Pristine Nagarhole forest and Kabini waters...

We are just back refreshed after visiting the Nagarhole national park and staying at Kabini river-side resort. The lap of mother nature is so calming.

Nagarhole is one of the well protected forests in India. On our jungle safaris there, we sighted quite a lot of animals and rare birds. We spotted a ferocious leopard with its fresh kill on top of a tree. Our able guide could read the signals from the gray langurs - they let out a distinct sound which serves as warning to the deer and other vulnerable animal population. Our guide also sensed the smell of the fresh kill. This helped him locate the leopard. The leopard, it seems, carries the kill to the top of the tree to save it its food from the more powerful tiger.

We sighted spotted deer (lots of them), sambar deer, barking deer, Gaur, wild boar, Tusker, Baby Elephant, Gray Langur, Malabar Giant Squirrel, pack of wild dogs, peacocks, peafowls, Jungle fowl, Turtle, Owl, Kingfisher, Wood pecker, Painted Stork, Darting Bird, Gray Heron, Night Heron, Egret, Eagle, Wag tail, Cormorant, Eagle, Pun Sparrow, and Mongoose.

The tiger and the black panther did not bless us. We went on the jeep safari thrice deep into the jungle in the hope of sighting them, but were unlucky.

The air in the forest was so rejuvenating. It is supposed to be a deciduous forest. We took a boat ride on the Kabini river waters in the morning. Calm and clear waters welcomed us as we cruised towards the forest side. On the other side of the river is the Bandipur national park.

Me today, You tomorrow

My grandfather used to mention a proverb which is translated as "It is me today, it will be you tomorrow", taking the example of leaves of a tree. It appears, the new leaves in a tree laugh at the old leaves that are falling. The new leaves do not realize that the same fate is in store for them.

When we are young, we are full of energy and zest. We tend to think this will last for ever. When we look at the old, we sometimes ignore them, we consider them as not useful, we think they are a burden, especially when they cannot take care of themselves. It does not occur to us that we are also aging and we shall also become old one day and the next generation would think of us the same way. If only we accept this and age gracefully.

We need to respect our past generation and be there for them.