ADVENTURE IN MADIKERI

      Yesterday, I watched a English adventure movie, after the end of movie, I went back to my bed to sleep. Some old memories flashed in front of my eyes.

       Around nine years back I was studying 10^th class in Sainik School Bijapur. That was March month and our board exams were going on and at the same time India was doing best at cricket world cup. We bought one radio also to listen the cricket commetry.Half of my concentration was on cricket and other half was on exams. I think that was the reason I scored less in board exams.

      Somehow exams were over and India lost the world cup at final against Australia.

That was disappointing but there was happy news for all 10^th class that principal was sending all of us to Madikeri (Kodagu) for adventure camp.

     We were around 60 people but we had only one school bus, around 40 were accommodated in the bus others were informed to come by government bus. As the travelling distance very long we left early in the morning. We had never been to this part of state. It was first experience for all of us. We all grown and brought up in hot land like Bijapur and for the first time we were going to cool and forest land like madikeri ,therefore it was exciting.

     To say something about Madikeri, Its one of the famous tourist place in Karnataka. It’s covered with thick forest and has some famous waterfalls. During rainy season lot people visit Madikeri  to see these falls and green forest. Talakaveri is the place where one of the famous river Kaveri takes birth. This is around 100km from Madikeri. Two eyes are not enough to see the beauty of Kodagu.

    Our bus moved on shimoga,Hassan and then reached Madikeri at late night. Our accommodation was arranged by some our Ex-students in one marriage hall which was located in the mid of the thick forest. Nearby city to this hall was around 10km.Two staff members were accompanied us for the camp. It was late night we could not see any beauty of nature. As we reached, one our ex student welcomed us and showed us the place where we have to live for ten days and gave some instructions about washroom, food and also he mentioned that hall has current connection, therefore they had generator connection which will be running for limited time that’s evening 6 to 10 and morning 4 to 6.After long journey we were very tired, so he did not waste much time just said goodnight and left. We  also slept soon.

   We woke up at 6 in the morning, waa….there was full fog which covered all the surroundings it was very cold, we never seen such climate before. Fog was so thick that even roads were not visible. There were lot of trees around. In Bijapur we can see kilometers of distance with barren land. But here there were lot of trees and coffee estates around. Whole surrounding was green and covered with fog. Small drops of water on the leaves were shining as the rays of sun falling on them.

   On the first day we were taken to see some waterfalls and places nearby. Next day we were taken to one place near Kushalnagar, which is also known city in Kodagu for trekking. Trekking distance was 10km in that thick forest. Route was in such way that we have to climb up one hill and get down where we will find river, there we have to take our lunch and return back on other route. That hill was very steep if you miss one step or slip bit we were falling into deep valley and our way was so narrow no two guys were able walk side by side. We moved ahead and ahead very carefully. Time was 2 in the afternoon, there was lot of heat and we reached that river. As soon as we reached, everyone removed their clothes and jumped into water. We felt as if we found oasis in the desert. Around half an hour we were in water and later we came out and had our lunch on the banks of river. 

    As the time was running we wore our dress and packed our things and left the place. This time way was not zigzag but it was straight and 60 degree steep. All our energy was lost in river only. This time we felt really difficult to climb up the hill. Many guys sat in the half way and could not move forward. Since the time was running fast we helped those guys to move further. Finally we reached our place with great difficulty, by the time we reached hall clock showed time 9pm. So we had dinner and slept soon.

     For the next few days, we visited several other places in that forest and enjoyed the beauty of places. And also went for some other trekking places. Only last one day was left for us leave the Madikeri. Before that day, we had dinner at 9 in the night and having some discussion on the experiences during these days. At that time Mrutyunjay(mutya) said ‘it would have been still more interesting and challenging, if we would have gone for night trekking’. Everyone nodded their heads. Actually that plan was cancelled due to some reasons. By that time it was 10pm, generator was off and everyone went to their beds.

    I also came to bed and closed my eyes, I got toilet at night, so woke up mutya. We both went out for small stroll and finished toilet. As we were returning back, we could see some lamps light in the forest, which were 50m from us. I told mutya ‘lets go and see what are those lights?’.  He did not agree at first as we were leaving early in the morning. Later when I forced he was agreed to come. As went near by the light we could see two guys , who were holding two lamps were waiting for someone. We found them suspicious, therefore we hid behind a tree and waited there. After some time one black nigro arrived near to them. Then they started moving towards one nearby hill, we followed them as they moved. They came near the hill and disappeared, mutya told that better we return back soon.

