bombayactivist

Travel & Development/Stories from Mumbai & India/Gender activist/child education/ Travel Consultant/Street smart / TWITTER-INSTA:@bombayactivist/non-cliche/Foodie/Floyd/GOT/Br.Ba./Sherlock/Ayn Rand/Stephen King/LOTR

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Somewhere between #Jodhpur and #Jaisalmer an hour long drive from Bhap  a little inside the outskirts of #Thar #desert We went to a dig a 'Taanka' (a water harvesting concept by #Gravis to help save 2 or more hours of walk to the water resource for the #village ) After around an hour of digging and picking this man arranged for a cot beneath the trees and i shared my bidi with him (he smokes the same brand). Tea was served followed by conversations about his farms and produce. Yes. This part of the Thar is vegetative and surprisingly green. But farming is totally dependent on rains. Another amazing experience. This #trip is moving towards a #climax #travel #traveller #vagabond #development #developmentguy #wanderlust #instatravel #tour #rajasthan #excursion #crazy #drive

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A few #cheers to a rare moment of #luxury at #Taj #Jodhpur Comfort and good #food indeed. Heading to the #RIFF for an #amazing #night of #music and #chill #travel #tour #traveller #wanderlust #Jodhpur #Rajasthan (at The Gateway Hotel Jodhpur - Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces, India.)

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Good morning #Jodhpur #sunrise + Barkat & Jalal Lava playing live = Perfect #morning. (And perfect #firsttime in Rajasthan. First set of the #RIFF ( #Rajasthan #International #Folk #Festival ) for the day at Jaswant Thada. #Soulful and #peaceful comes close but this feeling cannot be described. Worth getting up at 5 am. Ain't it? #travel #traveller #tour #wpfindia #India #indiapictures #wanderlust #music #clouds #hill #instatravel

[dark1joker0]

Long long time ago before #Theburningman even existed, #India has heen celebrating #Dassera by burning the effigy of Ravana throughout the country. Our amazing stay at #Agartala has a perfect ending by celebrating this #amazing event with #miracleorphans and #wpfindia Dassera also known as Dashami (The 10th day of lunar month of Ashvin in the hindu calender) AKA 'Vijay Dashami' is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated in various forms, across India and is celebrated as the victory of good over evil. It marks the day lord Rama killed Ravana for having kidnapped his wife Sita. The day also marks the victory of Goddess #Durga over the demon Mahishasur. Ravana, the king of Lanka rejected the kings of the world, as they were less powerful than him. A few facts about him: 1. He was a devout (probably the biggest) follower of the god #Shiva. (Sometimes he is depicted with only nine heads because he sacrificed a head to convince Lord Shiva ) 2. A great #scholar, a capable ruler. 3. A maestro of the #musical instrument Veena 4. Possessed a thorough knowledge  of #Ayurveda and political science. 5. Great Grandson of Lord Brahma and grandson of Pulastya who was one of the Saptarshis (seven great sages) 6. His ten heads represent his knowledge of the six shastras and the four Vedas. 7. #Rama had once addressed Ravana as a "Maha Brahman" (Great Brahmam in the context of his education). 8. Ravana performed an intense penance (or tapasya) tobrahma, lasting several years. During his penance, Ravana chopped off his head 10 times as a sacrifice to appease him. Each time he sliced his head off a new head arose, thus enabling him to continue his #penance. At last, brahma, appeared after his 10th decapitation and offered him a boon. Ravana asked for immortality, brahma refused but gave him the celestial nectar of immortality. The nectar of immortality was stored under his navel. So what led to his downfall? 1. Wished to overpower the devas. 2. Arrogance 3. In Ramayana ,Rāvaṇa is the antagonist, kidnapping Rama's wife Sita to exact vengeance #travel #travelgram #traveller #wanderlust #indiapictures #mythology #travelblogger #tradition

[dark1joker0]

