tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-141082142024-03-13T05:58:05.938+05:30Blue LotusJourney from a Olympus C-760 to a Nikon D5100Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-1120222321116401452005-07-01T18:07:00.000+05:302013-11-18T01:56:02.412+05:30Basavan paada<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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An empty feeling. You walk....walk in very familiar surroundings....you seem to know every tree that stands and stares at you. You walk not acknowledging. The birds don't seem to be there. Does it require a Joby to find that out ? You walk...Jubille park...that would be to long a walk and alone you aren't keen on doing it. So wind around the swimming pool, and walk. Nothing seems enthralling. Overcast conditions. Lot of greenery around. Suddenly, you see it. Takes almost your breath away. A common tree, almost listless, but with flowers it looks grand. Looks like a common man dressed up on his wedding day. Bahunia tree, one of the first tree I learnt to identify from Prof. Jagadish or was it Vishwa. Basavana paada - feet of a cow (bad translation from kannada), the leaves look very much like that, also called Camel hoof tree. Lotz of flowers, never seen a Bahunia with so many flowers. I take my camera out, and start shooting. Lot of snaps later, you are thrilled, complete, serene. Putting words to that feeling, looking back, I would say, itz like having been touched by something supreme. You know, you have seen the best nature can offer. And, that thrills.</div>
Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-4715087174937205512013-11-17T20:30:00.000+05:302013-11-18T01:47:41.673+05:30Getting back...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yes, plan to get back to writing...something I missed over the last few years....realize a lot of 'good' writing is getting lost over emails & facebook(??), so wondering if I can sit and peacefully pen down my experiences without the pressures of keeping it short etc etc<br />
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Its predominantly been stories told thru my camera(Kyamera), my first love being a Olympus C-760 - a great camera unfortunately I lost it. And then, it was a 20+ zoom camera from Olympus, but the image quality wasn't close to the older one, and so after many a year, hoping to get back to writing & photography. Yes, have a new addition now, a Nikon D5100.<br />
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Its time to click and punch the keys!</div>
Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-71622516762169508322013-11-09T12:53:00.000+05:302013-11-18T01:28:35.546+05:30Fire Salamander<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Fire Salamander. Had a chance encounter with it when we took a path less traveled, along the hills near Bad Urach, near Stuttgart, Germany. Lucky for us, Shilpa shrieked and spotted it on our walking path.<br />
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Salamander are amphibians, with moist skin used fo<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">r respiration. Slow movers, use poisonous gland secretions to fend of predators, and a tail that breaks of and wriggles confusing the predator while a escape is made. The regenerative capacity of the tail, limbs, eye lens & retina has been a subject of research for replication in humans.</span></div>
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Found mostly in central Europe in moist conditions under leafy litter or under tree trunks. They live up to 20 years, and in one instance upto 50 years in captivity. Named by Linnaeus in 1758 as Salamander Salamander.<br />
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It moved slowly, and was getting into a tree-trunk/crevice, and soon curled itslef and was immobile for a while. A wet day, with a leafy undergrowth, and a path not used much.<br />
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Nov 9th 2013 @Bad Urach, 12 53 pm, along with Prasad Akula, Manas Mandal & Shilpa Shripad.</div>
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Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com0Bad Urach, Germany48.496895599999988 9.3948748999999948.32850109999999 9.07215139999999 48.665290099999986 9.7175983999999911tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-8141161848784793352009-09-30T21:28:00.006+05:302009-10-05T22:21:11.766+05:30Blow flySep 28th, amidst a long weekend, and on a Ayudha pooja day, decided to cycle to Hoskote lake. The lake had some water....and I spent one hour looking around.....there was promise behind every bush, and secrets beneath the stones.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387291247808979810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0VQdnazBPSMbKZ6xhcVl6hHvTLgzGnGwbwde-CFpAz0U7pVaNGUcEPYeinYQVzOUPnzFrLCGPbkhBFZVzWACIdEdM6gCjigpjwVNUwCT11F3SIEQ6cWrAiOqri-5r3K1nYEFVA/s400/flower.JPG" border="0" /><br />And, as I was gearing to start back, chanced upon these two fly on a twig. They sat there without flying away though I took hazzar macro pics.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387291251201388290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqQZSQkfAxNxjBBj0YNtE-4cS1OtOscAfsOplvO4ol15VTjypXrYHpTn_8Xc9ehYOk3Zs-DZ1sUc2z2DQZQI-FEI4wb5efvJUSpZWOSX7k9-eU_TtYeOjXLqvO6tLDAn6JSgo-g/s400/P9270140A.JPG" border="0" /><br />Blow fly - the metallic body strikes you - the red & yellow in the head also stands out. These chaps can smell dead matter & dung for miles....I read 10 miles somewhere.....and the first thing they do is to lay an egg on it.....and soon start eating away the matter...the smell soon disappears.....the maggots hatch....and immediately start eating the decomposing matter...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387291260340635554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4xh3cfXZPL4s76MetfF4VEG35heXvWzqoFnDIB9k4J5w_7tYCFYqOPd6TnfMlNT-wMYLuCRAJZKIFCFBCJZ44kRBgFZBQ3Px1zeyoCfVYc1ULnizKHYbNzViIaQldfdZQVqcQw/s400/P9270142A.jpg" border="0" /><br />This immediate egg hatching ability is made use by forensic detectives. Body found - highly decomposed - when was the murder committed ?? after 72 hours, it gets difficult, thats where the forensic entomologist steps in. And, figures out which developmental stage the blow flys are. The time stages of the developmental cycles are quite deterministic. And now, its 2+2 for Mr. Sherlock Holmes!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387293567053497762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WpVla0UQkhvaqB6LaQDla4acgP6nlUGR8wvfIamhhlFOKmXpklpatdt7IQhk82HTKXqAOfIZ9W8r4BbWKANCQVls4OVyMSiJpysDGqQ0FPiAhSiZ_WylRIYQeNKza2-eimtVMQ/s400/P9270166.JPG" border="0" /><br />Next time, you see dung or dead matter, watch out for the blow flys and thank them for their good work!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387293575486795090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTRPzQsOY8aEfoYQZzR4dlKJVbOwTN3EvXr0cLgn-ZBfL7BNhFeidPaKxonCay-zYkGVENBDRDGZ4rgv9PU5wMTn6VzdYGUMqKT966-Nsh3l2DSdI4ZIrJAO69QgmM03n3bQAHw/s400/P9270168A.jpg" border="0" />Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-4317566567908802992006-12-29T07:40:00.000+05:302008-12-09T05:00:34.741+05:30Ramnagara school trip<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013483147474568770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uQwAU_7W4UsHcO02New22wwZ4bnLBwZMAeCZVHgJGQRDx7aMgFAizdha0LzX2Q9E8eqcqMLCiFM5uZxAMBv6QNM7_kl1wonmjyOg2a0455_Bad0JcoUcl6V5y4Xq2qblD5WBdQ/s400/PC090554.JPG" border="0" /> Thorns made red by bleeding hearts.<br /><br />Well, if not a bleeding heart, I indeed was in a quandary. Chalghatta school - 200 kids - never been on a school trip - wow! lets take them out - but how ??<br /><br />The logistics was turning into a nightmare. A bus can take 50-60 kids, a long journey makes it 9k/bus, and entry fees. And, food expenses. Mysore beckoned, but entry fees & quite long a journey. Same tale with Shravanabelogala-Tallakad-Bellur circuit.<br /><br />Thorns.<br /><br />My morning run ---> solution thrashed. Check with Sunand. 'Yes! we will do it', he says. Bliss.<br /><br />Funda: Thorns are mostly in our imagination, as in the pic above. The locust intimidates other predators with it thorn like legs.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9kJI3U0grUK2ZRXVtq3xKS0-spKg-9DEcRHt2K7RMLyierKtoQvhAS6a1YODdrfngwvgzabYjfuE4MwkDJEYbtmOQqwH3cwwMb4-uh6-CpL0851Rmbwyc_mUnELSO8nWQiErNQ/s1600-h/PC090507.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013483624215938706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9kJI3U0grUK2ZRXVtq3xKS0-spKg-9DEcRHt2K7RMLyierKtoQvhAS6a1YODdrfngwvgzabYjfuE4MwkDJEYbtmOQqwH3cwwMb4-uh6-CpL0851Rmbwyc_mUnELSO8nWQiErNQ/s400/PC090507.JPG" border="0" /></a> And, so on a saturday morning 9th of Dec 06. All the 6th & 7th std kids were taken on a outing. The 5th std kids from Chalghatta, along with 3rd to 5th from the Bellur school will be taken to Fun-world sometime in Jan. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013547851156883170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenEUZSMdBI4ARasnf8XYjUNciHbV4Gsr_t3HqBRw7pCHy3GpkgAzr_u_v5NRQpbhCtRjYXUbTUI5HRQnhyJINjw6m6nUtihJim00o_uEwtsB3zx0LtDvbA768X9YtlEuZtlNhsA/s400/DSC01153.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013547859746817778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AQDlxprqJetAG2y_Ldoez_xFz9j2WG5__ytuPqBPHMUFOIjk7i8EG5ZqI2oSRxrLRQU_M_SyIU5YorOjxQUqF0u7YUUqznK8433zdqtfE6qoST9xKOjMnNrGb21sKq27tv2Www/s400/DSC01155.JPG" border="0" />An elaborate pooja for the bus, seemed to satisfy the bus driver. He had cribbed heavily that only 46 passengers are allowed, and we were 66 kids, 8 teacher staff, & 6 volunteers!!!<br />And soon, Sunand & Shweta got some major Anthakshari going in the bus. Latest Kannada songs from FM 137.66<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHGDGt_FIAmd6wgfiYJCgx9faLaYCHjPZ9dN0OiZI3OpqDjf-cgdHeVS5oj4KNUCFeVc4qwHrsM7wxdamrm_mEw6uc7wlgaDcc76QqFwYf6FFOrSFPXwV4UQFbnEA9GtKPiSMGw/s1600-h/PC090511.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013483628510906018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHGDGt_FIAmd6wgfiYJCgx9faLaYCHjPZ9dN0OiZI3OpqDjf-cgdHeVS5oj4KNUCFeVc4qwHrsM7wxdamrm_mEw6uc7wlgaDcc76QqFwYf6FFOrSFPXwV4UQFbnEA9GtKPiSMGw/s400/PC090511.JPG" border="0" /></a> Ramnagara was the destination. A rock-climbers paradise. A quite place, with vultures above ur head, place to be. We wanted to introduce the kids to trekking and rock-climbing.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjRIg_o3-fu9YRRu64ssTkq-BD6bF2gEQ2gk2e6MD6hM7NmyoVholKMpIatNBbRDQPOSCurA_DDTV5GVz0vfP1vSlQfVsIOCIsE0e5BknMOrTR17cYR1H1_VmzPXOMVeJJiZm7Q/s1600-h/PC090513.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013483632805873330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjRIg_o3-fu9YRRu64ssTkq-BD6bF2gEQ2gk2e6MD6hM7NmyoVholKMpIatNBbRDQPOSCurA_DDTV5GVz0vfP1vSlQfVsIOCIsE0e5BknMOrTR17cYR1H1_VmzPXOMVeJJiZm7Q/s400/PC090513.JPG" border="0" /></a> And soon, after breakfast, Sunand launched onto what trekking is....rock climbing is......the equipment used...how you need to be.....water bottles.....discipline....etc etc. At the end of the briefing, a boy promptly fainted!!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEabiiGodUI8657YTTD8xs0lfBMz0jmzDN_sGo5I2Dd0Oq0dVksUnrAm9mdareGZSYNOxHHSJR6aKuRs86NVSi1nRGlvsmtwH1xCF9K1o6qdVp97cqb3qBFKuNVV4zWejF_FTAA/s1600-h/PC090525.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013483632805873346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEabiiGodUI8657YTTD8xs0lfBMz0jmzDN_sGo5I2Dd0Oq0dVksUnrAm9mdareGZSYNOxHHSJR6aKuRs86NVSi1nRGlvsmtwH1xCF9K1o6qdVp97cqb3qBFKuNVV4zWejF_FTAA/s400/PC090525.JPG" border="0" /></a> And soon, the 66 kids were divided into groups with volunteers Leena, Chetna, Shweta & Navrathan leading them. Sunand & Mallesh were the rock-climbing experts and leading the trek/climb. The teachers, esp the school HM Mary had a tough time in the small trek. She kept saying 'Since when have you been scheming this on me'...she struggled.....the kids literally ran.....and after some time 2 kids came back to help their HM!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5z_Timuib0i7DN0E-T-LAgYQ8d9OyACO-CmuQKYtwvtzRDhbjcz_B_zq7xKs8QblopbL599w-QXCS1-VOt7yGSwr6PGiqYf48KNrWhs3U8C10UN0xFDT86mzQkRJTXYVque0LA/s1600-h/PC090540.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013483637100840658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5z_Timuib0i7DN0E-T-LAgYQ8d9OyACO-CmuQKYtwvtzRDhbjcz_B_zq7xKs8QblopbL599w-QXCS1-VOt7yGSwr6PGiqYf48KNrWhs3U8C10UN0xFDT86mzQkRJTXYVque0LA/s400/PC090540.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2cKutJwsS9WqL0yYod_lv43dTArG1VMKXtM7_ShIjTtz0x1sqdG8hUm5WnBaZnO49anCCA2UgLfPGhhYI5muHsda89qaIdpMFn6VP2mvCeb-uWJzwrykYbq-fHtm9uPU5VKQSA/s1600-h/PC090558.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013483147474568786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2cKutJwsS9WqL0yYod_lv43dTArG1VMKXtM7_ShIjTtz0x1sqdG8hUm5WnBaZnO49anCCA2UgLfPGhhYI5muHsda89qaIdpMFn6VP2mvCeb-uWJzwrykYbq-fHtm9uPU5VKQSA/s400/PC090558.JPG" border="0" /></a> Soon, we reached the base of Ramdevar betta. The joy here is the natural slide thats on this rock....the kids went up & slid down merrily.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIlIuaP9WoFXiokDQmoGh7JdzC6Eg0VrbYEg0i_OBliD6Q2ojiSsGBFUrBCqTvi1oREXzTtONVKmP4JBROmDyQaI97IIr562bRyXurumHheYWRczlMteO1BEINnAHFQRsbeQRwQ/s1600-h/PC090559.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013483151769536098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIlIuaP9WoFXiokDQmoGh7JdzC6Eg0VrbYEg0i_OBliD6Q2ojiSsGBFUrBCqTvi1oREXzTtONVKmP4JBROmDyQaI97IIr562bRyXurumHheYWRczlMteO1BEINnAHFQRsbeQRwQ/s400/PC090559.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013549006503085826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-pPhkTqq6S5HhaEFQ2_UGanVi0iHJiuQEBsCD5N0NQEFwp2TAvOtezwLsygq64mgPDqLwwOiql-NyKTEHJ7GhqtDFgymZq872oGfhVgcqqr46j18k_X-SMjD5VtrC6siFXZgmg/s400/PC090548.JPG" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhtA9ftv1AoXEOHaJhD4kuZxISFa2G95uGatLxvcgx8u27D_VLVz0FbPo157WQn5Pq1FPzJjHYfvH_3Uf8N6e-Idln0w7AjMHl4yE91SrWI4IGYRuwz-GnAHZIGeV5TeyRP1mJQ/s1600-h/PC090579.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013483156064503410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhtA9ftv1AoXEOHaJhD4kuZxISFa2G95uGatLxvcgx8u27D_VLVz0FbPo157WQn5Pq1FPzJjHYfvH_3Uf8N6e-Idln0w7AjMHl4yE91SrWI4IGYRuwz-GnAHZIGeV5TeyRP1mJQ/s400/PC090579.JPG" border="0" /></a> We climbed up the hill, pitched in the equipment, and introduced rappling.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9COweWzYrAtxBuLuUXJkPyyYf1gASJ6RZigne8MVGsd7FKvjfrZK50b8jq1-q7Ipymms-lQjEcEC69nx694deTqIM0ua0nGP0pc-d1PORXm8o9pGWncd1GT7sjYTKjVvdks8m2Q/s1600-h/PC090581.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013483160359470722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9COweWzYrAtxBuLuUXJkPyyYf1gASJ6RZigne8MVGsd7FKvjfrZK50b8jq1-q7Ipymms-lQjEcEC69nx694deTqIM0ua0nGP0pc-d1PORXm8o9pGWncd1GT7sjYTKjVvdks8m2Q/s400/PC090581.JPG" border="0" /></a>And after swift instructions from Mallesh & Sunand, the kids rappled down. It was a good test of their confidence, courage and trust.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_-KxjWWXnkdTYdr7zKIuM4KBrNVbDo8oc9pl-_4cnjRmKZKi-OJ180oPioD9ZPyK_wC1jqM6MrHJvwAG_kQqBcVXIfwq3MKYcY6AoM3zOt5sWyc8rnTVXFse-ilUVRUl-OTEXg/s1600-h/PC090585.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013482468869735922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_-KxjWWXnkdTYdr7zKIuM4KBrNVbDo8oc9pl-_4cnjRmKZKi-OJ180oPioD9ZPyK_wC1jqM6MrHJvwAG_kQqBcVXIfwq3MKYcY6AoM3zOt5sWyc8rnTVXFse-ilUVRUl-OTEXg/s400/PC090585.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUJuSqetDwmDl878BgU864Wx_66m6RvgDRgsxbMp9P9Qvy9KQVEQXUWwne_SrPQnPUgT077X_MN8fg3GQHb89KJDclbpHutGCk9Tam4Rrdamlk7Y-62vfmrUTbf8H62GFYQugEw/s1600-h/PC090591.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013482473164703234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUJuSqetDwmDl878BgU864Wx_66m6RvgDRgsxbMp9P9Qvy9KQVEQXUWwne_SrPQnPUgT077X_MN8fg3GQHb89KJDclbpHutGCk9Tam4Rrdamlk7Y-62vfmrUTbf8H62GFYQugEw/s400/PC090591.JPG" border="0" /></a>Soon boyz & girls clamoured to get down. A few kept away, having a single rappling rope was becoming a botlle-neck.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013482507524441650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RM0DKj9EOGBhhnhaGf79J6G_dJxDGuQ87aWln_2nQRpa7puomCxbTsQFikRjdaUSA-kCGFdbH8HyF-Rt173lnM2p0IQmBKVrhhYiSSJ3XzikWRMkxflrl551s0Lb-YtMAo295Q/s400/PC090599.JPG" border="0" />Shwetha took upon securing the harness & gloves.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiX6y37DkmsBEPsijqzzb6Q1iywyEd7KNlNGeoGWJCpGuh8fEbh9cIlYU9ePceD5_F19tEWT_D6sPHUYLkLEuZx_nIvlJ4tzo8XSJyt3VXs4eJXKoz3lEdLQmd4k9NpNQNRL9nWg/s1600-h/PC090593.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013482477459670546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiX6y37DkmsBEPsijqzzb6Q1iywyEd7KNlNGeoGWJCpGuh8fEbh9cIlYU9ePceD5_F19tEWT_D6sPHUYLkLEuZx_nIvlJ4tzo8XSJyt3VXs4eJXKoz3lEdLQmd4k9NpNQNRL9nWg/s400/PC090593.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHt671hCEWWv2zbFOf0_CeyL_VdsvMvZVrCJSceTThwH6RpaCSzGkutAgDkwNz28j8HPrLgN3yDuU2__RWC-vWhEQJmFaQiZg0vJCTAGcdXxM1lDbqjYjiqWxDKi8DAB94Z6Mpwg/s1600-h/PC090597.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013482481754637858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHt671hCEWWv2zbFOf0_CeyL_VdsvMvZVrCJSceTThwH6RpaCSzGkutAgDkwNz28j8HPrLgN3yDuU2__RWC-vWhEQJmFaQiZg0vJCTAGcdXxM1lDbqjYjiqWxDKi8DAB94Z6Mpwg/s400/PC090597.JPG" border="0" /></a> Mmmmm......<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DoiDkkDBxIerzLToS8MMTnKzd8yS7M-4eXRcY2aISC4hqERkeOHrzEH592ZWWjeT69xXquDhCiVZrdkJ-rjTSOxqvFVXLoW10wouWWvXaljhu6l7IQDtaToB3wv9AT2OSj5wTg/s1600-h/PC090601.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013481794559870402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DoiDkkDBxIerzLToS8MMTnKzd8yS7M-4eXRcY2aISC4hqERkeOHrzEH592ZWWjeT69xXquDhCiVZrdkJ-rjTSOxqvFVXLoW10wouWWvXaljhu6l7IQDtaToB3wv9AT2OSj5wTg/s400/PC090601.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKheB1isO2nSiTZeY1cUXkNv6Hb9jaa8DFUKXHRaJXPqMzoSJiY8Rj3EZQXDOuFLMBzQMnms0z3X2RcYPYlHAnrbTXZoDDl2skQq7TMKO6XFvTubqWArctxxBQpcFrwp5KsUStwg/s1600-h/PC090620.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013481811739739602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKheB1isO2nSiTZeY1cUXkNv6Hb9jaa8DFUKXHRaJXPqMzoSJiY8Rj3EZQXDOuFLMBzQMnms0z3X2RcYPYlHAnrbTXZoDDl2skQq7TMKO6XFvTubqWArctxxBQpcFrwp5KsUStwg/s400/PC090620.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4gUfh9DEsJHAVTyw3bPj11uDYfEvfWBKhhwOzFkgfybQfUycQ0i3n3B6tgXYhV_Tl8zVXuAci2CI-K6HBXtX91sublyMydbjnz5FIRdl_hS0WcGAMLYKJ7rJKqf40Mq-ciRRgg/s1600-h/PC090624.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013481816034706914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4gUfh9DEsJHAVTyw3bPj11uDYfEvfWBKhhwOzFkgfybQfUycQ0i3n3B6tgXYhV_Tl8zVXuAci2CI-K6HBXtX91sublyMydbjnz5FIRdl_hS0WcGAMLYKJ7rJKqf40Mq-ciRRgg/s400/PC090624.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96smjfeSdd5pRLl_U0NOox0bO0gwJxakPQFphJimDMaoO7nOxVGM42I223gUfdFAe959-fhdiXKKzwJOG_KtNUAoPwliIDcDI6vUi9E7moFrb7qmpDrEJNUVRe4z-m_tAMaCwNA/s1600-h/PC090631.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013472946927240610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96smjfeSdd5pRLl_U0NOox0bO0gwJxakPQFphJimDMaoO7nOxVGM42I223gUfdFAe959-fhdiXKKzwJOG_KtNUAoPwliIDcDI6vUi9E7moFrb7qmpDrEJNUVRe4z-m_tAMaCwNA/s400/PC090631.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div>By 5pm, we had finished with the last rappling kid, and went down for lunch. A good number of the kids had rappled down. The plan was also to visit Kokrebellur, some museum at chanpatna, and Rajarajeshwari temple. But, with rappling taking all the time we ditched it.</div><div></div><div>The school had raised Rs 2300 from the kids 50Rs each, from all those, who could pay. They covered food charges and also bought some canvas shoes for those needing it. Transport charges was covered by DSF. Rock climbing charges raised from volunteers.</div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5013472946927240594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLbuCsdqMMvU512_5XuhqLjJP4Rs-1YZ-HTe09fxwnbtZMrwXqpXYRec2QJR-CR24omFaZoD3noZ1io0ptrNyzpeyYrPjAw9RGqq5st60uIytvbsL2ElQEGsNIk76xC7fk4x6OQ/s400/PC090652.JPG" border="0" />The way back, the back benchers started with some major Ayyappa bajans, and soon being tired gave up and slept. It was 8:40pm, when the bus reached the school. Sunand wanted me to 'de-brief' the kids. And so, for the 66 kids seated in a corridor, that glowed in a yellow light lamp, for those who rappled, and those who didn't, with some of their parents watching, I spoke of 'Why adventure'....'Why push the body'...'Striving beyond the limits'...'Marathon running'.....'Rock climbing'....'Their exams'.....'their studies'.....'little more marks' The kids starred back sleepily, and their parents were quite.</div><div></div><div>Well, we managed to pull thru this outing safely. And, the kids enjoyed it. A new experience.</div><div></div><div>A zillion thanks to my buddy & Man Friday (Man Saturday ?) Sunand, who made this happen.</div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div>Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-54294123365507486362007-01-11T05:02:00.000+05:302008-12-09T05:00:31.779+05:30Kodachaadri trek day 1Forests fascinate. You see lifeforms everywhere: zapping you. And, believe me, soon you start wondering 'bout them. What is it ? Why ? How ?? And, there in begins a journey to understand life around you.<br /><br />Kodachaadri is a peak 1343m above sea level in the western ghats, quite close to the Arabian sea. Dec 29th saw me wind up a project, heave a huge sign of relief, and <em>catch 22</em> (or 24 ?) other blokes for the <a href="http://kmaindia.org">KMA</a> led trek.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018704477033464738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8fzNirLEMChTYNZj8DsxVv5iHeUZLLw2vzc1Z96TnjHqpi04VgZopwzIw9P04Dh4GhyIcFeQUExc3DVbjdSTil4no8UHQiH_ZKktsAh1Y4FMxpad3a8pZLJUaAFbbKQdKbG7qA/s400/PC300556.JPG" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPta9C_Qs6FR-um4Fo2pKmvnSz49WnwNCOjT1SIU_oCD3aB4bjNhF1K3kDpL9wOlt-GjMbuv34ClwhPw9G1vFa9CWtPoHLzB6jjAM5D4Ct28Pw0j18VQpWTqkedGsbrUgPRz15w/s1600-h/PC300562A.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018704477033464754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPta9C_Qs6FR-um4Fo2pKmvnSz49WnwNCOjT1SIU_oCD3aB4bjNhF1K3kDpL9wOlt-GjMbuv34ClwhPw9G1vFa9CWtPoHLzB6jjAM5D4Ct28Pw0j18VQpWTqkedGsbrUgPRz15w/s400/PC300562A.