Theatre for a Cause - An experience!

“Bye Akka, see you in December”, shouted the kids as we dropped them off on the last day of the theatre workshop.

 We had grown so fond of these kids in just one week’s time. It was easier said than done to not meet these kids again in December when they come back to learn to stage their play.

Theatre for a cause is an initiative of Akshaya Patra Foundation on the occasion of their 11 anniversary, to give an opportunity to underprivileged children from different government schools to learn theatre and be a part of it.

20 children were hand-picked from six schools in South Bangalore. These children were a part of a week-long theatre workshop. Renowned theatre personality Ms. Padmavathi Rao conducted the work shop for these children.

We had the mammoth responsibility of picking up, dropping and taking care of the mischievous brood of 20. It was a life time experience. They were filled with energy forever. There was an important lesson we learnt from them, punctuality. Many of them waited at their schools an hour before they were scheduled to be picked up, and none of them was late, ever.

On the first day, neither the kids nor we had a clue of what the workshop would be like. We all were a curious lot; wanting to learn and know all that we could with the opportunity we had been given.

It took them hardly any time to get familiar and bond with each other though they were from six different schools. The theatre games only made things better for them.

When given an option to choose the language they wanted to stage their play, English was a unanimous take. Though they were not comfortable at all with the language, they were eager to learn and inculcate the habit of talking in English. This was one of the pleasant surprises these kids gave us.

“Ellarigu chance sigatte, obobre heli”, was often heard at the workshop. All the 20 hands would go up whenever they had to express their views. Each child was proactive in the workshop in his or her own way.

They worked together as if they knew each other for ever. Though they had differences of opinions on group tasks assigned to them, they helped each other appreciate the task and work as a team.

Every day was a learning process. The more we got to know these kids, the more we learnt. Each bright eye had a story to tell, each brave mind had a battle to fight, and each tender heart had a goal to reach. Their enthusiasm was infectious!

One month with Akshaya Patra Foundation - A Treasure of Pleasure

I instantly chose The Akshaya Patra Foundation when given an option to choose the NGO I wanted to intern with.

Akshaya Patra foundation has taken up a noble cause of feeding the underprivileged children across the country. Millions of these tender ones are forced to toil in order to feed their tiny tummies, and end up staying out of school. Akshaya Patra bridges this gap by providing them free food at school every day.

What else but education can contribute to the growth of one of the most populous countries like India?

We (Anvitha, my classmate) began our internship with the happiness that we too will contribute to this noble cause in our own little way being a part of Akshaya Patra Foundation for four weeks.

Listening to the radio recordings, I learnt more, the story and all their other programmes and initiatives to feed the hungry.

When I proof read their annual report, my journalism class on proof reading was refreshed. I got to know a lot more about the people involved in building this organisation.

In our first week itself, we got an opportunity to visit the Vasanthapura kitchen when a high profile delegation from Singapore came down to see how a programme like this is possible and how does a private and government partnership programme function? We were at the kitchen early morning and were awestruck seeing how an industry functions to serve hot food to the little ones, the kind of efforts that go into making it happen. After going through the presentation made to these delegates, I learnt some more things about this organisation.

The second week went into one of the most memorable part of our internship, “Theatre for a Cause” workshop. We worked with 20 children from different government schools. Our week went into picking them up, dropping them back, taking care of the children and knowing each of these children. They opened my eyes to some bare realities of life. I got to see the ultimate impact Akshaya Patra was having on these children. It was a marvelous experience to see their happiness and excitement about the food they were getting to eat and the difference it made to them. I must admit, I still miss the mischievous brood.

Assigned the task of coming up with a concept for the conference room, there was more I learnt about this amazing organisation, its achievements and milestones. It was a thrilling assignment.

We had fun translating the IVRS flowchart to Kannada, I learnt about the dedication they have to serve better and work more efficiently.

I must mention the fantastic and committed people at Akshaya Patra. They made us feel at home and helped us learn and understand everything we wanted to know. Everyone from the CEO to the office help is extremely supportive, adaptive and humble.