One of the #best things i have done in my 28 (almost) years of life span. It was a surprise event in the morning, i wasn't aware i will get an opportunity to dress a girl child ( #miracleorphans ) as goddess along with the whole group. Her name is Pooja, she was shy all throughout while i washed her feet, applied #colours on feet, nail polish on toes and fingers, make up on face, #design on the #lforehead, a goddess #crown and a garland. The 8th day of Navratri is known as 'Ashtami' and on this day young girls below 12 known as 'Kumari' (basically those who haven't attained puberty yet) are felicitated and decorated as #goddess #Durga. This concept of celebrating and felicitating the girl #child was mainly propagated by #swamivivekananda in the early 20th century. He wanted society to acknowledge women and girl child as equals. Traditionally the brahmins who worship Kumaris are supposed to fast the previous day (only water allowed) and get up at 4 am the next morning to do the ritual. The kumari goddess is then supposed to sit in the #Pandal and durga disciples actually pray to the girl (dressed as Durga), instead of the idol itself. Again, amazing way to celebrate #humans and #women #India #festival #genderequality #travel #traveller #development #education

[dark1joker0]

So today's #challenge for #Miracleorphans is to drop the #egg from the #terrace and make sure it doesn't break. I gave 1 egg, 12 #straws, 6 rubber bands, 1 cello tape, some #newspapers to each group (of 2) and 45 minutes to conjure up an apparatus to shield the egg. Most were done in 10 minutes by adding multiple layers of paper and tape. That is when i confiscated all the tape and announced that i will be throwing all the 'Footballs' with all my force , which i did (call me a sadist). Also urged them to make a parachute. Result: every group except two (broke) made a #parachute and 6 out of 7 eggs survived. ;) Standing on the right is one of the housemothers (concept by the #TheMiracleFoundation ). #Travel #traveller #travelgram #wanderlust #Development #developmentguy #ngo #india #indiapictures #Wpfindia #righttoplay

[dark1joker0]

So we ( #wholefoods employees and I) made it to the front page of the #bengali newspaper 'Daily Deeshar Katha' in Tripura. This is my 5th time in a major #newspaper, 2nd front page picture and 1st outside Maharashtra. Kindly note that the #Chinese #President Xi Jinping's #UK visit got 80% less coverage than us 😂😂 The newspaper was gifted to us (by a #vendor who recognised our faces) while we were exploring the #vegetable #market in the city at 7am. Later our driver and the toilet guard (at bus station) asked me if i was the one on the #frontpage and they were happy to confirm my affirmation (adjusting the #wayfairers ). So last night we went #Pandal #hopping in #Agartala and our guests who dressed up in the #traditional attire garnered more attention than the Beef Ban. 😂 (as they have been doing past 1 week). We (They) feel like the local celebrities and people in #Tripura have been kind and extremely hospitable so far.

[dark1joker0]

Guess what i am getting off my #bucketlist ? While we are busy celebrating #Durgapuja in #Tripura with #Miracleorphans , we are also gearing up for #Dassera . These workers are preparing the #effigy of #Ravana which will be #burned in couple of days on Dassera. It has been a week of #newthings and new experiences. Yet it keeps getting better. Dassera which marks the #victory of good over evil is celebrated on the 10th day or lunar (moon) in the month of #October It is the day when Rama killed Ravana and rescued Sita from his #evil den in Sri Lanka. Do look forward to the pics when we #burn the man. #travel #traveller #India #indiapictures #festivals #tradition #instatravel #wanderlust #colours #travelstories #travelblogger #ilovemyjob #wpfindia

[dark1joker0]

So after my #adventurous public transport experience in #Allahabad i had a #pitstop at this small shop at the start of my #village These school students walked in to buy some #chocolate i guess. I smiled at them and attempted a conversation but they were too shy. So i bought two packets of #crispy #chips and wanted to gift them but they didn't take them either. It took some convincing from my cousin to accept what we call 'nalli' or 'poopli" across India. Next step was to take a picture and this time the girl who was initially shy (on the right) had to convince the other girl to look into the camera. Of course the #shopkeeper was already in action mode for the camera which was yet to roll. So he is strutting his best pose. I departed with two tablets of #local hajmola( just to tickle the #taste buds). ;) #throwback #traveller #travel #stories #indiapictures #cute #instagood #instatravel #store #travelstories #India

