Ondu Kadale(kaala) kathe - A Bengal Gram's Story

ನನ್ನ ಬೆಳೆಸಿದರು, ಕಿತ್ತರು, ಸುಲಿದು ಹೊರ ತೆಗೆದು ಒಣಗಿಸಿದರು. ನಂತರ ಒಂದು ದಿನ ಒಬ್ಬ ಗೆಳೆಯ ಬಳಿಬಂದು ಹಸಿವು ಎಂದ. ಒಳಗೆ ಕರೆದು ಅವನಿಗೆ ನನ್ನೊಳಿದ್ದ ಅವನಿಷ್ಟದ ಕಡಲೆ ಉಣಬಡಿಸಿದೆ. ಅವ ಬಿಟ್ಟ ಸಣ್ಣ ತೂತಿನಿಂದ ಹೊರಜಗವ ಕಂಡೆ. 

ಅಂದು ಆ ಎರಡು ಬೆರಳು ನನ್ನನೆತ್ತಿ ಉಳಿದ ನನ್ನ ಬಳಗದಿಂದ ದೂರ ತಂದು ಇಟ್ಟದ್ದೂ, ಕಂಡೆ. 

ಎರಡು ದಿನ ಮತ್ತೆ ಬಿಸಿಲಲಿ ಕಳೆದೆ, ಹಾರುವ ನನ್ನ ಗೆಳೆಯರ ಕರೆದೆ, ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳಿ ನನ್ನನ್ನು ಆಹಾರವಾಗಿ ಎಂದು. ಬರಲಿಲ್ಲ ಒಂದೂ ನನ್ನ ಬಳಿ. 

ಮಾರನೇ ದಿನ ಒಂದು ಆತ್ಮೀಯ ಅಮ್ಮನ ಆಲಿಂಗನ ದೊರಕಿದಾಗ ಅತ್ತೆ. ನನ್ನ ಕಥೆಯ ಅಮ್ಮನ ಬಳಿ ಹೇಳಿದೆ. ಅಮ್ಮ ಸಂತೈಸಿದಳು. ನನ್ನ ವ್ಯಥೆಯ ಕಥೆ ಕೇಳಿದಳು. ನೀನು ಇನ್ನೂ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುವೆ ಮಗು. ಅಳದಿರು. ಎಂದಳು.

ಇಂದು ನಾನು ಒಂದು ಕಡಲೆ ಗಿಡ, ನನ್ನ ಗಿಡದಿಂದ ಹುಟ್ಟಿ ತಮ್ಮ ಸಾರ್ಥಕಥೆಯ ಕಂಡ ನನ್ನ ಎಳೆ ಕಡಲೆಗಳ ಸಂತಸ, ಅಮ್ಮನ ಮಡಿಲು, ಮೂಡಿದ ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಚೆಂದ ಹೂ.. 

ನನ್ನ ಸಾರ್ಥಕತೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿ.    

I was grown, plucked, peeled and dried. A friend came near me and told he was hungry. Invited him over and let him in and served him what he liked, 'gram'. The hole he had left while entering, made me peek at the world outside. 

I also saw those two fingers which picked me up and separated me from my brethren and kept far aside. 

Spent two days again in the Sun, calling out to my flying friends to have me as their food. None came near.

Next day, felt the warmth of a mother's hug, cried, told her all my agony filled story. She comforted me, listened through my story and uttered; "You are made for greater things my son, do not cry"

Today, I am a gram plant, I am already a mother who saw her young green grams attaining their fulfilment in all their happiness, lying in the embrace of my mother, admiring another young flower that bloomed.

My fulfilment lies here.  

 

"Am uninvited, Why should I be presentable" - Perfect emotion before the

She had very patiently waited for over 40 minutes for me to come out of the "toilet", sitting in the lobby of The Woodrose. As soon as I came back wiping my hands in a handkerchief, I announced I had met a friend at a function in one of the halls here. Speaking to him, I didn't realise the time. Obviously, she became super furious. Fury went further up when I told her he and his family has invited us (you) to just pay a visit to the function. I requested her to take off Sihi's jacket (she wears these days for saving herself from the cold) to look more presentable. "Am uninvited, Why should I be presentable" came back a razor sharp response. Lift to first floor got delayed. I told, stairs are this way, would you be OK? She came behind as furious as the furiest (bhavanaaon ko samjho) most, staring at an empty room with a big door. For a moment, she was confused. That helped.

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For weeks before her birthday Sihi and I had been asking her where does she want to take the families out for lunch or dinner. She finally agreed to go to ಜೋಳದ ರೊಟ್ಟಿ ಊಟ - Jolada Rotti Ooota at Kamat Bugle Rock. I booked a table for dinner, which she got me to change to lunch at 1. 

Our plan was to take her to The Woodrose somehow. It started with an idea of buying a dress she could wear for ಜೋಳದ ರೊಟ್ಟಿ ಊಟ. I was thinking she has a clue/is aware/has a hint of our plan. Casually, we got ready and the place we had to shop (for the dress) was a little further from the venue. When we were near our venue, I started complaining of a bad tummy needing a toilet visit urgently. I parked the bike in the basement, got her to wait in the lobby and hurriedly headed towards the toilet (for her) venue (for self). There I understand that her father was taken out to buy a decent footwear. Without him, we couldn't achieve what we had planned. So we had to wait, plan, re-plan, make calls and what not to get him to be at the venue. This took 40 minutes!

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As soon as she entered, there were people on both sides wishing her on her birthday and showering flower petals. Her father, mother, brother and his two daughters who had travelled without a hint to Sandhya the previous night. Her aunt, uncle and their families. My parents (she knew they had come) and two of her schoolmates to this Suvarna (50) Sandhya SURPRISE Party.

She immediately burst out into tears (happy ones of course), within no time all eyes in the entire room were wet. Including men's (yes we do cry).

My daughter Sihi was the one who felt relieved of holding onto THE SURPRISE for over 6 months. This relief came out in tears for the longest (in the venue).

Our surprise included arranging Sandhya to dress-up for the party. To be dressed-up by the best (her younger sister). She got draped in her gift, a Silk Seere (Saree) Painted with Madhubani Art from Madhubani in Bihar.

The party and the long preparation by the super enthusiastic young buddies in the next blogs...

Ciao!

Pramod

ಓಂತಾರಾ ಕಲಾ ಕುಟೀರದ ಅವಿಸ್ಮರಣೀಯ (Unforgettable) ಅನುಭವ

ಅಮ್ಮನ ಆ ಬೆಳಗಿನ ಪರಿಶ್ರಮದ ಫಲ ತಿಂಡಿಯು ಎಷ್ಟೊಂದು ರುಚಿ ಇತ್ತು, ನಾನೇಕೆ ಹೇಳದೇ ಬಂದೆ.....   

ಆ ಅಡುಗೆ ಭಟ್ಟನಿಗೆ ಅವನ ಅದ್ಭುತ ಅಡುಗೆಯನ್ನು ಶ್ಲಾಘಿಸುತ್ತಾ ಒಂದು ಮಾತು ಹೇಳಬೇಕಿತ್ತು.....  

ಆ ಕಲಾವಿದನ ಪ್ರಶಂಸೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಇದೂ ಹೇಳಬಹುದಿತ್ತು..... 

ಆ ನಟನ ಅಭಿನಯಕ್ಕೆ ನಿಂತು ಚಪ್ಪಾಳೆ ಹೊಡೆಯಬೇಕಿತ್ತು.....  

ಆ ಕಲೆಯ ಬೆಲೆಯನ್ನು ಅಳೆಯಲಾರದ ನಾನು ಚೌಕಾಸಿ ಮಾಡಬಾರದಿತ್ತು..... 

ಇಂತಹ ಎಷ್ಟು ಕ್ಷಣಗಳು ನಮ್ಮೆಲ್ಲರ ಬಾಳಿನಲ್ಲಿ ದಿನನಿತ್ಯವೆಂಬಂತೆ ನಡೆದು ಹೋಗಿರುತ್ತದೆ. ಅಂತಹ ಒಂದು ಅನುಭವ ಸರಣಿಯ ಶುರು ಕಳೆದ ತಿಂಗಳ ಒಂದು ಗುರುವಾರ ರಾತ್ರಿ ಓಂತಾರಾ ಕಲಾ ಕುಟೀರದಲ್ಲಿ ಆರಂಭವಾಯಿತು.. 

ಕೋಟೆಯ ಅರಮನೆಯ ಬಾಗಿಲ ಹೋಲುವ ಮಹಾ(literally) ದ್ವಾರ ಅದರ ಸುತ್ತ ಹಂದರದಂತೆ  ಹಬ್ಬಿರುವ ಅಗಾಧ ಕಲಾ ಸೋಬಗಿನ ಮೊಗಸಾಲೆ (portico).. "ತಡೆಯಿರಿ" ಎಂದು ನಮ್ಮ ಒಳ ಹೋಗದಂತೆ ತಡೆದ ಆತ್ಮೀಯ ಶ್ರೀನಿವಾಸರ ಕೈಗಳು.. ಇವು ನಮ್ಮ ಅವಿಸ್ಮರಣೀಯ ಅನುಭವದ ಮೊದಲ ಕೆಲ ನಿಮಿಷಗಳು....

