आपण गेल्या शिबिरात सुरक्षितता या विषयावर लताआजींकडून ऐकले. नेमका त्याच दिवशी माझा एक लेख सकाळ मध्ये प्रकाशित झाला होता. तो आपल्या विषयाशी थोडा संबधित आहे. म्हणून आपल्याला वाचायला लिंक पाठवत आहे. हाच लेख मी त्या लेक्चर नन्तर लिहिला असता तर तो अधिक परिपूर्ण झाला असता, याची मला जाणीव आहे.
शुभदा चौकर
http://www.esakal.com/esakal/20120818/5541707912538526938.htm

सर्वेश ने पोळ्याच्या सणाची हकीकत लिह्ल्यावरून मला माझ्या गावची पोवल्याचा सण आठवला आमच्या बैल्लाना   सजवून पुरणपोळी खाऊ घालीत  त्याची पूजा करून गावातून मिरवणूक काढली जात असे  (आमचा कडे दमानि पण होती )  ,त्या दिवशी आई खीर करायची त्यावर फुगालेली  पुरी   ठेवायची देवघराकडे तोंड करून त्यावर हळद कुकुचा दोरा गाठीसकट ठेवलेला असायचा पाठीमागून आम्ही सर्वे भावंडे जेवायच्या आधी ती वाटी घेण्य आईच्या मागे उभे राहत असायचो "आई म्हणायची "अतीत कोण " मोढ्या मुलाने म्हयाचे मी , वाटी उचलून जेवणास बसायचे ,दोरा उजव्या हाताला बांधून तो महल्क्षमि ज्या  दिवशी जेवतात त्या दिवशी पूजा झाल्यावर तिला नमस्कार करून तो धागा सोडवून अर्पण करायचा असतो .गौरी गणपतीची  फार मजा येते ,  

One beautiful story

Hi friends,

I would like to share one story with all of you, which my English teacher told us. Once there was a woodcutter. He used to live across a river and crossing that river was very difficult. Though it was a tricky way he used to do it very easily with a bundle wood on his back. Once when he was crossing the river the king saw him doing it so easily so he called him and said that ‘If you will cross the river with woods on your back in front of me, I will give you a bag full of gold coins. The woodcutter agreed to do so as it was routine job for him, he kept a bundle of wood on his back and tried to cross the river but he failed. The king asked him that why did he failed to cross a river. The woodcutter answered that this time there was additional load, not only the woods on my back but also on my mind, the load of the bag, full of gold coins.

This often happens in our day to day life. For example, When someone is so good at something and enjoy his/her drawing, studies, sports so wonderfully but when same thing comes in form of” winning or losing something” the person fails to deliver as expected.

I learned a lot out of this story and shared the same with my family and then thought of sharing this with you all.

- Vedant

Our surprise visit.

Last week we went to our mama's home to celebrate POLA festival together with them.We did not inform them about our plan.They all were very surprised to saw us unexpectedly.Pola is celebrated because bulls are the strong and true friend of farmers .Day before pola all farmers went to their farms at seven O'clock to do pooja , I also joined them and we went to the farm. Grandfather and Mama did  massage at the neck of bull with turmeric and butter .They thanked them for helping them and fulfilling their dreams. The next day the bulls were washed and they are decorated with balloon , Bashing and their horns are painted with Orange color, at after noon about four o clock  we all pranced our bulls ,cows with band ,to Hanuman temple and the main street of our village.My grandmother,mami and aai were busy in making puranpoli and so many tasty food.After coming home all of us prayed for rain, it is said that after this festival it rains. That day, the tradition is to arrange marriage  of cows with bulls, so we enjoy it with Mangalastka ,Akshta .Mami and aaji did pooja of bulls offering puranpoli . The next day it rained ,all of us were very happy and all the farmers were very happy. We  enjoyed this festival very much .Baba remembered his school days poem-शिंगे  रंगविली ,बाशिंगे बांधली  
चढविल्या  झुली ,ऐनेदार 
राजा  परधान्या ,रतन दिवाण 
वजीर  पठाण ,तुस्त  मस्त .......        
            My mother's grandfather (age 92) and grandmother(87)had  moved enthusiastically within the festival. At night their legs were paining so I put moov spray on their knee,they feel relax so I.              Next day we went to meet aatya and kaka at Barshi.We played a lot with our cousins .Barshi is femous for Bhagwant mandir ,we all together visited the temmple and prayed for rain again. All my Shiber friends,(lata aaji) and my relatives loved us very much as love is the greatest power.                     

