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I started walking through the narrow lanes that had small buildings on either side with an occasional departmental store on the ground floor. I could see a temple on the road, it was a temple of Goddess Durga. This was largely a fishing village. The air smelt of sea and fish. Fishermen hurried around the road. The demographics seemed to be divided between Malwani, Koli, and Catholics. I came down the road it forked into the distance. I started walking towards the left. Knowing nothing about the destination I kept walking but the sun was too relentless for the luxury of wandering around in the open. I fired up my GPS and was searching where the road was leading. Having made the sense of place I understood that I was now in the middle of nowhere. I didn’t want to travel all the way back to the jetty it was too dull a prospect. And then suddenly a rickshaw came my way. “Andheri Station – Twenty Rupees.” He said. It was great a deal at that moment. So I hopped in. The Rickshaw wa

I came out of the Malad Station. It is a typical suburban station with a bazaar sprawling in its vicinity. A newspaper stand stood right next to a lamppost. I asked the person, “Where I can find the bus stop?” He had committed himself in reading the newspaper, without shifting his gaze he pointed straight towards the serpentine road that went into the market. I started walking along the road on one side I could see the main entrance of the Malad Station and on the other series of Hotels. The hotels made way to the snacks and sweets centre. The air was filled with aroma of Gulab Jamuns, Jalebis, Dhokla, Samosas and other bucket load of calories. I was amazed with the volume being prepared in each store at the end of the street there was Soda pub where you could cool down your senses after a fiery intake. I took a left turn. Now the street was full of apparel stores. Clothes for men, women and kids. Every store seemed to be busy with people buying something or the other. I could

Waking up in the early hours of the day I decided to visit Madh Island. Having heard the name of the place and knowing its somewhere in Mumbai. I wondered where would it be. Nearest station near Madh Island is Malad the Google Assistant told me promptly. It was seven thirty in the morning. I was packing my bag with a bottle of water, crisps, and snacks for the day. The gentle luminescence of the sun spread across the road leading out of my society was inviting. The birds where chirping as the gay parrots flew across the blue sky. I went out of the gate and started walking towards the bus stop for the station basking in the vitality of the sun. A few people were aboard as I found many empty seats on the bus. The conductor was maneuvering through the crowd giving away tickets to the passengers. I took a window seat and was gazing past the window. The world beyond the window was a mystery as it unfurled before my eyes. I was bewildered and wanted to go all out into it wholeheartedly

The sun was mellowing down in the sky. The trees were living behind long shadows down the asphalt road. It was four in the early evening but the sun sets early in the winter. I decided to take out my cycle and visit the Shiv Mandir near Gaimukh. I started my journey. I kept a bottle in the bag-pack. The road was deserted. I stopped to fill the air in my tyres. I started with a gusto that issued on my lips in the form of a song. The sky was clear blue with an odd cloud was gliding along obliviously. The wind was mild, yet soothing. The leaves rustled as if whistling. The trees slow danced in the symphony. I pedaled along passing by elegant buildings and suave shopping complexes. I entered the Ghodbunder Road. Many a bus and car whizzed past as I was cycling on the sides of the three-lane road. The road had a decline that helped me take a breather as the cycle went on autopilot. A couple of decades ago, Ghodbunder road was a single road passing through the forests of Yeoor Hill

 After entering the base of Karnala fort I went to buy my ticket. The forest officer said “The fort is closed for the day. You can visit the bird sanctuary. Give me your valid Id proof.” I gave him my pan card. “The other day when I came the fort was open until the evening,” I said. “The rules have changed since then.” The officer said. “Or is it because there are too few trekkers today,” I said. “Yes, and it is our responsibility to ensure that no mishap happens.” He said. Just then two more trekkers came along. Feeling an opportunity to make the climb I said, “We would climb the trek in the group of three.” The forest officer agreed and gave us permission to climb the fort. After the customary checking of the bag, we were on our way. “Hi I am Sanket, I am studying Computer Engineering,” I said trying to know my fellow trekkers for the day. “I am Abhijeet. I am a second-year student of Microbiology. I am from Pune.” He said. “What’s your name?” I asked. “He is Sanjay. He is our

