ThoughtsnFantasies

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Bhandardhara Camping

I was not so sure whether camping was a good idea, with family, in Bhandardara. Not that we have not camped in India before. We did that recently in Mori, some six hours ahead of Rishikesh for white water rafting and it was a splendid experience. Part of the reason was that it was arranged by Aquaterra, who I would recommend to anybody interested in adventure sports. Bhandardara on the other hand was a make shift camp and I did not know the organiser Keshav before. He was recommended by an ex colleague. So with mixed feelings we drove down the Nashik highway, took the Ghoti right and reached Bhandardara in 3hrs from our Andheri residence in Mumbai.

The first surprise was the pristine water of the lake – turquoise blue. We parked a car on a small hill next to the lake which was supposed to be the base camp. The next surprise was when Keshav asked where we wanted to camp? Where, I mean we could choose? It was up to us to decide where we wanted to put the tents. We chose a strategic spot on the hill that looked up to the lake and the mountains ranges beyond. A 180 degree scene from the tent had views of AMK (Alang, Madan& Kulang mountains, reminding me of my trek there a couple of years ago), Ratangad, Ajoba & Kalsubai the highest peak in Maharashtra.

After settling down, lunch was served. While it was vegetarian food, a disappointment of sorts initially, it turned out to be very tasty-prepared rural style. Next on the agenda was sight-seeing which I was not too keen on but reluctantly agreed for. We drove the perimeter of the lake which was a 50km drive and stopped by at Sandhan and Amruteshwar temple. Amruteshwar, a Shiva temple, was built in 11th century. It is very small but quite mystic and mesmerising. Sitting there quietly for 10minutes can be rejuvenating. And Sandhan is perhaps one of the narrowest valley in India. It is 2.5-3km long and in places just 2-3 feet wide. It’s so deep and narrow that there are many places where the sunrays never reach. It’s also therefore called the valley of shadow. We trekked down part of it only as we had Mishti with us and one has to cross a couple of water pools (that will make one drench completely).

Thursday, December 6, 2012

What's in a name?

Have you ever wondered what’s going on with the names of media and creative agencies? On one hand the names are indistinguishable and on the other they are extremely diverse. Sample these...

Mediacom, Mediaedge, Medianet, Lintas Media, Zenith Optimedia, Initiative Media, Media2win, Madison Media, Mediavest.... all shouting that they are from the media industry and then there are OMD, MPG, MEC, BBH, DDB, TBWA, IB&W, AMC, RSCG.... abbreviations which could mean that these companies may be involved in anything from mining to banking.

Now look at the other side:

Monday, November 19, 2012

Fare fair? Yes fair fare.

What is it about auto/taxi fares? Why are people fuming over the rise in fares? I will give four arguments in favour of increase in fares. After going through the same, I will leave the judgement on the reader if the increase is justified.

In 2003 the minimum fare of auto was eight rupees. Today it is 15. In the last 9 years, fare has just about doubled. Now think about your salary in 2003? If you did not start working, what was your salary in 2005 or 2007? And what is it now? I have done a small dip-stick. My findings suggest that people are earning anywhere between six to eight times in 2012 as opposed to what they were earning in 2003. Our earnings have grown 20-25% on an average every year. So why should that of auto wallas be 7%?

BEST bus fares have continuously gone up over the years. A four km bus ride costs 12 rupees today. Until the fares had risen recently, it was cheaper for three people to travel in auto as opposed to in a bus. Intuitively that does not make sense. Even now, a four km auto ride costs 43 rupees while that of a bus will costs 36. The 20% incremental is great to get a reserved seat and a quicker ride I guess.

The next argument is very basic and comes from the first chapter of any economics book – law of demand-supply. Over the years, owing to increasing incomes, many people are able to afford an auto. As a result there are long queues (if there are one) and lot of people are soliciting auto wallas. Since there are limits to auto licences (thankfully), there is a huge demand for autos and limited supply. The gap has widened over the years. Laws of demand supply suggest that prices shall rise if demand is not met with enough supply. So why the surprise? Do we not pay high fares for air tickets when demand exceeds supply? Do we not do the same for vegetables?

The last argument is most compelling to my mind. I asked friends in other cities about auto fares. Here is a quick average of ten cities for one and four km rides. First of all, in most cities autos do not run on meters, so these are guestimates. An average cost of a one km ride can range between 15-20 rupees. A four km ride can cost 40-50 rupees. Cities are Delhi, Jaipur, Bangalore, Cuttack, Chennai, Ranchi, Ahmedabad, Surat, Coimbatore and Kochi. These fares are in line with the current auto fares while all of these cities have lower cost of living as opposed to Mumbai. The only saving grace is that in many cities, share rides are common. Not in Mumbai. But that is a fallacy of the administration, not auto wallas.

Who likes to pay more? I don’t. But when put contextually, it is the need of the hour. They fudge the meters, refuse rides, misbehave... but that is common for all cities. I personally am in favour of the rise and would rather endorse a 10% increase every year on just two conditions. Fair meters and no refusals just as it was few years ago.

What about you?

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Rann Utsav

What is interesting is the way it is promoted. Mr. Modi, Mr. Bachchan, nice visuals, crisp editing – all make you feel like you are watching truly Malaysia, really Australia or sincerely Zambia ads. When I told people that we are going to see the Rann Utsav in Kutch, people saw me with awe usually reserved for those who have shaken hands with Mamata Banerjee. When I returned a lot of people wanted to know how it was and how they have been wanting to do it for sooo looong.

