In the hot summers of 2011, I was working with a new Author Ghumakkar from Mumbai. It was a story on Somnath and just like any new Author, the initial few story preparation times are toughest as I work with them over the software nuances. From typography to picture insertion to caption to categories. Since the first story was a ‘Series’ , there were further complications. Being an active and straight-from-the-heart community, there were some interesting comments on the 2nd story. I am putting a link here but promise me that you would quickly come back after browsing through the story and reading the comments:
I am fairly prepared for going through this kind of stuff, and often multiple times and having learnt through trial-and-error, I believe that if you hang-in long enough, you would get through. In this particular case, I could sense the perseverance. I had my doubts but I kept my belief intact. More weeks went and Vishal, the alert among you would have made this out, and myself continued to find our ways together, stitching stories and getting better with every new day. We hung on and it has been less than a year and I am so proud to share with all of you (one more time) that Vishal is our ‘Ghumakkar Featured Author for April 2012’. I had the opportunity to talk to him early this month and here is the conversation we had with Vishal over phone and email, where we discussed spirituality, travel, NASA and much more.
Growing Kid
Presenting, Vishal Rathod in a tete-a-tete with Ghumakkar.
Ghumakkar: Congratulations Vishal. I start my interview with the boring and classic question of , how did you discover Ghumakkar ?
Vishal: Thank you Nandan. It is a privilege to be here and I am thoroughly enjoying my time here. I found Ghumakkar while searching for ‘Omkareshwar’. The long story is already very well documented in one of my travel tales.
Ghumakkar: Here is a link of the story which Vishal mentions above – Two Ghumakkars
Ghumakkar: Yes, it is indeed. And what made you stick to Ghumakkar?
Vishal: Well, a lot of things. There are many places where one can find all the information about temples, how to go, train timings etc. After all a description about a certain place is going to be similar whether you read it in a book or on a website. What was completely different at Ghumakkar and what stuck me was that when people write here, they write a lot of about local culture, their personal experiences, encounters which they had with priests, good ones and not so good ones and after reading them, you feel a greater sense of joy and satiation. When I started reading stories here, I just keeping reading more and more and I started like it. Even today on my laptop, in my internet browser, on one tab Ghumakkar is always open.
5 - 6 months old
Ghumakkar: Wow. And then what made you write?
Vishal: To relive the experience. I travel because I feel good and I write because then I can feel good anytime I read it. It is like multiplying the returns. I am an MBA and been in Sales so to get the best value of money, I started documenting and the rewards have been generous.
Ghumakkar: After an engineering degree and an MBA, how did you land up in Sales and what is it like working in the Sales Department?
Vishal: I started my first job in Quality Control department as a Chemist in a manufacturing company in *Dubai UAE*, in technical field only which was my asset as far as my education was concerned.( B.E. Production,1998 , Mumbai ). In that organisation twice in two years I went to *NORWAY* also.
My next goal after two years 2001 was to do MS in Industrial Engineering In USA. I got admission into TOP ranked university . But My Visa got rejected. I landed in Mumbai and started Sales because there were no manufacturing companies left in Mumbai . In 2007 I finished my Executive MBA in 2007 from IIM Calcutta. I have worked in very BIG organisations like ICICI Bank , Reliance ADAG , in Top Managerial level in Sales. And working in those organization in sales in very challenging and tough. Every day there is lot of pressure and stress. Frankly speaking “टेंशन बहुत रहता है.रात को नींद नहीं आती.घर वालों को टाइम नहीं दे पाते.”
But now its ok my ultimate goal has changed and I work in a medium firm and life has become somewhat easy and less stressed.
One year old
Ghumakkar: Norway must have been a great destination and I only know one phrase in Norwegian which is “visum usa“. Moving on, in your profile, you mention that you are tired of excess materialism and have shifted focus on spiritualism. What brought forth this transformation? Was it one incident or a gradual shift in perspective?
