You are What you eat !

With the advent of new technologies & giant corporate ruling & controlling our daily needs. We really are cut off from our routes. On 5th June 2010 i.e. World Environment Day I just happened to see the documentary on Peter Proctor about One Man, One cow, One Planet- Bio-dynamic farming. It was not only inspirational but also played catalyst role my thought process. This documentary is value addition in understanding world around us. It could act as raw material for enhancing clarity in thoughts & its could possibly solve our many problems.

Our individual problems are related to food,health, shelter & society is widely based on environment we live in. All sorts of media especially television is playing vital role creating, building, sustaining social thoughts & its health. Fewer times I had asked my mother about daily soaps that she has been viewing during her free time. “Why do you watch a daily soap daily & do not want to miss any episode of it” She simply says “It’s just entertainment, just watch & forgets.” Choice of amusement or entertainment is based on individual preferences.

I applied similar analogy to our choice of food we eat. Does our body digestion system works alike my mother’s opinion about her choice of entertainment to get entertained our senses & just forget all about it? No,it’s not, rather whatever food we eat body always need to process every part of it. Our whole digestive system with coherence with other systems of body decides what stays inside our body & what should be thrown out of the body. If there is overload on any system we feel sick.

Does our mind works on similar lines. Any input via our senses get processed in similar fashion? We might not have simple answers to these types of questions. I would rather put it with simple example with one bibliographic reference. This could throw some light on choice of food we eat & our emotions & memory forms towards pleasure. Yesterday I read small article from New Scientist weekly [bib ref:3rd April 2010 page 13-original extract from Nature Neuroscience, DOI:10.1038/nn.2519] titled “Fast food ‘addicts’ may be exactly that”
Article as it is.
Junk food may seem like an addictive drug because it is. In rats, at least, too much fatty food raises the threshold for feelings of satisfaction, sparking a cycle of compulsive overeating.
In people, addictive drugs desensitize the brain by raising the threshold of “reward” activity that is needed to feel satisfied: more drug is needed to achieve the same effect.
Paul Kenny and colleagues at the Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, Florida, wondered if fatty foods might also cause desensitization.
They used electrodes to measure the sensitivity of rats’ brains to reward activity. Some ate normal rat food while others had limited or unlimited access to junk foods, tasty to both rats and humans. After 40 days, the brains of those that ate junk freely were less sensitive than those in the other groups. They were also obese.
All the rats learned that a flash of light led to a painful electric shock. Rather than try to avoid the shock when the light came on, “addicted” rats just carried on eating. Like drug addicted humans, they also had fewer receptors for the reward chemical dopamine.

Well after reading this article I was amazed to see the co-incidence & linkage with two all together different scenarios.

1 Genetically modified seeds: condition of chemical based farming: dead soil

2 We & our eating habits & our thoughts.

First scenario could be well addressed in documentary by Peter Proctor. Genetically modified seeds do not sustainability. It’s failed to cop up with on site environmental condition at various places all over the world. These seeds need specific chemical fertilizers supply to grow to its optimal design. Continuous use of these seeds along with chemical fertilizers year after year output from farm diminishes to such extend it built up salts into soil.

To obtain same yield, chemical fertilizer & hybrid seed manufacturing companies promote additional usage of chemical fertilizers to maintain the crop yield to it's expected output. It’s promising in initial years but after 5 years soil standards drop multi fold along with porosity of soil. Thus soil become weaker to hold water for longer period. even it could not absorb rain water during monsoon. vertical penetration of water is very less. Extreme but simple example would be sponge & rock. Hence chemical farming need more water than conventional seeds.

The ratio of water needed to grow genetically modified seeds vs. conventional seeds with organic/bi-dynamic farming is 1:2. If you extend this understanding further to water shortage in cities. We might have solution for Indian population. Out of total water requirement 65-70% water requirement is needed by agricultural sector in India. If every farmer in India adapts the technique of organic/bi-dynamic farming there is direct saving of 50% out of 65-75% & it's have multi fold benefits to rural as well urban population. It would be harmonizing & self sustaining factor.

