Cycling in 4 states on single gear cycle 12: Janagaon- Warangal (54 kms)

✪ Ecstatic climate for riding!
✪ Awareness while riding
✪ Historic city of Warangal
✪ Completed 915 kms in 11 days
✪ Context of the erstwhile Hyderabad State
✪ Interactions with activists in Warangal
✪ Visit to Mallikamba Institute of Mentally Handicapped and associated Disabilities, Warangal
✪ Need for awareness about issues related to special children
✪ Clouds of uncertainty hover in mind

Hello all. 11th day of the expedition, 4th October 2022. Today’s ride will be relatively very short. Only 54 kms/-! It is the half distance of what I had ridden in Karnataka in a single day. Since last two days, I am halting little ahead than what I had thought, so today's distance is less. But it is actually good. I will have more time for interactions in Warangal. Also I need to check up my cycle. So today I can do these things! But first thing is to ride till Warangal! Left Janagaon after excellent rest. Today the sky has many clouds and it can rain any time. Also, clouds are hovering in my mind about coming stages of this expedition. After Warangal, I will be reaching remote forest- rich part situated on the border of Telangana and Maharashtra.

(All articles with photos can be read here:  My experiences about trekking, cycling, running, meditation and sky watching etc. can be read on my blog.)

Cycling in 4 states on single gear cycle 11: Hyderabad- Janagaon (76 kms)

✪ Marching towards the unknown!
✪ Energy from the nature
✪ Exploring rural Telangana
✪ Interactions with kids
✪ Badukamma festival and Community bonding
✪ Festival food and caution
✪ Completed 861 kms in 10 days

Hello all. 10th day of the expedition, 3rd October. Yesterday had good sleep in Nerapalli. Left Nerapalli in the early morning with fond memories and interesting connections! Now onward I will not pass any major city except Warangal. And slowly slowly, day by day I will reach near the least known region- the tribal and remote part of Maharashtra. Now this expedition has taken a great momentum. Rotational of the earth is the same, but speed of the days is increased greatly. It is something like when a batting team is chasing 340 runs and once they cross the half way mark, say, 180 for 2, it becomes much easier. Whatever work we may be doing, it has a certain mental part in it. And any endurance or fitness event have an equal mental part.

Cycling in 4 states on single gear cycle 10: Sangareddy- Hyderabad (70 kms)

✪ Hyderabad ke logan
✪ No puncture- a wonder!
✪ Meeting with members of Vande Mataram Foundation
✪ Meeting with “Rajneesh” Ji
✪ Unprecedented connections- World is very small!
✪ Completed 785 kms in 9 days
✪ Difficult to hold mind in the present
✪ Half journey over, now tribal part calling

Hello all. Sharing joy and experience that I attained during this solo cycling expedition with you all through this blog. 9th day of the expedition, 2nd October. Today is Gandhi Jayanti as well as Sunday. After cycling across vast rural area with very few towns and hardly any cities, today I will reach to a significant Indian metro- Hyderabad! It is bound to be challenging- to see traffic jams, signals, waiting in traffic- after such a long highway ride! Today I will also complete half part and so now onward the end will be approaching. Faster and faster. Initially days are very slow, slowly day 1 of the expedition completes, then day 2 and so on. But now onward it will be psychologically so fast. Because, once I cross the half way mark, the mental work is as good as done. Mental monkeys are off the back (they were mostly off from day 1 actually). And I am short of words to say thank you to my cycle! What a great company it is giving me!

Cycling in 4 states on single gear cycle 9: Mannaekhelli- Sangareddy (82 kms)*

✪ ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ ನಮ್ಮ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ!! (Bye bye my Karnataka)
✪ Wonderful interactions with students in Zaheerabad
✪ Felt as if a nano celebrity!
✪ Flavour of South India
✪ Completed 715 kms in 8 days
✪ Sleepless night in Sangareddy

1st October 2022, eighth day of the cycle tour! Slowly I am nearing the half distance. Today I am leaving Karnataka and entering the fourth state, Telangana. Today’s distance is 82 kms, slightly less than the distances I had crossed in recent days. Morning in Mannaekhelli in the school campus is beautiful! I did not have proper sleep, was awake since around 2 am. But this is almost the routine now. Lack of sleep, mosquitoes and all- the body has adjusted with that also! Our body is such a great asset!

Cycling in 4 states on single gear cycle 8: Kalaburgi- Mannaekhelli (96 kms)

✪ Slightly hilly terrain
✪ Wonderful support from the cycle and the nature
✪ Interactions with school students
✪ Enthusiastic school teachers
✪ Completed 633 kms in 7 days

Morning of 30th September, seventh day of the expedition! Yesterday night it rained in Kalaburgi. But as always the weather is clear in the morning. I was told that a few cyclists from Kalaburgi were going to meet me when I would leave. I waited for a few minutes for them. But they did not come. Instead one other cyclist passed by near me. I briefly interacted with him, asked him how to find proper road in the city and then left. Also I shared my live location on the coordination group for this expedition. Today I will have last stay in Karnataka, a small village in Mannaekheli.

(All articles with photos can be read here. My experiences about trekking, cycling, running, meditation and sky watching etc. can be read on my blog.)