आसाम मध्ये होत असलेल्या हिंसाचाराचे परिणाम मुंबईतही दिसून आले. आसाममध्ये नेमकी काय परिस्थिती आहे हे सांगणारा लेख महाराष्ट्र टाईम्स च्या गेल्या रविवारच्या अंकात प्रसिद्ध झाला होता. त्याची लिंक सोबत देत आहे. लेखक सुनील देवधर यांनी आपले सारे आयुष्य ईशान्य भारत मुख्य भूमीशी जोडला जावा म्हणून समर्पित केले आहे. शिबिरातील आम्ही काही जण आसामला गेलो होतो त्या आधी मी व महेश सुनील देवधर यांना भेटल्याचे आठवते. असो. लेख जरूर वाचवा. 

http://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/15550540.cms

विकास   

Who is the greatest indian sportsman?
Majority will answer : Sachin Tendulkar

I am also fan of Sachin Tendulkar but I feel that two players are more deserving.

1. Prakash Padukone (father of Dipeeka)
2. Michael Ferreira

Both were World Champions of their era in spite of the fact that their were no facilities, no monetary / career prospects for sportsman. Both were humble & very decent in public domain.

I am fortunate to watch Padukone game.

regards,
sanjay

Please read about them & comment.

A trip to Goa Bhavan

Many of you might have heard stories of Goa bhavan from us but i would like to tell about it again.

        This place was found by  Baba's  friend.We tried to find it with the help oof the address given but couldn't .When we found it finally it was in redevelopment stage.After some months I and baba went to that place on sunday to see whether it was open.It was open and we parceled  'paplet curry' home.It was the best I had eaten.It wasn't very spicy or wasn't an exotic dish with garnishing and all.It was just a plain nice goan curry with nice pieces of  Paplet in it.It was one of the best family meals I had.After that we used to parcel the same dish many times but never had eaten there.We used to go there tell our order and just used to sit there in that canteen.Baba used to chitchat with the owner and i used to watch TV while waiting.

        Then just three to four months ago I and Manava went with Chitnis family to Goa bhavan for lunch.

It was unplanned and as Aai's leg was just plastered then baba waited with her at home.Goa bhavan is just like a small canteen,though clean forget AC or any restaurentish ambience or waiters with proper uniform.but you will be greeted by the aromas which surround the canteen all the time.as soon as you would enter you would get hungry due to the aromas of the fish.With the curry we had nice bombil fry and some kolambi too.

It was a great meal.We still parcel the fish but would again like to go there and have a feast again.

      

Note: I would like to recommend this hotel to all fish lovers but would also like to tell the non eaters to not go there as they dont have anything veg in there canteen and going there wont ne fun for you       

           

तत्वहीन राजकारण
नीतिमत्तारहित व्यापार
कष्टाविना संपत्ती
चारित्र्याविना शिक्षण
मानवतेविना विज्ञान
विवेकहीन सुखोपभोग
त्यागरहित भक्ती 
ही सामाजिक वैगुण्ये आहेत.

हे अर्थात संजय भागवतांचे डोके नाही. 
भारताच्या एका मोठ्या माणसाने लिहिलेले विचार आहेत.
कोण असेल बरं ही व्यक्ती. शोधा.

इंग्रजीत अर्थ वाचायचा असेल तर डिक्शनरी लागेल.
 

Frank Sinatra Sings "My Way"

Recently I came across this song & liked it very much, felt like sharing with everybody.

Use this link to listen :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E2hYDIFDIU (4:37 mins)

If you like, do post your comments.

Milind

पुन्हा एकदा मिळालेलं निसर्गाचं प्रेम !

काही दिवसांपूर्वी फुललेली ही रातराणी गच्चीवरून खाली आणून  बेडरूममध्ये ठेवली . तीन-चार दिवस तिच्या मंद सुगंधाने वातावरण भरून राहिलं .

Add caption

गच्चीवर खूप सारी येऊन  गेलेली टरबूज  (Musk Melon)

आनंदमेवा शिबिराच्या परिवाराची  ही सुंदर प्रतिकात्मक बोट. मनाच्या संग्रहात कायमचा (आणखीन एक ) राहील असा हा फोटो आणि त्याचा अतिशय हृदयस्पर्शी  अनुभव !  

Lyrics of the song 'Ek Shaam Hanssein Ke Naam'

एक शाम हंसी के नाम। (2)

जीवन में सुख है;    (2)
जीवन में दुःख है ... (2)
दोनोंको सलाम ... हा..हा..हा...
एक शाम हंसी के नाम।

रातोंको याद करो, सूरजकी पहली किरण;(2)
क्यों लेके बैठे हो.. रोता हुआ एक मन ....   (2)
खिलने का मौसम..(2)
पतझड़ का मौसम...(2)
दोनोंको सलाम ....हा..हा..हा...

