A Tale of the last day…

A TALE OF THE LAST DAY

            It was the last day of the event for Krrish. He was here for the All India BAJA, an all terrain vehicle making competition in the bright scorching sun at Pithampur, a place near Indore in Madhya Pradesh. In this competition, students have to design and manufacture an actual all terrain vehicle. They not only manufacture it but they also have to drive the car and compete to win the race which continued for 4 hrs. The marathon sustaining car obviously won.

Krrish a, third year Mechanical Engg. student was wondering as to what went wrong in the race, as his team’s car which ruled the track for the first hour suddenly broke down. Many cars were coming back in the pits, but the injuries were minor and they would take mechanical treatment and again race, fully rejuvenated. But his car was beyond repairs. They took it to the Mechanics present on the event. Those people tried harder to fix the car. When finally their boss came and he opened the engine and handed them the broken flywheel. The team had their hands on their heads after watching the energy stabilizer in their hands. It was the end of the race for Krrish’s team, ‘Myrmidons’. The team returned with empty hands but with a priceless experience of such a grand event.  They vowed to return here again the following year, fully prepared.

The next day, BAJA sponsored companies had arranged for the placement of the students participated in the event. Engineering has an added advantage of giving you a job before you even complete your third year. Krrish came to the placement venue with only one of his teammate. Others wanted to enjoy the sightseeing. But Krrish had different plans all over. It was said that he was different.

Rahul and he sat in the morning bus which was arranged by the placement cell. The venue was an hour away from their hotel. Before that Krrish packed his bag and kept it with his mate Sattya. The same evening they had a bus back to Pune. So their captain had warned Krrish and Rahul to come back before six in the evening. When they reached the destination, the companies had already started the pre-placement talks so they hurriedly sat in the back row. Unfortunately there was only one company who was willing to risk it for the third year students. Krrish thought better one than none.

Immediately after the talks, the students were directed to classrooms for the Aptitude and Written tests. Rahul and Krrish found out the corner bench, but they were immediately drifted apart by the supervisor. The company had a rule that a student can sit for their campus just once in his lifetime. Rahul suggested Krrish to fake his name on the Apti. Sheet if they found it very difficult. Krrish also felt it right because they were not prepared for the interview so early. When the paper began, Krrish had determined not to write his name. But as he went on solving the paper, he grew on confidence and after he finished the test, he was damn sure that he would clear the exam. So may be out of confidence or prestige whatever it might be, he wrote his original name on the test sheet.

They had an hour before the results were out. So they went in the canteen and munched on whatever came their way. After a short nap in the auditorium, the results were declared and as decided by them, Krrish was selected but the fake Rahul couldn’t make it. Immediately Krrish was directed to a big hall. Before that he told Rahul to wait, as he knew the Group discussion round won’t take more than half an hour. Rahul agreed, but the question was till when?

Krrish entered the hall at 3:00 pm in the afternoon. He visualized that at 4:00 pm max, he would be out and after the results he would decide for him to stay back or move. Quarter to six was his deadline. When the group discussion began, he had to switch off his both cell phones. An hour went so by various rounds. Friends not mentioning here what was conducted in the GD; it was quarter past four. Krrish was constantly tracking the time. Outside the venue Rahul was frustrated to hear the same answer that, ‘the subscriber you are calling is switched off’. He banged the phone on his palm. At 4:30 pm, he sat in the bus, prayed Krrish good luck and signed off from the placement venue.

Krrish was still in the hall trying to show up his skills against the other contestants from IIT’s, NIT’s, and many prestigious institutes in the country. Every five minutes he would see the watch in his right hand. At 4:45 pm, the judges asked the students to wait outside the hall. Krrish thought, it would be an end of session. When he came out, he instantly dialed Rahul’ no. But the call couldn’t be connected. He looked his mobile’s screen. NO NETWORK. He got screwed up. The next moment the students were called in the hall. Even after such a long drama the GD went on till 5:30 pm. Krrish knew it would be his most memorable night, if he didn’t reach the hotel in time. What would he do in the city alone?

