Friday, September 19, 2014

TRIP TO HEAVEN TURNED INTO NIGHTMARE -- PART 7

Sept 12:
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Finally the day came when we were out for airport. Actually Our return ticket was booked for 13th Sept. We didn't know how much time will take to reach airport. Whether flood water stuck road on other side. So for safe side we decided to go a day before. If everything goes right we will take lodge near to the airport for a night or if not available we will sleep at airport. With these many thoughts we left hotel a 7 AM. Hotel owner told after crossing zero bridge there is a road on left side.That is river side road. But we didn't know which one was zero bridge. There are lots of bridge. We asked one local people where is the river side road. Local man asked us where you want to go ? We told Rambagh. He told come with us we are also going to that place. We came with them. After crossing bridge road was blocked. He told go that way you will get boat to Rambagh. We told where is the river side road. He told, that is the only way to Rambagh. There is no river side road to Rambagh. We go to that boat place where we saw yesterday taking people to Rambagh. But nothing was there. We asked one local man nearby, about the boat, he told service is not resume yet. It will start at 9 AM. We asked him where is the river side road to Rambagh. He told you crossed that road. Just go back just before bridge there is a road that connects to river side road. we followed the same path. After being distracted by local people there many times, finally we found a route which seems to be the right one, but we heard that, road was broken at many places and we had to walk on tree trunk to cross the road.But didn't know how difficult to cross those. We didn't even bothered for that.
Our only aim was to reach airport anyhow. After walking a few miles we found road was broken and flood water flowing through it. It was looking dangerous. Local people have put tree trunk in between and gas pipes for the support. It seemed difficult to cross as we hold our bags and water bottles. Out of all these, Jyoti wore woodland shoe. As the road was at river side, after flood water goes down it became muddy.Now after walking so much gaps between spikes of the shoe were filled with mud and it became slippery. We crossed the road stepping carefully on the muddy slippery tree trunk.
But it was a big task for Jyoti when he took a step on the trunk and it slipped. Thank god he hold gas pipe. We all didn't know swimming in case he slipped into river. Luckily, by god's grace somehow he crossed it. We heard that there were 4 more breaks like that that we had to cross before reaching Rambagh. It was like a game to reach airport each crossing one level up. On that day I decided I will never buy a woodland shoe. While walking on the road we saw there were still water up to 2nd floor. Some wooden houses were broken down. Somewhere road were broken and house side to the road also buried under road. Some cars were fallen with its wheel upside. Some truck and buses were also under mud. The view was like as if we are inside movie 2012. The scene was exactly what we have seen in movie 2012.It was not a easy task for a normal people to cross all these nature's destruction.  After crossing all hurdles and walking around 7km we found taxi. We hire one taxi to airport. We thought our difficulties ended there.But no, fate had decided something else for us. After 5km to 6km there was water on the road. Taxi went inside the water thought that he will cross the water. But taxi stuck in the water. Water came inside the taxi. Driver said to come outside and push the taxi. I was sitting behind the taxi so I was dry. All other were on the middle so they all were under water.
All went to outside except me. All help the driver to take the taxi out of water. The taxi has engine problem so it didnt start even when it come out of water. All three were completely drenched. we took other taxi and went to airport.It was 11 AM.There were huge crowd in airport looked like railway station. We went inside the airport. Ajay left with luggage I went to check in counter to request whether our ticket can be reschedule to 12th Sept. I explained him all our problem. He told ok just come at 2PM I will reschedule you flight without any extra cost. Jyoti also enquired the same at his counter as his airline was different. The man sitting at his airline counter also said the same. We were happy that finally we will go to our land and alive. At 1:30 PM I again went to check in counter,he rescheduled our flight to 2PM flight.We then finally board our flight and came back to Bangalore.
     With all these problems I agree we missed all the places which is considered as the most beautiful place in the world.But we saw peoples love. how they were helping each other and helping us also in difficult situation. In good situation all will talk to us but the real human being is who talks and helps you in difficult situation. I learned and come to know humanity is still there. I didn't bring any photo from Kashmir but brought their love, thier humanity their kind in nature.I think nature, mountain is not the most beautiful in Kashmir. The people's heart there are much more beautiful. I visited the
most beautiful place in the world by nature. So I didnt missed the trip. I gained a lot from the trip and ofcourse learned how to play taash.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