The four weeks had come to an end even before I realized. On our last day, we were privileged to have been treated for lunch, another humble gesture I will remember forever. 

We captured some of the precious and happy moments we spent at this brilliant place with even more amazing people.

It felt like I was one in the family of Akshaya Patra. Now, I know this place better than I thought I ever would and feel a sense of belonging. I have learnt something each day in everything I have done, a few lessons to last a life time. There is a satisfaction of contributing my little bit to an organisation like this. What more could I ask from an internship of one month?

It was an experience to be cherished for a life time!

An abode of sensuous beauty and enthralling freshness... Lalbagh

A walk through Lalbagh, Bangalore.

Every time I walk into this beautiful garden, there is something new it has to show me and tell me about. Each and every tree, plant, flower, animal, rock, everything seems so alive and happy. 

This 240 acres of heaven welcomes thousands of people everyday and only makes sure all of them enjoy the enchanting freshness.

Built by Hyder Ali in 1760, its one of the largest lung spaces in Bengaluru.

As I enter Lalbagh from the West Gate, a plethora of green on both sides stares at me with open hands. I usually choose to start from the left.

A long pathway that has a wide variety of humongous trees, bushes and beautiful flowering trees, leads to the gate where I read the quote, "ಕೈ ಮುಗಿದು ಒಳಗೆ ಬಾ, ಇದು ಸಸ್ಯ ಕಾಶಿ".

One of the largest trees in the country

The huge silk cotton tree

On my left I see a majestic red building amidst so much green n colour. Its the horticulture department. Im sure these guys are some of the luckiest people, working in such a wonderful place.

Banyan tree in front of the horticulture department building 

As I finish admiring the red building, waiting for me is a canopy of silver oak trees on my right. This is one of my most loved stretch at Lalbagh. Its always rich green, pleasant, quite and empty. It seems like the sun peeps through these trees to wink at the passers by.

Followed by a huge lawn for kids to play, people to rest, and if its afternoon, I even find some birds totally in love sitting below the trees here and there.

Going ahead from here, if I go left, I pass through the lane of stalls which brighten up during the bi-annual flower shows and fruit melas and reach the legendary glass house. This was built in 1889, during the British rule, to commemorate the visit of Prince of Wales. Its the place where the world famous flower shows are held during Republic day and Independence day every year.

If I went left, I see the Lalbagh Rock, one of the oldest rock formations on earth, dating back to 3,000 million years. On top of this is one of the Kempegowda tower, which was supposed to mark as one corner of the city, but ironically, Bengaluru has grown around it.

Walking up this hill is a pleasure by itself. No matter when, there is a cool breeze that is blowing and there are pity vendors selling sliced and spiced tomatoes, cucumber and pineapple. From here, the grandoise Vidhana Soudha, muscular Chinnaswamy cricket Stadium, classy UB City, tall Utility Building and a lot more places in central Bengaluru.

Going down the hill towards the lake, I am all smiles to see the paradise of pink lotus', bright and bloomed.

On the other side of the lotus pond is the captivating and majestic lake. No words suffice to explain the beauty of this place in Lalbagh. On one bank of the lake, a long path is laid where fish, ducks and swans are by you side. The other bank has a rich lush green garden and nursery on one the left, lined with chickoo trees just beside the walkers track. 

Happiness

Happiness is a state of mind. You are the maker or breaker of it.

Happiness is lost when situations and people are allowed control over you.

Happiness can always be yours if you want to be happy.

The moment you place your happiness in the hands of others, you lose control over your emotions.

I would love to share a poem by William Blake,

He who binds to himself a joy
Does the winged life destroy; 
But he who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternity’s sun rise.

Perception

The same situation, but different solutions.

The same problem, but different persons.

The same difficulty, but different possibilities.

Happiness for one, heat break for another.

Its all about perception. 

Its all about how you want to look at things, what you want to see it as and why you want to see it that way.

Here is a wonderful poem by Faye Jones on perception.


There is many a time
You seem to read my mind
But in the end
You cant know what I intend.
Your view of my actions
Are clouded by your past attachments.