एक शाम हसीं के नाम....हा..हा..हा..
एक शाम हंसी के नाम...हा..हा..हा..हा..
एक शाम हंसी के नाम...हा..हा..हा..हा...हा..

Ek Shaam Hassein Ke Naam

What a way to understand how  “Providence” works !! A “ maher” to the parents, an “ajol” to the children, home sweet home to Ananya, Anita,and Adwait  restored back to normalcy within a week! Hats off once again to Lata Aji, Anil Ajoba,Gargee,Dnyanesh and Om for the kind of efforts put in to help make parents and children come back to normal and feel All is Well.

On  Saturday, 01^st of September, there will be a meeting for all the parents. All of us will be singing the song “ Ek Shaam Hassein Ke Naam”. The song will be posted on the blog shortly. Pease learn it so that we all can sing together.

Yeoor,for the third time

balsams

 This is the third time we visited one of the most unexplored part of sanjay gandhi national park. The richness brought by monsoon to this jungle could be seen. With Balsams blooming on either side of the path,which slices through the thicket and the atmosphere booming with life. Its not surprising if you take 2.5 hours for a 45 min walk (thats for one way). 

                                                                                           
Despite your feet sliping on moss covered stones and monotonous whispering of mosquitos near your ears,you cant help smiling when your object opens its wings or sits still for a moment. Your arms are red from mosquito bites and your brow wet with sweat ,your fingers eager to press the shutter button, while your object makes you wait. And after waiting for couple of minutes there is click, you view finder blacks out and thats when you know you have got it right.

white orange tip

common pierrot

                                                                                                                   The silence which binds the place is enchanting. Only noises heard are of your feet and the violent rustling of leaves. My father and I walk ahead into the expanse of greenery where at every minute you have another of these butterflies waiting for you to register them in the endless log of  your memory.

moon moth

common gull

mottled emigrant

                                                           

          And then you go on a clicking spree.

      As your journey ends there is someone unregistered. It strikes a pose for you so you get the best out of him. Then to say good bye it opens its mouth




   

HAPPY RUMINATIONS

On friday i went to college in order to discuss my project with my group members.We figured out that college was closed so we couldn't sit there.One of my friend suggested five gardens so that we could sit there and discuss.When i reached there i was really happy .After a long time i was visiting those gardens which once were a part of my life.I told my friends that this was the place where we as a part of small shibir used to gather.The games that we played for instance,girls and mothers would always play a"aai cah patra haravla"and boys and father's game was dodge ball or football.I vividly remembered our "KRUTADNYATA DIVAS" and how we used show our gratitude to different entities.This all was a part of me and i enjoyed every bit of it.Today though lata aaji has faced a tragic situation i know that these happy ruminations will give her and all of us the strength to overcome this.

Hi,

Vaishali is not well, is at home & has no access to computer. Hence she has SMS ed random thoughts that came to her mind, when she heard the news. I am putting them in the raw form as she has forwarded.

Milind

My thoughts at random............

Fear, how is the family coping. I should not call Lata Aaji but how would I be able to provide help that is genuienly required. Impact on Ananya since all heart that would be close to her including her paintings would have been destroyed. The psychological trauma of losing children's creation - all those superb works of art, and how we can now recreate what we have lost, most importantly Lata Aaji's trust. How can we avoid / prevent this. How do wecope up & bounce back during calamities. Thought process when calamity hits. Presence of mind. How can all parents and children make good the damage that is done. As someone associated with Lata Aaji for over 10 years, I feel a part of family --- however, does this reflect in my thought process and my deeds. Where am I still going wrong. Lata Aaji is still required to handhold us through MOST of the decisions.

Vaishali Yederi

19/08/2012
Dear Lataaji and Anilajoba,

    On hearing the news on sunday evening we were very disturbed, but after knowing the intensity  and gravity of the situation we were shaken and numb. It was a shame on our part to have happened this. We are at lost of words to give you any solace. The only good part is that both of you are safe and so is your family. A big thanks to the Almighty. The maximum brunt after the crisis was on Gargi, Dyanesh and Om. All three of them were very brave to handle such a difficult situation. We are fortunate to have them as our friends and as for both of you we are more than blessed to have you. So it is our moral responsibility to cherish you to the best of our ability. We promise to be extra careful in future.

rani & naren.