For the last round, the students were approached individually for any personal queries. At 5:35 pm Krrish was out of the hall. As soon as he came out he dialed his captain’s no. All his team mates were about to leave their hotel. Krrish was in a dilemma; if he was selected he had to wait. He couldn’t opt out of the process and if he wasn’t then there was no use of staying alone in the city. He asked his captain to wait for 10 mins. Sattya was ready with Krrish’s bag.

It was 5:45 pm, still the results weren’t out. Krrish was restless. His battery was also on the verge of draining. He wasn’t worried for the result. He was afraid if he could reach his hotel in time. At last at 5:50 pm the results were announced. Krrish wasn’t selected. He was perhaps very happy on his failure. Students who were not selected were asked to wait. Krrish hurriedly went to the head of placement dept. and asked if it was important to wait. No longer did he get the green signal he sprinted to the place where the buses were parked.

There is no bus till 7:00 pm answered the bus driver. Holy shit, how was now he going to his hotel? Mean while one of his cell slept off. He couldn’t see any fast biker who would help him. Not even a single car was about to leave. He stood there, desperately for some miracle. And out of the blue, a loud horn behind his back broke the thread of his thoughts. The driver asked him to move out of the way. From his left he saw a group of men walking fast towards the jeep. The head of BAJA, Mr. Dabur was leading them.

Krrish knew, it was now or never. No student dared to talk or ask Mr. Dabur. He was looked upon as a very angry person. Krrish with no hesitation approached him for help with respect. Krrish had his chance and he risked it. The old man saw Krrish and agreed to drop him on his way. Thank-God. But there was a little twist. Mr. Dabur was going towards airport which was in the opposite direction of the city.

The team on the other side was frustrated. No communication and no decision. Krrish told his needs to Mr. Dabur and instantly the head had the solution ready for him. Krrish requested him to use his mobile to speak with his captain. The solution was, to take Krrish’s bag from the hotel and he would join the bus on the next station along way. Luckily the way on which Mr. Dabur headed happened to be the same of Krrish’s. Krrish thanked almighty for all the coincidences.

Mr. Dabur left him outside the next destined city. It was already dark outside. Now Krrish was in some small town searching for the bus stop. The private buses have their own spots. After asking for a dozen of people and taking lifts three times he landed up at the bus stop. All the time he was very cautious not to get bullied by thieves. He enquired about his home bus. It was to arrive in twenty minutes.

Krrish relieved a huge sigh of relief and searched for some snacks. His stomach had forgotten to be hungry in all such drama. Exactly twenty minutes later he was boarding his bus. He was so happy to see his team mates and he hugged Sattya to take care of his belongings. The night later he was sitting in his room and writing this three page story. A story he wished to share with everyone…

The story was A TALE OF THE LAST DAY…

Tendulkar’s

Welcome to the fairytale of reality !

He is the shield as well as the spear of the Indian cricket team. A true warrior who leads his team by his merits and unquestionable loyalty. Lucky are his teammates to be graced by his gratifying aura. Kudos to Sachin Tendulkar, the god of cricket, as he cruised past another cricketing record and scored a marvelous double ton.

The ball flew to all the corners of the Gwalior stadium, and the spectators cheered their cricketing ‘Maharaja’. The day belonged to the champion. His scoring wagon wheel was an obnoxious mess of an array of shots. His artillery of strokes ranged from elegant and timed shots, sublime nudges and to the ones with raw and arrogant spurts by his scorching willow. Little did the visitors and the spectators know that they were going to be part of a tale to be told for generations. Despite a shameless loss by 150 runs the Africans acknowledged the dexterity of the diadem of the Indian cricketing crown. The Gwalior cricketing board befittingly announced that one of the stands will be named after the champion.

Two decades of international cricket and yet one can sense the boyish exuberance of the artificer. One can be only be left stunned by the way his game burgeons every season as he raises the bar of his game significantly. He has eclipsed the immortals like Sir Bradman, Sir Sobers and many more and has carved a new place for himself. The whole world bows down to the ‘pole star ‘of the ‘gentleman’s game’.

The media once wrote ” commit all your crimes when Sachin is batting because even god is watching”. Even the celestial nymphs of the heavenly abode sing melodies praising his attractive persona.

