Paradise on Earth

Kashmir is the most beautiful place on this earth I have ever seen in my life. Its mesmerizing beauty can enchant anybody and will bound to make you return to this heaven once again.

Despite the tense situation in Kashmir, I find myself quite lucky that I got a chance to visit this place with my family. Its beauty cannot be described in words but can only be felt.  After taking blessing from holy goddess Vaishno Devi Mata we booked taxi for Srinagar. On the way we were able to see majestic mountains, enchanting rivers and many trees. Rows of Chinar and Deodar trees added incredible beauty to the valley of the Kashmir.

After a captivating journey we reached Srinagar in the evening. To experience the scenic beauty of Dal Lake we rented one houseboat for two days. It was the most beautiful days of my life. I could see the Shikara and houseboat communities spread all over the lake.  Its beauty was enhanced by surrounding Mountain View. Experience of Floating houseboat over beautiful waterways of Dal Lake was amazing. It was freezing cold in the month of March and houseboat owner offered us “Kahwa Chai” made up of spices. It is a tea with an exotic flavour and is best for cold winter as it keeps you warm.

Next day in the foggy morning standing on my houseboat I could feel this is the most tranquil place I have ever visited. I could watch Shikara the Kashmiri gondolas floating over the calm serene water, garden boat that gave the impression of floating garden, Ravens and Hawks swimming on the lake to catch fish. Many lofty mountains partially covered with snow enhanced its majestic beauty.

Wonderful thing about houseboat is that you don’t have to worry about shopping. Salesmen come to your doorstep by paddling their boat and selling you everything like chips, chocolates, sweaters, Pashmina Shawl, fresh flowers, beads, etc. Kashmir is also famous for its dignified style of dress. Salesman came to our houseboat along with photographers to get us clicked in Kashmiri dress( Pheran and Pathan Suit) and it was fun.

Ride in beautiful Shikara at the sunset was wonderful. It’s a perfect place for Honeymoon couple. While taking a round in Shikara we noticed vegetables fields in the lake. While rowing boat many of them were singing melodious Kashmiri songs and I got lost somewhere in that harmony.

Next day we planned to visit around the city.Srinagar is famous for it’s lakes and gardens. Chasme Sahi, Shalimar bagh, Nishat Bagh are famous among them. Shalimar bagh symbolises as monument of love. We could see many newlywed couple enjoying its beauty. All three gardens were illuminated by electric lights which add to its beauty.

Pretty Kashmiri girls enhance to its exotic beauty. They are the most beautiful woman in India I have come across. Fair, pretty eyes, sharp nose, rosy cheek gave the impression as if many apsaras had landed on the earth. Sight of an Indian Soldiers with guns in the cities brought me back to the reality of this place.

Third day we went to Gulmarg, hardly 52 kms from Srinagar. To experience Snow beauty, this is the best place. Meadows of Gulmarg were laden with flowers and long deodar trees and even Himalaya top could be seen from this place.  Snow covered mountains with greenery at the bottom gave magical effect. I feel this is the best place for trekking, skiing and horse riding.

Fourth day we had to leave for Delhi and nobody was happy to depart from such lovely place.  Seeing all our gloomy face around my four year old cousin very innocently said, “Mamma I am missing ‘Kahmir “   and the way he pronounced Kashmir as “Kahmir” we all burst into laughter.

P.S- I will revisit this place with my Husband :)

My First Crush on a Teacher

First crush is always special and like all other girls I too had one in class XI.  Yes, you heard it right. You must be thinking class XI isn’t it too early??  But I was crazy that time, crazy, immature and dreamy.

Those crazy days are still so vivid in my mind.  I still remember the first day when he entered our class and I fell for him instantly.  He was tall, charming, whitish complexion and had masculine body.  In class XI we all were busy with “IIT Preparation” and he was appointed by our principal to get our physics doubts clear. As usual first class was just an introductory class and time just flew away.  At that time I wished I had some time machine so that this introductory class could go on and never stop :).

He used to take three classes a week and from then on last bencher girl (That’s me ) became the first bencher and I was always right ahead of time for the class.  Of course from then on Physics was my favourite subject.  Every time when he entered for the class my heart flipped, blood rushed through my body and my cheek used to become red hot.Well it’s kind of embarrassing but I relished those silly moments.Now an insincere student became sincere and to everybody’s surprise I had doubts which as usual I used to clear it after the class. I used to wait for this moment, only him and me discussing in a classroom. I had goose bumps all over my body when with his cute dimpled smile he used to say “yes Ankita what’s your doubt”.

Every day in school I hoped desperately for a single glimpse of him. Days passed by and this continued. My friends started teasing me with his name and with this, infatuation became stronger. Winter vacation came and we all had to leave for our home. I was excited about going home and sad about not getting to see him for one complete month. Luckily just a day before the vacation he came to take our class. I still remember he wore striped black colour t-shirt and light blue colour jeans that day. After the class I went to ask him what would he do for one month and his answer shattered my little heart. You all must be wondering what his answer was?? He was married and had one lovely daughter. I was heartbroken when reality struck me. Without even saying a word I just went away.

It’s been 9 years since I saw him and now I think how silly I was at that time.

P.S- Crushes are meant to be crushed..:)

Fear of Number 13

There is worldwide superstition that number 13 is an unlucky number. Some religion and civilisation consider it as unfortunate and evil. In India we never took it seriously and even in lotto game for fun we use to refer number 13 as unlucky number.

It’s a common belief that western culture is based on objective reality and is devoid of any superstition. I was in complete bewilderment when I found out there is no 13^th floor found in many high rise building of USA.  There is directly jump from 12^th to 14^th floor in high rise buildings.  Even many houses, rooms in hotels are not numbered as 13^th. 

Fear of Friday 13^th also exists among many Americans. It’s considered as the “Day of Bad Luck”. It’s quite surprising that 20 million Americans suffer from this fear and they usually avoid their normal day routine on this day. Superstitions do prevail here also.

P.S- I live in 13^th floor oops sorry actually 14^th floor of my building.

Hidden Beauty

Yesterday I saw a girl/woman in niqab and I could not take my eyes off her. Her twinkling light blue colour eyes could intoxicate anybody. Her beautiful innocent eyes left me wondering how beautiful she must be under her veil. Suddenly our eyes met and trapped in her gaze I could not stop myself complimenting her pretty eyes.  

Whenever I see a woman surrounded by a black material, curiosity and mystery scampers through my mind.  Who is inside it?? How does she look like?? Is she married or still single?? Which country does she belong to??  This lovely inquisitiveness continues for some time.

I vividly remember how in childhood days I used to wear Burqa made up of scarf just for fun.  I always wondered how it felt to hide your identity. I am quite choosy when it comes to clothes and I feel one good thing about veil is that you don’t have to care what you will wear next day. It also makes you comfortable inside as it prevents from staring eyes of the strange man.

Even though it has many advantages but at times it’s quite uncomfortable in summer. In many conservative societies women are forced to wear burqa. I feel it should not be made compulsory but left at their choice.