Backpackers Hostel Life In India

Amritsar.............The gateway to India from Pakistan side, is known for its rich history as well as for the world famous Golden Temple.
This ancient city is intriguing and it does not disappoint. Recently it has become an entry point in India for Long distance bikers, particularly from Europe.

Travelers from Europe come on a no frill adventurous trip and like to stay in Hostels, since they have to sustain themselves for almost a year in Asia, they like to stay parsimonious.

Let me take this opportunity to give you a glimpse of my experience in one such amazing place.

I had an opportunity to travel for business to Amritsar, since I have a knack for being adventurous and meeting new people I made my sleeping arrangements in a mixed dorm, bunk bed hostel- Nutz Backpackers.

The hostel is in middle of Old Amritsar City, situated within chaos this place plays hide and seek with you if you follow google map. However, the moment you enter inside the hostel it is all peaceful.

The hostel mostly attracts foreigners as I could spot only one Indian. As Soon as I got fresh, I sat in common room and learnt to play "shithead", meanwhile I was in awe with the energy that all different people from around the globe brought together, it was a whole new experience all together.

New place , new people and their experiences made the journey worthy. Some great stories were narrated and some awesome ambitions were established.

There were stories of solo bikers from Poland and researchers from Israel. There was a bibliophile from Germany, and a Hiker from India.

In compendium, the frugal way these people lived has inspired me to start my own solo journey. And this reminds me of a quote by Jim Carrey ,"It is better to risk starving to death than surrender. If you give up on your dreams, what's left?."

A lot of stories are yet to be narrated, one should not shackle oneself with fear of losing things in life, you might be losing the life itself...........!

You can save our Pilots

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

10:33 AM

Indians are elated, country's Pilot is coming home. After a string of unfortunate events between India and Pakistan since mid February, finally we are witnessing an elated homecoming moment of captured Indian Pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan which could be a clincher between Ind-Pak relationship. India has seen an array of mixed emotions early this year.

However, the media is handling this whole matter in a rigmarole manner. There is a term in financial literature called "Mis-selling", which refers to selling a product which is not needed at the moment. The media has taken all the spotlight away from the analysis of how India could've avoided this whole mishap.

We need to take a pause and rethink, does India really need this chivalry from its citizens and media, celebrating with fireworks, drums and trumpets? The IAF officer is still doing his duty, he is still behaving the way he was trained for.

Are we as a citizen of India doing ours? If we would be doing our part well, maybe our pilots would never have to step in flying coffins. The so called fighter planes is slowly fading obsolete technology which should have been replaced by the modern UAVs , Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. This technology is widely accepted by the west. India could have bought it too, but we are at a resource haul.

Our TAX to GDP ratio is same as that of Columbia, Tajikistan  or Zambia, at 16.8%. What it simply means is out of Rs 100 worth of goods and services produced by Indians, Government gets to keep 16 rupees. Of this 16 rupees Government has to spend on various socio-economic schemes, Military , pension , administration etc. India has a narrow tax base, not only this, a poor tax administration and large evasion.

Take Israel for example, the country is a leader in military technology, and has a tax to gdp ratio of 36.8%, and has to take care of roughly 87 lakh of its population. Comparing this with India's 133 crore people, one can simply understand the arithmetic involved. This is not a present challenge, but a future one too, when our so called "youth" will enter into old age and require benefits without working.

Though, digitization and linking of PAN has increased our tax fillers yet the rationale of evading tax and tolls hasn't evanesced from the mindset of a common Indian.

"Paying tax is essential for the development and security of a nation"

This message has to be transmitted to Indian's like Swachh bharat abhiyaan, and I think this was the best time to do so, the media could have done a better job.

References:

Wikipedia for tax/gdp
google for population stats
photo- https://www.google.co.in/search?client=opera&q=royalty+free+photos+air+force&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#

Solitary but not Marooned- Day 1 preparation for HMI again!

