Aakaar Films http://aakaarfilms.com A Creative Management Group Thu, 30 Jul 2020 10:50:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.7.11 http://aakaarfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/aakaar_logo.jpg Aakaar Films http://aakaarfilms.com 32 32 (s) MOTHER- ing http://aakaarfilms.com/empowered-gender/s-mother-ing/ Mon, 20 Jul 2020 11:14:04 +0000 http://aakaarfilms.com/?p=2829 A word of caution: It is only about women, for women and by women. They form this lineage of change of defining Mother-hood.

Do you feel

  • motherhood is the last mile of fulfilment to be defined a “complete woman?”
  • creation of a child completes a “woman,” whereas men’s creativity can only fulfilled through external sources?
  • for a woman, her children should be the first priority, beyond her own self?
  • a mother always, in any situation, wants the best for her child?

If your answer to any/all of the above is a “yes,” then you are not reading the right space of empowerment.

The origin of this word “Mother,” “Ma”, “Mama” still remains a mystery. This mystery gets into further depth when Indian mythology brings in the definition of

“strength (shakti) with exceptional love towards all (matritva), actually merging it with defining brhamaand or the universe.

I am quite amused at the loaded responsibility a woman gets from the peripheral operational energies as a girl child. It amuses me further at the expectations of deliverables that this universal definition puts on a soul with a humane body. It sickens me to see the struggles that millions of women go through to prove their mettle “because I am a mother!”

Let us begin from the very beginning.

A girl child looks at the only female body as the first touch – it is called “Mummy”, “Mama”, “Mata,” and more in various dialects. This body does not only feed her food, but also fodder of feelings. This body generates energy that is felt by each cell, bone and marrow of the girl child, as she shares a generic wave of the pool of female-ness.

A girl turned woman is also brought up with this claim, that, that a mother always wants the best for her (can be read as for all her children). It is a far cry from the real truth.

A woman, especially in India that is not defined and confined in its Metros-exual cities, but in small towns where IQ’s & EQ’s are mis-matched, waits for that special moment where a meagre sexual encounter (s) delivers the discovery of her pregnancy. This takes shape under various situations and circumstances, few pointers as below:

  • Must get pregnant with-in two years of her marriage (if not before).

Her knowledge and decisions are never questioned

  • Must get pregnant, if her marriage is not working. Then, there will be no escape
  • Must get pregnant by all means, as only then she is a “complete woman”

 

The above reasons of giving birth to a child makes her a mother by name not by actions. Such mothers, who have inability to make choice/s, choose the inevitable. They, who are already posted as weaker sections of a male-dominated society, exhibit their feebler strength on the dependent infant – her child. Thus, begins a tumultuous journey of that God’s child into hands of an (im)moral parent, called Mother. She redirects all her unfulfilled ambitions, frustrations, anger with harassment, by smothering the child slowly but steadily – till the wounds get engraved in the innocent heart for years of her youth, middle age and if not taken care of – from the cradle to the grave.

If footsteps are traced back, it will not be a surprising revelation that the violent environment of the world today, comprises mostly of these wounded children, whose bodies may have achieved adulthood, but souls have still not healed.

In this millennial, where feminism is not restricted to be defined as bra-burning women, but those who have equally empowered physical bodies, matched with their demanding desires with power of their intellectual and spiritual beauty. Such an empowered mother, who has not birthed a child into this world by giving in to pressures of social norms, but by her inner choice/s. She lives and breathes her own freedom with loving care, which reflects in an evolved empowered human being, much needed in the world today.

Mother-hood is not accomplished by birthing. That is a job accomplished by animals. Mother-ing is realized, when women adorn that role with responsibility of love and a spiritual caring.

Let us, as women, be very vigilant on reasons of bringing God’s soul into our bodies; let us, as women, pledge that body an unconditional love and caring protection; let us, as women, be cautious not to commit a sin for the highest honor bestowed on us by Grace – as SHE found us worthy.

