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Fernweh Fair Travel: Bringing prosperity to the hills

By
Lucky Singh/Tania Saili
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0
eco tourism, tourist
Tourists enjoying the hospitality of Ferhweh Fair Travel

Chamoli, In the long list of stories that we have done on ‘Coming Home’ or ‘Reverse Migration’ we share with you the journey of a promising lady who has brought about considerable change in our home in the hills.

Poonam Rawat-Hahne, the brain behind Fernweh Fair Travel, Peach and Pear Home-stays has been working on making women self-dependent by bringing tourists from all over the globe to their doorsteps in the interior of Garhwal.

An army child, Poonam was a wanderer who loved to explore her surroundings. Bitten by the travel-bug not only did she travel each and every nook and corner of India, the young lady explored the globe, travelling and learning, qualities that she brings on board her enterprise too.

In the year 2005, Poonam and her family opened a woman shelter using their savings under Bachan Charitable Trust Samiti in the memory of her father Major B.S Rawat. Till date the Rawat family has not applied for any funds or grants but used their own savings. It took them another four years to develop the necessary  infrastructure in the villages and more so, to convince families of young widows to let them be independent.

Cleanliness, litter, rubbish
Cleanliness drive put together by Fernweh Fair Travel

One such heart-wrenching incident of 2010 is still fresh in Poonam’s mind, as she narrates, “22 year old Sunita was the mother of two daughters and pregnant with the third child, when I first met her. She was timid, undecided and uncertain of what the future held for her,’ and, “it was her helplessness that got me thinking and I decided to do something for the women of the hills and make them independent within the security of their home.’

Today, “Sunita is a village hostess where our guests have a meal at her house and understand about life in a Himalayan village,” Poonam states proudly of her prodigy.

With humble beginnings, in 2015 Fernweh Fair Travel launched its first home-stay project, in Gopeshwar. Moving forward, Poonam collaborated with her brother and set up cottages in pristine environs of Chopta. For the past four years, Poonam Rawat-Hahne along with her mother, Tulsi Rawat and her hard-working crew has managed the running of these home-stays playing the perfect hostess to 1500 tourists, which won them the Top-5 Responsible Home-stays of India by Outlook Traveller, this year.

Poonam Rawat Hahne with her mother Tulsi Rawat

Poonam says, “the primary idea was to stop migration  via empowerment, environment and education projects. Although we focus more on women empowerment but we are not limited.”

For now, Fernweh Fair Travel successfully runs sustainable, responsible tourism in Uttarakhand, with the dual-purpose of making villagers independent along with giving tourists an unforgettable flavour of the hills of Chamoli district.

The home-stays along with being eco-friendly have a lot to offer to the visitor. Out-door activities like trekking, soft adventure, village tour, handicraft making, festival celebration, Cooking, Organic farming Aqua-culture, culinary experience, yoga, photography, spiritual trips and wildlife sporting are just some of the activities that bring back repeat clients.

Their latest initiative is an Eco-retreat, permaculture farm under-construction in Mandal. At their Community Development Centre Poonam plans to use local raw material to produce organic products such as soaps, scrubs, pickles, jams, candles, local art, spices, organic produce to market nationally and internationally as well.

Shuttling between Germany and India, Poonam’s focus and dedication has won her laurels and mention in both national and international magazines. Her growing family of thirty-five at Fernweh Fair Travel is determined to bring prosperity to those who need it the most.

Amazon Kindle’s Pen to Publish 2018 Awardee: Doonite Nandini Kumar

By
Tania Saili
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1
Writer, Author, Hindi, Book
Winner of Amazon Kindle’s Pen to Publish award 2018 Nandini Kumar

Dehradun, Recently, in the first of its kind, ‘Neeli,’ a Hindi long story won the coveted Amazon Kindle’s Pen to Publish award 2018, in New Delhi. An accomplishment that has brought to the forefront that more and more people are reading Hindi now, giving an impetus to a new breed of Hindi writers, growing in India who call themselves writers of ‘Nayi Wali Hindi.’

 Joining the list of authors, is Doonite Nandini Kumar, who shares her journey as an author, “I received a little diary on my ninth birthday along with a beautifully illustrated storybook. I jotted down my thoughts in my diary the very same night, and since then I haven’t stopped.”

