Togetherness

Togetherness is the warmth of life……………

                                                    

As the sun of 19^th August was descending down the building clad Garden city, we had set our gaze on our wrist-watches with heart pounding fast in anticipation of the long awaited Team outing. Some of us had planned to start from the Office venue itself, while others opted to be picked up by the shuttle. The entire team was on Cloud nine and started building castles in the air as the time for departure was approaching.

Around 8.15 P.M we had a light meal, as we knew that we will have to cross a Ghats section which was coiled like a snake in motion. With fuel tanks completely filled, we set out for our endeavour around 10.30 at night. As we proceeded further, we picked-up our Team-mates who were waiting for us at the pavement of the pre-agreed location. The scene was worth seeing as it appeared as if tributaries are joining the ultimate river course.

All set to go...

After picking-up everyone the shuttle gradually picked up speed and started racing through the smooth thoroughfare. Then started the fun-time which lasted almost till the morning which included various fun activities such as antakshari, tapping of feet for various tunes, etc…..it was a picture perfect scenario of a party of youngsters.

At the dawn of 20^th August we found ourselves amidst dense foliage with a wide variety of soaring trees with Coffee plants covering a majority area. The coffee plants had very beautiful berries which reminded of cherries. Alas! We realised that we had reached Chikamagalur, which is also well known for coffee plantations apart from Kodagu. With zeal in our hearts and inquisitive expression on our faces we moved forward. Finally we reached the place where arrangement for our accommodation was made. This place was no less than cradle of nature. It was a very beautiful place with the perfect blend of fog clad mountains and lavishing green country – side. We were just dumbfounded by the vision of the scenic beauty surrounding us.

(Left) Scenic Beauty (Right) Dense Foliage

We were accommodated in a tree house which was very well maintained and some of our team mates were put up in tents which were also very good. Now I would like to list out the activities which was conducted there for us by our managers. We were taken by total surprise when we heard that there will be some interesting activities for us. But I got to say, those were the most interesting of all times. They completely helped us to know ourselves and our team. As soon as we reached our accommodation we had our morning tea and after some time we had a breakfast fit for a king.

Accommodation..

Our surprise activities started soon after our stomach filling breakfast. Our first activity was an interesting one in which the team was divided into 2 groups and there was one lead to each team. According to this activity each team had to find maximum number of flags (green, yellow and red ones) with time constraints set up for the search of flag of different colours. It was a total fun-time for all of us as we were running around holus-bolus forming a total juggernaut in the first round. Before the second round started the conditions of the game was changed, so we had to be more cautious in order to sustain the game. This made us more organised. For the third round there were few more changes to be adapted because of which we became organised to the highest level. This activity taught us a lot and we realised this as we retrospect it. The main learning what we got from this is related to trusting your fellow team member, along with planning which is the most crucial part of the team. It was a eye-opener for us as it made us realise as to every single aspect of it was related to our Project work which is our daily routine and our team members with whom we trust our life daily with.

Let me tell about the second activity, this was more interesting than the first one as it required a lot of concentration and team support. This activity was related to passing the marble from one team mate to another via pipe piece without letting it down. Both the teams were constantly striving to achieve the target of placing the marble in the cup and they succeeded also. There was a very big lesson we had to learn from it. Firstly it was as to how important it was to strategize things in life, secondly as to how important was trust in life as we had to trust the ability of our team mates in order to win the game. It was also shown to us how we encounter such instances in our day to day routine.

(Left) Activity 1(Right) Activity 2 (Team building)

After these activities, we decided to take some recreation time; we decided to go to a water fall by name Kalathgiri. It was one of the most beautiful waterfalls I have ever seen. It depicted chivalrous beauty with elegance with water which appeared like the foam of milk. The waterfall was a feast for eyes. We played in the water for a long time and finally decided to come back. The trust in the Team was projected when the entire Team had to wade through the rocky terrain. The whole Team was very co-operative in helping each other to surpass the difficult terrain. That moment was very redeeming as I was very proud of my Team.