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Awaiting the welcome in #traditional #Bengali way from the #Beautiful #Children at the #MiracleFoundation (Anwesha center) in #Agartala yesterday. At this center the number of girls (43) is more than the boys (27). This is the first time that i have visited a co-ed #oprhanage where in the sex ratio favours the #girl child. We danced for 40 minutes on #livemusic after the welcome, followed by a music and dance performance by #Miracleoprhans The kids have #holiday for a week owing to #DurgaPuja (which means our timing is impeccably right). It also means that we will be spending the next 5 days chilling, learning, playing and having fun with this amazing bunch. #Tour #travel #traveller #socialgood #wpfidia #India #Development #developmentguy #colours #vibrant #marigold #NGO #saree #travelgram

[dark1joker0]

Off to #Delhi . After just a night in #Mumbai (Which is gonna be the only day i n Mumbai in the whole month of #October ). Too much #travel (literally) and all possible modes of #transport covered. ;) Gearing up for an exciting next 20 days covering 4 states (hopefully) See you in #November #Mumbaimerijaan #Traveller #wanderlust #airport #selfie #Dilli #ilovemyjob #vagabond #travelblogger #wayfairers #instatravel #travelgram #India (at Domestic Terminal- Chatrapathi Shivaji Airport- Mumbai)

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A #tuition for preparation of #12th standard examination in progress #Underthemangotree next to the #farms Last 14 days (and this year), I have seen it all. #Schools under shade or outside the #campus, #exams being conducted next to the highway or in a public garden. There is a tremendous zeal to learn and especially the enthusiasm of #girlchild is unparalled. It's one valid reason for them to step out and express themselves. A few #teachers go beyond an extra mile to impart #knowledge. The attitude towards #education is positive and #India is slowly but steadily heading the right way. The only thing which lacks is the infrastructure and open mindedness towards #Girls. I hope the education for girls go beyond 12th and graduation (and they are not hurried into marriage). The world has moved on, when will you move on #UttarPradesh ? I have too many education #stories. Will share them as and when I can. Also, notice the #sunset through the trees. #travel #traveller #development #travelblogger #progress #activist #landscape #grassroots #village #allahabad #Unitednations #milleniumdevelopmentgoals

[dark1joker0]

A #regular #sight every evening when I #cycle my way to the #market I always encounter 2 separate #herds of #sheeps and #goats. They are always enthusiastic about getting clicked. This one though was #candid. If you notice the man is carrying an extra long #bamboo stick with a #curved #knife at the end. They use this to pluck fruits from trees (mostly #mango) while the sheeps graze. The #brick #house in the background is their destination. Like how #colourful the lady looks. #travel #traveller #saree #incredibleindia #sheperd #Wanderer #vagabond #paddy #fields #farms #landscape #streets #_soi

[dark1joker0]

Was fortunate enough to chill with this #squirrel in close proximity for around 15 minutes. I present you a small #glimpse of a 4 minute long #video. This was basically an hour before i clicked those children at the bus stop and the adventurous travel that followed. Yes! 9th October was too happening. ;) The sun was still rising in the horizon when i decided to sip my #tea at the #terrace overlooking the #fields. That's when I noticed this squirrel sneaking in like a #naughty child stealing bournvita when mom's not around. He treaded carefully and came right at me (my bed) since he didn't detect any threat (Of course i have him good #vibes - an average city joe excited to film a squirrel, i guess he granted me the permission: just in case PETA sues me! ) The squirrel hurried back the same way and vanished when my cousin came to check on me. Me: Dude i saw a squirrel! Moving around the terrace! Awesome! Cousin: *nonchalantly* Oh yeah, he comes every morning. Just keep watching...he is an adamant asshole, he won't give up until he has chewed on every single #grain on the ground. Me: *my mind goes Wohooo* I am going to try and click him Cousin: Sure. Be seated on the bed and it will cruise through you and go on the other side as well. Get ready to leave. *He left* And the squirrel did live up to his reputation. Don't we love it when #humans and #animals acknowledge each other and learn to live in Harmony ? In my many visits to #Allahabad (This terrace is near Sitamarhi and surrounded by #Ganges from 3 sides around 2-3KMS from the banks on each side) i have seen a lot of squirrels but by the time i get ready to click they run away. So check on that #bucketList. Although i wish i had a good camera or at least stable hands. :p #travel #travelgram #wanderlust #stories #nationalgeographic #traveller #incredibleindia #travelblogger

