Chetans BLOG

Study: Triathlons can pose deadly heart risks

2009-03-29T15:38:00.000-07:00

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE

Swim-bike-run triathlons pose at least twice the risk of sudden death as marathons do, the first study of these competitions has found.

The risk is mostly from heart problems during the swimming part. And while that risk is low — about 15 out of a million participants — it's not inconsequential, the study's author says.

Triathlons are soaring in popularity, especially as charity fundraisers. They are drawing many people who are not used to such demanding exercise. Each year, about 1,000 of these events are held and several hundred thousand Americans try one.

"It's something someone just signs up to do," often without a medical checkup to rule out heart problems, said Dr. Kevin Harris, a cardiologist at the Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. "They might prepare for a triathlon by swimming laps in their pool. That's a lot different than swimming in a lake or a river."

He led the study and presented results Saturday at an American College of Cardiology conference in Florida. The Minneapolis institute's foundation sponsored the work and tracks athlete-related sudden deaths in a national registry.

Marathon-related deaths made headlines in November 2007 when 28-year-old Ryan Shay died while competing in New York in the men's marathon Olympic trials. Statistics show that for every million participants in these 26.2-mile running races, there will be four to eight deaths.

The rate for triathletes is far higher — 15 out of a million, the new study shows. Almost all occurred during the swim portion, usually the first event.

"Anyone that jumps into freezing cold water knows the stress on the heart," said Dr. Lori Mosca, preventive cardiology chief at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and an American Heart Association spokeswoman. She had no role in the study but has competed in more than 100 triathlons, including the granddaddy — Hawaii's Ironman competition.

Cold water constricts blood vessels, making the heart work harder and aggravating any pre-existing problems. It also can trigger an irregular heartbeat. On top of this temperature shock is the stress of competition.

"It's quite frightening — there are hundreds of people thrashing around. You have to keep going or you're going to drown," Mosca said.

Swimmers can't easily signal for help or slow down to rest during swimming as they can in the biking or running parts of a triathlon, said Harris, who also has competed in these events. Rescuers may have trouble spotting someone in danger in a crowd of competitors in the lakes, rivers and oceans where these events typically are held, he added.

For the study, researchers used records on 922,810 triathletes competing in 2,846 USA Triathlon-sanctioned events between January 2006 and September 2008.

Of the 14 deaths identified, 13 occurred during swimming; the other was a bike crash. Autopsies on six of the victims showed that four had underlying heart problems. Two others had normal-looking hearts, but they may have suffered a fatal heart rhythm problem, Harris said.

A search of the Minneapolis registry and the Internet found four other triathlon-related deaths from 2006 through 2008 beyond those that occurred in the officially sanctioned events.

"While not a large risk, this is not an inconsequential number," Harris said.

Fundraising triathlons have enticed many runners to try to expand into areas like swimming, which they may not have learned to do very efficiently, to benefit particular charities, Mosca said.

"They're really recruiting people to do these events," she said. "It can be a recipe for disaster."

Doctors offer these tips to anyone considering a triathlon:

_Get a checkup to make sure you don't have hidden heart problems.

_Train adequately long before the event, including open-water swims — not just in pools.

_Acclimate yourself to the water temperature shortly before a race, and wear a wetsuit if it's too cold.

_Make sure the race has medical staff and defibrillators on site.

__

On the Net:

Heart meeting: http://www.acc.org

American Heart Association: http://americanheart.org

Registry: http://www.suddendeathathletes.org

Natchez Trace 2nd Run (2.80 mi.)

2009-03-19T20:50:00.001-07:00

Natchez Trace 2nd Run
Find more Runs in Lexington, Tennessee

Natchez Trace Bike Course (14.84 mi.)

2009-03-19T20:49:00.001-07:00

Natchez Trace Bike Course
Find more Bike Rides in Lexington, Tennessee

Natchez Trace Swim Course (0.10 mi.) Memphis, Tennessee

2009-03-19T20:48:00.001-07:00

Natchez Trace Swim Course
Find more Swims in Memphis, Tennessee

Shiba Inu Puppies at play......

2008-11-17T07:50:00.000-08:00

Streaming live video by Ustream

The first tri - Scary Swim...... - Part 1

2008-09-14T17:41:00.000-07:00

And finally the race day arrived for which i was waiting for a long time. My first triathlon race The Music City Triathlon. Got up early at around 4:15 am and was ready. Maria came to pick me and Csaba along with our bikes. By 6:00 we were are the race place.

Then went through the basic checking of the stuff and got my bike and rest of the stuff in the transition area. A few familiar faces were around me from the University and also some from last nights dinner get together. Warmed up with a some stretching exercises. The weather predictions were not very good and since morning there were gusty winds blowing. We were praying to get the waters calm so that we could start properly and go along. By 7 i was ready with all the stuff laid out and ready to go.

Since entering the collegiate category i was in the first wave of the swimmers. So made a point to hit the shores a bit early to get the fee of the water. The signs were not good since there were high waves all over with gusty winds around and that was tough. Before the start an announcement was made that those who want to back due to the weather conditions can back out :) hmmmmmmm that's quite interesting for a first timer.

So as per the directions the WAVE 1 participants entered the water till a marker from where the start was given. And so finally started my maiden triathlon. The waves were quite high and initially i was not sure if i could even make it to the finish line because mid was the winds got too rough. But made a point to stay close to the other swimmers. I was hardly able to see the marker since every time i had my head up there was a big wave in front of me . At time i felt i was along .... freakkkkked out .... but all were around me :).

Mid way into the race even the race boats were not see as due to the bad weather they were not able to make it. And on the way back from the first marker i could see swimmers scattered all over and that was mostly because the waves were just throwing us around like anything. At the second marker for the turn towards the shores i was able to see the lighthouse and the pack of swimmers.

But the cross winds were drifting all of us away from the shore. That was the last part but completely against the wind.... i could see most of the swimmers going to the other side they just could make it against the winds. But all of them were trying their best. Finally made it to the shores and that too in a comparatively higher end of the pack. The best part was that made it to the shores. Half way towards the shores we were told that the swim part of the race was canceled due to the rough weather conditions. So of the total of 14 WAVES only fist three WAVES made it to the water.

The race was stopped for some 45 mins just to make sure that everyone was out of the water and no one was left in there. Later swimmers were helped by the boats and some who had drifted to the other end to come to the race point.

In all the first tri swim was really really scary. But was very happy that i made it and that gives me a good confidence for the later races to come.

Bumpy roads

2008-09-01T10:01:00.000-07:00

A good article i came across regarding the increase in the usage of bicycle around due to increase in the gas prices .........

Bumpy roads
Jul 31st 2008 | SEATTLE
From The Economist print edition

It’s not all free wheeling

WITH petrol the price it is, more and more people are riding a bicycle to work. In Broward County, Florida, about 35,000 people a month typically put their bicycles on a bus bike-rack, thereby shortening a cycle commute. In May of this year, 68,000 people did so. Denver saw 25,000 people register for a recent “bike to work” day, up from 15,000 a year ago. In Seattle cyclists complain about a shortage of bike stands, while in Portland, Oregon, some 6,000 cyclists cross just one of the city’s many bridges each morning.

Bicycle-boosters are thrilled with the sudden popularity of their humble machine. “Ridership is just skyrocketing,” says Elizabeth Preston of the League of American Bicyclists, a Washington, DC, advocacy group (even cyclists have lobbyists these days). Performance Bicycles, a retailer with shops in 15 states, says bicycle sales in June were the highest ever recorded.

But cycling’s popularity has a downside. The people of Portland, for instance, have been entertained over the past few days by a series of altercations between bicyclists and motorists. In one, a motorist and cyclist came to blows after the motorist berated the pedal-pusher for ignoring a stop sign. The enraged cyclist used his bike to batter the motorist’s car until a bystander punched him.

In Seattle, meanwhile, two cyclists were arrested after they attacked a motorist during a so-called “Critical Mass” ride, events where large groups of cyclists ride through city streets to demonstrate their right to the road. New York cyclists are up in arms about an incident in which a police officer, for no apparent reason, knocked a cyclist off his bike and then arrested him and tried to pretend the man had run into him until a video recording proved him wrong. And in Colorado, reports the Los Angeles Times, cyclists have been feuding with the sheriff of Larimer County for his aggressive—cyclists say unreasonable— enforcement of bike-related traffic laws. More seriously, most bicycle advocates say cycling deaths are sharply up, although the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has no figures as yet for 2008.

After years of federal and local spending on bike routes and other amenities, most cities are ready to handle more cyclists. But many motorists simply don’t see their two-wheeled brethren or, when they do, find them aggravating. Managing more cyclists is going to take more than new bike paths or fresh stripes on the roads. It looks as though there is a need, on both sides, for a revolution in manners.

Dreams made for some ... destroyed for some ........

2008-08-17T10:17:00.000-07:00

While Phelps was breaking all the records that came along his way to make history there were some who quite actually were confident to make history of their but then could not realise those dreams come true.

Grant Hackett would have become the first male swimmer to win the same event in three consecutive Olympics and came very close in the 1500 freestyle to miss it by 0.69 secs.

An idol for long distance swimmers and one of the greats of all time though always under the shadow of Ian Thorpe ......... he still is one of the greatest long distance swimmers i have seen. Vladimir Salnikov was the greatest long distance swimmer before him who too was eluded of this feat. I did not personally see Salnikov swim in the races but he is considered one.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/17/2337854.htm?site=olympics/2008

Friday 15th August......

2008-08-15T13:54:00.000-07:00

The 61st Independence day celebrated in India. It feels so good to read about all the news on the independence day and you missed it. Its something, that when you are around you never care for those things but when you are away you just miss them like anything.

And then away from home on a different soil you miss it much more. You enjoy the 4th of July fireworks but surely miss the Hindi commentary from the Red Fort on DD.

Just one more day passes by .....................

JAI HIND.......

Insipirations at the Olympics

2008-08-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

Eric Shanteau is just 24 and cancer stricken but that does not put him back to be with the best in the world. After beating Hansen in the US team trial he qualifies 7th fastest for the 200 mts Breast stroke finals.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/blogs/blog=alanabrahamsonsblog/postid=150082.html

A real inspiration for all the young athletes ................

Todays Cross Country Ride

2008-08-10T17:48:00.000-07:00

Today it was decided to to go for a 37 mile ride. Got up early and was up at the meeting point. There were 10 of us. All of them being pro were with the better ones while i was only the one with the straight handle. Started slow and slowly started to gain speed. We started from the Opry mills area then the beautiful parkway then downtown and then towards the Percy Warner Park. Some time into the ride then took good speed though was behind the grp since they had went a bit ahead.

But then some 10 miles ahead i happen to take a wrong turn and just to look around lost control and was off the bike all over. Fell down on my knees and bruised them badly. Just got up with them bleeding and started back. The bike got a beating too as the back rim started wobbling. Over the course of time again too some pace and continued till the Percy Warner Park and started back. On the way Carl and Maria were kind to come back to check on me and Carl being with me for some 8 miles till i was ok.........

Since the knee was getting soar and the back rim not in good shape cut short my ride to complete the 27 miles and returned back.

