From Barren Land to Blooming Dreams: A Journey of Determination and Transformation

For years, I had dreamed of cultivating something meaningful on our ancestral land, which spans 2 ½ acres. Yet, despite my passion, the land remained barren. Every time I saw weeds and shrubs growing, a sense of concern would rise within me—why hadn’t I begun yet? Three years ago, my father noticed my growing interest when I started accompanying him almost every weekend to Malavalli. However, he wasn’t entirely convinced that I could handle the task. In fact, he even considered handing the land over to my uncle. Over time, though, my father saw how serious I was about this dream, and eventually, he began to share in my vision of transforming our barren land into a vibrant, green space.
The opportunity finally came two months after my father’s passing. Some local villagers expressed interest in organizing a cattle race and wanted to clear half of the land for the event. They worked on half, and I arranged for the remaining portion to be cleared by October. I decided to plant Horse gram across the entire 2 ½ acres in stages, as the land was being leveled with a rotary. After consulting with the villagers, they suggested that this approach would work well, believing that the natural rainfall would be sufficient and that weeds wouldn’t be much of an issue.
Though I didn’t have a borewell installed, I took the risk. Horsegram typically takes about 3-4 months to mature, and the seeds I planted in late October began to bloom in January. However, due to a shortage of labor, I had to harvest the crop by the end of February. Once the crop was ready, the labor-intensive process began. We plucked the plants from their roots and gathered them together. To separate the seeds, we spread the crops on the road and drove vehicles—such as tractors and buses—over them. Meanwhile, a few workers used brooms to push the crops back onto the road until enough vehicles had passed over. Once this is done, the seeds are collected with brooms, sieved to remove debris, and then grains are gathered into sacks.
Nevertheless, I was able to harvest substantial amount of Horsegram. The journey has not been easy, filled with challenges such as labor shortages, reliance on others, being underestimated, unpredictable weather, and the associated costs. But when determination fuels your efforts, nothing can stop you from reaping the rewards of your hard work.
Though I have not made a profit, considering the expenses for seeds, land levelling, labor, and travel, I’m proud to have taken the first steps toward realizing a dream I’ve always had. The experience gained is invaluable. My only regret is that my father isn’t here to see the harvest, but I know his blessings will always be with me.
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A Leap of Courage – My Bungee Jumping Experience

While cleaning my room recently, I stumbled upon some old certificates from 2005. Among them were two that brought a flood of memories—one for Scuba Diving and the other for Bungee Jumping. The latter instantly transported me back to an adrenaline-filled day at the Bangalore Palace Grounds.

Bungee jumping had always fascinated me, and when the opportunity came up during an event there, I couldn’t resist. Though none of my friends were up for the jump, they stood by me with cheers and support. Their presence gave me courage, even if they weren’t taking the plunge themselves.

With excitement and nerves clashing inside me, I climbed the tall platform. But as I reached the top and looked down, a wave of terror hit me. My legs trembled, and I seriously considered backing out. Just then, the instructor calmly reassured me of the safety measures in place. That moment of encouragement gave me the final push.

Heart pounding, I closed my eyes—and jumped.

The air rushed past, and I screamed, a wild mix of joy and fear. And then, something amazing happened: I loved it. The fear transformed into exhilaration, and I felt more alive than ever.
Lessons Learned:
Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s acting despite it.
Pushing your limits leads to unforgettable experiences.
Support from friends matters, even if they’re just cheering from the sidelines.
Fear can transform into thrill when you face it head-on.

That leap was not just a physical one—it was a leap into self-discovery and confidence. And every time I see that certificate, I am reminded that sometimes, the most terrifying steps lead to the most rewarding outcomes.

Sowing Seeds of Growth: A Journey of Hard Work, Learning, and Abundance

 Sowing Seeds of Growth: A Journey of Hard Work, Learning, and Abundance

The last few months of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 have marked a significant turning point in my life. As I take time to reflect, I’m filled with gratitude for the fruits of my labor and hard work.