 

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Strategic Communication http://aakaarfilms.com/what-we-do/strategic-communication/ Sat, 27 Jun 2020 07:10:06 +0000 http://aakaarfilms.com/?p=2731  


Anu Radha works as an independent Communications and Marketing Consultant with various National and International organizations. She enables clients on new project strategy development from inception to the end deliverable, execution and evaluation. She has eexpertise in presentation and negotiation skills with stakeholders from Ministerial delegations, State machinery and at the Grassroot.

Her journalistic writing skills includes  Films, Scripting, Blogs and Travelogues that are based on extensive Research and Documentation. High level Event Management brings forth her honed skills of communication with multilateral partners. Empowerment across Genders reflects in her projects, writings and workshops. An avid traveler with a creative eye, she has a penchant for Photography.

 

National Skill Development Corporation

VOICES of INDIA, a communications and advocacy project on Skill India Mission of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), a PPP (Public Private Partnership) corporation set-up under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

Community Radio Stations (CRS) have been established in India by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to communicate with rural India at district level of each state in their own local language. It is an effective methodology for executing advocacy campaigns by interacting with target group that constitutes of 70% of India’s demography.

A Skill India awareness and advocacy campaign was communicated through broadcast of programs created by the community through their own Community Radio Stations in India. This required Communication workshop, enabling scripting of episodes with appropriate communication messaging, working with CRS team at locations in India, for broadcast.

LISTEN IN >> Click for Soundcloud link

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Strategic Communications http://aakaarfilms.com/what-we-do/strategic-communications/ Tue, 16 Jun 2020 11:01:01 +0000 http://aakaarfilms.com/?p=2605  


Anu Radha works as an independent Communications and Marketing Consultant with various National and International organizations. She enables clients on new project strategy development from inception to the end deliverable, execution and evaluation. She has eexpertise in presentation and negotiation skills with stakeholders from Ministerial delegations, State machinery and at the Grassroot.

Her journalistic writing skills includes  Films, Scripting, Blogs and Travelogues that are based on extensive Research and Documentation. High level Event Management brings forth her honed skills of communication with multilateral partners. Empowerment across Genders reflects in her projects, writings and workshops. An avid traveler with a creative eye, she has a penchant for Photography.

 

National Skill Development Corporation

VOICES of INDIA, a communications and advocacy project on Skill India Mission of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), a PPP (Public Private Partnership) corporation set-up under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

Community Radio Stations (CRS) have been established in India by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to communicate with rural India at district level of each state in their own local language. It is an effective methodology for executing advocacy campaigns by interacting with target group that constitutes of 70% of India’s demography.

A Skill India awareness and advocacy campaign was communicated through broadcast of programs created by the community through their own Community Radio Stations in India. This required Communication workshop, enabling scripting of episodes with appropriate communication messaging, working with CRS team at locations in India, for broadcast.

LISTEN IN >> Click for Soundcloud link

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FLAME University (India) http://aakaarfilms.com/clients/flame-university-india/ Thu, 04 Jun 2020 05:54:01 +0000 http://aakaarfilms.com/Aakaar/?p=2531

Foundation of Liberal and Management Education, Pune (India) was set-up with an innovative concept of Liberal Education in India. Anu Radha was challenged in setting up and creating a brand campaign of this new concept through schools and colleges across India. This was inclusive of creating various communication strategies that were inclusive of:

  • Marketing representatives set-up across India for creating awareness and benefits of Liberal Education
  • Training of Trainers through Communication workshop for project execution and deliverables
  • Design & development of IEC material (Information Education Communication)
  • Creating an Interactive Web campaign for ease of Student communication, thus enabling admissions
  • Targets and achievements through strategically designing modules of marketing
  • Participation in Education Fairs and other mediums of marketing initiatives for bringing a new concept
  • Assisting students who are undergoing transitions in their education process, providing information on college admission procedures
  • Organizing workshops and presentations of FLAME with important stakeholders across India, including FLAME faculty
  • Separate communication modules were designed for courses that saw a dip in admissions
  • Financial management and evaluation of the project versus deliverables
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NaMo Conversations – My experiments with truth http://aakaarfilms.com/case-studies/namo-conversations/ Sat, 30 May 2020 16:26:55 +0000 http://aakaarfilms.com/cms/?p=1325

I was excited, nervous but confident.
HE was soft, suave and smiling.
I noticed – we were both wearing white.
HE was THE charisma for me – a small film producer, who was put on an international platform by God’s magic wand, of which HE created the First spell.

