker aspects it would lead to misty and darker realms of life. If we venture on and lay focus on brighter aspects of life, it will lead to brighter tomorrow. Both paths are open for us to venture. It’s we who are to make the choice, positive or negative. Let’s make a positive beginning for our brighter tomorrow. Nagpur; 8/03/2013 Today evening, I returned from Melghats two days trip, a short and sweet one. Melghat forests ecosystem is indeed unique and charming and is key to my fascination as I began my service travail from these forests, on probation. It is indeed a unique mix of nature in its prime best, topography, landscape and local tribal in more or less symbiotic relation with its surrounds. A vast stretch of forested tract along Satpuda Hills owes its existence to its topography and korkus – the local tribal communes – the natural beings, knowing well how to tread light on this beautiful blue planet. Diversity and richness of vegetation and dependent life forms add beauty and color to its awesome natural beauty and expanse. Over five years of experience in these forests during 1990s has colored my vision green and focused my thinking and actions to seek clean and green options for life to move in harmony with nature. During my formative years in service, I have undertaken a few trials that have been fruitful to guide my endeavors for seeking sustainable livelihood options with low ecological footprints. Korkus are very simple, innocent and peace loving, by nature. They live in present and do not bother much about very next moment or the day. Their life style is in harmony with nature and its surrounds. Though, the modern development approach, greed and hunger have dented their psyche deeply, yet their basic values and traits are true to their soil and close to the nature. As a consequence, we see vast expanse of natural forests in its prime whereas forests tracts in it’s adjoins along Satpuda hills have vanished due to non sustainable practices of their neighboring brethrens. They are poor, illiterate and backward but they know how to live in peace and harmony with nature and its beautiful beings. Melghats has tremendous ecotourism potential that may become a boon for opening up anew options for sustainable livelihood. It provides an ideal sylvan setting for naturo-cultural immersion and experiential learning for people of Vidarbha for promoting practices and values that bring us more close to nature and cultural roots. However, due care shall be taken for not over exposing local communities to outer influences so that it may affect their basic nature, as custodians of natural forests. Natural forest systems are saviors of life on this planet. They are, in fact, the pilgrim centre’s of humanity for seeking moksha as well as solution of our unending trail of riddles. ‘Nisargam Sharnam Gachhami’ ~ Let’s go to nature and seek solution of our problems. It appears to be only way to seek and sustain peace and harmony life and universe. Melghats do attract me to the core. Whenever, I find chance to visit this beautiful gift of nature, I do try to make most of it. Each dip of immersion soaks me and my soul in its calm, serene and dusky environs. It is said that if you love with true intent nature reciprocates and conspires to make things happen for more such experiences. An earlier experience, a few months ago [on 26th October 2012], at Kolkaz Guest House that shook me within and kept me confined in the rest house for over five hours about how nature responds your love and longings is yet unfathomable for me. On the penultimate day, I was scheduled to visit Kolkaz, for a short while, en route my inspection to ecotourism sites at Chikhaldara, Semadoh and Kolkaz. It was clear day, as I left Nagpur for Chikhaldara. Weather, at Chikhaldara was cool and cozy. I decided to have a glimpse of ecotourism facilities, at Semadoh and Kolkaz before settling myself for the night, at Chikhaldara. I kept my bag at Chikhaldara and left with staff for Semadoh in the afternoon. After an hour of exposure at Semadoh, we left for Kolkaz. In the afternoon, sky was clear and there were no signs of clouds anywhere near. Kolkaz is hardly 20 km from Semadoh. As we approached close to gate of Kolkaz complex, clouds begin to build up. Before leaving, we decided to take tea at main guest house, at Kolkaz. As we reached Main Guest House weather begins to turn windy, dark and fogy drizzle. We took shelter in hall of guest house. As we were waiting for tea, weather turned nasty and violent, dark clouds with lightening spread around and rains begin to pour with hails storm. Wind was so ferocious and violent and hail storm was so fierce that it shook us within and made us feel unsafe under the shaky roof of guest house. It appeared that roof would be wiped off by fury of wind and we would be at mercy of nature in windy and lightening rains. The front lawn was looking white in darkness due to heavy deposition of frozen raindrops in shape of hails. Stormy wind uprooted trees and put it across approaching road to the guest house blocking it from all side. In darkness of night, situation was dreadful and tense for about quarter an hour that made me realize how helpless we become, if nature goes berserk. It was indeed an off season storm that took shape of violent whirlwind causing damage to shallow trees and weak buildings. I have never seen such violent storm in my life and that too in off season period, in Melghats. As rains and storm begins to subside we came out to find that our way has been blocked from all sides. In the dark night it was not possible to move on. Being deep in jungle, it was not possible to seek early help and support. Later, we learnt that it was unusual cloud burst that caused major damage to standing trees uprooting and cutting them in halves and snapping electric wires and poles. Such phenomenon is unheard even in monsoon rains, in this region. I have not seen nature in such nasty mood before during my service life in these areas. As we could not move out, I asked the staff to seek local help to clear roads and call additional staff for help from Semadoh. Weather was cold and my clothes were soaked in rain. I slipped under a blanket to seek some warmth. My eyes begin to get drowsy and after a while I was in deep slumber. A loud voice of guest house staff made me wake up from deep slumber, at about ten in night with news that a walk-able way to road have been made and we can move, if I like. As my clothes were wet and I did not carry my bag along so we decided, to take chance. After an arduous walk and endeavor through fallen trees and electric wires for half an hour we reached the main road to Semadoh and, thereafter, to Chikhaldara at about mid night. So as cold would not grip me I changed my wet garments and slipped in straight to bed, sparing introspection on this strange happening, on some other day. I become busy in day to day happenings until, the day before, when I visited Kolkaz site again, incidence flashed back in my mind. The uprooted trees in the area refreshed my memory of strange incidence occurred five months ago. It begins to itch me within to seek cause or coincidence, if any, of my presence at the point of incidence and exhibition of fury of nature, as if it was angry with me for remaining away from it, so long. I have been a frequent visitor of Kolkaz during my tenure in Melghat forests in 1990s and Kolkaz and its surrounds have given me many insights and deep experiences that helped me while I was away on my travails and wanderings to unknown areas. Alike us, it appears to me, nature is live and conscious. It responds our feeling and calls in the same way as we respond to other living beings. It loves if we love and care; and gets angry if we discord love and harmony. In this instant event, nature perhaps conspired to detain me for some more time, than I have planned, to seek more insights of immersion and learning and to be one with each other for some time, after a long while. And, it was angry as I was not in touch with it for long to care for or soothe its soul for getting apart. Nevertheless, nature is mysterious, full of awe and wonders. We are part of it and it is indeed part of us, within. Thus, getting apart makes it break within and hence sets in chaos in shape of furious whirlwind and rainstorm. After a while, it cools down itself, alike a loving mother to give love and shelter to her children. Nature immersion is like diving deep to seek reality and taste its bliss by personal experience. Nagpur; 9/3/2013 Honesty is being true to oneself. It is integral to ethical conduct and is reflected in actions and conduct of an individual. It