I don’t often write blogs now days, but the staying away from music last night got me thinking that what I have got from a place like Mumbai, a dream city to every Indian. Finally parked my self in front of a computer. So here it goes. I shifted here 6 months back, leaving my heavenly hometown ‘Panchgani’, my parents, my pets or for a combined effect, the people that I could call my own. All by myself in Mumbai. This place is beautiful, even with the over crowded streets and thin stray dogs ( yes, I noticed ), if you could watch it through my hazel eyes, it really is. It was a real good feeling coming back to this place, where people remember me as Miss. Popular Sport. But this time minus the arrogance and the attitude and plus the over-confident and non-moldable ethics (see, I completely agree with you Keerti), out here, in this city, which people call the real world. Starting my day early in the morning, “Bhenchod, Yeh Alarm Clock Kisne Invent Kiya”. Watching the same faces in train and flashing a ‘Good Morning’ smile at them. Strange, isn’t it?? The people you don’t even know become a part of your life..!! And Ofcorse, staying somewhere without your family, is when your friends come in site. Friends with all the filmy dialogs, obsession about looks and dress ups, with a cocktail of attitudes, sailing through their teenage. Trying their best to keep my temper down and humor high. All in love with my weapons. Second face of the coin says that everything is temporary, as for human nature prevails in all. And this is what Mumbai has taught me. To identify people, because what they show is not what they are. I say this of my experience. Many to pen down actually. Proving the most primitive quote of our lives wrong, “A friend in need is a friend indeed”. I try my best being one, except my habit of forgetting birthdays, I’m pretty nice. And to forgive the people, intended in the above paragraph. Though revenge is sweet. Hehehe..!! Here your contacts show your strength that the muscle power, fluent English is just another name of livelihood, ignoring a bleeding person for scheduled train, using slangs more than ‘Thank you’ and repeating the Sholay-tankee suicide scenes I don’t know how many times. It’s just a different but a funny and cruel world. Suddenly, you wake up to realize that this place is now your, earning you a tag of Mumbaikar, and every bad thing doesn’t sting you anymore like it did before. But somehow, deep down, the human is still alive; I have seen people getting Goosebumps on hearing the national anthem and crying when they meet their old friends. So is a balanced equation (Too much Chemistry I have been studying lately, I tell you) So here I am, head high and heart strong, finally mature enough, following my ethics of ‘ Never Regret’ strong enough to prove myself right, even if I’m wrong, getting into fights everyday, as that’s the only entertainment I get and still boarding the wrong train when I am sleepy. Missing home like never before and glad that I’m Kanta, not The Shrikanta Pol (doesn’t mean that you can take me lightly, I’m still the best) Deeply in love with ‘Mumbai Meri Jaan’. P.S.: I still need to catch Sunkanya Singh’s finger when I cross the road, so the child in me is still alive. I won’t let anyone rest in peace so easily.

Score One for the Kind Policemen Against Paragliding

Panchgani- Harrison’s Folly is one of the best flying sites in India. People have been flying here since a decade or two. And no wonder it is loved by everybody. All the people who are engaged with flying know that it is an adventure sport; therefore they have their own safety kit. But it is very kind of the local policemen to care about the safety of the pilot and the surrounding dams which is the reason why they banned flying only from Harrison’s Folly. Strange that pilots have been flying here for so long, but the police recently realized that—
1) They should have a license and certificates.
2) They would drop a bomb on the dam.
3) People driving on the road get distracted because of gliders.
4) Someone died in Panchgani 5 years back hanging on a huge kite (that is what they call a glider).
Isn’t that ridiculous!!! I would have made better stories than that.
2011 ends with logging just one flight from Panchgani. This place’s bad luck is in full form that nor we can fly nor land. The farmers down in landing area had caught up with a fight with Russians last season, this complain was registered by the Russian Embassy against the owner of the landing area. So he has strictly warned that no parachute will land in his territory ever again.
So here we are, can’t fly because the police has a problem, and even if we do, can’t do a top landing because the police will be waiting for you with sticks and can’t do a bottom landing because the farmer’s also got a stick (a bigger one in fact). What could be worst…?? This is all for now. Happy New Year…!
PS: I WANT TO CHANGE MY NATIONALITY ANY COUNTRY INTERESTED PLZZ LET ME KNOW.

EXAMS FREAK ME OUT!!!

