CVC issue

The buck has now stopped with the HPC (High Powered Committee) minus the leader of opposition, who has been clamouring against Thomas’ appointment as CVC. The remarks of our sagacious law minister also warrant ratiocination in this regard who has been defending government’s stand throughout the fiasco. He now says, “Supreme Court’s decision to make CVC appointment as non est is guidance for the future”. He has been the one who has been shouting from the rooftop that CVC’s appointment is prudent and can not be questioned. Now suddenly he has gone into fire fighting mode. The government will now go for a new ‘hoodwink plan’ to appoint sycophant civil servants of the so called ‘impeccable integrity’ for such posts. Mr. Achutanandan also has now come out to stoke the decision made by Supreme Court against the government. Where was he when Mr. P.J. Thomas was appointed Chief Secretary of Kerala government? Was there no Palmolein then? Or was there an ulterior motive behind? The new syndrome of “I was not aware about it”with which our PM is suffering is of serious concern for the nation. If our honourable PM is not aware of the issues of the country and its people and moreover his own appointees, he needs introspection of his abilities to lead 1.21 billion people of this country. It is time people take cognizance of government’s astuteness in formulating such ‘Acts’ without any teeth. The present government has lost its credibility and people’s mandate. It brings wryness to common public that our democracy has become “ for the influential, by the influential, of the influential”

India would progress more without North Indian States : Chidambaram

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Our honorable and learned Home Minister's remark that India would prosper more without the north Indian states, is conspicuous of his farsightedness and propensity towards progressivism! How about the freebie culture in his own state in the ongoing state election campaign? Promising free laptops, mixies and such other sundry items to woo the voters. Why not promise free education, free health facilities, crime free society like the one in the state of Bihar. How about his colleague, one of a kind and a luminary! Mr. Raja doing acts of largesse for the society, he also belongs to his state. How about, he discussing internal matters of India with US diplomats? How is he better than those blinkered elements during the British vintage colonialism, engaging in espionage for the imperialists for pecuniary gains and later perishing at the hands of Britishers only? There can never be an alibi for Mr. Chidambaram's jaundiced view. If he believes in utilitarianism, then allow J&K and North-eastern states to secede. A quadriplegic even survives the adversaries of the world so does a fully functional human body. Every part has a role to play, be that heart or any vestigial organ for that matter. Politicians with myopic vision like him are responsible for breeding parochialism in the country. They are no better than the  fissiparous Quaddhafi or Hosni Mubarak or Abdullah Saleh, the only difference is that our politicians are served on a silver platter of a farce democracy.

"If there ever is to be a republic of every village in India, then I claim verity for my picture in which the last is equal to the first or, in other words, no one is to be the first and none the last."

                                                                      -M.K. Gandhi

Euthanasia: where even angels fear to tread

To be or not to be is the question. Whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune or to take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing end them all.

            Euthanasia or mercy killing or assisted dying, sobriquet it to any nomenclature, there can never be a right way to do a wrong. Isn’t birth a suffering? Isn’t old age a suffering? Isn’t disease a suffering? Isn’t sorrow and misery a suffering? Isn’t being afflicted with loathsome things a suffering? Isn’t poverty a suffering? Isn’t corruption a suffering? Isn’t war a suffering? Isn’t loss of that which we love and failure in that which we longed for a suffering? Do all these whirls of suffering tantamount to ending ones life? Mankind today stands at the crossroads of euthanasia.

            Mercy killing has entered a legal and ethical quagmire. While we legalize abortion for population control or award capital punishment or hang Saddam Hussain for betterment of the society at large contrary to it we also condemn foetecide or a pogrom or a rejigged cold blood murder to a case of encounter, for that matter. As man can never be a creator of life similarly man can also never be an usurper to end one. Killing or mercy killing is annihilation of a set paradigm.