Book, Author, Writer, Hindi
Winner of Amazon Kindle’s Pen to Publish award 2018 Nandini Kumar

Her consistent entries into her faithful companion, her diary, overflowed with detailed descriptions of her family, tales of partition her grandmother shared along with snippets of conversation which went on to help her write her stories.

By the time Nandini turned 15, she knew she wanted to write for the rest of her life. Her articles were published in different print magazines and viola! A month later, she received her first cheque along with a letter starting with ‘Editor’s Compliments,’ words of encouragement for the budding writer.

Putting articles together for various magazines, Nandini completed her post-graduation in Psychology and started working as a Psychologist in an NGO. She went on to clear the National Eligibility Test, with the intention of doing her Doctorate, when life happened!

Stories by author Nandini Kumar

Nandini gave up her job, and moved to Mumbai to nurse her sister who was diagnosed with cancer. Strolling down Colaba, Nandini would skim through bookstalls along the road where she chanced upon Saadat Hasan Manto’s short stories about Bombay. Nandini reminiscence, “Manto’s stories made me question my own writing. Was I ready to tell the truth and not please an editor of a high-end magazine? And most importantly, was I actually ready to take the leap and begin my career all over again, this time in Hindi?”

And in 2017, Nandini penned down her first Hindi book, ‘Baaki ki Baat’ (HindYugm). Following year, when she moved to Mussoorie, Nandini authored her second book, “Neeli”, named after its protagonist, the story is set in Mussoorie and Dehradun, two places close to the author’s heart.

Nandini expresses her self both in English and Hindi, but believes, “If I can play a part in ushering a new era where Hindi books are popular and read across borders, nothing would make me happier,” having said that, she returns to her desk to pen her thoughts, working on her next untitled book.

Weather to play spoil sport this weekend

By
Tania Saili
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0
Clouds, Storm, Weather, Climate
Storm clouds gather over Doon valley

Dehradun: Close on the heels of the Chardham opening, the weather god might just about play spoil sport or so the Meteorological Department tells us.

With the doors of Yamnotri and Gangotri shrines thrown open on Akshay Tritiya, the Chardham Yatra officially began in the hill-state. Soon after Kedarnath opened today morning followed by Badrinath temple tomorrow .

chardham, pilgrims, registration, pilgrimage
Pilgrims line up for chardham registration in rishikesh

Over fifteen thousand pilgrims, tourists and visitors excluding another thousand foreigners have already registered themselves for the Yatra to date. With the numbers on the increase, this is good news for the State government, who have spent a considerable amount of time, money and effort to ensure that all goes well this yatra season too.

According to the Director Met Department, Vikram Singh, “there will be light activity on the 11th and 12th of May. And from the 13th to 14th of May there will be moderate to severe rain, hail, thunder, strong winds, squalls which will affect the entire State affecting Garhwal region more.”

This activity might play spoil sport for a while, but sources within the State government sound confident about dealing with any problems this might pose. All preemptive measures are in place to ensure a smooth pilgrim season and that all thirteen District Magistrates have been informed and asked to keep a close watch on the situation.

For centuries now, The Chardham Yatra,  has put Uttarakhand or ‘Devbhoomi‘ on world map of spirituality and religion. The pilgrimage carries a lot of significance not only for the one who ventures on a pilgrimage, but also for the hill-state.  As Frank Smyth  wrote years ago, “So they venture on their pilgrimage… some borne magnificently by coolie, some toiling along in rags, some almost crawling, preyed on by disease and distorted by dreadful deformities.” adding, “unknown dangers threaten the broad well-made path, at any moment the God, who hold the rocks in leash, may unloose their wrath upon the hapless passer-by. To the European it is a walk to Badrinath, to the Hindu pilgrim it is far, far more,” still stands true.

Chardham Yatra 2019 opens to a great start

By
Tania Saili
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0
chardham, pilgrims, pilgrimage, shrines
Pilgrims line up for Chardham registration

Dehradun, Since the break of day, the once empty corridors of the Chardham Registration Office in Rishikesh is now teeming with life. Long, unending queues of pilgrims of all age groups, from all over the country as well as foreign shores have started to arrive in droves to partake in what is defined as ‘once in a lifetime pilgrimage.

