Karve Days 5: “I will be your field work guide!”

✪ Acceptance of all students: Principle of acceptance 
✪ Student- centred assessment and examination
✪ Bullying by close friends and warmth
✪ Those golden days!
✪ "हां यही रस्ता है तेरा!"
✪ Short cut to the campus- memorable trek!

The first year in "Karve Institute of Social Service" was about to end. Even after 20 years, things are crystal clear before the eyes. The time has flown. In those days, mobile phones were new. Coin boxes would be there everywhere. We would insert a 1 Rs coin and talk for three minutes! Internet was limited to netcafes. It was not available yet in the mobiles. While going for field work, we would need to interact a lot with the people for the address, directions etc. Teaching and learning was manual- one has to do every thing. 

The hostel was in the college campus. But for meals and breakfast, we had to go to Hingne Home colony. While returning to the college, there was a short cut path. It was a ascending trail. Later on even after trekking to many mountains and treks, that trek remains special! In the morning, we had to have a breakfast in a hurry and then reach the college till 9 am. For lunch also, we had the window of 1 to 2 pm and so had to rush. 



Video summary of this article.

 

While studying there, I would always feel that I belonged here and I was at a right place. It was like this song "हां, यही रस्ता है तेरा!"‌ (This is your right path). Before this, I had never enjoyed learning so much. It was significant progress, particularly after receiving "मै ऐसा क्युं हूँ" (Why I am like this) fishpond! Many things started to change as the first year was about to finish! Great bonds were developed with the hostel friends! Their banter and bullying also became enjoyable. I learned how to counter it! I came to know about personality, habits and likes- dislikes of everyone. In those days, Dhoni with long hair and Kajol also would stay near my bed! Initially I would get troubled by the hostel disturbances, but till then I learned to tackle it! My room-mates Pravin and Sangram and Santosh- Kishor- Prabhakar from the nearby room and other hostel mates- those were real days! Now I cannot just think about visiting the hostel if I don’t have company of these friends!

Warm friendships were developed with the girls also. I still remember how I was troubled by my friend Sai. One day, some time was there for the next lecture. We were standing near the library. Then she took my bag and put it inside the ladies' washroom! And she was teasing me, "Go, get it!" We were not taught about this kind of a social problem! I pleaded again and again, but in vain! She did not allow other girls to help me. She was telling me, “If you dare go there, I will immediately complain to Nagmani madam!” After waiting so much, finally Ashwini helped me! Such warmth and bonding with friends! In one skill lab I still see one girl singing the song “Signaal, pyaar ka signal!” And even the meaning of the song “Han yahi rasta hai tera” would change on the road towards the girls’ hostel!

Around April, the farewell party of the second years took place. It was a much needed relief to them in their tight schedules. Again it was a great show of arts and talents! With the farewell round the corner, they were emotional… And seeing their situation of pending deadlines, submissions, we were slightly getting an idea, how tough the next year would be like. Field work submissions, the micro study and actual submission of the thesis! Its original deadline was 15th February. But everyone had gone beyond that. Everyone was actually battling with time! Compared to that, we were okay. Drafts and questionnaire for the research were in the process of finalization. The field work had finished and the preparatory leaves started.

The final examination of the first year! I did not have any pressure for the theory papers. Because all concepts were understood. And the questions were more related to understanding than memorization. The faculties had given much attention to the examination method and assessment of the students. When Nagmani Rao madam had joined the Institute as a faculty, she had paid much attention to this. She realized that some aspects were not appropriate for assessment of the Dalit and marginalized students. Then she came up with corrective remedies. Therefore the examination methodology and assessment was revised and made appropriate for the students. Instead of spelling mistakes or sentence construction errors, understanding and presentation of the subject was given importance. Importantly, acceptance was there for the students. This “acceptance” is one important principle of social work! We had the viva voce for the field work. Generally clarity about work, confidence, observations, understanding of the methods used were aspects that would be considered. 

I found no difficulty in the examinations. Even the viva voce of the field work also went smoothly. We had some break before the next year began. In that window, I went to Latur and visited my research related agency working towards solid waste management. I conducted the pre- testing of the questionnaire. That organization provided safety and facilities to the waste pickers and was working towards their empowerment. Their work ensured better cleanliness in the city and some waste was recycled also. That field work also took place smoothly. Accordingly, the questionnaire and the tool was to be finalized.

Second year of the college was round the corner. The results were not yet out. I had gone to the college to show the pretest data to my research guide- Masdekar madam. Then I met my favourite faculty there. She inquired about me and told me, “I will be your field work guide!” I was delighted to know this! I also realized that I am passed. I was so happy that I would learn under my favourite teacher! Later on the results were out. I got good marks. Little less in the field work, but it was expected. 

In June, the block placements started for the seniors. It was a 1 month continuous field work. The students are supposed to advanced field work with one agency. Many students had given campus interviews also. The hostel rooms would be switched after the year end. The first years would go to the first floor. But at that time, we were allowed to retain our rooms. So for the second year also, we stayed in the same room- room no. 15! When I would stay near the door, I would see Sinhgad fort and Katraj mountain in the distance. Sometimes early in the morning, sound of firing rounds done by NDA cadets was also heard. The year finished with so many such memories!

Next part: Karve Days 6: New assignments, new skills and new faces also!

-Niranjan Welankar 09422108376. Date of writing- 21 August 2026.

 

कर्वेतले दिवस ५: “I will be your field work guide!”

✪ सर्व विद्यार्थ्यांचा "स्वीकार"- Principle of acceptance 
✪ विद्यार्थी-केंद्रित मूल्यमापन व परीक्षा पद्धत
✪ मित्र- मैत्रिणींनी दिलेला त्रास आणि आपलेपणा
✪ रम्य ते कॉलेजचे दिवस
✪ "हां यही रस्ता है तेरा!"
✪ कँपसमध्ये जाण्याचा शॉर्ट कट- आठवणीतला ट्रेक!

"कर्वे समाज सेवा संस्थेतलं" पहिलं‌ वर्ष संपत आलं! वीस वर्षं होत आली तरी किती तरी गोष्टी डोळ्यांपुढे तशाच आहेत. आज तो काळसुद्धा मागे पडला आहे. तेव्हा मोबाईल फोन्स अगदी‌ नवीन होते. त्यामुळे ठिकठिकाणी कॉईन बॉक्सेस असायचे. एक रूपया टाकून तीन मिनिट बोलायचं! इंटरनेट नेटकॅफेमध्ये होतं. मोबाईलमध्ये अजून आलं नव्हतं. त्यामुळे फिल्ड वर्कसाठी जाताना- अन्य ठिकाणी फिरताना खूप लोकांना विचारावं लागायचं. अभ्यास आणि शिकवण्याची प्रक्रियासुद्धा अगदी स्वत: करण्याची होती. 

हॉस्टेल कॉलेजच्या परिसरातच होतं. मेस किंवा नाश्त्यासाठी मात्र हिंगणे होम कॉलनीत जावं लागायचं. तिथे जाताना- येताना थेट कॉलेजच्या परिसरात येणारा एक शॉर्ट कट होता. चढाव असलेली‌ पायवाट होती! इतर अनेक डोंगर- किल्ले आणि ट्रेक केले तरी त्या पायवाटेची मजा वेगळीच! सकाळच्या वेळी घाई घाईत नाश्ता करून ९ च्या लेक्चरची वेळ गाठावी लागायची. दुपारी १ ते २ च्या वेळेतही घाई घाईत जाऊन जेवावं लागायचं. 

(इथे सगळे लेख एकत्र वाचता येतील: https://niranjan-vichar.blogspot.com/2026/08/karve-days-4-advanced-orientation.html विज्ञान प्रयोग, गणितातील गमती, ट्रेकिंग, ध्यान, सायकलिंग, फिटनेसबद्दलचे लेख वाचता येतील.)

ह्या लेखाचा व्हिडिओ सारांश इथे बघता येईल.

कर्वेमध्ये शिकताना प्रत्येक वेळी आपण अगदी योग्य ठिकाणी आल्याची व योग्य गोष्ट करत असल्याची जाणीव होत होती. अगदी "हां, यही रस्ता है तेरा!"‌ वाटायचं. शिक्षणात त्याआधी इतकं एंजॉय कधी केलं नव्हतं. "मै ऐसा क्युं हूँ" फिशपाँड पडल्यानंतरची‌ ही प्रगती‌ होती! पहिलं वर्ष संपता संपता अनेक गोष्टी बदलल्या! हॉस्टेलच्या मित्रांसोबत घट्ट मैत्री झाली. तिथल्या दादागिरीचीही मजा वाटायला लागली. मीसुद्धा प्रति- दादागिरी शिकलो! प्रत्येकाचं व्यक्तिमत्व, सवयी, आवडी, गमती कळाल्या. त्या काळात माझ्या बेडजवळ लांब केसांचा धोनी आणि काजोलसुद्धा राहायचे! सुरूवातीला मला हॉस्टेलवरच्या गोंधळाचा त्रास व्हायचा. पण हळु हळु मी माझ्या पद्धतीने उत्तर द्यायला शिकलो! संग्राम- प्रवीण हे रूम मेटस आणि बाजूच्याच खोलीतले किशोर- संतोष- प्रभाकर! कमाल दिवस होते ते! आता खरं तर मित्र सोबत नसतील तर हॉस्टेलच्या परिसरात जाण्याची हिंमतच होत नाही! अगदी तो विचार सुद्धा "सुन्या सुन्या मैफिलीत" वाटतो! 