Exams are so much pain, this not just my opinion but of all the 10 million people who have attempted for it. Exams are ofcorse necessary but why to fear children with it? Now a days, children no more get scared of ghost dreams but of exams. Waking up early in the morning or studying late till night, wouldn’t that harm someone’s health? I have my exams going on now, but I have noticed that after my every exam finishes I yet feel that my exams are yet to come and I don’t often get sleep at nights. Something is wrong or not in the system?
It is very clear for 80% of the population what they want to become then why study anything which is not at all helpful for us in future. If someone wants to become a scientist, then all those chemical formulas are essential but for a person who wants to become an actor or photographer then how are molecules and atoms going to help? I am a paraglider pilot but I never say “oh! I guess there are some atoms quarrelling in the nylon of my wing which is leading to the sink rate because they ain’t listening to me.” I mean how silly is that?
Every person has his own taste. Studying is fun for me when I study geography or economics or political science and I always top in those. But I have to study the other subjects… How Thales or Pythagoras or Faraday is going to help me if I have a collapse in my glider or if something like that in 2012 happen?
I wonder how geeks manage to study the subjects they don’t like or maybe they don’t like any therefore have to study everything and hence are called geeks.
Exams make me think extra than needed. No, seriously not joking!!! When I see light I think of physics, when I see a frog I think of biology, these are just two examples if I tell you about others it may take an hour to read.
Why do children barely of 15 years of age have to visit ‘Manashanti Centers’ (mind peace) after exams? It makes me freak-out even if I close my book for a minute during exams and get tensed. Specially the CCE pattern introduced by the CBSE in India; the worst ever. You can’t miss any assignments nor can bunk schools or tuitions, the teachers can even cut your marks if you misbehave in the class. In India if you sleep in the class or ask permission for drinking water is called misbehaving. My school is situated on one of the best hill stations in the country and we sit in class and enjoy the chalk dust.
I just hope these exams get over as soon as possible!!! After all paragliding is what I am actually living for and not some stupid exams.

SIV WITH SEBASTIAN BOURQUIN IN NEPAL...

My intension of visiting Nepal was to do an SIV [safety incident vol] course with Sebastian Bourquin [French champion, no.4 European championship, no.4 World Champion, no.4 in world cup overall, test pilot for 12 years, 23 years experience, Inventor of big ears, B stall, death spirals, Waga flying, etc.] which is considered one of the most important for all levels of paragliding be it beginners or advanced.
I met Sebastian a day before this course would start and was actually not sure if he would be able to do this course with me alone but later agreed. That evening I had a briefing in the Paranova office were I came to know that it was not me alone but also this guy from Hungary named Batash to company me in this course. I was truly prepared for this course, not at all scared because it was gonna help me get over my fear for any type of accidents in air but not ground.
The course started on 15th of May sharp 8am at Paranova store room. We had to remove our cushions from the harness as they may get wet in case if we fall in water. Seriously in vacations I never get up before 12 in afternoon but that day I woke up at 5am as it was bright at that time in Nepal and thought that the alarm didn’t ring and woke my mom up so early in the morning I didn’t sleep after that, got off from the bed, got ready at 6am.
By 9, we were on the take off, our exercise to do some asymmetrical collapses that is to close one side of the glider purposely and get out of it. And followed by other three flights. Frankly, I was not used to instruction any more during flying and couldn’t get it so frequently none of Sebastian’s mistake. He said “right” at least 10 times and on the 11th time I turned right. But later I understood his instructions when he made his language a bit mathematical and that was “180° right” I don’t know how cause I hate maths.
And then followed by other exercises that day which continued till 4 in the evening and after that it was not yet over, we had a briefing on a video on what mistakes we did and what we were supposed to do.
The second day was the most interesting of all cause it consisted of height reducing exercise in short stunts, first stunt of my life without doing it by mistakenly. First flight exercise was a super big ear which was invented by Sebastian himself. In that we were supposed to keep just 30% of our glider open which gradually decreased our height by almost 500m in a few turns and it truly did. And after that followed by B stall and deep spirals. I don’t know what was wrong B stall, I was hanging to the B lines of my glider but it wasn’t coming down, not even a centimeter, the most embarrassing, I wasn’t scared at all cause I had made up my mind to fall down without any pressure in my glider, I guess my glider was extra safe for me or I was too small for it. And then came deep spirals the most exciting, more exciting than a roller coaster. While doing that I could feel my blood rush to different ends of my body because of the g force and ended it really close to water.
After that was stall to back fly, were I did my biggest mistake in this course, but I guess my glider was yet extra safe. When Sebastian was briefing the exercise it seemed the easiest of all even while doing it, but it was the matter of not releasing the break soon after the wing stalls, but it required a lot of strength to keep the break half way to let the glider go to the back fly position. On First and second try the glider didn’t make that big collapses but on the third try the wing made a massive frontal collapse but that was what I was taught on the first day to recover such collapses. I’ve heard stories of people falling into the glider while doing this exercise and I was almost about to make one. I saw on the video in the briefing time after the practical session and it was scary.
On the next day, I had to make the same stall again, and this time I did it though for a very short time, but correctly. And then followed the spin and recovery, right side was correct but left hand is not my form hand and couldn’t make that deep spins as I did on the right side. After that was the reserve throw, while driving up to the takeoff I had changed my shoes to floaters. As soon as I took off I went on the water cause this time I had to fall in the water. After I came to a certain height, I threw the reserve open and after that was actually a physical work, to not let the glider go under me and to make a stall. I started pulling the breaks and after that I saw up to my reserve and there it was besides my glider hanging straight up and my glider making a butterfly above my head. The force of the opening reserve made me hop out of my harness. And then it was at least 10secs with the reserve in the air and then SPLASH directly into water. The kayaks rushed to me but I was extremely fine but my legs had tangled in the lines I was floating till the main boat came I removed my harness, helmet, etc. and preferred to swim back to the shore to relax a bit. The course was not yet over I had to dry my wings and other equipments and repack it. My glider had no more Panchgani dust and it was really beautiful without it, just like a blue butterfly. But there it was what no one was expecting to come, the black clouds, heavily filled with water, our gliders were yet to dry and it started raining. I repacked my wing and reserve loose to not let it catch humidity. After that we drove to Paranova office in the town. And that was the end of the course.
It was really great having an SIV with Sebastian and his team. I feel very lucky that whatever things I have learned in Paragliding was taught by the best.