Did luck have any share in this heroic achievement? Hardly. It is the fruit of huge efforts and unwavering piousness to persevere on developing one’s talent into unassailable mastery. He has genteelly redefined the genre of the game. Strong as bull, tough as a rock and yet the serene subtle calm emanating on the ground gives him a distinctive image.

One can only imagine the Herculean efforts required to constantly maintain such a level of physical and mental fitness. It has resulted in immutable consistency in performance to constantly contribute in acquiring victory for his country. He has truly elucidated the cricketing rostrum by his eloquent aura and exceptional humility.

Today every bowler who has bared the brunt of his formidable willow and terrorizing onslaught feels honored in spite of having their dreams marred by his ingenuity. For twenty years he has picked the bowlers’ brains and has emerged victorious in the challenge most of the time. Every player is amazed by his uncanny ability to camouflage his game according to the situation.

He is a vampire who thirsts for runs, is swift as a gazelle and cunning as a fox. He is the majestic lion who roars his supernatural authority over the game. He has achieved the unimaginable. Yet his dream for winning the “world cup” for India remains unfulfilled. This dream beckons him closer and at the same time mocks at his spotless and unstained glory. His fans hope that he fills his armory of  by winning the cup for his country.

He is the most talked and written about cricketing legend and yet has the most remarkably uncontroversial and revered career which he modestly attributes it to his parents, his beloved coach ‘Achrekar’ and his well-wishers. He is a man of few words but his performance monotonously sings commendable poems and prose. The whole of ‘India’ salutes to their beloved ‘son of cricket’.

Rockage

Rockage

Rocky finished the last song for the night amidst deafening cheers. When the strings of his guitar damped vibrating, the Norwegian crowd went berserk. A football size stadium, full of young people, was cheering him. Oslo, the capital ofNorway was dancing to the tunes of Rocky’s songs. He had that charm to entice the listeners. But Rocky’s eyes were searching for a person living in his heart. He saw Tia his girlfriend, climbing up the stage and everything went silent. She came near him and said, ‘You were great tonight’. He saw her smiling lips. He tried to smile but couldn’t because his mind knew the truth. And the truth was, Tia the most beautiful girl in the world had died the very morning. Everything was happening in his head. But when reality showed him the truth he couldn’t stop tearing.

He was Rocky for the world but at heart he was an Indian Rakesh Mehra. His journey to stardom was just as mysterious as his transformation from a simple Indian Rakesh Mehra to the Rockstar Rocky. Indeed he was a most followed Rockstar of his age, with his twitter fan following having crossed 100 million. He didn’t really used Internet to connect with his fans. Actually his sponsoring company had hired Internet bugs to run his fan following accounts.Rocky never talked with anyone. His life’s purposes were only music and Tia.

Tia and Rakesh’s love story blossomed during their college days. Rakesh was a good singer who could play a little bit of guitar in his college band. When he understood his life’s purpose, he really made it large. From a local vocalist he went on to become a Rockstar. Initially singing in the pubs, he literally made every stage his home. Tia had her family connections in Norway. Actually she was a citizen of Norway. She had come to India for her education. When Rakesh met Tia he thought he had got a purpose in his life. After her graduation she wanted to stay in India but was forced to come here by her parents. Rakesh who was by now a superstar came here searching for her and forced his music company to arrange a concert in the heart of Oslo.

After the show, Rocky had arranged a date with Tia. Everything was going according to plan had the car not hit Tia. She was whirled in to the air a couple of times before being trampled upon by a truck. Rocky couldn’t fathom his loss. From the hospital he went straight to the show. The purpose in his life was gone but then, he remembered his uncle telling him during his initial struggling years, ‘every artist is filled with pain. Without pain they can’t become great’.

Those words were resonating in his mind even when he put the guitar down and posed for shutterbugs. But his face was glum; with a blink an eye and he collapsed on the stage.  He woke up at the city hospital after a few days. He opened his eyes and as his vision became clear he saw a beautiful woman dressed in a blazer, starring at him. She was tall and curvy. She wore a knee length corporate skirt. Rocky had suffered from a depression stroke. The docs feared that he might get paralyzed.

Months later, Rocky wasn’t out of the depression. He never shaved. His hairs had grown till his shoulders. His eyes went deep revealing the sockets. He consumed alcohol every night and even before the show. His life had become a hell. He even got addicted to drugs.  Every now and then he got into fights with the media and reporters. The media went on to dig his past and made negative story out of his every minor behavior. But still he was the most lovedRockstar.