मैत्रिणींसोबतही छान गट्टी झाली होती. सईने माझी केलेली गंमत आठवते! लेक्चरला थोडा वेळ होता आणि आम्ही लायब्ररीजवळ थांबलो होतो. तेव्हा तिने माझी बॅग लायब्ररीजवळच्या मुलींच्या वॉशरूममध्ये ठेवली! आणि "आता जाऊन घे" म्हणाली! अशा प्रकारच्या सामाजिक समस्येबद्दल आम्हांला शिकवलंच नव्हतं! कितीही विनंती केली तरी देतच नव्हती! इतर मुलींना तिने आणू दिली नाही. आणि मला धमकी‌ देत होती, "तू गेलास आत तर मी नागमणी मॅडमकडे जातेच आणि तक्रार करते!" खूप वेळ वाट पाहिल्यावर अश्विनीने मला मदत केली! मित्र मैत्रिणींचा असा जिव्हाळा व सोबत आठवून डोळे पाणावतात. एका स्किल लॅबमध्ये एक मैत्रीण "सिग्नाल प्यार का सिग्नाल" गाणं म्हणताना अजूनही आठवते! "हाँ यही रस्ता है तेरा" ह्या गाण्याचा वेगळा अर्थ मुलींच्या हॉस्टेलच्या रस्त्याकडे जाताना आठवायचा!

एप्रिलच्या सुमारास सेकंड यीअर्सचा निरोप समारंभ झाला. अतिशय व्यस्त वेळापत्रकात त्यांना ब्रेक मिळेल असा तो कार्यक्रम झाला! कला गुणांची झलक बघायला मिळाली. निरोप घेताना तेही हळवे झाले होते... बाकी दुसर्‍या वर्षातली विद्यार्थ्यांची स्थिती बघून हळु हळु पुढचं वर्ष कसं खडतर असेल, हा अंदाज येत होता. फिल्ड वर्कमधलं सबमिशन, मायक्रो स्टडी आणि प्रत्यक्ष रिसर्चचं सबमिशन! १५ फेब्रुवारी ही त्याची डेडलाईन होती. पण सगळ्यांचेच रिसर्च उशीरा होताना दिसत होते. सगळ्यांची वेळापत्रकाची मोठीच लढाई सुरू होती. त्यामानाने आम्ही ठीक होतो. रिसर्चचे ड्राफ्टस- प्रश्नावली इ. फायनल होत होते. फिल्ड वर्क संपून परीक्षेआधीच्या सुट्ट्या सुरू होत्या.

पहिल्या वर्षीची परीक्षा! थिअरीच्या पेपर्सचं दडपण असं आलं नाही. कारण संकल्पना सगळ्या समजल्या होत्या. आणि प्रश्नसुद्धा पाठांतराचे नसून understanding चे असायचे. परीक्षा पद्धती, विद्यार्थ्याचं मूल्यमापन अशा गोष्टींमध्येही फॅकल्टीजनी खूप लक्ष दिलं होतं. नागमणी राव मॅडम कर्वेमध्ये प्राध्यापिका म्हणून आल्यानंतर त्यांनी ह्यामध्ये खूप लक्ष घातलं. दलित आणि मागासवर्गीय विद्यार्थ्यांच्या मूल्यामापनामध्ये काही घटकांमुळे फरक पडतोय, असं त्यांच्या लक्षात आल्यावर त्यांनी तशा सुधारणा सुचवल्या होत्या. त्यामुळे परीक्षा पद्धत आणि मूल्यमापन हेसुद्धा विद्यार्थ्यांसाठी योग्य होतं. स्पेलिंगच्या चुका किंवा वाक्य रचना ह्यापेक्षा विषयाचं आकलन, मांडणी, विचार महत्त्वाचे मानले जात होते. मुख्य म्हणजे विद्यार्थ्यांचा "स्वीकार" होता. "स्वीकार" अर्थात् acceptance हे समाज कार्यातलं महत्त्वाचं तत्त्व आहे!  फिल्ड वर्कची तोंडी परीक्षासुद्धा होती. त्यामध्ये केलेल्या कामाबद्दल स्पष्टता, आत्मविश्वास, निरीक्षणं, कार्यपद्धतीचं आकलन अशा गोष्टी बघितल्या जायच्या. 

सगळे पेपर चांगले गेले. फिल्ड वर्क वायवा (तोंडी परीक्षा)सुद्धा चांगली गेली. सेकंड यीअर सुरू होण्याच्या आधी काही दिवस सुट्ट्या होत्या. तेव्हा मग माझ्या संशोधनासाठी लातूरमध्ये घन कचर्‍यावर काम करणार्‍या संस्थेमध्ये जाऊन भेट दिली. प्रश्नावलीची पूर्व चाचणी (प्रीटेस्टिंग) केली होती. कचरा गोळा करणार्‍यांना सुरक्षा, साधनं देण्यासह त्यांचं सक्षमीकरण त्या संस्थेद्वारे केलं जात होतं. शिवाय शहराची अधिक चांगल्या प्रकारे स्वच्छता केली जात होती आणि काही वस्तुंचा पुनर्वापर केला जात होता. तेही फिल्ड वर्क छान झालं. त्यानुसार पुढे प्रश्नावली व टूल अंतिम ठरणार होतं.

कॉलेजचं दुसरं वर्ष लवकरच सुरू होणार होतं. रिजल्ट अजून सांगितले नव्हते. प्रीटेस्टचा डेटा मसदेकर मॅडमना दाखवण्यासाठी एकदा सुट्टीच्या दिवशी कॉलेजमध्ये गेलो होतो. तेव्हा माझ्या आवडत्या मॅडम भेटल्या. त्यांनी माझी चौकशी केली आणि मला सांगितलं, “I will be your field work guide!” खूप आनंद झाला ते कळाल्यावर! आणि आपण पास झालो, हेसुद्धा कळालं. आवडत्या फॅकल्टीकडून खूप शिकायला मिळणार, ह्याचा खूप आनंद वाटला. पुढे यथावकाश रिझल्टस लागले. चांगले गुण मिळाले. फिल्ड वर्कमध्ये तसे कमी होते, पण ते अपेक्षित होतं. 

जूनमध्ये सिनियर्सच्या ब्लॉक प्लेसमेंट सुरू झाल्या. ही एक महिन्याची सलग प्लेसमेंट असते. त्यामध्ये एका एजन्सीमध्ये पुढच्या स्तराचं फिल्ड वर्क करायचं असतं. त्याशिवाय अनेकांचे कँपस इंटरव्ह्यूजसुद्धा झाले होते. वर्ष बदलताना मुलांच्या रूम्स बदलायच्या. पहिल्या वर्षीचे दुसर्‍या वर्षी खाली जायचे. पण आमच्या वेळी आम्हांला आहे त्याच रूम्स ठेवू दिल्या गेल्या. त्यामुळे दुसर्‍या वर्षीही १५ नंबरची खोलीच मिळाली! दरवाज्यासमोर आलं की समोर सिंहगड दिसायचा! कात्रजचा डोंगरही‌ दिसायचा! कधी कधी सकाळच्या वेळी एनडीए परिसरातल्या जवानांच्या फायरिंगच्या सरावाचा आवाजही यायचा. अशा असंख्य आठवणींसह पहिलं वर्षं संपलं!

पुढचा भाग: कर्वेतले दिवस ६: नवीन असाईनमेंटस, नवीन कौशल्यं आणि नवीन चेहरेसुद्धा

-निरंजन वेलणकर 09422108376. लिहीण्याचा दिनांक- 21 ऑगस्ट 2026. 

Karve Days 4: Advanced Orientation Visits and other fun

✪ Learning atmosphere- one would not want to miss
✪ Beginning of research
✪ Visits to unique organizations
✪ Conference and presentations
✪ Encouragement from the seniors
✪ Fabulous gathering ceremony and new found art!
✪ Field work in communities, report writing and conferences with the faculties
✪ "You should not work with children."

Hello. November 2006! I had gone to Parbhani during Diwali holidays. Karve college schedule was so tight, so we had just four days break. But still we badly missed the college. There was the study momentum of 3-4 month. All things had fallen in place. We just missed the affectionate atmosphere, like the one the corporate people have in their offices. So the holidays did not feel like that. Not only the vacations, but also Sundays would be difficult on the hostel. 

Video summary of this article. 

I got good marks in the first term examination. Also in the Research paper. I was slightly worried about the field work. There marks are given differently. Agency conferences and review meetings for the field work continued. The next semester started and the study continued. Once theory of Research was taught, its practical started. For this, entire the class took one project through the Research lab. It was decided as a survey of city bus commuters in Pune. Entire the class jointly prepared its questionnaire, scope, sampling universe etc. Small groups were formed to divide tasks. We went at some places and interviewed the commuters. Later on the data was collectively analyzed and its report was written. While this was taking place, everyone started to think about their subjects for research and started making the proposals. For this, there everyone was assigned guidance of one faculty. 

