Festival of light in the sky!

Sky watching event in Anjanvel near Lonavala!

✪ Finally the comet is seen!
✪ Star show in a dark night sky
✪ Thrill to watch a shadow on Jupiter surface caused by its moon
✪ Rain of stars in the sky
✪ Wonderful landscape in the mountains
✪ Bedsa caves- two thousand years back!
✪ Anjanvel- the week-end spent well!

Hello. Recently we could experience the light festival in the sky. We could enjoy sky watching in a serene campus of Anjanvel agro tourism near Lonavala, Maharashtra, located amid wonderful mountains and forts. We could also share this joy of sky watching with others. Hereby I wish to share the experience with you. After many cloudy nights, me and my friend Gireesh Mandhale reached Anjanvel farm house. Glorious mountains and wonderful terrain! Crystal clear blue sky is assuring us that sky watching would be excellent here! We reached when it was getting dark. Venus is already shining in the west. In a hurry we set up the telescopes and prepared ourselves for the comet! Slowly faint stars appeared in the sky. As the darkness grew, small stars started shining! And yes, here is the comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan- ATLAS) at its expected position! With a large 8" aperture, a modest 4.5 " aperture telescope and a 15 X 70 binocular, it was clearly visible. As the eyes adjusted gradually, its tail is also visible. It was not visible to the naked eyes.

Thrilling experience of Saturn disappearing behind the Moon!

Yesterday it was very cloudy in the evening. So the comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) could not be seen. Afterwards it also rained. But somehow the clouds gave way right at the time of the occultation! What a thrilling experience it was! It was wonderful to observe this event with my friend Gireesh Mandhale and through his large 8 inch telescope. We both had watched the Saturn- Moon occultation that had occurred on 23 January 2022 (22.5 years back)! And now we again observed this together. We had my 4.5 inch telescope and also a binocular. We had to wait till midnight and the conditions were very cloudy. But the reward was blissful! 

 

Photos and videos

Saturn to be occulted by Moon tonight on 14th October 2024!

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) easily visible in the evening

 
✪ Wonderful opportunity to witness Saturn- Moon occultation
✪ Saturn suddenly will disappear behind dark part of the Moon and will reappear from behind its lighted part!
✪ In Maharashtra, the timing is around 11.45 pm to 1.40 am
✪ Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is visible in evening near Venus
✪ Need dark skies and clear view of West of the comet
✪ Comet can be photographed with smartphone pro mode
✪ Both are wonderful events to experience
✪ Season of sky watching started!

Hello all.

Greetings. Tonight we have opportunity to witness and enjoy two sky wonders. The first is the Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS). This comet has now become visible in the Evening sky. For next few days, from around 14th October to 19th October, it will appear in the Western sky near the brightest planet Venus. Best chance of observing this comet is coming 10 days. In ideal sky watching conditions- away from city lights, it will be visible to the naked eye as a small smudge. With binoculars and small telescope, it will be more clear. You can track its daily sky position on astronomical app such as stellerium. It can be photographed also by using a smartphone. For this, you need to use the pro- mode. Set the shutter speed to 4 seconds or 8 seconds. Set the ISO to 800 or 1600, depending on how dark sky you have. Set the focus to infinity. Have some support for mobile and keep it tilt towards west. Then set the timer to 5 seconds. You need to keep the mobile steady for some time (timer seconds + shutter speed duration). Then you can photograph it. After some attempts this comet can be photographed.

सायकलीवर शिवथरघळ- एक अविस्मरणीय अनुभूती

✪ सह्याद्री पर्वतरांग व कोकणाचा संगम असलेली शिवथरघळ!
✪ "केल्याने होत आहे रे, आधी केलेची पाहिजे!"
✪ सोलो सायकलिंग नव्हे निसर्गाच्या सान्निध्यातली तीर्थयात्रा!
✪ शेकडो धबधबे, असंख्य डोंगर आणि अजस्र वरांधा घाट
✪ अजस्र धबधबा- जीवंत प्रवाहाचं रमणीय प्रतिक
✪ आयुष्यभराचा अनुभव देणारी १२४ किमीची थरारक सायकल राईड
✪ अनेक किल्ल्यांच्या परिसरातलं निसर्गाचं विराट रूप दर्शन
✪ परतीच्या थरारक प्रवासाची उत्सुकता

सर्वांना नमस्कार. २८ सप्टेंबर २०२४! कधी कधी आपल्याला अशी बुद्धी झाली ह्याचा आपल्यालाच विलक्षण आनंद होतो! खूप दिवसांपासून शिवथरघळ सायकल राईड करायची इच्छा होती. पावसाळ्यात बराच काळ वरांधा घाट बंद असतो. शिवाय ह्या भागामध्ये पाऊसही फार असतो. त्यामुळे राहून जात होतं. पण मग ठरलं. तरी निघतानासुद्धा पावसाची शक्यता होती. पण आतल्या आवाजाचं ऐकून निघालो! आणि नंतर स्वत:च्या नशीबाला असंख्य धन्यवाद देत राहिलो! पुणे ते शिवथरघळ अंतर साधारण १२० किमी! भोरच्या पुढे घाटाचा रस्ता व त्यामुळे साधारण ७-८ तास लागतील. अगदी कसोटी क्रिकेटमधल्या बॅटिंगसारखी ही खेळी असेल! सकाळी पावसाचा अंदाज बघण्यात वेळ गेल्यामुळे निघायला पावणेसात वाजले!

Daughter's day is Everyday!

They say today is the daughter's day!

My little daughter celebrates it every day! So much joy of small things! Her joy after reading her tenth letter of her tenth birthday celebrated recently! His smiles and her mischievous response to that! Joy of playing with her and also studying! Her red face while I take her study and her getting delighted once she learns things! My learning from her about how to explain small things and also enjoy them! Her energy and charm! Her appreciation and encouragement from her! Her joyful enchanting face! Her writing down such funny things in her diary! When we experience all this, then we are bound to feel that our portion of happiness is everlasting!

दहाव्या वाढदिवसाचं पत्र: मस्ती की पाठशाला!

दि. १७ सप्टेंबर २०२४

प्रिय पाबई...