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018749990801900594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkCU-c9FqARHX5ZSBQjwHf6Ep5chLUMmSnnMCpysoSXTrHo1IFBih5ZkuYbZZOFbXwIPEWOhYLxneEBrDCbGUnN0DoLoMA-Ggvaj9fT896rQClE4AoHNppnuqitzo4zk0-ela0A/s400/PC300565.JPG" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSXzNBDFdy3n_tJdkHoYXZU5UcspP_goltXb9Ai8Hxo3G378RrwMJOm1LK-fs_vX47jpogo5BU-F5yqWa0pcKK34lAqDR5m1LH01sdI-9SNfNWZxu2TO3Yz_ZujT9Mir-P22kxA/s1600-h/PC300566.JPG"></a>We stopped at a resort like place for early morning activities. Quite a few birds around, but I just couldn't get close to any of them ;-) These leaves caught my attention. And, that insect (who-what-why). Also seen was a big bird - a kite like bird - quite far off, and I didn't have my binoc's with me.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXD5m3SyJY1vHNKu5kFaLRFMpTa0h7yuMUCe4as2y0Vsv9z1LjdNktzqYw2NIfBEwlVd5HU8tk160erlvnN8m2ioBZgUliDLhWAYCapx-3wuAb2mkWFqsUVXldb2pj3b8g8excOQ/s1600-h/PC300581.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018703248672818002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXD5m3SyJY1vHNKu5kFaLRFMpTa0h7yuMUCe4as2y0Vsv9z1LjdNktzqYw2NIfBEwlVd5HU8tk160erlvnN8m2ioBZgUliDLhWAYCapx-3wuAb2mkWFqsUVXldb2pj3b8g8excOQ/s400/PC300581.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq03c8ok3f2agMMCe0Utuv1NjgyrRQYLem57AkHoxNC2GcPJPpGVVAoQqFxTQFavg58p9Rw4_SxPbXBa1Hryqtt0tBMZrE_z7KGXeHG4o7TwmFW-77aQbr7kQvgm7RGYgbdlah_w/s1600-h/PC300582.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018703257262752610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq03c8ok3f2agMMCe0Utuv1NjgyrRQYLem57AkHoxNC2GcPJPpGVVAoQqFxTQFavg58p9Rw4_SxPbXBa1Hryqtt0tBMZrE_z7KGXeHG4o7TwmFW-77aQbr7kQvgm7RGYgbdlah_w/s400/PC300582.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStoOqLD62xODa41lpvE1e0qhlZ2iXWl4DNTSNttmTfPLY3bqbGUA9Zc4FI6PJ9U6_tw_IegdqKgCdknKCuQvLFin4SMHH8tRIkFUPTbRdEgD29NHf7xd0aLrrq08Sk2Krnyb2lw/s1600-h/PC300583.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018703265852687218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStoOqLD62xODa41lpvE1e0qhlZ2iXWl4DNTSNttmTfPLY3bqbGUA9Zc4FI6PJ9U6_tw_IegdqKgCdknKCuQvLFin4SMHH8tRIkFUPTbRdEgD29NHf7xd0aLrrq08Sk2Krnyb2lw/s400/PC300583.JPG" border="0" /></a> Hey...you see those seemingly dried brown leaves ? I had always wondered at them. These are small plants called epiphytes that grown on the big tree. They put up big leaves (those big brown stuff) in a tight circle around the stem. This enables it to catch rain water and form ponds. Falling leaves from above, decay, and pass nutrients. Birds come for water in these ponds and leave behind nitrogen rich droppings. Other visitors could be Mosquitoes, Dragonfly's, frogs, beetles, lizards, small snakes. Its party time out there! Also called Bird fern nest, and commonest of these epiphytes are bromeliads.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwd5Y80Y3M5tYHC9JvWNETC_ZpoV5G3-p5flzyiPFdQZU5Mx34tMpgUQg9sCyJX-CZFhaeJkgQ4_d0aRRUJgreAG-qcCSNDNGZK4J2zv9pt4I1yAMtiA1iUg_c6IXhB0xf9Z0Lw/s1600-h/PC300586.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018703270147654530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwd5Y80Y3M5tYHC9JvWNETC_ZpoV5G3-p5flzyiPFdQZU5Mx34tMpgUQg9sCyJX-CZFhaeJkgQ4_d0aRRUJgreAG-qcCSNDNGZK4J2zv9pt4I1yAMtiA1iUg_c6IXhB0xf9Z0Lw/s400/PC300586.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyM7_gnSkZS1EcNp6vCnuOrBvA4lZioc-kqOQJv_tGwO4tTK4Ex8aFKwKiK4V0VWCagLYPJmXntUZQ4T2XyzVGvmXlfcAh5CsxPqAgy0UevKM6IPppscGzQyozdRORbuHwuFFEGA/s1600-h/PC300587.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018703278737589138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyM7_gnSkZS1EcNp6vCnuOrBvA4lZioc-kqOQJv_tGwO4tTK4Ex8aFKwKiK4V0VWCagLYPJmXntUZQ4T2XyzVGvmXlfcAh5CsxPqAgy0UevKM6IPppscGzQyozdRORbuHwuFFEGA/s400/PC300587.JPG" border="0" /></a> A huge tree trunk lay across our path, and you see the orchids. Orchids are mostly epiphytes, and they are not parasites. Orchids have an exciting tale apart from living on other plants or rocks, their name comes from the Greek orchis, meaning "testicle". Well, Theophrastus (370-285 BC) used that term to describe a class of plants that had testicle like roots. And, the name famously stuck.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLPWMHmMH5ETgw8pP5Vth27we_f07Fa94uTdkcq4pE3EMJuwxEpOWFQOTY0x1vHmWNOTYX41A6AsZ-z2vcmKC0EPrNo_tyrGMYAOd1OY8L6UBBpiwfIcBT71LO9WDEZrJXZnlFQ/s1600-h/PC300572A.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018700426879304482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLPWMHmMH5ETgw8pP5Vth27we_f07Fa94uTdkcq4pE3EMJuwxEpOWFQOTY0x1vHmWNOTYX41A6AsZ-z2vcmKC0EPrNo_tyrGMYAOd1OY8L6UBBpiwfIcBT71LO9WDEZrJXZnlFQ/s400/PC300572A.JPG" border="0" /></a> Pied Paddy skimmer (male)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusN7eUel2Q1fjZGYBhEjkolhOu-ihtveYb06h4ATENbrldpOaWMdDZkty5bnEYCHDWoiD30S5kE3_bmr9-gppc7Ak951UxM5-1FNOobYzSKusJUKGkSFF4cTwcgb8g2vFDYq1yw/s1600-h/PC300600A.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018700431174271810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusN7eUel2Q1fjZGYBhEjkolhOu-ihtveYb06h4ATENbrldpOaWMdDZkty5bnEYCHDWoiD30S5kE3_bmr9-gppc7Ak951UxM5-1FNOobYzSKusJUKGkSFF4cTwcgb8g2vFDYq1yw/s400/PC300600A.JPG" border="0" /></a> Crimson tailed Marsh Hawk (male)</div></div><div></div><div>Moving on, Dragonflys here. Thanks to this <a href="http://www.ias.ac.in/initiat/sci_ed/lifescape/odonates.html">online book</a>, I got to identify them.<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018700431174271794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGu3kzBrAPuMu2We2yoXAqIJ-Kc_aZF8nSvfMNafeesl_WE5BmF3KYMgm0lEY9pMMrvNUMZS0nCPewy5f0xa5puTouah-nIpj7l3BNIzCy73cdoJB4y54HW4fAIZ2jNpU7eAAv9A/s400/PC300592.JPG" border="0" /><br />Flaming spike climber. All wild flowers identified here are thanks to Isaac Kehimkar's book on Common Indian WildFlowers.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCVsszYPM0QnfllWXaaFxlJmJ_eys5VZLimrGBOuDqMujTd1ndU4LZ06igAfryqQ-t5skaA1FRAt5dziUFU_QLiuvfaQo9Rn-4itLQTWpIRfTLsZ259Y5Emnd5P7AgUYssYw_0g/s1600-h/PC300597A.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018698468374217458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCVsszYPM0QnfllWXaaFxlJmJ_eys5VZLimrGBOuDqMujTd1ndU4LZ06igAfryqQ-t5skaA1FRAt5dziUFU_QLiuvfaQo9Rn-4itLQTWpIRfTLsZ259Y5Emnd5P7AgUYssYw_0g/s400/PC300597A.JPG" border="0" /></a> Common Jezebel on Common floss flower. One of my favourite butterfly. The plant is an aggresive invader, rampant due to felling of evergreen forests[Isaac].</div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HbN9Bsw7xLjAR26mOCeGiZzJMJFjOKQZP08UDG_AEzhyphenhyphen6eF7X5wMd97DZ-oEwaNwmPULKZVUnKOk0r9CfCUJGB_JMawJS1XgacvKUFVXX-xEReDw9DycFNaeE8yXM6Fzd-twqw/s1600-h/PC300602.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018698472669184770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HbN9Bsw7xLjAR26mOCeGiZzJMJFjOKQZP08UDG_AEzhyphenhyphen6eF7X5wMd97DZ-oEwaNwmPULKZVUnKOk0r9CfCUJGB_JMawJS1XgacvKUFVXX-xEReDw9DycFNaeE8yXM6Fzd-twqw/s400/PC300602.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7JhD1OJrJLAlFmzE5MV3tTnH2EwSdeA4K7v-eRalphebCLTNJtNnkxcLBzSVu1IbgUQfMFUTQKKdfuNO1NEHEpC75WkataeahdTuiDXudMURHmKYaBQO_YJXJv18qr8mRdyoZQ/s1600-h/PC300606.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018698481259119378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7JhD1OJrJLAlFmzE5MV3tTnH2EwSdeA4K7v-eRalphebCLTNJtNnkxcLBzSVu1IbgUQfMFUTQKKdfuNO1NEHEpC75WkataeahdTuiDXudMURHmKYaBQO_YJXJv18qr8mRdyoZQ/s400/PC300606.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div>Orchid. I thought this could be a catterpillar, and gently touched it. Notice the roots. Some dangle the roots in the air, and absorb moisture in the air. Some spread it on the branches, and absorb the water(along with any absorbed nutrient) trickling down.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiB5m62bl6WddMlhuBv24M-0fN4eEfGW4TS_whNKkuXq_Ba-3MxXW6NLguAyqlsjkpwnAfuLatWMqwH5nrlDrOGgkj8dwTsEq-ek2Rapjgln2ts4JGiu47nEVZ47OLck54anvVjQ/s1600-h/PC300607.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018695796904559282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiB5m62bl6WddMlhuBv24M-0fN4eEfGW4TS_whNKkuXq_Ba-3MxXW6NLguAyqlsjkpwnAfuLatWMqwH5nrlDrOGgkj8dwTsEq-ek2Rapjgln2ts4JGiu47nEVZ47OLck54anvVjQ/s400/PC300607.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ctxqGjceQ183zmgjoYFKKz3fUY4SeNJBs4EQ9_YYaYugeay0iXCQJb3dhpEm1r243rULUlct2wYFn-ue0qM5QydR0j3TMyCdwIDYqMAeJFD5Av_IiHIqICrQc9rHmR1Js7-Yug/s1600-h/PC300608.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIjRfWiMuNeh3NgtWtxLTq1On0hjwtPGePSkEJEdEUEuksy-nM9-G-7NOLFdVRw82tU-isXO6CU0TazI4nXMnF4rLhyAowWm4O2xLswqkrA1t2yx7_HWu5J0ZLiw_Wb-zQzE3Kg/s1600-h/PC300609.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018695814084428498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIjRfWiMuNeh3NgtWtxLTq1On0hjwtPGePSkEJEdEUEuksy-nM9-G-7NOLFdVRw82tU-isXO6CU0TazI4nXMnF4rLhyAowWm4O2xLswqkrA1t2yx7_HWu5J0ZLiw_Wb-zQzE3Kg/s400/PC300609.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLUDGs1n4cDl7aRC5_yeYMP_lzyHFqBBoL3Fmhfa2elhXCi1C2hC_yo3qW4LJrcvEaBGqsuciD-mjykQa5CsOjvt4jNMq_8Cn_H2sYt2OVCOy7i0aHissO6iuTMuOniO6VXiYaQ/s1600-h/PC300612.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018695826969330402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLUDGs1n4cDl7aRC5_yeYMP_lzyHFqBBoL3Fmhfa2elhXCi1C2hC_yo3qW4LJrcvEaBGqsuciD-mjykQa5CsOjvt4jNMq_8Cn_H2sYt2OVCOy7i0aHissO6iuTMuOniO6VXiYaQ/s400/PC300612.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />By this time, it was afternoon, Jharna, Sunand & me - we had got lost - blame it on orchids & dragonflys - and were the last to reach this amazing waterfall. The path was quite adventerous - walking besides a stream, on rocks, slippery at times.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRp1lekN7_XlM-3xsID8stQpOmLNI1LT7r70_O-6MaXosK72jmHF32P9Jd2UtwVbPTr8EPQNIZZQ7G0SnktVtuPML_UsjLVVyEQt_3u7DX8ybPKLzdjG2l8kNG-n6F5tMGLH0fxw/s1600-h/PC300625.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018693791154831970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRp1lekN7_XlM-3xsID8stQpOmLNI1LT7r70_O-6MaXosK72jmHF32P9Jd2UtwVbPTr8EPQNIZZQ7G0SnktVtuPML_UsjLVVyEQt_3u7DX8ybPKLzdjG2l8kNG-n6F5tMGLH0fxw/s400/PC300625.JPG" border="0" /></a>This looks like a 'Tree frog', unfortunately I don't have a better picture. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVeDwbE2ALmFQYGpVeejAQx3MB1nxzXD2JhB8MUVCjVQqON5mMSXlFC5RSuBlhXrP5HGO4mz__HzQpgjet73fH4toOJS27WXG_H2-zIAOKXgK0hc2bwxMxnnPxCudkpPpJ0v2pw/s1600-h/PC300626.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018693799744766578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVeDwbE2ALmFQYGpVeejAQx3MB1nxzXD2JhB8MUVCjVQqON5mMSXlFC5RSuBlhXrP5HGO4mz__HzQpgjet73fH4toOJS27WXG_H2-zIAOKXgK0hc2bwxMxnnPxCudkpPpJ0v2pw/s400/PC300626.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrN5UuSWvQBAgAeYOEBJQ941zD0lly8gNApkpHnaw0podoC8rhgZRRI82ohXDFwtltUajlBFFyJdj510BWUfHmfsBwDydPrrGH0tO17_zYpjaQ16cpPewBqwcE-zE9fjZG4uyymg/s1600-h/PC300627.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018693804039733890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrN5UuSWvQBAgAeYOEBJQ941zD0lly8gNApkpHnaw0podoC8rhgZRRI82ohXDFwtltUajlBFFyJdj510BWUfHmfsBwDydPrrGH0tO17_zYpjaQ16cpPewBqwcE-zE9fjZG4uyymg/s400/PC300627.JPG" border="0" /></a> Hill Blepharis. Bees polinate the flowers.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtngWyaB38abwp_3NshqqP7taja3kpUJZPeDsHjPEeVQ5lz2k5biS_TlTo407vbnJqkYLj3lNcTA9W_UhJXYxs5WyXysHtJn6JI_QccOex4Y0aM34dJ2o5wQdSoWFUzfoFzXHrw/s1600-h/PC300628.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018693808334701202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtngWyaB38abwp_3NshqqP7taja3kpUJZPeDsHjPEeVQ5lz2k5biS_TlTo407vbnJqkYLj3lNcTA9W_UhJXYxs5WyXysHtJn6JI_QccOex4Y0aM34dJ2o5wQdSoWFUzfoFzXHrw/s400/PC300628.JPG" border="0" /></a> Common burbush. Interstingly, the lower leaves in the plant have three lobes, while those on the flowering stem have single pointed apex[Isaac]. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOJnNAD7CiLL1HTp4rP7UCd6YHYJrII5c2QLdxEcMCDcO29v3HtvVSkIZLc8QiupsAMJKvBbYDyTqpaV3SNbqQEaXXZ7KFwq7oEPDTV73taD9HKpfMeWso1YUa-Yr2LZI3e_eBA/s1600-h/PC300630.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018693816924635810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOJnNAD7CiLL1HTp4rP7UCd6YHYJrII5c2QLdxEcMCDcO29v3HtvVSkIZLc8QiupsAMJKvBbYDyTqpaV3SNbqQEaXXZ7KFwq7oEPDTV73taD9HKpfMeWso1YUa-Yr2LZI3e_eBA/s400/PC300630.JPG" border="0" /></a> ???????? </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018704485623399378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo97VTb33FFhzPnBqAGhqoJxuPjIMacjdL_3m4U5VWnrTev2DoRezFz7zpbwVdgQaPdJGIVqVfuR1tf_oCnl-dqiY7Wg3r2BOf9eFNiSQsh-S6_5UccmQZmhyphenhyphenGHN0L0G6P5gz2Vg/s400/PC300641.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>Spot the insect.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019438886376309826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5xoU-xMgTgOVFPW4DW_o7AZ3wFQCNgERrWMftDee0DAAXHa9M4KYkuBQIWRTq0oFLAekTVI4tHyutc7B835v6z8FVZ2HPDQ0TKhIaZ15_u030DWCKmJC7SP-m9Q8wYNmgaXRyA/s400/PC300636A.JPG" border="0" /> It was a long day, my left knee showed up an earlier running injury. And, I struggled once the climb & decent began. This majorly hampered my movements, getting closer to the subjects, and having time to photograph. And, had also finished up one of the two batteries I carried. And, so got very choosy in clicking. Stayed away from people & landscape snaps.</div><div></div></div>Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-20040634864727445462007-01-21T00:04:00.000+05:302008-12-09T05:00:27.702+05:30Kodachaadri trek day 2We pitched our tents, and crashed. Well, thats damp squib is what Sunand would say. And, lo...he didn't let me sleep. He pulled me out for the new year celebrations, that began a day earlier. A cake with 7 candles surfaced!!! Some game.... soon pettered away, and it was the time for anthakshari around a bonfire with competition from other trekking groups, camped just a stone throw away. I sneaked out, and crashed.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5022160671576294482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXjRc9XREVFIDZKdGhe0GFA9cDBeCAJuGzC9avvOSiB49ujpwV9gta8-7xWapV-BAyb7mYx3wCVLPiOFOjv8_k5bkMakndjc1zkZCebbO9b0u9QUalKlwYB3sZoanD2v7OQwujA/s400/babaos_orion1.jpg" border="0" /><br />Soon, I was pulled out in the name of a 'night trek'.....Deepak, Sandeep, Sunand & me went up to one of the Kodachaadri peaks. I was dragging my feet. Lot of moonlight, outlines of distant hills, a valley, grasslands and forests. We reached the top, and lied down on a carry mat, and starred at the sky. A clear sky, the brightness of the moon, kept some stars away, but still it was breathtaking, it was midnight, and Orion - the hunter - was right above. We watched amazed, and asked questions over-awed, "What if a star falls on us ?"<br /><em>(pic, flicked from the web)<br /></em><div><br /><a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WIypelfNLfGEvBHZIQyMGp770gU0kN3gMuNdrJN0UMx6Hz8kT8TzWUOJEsl8Q7i-TVP64cqIN5gwraDQXAOA1LyM3Ae9ZQhVHZws1iMtGG1spgAAPYtwHxk0cQojZ5my21jhjw/s1600-h/PC310642.JPG" target="_blank"></a><div><br /></div><a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7zV7iGE-gTCzCDSMxYpOHfqnd2WPft1WdsevsMwtRLq3e4y_dNCPpLtOb3ZsqscEonm_YYPyBEHcTz7kbgI8c-MeFC-Ha0EktEYTP5JkhHqrYKguUNjfzpJ5K-YGae0E8GTH2Q/s1600-h/PC310643.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7zV7iGE-gTCzCDSMxYpOHfqnd2WPft1WdsevsMwtRLq3e4y_dNCPpLtOb3ZsqscEonm_YYPyBEHcTz7kbgI8c-MeFC-Ha0EktEYTP5JkhHqrYKguUNjfzpJ5K-YGae0E8GTH2Q/s400/PC310643.JPG" border="0" /> </a>Nest day morning, the last day of the year, I was slow to be off the blocks. The gang had started for the sunrise. I went up to the peak we had gone the previous night, only to realise the rest of the gang was at a much taller peak. That gave me some time for myself. </div><div><br /></div><a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPwdtIu6NJRNnVxvqTAzeyMmdYiy1AYss7gxdp3Hz24HnCFaVTbgNoMwIRRukxjcrZYogPbL3Za3nzDk9m2Otmu0kx9ZZCiktuXq6K-6F71WZ7U0HQsFLLkJqAacqpKB1oKv2iQ/s1600-h/PC310645.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPwdtIu6NJRNnVxvqTAzeyMmdYiy1AYss7gxdp3Hz24HnCFaVTbgNoMwIRRukxjcrZYogPbL3Za3nzDk9m2Otmu0kx9ZZCiktuXq6K-6F71WZ7U0HQsFLLkJqAacqpKB1oKv2iQ/s400/PC310645.JPG" border="0" /> </a>As I moved around, on a crater like peak with wild grasses. I stopped, the pounding began, will the snake stay ? I slowly moved, and aimed, it seemed to laze in the morning sun. No movements, as I inched closer, with increased beating, it turned out to be a snake molt! I was excited beyond measure. Therz absolutely no pattern on the skin, and I am finding it difficult to identify it. Yes, I got it home in a lunch box. Note that the head & tail are very close. It has eyelids!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9110255/snake">Encyclopedia Britanica article on snakes </a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8JWTnMZG-_yn9pAwde-cHnV8xwqOPl2Ej8KoAQMTu7JeNNafzI0LOLMFKFxdDADOheWuVnfQjeutpo1_HBwevD0VmvqZqrvgfzppnU15bRnZw1gRgkJXm3ci7Yz519QV-qHhlw/s1600-h/PC310647.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8JWTnMZG-_yn9pAwde-cHnV8xwqOPl2Ej8KoAQMTu7JeNNafzI0LOLMFKFxdDADOheWuVnfQjeutpo1_HBwevD0VmvqZqrvgfzppnU15bRnZw1gRgkJXm3ci7Yz519QV-qHhlw/s400/PC310647.JPG" border="0" /> </a><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2Y4KKRbjtyRauWmNJkWEWQ4zjJCHFgr8OQajuG6PBSEkceDomrKQz93thBzZypsBqygIW6jJX1yHy4boce4Hk55ka6m78DRSrqQfdu82DpobF9Zqiylvl9l90ZCRwbrwG7BHag/s400/PC310648.JPG" border="0" /> The trek began around 10ish. Look at these snow clad leaves. I was amazed. After closer scrutiny realised it some fungus deposit on dying leaves.<br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvwXCTj4Kzi7y0SLbOMnLeQO7i0yT8PozhZ9zMSqxl0cJDs2A5jR_ZOCjEx3rSiHoH2UIroEqORK7grKt1Ii2HSOSu1nertnaTEH3-kJGlt5vjYF17c7MKPHBEpXDFxaSnWKnYg/s400/PC310649.JPG" border="0" /> Western Hill Catmont. Flowers pollinated by bees, wasps & ants [Isaac].<br /><a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTZMicmk5mAkZYDZ_S1kj28YGAXHoktiIxcmtUl6Sjz0Un1RFVHkmXclEwQQ34eSWaNbS1VYKc7SRZT_GPGQLf6afSWlSaW2XbRjAhkSLfnYpP7OL_V2M9i7gnJuzCQp_pmi8EA/s1600-h/PC310653.JPG" target="_blank"></a>Thats amazing, for a lot of flowers evolve to have a specific species pollinate their flowers.<br /><br /><br /><div><a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpANzEaCS8EmFWSmwiG69szywPM3A4THlEra6J5vBJdabZbCxsZio0x_RC-z7shdpeCXo3JW4AdOfXopKmPoO_-c0qwZMoQEfoHThuLGwXQF4pjlm02S9GhLmOsfZP1zeAxvXubA/s1600-h/PC310656.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpANzEaCS8EmFWSmwiG69szywPM3A4THlEra6J5vBJdabZbCxsZio0x_RC-z7shdpeCXo3JW4AdOfXopKmPoO_-c0qwZMoQEfoHThuLGwXQF4pjlm02S9GhLmOsfZP1zeAxvXubA/s400/PC310656.JPG" border="0" /> </a><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsU7lnaRgUeE222aJW0aHHBpYb_GIY19OebYL5gOhVf_8te7dkQwPFkVWPHM6yJojV10CWpr2qMzPh-QjTaY0Afto4tyLrEq391ClwwpXESpsGXy8f3PckFItuyIavmih2oy-HQ/s400/PC310658.JPG" border="0" /> As the gang caught their breaths, after the steep & labourious climb down from Kodachaadri. We reached a eatery, and were awaiting 'Puttu'. Meanwhile, I went out to explore a small path that beckoned. And as I stepped into thick vegetation, I could see a skink rush away, and I lost sight of it. The next half an hour, I waited.......at some point it came out......the rustling of the leaves was a dead give away. Importantly, you need to maintain the silence, as you move, spot it, peer thru light tunnels in the dark forests. <strong>Little Skink: </strong><em><strong>Mabuya macularia</strong>.</em> Skinks the largest of all lizard families, with over 1,300 species feed on plant material & insects.</div><div><br /></div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTZMicmk5mAkZYDZ_S1kj28YGAXHoktiIxcmtUl6Sjz0Un1RFVHkmXclEwQQ34eSWaNbS1VYKc7SRZT_GPGQLf6afSWlSaW2XbRjAhkSLfnYpP7OL_V2M9i7gnJuzCQp_pmi8EA/s400/PC310653.JPG" border="0" />The puttu finally arrived ;-)<br /><br /><div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gdRBde9BzKT5pTT8EnUerjM7jotbZC8NV3R9y_DKFaaTnxPPOdr7EsBS-i0J7flwEA5VfXtWL_ePtkIlH8hae4qaOzeRDSu6ImLuLTCDj6YbOOP8nQn63AUX3tqeDEV7Wc1EoA/s400/PC310660.JPG" border="0" />By now, we were in real thick vegetation, quite dark, rapid decent, and my bruised knee. Wonderful trees all over. I just wasn't able to capture them due to pressure to keep up with the group! Notice the leaves. There were four or five leaves at the tip, and just one of them was real long. I couldn't believe my eyes! Was this the characteristic of the plant......or was it the light source that just elongated a leaf ?<br /></div><a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIQ34v9-HJI5B5p2m8_5ZZhnop4M29RgF7WKEtA6JT5uzPisvNJoUokmgEQI2aJLnzyEUEUS874eVHw6cVz44dGjO-1BUqVjeDsu9lWL2Cu_6DSHVjjPQ75PJxVI2hNpFayJH9A/s1600-h/PC310662.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIQ34v9-HJI5B5p2m8_5ZZhnop4M29RgF7WKEtA6JT5uzPisvNJoUokmgEQI2aJLnzyEUEUS874eVHw6cVz44dGjO-1BUqVjeDsu9lWL2Cu_6DSHVjjPQ75PJxVI2hNpFayJH9A/s400/PC310662.JPG" border="0" /> </a><br /><a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1tkfsYLEngXmBU5EoFmyutHDpWKjXqSQ5c16drqe95JaHrdWWdsQzRKR54L0EfzMct0NJRzkgokdUF8QnJcHwFqeX3BuMJAOSiZUOJBtpaKFWA524JdRE1k5UGZmmN7A0g_6Xw/s1600-h/PC310663.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1tkfsYLEngXmBU5EoFmyutHDpWKjXqSQ5c16drqe95JaHrdWWdsQzRKR54L0EfzMct0NJRzkgokdUF8QnJcHwFqeX3BuMJAOSiZUOJBtpaKFWA524JdRE1k5UGZmmN7A0g_6Xw/s400/PC310663.JPG" border="0" /> </a>These bright colored fruits(?) were sticking out of the ground. I find them quite fascinating, have no clue what they are. The small plants closeby seemed to be associated with it. They were found close to a stream (which had leaches), alongside a unused jeep track. </div><div></div><div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1-8K76YWTuV6FC2brVcgnkU6YEg3EWMaj0r5ZuTNad6A3HCV87q_3-euX7DUmOszTEnKRVPDD6XRvWp0_sUKBWpYe7GJxRxHNecmIGJgg1UnT0qk_hd4jSoK6M3-90UCIGbZlA/s400/PC310664.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3uo2GvSokTtQ0HIMjNmcJKRNTvFC49QFUhSTQEfgONfgcl7zicQtZA1y3Xct93FnhBo5a57-qDgOFCut-L4CKSIdyJ0mWyNA1Dw7-dqSb1Ig1yJCkgdiayB23ZcxXbNokcPuSw/s400/PC310665.JPG" border="0" /> Dense forest. Trees. Climbers. It was bewildering. And some of them pretty tall. Herz one. Sunand & Deepak (left to right).<br /><div><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeoZnH5IQYqU8qPJjJxUa3veiykpAbet3WEHd8BV9crMH8dqgFPSxepHh01i00oMPtGaNVJup06W9LQ4se_eAjNj0z_tzFnQeJHowa-pjQElp4mCgEaYbOBlQEJiE31ANihVJuQ/s400/PC310667.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div>Seed dispersal is another interesting aspect in plants. The plants devise various mechanisms to ensure that their seeds reach, far & wide. Fruits are once such mechanism. Many a time, the pod bursts and the seeds are flown, hopefully far away. Here, you see the pod(the conical structure), the brown seeds, and the white radiating threads in a parachute fashion from each seed. A little breeze shud suffice to take the seed away. Wonder, what aerodynamic fundas apply here.