Post written in 2016 - Vysana Mukta Samaja Nirmana (Formation Of An Addiction Free Society)

My Pranamas to H.H.Shreemajjagadguru Shankaracharya Shri Gangadharendra Saraswati Samiji for his noble and humble service towards Society. 

I had a chance to participate in Vysana Mukta Samaja Nirmana Program and gain the knowledge on same. This is one of the initiatives of HH, which is mainly focused on building the Addiction Free Society. 

Program participants are basically High School Students but subject is applicable for all category. Program is designed is a Simple way, So that the students understand the Motive, Harmful effects and techniques to come out of Addiction.

Venue was our Beautiful Swanandashrama and was well Organized. We had Students of 10th Std from different schools around Swanandashrama. Speaker was well versed in the Subject and he presented the contents to students in simply fun filled format. I have tried to put his speech into words below. The Talk was in Kannada. 

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Vignyana (Science) Means Visheshavada Gyana (Special Knowledge). 

As we have 5 Elements in nature, like that we have 5 types of addictions such as, Alcohol, Gambling (Juju in Kannada) , Drugs, Tobacco(Tambaku) and Internet  effects. 

Advertisement attracts children more that any thing and study is impacted. 

LKG/UKG kids have more tension due to pressure in school, and you can generally observe kids stating that they are tensed more. Tuition have become fashion statement among the parents. 

Cigarette burns itself and the body too. we have 120 million smokers in India. 30% of passive smokers, and 7 Lakh people die in an average per year. Smoking makes life miserable slowly, harming skin and inner organs and results in early death too. 

Oral cancer affects more to Smokers and Alcohol consuming crowd.  

[Slides on above issues were shown and explained in detail by the presenter]

Most people have habit to keep tobbaco and sleep in night. This will generally result in cancer. 

40% less chances of cancer by leaving the smoking. 

Speaker made a Fun statement that, Government may come up with Batli(bottle) Bhagya. (As Govt announced special offers (bhagya's) for state people). Ex: One BPL may get one Batli free per month. Alcohol is the main source of income to any government, We are seeing an average of one alcohol shope per 3 normal shops. More accidents takes place due to drink and drive 

[Alochol effects were explained with endoscopic images, SO that children understand the effects effectively]

Now a days Bangalore (All major cities) are not only famous for traffic blocks, But also for heart blocks. 

In Kannada - Metro Andre Metti ellaru, Namma Metro andre, Nammana Mettuvudu 

Drug addiction is one of the dangerious practices. Drugs are normally taken with help of injection and Smoking. This addiction will be 24 hrs addiction type and Major buisness runs in black market. 

A Quick Day Out To Mysore

Small Intro of Destination:

Most of Bangalore residents know Mysore as it is one of the nearest and best tourism place to hang around with any one you like (Family, Friends, Lovers, Enemies and Yourself).

Mysore (In and around) is one lovely place where you get all the perfect things you need for a good day out. Palace, Mountains ,Temples (All religions) , Parks, River , Lakes, Amusement Parks, Hotels, Bird Sanctuary, Zoo etc etc etc.  

Some Links:

1.  Wiki
2.  State Government 

Pre-requisite is only your heart which is willing to enjoy the Day Out fully

Background of trip:

                                 We wanted to visit one of our dearest friend who is studying in Mysore University and to spend time with him. 

Finally Me and one more friend were the final travellers along with Maruthi Swift. 

Agenda: 

• Leave early
• On the Way breakfast
• Pick the Friend 
• Visit some nearby places 
• Have a great meal  
• Return back to Bengaluru City. 

On An Actual Day: 

                                 

Time Table: 

Started : 6 am

Reached Mysore: 8.30 am

Left Mysore: 4 pm

Reached Bengaluru: 7 pm

Total KM: Approx 320

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As planned, I was picked on time and we started the journey pretty peacefully with some devotional songs and trying to shoot some small videos (which was a flop show), As traffic was too low our buddy was pretty fast to take the advantage and zoomed the car. Meanwhile we were digging memories and talking what ever comes to tongue, Also plans for our next trip. 

Our first break was in Maddhur (Famous for Maddhur Vada) where we had breakfast in Sahana Hotel (Pretty small one in size and huge one in taste).

Yummy idly with Maddhur vada

We reached the entrance of Mysore by 8.15 or so.... And started following the GPS to find our friends hide out place..... After some U turns we caught him and had one more round of breakfast.

