Friday, May 19, 2023

Car registration renewal

Today I had the opportunity to complete the Car registration renewal on my own. I didnt use any agents or touts help in getting this process done at the Electronic City RTO.

There are many agents in and around the RTO who were more than eager to approach to do this renewal process for an exorbitant sum.

Some prep work and steps below can save some handsome money and can give the satisfaction of DIY. Note, the steps are for a straight forward case of RC renewal. There is no hypothecation involved, no modifications to the car, etc.

Prep work:

1. First step is to link the phone number to your car registration. This can be done in two ways

a. Online - Go to https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/ site > Services > Additional Services > Update Mobile Number. This is based on Aadhar OTP and for that your name in RC should match with the name in aadhar.

b. Offline - Visit the RTO office and go to Non-Transport Vehicle section. Request the staff there to add your phone number to your RC. They will also update the records about your tax status being current.

2. Online Application

a. Use https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/ site to apply for RC renewal under Vehicle Registration Services.

b. Pay the required charges. This will generate the receipt and also FORM 25.

c. Take a print out of the FORM-25 and receipt.

d. Affix your sign at the required places in FORM-25

3. Take printout of your valid insurance page

4. Take a xerox of PUC certificate

5. If you have opted for address change, the online process will generate FORM 33, which can be printed and added to the set

6. Keep a copy of aadhar card for address proof

7. You will need a self addressed envelope with postage. You can get this from the nearby shops outside RTO office.

8. Original RC card

9. All these details need to kept in a folder. Mark the vehicle registration number and RC renewal on the top of the folder.

10. Carry an RC copy

11. You will also need to make a pencil imprint of the chasis number on the FORM 25. Check online videos on how to imprint the chasis number of your car model.

RTO visit:

1. Make a vist to RTO office (Check the timings of the RTO office)

2. Go to Non Transport Vehicle section (Room 5 in ECity RTO office). There the junior staff will check the details and send you for vehicle inspection

3. Vehicle inspector will inspect your car. (This will be done by the inspector in Room 9).

4. Once the vehicle inspector signs after inspection, the application needs to be updated and sealed by another officer (This will be done by the officer in Room 3)

5. Go back to Room 5, they will reverify and update the details in the file. Will provide you acknoweldgement in the RC copy.

In terms of timings, the entire process took half a day for me to complete. I had to make two trips to RTO office, first to add my phone number, then do the online payment, collect all the paperwork and go back to RTO office for inspection and completion.

In my personal experience, I found the junior staff in the Ecity RTO very helpful. However, the grumpy RTO Inspector was cold and cribbing (may be that I spoiled the illegal grafitication). The RTO inspector didnt move from the seat to inspect the car, instead demanded the car to be brought to the eye view. The inspector was also cribbing/cursing at small mistakes done in the application form.

Friday, May 12, 2023

Rescuing a flying squirrel in Dandeli


Flying squirrel

Indian giant flying squirrel is a species of rodent family, capable of gliding between tree branches. They glide using a skin attached to legs on either side of the body, which works like a hand glider. They are nocturnal and arboreal species typically found in the thick canopies.

Kingdom:         Animalia

Phylum:          Chordata

Family:          Sciuridae

Scientific name: Pteromyini

IUCN:            Least Concern (LC)

Found in:        North America, Central America, Asia, NE Europe

Food type:       Omnivore

Food:            Fruits, seed, bud, flowers, insects, gastropods, spider, fungi, bird’s egg, tree sap and young birds

Predators:       Tree snake, Racoons, Owls, Martens, fishers, coyotes, bobcats and feral cats


How it glides

Patagium is a furred parachute like skin membrane connecting fore and hind limbs, enabling it to glide. Tail of the flying squirrel works as an air brake helping it to land safely.