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDVioRfslgMpWhZOtIyExZwyGMupZIDppdvuo39BwbCTlrSUubnMEtPAM2Xc8G9evxumN1eL_5aZg2QmjIOaHaTwepkU4fCvUTfY688PjngX1U1df8Let-c-CGATTNMBmH540zA/s400/PC310672.JPG" border="0" /> <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybAOBTAVZZjjuaNfbAq5tHU8O3Wu1sZERBsZmgeCk6pvwF_Fzqf-nFV6oUW27XASXE_SvmptWDtrQ_LQYlaEe8e3DUH00aC2OqUnOo8DutXMKIQaPAx7ePNNkbxNqfCd0OPq5Tw/s400/PC310668.JPG" border="0" /> <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKR5CGFtnydeZmlXWBZjZ-NUVKPrqGlIrlzACJ5VjkqZKCTJ4K2Sj9HXrSKUoyrFHNRYHzyM8LUKrXqFS2PghhHLmOHSDDt0HFmdeTCRsPZaoYtAlOLzoWj1Ct_-8bS2HBlW0lg/s400/PC310671.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div>We finally reached this tall waterfall. ArishinaGundi falls. Barely had time to getinto water. Away from the falls, just above the flowing water, besides the rocks where a colony of spiders. Lots of webs, and spides galore. As I watched them, I was zapped to find spiders inside water!!!! Wondering - what the hell - and kept starring at them, took a few pictures, that didn't come out so well. Thought, I shud check this out with experts. As I kept watching the water-borne spiders, blood gushed in, and I realised I was looking at spider reflections!!! Ha....what a let down!!!<img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT6h5BMv6BbymtRh_idkuPZ5ymNUjfvr5okCqlxwCuvfGay1n9GZZLMbkbPUKzTMALeBCzFGVf6FjSrfIpdxlPA4_TBSCO4jkFaPCrL-H2uDhTcYVTD9fj6ZyhVkrtUiUh1hIQA/s400/PC310694.JPG" border="0" />Well, herz a unsolved mystery. Found a spider inside this nest. Itz real white. With almost straight edges. It looked like a tissue paper folded on a branch and stitched. Mmm...adaptation of a tissue paper thrown or nature's yet another creation ?<br /></div><div><div><a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQSKG6VoRk4FdAUZCCVgl_R7RvesGH3unXiarlrK5k0fkzPqtRpY0F-huTbMMENB35zq8BzKHj2ttxLiLilhbRsYCRM2hyQ0WjIMSz70WLiDqK3ResERWM6tek3epqk3scLe9mQ/s1600-h/PC310699.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQSKG6VoRk4FdAUZCCVgl_R7RvesGH3unXiarlrK5k0fkzPqtRpY0F-huTbMMENB35zq8BzKHj2ttxLiLilhbRsYCRM2hyQ0WjIMSz70WLiDqK3ResERWM6tek3epqk3scLe9mQ/s400/PC310699.JPG" border="0" /> </a>The trek was to get over in another half-a-kilometer according to the local guide Vijay, and we walked for atleast 30 minutes!!! </div><div>The Gang. </div><div><br /><a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxP4V7l_wuwPr4ZpppGFEEaIiNWray6kktKJ6jC8Ndwx1nej-ENBeZoHjH-zryEH-MQ99-UGw35SODhhrF7bz7SEKo-Gmh-XgMB_rFTpUdN2z-_LEeMM04Ov1ociplcXXx_Qh2Q/s1600-h/PC310700.JPG" target="_blank"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxP4V7l_wuwPr4ZpppGFEEaIiNWray6kktKJ6jC8Ndwx1nej-ENBeZoHjH-zryEH-MQ99-UGw35SODhhrF7bz7SEKo-Gmh-XgMB_rFTpUdN2z-_LEeMM04Ov1ociplcXXx_Qh2Q/s400/PC310700.JPG" border="0" /> </a></div></div></div><br /><p>As we walked towards kollur, the new year celebrations started hitting us. Here the road was turned into a greeting card!</p><p>A lovely trek. Perfect way to end the year. Would like to go back, with a smaller group, and examine the flora-fauna closely. Thanks <a href="http://kmaindia.org">KMA</a>.</p>Sources:<br /><br />The Book of Indian Reptiles & Amphibians: J. C. Daniel<br />Common Indian wild flowers: Isaac Kehimkar<br />The Private Life of Plants: David Attenborough<br /><br />And, Karthikeyan, Ullas, & Joby.<br /><br /><p></p>Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-56714559893162750542007-01-27T21:05:00.000+05:302008-12-09T05:00:24.912+05:30Ganarajyothsava<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024709266515035650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2A2pbdTTMnTaFO7qaPHqtU1UsXY9ReekvKo8X3V690ygsD-Bgws34rJzFy331tNbsJsz21WbiDtCQZ4hSyX7Y58XbFGpZ4SBZoxKBux2vJJTiWgwiLSGvX9nhj2RHJUAAHRL5Q/s400/P1260720.JPG" border="0" />India's Republic day means & doesn't mean a lot of things to people. But to school children, itz fun time again. Marchpasts, community processions, speeches, flag hoisting, songs, skit, dramas & chocolates!!! It was 9ish in the morning, when I reached the Chalghatta school. For a change, all the kids were neatly seated, and awaited the proceeding to start. The chief guest was to arrive, and there was no sign of him. And soon, there was these colorful distant objects in the sky that got the kids excited. Parachutes, balloons ? None of us cud make them out.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024727661859964530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjUKqbSlMLSTv4uhNdKT6KPz0brwicBpXUhs6fcuk30rTIz1AB60lxgtBp-9Q2YAFiMuTozm7m289VmqYcEPvaZsR15Cg9UMb9Th7whCQ5SDzZMGKCIycUcmTuOL5V2MuGeAACA/s400/P1260721.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024709279399937586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnqYv0Y6oymboj953kjMguKzVDZ-pWqvHir8hXspUxetgiu8XoYAdgNbo-st06BEs-dj0TOyNyqL1EK7xMV_PmInrI12ut56Zk7J1d9uNoauazDMfsyinwr5NtBts6fiVnqieJg/s400/P1260727.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_dJeemn80GTv_XPO0hof1qldibDuRUaVDTaI4ALAGpxbWu2KBxtz56sQUZt4M0riQRbu02DOZX2_O5hasfuWkunwpa5AR_7S2DCT6Im5kfvr7hrOOzZNVbiBfps8VL8DaZx81A/s1600-h/P1260722.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024709270810002962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_dJeemn80GTv_XPO0hof1qldibDuRUaVDTaI4ALAGpxbWu2KBxtz56sQUZt4M0riQRbu02DOZX2_O5hasfuWkunwpa5AR_7S2DCT6Im5kfvr7hrOOzZNVbiBfps8VL8DaZx81A/s400/P1260722.JPG" border="0" /></a> The 6th std kids rehearsing<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QRF69kHL_Q0cW0Zrypb4FXTFoodOsptE-zpNY4aAvlvuWVb-4YlxXjg9a7CU3t0TNWlVALE-MelGGomyp_Z4XeySB2p6l_PoyJylOxuLqWCE-AKdmma5di1bJ6iT3cl5H5VeeA/s1600-h/P1260724.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024709275104970274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QRF69kHL_Q0cW0Zrypb4FXTFoodOsptE-zpNY4aAvlvuWVb-4YlxXjg9a7CU3t0TNWlVALE-MelGGomyp_Z4XeySB2p6l_PoyJylOxuLqWCE-AKdmma5di1bJ6iT3cl5H5VeeA/s400/P1260724.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Shivaji & a look-alike!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SgUhp4tPsI4tN1E0PP4oR3o6haxXJcSwJXybS4ZRlm_5uPwplzX8VuYrw5OcZJYLgKR_mRBAG9vnUB1a1M66OVQvCApoynzpis0_jRO0CYtnYROjGxYf-BwKp2Lrv9cSM4ycKw/s1600-h/P1260730.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024709287989872194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SgUhp4tPsI4tN1E0PP4oR3o6haxXJcSwJXybS4ZRlm_5uPwplzX8VuYrw5OcZJYLgKR_mRBAG9vnUB1a1M66OVQvCApoynzpis0_jRO0CYtnYROjGxYf-BwKp2Lrv9cSM4ycKw/s400/P1260730.JPG" border="0" /></a> Awaiting the chief guest.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024707398204261858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAdC6EV9Axnq92JUQa2lir1q8CU4YbN8VesneoAraCeZpxdhNS8lDBUwSzo03GAlNVnt933XfmWPZzSfQ0KT17VWJ-xU-eIm4eJcihGCrts36qUL2Pa1e5LabcOoogrXVR7Ozbg/s400/P1260740.JPG" border="0" /> Finally, we decided to go ahead.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024707393909294546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhDAq9wBKFZ9_Bw2xM5yCuJuprqW-0gux-z22m8EvljrKI8ad4KIW3glE1T88w5pQ3LLwOi92BRZok9Poxl5u5f1eky3fi0y4tn7bBcrnzrmx4CTuKPWnspjBALVVzi0KasQh5Q/s400/P1260739.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />The culturals started, but we guyz had to move to the Bellur school.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwE6LMWePnyoRlmXBI9WAdzptj-FWGtOitJb49hVYAnCOyJZZKCsHKgxBSWemEKQPGoi8OlAmG6UK0XuPA6W3bprrb7C59vt1VYv8fygOnMKyjPY0JEYQ82p0YiVZ4Jc9qKkFZQ/s1600-h/P1260743.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024707402499229170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwE6LMWePnyoRlmXBI9WAdzptj-FWGtOitJb49hVYAnCOyJZZKCsHKgxBSWemEKQPGoi8OlAmG6UK0XuPA6W3bprrb7C59vt1VYv8fygOnMKyjPY0JEYQ82p0YiVZ4Jc9qKkFZQ/s400/P1260743.JPG" border="0" /></a> Initial photshot with Chetna & Hena.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024705564253226402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uJRW6Q_TQQNdn_JNrnDQzgHPZgY8aA-hOGRfuiVC-lAq4yWgFgJw04iaFD7SHvG19jvTjRp3370PBxr1uaFd5EYcQVEl2_cO0oTEOVtPRHCcccKqdFwm3WLCfwLJF1b3u2E3Ig/s400/P1260747.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024703833381406082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxPK8JdYyuzM2aakDKUd5kuHgqsmwEMo1fVUyvakQeccKV3PJ4MBYCp4Am2H_xirnbNPb2RLDN4w00dpcLW2C1OPU8kgzpsZC_Tx1qLQrysPAgvef9nhucAGz2a-neWMlAFxrPw/s400/P1260754.JPG" border="0" />' Bharath Matha ki Jai'<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJzyANdZqx3KIB8bK2RO9K28kCGyioWd0CAqou0vlF9GP_5uEavU9SRMEIzpcxCsjzSOUguIJGmsD1PzWCeCTnt4PvJDcCgUISm9FAhNUqx8X4MiWLcAnW07_LSqr-CAL1eLWyA/s1600-h/P1260753.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024705572843161026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJzyANdZqx3KIB8bK2RO9K28kCGyioWd0CAqou0vlF9GP_5uEavU9SRMEIzpcxCsjzSOUguIJGmsD1PzWCeCTnt4PvJDcCgUISm9FAhNUqx8X4MiWLcAnW07_LSqr-CAL1eLWyA/s400/P1260753.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024705568548193714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7VoZYb9FXAepT1DUisBV3MkSi4I_jrovQftGzCxXkBXedsEn5IU93GsuC5c8YcUfEoExTuPkplMSqj92wuHr8WJseWXVX56UrFIJV6t03xB5auk8HjksPrSchxq8O0m-Fu1icw/s400/P1260752.JPG" border="0" />The Anganwaadi kids.<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024702806884222306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_X1nbT6fYYEVCeetIjnee6cu3jSZKjWPdZQGnDmPM1ef-3k5Wu1ODjhecAgpxHF16XhHVOZICKRv9SuEePgXi0MxRoLeGkBfr39-yYeHo9cdcayFPhfPLDLzBWXvHavRJaOxEhg/s400/P1260759.JPG" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTAkFGZVti2-VUD5yfUCxFcNKB6eXvz1-U0AkG-ObFLiq6nOC68x564BKSnGDrEuOKW34Dr-L8VIDItKu4gaonsCtjj-g_ZJW7DXK1XNMn0OJvtAPytGsDoV-bptjHOZBHb0hgw/s1600-h/P1260756.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024703837676373394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTAkFGZVti2-VUD5yfUCxFcNKB6eXvz1-U0AkG-ObFLiq6nOC68x564BKSnGDrEuOKW34Dr-L8VIDItKu4gaonsCtjj-g_ZJW7DXK1XNMn0OJvtAPytGsDoV-bptjHOZBHb0hgw/s400/P1260756.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Vande matharam song. Chetna & Hena had trained these kids for it. One complicated version, with tounge twistors galore.......I regarded it as pain & torture to my kids.......but to my surprise they pulled it of with aplomb.<br /><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ryFLaQ0sHrcC4qzXWLHyOK732815M8vhKGSD_sN7AnlQpu044RmIagrOXJPZw9BLIO-uWYYKCc646U5unRkwu1zVwkd0ADx4jfyGRfMJGzwwqZgGZ-rUJsf-X5UdXBd2LPe8lA/s1600-h/P1260760.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024702811179189618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ryFLaQ0sHrcC4qzXWLHyOK732815M8vhKGSD_sN7AnlQpu044RmIagrOXJPZw9BLIO-uWYYKCc646U5unRkwu1zVwkd0ADx4jfyGRfMJGzwwqZgGZ-rUJsf-X5UdXBd2LPe8lA/s400/P1260760.JPG" border="0" /></a>Loose control... One more time!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024643141198546098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RF8ho3tckEVyll8_5npjDF1-F7DhMa0e_wj7mZVsihhoI-e5GBX_KseWjB2gB4KV5MbSV0vxSstGUnNAwh_nhI7__qEEwx_HPil-4tgUNJrUs11vG40nlCVXeP1jXPLvUWr2lg/s400/P1260768.JPG" border="0" /> Man...now for THE skit. The 'Punyakoti' song. Chethan, who sang was running away with the song. I barely managed to click a few snaps.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024701814746776914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNjIuZntCN1kHrRMtCKd2AbJfsBwEVc8Z3hYhu1kSZleSFM_2MT38rHah9P4oAerURbzoGjAr6KwJGbSu5QeGFu_VOOsu-rJKAOddvNbBng4wwuGyBUcAvETWut5cN1JSmkbbxQ/s400/P1260766.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div>We had wonderful masks for the cows & tiger, but the one for the calf wasn't available, and we had to make do with a rabbit mask!!! Here Punyakoti is talking with her calf....'bout her impending surrender to Mr. Tiger.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024643154083448002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqesINnCCDPGm4RG1CIChb4Dj-JnVUuIYRsiper2hKUPQbRI6AHUwPh-vgJGnGoqPndjbmA_ETwmNREcp69DnysFY2EnoCgwjvZwTHJiaBv-hX1VPmzWmg_TvIYXhd0gxocIHwA/s400/P1260769.JPG" border="0" /><br />After sentimental scenes, Punyakoti goes to Mr. Tiger, who for reasons I haven't fathomed all my life, feels sorry for wanting to kill her and instead of sending her back & going home, jumps from a cliff, and ends life!!!! </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024723942418286178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwKJVAdNfSTowwWD3gjq3-WuHSJ2DepzbIA-oS2VUtRwZTKTS7NZD5C-WWRNNBIZ8ywj94m8AYR5mW1M3n_oKyYJT7RJt_NVq4IWh6i8QZHXAcOQ8NoBPwzkWTpnZqYiVbUyYTw/s400/P1260792.JPG" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBweflvhVsyDGdb2uTb_lCyzILbuTRac2ppis8q8di1oJyK1xJyUXfrmXPAa1oc4cJCKInnJ6MJocerIWXuUYwpGh6nrVjYxuSBxD7mn81QVJZglh1nQV_sKWrOMDbujfVJhGbdg/s1600-h/P1260773.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024643158378415314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBweflvhVsyDGdb2uTb_lCyzILbuTRac2ppis8q8di1oJyK1xJyUXfrmXPAa1oc4cJCKInnJ6MJocerIWXuUYwpGh6nrVjYxuSBxD7mn81QVJZglh1nQV_sKWrOMDbujfVJhGbdg/s400/P1260773.JPG" border="0" /></a>Teaching with my 5th std kids goes like this....45 minutes of English...restlessness.....and suddenly they jump and say 'Uncle, we will dance'......and thats it...they have their 'n' dances...that includes Dhoom machale!!! Here, we have them as Gopika's cribbing 'bout Krishna!!!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVARPUucXbKVlcz3UxHrUQ9zUNRF0twHnpoO5-_IF5LxR95bYC65tfolIqz-O_zlrelOe1axo_rDHfP5PlVhryO3S1Ca6bihzvK3oeAdWa45Kmgv0KKKYwqM4TBvzfNbrpmJD3AA/s1600-h/P1260774.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024643166968349922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVARPUucXbKVlcz3UxHrUQ9zUNRF0twHnpoO5-_IF5LxR95bYC65tfolIqz-O_zlrelOe1axo_rDHfP5PlVhryO3S1Ca6bihzvK3oeAdWa45Kmgv0KKKYwqM4TBvzfNbrpmJD3AA/s400/P1260774.JPG" border="0" /></a> Speech in English. Chetna came with a simple written speech, and thrust it in my hands. None of the 4th & 5th were ready to speak it out, for they can't read it in the first place. Shocked. Well, thats the way it is. And, as I loudly contemplated writing the English in Kannada, and getting it read. Manjunath, a 3rd std kid, jumped, and forcefully said, he wud do it, and did a wonderful job of it. Long way to go for us.<br /><br /><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024641062434374818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXK2J3VnJICo7n2DBlZWqE3nbW_fTtltJ1peJMZlOVTWi-kwpi6_CNl31ZJbWUZGJ6GOTvCrj06lxnNMKhb7KWflg4ZaU4Aud6LlRVS72anAoS64fnZ8LlSvhUhxpe8vJStRLdCQ/s400/P1260787.JPG" border="0" /> 3rd std kids singing the poem 'Bannadha thagadina thuthuri'<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024641058139407506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBo7Tro1p7Rxio_YIaVfDLr7pi1LxNabzckRtEqxwOfiidLSGYQMD_qI6XMSKik5pvYGO6MRn18xA_8nhTotnPR-BTbC4buHng2L7d7UwFamSZDp2-RZLgGTnK3uM_vEadlQxCA/s400/P1260794.JPG" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2jgstIjUlafmTUlME2oMtDxcNrZirRnJdL7OvIFNYGhlomdB5KrISWWYUXoQd4AuMoxTRYEwOv_XqnAFhfDZSGIABNNOb67gZXBt07tDXxHPosjttCcAk5N_4IInQHUvB3pXFg/s1600-h/P1260797.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024641049549472898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2jgstIjUlafmTUlME2oMtDxcNrZirRnJdL7OvIFNYGhlomdB5KrISWWYUXoQd4AuMoxTRYEwOv_XqnAFhfDZSGIABNNOb67gZXBt07tDXxHPosjttCcAk5N_4IInQHUvB3pXFg/s400/P1260797.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024641045254505586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiV9hAM7VohjkVHjvC5IEbriwLJ_2iqg7uSIfzHvix6A0BR045TGFGmH0FE6fgSw8qMwS1PWfo3EK70wacenlslqoXUGCcCbVW40U7oXUVgbzTXCnuDdlIFOSAZy-NDLi7KCcy5g/s400/P1260800.JPG" border="0" /> Man...this song has climbed up to the top of my charts. Something like 'Jannadha pannadha mangagallee'......Monkeys... please don't see, speak & hear evil! A dance, that evokes lot of laughter amongst kids.<br /><br />End of celebrations. Lots of volunteers missed. Sunand, Dharin & Ami joined. And, the best part was the culturals at the Bellur school. Last Independence day, the kids just watched as pooja & speeches took the centre stage. But this time it was the otherway. </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024641036664570978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjaDGzRvVURufAk5pKTvrnRhV4qlcX2BS3-kGe2i2c9dhlDzCblyk2xe-UAd55k2bkLItmLDhMmaXFDnw5xOiJ_MsMfbvYLKDthc4oWN5HDBGiFWBxY19uz_p5Zp2Bpy8Adgx_g/s400/P1260810.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>After we left the school, came across this injured Brahminy kite. It may have done well with some attention & care, we left it to nature & moved away. And, so are these govt. schools ? </div></div></div></div></div>Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-39643240685120660472007-02-04T12:30:00.000+05:302008-12-09T05:00:20.995+05:30A walkAt the base of Nandi Hills. Jan 28th, 8:45 to 11:45, with Dharin & Murtuza.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027554193616913090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0N3ZhPaE4_Dx1o4fCazz70g3KPkawSTMr7tUSAHlYdKDhH7ixXct0nOEspJ1nxc2BGes0QTN6GjZ_EZcoLdAZV4AY9trMsW9v5Pl36G6IeOCtzy8Ne_kLH5VNEWFbxikB-Bj5kQ/s400/P1280606.JPG" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLkYbAbdTk68N-CHk_tDlIc_41GfDz4D-JTbiIIf1ulMksx1Tqzfe4NYr1Pk35wqNd9yztOIOnBGi-HjGCg3bySJrUq6UVVPA3_zlWJKQ2KTlzAkeGDqYdEALFmDGJ0Zt7fqy-g/s1600-h/bird1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027567280382264242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLkYbAbdTk68N-CHk_tDlIc_41GfDz4D-JTbiIIf1ulMksx1Tqzfe4NYr1Pk35wqNd9yztOIOnBGi-HjGCg3bySJrUq6UVVPA3_zlWJKQ2KTlzAkeGDqYdEALFmDGJ0Zt7fqy-g/s400/bird1.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027556538669056770" style="DISPLAY: block; 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CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yxeoWuF0VXkj2YuZpkZtVljkdKkWOgBvLd4enKSDLxUWB_SqmyghdzKtub0dPpBfc2u-TSKdTDc-MoGW40xlh32TFh0GjoHJPjk21-LZCASJODWzaetU0SJOGUPcQZ9pQ79uJw/s400/butterfly1.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027564261020255042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiLV1EmTpJnXujp3edfPQr5M7eXhSbVn3D6DrvPYGKHd5eWIxcsXJqx0JP1hjibYnsxBG9N74muwi4so_8qoiIjaBKAKALK-DQCkX_9m7BH_vDVnUnmZ9RvdNnpZdrI5XKZI_GQ/s400/P1280588.JPG" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgqibjQ3R2oQfyG6KX5le_VlleLteOWpeS4ODMd_m62_FwgOSKfkRbfUwGcjiOKM-RRy8DlgucZwMRCJfSocq5CpcOaMB_jZyubiVNMTUsgpdb_9jVQIfkYXND0zXx_xZKv3YbA/s1600-h/P1280600.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027565467906065314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgqibjQ3R2oQfyG6KX5le_VlleLteOWpeS4ODMd_m62_FwgOSKfkRbfUwGcjiOKM-RRy8DlgucZwMRCJfSocq5CpcOaMB_jZyubiVNMTUsgpdb_9jVQIfkYXND0zXx_xZKv3YbA/s400/P1280600.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciw8isfGvxOcIT9MVy2PjVDIoD9Rdi24P5JTrNoMgVYl4PciiGlHrB9MdYW22Ac4yBqXra_aJ4uoCdZATJf7YueRq0UCmuh3vKBoIj9nu90g-LbucsnIyD-wxRjh3K5PLMORTew/s1600-h/P1280592.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027564269610189650" style="DISPLAY: block; 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TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTPkOYTumzrzo586C_OK1T-C2zFJZtDWFJd2KgCDsDacRUfiB8Ie0V2IT85rX_6KK1GLNCQwXeBANh_1VNZvns5qnzOcbmA0ELDpxoh5BnMuHoccs9IQKfQO1l1yOD5kHGJMrqg/s400/P1280627.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027574195279610850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1r3gUwBAIM0hiysAD4DtYfmBipKQz2RiBOxHd1ShFZivYRppBl3s0rUAefS-5b0nqqpQil0CiXBgtEwqMYa4fiHENiwf1p0mRr3nvKjmG5-aRqp0hA2vwPSdojZzsMDt8qv4pw/s400/P1280628.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027574199574578162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIFH1B1oRXMaUEvdhtaiI-jRE1v81yGtkbmdHNh7MuWoJTSzq3mCyN5h37KtSfbf5H8bmvesy16iLcl4v5ZKbFs1OmxxRrHrba65tTov1Z-jJ4Vi0QQMiPtQeVC-11NKnWKL9CA/s400/P1280629.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027575402165421058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrUXoEiY-2Rm8KxYPXnM-xE1ivda7Hy-lcU47jowyjYDL68GGbbiEl2yFXBtzXCMcm5LtH0m9m1iCOOku4qFAi53oBIEF0ql9ApbcKslQQmu2peey2Tix6QdJ2i4eellIZUcb7w/s400/bird3.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027575402165421074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9L4jmY6YFHYcR2Ktg-F7-tbm7vCTkTBwEQtIr9dt-ywXn2sSlfgnK6stVTiQ072-LvjTT3LLRmne9SeXh4PXoxeHAjYZcXzFBj9bzD7nUVrlDAy3L8uOfcsQn1T3nz26ir_XHA/s400/jezbel.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027551539327124146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUazGNszo66ytFoEd6Dt60zdQLgNLYMT3-3W1p3Fid8nxojdYYD_SxhjMihyC_84CFFEblcbNTNNSI-vR1L2JhB8W6f227Htb7xNGuIWNQW2sztYHPv2m6dUp0HN-PdqlIMtT-g/s400/P1280645.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027554197911880402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVfJ3swm3cYudAlwz8CthtiPmirsMItLRF7rM9wMCdXBZ6p67UkMGfosXezq5mrzvus949dFRvZWr-FqLufl4SNShMJWEYBcwYfwt4njwrj-71cFiIZ4hdAi6Gwyo0yBgYF8hsA/s400/P1280607.JPG" border="0" /></div></div>Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-10352005651717739602007-02-11T16:57:00.000+05:302008-12-09T05:00:18.537+05:30AeroIndiaAeroplanes, my first love. Simply can't take my eyes away from anything that flys. I still can't believe it. How come.......<br /><br />AeroIndia 2007, every 2 year event in B'lore. And, I seem to have attended all of them. This time with a camera. We were seated almost at the end/begining of the runway. And, it indeed was challenging to capture them. Will take sometime to putup the labels. Yes, missed Anand, my aerospace expert.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034769192385006850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOZCo2bJxrCYO_uMT8NJoLjstCzCfN70mp5E4ZH3GEHsHt2bXcCKI6GwAMJ56erVJ2CAIGb6zC7e_r0U4pG_WKKLzD7XEjwFDa5JfbDXvQ_F4ZYsaDC36QvuHk9LwgmpKNZC-Ag/s400/P2110683.JPG" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQq96EC4rG_xSAh0Qx-VtyRYGX8hpzrAF4pcJUDkPRpGaQHyKZHQsbdcxryFgJgH-anEksflFlHfgaRdl26ON-2gyYNE0L29pNOfIqW7vfULMRbF0GoS3f1IfYlD1YRQwDHNx0A/s1600-h/P2110684.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034769200974941458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQq96EC4rG_xSAh0Qx-VtyRYGX8hpzrAF4pcJUDkPRpGaQHyKZHQsbdcxryFgJgH-anEksflFlHfgaRdl26ON-2gyYNE0L29pNOfIqW7vfULMRbF0GoS3f1IfYlD1YRQwDHNx0A/s400/P2110684.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaPSQmjad0UVpWdDi7T9IE3BlC7XRcnFNEUy8ZHg2G9Z_fqBw_wLztGseAlmjL-ZVFntKp_QcLD2rcE4gb84kpw9TdPlsYiNBYavkA0DKkRdo5PZh8jKaVjS3-6kNBZGGZx0ntQ/s1600-h/P2110685.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034769205269908770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaPSQmjad0UVpWdDi7T9IE3BlC7XRcnFNEUy8ZHg2G9Z_fqBw_wLztGseAlmjL-ZVFntKp_QcLD2rcE4gb84kpw9TdPlsYiNBYavkA0DKkRdo5PZh8jKaVjS3-6kNBZGGZx0ntQ/s400/P2110685.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyF0YU0PGNNykrNfLc8hfnP5uZoK163u8t9vJDeV52-O3GiRZtvWMXqgfVasznFIfmo83kARMUEVgp6vTyHFIQRP1jLGtJtwxV_18zUN8yl6rNd2r3pU7KL-m8GLC5kPLMUT8jg/s1600-h/P2110706.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034769209564876082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyF0YU0PGNNykrNfLc8hfnP5uZoK163u8t9vJDeV52-O3GiRZtvWMXqgfVasznFIfmo83kARMUEVgp6vTyHFIQRP1jLGtJtwxV_18zUN8yl6rNd2r3pU7KL-m8GLC5kPLMUT8jg/s400/P2110706.