Ladakh Trip..

It has been 6 months since I visited Ladakh where I decided to write this blog so that I could revisit it to refresh the memories of my best ever trip. Anyways, better late then never, so here it goes...



THE TRIP
When I went to Triund (Mcleodganj), I was not sure whether this trip would happen or not. While returning, I was sleeping in the train when all of a sudden, I decided to make a trip to Ladakh.

The preparations started – woollens packed, maps printed, itinerary researched, flights booked, and so on.



The day was 8th July, when we started our journey from the Kashmere Gate ISBT.


DAY 1 & 2: DELHI - MANALI



We were going to Manali from Delhi, which was an arduous 16 hrs of journey and that too pinned down on a seat in a bus. Our ass got numbed, but we reached Manali at around 12:30 PM in the noon.



The hotel was the same one where we stayed when we went to Manali in January, and the room was also the same. What a coincidence! Actually it was no big deal since the hotel didn’t have too many guests.

We had decided to rest completely in Manali, and actually we needed that rest. After the ass-numbing journey we had to prepare ourselves for what lay ahead – 2 days of hill travel, and that too on one of the most uncomfortable road in the world, and not to forget the most inhospitable conditions.

DAY 3 : MANALI - SARCHU
The journey started next morning – infact the REAL journey started. We left Manali at around 6 AM, had our breakfast on the way and reached Rohtang La (‘La’ means a mountain pass, and it’ll be used in this a number of times).





Rohtang la wasn’t that picturesque and amazing as we had imagined it to be, as it hadn’t snowed there. We had another round of breakfast there and took out our woollens as it was cold. We were at 12,500 ft above sea level.





From Rohtang, the roads started showing their true colours. The road actually vanished, and it was replaced by a dusty road. Anyways we had expected that, and we were mentally prepared for this, so didn’t have much problem. What we were afraid of was the infamous Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), that happens over 10,000 ft and causes nausea, vomiting and headaches. We were actually waiting for it.







But the surroundings !! They were amazing. The best landscapes I had ever seen in my life (I didn’t have any idea that the best was yet to come :) ) I kept on clicking photographs after photographs, and the landscaped continued to be better and better.
We crossed a number of passes that day, including Baralacha la (14,500 ft, most beautiful of them all) and Lachulung La (10,500 ft).











The roads were sometimes cut through ice (not snow), streams were flowing on the road which could be crossed by a good 4 wheel drive only (a sardaarji tried to cross it by his WagonR, and had to be rescued by the truck drivers).




We reached Sarchu at around 7 PM. Sarchu is Midway between Manali and Leh, and is a point where people stop for their night stay. The panoramic view of the mountains was amazing at Sarchu. We booked one the tents, freshened up and relaxed. We saw a cricket bat and a ball, and started playing cricket. Trust me, at 14,000 ft you shouldn’t exert too much, which we actually did, resulting in some huffs and puffs, and had to rest to bring our breath under control.

DAY 4: SARCHU – LEH

The following morning we started from Sarchu and travelled across the majestic Himalayas. We passed through passes like Tanglang-la (2nd highest pass in the world), Lachulung-la and many more. We reached Ladakh in the evening















Since the blog is becoming long so from her I’ll be writing main attractions with photographs

Leh: roaming around the city, trying to explore the stuff and getting acclimatized



Panagong Tso (panagong lake): Trip by Tata Safari. Went through Chang-la and reached the most beautiful and the biggest lake in the country (143 kms long, max 6 kms wide, 1/3rd in India and 2/3rd in China)














Khardungla Trek: We hired two Bullet Thunderbirds and started the best part of our journey. The road through Khardungla pass to the Nubra Valley (Siachen Glacier Base camp) is the highest motorable road in the World at 18,380 feet. It was snowing heavily an was very difficult to drive due to the ice on the road and due to the fact that we were wet throughout.









We stayed in a place called Dikshit.







There was a rock-show organised by the Tibetens in the night.


Next day, we visited Hunder, the place with the Sand Dunes and two humped camels.
Visited Panamik for the hot springs but is was just a trickle of Sulfur-water, just enough to wash our hands.







While returning captured some beautiful moments in the camera
The owner of the hotel was most polite and humble in serving us. We had dinner in his nice kitchen in Ladakhi style. We talked a lot to him about Indian and Tibetan Buddhism, state of Ladakh, atrocities by army, life in the winters, terrorism etc. It was nice to know about these things from a person who is actually living there.






Went on the Leh-Kargil road. The view was amazing. The place where Indus and Zanskar river meet is breathtaking.





Observed the phenomenon of Magnetic hill. It was an Illusion but a good one.







Ladakh was beautiful from the Sky. These are the pictures from my flight.











I feel really sad not to be able to add all the photos. Each one of them is amazing. They are stored at http://picasaweb.google.com/ashu.iitkgp/LadakhTrip#

In short, an AMAZING trip. I'll definitely go back to Ladakh.