HIS voice was deep, effective but not authoritative.
I had, had aeons of experience with bureaucratic “circus” of Government-O-cracy, and hence my grey cells spelt the right words. Publicity, Positive imagery, Perfect relations on an international platform…
Instead, HE shared stories of his land and people; of compassion and warmth offered over years to each human kind; of his belief in humanity that India offered.
HE obliged me with THE PHOTOGRAPH.

I was mesmerized. And, under a spell and awe of HIM.
But, mind had its own question marks.
Then, came the Film Project – and brought problems as never before! I gasped for breath to keep it going against strangest of odds, as there was no turning back on truth.
While many Government-O-cracy supporters of the project buckled in, saving face, HIS officers lent relentless, non-intrusive support (rarest of rare in Government-O-cracy) through one of the most intense and difficult times in this international co-production film.
HE was criticized, ridiculed and put on a cross by the media and law for project support.
HE stood tall and HIS officers told me to fear none.

HE is NARENDRA MODI.

INDIA, we have HOPE in this MAN.
Isi liye – Ab ki baar, banao MODI Sarkar.

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Mating of Creative Genius (es) http://aakaarfilms.com/case-studies/mating-of-creative-genius-es/ Sun, 24 May 2020 10:12:33 +0000 http://aakaarfilms.com/Aakaar/?p=2370

His gruff baritone over telecon was humble with a flavour of warmth. I was honoured to be invited into his official chamber in Mumbai that looked an art house. And why not? He was an elegant establishment of Art or Alternate cinema in India.

Punctual with honest simplicity, I was looking at a Film Director that was India’s pride – Shyam Benegal . His room was full of books – on cinema, history and varied others that clearly defined his stature, with innumerable Awards of highest Honor(s) received.

He was in rapt attention to my film A Little Poland in India that had brought us together with a larger vision. He gave my edgy stature respect with due professional diligence, enabling me to babble my magnum vision. Giving inputs in all seriousness made my vision seemed to be gaining a creative structure of reality as I walked out of his office.

Months passed as the vision was still blur. Besides his very busy schedule he always accepted to fit me in whenever I requested. Each time we met, his genius creativity and expert inputs gave me encouragement and kept my vision alive.

More months passed. The positive affirmations of my vision brought in some hope through the positive supportive Polish Institute in Delhi . We met again. This time with his writer – muse Shama Zaidi , who had penned most of Shyam Babu’s (as he is lovingly called in Bollywood) films.

The mating of creative geniuse(s) had begun, with my vision converted on paper by Shama ji with expert inputs given by Shyam Sir. He would patiently bridge to convey my angst to his writer-muse, saving the vision till it was ready in form.

I hold the first copy-right in my humbled hands. The names engraved on it touches my heart and gives wings to my aspiration for a wider canvas.

I have often wondered and questioned – What is it that made a larger than life filmmaker “The” Shyam Benegal accept somewhat unrealistic creative vision of a small-time filmmaker like me? I like to humour myself into thinking that he does see a potential in me with my vision?

This unpretentious humility is what makes Shyam Sir stand firm on his artistic roots, giving the world original inspirational stories of real life-cinema.

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Generation to Generations http://aakaarfilms.com/news/generation-to-generations/ Tue, 19 May 2020 07:28:48 +0000 http://aakaarfilms.com/Aakaar/?p=2095

 

 

 

 

      Know more

https://culture.pl/en/article/how-world-war-ii-brought-india-poland-together-an-interview-with-filmmaker-anu-radha

https://www.thebetterindia.com/131681/polish-children-camp-balachadi-gujarat-world-war-2/

https://www.timesofisrael.com/how-the-indian-oskar-schindler-took-in-1000-polish-children-during-wwii/

Read more…

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THE KUMBHA 2019 http://aakaarfilms.com/journey/the-kumbha-2019/ Sun, 17 May 2020 09:45:54 +0000 http://aakaarfilms.com/Aakaar/?p=2040 A SPIRITUAL QUEST

THE KUMBHA 2019 ALLAHABAD (PRAYAG)

– A prep for 2028 at Ujjain

 

You grow up with grown-ups who make you believe that there is a Heaven act good and a Hellfire for bad act (as adults see it). It is only when you yourself become a real adult, not just in age, a realization evolves defining the locations of these places is with-in, every moment of each day, as a part of your action plan called karma.