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXU-QY5S7Y2P_CzX4-n0tOponCLozSVytTHqMo7vZAo1BYi6bgUqTCraZDv6_Fclwsyak6-KX8XkTXb1fDjePMfLfpByJW2fTlHZ4tixaEePXEJtXwb-d9pGWvZ0maSfjYL3AIzA/s1600-h/P2110708.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034768144412986562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXU-QY5S7Y2P_CzX4-n0tOponCLozSVytTHqMo7vZAo1BYi6bgUqTCraZDv6_Fclwsyak6-KX8XkTXb1fDjePMfLfpByJW2fTlHZ4tixaEePXEJtXwb-d9pGWvZ0maSfjYL3AIzA/s400/P2110708.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWSluaur19rqK0DvR-a9tWG9Y3Z8CGRUv3DBZS50BvxulckoOWzCsYVsBE1JeihLqU6TpgV14LuIu1tx5PNja8BrK0Caik6zf6c7SpWBIjGLDEZfBBMQziSY6lXT2jW4NJ1_2pA/s1600-h/P2110727.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034768153002921170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWSluaur19rqK0DvR-a9tWG9Y3Z8CGRUv3DBZS50BvxulckoOWzCsYVsBE1JeihLqU6TpgV14LuIu1tx5PNja8BrK0Caik6zf6c7SpWBIjGLDEZfBBMQziSY6lXT2jW4NJ1_2pA/s400/P2110727.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2Zj960tmudd1pFCruU2BLw8DUMKid6tT_i1RQhPqDjxPJNqMDHG0oSi9e-s9EnZOFpX7XEI-yNEUTeDJXoEJi3pF1wwmTFyL9w2jPgxKOWXo9KbB_wNnbQDaWnDPzXzHxZgj1g/s1600-h/P2110731.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034768165887823074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2Zj960tmudd1pFCruU2BLw8DUMKid6tT_i1RQhPqDjxPJNqMDHG0oSi9e-s9EnZOFpX7XEI-yNEUTeDJXoEJi3pF1wwmTFyL9w2jPgxKOWXo9KbB_wNnbQDaWnDPzXzHxZgj1g/s400/P2110731.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZZu1VHmUG3WndrhJeEdCbnfOio3usFV8dAeeLFMmGqR-gYu0OCpfQbM6pkm9l9kkgh1mBAnzH5QCHgOrs1WQAaGDJr0RtIMSRhzVtm-XIjlxatBsJphk-2BN01BuvnwRvYsPIw/s1600-h/P2110736.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034768170182790386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZZu1VHmUG3WndrhJeEdCbnfOio3usFV8dAeeLFMmGqR-gYu0OCpfQbM6pkm9l9kkgh1mBAnzH5QCHgOrs1WQAaGDJr0RtIMSRhzVtm-XIjlxatBsJphk-2BN01BuvnwRvYsPIw/s400/P2110736.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXwsYZGLGQrr1y3Hqu6a2yO2U4iWxZOKIXQmfp_wD0hx5ka5TuAnb8TwyDyP7GpSRqTCt6PduU4aTsVKWV2eWQ2bSS2MsKRLGJyOO5fgFx2M9x65zwUvdNBerAL0Et4uFAT0Rbg/s1600-h/P2110737.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034763196610661490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXwsYZGLGQrr1y3Hqu6a2yO2U4iWxZOKIXQmfp_wD0hx5ka5TuAnb8TwyDyP7GpSRqTCt6PduU4aTsVKWV2eWQ2bSS2MsKRLGJyOO5fgFx2M9x65zwUvdNBerAL0Et4uFAT0Rbg/s400/P2110737.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSTRU7bFAnkqUXQqQqodclJibPk01LNDHuhP8pqNNef12o1_92cB3Vu-JzsaElC-Z77I9n3gbvHidj2I8TRP7cizBtLtEUAaza5Qc2KE1T9EU7Mg7TwGMfatbsslnS2DfnkNZKg/s1600-h/P2110740.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034763200905628802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSTRU7bFAnkqUXQqQqodclJibPk01LNDHuhP8pqNNef12o1_92cB3Vu-JzsaElC-Z77I9n3gbvHidj2I8TRP7cizBtLtEUAaza5Qc2KE1T9EU7Mg7TwGMfatbsslnS2DfnkNZKg/s400/P2110740.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaskLNKOs8J6GcD1mWWewsIQ8P1ulpDr9_hJ7V6X2jP9xt4n0D2v4hvqC0pxqJ6ZPycalClo4SPIpJMvJjV49XCn0dbNaV1sK2OhWu49bg99PBU6ZPVVVaggJW2NMz2ifw0IPoQ/s1600-h/P2110744.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034763205200596114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaskLNKOs8J6GcD1mWWewsIQ8P1ulpDr9_hJ7V6X2jP9xt4n0D2v4hvqC0pxqJ6ZPycalClo4SPIpJMvJjV49XCn0dbNaV1sK2OhWu49bg99PBU6ZPVVVaggJW2NMz2ifw0IPoQ/s400/P2110744.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKuXd0UhYbRWhik6gT8q9JEmLjdlsz6Fzx-IIa61CSISGTHsYxr_hny6CUJn772hwPAeTPUeavHkg8S6vOB3mHyHkw7TEk5fBrNc1VJIcgqSTfUozHLB6fZkyj96k0PPWxWTr6w/s1600-h/P2110746.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034763213790530722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKuXd0UhYbRWhik6gT8q9JEmLjdlsz6Fzx-IIa61CSISGTHsYxr_hny6CUJn772hwPAeTPUeavHkg8S6vOB3mHyHkw7TEk5fBrNc1VJIcgqSTfUozHLB6fZkyj96k0PPWxWTr6w/s400/P2110746.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3UgHk9Na96WXm19lv46OwLiXBDEaASme0TbJwgbPRZC-7pQtlasb-MlmNt_W0poQ5XtrZc1O579RK6XzD2P-Td3sAQokI7feH8lKznUq9Ptil2imJBs3i8Bqz0Ogml0rX_6gyA/s1600-h/P2110762.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034761933890276418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3UgHk9Na96WXm19lv46OwLiXBDEaASme0TbJwgbPRZC-7pQtlasb-MlmNt_W0poQ5XtrZc1O579RK6XzD2P-Td3sAQokI7feH8lKznUq9Ptil2imJBs3i8Bqz0Ogml0rX_6gyA/s400/P2110762.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034763218085498034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5togJNscnn3o_H-HQOtu5jIMeVxR0zQPtOD0g98YCl50eauThlLF9LkICzZOGp7vJi-Gh8J2V5BIjGRS6wJq37s9TsW7GmQpmLp2iYTsefPbj6btKKqdSNdMC3bhtH44aK7vDDQ/s400/P2110755.JPG" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFE-QR0ZgKR9zBjWmVWPU9zaQV_zyUoSMg-xsSztGdKTjo_YQ7u0X_1syx85ns9sARm49pxWOX1YfilP74RXRmQn-e8_hNPH83YDuAk1DdN4RQjxFh37VWARwtbcPHkzOOjzLhA/s1600-h/P2110775.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034761938185243730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFE-QR0ZgKR9zBjWmVWPU9zaQV_zyUoSMg-xsSztGdKTjo_YQ7u0X_1syx85ns9sARm49pxWOX1YfilP74RXRmQn-e8_hNPH83YDuAk1DdN4RQjxFh37VWARwtbcPHkzOOjzLhA/s400/P2110775.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAZB4n7TAcyLgOoBQWOIKVpSTD8Q0Kyb79JesX-NxMJ3AoL1PT4G__imltR4nanakzgZXcdiDdwwv1U-K8unWdF032-D9Yy-Am4RHs8bL6vERTN1JP6YslGu1KJ615PfOZWbWwg/s1600-h/P2110778.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034761942480211042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAZB4n7TAcyLgOoBQWOIKVpSTD8Q0Kyb79JesX-NxMJ3AoL1PT4G__imltR4nanakzgZXcdiDdwwv1U-K8unWdF032-D9Yy-Am4RHs8bL6vERTN1JP6YslGu1KJ615PfOZWbWwg/s400/P2110778.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034771627631463746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3z9Q9fVX00j3p9udQ9ReR48B7ipqcbZaWwk8wRsWvWZJW7F9lfCzo548DL96T_PsHlqH2B9sRzS9c0ZgKV2_IvHvVunDmvgrYmtXYokManmy4XgUoXX4ydns5x7zkOprpJEeoJA/s400/P2110772.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReQdpanU8I_jzJ1LMpENbuc8XuIlOILHHlfXs5TKWzgP-l9OyFRMZzQjvnG6zL5VjCVGf4CJ45MiZx4lAFSUIy73fCLD64UjCL6Eh5euQbZQRjuh54xqjH2J-sVAbxJdN8SBEeA/s1600-h/P2110780.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034760679759825938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReQdpanU8I_jzJ1LMpENbuc8XuIlOILHHlfXs5TKWzgP-l9OyFRMZzQjvnG6zL5VjCVGf4CJ45MiZx4lAFSUIy73fCLD64UjCL6Eh5euQbZQRjuh54xqjH2J-sVAbxJdN8SBEeA/s400/P2110780.JPG" border="0" /></a> LCA - Light Combat Aircraft - The pride of India. You must meet anybody who has been remotely connected with it....chaps in various defense labs in B'lore....and the pride with which they gush!!!!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034771631926431058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEij9HFeZkRBxbjMczAyl1dynuRAhc0U2Cw1J9uR04_Jfd1IND7BAPK_FKvAen3nxIuWQiwKhb7Gg1oDHDgU1a7VtrDrpq353wpH-A2ybr44Fv7f5NPuA3ydNELYZNP5e4TGCq6w/s400/P2110792.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034777022110387554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasc18HzAPIIA6PXml3HsEqpmvd_JIDKAxlKDXSkP9QPr8atVS3nNpszYd0iNySWc8bVPaY4ywQN5wm2eLlZap3RGegoiaA0dYYI9MbKEQRbjdXpWnk7BVkzpLj2cPKISRWYuNRw/s400/P2110825.JPG" border="0" /> Saras from NAL (?)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSbC0o_CfO3k9T47AtQjiTk5V7s9EH-qtx9E5c-0l3-ACzsNwZEr3LJwK_EhfaBoXmyqqlF-EvznUrocr3jjkxKZtjl69oPCYhyphenhyphenql5uvkgeKBqqD1sCtGNCC2HqtAvgzE_TGmvQ/s1600-h/P2110805.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034760684054793250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSbC0o_CfO3k9T47AtQjiTk5V7s9EH-qtx9E5c-0l3-ACzsNwZEr3LJwK_EhfaBoXmyqqlF-EvznUrocr3jjkxKZtjl69oPCYhyphenhyphenql5uvkgeKBqqD1sCtGNCC2HqtAvgzE_TGmvQ/s400/P2110805.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034760688349760562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9Cy2rOomzAHKDq4h9gPlUpflHWe4XWahUYoO8hSVpsYuSpCQgWAUnnPqUPtPdcHtIqI1nEaXL0xRrnoL7S5wBlynTr36XslLh9Yfx47gKYWbT51loKUZOa7K6sn70_0cJ_JvUA/s400/P2110813.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034779569025994130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIdB-mqMJjIj_ce21bjlqDtQFwXxiFlhJivEx0dhNYXDzAxo2YUXeiHL6kyH8JhgwGiVEh91zZL-gUgUsy4HgcVq8W4R0iVbyDuRoj8Au4mF0SOQsOyzEzmJNu45b7L8sU1Eiyw/s400/Sukhoi.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034759326845127634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-L2xiQByryeCmeGj7_8PYTqFmHE59xJK27N99b4a6YQsvN33aSs5b6SxCMz-Hkh0vNbB1k2uLwRMHo6rigLKV6JMlUi_6vRyMRVTFPRHZwrDbJY-QQr6ekYd0SkgAr8oZEU7Pw/s400/P2110817.JPG" border="0" />Sukhoi - dream machine - now with IAF.<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034777743664893298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyO-apY3CrHLtpmJ-wzZ1s4zdqGW8-9MRXiSCIumlCryOYYzp9E6eknrVnxnEMjT7HwVYb_HSfz5TWedwvZxP3plg_sCaln2HUPXCaZFwNBaXHUCyFewEibNUFateQWqDML7dTVw/s400/F18_flame.JPG" border="0" />My much wanted shot of the day. The orange fire from F-16. Nothing to beat this fighter interms of manouverability; swift movements.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034759786406628354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5kiemqvn4TcIk9bwjtd9KGADXsCkWMLq1_y3nBNN2mezqQWbcRUdr6lr5Kh4f5hkNDkHRGGOBBDw5cwqpvksPYpw6X6h2m1qbOKQo3g4OSNMkk7oLK6f5877kPXw-p4PbcCbOw/s400/P2110850.JPG" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GmB-ElPz_RkJaMUyx1YiWNemu-6x65dO0_IivN7u4w45ZnBrWdQeLzARkPXArZsCQLzHF3z1Sr94RdiAzcF19hl9kFiryhCoMKCFBkRnXDQDYSgGtl5QJUGQWtVqISQ47QvYRg/s1600-h/P2110855.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034759335435062258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GmB-ElPz_RkJaMUyx1YiWNemu-6x65dO0_IivN7u4w45ZnBrWdQeLzARkPXArZsCQLzHF3z1Sr94RdiAzcF19hl9kFiryhCoMKCFBkRnXDQDYSgGtl5QJUGQWtVqISQ47QvYRg/s400/P2110855.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPy8K0lRcPmsn72LN9qrnkpjrpQoCNsOzfiewdU9WDHpI7r5biI3T8c1IvtB_2kdUp6wG9V98GKn7Y_-8GjV9k_vpt-Hpzenc74_t8PIjIIKEvDGIxnr-z7xRgcW-klsmWL5uf0Q/s1600-h/P2110864.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030243194503187202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPy8K0lRcPmsn72LN9qrnkpjrpQoCNsOzfiewdU9WDHpI7r5biI3T8c1IvtB_2kdUp6wG9V98GKn7Y_-8GjV9k_vpt-Hpzenc74_t8PIjIIKEvDGIxnr-z7xRgcW-klsmWL5uf0Q/s400/P2110864.JPG" border="0" /></a> Mig-35<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jw9bAAWRA9SHHE3zxLPW_qFB8ZCWu1lV-YqJC92RNWQaWmlkpX1WOeE9iC_EZbkSRyVlguMRH3S_JZwpb1Sq3-kkGn_SvI1fHkpcBzkPTAxhndpejQwirFqnWCgeWIT6-PaFHg/s1600-h/P2110878.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030243194503187218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jw9bAAWRA9SHHE3zxLPW_qFB8ZCWu1lV-YqJC92RNWQaWmlkpX1WOeE9iC_EZbkSRyVlguMRH3S_JZwpb1Sq3-kkGn_SvI1fHkpcBzkPTAxhndpejQwirFqnWCgeWIT6-PaFHg/s400/P2110878.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1v3Lxt7YJJTkb6VNZsP-Ap5MR7deCQsE9ieYHAWYuXo_gzVLrIT67yMdUMAIVcC8xhd9vKdpa7YoKEBnHElnkEXWS41tdhgEvSdVAVXlW8GQ5tk7p5mqfHlYP_eqPW2x89oh7w/s1600-h/P2110881.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030243198798154530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1v3Lxt7YJJTkb6VNZsP-Ap5MR7deCQsE9ieYHAWYuXo_gzVLrIT67yMdUMAIVcC8xhd9vKdpa7YoKEBnHElnkEXWS41tdhgEvSdVAVXlW8GQ5tk7p5mqfHlYP_eqPW2x89oh7w/s400/P2110881.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5034778323485478274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lxN2a3k4TmUiiXUdKPJiW1pyZewUBnoYPSNna8MA5_xDoRsCCbXQwQ_xiA_dECuL6XVZZtsym7Ql6jCHNkF4aEgJt426Yw_3BKRJRxZwN1YWEnOhdQqqwW9yqkqLrFkUXSfLtw/s400/P2110880.JPG" border="0" /> Mig 35<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mDTZkHgS1npj35xz-_k1FVs65Og-MnYKEY39s04rMn4v-jkwhzg_3iE6HUP6PRj3xz2vTMXwg6x66Tstc04bcx5OJ7TdZZGN5nnWCczrTG99XCBfcC0Vasf2x2X-rtoPGgTrFA/s1600-h/P2110884.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030241330487380706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mDTZkHgS1npj35xz-_k1FVs65Og-MnYKEY39s04rMn4v-jkwhzg_3iE6HUP6PRj3xz2vTMXwg6x66Tstc04bcx5OJ7TdZZGN5nnWCczrTG99XCBfcC0Vasf2x2X-rtoPGgTrFA/s400/P2110884.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5loGmagHIT9TxIUBj_umxNQNpWER7G8LZSI3PiZI89NPv61sGrtppsu-rfIInS9Xwshajy1nBHgy5i2LEmUwHHmYHu_X8HtylWUxaK6xNy48IuB_AuCY0tTWn4kHIHdKT8xDmSg/s1600-h/F18.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030241330487380722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5loGmagHIT9TxIUBj_umxNQNpWER7G8LZSI3PiZI89NPv61sGrtppsu-rfIInS9Xwshajy1nBHgy5i2LEmUwHHmYHu_X8HtylWUxaK6xNy48IuB_AuCY0tTWn4kHIHdKT8xDmSg/s400/F18.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXjyWFSTEZ5Zs0rk92u2-CFuUr6KMQ3WLPgyDrILyE0CXNIBZ5Gaju23zsaxijoWMA3Ha5a7u7Xkep7IA44cqyzdGejN2nzRe_QzF5A5maJ7r404O2WJoA4z452eD2qdP6ZClVw/s1600-h/Euro.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030238847996283586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXjyWFSTEZ5Zs0rk92u2-CFuUr6KMQ3WLPgyDrILyE0CXNIBZ5Gaju23zsaxijoWMA3Ha5a7u7Xkep7IA44cqyzdGejN2nzRe_QzF5A5maJ7r404O2WJoA4z452eD2qdP6ZClVw/s400/Euro.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIuXCer-AxTpzehWnpPZUK8_BsohlcNltRtxIDfNxW0Jn3FLlHvNRXW3Z63CtuSjcN0EahVRHRa6q4-ZiADZ77YC0-FWHWC-dwjIZDZVjjXNjvZzds1-2xGU5wNQDtecBy-3hqA/s1600-h/P2110902.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030238852291250898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIuXCer-AxTpzehWnpPZUK8_BsohlcNltRtxIDfNxW0Jn3FLlHvNRXW3Z63CtuSjcN0EahVRHRa6q4-ZiADZ77YC0-FWHWC-dwjIZDZVjjXNjvZzds1-2xGU5wNQDtecBy-3hqA/s400/P2110902.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5zLM8bgnA2oxinmPj1Y0LAaS3SsVpcURGWmeYJRLurvGp-6hdng6ZrLEXRXArfP9Oy9LDSj7aK_uWYmtZmxLtu1w_I2jE2mpjyOzOQc3PbCPR8-9wEprzrA5oQnT6dZzG8w9Yw/s1600-h/Boeing.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030237344757729922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5zLM8bgnA2oxinmPj1Y0LAaS3SsVpcURGWmeYJRLurvGp-6hdng6ZrLEXRXArfP9Oy9LDSj7aK_uWYmtZmxLtu1w_I2jE2mpjyOzOQc3PbCPR8-9wEprzrA5oQnT6dZzG8w9Yw/s400/Boeing.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjLgeGVDlzt1_qLVgopEm-lFGPlUhBYwewWI1M9TmwETx64_TCnYhSqyz7d142WFxG7k4yXrzvOX-1UGl8F72JrEfTNcYegnV2fB6KybJCj7QfRk4MGYgk3_fMLGhI-Tc2n047Q/s1600-h/P2110921.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030237353347664530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjLgeGVDlzt1_qLVgopEm-lFGPlUhBYwewWI1M9TmwETx64_TCnYhSqyz7d142WFxG7k4yXrzvOX-1UGl8F72JrEfTNcYegnV2fB6KybJCj7QfRk4MGYgk3_fMLGhI-Tc2n047Q/s400/P2110921.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinX7AynlpKZMgohPozs1tmy9_AhNcH4AnPflaj_Jr73TfyHdljY-myR9U-5mmU2aKE8fENkXkNWi0ImUtKQ22INAhueNTWCIFZ-JaIrwzclgTWW5F4CsfWNKCOqPOSh5ehtpGrMw/s1600-h/P2110924.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030237357642631842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinX7AynlpKZMgohPozs1tmy9_AhNcH4AnPflaj_Jr73TfyHdljY-myR9U-5mmU2aKE8fENkXkNWi0ImUtKQ22INAhueNTWCIFZ-JaIrwzclgTWW5F4CsfWNKCOqPOSh5ehtpGrMw/s400/P2110924.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX30nlfYDzbFCFI0E_Ch_5f7iUvDgPJTKLjegxGif1snL56VHJ56bKQjkK2Frbsbig6pZzfItdUkHEUv_Tv57I9a9Ngpr51_JPQQQLXdaqPqUEz3GQJwFQfx0yrDGKkZgjuNR3_w/s1600-h/P2110930.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030237361937599154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX30nlfYDzbFCFI0E_Ch_5f7iUvDgPJTKLjegxGif1snL56VHJ56bKQjkK2Frbsbig6pZzfItdUkHEUv_Tv57I9a9Ngpr51_JPQQQLXdaqPqUEz3GQJwFQfx0yrDGKkZgjuNR3_w/s400/P2110930.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-33963459266169251092007-03-26T21:51:00.000+05:302008-12-09T05:00:13.068+05:303..2..1....go!Saturday 24th March, 6:25pm to 6:35pm, IISc, Main building. Landed to check the scavenger vulture, instead these noisy birds caught my attention. They were seated on two christmas trees. Now & then, they would take off, go around the main building or elsewhere and soon land back at one of these tall trees. And, they were quite noisy. The swish-swish of the wings as they take-off has to be heard. Crows gave them an hard time.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5046258021228912498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7sXcxotU81FHXigg8-UtcOdFUIAFNnPpVZuGiSSMSc0Sqaa9AycrANhtoLopX3BYJdulqox25GQhgciA36Nbc4DK699YQ5HU-F-px4iHPd3938fdq3AZTpbQ01M9lCV_BJVJPA/s400/P3240927.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5046264270406328306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmVmkBJDJoxcc7He4lJy0vAcXr9zZUHUNtlkmjtrfnFdhAVSWBRIQ6AC3G3NvKSYrWrvY8AWja0xmdX09Y8h6Tv1SDLBmuIMdsysr_Br485dX0ARMljxvw4rR0ReD49-DAev2ww/s400/P3240924.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5046262402095554482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho57gg_ec8Xlf3uci9gx-8mfSbVGT1CdTMlYNbUho8z-89j1QBb70Wulpjk5J5eu9YVi3cvJmegAvBuYPrez1IKQ0o4YF2jpCnS15qFr39cZTGrY6DeA-95MPJnWevE7_aNFraoA/s400/P3240935.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5046262732808036290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0UWCsNKihiuNP2A8FblOWA2dRm8svXSQ89wWwJDrQL7FWHtVhLSZTiV4WSWsupMj0KTqACzgxl7HdV8F0DrCbiEgOylpLn_0vnpHSeA32Ahb7nwAIyhTycboS4tCn956qqYLvQ/s400/P3240937.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5046267934013431810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRfq-MSUIagKb3LUHi9ocpTDypLtviO4x5FWuXzjAEdI16V9NQ8pOK1qaO9TqeZSOnO9fZKzLwdtwxAZsHKnz2QL6bGj0lJ4EkYMc2-kYYBdrKQXbA71K7Gh688wZkmOOZr1xnA/s400/P3240938.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5046263334103457746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA75hfmMX2LZKj5KZucxOuWpjLv9HP_hK6W_M4UR6dmp2iJf3bNcJHppFW3v8-Qd5FdwiCzjwPDGOiywtqvjHa_pFbY9SWPmB-iRTuB0ylpLtPaNTDt1s0Lqkpn5VHBokXVktBMA/s400/P3240942.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5046263338398425058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMCScyI5TOpPOjJe6dxAC2Q2b6jacexZGZ06SVVHs4cWt6A8OPd7avecpNoUBm89Qyws6zhCDK_r02fLIZkLsYy9m6YdURgb5ODIm3cihtlfX040WgBoQ4PNJ1xNHtePrx4leLA/s400/P3240943.JPG" border="0" />Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-64199996968582925632007-03-28T23:49:00.000+05:302008-12-09T05:00:12.109+05:30The killer sniffOver 1 million human killing every year by this species, makes it the most dreaded organism in the world. An organism tiny but wide-spread in 3rd world countries.<br /><br />Yes, Mosquitoes.<br /><br />Well, Man does want to kill them back. Tit for tat. Eye for an eye. And, I believe, hez been largely unsuccesfull.<br /><br />And Mosquees won't let us sleep in peace either. Typical arms & ammunitions against them have been some repellants that probably kill us than them!!!<br /><br />So...what next ?<br /><br />Lets look at the latest weaponary being sharpened in killer-labs!<br /><br />Yes, Co2 (carbon-di-oxide) is a sign of life....esp Human life.......and Mosquitoes sense Co2....and can figure out the presence of humans based on the concentration gradient.<br /><br />How do they do it ?<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047030224053780946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtk70876c5austxGKz3I-JsYxq5YdvVsBMGjJtM9JALBPIkd0Y996G2l81HI9oCU7emNEbhk7gO1ncm3CxFwfseBpKkErlwTYaAR0_Q0ASt6Rd2gkEv1dChub78v3GawWfBfaeTg/s400/mosquito_antenna.jpg" border="0" /> Thats an head of a mosquito, and it has some protrusions called antenna and maxillary palps. These house cells called neurons that can sense chemicals, and some of them specalised for Co2.<br /><br />For example, Fruit fly (Drosophila Melanogaster) has 1200 such neurons to sense chemicals called olfactory neurons. Of these 45 of them can sense Co2.<br /><br />And, how does that happen, wherz the knowledge, memory to recognise a Co2 chemical. Genes, yes, Genes encode that information and scientists recently have isolated two such genes Gr21a & Gr63a, and these togather carry information thats used in the Co2 sensitive neurons.<br /><br />Wow! thats something, but where does that leave us with mosquito's ??<br /><br />Yes, knowledge of the genes lead us to the molecular identity of the insect olfactory receptors (structures for binding with chemicals like Co2). And knowing the structure of the receptors one can come with other chemicals to bind with them, and either stop their functioning or mislead them.<br /><br />Thus, new repellants could emit such chemicals, destroying the Co2 sensing ability or misleading the mosquitos.<br /><br />Mission accomplished, rest in peace.Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-9117890167606162082007-05-22T16:11:00.000+05:302008-12-09T05:00:09.948+05:30BannerghattaA weekend spent quitely at Jungle Lodges Bannerghatta. Sharing a few pictures. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067331759238147058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyzvWJZVzRGIJW8Qru8xqFCCNbBbMWokTGQC739K_4URc7Rm17ozOzhNjm-AgzxoyoLHKyoMl7Xj-MwASyXe9OoFMsk8sLR8KeL8b7ohMWbPRf72cjDAdKOKHvk0ejhQJoUkiFA/s400/P5191181.JPG" border="0" />A good shot after a long time. <br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067331772123048962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9xruIot5MsZxuoNq1kcpBs8KHQ7MRzotF5DCGkIyH4B7n54GJEJRv17izGv0ze2y6rskY2tqjBodFplZ7tJgCVARSCwpifTPm1UDZMV2gaonhyphenhyphenBt6TpHiE-0phRKe2jH2cpnBA/s400/P5191219.JPG" border="0" /><br />The safari had its fair share of bears, tigers & lions.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067331785007950866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4J8gQigAF4Rvdc0RjqNd10vbAwmclXcdVoeATvXrowRwHOy1HmEPqrGz8n641WJUOWDZ1HAsWOa3fPCRsvu8KweSbl0HGFWukwnaNqxhRBk-AwewALbBbx0eqi6WiSWUoJSfyA/s400/P5191268.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067331802187820066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Pg3stLz6Ze-idOoyy9llWeZtPi_17Xl-U14enklVOMUtpbwDI9ugYB63qCUw2KEm7mC4rWRiOSzs5CnDJBIBAmdpAxGtYHT6iwzW7ZQ75sTbXyGi29mlg9rGxju48E_wIIPYlQ/s400/P5201296.JPG" border="0" />Gaur, these chaps have suddenly climbed to the top of my charts! We love staring at each other. The Gaurs during the morning walk.<br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067331819367689266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Yh7T4ZIA_xkYav3P77Tho3HrBgPFFXE5JJuFXCm1HoT8DARceAx1_ZLx0BD7F00Y2bYGlckfe8_LdN_y-v6oU5jKg44MSl5E1MpKYFhUDy99jQJ0bPOiwvaH8ZZdNQBoFhENnQ/s400/P5201298.JPG" border="0" />A gaur stretched to reach across the leaves.<br /><div></div><div> </div>Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-52993845890435736942007-07-17T23:45:00.000+05:302008-12-09T05:00:09.349+05:30Crabs with golden claws<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGukl8j_UDbJsMzY6OU27rHCOfCpGIzWtf4hQOeELAQ5IyHhroL59_4cX_9oisJJJw0EG28roU3ldntMTSUIt49UOoQXRGPCgaZ9KKbezf-p9-JLFFNIc3AqJvMydIDZ6FThlwg/s1600-h/P7010144.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088221788207470946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGukl8j_UDbJsMzY6OU27rHCOfCpGIzWtf4hQOeELAQ5IyHhroL59_4cX_9oisJJJw0EG28roU3ldntMTSUIt49UOoQXRGPCgaZ9KKbezf-p9-JLFFNIc3AqJvMydIDZ6FThlwg/s400/P7010144.JPG" border="0" /></a> Beasant Nagar beach Madras, a lazy sunday afternoon with Rohit in the background. Hardly spoke with him for there were better things on the beach. Anand & Brinda hosted a wedding reception that evening, hey, doesn't the above pic look romantic...Goodluck guyz.