FLYING PARADISE- NEPAL!!!

Nepal; Whenever you think about this country, though you have visited it or not but you imagine about the highest range in world The Himalayas and why not the whole country is surrounded by it and I guess that must be one of the reasons that Britishers couldn’t enter this country. The birth place of Buddha and Mt.Everest are the major speciallity of this country. But I went there to see none of them; a very few people in this world do paragliding and let me tell you if you are one of them you have to visit this site in Pokhra that is Sarangkot that is what my main intention was to fly on the highest flying site in world which is situated in none other than Nepal.
First flight from Sarangkot was really awesome, before taking off I consulted the local pilots for knowing the weather conditions, thermals and landing area; and specially speaking about landing area I thought it would be a small piece of land as usually it is but here it was totally different, it was almost a 100 acre plain grassland divided in two by a narrow stream of water which met the lake the foot line of the huge mountain. And as soon as I took off, wow it was paradise, on one side huge mountains covered with snow, under me was a huge lake [at least huge for me] and on the other side it was endless range of Himalaya.[personally recommend you to fly there and have a wonderful experience]
This is a very interesting country; a smaller version of India a decade after independence. 95 days strike in a whole year and I saw two of it…. Really not pleasant. All the shops, schools, vehicles are closed by the different castes on different days, I really wonder how this country works with so many days off and including the weekends?? But it was a very nice opportunity to have a swimming break and it was really fun….. freezing cold water in the lake. This lake had a temple in the middle of it like an island and being a long distance swimmer how could I wait to reach there, I was there in 5 minutes to visit this temple and returned back swimming.
It was really a brief view of this country…..much more to come :)

First Time Flying Abroad…

After a journey of 5 years in paragliding, I got a chance to fly out of India. It’s really interesting to go for an SIV course in Nepal; I was not permitted by anyone to do an SIV course because I did not have much experience on my glider but it’s been five year & I’m ready for it. It’s a different experience to fly in foreign winds and on a mountain which is six times higher than my regular takeoff site, after all meeting new pilots flying with them and with new condition and area is going to be challenging.
From my childhood I have been dreaming about flying on best sites, with the world’s best pilots, with the best instructor and in best conditions for XC and if I am getting all the best of it then I have to take the advantage of it or I’ll be the biggest fool in the world. It’s my second step in paving way to my paragliding career.
I’m going to fly in Nepal for almost a month, next year is my 10th grade in school so it’s time to pay attention more on studies for the whole year which means less flying, so I’m just full filling the time which I’m going to miss while studying and one month will be quite enough for it.
It’s just me from my village who is visiting a foreign country, as a pilot; speak more than 5 languages, studying in the best school and the topper of it, very rare to get all things together.
Thanks to all the pilots around the world for helping me getting through the theory and practical of paragliding, to the one from whom I learned very minute but important things about flying. Whatever I achieve in my life, everyone has an equal share in it.
That’s the reason why I’m thinking at the age of 15 if my nationality is of India or the world.

BATTLE OF PANIPAT- A TRIBUTE TO MY ANCESTORS

14th January, 1761
A historical day for Indians, and today after 250 years it’s memorized for a lesson, pride, a battle – Panipat.
Panipat was the largest battle fought in 18th century; it was a synonym of disaster. The battle pitted the French-supplied artillery and cavalry of the Marathas against the heavy cavalry and mounted artillery (zamburak and jizail) of the Afghans led by Ahmad Shah Durrani, an ethnic Pashtun, also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali.
The decline of the Mughal Empire had led to territorial gains for the Maratha Confederacy because the Mughal Empire didn’t had the capacity to fight back their enemy and therefore had to take the support of Maratha Army. Ahmad Shah Abdali, amongst others, was unwilling to allow the Maratha’s gains to go unchecked. In 1759, he raised an army from the Pashtun tribes and made several gains against the smaller garrisons. The Marathas, under the command of Sadashivrao Bhau, responded by gathering an army of between 100,000-150,000 people with which they ransacked the Mughal capital of Delhi. There followed a series of skirmishes along the banks of the river Yamuna at Karnal and Kunjpura which eventually turned into a two-month-long siege led by Abdali against the Marathas.
The specific site of the battle itself is disputed by historians but most consider it to have occurred somewhere near modern day Kaalaa Aamb and Sanauli Road. The battle lasted for several days and involved over 225,000 men. Protracted skirmishes occurred, with losses and gains on both sides. The forces led by Ahmad Shah Durrani came out victorious after destroying several Maratha flanks. The extent of the losses on both sides is heavily disputed by historians, but it is believed that between 100,000+ were killed in fighting, while numbers of the injured and prisoners taken vary considerably. The main generals Sadashivrao Bhau and Vishwasrao Peshwa and 27 other officers were also killed .The result of the battle was the halting of the Maratha advances in the North. The people who were injured or were not willing to come back to their native place, stayed in Panipat and now are called RHODE MARATHAS.
These warriors are discriminated because they lost the battle, but the main thing is they fought, died, never showed their back to the coming terror of death. History is written by the winners, and the winners of this battle wrote that the Maratha warriors fought very bravely.
The reason why I am writing this is, in that battle at least one man from each house from a whole state [ Maharashtra] died, many of my ancestors also lost their lives in this battle and I am proud to pay a tribute to them.

