Hunt

Bravery Award

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh presenting the National Bravery Award-2011 to Master Sandesh P. Hegde of Siddapura in Karnataka, at a function, in New Delhi on January 23, 2012.

ಗೌರೀಶ್ ಕಾಯ್ಕಿಣಿ ಜನ್ಮ ಶತಮಾನೋತ್ಸವ ವಿಚಾರ ಸಂಕಿರಣ

17th National Youth Festival begins in Mangalore

The Seventeenth National Youth Festival started in Mangalore on Jan 12, 2012.  The festival was inaugurated by Mr. D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Chief Minister of Karnataka on Thursday at Mangala Stadium. Mr. M. Veerappa Moily, Union Minister for Corporate Affairs was the Chief Guest while Mr. Ajay Maken, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, and Mr. Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari, Dharmasthala were the “Guests of Honour”. Mr.Maken presented the National Youth Awards to 28 individuals and 2 organisations at the inaugural function. This is the first time that the Festival is being organised in Karnataka. Opening Ceremony  at Mangala Stadium, Mangalore got set for a colourful cultural extravaganza as the curtains at the 17th National Youth Festival are raised. Beautiful performances carrying the ethnicity of India, a huge cheering fanfare and presence of eminent personalities made sure the opening ceremony a treat for the eye.

The theme of this year’s event is “Celebrating Diversity in Unity”. The Mascot of the event, named "Yakshi" - a young welcoming and fun loving, elephant with the Yakshagana headGear covers all attributes of the festival - Unity, Diversity, Strength, Love and Social Nature. 
As many as 5000 young persons from all States and Union Territories are participating in the Youth Festival. Apart from that, young delegates from SAARC countries also participating in the festival thereby giving it truly “diversified” character. 

During the five-day festival, there will be competitive events in 16 individual items and 2 group items. In addition to this, non-competitive events namely Yuva Kriti, Food Festival, Young Artists’ Camp and Adventure Park will be organised by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan which works under the aegis of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The National Service Scheme will organise a Youth Convention and a lecture series ‘Suvichaar’. 
The fete will also showcase non-competitive events named Yuva Kriti, Young Artists’ Camp. Added attractions are a food festival and an Adventure Park that will be organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan. A convention for the youth and a series of lectures ‘Suvichaar’ has been organized by the National Service Scheme.Celebrating the spirit and glory of NYF 2012, the magnificent finish to the festival promises to be a right blend of the varied colours, the rich ethnicity and the vibrant culture of India.Musical night and spledid performance by - Vasundara Das and Party will be held on Monday, January 16, 2012. 

The Festival will be concluded with a Valedictory Function at Mangala Stadium on 16th January, 2012 which is to be presided by Dr. H.R. Bhardwaj, Governor of Karnataka. Mr. Sadananda Gowda will distribute the prizes on the occasion while Mr. Maken will be the Chief Guest and deliver the valedictory speech. Mr. D.H. Shankar Murthy, Chairman, Karnataka Legislative Council, will be the Guest of Honour. 

Prominent Tulu, Kannada Plays at NSD Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2012

Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 5.30 p.m. 
Meghdhoot 1&2
Play: Karnabhara
Playwright: Bhasa Mahakavi
Director: Sripad Bhat
Group: Sangama Kalavider Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka
Language: Tulu
Duration: 1 hr 15 mins
Play: Karnabhara challenges the notions of conventional heroism. Its significance is because of its strong humanistic conception of the hero, Karna, and the performance emphasizes his heroic courage. The chorus, in addition to contributing to the rhythm and movements of the play, identifies with Karna. The Bharathavakya that our leaders may have his character, thus, becomes a theatrical presentation rather than a statement. 
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 5.30 p.m. 

Hamlet - Kinnara Mela

Meghdhoot 1&2
Play: Hamlet
Playwright: William Shakespeare
Director: Ekbal Ahmed
Group: Kinnara Mela, Shimoga, Karnataka
Language: Kannada
Duration: 1 hr 35 mins.
One of the finest tragedies of William Shakespeare, Hamlet is a story of medieval power politics, betrayal, scheming, thirst for revenge and ultimate retribution. The play vividly portrays real and feigned madness – from overwhelming grief to seething rage – and explores themes of treachery, revenge, incest, and moral corruption.
Friday January 20,2012 at 6.30 p.m.
LTG Auditorium
Play: Mastakabhisheka Rehearsallu
Playwright: Prof. H.S. Shivaprakash
Director: Suresh Anagalli
Group: Aneka, Bengaluru, Karnataka

