It will be a Himalayan task

Campaigns by the Indian government come and they go but nobody ever gets a glimpse of what goes on in between.

The Indian government has launched yet another campaign called...wait for it...'777 days of Incredible Indian Himalayas' on World Tourism Day this September. This will be to attract international and domestic tourists during the lean summer season. 

Apparently, no one seems to know why the programme will run only for 777 days. So what happens after November 13, 2015?

Now we all know that the ministry is more keen to reach out to international visitors even as the dependable Indian tourists stands ignored. Regardless of that, I'm not sure how well they package India abroad because they sure as hell don't sell it well here.

So anyways, six states will be a part of this: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. 

The good news in all this is that the ministry will cough up 50% of peak fee that the IMF (Indian Mountaineering Foundation) charges all climbing expeditions. For all of 777 days! 

Unfortunately, there is so much more that the MoT should be doing. The Himalayas is a (pardon the pun) hot spot for adventure - be it mountaineering, skiing, trekking or even soft adventure activities. But what is lacking is a good marketing pitch and attractive packaging. Two things Singapore excels in. 

Unfortunately, good packaging should be preceded by a good product. Our infrastructure in most parts (except the regions where army has its presence) is deficient without which any packaging will only look like a glossy gift wrap. Instead of waiting and watching, the ministry should watch and learn. 

Yoga while traveling

I don't know about you but i like to be a 100% fit when I'm travelling, especially when I'm on holiday. I occasionally suffer from these four symptoms while on the road and I'm sure I am not alone. There are simple yog asanas to combat these common ailments. They are:

a) Prithvi mudra  
I am a great proponent of hasta or hand yoga mudra. It's easy to remember and can be done anywhere and anytime. This particular one is to revive a tired body.  

Touch the tip of the ring finger to the tip of the thumb with the rest of the fingers stretched out (see image). So if you're walking around a lot, which you would be while exploring the local sights, and get tired, find a clean bench and do this exercise for 10-15 minutes. 

b) Linga mudra
Some people have a well-oiled thermostat which regulates their body temperatures perfectly. Unfortunately, I am not one of them. So i need to manually adapt to the outside temperature. 

For those like me, this exercise will help you naturally balance your body temperature - if the outside temperature is lower than your own. In short, if you're feeling cold, do this. Interlock fingers of both hands and circle the left thumb tightly with your right index and thumb (see image). This also helps cut your fat, ladies!

c) Seetkari pranayam
Alternately, if you're feeling hot and have no more layers of clothing to peel off, do this. 

Curl the sides of your tongue to create a tunnel and slowly breathe in through your mouth allowing the air to pass through your tongue. Bring the tongue back in and exhale through nose. Don't do this if you have a cold though. You can read more about this on this wonderful blog by Anmol Mehta. 

d) Apana mudra
And last, but surely not the least, for this can really make or break your holiday - constipation! Do this to get rid of the...erm... discomfort. Tips of the middle and ring fingers touch the tip of your thumb (see image). 

Alternately, you can also press the acupressure point for this which is your chin! And soon you'll be thanking me. No wait, i mean it in a good way.

For more on hasta yoga mudras take a look at this lovely website called..umm.. Stylecraze.com. No seriously, it's very good.

Blast from the past

Vignettes from my past are more in the nature of red and green rather than black and white. On my recent to Kolkata, i tried to capture the city as i remembered it when i was a child and spent many a happy holidays there.

This is a rare sight in the posh neighbourhood of South Kolkata. But Elgin Road still throws up a few surprises. This was taken one evening when I was returning from Bar-B-Q.

The ubiquitous and the adored Ambi taxis. I am amazed at the amount of leg room (yeah i know, I'm short but i can still appreciate the space!) this car has every time i sit in it, which is not too often. And most taxis on Kolkata roads were in pretty good condition. A welcome improvement: metered taxis!

I can't remember the last time i took the bus. Probably 2-3 years ago when i was last there. But it takes courage to do it. 

One of the many long-forgotten nooks on the way to Maniktalla. Don't you just love the metal carving on the railing and the burnt red brick arches. What's amazing about these buildings is that they are approximately 100 years old but they are still standing. Some of them are in fact in really good condition. 

Bengalis out shopping for Durga poojo in Hathibagan. Even though Durga poojo is in October, they start shopping for it from August end! 

And who can forget these lovelies! The dear old trams! They are a driver's nightmare but they're so cheap and pretty. It's like taking care of an ancestor in their old age. 