लता आजी आणि अनिल आजोबांच्या घरातील घडलेल्या प्रसंगावरून पहिले जाणवले, ते त्यांना काही शारीरिक इजा झाली नाही, ही परमेश्वराचीच कृपा. त्या साठी गुरुदेवांच्या चरणी कृतज्ञता व्यक्त केली.

      आपल्या चुकांपाई त्यांच्या जीवाला खूप मोठा धोका निर्माण झाला, याला आपणच जबाबदार आहोत, असे वाटले. आजी व आजोबांनी, ज्या विश्वासाने आपले घर, आपला वेळ व वस्तू, आपल्या साठी उपलब्ध करून दिल्या, त्या विश्वासाने आपण आपले मानले नाही. त्याबद्दल आम्ही त्यांची क्षमा मागतो.

      त्या घरातील वस्तूमध्ये मुलांच्या आठवणी होत्या. त्या पूर्णपणे खराब झाल्या. म्हणून वाईट वाटले. परवा श्रावणातील हसरा नाचरा गाणे ऐकल्यावर टेबलावरचा टेपरेकॉर्डर खराब झाला असेल, याची जाणीव झाली. हे सर्व नीट होण्यास वेळ लागेल. अशी चूक परत होता कामा नये, अशी आम्ही काळजी घेऊ. आम्हाला सद्बुद्धी दे.

नूलकर परिवार.

लता आजी व अनिल आजोबा,                                                                    

      आपल्या शिबिरात घडलेल्या घटनेबद्दल कळल्यावर मन अतिशय सुन्न झाले व तो पूर्ण दिवस बैचैन अवस्थेत गेला. पण तुम्ही दोघे सुखरूप असल्याचे कळल्यावर देवाला नमस्कार केला. आम्हा सर्वान कडून किती बेजवाबदारपणा झाला या बद्दल स्वतःची लाज वाटली.

       तुम्ही दोघे आम्हा सर्वांवर मनापासून प्रेम करता व त्या बदल्यात आमच्याकडून फक्त योग्य व जबाबदारपणे वागण्याची अपेक्षा करता,पण आम्ही तिथेच अपात्र ठरलो व तुम्हा दोघांच्या मनाला दुखावले आहे ह्या विचाराने दुख होते.या पुढे तुम्हा दोघांचे मन दुखावेल असे न वागण्याचा प्रयत्न करू.

       उन्नत ला कळल्यावर त्याने सर्वात आधी तुम्ही दोघे कसे आहात हे विचारले.पण तुम्ही सुखरूप असल्याचे सांगितल्यावर त्याचा चेहेरयावरची काळजी दूर झाली.

      अद्वैत-अनिता, गार्गी-ज्ञानेश, ओम व अनन्या आम्हाला क्षमा करा असे कोणत्या तोंडाने म्हणू? 

कारण तुम्ही नसताना व आजी-आजोबा नुकतेच आजारातून उठलेले असताना त्यांना ज्या प्रेमाची व काळजीची गरज होती ती आम्ही घेऊ शकलो नाही त्याबद्दल शतशा क्षमस्व.

                                                                                  

दिलीप,अर्चना,उन्नत. 

         शनिवारी  शिबिरात  घडलेली  ती  अनपेक्षित  घटना  धक्कादायक  तर  होतीच  पण  ती  क्लेशकारकसुद्धा  होती  .

          खूप  जवळच्या  माणसाला  जेव्हा  काही  होतं  तेव्हा  जो  त्रास  मनाला  होतो  तोच  तेव्हा  जाणवत होता . पण  कुठेतरी  एक  विश्वास  होता  की  आजी-आजोबांना  काही  होणार नाही .

          ओमकार  तर मला  म्हणाला  तू  आधी  लता आजींना  फोन कर . तेव्हा  मी त्याला  समजावलं  की  आपले  सगळ्यांचेच  फोन घेणं  त्यांना  अधिक  त्रासाचं  होईल . त्यापेक्षा  आपल्याला  आजी  जे काही  सांगतात  तेच  आपण  अधिक  प्रामाणिकपणे  आणि  जबाबदारीने  करूया .

          रात्री  अभ्यास  झाल्यानंतर  तो  तडक  कॉम्पुटरवर  बसला  आणि त्याने आपले  काही  फोटो  आणि  त्यासंबंधित  जे  लिखाण  आहे  ते  पोस्ट  केलं . त्यावेळी  मी  माझ्या  कामात  होते. ते  लिहून  झाल्यानंतर  त्याने  मला  सांगितलं, मी काही  फोटो  पोस्ट  केलेत  ते  पाहून  आजींना  जरा  बरं  वाटेल. ते  ऐकून  मला  या       पिढीला  घडवण्यासाठी  आजी  जे  कष्ट  घेतायत  त्याला  किती  उत्तम  फळ  आलंय , हे  प्रकर्षाने  जाणवलं .

