Raka is so excited. Finally, after years of looking forward to it, he is going to the Girimitra Sammela on the 12th July 2009. He had been wanting to attend ever since it began some 7 years ago. Every time, something or the other kept coming up.

So, tomorrow is his big day. He’s so excited, he’s making me insane. He’ll be getting together with friends on the previous night (tomorrow), so its going to be a two day thing for him. I think they are planning to attend a lecture by someone tomorrow evening about adventure and the law – another very interesting subject in India.

This year’s Sammelan is being hosted by Nisarg Mitra, Panvel.

After all the anticipation, it was a struggle getting a seat, as it was booked full 2 weeks in advance (that’s when Raka tried). Somehow, he’s going to be there, though I don’t know how he managed the miracle.

He is also entering his photos in the photography competition.

I am not going. For one, it will be too hectic for me in my condition, and two, there are no seats anyway. Pity. I liked this year’s theme – Social Responsibility of Mountaineering. It is a subject that is not commercially viable in a world where a client wants his campfire and damn the trees. Not much is really spoken about it other than talks about how not to spoil local children by handing out money and gifts on treks to remote places.

I’m looking forward to finding out the conversations that begin around this subject as a result of this year’s Sammelan. Stay tuned. I’ll be picking Raka’s ear when he comes back, and will share all the juicy bits.