200 still trapped in Oberoi hotel Fighting continues at Nariman

Mumbai continued to be under siege tonight despite a day-long operation by security forces to eliminate terrorists inside luxury Taj and Oberoi hotels. Some 200 persons remain trapped in the Oberoi amid blasts and exchange of gunfire in the aftermath of yesterday’s audacious terror strikes that has cost 127 lives.
Late in the night, there was a major fire in the Oberoi (Trident) hotel where about 200 people have been trapped and terrorists exploded grenades that set the roof ablaze. The other scene of action was at Nariman House, a Jewish residential complex, where some Israelis have been held hostage by some three-four terrorists.
The hand of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba is suspected in the worst terror attacks in the country but the outfit denied any involvement.
While all the hostages in the Taj were evacuated to safety, the situation in Trident worsened with the terrorists involved in a grim battle with security forces.

There were heavy casualties among the staff in both the hotels with the Taj alone accounting for 17 of them. G-o-C Maharashtra R.H. Hooda said they had done a detailed search of the 395-room hotel, but declined to give numbers of terrorists holed up or those trapped. Among the dead were nine foreigners and 14 police personnel, including ATS chief Hemant Karkare and four other senior officers.
Security agencies have sought to blame the LeT, one of whose activists was captured alive in Trident. He is said to be Abu Ismail hailing from Faridkot in Pakistan. The terrorists numbering about 20-25 are believed to have landed on Mumbai shores after a mother vessel dropped them in three inflatable boats. Seven of them have been gunned down.
“Altogether there would be around 200 persons inside the Oberoi complex in Mumbai. We believe that not less than 100 persons are at the Oberoi side and not less than 100 persons inside the Trident side,” vice-chairman of Oberoi Hotels S.S. Mukherjee said.
The plush hotel is currently surrounded by Army and NSG commandos in order to launch an offensive to flush out the holed up terrorists and rescue hostages.
“We have definite information that the casualty of our staff is around five or six,” he said.
Putting last night’s occupancy at the hotel to be around 375-385, Mukherjee said the terrorists “have not gone down the basement and have only gone to the upper floors”. He said generally his other staff were safe and secure and that they were “very concerned about guests, dignitaries, employees and other staff who are trapped inside”.
“We have very little information about what is happening inside...what we can hear is that people are generally inside the room,” he said.
Meanwhile, according to National Security Guard (NSG) officials, the Taj Hotel is almost cleared of terrorists. The commandos are still conducting mopping-up operations.
The battle between the terrorists and the commandos has resulted in the death of three commandos. It is not clear how many of them have been injured. According to the NSG, many of the hostages came out with bloodstains and signs of injury.
In all there have been more than 25 explosions at the Taj hotel, according to television channels. So far it is not clear what set off the explosions though the terrorists were all armed with grenades.
Fire Department officials were valiantly trying to put out flames from outside, using step ladders. However, with the interiors barred to them, the fire was spreading through the carpeted corridors and air-conditioning vents of the establishments.
Sounds of firing coming from both hotels indicate that pitched battles were being fought on the premises. A senior official of the Indian Navy said the commandos were conducting room-to-room searches at the Oberoi to flush out the terrorists.
Speaking to reporters in the city today, Ratan Tata, who heads the Taj Hotels, said the group would spare no expense to restore the iconic hotel, which was set up by the group’s founder Jamshedji Tata more than a century ago.
Tata mourned the deaths of several Taj employees in the terror attack.
The state police chief said today the toll in the attacks rose to 127 even as investigators from Central security agencies and the Maharashtra Police are still trying to figure out the number of terrorists who carried out the attacks in Mumbai late Wednesday night and early this morning.
“We have so far accounted for 10 terrorists, including those dead, injured and arrested. We suspect that at least 25 terrorists may have entered the city by sea to carry the terror operations,” Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister and home minister R.R. Patil said this afternoon.
Police officials say several terrorists are still holed up in Oberoi Trident and the Nariman House, all located in Colaba and Nariman Point areas of downtown Mumbai.
DGP Anami N. Roy said today that the number of dead in the terror attacks across the city rose to 127. The number of injured has been pegged at 327. However, the figures are expected to rise as several dead and injured persons have been taken out of Taj and Oberoi hotels. Commandos of the National Security Guard (NSG), the Army and the Navy are conducting joint operations.
So far an Australian, a Japanese and a British national, apart from some Americans, have been accounted for among the dead. A number of employees of the Taj and Oberoi hotels, including reception staff, bellboys and chefs, are among the casualties.
With the authorities not willing to take a chance in case some of the terrorists are hiding in the city to carry out further attacks, all cinemas, shopping malls and public entertainment across the city and suburbs have been ordered closed till further notice.
Across the city, planned trade shows, exhibitions and public activities have been ordered halted by the government even as cautious residents stayed indoors.
The police said three commando teams had stormed the Taj hotel while two had entered the Oberoi hotel. Another two NSG commando teams were set to storm the Nariman House, where an Israeli belonging to a Jewish sect and his wife have been taken hostage. Their two-year-old child and and Indian maid, who looked after them, were released by the terrorists. Some Israelis are also said to be on the premises.
Eyewitnesses said the terrorists stormed the Nariman House after taking a police van at gunpoint and forcing the policemen to drive into the place.

