Dehradun - City on its Pathway from Ancient to Modern

Dehradun, capital city of Uttarakhand capital and center of Garhwal, a city about which the famous Beatles Musical Band's member George Harrison's had written and sung a song in 1969, -

Dehradun Dehradun

Many roads can take you there, many different ways

One direction takes you years, another takes you days

Dehra Dehra Dun

Written in 1969, for the song, everyone can have their meaning and significance.

Well a lot has changed since then in Dehradun. 

There is much to see here, which is:

• Robber's Caves
• Sahasra Dhaara 
• Mindrolling Monestry
• Lacchiwala
• Sri Raam Rai Gurudwara 
• Tapovan
• Rajaji National Park 
• Tapkeshwar Temple 
• Kalanga Memorial
• Chandra Baani
• Lakshman Siddh 
• Forest Research Institute
• Santola Devi Temple
• Wadia Institute
• Malsi Deer Park

Read it here: Must Visit Places in Delhi 

देहरादून - अतीत से वर्तमान की पगडंडी पर बसा एक शहर

देहरादून, उत्तराखंड की राजधानी और गढ़वाल का केंद्र, एक ऐसा शहर जिसके  सुप्रसिद्ध म्यूजिकल बंद बीटल्स के सदस्य जॉर्ज हैरिसन ने 1969 में एक गीत लिखा था और उसे गाया भी था - 

Dehra Dehra Dun

Many roads can take you there, many different ways

One direction takes you years, another takes you days

Dehra Dehra Dun

1969 में लिखे गए इस गीत के लिए, सबके अपने अपने अर्थ और मायने  हो सकते हैं। 

ख़ैर तब से अब तक देहरादून में काफी कुछ बदल चुका है।  1900 में पहली बार यह शहर बाकी देश से रेल मार्ग के ज़रिये जुड़ा।  तब पहली बार हरिद्वार से देहरादून के लिए रेलगाड़ी चली थी।  फोन की घंटी को चहचहाने में अगले 1 साल और लगे, यानी 1901, जब यहाँ टेलीफोन सेवा प्रारम्भ हुई।  

शिवालिक श्रेणी और हिमालय से घिरी हुई इस ख़ूबसूरत दून घाटी के देहरादून नाम होने के पीछे भी एक कथा है। कहा जाता है कि श्री राम राय जी के पुत्र गुरु श्री हरराय जी जब इस  घाटी में आये तो उनके शिष्यों ने उनके लिए यहाँ कैंप (camp) लगाया था, जिसे डेरा भी कहा जाता है। 

वक़्त के साथ डेरा हुआ देहरा और फिर वक़्त ने ही इसमें दून शब्द भी जोड़ दिया और फिर इस घाटी का नाम पड़ा देहरादून।  

पहाड़ों की ढलानों पर मिलते हैं आप को ख़ूबसूरत गाँव। गाँव जिनमे आप को नज़र आएगी बहुसांस्कृतिक झलक। गाँव - शहर - मेट्रो-शहर के बीच वाले स्थानों पर बसे इस शहर की छटा में मिलती है आप को नेपाल, हिमाचल, तिब्बत और पंजाब की संस्कृति की झलक, बड़े तरतीब से एक दुसरे से सामंजस्य बिठाये।  

परंपरागत पोशाकों में मशहूर है ऊनी कम्बल (लाबा), जो अभी भी ऊपर के गांवों में पहना जाता है। स्त्रियां पूरे बांह की कमीज़ और जाकेट (अंगरा) के साथ साडी बड़ी खूबसूरती से पहनती हैं। साथ ही युवतियों में घाघरा का प्रचलन भी है।  

यहाँ देखने के लिए बहुत कुछ है, जो है :   

• रॉबर्स केव ( Robbers Caves )
• सहस्र धारा ( Sahasra Dhaara), 
• मोनेस्ट्री ( Mindrolling Monestry), 
• लच्छीवाला ( Lacchiwala), 
• श्री राम राय गुरुद्वारा ( Sri Raam Rai Gurudwara), 
• तपोवन (Tapovan), 
• राजाजी नेशनल पार्क ( Rajaji National Park ), 
• टपकेश्वर मंदिर ( Tapkeshwar Temple ), 
• कलंगा स्मारक ( Kalanga Memorial), 
• चंद्रबाणी (Chandra Baani), 
• लक्ष्मण सिद्ध (Lakshman Siddh), 
• वन अनुसंधान संस्थान ( Forest Research Institute),  
• संतोला देवी मंदिर (Santola Devi Temple ), 
• वाडिया संस्थान ( Wadia Institute), तथा 
• मालसी डियर पार्क (Malsi Deer Park)

