North Karnataka Trip 2007 - Part 4

25th 
Today was an enlightening experience, though I got up late, after breakfast, Amrut anna took me to Ramakrishna mission. I was thrilled by the calmness which was there. I felt dwarfed in front of them. I bought few books which could only help 'me' and do nothing else. Then I went to Hbli to Veena atya's home, in the evening we went to Monnanna ajja's home. Met Kavak ajji. She was reasonably in good health but with some hearing problems (which is bound to occur during this age)

In the night, Gauri akka showed me all the famlily photos and explained to me each and every relatives name and their relation... Before that I was ashamed not knowing much of it.

North Karnataka Trip 2007 - Part 3

23rd
This was a wonderful day, we went to Mills at about 1130 AM. Vishwas anna showed us working of entire mills. It was awesome to see things practically getting done. It was a wonderful experience. We walked across the bridge, took some photos and returned back home. In the evening, went to Sunil mama's home, then to dine at Jaya aunty's mother's home. It was a heart warming experience.

24th
Today, I bid farewell to JAyq qunty, Dalal uncle and Murgendra, Soumya and Anusha. It was a wonderful stayover.  I am not sure if I would be happier even if I were to stay in my own house! Lol..

I left for Dharwad, reached Dharwad at 1 15 PM. Then in the evening went to Seenanna ajja's home. Kummi anna had called, I spoke to him. He is once person I will always look up to for some inspiration. Dont know much about him, still he keeps inspiring me....

North Karnataka Trip 2007 - Part 2

22nd

• This is a day to remember in my life
• Though we were late to start the journey, once it began, it was one of the best of my  lifetime as of now
• We went to Hudkal dam. It was filled with large amount of water. They didn't allow us inside the gate to stroll across the dam, but I took few photos. It was great sight.
• I saw the statute of Mr Neeravali Tagna Balekundri and what his vision was, in all the display!!
• From there, we went to "Godche Malki" falls. This falls can rival with any other in the world, i tel you! This was really a great sight and a privilege to stand about 5-10 feet beside it.
• I was stunned by its beauty and did not have any words to describe it. Whatever I say is really very little.
• I decided here that sometime in future, I will bring all my loved ones here to visit this place. :)
• From there, we went to Gokak falls, with light disappointment because of lack of water in it. The dam hadn't filled. So, they wouldn't let water in it. We also wanted to walk across the dam. As it was sunday, it was heavy rush and thought of going the next day
• Then we went to temple beside it and from there we went to Vishwas anna's home, a lovely big house with all facilities and security. We had tiffin and tea there and were on our way back to home
• Vishwas anna promised me that he would show us ( me and Veeru)  the working of the Gokak mills.
• We were over joyed by this and came back home very happily :)

North Karnataka Trip 2007- Part 1

I dont remember which month exactly it was and I have not noted it down as well. You may not follow some of the things. Its okay :) it is because most of below was written sort of note-to-self kind of mode :)

19th Night 930 PM

• Left Bangalore for Gokak

20th Morning 8 50 AM

• Arrived at Gokak
• Weather is bright and Sunny
• Uncle had come to pick us up
• This day was Gokak Bandh
• Took rest
• Had been to Kalahalli Uncle's home
• Then went to Lakshmi temple (Grama Devata)

21st

• A cloudy day it was. Thought it would rain. But it never did!!
• Went to Bazaar with Veeru
• Had been to Janata hotel, had fruit salad and "Mix"
• Evening-had a look at Veeru's home
• Night- we went to Hetel Anmol and had a nice meal!
• Really enjoying here
• No tension whatsoever, slept 3-4 hours in the afternoon, it was ages befor I did that before this
• Felt I had peace of mind here
• To be frank, I am having "0" remembering of bangalore except that I am missing chatting and fighting with Chaitra (my little sister)
• Read few works of Vivekananda and Abdul Kalam to understand their perspectives, felt Kalam's was a bit better (Practically realistic)
• But would like to fulfil both of them!! I Shall do it.
• Just got hints that what I wanted to do these days was indeed the need of the hour, and I should work far more harder and earlier that I intended to.
• For this, I will need to sacrifice a bit, a bit more than I would have liked, but its all for a good purpose. So, I think I should do justice to myself
• my country, my family -both are important to me now. And also to reach nirvana. 

A trip when I was 18, that shaped my life!

Sometime during the year of 2007, I went on a trip to few places in North Karnataka. I was accompanied by Veeru during the first leg of the journey to Gokak. Rest of the journey, I went from one place to another on my own.

The reason this trip is so important is because, during this journey, I spent some time gathering my thoughts which has had a great deal of impact on how I turned up in the next few years.

To my pleasant surprise, while cleaning home today, I happened to get hold of a bunch of neatly stapled sheets of paper (12+ sheets back-to-back) of size around 4"*5". I had totally forgotten that I had written a a mini-diary for myself during those days and was curious to read it :)

Once I started reading it, I felt so nice that I was able to find this long forgotten treasure.  To my young friends out there, do travel! It helps you shape who you would be later on in your life :-)

Will be sharing day-to-day account that I read so that it will never be lost again! Most of it are in form of brief note-to-self. May be soon, I can write in detail about them. Read and understand what was going through Varun's mind when he was 18 years old. 

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4