Kalathgiri falls(Left) Veerabhadra Temple at Kalathgiri Falls(Right)

We reached our accommodation somewhere around 6.30 P.M.  We set a campfire in the space available. We had very gala time dancing out there. It was one of the most nostalgic moments of our outing….not to forget the yummy barbeque chicken. After a festive mood and an extremely active day we retreated to our cosy beds with the intention to get prepared to our next day’s advent. 

The dawn of 21^st August spread its scintillating hue with the fragrance of coffee beans all over the place. With the intention to get “picture perfect” shot we started our morning walk through the deserted forest clad thoroughfare and of course we could capture lot of picture close to perfection. We came back from our morning walk and had our breakfast and prepared ourselves for the next challenge. It appeared to be a perfect scene of regiment ready for warfare.

Activity 3(Trust building)

The last activity of our outing was the most challenging of all and very educative in one way. In this activity the entire team had to carry one of its members in a stretcher considering that person to be sick and unable to walk. This enlightened us as to how the person who is helpless in the team completely places his trust on the team as he strongly believes in his team members and the everlasting hope that the Team would never let him fall down. The Team members strongly believed that the person on the stretcher completely trusted them blindly and that they should never let him down. Likewise both the teams performed this activity extremely well. These activities were the stepping stone for Team Bonding and trusting each other for their lives.

Discussion...

After this activity each one in the team briefed about their ultimate goal in their life, which made me think that we are an amalgam of apogees.

With nostalgic memories bundled in our hearts, and sweet stories to tell others, we packed our backpack and started back to the commencing point. On our way back we visited the Belur Temple, which was very enthralling by its mystic beauty. The workmanship of the engravings is worth getting applauded.

Belur Temple

With all these fruitful experiences and sweet memories to cherish, we realised the importance of trust building and bonding with the Team. This is the only way to reach great heights in life.

The Team

----Dechamma B.C

Social cause 2

“Nava Jeevana Nilaya”

----Dechamma B.C

                Whenever I think of ‘Nava Jeevana Nilaya’, brings to me the memory of our journey to this place. I would like to brief you all about the various instances which led us to this place.

                Initially we didn’t even know that such a place existed. Then one of our colleagues told us about a place called ‘Karunashraya’. We asked another colleague to go and visit the place. There came a twist in the story, as this colleague of others mistook the place ‘Nava Jeevana Nilaya’ for ‘Karunashraya’. He came back and reported the plight of this place, and then some more colleagues went to that place and brought a complete description of the place. Hence we decided to take up the initiative of helping them.

This was a perfect example of ‘Everything happens for good in Life’    

                The sunset of 22^nd July was very memorable as we had spent our time fruitfully. We reached the place which needed us the most. It was ‘Nava Jeevana Nilaya’ or ‘A Home for Leprosy Cured Patients’. This is a place which serves a home to many Leprosy cured people who are either isolated by their families or do not want go back to their homes. We had seen this place a many times, while we would travel via the thoroughfare .I strongly believe things start happening right at the right time, we never reach a place where we want to before the time comes. This was something similar which happened here.

  Picture 1. Board at the Entrance of Nava Jeevana Nilaya

On the sunset of 22^nd July our team was all set to reach our next endeavor on social cause after the school one. Around 4.30 PM we left our office with zeal to make a change in the lives of the people in need. We reached the place around 5 PM.

We went around the place to enquire the condition and understand the lifestyle of the inmates. After this we clearly realized one thing in certain that they were very lonely people, constantly searching some way to live life.

Picture 2. Dining Hall (Left) Kitchen (Right)

The people there were mostly were either middle aged or old aged.

Picture 3. Inmates

We made up our minds to bring a smile on their saddened faces. We assembled everyone in a room and warmly welcomed everyone with biscuits and tea. We began our program with a prayer dance which was mystically enthralling. The inmates enjoyed it a lot. After this we had organized a small activity for them which made them laugh loudly…and their laughter echoed everywhere. We had a comic skit for them which was the most amusing of all. They enjoyed it a lot. We had one more activity for them which related to meditation. They were very dedicated in performing this act of peace. We concluded this program with a Group song wherein even those people participated in the song.