 कुछ हम देख पाए, कुछ अगली बार के लिए रह गए।

Corridors of Forest Research Institute

प 

Sahastra Dhaara 

View from Maa Santala Devi Temple 

पर्यटन के अतिरिक्त, देहरादून अपने शैक्षणिक संस्थानों के लिए भी जाना जाता है, जिनमे मशहूर हैं, दून एजुकेशन और वेल्हम्स स्कूल जहाँ से पढ़ कर निकले लोगों का राजनीति से ले कर अकादमिक तथा बॉलीवुड तक में बोल बाला है।

2000 में उत्तराखंड के बनने के बाद निश्चय ही इस शहर में बहुत कुछ बदला, जिसे हम विकास का नाम दे सकते हैं। पर, 2011 में आये गढ़वाली गायक नरेन्द्र सिंह नेगी का लिखा एक गीत, जिसे मैंने अपने चंडीगढ़ के प्रवास के दौरान अपने रूममेट से सुना था, (बोल मुझे याद नहीं, अर्थ है ); 'मेरे को पहाड़ी पहाड़ी ना बोलो, मैं देहरादून वाला हूँ ', काफी कुछ कह जाता है।  

यहाँ के लोग खुद को पहाड़ी कहे जाने को ले कर बहुत संवेदनशील हैं। ये गाना उसी और संकेत करता है। ऐसा मेरे कई कॉलेज के मित्र जो गढ़वाल से हैं, उन्होंने ही बताया।  

देहरादून के विकसित होने का इतिहास सालों पुराना है, जिसका अपना ही महत्व है, परंतु इससे अधिक महत्व इस बात है कि, यह खूबसूरत घाटी सदियों पुराने  इतिहास को नहीं ढो रही है बल्कि यह एक आधुनिक शहर हो चुका है।  

यहां  की चका चौन्ध, संकल्पना, भौतिक विकास , यातायात, संचार की सुविधाएं इस बात को चीख चीख कर कहना चाहती हैं की यह हमारे ही विकास की कहानी  है।  

भले ही तथाकथित रूप में आधुनिक शहरों में शुमार होते हों, लेकिन मूल्य और परम्पराओं की जकड़न अभी भी हमें नए और पुराने के द्वन्द के बीच फंसाये हुए है।  

पहाड़ों को आर-पार जोड़ते यातायात, संचारक्रांति, इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर के साथ साथ इस शहर की राजनितिक आबोहवा और सामाजिक तथा आर्थिक जीवन भी बहुत बदला है।  पिछले कुछ वर्षों में यहाँ मल्टीप्लेक्स, शॉपिंग मॉल्स, कैफ़े हाउस इत्यादि बहुतायत में खुले हैं पर अभी भी बड़े शहरों का रंग चढ़ने में वक़्त है।  

- आलोक कुमार उपाध्याय 

Safar - The Journey To Shimla, Kalka to Shimla Train Journey

If you are a traveler and a nature lover, then I would recommend you to visit Shimla in rainy season with the great heritage railway journey. It will not only take you to back in time but will leave you wrapped in a lot of wonderful experience and the golden memories. Its an amazing journey which you can experience only by doing it.

The History and Heritage : 

When the British made Shimla, the Summer Capital of India in 1864, they built Kalka - Shimla railway track to commute. The Chief Engineer of the project was H.S. Herlington. It opened for traffic in 1903, inaugurated by Viceroy of India Lord Curzon. 

Now, awarded by UNESCO in 2008, as a one of the great heritage railway journey, Kalka - Shimla Railway Journey is one of the best  journeys in world to enjoy beauty of nature, offering the most scenic train journeys in India and enlivening passengers as it gradually winds its way steeply upwards along the narrow track, through rugged mountains and pine forests.