Sufia- First human to run from Kanyakumari to Karakoram pass

“It was about thousands of small decisions not to give up!”
 

Do you know where is Karakoram pass? It is in Northern Ladakh, near DBO! Sufia Sufi, 5 times Guinness World Record holder ran from Kanyakumari to Karakoram- 5000 kms in 86 days (daily average ≈ 58 kms)! Yes. What you just read is right. It is a pity that very few people know about her. Just imagine, you are standing for 1 hour outside in harsh heat, high humidity and continuous rain. And now again think. 86 days and daily 58 kms average distance running across entire India in rain, heat, winds, floods and high mountains! She finished it on 6th August.
 

Sufiya Sufi, an ultra-distance runner from Ajmer, Rajasthan, spent nearly a decade in the aviation industry before discovering her passion for running in 2017. What started as a fitness journey soon became one of India's greatest endurance stories.

Her earlier 5× Guinness World Records:

* Fastest woman to run *Kashmir to Kanyakumari* (4,000 km in 87 days, daily average ≈ 46 kms) She herself broke this record during this run and completed this distance in 68 days!
* Fastest woman to complete the *Indian Golden Quadrilateral* (6,000 km in 110 days, daily average ≈ 55 kms)
* First woman to run from *Siachen Base Camp to Kargil*
* Fastest overall runner on the *Manali to Leh* route (430 km in 98 hours i.e. in just 4 days across those high mountains!)
* First woman to run the *entire length of Qatar*

My small video about her.

Karve Days 3: Tense silence in the hostel on the eve of the Examination

✪ Difficult subjects- Case work, Research Methodology and Public Health
✪ इतना अच्छा मौसम है और इन बीमारियों के अलावा...
✪ Really need a great luck to get such teachers!
✪ "This is to be remembered!"
✪ Encouragement to raw talent
✪ Field work in the community, report writing and conferences with the faculty
✪ Notes and xeroxes in demand on the eve of the paper!

The second room on the second floor of the hostel of Karve Institute- the room no. 15 became my home! Sagram Kadam from Nagar and Pravin Chokhandre from Nagpur were my roommates. Sangram was like a bodybuilder. Pravin was slim and he would speak Nagpur styled Marathi with Hindi spice! He was cheerful and he would speak English to practice spoken English! I still recall the instructions of “Parade Savdhan- Vishram” given by Sangram in NCC uniform on 15th August. 

In the first year, three subjects were slightly difficult. First, Public health. Its concepts and social aspects were okay. But those Diphtheria- Malaria- Tetanus and their elaboration, parameters etc! It was like- so cozy atmosphere is there and we are talking about these illnesses! Anuradha Patil madam would teach this subject beautifully. I still remember her gentle narration, explanation and cheerful face! New friends made me wander in an unknown territory of Ghulam Ali, poems and mehfils! My fixed routine also was broken. Here, my French and German were also discontinued. I had learned French for three years and German for two years. Initially I had thought that I could continue my German. But considering the syllabus, the schedule and expected study, I left the thought of pursuing it further. 

Video summary of this article. 

 

Karve Days 2: Picnic to Bhushi dam and beginning of field work

✪ Welcome programme for the first year students
✪ When I will have this stage courage and when I could do presentations!
✪ Bhushi dam picnic, rain and friendships take off
✪ Amazing hostel, little bullying and various talents!
✪ Togetherness, participation and experiential learning
✪ Quality content to learn with absorbing environment
✪ Introduction to various components of social work

That fabulous journey started in July 2006. In many ways I felt “Karve Institute” close to my heart. Because I came from a small city in central Maharashtra. I had done my BA in Wadia College. Although it is good, it has a cosmopolitan environment and influences English culture. I never felt at home there. I had only a handful of friends- boys and girls. I always felt a bit like an alien there. But when I came here to Karve, I felt extremely homely. Simple- cordial environment. Although here too some students and professors spoke English, the environment was Marathi. Also Marathi friends- boys and girls. Also nature and composition of the curriculum was suitable to me- plenty of study and discussions- brainstorming and question- answers.

Video summary of this article:

As a result, not only me but other students from even distinct backgrounds slowly got adjusted here. Actually the students with diverse backgrounds and different levels of preparedness were rather raw pots! Rather, they were unorganized. The faculties had to tell them even small things- make a file in this way, keep such notes, participate in groups. But the faculties- most of them lady professors did it most cordially and respectfully. "I am not your teacher, I am your colleague. We all are equal and together here," was the tone of all faculties including my favourite Nagmani Rao madam. 

In the initial orientation lectures, outline of the syllabus, scope of the subject and major topics were told. Later on the General lectures and the Specialization lectures started. In the first year, there were 8-9 General papers and only three specialization papers. So, the collective class of 60 students would be mostly together. The syllabus included discussions about all social groups- workers, rural people, tribals, landless, women and children, physically disabled etc. It also includes many methods of social work such as group work, case work etc. It also included aspects such as counseling, principles, values, methodologies, psychological aspects, communication skills, Government schemes, public health etc. It also included aspects such as gender inequality, many types of inequalities, exploitation of the vulnerable, environment etc. My specialization was URCD (Urban and Rural Community Development). There were 13 students and our topics included Cooperatives, Rural Development, migration etc. By August, two- three students from the 60 left and an equal number of students on the wait-list joined a little later. 

I had one visually impaired friend with me in Wadia college- Gunjana. She joined here also! I did not know any other students. But the environment was so thriving and there were plenty of activities- group assignments, presentations and all that- so we all got introduced to each other soon and quickly friendships developed! The college started in July and the Bhushi dam picnic took place in August. Actually friendships were just blooming. But that’s why it was planned. The Student Forum planned it. The first years and the Second years went together. We also developed friendships with seniors. They had a nice welcome programme for the first years. The environment was informal and assuring acceptance to everyone. Such things were helpful for releasing inhibitions present in our minds. It created a sense of belongingness. In such a programme, the students as well as the faculties sang songs! On one such occasion, Sandip Barve wonderfully sang one song. A Marathi children's song he sang. But he sang it to the tune of R. D. Burman, "“मेरे नैना सावन भादो” and "कुछ तुम सोचो कुछ हम सोचे!" Such a great performance it was!.

The classroom lectures got momentum. Along with the lectures, the skill labs started. I would envy others in those days- I would wonder, when I would get this stage- courage and when I could present that way! Most of the students were like me only, so I did not feel any pressure. As I knew Marathi and English, I started getting opportunities to suggest Marathi synonyms for English terms. If a faculty wanted a particular word in Marathi, they started to ask me. 

Here, the entire learning process was participation oriented. Nagmani Rao madam herself would say, instead of learning in the class, the outside rainy environment is so exciting! But for this very reason, efforts were made to make the classroom environment equally joyful and pleasant. As a result, studying was never boring. Rather, my appetite for study was satisfying in a beautiful manner. I got plenty of intellectual stuff to consume. And for difficulties, the seniors were there in the hostel. Once, I did not understand what IEC means. Then one senior immediately told me, it indicates- Information, Education, communication! With such experiential learning, not only it became easy, but it was deeply internalized.

Regarding the hostel, initially I had fear of ragging or bullying! It did not happen. All the boys were diverse. Only a few were from cities, the majority were from rural areas. Some belonged to middle- class families and the majority were from the deprived communities. Someone was the son of a person breaking stones, someone was the son of an agricultural labourer. Therefore, for everyone it was slightly new. Consciously or unconsciously we had some biases. But they were washed out in no time. We all became only the co- learners, the college students staying together.

Still, the initial hostel days were difficult! I would sleep early in the night and there was much noise around me. In those days the mobiles were few and they were not noisy like the case today. But FM radios were there! They were always going on till late at night. I had to sleep with cotton in my ears and handkerchief on my eyes! Some students would bully a little! Some would make funny sounds! Some would speak in such a great style that one would like to listen to them! Some had their favourite bad words! Such were the days! Such hostel boys!

And the girls too! In Wadia college, I did not have any close female friends. Some Marathi girls were there, but still I felt a gap. All this dramatically changed here! Many girls from the college would stay in hostels which were not far. Some were in the same mess! So we would meet regularly! Me and boys like me coming from small towns got female friends who would message "Miss you" and would hold hands while crossing a road! It was also a minute cultural shock! But the most enjoyable one! It helped to remove inhibitions and shape personality in a proper way. 

Me and my three friends were placed in “Pratham” organization working for children’s education in slums. The students would be placed after assessing their capacities and aptitudes. Bawikar madam was my field work guide. Twice in a week we would go there, understand their work, meet the children and the teachers and do small tasks. That was the field work. Karve alumni Tatya Ghanwat was doing his job there. After the field work, we would write our reports and keep a diary. Some friends were given rather challenging agencies. For example, a palliative care agency for the last stage cancer patients. Or schools working with intellectually challenged children. Other friends would share their experiences. Thus, so much was there to learn and also to enjoy. Within the first two months, I felt great to join it and was sure that the two- year journey was going to be a dream ride!

Next part: Karve Days 3: Tense silence in the hostel on the eve of the Examination

-Niranjan Welankar 09422108376. Date of writing- 4 August 2026.

