Sunday 17 March 2019

Taki, on the banks of Ichamati River, a weekend getaway from Kolkata


It's 10 in the night in mid March 2019.
Taki dazzles being a weekend night even though the streets are deserted. The river Ichamati continues to flow silently separating us from Bangladesh.
How many thoughts can you conjure simply looking out and beyond into the land of many of our ancestors.

Text and photo credit: Indian Roadie Avijit Dhar Chowdhury (Founder - Green Step Tourism)

Thursday 14 March 2019

Kms Of India - Low cost household plastic item sellers are roadies, too - Indian Roadie in everyday life


This man with colourful merchandize piled high on his ride is no less a roadie than anyone of us. His life revolves around movements on road day in and day out for the upkeep of his dear ones at home.

The photo of this hardworking roadie reminds me of a pathetic gloating retard in the NCR who once said that it's only a man with courage/ ability who can drive high up in the Himalayan ranges when it's pitch dark outside and with a machine which should be a 4WD or a monster with high engine torque and capable of going for frequent off-roading gigs which makes one a true roadie.

This poor man trudging along on the streets of Raipur derives pleasure not by revving, not by screeching to a halt. He derives pleasure returning home, how small or broken it might be, to a smiling family where he is always welcome! He slogs it out to earn every rupee and lubricates the chain of his ride with his own hard earned money!

There's a bit of Indian Roadie In Everyday Life (#IndianRoadieInEverydayLife).

Photo courtesy: IndianRoadie Chinmay Biswas on 2019-03-05 in Raipur, Chattisgarh. 
* Kms Of India (#KmsOfIndia) 
* Kilometres Of India 
* Every Kilometre Of India Is Interesting 
* Only While Travelling By Road In India 
* Only While Driving By Road In India 

'Gamcha', Bengal's handloom towel - when in Bengal, buy them for daily use


"Gamcha", one of Bengal's handloom produce is now slowly getting its due recognition. They come in various qualities and colours and are wonderful for wiping our bodies dry. Easy to wash and quick to dry. Try using gamchas instead of towels, you will not dislike the experience !

Quite interestingly, some rural weekend destinations in Bengal are offering new 'gamchas' on every check-ins instead of towels.

Irrespective of wherever you belong to, when you are in Bengal or crossing this state, make it a point to buy a couple of them for the rest of your journey and for use once you return home. You will love the experience.

'Gamchas' are widely available at the smallest and nondescript textile retailer in every town and village in West Bengal.

Every roadie, driving or riding will find using  this ubiquitous soft handloom '#gamcha' of West Bengal a very soothing experience. The unbeatable utility of using these long lasting, colourful and economical 'gamchas' is difficult to explain in words.

Let's hear your experience with 'gamcha'.

Photo credit: IndianRoadie @Avijit Dhar Chowdhury.
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#BengalTrails
#PromoteBengalHandlooms #greensteptourism #DiscoverBengal #BengalTourism
#IndianRoadie
#GlobalRoadie
#ShetravelsIndia
#BackpackIndiaOnRoad

'Thiksey Gustor', a festival that was held in Thiksey, Ladakh in November 2017


The Thiksey Gustor, was a 2-day festival celebrated in Ladakh from Nov 6th 2017.
This festival was celebrated at various monasteries of Thiksey (on Leh - Manali Highway), Spituk and Karsha Nanzkar.
The word ‘Gustor’ means ‘sacrificing'.
During the festival, there are early morning prayers. After the festival concluded, there was distribution of the sacrificial cake, also known as the Torma during a ceremony called ‘Argham’ or killing.
The leader of the Black Hat dancers did the distribution, marking the end of the festival and commemorating the victory of good over bad.
There was also a re-enactment of  the assassination of the traitor King Lang Darma of Tibet by a Buddhist monk during the mid 9th  century.
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#ThikseyGustor
#Ladakh
#IndianRoadieFestival
#OnlyWhileTravelingByRoadInIndia

Chaitanya School Bus rammed into numerous road users in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh on 2019-02-22


A school bus ferrying children of Sri Chaitanya School in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh rammed into numerous other road users on 2019-02-22 morning, leaving many injured.
The way the bus ploughed through everybody on a reasonably wide road, it appears that it's driver had initially tried to save a pedestrian or someone who had suddenly strayed on its path.

(Video grab received as WhatsApp message)
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#mishap

Mishap narrowly averted because of cattle on road in Junagad, Gujarat


Cattle on road, stray or left unattended can lead to a scary #mishap.
This incident happened in Junagad, Gujarat sometime in early 2019.
The driver deserve accolades.
When on the road, every Roadie must be #HighOnCognition.

'Ahuna Mutton Curry' at Champaran Meat House, the Indian Roadie Preferred Cafe in Patna is delicious


Whenever you are in Patna, the capital of Bihar, make it a point to visit Champaran Meat House, an eatery near the Planetarium and Income Tax Circle on Fraser Road.
This Indian Roadie Preferred Cafe churns out the most delicious 'Ahuna Mutton Curry' cooked in baked clay 'handis' (utensils).
The mutton is left to simmer on fire which is traditionally lighted with firewood and coal.
The mix of in-house 'masala' gives the mutton a truly lip-smacking taste.

'Ahuna Mutton Curry' is an authentic preparation of Motihari in Champaran district of North Bihar. It is bound to leave roadies spellbound 😍

If Patna is not in your driving route, don't panic. Roadies driving towards Siliguri, Sikkim, Bhutan and North East from the Lucknow end via the 6 laned East West Highway will have to cross Motihari enroute and can have a hearty meal of authentic 'Ahuna Mutton Curry'.

For the uninitiated, Motihari is between Gorakhpur and Muzaffarpur.

I myself have had Ahuna Mutton quite a few times in Patna and Motihari ever since 1983 😘

Photo credit: Subhankar Ghosh.
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* Old Champaran Meat House 
* Indian Roadie Drive For Food