My Dear CATS,
So many of you have written since both the teams bowed out of the TGDC competition, that I feel compelled to share your words of support, protest and encouragement with all of you.
CAT Madhvi:
Hey Supreet,
Why don't we have our own somewhat similar version of the ('To be or not to be ') driving challenge? Cheers for the fabulous effort put in by you. You are honing ur skills for bigger challenges!
CAT DV Bhatia:
Supreet ji,
A bit dissapointed, but no regrets. You did your best and the rest was in the hands of God who was, perhaps acting through HIS organisers of the Event. In the process, you/we all learnt a lot. But hats off to you for handling the compaign so well. Reaching the TOP 100 is no mean an achievement. Insha-allah, agli baar to jeet hamari hi hogi.
Now :)
Best wishes,
Nirmal-Manish, Monica & DV Bhatia
(Your voters /votaries)
CAT DeepInder
I suspect the credibility of this TGDC competition. What was the criteria of selection in the next round???? You should seek for an explaination because looking at the top 100 profiles, our teams met the best of that!!! Its infact very disapponinting for us!!!! But no issues, we shouldnt worry on their biggest loss!!!! May be this competetion hasnt managed to catch up our standard......
Rajen: (fellow CAT's friend who voted for us)
The profiles of the other contestants which I had seen on the site were no match for the CAT's teams... but as they say Life is not always fair...
THANKS for making it all a worthwhile experience for CAT Ashish and CAT Gopika, CAT Paramjeet and myself.
CAT Supreet
(NB: I hope none of the CATS who wrote in would mind my publishing their emails here, given that I have not sought their permission beforehand.)
Final bow of CATS from the TGDC
meow CATS,
This is to inform you that now your second and last ray of hope to take the flag of CATS further in the competition has also extinguished. Team comprising of CAT Paramjeet and CAT Supreet has not been selected for the TOP 12 round. A bit disappointing since given the rest of the profiles we feel we had the right mix of profile, passion and experience for this contest.
However, even reaching the TOP 100 would not have been possible without the ferver support and ofcourse the votes of ALL OF YOU CATS. The voting round threw so many surprises at us. CAT Jyotika was an absolute surprise package of the voting round. This bubbly girl had been with us only once and she was pleading, praying, and bullying people to vote for us. CAT DeepInder could not get enough support from Fortis Hospital for his beloved CATS. Another surprise was the resilience of CAT Hemant with his social networking. CAT Sandeep was willing to bend a few rules but fortunately stopped short for both the teams. Each one of you have been amazing, CAT Chat chatted his son to vote for us, CAT Madhvi too chipped in even though she has had grave reservations about the authenticity of this contest from day 1. CAT Arti not only voted but kept on sending best wishes along with votes from her friends.
CATS, I know I am not acknowledging each one of you; the passion with which you all have followed this contest with both of your teams but I hereby give a standing ovation to each one of you, for every vote that you cast and confirmed, for every friend/family/colleague you got to vote for us.
THANK YOU,
CAT Supreet
This is to inform you that now your second and last ray of hope to take the flag of CATS further in the competition has also extinguished. Team comprising of CAT Paramjeet and CAT Supreet has not been selected for the TOP 12 round. A bit disappointing since given the rest of the profiles we feel we had the right mix of profile, passion and experience for this contest.
However, even reaching the TOP 100 would not have been possible without the ferver support and ofcourse the votes of ALL OF YOU CATS. The voting round threw so many surprises at us. CAT Jyotika was an absolute surprise package of the voting round. This bubbly girl had been with us only once and she was pleading, praying, and bullying people to vote for us. CAT DeepInder could not get enough support from Fortis Hospital for his beloved CATS. Another surprise was the resilience of CAT Hemant with his social networking. CAT Sandeep was willing to bend a few rules but fortunately stopped short for both the teams. Each one of you have been amazing, CAT Chat chatted his son to vote for us, CAT Madhvi too chipped in even though she has had grave reservations about the authenticity of this contest from day 1. CAT Arti not only voted but kept on sending best wishes along with votes from her friends.