Second Scenario: We & our eating habits & our thoughts

Our thoughts are control by emotions & vice versa. We are bombarded with information from mobile to television, news paper to holding, posters & handouts etc. we could classify these information bombardments into two broad categories that is chemical bombardment & organic bombardment. I have assumed chemical bombardment as any negative news, information that makes us stubborn or less sensitive for concern subjects just addicted rats previous example & organic bombardment are those data which cultivate positive thoughts, hope, safety, secured future for ourselves as well as overall well being of every person in family along with society we live in.

I would like to show linkage between students committing suicide: educational system: role of media. It might look weird link on surface but it’s very much closely integrated. It could be considered with general known facts & and parental concerns about their children.

General fact

Most of us know out of students who failed in exams few commit suicide. Government or many intellectuals would discuss this issue & come up with solution to this problem by removing merit list, suggesting counseling for students as well as parents, teachers etc.
Parents concern & prosperity(favorable conditions)

I had attended one lecture under “Chai & Why” session organized by TIFR(Tata Institute of Fundamental Research} at “Pruthvi Theater” as part of public outreach program. Lecture was delivered by Angika Basant under title “HUM SAB EK HAIN”

It was all about a looking at biology 200 years after Darwin, and how despite evolution and diversity, some things at the heart of all life are just so similar! Most of crowd present was from higher class & there kids were asking very interesting & innocent questions on the complex topic of evolution. I was amaze with kid’s ability to speak in crowd as well contends of questions.

This might be early exposure to good books & parents interaction with their kids. Parents are able to provide well illustrated books to very young age. since child curiosity is beyond adults parameters. since we built invisible walls to our thoughts & limit our curiosity to kind of robotic, artificial life style.

One 8 year kid asked question “How to become Biologist?” It’s normal to hear kids wants to become Doctor, Engineers, and Pilot etc. but nobody asks elders in such determinedly. How to become x-x-x-x? It was my first experience to face such confident kid. After why session I had interacted with parents of few kids.

One parent was concern about her kids reading accidents, violence stories & photos published in news paper. The kid get depressed after reading & seeing photos of such demoralizing incidents. She shared her grief about impossible task of isolating kid from such readings from newsprints or telecast on television. She was also aware of the famous example of Israel print media publishing the terrorist attacks on 3rd page with small head line instead of publishing bold headline on front page along with photographs. Israel print media would prefer to published farmer success story on front page along with prospering farm s photograph.

Giving these all details is just to reveal linkage between positive attitude of media & general health of society. Why students commit suicide psychologist would point out it's result of depression or nervous breakdown could lead to take such steps. we should ask question to our own selves why students feel depressed? Am I depressed few times? Just try to follow the questions origin until you reached to beginning of it. anyone could discover there is not specific reason that causes such extreme steps.

Each students interaction with it's surrounding has key role for defining, building, harnessing negative thoughts, remarks and ultimately resulting in cumulative effects & chain reaction to the specific students or adult suicide.

we never allowed & given change to think independently. Just like genetically modified seeds we are accustomed to so called safe lab environment & act like addicted rats in every aspect of life. Media always strong supported & promoter of these kind of life style. Our visual world is dominated by promotional products of octopus natured corporate sector.

Most parents bound by office work or professions. Do we get time for our kids, family or life partner? if yes Do we able give quality time? Parents are more worried about rising inflation & ever increasing cost of living. It's lead to work harder to meet the perceived requirements in monetary terms. There is less time for their children & family it could result lesser communication between family members. children easily detached from their families at very early age.

How does feeling of insecurity could cultivate security in future generation? How do insecure & worried parents could cultivate feeling of security inside their kids. So does the child or adult committing suicide lie with only specific system of education or do we need re-think, review our our basic needs & how we live.

Most of us are eating food produced out of fertilizers farm or fast food and many of us are addicted to it. Before green revolution there was 30000 rice verities where produced in India. Now only about 10-15 verities are remaining.
[http://geography.about.com/od/globalproblemsandissues/a/greenrevolution.htm]

So we are eating food deficient in fighting with local disease & it does not provide basic nutrients earlier found in sufficient quantity. It’s possible that our quality of food & fast food deteriorating our immunity as well. Weird linking e.g
use of Hi-performance petrol is providing longer & better engine life on higher speeds,but normal petrol fails to prevent depreciation of engine components.