Yes, under the ruck sack is YOGA mat, because this is not a typical "trek" but a stamina practice Nordic walk nearby Mussorrie. And inside the ruck sack is a Encyclopedia of Economics by Oxford India {Hardbound} and Grey's Anatomy with other "essential" items . Lolz

This trek is nearby Raipur Village, though I have been here before in 2014 but this time it was a total different experience.
Last time I was here, Road was under construction for a village but due to bad weather and very heavy rainfall all that is left here is a broken trek with wild Chicken around the way. I guess no ones come here now even on Sundays otherwise this is a paradise spot for beer drinkers. However I went with a good weight backpack for checking out my newest equipment-boots,poles and pants.

Isolation is perfect word to describe this place but one should avoid going at night because you'll find landslides. Negotiating them would be difficult during night time. Early in the morning around 5:30 is perfect time:-)

The landslides are quite tough and one must take a calculated risk before going forward, there is a direct 150ft drop down.
There were at least 3 landslides en route which I took and I managed to come back negotiating only two of them (the above pic is of the third one)

Overall this is perfect place for practicing tough treks, elevation is steep and it takes around 1 hour to climb with 20kg ruck sack and 30min to come back down.
Fatigue is not much.
Just opposite face of this hill I saw a beautiful trial, don't know where it leads to. I will go there tomorrow and then write about it.

再见

Zàijiàn

Certificate Format of JIM and HMI

Here i'll present some information about the Certificates one gets after completing Basic and Advance Courses from any HAWS certified institute:


After every course it takes around 6 months for certificate to arrive so if some of you are considering to do Advance course immediately after Basic course or MOI after Advance you must be aware that you cannot get seat in any course without an "A" certificate of previous course.


Your Certificates will look like these:

NOTE- before applying for course please check they certify you with "HAWS or NIM or ITBP auli or ABVIMS or HMI or SGMI" only as this is a pre requisite for applying any course higher than Basic......Be alert!

          

Providing you extensive course detail from HMI and JIM&WS

Mountaineering in India

There are following Mountaineering courses available in India:

1.Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC)

2.Advance Mountaineering Course (AMC)

3.Method of Instruction (MOI)

4.Search and Rescue course (S&R)

5.Adventure course

I'll be precise - You can do all the courses, but just BMC and AMC are enough, if one wants to be a good mountaineer (or even scale Mt.Everest ), the rest needs experience and practice in the field with lots of expeditions.

This is a very confusing web page of IMF- http://www.indmount.org/

These courses are specialized in following institutes in India-

HMI, Darjeeling-

www.hmi-darjeeling.com

JIM&WS Pahalgam-

http://www.jawaharinstitutepahalgam.com/training.php

NIM, Uttarkashi

www.nimindia.net/

ABVIMAS
http://www.adventurehimalaya.org/mountaineering.asp

Many institutes are less known like- Sonam Gyatso mountaineering institute.

However, I have experience of only two among the above mentioned Institutes.

I went to JIM to do my Basic Mountaineering in 2012 and to HMI for AMC in 2013.

I am a student and really tight with finances (lol everyone is!) so I could not afford any expedition and therefore decided to explore solo these institutes and do as many courses as I can and as many times they'd allow me to :-)

So once again I am going to do my Advance Course from HMI in October 2015 and I have a S&R course in NIM on March 2016.

REVIEW #1, The year 2013

Believe me when i tell you that you will watch mountaineering movies, meet amazing people all around world and learn under some great and valuable Mentors........!!!! This is life of HMI :-)

HMI Darjeeling:

This course is very Fresh in my memory and therefore I'd like to review it first.

I was here @ time of political chaos, but no worry, Tourist are Respected any time :-).....!

Part-1......ADMISSION PROCESS

For civilians, this is probably the most daunting and confusing task, be it any institute. 

I have seen most people confused in this,  reason is the faculty present in desk of these institute is not very cooperative with some and others have problem managing their schedule as the courses where they get vacancy are probably like 1 year or in some cases 2 year later.

This does not make folks happy, applying for the said course.

