SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 (PAGE 4)

PERSONALITY TRAVELOGUE ‘Spotting talent was my forte’’ GATA LOOPS OF LADAKH He remains India's best chairman of selectors had that," the former India captain said. by a distance for his sheer ability to spot talent "...Every selector must have courage and conviction along with eye for talent. If you are A Driver’s Nightmare and Dilip Vengsarkar always knew that Virat convinced about someone, you have to back Sanjay Singh Lalotra Kohli was "exceptional" when he first saw the him to the hilt. That's what good selectors do," he said. 'ONLY ONE WHO WANDERS , FINDS NEW PATHS Indian captain in age-group cricket. Was there any pressure on him to not …. A Norwegian proverb. select Kohli, whose attitude then was ques- tioned in all quarters? The former skipper's tenure as chairman 'Travelling is an education'. Though a small and crisp sentence ,it encom- of the national selection committee between "I don't think anybody pressurised me. I passes within itself a world of wisdom, knowledge and myriad experiences all 2006-08 is often cited as a bench-mark for all was convinced that I had picked a guy who rolled into one. With the modern means of transportation man has been able those who came after him as he backed a very had exceptional talent at that point of time. I to map this planet in a very short span of time those places which were unthink- raw Kohli and promoted Mahendra Singh knew he was a tremendous player who need- able even a few decades back .India is one of the most diverse and geograph- Dhoni to captaincy. ed backing." ically demanding landscapes on this planet ,with government of the day con- "Selecting talent was my forte. I will tell There is a funny story how Mahendra stantly devising new and newer methods to cover those areas which hitherto you something. You might be good at spotting Singh Dhoni, who was 21 at that time, was were reached only by animal transport or by foot. India's northern border talent but what you do after spotting is very inducted into the TRDW scheme despite the states particularly J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand have been policy of having only U-19 bestowed by one of the most geographically unreachable spots to include players. mountains, lakes and glaciers. Ladakh bordering Lahul and Spiti of Himachal It was on the insistence Pradesh and Tibet in the east ,has within itself a plethora of mountain pass- of former Bengal captain es ,trekking trails, yet to be discovered for a tourist's delight. An initial attempt Prakash Poddar, who had to map ,survey and walk through these inhospitable areas was done by the gone to watch an U-19 British in the initial decades of 19th century when the' Great Game'( Proxy match in Jamshedpur as war between Russia and UK) was in full swing for the control of these areas part of Vengsarkar's for the final march of Russian army into the hinterland of India. British army TRDW team. officers , in the garb of tourists/businessmen like Capt Francis Younghus- band, David' O' Conolly etc were specially given charge to map these moun- Lachungla pass at 5065mts/16616 ft. The match was being tain passes and roads by the viceroys of that time to include Lord Dalhousie The Gata Loops are a complex set of 21hairpin bends with the highest bend held at a ground adjacent ,Lord Elgin etc ,the aim being to find out the probable Russian army's advance at 4667mts/15302 feet. The name Gata Loops is unknown to anyone except to the Keenan Stadium into India ,and block them in time so as to negate their design of expansion for the few who have travelled on the Leh-Manali highway. As a matter of fact where Bihar (not Jhark- into south Asia .Famous Indologist Peter Hopkirk in his book 'The Great Game this steep and winding section of the road is considered as one of the tourist hand) were playing a Ran- 'has beautifully depicted the various attempts by British Govt in India to attractions of Manali-Leh highway. As per many these Ghata Loops are haunt- ji One Day game. launch discreet expeditions to these faraway places for their assimilation in ed and different people have different take on this .But the most plausible one A few balls flew into the playing arena out- their greater scheme of expansion in the Indian subcontinent .Ladakh has which stands to conviction goes like this… important. If someone is talented, you have side the stadium which made Poddar curious always been the cynosure of Great Britain /Indian travelers mapping its inner- to induct him and give him chances," and he went inquiring as to who was hitting most recesses, valleys which continues to this day. A truck many years ago loaded upto the brim and with 2 travellers was on Vengsarkar, who turned 64 on Monday, told it this far. My interest in Ladakh was triggered primarily by my stay in Siachen Glac- way to Leh some where in mid October . The driver and the cleaner with the PTI in an exclusive interview. The name was MS Dhoni but he had ier as also having few short visits