Sankranti, the first festival of the year, is a celebration of the harvest. For farmers, it represents the conclusion of the harvest season—a time to thank Mother Nature for a bountiful yield and to pray for future prosperity. This year, the festival holds special meaning for me as I embark on my own agricultural journey. My experience with farming has been not just a physical endeavor, but a deeply transformative one. I connect my  personal growth with the agricultural process—sowing, nurturing, and harvesting, much like my own life and efforts over the past few months. What began as an experiment in kitchen gardening has blossomed into a deeper involvement with farming. With an ancestral piece of land at my disposal, I decided to take a leap and cultivate a small plot to learn and gain experience in agriculture, primarily for household use.

The journey has not been without its challenges. From unpredictable weather conditions to labor shortages, the path was demanding. Yet, it has been a journey of sweat, perseverance, and hard work—qualities that have paid off in ways I hadn’t anticipated. The seeds I sowed—Averekai (hyacinth beans), Cowpea (Red), Raagi (finger millet), and Horse Gram—have flourished abundantly. Though I haven’t gained anything in monetary terms, the joy of seeing the plants grow, thrive, and be harvested has been beyond words.

What have I gained, you might ask? In terms of financial gain, nothing. But in terms of experience, growth, learning, and perseverance—everything. The challenges faced along the way have taught me invaluable lessons, building my confidence and confirming that, yes, I can do this.

This journey has given me more than just an agricultural yield; it has deepened my connection to nature, taught me the value of hard work, and reinforced my belief in the power of persistence. In the end, it’s the joy of the process and the lessons learned that have made it all worthwhile.

 My Journey into the World of Art: A Passion Ignited

Throughout my school days, I never considered myself particularly talented at drawing, and I often dreaded art assignments. However, my true interest in art began after relocating to Bangalore, when I joined the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat (CKP). Initially, I enrolled in a Mysore painting hobby course, which lasted a year. This course sparked a passion within me and transformed art from a casual interest into a serious pursuit.

As my journey continued, I explored various forms of art, including Glass painting, Murals, Coffee painting, Acrylics, and Watercolors. Over time, I’ve developed a significant collection of artwork across these diverse mediums.

The turning point in my artistic journey came in August 2021, during the pandemic. I decided to host a small exhibition titled Artistic Creations to showcase my collection. The exhibition took place in my garage over the weekends, offering a cozy, intimate setting for visitors.

Since then, I’ve been fortunate to display my artwork in several prominent events, including:

• Independence Day celebrations at my office in 2023,
• Sangam Annual Day function in 2023,
• Chitra Santhe 2024, the annual exhibition held at Chitrakala Parishat,
• A newly opened café in Malleshwaram, 2024.

These opportunities have been a huge step in my artistic journey, and I am hopeful that even more will come in the future.

Painting has become my go-to stress reliever and a form of meditation. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or down, painting allows me to focus on a single task, calming my mind and helping me regain balance. It has been essential in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. I truly believe that having a hobby outside of your regular work is crucial for mental well-being.

The positive feedback I’ve received at these exhibitions has been a tremendous morale booster. I’ve been able to sell my paintings and receive orders both online and offline. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see my work appreciated, and it motivates me to continue exploring new art forms and creating more.

 

From Kitchen Garden to Farming: A Journey of Passion and Growth

Farming had always been a distant thought in the back of my mind, especially since I enjoyed kitchen gardening. This year, however, that idea became a reality when I decided to experiment with a small plot of land in my native village. I grew avaere and alsande, unsure of how the plants would fare, particularly since I had to rely entirely on rainfall, as there was no borewell on the property.

I invested a portion of my savings to clear and prepare the land, fully aware that I might not see a return on that investment. But my passion for the venture kept me motivated. When harvest time finally arrived, I was met with mixed results. The alsande crop didn’t do well, as it got infested with worms, and avaere was somewhat affected too. Still, I was glad to see some harvest, especially as a first-time farmer. The amount of seeds I planted was returned to me, and the joy I felt was beyond words.

The journey hasn’t been easy, though. It involved a lot of hard work, sleepless nights, and overcoming numerous challenges—whether it was managing labor, traveling from Bangalore to the village, constantly monitoring the progress, or spending a bit more than I had anticipated. But every bit of effort has been worth it.