Mastakabhisheka Rehearsallu - Aneka

Language: Kannada
Duration:  1 hr 40 mins 
The play unfolds on several planes: direct narration and a play within the play; history and mythology; the visual and the aural; prose and poetry; the print and electronic media. It is informed by an acute awareness of how present-day forms of communication are now altering them, and by the perception of continuity in a period of violent change and dislocation. 
Saturday January 21,2012 at 6.30 p.m.
LTG Auditorium
Play: Master Builder
Playwright: Henrik Ibsen
Director: Dr. B. Jayashree
Group: Spandana, Bangalore, Karnataka
Language: Kannada
Ibsen’s play Master Builder has been adapted into Kannada as Balura Gudikara.  Veeragaase, a traditional folk form of Karnataka, has been introduced in this play with characters portrayed as veerabhadras, who are the followers of Lord Shiva. It revolves around the egotistical Honna, who is terrified of losing his power, a fear that leads to great conflict within him, and ends in his death.   

Bhootaaraadane Theme for Karnataka Tableau at Republic Day 2012

Bhoota araadane — a ritual of worshipping demons widely practised in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi — is the theme of Karnataka’s tableau which will be part of the Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2012 in the nation’s capital.
In the 2011 Republic Day Parade, Karnataka’s tableau highlighted Bidri culture which bagged the second place in the All-India competition. 
Out of the five themes sent by the state to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) , the authorities selected Bhootaaraadane. The other four themes were Gol Gumbaz, Hampi’s ruins, Jog Falls and Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. Work on the tabluea with Bhootaaradane theme has already started in Delhi. 

ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಲಲಿತ ಕಲಾ ಅಕಾಡೆಮಿ ಹಂಗಾಮಿ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರಾಗಿ ಕೆ.ಆರ್. ಸುಬ್ಬಣ್ಣ ನೇಮಕ

ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಲಲಿತ ಕಲಾ ಅಕಾಡೆಮಿ ಹಂಗಾಮಿ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರಾಗಿ ಗ್ರಾಫಿಕ್ ಕಲಾವಿದ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗ ಕೆ.ಆರ್. ಸುಬ್ಬಣ್ಣ ನೇಮಕ ಗೊಂಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
ಅಕಾಡೆಮಿ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರಾಗಿದ್ದ ಅಶೋಕ್ ವಾಜಪೇಯಿ ಅವರ ನಿವೃತ್ತಿಯಿಂದ ತೆರವಾದ ಸ್ಥಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಸುಬ್ಬಣ್ಣ ನೇಮಕ ಗೊಂಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ. `ಕಲಾವಿದರ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ಮಂಡಲಿ`ಯಿಂದ ಸುಬ್ಬಣ್ಣ ಅಕಾಡೆಮಿ ಉಪಾಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಸ್ಥಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಆಯ್ಕೆಯಾಗಿದ್ದರು. ಅಕಾಡೆಮಿ ಸಂವಿಧಾನದ ಅನ್ವಯ ಅವರೀಗ ಹಂಗಾಮಿ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರು. ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಹೊಸ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರನ್ನು ನೇಮಕ ಮಾಡುವವರೆಗೆ ಅಧಿಕಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಂದುವರಿಯಲಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
ಸದ್ಯ ದೆಹಲಿ ಕನ್ನಡ ಶಾಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಲಾ ಶಿಕ್ಷಕರಾಗಿರುವ ಸುಬ್ಬಣ್ಣ ಮೂಲತಃ ಶಿವಮೊಗ್ಗ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ ಕುಪ್ಪಗಡ್ಡೆ ಗ್ರಾಮದವರು.
1984 ರಲ್ಲಿ ಲಲಿತ ಕಲಾ ಅಕಾಡೆಮಿಯ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ ಪಡೆದಿರುವ ಕೆ.ಆರ್‌. ಸುಬ್ಬಣ್ಣ ಅವರು 1978 ರಿಂದ ದೆಹಲಿ ವಾಸಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದು ದಾವಣಗೆರೆಯ ಕಲಾ ಶಾಲೆಯಿಂದ ಡಿಪ್ಲೊಮಾ; ದೆಹಲಿಯ ಕಾಲೇಜ್‌ ಆಫ್‌ ಆರ್ಟ್ಸನಿಂದ ಚಿತ್ರಕಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ನಾತಕೋತ್ತರ ಪದವಿ ಪಡೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಭಾರತದ ಎಲ್ಲೆಡೆ ಇವರ ಕಲಾಕೃತಿಗಳು ಪ್ರದರ್ಶನಗೊಂಡಿದ್ದು ಮಾತ್ರವಲ್ಲದೆ ಫ್ರಾನ್ಸ್‌, ಇಂಗ್ಲೆಂಡ್‌, ದಕ್ಷಿಣ ಕೋರಿಯಾ, ಕೆನಡಾ, ನೇಪಾಲ, ಟೋಕಿಯೋ, ಡೆನ್ಮಾರ್ಕ್‌, ಸ್ವೀಡನ್‌, ಜರ್ಮನಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅವರ ಕೃತಿಗಳು ಪ್ರದರ್ಶನಗೊಂಡು ವಿಮರ್ಶಕರಿಂದ ಪ್ರಶಂಸಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಿವೆ. ಅಂತರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಗ್ರಾಫಿಕ್ಸ್‌ ಪ್ರಿಂಟ್ಸ್‌ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶನವನ್ನು ಅಮೇರಿಕದ ಮ್ಯಾನ್‌ ಹಟನ್‌ ಗ್ರಾಫಿಕ್‌ ಕಾರ್ಯಾಗಾರದಲ್ಲಿ 2004 ರ  ಫೆಬ್ರವರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ  ಸುಬ್ಬಣ್ಣನವರು ಅಯೋಜಿಸಿದ್ದರು.
ಕಲಾವಿದ ಸುಬ್ಬಣ್ಣ ಅವರು ದೇಶದ ನಾನಾ ಎಡೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ತರಬೇತಿ ಶಿಬಿರಗಳನ್ನು ಏರ್ಪಡಿಸಿ, ಹೊಸ ಕಲಾವಿದರನ್ನು ಬೆಳಕಿಗೆ ತರುವ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಹಿತ್ತಲ ಗಿಡ ಮದ್ದಲ್ಲ ಎಂಬಂತೆ ದೆಹಲಿ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರು ಸುಬ್ಬಣ್ಣ ಅವರನ್ನು ಗುರುತಿಸಿಕೊಂಡದ್ದು ಕಡಿಮೆಯಾದರೂ, ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಹಾಗೂ ಅಂತರ್‌ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯಮಟ್ಟದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಬ್ಬ ಮೇರುಮಟ್ಟದ ಕಲಾವಿದನಾಗಿ ಗುರುತಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಲಲಿತಕಲಾ ಅಕಾಡೆಮಿಯು ನಡೆಸಿದ 13ನೇ ವಾರ್ಷಿಕ ಕಲಾ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶನದಲ್ಲಿ ಇವರಿಗೆ ರಾಜ್ಯಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ ಸಂದಿದೆ. ಹೈದರಾಬಾದಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ ಏಳನೆಯ ಗ್ರಾಫಿಕ್‌ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶನದಲ್ಲಿ ವಾರ್ಷಿಕ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಪ್ರದಾನ ಮಾಡಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಫ್ರಾನ್ಸ್‌ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಶಿಷ್ಯವೇತನ, ಭಾರತ ಸರಕಾರದ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ ಇಲಾಖೆಯ ಶಿಷ್ಯವೇತನ ಮತ್ತು ಬ್ರಿಟನ್ನಿನ ಚಾರ್ಲ್ಸ್‌ವೆಲೇಸ್‌ ಶಿಷ್ಯವೇತನಗಳು ಸುಬ್ಬಣ್ಣ ಅವರನ್ನು ತಾವಾಗಿಯೇ ಹುಡುಕಿಕೊಂಡು ಬಂದಿವೆ.

