PAGES FROM A GARHWALI SUBALTERN'S SHIKAR DIARY OF GRRC LANSDOWNE (KALUDANDA) DAYS (1968-1969)

                                                  THE GARHWALI MESS,LANSDOWNE

                                                                    MUNDIAPANI DB

                                                                             NOW

                                                                              IN 1969

ADNALA SHOOTING BLOCK

ROUTE  

Going down to Kotdwara from here, one mile ahead of the Cantonment Toll Bar ( 10 Milestone),take to the left 'kaccha road' descending down the valley .You would, after some two hours, reach Sindhikhal. Take the same road and approx. 24 KMs ahead, you would reach your Camping Ground ,ie, Mundiapani Dak Bungalow (DB).There is a Forest Guard Chauki on the right side of the road and 150 yards ahead of it there is a left turn and it would lead you straight to the DB.

GAME

Panther, Bear, Wild Boar, Neelgai, Kakar, Sambhar, Jungli Murgi, 'Khalij', Pheasants.

GENERAL

As some of it's good portion has been included in the National Corbett Park, it has affected the 'shikar-fauna of this block considerably. If you turn over the pages of the Visitors Book of Mundiiapani DB, you would find remarks showing a tinge of disappointment from the Shikaris who visited this block and also you would find Capt Taylor * and  Capt Coke * describing it an excellent block for a foot shikari. There is no doubt that there has been a bit too much of poaching. This block is only recommended for small game .You find a lot of 'khalij' here. ( * Royal Garhwal Rifles Officers )

You should be well prepared while staying here. I mean you must have all stores and equipment. Milk is not available. The nearest village is RATHUADHAO approx. 10 KMs from here. Although one is not permitted to kill a tiger, you may find one stalking cheetals or kakars. Only the  other day, the 'King' followed us well over two miles.

( The road to this block is closed during rainy season: 10 June-10 Oct approx.)

APPLY TO

DFO Kalagarh Forest Division.

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JASPUR SHOOTING BLOCK

The block is situated in Terai Bhabhar (KUMAON) 13 miles short of Ramnagar on Kotdwara-Ramnagar Road. There is a bifurcation to the right and on this junction is a board showing way to the Amangarh DB. This, in my opinion is the best Camping Ground. Permission to reserve this DB can be obtained from DFO Ramnagar Forest Division. The DB is located two miles from the bifurcation.

The road is open from mid October to first week of June and is fairly good for jeeps.

GAME

Tiger, Panther, Wild Boar,Cheetal,Stag,Sambhar,Neelgai,Pheasants,'khalij'.

APPLY TO

Chief  Wild Life Warden, Lucknow.

SHIKARIS

There are a few good local Shikaris in Ramnagar.

SUPPLIES

Every thing can be procured from Ramnagar - being a big 'mandi'. Transport preferably a jeep is a must.

GENERAL

This block is divided into two parts, viz, Jaspur ( East ) and Jaspur (West) respectively. Separate passes are given for these shooting blocks.

As these blocks are big, hence, these are not recommended for a foot 'shikari'. A jeep and a couple of elephants serve the purpose. Cheetals can still be seen in herds, but, due to intense poaching, their number is fast dwindling. You may meet a 'Guldar' while driving at night. 

Ample of wild boars, pheasants, partridges, and 'baters' can be shot.

Shooting of these can be done in the farms owned by locals by making acquaintances with them. They are very helpful.

As far as the beaters are concerned, in my opinion, it is a bit difficult to arrange and pretty expensive too.

'Machans' can be tied.

As the 'paras' or 'bodas' are expensive ,these should be brought when very young and fed till six months old.

Weapons. 12 Bore DBBL (Hammerless), .22 Rifle, .450-400 /.375 MAGNUM

ARMED FORCES CAMARADERIE EXTRAORDINAIRE ON BOARD AIR INDIA VISTARA FLIGHT FROM GOA TO DELHI

 As our son Asheesh dropped us at the Dabolim Airport on 10 Feb 26 to embark the afternoon Vistara Flight No.AI 2628 to Lutyens, we were choked with emotions.20 days in Goa flew just like the Bulbuls that visited the balcony of my son's apartment- religiously in mornings & evenings & sang for us.

We could see the massive Juari River & a portion of the virgin & pristine jungle around the estuary that housed a variety of flora & fauna. On two different days, I fed two small 'langoors' from a distance- that had suddenly appeared out of the blues.

I daily sipped my morning 'chai' sitting on the balcony facing Juari- enjoying the cool breeze that came all the way from the Arabian Sea. Followed breakfast full of a variety of fruits & nuts, a major dish and of course my favourite 'poee' - topped up with coffee.

I accompanied my wife  for our morning walks towards Jai Ram Nagar & beyond. We did the same in the evenings as well. Our grandson followed us during our evening walks telling us many stories about his school & friends.

The highlights of our visit were our visit to International Book  Fest at Panaji & visit to many places of historical interest & a number of beaches- not of course forgetting the number of lunches & dinners in famous restaurants.

 After security clearance, we proceeded to the waiting hall.

Suddenly, my name was announced on the PA System & I got a message on my mobile that my checked in luggage has been tagged & I am required to go down the stairs to have the contents examined. My wife too had received the similar message & she proceeded to the security clearance counter. The security staff asked whether there were any electronic items,  etc, that were inside & wanted permission to check the contents of the suit case- which was promptly given. On detailed search ,the culprit found was an innocuous & loose battery of the BP equipment .It was removed & the matter was over.

Boarding for the subject AI Flight began at 1210 h sharp.