Rahul and Srikanth

Now the actual thing is where to go around or which direction to head towards. Finally after 10 min of discussion we made a rough plan as below. 

• Ranganatittu (Bird Sanctuary)   
• Balmuri Falls (Kaveri River)
• Srirangapatana (Ranganatha Swamy Temple) 
• Finally Lunch at KSTDC hotel near Srirangapathana. 

1. Balamuri Falls:

                              This is a small man made falls for Kaveri river, You can also visit Balamuri Natha temple. Place is calm. We enjoyed the beauty of the place, Took some selfies too. 

Balmuri Falls

Me Rahul and Srikanth

Gopura

Swamy temple Entrance

Place is around 18KM from Mysore.

Balmuri: In Kannada,  Bala means Right and Muri means Curve.









Selfies with friends, You can spend your own time enjoying the natures beauty.








Temple Gopura. Shiva is the main God accompanied by Parmathi Devi and Lord Ganesha.









River was calm and we enjoyed the beauty with our eyes, You can get into water too, But need to be very careful as water level may increase at any level and it can be dangerous. You will not find any swim guards in place and you can also see an official notice on not to swim

Mother Kaveri

Farm Land

More Info : http://www.karnataka.com/mysore/balmuri-falls/

     

2. Ranganatithu Birth Sanctuary: 

                                                      This is a world famous place where birds from different part of world migrate to this place and we go to see them.  Place was calm and not much crowded. We enjoyed the Natures beauty once again, Birds, Crocodiles, Garden. etc. 

You Need to Pay for entrance and also for boat rides, Good parking place and hotel to fulfil hunger is available. 

On the Way Entering the Park

 You can see all the information related to birds here.

Kids will love this place and it also helps them to understand and see nature, Birds etc.

Information centre is also available.

Man made gardens and well maintained place

Can You Spot the crocodile, Yes... This place is full of crocodiles. If you want to experience the real fear take a boat ride and hope croc will come below your boat. :)

 Some more Pics for our memories

Map

 You can see variety of birds, You can go on a boat ride, You need to pay money for same in counters.
If you have a good camera then you will find all time is less, Click Click Click .......

A bird flying high.... Its always An inspiration to pierce the wind and fly high.








More Info : Wiki 

3. SriRangaPathana:
                                 This place is an historical one with many interesting things, RanganathaSwamy temple is very famous. This place is surrounded entirely with water. Kaveri river covers entire place. This was one of the added advantage for Tippu Sultan to protect and fight against enemies.

You have lot more historical and religious places around Srirangapathna, Nimishaamba temple, kshnambika Temple, Kings palace places, Art and literature, River banks etc etc. You can spend entire day visiting in and Around. Government buses are also available to take you around apart from Autos. You can also try a tanga ride.


Weekends crowd will be more compared to weekday.  You may need to wait for some time depending on crowd.

Gopura of Sriranganatha Swamy temple

More info : Wiki

4. Lunch Time at KSTDC Hotel 

This place is near to Srirangapathana, A well maintained and calm place to spend some value time for Lunch. its well maintained too. Rooms are available for stay. 

More info : http://www.karnatakaholidays.net/karnataka_hotels_srirangapatana.htm

 After an wonderful meal, we headed back towards Mysore to leave our beloved friend Srikanth.

Glimpse of his place (Mysore University)

Finally we started towards bengaluru city, Purchased some vegetables etc, I had some nap in between as our buddy Rahul took full responsibility of driving without even leaving to touch the wheels.

Reached Safe and with Satisfaction.

Me i.e Raghav, Rahul and Srikanth had made an wonderful memory for our life.

Please Google for near by places in and around Mysore.

Situations.....AND.......

1. Boss - Employee:

Full fight with employer through emails regarding the facilities we need, Then in one team lunch Boss comes desperately in between lunch and sits beside!!!!!. Starts the talk smoothly as if he is my best buddy and drags the subject towards the main point

...... heat builds up, My Tummy cries as all the way he explains all financial matters of high funda and not leaving any food to enter mouth....He forgets to talk in view of common employee and gives gyans on all aspects which is of No Interest......... Finally all people are around both ... some thinking waste of time.... some as both are nuts.... some as employee is right and some one should speak (they dont still open mouth ) , Talk finishes with the result of Big NO to employees concerns........ Now After a week we have a team dinner, For which employee does not attend due to his own reasons and Boss gives him the SPOT Award.