Most of us are least bother about solving the problem from route. No one wants to take burden? We are not trained in to solve our problems with our own hands. Powerful marketing & advertising making people addict to certain products for life time & maximizing their profits. For example

1 Gelucel tablet or syrup consumed by many individuals after their dinner or lunch. But they never try to solve their route cause of body creating excess acids.

2. Recent add of toilet freshener with kid sitting on toilet holding his nose due to foul smell form his stool. It’s mostly based on what we eat or certain medical condition.

3. Mosquito repellent coil or liquid: it’s clearly written on package but in very small fonts difficult to read with 20/20 vision that it’s poison for humans & It’s not recommended below 3 year kids. Even many physicians recommend avoiding coil or liquid during cough & cold. List could be endless. Now days it's become status symbols for specific apparatus to have at home instead of seeing need for it. corporate are immensely good at creating artificial need of the product.

If we look at origin of chemical fertilizers it's was initially develop for military weapon but after the end of the world war II many biological weapons stocks remain as pile. Investors don't want to loose their stacks. so biological weapons after alteration become made chemical fertilizers & need for it created with clever marketing gimmicks world sink into the chemical fertilizers. Even while spraying chemical fertilizers farmers needs to use gas mask and rubber suits. In European & Americans countries using it but nature does not have such rubber suits & it does not requires such suits now & in future.

All the above words are my thoughts & nothing else. I do not want to put any new theory or to prove anything. It’s perception of my mind in word form willing to share with all of you, who are privilege and have access to Internet.
If some one is interested in details of Peter Proctor & his work or bio-dynamics just visit this link http://www.biodynamics.in/

School Reunion and Some random thoughts

School reunion –second meeting was revealing. It might be not that nostalgic but still wondering does people dwell in past. Does backbiting is internal part of human nature or it’s just evolving manifestation of certain situations with certain people. What is common aspiration to meet our school friends/mates? It is to know who is better than whom? Or it is simple curiosity to digging some whereabouts our schoolmates. Does it contents hidden jealousy about each other?

What ever may it be but it might lead to some kind contemplation about life.

Nobody is perfect. I have done some objective criticism many times in past but as emotional intelligence is being evolved within, the urge for it no more exist. Even I was unaware of the fact that everyone is not ready to absorb the objective criticism very well.

I might have hurt lots of people during journey towards knowing my-self deep down. There were never deliberate intentions to blow emotions of others but temptation of flashing your intelligence, brainy thoughts; expression could lead to unknowingly distress some one emotionally.

It’s revelation to me some few months back that some times you don’t need to express your thoughts, opinion and just accept the natural flow of emotions of others. Respect everyone’s thoughts, expressions and let it go specially response to female counterpart.

Do people perceive married people are safer to deal with or its mare perceptive illusion of people being committed, married considered as safe? Does it based on our cultural history and social background with limited scope. Most of the times new contacts, trusting on you more than your family or friends. It might be due to unbiased view towards you and they could see you as you are now and no more past emotional scars on them. How could we heal their scars without being exhibiting your efforts to do so? Journey continues to raising more and more questions and finding solution to them.

Understand your self, you will understand world better than ever before and your thoughts process will much more clear and without any doubts leading to generating piece of mind and body together.

Adventure on Foot.

Our 9th standard vacation came to end and our regular school was started. Going to 10th standard is still consider to be important for future career. Every school has separate strategy for teaching to the tenth student. Even our school was having such strategy. We have schedule weekly examination. every one who goes to 10th std. (considering Maharastra State Board Examination stands for S.S.C.). The atmosphere changes a lot around from home to school. where ever you go we get lots of suggestions and comments on the S.S.C. examination and their importance in life. most of the time it's overdose for most of the students. Most of the students were over burden during this year. We can trace back these tensions and pressure once 9th std. results are out.

I was against the memory Test. I had already made up my mind that I was not going to appear any examination. so I can delay further things a bit. (This may sound very stupid idea) but that time my mind was full of such weired things. I was having four time experience to running away from home. Initially with taking money from home and latter almost without money.

School just started and within first week. School declares the whole year time table for the weekly examination and other details. Everyday I was having company of my junior friend Sameer Sapte from my home to school. so parent were not worried about me. I wanted to avoid the weekly examination so I had plane.