--Ashutosh

Would you kill millions to save billions?

Could the ‘Absolute Morality’ be defined? Could someone someday provide an answer for how to judge whether something is moral or immoral, something is right or wrong? Something which would be acceptable to all?

“If you have to kill millions to save billions, would you do that?”

Watched the movie “The Watchmen” sometimes back. It is an amazing movie with some thought provoking dialogues and characters. At the climax of the movie, the hero/villain (its for you to decide) wanted to save a definite nuclear war between Russia and USA, which would have killed billions all over the world. He masters a plan for a nuclear-like explosion in New York which would appear to have been caused by one of the Superheroes endorsed by USA. This would divert the attention away from nuclear war. He did exactly this, killing millions in New York and as a result of which, USA and Russia became friends and the nuclear war was prevented. He claimed that by killing millions he saved billions. Some of the superheroes agreed with him and called him a hero, but others disagreed with him and called him a villain.

A similar thing happened in Sri Lanka very recently. LTTE had killed thousands of civilians in Sri Lanka over the last 20 years, and would have continued to do so had the government not launched an all-out offensive against them. The government was determined to defeat them, no matter what price they would have to pay. The LTTE used Tamil civilians as shield, and they were caught in the crossfire. Despite appeals from all over the world to stop fighting so that innocent civilians don’t die, the government attacked LTTE from all sides, not caring about the civilian deaths which ran into hundreds of thousands. In the end, the LTTE was eliminated once and for all, but over 25,000 civilians died and 300,000 moved to relief camps.
Again, this is a question as raised in the movie ‘Watchmen’. Was this the right decision? Was it moral or immoral? Did the Sri Lankan government kill thousands to save millions?

25,000 innocent civilians lost their lives, but LTTE has been eliminated and won’t kill civilians anymore. Had they not been eliminated, they might have killed another 30,000, or maybe a million more innocent civilians. They could have grown and could have been like Taliban. They could have been the Masters of Terror. They had already killed around 50,000 civilians in Sri Lanka in the last 20 years. The death of these 25,000 civilians is a price that has to be paid to prevent the worst.

On the other hand, there could have been another solution. The Tamils have been marginalised and discriminated in Sri Lanka, which gave rise to LTTE problem. The root cause of the problem should have been addressed, rather than being over aggressive. The 25,000 people that died were all Tamils, and this could give rise to a hatred filled society, with Tamils blaming the Sinhalese for their plight. The government could have talked to LTTE, and with international pressure and some compromise from both sides, this could have been averted. Sri Lanka could have given more autonomy to Tamils, and in return LTTE could have laid down their arms.

Both the scenarios have a lot of “could have”. Nobody knows what ‘would have’ happened if these ‘could haves’ had become reality. It’s not something which is in black and white. I’m unable to say if the Sri Lankan government did the right thing or the wrong thing. What do you say?




--Ashutosh

Who am I: 5 years later

around 5 years back...when I started my blog one of the first post was the "Personality Test" from this site. I doubt the correctness of such tests and believe that just by answering a few question nobody can make out who you are. Anyway, I took the same test today, after around 5 years, and the results have actually changed !!

Test in 2016 : 7 years gap

Test in 2009

Advanced Global Personality Test Results Extraversion |||||||||| 34% Stability |||||||||||| 46% Orderliness |||||||||||||||||| 74% Accommodation |||||||||||||| 58% Interdependence |||||| 30% Intellectual |||||||||||||||| 66% Mystical |||||||||| 36% Artistic |||| 16% Religious || 10% Hedonism |||||||||||||||||| 76% Materialism |||||||||||||||||||| 83% Narcissism |||||||||||| 43% Adventurousness |||||||||||||||||||| 83% Work ethic |||||||||||| 50% Humanitarian |||||||||||||||||||| 83% Conflict seeking |||||||||||| 50% Need to dominate |||||||||||||||| 70% Romantic |||||||||| 36% Avoidant |||||||||||||||| 63% Anti-authority |||||| 30% Wealth |||||||||| 36% Dependency |||||||||| 36% Change averse |||||| 23% Cautiousness |||||||||||||| 56% Individuality |||||||||||||| 56% Sexuality |||||||||||||||| 63% Peter pan complex |||||||||||| 50% Family drive |||||||||||||||| 63% Physical Fitness |||||||||||| % Histrionic |||||||||||||| 56% Paranoia |||||||||||||| 56% Vanity |||||||||||||||||||| 83% Honor |||||||||||||||| 63% Thriftiness |||||| 23%