In Hindu mythology, now a belief accepted in the global spiritual quest, birth and rebirth is a continnum, and thus the journey of birth and death continues unless one goes beyond.

One of the very important decision for destination Kumbha.

As a filmmaker and creative writer, Kumbha Mela has resonated within me since the charm of hindi films entered the veins with early footsteps of teenage years. We are well aware of the lost and found generation of 60’s and 70’s “Seeta-Geeta’s” or “Ram aur Shyam” amidst varied others, that made our adrenalin rush to find the finale of bichdon ka milaap!

Kumbha or Kumbh Mela, that arrives in 12 year periodicals, by a celestial design (and some calculations!) has become a mass movement, attracting travellers from all joinres’ of worldwide settings – for reasonable and unreasonable quest and questioning. In India, it is a lifetime decision destination to go beyond re-birthing by washing away your sins in one dip (or two or many) in the sangam of Ganges and the Yamuna, with an invisible layer of river Saraswati floating with-in!

This year, my sins also decided to plunge-in to check these merging waters!

Allahabad or Prayag was where millions were heading to their calling. As my travel obsessed mind research through a faster pace of travel by air, I found none. Train travel was a passe’ since years of fastest mobility. But this time, the sins were leading my path (Ha! Ha!), and thus I booked myself with my best-ie in the best-est (Best friend in First AC) in Prayag Raj Express Train.

It was a transformational experience of its creative best! Beautiful painted exteriors, snow white sheets, spotless clean toilets – Swacch Bharat at its very best!

It was when we landed on the location – with a shocking disbelief, all of my visual eyes could see were heads of people on a spreadout earth matter!

 

It was a camerawoman’s voyeuristic delight, clicking whosoever and whatsoever crossed my lens of virtual eyes. While I, in midst of this human ocean, became somewhat unmoveable. I stood still, my eyes closed, ears strained – all on their own. I could hear was various forms of voices that were not human. And then, a call from an ancient past reverberated. I visualised my deceased grandmother sitting with priests around a massive havan kund – chanting; the chanting growing louder; and then a different musical instrument sieved through my ear buds like a bhajan; then as if saints of Darbar sahib were singing morning kirtan…the sounds surrounded me with crystal clear waves engulfing me with- in….till I was jostled out of this trance by our friends, realising that we were standing to take the holy dip!

 

The Human Se(e)a…

There lay a clear demarcation of the Ganges and the Yamuna – a sight that was mesmerising and deepening one’s quest for more. The boatride reverberating with sacred chats Har Har Gange was elevating human consciousness in it’s purest form. The boatman insisted that I must fill my bottle with the purest water on mother earth. Although my logic sense had refusal at it’s helm, what with hundreds bathing and sandy water, but something pulled me in to fill-up the bottle – which to my astonishment, I found not a grain of sand upon my arrival home!

In all my years, I have been unable to explain the time and journey travelled in-between till I reached on the banks of the Ganges. It reverberated of a deep silence within, where all external noises seemed to fade into an oblivion. It was later that I could relate to this silence while meditating on “Om” in years of my spiritual journey, where I moved from a verbal to a non-verbal chant, which I can now hear “Om” reverberating with-in. It was also a silence that you can feel between the sound of wind passing through mountains, when there is an absence of human foot-step. It is like the invisible love energy of Saraswati that flows between visible vibrancy of romance between the Ganga and Yamuna.

That is what you can hear at the Kumbha if you stand in stillness amidst the “shor” – it is called the sound of one hand clapping. That is Godliness.

I bathed and bathed; it was as if purity flowed with-in, washing away all my fears, sorrows and even happiness – making me serene and what I have later realised on my spiritual path – with the nectar of immortal bliss.

