Sunday, April 26, 2009

A Reunion with My Roots: A Journey to My Village in the Heart of Himachal Pradesh

After a long hiatus, I embarked on a journey back to my village in the beautiful state of Himachal Pradesh. This trip turned out to be a fantastic reunion filled with warmth, adventure, and a deep connection to my roots.

The Journey Begins
Eager to escape the city, I left the office early and started my journey to Hamirpur. Little did I know, the travel would not be as smooth as I had anticipated. Just 10 km from Nalagarh, our bus experienced a technical issue, leaving the passengers in a state of panic. Fortunately, HRTC bus services sent us a new bus in just 10 minutes, and we were back on the road.

Unforgettable Encounters
Despite the hot weather and dust clouds, I was in good spirits, sharing my seat with two lovely teenage girls. The journey took me through Una, where I switched buses and spent hours chatting with the driver, learning about his family and life as a driver in the region. The conversation made the long journey to Hamirpur fly by.

A Slice of Village Life
Arriving at my village, Sandhol, nestled near the Byas River and surrounded by the stunning Dhauladhar mountain range, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of my homeland. In this remote paradise, locals rely on farming, with many families serving in the army or other defense forces. The village is known for its delicious mangoes and diverse wildlife, including the revered but dangerous Himalayan leopard.



A Glimpse of Wildlife and Local Flora
Sandhol's landscape is home to various wildlife, including peacocks, hogs, wild rabbits, wild cocks, and numerous bird species. Among the main attractions is the Himalayan leopard, a dangerous yet respected animal among villagers. As human settlements expand, food for leopards and bears is dwindling, resulting in occasional attacks on humans.


Uncovering Local Treasures
On my way to Sandhol, I stopped at Sujanpur, famous for its ancient fort, Raja Sansarchand Fort, and the revered Nardeshwar Temple. The village boasts numerous natural water sources called "Boudee" or "Khatri," still used by locals for drinking and household purposes.

A Heartwarming Welcome and Birthday Celebrations
Upon reaching my village, I was greeted by relatives and friends who had gathered to welcome me home. The next day, my birthday, was filled with prayers, a traditional "Hawan" ceremony, and a "Preeti-Bhoj" - a food party where guests sit on the ground and enjoy a meal prepared by Brahmin cooks, served on leaf plates.





Exploring the Village and Nalwari Mela
With my brother-in-law, I ventured out to explore the village and its surroundings. We visited ancient water resources and a nearby village situated along the Byas River. We also attended the 300-year-old Nalwari Mela, a tri-day fair where farmers from remote areas gather to sell their livestock, primarily oxen and cows.

Embracing Village Life
As I settled into village life, I enjoyed reconnecting with my cousins and other relatives. I took the opportunity to explore the area, learning about its history and the challenges faced by locals during the rainy season when poor roads and violent water flows would cut off the village from the outside world. Thankfully, improved infrastructure now keeps the village connected year-round.


As my trip came to an end, I bid farewell to my village and cherished the memories of my visit. The journey was a rejuvenating experience that allowed me to reconnect with my roots and appreciate the simple joys of life in a close-knit community, surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.

As I traveled back to Hamirpur and eventually returned to the city, I couldn't help but feel a longing to return to my village in the near future. For me, my village is not just a slice of heaven in the hills; it is heaven itself. It encapsulates everything that makes Himachal Pradesh so enchanting: snow-capped mountains, diverse flora and fauna, and a rich cultural heritage that includes fascinating traditions, festivals, and fairs.

This travelogue is a testament to the unforgettable journey I experienced, and I eagerly anticipate the day when I can return to my village and embrace the warm embrace of my homeland once more.

Until then, I'll hold on to these memories and cherish the time spent in my village, reminiscing about the beauty and tranquility that is uniquely Sandhol.


Thursday, April 16, 2009

Break Up Recovery - How to Get her Out of Your Head After You Got Ditched

This is quite a tough process, if your love is deep-rooted and strong. On the other hand it might be a cakewalk if your love means nothing but a time-pass for you. If your case is the former one, these are some really useful tips that can help you a great deal to recover:

Stop all forms of communication after the break up:

If your lover was true and sincere, this step should be taken after your attempts to put things back again. After correcting your mistakes or asking your partner to correct his/hers, give your partner a time span. I recommend you not to make it too long. The longer you hope and expect, the higher your sufferings will be. Once all the attempts that you can feasibly do has been done, simply stop - No phone calls, no emails, no birthday cards, nothing.

Never try to chase her/him. Never force people back into your life. You wouldnt want them to point their fingers at you and ask why did you force me back into this hell? some time in the future. Would you? Let them go if they want to. As I already said, weaker pillars might fall apart. They are in plenty in this world. You are not at all the loser. Stronger pillars may be rare. But they are definitely on the way to you. Open up your heart for them.

Stop waiting infinitely:

You can give the person some time to come back. But this should never happen to ruin your life or your mental and physical well being. Infinite waiting will! Every moment you expect the person back, he/she might be out there enjoying their lives with someone new. They may be busy planning for their great accomplishments in life. Your ex might have already got over with you and moved forward in their life, seeking new joys and horizons. Set a time limit and let go.

Experienced hands say that lost loves and buses are alike. If you missed one, another is definitely on the way. Never desperately run after the one you just missed, however valuable it seems. If they simply walked away erasing all the memories they had about you, it means they can do it at any point in their lives. You might have been a small piece in their whole jigsaw puzzle like life. You want to spend a life time with such a kind of person? You want your life to be a puzzle? If he/she could forget you, it is mandatory that you should do the same

Keep his/her belongings away:

There may be tons of gifts and letters that he/she might have given you. If you are highly inclined to keep looking back at them now, you are not likely going to forget any memories. If that is the case, simply put them on fire. But if you are quite strong, I would advice you to keep all those belongings with you. But never go back to them until some time pass by. After a while, have a look at those rubbles of your temple of love. All these thoughts that hurt you now are going to be strange but sweet memories when you move forward in your life.

Several times have I read through my whole collection of love SMS's my ex wrote for me and smiled thinking how stupid I was once for having believed all those intoxicating sentences. I assure you - it doesnt hurt. It simply gives a different sort of feeling. May be a feeling of pride for having learned so much and come so far.

Avoid all chances of meeting your ex:

Avoid places you two used to frequent and restaurants where you used to hang out. Avoid any occasion in which there is a chance for you to bump into your ex. Keeping away from seeing can help a lot in getting the memories out of your head.

Stop reading between the lines:

The moment your ex leaves you, your mind starts framing a thousand probabilities and possibilities, which would mostly be nothing but your own illusions. Dont let your mind find false-hope in something your ex does. If your ex has sadistic attitudes he/she might even try to hurt you by attracting and provoking you after the break up. Please dont interpret these as her willingness to return or as reasons for some hope.

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