✪ वृक्षतोड, जंगल आणि शफाली वर्मा
✪ रवीन्द्रनाथ टागोर आणि हॅग्रिड
✪ बिच्चारे डोरेमॉन- शक्तीमॉन आणि तो पोकेमॉन
✪ "निनू, मला वाटलं तू सायकल मागून धरली होतीस!!"
✪ अंग्रेज के ज़माने के जेलर आणि “पारोसा”!
✪ गे नेक- एका कबुतराची व न वाचलेल्या पुस्तकाची कहाणी!
✪ एक साधू व त्याच्याभोवती स्तब्ध उभे असलेले अठरा लांडगे
✪ ॲलेक्सची धमाल, शोज, मस्ती आणि देवगड!
✪ तुम चेंदू‌ हो या चँपियन हो?
✪ बुद्धीबळ आणि वेटलिफ्टिंग!
✪ “दादा, तुझं नाव काय रे?”


आज तुझा दहावा वाढदिवस!!! चक्क दहावा! दहा वर्षं! "इतकी मोठी" तू झालीस! अर्थात् तू किती मोठी झाली‌ आहेस हे मला रोजच कळतं. मस्तीमध्ये तू मारामारी करतेस तेव्हा मला आता कधी कधी तुझे फटके जोरात बसतात! तुझ्यातली शक्ती चांगलीच कळते! आणि आता तुला कडेवर घेणं अशक्यप्राय होतंय! आपल्या डबल सीट राईडसही आता जवळ जवळ थांबल्या आहेत. तर वाढदिवसाच्या माझ्या पत्रांमधलं हे दहावं पत्र! तू माझ्याशी कधी कधी कशी भांडतेस, तसं मीसुद्धा तुझ्याशी भांडणार आहे ह्या पत्रातून! तेव्हा तयार राहा.

हे दहावं पत्र लिहीताना आनंद होतोय! दर वर्षीच्या पत्रातून मी त्यावेळच्या गोष्टी लिहून ठेवल्या आहेत. त्या त्या वर्षातल्या गमती! केलेली मजा, मस्ती, आठवणी आणि कधी कधी आजारपणाच्या आठवणीही. ह्या वर्षामध्ये अशा ब-याच गोष्टी झाल्या. हे लिहीताना ते सर्व आठवतंय. आणि त्याबरोबर गेली दहा वर्षंही आठवत आहेत! एवढसं सरपटत एका खोलीतून दुसर्‍या खोलीत जाणारं ते बाळ! त्या बाळाची तू आता नक्कल मस्त करतेस! ते बाळ अजिबात ओरडायचं नाही! अजिबात त्रास द्यायचं नाही, मारामारी करायचं नाही! आणि हो, त्या बाळाला छोटसं जंगल होतं. आधी एक छोटं झाड होतं. आणि दोन- अडीच वर्षांपासून छोट्या छोट्या मस्त शेंड्या होत्या. अजून मोठं झाल्यावर तर एक गलेलठ्ठ उंदीर तर कधी दोन सापसुद्धा असायचे! आता त्या जंगलाला, त्या वृक्षांना मी जाम मिस करतो. एके काळी ते इतकं मोठं जंगल असायचं की, त्यात घनदाट झाडीतून जाणारी पायवाट असायची! एक चढाव चढून त्या जंगलात ती वाट जायची. पुढे फिरून मग एक मोठा उतार लागायचा. आणि त्या उतारावरून घसरलं की बरोबर ज्वालामुखी लागायचा! सतत स्फोट करणारा ज्वालामुखी! वृक्षतोड फार वाढलीय, त्यामुळे ते जंगल आता मला आठवणींमध्येच दिसतं आणि तू म्हणतेस तसं इन यूवर ड्रीम्स! ते जंगल नसल्याचा मला भयंकर त्रास ह्या वर्षामध्ये सुरू झाला. ते जंगल परत कधी उगवेल माहित नाही! आणि आता तर तुझं जंगल मिलिटरी कॅडेटसारखं आहे! त्यामुळे ती शफाली वर्मा आठवते सारखी! नाम तो बड़ा हो गया, बाल छोटे रह गए!  

भयंकर प्रामाणिकपणे काम करणारा कलासाधक: संकर्षण कर्‍हाडे

✪ ‘व्हायफळ' गप्पा पॉडकास्टवर उलगडत जाणारा संकर्षणचा प्रवास
✪ ओळखीच्या चेहर्‍याच्या मागे असलेल्या दिलदार माणसाचा परिचय
✪ परभणी, अंबेजोगाई, औरंगाबादच्या आठवणी व लहानपणीच्या खोड्या
✪ प्रशांत दामले, श्रेयस तळपदे व सिनियर्सकडून त्याचं शिकणं आपण शिकावं असं!
✪ “स्टेजवरचा माज खाली दाखवलास तर तो स्टेजवर उतरवला जाईल!”
✪ “तुला मनलं होतं‌ ना तुला बक्षीस द्यायचं हाय, रताळ्या!”
✪ “Soak the pressure and be there!”
✪ पुस्तकं‌ व माणसं वाचणारा अवलिया

संकर्षण कर्‍हाडे! बस नाम ही काफी है! घराघरात पोहचलेला चेहरा! कलाकार, नाटककार, अभिनेता, सूत्र संचालक, लेखक आणि कवी! पण ह्या सगळ्यांच्या पलीकडे असलेला माणूस म्हणून संकर्षण कसा आहे हे ह्या "व्हायफळ" पॉडकास्टमधून उलगडलं! Why फळ, म्हणजे फळाची चिंता कशाला, असं नावच असलेला हा पॉडकास्ट! इथे संकर्षण अगदी मित्रासोबत बोलावा तसा मनातून बोलतो आणि भेटतो. संकर्षण माझ्या परभणीचाच! गाववाला! आणि वयाने थोडा लहान! म्हणून "तो संकर्षण" असा एकेरी उल्लेख करतोय. त्याचं काम सगळ्यांनाच आवडतं. पण माणूस म्हणून संकर्षण कसा आहे हे माहिती नव्हतं. ते ह्या गप्पांमधून उलगडलं! गप्पा अर्थात् संभाषण, बोलणं व संवाद त्या अर्थाने खूप महत्त्वाचं माध्यम आहे. कृष्णाची गीता हेसुद्धा संभाषणच तर आहे.