            However, there are many arguments in favor of euthanasia. In this context Charles Colton says- “Death is the liberator of him whom freedom can not release, physician of him whom medicine can not cure and comforter of him whom time can not console”. As they proselytize, it is not morally right to leave somebody in pain and consequently their near and dear ones too. Some legal proponents also argue that quality of life is as important as the life itself, which is a Fundamental Right. Nevertheless, these arguments need to be seen with a different lens. Suffering and pain in this world are diverse and varied in extent. If one is guided by such utilitarian way of life, one may end up justifying euthanasia today and ending lives of those who can not make any contribution to the society, tomorrow. In this context it is noteworthy that in The Netherlands where euthanasia and such laws were legalized and became a cult has ended up losing a quarter of its population and adversely affecting the birthrate. Those who contend legalizing euthanasia on the premise of right to dignified life as a fundamental right needs to revisit the provisions of the constitution, where suicide is also considered as a crime. So, how can assisted suicide be legally justified? All these interpretations do not hold water and is as untenable as will-o’-of-the wisp. In this regard one of the recent Supreme Court verdict on the plea of mercy killing of one Aruna Shanbaug needs examination.

            Aruna Shanbaug a nurse in KEM hospital, Mumbai on the fateful night of 27 November 1973 was sodomised and strangulated by a ward boy. Strangulation led to blockage of oxygen supply to her brain which in turn led her to an irrecoverable stage according to the doctors. Since then she has been languishing in the hospital. Her family members took care of her for a few years hoping that she would recover but later abandoned her when there seemed no beacon of recovery. Since then the distaff side of hospital staff has been taking care of her. Recently, a journalist who visited Aruna a couple of times was motivated to write a book on her. She later also filed a petition in court for assisted dying of Aruna. This was opposed tooth and nail by the hospital staff, which has been taking care of Aruna since the incident. March 7, 2011 world celebrated hundred years of International Women’s Day, on this day Supreme Court ruled that as the hospital staff has been taking care of Aruna for the last 37 years, so they are her family member and only they can opine in this regard not someone who has visited her a couple of times in last few months and is writing a book on her.  There is another vital aspect in this case which needs ratiocination: Aruna enjoys food when she likes it and bites when she doesn’t or is full; she also seems to enjoy music and responds by making a unique sound. Those who have been taking care of her understand these signals. So, classifying her to be in ‘Vegetative State’ is also not right.

            Albeit the seminal judgment was in favor of Aruna and the hospital staff but the judgment per se has one major lacuna. The two judge bench of Justice Markandey Katju and Justice Gyan Sudha Mishra held that legalizing euthanasia can lead to opening a can of worms and misuse by certain illicit elements of the society. However, in an earlier judgment, Supreme Court rejected centre’s plea to scrape MPLAD scheme as central government contended that it was being misused by some. Supreme Court also ruled that appropriate arrangements should be made to check such misuse and it is the duty of executive to ensure this. Moreover, is it not true that issue of Reservation has opened a Pandora’s Box and certain sections of society are resorting to unconstitutional means to gain undue advantage of the provision? Isn’t there an alarming issue of pilferage in Public Distribution System? Do these types of misuse deter the legislators or judiciary to make laws for the underprivileged? Is it not the duty of executive to keep foolproof arrangements in place? Ipso facto, isn’t Supreme Court verdict in Aruna’s case ludicrous? Nonetheless, the larger question of legitimizing euthanasia still remains debatable for mankind.

            Any attempt to tinker with the natural process has always boomeranged. Putting two and two together, euthanasia may seem to be utilitarian but is ultra vires ethically. It is rightly said in this regard-

“First our pleasures die then our hopes die then our fears die- and when all these are dead, the debt is due. Dust claims dust and we die too”.

Criminal in Uniform

We are bound by law to be free, not to be subjugated. However in this nation of a billion plus people, where we empower a few to make laws for the country, those few themselves flagrantly violate laws with impunity. Wearing the garb of a public servant, they are busy feathering their own nests. Not to mention the police who are supposed to be the protectors of common public and custodian of law and order of the state become subservient to their political master. It stands to reason, why this unholy nexus between the politicians and police exists in the system: parochial interests, pecuniary gains and such other diabolical activities top their ‘list of duties!’ and not ‘Protecting and Serving’. One of the major reasons why this comlicit hand-in-glove relation between the politicians and police exists is because of the extant laws still prevalent in the system.

The Police Act 1861 remains the central piece of legislation that governs all aspects of policing in India. It is a British legacy which our ‘far sighted’ legislators find hard to cast off. Among other things IPC, CrPC, Indian Evidence Act 1872 etc also help in much of the policing function. The 1861 Police Act came into being immediately after the 1857 mutiny, solely to perpetuate and consolidate British rule and to check such civilian upsurge. However to start with Charles Napier, the then Governor of Punjab was the one who felt the need of a civilian policing system in 1843. Before setting up a police organization in his province he had two models in mind- London Policing System and Irish Constabulary Syestem.