Our school is running morning batch for 8 to 10 standard. In month of June one fine morning I went to school as usual. Our weekly examination was held during last period. before starting of the examination. I came down for washroom. The boys washroom is on ground floor. I taken brisk walk after attending the washroom. Our school was not having proper security as such. even on duty security asked me where I am going?. I told him that I left home work book at home so I am going to bring it other wise I had to face the punishment. He didn't stop me for going out.

Once out of the school I started running as fast as I could. I was wearing the new rainy Sandals. I got immediate Sandal bite. I had to stop running and started walking fast. I was little bit scared that some one from school will follow me. It was end of June but monsoon was not started in full bloom. I don't have single money in my pocket. But I had carried my Scout Identity card with me. I had learned from previous experience that without identity card police can catch hold of you and send you in jail.

I reached crossed foot over bridge of Andheri and reached to highway. From western express highway up till Santacruz and from Santacruz via Vakola bridge headed towards Kurla. The Andheri Kurla east Distance is around 12-15 kilometers. It took me 6 hours to reach Kurla. Due to Sandal bite on foot the walking speed was limited. I left the school around 9 or 10 am I was able to reached Kurla by 4.30 pm. I was wearing the school uniform. white shirt and blue pant. To the safer side I had removed my school batch. I had taken rest for while and continued my journey towards Vashi.

The Andheri Kurla stretch was very tiresome. Bright Sunlight and Sandal bite was challenging my journey. But I over ride it. The vakola and near kurla area was new for me. It was all scrap metal market. I was wondering to see small kids younger than me was working at this scrap metal market area. It was very ugly site to look for. I was seeing so much dirt in first time. I was about to vomit to see such dirty place. but I control myself.

I just manage to cross Trombe (Turbe naka by 9:00 pm) I was aware of the fact that nobody is allowed in night to walk from the Vashi Mankurd connection sea bride. I was looking for getting help. I just dared to ask one Truck driver who was just passing the weighting machine to insure that his truck in not overloaded. I explain him that I want to reach Panvel to visit my Grandmother. I don't have money to buy a ticket for bus so could you help me out. He just told me to hop in. He told me that he is not going to Panvel but will be giving me lift up till Juinagar.(one of the railway station before Nerul ) I said fine. I boarded the truck. He further told me that Octroi clearing paper will take overnight so we have sleep inside the truck. This truck was not having National Permit.

I had no choice but to spend night inside the truck. He parked the truck before bridge. There was huge trails of trucks. One side of mind was afraid but other side was happy that I was able to avoid the polices check point at entrance of the bridge. I tried to sleep inside the cabin but lots of mosquitoes could allow me to sleep. The driver offer me to sleep on hips of Gonnies. I had to accepted his offer. It was the month of June but sky was very much clear. I was able to see lots of bright stars in the sky. It also reminds me the starts I have seen in Ghats during my previous runs. I was so tired that I sleep for hours together.

Early morning cold breeze wakes me up. almost by 8:00 am we started our journey. I get down from the truck near Juinager around 8:30 am. I was again on foot. I walk and walk for many hours finally reached to Panvel. It is very difficult to remember minute details about my adventure on foot after 15 years. I had taken rest for while on Panvel S.T. stand. wash my face. I visited the hotel Datta Krupa near S.T. depot. at the cash counter I dared to asked for the help. I told him that I am regular visitor of your hotel my bi-cycle had been stolen and I had to return to Lonavala. so could you help me. I had given the reference about the television set kept near the cash counter. That day the television set was not present at the cash counter. The hotel owner was convinced with my story and he given me 30 rupees in cash. I thank if and told him that I will return the money while my next visit.

I was hungry but I don't want to spend money. I had just took some Parle biscuits and ate it. I was having the choice either get into the S.T. and travel up to Lonavala but I choose to walk.
I started to walk towards Khopoli. I was having Scout note book with me. I saw lots of yellow color butterfly dead and lying on the side of the road. I started picking one by one keeping inside my note book. I had never seen so much butterflies together. I almost collected around 50 butterflies. It was sort of fun. I was having blister on my foot due to Sandal bite. I tried to use leafs of plants side of the road to cover my sandal bite and relieve pain from it.

