My aikido gang with Sensei

New Delhi Aikido Dojo

My Birthday

For my birthday I called three of my friends. We played a lot, we watched the Kung fu Panda then for lunch we went to Subway and ate some awesome sandwiches.

We bought a cake at Rainbows and then had a cool party at home.

The dreaming King fisher...........

This is a canvas which i completed recently, i called it the "dreaming King fisher"

Viva les espana...........

When the Euro 2008 started, i was supporting Spain. My friends & cousins thought i was mad, they were all saying Portugal, Italy or Germany will win, but in the end my favourite team won haha !!

Roaming Roms

My visit to Delhi…….. Before I left for Delhi my friends had warned me that Delhi is going to be too hot & advised me not to go. Though I knew they were speaking the truth I told them that the heat cannot bother or affect me, coz I am too cool. The day we reached delhi the heat was killing but we left for the hills two days later.

The journey to Kathgodam by Ranikhet Express was the most memorable one. We had reservations, but it seemed that travelling in the train did not need any reservations. The train was more of a circus than an train. There were people who offered to exchange seats with them, but we soon realised that but those people had no reservations. We met 4 cool characters who had their own problems.

The first dude was from Kota in Rajasthan & his problem was that his nephew did not smile. The second guy was a stud from From Delhi & he had conflicting emotions whether to sleep or to watch the drama which was unfolding in the train. The third guy was from nowhere & he had one of the weirdest problems. According to him a policeman in uniform was was with a woman who was not his wife & so he took up the fight with the policeman. Both of them were calling their own contacts & arguing with each other, when the fourth dude entered. He was also a policeman & a stranger to the party. His name was M.K.Yadav & he was very cool in handling the situation. By now the story can be imagined by anyone, the four deadly characters, with Moradabad as the junction of all this turmoil only made the trip more exciting.

The next morning we reached our destination & we were really happy with the weather. We had a trek up the mountain which seemed to be never ending, but when we reached the top we found the trek was worth the effort. The place was called Jilling & the vacation was one of the most enjoyable ones we had. We had a cottage around which there were dense forests which had leopards, mysterious langoors who seemed to change their shapes, sizes 7 colours. We really enjoyed ourselves in the day, ‘though the nights were a bit scary. We walked high up to the ridge about 7,200 ft & saw many rare birds like the Lammergier, Black Eagle & the Himalayan Griffon. The rest of the time went in playing cricket, while playing we discovered a new talent whose name was Daya. We named him Jogi, because he bowled like Joginder Sharma of T20 fame, & also he liked his new name. He accompanied us on all our trips. He enjoyed our company & we enjoyed his.


When our holiday in Jilling was over we went to Saatal, spent our day bir watching. The owner of the place seemed to have like us so much that he did not charge us any thing for the lunch for all of us & the time we spent in his hotel.

We left in the evening for the station in Kathgodam & reached Delhi early in the morning. When we reached we realised the weather was not at all hot & the temperature had fallen by 9 degrees, there had been a hail storm that morning. We had loved the weather in the hills But we hardly knew that it too loved us & was following us to Delhi.

The day we arrived in delhi was also my Birthday
& so we celebrated it by having pizzas & Black Forest cake. Life in Delhi was very chilled out as I went to sleep only early in the morning & just managed to wake up at the time of lunch. Everything was cool until the day of my result was announced. I was afraid & my hands were trembling when I was pressing the keys of the key board to find out my result. But when I saw my marks I was really delighted & was in a mood to celebrate. We went to a restaurant named Angels in the Kitchen for dinner.

The next few days we spent roaming around Delhi. We went to Gurgaon, then Dilli Haat, in the night, I really liked the atmosphere there. One day we went to Old Delhi. We travelled by the Delhi Metro, which I found as good as the trains abroad. We visited Jama masjid & also enjoyed the cycle rickshaw ride from Chawri bazaar to Chandini Chowk. We ate in Parathewale galli & enjoyed the deep fried parathas while cursing them, the paratha were horribly good. In the night we watched the Sound & Light show at the Red Fort which reminded us of the times of the mughals & brought us to the life of what ever was written in our text books. One day, i went to Akshardham, I enjoyed the exhibition & the carvings there, but the best part was the food over there.