tends to unite both the outer and the inner self of a being and alike yoga makes one explore self as single real being and helps dispel dilution of outer existence as dual reality. Things or beings fake do not sustain long, as they are empty within. Honesty alike sturdy Deodar trees grows on its roots, digging deep into soil of essence and existence. It matures and illuminates self within and embolden will to take tough and bold decisions guided by truth and beauty of conscience, within and without. Honest human beings these days alike rare species need special focus to protect and conserve them for larger well being of humanity. They are indeed beautiful beings within and emanate optimism, beauty and well being to lit the world around. Like flowers they beautify, energize and enthrall surroundings. We shall salute such rare jewel amongst us. As they sustain hope for better tomorrow. Nagpur; 11/03/2013 एक अक्स मेरे ज़ेहन से बाहर निकल कर हर रोज़ मुझ से बेजा कई सवाल करता है खुश्क आँख में यूँ अश्कों का बेदम उभरना, रह रह कर जिगर को मेरे बेहाल करता है आवारा क़दमों का रोज़ नई तर्ज़ पे बहकना, रह गुज़र पर यूँ रोज़ नया कमाल करता है किसी पाखरू का हरपल नई चाल में ढलना चमनके आम चलन को बेमिसाल करता है किसी हसीन फूल का यूँ चमन में महकना चमन में खुश्क फ़ज़ा को निहाल करता है बेखुदी के सफ़र का तो अंदाज़ ही अलग है कदम क़दम यूँ हस्ती को अकाल करता है कुछ अजब सा लगे, अब सफ़र का तरीका ज़र्रा ज़र्रा कोई मुझ को यूँ हलाल करता है मेरी नज़र में वही शख्स असल है 'साहिल' खुद को जो खुदा की खरी मिसाल करता है Nagpur: 13/03/2013 Today, it was as if a very calm day to begin with. In the morning, I could not go for golfing, as I was to go to hospital for annual checkup, initiated by government with view to improve health and efficiency of governance. It is however has become a routine affair and my almost half day was booked for the purpose undergoing various checkups such as ECG, X Ray, TMT, Eco Test, blood and urine tests etc. Any way it was indeed a learning experience for me. How far I can run on Tread Mill was indeed interesting. Things went well I was given green signal as very good health conditions for my age. While on my way back home I wished to seek relief from stuffy conditions of hospital with pleasant memories of my chosen events. Visualization does play a crucial role in tuning mind to frequency of our choice and seek feeling of goodwill and feel good emanating from us around, as epicenters consciousness and harmony. An event of my formative years, in service in 1980s, became focus of vision, all of sudden. It is an incident associated to my exposure visit in the South Indian forested tracts, at Bandipur. After an initial introduction of management practices and burning issues associated with conservation of rich flora and associated varied fauna we were taken to a Museum cum Nature Interpretation Centre. It was a small but well maintained centre exhibiting rich biodiversity and nature conservation in shape of trophies, life size models, signage’s, photographs, paintings, etc. Inputs and exhibits displayed were unique and relevant to theme of conservation and showcasing ecosystem and its biodiversity. Guide was excellent to link each trophy and exhibit to the central theme. As we approached close to exit passage we were introduced in a small room. The exhibit on display had been covered by a neat and green piece of curtain with caption ‘Now lift the curtain and see the most dangerous animal in the world’. We entered the room one by one and were surprised to see our own image as we lifted the curtain. We came out with a firm and deep message of conservation which is as if still fresh in me and often awaken me from slumber of fake reality whenever I happen to venture in it. Story of life on Earth is indeed full of awe and mystery and is rough, curvilinear and wavy by nature. It is dear to our heart as we happen to be the live characters of live current episode of this strange story, in the making. Past episodes do reveal origin of strange forms of life and their exit from the scene as they failed in their endeavors to sustain till end. The mighty dinosaurs appeared and vanished and so millions of other large and small species could not sustain pace for long on the trail of life. Permanence and change have been shaped into various themes, objects and events alternatively leading to scenario of scarcity, turmoil and chaos at particular point of time and stability, growth and plenty at another point of view. Individual species devours each other to sustain its very survival and develop harmony in symbiotic relations for its sustenance for posterity. Any species that grows beyond its sustainable size tends to vanish and goes extinct. Size of species does matter for its long sustenance. We do not see dinosaurs these days as their size made their sustenance difficult. Home sapiens appears to have assumed dinosaurous proportion and hence destined to vanish from scene sooner or later. As Homo sapiens, we have got similar disposition and have begun to behave alike ones who have already left the scene. We in fact have become cause of demise of all other species and are endlessly devouring others to cater our need and greed. Our fellow voyagers are indeed scared to their ends and feel threatened due to our existence. They are indeed beautiful beings of nature. Their need is limited to their very survival. They live and act for harmony and well being of nature and its ecosystems. As on date, we are, indeed, most dangerous animal on earth. Our way of life and conduct do mismatch with nature and its norms and ethics. Thus, the animal lies deep in us and not in jungle in shape of beautiful beings of nature. There is need to see within and locate it and to train and tame it for well being of other fellow voyagers and the universe as whole. Incidence of Bandipur is indeed a call bell for us to awaken in time and recognize the animal within us and also to find ways and means to tame it and shape it less ferocious and more natural and loving being to seek love, joy and happiness for all. Nagpur/15/03/2015 हवा में आज फिर नमी सी है दिल की प्यास में कमी सी है मंज़र साफ़ नज़र नहीं आता नज़र में खाक यूँ जमी सी है अबके सफ़र आश्ना सा लगे यूँ तेरे नक्शेपा की हमी सी है हरदम आँख में यूँ जुगनू देखूँ दिल में कोई आस रमी सी है धूप में अबके वो कसक कहाँ सूरज की चाल यूँ थमी सी है कमसिन आँख में पानी देखूँ मेरे निजाम में यूँ कमी सी है Nagpur; 27/03/2013 A day before, I visited Bor Dharan a small village - midst Nagpur and Wardha – known for its natural setting, water body with panoramic and serene view and a small but cozy wildlife sanctuary extending in Nagpur and Wardha forest areas. I have fascination of it since 2003, when I was in charge of it along with Pench National Park, as Field Director. It is indeed an ideal habitat for tiger, leopard, sloth bear and their prey base and very little biotic disturbance due to no villages within its periphery. About an hour drive from Nagpur City through the forested tract between Hingna and Hingani villages is indeed alluring for making journey pleasant and soothing to eyes and mind. Whenever, I find time to visit it I follow road through forested tract as it sooths me and fills me within while moving through nature in its serene and naked best. The occasion was to address a conclusion session of a workshop on ‘Medicinal value of forest, its utility and conservation’ organized, at Bordharan Ecotourism Complex, near the dam site. It is small eco-tourism destination having conference and stay facility for 50 to 60 persons in its serene sylvan setting. It’s gaining significance because of its proximity to Nagpur and Wardha and calm and cool unpolluted natural setting, neat and clean stay facility, hygienic rural cuisine to pacify taste buds. My reflections on the topic lead me to scan our journey since Vedic times, whence our forefathers used to live in harmony with nature. Forests, trees and things natural were integral to our way of life and belief, as part of nature. Symbiotic relations and mutual respect for other beings, in shape of Vasudevam Katumbhkkam - the world is a family - was true to our roots and essence as a cosmic family aiming at harmony and coexistence. As the trail of life ventured through ancient to medieval times, compulsions of existence made us myopic beings aiming at our own pleasures and comforts at the cost of other beings and natural communities coexisting with us on this planet. Symbiotic relations turned parasitic and exploitative leading to pollution, strife and chaos in values and practices we nurture and follow that make and rate us apart, as natural beings. Cleavage is wide and deep down to our nature and psyche and hence need