T4: Knots & Ties

Ultimately, it is about the connections. I am a sucker for smiles and love and handshakes and hugs. Stick around for some potential sap.

Ramesh

He was in-charge of the tiger-tracking device (let's keep things at a technical minimum..!!). Always smiling and cheerful, with an ability to tell stories in his sing-song manner of speaking. Everything he said, he conveyed musically.

Khagesh

Smart and very well-informed. Whether it be people or the animals of the reserve, he takes a keen interest in keeping himself up-to-date. He asked most of the questions about life in the U.S., the cost of living, the cost of a kilo of wheat...

He is touted as the best driver in the reserve. He was our tiger tracking man with the highest record of tiger sightings in the reserve. And boy, is he proud of it! Loves his work and goes into the jungle everyday, eyes shining with the same child-like unquenched enthusiasm to see his friends, the tigers.

Jairam

One of the few villagers who is literate in English. Very capable and has a very sharp eye. Hard worker and a proud father of two little children. The kindest eyes I've seen in a while. Soft smile and meek voice. An honest, simple man caught in a family feud involving buffaloes.

Mukesh

Smiling and generally silent. Young man in his early twenties, I would imagine. He was our cook and the one that wished me a good morning everyday with the same intonation in his voice. It was hilarious and touching :) He has an infectious laughter. Lost in his own dreamworld. Recently separated from his sweetheart but was brave enough to attend her wedding.

Kaalu Ram

The residential dog. My little furry friend who loved to wag his tail and be petted. He is camera conscious; hates being photographed but withstood my constant clicking to get a good picture of him.

Subhadeep

Fiesty, friendly, funny and flirtatious. Very passionate about the work he does and cannot stand it if others are not the same way. He doesn't like arguments unless he wins or has the last word. Enjoys music and food. Loves to trek through tortuous mountainous paths and walk with the tigers (the latter's not on his request!). He taught me a lot about the vegetation in Sariska on my first day there, and I learned an important lesson from him which is: in order to enjoy a forest you must learn and understand as much as you can about it.

Krishnendu

My two-week internship was blessed with good company from a wonderful new friend who has a lot of experience in the field of wildlife research. Smart, charming, witty and brutally honest. Loves his speakers as much as he loves the music that comes out of them. Learning to play the guitar and on his way to quitting smoking. Great storyteller. Cares about the work, the people from surrounding villages and strangers that come to learn for a short time with equal and disarming compassion and alacrity.

You will all be missed for all the laughs and company you provided me in that short time. You made it all quite worthwhile.. :)