Activism or something else ?

Hmmm, so I woke in the afternoon, after a long sleep. Every bone, every muscle, every joint in my body was screaming for rest. I had grossly underestimated the strain of the Marathon. Should have rested more before trekking. Even my guide/mentor/friend for treks was "hit" by this trek. So she said.

Anyway, switched on the TV to catch up with the news. It had been 3 days now. I had been out of sync with the "world". And this post is about the news on 26th Jan 2009.

1.Some self proclaimed protectors of Indian culture had misbehaved and beaten up the women in one of the pubs in Mangalore. This happened on the Saturday afternoon. The media was there, with mic, camera and crew. But alas, there was no police. The attackers were members of a group that calls itself the army of Lord Rama. Lord Rama, the ideal man, in Indian culture.

2.MNS is at it again. This time at a school's Republic Day function. They beat up the parents, teachers, students. They tried to set the stage on fire. Reason? School was celebrating the Republic Day, when all were supposed to mourn for the Mumbai terrorist incident. It just so happened that Bhojpuri music was being played. Once again, media was there but no police.

Now, I can understand if someone has problem with drugs. I can also understand if someone has problem with drinking alcohol. But why have problem only with women drinking or doing drugs? Why not beat up the men too?

Again, ofcourse whatever happened in Mumbai (the terrorists attacks) was horrible. It should never have happened. But the kind of security & intelligence appaatus we have in place, this was just a matter of time. Why blame the people of Bihar for it? For Gods sake, they were celebrating the country's Republic Day. It was not a obscene show. The best way to defy the attempts of terrorists is to be resilient, by choice or by compulsion.

Two different crowds, two different reasons, but same violent behaviour. They claim to be the activists. The social activists. Saviours of the Indian culture.

Another common feature in both events, yes you got it right, the behaviour of the media and the public too. Media knew abt the incidents in advance. But they didnt alert the police (thus claimed the commissioner/SP in Mangalore). Pray, tell me why did they not inform the police. Wht did the crew not put the equipment aside and help the victims? Was it not basic requirement of humanity to help fellow humans in need? I can not think of any reason for sich behaviour.

We are proud of our educated people. What were they doing? Could they not stop the atackers? Oh come on now, how can I expect anything better from our meek, helpless citizens. They are too busy with other things.

Perhaps am cribbing too much. Am I ?

Trek to Kumaraparvatha

Now, you may say that I shoud not have went for trekking so soon after the Marathon. But I had missed the same to last year, did not want to miss again. So "yes" it was to the weekend trek to the second highest and the most difficult trek in Karnataka.

19 people in the group this time. Bus was OK. Did sleep for a while. Reached Kukke well in time at 0530. Got ready and had breakfast before starting. This was a difficult climb from the beginning. Incline was steep. Morning was cool and forest was dense, so did not tire. Reached the camping site in 2hrs and 30mins. It was a trek of about 5KMs. Rested and had lunch before going to the view ppoint. Clicked some pictures and came back to pitch tents. Later in the evening people played Antakshri, the game of songs, while I listened. Had a Bon Fire at night before lights out. Soon, started feeling pain the right knee. Carried on though, slowly. Some drinks at 0700, at mid way. Had breakfsat at 0800 at the penultimate peak. Fabulous view. Dont want to go back!

Reached the peak at 0900, this was another 5KMs from the camping site. Slept 2 hrs there. Ah, the wind, the view. You have to see it to believe it. Headed back at 1100. Had lunch and started for the last part at 1515. One of the guys tumbled down. Luckily, was saved. Result of torn shoes. He was the same guy who slipped at the dry waterfall. Oh i forgot to mention the rock. It was there at the last stretch to the peak. During monsoons, water flows down it. It was dry. Climbing on it was fun. But bad foot gear may be a problem.

Upon reaching Kukke back, freshened up, went to the temple, had some food for dinner nad started the bus journey back home, unwillingly. Was at home before 0600. Weekend well spent. But I sure had strained myself too much. Crashed on the bed immediately.

The Mumbai Marathon

So, it was THE day. Not exactly though. The title of THE day should get the other day, hmmm may be I will be able to write about it too. For the time being read about the other THE day ...

Sunday, 18 January 2009

Mumbai

Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon

Yes, I was there. I was not sure of running here when I registered in August. But for the last one month I had increased my jog distances, I had reached 30KMs in Bangalore, last week. That was supposed to be enough before the actual Marathon (42.195KMs). As decided the earlier night, VT (he deserves a full blog, not just a post, more about him only after I get his permission) dropped me at the railway station. There was a long queue, at 0600 in the morning. Yes, Mumbai never sleeps. But yes, the people here are efficient, and so are the local trains. I was at the famed (infamous too) CST Station at 0700, well in time.

There was a huge crowd, crowd of onlookers, media, people cheering. The event had already begun. The Half Marathon had already started. I still had a chance to back out. But no, I wanted to see if I can do it. Why do i need to know that? I have no clue. I just wanted to know. Anyway deposited my bag, took a leak and went to theh holding area. Very few people. Not many run the full marathon. May be many started running along with theh half marathoners. Indians, foreignres, men, women, boys, girls and old men too. You have to salute the spirit. But where were the celebrities? Where were the Kenyans?

Oh, they were already there at the starting line. We all started together though. My first official run. Wow, this was quite something. People, media, participants. I needed to complete this sucessfully. Firts 14KMs was along the sea - Marine Drive, Haji Ali, Chowpati, I had travelled on these roads by car. And on that day, I was running. Running for myself. By the time I had run 15KMs the Kenyans had run more than 25KMs. Oh my, they run llike horses. Hats off to them. Anyway, my aim was to complte in time. So, kept running. Crossed the Siddhi Vinayak, took a U-Turn at Bandra Reclamation. By this time it was hot. Very hot and humid. And I was not prepared for this kind of weather. Bangalore is so cool.

Kept drinking water, lots of water. iPod was playing music, continuously. And i was running. I think I hallucinated too. That I was rotting from inside. That am dancing somewhere. But I was running. Siddhi Vinayak was back in sight. And with it came the announcement that the return vehicle was on its way. Runners may jump on to it. I let them go. It was getting tougher with each step. And to make thngs worse, the organisers started packing up. That meant no more water. Somehow managed to run the kast hour without a drop and reached the finist line just in time to qualify for a timing certificate. By my watch I ran fro around 5hours and 10minutes. Collected the documents & bag, informed home and took the train back to VT's place.

I had survived it. And i had sucessfully completed it. My official timing was 5H 11M 3S. Not bad, but I could surely have done better. May be next time.

Its a great feeling to achieve something that most people dont even dare to think about. Am not boasting, but its feels good.