Vishal: A Long one. I live in Mumbai which is financial capital of India and called “*MAYANAGARI”.* Here you can find each and everything that exists in our entire globe. Every day here in Mumbai it is just like race where people run and work very hard and fast to achieve their materialistic goals. And they achieve it also. For eg . If a person has a very good Samsung touch screen phone then after seeing others he wants I Phone. After getting I- phone still he doesn’t get satisfied he wants I phone 2, I phone 3 ………………and so on. Although he may not use all the features. And I was one of them getting in the race of achieving these type of materialistic things just to show others, even I may not use it to fullest extent. Secondly for achieving those things we may hurt others. E.g. For promotion in work place many people try to take away the credits for the work done by others.
And I like other people also achieved those things and this went on and on to get better things . But somewhere I didn’t find myself winner even after achieving those things . I never used to get peace and satisfaction even after achieving my materialistic goals . And this peace and satisfaction is inside your soul. So I started searching for the way which will give me ultimate peace and satisfaction and I got into spiritualism. This was the gradual shift and still it is going on and on and will go on and on.
Ghumakkar: What impact do you think spiritualism has on our lives?
Vishal: First of all in spiritualism, You define yourself ( you come to know who you are) and what is the meaning of your life and its ultimate goal. You start respecting yourself and also start respecting others and gradually you become a pure and positive person. Negative thoughts from your mind vanish. Even if some negative incident happens in your life you feel there may be something positive in that. And in end you become a person what one really want.
REMEMBER, This is a little tough process. But each “ NO “ brings you closer to “YES” . So like the word ” NO”.
Getting award on sports day
Ghumakkar: Very rightly put Vishal. Apart from travelling to religious places, what else do you do to satisfy the devotee in you?
Vishal: Try not to hurt others and try to enjoy others success and happiness is the best way to satisfy myself as a devotee and God also. Try not to think in your point of view first and try to think in others point of view first. Rest all things like pooja archana, naam japa, singing and listening devotional songs and katha, travel , dhyana and meditation, daan and charity etc. are just side by side …………………..I feel its ok even if you don’t do all these.
Ghumakkar: You are a great Bhakt (devotee) of Shiva. Why? What enchants you about the destroyer’s personality?
Vishal: No, I am not a great Bhakt of Shiva. I am just a very small devotee and its not only Lord Shiva, I am devotee of God in each and
every form. I like all his forms as Lord Vishnu, Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Devi Jagadamba, Mahalaxmi , Ganapati , Kartikeyan, Shanidev, Surya, Hanuman, Jesus, Waheguru, Allah, Buddha etc and many others forms. For me and actually they all are one and same. Also I am devotee of their devotees also like Tulsidas , Meerabai, Tukaram , Kabir etc. and follow them also.
But Lord Shiva is my Ishta Deva ( my preferred deity ). I started thorough devotion with Lord Shiva and gradually came to know that all are one and same.
And about Lord Shiva’s Personality* :- After every night there is a new morning and after destruction there is a new creation. And So he is the creator as well as destroyer as well as maintainer. So I am enchanted by his each and every quality.
With Papa
Ghumakkar: Your travels now are mostly religious. But before you turned to Spiritualism, did you travel? If yes, to what kind of places?
Vishal: Life itself is like a travel and I am travelling all the way. In organisations before I used to Travel for official work in different cities. I have travelled Norway , Holland , Dubai outside India. In India I have been to Hill stations , lot of coastal places, historical places also.
Ghumakkar: Thank you Vishal for sharing so many things about you and about your life and beliefs. Now shifting a gear towards Ghumakkari, we feel that your travelogues have come a long way since you first started writing at Ghumakkar. Have you yourself noticed any change in the way you write over the past one year?
Vishal: I never knew how to write. I read stories on Ghumakkar and started feeling that I should write my stories on ghumakkar.com So that whenever I get time to go flash back I can always remember what I did and go on virtual tour. I started with Somnath and wrote a very simple post.