TRIP TO HEAVEN TURNED INTO NIGHTMARE -- PART 5

Sept 10:
--------

We totally broke down lost all hope to return alive to our land. At least we were getting food from hotel owner.Water level was quite low on that day. We went to taxi stand near by and asked one taxi driver whether road to airport was open or not. He told after 2 Km there is still water up to 2nd floor. There is no way to go airport. We came back to hotel room. 5 to 6 chopper were continuously flying on the sky rescuing people some choppers were dropping food packets. Some Army boats were busy in rescuing people who were stuck in their home in flood. But no one was there to help us. Dont know why god was taking so much patience test. But our difficulty was nothing in front of local people.They were continuously complaining central government not helping them but I could see lots of choppers water boats were continuously rescuing people. The sky was look like as if I was watching some SI-FI movie but still local people didn't happy with central government. One Local man told when there was flood in Uttarakhand with in no time central government rescue all the affected people but here government is doing nothing.What to reply them, If we reply against
them in this situation their anger will increase toward us. We told everywhere same case, We all are belongs to odisha where every year flood comes. Not a single help coming from central government to rescue people.After a while we came back to hotel room.We started playing taash it was 1:30 PM hotel owner didn't call us for lunch. We thought food is not cooked.We took dry food and continue taash.At evening hotel owner denied dinner will not be available and told there is a masjid near by you can go there and have your dinner.We said ok no problem we will arrange our food. We went
outside to see the whether water level decreased or not. There construction was like that one side there is Jhelum river by the river side there is road and other side construction. Construction was 8 to 10 feet below the river water level.If river overflows water comes to other side but when water level goes down water on the road goes down but water on other side remains there. Some where road is also constructed below river level so water stuck there not coming down. We checked the water level it was slightly less then what we saw in morning.We returned back and went to masjid to have dinner. First we afraid whether we should go inside or not because we all were hindu and they were muslim. If some miss happened the outcome will be worst. We stood near the gate. One man came and told us just go inside food is available for all. We first felt reluctant to go inside. He told with smile just go don't think much first take food be safe then we will think who is allah and who is bhagwan. We gave a smile and went inside.What a hospitality, what a humanity. Like Kashmir, people are also kind and beautiful by nature.No matters who was muslim who was hindu who was poor and who was rich, all were on the road, all had same problem,all were on the same floor and all were taking food in the same thali.Thats the nature justice. All are equal in front of nature. We set in queue and had dinner togather. They were offering food as if we were there for wedding ceremony. So much respect. We had stomach full rice and dal there and came back.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

TRIP TO HEAVEN TURNED INTO NIGHTMARE -- PART 4

Sept 9:
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What worst can happen, Everywhere water up to 2nd floor ,nowhere to move, No electricity, No network, People were stuck in flood water and not getting food. We were stuck there, unable to left that place.One good news today water level started decreasing.But truck buses were still under water.We got little bit of satisfaction that every thing will be fine within 2 days.We as usual started playing taash. It was noon 1:30 PM hotel owner didn't call us for lunch till then.Usually he calls around 11:30 AM. I went down and ask about lunch. He denied there were less water so unable to cook rice So today lunch cant be provided but dinner will be available. Now what to do we didn't had taken break fast also.We took those dry foods which we had purchased previously. We didn't took stomach full food because we need to keep it as backup for remaining days but somehow manage to overcome our hunger. Around 5 PM we went outside up to the hill to call our parents and to see the present status of flood. While trying for the network connection we saw some local people
carrying dead body and its family and relatives were crying like anything. Ohh god what the hell was happening there. People were started dying in front of us.How could we escape from that place.I almost started crying unable to bear all those things. I lost all hope to escape from that place and thought this could be my last few days in my life.I closed my eyes and started thinking all my relatives, mummy,papa,sister, my friends,my crushes from my childhood,my past love
all of them whom I needed in my life. Suddenly one local man standing near to us told that near governor house chopper is taking out tourist from here.It is just 2Km away from here. Everywhere is flooded so you need to go by hill.Just go there you will get help. We ran up to the hill with great hope towards governor house. We walk around 3Km but no governor house found. I asked one policeman nearby he told go straight. We follow the same path. After walking around 4Km Jyoti denied to walk extra path because climbing hill and coming down was not a easy task. Ajay and Jyoti stayed
back,Dipu and me went to the place where chopper rescuing the tourists. After walking around 6km we found the place. We saw around 9k to 10k people standing in the queue. Some were standing from past 2 days waiting for their turn. chopper first taking foreigners then VIPs then patients then families and at last bachelors. It seems impossible for us to go by chopper. At that time I understood the value of having family and money.I asked for help to one army standing near
by. I explained all our problems and requested to give some help.He told don't stand here. If you will stand in that queue, after 3 to 4 days you will get chance. Its better to stay back at your hotel room after 3 days water level will decrease then you can go by road. I completely broke down there, lost all hope. That was our last hope to escape from that place that too failed.We returned back to hotel room. Further we got news more than 150 dead bodies found from flood water. Ohh god what the day that was.We didn't play taash on that night. We took dinner and came back to room and
slept didn't even talk to each other.I have never seen such a worst day in my life neither I wish to see.