 The other day marked the end of Ganesh Chaturthi. The ten-day long festival comes to an end with the immersion of the elephant-headed god in the water. The devotees wait for another year in anticipation that their beloved god would come earlier than this year. Amidst the Ganapati Visarjan and nostalgia that comes after I decided to go for a trek the following day. Waking up early in the morning. I started out for the trek to Karnala Fort. The fort is situated on the outskirts of Panvel city. It is one of the many forts built in the Sahyadri Range during the reign of Shivaji Maharaj the great Maratha Ruler. I took a train to Panvel from Thane station. Its a city that is back of the beyond. I could see the Thane Belapur road with its growing IT industry as the train passed through various important stations on the Harbour Line. I could see the settlement and growing city on my left and miles of greenery spread across the land on my right. I reached Panvel station. Its an elegan

The sun was shinning bright in the morning sky. Birds were cooing in the morning dew. The smell of mist was dispensed in the air that carried a sense of freshness vivifying every heart with enthusiasm. I got out of my bed and quickly got ready. I had planned to visit Birla Mandir(Temple) in Shahad, a small town in the Ulhasnagar District of Maharashtra. Its a hindu temple of Vithoba also known as Vithal. Vithoba is incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and intricate carvings. I was eager to explore this century old temple. I packed my bag with a bottle full of water and some fruits for the journey. Boarding the train to Shahad I settled near the window. The train was less crowded for a week day. Gazing past the window I could see green fields passing behind as the train moved forward. Sleepy hills covered with green blanket. The leaves on many a trees where swaying to the tunes of the wind which was gentle and loving. People kept pouring i

I was in first year of my college and was wondering what to do with the time I have. Largely I didn’t knew what I was doing and why I was doing. I was following cults, trends and books that catered the imagination of pop-culture. But I was not really doing that created a meaningful connection with my inner self. But meanwhile I had a hugest of crush on this girl. One fine day, when the curiosity to know the girl superseded the shyness. I went up to her after the short break. She was standing in front of the programming lab with her friends. She was looking beautiful with an unique hairdo, she had deep dark eyes, and a beatific smile. “Excuse me miss can I have two minutes of yours?” I asked putting on my most polite behaviour. I directed her away from the group. But in between the shyness was winning over. I could come up only with this, “Can we meet after the practical session or during the weekend.” I said. “But I am going to pune this weekend.” She said in a matter of fact

The Girgaon Chowpatty wore a deserted look thanks to the blazing heat of the afternoon. Few people who dared to brave the heat sat beneath the old palm trees near the beach drinking Coconut water. I sat down under such a palm tree to cool my heels for a moment. When I saw the map of Mumbai I realised I was a long way away from Malabar Hills. It was a numbing fact and I couldn’t command my legs anymore. But I got up and kept trudging forward. I was walking past the renowned Wilson College. The outside of it was decorated with amazing poster and colourful tapestry. Right in front of it, there was a campaign conducted by an NGO. The slogan was eye-catching it read “ Read India, Lead India. ” Many school children assembled in the middle of Chowpatty celebrating the act of reading as many others joined them. Taking a left I could see an empty bandstand. I was on my way to the Malabar Hills along the Walkeshwar Road. Once a natural hillock with many trees is now more of a concrete

Standing near the CST station for the bus that takes you to Malabar hills. The P’Dmello road was busy as usual. People were waiting for their bus. A certain 42 number bus came but that wasn't the one I was looking for, 219 went past but that didn’t go to Malabar Hills either. Then the one came I was looking for, 103, amidst the traffic. I boarded the bus feeling gratified. I sat near the window seat taking one of the empty seats at the back. The bus wheeled down the road crossing the rustic cobalt stone buildings, flora fountain and many banks on the way. The ticket conductor came in asking for the ticket. “One Malabar Hills,” I said. “You have boarded the wrong bus,” he said. Without another word, I got down near the University of Mumbai. But I had no clue where to find the next bus, which stops to look out for? This time I didn’t go for my GPS instead asked a taxi driver. “How can I reach Malabar Hills?” I asked. “It’s too far from here, you will have to cross the entir

Statistics say that Mumbai local trains kill more than a terrorist attack. 3,880 people lost their life while crossing the railway track, getting down from the train or travelling on the roof and falling over. 25,000 volts of electricity run through the electric lines and hence many people die due to electrocution. Its a baffling statistic to read but that is a grim portrayal of the reality. The train stopped at the stations and the people kept pouring in and out of the train. The train entered the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Its a sprawling railway station built during the British rule in India. Its an UNESCO world heritage site. Fredrick William Stevens an architectural Engineer from British Colonial Government, designed the Victoria Terminus. It has a Gothic Architecture. Coming out of CST station I found the busy P D’Mello road. The magnificent Municipal Corporation of Mumbai was overlooking its neighbor the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus made out of the def

