I’d be lying if I said here that I don’t want the wine, but that is far from being the sole objective of this post. As you will see, I dont have one ‘dream vacation’ that I can talk about. Just that I am very inspired by the responses we’ve been getting to this week’s topic and I thought I might as well join the club. Moreover, right at this point in time, there are a little too many things going on in my head and there is no better way to clear my thoughts than writing something.
So, what makes a dream vacation? Good food, good company, loads of excitement and anticipation, maybe an interesting journey, lovely surroundings? Most vacations would have those. Out of those many vacations, there might be some that gave you a ‘This-is-one-of-the-best-times-of-my-life-and-I-wish-it-stays-this-way’ kind of a feeling. Maybe, if you think too hard, you wouldn’t even be able to explain why you had that feeling. Maybe you were just elated that you were getting away from drudgery, and you wanted to savor the 48 hours you had. Maybe, the feeling hit you when you set your foot on a familiar railway station and you wondered why that dusty seat at the end of the platform gave you a high. Maybe, the feeling sank in when you were actually on your return journey and you winced at the fact that it was over. Maybe, the feeling stemmed from the fact that you had been planning something for ages and it finally materialized.
If I were to mentally calculate the number of times I’ve had that feeling during one single vacation and then come up with a winner, I guess there would be a tie. This is not because I came up with some conclusive number for both and they happened to be the same. It is because, during both these vacations, there was never a single moment which was bereft of that inexplicable sentiment.
One vacation I had planned for two months in advance, the other was almost a surprise. One was a visit to the most familiar place on earth-home. The other was a quiet visit to the ‘unfamiliar’ Mcleodganj. If you are wondering why a trip back home is exceptional, try staying some 1500 kms away and you will know why. You will also know why that first trip back home is doubly special. There was so much to say, so much to catch-up with, so much pampering that I was left wondering why I had been staying at home for so long in the first place. Of course, this vacation had all those normal ingredients of a good vacation that I had talked about- food that I had been longing for, probably the best company ever, excitement over that squeal from the 12 year old sister when I gave her the book she always wanted ( and this courtesy the Pearson Book Sale), an interesting journey where I may have had to answer a 5 year old to ‘Achha, aap didi ho ya auntie ho?’( and when I had successfully established the fact that I was young enough to be a ‘didi’, pop came the next toughie ‘ Toh phir apke saath koi kyoun nahi hain?’), but this vacation had that something extra that reminded me of that line from Katrina and the Waves-‘I am walking on sunshine, and don’t it feel good’. Like I said, I can’t really explain why.
If the trip back home meant going back to the familiar and enjoying every moment of it, the trip to Mcleodganj was all excitement over new discoveries. The absolutely-finger-licking-ly delicious deserts at Nick’s Kitchen,
the breathtaking view of the Dhauladhar range from the verandah of the guest house, the stunning 19th century architecture of the church of St John’s in the Wilderness, the beautiful trek to the not-so-beautiful Dal Lake ( yes , there is one in Himachal as well), the intricate paintings at the Namygyar Monastery and so on. Of course it helped that you had extremely knowledgeable company and you were constantly fed with little pieces of history of the 
place- that Mcleodganj was the summer capital of British India before it was shifted to Shimla ( Many may be aware of this , but I confess I wasn’t), that it was shifted after the great earthquake of 1905 , that some Francis Younghusband led the British invasion to Tibet and so on. Like they say, there is something about ‘Little Lhasa’ that captivates you, something in the air that makes you feel at home.
My ‘dream vacations’ ( as I will have to term it for the sake of this topic) were not something that I had dreamt about, most of it was actually an afterthought, or at the most an opinion that was formed during the course of a vacation. I probably place too much value on feelings and it shows.
-Gargi Banerjee
one of the many 'Dream Vacation' posts
To me, the word vacation has always been synonymous with facing the astounding big white Himalayan peaks! So, when the topic “dream vacation” came up, I thought of penning down one of my many treks that I undertook in the Himalayan wilderness, and of all the places I visited in the Himalayan belt, the name KEDARTAL echoed in my heart and mind.
In 2005, when I first decided to trek to Kedartal, I could not find any reliable source of information anywhere. However, I had seen some photographs of this heavenly landscape and I knew that this was the place to be—a place so beautiful that its photographs appeared almost unreal. And to me, the only way left to believe in these photographs was to go through an arduous 18 km, high altitude trek, which starts from Gangotri (3140mts) and culminates at heavenly Kedartal (4912mts/16100 feet).
