A Moment To Reflect- 2020 Memories

For most of us 2020 has been challenging and we have come through personal sacrifice, tragedy and created boundaries around our self. For sure, 2020 taught us a lesson…

FOR ME…

I stood on the right side of the history- Socially, Humanely & Ideologically…. I did not give in to falsehood and didn’t follow the crowd… I knew, I have a strong voice and I have used it to serve the weaker ones… I stood with them… I stood next to them… And I found many of you, doing the same…That was an inspiration….and many of you kept appreciating me and that kept me going…. I have learnt to be humble, wherever and whatever it is, irrespective of who stands against me at that moment… I had a debate with many of you, with my family, with my friends- on corona, on volunteering and what not…. but I kept doing what was necessary for the society at that moment… I learnt to be social… I took some of the impulsive decision, but I was always true to my heart and soul. I was true to community and learnt to be a better man in 2020.

 

Eight moments from 2020, I will remember for entire life:

1.     Volunteering: This I would consider as one of the finest experiences of my life, I got opportunity to serve the community and society for 7 months during demanding period “Pandemic”. Thanks to Government of Karnataka, Department of information & Public Relations, Indian Red Cross, Karnataka State Labor Institute & BBMP for the opportunity. I met 100+ selfless volunteers, and proud to say few of them are now good friends.

2.   #LetsMaskIndia- This was an initiative by “Miles To Trek” to distribute free masks from Karnataka to Kashmir (to whatever extent it is possible), we have reached out to several states of India and distributed masks, enlighten awareness about Covid crisis in un-privileged villages. Thanks to all the volunteers, friends, family members and our trekkers who donated for the cause.

3.    Career- whatever I do in my life, it is always backed by my passion to become corporate classy. I am always thankful to my company and fulltime job that gives me bread and butter. I have moved or promoted to new role recently which keeps me going and learn more about project management.

4.   Travelling- Most of us like travelling, same goes with me- but 2020 was not a year for travel- I was able to travel to Uttarakhand, New Delhi, Kedar Nath and few places in Bihar and Karnataka.

5.    Fitness- Less outdoors and Most of us gained weight. I tried sticking to the basics and adopted a culture of workout from home to maintain flat tummy. Lead some of the workout events for few corporate companies and conducted morning fitness sessions @Agara lake, Bangalore (limited to ppl I know, *for friends*).

6.    Trained young brains- I was fortunate enough to train/coach 8 young kids almost for 3 months. The idea was to make them understand about the process and kindness rather than giving priority to any sports. The process is getting up early morning and doing what you can do in best possible way, if you want to see a big day in your life, you must believe in the everyday process.

7.    They say, “Love can happen at any age but go for romance when you are young”- I don’t like maintaining my status to Single or complicated, hence kept it SECRET. Dated one and travelled with her.

8.    Served as a President for vanguard toastmasters club, the 6 months experience has been of a roller coaster but helped me to emerge as a better leader. Thanks to all the VTM club members for being an amazing toastmaster.

Thanks to all of you for being a part of my life either directly or remotely, this year…Thanks 2020. Thanks Corona. Welcome, 2021.

Keep reading, Keep inspiring and keep moving 😊

Different Perspective

Everyone has their own way of experiencing things and managing situations!! Most people wish to have work from home options where as I have never liked the idea of working from home, until few weeks ago, when it became the need of the hour!!

I spend 5 days in a week, working in an office environment, with a lot of conversations with my colleague and leaders, followed by either a run/swim or workouts on daily basis out in the open. During weekends I either lead hikers/trekkers on mountains or participate in marathons/running events. I like it and hence never really desired for work from home. But now it's a different situation......

First day of work from home, was a lot of disturbance- lack of motivation, less concentration and what not.

Second day of work from home, I did not want it to be like the first day. It had to be a better day and hence, I gave a thought about the past. I wanted to learn from the past- the good things which I have learnt and experienced.

I thought a bit more about it…and the result was different…

> Week days- (Monday to Friday)- Office work - In last couple of years wherever I have worked, I have tried to be punctual and always reported on time and ensured the required hours were spent in office (login/logout). The discipline that I picked from my 5 day’s work is helping me now to strive on.

> Week-ends (Saturday and Sunday)- Outdoors- Mountains and marathons: leading trekkers on mountains requires micro management. It’s very tough. Things will be never be in your favour. There are situations that will happen, that no one can predict and when you think of doing something big, you feel like you are surrounded by the odds. To convert those odds into your favour you need leadership, decision making ability, fitness and lots of courage. Mountain and marathons create mental stability and that's a skill I have conditioned into.