Cycling in 4 states on single gear cycle 7: Sindagi- Gangapura- Kalaburgi (90 kms)

✪ Major stage of the expedition
✪ Green lush roads in the nature
✪ Bhima and Ganagapura!
✪ A bliss to ride this way!
✪ On such journeys we happen to really meet ourself
✪ Meeting Shri Basavraj Ji in Kalaburgi
✪ Completed 538 kms in 6 days

Morning of 29th September, sixth day of the expedition and one major day in that today I am going to meet senior members of Bharat Vikas Sangam Shri Basavraj ji, Shri Shastriji and others in Kalaburgi. This expedition would not have been possible without their help. So before starting the ride, was feeling eager for this meeting. Yesterday in Sindagi. Shri. Dattuji helped me well. On the morning also, he came when I was leaving the house. Just feel gratitude towards all those who were there with me on each stage of the expedition. With company and help from all such people, I feel that it was not a solo expedition, but rather a collective effort.

 

 

 

औरंगाबाद जिल्ह्यातल्या वस्तीशाळेवरचा अनुभव

 ✪ शाळा सोडून जाणा-या शिक्षिकेद्वारे विद्यार्थ्यांसाठी आकाश दर्शनाचं आयोजन
✪ ८० हून अधिक मुलं, ३५ हून अधिक पालक, शिक्षक व ग्रामस्थांचा सहभाग
✪ बलून प्रज्वलनाद्वारे सत्राची सुरुवात!
✪ औरंगाबादच्या लाडसावंगीजवळ गवळीमाथा येथील सुंदर आकाश
✪ ग्रह, तारे, तारकागुच्छ, तेजोमेघ आणि "शाळा चांदोबा गुरुजींची"
✪ धुमकेतू बघण्याचा दुर्मिळ अनुभव आणि डोळ्यांची तपासणी!
✪ समंजस ग्रामस्थांचा आणि उत्साही विद्यार्थ्यांचा सहभाग
✪ विद्यार्थी नव्हे, ही तर सावित्रीची लेकरं!
✪ अंधारलेलं आकाश पण अनेक उजळलेल्या चांदण्या

सर्वांना नमस्कार. औरंगाबादमध्ये काल दि. ६ फेब्रुवारी रोजी लाडसावंगीजवळच्या गवळीमाथा वस्तीमध्ये विद्यार्थी, पालक, शिक्षक व इतर ग्रामस्थांसाठी आकाश दर्शन सत्र घेण्याची संधी मिळाली. हे सत्र घेण्याचा अनुभव अगदी वेगळा होता. तो अनुभव आपल्यासोबत ह्या लेखातून शेअर करत आहे. जि. प. गवळीमाथा शाळेतील शिक्षिका सौ. प्रेरणाताई रवींद्र अन्नदाते ह्यांनी त्यांच्या विद्यार्थ्यांसाठी ह्या सत्राचं आयोजन केलं होतं. प्रेरणा मॅडम गेली १२ वर्षं ह्या शाळेमध्ये शिक्षिका म्हणून कार्यरत आहेत आणि आता त्यांची बदली होणार आहे. जाण्यापूर्वी ह्या सगळ्यांसाठी काही तरी छान भेट देण्याची त्यांची इच्छा होती. ह्या परिसरामध्ये काम करणा-या सावित्रीबाई फुले महिला एकात्म समाज मंडळच्या कार्यकर्त्यांशी त्यांनी अशा एखाद्या उपक्रमाविषयी विचारलं. ह्या परिसरात मंडळाचे कार्यकर्ते महिला आरोग्य, ग्राम विकास, शिक्षण, पाणलोट विकास, युवकांचे प्रश्न अशा विविध विषयांवर काम करतात. मंडळाचे जीवन भुते सर इथे उज्ज्वल भारत प्रकल्पामध्ये काम करतात व मुलांना आरोग्यदायी सवयी लावणे, आरोग्याची काळजी, मुलांची आरोग्य तपासणी, त्यासाठी विविध खेळ- गाणे- स्पर्धा असे उपक्रम सर घेत असतात. जिल्हा परिषदच्या ९१ शाळांमध्ये हे काम चालतं. तसंच परिसरातच शेतकरी उत्पादक संघही काम करतो. त्यामुळे जीवन भुते सरांचा प्रेरणा मॅडमसोबत चांगला परिचय होता. जीवन भुते सरांनी त्यांना आकाश दर्शनाच्या कार्यक्रमाबद्दल सुचवलं आणि त्यांनी ह्या आकाश दर्शन कार्यक्रमाचं आयोजन केलं. एखाद्या शिक्षिकेने बदली होताना मुलांसाठी म्हणून असा कार्यक्रम आयोजित करणं, ह्यामधूनच त्या शिक्षिकेचं वेगळेपण दिसतं.