HISTORY OF BEST NATIONAL ANTHEM IN THE WORLD!!!

INDIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM WAS AWARDED AS THE BEST NATIONAL ANTHEM BY UNESCO. THIS IS ITS HISTORY:
Jana Gana Mana is the national anthem of India. Written in highly Sanskritize Bengali, it is the first of five stanzas of a Bramho hymn composed and scored by Noble laureate Rabindranath Tagore. It was first sung at the Kolkata Session of the Indian National Congress on 27 December 1911. Jana Gana Mana was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly as the Indian national anthem on January 24, 1950:
Jana gaṇa mana adhināyaka jaya he
Bhārata bhāgya vidhātā
Punjāba Sind Gujarāṭa Marāṭhā
Drāviḍa Utkala Banga
Vindhya Himāchala Yamunā Gangā
Ucchala jaladhi taranga
Tava śubha nāme jāge
Tava śubha āśiṣa māge
Gāhe tava jaya gāthā
Jana gaṇa mangala dāyaka jaya he
Bhārata bhāgya vidhāta
Jaya he jaya he jaya he
Jaya jaya jaya jaya he!

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:-
Thou art the ruler of the minds of all people,
Dispenser of India's destiny.
Thy name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sindh , Gujarat & Maratha
Of the Dravid and Orissa and Bengal,
It echoes in the hills of the vindhyas and Himalayas
mingles in the music of Jamuna and Ganga and is
chanted by the waves of the Indian Ocean.
They pray for thy blessings and sing thy praise.
The saving of all people waits in thy hand,
Thou dispenser of India's destiny.
Victory, victory, victory, Victory to thee.

A formal rendition of the national anthem takes fifty-two seconds. A shortened version consisting of the first and last lines (and taking about 20 seconds to play) is also staged occasionally. Tagore wrote down the English translation of the song and along with Margaret Cousins, set down the notation which is followed till this day. It is of interest that another poem by Tagore (Amar Shonar Bangla) is the national anthem of Bangladesh.

In July 1985 in the state of Kerala, some of the Jehovah's Witnesses' children were expelled from school under the instructions of Deputy Inspector of Schools for having refused to sing the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. A parent, V. J. Emmanuel, appealed to the Supreme Court of India for legal remedy. On August 11, 1986, the Supreme Court overruled the Kerala High Court, and directed the respondent authorities to re-admit the children into the school. The decision went on to add: "Our tradition teaches tolerance, our philosophy preaches tolerance, our Constitution practices tolerance, let us not dilute it".

The poem was composed in December 1911, precisely at the time of the Coronation Durbar of George V, and "Bharat Bhagya vidhata" and "Adhinayaka" is considered by some to be in praise of King George V and not God. The composition was first sung during a convention of the then loyalist Indian National Congress in Kolkata on Dec. 26, 1911. It was sung on the second day of the convention, and the agenda of that day devoted itself to a loyal welcome of George V on his visit to India. The event was reported thus in the British Indian press:
"The Bengali poet Babu Rabindranath Tagore sang a song composed by him specially to welcome the Emperor." (Statesman, Dec. 28, 1911)
"The proceedings began with the singing by Babu Rabindranath Tagore of a song specially composed by him in honour of the Emperor." (Englishman, Dec. 28, 1911)
"When the proceedings of the Indian National Congress began on Wednesday 27th December 1911, a Bengali song in welcome of the Emperor was sung. A resolution welcoming the Emperor and Empress was also adopted unanimously." (Indian, Dec. 29, 1911)

In 2005, there were calls to delete the word "Sindh" and substitute it with the word Kashmir. The argument was that Sindh was no longer a part of India, having become part of Pakistan as a result of the Partition of 1947. Opponents of this proposal hold that the word "Sindh" refers to the Indus and to Sindhi culture, and that Sindhi people are an integral part of India's cultural fabric. The Supreme Court of India declined to change the national anthem and the wording remains unchanged.
The actual poem written by Rabindranath Tagore was of 5 stanzas:

Stanza 1:-
Jano Gano Mano Adhinaayako Jayo Hey,Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa
Panjaabo Sindhu Gujaraato Maraathaa,Draabiro Utkalo Bango
Bindhyo Himaachalo Jamunaa Gangaa, Uchchhalo Jalodhi Tarango
Tabo Shubho Naamey Jaagey, Tabo Shubho Aashisho Maagey
Gaahey Tabo Jayogaathaa
Jano Gano Mangalo Daayako, Jayo Hey Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa
Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey,Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey Oh!