The Kalka - Shimla Railway Route 

The Kalka - Shimla rail route is a 96 kilometers long journey, having 20 railway stations, 103 tunnels, 864 bridges, and 919 curves out of which most are having curve of more then 48 Degrees. 

The longest tunnel, tunnel umber 33, 1143.61m long, is near the main railway station at Barog. 

The Second longest tunnel is KOTI tunnel, 693.72m long. 

Tunnel and Station Barog has been named after Engineer Colonel Barog, who dug the tunnel from both ends and could not align them and was symbolically fined one rupee. He couldn't live with the shame and committed suicide inside the incomplete tunnel. Later Chief Engineer H.S. Herlington completed the tunnel with help from Bhalku, a local saint. Read the details about Barog here. 

The route is most spectacular scenery offering a lot of opportunities for nature photography. 

Clik here to see The Journey from Kalka to Shimla in Toy Train in Images. 

The Journey From Kalka to Shimla in Shivalik Express : 

We had boarded the Shivalik Express from Kalka for our journey upto Shimla. The train's speed is greatly restricted by the steep gradient that it has to climb, but this allows for plenty of fascinating sightseeing along the way. It was raining at some tunnels and due to it, views were more beautiful in its true colors. It was like train had brought us to heavenly beautiful scenic views. With such a beauty of nature, at some points I wanted it to be a never ending journey.  

Other train services from Kalka to Shimla: 

We got our tickets in Shivalik Express, beacuse we wanted to enjoy the early morning views, which is recommended. though there are other train services too. You can choose one of these as per your comfort and schedule.  

KLK SML PASS ( Train No - 52457)

RAIL MOTOR ( Train No - 72451 ) 

KALKA SIMLA EXP ( Train No - 52453) 

HIMALYAN QUEEN ( Train No - 52455) 

All the trains take approx 5-6 hours to cover the journey. Click here for more details. 

- Safar The Journey

Alok Upadhayay

Safar - The Journey From Delhi To Kalka "My Travel Diary to Shimla"

One nice rainy day in Delhi, all out of blue, we decided to visit Shimla for vacations. 

"So, when do you want to go ?" asked my family. And the answer was by end of next week. 

"But its raining there, climate is not favorable, media is full of news of land slides in Shimla, its too risky. Plan for winters. " Said parents. 

But I have always been known as an obstinate person. As one, who once decided, then have to do it. 

Within next 4 days, I got my train and hotel reservations. 

Again all suggested me to travel by Volvo or Car. Hotel was ready to provide car service from Delhi to Shimla, but again, I said a big NO. 

The reason, I wanted to enjoy the beauty of nature. I am a traveler by nature not a tourist. 

Happened the unexpected : 

On evening of 31st July 2016, we were good to go. We had reservations in Kalka Shatabdi. 

We boarded, got our seats and happened the unexpected when a gentleman came and claimed that the seat was his. He presented his tickets and we presented ours in counter. Both of us were convenience that we are right and railways must have made some mistake. 

We crossed checked our PNR numbers and all was same there. What to do now ?

We rushed to Station Master. He examined the tickets and he was affirmative that some mistake has been there in ticketing system. But he kept himself away from case by saying, "In case of Shatabdi, you need to talk to Ticket Checking Officials on board. Its not my jurisdiction."

Train was about to leave in next 10 mins. There was no time to argument. 

We approached the said officials, and they were affirmative too. But one seat cannot be assigned to two persons. 

"Is is urgent to go. Cannot it be next week or next day. I can manage the refunds. " He asked me. 

But I had decided, and said sorry. I have to go. 

He suggested to get on board and he will see the matter in the train. 

We were on board. My friends were in huff about the complications. 

Next most unexpected thing, You can laugh at it : 

TC came and suggested, to get tickets cancelled and get new. But new tickets were double the price. 

All asked me to deboard at next station ( Kukukshetra ) and board next train from there. But thanks to my obstinate nature and we decided to buy tickets in train itself from TC, so what if its double price. 

And another unexpected situation was waiting for us. 

None of us were carrying sufficient cash. All were getting mad now. Some how managed to get them calm and think, all is well. 

What next, all looked at me with a lot of questions on their faces. 

We will get cash at Ambala Station from ATM, the best possible solution. I suggested. 

"But it stops only for 5 mins there, my friend said." Its my responsibility. 