औरंगाबादवरून संध्याकाळी ५.३० वाजता निघालो आणि जालना रोड आणि शेंद्रा एमआयडीसी मार्गे लाडसावंगीकडे निघालो. हळु हळु शहर, इमारती, कंपन्या वगैरे मागे पडल्या. उत्कृष्ट दर्जाच्या रस्त्यानंतर एकदम खड्डेयुक्त रस्ता लागला! सूर्य मावळल्यानंतर थोड्या वेळातच सेलूदजवळच्या गवळीमाथा वस्तीवर पोहचलो. चोरमारे सरांनी शाळेपासून काही अंतरावरची मोकळी जागा दाखवली. तिथे टेलिस्कोप सेट केला. हळु हळु पश्चिमेचा संधीप्रकाश कमी झाला. पश्चिमेला शुक्र आणि गुरू प्रकाशमान झाले आणि मग तर आकाशातून अनेक मिणमिणते दिवे प्रकटले! इथलं आकाश खूपच सुंदर आहे. अक्षरश: शेकडो तारे आकाशात दिसत आहेत. आज मस्त आकाश बघायला मिळणार! थोड्याच वेळात पूर्वेला लालसर चंद्र उगवला. हळु हळु सगळे मुलंही जमले. खूप वेगळा व मॅडमनी खास आयोजित केलेला कार्यक्रम पुढेही पूर्णपणे वेगळा ठरत गेला. बलून प्रज्ज्वलनाने त्याची सुरुवात झाली! मॅडमनी त्यासाठी खास बलून आणलं होतं. मुलांच्या पुढाकाराने बलूनमध्ये ज्योत पेटवण्यात आली. आणि जशी बलूनमधली हवा गरम झाली, तसं बलूनने झेप घेतली! अगदी साधा असला तरी मुलांच्या उपस्थितीत आणि मुलांच्या आनंदासाठी होणारा हा प्रयोग रोमांचक होता, कारण ते बलून जणू मुलांच्या क्षमता व स्वप्नांचं प्रतीक होतं.

महाराष्ट्र खगोल संमेलनाचा अविस्मरणीय अनुभव!

✪ सेंटर फॉर सिटिझन सायन्सेस (CCS), विज्ञान भारती आणि राष्ट्रीय रेडिओ खगोल भौतिकी केंद्र (NCRA) द्वारे आयोजन
✪ तीन दिवसीय संमेलनामध्ये आंतरराष्ट्रीय वैज्ञानिकांची व्याख्याने, सखोल चर्चा आणि संवाद
✪ जुन्या व नवीन पिढीतील खगोलप्रेमींचं एकत्रीकरण- Passing of baton
✪ आयोजक, संबंधित संस्था, व्हॉलंटीअर्सद्वारे उत्तम नियोजन आणि चोख व्यवस्था
✪ आजच्या खगोल विज्ञानात काय सुरू आहे ह्यांचे अपडेटस आणि मूलभूत संकल्पनांची उजळणी
✪ भारतातल्या संस्था व वैज्ञानिक किती मोठं योगदान देत आहेत ह्यावर प्रकाश
✪ अजस्त्र जायंट मीटर वेव्ह रेडिओ टेलिस्कोप (GMRT) ला भेट!
✪ GMRT येथील व्याख्याने, चर्चा सत्र आणि आकाश दर्शन
✪ वेगळे "बायनरी स्टार्स" नव्हे हे तर "स्टार" क्लस्टर!
✪ रात्री १ पर्यंत खगोलप्रेमींचा निरीक्षणाचा उत्साह
✪ बिबट्याचा माग चुकवून धुमकेतूचा यशस्वी माग!

सर्वांना नमस्कार. नुकतंच २६ जानेवारी ते २८ जानेवारी (२९ च्या पहाटेपर्यंत!) असं तीन दिवसीय खगोल संमेलन CCS व इतर संस्थांनी आयोजित केलं होतं. ह्या संमेलनामध्ये भाग घेण्याचा अनुभव फार सुंदर होता. तीन दिवस ह्या संमेलनामध्ये भाग घेतल्यानंतर अजूनही ह्या संमेलनाचा हँग ओव्हर जात नाहीय. ह्या संमेलनामधील आनंद आपल्यासोबत शेअर करण्यासाठी हा छोटा लेख लिहीत आहे. संमेलनाचा हा वृत्तांत नाही म्हणता येणार, पण संमेलनावर प्रतिक्रिया आणि त्यातल्या आठवणी शब्दबद्ध करण्याचा प्रयत्न असू शकेल.

अगदी थोडक्यात सांगायचं तर ह्या संमेलनामध्ये आजच्या खगोल- विज्ञानात काय सुरू आहे, आज कोणत्या प्रकारचे महाप्रकल्प येत आहेत, सुरू आहेत, कोणतं संशोधन सुरू आहे ह्याची माहिती मिळाली. त्याबरोबर खगोलशास्त्र व आकाश दर्शन संदर्भातील सर्व मूलभूत संकल्पनांची उजळणी झाली. त्यासोबत जुन्या व नवीन पिढीतील अनेक खगोलप्रेमींना भेटता आलं. त्यांच्याबरोबर "विज्ञान स्वयंसेवकांच्या" उत्साही चमूलाही भेटता आलं! एका अर्थाने हे अगदी passing of baton सारखं वाटलं. लहानपणी दूरदर्शनवर एक व्हिडिओ दाखवायचे- त्यातला कपिल देवसुद्धा मशाल घेऊन पळताना दिसायचा. त्यात सगळे जण एकमेकांना मशाल देत जातात (त्या व्हिडिओच्या शेवटी एका लहान मुलीचा गोंडस चेहराही असायचा). हे खगोल संमेलन म्हणजे अगदी तशी मशाल पुढे देण्याची प्रक्रिया वाटली!

Thrilling experience of spotting comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)!

