Plagiarism & Blog-hackers

Plagiarism & Blog-hackers

By Roopa Sreedhar

Giri & I went to Mauritius in April 2007. It was a very beautiful Island.

After many months, we were traveling to Pandavapura, in Mandya District and took the by-pass road after Mandya for the first time. The scenic beauty of this place took my breath away. I was transported back to the Sugarcane fields of Mauritius once again. Our Mauritian taxi Driver Bijay had 100s of acres of land & had informed us that he cultivated 18 types of sugar. Really?

The Indian Sugar Cane fields were no less mesmerizing than their international family. We saw ahead of us a few small hillocks that seemed to stand on a thick green carpet. Having not read many blogs about this place, we parked our car at the base of the hill and inquired about this place. The next month I wrote the following invite & created our first trek to Kunti Betta.

" About the Place: Kunti Betta is a hillock near Pandavapura in Mandya District. The place is rich in history & heritage. Pandavapura features during the Mahabharata period. It is said the Pandavas ended their exile of 14 years in Pandavapura. Here is where Bheema slayed Bhakasura, the demon. A top Kunti betta, one can see the utensil shaped rocks which were apparently used by Pandavas for cooking. Sugarcane is grown in abundance in the fields around this place, giving it a feel of Mauritius . The multitude of canals passing by the fields gives the location an exotic look. On a sunny day, one can take a dip in any of the well maintained canals.
The Chunchanghatte falls, Melukote and the newly excavated temple of Venugopalaswamy on the Cauvery river basin are very close by. The backwaters of KRS is at a distance of 20 km from here.
One can take a dip in the nearby canal and visit the nearby spot where centuries old Temple is being excavated. - Roopa Sreedhar"

And then I saw a spate of websites copying the original text & populating their pages without mentioning the author's name. More time I spent on their sites, it was enough to point that these sites were museum of stolen text from other websites. Original content from many of my blogs appeared on these sites. They had also stolen from the best travel blogs on the internet of many avid travelers and travel bloggers. I could identify many original blogs of known trekkers.

It is one thing to refer to blogs sites and travel book and plan a travel, and another to create a site based on others travels. But copying from someone's book and publishing the same book again is nothing short of Plagiarism.
Some people I know are very good photographers. How would it feel if their original photographs were taken without permission to create a museum photography site?

Online thieves like this kill creativity.

Cheers to all original bloggers and blogger community!
Roopa Sreedhar


To all blog-hackers: If you don't have the talent to compile & write, go find another hobby. We are not offering our services as Ghost Writers to you blog thieves.

22 - 23 January 2011-Relaxing Weekend & Trek to Kudremukha

22 - 23 January 2011

Relaxing Weekend & Trek to Kudremukha

Kuduremukha, also referred to as 'Samseparvata' is a mountain range in Chikkamagaluru district, in Karnataka, India. It is also the name of a small town situated near the mountain. The name Kuduremukha (as it is known by the natives) literally means 'horse-face' and refers to a particular picturesque view of a side of the mountain that resembles the same.

The sleepy town of Kudremukh is primarily an iron ore mining town where the government run Public Sector Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd. (KIOCL) operates. It is noted for its scenic beauty. Owing to the dense forests, sighting wildlife can be challenging, though the area is rich in wildlife. Nonetheless the drive through the forest ra

nges can be enchanting and exhilarating. Three important rivers, the Tunga, the Bhadra and the Nethravathi are said to have their origin here. A shrine of goddess Bhagavathi and a Varaha image, 1.8 m within a cave are the main attractions.

The Tunga river and Bhadra river flow freely through the parklands. Kadambi waterfalls area definite point of interest for anyone who travels to the spot. The animals found there include the malabar civet, wild dogs, sloth bear and spotted deer.

Source: Wikipedia

Distance: approximately 338 km from Bangalore

Schedule:

21-Jan-2011:

• 09:00 PM: leave from a common point in Bangalore.

22-Jan-2011:

• Reach the estate by early morning
• Hike to Kudremukha peak & get back by early evening
• Those not interested in the hike can relax at the homestay near Bhadra river
• Picnic lunch atop the hill
• Return to the estate by evening
• Bonfire if rain permits

23-Jan-2011:

• Brunch at the estate
• Chill out in nearby waterfalls
• Leave by noon
• Depart to Bangalore after lunch, and arrive in Bangalore by late night.

