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Kashi 3.0

Memory is unpredictable . One never really knows what we will remember and what we will forget. Which is why nostalgia arrives in unpredictable waves, highlighting something and skimming over others. Recently, I have found myself thinking of how memory works, as I was assailed by nostalgia over a trip to Varanasi, a city I prefer to think of, as Kashi. The nostalgia hit right as we landed at Varanasi airport. The last time I was here, it was 1988, I was 13 years old, the airport was brand new… regular flights hadn’t started yet (I think) … flights landed about once a week, and for the rest of the time, everything was open to those of us who lived in the airport quarters nearby. There were fields everywhere, vast expanses of green… I have vague memories of corn and sugarcane… and being overwhelmed by the vastness of the fields (this was the first time I was in such close proximity to them), and the warm hospitality of complete strangers who lived and worked amidst these fields. I h...
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Drenched!!

While we sit inside the house in relative comfort, while it pours cats and dogs outside, look at this kingfisher sitting patiently in the pouring rain, apparently oblivious to the cold, even though it appears to be huddled up...



It sat still for almost half an hour, and then suddenly swooped down, caught something in its beak, and sped off towards a tree....I was left with mixed emotions - I had been feeling rather sorry for the poor bird having to sit in the rain and cold, but now I was left wondering if that was what the bird had intended - to wait patiently till its prey came along... Does it enjoy the rain or is it just a matter of necessity? I have no idea, and am not likely to find out either... What do you think?
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  1. AnonymousJuly 5, 2010 at 8:15 AM

    Oh how lovely.. to watch the rains..

    ReplyDelete
  2. Shyam Govind - International SEO expertJuly 5, 2010 at 9:42 AM

    I gues that lamp post is a very popular hangout joint in the bird community...

    earlier the parakeets, now the kingfisher.. :P

    ReplyDelete
  3. MridulaJuly 5, 2010 at 10:17 AM

    They have started showing up on this side too after the rains.

    ReplyDelete
  4. chitraJuly 5, 2010 at 11:30 AM

    It is monsoon and Mumbai gets submerged by water. But the air gets fresh, all the dirt gets washed away and good you get to see to see lot of birds ....

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sankara SubramanianJuly 5, 2010 at 11:44 AM

    Ah hah! Now a white breasted kingfisher comes and gives you a show. You are definitely lucky...

    I am sure that all birds are programmed to handle the rain comfortably.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Aarti BadamikarJuly 5, 2010 at 1:56 PM

    lovely sight! so calm and content :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. IndraniJuly 5, 2010 at 4:23 PM

    Strange are the ways of a nature!
    Great observation.

    ReplyDelete
  8. ShilpaJuly 6, 2010 at 7:58 PM

    Nice observation!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. indicaspeciesJuly 8, 2010 at 5:58 PM

    I wish to get drenched in some rains too..and I promise not to prey on anyone..hehe!

    ReplyDelete

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