TRANSLATION:
the ruler of the minds of people, Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India!
Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, Maharashtra,Dravida(South India), Orissa, and Bengal,
The Vindhya, the Himalayas, the Yamuna, the Ganges,and the oceans with foaming waves all around
Wake up listening to Your auspicious name, Ask for Your auspicious blessings,
And sing to Your glorious victory.
Oh! You who impart well being to the people!
Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India!
Victory to Thee, victory to Thee, victory to Thee, Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory to Thee!
(refrain repeated five times)

Stanza 2:-
Ohoroho Tobo Aahbaano Prachaarito,Shuni Tabo Udaaro Baani
Hindu Bauddho Shikho Jaino,Parashiko Musholmaano Christaani
Purabo Pashchimo Aashey,Tabo Singhaasano Paashey
Premohaaro Hawye Gaanthaa
Jano Gano Oikyo Bidhaayako Jayo Hey,Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa
Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey,Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey

TRANSLATION:
Your call is announced continuously,we heed Your gracious call
The Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, Parsees, Muslims, and Christians,
The East and the West come,to the side of Your throne
And weave the garland of love.
Oh! You who bring in the unity of the people!
Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India!

Stanza 3:-
Potono Abhbhudoy Bandhuro Ponthaa,Jugo Jugo Dhaabito Jaatri
Hey Chiro Saarothi, Tabo Ratha Chakrey Mukhorito Potho Dino Raatri
Daaruno Biplabo Maajhey,Tabo Shankhodhwoni Bajey
Sankato Dukkho Traataa
Jano Gano Potho Parichaayako,Jayo Hey Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa
Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey,Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey

TRANSLATION:
The way of life is somber as it moves through ups and downs,But we, the pilgrims, have followed it through ages.
Oh! Eternal Charioteer, the wheels of your chariot echo day and night in the path
In the midst of fierce revolution, your conch shell sounds.
You save us from fear and misery
Oh! You who guide the people through tortuous path...
Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India!

Stanza 4:-
Ghoro Timiro Ghono Nibiro,Nishithey Peerito Murchhito Deshey
Jagrato Chhilo Tabo Abicholo Mangalo,Noto Nayoney Animeshey
Duhswapney Aatankey,Rokkhaa Koriley Ankey
Snehamoyi Tumi Maataaa
Jano Gano Duhkho Trayako,Jayo Hey Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa
Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey,Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey

TRANSLATION:
During the bleakest of nights,when the whole country was sick and in swoon
Wakeful remained Your incessant blessings,through Your lowered but winkless eyes
Through nightmares and fears,You protected us on Your lap
Oh Loving Mother
Oh! You who have removed the misery of the people...
Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India!

Stanza 5:-
Raatri Prabhatilo Udilo Rabichhabi, Purbo Udayo Giri Bhaaley
Gaahey Bihangamo Punyo Samirano, Nabo Jibano Rasho Dhaley
Tabo Karunaaruno Ragey,Nidrito Bhaarato Jagey
Tabo Chorone Noto Maatha
Jayo Jayo Jayo Hey, Jayo Rajeshwaro,Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa
Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey,Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey

TRANSLATION:
The night is over, and the Sun has risen over the hills of the eastern horizon.
The birds are singing, and a gentle auspicious breeze is pouring the elixir of new life.
By the halo of Your compassion India that was asleep is now waking
On your feet we lay our heads
Victory be to You, the Supreme King...
Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India!

UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL-INDIA

December 1992-January 1993
The worst days of any Indian’s life, it was the beginning of Hindu-Muslim riots. The reason was, some corrupted ministers encouraged the Hindu mob to break down the mosque built by Babur which was built by breaking the Ram temple, many leaders or we can say the opposition party proved that this insult would be unbearable if that person respected Islamism and the riots begin, resulting the mob went out of control of any minister or religious leader, people were cut down or simply burnt on the road. There was a high alert in the country. This riot can be called as a man-made disaster; it caused a huge damage to life and property which took India almost 15 years back. After everything was settled in the country, there was a case filled on the name of Lord Shri Ram.
On 30th September, 2010 the result of this case was announced. The majority part of that land was given to the Hindus and just the 1/3 part of it was given to Muslims. But after the result was declared the people gave very surprising reaction on this; no one was harmed physically or mentally. Muslims even though did not get the expected results, stayed calm nor did Hindus overreacted. I guess this is why India is developing. All have understood the importance of unity; no one is discriminated on the basis of their religion, caste, gender or color.
India has a 5000 years old history of defense, it has never fought for land. The boundary of India was till Iran. India was the first country to give up its land to Pakistan after winning the war.
India has avoided three major wars:
The Kargil, the Parliamentary attack and the Mumbai Taj hotel incident.
The Common Wealth Games 2010 is organized in India with a mind-blowing opening ceremony.
The Economic Rate of India is almost 10%,
It is the 5th country to have its own currency sign,
There are no more loans taken from the International Monetary Fund,
Can be said that British really civilized us,
Many rulers came and thought very important lesson though indirectly; STRENGHT LIES IN UNITY!!!

FRIENDSHIP DAY...........

Do you know????
In 1935 U.S.A government killed a man on 1st Saturday of August and the next day his best friend committed suicide. In his memory friendship day is celebrated.
The first Sunday in the month of August has been designated as the Friendship Day. It is the 75th friendship day. This year, Sunday being on 1 August, 2010, the first day of the month, Friendship Day is being celebrated throughout the world on 1 August.
Friendship is one of the most beautiful relationships that have evolved since the beginning of the human race. Other than immediate blood relations, friends are the most valued persons in one’s life. It usually develops with the same age groups with more or less identical nature and interests.
Friendship day doesn’t means tying of friendship bands but it means to pay a day from your life for your friends telling them their presence and importance in your life.
A message for my friends:
We've known each other by CHANCE, became friends by CHOICE, still friends by DECISION and when we say FRIENDS FOREVER it’s definitely a lifetime PROMISE!!!