COST:

The cost per head is Rs 2300/- (INR Two thousand three hundred only) and includes

1 Nights stay at the estate, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Coffee/Tea, Transport to & fro Bangalore, Forest entry fee, Guide Fee, Campfire (if rain permits), Local attraction Entrance Fee, basic medical kit, activity fee

Does not include any personal expenditure, non vegetarian meals, dinner on the way & dinner on the way back

Banking

Bank: Axis Bank

Branch: Banashankari

Account Name: TAG India

Axis Bank Account Number: 102010200008617

Call us to confirm your participation. Please email the Transaction Details to info@tagindia.net with the subject “Jan 11 – Kudremukh Holiday – Transaction Details”

Rules:

1. After the announcement of final list, anyone dropping out has to bear the cost of Transportation & Food. (Transport & Food already booked/ordered)

2. In case of trekking, every group will have a Leader and a trailer - Decision taken by them would be the FINAL. Suggestions from trekkers are welcome but expecting maximum co-operation to Leaders. Trekking schedule/plan is designed without knowledge of Seasonal situation, Wildlife activity and anything which could go wrong at that time. Expecting high level of patience with respect to change in schedule/plan.

3. TAG INDIA is a media for adventure/nature enthusiasts in Bangalore to come together and participate in eco-friendly adventure activities. TAG INDIA , TAG INDIA TEAM, Trek Leaders, and other TAG INDIA members are NOT responsible for loss of belongings or life of any participant. Please be very serious about this note. Take care of your own belongings and respect your life.

4. Littering & shouting in the wilderness is prohibited. Night stay is arranged in estate property. We will be having very simple and basic facilities. Luxury not included.

5. While on a trek, group should move together in a single-line formation, with no one going too far ahead or behind. Be independent. Carry one's own pack. Backpack not to exceed 15 kg. Wear dull, mud or khaki color cloths, which generally do not attract wildlife, avoid bright colors.

6. Consumption of alcohol is not allowed in any of the TAG INDIA TREKS.

7. Do not tease any living being in forest - from small plant, worm to elephant.

8. Making your trip a great experience is in your hand. Help yourself to follow the guidelines and enjoy the fun and adventure :-)

Things NOT to carry:

Liquor, narcotic drugs & ego

Best Regards,

TAG INDIA Team

www.tagindia.net

9886162404

Shoot only pictures; Capture only memories; Leave only footprints

20 & 21 Nov 2010 - SCUBA DIVING & SNORKELING IN NETRANI ISLANDS

SCUBA DIVING & SNORKELING IN NETRANI ISLANDS
Destination: Murudeshwara, Netrani Islands

Participant Information - Please fill up the form
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=ps4QGHfuVEKmZg-0YHLIuEQ&hl=en


Distance: 500 km from Bangalore
Schedule:

* 19-Nov-2010: Friday 9:00 pm: leave late night from a common point in Bangalore
* 20-Nov-2010: Reach Murudeshwara by 8 am, Theory & Pool session DSD Participants, Acclimatization; Sight Seeing, Water Sports, Beach games (if time & energy permits), visit a local attraction & Relaxing
* 21-Nov-2010: Deep Sea Snorkeling and Scuba Dive in open water, relax in the sea. Leave for Bangalore by night
* 22-Nov-2010: Return early Monday Morning


Programs

1. DISCOVER SCUBA DIVING* & SNORKELING - 2 Days (Rs 6,900 only)

For Learners, Average Swimmers & non-panicky non-Swimmers: DSD or FUN DIVING is an introduction to Scuba Diving and includes a theory session, a pool (confined water) session and a dive in shallow Open Water. Students are taught to use the scuba gear in confined waters and prepared for the dive. *This is NOT a certification course

Cost: Rs 6900/- (Six thousand nine hundred only)

Included in Cost:

Transportation from Bangalore to Murudeshwara & back,

Stay in a star hotel in AC rooms (one day) on sharing basis

Boat charges, Course fee, Instructor fee, Equipment fee, Guide charges, Use of pool facilities, life jackets

1 Scuba dive in deep sea & snorkeling activities,

Dive Card /Certification for specific courses,

Basic medical kit,

Snacks on the boat, two Vegetarian Breakfasts, two Tea




Not Included in Cost:

Lunch & Dinner, fee for beach games, personal expenditure, loss of equipment charges and water sports not included in the programs specified. The participant is responsible for the equipment given to him/her during the event and will be liable for the same; in case of equipment loss/damage the participant will bear the brunt of replacing the same with cash.


