Category Archives: Places

The Beautiful Forest

Sunderban,4-5th Jan'2014 064It was my first journey of this type- expedition in the riverine coastline of a jungle- Sunderban. Sunderban (pronounced Shundor-bon) is named after the Sundari trees. It is a mangrove forest on islands in the Ganga Delta. It is a part of both India and Bangladesh 1,330.12 km2 (328,680 acres) in India alone.  It is a home to more than 400 tigers of the Royal lineage( they are royal Bengal tigers). Tigers, unlike humans, have no boundary restrictions and keep traveling between both the neighboring countries. Staple rice and fish is the common diet of the poor who usually live in the region. Life is miserable here. People lack basic amenities. They are always in the pincer grip of fear because of the tigers which may have a hunt in their own village. There was a time when people used to enter deep forests for fishing. Only a few of the fishermen who went on such expeditions were lucky to see the next day. Life was such that women, when they bid farewell to their men to work, removed all the signs of marriage- the vermillion and the bangles. They were put on only when their husbands fortunately returned to their home (which was more or less like returning to life from death).Sunderban,4-5th Jan'2014 060

Conditions have certainly improved a lot from those days. Sunderban is now famous for its splendor and the regal beauty of the fauna that cherishes in it. I was awe-struck at the serene scenery that opened up around me as our launch entered the forest. Excitement and anxiety surrounded me as I searched for the royal mane that would be hiding under the golden leaves of a kind of mangrove tree. Unfortunately I could not pay homage to the princely creature. Yet, I payed homage at the temple of Bondevi( the Goddess of forest) who is always worshiped by the human-tiger devotee. And I also saw the muscular spotted deer peeping from the shade of the trees.


It was an ecstatic journey, specially an ecstatic night listening to the stories of forest from the boatman docked in the mid-river with the shimmering water reflecting the moon.   Image


Who was she?








What is it Akhil?”,I asked.



 “It’s nothing. I need some rest.”

“OK, have some rest.”





A msg from a Beach!


Could Kala Pani(Black Water) be so beautiful?

Dying Dock
(All the ship come up here for repair and maintenance)

Sunset in AndamanSunset in Andaman

Middle Andaman
Middle Andaman
To Baratang!
To Baratang!
To limestone cave!(Through snake filled waters)
To limestone cave!
(Through snake filled waters)
Neil IslandGo deep into the sea!
Neil Island
Go deep into the sea!
Neil Island
Neil Island(The Blue Island)
Natural Bridge at Lakshmanpur Beach(2), Neil Island
Sunset at Radhanagar beach, Havelock
Sunset at Radhanagar beach, Havelock
A Giant Lobster!
A Giant Lobster

Incredible Kolkata!

Yesterday I received a letter from a friend. It is a unique letter with unique ideas. I think all of you should read it.

Howrah Bridge
Howrah Bridge

Dear T2,

I visited Kolkata after a long time. I couldn’t believe what I saw. We arrived in Howrah Station   on time. Coolies took our luggage out on trolleys. I saw the station. Couldn’t believe it could be Horwrah. Not a single wrapper was lying here and there. We immediately got a taxi when we came out at quite a fair price. We were travelling to another part of the city. I was taking in the scene. The roads were as clean as the station. I could see no one spitting on roads. The footpath was in a very good condition. It was decorated by faces carved on pillars. And there were unique looking dustbins. The road looked like a winding path of fairy tales.

The canals were covered with arch shaped structures. The structures contained a depression in the center where plants were grown and creepers were climbing down from the sides. You would think you have seen a mini botanical garden. There were even no stickers or ghastly writings on any wall.

And the most incredible thing is we reached uncle’s house without facing a jam. I still have to take in what had happened to our place.

Yours lovingly,


I wish to see this Kolkata also. Don’t you?