The feedback and comments made some sort of improvement every time. I also try to use innovations every time in every series. I used virtual tour from view360.in in South tour. I used dual languages in my Climbing the Girnar Post ,where I showed my emotions in Hindi. In my new Somnath post I wanted to show my bhaav ( feelings) in different decorations of Somnath Shivalinga . So innovation has become part of my posting.
My way to express now while writing has become better. I can express my emotions and do detailing as you can see in ‘Two Ghumakkars Together “ .So obviously writing has improved. But apart from writing my reading has also improved. Previously I used to read any article (not only from Ghumakkar.com) from above not going in depth .But now I go in depth of every article. I have learnt a lot from Fellow Ghumakkars also. So Thanks to all.
Aarya
Ghumakkar: I think this mutual sharing makes everyone richer. You put in a lot of effort to get permissions for using images hosted on other sites. In fact, this was recognized in this month’s Insights as well. Can you elaborate on the process that you follow to get permissions? How difficult is it to get permissions?
Vishal: A BIG NO and NOT AT ALL……………….I don’t put that much effort to take permissions .I took long time to take permission for only first time, but the permission was granted without much effort . Rest of the time I got permissions at rapid pace. The reason behind this is, please read below.
“Dear Sir / Madam,
I am Vishal Rathod from Mumbai, India . I am small devotee and do pilgrim tours every 3-4 months and write stories and on internet regarding this .
This helps devotees. In March 2012 I went to Udupi Shri Krishna temple.My main intention to write this email is to add Shri Krishna Idol Photo in my story ,which is available on your website.
I request you to kindly grant me the permission. I promise to give you credits and will mail you the link when the story is published.”
I write this type of mail to the person from whom the permission is required. My intention is pure and clear. He might think that he could have done nothing , If I used his image directly. Instead he is giving me credits so why should I not give him permission.
When you show your clear intention and think from others perspective you get the permits easily.
Ghuamkkar: You had mentioned that wildlife interests you as much. What else ? Where would you want to travel ?
Vishal: Outer Space.
Ghumakkar: Really?
Vishal: Yes. Infact one of the motives of going to US was explore this option but I am keeping my hopes high.
Ghumakkar: We wish you luck, Vishal. You are the Featured Author for the month of April 2012. How does it feel? Did you see it coming?
Vishal: Yes it feels great . You are recognised here for whole month and now in front page also my photo with link of this interview will be featured for 9 months. And who doesn’t want to be famous and known.
Secondly,I didn’t think about this recognition till January 2012 end. Yaa, but after the response from my Kashi, Junagdh, Girnar and Somnath posts I thought that this might come in next 2-3 months.
Sonali and Aarya
Ghumakkar: In terms of future travels, where are you taking us next?
Vishal: I also don’t know where Lord is going to take me in near future. But definitely it will be religious places along with some sort of adventure this time.Lets see………………………
Ghumakkar: Thank you Vishal for all the time, for speaking to us and for your diligent and well crafted responses. You bring in a lot of positivity at Ghumakkar and you spread the felling of well being. We wish you miles of travel, inner-space as well as outer-space. Thank you.
Marvelous Vishal !!!!! It was gr8 to know more about you through this interview. Some Qs have been deliberately not been asked, but this interview gave a total view about Vishal Rathore, the real Ghumakkar !!!
Second foto (of Aryaa) can be termed as best foto of the month !!!
Thank you Silent Sir jee
for both the comments for me and Aarya………………….
oooo now i understand.. 2nd foto is yours !!! you look just like arya in childhood. Gr8
Vishal ji your thoughts are spiritual and actions just.
Hats off to you !!!
Aarya looks like me when I was young……………….
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Thank you Neeraj jee…………………
Congratulations again, Vishal. Really loved knowing more about you. Your basic goodness, humility and spirituality shines through your words. I wish you many more successes in life as you evolve along the spiritual path.