    But I only took him further, there was small cave which was covered with some branches of trees. We took off those branches and entered in. Entrance was only small but inside it was big building. Where we peeped through window, we saw some guys packing smuggled things like animals skin, elephant teeth and some weapons. Suddenly we saw that black nigro having negotiations with one big guy who was wearing black suit. That black guy was holding some diamonds in his hand. We got fear and slowly came back out of cave and kept back those branches as it is. We thought of informing to police but feared lot as influenced people will be involved in it and would be a great risk. But later we thought we are students of Sainik school once if we clear NDA, we are going to be officers in defense and  save the country from enemies. We got courage when all these thoughts came into our mind. After that we did not wait single second went to highway and waited for some vehicle to give us lift.

     One car gave us lift to madikeri, within an hour we came back to our hall with police van. We woke up all the friends, informed about what had happened. They were also energetic to catch the smugglers because they are from Sainik school, that courage comes from lessons we learnt at school. All of us covered the cave, police announced in the mike to surrender. As there was other way all those who were in the cave surrendered. Man behind all this was famous well known business man of Kodagu. Police praised me and mutya for our courage. Next day this news was spread throughout the state like fire in the forest. Our names came in the news and Televisions. It was announced that medal will given to us by the Government of Karnataka. On the Independence day chief minister  was giving bravery medal  to me, suddenly I heard sound from our staff member ‘guys get up’ get up’ we have to travel long distance, get ready soon’ . I opened my eyes ,it was 5 clock in the morning. All that I saw was dream. I just got up and saw that mutya was in deep sleep. I just smiled at him and went to washroom. After one hour everyone was ready with their bag  and all got into bus. Just we said goodbye to madikeri. Our bus moved slowly.

     9 years over I never discussed even single word about this dream, yesterday suddenly I remembered this and thought of writing, ands here it is JJJJ

DRAMA QUEEN KAVYA

Flash back...around 15 years back when I was in class fourth I used to bunk many classes and morning prayers in the school.Today I am going share one small story of this time.

    I never felt that I should go to class during those days.Just for the sake of parents I used to attend classes.Or else I was moving to some farm houses in the village with two of my friends and pick up some fruits and eat without knowing to the owner.After coming from farm house we were having lunch sent by mom in box and we use to go for near by ground and play till evening then going back to home,this was my routine for two or three days in week. 

    After the first quarter one day morning class was going on Sunitha madam was teaching some maths problems,class was interrupted by our principal as he entered, one girl and a person whose age was around 40 with thick mustache entered behind him.principal told all of us that girl was newly admitted to our class and she is the daughter of newly posted range forest officer to our area and showed that person, her name is Kavya.That mustache person was forest officer.Principal and forest officer talked something with our madam and left the class.
     As they left the room,Madam showed her the place to sit,whole class was looking at her she went near the bench and said 'madam this bench is so dirty I cant sit' I was sitting on the last bench slowly I said 'oh big drama queen'. Later madam called one house keeping guy and told him to clean the bench, after that drama queen sat on it.That day classes were over and every one left the room.I was watching Kavya only she came out,already car driver was waiting outside I thought she will go and sit.But she called driver to take her.He came and lifted her made her to sit in car.Again she proved that she was pakka drama queen.