Your memory guides you comprehension.
If only you could change the definitions.
Erase the imprints on your heart.
Make a new start.
Allow me to ease your misery.
Let us make our new history.

Love

Love becomes a part of our lives from the time we are born. We tend to realise it only very late!




Once in life, do fall in love.
Not necessarily with a person,
but with an idea, a dream, an ambition.
More often, it will be a reason to wake up with a smile!

Dearest friend

One more day can change your life, just one more person can change your direction!

I have come across angels like this in every walk of my life.

There has been a friend who has stood by me, listened to me, and supported me in everything I did. Be it something silly or the most important decision of my life.

I dedicate this poem by Erin Porter to those wonderful friends of mine!

"YOU WERE THERE FOR ME"

Words escape me
at this moment
that seems like the end
yet it is only the beginning
when friendships are close
and dreams are far
you were there for me.
Tears fill me
with memories of both good and bad
some nearly forgetton
yet all dear to the heart
you were there for me.
In times of trouble
and in times of thanks
you stood by my side
and held me up.
Through your ever-patient ears
to your comforting hugs
you were there for me.
From that first day
when I saw you and knew
that you would love me for who I was
you were there for me.
And until the day
when we are old and gray
I will always know that
you are there for me. 

The state of our farmers...

The feeder of  his family, village, state, nation and the world. 
Who in this so called fastest growing economy cares to care bout this poor man?

Thousands and lakhs of them are dying every year due to pro industry and pro power policies of our country. They die not being able to repay loans of meager amounts of Rs. 50000, which in the urban India is hardly any money.
Why is there so much of a divide in our economy? Why should only you and me live a decent and luxurious life? Why not the hardworking farmer who feeds us?


We live in India that follows a mixed economy system where there are free market and trade practices but with substantial government control and regulations to protect the interest of the poor. 
But isn't this just a theory in the care of our agricultural trade policies?


Can we ever get rid of the middle men and agents who eat up all the money and the poor farmer is the loser always.
We pay nearly Rs.40 for a kilo of rice when the farmer is selling it at Rs.6 a kilo. 


Where are all the funds set aside for agriculture going?
Why aren't any women farmers recognised as farmers?? Why the hell are they only called a farmers' wife?


Isn't it the responsibility of the damn government to educate them enough if the cant support their agriculture? Why is it they are left to fight this cruel reality without even knowing what they are fighting?


Who is going to answer these questions?
Is there a way to counter this situation? 
Can the farmer also dream a dream???


All that I can do as of now, is to only wish,

"ಅನ್ನದಾತೋ ಸುಖಿಭವ "

"may the feeder be happy".

My ಕನಸು

ಕನಸನ್ನು ಕನಸೆಂದು ಮನಸಿಂದ ಹೊರಹಾಕಬೇಡ,

ಆ ಕನಸನ್ನು ನನಸಗಿಸುವುದರ ಹಿಂದಿರೋ ಖುಷಿ ನಿನಗಿನ್ನೆಲ್ಲು ಸಿಕ್ಕೊಲ್ಲ.

ನನ್ನ ಕನಸು...

ನನ್ನ ದೇಶದ ಏಳಿಗೆಗೆ ನಾನು ಒಂದು ಸಣ್ಣ ಇಟ್ಟಿಗೆಯಾಗಬೇಕು,

ನನ್ನ ಭಾಷೆಯನ್ನು ಬೆಳೆಸಬೇಕು,

ನನ್ನ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ, ನನ್ನ ಭಾರತದ ಕೀರ್ತಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸಬೇಕು.

I dream of a dream...

I dream of a wonderful world, better world than we live in;

I dream of a stronger country, a country that takes care of its people;

I dream of a secular state, a state that doesn't ignore its subjects;

I dream of a healthier city, a city that is greener and brighter;

I dream of an educated society, a society that doesn't blame;

I dream of a responsible community, a community that we want to belong to;

I dream of a supportive family, a family that will never let me down;

I dream of a cheerful home, a home that i long to return to;

I dream of a peaceful me!!