There is a lot more to my story with the journey into camps of unusual saints, women groups and others – but that would need to be experienced, and cannot be verbalized. That journey started the quest of another dream, which led me into reading of Kumbha, its mythological and spiritual significance. Kumbha, is much more and beyond what has been spoken and written “about it.” Kumbha, today has a greater significance than it ever did. It is this generation of youth that must be encouraged to understand its importance, linking it to the modern times globally.

When we ask the question “ Why go to the Kumbha?” The answers have all been “ to see what is;” Let us try and see “why and what there is beyond the perception of the naked eye.”

Kumbha calls me again now in 2028. I do not know if there will be survival of the body for another dip. It has changed my path into a spiritual quest. I wish the same for others. It is a life changing journey. I encourage the youth especially, to travel towards it.

Har Har Mahadev!

TRAVEL TIPS

  • Book in advance. There are many variables, but for luxury tents, please check with a local to do a reccee. We were very disappointed with ours!
  • Do not travel on the last days of Kumbha. Everything is dismantled, bidding goodbye, including arrangements at your place of stay.
  • You will need to be a smart negotiator with Boat rides to go for a dip.
  • There are many e-rickshaws available. But prepare yourself to walk a lot on sand, as the area around river is cordoned off

VIGNETTES of KUMBHA

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Old Delhi Food Trail http://aakaarfilms.com/journey/old-delhi-food-trail/ Sun, 17 May 2020 09:27:20 +0000 http://aakaarfilms.com/Aakaar/?p=2025 Old Delhi Food Trail: Hop, Scotch & Jump!

A day in the life of gastrointestinal and gustatory cells JJ

Ye dilli hai meri jaan….

Yahan ishq, mohabbat, pyaar…

That is what Dilli – 6 reflects; in its meandering by-lanes, of mysterious stories that old walls speak of an era of Shahjahanabad, the tinkle of rainbow coloured bangles with its tell-tale story of love – Old Delhi releases its fragrances not only from the itr (perfume), but also from the food trail that can be traced back to 18th century.

The right way to walk straight into the century, is to begin your “ 5 AM Club” at Paranthewaali galli with Gaya Prasad Shiv Charan – which is not the man himself, but a legacy of about 60-70 varieties of delicious paranthas, a savoury of every Punjabi household culture

 

Order as you like it

Karela (Bitter gourd) parantha”, “ Nimboo (Lemon) Parantha”, “Mixed vegetable”….well, the list is as endless as your taste buds.

Beware of your desires: Do not load yourself full, as there is yet a long trail ahead!

 

 

 

THIS IS THE WAY TO FRY, FRY & DEEP FRY ……

Long and meandering bylanes not only offer a search for authentic street food, but give a glimpse of colour symmetry of bangles, hair adornments, footwear and all the “dilli 6 maal” (goods) – in case they can tempt to divert your attention for a stopover.

Although your belly needs the parantha break, but dil maange mor as your nose buds get lured into flavour of pure desi ghee at the most famous Shiv Misthan bhandar, where the queque is endless – both, of jalebis and foodies.

 

 

YOU ARE AS PROLIFIC AS THE JALEBI YOU EAT…

Your gastrointestinal cells (stomach) and gustatory cells (taste buds) have put a full stop, but your desirous needs burp ahead, as the clock strikes 1, and your passion catches 1942’s King of Naan at Kake di Hatti dangling its 18 inches deliciously cooked Naan in front of your voyeuristic taste buds.

Kake di Hatti is a small one storeyed food joint, where one finds intellectual slogan-eering hanging across its walls, giving you food and thought for life while you wait for that longest in size served naan with varied fillings that range from potatoes, paneer and a mix of onion. Not to miss the special “Maa (mother) ki daal (black lentil)” (I have often wondered, what has motherhood got to do with naming this black lentil anyways??! Answer perhaps lies in the bed of heaviness one feels after devouring it – as if you need to lie in your mum’s lap with as an immediate effect!).

 

 

 

While you can barely manage to climb downstairs, with your eyes drooping, there is a nudge that lifts up your chin to catch Giani’s since 1956 that pulls your body parts with the eyes wide open to halwas – the moong daal ( a kind of lentil), gajar (carrot) and what not…..making it almost criminal, if not tasted!