Insurance can be procured externally; it is not mandatory.

Bank Account Details:

Axis Bank (Branch Banashankari) Account Name: TAG India Account Number: 102010200008617

Call us to confirm your participation. Please email the Transaction Details to info@tagindia.net with the subject “November 2010 – Snorkeling & Scuba Diving – Transaction Details”


Do find the details of the various programs in the following link



List of Programs:
http://groups.google.com/group/tagindiateam/web/list-of-scuba-diving-snorkeling-programs-to-suit-everyone

Introduction to Scuba Diving: Article
http://groups.google.com/group/tagindiateam/web/introduction-to-scuba-diving


Participant Information - Please fill up the form
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=ps4QGHfuVEKmZg-0YHLIuEQ&hl=en

Rules:

1. All participants should have filled up the membership form by using the join us link on www.tagindia.net
2. TAG INDIA is a medium for adventure/nature enthusiasts in Bangalore to come together and participate in eco-friendly adventure activities. TAG INDIA, TAG INDIA TEAM, Event Leaders, and other TAG INDIA members are NOT responsible for loss of belongings or life of any participant. Please be very serious about this note. Take care of your own belongings and respect your life.
3. Night stay is arranged in a hotel. We will be having very simple and basic facilities. Luxury not included.
4. Consumption of alcohol is not allowed in any of the TAG INDIA events.
5. Do not tease or hurt any marine life
6. Making your trip a great experience is in your hand. Help yourself to follow the guidelines and enjoy the fun and adventure :-)
7. After the announcement of final list, anyone dropping out has to bear the cost of Transportation & Hotel. (Transport & hotel already booked/ordered)



Things NOT to carry:
Liquor, narcotic drugs & ego



Regards,
TAG INDIA team
W: www.tagindia.net
M: +91-9886162404

B: tagindia.blogspot.com
E: info@tagindia.net
"Shoot only pictures; Capture only memories; Leave only Footprints"

Announcing 1. Kallatti to Kemmanugundi trek, 2. Mullainagiri Cave exploration, 3. Waterfalls & 4. Ridge walk on 9th & 10th October 2010

Announcing 1. Kallatti to Kemmanugundi trek, 2. Mullainagiri Cave exploration, 3. Waterfalls & 4. Ridge walk on 9th & 10th October 2010

Travel Details:
2 days 2 nights

Schedule :
Departing on Friday 8th Oct @ 10:30 pm
Returning on Sunday 10th @ Oct night (door to door drop available)

Events :

1. Kallati to Kemmanugundi trek (waterfall visit)
2. Mullaingiri trek & cave exploration
3. Ridge walk
4. Waterfall visit
5. Kemmanugundi View point visit if time permits

Travel Time : 6 hours one way

What is included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, 2 snacks, Homestay on sharing basis, Basic medical kit, guide fee, transportation (To & fro with door to door drop, common pick-up point), sleeping bag

What is not included : Dinner on 8th & 10th, non-veg food, personal expenses and any other charges not mentioned above.
Cost: INR 2,350 per person


Banking:
Bank: Axis Bank
Branch: Banashankari
Account Name: TAG India
Axis Bank Account Number: 102010200008617

Call us to confirm your participation. Please email the Transaction Details to info@tagindia.net with the subject “Oct 10 – Kalhatti trek – Transaction Details”

Don’ts FOR THE TRIP
Do not carry or consume Liquor, narcotics, ego
Littering & shouting in the wilderness is prohibited
Night stay is arranged in homestay. We will be having very simple and basic facilities. Do not expect any luxury.
Do not tease any living being in forest - from small plant, worm to elephant.

Best Regards,
TAG INDIA TEAM
info@tagindia.net
9886162404

Announcing - COORG Relaxi Long weekend holiday - 15, 16, 17 October 2010

COORG - Relaxi holiday
*

*Tadiyendamol Trek & Jungle Gym*

At a height 1800 m, Tadiyendamol is the second highest peak in Karnataka.
The peak belongs to the group of taller peaks between Himalayas in the north
and Nilgiris in the South. Tadiyendamol is a part of the range of Western
Ghats that lie in Coorg District of Karnataka. This range experiences a
salubrious climate throughout the year. Elephants, bison, tigers, wild cats,
and variety of birds habitat the thick vegetation. Plenty of waterfalls and
natural springs adorn the valleys. The flora & fauna of Coorg add to the
beauty of the valley. Most of the land with natural vegetation around the
peak is taken over by Plantation growers and converted to Plantations of
coffee, pepper, cardamom, beetle leaves, and areca nut. The forest
department well maintains the forest range with early burning of weeds and
shrubs, planting trees to re-grow the forest and maintenance of trees.