ह्या गप्पांची सुरूवात होते संकर्षणच्या लहानपणापासून. त्याचं‌ गाव परभणी. जगात जर्मनी, भारतात परभणी हे जगाला सांगणारा संकर्षणच! त्याचं आजोळ अंबेजोगाई. तिथला वाडा, तेव्हाच्या घरातल्या रीती व त्याचं परभणीमधलं लहानपण. लहानपणी त्याने केलेल्या "दलिंदर" खोड्या! सायकल चालवताना शनिवार बाजारजवळ लोकांच्या कानाजवळ जाऊन ओरडणार आणि लांब पळून जाणार! आजोबांच्या मित्राला जवळ जाऊन "ए केशव!" अशी हाक मारणारा संकर्षण! तेच मित्र संध्याकाळी घरी आल्यावर खूप घाबरलेला! पण ते काहीच बोलत नाहीत म्हंटल्यावर "केशव दुसर्‍या कामासाठी आला," असं मनात म्हणणारा संकर्षण! प्रशांत दामलेंचा "संक्या" आणि मकरंद अनासपुरेंचा "संकर्शन कराडे!"

Srikanth Bolla: An eye opener journey of the visually impaired person

 
✪ “I am not helpless, I don't need your mercy, I want equal treatment"
✪ 2% people don't have the eyesight, but 98% don't have the vision
✪ The boy being visually impaired, the father almost buried him
✪ Meeting with the scientist Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and his help
✪ A teacher showing the way to realize potential
✪ First visually impaired Indian to learn science at the degree level after fighting with the system
✪ Higher education in the U.S.A. and then a businessman providing 80% jobs to the differently abled
✪ Courage to refuse a prestigious award "from the special category"
✪ Know us not for our disability, but for our abilities!

Hello. Yesterday saw recently released Rajkumar Rao starring "Srikanth" movie. Father, being a fan of Krishnammachari Srikanth, names his boy after him. But when he realizes that the boy is visually impaired, then feeling that the is future is dark, the same father decides to bury the boy! But his destiny had different ideas. The visually impaired boy born in a tribal region of Andhra Pradesh in 1991! The parents illiterate. Srikanth was brought up with other children in the village. He also went to the village school for some time. But he had to endure the discrimination done with visually impaired persons and lack of respect for his talent. Even if we just dare to try not to use our eyes for mere five minutes while doing our routine things, we would feel shattered. Even when we know that we have eyes, we cannot bear the darkness for just five minutes. His struggles were much more. Initially Srikanth had to strive through this. But the destiny had planned something different.

बलात्कारी मी: गरज आत्ममंथनाची

नमस्कार.
 

अतिशय अस्वस्थ करणार्‍या बातम्या रोज येत आहेत. समाजातले काही जण किती वाईट आहेत, हे सांगणारी भीषण स्थिती आहे ही. अतिशय मोठा प्रश्न आहे हा. ह्या विषयावर २०१६ मध्ये कोपर्डी प्रकरणाच्या वेळी लिहीलेला लेख शेअर करत आहे. एका वेगळ्या कोनातून ह्या प्रश्नावर त्यामध्ये विचार केला आहे.

सध्या बलात्काराच्या वाढत्या प्रसंगांमुळे चिंतेचं वातावरण पसरलेलं आहे. शाळेच्या मुलींमध्ये दहशतीचं वातावरण आहे. रोज कोपर्डीसारख्या घटना समोर येत आहेत. ह्या परिस्थितीमध्ये प्रश्न पडतो की, ह्यावर रामबाण उपाय काय आहे? बलात्कार्‍याला किंवा बलात्कार्‍यांना फाशी किंवा गोळ्या घालणे हा उपाय आहे का? किंवा छेडछाडीसारख्या गुन्ह्यांना कडक शिक्षा ठेवून परिस्थिती बदलेल का? ह्या संदर्भात थोडं खोलवर बघितलं तर अनेक बाजू दिसतात. ह्या प्रश्नाच्याही- ह्या समस्येच्याही अनेक बाजू आहेत आणि म्हणून उत्तराच्या- उपाययोजनेच्याही अनेक बाजू आहेत. पहिली गोष्ट म्हणजे बलात्कारी कोणी अज्ञात- माथेफिरू- सराईत गुन्हेगार असा आहे, हे मनातून काढायला पाहिजे. आकडेवारी सांगते की, मोठ्या प्रमाणात बलात्कार व शारीरिक शोषणाच्या घटनांमध्ये कुटुंबातले जवळचे सर्वसामान्य पुरुषच सामील असतात. आणि जरी कोणी अज्ञात माथेफिरू गुन्हेगार जरी असले तरी तेसुद्धा कोणी तरी माणूसच आहेत ना. आपल्यासारखेच माणूस म्हणून जन्माला आलेले आहेत. त्यामुळे ही समस्या जर खर्‍या अर्थाने समजून घ्यायची असेल तर माथेफिरू गुन्हेगार असं का करतो, हा प्रश्न विचारून चालणार नाही. त्याऐवजी असा प्रश्न पडायला हवा की, 'मी बलात्कार का करतो?' कारण आपल्याला जरी दिसताना परका माथेफिरू माणूस दिसत असला; तरी तोसुद्धा एक 'मीच' असतो. आणि कितीही माथेफिरू गुन्हेगार म्हंटले, तरी तेही शेवटी माणूसच असतात आणि म्हणून एका अर्थाने 'मीच' असतात. काही 'मी' जास्त गुन्हेगार असतात; काही 'मी' कमी गुन्हेगार असतात.
 

Chandu Champion- A saga of persistence, determination and success amid adversities

Story of India's first Paralympics gold medal winner

✪ Despite of 9 bullets and half the body paralyzed, journey towards success
✪ Inspired by Khashaba Jadhav in 1952 and achieves Gold in 1972
✪ Unbelievable feat of Muralikant Petkar from Sangali, Maharashtra
✪ “I want to fight for everyone who wish to become a champion!”
✪ "Even the fishes do not have legs!”
✪ Impeccable story, presentation and characterization
✪ Such a colossal bravery, but people just forgot

Hello. These days, it is Olympics fever everywhere! We are obsessed about performance of Indian and other players! India has just missed its gold medal. Now after concluding of the 2024 Olympics, shortly, Paralympics of the differently abled will start. This is the story of Muralikant Petkar, who had won India's first (and only till now) Paralympics Gold medal in swimming. Just saw the recently released Chandu Champion movie with Kartik Aaryan in the lead role. This is based on the true story. This is a rather astonishing movie without any bombardment of typical Bollywoodsque attributes. A very balanced movie highlighting the saga of determination, persistence, just not losing will, myriads of efforts, support of friends and guidance of a Guru.

