Whether it is the lush green mountains, or the draw of the wilderness, there is hardly any place in India as ripe with natural beauty as the North-East. Although many of my colleagues and I have been sent on a two-month divisional training module to the Bongaigaon refinery of IOCL, that is probably the last thing on our minds right now. With the enchanting presence of the Kaziranga wildlife reserve and the Manas sanctuary, barely a few hours' drive from our township, we can't wait to experience this haven of tranquility!
But we decided to start out small and planned a one day trip to the nearby city of Guwahati. First up was the Kamakhya temple, one of the oldest of the fifty-one Shakti Pithas... With all its history and the splendid scenary surrounding us, it was truly an elucidating experience! The trek to the top of the hill where the temple is situated brought back tonnes of childhood memories.
Next on our list was Umananda, a Shiva temple located at the Peacock Island in the middle of the mighty Brahmaputra. This place also holds the crown of being the smallest inhabited riverine island in the world. And the fact that it can be accessed only by boats only increases its charm and mystique. The langoors sitting on the railings eating chips and pretty much everything they can swipe from unsuspecting tourists also form a sight to behold.
Capping the day off with some hefty winter shopping at GS Road with a wide variety of eateries to fulfill our taste buds, this was probably one of the most memorable days in our young careers. But our coltish nature never rests, does it? About a week down the line and it is Diwali already! The organization's huge pre-Diwali bash has been a total success. With fireworks and DJs, it was the perfect welcome for all the fresh minds that have joined the firm this year. With aspirations running high, I hope everyone achieves all their hearts' dreams and ambitions!