Just before 3 kilometers away from khopoli one truck stopped by me and truck cleaner asked me to hop in. I just look inside the truck there were many other people were seating. These are those people who used to travel by trucks due to not having sufficient money for S.T bus or availability of the mode of transport. I just hoped in. Evey one was observing me but nobody asked me a single question. within 5 minutes we reached to Khopoli everybody was giving money to the cleaner. Even I offered money to cleaner but he refused to took money from me. I was surprise but giving thanks in return to both driver and cleaner I got down from the truck.

Once again I was on foot. I was too much hungry. I had eaten at Maharastra Khanaval in front of Khopoli S.T. stand. I spent 12 rupees on that. I was calculating the amount after taken my lunch. I had spend some 4 rupees on the biscuits at the Panvel. The local ticket from Lonavala to Pune was around 10- Rupees I was knowing this info from my previous visits After taking proper meal after so many hours latter. I was feeling little bit sleepy. But I have to continue my journey.

I started climbing the Ghats. Its was my second time on foot. I was trying to use shortcuts to climb up. Ghat is almost 8 Kilometers. I was half the way from Lonavala. One multi axial tanker was passing by. The driver and cleaner saw me walking on foot. The speed of my walking and tanker speed was almost the same due to the steep slop. I was walking with the tanker for 2-3 minute. Once tanker had cross the steep slope its stops and cleaner signals me to hop in. I was happy. I just get inside the truck. This truck was not carrying any other passengers but previous two truck ride had given me confidence to get inside the truck. somewhere in mind I was feeling safe about this truck driver and cleaner.

It's was totally new experience for me. Due to liquid in the tanker. The truck was vowelling from inside. at such slow speed It was quite shaky inside the truck. I realized that it needs different skill to drive the tanker. I enjoyed this part of the journey. Truck drop me at main road lonavala outside the S.T. depot. I thank them both driver and cleaner.

I got down from the truck and marched towards the Lonavala railway station. I purchased the ticket and able to get evening local around 6:30 pm from Lonavala to Pune. In between I tried to clean my self as much as possible. I reached Pune around 8:30pm. I was wondering what to do next. This time I decided to went to mothers sisters home in Hadapser. I was not so much familiar with road from Pune to Hadapser. It almost 8 kilometers away from Railway Station. I was again on foot.

looking for the Road sign boards I started my journey again. I walked almost for 3 hours to reach Hadapser from main road relatives home was 2 km away. I just stop at one hotel and drink lots of water almost 6-7 glasses of water I had drank. I was not amaze that my body able to consume so much of water due to previous experience.

Almost by mid night I knock the door of my relatives home. They saw me but didn't questioned me much because news of missing from school was already reached to them. My mothers sister gave me some cloths to change and served the food. I ate some food and gone to sleep. I was so tired that I wake let in afternoon next day. I was telling the same story every time once I reached to place (relatives) that I am not recollecting the events How I reached to Pune. I only recollect that I am at so and so location and could not recollect anything before that point.

We have lots of relatives in Pune. Having joint family from mother side and having business relations make lots of contacts. Most of my relatives come to see me. while checking my belongings they found the Scout notebook from my bag. They was shocked to see so many yellow butterflies inside the scout notebook. They were wondering where did I get time to catch these all butterflies. The collection of butterflies during journey added more mystery to my escape form home and reaching Pune.

My stomach was paining for not eating for many hours

The sun was shining hot. I was sweating like a hell. but whom to complain. I had go further. I started climbing the Ghat. It takes me more than two hours to reach the Lonavala. Khopoli to Lonavala distance is 8 kilometers. I first visited to S.T. stand washed my face and went to lonavala railway station. I was so tired that my stomach was paining for not eating for many hours. I was helpless.

I made up my mind and decided to go to Station Master. I told him a story that I am victim of pick pocketing I need to travel to Pune. I was worried about how to reach without having the proper ticket. He just looked at me and told me to catch the Madras express and get down at Pune. I just requested him to inform the Guard about this so If Ticket Collector showed up he will not catch me for without ticket. He was very co-operative. I don't have to wait for long Madras express was on time. I had to wait for only half hour. I boarded in ladies compartment which is attached to the Guards compartment.

The mail depart from platform by 4:30 pm I was standing in the door for long time. thinking about my next plan of action. what to do once reached to Pune. I reached to Pune by 6.00 pm. I don't want to go from main gate so I look around. I spotted many people are going from different exit than regular main gate. I just followed them and I was on streets of Pune. I just decided to end my journey and I went to my Uncles house. and as usual same story was repeated. This time I had to leave in Pune for few days. Our relatives want to try something else for my mysterious journey from Mumbai to Pune. but I will post those details some other time.