Murali- Muralikant Petkar is an 8 year old kid who gets inspired by Khashaba Jadhav- the Indian Bronze medal winner in 1952 Helsinki Olympics for wrestling. Muralikant later on learns wrestling. Later on he joins Secunderabad EME (Electronics and Mechanical Engineering Corps) as a soldier and learns boxing. He reached the final round of 1964 Tokyo Military Games in boxing. During the war of 1965, he is hit by 9 bullets and his body below waist gets paralyzed. For around two years he gets in coma. Later on he recovers in a military hospital. Surviving even after being hit by 9 bullets and it is the miracle, he thinks and continues to live with the disability. He is forced to forget his dream of the Olympics gold medal and is forced to lead a mere survivor's life. In a moment of depression, he attempts to suicide himself by taking pills for sleeping. But the fortune favours the brave, the pills are released through vomiting and he survives. He reboots himself with the motivation to to chase his dreams. His coach becomes his guiding force. "Even the fishes do not have legs," he motivates him and gives new direction. Swimming! He learns to swim even without using his body below the waist. Later on he becomes eligible to participate in Asian Games for swimming.
 

Bharatanatyam Arangetram- Nritya Yoga ceremony!

✪ Arangetram- Testing of the disciple and the final step towards entering public life
✪ Glorious Shabdam, Varnam, Kirtanam, Tillana and Mangalam
✪ Inspiring journey of years of hard work and persistence
✪ Big dreams and giant leaps of Vaishnavi from Parbhani, Maharashtra
✪ Stout Guru- bitter from outside, butter from inside
✪ Nritya and music- a thought stopping experience
✪ Gathering of veteran teachers and near ones

When a disciple is ready, Guru appears. When the disciple is really ready, the Guru disappears! A few days ago it was Guru Purnima day. Today on 28th July, one could experience the manifestation of Guru- disciple relation, its various expressions and what a Gurukula means. The occasion was the Arangetram Nritya- Yoga ceremony of Ms. Vaishnavi Kapre, the disciple of Guru Swapna Ratnalikar Kurdukar and her Rukhminidevi Kala Kshetra. Arangetram is the final examination of the disciple in Bharatnatyam and the ceremony for his or her entry into the public life and for bestowing her with blessings. My acquaintance with Ms. Vaishnavi is this- She is the daughter of my English teacher of Standard VI, Tanuja Kapare who had made me cry and! And her father Balkrishna Kapre, the P.T. teacher also had made me afraid! But she is significantly more than being their daughter and I came to understand this across the ceremony. In short, Vaishnavi is manifold- she is a meditator of Art of Living programme, she is a Yoga teacher, an architect engineer, a Bharatnatyam dancer and much more! Her dedication from a young age, her toiling and her persistence with her efforts was there to see. My sir and madam also had encouraged her without limits and provided her opportunities. This example of toiling so hard for so long and with such perseverance should be regarded inspirational in these days.

The programme was amazing, but also I could meet many teachers. Teachers who had taught me as a kid and as a college student. I felt gratitude towards all the Gurus. Parbhani in central Maharashtra was a small town of those days. Therefore there were many people whom I knew. This made the ceremony more special. Another unique aspect was that right from the anchor and the photographer- everyone was honoured and respected. Needless to say, even the photographer herself was a Bharatnatyam dancer! Along with the dance, company of Mrudangam, Flute (Bansari) and violin and renowned singers, light arrangements, succinct anchoring, selected short discourses made this ceremony more marvelous. One aspect of the anchoring is worth mentioning- there were many veterans on the stage. They too were given best wishes for their further journey after mentioning their contributions. Persons who supported Vaishnavi in her journey and other seniors from the field of music were present. One person was missed badly and he is none other than a film editor from Parbhani, Saumitra Dharasurkar.

Before talking about Vaishnavi's presentations, it is worth talking about her Guru Swapna Ratnalikar- Kurdukar. She was also known to me, the daughter of my favourite mathematics teacher Ratnalikar sir and she was also Bharatnatyam Guru for my two sisters! Her Rukhminidevi Kala Kshetra is working just like a modern day Guru kula. Her narration revealed hard work done by her disciple Vaishnavi, her struggle while doing Bharatnatyam and also doing Architecture at the same time, her difficulties under the guidance of the strict Guru and her journey towards this stage. A Guru hammers a pot in the making from outside, but also gives the warmth from inside. Then the ceremony unfolded the way in which she had prepared Vaishnavi. Under her Guru, Vaishnavi had made so great efforts that today she looks just effortless in her performance!

Coastal cycle ride!

Hello. These days I happen to stay in a remote place near Devgad in Konkan region of Maharashtra. Konkan is a wonderful place with wonderful coastline. Here road always turns and goes up or down. Lush green nature and serene calmness is what we are enjoying. Staying in the nature calms so much! Being at such a place is nothing short of meditation. I am enjoying my running and cycling here. Today I cycled on a very beautiful coastal road. Wonderful close view of the sea and amazing landscape! Do enjoy my photos here-  These photos can be distracting, so view at your own risk! :) Here you can read my articles about cycling, fitness, meditation, trekking, sky watching etc.

Today is also world cycle day! So happy cycling and happy fitness to all. For finance as well as fitness this is very true- a little bit of discomfort is very comfortable in the long run! So do enjoy your favourite fitness exercises. Thank you.

(Niranjan Welankar 09422108376 Conducts fitness, meditation, sky watching sessions and fun- learn sessions for children.)

Gay-neck: The story of a pigeon!

Hello. When I was glancing fifth Standard Hindi textbook of my daughter, I came to know about one book. Out of curiousity, I purchased that book and then I read it. It is the only book of an Indian writer which has received the greatest award for children- literature in the U.S.A.! ‘Gay-neck: The story of a pigeon’ written by Dhan Gopal Mukerji! By gay-neck, the author meant a pigeon with a colourful neck. This book is the story of this pigeon. Published in 1925, this book is a glimpse of the golden childhood experienced by the author. Today we have traveled a great distance from those times. But in this book, we can read how were those times of roaming freely in the nature, staying in forests and mountains for days and nights!