The morning sun was shimmering in the sky through the clouds as I woke up in my bedroom wrapped in the comfort of my sheets. It was the month of August the mist-laden greenery was drenched with a few late night showers. I quickly got out of the bed to get ready for the day ahead. My mom had made delicious parathas, I polished them off with some curd and washed them down with a cup of milk. Having satiated my hunger I began my journey. It was 8 in the morning as I was waiting for the share auto-rickshaw. The line seemed to be going nowhere just then the city bus came along. I hopped in the bus to find every seat occupied by the passengers. I stood near the emergency exit window. I took out The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien and began thumbing it. Soon the bus was filled to its capacity with people, students. The conductor came I bought a ticket to drop me at the Thane Station. He gave away the ticket in a hurried manner and went into the crowd ahead. Getting down near the bus depot nea

It was a long day at college. I was sitting in the library gazing past the window the sun was setting in beyond the horizon as I was penning down my thoughts. Few students were sitting down and reading in the library. It was closing time the housekeeping staff was cleaning the library floor as I was packing my bag. I left the library at six and started walking towards the station. Its a ten-minute walk from my college. Boarding the 6:12pm train back to Thane I stood inside the boggie amidst the crowd reading Neither Here Nor There by Bill Bryson. Thane station was abuzz with passengers, travelers traveling across places. It is one of the busiest stations on the central line. I walked down the busy street full of hawkers selling their goods, hurried crowd and rickshaws. I found a rickshaw, it ferried the passengers to and fro on a sharing basis. I was waiting for my co-passengers to join in. As I was thumbing Neither Here Nor There a veiled girl came towards the Rickshaw

I started my climb but couldn’t find a grip on the black rock. Uncle’ climb was not the best example to imitate. I was trying to pull myself with my hands but the strategy was ineffective. “Use your legs, don’t use your hands,” Sanket shouted. But I couldn’t find any grip. “Walk along the rocks and lean behind,” Sanket shouted from up top. I kept one foot in the ridge and the other in another. I climbed the patch with my heart in my mouth. Slowly and steadily I climbed the rock patch. “Go to the top don’t wait here it’s getting dark,” Sanket said. I was walking along the rock as there was a steep fall towards my left. The steps leading to the top where completely exposed, but had ropes for support. I walked finding spots to place my foot and carefully made it to the inclined ascend, I continued on the path. It was getting darker by the minute, and there was no one around. I wanted to go back. “Run away,” the phony within said. “It’s easy to run away, but it is necessary to surge.

It was the month of February. I was trying to figure out what I want to learn for the rest of the year. Where does my peace lie, what makes me feel happy? Intuitively I was learning Scheme a variant of Common Lisp language that was created for research in Artificial Intelligence by John McCarthy. It was tough and hard to grasp. Tired with a steep curve of learning, I decided to go for a trek along with my friend Pranav. I called another friend of ours, Sanket he is a trekker at the core and arranges amazing trekking expeditions. Coincidentally has the same name as mine. It was decided that we would climb the Alang, Madan and Kulang Forts. The troika of three peaks situated in Nashik District in the state of Maharashtra. The forts known for their magnificence where built during the reign of Shivaji Maharaj the rugged entirety of the forts stands tall braving the ravages of time. Starting in the night Pranav and I got on the train leaving for Kasara. The train was filled with p

It was the month of October and the heat was menacing. It was one of those phases where winter was round the corner but not yet there. I was in my freshman year and I had decided that I will be exploring the treks in the Sahyadri Range in Maharashtra. It stretches 1,600 Km in its entirety from Gujrat to Kerala. Jayesh one of my friends from the school called me “Let’s go for a trek to Chanderi Fort.” As I was in the groove for adventure I said, “yes!” though unsure of what was coming. But to have a complete experience I did my homework. I found out a few nuggets about the trek. Chanderi is a rugged black massif that is 800 meters high. Adjoining it is a group of four pinnacles called Mhasmal. Once an impenetrable fortress with strong walls. Today it finds itself in ruins due to the ravages of time. In May of 1656, Shivaji Maharaj had captured it from the Mughal Rule. The approach route is difficult with dense jungle and steep waterfall in between. With an average enduranc