Another beautiful, beautiful relic on Hathibagan road. My aunt tells me that this was used in the making of the movie 'Parineeta'.  

And my favourite. The place where i was born. But commerce has started to take its toll. North Kolkata is truly a historian's paradise!

Kolkata chronicles

So as i was saying, one will see immense changes in this city. To start with of course, there's the new terminal at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Old-timers to the city will recall how shabby the old arrival terminal was. 

The new terminal at Dum Dum Airport

It looked swanky from where i saw it. But reports are that it is experiencing infrastructure-related problems including leakages and waste management. Read an Indian Express report on the same here.

The city is also experiencing a huge cultural shift in the way people behave. And by that, i mean spend. One Friday evening, my cousins and i decided to go out for dinner to the city's most popular restaurant - Bar-B-Q - across the street from Flurry's! 

I swear, this place is like the Times Square of Kolkata. You are bound to meet one of your long-lost siblings here on any given evening. 

An Apple store on Park Street

But what i saw was that South Kolkata had over time conceived hundreds of restaurants, eateries, cafes and lounges. And not just Bar-B-Q, but most joints in the area were buzzing. 

This consumer-oriented culture is relatively new to a city that was dominated by communism. The malls are populated, and what's more - there are so many more malls. 

On my way back to the airport to take the Indigo flight to Mumbai (which by the way was again late by 30-odd minutes!), my cousin decided to take me via Bypass and Rajarhat. I was amazed! 

Rajarhat

This is a new and developing area with IT companies, residential towers, malls, and Spencer's. I kid you not but it could pass off for Gurgaon or even our own Navi Mumbai! 

Having said that, i also tried to capture the Kolkata that i remember - with the old-world charm in a long-forgotten era. Read all about that in my next one. 

Meanwhile, for those whose curiosity i have piqued and are now planning to visit the city, here are some interesting sites to check out: Lonely Planet's guide and great deals from MakeMyTrip.   

A memory in sepia: Kolkata

I'm always under the influence of nostalgia when I'm visiting this city. It is where i was born and where I spent the better part of my first year. 

That is why, when i think of Kolkata, i don't imagine bad roads or poverty. Victoria Memorial doesn't come to mind and neither does Flurry's. As a matter of fact, I'm not even sure if i have been to Flurry's.

Flurry's on Park Street

I think of starched dhoti and kurta and yummy imartees. A neighbourhood with such an air of old-world charm that it is almost poignant - like a sad but beautiful Bengali movie. Shankha pola (traditional Bengali red and white bangles) and feet coloured in alta.       

While growing up, i found myself in Kolkata during every summer vacation. Sometimes i would fly alone under the care of an airhostess because none of my parents were free to accompany me.

Poster for a Bengali movie near Maniktalla

Gradually my visits tapered down to just family weddings. And now, not even that. 

My recent visit to Kolkata left me a trifle disappointed. Most of South Kolkata looks like Mumbai with malls, restaurants and commercial buildings. North Kolkata seems to be heading that way. Trams are disappearing and there are more cars on the road. The ubiquitous green windows are slowly disappearing and residential towers are replacing the distinctive and ornamental two-floored buildings.

When i shared my misgivings with a friend who has lived in Kolkata all his life, he said that it was about time that even Kolkata saw a bit of development. 

Of course, the benefits of this are plenty. But unfortunately, so are the downsides. 

Read my following blog for more on how Kolkata has changed.   

No such thing as prepaid auto

Passengers arriving at Mumbai's domestic airport in Sahar beware: there's no such thing as a prepaid auto!

Returning from a trip recently, i was shocked to find that all auto rickshaws had suddenly turned into "prepaid" autos. There was no indication of such a development inside the terminal so i was a bit confused when none of the auto drivers agreed to take me to my destination without a "parchi".

However, they were kind enough to take me without the piece of paper at a flat rate of Rs 150. This was more than double of what i usually pay between home and airport: Rs 60-65.

Not convinced, i went to ask 10 other drivers but no was willing to come on metered fare. If they did show signs of hesitation, they were threatened into refusal by others.

Frustrated, i approached the security in the area. You will be able to recognise them by their black uniform and bright orange vest. They helped me get an auto that would run on metre. 

I was lucky that i only had one suitcase and one hand luggage. So walking around to look for an auto was not difficult. 

If you are faced with the same problem, please do not give in. Approach the security staff and they will help you find an auto.  

If you wish to complain about this to the airport authorities, you can email them at yourcomments@csia.gvk.com.