to Zozila and high altitude school in loaded truck crossed the already frozen Rohtang pass ,by which time the Kun- zam pass was already closed due to heavy snowfall and hence no vehicle was Vengsarkar believes that he was able to do already passed the qualifying age for TRDW. Sonamarg while serving in the army .After having had my share of Siachen coming from Kaza side .Unfortunately the truck developed a technical fault justice to the chairman's post because of the But Vengsarkar, on Poddar's insistence, glacier posting ,self was posted along with my Battalion to another equally time he spent as head of BCCI's now defunct right at the Gata Loops ,eventually making the truck halt at the loop. The clean- decided that rules shouldn't come in the way interesting mountainous place in the Himachal ,known as Roopa valley in Talent Research Development Wing (TRDW) er of the truck was very ill and barely able to stand. Since the truck couldn't of a talented player. district Kinnaur .Route to Kinnaur can be followed either from Shimla or from which found the gem called Dhoni. Leh ,with both sides offering a range of exciting opportunities waiting to be be left unattended at the loops, hence the driver started walking to the near- When talking about Kohli, one could sense He has immense respect for the late Jag- exploited by a die hard traveller . Since self was supposed to be moving out est village to get some help. There being no help in the village, the driver start- the pride in his voice as he was the one who mohan Dalmiya, who started the TRDW from Leh via road ,and with the traditional Leh-Srinagar road choc a bloc with ed walking to another village some distance away, when the weather turned picked the feisty batsman after an Emerging scheme which became defunct after he lost tourist vehicles ,it was decided to route out from Leh to Roopa valley via Man- bad and heavy snowfall started off. The driver just couldn't go ahead and was India team's tour of Australia where the cur- the elections. ali following the Leh-Manali road/highway. The Leh -Manali highway is a 490 stuck in the village for days together ,with the poor cleaner left in the truck. rent captain was even ready to open the "Once Mr Dalmiya lost elections, they dis- Kms /300 Miles long highway ,connecting Leh ,the capital of the union ter- The driver in the meanwhile passed information to Manali for help. Help came innings on the chairman's call. The 'Colonel' continued the TRDW thing. Extremely unfor- ritory of Ladakh with Manali in Himachal Pradesh. The highway is open for but after many days ,and by the time the rescue party went to the Gata loops liked his attitude. tunate as players who were spotted and sent only about 5 months starting from May till Sep,when the snow is cleared and to look up the cleaner , he had frozen to death. The poor cleaner was cremat- "I have watched a lot of U-16 and U-19s as to NCA became big stars. closes mid October ,when the snow fall again blocks the high passes. The pri- ed at the Gata loops itself. TRDW chairman and watched Virat a lot dur- mary destinations on this highly demanding highway being..Leh- Shey-Karu- The legend says that whenever any traveler goes to the Gata loops , he is "In fact, the players I selected then gave Upshi-Gya-Sarchu(state border)-Zingzingbar-Patseo-Darcha-Jispa-Key- ing his junior cricket days. So when I became stopped by a beggar asking for water . All those who do not offer any help are me an idea of bench strength when I became long-Tandi-Sissu-Khoksar-Gramphu-Rohtang-Manali.The highway was chairman of selection committee, we picked met with some or the other mishap on their journey, whereas those who help head of selection committee. That's how use- designed ,built and maintained by the Border roads organization (BRO)of the ,have said and reported that the moment they offer the water bottle to the beg- him for an Emerging Tour of Australia. I was ful TRDW was." Indian army. It supports the heaviest of vehicles. The average elevation of this there and when I saw him bat, I knew he is gar, the water bottle simply falls off from his hands ,with no sign of that beg- Talk about NCA and Vengsarkar is not highway is more than 4,000 mts/13,000 feet ,with highest elevation touch- gar . Seeing all these things the locals decided to build a small temple at the ready for big time cricket," Vengsarkar ing 5328meters/17,480 feet at Tanglang la pass. The highway is generally 2 recalled. happy that from a Centre of Excellence, it has very site of the cremation of that beggar ,and started offering water bottles to turned into a rehab facility for injured play- lanes wide ,(one lane in each direction) with a road divider ,but it has only quench the thirst of this unknown spirit. So was he convinced that this is the guy one and half lanes at some stretches. It has over a dozen bailey bridges ,some ers. In fact the whole of our northern states are full of such legendry tales which who would play 15 years for India? in poor condition . Having started from