Travelling is always fun. But, to travel all alone is very boring. I ended up doing exactly that over the weekend to attend the annual rathotsava at hulugundi. The rathotsava is a colorful cultural and religious congregation of all people whose roots are linked to the small village hulugundi. After quite a while I was travelling alone in a ksrtc bus. As I did not find any rajahamsa or airavat buses I had to settle for the normal one, though these newer rainbow ones are better than the older red boxes I used to travel when I was a kid they aren't great given the fact that the bm road to Hassan is still under construction.
Good roads are very much essential for the progress of a nation, more so in India. A robust road network could be a starting point to solve many of the nations age-old problems like illitracy, poverty, casteism and etc. With connectivity fewer people would move out of villages and smaller towns. It would then be mucch more cheaper and efficient for companies to set up their factories in smaller towns. This would in-turn reduce the load on bigger cities if fewer people migrate from small towns and villages. I don't think my dad or others in his generation would have moved to bengaluru if they had found decent jobs in and around hulugundi. Ironically, this beautiful village still does not have good roads, this after my dad and others moved out and can now afford swanky cars. Either people are faster at moving to places if opportunity or the governments have been so slow in realizing the importance of roads or both. With better connectivity I hope well wducated people using scientific methods get into agriculture. It is very much essential to revive the green revolution of yore to feed the billion people.

2009 - The year that was.

Sometimes a year seems like eternity and there are other occasions when a year passes by in a breeze. The year 2009 was sort of a mixed bag for me. The first half seemed like an eternity and the second whizzed past before I could wink. The year started off pretty boring. Everything seemed to be stagnant, my career, personal life and even my travels. The first couple of months were really bad and the recession made it seem like hell. Finally, after a lot of planning we decided to make a spiritual trip to Uttaranchal. The trip was indeed an eye-opener. It gave me a chance to reflect and introspect on my life. It was the start that I needed. The discussions with friends on the trip took me to a different level altogether. Rafting in the holy Ganga was like the icing on the cake.

Just like the previous time I had seen the great Himalayas, I got an opportunity to travel to the US shortly after. It was indeed a blessing in disguise. The initial few weeks were bad with loads of work, but then turned out to be pretty amazing once I got back to my own. Meeting old friends, making new friends and travelling in a different country is such a relieving experience and can do wonders. Eagar was a new experience as well. Also, got to see the Niagara this time, which was a dream unfulfilled on my previous visit. Just before I got back home another of my long standing ambition was acquired, when I was able to get my hands on an iPhone!!!

Little did I know what was in store for me once I got back home. As soon as I was back home Appa and Amma had plans to get me married off. Like all guys I was extremely apprehensive of getting into an arranged marriage with an unknown person. But, I gave in to my parents wish and agreed to give it a try. It was very pleasant surprise when I met Nethra for the first time. The surprise did not last for long as we fell in love with each other very shortly. And being in love is a very wonderful feeling anyways. The next three months flew by. There was a whiff of fresh air in my life. I then started looking forward to life like never before. All apprehentions within me about marriage were quashed by her just by being herself.

Between this there was a bike trip to hampe. The ruins were splendid, but my mind was elsewhere. As the year came to an end my marrige dates were finalized and some planning had already started. Unlike the previous year I did not want to stay in bengaluru for the new years. So, off we went to trek on kudremukh peak and then welcome the year on a beach front in gokarna. The place was calm and serene considering it was new year's eve. The time spent away from the maddening crowds and cellphone networks with a bunch of amazing people did get me charged up for the coming year.

I am now looking forward to 2010. Its the year when I would be married. I hope the year turns out to be peaceful as well.