Take Free Advanced Global Personality Test
personality test by similarminds.com

5 years back: 2004

Advanced Global Personality Test Results
Extraversion |||||| 30%
Stability |||||||||||||||| 63%
Orderliness |||||||||||||||||| 80%
Accommodation |||||||||||||| 56%
Interdependence |||||| 23%
Intellectual |||||||||||||||||||| 83%
Mystical |||||| 30%
Artistic |||||||||| 36%
Religious || 10%
Hedonism |||||| 30%
Materialism |||||||||||||||||||| 90%
Narcissism |||||||||||||| 56%
Adventurousness |||||||||||||||||| 76%
Work ethic |||||||||||| 50%
Self absorbed |||||||||||||||| 63%
Conflict seeking |||||||||||||| 56%
Need to dominate |||||||||||| 50%

Romantic |||||||||||||| 56%
Avoidant |||||||||||||||| 63%
Anti-authority |||||||||||| 43%
Wealth |||||||||||| 43%
Dependency |||||| 30%
Change averse |||||| 30%
Cautiousness |||||||||||||||| 70%
Individuality |||||||||||||||||| 76%
Sexuality |||||||||||||||| 70%
Peter pan complex |||||| 23%
Physical security |||||||||||||| 56%
Physical Fitness |||||| 24%
Histrionic |||||||||||| 50%
Paranoia |||||||||||||| 56%
Vanity |||||||||||||||| 63%
Hypersensitivity |||||||||||| 5

--Ashutosh
31st May

Google Wave ... Another masterpiece from the GODS

The great IPL final..

Well it was the IPL finals on Sunday...though I wasn't very exited about it and didn't support any team in particular, I was going to watch it as I had nothing else to do on a Sunday. There were two options before me - either watch the game on TV in the comfort of my home, or go to a sports bar/normal bar with someone. I chose the second option.

There is a good sports bar in Gurgaon - 'Howzzat'. I wanted to watch a match there, so when Nishant Mathur proposed to see the IPL final there, I was game. NM drove all the way from Noida to Gurgaon in about 1 hour to watch the game at Howzzat, and I joined him. However, when we reached there, it was packed to the capacity and we were not allowed to enter. I think if we had a girl with us, they would have allowed us inside, but we were not that fortunate. The match had already started with 2 overs gone.

Then I decided to go to our old bar 'Below 8' in the cybercity. I wanted to go there as I had watched T20 world cup final there, and it was really a great experience (and they offered free Vodka shots with every wicket:). We raced our bike to cybercity, parked it (for Rs 20/hour ! even parking is expensive in Gurgaon). We went there only to find my great 'Below 8' closed. What the hell! A bar closed on Sunday on the day of IPL final! Anyway, We couldn't do anything. We tried another restaurant near that but it wasn't showing matches.

Then we decided to go to Ambience Mall, the biggest in Gurgaon. There had to be atleast one place which was showing the match. we again raced our bikes to Ambience Mall. After some searching, we found a bar 'Beer Island' which was showing the match. We thought it was full, but luckily we got the seats. Finally we could see the match after 13 overs were bowled.

But..But ..

The place was good, the beer was amazing (brewed there itself), but there was no commentary. The music was also good, but it was way too loud and we couldn't even talk! we had some pork sausages and beer till the 1st innings were over. The music acually kept getting louder by all this time.

Finally, we decided that commentary was important, and there is no fun in watching cricket wthout commentary. Also, the closing ceremony was much hyped, and we wanted to see that 'with sound'. So, we decided to go back home.

Finally when we reached home, there were 6 overs to be bowled in second innings. We were happy that we would be able to watch the climax of the game and the closing ceremony 'with sound'.

The match was great, but the closing ceremony was pathetic. First of all, it was too long and surprisingly before the presentation ! What the hell was Lalit Modi thinking. Everyone got so bored that I think a lot of people went to sleeb before the presentation. Finally after 1 hour of bullshit, the trophy (design.. yuk! )was presented to Deccan Chargers.



We saw only 15 overs of the game out of 40 :(


-Ashutosh
26th March, 01:40 AM

No work at office..

My new job at Dunnhumby is different than the one in marketRx. Here you are given a lot of responsibilities and lots of work; but it is better than marketRx because you have the complete ownership and responsibility of your project. Indiavidual projects also mean the guys in UK know when you are free and the again load you with ptojects. Bt the best part is, that they know we have to leave for home at 7, and they respect that (unlike in marketRx, where you are 'expected' to stay back and work after 7:30 PM.

But we also have few days in dunnhumby when there isn't much work. today is one such day as I have completed my work and UK office is on leave. Also, my ipod is at home, and I don't have the fun group that I had in marketRx(the best part of marketRx). I am getting bored at office, because I have nothing to do.

It's strange. Because when I had a lot of work I wished for a day off; but when I have it I'm getting bored. Am I becoming a workoholic (my worst nightmare)? Or is it just due to the quiet dunnhumby office?

