Motorcycle Story - 3 (Visit to Mussoorie)

On 09 April 2019, I undertook a trip to Mussoorie on my byke. I had been wanting to visit "The Queen of Hills" since a considerable period of time but couldn't do so as my trips to Dehradun were few and far between during my tenure at Muscat. This may be construed as a lame excuse, and rightly so, since Mussoorie is just 45 kms from my house in Dehradun. Anyway, I was visiting Mussoorie after more than 9 years and was looking forward to catch up with old friends and acquaintances.  

The total time taken to reach Mussoorie, which is at an elevation of 6000 ft above MSL, was 90 minutes, half of which was spent in getting out of the nightmarish traffic of Dehradun.  Negotiating the twists and turns of the familiar road, I was appalled to see that every turn which used to serve as a vantage point to admire the scenery earlier, was full of small makeshift cafes and fast food joints. The whole stretch has been commercialized which is a blot on the erstwhile scenic mountainside. On reaching Mussoorie I found the place full of tourists and vehicles causing jams on the road. A lot of construction (mostly unauthorized) has come up since my last visit making the place very congested. 

It saddened my heart to see the sorry state of the town which, in my childhood, was truly the Queen of Hills. With haphazard commercialization, migration from other parts of the state and a floating tourist population, the quaint and quiet little town I once knew has transformed itself into an ugly melting pot of cultures vibrating with a cacophony of raucous sounds which jarred me to the core. I wonder how punishing it would be to visit this place during peak season. 

Having gotten over the initial jolt, there was more bad news in store when I came to know a few old and familiar folks had passed away, some of them untimely. This was a grim reminder that all of us are mortals and will have to pass through the pearly gates when our time is up.

I went out of the town a bit to click photos of areas that are still unspoilt and resemble the Mussoorie of yesteryears. These and some other pics shot during the trip are as follows (click on the photo to enlarge) :

                                           View of Mussoorie from the midway point.

                                        View of Camel's Back Road (nearer ridge) and
                                           Landour/Sister Bazaar area (farther ridge).

                                             Zig Zag Road leading to Mussoorie

                                   View of MPG College from where I graduated in 1976.

                            The Woods are Lovely, Dark and Deep......view from Kempty Road.

                             View of the snow capped peaks of the Gharwal Himalayan Range.

                                         Selfie with my old friend Ramesh outside his shop.

Motorcycle Story - 2 (HSRP Obtained)

Confused with the title of this post ?? Well, HSRP stands for 'High Security Registration Plate' which is now mandatory instead of the fancy registration number plates which vehicles of yore used to flaunt. Since I had purchased my bike from Delhi and wanted to get it registered in Dehradun, the dealer had arranged a temporary number plate for me which was valid for one month. I had visited RTO office, Dehradun, on 11th March and paid the required registration amount after enquiring about the process to be followed. I would like to mention here that the whole exercise was a pleasant experience and the job was done in a very short time. There was no need to run around in circles and the staff were thoroughly professional and helpful in their approach. I did not see any touts in the vicinity of the office which was very, very surprising ! I recall vividly my earlier brushes with RTOs around the country where nothing would move unless you went through a tout and paid extra money to get the job done.

The same day I received an SMS informing me that my RC was under preparation and I could download the electronic version from the 'mParivahan' mobile app which I promptly did. So I got to know the registration number allotted to me on the same day itself. I had gone to Noida for a short while before Holi, so I could not follow up this issue till 26th March when I visited the RTO again. On enquiring about my RC, I was told that the same would be delivered after affixation of the HSRP. I paid Rs 250/- at the appropriate counter and was told to visit again on the 6th working day to have the number plate fixed. 

On 2nd April, I got my HSRP fitted by the approved contractor and received my RC. The number plate is made of aluminium, has a hologram, a laser etched nine digit code, embossed alphanumeric digits with hot stamped reflective sheeting etc, etc.  I will not dwell upon the utility and quality of the said HSRP over here. HSRP is supposed to have certain benefits besides imparting uniformity. There are a lot of arguments floating around online 'for' and 'against' this topic. I went for it since it is mandatory and the cost is nominal. The total time spent at the RTO office was around half an hour. Hats off to RTO, Dehradun !! 

Following are the pics of the bike with the new registration number :

                                                                   Front HSRP

                                                                    Rear HSRP

Motorcycle Story -1 (The First Long Ride)

On 06 March 2019 me and my elder son left Noida for Dehradun on our bykes at around 1100 hrs. This was my first long ride on the Interceptor which had clocked just 100 kms or so till that date. My son was riding his KTM Duke 390. I was just a wee bit jittery as I was embarking on a long ride after nearly 14 years (having sold off my Bullet Machismo in 2005) and being used to the old Bullet which had it's rear brake on the left side. I had ridden bykes in the interim period on a few occasions but never for long distances.

