Search This Blog

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Discover Scuba Diving - 24 & 25 April 2010

Hi Folks,

Please note that Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) and Snorkeling programs in deep sea will be conducted on April 24 & 25.

DSD:
Cost per head = Rs 6750/-

Snorkeling:
Cost per head = Rs 4650/-

Cost includes
One day stay in 3 star hotel (had we taken budget hotel, event fee would have come down; but we wouldn't have enjoyed the stay!)
Transport from Bangalore to Murudeswara
Theory, Swimming pool practice sessions (Day 1)
Equipment, boat rentals
One Dive in Deep sea / Snorkeling in Deep Sea


Only Food and Local attraction fee is not included.


Bank Account Details:

Transfer the Fee for DSD / Snorkeling to

Axis Bank (Branch Banashankari)

Account Name: TAG India

Account Number: 102010200008617


Send an email to info@tagindia.net with your bank Transaction number!

Limited Slots!!! So confirm your booking by mode of payment by 15 March 2010.

People who are not comfortable in water and want to enjoy snorkeling and diving to the fullest, start going to the nearest swimming pool and take basic swimming lessons. Learn to be under water for sometime without panicking.


Related Links

Mandatory to fill up the form

Scuba diving participant interest form

Details & List of Programs

Introduction to Scuba Diving: Article




Best Regards,
Roopa Sreedhar
TAG INDIA TEAM
9886162404

Thursday, February 18, 2010

ANNOUNCING 2010 SUMMER CAMP FOR KIDS from 12 MAY TO 16 MAY in COORG

JUNGLE ADVENTURE CAMP 2010 for KIDS
DESTINATION: COORG


Kids Camp: 5 Days – 4 Nights


Dates: 12 May 2010 to 16 May 2010
AGE Group 9years to 14years
Rs. 6950/- Per Child (5Days / 4Nights )


Includes
Travel from Bangalore to Coorg & Return
All meals from Wed through Sunday Breakfast/Brunch.
Jungle Gym: obstacle courses for kids and competitions
Water Sport: Swimming, Still water rafting
Visit to Nisargadhama, Hanging Bridge walk, boating, Deer park & Orchidarium
Trekking
Outdoor Camping & equipment rental
First-Aid Medical Kit



Parent Camp

Dates: 15 & 16 May 2010

Rs 2200/- per head (2days /night)

One sibling under 5 travels free with parents

Additional/Older Siblings: Rd 1200/- per child

Bank Account Details:

Transfer the Fee for Summer Camp/Parent Camp to

Axis Bank (Branch Banashankari)

Account Name: TAG India

Account Number: 102010200008617


Send an email to info@tagindia.net with your bank Transaction number!

Limited slots! Please fill up the Participant interest form to book your slot today!

Sign up for this year's camp @ the following link
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dEh0Y3NPbkV4UkY2TnZEbm5PejZtNVE6MA

Information in detail will be shared with the interested participants.


Last year's camp pictures at
http://picasaweb.google.com/tagindiateam/TAGYoungAdventureCamp16Apr09#




Best Regards,
TAG INDIA TEAM
9886162404

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Disappearing Household Chirps by SUSHMA SHASHIDHARA

by Sushma Shashidhara
I have beautiful memories of childhood, especially one with the chirps of tiny sparrows. These birds followed me erywhere, especially while been fed by my granny, becoming my constant companions. Gradually in search of better education and later for jobs I tired to find my old companions at every possible location I shifted base.

I tried to research on these avian. "There can be no bird that is more universally known and recognized than the House Sparrow" said Hugh Whistler. This phrase holds good for many of us-young or old, having beautiful memories of growing up with the sparrows; the constant chirps making them indispensable part of every house holds.

The few sparrows I found were scared to get closer, may be the fright of been harmed or experiences of been abruptly cut off. That is when a preposterous thought struck me that the common house sparrow, once seen everywhere is on its brink of extinction.

Grave Avian Affair
The disappearance of the House Sparrows could be attributed to reasons:
• Primarily, deforestation to accommodate the rising city population by destroying habitat of sparrows

• Pollution levels in air are a substantial threat to sparrows as its egg shell becomes very delicate and hatches prematurely or premature death of new born.
• Findings also show that the Electro Magnetic radiation (EMR) from the mobile towers penetrates the nervous system of the birds affecting unfavorably-the key reason for the depletion of this bird population.
• These tiny birds exhaust their energy communicating as they have to be heard against the noise pollution. This makes their signals to flock and mate more complicated; a serious indication of nearing extinction of this species.
• Increasing soil pollution has made it nearly impossible for these avian to survive on the worms or grains lying around. The pesticides have polluted the food chain making sparrows susceptible to slow poisoning or extinction in near future.