This book narrates experiences of the author with his favourite pigeon. The author talks about his experiences during early 1910s. While reading this, I was reminded about my childhood. When I had seen the famous song “Kabutar Ja Ja Ja”, I too had longed for one pigeon for some time! In those days, pigeons were pets brought up in almost all households. They were trained and even their competitions would take place! Knowing about this is surprising. Mother pigeon knows the exact time to open up the egg by pressing her beak, how does she know this, how the pigeons build up their nest by bringing straws, how they can fly hundreds of kilometers- all this is very stunning! For assessing navigation skills of his pigeon, the author and his friends take his pigeon towards Darjeeling and Sikkim region. An eagle- assault, defense of the pigeon and the author’s search to get back his pigeon- all this is just wonderful.

नात्यांचं भावस्पर्शी इंद्रधनुष्य- काहे दिया परदेस

✪ दिग्गज व नवोदित कलाकारांची सुरेल मैफल
✪ गौरी अर्थात् सायली संजीव- कमालीच्या गुणी अभिनेत्रीचं पदार्पण
✪ वडील- मुलगी नात्यातले भावतरंग
✪ हँडसम शिवचं डोळ्यांनी फ्लर्ट करणं!
✪ छोटा "अहं" ते "सर्वसमावेशक हम" ही वाटचाल
✪ प्रेमळ आजीची‌ डॅशिंग बॅटींग- मी सांगतंय तुका
✪ सासू- जावयातलं जिव्हाळ्याचं शीतयुद्ध

सर्वांना नमस्कार. सध्याच्या तापलेल्या वातावरणामध्ये थोडा आल्हाददायक थंडावा मिळावा, म्हणून हा वेगळ्याच विषयावर लिहीण्याचा प्रयत्न. गेल्या काही महिन्यांमध्ये काही दिवस आजारी असल्यामुळे व फ्रॅक्चरमुळे आराम करत असताना सहज म्हणून ह्या व्यक्तीरेखा आठवल्या. आणि आठ वर्षांपूर्वी टीव्हीवर प्रचंड लोकप्रिय झालेल्या "काहे दिया परदेस" मालिकेचे काही भाग गंमत म्हणून बघितले. तेव्हाही सलग नाही पण अधून- मधून बघितले होते. त्यामुळे कलाकार ओळखीचे आणि आवडीचे झाले होते. ह्यावेळी बघताना वेगळी मजा आली आणि वेब सिरीज बघावी तसे अनेक भाग सलग बघितले गेले. त्यामध्ये असलेली मजा, खुमारी, त्यात दाखवलेल्या नात्यांच्या नानाविध रंगांविषयी लिहावसं वाटलं.

हिमालय से शुरू हुई मेरी यात्रा. . .

मेरा जन्म हुआ हिमालय के पहाड़ों में| उत्तराखण्ड के पिथौरागढ़ जिले में सद्गड़ नाम के रमणीय गाँव के पास| हिमालय के बीचोबीच! सब तरफ पहाड़, पेड़, पशु- पक्षी ऐसे माहौल में मेरा जन्म हुआ| बहुत ठण्डा मौसम था वह| मै और मेरे भाई- बहन पहाड़ में खेलते थे| बहुत आल्हादपूर्ण परिसर और घनी शान्ति थी वहाँ पर| सब तरफ हरियाली, मिट्टी, खेत और ठण्ड| हम जहाँ रहते थे, वहाँ भेड़- बकरियाँ साथ होती थी| मेरे दिन बड़े ख़ुशहाल थे| आस- पास के पर्वत और पेड़ मै पहचानने लग गया था| मेरी माँ और भाई- बहनों के साथ खुशी से रह रहा था| मुझे कोई भी चिन्ता नही थी| लेकीन एक दिन अचानक...

अचानक एक दादा मुझे मिला| मेरे साथ बहुत खेला| हमने बहुत मस्ती की| उसे मै इतना अच्छा लगा कि उसने मेरा फोटो भी खींचा| मै बहुत ख़ुश था| आगे क्या होनेवाला है, इसका मुझे अन्दाज़ा ही नही था| दो- तीन दिनों के बाद वह दादा फिर आया| उसके साथ और एक छोटा दादा भी था| और एक कुछ डरावने से लगनेवाले चाचा भी आए| उन्होने मुझे उठा लिया! क्या हो रहा है मै समझ ही नही सका| मेरी ताकत उनके सामने न के बराबर थी| वे मुझे कहाँ ले जा रहे थे पता ही नही चला| देखते देखते उन्होने मुझे मेरे माँ और भाई- बहनों से दूर किया| एक छोटी बास्केट में मुझे बिठाया और एक पूरा दिन जोर से आवाज करनेवाली गाड़ी में से ले गए| मै बहुत रोया| अक्सर चिल्लाता रहा| बड़ी यात्रा थी वह| मै एक अज़ीब सी जगह पर पहुँचा जहा अविरत बड़ा शोर और लोगों की भीड़ थी| फिर मुझे एक बड़ी ही लम्बी गाड़ी में वे ले गए| मुझे बहुत ज्यादा तकलीफ हो रही थी| अब तो मुझे गर्मी भी लग रही थी| यह पूरी यात्रा मैने रोते हुए और चीखते हुए की... मुझे मेरी माँ और भाई- बहन याद आ रहे थे|

अत्तराच्या कुपीतून दरवळणारा सुगंध. . .

रोजच्या जगण्याच्या धावपळीमध्ये आपण अनेकदा गोष्टी विसरून जातो. वर्तमानाच्या धामधुमीमध्ये जुन्या सुगंधी आठवणींचा दरवळ विसरून पुढे जातो. आणि मानवी स्वभावच असा आहे की, ज्या गोष्टी चांगल्या वाटतात त्या आपल्याला कमी लक्षात राहतात आणि जे खटकत असतं, जे त्रासदायक असतं तिकडेच जास्त लक्ष जातं. जे चांगलं आणि उत्तम होतं ते आपण लक्षात ठेवत नाही. आणि पुढे जाताना मागची वाटसुद्धा आपल्या नजरेसमोरून दिसेनाशी होती. आपली मुळं आणि आपला आरंभ आपल्या डोळ्यांसमोर नसतो. म्हणून अशाच नितांत सुंदर आठवणींच्या अत्तराच्या कुपीला उघडण्याचा हा प्रयत्न.