CATS, I know I am not acknowledging each one of you; the passion with which you all have followed this contest with both of your teams but I hereby give a standing ovation to each one of you, for every vote that you cast and confirmed, for every friend/family/colleague you got to vote for us.
THANK YOU,
CAT Supreet
TGDC - TOP 100 announced
My Dear CATS,
I am late in reporting on the blog but the results of The Great Driving Challenge are out, for which all of you had been fervously voting for the following two teams of your CATS:
a) CAT Paramjeet and CAT Supreet
b) CAT Ashish A and CAT Gopika
Team A has gone reached the Top 100. Very disappointingly for all of us though, our Team B could not make it, despite a combined effort and having a good selection of photos and huge number of votes. Both Paramjeet and I would sorely miss having our witty CAT Ashish A and charming 'bheegi billi' CAT Gopika on this journey.
As the competition is still tough to reach the top 25, then 9 and finally top 3 in the final round, we will continue to need your full support AGAIN. We have submitted the paper documents which have been verified as well by the Team TGDC.
I expect TOP 9 to be announced tomorrow so remain glued to your screens. If we do make it to the TOP 9, then once again all the CATS would need to pool all the efforts in for your CATS Team to enable them to reach the Final 3. More on this later.
I would like to THANK all my CATS for your unquestionable support to both the teams in ensuring that we make thorough to the next round.
I would also like to take this opportunity and THANK ALL OUR FRIENDS IN THE MEDIA who supported us by highlighting our application and other applicants from Chandigarh in this competition.
MEOW :)
CAT Supreet
I am late in reporting on the blog but the results of The Great Driving Challenge are out, for which all of you had been fervously voting for the following two teams of your CATS:
a) CAT Paramjeet and CAT Supreet
b) CAT Ashish A and CAT Gopika
Team A has gone reached the Top 100. Very disappointingly for all of us though, our Team B could not make it, despite a combined effort and having a good selection of photos and huge number of votes. Both Paramjeet and I would sorely miss having our witty CAT Ashish A and charming 'bheegi billi' CAT Gopika on this journey.
As the competition is still tough to reach the top 25, then 9 and finally top 3 in the final round, we will continue to need your full support AGAIN. We have submitted the paper documents which have been verified as well by the Team TGDC.
I expect TOP 9 to be announced tomorrow so remain glued to your screens. If we do make it to the TOP 9, then once again all the CATS would need to pool all the efforts in for your CATS Team to enable them to reach the Final 3. More on this later.
I would like to THANK all my CATS for your unquestionable support to both the teams in ensuring that we make thorough to the next round.
I would also like to take this opportunity and THANK ALL OUR FRIENDS IN THE MEDIA who supported us by highlighting our application and other applicants from Chandigarh in this competition.
MEOW :)
CAT Supreet
TGDC - Paramjeet and Supreet's Travel Plan
Route:
Mumbai – 443 – Ajanta Caves – 126 – Ellora Caves – 12 – Deogiri Fort – 16 – Aurangabad – 267 – Nanded – 306 – Hyderabad – 213 – Kurnool – 358 – Bangalore – 143 – Mysore – 170 – Chikmagalur – 209 – Jog Falls – 224 – MarGao – 90 – SindhuDurg – 416 – Ratnagiri – 357 – Mumbai
Day 1
Mumbai – Ajanta (443 Kms)
Average driving time 8 hrs
Passing through cities of Igatpuri, Nashik and Malegaon to reach Ajanta Village, we plan to stop at Sula Vineyards 8kms suthwest of Nashik en route for a wine tasting/sniffing session.
Day 2
Ajanta Caves – 126 – Ellora Cave – 12 Deogiri Fort – 16 – Aurangabad (154 Kms)
Average driving time 3 hrs
The plan is to visit the Daultabad Fort after exploring the Ajanta and Ellora Caves. We will stay at Aurangabad for the night.