कर्वेतले दिवस २: भुशी डॅम सहल आणि फिल्ड वर्कची सुरूवात

✪ पहिल्या वर्षाच्या विद्यार्थ्यांच्या स्वागताचा कार्यक्रम
✪ मला असं स्टेज करेज आणि प्रेझेंटेशन कधी करता येईल!
✪ भुशी डॅम सहल, पाऊस आणि मैत्रीची सुरूवात
✪ हॉस्टेलची मजा, दादागिरी आणि कला गुण!
✪ सोबत, सहभाग आणि सहभागातून शिक्षण
✪ शिकण्यासाठी दर्जेदार घटक आणि मन गुंतवणारं वातावरण
✪ समाज कार्याच्या विविध आयामांचा परिचय

२००६ च्या जुलै महिन्यात त्या विलक्षण दोन वर्षांच्या प्रवासाची सुरूवात झाली! अनेक अर्थाने मला "कर्वे महाविद्यालय" खूप जवळचं वाटलं. त्याचं कारण म्हणजे मी परभणीसारख्या छोट्या शहरातून आलो होतो. आणि बीए वाडिया महाविद्यालयातून पूर्ण केलं होतं. वाडिया कॉलेज चांगलं असलं तिथे कॉस्मोपॉलिटन वातावरण आणि इंग्रजी संस्कृतीचा प्रभाव असल्यामुळे मी तिथे मनाने कधीच रुळलो नाही. अगदी थोडे मित्र- मैत्रिणी झाले. पण मी तिथे स्वत:ला परकाच मानत राहिलो. पण कर्वेमध्ये आल्यावर अगदीच घरच्यासारखं वाटलं. अगदी साधं- आत्मीयतेचं वातावरण. इंग्रजी बोलणारे प्राध्यापक- विद्यार्थी असले तरी वातावरण मराठी. मराठी मित्र- मैत्रिणी. शिवाय अभ्यासक्रमाची रचना व स्वरूप माझ्या स्वभावाला अनुकूल असं- भरपूर अभ्यास आणि चर्चा- ब्रेनस्टॉर्मिंग- प्रश्नोत्तरं.
 

ह्या लेखाचा व्हिडिओ सारांश इथे बघता येईल.  

त्यामुळे मीच काय पण जे विद्यार्थी जास्त वेगळ्या पार्श्वभूमीचे होते, तेही तिथे हळु हळु रुळले. खरं तर खूप वेगवेगळी पार्श्वभूमी आणि अध्ययनाची तयारी घेऊन आलेले विद्यार्थी म्हणजे तशी कच्ची मडकी! चांगल्या शब्दांत सांगायचं तर अनेक जण unorganized असायचे. छोट्या छोट्या गोष्टीसुद्धा फॅकल्टीजला सांगाव्या लागायच्या की, अशी फाईल बनवा. अशा नोंदी ठेवा. गटामध्ये सहभाग घ्या. पण फॅकल्टीज- बहुतांश प्राध्यापिका अगदी मन:पूर्वक ते सगळं सांगायच्या आणि खूप आदर करायच्या. "मी तुमची शिक्षिका नाही तर सहकारी आहे, आपण इथे बरोबरीचे आणि सोबत असतोय"  असा सूर माझ्या लाडक्या नागमणी राव मॅडमसह सर्वांचाच असायचा. 

सुरूवातीच्या ओरिएंटेशन लेक्चर्समध्ये अभ्यासक्रमाची रूपरेषा- विषयाचा आवाका आणि मुख्य विषय सांगितले गेले. नंतर जनरल लेक्चर्स आणि स्पेशलायजेशन लेक्चर्स सुरू झाले. पहिल्या वर्षी ८-९ जनरल पेपर्स आणि तीनच स्पेशलायजेशनचे पेपर होते. त्यामुळे ६० जणांचा वर्ग मुख्यत: जास्त वेळ एकत्र असायचा. अभ्यासक्रमात सगळ्या प्रकारचे सामाजिक गटांची चर्चा होती- कामगार, ग्रामीण भागातले लोक, आदिवासी, भूमीहिन, महिला व बालक, शारीरिक विकलांग इ. त्यासोबत समाज कार्याच्या पद्धतींची चर्चा होती- गट कार्य, केस वर्क इ. शिवाय त्यासह समुपदेशन, तत्त्वे, मूल्ये, कार्यपद्धती, मानसशास्त्रीय पैलू, संवाद कौशल्यं, सरकारी योजना, सार्वजनिक आरोग्य इ. इ. घटक होते. शिवाय लिंगभेद, अनेक प्रकारची असमानता, वंचितांचं शोषण, पर्यावरण असेही घटक होते. माझं स्पेशलायजेशन युआरसीडी (Urban and Rural Community Development) होतं. त्यात आम्ही १३ जण सहकार, ग्राम विकास, स्थलांतरण अशा विषयांवर चर्चा करायचो. ऑगस्ट सुरू होईपर्यंत ६० जणांमधले दोन- तीन जण सोडून गेले आणि वेटिंगवर असलेले दोन- तीन जण उशीरा आले. 

माझ्यासोबत वाडिया कॉलेजमध्ये असलेली दृष्टिहिन गुंजना इथेही आली! बाकी कोणीच ओळखीचं नव्हतं. पण वातावरणच असं होतं आणि वेगवेगळे उपक्रम- ग्रूप असाईनमेंटस, प्रेझेंटेशन्स असे होते की, अगदी सगळ्यांसोबत हळु हळु ओळख झाली आणि लवकरच मैत्रीही झाली! जुलैमध्ये कॉलेज सुरू झालं आणि ऑगस्टमध्ये लोणावळ्याच्या भुशी डॅमची सहल झाली. खरं तर फार जास्त जणांशी मैत्री नव्हती झालेली. पण कदाचित म्हणूनच ती सहल ठेवली गेली असेल. स्टुडंट फोरमनेच तिचं आयोजन केलं. पहिल्या वर्षीचे व दुसर्‍या वर्षीचे एकत्र त्यात होते. सिनियर्ससोबतही हळु हळु मैत्री झाली. त्यांनी पहिल्या वर्षीयांचं वेलकम छान केलं. अनौपचारिक आणि सगळ्यांचा स्वीकार असलेलं वातावरण. प्रत्येकाच्या मनात असलेल्या शंका (inhibitions) जाव्यात ह्यासाठी अशा गोष्टी उपयोगी पडत होत्या. आपण कुठेतरी belong करतो हा भाव निर्माण होत होता. अशाच एका कार्यक्रमामध्ये मुलं- मुली आणि फॅकल्टीजही गाणी म्हणत होती. त्यावेळी संदीप बर्वेने ये रे ये रे पावसा हे गाणं अफलातून प्रकारे गायलं! अगदी आरडी बर्मन शैली, “मेरे नैना सावन भादो” आणि "कुछ तुम सोचो कुछ हम सोचे" च्या चालीमध्ये! खूप जबरदस्त! अशी खूप कलागुणांची उधळण बघायला मिळाली.

वर्गातल्या लेक्चर्सनी वेग घेतला. लेक्चर्सबरोबर स्किल लॅब सुरू झाल्या. सुरूवातीच्या दिवसांमध्ये इतरांना अगदी सहजपणे समोर येऊन बोलताना बघून हेवा वाटायचा की, मला हे कधी जमेल! मला कसं सगळ्यांपुढे येऊन सलग असं प्रेझेंटेशन करता येईल! अर्थात् माझ्यासारखे जणच जास्त होते, त्यामुळे दडपण असं आलं नाही. मराठी आणि इंग्रजी येत असल्यामुळे इंग्रजीला मराठी शब्द सुचवण्याची मला संधी मिळायला लागली. फॅकल्टीजला एखादा शब्द मराठीत हवा असेल तर माझं नाव घ्यायची सुरूवात झाली. 

कर्वेमध्ये सगळी‌ अध्ययन प्रक्रिया खूप सहभागावर आधारित होती. शिकवणार्‍या नागमणी राव मॅडम स्वत: म्हणायच्या- इथे वर्गात असं शिकण्यापेक्षा बाहेरचं पावसाचं वातावरण किती जास्त आनंदाचं आहे. पण म्हणून वर्गामधलं वातावरण तितकंच आनंददायी व्हावं, तितकीच मजा तिथे यावी असाही प्रयत्न केला जायचा. छोटे रोल प्लेज, ग्रूप टास्क्स किंवा रीडींग असाईनमेंटस ह्यामुळेही मजा यायची. अभ्यास त्यामुळे कंटाळवाणा कधीच वाटला नाही. उलट एक प्रकारे माझी अभ्यासाची भूक छान भागायला लागली. खूप वैचारिक खाद्य मिळालं. आणि कुठे काही अडलं तर हॉस्टेलवर सिनियर्स होतेच. एकदा IEC हा शब्द अडला. तेव्हा एका सिनियरने लगेच सांगितलं- Information, Education, communication! असं अनुभव आधारित शिकणं असल्यामुळे ते सोपं तर झालंच पण मनावर ठसलं.