thorough redressing with new approach to value of life and relations with world around. It is essence of each being to seek its natural roots and to know how far we have gone on our travails through ages to the present scenario and form of existence. It provides true and firm foundation to our physical form, psyche and belief that is so crucial to guide our journey ahead. The following lines aptly eco the yearning within us to seek our roots and make us pick up cues from nature around to make our journey a pleasant and memorable experience, in harmony with fellow beings. शायद यूँही सुलझ जाएँ कुछ सफ़र की उलझनें ज़िन्दगी के चमन को ज़रा जंगल बना के देख From Bordharan to journey back home was again through the same track but in different hue and color than the morning hours. Each moment does add a new facet and awe to nature around and we can feel its mystery live if we have keen eyes, ears and mind for it. Nature in its naked serene self was so beautiful and alluring to make me stop for a while to have my heart’s fill before onward journey home. Vegetation of this tract, being dry deciduous in nature, sheds its leaves and appears as if nature has painted live sketches of distinct things and beings on earth’s canvass, as naked specimen of its creative visualization. Nature does take shape in distinct shapes and forms to shape the world around as replica of its own appearance – harmonious, perfect, complete and beautiful. A flash of memory of my previous visit to this tract after rains, when it was lush green and dense due to thick foliage of teak and its associates made me see nature around me in its live self as if revealing me its true essence and form. The bare figures of stems, branches and branch lets against the setting sun scenario was indeed like nature in its eternal essence, mesmerizing beauty and creative best self. Its shape and form was so distinct and different than its shape and color a few months ago during and after rains. Thus, though eternal in essence nature changes its shape and form with change of season to adore and enhance its beauty and charms. It reveals and exhibits its very essence and existence each moment to make us feel and see it clearly and gives us enough cues to guide us and mend our way to suit to its ways and charms and to seek joy and harmony to make our journey a pleasant and beautiful experience. Nature is there, everywhere, around us and within us, as our true being. It dwells within each thing and being and gives them shape and form suiting to their will and destiny. It is always there in the shape of basic stuff and live intent that is primordial for each creation. Live and let live in true spirit of Vasudevam Katumbhkkam seems a viable option to venture for seeking harmony and joy and happiness that we find missing in life. There is need to find an earnest answer for this riddle that is so akin to our story of survival. Honest and pollution free life in harmony with nature is indeed viable and workable option. Alike the path shown in Buddhist gospels viz Bhuddam sharnam gachhami - we have to venture beyond human wisdom to nurture and follow nature in its true essence. True wisdom lies in following will and way of nature and to live in harmony with other beings. Joy and bliss would be natural outcome harmonious way of life. ‘Nisargam Sharnam Gachhami’- is the path to live a blissful life in harmony with nature. There is need to give it a sincere and honest try. Like a fragrant flowering tree it would lead to fruition for its own well being and well being of fellow voyagers on their voyage to eternity. Hope the nature will manifest in its true self through our being and further add visual serenity and perfection to its creation to make the story of life a beautiful and livable experience. Nagpur/ 6-7/4/2013 After a morning sortie of golfing, while on tea, all at once, it flashed in my mind for a sortie in nearby deep forests for next two days to see and experience nature in its naked best and also to venture in areas truly filled in by nature and its serenity; and beautiful wild beings. Nagzira being an apt site for the purpose was identified, and we golfing four-some left for it in the afternoon hours. Journey up to Bhandara was tough and tortuous one indeed due to repairs of NH 6 and terrific truck traffic on this patch. It took us over two hours to cover distance of 65 km. It, in fact, indicates condition of road what we call NH 6 and pace of development that has never surpassed the proverbial snail. It made us have a pause a while at Bhandara and get a fill for onward journey to Nagzira, which of course was smooth and pleasant. We reached Pitezari in the evening and had a view of surrounding forested tracts from top of a newly built high end stay facilities on a small hillock. The view was indeed panoramic and mesmerizing interspersed with vast stretches of vegetation cover and open fields with crops. We entered into sanctuary at Pitezari gate and headed towards Nagzira. Journey through 12 km forested stretch was full of surprises, as we could spot a herd of young bison, spotted dear, sambar, Langur and pack of wild dogs, enjoying its kill – a rare sight. We stayed at Nilay – Forest Guest House adjoining a small water body surrounded by forests– the lifeline of wild animals in Nagzira- a beautiful site indeed and a must for nature lovers. Stay at Nilay was a unique experience. Evenings were pleasant and serene. It was as if we have been engulfed by nature and have become part of it. Feeling oneself as a part of surround does expand horizon of our vision and sensitivity. Dusky evening hours were mysterious as if unfolding before us whole universe in its naked and serene best. Crescent moon over Jamun trees on the edge of water body was alike Shiva’s in its meditative trance exploring within peace, harmony and bliss. It reminded me of our training days while on tours to Manali, HP. Flash back of visit to Van Bihar, known for deodar groves along Beas river, a sought after destination by visitors during summer to have experience of calm and cool climes. After interaction with local forest officials, our professor from Academy remarked ‘these huge deodar trees are alike Rishis [sages] on meditation for harmony and welfare of humanity’. It made no sense to me due to our grounding in scientific forestry. We took it with jest and humor. It took me over 30 years to understand what our professor meant by the phrase he uttered. While looking through the huge Jamun tree decorated by stars in sky, crescent moon on its head and universe around, luminous and charming as if in its bridal attire made me feel ecstatic alike my professor while seeing huge deodar trees, at Manali. Nagzira is unique for its stay facility and environs as well. No electricity and water supply provisions from outside. Kerosene lamps at night seem apt to give candle light dinner experience and night life exposure in jungle. Another feature that defy logic is that site is shunned by mosquitoes despite being close to water body and, hence, a chosen heaven for visitors and nature lovers who wish to experience jungle life in peace, harmony and serene milieu. Sites like Nagzira do provide us space, time and opportunity for, the following;  Explore within to know thyself  Explore without to know the nature around  Relax and recharge with cosmic energy  Feel experience of being part of nature as a whole single reality  Learn to live with nature in harmony, love and bliss  Seek bliss and blessing of nature  Health, Happiness and Harmony [3 Hs] I was so engrossed in me that I do not know when my eyes get drowsy and sliped into sweet dreams. Morning dawn was calm, cool and pleasant. We decided to have a round around the lake to try our luck with tiger. During our over 3 hours sortie through jungle roads we could spot almost all the prominent prey species of tiger including chital, sambar, bison, etc. Tiger – the Lord of forests however remained elusive. It reminded me another phrase on tiger habit ---- it is like phantom---one moment it is there----another it is not. Perhaps it was playing hide and seek with us and giving us cue to try our luck some other time. Nagzira is unique and so is its exposure experience, each time. It gives me deep insight to explore and find myself and seek union with it. What is that? That is reality and that is end of our striving and endeavors. Short and sweet jungle sorties do give us opportunity to see nature both within and without and help them live together as one holistic entity or soul. With promise to visit again to try our luck with tiger, we left Nagzira for our journey home with sweet memory of what we saw, experienced