I embarked on this journey to gain firsthand experience in farming, and now I’m excited about the possibility of transitioning into full-time farming. My goal is to create a brand and sell my produce, building something meaningful from the ground up.

In Loving Memory of Modjo

 

      In Loving Memory of Modjo

When I think of Modjo, I remember the adorable, dark-eyed, blue-eyed boy who became a beloved part of our family. Modjo entered our lives on September 20th, 2010, born to Nikki and one of her seven pups.

From the moment he was born, Modjo proved to be a fighter. He faced many challenges throughout his life and always emerged victorious. I vividly remember when, at just 2-3 months old, he contracted Parvo virus. Tragically, his sister Mocha didn’t survive, and we feared we might lose Modjo too. He was hospitalized for a week, receiving intensive care. Every day, I visited him after work to check on his progress. For the first three days, he didn’t recognize me as he lay exhausted under drips. I whispered in his ear every day, reassuring him that he would get better. On the fourth day, when he wagged his tail at the sight of me, I knew he was going to make it.

As Modjo grew, he blossomed into a handsome and vibrant dog. He was always excited about the simple joys of life: his walks, playtime, food, car trips, and even the fireworks. Unlike other pets who would cower at the sound of crackers, Modjo would bark and jump, trying to catch them mid-air.

Modjo’s love for food was unmatched, and he had a particular fondness for bananas and chicken. He eagerly waited for dinnertime, hoping to get a bite of whatever we were eating.

He also adored car rides, with his head out of the window, feeling the wind rush past him. One of our most memorable trips was to Goa, where he reveled in the beaches, sand, and water.

Modjo had his favorite spot near the door, where he would jump onto the sofa, waiting for cuddles from the family. He also enjoyed sitting near my feet, resting his head on them or curling up under our legs for a nap.

I will always remember the sound of the gate on the ground floor. No matter where he was, Modjo would sense it and rush downstairs to greet us, eager to join us upstairs. If the door was locked, he would bark, waiting for us to open it so he could jump up to welcome us.

These are the moments I will treasure forever, memories that will live in my heart always.

In his final hours, our precious Modjo fought bravely. Even through his pain, he tried to wag his tail, and the peaceful look in his eyes when he saw us gathered around him brought comfort. We were there for him until the very end, and I am grateful for that.

Modjo left us on April 30th, 2023, at the age of 12½ years. His loss has created a void in our lives, but we take comfort in knowing that he is in a better place now. We will miss you always, Modjo. May your soul rest in peace, and may God bless you.

Have Faith – God Has Plans for Each One of Us

 

                   Have Faith – God Has Plans for Each One of Us

 Some incidents which happen in your life makes your belief in God only stronger. One such incident happened recently in the Dec last year when,  I along with few of my office colleagues were on our way to attend another one of our colleague’s wedding in Rajampet, AP.

So we decided to head towards our destination via visiting a few temples in between – Kanipakkam and Kalahasti

We left Bangalore around 8:30-9 am towards Kanipakkam, which is a famous Ganesha temple in Chitoor district .We reached the temple around lunch time. Had a very nice darshan, not much crowd so were able to see the idol for a longer time without being pushed around. We had lunch and proceeded towards Kalahasti which is a famous Shiva temple and is said to be the site where Kannappa was ready to offer both his eyes to cover blood flowing from  the linga before Shiva stopped him and granted him moksha.

The distance from Kanipakam to Kalahasti was around 3 hours approx. and we decided to take the bypass route as per the google and hoping to finish the darshan and reach the destination by 7:30 pm. But as fate had destined, the deviation we took us to a secluded stretch of road with hardly any people but more of cattle / strays on the way. We thought since there is no traffic hence will be able to reach the temple in time.

