By Kalpit Jain,
Chief Executive Officer, netCORE
There’s nothing quite as soothing to the frayed nerves as being deep in a forest, away from the madness of city life. It provides an inexplicable sense of serenity. Every facet of nature, right from its seasons to its myriad and ever-changing landscapes, creates a soothing environment. But the truth is that, not many of us are fortunate enough to experience this while living in a crowded metro like Mumbai. Though the city boasts of some beautiful parks, visiting these places is not quite the same as being in the woods, away from it all.
I was mulling over a perfect destination to holiday with my wife and son. Having visited a number of wildlife parks across the country such as the Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala, the Satpura National Park in Madhya Pradesh and Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai, I was keen to explore the Gir National Park, a place I had in mind for a weekend getaway.
While browsing through the Internet, I came across some breathtaking pictures of Gir National Park and was instantly spellbound by what it had to offer. My love for the outdoors and quest to connect with nature led me to explore this serene yet wonderful haven. Known for its history, flora and fauna, the national park is considered to be the only abode of the Asiatic lion. It was the perfect opportunity to watch these majestic Asiatic lions, along with other rare animals and birds such as the Gir foxes, pygmy woodpecker, rare Asiatic wild ass, brown fish owl, hyenas and black buck.
It was an exhilarating experience to watch the lions while they were on their prowl from the open-roof jeep during our Gir safari. Through the tour, we were lucky to spot many rare animals including the Indian pangolin, an endangered species, and encountered virgin valleys, wide plateaus and peaceful hilltops. There’s no substitute for experiencing the untamed landscape firsthand. The views are indeed stunning and in their midst, we feel renewed and complete.
Nature is where both wildlife and tranquility co-exist in harmony. It is a powerful anti-depressant as it helps to reduce stress. It is really fascinating how nature resembles an organization. Just as nature is a collective concept, a successful organization is the result of a team effort. During my trip, I observed that even the smallest of animals can make an ever-lasting impact in the forest. Similarly, every employee, irrespective of his or her designation, contributes to an organization’s growth and success.
Another key lesson from Mother Nature is the ability to adapt to the ever-changing environment. It is important that we too are always ready to accept change and adapt to the changing scenarios in our personal as well as professional lives. Nature can be a source of great motivation. When plants are cut or eaten by animals, they grow back, often bigger and stronger than they were before. I feel that this applies to us human beings as well. When we face adversities, we should bounce back stronger, with more vigour. Failure should be used as opportunity to learn and rise higher.
It is essential for everyone who leads a fast-paced city life to pack their bags and head out for that well-deserved break to remain invigorated, more productive and get a refreshing approach towards life.
Feedback: kalpit@netcore.co.in