and envisioned. Nature and bliss is within. To seek its essence, look within with earnest love and taste the nectar of life to feel bliss of joy and happiness. If way to goal is known. What to do next is to take first step towards destined goal to make it a reality of life. Nagpur; 9-10/4/2013 Today, as usual, morning was fine and day paced on well till evening – the time to say good bye to official chores. Hectic schedule of March is no more and feel of light & spring bright April in calm, cool and serene climes feeling flow of cosmic energy, taking shape into myriad things, beings and distinct seasons is very real and makes one feel like feather light. It’s like flowing with gushing spring water from hill top to downstream and enjoys bliss of being one with flow. In the evening, on my study table, just gazing at void, as there is nothing special to ponder over made me feel that void is everywhere both within and without. Alike an empty space having no real thing or being of any material value. It is naught [zero] that expands into infinity and become cause of everything material or otherwise in this universe. Zero [0] and infinity [∞] appear to be just two facets of reality that is one and whole. Reality in shape of process of creation is like an unending vortex having zero and infinity, as its two extreme ends. The zero end, like a black hole in the universe, sucks and swallows everything that approach it and crush it to naught [cosmic dust] and never allows anything to escape. Infinity end on the other hand reweaves the cosmic dust [vibration] into things, beings and events and place them in motion to ensure harmony, order and well being of all. It’s like the invisible Virat Sawarup [Trimurti] described in Bhagwat Gita wherein things and beings after serving their destined purpose find their way to nothingness, as cosmic dust that is again rewoven into myriad of things and beings so as to sustain process of creation and to to keep universe live, active and in motion and harmony. Process of creation, sustenance and destruction in nature is live each moment unfolding very essence of Trinity [Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh] for sustenance of universe and entails sense of purpose to life and creation. The beauty of nature is that it unfolds itself into myriad formations to tell the story of life and creation in a holistic and wholesome way. The following lines aptly convey the essence of life and creation in this universe. जंगल में जा कर हो जाता है अहसास अपने क़द का क़ुदरत के हर वरके में यूँ असल का अक्स मिलता है The essence of void is un-manifested cosmic reality that is eternal, unlimited and live. As we go deep into it we find it unfathomable and expanding beyond horizons and filled in with cosmic stuff in non being mode. The cosmic raw stuff is like the particles of wandering sands or fertile soil longing for seeds willing to be swallowed in its womb and sprouts into new seedling growing into new things and beings of its own kind. Seeds are in fact micro-chips or blue prints of what is intended and envisioned to assume shape and form eventually. We tend to decipher reality by unfolding cipher into figures and digits that intends to manifest the universe and world around. We search images and words out of nothing to bestow rhythm, harmony and music to color life with meaning and taste. Alike a poet, we look for appropriate words, out of naught, to fit in rhyme and meter of lines. As the urge to create swells beyond a peak point, words begin to take shape and fit in confines of lines and stanzas, poem begins to take shape out of nothing. However, if we are unable to see or decipher reality and give it distinct shape and form we see it as a void. So there is no void in universe. Void does exist in our mind and hence finds space in our vision and psyche. For a discerning mind there is no void. Meditative eye runs deep and transcends through mind, intellect to self/soul where duality merges into one and only one reality and thereafter we do not see any void around. What we see, feel and experience is the nature in shape of cosmic life stuff filling the universe around, throughout. Thus, beauty of nature lies in its latent potent to manifest in numerous shapes and forms thereby enhancing diversity and richness of creation in this universe. To seek justice and truth is essence and beauty of our very being. The pure soul in search of its real being carves out niche for life leading to Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram. It reminds me beautiful lines of John Keats; A thing of beauty is joy for ever--- Its loveliness increases, It never fades into nothingness. Beauty is essence of just and truthful living. Key to beauty is love, dignity and harmony in life and universe for well being of all. सिंबल रुख सराहेदा अति दीरग अति मुच आए जो पंछी आस कर, गए निरासे कित फुल फीके फल बकबके कम न आवन पत मिठत निमी नानका गुण चंगियाइयाँ तत Nagpur; 14/4/2013 Bor Wildlife Sanctuary - a heaven for nature and wildlife lovers Nagpur is known for its neat, clean and green environs and ‘24x7x365’ connectivity to other parts of India, due to its central strategic location. Due to its proximity to prominent NPs, Sanctuaries and Tiger Reserves in Central India, it is being promoted as the Tiger Capital of India/World - a title it aptly deserve. It’s indeed a Gateway to wildlife rich forest tracts namely Tadoba, Pench, Kanha, Melghats, Satpuda in bio rich Gondwanaland’s and there are over 15 wildlife and biodiversity rich PAs within 250 km peripheral vicinity of Nagpur, nurturing a substantial chunk of tiger populations along with other members of cat family and bio-rich prey base. It is also being promoted as the base camp for for eco-tourism for visitors from India and abroad. Days are not far off when it would be on International Tourism Map, as a most sought after destination for wildlife sorties and nature immersion and experiential exposures visits in sylvan setting of Gondwana lands. Among the bio-rich gems around Nagpur, Bor WLS has unique place and location. It falls along boundary of Nagpur and Wardha districts and extends over to over 120 sq km of contiguous forest tracts in catchment of Bor River, after which it draws its name. It does not have any village in its confines and hence is comparatively better placed due to less biotic pressure from within. It provides undisturbed climate for tiger to breed and provide ideal place to swell in numbers due to its solitary and territorial nature. I have special fascination for Bor for its compact size and cozy environs and assured possibility of sighting of wild animals, especially, in summer in open spaces of catchments of a small but beautiful water body, called as Bordharan. To appreciate and enjoy natural beauty and serenity of Bordharan, during morning and evening hours, and to have firsthand experience of immersion in Bor jungles we decided to visit Bor on 13-14 April 2013 during weekend days with family to enhance bliss of nature immersion experiential insights and pick up wits of harmonious living in nature to steer family life in symbiotic climes, peace and harmony. We left, in the evening, by Innova, a spacious and comfortable vehicle for foursome, and followed Nagpur-Hingna–Hingani Road. About 70 km road stretch from Nagpur passes through forest tracts of varying hue, color and density. We enjoyed moving through dry deciduous teak forests interspersed with species with dense green foliage and had feel of nature in its dusky charms and naked best mood. More we see through nature from close corners more revealing and forthcoming it becomes as if it is awaiting us to bestow its love and reveal its mystery. It took us over one and half hours to reach Bordharan, Eco-tourism Complex, located downstream of water body where we had planned to stay. We decided to go for evening sortie in the sanctuary to have exposure of habitat conditions and to say hello to fellow wild beings who care to pay heed and venture close to us and willing to give a snap or two to satisfy our thirst for seeking wild encounter with beautiful beings. Accompanied with local forest staff we entered sanctuary area and greeted by flock of pea hens and herds of chital crossing circuit routes towards lake water in the evening hours. After a while, a pair of sambars, shy but attentive, as usual was seen at the corner as if keeping an eye on our movement. Thereafter, full grown beautiful peacocks, in a big flock, as if, were enjoying a stag party in the jungle. Sight was special indeed as I have not seen such high concentration of pea fowls and jungle fowls at one place before and it was an indicator of conducive