One day after another concert in Stavanger he came backstage where a beautiful lady was waiting for him. Rockyremembered that she was the same woman who had visited him in the hospital. She was gorgeous and had green eyes. As Rocky came near her, he kept on looking in her eyes. He could see Tia as she too had green eyes. The lady finally spoke, ‘you were great tonight’. Rocky’s eyes widened. His heart believed that Tia was back but mind was not ready to accept it. He simply blinked and left.

The lady Miss Sasha was the daughter of Rajesh Chopra the billionaire NRI. His company had tie up with Rocky’smusical company to arrange shows abroad. Sasha handled all the business of arranging the concerts. She was confused about Rocky. She herself had a troublesome past which was nearly ruined by drugs. His songs had inspired her during her hard times to overcome her failures and she felt the responsibility to help him do the same. She wanted to help him come out depression. She felt that his talent was worth a saga not just a story.

After some enquiries about him, she got to know his tragic story. In her journey to find truth and lies about Rocky she met his uncle, who once told him that, ‘great stars have some pain in their heart’. Sasha defended it by stating, ‘even a fulfilled heart can be a reason for great music’.

She attended his every show and talked to him. Making him talk was a great achievement. After some days whenSasha felt that Rocky was out of depression so she called him, ‘Hello, Sasha hear, get ready we are going toGeiranger.’

‘What, Giranger? I told you I don’t want any concert in this week’, said Rocky in a harsh tone.

‘Yes it’s alright, we won’t keep any show till Saturday but we have to get there today. Get ready I am waiting in the lobby’, replied Sasha.

After a few hiccups he replied, ‘Yes, will be there in fifteen minutes’.

Sasha and Rocky left for Geiranger the most popular sight of waterfalls. ‘Where is the crew?’ asked Rocky when they reached their destination.

‘No one’s coming here to disturb us’, replied Sasha.

‘Then what will we be doing here?’ queried Rocky.

‘Rocky, look’ spoke Sasha elegantly as she took his hand in hers, ‘I know your loss is irreparable; but this is life, we have to move on. At times life gets really hard for us but we are the ones to decide our fate. You loved Tia, and it was not because of you that she is not with us. But think of all the people who love you. Who want to see you perform; you are a hero for them. Live for them Rocky’, her hand was shivering as she talked.

‘No I don’t care what people think about me and I am going home right now’, quipped Rocky and left.

***

‘No, flights till day after tomorrow sir’, said the lady attendant at the airport.

‘We can stay here for a couple of days and then if you wish you can move out of this’, said Sasha who was standing right behind him.

The Geirangerfjord offers visitors, three breath taking waterfalls. They rented a room in a hotel. After a couple of hours when Rocky came back to his normal tone he asked Sasha, ‘why are you doing all this? You know, you make me remember Tia; she had same eyes like yours. Why are showing me the good world? I am a very bad person’.

‘You are not a bad person. You are a Rockstar, but your performance on stage is not what makes me feel good about you, rather it is your inner voice. You are a normal man inside. The media world has made you a bad guy. Each one of us has some good and bad within us. But we are known for what we choose for.

It is not always great people are in pain. If history told you that pain is the reason for the greatness then I want to tell you that a fulfilled heart can also be a reason for being great Rockstar. I want you to see the beauty around you. Live your life and when you live it fully you automatically transform your powers to your followers who will take your torch of music to make it live forever’.

Rocky was listening to her like a small kid. Tears were rolling down his eyes. ‘Sasha please I want to rest I can’t take it any more’ he said.

‘Its fine, have a sleep I will meet you tomorrow morning’, quipped Sasha.

The next day,

‘So how you feeling’? Asked Sasha.

‘I didn’t sleep last night; you know you were right about all the things. You remind me of Tia. She also used to console me when I used to get depressed. But I really hate that media. I don’t know what happens to me when they ask me questions. I really want to behave like a normal person. It’s feels like insects are biting me. I always wanted this fame. But I am not happy. I don’t see happiness on my journey.’

‘Let the media do their job, you don’t get hampered because of them; will you?’