The numbers have already reached promising figures with over a thousand foreign tourists registering within days of the Yatra beginning. Yamnotri and Gangotri being the first to open for pilgrimage yesterday i.e. 7th of May,  followed by Kedarnath Shrine opening on 9th May  and Badrinath throwing open its portal to devotees and pilgrims on 10th of May. The Chief Minister of the State Trivendra Singh Rawat, ensured everyone’s convenience and safety, adding “with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the Chardham Yatra begins, Uttarakhand is ready to welcome the Yatris.”

chardham, pilgrims, registration, pilgrimage
Pilgrims line up for Chardham registration in Rishikesh

After being closed for nearly six winter months, the shrines of Uttarakhand also known as the famous ‘Chardham’ or ‘four shrines’ re-open their portal this May, along with temples off-the-beaten path, such as Tungnath, Madmaheswar, Rudranath opening within two weeks from today. Along with the famous-four, the Sikh pilgrimage site of Hemkund Sahib will be the last to open its portal on the 25th of May.

 

Traditionally, the world-famous Chardham pilgrimage comes to a halt around November when the shrines become inaccessible due to snowfall in the long cold, winter months. Following Spring, around Basant Panchami, the dates for the re-opening of the shrines are announced as per ancient rites and rituals.

The State administration is making sure that facilities and road safety norms are in place for tourists, visitors and pilgrims making their way from home and abroad arriving in droves in the hill-state of Uttarakhand or ‘Devbhoomi’ as it is rightly called.

Char Dham Yatra Final Photometric Registration Report on 8/5/19:

1 .Bus Stand Rishikesh = 2557
2. Rahi Motel Haridwar= 175
3. Rly. Station Haridwar= 349
4.Dobata = 702
5. Hina = 196
6.Phata= 241
7.Sonprayag= 674

Total Pilgrims registered until 8th may morning = 4894

Grand total from 25th april to 8th may 2019 = 10,764

Total Foreigners = 1063

‘Pandavaas’ latest song, an ode to Kedarnath

By
Tania Saili
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0
Unit shooting the theme song in Kedarnath

Rudraprayag, Kedarnath shrine will open its portal for pilgrims on the 9th of May after being shut for five long wintery months. The Uttarakhand State government along with the Rudraprayag District Management is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the Yatra goes as smooth as planned for those who come visiting.

Today morning, Pandavaas released a 60 second clip on Kedarnath, sanctioned by Uttarakhand Tourism and District Administration, Rudraprayag.

Talking to us about the clip, Kunal Dobhal of Pandavaas tells us, “ Time was of essence. But with the blessings of Lord Shiva everything fell in place. This video was prepared within a week.”

Braving icy winds Kunal, Salil, Lokesh Adhikari shoot in Kedarnath
Braving icy winds Kunal, Salil, Lokesh Adhikari shoot in Kedarnath

A film unit of four including Salil Dobhal, Lokesh Adhikari, Rishu Panwar and Kunal walked up to the shrine and shoot enroute and on location for three days. While Ishaan Dobhal and Lyricist Lavraj penned down the lyrics, vocalists: Anamika Vashisth, Sunidhi Vashisth, Shalini Bahuguna, Deepak Naithani, Aman Dhanai including Ishaan Dobhal lent their voice to the theme song.

A dedicated team of young men from the Public Works Department, State Disaster Relief Force and District Disaster Management Authority has been working on war footing to clear snow covered paths before the portals open, braving inclement weather, which the video beautifully captures.

Equipped with a Drone, action camera, Nikon D-850, the filming unit captured the essence of the Shrine and its natural habitat, with busy bodies working round the clock.

Adding more Kunal Dobhal tells us, “we were highly impressed by the team of people working under such inclement weather, with such positive energy.”

Singers at Pandavaas, lending their voice to the soulful video

Along with the visuals, forgotten traditional Garhwali instruments such as Dhol, Bhankora, temple chimes and Rudra Veena put at the heartstrings, as this Kedarnath Theme Song is both an audio-visual delight.

This sixty seconds of jingle/theme on Kedarnath is not all, Pandavaas will soon release a five-minute version of the same on ITunes and other digital platforms, something to look forward to.

Reviving Language of Gods and Science in the hills

By
Tania Saili
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0
From left: Principal head of Gorshali Ucchamadhyamika vidyalay, Samskrita Shikshak Muralimanohar Bhatt, Gorshali and Ananda Himani, volunteer teacher of Samskrita Bharati

Uttarkashi, Ananda Himani from Sweden has been a volunteer at a ten-day Spoken Sanskrit camp being conducted by Samskrita Bharati at the Government Inter College, Gaursaali, Uttarakashi for students from class 6th to class 9th since the 24th of April this year.

