NAINITAL: A CHARMING TOWN

Many of us grow fond of places. There are many reasons to this fondness. It may be because a person has lived a major part of his life in that place or may be someone dear stays there or simply may be the place is actually good. One of my favourite places is Nainital in Uttarakhand. And the reason is, well, there are two reasons: I grew up in Haldwani, a town and gateway to Kumaon Region, about 35 km short of Nainital and also because it is indeed beautiful.

My fascination with this place began early in life. My parents had moved to the Terai Region in 1952 or so and then to Haldwani in about 1955. As children we used to go to Nainital every summer by bus and stay there for the night or sometimes fall back by evening. Boating in sail boats on the lake was the proverbial icing on the cake, not to underestimate skating!

Our memories are etched in those black & white photographs which today seem fascinating. The jewel in the crown of Nainital is the lake which is over 2 km long and sits pretty in the centre of the town. Beautiful ferns and flowers and tall, majestic pines and silver oaks deck up the place. I have been a regular visitor to Nainital and its charm and healthy climate never fails to fascinate me. It still bears that indelible stamp of the British Empire.

COKE STUDIO AND ALIF ALLAH

By its own admission, "Coke Studio embodies a musical fusion of exciting elements and diverse influences, ranging from traditional eastern, modern western and regionally inspired music. Bringing alive the magic of live recordings and performances, Coke Studio prides itself on providing a musical platform, which bridges barriers, celebrates diversity, encourages unity and instills a sense of Pakistani pride."

The show provides a platform for renowned as well as upcoming and less mainstream artists, from various genres and regions, to collaborate musically in live studio recording sessions.

Last season, a Sufi song, "Alif Allah Chambay Di Booti" was recorded and how! It is a complete song with good, enjoyable video. One has to see and listen to realise how grand the compilation is. Sung by Arif Lohar and Meesha Shafi of Pakistan, this 'Jugni' song descends straight into the heart. Reach out for this song through

Alif Allah Chambay Di Booti 

Arif Lohar is a well known Pakistani folk singer and uses 'chimta' (a musical instrument resembling a huge tong). Son of the Pakistani legend, Alam Lohar, Arif has secured his place in history already.

Meesha Shafi hails from a well respected family of Pakistan. Born to Pak TV actors Syed Pervaiz Shafi and Saba Hameed, she is the granddaughter of famous Urdu writer Hamid Akhtar and a leading fashion model as well.

THE BARRICADED VALLEY

I have spent over 10 years of my Army service in the northern Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. And in these years, there were few places where circumstances did not take me. Overall, a rewarding experience. Kashmir Valley, I am more than ever convinced, remains one of the most beautiful places on earth but certainly not endearing any longer! Beautiful because it is endowed with natural beauty and resources and not endearing because there are more guns than flowers now. There is hardly a place where you can go unhindered, unchecked.

 I had the fortune (I am not sure good or bad) of going again into the valley on 01 Feb 12. Last I spent time over there was in Jul 2010. Every time I enter the Valley, the scene by and large is the same which I have now been watching since 1989, when insurgency began its deathly grip over this beautiful land. Wherever you may glance down from and whatever direction your eyes may decide to take, one thing you will surely see is guns. Every nook and corner of this paradise is covered through a gun sight. There are explosives, ammunition, violence, protest, anger, suspicion, grudges and much more. Incidentally, I have not understood the meaning of liberty in the context of Kashmir. Aren't the people of Kashmir liberated already? To my mind the true liberty means the following:

(a) Freedom to express

(b) Freedom to move unhindered

(c) Freedom to work

(d) Freedom to enjoy

(e) Freedom to live peacefully

But above all else, freedom means a very strong sense of responsibility and a sound base of discipline. All this and no more. Man has historically been argumentative, possessive and violent. We don't need materialistic largesse, we only need bare essentials to sail smoothly through this beautiful world.

Just see the photos on this page and judge for yourself which looks beautiful: unspoiled nature or barricades?

 How I wish we can one day get that same Kashmir Valley back, which I first witnessed in May 76 and when Yash Chopra'a blockbuster Kabhi Kabhie had just been released, showcasing the beauty of Kashmir.