First spotting


Dandeli in north west karnataka is one of habitats for Indian giant flying squirrel. During our stay on Dandeli, on a night, the homestay host identified a flying squirrel call near the dinning area. He took us to spot the animal in the nearby tree canopy. Armed with torches, we spotted one of them in the tree foraging on its food.

Trapped

The following morning when we got up to the dinning area, we were told by the helper that there is a flying squirrel nearby on the fence. We made our way quickly and found the flying squirrel perched on the barbed wire fence. Seeing it, we had an inkling that something is amiss.

The flying squirrel didn't move when we approached it. It eyes were wide and motionless. A moment later, it slowly moved its limbs. The flying squirrel looked tired and trapped. We suspected that during its glide in the night, it might have got trapped in the barbed wire fence and would have injured itself. Flying squirrel typically delved in the tree tops and generally glides to ground when there is predator attack.

Flying squirrel had a lucky escape as it was not attacked by any predator when it was trapped. It will need some help from us to get out the trap.



 

Rescuing

While we were contemplating on the rescue possibilities, we were joined by the homestay host. He quickly used some wooden sticks to probe the squirrel and found that its tail got entangled in the fence. The flying squirrel's tail has injured as it got stuck in the barbed fence. The squirrel had tried to relieve itself and in the process got more entangled and injured.

He then improvised a jute sack as a hand glow and disentangled the squirrel from the fence. The squirrel was ferocious under agonising pain and trying to bite and attack his hand. The moment its tail got out of tangle, it quickly leaped on the nearby tree and climbed up.

We assessed the that tail had superficial injury to its skin and fur and it did not impact its movement. The flying squirrel quickly climbed by the tree canopy and vanished.



Tuesday, May 09, 2023

Dandeli Trip

Trip time:
3N/4D

Commute:
Bangalore - Hubli - Dharwad - Haliyal - Dandeli (~485kms)

Stay:

Hotel President Hubli
Kadumane Homestay (Joida)

Best time to visit:
For adventure sports - post monsoon
For nature lovers - all throughout the year

Dandeli Geo:
Dandeli is a quiet town in the western ghats in North West Karnataka. River Kali flows through the town and is famous for its adventure sports like rafting, kayaking, etc. Dandeli is also famous for the natural biodiversity with its semi evergreen forests.

Kali River:
The River Kali got its name from the blackish water that flows in the river. Supa Dam is built across River Kali.






Crocodile Park:
On the banks of river Kali near Dandeli is a make shift crocodile park. It is a private property with a podium to view the crocodiles basking in the sun by the river. There were around seven- eight crocodiles when we visited.



KTR:

Kali Tiger Reserve provides open jeep jungle safari during morning and evening schedules. They cover quiet a ground in the forest taking you to the different water holes to spot animals. It takes around 90mins to complete the safari.


We spotted chital deer, Indian gaur, Langur, Peacock, Turtle, Malabar giant squirrel, Little cormorant and Serpent Eagle. The safari also takes you to a view point where you can see the entire western ghats valley.



















Syntheri Rock:
Syntheri is monolithic volcanic rock which is supposed to be from the neolithic age. We had to climb down 250 steps to view this rock. To reach this place, you need to deviate from the main road and go in to nonexistent off road track for 2.5 kms.

There was a small stream near by the rock and it is advised not to venture into the water.




Bird watching - Rajini Rao's show:

We took the services of Rajini Rao to help us spot some birds of dandeli in the Dandeli Timber Depot. The depot is 143 acres of wooded space, which is ideal spot for bird watching. The timber depot collects rose and teak wood from fallen trees in the forest. Rose and Teak wood are termite resistant as it contains 97% oil. These woods are auctioned twice a year.

Rajini helped us spot various birds which are home to the depot.