Mumbai – 443 – Ajanta Caves – 126 – Ellora Caves – 12 – Deogiri Fort – 16 – Aurangabad – 267 – Nanded – 306 – Hyderabad – 213 – Kurnool – 358 – Bangalore – 143 – Mysore – 170 – Chikmagalur – 209 – Jog Falls – 224 – MarGao – 90 – SindhuDurg – 416 – Ratnagiri – 357 – Mumbai
Day 1
Mumbai – Ajanta (443 Kms)
Average driving time 8 hrs
Passing through cities of Igatpuri, Nashik and Malegaon to reach Ajanta Village, we plan to stop at Sula Vineyards 8kms suthwest of Nashik en route for a wine tasting/sniffing session.
Day 2
Ajanta Caves – 126 – Ellora Cave – 12 Deogiri Fort – 16 – Aurangabad (154 Kms)
Average driving time 3 hrs
The plan is to visit the Daultabad Fort after exploring the Ajanta and Ellora Caves. We will stay at Aurangabad for the night.
Day 3
Aurangabad – 267 – Nanded – 306 – Hyderabad (573 Kms)
Average driving time 10 hrs
Preferably an early start for a brief stop at Nanded to visit Shri Hazur Sahib en route to Hyderabad.
Day 4
Hyderabad
Local driving only
A full day of site seeing. We plan to visit Charminar, Golconda Fort, Shahi Tombs, Salar Jung Musuem, Birla Temple and look for authentic biryanis while we are in city known for its amazing Awadhi Cuisine.
Day 5
Hyderabad – 213 – Kurnool – 358 – Bangalore (571 Kms)
Average driving time 9 hours
Preferably an early start to a long day with a break at Kurnool to visit the Kurnool Fort. Plan to reach Bangalore in time to enjoy some night life in the city of pubs.
Day 6
Bangalore – 143 – Mysore – 170 – Chikamagalur ( 313 Kms)
Average driving time 10 hrs
Start from Bangalore for Chikamagalur via Mysore with a break at Mysore to visit famous Mysore Palace.
Day 7
Chikamagalur – 209 – Jog Falls – 224 – Margao ( 433 Kms)
Average Driving time 12 hrs
An early start to towards Jogfalls traversing through magnificent western ghats to break at Jog falls, Asia’s highest waterfalls and then continue to break for night in MarGao, the famous area of south Goa known for its beaches.
Day 8
MarGao
Local driving only
Spend a day at leisure to visit beaches, St. Xavier’s church. Try the Goan cuisine at famous beachside shacks.
Day 9
Margao – 90 – SindhuDurg – 416 – Ratnagiri (506 Kms)
Average driving time 15 hrs
Drive through Panaji, stopping on the way to visit Agoda Fort and then take a break at Sindhu Durg Fort. We will continue to Ratnagiri from there for the night halt.
Day 10
Ratnagiri – 357- Mumbai (357 Kms)
Average driving time 8 hrs
Plan to drive along the coast line back to Mumbai via Alibaug.
Total Travelling Distance in 10 days - 3350 Kms
You can view our Travel route map here > http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=116701581614433805057.00046ed28f304cd89af43
APPEAL for VOTES...
My Dear CATS,
We came across a motoring competition, 'The Great Driving Challenge' on the net whereby you are required to chalk out a route of your choice, which must cover 3000kms in 10 days. The process is that the applications are open till 17th July. Then the organisers will select 100 applications, which will be trimmed further to 25, scaled down to 9 and then finally only 3 will be offered to drive through their dream route.
Since us Leh CATS were getting really nostalgic this month, this turned out to be an opportunity not to be missed. Hence, CAT Paramjeet has applied with me as his partner and CAT Ashish A has applied, hopefully with CAT Gopika as his partner.
However, we can not do this without you CATS.
We need your active help and support. We need your valuable votes to keep us moving up the ladder and have the opportunity to be in the final 3.
May I request you all to spare 5mins of your time to VOTE FOR US. Just follow the simple steps as mentioned below to register your vote for us.
1. Click on the link http://www.greatdrivingchallenge.com/application/paramjeet
2. Click on the red tab saying VOTE FOR US towards the top of the page
3. On this page, you will be asked to fill in your name, email address followed by the little verification box.
4. Now your page would say, that your vote has been accepted and you should check your Inbox or Spam folder to ensure your vote gets counted for us.