I calculated the time. The train was running early and stop was of 8 mins officially. Enough for me. 

Some how, in situations like these, I have always been able to do the task. 

At Ambala : 

Like, our bad luck was favored by its stars in sky. All ATMs at Ambala Station - PNB, SBI, Union Bank and Bank of India, were either out of cash or not working. SBI ATM was actually looking like it had been ripped apart. 

In 5 mins, I have covered all these ATMs, almost out of my breath, boarded train again. 

TC, thanks to him, had been very helpful. Chandigarh, is next, you can try there. 

At Chandigarh : 

Something else was running in my mind. I started searching form some old friends in Chandigarh and found some were still there. Thanks to the almighty that, I have been blessed with friends who hardly ask questions on my decisions or requirements. 

I just said, Hay, I am reaching Chandigarh on way to Kalka, and need some money; and they immediately replied, which platform and how much. 

It was like my backup, if ATMs at Chandigarh happen to be same like at Ambala. 

Well, my friend came and helped. thanks to him and ATMs at Chandigarh, were again not working. 

We reached Kalka : 

Finally we reached Kalka on scheduled time around 10:30 pm and a long wait of 9 hours was there for next train - Shivalik Express. From Kalka to Shimla. 

A lot of hickups had happened so far. And after knowing for 9 hours, we have to stay at station as its raining out side and no good hotels are nearby. Also, no one would like to miss the train in the early morning and last, it was unwise to put heavy money in hotel when Indian railway had decent waiting facility. 

The wait was over :

It was a beautiful breezy morning at Kalka. I came out of waiting room. Took a long walk at platform. It was so beautiful, outside. It was raining and I could easily see clouds kissing the hills.

Shivalik Express was there, but departure had been rescheduled and it was late by 2 hours now. 

After knowing that train is late, some of friends were so mad and impatience. But I had maintained my peace with situation. Because I knew, a very beautiful journey is waiting for us and all will be saying thanks to me for it. :) 

- Safar - the journey begins to Shimla.... 

Attitude For Life

कैद सैलाब दिल में औ, आँखों में मौज़-ए-कश्ती लिए फिरता है ....
बड़ी संजीदगी से वो, ज़माने से जुदा अपनी हस्ती लिए फिरता है ...
देखा सब पर, उससा अजीब ना मैंने कोई शख्श देखा जहां में...
किसी फिदरत सी, दिल में जंग और चहरे पर मस्ती लिए फिरता है ...
- आलोक उपाध्याय

Safar - The Never Ending Journey

There are times, when we think that we have got nothing but troubles, all we feel like is depression and negativity... a lot of negativity. Seem like there is no way ahead.. its like the end here.
What we generally do ??
Most of the time we get afraid of the situations. Rather than assessing it, we just give up or some other times we say - "I made a mistake, it cannot be undone. I have got no way out !!!"
Trust me friends its the biggest mistake, to get afraid of your mistakes. Its like being handicap.

Don't be afraid because by doing so, you are stopping yourself even when you can move freely and rule the arena. My friend, there is nothing like the perfect situation or perfect moment... things happen, they go south sometimes , but its always better to carry one rather than stopping. They are challenges, face them, move ahead and conquer.

You have the endurance to survive that storm, you can face it. All you need is to make your every effort count and working like its the last task you are doing and the last day you are living. Make it awesome and then awesomeness will follow you.
Everyone of us has that fireball deep within us that can burn that dark desperation. All we need to just give it a blow can bring it to life. Believe in yourself and say to yourself - "I have something inside me, that is far greater than any obstacle. I am incredible and I am not afraid of troubles and challenges."

To move ahead the only must required thing is positive outlook and actions. Do it, and you will be the pillar for others to lean on rather than becoming one from crowd.
Just keep moving... the journey never ends, there is nothing like final goal, becoz every end is a new beginning...Just dare to do ..

This is what I believe in... this is what I live like...