✪Thrilling experience of spotting it through my telescope

✪ Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is visible through binoculars
✪ Need dark skies and precise sky- location of the comet
✪ Its position changes rapidly
✪ Will be brightest around 1st  February

Hello all. Some of you may be knowing that one comet- C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is visible these days. It is not bright enough to be seen only through eyes as of 24th January. But it is visible through binoculars or a small telescope. What you need is a location with dark sky. That means a place at least 20 kms away from any city lights. You also need a detailed sky mapping app like Sky safari along with proper sky orientation and knowledge of major constellations. But just these would not be sufficient. You would also need some practice of watching sky objects, particularly dim objects.

Cycling in 4 states on single gear cycle 6: Kolhar- Vijaypura- Sindgi (101 kms)

✪ Starting ride in the background of “Kausalya Supraja Rama!...”
✪ Ride through hilly region with wind mills
✪ Crossing historic Vijaypura
✪ Aerobic ride (only nose breathing)
✪ Mental aspects of cycling
✪ Language barrier? Yes and no.
✪ Kalyana Karnataka region
✪ Completed 438 kms in 5 days

Morning of 28th September, fifth day of the expedition. Yesterday I had good rest in Kolhar and so feeling much fresh. What a wonderful morning it is- soothing and clear weather. As I woke up and got ready to depart, there is  that famous prayer- Kausalya Supraja Rama! Early morning prayers in South India are spectacular. I can still listen that Bhajanas in Tharangamwadi in January 2005 (during Tsunami relief work). This Kausalya Supraja prayer set the tone for the day! Just wonderful to listen it here in this village. Incidentally, my ring tone is also instrumental of this same prayer.

Today I will ride around 100 kms and cross Vijaypura. As discussed with people here, chose the highway over the short cut road. As it is 5th day, riding is so smooth and easy now. Only to save little energy, today I am riding with only nose breathing- it is called aerobic activity. It slightly reduces speed, I will ride slightly less than 20 km per hour. But it increases comfort level and also saves energy. I had not actually practiced this method in cycling, but I regularly do some such kind of running. It also keeps heart rate low. So here we go. Left at around 6.30 in the morning. As I am riding eastwards and slightly northwards, there is proper sunlight by 6.30. I had a quick breakfast of biscuits. What a great highway it is. Mostly empty lanes! Just feeling more and more gratitude that I am doing this, somehow life wished me do it. Pure bliss. There are small hills in the vicinity. All set for a romantic ride!

Cycling in 4 states on single gear cycle 5: Lokapur- Bagalkote- Kolhar (71 kms)

✪ Connection with Bagalkote!
✪ Beautiful Ghatprabha river
✪ Meeting massive Krishna river
✪ Bipolar village- Kolhar
✪ Acclimatization of the body and the mind

Hello all. There was long gap in writing my experiences related to cycling done in September- October 2022. Due to sky watching activities and other works, I was not able to write next part. Also I was enjoying early morning running feast and glorious foggy rides these days. It is a never to be missed joy! So writing these blogs slightly slipped behind. The cycling expedition itself was completed in 18 days, but writing those experiences is still going on! So you can imagine which is more easy. :) But people who were with me in this process reminded me again. So now finding time for this. It makes my eyes teary when I recall experiences during this 1500 km expedition. So many people were there with me, nature accompanied me beautifully! That Chorla ghat, then Sironcha- Gadchiroli forest and affectionate people everywhere1 The cycle also supported me and remained not out till last. This cycling expedition was actually a joyous pilgrimage into nature. Outline of this cycle expedition can be read here. Through this article, sharing my joy of this nature pilgrimage with you all.

...Yesterday, on 26th September as I could not find a shelter at the planned village, I had to ride 18 kms more to find a shelter in Lokapur. So accidentally, instead of 90 kms, it was a hundred with 108 kms! I had good rest in Lokapur. As there was no contact persons or organizations in Lokapur, there was no interaction. I took food in the evening and took rest. Our body has a miraculous strength. Yesterday was the third day, now I am used to the cycling. Now I get less tired. Also, the body is getting adjusted to things such as new place of every next day, different food, mosquitos etc. So I could get good rest in the night. Of course, as this expedition involved back- to back riding, not a single day I could have complete 100% rest. But the mind and the body is used to that also.

 

 

Sky watching session with kids and elders!

✪ International space station like a bright moving star!
✪ Saturn rings, Jupiter moons and orange Mars
✪ Beautiful Pleiades cluster- A scene of 400 years ago
✪ Moon craters and surface features
✪ Vast universe thrashes egoistic delusion
✪ Wonders to be watched just through eyes
✪ Zestful parents and energetic kids

Hello. Currently conditions are best for sky watching. Except for a few passing clouds, we can enjoy beautiful sky in the night. I got opportunity to show kids and elders the wonders of sky on the eve of 8th December when Ayurveda Vyaspeeth, Parbhani arranged a sky watching session. For this, first of all I thank Dr. Kanhe madam, Dr. Sandeep Chavan sir and their team, the organizers, the kids and also their parents. Here I would like to share which wonders we did enjoy and what fun we had. Recently I had taken such sessions for three consecutive days in Aurangabad, but the sky was not this clear there. On 8th December, the sky was so clear.

When some kids were still to come, we observed an interesting object. From north, a bright artificial satellite was visible. It was as bright as Jupiter and it was slowly moving towards East. It was visible for five- six minutes and then it went to South- East side and got out of sight. When I saw its speed and brightness, I felt this must be International Space Station- ISS. On the next day, I checked its timing and visibility location and then it was confirmed! So the kids who had come on time could also see the space station!