Gorakhgad & Machchindragad

Gorakhgad is a fort that can be done easily in a day, both from Mumbai and Pune. Though not famous for any historical events, Gorakhgad attracts trekkers due to its inviting pinnacles, which offer good opportunities for rock-climbing. This region of Gorakhgad and Machchindragad has a dense forest cover.



Fort Gorakhgad is quite small in size. It was had strategic importance during the reign of Shahaji Raje. However, no major battle is recorded to have taken place here. It was used in Shivaji’s era to patrol the nearby region and was used as a stopover station during the journey to Junnar via Naneghat. Though small in size, there is enough availability water and a lot of space for accommodation. The fort gets its name from Saint Gorakhnath, who performed his "Sadhana" in this place.



Fascinating Spots :
Two cisterns can be seen just after emerging through the entrance and the path climbs up further ahead. Further, a small step-way descends down to the large caves that are carved out in the main rock of the pinnacle. Nature’s grandeur can be appreciated here with the magnificent view of two large frangipani trees leaning over the valley and the excellent sight of Machchindragad. There are in total fourteen cisterns on the fort, however, only the three tanks near to the cave have potable water.

The trek to Gorakhgad is not complete without reaching the top of the pinnacle. Facing the cave, proceed ahead towards your right. Just after a short walk some steps can be seen on your left, which lead to the top. The climb along this stepped way in the rock needs to be carried out with utmost care.



The top of the fort is very small. There is a small Mahadeo temple with Nandi. A wide region ranging from Siddhagad and Machchindragad up to Ahupe Ghat and Jeevdhan in the Naneghat area towards north can be seen from the fort-top.



Ways To Reach :
To reach Gorakhgad, travel to Murbad via Kalyan and Karjat respectively. Reach village Dhasai from Mhase junction. From here, private jeeps as well as S.T. buses are available to reach the village of Dehri. Right from Dehri village can be seen two prominent pinnacles. The smaller one is Machchindragad and bigger one is Gorakhgad. It is possible to camp in the Vitthal temple in Dehri. Just behind this temple is a walkway that takes us to the fort entrance, which is carved-out in the rock. This way one can reach the fort in about two hours.

Chanderi Fort - Matheran Range

On the way from Kalyan to Karjat on the Bombay-Pune rail-route, lies a mountain range. Seen towering high over the rest of the range is a plateau, which is Chanderi. Lying between Badlapur and Vangani railway stations on the Badlapur to Karjat road is a village called Goregaon. From here starts the path that leads us to Chanderi. Chanderi is one amongst illustrious forts like Karnala, Prabalgad, Irshalgad, Manikgad, Peb, Matheran lying in the mountain ranges of Nakhind, Chanderi, Mhasmaal



History :
Although worth mentioning as the jewel in the crown of forts in the district of Raigad, there is no significant history attached to this fort. Near the caves on the fort are visible some remnants of fortification. This is the only sign to designate Chanderi as a fort.

In May 1656, Shivaji Maharaj conquered all territory up to Kalyan-Bhiwandi-Rairi. This was when this fort came under the rule of the Marathas. Lack of development, low water storage areas, absence of significant constructions, limited facilities for people to stay and extremely difficult approach road seem to suggest that rather than a fort, this was possibly a military base.