A medical nurse practitioner from Gothenburg in Sweden, Ananda Himani studied the ancient language of Sanskrit under the guidance of Samskrita Bharati, a non-profit organisation which has been working for the revival of the ancient language, she tells me over the phone in fluent Hindi, back from one of her classes.

“Sanskrit is not only a language, it is present in every sphere of Indian culture and society. The language not only contains scriptures pertaining to spirituality but that of science too like astronomy, architecture, astrology, mathematics, chemistry, medicine and more,” adds Ananda who has been learning one, amongst the 23 official languages of India and has now set out to teach one of the oldest languages, through Samskrita Bharati easy style of teaching through audio-visual technique.

Since 2017,  these ten-days Spoken Sanskrit camps have seen many enthusiastic takers, in the hill-state to a language also known as ‘Dev Bhasha’ or ‘Devavani.’

About the unique teaching technique, Ananda highlights the fact that Samskrita Bharati believes in inculcating folklore, theatre, dance, games, songs and even plays so that students can learn better. The syllabus of the classes include Sanskrit words for technical equipment and science terminology too so that the student could use up-to-date Sanskrit language in every day life, as the usage of English loanwords makes one forget the language.

As we come to the end of our telephonic conversation, I ask her about Uttarakhand, Ananda Himani signs off saying, “I feel a certain connect with its simple people, its mountains, rivers and forest!”

Agnipadma stitching magic: Aishwarya Bailwal

By
Tania Saili
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0

Rishikesh,  Stories of people from small towns making it big in various fields is not uncommon. Today we share with you the success story of 23 year old Aishwarya Bailwal, from Rishikesh who has made her mark in the field of Fashion Designing, under the brand ‘Agnipadma.’

This ethnic Indian boutique, two of them in Rishikesh,  reflect the thought behind its product. Made from two Sanskrit words, Agni meaning Fire represents warmth and Padma meaning Lotus representing calmness, comes across in the young lady’s creativity.

Starting early as an Assessor for Skill India, Aishwarya worked closely in slums, jails and regular institutions the experience of which helped her in displaying her creativity on Facebook Page and Instagram, which then led to the opening of Agnipadma in the year 2015.  Post her Graduation, the young girl’s love and passion for art guided her to express herself through designing. Today both the boutique shelves are lined with ethnic wear, customised clothing in Indian fabrics, crafts, embroideries along with home fragrance products, accessories and novelty items.

What started of with just two employees is now a growing business, with half a dozen artisans working for Agnipadma at present. Her clients come from all over India as well as foreign shores with repeat clients from Netherland, Canada, United States of America and Germany.

Aishwarya’s constant inspiration and her biggest critic has been her mother, who has been designing for the past three decades and more. Her mother, Shakuntala Bailwal has trained many aspiring fashion students and encouraged young Aishwarya to learn new styles of garment designing.

At such a young age, Aishwarya has already earned the ‘Official Designer’ tag for Elite Modelling and Production House. Her clothes have cladded celebrities like Rannvijay Singh, Prince Narula, Varun Sood and also won her the ‘Best Designer of the Year’ at Mr. and Miss Elite Asia 2018.

All these achievements have been milestones in the life of the young talent who doesn’t believe in planning about the future, but pursues her gift of designing to the optimum with love and gusto.

For more, check out:www.instagram.com/agnipadmafashion 

PEN-India students spread the message of “Atithi Devo Bhava”

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newspost
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Doiwala- The opening of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines on 7th of May 2019 officially starts the beginning of the annual Chardham Yatra to the hillstate of Uttarakhand. Students of PEN-India Foundation filled colours of their choices in drawing of various shrines spreading the message of Atithi Devo Bhava and inviting pilgrims and tourists alike, this season.