‘So what’s next, when are we going back?’ asked Rocky.

‘Why are you in a hurry to get back? We can take a ride in the boat if you wish’, said Sasha. Rocky nodded in approval.

They rented a boat in the river. The site was amazing with lots of waterfalls. The green clad huge mountains with long cliffs added the enchanting beauty. It was paradise on earth. After boating they went for fishing. It was real fun in catching the fishes and then cooking them ourselves. Rocky really enjoyed Sasha’s company. He had long before forgotten the deadly world where he was thrown into destruction.

After some days when the manager of the concerts working for the Chopra Company came to know that Rocky was missing, he created havoc by filing cases against Rocky’s music company. According to the regulations put forward.Rocky wasn’t allowed to get away without the permission of the Chopra’s. No one knew where Rocky was? He was out of communication. Even Sasha was beyond reach. She had ordered her P.A not to disturb her and she was out on a business trip.

Days passed and Rocky realized that he had forgotten about his music. So Sasha and Rocky decided to return toOslo where the crew was tired of searching them. As they reached Oslo, the media was ready to fire upon them. Soon questions from all round the world were bombarded on them. Sometimes the questions which the reporters ask have no connection with the purpose.

Sasha handled everything swiftly and all drama was under control. Rocky was to perform shows in various parts ofNorway which he had missed. There were huge losses for the company. Sasha’s father was very angry for her irresponsible behavior.

Sasha had her next move planned. She declared that her company was going to start a musical school at Oslo where thousands of students will be taught that music is the way of life.

Rocky was really impressed by her plans. He was now fully rejuvenated and ready for the second innings of his life. He stated that he himself would teach students that how music can transform one’s life. The spontaneous statements changed the whole atmosphere and everyone was happy.

Sasha had actually changed Rocky’s life forever. Even today amidst the scenic beauties of Norway the music school started by Rocky and Sasha named “Rockage the ministry of music” stands tall. Every year thousands of students graduate from here and contribute their little efforts in the field of music.

Rocky now travels the world with Sasha where they spread the light of music. Her love for Rocky grows day by day but she’s reluctant to accept it. Rocky has found his Tia in Sasha but his mind doesn’t accept it.

Changing Ganpati festival

Where are we heading?

          It has been more than hundred years when the public Ganpati festival was started by Lokmanya Tilak. The need of that hour was to unite the disordered India to fight against the British might. But after sixty years of independence is it really the need of this hour?

I say yes, because it is the major festival where all the religions come together to celebrate the joy. Ten full days, everywhere there’s a joyous atmosphere. Some kind of energy prevails in the air. Off-course everyone’s not happy. Most unhappy are the vehicular people. But apart from that, ten days are a mere fun. The societies where the neighbors’ don’t even talk the whole year round, in these days, harmoniously work together to organize games, programs etc. But can we call this joy if our joy is causing a nuisance to others?

Ten days of mere fun is acceptable, now coming to the last day of the Ganpati processions. This year Pune’s Ganpatiprocessions lasted for 27 hours fifteen minutes, a couple hours more than the previous year’s. The first to be immersed were the manache Ganpati. I believe these manache Ganpati and a few others have maintained the ancient age old traditional culture of the dhol tashas, graceful legims and the pathaks performing various acrobats like sword act, duppata act, dancing on the beat of the dhols. Right from the kids to the old people take part in these acts. It’s such a pleasing moment to see such acts, which makes us remember our rich heritage culture.

When the pathaks, usually in white and colorful duppata laced around the waists, move gracefully, they not only make you spell bound but even make your legs catch the taal of the dhols.

What about the DJ’s and the vulgar songs? Who gave them the permission to join the Ganpati processions? In the pre-independence period there was no question, as the loud speakers and the DJ tracks didn’t exist. But today they create havoc. The loud music crossing the sound permission norms make the normal people lose their minds. (I mention here normal people, those who support them aren’t normal). And which songs are played on the loud bassDhinka chika dhinka chika, ayaa hai raja logo re logo? (I guess most of you have started singing these songs)

Is this what we can call a Ganpati procession? Many, I believe are no atheists. Then how are we treating our God? Dancing on munni badnam or drinking till we fall either. It’s even more shameful when our young crowds reluctantly join them. Do we have a sense of being? Or are we so blind to neglect such bad thing happening in the society.