But in all a good practice for the month end and will sure try to make more rides till then.

My New Bike

2008-06-25T12:59:00.000-07:00

I have been biking for a quite some time back home to different places around Pune.But then over the period of last one year after coming to US i was not able to select on any specific bike i could ride on. There were a couple of them which were quite expensive. I have been making rounds of different stores around the city and websites for a good bike and finally my eyes got fixed on the SCOTT Speedster P6 and falling in love with her was almost inevitable. The specs say it all and with my budget i happen to find the best of the lot. I know there are a quite good bikes in higher range and much better ones but then i was in lot of constraints and she was the best one i could find.

Her picture to follow soon :)

My old bike ( I am missing her so much ) was a HERO mountain bike and i have details in my previous blogs. And this one is a hybrid so its very light in weight and sturdy enough for mountain terrains.

After getting her i have been on short rides around the city which were from 10 miles till the max i went was 16 miles till date. But with the Triathlon schedule fast catching up i will be biking in the mid 20's and mid 30 miles in the coming days. That sure will prepare me for the coming competitions.

So its all set ...........

Making it for the Triathlon

2008-06-07T12:51:00.000-07:00

It’s been a long time since anything was written just been lazy all the way. Nothing to write much too. After running the Mumbai Marathon in January 2007 did not do much on this front. But then couple of weeks back some random thoughts crawled back along with the Olympic season which pumped some spirit in me and I started practicing again. But this time for the Triathlons. It’s always been described by many that if you are making for a triathlon either you are a professional athlete or you are crazy. I definitely fall in the second category. Have started with the basic workouts and long runs and long biking but still a long way to go. But time is running out since I will be participating in my first every competition by the end of August.

The following is the schedule of the competitions to be held and I will try to make all of these that’s what I am target ting for. No time just completing will make me more than happy.

August 31: Callaway Gardens (Intermediate)
September 14: Music City (Olympic)
October 11: Hickory Knob (Intermediate)

For all these I will be participating and working out along with the University team. Not sure how much i will be able to compete but will surely give my best shot.

Inspirational Comeback.........

2008-05-07T13:44:00.000-07:00

happen to read a article on Dorra Torres who at 41 is making a come back and made it to the Olympics this July ....... really inspirational and a real role model .......

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/01/AR2007080102538_pf.html

One Day to go.................

2007-01-20T02:17:00.000-08:00

Its time for the event i was waiting for a long time since the Pune Marathon.Tomorrow morning 21st Jan 2007 starts the Mumbai Marathon and i will be running the 21 km half marathon.
Have been running distance for the last couple of months and now ready and confident to run the big event .All set will update of my performance tomorrow after the marathon.

Third Day....... at Sawai

2006-12-10T07:04:00.000-08:00

Day three of the 54th Sawai Gandharva festival saw the audiences hear in rapt attention as first timers presented their classic acts.

The day began with vocalist Hema Upasni presenting a bandish in Raag Madhuwanti followed by a composition in Raag Hansdhawani. The audience, clearly impressed by the performance, then requested for a gazal. They were definitely not dissappointed as Upasni presented Poet Himanshu Kulkarni’s composition that was aapplauded by many of the Punekars ...............

Next, to perform was sitarist Manju Mehta, disciple of Pandit Ravishankar and younger sister of Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhat the lineage of the Bhats of Gwalior Ghanrana ..... she enthralled the gathering with Raag Purvi. Mehta was brilliantly accompanied on the tabla by Ramdas Palsule.

Then came the performance for which every one was egarly waiting for .... and that of Rahul Deshapnde grandson of the legendary Dr.Vasantrao Deshpande.
I myself had listened to Vasantrao Deshpande very less since you cannot listen to everthing and everyone all around and that too with a person like me of very less knowledge with classicla music it was difficult.

Legacy continued .................

He began with Raag Marwah followed by a bandish in Raag Maru Bihag. Even as the crowd applauded, it was his rendition of the famous Surat Piya ke chinn bisarayi from Sangeet Katyar Kaljat Ghusli that left them wanting for more. To listen to him was Rahul's grandmother wife of Dr.Vasantrao Deshapande and Rahul sang all his grandmothers choice list of favourites.His performance was too good and the crowd was at times thinking that as if it was Dr.Deshpande taking the stage again after almost 25 years he last performed at the Sawai Gandharva Festival.

It was then Pandit Debu Chaudhary who enticed the audience with his sitar recital in Raag Bageshree. The finale of the evening was Malini Rajurkar who performed Raag Jogkauns, Puriya Dhanashree followed by semi-classical renditions.

The Second Day ....... at Sawai

2006-12-09T06:25:00.000-08:00

After missing the first day i was right on time for the evening session of the second day .It started with Kamlakar Naik whose rhythmic aalap Baaje More Paayaliya in Raag Barva, before he switched to Hoon Jo Gayi in the rare Raag Ramgauri. But it was the bhajan Sab Jhooti Jag Ki Mehmani in Raag Bhimpalas that set the evening’s musical pace.

As vocalist Padma Deshpande took over in an aalap in ek taal in Raag Shudh Kalyan, she showed off her perfect tonal balance with the fast-paced taana, Mandarva Bajo Re. Added to that, the perfect rendition of Roop Bali To Tar Shardul Saacha in Raag Kaafi (from the Marathi musical Sangeet Swayamwar) made for an exquisite set of whirling taanas.

There was a loud appaluse when it was announced that Pt.Shivkumar Sharma was to take the stage .The recital started with a very rare Raag Rasik Priya — one of his favouriteswith . In fact, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi arrived just in time for the first half of Sharma’s recital. Deconstructing the raag with a slow aalap, jor and jhala and, Sharma then presented three of his compositions in roopak taal and teen taal.

The performance was a perfect symbiosis of his santoor with accompanist Aneesh Pradhan’s tabla beats. Sharma even presented his signature Raag Pahari when he got a ‘once more’ from the audience.

Then came the surprise packeage of the evening and i will not be wrong if that would be of the 54th Sawai Gandharva festival.When it was announced that Kaushiki Chakravarty was to take the stage half of the Punekar's typical..... went out to have tea as if it was a tea break party or something and there were more ppl outside the pandal than inside .

And the same crowd was back to their seats in not more than 15 minutes into the recital including myself and thats the best thing i did to get back to my seat .Because what was heard after that was the most mesmering performance i have ever listened to in my life .

Kaushiki Chakravarty ...... mesmerising the audience .......

She had a perfect control over the aalaps and tanas in Raag Rageshri, the highlight of her performance being the Boltana Sab Sukh Deho and a thumri in Raag Pahari that won her many an accolades.

Then to evening came Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj whose presence made the whole crowd in a common wave of praise.He started his rendition of Jai Jai Shri in Raag Jaijaiwati accompanied by Kedar Pandit on the tabla and Appasaheb Jalgaonkar on the harmonium.He was in his usual jolly mood of pleasing the audience and he did that to the best.Its just he beeing on the stage the crowd gets attracted to his aura and then rest when he sings ...... ohhhhhhhhhh yes he is GOD to say ...... with the Shankarachyarya recitals ...................Panditji led the audience to a musical climax with the fast-paced bhajan Govinda Damodara before ending his recital with the pleasantly slow-paced Nirajani Narayani in Raag Bhairavi.

The programme started at sharp 4:00pm and ending at 1:15 am with the Bhairavi of Panditji.It was the time limit that made both the audience and Panditji to come to the end of the day ..He was eager to sing more and the people like me never want to get up and leave.

One Step Forward .....

2006-12-06T05:52:00.000-08:00

With my first marathon done i got to practice for the coming Mumbai marathon as said .From today onwards increased my distance to 10kms from the previous 5 kms i was doing .But that was along with the 2 kms swimming i was doing .But then the long run practice was a must ..... and so started with the extra mile to be added ...........

But it was quite tough as i started slow and completed the 10km sucessfully was completely tired by the time i was in my room .But then it has to be done to complete the half marathon at Mumbai .......... yes and i am sure will make it .......

54th Sawai Gandharva Music Festival 2006

2006-12-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

Was egarly waiting for this years Sawai Gandharva Festival to attend it and the day came on 8th of December 2006.Actually the festival started on the 7th but could not attend it on the first day.
My liking for classical music has been ramping up over the period of time though i admit that i cannot sing or play any instrument but like to listen .

So this year it was decided that me,rohit,abhay and nd would be attending the concert and i took the repsonsibility of the tickets .The baithak tickets were taken and so began the excitment to attend the concert .

This years artists :-

Details:

54th SAWAAI GANDHARVA SANGEET MAHOTSAV, PUNE.

7th December 2006 - 10th December 2006:
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Venue: New English School, Ramanbaug, Pune


Performing Artists:

SHAILESH BHAGWAT, SHENAI

SARANGI JUGALBANDI - DILSHAD KHAN & SABRI KHAN

FLUTE - RAKESH CHAURASIA

SATAR - MANJU MEHTA

VOCAL -
SHASHVATI MANDAL, KAMLAKAR NAIK, KAUSHIKI CHAKRAVARTI, HEMA UPASANI, RAHUL

DESPANDE, ANANT TERDAL

DANCE - DIPAK MAHARAJ

OTHERS:
USTAD AMJAD ALI KHAN, PANDIT SHIVKUMAR SHARMA, PANDIT DEBU CHAUDHARI,
USTAD RASHID KHAN, MALINI RAJURKAR, PANDIT JASRAJ, ASHA KHADILKAR, SHUBHA

MUDGAL, PARMESHWAR HEGDE, MADHAV GUDI, HEMANT PENDSE, PANDMA DESHPANDE,
MEENA PHATARPEKAR.

SAMAROP: VOCAL : DR. PRABHA ATRE.

Pune Marathon................

2006-11-28T09:20:00.000-08:00

The Pune Marathon is being held for the last 20 years and always wanted to be a part of it.So it was this decided that i will take part this year for sure .As decided started practicing for 4.5 kms run every day at the campus .....
This was in addition to the 2 km swimming i do everyday at the IIT pool.Intially it was difficult but eventually was able to make it ..
The Pune marathon was held on the 26th of Nov .I took part in the AIDS Charity Run which was of 4.5 kms cause was not sure if could make the 10km .Since this was my first marathon.
Started the race with lots of hoppala going around the deccan area where many enthu junta had come .
Lot many stars were around the place and and junta was too busy waving to them but i was focused to complete the run .

The run started from the Deccan chowk,Lakadi Bridge,Laxmi road, via vishrambaug wada ,end of bajirao road,making a turn from the back of Peshawe Park and then around Saraus Baug and ended at the Nehru Stadium.

Though its was just 4.5km junta may think but running in the heat with the sweat is really difficult but finally made it in time of 22mins.Though slow relatively but made it running the ACR completely .hurrrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayuyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.

The next i will be trying for the half marathon at the Mumbai Marathon which is to held in the second week of January.I am trying to go there for running the 21 kms in the heat and humidity of Mumbai.

My sessions for the same have started with a initial run of 5km and then 2 km swim which really makes me tired but then 21kms is far away and i have to make it at the Mumbai Marathon.