London Policing System was based on the philosophy- Police is public, public is police. Whereas the latter was meant to exercise a coercive control and perpetuate exploitation.Irish Constabulary Policing system dovetailed with the Indian requirements. This system was later emulated in other provinces also but it gained a pan-India face only after the introduction of the umbrella Police Act of 1861.

The structural arrangement within the Irish system includes IG system and Commissionerate system which was introduced later. Commissionerate system was introduced to address a different set of problems existent in urban areas and to delegate a few executive and magisterial functions lying with the civil administration in IG system, vide Sec: 108-110, Sec: 129-148 of CrPC. Dual control was another characteristic of IG system, wherein a police officer works under the overall control of his senior in the police department and his counterpart in civil administration. The organization was  bottom heavy and tapered top in terms of workforce with very less or no power with the lower and intermediate functionary. Functional arrangement included inter alia daily diary system, search, seizure and arrest at discretion, FIR as non-mandatory and such other arrangements. A deliberate design of Thanas with grandeur and distancing of the top brass from the common mass were a few strategies to create fear psychosis among masses. These British legacies by and large were carried on in the police organization post independence. Procrastination on the part of government to let go of all these legacies speaks volume of the intent of the government.

Since the police organization still runs under the overall rubric of the 1861 Police Act, it carries certain characteristic to the disadvantage of the common public. Search, seizure and arrest at discretion, pomp and show, distancing and grandeur, authoritarianism, brutality, feudal attitude etc to list a few. It is noteworthy that according to Crime Record Bureau number of FIRs in Kerala is more than that in Uttar Pradesh. This suggests two facts. One, there is lack of awareness on the part of the common public. Two, unwillingness on the part of officials to register a case in order to show statistical success of their unit. DNA of corruption prevails in majority of the police functionaries. There is hardly any police official who show non-compliance to any ministerial fiat. Even if they dare to do so, they become the bete noire of the politician. Flouting all canons of moral and legal propriety they indulge in shameless sycophancy and shenanigans. There is another breed of pernicious corruption which although is said and done for larger public interest but is violative of law per se and sets a wrong precedent ie. Noble cause corruption. As Naini Palkiwala says- wrong thing in a right way is forbidden, right thing in a wrong way is unsolicited. There are other drawbacks which are existent in the system. The approach of the police is of fail to safe approach rather than safe to fail approach ie. being on the right side of law irrespective of any negative fallout. Police empowerment is another area which needs attention. Bad service conditions, overworked and underpaid lower functionary etc needs immediate attention. Taking a leaf from some of the successful police organizations viz Singapore, The Netherlands, New York Police departments may serve the purpose. Delegating and devolving more power to the lower, intermediate and field officials can also bring about agility and swiftness in operation. Training of the officials is largely pedagogic rather than being andregogic. Appraisal system is subjective and lacks scienticism. Introduction of latest technology in policing is also long due. Compstat, biometrix, GPS tracking, smartgun, visionic facelt system, e-policing etc can be handy tools. Personnel management, which at present works by rudimentry methods can be replaced by management by moving around approach, leading through mission and vision approach etc. There exists a mismatch between the modus operandi of police and the problems of 21^st century. Issues like human trafficking, organised crime, cyber crimes ,illegal drug cartel and such other crime syndicates are thriving because of the lax, unsystematised, infructuosus nature of police operation. The notorious Sandalwood plunderer, Veerappan remained at large for a long time and gave nightmares to different state police because of the lack of co-ordination between states. The Red Corridor from Pashupati to Tirupati, fomented by ultra leftist still stands unaddressed today because of the same reason stated above. Police start rearranging deck chairs only when the problem balloons to the point of explosion. Police reform is imperative to mitigate such gaps existing in the system.