Leh in a long convoy of 80 odd vehi- are enough to make your hairs stand on its head. All said and done , the Gata Vengsarkar gave a different reply. "NCA at that point of time was doing well, cles loaded to the brim early in the morning ,we crossed Upshi via the famous loops are not meant for the faint hearted ,but the stout ones in mind ,body "You can never be sure whether someone now it has become a rehab centre. I loved my Shey Gompa . Having crossed the outskirts of Upshi ,suddenly the mesmer- time as chairman of NCA because Mr Dalmiya and spirit. The need of the hour is for the governments both at the state and will go on to play that long. What I saw was izing beauty of Ladakh unfolded in front of us with all its splendor .The road center to make adequate infrastructure for the travelers to enable them under- gave me a free hand," he said. an exceptional talent and if you have an eye, from Upshi to Sarchu via Gya is all along river Indus meandering its way take the onerous journey round the year. With the opening of the Atal tunnel you would know which players are more like- "All those players whom I spotted there across in all its beauty. In fact from Upshi to Sarchu via Tanglang La pass a which is 8.5 kms long at the Rohtang pass ,it is hoped that long felt need of ly to succeed at the highest level. grew in stature. That gives me immense pride distance of 60 kms is hazardous to say the least. From Sarchu to Gata Loops the locals is met finally. is about 24 kms which passes through Nakeela pass at 4739mts/15547 ft and "You need to have something extra. Virat and a sense of satisfaction." (The author is Colonel (Retd.) ART AND CULTURE HEALTHLINES Relish Dogra Cuisine in Covid times Spring cleanse... Ankita Sharma dishes can easily be prepared at home during the lockdown period and served to the members to their surprise and delight.On Lohiri, the Dogras used to prepare Tricholi, Food is an important part of the culture of a region and food culture tells a lot on Bhugga vrat' bhugga' made from seul, alsi (flax), etc,on Makarsankriti',khichdi' about the culture and traditions of that region.So far Dogras are concerned, they lead was prepared, which were eaten with all the members eating together.On auspicious your gut a simple and hard life but never let their hard life come in the way of their celebra- occasions, Babroos and Rotts were prepared and offered to the gods on various occas- tions and enjoyment.As most of them live in the villages and do farming and rear sions such as Bash dua or Dhrubri.These days food is cooked in aluminium or steel Ramanjeet Kaur behind observing this practice is to introduc- cows and buffaloes, they take delight in taking milk and milk products such as curd, tubs on LPG and a large no of spices are added, which make the food indigestible.Even ing the body to probiotic and pathogenic lassi, cheese, butter, ghee etc.They also have a tradition of cooking and savouring at home daal was cooked in clay pots locally called kunnis on wooden fuel over a slow Ayo re ritu basant, ayo re……Yellow microbes through the food. Dogra dishes such as Ambal, Madra, Keurs, fermented cakes (khamires), Auria etc fire.What was unique is that they would use purely home ground spices to add taste (The food is kept at room temperature on the eve of religious and social occasions such as marriage and aroma to the food.'Maaki ka Toda and Sarson ka Saag'used to be a staple food, the colour of vigour, brilliance of /mundan/Namkaran/sutra ceremonies etc.Moreover, food cooked in big copper ves- overnight). The probiotic bacteria help especially during winter but it is less popular with the younger strengthen the immunity and boost gut flo- sels called 'Saglas' over 'Daans' with dried wood as fuel and served in biodegradable generation.Cakes(Todas ) made from maize flour obtained from water mills called nature and the vibrancy of life, cups and plates called 'Doona_Pattal'on such occasions serves to break their monot- 'gharats'were also savoured with lassi/curd or with Sarson (mustard leaves) saag.Las- ra, while the inclusion with pathogenic bac- ony and adds colour and vibrancy to their otherwise hard and mundane life.These si was usually taken in big glasses called adni wala glass, having a strong base.The new bloom, light, energy and teria in small numbers prepare the immune dishes are nutritious and easy to digest.But unfortunately, these dishes are fast los- daal such as Roungi (black eyed beans) and Kulth (horsegram) having medicinal system for seasonal illness. According to ing charm with our young generation who are switching over to less nutritious and properties used to be quite favourite and were relished with rice.Whenever a guest optimism. ayurveda our kapha increases during winter, harmful fast food.The Union Government has ordered lockdown across the whole or close relative came, he was served 'keurs' made from maida.The new bridegroom spring is the perfect time to balance your country including the UT of J&K and advised people to practice social