Cricket Match

2006-10-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

The last time i played for my college was at the Kaware Engineering Trophy back in 2001 .After that i played cricket but then it was just usual cricket with the tennis ball.And completely out of touch with complete gear cricket as you may call .
Just a couple of weeks back a few of us came up with the idea of playing a match between the Senior Players who repserented the college at the Inter-College Matches with the present team of the college .The Venue Anna Saheb Magar Statium ,Pimpri where quite a few presvious MCA matches are held.The offical time decided was 2nd October 2006 10:00 AM but it being Dassera the junta was late and the match started a bit late at around 12:00.
My mom scolded for running away to play cricket on such a day but then nothing could resist me not to go and play again .
So we all assembeled after a gap of almost 4 years together with the team spirit in the same high when we last played .

The team.Left to Right (Standing:Sandeep,Vikram,Kiran,Jeevan,Chetan,Amit,Shardul,Sagar.Sitting:-Paresh and Parag,Ritish-missing)

We lost the toss and the seniors were put into field .In 35 overs the present team managed a score of 117/All out .With some good bowling from Jeevan,Sandeep and Vikram.

We were put into bat then and intially lost the wicket of our opener Amit Dhaiwal the star for a DUCK .I stepped in one down and after some steady play with Paresh we made a good scoring around the field .But then some misunderstanding between me and Sagar and i was run out .........

Parag played steadly but he too got out after when we needed just SIX runs to win and we eventually lost the match .

But more than losing the match getting all together after a gap of almost 4-5 years was the most important thing and then playing it in the best of spirits .

A really good day as it was being DASSERA when the present team beat the Invincilble Team of 2002 .

The SCORES in Detail :-

DYPCOE Present Team

YASH(RHB) ----------- -----CAUGHT BEHIND --------------------- 01
JUNAID(LHB) --------------BOLD ---------------------------------- 06
PRASHANT(RHB) --------- LBW ----------------------------------- 10
VISHAL (RHB) ------------- CAUGHT -------------------------------- 29
RAHUL(RHB) -------------- RUN OUT ------------------------------ 00
SIDDHARTH (RHB) ------- CAUGHT -------------------------------- 13
MRIDUL(LHB) ------------- CAUGHT ------------------------------- 08
PIYUSH (RHB) --------------LBW ----------------------------------- 07
KAPIL(RHB) -----------------CAUGHT ------------------------------- 05
ABHIJEET(RHB) ---------- - NOT OUT ------------------------------ 01

EXTRAS :- 38

TOTAL : 117/ ALL OUT IN 26 OVERS

DYPCOE SENIORS

AMIT(RHB) ------------------ CAUGHT BEHIND ------------------- 00
PAREHS(RHB) --------------- CAUGHT ---------------------------- 08
CHETAN(LHB) --------------- RUN OUT --------------------------- 11
SAGAR (RHB) ---------------- CAUGHT --------------------------- 06
SHARDUL(RHB) ------------- BOWLED ---------------------------- 00
JEEVAN(RHB) --------------- CAUGHT ---------------------------- 14
PARAG(RHB) ---------------- RUN OUT --------------------------- 18
VIKRAM (RHB) -------------- STUMPED -------------------------- 08
KIRAN(RHB) ------------------- BOLD ------------------------------- 04
RITISH(RHB) ------------------- NOT OUT ------------------------- 05
SANDEEP(RHB) ----------------- DNB

EXTRAS:- 38

TOTAL : 112/ALL OUT IN 28.6 OVERS

FINAL SCORE : THE PRESENT TEAM WINS BY 6 RUNS

Deep Purple – Introduction

2006-05-02T22:33:00.000-07:00

Deep Purple is the name of a British rock group, and is also the name of a song composed by Peter De Rose, from which the band borrowed its name. They are one of the first and most famous hard rock bands. They are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though have never considered themselves a heavy metal band.

Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Ian Gillan, Don Airey, Steve Morse during their North America Tour in 2004

One of my favourite bands that I like to listen all the time .Can listen to them any time any where .I got the opportunity to go for the live show at Calgary ,Canada in September 2004 during their North America tour .
I had a gr8 time then during the live performance at the show by what they call the GOD of HEAVY METAL .........

Pre-History
The band Episode Six released several singles in the UK during the mid-sixties. It featured Ian Gillan on vocals, Graham Dimmock on guitar, Roger Glover on bass, Tony Lander on guitar, Sheila Carter on keyboards, and Harvey Shields on the drums. Despite extensive touring, they never had their big break.

In 1967, a band called The Flowerpot Men and their Garden was formed, formerly known as The Ivy League. It was concentrated on a trio of singers. The new name was clearly derived from the children's show The Flowerpot Men, with the obvious psychedelic-era puns on flower power and "pot". The band's most popular song was "Let's Go To San Francisco." Some listeners assumed that the song was a parody of Scott McKenzie's "If You're Going to San Francisco," but the band has denied this. It featured Tony Burrows, Neil Landon, Robin Shaw, and Pete Nelson on vocals, Ged Peck on guitar, Nick Simper on bass, Jon Lord on organ, and Carlo Little on drums. Jon Lord had formerly played in The Artwoods, Nick Simper had been with Screaming Lord Sutch's The Savages, where he also played with guitarist Ritchie Blackmore.

The Dawn of Purple

In 1967, former Searchers drummer Chris Curtis contacted London businessman Tony Edwards in the hope that he would manage a new group he was putting together. Curtis’ idea was that the members of the group would get on and off a musical roundabout, and suitably impressed, Edwards agreed to finance the venture with a couple of business partners, John Coletta and Ron Hire (Hire-Edwards-Coletta – HEC Enterprises).

Curtis then set about building up the group, to be known as Roundabout. His first encounter was with Hammond organ player Jon Lord, then he persuaded session guitarist Ritchie Blackmore to return from Hamburg, Germany, to audition for the new group. Curtis himself, however, soon dropped out, but HEC Enterprises, as well as Lord and Blackmore, were keen that the project should continue, so firstly bassist Nick Simper, then finally vocalist Rod Evans and drummer Ian Paice (both of whom were from the group The Maze), were recruited. After their first few gigs on a brief tour of Denmark in the spring of 1968, the band agreed on a new name suggested by Ritchie – Deep Purple.

In October 1968, the group had tremendous success in the US (but not the UK) with a cover of Joe South's "Hush," taken from their debut album Shades of Deep Purple, and they were duly booked to support Cream on their Goodbye tour. However they were soon kicked off the tour, allegedly because they were upstaging the headlining act! In 1969, two more albums followed: The Book of Taliesyn and Deep Purple, the latter of which contained a symphony orchestra on some tracks. After these three albums and extensive touring in the States, Rod Evans and Nick Simper were unceremoniously sacked, and replaced by vocalist Ian Gillan and bassist Roger Glover both ex-Episode Six. This would create the quintessential Deep Purple "Mark 2" lineup. Initially, this version of the band released a single probably influenced by the then-popular stage musical "Hair", a cover of a Greenaway-Cook tune titled "Hallelujah", which flopped, and then the Concerto for Group and Orchestra, a three-part movement written by Lord and performed at the Royal Albert Hall with the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Arnold. Together with Five Bridges by The Nice, it was one of the first collaborations between a rock band and an orchestra, although at the time, certain members of Purple were less than happy at the group being tagged as "a group who played with orchestras" when actually what they had in mind was to develop the band into a much tighter, hard-rocking style.

Deep Purple - The Legends ...

2006-04-30T22:58:00.000-07:00

Ian Gillan (born Hounslow, Middlesex, August 19, 1945)

Ian joined Deep Purple from Episode Six in 1969. His first Purple album appearance was on ‘Concerto for Group and Orchestra’ but Gillan made his greatest vocal impact on ‘In Rock’, ‘Fireball’ and ‘Machine Head’. The band’s most famous anthem ‘Smoke On The Water’ emphasises his ability to deliver a lyric with smouldering intensity and rock’n’roll exuberance.Gillan led his own band during the late Seventies before rejoining Deep Purple for ‘Perfect Strangers’ in 1984. In 1989 he toured as Garth Rockett before releasing further solo albums including ‘Naked Thunder’ (1990), ‘Toolbox’ (1991) and Dreamcatcher (1998). Ian is presently working on several projects, both as a writer and vocalist, with a book under construction and a new solo album taking shape.

Roger Glover (born Brecon, Wales, November 30 1945)

The bass player and composer, joined Deep Purple from Episode Six in 1969, then left to become head of A&R at Purple Records. He wrote the ‘The Butterfly Ball’ (1974) concept album which yielded the hit song ‘Love is All’ sung by Ronnie James Dio. He worked as a producer with such bands as Nazareth and Status Quo, as well as working with Ian Gillan on their album ‘Accidentally On Purpose’ (1988). Roger played with Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow (1979-1984) before returning to Deep Purple in 1984. "The last eight years have been especially enjoyable. It is such a joy to be in the band now. After Steve joined it reawakened in me that feeling of why I was in the band in the first place. It’s like a great big adventure. That’s the way it was in the beginning and then, of course, politics and personalities, success and money get in the way of the fun. For a while it became a job or a bore. The last eight years have been the exact opposite. It’s back to the fun it was in the first place, which is a wonderful thing!”

Ian Paice (born June 29, 1948)

Deep Purple’s drummer since he joined the band (age 19) in 1968. Armed with a dazzlingly fast technique, Ian has also worked with Paice, Ashton & Lord, Gary Moore and Whitesnake.A recent highlight was guesting on Sir Paul McCartney’s ‘Run Devil Run’ (1999) rock’n’roll album. Steve Morse says about Ian Paice: “He’s like a real heavy Ringo. He’s just so good on the drums, but doesn’t want to make a big deal about it.”