ದೆಹಲಿಯ ಏಕೈಕ ಕನ್ನಡದ ವಿದ್ಯಾಸಂಸ್ಥೆಯಾದ, ದೆಹಲಿ ಕನ್ನಡ ಶಾಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಚಿತ್ರಕಲಾ ಅಧ್ಯಾಪಕರಾಗಿ ದುಡಿಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಸುಬ್ಬಣ್ಣ, ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಲಲಿತಕಲಾ ಅಕಾಡೆಮಿಯ ಸದಸ್ಯರಾಗಿ, ಲಲಿತಕಲಾ ಅಕಾಡೆಮಿಯ ಹಣಕಾಸು ಸಮಿತಿಯ ಸದಸ್ಯರಾಗಿ, ಲಲಿತಕಲಾ ಅಕಾಡೆಮಿಯ ದೆಹಲಿ ವಲಯದ ಸಲಹಾಕಾರರಾಗಿ, ಇಂಡಿಯನ್‌ ಪ್ರಿಂಟ್‌ ಮೇಕರ್ಸ್‌ ಗಿಲ್ಡನ್‌ ಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿಯಾಗಿ ಇಂಗ್ಲೆಂಡ್‌ ಮತ್ತು ಡೆನ್ಮಾರ್ಕ್‌ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂದರ್ಶಕ ಪ್ರಾಧ್ಯಾಪಕರಾಗಿ ಕಾರ್ಯನಿರ್ವಹಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಇವರ ಕಲಾಕೃತಿಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಡಾಕ್ಯೂಮೆಂಟರಿ ಫಿಲ್ಮ್‌, ಭಾರತೀಯ ಮತ್ತು ಅಂತಾರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಕಿರುತೆರೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಸಾರಗೊಂಡಿದೆ.
ದೆಹಲಿಯ ಲಲಿತ ಕಲಾ ಅಕಾಡೆಮಿ, ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಲಲಿತಕಲಾ ಅಕಾಡೆಮಿ, ಹೈದರಾಬಾದಿನ ಲಲಿತಕಲಾ ಅಕಾಡೆಮಿ, ಮೈಸೂರಿನ ಜಾನಪದ ವಸ್ತುಸಂಗ್ರಹಾಲಯ, ನೇಪಾಲದ ಸೋಲಿಟಿ ಒಬೆರೈ, ಡೆನ್ಮಾರ್ಕಿನ ಡೆಟ್‌ಗ್ರಾಫಿಸ್ಕೆ ಹೀಗೆ ಹಲವೆಡೆ ಸುಬ್ಬಣ್ಣನವರ ಕಲಾಕೃತಿಗಳನ್ನು ಪ್ರದರ್ಶನಕ್ಕೆ ಇರಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ.
ಚಿತ್ರಕಲೆಯಲ್ಲದೆ ಸುಬ್ಬಣ್ಣ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಸಂಗೀತ ಮತ್ತು ನಾಟಕಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕೂಡಾ ವಿಶೇಷ ಆಸಕ್ತಿ. ಬಿ.ವಿ.ಕಾರಂತರ ನಾಟಕಗಳು, ಹಾಗೂ ಇತರ ಹಲವು ನಾಟಕಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅಭಿನಯಿಸಿರುವದಲ್ಲದೇ ರಂಗದ ಹಿಂದೆ ಕೂಡಾ ಅಷ್ಟೇ ಪರಿಣಿತರು. ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗಾಗಿ ರಂಗ ತರಬೇತಿ ಶಿಬಿರವನ್ನು ನಡೆಸಿ ಹಲವಾರು ಕಿರು ನಾಟಕಗಳನ್ನು ನಿರ್ದೇಶಿಸಿ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

Antarctic Ice Marathon 2011

By Mala Honnatti

Though, I was dreaming of North Pole and South Pole Marathons since a long time it was not feasible financially with my meager resources. I was satisfied with the local and few races in Nepal and US. One fine morning, it dawned on me that if I keep waiting for some miracle to happen and to be blessed with a jackpot or a windfall it may not happen in this life time. I must do it now and I must arrange for finance even by beg, barrow or steal. No, I did not steal it from any where but I begged corporates and ministers and finally barrowed it from bank by pledging my valuables.
2011 marks the centenary of Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen reaching the South Pole on 14th Dec.1911. What best occasion I will get to run marathon on Antarctica? I registered for the same online and headed to the Antarctic for a modern polar challenge: the Antarctic Ice Marathon.
There are countless inspiring marathon races around the world, but if one is looking for the father of them all, it is Antarctic Ice Marathon. No other race can touch it for inaccessibility ( 2 days flight journey and another 4 and half hrs flight by Chartered plane), extreme conditions( -20’c temp. and 200kmph wind speed ) and sheer icy magnificence( miles and miles of white ice nothing else ). And as for its competitors, you won’t find a more varied, eccentric and vigorous bunch of runners anywhere else on the planet. Add to that this year’s 100th anniversary celebration of Amundsen reaching the Pole on December 14 and you’re left with arguably the greatest race on earth. 