With packed bags of food hanging on a weight – loaded body, you feel almost nostalgic with pain ( is it your stomach or the heart) bidding adieu to Dilli 6 – till we eat and meet again!

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A MYSTERIOUS LANDSCAPE http://aakaarfilms.com/journey/a-mysterious-landscape/ Sun, 17 May 2020 09:04:31 +0000 http://aakaarfilms.com/Aakaar/?p=1999 A MYSTERIOUS LANDSCAPE

– Arunachal Pradesh 

There are some parts of the world that, once visited, get into your heart and won’t go. For me, INDIA is such a place.

– Keith Bellows, National Geographic Society

 

For me, after travelling almost half of the globe, the discovery of Arunachal Pradesh in India has been a Nirvana.

I feel, the mysterious land of farthest North Eastern part of India that beckoned my spiritual soul, thus enlivening each pore into a speechless sojourn. The astonishing sights after every 5 km of drive of cascading waterfalls, dazzling colours of flora and fauna sprung into surprise crevices of rocky mountains, spectrum shades of aqua changing colours as per directives of the sun – Arunachal is the destination that a travellers spiritual dreams are made of.

Journey to Arunachal is a road less travelled, due to it’s has a lack of connectivity from major airports of the country. Although Arunachal’s mystery can be unravelled from any part of the State, but I tried the most alluring route leading to Tawang lying at 15000 ft. of Indo-China border.

I stepped into bordering State Assam by flight from Delhi to Guwhati in the misty weather of October-November, the best time to visit. Picked by my friendly companion driver Aziz, my spiritual quest was to visit the very famous Kamakhya Devi (Godess of strength and valour) in Guwhati. Kamakhya history is seeped in mysticism, occult and tantric traditions of Hindu religion, with some ancient and medieval facts that relate from 8th to 17th century.

The temple Godess or Shakti proclaims a sacrifice to be done at her altar, which I refused to do so, as I believe that no sacrifice of an innocent animal is required to please the “Mother” Kamakhya. It’s traditional Sindoor or red vermillion, which is supposed to be a blessing for desire fulfilment from the depth of its garbhagriha (cave like structure with-in deep down mother earth) which has shape of Yoni (female genital – that I could not see in the darkness of lamp light), was what I considered a blessing from beyond.

After an auspicious beginning, my climb to Arunachal was a 10 hour drive from Guwhati to Bomdila, with-in the most swirling roads that led into a steep uphill task of my big vehicle, a must for driving anywhere around Arunachal Pradesh. The long drive has never a tiring moment, as one is rejuvenated by nature’s gift of flora and fauna adorning the trees that bow down to welcome you to this land.

With its borders giving you a glimpse of Army camps at various places, Bomdila lies in the North-Western part of Arunachal Pradesh. A quaint town and a district headquarter, Bomdila is the seat of one of the largest monasteries of Arunachal Pradesh, besides famous Tawang.  Gentse Gaden Rabgyel Lling monastery, built in 1965, it is situated at 8500 hundred feet above sea level. Young Buddhist lamas are taught the spiritual nuances and these young minds have a laughter of a thousand Buddhas.

Kamakhya Blessing

At Bomdilla Monastery

I was blessed to have had the opportunity to celebrate my most auspicious day of birth amongst the chanting of lamas in their prayer hall under the Buddha’s glorious blessed feet. The Monastery celebrates it’s annual Mask Dance festival, and the colour of demons with dramatic musical background score – is once in a lifetime experience, not to be missed.

BOMDILA MONSTERY

The hospitality of Armed forces, with their disciplined extension in their personality and surroundings have kept the land of Arunachal as nature had bestowed – ‘sparkling’ clean! Be it the majestic mountainous paths or the water gushing across meandering roads, the Army jawans are deputed to keep the ‘gift’ of nature, blessed.

In my fortunate journey, I was welcomed by Major BB Thapa and his colleagues on a tour of their border and given an opportunity to salute the martyr at 10,000 ft.  besides a served sumptuous breakfast that was truly a treat after having eaten boiled food for umpteen days – as a vegetarian, you have minimalistic choices! As a civilian, one constantly hears the stories of the tough life of jawans bordering and protecting, but it is only when one sees their living braving the terrain and weather to stand erect under any adversary, the hand spontaneously goes up to salute the brave!