Government in 1977 set up Shah commission to look into the police excesses committed during the 1975 epoch National Emergency. The JP government could not act on the recommendation because of its ouster in 1980. Dharamveera committee was also formed in this period to suggest reforms, but government could’nt act because of the same reason, notwithstanding the fact that it had certain very effective recommendations. In response to a PIL filed, Julio Rubeiro committee was formed. Government remained steadfast in bringing about any change. Amidst mounting pressure government again set up a committee, Padmanabhaiah committee under the then Home secretary. The recommendations of this committee also were put on the backburner. Supreme Court taking cognizance of government’s intent hardened its stand and did not mince word. In response, government pointed out that hitherto there were around 600 recommendations and government was finding hard to formulate a Bill. To gauge into and suggest relevant ideas from these 600 recommendations, government again set up a committee, Kamal Kumar committee. After the recommendations of this committee also government remained indifferent. In 2007 after some more scolding by the Supreme Court government set up a committee, Soli Sorabjee committee. This time Supreme Court asked the government to send its report within six months. This time around too, government stood upto everyone’s expectation by not taking any substantial decision. Finally, the Supreme Court setup a monitoring committee and outlined seven important attributes around which the government should bring out Police Reform as soon as possible. The present status is that government still has not taken any prudent step.

It brings wryness that after so much of spadework done by these committees and commissions they were only red herring. There is no gainsaying the fact that alacrity on the part of government to bring reform is commendable! The vortex of suffering of the common public by the hands of despotic police and capricious politicians will continue and The Police will keep carrying the tag of “Criminal in Uniform”.

India after Gandhi

It is a fitting irony that in the land of Gandhi Ji, crime, violence, poverty, malnourishment, squalor are still not amenable. Our democracy has become a sham, wherein our liberty vanishes in two seconds in the EVMs and after that we consume their politics. It is a mistake to blame the shady politicians who inflict oppression by perversion on weak, stall parliament proceedings, connive with criminals, have an axe to grind by skinking tax payer's money . They indulge in all these turpitude at the behest of what? The common public . Who show excessive tolerance to such travesty. The time is ripe for an audacious lion-buffalo battle at The Kruger.

Bofors, Hawala,Fodder, CWG, 2-G, Adarsh, Raja , Radia, Kalmadi and still many to be unveiled. Mother of all will be the Lokpal Bill which will be only advisory in nature, giving more incentive to the politicians to do their acts of "largesse" ! Is this the India Gandhi Ji envisaged?

The long and short of it is that this shoddy politics has reached a point of catharsis. There seems to be no alternative but change. If we want to re-establish the values, the socio-political, the economic equity Gandhi Ji longed for, it is time we pay them back in their own coin, not the way it is being done in Egypt or Tunisia but by the long established strategies of Bapu: "non-violence and satyagrah".

Unfurling the National Flag at Lal Chowk

BJP's plan to hoist the national flag on Lal Chowk on 26th Jan seemsto be as egregious as it is insensitive. It was BJP who lambasted the UPA for not being able to control the killing of youths in their violent protests against the state govt. Yet, ironically, it is the same BJP which would pose an obvious threat to the already volatile situation in the region.

Notwithstanding the appeal by our PM and the state CM, BJP still has decided to go ahead with their 'drama'. As the second largest party of the nation and which has been in power at the centre , this action of BJP should rather be seen as undermining the Fundamental Duties enshrined in our constitution. It is profoundly distressing to see that peace and development can at best hope to come a distant second against a national party's decision to carry on with such activities.

Under the pretext of freedom to hoist national flag anywhere in thecountry, BJP is apparently inciting the separatist and the fundamentalist elements again, who have been in hibernation lately. Our nation will again see the separatists sponsored stone pelters on road which might later culminate into a bloody strife, if BJP were to go ahead with their thoughtless attempt at gaining political attention. Has the BJP not heard of Doctrine of Pith and Substance or are they just a bunch of ignorants trying to accrue political mileage.

The parallel drawn here will be apt for this situation.When a girl from a village background goes to metro for studies,she gets pigmented with the colours of that society, shedding her conservative ideas, food habits, living style, 'dressing sense' etc. When the same girl returns back to her village sporting her urban self, will that not be enough to attract unsought gestures or comments from the illicit elements of the society. Peace and tranquility will remain a far cry in the region if such irresponsible activities are carried. It will be enough for ingenious readers to decide now whether this big adventure of the nation's second largest party is nationalism or is a misdemeanour.

PULCHRITUDINOUS MANIPAL “THE UNIVERSITY CITY”

Manipal (Kannada: ಮಣಿಪಾಲ, Manipal) is often described as the Havard of India, a university city home to MANIPAL UNIVERSITY(formerly known as MAHE,Mnaipal Acadmey of Higher Education) the destination for World class education since last 6 decades, and the preferred education destination of students from over 52 countries.It is a centre of academic learning, healthcare, industry and finance.Manipal University vaunts of the finest infrastructure and facilities in the area of education and research, facilities like the Innovation centre - incubation centre for industry and research, Skills lab, anatomy museums are considered amongst the best in the world. Lets see what our Ex President Mr. A.P.J. Abdul kalam has to say about Manipal “Manipal is like the Nalanda of yore. I am happy to see engineering, medicine and the other disciplines being taught in the same campus, an ideal environment for research to flourish.”