      As usual our routine went on.One satarday we all came to school,since it was satarday class starts early at 730 am so our morning prayer will be at 7.15 only.on that day my mother could not prepare breakfast early so I came without tiffin box.But I was very hungry.So I told two more friends to bunk the prayer and we planned something and plan was to steal the tiffin box.Every one went to prayer but we three bunked it.Our hunt started in the class for hidden tiffin.We opened two three boxes.tiffin was common like upma and some rice.As the time was running fast those both ate little little upma.But I was looking for something different.At last I saw blue box in front bench.that was drama queen's box.I opened it my favourite idly was there.there were four idlys.Only five minutes was remaining so I ate two idlys and kept back the box.
      Prayer was over and everyone returned back to class.My full attention was on Kavya only.Since it was satarday every one was on white uniform.She came and sat on the bench.Soon madam also came and started teaching.After ten minutes Kavya started shouting 'madam' madam' as if some tiger has come to class.
when madam asked about the reason she told that some chutney has sticked to her white uniform at the back.In hurry I had left some chutney on her bench,as madam went to her bench,she opened her tiffin box also,two idlys were also missing,again she shouted 'madam my idly my idly' ,all came to know her two idlys were missing,madam turned to the class and asked for the victim,everyone's head was down.My unluck I had left one evidence.My hand key was lying below her table.
       Madam came to me and bitten me with stick.And made me to stand ouside the class.I was standing outside Kavya was coming from wash room after cleaning her uniform,as she came near to me I said loudly'U drama queen'.She said 'U are bad boy' and again she told this to madam.Madam came and bitten me again and punishment was extended to till classes were over.
     It was my luck that day was Saturday, classes were up to 12, till 12'o clock I stood outside and returned back to home.In that way we both were introduced to each other.At the starting we were like enemies.but later days we became  good friends.Now Kavya is software engineer in one of the MNC.Now also I call her as ' DRAMA QUEEN'..

END OF HAPPY DAYS(COLLEGE DAYS)

    Recently I was passing nearby Engineering college in Bangalore. I saw bunch of students enjoying in the campus and one second could not control my tears, my eyes busted with full of tears. I really missed and missing those friends, birthday parties, trips, bunking classes, bike ride, night outs, assignments, internals, late night Maggie, beautiful girls, hostel  etc etc……so many things. Those days will never return back in our life.

    Hello friends this time I would like to share some of my experiences at the end of happy days. 7^th semester exams were over and our countdown was started in college. Each moment spent was last in the college. Last month, last birthday, last internal, last trip, so many last moments.  Since it was last sem   there was much concentration on project work, we were having three days classes and three days only project work. We were carrying out project in the one famous company, so we use to go for that company to carry out project. We used to see the engineers the company, how stressful was their work. Just we were imagining after some months we also will be in same condition and now we are in same.

   Usually we were reading in sms that ‘we came with tear in eyes without knowing any one and we will be leaving college with tear in eyes after knowing all’…this was really felt in the last semester. Yes really when I came for first time to college with my father for admission was scared and there was lot of fear that how to spend next four years here. But that fear was disappeared when classes were started, unknown faces became close friends and unknown place became like heaven for me. On the first day college I was crying when my father was returning to home. But in last semester we all friends were crying because we were leaving college.

    In the last semester all will become cool because I saw so many fights between friends and juniors were compromised at the last. Many talked to each other. One more thing in the last semester was writing slam book…abba I don’t know how much slam book I have written. Almost all of my friends gave me to write it. Even for studying we never spent  so much of time but spent much time on writing slam book. We wrote it full semester. Writing was full of experiences and expressing how we felt about him or her in four years. When I see my slam book, now also my eyes will get wet because friends have written with feelings.

   Finally project was over and internal was over. Only left was our exams. At last exams also came. Those were the last night outs for exams but we never felt. After last exam, I came out of exam hall with smile to tell that exam was super. Outside I saw many were with sad face, I thought their exams were difficult. But many were hugging each other and giving shake hands. At that time nothing flashed in my mind. Bit later I got flashed that next day was our last day in college, suddenly expression in my face was changed. After all exams we were wishing for happy vacation but this time all were wishing ‘all the best for future’. And one more word from everyone’s mouth was ‘miss u miss u’. Some could not control their tears. Later I returned back to hostel all were packing their things. In the previous semesters I was waiting for exams get  over to run out for native, but that day I was really not feeling to pack my things. One moment I could believe that next day was last in hostel. With heavy heart I packed my things. Next day my brother came with car to take me, I said bye to all and once more I saw college saluted it. We started journey to native.

   Friends I hope you may also experienced the same at the end of Happy Days. Now we have entered the corporate world, now we are not getting time to enjoy, on weekends time is spent in sleeping. During happy days we had no money to enjoy but also we enjoyed lot, now we have money but no enjoyment.  Advice to juniors is please enjoy your happy days to the fullest extent.

DEDICATED TO ALL MY FRIENDS.MISS U ALL.