We started telescopic observation from Saturn. Everyone could enjoy its rings! Then we saw Jupiter and its four moons. Also within short time, we could also experience change in positions of the moons. Mars was in opposition recently (i.e. Sun- Earth- Mars in one line) and therefore it is much closer to the earth- at around 7.5 crore kms. Its red disk was visible in the telescope. The most beautiful object was Krittika cluster- Pleiades M45. Kids counted number of stars there. This cluster is located around 400 light years from us. That means the light departed from the cluster reaches us after 400 years. The light that travels 3 lac kilometers in a second! That means the stars we observe there are actually from the year 1600!

While observing this so much vast distance and stars much greater than Sun- forget our earth- makes us speechless. It is something like meditation. We always have delusions about us like I am someone special, this or that. Or my sorrow is greatest in the world. But when we see this infinitely vast sky, these delusions fade away! After the Pleiades, we saw the most thrilling objects for many- the Moon. Initially we saw with 20 magnification and later on also 50 magnification. Anytime one sees it, it is just beautiful and everyone likes it!

 

Cycling in 4 states on single gear cycle 4: Belgavi to Lokapur (108 kms)

4: Belgavi to Lokapur (108 kms)

✪ Riding across rural Karnataka!
✪ Influence of Marathi in Karnataka
✪ "Yargatti" village- O Yara, gati kitthe?
✪ "Sorry, we could not help you for stay here!"
✪ Riding 18 kms more for finding a lodge!

Hello all. Sharing joy of solo cycling in 4 states completed some time ago through this article. 26 September! I left Belgavi at 6:30 am. Today is the third day in this expedition. Yesterday I had good rest after passing through Chorla ghat. Now onwards I will have easy roads till the end. Before leaving, I inquired a little about route out of Belgavi and then left. Navratri festival has started. I think today is the second day. I saw some festival scenes in Belgavi. I passed by Belgavi bus stand and fort area and crossed Mumbai- Bengalore highway and reached Belgavi- Bagalkote highway. This road is passing through Belgavi airport area. Wonderful flat road! Large lanes. I saw a board alerting about thick population near the road. Today’s ride is small actually. I will stay at Badnur/ Kadampur after riding 89 kms. Due to the flat road, this distance will be easily covered.

Early morning time and nice road! Getting good speed. As I crossed villages near Belgavi, the traffic got reduced. After passing through mountains and forests Yesterday, today it is flat roads! Now there are farms and plain terrain in place of mountains and forests! Also no rain and clouds- mostly the sky is clear!

(All articles with photos can be read here. My experiences about trekking, cycling, running, meditation and sky watching etc. can be read on my blog.)

... अन् पुन्हा पसरो मनावर शुद्धतेचे चांदणे!

✪ नागपूरमध्ये विशेष मुलांसोबत भेट
✪ विशेष मुलांसोबत चालू असलेल्या कामाची ओळख
✪ स्वमग्न मुले की स्वमग्न आपल्या सगळ्यांचा समाज?
✪ ये शाम मस्तानी!
✪ मळभ हटताना
✪ आकांक्षापुढति जिथे गगन ठेंगणे
✪ गरज फक्त सोबत देण्याची

सर्वांना नमस्कार. नुकताच २ जून २०२२ रोजी नागपूरमध्ये एक सुंदर अनुभव घेता आला. तो अनुभव व त्यासंदर्भात मनात आलेले विचार आपण सर्वांसोबत शेअर करावेसे वाटले. नागपूरमध्ये विशेष मुलांना भेटण्याचा योग आला. काही कामामुळे नागपूरला जाण्य़ाचा योग आला व तिथल्या परिचितांची भेट घेण्याचं ठरवलं. मनमंदिर नेटवर्कमुळे जोडल्या गेलेल्या मंडळींना भेटायची उत्सुकता होती. त्यांनीही आनंदाने तयारी दर्शवली व आठ- दहा जण भेटण्याचं ठरलं. ह्या मंडळींमध्ये आकांक्षाताई देशपांडे होत्या, त्या ऑटीझम म्हणजे स्वमग्नता असलेल्या व डाउन्स सिंड्रोम असलेल्या मुलांसोबत काम करतात हे ऐकलं होतं. तेव्हा मनात विचार आला की, नुसतं भेटण्याच्या ऐवजी ह्या मुलांसाठी आपल्याला काही करता येईल का? मी मुलांसाठी जे फन- लर्न सेशन घेतो ते ह्या मुलांसाठी घेता येईल का असा विचार केला. आणि मी नागपूरमध्ये असण्याच्या दिवशी जूनमधलं ढगाळ वातावरण असलं तरी टेलिस्कोपमधून चंद्र बघता येईल, इतकं आकाश असेल, हेही लक्षात आलं. पण असं सेशन हे विशेष मुलांसोबत घेता येईल का, मनामध्ये शंका होती. हे नागपूरच्या डॉ. सीमाताईंना विचारलं व त्यांनी आकांक्षाताईंना विचारलं. आकांक्षाताईंसोबत मग पुढे बोलणं होत गेलं आणि एक एक गोष्ट ठरत गेली. फन- लर्नमधल्या सोप्या एक्टिव्हिटीज ही मुलं करू शकतील आणि टेलिस्कोपमधून चंद्रही बघू शकतील, असं ताईंनी सांगितलं. आनंदही झाला आणि खूप धाकधुकही वाटली की, ते मुलं तर करू शकतील, पण मला ते कंडक्ट करणं जमेल ना!