and safe habitat conditions in sanctuary. As we moved along the road, wild boar crossed our way at a distant and we could spot over 4 of them close to a waterhole. As we come across a nallah, a large pack wild dogs, over 25 in number was seen playing – a rare sight indeed in Bor sanctuary. I have not seen such a large pack before. It appears that it is breeding well in Bor, an omen for safe but delicate prey base. Vegetation density and species diversity varies with site and location and there were concentration of bor [Zizyphus species] along plain lake side areas, arjun along nalas, sterculia uren [ghost tree] on rocky and dry patches, ain and dhawda along plain areas along the trail providing distinct niches for wild animals in the habitat. Bor is known for unusually high concentration of ghost trees which is very attractive and pleasant to look at due to its strange shape, size and color and look alike a white phantom gazing at us during moon nights. It is also centre of focus for illegal extractors for its high value gum and hence is cause of nuisance for sanctuary management. On way to Bhalaidoh waterhole we were shown new innovation in waterhole management for wildlife by Shri Naik, the local Ranger Incharge. During summer, water becomes scarce in most of areas in sanctuary except those areas that are in close vicinity to Bordharan and Bor river. Need of new waterholes, at appropriate locations, least one in 4-5 sq km area is essential for wildlife management, point of view. About 14 solar based water pumps have been installed that have eased the water scarcity in sanctuary to an extent - a welcome step, indeed. Despite small in size, Bor is known for high population density and secure habitat base. It supports over 5-6 tigers, double the number of panthers, plenty of prey base like chital, sambar, wild boar, neel gai, etc. It is also known for good concentration of sloth bears and wild dogs. A few more routes have been carved out for improving sighting probability for visitors and also to ease bottlenecks for tourist traffic in tourism zone that extends up to 20 percent areas of sanctuary, primarily along water body having carrying capacity of 25 vehicles and about 125 visitors, at a time. In view of high density of wildlife and its proximity to Nagpur and Wardha, it has potential to be a sought after destination for local visitors as well as visitors from elsewhere. Hence, there is need to explore more areas having wildlife concentration for providing experiential exposures to visitors. And, due to addition of new areas, there is plenty of scope, in this regard. After an hour we moved towards water body and could see neel gai, chital, pea cocks and host of other animals along the water body. Dusky sight of water body was indeed mesmerizing giving enough cues that heaven is not far off. Sight of MTDC Complex and Dome overlooking water body was unique and charming. As the sun begins to slide down we left for camping site with hope in our eyes to see glimpses of tiger, next morning excursion envisioned by us. Meal at the complex was vegetarian but quite delicious and hygienic. Complex canteen is run by the local EDC and the meal is appreciated by one and all due to its local cuisine taste and neat and clean environs. It was hot in the day time but evening was cool and calm. Provision of camping facilities with solar light, neat and clean bath rooms and water coolers was apt to make family stay a cozy and memorable experience. We woke up at 0530 to enjoy cool and fresh air of morning and after morning tea left for final sortie at 600 hours. We could see all those species that we have seen in evening before, nevertheless, less in number, probably due to cool climes in the morning. Morning view of lake was indeed beautiful and alluring that we tried to capture in our cameras. Sight of tiger remains elusive even in the morning. It reminded me of habit of tiger, being a solitary species, it loves to remain elusive and away from sight of others. It likes its privacy and does not like disturbance during its rest or leisure hours. It spots us hundred times more and avoids direct encounter to stay safe to ensure and safeguard its freedom and liberty. Alike Nagzira, perhaps, it was not opportune time for us to have direct darshan of tiger. Hence, we decided to try our luck, next time. We left for our journey home through the same tract and enjoyed the drive through forests which were equally thick and rich as that of sanctuary areas. Our week end sortie was indeed unique with lot of learning inputs about things natural and harmony that sustains and winds things and beings together in a ever evolving holistic vortex what we call life. Nevertheless, we were richer by experience and exposure to Bor, as each exposure adds to us something new and evolves us within to new heights to see through and face the world around in more efficient and holistic way for better harmony and well being of all. I wish the staff and wild being of Bor, a happy and promising journey ahead. I also earnestly wish all nature and wildlife lovers to make it a part of their itinerary. Summer is the best time to see nature in its serene and naked best beauty. Good bye to all until we meet next. Nagpur; 22/4/2013 Borivali National Park, Mumbai – A green oasis in the concrete jungle Mumbai is known as the maya nagari and people from all corners throng here with hope to feel the touch of it and make their lives instant success alike the instant tea or coffee. It is indeed a fascinating city full of myriad avenues talent, success and opportunity and makes people hero’s or zero’s just an overnight. Being encircled by sea from almost all sides, it has little scope of horizontal expansion and hence is dotted by many a mushrooming skyscrapers adding to its vertical dimension. My fascination of mayanagari goes back to my early teen years due to my inclination toward poetry, movies and Bollywood. However, my urge alike a river stream in desert could not find its sea as destination and my travails alike a vagrant yogi experiencing and venturing through strange and unknown alleys landed me in Maharashtra to serve my destiny, as a forester. Nevertheless, whenever I find chance to visit Mumbai I begin to feel as if something of me is there and my entire being sets in activation to seek way ahead to find what is missing within. Last week, on 18/04/2013, I got a chance to visit Mumbai in regard to an urgent task. I left Nagpur by morning flight and reached Mumbai in about an hour. On way to my destination, I decided to say hello to an old friend in police on cup of tea. As I reached there, he was busy and I was to wait for an hour that caused him to share his Tiffin with me during lunch hours and gave me precious moments alone to go through ‘Iyengar: His life and works’- an autography of a yoga guru, that made be more inclined towards Yoga - as the way and mode for living in harmony with nature and seeking self actualizing. We had met after a long span hence it was soothing and refreshing to meet and share bits of experience and reflection of bygone days. Our interaction made me feel that world is alike, everywhere. It responds the way we look at it. It is good if we are so and is ugly if we are in bad taste. It’s indeed alike nature and takes form and shape in accordance with our wish and will. Due to swarming crowds, heavy traffic, vehicular pollution and stuffy roads, normally, I prefer to avoid nuisance of noisy city centre and stay away at Borivali Park, in the green oasis, created by nature and sculptured by man with its keen wisdom and skilled hands. After completing office formalities, I proceeded for Borivali guesthouse traversing through crowded habitations and entered Park area from Eastern gate. After about half an hour of journey through dark thick forests we reached guesthouse site at 2200 hours and checked in there for the night. Being a bit sloth due to hectic schedule and heavy traffic, I went straight to bed and fell like a log. I woke up in the morning with sound of door bell and was greeted by rest house attendant with cup of tea. I do not take morning tea yet I prefer the night watchman to wake me up at 0530 hours so as I may soak in cool and fresh environs of morning hours in the Park. Borivali National Park is a large protected area in the northern part of suburban Mumbai encompassing over an area of 104 sq km and was named originally as 'Krishnagiri National Park' in pre-independence era. It attracts more than 2 million visitors every year and is one amongst the most visited parks in the world primarily for its rich flora and fauna and 2400 years old Kanheri caves sculpted