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS….

“GLOBAL WARMING” what do we understand by this word?
In simple words, it is increase in the temperature of the atmosphere due to human activities, which are causing certain loss to the environment like the quick melting of glaciers, less rain for agricultural activities, etc. might be the world cares about it. It is the government of every country, asking the people to contribute bit of time from their busy schedules for the sake of our mother earth. There are many schemes of government informing us about the loss we are causing to the environment.

The population is increasing, the rains are decreasing, the increase in the demand of food grains, production of food grain not able to keep pace with the needs of the people, resulting increase in the costs of regular use items, increase in taxes, poor people suffer; these would not matter a rich man much because he needs passion worthy cars, a huge house and all. But for some time, keep these all things aside and think if the story of the movie 2012 comes true, will these all things be of any use.

Global Warming is also affecting the adventure games. Paragliding in India starts generally around October but the rains started late, therefore it will end late and the paragliding season will shorten it’s extend as the heat is also increasing day by day. It is in these couple of years, that it is raining so light even in the month of July in Panchgani [a hill station in India which is known for its rains and schools].
What we can do for our earth is trying reducing the use of private vehicles, plant lots of trees, prefer walking or cycling for short distances than using cars or bikes and mark my words if each of us follow these small instructions, we can increase the life of our earth.

So let’s stop speaking and start working because actions speak louder than words.

THE WAVING FLAG...............

A beautiful song by k’naan which is an inspiration for all people in this mighty world. Though India doesn’t play football internationally but it plays cricket which is the most famous game and is seen in every corner of a road; this game was brought by the Britishers to India and it is said that 70% of the income of the International Cricket Council is by the people of India. It has millions of rupees which are given to the players for a match but more than that is representing your country though it is any sort of game.
Paragliding is a game courage and presence of mind but it doesn’t have much scope in India. There are many competitions like world cups but people are hardly interested to know about it.
We are all recognized as a representative of our country and not our religion or the work we do. I am proud that I am called an Indian first and later a young paraglider pilot though my country people don’t have any idea of my game. I’ll surely represent my country, my people, my religion and later myself which would be a great opportunity of me. I’ll start my practice soon for the pre-world cup though I know that I am not going to win for the first time. But I’ll surely see to it that my name is registered as SHRIKANTA POL-INDIA and I’ll be waiting for that day when I represent my country.

FLIGHT FROM THE HIGHEST FLYING SIGHT OF INDIA.......

 

Flying at the highest flying sight of India, which is Bir, [Himachal Pradesh] was a privilege for me. I was always said that height wouldn’t matter me if I have the guts to fly in such a small age, but that isn’t true. Not just me, but anyone in this world would be scared if they suddenly go so high. I have been flying on a considerably small mountain, in the start of the autumn vacations, I was said that I have to fly in the great and huge mountain range which includes Mt.Everest, K2 and Kanchenjunga; the three highest mountain of the world, it was THE HIMALAYAS. Sounds too interesting!!!
I left my house, wishing everything would be fine. I reached Bir, late at night, unfortunately I didn’t see the mountains due to the darkness, but I asked for other pilot’s advice about the sight and the weather conditions and all said that it would be fantastic after certain flights.
The next morning, I made up my mind to fly on a new sight and sat in a car which was going to drop me at the flying sight. It took a really long time to climb the mountain and finally I was near the takeoff point. It was my first time on that sight; so many experienced pilots were advising me. They all showed me a place which was visible not more than 2cm from that height, as the landing area.
I opened my glider and pined up my harness. It was my first flight so I decided to do a bottom landing. I pulled the glider and was in the air. After that I was on my own. That time was the most beautiful time I ever had in the air; the huge work of nature and the wonderful greenery around which felt like heaven. I enjoyed that scene for a long time and later concentrated on the landing area. I didn’t have much flying experience that time, so I couldn’t judge the landing area. It took a really long time to reduce a feet of distance and at that time I was scared by the height I gained unnecessarily during appreciating the work of Mother Nature. That time what I was supposed to do was try for some S-turns and I did it but after a short break. And after some time, when I went closer to the land, I couldn’t believe my eyes, the landing area not 2cm but so big that two Olympic size swimming pools would easily fit into it and there were hundreds of people sitting down and seeing the other pilots fly. I landed down safely with no more fear of great heights because I had done a flight from the highest flying sight of India.

IT HAPPENS!!!!!