We were all getting ready to leave for Bombay when we heard from the news that the protesting Gujjars had dug up tracks in Rajasthan & our trains were cancelled. Then we had to try & book our flight tickets, while booking our tickets we went through Yatra.com, but apparently the flight which we booked was full & Yatra.com tried to console us with their excellent slogan which said Its annoying but it happens. The slogan annoyed us further, but we kept our cool & soon booked tickets for the earliest possible date. So that was the end of a very memorable holiday. I thanked my uncle & aunt & also congratulated them for bearing with me………..

This one is for you Roms.......... enjoy !!

Axe effect

Mon voyage à Delhi…………. Finally the 19th morning had arrived & I would be leaving Bombay after long & tiring year of hard studies. The morning started peacefully, but one event led to another & as usual we were in a hurry to catch the train.
As I entered the Rajdhani a sense of calmness & excitement suppressed the sadness of leaving Bombay, home & the mess --- life behind. I realised a trip without parents indeed has its advantages & bullying my cousins 8 years younger did feature pretty high on the list.

The attendant on the train treated us really well & who wouldn’t ?? After my father & my uncle who are almost identical twins giving them instructions at two different stations 20 kms apart must have really confused him.

As the train left the chaotic city of Bombay, we (three of us) settled down onto a single berth, the journey continued with us checking out the famous station Ratlam. A few hours of sleep later the train was rolling to a halt at Hazrat Nizamuddin station. My uncle & cousin were there at the station, thus started an exciting vacation.

Once at home; cricket in the living room, Pokemon etc took over. We went for a swim in the evening. But to my surprise, there was not even one hot girl in the 50mtr pool. It is easier even in Virar !!

A day later we left for Jilling, one of the hills in Uttarakhand. We were taking the train of trains, with stories more fascinating than the Ekta Kappor serials………. The Ranikhet Express from Old Delhi Stn to Kathgodam.

But a smart delhiite had beat me to the balcony seat of a drama which had a script fit for a C grade Bollywood movie !! As the train left & the passengers settled down a police man, a woman & another man entered the scene. What seemed to be molestation turned out to be the in train entertainment for the blessed few of us. The story with its twists & turns reached a stage where the ‘other man’ started manhandling the police man. The police man was accused of been with another woman while on duty. After hundreds of phone calls to their children & superiors the police couple convinced the star & policeman on board Mr M.K.Yadav was the real husband. Threats & blows followed, but peace & silence finally was regained at Muradabad Station where 15 policemen arrested the other man.

Thus we reached Katgodam station, took the waiting taxi, the trek up Jilling had all of us panting & puffing, especially my aunt, who felt her heart skip 3 beats to be precise while we were climbing up.

At first Jilling felt nothing out of the ordinary, but as soon as we relaxed a bit & walked around, it seemed to be just the place to go to beat the Delhi heat. The days to follow were normally welcomed by nice breakfast, hours of cricket, numerous treks to catch a glimpse of beautiful birds that had made Jilling their home.

Daya a.k.a Jogi liked playing cricket & bowled some fabulous spells & hence the name Jogi (Joginder Sharma of T20 fame), which he also found a liking.

While coming back as we easily came down the tracks which had taken us hours to climb, I realised that I had really enjoyed the hours of birding. I distinctly remember the moment where me & my cousin spotted a Leopard………. But unfortunately till date is denied by the rest of the gang.

The journey back to Delhi was nothing out of the ordinary & we reached Delhi to surprisingly cool weather. Hail storms had cooled down the temperature almost 20 degrees below the normal heat. Looked like the weather gods also liked us out here. I also felt much better knowing that those idiots (friends) who kept warning me about the Delhi heat had a much harsher climate in Bombay.
One of the highlights of the trip other than than the ultra cheap shopping at Sarojini Nagar was the hail storm I experienced. Small round balls of ice, falling beautifully on the plants nearby reminded of the ‘dots’ ice cream in Bombay. One day I also went to Akshardham, to fulfil my promise to dad & daadi.