जेव्हा आपण जुन्या जगातल्या गोष्टी आठवतो तेव्हा आपल्याला जाणीव होते की जुनं जग किती समृद्ध होतं. आणि आपल्याला जे लाभलं होतं ते किती सुंदर होतं. तेव्हा त्याचं मोल जितकं जाणवलं नसेल त्याहून त्याचं मोल आज कळतं. काळ, परिस्थिती, जीवनशैली बदलली तरी छोट्या गोष्टी किती आनंददायी होत्या ही जाणीव होते. ताजेपणाचा शिडकावा होऊन एक नवीन दृष्टीही मिळते. त्यामुळे अधून मधून जुन्या जगामध्ये फेरफटका मारणं उपयोगाचं असावं.

ह्या आठवणी आहेत माझ्या नांदेडच्या आजीच्या म्हणजे कै. कालिंदी गजानन फाटक ह्यांच्या! मला लहानपणी दोन आजी- आजोबांचा भरपूर सहवास मिळाला. जे परभणीला सोबत राहायचे ते आजी- आजोबा हे नुसते आजी- आजोबा होते तर नांदेडला राहणारे आजी- आजोबा नांदेडचे आजी आजोबा होते! आणि त्या आजी- आजोबांची भेट काही नेहमी होत नसल्यामुळे तिथे होणारे लाड जास्त असायचे. आजोबांच्या आठवणी मागच्या वर्षी ते गेले तेव्हा लिहील्या होत्या. त्याच वेळी जाणवलं होतं की, नांदेडच्या आजीच्या म्हणजे कालिंदी आजीच्या तर त्याहूनही किती जास्त आठवणी आहेत! आजीला जाऊन आज ९ वर्षं होतील. म्हणून ह्या अत्तराच्या कुपीला उघडण्याचा हा प्रयत्न.

लहानपणीच्या सगळ्यांत जवळच्या व्यक्तींमध्ये- लाड आणि कौतुक करणार्‍यांमध्ये आजी अगदी पुढे होती. कोवळ्या वयात मिळालेला स्वीकार आणि प्रेम बहुमोल असतं. वामन मूर्ती, सौम्य आणि हळुवार स्वभाव आणि चेहर्‍यावर हसू. आठवणींचा पेटारा सांगतो की, आजीसोबत आम्ही नातू व नातींनी किती तरी मजा केली आहे. तिच्याकडून ऐकलेल्या गोष्टी, तिने सांगितलेले किस्से आणि विनोद, तिने आवडीने खाऊ घातलेले पदार्थ (ही बाब तर आता हळुहळु नामशेष होण्याइतकी दुर्मिळ होते आहे), तिच्या हातची चव, स्वयंपाकाचा तिचा उत्साह आणि अर्थातच दुपारच्या जेवणानंतरचे पत्त्यांचे असंख्य डाव! "निरू, काय सुरेख पत्ते आहेत तुझे! दोन एक्के, सगळे रथी महारथी तुझ्याकडेच! आणि मला तर अगदी रद्दी, एक हात मुश्किलीने होईल!" हा संवाद तर नेहमीचा होता! त्याशिवाय वेगवेगळ्या पुस्तकांबद्दल ती गोष्टी सांगायची. विनोबांची गीताई तिला विशेष आवडायची. समाजातले महापुरुष, समाज सुधारक, देशभक्त आणि क्रांतीकारक ह्यांच्याबद्दलही ती खूप काही सांगायची, (सांगत असे म्हणायला पाहिजे). हे लिहीताना तेव्हाची भाषाही वेगळी असल्याचं जाणवतंय. तेव्हा "निजायची वेळ झाली, गाडीत फार रेटारेटी होती का, दिवेलागणीची वेळ झाली, चांगलंच गरजतंय, बहुधा सर येणार" अशी वाक्यं ऐकल्याचं आठवतंय. आज हे शब्द आपण फार वापरत नाहीय, हेही जाणवतंय.

डॉ. ब्रायन वाईस ह्यांचं पुस्तक!

कोलंबिया युनिव्हर्सिटी आणि येल मेडिकल स्कूलचे पदवीधर आणि मियामीतील मानसशास्त्राच्या संस्थेचे अध्यक्ष असलेले डॉ. ब्रायन वाईस अतिशय तणावात असलेल्या व अस्थिर अशा कॅथरीन ह्या तरुणीवर मानसोपचार करतात. तिला होणार्‍या त्रासाचं मूळ तिच्या जीवनातल्याच काही अनुभवांमध्ये असावं असं मानून ते तिला बोलतं करतात. तिने अधिक बोलतं व्हावं आणि हलकं व्हावं म्हणून ते तिला ट्रान्समध्ये नेतात आणि तिच्या आठवणी सांगायला सांगतात. कॅथरीन तिचे अनुभव- आठवणी सांगत जाते. थेरपीचे काही सेशन्स होऊनही तिची अस्थिरता थांबत नाही. म्हणून डॉ. वाईस तिला आणखी लहानपणीचे अनुभव विचारतात. एका वेळी ती सांगते की, मी तीन वर्षाचे होते तेव्हा माझ्या वडिलांनी माझ्यावर अत्याचार केला. त्यामुळे मी अजूनही त्यांना घाबरते. त्यावेळी तिच्या निरागस मनामध्ये भावना असते की, बाबा माझ्याशी असं वागले म्हणजे मीच काही तरी चुकले असणार! आणि हळु हळु हे पुस्तक वाचताना आपल्याला एकामागोमाग एक धक्के बसण्याची फक्त सुरूवात होते.

डॉ. वाईसचा अनुभव असतो की, आपल्या आयुष्यातल्या अशा असंख्य भल्या- बुर्‍या अनुभवांचं इंप्रिंट आपल्या मनावर असतं आणि केवळ ते अवचेतन (अनकॉन्शस) मनामध्ये  असल्यामुळे आपल्याला जाणवत नाही. अनेक गंभीर तक्रारी असलेल्या मनोरुग्णांवर उपचार करणारे डॉ. वाईस कॅथरीनच्या बाबतीत काही करू शकत नाहीत. तिच्या सगळ्या आठवणी समोर येऊन आणि अनेक आठवडे थेरपी होऊनही तिची अस्थिरता काही संपत नाही. तिच्या वागण्यामध्ये अनियमित ताण असतो. अनेक गोष्टींची भिती तिला वाटत असते. तर कधी विमानाला प्रचंड घाबरणारी असूनही ती इजिप्तला जाते. आणि विलक्षण बाब म्हणजे पहिल्यांदाच इजिप्तला जात असूनही तिथे फिरताना तिथल्या गाईडच्या सांगण्यातल्या चुका ती दाखवून देते! कॅथरीन डॉ. वाईससाठी एक प्रश्नचिन्ह बनते. अखेर ते तिच्यावर हिप्नोसिस थेरपी वापरायचा निर्णय घेतात.