A SALUTE …. TO THE BRAVE

No journey in Arunachal can be complete without a visit to Buddha’s land and birth place of sixth Dalai Lama, Tawang. The quote “journey is the destination” stands as epitome of truth while travelling from Bomdilla to Tawang. Crossing small hilly town of Dirang, with its farm cultivation (more popularly called “Jhum”) on hilltops, leading to a tough spiral terrain, you climb and enter “the clouds.” It is as if God’s have bestowed all the gifts they had to welcome you into their land.

BEYOND THE CLOUDS

Sela Pass is one of the many examples of this Grace bestowed, where words fall short of any explanation, thus I thought it best to put photographic expressions of how the lake changes its colours with the movement of the Sun.

 O! SELA PASS

You also cross to salute the brave soldiers of Indo-China War of 1962 at Jaswant Garh where a 24 by 7 food canteen is run by the soldiers who still believe that their “Hero” Jaswant Singh, who fought alone to keep the enemies at bay, lives on. A hot cuppa of free tea is a must sitting on the hilltop, overlooking deep abyss from Jaswant Garh.

A 5 hour long journey finally brings me in to Tawang – at 10,000 ft. and a mesmerising sunset, blessing the land of the Buddha’s.

 

 

The Big Buddha

Tawang has a flavour of people; the small bylanes of local cusine, colourful clothes and Tibetan-Chinese cutlery – it comes alive at its annual Tawang Festival held every year in November.

 

 

 

 

 

Tawang’s destination search for every traveller finds its completion at the Indo-China border, where Indian Army man’s its bravest of the brave to guard its borders. Thanks to extended hospitality of Major Thapa, I am treated with hot “halwa” ( a traditional welcome dessert) at the height of 15000 ft.and seething cold wind that seeps through your skin even if you are layered all over!


MESEMERIZING ENROUTE INDO-CHINA BORDER


Frozen Lake

INDO-CHINA BORDER: THE BUMLA PASS

 

 

 

 Surprise! Surprise! Airtel China at the Border!

 

 

 

 

MADHURI LAKE named after Bollywood Diva Madhuri Dixit who filmed a popular Bollywood movie song in film “Koyla” with Shahrukh Khan, is actually called Sangestar Tso Lake – Divine!

The tough terrain, manned by thousands of soldiers across Arunachal, their devotion and dedication to safeguard our lives at the cost of theirs, raises my heart and hands in eternal salute!

 

Caution: Arunachal is a tough journey to do for any regular traveller, who has no penchant for adventure and discovery. But if you are ready for self-discovery and a spiritual quest of nature’s undiscovered paths – Arunachal enlightens and beckons you. So gear up the courage with-in, pack your bags (lightly) and drive-in to the elusive border of India that is truly “Land of the Rising Sun.

There could be no better way to End your journey at Assam’s Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary and view the one horned Rhino at close quarters riding on an Elephant!

SUGGESTED ITINERARY FOR THE WANDERER

Delhi / Kolkata – Guwhati (Most India’s National carriers fly in)

Guwhati – Bomdila (by Road is the best and safest way to Drive On to Arunachal). There is an Air India flight from Guwhati – Tezpur (half way down Bomdila) but it mostly gets cancelled.

Bomdila: Stay for 3-4 days; Stay at Hotel Siphiyongphong, where hospitality and locations is at it’s best.

Dirang: You could also Stay at Dirang which is 2.5 Hrs away from Bomdila. But, that is only if you are on a silent retreat!

Bomdila – Tawang: 5 – 6 Hrs by Road

Tawang has many Hotels, but I stayed at Hotel Tayatha, which was superb!

Tawang: Plan a 4 day trip if you want to rest your back and visit all locations at your own pace to immerse in its beauty.

PERMISSION: You need an Inner Line Permit to visit Arunachal. This can be applied online (http://arunachalilp.com/)

BEST TIME : Mid October – November

Do book your travel (Hotel, Vehicle) 4-6 months in advance, if you want to visit Arunachal at this time of the year. Vehicles must be booked from Guwhati.

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