GO GREEN GO CYCLE

Few months ago I went on my first cycling expedition, read it here 40 Something Cycling Trip and after a few months wait  GO GREEN GO CYCLE Vol 4 happened to mark Children's Day . This time in association with Buzzintown , Magnifique public school to support "One Tree by One Person" and
OM ASHRAM to promote Mehfil- E- Yaaran. Lots of associations I know!!!

The starting point was Madhavan Park  in Jayangar and destination was Magnifique Public school on Kanakpura road distanced at 18 kms which didn't look unrealistic this time! The cycling enthusiasts assembled almost on time , hopped on their rented , borrowed and owned( exceptions are everywhere) cycles and started off . Unlike last time I knew everyone , almost everyone , from good friends to volunteer friends to acquaintances . I actually did know most of them.

The journey to the destination was more or less same as we took the same route starting from Jayanagar via Kanakpura road , the difference this time was the company. With most of the people cycling after an average of 15 years ( last time when most of them have cycled was in 10th standard) we reached fairly on time without any casualties( Ameen!). Magnifique school is nestled on the Kanakpura road amid lots of greenery and lots of open space. We were welcomed by Mr. Moiunddin , loud music, drinks( Non- alcoholic) and light snacks .
As people in their late 20's and 30's and 40's were celebrating Children's day it was time to actually get back to school. The classes started with Nursery Rhymes and well ended with Nursery Rhymes, you see its not easy to deal with such people in such critical Age Group. We did have a class on JOKES , yes you read it right but kids our age hardly know good jokes so the reference was Wtsaap .
As the  kids started to get restless , the easiest way to keep a hold of them was to let them dance. And oh yes hell broke loose . Indians can dance anywhere  and on any kind of music till the time it is loud and got some random beats , lyrics don't matter , NO not for us.
Well all of us thoroughly enjoyed . Few enjoyed shaking the leg ,the rest enjoyed watching those legs and arse move .

It was time for drawing session. Most of them picked up their favorite crayon colors, pencils and white sheets and got down to real work to produce a master piece of art.The outcome was not at all bad and our own Pablo Picasso and Paul Czeanne did pretty well. Here is a glimpse!

 As part of One Tree by One Person initiative we planted lots of saplings and the major attraction for me was dirtying my hands in mud ( it always feels good, doesn't it??)

As we eagerly waited for lunch we discovered an old deflated football , what else do we need??? 2 teams of 8 each was formed , goal post was set and positions decided . We  ran all across shouting goal goal even when the ball was kicked some 10 meters away from the goal post, hardly followed the rules and left no chance to increase the score by multiples digits!! Though our team won by 3-1 ..just a fact!!

The game was called off as the lunch arrived , the hungry  exhausted kids were served with some delicious Indian food packed by Brown Bag.
 It was time to pose for some group photos , say our goodbyes and leave for few more arduous kms of cycling.

While coming it was downhill and we just sat and cruise through the roads. the real tough time started now. With sun at its peak, our stomachs full and to add Uphill ,within few minutes we were sweating  , puffing and stopping every 2 kms.
After 3 breaks ,  few tender coconut down we decided to load the cycles and ourselves in the truck. Total distance covered was 25 kms , we were satisfied. 7 of us squeezed in the truck with the cycles and ended the trip at CCD with coffee mugs in our hand over a round table discussion.

It was just another Awesome Weekend with Awesome People for an  Inspiring  Cause.

Are your weekends fun?? Like OURS!!

This Diwali

For the past 7 years I have never missed diwali celebrations at home , the festive spirit up there cannot be missed which comes with the added advantage of spending some time with Family ( which is not much these days!!). But this time  for various reasons it didn't seem viable to go home , thanks to my good friend for getting married few days before this festival and stupid company policy that would force me to take a vacation in December. I was apprehensive as to how it would be, no family, no close friends and no Rajasthan.  But it turned out to be the most memorable Diwali . Here is a little account of the celebrations!!!

27th October -  With Sambhav Kids

Well yeah, for me the celebration started a week in advance.3 organizers , 50+ volunteers and 50+ kids and staff came together to enjoy bunch of activities and share a meal together. My first event as an organizer with 2 more beautiful people took place on this fine day. With the love and support of so  many people the event was a true success and we achieved what we aimed for.The kids thoroughly enjoyed the storytelling , the magic show , the gifts and the delicious food cooked by all the volunteers..And we enjoyed the company of those kids , the energy they spread and the happiness they bestowed us with . Saturday couldn't get better then this.
It was a kick-start to the festive season!!!

Million dollar smile

1st Nov - Need Base India 

An old Government property where 60+ angels live. When I call them that trust me they are nothing less. It was my first visit here, I enter the premise and hear lots of chattering , I look for the room and here they are .
I am welcomed by the sweetest " Hi" from at-least 10 of them , as I approach few of them they blast me with all the innocent questions . I try to remember their names as they improve my broken kannada.
As more volunteers arrived they got hold each one of them and made sure to make them smile with their non stop chattering . We played games, did laxmi pooja , relished the snacks, lighted up the place with diyas, candles and love, burst crackers and got the warmest of hugs. While I put nail-paint on their little fingernails they surrounded me and blew me away with their charm.
These girls loved , hugged me so unconditionally that even for 1 moment I didn't feel I was meeting them for the first time .As i got ready to leave the place they made sure to give me a goodbye hug and in return asked  to come back soon.
You should come with me and meet these girls, they are the most beautiful creation of God.

3rd Nov - OMASHRAM

Well without a doubt I love this place and hence we decided to do our 2nd event here.Volunteers arrived on time and it was worth seeing their enthusiasm, Luru definitely got the most enthusiastic and committed volunteers. My few artist friends got down to work and made beautiful rangoli while I did my job of filling in the color the worst way( I am awful at it).... the rest decorated the room with ribbons , arranged stuff,clicked photographs ,  got the diyas ready and Me?? well , I just monitored and encouraged them :)

With the help of our donor friends we sponsored sweaters for the all elderly's :)
The evening was spent chatting with the ajjis, lighting the place with diyas , hogging on sweets and the most delicious set doasas with chatni , being responsible for the all the noise and sound pollution and having a gala time with the all awesome people . And oh yes, posing for the camera!!!After all we all got dressed in ethnic wear :)

This was definitely the most special Diwali I had till date with amazing people and for the most beautful people.
I learnt the meaning of true festive spirit and that  happiness doubles up if you share . You just need to take out some time and you will be showered with love ,laughter and more lOve.

"Meet the Volunteers"

 I bless the day I decided not to go home.