Cycling in 4 states on single gear cycle 3: Bicholim- Chorla ghat- Belgavi (88 kms)

3: Bicholim- Chorla ghat- Belgavi (88 kms)

✪ Chorla ghat and amazing Sahyadri!
✪ Wonderful forest, hills and climbs
✪ Bye bye Goa, God Bless you!
✪ Redbull incident!
✪ Mesmerizing ride and people's warmth
✪ How we can let you go without giving you anything?

Hello all. Sharing joy of solo cycling in 4 states completed some time ago through this article. 25 September! Second day of the expedition. Yesterday I had good rest in Bicholim lodge in Goa. Today there will be ghat section shortly once I start for Belgavi road. During Yesterday’s ride, there was fog on the road even much late, therefore in the ghat also there will be fog. I got ready, packed my luggage, brought down both the sacs near the cycle and tied them. Everyday I would be doing this task of 5 minutes- Loading the luggage and then unloading it in the afternoon. As I had told the lodge- persons in the night, I woke them up and got the door opened and left. Hardly had I pedaled, I realized that I had forgotten my helmet. So took it by coming again.

Cycling in 4 states on single gear cycle 2: Kudal to Bicholim (72 kms)

2: Kudal to Bicholim (72 kms)

✪ Flag off by Kudal cyclists!
✪ Marvelous nature and rains
✪ Interactions with school and SAHAJ Trust in Banda
✪ My name is Anthony..... Mai Cycle pe akela hun!
✪ Glimpses of Goa!
✪ Interactions with Saint Gadgebaba Old Age home, Shanti Kutir Old Age Home and Rotarians
✪ Legal rights of mental patients
✪ Meeting and dialogue significant

Hello all. Sharing joy of solo cycling in 4 states completed some time ago with you through this article. I had good rest on the night of 23rd September in Kudal. Got up early and was ready for the first day ride! Cyclists of Kudal- Rupesh Teli, Gajanan Kandalgaonkar, Amitji and others came sharply at 6:30 am to see me off. Family members of Dr. Damale also wished me and then I left! In any expedition, first three days are slightly tough. But I am so used to it that I am not feeling much anxiety. Started pedaling in fresh morning times. There is dense fog and visibility is poor! But seeing fog was good as it indicates that rain is away. Had some conversation with the cyclists accompanying me. They accompanied me till 10 kms and left by wishing me well. And also they had given me dry fruit and chikki before that!

(My experiences about trekking, cycling, running, meditation and sky watching etc. can be read on my blog.)

Slowly the Sun started to emerge out of the flog. What a road this is! It is Konkan! Road is slightly plain at the moment. Villages here are quite unique! There are many villages which form surnames of persons. For example, Tendola village is in this region only. And you must be knowing Sachin Tendulkar! Even in Karnataka there are villages which are surnames themselves! For example, there was one village I saw nearby on map. Its name was Telagi! Such fun. Slowly the fog got scattered and it was sunlight all over. Today's distance is very small. Around half way, I am meeting a school and SAHAJ Trust in Banda. Now I am seeing clouds formed at some distance.

Interactions with the school and SAHAJ Trust in Banda

I had got contact number of Meenakshi madam of SAHAJ Trust. This trust works only for mental health. When they came to know that I am cycling for this very cause, they were very happy. They mainly work in Sawantwadi and nearby areas. SAHAJ is a acronym of words which mean Rich and smiling world, their vision. They talk with the people about mental health, conduct workshops on this and work through counseling and self- help groups. Meenakshi madam is working on this issue since many years. Initially her family members opposed her when she took "this" subject for her work. But now her family members support her. Today also in villages persons with autism or slow learners are rejected. SAHAJ Trust talks to them and provide help to them. Meenakshi madam has planned my interactions with one school in Banda. Here students have made posters about mental health! In brief, I informed them about my ride and mission. Talked about physical and mental fitness. Told them importance of playing any sport of one's liking and also having sweat everyday. I answered their questions about my cycling. It was a programme of one hour and then I left Banda.

सिंगल गेअर सायकलीवर ४ राज्यांमध्ये आनंदयात्रा १: प्रस्तावना

 

१: प्रस्तावना

✪ कृतज्ञता!
✪ निसर्ग तीर्थयात्रा
✪ तयारी व नियोजन
✪ भारत विकास संगम आणि इतर अनेक संस्था
✪ वेंगुर्ला राईड- सागरा प्राण तळमळला!
✪ केल्याने होत आहे रे आधी केलेची पाहिजे!
✪ निसर्गाने प्रत्येकाला क्षमता दिली आहे
✪ कुडाळ आणि कराची!