हॉस्टेलबद्दल मनामध्ये सुरूवातीला नक्कीच भिती होती. की इथे रॅगिंग तर होणार नाही किंवा इतर मुलं त्रास तर देणार नाहीत ना अशी शंका होती. तसं काही झालं नाही. मुलं सगळीच तशी खूप वेगळी होती. काही थोडे शहरातले तर जास्त ग्रामीण भागातले. काही थोडे मध्यमवर्गीय कुटुंबातले तर बरेच जण वंचित समुदायांमधले. कोणी दगड फोडणार्‍याचा मुलगा तर कोणी शेतमजुराचा मुलगा. त्यामुळे सुरूवातीला सगळ्यांनाच थोडं नवीन होतं. कळत नकळत मनामध्ये पूर्वग्रहही होते. पण हळु हळु ते सगळे वाहून गेले. आणि एक सोबत शिकणारे विद्यार्थी असं नातं तयार झालं. 

अर्थात् तरी हॉस्टेलची सुरूवात जडच गेली! रात्री मी लवकर झोपायचो पण बाजूला गोंधळ सुरू असायचा. मोबाईल तेव्हा बरेच कमी होते आणि इतके आवाज न करणारे होते. पण एफएम रेडिओ खूप चालायचे! ते उशीरापर्यंत सुरू असायचे. मग कानात कापूस आणि डोळ्यांवर रुमाल ठेवून झोपायचं! काही जण दादागिरी करायचेच! काही जण मजेशीर आवाज काढायचे! ऐकत राहावं अशा रांगड्या शैलीत बोलायचे! काही जणांची प्रेमाची शिवी ठरलेली असायची! असे ते दिवस. असे नवे मित्र आणि मैत्रिणीसुद्धा! 

वाडिया कॉलेजमध्ये जवळची मैत्रीण अशी कोणी मिळाली नव्हती. काही मराठी मुली होत्या पण परकेपणा होता. पण इथे ती सगळी कसर भरून निघाली! बर्‍याच मुली जवळच्याच हॉस्टेलवर राहायच्या. काही मेसवरही सोबत असायच्या. त्यामुळे भेटी छान व्हायच्या! माझ्यासारखी लहान गावातून आलेली जी मुलं मुलींशी जवळून कधीच बोलली नाहीत त्यांना "मिस यू" म्हणणारी‌ किंवा हातात हात धरून रस्ता ओलांडणारी मैत्रीण मिळाली! हासुद्धा खरं तर सूक्ष्म असा एक कल्चरल शॉक होता! पण मजासुद्धा होती. व्यक्तिमत्वात असलेली भिती- इनहिबिशन्स त्यातून दूर व्हायला लागले. 

मला व इतर तीन जणांना फिल्ड वर्कसाठी "प्रथम" ही वस्तीमध्ये मुलांच्या शिक्षणावर काम करणारी संस्था मिळाली. विद्यार्थ्यांचे कल‌ आणि क्षमता लक्षात घेऊन अशा संस्था त्यांना दिल्या जायच्या. बावीकर मॅडम फिल्ड वर्क मार्गदर्शिका मिळाल्या. आठवड्यातून दोनदा तिथे जायचं, त्या संस्थेचं काम समजून घ्यायचं, तिथल्या मुलांशी- शिक्षकांशी बोलायचं आणि छोटी छोटी टास्क्स करायची असं स्वरूप होतं. तिथे तेव्हा कर्वेचेच पास आउट- तात्या घनवट होते. फिल्ड वर्कनंतर त्याचे वृत्तांत लिहायचे. डायरी ठेवायची. अशा गोष्टी होत्या. कोणाला खूप अंगावर येणार्‍या संस्थाही दिल्या होत्या. जसं शेवटच्या टप्प्यात असलेल्या कँसर रुग्णांची शुश्रुषा करणारी संस्था. किंवा बौद्धिक अक्षम मुलांसोबत काम करणार्‍या शाळा. इतरांकडून तिथले अनुभव कळायचे. असं खूप शिकायला आणि तितकंच एंजॉय करायलाही मिळायला लागलं. अगदी पहिल्या महिन्या- दोन महिन्यातच खूप छान वाटलं- हे दोन वर्षं अगदी स्वप्नवत असणार आहेत ही जाणीव झाली!

पुढचा भाग: कर्वेतले दिवस ३: परीक्षेच्या पूर्वसंध्येला हॉस्टेलवरची तणावपूर्ण शांतता

-निरंजन वेलणकर 09422108376. लिहीण्याचा दिनांक- 4 ऑगस्ट 2026.

Helping hand at the time of calamity in Assam!

Hello. These days, the monsoon is almost synonymous with a calamity. Continuous floods and excessive rain are creating massive losses. Recently it has created havoc in Odisha and Assam. In Assam more than 80 people have died and lacs of people are displaced. After climate change and global warming, such calamities are only going to increase in the future. Therefore those who can should help others. Seva Bharati Poorbanchal is doing relief work in Assam and the work of this organization is known to my relatives. It is working at many places and they are distributing food items, drinking water, ration kits, sanitation kits, blankets, clothes, necessary medicines etc. I have made a small contribution. You also can contribute whatever easily possible for you. You can contribute to this work or work of any other organization known to you.

More details here. 

Karve Days 1: Thrilling beginning of the 2- year journey!

Every year in July, at some point I recall "that day!" The scenes unfold like they are recent. Mind thinks it must have happened just the other day. But the intellect tells that it happened on 4th July 2006, twenty years ago! Sometimes I cannot believe it! Karve Institute of Social Service, Pune- Two years spent here for MSW (Masters in Social Work) was such an enriching and unique journey. Plenty of things to learn and also to unlearn. It moulded in many ways! That memorable journey had begun on 4th July 2006 with the Director’s address.

Still I can see it. The college on the hill in Karvenagar! Climbing road. Lush green campus. That Patel hall in the college! Everyone is reaching there in a hurry! All benches inside are occupied. Some are sitting on the small flat table near the back door. Some are late! Rain and clouds! Dr. Walokar sir’s address! And the orientation lectures after that! The faculties talking about various subjects. What is social work, psychology, equality, equity, framework of development, feminism! A two year learning ride started with this! Lecture by Nagmani Rao madam was most appealing.

                                               Video summary of this article

Slowly we realized how each and every thing was so meticulous. There were groups of students. Many things were to be done through the groups. Orientation visits were the next thing- We visited various organizations working in the social service sector. Some visits were memorable. Prism Foundation working with specially- abled children, Saint Crispin’s home near Nal stop and other organizations! We were going there together in our groups. One faculty member would accompany and talk about that organization. The persons from that organization would interact with us. Discussions. Then we would return back together! I can still see people coming for such visits! ‌On some Mondays, students from Mumbai would reach directly to such organizations! Some would miss the way. In those days, google was not there for us. It was only friends! Every group had some non- Marathi and non Hindi speaking students and also those who could speak Marathi and English. Going and coming together- it helped for flourishing of friendships. Also small incidents- after meal, who are cleaning and rearranging the place- such small incidents would stimulate gender sensitivity.

Today we understand that many things were taught in the class and in the formal settings, but beyond that also many things were taught in the co- learning and co-living. Various groups and group activities- small presentations, assignments, discussion- all this was also a group work. Boys and girls from various backgrounds and experiences were learning together. The subjects of the first year were also good- They were related to group work, public health, research, social work, case work, psychology etc. In those days, everyone would remember this song- “ये जीवन है, इस G1 का यही है रंग रूप!"

The faculties were (slightly ill-) famous! Also seniors would tell us, "Oh, she, she is so strict!" In fact, students were terrorized by some of them! But we also feel that this fame was to make the students more serious in their study. In a few days, we had good "ice breaking" with the professors and had "good rapport building" with them! Nagmani Rao madam, Geeta Rao madam, Sharmila Sahdeo madam, Mydeo madam, Ujwala Masdekar madam, Ruma Bawikar madam (associative learning taught by her also made us remember that puppy), Rajuskar madam, Anuradha Patil madam, Mahesh Thakur sir (everyone’s Shahrukh Khan and “Purani Jeans aur Guitar” fame), Karuna sir and others became familiar. Their discussions, debates, role plays, skill labs and research labs! It was pleasing to see that all of them treat us equal and respect us. Even the non- teaching staff- the librarian they also were friendly. Specialization lectures also started! My specialization was URCD (Community Development). A separate group study and a different co- education started. While writing this, the mind is filled with gratitude towards all.

Those days, even after 20 years, are clear before the eyes! Today for me and many, days in Karve were the days setting the way of life. I got many close friends and loving people there. I got a clear direction to my career. I gained confidence and clarity. Later on many persons moved to different fields and many of them even no longer work in the field of social work. But still, the upbringing that happened there continued to give them a unique direction.

The hostel days! It was my first such experience! I had some pressure. But the vibes there were so good that I developed good friendships with the hostel mates. Boys from all parts of Maharashtra and also some other states! And seniors were there for the first year to help us. I thoroughly enjoyed the hostel. In the class we were learning socialization, but the hostel friends did it practically! And the female friends helped to develop sensitivity towards womanhood and grow in that aspect. 

Through this series, I will pen down those wonderful memories, now 20 years down the line. In a way, I will relive those days. Despite all these good things, some stages in the journey were difficult! The hostel atmosphere on the eve of the “case work” and “research” papers was so tense! In the first year, being an introvert I was facing bullying of some strong friends! But this scene changed in a year! 

Mumbai is not a natural place!