Travelling from Delhi for more than 2 days by 3 different airlines via Dubai, Sao Paulo, Santiago I reached Punta Arenas ( Point of sand), on the evening of 27th Nov. It is small, neat and clean port city in the Southern part of Chile. All the runners were to assemble here for a briefing and on ward journey by chartered flight. There are no commercial flights flying into Antarctica. 
On 28th morning we had a briefing by slide show and few strict instructions and guidelines were given regarding cleanliness, clothing, safety, protection against wind and cold, ecological balance, international treaties, etc. All our gear was checked for not only suitability but also for cleanliness. We are not supposed to carry any soil, seeds, insects etc even stuck to our foot wears which would contaminate the Antarctic ecology. Our foot wears were also disinfected before boarding the plane! 
At 10pm on Tuesday November 29, when it was still bright sunlight outside, we left our hotel and the frontier town of Punta Arenas to airport for a four-and-a-half hour exciting ‘never before’ flight south, very far south, to the Union Glacier camp. After boarding the Ilyushin II-76, inside the Soviet-designed and built fighter plane there’s seating at the front for around 40 people and cargo stacked at the back. Half of the control panel was in our front and the limited crew was multi tasking. The crew hand out earplugs to all the passenger because the engine was roaring like a turbine. There has to be good visibility at the Union Glacier blue-ice runway for the plane to land, and we have to be prepared for the severe Antarctic conditions, so we all travel in down coats and ski, windproof pants to keep us warm once we arrive and disembark onto the ice. In spite of all these gear worn before disembarking my fingers and face became numb in few minutes when I tried to take few photos on the runway.
After being ferried in a four-wheeler from the runway to Union Glacier camp, where we were going to stay, which is about 10k, we all go to sleep around 5am. And it is bright sunlight all the time! I could not make out the night or the day throughout our stay. I tried to recollect my high school lesson about Solar system and the Earth going round the Sun and rotating around its own rotational axis which is slightly slanted, about 11 degree, from the magnetic axis. That makes the reason for day and night and whatever pattern we have now.

We were allotted a two-man arctic tent which was provided with folding bed and table, but was not heated. 24 hours of sunshine and sleeping bags kept us warm in temperatures down to -40C. Other tents like Dining, Medical, Communication, and Entertainment were centrally heated. After a short sleep we met again for a race briefing and tour of the camp in the afternoon. We’re warned not to let the comfortable conditions in camp lead to complacency: this is an extreme environment. We’re warned against frost nip (the precursor to frost bite), snow blindness and the massive hole in the ozone layer directly above us, and told not to wander out of camp because we’re on a glacier and may encounter crevasses.
This temporary camp is set up for each summer season – which usually lasts from October until February – with all supplies shipped in by plane. The goal to leave this pristine environment untouched means that all waste( including human waste) is shipped out of the Antarctic apart from grey water – waste water from washing dishes and sponge baths – which is sent down through a bore hole. There’s no running water for showers or conventional toilets and even water used to brush teeth is collected in a drum, sealed and to be shipped back to Chile.
Now, the Union Glacier camp is like a five-star hotel compared with the Antarctic encountered by Scott and Amundsen 100 years ago. We spend most of our time in the dining tent, where we eat three hearty meals a day and can help ourselves to hot drinks and at any time. There’s a convivial atmosphere every evening when the wine and beer come out and everyone talks about why they’ve come to race in the last place on earth. Some runners have clocked up more than 100 marathons, repeated grand slams, others are in single figures. Many are aiming to run a marathon on every continent. In the evenings, visiting scientists give lectures on their research projects.
On 1st Dec. after a breakfast of porridge, pancakes, fresh fruit and coffee, we climb into the back of a motorised sledge to drive up to the start point of marathon. There has been a lot of debate among the runners about what to wear, especially after camp meteorologist Marc de Keyser gives us a weather update that the air temperature is -12C, dropping to -25C with the wind chill out on the course. The Union Glacier camp is protected from high winds by the surrounding mountains but out on the course it may be windy. Everyone is wearing almost 3 layers of special and specific clothing of thermal, fleece and windproof with 2 pairs of gloves, 2 pairs of socks, sun goggles, balaclava or mask and a layer of sun cream of 50SPF on their face. I became bit nervous and ran to the toilet twice and go back to my tent for some solitude before the run. In all this hurry, I felt a little pull in the lower back muscle and had to run Volini for instant relief.