@ Nandan-The interview was a great read; thanks once again for creating a great platform for all of us here.
Thank you DL jee very much…………..
Want to read your interview also ASAP…………………………………..
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Thanks Manujee,
You give me lot of respect . But frankly even you are one of the very good natured person I have ever spoken to………………
Be as good you are always…………
Vihal,
First of all many many congratulations from the depth of my heart for being Featured Author of the month. Though being your closed friend i knew almost all the aspects of your life already, but still the interview was very interesting and engaging and you answered all the questions of Ghumakkar very nicely and wisely.
In my view as far as i know you since last one and a half year, you are a very kind, very friendly, very caring and an honest person and a Cuuuuuuuuuuuuute friend.
@ Nandan: Thank you very much for this wonderful interview and making all of us aware with some of the untouched aspects of life of this sweet guy Vishal.
Thanks.
Thanks for giving me so much respect Mukesh,
I don’t deserve that much respect as you are actually giving , because you only know because of whom I am, what I am ?
@ vishal- congrats for the feature author
@ nandan– i just ask one question. where i can get all stories. b,cose 99 authors r available. but total is 255.
Thanks Parveen Kumar jee ,
Have you started writing Sir????????????????//
Dear Vishal,
Congratulations once again and thanks for such brilliant and insightful responses. Outer Space, huh! No kidding! That is one trip I would love to go along with you. I thoroughly agree with:
“Try not to hurt others and try to enjoy others success and happiness is the best way to satisfy myself as a devotee and God also. Try not to think in your point of view first and try to think in others point of view first. Rest all things like pooja archana, naam japa, singing and listening devotional songs and katha, travel , dhyana and meditation, daan and charity etc. are just side by side ..I feel its ok even if you dont do all these.”
I think having a pure heart free of any malice is the best way to be close to God. If you don’t have this, no amount of prayers, fasts, pilgrimages will get you any closer to the supreme power.
Thanks Vibha for your lovely comments……………..
Thanks for agreeing on above message…………………
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?????? ??? ??? ? ??? ?? ????? ????? ?? ???? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ????? ???????. ????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ?? ?? ?? ??? ??? ????????? ???? ???? ??? ???????? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ?? ?? ???? ???? ???.
??????.
Thanks Kavita jee………………………..
Yes I will do what you say…………………..
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Thanks you Sandeep jee ……………………………………
Heartiest Congratulations Vishal….Way to go…
Sahil
Thanks Sahil………………………
Logged in here after a good gap… good gap in the sense that I do have to struggle a bit to find out the password.. :). Anyways, was very much overwhelmed with the joy to find u being chosen as the featured author of the month, a very well deserved choice and decision, keeping in view the contributions made by you. Will surely update myself in the coming days by going through the stories I missed. The title of ur story of Two Ghumakkars… is tempting me and am going to go through it…
Once again Heartiest Congratulations Vishal ji…
Mr. Ved jee ,
Welcome to Ghumakkar after long time . It was a indeed a very good feeling having a comment from you. Sir you and I have some things in common as far as ghumakkar is concerned. You started with Somnath and Dwarka post , even I started in ghumakkar with Somnath and Dwarka.I was the first person to comment on your first ever post on ghumakkar. Your post on Mahabalipuram was fantastic and since then Mahabalipuram was in my hit list. Now Finally your post on Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple was the best among all. I still remember National Water Grid Policy which was mentioned in that post ………………..It says how knowledgeable, devotional ans spiritual you are.
So Since your writings are exceptional please do come and show more .
And Thanks for your comments
Hi Vishal,
heartiest congratulations.
The insights about you , from spiritualism to outer space, are very interesting. Commercialism and mindless materialist pursuits – you have a follower of your thoughts here. And while following you, I must admit that I have a long way to go as far as spiritual accreditations are concerned…
Great to know about a very nice human being,
thanks,
Auro.