✪ A group of 7 islands with fishermen habitations
✪ All the islands were connected by bridges through Hornby Vellard project
✪ Sea water was pushed through embankments, clay and alluvial soil
✪ After the 1783 project, Mumbai got continuous landmass by around 1850
✪ The city stands on marshy land, clay and sea water!!
✪ The real ruler of Mumbai is the Sea!

Hello. Today, 26th July. Who can forget the massive flood that Mumbai had seen on 26th July 2005? For entire the country, it was a tough lesson for disaster management. Mumbai and its famous spirit! But how many of us know that Mumbai is not a natural place? Many know that Mumbai is a group of 7 islands. Mahim, Worli, Parel, Small Colaba, Colaba, Mazgaon and Bombay were the names of the islands. But the islands were not connected. They were near each other, but they were not continuous. When the British King received the group of the islands from the Portuguese as dowry, they build their commercial centre here. The developed the place from their need of a market place, safe port and commercial hub. These islands were inhabited from ancient times. Fishermen communities mainly lived there and also famous cave monuments were also made. But these islands were not contagious. During the Monsoon the connectivity would cut off. If it was to be developed as a city, traveling and commuting had to be smooth.

Video summary of this article.

Great interactions with rural innovators in Satpura region*

☘️ Dialogue with activists in remote tribal belt of Central India
☘️ Step by step, all targets are achievable
☘️ "We are reasons behind our problems and we only can rectify them!"
☘️ So happy and energetic people from treacherous region. 
☘️Wonderful and serene Satpura
☘️ Visit to historical Burhanpur- Shahi quila and Tapti Rajghat

Lonavala after the flood...

Hello. Some days ago Western Maharashtra saw unprecented rain and flood. Lonavala saw entire season- rain in just two days. It resulted in massive floods there and rivers Indrayani and Pavana became threatening from Lonavala- Pimpri- Chinchwad and to Pune also. My friend from Lonavala- Shrirangaji had eight feet water in his house. His ground floor- house in Yogeshwar society, Bhangarwadi, Lonavala was half under water for two days. The massive flood has caused severe damage. Hudco colony suffered heavily. There people were rescued through boats by NDRF. 

 

My Milky-way photo featured in the Indian Express

Article about success story of Anjanvel Agro Tourism

Hello. My Milky-way photo is featured in an article published in the Indian Express. Anjanvel agro tourism, Mawal (near Lonavala) is a place where we conduct sky watching programme, camps for children and many more activities. It is a wonderful place owned by my friend Rahul Jagtap. Anjanvel in short means every moment spent well! This article has depicted its journey as a start up. How Rahul’s father Appa built this place, how inch by inch he converted this uneven and rocky place into a green zone with such a rich biodiversity! Do read this article. It is interesting to understand how Rahul’s father Appa took efforts in his rather retired life- how the villagers developed it. Today there is rich biodiversity – huge number of fireflies and diverse trees is a proof. Here one can also witness core of Sahyadri mountains, natural miracles such as giant river potholes, indigenous species of plants and flowers and many more. Not to forget the waterfall that is active these days and the enchanting scenery there!

Brave girl of Auschwitz- Mala Zimetbaum

✪ Auschwitz death factory- Blackest history
✪ Mala's humanity and determination in the midst of extermination
✪ Successful escape from Auschwitz, but...
✪ Her friend could save himself, but he accompanied her
✪ A bloody slap on the face of the guard
✪ Ray of light illuminating the darkest night

Bloody history of the Second World war! Nazi Germany, their cruelty and six million Jews! Also Gypsies, Slavs and others tortured by the Nazis! Nazis killed 1.1 million people in Auschwitz alone! Even reading about it feels so painful. This is one of the darkest epoch in the history of the humanity. But there did exist some rays of light those illuminated the darkest night! One of them is Mala Zimetbaum.

Conjunction of Jupiter and Venus

Hello. 

On 9th June and 10th June, we witnessed a conjunction of Jupiter and Venus in the Western sky. Surprisingly, the Monsoon clouds were not there to steal this show. Venus is the third brightest object in our sky after Sun and Moon.  Jupiter is the fourth brightest object. It was observed by people across countries. It was fascinating as well as simple to observe. Enjoy photos and videos of this conjunction. 

 

 

The clear sky also provided opportunity to observe other objects. We observed Saturn and Moon in the dawn sky. More photos and videos can be found here. Timelapse of the conjunction of Venus and Jupiter.

Thanks to the clouds, we could observe this. Now it is almost adieu to the night sky observation till at least September. Thanks for reading.

South India cycle expedition 21 (Final): Only Gratitude!

Hello. During 12th January to 31st January, "Yoga for fitness" cycle tour was complete in 20 days and it was concluded in Chennai on 31st January. I could experience our country in a very unique way and I could also meet our countrymen. When it is completed in Chennai, I am having tremendous gratitude in mind. Not for a second I am feeling it is any kind of achievement. It is a package of passion for cycling- guidance for that, preparation, capacity given by the nature, support from Niramay team, support for travel- all these things given from outside. I just saw happening them in me. Nature has given this capacity to everyone. I just presented one example. I am aware while finishing the ride.  

(Here you can listen me. Cycling experiences sharing.)

On 31st January, I stayed at Aditi’s- my sister's place. I had good chitchat with Aditi and Shaunakji. On the morning of 1st February, I had a walk on the nearby Kotivakkam beach. Then I took out all the luggage from the pannier sack of the cycle- then I realized oh, I was carrying so many clothes and this luggage! The pannier sack was given by my friend cyclist Smita. In the evening, I had a google meet with Niramay team for sharing the experiences. I could share what I felt after finishing the ride, major experiences and also highlights of important Yoga institutions. 

In order to share the output and highlights of this cycling initiative with all, Aditi interviewed me. One meaning of Yoga is to connect. In this entire journey, I come to understand how we are connected with all the people. From Yogic perspective, entire the world is connected organically. Everyone is connected with everyone. I experienced it in this journey. I could also meet the family members who are separated by distance and language. I think such meetings and this kind of dialogue, is one of the major highlights of the initiative. I could also visit many famous and excellent Yoga related institutions in South India- Chinmaya Mission, Isha Adi Yogi, Vivekananda Kendra, Amritapuri Ashram, Aurobindo Ashram, Ramakrishna Matha or Theosophical society- They have different methodologies, activities and nature of work. But I could also see the common thread of Yoga in all of them. 

One objective was understanding extra ordinary heritage of South India. I could experience that in places such as Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Thiruvanantapuram and Rameswaram. Also, I could see unbelievable monuments and urban structures from the times of Cholas, Pandyas, Nayakas and other dynasties. Today we see impressions of these dynasties right till East Asia. I could see their main region. How advanced that civilization would be, which worked so hard for arts and for worship, one just wonders.

In South India, today we see a diffusion of various paths, various traditions and also the modern lifestyle. Some people may take it as a diversion from our roots. But I feel that although name of the path or label is changed or although there are outer changes, the values and the essence is still intact. Bonding, value to work hard, discipline, belonging-ness were the things to see. Also, the spirit of the festivals- coming together of people, the zest, decorations and festivities with music and aroma and all are there. The tradition of banana leaf for meal, diverse cooking and various local delicacies is still going on.

Aditi asked me a very important question. After this cycle journey, which things you will keep behind and what you will carry with yourself? I feel that the distances or figures of kilometers- the stages I will keep aside. I will carry with myself only and only the gratitude. So much I have been given in this journey. Support from people, support of the nature and also company of my cycle. I could live very differently. That gratitude will remain. Even from the family- everyone supported- parents, the wife, the daughter. And also the clients. That's why I could do it this way.

Through this cycling, I could travel in a very unique way. It was a pilgrimage into nature. A kind of Satsanga with the nature. When we see sheer vastness in form of a sea, towering mountains, then it sort of calls the vastness within us also. It sort of invokes the greatness within us also. And what I can say about various Swamijis, Sanyasins, Sadhakas whom I had met in this journey! Gratitude and only gratitude. 

One more thing I have felt and it is significant in every situation. That means surrender. Only effort is not sufficient. Along with efforts, one also needs surrender. In August, I had to return from Bangalore even without doing a single pedal, thanks to viral fever. This time also, that doubt was there in the mind till I left. I had made full preparation for effort. But I was also aware that it cannot happen only with my effort. It can happen only if the life wishes it. For that I had surrendered. I was aware about it.

So, this journey took place in 20 days. But writing its experiences needed next five months! So you can easily guess- What is easy and what is difficult! But the experiences were so unique that the process and the outcome sharing was just inevitable. I am happy that I could share it. 

For two days, I stayed at my sister’s place in Chennai. When I had taken my cycle to Bangalore, I had carried it through a bus. Now I had the option of again taking it to Chennai through a bus and then to Pune. But this journey was long. The cycle can also be carried through train- if its wheels and body parts are dismantled, then it can fit into a large carry case and can be put below the seat. But for this, I needed a large case. For this, Aditi and Shaunakji found a unique way! They prepared a DIY case out of tarpaulin sheet. They brought one large sheet and made a case out of it with sticks. After dismantling the cycle, it could easily be fit into this case. Shaunakji also helped me get a Tatkal train ticket! It was slightly tricky to put the cycle in the train, but with cooperation from the co-travelers, there was no difficulty! Instead of going back to Bangalore, I directly returned to Pune.