5. Now check your email Inbox to see if you have received an email from TGDC Team gdadmin@greatdrivingchallenge.com. If yes, then open it and confirm your vote by clicking on the link (such as this - http://www.greatdrivingchallenge.com//votes-thankyou?vid=1247157124328126) that is indicated.
Would you mind asking your friends, family, extended family, social network to support us.
PLEASE VOTE to help your fellow CATS.
CAT Supreet
NB: We are waiting for CAT Ashish A and Gopika's application to be accepted. I would request you to vote for them also as soon as its accepted.
We came across a motoring competition, 'The Great Driving Challenge' on the net whereby you are required to chalk out a route of your choice, which must cover 3000kms in 10 days. The process is that the applications are open till 17th July. Then the organisers will select 100 applications, which will be trimmed further to 25, scaled down to 9 and then finally only 3 will be offered to drive through their dream route.
Since us Leh CATS were getting really nostalgic this month, this turned out to be an opportunity not to be missed. Hence, CAT Paramjeet has applied with me as his partner and CAT Ashish A has applied, hopefully with CAT Gopika as his partner.
However, we can not do this without you CATS.
We need your active help and support. We need your valuable votes to keep us moving up the ladder and have the opportunity to be in the final 3.
May I request you all to spare 5mins of your time to VOTE FOR US. Just follow the simple steps as mentioned below to register your vote for us.
1. Click on the link http://www.greatdrivingchallenge.com/application/paramjeet
2. Click on the red tab saying VOTE FOR US towards the top of the page
3. On this page, you will be asked to fill in your name, email address followed by the little verification box.
4. Now your page would say, that your vote has been accepted and you should check your Inbox or Spam folder to ensure your vote gets counted for us.
5. Now check your email Inbox to see if you have received an email from TGDC Team gdadmin@greatdrivingchallenge.com. If yes, then open it and confirm your vote by clicking on the link (such as this - http://www.greatdrivingchallenge.com//votes-thankyou?vid=1247157124328126) that is indicated.
Would you mind asking your friends, family, extended family, social network to support us.
PLEASE VOTE to help your fellow CATS.
CAT Supreet
NB: We are waiting for CAT Ashish A and Gopika's application to be accepted. I would request you to vote for them also as soon as its accepted.
Photo Gallery - Paint Balling Session
Excitement galore all around.. CAT AP trying on the head gear, even before he got into his overalls!!
17 CATS were promptly divided into two groups - Though we wanted to name our teams as Alpha and Romeo!! but eventually were called after the uniforms we wore; Army with 8 CATS headed by CAT Ashish A and Police with 9 CATS headed by CAT Jolly..
Since anyone below 12yrs was not allowed to particiapte, I had a tough time convincing the organiser that CAT Amanat was actually going to be 13 soon!
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The Organiser also got me to sign as the Parent of the pack of CATS and CAT Paramjeet got to sign as the Guardian ;-)
The Organiser also got me to sign as the Parent of the pack of CATS and CAT Paramjeet got to sign as the Guardian ;-)
CAT Aman and CAT Ansh were happy playing spectators to the fighting CATS, though honestly they could not care less with the PSP in their hands ;-)
Getting into the overalls was not easy... 
The fabric was thick to protect us from the bullets and the weather was too hot.. making it a real task to fit into one-size fits all overalls... Ask CAT Gopika about it ;-)
Finally... all set for the kill :)
Briefing Session for the game in progress...
Boy... the Gun!!
Round No.1 - a short trial round to get familiarised with the game... Army takes the far end...
Police gets into position behind various bunkers and obstacles near the entrance...
CAT Supreet and CAT Harpreet behind the middle bunker... given how she's holding the gun as you can see, CAT Supreet's hardly a shooter ;-)
Police girls, CAT Amanat and CAT Gauri at the far end...
The ground was littered with Obstacles of all kinds.. there were tyres, wooden barch screens, bunkers, sacks.. and ofcourse a refree too!.
Police CAT Jolly leading Police CAT ...
Referee keeping an eye on the Police ;-)
Action in Paint Balling is an adventure of a different kind altogether.. it brings out raw animal instinct in you.. the only thing that matters is the WIN...