We started moving towards the gate & thereafter towards the boarding bridge. I was sporting my Regimental Cap with Regimental Insignia & name. As we were nearing the entrance of the aircraft- lo & behold, a tall , handsome & smart Senior Captain of Air India appeared from no where & wished me. We shook hands & exchanged pleasantries. He told me that he was watching me from a distance & looking forward to meeting us.

He told us that his father was from 16 Course NDA & was  a Sword of Honour Awardee at the IMA. He asked me whether I too was from NDA. 'Yes' I said  ' but I am pretty junior having joined NDA along with 29th Course. I am Rajdeep Singh' said he & he snatched swiftly our two pieces of cabin luggage like a magician & asked us to follow him.

'Gang Way' he continued telling the long line of people standing on the passage way & he guided us to our respective seats. The stewardesses & staff were wonder struck seeing him loading our hand luggage inside the top shelves. Turning towards the stewardesses, he commanded ' THEY ARE MY GUESTS & MUST BE LOOKED AFTER APPROPRIATELY'.

All inside the aircraft were watching this development & had a lot of praise for Rajdeep;s demeanour, gesture & humility.

My wife insisted that we take a photograph along with him & he obliged.

As we were talking, he told us that he too is a Fauji & served the illustrious Indian Navy as an Aviator for 23 Years & 4 months. He had opted for premature retirement. He has been Senior Captain of Indigo Airlines for more than 7 years & now he is Senior Captain of Air India for the past  4 years. 

I then told him that our son too is ex Indian Navy & passed out from INS MANDOVI .There was a sudden spark in his eyes. He promptly replied 'the tall Bhandari Sir- the toughie  who ran long distances. I know him well. He was my junior'.

We were overwhelmed with emotions & joy.

I told him 'RD,I see Asheesh in you. May God bless you, God Speed & Good Luck'.

RD while welcoming the guests paid special tributes to Serving  All Ranks & Veterans of the Indian Armed Forces. The plane took took off exactly at the scheduled time & landed 10 minutes prior to its appointed time. While I took out my cabin luggage,  my wife could not locate her cabin luggage. A ;little ahead stood smiling RD holding her cabin luggage paying us warm regards & wishing good luck.

We spoke about RD to Asheesh & the latter told me that they knew each other pretty well.

The world is too small.

Indian Armed Forces are well known the world over for their professionalism, regimentation, camaraderie & bonhomie.

Where do you find people like RD today ? It speaks volumes of his upbringing.

Well done RD- you have miles to go.

May your tribe increase !

 

 

FERDI-MY FRIEND IN DABOLIM, GOA

 FERDI-MY FRIEND IN DABOLIM, GOA

In my childhood days, my Ija (mother) told me many stories. One of these was that of 'Kabuliwallah'. Little then I knew that I will be meeting a live 'Poiwallah ( पोई वाला') in my friend Ferdi & recite the story of 'Poi'(पोई) of Goa especially to those who have not had this wonderful native product.

My grandson came running to me to say that the Poiwallah had arrived outside Palms-our home and was blowing the horn.This was a typical & interesting innovation somewhat like we had on old ROADWAYS/KMOU Buses but small & dainty.It produced shrill sounds- enough to attract the attention of people.Soon they would come down to purchase the 'poi'.

Since it was my first encounter with the 'Poiwallah', my grandson Arjun escorted me to the road side.My grandson was very excited & he started narrating the names of various 'pois' & bakery products like 'katri pao','Kadak Pao','loni', 'gavachi bhakri' & so on.

Arjun then showed me the electric scooter carrying a huge container that house the bakery products & also showed me a rectangular cardboard box having vegetarian & non vegetarian patties.It also had cream roles-much smaller in size compared to our bakeries up North.

It was exact 6 O'clock PM.

'Good Evening Sir', I am Fernandez ( you may call me Ferdi-if you please.I come at this place every day at 6 in the morning & at the same time in the evening.I have been delivering 'pois' regularly to your people.

I was highly impressed with his demeanour, body language & mannerism & we immediately became friends.

Later in the evening, while we were walking near Jai Ram Nagar,we saw him approaching us.He stopped ,promptly wished us in impeccable English & said that all his products were sold out.Luckily, I had purchased enough & more 'pois' from him in the morning.

He was now relaxed. I , my wife & Arjun were standing in the basement of a multistage building & Ferdi started briefing us.

"You know, the Portugese introduced bread making techniques to us Goans in the 16th Century.They taught the local bakery techniques as they could not import bread from Portugal for obvious reasons.This was the creation of rustic mud bakery concept that has kept our family traditions alive.

"What Portugese did was that they replaced  traditional yeast by local 'toddy'(palm sap) to create fermentation to create a floppy bread in clay ovens( wood fired).

"The Portugese taught the local Cardo Community(Former Khatriyas, Varni's etc converted to Christianity ) this innovative art.

"Today, 'poi' has become a 100%unique Goan product rather than imported bread.

"In entire Goa, there are more than 100 such Goan Bakers known as 'podars'.

"The word 'podar' is derived from Portugese 'padeiro'.

"Today 'poi'has become a part & parcel of local cuisine.

"Mr Godinho is 80 years old & runs one of the biggest wood fired ovens at Majorda.He still prepares the dough.you must visit his bakery"

Suddenly I realized that we had taken almost an hour of Ferdi's time.I apologized.

He replied that his work in the bakery would start at 2 AM & this cycle has continued ever since he grew up in family traditions.

Salute to you my dear Ferdi- my friend.

As we prepare to return home, I intend carrying as many 'pois' - the Air India can permit us to carry.