of mangroves, tigers & a medical boat

A boat. looks ordinary from outside. Just like the boats that ferry tourists on river cruise in the Sundarban, bringing thousands each year to it's famous Tiger Reserve. Not like the huge ones used by the West Bengal Tourism. But the smaller ones which are more efficient.

I am planning to buy one.

and then, I am going to convert the interior of this boat into a medical unit. Not a very sophisticated one. It will have only the basic gears and facilities of a primary health center.

why?

while working at Cyclone hit (Aila) Bali island and its neighborhood, I was shocked by the sheer access problem to the remote islands and villages. Villagers have no access to primary health care in some villages. In most of the cases, they have to travel a long way to nearest towns; either to a private doctor or to a Government run clinic ( which is either un-manned or ill equipped in most cases).

What if I can start a project that will run this boat; which is in effect a 'mobile medical unit'...

working 365 days...run and manned by locals...all we need is some one trained in nursing and basic first aid.

this is still an idea...

I know this thought needs refining, some fine tuning and lot of planning and preparations..It will not be easy. It will take lot of commitment in the beginning. But it is not impossible.

But I also know...that when this idea has come in my mind..I will do it.

I can not do it all on my own; because most part of the year I am in the mountains. If you think it's a stupid plan that's bound to fail, and I should forget about it; please let me know.

But if you feel otherwise, and feel like joining me or putting a word of advise in ear; you are most welcome.
--
Adventure Mania
official website: www.adventuremania.com
Upcoming Trips blog: http://adventuremania-india.blogspot.com
Raja's personal blog:http://himalaya-raja.blogspot.com
Real Adventure Journeys Across Himalaya
Call Raja: +91 97487 61139
Optional Number :+91 92305 11139

Ladakh Beckons

There is this restlessness back on my feet, back on my mind and soul. It happens. Always. Without fail. It has been happening to me since I was a kid. A kid with no concentration on syllabus and classrooms. A kid with distant, dreamy eyes lost in his own journeys in his own head. That restlessness has not left me. Not yet. I remember one night when a camping trip was canceled and I was depressed. I had to go pitch my tent in our backyard. Man, it gave some outlet. I just had to go outdoor! Literally! And so I kept on sleeping in a hammock ( and when it rained, I moved inside a 1960s Japanese ridge tent that belonged to my uncle).

Now that I manage to make a living out of the great Indian Outdoors; that restlessness has only increased. I want to see more, I want to learn more from whatever is out there.

Off to Spiti and Ladakh next week. This time I will be leading a German group over Parangla and finally to the Tso Mo Riri. From Delhi we will be driving to Manali and then to Kaza. Two long days on the road. After a days rest and acclimatization at kaza, we will be heading for the road head.

I am not yet fully organized regarding this trek. The Expedition to Peak Kellas in North Sikkim ( which is coming up right after I finish this trek) have been keeping me busy ( with all its paper works and babudome). Had to lose a fantastic opportuntiy to spend the weekend at Forest Rest House in Dooars as well. But I really have to put things together in the following days. Well, sacrifices made for greater cause and hope all will fall in to their respective places...in due course! Amen!!!
--
Adventure Mania
official website: www.adventuremania.com
Upcoming Trips blog: http://adventuremania-india.blogspot.com
Raja's personal blog:http://himalaya-raja.blogspot.com
Real Adventure Journeys Across Himalaya
Call Raja: +91 97487 61139
Optional Number :+91 92305 11139

me, monsoon & me: some photos

http://picasaweb.google.com/anindya.adventuremania/MonSoon?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCpoqLHw8bPtAE&feat=directlink

click on the link above to go to the album
--
Adventure Mania
official website: www.adventuremania.com
Upcoming Trips blog: http://adventuremania-india.blogspot.com
Raja's personal blog:http://himalaya-raja.blogspot.com
Real Adventure Journeys Across Himalaya
Call Raja:  +91 97487 61139
Optional Number :+91 92305 11139

volunteers needed in Swiss Alps- check out this great video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKIqGYRuvbk
I loved this. You will too!
--
Adventure Mania
official website: www.adventuremania.com
Upcoming Trips blog: http://adventuremania-india.blogspot.com
Raja's personal blog:http://himalaya-raja.blogspot.com
Real Adventure Journeys Across Himalaya
Call Raja:  +91 97487 61139
Optional Number :+91 92305 11139

Swiss Alps photos

Hi Friends,

I have posted some of my pictures from the Swiss Alps in this album.
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/anindya.adventuremania/MyPilgrimageToTheBerneseAlps?feat=directlink

cheers!
Raja

--
Adventure Mania
official website: www.adventuremania.com
Upcoming Trips blog: http://adventuremania-india.blogspot.com
Raja's personal blog:http://himalaya-raja.blogspot.com
Real Adventure Journeys Across Himalaya
Call Raja:  +91 97487 61139
Optional Number :+91 92305 11139

paperwork blues

I will tell you how it is going so far! I am talking about this expedition we are planning in North Sikkim. The mountain is called Kellas and it is 6680m. It is named after Dr. A. M. Kellas, one of the highest authorities of high altitude human physiology. Its a British- American Expedition led by Dr. Jeremy Windsor and I am proud to be a part of it. If we make it, it will be a first ascent and a tribute to Dr. Kellas.

I consider myself lucky to be able to work in the Indian Himalaya. No where else one would find as many unclimbed peaks, unexplored glaciers. Surely one life time is not enough! I live my passion and enjoy my job. Just to be able to be in the mountains is rewarding enough. But sadly as everything else in life also is, there is a constant, never ending pain. A kind of reality that we learn to live with; make treaty, or sometimes even a compromise!

It has not changed since the British left. It is the mountain of paper works! Probably one of the most significant part of any Himalayan Expedition. So long the freedom of the hills and spirit of adventure! They can only come if and when you have the right papers signed, right number of files moved, spoken to the right people and of course the right currency paid ( in this case it happens to  be US$ and a whole lot of it).

we just need the following departments' clearance for this expedition:

Indian Mountaineering Foundation
Ministry of Defense
Ministry of Home Affairs, Delhi
Home Department, Government of Sikkim
Tourism Department, Government Of Sikkim

And I am beginning to feel glad that we have got the clearance from the first 4 departments already! Only one to go.

And you thought these mountain guides' are free from the boredom (burden) of desk job? Not in India you don't. :-)

--
Adventure Mania
official website: www.adventuremania.com
Upcoming Trips blog: http://adventuremania-india.blogspot.com
Raja's personal blog:http://himalaya-raja.blogspot.com
Real Adventure Journeys Across Himalaya
Call Raja:  +91 97487 61139
Optional Number :+91 92305 11139