               Picture 4. Prayer Dance (1) SKIT Team (2) Inmates Participating in Meditation (3-4)

We ended the event by offering them some fruits and we gave them groceries in the form of rice grains and dhal. Their happiness had no bound so was our satisfaction.

Picture 5. The Team

Love life, for it has always given the best you deserve

G.L.P.S. Cleanliness Awareness Activities

“A Radiant Smile is the Most Beautiful Jewel on the Face”. I realized this fact on 2^nd of April 2011. Now you may be thinking what was so special that day as to I realized the value of a smile, so here comes as to what was so special that day.

                In the early morning around 7 a.m. we left our homes with zeal in our hearts to make a difference and make a memorable day to relish upon. Like the river joining an ocean, the volunteers started from their respective homes and reached the school called G.L.P.S in Jakkasandra where we had planned to conduct few cleanliness awareness activities.

                We were welcomed warmly by the students and the teachers. We had brought with us few things such as soaps, handkerchiefs and dustbins to be distributed amongst the students as a mark of cleanliness awareness, and of course not to forget, chocolates which every kid likes the most.

                The grace of the Almighty is very important for any program to be successful; likewise we commenced our activities with the help of a Prayer song which was beautifully sung by the students. It was a very heart soothing moment for all of us.

                One of the volunteers took up the initiative to teach the students a new Prayer which they were ready to accept it and then accomplished it fruitfully. Once we were done with the Prayer we proceeded to the Ice-Breaker session wherein each student had to introduce themselves. It included students from class 1 to class 5. There were a total of 28 students. The students enthusiastically introduced themselves.

Preparation on the Progress

               

We then made small groups out of the students and then allotted each volunteer to take care of the groups. Each group was assigned different cleanliness activities to enact like getting up in the morning and brushing the teeth, having bath, dressing up neatly to school and so on…….All the students were very excited to do it and their also performed their part very well. I have to say that they “won our hearts”.

                After some entertaining hours we focused our view on educating the students the importance of cleanliness. We had made some charts which had do’s and don’ts related to the cleanliness. We had one more activity for the students on cleaning their school surroundings in which the students happily took up the initiative and cleaned the entire place.

Explaining Importance of Cleanliness

                We then distributed soap and a handkerchief to each student and asked them to wash and wipe their hands regularly before eating food. They were a bunch of obedient students. We then distributed chocolates to the students and their joy had no bounds and then we waved them goodbye.

                We might have waved them goodbye……but we would always cherish the memories of the time we spent with them and made them smile. Indeed I have to say “A Smile speaks more than words”.

“THE SATISFACTION WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU MAKE OTHERS SMILE IS INFINITE”

Location:

Government Lower Primary School, Jakkasandra

Kanakpur Main Road, Bangalore

Visited On:

2^nd April 2011

CONQUERING THE HEAVENLY BEAUTY.."Kumara Parvatha"

     We the team got up in the dawn of 8^th Jan with hopes soaring high and bags packed tight, all set to conquer great heights. I have to say… though very tired from the last night’s roller costar ride through the snake like swirling ghat section roads with potholes for every single bit.

      We had a bunch of energetic young team of 15 wherein nobody lacked that “we must do it “ attitude. They say the essence of the almighty is very important before heralding any work, likewise our team left no room for saying ‘no’ for this. Finishing our morning chores, we headed towards the temple called ‘Kukke Subramanya” or the temple of the Snake God.

"Kumara Parvatha" peak as seen from Kukke Subramanya Temple

      Taking the blessings of the almighty for our new feat, we headed towards the village lane which leads to the foot of the mighty ‘KUMARAPARVATHA’ or what I call it as ‘HEAVENLY BEAUTY’. 

          With hopes in heart and enthusiasm in our blood, we made our way through the dense foliage of the thick forest. At times, saying slogans, sometimes hooting or making some wild noises, it was as if the forest did not lack Tarzan’s progenies .We would sit-by at times to quench our thirst or to take snaps in order to keep an account of our journey to victory.

“Kiddo-Betta” - A Pile of rocks on the way to “Bhatru Mane”

      After a tedious walk of 5KM, we encountered open air...…I think I have to say that was what we were expecting so long; but when we actually encountered it, we were running helter –shelter for shade .Our frustration was clearly represented on our faces.

Road sign near forest office – we had a difficult time locating this

      Finally after walking for a kilometer or so we saw our ray of hope or I can put it in this way “Oasis in Desert”; it was the house of Bhatta, famously called as ‘Bhatru Mane’. As soon as we saw this our energy was back with a blitzkrieg and we fastened our bags to jump into the house.

Our ray of hope (Bhatru Mane)

       The first thing what we did as soon as we reached the house was, sat for some time at peace and then drank lots and lots of water. It was around 3 in the noon and Bhatta had already prepared food for us and was ready to serve it to us. I have to say it was a sumptuous feast after a tedious trek. All of us enjoyed it a lot. We all had our heart’s content. All of us decided to take some rest before starting up again, likewise we went down to the stream  and laid down on our night mats beside the stream glaring at the brimming sun and the beautiful greenery around with cool breeze tossing our faces  gently. It was as if we were in a dream.

OASIS (The Stream)

       It was around 6 in the evening and we didn’t want to miss the sun-set which was at its best there. We hurried up the hill to the viewer’s point with the intention to witness the flabbergasting sun-set…and we succeeded! We also witnessed the beautiful hue of the sky and the drowning of the sun behind the hills. It was an awesome experience...

Energetic Bunch of 15 @ view point

      As the night draped its beautiful shadows on the earth we decided to hold back our journey and raise our tents. We had lit a campfire to ward off the cold climate.

Clockwise: campfire, food prepared, tents, food under preparation

         Our team was not behind in the preparation of food. The food prepared was a feast to our taste buds. After lot of enjoyment sitting around the campfire and chatting, we descended to our respective tents. Just don’t know when did I close my eyes; ……..and when I opened my eyes, I saw the sun smiling at me spreading the morning soothe.

         A new day, a new hope, a new wave of energy went down our spines, tickling us to wake up to fulfill our endeavor .By the thought of reaching the summit, all of us got ready within few minutes of waking up. Like a group of hard working ants in a line, we set our journey all the way to the summit .Though the walk was very long, our enthusiasm made it look short. The path was a rocky one with us stumbling now and then, but still nothing would stop us from reaching the summit. On our way to the top there is a “Mantap” which is the only resting place in the rocky terrain.

The Mantap

               

       The three hours of walk up the hill finally proved fruitful, when we reached the summit. Our joy had no bounds. The feeling was like that of a victorious soldier in the battle field. We got a feeling that we had slain the mighty beauty and that now it’s under our control. The feeling was great!!........ 

The Sesha Giri  summit (CONQUERED)

  

Sesha Giri as seen from Bhatru Mane

     We stayed at the summit for some time and then started back with the same enthusiasm as that of the start. We reached ‘Bhattru mane’ around 1 at noon and had our food and  took some rest before starting down. With full energy on we started back and we reached the foot of the hill around 6 in the evening…There ended our ‘KumaraParvata” Trekking Expedition. This experience is close to heart of every team member…………we treasure it. Alas! i have to say, we went to conquer the heavenly beauty, but the beauty conquered us.          

“Morning Raaga” - Kumaraparvata peak as seen from Sesha Giri peak

Am happy that you read my experience and i will write more about the trek in detail pretty soon...

More about my Shoe, the content in the bag's, the need for stick, and my future trekking experiences..... 

coming soon.... Keep reading....

--

Decha

                                                  Assisted by
                                                               Ashish K Shukla