ಆ ಬಾಗಿಲ ಚಿಲಕ ಹಿಂದೆಂದೂ ಕಂಡಿರದ ಗಾತ್ರದ್ದು, ತೆರೆದಾಗ ಕಂಡದ್ದು ಆರತಿ ಹಿಡಿದು ನಿಂತ ತಾಯಿ.. ಆರತಿ ಬೆಳಗಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವಾಗ ಕಂಡ ಆ ಕಲೆಯ ದೃಶ್ಯ ನಮ್ಮನ್ನೆಲ್ಲ ಮಂತ್ರ ಮುಗ್ಧರನ್ನಾಗಿಸಿತು.. ಬೇಲೂರು ಹಳೇಬೀಡು ಹಂಪಿಯ ದೇವಾಲಯಗಳು, ಮೈಸೂರಿನ ಅರಮನೆ ಕಲಾ ಸಂಗ್ರಹಗಳ ನೆನಪಿಸಬಲ್ಲ ಅದ್ಭುತ ಕಲೆಗಳ ಸರಣಿ ಆ ಹಾಲ್(hall)ನಲ್ಲಿತ್ತು     . ನಮ್ಮ suite ಕಡೆ ಕೈಸನ್ನೆ ಮಾಡಿದಾಗ ಅರಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿನ ರಾಜ ರಾಣಿಯರ ಕೋಣೆಯಂತಿದ್ದ ಆ ಅತಿ ವಿಶಾಲ ಕೋಣೆಯಲ್ಲ, ಸಣ್ಣ ಮನೆ.. ಅಲ್ಲಿನ ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಂದು ಸಾಮಾನು ಸರಂಜಾಮುಗಳೂ ನಾವು ರಾಜ ರಾಣಿಯರೆಂಬ ಭಾವನೆಗೆ ಪುಷ್ಟಿ ಕೊಡುವಂತಿದ್ದವು.. 

ಶುಚಿಯಾದ ಊಟದ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಮಾಡಿದ ಭಟ್ಟರು ಪಶ್ಚಿಮ ಬಂಗಾಲದವರು ಆದರೆ ಬಡಿಸಿದ್ದು ಅಚ್ಚ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಪದಾರ್ಥಗಳು. ಊಟದ ನಂತರ ಹರಟಲು ಕೂರಲಿರುವ ಆ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಪ್ರಾಂಗಣ, ಅಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಶಿಲ್ಪಕಲೆ ಮತ್ತು ಶಿಲ್ಪಗಳ ಕೆಳಗೆ ಕೈಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆತ್ತಿದ ಶ್ಲೋಕಗಳು. ಒಟ್ಟಾರೆ ನಿಮ್ಮ ದಿವ್ಯಾನುಭವವನ್ನು ಪ್ರತಿ ಹೆಜ್ಜೆಯಲ್ಲೂ ಒಂದು ಹೆಜ್ಜೆ ಮೇಲೊಯ್ಯಲು ಆ ಓಂತಾರಾದ ಜನಕನ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ. 

ರಾತ್ರಿ ಮಲಗುವ ಮುನ್ನ ಕೆಲವು ಮಹಡಿಗಳ ಸಂದರ್ಶನ ಮಾಡಿಸಿ ಶ್ರೀನಿವಾಸರು ನಮ್ಮ ಅರಮನೆಯ ಸುಪ್ಪತ್ತಿಗೆಯ ಕನಸಿನ ಲೋಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಬರಲಿರುವ ಪಾತ್ರಗಳ ಪರಿಚಯವನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿಸಿದಂತಿತ್ತು. ಅತಿ ವಿಶಿಷ್ಟ ಯೋಗಗೃಹ, ಪುಟಾಣಿ ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಸಂತಸಿಸಲು ಅವರದೇ ಸಣ್ಣ ಲೋಕ, ಚಿಕ್ಕ ದೊಡ್ಡವರೆನ್ನದೇ ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ನಮ್ಮ ಪೂರ್ವಜರ indoor ಆಟಗಳ ಪರಿಚಯ ಮಾಡಿಸುವ ಆಟದ ಮನೆ, ಈ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳಲ್ಲೂ ಮತ್ತೆ ಶ್ರೀ ಆನಂತರಾಮರ ಕಲಾಪ್ರಿಯತನದ ತಪ್ಪಿಸಲಾಸಾಧ್ಯವಾದ ಸ್ಪಷ್ಠ ಛಾಪು.

ಮರುದಿನ ಮುಂಜಾನೆ:

ಬೆಳಗಿನ ನನ್ನ ನಡುಗೆಗೆ ಒಂದಿನಿತೂ ಬೆಚ್ಚದೆ ಬೆದರದೆ ಹಿಂದೆ ಹಿಂದೆಯೇ ಬಂದ ಅಲ್ಲಿನ ಸಾಕು ನವಿಲು ಶುಭ ಶುಭೋದಯದ ಸೂಚನೆಯಿತ್ತಿತು. ನಡೆವಾಗ ಅಲ್ಲಲ್ಲಿ ಕೃಷಿಯ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಗಳ ಕುರುಹುಗಳು, ಸುಂದರವಾಗಿ ಮೈದೂಡುತ್ತಿರುವ ಹೂ ತೋಟ, ಚಕ್ರಾಕಾರದ ಬರಿದಾದ ಈಜುಕೊಳ. ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲಸಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದ ಕಾರ್ಮಿಕರಿಗೆ ಬೆಳಗಿನ ಶ್ಲೋಕಗಳ ಪಾಠ 'ಕರಾಗ್ರೇ ವಸತೇ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ..' ಇಂದ ಶಾಂತಿ ಮಂತ್ರದವರೆಗೆ ಸುಮಾರು ಹದಿನೈದು ಶ್ಲೋಕಗಳು.

ತಿಂಡಿಯ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಮೇಲ್ ಮಹಡಿಯ ಹೊರಗಿನ ಪ್ರಾಂಗಣದಲ್ಲಿ. ಚಹಾ ಸವಿಯುತ್ತಾ ಚುಮು ಚುಮು ಚಳಿಯ ಓಡಿಸಲು ಶುಭ್ರ ಸೂರ್ಯರಶ್ಮಿಗೆ ಮೈ ಒಡ್ಡಿ ನಿಂತಾಗ ಕೆಳಗಿನಿಂದ ಬೆಳಗಿನ ನನ್ನ ನಡುಗೆಯ ಸಾಥಿ ನವಿಲಿನ ಕರೆ

ಶ್ರೀನಿವಾಸರು ತಮ್ಮ ತಿಂಡಿ ಮುಗಿಸಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಆ ದಿನದ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಕ್ಕೆ ಮುಂದಡಿಯಿಟ್ಟಾಗ ನಮ್ಮೆದುರು ತೆರೆದು ನಿಂತಿದ್ದು ಅಮರ ಅನಂತರಾಮರ ಭಗೀರಥ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನದ ಸಣ್ಣ ೨ ಘಂಟೆಗಳ ಟ್ರೈಲರ್/trailer. ಅರ್ಧ ವ್ರತ್ತಾಕಾರದ ಪ್ರತಿ ಮೆಟ್ಟಲುಗಳ ಇಳಿಯುವಾಗಲೂ ಪಕ್ಕದ ಗೋಡೆಯ ಮೇಲಿನ ಕಲೆಗಾರನ ಕಲೆ, ಅದರಲ್ಲಿ ಪುರಾಣದ ಕಥೆಗಳು, ಅವುಗಳ ಔಚಿತ್ಯಪೂರ್ಣ ವಿವರಣೆ. ಆ ಎರಡು ತಾಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರೀನಿವಾಸರ ಕಂಗಳ ಹೊಳಪಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಜೊತೆ ನಡೆದಾಡಿದ್ದು ಶ್ರೀ ಅನಂತರಾಮರ ಶ್ರದ್ಧೆ, ಕಲ್ಪನೆ, ಕಲೋಪಾಸನೆ, ಸನಾತನದ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠತೆ, ಪರಿಪೂರ್ಣತೆಯ ಪರಾಕಾಷ್ಟೆ. 

ಬೀಳ್ಕೊಡುಗೆಯಲ್ಲೂ ನಮ್ಮ ಸಂಪ್ರದಾಯದ ಫಲ ತಾಂಬೂಲ. ಖಂಡಿತ ಮತ್ತೆ ಬನ್ನಿ ಎಂಬ ಭರವಸೆಯ ಸಂದೇಶ.

ಒಬ್ಬ ತಂದೆಯ-ಗಂಡನ ಕನಸನು ನನಸು ಮಾಡಲು ಆತನ ಕೈಗೆ ಕೈ, ಭುಜಕ್ಕೆ ಬಲ, ಆ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಬೇಕಾದ ಸಮಯ, ಸಹಾಯ ಮತ್ತು ಶ್ರದ್ಧೆಯನ್ನು  ಅವಿರತವಾಗಿ ಅಪೇಕ್ಷೆಯಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಪರಿಶ್ರಮಿಸಿರುವ ಅಮರ ಅನಂತರಾಮ ಮತ್ತು ಶ್ರೀಮತಿ ಜಯಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ  ಕುಟುಂಬದ ಸನಾತನ ಪ್ರಜ್ಞೆಯ ಕಾಪಿಡುವ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನವ ವರ್ಣಿಸಲು ಪದಗಳು ಸಾಲದು. 

