Naveen's Journal » Friends

Back from Kafni Glacier Trek

Naveen — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:03:08 +0000

Finally the dream is over and I have to land in civilization! After 2 weeks in Utopian territories, as far as possible from any signs of so-called modern advancements and technology, and as near as possible to the nature, the mighty Kumaon Himalayas and myself, I come back back with memories of definitely the most exhilarating experience of my life. The journey was as rewarding as, or even more than, the destination and the tranquil days I spent with my friends, cannot be manifested in words.

Yet, I’ll be posting a travelogue covering our journey to Pindari-Kafni Glacier, Nainital, Delhi and places in between. Also I’m busy now sprucing up my Ajax Picture Gallery so that I can post the hundreds of beautiful pictures which we took while on the trip.

Keep watching

Celebrations Galore!

Naveen — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:36:04 +0000

It was an occasion which probably comes once in a lifetime – India vs Pakistan in a World Cup Cricket Final, and no one would have dared to bite the nails in the solitude of their living rooms. So all gathered at Rahul’s place at 5 PM sharp to cheer up Team India. I left office at 4:30 sharp hoping to beat the incessant rain and reach on time. With knee deep water logged at most places, I still managed to enter the arena 5 minutes before the start of the extravaganza, and boy, was that place prepared for the match! The Indian Tricolour donning the front wall, most were dressed in blue (so was I) and eyes fixed at the idiot box as the Indian warriors descended the pitch. Each shot was followed by deafening shouts of cheer and every wicket brought pin drop silence in the room. Pulses raced as close calls were made and after a rather decent start, India started to lose it in the later stages. With the fall of Yuvraj, dejection loomed on everyone’s face as a winning target seemed more difficult.

As everyone waited for the final overs to see India make a match out of it, a thunderous bolt in the sky set the cable signals off and alas, we were left with no coverage of the match! Before we could even think of rushing to someone else’s place to catch the action, we were given a harsh reality check by the incessant rain outside – the whole of C.I.T Rd submerged in waist deep water! Even the car could not be taken out, nor was any conveyance available. So the final 7 overs we just managed to cover through live scores from the internet.

But at no cost we could afford to miss the 2nd Innings. So after the cable operator confirmed a non-resumption of services indefinitely, we set out to Nivesh’s place in heavy rainfall! A 100 meter distance was covered in about 15 minutes, as the guys had cartons over their heads. With the cellphones, wallets and other belongings already back home, no one cared getting drenched any more. As a bunch of 8 guys, with water dripping from all over them, entered the living room, we all erupted to see the back of Pakistani Opener. But soon Imran Nazir sent Sreesanth’s over for a toss and gloom prevailed. Each wicket was then cheered with a frenzied fanaticism as we inched closer to the victory which had eluded us for so long. Towards the end of the match, everyone was on the edge of their seats and every bad ball by Joginder Sharma was greeted with curses and abuses from me! But as it was destined, India won sending all of us rollicking over one another!

The scenes and sounds from out on the streets were unimaginable, as hoards of men, women and children took to the roads-turned-canals with trumpets, drums, whistles and ever-lasting songs of victory. Victory never tasted so sweet, with the victim being Pakistan and World Cup coming home after 24 years. On a day when it rained more than 200 mm, and it still continued, all of us set out for a victory lap and the scenes were amazing! Saffron, White and Green seemed to be the only colours around as we waded and chanted, giving the odd ambulance-stuck-in-water a much required push. Pictures and Video (apologies for poor picture quality, but its just a cellcam!) follow, as I was the only one carrying his stuff

Download Frenzied Celebration in Muddle!

A walk around the seven lakes

Naveen — Mon, 29 Aug 2005 07:30:00 +0000

No, these lakes are not the ones associated with Mumbai, nor any pilgrimage as you may ponder. Located in the southern suburbs of Calcutta, whithin the serene campus of Indian Institue of Management, Calcutta in Joka, they cover a better part of the sprawling 135 odd acres of the eminent B school of India. Courtesy Siddharth, my childhood buddy, currently on the rolls of PGDCM 2005-07 there, and more to my habit of last minute desperations for anything important, yesterday i had the good fortunes to get up n close with the one of the most coveted institutions of higher education in India. Had he not taken the CAT bulletin for me the previous day (the last day too!) , i’d have had to be content with the memories of the excursion only, quashing any hopes whatsoever of gracing any of the IIMs with my presence as their guest for 2 years! It was not to be. The goody-goody guy sid is (at least seems so), not only did he bunk his already-down-in-the-dumps Financial Accounting class for it, but also gave me a guided tour of the college premises with an obvious sense of pride, coated with humility. We started off with the hostel itself, his room being adjacent to the Computer Lab, the Common Room …… and ……….. the GIRLS’ HOSTEL…………!!!!!!! yes, the Girls’ Hostel. Moving on to what looked like a small club, having a tennis court, a basketball court outside, inside was the empty gymnasium, as if its ultramodern equipments begging to be used! Alongside was the indoor badminton court, slick enough to give the ones maintained by national authorities a run for their money! With such facilities in-campus, i wonder how the college keeps churning out brains as it does. Next stop was the ultramodern auditorium at the heart of the campus which we didn’t go inside and moved on to the academic blocks. The thing which would strike anyone was the roll of honour hanging on the walls inspiring each of the 250 odd students each year. After having a good look at the lecture halls, we made a move and on the way saw the bird sanctaury, the Kendriya vidyalaya, the library, the administrative blocks. HELLO…. we are still in the campus! A good one and a half hours of the PILGRIMAGE was enough to give to me something to think about.

My Workplace Buddies

Naveen — Fri, 01 Jul 2005 09:28:00 +0000

Here is a pic of my colleagues which we took on one of our daily evening strolls. From left – Pradeep, Pallav Da, Myself and Satty. Will post more later…
Naveen