Careless Whispers ...

'Salma' gets quoted by Sabrina, who gets quoted by Afrina, who gets quoted by... and then LIES evolute to TRUTH ~ Mediacrooks India, the world’s largest democracy, witnesses massive electoral exercises that shape the nation’s political landscape. Amidst this democratic fervour, journalism plays a pivotal role in informing and engaging citizens. The symbiotic relationship between Indian elections, journalism and revenue, while presenting huge opportunities for media organisations, leaves the citizen in utter chaos & confused state.  Obviously the journalism industry is enjoying the peak season and every player is busy making the most out of it. If we thought newspapers & news magazines survive on our subscription and commercial revenues, think again! News Journalism industry in particular, Print & Electronic both, are able to cover their entire revenue budget for a few years from one single election.  In fact, small time web-mags and regional newspapers survive on r

Introduction “ It’s always further than it looks. It’s always taller than it looks.  And it’s always harder than it looks .”  ~ The three rules of mountaineering Chauragarh, Chhota Mahadev (Pachmarhi, MP) An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on top of Chauragarh, the second  highest peak of Satpura ranges in Central India, Pachmarhi (Madhya Pradesh). The shrine is also popularly known as Chhota Mahadeo Mandir . After Mahakal and Omkareshwar shrines in Madhya Pradesh, Chauragarh Chhota Mahadev temple witnesses the largest gathering of devotees during Mahashivratri and Nag Panchami. Mostly the devotees come from the adjoining states of Chattisgarh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Originally built by the King of Gond Dynasty, Sangram Shah (1488-1541 CE).  The shrine of Chhota Mahadev is unique in that there are thousands of Trishuls (Tridents) placed in a cluster inside the temple courtyard. During the festivals, devotees carry these huge tridents along the steep uphill tracks t

“What is a lifetime adventure for you is a daily routine for us.” ~ Sign board on Leh-Ladakh  highway (Indian Army) "जो आपके लिए जीवनभर का असाधारण रोमांच है, वो हमारी रोजमर्रा की जिंदगी है।" - लेह-लद्दाख राजमार्ग पर साइनबोर्ड (भारतीय सेना) In today's highly competitive world of individual goals and individual achievers, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find role models to inspire and remind us of the forgotten ideals & values of duty, loyalty, working without supervision, dedication to the assigned job & responsibilities. What we instead find tons of these new age social-media ‘influencers’ and ‘mentors’ who preach & lecture the young ones on cheap-tricks, life-hacks and crooked smartness. But as always stated in several earlier posts, and once again drawing from the legendary Bob Dylan… “The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind The answer is blowin' in the wind”.  We don't really have to go too far seeking such inspirations as they mi