As told earlier, I did not have any information about the place; I spoke to few locals in Gangotri, about the trail, its difficulties, weather conditions, things to carry, and the most basic requirements for the trek. The first fact that came up was that Kedartal was not a place where a casual trekker could go all alone (what I normally and strictly prefer). As there are no sources at all of finding any food/drink on the entire 18 km stretch, you need to carry all the provisions for your journey with you, adding to the weight of your backpack significantly. You invariably need an additional person to share this load. I found Uttam Singh (US), a local guide. For the next sixty hours he was my guide, friend, companion and cook. I had to pay him a small token for performing all these roles!
One early morning, just after finishing our breakfast, we entered deep woods and right from the beginning, I got an indication of the toughness of this trek. The whole stretch seemed to be excessively steep right from the beginning, as just 18 km of stretch makes you gain an altitude of about 1700mts! After half an hour I needed some water and to my surprise we had left the bottles at the dhaba where we had breakfast. US told me not to worry as there was a water stream nearby. However, it took an hour and half for those ten minutes to get over. In the mean time, he kept on repeating—bas ten minutes sa’abji. And then, there in front of me was a big and beautiful waterfall, and I think, I must tell you, how the water tasted? It was and is, still the sweetest thing I ever had in my life! To this day I remember the smell and the taste. I wonder why scientists around the world think water is an odourless and tasteless liquid.
After eight hours of backbreaking uphill trek our bodies simply refused to move forward and the weather favoured us. At 3:00 pm, clouds gathered, it became dark, and within minutes it 
started snowing, making it impossible for us to go any further. We were fortunate to have reached Kedarkhadag, an exceptionally scenic high altitude meadow (4270 mts). The spellbinding beauty of the meadow, however, we could see only the next morning. We pitched our tents quickly, sank in our sleeping bags, and tried to get some sleep, enduring the wear and tear our bodies had undergone due to the high altitude trekking. We woke up at 7 in the evening, and US found a big rock nearby and got our dinner ready. Within the next hour, in below freezing point temperature, we had tea, soup, and Maggi noodles out in the open! It was an exceptional dinner in an exceptional setting. We were again in our sleeping bags with the alarm set to 5:00 am, to shoot Thalaysagar bathing in early morning glory.
In the morning when I came out of my tent, it was still dark outside with sub-zero temperature and the whole stretch of land was covered in a thin layer of snow. But then, to shoot the first sunrays kissing a Himalayan peak, one has to brave all these adversities.
It was a clear cloudless morning and I witnessed the golden sun rays bathing the tip of 
Thalaysagar. It is the second highest peak (6,904 m/ 22,651 ft) on the southern side of the Gangotri Glacier, but it is more notable for being a dramatic rock peak, steep on all sides, and a famed prize for climbers. It is adjacent to the Jogen group of peaks, and the lake, Kedartal is situated at its base.
We had our grand morning tea and left for Kedartal at 6:30 am. Now we were trekking at an altitude of almost 5000 mts. The air was freezing cold and every step of mine at that altitude was making my body dehydrated and the water in our bottle was still frozen. The steep climb, low oxygen level and the freezing temperature were making every step of ours feel like a gigantic effort. While crossing one of the many streams, the thin frozen upper layer of ice cracked and my right foot sank in the stream. In the next few seconds frost appeared on my shoe and my trouser got stiff with filled in ice crystals!
After three-and-half hours of slow and rigorous trekking, I now stood on a huge mound. As I moved further, 
what I beheld was something I had only seen in photographs. I felt relieved as my belief in the existence of such a beautiful place was restored. In front of me, at the foot of the peak, was a huge mile-long green spread, the glacial Himalayan lake, Kedartal. And in its backdrop, was an imposing 7000 mts Thalaysagar. Together they constituted a dream like composition.
I spent about two hours there, without taking my eyes off from what you see in the picture above. To me, this has been the most beautiful natural surroundings I’ve ever been to…. very close to be a dream.
I always think, some time down the line (may be in my early sixties), when I’d be still young and strong enough, I shall go to the Himalayas and spend my last years roaming in this wilderness, falling somewhere in the lap of these majestic mountains. And then I’ll claim a piece of land not more than 3’ by 6’, which will be mine forever. Then only, I believe, my dream vacation will begin, when I won’t have to ever come out of my dream. I’ll remain there being a part of them till eternity.
Amit Kumar
DREAM VACATION
DREAM VACATION – A World of Oneself…
Most of us in Pearson are more than 20 years; hence partially crossed the dreamy, exciting and happening stage of life that contributes maximum to the upholding desires and finally head towards the ultimate glory of life.
My recent vacation to Jayalgarg and Shivpuri was such an ultimate experience to bud the glory of life to adventure. It was the most daring and cherishing dream vacation that inspired me to take more such wonderful adventures in search of the spark…
This small piece of desire happened with me just 3 months back with the group of my friends for camping in the beautiful valley known as Verdant Valley as an excursion and contributed towards the most dazzling experiences realized throughout in my 23 years of journey.