The dealer had advised me not to exceed 60 kmph till the first free service at 500 kms. I had resolved to do just that, much to the chagrin of my elder son, who was riding a high revving machine and this limit would be tough to follow. I advised him to go at his own pace and he could wait for me to catch up at intervals. He did not pay heed to this advice and kept pace with me. Just after leaving Noida it took me 15-20 minutes to get used to the chaotic rush of traffic on the so-called highway leading to Dehradun. It was only when we hit the toll road bypassing Meerut that the ride became enjoyable. We knew that the going was good only till the toll road ended short of Roorkee, so we took the Muzzafaragar - Saharanpur toll road which is also very good and thus avoided the bad areas.

We had one short break for lunch midway and one break at the 'Daat Kali Temple' before entering Dehradun for performing a 'puja' and seeking the blessings of Goddess Durga. It is customary for residents of Doon valley to visit this temple with their new vehicles and perform the said ritual. We reached our house in Central Hope Town, Dehradun at 1830 hrs owing to the speed restriction and the two breaks. The journey was enjoyable and my jitters were totally unfounded as I had no problems negotiating the good, the bad and the ugly traffic scenarios which unfolded in this 270 km ride. Following are some pics of the said ride:

About to Resume the Journey after lunch at Haldiram's

                                                'Puja' being performed by the Panditji

                                                         Completion of the rituals

Royal Enfield Interceptor - Intercepted !!

Long before my tenure at Saud Bhawan Group (SBG) in Oman was about to end, I had resolved to purchase a 'Bullet' and resume 'biking' (old age and creaky bones notwithstanding) once I relocated to India. This used to be a frequently discussed topic during various informal interactions with colleagues at SBG and was an important part of my bucket list. Around that time we heard about Royal Enfield introducing two new models with twin cylinders viz: Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650. The former is a retro styled bike with an upright seating stance and the latter is styled as a café racer which for me has a very awkward seating position. The promise of 47 bhp of power and 52 nm torque in a twin cylinder 650 cc bike with good looks was really appealing. The focus then shifted to possessing this particular model. 

Once I had settled down at Noida after leaving Oman for good, I booked this model at the local Royal Enfield dealership and was promised delivery in the first week of Feb. A query on 5th Feb revealed that there was no hope of getting it before March end owing to heavy demand and a slowdown in supply from Royal Enfield. I had nearly decided to purchase a Bullet Classic 500 instead as I was not willing to wait for an indefinite period to get an Interceptor. It is at this point when things got interesting - my elder son and a biker cousin of his started to dig around using their resources and 'जुगाड़ ' and informed me of a particular dealership in Delhi where just two Interceptors were available for sale against cash purchase. This is what my Omani friends would call using 'Vaastaa' (वास्ता ) to get the needful done. Anyway, by the time we called up the dealer near Rohini in Delhi, we came to know that only one bike was available. We proceeded to the said dealership on 15 Feb (the ride to that place on my son's KTM Duke 400 was a nightmare) and finally laid my hands on this 'beauty' which is a 'beast' as well. The sales in charge told us that this was the only bike available in Delhi NCR. This was truly a case of 'Intercepting' the Interceptor !

Haven't ridden it around much as I want to get it registered in Dehradun and get the first free service at 500 km done at that place. The first impression is really good. The positives are good looks, smooth engine and gearbox, enough power on demand and the entire package being very competitively priced. The only negatives  discernible at this point of time are awkwardly placed foot pegs for the rider and position of the handlebar. These are minor glitches which one can get used to or get them corrected. Following are some pics of this beauty/beast (click to enlarge):

                                                  The bike at BNT Motors Showroom

                                                                   Receiving the Bike

                                                       Taking a spin within our colony

                                               At Sector 63 after dropping my younger son

Watch out for "Motorcycle Stories" in due course. Gotta sign off now ! Adios !!

The Mother of ALL Farewell Parties !!

Farewell parties are a part and parcel of our working life and the memories we share with our peers, colleagues and subordinates are always treasured by us. Till the end of my 'fourth innings' the thought never occurred to me to rate all the farewell parties I have attended during my service with various organizations. After leaving Saud Bahwan Group, I have no hesitation to declare that the series of farewell parties I attended during my last week in Muscat surely take the cake on this score. The week was dedicated to farewell parties organized for me by various departments/sections/individuals etc. In fact the schedule was so hectic that I would be awake till odd hours packing my stuff which had to be shipped to India. Every day there was a different farewell party and I could not accept invitations to lunch/dinner which my friends wanted to host owing to these commitments, much to their displeasure. Sorry guys !