Army CAT Joey raising his hands after being shot...
Army CAT Jasmeet gunning after Police CAT Supreet!
CAT Amanat was so terrified that she hid her gun inside the sacks and just kept shooting blindly.. Army CAT Paramjeet later said, 'We had no idea where these bullets were being fired from till we saw the nozzle of the gun sticking out from the sacks!'.
..Baby of the Police Team, CAT Amanat's strategy worked since she was the last one to be caught by CAT Paramjeet and CAT Ashish A :)
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Game 1 OVER - Police 0, Army 1
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Game 1 OVER - Police 0, Army 1
CATS meowing to share their respective experiences together..'Toone mujhe do baar goli mari ab dekhna main tumhein kaise maarta hoon agli baar!'... 'You didn't give up when I shot you'... 'Aap mere hee peeche kyon parre huye the??!!!'
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It was really amusing to see these grown ups fighting like kids ;-)
Anyway, Game 2 began after a 5mins break...CAT Jolly led the Police into the far end..
and Army took position at the near end... with a yellow flag kept in the middle of the field...
Task of the game was to grab the flag and take it to the extreme end of the opposing team's facing wall... The 'Suicide Bomber Brigade' of Police, comprising of CAT Jolly and CAT Atul planned to simply bulldoze their way to the flag and hoist it on the other side.. CAT Atul managed to run upto it but got shot.. Army on the other hand played the wait and shoot strategy which worked!
Army CAT Ashish A shooting indiscriminately in the air to declare their win in Game 2 :) 
The jubliant Army returning home for a well deserved rest...
Opponents sharing notes.. Army CAT Rachna gunning at Police CAT AP for having held her up in her bunker till he eventually shot her... CAT Amanat bewildered at having discovered the killer streak in her genteel father :)
Enemies sharing a laugh together, after exchanging the bullets at point blank range!
CAT Jyoti got hit in the arm but both CAT Jasmeet and CAT AP shot each other in the neck... Boys!!
Medicines for all... along with shared laughter.. that's the spirit of CATS ;-)
The Army strategising their game plan for the final round about to begin...
The task in Game 3 was that each team had to nomicate a member as 'President' and then protect the President from the enemy. CAT Supreet was told to become the President and made to sit in a bunker whilst Army nominated Bheegi Billi CAT Gopika as their President and left her in the safe custody of CAT Paramjeet behind the wooden screen...
Army had already won 2 games so all they had to do now is sit tight.. It was frustrating for the Police since they were gunning to kill the armymen but they just kept hiding..
Police CAT Jyoti keeping an eye out for her President!
The President... or President-ni as CAT AP would say!
It was not easy to cower down in the bunker with all the bullets whooshing past you.. I demanded running commentary ;-)
With casualties on both sides, the game was called a dud in the end by the referee...
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FINAL SCORE - Army 2, Police 0.
With the 'Official Fighting' declared over.. the infiltrators sneaked in ;-)
Both the kids, CAT Ansh and CAT Aman were given an opportunity by CAT Om to learn how to shoot at the target, under supervision of course... Our Dulhan, CAT Jasmit also came in to shoot a couple of rounds after the game.
Army CAT Ashish A shooting indiscriminately in the air to declare their win in Game 2 :)Game 2 - Army 2, Police 0
The jubliant Army returning home for a well deserved rest...
Opponents sharing notes.. Army CAT Rachna gunning at Police CAT AP for having held her up in her bunker till he eventually shot her... CAT Amanat bewildered at having discovered the killer streak in her genteel father :)
Enemies sharing a laugh together, after exchanging the bullets at point blank range!CAT Jyoti got hit in the arm but both CAT Jasmeet and CAT AP shot each other in the neck... Boys!!
Medicines for all... along with shared laughter.. that's the spirit of CATS ;-)
The Army strategising their game plan for the final round about to begin... 
The task in Game 3 was that each team had to nomicate a member as 'President' and then protect the President from the enemy. CAT Supreet was told to become the President and made to sit in a bunker whilst Army nominated Bheegi Billi CAT Gopika as their President and left her in the safe custody of CAT Paramjeet behind the wooden screen...
