When the going gets tough, it is only a believer who can keep going. Overcoming high-altitude sickness on the journey to Mount Kailash and Manasarovar was easy for Kalyan Patra. It was the bland vegetarian fare and some fair-weather company that really got to him. »»
A smelly pool of stagnant water may not be your favourite hangout but that could very well be the place to mine some of Natures most colourful jewels, Sonita and Hemant Kataria report. »»
The calls of a thousand birds often get drowned in the cacophony of music blaring from a loud motorised boat, fishing traps make it difficult to navigate and dolphins get chased by tourists. Despite all that, Chilika flourishes, say Rachna Pandey and Kalyan Patra. »»
TO ME, the very mention of the Rashtrapati Bhawan brought to mind a veritable symmetry of colour that is the Mughal Gardens. Now, on the north-western side of the Presidents Estate, a herbal garden flourishes, thanks to the initiative taken by our President A P J Abdul Kalam about three years ago. The garden started with an area of five acres and subsequently another ad-joining plot of three acres was brought under cultivation to grow exotic herbs acquired from all over the country. With constant personal supervision by the President and expert advice from reputed horticulturists, the garden now boasts of 134 species of herbal plants. »»
An easy place to settle down in, soaking in the sunshine, sea-breeze and the deliciously decadent atmosphere of seaside shanty bars. On too short a visit to Gokarna, Supriya Mukherjee and Kalyan Patra just about got to sample all that and managed to squeeze in a little more. »»
If you look beyond the fake Nike shoes and the illegal restaurants serving endangered species, there is a side of Hong Kong that will gladden any Nature-lovers heart, says Kalyan Patra. »»
The Lepchas left this land? Tanmay Choudhury wonders why, considering the beauty of the place and all the rejuvenation it can offer to those who have more than earned a break! »»