      सुनिता-विवेक    

Dear Lata aaji and Anil Ajoba,

We are deeply hurt with this incident and are eager to meet Lata Aaji and Anil Ajoba.

When we told Ankit about this incident, he asked us whether Lata aaji and Anil Ajoba are ok? Then he was worried whether shibir is going to happen? We told him confidently, it will happen.

We are very guilty that a mistake of ours has led to such traumatic incident not just for Lata aaji’s family but all families which are associated with Lata aaji & Shibir. With this incident, we have learnt a lot from the way Lata aaji has handled the situation.

We are really very thankful to god that you both are safe.

Deepali, Paresh & Ankit

प्रिय लताआजी व अनिल आजोबा,

आग लागल्याची दुर्घटना कळताच प्रचंड धक्का  बसला  व असुरक्षित वाटलं पण जेंव्हा तुम्ही दोघे सुरक्षित आहात  हे कळताच हायसे व सुरक्षित वाटल. ही आग आमच्या एसी बंद करणे  विसरल्यामुळ्ये  लागली हे कळ ताच आपण एवढे बेजबाबदार कसे वागू शकतो ह्याबद्दल खंत वाटली.  तुम्हाला झालेला त्रास , मनस्ताप व दु:ख याबद्दल क्षमा माग णेही अपराधी वाटतय.  हर्षा राहुलला ही बातमी सांगताच धक्का बसला पण आजी आजोबा सुखरूप आहेत हे कळ ताच त्यानी देवाचे आभार मानले.
             हर्षाने ह्या घटनेबद्दल एक मेणबत्ती लावून शिबिरातली प्रार्थना म्हणावी असे सुचविले व त्याचे स्पष्टीकरण असे दिले की प्रकाशामुळ्ये नकारात्मक भावना व दुख:रूपी  अंध:कार दूर होतो.  राहुलची प्रतिक्रिया अशी होती की आजी आजोबा आता आनंदी फक्त तुमच्या चांगल्या वागण्यामुळयेच होऊ शकतात.  एकही वेळ अशी येऊ दयायची नाही की त्यांना तुम्हाला समजवाव लागेल, शिबिरातली सगळी गाणी  प्रत्येकाला  यायला हवीत आणि तरच तुम्ही त्यांना खरया अर्थान आनंद देऊ शकाल.
         
खरच प्रयत्न करू.

आरती राजीव

रविवारी सकाळी मेसेज आला आणि आम्ही सुन्न जालो. सुरवातीला समजेना काय करावे. नंतर आजी आणि आजोबांची कालजी वाटली. आजीना बरे नाही, त्यांचा त्रास वाढला असेल का? त्यानी दोघानी काय केले असेल? नंतर जाणवले की फ़क्त घरच नहीं तर त्याबरोबर त्या घरातल्या सगळ्या वस्तु, ज्यात कुठे न कुठे सुन्दर आठवणी आहेत त्यांचे काय झाले असेल? किरण दादाना फ़ोन करून चौकशी केली तेव्हा आजींची आणि आजोबांची खुशाली ऐकून थोड़े बरे वाटले.



स्वताचा राग आला की एवढी छोटी गोष्ट पण लक्ष देऊन केली कशी नाही? आपण सगलेच पालक असे बेजबाबदार का बरे वागतो? असेही वाटले की आपण त्या घराला अजून आपल्यात सामावून घेतले नाही म्हणून असे झाले की काय?

स्वानंदी आख्या शिबिर वर रागावली. ती म्हणाली की शिबिर असे करुच कसे शकते? आम्हाला नंतर लक्षात आले की तिच्या दृष्टीने शिबिर ही एक जिवंत गोष्ट आहे आणि शिबिरात सगळे चांगलेच होते. तिला समजवयाला खुप वेळ लागला. आग म्हणजे काय आणि त्याचे परिणाम काय असू शकतात हे तिला समजू शकत नाही पण तिला एवढे समजले की काहीतरी वाईट घडले आहे आणि त्याने आजीला त्रास झाला आहे. अनन्या कशी आहे? तिला त्रास जाला का? तिची बाहुली कशी आहे हे तिचे पुढचे प्रश्न होते.

