Stepping Into The Seventy Fifth

How do you step into the 75th year of your life?

Do you celebrate? How? With whom? Where?

The universe celebrates with you. Mother Nature gives you a birthday gift. How and where?

End of December every year is the flowering time for the mango trees in our yard in Secunderabad. This year none of the three trees bloomed. Ghumakkad was a bit saddened. May be it would flower next year. Many mango trees produce fruits every alternate year. Some way to console oneself! 

As Ghumakkad's 74th birthday approached, mother Nature smiled. As if on cue, all the three mango trees started to bloom with sprinkling flowers. Nature's own way of saying 'Have patience. Happy Birthday Harsh'. Sharing below few pictures of the birthday 'gift' timed so well by the universe! Ghumakkad feels truly blessed. Sharing below my joy.

'Old age is second childhood', goes the old saying. Ghumakkad feels like a child at 74. Sample the things that thrill me as a child. Joy in small things!

A four-year-old child when asked his age, doesn't say 'I am four'. Instead he says with his chin high 'I am-four-and-a-half!' So does Ghumakkad when he says 'I am entering seventy five' instead of the routine answer 'I am seventy-four!'

Children become sad when one of their toys becomes non-operative. Once repaired, the joy gets restored and the child resumes playing. Same way for the older lot like me, a repaired hair-trimmer brings the smiles back! 

Completing a puzzle game brings enormous joy and satisfaction to a child. When a winding putt drops into the hole, the joy knows no bounds for Ghumakkad-the-golfer. Small things matter.

Learning science at home- children sow few seeds in a pot at home. When it sprouts, the eyes sparkle. Ghumakkad feels equally excited when the mango tree starts flowering. Small things again!

This morning, I was at Yapral lake for my morning walk. It was a misty morning not suited for photography yet cool enough for some stretches under the canopy of trees. Sharing few pictures below.

Misty morning by the lake side can create surreal images. Ghumakkad loves his morning walks. Sharing a few pictures taken on the New Year when most of the world was asleep.

Seventy four is also the time to pause and look back. Sharing below two stories of my 70th and 60th birthday celebrations where many of you are featured. Read on.

"Seventy is getting old, yet not old enough." Do you agree? What did Ghumakkad do when he turned seventy?

A Grandpa Turns Sixty - When friends came over from across the continents to give bumps to Ghumakkad!

Celebratory Triathlon

Our son Ankush who is an Ironman twice, celebrated my 74th birthday with a 740 metres swim,  74km bike ride followed by a 7.4km run in Chennai. What a creative and unique way to celebrate a father's 74tth birthday in Ironman style. Isn't it? Thanks Son, proud of you.

Cake of Choice

When you have a Chef in the family, how can a cake of choice not be there!  Our daughter-in-law Prabs and grandson Ansh teamed up at night to get an egg-free Ultra Chocolate Cake with a candle. Thanks Chef Prabs, for such a delicious cake. See the picture below and you will fall for the cake. Those in Hyderabad can visit her cafe called SOZO on Road No, 14, Banjara Hills.

The video of the cake cutting with Ansh follows.

Ghumakkad is privileged to share his birthday with Col GB Sethi, PhD. Both of us love golfing and have been teachers. Though eleven years apart, but we are close at heart. Picture below shows doing a hi-five with him on the golf course.

Ghumakkad thanks all those who have sent messages, calls, notes, blessings, videos and text and even those who forgot --for keeping me in their thoughts. Grateful to each one of you. You make my life so special. I feel blessed. 

As my late buddy Annu (aka Anand Jain) used to say 'Insha Allah', see you for the Platinum next year. God willing.

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    -  Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ Secunderabad/ 3rd Jan 2026

#74thBirthday #GrandpasBirthday #SteppingInto75 #RedefiningJoy #NaturesGift #BlessedByTheUniverse #JoyInSmallThings #ghumakkadharsh #ghumakkadhb #SmallThingsIn Life

Ranthambhor Never Fails To Surprise You

How many times have you been to Ranthambhor?

Five.

Must be crazy to go again and again to a forest. Why do you go there?

To be in the forest. And if you are lucky, to be with the tigers.

Do you sight a tiger every time you visit  a tiger Reserve?

No. As a matter of fact, we had our first tiger sighting in the wild after 27 years.

What, 27 years? You must be kidding!