The heartbreaking ultimate adventures includes: Bridge Slithering, Rafting, Rappelling, Cliff and Bungee Jumping, Rock climbing etc.
As a remark to this vacation, it contributed as one of the most appealing and exhilarating event of my life.
The height of the world of dream vacation contributes much to ones’ state of mind and desires to fulfill in life. It’s not about the place you see but the one yet to be created full of shining rays of sun and showers of rose. Even the journey from planning to execution can excite you to limitless possibility and ultimately lets you reach the trail to sky.
Sneha Bharadwaj
Mob No.- +91-99101 13761
School Division
Pearson Education
blog post
Temperate Dreams
Dreams have troubled human beings in the strangest ways. They play the trickiest games and often act in the most insensitive manner. Like wisps of cloud and shards of glass they are impossible to gather, consolidate and capture. Yet they have us well and truly under their spell. These flippant guardians of our sleep and wakefulness often inspire outrageous actions and funny reactions.
My tryst with dreams is an ongoing process. They catch me unawares and besiege my plans and objectives. Often I’m transported from my immediate surrounding to unknown destinations without any authentic geographical dimensions. Last Tuesday as I was trying to fit myself into an extremely serious situation, suddenly all my efforts went awry. The grim location of the Prentice Hall gave way to a colourful mix of baroque architecture, little cafes, an intricate network of canals and a medley of fashionable people travelling through a haze of smoke. The picture was so vivid that I decided to take my reverie seriously and give it a significant thought. I got so absorbed in the scene that soon the Prentice Hall and the editorial meeting turned into a distant affair, incapable of affecting my scheme of thought in any way. I became a part of the elite crowd, strutting about in expensive fur and high-heeled boots, flitting past specimens of Gothic architecture and taking in the sights, sounds and (all kinds of) substances of an enchanted land. The mild breeze rejuvenated my jaded mind and the sun shone on me with the promise of a great experience. The soft strain of European classical music wafted in the air; the sweet smell of a wild weed hung persistently within the walls of the room.
Dreams seldom come with a face or a tag. They are best not to be labelled or categorized. But this one was too good to let go of. So I decided to assign a name to the magic that touched me briefly and held out fascinating prospects. A quick session of Google search took me to a small temperate city ensconced in the beautiful lowland country of
Soumitri Datta
Meandering Thoughts
This one is certainly not for the wine.
A big part of why I enjoy my job and life thoroughly is the opportunity to learn something new almost daily. I never cease to be surprised at realizing how many things around me appears obvious and I take it for granted but I have never sat down to think why. Example: Ever wondered why bread is brown or why are different sets of flavors are normally associated with certain sets of products and not others. We have vanilla or strawberry flavored cream biscuits, ice creams and cakes but no bread, why? -- Questions from my 3 year old daughter for which I had no answers.
There are a number of occasions when we sit in important meetings in the office analysing important numbers and I must admit, I am not on top of everything I see but I try to learn. Here is something Vivek taught me recently. At the year end review we were all patting our back on achieving our DSO targets as a company amongst many stellar achievements. At the meeting I was happy that we did it, but had no clue what we did to achieve this and how this number was arrived. All I could remember was that this was a number credit control provided and every time this number became worrisome the sales would accelerate collections.
Here is what I understood. DSO (Day sales outstanding) is a measure that tells you how many days worth of sales that we have made to our customers that remains to be collected. This is irrespective of when the sale was made or the payment was due. The lower this number the better it is for the company. The mathematics of this can be understood if I really wanted but I got the logic and I was elated.
K.Srinivas
Publishing Manager: Higher Education & Professional
Pearson Education
482, FIE - Patparganj
Tel: (91-11) 43030100
DID: (91-11) 43030175
FAX: (91-11) 22146071
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Well, I am in
Being told that we are part of North America was fine but what actually made all of us (attendees from
Hope this gets us going to achieve greater things………….so that this isn’t one off experience. Congratulations to you all.
Vikram
The most important change that I'm looking forward to this year...
I’m writing this rather late, but Jonaki, I’ve kept my promise! 2008 has been a year of changes for me—I started the year by joining Pearson, changed houses thrice during the year, and got married at the end of the year. So, on the personal front, I’d look forward to stability more than any more changes this year! But when I reflect on the year that has just gone by, there’s one difference I wish the coming year will bring us…
The bomb blasts in Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Guwahati, and scores of other places; the Mumbai terrorist attacks; and the increasing number of murders, rapes, and road rage in the city make me look forward to a year when there won’t be such utter failure of intelligence, alertness, and tolerance in the country. The Mumbai attacks were so horrific that they seemed to be out of a
Violence is always meaningless, but what strikes me most that ordinary people—not just terrorists—seem to be becoming increasingly unfeeling too. TOI’s list of ridiculous reasons for murders in 2008 bears witness to this fact. So, as we step into a new year, the biggest change I look forward to is that the coming year will be a safer one for us. I hope we’ll become more alert and tolerant of others!