Deep Purple - Studio albums

2006-04-30T22:53:00.000-07:00

Mk I

o Shades of Deep Purple, September 1968 #24 US
o The Book of Taliesyn, December 1968 #54 US
o Deep Purple, November 1969 #162 US

• Mk II
o Deep Purple in Rock, June 1970 #4 UK, #143 US
o Fireball, September 1971 #1 UK, #32 US
o Machine Head, March 1972 #1 UK, #7 US
o Who Do We Think We Are, February 1973 #4 UK, #15 US

• Mk III
o Burn, February 1974 #3 UK, #9 US
o Stormbringer, December 1974 #6 UK, #20 US

• Mk IV
o Come Taste the Band, October 1975 #19 UK, #43 US
• Mk II, reunited
o Perfect Strangers, November 1984 #5 UK, #17 US
o The House of Blue Light, January 1987 #10 UK, #34 US

• Mk V
o Slaves & Masters, October 1990 # 45 UK, #87 US

• Mk II, again reunited
o The Battle Rages On, July 1993 #21 UK, #192 US

• Mk VII
o Purpendicular, February 1996
o Abandon, May 1998

• Mk VIII
o Bananas, August 2003
o Rapture of the Deep, October 2005

Live albums

• Mk I
o Live in Inglewood, 1968 (released 2004)

• Mk II
o Concerto for Group and Orchestra, 1969
o Kneel & Pray, 1969 (released 2004)
o Gemini Suite Live, 1970 (released 1998)
o Scandinavian Nights, 1970 (released 1988)
o Space Vol 1 & 2 , 1970 (released 2004)
o Made in Japan 1972, #16 UK, #6 US
o Deep Purple In Concert, 1970-1972 (released 1980) #30 UK
o Denmark 1972, 1972 (released 2004)

• Mk III
o Made in Europe, 1975, #12 UK, #148 US
o Live in London, 1974 (released 1982), #23 UK
o Just Might Take Your Life , 1974 (released 1996 2004)
o Perks And Tit, 1974 (released 2004)
o Mk III: The Final Concerts, 1975 (released 1996)

• Mk IV
o Last Concert in Japan, 1976
o King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents: Deep Purple in Concert(=On the Wings of a Russian Foxbat) = , 1975 (released 1995)
o This Time Around: Live in Tokyo, 1975 (released 2001)

• Mk II, reunited
o Nobody's Perfect, 1987 (released 1988) #38 UK, #105 US
o In The Absence of Pink: Knebworth 85, 1985 (released 1991)
o Come Hell or High Water, 1993, (released 1994)
o Live In Europe 1993, 1993 (4-CD box set - due for release March 2006)

• Mk VII
o Live at the Olympia '96, 1996 (released 1997)
o Total Abandon: Live in Australia, 1999
o In Concert with the London Symphony Orchestra, 1999
o Live At The Rotterdam Ahoy, 2000
o The Soundboard Series, 2001

Compilation Albums
• Purple Passages, September 1972; # 57 US
• 24 Carat Purple, July 1975; #14 UK
• The Mark II Purple Singles, April 1979; #24 UK
• When We Rock, We Rock, and When We Roll, We Roll, 1978
• Deepest Purple: The Very Best of Deep Purple, July 1980; #1 UK, #148 US
• The Anthology, June 1985; # 50 UK
• 30: Very Best of Deep Purple, October 1998; #39 UK
• Listen, Learn, Read On, October 29, 2002 (6 disc box set)
• Winning Combinations: Deep Purple and Rainbow, 2003
• Deep Purple: The Platinum Collection, 2005

Hit singles
• 1968 "Hush" #4 US
• 1968 "Kentucky Woman" #38 US
• 1969 "River Deep - Mountain High" # 53 US
• 1970 "Black Night" #2 UK, # 66 US
• 1971 "Strange Kind of Woman" #8 UK
• 1971 "Fireball" #15 UK
• 1972 "Never Before" #35 UK
• 1973 "Smoke on the Water" #21 UK (1977 release), # 4 US
• 1973 "Woman From Tokyo" # 60 US
• 1974 "Might Just Take Your Life" # 91 US
• 1977 "New Live and Rare EP" #31 UK (including an unheard live version of Black Night)
• 1978 "New Live and Rare EP II" # 45 UK
• 1980 "Black Night" (reissue) # 43 UK
• 1980 "New Live and Rare EP III" # 48 UK (including Smoke on the Water)
• 1985 "Knocking at Your Back Door" # 61 US
• 1985 "Perfect Strangers" # 48 UK
• 1985 "Knocking at Your Back Door / Perfect Strangers" # 68 UK
• 1988 "Hush" (re-recording) # 62 UK
• 1990 "King Of Dreams" # 70 UK
• 1991 "Love Conquers All" # 57 UK
• 1995 "Black Night" (reissue) # 66 UK (remastered CD single)

Deep Purple - Personnel and discography

2006-04-30T22:51:00.000-07:00

Deep Purple personnel
Mk I
(1968-1969)
• Rod Evans - vocals
• Ritchie Blackmore - guitar
• Jon Lord - keyboards
• Nick Simper - bass guitar
• Ian Paice - drums
Mk II
(1969-1973)
• Ian Gillan - vocals
• Ritchie Blackmore - guitar
• Jon Lord - keyboards
• Roger Glover - bass guitar
• Ian Paice - drums
Mk III
(1973-1975)
• David Coverdale - vocals
• Ritchie Blackmore - guitar
• Jon Lord - keyboards
• Glenn Hughes - bass guitar,vocals
• Ian Paice - drums
Mk IV
(1975-1976)
• David Coverdale - vocals
• Tommy Bolin - guitar
• Jon Lord - keyboards
• Glenn Hughes - bass guitar,vocals
• Ian Paice - drums
(1976-1984) Band split.
Mk IIa, reunited
(1984-1989)
• Ian Gillan - vocals
• Ritchie Blackmore - guitar
• Jon Lord - keyboards
• Roger Glover - bass guitar
• Ian Paice - drums
Mk V
(1989-1991)
• Joe Lynn Turner - vocals
• Ritchie Blackmore - guitar
• Jon Lord - keyboards
• Roger Glover - bass guitar
• Ian Paice - drums
Mk IIb, again reunited
(1992-1994)
• Ian Gillan - vocals
• Ritchie Blackmore - guitar
• Jon Lord - keyboards
• Roger Glover - bass guitar
• Ian Paice - drums
Mk VI
(1994)
• Ian Gillan - vocals
• Joe Satriani - guitar
• Jon Lord - keyboards
• Roger Glover - bass guitar
• Ian Paice - drums
Mk VII
(1994-2002)
• Ian Gillan - vocals
• Steve Morse - guitar
• Jon Lord - keyboards
• Roger Glover - bass guitar
• Ian Paice - drums
Mk VIII
(2002-present)
• Ian Gillan - vocals
• Steve Morse - guitar
• Don Airey - keyboards
• Roger Glover - bass guitar
• Ian Paice - drums

The various line-ups in the history of Deep Purple are referred to by fans and the band themselves by "Mark" numbers (abbreviated as Mk I, Mk II, etc.) The "gap" in the numbering, Mk VI, refers to the series of concerts performed with Joe Satriani on guitar, when Ritchie Blackmore quit the band halfway through the tour in 1994. This is the only lineup for which no official recordings have yet been released.

Deep Purple – Revival

2006-04-30T22:50:00.000-07:00

Steve Morse’s arrival thoroughly revitalised the band as he is cited one the best and most accomplished modern guitarists. In 1996 the band released the critically acclaimed Purpendicular, which brimmed with confidence and new ideas. Deep Purple enjoyed success throughout the rest of the 1990s, releasing the harder-sounding Abandon in 1998, and touring with renewed relish, playing a setlist which was probably more adventurous and eclectic than ever before. In 1999, Jon Lord, with the help of a fan who was also a musicologist and composer, painstakingly recreated the Concerto for Group and Orchestra, and it was once again performed at the Royal Albert Hall in September 1999, this time with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Paul Mann. The concert also featured songs from each member’s solo careers, as well as a short Deep Purple set, and the occasion was commemorated on the 2000 album In Concert with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Much of the next few years was spent on the road via constant touring. The group continued forward until 2002, when venerable founding member Jon Lord (who, along with Ian Paice, was the only member to be in all incarnations of the band) announced his amicable retirement from the band to pursue personal projects (especially orchestral work). Rock keyboard veteran Don Airey (Rainbow/Whitesnake, etc.), who had helped Purple out when Lord was injured in 2001, joined the band. In 2003, Deep Purple released their first studio album in five years, the highly praised (but controversially titled) Bananas, and began touring in support of the album immediately. In October of 2005, the band's 37th year, Purple released Rapture of the Deep, which, although recorded in just a few weeks, proved to be the most progressive and adventurous album for many years, and it is being followed by yet another extensive world tour.

Deep Purple and Heavy Metal

Despite their association with the sub-genre, Deep Purple have never been a heavy metal band, though many later heavy metal bands cite their influence. The group has frequently changed styles and line-ups over the years, but has always included virtuoso players in its ranks and placed a high priority on musicianship. Some incarnations of Deep Purple have brought aspects of jazz and classical influences to a rock context due to their frequent use of their songs as vehicles for extended and sophisticated solos.

Today, Deep Purple steadfastly carries on in the studio and around the globe as one of history's most prolific, longest-lived, and hardest touring rock 'n roll bands.

Deep Purple – The Reunions

2006-04-30T22:49:00.000-07:00

In 1980, Rod Evans, along with a group of unknown musicians, toured under the banner of Deep Purple. As the only original member, and one little known to most fans, this band was instantly derided by press and fans as a fraud. The lineup performed concerts in Mexico and the USA before legal action was taken to deny them the use of the name. In retrospect, however tenuous the connection this band had to the name "Deep Purple", at least it kept the name alive and in the media, albeit briefly. More information on this "fake" Deep Purple is available here and here.

However, in April 1984, eight years after the demise of Deep Purple, a full-scale (and legal) reunion happened. It was announced on BBC radio's The Friday Rock Show that the "classic" early 70s line-up of Blackmore, Gillan, Glover, Lord, and Paice was reforming and recording new material. The band signed a deal with Polydor in Europe and Mercury in North America. The album Perfect Strangers was released in October 1984 and the tour followed, starting in Australia and winding its way across the world into Europe by the following summer. It was a tremendous success. The UK homecoming proved mixed as they elected to play just a single festival show at Knebworth (with main support from The Scorpions). The weather was famously bad but 80,000 turned up anyway.

The line-up recorded and toured The House of Blue Light in 1987 though to lower sales, a live album Nobody's Perfect (1988) was culled from several shows on this tour. While in the UK a new version of "Hush" was released to mark 20 years of the band. In 1989, Ian Gillan was fired from the band, as his relations with Blackmore soured. His replacement was former Rainbow vocalist Joe Lynn Turner. This line up recorded just one album, Slaves & Masters (1990), and toured in support of it. Despite the renewed excellence of the band during this period, many fans were not pleased with Turner, preferring Gillan.

With the tour done, Turner was forced to go as Lord, Paice, Glover, and the record company wanted Gillan back in the fold. Blackmore relented and the classic line-up recorded The Battle Rages On in 1993. During an artistically successful European tour during the fall of 1993, tensions between Gillan and Blackmore came to a head yet again. Blackmore walked out in November 1993, never to return and leaving the band in a fix. Joe Satriani was drafted in, so the live dates (in Japan) in December could be completed. Satriani stayed on for a European Summer tour in 1994, Satriani was asked to stay permanently although his record contract commitments prevented this. The band unanimously chose Dixie Dregs guitarist Steve Morse to become Blackmore's permanent successor.

Deep Purple – Top of the World

2006-04-30T22:48:00.000-07:00

Shortly after the orchestral release, the band began a hectic touring and recording schedule that was to see little respite for the next three years. Their first LP release, in mid-1970, went straight for the jugular in with Deep Purple in Rock and a UK Top Ten single followed with Black Night. A second album, Fireball, was issued in 1971, and the band also scored another chart hit with Strange Kind Of Woman. Together with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, Purple were laying the groundwork for what is now called heavy metal music, although at the time, the phrase was still to be coined.