Yes, you need patience for tiger sighting. We did more than 100 safaris over 27 years in Indoa, before we had the first sighting. 

Where was it and when?

It was Ranthambhor in 2013.

That is why Ranthambhor is so special for Ghumakkad. 

Ranthambhor never fails to surprise us.

Ranthambhor is the home of Royal Bengal Tiger in its natural habitat. We were a group of six Armed Forces Veterans and spouses. It was the first time for the eldest, now 80-year-old.

After three hours of a winding, jolting and a dusty ride in an open 20-seater, we all were pretty disappointed. Then, across a gradual climb we saw tens of safari vehicles lined up down a slope. Vehicles were all lined up two abreast. Zone-1 having been temporarily closed, almost 30 vehicles of both Zone-4 and Zone-1 had converged there. 

Tigress Shakti with her two cubs had been spotted across the stream. Hidden in dense grass. Shooting against the sunlight was a challenge. Sharing few pictures below.

Zoom and spot a faint tigress in the grass above.

Another short video clip by Animesh.

The story doesn't end there. As we were on our return leg with failing light, we toom a detour. Suddenly, a co-passenger who runs a wildlife travels business, spotted another tiger. About 50 metres away. It retraced its path. We manouvered closer to it. And again, it appeared from the bushes. This time moving towards our vehicle. If kept coming closer and closer. Like the saluting dias on a parade ground, it majestically walked past us and then took a left turn to cross thr dirt track and disappear into the jungle. It's home. She was Riddhi. The showstopper for us. Pictures and video for you.

See the speck in the centre of the picture above. 

The video below is courtesy Animesh Bhowmick.

The story still doesn't end here.

As we were returning, we saw all the vehicles lined up once again. This time, all eyes on a cliff a km away. A solitary leopard had perched itself on top of the cliff. See our long distance shot followed by  a picture shared by the forest guide.

After sighting the Tigers and a Leopard, a sloth bear also gave a brief 'darshan'. Sloth bears are sighted in the wild, at a lesser probability than the tigers.  So, we were really lucky.

After such an eventful day, a campfire was in order. Few pictures.

Readers can get a feel of the Tiger Reserve as well as our resort in the pictures below.

Sharing the link of our earlier sighting of the fearsome tiger T-24 of Ranthambhor who is no more.

Tiger After 27 Years -  When we sighted a tiger for the first time in 27 years. And that too T-24. See him growling below.

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   - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ Ranthambhor/ 19th December 2025

#Ranthambhor #TigerReserve #RoyalBengalTiger #TigressShakti #TigressRiddhi #NavyVeterans #ArmyVeteran ##Veterans #TigerSighting #GhumakkadHarsh #Ghumakkadhb

There is Magic in the Air... When They Meet

There is a special kind of magic that unfolds when naval veterans meet at their annual get-togethers—a blend of laughter, nostalgia, pride, a lot of leg pulling, yet also the quiet comfort that comes from being among people who understand you without needing many words. These reunions are far more than social events; they are a return to a shared past.  A recent annual get together at Goa was all that and more. It was an absolute blast, brimming with laughter, nostalgia, and camaraderie.

As a first-time attendee spouse, when I walked into the gathering with more nerves than confidence—awkward, a bit apprehensive, and admittedly a little lost. Everyone seemed to slip so naturally into conversations, laughter, and tight hugs that I wondered whether I would find my place at all. But that uncertainty didn’t last long. This warm, lively group had a way of drawing people in effortlessly. The banter flowed easily, with each story and anecdote growing funnier and wilder depending on who was telling it!!

Thanks to the ladies’ group, games and light-hearted teasing kept everyone in high spirits-- (literally & metaphorically !)

Evenings were the real highlight. Whether it was the gala night, a river cruise, or a casual get-together, the rhythm of old camaraderie takes over easily. The gentlemen veterans danced with an enthusiasm and verve that defies age, medical advice, and occasionally gravity! Spouses matched them move for move — because naval wives have their own unspoken sisterhood, complete with competitive enthusiasm. As the evening unfolded, small islands of conversation form—some debating old escapades, some catching up on family news, others sharing life’s latest triumphs and trials.

It was so heartwarming to see old bonds rekindled and new friendships forming effortlessly. The mix of familiar faces and new ones added a fresh spark to the celebrations.