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutmYRAsixLAO5VAXdRhphW8LjbaZ1QV5W1cAxDzJqO-zSLrnIyUlwk_ftZ5xv09RG_fSKYZo86a5fTzAMKn4AHBYI-0crU6hekWpbIcBibk6ObUhbXAtXgLueZ-yR0lYFO0whzA/s1600-h/P7010150.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088221311466101058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutmYRAsixLAO5VAXdRhphW8LjbaZ1QV5W1cAxDzJqO-zSLrnIyUlwk_ftZ5xv09RG_fSKYZo86a5fTzAMKn4AHBYI-0crU6hekWpbIcBibk6ObUhbXAtXgLueZ-yR0lYFO0whzA/s400/P7010150.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7uk1N49sQ19qXZhzBcObWJAIvxl8PAYKMlbE6waTG9UShxhHTSn2bq-OsY8yLZDHcU3hScwy6cfigAEGWKsMjqkiZn93kHTkWFgZQU_IL8IiukqkFnFXXkMWYgvB34sNeNQtSA/s1600-h/P7010152.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088221324351002962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7uk1N49sQ19qXZhzBcObWJAIvxl8PAYKMlbE6waTG9UShxhHTSn2bq-OsY8yLZDHcU3hScwy6cfigAEGWKsMjqkiZn93kHTkWFgZQU_IL8IiukqkFnFXXkMWYgvB34sNeNQtSA/s400/P7010152.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Kids from the fishermen hamlets, armed with golden claws, were furiously digging out molluscs/shells; their food.<br /><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjwx7q-0tt9ZEir_gBFRyLfU3yJK1S4HHzo5bpEdU6CRrAVBg6cSW6h3o8osROhsf40_U6Uwzpk411q4wcAS8s3FMFutqquqlZ03FPPy6T2Gj4mOmBz4pOMcQVlkxO0sxEiCeKw/s1600-h/crabA.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088208233290684642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjwx7q-0tt9ZEir_gBFRyLfU3yJK1S4HHzo5bpEdU6CRrAVBg6cSW6h3o8osROhsf40_U6Uwzpk411q4wcAS8s3FMFutqquqlZ03FPPy6T2Gj4mOmBz4pOMcQVlkxO0sxEiCeKw/s400/crabA.JPG" border="0" /></a> Yes, this red crab grabbed all my attention. They live in those vertical pits, and were busy digging out the sand. What strikes is their sensitivity to movements. A little movement and they disappear into their holes. Those white eye like things must be really sensitive.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1vDGLv4S6osm1uK2gx6aCRpNsF-tVZsGTfaayI2xMa-UzrhqjcZlMCSXRk8XYmo01vsQUobcmgRmeHX0WCmYkNEQy9CTJ3OGz9l7JlqzUu_tCWXF6X9h0csgbUjRwczN1BHE-w/s1600-h/crab2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088208237585651954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1vDGLv4S6osm1uK2gx6aCRpNsF-tVZsGTfaayI2xMa-UzrhqjcZlMCSXRk8XYmo01vsQUobcmgRmeHX0WCmYkNEQy9CTJ3OGz9l7JlqzUu_tCWXF6X9h0csgbUjRwczN1BHE-w/s400/crab2.JPG" border="0" /></a> The view from the other side<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088209049334470930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vbTAhJX_Xo8r7QnI5xPFnd28okrK5mno51Wuf8lSP4MHLfR2ky5GjsUGpceiIKW_dPF8cK7y3WfmNWW7WNPfUFnhiDpLP2enm2p11yWCKF4-blIcVdhFJssFQoce6AZKPsDaWw/s400/P7010180.JPG" border="0" />Notice the amount of sand being thrown out.</div><div> </div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088220564141791538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11BYAHFh7K_MXXiOHLFxjjPSYBZtGa1gi4cyTOoStFjeFKdTyJQY2P95_vfjqC281y-r3PCMmEm-9btgzw2YlIatBPc7AiQ2sdzh0ELq0kxWCwEUSjYBTMv4OP98VgUocg5bRqg/s400/P7010203.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088220555551856930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN139tl5Bh5Ns3XU9FHLTNENQNEuugdYDBm-CBv4prFzIsXCqY46EsipSp6Rp6MT98EOw9aJj3d7UB7r9A7PXS0OopV_-QZvbvFxd_TFIHOsVLMRE6MVOGvA8H-friJQi6vYyaaQ/s400/P7010201.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p>And there were lots of these sand colored crabs. Notice the way they carry the sand up for dumping. Need to figure out details of these crabs; different species or male/female of the same species ?</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088224532691573106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Xl09z7DY72_mmo1iS1JI7hhRE40xrhOCiV23qmOizKhuKnts2bRC-1Vp321A_Svxy_-BfmtbgSIIBa3BGONVr_v6lyCZeuBuVid7yBOFvSXDRWqZlpZg8SsiMEJVeH4drM-sCQ/s400/crab3.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>??</p><p></p>Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-28301038330844296642007-07-31T21:13:00.000+05:302008-12-09T05:00:08.043+05:30Sinhagad day-1<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093376104074314514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbX1B9E4inD3DiZipvmiSWnqNOINNI4W3tnhl6LILq45BOeFgDz_OoaY5cEcmI4YtadVxq8XZrJ_YwuusAbUYrdpPGif4tZJ0F0kW0h-k2SB4DnquaRW5vMi4RVhF2PHQUDK8ulg/s400/P7210362.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093376086894445314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUWygJHK1titm6Kpr-CVMoJd-xvnHYiikJfVvVyUTjYAKANX2HzCy2yfas9D0kL5x0jlgVuRdOESDq11vCDhqhVp5rWuikYBs8ywLxAL4wYdfcL85gdR8KdYurT2qZ4vtR0oCQA/s400/P7210349.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093376116959216418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_hyphenhyphenM4nHzmfWrmBrqr8sO7PFY6hecmysGm4BJjt3Dd1qXCkhYZF3DFNmfjmG_4FIOSQpHGH3xe-FmPu-2KWh7x0PQUy9jcCrTgOV5_kEZgPgLdKJgfvRjfEiAHoY_LINxYPK0fQ/s400/P7210351.JPG" border="0" /> Above pics from Shaniwarwada, Pune. The following are from a hill close to Sinhagud, Pune.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093380785588667186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMzoiJ8zl2qQnzNMDrr9hJl84BsDZOwmgg6kZs-EmLYFvVKvwxfeYkoOBk1hNMxS5UPH7Gh0TUYW_T_tKKjeRKxHQ1xjCQmAINGN_dEXF_cr2yVi5kWHfjU56WKOkxQUCPO8cAA/s400/P7210359.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093381816380818274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEPhRYnVaVCNGICOub8_Hz7Iuh430kFmprE5LhXokMXyF-GgN7PM8p2bLMyEbzFNaBA4AcV4W0pgN99c4R1HtrFR7MgVU64OQHCJQCM_PkxBBY5R-HwYyRB5G04dWD3Yc6NvHBQ/s400/P7210379.JPG" border="0" />Hill turmeric<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrr-kjaUzxTg3SD5qKbQ3bH15dU_ze_aySlRiARXG4ENEv1lDH3zzv4Qjl0PVNkzM9z65gmLgnJwh4ZDHY1MLTtidEp9Dx_siIRDjEZQ4XysqAQBR3GQmvS9-F3rrmrB-vuutBg/s1600-h/P7210441.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093384165727929330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrr-kjaUzxTg3SD5qKbQ3bH15dU_ze_aySlRiARXG4ENEv1lDH3zzv4Qjl0PVNkzM9z65gmLgnJwh4ZDHY1MLTtidEp9Dx_siIRDjEZQ4XysqAQBR3GQmvS9-F3rrmrB-vuutBg/s400/P7210441.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQ1NF77J31j3zJgAIOFsBBG-Tl6RK_olv6Se5kJxDJuXUJ6VEldvoli04BhzJaQsldV6qmWe6yggIxFjCBaSfdkK4WvgajaCQsItcnEUHFT8xUS81Ea7UOhJmG3YBYDW2TFv_Xw/s1600-h/P7210404.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093383547252638626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQ1NF77J31j3zJgAIOFsBBG-Tl6RK_olv6Se5kJxDJuXUJ6VEldvoli04BhzJaQsldV6qmWe6yggIxFjCBaSfdkK4WvgajaCQsItcnEUHFT8xUS81Ea7UOhJmG3YBYDW2TFv_Xw/s400/P7210404.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEMM6No5fSf7cpEexrQ0EojnYfQ0WOqh889AzQ4Vf_ysSvBMv6ofF4zGF54S-0v3uhp-XH9enBqnuhMHRX4hj8sgK-vpl28wl19Cjf6IsvZnye6vgQYbd_qD1zVwfSZUIiy8yag/s1600-h/P7210410.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093383555842573234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEMM6No5fSf7cpEexrQ0EojnYfQ0WOqh889AzQ4Vf_ysSvBMv6ofF4zGF54S-0v3uhp-XH9enBqnuhMHRX4hj8sgK-vpl28wl19Cjf6IsvZnye6vgQYbd_qD1zVwfSZUIiy8yag/s400/P7210410.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEbyOiAV8bYXXuts19oDEE07hoL00HX5R8WmU-RUHO_L1HW9EOgMUmxakSEm4B5i3NnZ68GQ73dq-f0xuq7iSnY80JD_tl3oTxc5gCblo65S5ojg7-Po0MQuT78BE8l2Uf_q5xw/s1600-h/P7210412.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093383568727475138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEbyOiAV8bYXXuts19oDEE07hoL00HX5R8WmU-RUHO_L1HW9EOgMUmxakSEm4B5i3NnZ68GQ73dq-f0xuq7iSnY80JD_tl3oTxc5gCblo65S5ojg7-Po0MQuT78BE8l2Uf_q5xw/s400/P7210412.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093384157137994706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnhI3KVv_QzpfOnRuD7B0IYtyj4DcIGyaQ4QJ-3rhztKE4KKJXDfAxtBXcbIgMKkCw1WSn0JOMGk923lSiVxbDvxyNB2lwn1PRS8wswfYD-hAmCGccTDa2d0MDZ_VSs2XYnXK7Q/s400/P7210419.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVTRNMugREY-0-Jp-s0vYkkONkbi1jMXlNpTp0YYDgVvXQ5SWgHs-g3e9QUmABcToak5yHdOGO7XlPItBkHJjU8GZgEYH6a5aOrtYa5fKJnVP_OqtszmzTiv-PfbJtchmHmVpXQ/s1600-h/P7210384.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093383096281072498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVTRNMugREY-0-Jp-s0vYkkONkbi1jMXlNpTp0YYDgVvXQ5SWgHs-g3e9QUmABcToak5yHdOGO7XlPItBkHJjU8GZgEYH6a5aOrtYa5fKJnVP_OqtszmzTiv-PfbJtchmHmVpXQ/s400/P7210384.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8BIWoBcuZQg3kdSdPu4MoLia6JEIpxuuvyE3pUPSeI9lgniK4lFiV-vJrUQ8uaNqbaVaQNJB5icqQ6B6mdsQTWFXHXBH9ifxn9oAeUWDBFuSttoJjHlWSJt0IDlzGJY1UuzFwQ/s1600-h/P7210388.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093383104871007106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8BIWoBcuZQg3kdSdPu4MoLia6JEIpxuuvyE3pUPSeI9lgniK4lFiV-vJrUQ8uaNqbaVaQNJB5icqQ6B6mdsQTWFXHXBH9ifxn9oAeUWDBFuSttoJjHlWSJt0IDlzGJY1UuzFwQ/s400/P7210388.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oOCH2uqz6wkfxzC6f0SyEE9oGH-NMZJSbP3BpN0PPBPGECNa4oZE20P0HdDc9lzsQWnLJZ2AkYa4Myvcgik4LDbZgNXG15NprbA6mEzWoFyDvwWJ1qhY36i5CaM1ljs299ohsQ/s1600-h/P7210395.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093383113460941714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oOCH2uqz6wkfxzC6f0SyEE9oGH-NMZJSbP3BpN0PPBPGECNa4oZE20P0HdDc9lzsQWnLJZ2AkYa4Myvcgik4LDbZgNXG15NprbA6mEzWoFyDvwWJ1qhY36i5CaM1ljs299ohsQ/s400/P7210395.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcA7OJs7NP5rxR9HoJi5xR2XTkkKOcUx0YSK1po-F9W5wGcjg1X6qOoEAY7wgUY9yY8pgo_NvMYlqHCv83-gr6Ikz97NNsAUB9bqIJGPGazQNrxI60Zot0dBXtWn7ZriFRfR1lg/s1600-h/P7210369.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093381799200949058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcA7OJs7NP5rxR9HoJi5xR2XTkkKOcUx0YSK1po-F9W5wGcjg1X6qOoEAY7wgUY9yY8pgo_NvMYlqHCv83-gr6Ikz97NNsAUB9bqIJGPGazQNrxI60Zot0dBXtWn7ZriFRfR1lg/s400/P7210369.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e23sZUCvKHSdrYbADlkMLVXdXcaCMe4X78X3BaikfZpoqctDr7Vb5jVmPpgx6j9yc0uUlo3qsJNjGzVZeB810JrBcLMmWCzpJYhvHJOOdLvV3jO8o7xd0Eu_y_AmrmXSPPs92w/s1600-h/P7210374.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093381807790883666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e23sZUCvKHSdrYbADlkMLVXdXcaCMe4X78X3BaikfZpoqctDr7Vb5jVmPpgx6j9yc0uUlo3qsJNjGzVZeB810JrBcLMmWCzpJYhvHJOOdLvV3jO8o7xd0Eu_y_AmrmXSPPs92w/s400/P7210374.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093384161432962018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlqgqXtPJPnrIbsoWmvXQ5w7tpH87RuHEU4ZPHVu6liE0nuJgoomd9wrSsoRUM6W4uRplYdlO4kBOVgIxXItJwywSiDBR6i8vNhNaPvMej94RkKTERkT2HDhDsCNRtnXz6vqSVQ/s400/P7210426.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-61110032258292766552007-08-05T20:30:00.000+05:302008-12-09T05:00:05.815+05:30Sinhagud day-2Sinhagud a fort near Pune offers a wonderful climb for the physically inclined - tons of them -, romantic couples, picnic spot, and ofcourse hosts wonderful floura & fauna.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095220092448277554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqIFuGD9p4lTc_4tXTL5FD4sCTlkAwOQbn4JLcUxW7dcDgZCCZl5zsaT2uWwS2Twp25BCoz8eeBetqT-1AObpQ2xtEowyP-yuRybgO2gRU9Ta55mHp4KercD4OnvkR-PYBiD0bg/s400/P7220470.JPG" border="0" /><br />On 22nd July, Avi, Prasanna & me were led admirably by Sanjay Katti - an old leg with the mountains -<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095218864087630866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47Y9DlhwPRQf6JSqbn-qXqC91YJbBay1fSPOhHdP8721KdYV5zXl4IO4NqSO55D1OJ4vWqwAkicZjvJj3URgjkqZNxJZlK1e5g9jXfaImTJUtf9DrLrX_pNVS0Y6byVM6jRZwnQ/s400/bulBul.JPG" border="0" />Bulbull pair.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095218868382598178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkg-POtmw0RqmyjjHNGdf9Xok2FDW7vDQBXgR7sUsZe1fbe9c_VhtnIxuZL19Va0D4n530KBc9tbTCvnHNKRedZzwKQQCSC7uMxH9otohutabQvtaMtZkkVy7O7aWLzgPkV3k3Q/s400/P7220458.JPG" border="0" /> Snails....need to get more info.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095218864087630850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMTMJRQROc1dF47JTp7preSYIv4NPCgVxFOI3feazbg03UxQlIxWn_wT_h1weWrCW9mY54aeNvEiMlMJBmY9tHrD9LVrhNtqCJzCt4tJnPYQJk27b2CmIkw3qW5eWuwHHzx6Mcw/s400/ants.JPG" border="0" /><br />Ants busy transporting a dead grass-hopper. It was interesting watching the fast progress the crack-team made. Quickly moving around, changing positions, strategies, they kept going.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095224821207270690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqygAlaOuyvF9n9OU8jwSUOeDdd4taa_Dk_Dn9_66nn8kWQESEwIvN2uATpVwE3HEoAUeHZx1DqNFpc0j9PY74tdtSTp5OQa4PDsEa4w0X2DuNsIGo3PFDYx6i1dKETzGERmRpw/s400/snail.JPG" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9H51I_JzTO1CybO-zWgDG97ys2mqvfnC7_y4-JEZOW4WAsRj7k_pm60VJklWaSEBzDRnb8HJDEkX5caCpsj7CVEBO2vrD7t8NKAJh8HgNOpuchvejkKN-boQVkvbAF1h1D1eftQ/s1600-h/swallows.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095224825502238002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9H51I_JzTO1CybO-zWgDG97ys2mqvfnC7_y4-JEZOW4WAsRj7k_pm60VJklWaSEBzDRnb8HJDEkX5caCpsj7CVEBO2vrD7t8NKAJh8HgNOpuchvejkKN-boQVkvbAF1h1D1eftQ/s400/swallows.JPG" border="0" /></a> Wire-tailed swallows. All of us were spell bound by this couple, who let us have a good look of them.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADNU1klM_LRIemTp0rxnvQ9ZtaUBcDSvLXmlN6gk1u7DjbuQl4WqLRuHsC20o3RGUrn2WUHkpMQ-mmSUJ_1f9KBS6QAe9itHEz9w0w6Tmdh_LazAzLn5r4FqkljOaJbj2aIalNQ/s1600-h/P7220495.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095224134012503282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADNU1klM_LRIemTp0rxnvQ9ZtaUBcDSvLXmlN6gk1u7DjbuQl4WqLRuHsC20o3RGUrn2WUHkpMQ-mmSUJ_1f9KBS6QAe9itHEz9w0w6Tmdh_LazAzLn5r4FqkljOaJbj2aIalNQ/s400/P7220495.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrlkjYusj7D3olCze6yChIZ6RVGYREKjlNA2FV19cop4VQXsQWVmNKOHQsOFoy5BiwGdZ30ZVgYjdUJXiCNkUDWmEk8-q4hetcyYSNwhGHRsTEQHbLXJR7nZ-38ltu2ULP6FFJg/s1600-h/P7220496.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095224138307470594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrlkjYusj7D3olCze6yChIZ6RVGYREKjlNA2FV19cop4VQXsQWVmNKOHQsOFoy5BiwGdZ30ZVgYjdUJXiCNkUDWmEk8-q4hetcyYSNwhGHRsTEQHbLXJR7nZ-38ltu2ULP6FFJg/s400/P7220496.JPG" border="0" /></a> Need to get back the wild-flower book from Shrikanth.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVnd7dECAGmjMI3Dkeqc3RnmukVSkTpaChKa6DAhukoM2yqIKIpE_ZgBaAh0I74CzxMpABTKI2fUqhCWrA862_1JCnEE9If_f4UETGVvmKdyYoYD4yym9tS2r8m0QCglIPf-G3Q/s1600-h/P7220498.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095224155487339794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVnd7dECAGmjMI3Dkeqc3RnmukVSkTpaChKa6DAhukoM2yqIKIpE_ZgBaAh0I74CzxMpABTKI2fUqhCWrA862_1JCnEE9If_f4UETGVvmKdyYoYD4yym9tS2r8m0QCglIPf-G3Q/s400/P7220498.JPG" border="0" /></a> Hill Myna<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095220096743244866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WnQyiWn9JeTGn8EhgYg58y4fNaWw7oDhw8fA7rPLhzSUpENDm0bBlJnuBdgtmaY4RZFfpSQEFU0Uuc26vBcQMGBOSU5kNc2f8yjZxUY0vVqpeFig9ceZxoOvQ0DfOfv9K1-8BQ/s400/P7220483.JPG" border="0" />The fort was getting closer, and the climb steeper. The day was promising to be mist filled/cloudy.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyiD2YTr-ULUbaCHIwe4Qae5ZXyKBImVWihxAZ73TgjXKJ0EjyfcYTFRGu0rHf653k7N8qI3rlXSzCsG2-z1M3j_qk-Cc-0MpCGQVi2xIlFtWZZ0NyU0SXfg4peuOH5aGk53YBw/s1600-h/P7220501.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095223163349894338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyiD2YTr-ULUbaCHIwe4Qae5ZXyKBImVWihxAZ73TgjXKJ0EjyfcYTFRGu0rHf653k7N8qI3rlXSzCsG2-z1M3j_qk-Cc-0MpCGQVi2xIlFtWZZ0NyU0SXfg4peuOH5aGk53YBw/s400/P7220501.JPG" border="0" /></a> Watch-tower or whatever.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFbUejuqhrebm5dIU6oxwuGvIGjVf15h819bxVJx9pjPc0E7BmUaY057uyo99byazMbubL1ixK6PgSPRPpGB-R8Csko5yLhkBOD4TGBpmh_O_LzTfK0zblYVOAbRUqk3R-31f4g/s1600-h/P7220515.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095223171939828946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFbUejuqhrebm5dIU6oxwuGvIGjVf15h819bxVJx9pjPc0E7BmUaY057uyo99byazMbubL1ixK6PgSPRPpGB-R8Csko5yLhkBOD4TGBpmh_O_LzTfK0zblYVOAbRUqk3R-31f4g/s400/P7220515.JPG" border="0" /></a>Sanjay pointed a mongoose, it looked left & right, and quickly went back to the shrubby vegetation it came from. A dog sensing it quickly went behind with no success. The dog realised perhaps Sanjay would lead him to some more, and joined us for a while!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjRQiLrUqMMBoY8edKgIcRjP03FdWmuUx7iUEGNp-Tct6xt1xob66Ufej3y7cmfiNh6-kWa5kT-armGb31GTdVjOMuaGbWxJs8ChUAvFX_EGZxRMMibibmEMEBk4x4kESnLEBzw/s1600-h/P7220518.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095223180529763554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjRQiLrUqMMBoY8edKgIcRjP03FdWmuUx7iUEGNp-Tct6xt1xob66Ufej3y7cmfiNh6-kWa5kT-armGb31GTdVjOMuaGbWxJs8ChUAvFX_EGZxRMMibibmEMEBk4x4kESnLEBzw/s400/P7220518.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAr4ryXdQL6QpIrB1H_sZrO2VC38P90WggkuEC02bywMBR5XTIIYoijIDjruRyS1VSzvfpo7jlMJqGKX6ffvCdeXQYwUT9PGWrLwYGfQNB8mlMExpSmxLUW84bi58PlPcWrzvrNw/s1600-h/P7220522.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095221879154672786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAr4ryXdQL6QpIrB1H_sZrO2VC38P90WggkuEC02bywMBR5XTIIYoijIDjruRyS1VSzvfpo7jlMJqGKX6ffvCdeXQYwUT9PGWrLwYGfQNB8mlMExpSmxLUW84bi58PlPcWrzvrNw/s400/P7220522.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVO5Ao-RZy99_w7vHqXirEdEI0N4ZU67D1g0Uq7D_ngZNyy3YRG7C4MrswqCt0hnrKkPD2pzAE2uDnuXUbd6ePw0iK20A2d8A6kdQPIQJoq6NM7duRzzsjaJvE9XGqKgLIPoKBQ/s1600-h/P7220525.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095221892039574690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVO5Ao-RZy99_w7vHqXirEdEI0N4ZU67D1g0Uq7D_ngZNyy3YRG7C4MrswqCt0hnrKkPD2pzAE2uDnuXUbd6ePw0iK20A2d8A6kdQPIQJoq6NM7duRzzsjaJvE9XGqKgLIPoKBQ/s400/P7220525.JPG" border="0" /></a> Snake with its head crushed. You know, I have been trekking for a while now, and have hardly come across snakes in the wild. They move away sensing our presence. And, it was a shame to see a snake in this manner.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEW_6Nvq7RXNPSiHhEr3QXfFQmiMC6zFUlM_syx1BeF-q1FlzjMCNO7u1fxK5oATq1EEBkHjfHkZ_Q2b_16aDd88xTseyIaOWL0coby5SGfHS7mT_4gwiNBknPxEaa1lhAf0IOcQ/s1600-h/P7220527.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095221900629509298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEW_6Nvq7RXNPSiHhEr3QXfFQmiMC6zFUlM_syx1BeF-q1FlzjMCNO7u1fxK5oATq1EEBkHjfHkZ_Q2b_16aDd88xTseyIaOWL0coby5SGfHS7mT_4gwiNBknPxEaa1lhAf0IOcQ/s400/P7220527.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApfzapsES-fJrTqZNebFYPdYFzJUON7SPEVIAyGhYkzhxMhP-HFzJOAeIHL-souFeWHQG0tBkkRBU1O5uaOeOmqLeQHiZfZPkiavNZqWOIEpHZkJrZRxZM9vR1pt74GUbMNaZZw/s1600-h/P7220530.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095220985801475186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApfzapsES-fJrTqZNebFYPdYFzJUON7SPEVIAyGhYkzhxMhP-HFzJOAeIHL-souFeWHQG0tBkkRBU1O5uaOeOmqLeQHiZfZPkiavNZqWOIEpHZkJrZRxZM9vR1pt74GUbMNaZZw/s400/P7220530.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDsvpk3TptfSyZ1ukRAQoKs4nSesHc84I1BXxF0pu9TRWp_pXBGIdeU8kpPBySb2CjGTg9ZP4hFrBKwaxwMLGeIrOm3W7AxraBfmJXjeNZn1NfEFnmmAcLWWoaInA2okpZsL_cg/s1600-h/P7220534.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095220990096442498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDsvpk3TptfSyZ1ukRAQoKs4nSesHc84I1BXxF0pu9TRWp_pXBGIdeU8kpPBySb2CjGTg9ZP4hFrBKwaxwMLGeIrOm3W7AxraBfmJXjeNZn1NfEFnmmAcLWWoaInA2okpZsL_cg/s400/P7220534.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095224834092172610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29iCW1VjDYejv-gML-7vLVIy05kVUz2qCUCUCsuBLa8gugqFg62xtVLT5ikfgfEz4jtOY7Z8R3BAK-EbKyFW98BQZp_zzkbJa9uJMZ4Px8JWcnV9AnG9Kun0pK0WZHVpbrt8ZIg/s400/P7220536.JPG" border="0" />A nice outing, many thanks to Sanjay Katti.<br /><div> </div></div></div></div>Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-16705532681949012552007-08-08T23:23:00.000+05:302008-12-09T05:00:02.463+05:30Tribal kidsForests; Jungle; Evoke myriad of images. Animals, trees, rivers, streams, falls etc etc and to a lesser extent tribals. A fortnight back, we got a chance to visit the fringes of Nagarholle forest, and interact with school going tribal children. Herz an account.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbzhtvkKI1fvgLOTWhKQgfW2yZpE4dX21oUiDsAsRQvA4zIAT590XNz45IWuwAYvy64Gi4CNcw-B5-YGtC_7iqNdCRpYguEUn5G02e3Pu6PutwbrVecbGxs5DnbRNwZY4IhtFkw/s1600-h/P7280587.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096376039946323474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbzhtvkKI1fvgLOTWhKQgfW2yZpE4dX21oUiDsAsRQvA4zIAT590XNz45IWuwAYvy64Gi4CNcw-B5-YGtC_7iqNdCRpYguEUn5G02e3Pu6PutwbrVecbGxs5DnbRNwZY4IhtFkw/s400/P7280587.JPG" border="0" /></a>The much needed push came from the note book drive Sunand had organised for some of the govt. school children in the Heggad-Devan kote area. Off, we left on a rain promising saturday morning with 2000 - 200 page - notebooks. Santosh came witha 4WD, Vishwas & Nandha joined us. Here, with a beautiful girl watching us, we decided to coverup with notebooks.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheO7EbWau79qVgYn03E9BapO0lhJIQizyXPqvUCYbpaoZCb5cxN5gNbMMqP2MM4w4Jq5H1rch6QV8cL_mipSi6OzDjeTPXgN0_FmXO62TtXWkUa1O_1dnNPr2vDq5aT-PUhpdBXg/s1600-h/P7280590.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096376048536258098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheO7EbWau79qVgYn03E9BapO0lhJIQizyXPqvUCYbpaoZCb5cxN5gNbMMqP2MM4w4Jq5H1rch6QV8cL_mipSi6OzDjeTPXgN0_FmXO62TtXWkUa1O_1dnNPr2vDq5aT-PUhpdBXg/s400/P7280590.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEaMhN7Q1rv7f1cJERUEcXgQWyB7Vs8bNbpX7nF0mC4aa64LBnFTHdL-ueljlHHAPgD0BD-avkvTApOJtk8SMTm4LjI5IFurPosB2FzP0zGJNp_SKWsynyFGEfezJ8x5YwNzWyw/s1600-h/P7280591.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096374966204499426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEaMhN7Q1rv7f1cJERUEcXgQWyB7Vs8bNbpX7nF0mC4aa64LBnFTHdL-ueljlHHAPgD0BD-avkvTApOJtk8SMTm4LjI5IFurPosB2FzP0zGJNp_SKWsynyFGEfezJ8x5YwNzWyw/s400/P7280591.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3m5NUF5ch_M5RFYz0psv3KYTBxJ-5x1j7hSiVqyHv9nFeqnNLH4qec8x3htjEMPP0EaR2CUamPZXOMPqAux07vl819JeYhOHgE6HPhWA_t7ZMCQRMOQ2k_LNH-1M97wfTJ0c10Q/s1600-h/P7280598.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096374974794434034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3m5NUF5ch_M5RFYz0psv3KYTBxJ-5x1j7hSiVqyHv9nFeqnNLH4qec8x3htjEMPP0EaR2CUamPZXOMPqAux07vl819JeYhOHgE6HPhWA_t7ZMCQRMOQ2k_LNH-1M97wfTJ0c10Q/s400/P7280598.JPG" border="0" /></a>The books were more targetted at drop out children in various schools. But, we started with a distribution to all kids in a school. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096376044241290786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-Isgq15M3-R1FFgbj-l3OntBTf1xtdHScEjGeu4ZapjZ-_BpiZLzWtRkWv3jRaq3RoR7HK38rcY6l3iRKwFLY5LbbWErc-rQGpDnU9nswLwdn1wPnVCxr1ESWZQcqeOVtaJykg/s400/P7280599.JPG" border="0" /> Tobaco is majorly cultivated in these parts. Herz how the plant looks.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpAJ_cbDFl6HI9hvxgUsBW8TzF4Bu1PVhH85pD8Kcp7oCJv7aE-6DcwjO5GvlR1viiF_07jPDhx0GHA4-dCSCWGovDIZ-GQUT1MJfnqNVCL5_0nrtMiQE-XGLx8-NdpJB7BjVGA/s1600-h/P7280600.