1. Common Robin
2. Jungle Owl
3. Malabar Pied Hornbill
4. Malabar Grey Hornbill
5. Indian Hawk Cuckoo
6. Kingfisher
7. Heart spotted wood pecker
8. Woodpecker
9. Sparrow
10. Nuthatch
11. Orange Minvet
12. Flowerpecker
13. Sunbird
14. Garden lizard


























Hiking:
We picked a hiking trail next our homestay which took us to the hill top and gave us mesmerising views of the valley below. We could see green forest cover till the horizon. We spent a quiet time enjoying the fresh air with birds chirping all around.

We spotted couple of birds as well.
1. Malabar pied hornbill
2. Malabar grey hornbill
3. Orange minvet
4. Barbet
5. Velvet minivet
6. Flowerpecker
7. Sunbird
8. Little cormorant

A langur also kept us company during our stay on the hilltop.



Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Krishnagiri KRP Dam

Trip time:
1 day

Commute:
Bangalore - Hosur - Krishnagiri (~100kms)

Links:
http://www.krishnagiri.tn.nic.in/tourism.htm
http://www.krishnagiridistrict.com/krp.html
http://www.krishnagiridistrict.com/krp2.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thezionview/2539674209/

Best time to visit:
Post monsoon (Sep)

Review:
Krishnagiri KRP dam is a very small dam. It is located off NH-7 near krishnagiri. Ideal to visit for relaxation when you are en route to some other destination. There is also a park adjoining to the dam.

Photos:


Sluice gates


View from the dam


Algae


Desktop shot


On the dam



Rocky terrain


River


Daisy


Road around the dam


Head on


Panoramic view

Parking near IIMB Postoffice

If you wish to use IIMB post office, earlier you have leave your vehicle on the road and pray for luck. This public office does not have a parking space and IIMB does not allow outside vehicles for parking inside the campus. There is a Nirmala Public Restroom facility with no parking space on the same road. Bangalore Traffic Police had been very prompt in towing your vehicle for the No Parking offense in these areas.

For once my luck did not favor me and I had to pay fine (Rs100) along with towing charges (Rs200) to traffic police. Now, there is parking sign near the post office. Wondering who woke the bangalore traffic police.

TATA Nano



Spotted this blue TATA Nano in my native town. It was a sure shot head turner. Everyone passing by had a good look at the car. I just peeked inside to find that the car can accommodate 4 adults.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Jog falls

Trip time:
2N/1D

Commute:
Bangalore - Shimoga - Sagara - Jog falls (~375kms)
Used KSTDC Tour package

Stay:
Hotel Shant - accommodation to refresh yourself in the morning

Links:
KSTDC website
This web page has the itinerary

Best time to visit:
Post monsoon (August)

Review:
This is the first time I used the KSTDC services. It is one of the care-free ways to visit Jog falls. I have quiet a lot of review to write about them.

First on the reservation. They have a website and online booking. Unfortunately, Jog falls tour package is not listed for online booking. One can book this tour package through various authorized agents or visit central reservation office at Badami House. Reservation at badami house is hassle free.

The KSTDC bus looked new and clean. We started sharp on time and was punctual through out the trip. KSTDC ran the tour even when the bus was not full (min 10 bookings required to run the tour). The accommodation arranged by KSTDC in Sagara for the morning refresh was below standards. The room was dinghy and smelly. Usually, 4 people are accommodated in a room. We stopped for breakfast at Sagara itself and the restaurant was below average.

Then we were taken to keladi temple, Jog falls - British bungalow view, Linganmaki dam view point and Jog falls main view. Lunch was at KSTDC Mayura restaurant which was again below normal. We started back to bangalore at 5:30pm and stopped for nice dinner at shimoga.

Photos:


Bus


Stay @ Sagara


Tank @ Keladi


Tank @ Keladi


Temple @ Keladi


Temple @ Keladi


Vegetation due to incessant rains @ Keladi


Mushrooms


British bungalow view


Main falls starting


Deep down end point


Misty flow


Rainbow


Entire falls


Mahatma Gandhi hydel power station


Raja, Rani, Rocker, Roarer view


View from bottom of the falls


Sheets of water