I had recently completed my unit test in the college and wanted to go out for a trek. But no trek was being organized in the following week. Just when the hopes of outdoors were sinking my friend Pranav called in and said, “Let’s go to Arun Samant Climbing Gym.” I said “Yes” spontaneously. It is a hub of Adventure Enthusiasts situated in Goregaon on the ground of Nandadeep High School. The gym has been built in the memory of Arun Samant, legendary Mountaineer and Climber, on May 31, 2003. Having completed his post graduation from IIT Bombay, Samant had an inclination towards nature and mountains. An accomplished and swift climber. He successfully completed many expeditions, scaled the pinnacles of virgin mountains. His zest for trekking was unparalleled and inspired many. Having decided to meet at Bhandup to get on the bus that leaves for Goregaon I was well on time. Pranav came in from Airoli. But since it was a Sunday the frequency of the buses was low and we couldn’t find

“I want your room to be clean.” Mother said on one fine holiday. It was a true fact that the room had become messy. I rolled my sleeves got out the vacuum cleaner and started dusting off the dust from shelves, corners of the wall, ceiling and bunch of places. In the attic, I found a bunch of old notebooks, well-thumbed magazines, and a journal. As I was leafing through the journal I found entries relating to a particular character I had written about. It was a first-person account of a boy. In the story he starts on an adventure and where do all adventures start, they start when everything goes haywire. Our friend finds himself in a similar situation. It's a journey where he tries to figure out the meaning of everything. As he tries to come to terms with the whys? that life throws. He entangles himself even more. Feeling lost as he is so near yet so far. ‘The pursuit of something brought me here,’ He thinks. ‘But what would it be that would take me there?’ He thinks. He begi

We entered the last week of the internship. I was still thinking about the project and I had four days to get it ready. I was raising issues in the Corporate’ mobile app and Corporate’ site. But the site and app had become stable after two years of maintenance and testing. I had started working on the Drawing Application. I created the UI, and buttons to navigate and built a simple drawing app with touch interaction and then went playing table tennis that day. Now I had two applications to show and I created a simple pedometer, QR code scanner in the next three days. On Friday we had a presentation in front of the panel. With the help of good mentors, I had created simple apps over a period of a month. The internship was coming to an end. I had started liking the atmosphere in Corporate. It was Friday the last day of the internship. I was finishing up my apps, polishing my presentation. I, Samyukta and Vaidehi went for lunch. “Today we will go and have lunch at a place of you

I had entered into a happy routine of raising issues, development and amazing lunches with Samyukta and Vaidehi. We explored the corporate on the cycle. Finding cafe’s, eateries and Restaurants. One day we had a Sizzler, the other day pizza and pasta. “It seems like a food testing internship.” I said. “Yes after having amazing food we can start a food blog.” Samyukta said. We were waiting for the shuttle that takes us to the station. “I don’t like this travelling part of the internship.” Vaidehi said. “You come from a far off place.” I said. “I will be chilled out like you once I start living with my cousin in Thane.” She said. Samyukta was not around and had already left for her home. “Do you find a place to sit in the bus?” I asked. “Sometimes there is’nt but many a times I get a window seat.” She said. We came to the bus station in Thane and where waiting for the Vasai bound bus. “Hey look there is a  bus over there.” Vaidehi said. We got into the bus but it was crowded an

It was three in the afternoon I came back to the Atlantis Labs for my development session. “Hey bro you had lunch with your Dad?” Ajinkya asked. “Yes, we had decided to have our lunch together today,” I said. “Sanket, I am planning to go for a trek tell me a spot,” Prarthi said. “If you are going for a one day trek, go for Peb fort or Loh-Gadh. Those are best for one-day treks.” I said. “Loh gadh is amazing, I went there last year,” Ajinkya said. “Even Kalvantin Durg is amazing it is near Panvel,” I said. “I will select one that is good for beginners,” Prarthi said. I got on with the development. I found another intern sitting beside Samyukta. “Have you completed your fragments?” Ajinkya asked. “Yes,” I said. “Good then teach Vaidehi,” Ajinkya said. Vaidehi was the new intern sitting beside Samyukta, she looked smart, good-natured and was serious about coding. “Hi I am Sanket. I have just completed the fragments. Have a look.” I said. Vaidehi studied the code with a concentration