distancing dur- was also served Keurs with sugar and curd by the friends and cousins of the bride.As After dull grey days of the winter; spring Kapha , so include bitter fruits and vegeta- ing this period to protect themselves from the deadly virus Covid-19 which has tak- we have sufficient time during the lockdown,these popular dishes such as bles like, Fenugreek greens (Methi ke pat- en the toll of thousands of lives in many countries including America, Italy, China, is at our doorsteps, the natural world is Khichdi,Daals such as Kulth/Roungi, Babroos, Rotts etc can be prepared at home te), bitter gourd (karela) kachnaar ke phool, UK, Iran etc. More and more people are being tested corona positive.So it is advis- preparing for impending season of and savoured. rebirth.Humans also need to prepare for Dandelion (Dudhi, Baran, dudal, Dudh- able for one and all to stay at their homes to stay safe.During the lockdown, our moth- Charoli is another dish which can be easily prepared at home.First wheat flour or Mai- ers and sisters have to do a lot of work while preparing and serving various dishes to upcoming summer season. But How? batthal,singhpharni ), Suva greens and seeds da is mixed with water and beaten fast to produce batter.A vessel called Charolu (lotta) hav- (dill leaves), rosemary ,parsley, Turmeric, cater to the likes and tastes of all the members of the family.The main problem with ing three to five holes fitted with tubes, is filled with the batter and spread on a big tawa.It BE MORE ACTIVE Turmeric root, green coriander greens, mint, them is what new dish to be prepared everyday.So it is time to explore the vanish- is generally spread on the tawa first in clockwise manner and then in anticlockwise man- You may have avoided exercise in win- ajwain, lettuce(salad patta), broccoli,curry ner such that a netlike pancake having concentric rings is prepared.It is then folded twice ters,now is the time to restart,start with 30 to get four pieces of the cake and then relished with rice kheer,sweetened milk or Madra.This leaves (curry patta), ginger cumin seeds in dish is very popular in Thial-Khoon Belt and can easily be prepared at home.Plakdian is minutes of exercise every day.Avoid lifts and your diet to improve gut health.But how another dish which used to be wuite popular in the days gone by.It can be easily prepared accelerators,climb the stairs.Walk in the sun much bitter is better…..For good digestion by making a churan of fried wheat flour and putting it into the samosa like structures made to rejuvenate your body and get the addition- eat bitters 15 minutes (one small helping or of flour and then frying them. al bonus of it,admire the nature around ¼ tsp in the form of seeds) before a full There used to be vast fields of sugarcanes and people used to extract sugarcane you,great easy,inexpensive way to destress meal,or eating bitter herbs three to four times (rau), boil it to get pargao and jaggery which were served even to the travellers who a week. passed by.In sweets, Desi burfi, mesu,Alsi (linseed or flax) laddoos, sevian _mande yourself. Enjoy the nice cool breeze. /chille,icecream (malai burf) made from milk and served on banyan leaves were del- icacies which are seldom cherished these days.'Gaadal'prepared from the milk of buf- falo, which had recently delivered birth to a calf was savoured and also distributed to the neighbours.Ambla(sour) saag prepared from sarson with jameeri's (Citrus aurantifolia) juice, Suttu Puttu used to be a favourite dish prepared to celebrate the Ahoi Ashtmi.Rotts prepared on the eve of Dhrubri was a dish which was eagerly await- ed.Then there was'Paaji' which consisted of rott, gulra, khameere, mathian, sagaran, suchian etc, which were sent to the relatives on festive occassions and which have now almost passed into oblivion..Among the forest produce consumed by Dogras are mushrooms, guchi (morel), kasrod (fern stalks), tarad (dioscorea)etc.The Dogras were also fond of taking homemade pickles made of unripe mangoes, lime, galgal(Cit- rus aurantium), kasrod (fern stalks), tarad (dioscorea) dhio(Artocarpus lakoocha), ing or the vanished Dogra dishes,cook and relish them.These dishes are easy to make adrak, lasura, keora (agave), katrair(Bohenia variegata) etc.and also of vegetables as they involve simple recipes and need only a few ingredients.In villages,on the day such as knolkohl, beans, potatotes, etc which are now losing ground to sauces, pick- of the marriage or any other function, the people would dig' daan' on which they les, etc sold by big companies.The 'Rayta'of the flower buds of agave (having longest would place saglas to cook their favourite food such as rice,rajmash (red kidney stalk of inflorescence) and Katrair (Bohenia variegata) used to be relished as a deli- beans), pulses and a big iron pan to prepare ambal using pumpkin, tamarind and jag- cacy but which has now almost gone out of vogue.Chille, Draupars, Sattu etc fried in gery with traces of fenugreek leaves.Instead of frying daals, the cook or the