During 1972, Deep Purple continued to tour and record at a rate that would be rare thirty years on, releasing Machine Head, an album that was due to be recorded at a casino in Montreux, using the Rolling Stones' mobile recording truck, but after an arson attack during a Frank Zappa gig at the very same casino was actually recorded at a nearby hotel -- this incident famously inspiring the song Smoke on the Water. This album was followed a few months later by a live release, Made in Japan mostly recorded at two gigs in Osaka, which is today still one of rock music's most popular live concert recordings (although at the time it was perhaps seen as less important, as only two band members turned up to mix it).

The classic Purple Mk 2 line-up continued to work and record into 1973, releasing the album Who Do We Think We Are (1973), featuring the hit single Woman from Tokyo, but tensions within the band were more noticeable than ever. The bad feeling culminated in Ian Gillan quitting the band after another European tour, and Roger Glover being pushed out with him. Their replacements were an unknown singer from northern England, David Coverdale, and bassist Glenn Hughes, formerly of Trapeze. This new line-up continued into 1974 with the heavy blues/rock album Burn, another highly successful release. Hughes and Coverdale added a funky R&B/soul element to the band's music, a sound that was even more apparent on the 1974 release Stormbringer. Blackmore was not happy with the results, and as a result left the band in 1975 to form his own band Rainbow.

With Blackmore's departure, Deep Purple was left to fill one of the biggest vacancies in rock music. The gap was filled by American Tommy Bolin who had established himself with acts such as Zephyr, James Gang and Billy Cobham, with whom Bolin made his mark on the jazz fusion Spectrum album. On the face of it Bolin was just what the doctor ordered. The subsequent album, however, 1975's Come Taste the Band, proved unpopular with die-hard fans and failed to attract any new ones, perhaps since it was a radical departure from the expected Deep Purple sound. Bolin himself turned out not to be ready for the daunting job of filling Blackmore's shoes, suffering hostility from some crowds while turning in erratic performances varying from scintillating to mundane. Bolin also had a heroin habit, which made matters all the worse. After a particularly traumatic tour to promote Come Taste the Band, the band broke up. Bolin later died of a heroin overdose in Miami while on tour supporting Jeff Beck.

Subsequently, most of the past members of Deep Purple would go on to have considerable success in a number of other bands, including Rainbow, Whitesnake and Gillan, while there were a number of promoter-led attempts to get the band to reform, especially with the revival of the hard rock market in the late 70s/early 80s.

Cycling Around the City ......

2006-04-01T08:38:00.000-08:00

These days one of the activities has been going around on my new bycycle around the city .Its of the funfilled activity i have been doing recently ..

Just put on the apperals ,the helmet ,watch and here i go to roam on my BMW as i call her to roam and race with the scooters and moped at cruzing speed realtive to the cycle .

Now about my BMW.She is sleek with metallic blue colour,had 18 gears which can take me almost any where ,light frame a Hero DTB.

Till now i have been to the following long routes from my palce around the city --

Aundh - 20kms (10kms one way)
Deccan - 26 kms ( 13 kms one way )
Pune Camp - 48kms ( 24 kms one way)
Honeywell ,Hadapsar - 56 kms( 28kms one way ) thats my office .....

these are the long rides i have done from my home in the last couple of months and still to explore a lot lot more around .

Apart from this around my place i go aroud on my bike only almost everyday in the mornings or late evening after the traffice goes down.

Smooth As Silk: Mark Waugh

2006-03-23T07:56:00.000-08:00

I have been a diehard Aussie fan since i have known cricket .And of them I admired Allan Border the Aussie gr8 first of all cause he is a genuine left hander like me and the other the capataincy he did for Australia in the mid eightes and early ninties . It all beacuse Border took the team to the winning streak in the Reliance World Cup that they have not come down a bit ..... of that till today .

And my all time favourite Mark Waugh .I have been his fan from the time he made his debut against England .Now its almsot 3 years that he has retired but still remains my alltime favourite player ........................

Mark Edward Waugh AM (born June 2, 1965 in Sydney) an Australian cricketer. Mark Waugh was a key figure in the powerful batting line-up of the Australian Test cricket team from 1991 to 2002, along with his twin brother, Steve Waugh. He was also a mainstay in the Australian ODI team, starting out as an all-rounder but he later progressed to opening the batting, where he excelled and became Australia's leading one day runscorer. Mark was one of the most elegant and gifted strokemakers to ever play the game. He was a handy medium pace, who changed to an off-spin bowler after back injuries caught up, he is regarded as one of the best slips fielders ever to play cricket, and holds the world record for most Test catches by a non-wicketkeeper. He is well-known for his general mastery of batting when facing spin bowling.

Career
Mark Waugh made his first class debut for New South Wales in the series of 1985/86. He made his name as an all-rounder at state level, but was overlooked for the Australian team early in his career in favour of his twin brother. In the late 1980s, the call for Mark to be selected for higher honours grew louder and he was named the Sheffield Shield player of the year twice, with an outstanding batting average of well over 50. He finally made his Test match debut for Australia against England in the fourth match of the series of 1990/91 at the Adelaide Oval. Ironically, his selection for this game was at the expense of his twin brother Steve, who had been a fixture in the side for years, but was suffering from a lack of form. Waugh marked his debut in style, scoring 138 in his first innings.Throughout the early years of his career, Mark was haunted by accusations that he was a "lazy" batsman, too apt to throw his wicket away. The "lazy" tag followed him for his whole career, despite many gritty, defiant innings that suggested otherwise. This perceived laziness was emphasized when compared to his twin brother Steve, a player renowned for his grit and determination, and his reputation of being one of the toughest batsmen to dismiss in world cricket. Over the next 11 years, Mark experienced the ups and downs of international cricket, his lowest moments being a run of four consecutive ducks against Sri Lanka in 1992/93 and the controversy of his being fined for accepting money from a bookmaker for pitch and weather information in 1994, that was made public four years later in 1998. Just a few of the many highlights of his international career were his 126 in the West Indies in 1995 to seal the Frank Worrell Trophy, scoring three centuries in the One Day International World Cup of 1996, and his highest Test score of 153 not out, scored in India in 1998, remarkable because he was suffering from nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting spells whilst batting.
He once famously lofted a ball bowled by left-arm finger spinner Daniel Vettori well into the stands, having historians searching for a bigger hit. He has been known for making comments against spinners. He called English spinner Phil Tufnell a "pretty weak fellow" and described his famous dismissal on 99 during the 1993 Lord's Test by Tufnell as "terrible bowling" and "a very negative piece of cricket". He retired from international cricket on October 28, 2002.

Mark Waugh was Australia's highest run-scorer in One Day International cricket, after breaking Allan Border's record in 1999, until it was broken in December 2005 by Ricky Ponting. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest One Day International openers of all time, having averaged over 45 in that position.

Mark Waugh retired from international cricket in 2002 after being dropped for the upcoming Test series against England. He retired as the world record holder for most Test catches, with 181. He had scored 8029 Test runs at an average of 41.81 and taken 59 Test wickets at an average of 41.16. In the one-day arena, he compiled 8500 runs at an average of 39.35 and took 85 wickets at an average of 34.56.

After Retirement
In 2005 Waugh was Acknowledged for his services to cricket when he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). He now works as a sports journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald

He married for the first time on April 9, 2005 to harness racing driver and trainer Kim Moore.

Statistics :-

Batting style Right-handed batsman (RHB)
Bowling type Right-arm Off Break (OB)

Tests ODIs
Matches 128 244

Runs scored 8029 8500

Batting average 41.81 39.35

100s/50s 20/47 18/50

Top score 153* 173

Overs bowled 808.5 614.3

Wickets 59 85

Bowling average 41.16 34.56

5 wickets in innings 1 1

10 wickets in match 0 N/A

Best bowling 5-40 5-24

Catches/stumpings 181/0 108/0

Delhi ki Shaddi

2006-02-03T07:16:00.000-08:00

Yesterday had been to the mariage of one of my office colleague in Delhi . Had heard a lot about marriages of delhi which are big and lavish so was very much excited to go there and see the whole procession . And so did not wanted to miss it

We all of the team members left at around 8pm and reached NOIDA the palce where the marriage was to be held it was almost a drive of 11/2 hrs from our place . When we reached the proecession had already started and so we joined to dance along with the procession . All of us were dancing like anything and for the next 1 hour i danced like never before . The whole procession party was in full mood and it was gr8 dancing to the local marriage songs and the tunes .

The procession then entered the marriage open ground where there were stalls for all the north India cuzine .

There were chats,fruit chats ,dhalhi bhalle ,pani puri ,and n number of other items which i could not taste them all but my taste buds were tickled by many of them

Tasted all the items i could .Just a few days back i was complaning about not having tasted any of the delhi speciality cuzine and now i was here with each and everything avalilable in hte Northern part of India .

The marraige was excellent and we saw the traditional North Indian families dancing to the tunes in the madap during the marriage taking place .

Very different from how the marriages happen the Maharashtrian culture .

It always nice to go to such functions and i enjoy it a lot where we see very differnet traditions from which we are used to all the time .

In all had a very gr8 time and enjoyed a lot .

Especially my mother was very very happy since i danced for the first time ever and enjoyed .

Thats what she tells me all the time that i should enjoy and see the new things where ever i go but most of the time i am against it .

But this time i enjoyed it to the fullest .................................

The taste of Chat at Delhi

2006-02-01T06:47:00.000-08:00

At last yesterday happen to taste the chat of delhi for which it is famous for as they say
Had been advised by many foodies to eat this and that all the time when in delhi
Yesterday got chance to pounce on the action
Had the taste of Pani Puri ( they call it Gol Gappe ), Aloo Tikki with spicy curd ,and Dhahi wada (Bhalla Papadi)
And it was really tasty .
i was having pani puri on the road side nearly after 7-8 years .
so since being out of practice for such a long time
the first one I gulped down brought tears to my ears as it was really hot and spicy
but the taste was really really good and tickled my taste buds .
and even my myth was cleared that Pani Puri has paneer in it .
The Aloo Tikki and Bhalla papadi were really gr8
To say after the Delhi Metro the best thing i liked about delhi ..............
Have now made a point to visit the place for this stuff often hmmmmmmmmmmmm yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmy
Still lot of new things to taste and eat but as and when time comes ..................surely will have it .

My Life in Delhi

2006-01-30T06:13:00.000-08:00

Its now been alomost 2 weeks i am in Delhi
getting used the place but not quite liking it

As per me still Pune stands the best places to be on the whole earth

Though there are many good points about delhi but then still nothing to beat Pune.

The Delhi Metro in Delhi is one of the best Transportation systems i have ever seens
very clean and the ease to go around the place

Though i have not used the Local bus DST and I am sure they are better than the PMT
in pune whom punekars curse all the time but still travel by it including myself .

The palces are clean but the people are areally bad and shabby .That is the worst part of it
They eat on the road side dhabas and litter every where

Though that is seen in Pune too ,here its too bad out .

At Pune one feels very homely probably since i have been there since birth thats makes a soft corner for Pune .

But then still Pune and the whole of the Maharashtra is far more better that this

For the last couple of years i have been to few of the states in India and even then nothing to beat Maharastra and Pune for sure .

Going around Delhi would be fun but not getting time.Will surely make it a point to go around the famous places.