Army had already won 2 games so all they had to do now is sit tight.. It was frustrating for the Police since they were gunning to kill the armymen but they just kept hiding..
Police CAT Jyoti keeping an eye out for her President!
The President... or President-ni as CAT AP would say!It was not easy to cower down in the bunker with all the bullets whooshing past you.. I demanded running commentary ;-)
With casualties on both sides, the game was called a dud in the end by the referee... .
FINAL SCORE - Army 2, Police 0.
With the 'Official Fighting' declared over.. the infiltrators sneaked in ;-)Both the kids, CAT Ansh and CAT Aman were given an opportunity by CAT Om to learn how to shoot at the target, under supervision of course... Our Dulhan, CAT Jasmit also came in to shoot a couple of rounds after the game.
Overall, it would not be wrong to admit that we had GALA FUN.. It was a sight to behold to see everyone charged up to kill anyone in view... We also found some good shooters in CAT Ashish A, CAT Paramjeet, CAT AP, CAT Nishant and CAT Jasmeet.. CAT Gopika and CAT Supreet are good defenders.. CAT Joey needs to practice hiding a little more... CAT Jolly and CAT Atul can kill anyone by their suicidal tendencies and if that fails, then by their sheer weight!!
YALGAAR HO... MEOW :)
- CAT Supreet
Photo Gallery - Tirthan-Solang Valley Trip (Day 4 and 5/5)
DAY 4
Day 4 began quite early for me. Though our room was the tiniest but it was blessed with the best views. I had mildly sun washed snow capped mountains to admire with burds chirping away in the balcony. As declared, I did not make any wake up calls or usual knocks on the doors to anyone. Infact, I was pleasantly surprised when CAT Om gave me a wake up call at the appointed hour in the morning! I felt completely spoilt :)
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Soon after the usual hustle and bustle began to ensure that everyone was ready in time. Most of us were ready by 7.30am for breakfast but a handful got late. We had to leave for Naggar early as winds were not showing any favours and we wanted to have as much opportunity to paraglide as was possible.
We were most pleasantly surprised as we were marched into this open van along with a Korean girl, a driver, 6 pilots for a joy ride of 20mins... At one stage, I head counted 19 people hanging from every possible hook of this van!
We had hardly caught our breath from the joy ride that we were told to start trekking along a steep hill to the top... But hey.. give us a moment to take a photo ;-)
We thought we were huffing and puffing our way up but the guide told me later, 'You guys were verry verrry gudd' .
Chalo - yeh trekking kahin to kaam aayi ;-)
All the layers had come off by the time we reached the top of the hill... the base for paragliding... we were told that this is the best place to paraglide from, after Bir Billing...
in case you are wondering why we are lying around after only 20 mins of hike... then just look at the next photo...
Look at the valley below... this is how far we had travelled since morning!!
Breath taking views awaited us.. if only the winds would start picking up in the right direction...
The Catty Gang from the car of CAT Ashish A in the meantime indulged in some games where we had parked the cars before jumping into the open van... CAT Ashish A got the bull's eye in archery... just as they caught a fish also...
Praying for the winds, pilots got the parachute ready for us...
CAT Jyoti, all strapped up.... Hawa ke intezaar mein!!
Everyone feels that this is one moment which would always remain fresh in the memory of CAT Aman.. not many get an opportunity paraglide at the age of 7, which is something he has been able to achieve thanks to all the CATS... and ofcourse he has something more to tease his elder sister with now.. He has done paragliding whilst CAT Amanat has not!!
This is one moment which simply can not be described in words CATS... 
and this is the landing site in the fields not very far from the Beas River....
This is the moment when CAT Aman suddenly gained confidence manifold...
With archery and fishing over, the last pack of CATS also started trekking their way up the hill, but not without indulging in the usual mischief ;-)
Unfortunately, winds were not too kind that day. We could not arrange the weather for this activity too. Only myself, CAT Aman and CAT Gauri could paraglide. Rest had to be trek down with a heavy heart. We had to travel down to Kullu to have lunch and then raft you see. CAT Madhvi had her exam the following day at 9am, CAT Shilpa had to get back to work and CAT Navpreet had to get a project off the ground too.