Another notable feature was the wholehearted participation of some gentlemen who had joined the department just a few months prior to my departure from SBG. Mr Rakesh Dahiya, the HOD Commercial and Mr Sahim Mohd. Kannu the guy I handed over charge to were the illustrious duo who hardly knew me. In fact they were a driving force behind some of the activities which took place during the course of that momentous last week.

Some live wire characters were working overtime during the entire week to ensure that all the activities were conducted without any glitch. The entire department pitched in with their mite and support. The guys who ran around the most were Jana, Bharat, Pawar, Abdullah, Pinto, Sijo, Rafi and Anup. These guys deserve a medal each.

Following are some pics clicked  during various gatherings as mentioned above:

 Farewell organized by Logistics department (one helluva pleasant surprise !) on 02 December 2018. Thanks Manish, Ashish and the entire L&D team.

Farewell party organized by the Security Checking Team at the Control Room on 03 December 2018.

Stalwarts of  Security Control Room - L to R - Saif Al Lamki, Khalid Washdil, your's truly and Mahfoodh Al Hinai. Thanks to the entire team of the Control Room.

Transport section party on 03 December 2018. L to R - Quadri, Fareed Al Balushi, Mr Dahiya (the new HOD Commercial), Abdullah Al Sinani, Mahfoodh Al Hinai, Nashib Al Ghadani and self.

The entire Transport team and select invitees from Security. Thanks a lot for a gala time guys.

Dinner at 'Woodlands ' hosted by Srini, Swamy and Ashish on 05 Dec - friends from HR department.

                            Commercial department farewell party on 06 Dec 2018 at 1600 hrs.

Pic clicked after the Commercial dept party in my office. L to R - Sahim, Deepak, Abdullah, Janarthanan and Mr Dahiya.

Last pic clicked outside the office on 06 Dec - L to R - Madhu, Sijo, Vijay, Abdullah, Rafi, Deepak, Mr Dahiya, Sahim and Anup the 'Coordinator Control Room'.

                Security party at Copper Chimney Restaurant on 06 December at 2000 hrs.

                                             Picking Jana's brains during the Security party.

A motley gang arrived at Al Sahwa Towers on 07 December 2018 at 1000 hrs to ensure that I leave for the airport on time ! L to R - Ashish, Bharat, Jana, Pawar, Rafi, Anup, Shinaj, Michael, Smijith and Abby.

These guys even accompanied me to the departure lounge of Muscat International Airport thereafter. A surprise addition was Nashib who came to the airport to see me off as he could not attend the Security party held the previous evening.

"Don't look a Gift Horse in the Mouth" they say. I say " Look all you want - and count the teeth too"

       Gifts Galore !! Some of the more innovative ones which I will cherish for a long time.

Back to the Pavillion after Fourth Innings

After working in Muscat, Oman with the Saud Bahwan Group for 10 years, I returned to India on 07 December 2018. 6th December was the last working day of my extended tenure at SBG. This was the fourth innings of my career which began on 18 March 1978 when I was commissioned into the 6th Battalion of 8 Gorkha Rifles. This was my fourth job after my service in the Army, Walchandnagar Industries Ltd and Reserve Bank of India. Whew ! Doesn't seem like I have been working for nearly 41 years. 

After landing at Delhi on the 7th and reaching home at Noida in the evening, I promptly fell ill with viral fever, cough and cold (blame it on the cold, pollution, change of weather, breakdown after a hectic last week, etc, etc...), hence the delayed post.

Haven't decided on what to do next. For the time being, I have my hands full with completion of snags post renovation of my flat at Noida. Meanwhile, it is damn cold out here. Brrrrr….the weather at Muscat was heavenly compared to this.

                                                   Last Day at Work - 06 December 2018

                         Pic in front of Flat No. 223 Al Sahwa Towers - 07 December 2018

40 and Counting !

Today I have reached a milestone of sorts - having completed 40 years of service. I started my career on 18 March 1978 when I passed out as a commissioned officer from the Officers Training School, Madras (OTS as it was then known) as part of the 25th Short Service Commission course (shorty silver course).  I was posted as a 2/Lt in the 6th Battalion the 8 Gorkha Rifles (6/8 GR). Yeah, those days Gentlemen Cadets used to pass out as second lieutenants with Rs 750/- basic pay which was more than enough.

