From British Council for Women Writers

Got this infrom BC today. I think its a great topic for us to start talking about as well. What are your thoughts?

Put your faith in words
We invite women writers to share their experience of the sacred with us
www.womenswriting.com is the British Council's exclusive websitefeaturing South Asian Women Writers. The site aims to create a networkfor women writers and to promote internationally voices that are lessfrequently heard.

If you are a woman living in South Asia, we invite you to prepare a 1500word autobiographical commentary on your experience of your faith /religion. Either a tradition you were born into or one into which youcrossed over. It may be uncomfortably intimate, but we are looking forpatterns of spirituality and interior geography in order to help theprocess of understanding and reconciliation.

What do words like spirituality, higher reality, the divine and so on mean to you?

We would like to emphasise that we are not looking for endorsements of any specific religion.
We also invite non and disbelievers to contribute.

Selected entries will share webspace with senior writers on the website.
Mail all entries to womenwriters@in.britishcouncil.org before 31 January 2006

The President's Email

Dear Manoj Kumar,

Your mission of "StudentConcepts" indicates your recognising the potential of student and youth power. My best wishes for what you are doing.

Kalam

Your dream and the president

President APJ Abdul Kalam : In Conclusion: Friends, I have a message for you. Can you send me a mail in a quarter page for the following question? “What will I be remembered for?” The “I” stands for you friends. Each one of you can answer to my question through my website: www.presidentofindia.gov.in In short, you may share your dreams with me. I will respond to the interesting mission of yours with a book of mine. May God bless you.

(I came across this on Rediff.com where he took some time to chat live with students and kids from all over the country.)

Heat 2006, Himalayan Trek

Its back!!!! Over 1500 people go on this trek. If you missed it over the last 4 years, here is another chance!!!! Contact us travel@studentconcepts.org

Guaranteed experience of snow!!

“ON MT. BANDARPOONCH (6316 M) TRAIL”GARHWAL HIMALAYAN RANGE
NEAR YAMNOTRIVIA DEHRADUN/ MUSSOURIEUTTARANCHAL
1ST MAY – 10TH JUNE’2006
INTERNATIONAL HIMALAYAN ENVIRONMENT & ADVENTURE

The Mt. Bandarpoonch Trail is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular and impressive treks of Yamnotri Valley, in district Uttarkashi. On this trek, you will traverse this great Himalayan range and appreciate the sheer geographic diversity – from the verdant, forested valleys and the flowered meadows (thatch) carpeted with wildflowers. Combine this with an interest in the variety of birds, wildlife, forest and wildflowers and the opportunity to view the many snow-capped peaks and you have all the ingredients for a highly rewarding trekking holiday in HEAT 2006 this summer even for the most laid back person.

ITINERARY FOR HEAT 2006
10Days/ 9nights

DAY 01 DELHI – DEHRADUN (240KMS, 6HOURS DRIVE)
Departure from Delhi in a deluxe coach from our office in the evening by 2130hrs. Overnight bus journey to Pathankot.
MEALS: NIL

DAY 02 ARRIVE
DEHRADUN – DRIVE TO NARAD CHATTI (2100 M)
Arrive Dehradun by 0400hrs for a 2 hours break. With packed breakfast, by 0600hrs, drive further to the base camp at Narad Chatti (2100 M). Arrive Base camp by lunch time. Tent allotment & day at leisure. Overnight at base camp.
MEALS: B – L – HT - S & D
ACCOMMODATION: Tents

DAY 03 ACCLIMATIZATION DAY
After breakfast, option of visiting Yamnotri shrine (self visit) OR acclimatization trek. Post lunch issue of rucksacks and luggage deposit. Overnight in tents.
MEALS: BT - B – L – HT - S & D
ACCOMMODATION: TENTS

DAY 04 BASE CAMP – KUNALI THATCH (CAMP I)
(TREK 8KMS/ 4HRS)
The first day’s trek climbs up to village Pindki on the route to Jamri Forest. The trek winds up steadily rising to the first camp at Kunali Thatch (2550M). Fresh hot lunch at the camp. Post lunch to explore the lovely forest area and various activities at the camp. Overnight in tents. MEALS: BT - B – L – HT - S & D
ACCOMMODATION: TENTS

DAY 05 CAMP I – KANDOWA THATCH (CAMPII)
(TREK 7KMS, 4HRS)
The second day’s trek gradually descends down to village Madhes and then traverses through the village Nischeni climbing to Kandowa Thatch (2715 M). Fresh hot lunch at the camp. Post lunch to explore the lovely forest area. Overnight in tents.
MEALS: BT - B – L – HT - S & D
ACCOMMODATION: TENTS

DAY 06 CAMPII – SEMA THATCH (3315M)
(TREK 9KMS/ 5HRS) Finest day that everybody will look forward to for fantastic views of Bandarpoonch & Swargarohini group of peaks and glacier and the surrounding peaks of the Himalayan range. Evening at leisure. Overnight in tents.
MEALS: BT - B – L – HT - S & D
ACCOMMODATION: TENTS

DAY 07 DAY TRIP TO BANGANI THATCH
Bangani Thatch is just below the Gola Top (4100 M), which is the highest ridge. The peaks present amazing memorable views the entire Bandarpoonch & Swargarohini range of the peaks. Even Mt Hanuman is also clearly visible. Return back to the camp for overnight stay in tents. MEALS: BT - B – L – HT - S & D
ACCOMMODATION: TENTS

DAY 08 CAMP III – BASE CAMP (TREK 15KMS/ 5HRS) The last day’s trek brings one down to the base camp. While descending down, the route passes through a lovely Nisheni village. Fresh hot lunch at the base camp on arrival. Certificate awarding ceremony at the base camp will be followed by campfire. Overnight in tents. MEALS: BT - B – L – HT - S & D
ACCOMMODATION: TENTS

DAY 09 BASE CAMP – DEHRADUNAfter breakfast, drive to Dehradun. Lunch enroute. Arrive Dehradun by late afternoon. Dinner in Dehradun. After 3/4 hours break, drive back to Delhi. Overnight bus journey. MEALS: BT – B, L & D

DAY 10 ARRIVE DELHI Arrive Delhi around 0600 hrs.
END OF THE PACKAGE

MEAL ABBREVATIONS:
Bed Tea – BT, Breakfast – B, Lunch – L, High Tea – HT, Soup – S, Dinner – D

PACKAGE PRICE PER PERSON
EX – DEHRADUN/ DELHI
RS 7,000.00 + 4.08% GOVERNMENT SERVICE TAXES

PACKAGE INCLUDES
All transportation in deluxe coach from Delhi – Dehradun – Delhi. From Dehradun – Base Camp – Dehradun, normal mountain 42 seater coaches will ply, accommodation in tents on sharing basis, all meals as per itinerary, all camping and trekking equipment’s, guides and services of camp leaders.