सर्वांना नमस्कार. मानसिक आरोग्य जागरूकतेसंदर्भात संवाद हा विषय घेऊन महाराष्ट्रातल्या कुडाळवरून गोवा- बेळगांव- बागलकोट- कलबुर्गी- हैद्राबाद- वारंगल- गडचिरोली- नागपूर असा साधारण १४५० किलोमीटरचा १८ दिवसांचा सायकल प्रवास नुकताच केला. वाटेमध्ये खूप सुंदर अनुभव मिळाले. अनेक ठिकाणी स्थानिक संस्था- गट- लोक ह्यांसोबत भेटी झाल्या. शाळा- कॉलेजेसचे विद्यार्थी भेटले आणि त्यांच्यासमोर सकारात्मक आणि आनंददायक अशी गोष्ट ठेवता आली. एका अर्थाने हा सगळाच प्रवास अतिशय अविश्वसनीय होता. स्वप्नवत होता. हिरो रॅडीकल एसएलआर सिंगल गेअर सायकलीने कमालीची साथ दिली. इतक्या अंतरामध्ये सायकलीला काहीही म्हणजे काहीही झालं नाही. आणि वाटेतला निसर्ग- लोक- छोटी गावं- आदिवासी भाग- हे सगळं बघणं म्हणजे इन्क्रेडीबल इंडिया अनुभवणं होतं! सायकलवर मी एकटा असलो तरी अगदी रस्त्यावरही आणि वाटेतल्या गावांमध्ये कधीच एकटा नव्हतो. अनेक लोक अनेक प्रकारे सोबत करत होते आणि मदतही करत होते. ह्या सायकल प्रवासात अगदी सायकलचे तांत्रिक घटक समजावून सांगणे, संस्थांशी जोडून देणे, रूटबद्दल सांगणे अशा प्रकारे व इतर अनेक प्रकारे ज्या सर्वांनी अशी मदत केली, त्या सर्वांबद्दल आणि निसर्ग व जीवनाबद्दलही कृतज्ञता व्यक्त करून ह्या अनुभव कथनाला आता सुरुवात करत आहे.

 

नागपूरमध्ये अगदी ठरलेल्या दिवशी सायकल प्रवास पूर्ण करताना मनामध्ये जो भाव होता, तोच भाव हे लिहीताना मनात येतोय- कृतज्ञता! माझं नशीब किंवा माझी पुण्याई खूप चांगली असावी ज्यामुळे मला इतका जबरदस्त अनुभव मिळाला. कोकणातले चढ- उताराचे रस्ते- गोवा- बेळगांवमधला चोरला घाट- पुढे अनेक ठिकाणचा विलोभनीय निसर्ग- नंतरचं जंगल आणि अजस्र नद्या- अशा सर्व ठिकाणी सायकलवर फिरणं म्हणजे एक निसर्ग तीर्थयात्राच होती. निसर्गातील खूप मोठी प्रसन्नता आणि शांती मला ह्यामध्ये अक्षरश: लुटता आली. चोरला घाटाप्रमाणेच मी निसर्गामधला खजिना अक्षरश: चोरला. सायकलिंग पूर्ण झाल्यानंतर अनेक ठिकाणी ह्याबद्दल बोललो आणि अनुभव शेअर केले. त्यामध्येसुद्धा अनुभव सांगण्याबरोबर ह्या निसर्ग तीर्थयात्रेतला आनंद वाटून घेण्याचा भाग होता. आणि आत्ताही मी सविस्तर लिहून ह्या निसर्ग तीर्थयात्रेतला जास्तीत जास्त आनंद आपल्यासोबत शेअर करण्याचा प्रयत्न करणार आहे.

Cycling in 4 states on single gear cycle 1: Preface

1: Preface

✪ Gratitude!
✪ Pilgrimage into nature
✪ Preparation and planning
✪ Bharat Vikas Sangam and other organizations
✪ Wonderful sea ride at Vengurla!
✪ Everyone has got this capacity!
✪ Doing, doing, doing- it gets done!
✪ Kudal and Karachi!

Hello all. With an objective of dialogue on mental health awareness, recently I completed around 1450 kms and 18 days solo cycling expedition- Kudal, Maharashtra- Goa- Belgavi- Bagalkote- Kalaburgi- Hyderabad- Warangal- Gadchiroli- Nagpur. It was a wonderful experience. I could meet many local organizations, groups and people. I could also meet students of schools and colleges and could give something positive and joyful to them. It was actually a very unbelievable tour. Almost dreamlike! Hero Radical SLR cycle accompanied me wonderfully. During this long route- nothing- absolutely no problem occurred with the cycle. The nature on the route- people- small villages- tribal places- witnessing all this was witnessing incredible India! Although I was alone on the cycle, even on the road and in villages I was never alone. Many people were always there with me and were helping me. Now I am starting to share my experiences by expressing my gratitude towards everyone who helped me in this- those who helped with technical aspects of cycling, those who helped to connect with organizations, helped for the routes and in many other ways and also I express my gratitude towards nature and life.

 

While writing this, I am having the same feeling which I had when I finished it on the day exactly as per the plan- gratitude! My luck or fate would be very fine so as to give me this incredible experience. Cycling on all this route- up- down roads in Konkan, Chorla ghat between Goa and Belgvi and beautiful nature everywhere, the forests and the massive rivers- all this was nothing less than a nature- pilgrimage. I could just enjoy so much of grace and peace in the nature. I just looted this treasure! After completion of the ride, I shared my experiences at many places. Along with sharing experiences, it was also sharing of this joy in the nature- pilgrimage. Even now by writing this in detail, I am going to share my joy of this nature- pilgrimage with you.

Wonders of sky- Lunar eclipse on 8/11/2022!

✪ Lunar eclipse on 8 November- Visible all India
✪ Can be easily observed- can be seen with naked eyes
✪ Uranus will be just near the Moon- easily observable through a binocular
✪ One's own experience matters!
✪ Thought provoking experience and fun for kids
✪ Why the Moon looks red in the eclipse?
✪ My sorrow is greatest. Really?