Seeing the animals we started joking among ourselves saying the road must have been built only for the animals. This stretch took us further in the jungles and uphill. We did meet a couple of local travelers in between who advised us not to go further as the road are blocked. But since we were in a hurry to reach the temple and the road look alright to us, we ignored and kept going further. Around 5:30 pm we realized , when another local person said the same thing, we realized no point in going further and no way we could reach the temple on time and even if we did reach, then we would be very late for the reception . With a heavy heart we turned back and proceeded towards our destination. We took another detour as the locals advised which will take us to Rajampet. By 4 pm only it was getting dark as during Dec, this time, there had been spells of heavy rain in between and by 5:50 it was completely dark. . The detour took us through isolated road which lead to jungles and uphill. We were a little unsure now and only when we saw a couple of headlights in between heaved a sigh of relief.

The rain did not stop. Finally we reached downhill and still driving. We did see a couple of shops in between but they were closing and they guided us to take a deviation further. Since it was raining and dark, we drove slowly and then in front we suddenly saw a herd of buffaloes blocking our way and looking at us. And we said oh god! Not animals again!!!  It was then the buffaloes started giving us way and we started slowing going further and then the headlights of the car showed the road ahead which was completed flooded with water and water gushing out. It was then we saw the warning sign that was put up in a cloth hanging by the side.

We applied breaks suddenly and I completely panicked and told by colleague to turn back. With difficulty he did a U-Turn in that small stretch of road with bushes on both sides, completely dark, raining and not knowing what is on the other side of the bushes.

That incident made all of us realize that somehow those animals that we kept on seeing on the roads must have been some kind of a message that God was sending for us to be careful.  Also it was God that made us turn back at the right time around 5:30 pm so that we could go back. Had it been later, we would not have met any people out there on the lonely stretch of road and could have been stuck in the flooded road. It was those buffaloes which saved us.

And it made us realize that God has plans for us. We thanked God and turned back and this time we were able to reach the highway in the next hour from the detour and reached the destination on time to attend the reception.

Memories of A Stray Dog

 

Memories

 

I am often reminded of this cute little black & white stray whenever I see another one of the same kind on the street. She used to frequent our place daily and it had become her shelter most of the days& night and rainy season.

She had such an angelic face and whenever she used to see anyone of us she would come wagging her tail towards us to pet her and would walk inside the gate with us.

My affection for her grew when in particular she accompanied in twice or thrice when I stepped out for some groceries / personal work nearby and though I tried to shoo her away fearing other dogs might attack her, she did not budge and kept following me. I tried hiding so that she would go away but she used to wait knowing that I was there and will come out. She would sit and wait outside till I finished and then followed me back and left me home safely and would go away.

Now its been more than 2 months and I have not seen her. I fear she is no more and it saddens me that I will not be able to pet her again or see her come running with joy when she sees me. I just hope she passed away peacefully. May God bless her soul.  

 Happiness is Gratitude

Ever since Nikki passed away, we could not gather enough courage to own another pet. But if we lose something that we miss so much, life gives back in some way or another. And so we have these couple of stray dogs that frequent our place daily. Guess they can sense it we are pet lovers. So they sleep in our house inside the gated compound.

One is a black & white female dog, a cutie pie, very huggable and the other si brown , male dog, a little aggressive but very protective. These dogs, the minute they see me or any one of our family members coming will run & come & enter the gates with us and accompany us to a short distance when we move out particularly the brown one when it concerns me.

What took me as a surprise was the other day I had stepped out for making bill payment at the airtel office which is almost a km and a half distance and this time when the black and white stray saw me she came running towards me and followed, crossed the roads, and tagged behind  me .  I tried to make her stop following me as I was scared she had stepped out of her territory and other strays might attack her.  I purchased a biscuit packet and gave her biscuits but she refused to eat and continued following me all the way to the outlet, waited outside till I had made the payment and escorted me back home for the first time.

I was so touched & felt so much joy by her caring nature. It is indeed a blessing to have someone care for so much unconditionally. Dogs are indeed the most faithful of all creatures. Just one gesture of kindness towards them and they become devoted to you completely.  

Miniature Garden- ( Pls check my page - www.facebook.com/sweetkalps786 )

 Miniature Garden 

Farewell 2020

 Farewell 2020

2020 - An year "No One Can Ever Forget Ever"  with the Pandemic, Lockdown, House Arrest , WFH,  accepting  the new normal  , Changes in work, home, social life , lifestyle , etc , etc  . 

