VARKALA INCIDENT- " we too support you"

article in Indian Express in Trivandarum.... Wanted to post this earlier but couldn't read this !

This one really touched me.

After an amazing rally through the streets of Varkala , i get a call from one of the hotels near by that the GM of that hotel wanted to speak to me. Surprised by that, i took the phone and said yes how can i help you? And what I hear is " Hello sir, i read an article in the morning in Indian Express about the car rally and was waiting for you to arrive at Varkala.We too support the cause and are there with Taj for this journey Can you come to our hotel also with the car, we would be happy to be part of this peace rally" Now thats really amazing to hear from another hotel....!!!!. Great spirit!!!

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THE GATEWAY HOTEL SURAT 20TH JULY 5 PM

the river by the hotel and the view from room

A rainy drive from Ahmedabad to Surat was what in store for us but we didn't mind because roads were pretty good. Surat is buzzing with tourists for the viewing of Solar Eclipse day after. we managed to reach hotel beating the traffic and it was a pleasant site to see this beautifully located hotel on the banks of a river. Great location.

The near completion of journey now excites people and me too. I shared my purpose and experiences with staff and media present in the hotel. A minute silence to remebber the heroes.

THE GATEWAY HOTEL AHMEDABAD 20TH JULY 9 AM

Driving into rains..different colours of clouds

1 hour drive on Expressway to Ahmedabad from Vadodara and you reach the hotel The Gateway Umed. There was a press conference planned and i interacted with staff and press both in the morning. Near completion now press was very eager to know all my experiences and i obliged them by narrating few incidents. But even they were very enthused about the idea of spreading harmony and peace.

The staff too gave there opinion and wishes for the journey.

AURANGABAD-VADODARA -THE GATEWAY HOTEL 19TH JULY 5 PM

Temple at a top of a hill, wonder why they make it so difficult to meet God!!!

interesting Road signs I must say creative ones we get it on the way while driving ...

Scary !! in the middle of the ghats

takinga break to see the valley below

ellora caves

Daultabad Fort

Me and Vivek from Aurangabad started early to reach our next stop Vadodra about 500 kms. The first 1 hour was quite a sightseeing crossing through ghats and seeing Daultabad fort and amazing Ellora Caves on the way. As we reached highway we took a wrong route NH 3 instead of NH 6 and started going to Mumbai instead of Surat. Good we realized after 50 kms and the only option was to take a detour and go through the interiors of Maharashtra to reach the highway back . God, this was an experience.

I never thought Mahrashtra would be so beautiful with those red thatched roof houses, Green meadows, small hilly drives , constant rains on the way, narrow roads but good ones. On the way, our car was stared by onlookers and villagers with all smiles on there faces .

We reached hotel at 5 and had an interaction with staff in the evening. small but fruitful with message of peace and solidarity clearly explained.

IHM -A - a nostalagic trip down the memory lane

This was my moment, being back at IHM -A where i studied for 3 years in 1993-96. I was excited, nervous, anxious as i walked around the college remembering my old times. We went to the Auditorium where some 3rd year students were there so that I could interact with them and i just spoke my heart out.....
at the end i could sense a positive energy in the hall with the faculty all supporting me in a big way. If I am able to do all this today somewhere i owe it the institute, my faculty and the leanings here...trust me..Thank you IHM

The students writing their thoughts in the message book. Young guys and girls and yes they are the future of our industry. But some of the messages were very emotional and they spoke very freely on the whole incident. Few of them were there in Mumbai during that time and listening to there stories, we almost had tears in our eyes.

the external faculty from Huddersfield University were there at IHM-A for some work. It was great meeting them when Mr Satish Jayaram the Principal introduced me to them as ex IHM-A student. I told them about the Spirit Of Taj and the journey around India. Excited, I spent next 10 minutes with them giving them all the details. Great time and great feeling ..

I spent my evening going around Aurangabad to all those eateries where we we used to hang out. What a trip, wish i had my whole batch there...

TAJ RESIDENCY AURANGABAD.18TH JULY 1 PM

Taj Auranagabad was like home coming. We reached at 1 after 4 hours journey from Pune. i was delighted to be here as i have worked in this hotel during my IHM days.

we had a nice interaction with staff and some students working there. They were happy and supported the cause well. Fews of them came and spoke to me personally and i was touched by there gesture of loving there company..

Thanks to them, they arranged a radio Mirchi interview with me and all the staff heard it live on radio..

SELLING INCREDIBLE INDIA AND TAJ

I met this guest Rajinder from Atlanata who works for a film production house and he is on a trip to India with his production guys to find a suitable location for a documentary/movie. He came to know about my trip around India and was excited and asked me all those places I visited. with Incredible India fresh in my memories i gave them few great locales as per his requirement. we had a great talk, he wanted to see my blog we exchanged cards and he said a lot about warm friendly service of Taj Residency Aurangabad and other Taj hotels he stayed in.

trying find the way from Delhi to Aurangabad :)

he wa s atrained musician and he gave me few lessons in Jumbe ..he wa brilliant

Great buddy it was great meeting you and sure like i said no better way to explore India but thru Taj hotels on roads.