I was scare to death !

Despite the fact that I had not given my 9th final examination I was promoted to 10th std. as special case and due to my track record. I was center of attention for everyone in society in school. Even my schoolmates try to ask me about my venture. But I was very firm about my fake story. I had to face lots of social embarrassment. I was more attentive more observant. I don't want to exposed to the world.

My family members was worried about my future. I was in my own world. looking for next adventure. last incident I had sacrifice my bi-cycle. Even father sold his old bi-cycle in fear of my escape through the bi-cycle. one day evening me and my father went to barber shop. It was day before my regular weekly test of 10th std. It was Friday evening . Father was very cautious about me. He don't want to loose me from his eye site. Barber finished business with me. It was my fathers turn to cut his hair.

The barber shop was poorly ventilated. I requested my father that It is very hot inside the shop so I will wait outside on scooter. He initially refuse but latter allow me to do so. I taken this chance. I seated on scooter for 3-4 min. I was waiting for the opportunity to runaway. once barber turns his back on me I immediately jump off the scooter and started running fast as I can. within minute I saw barber also running after me. I run fast as I could. and at the crossing the road I just jump into to the moving auto rich show and order him to take me to Andheri railway station.

I was so scared that if barber could have caught me. I was breathing heavily. I was having only 10 rupees in my pocket. I was worried about auto fair,before station arrive I told rich show driver to stop and told him fake story that I am victim of pick pocketing and I had to travel to Charchgate. I had only 10 rupees. to my surprise he believed on my story and taken no money from me.

I just get the local train ticket to Panvel and catch the local. I change local twice at Dadar and Kurla. and get into the Vashi local. during that period the Vashi was the last stop for Harbor locals. I was having little doubt. am I traveling with proper route. The doubt become reality. I have taken wrong route to reach Panvel. The Panvel route was via Diva Junction.

Local reached to the Vashi. All of the remaining people get down. I was totally new to the railways station. Many times station was seen through the S.T Bus. It was almost 8.30 in the night. There was ticket collector who check my ticket. He just mark the ticket with pen and handover the ticket back to me. I was now on foot. Next complete journey I have to carry on foot.

I started walking towards the highway. I walked almost for two hours. One Petrolling Police Jeep stop in front of me. Inspector ordered me to get inside the Jeep. I was scare to the death. Now everything is finished. I was in big trouble. Jeeps had taken a speed and Inspector asked me about my where abouts.

Inspectors was little bit suspicious about me. He asked me,"Did you running away from home? where you stay? what is your native place? etc. I told him the half truth. I told him my real name, real address, real native place everything true. except I had change the references. He further threatened me tell me the truth or I will put you in remand home. I pleaded him not to do so. I told him that I don't want to go to remand home. Even I refer to the movie seen two days ago. I was continuously talking about my self. I have to defend my self. I told him that I am alone in this world except my Grandmother. she stays at Andheri. I am working as Hotel boy at Hotel Datta Guru near S.T.Bus depot. I get earning about 300 rupees per month. etc. I had gone to meet my Grandmother. Now I have to reached the Hotel as early as possible. I have ticket to Panvel but I mistakenly get into the Vashi local. I had no money further to travel. All this data of payment and remand home was from movie "Salam Bombay" I had seen that movie two days before this incident took place

Jeep stop well before the Panvel S.T. depot. and he ordered me to get down. He suggested not to travel alone in so late. I thank him for giving me lift up to Panvel. Jeep turns back and taken different route. I had to walk at least 15 minutes to reach Panvel S.T. depot.

It was almost 11.30 pm. The S.T. depot was empty. very few people awake. most of the waiting passenger were in half sleep. I had just escape from big blunder. I am still amaze that the 16 year kid could convince Police Inspector. May be It was my luck. but considering the fact I had given It's logical that Inspector has no other option than believing what I told him. If kid is running away from home How could it be possible to know so much details near Panvel S.T.Depot.