Fascinating Spots :
A desecrated idol of lord Shiva can be seen inside the cave. Very near to the cave is a reservoir of potable water. However, water is available only till the month of October. The cave can comfortably accommodate 8 to 10 people at a time. Another reservoir of water is situated at the base of the pinnacle near the cave.

The area on the top of the fort is not too much to wander. Due to landslide, reaching the top of the pinnacle has become extremely difficult. To the east of the fort, one can see Matheran, Peb, Prabalgad range, etc. while to the west, can be seen forts like Bhimashankar, Siddhagad, Gorakhgad, Peth, etc.



The area at the foothills of Chanderi is very alluringly enchanting in the monsoons. Many tourists travel here to enjoy the waterfalls.

Notes :
Rock climbing is necessary to reach the top of the fort.
It takes about 1½ hrs from the village of Chincholi.

Naneghat (नाणेघाट)

Naneghat (नाणेघाट) is a mountain pass in the Western Ghats range near Junnar in Pune district of Maharashtra, India.

Nane Ghat Pass (2724 ft) - this sheer cliff is a well know landmark, very clearly visible from Konkan region as you pass on your way from Kalyan towards Malshej. The walls of this pass jut out from the main range and hence command a magnificent view of the great bend in the Sahyadri.

This is a pass, which once in history, enjoyed prime importance. The inscriptions, the steps, the rock-cut rest houses, and the cisterns all point out the historic fact that this route was frequently used as far back as the 1st century B.C. The Nane Ghat area and the caves are now very popular due to an easy access from Malshej ghat road.

During the reign of the Satavahana (200 BCE–190 CE), the pass was extensively used as a trade route between Kalyan and Junnar. Literally, the name nane means "coin" and ghat means "pass".

The name is given because this path was used as a tollbooth to collect toll from traders crossing the hills.

History
The inscriptions in the caves indicate that they are the work of Satavahana rulers who came into prominence after the fall of the Mauryan empire.

It is believed that a powerful woman ruler Naganika, the wife of Satakarni (180–170 BCE) of the Satavahana family commissioned the cave, the statues and the inscriptions.

Inscriptions in the cave mention her and her family members. Though the statues adorning the sides of the rectangular cave are now gone, the inscriptions still record some of the achievements of the dynasty.

The Naneghat records have proved very important in establishing the history of the region. Vedic Gods like Yama (Hinduism) Indra, Chandra and Surya are mentioned here.

The mention of Samkarsana and Vasudeva indicate the prevalence of Bhagavata form of Hinduism in the Satavahana dynasty.

Top Ten Financial Tips

Keys to Financial Success

Although making resolutions to improve your financial situation is a good thing to do at any time of year, many people find it easier at the beginning of a new year. Regardless of when you begin, the basics remain the same. Here are my top ten keys to getting ahead financially.

1. Get Paid What You're Worth and Spend Less Than You Earn
It sounds simplistic, but many people struggle with this first basic rule. Make sure you know what your job is worth in the marketplace, by conducting an evaluation of your skills, productivity, job tasks, contribution to the company, and the going rate, both inside and outside the company, for what you do. Being underpaid even a thousand dollars a year can have a significant cumulative effect over the course of your working life.

No matter how much or how little you're paid, you'll never get ahead if you spend more than you earn. Often it's easier to spend less than it is to earn more, and a little cost-cutting effort in a number of areas can result in big savings. It doesn't always have to involve making big sacrifices.

2. Stick to a Budget
One of my favorite subjects: budgeting. It's not a four-letter word. How can you know where your money is going if you don't budget? How can you set spending and saving goals if you don't know where your money is going? You need a budget whether you make thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.

3. Pay Off Credit Card Debt
Credit card debt is the number one obstacle to getting ahead financially. Those little pieces of plastic are so easy to use, and it's so easy to forget that it's real money we're dealing with when we whip them out to pay for a purchase, large or small. Despite our good resolves to pay the balance off quickly, the reality is that we often don't, and end up paying far more for things than we would have paid if we had used cash.