out of the rocky cliffs. Krishnagiri Upavan has a mini-zoo, crocodile park and boating facilities where visitors can view animals up close and enjoy picnicking and boating. A narrow gauge toy train meanders through tourist zone showcasing a part of its rich natural heritage and biodiversity, bestowed to humanity by nature. Nature trails and treks provide intimate nature immersion experience and exposure through wilderness and intend to soak visitors with nature and its bliss. The lion and tiger safaris provide exposure through natural habitats of wild animals. The forest cover supports rich and diverse biodiversity including over 800 types of mauve, native to the park and surrounding regions including Karnala and Tungareshwar. It is home to a number of endangered species of flora and fauna including over 1000 plant species, 251 species of land and water birds, 50,000 species of insects, 40 species of mammals. It shelters 38 species of reptiles, 9 species of amphibians, 150 species of butterflies, a large variety of fish and is home to a small population of leopards estimating over 21, in vicinity of Mumbai. Flora includes kadamba, teak, karanj, shisam, and species of acacia, zizyphus, euphorbia, Palas -flame of the forest, red silk cotton and variety of flowers. Karvi [Strobilanthes callosus] - a flowering plant that blooms once in eight years is found in plenty. Once in eight year, its mass flowering covers the forest floor in lavender blush, which is a nature’s miracle. Last bloom occurred in 2008 and it is anticipated to bloom again in 2016. Faunal biodiversity includes Chital, Rhesus Macaque and Bonnet Macaque, Barking Deer, Porcupine, Asian Palm Civet, Mouse Deer, Gray Langur, Indian Flying fox, Sambar, Leopard, Spot hyena and Four-horned antelope. Reptilian includes crocodiles in Tulsi Lake, pythons, cobras, monitor lizards, Russell's Vipers, Bamboo Pit Viper, etc. Over 172 species of butterflies further adds to aura and beauty of park as a biodiversity rich site. Avian fauna includes Jungle owlets, golden orioles, racket-tailed, magpies, robins, hornbills, bulbuls, sunbirds, peacock, and woodpeckers. Birds alike paradise flycatcher and various species of kingfishers, mynas, drongos, swifts, gulls, egrets and herons have good probability of sighting. The region is hilly with elevations between 30 m and 480 m. It forms catchment of Vihar and Tulsi Lakes which partly meet the city's water requirements and is aptly termed as the lungs of Mumbai as it purifies much of the air pollution of the city. Whenever, I happen to visit Borivali Park I like to spend some time in serene and tranquil surrounds of the Tulsi Lake. Log hut is an apt location for the purpose. It is two room guest house made of wood on the southern flank of Tulsi Lake and is site of panoramic view of valley southwestern downhill along the Tulsi river stream. My back home flight was scheduled in the evening at 0640, so I decided to visit Tulsi Lake and spend some precious moments in its calm, cool and soothing serenity. I left for log hut and pause at few scenic points along the road touching lake and had few snaps at choice places. Thereafter, I looked for a spot with spectacular view, calm and serene climes and placed myself in comfortable position on a chair. Though, it was near noon hours yet the feel of cool and refreshing air touching my cheeks, hairs and body was ecstatic and giving me joy and bliss of being one with Lake and its beautiful serene surrounds. Mind begins to wander into vast expanses of nature its beauty, awe and mystery and its endless continuum. An approaching vehicle brought me back to myself. Field Director was on his routine visit. We interacted for a while on ecotourism initiatives to showcase its rich naturo-cultural values and ensuring its protection, longevity and sustenance. Thereafter, I proceeded for visit to an old broken structure across Tulsi Lake on a hillock, known as the Bhoot Bangla. Approach road encircles the lake toward northeast and is partly tarred and partly fair weather, approachable by four-wheel drive vehicle. It is in a very bad shape but its visible foot prints portray a modest structure with two rooms, living area and a kitchen. Site is superb for a residential structure. Panoramic view of catchments jointing Tulsi, Vihar and Pawai lakes from its courtyard is simply mesmerizing. Island hillock in Tulsi Lake from this point presents a very calm, tranquil and serene best sylvan scenario as if actualizing picture of heaven on the Earth. The entire lake as if was in meditation mode and was in process of becoming one with its creator. I took a few snaps of my choice to keep my memory of this place afresh and filled in my heart and mind with raw beauty of nature around and deep view of whole scenario. It is indeed one the the memorable spot I have seen so far. I was told that I was bungalow of the engineer who was assigned task of construction of Tulsi Lake in 1860s, over 150 years ago. Selection of site was simply unparallel. Sites selected and structures built during British time stands out and exhibit skill, professional approach, integrity of character, eye for beauty and love and respect for nature. There is much to be learnt from our elders and forefathers, systems and approaches they followed and values and beliefs they nurtured. Kanheri caves are, in fact, epitomize excellence in vision, skill and art of bygone era and urge of our forefathers to live with nature in harmony and learn from it and seek blessing and bliss from its boundless treasure. Visit to sites like the Borivali NP helps on focus on, the following; • Bring us close to nature and self • venture in unknown areas of self and nature • Appreciate and enjoy beauty, serenity and bliss of life and nature • Learn to live in harmony with nature • Learn to live as family of cosmic beings • Love and honor nature and its beautiful being • Join cause to save nature and wild beings and promote green living. After having my fill, I left for guest house and thereafter to airport to catch my flight home in the evening with memory of serene lake and nature fresh in me. I was on time and so was flight. Turbulence of air due to change in weather made our flight jerky and a bit scary and shook me within. However, my visualization of holistic scenario of nature and its beings as total reality experienced by me at Bhoot Bunglow while appreciating Tulsi Lake kept me calm and cool and we could made our journey back home safe and enriched with new experiences of life. I thus like to press upon those visiting Mumbai in the days/years to come to find time to visit Borivali NP for at least half a day and enjoy nature in its calm and serene best midst swarming crowds and hustle and bustle of mayanagari. Must to see at Borivali; • Kanheri caves • Lion & Tiger Safaris • Tulsi Lake • Krishnagiri Upvan • Joy/Toy Train • Nature trails & treks Hope to visit Borivali again and explore it further to see nature unfolding during Karvi blooming season and seek joy of bloom bliss. Nagpur; 11/5/2013 It is always fascinating to visit sites and places ventured by us during our childhood or early school days in life. Last week, I visited my home place [Saidipur] in Punjab in relation to a family function. It is a modest village with its own Panchayat and village school, where I have learnt my first alphabets. It falls in border areas of Gurdaspur district and is located on Dinanagar – Narot Jaimal Singh - Jammu Road. It is my birthplace and, hence, I have many fond memories and experiences of my childhood and formative years, associated to this place. We [me and my wife] took evening flight to Delhi and reached there as per schedule. After a brief halt, at Sadan, we left for Pathankot by train, as longer road journey does not suit my wife. Journey was as usual, except, we were continuously on move and were bit tired. Train we boarded was a long distance fast running initiating from Rajkot [Gujarat] to Jammu-Tawi, however, condition of facilities like clean linen and toilets were in pathetic shape. Even though, travelling costs have increased over years there is little improvement in facilities provided to passengers to make their journey a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Nothing can be more educative, adventurous, enjoyable and thrilling to human mind than travels to known and unknown places. Railway should capitalize on this intrinsic quality of human nature and shall work towards making it reality in near future. We were picked up at Chaki Railway station and taken straight to site of the function, in a rural setting. I could meet many of my childhood friends. We were soaked in pure