Another of our unchilled but exciting days was when we decided to go on an Old Delhi darshan. We took the tube from Central Secretariat to Chowri Bazaar. We had some amazingly prepared Kulfis, one of which was stuffed into a ripe mango by removing the seed. We then had our dinner which was mouth watering but rather cheap at Parathewale gali. A night visit to the Red Fort followed, which included ‘un spectacle sow et luiere’ about its history.

Our wandering in delhi included turns to Dilli Haat & Nirula’s & not to forget the Nataraj Dahi Bhalle walla who happened to be quite a let down considering the hype surrounding it. That was probably the only day in Delhi were the centre of gravity of my body had changed to my stomach.
Then we went to suni maasi’s place, who to my surprise let the Red Bull flow. The Lasagna she had made, reminded me of my favourite at Little Italy. Chilling out in her place was a lot of fun, which was more than I ever thought would ever be.

As we readied for our departure on Tuesday, we saw the news flash, that all trains going through Rajasthan has been cancelled. Ours was not an exception, I am sure it was mainly due to the prayers by the 6th passenger who was going to be travelling stuck between us 5 cousins !!

Chaos followed as flight tickets had to be booked. We tried one of the new dot coms. Yatra. Well after of trying to book & Rs 20,800/- being debited from my aunts account all we got was one of the craziest apologies……….. it is annoying, but it happens. Never use Yatra.com again. Finally everything got sorted out thanx to makemytrip.com.

As I reflect I realise this was more enjoyable than any vacation I' ve ever had & I would love to do it again.

Must Do’s

Momos at every corner
Chuski........ Bombay Gola
Golgappe…… The poorer Paani Puri
Walking through IIT……… amazing peacocks
Stand in the rain & try catching the hail with your open mouth

This one for you Aks..... & thanx for writing !!

Mana's musings...........

My stay in Delhi was supposed to be quite short but due to unavoidable circumstances, it has been lengthened by a few days. Can’t say I was disappointed, for a change I am not counting the days to get back home. The weather was shockingly beautiful……….. we didn’t have to suffer through delhi’s summer. Feels good to have every one suffering in Bombay for a change.

As far as food goes the trek (which I did with my college in association YHAI) compelled me to eat food, which I wouldn’t have other wise touched. So coming here was like heaven after eating the watery potatoes for 12 days. The Pizzas were a nice change from all that. This time around I did get to see parts of old Delhi, sadly I had to miss out on Jama Masjid……….. but that means that I get to come here again LOL.

One thing I really love about Delhi is the shopping, especially at Sarojini Nagar. This time, ‘though short, I did manage to go there thrice & that really filled up suitcase to the limit, along with the rocks I had collected from the trek.

The sound & light show at the Red Fort, which itself is a beauty was quite nice (except for the mosquito's). I would have enjoyed it a whole lot more, if there was more emphasis on Mughal History of the fort, it somehow fascinates me more.

A visit to a mall in Delhi, was really disappointing, it was nothing great. Possibly it was one of the few times that I missed my Bombay.

The protest by the Gujjars led to the cancellation of our trains, we tried to book plane tickets, I suppose I will not forget this day & more than anything else will always remember It is annoying, but it happens………. Courtesy Yatra.com

I loved the Aloo parathas which Prema makes & also the mad dog which stays downstairs called Kido, who is really adorable !!

A song for M........ enjoy !!

He has a say in the matters..............

My experiences in Delhi…………

I had come to Delhi a couple of times before to meet my cousin, his mother & father. But this time it was going to be the best because my elder brother & two other cousins were also coming.

We came by the August Kranti Express from Bombay. My brothers were coming for the first time. The meals in the train were tasty, ‘though I couldn't eat much, but my brothers are such hoggers & finished everything.

We were met at the station by my uncle & my cousin. After we reached home we explored the house, then we had lunch, then my cousin’s friend Sagar came. After he came we played box cricket in the house. We then went swimming in the evening, then we ate a fabulous dinner, even Sagar stayed for the night.

Next morning my cousin went for his Aikido class, I also went, we had lots of fun.Then by the time we reached home my cousin’s mother came from UK, she got lots of chocolates for us. Then we played a lot on the computer........ But the most exciting thing was we were going to the hills. The place we were going was called Jilling.