Hello all. After the solar eclipse of last week, on coming full- Moon night- 8 November 2022, a lunar eclipse will be there. On this occasion, our kids and elders too can come out of their burden of competition and performance pressure and enjoy this different experience. While observing a solar eclipse, one has to take care of the eyes and we cannot just look at the Sun. But during the lunar eclipse, there is no concern for safety of the eyes. Therefore, we can easily watch the lunar eclipse. Even through naked eyes, on 8th November, we can see the Moon with slightly reddish top side after it rises. But for seeing it, we need a place where we can see East horizon properly. Better if find exact position of arising Moon one or two days before. Also, we can watch a bright Jupiter on South- East side of the sky, somewhat up in the sky. We can also see Saturn in South and Altar near zenith and Vega towards west- the bright objects in the sky.

 

When seen from India, the Moon- disk will pass through penumbra (outer shadow) of the Earth. When the Moon will rise in India, then the Earth's penumbra will be there and so it will be seen slightly red. From New Zealand, part of Russia and other places, it will be seen to be passing through umbra (inner shadow) of the Earth and therefore from there it will be seen very faint. But while observing it from India, it will pass only through the penubra and so it will look little red and within one and half hours after it arises, the eclipse will be over. Then onwards it will be as bright as a regular full- moon.

(Telescopic photos Crators of the Moon, moons of Jupiter, ring of Saturn, Great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, Occultation of Mars by the Moon, phase of Venus, Sun spots and Solar eclipse captured by me can be seen here-. For conducting sky watching programmes, Niranjan Welankar 09422108376)

Uranus!

On this occasion, Uranus will be visible just near the Moon, just about 1.5 degree South- west. It will not be observed through naked eyes, but if we look at the Moon through a small binocular and if the Moon is in the centre, then there will be Uranus too in the field of view. While capturing Moon- photos through just a mobile and a tripod, if we use pro- mode and increased the shutter speed to 3-4 seconds and keep ISO to 800 or 1600, then Moon would be too bright in the photo, but Uranus too will be likely captured. If you are taking such a photo, then do keep 3 or 5 second timer, so that vibration of clicking the button will be off when it is captured and the photo would be still. For good photo of the Moon, in the pro mode, keep the shutter speed to 1/4 seconds and keep ISO 100- 200 and try. Then you can capture crisp image of Moon. But this photo will not show Uranus.

Jupiter- Saturn during their great conjunction. 

                      Mars after emerging from behind the Moon

                         Above is not the Moon, this is Venus!

           Sun spots- Solar filter is used with the telescope

                                Open cluster M45

                            Another open cluster M44

                 1.5 day Moon, Mercury and some stars

                             Ursa Major or Great Bear- सप्तर्षी

                       Top left Mars, right Jupiter with moons

                             Solar eclipse of 25/10/2022
 

One's own experience matters!

Such events always take place in the sky. On such occasions, we can give opportunity to our kids to get their own experience. In these times, forward knowledge and information bombarding is so high. But when kids experience such things themselves, try on their own and explore, then they do get joy. They also experience scientific things in an unique and joyful manner. They can experience it without any burden or stress of any competition. Exposure to such small but unique experiences can help kids discover their aptitudes and likings.

Why the Moon looks red during such eclipse?

In lunar eclipse, even in full eclipse phase, the Moon does not disappear completely. It becomes faint and red. In partial eclipse also, it looks little red. Its reason is that even if the Moon is inside umbra of the Earth, some light rays from Sun get scattered through Earth's atmosphere and reach to the Moon. Therefore even though the Moon is in shadow, it gets some Sunlight and therefore it looks faint red. And red colour is due to the fact that blue- green and yellow colours of the Sunlight get scattered in this distance due to their less wavelength and only red colour has high wavelength so that it reaches the Moon. Thus only red colour reaches the Moon after getting scattered in the atmosphere and the Moon looks red (It does not have its own light)! And due to this very reason, when the Moon, the Sun and planets also- when they arise or when they are close to set, their light travels through more air and they also look reddish. And therefore, traffic signals and railway signals are also red as this is the colour with high wavelength! And what will be the reason that in daytime, the sky looks blue?

When we see the lunar eclipse, from the Moon, it is the solar eclipse. Because as seen from the Moon, the Earth would be in front of the Sun. But as the Earth has atmosphere, the Sun would not be totally obstructed and there would not be complete darkness. But when we see a solar eclipse from the Earth, then as the Moon does not have any atmosphere and there is no chance of scattering of light, in a total solar eclipse, there is complete darkness!

My sorrow is greatest! Really?

So let's enjoy these scientific drama and also let our kids enjoy this experience. It can be equally joyful for the elders too. Many times we think that our sorrow is greatest in the word and our problems are largest! But when we look at these objects (When you see Jupiter, it will be around 60 crore kilometers away and Saturn will be more than 160 crore kilometers away)- planets and stars at a distance of hundreds of light years away, then we do realize how small we are and how feeble our sorrows and problems! We also realize that watching such distant objects through our small eyes is none less than actually a miracle!

(My articles about sky watching, Himalaya trekking, meditation, cycling, running and other topics are available on above blog. Niranjan Welankar 09422108376 niranjanwelankar@gmail.com Contact me for updates about fitness, meditation, trekking, fun- learn sessions and sky watching sessions and also for conducting at such a session in your place. Thank you.)