4. Contribute to a Retirement Plan
If your employer has a 401(k) plan and you don't contribute to it, you're walking away from one of the best deals out there. Ask your employer if they have a 401(k) plan (or similar plan), and sign up today. If you're already contributing, try to increase your contribution. If your employer doesn't offer a retirement plan, consider an IRA.

5. Have a Savings Plan
You've heard it before: Pay yourself first! If you wait until you've met all your other financial obligations before seeing what's left over for saving, chances are you'll never have a healthy savings account or investments. Resolve to set aside a minimum of 5% to 10% of your salary for savings BEFORE you start paying your bills. Better yet, have money automatically deducted from your paycheck and deposited into a separate account.

6. Invest!
If you're contributing to a retirement plan and a savings account and you can still manage to put some money into other investments, all the better.

7. Maximize Your Employment Benefits
Employment benefits like a 401(k) plan, flexible spending accounts, medical and dental insurance, etc., are worth big bucks. Make sure you're maximizing yours and taking advantage of the ones that can save you money by reducing taxes or out-of-pocket expenses.

8. Review Your Insurance Coverages
Too many people are talked into paying too much for life and disability insurance, whether it's by adding these coverages to car loans, buying whole-life insurance policies when term-life makes more sense, or buying life insurance when you have no dependents. On the other hand, it's important that you have enough insurance to protect your dependents and your income in the case of death or disability.

9. Update Your Will
70% of Americans don't have a will. If you have dependents, no matter how little or how much you own, you need a will. If your situation isn't too complicated you can even do your own with software like WillMaker from Nolo Press. Protect your loved ones. Write a will.

10. Keep Good Records
If you don't keep good records, you're probably not claiming all your allowable income tax deductions and credits. Set up a system now and use it all year. It's much easier than scrambling to find everything at tax time, only to miss items that might have saved you money.

AHUPE GHAT

Ahupe Ghat is a pass connecting Khopiwali in the Konkan region and Ahupe village in the ghats.




This is a gentle pass which connect the DEHRI-KHOPIVLI in the Konkan to AHUPE village on the Ghats. It is a lovely climb through thick forest. It has a good connecting track to DAMDAMIA, BHIMASHANKAR in the south and DURGA-KILLA, DHAKOBA in the north.



Trekking through this ghat is not laborious. The trek passes through thick forest and is ideal for one day hike especially in the monsoons, with picturesque views from the top. The edges of this ghat drop vertically to the Konkan and there are many narrow gorges, with breathtaking drops.



In the monsoons, it hosts waterfalls all around and gushing streams in the gorges. This ghat has good track to Damdamia, Bhimashankar in the south and Durga-Killa, Dhaokoba in the north. There is a direct passage from Dehri to Gorakhgad through the Ahupe Ghat.



The base village for this year-round tourist destination is Ahupe in Pune District in Maharashtra.

Kalsubai ( Marathi: कळसुबाई )

Kalsubai ( Marathi: कळसुबाई ) is the highest peak of the Sahyadris in Maharashtra.



To reach the summit there are various trekking routes and animal tracks. The main route starts from the village of Bari which is about six km from Bhandardara.

To reach Bari, one has to travel to Igatpuri on the Mumbai Nasik route. From Igatpuri take the early morning bus (at around 5.30 am from the Igatpuri Bus Stand) going towards Pune and alight at Bari.



It usually takes three hours to reach the top from Bari. Soon after leaving Bari, a small stream is crossed followed soon after by a Hanuman temple. The route from behind this temple takes the hiker straight to the summit. There are three iron ladders along this route.



There is a well near the last iron ladder as one approaches the top but the water is not potable during the summer.

The rest of the route is without water, so it is best to fill water bottles in Bari. It is an easy hike, but parts of it are quite steep in places.

At the summit is a small temple of Kalsubai, which can seat just three people. The vastly spread out backwaters of Bhandardara attracts ones attention from the top. To the north of the mountain range forts such as Ramsej, Harihar, Brahmagiri, Anjaneri, Ghargad, Bahula, Tringalwadi, Kavnai can be seen. To the east one can spot Aundha, Vishramgad,Bitangad, to the west Alang, Madan, Kulang, Ratangad (south west) and to the south Pabhargad, Ghanchakkar, Harishchandragad can be seen.