The cold has gone now lets see how the temperature works out now .

Till then enjoying Delhi ..............................

Paneer Paneer and ............. Paneer

2006-01-28T06:41:00.000-08:00

Its often a thing in places like Pune that when you got for dinner where one minimum dish ordered is of paneer .People like it a lot as they say
Hardly any time we make paneer at home .Hardly my mother has made matar paneer at home
but then over here Paneer is like the staple food .everthing has a touch of paneer ppl eat it day and night
and that brings one to nausea of paneer me being one of the victim of that
Gujarat had been one of the best palces for food and i enjoyed it a lot over there though there was lot of ghee and oil in the food and my less oil diet made to eat less out there but i enjoyed it no problem of food in that part of the world
Then Madhaya Pradesh and Chattisgarh we the other places i have been to .MP is a good palce and specially Indore for food there is lots of chat and spicy things available at the Chappan dukan I tasted some of them and liked them a lot
I have heard from lot many of my friends that delhi is good for chats and spicy snacks
I have still to tasted them still.
And then there is rajma ,chole etc which are made all the time
Have heard that the pani puri over here also has paneer stuffed in it .
cant dare to eat that still ............
so till now its ony paneer paneer and yes paneer ...........................

Matheran - Hill Station

2006-01-06T00:24:00.000-08:00

Matheran (which means "forest at the top") hill station at an altitude of 803,47 metres(2530 feet).Barely 171 kms from Mumbai, Matheran, discovered by Hugh Mallet, collector of Thane district, in 1850, has long been a refuge for humidity-stricken Mumbaikars (as the residents of the metropolis are known). Its 8 sq kms cover a hilltop in the Sahyadri Hills, and its proximity to Mumbai ensures its' continued popularity for weekend getaways. All motor vehicles are prohibited in Matheran, so the air is squeaky clean. However the only mode of transport, other than walking, is on horseback and hand-pulled rickshaws.

Getting There
By Rail
The rail journey to Matheran is half the fun of your trip. Neral, the nearest railhead (21 km), is connected to Mumbai, Pune and other parts of Maharashtra. From here, a special, narrow gauge "toy train" gets you up, puffing and wheezing all the way. Except during the monsoon season (June-September), there are several trains a day on the mountain railway. These take 2 hours to cover the climb to their destination. Stations on the way have names like Water pipe and there is also the famous One Kiss Tunnel.

By Road
State Transport buses regularly ply from Mumbai and Pune. A taxi from Neral to Matheran takes about half hour to reach. Taxis stop about 2.5 km from the centre of the hill station.
The more energetic trek it from Neral.

Best time to visit
October to May. Most hotels close during the monsoons, and the walking trails turn muddy.

Sight Seeing
Matheran has 38 points at which one can get a glimpse of nature's beauty. However to cover most of these points requires at least one night stay in Matheran. Point seeing in Matheran is quiet easy due to the presence of sign boards and map. Maps are also easily available in Matheran and can be used to plan your point seeing. Given below are few points which shouldn't miss.......

Points

Matheran has many "lookout points" that provide dramatic views of the Western Ghats and lush plains dotted with villages far below. These include Panorama Point (with the most spectacular views, it's a popular place to watch the sun rise), Monkey Point, Porcupine Point (popular for its' sunset view), Louisa Point (on a plateau with views of the ruined forts Prabal and Vishalgarh), Echo Point (which really does have an echo), Rambagh Point (2 kms from Matheran towards Khandala and Karjat), Alexander Point (one km to the north of Matheran), Hart Point, Coronation Point, Chowk Point (at the extreme southern end of Matheran), and the One Tree Hill.
Lake Charlotte
The main source of drinking water for the town, Lake Charlotte sports a dam at one end and temple at the other. A popular picnic spot, it looks splendid in the monsoon, but dries up in the summer. Near the dam is the main Hindu temple, the Pisarnath Mandir.
Mount Barry
One of the highest spots in Matheran, this has splendid views. Governor's Hill, another viewpoint, is between Mount Barry and Panorama Point.
Matheran is an undulating hilltop cloaked in shady trees, that sprawls languidly at an altitude of 800 m. The journey involves an adventurous two-hour ascent in a toy train, with food and drink vendors and monkeys jumping on and off as the valley glides by sedately. Alternatively, a tough 11 km hike through thick and shady forests or a winding car drive can get you there just as well. Matheran's cliffs, with incredibely steep drops to the plains below,create stunning viewing points. These panoramic vistas, by day or by night, leave you feeling light headed. On a clear night you can even see the lights of Mumbai from Hart Point. In fact, all of Matheran is a series of such quixotically named points that are popular if isolated site for picnics and fireside revelry at night. Charlotte Lake, the Panther's Caves and Paymaster Park are Leisure, especially for children.

Weather:
Temperatures vary from 16 C in winter to 32 C in summer, with an annual rainfall of 524 cms.
October to May is the best time to visit.
Getting there
Mumbai-Neral, 90 kms. Neral-Matheran, 21 kms, Pune-Neral, 120 kms. (Neral-Matheran mountain train)
Mumbai-Neral-Matheran, 108 kms.
State Transport buses ply from Mumbai and Pune to Neral.

Precaution
No special precaution is needed at Matheran, however beware of the leach's which are found in abundance in Matheran!.

The Sawai Gandharva Musical Festival

2005-12-07T06:37:00.000-08:00

One of the biggest Classical Music Festival in India .This year the programme will be held from the 8-12 Dec 2005 at the New English School,Ramanbaug,Pune

HISTORY OF THE FESTIVAL -

Sawai Gandharva passed away on 12 September 1952. A private memorial concert to pay homage to him was held on the sixteenth day after his death. Sawai Gandharva's principal disciples, Smt Gangubai Hangal, Pandit Feroz Dastur and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi performed in this memorial concert as a tribute to the late guru.

In 1953, to commemorate the first anniversary of Sawai Gandharva's death, his disciples organised a music festival in his memory under the auspices of the Arya Sangeet Prasarak Mandal. This was a notable success. It was then thought that such a festival could be organised every year. The idea evoked instant and wide welcome and support The Festival in 1954 was an even greater success. Within a couple of years, the Festival grew exponentially.

Thus began the famed Sawai Gandharva Music Festival which, by now, has become one of the best-known classical music events in the country, as also a hallmark of Pune city's annual cultural calendar.

In the initial years, the festival used to be a one-day event where only vocalists from the Kirana gharana used to perform. Before long, however, it became a much sought-after platform, for vocalists from other gharanas as well as instrumentalists and dancers--established masters as well as upcoming artists-- from all over the country. Similarly, the duration was first increased to two days and then to three days.

KIRANA GHARANA ( VOCAL)

2005-12-05T06:51:00.000-08:00

Gharana is a school or style of singing in Hindustani classical music. The ragas of Hindustani music have distinctive characteristics that change with gharanas and these may derive from the place of origin of a style, distinctive voices, the style of singing and the approach to music. These styles are then called gharanas.

Kirana Gharana is the most prolific of the Hindustani khayal gharanas.

The origin of Kirana Gharana is controversial. While some say Khan Sahab Abdul Karim Khan is the real founder of the gharana, others trace it back a few centuries to a line of musicinas from the village of Kirana in Uttar Pradesh. There are four known branches of this lineage of musicians. The first one has great musicians like Ustad Azim Baksh, Maula Baksh and Abdul Ghani Khan. The second branch boasts of names like Ustad Bande Ali Khan, Nanne Khan, Kale Khan and the legendary Ustad Abdul Karim Khan. The third branch has musians like Gafoor Khan, Abdul Wahid Khan, Shakoor Khan, Mashkoor Ali and Mubarak Ali. The distinguished family tradition of Mehboob Baksh, Rehman Khan, Abdul Majid Khan, Abdul Hamid Khan, Abdul Bashir Khan, followed by his sons Niaz Ahmed and Fayyaz Ahmed Khan, also express their allegiance to the Kirana tradition. Some argue that the Abdul Karim Khan's branch is the main one, others being the offshoots. In any case, the most well known and recognized branch of gharana is the one prmoted by Abdul Karim Khan. Abdul Wahid Khan also had a big influence, since a lot of the great masters of the gharana learnt under both Abdul Karim Khan and Abdul Wahid Khan.

The emphasis on elongating the notes and the importance to their resonance is a distinctive feature of this gharana. Khan Sahab Abdul Karim Khan (1872-1937) believed in the serene rendition of the notes as when playing the bin (a plucked instrument with resonators at both ends). Rehmet Khan of the Gwalior gharana is believed to have influenced Ustad Karim Khan's adoption of the direct style of presentation. Some have also indicated the influence of the sarangi (a string instrument) on the voice features of this gharana.

Kirana is the birth place of the Ustad, and situated near Kurukshetra. Ustad Karim Khan served as a musician at the Baroda and the Mysore courts and had a tremendous influence on the music of western India.

His own somewhat nasal voice led him to adopt the Carnatic style for singing the saptak (the seven notes). He preferred to sing in the slower tempo and stress the bol-alap through consonants because his own voice was not wholly suited to the lower register of notes. The aesthetic appeal was thus never marred and the continuity he desired was achieved. Other singers of the gharana, including his disciple Sawai Gandharva, used the upper register far more often than the lower. Some later singers, including Roshanara Begum and Bhimsen Joshi, sing almost equally in both octaves.

This factor has influenced the choice of ragas to those appropriate for the emphasis on the alap rather than the bandish. Karuna rasa (pathetic or sympathetic mood) is the foremost of the sentiments expressed through renditions that extend the notes gradually and use kanas (grace notes ) to fully express the raga. However, the lack of emphasis on voice projection and words led to a blurring of the lines as far as different ragas were concerned.

The emphasis on swara has led to a rather subtle tempo and rhythmic pattern, both factors allowing for the sentiment and mood to be highlighted. Due to this, the words of the bandish are not clearly enunciated and there are only a few in the Kirana gharana repertoire. Kirana includes thumri singing in its repertoire, but with the emphasis on swara rather than on emotion and an absence of the characteristic lilt of thumri singing.
Contemporary singers like Bhimsen Joshi cannot be said to sing in the pure Kirana style because of the diverse influences apparent in his singing. The swara orientation is not as strong and the tempo is no longer latent as is characteristic of the gharana. However, the emotional appeal of the pure Kirana style remains and so do the Kirana compositions.
Ragas traditionally performed by the gharana: Shuddha Kalyan, Darbari, Malkauns, Bhimpalasi, Todi, to name a few. Some ragas of Carnatic music - for example, Jogiya - are included in the repertoire.

Artists
Major artists in alphabetical order
• Ustad Abdul Karim Khan
• Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan
• Pt Basavraj Rajguru
• Pt Bhimsen Joshi
• Pt Firoz Dastur
• Smt Gangubai Hangal
• Smt Hirabai Barodekar
• Smt Krishna Hangal
• Pt Madhav Gudi
• Ustad Mashkoor Ali Khan
• Nachiketa Sharma
• Fayyaz Ahmed Khan and Niaz Ahmed Khan
• Smt Prabha Atre
• Pt Pran Nath
• Pt Rasiklal Andharia
• Smt Saraswati Rane
• Pt Sawai Gandharva
• Ustad Shakoor Khan (sarangi)
• Pt Sureshbabu Mane

About Sawai Gadharva

2005-12-04T06:47:00.000-08:00

An outstanding exponent of the Kirana gharana, Pandit Sawai Gandharva is by common consent counted among the greatest Hindustani vocalists of the twentieth century. He was a disciple of Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, the second in line after Ustad Bande Ali Khan, the founder of the Kirana gharana.

