Valleys and Valour

                                        VELAPANTI DIARIES 6 THE MOJO OF THE WHIMSICALS “ Mojo is an essential ingredient for being Whimsical !” – Col RS Sidhu   Backdrop The Whimsicals were last engaged in major action as a team, while undertaking the 19 days motorcycle odyssey to Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in May of 2024. Health issues of family elders, and the drudgery of monotonous familial duties precluded the Whimsicals from engaging in group Velapanti . It is ironical, indeed, that the very Velapanti articulations employed by the Whimsicals to escape the grind of dull domestic chores, was also the cause that precluded them from indulging their favourite Velapanti moments! It led to serious soul searching whether we had lost our mojo , the very raison d’ etre of the claim to being Whimsical. A couple of in-person sessions and group chats on closed SM platforms conv...

BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO HIGH ALTITUDE TREKKING “ You have not explored the frontiers of your full potential if you have not been called Mad at least once in your life. ” -            Col RS Sidhu Growing pollution and stress of urban lifestyles is taking its toll, giving rise to a new genre of Indians, who are willing to come out of the comfort zone of their laidback lifestyles to be far away from the maddening crowds and polluted environment of the cities, even if it’s for a short break. The stress is on the outdoors to beat the stress of urban living! Giving rise to a new vacationing trend of o utdoors adventure. The high Himalayas - with its pristine landscapes, solitude and opportunities galore for adrenaline pumping thrills – is emerging as the leading vacationing destination of the new Indian. As more and more new enthusiasts take to high altitude treks, it is worthwhile for them ...

  VELAPANTI DIARIES – 5 SAUDI ARABIA – PAKISTAN DEFENCE PACT “ The Saudi-Pakistan defence pact is a marriage of convenience between two regimes on shaky moorings, and dependent on external support to secure their continuance in power in their respective countries . ” – Col RS Sidhu Backdrop Pakistan has a deep rooted military relationship with Saudi Arabia since the 1960’s, whereby, it has been providing training facilities to all the three armed services of the Saudi armed forces, as also substantial military presence in the country. In accordance with a military protocol dated 14 December 1982 , signed between the two countries, Pakistan has stationed it’s military personnel, which at peak strength amounted to an Infantry Division and an armoured brigade, within Saudi Arabia for meeting it’s internal and external security contingencies. The advanced US military equipment purchased by Saudi Arabia has generally been operated by sizeable number of Pakistan military p...