After a delicious lunch at Kullu HPTDC resort, we quickly changed into rafting gear and jumped into our rafts....
Chalo - yeh trekking kahin to kaam aayi ;-)
All the layers had come off by the time we reached the top of the hill... the base for paragliding... we were told that this is the best place to paraglide from, after Bir Billing...
in case you are wondering why we are lying around after only 20 mins of hike... then just look at the next photo...
Look at the valley below... this is how far we had travelled since morning!!Breath taking views awaited us.. if only the winds would start picking up in the right direction...
The Catty Gang from the car of CAT Ashish A in the meantime indulged in some games where we had parked the cars before jumping into the open van... CAT Ashish A got the bull's eye in archery... just as they caught a fish also...
Praying for the winds, pilots got the parachute ready for us...
CAT Jyoti, all strapped up.... Hawa ke intezaar mein!!With some strange change of heart, the pilot sent off the Korean girl first instead of CAT Jyoti.. CAT Gauri got lined up next but she tumbled down in the aborted attempt.. I was the first CAT to eventually take off whilst the winds lasted and CAT Aman the pilot said would be taken, even if there's no wind!!
Everyone feels that this is one moment which would always remain fresh in the memory of CAT Aman.. not many get an opportunity paraglide at the age of 7, which is something he has been able to achieve thanks to all the CATS... and ofcourse he has something more to tease his elder sister with now.. He has done paragliding whilst CAT Amanat has not!!
This is one moment which simply can not be described in words CATS... You are in the air... You can go round in circles, you can hop, you can come down and then suddenyl go up again... you are in control..... MEOW
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What rafting is to water.. Paragliding must be to the air...
What rafting is to water.. Paragliding must be to the air...
and this is the landing site in the fields not very far from the Beas River....This is the moment when CAT Aman suddenly gained confidence manifold...
He started prancing around like Dog with Two Tails... and dancing like a peacock in the rain.. and hopping across the fields like a wild goat... Suddenly, he could do everything without a hoot in the world!
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I just wish that every child within CATS atleast gets to avail the opportunities life throws at us and stride ahead in life full of vigour and confidence, rather than limping through it. Let us all give our children the ability to dream beyond the 'possible'.
With archery and fishing over, the last pack of CATS also started trekking their way up the hill, but not without indulging in the usual mischief ;-)Unfortunately, winds were not too kind that day. We could not arrange the weather for this activity too. Only myself, CAT Aman and CAT Gauri could paraglide. Rest had to be trek down with a heavy heart. We had to travel down to Kullu to have lunch and then raft you see. CAT Madhvi had her exam the following day at 9am, CAT Shilpa had to get back to work and CAT Navpreet had to get a project off the ground too.
CAT Gauri and I felt guilty as hell as the rest could not paraglide.
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If only we could arrange the weather!
After a delicious lunch at Kullu HPTDC resort, we quickly changed into rafting gear and jumped into our rafts.... CAT Gopika opted out as she had fever, CAT Amit chose to supervise driving down of cars to the pick up point though CAT Ashish A agreed to sit in the raft upon exhortion ;-)
Amidst chants and cheers and memories refreshed from last year's rafting trip... we put our pedals to work... Whilst CAT Navpreet was at the helm of entertainment in the other raft, CAT Om took the position in our raft.. Apart from the usual frolicking and throwing water at each other and the occassional call to 'Huqooooommm'... CATS in both rafts had great fun.
CAT Aman suddenly lost all his confidence at the sight of cold water being splashed at him from all sides, even though the rapids were only of grade II and perhaps an odd grade III. From 'Maine rafting ker li aur Didi ne nahi ki' he started shouting, 'Mujhe bukhaar ho jayega!!'
Anyway, going back to our trip, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for 6 of the 7 CATS who stayed behind. Everyone got to paraglide simultaneously the following morning as the winds were favourable whilst CAT Amit got the car partly fixed. Mind you, this all happened due to the adulterated diesel !!!