We all check our equipments before we take off, I did the same on that day. It’s been a really long time that I have learnt to take off but that day was really unlucky for me. It had been a long time but I was not able to take off. All people around were getting hyper watching me fall so many times but I never cared. My lines were all getting jumbled but they were again getting cleared on their own.
At last, I took off from the ridge but there was a huge gust which picked me up with a great speed. My glider was pushed to the other side of the valley, all pilots from the ground were screaming “BRAKES UP” I lucky heard that and did the same when I looked up to my glider I saw a knot on my left brake line. I was yet being pushed back to the other side of the valley. I decided to turn and land in the other valley side but as I turned and faced the other valley; there were huge gusts which collapsed the sides of my glider, I was parallel to my glider. It was acting really weird and was doing wing overs on its own. It reduced my height and got me to the ground with a great speed. I was banged on the ground and the glider dragged me for a long distance but at last I was safe, there were many of them who came running but I stood still and started checking if anything was broken in my body. But I was totally in one piece. Ya! But I had got a slight jerk on my back but that was fine. When I returned back on the take off, many pilots said that I am adventurous, but I know what my condition in the air was. I was not panic, nor I was scared, I just didn’t understand for a few seconds that what was wrong with my glider. I was on the ground till I could understand that!!!
That was my last flight of season 2009-2010, the wind grew quit violent later. Now I am waiting for the rainy season to finish in Panchgani [India] so that I can again go for some crazy things like this!!! FLY SAFE!!!

DO NOT USE OTHER’S EQUIPMENTS!!!!

 

You are always told that ‘’DO NOT USE OTHER’S EQUIPMENTS’’. Well, I was never told that when I started paragliding.
Two years before, I went to a trip to Bir, it was raining there when I reached. After 2-3 days the weather cleared and was suitable for flying. I went on the site and saw that it was too windy for me, resulting; I had to sit, observing others fly. My friend Ram, from manali, gave me a lot of information about that site. He wanted to fly but he didn’t get his glider, so I gave him my glider to fly as he was in that weight range. I never knew that he changed the settings of my harness.
The very next day, the weather was good for flying. I opened my glider, pined up my harness, and was ready for a flight. I picked my glider up and felt that I had no feeling on my glider, I thought it may be because of the extra weight that I am carrying in my harness to equalize my weight. I pushed myself off the ridge and leaned forward everything was normal. But when I tried to sit in my harness, it took me back with it. I got damn scared!!! I was not getting the judgment of my brake lines nor could I see the landing area. I don’t what happened but I got a strike in my mind and tried for weight shift though I never practiced for it any time, a picture of a biker came in my mind while doing weight shifting to sharpen his turns. While doing this I made a judgment of landing, the mountain was too high so I could take as much time I wanted. At last I landed down safely, in the landing area, without any damage to myself and my glider.
That day I learned a lesson, never use other’s gliders and don’t let anyone use yours.
PLEASE NOTE: IT MAY RESULT MORE DANGEROUS, OTHER THAN JUST A LESSON.

Equipment maintenance.……………..

We all do respect our equipments, but I feel, we should again recall its maintenance. This knowledge is mostly given in a beginner book.
The proper maintenance of our equipment is critical to maintenance airworthiness. Taking a few simple precautions we can significantly extend the life of our canopy.
• Do not expose your canopy to more sunlight. Keep the paraglider in the bag until you are ready to fly and pack it up as soon as you can after flying.
• Do not expose your canopy in excess of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not store your canopy in your car, or in your trunk, or in the bed of a truck. Extreme temperature can also degrade the rubber bands used for the proper deployment of your reserve parachute.
• Never use a knot to tie a broken line together. It changes the line length appreciably and reduces the breaking strength significantly.
• Keep your paragliders dry. Paragliders are flight certified while dry & a wet glider may behave quite differently. If the canopy gets wet, dry it in the shade or indoors. Do not sore it packed up wet since it may weaken the fibers. If your paraglider gets wet in the ocean, you must flush the salt water out of the paraglider thoroughly, and then dry it thoroughly before packing it up. Crystallized salt may abrade and weaken your lines, and therefore the lines may need to be replaced if soaked in salt water.
• Avoid washing your paraglider with any soap or detergent; it is normally best to only use water. If dirt gets ingrained in the fabric then a mild non-abrasive detergent may be used with a soft sponge. Never scrub the canopy with anything other than a soft sponge or cloth as you may damage the lightweight fabric and the UV coating.
• Do not make any attempt to repair the glider yourself. All repairs should be done by a qualified repair technician. An exception to this rule is small tears in the fabric that are not located on high-stress areas may be repaired with special self-adhesive rip-stop nylon sail repair tape. Do not walk on or kink the lines.
• Avoid dragging the canopy along the ground.
• Do not pack up the canopy on hard surface with objects that could cause puncture damage (rocks, sticks, thorns, etc.).
• When storing your glider for extended periods, loosen the ties to reduce the stress on the fabric and allow better air circulation.

(Reference- PARAGLIDING: A Pilot’s Training Manual)

PRACTICING WITH WORLD'S BEST PILOTS!!! ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES.....

Being a junior pilot, I was flying with the world ranking pilots. It sounds too energetic. At first glance you feel like being at their place and enjoying the flight. Those deep spirals, wing over, B-stall, etc. which was impossible for me that time. I saw many senior pilots like Mani, Mike, Pascal, Antonio, Dave, etc. whose flying taught me many things in Paragliding.
If you see them flying, you learn many things like weight shifting, deep turns, flying close to the ridge, etc. these are the advantages, but you need to be a good observer for that.
But their flying can also teach you some bad things, if you don’t learn them the right way and right time, they all did that and now they are highly experienced pilots. Well I tried that many times and it was deadly for me as a junior pilot. That day I was trying to go for deep and fast 360s, I don’t know what happened, but my glider went in a spin and I performed a stunt ‘HELICOPTER’ I had a good control on my glider so it recovered, but everyone thought that it was a stunt. And I was called ACRO after that. Paragliding is not an easy game and I understood this later. This event took place accidently but it taught me a lesson.
Please note: ‘Observation is good, but you should use it on the right place’ FLY SAFE!!!