ನಮ್ಮನ್ನೆಲ್ಲ ತೆರೆದ ಕೈ ಮತ್ತು ಹೃದಯದಿಂದ ಸ್ವಾಗತಿಸಲು ಕರೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಓಂತಾರ ಕಲಾ ಕುಟೀರಕ್ಕೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಮುಂದಿನ ಭೇಟಿ ಬಹು ಬೇಗ.

ನಿಮ್ಮ ಮನಸ್ಸಿನ ಭಾವನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಹೀಗೆ ಕದಡಲು ಓಂತಾರ ಕಲಾ ಕುಟೀರಕ್ಕೆ  ಒಂದು ಅವಕಾಶ ಕಲ್ಪಿಸಿದರೆ ಈ ನನ್ನ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಕ್ಕೆ ಸಾರ್ಥಕತೆ

https://omthara.com/about-us/creators-of-omthara-kala-kuteera/

ಶುಭಂ 

Maamaa... Maemustunnaaan (Maama/Chandamaama.. I am coming)

Maamaa... Maemustunnaaan (Maama/Chandamaama.. I am coming), was the title that greeted us the next morning at a restaurant in Sullurpete... Couple of friends (who met just a day before on this epic journey) exchanged heartfelt smiles at such a lovely and thoughtful title given to adviteeya (second to none) achievement of our humble scientists at ISRO... 

The thought was of witnessing one ISRO launch from SriHariKota after seeing umpteen ISRO launches on YouTube and feeling elated with goosebumps every such instance..

This thought had got a response from my Sihi, "Aanu, how many more places are on your list? When would you be able to get to all of these??!!"; 

Some thoughts get an approval from Bhagavantha The Almighty/UP there and everything starts falling in place one after the other...

A call to Appa to get our friend's number who worked with Master Control Facility at Hassan...

Appa sending the number after a reminder..

I missing calling the number for almost every day for over a week..

Finally managing to message and call to hear that he is retiring in July, however, he would try to share details once ISRO announces the dates...

A couple of reminder WhatsApp messages and calls to hear "wait, nothing yet...." ...

Suddenly one morning, a lengthy message about Ladakh Science Foundation's Chandrayaan 3 launch visit and details...

A quick "To Go" confirmation from Sandhya as the date of travel coincided with Sihi's last test of that series....

Payment done, leaves applied, awaiting confirmation on seats... This wait lasted for three days!!

As soon as the confirmation came, we were filled with joy and then we all were in a state of unclear thoughts on what to expect, how to prepare and umpteen such unanswered queries.... These were results of not having witnessed anything of this nature ever.... Sometimes that confusion and lack of clarity gives you immense confidence; in Kannada it is called Huchchutana :)... Way out is as simple as let things happen on their own, at their pace and at a time those want to happen....

Bags were packed on the D-1, as we had to board the bus as soon as Sihi is back from school, Sandhya  from office and I call it a day to work from home that day... and ironically, they happened in the same order!! We three were travelling in a bus together after a eons that evening...

Our wait at the designated place for the bus was greeted by Monsoon rain, forcing us to run for cover... and then that Thannn Thaann of the spatula hitting the kadhaai and irresistible fragrance of KadleKaayi Groundnut being fried in Maralu Sand hit us.... We three were relishing it together for the first time ever I believe.... Sandhya and I used to stop and munch when we were still waiting for Sihi way back then... Post that, this was the first... to our surprise, we finished two portions... and got three more portions filled in the same paper cones for the road....

 

Wait for the bus slowly became almost two hours.... and I had to login to this marathon five hour mandatory training call!! This made me miss all pleasantries while entering the bus to my sahaprayaanikaru co-passengers...

When I said HE plans everything, I firmly believe so....

Laptop needed charge, I fortunately found charging point just behind the driver, Jayaprakash shared name with my father ... that is when I got to interact with passengers in front seats, who were quite pleasant and kind enough to lend their helping hands... I found a seat next to two fantastically pocket sized pataakis who were curious about the laptop... Those two were THE best companions of the entire trip... at one point one said 'Uncle, Neevu thumbaa maataadteera/you talk a lot'... I was like 'Yaay, neen maataadiddakke naanu uttra kotte adhengo jaasti aaythu? Yaay.... I responded to your queries/talk, how did that become a lot?... That is the point when Bengaluru traffic was blessing us with the Clutch-Brake-Gear-Accelerator tests to the driver and the bus in descending order!!! It took more than 3 hours to cross Bengaluru to get to the highway.... However, our funny chit chat of more nonsense and less sense helped sahaprayaanikaru of first few rows and the driver not to react to the usual "Bengaluru Trafficcooooo..... Kharma" feeling and on the contrary enjoy the witty conversations of boys of 1st and 3rd standard.... The call ultimately ended while having dinner and I could speak with my family and the extension of it sitting all around us there... I was back with life...

Instructions were to be ready early in the morning to be at the launch site... Enthusiastic we and each one there were all wearing the Chandrayaan-3 t-shirts created and shared by the organisers.... Lots of tricolours, 'I love ISRO' banners and LSF banners made all of us to be identified and helped us to stick together too...

Little did I know about SriHariKota until I booked this trip, it is a beautiful island covered on one side by Gangasagar (Bay of Bengal) and the other side it has a huge lake Pulikat, which is a bird sanctuary..

The stretch across Pulikat lake is beautiful with water on both sides and you could see many many birds... Since there were CRPF and police personnel preventing any traffic issues on that narrow stretch, we were directly taken to the parking area of SriHariKota's Satellite Launch Viewing Gallery... it was around 11 AM and the crowd had already started gathering... Scorching heat and driest land around were being ignored, such was the conviction of each around there to witness the once in a life time event...

Post several group photos with flags and banners, we started marching towards the gallery, it was a good 2 kilometres with two check posts... One at the very beginning of the march and one just before the gallery... The place was well equipped with drinking water, food carts etc on the outside... Inside there was AC and we were like "Yaay.... AC" and in that area were all accomplishments of ISRO displayed in every possible form... Since our aim was to secure a seat and to see the launch, we all briskly went to the gallery... a curved stadium like stepped structure that could hold at least 10,000 people.... first thing I did, asked the security personnel 'where is the launch vehicle?'.. they pointed me to a tree and three poles and told it is there, you could see it only after the take off... 

Other things I found out, this place is 6.5 kilometers from the launch site... before the launch all ISRO personnel would be moved at least 3-6 kilometers from the launch site...

The wait seemed eternal since we were there almost 2.5 hours before the launch.... Slowly and steadily we started realising the organiser's idea of getting there early.... the place was packed to the tune of at least 15,000 to 18,000 just before the launch.... no space to go around anywhere... and the reverberating Bhaarat Maata Ki Jai, ISRO ki Jai, Vande Maataram, Jai Shri Ram, I-S-R-O ISRO were continuously getting chanted throughout.. A partial success was received for the ISRO Wave planned by the masters of ceremony....

Then came the moment, the BIG TV Screens around started showing the master control centre, count down timer...then the crowd went 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1-0 with a near deafening loud cheer and everyone was waiting to get a glimpse.... the first glimpse came just around T+3, and then there were loudest of cheers, screams and reverberating Bhaarat Maata Ki Jai, ISRO ki Jai, Vande Maataram, Jai Shri Ram again...

Slowly we started witnessing vibrations where we were standing and the sound of the rocket... we standing 6.5 kilometers and feeling this made us realise why the ISRO SHAR residents and occupants are kept far away from the launch site..

The bliss of witnessing the dream and lack of words to describe it... A perfect combination which wouldn't help to blog that... I would suggest please travel for the next launch and see if you overcome this dreaded combination... 

Visit to the SHAR the next day and the things we learnt about rockets... coming soon....

Ciao!!

ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ರಿಯೆ/React (Harsh FB Post) Vs ಸ್ಪಂದನೆ/Respond (This Blog)

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ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ರಿಯೆ/React (Harsh FB Post) Vs ಸ್ಪಂದನೆ/Respond (This Blog)
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ನನಗೆ ಬಂದ ಸಿಟ್ಟಿಗೂ facebook ಅಥವಾ instagramಗೂ connection ಇದ್ದಿದ್ದರೆ ಅತ್ಯುಗ್ರವಾದ post ಅಲ್ಲಿರುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಆದರೆ ತಾಳ್ಮೆ ಗೆದ್ದಿತ್ತು ಮತ್ತು ಈ blogಗೆ ಕಾರಣವಾಯ್ತು.

ಮೂವತ್ತು ನಿಮಿಷಗಳ ಸೈಕಲ್ ತುಳಿತ, ಮನಸ್ಸಿನ ಆವೇಗಗಳ ಗುದ್ದಾಟಗಳ ನಡುವೆ ಮೂಡಿತು ಈ ಕಾಲ್ಪನಿಕ ಕಥೆ.