*Distance*: 290 km from Bangalore

*Route:* Hunsur, Gonikoppa, Virajpet*

*Schedule: *

*15-Oct-2010:** *

- 05:00 AM: leave early morning from a common point in Bangalore.
- Reach the estate before lunch break.
- Hike to the nearby *waterfall* & relax the entire evening.
- *Mafia *around *bonfire *if rain permits.

*16-Oct-2010**: *

- Start for *Tadiyendamol *trek after breakfast,
- *Picnic lunch *atop the hill
- Return to the estate by evening
- Bonfire if rain permits

*17-Oct-2010**: *

- Leave the estate after breakfast,
- Visit *Jungle Gym *- Participate in the desired activities (not
mandatory), Activities include *mountain biking, Rifle shooting, Obstacle
course, paintball *
- Sandwich lunch
- Depart to Bangalore at 4:30 pm, and arrive in Bangalore by late night.
- Door to door drop to the participants

*COST:*

*The cost per head is Rs 3600/- (Rs Three Thousand Six Hundred only for
three days) includes*
2 Nights stay at the estate, 2 Breakfast, 3 Lunch, 2 Dinner, 6 Coffee/Tea,
Transport between Bangalore & Coorg, local transport to the estate, Guide
Fee, Campfire (if rain permits), Local attraction Entrance Fee, basic
medical kit, activity fee

Does not include any personal expenditure, fee for JUNGLE GYM, non
vegetarian meals, breakfast on the way & dinner on the way back

*Banking *

Bank: Axis Bank

Branch: Banashankari

Account Name: TAG India

Axis Bank Account Number: 102010200008617

Call us to confirm your participation. Please email the Transaction Details
to info@tagindia.net with the subject “Oct 10 – Coorg Holiday – Transaction
Details”

*Things NOT to carry:*

Liquor, narcotic drugs & ego

Best Regards,
TAG INDIA Team
www.tagindia.net

9886162404

HIMACHAL DRIVING HOLIDAY - 2010 By Roopa Sreedhar (9886162404)

© TAG INDIA www.tagindia.net

HIMACHAL DRIVING HOLIDAY - 2010 By Roopa Sreedhar (9886162404)

Participant Interest Form @ http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dEVXQjRFZ1ZRV3lwLU9SYVVMajkwb2c6MA#gid=0

28 August 2010: 5:30 pm @ 36, Chandralok, Janpath, Delhi. The night journey to Manali in a semi sleeper. Simple Dinner awaits at Karnal. We hope to reach Manali by 10 am the next day. Here begins one of the most exotic journeys of India.




29-August-2010: We arrive at Manali by 10 am if there are no delays. After a sumptuous breakfast, we check in into the hotel booked for the day. A day tour of Manali takes us to the famous HADIMBA temple; allow us to stroll in the local markets and lose ourselves in the magic of this small hill town. We can capture in our memory the experience of eating local dish Shidu.


30-August-2010: We leave Manali to move southward. Indulge in a short trek up to Banjar fort on the way, visit Sojha & cross Jalori Pass to reach picturesque Gushaini by dawn.


31-August-2010: Relax at Gushaini.


1-Sep-2010: After a much needed break at Gushaini, we leave very early in the morning towards Manali for a very quick lunch. We move ahead to Keylong for night halt. We cross the Rohtang Pass, visit Beas Kund, the origin of mighty river Beas. Driving on the edge of the cliffs that overlook the fierce Bagha & meandering Chandra rivers, we reach Keylong.




State: Himachal Pradesh
Distt: Lahaul & Spiti
Destination: Kaza
Climate: Extremely cold during winter and difficult to approach, temperature drops well below even -20 degrees, cold during summer. Rainfall is almost zero and Heavy Woolens both in Summer Winter.
Altitude: Kaza is situated at an altitude of about 4,270 meters.
Best time to visit: Mid-June to Late October.


2-Sep-2010: We leave from Keylong & explore Kardang, Tayar & Guru Ghantal Monasteries. Rangrik, with the view of Key Monastery perched on high cliffs, is our destination. Barren mountains & desert like ambiance yet cold and comfortable, not to be found in any other part of the world.

