THE “VOTE FOR CHANGE” RALLY

 

It was starting at 5pm from Lokhenwala gardens and it was already 6.15 by the time we left from Santacruz . When I called Mamta and Virat to inquire the spot that I should be joining the rally I could hear roars of slogans in the background. I was excited and wanted to reach there faster. We had to take many U-turns as we could not locate the spot where the rally had reached. This was making both Siddharth and me impatient, though for different reasons. I was restless as I did not want to loose more time and Sid because he did not want to participate in the rally at all. But I forced him to come.

But finally after all the guidance from Mamta (friendly advice to you, Please think twice before asking Mamta directions, as she confuses right to left and left to right) we did manage to join the gang, or should I say a satvik Gang.

I would like to elaborate why I used the term “satvik“ here. On the way we also came across a Samajwadi party rally. It looked like a cluster of scary individuals. Honestly before this encounter I did not know much about them. But to me they looked like a bunch of hardliners and Taporis from the street who were campaigning in a filmi way.

After this site our Group looked like a bunch of clean, happy, harmless individuals who were just expressing their views to others.

It took me only a few seconds to become a part of the group as Sukeerti handed me some pamphlets and a banner to display. Soon I was shouting “VOTE KARO VOTE KARO, MUMBAIKERS VOTE KARO”. We were walking besides a busy road and many buses and cars were passing by us. I started giving the handouts to the travelers in cars and autos. To my amazement I saw all eye on the road staring at us. They were keen to know what we had to say.  Some even slowed down their vehicles to take the handouts and listen to us .Wow! This was amazing. Even the police wala walking with us was smiling and enjoying so much. There was not even a single frown of worry on his faceJ

I was caught by surprise when I saw a hand snatching my handouts, Why surprise?? Because it was none other than Siddharth saying “please give me your handouts as I want to distribute them in the next bus”. I thought to myself is this the same person who was resisting to even join the rally in the 1^st place. As I saw him now leading from front and giving his 100% to the job, I felt very happyJ

Among others there was Jainil screaming at the top of his voice ” ACHEE KE LIYEE VOTE KARO, SACHEE KE LIYE VOTE KARO” and following him were Vatika ,Shukla, Sukeerti ,Mamta,Hitest and others.

One very important being must be mentioned here. From the very beginning of the rally this species selflessly joined us and kept walking with us till the very end. As if saying, I am with you. A street DogJ He supported us right till the end. And when in the end we offered it food it did not eat anything, as though saying, I want nothing in return J

We distributed some 6000 pamphlets and reached infinity mall. By now our pamphlets got over. But no one in the team looked tired or exhausted as everyone kept shouting slogans of changeJ

We also imagined that in the next elections we will campaign for our own candidate. If we do that no one can beat us. Our sevaks have such power in their voice that if they raise it for something it has to be heard. This strength comes from their genuine concern for people. They truly want to make a difference in this world. And people can sense their intentions.

 

Politics and rallies can be fun, I learned this today. But they are fun only if done with good intentions. This was a new experience. And a memorable event for a new beginning…

Yesterday I was drafting the seva actvities that we (vnv team) did last year from Dec 2008-April 2009. I first started with writing everything in a mail but after a while realized that to do justice to the reader its better to make a PPT.

I started and I dont know how time flew. And I enjoyed drafting it very much. It was like living through the memories again as i framed it month by month.

My heart filled with gratitude as I could feel that during every activity we were connected to the master and his vision. This was very fulfilling.We could have not achieved success in even a single task without his grace. To be choosen instruments of the "lord himself" ,cant ask for more?
And I want to share this feeling with every single gem of our team who with their own love for the master took on this journey with us. You all are my world:)

I have no idea what lies ahead only thing I can say is
              " Humme rasto ki zarurat nahi hein Guru tere Kadmo ke nishan mil gaye hein"

Every moment in our lives is his "Prashad" lets cherish and feel grateful.

Vasudha

I Wonder...

I Wonder...if someone ever visits our blog.
Its like the ruins of old temple, where visitors do not clog.
Every post is like a forgotten hero, whose deeds still await applause.
It need not be commented by a Connosieur, but by all those who like it.
People too busy in Facebooking and Orkuting, spare no time for blogging or commenting.
Inspite of having authors more than required, it remains outdated.
It has reduced to a lonely space on the world wide web where someone hardly visits.
I had created it with all the love hoping, it will be nutured by all.
I still love it and will keep it going, no matter how far I am from the team.
This post, i know is silly, but requests all to post whatever you like, good or bad, happy or sad, sane but not obscene, i hope you get what i mean.

JGD.

Love,
Rishabh

To Home...and Back.