Manipal University currently has an enrollment of over 15000 students each year and has a strong alumni base of over 120,000 students worldwide. Today, Manipal has the largest concentration of foreign students in India doing professional courses, in effect the student body of Manipal represents 52 countries who live, work and study together. Manipal has more than 70,000 students graduate and has an ever increasing enrolment number of more than 19,000 students. The township of Manipal comprises two universities, 24 professional colleges.Manipal University is a perfect blend of global education, world class infrastructure and dedicated faculty. It is amongst the first institutions in the private sector to be recognized as a Deemed University by the Government of India.

Mnaipal campus is a community perpetually buzzing with activity. It has thriving and friendly environment where you'll make friends, get involved, and have fun. Manipal campus forms a congenial atmosphere where students from 52 countries create lifelong friendships.

Location:

Manipal is situated in the state of Karnataka.It is situated in the rocky hinterland of the Malabar coast of south west India.It is situated 3 Km from the temple city ‘Udupi’ and 60 km north of Mangalore.It is about 8 Km from the Arabian sea, Malpe beach being the nearest is the most sought after place of students in Manipal.Manipal being on the plateau gives a panormic view of the Arabian sea. Ideally situated amidst scenic beauty and rural surroundings, Manipal has all the modern facilities of transport, communication and banking. The surroundings are picturesque, comprising rural farmlands.

How to reach Manipal?

Manipal is well connected by road , rail and air. Udupi and Mangalore being the nearest entry point. Udupi (Indrali railway station) is just a few kilometers away from manipal. Mangalore is 60Km away from manipal which connects rest of the India by train and air. Some other nearest railway station and aerodrome are in goa and(330 km north of manipal, connected by NH 17) Bangalore. There are daily flights from Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Calicut and Goa to Mangalore. Popular Airlines like Indian Airliness, Air Deccann, Jet Airwayss and King Fisher Airlines fly to Mangalore. Mangalore is also internationally connected through flights from Dubai, Kuwait, Muscat, Doha and Abu Dhabi. Mangalore also has daily flights to Dubai. Prepaid taxis are available at the Mangalore airport. The Mangalore airport is connected with Chennai - Mumbai and Bangalore airports. Kolkata and Delhi sectors are connected with Mumbai. Similarly, the Bangalore airport is connected with Delhi, Chennai, Calcutta and Hyderabad sectors.

Where to stay?

Hotel Valley View InternationalManipal, Udupi – 576 119Tel: 0820-571101Fax: 0820-571327Tariff Range: Rs. 1,100/- to Rs. 4,000/-

Hotel Green ParkManipal, Udupi – 576 119Tel: 0820-570561, 570563Fax: 0820-571385Tariff Range: Rs. 250/- to Rs. 650/-

Hotel AshleshaOpposite Manipal Institute Of Technology,Manipal, Udupi – 576 119Tel: 0820-572824Fax: 575594Tariff Range: Rs. 300/- to Rs.700/-

Hotel Lake ViewAlevoor, Manipal,Udupi – 576 119Tel: 0820-570100, 572801Tariff Range: Rs. 175/- to Rs. 600/-

Climate:

The climate is humid and warm between November and May and wet and cool during the monsoon months from June to October. It has a tropical climate characteristic of coastal plains in the West of India. Manipal, being located on an elevated place near the seashore, has fine breeze throughout the day and the temperature ranges from 24 °C to 38 °C for most part of the year. The rainfall amounts to about 260-300 inches/year mainly during the monsoon months from June to October.

History:

The Manipal University is the result of the single minded dedication of the founder Dr TMA Pai, a doctor by profession,banker, educator, industrialist and philanthropist. It was his vision to transform Manipal into the hub of Learning.