At 11am, 32 runners from 17 countries cross the start line of the seventh Antarctic Ice Marathon in bright sunshine, eager to complete the challenge ahead. The course has been groomed and marked with small orange flags at 50m intervals. Everyone in the camp has been forbidden to drive on it in the week leading up to the race so the going for the runners will be as even as possible. The uniform surface disguises terrain that is tough to run on. It feels like you are running on the brittle glass and at every step it is breaking and the feet digs into the soft snow beneath making it difficult to pull out for the next step. As the day progress, the sun softens the snow and makes it soggy, with the result that the second lap is even tougher than the first. Every step saps your energy.
With very few visual references in the landscape, running in a straight line for six miles becomes a mental as well as physical battle. The three manned aid stations, which are around 10K apart, start as black dots on the horizon before slowly emerging as tents and trestle tables laden with hot and cold drinks, biscuits and chocolate. Each offers an irresistible opportunity to stop for something to eat and drink, have a short rest and chat with the camp staff. Time seems to behave differently against the white background and the hours pass quickly. I have been running on this vast expense of snow in the emptiness of the surrounding for more than 7 hrs without realizing it. Sometimes my hands and feet were numb, next my earlobes were senseless, and often, whenever I was removing the buff to breath properly or blow my constantly running nose my face and nose were freezing with chill winds. The snow was not hard on my bones and joints but it was a pressure on my hips and hamstring muscles. It was a lonely battle till you see the finish line and other runners standing and clapping there to receive you. I cross the finish line with hands rose to the sky, in a gestures to thank the God (or is it relief) tears in the eyes, lump in the throat and a sense of achievement and satisfaction in heart. I could not utter a word of thanks also to congratulatory hugs and handshakes. I was speechless. After taking a photo with the national flag and having some hot drinks and snacks, I limp to my tent to change the wet clothes. Yes, clothes were wet with sweating in spite of the --- -20’c temp. outside. Rest of the evening I was walking around as if I have won an Olympic medal. I became the first lady from Karnataka and second from India to run Antarctica Ice Marathon in that vast expense of snow, in -20’c temperature and chilly winds of 200kmph. 
At 10am the next day, there was an ultra marathon race and there were 5 runners for 100k and 1 for 100mile race. The sky was overcast by low clouds and there was further drop in the temp. with heavy winds. The marathon runners spend the day recovering in the mess tent, dashing outside to give a cheer any time an ultra runner passes through camp on their 25km four-lap challenge. We’ve eaten three meals, been to a lecture and watched some DVDs by the time first runner come into camp to finish the 100K in 12:09:06. Race director Richard Donovan is aiming to run 100 miles. In 2002 Richard Donovan became the first man to run a marathon at the South Pole. He has chosen to run 100 miles to celebrate the 100 years since Amundsen reached the Pole. He completes the distance of 100miles in 24:35:02. Everyone in the camp turns out to cheer him across the finish line.

It was busy time to be at Union Glacier camp. There are groups of Norwegians about to ski south to meet their prime minister on December 14 for the anniversary celebrations. Four engineers from the British Antarctic Survey are passing through on their way to the British base at Rothera. They are the advance party transporting 70 tonnes of equipment to Lake Ellsworth before the drilling project – to collect water and sediment samples from 3K under the Western Antarctic Ice Sheet – begins in October, 2012. There are guides who’ve climbed Everest more than 10 times and scientists who are tracking the retreat of the Antarctic ice sheet, with 1mile to 3mile thickness. They all depend on small planes to get around. There is a tent named after Col. Bajaj, who was the first Indian to explore South Pole on ski who is a well known figure in India adventure whom I had met during my stint at IndusInd Bank. In one of the lectures by a scientist I was told that India( along with China ) with its third research station, Bharathi, is going to play an important role in Antarctica politics, happenings and researches.
On 3rd late evening at 7.30 pm. we head back to the Ilyushin for the journey back to Punta Arenas with a collective sense of achievement and board the plane at 9.30 pm. in bright sunlight. I was the last one to board the plane and I wanted to grab that last second also to look around for the last time as I knew I would not be getting this sight to see any more in my life.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012