DECEPLINE FLYING ROUTINE....................

To win any battle of your life, you need to frame it. Framing can also be defined as ROUTINE. It counts each and every minute of a day and the schedule of that period.
During holidays, my day starts at 6:00am in the morning, I reach at the table land in Panchgani at 6:45 for ground handling, the between time I dress up and the other ½ an hour goes in travelling. Ground Handling session for 2 hours till 9:00am. Then breakfast in Panchgani market. Later, for flying to Harrison Folly. If I do a top to top flight then I do 2-3 short time flights and if I go for a top to bottom flight then I do 1 flight, but if the weather is good I go back to the sight for another one all way long. After 11am, mostly the wind grows violent which many pilot suggest, not good for me. At that time, I watch the other pilots flying, trying to learn something. Many cross-country pilots attempt for a cross-country at that time, they are Dilip Kotecha from India, Dave from Britain, etc. I wish I could fly with them for a cross-country one day. Doing flying regularly is good, but observing other people flying and learning from them is more important.
After that, I go for my lunch to Wai, and go back at 3:30pm as the wind grows lighter at that time. Flying in the smooth wind is fun, I take long flights at that time and land after the sunset. While flying, one man is always behind me with a stick, he is Andre Savard. He is a very helpful person but strict also. He keeps on shouting for people’s welfare. He helps all the pilots around, though he knows them or not. It is good to have people like Andre, around you.

ONE HAS TO BE AN ATHLETE………………………

Play any game, but it is necessary to have an Athlete physic first. It includes good stamina, strength and flexibility with firm determination. For that you need proper coach and training.
The whole world says the same
But who all follow this!!!
It sounds too energetic to say but is very hard and bugging in practical.
When I started swimming I was quite hefty. I used to do a bit of running and nothing else for fitness. For some days, I was doing good, but after reaching a certain level I understood that I was lacking in fitness. My timing for the swimming events was not changing for a year. Then I realized the importance of physical training. The very next day my father called Mr. Afzal Pathan from Wai for physical training. He trained me for a month. The exercises which he thought me were not taken from the books, these were natural exercises. In these days my fitness level and self instruction theory was increased.
I actually was playing two games together – Swimming & Paragliding. I had to decide which game to play professionally, I chose Paragliding.
My fitness also helped me in Paragliding. I was not having the required strength for this game, therefore I was not able to control my glider on the ground, which is the most important to understand your glider. Many of them asked me to go for ground handing practice but I was not able to keep my glider on my head on the ground. Later I had to increase my work out to become strong. Like Rocky Marciano and other boxers I had to go for some arm workout, for example: digging, hill climbing with weight, pulling water from wells, gym workout, carrying weight on my arms and swimming, etc. This increased my power, stamina, endurance and confidence which all most made my ground handling perfect which was essential. Other pilots also started appreciating my improvement in Paragliding.
I am not 14 years old yet, but I feel somewhat I am better than before. And I am confident that I will be able to compete with other pilots all around the world, in 4-5 years.
Please note : Paragliding is not an easy game. You need to be 100% fit physically and mentally.

First accident I saw……………[Shashi Yadav]

“FLYING BANNED IN PANCHGANI” on that day, only permitted for me. A day before, the PSI of Panchgani Police Station had banned Paragliding due to more Air Traffic on the sites. The same night, I went to Shreemant Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhosale to meet him. I informed him about the ban in Panchgani. The very next moment he called the PSI and the Collector of the area to allow me to fly solo.
The next morning I went to the Police Station to confirm my permission to fly. Only I was given permission to fly, as soon as I came out of the Police Station, a Tandom Pilot showed me the News Paper titled as “The Youngest Paraglider Pilot not given access to practice flying”.
Later, after having my breakfast, I took my glider and went on the site to fly. I opened my glider and took it on the take off point, on the same time, Shashi-a Tandom Pilot came to help me for my take off as I was not so good at it. I took off and had a top to bottom flight. As soon as I landed I saw one more green glider taking off and as usual I forgot my radio set, I could not confirm who was it. That glider was also approaching to land and I could clearly see that the Pilot was not wearing shoes, he was on his floaters; he was not having a proper harness; and was flying on a really old glider, which I know, was not safe. He was just about to land, but pulled the breaks when he was about 7-8 feet above the ground resulting in a stall. He came down in a great speed and started screaming as he banged on the ground. I knew it was painful. I tried to call someone to help him to get up, but no one was there around to help. Later, a villager with his hoe heard him scream. Luckily he had his mobile with only Rs.4.78 balance. I called my father and told him all the story. He immediately came there and we took him in the nearby hospital, carrying him in a sleeping bag.
After his check up we came to know that his 3rd disc of the back bone was crushed and needed to be operated immediately, but facilities were not available. So he was taken to Pune for treatment.
He had three operations, yet he became paralised for 2 years. That time I assumed the seriousness of this accident.
PLEASE NOTE : USE PROPER EQUIPMENTS AND ALWAYS CARRY A MEDIUM OF COMMUNICATION