Thanks Aurojit jee ……………….for your lovely and huge appreciation (follower of thoughts).
This is like too much ………………Sir.
Many congratulations Vishal ji for becoming the ‘Featured author of the month’ and thank you Nandan ji for this interesting and insightful interview. The discussion was a lot of learning for me.
Thanks Vipin jee…………………..for your comment.
Congratultaions once again, Vishal! May you get many opportunities and wherewithal to travel to every place and space you wish to :-)
Thanks Smita jee ……………………………
Heartiest congratulations Vishal.
It was a great interview, through which it’s good to know some facets of your personality.
Wish you all the best.
Thank you Sir jee for your first comment on my article .
And Also wish you all the best for happy and healthy life……………….
Congratulations Vishal….Well deserved and well earned.
Thanks Harish jee …………………
Congratulations Vishal, it was indeed a pleasure to know about you. Thanks a lot for sharing so many of your wonderful experiences.
@Nandan – Great job once again, every time you manage to bring best from the featured author, I like the way you customize your questions to keep it interesting without adhering to any standard template.
Thanks you Sir …………………………
My heartiest congratulations on being featured auther of the month.
It was great to read about you.
Onething I must say that I find your son Arya very cute. He is a photogenic child, looks great when smile.
Well Vinay thanks for your appreciation…………….
And Aarya is my daughter not my son………………….
Vishal
Congratulations!
Nandan, Superbly taken inteview as it captures Vishal’s other aspect of personality so well. My admiration for him has grown manifolds. I must say its a superb series as after reading about many authors they look so close to the community and to the readers, and there is no doubt that after knowing them personally love and regard for them increases as well.
Vishal the collection of pictures you appended to this interview is superb.
Well, I decided to comment even if in hurry as I read a beautiful quote and thought that probably it will resonate with you, so here it is:
“Before we set our hearts too much on anything, let us examine how happy are those who already possess it. -Francois, duc de La Rochefoucauld, moralist (1613-1680)”
Congrats once again.
Thanks Manish for very big appreciation…………………………….
And a fantastic quote…………………….
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@NANDAN JI…….THANKS FOR GREAT INTERVIEW WITH GREAT VISHAL RATHOR ….
THANKS
Thanks Riteshjee very much for this appreciation .
You are also a very good writer and by every post your quality is increasing at rapid pace.
So may be in near future you will also get rewards and awards……………………My wishes with you..
Nice to know abt u Vishal !
Thanks you Manish jee………………….
I was in lower Himalayas when I spoke to Vishal, so talking about spirituality had a different meaning altogether. Thank you Vishal for the lovely conversation we had.
@ All – Thank you for all the praise. It is all to do with Vishal, I am just a medium.
@ Praveen – There is no good way. Your raise a good point and I would think about it.
Thanks Nandan ………………..
Even I had a very good conversation with you…………………….
sir, is there any link for rest authors
@ Praveen – Here is the link of the other Interviews, incase if that is what you are asking.
https://www.ghumakkar.com/category/interview/
When I read your comment on my write-up on Mecca, I knew I was receiving a mail from a Human. Then, after a few days, I came across this interview, Vishal, and now I know you are not just a human, but a VIP on https://www.ghumakkar.com!
Your life story is so interesting, and you have dreams that I will pray will be realised in this life-time. Thanks ever so much. I will be visiting your posts in the days to come.
Dr. Taher
Dr. Taher ,
No No No ………….. I am not a VIP and never want to be a VIP . I am just a human and want to behave like a human only.
If people realise this and implement then all miseries in world gets finished.
Dear Vishal,
Your interview was a delight. And the comments from so many Ghumakkars only proved that the basic human yearning is for love and contentment. Congratulations on being the featured author of the month. I wish you the best of journeys and magnificent milestones ahead.
Peace.
Sanjeev.
Cheers Nandan, good job!
Thank you Sanjeev very much for your kind appreciation.