Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
At the cost of memories...
Have you ever felt that your identity is threatened? Your identity, perhaps as a part of something which you hold dear?
This morning I was very close to feeling so. I was looking at some old pictures which I had taken close to 2 decades ago as a little girl near Tank Bund in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
When I and my sister were little, my parents used to take us to Hyderabad for a week every summer. Every year we as a family would take our little cousin who used to live in Hyderabad to play near Tank Bund. We used to play in the grass for hours with balloons, plastic toys and whatever they happen to be selling at that time. I must say we have spent many many many summer evenings playing in the grass. Each day we used to sit under one statue to play.
After I grew up, Tank Bund was a link to my life connecting Secunderabad and Hyderabad. My college was there, my Aunts place, my CAT school, my sister's daily-walk-route, our favorite theaters and parks...everything used to be either this side or other. Hardly a day used to go by without coming across Tank Bund. I have 3 good friends who were equally attached to it and we used to LOVE sitting in the rain (yes!) and eating corn-cob, freshly roasted and seasoned with lime juice, salt and a hint of chili powder. Ahh! what bliss!
Now all these years later I hear the news that most the statues (19) are destroyed! How is it possible that people who live there can bring themselves to destroy something which they have grown-up with...as part of their lives? When does hatred replaces common sense?
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/million-march-hyderabads-prized-statues-wrecked-90934
Irrespective of what is going on politically, how can one destroy their own culture? Apparently people of Telangana have complained that only 7 out of 32 statues were their side. Does resorting to vandalism solve the issue? How much lower can one fall?
The CM apparently declared that all the statues would be restored. But its not going to be like the old-charm anymore. On the same note, I wonder why the police were not well prepared to handle the situation. I mean its not like its a surprise that there be violence on the roads? Hyderabad is not the same for me anymore.
This morning I was very close to feeling so. I was looking at some old pictures which I had taken close to 2 decades ago as a little girl near Tank Bund in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
When I and my sister were little, my parents used to take us to Hyderabad for a week every summer. Every year we as a family would take our little cousin who used to live in Hyderabad to play near Tank Bund. We used to play in the grass for hours with balloons, plastic toys and whatever they happen to be selling at that time. I must say we have spent many many many summer evenings playing in the grass. Each day we used to sit under one statue to play.
After I grew up, Tank Bund was a link to my life connecting Secunderabad and Hyderabad. My college was there, my Aunts place, my CAT school, my sister's daily-walk-route, our favorite theaters and parks...everything used to be either this side or other. Hardly a day used to go by without coming across Tank Bund. I have 3 good friends who were equally attached to it and we used to LOVE sitting in the rain (yes!) and eating corn-cob, freshly roasted and seasoned with lime juice, salt and a hint of chili powder. Ahh! what bliss!
Now all these years later I hear the news that most the statues (19) are destroyed! How is it possible that people who live there can bring themselves to destroy something which they have grown-up with...as part of their lives? When does hatred replaces common sense?
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/million-march-hyderabads-prized-statues-wrecked-90934
Irrespective of what is going on politically, how can one destroy their own culture? Apparently people of Telangana have complained that only 7 out of 32 statues were their side. Does resorting to vandalism solve the issue? How much lower can one fall?
The CM apparently declared that all the statues would be restored. But its not going to be like the old-charm anymore. On the same note, I wonder why the police were not well prepared to handle the situation. I mean its not like its a surprise that there be violence on the roads? Hyderabad is not the same for me anymore.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
A trip to Grand Canyon
Pardon me dear blog-buddies, I couldn't be up to date with blogging lately due to many reasons and a very nasty flu being the top most. No worries, I am getting better.
Well, I was looking at a few pictures and came across the pictures we had taken when we went to Vegas 2 years ago. I thought you would want to have a look at them. Oh, had the time of my life! What a city it was! But capturing entire Vegas trip isnt going to be possible in 1 post. So, I will start with the Grand Canyon pictures first. Click on the picture to view the actual size.
The second day after we reached Vegas, we went to Grand Canyon. Breathtaking, majestic, awesome, nerve wrecking can be a few words to explain this beauty.
The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in the United States in the state of Arizona. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide and attains a depth of over a mile (1.83 km) (6000 feet).
There were a few creeks and also many places where we can go rafting and hiking (guided of course). Unfortunately we couldn't do either because we had to head back to Vegas by the night. We were also warned to have plenty of water to keep hydrated.
The view was great and I was completely in awe of every little nook and corner.
We have gone through the Northern Rim and returned through the southern rim. The sunset was absolutely amazing. Oh ya! we spotted plenty of deers, but could not take a good picture...here is one crossing the road(see left side of the road
Below is the picture taken when we were passing through Kaibab National Forest (on our way back to Vegas). The roads and the sun set was amazing but as it got dark, it felt a bit eerie.
Watch for my next post...its going to be coming soon. I promise!
Well, I was looking at a few pictures and came across the pictures we had taken when we went to Vegas 2 years ago. I thought you would want to have a look at them. Oh, had the time of my life! What a city it was! But capturing entire Vegas trip isnt going to be possible in 1 post. So, I will start with the Grand Canyon pictures first. Click on the picture to view the actual size.
The second day after we reached Vegas, we went to Grand Canyon. Breathtaking, majestic, awesome, nerve wrecking can be a few words to explain this beauty.
The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in the United States in the state of Arizona. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide and attains a depth of over a mile (1.83 km) (6000 feet).
There were a few creeks and also many places where we can go rafting and hiking (guided of course). Unfortunately we couldn't do either because we had to head back to Vegas by the night. We were also warned to have plenty of water to keep hydrated.
The view was great and I was completely in awe of every little nook and corner.
We have gone through the Northern Rim and returned through the southern rim. The sunset was absolutely amazing. Oh ya! we spotted plenty of deers, but could not take a good picture...here is one crossing the road(see left side of the road
Below is the picture taken when we were passing through Kaibab National Forest (on our way back to Vegas). The roads and the sun set was amazing but as it got dark, it felt a bit eerie.
Watch for my next post...its going to be coming soon. I promise!
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