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096374983384368642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpAJ_cbDFl6HI9hvxgUsBW8TzF4Bu1PVhH85pD8Kcp7oCJv7aE-6DcwjO5GvlR1viiF_07jPDhx0GHA4-dCSCWGovDIZ-GQUT1MJfnqNVCL5_0nrtMiQE-XGLx8-NdpJB7BjVGA/s400/P7280600.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096390539755914850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUPD0CIF0axBoCDsbD1aKIvjFOk2cd47wtav5_IZV3EE_yQu2xJyY-l9am4Wh9VObrOFiOT_0l9qDFWKu0xGe6HyNibpRy3lpFt-duJ5IsG4AZGxTQ__vCDceTdZ8ruuGRV_XEg/s400/P7280601.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096377212472395330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRpUVnOpy9mmtchSuKL1aYwTQVd2EhTz9XjS6CP49iLbvKzcIDGnBIVZYn9uPF69AOLorIvI4ACNa2a0z0cdVm5EEakJ9gSw88XHCQR0Kix9w3qRLp9In2ZXNIok8sxCg2Ta9qw/s400/spider.JPG" border="0" /><br />A web can be seen as a you-will-get-lost puzzle or can be seen as a wonderful supporting structure. The tribals that lived in the Bandipur-Nagarhole-Wynad forests now live in the fringes and try to make a living. </div><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096391476058785410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4ivlXsVO6mDD_1_LZEVoLvrpKVtUn5Y_62-OD6RB5ISU8QP9NZpUGP_gc-i7XEoltHrvkq9rp4UZm5EMfL6c0S-B6E3tc1wja2qZhMEMSKQF6cNNcqdACkA1wVK_MahPR2VD-g/s400/P7290623.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>The predominant tribes are<br /><br /></div><ul><li>Kaadu Kuruba</li><br /><li>Jenu Kuruba<br /></li><li>Yarava</li><br /><li>Soliga<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096373978362021298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5R7F2woPqwc0tt0p8usSy3sK9sVxTZsfSoJlGBZ2KcRTiP_IDNkjxwzvBsyLkmsGV7vWZ2FBYQ4iamkvHCv_9P4G3ZCv4-DoxLxuNfd6C3Gb_BDk0zzDjEuLCHasWroXGrhkBJw/s400/P7280617.JPG" border="0" /></li></ul><p>Some of them have some land to cultivate, and also engage in basket making & honey gathering. Most of the seem lost between the jungles and the towns. A lot of them go to Coorg a few months a year to assist in their plantations. <em>The Kabini back waters</em>.</p><p>Helping the tribes make a healthy living is the NGO - Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement - <a href="http://www.svym.net/">http://www.svym.net/</a><br /></p><p>This group started of with health, and have now moved onto education among other things. They have a good hospital in Saragur, where a tribal can avail facilities for Rs 2.</p><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096373991246923218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsaTZC70qYzqc1Y-hzRvMFOctwxkiBbQmOdwyQxbgqMIclczB3_EaYE51Er_v8jhrnxEsMX855JqGLkEcmmpCQuIJ5U4wobG89_MMURHgoX4DlzMd2aRNhOJBmYg_sYvdFvLt9g/s400/P7290619.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>And yes, they have a residential school for the tribal children. This houses 400 kids, studying from first std to 10th std, with 218 boys and 182 girls. The school is close to Kabini back-waters, a place called Hosahalli, on the other side of the back-water one can notice the Kabini Jungle lodges.</p><p>We spent a night and half a day at this school, interacting with the children. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWu20R-t3V2JHPrID7hCfbJBDvJmLV_pC-0uLEOKFAXksxof8TpQsftLfVvNFSgUQON7s7XQNrlAnqh-WV86yuyA4Itr6ly4lTbL0sOclOB8DwVi186SJzLNoMNcuoXil7aAncg/s1600-h/P7290618.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096373986951955906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWu20R-t3V2JHPrID7hCfbJBDvJmLV_pC-0uLEOKFAXksxof8TpQsftLfVvNFSgUQON7s7XQNrlAnqh-WV86yuyA4Itr6ly4lTbL0sOclOB8DwVi186SJzLNoMNcuoXil7aAncg/s400/P7290618.JPG" border="0" /></a>A lot of the current 10th kids said they have seen a tiger in the wild! And, here, I was going through a bird book with them, and they could identify a lot of them.<br /><br /></p><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5a6PY4qKmjHrbPWbRnb8cM9YImNHUvQ2Wv6BvxPS0188WpORHZqakz7WHidF8vx3LNGBlEd1Mhlib-f1aVlwb4l4qARZkFOyEQcToijKqYkH5XYHVf3UPdh45jTUN0KW8a0hNA/s1600-h/P7290622.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096373149433333122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5a6PY4qKmjHrbPWbRnb8cM9YImNHUvQ2Wv6BvxPS0188WpORHZqakz7WHidF8vx3LNGBlEd1Mhlib-f1aVlwb4l4qARZkFOyEQcToijKqYkH5XYHVf3UPdh45jTUN0KW8a0hNA/s400/P7290622.JPG" border="0" /></a> The school has wonderful facilities. They seem to follow a montessori like system.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8zTG5wt-7LZP9i8k8gi4SGF4Dtk_aG92r3-GV4Vjg-wSqcwtjydFHMnYmAWcjFo2aOl_OMiyL-ZyHtTJPwqzfXcsoDGl11OB4jVK57U8IhQWLp8MR_2cV89Epnv1zZawccxIyg/s1600-h/P7290624.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096373158023267730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8zTG5wt-7LZP9i8k8gi4SGF4Dtk_aG92r3-GV4Vjg-wSqcwtjydFHMnYmAWcjFo2aOl_OMiyL-ZyHtTJPwqzfXcsoDGl11OB4jVK57U8IhQWLp8MR_2cV89Epnv1zZawccxIyg/s400/P7290624.JPG" border="0" /></a> One of their primary school class-room. They have a good library, wonderful lab, and a computer centre.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWC6FhebDkUEKubt4SCaASqJ51-IyHVCiLeis2TJnw4YvKKMQvsESpk0QQL7su5viTgxkIsCA15b9hsW3pAN4mzR2TVsO4z3PsaGDAozJHFEcu5Wj4UhEFJ_AuNBUV93r-jQ_uRg/s1600-h/P7290626.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096369627560150354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWC6FhebDkUEKubt4SCaASqJ51-IyHVCiLeis2TJnw4YvKKMQvsESpk0QQL7su5viTgxkIsCA15b9hsW3pAN4mzR2TVsO4z3PsaGDAozJHFEcu5Wj4UhEFJ_AuNBUV93r-jQ_uRg/s400/P7290626.JPG" border="0" /></a> Leaves collected by 3rs std kids!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFqfB3sLe8EPa19r_Qf51dGPJbVH_Xh6vVwKfLAOLkj8ulGTSJZUHNVmTIBmzLvfkyAjINDBdk3yBKB27-usL5vbZkcoPv21CHc9z9E-ArsiDhyphenhyphenjOTmHPgRO3lHt9kv1QV4BS8A/s1600-h/P7290627.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096369636150084962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFqfB3sLe8EPa19r_Qf51dGPJbVH_Xh6vVwKfLAOLkj8ulGTSJZUHNVmTIBmzLvfkyAjINDBdk3yBKB27-usL5vbZkcoPv21CHc9z9E-ArsiDhyphenhyphenjOTmHPgRO3lHt9kv1QV4BS8A/s400/P7290627.JPG" border="0" /></a> The class-tribe-sex break-up.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9s3fkQPguSY795KSzk6WDouvW1Jj7N8Rx4sBqRrvkqdBk8mrpj9K0RQOPAfGFND5gFl3gRpCi7WWnakiYnbrkdI2SikOPlAfK4hhNzTbblEWsach1POa3XQZN3HTZUudhIdfEXg/s1600-h/P7290630.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096369653329954162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9s3fkQPguSY795KSzk6WDouvW1Jj7N8Rx4sBqRrvkqdBk8mrpj9K0RQOPAfGFND5gFl3gRpCi7WWnakiYnbrkdI2SikOPlAfK4hhNzTbblEWsach1POa3XQZN3HTZUudhIdfEXg/s400/P7290630.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Well....a snake molt....and the spine of snake ;-)</div><br /><div>At this point, my kyamera fell and got damaged ;-(</div><br /><div>So...the rest of the day, we got to interact with the 10th standard students. It turned out to be intense sessions. They were around 40 of them. What was amiss was the exposure. Growing up so far from the cities/towns - depite all the facilities the school offers - they seem to miss the bus. A desire to go away from the place was there, but what next wasn't clear. A girl who scored above average marks aspired to be a bus conductor!!! We spent a lot of time talking 'bout career options etc etc. The kids lapped everything up.</div><br /><div>What was striking was the closeness amongst the kids. The teachers remarked that they don't have a concept of mine/yours. There are no fights in the class when the teacher is not around. And, that the word 'orphan' doesn't exist in their language!!!</div><br /><div>The kids look very promising, eager to make it. What they would do well, are more visits by the outside world (you & me), to inspire, show directions, and help them take those next few crucial steps.</div><br /><div>Most of the 10th standard pass students are sponsored into higher education by the NGO. Currently, 10 such students are persuing their 11th standard science at Mysore. These children would benefit by regular mentoring by someone in Mysore. Mentoring would involve talking & motivating them, and an easy way is to teach some subjects or clear some of their subject doubts to build the relationship. Interested, let me know.</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096373166613202338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihLh3cqhn2WoO17WRhBq0zgxO0FG5NwucCgU_yTmH7jbK306NUjVB895QLBpFWRkoAPpmYqYPvT4RSAGWsQikgysQJhFHfOxm1wI7dllBMtnjYP0IJ3FQkom4-Qs_4C2gF9kJWA/s400/P7290625.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div>Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-66201382893255690862007-09-27T00:14:00.000+05:302008-12-09T04:59:59.265+05:30GeckosGecko's: Lizards, all around the globe (40 deg latitude around the equator), 40mm to 350mm, eye lacks eyelids, but has a transperent shield.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-qM2cYVJp8qb72sBhUUKAANu06IlHqxVh862CbNFAnOesuISF_luL7Qi5MrBPjLFLmiBwj9UNU23b01VmhlP-DPfoN0t7YVg898_nLM9dh_eK772Zfoh_os34rphbsa71gFIsA/s1600-h/P1010707.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114759958945116450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-qM2cYVJp8qb72sBhUUKAANu06IlHqxVh862CbNFAnOesuISF_luL7Qi5MrBPjLFLmiBwj9UNU23b01VmhlP-DPfoN0t7YVg898_nLM9dh_eK772Zfoh_os34rphbsa71gFIsA/s400/P1010707.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114759954650149138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGBruDNL-kJafNZ9VXAkB86yDPPZbB_r_hoQBrSBDkkHYWob398JD4Dr_oY9P-EmrspZ-B7bYW93J2XPPk5E3Wiv8hugkP08Jc2U1jslU-4oNXO95fKFaE6hax-wwR35OPj_ncA/s400/P1010715.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114773677070659970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCN0Hf7gOUedQvdp9QQqu1mKjQXszkUFH28wXiZFA9hHb05s2ooKxsMo3ic0DofJ7ePtM2IbNeE3tr3ttwgo7U78-F7IVgDrYj6hYjMUbnq64plbnkLmHtHdADXZbe-VNwDYEEXw/s400/geckoHead.JPG" border="0" />Devbaugh beach, Karwar, Sep 10th 07.<br /><div><div><br /><div><div><div>This gecko caught the attention, and remains one of the best sightings from that place. Chap was moving away, but then was slow enuf for me to catch up, and posed. The green thrills. </div><br /><div></div><div>Am sure, you noticed the long tail. Tails seem to be major protective/defensive feature. When confronted, the tail detaches, writhes & wriggles, drawing the attention of the predator, while the gecko moves away. Tail regrows.<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114760435686486322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0yDis18lEMzNV-vh-wKof7RJu5rnVhyphenhyphen9oULwCSZqXe62z2_s7fP97LKoiE9NLG6oxflG2Ey6c92lpXiYvV4MuD_bytNH0MNivhtdkS9oyNP6hlKsp_oOqFrUkBab_ama4Mp90Q/s400/P1010896.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>Moving on, Dandeli forest on a nature trail on Sep 12th. Another gecko with some green around its throat(?) caught my attention, I was so amazed, that I simply watched it, called Lakshmi & the guide, and watched it climb up the tree, before I got to click.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114764541675221330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4Y6gT2fW2ym4cGoWtnU8VC7tsIvW8CPOzc687VUQ9hj1NTZf-fge9LlNthw5p3excgfZ2CoeFh2rpABmufDdR7E0404jeXHPsrfpEFS87Cg9XAhfvqf0_9z1MAPUjkWO7cLWaw/s400/P1010994.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>Another 2 hours later, saw one more, but then the green tinge was missing. Chap again moved up the trees. Indian geckos are nocturnal, soberly colored (brown/grey). Food predominantly being insects, bigger geckos may feed on smaller snakes. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114763983329472834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifa2rH8TjdF1umqdDt3RRvOlDuJLIh294Dwh43NvFeCzTRMvrUf4m5iFPrh-C90c_JOVpApD-162KPekHWjHAI2n1LTn4CXz8-Cw0pDF1fYVF2Hs1-RoUxAOYlWoYf0bp8_wvmbQ/s400/gecko.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114770692068389234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgbVdq9RwIBiBKoUlatjcm4R6pABNHauqpW7_GiAOmx8Zg0LOwNLWOFmM6f3Mw9k6XAhG7LB1yssYoPAYA3pD3J_PdGIzUHSrzEGbK-Hm9czFhAPUiIMwcWl_8-mYyDwsIyla3w/s400/P1010995.JPG" border="0" /> Need to identify these geckos. Material from Daniel's book of Indian Reptiles & Amphibians.</div>Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-70978887482205330842007-10-28T16:17:00.001+05:302008-12-09T04:59:58.235+05:30A bouquet<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gfMUpdYVHMCLwjOtN56-3PAJ7XESHbkrSqFy6KuEJlEThyh8kk_YPM-I-iy4qtSrUlJ8uP6O-aSS3utHVWc8TMQHze7HNysXS7HSLClEppJ2J6qWbFIfc-B9rFE0NTpHIsoKSw/s1600-h/onlyBrave.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126327366414809282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gfMUpdYVHMCLwjOtN56-3PAJ7XESHbkrSqFy6KuEJlEThyh8kk_YPM-I-iy4qtSrUlJ8uP6O-aSS3utHVWc8TMQHze7HNysXS7HSLClEppJ2J6qWbFIfc-B9rFE0NTpHIsoKSw/s400/onlyBrave.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126328521761011970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUks6r1u9cjwoEG3aCC7mCi7MOZseNlvdF48kp9CMyFB3z3svSyFk-o3w4Oz__qrTs868KOobylfo91jeZI4OMSmylmO9wFT0wEHUUkbvGMwAISGygHOVS1BQhYxZ4n2dxRDX6w/s400/PA290677.JPG" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwp0Qd46SNHpYnG8MtDdrZEWif8EPhGHqtnSEwVNXHYVrElM2m6u_nLzur8kLZpbfqPtX4DQ_Z7YKTY43slIHI_JYgfJyR_D0cp9javjBaXSEFeAzPhVURSkwjLql7dq-9mvsKzQ/s1600-h/onlyBrave2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126327379299711186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwp0Qd46SNHpYnG8MtDdrZEWif8EPhGHqtnSEwVNXHYVrElM2m6u_nLzur8kLZpbfqPtX4DQ_Z7YKTY43slIHI_JYgfJyR_D0cp9javjBaXSEFeAzPhVURSkwjLql7dq-9mvsKzQ/s400/onlyBrave2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Only for the brave. No entry to pregnant women!!!!!</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_A6THL3WWJVNOiPdBFuEDDhWnPgZpr9vxTaBtcubNHNv7q0DW6HpvNOuvfIgdEWqvxH7DFU8_N3r2-ZOoyG5GYtwYFjJjgRmpaGHZv8X0jGbSgLOClyaPQ67J6hGXZcC-rS5kSA/s1600-h/Biscuit.JPG"></a><br /><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-fEY4ueTWKR4Wgyq5G8FTi8shcUw7dcL_IezwWRXLBSDxpb2QEfj_MJ8DfkOga5LLgBdxjaVpa3wUexAMKYxD1OTzU9isH6cIpQnKIUXr0V_1Q0PCXsaD1H6_HsbUOz1OOde1g/s1600-h/handShake2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126326099399456930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-fEY4ueTWKR4Wgyq5G8FTi8shcUw7dcL_IezwWRXLBSDxpb2QEfj_MJ8DfkOga5LLgBdxjaVpa3wUexAMKYxD1OTzU9isH6cIpQnKIUXr0V_1Q0PCXsaD1H6_HsbUOz1OOde1g/s400/handShake2.JPG" border="0" /></a> Requires guts for the 'golden' handshake!!!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126326107989391538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OFRJPchO8OR8sHR7S_TFiSz_fbMuRDoWD1hWiJ1jc73WkaQ34Pg1lPLDbCAV9InqKkbYs-oKRxvsiRdwqDq0qcSIDrps6Tq0heuytnM0UIVnkI-xsqPkWrdHXx8O7n70H5GZtg/s400/invite.JPG" border="0" /><br />Shrikanth courageously married Priya on 29th Oct 2006!!! Hey....itz their first wedding anniversary......wishing them the very best ;-)<br /><br /><p align="center"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz5-G1fevh22Te_6Gt8fpQnQChoGkP14XBwiK7_n1ZLxxLaAUTXyx6H5fvDR_EAsCFnPKPt_Wg2sFg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Wedding happened in the musical town Dharwad. Tons of his friends, and students from Friends of children landed up, and we had a whale of time!!!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126327478083959010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LRRqU3by87bY769FD3gtP32_8-j_dI42qqYWAzI7xQ1NJtnugJT4WSS0ygkm8HJJV5LX97jlOJLtuVkQLJt6gAggERHQtk5XkZndmpII7C9Zqo1IpOYKG_bwRRI2Hbsl5iyPcw/s400/PA290548.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNrI9nLjEbmjRpExv_XcKnmsu5FuCNHkI1jQKViULn3skxz3qcMJW4LUSXkjJriQA4zyuyC5HR9pgSUWn63xLfuc0yK23XTTntflhOcSkySnlc8nesaaNFXNCwJaOS4INd_MsaA/s1600-h/PA290588.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126291666646644818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNrI9nLjEbmjRpExv_XcKnmsu5FuCNHkI1jQKViULn3skxz3qcMJW4LUSXkjJriQA4zyuyC5HR9pgSUWn63xLfuc0yK23XTTntflhOcSkySnlc8nesaaNFXNCwJaOS4INd_MsaA/s400/PA290588.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_i0RmheU4QUQq8HnqduvC-cmCa6uSGzT4_SFMzLbPzMf04t8CtnMVbBLCaXy4TTuzwVB5_zr9tjprcYsmET_IeA9n4RuNpCflMH6oaRRpdRxp_1Gku8V7kDFCd0Mb5vyEETEAA/s1600-h/PA290590.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126291670941612130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_i0RmheU4QUQq8HnqduvC-cmCa6uSGzT4_SFMzLbPzMf04t8CtnMVbBLCaXy4TTuzwVB5_zr9tjprcYsmET_IeA9n4RuNpCflMH6oaRRpdRxp_1Gku8V7kDFCd0Mb5vyEETEAA/s400/PA290590.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-yrjKT1jCJgZpUC-v65NIsmxNaZelDeGDR-sA7qAbWIrninYos68_sQq7gp2e756iUB_ViYPeNMZ18MBuTUEPEM5VF16ejRfC0sdWlwN62oZ3EsiJP-LWZUHZzPz4L7DzStDfw/s1600-h/PA290593.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126291696711415922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-yrjKT1jCJgZpUC-v65NIsmxNaZelDeGDR-sA7qAbWIrninYos68_sQq7gp2e756iUB_ViYPeNMZ18MBuTUEPEM5VF16ejRfC0sdWlwN62oZ3EsiJP-LWZUHZzPz4L7DzStDfw/s400/PA290593.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDHPd_f1G0Q9brOFKnhiaYaQnQ4kxadsSPAM40hIzDu4pLx5zAPQYqQhYxwOSwOoW4igqB4hz8UgYXRgoADdhY56SAlcdpu3N1KaGcS0-DAl6qBG9j0MPSdFdaTqY_-QctgQ0dw/s1600-h/PA290611.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126291701006383234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDHPd_f1G0Q9brOFKnhiaYaQnQ4kxadsSPAM40hIzDu4pLx5zAPQYqQhYxwOSwOoW4igqB4hz8UgYXRgoADdhY56SAlcdpu3N1KaGcS0-DAl6qBG9j0MPSdFdaTqY_-QctgQ0dw/s400/PA290611.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Xq5J34yjuFMrVna0FfJQ7q49Iu3UvAIknJC8MHPOy71-kAIHC3ysvkrQUw0NDXwrHi7vGglfwP1En-e-0sUhXHF2vm-j-G4N-3YeMNJ97ni7suElfMset2oAZid9G36i4lQLhw/s1600-h/PA290594.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126289746796263442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Xq5J34yjuFMrVna0FfJQ7q49Iu3UvAIknJC8MHPOy71-kAIHC3ysvkrQUw0NDXwrHi7vGglfwP1En-e-0sUhXHF2vm-j-G4N-3YeMNJ97ni7suElfMset2oAZid9G36i4lQLhw/s400/PA290594.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq8CElnYTU5qpjw42q-qJ_AlWOw-Ak2nUHS561bpVDh7IXIgv7uwFvhev8AjOAQ0-RnMWmcuBGM_F18hsIUWDg8JTTwhtar4ktJsL5QCaJmn_CIcKczoFpYMeddXVDJ7yYYs5ww/s1600-h/PA290595.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126289759681165346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq8CElnYTU5qpjw42q-qJ_AlWOw-Ak2nUHS561bpVDh7IXIgv7uwFvhev8AjOAQ0-RnMWmcuBGM_F18hsIUWDg8JTTwhtar4ktJsL5QCaJmn_CIcKczoFpYMeddXVDJ7yYYs5ww/s400/PA290595.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126289961544628290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjjvgNytmCP7Pk45KZS57_be5yMPAWfv_Wv1Jex0s3mTnF1qygemzwUzSH07cbvhB1HIxi3JqYKG77j9EiHHXlzD45TJWJJgviyycgV11DkkNpSGpKII5B2Y_qZ-tac2O-B2T_g/s400/sapthaPadhi.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmTnaCqKvG0P0D6rhJ2i0dcCQWpW5Au85WGtKN6tS5bFb002SqKV2beugFIDlPFdttOGvzsESuiVAJpoj-r7nClIxyVnNVqF0RkmSkRoMO0s1C3JG2CB5hxrPlHC5qVYsUZRlgw/s1600-h/Biscuit.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126288376701695970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmTnaCqKvG0P0D6rhJ2i0dcCQWpW5Au85WGtKN6tS5bFb002SqKV2beugFIDlPFdttOGvzsESuiVAJpoj-r7nClIxyVnNVqF0RkmSkRoMO0s1C3JG2CB5hxrPlHC5qVYsUZRlgw/s400/Biscuit.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHLzmpm6Ysxb7nehmFUa8usAhOkWkfkG7pUjxoFb25jIBlMZdfvyIDEbHc4lnFWSKnjrzvSHeQtk0CTlfpbsEW5VkQXiOQrszeis7C-Jt788_pyz7vTb-Kc1pc0M2r4k4HqM9WQ/s1600-h/catchingBreath.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126288376701695986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHLzmpm6Ysxb7nehmFUa8usAhOkWkfkG7pUjxoFb25jIBlMZdfvyIDEbHc4lnFWSKnjrzvSHeQtk0CTlfpbsEW5VkQXiOQrszeis7C-Jt788_pyz7vTb-Kc1pc0M2r4k4HqM9WQ/s400/catchingBreath.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126288385291630594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CIp1L_ocszh4S9FnPqf-kv76xotmQ_x8uQz1C8Mkrwv3xiWbb5-Hnwl_th477B6eeJeCwSnqCYqJnfByqyZp-aV_ZUpatj68brUzRGPDfPtNRNiJuB1CBE8MgPrPLyLIACQTeQ/s400/PA290544.JPG" border="0" /><br />Among other things, we decided to wish him over a balloon ;-)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126282660100224882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjGMss-lWLNucyoDtjHcarIo8MG1I23_eoZ7WtNMKfYsyRvQmu5LycqMVCjy_bbGBDoPvGpc3g6nUTLuuB1YPA2Clm1DiM2yMjaggSzvqV6cUGBf7Xsy_0JB4-VqxNUjstnifcQ/s400/PA290570.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126281053782456098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63rUQbSBNNz5DvvB2Lo65IyloMKJSa9nX9qsBXBjOotx3DddSScRraPlybdGCmACo7bfdeE3Y-RZWF9ejKGNCfkLIglH2dWcYTjke2rUKsDat6i3iHBePvY0OW-sEQ9m4Foyogg/s400/PA290607.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUoJh-zC-0wEFZrvyEfu5N_i8GZQgMYuRlc3GfwG1xRHxrrhefoRipG6v-V-QgMQC7_x7kJs18OxoGXDzIZm_MDCJk4ggPpu4KVTZp4L_wMQrPVqFIT-KxBsd5vxtfNofJOEoLQ/s1600-h/PA290568.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126284528410998674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUoJh-zC-0wEFZrvyEfu5N_i8GZQgMYuRlc3GfwG1xRHxrrhefoRipG6v-V-QgMQC7_x7kJs18OxoGXDzIZm_MDCJk4ggPpu4KVTZp4L_wMQrPVqFIT-KxBsd5vxtfNofJOEoLQ/s400/PA290568.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126281053782456114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxfnSUbcs83RQUDWYfu8YdaZjOo4D-yfDcjBdJSno-kiSWLn30SZ6-Wtlz3a0T27xtuZq5974E4_V3RyDLy2znAIAvktCxZ-qikwlwUZ5rAlSPH7AS4VIWSxYqvz2t1eHISzCFQ/s400/rhyme.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCuk91AHqYiGYWW_KSn0UFciyCaew3LRfbPZwq-Ybba5sninJ3dnXPzlkNIlZ_eefTv-KxXRAtQk0_D1AGT0BvV7xbyEmIxpDq_vPdrX_VR8UwqPv3ddZR8U0cZg0CW1cLFE3zw/s1600-h/PA290565.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126284575655638962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCuk91AHqYiGYWW_KSn0UFciyCaew3LRfbPZwq-Ybba5sninJ3dnXPzlkNIlZ_eefTv-KxXRAtQk0_D1AGT0BvV7xbyEmIxpDq_vPdrX_VR8UwqPv3ddZR8U0cZg0CW1cLFE3zw/s400/PA290565.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnd-rxMigHolmxxGWRGNF_2dS0roIaGan-YlgEGkFxn3tU1ey1mfRnUTto17M7m_k3Hb-ILukTvHZsjv-YAcRDWhq88ap0DW0b8MQnwS9u2BseX0K8VNaO82rNmql62lqHgbX_mw/s1600-h/PA290562.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126284614310344658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnd-rxMigHolmxxGWRGNF_2dS0roIaGan-YlgEGkFxn3tU1ey1mfRnUTto17M7m_k3Hb-ILukTvHZsjv-YAcRDWhq88ap0DW0b8MQnwS9u2BseX0K8VNaO82rNmql62lqHgbX_mw/s400/PA290562.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2ZGD6BAsGLEpfYirk7Yc6WozVNMr52Dy3kJ19jRQN1V_BCafyStYsjwQ1DoJjzdiVrSCLvSmWiXkmIoWYJbeU-_YEXBXJ7-L_nQ1ecWfQCDhjw8Mz1e4EcMTO_dC6w6-iFpN4Q/s1600-h/PA290572.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126282625740486482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2ZGD6BAsGLEpfYirk7Yc6WozVNMr52Dy3kJ19jRQN1V_BCafyStYsjwQ1DoJjzdiVrSCLvSmWiXkmIoWYJbeU-_YEXBXJ7-L_nQ1ecWfQCDhjw8Mz1e4EcMTO_dC6w6-iFpN4Q/s400/PA290572.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Dykh3KxEF8jH09SPfGIL5dhmSx-PUTng3shwd1_c11BkxKhKjyPA4M7Yoj7fHAJdqhFIXYiPKWDX0lvdZzJeVwOFY0wtQscGU1VHIkg0Q6IM9FNMAOevcfx6IlHrDg_ZDBQwlQ/s1600-h/PA290571.