I Just Don't Miss You Any More

Its still like yesterday, when we had that discussion...that long pointless discussion. You wanted to move one, though you always wanted me to stop by you... you were in your own moods and wanting me to be there just till the moment you finally make your mind.
Aahh... How can I forget that - "Yeah!! You know naa.. how selfish I am .....""  it was just marvelous one from you... the evergreen statement of yours.
Never ever you were less than everything to me... yeah... you always knew I meant it. Though we had decided not to cross our paths, still you did... After all, you were a selfish one...how could I forget that !!!
You knew, it was not a job for me like you...Aaahh.. your that last wish - "I was expecting you to come back for me...Why didn't you come"
I still wonder, after all that trouble, pain and sufferings... all those lies and betrayal, you knew what I had for you... no doubt you were enjoying it and you enjoyed it a lot.. more than a lot. Hay there !!! I want to ask, did you really think I would have come back for more... that I would wait for some more like I did before.
On that evening, you had finally told me that loving you was a mistake.. 
Look here you are, once again since last couple of months trying to cross my path one way or another, trying to manipulate people who are near and dear... once again that chess you have set with desire to win... but like last time, it will be over again, just it wouldn't last longer cozz I don't miss you any more. You are not even that last thought in my mind. I am not gonna react over those silly, useless pointless situations, because I have picked my broken pieces and moved on to make it one... 
It was not easy like you.. but I have learned that it was a mistake and I got to move on.. life ahead is very beautiful. I can say that because I am holding it in my hands right now... I am not missing you anymore, even I have left to make efforts to forget you. I don't miss you any more... not at all...

गुज़रे ज़माने सी हो गई हैं तेरी यादें भी …
सोचना भी छोड़ दिया हमने तुझे अब तो …
- आलोक उपाध्याय

Life - Teaching A New Lesson Every Moment

Often in life, you have to do things with or for the people you don't trust or want to work with .... 
You don't always get to choose who you want to do business with.
But when, devil himself is offering the things you want most, sometimes its good to dance with the devil...

Yeah !!!  This is how I define journey of ....Taking Risk...Survival .... and Moving ahead....

From the Pages of 'Safar-The Journey'
- Alok Upadhayay

Life - Teaching A New Lesson Every Moment

The world is such a scary place. Sometimes it seems like it has got nothing but anger...violence....and hurt....in its Pandora Box.

It can be terrifying, when you're out there in it.

But if you know where to look for it...

The world also has warmth ...love...and....and...forgiveness.

The world has joy in it....

All you need is to find a place that allows you to experience that joy.

And when you find people, that make you feel safe and loved, like you belong...

You don't walk away from it.

You fight for it...  

Yeah.. that's what life is... Its not just about staying alive. Its about staying lively.

Sometimes, I take it like this... 

"Every job has its problems... and if staying lively is the job with these problems... I would love to fight for it rather than moving away.

- From pages of - Safar-The Journey

Life - Teaching A New Lesson Every Moment

"You believe that you are in control of what you do, but not of what you think. 

Nothing can be further from the truth! 

Thought is the one thing that you have complete jurisdiction over. 

You have to be responsible for your thoughts, since they are the heart of everything you do."

-- Alok Upadhayay

Independence Day

Safar - The Journey

As the life move on we move on...sometimes with our loved ones sometimes leaving them behind, no one can deny this fact. The darkest side of this fact is that most of the times one finds himself on such a crucial point where he needs to decide its what or who he has to say good bye...

Yeah, in this journey of life its an irony that we never know what's next. Meeting, leaving behind, chasing, holding...happily...sad.. alone or not... but have to move ahead if its life...

All I think is... if we have to move ahead... then why alone ???  Why in pain of loneliness....lets move together... so what if it will be for a shorter duration... so what if only a few steps... but believe me... it will do nothing but make it some of the wonderful memorable moments....

From the pages of Safar-the Journey
By +Alok Upadhayay 

Safar - The Journey

Not a second goes by when I'm not thinking of you in some way...

I want to see your face...

Feel your hands in mine...

Feel you against me...

But I know that will never be...

I can't get you back...

I move like I imagine the damned do ...cursed...

I feel like it's only a matter of time...

I don't know why I'm writing this. I don't know, what can come of it but I know I can't get you back.

I don't know why this has happened to us.  

I feel like its me...poison within me... As if I've stopped doing this world any real good.

Once more into the fray into the last good fight with this deep dark that I'll ever know.....

+Alok Upadhayay 

Safar-The Journey

We all imagine ourselves the masters of our destiny, capable of determining our own fate.

But in real have we truly any choice in "When we rise?" OR "When we fall?"

