The students who topped various programs and staff and faculty who were "best" at their jobs, were felicitated by our institute - NMIMS, Bangalore last week. This was a kind of a substitute for a Convocation, which happened online earlier. Some pics with and of the awardees.
I found one called Claytopia (somebody had recommended it earlier) close to my Koramangala office yesterday. I had Bhutanese Rice with Chicken keema, that turned out very good. Right amount of spice, and a good combo, well-presented too, as you can see below- an incentive for people to visit me!
Also, a few wisecracks come free!
In a day, I mean. That's Bangalore for you.
Most of the last six months, it's been raining here, mostly in the evenings, but occasionally in the day. Also, overcast for many days in a row, even though the Southwest monsoon went away long ago. There has been a series of storms that battered Chennai and had after-effects or side-effects here.
Strange weather pattern this year, with lots of rain. The constant road-digging (building?) is not helping much, but then, that's been the lot of the Bangalorean for years.
So, all is well.
An attitude of why not? can lead you to undiscovered locations, and journeys, or experiences. Maybe also lead to some self-discovery along the way. Usually, if you lead a life that is too structured, there is little scope to experiment and discover something new. It could be something as simple as a new dish in a restaurant, or a restaurant itself. Or, a new place to holiday in.
We tend to be scared to get out of our comfort zone in many spheres of living, and lose out on newer experiences that we might like. I am only suggesting that we try and get out of it, at least once in a while. Life may have a lot more to offer than you think.
A recent discovery, Residency Road (above) and an old haunt rediscovered at Forum mall (below, with an NMIMS alum)
Milind, and Anjali squared at Lalbagh outer circle. (below)
Below, a new friend and bookworm, Anushka. Chai Villa.
I have had encounters with many species, but had not met a leech before. Mosquitoes are long-standing friends- at least one of them, Anopheles by name. A leech, if you have not seen one, looks like an earthworm on a diet-a successful one. So small that you can miss it if you are not looking for one. In rainy times, they are everywhere, in grass particularly.
Once it latches on to you, usually on your foot somewhere, only salt is effective in getting rid of it. Otherwise, before you know it, it sucks out a few drops of blood, and grows five times its size. If you pull it out at that point, the blood still flows out for a little while. Shoes with thick socks may make it difficult, but if you are in chappals, it's a good idea to rub salt on your lower foot before you step out in a leech-infested area.
I had heard about them in Waynad area, but actually found them in Kotagiri, near a waterfall in a jungle. Interesting, but I don't really want to ever meet one again, if I can help it.
Starting from Bangalore, I ended up near Ooty, passing through Mettupalayam on the way. Actually, we did not get to Ooty, settling down at Coonoor after visiting friends in Kotagiri. The Nilgiri hills are a fascinating blend of scenery, wildlife, tea gardens and a lot more.
So the long-awaited holiday (due to COVID primarily), was completely enjoyable, and did result in some new friends being made, young and not so young. And of course, photographs in the ghats, in the rains, waterfalls, and tea gardens. Some of them are here-