We went to Old Delhi Station in the night & took a train called the Ranikhet Express. The train journey was really deadly. Before the train started someone had left a bag on my bunk, but I had fallen asleep. But I came to know of what all happened in 2094dn Ranikhet Express next morning from my cousins. But I cannot write all that here, it is too long.. But I heard the star of all the commotion was a police officer called M.K.Yadav.

We took a taxi to Jilling, climbed up the hill, we watched birds, went for long walks, we played cricket, we made good friends with a guy who worked there, his name was Daya. There were some awesome rain on the last day, plus my eldest cousin was telling very, very scary stories in the night !!

Our journey back to Delhi was not bad. The same afternoon another cousin(sister) also came to be with us in Delhi. The rest of the days we were exploring Delhi. First we went to Sarojini Nagar & Babu Market & bought some clothes, we went to Delhi Haat, ate lots of food, bought some handicrafts, then one day three of us went to Akshardham, I went to the Imax & saw a movie, an aunt had invited us for lunch at the Hotel Ashoka, we really freaked out on the food, then my mothers friend who stays in Gurgaon had called us for a evening, then one day we went to Chawri Bazaar, we ate the best kulfi, had parathas in Chandini Chowk, we went to the Red Fort, we saw the sound & light show. Then Suni maasi called us for lunch,we had made awesome Lasagna.

The we were supposed to go back the next day, then our trains got cancelled, we had to book ourselves in plane, so I had to stay two more days in Delhi.

A song for V........ enjoy brother !!

Holidays in Jilling with the Himalayan Griffons

Schools have closed & its holidays, all my cousins came from Bombay, then we went up the hills to Jilling. Really lovely place, all of us really enjoyed our walk uphill, except mom, whose fitness was been put to a test. Finally it was such a relief to reach our rooms & my older cousins who are big eaters were happy to realise it was just next to the Kitchen !!

I enjoyed the long walks, the birding & of course playing cricket in the one & only patch of flat land. And also in the night sitting near the fire place, hearing the metronomic calls of the Night Jar & while in bed all the scary ghost stories which Axe & Roms kept telling us !!

Got to see amazing sights of the Crested Serpent Eagle & the Black Eagle really up close. Once even seeing the Black Eagle with a catch in its talons. Early morning walks were really exciting, with the Pheasants just exploding out of now where, once we just saw something in the dark which to me & my father seemed a Blood Pheasant, but it vanished.

The walks to the ridge was also great fun. Though i used to feel a bit giddy. But all discomfort disappears when we see the majestic Himalayan Griffon or the Lammergier coming in at eye level. We used to have our breakfasts on the ridge !!

One day we could not see either the Griffon nor the Lammergier, we were quite disappointed even my brave little cousin played dead on the ridge to attract the great vultures.............

Then just as we we were leaving, Daya calls out here is the Griffon !! It made such a quiet appearance almost behind our backs. It was just amazing !!

We had heard of the Leopard stories from all, especially from Daya, who used to come with us to the ridge. Then one day while coming back my elder cousins who were walking in front of us suddenly came running back, panting, panting, gasping for breath etc. We asked them; what is it ?? ............. finally when they were able to speak.......... they blurted out.............Leopard !!

What.............. where ???? My father & Mom were really cool, they just said it can't be, then we saw what they imagined was a leopard................ it was a Langur !! hehe !!

But they kept insisting that they saw the Leopard. But none of us believed them either ! Whether it was their imaginations which ran wild after hearing the Leopard stories from Daya or whether it was just a pre planned prank they played on us.......... Well, that will always be an unsolved mystery fore ever !!

The birds we saw

1. Whiskered Yuhina
2. Black Eagle
3. Crested Serpent Eagle
4. Changeable Hawk Eagle
5. Red Billed Blue Magpie
6. Yellow Billed Blue Magpie
7. Grey Tree Pie
8. Black Headed Jay
9. Great Barbet
10. Lammergier
11. Himalayan Griffon
12. Lesser Kestrel
13. Scarlet Minnivet
14. Grey headed Woodpecker
15. Common Raven
16. Canary Fly Catcher
17. Verditer Fly Catcher
18. Himalayan Bulbul
19. Blue Whistling Thrush
20. Ultra Marine Fly Catcher
21. Black Bulbul
22. White Cheeked Bulbul
23. Racket Tail Drongo
24. Ashy Drongo
25. Common Drongo
26. Straited Laughing Thrush
27. Streaked Laughing Thrush
28. Black Throated Tit
29. Rufous Sebia
30. Straited Prinia
31. Hill Patridge
32. Jungle Fowl
33. Swifts/Swallows& Martins
34. Rosy Ringed Parakeets
35. Warblers
36. Oriental White eye
37. Lesser Cuckoo
38. Spotted Dove
39. Green Pigeon
40. Fantails
41. Hill Mynah