Is it evolution that takes us by the hand OR is it science that point our way??

Or does a force larger then we bid us our directions... is it God, who intervenes keeping us safe? 

All these questions keep on rushing in my mind now and then.... mostly when I just want to answer the question..... WHO ARE WE ? 

OR 

Honestly say... "WHO AM I ??

Yeah ! You can say what a weird thought and question I have... but at last its a question and I am looking for the answers. In this quest sometimes I come to strange answers but somewhere deep down there I feel that these answers can lead to next step....

About all these questions what life has taught me is that, for all our bluster, it is the sad province of man that he cannot choose his triumph.

If we talk about the choices, the only one we have is - How will we stand when the call of destiny comes, hoping that we will have the courage to answer that call.....

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Safar-The Journey

Safar - The Journey... The Quest Begins

Where does it come from; this quest, this need to solve life's mysteries, when the simplest questions can never be answered ...

Why we are here? What is the soul? Why do we dream?

Perhaps we'd be better off not looking at all. Not delving, not yearning. That’s not human nature, not the human heart. That is not why we are here....

Sometimes I think; this quest, this need to solve mysteries; in the end, what does it matter when the human heart can only find meaning in smallest of moments? 

They are here... among us.. the shadows..the light.. everywhere..

If not then still we need to find out... Who we are.... Or just ask yourself...  Who am I ???

-

Alok Kumar Upadhayay

Womens' Day - We Need To Do Alot More To Celebrate It

International Women's Day, a day that celebrates the achievements of women across the world for the them. They, who are the most beautiful and admirable creation of the almighty and his gift to the mankind. 

Hereby, I want to say thanks and show my gratitude to all the known and unknown women for all they did for mankind as Mother, Sister, Friend, Love, Peer... and all the other ways, they have been making the life on this earth beautiful. 

A woman plays an all-enveloping character of a mother, daughter, wife and sister as a friend, nurturer, guide and partner from time to time. Indeed a woman’s essence lies in her innate ability to care, love and sacrifice for the other. Emotional and vulnerable, sometimes erratic, sometimes serene, she displays a wonderful range of emotions from being patient to being extremely courageous in times of crisis.  

What I love most about women is the perfect mix. The ultimate sensuality combined with nurturing, the cute naughtiness combined with caring, the vivacity coupled with quiet understanding. Once I read some beautiful lines about women...you must have read it but still...I would like to share those lines... "A women.. you can feel her in each and every part of your life in different ways.... Her Blessings in form of Grandmother, her Divinity as a Mother, her Passion in form of Beloved, her Dedication as a Wife, her Warmth, as a friend, her Care as a Sister.." 

It's really admirable how they are so wonderfully giving, caring and loving. The love, which is unconditional and forever. I have also experience that no matter how much they been by hurt by someone but once they forgive, they really forget. They don’t dig out the heavy artillery, even when they have the best opportunities to do so.

However, its really an irony that, we celebrate this day only as women's achievements. We must also think of the problems that women sadly face all too often in India and across the world. I'm talking particularly about issues like violence against women and girls, domestic violence and abuse that takes place outside of the home. 

Come lets do it... All we need is to change attitudes and it can be only by working together. Government will do its bit but we all need to do our bit too. So speak out, stand up against violence against women and girls and that's the way we can eradicate it. 

All I can say in brief is - Its only a heart of a woman, which makes her so charming, so sharing, so naughty and so melodious like anything. She is the live image of tenderness, care, and wisdom. No matter what happens.. she is always adorable and admirable. She is always beautiful like butterflies on flowers.... 

On this day. I want to say THANK YOU to all of you... for making the life on earth so beautiful..... Come lets make a difference, think globally and act locally !! Make everyday International Women's Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.

By-

Alok Kumar Upadhayay

Colors Of Life

चंद ठोकरों में ही सम्हल जा ए नादां दिल मेरे …
गिरने पर दुनिया अक्सर सम्हलने नहीं देती … 

चंद ज़ख्मों में ही सम्हल जा ए नादां दिल मेरे … 

बिखरने पर दुनिया अक्सर सिमटने नहीं देती ...

 - Alok Kumar Upadhayay
- Safar - The Journey

Turn Off Your Mobile and Emails To Have A Great Time, Know How...