ह्या सगल्यातुन आणि मुख्य म्हणजे रविवारीच्या ठरलेल्या शिबिरातुन एक सन्देश मिळाला की एखादी वाईट आणि अनापेक्षित घटना घडली तरी चांगल्या गोष्टी चालूच ठेवायला हव्या आहेत आणि शिबिर हे एक कुटुंब असेल तर त्याचे हे 'स्पिरिट' आहे. आपण ह्यातून स्वतहाला कसे आणि किती बदलतो आणि काय शिकतो ह्यावर आपला पुढला प्रवास आणि प्रगति ठरेल.


संगीता, विश्वास आणि स्वानंदी

लता आजींकडे  घडलेली घटना कळल्यावर धक्का तर बसलाच पण त्या मागचे कारण कळल्यावर ओशाळल्या सारखे झाले. इतके दिवस लता आजी आपल्याला जी शिस्त, जबाबदारी अंगी बाणवायला सांगत आहेत ती आपण न बाणवल्याने गोष्ट या थराला गेली हे आठवून वाईट वाटत आहे. लता आजी आणि अनिल आजोबांना झालेला मानिसक त्रास लवकर कमी होवू दे हि देवाजवळ प्रार्थना 
मृदुला
लता आजी आणि अनिल आजोबांनी दाखवलेले प्रसंगावधान खरच महत्वाचे आहे. कारण या प्रकारच्या प्रसंगांचा मुकाबला करण्याचे प्रशिक्षण घेतलेल्या अनेकांना मी अशा प्रसंगी गांगरून जावून चुकीचे केलेले प्रत्यक्ष पाहीले आहे.प्रसाद ने म्हटल्या प्रमाणे मदत करण्याची इच्छा आहे पण कशी ते कळत नाही.
केदार

Incident at Latakaki's and Anilkaka's house

Dear Latakaki and Anilkaka,

The horrific incident of Sunday morning at your house leads us to believe that despite your teaching and us listening, we have not bothered to implement the same. Also we have not accepted you as ours despite you accepting us wholeheartedly and in entirety. If that was the case someone would have remembered to put off the airconditioner. A glaring act of omission that had ghastly consequences, physical and emotional. Ironically your lecture a day earlier was about discipline.

Latakaki, the emotional tumult that you must have gone through on seeing everything associated with your Dream-the Shibir-, the memories associated with each and every photograph, painting, article. Most were done by your grandchildren over 16 years. Irreparable and irreplaceable.

Every action of yours on that fateful day symbolizes the very essence of discipline. Self control. You and Anilkaka handled everything so smoothly. Right from the time you became aware of the fire to locking yourself in the room,  showed us that in any situation to  respond is better than to react. This presence of mind even when you were convalescing. We want to be you.

Shocked as we were by the news, we felt the right way to respond was to do something for you. Dhanashri and Yashodhan along with his friends spent the entire of Sunday morning firstly drawing- the topic being ‘Freedom’. Yashodhan’s drawing was titled ‘Unity is Strength’ and was apt for the crisis. After the drawing got over we sang two Shibir songs, ‘Deep se deep’ and ‘Sooraj zara’.

Sad are we for what has happened but glad we are for you and Kaka are there. We promise to work much harder towards your dream.

A special thank you to Gargi, Dnyanesh and Anand Naik and most of all little Ananya.

Sachin, Dhanashri and Yashodhan.

Dear Lata Aaji and Anil Ajoba,

Kudos to both of you for the courage and presence of mind shown in the face of the sudden and unforeseen calamity. The courage shown by Dnyanesh, Gargi and Om is also equally commendable.

Without in any ways meaning to dilute the physical and mental trauma that you both have gone through since Sunday, there are certain things which we would like to put forth here in relation to the incident and what we can gather from it.

As long as the spirit of Anandmeva Shibir is alive in us, the physical damage in the accident is a minor setback. I think that an accident like this should not do any damage to this spirit and the goodness that comes with it.

There are a lot of things to be learnt: Having courage and presence of mind in a calamity, not having complacency in our seemingly mundane day-to-day activities, accepting that misfortunes can still knock on our door at times, being responsible in our social and personal lives and so on……

However, the most important thing to be realized is that, we quickly overcome the tragedy and move on, on the path that we have set forth for ourselves. Anandmeva Shibir will resurrect itself again and continue to be a place of learning and of sweet memories to us and our children.

Regards,

Mrunal, Avani, Advait and Amit

Dear Lata aaji and Anil ajoba,

We are thankful to the almighty God that you are safe. We are extremely apologetic to you, Gargee, Advait and also feel sad for the trauma & pains that you had to go through due to our negligence.    