The slow yet steady; brick by brick construction of this great Institution can be traced by looking at their milestones:

1953: A medical doctor visualizes a bustling university in manipal. The same year he establishes the first college - Kasturba Medical College, inaugurated by the Health Minister of Madras State.1955: Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore was established 1957: Establishment of the Manipal Institute of Technology. 1959: School of Nursing is established in Manipal 1961: Kasturba General Hospital inaugurated by Shri Sanjeeva Reddy, AICC president.1963:Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal established 1963:Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal established.1963:Dr. A. V Baliga Institute of Surgery is opened by Smt. Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India.1980TA Pai Management Institute opens its doors.1984: Dr TMA Pai Hospital, Udupi.1986:Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration established.1987:Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore was inaugurated.1988:Dr TMA Pai Rotary Hospital, Karkala inaugurated by Shri Babubhai Patel.1990:Manipal witnesses the birth of the Manipal College of Nursing at Manipal.Manipal Hospital and Manipal Heart Foundation, Bangalore.1992: Shirdi Sai Baba Cancer Hospital at Manipal.KMC Hospital, Attavar, Mangalore 1993The Manipal University, Manipal was established in 1993 under Section 3 of the UGC Act 1956, Government of India and was awarded deemed university status Manipal Northside Hospital, Bangalore.1994:International Centre for Applied Sciences and International Centre for Health Sciences, opened at Manipal.Manipal College of Medical Sciences established at Pokhara, NepalManipal Goa Cancer & General Hospital, Goa.1995:Melaka-Manipal Medical College (Melaka Campus) was established.1996:Sikkim-Manipal University of Health Medical and Technological Sciences, Gangtok, Sikkim.1996:Manipal Institute of Communication, Manipal is launchedMelaka-Manipal Medical College (Manipal Campus) was established.Sikkim-Manipal Institute of Technology was conceivedUniversity Medical Centre, MangaloreCentral Referral Hospital, Sikkim.1998Manipal Centre for Information Sciences, Manipal Manipal Teaching Hospital, Nepal.1999:Manipal College of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal.Manipal Institute of Management, Manipal.2000:Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Sikkim.2002:Manipal Education and Medical Group corporate office in Bangalore was set up.2003:KMC Manipal and Mangalore celebrated Golden Jubilee.2004:Manipal University and constituent colleges got ISO certificates .Manipal University institutions adopt PeopleSoft ERP application.Dr TMA Pai convention center inaugurated.2005:KMC International Centre inaugurated.2006:Manipal Life Sciences Centre, Manipal established.2007:Manipal College of Nursing, Mangalore.Manipal College of Nursing, Bangalore.Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore.

college rankings in manipal:

Kasturba Medical College , Manipal Institute of Technology, TAPMI and WGSHA are among top rated colleges in their respective fields. Outlook, India's leading print magazine has ranked colleges on all India basis.

Restaurants :

If you are with your parents some of the restaurants where you can go are: Rangoli (valley view), china valley, pisces (Udupi), shahi darbar (udupi),guzzlers (downtown), foodcourt (university building). Some of the romantic restaurants to hang out with your girlfriend are: café coffee day(downtown), basil café(manadavi palace),tasty byte(near VGT),saiba(TC),hot and spicy(syndicate bank, main office) etc etc. if you are looking for cheap stuff then you must try dollops(TC), manipal canteen(TC), manipal restaurant(TC),hot spot(near reebok showroom). If you are looking for food and loud music then try these Dee Tee , new DT, sky lounge. Some disc and pubs in manipal are sky lounge, edge, purple ace, ozone.

Nearest hangout points:

The most sought after tourist destination is Goa. 330 km north of Manipal. Connected by road (NH17, 9 hr. drive). Goa is also connected by train which takes just 4 hrs.The most sought after destination is filled with manipal students whenever there is 3-4 days vacation.Some of the place which are not to be missed in Goa is baga beach, candolim beach ,anjuna beach, wagator beach, DCH point @ Agwada fort, cruise in panji Best time to visit is Jan. and feb. Kudremukh is a trekker’s paradise.Its a wonderland of lush green forests interspersed with rivers, grassy slopes, captivating cascades, rare orchids, caves, ruins, and traces of old civilizations. amaze you as you trek your way through it. The best time to visit is after the monsoon when everything is lush green and the rivers, streams, and waterfalls are at their best.Chikmangalur is a calm, serene town full of scenic surprises: hills, valleys, streams and the aroma of coffee wafting in the misty air.Blessed with silver cascades of mountain streams, rugged mountain trails and lush vegetation, Chikmagalur is a trekker's delight.