Not only the guys dance in a vulgar manner, even the girls are not far back. The way, in which they move their bodies, the onlookers might think they are amorous. They don’t feel squirmed. The orgiastic loses its sanctity when the females are in compunction.

Our so called young generation who is the future administrator is blindly supporting this act and we are dreaming of becoming a superpower. Becoming a superpower is not just by wealth, we need to respect our culture. If we are the ones who disrespect it then are the Americans going to respect it?

Is this we are heading for? Destroy our own ethics. And then cry that no one told us to. If we get going with this pace our future will surely promise to be a very harsh one. So there should be a limit if not total eradication on the vulgarness. Lastly I will say, ‘The only limits on your life are those you set yourself’.

Rajgad Unleashed

RAJGAD REWINDED

It all began with the trip to Lohagad. (50 kms. from Pune on Mumbai-Pune expressway). The trip came about to be a huge success, because nearly after two years we all friends were having a combo trip. We were in all sixteen. The trip had taken place on Saturday, a usual holiday for our colleges. The news of the trip cum trek spread like wildfire. We had to face the wrath of those who were not a part of the expedition. Perhaps I felt the unity in my class for the first time. To make the things softer, we all decided to arrange the next trip to Rajgad (called the king of all forts).

The trip was planned in the immediate coming Saturday after the trip to Lohagad. But somehow I had some work on the weekend. The whole crew was disappointed. But as always I had a solution. The college had just started and there wasn’t any serious studies being done. So I persuaded everyone to reschedule the trip on Thurday. (I don’t mention here that the trip was planned the day before)

The Lohagad was conquered by the train. But we had to conquer this Rajgad on our bikes, so five bikes were launched together, including my brand new Chrome cherry red Hunk. I find it important to mention here that the Rain god which was absent from his class for nearly half of the July, had appeared on Monday of that week. Wednesday was dry so would the Thursday be, thought we. But Rain God had a different thing to favour that day.

We set off on our bikes, Sumedh and I on my Hunk, Tejas and Ameya on other Hunk. No we were not the Hunk gang, absolutely not. Satya and Vijay were followed by Nilesh and Sagar. And finally came Sandeep, pillion with him was Ganesh.

We started at eight in the morning. We had our raincoats in our bags, which was a proof that we hoped the Rain God to do us a favour. As we passed the Katraj ghat, tiny showers hinted us that we were never going to forget this day. The time when we crossed the ghat we were all wet. The rain force propelled us to take a halt.

Tejas who is a chain tea drinker made us wait at a dhaba. The coldness was ushering into us. We drank the hot tea along with Tejas, who managed to drink three cups when all of us were even finishing our first. The rain lessened which gave us some strength to carry on further and the hot tea which ran through our veins made our minds hot.

We set of again, now fully equipped with the rain coats and other gear. The road was pleasing. As long as we were nearing our target, the rain force was multiplying. But the scenic beauty everywhere was amazing. The mountains were green clad. The tress the farms the valleys the mountains were at their best. The time we reached the base of the mighty Rajgad the Gunjvane village we were completely wet. We all parked our bikes and gathered to plan the next four five hours. Rajgad won but we lost. No matter what the rains had planned that day, it was impossible to return empty handed. So we all decided to conquer Shivaji Maharaj’s capital.

The canteen vendor at the base hinted us to eat something as he knew; nothing would be available up there. So we ordered steaming hot poha. Two plates were sufficient and the entire bill was thrown on Sandeep, who was our money manager. In all the trips we made he was the one who would pay on the spot and then calculate each one share afterwards.

So we all set in, now the rain had stopped for a while, this made our minds clearer to trek on. Initial 100-150 meters was fun, but as we steeped in there were drops and drops of sweat running down our faces. We again halted. From the point where we stopped we could see the whole valley and adjoining mountains all green clad. The wind was calm and cool. How beautiful it was! We were spell bound by the beauty of Maharashtra. It is a common belief among most of us that we talk about Switzerland, Mauritius, and Africa etc. But do we Marathi people even take care of watching the nature around us? The scenic beauty of forts, it is no less than any international tourist centre.