Back from his self imposed exile, he returned to the place that he called HOME.
He was loved by one and all, but thought he got more than what he was worthy of.
His mom glittered with joy as tears rolled down her cheeks; he hugged her with an assurance of a responsible son.
Dad would hide his emotions behind his ego, but they were popping out on his face.
The gleam in his eyes stood for the pride he had for his son.
His friends greeted him with an eminence of a celebrity for he would return someday was their belief.
In the midst of his warm welcome, he went ahead to surprise her with his presence.
To his surprise, it wasn’t a surprise for her, as she anticipated his return.
She was unhappy with his momentary presence, for she never wanted him to go.
The lessons of acceptance fell apart as she thought he was imprudent to understand his importance.
Then came the time when he had to depart, and he went ahead to say goodbye.
She would not face him as if she didn’t care, and asked him to leave as soon as he can.
He knew it was her love that was speaking for her.
He stood by her with a moment of silence. His wet eyes saying everything that he would never say.
He turned away from her, as the pain was awful and he couldn’t help but leave.
Back here, he lives with her memories and her love that stays with him throughout.
He lives everyday to learn this art, to love people like she did.
She had taught him The Art of Living and now he is on this quest to let people know that existing was a fact and Living is an Art.

HURRAY!!!

HI all!!!
Missing you loads!!!!!
I dont know what all crap I may write in the next few lines, but I am toooooo excited to write because I found a way out of INFY's well fortified internet that restricts blogs, gmails and all fun sites. This is through my workplace I am writing this, just to slap the restrictions, rules, laws and wht not that Infy boasts of. We found some proxy sites that allowed gmail access. It is when I was reading a comment on my post by someone, that I came to know that even blogspot is accessible.
My main stream training is over, next 20 days some quality department and leadership trainings will be on. All my tests were gr8 except the last and the main test that I am afraid I might flunk!!This might have some extreme consequences :-). There is surely much to write. Now that blogger is accessible, I can pen down all the experiences and events happening around me.

Jai Gurudev
Lots of Love!!!
Rishabh

2 testimonials waiting to b poured out...

I had just heard stories of ashram and ppl calling it heaven and since i hadn't been there i used to keep my ego up by saying ok some better opportunity is waiting for me to go to the ashram...n so true it was..NEW YEAR's eve (winter break) in d ashram with vikram bhaiya's satsang at his best and bau with his guru puja and guruji just a little less than being physically there...it couldnt hav been better (well of course other than guruji being himself there)...my first advance course,,my first trip to the ashram..everything just 2 good..i was in complete bliss during the silence and satsangs just kpt me floating on air evry evening....train satsangs and overnite satsangs in khodays were so much fun!!

I am so proud to have spent my new year (with each of the hair on my body standing on the end that evening) like this rather than partying sumwer in d pub amidst hair tearing music n drinks...

thank u guruji...thanks virat bhaiya...thanks all my lovely lively rocking frnds with me in this trip...u made it spcl

New Year Bliss at the Ashram :-)

New Years Eve: comes every year with hundred ways to celebrate them.
While I was in school, they were mostly spent at home, watching interesting programs on TV. At least it felt so at that time ;-) As I grew up, they were spent at friends houses - all of us dressed in our best party gear; checking out each others clothes and dance steps and enjoying the freedom with abandon (away from home at 12.00 p.m was not a regular affair those days) As we graduated and post graduated, the party venues shifted to disco theques or five star hotels dancing with thousands of strangers and spent in drunken (so called) bliss. As the crowds of these venues and the entry fees hit the roofs, our venues shifted to restaurants…having special / intimate dinners with friends and family, not before waiting for hours for clearing of the traffic jams…


How was it this year?? Quite differently idyllic; spent at the Bangalore Art of Living Ashram. Sang melodious bhajans and chanted a blissful Guru Puja at the strike of 12. All spent in silence, surrounded by thousands of dazzling smiles and grateful hearts …was divinely blissful.


Happy New Year to all of u!! Wishing you a peaceful 2009 filled with good health, knowledge, happiness, warmth and cheer :-)

Experiences shared by few Winter break Yes ++ Participants:

"I could actually feel the presence of the Divine in the Vishalaxhi Mandap. The silence process was amazing , it took me on a ride to my Inner Self. I am very happy to have a Guru in my life.The best part was that we met people from different backgrounds and cultures - enjoying and meditating together. The Satvik food was Awesome. My best New Year."

JAI GURU DEV..
Minal.


"Silence was beautiful and getting out of silence made me aware of preciousness of that silence. I did not feel like wasting any word insignificantly. There is contentment, Calm, Clarity and unshakable confidence."


JAI GURU DEV...

Aditi


"I had been reading about dreams and true purpose in life for a long time but had no clue about mine. I struggled within to find answers but found none. Sometimes life answers our questions in most unexpected ways…and this was it...ART OF LIVING..!!!

ART OF LIVING...IS THE START OF LIVING..!!!"

JAI GURU DEV...

Shikha!!!