3-Sep-2010: Time to explore the Spiti Valley, Key Monastery, Kibber Village, highest village in the world which is connected by motor-able road, Dhankar with an ancient fort and an 800-year-old Dhankar Monastery.


4-Sep-2010: Pin Valley

5-Sep-2010: Tabo Kaza Nako :At nearly 10,000 feet, Nako is like a green oasis in Spiti's high altitude desert. Kungri: Spiti's second oldest monastery is located in the Pin valley 45 kms from Tabo. The Kungri gompa was built around 1330 AD. Dhankar

6-Sep-2010: Chandratal: Chandertaal is situated at an altitude of about 4,270 meters. Camping next to this lake is one of the most beautiful experiences of the holiday. The sky is so clear that we can see the Milky way galaxy and zillions of stars shining down upon us.

7-Sep-2010: Back to Manali by Lunch gives us the whole evening to rest and get ready for the long journey ahead the next day.

8-Sep-2010: On the way to Dharamashala.

9-Sep-2010: Spend first half of the day soaking in the sights of Dharamshala, we pay homage to Dalai Lama. Post lunch we leave for Jammu. Arrive at Jammu by dinner time. The next day, we are to leave the embrace of Himalayas. Time to reflect upon the nature and our connection to our surroundings.

10-Sep-2010: Adios to all amigos! A sigh of contentment of having been in paradise once. When Buddha beckons & Himalayas call, how can one resist? Am sure we will come back again & again & again.........

If you are interested in joining us do fill up the Participant Interest Form @ http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dEVXQjRFZ1ZRV3lwLU9SYVVMajkwb2c6MA#gid=0

Best Regards,
Roopa Sreedhar
roopa.sreedhar@tagindia.net

9886162404

© TAG INDIA www.tagindia.net

Flash flood in Leh! Are you kidding me??? by GIRIDHAR B G

Just saw the news that Leh had flash flood due to cloud bursts yesterday. Around 60 people have been killed and more missing! My first thought was.. "you must be kidding me" and I will explain why I thought so in detail below.

Read news details on the flood at: Flash floods kill 59 in Leh, more missing

Leh (Ladakh region) has a cold desert climate with 90mm rainfall/per year only. How is a desert area getting flooded out of the blue (quite literally speaking)? You may want to attribute this to global warming, but the theory of global warming itself is a big fallacy as I had documented in one of my previous blogs.

I have personally traveled to Leh couple of times (read my blog with photos on Leh trip), and this is a mountain desert! The sources of water are glaciers melting and becoming rivulets. The mighty rivers include Indus and Zanskar that are completely fed by the glaciers and they melt due to the warmer conditions in Leh.

Curiously though, our neighbor China, who shares a border with Ladakh region, has been using cloud seeding techniques to create artificial rainfall to ease drought conditions in their southern region. Watch a Chinese news broadcast on the same topic.


The science of making artificial rain is now a reality. China used this technology quite heavily in Beijing during Olympics & to reduce pollution as well. Technology can easily become another commercially viable operation or even a military one used to spread havoc on a country's economy. Send fighter planes to drop these heavy particles into regions and trigger flash floods. If you still think I am talking science fiction watch this video on how this technology is being harnessed on regular basis: Humans make Rain


Could this technology be the cause of flooding at Leh? Is some one using this latest invention as another form of attack on the J&K state, which is already struggling in Kashmir on terrorism & civil unrest? Ladakh is the most stable region in J&K with strong military presence to guard our borders. It is also one of the main conduits for food and other supplies to the entire region and a major tourist destination. Most of the people are peace loving and all regions get along fine here. Many Tibetan migrants have found peace and solace establishing their homes here. It is not easy to instigate the people here unlike in the Kashmir valley. Leh is an integral part of India and the only way to destabilize this region is by using natural calamities. I am praying this is not the case and that this is once in a blue moon freak accident.


With the modern discoveries, intelligence communities of nations have to also upgrade their knowledge on how these could be used as potential weapons of mass destruction. Our ancient stories talked about man messing with the weather causing wide scale floods and destroying much of humanity. Vishnu's first avatar as a fish documents this in detail and resembles Noah's ark story quite closely. This is also documented by the Sumerian scriptures which predate the Bible by at least 4000 years and are probably one of the oldest surviving written scripts of mankind. Mankind with its selfish interest can bring upon itself a self destructive force which may not be controllable in the long run.

Don't mess with mother nature, her slight shrug can send continents crashing. You have been warned again.



Giridhar B G