CURRENT MISSION

To travel more than work.

ABOUT ME

Born, raised, studied and lived in north India before moving to settle down at Pune in Maharashtra State after a long Union Government service. Currently chair 'The Secular Community', a global organization of irreligious people who live by reason: https://www.thesecularcommunity.org/guidelines.php
I live close to the city center.

PHILOSOPHY

Secular. Uphold the doctrine of state–religion separation. To me being virtuous is to obey the laws of the land while respecting the laws of nature.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Hosting, CouchSurfing... whenever possible

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

CouchSurfed with Rumiana in Austria (Sep 2011). CouchSurfed with Irene in Switzerland (Sep 2011). Met Mumbai CSers on 13 Jun 09. Hosted Thibaud French from France (Dec 2008), Stefan Schulz from Berlin, Germany (Oct 09), Stefan Fleck from Modling, Lower Austria, Austria (Jul 08), Karina Galindo from Pernambuco Recife, Brazil (May 08). Couch-surfed with Avik Guha Thakurta at Kolkata, India (Nov 08). Travelled with Meher and Raj to Nashik.

Interests

Reading, adventure sports, arts, shopping for books. Toured West Europe (Aug-Oct 11), enjoyed Nature Walk and Trekking in Karnala, Biking in Goa, Trekking/caving in Mizoram, Rock climbing, abseiling at Chikhaldara.

• arts
• books
• dining
• fine dining
• shopping
• reading
• traveling
• cycling
• hiking
• rock climbing
• freelancing

Music, Movies, and Books

Just read Michael Booth's book on Scandinavia. Loved it. (April 24)

Movies last seen {Not updated for long ...}
"Lives of other people" (German): Great film set in walled Germany where an East German policeman secretly protects a writer without the writer's knowledge and pays with his career.
"The Song of Sparrows" (Iranian): Heart touching story of a jobless man's failing struggle for happiness of his family.
"Avatar": An out of this world experience -- literally!
"Secretary": A man is torn between his desire for deviated sex and the guilt arising from it. His compatible secretary with an insanity history falls in love with him.
"Besieged": Young wife of an African freedom fighter studies medicine and keeps house for a lonely English pianist who falls in love with her. A beautiful love story without any 'logical' end. As it should be...
"Seven years in Tibet": A Brad Pitt film based on true story. A young Austrian mountaineer reaches Lhasa after great physical sufferings and through emotional pain, befriends the childhood Dalai Lama and witnesses the Chinese take over of Tibet.

Books by: Fritjof Capra; Clive Cussler; Isaac Asimov; Jhumpa Lahiri; Dev Anand; Barry Neil Kaufman; Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings; PG Wodehouse... Theatre: "Life on a single bed" @ Pune, "Vagina Monologues" @ Mumbai. Musical concerts: Amano Manish (Indian slide guitar) with Uday Deshpande (Tabla) @ Pune.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Lone treks in Himalayas. The first sighting of the snow clad Himalayan range was an unforgettable experience. Dealing with thugs in Brussels, a thief on train to Paris were interesting experiences too because I least expected it!

Teach, Learn, Share

Travel across Scandinavia.

I have seen life my way and would love to see it your way.

What I Can Share with Hosts

We are vegetarians. Join us for hikes to hills in and around Pune. Or drive with us to various interesting places and to shop at malls.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Malaysia, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

India

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