Why this?- Because simply these institutes do not run on the fees they ask you. 

Obviously 5000 rupees for a course is real cheap. 

These institutes are under Ministry of  Defense, Govt.of India and has a self-financing Centre + State Budget for their year-round activities. 

Courses for CIVILIANS like me and you (probably) are highly SUBSIDIZED.

So if you are tight on budget, like me you have to compromise and get seat year later or more.....!

Alternative???

-well yes but one has to seriously compromise on the "BUDGET" and maybe the duration of the course:

HIA, Mussorie (32 km from my home Dehradun)

This is a great institute too under the direction of  Mr. S.P. Chamoli.

If you check their site and compare with others you'll know the difference.

Part 2-MEDICAL FITNESS-

Well, many institutes above mentioned will ask you to attach medical fitness form duly signed by doctor or CMO  before arriving to institute. 

This certificate is NOT important during the applying process, Please don't get me wrong , 

What I mean to say is that : 

Consider this, Your course is after 1 year or 6 Month approx so will your body give same result it is giving today (like Hb level and all) even after a year....IMPRACTICAL and you'd be happy to know that even the Institutes consider it to be impractical. 

But you HAVE to Have a medical certificate accompany you!

Please carry your fully mentioned MEDICAL certificate with you before you attend the course.....ITS FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY.

Part 3-NO RESPONSE ---- what to do?

Simple,first thing to do is to send your Form with duly attached draft with it (please keep a photocopy of the draft).

No one rejects (aati hui lakshmi) Money and they will definitely fit you somewhere in the course, I am not saying this vaguely, since a few students drop their course for some reason, you can fit there. 

It's like negotiating afterward.

Keep mailing to them, each institute definitely checks and writes back mail, if you have sent them DRAFT.

If it does not work and you cannot shift your schedule, simply take back your money by emailing them that you are not willing anymore to do the course. 

Before 5 months, you'll get the full amount and after that like before 3 or 2 months you have to shed some money if you call back your admission.

DO NOT wait for LAST one month to withdrew. You won't get a penny!

Part 4- COURSE...............Hard hai kya? (is it hard?)

Well, HMI is probably the best institute:

Sherpa Tenzing Norgay was from the same place near Darjeeling.

YES, it is Hard! But it teaches more than just mountaineering.

Prepare yourself at least 6 months before, I bet in every course AMC+BMC at least 5 people leave in between.

I am not trying to make you afraid- Just  making your tryst with reality.

Below is story of my course mate:

Check this out-http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130930/jsp/calcutta/story_17405894.jsp#.VYZ1UPmqqko

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1131001/jsp/calcutta/story_17410092.jsp#.VYZ2pfmqqko

Saikat was my buddy, great mountaineer, and robust Scuba Diver, we still feel for him. 

He died near Dzongri ~ 14000ft. We completed our training, the course didn't halt........when we came back institute after 14 days, I myself packed his bag to send it to his home.

So nothing bad if you are not fit or you fear....its all ok. However, one should be well informed about the various mountain situation one might get into!

This is reality boss!

So prepare really well and be aware of your own body. This is not to make you afraid that to let you know the limit. Such accidents rarely happen.

Part 5- Alpha milega? (I want A grade?)

Well, it won't be possible if you do not show some good enthusiastic and leadership qualities. Be disciplined and  behave properly during the course.

Remember theory too counts which is a test of your written knowledge on Paper. There is a good library in HMI Darj.

Practical- well you will be tested on Glacier as well as on Rock. I earned Silver medal during my training. Many people back off or lose early due to their own excuses. However, if you are young and enthusiast you should have no reason to loose. Give it all during the test and let them know you have learned something, that your time was worth it.

HMI rock climbing is one of the best in Country. They'd test you on both indoor as well as outdoor walls.
Here I'll show a glimpse of HMI outdoor wall,just to boost you. (I'm not deploying much photos because i don't want to kill your "moment" )

The test is of your learned rock skills and pretty straightforward of everything.