I was very much tired and hungry. after my lunch I had not eaten any thing. I just drink lots of water. I mate one old person on the S.T. depot. I was alert. He just inquired,"what are you doing so late night at the S.T. Stand." I told him that I am staying in Panvel Bazar and I have sleep disorder. My home is very small and to kill the time I am at S.T. depot. I was stark awake. I taken power nap for 5-10 minute. but worried about some body will catch me.

I had to wait until the down. I started my Journey towards Khopoli around 4.00 a.m. I had only two rupees left in my pocket after taking Panvel ticket. I usually don't drink the tea. but outside S.T. depot I have spent one rupees for the tea.

I was too much tired but I had to carry on. I had taken rest for 2-3 min in after 5-6 kilometers. I continuously walk towards Khopoli. after 9.00 a.m The heat of the Sun started building up. I was not having any water bottle or any such thing along with me. I don't want to get dehydrated. I used simple technique to avoid dehydration. whenever I see the Dhaba. I was drinking lots of water and requested waiter to bring me some Sugar. I was eating two-three spoon sugar for every visit to Dhaba. This approach helped me to avoid fainting out.

The Panvel Khopoli distance is around 33 km. It took me almost 8 hours to reached Khopoli. Around 12 noon I was near Khopoli. I had made up my mind. every now and then I was shifting focus from one corner to another corner of the road. constantly telling my mind that I will stop at next corner. I was not having any specific thoughts in my mind but I was keenly observing the surroundings. walk walk continuous walk........to be continued

People love to hear the mysterious stories rather than pure truth

It was like addiction to adventure on bi-cycle after the two incidents. Third incident took place after 9th std. examination. First time in my life I had join the vacation cum regular class for the 10th std. I was quite regular to the class never bunking the class and securing very good marks in almost all tests. Up till now I had run away from the home before the examination. My mind was addicted to adventure I had took third chance to run away from home. It added more suspense to my life and more misery to my family members. But I was taken by the thrill, challenge, tension during the traveling.

I had class from morning to evening. we had two breaks in between for refreshments and for lunch. During second break I just took my belongings and started my journey to Pune. It was not much different than previous one. I had taken halt at Panvel and Lonavala. I had reached Lonavala by mid night. next morning I was riding the bi-cycle in streets of Pune. I was having enough money to run the body engine running.

I was too much of tired bi-cycling almost 160 km. I need to wash my self. I went to swimming pool to clean my body. I want to get read of my bag and bi-cycle. I just left my bag in swimming pool area. and left the bi-cycle near by S.T. stand. I was out of my mind. I had no logical control over my feelings and actions. I just want to create mystery. During whole day I was wondering the streets of Pune. Constantly thinking how to defend my self once I reach to destination. Destination which was not known to me.

Late in evening to kill the time I had went to the theater in Deccan area and watched movie one and half time. The idea of going to theater is not originating from my mind. It was based on the passing comments of one of my colony friend. Even I done fake calls to my Uncles home that I had been kidnapped and they have to arrange for the money for the same. I used the public phone for the purpose. I was in my own world. very ruthless, careless about the others feeling. Not thinking about my family. I was too much self fish. but It's stage of frustration.

I had lots of relatives in Pune. Even in Deccan area we had relative. I just went to their home and told regular fake story that I don't know How I reached to Pune. They immediately called my uncle and I had taken to my uncles home that night. Next day morning my father came to Pune and we both travel back to Mumbai.

We went to see our family doctor. My family members told him everything about my Pune visit and not recollecting anything. Doctor suggested to visit the Psychiatric. Dr. Vahiya is Psychiatric. He had conducted some small test and given the report. My family members does not told me the result of the report. but the report says that I was lying. That's the naked truth. but family members and my relatives are not believing on this report. I was the only person who was knowing that I was lying.

Every body was wondering about my visit to Pune and not remembering anything at all. I realized that people love to hear the mysterious stories rather than pure truth.

Running away from home......part -2

Second incident took place in month of final examination of the 9th standard in year 1992. I was fed up with existing examination system which is based on memory taste. I was having very stupid thoughts. I was not seeing any promising and challenging life ahead.

I decided not to appear for exams. so I took another chance. I ran away from home second time. It was before the final exam. This time I taken a bicycle ride. we had two bicycle at that time. One was use by father and another used by me and my elder brother. BSA SLR was the model. learning from my previous experience I have saved money for my next adventure. It was sufficient to travel to my village. I had chosen the safe passage.