It’s not that the ads are misleading or the place not worth a visit. But what one can’t disagree is that good marketing has made a not so great event a must see tourist destination.

First things first, the Rann is absolutely beautiful. Pure white stretch of sand desert stretches out until it meets the horizon. On a clear day one cannot be sure where the Rann ends and the clouds begin. Photographs would give the impression that one is standing on a vast flat stretch of snow – or rather snow covered sea. If only you have to travel 16 hours from Mumbai to see the Rann, it is worth it. Cause its unique and perhaps the largest salt desert in the world. However, once you are done with it, it’s better to pack your bags and return. There is nothing else around.

What the place lacks is somewhat made up by good hospitality and excellent stay arrangements. Smiling reception (so unlike government run places), cheery volunteers that carry your bags and give as much bottled water as you want (without waiting for tips). Great tents and even better bathrooms – big, spacious with warm water.

Food needs a look. Also its timings. There are not many options, even if you wanted to pay. No non-veg and alcohol makes it further non-touristy. Cultural dance remind you of programs on Doordarshan – they go on and on irrespective of viewer’s interest. Exhibits reminded of typical Indian museums – without proper lighting or description. Crash course on Dandiya or workshops on Gujarati cuisine may have been more engaging.

The site seeing of Indo Pak border made me feel like a cast in Jurassic Park. We were on a bus that we could not get out off. We were looking at a tall wall which was fenced. On the other side stood Pakistan. Could not spot any Pakistani humans or animals. After fifteen minutes as our silly questions died down along with the spirited answers of the soldier, we turned around and drove another 4 hours to come back to our base.

Why did we choose Indo-Pak site seeing when the other option was Mandvi beach + Narayan Sarovar Tour? Cause we Indians are emotional people, especially about cartoons, Sachin, Saas Bahu, FDI in Retail and Pakistan.

Tip: Don’t book Rann via a government authorised travel agent – they are quite misleading. Do it on your own. Reach in the evening see the sunset – come back in the morning for the sunrise. Rest of the time should be spent watching... well wild ass... that’s the other thing Kutch is famous for.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Why are we so used to FB?

Why are we so used to FB? As if it were a habit. Obsessed, are we? What does FB give us? Well the site explains itself as “helps you connect and share with the people in your life”. Well, if that be it, then our good old post office, courier service, phone, mobile, chat, BBM, WhatsApp and so many of them in the past and present potentially do the same. BBM is an obsession with some I know but FB is different. What makes it so?

We can share pics, videos, articles, thoughts… we can poke too. But is that it? Whats so fascinating about that? It can broadcast as opposed to ‘send’. Well yes, but then… anyways is it just FB or any social networking site that we don’t take too much time hooking to.

At one level FB is a pure entertainment medium. Just like TV, for example. It keeps us glued to it. Just like we put TV on when we walk into our homes, we open FB when we log on to our work stations. Many of us are constantly on with it on our mobiles.
There are two things at play. When we do something people we know see it. They comment. We see their comments and comment again. They like our status and we like that. We add pics and people say ‘Wow! looking good’. Got a promotion and people ‘like’ it. Feeling low and people ‘like’ it too. Whatever we do, there is someone responding. After a long time we are being heard. Noticed.

Humans, unlike animals, have always liked attention. And since these are people we know and are our friends, they are generally kind and notice us positively. Humans like that even more. After long we have got hold of something that helps us project ourselves in a way people notice. People who matter.

The other human trait that is working here is the need for conversations and at times, gossips. FB gives that to us. The fodder to make conversations. Look…what he said. See what she is wearing. Let me see what he is up to these days. It creates conversations. It helps us know what is going on in peoples’ lives. Marry the two – need to be noticed and to know what is going on people’s lives - and you have a lethal combination.

I believe that apart from all the features that the app or similar sns apps offer, the real reason behind its success or for that matter our obsession, is these two latent human needs. Think about it.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Technology

This was my birthday month. For a person who forgets most people’s birthdays, I got close to 50 people wishing me besides family members. This was high. For me. Though I have not counted how many people wished me in the earlier years, I am certain it was never as high as 50!

There was one difference this year vs. the previous years. Last year I was not on FB. More than half of all those who wished me did that on FB. A good part of the rest did it via SMS. Few called. Many who used to call earlier sent an SMS or wished on FB.

Do you feel the same? Do this exercise on your next birthday and let me know. I would reckon your results may not be very different than mine. Your overall wishes will go up but there would be fewer calls.

Which brings me to a question, “Is technology bringing us closer or making us elusive!?”

Friday, October 14, 2011

Rule of Thumb

I was recently wondering what role each finger plays in our lives. The little finger is used when we need a bio break, men look at the good looking parts of a good looking women and then straight go the ring finger to see if she is engaged. The middle finger is used to showcase or perform different emotions depending on who are you with. Index finger is used to scold a child and the thumb used for thumps up or down.

All fingers get some role to play individually. But in recent years, the proverb ‘rule of thumb’ has taken a quite literal meaning. For more than half of the world, that use a mobile phone and especially for the 50 million people that use Blackberry or a similar device worldwide, the thumb is the most critical finger. If it were not for the thumb these devices, including its users, will be half as productive. Try using a BB or a similar device that uses a QWERTY keyboard without your thumbs.

Now since all of us will continue to use such devices and more such as tablets, pods and god knows what that will keep coming, popularity of thumb will continue to grow.

I am not sure, however, if is was created for such intensive usage.