Having served in the Army for more than 10 years, the next 20 plus years were spent at Walchandnagar Industries Ltd and the Reserve Bank of India (the latter is where I served for nearly 19 years). This is my 10th year at Saud Bahwan Group, Muscat, which I joined in December 2008. The going is good and I am still at it with God's grace and good wishes of friends and family.

I think celebrations are in order for having reached this milestone and the needful will be done to have a bash tomorrow. Cheers !

Visit to Wakan Village

Last week, one of my colleagues at work (Janarthanan) told me about a quaint little village in the Western Hajar mountains of Oman called "Wakan" which was unique for it's scenery and terraced farming. Consequently, a group of five of us decided to visit this place on 27 January (Friday). Wakan is around 150 km from Muscat and since we wanted to see the sunrise over the village, we left Muscat at 0500 hrs and reached the foothills around 0630 hrs.

The village is situated at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level overlooking Wadi Mistal in the Wilayat of Nakhal. This region enjoys moderate temperatures in summer and low temperatures in winter owing to the altitude. The road leading to the village passes through a number of valleys and is good to drive on except for the last 3-4 km leading to the village which is just a dirt track requiring a 4 wheel drive vehicle. Since we went in my Camry, we parked the car at the base of the mountain and trekked it up to the village. The uphill trek of around 3 km was a torture for which none of us were prepared and it reminded us of the sorry state of physical fitness we were in. The early morning chilly air only added to our woes.  

As we kept ascending, the view kept getting better and though we could see the village perched atop a hill, reaching it took some time owing to the serpentine bends in the road. The first rays of the sun started peeking from the mountains as we were about to reach Wakan and it was a sight to behold. A viewing platform adjacent to a visitors information centre and a viewing tower is the first sight to greet visitors. A hiking track has been built which goes through the village right till the top from where one is offered spectacular views of the surrounding areas. 

We spent a couple of hours clicking photographs and marveling at the wonders of nature and also the grit of the handful of inhabitants who eke out a living from fruits and vegetables grown on terraces on the mountainside. It is a very painstaking job and speaks volumes about the spirit of the farmers. The following photos will elaborate and tell the story in a better manner (click to enlarge).

                      Huffing and Puffing on our way up. Smijith shot this photo on his iPhone

                                                     Dawn over the mountain range

                                                               First rays of the Sun !

                   Wakan Village (seen from the place from where we started foot slogging)

                                                        Janarthanan, the pro at work !

                                                                      Sunrise

                                          Sunrise on the mountain above village Wakan.

                               Visitors Information Centre (not manned) and Viewing Platform.

                                           Notice Board at the start of the  Hiking Track

              Markers (yellow, white and brown stripe) to show the route. The drain on the right
              side is part of the 'falaj' system for irrigation. Dry pomegranates can be seen on trees.

            A Peach tree in bloom. January is a bit early for Peach trees to bloom so this was a
         special sight. In Mussoorie, where I grew up, I remember they used to bloom in March.

                                Another special sight - not referring to Bharat and myself -
                                   a Mango tree in bloom in January at 2000 mts altitude !

                                                       Wakan - The Green Village.

                   A view of the village and surrounding areas from one of the vantage points.

                                          The last viewing platform at the end of the track.

                                                    Notice before the last view point.

           End of the track at the very top. It was still cold. Even the Goats are basking in the sun.

                                 Wakan and surrounding areas from the last viewing platform.

                                         View of Al Qurah village form the last platform.

                            Jana, Dipesh and Smijith (L to R) at the village on our way back.

                                        View from the Viewing Platform at the Village !

                                        The "Lion's Head" Rock ? Thus christened by us !

                                    Rocky Perch ! We saw amazing rock formations all over.

                                         Atop another rocky sculpture on the way back.

The downhill trek after we left the village was no cakewalk either as descending is equally tough, if not more, than climbing up. By the time we reached the car it was around 1000 hrs and we were famished. We had not bothered to carry any food or water during the trek which was a big blunder. We were lucky that no one suffered any muscle cramps owing to lack of fluids. After gorging on food and beverages, we left for Muscat at 1030 hrs and with just a short stop for 'Karak' tea enroute, reached Muscat at 1230 hrs. 

The trip to Wakan was a wonderful outing and a welcome change from our daily routine despite the physical discomfort. The trip was an eye opener for us in more ways than one. We never imagined that farming of fruits as diverse as grapes, pomegranates, peaches and figs could be possible at a small hamlet way up in the mountains of Oman. For me it was special as it reminded me of my home state in India (Uttarakhand) thanks to the greenery and scenic beauty of the mountainous terrain.