sayaan,as desi ghee and taken with desi tea also used to be very popular among the Dogras and he was called, would use a burning coal in hot mustard oil and apply dhuni to raj- can easily be prepared and savoured at home during lockdown.Not only this, the mash and other pulses to give them a unique aroma of smoke.The Syan would not Malai burf made from Khoya and served on Banyan leaves used to be a delicacy take food till it was offered to Gods before being served to the guests who would take savoured on eve of melas.Kheer prepared from rice and milk and garnished with dry the food while sitting on the mats.This dhuni was also applied to chutneys and savour- fruits was an item usually prepared frquently but which is now served usually on eve ing the chat of kimb (citrus medica).This tastier food contained little spices with the Wear proper clothing and shoes for But too much of good also comes with its of pitr shradhs.Kalas made from maida,alongwith Gulra, were sent to the inlaws of unpleasant effects, as dryness of mouth, result it was easily digestible and it had a distinct taste and aroma of its own.Thus the newly married daughter and also to the other daughters of village married walk/exercise. (Any exercise to be done bloating, flatulence and diarrhoea. there were a large number of favourite dishes in the days gone by, which are gradu- there.The logic behind this could be that people in the olden days would carry the under the guidance of professionals, seek ally vanishing and being replaced by fast food items such as noodles, burger, momos If suffering from acid reflux,stomach palanquin of the bride to far off places,sometimes taking days to reach the bride- their advice). etc.The rice cooked on the wooden fuel and the daals,, especially rajmash and black groom's family.So in order to enable the people accomanying the bride to sustain ulcers and other digestive related issues, con- gram, maa ka madra garnished with dry fruits and ambal cooked by using pumpkin, themselves during the long journey,Kalas and a pitcher full of gulra were were GET THE MEDICAL TESTS DONE sult the concerned professionals before jaggery and tamarind had a distinct taste.Dhuni was also used to add aroma and despatched.But this custom has now vanished in the midst of rise in standard and Get the required investigations done incorporating the bitters in your diet. Incor- flavour to kimb(Citrus medica) and shasha (chutney made from unripe facilities of transport and so have kalas except in some rural areas. before starting any exercise. porate local forgotten, humble herbs and mangoes).Daal da madra and Shuaron (Dates) ka madra used to be famous dishes Cooking and promoting traditional Dogra foods and recipes are an excellent way WHAT ARE YOU EATING vegetables and fruits. eagerly relished which are losing charm with the modern generation these days.'Sund' to preserve our culture and pass it down to the children.There is need to prepare the Our requirements are different in spring prepared in Desi ghee used to be sent by the parents to their pregnant married daugh- WHAT YOU ARE DRINKING Dogra dishes such as Rotts, Suttu-Puttu,Babroos, Sattu,Khamire, Charolian, Keur, Rice than they were in winters. ter.The parents would cook khameeres and pathorus from fermented dough or buy Kheer garnished with almpnds& Kaju,Maa Madra,Auria,etc, which are full of nutrients, Yes,weather has changed but not com- sagaaraans or suchians made from maida and send them to their daughters and rel- can be easily prepared at home and are easily digestible.With sufficient time at their In Ayurveda spring season is considered pletely, drink warm water.Increase your atives on the auspicious occasion of Rakshabandhan and Bhai Dhooj in big bamboo disposal during the lockdown, mothers can preparethese foods and afford an opportu- good for brain and beauty. Spring is the time water intake as most of us tend to have low baskets called bakhaars. nity to the young and the old to savour these healthy foods prepared from healthy ingre- to re energise your self. water intake in winters.Relish home made Then, we had tangy foods like Auria (made from spiced potatoes and dahi and dients.It will help one and all to pass their time in a useful and enjoyable manner and Eat wholegrains, antioxidant rich , fer- healthy soups/broths.Do you find these bor- fermented rye),Maani made from semi ripe mangoes, Timbroo ki Chatni, Anardaanae also help the parents to develop in their children the habit of taking home cooked food mented foods. In some cultures of India ing, Ah,No! they are not boring,bland or ki Chatni (made from unripe dried pomegranate, mint, etc) etc.which was relished and promote such traditional foods as are rich in nutrients and thus popularise these there is a tradition of eating, Baasi or Stale tasteless. by our ancestors but which are losing ground to modern junk foods.Most of these vanishing foods which are losing charm with the young generation. food in the beginning of spring;the reason (The author is Clinical Dietician)