Monday, September 15, 2014

TRIP TO HEAVEN TURNED INTO NIGHTMARE -- PART 3

Sept 8:
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Rain was stopped, it was warm sunny day, we thought every thing will be fine with in 2 days but what happens to the nature.Why it was behaving so rudely to Kashmir.Flood water was just 300m away from our hotel.Water level in Dal lake was increased so much that there was no difference in lake side road and the Dal lake. Shikara now started moving directly moving from Lake to road without any hurdle. Flood water has been entered into 2nd floor of building. Bus, trucks which were standing at the road side on previous day now disappears. Situation was just shit on 3rd day of Srinagar. Local people who were safe were started rescuing who were affected by flood. Who thought water level would rose up to 2nd floor of the building.There were so much tension in Srinagar. Water was ice cool and people were inside the water without food. Ohh god I cant
explain all these. I tried calling my mummy but what happened. No network in mobile.At that time entire Kashmir was disconnected from rest of India. Some Local people come to us and said with warm smile " All your family ok?? Are they all safe ??. We said yes they are fine. We were here to visit Kashmir. Local man apologized ohh no you were here to see beauty of  Kahmir and what you have seen now one Kashmiri even didnt see in his life time.After sometime we returned to our hotel room and started playing taash. In 2 days I and Ajay played so well that this time Dipu made us captain. While playing some noise was coming from outside. As if chopper is coming from far away. I looked from our hotel room window, 3 to 4 choppers came to rescue Kashmiris. Thanks to central government for taking so quick decision. Some Indian army boat came to rescue who were stuck inside water. Choppers started to do the same and also drop food packets from air. We continue are taash after that. After some time hotel owner came to call us for lunch. He prepared rice and dal for us. We took lunch  and come back and continue our tash. The biggest problem at that time was there ere no mobile network. If we would not call our parent they will think we all are in trouble. We all came outside in the the search of network.There was a small hill just 200m away from our hotel. We all climbed to that hill with the hope of network. Ajay tried a lot to get network in his mobile and Jyoti had postpaid connection, he also tried a lot. From 5 PM to 7 PM we were standing there.
No network. We started loosing hope. Then we thought we should come back. While coming back Ajay stopped us and told I got network in my mobile. It was bit relief moment at that time. We all called one by one and said we all are safe and taking food timely and visiting nearby places. With the relief feeling we returned back to hotel room and conitnue our Taash. At night 8:30 PM hotel owner called us for dinner. We took dinner same rice and dal and came back and continue playing
taash. So day 3 in Srinagar also wasted by playing taash only.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

TRIP TO HEAVEN TURNED INTO NIGHTMARE -- PART 2

Sept 7:
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As of now you must be knowing our 1st day trip was completely ruined and 2nd day instead of Leh we were doing local sight seeing starting from 9 AM.
But the morning started with something different. we got up with lots up hassle bustle. There were lot of noise outside.Some ladies were crying and some men were screaming as if something inauspicious was happening out. We got up and went outside the room and saw Dal lake water had been entered into the building next to our hotel and our hotel owner shifting his belongings to upper floor. We suddenly ran to balcony facing the Dal lake and saw something very strange. Mass of water pouring heavily into the Dal lake. Hotel owner's sister in law told us to leave this hotel and go to highland somewhere in safe area. We suddenly pack our baggage and left the hotel with in a moment. By the time Lake water entered into our hotel also. It was difficult to go out of hotel. But we cant live there also. We opened our shoes and fold our pant and went outside.For some time we all were on the road, don't know where to go what to do in that situation. In front of us people were crying like anything. Flood water entered almost every home near to the Dal lake and Jhelum river. We were standing on the road side thinking where to go. One lady came to us with her daughter and told us you can
go to that highland pointing to one place, that place is safe. Her daughter told with crying face nothing left in Srinagar except that place. We told them you also go to some safe place. First be safe and be with your family. Nothing will happen, everything will be fine once the flood water level goes down.Then they went away and We went to that highland searching for hotel. All hotel were full no vacant room. After sometime we got one hotel we went inside nobody was there.From the hotel sign board we took phone no. and call the hotel owner for the room. Luckily he has one vacant room.
After some time one man came and gave that room to us. We entered into the room and put our luggage on the bad.We were little tensed wanted to go out of Srinagar. But road to airport were all closed due to flood water. Flood water was coming rapidly on the Srinagar road. We went outside and saw water was playing on the road and keep on increasing. Somewhere it was still dry. we all were walking on footpath as road were full of water. We keep on walking and watching Dal lake water level was increasing and on the road too. Except watching the natural destruction nothing was in our hand. It was 2 PM we all were feeling hungry and all store were closed. We don't have any food in our hand. Luckily one restaurant was open we took lunch there and again came back to footpath. After some time we thought we should returned back to hotel room. While returning Flood water started running on footpath too. We opened our shoes fold our pant and started walking
on water on footpath. But the problem was flood water was flowing from glaciers near by. So water was ice cool.It was very difficult to walk in the water.My feet was started freezing. After a while I was unable to take a single step. So I climbed on the fence dividing the Lake from road and started walking on it. By seeing me Dipu also started walking like me. When we reached highland where our hotel situated we started searching stores which where open and started collecting dry foods, water juice whatever was available as we know water level was increasing, all the store which were open at that time may be closed on next day. So we may not get any food from next day.It was 7:30 PM and sun was ready to set. Entire Srinagar came into darkness. Srinagar power grid was under water
So no electricity. Our mobile battery was running out. As SIM was not working but all the contact number were there in mobile We entered into hotel room and told Jyoti and Dipu to stay back in room. Ajay and me went out searching for hotel which has power backup. We walk down the road all stores were closed ATMs were closed. We found few hotel which has back up but all were full. 2 hotels were there which has vacant room but the want money in cash because internet was not working so they cant swipe credit card and we didnt have enough cash in our hand too. With lost hope we returned back to our hotel room and found that there was back up in our hotel.We felt a bit of relief there. It was 8:30 PM chilling night in Srinagar and time to call most emotional character in the world, our parents. How we can put them in tension by saying we are in trouble. I called my parent with our local SIM given by our previous hotel owner.My parent said there is flood in
Kashmir, where you all are. Just come back as soon as possible. But how I can say All the way to Airport has been closed. We told them We all are safe there is nothing happened in Srinagar. Srinagar is safe. There is flood in somewhere outskirt of Srinagar. By saying we all are safe taking food timely cut down the phone.Ajay, Dipu and Jyoti did the same.Now what to do in hotel room.Its boring. Luckily Dipu brought playing card( Taash ) but me and Ajay didnt know how to play Taash. We both never played taash before.Dipu and Jyoti started teaching us how to play taash. we make two team Jyoti and Ajay with Jyoti as captain and Dipu and me with Dipu as captain.We started playing cards. Around 9:30 PM hotel owner called us to had dinner. They prepared egg curry and rice for all customer in their hotel. While taking dinner hotel owner told everything in Srinagar came under water. No stores is open for food.With pleasant face he told you can take food from us till you are in our hotel. At that time we all hotel customer were sitting togather and taking dinner with same food bowl. No discrimination, no matter who was muslim and who was hindu.We all were in same problem. After taking dinner we came back to room and continue our Taash.So 2nd day also ruined
badly according to the plan.

TRIP TO HEAVEN TURNED INTO NIGHTMARE -- PART 1

Prelog:

I was very keen to visit Kashmir valley and admire its beauty.
In the month of july I saw in Yatra.com, flight from Bangalore to Srinagar was 3999. I called all freinds some denied due to high budget and also it was too far so we need to take off from office atleast for a week. So finally 4 friends agreed to visit Kashmir. 1 from Pune and we 3 from Bangalore.I booked flight for all 4.
Our Plan was like this.

Sept 6 - Reach Srinagar and short city tour inside srinagar
Sept 7, Sept 8, Sept 9 and Sept 10 - Leh
Sept 11 - Pahalgam
Sept 12- Gulmarg
Sept 13- Half day City Tour inside Srinagar and then depart

We all are very excited to visit Kashmir, The heaven on earth. Our excitement become more as the journey day approaches.We all were just waiting when Sept 6 will come and we will go to Kashmir.

Sept 2:
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I was surfing online for hotel in Srinagar. I took phone no from Wikitravel and called one hotel owner. We asked about hotel price, road to Leh is closed or open and how is the weather there. He told every thing is fine. Hotel was near Dal lake. I told him we will reach there on 6th Sept at 2 PM and cut the phone.

Sept 5:
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Our flight was at 6:55 AM on 6th Sept. So we decided to leave for airport at 4 AM. I booked cab for us and informed every one to come to my home tonight and informed friend in Pune(Jyoti) about our status. He also did same arrangement at his side.At night 10, After office all come to my home and we did dinner and were waiting for cab.

Sept 6:
-------

At 4 AM we all leave for Bangalore Airport and informed the same to Jyoti. We board our flight at 6:55AM and depart for Srinagar.

We reached Srinagar at 1:20 PM. It was drizzling out there. We decided to stay at Airport
because Jyoti's arrival time was 3:20 PM.But we were hungry as we didn't take any food from morning. Dipu told to go, first we will take lunch and call Jyoti to reach dal gate(All non-Kashmir prepaid SIM doesn't work in Kashmir. But he has postpaid connection.So we thought we will call him to come Dal gate).we took one shared taxi and reached Dal Lake. After checking in hotel we ask hotel owner for local SIM. Fortunately he has one extra SIM. He gave that to us. We 3 fresh up and go for Lunch.After taking Lunch we recharge the SIM and tried calling Jyoti. It was showing switch off. We thought he must be in flight.We come back to hotel room. Hotel owner prepared Kawa Tea for us,Kashmir famous tea. I took a sip, It was just Awesome. It was 3:40 PM we again call Jyoti, still showing swith off. We decided to go airport again. I asked Dipu to stay back at hotel room we will receive him and come back. So I and Ajay go to airport by auto. As it was drizzling, rain water blocked the road somewhere.Autowala struggle hard to take us to Airport. It was 6 PM we reached airport.It was still drizzling.We entered into airport gate.Near gate, police stopped us and told that you cant go inside. We stand for 10 min in the rain. We told him our friend is inside. Our SIM is not working and we are not able to contact him. Please allow us to go inside.He told ok only one can go inside. So Ajay stay back at the gate and I went inside. He was sitting near arrival from 3 hr.I took him and come to airport gate and returned to hotel. It was 7:30 PM and still drizzling.
So our 1st day trip was completely ruined. After reaching hotel we had talk with hotel owner about Leh for tomorrow. He told road to Leh is closed it will be open day after tomorrow.So you can do local sightseeing tomorrow and then go for Leh day after tomorrow. We decided we will go for local sight seeing tomorrow at 9 AM. We fixed the  taxi rate and go to hotel room. It was still drizzling. We fresh up and went outside for dinner. On the way we purchase winter cap as we will go Leh Gulmarg and it was very cold there. Then we walk besides the road. It was nice place. We went to one restaurant and had dinner. Then we come back to hotel and take rest.This was all about day 1 in Srinagar.

Sunday, March 9, 2014

ZINDAGI ME THI EK NANHI PARI ...

Zindagi me thi ek nanhi pari,
Phool ki thi jaise koi chhoti si kali.
Karte the kitni sari baatain hum,
Zindagi jaise thi khusyon se bhari.

Na jane kyun wo rooth gayi,
Mere haatho se kyun wo chhoot gayi.
Dil me dabi thi kitni sari baatain,
Sab jaise aansuon me beh gayi.

Dil ki bas ab yahi tamanna hai,
Beetey zindagi teri pyar ki sakhaon main.
Kyunki tadap tadap ke dil yahin bole,
Rehna hai bas teri yaadon ki narm chaon main.

Roj akele apne se baatain kiya karta hun,
chup chap teri yaadon me roya karta hun.
iss zindagi ke tanah safar me,
aksar tera chehra dhoonda karta hun.

Mujhe to bas teri hi arzoo hai,
Mujhe to bas teri hi justjoo hai.
Tu chahe jo bhi raste me chale,
Meri manzil bas tu hi tu hai.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

KAL AAJ AUR KAL..

Hai aaj din suhane bade,
Kal ki baat kaun yaad kare,
Kal ki baat kuan fariyaad kare.
Log to khus hai apne aaj me,
Kal kya tha sochke kaun aaj ko barbad kare.

Logon ko jhumte dekh aaj kal se bola,
Dekh bagiyan me kese phool khile hai,
Dekh aaj chaman me kese rang mile hai,
Tu kyun hai iss zindagi me,
Jab log tujhe bhool kar aaj me phire hai.

Kal muskurake bola aaj se,
Phool to aaj khile hai kal murjha jayegenge,
Suraj me aaj chamak hai kal ast ho jayegenge,
Ye to pal bhar ki khusiyan hai,
Jo sab kuchh aaj hai wo kal me badal jayenge.

Phir yahi me bolunga... hai aaj,
Kal ke din kitne suhane the,
Zindagi me kitne fasane the,
Kyun aya hai ye aaj mere paas,
Kal thi to zindagi kitne haseen the.

Jab sab kuchh tha kal me,
phir kyun aya hai ye aaj,
Zindagi ka yahin niyam hai,
Kal kal tha to aaj aaj.