HMI gives practice opportunity too in this rock. During the monsoon period one might get bored as there is nothing much one can do. So be very well about the course timing.

Part-6: Will i go to Sikkim for training?

Well yes you will.

As well as  FOREIGNERS, if you are willing to do any course from HMI, they will take you to Sikkim without any extra permit. 

You will save your time and have a great company to be with. However, no LUXURY for anyone......you'll eat,live,shit all alike !

West Sikkim is the main Area where HMI takes us. 

Yuksum (meeting place of 3 lamas) once capital of sikkim, is the starting point of the Famous HMI 3 Day trek! :-)

Here's a map:

It is quite famous trek and is  Rigorous too  with around 18 kgs weight around your back for BASIC people and more for ADVANCE as they have to carry their own tent :-)

Be Prepared :-)

HMI is know to be most "tough"....look I have been to JIM and i know it is anything but tough. 

HMI is the real mountaineering (i don't know anything about NIM , have to go there in 2016). Discipline is top parameter of yours passing or failing the course.

Locals are very friendly but you are not allowed to do extra porter or Yak, even at your own cost. 

You'll get food at time and that too full of nutrition and you should yourself carry some items like dry fruits and chocolates. 

Though HMI provides them but you'll get them near the end of course or maybe during coming back.

Remember no special treatment is given to anyone. At any point of time you feel you can't do it, you will be duly carried back with a porter back to Yuksum as long as bus is there, otherwise you have to arrange transport to reach back to HMI. 

Since most of your "no USE' luggage is locked in your HMI hostel room you have to go there. Please keep some cash/ATM with you, not large amount but at least some!

Sikkim is real cold and you will most of the time fight with mountain sickness for the 3-4 days or maybe a week within of your reaching Chowrikhang Base Camp.  


This is a TISCO made permanent base camp of HMI with facilities like barracks, huts and medical huts. BASIC guys will stay here for rest of their training and mostly go near Rathong Glacier for ice craft.


ADVANCE will move ahead and pitch there tent few more kms ahead of basic people. 

Only Once Basic People will come to see how ADVANCE are living outside tent (&saving their ass from constant avalanches).

This is an avalanche prone area so do not go there with your bluetooth speakers or mobile phones. Try to be silent there! For sake of your fellow mountaineers!

Here you will enjoy and suffer most. 

Enjoy by the beauty and suffer due to mountain sickness, nightmares are common and please drink lots of fluid, in case of any uneasiness feel free to contact your fellow buddy or course coordinator.....do not hide your sickness.

You have to shit in open so make necessary arrangements of toilet paper,medicines and sanitizers  .

Though there is a shop @ DZONGRI but it is heavily priced (obvious reasons) due to very high altitude.

You can buy some stuff from Dzongri, just to support local population......!

You'll meet many other trek mates, as this is very famous trek in whole Asia. 

You are allowed to greet but do not stop to chat around or ask them how much to go? 

You should save your energy by just greeting them because there only you will be the one carrying such huge ruck sack with yourself, only YAK will accompany you in load sharing ;-)

Advance guys are always one day ahead of the Basic course people.

Advance reach a day ahead of Basic in HMI after completion of the course!

After the course, a marathon like run for BASIC Mountaineers around Darjeeling is their test of stamina, Basic mount.are also made to climb outdoor wall, and for ADVANCE it is mainly Rock climbing + Making a full fledged Expedition for each team of various mountains.

One can use library,course lecture notes and mountaineering wisdom to pass theory test.

Part-7- HMI or JIM or NIM or ABVIMAS????

Well every institute has its own perks for example, JIM has the best rock climbing training, whereas HMI has the best trek and high altitude training.

Food in JIM is ridiculous but food in HMI is far better. Teachers in both institutes are the best.

JIM and HMI has both best facilities in terms of training but in every course you'll find a mix up of civilians and defense personnel.


I'll soon write about Basic course in JIM&WS.


Thank you for reading, hope it was helpful. Drop any queries you have.!