It is that time of the year when the team at Ghumakkar gets down to choose the ones who took us to travel the most, to the new and interesting places and leave lasting impressions. Their journeys and their expression hooked us on so strong that while they wanted to plan their next sojourn, we wanted them to first take time out and share with us, what they did.
To refresh, Reema, Mahesh Semwal, Manisha Chitale, Arvind Padmanabhan and Manish Khamesra were our Ghumakkars of 2009. They continued their journeys during 2010 year as well and here’s what I can recollect about them during 2010.
Reema continues to teach and her blog tells me that she is moving to Pune and would be settling down there. Read her wishes and how she fared against them, in her own words, here.
Mahesh has been our quintessential Ghumakkar, taking us out everywhere. I would be giving away too much if I tell you more but he has been most prolific in terms of destinations and content at Ghumakkar during 2010.
Manisha, our in-house poet traveled far and wide, questioned one of the biggest tourism success stories and regarded as a fine writer by our editorial board.
Arvind, who returned to India a while back, decided to chuck his day job and took a year long sabbatical. Yes, that is true. He finished his travel late this year and re-joined work. Read his Ghumakkari at his blog and go out and flaunt shamelessly that you know someone like him.
Manish, as fondly called as Professor, is been the pillar of strength for everyone at Ghumakkar. He is our sounding-board for all the new ideas, whatever little we do come up with, and Ghumakkar is not complete without him.
Did I start this post for 2010 ? I guess, I did so let me get back to main agenda. This year, we had setup a jury and our jury consisted of Arun, Manish Khamesra, Nandan and Vibha. Jury requested me to not write much about them, being humble souls so I would not go down that path too much but a little introduction wont hurt.
Arun is a full time travel writer, photographer, based at Bangalore and an avid Ghumakkar.
Manish Khamesra is the same Manish which I talked about just a couple of breaths back, based at Noida (NCR), an avid Ghumakkar. (I am pretty sure that you are not holding your breath).
Nandan is me, based at Ghaziabad, an avid Ghumakkar.
Vibha is a student of English writing, based at Britain, an avid Ghumakkar.
And the winners are……
Mahesh Semwal. Clap Clap Clap. Unanimous choice by all jury members. Can’t say more.
Devasmita, for your beautiful expression and the far-n-wide travel
Roopesh, for long and fulfilling travel tales. Often the road less taken.
Sahil, for the sheer energy. Never unpack your bag.
Congratulations Mahesh, Devasmita, Roopesh and Sahil. Vasant, Aurojit, Manisha were close and need a special mention. A small memento would head your way as the team here works out the logistics. I look forward to a more Ghumakkari year from you in 2011.
Let me close this post and leave the floor open for the congratulatory messages.
Wishing all Ghumakkars a great and enriching new year. May your bags be always packed. As I often say, traveling builds tolerance, let us help people travel more by sharing our travel experiences and make this world a peaceful place, one destination at a time.
Happy New Year.