When I returned to Pune, team members of Niramay welcomed me. Helaskar madam, Karegaonkar sir and my father. Very emotional moments! Everyone was feeling that I had done something very difficult. Of course, I was not having that illusion. Everyone can do it. But not many of us do it and so we think that it is damn difficult. After reaching home, I saw Adu- my daughter written “Welcome best father” on the door! She was also following me in the map. 

Pune based Niramay team arranged a session of sharing experiences. There I could talk and share. Helaskar madam, Archanatai Jadhav, Shridharji Karegaonkar and others from Niramay team helped and supported me in the entire process. Especially, I troubled a lot to Archanatai and Shridharji.  

Swami Sundarji Chaitanya of Chinmaya Mission was to support all the time. Wherever I was having any difficulty, he was helping. Academic Director of International Chinmaya Foundation- Dr. Gauri Mahulikar madam also helped from the beginning. It was she who helped me connect with many in Keralam. When I visited their centre, she was out of station. So I could not meet her. But after returning to Pune, I met her when she had come there. Such a great meeting! She appreciated and encouraged me. Interestingly, she was very close to my brother’s wife. They both met after many years. This is how Yoga reconnects!

I am thankful to everyone who had helped me at each place. Also, in the second half of the travel Seva Bharathi Tamil Nadu's Shunmuga Raja, Dr. Siddharthji, Keshavanji and Shri. Vijay Rajmohanji also helped a lot. I have immense gratitude for everyone. 

I do have a wish for next cycle expedition. But I will not do in near future. I can do it in coming years. One cycle tour in the North East and one will be in Ladakh! It is rather a dream. Let's see how it goes. 
 
Thanks for reading. On my blog articles about trekking, sky watching, scientific experiments, meditation, fitness, cycling etc. are there. -Niranjan Welankar 09422108376. Date of writing- 5th June 2026. 

 

दक्षिण भारतातील सायकल प्रवासाचे अनुभव २१ (अंतिम): फक्त कृतज्ञता!

नमस्कार. १२ जानेवारी ते ३१ जानेवारी ह्या २० दिवसांमध्ये दक्षिण भारतात "आरोग्यासाठी योग" प्रवास झाला. तो ३१ जानेवारीला चेन्नै येथे पूर्ण झाला. आपला देश खूप वेगळ्या प्रकारे अनुभवता आला आणि आपल्या देशबांधवांना भेटता आलं. चेन्नैमध्ये हा प्रवास थांबवताना मनामध्ये कृतज्ञतेची भावना आहे. आणि कोणत्याच प्रकारे ही एखादी अचिव्हमेंट आहे असं वाटत नाही. सायकलिंगची आवड, त्यासाठीचं मार्गदर्शन, तयारी, निसर्गाने दिलेली क्षमता, निरामय सदस्यांची मदत, प्रवासासाठीची मदत अशा गोष्टी सगळ्या बाहेरून आल्या व मी त्या फक्त माझ्यामध्ये साकार होताना बघितल्या.  प्रत्येकाला निसर्गाने दिलेली ही क्षमता असते. मी फक्त एक उदाहरण समोर‌ ठेवू शकलो. त्याची जाणीव ही राईड पूर्ण करताना आहे.  

(सायकल अनुभवांविषयी संवाद )

३१ जानेवारीला माझी बहिण- अदितीच्या घरी थांबलो. अदिती आणि शौनकजींशी गप्पा झाल्या. १ फेब्रुवारीला जवळच्याच कोटीवक्कम बीचवर वॉक केला. नंतर सायकलच्या पॅनिअर सॅकमधून सगळं सामान बाहेर काढलं. तेव्हा कळालं की, अरे इतके कपडे आणि इतकं सामान त्यात होतं! ही पॅनिअर सॅक माझी सायकलिस्ट मैत्रीण स्मिताने दिली होती. १ फेब्रुवारीच्या संध्याकाळी निरामयच्या टीमसोबत गूगल मीटद्वारे संवाद झाला. सायकलिंग पूर्ण झाल्यानंतरची प्रतिक्रिया, वाटेतल्या संस्थांचे मुख्य अनुभव हे सगळं तिथे बोलता आलं. 

सायकलिंगच्या ह्या उपक्रमातलं संचित अजून समोर यावं म्हणून अदितीने मला अनेक प्रश्न विचारले. योगाचा एक अर्थ जोडणे, असा आहे. ह्या पूर्ण प्रवासाच्या प्रक्रियेत आपण लोकांशी कसे जोडलेले असतो हे अनुभवता आलं. योगाच्या दृष्टीने सर्व जग एक ऑरगॅनिक अस्तित्व आहे. सगळे एकमेकांसोबत जोडलेले आहेतच. ती गोष्ट ह्या प्रवासात अनुभवता आली. एकाच कुटुंबातल्या पण अंतराने आणि संपर्क नसल्याने दुरावलेल्या कुटुंबियांना भेटता आलं. मला वाटतं अशा भेटी, हा संवाद ह्या उपक्रमामधील एक महत्त्वाचा भाग ठरला. त्याशिवाय दक्षिण भारतातल्या अनेक प्रसिद्ध आणि उत्तम काम करणार्‍या योग संस्थांचं काम बघता आलं. चिन्मय मिशन असेल, ईशा आदि योगी असेल, विवेकानंद केंद्र, अमृतापुरी आश्रम, अरविंद आश्रम, रामकृष्ण मठ किंवा थिऑसॉफिकल सोसायटी. त्यांची वेगवेगळी कार्यपद्धती, स्वरूप, तिथे चालणारे उपक्रम अशा गोष्टी बघता आल्या आणि त्यामध्ये समान असलेलं योगाचं सूत्रही अनुभवता आलं. 

एक उद्दिष्ट दक्षिण भारताचा असाधारण वारसा अनुभवणं, तो समजून घेणं हेसुद्धा होतं. तंजावुर, कुंभकोणम, थिरूअनंतपूरम आणि रामेश्वरम अशा ठिकाणी त्या गोष्टी अनुभवता आल्या. शिवाय ह्या भागांमध्ये चौल, पांड्य, नायक अशा पूर्वीच्या राजवंशांच्या काळातील अविश्वसनीय वास्तु आणि नगर रचनेची ओळख करून घेता आली. आज ह्या राजवटींचा ठसा आपल्याला अगदी पूर्व आशियापर्यंत दिसतो. त्याचं एक मुख्य केंद्र बघता आलं. कलेसाठी आणि उपासनेसाठी इतकी प्रचंड निर्मिती करणारी ती संस्कृती किती प्रगत असेल, हा प्रश्न पडला. 

दक्षिण भारतात आज वेगवेगळे पंथ, वेगवेगळ्या चालीरिती आणि आधुनिक जीवनशैली असं मिश्रण दिसतं. कदाचित काही जणांना वाटेल की, हे आपल्या मूळ संस्कृतीपासून दूर जाणं नाही का. पण मला असं वाटलं की, उपासना पंथाचं नाव किंवा लेबल बदललं असलं किंवा बाह्य फरक दिसत असले तरी त्यातले मूल्य आणि त्याचं सार अजूनही टिकून आहे. आत्मीयता, मेहनत करण्याची वृत्ती, शिस्त, एकमेकांसोबत बांधिलकी ह्या गोष्टी तर जाणवत होत्याच. पण त्याबरोबर सण- उत्सवांमध्ये एकत्र येण्याची भावना, उत्साह, रांगोळ्या, सुगंधी धूप, संगीत अशा गोष्टी आहेतच. शिवाय जेवणासाठी केळीचं पान, साग्रसंगीत स्वयंपाक, स्थानिक पातळीवर बनणारे विविध पदार्थ अशी परंपरा अजूनही टिकून आहे.

अदितीने मला एक प्रश्न खूप छान विचारला. तो म्हणजे ह्या सायकल प्रवासानंतर तू काय मागे ठेवशील आणि काय नेहमी सोबत ठेवशील? त्याबद्दल मला असं वाटलं की, ह्या प्रवासातले अंतरं- किलोमीटरचे आकडे किंवा टप्पे हे मी बाजूला ठेवून देईन. आणि फक्त आणि फक्त कृतज्ञता सदैव सोबत ठेवेन. इतकं काही मला ह्या प्रवासात मिळालं. लोकांची मदत, निसर्गाची सोबत आणि माझ्या सायकलचीसुद्धा साथ मिळाली. जीवन खूप वेगळ्या प्रकारे जगता आलं. ती कृतज्ञता नेहमी सोबत राहील. घरातूनही सगळ्यांनी साथ दिली. आई- बाबा, बायको- मुलगी आणि इतर. अगदी क्लाएंटससुद्धा. त्यांच्यामुळेच हे सगळं इतकं करता आलं.

ह्या सायकल प्रवासात फिरण्याचा खूप वेगळा अनुभव मला घेता आला. एक प्रकारची निसर्ग तीर्थयात्रा. एक प्रकारचा निसर्ग सत्संग. जेव्हा आपण प्रचंड असा समुद्र बघतो, उत्तुंग पर्वत बघतो तेव्हा आपल्या आतमध्ये असलेल्या उच्च तत्त्वाला साद घातली जाते. आपल्यात असलेल्या विराट तत्त्वालाही साद घातली जाते. आणि अर्थातच ह्या पूर्ण प्रवासात मला भेटलेले विविध स्वामीजी, संन्यासी आणि साधक. त्यामुळे मनामध्ये फक्त आणि फक्त कृतज्ञताच येते. 