We marched forward, but here upward would be more promising, because now there was no flat ground, it was steeping and steeping. It started raining again, but this time we welcomed it as, we no longer felt it’s presence because we were already wet. But this time rain brought with it cold winds. When the cold air went to our nose ears mouth it made us shiver from head to toe. But we marched, marched through the hooks and nooks of the wet trees and grasses. The steps of the original fort had now started leaving behind the foot road. It was becoming harder to step because the path was slippery, then on one side huge mountain and on the other side deep valley and only two feet path. It was extremely dangerous even to talk while we walk. Sorry Abhishek , we can’t follow your precious advice all the time when our lives are at stake.

One wrong foot or imbalance and you would land up somewhere on the hard rock’s with scavengers feasting on you. With at most care and concentration, we reached a kamaan, which we thought to be the highest point on the fort. We read on it, chor darwaja. Hell it man, we came through the thief door, the most difficult part of the fort. We saw theburuj and duheri tatbandi on which we settled ourselves. Let me draw your attention on the rains, it hadn’t stopped since we began from our earlier halt and it was heavily pouring down. The place where we settled was called suwela machi. Ganesh our enthusiastic mate, hinted us that the peak is just a few minutes away. So we gathered our strength and started once again. By now the things in my bag too had wetted. There was not a single piece of dry cloth left in our inventory.

The next main highlight of the fort was the Balle killa. It was ruined completely over there we came across a temple,Padmavati talav (lake), Rajwada, Daru Kothar and the safest Gunjvane door. The Padmavati machi and Suvela machi lie on the other side of the Bale killa (fort).

As we reached the top of the Balle killa heavy showers started pouring down and height of the fort exposed us to the cold ferocious winds blowing apart us. Some of us took shelter behind huge rocks. Coldness was ushering our veins. So in order to keep the body warm some of our talented Engineers’ started exercising. Like jumping, a few even started Surya Namaskar. It was impossible for me to support them so I returned behind the shelter. It was good behind it. Now it was the time for our stomachs to start their protest. They were under the impression that they would get something up on the fort. But they were deceived. There was no one up on the fort; not a single soul was present to blow up their own horns like we were.

Among us was Vijay. Let me tell you about Vijay. He had brought a big packet of biscuits and ladoos but had forgotten to bring raincoat. The result, he was on the verge of freezing. The biscuits and ladoos were finished within seconds. Some energy started developing in us. Mission Rajgad was finished. There was no reason to visit the remaining part of the fort. We started climbing down, again through the chor darwaja. We came down on our second halt and rested. At an instant Satyajeet sprang to life. Like a heart attack or something. He shouted his Specs. No one understood him then everyone realized he had left his spectacles up where we sat eating. Curses blew from everyone’s mouth. So after a chat it was decided that Tejas the chain Tea drinker to accompany him. We all had to wait for them. So we found a shelter and sat there. After an hour the couple returned along with the specs. Everyone was dying; the legs had given up much earlier. Many of us had cramps and falls from the slippery stones.

The fact of that day was, everyone was helpful, no one was self concerned. Each one of us had seen life and death that day. It was clear the no matter how much we Indians hate each other but at the time of crises we are one. Then nothing is mine and nothing is yours. Everything is ours. At around four we were back to the base village. We had to now refuel our stomachs, so we took our bikes and started towards Pune. In between we had our lunch at a dhabathe watch was hinting six, and we were back through the Katraj tunnel to get lost in the huge city of education. Our hands were sticky, my long hairs were scattered and the wet clothes were stinking before I entered my building.

Did I tell you what happened between the dhaba and the fort?

I was driving calmly and as everyone was racing went ahead of us. Sumedh was with me. And just at the corner of the highway my bike gave away. The dial showed fuel empty. I thought as the highway was near, finding a petrol pump was not a big deal. So we pushed the bike. Friends it is not easy to push the 150 kg Hunk when you have trekked for the last six hours. Feeling our absence, Tejas came alone from the wrong way to find us. He took Sumedh along with him towards the dhaba, which was near. I searched for the fuel pump. After pushing the bike I found the pump. When I went in, I realized I was alone, not even the wallet was with me. Hell. I waited for fifteen minutes before Tejas came again to my rescue…