I ride the bicycle up to 'Pune'. I had left the home from in the evening. around 6.00 p.m. I reached 'Panvel' by 9.00 pm. I had taken cup of coffee at Hotel 'Dattaguru' next to panvel S.T. bus depot. Next stop was 'Khopoli'. Panvel to Khopoli distance is 37 km. riding the bicycle in the night is quite dangerous. there was no expressway during 1992. Old Mumbai-Pune highway was very busy. heavy traffic in Ghat as well as on road.

I had taken my dinner at "Maharastra Khanaval" opposite to Khopoli S.T. depot. Looking at my age owner curiously asked me some question, where I am going at this time. I just told him that my father had a stationary shop and I am visiting the "Manashakati Kendra" at Lonavala. he was surprise that at this age I am traveling alone on bicycle. I don't know but after hearing the story he refuse to take money for the dinner. I still don't know no why he didn't took the money from me?

I was tired but I can't stop in one place. so I began riding the bicycle again. next 8 km was very steep "Ghat" area with jungle. even panvel khopoli section was jungle. The Ghat area is quite dangerous and very steep I just ride for next 1 km and I get down from bicycle and start pushing it with my hand and I walked along with it.I reached lonavala by midnight around 12:30 am.

Ghat experience was exciting thrilling and wonderful. traveling alone in ghat, seeing lots of sparkling stars above head. surrounding was quite dark and fearsome. Two traffic police asked me where I am heading. I told them the same story that I am visiting the 'Manashakati Kendra' at lonavala. They had to believe me because if kid is running away from home will not know this information ready. They advice me to take care of my self while going up and beware of trucks. I thanks them and continue my journey.

I tied the bicycle to lamp post inside the S.T. stand. There was not much people on the S.T. depot. I was afraid of going to sleep. Once person asked my where abouts. I told him the same story but maid little variation that I am traveling to "Pune". He was surprised and asked me "Are you not afraid of strangers and thief?" I bluntly told him,"what can thief can still from me?" very little cash and bicycle. Even I told him that I know karate very much. He offered me take a sleep at his house which was behind the S.T. depot. I simply refused to accept his tempting invitation. I don't know but I want to defend my self getting into trouble. I try to take a nap for while. I just rested for next 3 hours.

I started my journey by 5:30 p.m. I don't want to get dehydration. so I have to started early. Just washed my face with water. Carbon was settled on my whole body. So I tied the handkerchief to my head and headed towards Pune. I was physically exhausted but constantly telling my mind I have to ride till next corner. once reached to that place again shifting my focus to next corner of the road. I continue my ride till arrival of Pune.

I have taken different path from "Dehu road" I had travel lots of time to Pune and Sangali during my vacation. I was constantly observing the sign boards and road signs while traveling This observation paid off during my this bicycle ride to Pune. Lonavala Pune section by road is 60 km. I reached Pune by noon. from Pune I took a State Transport bus to Sangali.

The cycle was dump on the top carrier of ST. I had to pay extra-fare for that. I reached "sangli" by evening. I just wondered around the Sangali to Miraj section. Late mid night decided to go to grandmother's place. There was no moon light available to show me the road to my village. I taken judgment of tar road and always try to keep the center of the road. There was no traffic like Mumbai Pune section. In Mumbai Pune section the headlights of passing vehicle was helping me to ride the bicycle but this part of the village was more scary.

I reached my village by midnight 2:30 am. I tried to sleep inside the ST stand. but due to mosquitoes unable to sleep. early morning villagers saw me sleeping inside the stand. Once again some of them identified me. I just told them that I am not recollecting how I reached up till here. again my father visited the village and along with my father we came to Mumbai but via Pune.

Parents are more worried than first incident. This was something new to them. I was in my own world. but was more attentive and more observant then ever before. once I reached Mumbai I have to face teasing from notorious elder kids from our society.

The real life experience will not end here. I ran away from home almost seven times and one failed attempt. two experiences already share with you all. others incident will be posted soon. but all these stupid(calling stupid may be not suitable) adventures given me lots of exposure to lots of things. It was beginning of my new life.

After so many years latter I certainly know that I was in search of something which was not known to me at that time. i.e the stage of frustration. but one thing is sure to avoid your frustration or depression anybody must follow their realistic dreams.