ಒಬ್ಬ ಇಪ್ಪತ್ತರ ತರುಣ ತನ್ನನ್ನು ತಾನು ಹಿಂದೆಂದೂ ಕಾಣದ ಜಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಂಡು ಆಶ್ಚರ್ಯಚಕಿತನಾದ. ಅವನೆದುರಿರುವ ಗೇಟ್ ತೆಗೆದು ಒಳಗೆ ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸಿದಾಗ ಕಂಡ ಮೊದಲ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಯ ಕೇಳಿದ 'ಇದು ಯಾವ ಜಾಗ?'

ಚಿತ್ರಗುಪ್ತ ಉತ್ತರಿಸಿದ 'ಇದು ದೇವಲೋಕ'

ಕೋಪದಿಂದ ಕುದಿಯುತ್ತಾ 'ಇಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಹೇಗೆ ಬಂದೆ? ಅಪ್ಪ ನನ್ನನ್ನು ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಗೆ ಕರೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗುವಾಗ 'ಧೈರ್ಯದಿಂದಿರು ನೀನಗೇನೂ ಆಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲ' ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ನಾನು ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಗೆ?'

'ಮಗು, ನೀನು ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ ತಲುಪಿದೆ. ಅಲ್ಲಿನ ಡಾಕ್ಟರುಗಳು ಅವರ ಎಲ್ಲ ಶಕ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಉಪಯೋಗಿಸಿದರು. ಆದರೂ ಸಫಲರಾಗಲಿಲ್ಲ. ನಿನ್ನ ಅಪ್ಪನಿಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದರು 'ಅರ್ಧ ಘಂಟೆ ಮುಂಚೆ ತಲುಪಿದ್ದರೆ ಬದುಕುತ್ತಿದ್ದ'

'ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ ಮನೆಯಿಂದ ಬಹಳ ದೂರವಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಆಂಬುಲೆನ್ಸ್ ಕೂಡ ತಕ್ಷಣ ಬಂದಿತ್ತು. ಆದರೂ ಹೀಗೇಕೆ?'

'ನಿನಗೆ ನೆನಪಿಲ್ಲವೇ ಮಗು. ಆಗ ಬೆಳಗಿನ peak hour ಟ್ರಾಫಿಕ್. ಎಲ್ಲಾ ವಾಹನ ಸವಾರರಿಗೂ ಮೊದಲು ಕೆಲಸಕ್ಕೆ ತಲುಪುವ ಆಲೋಚನೆ. ಕೆಲವು ಲಗೇಜ್ ಆಟೋಗಳಿಗೂ, ನೀರಿನ ಟ್ಯಾಂಕರ್ ಗಳಿಗೂ ತಮ್ಮ ಕೆಲಸ ಬೇಗ ಮುಗಿಸುವ ಕಾತರ. ಹೀಗೆ ರಸ್ತೆ ತುಂಬಾ ತಾವು ಸರಿ ಸಮಯಕ್ಕೆ ತಲುಪುವುದು ಆಂಬುಲೆನ್ಸ್ ಗೆ ದಾರಿ ಕೊಡುವುದಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿದವರೇ . ಅವರಿಗೆ ಒಳಗಿರುವ ನಿನ್ನ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿ ತಿಳಿದಿದ್ದರೆ ಹಾಗೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲವೋ ಏನೋ .

'ಇಲ್ಲಾ.... ಅದು ಬಹಳ basic civic sense (ನಾಗರೀಕ ಪ್ರಜ್ಞೆ) . ನನ್ನ ತಂದೆ ಯಾವಾಗಲೂ ನನಗೆ ಹೇಳಿಕೊಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ನಾನು ಯಾವಾಗಲೂ ಪಾಲಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದೆ ಮತ್ತು ಉಳಿದವರಿಗೂ ಪಾಲಿಸಲು ಆಗ್ರಹಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದೆ. ನಾನಿಲ್ಲಿರುವುದಕ್ಕೆ ಅವರೇ ಕಾರಣ. ನನಗೆ ಅವರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಬೇಕು. ಸಿಗಬಹುದೇ?'

ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನದ ನಂತರ ಚಿತ್ರಗುಪ್ತ ಅವನಿಗೆ ಒಂದು ಪಟ್ಟಿ ಇತ್ತ . ಅದರಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರತಿ ವಿವರ ವಿಡಿಯೋ ಕ್ಲಿಪ್ ಸಮೇತ ಇತ್ತು. 'ಇದರಿಂದ ನೀನೇನು ಮಾಡುವೆ?'

'Ditto' ಎಂದ ಆ ಹುಡುಗ

ನಮಗೆ ತಿಳಿದಿರುವಂತೆ ಮರಣ ನಂತರ ಪಡೆದ ಹೇರಳವಾದ ಶಕ್ತಿ, ಚಿತ್ರಗುಪ್ತ ಮತ್ತು ಯಮರ ಸಹಕಾರದಿಂದ ಕೆಳಗಿನದು ಬಹಳ ಬೇಗ ನಡೆಯಿತು.

ಆ ನಗರದ ಸ್ಮಶಾನಗಳು ಬಿಡುವಿಲ್ಲದೆ ದಿನಪೂರ್ತಿ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡಿದರೂ ಮರುದಿನಕ್ಕೆ ಮಿಗುವಂತೆ ಕೆಲಸವಿರುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಎಲ್ಲ ರಸ್ತೆಗಳಲ್ಲೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ವಾಹನ ಮತ್ತು ಜನರಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಎಲ್ಲರ ಪ್ರಯಾಣ ಸರಾಗವಾಗಿತ್ತು. ನಾಗರಿಕರಿಗೆ ಇದರಿಂದ ಉಳಿದ ಸಮಯವನ್ನು ಹೇಗೆ ಕಳೆಯಬೇಕೆಂದು ತಿಳಿಯದೆ ಬೇಜಾರಿನಲ್ಲಿದ್ದರು.

ಅದೇ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ದೇವಲೋಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಆ ಹುಡುಗನಿಗೆ ಇನ್ನಿಲ್ಲದ ಆದರ ಮತ್ತು ಅಭಿಮಾನ ದೊರೆಯಿತು. 'Ditto' ಜನರು ತಮ್ಮ ತಪ್ಪಿಗಾಗಿ ಪರಿತಪಿಸಿದರು. ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಮುಂದಿನ ಜನುಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಹೀಗಾಗದಿರುವಂತೆ ನೋಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತೇವೆಂದು ಪ್ರಮಾಣಿಸಿದರು.

--ಶುಭಾರಂಭ ---

We-I-Are-Us and not VIRUS

My assumption that I would have been one of the very few who would have turned up to be a volunteer was shattered on my first visit to The Department of Information and Public Relation (DIPR) office in March. I was one of 5000 at that point in time. 4,999 of whom were up and running almost 4 weeks before I went there.

This Crisis has shown the world that when I becomes V by stretching your arms to unite as US, the journey towards post COVID becomes blissfully fulfilling.

My journey started with filling up a google form for Corona Warriors, a call from DIPR and meeting with key stakeholders to plan distribution of physical ID cards for volunteers. Each one in that room was a volunteer. However, when I had to choose between this and cycling as a Relief Rider, I had to let go former.

Relief Riders was a movement started by BicycleMayor of Bengaluru, to help senior and immobile citizens with essentials on a bicycle. We recorded a whopping 250+ sorties right across Bengaluru in just a couple of months. Mention of a couple of rides is essential here. 

- A kid on hearing aid for both ears, was using just one to aptly use available batteries (lack of availability). Our network of cyclists found these batteries in one part of Bengaluru and a relay of 5 cyclists delivered it to a smiling child.

- A person in Electronic City needs Oral Chemo medicine for his ailing Mother, it was available only at one hospital in Bengaluru. We pulled it off by doing a relay of 4 cyclists. 

- An old age home needed groceries for 12 dwellers, a group of four cyclists, completed this in one go.

We have in excess of 250 such stories in ReliefRiders.

Each such ride resulted in a few sighs of relief and smiles at the recipient's home. Also, it showed us the watery eyes that wanted to greet us the way they could have greeted us PRE COVID.

The gesture by the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru to invite us over on our bicycles and extending their gratitude was an icing on the cake.

With Unlock in progress, and reduced relief calls, focus shifted to Home Quarantine Neighbourhood Watch and Care task. The task of calling, consoling, convincing and re-assuring the citizens under home quarantine is being run by only volunteers. Each call to a new person is to spread awareness and hope.

One of the doctors in a WhatsApp video was mentioning about roles and responsibilities of each citizen in helping severely stressed administration in this first of its kind crisis. At this point in time, these wouldn't be called giving it back, it would working together as US.

Just look around and get going. We-I-Are-US.

Ciao!

Oh My God! What did I sign-up for....

The title precisely tells about the day 1....

It all started with keeping things ready for the next morning, taking out what to wear, filling water bottles, Energy Bars, Shoes, Socks... the list went on and on... I was just aping my roommate while he was setting his stuff up... While doing that did I realise, I was a kid in front of this PRO-Cyclist..
We planned our bathroom timings, and said our good nights..

I realised, I didn't talk about the bike I was going to ride... I was very keen on having a look before I hit bed... Upon insisting, I was taken to basement room where all bikes were kept... This was really the closest I could have gotten to the Scott Addict Carbon Frame Bike I had purchased before the trip in India... Similar colours... Wilier was the make.. I was hearing the name for the first time, however, all my fellow cyclists were like 'That's one of the best bikes to be on'... That was a HUGE assurance I could take back and sleep on that night..

Next Morning,
I was expecting myself to be one of the firsts at the breakfast area... I was super surprised to see host of them already there... I wasn't quite sure of a few dishes being vegetarian, where my fellow cyclists helped out.. One thing that was standing out was I saw most of them eating heavy breakfasts... I again got back to my aping without realising the repercussions...

Many of them felt I was overly dressed rather wearing one too many for this ride... I did inform them the reason for sleeves on hands and legs to cover my Psoriasis* spots... (*that's the next topic I would cover in a detailed write-up, for a starter, I have been living with this chronic disease for about 9 years now)... and the gamosa was for wiping the sweat off.... My rubber shoes were where most of eyeballs around on... each and everyone there were super surprised and many voiced their concern too...

Post the briefing and photo shoot, we were OFF....
We were under a kilometer off and I realised one of us had made a stop... I felt, I should wait and I did... He was one of the nicest guys I had met and with whom I was tagged with through the trip. "The Tourists" was what we were referred to as...
As soon as he caught up, there was my first uphill, where I struggled... and obviously, got on to the last spot on the pack... I kept my spirits high and rode on for a few more kilometers, once in a while meeting one of our own fellow cyclists or other cyclists.... A nod, A hello or a smile.... and ride on...
All of a sudden I felt a severe pain in my right abdomen... It was like a catch, cramp or whatever one would call it.. however, the pain was deep... I tried to ignore and riding on... I couldn't.. I got off the bicycle, stretched myself, drank some water.. No, the pain didn't subside...Walk was the only possible option with which I barely managed to reach the support vehicle..
'Are you alright mate' was the first question 'No' my answer... 'Do you want to throw the bike in and hop on'... 'Yes'.. that was what I wanted to hear all through the pain... I took off the sleeves on my legs since they were causing a lot of annoyance before I hopped in between the two of them on the front seat... I checked and stopped my Strava, that got my morale to a super duper low... just under 12 kilometers...
I was dejected for the fact that I was not able to live up to the hopes my family, friends and a lot of people had in me which had got me here.. The support crew kind of read what was running between those ears... and told.. It is tough, the heat wave is not helping either... I told them, I really want to get back there on the saddle... 'We would drive you up to the middle of one of the groups and drop you there once you are OK.. riding in a group is definitely going to help you, the first timer' and that did the trick... I got two more as a company, one from Europe and one from UK who were taking it slow is what I thought, since they appeared to be pro cyclists...
We did pretty well for about 87 Kilometers, post which I was advised to hang in a support vehicle while the other two carried on for a little more....
It was a little more since the peak they were climbing had insane elevation, not so good a road and NOT A SINGLE SHADE of tree, neither were there any clouds... The SUN was in his full blaze, causing super dehydration...
I was astonished by the resilience of quite a few cyclists, who didn't give a damn and did reach the hotel on their saddle.. There were a couple who missed the hotel and went another 40 odd kilometers more..
The temperature that day was whopping 34 degree Celsius... All cyclists felt and inquired, 'Wasn't it more like in India?'... I was like 'NO' this is much more than anything we have in Bengaluru :)'. That gave all of them a relief and they were like 'Indian guy is saying it was HOT, which means it was REALLY REALLY HOT :)'
Some of them hit the swimming pool...
Some got appointments from the massage therapist and got their pains relieved..
Almost all went for a beer...
I was just watching and hearing most of their conversations... and was realising how far behind I stand in terms of knowing cycling and being a cyclist in front of these 30 GURUS of CYCLING...
See you on the other side with Day 2!
Ciao!!

Murkiness before clarity....

I hadn't imagined that UK VISA would take three weeks, cricket world cup happening had increased the number of applicants causing this delay. Relatively easy Schengen VISA was the next, by our schedule we had to go to a European country's consulate which could take another three weeks to process the VISA. Which meant, I would have the VISA post my supposed cycle tour end date. This did make all of us hit the panic button hard. One of my good friends who had been doing these for about 2 decades suggested an easier way out and Voila! the VISA arrived in within 24 hours from the application submission.
Then was the international driver's permit (IDP) to be able to drive a car in Europe. The connections of one to the other and in theory none of it could be done in parallel was giving me signs that I should have started some of these plans much before. IDP when it arrived appeared like a bigger passport :). It is another thing that I realised in Spain and in Norway that you do not need one to rent/hire a car, you would need it when police stop your car LOL!!
With some quick shopping for cycling gear for Europe's supposed cold and rain and to fill the missing items from the comprehensive check list provided by the tour organisers, I was ready to rock and roll. A birthday party marked a family get together at home on the eve of departure, all near and dear had dropped by to wish luck. Couple of friends dropped in to surprise.
The early morning flight from Bengaluru to Dubai was the first international flight after 8 years. There was a little sigh of relief with fewer steps of customs, stamping of the passports. All through I was making notes to help my wife and daughter on their travel a week later. This was a kind of first ever journey for them on their own minus me.
For a change the flight's in-flight entertainment had a host of Kannada movies alongside a big bouquet of good movies from across the world and representation from all Indian movie industries (identified by their languages) which would take you ages to watch!
I had to spend good 12 hours and more in Paris's Charles De Gaulle before my next flight, I was under the impression that it would be a little uncomfortable stay at the airport and wouldn't cause much hassle. I was wrong!. I regretted not booking my accommodation at Paris that night. However, these bitter experiences were eventually learnings for my girls on their travel. A map of different terminals of the airport. Where would they come out, what to expect when they come out. Where to wait, which terminal would my flight arrive at. These were few of the queries,  for which I noted down the answers with the map of the terminals.
Flight from Paris to Bilbao was a short and uneventful one.
My expectation of meeting a few of my fellow cyclists at the Airport and to travel along to the hotel wasn't to be. With my earlier experience of looking for 'i' for information, I managed to find and boarded a bus, which would take me to San Sebastian, the starting point of our tour. It was good distance from the bus station to the hotel and had to take a taxi. Where I met the taxi driver, who wasn't familiar with English at all :) my first such experience in sometime. However, that didn't stop me from conversing and getting to know a few things about him and the city. An elephant's idol was in the dashboard which was bringing good luck to him. Similar to our dashboards here. He was quite helpful and also was telling about how they the taxi drivers in some cities of Spain are keeping Uber away.
At the hotel, I had arrived good 4 hours before the normal check-in time! The receptionist had to do a lot of work checking out the fully booked hotel to get rooms for all of us who were flying in for the tour. About an hour later, I got a room, rather a small 3 roomed studio apartment. The surprises didn't stop. The shower pipe broke as soon as I opened it to take a much needed shower. I finished the shower from the water oozing out of the broken pipe and called for help. A lady plumber, again non-english speaking helped fix the shower pipe and cleaned all soaked bathroom floor too. A few words of Spanish, that I had picked from classes in the flight were of help to convey my gratitude to her.
I quickly realised, my international power socket adapter was of no use, found TV's USB socket to charge my phone and laptop :) Innovation Delivered or Jugaad.
Post that, I thought I could catch some sleep before our 7:30 PM dinner meeting with my fellow travellers' on the tour and dozed off.

An unfamiliar voice calling out my name loud woke me up. It was 7:15 and it was one of the riders whom I was sharing my room with. He told me I was so deep in sleep that he had to try for sometime before I opened my eyes.
I was warmly welcomed to the dinnner table, where I realised most of the riders there knew each other pretty well. Either through earlier tours or they worked together. I did find a bunch of vegetarians/vegans at the table which was surprising and at the same time reassuring :)
My request to gift each of the participants and support crew with Gamosa was warmly welcomed. I had to do a bit of introduction of the fabric too. I recalled Achinta Uncle who had got these arranged from Distant Guwahati, Assam wanted me to make a video of handing over of Gamosa. He had shot and sent out a video on the traditional way of handing it over too. One of my tour mates did help me there with taking video. All in all, this bit of interaction took me a little step closer to all participants. As I needed a bit of coaching from each one there, it was very important that I could connect well and from the word go.
On the other side is the grueling at the same time enchanting ride across Pyrenees...
Hoping to be able to take you there quickly with Christmas and New year break around...
Ciao!

Is the training right? Is that all you need?.... Preface 2

As I had started my last blog.. this was a perfectly unplanned-planned trip/tour/training and whatever that was needed for this dream tour....
Mid June, I hire a rented road bike for a day and realise my training needs to shift to a bike of this kind!! Its just 4 weeks to go for my Pyrenees Ride...
An unplanned spend for the new scott addict carbon bike extended the already stretched budget of this once in a lifetime trip... 'Passions don't come cheap' is what a friend told... which made perfect sense...
My training took a huge 4 minute jump in my first attempt with this new road bike.... and boosted the confidence many fold...
The roller coaster rides take huge ups and downs towards the very end.... So it was with me....
Had a super fall off my hybrid bike and got a Hanuman face :) for a couple of days...
A tooth extract leading to viral fever to a fall in bathroom (unconscious) getting hurt just above the right eye.... all these just 2 weeks before the journey... Which meant my training got hit....!!
I could manage just two NandiBetta rides with my new road bike and just one 100+ towards Magadi, which I did to seek blessings from Sri Nirmalji whom I admire since childhood... He was all admiration for me to be doing it at an age, where most prefer to look up to Vaanaprastha and stop self from venturing into such activities which are physically demanding...

While training to be physically ready for the tour, THE reason for the tour, to raise money for the charity of our choice was on. Our CSR team did help immensely to zero in on the charity, Cochlea-Pune. Cochlea identifies children needing support with hearing and speaking at an early age. Plan for a permanent cochlear implant while helping them to be ready for normal school curriculum by providing education. The target was to raise £750. Since it was the very first time for me to be raising funds, I was almost clueless on how to plan the communication. However, did manage to raise close to double the target amount with again no planned approach!. In this exercise found some super donors. All those messages along with those donations and the amount acted as the fuel for my tour.

Travel was another topic, that was happening in parallel. My plan to sandwich tour between two short trips across Europe with family. While seeing to it that they could get a glimpse of my tour was rightly shot down by a good friend. Sandhya did even send out a separate thank you note to him :). New plan was to start our trip of Europe after my tour. We needed two separate VISAs for the places we had planned to visit. Paris to visit DisneyLand and Eiffel and to show my girls beautiful (in every aspect) Norway needed Schengen VISA. To spend some time with a very good friend and his family in London needed UK VISA. Sounds simple right?, hell broke lose just two weeks before the travel... :) How could this go wrong is what you may think....
Preface 2 flowing in to Preface 3 (hopefully the last Preface) would have an answer....
Ciao!!

A Dream whose pieces kept falling in place.... Preface....

I would be dishonest if I say it was all planned well.... It just went happening and it was like a jigsaw puzzle which shows a picture only after the last piece falls in its rightful place.... The only thing was that this last piece fell in place on the very last day of this once in a lifetime journey of several dreams of three of us..... Sihi, Sandhya and Me-Pammi....
A series of blogs which I had envisioned are seeing the light of the day today... almost a couple of months or more after the dream journey ended.... Sometimes, a kick in the butt is much needed even for the must do things that gets reprioritised and postponed.... 'How is your blog coming along?' did that trick yesterday....

Cycling did become a passion this year, participating in the Guinness World Record attempt in the beginning of the year....
Umpteen requests through emails to the organisers of Tour De Credit-Suisse (TdCS) helped me to get enrolled into the US version of the same in 2018. With unfortunate demise of my favourite Mhaavu (Eldest Paternal Aunt), this had to be shelved. With the announcement of TdCS-2019-Europe, my enthusiasm soared to new heights. The track was across Pyrenees, a mountain range I hadn't heard of and explored post the announcement. Starting from Atlantic and ending in Mediterranean spanning three countries, Spain, France and the country I came to know of on the tour Andorra..

Sitting happy and gay post enrolment, one of my good friends, who is my Guru and provider of the bicycles I ride had to give a real hard kick for me to start thinking on training. Being a guy who had pedalled about 20000 kms, I immediately looked down upon the training. As we did plan on that call, I started to my maiden ride uphill Nandi Betta (Hills), the nearest to Bengaluru a couple of days later.

Did I do all that cycling!! was the first thing that came across my mind before even the first kilo meter uphill. The betta starts like a steady easy climb for four kilo meters. I had to stop about twice to get my breath. The next four kilo meters are hairpin climbs that quickly climb up about 300 meters. That section was a killer, I had to take about 3 long breaks. At one point in time, I had almost given up. However, as they say it ain't done until its done. I just kept on, with slow and steady 'I'll not give up' so easy' attitude with Lans Armstrong's 'Just till the next bend', was playing in the background all through. Reaching the top, did sow a lot of big seeds of self doubt in my mind on my ability to climb hills. It also opened my eyes wide open on the importance of training. These thoughts were weaving a plan in my mind on the downhill, this plan was very much driven by that friend. It was simple, do this uphill at least 35 times!!. A couple of back to back on consecutive days!!! That's all..
It was March 23rd Shaheed Diwas (Martyrs' day) Training Ride 1/35... Dedicating to the three brave hearts Sukhdev, Bhagat Singh and Rajguru

Second attempt on, I had started counting the breaks... Checking on my timing started I reckon after my 5th attempt....The confidence had started growing with these rides...
Both my girls used to kick me out of bed, when they used to hear the alarm at 3:30 AM.. strangely, I used to take about an hour or a little more to get ready for my drive to Nandi Betta Base with my bike resting on the back seats of my car... At about 6 AM I used to start my ride... and did manage towards the end to reach back home in time to drop my daughter to school... That is 5 AM to 6 AM drive... 6 to 7 ride up followed by down hill.... 7 to 8 drive back home...

Looks like time for PTO.. PrefaceTwoOvertonextblog... :)

Ciao!!

Pyrenees and Cochlea - Need your Help :)

Many or all of you would have been wondering where the hell is this GUY :) {Your wishes to my 'change in number' day have been seen, responses are on their way....... Below is what I am up to... Which is evidently keeping me away from EffBee.... Could I imagine myself not having two of the senses that help me communicate.. Probably not..

Cochlea - Pune For Hearing and Speech, Is an organisation that blesses our children with speech and hearing difficulties with hearing aid, speech and hearing therapy and quintessential targeted education. Our help, would help Cochlea to reach out to more such needy children. Your unending and unconditional support to my effort to stay and promote green has motivated me to dream of this ride of Pyrenees, Spain-France this July. This is a 750KM ride over five days. Cochlea has been chosen as the charity that I would raise funds for for this tour of mine. Your wishes and blessings would give my legs more strength and my lungs enough oxygen to complete this DREAM RIDE.... So would your contributions to Cochlea here.... Copied from my FB Post

Plan - Fail - ReStrategise - Achieve (#RespectCyclists)

The Auto Driver at Hubballi Railway station informed us that there were a dozen cyclists who had got down there earlier from Nizamuddin Train that comes to Hubballi from Delhi... 

That "Enthusiasm and awareness about THE BIG event that was happening in town" was seen through out the day with literally every 'Hubblliga' I met .......

Every road I traveled on my Brother's two-wheeler, I saw young and old in the jersey meant for Cyclotsava on a bicycle, neither of which I had yet...

At the venue, I was literally surprised to see a sea of cyclists and cycling enthusiasts a (little less than the sea)... the ground was so well prepared and organized, I was just amazed.... at the time and effort these Hubballi Bicycle Club members had put in.... Hat's Off!!

That was just the beginning of the day of AMAZEMENTs... 

At one of the several counters that were set-up, my ticket's QR code was scanned from my phone.. (A First experience for me...) before handing me my kit.. that contained a beautiful tri coloured t-shirt, a wrist band saying #RespectCyclists, A bib for the cycle.. a sticker for the helmet and a card with a chip....

My rented bicycle was waiting right across the road in a college campus... These cycles were procured from a vendor in Hyderabad!!

While heading there, met a Lorry Driver with his lorry, which had carried 23 cyclists and their cycles from Davanagere!! (150 kilometers from Hubbali)... This was just one of extra efforts cyclists had made to be a part of this Cyclotsava...

Met a few, who had cycled from 
Bagalakote - 120+ kilometers
Kolhapur - 200+ kilometers
Bengaluru - 450 kilometers (didn't get a chance to meet, came to know through Strava)

A 7 year old, who was doing a Kolhapur to Pune 230 kilometers cycle ride the next day..

Few who appeared 70+ by their appearance.. however, younger than many of us in their spirits...

One IIT-Dharwad student doing his PhD...

Several Engineering students....

Two more Pramod's (First ever in my 42 years :)) who shared bib numbers next to mine... one was 708, mine 709 and the other 710... too big a coincidence huh....

More surprises were waiting for me on the stage....

Amit Samarth - one of the few in the world to have completed 
Trans Siberian Extreme distance 9,100 kilometers and elevation 770,000 meters (10 mount everersts!!)...

A man whose left hand is hit by polio who did the treacherous terrains of Himalayas... with a cycle with altered back brakes to suit him...

A couple from Maharashtra, who have cycled all across together and had penned a beautiful Marathi poem unto that... 

Many more such Ultra achievers... who made me feel... my rides and kilometers are just a drop in this ocean of cycling....

FIRST ATTEMPT
We were scheduled to start at 2 and it appeared like, we 1550 cyclists had lined up in our groups of 100 in the order of the bib numbers much before the start time... which would have given us a 10-15 minutes head start...
Volunteers for each group making sure, each one of us are following each rule to the DOT, I had to run back to the venue to put my sling bag with my hand phone in the cloak room... ;) That was a nice way to warm-up....
They had also ensured that we were well hydrated (water) and nourished (bananas)..

At 2:02, with tonnes of butterflies in our tummies... we started..... It was an amazing track rather road with not much of elevation... 
Throughout the 4 kilometer ride.. there were volunteers shouting 'slow down'... 'cover up'... to ensure we keep 2-3 bicycle distance between our bikes...

FAIL
It took almost an hour post finishing the ride to hear that we did not make it.... Some cyclists overtook breaking the line causing the fault... along with a few who couldn't cover up the distance....

RE-STRATEGISE
We were asked to pull out if any of us felt he/she can't bicycle the reverse ride with the head wind... no one pulled out..
A list of offenders retrieved from the Guinness guys based on their BIBs and cards on bicycles were pulled out...
Bicycles of a certain size... pulled out..
All kids... pushed back..
All no-gear bicycles (mine too).... pushed back..
Bicycles with speedometers... Moved up the line...
Cycling groups.. moved up the line...

Our wrist bands collected... and returned...to be dropped back in the collection box to double check the count of cyclists...

Instructions to keep shouting "cover-up", "slow-down/half-peddle" informing rider in the back of the situation in the front....given to all...

All this took almost 2-2.5 hours post completion of the ride... 
SUN was happily showering his light and heat and all of us :)

SECOND ATTEMPT
Even though the organisers made every attempt to keep our spirits high.... we were highly skeptical still...
The rider just in-front of me found it difficult... happily pulled out...
Amid shouts of "cover-up", "slow-down/half-peddle" ... we managed to bridge the gap...
One of the aged cyclist 3 bicycles in-front of me.. felt the same... repeated requests to pull-out, seemed to fall on deaf ears... 
Some impatient cyclists did overtake... even after getting reminders from us...
Our skepticism had two solid reasons now....

ACHIEVE
With bated breath we waited in the dust and setting sun.... there came the announcement.. though not official... we cheered the loudest...

The tougher part now was to line-up in the queue to collect our handphones back from the cloak room...then one more queue to collect certificates and goody bags....

While the organisers were asking us to occupy the seats to hear the official announcement..  it was our turn to turn deaf .. :( It was 7 PM and my train back to Bengaluru was in three hours.. My priority was not to miss my train.. 

While waiting in the slow moving queue the official announcement too came 1235 was the new longest single line of bicycles... and we had made it to the GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS.... 

"BHARAT MATA KI JAI"... resounded the venue.. on the REPUBLIC DAY OF BHARAT...

A well spent, well achieved, well learnt day....!!

#RespectCyclists

Ciao!!

A Raleigh Bicycle, Two Brothers and Thirteen Pots....

It was 1989, I was thirteen and brother was eleven. Appa (Father) had started constructing our new house. 

First big road block was WATER!!.

A 200 feet drill fetched innumerable pieces of black rock but no WATER!!

Somehow, we managed to get our home ready by renting WATER (Not mentioning about the fortune the guy made by counting us wrong number of tank loads)

As soon as we shifted, the first task on hand was WATER!!

Brother and Me used our mathematical brains (one of Appa's friends' mentioned that, We hadn't realised that till then ;)) to get water.

We used to tie ropes to plastic pots (Bindige in Kannada), hung them across the old but strong Raleigh cycle (All this while, I was thinking Rally was the spelling ;)) we had recently procured for this purpose.

Lengths of these ropes were measured to perfection so that our trips fetch maximum amount of water.

Lazy were we to fetch it again :)

Post that, we used to drag ourselves uphill first and then downhill to the hand pump to fetch.

The journey would easily have been more than a kilometre

The most difficult part was manoeuvring the bicycle on the way back on the downhill with these pots filled with water to the brink...

EVERY DROP COUNTS!!

Then came the savings part, 

Morning pees were in the open yard in front of our home.

Showers were crisp with water in 3/4th or less of a bucket.

We had even started to have baths alternate days or even longer too... 

Re-use when possible.. as in

Use water used to wash clothes and utensils (We used to wash them with our own hands:) ) to water the plants.

HIS BLESSINGS!!

As soon as it thunders and heavens opens its gates, forget about the time of the day or night get all pots, fill them with water pouring from the ceiling and dump it in the underground water tank...

That used to save us from the trips for many days to come..

However, drinking water had to come from the hand pump... 

For which we always used to fight, on whose turn it was

All these incidents flashed in front of my eyes as soon as I saw above forward in WhatsApp sometime back...

It is soooo soooo very difficult for anyone to make any other understand that 

EVERY DROP COUNTS....

Then I thought, a BLOG would be a step forward...

Does anyone want to walk along or not, 

I WALK THIS PATH!!

Ciao! 

React (Harsh FB Post) --> Respond (This Blog)

I was sooo furious and if I had an instant connection between my mind and FB, it would have resulted in my harshest post till date.... Thankfully human mind RULES!!

30 minutes pedalling and churning over thoughts pounding on mind resulted in this blog, a fiction....

The story goes something like this...

A young boy in his mid twenties suddenly finds himself in a completely unfamiliar territory with a gate in front of him... He opens and enters to find a person whom he has never seen before... Upon enquiring he comes to know that he is 'Chitragupta' and this young boy is in the other world...

'How did I come here, my father was taking me to a hospital and asking me to be brave and nothing would happen to me, then how come I am here? I should have been in that hospital' the boy was furious....

'You did reach the hospital my son, doctors did try their best and informed with a very sad face to your father that 'Sir, you should have been here 30 minutes before''

'Hospital was not very far from where I stay, the ambulance had also arrived in time, then how come?'

'If you remember my son, it was morning peak hour traffic in your city and all motorists were rushing to their work, some luggage carriers were in a hurry to get their goods delivered, and likewise the road was filled with such people who thought they reaching their destination was more important than giving way to the ambulance you were in. I can't blame them either, they weren't aware how critical you were'

'NOOOOOOOOOO... , that's basic civic sense which my father always taught me and I used to follow and used to ask fellow motorists to follow suit. THEY ARE THE REASON I AM HERE. I need their data, could I get it?'

With a little effort, 'Chitragupta' handed over each and every detail including the video clipping of that day's ambulance journey. 'What are you going to do with it?'

'Ditto' the boy said

As we know the dead have abundant powers and that too with  'Chitragupta' and 'Yama' on the young boy's side, following happened in super quick time.

In his city, all crematorium's were working 24 X 7 and still the pile of tasks at hand were not receding at all, The city had such free roads with hardly any traffic that the ones who were commuting were feeling bored with the extra time they had at hand.

At the same time in the other world.... This boy had become an instant hero and the 'Ditto' people were repenting for their mistake and were pledging to never repeat their mistakes in their next lives...

--THE BEGINNING --

You were just a dream in 2009

"Why do you want a child of your own. See now you are able to hold every child that comes across as yours and give love like your own. Once you have your own, you won't be able to do that". This was our Gynaecologist about 10 years ago.

"Aanu, why do you show your love and affection to all children you meet. I feel left out". This was Sihi few months ago.

I compared the time that I spend with her to the time I get to spend with someone else. The love, affection and reflection of the same she could find in the things we do & get for her on a side. To the minuscule things we get to do to others. She seemed convinced.

Yeah! She is starting a brand new year, year 9 today and wonder when and hows of her growth from the tiny handful that she was in year 2009.

Took time off to go through the blogs of that period...
Jul-2009-feeling-and-confusion...
Aug-2009-confusion....contd
Nov-2009-homecoming-of-sihi
July-2010-its-that-time-again

Two 23 year olds who belittled me!

I met this Uber driver whose brother was with Capgemini.. I asked why didn't you study.. He said he is doing BCom.. Has a degree in acting has done small roles in few Kannada movies.. A movie in which he is a hero is yet to be released.. And this guy started earning when he was in his 9th by working in KFC.. I thought what a guy..!! And respect went off to his parents instantly...

And then I met this fellow wiproite.. Who raised the bar so high...

This guy a wasean joined Wipro 6 months ago.. Lost his father when he was in 7th.. Gathered courage and little money to open a mobile shop at that age.. By traveling to Mumbai and chennai to buy pen drives and accessories...Studied through those obstacles and secured 1st Rank in his university in Degree..Now Has a mobile shop in Shimoga, Karnataka.. Runs a PG for girls there too..
I asked him why work.. He said passion for .Net..

God bless them and Kudos to their parents

These guys just belittled me..👌👌

'Can't travel without clothes! Let's cancel the Trip!!'

'Can't travel without clothes! Let's cancel the Trip!!' is what Sandhya said when we boarded the Kanyakumari Express Train and leaving the Luggage carrying "all" clothes in the Car :)

I in my best of optimism and adventurous attitude said, 'Hold on', something would work out.. and the train chugged along....

Earlier that evening, Sandhya even suggested taking a cab instead of driving our car, sighting our return in the early hours of Thursday, I rejected it and took the car..

'Whoa!!' we are about a kilometer and a half from railway station and my Car puffed, I need a break!! I said what??!! You just had one couple of months Ago!!  On its insistence, I called guys from its fav hangout these days to come and collect from railway station.. My Car, after a lot of convincing agreed to take us to our destination...

There, I asked two of my lovely ladies to go and board the train and wait for me.. and told will join them with the "Luggage" as soon as our Car is in safe hands..

While saying 'tata' to the car, little did I know that I was wishing the same to our luggage...

The first thing I told Sandhya was to make a list of all the things we need to buy when we chugged along... couple of items did enter the list loudly... rest, my lovely wife typed on Google Keep and showed me.. " ".. ;)

We were sure to get Sihi and my clothes easily.. however, Sandhya.. hmmm... that was tough.. that too for a wedding!! seemed impossible..