How does discipline and mental stability help me to keep delivering whatever I do?

Discipline one of the finest skills helps us to grow in life, I am born to a father who is serving in the military from decades and grew up in a disciplined environment and now working in a company that follows the six sigma techniques and tools. The background moulded me into an individual who values punctuality, is on time and is able to deal with difficult situations.

I would give preference to being neatly turned up at work instead of choosing my pajamas, shorts or sports tee and try to maintain it now too. A corner of my house is my office space, a simple chair, table with proper WIFI connection. I have learnt it from my father, no matter what, no matter which place he is - as a soldier he is prepared to wear his uniform most of the time and always ready to deliver. Same goes for business – we all are warriors and we are expected to be ready for deliverables/client calls/ supplier calls/ manager call (sometime video too) during working hours.

Mental stability teaches us that situations can be tough sometime toughest, though the Covid19 breakdown came with a lot of losses, it may be financial or human, it gave us tears , a global challenge that humans are trying to control and when the cure is still far away, we humans can choose to be kind, kind to each other ,to the environment, respect nature, prepare ourselves for a future, aim to build top class healthcare system or may be just choose to live simple and may be that's the solution. Lockdown requires a lot of mental stability, keep the ball rolling and doing all the possible things from home. Maybe it's a good time to ponder and get to know more about yourself.

Believe me, after leading 1000+ of trekkers on mountains I have realized mental stability is the important skill that can help us convert negative energies into positive vibes.

In such time of pandemic, hats off to all the doctors, nurses, sanitization workers, police, airports authorities and everyone who are putting their lives at risk working tirelessly day and night doing their best to keep us all safe.

During this tough situation- Lets keep respecting: - the company we work for and the colleagues who support us. The family and friends who are there with you in person or over the virtual world. Every one fear matters. Let’s Be Warriors.

Thanks for reading, keep smiling, stay in home and ensure that you and your loved ones are safe and sanitized.

10 Memories of Year 2019

What I learnt in 2019- “Sustain, Persevere and Fight Back”

 

Before I write about the things, I will remember for life.

Let me share with you a few dejected moments of 2019, Yuuppp… about some nights- (a few silent, a few dark). I stay alone and I don’t like injuries (physical pain) or emotional pain– injuries scare me and emotional pain make me uneasy.... when you stay alone- you can’t share your stories with anyone, only your pillow knows your pain and unfortunately, the truth is that your pillow keeps it a secret.

Trust me its OKeyyyy…its ok to stay alone. Its ok to feel pain… (It is a reality, It is a teacher and It is the law of nature)… You build a strong backbone to deal with failure. You use it as a stepping stone…Bad things happen- "how you respond to them defines your character and improves the quality of your life"...!!

Here are the 10 reasons, I will remember 2019 for my entire life.

1.     Lived a disciplined but flexible life (this has lot of gravity, I have seen people losing their everything to achieve one goal or maintain an objective- I follow a different philosophy. On days when I failed to follow my daily routine, I took it easy and focused on the next day instead of regretting about the past or taking stress.

2.     Group “Miles to Trek” served almost 800+ Trekkers on mountains. I love this feeling of being called a Trek Leader, A Captain and A Mountaineer (An Engineer on the Mountain)- Exploring something new, taking up new challenges every weekend and solving them. (Thanks to all the trekkers who trekked with us)

3.     Moved out from WhatsApp group's/Facebook Pages which shares n@de/scandal/hidden camera videos because my phone gallery is not meant to keep track of n@de photos/videos. Honestly, there are other important things in life that deserve our attention.

4.     Entered the world of cycling, represented an NGO as an Ambassador/Voice of a NGO and cycled 650 KM for 4 days to raise the fund for the education of the underprivileged children. (Those 4 days were special days of 365 days for those kids who have a dream)

5.    They say, “Love can happen at any age but go for romance when you are young”- I dated one and maintained my status from Single to SECRET.

6.     Learning to balance- Continued with the corporate job which earns me my bread and butter. It toned my anger, irritation and shaped my personality. Been professional & loyal to the core, no regrets and no complaints.

7.     Avoided arguments or heated conversations (Though I have my own independent views, I prefer to keep it to myself, only if a situation arises or if I feel the society will benefit, then I step forward)

8.     Traveled to Mata Vaisno Devi, Jammu, Delhi, Patna, Pune, Mumbai, Indore, Mujjafarpur and Explored- Jaipur, Alwar, Neemrana, Hathras, Chennai, Chikmaglur, Coorg, Goa, Shivmoga, Honnemaradu, Ottapalam etc.