In earlier days miners used to carry canaries into the mines with them. If the canaries showed signs of distress it indicated that there were poisonous gases in the air, and the miners would immediately exit the mine. In present day, if sparrows of city give cries of distress it could be a warning to human residents about a possible natural disaster.

Saving Sparrows from Extinction
Now the probable question would be what can we do?
• Give a safe haven by saving neighbouring forest vegetation or afforestation

• Provide alternate food sources like placing food and water for these weaker links of eco system. But also watch for the scavengers!!!

The survival of sparrows is crucial not only to create a balance in food chain but also for bird lovers like me to still cherish those happy days of our life and giving the next generations to relive such moments of childhood.

Best Regards,
Sushma Shashidhara

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Disappearing Cycle - Tea Sellers in Bangalore! by SUSHMA SHASHIDHARA

By Sushma Shashidhara



Bengaluru has its own way of making you fall in love with it. My fascination began since my childhood when I used to visit with my granny to her brother's house in Basavanagudi. The gardens, the MTR, the temples and the parks at every corner always amused me. I was awed how the city could strike a balance between a mixed crowd of modern generation getting along with their older generation, acknowledging each others boundaries and liberty. But this is not about my research on the hotspots in Bangalore or the youth culture. This is about discovering the other side of this growing metro city- almost extinct 'cycle-wallahs' or the chai wallahs (tea sellers)!!!
I began my career in Bengaluru (then Bangalore) and this city still continues to amuse me. She has one of the most amiable personas than most of the cities I have visited across India. During my initial days as an intern in a newspaper organization, I took a keen interest in volunteering for assignments so I could learn during the period.

The cold wave of winter and monsoon in this "Garden city" makes everyone crave for a hot cup of tea or coffee. But a strong journalistic nose, along with tea, also looks out for interesting beats. During one such exploration for tea, my best friend and I found few of the cycle-wallahs around Symphony and MG road. This went on to become a hub for me and my friends to hang out and simultaneously building a cord of friendship with the chai-bhaiyyas.

The conversation was very casual and all of us enjoyed this late night outing before we went home. The tea bhaiyyas used to discuss how the late night job was not fetching them any profits. We laughed at those comments as we could see the streets getting queued up for a cup of tea and home made nibattus (fried munchies). We teased the bhaiyyas for indirectly proposing a hike. But all that ended with a stream of laughter and none of us giving too much serious consideration on the talks over a cup of tea.

As the years passed by, most of us got busy in building our careers and it was the once-in-a- while weekends or late night occasions that gave us a chance to gather for the usual street tea-party. But to our surprise we couldn't find our regular chai bhaiyyas. Disappearing Chai Wallahs!!! A good beat for a human interest story.
Another night we found our chai bhaiyyas. But to our astonishment, the casual conversations were no more there and we could only hear- 'how many cups of tea or how many cigarettes are required? His eyes were constantly on the roads and were alert every time a vehicle passed around, as if anticipating something any moment. Next weekend we didn't find him anywhere. We were surprised watching these dim prospects for our upcoming tea party. Something was bothering him, made him shift his stand whenever a vehicle came or even when Police patrol vehicle passed by.
The situation didn't improve much when we came out for tea after a month. We saw fewer chai bhaiyyas in the street. All of us wondered what was the reason for this disappearance? We thought it was the monsoon playing the devil only to discover how Bengaluru was getting deep into the most cursed structure of this country-Corruption in every strata and Exploitation of the underprivileged.

Eventually we found that these Chai Wallahs were selling tea/ cigarette/ biscuits at the busiest streets to earn some extra income. This un-hourly business was not entertained by the city managing organization which has issued a circular that all business establishments were to be closed in the city after a given time by the system. But as these chai wallahs were out to make some easy money and escape any actions by the patrolling team, they took to bribing the inspecting team. As the business increased the latter started demanding more money and this created a tense situation for business. Neither was polite with each other. It was a messy situation and we were no strangers to corruption in the Indian system.


This is one of the incidents, but I am sure there may be numerous such incidents and observations that many of you have come across. India ranks 84th among 180 countries, as per the Transparency International's 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index. In 2009, India climbed one spot up from 85th to 84th. India's integrity score this year is 3.4, down from 3.5 in 2007.
Do these statistics and the rise in list give us a reason to celebrate or put in our efforts on eliminating the name of India from the list?


India is pacing towards progress and trying to set fine example to all the developing nations to becoming a global identity. But what we are still lagging in handling crisis in any way. We always try to adjust instead of confronting a situation.


A Utopia has been self imposed where corruption and escaping reality through just "setting things right in our way" which is mainly through bribery and trying to silence the voices that opposes- is normal. If things continue this way, then our dream of joining the elite list of developed countries will soon be shattered. But again, none of us will bother to stop by and pick up those pieces. After all, we can always chase another dream!!!


Best Regards,
Sushma Shashidhara