I did absolutely nothing today. Came at 10:20, did some work till 11:00, wasted time till 12:30, played foosball, went to Siddhartha's treat, came back with heavy stomach and sleepy eyes (which again makes it difficult to work), foosball again, surfing the net, and then this blog. I was searching the net for some trekking expeditions where I can go and enjoy. It's been a long time since I took any leave, and I am definitely going to take one in july/aur for around 10 days; and before that I have to find a destination where I can go ! Well the main problem is findng people to go with you (or go alone, as I did the Triund Trek). I badly need a trekking partner with whom I can go anywhere I want.

I have made some plans for the trips this year and next year. I'll be utlizing all my leaves for the trips. I'm planning to go to Leh/Ladakh in Aug (though this trip doesn't seem to be happening), Thailand in sept end-october, and then Goa in december (new year) Hopefully I'll get people for these trips. I'm also planning to go to Everest base camp next year in summers. Let's see how many of these I'll be able to do.

These trips have to be done as they say "There is no surety in life... you can get married anytime..so fulfill all your wishes before that"

Trekking to Triund

I should have posted it long back....when I actually made the trip... anyways...better late then never...


Well I decided to go on a trek to some place as an extended weekend was coming. There was no other place I knew where i could go and come back within 3 days, than Dharamshala. I decided to go alone, even if nobody else comes, but Vikas Dhawan decided to come along. Due to certain reasons, we decided to go separately and do the trek alone, and meet up on top of the mountains.

We prepared for the trip as if we were going to Mt. Everest (though one day I'll definitely go there, atleast to the base camp). We purchased sleeping bags, juices, chocolates, biscuits, Gatorade, and a lot of other stuff which made my bag heavier than usual, and as a result I had to leave some stuff behind. My backpack was full.

I started at 6:30 PM on Friday from Delhi. To my luck, a pretty girl was sitting with me in the bus, and because of that I had a good time throughout the journey, and it didn't feel long. The girl was very talkative and fond of food, and she described some of the paranthas and other delicacies in such a way that increased my hunger and I ate a lot for dinner (I had decided to skip dinner coz I was going to start trekking in the morning itself, and there was no toilet).

I reached Macleodganj at 7:00 AM. It was chilling there. I was in a T-shirt only and had to take out my jacket. I had a cup of tea and started climbing immediately.

I was one of the first few travelers that morning. The weather was amazing, and it had snowed heavily just a day back. I met some of the DCE guys on the way, but as I was carrying a bag, they sped ahead of me very soon. Anyways, I continued at my own pace.

The trek was good foo the first few kilometers. The total length was around 10 kms, 6-7 kms of it was easy and 3-4 km was tough. And when you have a backpack with you, the difficulty level triples. There were few tea shops on the way which provided refreshments, but my stomach was still heavy with the last night dinner, thanks to the girl in the bus. Anyway, I maintained a decent speed and actually I was little bit proud of my fitness that I was able to do it inspite of the backpack etc.

The trek started becoming difficult after 3 hrs climb. I could see where I was going but it was very steep and I was very tired. Some of my fellow trekkers cheered me up and motivated me. The trek was narrow, and it became more dangerous when it become fully snow covered. One slip and you go down the valley.








Finally after 4 and half hours of trekking, I reached to the top. oh my God ! What a view !! It was the best mountain view I had ever seen. Mountains are almost same, but the viewpoint was so amazing! And everything around me was covered in snow. Perfect !








I met a German there and we became friends. The chaiwala with his finnish wife was nice, and his wife was too cool. DhawansaaB also joined me in the evening. I, DhawansaaB and Karen talked a lot in the evening.





We decided to sleep overnight in the tents. It was really a bold decision as it was f***ing cold, snow was everywhere, and nobody else was sleeping in the open like us. Just for the sake of experience, and because we had our sleeping bags with us, we decided to give it a shot. I proved to be disastrous in the night, when at around 2 AM both of us woke up because of cold. Clearly, the sleeping bags were not enough for the cold, and we couldn't do anything. Somehow we stayed awake till 4 AM when sleep overpowered our mind and body.

The morning was pleasant, and we decided to step down and visit Mcleodganj also. It took almost the same time to descend, which was really surprising for me. Me reached Mcleod at around 3:00 Pm, and roamed here and there. We decided to hit atleast 10 coffee shops in the evening. In the night, there was really a scarcity of rooms, and we were really lucky to get one otherwise we were going to sleep on the roadside, ofcourse with our sleeping bags.

Next morning we left for Amritsar as our train was from there, and we reaced there just in time to go to the Golden Temple also. We were dead tired but actually didn't feel much (thou my legs pained for rest of the week).

Overall it was really a nice and amazing experience. It really demands the best of you, and you have to be physically and mentally fit to undertake such an adventure. Triund is just the beginning. This year I am going on some more trekking as and when I get the time.

Next target : Ladakh.


--Ashutosh