This incidence has once again demonstrated that we, as a group of parents, need to significantly enhance our sense of responsibility and we will sincerely step up our efforts in that direction.

It is very kind of you to conduct the Shibir in spite of this incidence and your recent health problems. This is a strong positive message for us conveying your affection towards all the members of Shibir.  

Yours sincerely

Seema and Amod

We were shell-shocked and numb when we got the SMS.  Aastha’s first reaction was “you go and bring Lata Aaji and Anil Aajoba to our place”.  We felt a bit relieved when we came to know that Aaji and Aajoba were physically unhurt  (Thanks to the presence of mind of Aaji Aajoba and God’s Grace). However, we feel terribly guilty and ashamed of ourselves for causing them grave mental and physical agony and that we did not take proper care of Aaji and Aajoba despite the fact that they care for us even during their ill health, have always forgiven us and unconditionally loved us inspite of our irresponsible behaviour.  We have miserably failed in our commitment towards them and there is no excuse for our careless behaviour.  During one of our discussions on the turn of events, Aastha suggested that we go and say sorry and ask for forgiveness for the mistakes committed.  She is confident that things will be alright soon. Her love and confidence in Aaji and Aajoba and also towards all parents in the shibir, makes us feel all the more guilty and ashamed for our callous behaviour. We have learned that the hard way that sometimes "sorry" is not enough, we however seek forgiveness for the hardships caused by us to Aaji, Aajoba, Gargee, Dyanesh, Advait, Anita and most of all to Om, Ananya and all children who are part of our shibir.

Aastha Anand Swati

प्रिय लता आजी आणि अनिल आजोबा,
अलीकडेच आमच्या दापोलीच्या घरी चोरी झाली. बरेच नुकसान झाले. आम्ही तो धक्का पेलून, त्या दुखातून सावरत असतानाच ही भयंकर बातमी कळली. फार दु:ख वाटले आणि हतबलही. तुमच्या दोघांचे प्रसंगावधान, धीर आणि क्षमाशीलता अशा गुणविशेषांपैकी आम्ही किती गुण कसे घेऊ शकू, असा विचार मनात आला. आपण एकंदरीत काळजी घेण्यात कसे, किती कमी पडतो, आपल्यात काटेकोरपणा येण्यासाठी आपल्या सवयी कशा असाव्यात, जेणेकरून मुलांच्याही मनात शिस्त आणि जबाबदारीची भावना भिनेल, यावर आम्ही तिघांनी चर्चा केली. सोयी-सुविधा जितक्या सहजतेने आपण वापरतो, तितक्याच त्या काळजीपूर्वक हाताळाव्या लागतात, याबद्दलची जागरूकता कशी वाढवता येईल, याबद्दल आम्ही बोललो. तुम्ही तुमचा त्रास, मनस्ताप, त्रागा कसा गिळला,पचवला असेल, याची कल्पनाही करवत नाही. आम्हाला घेण्यासारखे कितीतरी धडे आहेत. पण ते धडे आम्ही घ्यावेत, यासाठी इतके क्रूर कृत्य घडायची वाट पहावी लागली, याची फारच खंत आणि लाज वाटते.

-शुभदा, निखिल चौकर 

प्रिय लता आजी- अनिल आजोबा, 

तुमच्या घरी घडलेली घटना आईने मला सांगितली तेव्हा मला खूप वाईट वाटले. तुमच्यासारख्या प्रचंड चांगल्या माणसांच्या बाबतीत असे का व्हावे, याची खंत वाटली. जेव्हा मला कळले की या रविवारी ठरल्याप्रमाणे शिबीर आहे, तेव्हा मला तुमचा खूप अभिमान वाटला की तुम्ही आमच्यावर न रागावता, त्रास सहन करूनही शिबीर रद्द न करता ते ठेवलेतच. खरच तुमची कमाल वाटली. 

-मल्लिका चौकर

After The Damage News

We were shoked by the incident of the Sunday morning sparks and smoke at Anandmewa. Gargi was quick to respond to the situation and informed the fire Department even before she reached Sion. The door was smashed and opened by some unknown helpful God's Messenger.The first person to visit was Anand Naik who took a cake for Lata aaji and Anil aajoba which served as a breakfast to them .Lata aaji was trapped in her room as the hall was full of smoke and escape roots blocked .