A banyan tree!

Today is 18th April. It is fourteen years since my grandfather Narayanrao Welnakar- Nana Aajoba had passed. This is a small attempt to recall his memories. Actually such a sharing from his grandson is somewhat like a rookie artist expressing his thoughts about legends of the calibre of Hariprasadji! Because what we grandsons and granddaughters saw was his last years. It was seeing a fast diminishing sun. Compared to this, the relation of a father to his son or daughter is much closer and it witnesses many things for long time. There they get opportunity to understand closely. But also sometimes too harsh blinding the eyes. As our eyes cannot see things which are too far, they also cannot see things which are too close. This is the nature of the relation between the father and his son/ daughter. Compared to this, the relation between the grandfather and his grandchildren is much pleasant. Thanks to the not so harshly burning flame and attachment sustained to the distance!

Despite of this difference in age and the lifetimes, even the grandchildren could experience caring shadow and comforts of this banyan tree. Childhood memories still pop up in the mind. I can clearly see- he is doing his sun- salutations (Surya Namaskar) on the terrace, he is doing his daily tasks with discipline- going to RSS Shakha, meeting people and writing constantly. For others he is a little harsh, but for the grandchildren, very gentle! He is readily available when our health is not good or when we wish to convince our parents!

During the childhood days, I never understood his work as the civil engineer, his social work and the people he had earned. Because, many times we need contrast to understand things. In those days, one would just think maybe this is the case everywhere. Therefore, who he really was, how he was and he was a banyan tree not just for us, but for many more people- all this we clearly understood only when he left us when we saw so many people talking about him. After his demise, prof. Sheshrao Mohite had shared his beautiful memories. Despite of distinct ideology and orientation in life and also huge age difference, my grandfather had became a close friend to him.
His year of birth was 1924 and in that sense, this is the 100th year. In those days, he became an engineer and for expanding RSS work, he left Nagpur and settled in Parbhani, a small town in central Maharashtra in 1960. Along with his profession, he continued working for RSS and other social work related activities. Later on he played a significant role in establishing many organizations. Yoga Mitra Mandal, Parbhani is one of them. Inspired by him, further generation- my father, my uncle and my aunt also contributed in social sector. But his impression is more than that. Today when we see so much of contrast in the society, we realize how deep and tall this tree was. Those days, the epoch- it was altogether different.

In those strange days, in 60s to 70s, many people would regularly come to our house for meals. It was a trend then. The house would welcome many faces every day. My grandparents have helped many needy persons. In those days, one thing was strikingly different than today's world. Everyone whom my grandfather would meet at home or outside- all of them were his friends. Shopkeepers, workers in house or other places, teachers, government officers- they could be anyone, but they were never strangers and rather his friends. In those days my grandparents and later on my father- they never would meet any stranger at all! And all of this was so effortless in that it was so deeply rooted with them. My grandfather would encourage my grandmother for her music penance and he would support his daughters for fulfilling their dreams. This was being much ahead of his times. We never realized how unique it was until we experienced the outside world.

As his grandson, I never even wondered how deep this was. His presence was gentle and not troublesome. He would speak lively. It was a great relief for me that all my school teachers are his friends! He was a passionate cricket fan. And he was also fond of telling stories with signatory phrases! I still remember the movie “Hum Aapke hain koun” which we enjoyed in a theater with our grandparents. In later stages of his life, he would sit for hours and keep writing. He had translated poems of Atalji and he would also write in detail about religious, spiritual and social subjects.

Before this bright sun was set, he was eclipsed by dementia. Maybe due to this, for many persons his memories are about his forgetfulness! Yes, the sun had lost much of its blaze. But its fire was revealed when people shared their loving memories with reverence. It revealed how bright this star was. Today it is fourteen years since he passed, but people who know olden days of Parbhani still recall him. Today sprouts out of this banyan tree have reached far away.

- Niranjan Welankar 09422108376
18 April 2024

When a baby fish learns swimming!

✪ Wonderful feeling to see my daughter Adu learn cycling!
✪ Oh, I thought you are holding from behind! Oh yess!
✪ Small milestones but plenty of joy
✪ Importance of peer cycling buddies
✪ Great feeling to see her enjoy cycling and trekking
✪ Joy in sharing knowledge and experience
✪ Witnessing a sapling becoming a tree

Hello. My nine year old daughter Advika- Adu has just learned cycling! She has started enjoying it! I am sharing this joy with you. Before this, I had trekked many times with her and also had done double- seat rides. I had tried hard to make her learn cycling, experience it and enjoy it. I had done everything- right from lowering seat of my cycle. I had also told her about my meeting with an eight year old girl- Ravi Kaur who was cycling from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. But Adu could no more cycle when the supporting wheels were removed. Her legs would fall short to take support of the ground and she was not able to balance it! And cycling is so easy that I was finding it difficult to teach her!

Opportunity to observe and photograph comet 12/P Pons-Brooks!

✪ The comet is visible with binoculars just after Sunset
✪ Need a remote location with dark skies
✪ Can be photographed through a smartphone.
✪ Spotting a comet is a thrill!
✪ The comet will be close to Alpha Areties (Ashwini) on 30th March

Hello all. Some of you may be knowing that one comet- 12/P Pons-Brooks is visible these days. 12/P means it is the 12th comet whose period was calculated. It completes one rotation around Sun in 71 years. It has been known and observed since many centuries. Pons- Brooks is parts of names of two astronomers who had discovered it simultaneously. As of 15th March, its current magnitude is +5.5 and that means from a remote location with dark sky, it should be easily observed through a binocular or even maybe with naked eyes. Its position, though, is slightly tricky as it is approaching the Sun and therefore in our sky it is not far from Sun. It can be observed just when darkness is about to fall. As on 15th March, it is near a bright star Mirach- Beta Andromeda and slowly it is moving towards Aries constellation.

This photo was taken on 5 March. The comet, Andromeda galaxy and Mirach star are visible in the photo. Astronomy photo of the day: Image Credit & Copyright: Petr Horálek / Institute of Physics in Opava

A starry night show! तारें ज़मीं पर!!