This year has taught us wonderful lessons   that Nothing is Permanent. The lockdown Bought us closer to spend time with friends and Families and Pets , bought us to respect nature ,Believe in staying healthy ,  made us eat healthy , fitness in both mind and body , introspect , tolerance.

During the lockdown  have tried to do many things for which was not able to get time  before - indulge in my hobbies  - Painting, Gardening, Writing , connect with old friends,  new friends,  enjoy small pleasures of life , try something new like Cooking which I had never enjoyed before.

It was a way of meditation to avoid    the frustration being built up  inside from  being house arrested and also from the hectic work schedules .

Hoping 2021 , helps me pursue my hobbies with the same enthusiasm .

Wishing you all A very Happy and a Prosperous New Year

A Drive To To Kungal Betta

 

A Drive To  To Kungal Betta

Every weekend, or rather every alternate weekend the 3 of us close friend always plan out something usually a day out to beat the 5 days WFH pressure. So this week also we decided to go out for a long drive somewhere. The problem started when all 3 of us had 3 different destinations in mind and wanted to go to the place of his choice. Though we decided we will start at 11 am from my place , but due to the confusion of the place and the difference of opinion we finally decided to give in to one of us and just drove off towards Mysore Road by 12.30 pm

The place decided was in Ramanagara, some 50 km off from Bangalore. The drive to Ramanagara through Mysore road can be tiring as there is construction of Metro going on. So though it says 1 and a half hours we reached in close to 2 ½ hours. Once you cross Kengeri the traffic slows down and you can enjoy the scenery.

It was already 1 30 pm when we reached Ramanagaraards Mysore Road by 12.30 pm.so we stopped on the main road in one hotel, Gowdru Hotel where we had Veg and Non Veg both. Food was okay but too much of salt in the curry so did not enjoy much. We need to take a deviation inside which leads us to many small villages where one can view farms, greenery all around and small ponds and lakes thanks to the monsoon. It started raining so heavily making the journey so memorable and beautiful. We played the Jab We Met wala song to make the journey more interesting. We stopped at one small pond which looked simply beautiful and clicked pictures. Thanks to the weather as well ( it was full cloudy ) , we sat for some time there before we proceeded further in the car.

The road further took us inside where we finally reached the destination through the village end at 3 pm. We stopped to confirm the way to the Betta, and they showed us the way inside the isolated road leading inside. But though we can actually take the car inside, we decided against it as the road was steep and a little further the roads were uneven and bad. Coming in bikes will be a better option I feel.

So we decided to hike till the Kungal Betta. The beginning of the road to the Betta has a stone Ganapati on the right hand side and on top of it is a huge, steep towering rock formation protruding out in a small curve over the Ganapati.  We prayed to him and started our journey on feet. The weather being good, we walked slowing enjoying the woods, greenery, rock, some natural cave formations, and of course clicking pictures. We would have walked a few km or more in the woods and we reached and we reached an open ground on the hills where on the right hand side, the scenery all around was so breathtaking. We sat on some steep rocks for more than 30 minutes to enjoy the view and breeze. We had still another half the distance to climb up which looked steep and since we had come on foot and the road leading further inside was isolated and it was already getting dark, we decided against it. But the way further to the top of the cliff has some 2-3 temples which one has to go through a rough road, steep climb, in between caves, we thought of coming back again with a bigger group and of course very early so that we can spend more time there. The best part about this place is it is so secluded. One can come here if one enjoys trekking ,  to enjoy the peace, serenity one is looking for. Far from the Madding Crowd

 We started our way back from the half distance we had covered and back to our car at around 5 pm. On the way back we encountered many monkeys near the Ganpathi idol climbing their way up the cliff. On the way back I also coaxed my friend to give me the car to drive for some 200 metres or so since the roads are empty which I enjoyed. It been ages since I got my DL but not driven after my DL test We started our way back to Bangalore. Mysore road in evening is at its worst with nonmoving traffic. By the time I reached home it was 7 pm..

But the journey to Kungal Betta is worth it. Looking forward to going back there hiking again and making it to the summit to have a better view from the top.