All the four days was really great fun.............. When my cousins come again next year, i would love to go to Jilling again !!

Sun Bird

My painting of a Sun bird on canvass

K G Wetlands & the Osprey

I went birding with the Delhi Bird group after a long time, we went to KG wetlands. I was thrilled to see the Osprey so close. My mother was also thrilled that she could take some great snaps. Now with winter over, most of these birds will be going back flying ten thousand kilometres.

After i came back home i was hoping if i could be one of them !! Or atleast enter into their body for sometime !!

We spotted or rather the birds which spotted us were

1. Osprey
2. Two Aquila Eagles (likely Greater Spotted),
3. Male & female Marsh Harriers
4. Ducks numbered at over 100, mostly comprising of
Shovelers,
Gadwall,
Garganeys,
Spotbills,
Common Teals,
Common Pochards and Comb Ducks.
5. Notable Waders included 20+ Avocets,
Spotted Redshanks,
Black-tailed Godwits and a few Marsh Sandpipers.

6. Pied Kingfisher hovering and diving for fish,
7. Some vocal River Terns,
8. Spoonbills and
9. Painted Storks.

Sarus Cranes and Black Partridges ( managed to get a fleeting glance of one) were heard.

10. Steppe Eagle,
11. Kestrel,
12. Wooly-necked Stork,
13. Little-ringed Plover,
14. Chestnut-shouldered Petronia,
15. Spotted Owlet and
16. Indian Roller.
17. Tree Pipits

Perserverence group, Mirambika.

We sang a song which we composed. We titled it CONFUSION. I played the guitar, while Sagar & Ankit sang. Its the end of the year in school.

We presented a play. Its about Megha, Bansode & the Tenants, who live in Africa Apartments. The Landlord does not allow the tenants to do anything. But its changed by a cloud, she is called Megha. She makes every one happy

Some of our work was brought out through a newsletter.

Our empty classroom......... !!

Untill next year

Adios amigos

What is Aikido?

I have been going to learn Aikido for the last 6 months. Most of time i enjoy my Aikido practice, except when Sensei sometimes loses his temper, when we do some mistakes...... !!

What is Aikido

Aikido is a Japanese martial art synthesised by its Founder Morihei Ueshiba, during the 20th century. This martial art is the synthesis of traditional ju-jutsu (pinning & throwing techniques), swordsmanship (ken-jutsu), staff techniques (jo-jutsu) & other internal martial traditions to form what is currently called Aikido. Traditional Aikido utilizes throws, pinning techniques & evasions to defeat attackers. Aikido also includes classical sword & short staff techniques to help develop strength, coordination & fundamental skills necessary for Aikido.

The technique of Aikido are circular in nature & are not designed to stop attacks or to conflict with them. Instead aggressive motions are converted into circular movements that render attackers helpless. Aikido techniques allow the attacker’s movements to continue & complete themselves naturally, so that the attack is diverted& redirected harmlessly. The Aikidoist is trained not to cripple, but to apply various wrist & joint locks, pins & unbalancing throws to neutralize aggressors without serious injury to either the aggressor or the Aikidoist. The movements are like motions of a sphere, which rolls effortlessly along, joining mind & body.

Both men & women, regardless of age or size, can practice aikido. The techniques are based on movement rather than strength & there is no competition. Aikido is practical self-defense & helps to develop balance, co-ordination, concentration & conditioning.

Aikido & Health

Traditional Asian medicine often promotes a “hands on “ approach to healing. So while the locks & pins in Aikido are designed to immobilise an opponent, they also stimulate the joints & serve as a vigorous form of massage. Aikido is a healing art.