Treat of sky treasures with students of Kalpana Chawla Space Academy

✪ A night long camp near the base of Tung fort, Lonawala
✪ Bliss for the children and what a treat the sky is
✪ “रात है या सितारों की बारात है!”
✪ Orion constellation? No, it is a huuuuge cluster!
✪ Excellent sky without light pollution and treasure of clusters
✪ Joy ride of the children in severe cold night
✪ Trek near Tung fort and new exposure for the children
✪ Remarkable experience of staying in wonderful nature

Hello all. Last weekend, I had a great opportunity to accompany the students of Kalpana Chawla Space Academy, Lonawala for a sky watching camp. While teaching them astronomy as a subject, sky watching is a regular activity. But watching the sky from city and from a remote place almost free from any light pollution is vastly different. Here it was all shining stars! These days such dark skies without any light pollution is a rarity. Actually it was a great delight. In astronomical terms, you could just see stars as faint as 5th magnitude with just your eyes. Those clusters which are difficult to spot in cities in a telescope, were readily observable here! Even finderoscope was sufficient! The great Omega Centauri cluster- it was visible to the naked eyes! When the early morning Venus suddenly erupted from behind the mountain, it was just a search light! But let’s begin from the beginning!

 

 

Lunar occultation of Antares star

Opportunity to observe this wonderful event on early morning of 5th February

✪ Opportunity to observe an astronomical wonder of occultation
✪ This can be observed through naked eyes in the dawn
✪ Venus and Mars can also be observed
✪ Ursa Major, Scorpion, Arcturus, Spica, Vega, Alpha centauri, Beta Scorpii etc. stars and constellations can also be observed
✪ M 7 and Omega Centauri star clusters can be observed

Hello all. On 5th February 2024 at the dawn, we have an opportunity to witness a wonderful astronomical event. When moon obstructs light of some planet, asteroid or a star, then it is called an occultation. At around 4:46 am (for Maharashtra) on the dawn of 5th February, Antares star will be obstructed by the Moon. It will get behind illuminated side of the Moon and at 5:59 am, it will come from behind the dark side of the Moon. Even then also it will be dark so that its reappearance will also be visible to the naked eyes.

This occultation will be visible in South East side in the sky. At that time, the Moon will be around 29% illuminated. Antares is the brightest red giant star in Scorpion constellation and it appears reddish to our eyes. It will be visible right till it gets behind the Moon and it will be again visible after it reappears from behind the Moon. With a binocular, this can be observed in more details. A star visible to us suddenly becomes invisible in a moment and after some time, it again reappears out of darkness! This sight is a wonderful experience.

Approximate position of the Moon and Antares just before the occultation is as shown above.

(My article about observing Mars occultation by the Moon and its video is available here: http://niranjan-vichar.blogspot.com/2021/04/blog-post_18.html This blog has my articles related to sky watching. It has one more similar article about the wonderful Venus occultation by the Moon:  http://niranjan-vichar.blogspot.com/2023/10/thrilling-experience-of-watching-lunar.html)

The Moon generally moves around half a degree towards est along the Ecliptic path in the sky. Stars close to this ecliptic are likely to be obstructed by the Moon and such stars include Antares, Spica and Alpha Libra. Such stars are many times occulted by the Moon. The Moon daily obstructs light of many faint stars. But as Antares is a bright star, it will be visible till it gets obstructed. This star is thousand times larger than our Sun and its distance is around 700 light years and still it shines so bright! This distance means that although we watch it now, its light has left the star around 700 years ago.

On this occasion, other astronomical objects can also be observed. Towards west, Regulus star and Denebola star in Leo will be visible. Towards North West, Ursa Major will be visible and they will be about to set. In the zenith there will be bright stars Arcturus and Spica in slightly southwards. Towards east of Antares, there will be Beta Scorpii star. If the sky is clear and there is less light pollution, then M7 open cluster in the Scorpion constellation can also be visible. Also, in the South, Omega centauri- a great globular cluster will also be visible through a binocular. Also bright stars of Alpha and Beta Centauri will be visible with the naked eyes. Alpha Centauri is the second closest star at 4.3 light years after our Sun. Towards East, Vega star will be visible near the horizon. Bright Venus will be visible to East of the Moon and just before twilight, Mars can also be observed near the East horizon.
 

Do observe this unique sky event. Along with that, observe other stars and constellations too. You can share this post with your near ones. Thank you.

(Thanks for reading! Niranjan Welankar 09422108376. Conducts sessions for fitness, meditation, sky watching and fun- learn for children.)

Cycling expedition for women’s fitness and cancer awareness

Goa to Mumbai solo cycling by Smita Mandapmalvi

Objectives of the expedition

For awareness, generally meetings, interactions, brochures and discussions are made. But there are other options also. When we use some unique medium such as cycling, we can connect with many people and communicate our message to them. With this in mind, I, Smita Mandapmalvi, am planning a solo cycling expedition from Goa to Mumbai. Yes, you read it right. It will be 8- day long solo cycle expedition and total distance to be covered is around 600 kms. This expedition has the following objectives

1. To talk about women’s fitness and cancer awareness
2. To motivate youth and women that such things are achievable
3. To interact with health workers working in hospitals, primary health centres, sub centres etc. on the route from Goa to Mumbai.
4. To discuss women specific health issues and threats with women and girls.


Cycling is such an innovative social medium to relate with people. All of us have cycled at least in the past in our life. Everyone gets interested to interact with a cyclist. And that too a woman solo cyclist cycling this distance is still sort of rarity in our country. Along with this, cycling itself coveys a message towards awareness for health and fitness.

Route and schedule

I plan to do this cycling expedition in 8 days. It will likely to be started from Goa on 22nd January and will end in Mumbai on 29th January. I will cycle around 80- 85 kms every day and will interact with people on the road. I will also visit NGOs, hospitals, PHCs, sub centres etc. Rough halts would be Goa (Ponda), Sawantwadi, Kharepatan, Ratnagiri, Chiplun, Mahad, Pali, Kharghar and Mumbai.

Cycling achievements

Before this, in 2019 I had cycled from Pune to Delhi- 1500 kms in 15 days with the mission- pedal for change. In 2020, I cycled around 600 kms in tribal region of Pune, Nashik, Thane and Palghar districts with the motto “I can, you can.”

I will interact with various social organizations, schools, colleges etc. on this entire route. You can help me to connect with organizations on this route. For details, you can contact:

- Smita Mandapmalvi: 9284419532

Medical social worker by profession in B. Y. L. Nair Charitable Hospital, Mumbai and cyclist by passion.