[dark1joker0]

My #ultimate #public #transport #experience in #India happened yesterday after meeting the school kids at the #bus stop. BOTTOM RIGHT: It was the day before in the morning in a Jeep. There were 5 people in the front (4 to the left of the driver and 1 to the right, which became 5 to the left of the driver after a KM or so. Obviously he didn't believe in symmetry), and i kid you not a quarter of driver's ass was outside the jeep ( I don't know how anyone can #drive in such a position) and i was directly behind him with half my ass hanging outside. So its not my hand hanging out to click this, half of my body was directly behind my camera (dangerous picture position - Dont try this at home). BOTTOM LEFT: Clicked yesterday morning. You can already see 5 heads in the front, the extreme right is the driver. As luck (yes) has it, it was the same #adventurous driver as previous evening. I had to move ahead to adjust the ladies in middle. While i clicked this pic, only 1/5th of my ass rested on the seat. My right hand saved me from falling flat as i brushed past a few bushes. Later i got used to the excruciating #pain (i guess its an Indian trait ;p ). "that's why we do what we do Unite the people we of the land Re-light the fires we burn again Stripping it back to the roots, Virgin Nothing else takes me like you do Virgin, we do it for the love of it" - blared #Salmonelladub ironically through my headphones. ;) The #selfie with children yesterday was typed in this position but i could only post it once i got down. TOP AWESOME selfie: Clicked yesterday after the painful jeep journey on my 3rd #auto from Jangiganj to #Handia while cruising on 'The Grand Trunk Road'. It took me 4 tranports (3 auto's and a jeep) and Rs. 55 total to reach my ancestral house. All this while juggling 5 Kgs of rice (Mami's farm) and a bottle of pure ghee (Mami's Buffalo). The rice sack was leaking and looked tortured by the time i reached home. I am ready for the world. Dont you think? #extreme #travel #travelgram #traveller #adventure_culture #grassroots #incredibleindia #travelblogger #travelbug #vagabond

[dark1joker0]

#Fridaynight at 10 PM in #Allahabad. ;) So its been 14 hours of #livemusic already. It's the #penultimate day of my Grand dad's 'Pind Paathna' - The ceremony through which the #souls of our #ancestors are finally rested at #Gaya on the banks of river #Ganges (and celebration commences once a the special ones who went to Gaya are back after a week of different poojas ). Apparently a perfect occasion to organise a #kirtan all day long till next morning. The chant is basically "Hare krishna - Hare Rama" (HRHK) in different #styles and tones with at least 5 #indian #insturments. These #musicians are well sought after and well paid. Creativity blossoms when they sing HRHK in the tone of various #Bollywood #songs. :p The #loudspeakers carry the sound for 2-3 KMS easily at night. My house is just a wall away from this performance and yet i had a satisfying #siesta. That is how soulful the #music is. The #village youngsters are gonna chill in the temporary #tent set up under the trees. Guess what i will be doing till next morning. ;) #utlimate #rural #experience #travel #traveller #wanderlust

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They smiled at me and walked towards me (after they saw me clicking their #picture - supposed to be the original post). Seeing #children in #villages dress up in school #uniform and huddle up to wait for a #Jeep tempo or a #bus is heart warming. Me: So you have exams today? (After observing one of them was carrying a writing pad). The confident child in cap: Yes. Me: Which subject? TCCC: Vigyan ( #science). *feeling shy* It was followed by two rounds of #selfie posing against the #morning #sun to get the light right. Couldn't click girls as they were standing 10 metres away. "Arrey hamari gaadi aa gayi", exclaimed TCCC after #Tatamagic magically appears in the #horizon. And that's how the #story ends. A rather #productive morning while waiting for a #transport to take me to jangiganj at #TheGrandTrunkRoad (66 Kms from #Varanasi) #travel #development #education #hope #india #traveller