PEN-India School which is an initiative of PEN-India Foundation provides free and quality education to underprivileged children from in and around Bhaniawala organised an art competition, to showcase the talent of young minds. The students enthusiastically participated in the event and filled colours to pilgrimage sites of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri and Hemkund Sahib. Dr Prakash Keshaviah, the patron of the Foundation stated, “the aim of the Foundation is to inculcate education along with basic etiquettes and manners in the students. Our parents have taught us from childhood how to behave properly and welcome our guests. The Foundation aims at incorporating all these etiquettes in the students which will make them good citizens in future.” Through the art competition, students beautifully depicted the rich heritage of Atithi Devo Bhava.

Anoop Rawat, the Chairperson and Founder of the Foundation said, “post Kedarnath tragedy, the tourism of Uttarakhand faced a major setback but now the conditions are back to normal. By painting the pilgrimage places of Uttarakhand, students of PEN-India school have invited the one and all to visit Devbhoomi.“

Santosh Budakoti, the Director of the Foundation added, “the education system of PEN-India school is activity-based for overall development of these students. The students are able to grasp the knowledge easily when they are given an opportunity to learn through various activities.“

During the event, volunteer teachers, Ritu Sharma and Deepalika Negi were present .

Veteran Saklani siblings remembered for their contribution

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newspost
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Tehri, In memory of martyr Nagendra Dutt Saklani,  veteran freedom fighter and revolutionary leader, who gave the supreme sacrifice while leading a peaceful demonstration of over a lakh people against the King of Tehri Garhwal on 11th January 1948 at Kirti Nagar, Tehri Garhwal  an annual fair was organised at his native place Satyoan,Saklana, Tehri Garhwal.

Celebrated annually on the occasion of Chaudagati Baisakh i.e.28th, this year the occasion was graced by Hon’ble MLA of Dhanolti Pritam Singh Panwar. Pritam Singh Panwar inaugurated the fair and paid tribute to Shri Nagendra Dutt Saklani and his younger brother Vriksha-Manav or Tree-Man Shri Visheshwar Dutt Saklani. He highlighted the contribution of the two veterans in their respective fields, one for freedom and the other towards the society and environment. He added that, “their work will be cherished and remembered by the future generations to come.”

Shri Mahavir Singh Rangar Chairman, Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, District President of BJP paid floral tribute to the two siblings who gave such valuable contribution towards the society. He encouraged the youth to follow their ideals and spread their message.

Among others who paid tribute were Shri Akhilesh Uniyal, Gambir Singh Negi, Bharat Singh, Manohar Lal Saklani, Santosh Saklani, Digvijay Uniyal, Gram Pradhan of Jadgoan Shri Onkar Singh, all Gram Pradhan of Saklana, respected people and senior citizens.

There was a huge public gathering on the occasion and the event was celebrated with great zeal and fervour.

Gaadughadi: Badrinath’s first annual ritual

By
Tania Saili
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0

Narendarnagar, Gaadughadi a ritual, commencing the opening of the Badrinath Shrine is being nursed and nurtured by the royal family of Garhwal in Narendranagar Palace, home to the erst-while rajahs of Tehri Garhwal with equal fervor as it were in the past.

Today, beating of drums welcomes the visitor to a tradition as old as the shrines of Garhwal Himalayas. Its the first ceremony heralding the opening of the Badrinath shrine. Gaadughadi, the extracting of sesame oil in the open courtyard by married womenfolk from nearby villages and some from as far as Rishikesh flock to the palace to partake in this age-old custom of collecting precious sesame oil that will be put into use to smear Lord Badrinath throughout the year.

Telling us more the raj purohit says, “It is the Maharani from the royal family who begins the ritual. After which married women join in the activity of sifting, pounding, kneading and extracting sesame oil.”

Handed down from generation to generation by the Kings of Garhwal and purohit of the Badrinath temple, this tradition holds a special place in the lives of women here. They turn out in all their finery, wearing yellow, a colour associated with Lord Vishnu/Badri. This revered ceremony begins at day break. Women dressed in yellow sing traditional songs, grinding and pounding the black sesame seeds, in sync with one another.

Over the years, Gaadu Ghaddi has gained popularity among young women, a positive sign that this tradition will live on. An delighted Tikashah Shrija added, “I think it is because of their vishvaas (belief) I find the younger generation taking part with such enthusiasm. It is very heartening to see and I hope this ritual will continue forever. ”

God and Goddesses; myths and legends; fable and folklore all come and mingle here in courtyard of the erst-while king of Tehri Garhwal. A ritual of such rare beauty that its most cynical of audience undergoes a divine experience.

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