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126282642920355682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Dykh3KxEF8jH09SPfGIL5dhmSx-PUTng3shwd1_c11BkxKhKjyPA4M7Yoj7fHAJdqhFIXYiPKWDX0lvdZzJeVwOFY0wtQscGU1VHIkg0Q6IM9FNMAOevcfx6IlHrDg_ZDBQwlQ/s400/PA290571.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdm9NFhuOkbyGPi-YwwRMwQ_AjP2tXsRfrc8olBD82zX5R7JSedjqFXpY56yilLj_QCyj5jzLLejuxIZLzoBLIQbfwTc62XitMYy-pOB_ZJwZcMAPpskkyrrJKYcYPykTQUkwetw/s1600-h/PA290580.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126281062372390722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdm9NFhuOkbyGPi-YwwRMwQ_AjP2tXsRfrc8olBD82zX5R7JSedjqFXpY56yilLj_QCyj5jzLLejuxIZLzoBLIQbfwTc62XitMYy-pOB_ZJwZcMAPpskkyrrJKYcYPykTQUkwetw/s400/PA290580.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126284541295900578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGW4c7QU9iukZZh0K-w2Row1lmcAv-tMeeHN2Qo3D5ixZ6PTcwPd20aQHkcknAzyf7Nk-g4bUxH2RnYkfgDeak4sa5t49G5ovn0bliOve71nUHp3cfsWhD2MLuXLlO0vwHpvBruw/s400/PA290566.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126282677280094082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpVJovBfiF0e6eYgHPfXKGksM8MRqstNvpN7BxRnQtZLAZ2YP2ww1Xam2TolEJHYOU-RiebsZ_ibVyMgQHR8NFaqU9d2JdGtTz5oG4FEyGArHWSSaf2dyVZRzyKQKxUPQpG9CWw/s400/PA290569.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126338782437882130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDtaUkCC3nCZSJj_SUUzOG6SOXrGWKmQ1uWjANHZTNCmVW9nPL4v9Wv-75MCtQ4vW_cq_msilmVIpgLzrbgtb4RQfchtSehyphenhyphenKDWUb1ZVuzU2EWLbkh5C9WDderGM__BLzCN6UPg/s400/groupSnap.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126327525328599282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRH6cyaOvSqUIex2hKwcopisQ4kse3us89UZb67D0o-reHcNIUARa1q-dYC_CdRTewohJj6I3FohIXMlLhCgKf3rgHV2IJJv_dGe6tOw0Q-5mjQCl_Gudjks3N7uDz053R6GyiEQ/s400/PA290636.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>From all of us, wishing Priya & Shrikanth, wonderful times togather!Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-44040956344329267482008-03-21T13:21:00.003+05:302008-12-09T04:59:53.240+05:30Gaping Hole<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicz_lSnGTF6HrSnaqJ5qWSdMVGVDyt5ZKhgl58KBl_tIvqfOBxDAEN0BjP5tKfCSuieYNa46dOdVtYQNzKyFLZexdGovyJE4OUrCpP-2_lS2eUR_4OJIvd0SXnrk2tz0JqyP5fGA/s1600-h/phot-02a-01b.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180098761406457394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicz_lSnGTF6HrSnaqJ5qWSdMVGVDyt5ZKhgl58KBl_tIvqfOBxDAEN0BjP5tKfCSuieYNa46dOdVtYQNzKyFLZexdGovyJE4OUrCpP-2_lS2eUR_4OJIvd0SXnrk2tz0JqyP5fGA/s400/phot-02a-01b.jpg" border="0" /></a>Thousands of stars, and a gaping hole!<br /><div><div><div>I stumbled on this pic, and furthur reading pointed to some exciting info.</div><div></div><div></div><div>This is a <strong>Bok Globule. </strong>Dark dense clouds. One of the coldest objects in the sky with temperatures around -270 degrees (3 kelvins). The dark clouds have hydrogen, helium & some inter-stellar silicates, and are so densely packed, making it opaque at optical wavelengths.</div><div><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180086872936982034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCsQLnpUL2pBjQ7qXlZuah-alKf_WUdgv-1-5J0rECS_GO9_FYndwmTdZbdg2w7ufHb3HFPl9aI-CZviAEewiJW65qERw3Mhnyr-2p1iFena0EqgmgbNo8h49xajMZQjpWFndcQ/s400/bok-2.JPG" border="0" /></div></div><p>But become transperent at infra-red wavelengths, showing the background stars. </p><p>In 1947, Bart Jon Bok declared that these objects lead to birth of stars!!! </p><p>The Blok globule in picture is called Banard-68, at around 400 light years from earth. As you notice with no other star in between, weighs twice the solar mass, and is half a light year across. Temperature is around -257 degrees (16 kelvin). </p><p>Banard-68 is at a preliminary stage of star formation. The inwardly gravitational pull is balanced by outwardly gas pressure. At some point this stability is lost, gravatational power wins, and matter would condense to form stars. Banard-68 is said to be marginally stable, and in a few million years could collapse on it self, and may lead to birth of one or two Sun sized stars.</p><p>So, ladies and gentlemen, coming up soon, in the place of the darkness would be dazzling stars!</p></div><br /><p> </p><p>Source: <a href="http://www.eso.org/esopia/images/html/phot-02a-01.html">http://www.eso.org/esopia/images/html/phot-02a-01.html</a></p><p> <a href="http://www.universetoday.com/2005/06/17/a-star-in-the-making/">http://www.universetoday.com/2005/06/17/a-star-in-the-making/</a></p><p> <a href="http://www.americanscientist.org/template/AssetDetail/assetid/14678#22726">http://www.americanscientist.org/template/AssetDetail/assetid/14678#22726</a></p>Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-73711342779544550912008-06-19T16:16:00.000+05:302008-12-09T04:59:52.958+05:30Camouflage3:20pm, 23rd Sep 2006, Dodabetta, Krishnagiri, Tamilnadu<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213538696283338882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpSXfj7QbmOk2FBv6F9TxkCvCBRjc-mzlvGRM3BDIDGzqVhMyZjPjRmqqnlENYjOfQ16h7E50gJIyOHFJ9HJZmA3q0b-SCvh-IJm_psK-7kipJ3ToEYX33FFmiZhN1tgNodZBbw/s400/P9230439.JPG" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIj6_b7WYNC-ycpvEFnujLhlOFLXDPHB8U8GpM02cxIwUn2lCHChvqm7GNX-Kqw2wqQDPsn7HjgkqqSpj5tCymUEBm54j3z0dPece84OAWRx7RK63MmtgQ8K-tIiQUWn3xQsikA/s1600-h/P9230439A.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213538705208296274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIj6_b7WYNC-ycpvEFnujLhlOFLXDPHB8U8GpM02cxIwUn2lCHChvqm7GNX-Kqw2wqQDPsn7HjgkqqSpj5tCymUEBm54j3z0dPece84OAWRx7RK63MmtgQ8K-tIiQUWn3xQsikA/s400/P9230439A.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKXv8wvrCDTbnqm5xHx6SQiUU9cnk54JSJY93TYzv4iMwtr_g3_dgi8Hn0uo1_pq24__gFQKwjcIACJO2fwsO0Y1FUWzHWtrfVqcRTa79z3TV3fwVbL_Now77nYyU2ffQi15WMw/s1600-h/P9230439C.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213538713999099890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKXv8wvrCDTbnqm5xHx6SQiUU9cnk54JSJY93TYzv4iMwtr_g3_dgi8Hn0uo1_pq24__gFQKwjcIACJO2fwsO0Y1FUWzHWtrfVqcRTa79z3TV3fwVbL_Now77nYyU2ffQi15WMw/s400/P9230439C.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOLaHXQSn6W6xE2LDZrTWiel_CZan-zIU8o3zeEEFoe7Mk3QidcHXDU-0ABxpsUplPfZuAMN7lEOQnrz589vDiSU1E4_zztz4DN9MyUry_tlhwKUZSRDG7XMomXU0-BRUw0KoOA/s1600-h/P9230439B.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213538716798299842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOLaHXQSn6W6xE2LDZrTWiel_CZan-zIU8o3zeEEFoe7Mk3QidcHXDU-0ABxpsUplPfZuAMN7lEOQnrz589vDiSU1E4_zztz4DN9MyUry_tlhwKUZSRDG7XMomXU0-BRUw0KoOA/s400/P9230439B.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-77406967109192197312008-01-29T21:06:00.000+05:302008-01-29T21:09:01.543+05:30The Rusty gateThat is all I remember from this Diwali.<br /><br />But no, I remember many more things. The first day on 8th nov thursday, we met at CRY office and left for Kutumba , about 8 kms out of Bangalore on hennur road at Dodda Gubbi. Although we planned to reach early and finish the celebrations early. It got delayed , we reached there by about 07:30. The Volunteers Rajarshee, Murtuza, Venugopal, shweta, Anil, Sonia and friend, Sabina, Deepak, Devendar and Family, and myself,<br /><br />The kids were waiting for us, there were a lot of new faces this time, as the strength has increased there, so after a round of intro - we set on fireworks, lit the place with candels, and what next ? lot of fun, crackers, rockets, sweets, Bombs, flowerpots, sparklers, the children had major fun , also we ensured everyone gets involved in this festival .<br /><br />Then it was time to have a small interaction session discussed things like their courses, etc<br /><br />NOTE :- we need a volunteer to teach them basic Computer skills , may be once or twice a week visit would be enough, the PCs are going to be provided .<br /><br />Then chocolates and one small goofup by our dearest volunteers, they couldn't locate the sweet box kept in the car, and we thought we lost the sweets , but none the less we gave them other sweets like gulab jaamoon toffees , etc, then we left, as it was late<br /><br />But still that rusted gate Haunts me.......<br /><br />The Second day 9th Nov Friday was at Vatsalya at5 Wilson Garden again most of the volunteers were the same with the addition of Akash, Dharin and Nancy, while some from the previous day had dropped out.<br /><br />Vatsalya being our regular intervention also happens to become a very pet place for most volunteers . As I entered the tiny tots came running wishing diwali and it was as if meeting old friends after ages. And yes, they remembered the action songs I had taught them and asked me to do those again for them. So without wasting any more time we got into our activities, then some fun activities, and the fireworks started.<br /><br />The kids were divided into three groups of small , very small and the very very small kids ( Vatsalya has girls between age 5 and 15 years, and there is a fair mix of Children of all ages.<br />The very very small ones were given only the light ones like the sparklers, bhoomichakras, flowerpots, etc, the very small ones were given the little bigger ones like a mix of sparklers , Small bombs, flowerpots, some fancy fireworks etc the small ones, mostly high school kiddos, were seen with the big B's the Big Bombs, double sounds, and lakshmi bombs and the likes<br />and yes all under the supervision of the volunteers.the grand finale was our guided rockets which went in every direction but straight , and some special bombs,<br /><br />Then we distributed the sweets including the sweets that was lost and found. Mmmmmm My mouth waters even at the thought of those exotic burfees, thank goodness we found them..... I got to eat too.<br /><br />The rusted gate........<br /><br />The third and Final day Of Diwali saturday 10th Nov we went to shishu Mandir.<br /><br />This is where lot of thoughts and emotions were evoked again. Reached there at around 6pm saw two rows of girls seated on the road and our volunteers bursting crackers lighting flowerpots, etc... it was a common diwali planned for children in two homes situated adjacent each other a girls home for girls above 5 years and the infants home, for children below 5 years, mostly children lost and found, who went missing, abandoned, are the ones who stay in these homes, even children undergoing juvinile justice stay here.<br /><br />As I reached the fire works were on. The older girls were seated on one side of the road watching the fireworks, I was wondering what happened to the tiny tots, then I walked a few steps towards the shishu mandir, Where the tiny kids stay, they were all seated on a small pathway that leads to the home and that gate seperated me and the children , the gate was kept locked , a meshed old gate , the children had to sit inside the gate and just watch the Celebrations and fireworks demo being done by us, To me personally it was a very sad scene as these kids looked like any other children, ( imagine some child you know of less then 5 years of age and you standing in front of a closed gate and inside which there is this child who cannot ask for some thing it needs.<br /><br />I hope the gate breaks some time ....<br /><br />But to the volunteers even getting permission to allow them see the fireworks was a major effort, so we thought this was much better then them not having anything at all, we gave the bigger kids sparklers and assisted them to light them up.<br /><br />Immediately after this they were asked to get into their respective homes and we packed up.<br /><br />Could some one define 'childhood' ? what are the minimum requirements to be called 'experiencing childhood'. What it means to miss the light of Diwali, id or christmas. Does it make any diffeence if they are aware of the MAC D, the internet, , Pogo, etc etc that the other children cant live without, how about Forum, PVR Even small outings, what difference does all this make. And Finally what difference does it make to stay away from Family...... ...<br /><br />The Rusty Gate.....<br /><br />By <a href="mailto:sunand.s@rediffmail.com">Sunand</a>Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-1141470527642234852006-03-05T00:03:00.000+05:302007-01-19T00:08:04.467+05:30DishaWell guyz here I go.<br />This is a blog I wanted to write for months. But, somehow Disha, the event has been overwhelming, it was not easy getting to put the ink on the paper ;-)<br /><br /><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/0966.jpg" border="0" />Disha is a workshop and an exhibition of science experiments for high-school children, predominantly from Govt. schools. An annual event for the last 3 years, initiated and pursued by the volunteers of <a href="http://www.friendsofchildrentrust.org/">Friends of Children </a>and sponsored by Synopsys India. </p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/PC032415.2.jpg" border="0" /></p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/PC032414.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/0934_small.jpg" border="0" />The idea was to encourage science at govt. schools. To get the students & teachers involved. So, we decided on a workshop for the students by a professional, soon followed by an exhibition of science projects done by the students. </p><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/0977_small.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/0953_small.jpg" border="0" /><br />We invite one or two teams of 2 students each from schools with emphasis on larger participation from the govt. schools.<br /><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/13A_0195.jpg" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/0930.jpg" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/102_0224.0.jpg" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/102_0241.jpg" border="0" /><br />Mr. Hari Paramesharan of Dynam has been conducting the workshop for us. Very lively, every student gets a kit. Lotz of experiments are conducted over the day. And, science is introduced/illustrated in a simple, thought-provoking way. Mr. Hari leads the way, explaining, asking, & demonstrating it. And, the students find it very interesting. </p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/IMG_0212.0.jpg" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/IMG_0229.jpg" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/IMG_0259.jpg" border="0" /><br />Usually, a science teacher accompanies the students. And, this year, we wanted to have a workshop exclusively for them too. In came Mr. <a href="http://www.vichar.nic.in/Allinthegame/individual_18.asp">Balluragi</a>, a retired college lecturer/reader from Dharwad. He is known for popularising science amongst schools, has authored a few books, and is known for his simple experiments, explanations & low cost science kits. It was such a privilege to have him with us. Volunteers, who witnessed his workshop were bowled, and the teachers impressed. Ravi thanking Shri Balluragi.</p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/100_0019.jpg" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/PC032387.jpg" border="0" /><br />Disha 2003: 12 schools; 7 govt+5 aided; 40 projects; 80 students; 14 teachers<br />Disha 2004: 35 schools; 17 govt+18 aided; 75 projects; 154 students; 38 teachers<br />Disha 2005: 31 schools; 27 govt+ 5 aided; 31 projects; 67 students; 31 teachers </p><p><br /></p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/PC032395.jpg" border="0" /><br />And....in 2003 & 2004, the events happened at St. Theresa School, Chamrajpet. This year, we moved it to St. Josephs Indian High School. </p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/0924.1.jpg" border="0" />Organising an event like this is a huge challenge. Visiting schools, talking to the head-master, science teacher, etc. Getting their confirmations. Then the workshop happens. Usually, we have had problems like unconfirmed schools dropping in, throwing the planning out of gear. Its fun, and very challenging.</p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/PC032400.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>And then the exhibition day, which is typically a fortnight after the workshop. The teams are re-embursed up to 500rs for the project. The students arrive with their projects, set up stalls, start explaining, crowds pour in, mostly students from host & neighbouring schools.</p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/0940_small.jpg" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/0961.jpg" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/PC032407.0.jpg" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/0987.0.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Judges. Yes, we have had some very fine judges, some of them from Synopsys, and the rest mostly with IISc connections. The judges go meet the teams, and then arrive at a decision. Here, the judges being introduced to the students and then they meet the students, and finally they are discussing.</p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/1013.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>And, finally, certificates for all, and prizes for the first few are given away. Apart from the first three prize winning trophies, we have had other sponsorers pitching in with gifts, from books to NIIT courses. Bhanu Kiran - the spirit behind FoCh - giving away prizes.</p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/0954_small.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Yes, apart from Science experiments, this event has had an equally important goal for us. Passing the message to students that, if you are interested in studies and are unable to continue it for financial reasons, we are there to help you out. The Friends of Children gang has been sponsoring college education for quite sometime now. An informal group of volunteers, we sponsor their education and mentor them on weekends. Mentoring/academic doubt clearance happens at St. Theresa school, Chamrajpet. </p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/102_0230.jpg" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/0945_small.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Another issue of concern is rationalism. Science should imply rationalism. Unfortunately, in our country, Science is just another subject. A curious mind, understanding the science behind, can all happen. But soon, we start having a whole lot of superstitions in the name of personal faith & tradition. Especially with impressionable minds and coming from under-previleged societies, it becomes necessary to talk 'bout rationalism, to talk 'bout the science behind 'miracles'. A gang that has worked hard towards pushing rationalism in our society has been the <a href="http://www.ee.iitkgp.ernet.in/~soumitro/bt/">Breakthrough Science Society</a> and herz a <a href="http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/09/22/stories/2003092201630200.htm">news article </a>on them. For us, they have been conducting 'miracle bursting' programmes: expose the 'miracles' performed by false swamies. Hope to involve such groups in Disha.</p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/102_0252.1.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Yes, Disha for us has been taking the excitment of science to govt. school children and teachers. Telling the children that higher education is possible. And, someday hope to talk 'bout rationalism as well. Here, Shrikanth talks 'bout the options available after 10th std.</p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6195/1266/400/0997_small.0.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Disha also means event management of the highest order. The number of schools, teams, children, teachers, judges, prizes, certificates, VIP's. Its a challenge. We have reached out to less than 30 govt. high schools in Bangalore. There are hundred's of govt high schools in Bangalore alone. Can we reach out to them ? And, what about the rural schools, can we think on those lines, reaching out to smaller towns, away from Bangalore. Can we replicate this model elsewhere ? Thats the challenge. Money is not an issue, but dynamic volunteers to make it happen.</p><p>Special thanks to Synopsys India for sponsoring the event all these years. And, if you are interested in volunteering for Disha 2006 (Nov-Dec) or with <a href="http://www.friendsofchildrentrust.org/">Friends of Children</a>, dash a mail to <a href="mailto:vravi@synopsys.com">Ravi</a>.</p><p>Snaps from various sources cover Disha 03, 04 & 05.</p><p></p><p></p>Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-1151142694663744872007-01-03T06:20:00.000+05:302007-01-03T16:54:41.896+05:30An NCC camp<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Sunand vanished sometime in May 06. We waited, checked with his mother, and waited. He still didn't turn up. And, I was convinced that our man has eloped with some girl, will soon 'knock knock', his mother will open the door, to see a grining groom & a shy bride with garlands on!!!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Sunand did turn up, and had an equally exciting tale to say. </span><a href="mailto:sunand.s@rediffmail.com"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Sunand</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"> writes....</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><em><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><em></em></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><em>Hum Sab Bharatiya hain,<br />Apni Manzil ek hai…</em><br /><br />Yes these are the lines I have been chanting the whole of last week Starting 10th May to 16th May 2006,<br /><br />650 Girl cadets from various district of Andhra pradesh ( most from rural background).<br />7 days of rigorous training.<br />Total army discipline .<br /><br />The fifth Andhra Girls Battalion NCC ( National Cadet Corps) Had there Annual training camp at Tirupati, the camp was held with the following aim<br /><br /></span><em><span style="font-family:courier new;">TO DEVELOP CHARACTER, COMRADESHIP, DISCIPLINE, LEADERSHIP, SECULAR OUTLOOK, SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE AND THE IDEALS OF SELFLESS SERVICE AMONGST THE YOUTH OF THE COUNTRY.<br /><br />TO CREATE A HUMAN RESOURCE OF ORGANIZED, TRAINED AND MOTIVATED YOUTH, TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND ALWAYS AVAILABLE FOR THE SERVICE OF THE NATION.<br /><br />TO PROVIDE A SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT TO MOTIVATE THE YOUTH TO TAKE UP A CAREER IN THE ARMED FORCES.