Punjabi folk music and numbers played at high pitch by kids dancing on its tones and tunes. Due to loud sound effect, I could not decipher meaning of lyrics but the music was indeed going deep within as if I have been part of it, since ages. I was indeed feeling nostalgic of ‘sondhi mitti ki khushbu- a feeling that itches within to impel us be and feel one with our lands and waters. Due to my roots being from rural areas, I prefer natural rural setting than urban luster. So I enjoyed the rural setting and ‘desi sangeet’ that was more like my inner being and hence appealing to my heart and mind. After, completing formalities, I preferred to visit our fields in the evening to have full lungs fill of fresh unpolluted air. During my school days I used to go to our fields least twice a day and quite often used sleep on branches of mango trees in the field. We worshiped for a while on samadi of our late parents, remembered them, thereafter, had round of our fields. Fresh cool clean air of our own fields in evening hours was so soothing and making us feel as if we are floating in another world – world of our vision and dreams. Meetings and discussions continued till late night and it was near midnight we got ready to retire for the night. As I was not getting sleep, I asked my wife to have a late night stroll on the village road, in the calm cool moon night. As we stepped out, we begin to feel the cool of night that is rare in urban centers. Weather was pleasant and hence we strolled over 2-3 km and had our fill. Sky was clear and space was lit with small and big starts in company of full moon. It was indeed rare night experience of rural life and environs that we miss in city environs. Next day, we decided to have drive along Upper –Bari – Dawab canal from Dinanagar to Pathankot, a distance of about 25 km. Due to tree groves of eucalyptus, shisam, poplars, mangoes, neem, mulberry, etc along the canal, scenic beauty of tract and flow of cool water makes us pause and have glance at its flow and surrounds. I have ventured along these roads earlier during my school days however I could not appreciate its beauty and environment value to an extent that I felt and experienced, this time. It was indeed a learning and enjoyable experience to venture along canal road and we decided to have maximum of it and followed the same route while our way back home. Since, childhood, it has been my fascination to see border areas. Next day, we decided to have drive along border areas and had full view of border to Pakistan. It is hardly 10-12 km from my place and hence we left early morning for Trimo Patan area near Barhanpur. This site was stage of ghastly drama during partition in 1947 in which thousands of Hindus and Muslims, including women and children, have been drowned and massacred while crossing borders. Moved by this sordid saga, Amrita Prittam has written an epic poem in Devnagari ‘Main aakhan waris shah nu, Uth kabraan bitchon bol….’. My parents were live witnesses of this ghastly drama who have providential escape and have suffered pains of partition till their death. Stories of massacre and killings told by them are still fresh in our memory and as we begin to approach Trimo Patan, those stories begin to take shape in our eyes. On the way, at Ghaladi village we asked for location of site. We were directed towards a road leading towards border. After about 3 km from Ghaladi, we come across an earthen barrier named as Dhussi where the tar road ends. There is an old bunker on the spot, perhaps made for defense purposes to counter emergency attack by Pakistani forces. We asked a villager the location of Trimo, who pointed towards the spot where we were standing. We were told that about ½ km from this point river course of Ravi flows that forms border to Pakistan and is currently under occupation of defense forces. Civilians are not allowed beyond this point without permission. We had a full glance of the site, plantations along Dhussi and poplar and eucalyptus plantations in adjoins of river course along border areas. Scenario was indeed like green spaces emitting green waves around but of course tense due to hot border line in vicinity. We decided to retreat; and on the way visited Tahli Sahil Gurudwara, dedicated to Shree Chand – son of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. We were shown sprouted Shisham tree from root of dead one in the premises of Gurudwara site alike Dhukh Bhanjan [Ber Tree] at Golden Temple, Amritsar. Gurudwara is being renovated with beautiful paneling of ceiling with Shisham viz Dalbergia sissoo, known as Tahli in local dialect, a precious species found in Punjab and adjoining states. We also saw plantation and large trees of Tahli along the roads and also in fields. It is indeed a unique and innovative venture to protect, promote and conserve shisham in the areas with religious overtones and wrapping. Thereafter, we decided to have rechy of border areas and followed road Barhanpur – Marada- Taragarh road to our way back home. Scenario of olden day become fresh as we come across familiar places and spots associated to my school days, as I did my matriculation from Govt School, Taragarh. During 1971 war with Pakistan, our forces have gone deep inside Pak territory. And, we, as curious school kids, studying in matriculation then have also ventured to move across in Pak areas over 10 km in Pak territory to know what is happening there. Thus to venture along border is part of my nature for being hailing from these areas. A weeklong visit to my home place was indeed refreshing, full of surprises and nostalgic to my core, as it created in me yearning for seeking my roots that are buried deep in soils falling other side of border. It also revived in me craving and love for ‘aab-o-gil & aab-o-hawa ‘sondhi mitti ki khshbu’. It also made me aware about need of nestle in wilderness of our own origin and to ensure growth and happiness on our own roots buried deep into naturo-cultural milieu and ethical values. It also provided me opportunity to introspect my journey so far and explore possibility of any pause or change in pace or direction, if needed, to steer it steadily to goal visualized or destined to be carved out through trials and travails. Nevertheless, was an interesting experience, I wish to experience through, time and again. Nagpur; 12/05/2013 Nawegaon National Park, Gondia – A paradise for picnickers, nature lovers and bird watchers More often, I love to be in company with nature and its beautiful beings and I never miss, if any, such chance happens to come in my way. Last week, I got opportunity to visit Nagzira, Nawegaon and other sites having ecotourism potential, in adjoins, in regard to, development of nature tourism facilities and promote ecotourism and nature experiential learning in Gondia district. I left for Bhandara and, thereafter, to Umrazari via Chandrapur and Coca route. These areas have been envisioned to be part of newly proposed Coca Sanctuary, in adjoins of Nagzira. Entire tract gives feel of natural sylvan setting and is dotted with bandharas [water bodies], frequented by wild animals. Eco-friendly tent camping facility with solar light and bio toilets has been developed at Umarzari for visitors to provide them nature and wilderness immersion experiences. It is an apt site for nature immersion away from habitation and to experience the feel of serene calm tranquil nature. Site needs publicity to be part of venture menu of nature and wild life lovers. Thereafter, we left for Pitezari, another site, at entry gate of Nagzira WLS, where eco-friendly stay and camping facilities have been developed. Hilltop Resort provides towering view of its sylvan surrounds dotted with fields – a view soaked in beauty serenity and tranquility. It has camping facilities for high end visitors in a beautiful landscaped setting. It is an excellent all season camping site to experience nature, its mystery and panoramic view throughout the year. Nagzira eco-site falls in midst of Nagzira WLS. We stayed at log hut – a newly renovated two-storey structure with wooden interior primarily of teak and matching wooden color exterior, to enhance its landscape value and aesthetic appeal. Solar and eco-toilet facilities have been added at stay and camping site to enhance beauty of night experience in midst of deep forests. Feel of calm and cool breeze during morning and evening stroll along the lakeside trail lightens body and enlightens mind leading to focus on self and core inner being both within and without. To spend a few precious moments at Nagzira does generate holistic feel to be infinite and one with nature and its beautiful beings. Our next day schedule was to visit eco-camping site, at Nawegaon NP. It is about 50 Km from Nagzira and 35 Km from Sakoli, a central place, on NH-6. Nawegaon is known for its large water body spanning over expanse of 1000 ha and frequented by Siberian cranes and host of other migratory and resident water fowls. We paused for a while at log hut, built on a small hillock, overlooking, a large part of water body. The view of water body and its surrounds from log hut is beautiful, mesmerizing and alluring, as if, mirroring as replica of heaven on the Earth. The site gives a feel of Nisargdham ~ Nature’s Abode ~ a sylvan surrounds to dip in and soak in meditative nature immersion experiences to seek solace from suffering and peace of mind. Such sites are indeed epicenter of green awareness, nature learning and promoting ‘how to live in harmony with nature’. We had a round of camping facilities at lake view site. 8 Holiday homes, 7 tent camp facility and Youth hostel facility for 30 persons provide overall camping facility for over 60 persons, at a time. Over 5 Km drive to Sanjay kutti was indeed exploring through jungle. It has potential to develop as nature interpretation trail for disseminating green awareness and sensitivity aiming at greening the hearts and minds of visitors. The site indeed has potential to develop as ‘heaven for picnickers, bird watchers; nature & wildlife lovers’. Sanjay kutti, a two storey wooden structure, having 2 wooden paneled suits, indeed, is unique in composition and location and is apt site for developing aquatic life interpretation and angling facility. It is also an apt site for naturo-cultural immersion and experiential learning aiming at disseminating green awareness and harmony in life and existence. Last lap of the day was visit to Partapgarh, about 35 km from Nawegaon. It is site of old fort, in remains, and abode of lord Shiva on western flange of the hillock. It forms part of naxal infested areas in Gondia district and hence is rarely frequented by devotees and visitors. We left at about 1200 hours and reached the base site at around 1245 hours. It was noon at its peak and day temperature was nearing 47o C. We scanned our surround; none was in sight, not even an animal or a bird. It was as we were alone in vast expanse of wilderness and no life was visible around, except, of course, dense forests in myriad forms and colors of fresh leaves and blossom of a few species in prime. Route to Shivadham is over 1.5 km walk from base camp, was burning like hot kiln perhaps to test our resolve to visit the site. Four of us left for Shivadham by stepped trail that as if was getting elongated with each step making our venture more tiring and tough. Despite odds we carry on with our mission and took some rest pauses under cool shade of trees to give respite to our feet and sagging mind. After about 45 minutes of our travails we reached at base of large statue of lord Shiva placed on hill side facing west pointing towards vast expanse of valley dotted with beauty, serenity and divinity. No one was found, at Shivadham. Perhaps, due to odd hours. A rare and beautiful site, indeed! A steep rise of over 50 steps finds us just front of statue and we had our fill of uninterrupted darshan of lord Shiva in its eternal meditative poise. After, having a few snaps of our choice and some rest in Shiva’s abode we left for our backward journey to base camp. Scenic beauty of valley down was amazing. It seems as if Gods love sites bestowed with natural beauty, serenity and pious aura, less frequented by man. We did not encounter any human or wild being during our downward journey, as well, that was a bit easier one. It appeared to me as if entire universe was at rest and each thing or being was in meditative mode with lord Shiva, to soothe the blistering heat of sun. After over 2 hours of venture on hilly trek in dead hot noon of May we returned to our base camp site. Frequent intake of water and blowing of cool breeze along the way gave us respite from burning sun and kept our minds cool and hope alive, throughout. Unusual hot day and uneasy calm around made us leave the place in haste to a safe place to avoid any unwanted happening. We dumped in the vehicle and I do not know when I dosed into slumber. I woke up with stoppage of vehicle, at a depot site on NH-6. We were happy that the day’s experience was amazing and incidence free. After an hour of rest at depot site, I left for Nagpur with fond memory of Nawegaon Lake and Shivadham in calm deep jungles of Partapgarh hills. This visit was unique for me as it provided me renewed options to explore further potential sites for devising a holistic strategy to promote nature tourism in the region. Many a sites, in these areas, have potential to act as Nisargdham or Shivadham to disseminate nature learning through naturo-cultural immersion and experiential exposures aiming at promoting harmony and co-existence with nature and its beautiful beings. Each jungle venture brings us close to nature and makes us curious to know more of it. As we move deeper towards its core we begin to go feel as if we are part of it. ‘जंगल में जा कर हो जाता है अहसास अपने क़द का कुदरत के हर वरके में यूँ असल का अक्स मिलता है’ 24/05/2013; Nagpur Whenever, I am at Nagpur, I like to begin my day with golfing round, in the morning, in company of friends having same taste. I usually leave my apartment at about 600 hours and I am back at my place at about 830 hours, after 2 and ½ hours of golfing round in a 9-hole course. It has become a part of my daily routine and whenever I am not able to make it I miss it badly. My love for golfing has kept me moving on despite odds and it’s now my 2nd love entailed with poetry, love for nature and its beings. Today, golfing round was refreshing, as cool breeze was soothing to mind and body even though rays of sun were digging skin deep within. We enjoyed tea a bit longer in soothing cool breeze that was seductive and making us feels naught in bliss of slumber. When we left for home no one was in sight other than us, in our 3-some, as temperature of Nagpur is running high every passing day breaking all records and has touched 480C mark. Outing in the day in such weather is unthinkable. It is thus wiser to remain caged in house to avoid health complications. In the evening, I got invitation call from AXIS Bank for clientele interaction. It was, indeed, an interesting and useful experience to acquaint with bank staff and visitors to know about bank and its employees. Such interactions, at frequent intervals, help build confidence and make one feel part of institution. Other banks should follow the suit to serve better and build lasting relations with clients. After an interaction of over 15 minutes, as I got up to leave, I was introduced to interesting personae, an astrologer, especially invited for the occasion. I was amazed at his confidence and depth of subject. I myself have been nurtured in philosophical and spiritual tastes and quite often I do venture to dip in bliss and mystery of total reality both within and without. We ventured through misty jungle of concepts and ideas embodied in Indian schools of thought including Purush-Prakruti of Samkhya-Yoga, Vedanta, Buddhism, astronomy, astrology and different aspects of ultimate reality, as pure consciousness. He was quite smart to, aptly, respond my queries in tone and tenor suiting to my nature and taste. We begin as two individuals [physical beings] having taste for divinity and after a while parted as two souls on divine voyage to seek experience, as physical beings on Earth spaceship. There is nothing substantial in the heart of being. It is zero - the pure consciousness. It’s like the blueprints or seminal seeds that sprout in the soil of five elements to give shape to myriad things and beings, manifested in nature. Pure consciousness is nothing or No Thing. Consciousness, in manifested mode, assumes shape, form and likeness of things and beings, as they are found in nature. Though, I do not believe in astrology yet it appeared to me as if I was destined to meet him and it was divine coincidence. We parted with promise to meet again, soon. A rare interaction, indeed, that awakened in me red hot burning desire to see my source and longing to be one with IT. How far I would go on the path is not known. However, it is now within my reach to decipher what is destined goal of my being. What’s to do now is to chalk a fair weather path and set on journey to the goal. Hoping journey to goal would be soaked with joy and happiness and each step on destined path would be fulfilling and lit my soul in divine bliss and light of source.