When we met her in the evening ,we realised that her morning decision to stay locked in the bedroom cool without attempting a rash struggle to escape from the main door was a split second accurate and life saving decision .This was responding 'not reacting' to an emergency. In those tense moments, she was thriving on bottles of water kept for both of them lovingly by Ananya. This small, dutiful act by the two and a half year old child even as she was preparing to go on a long holiday, cotributed in a big way to Lata Aaji's well-being.

When Anand Naik reached Sion with a cake, Lata Aaji's reactions were to thank the Lord who took care of her breakfast even in such an adversity. We were thinking about the damage caused and how to restore the things back to normal as quickly as possible."What should be the closest to her heart?" "All the articles and paintings put up in the house is the dearestof all to her", was the instant reply from Mohit and Soham. When we communicated this to her, she said with a smile, "Only my children know me well."

A cool temperament, quick wise thinking and timely action (masterly inactivity) are the lifeskills which are obvious conclusions to be learnt from this episode.

- Jayant and Suchitra

The turn of events of saturday evening came as a very rude jolt to all of us. The only saving grace is that both Lataaji and Anil Ajoba came out physically unscathed. This has been possible only because of the presence of mind shown by the two and by Divine grace. I am sure everyone must own up one's share of responsibility in this. Though the damage is manyfolds and irreparable, it has in it a lesson for everyone of us. Pallavi and I discussed this incident with the kids and also are working towards putting in place a framework to face such traumatic incidents in future if not to avoid them.

Regards

Pallavi, Vinayak

Dear Lata aaji and Anil ajoba,

              I was very much shocked and disgraced when baba told about this unpleasant incident. It was a    
for us to know that the one who gave us their unconditional love had to suffer from such inestimable pain because of our fault. We were truely hurt when we heard about damaged showcases which you preserved for such a longtime, before I had joint the shibir. We want to apologize about what had happened on this saturday and we all love you!
            

 I was quite shocked when heard of the incident but was relieved to hear Aaji and Aajoba were unhurt.But though not physically hurt i know that they would be hurt psychologically. Even I felt bad when i heard that the hall and all the unique and exquisite items Lata Aaji had collected in these many years were burnt.I will miss the drawing of the smiling clown which was on the wall even before i joined the shibir when i was small.I felt it was very special when I was in the small shibir as being a clown it was a symbol of happiness.I would like to tell Lata Aaji that I would help them in any possible way I can if they need any.

रविवारी सकाळी शिबिरात जाण्यासाठी तयारी करतानाच sms मिळाला. तो वाचून धक्काच बसला. "आपण शिबिरातील प्रत्येकालाच गृहित धरतो" याची जाणीव झाली. पालकांच्या हलगर्जीपणाचा लताआजी, अनिल आजोबा व त्यांच्या कुटुंबियांना फारच त्रास व मनःस्ताप झाला. आजी व आजोबांना काही अपाय झाला नाही हे ऐकून आम्ही देवाचे आभार मानले. घर व शिबिरातील वस्तू धुरामुळे खराब झाल्याचे नील्मयीला कळाले आणि तिला खूप वाईट वाटले. आजीच्या घरात लावण्यासाठी तिने बसून (in one sitting ) मण्यांचे एक तोरण बनविले आणि ती ते आजीला देणार असल्याचे सांगिलते.


आजी, आजोबा आम्हाला क्षमा करा!

- प्रिती, अजित खोत

I felt very bad when I heard this news. If we forget something it can hurt someone else. All the showpieces became black because of the incidence so it was not looking nice so I made a door hanging for aaji's house.

-Neelmayee

आदरणीय लता आजी आणि अनिल आजोबा,

        आपल्याकडे झालेली दुर्घटना ऐकून धक्का बसला आणि फार वाईट वाटले. पण लता आजी आणि अनिल आजोबा सुखरूप आहेत, हे एकून बरे वाटले. अगदी न राहवून गार्गी ला पण फोन केला. दुर्घटना नेहमीच वाईट असते पण त्यात नेमके प्रसंगावधान दाखवून आजी आणि आजोबांनी परिस्थिती हाताळली. पण त्यांना ज्या मानसिक धक्यातून जावे लागले, त्याची कल्पना करवत नाही. लता आजी शिबिरातील प्रत्येकासाठीच नेहेमी भरभरून करतात आणि त्यांना हा त्रास व्हावा, ऐकून फार वाईट वाटले. या घटनेतून सावरण्यासाठी काही प्रयत्न करावा, असे मनापासून वाटते.

        तुम्ही दोघे या  धक्यातून लवकर सावरावे, अशी आम्ही देवाकडे प्रार्थना करतो.

जयश्री आणि महेन्द्र.