Yeah….I am a tech freak… an email, social network junkie. I receive a lot of, say hundreds of emails, Facebook and Linkedin messages a day and hundreds of social network connection requests and a lot of SMS too… and in revert I send hundreds more.

Every day before going to bed I try to make ZERO UNREAD Messages in my inbox and mobile message box. It means I prefer to not to go to sleep with unread SMS, social messages or emails.

Recently in late December, when I resigned from job, decided to have a break; I got time to give myself and I just planned to have maximum of it. I started keeping my cell phone turned off and staying away from emails and social networks for the whole day. In short – no unnecessary email, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn i.e. , I went partially offline. For a couple of days it was even 100% unplugged.

It’s not 1^st time I did so. 3 years ago, I did it when I was a college graduate it was the first time for me and I didn’t find it a big deal as I hardly had any major contacts out there. But this time when I have a whole set of network and being known as networker in my group, it is first time in 3 years that I am unplugged.  And believe me it is terrific.

However, this may not sound like very impressive and unprofessional as well, but it was quite traumatic to me and if you have never done this, I would highly recommend it and will ask you to give it a shot because of 3 wonderful  lessons I learned -  

1. I have time to think, to plan about my career, about life, and yes, about work. I said I am partially offline means I am not completely off of work. That’s impossible for me to shut down that part of myself and my brain. Being away from the minute-to-minute distraction of email helps me to think more clearly about what’s really important at home & for my work.
   
2. My company did just fine without me and this was a key learning for me. We all think that we're irreplaceable in our organizations, but the fact is we're not.  What happen in real is like this – If one don’t show up for work, nothing serious happens, the world keep on spinning and the company keep on working, considering you as an employee who is on a very long break. I have seen that, when someone from a company is out, sometimes good things happen as others are able to step up and do more of leadership activities than they ordinarily would.
   
3. Last but the most important……I am heaving quiet great time with and my family and friends, who have been almost not in touch in last few years, got to know me better.

If you have already… I strongly believe, you might had a wonderful time….

So come one… move out of that tech environment for a while for yourself….just give it a shot.

By-

Alok Kumar Upadhayay

And It Will Always Be Like That...

Life - Teaching A New Lesson Every Moment 

Great employees are so valuable and irreplaceable that you don't want to lose them. 

As A HR Professional I have learned it. 

But what, if someone offers your performers a better offer than you have ???

Then you have a choice: Either beat the offer or, if you can't, then wish them the best.

The idea that someone will remain at a company for long term is just like a old tale of kings and queens. So if you are truly dedicated to your employees then accept that they'll leave some day. 

I never wanted my team mates to leave but I feel proud when they leave for better offers. 

Considering myself as an entrepreneur, I have always wished to to create an environment where employees will openly tell me about serious job offers. 
I wish, the first thing I could say is, "Congratulations!" 

Besides, I hope, no one would want a company packed with people striving to perform even better than the best they are doing with you.
By-
Alok Kumar Upadhayay
HR Professional 

Happy Diwali, Come Lets Kill Demon Of Darkness Inside Us

Diwali...

Happy Diwali...:) :) 

Once again, this much awaited festival of Light is here, with an opportunity to learn a lesson that we can defeat the demon of Darkness, no matter even if its spread all over the world with Light.. and its not only what we see. We must have read in so many stories or tales that, a thin beam of light enlighten the hopes of the traveler, who is walking alone in darkness that soon he will be at destination. There is a great lesson in all this... its not only about defeating that dark demon in the outer world, its also about learn how to overcome that darkness that is somewhere deep inside each one of us.  

Those small beautiful Diyaas teach us a lesson, gives us a message that there will always be light to drive away the darkness. Let it all shine on....May the festival of lights be the harbinger of joy and prosperity. As the holy occasion of Diwali is here and the atmosphere is filled with the spirit of mirth and love, here's hoping this festival of beauty brings your way, bright sparkles of contentment, that stay with you through the days ahead.

As the candlelight flame,

Ur life may always be happiness' claim;

As the mountain high,

U move without sigh;

like the white linen flair,

Purity is always an affair;

As sunshine creates morning glory,

fragrance fills years as Flory;

With the immaculate eternal smile,

attached to u mile after mile;

All darkness is far away,

As light is on its way;

Wish all of u a very happy Diwali.