Every shop we entered or were about to enter, we first enquired for Sandhya... and after 5 shops... we were lucky to have one.. where we shopped "every" cloth we needed in under Rupees 2300!!!!

Our attire impressed literally everyone at the wedding and they started asking.. Where did you buy such lovely clothes.. how much did they cost... and hearing the answers.. they exclaimed.. let us also buy here.. they are damn cheap!!

Our lost luggage story too had got viral.. HEHE!!

The most eventful family outing we have had till date..

Wishing more such stories to be blessed our way.. :D

Ammaaaa.... :)

I have been kicking myself for not blogging for so long.. and finally decided enough of kicking self... give work to your fingers to give way to your heart and mind to flow through to this Ones&Zeroes (binary) world..

Most of my early childhood memories of Ammaaa.. or Maaa as I fondly call her are given to me by her... I started to value those post getting out of our home 'Suprada' and ending up in then alien land Bengaluru..

I always used to complain, why do you have to cook for our tenants (mostly engineering students)... her answer was 'they are away from their home and mom, by doing this little gesture, I would help them feel at home, this virtue would come back and bless you when you go out my child..'.. I never used to believe her then... But when I did not have to struggle much to get a abode and homely warmth in this alien land did I realise, she was right..

This ones very dear to my heart... It was my first birthday and she wanted to see me in a new shirt and she wasn't having any money to buy that.. She mustered small amounts of money, bought newspapers from a local grocer, made carry bags out of them, sold it, and bought me that shirt.. Recently she told me that this trip had to be repeated once more since the shirt cost her a little more than she had earned in her first trip... I always look up to her for that determination to achieve..

This continued right up to my admission to Masters and my brothers admission to Engineering, she along with my Aanu had this uncanny ability to find contacts, find time to meet them, convince them by talk or by donations that their sons get admitted to these professional courses...

I remember her waking up in the wee hours to cook break-fast and lunch for all the four of us and ensure that we get to school by 6:30 AM!!!

I remember her heart going out to every heart that is in pain, so much so that, our doctor still feels she should limit this to her close circle of loved ones for her good health... What he doesn't know is her close circle is 'Vasudaiva Kutumbakam' (World is one family)... :)

I see that recent Indonesian video where employees of a hotel are made to answer some queries on their Mothers, which bring tears in their eyes for not giving time to understand their mothers as a reflection of me.. :(

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3a70UY7KNA

Maa.. You have made me what I am, you have given me all that I have, you have helped me to stay Strong in troubled times, you have given me a heart that is kind, you have ensured that I have everything that I need more of which were wants than needs, You are awesome..

You are Maatru! Mother....Maa.. Amma..

Sakkath Sakhi Shraddhaalige.. WishMaadalAagraha

Let me first give you the best part of below effort....

Sandhya was woken up by Shraddha on her birthday that morning of 2009 and spoke to her and wished her!! Such a charm she is!! 

||Excuse me for this Kanglish Blog||

As lazy as ever... See.... I am posting one more email trail from my Gmail to post a blog after like a millenium... :)

P. S: 

Please follow the email trail.. :) {Not Anymore! Reversed the order on 15-Jul-25}

First Email

On Tue, Dec 1, 2009 at 9:21 AM, Pramod Jayaprakash 

pramodhassan@gmail.com wrote:

Shubhodaya...

9th December.... nanna only hendti Sandhyana janmadina.... yiwala huttida dina ninna haadu avlige kelislikke.... yeee eemailoo...I meaanoo peethike.. :)

Yiwattininda.. pratidina avla bagge ondu email muddaam type maadi (bardoo annowdoo saryaagalla andkonde) kalisteeni... Dayavittu 9kke namm hendruge ninn haadinda wish maadamma shraddha..

First factooo.... Nann Sandhya na birthday nann birthday gintha 4 thinglu munche... :) Nann hendti nangintha doddavlu.. vayassalli... :) :)

..................................................munduvareyalide..

Second Email

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Pramod Jayaprakash<pramodhassan@gmail.com>

Date: Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 8:41 AM

Subject: Shraddhalige...- 2
Shubhodaya.....

Ninne ninn photo nowdide orkut nalli... ninn voice ge ninn mukhakke match maadakkaaglilla.... :) Ninn voice matte neenu maataadow vishyagalunna keli nin vayassu yeshtirabahudu antha guess maadiddakkintha... thumbaaa chikkavlu neenu....

oooops.. drifted away from the subject.... Naaanu Sandhya namm magu hesranna... nammmaduve munche decide maadidvee... 'Sihi' antha... aadre Aaaa Sihi maatra monne July nalli huttidlu... hathatra 7 varshagala nantra... :) sihi sihiyaagiddale... Sandhyana thara ne.....

Yinnond factoo... Sandhyana madve aagow tanka nange.. Tomato matte Kadle kaalige sippe yiratte antha gottirlilla.. ootada tatte sidenalli avlu teygeydidowdooo nowdidaagale gottagiddu.... Eating tomato and kadlekaaloo without sippe nalli Master Degree... namm hendru....

....................................................munduvareyalide.....
Cheers..
Pramod

Third Email

On Sat, Dec 5, 2009 at 9:27 AM, Pramod Jayaprakash

pramodhassan@gmail.com wrote:

Email nowdeee aaaaanandaaaa aaythu Shraddhaaa...

Yee kelagina yeradu email kalsidde... nimm station email id ge.... Lekkachaarada prakara.... yivattu... 5 ne email howgbaekittoo... response barde yiddidd nowdee 2kke stop maadidde.....

3-4-5 yiwattu sanje kalsakke try maadteeeni... Wifee birthday shaaapping program yide.. mugsi barteeni...

Sadaaa Naguttiru...

Pramod

Fourth Email

On Mon, Dec 7, 2009 at 10:57 AM, Pramod Jayaprakash 

pramodhassan@gmail.com wrote:

Ammaaa..... 5 dinada email ottige bareebaekoo.... Yidakke annowdoo... maadakkagallaa andre commit maadbardooo... commit maadidre.... yeshte kashta bandrooo maadi mugisbaekoo antha...

Weekend chennagittu... adakke munche ondu Factoo... Sandhyanige.. naanu surprise birthday gift tandu kowdowdoo bittu 6 varsha aaythu... :) Ondu sanna incidentninda... naanu yee shapatha towgonde.... Deepavalige dress howlsi towgondu howdre... appreciate maadowdooo bittu kaalu yelidrooo yivlu matte yiwramma saerkondu.. aagle.... decide and shapatha maadiddooo... No more Surprise gifts for you... antha... :)

Jayanagara 4th blocknalli ondu Luknowi Chikan works du aangadi yide.. alli gift towgollakke naanu Sandhya matte sihi howgidwee.... allirow paartee ge maarata maadakke interest yilla... display nallirowdoo teygedu towrsoo andre... 'Towgollowdaadre maatra anthane.. Dhoortha..... So Gift towgollakke aagilla.... soooo sad... yiwattu yilla naale,.. Koramangala dalli nowdabaekoo.... ondu Baby Pink Chikan work churidar kowdsana antha.. adukke yishtondu kashta. padbaekaagide..

Matte sigteeni... hopefully naale....

Yinnond vishya.... 441****4 number nalli phone bande yettowkke yaaraadrooo kuntirtaaraa... yilla adu... Always No Reply phonaaa????


Nagtaa yiru..

Pramod

Fifth and Final Email

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Pramod Jayaprakash<pramodhassan@gmail.com>

Date: Tue, Dec 8, 2009 at 10:34 AM

Subject: Shraddhalige - 8

Modlu.. Sandhyana numberrooo 934*******0... nandooo 934******1...... Naale phone maadakke baekalla... ;)


Naanu Sandhyanna modlu nowdiddoo... nann cousin maneylee.... modlu thumba olle friends aadvee... Malleswaram Coffee day matte Veena Stores (idly) naavu regularraagi howgtidda joints.... Malleswaram Coffee daylanthooo.... 'Saar store closing timoo.. bill pay maadi baagilu muchcho tanka kootkolli parwagilla' annow tanka naanu avla kivi kachtidde.. avlu nandunna.... 'Manasare' thara alla... maatinalli kachchowdoo... :)

Naanu avlanna ishta pattiddeeni antha modlu naanu heliddu nammammange... ameyle.. nann koti friend obliddale... Yashu antha...... avlinda 'Bhaanda phoot gaya' aaythooo... Sandhyanige avlu hint kottu... yivlu nannunna 2 dina kaadi... ameyle forcefully propose maadiskondlu.... :)

Yivella aagakke muncheney.... fact of the day... Naanu ondu saari Sandhyana ammana maneyge howgee alli kaapi thindi thinkondu bandidde... Avrappa Ammange and Sandhyange kooda munde adu nann beegara mane aagutte antha gottirlilla....

Please naale phone maadooo Sharaddhaa.. Naanu yiwattu sanje either Raheja Arcade or Forum 'Soch' nalli avlige dress towgondu howgteeni.... Aaadre avla birthday gift ninn call MAATRA.... :)

Sadaaa Nagtaa yiru...

Pramod