Rambhau Kundgolkar was born in Kundgol, Karnataka, in 1886. His odyssey in classical music began at a tender age, when he began learning dhrupad and dhamar from a local kirtankar. He was not yet in his teens when he started learning music in right earnest from Ustad Abdul Karim Khan. It was, however, not all smooth sailing for him, but rather an emotionally traumatic journey.

In his early teens, as is the case with most boys at that age, Rambhau's voice began to crack and undergo tonal changes that almost threatened to finish his career as a vocalist even before it could begin. It was the patience and perseverance of Abdul Karim Khan that helped his young disciple cope with his problems. The Ustad put the young Rambhau under a long and demanding programme of swarasadhana that helped him re-gain his confidence and control.

In due course, Sawai Gandharva also received training from other renowned gurus like Bhaskarbuva Bakhale and Nasir Hussain Khan of Gwalior. It helped in adding polish to a voice that was already dazzling, thanks to the grooming by his guru Utd.Abdul Karim Khan
Sawai Gandharva also excelled in the field of acting by playing several singer-actor roles in the Marathi theatre. In fact, it was because of his glorious performance on the Marathi stage that he got the appellation 'Sawai Gandharva', in the manner of the renowned singer-actor, Bal Gandharva.

Yet, music remained his first love. His exemplary concert performances continued until he came to be known as the "King of mehfils". Over the years,he developed a distinctive style of his own. In fact, music critics often explain that while both Abdul Karim Khan's teaching as well as Sawai Gandharva's voice might have had their limitations, the latter was able to tide over these drawbacks because he never blindly followed in the footsteps of his master. Besides being a vocalist par excellence, he also grew to be a wonderful teacher. His three most illustrious disciples, Gangubai Hangal, Firoz Dastur and Bhimsen Joshi, living legends in their own right, are the doyens of Kirana gayaki today.
Sawai Gandharva passed away, following a stroke, on 12th September 1952

Trek to Harishchandragad

2005-11-18T03:31:00.000-08:00

On 13th Nov we started for the Harishchadragad Trek along with 3 of my friends Sharada,Raval and Vaneeta .

Reached the Shivaji nagar Bus station at 6.30 in the morning .First we go a bus till a place called Ale Phata which in 80 kms from Pune towards Nasik which took 2 hrs .

From Ale phata one more bus till the village of Khubi we had to get down half way before the village and took a lift till the village of Khireshwar .The ride in the back of the carrier trailer was amazing with bumpy road all along the 5 km patch .

We reached the place at around 11.30 am and then started our rigourous climb for the mighty fort .

About Harishchandragad

2005-11-16T21:03:00.000-08:00

Harishchandragad is a hill fort in the Ahmednagar region of India. Its history is linked with that of Malshej Ghat, and it has played a major role in guarding the surrounding region.

HISTORY
The fort is quite ancient. Remnants of Microlithic man have been discovered here. The various Puranas (ancient scriptures) like Matsyapurana, Agnipurana and Skandapurana include many references about Harishchandragad. Its origin is said to have been in 6th century, during the rule of Kalchuri dynasty. The citadel was built during this era. The various caves probably have been carved out in the 11th century. In these caves are idols of Lord Vishnu. Though the cliffs are named Taramati and Rohidas, they are not related to Ayodhya. Great sage Changdev (one who created the epic “Tatvasaar”), used to meditate here in 14th century. The caves are from the same period. The various constructions on the fort and those existing the surrounding region point to the existence of diverse cultures here. The carvings on the temples of Nageshwar (in Khireshwar village), in the Harishchandreshwar temple and in the cave of Kedareshwar indicate that the fort belongs to the medieval period, since it is related to Shaiva, Shakta or Naath. Later the fort was under the control of Moguls. The Marathas captured it in 1747. The last warrior named Joshi became a martyr in the fight against the English in 1818.

FASCINATING SPOTS:

SAPTATIRTHA: To the east of the temple is a well-built lake called “Saptatirtha”. On its bank are temple-like constructions in which there are idols of Lord Vishnu. Recently these idols have been shifted in the caves near the temple of Harishchandreshwar. These days many trekkers have been responsible for the sad plight of this beautiful place, as they throw plastic wastes and other things in the pond. 7 years back the water was potable, and now it isn’t suitable even to swim.

KEDARESHWAR : Going rightwards of Harishchandreshwar temple, we come across a huge cave. This is the cave of Kedareshwar, in which there is a big Shivlinga, which is totally surrounded by water. The total height from its base is five feet, and the water is waist-deep. It is quite difficult to reach the Shivlinga, as the water is ice-cold. There are sculptures carved out here. In monsoon it is not possible to reach this cave, as a huge stream flows across the way.

KONKAN KADA (KONKAN CLIFF): The most interesting point on this fort is this cliff, which has always fascinated many people from many years. The cliff faces west and looks down upon the Konkan. From here, one can have a breathtaking view of the surrounding region and the setting sun. This cliff is not just vertical, it is an overhang, almost like a cobra's hood. It has been climbed twice so far. The first climb was in 1985 by a group from IIT Bombay. The second climb was in 1997 by a team from the Pinnacle group. A youth from Pune jumped to his death from here; a monument is built here in his memory. It is said that a rainbow as a circle can sometimes be seen from here.

TARAMATI PEAK : This is the topmost point on the fort. Leopards are seen in the forests beyond this peak. From here we can have a glimpse of the whole range of Naneghat and the forts near Murbad

CAVES ON HARISHCHANDRAGAD: These caves are situated all over the fort. Many of these are situated at the foot of Taramati peak & are the place of accommodation. A few are near the temple, whereas some are near the citadel and some far away in the forests. A natural cave is on the northwestern side of the fort, to the right of Kokan Kada. It is about 30 feet deep. The folks must know many such caves. Many of these may be remaining undiscovered.

NAGESHWAR TEMPLE NEAR KHIRESHWAR: This is a great antique construction, and diverse artistic works are seen on this. On the ceiling of the temple are beautiful carvings. There are caves near the temple.

TEMPLE OF HARISHCHANDRESHWAR: This temple is marvelous example of the fine art of carving sculptures out of stones that prevailed in ancient India. It is about 16m high from its base. Around this temple there a few caves & ancient water tanks. The river Mangal Ganga is said to originate from one of the tanks located close to the temple. The top of the temple resembles construction with the north-Indian temples. A similar temple is situated in Buddha-Gaya. Here we can see many tombs, in which a typical construction is seen. These are built by well-finished arranging stones one on top of the other. There are three main caves near the temple. The cisterns near the temple provide drinking water. A short distance away, another temple called Kashitirtha is located. The fascinating thing about this temple is that it has been carved out from a single huge rock. There are entrances from all four sides. On the main entrance there are sculptures of faces. These are faces of guards of the temple. On the left side of the entrance is a Devnagri inscription, which is about saint Changdev.

WAYS TO REACH: Harishchandragad lies where the boundaries of Thane, Pune & Ahmednagar districts converge. There are 4 - 5 known ways to this fort, the most usual being the following ones:

1) From Thane District: One has to board the bus for Nagar from Kalyan & alight at ‘Khubi Phata’. From there we reach the village of Khireshwar by bus or private vehicle. This village is at 4km from the foothills of the fort. Way from Khireshwar: The way beside the caves, where water tanks are seen, proceeds further to Junnar Darwaaja (Entrance From Junnar). From here, the route goes straight to Tolar Khind. Walking a few minutes from Tolar Khind, we come across a rock-patch on which railings are fixed. After ascending the railings, we come to the plateau region on which less dense forests are seen. From here, we have to cross 7 hills & after a walk of 2-3 hours, we reach the temple of Harishchandreshwar, the temple of Lord Shiva. Note: On this way, many arrows help in indicating the way. Way from Belpada: The third way is specially meant for hikers, which is via Sadhleghat. One should board the bus for Malshej Ghat & go to the village of Belpada. From here, the route goes through Sadhleghat. Here one has to climb a straight rock patch on which grips are provided. The temple is situated at a height of about 1km from Belpada. The total distance is about 19km.
2) From Ahmednagar District: One has to board the bus for Nasik or Mumbai & alight at Ghoti village. From Ghoti, we have to board another bus to Sangamner via Malegaon & alight at Rajur village. From here, 2 ways diverge to the fort. 1) From Rajur, one has to board the bus or a private vehicle to the village of Pachanai. From here, the way is straight to the topmost point. 2) Recently, the way from Rajur to Tolar Khind has been made available. From Tolar Khind (Tolar valley), the temple is about 2-3 hours by walking.
3) From Pune :Board any bus going towards Nasik from Shivajinagar Bus Station .There are many State Transport Buses going towards Nasik .Good frequency .
Get down at Ale Phata (Almost 2 ½ hrs from Pune 80Kms )
From Ale Phata board any bus going towards Kalyan .The frequency of buses again is quite good.( Almost 1 ½ hrs from Ale Phata ) get down at Khubi Phata .
There is a Dam road going towards the Khubi Village almost 5 kms .One can board any local vehicle going towards the village or even walk down but that would be very tiring.

The Rafting Day

2005-08-15T22:25:00.000-07:00

Early in the morning at 7 am we left for the rafting site .
It was around 12 kms form the place we stayed.When we reached the place the heavy rush of water had already started .
Pawan and Surenedra our guides for the day gave the final instructions .
And then started one of the most amazing thing I had ever done .For the next 2 hrs through the gushing water and screams all around we paddled our raft in the KUNDALIKA River .
Then swimming in the river till the very end was quite different and i enjoyed it a lot .

After a gr8 lunch we then wandered to the nearby waterfall .The scence around the place was wonderfull with lots of trees aound .
The palce was a real gem .I did not wanted to eave the place but then.....................

Kundalika White Water Rafting

2005-08-13T14:14:00.000-07:00

On 14th aug morning for the camp near Tamhini Ghat .Place called WildRiver camp .for WHITE WATER RAFTING.
The place where we stayed was beautiful surrounded by the mountains and trees .
We were a group of around 20 .In the afternoon session we had River Crossing and River Wire walk across the river Kundalika.
After the crossing we played with the rugby ball for a long time and had gr8 fun .It was a lot tiring and then a good dinner followed by the game of DUMB CHARADS .

Holiday and still working

2005-08-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday came late at night from Bombay .Got up late but had to go to office to complete my reamining work .
Was in office till 5 then went around MG road and Planet M got a few classical CDs which i wanted for a long time .

The to the bus stop .had to be in queue for almost and hour till i got the bus back home .

Still on the laptop and working for Monday its almost midnight ...............