अजून एक गोष्ट मला जाणवली की, जी प्रत्येक स्थितीमध्ये महत्त्वाची असते. ती म्हणजे समर्पण. केवळ संकल्प करून गोष्टी होत नाहीत. संकल्पाबरोबर समर्पणही आवश्यक असतं. ऑगस्टमध्ये व्हायरल फीवरमुळे बंगलोरला जाऊन एकही पेडल न मारू शकता परत यावं लागलं होतं. ह्यावेळी अगदी निघेपर्यंत ती शंका मनात होती. जानेवारीत राईडसाठी निघताना संकल्प होताच. माझ्या बाजूने तयारी होती, पण ही जाणीवसुद्धा होती की, केवळ माझ्या तयारीने हे होणार नाही. जीवनाचीसुद्धा तशी इच्छा असली तरच तसा प्रवास होईल.त्यासाठी मी मनोमन समर्पण केलं होतं. मनामध्ये ही जाणीव होती. 

असा हा प्रवास तर २० दिवसांमध्येच झाला, पण त्याचे अनुभव लिहायला मात्र पुढचे पाच महिने लागले! त्यावरून तुम्हांला कळेल की, सोपं काय आहे आणि अवघड काय आहे! पण हे अनुभव इतके वेगळे होते की, ते लिहून त्यामधली प्रक्रिया व संचित लोकांसोबत शेअर करणं हे अपरिहार्यच होतं. आणि ते मी करू शकलो ह्याचा नक्कीच मला आनंद आहे. 

दोन दिवस चेन्नैमध्ये बहिणीकडे राहिलो. बंगलोरला सायकल नेली तेव्हा बसमधून नेली होती. आता चेन्नैवरून परत बंगलोरला बसने आणायची व बंगलोरवरून बसने पुण्याला आणायची असा एक पर्याय होता. पण हा प्रवास मोठा होता. ट्रेनने सायकल आणता येते- तिचे चाक आणि मुख्य भाग वेगळे केले की, अशी डिसमँटल केलेली सायकल ट्रेनमध्ये सीटच्या खाली बसून जाते. पण त्यासाठी‌ एक पिशवी लागते! ह्यावर अदिती आणि शौनकजींनी उपाय शोधला. सायकल ठेवण्यासाठी एक DIY पिशवी बनवली! टर्पोलिनची शीट त्यांनी आणली आणि त्याला पट्ट्या लावून सायकल ठेवण्यासाठीची एक तात्पुरती पिशवी बनवली. सायकल डिसमँटल केल्यावर अशा पिशवीमध्ये मावली! तत्काळचं ट्रेनचं तिकिटही शौनकजींनी मिळवून दिलं! ट्रेनमध्ये डब्यात सायकल ठेवताना थोडी अडचण आली, पण सह- प्रवाशांनी सहकार्य केल्यामुळे काही त्रास झाला नाही! बंगलोरला न जावं लागता थेट पुण्यात आलो.

पुणे स्टेशनवर आल्यावरही निरामय पुणे टीमचे सदस्य स्वागतासाठी आले! हेलसकर मॅडम, कारेगांवकर सर आणि बाबा. खूप भावुक करणारे क्षण ते होते. सगळ्यांना वाटलं की, मी काही तरी अवघड काम केलं आहे. माझा अर्थात् तो गैरसमज होत नव्हता. हे सगळे करू शकतात, पण आपल्याकडे फार लोक असे करत नाहीत आणि त्यामुळे हे फार अवघड आहे, असा आपला समज होतो. घरी पोहचल्यावर मुलीने "वेलकम बेस्ट फादर" असं दारावर लिहीलं होतं! तीसुद्धा नकाशात माझा प्रवास बघत होती. 

पुण्यामध्ये निरामय टीमने अनुभव कथनाचा कार्यक्रम ठेवला. तिथेसुद्धा हे अनुभव शेअर करता आले.  निरामय टीममधल्या हेलसकर मॅडम, अर्चनाताई जाधव, श्रीधरजी कारेगांवकर आणि इतरांनी पूर्ण नियोजन व प्रवासात खूप मदत केली. विशेषत: अर्चनाताई आणि श्रीधरजींना मी थोडा जास्त त्रास दिला.  

चिन्मय मिशनचे स्वामी सुंदरजी चैतन्य ह्या प्रवासामध्ये सदैव सोबत होते. जिथे कुठे अडचण होती, तिथे ते मदत करत होते. इंटरनॅशनल चिन्मय फाउंडेशनच्या ऍकेडेमिक डायरेक्टर डॉ. गौरी माहुलीकर मॅडमनीसुद्धा सुरूवातीपासून खूप मदत केली. त्यांनीच केरळमध्ये अनेकांशी जोडून दिलं. मी तिथे असताना त्या प्रवासात होत्या, त्यामुळे त्यांची भेट राहून गेली होती. पण आल्यानंतर लवकरच त्या पुण्याला आल्या होत्या. तेव्हा त्यांची छान भेट झाली. त्यांनी खूप कौतुक केलं आणि प्रोत्साहन दिलं. गंमत म्हणजे माझ्या वहिनीची आणि त्यांची जुनी ओळख. त्यांची ह्या निमित्ताने अनेक वर्षांनी भेट झाली. Yoga reconnects!

त्या त्या ठिकाणी मदत करणार्‍या व्यक्तींबद्दलही कृतज्ञता मनात आहे. त्याशिवाय प्रवासाच्या उत्तरार्धामध्ये सेवा भारती तमिळ नाडूचे शुण्मुगा राजा जी, सिद्धार्थजी, केशवनजी आणि श्री. विजय राजमोहनजी ह्यांनी खूप मदत केली. ह्या सगळ्या व्यक्तींबद्दल कृतज्ञता व्यक्त करतो. 

पुढच्या सायकल प्रवासाची इच्छा नक्की आहे. तो लगेच करणार नाही. पण येत्या काही वर्षांमध्ये करू शकतो. एक सायकल दौरा ईशान्य भारत- नॉर्थ ईस्टमध्ये असेल आणि एक सायकल दौरा लदाख़मध्ये असेल. सध्या तरी हे स्वप्न आहे. बघूया कसं होतं. 
 
वाचल्याबद्दल धन्यवाद. माझ्या ब्लॉगवर ट्रेकिंग, आकाश दर्शन, विज्ञान प्रयोग, ध्यान, फिटनेस, सायकलिंग इ. बद्दलचे लेख उपलब्ध. -निरंजन वेलणकर 09422108376. लिहीण्याचा दिनांक- 5 जून 2026.

South India cycle expedition 20: Pudducherry- Chennai 150 kms

✪ ECR and company of the Bay of Bengal
✪ Strong head winds
✪ The Theosophical Society- Historical institution
✪ Really, I am to stop this journey?
✪ Conclusion of the cycle initiative in Chennai branch of “Niramay”
✪ Completed 1861+ kms in 20 days as planned
✪ Success of the team work and accomplishment of objectives

Hello. Morning of 31st January! The last day! I am feeling happy and also sad! This journey which took me to so many nice people, institutions, sadhakas, amazing nature and incredible India- this journey is going to finish today! And the distance apt for the last day along with the Theosophical Society and also today's challenge! The distance is more. But along with that, there is coastal humidity and opposite side winds! So the last day ride is going to be exciting. 

South India cycle expedition 19: Srimushnam- Pudducherry 96 kms

✪ Rural region of Cuddalore district
✪ Memories of Tsunami days
✪ The more we travel, we realize we cannot see much! 
✪ Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pudducherry!
✪ Beach in the White Town
✪ Dialogue with Sri Matruprasadji
✪ Homely feeling after meeting dear ones

Hello. Morning of 30th January! Second last day of the cycle tour! But in some aspects, this cycling is like cricket. Match is not finished till the last run is made. This tour will complete only after the last kilometer is completed. But what an experience I am getting! I have almost forgotten the initial halts! What villages they were- Gudalur before Ooty, Mallawali in Karnataka and Mandapam near Rameswaram! Right in first eight days, my hands were tanned and blackened and now my face also resembles South Indian faces. But this is a prestigious jewel! One is to enjoy it. 

South India cycle expedition 18: Thanjavur- Kumbakonam- Srimushnam 94 kms

✪ Temples of Kumbakonam and Cauvery river!
✪ Silent villages and amazing roads
✪ Meeting retired Captain Anandhanji
✪ “Had Shivaji Maharaj not been there...”
✪ “Weak young generation" is also enemy of the nation
✪ Velunavhiyar Centre of Srimushnam- A unique perspective
✪ “रगड़ा बनाएगा तगड़ा" 

Hello. 29th January. During this cycle tour, I am having so unique interactions. Today also I will have a special meeting. Dr. Siddharthji from Seva Bharathi, South Tamil Nadu helped me connect with such an organization at Srimushnam. Between Thanjavur and Pudducherry, there was a planned halt at Solatharam. But we could not find any organization or any person there. Then Siddharthji suggested this Srimushnan centre, just 7 kms from Solatharam. Therefore I could get to meet retired Captain Anandhanji. I could see his work.