Shabnam Dohutia
Pearson Vs TMH Match in Pictures
Team Ready for the Match
Raring to Go
Straight Drive!!
Winning Moments.
One more entry:)
It has been great to read all the entries from people about their (or their team’s) greatest achievement in 2008. I thought I would just round it off with a final story of mine. It’s about the South Asian adaptation of the thirteenth edition of Kotler:Marketing Management. And while my colleagues at higher ed editorial will probably be muttering, “There she goes about Kotler, again…(and I do tend to, ahem, become a little obsessed by the book around the time it’s about to come out, so they know all about it), I thought it would be interesting for others to know a little more about the behind-the-scene process.
This book was due to come out in 2008 but work on it had actually started in 2007. Since this was a part of the Pearson global initiative, all the teams participating in the program started participating in conference calls from June 2007. It was fascinating to discuss various issues, participate in the planning, and share the details of the project with colleagues as far away as Australia, USA, UK, Canada, and Singapore, to mention just a few. Sometimes we would forget the time difference and the Australian team members would often (finally) say that it was 10 pm there and we needed to finish!
Part of the global initiative was to prepare shared features—case studies, questions based on them, suggested readings, and other highlights—that readers could access from all over the world. We were given a deadline of December 1. While it was touch and go at one point, and I must have made about a million calls to Bangalore and Ahmedabad, thanks to our adaptors Prof. Koshy and Prof. Jha and their graduate students, all the case studies were up and ready on the final day. Next, Vibhor coordinated with the U.S. team to have them up on the site and our version was quite a hit with the rest of the team.
In the meantime, I was receiving chapters and finalizing them. Based on the feedback from the previous edition, we had added more case studies and advertisements from not just India but other South Asian countries. Calling up these companies, explaining what we wanted from them, and then following up with them to receive all the material was quite challenging. One memorable occasion, my desk phone was not working. I asked Amar if I could use his phone to call various companies in Pakistan. It was only when I entered his office and started making the calls, that I realized that there was a horrible smell in the cabin. It turned out that a dead mouse had been found in the cabin the previous day and although it had been removed, the stink remained. But, the calls had to be made… so with my dupatta around my nose, and taking very short breaths, I made those calls.
There are many such stories but I will reserve them for some other time. I would just like to say that working on the book was an amazing experience. And I decided to write about it not because it was my achievement but because so many people contributed to it and this is my way of saying thanks to them. So, thanks to Jogu who pitched in to help with the editing, to Gaurav who worked on the proofs on behalf of the production team, to Madhur’s team for the marketing reviews’ design, and to Vibhor and Manav who helped with the supplements. And thanks also to the marketing team headed by Vikesh and Vikram who helped with the reviews and promotion, to the manufacturing team headed by Deepak, and to Naval’s team, who do the actual work of “selling” the books. Until the next timeJ!
Jonaki
Cricket Fever is on....Pearson vs Walter Kluwer Health
This time we played with Walter Kluwer Health on Saturday 3rd December 2009. It was a perfect morning for cricket both teams arrived at the venue at 9.00 am in the morning we warmed up while ground staff were still rolling the pitch .We asked Abhishek Shukla to join the Walter’s captain for the toss, the call was right . Looking at the early morning conditions we decided to field and started our attack with Abhishek and Binit. Both of them bowled pretty well and restricted the scoring to almost 5 runs per over .We rotated the bowling with myself Amit, Kamal, Nikhil and Rohit, We took wickets at regular intervals but the middle order batsmen were good and scored some good runs .Finally they scored 170/9 in allotted 25 overs . It was a challenging target.
After a brief snacks session we started our innings. I was joined by Bharat Rana as opening pair and braved through some very good seam bowling . They tried almost every bowler and almost every tactics including short and body line stuff but couldn’t break the opening partnership. Myself and Bharat had 100 runs plus opening partnership and set the tone for rest of the players to come in and finish off, which Rohit Chopra did in style with blazing 44 runs . We won the match with by 7 wickets and 2 overs still to be bowled.
My congratulations to the Pearson team who braved the fog and 10 degree temperature to come to the ground and play with full spirit and enthusiasm.
Prashant Rathore
____________________________________________
Prashant Rathore
Asst. Marketing Manager
Pearson Education
482, F.I.E. Patparganj,
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website :www.pearsoned.co.in
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