Have to work more tomorrow so no holiday just work work and ........work

Tiring day

2005-01-22T23:53:00.000-08:00

Today being sunday not going on any site.Reamin in the hotel .Yestderday was a busy day with 3 sites i did fort the day .
Too tiring going to Burwha a place almost 80 kms from the city of Inodre .

My Last Day at Office

2004-12-19T19:27:00.000-08:00

Today was my last day at office .Tried to complete most of the work and was then going around all my collagues before leaving .It was Chriss birthday so we went out for the lunch and I had a good time with all the gang .
Leaving all was very emotional and i felt very sad t oleave all the friends with whom i had been working for the past months .And had become very close to them .That was the most difficult part .

I was to fly yto Toronto at 5 pm to my sister.SO left office at 4:00 .Checked in the Airport and was going around till I boarded.The flight was long and terribly boring .But made it and finally

Heritage Park - Calgary

2004-12-14T07:24:00.000-08:00

HERITAGE PARK is the placw where all the WESTERN OLD Canada is set up .Over there all the place has been set as if in the early 20th century.
All the old buildings have been set up from where they once stood .And they have been rebuild over here .On one side there is the Glemore Resorvorir which was completely frozen and i litreally walked on the frozen place .
Going around was gr8 fun with having a full Canadian Breakfast .Was there for almost 4 hrs till 1 pm.
Then headed to the CALGARY TOWER one of the key features of Calgary .Seeingthe whole place where i have been living for the last 6 monts from teh top was amazing view.The ROCKIES were magnificent view with the clear skies and bright sun .
In all a gr8 and busy day .My last weekend at Calgary was good and i enjoyted it a lot.

Saturday the 11th

2004-12-11T09:17:00.000-08:00

Today had to do some ank work so had to get up early and headed directly to the bank.After that roamed around the CHINOOK MALL for some time .Happen to see the movie OCEANS 12.Its a gr8 movie .That was nice and to be true its not OCEANS 12 its OCEANS 13 with the star apperance of none other than who guess ........... BRUCE WILLS ..After the movie went around the mall.
In late evening me and Rajat ( one of my colleague ) went to see the CALGARY ZOO LIGHTS .They were fantastic .The whole ZOO was decorated with the different light structures and it was a sight to see .We had a nice time along with the chiily breeze going around .
Then went to have dinner at a place called THE SAMOSA GRILL an East India Restaurant .

The Christmas Party

2004-12-10T23:35:00.000-08:00

The Canadian love Christmas and the start having fun long before the actual day .While moving around the town happen to see a lot of decorations and lights all over .Its same like we have for DIWALI.
Today in office too we have a complete festive mood .All over the day there were different programs going on .Then after lunch there came 4 carolites (the ones who sing christmas carols ) and they sang through all the cubicles its was gr8 .They were singing all the carols in good chorous and I happen to know a few of them learnt at the Jr.KG and Sr.KG class .......
Then at the end of the day had a grand party where all the us gathered together .With lots of things to eat and drink.Then there was carols again with full band (they being all the company ppl for all the depts )
Also had Santa Claus( Neil one of my Project Manager) coming to distribute the gifts to all of them.In all a gr8 time meeting all and having lots and loads of fun .
The only thing I missed today was forgot to get my digi cam .I fogot it at home I though of getting it but then in the chase to get the train on time left back ...........................

Chilly Day in Calgary

2004-12-07T16:43:00.000-08:00

Today at Calgary faced the coldest day ever .When came to office the temperature was 24 deg below zero taking the Wind Chill factor into consideration .
Was dressed as if on a big Himalayan Expedition but then thats how all is done .This was the first time ever in my life I faced such cryogenic weather conditions hahahahaa.
Still not well versed to these conditions yet but surely be in the coming days .

The temperatue on the actual winter days goes well below the range 0f 35 and 40 deg below zero .

Moving around Banff

2004-11-28T23:10:00.000-08:00

Got up late at 7.00 am.Help Andrew my room mate to pack his luggage as he was to leave for Brisbane .Andrew is an Electrician and has his own business back in Brisbane.But for the last 6 months has been in England and Europe for going around .
After he left met Nick,Sam,Jane and Adam .We togther had a good lunch of LENTIL and GREEN PEAS Curry I made .They loved it a lot .
After Lunch talked for some time in the lounge and then headed to downtown for going around .I took all my luggage with me as I was to leave back to Calgary by 5.00 pm Greyhound .
Just freaked out for some time .Nick and Adam did some grocery shopping and went back to the hostel .It was gr8 meeting these friends .They were really nice and I had a very good time with them .When they left really missed them .
Then passed some time at the STARBUKCS having some hot choclate and cake till it was time for the bus.
The journey from Banff to Calgary is almost 1 1/2 hrs and as usual napped for the 90% of the time .
Was back home really tired and ready for the Monday work .

Sulphur Mountain in Snow

2004-11-27T23:59:00.000-08:00

Left early in the morning for the Sulphur Mountain.Was given lift by a group of bagpackers till the downtown area .
Reached the base of the Sulphur Mountain at around 10:00 .It was like there is some free service available by a hotel but i was not able to sneak in for that and so after some time took taxi till the base for the lack of time .
Though during my previous visit i had been to the Sulphur Mountain but then this time it was completely different as the whole trail and the surroundings were covered in the snow .It took around 1 1/2 hr to reach on the top .
This time the view from the top was completely different of the Canadian Rockies around as most of them were coverered in snow .And the formations made by the clouds around the mountains was breathtaking.
It was really tough to go around in the snow .Though the actaul Obervatory site on the Mountain was closed due to safety reason .
Took a different trail this time and jsut wandered around the other side of the mountain through the snow .It was gr8 but then was getting cold at the feet since I was just wearing the normal sports shoes.
And once the feet start getting cold its diffidult to walk and the whole body starts to behave in different manner.Thats probably mental cause they litrally freeeeeeeeeeeez.
Came down again on the same trail.On the way back many fellow climbers on their way up to the top .
At the base of the mountain they have a Sulphur Mountain Pool where in you can stay in the water .
That was a very soothing epxerince as from the climb and cold i was tired so went directly in the pool and was in there for almost and hour.
Then again had to walk back till downtown as no other means was available .In all had a good walk of almost 15 kms..........................

Again in the evening met Nick and joined them for the chat after dinner .Had a gr8 time with the whole group and was there till almost 2 am .

Towards Banff

2004-11-26T22:52:00.000-08:00

After office went home and took the Greyhound to Banff.Had planned going there since last week and all the reservations had been done in advance at the Banff Alpine Centre Hostelling International .
Reached at 8:30 in the evening and took the local transit to the Hostel .Met Cormac at the front desk .He knew mw from the last visit to the Hostel and we had a good chat .
During my time in the kitchen happen to meet Nick who is from Australia .He happen to taste the CHOLE i had made for dinner and liked the taste .He was quite thrilled by the curry made for the chole .
Was invited to join his group in the lounge and had a gr8 time meeting a lot of new friends .It was a very good experience with them.
Chatted almost past midnight and then went to sleep .

Drumheller ( The Dinosaur Lands )

2004-11-07T08:38:00.000-08:00

Calgary is part of the ALBERTA PROVINCE which is well know for the rich oil and gas resources .
About two hrs drive from Calgary is a place called as DRUMHELLER famous for the dinosaur fossils found .This is one of the very few places all over the world where the fossils were found in very good shape .
Exactly at 8.00 am me along with my colleague at office Marius (he is from GE Abu Dhabi) left for Drumheller in his car .Along the road came across the country side of Canda which was amazingly vaste and complete covered with the praries type of grass lands .
The first stop was the HORSE SHOE CANYON .The forcast told it was good weather but actaully it was too cold to even get out of the car .The chilly winds blowing all over and snow flakes flying .
But the view around was amazing and happen to go down in the valley to have a closer look at the formations formed in the small hills .
On the way visited the largest man made DINOSAUR which stands 86 FEET tall.
In the actaual palce there are two trails specifically called the North and the South trail along which all the BAD LANDS as they are called are located .The name BAD LANDS is casue when the westerners first came here long back there was nothing they could do here like farming or fertile land etc hence the name .
But we only took the North trails and had a gr8 view of the valley overall as well as of the Bow river flowing below .
The next stop was at the famous TURREL MUSEUM where all the fossils are kept and it was fantastic going back in the DINOSAUR age .The fossils have been preserved and kept intact very well and its a treat to see them .Spent almost 4 hrs at the meuseum .
Since its winter time its getting dark very early so hurried to see the HOO DOOS .They are MUSHROOM like stone + sand structures formed due to the errosion over the years .

Then started our way back to Calgary .By almost 7.00 pm was back home .Had a gr8 day in all

Haloween Special

2004-11-01T13:29:00.000-08:00

On Sunday 31st Oct Haloween was celebrated all over North America.This was the first time I ever happen to see Haloween.Since childhood had only read in the school books that it is realted to the ghosts and the witches .
But truely the people here have good time and have great fun .Days before the actuall Haloween many ppl wearing funny dresses were seen on the streets .And on Saturday when I happen to go out there was huge mob in all the possible costumes you can Imagine .That was fun seeing all the elders wearing the funny costumes .Actually it is meant for the small children but the elders have it before the actuall Haloween.

Around the City of Vancouver

2004-09-24T09:47:00.000-07:00

Got up early and called up our family friend who came to pick me at the hostel .Spent the whole day at his house and around the city of Vancouer .He showed me all the places around and we had a good time .It was nice meeting all his family members they too were very happy .Actually he is from the same place from my home town and my father and Mr.Harry are very good friends .
In the evening he came to leave me at the TSAWWASSEN BAY almost 40kms from his palce .Its the port form where all the FERRIES leave for the different islands around Vancouver .
I was to catch the FERRY for VICTORIA ISLANDS .
My first look at the ferry was jaw dropping .Intially i thought it must be small boat and carrying a few passengers .But then it was 8 storey high carrying the buses,cars and almost 1000 ppl on board .
It was named the BC FERRY.
On entering the ferry was a different world all together .And the sight was amazing with the sun jsut setting on one side and the moon rising just opposite .And far away the lights of the Vancouver city.
Its said THE WORLD IS TOO SMALL and yes i experienced it on the ferry cause I happen to meet Sandeep ( orginally from Mumbai and now in Microsoft Seattle) and his wife .It was a big surprise to meet any one MARATHI on board .
We three had a gr8 time together and Sandeep gave me lift till the Victoria hostel in his car .

Voyage to Vancouver

2004-09-23T09:34:00.000-07:00

Left office at 3:30 pm and Jeff came to leave me at the airport .I had a flight at 4:45pm to Vancouver (WESTJET AIRLINES).
The flight was delayed by some 45 min.
The flight was good .Reached Vancouver at 6.00 pm local time .(1 hr behind Calgary).By 7:30 was in the hostel .Actaully the airport is very far from the city .Its almost the other end of the town.Then happen to call one of family friends to confirm that I have reached .

my room mate in the Hostel were Andres ( Chile ) and Christian ( Germany ) .Me and Andres went out for shopping the cooking stuff and were back in the hostel .I had cooked the CHICK PEAS stuff and we had dinner together .