........ Ah............ Turning Point.......SITUATION..... Employee gets the news after two days and start thinking in all directions on why this was given........ Real funda is Still time only award is announced and nothing has reached the Employee..... Poor fellow..........





Lesson is dont hang to Employer who does not even bother of his employees, Take correct decisions once you have right opportunity......

2. Friends And Love....... 

Our hero is in Serious Crush with Ammai and we all make use of Situations for our fun (Only FUN.... ) which he things he can make impression on her.... Life goes like this and Ammai focus now changes to Another one.... we try to explain this to or Hero, But he does not agree.... Now One friend get a change to prove this to our Heeero......
Situation: Ammai and new one are sitting on a bench in street..... our friend and his friends crosses them and friend who wanted to prove tells his other friend to take a Snap and later we can Show this to our Hero....
Now 3...2....1.... Camera clicks with a BIG FLASH

.... Both Friend and His friend Are in SITUATION



..... They look at each other on why flash was on and one tells that he was not Aware... Ammai gives a BIG Look... friends pretend that they were trying to take some other pics.......... Slowly friends Vacate the Street...

Instruments With Magical Power

Jai Ganesha, I bow down to my lovely god Ganesha, my parents and to my Guru's to start the Blog with.

Well, This is my first Blog and I am happy that I started writing............. 


To Start with my Title " Instruments With Magical Power " , This is about  instrument used in Carnatic Classical music, "Mridangam" Which is known as Pradana Vadya  (Lead Instrument). And its association in my life. 

Let me give you a background first on how I got the interest,

           When I was in School, I saw a senior performing mridangam in my school for the first time, Later same guy appeared in TV for programs and I was moved by the sound the instrument was producing,
I thought it is easy and started my first playing with the help of vessels in my grand mother home ( where I was spending most time). It was like , just play what ever you wish to and once you get bored, leave and go with other toys.

As time was going pretty much slow at those times, My parents thought I should be given an formal class for learning the instrument and on one day they took me to Sri Rama Seva Mandali in Banashankari 2nd stage.
Due to some reasons was not able to join the classes.

Later after say two years, Near KumaraSwamy layout, we saw a ad which said, They teach Musical instruments and interested people can contact.  We have our aunts place near, hence we ( me and my cousin) started the Classes and our Musical Journey. My Mother is the main motive for attending the classes till date, She keeps on reminding me that I need to attend class..........

 I started my first class on 10-8-2000 , with the blessings of God and my Guru Sri Vidwan SV Giridhar (pic below).

 Till this date my journey is going on, Not so good as per classes are concerned !!!!!!!!!!

The instrument started creating magics in my life journey added to my studies ( I am not a studious one, First attempt pass fellow) . My Guru's interest and the way of teaching fed water to the plants in my heart. I am thankful to God for blessing me with my master.  He has a wide range of students who are super performers, who are under performers (like me and my cousin). He not only gives mridangam lessons, he also makes sure you are good at your life, studies etc etc etc.

Initially several years I was regularly regular to classes, accompanied my master in several programs (First one which i went on stage was in 2003, playing Ghatum with my sir) . Later I slowly started missing classes and concentrating on studies ( which i did not succeeded though). Life still going like this till day, I go to classes and do not go for months (regularly now irregular) , Still My master has same love towards me and Daily I remember him as magical Guru only.

As my guru says, practicing instrument (any thing which is good ) makes you gain more concentration, keeps your mind and body happy and healthy, rejoices life. Even the way we sit (playing instrument) avoids many joint pains etc...... He says " You have 24 hrs a day and Can't you sit and practice for 10 min "

This is what my formal journey is about. Still the magical magic happens every day, when I see and practice the Mridhangam or Ghatum in my home.   I do now practice by involving in several Bhajans and Satsungs. Swananda Ashrama is where I started first playing for bhajans (Now stopped) . Now regularly i go for ArtOfLiving satsungs (With Blessing of HH Sri Sri Ravishankarji)  and play Dholak. Sureshji (Twitter ‏@surnell)  is one who inspired me to start playing in satsungs, and yes a push from my Amma (or else i would not gone their also).

I always, most of times need a hard push from back to start the things going............

Magic is their in life all moment and I found this magic in Instruments which gives happiness to self and also creates magical vibes in the hearts who are listening.


Ah, With the intention to give insights on Musical instruments I started and in the end , realized I just wrote my journey in brief.... Apologies.........


Lastly I would like to share the glimpse of My sir's playing. Please watch and enjoy.