The joy is written all over their faces... I dont need to say a word.. They had been to the top of the world at back :)
- CAT Supreet
Amidst chants and cheers and memories refreshed from last year's rafting trip... we put our pedals to work... Whilst CAT Navpreet was at the helm of entertainment in the other raft, CAT Om took the position in our raft.. Apart from the usual frolicking and throwing water at each other and the occassional call to 'Huqooooommm'... CATS in both rafts had great fun.CAT Aman suddenly lost all his confidence at the sight of cold water being splashed at him from all sides, even though the rapids were only of grade II and perhaps an odd grade III. From 'Maine rafting ker li aur Didi ne nahi ki' he started shouting, 'Mujhe bukhaar ho jayega!!'
CAT Om surprised us all with his impromptu rhyms:
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Billiyan - Gilliyan
Billiyan - Dhilliyan
Billiyan - Jhalliyan
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After all this fun, we were greeted by the news at the finishing line that CAT Amit's car had broken down and had been taken to a garage. This meant that most of us did not have a change of clothes after having merrily soaked ourselves wet whilst rafting in icy waters of Parvati/Beas combine. Here again, hats off to the Catty spirit. CAT Paramjeet immediately offered his shirt and CAT Gopika gave her pair of shorts to our little CAT Aman who was shivering away. Others also shared their chappals and T-shirts and jackets to ward off the chill. Infact, CAT Paramjeet had a pair of unclaimed black Reeboks and a pair of socks knocking around in his car for a week :)
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After all this fun, we were greeted by the news at the finishing line that CAT Amit's car had broken down and had been taken to a garage. This meant that most of us did not have a change of clothes after having merrily soaked ourselves wet whilst rafting in icy waters of Parvati/Beas combine. Here again, hats off to the Catty spirit. CAT Paramjeet immediately offered his shirt and CAT Gopika gave her pair of shorts to our little CAT Aman who was shivering away. Others also shared their chappals and T-shirts and jackets to ward off the chill. Infact, CAT Paramjeet had a pair of unclaimed black Reeboks and a pair of socks knocking around in his car for a week :)
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Upon reaching the garage we found that CAT Amit's car can not be mended till the following morning. CAT Ashish A being the saviour that he is, he refused to leave CAT Amit by himself to sort out the car and declared that he was going to stay behind till the car got sorted. CAT Paramjeet immediately let go of his dream of paragliding and offered to drive down to Chandigarh since CAT Madhvi's exam was hours away. 6 of us packed into his car to reach home by 2 in the morning.
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All this happened WITHOUT a word of request from anyone, without a whimper of help being asked. CATS managed everything by themselves, between each one of them they have the strength and courage to stand by each other, not just in good times but also in rough times. It is this spirit of CATS that humbles me each time I meet any of you, for each of you carry a story which comes alive for me when I meet you.
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DAY 5
Anyway, going back to our trip, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for 6 of the 7 CATS who stayed behind. Everyone got to paraglide simultaneously the following morning as the winds were favourable whilst CAT Amit got the car partly fixed. Mind you, this all happened due to the adulterated diesel !!!.
The joy is written all over their faces... I dont need to say a word.. They had been to the top of the world at back :)However, I do promise a paragliding trip for the CATS who could not paraglide on either of the two days; especially CAT Paramjeet, CAT Shilpa, CAT Navpreet, CAT Madhvi and our reluctant CAT Amit. I would include CAT Amanat too so that she can get CAT Aman off her back!
After lunch CATS pushed the car into action to be looked at the authorised car dealer in Mandi. Unfortunately even after a diagnostic session of 2hours when they could not pin point the problem, CATS came into action again.They decided to drive down from Mandi to Chandigarh non-stop as even though it meant no loo-breaks or food/chai breaks along the way. The second lot reached Chandigarh monday night at 11pm. We had a lovely time during our trip. For the first time we went over the schedule, for the first time we had a car break down, for the first time we had to suspend a long distance activity, but there is no obstacle that we could not overcome... there was no adversity which my fellow CATS did not hit on its' head and shouted MEOW!
- CAT Supreet
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