What makes these reunions so cherished is the simplicity of it all—no pretence, no hierarchy, no need for explanation. Just people who shared a life of purpose, challenge, and adventure, coming together to celebrate the stories that shaped them. By the time the evening winds down, hearts are full, cheeks hurt from smiling, and promises are made to meet again, same time next year.

As we parted on the last day, it felt as though we were leaving behind not just friends, but family.

However, now Kochi beckons next year!

________________ 

The above post is a guest story from Padma Ramesh an accomplished journalist and a naval spouse. Thanks Padma for sharing the story and pictures of your late husband's Course Reunion. It will resonate with all Fauzis and their spouses. Looking forward to more guest stories from you.

Also, calling other readers-cum-writers: It would be our pleasure to carry your guest story. We have published more than a dozen guest stories so far. Our guest writers have ranged in the age group of eight to eighty!

Sharing below few of our previous stories of other Course Reunions.

Anjadip War Memorial - When 75-year-old Navy Veterans visited a War Memorial

Veterans Bash in a Train - When the course mates had a bash in a train! 

Magical Sunrise at Puri  -  And the veterans go shooting at a sea beach! Never too old to splash your feet!

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Do leave a comment, a few words will do. It encourages us.

    - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ Secunderabad/ 17th Dec 2025

#NavyVeterans #Reunions #Camaraderie #FlashBack #growingyounger #grandparentsenergy #CourseBash #IndianNavy #Goa #PadmaRamesh #GuestStory #GhumakkadHarsh #Ghumakkadhb

Anjadip War Memorial

What is Anjadip? Why is it famous? Where is it located?

Anjadip also called Anjediva, is the name of an island off the coast of Karwar in Karnataka. It was the scene of a battle between the Indian Navy and Portuguese forces during Op-Vijay, the military operation for the liberation of Goa in 1961. It was the first significant combat action for the Indian Navy post-independence. During the battle of Anjadip, seven Navy personnel made the supreme sacrifice. Although a memorial had been created at Anjadip island thereafter, the access was limited. The island now has an all weather road connecting it with Karwar main land. The present War Memorial was inaugurated in 2024 and depicts the seven martyrs in different combat postures.

We, a group of Navy Veterans and spouses, were fortunate to visit the Memorial during our Course Reunion in Karwar recently. Sharing a short picture story. The view from the southern tip of the island is simply breathtaking.

Here is a short video clip giving a panoramic view from the War Memorial.

Island Connectivity

See the short video clip while approaching the island by road.

See the map below to get a feel of the location of Anjadip island.

Brief History of the Battle

Mrs Ranjana Auditto, wife of late Adm Arun Auditto (then a Lieutenant) graced the inaugural ceremony of the War memorial. Lt Auditto had led the Naval combat team successfully. See the plaques below.

Instrument of Surrender by the Portuguese Governor General

Visiting a war memorial is always a moving experience for us, the armed forces veterans. Ghumakkad has carried many stories about war memorials. Sharing below a few links for the readers to browse.

Rezang La - A memorial to 120 bravehearts of 13 Kumaon who fought till the last bullet and killed more than 1300 Chinese soldiers on the icy slopes in November 1962.

Siachen A Memorial Like No Other - A tribute to the individuals and units martyred and deployed respectively in Siachen glacier over the years.

Memorial to Gen Lachit Borphukan -  Lachit Borphukan defended Assam from Mughal onslaught in 1671. A statue has been erected in his memory in River Brahmaputra. From 1999 onwards the Best Cadet in National Defence Academy (NDA) Pune is awarded a Gold Medal in Lachit's name.

Fallen But Not Forgotten - Remembering World War-I Martyrs. Memorial service in Bengaluru.

Kala Pani - A place which gives you chills! A picture story of the Cellular Jail in Port Blair.

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    - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ Karwar and Secunderabad/ 14th December 2025

Postscript 15 Dec: Indian Navy named one of its Petya class corvettes as INS Anjadip in early 1970s.  Commodore CR Charyulu Veteran, who was part of the commissioning crew of INS Anjadip wrote:

"After bringing INS Anjadip to India,  we came to Goa  and were fortunate to land at Anjadip island, by boat. Very nostalgic. Thanks for reminding those invaluable moments. Great coverage, as usual, Harsh. 🙏🏾"

#anjadip #warmemorial #karwar #karnataka #goaliberation #indiaaanvy #navyveterans #reunion #tribute #martyrs #opvijay #portuguese #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh