My First Sanctuary...

It has been years that I started trekking.

My first memory of the trek dates back to 1991, when a group of school buddies decided to go for a one day monsoon trek. The most enthusiastic girl in the class was our leader. It was muddy trail, and by the time we returned almost everyone from the group had become an experienced trekker.

It took a while for me to understand what this business was. But it was that day when I got high with my insignificance on this earth. A pinnacle as proud as a nose of Duke, told me that to respect is the only way to appreciate the Mother Nature.

Several years have passed by; Trekking has become most integral part of my day today life. But the love for this place is ever growing.

Every year when the sky clouds with a promise of monsoons and greener earth, every wanderer gives a shout to the other, "Hey, his nose awaits us". The plans are made, dates are fixed. Every other commitment is compromised and the wanderers set out on a rainy day to reach the ultimate monsoon destination.

This year the time has come, just few hours away in the morning... And I can proudly say as I start my day today, "I know where I am heading.”

The place which has given me so much to cherish, The place which has added a purpose to my life, The place which has gifted me at least one friend every time I visited."

Here's to Dukes... My First Sanctuary... May your nose stand firm eternally...

Riki - The dog and Me -the Human

A promise that will last forever... It was third week of November 2003. I was recovering from relapsed Malaria and pneumonia and had returned to my parent’s place from Navi Mumbai. My then husband turned up one early evening and surprised me with a gift. The gift was a cute little black Labrador retriever puppy of less than 3 months of age. (November 20, 2003) I always wanted a dog but my parent’s understanding of responsibility had always denied acceptance of a dog. We had fish and birds but a dog was too much. I had dreamt that when I will grow up I will get myself a German shepherd and my ex-husband always had dreamt of having a black lab. So obviously he picked up a black lab. When the puppy came home, my first reaction was, "ohh my baby is here!" Day one On day one, this pup sat near the chair which was like ten times his size, six months later he found that the space beneath this chair can be his hideout when a bath is called upon, and a year lat...

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February 1661: It was 2nd of February and the Mughal Army was marching fast towards the Konkan region from Pune. The army consisted of Horses, Bulls, Elephants, small canons and men. They were equipped for a full fledged war anytime. Their head, Kartalab Khan, was a fierce Uzbek warrior. Trusted by the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb, he was sent to the Pune region to assist Shahista Khan to wage war against the Great Shivaji. Kartalab Khan was assisted by Kachhap, Jasawant Kokate, and the lady sardar RaiBaghan. The army had reached Lohgad and Khan had decided to take the pass between Lohgad and Visapur to enter Konkan. The spies informed Kartlab Khan that the Great Shivaji was resting at Kuruwande Village, roughly 4 miles west to the Lohgad. Khan instantly jumped at the opportunity to siege the Great Shivaji and gain higher ranks at the courts of the Emperor. Thus, the army changed its course and turned towards to Kuruwande. As they reached Kuruwande, they found that the informers ...

Me and this world - a tête-à-tête

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