Like any system of physical training, Aikido is good for one’s health. Regular practice stretches the body, improves circulation & helps to co-ordinate one’s breathing with balanced & harmonious movement. Aikido practice & the meditative space of the Dojo can help to decrease & transform our day-to-day nervous stresses. Further more by stimulating both physical & mental faculties, Aikido encourages harmony in the whole being. It helps us manifest both our inner & outer beauty.

New Delhi Aikido Dojo
Established in November 2004, our dojo is promoting traditional Aikkikai style Aikido in India. Sensei Paritos Kar, 4th dan black belt, is the founder & chief instructor of this Aikido school. Based on his 15 years of training in Aikikai headquarters, Japan, he is presently one of the most experienced Aikido instructors in India.

The dojo in New Delhi is one of the most active Aikido Schools in India, with classes twice daily. As of December 2007, there are about 30 active students. Many of the current students have experience in other martial arts. A few of the current students are ranked 1st kyu (brown belt) or above. At the dojo all kinds of people men & women, Indian & international students, train together co-operatively.

Imagine

One of my favourite songs, by John Lennon. Infact i am learning the chords for it.

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

The Brown Fish Owl & The Leaf Bird in Masinagudi

During the new year break we had gone to Kerala to visit my grand parents. After spending a few days with them, the we went to Masinagudi, in the Nilgris. One of my teachers had once said to me i can be a good birder only if one learns to spot the Leaf Bird. I was really happy when i sighted one. I was happy to see one of the rare parrots in India called the Vernal Hanging Parrot.

We also saw this Blue face Malkoha


These Elepants werre at peace, but i was wary of them.

The Brown fishing Owl


The birds we sighted were

1. Common Iora

2. Oriental White Eye

3. Large Wood Shrike

4. Small Minivet

5. Scarlet Minivet

6. Barwinged Fly Catcher

7. Verditer Flycatcher

8. Golden Fronted Leafbird

9. malabar Parakeet

10. Vernal Hanging Parrot

11. Pale Bellied Sunbird

12. Yellow Wagtail

13. White Wagtail

14. Swifts

15. Martins

16. Swallows

17. Yellow Footed Green Pigeon

18. Yellow Billed Babbler

19. Jungle Babbler

20. White Throated Kingfisher

21. White Browed Fantail

22. Blacke Capped Oriole

23. Purple Sunbird

24. Black Drongo

25. White Bellied Drongo

26. Ashy Drongo

27. Red Vented Bulbul

28. Red Whiskered Bulbul

29. Jungle Crow

30. White Cheeked Barbet

31. Paradise Flycatcher

32. Spotted Owlets

33. Kestrel

34. Changeable Hawk Eagle

35. Crested Serpent Eagle

36. Brown Fish Owl

37. Roufous Bellied Eagle

38. Flameback Woodpecker

39. Black Kite

40. Brahminy Kite

41. Pond Heron

42. Peacocks

43. Cormorants

44. Common Mynah

45. Brahminy Mynah

46. Jungle Mynah

47. Grey Jungle Fowl

48. Spotted Dove

49. Koel

50. Cattle Egret

51. Green Bee eater

52. Magpie Robin

53. Coppersmith

54. Loten's Sunbird

55. Blue faced Malkoha

56. Racket Tail Drongo

57. Jungle Bush Quail

58. Indian Pitta

59. Brown Headed Barbet

60. White Browed Wagtail

61. Hill Mynah

62. Brown Shrike

63. Rufous Tree pie

64. Spot Billed Pelican

65. Painted Stork

66. Wooly Necked Stork

67. Malabar Whistling Thrush

68. Malabar Grey HornBill

69. Scaly Bellied Woodpecker

70. Chestnut tailed Starling

71. Great tit

72. Plain Flower Pecker

73. Long Tailed Shrike.

74. Brown Flycatcher

75. Orintal Honey Buzzard

76. Blue Cpped Rock Thrush

77. Large Cuckoo Shrike

78. Chestnut Headed Bee Eater

79. Green Bee Eater

80. Black Shouldered Kite

81. Grey HornBill

82. Pied KingFisher

83. River Tern

84. Coots

85. Shovelers

86. Indian Roller