</span></em></p><em></em><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">The KMA team comprising Anand( 4 days), Suma( 6 days), Jagadish (4 days), Kiran ( 7 days)and myself the camp leader had to stay till the end of the camp shouldered the responsibility of undertaking adventure training for the whole battalion<br /><br />Various activities like firing, karate/self defence, meditation, drill, obstacle challenge etc were a part of the camp<br /><br />We had initially planned to go and demonstrate adventure activities for two days and return, but on reaching there early 10th morning to be greeted by the Camp commandant and the group Captain I started discussing the nature of the camp its aims, back ground of the cadets, their schools college details etc,<br /><br />To my surprise more then 80% of the cadets were from rural background, most of them from government schools. Many join the camp( or NCC(National Cadet Corps) on a larger level) just for the good food provided. There was an air of total discipline, the army officers who were managing the camp. Cadets in uniform, a loud call of 'order' from some far corner every now and then.<br /><br />All this looked very thrilling and tempting … </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">After doing a preliminary reki( this is a preliminary assessment of the situation) of the camp site for the adventure activities, we located few spots for some activities, we were suggested a hill about 10 Kms from the campsite that is called Chandragiri. At about 9 am we set out to the hill with a batch of about 50 senior cadets in an army truck with an open top, we were accompanied by a lady officer an army Jawan and another cheerful army officer Prahlad who is from Darjeeling.<br /><br />At Chandragiri myself Anand and Kiran had the task of finding a spot for Rappelling,<br /><br />It was then that we realized the temperature was soaring ( it was some 40 d c) we found the rappelling spot , got all the cadets to the top the activities went on till about 1 in the noon, we returned to the camp site , wondering what sort of adventure training are we going to do in this heat, after lunch confused about the progress we went to sleep only to be waken up abruptly at about 3:30 pm by some uniformed guy, saying hey guys the cadets are waiting for you for the evening activities, taking a sudden decision we organized a jumar climbing for few cadets that evening, by then lot of cadets were watching us and wondering as to what these guys are doing with ropes, and gear.<br /><br />The first day I also discovered that I had to revoke my Telugu speaking skills as most girls knew only telugu , none in the KMA team knew, during the briefing I had a tough yet enjoyable moment of having to speak in Telugu. ( I could see some cadets trying hard to control laughter… discipline issues)<br /><br />Now that we had a fair idea of the camp, the cadets timings, activities timings, climatic conditions, I decided to make a plan for the adventure part of the camp. As that made a major composition in the whole training camp.<br />We would start as early as 6:00 am go till 7:00 am with the jumaring activity, 7:00 to 7:30 is the camp breakfast time, after that we set out for the Chandragiri hills for hill climbing, rock climbing and rappelling activities, in the evening we would do other activities between 3:30 and 5:00 pm,. With this plan in hand I went to the Camp commandant Lt Crnl Jude rocque and group Captain Ms.Chandra. The plan was accepted with a strong request from them to continue the training till 16th as the top army brass including the group commander were to visit the training camp that day.<br />All of us had different things to do back home, Anand had to go to work, I had an event at DSF to be involved in and some projects, It was tough for us to <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>decide<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>on staying that long.<br /><br />That evening during the Cadets roll call I heard the song live for the first time, though I have heard it so many times and love the song too<br /><br /><em>"Hum Sab Bharatiye Hain, Hum Sab Bharatiye Hain</em><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"><em>Apni Manzil Ek Hai,<br />Ha, Ha, Ha, Ek Hai,<br />Ho, Ho, Ho, Ho, Ek Hai.<br />Hum Sab Bharatiye Hain."</em> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><span style="font-family:courier new;"></p></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><span style="font-family:courier new;">After the roll call there was a cultural show<br /><br />We were to wake up early at around 5 from the next morning to start the session at 6, in one of the boards I saw this:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><em>CARDINALS OF DISCIPLINE<br />Obey with a smile.<br />Be punctual.<br />Workhard and without fuss.<br />Make no excuses and tell no lies</em>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /></p></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><span style="font-family:courier new;">There was something in this camp that said Lets do it … JUST DO IT<br /><br />Next morning we were happy to have Suma with us there was a 'fall in' at 6 and the cadets were there dot on time . we selected about 25 cadets took them for jumaring ( a type of climbing technique. ) we set out to chandragiri Hills early with a mix of senior and junior cadets, a little bit of antakshari on the way to and fro the hill was good , the problrm was most wanted only telugu songs, so we had a hindi vs telugu antakshiri,<br /><br />Some girls did know Urdu, English and Tamil too, so we took there help during the briefing sessions and giving instructions while rock climbing etc, , the second day I didn't feel the great heat ( may be got acclimatized) reached the camp site a bit early went for lunch then sleep,<br /><br />For the evening session we had the river crossing rope ready and an extra jumar rope fixed to cater to many more cadets,, as the word had spread about our activities , and many more were willing to be involved, we too were eager to impart the spirit of adventurism, various mountain skills<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"><em>"Kashmir Ki Dharti Rani Hai,<br />Sarjaj Himalaya Hai,<br />Sadiyon Se Hamne Isko Apne Khoon Se Pala Hai<br />Desh Ki Raksha Ki Khatir Hum Samshir Utha Lenge,<br />Hum Samshir Utha Lenge."</em><br /><br />The junior wing starting from 8th std till the senior wing upto final year degree, all came in batches, company wise, about 50 to 60 per batch per session,<br /><br />The activities went on the same way for the next two days too and on Friday 12th we requested for permission to visit Tirumala and have a darshan of lord Venkateshwara, immediately special pass and a vehical was arranged to drop us, that was something I was very happy about.<br /><br />Now that we had decided to conduct the camp till the end and deliver the best possible training, we roped in jagadish on Saturday in order to relieve Anand and have a steady flow of 4 instructors. Myself Kiran and Suma decided to stay till the end. With The team becoming more confident on our training schedule we increased the difficulty level for the Cadets in River crossing and introduced the Zipline into the schedule,<br /><br />Sunday was a very tiresome day as we planned to conduct training in a little more adventourous manner, ( I had Sunday in my mind as that was the day Bangalore marathon was scheduled and at the n th moment cancelled, so wanted to do something worthwhile that day)<br /><br />By this time we became friends to some cadets too , who were volunteering with us ( one of them Sunitha has done her Basic course in Mountaineering and has got Alpha grading too… that's cool) another one Taj a very good cadet has a intention of becoming a C A , she has come up facing a lot of difficulties <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>, there were many more such cadets who are<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>highly skilled in these activities, many of them didn't know these things exist.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"><em>"Bhikre-Bhikre Tarey Hain Hum Lekin Jhilmil Ek Hai,<br />Ha, Ha, Ha, ha, Ek Hain<br />Hum Sab Bharatiye Hain."</em><br /><br />For most of the girls this is the first and the last( as they say) opportunity for such a camp, some of them will get married after their degree(I even got invited for two weddings:: - ) ) about 5 of them I spoke to said they will join either the armed forces or police.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">On 15th there was a visit by the Group commander who commands about 7 units , the whole camp site was sparkling , we were told he will come straight to the hill for watching Rappelling Demo, thus we set there a bit early, with 50 girls , a mix of senior and junior cadets. They did rock climbing and slow rappelling ( which is a bit safe and that's what we did for all ) but there was more time for the GC to arrive we selected a few confident ones to allow them do fast rappelling , surprisingly there were many volunteers for that both juniors and seniors, we did as many as we could, ofcourse some of them did slip topple but in our hands they were very safe,<br /><br />The demo in front of the top brass and media glare was superb, I gave an equipment briefing for the second time in that day some talk on nature conservation, The group Commander himself a mountaineering enthusiast was happy about the whole rockclimbing programme and was full of praise for us.<br /><br />At the campsite we had increased the difficulty level of even the jumar now.<br /><br />More and more girls were coming forward for the activities, they were eager to learn and take this further ,<br /><br />There were girls who had earlier said they never knew anything existed like this now pleading for more chances on doing these activities, some of them coming forward to do some difficult techniques of river crossing, a few even dared to try out the other Rappelling techniques like the stomach and side rappelling which we had demonstrated. At times it rained during the evening session , but the cadets would wait in the rain for their turn I enjoy rain, so had more fun and even my team did.<br /><br />The final day 16th we were supposed to do a demonstration by the Cadets at night in spot lights, we fixed the ropes started early and many girls knowing this would be their last option tried their hands on various activities( by now all cadets had undergone training) there was heavy preparations for the cultural evening with VIP's family members of the officers and other personnel, Cadets, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">The Cadets put up a splendid show with a mix of folk dances, songs, classical dances, and a lot of other activities, There was wide publicity of the Adventure , rock climbing activities in the newspaper, My pic appeared in two papers(yeah ;-) Anand's appeared in one, and a lot of write up like "Bangalore team does rock climbing for NCC camp", "Karnataka mountaineers train the cadets at Tirupati" etc, lot of that was in Telugu too.<br /><br />"</span><span style="font-family:courier new;"><em>Mandir Gurudware Bhi Hain Yahan<br />Aur Masjid Bhi Hai Yahan<br />Girja Ka Hai Ghadiyal Kahin<br />Mullah ki Kahin Hai Ajaan<br /><br />Ek Hi Apna Ram Hia, Ek hi Allah Taala Hai,<br />Ek Hi Allah Taala Hai, Rang Birange Deepak Hain Hum,<br />Ek Jagmag Ek Hai Ha, Ha, Ek Hai, Ho, Ho, Ek Hai."<br /></em><br />In his speech he expressed total satisfaction towards the adventure activities and the rock climbing part of the camp.<br /><br />BADA KHANA … Gave an opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the top Brass and discuss business, While Suma left for Bangalore before the bada Khana saying her job as an adventure trainer is done, Jagadish and Kiran found it more worthy to have food with the cadets, I joined the Officers and during the course of Dinner surprised myself by getting confirmation for two more such camps, ( although I am not sure if I will attend them) , I have also convinced them to think of sending their deserving Cadets for climbing expedition's. and also upgrade their existing adventure equipment gear.. . After a while I too joined the boys,<br />Time for Slam book, Autographs etc It has been a long time I had done that,<br /><br />ON THE WHOLE this was the best camp ever as it involved a large magnitude, no scope for mistakes as we were always in the army glare ( they have experienced all this in their training) , the training was for NCC cadets so there was an added purpose of service to the nation also. , many girls who had phobias of height are now confident of standing high… alone … </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">The overall outcome of the children is very good, the amount of exposure given to them to various activities, from the cadets point of view, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></p><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Waking up at 4:00am or some even earlier</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Getting dressed neatly</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><span style="font-family:courier new;">' Fall in ' at 5 am & warm up exercises </span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Following strict rules, disciplined life , group manners</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><span style="font-family:courier new;">All the various activities they get involved in and </span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><span style="font-family:courier new;">The benefits they get after successful completion of the NCC training all this put together makes it a great opportunity.<br /></span></div></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="justify"><span style="font-family:courier new;">I would suggest more of our children to be put into NCC, Scouts, Guides, Cubs and Bul buls etc, .<br /><br />After this … Yeh Dil Mange more.....may be a national camp.<br /><br />Signing out,<br />Proud leader of the adventure training team<br />Combined Annual Training Camp ( CATC )<br /></span><a href="mailto:sunand.s@rediffmail.com"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Sunand</span></a></p><br clear="all">Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14108214.post-1142241255281588702006-03-13T14:59:00.000+05:302006-12-29T14:38:46.766+05:30Sun-nu Moon-uRecently, <a href="http://dsfindia.org">DSF</a> did an assessment of it kids. We have adopted 6 primary govt. schools. And, at each of these schools (except the urdu school), students of 2nd, 4th & 6th std were evaluated. Language (Kannada) and Math skills were checked, tests were carefully <a href="http://kyamera.blogspot.com/2006/02/chester.html">designed</a> by Megha, & Vinay, with expert support from Juveena of NEEV. This assessment would help us in knowing the kids better, and point to where we stand, & which way to go.<br /><br />Herz an account of it by <a href="mailto:Kavitha.Chandrashekar@logicacmg.com">Kavitha</a>, a DSF volunteer, who moved out of her familiar turf to join the team at Murphy town, Ulsoor.<br /><br />February 25th was the day set for evaluation for the kids at Ulsoor School. I wasn’t expecting anything more than a small room besides a garbage-dumping yard with little or no furniture. I had imagined a mud road with lots of potholes that would lead to this small room that might perhaps have either a leaking roof or crumbling walls. I was also concerned that the volunteers might not be able to locate this tiny little room, as there might not even be a board to display the name of the school.<br /><br />The auto driver who drove us to the school seemed to be well versed with the locality as he took us to the school without having to ask anybody for the directions. When we arrived at the school I was pleasantly surprised to see a single storied neat building located in a decent neighborhood. There was a board with the name of the school and that confirmed we had indeed reached the right school. Some kids peeping out of the classroom windows waved their tiny hands at us and called out aloud “aunty”. This was a welcome sign to the volunteers. The children greeted us like they had known us, though it was our first visit.<br /><br />We took the stairs to the first floor and I was rather too impressed with the painted boards in the corridor displaying the English months of the year, “Kaagunita” etc. The classrooms also had a few hand made charts. The two teachers in the school greeted us and informed that the principal wasn’t around. They appeared excited that their kids were being evaluated. They were very co-operative and gave us complete freedom to assess the kids in the manner that we thought was apt. They were also very enthusiastic and enquired if they could help us in any way. We assured them that we would only need a classroom for the assessment exercise and some time alone with the kids.<br /><br />Vishwas, Thiru and I opted to evaluate the second standard kids. Vinay and Arvind chose to evaluate the fourth standard kids. Our first task was to make the kids comfortable and not give them a feeling of being “tested” or “evaluated”. We introduced ourselves and the kids who initially seemed shy and hesitated to tell their names later sang a few Kannada songs for us! They only needed a couple of minutes to feel comfortable and then they were their bubbly, cheerful selves again. The people in the neighborhood were celebrating a festival and a loudspeaker was blaring loud music. The children seemed to be least disturbed with this. It appeared to me that they were so accustomed to such disturbances they had learnt to live with it. The teachers expressed their concerns about such disturbances occurring frequently. Their repeated requests to reduce the disturbance didn’t seem to have much effect on their neighbors. They had requested the neighbors to turn down the volume of the music when the “volunteers” would be evaluating. But the neighbors felt it was more important to celebrate the festival with loud blaring noise than children learning to grow up to be responsible citizens contributing to the welfare of the society. But this did not deter either the teachers or the children. The teachers wanted their children to learn new things. Dedication in teachers is a rare quality even in some private schools. But this seemed to be in abundance with the teachers in this little known school at Ulsoor. Teachers in Malleswaram Government School sometimes personally go to the kids’ homes and bring them to school.<br /><br />Majority of the children attending this school speak either Tamil or Urdu at home and hence they spoke with either a strong Tamil or Urdu accent. Some kids couldn’t differentiate between the two languages and they liberally mixed Tamil words assuming they are Kannada words :-)<br /><br />I pointed at my ear and asked a kid what it was, he innocently replied “Kaadhu”. “Kaadhu” is the Tamil word for “ear” and its Kannada equivalent is “Kivi”.<br /><br />I pointed to the picture of sun to another kid and asked him “idenu putta?” meaning, “What is this child?” He replied “Sun-nu”. When I asked him “Kannadadalli enantaare putta?” meaning, “What do they say in Kannada child?” He replied “Moon-u” :-)<br /><br />I asked another girl “ ‘Aa’ inda shuruvaago yaavdaadroo ondu pada helu putti” meaning “tell me a word that begins with ‘Aa’ “ she sang a song that begins with “Aa” :-)) Apparently the kids cannot differentiate between “word” and “song” as the word “pada” means “song” or “word” in different contexts.<br /><br />I pointed to the word “Rajanikanth” on a flash card, to a kid and asked him to read it. He was struggling to identify the alphabets and I turned the flash card and pointed to the picture of “Rajanikanth” on the other side. He smiled and said “PASHA” or perhaps it was “Basha”???<br /><br />We then asked the kids to read a sentence from their Kannada textbook. One sentence read “avaLu ondu dhoni maadidaLu” meaning “she made a boat”. When Vishwas asked a kid what it meant, the kid very innocently said “cricket-u, dhoni”… J . Apparently the kids thought Dhoni referred to the Indian cricket player Dhoni!!!!<br /><br />Language did not seem to be a favorite subject with the kids. So it was now time to move on to the next subject Mathematics. Most kids dread mathematics. They do not get the fundamentals clear in their elementary school and it wouldn’t be surprising if these kids didn’t fare well in this subject. I wasn’t expecting them to fare well either. I announced “sari eega ellaaroo lekkha aata aadanva?” meaning “shall we all play a game in mathematics?” I was expecting a couple of kids to groan or make it evident they didn’t like what they heard or look disinterested. How wrong I was! The children smiled and very enthusiastically said “sari. Naanu barla aadakke?” meaning “Ok. Shall I play?” almost instantaneously.<br /><br />I held a few different colored objects (building blocks) in my hand and asked a kid to count them. Next I divided the objects into two equal portions and asked him to tell which had more number of objects. He smiled at me and said “eradralloo ashte ide. Yaavdu jaasti anta helodu?” meaning “both the heaps are equal. How can I say which is greater?”<br /><br />I held the objects in my hand and then asked a girl to count them. She happily counted them for me and then I placed the objects in her hand and asked “eega helu putti eshtu ive?” meaning “Tell me child how many objects are there”. She said “Nim hatra ZERO nan hatra entu” meaning “you have zero objects in your hand and I have eight”. This was very impressive! The kids knew the concept of ZERO! After all we Indians taught the world the concept of “ZERO” :=)<br /><br />We finished our evaluation exercise with the second standard kids and helped Vinay and Arvind evaluate the fourth standard kids. The kids could all read simple alphabets, but they had some difficulty reading the compound characters (othakshara). Also their comprehension wasn’t very good. This definitely causes some concern. If they are not good in Kannada, which is the medium of instruction, they cannot learn the other subjects like social science well. It didn’t surprise us that the girls fared better than the boys. There could be a Kalpana Chawla, Shakuntala Devi, Sudha Murthy, Indira Gandhi, Arundathi Roy or a Kiran Bedi among these kids. I would have loved to stay a while longer and find what they dream about. But a glance at my watch said it was time for the kids to have their afternoon meals. We distributed chocolates to the kids, waved bye to them and returned home.<br /><br />Volunteering with Govt. primary schools is a lot of fun. Kids from 1st std to 7th std. Shy & Cheerful faces, calling you 'Uncle', 'Aunty', 'Anna', 'Akka', 'Sir', 'Miss'. Childhood stares & smiles at you. Itz Heaven. Help the kids realise their dreams and keep their smiles on. Interested ? write to <a href="mailto:sathyamaitri@satyam.net.in">Mrs Maitreyee</a>, our <a href="http://kyamera.blogspot.com/2005/12/run-dsf-run.html">DSF</a> co-ordinator.Akashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06828328984243799353noreply@blogger.com0