9.     Tried my best to save a life with the help of my close friend, while travelling back from Chennai to Bangalore. (Sadly, the stranger lost his life in my lap- RIP)

10.  Rescued the injured passengers in a bus accident to an ambulance with the help of other trekkers and my few amazing friends while traveling back to Bangalore from a trek.

Life Moves ON …Life Goes ON… Keep spreading positive vibes… Keep reading… Wish you all HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020

Trek Leading- Toughest Job ?

Someone asked me "Why trek leading is toughest job"? And here I AM ……………….

My father is serving in Military from last 28 years and from my childhood i was always passionate about his job, I wanted to follow the same steps where he gets opportunity to serve country and travel places. As eldest son of my family i always asked him about his job, daily routine etc. Now, the situation is i always request him to take retirement and stay at home. Every time i approached him, he opposed me and said that he wants to serve till his last breath if not then till 60 years. Tough to hear such courageous and brave words from a man with half bald and half white-black hairs at the age of 50+. He always motivated me with his words, talk and philosophy that “his job is amazing”. He knows his enemies, he knows his teammates. He knows the man next to him is his friend, a warrior, the one who will save him, his life when he will be in battle or danger zone.

At the same time, when i remember my five+ years in corporate job. corporate job is tough. you will never know your enemy, you will never know your friends. the person sits next to you and shares the same cubicle is one who plays another role behind you.

At other end, Trek leading requires micro management. it’s very tough. Things will be never in your favor.  There are things that will happen that no one can predict and when you think of doing something big, you feel like you are surrounded by the odds. To convert those odds into your favor you need leadership, decision making ability, fitness and lot of courage. The fact is when we take our body out of comfort zone it reacts/overacts to the situation/s - brain won’t work or respond properly on high altitudes. Other hand, people around you whom you are leading are also going through same pain, struggle and they will expect from you, if truth to be told most of the trekkers keep money as weightage instead of understanding the situation to the core. you need to be smarter than the people whom you are leading. You need be very humble and you must need to convert negative energies into positive vibes. Now, when i have trained almost 10+ trek leaders to lead the man on mountains. I have realized – “Valour and Bravery has more value than technical skills and experience”, Mountains are the best teacher and people who leads here are true leaders.!!

Let’s respect these extraordinary man/women who do miracles on mountains and fights with unpredictable situations and saves many lives.

Stay Humble, Calm and Fit :) :) 

Stay tuned, Read my upcoming articles:

1.     Getting Married – Experience on Matrimonial sites

2.    KGL- Story behind humanity.

Let's Forgive

As an aspiring leader. I too felt bad . Infact very bad that someone cheated his job and cheated the trust of the company..! Zomato took right steps and fired the guy. Story should end here.. we all do such silly mistakes in our job but that doesn't mean that we and our family should feel ashamed for the rest of our lives.

Society is making fun of him and a reputed company that satiated people's hunger. This is society which trolls and abuses an underpaid food delivery executive, a person who climbs 4th or 6th floor just to deliver food for us, who was hungry for a moment and did a forgivable mistake of stealing just a portion of someone’s food. This society is not suppose to insult zomato. I know zomato founders.. they have gone through so much of ups and downs in their life. !! If an employee does mistake doesn't mean we will abuse everyone. The people who are making fun and insulting such organization or their employees are really those asses who cant prepare food for themselves at home or go out from home in cities like Bangalore or any metro Cities because of traffic or other silly reasons and buy food for themselves..!!

Hunger is a big word. We all are familiar of it. Hunger is itself a painful word. As a good human being let's forgive him and forget his mistake. let us leave him aside without bullying him more.

Definitely not proud of you, society..! Let's ask these guys "delivery executives" for a glass of water when they deliver food for us. Let's create a world where we appreciate even small good, positive things and forgive such small mistakes.

Let's Be Human Being.

God Bless Delivery Executives.

My 14 beautiful memories of Year 2017

What I learnt in 2017- “No one is a consistent winner and no one is a consistent loser”

My 2017 started on a bad note.. I was going through a very tough phase of my life. No job and few other small issues...!!
But, the only thing needed was to keep moving. I knew stars are not visible during day time but during night they shine and are visible.

Here are the 14 reasons for which I will cherish and remember 2017 for my entire life.

1.     Moved to the City of Dreams (Mumbai) and that was my home for 9 months. A city which gives you fruits for the efforts you put in. A city that is true reflection of hard work and dedication. 

