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P4-                                        Titles: Joyful Mistake              Date: 07-08-2012

It was a dense forest….  Chilled weather…. Poor visibility …; still we continued our trip of Dalhousie.

It was a mistake. But I would like to say life will not be joyful if you have not done any mistake.

Mr. Toastmaster, fellow toastmaster and wonderful guest.

It was end of year 2000. Due to severe cold and fog Delhi weather was extremely rough.  Everyone wanted to go warm places like Mumbai, Pune to enjoy their holidays.

I came up with a novel plan to visit a hill station called “Dalhousie” in Himachal Pradesh India.   Dalhousie is a small town surrounded by five beautiful hills.  

It is situated at 7000 feet above of sea level. This place is not only known for natural beauty but also for beautiful churches and Temples.

My friends told me knowingly you are doing a big mistake.

They asked me “Do you know current weather of Dalhousie? Place is disturbed due to rain and heavy snow fall”. It will be difficult for you to reach there.

I was excited to explore new place so I ignored all advises and continued with my plan.

I started my trip along with my close friend Ajay .We caught the evening Train from Delhi. Next day early morning, we reached Pathankot. Pathankot is convenient gateway to Dalhousie

We hired a private Taxi and proceeded towards Dalhousie. We were going through a typical narrow, serpentine road. Road was surrounded by dense forest

One side of road was deep valleys, other side big mountains. Due to fog visibility was very poor. Driving was difficult.  A single mistake would turn up into a big tragedy.

It becomes worse, when we saw a big queue of vehicle ahead of us. Because of land sliding, the usual road was closed and traffic had been diverted to alternate routes

We were panic like others but on the other hand we experienced the adventures.

After four hour drive, we reached Dalhousie and Checked in a hotel called “Mount”. 

As per our plan, first we visited Dainikund, a beautiful hill top, the highest point in Dalhousie. Though I captured the peerless beauty in my click box but the picture could not bring reality what you feel there.

Thereafter we moved inside a small wild life sanctuary called kalathope.  It was a dense forest and no hope for getting a single ray of sun. While moving on, I saw a board with picture of Bear to suggest the movement of some wild animals. But believe me during my two hours stay I did not see any animals except few goats.

The Night was damp and excessive cold but party was on to welcome the New Year.

Next day morning weather was pleasant with no rain and no fog. The beginning of the New Year was absolutely wonderful for us. We set to go Khajjiar.  Khajjiar is 23 KM from main Dalhousie.

Road was narrow and surrounded by black mountains. The mountain peak was covered with white snow and the ground was covered with green grass and toll tress. It was a really a beautiful scene.  

30 feet bronze Shiva statue was kept in open place against the mountain. It looked like as if god Shiva was appearing from Himalayas. 

We were enjoying the cocktail of chilled weather under sunshine.

Your Dalhousie trip will not be completed if you have not visited Banikhet.

Banikhet is located about seven kilometers from main Dalhousie and is known for the Chamera Hydro-electric Project.

We got a chance to explore full site of Project. During my school days I read about production of electrify from water but first time we realized how water fall from top and getting converted in electricity.

Normally Dalhousie attract tourist in summer but I visited in winter so my experience was different from others.

Some time we commit a mistake but in return we enrich ourselves with wonderful experience as in my case.

Friends, mistakes are learning curve.

So do mistakes but, do not forget to learn a lesson from it,

 Without fear of mistakes explore new things and make your life more joyful.

 Over to you toastmaster of the day!!

 

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