2.     They say fall in love when you are young. So, I dated one and able to maintain my status from Single to Secret. ;)

3.     Quit/controlled on hard drinks- broke up with Rum/Whiskey so I can truly love Beer.

4.   Apart from my corporate classy job I entered into the field of trek leading and happily served 500+ trekkers in the Western Ghats and the Himalayas.

5.     Learnt time management - life is for one who bounces back on time. I learnt a new chapter. I reply for all the conversation which is meant for two individuals within a time frame of 20 mints (it may be WhatsApp/Messenger/Instagram/Text/Email or call).

6.   Became part of STOK Kangri summit and successfully climbed it (the highest trekkable peak).

7.     Ran my 3rd full marathon and successfully completed it.

8.     Explored Leh Ladakh on Royal Enfield with one of my best friends.

9.     Became part of two survival treks and learnt how to survive on mountains and in forest with basic amenities (limited/no food and water).

10.   Met with back injury while climbing one of the mountains in Himalaya's. Still in pain but hope to recover soon.

11.   Explored Nepal with family- they say Nepal is a beauty. So, planned my trip with beautiful ladies my mother and sister.

12.   Quit corporate classy job to live a life of saint in Himalayas. Travelled and explored Himalayas for 2 months.

13. Became part of trek leading company as a partner and started taking care of Karnataka and Himalayas trek operations. (So, next time when you planning for any trek/trip/tour feel free to contact me :p )

14. They say marry the one who knows swimming, driving and cooking. So finally, I wore apron and entered into the kitchen.

There used to be always several ups and downs. Each day I used to accept new challenges and defeat fear…

Life Goes on … Keep reading… Wish you all HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018

Life of A Trek Leader

My Story:

Few months back....I read it Online... We are looking for “Trek Leaders”… Being an active trekker I was aware about the word "Trek" and born to a father who is serving and leading the nation from many decades I didn’t take much time to understand word "Leader"… Out of curiosity, I applied for it…!! Few days later I received an email saying “You have been shortlisted for further rounds of interview to become a trek leader”…!!

From other sources I got to know that 200+ candidates had applied for the same and 29 have been shortlisted for further interview process. After 2 rounds of grilling interview (Group discussion and PI) and 45 “situation reaction test” there were 7 of us who made it to becoming “Trek Leaders”...!!

By no way, I wanted to quit my stable corporate job… hence chose trek leading as part time option. After 2 days of basic training I started leading treks during weekends and on holidays.

It has just been a few months since I started my journey and have led around hundreds of trekkers so far… I get an opportunity to meet new people every weekend who directly or indirectly teach me a lot… It has transformed me from a young boy to a responsible leader… It has taught me to be humble, calm and respectful of others. !! It has given me a platform to stand in front of a group and deliver speeches...!! This indirectly gives me courage to do better in my corporate job and become more responsible...!!

My parents and best friends keep asking me why I chose to live a tough life during weekends and holidays after 5 hectic days in corporate cubicle...!!

My answer remains the same- This is my passion and I love it. I know mountains and adventures are not at all predictable… they both require a man with stamina, guts and a lot of courage...!!! 

For the Readers/ New Trekkers:

Who is a trek leader???

When a Major (an army officer) goes for war he ensures the safety of his soldiers. In the same way a trek leader is the one who ensures the safety of trekkers. He is the one who puts his dedicated effort to bring the best days of trekkers life that can be cherished for entire life.

Skills of trek leader:

With natural leadership, knowledge of safety skills, management competency, interpersonal skills, they are the ones who know mountains very well and can carry out a rescue single handed. They are not only good listeners, they are also a good story teller. They meet strangers all the time who have an impact and leave some story for them. They are not doctors by education but most of the trek leaders are certified first aid professionals and hold good knowledge about medicines.

Dos and don’ts:

•        My personal experience, several times I found trekkers asking trek leader to carry their bag and other stuff. Please avoid doing same. They are leaders who is meant to lead event, treks and trekkers.

•        Love can happen anywhere and obviously with person who has stamina, leadership and courage. They are smart and they know their responsibilities and importance. Still in such cases make sure you connect with him/her offline after trek.

•        While trekking to Himalayas, I found few of the trekkers appreciating trek leaders with money. Avoid it. Most of the trek leaders do it for passion. They are happy with what they earn. Appreciate them with your words. Invite them once for dinner if you reside in same city. Meet them next time if you visit same place. They are people who can be your friends for lifetime.

“God Bless Trek leaders” :)