Naba Nalanda spreads its wings after Kolkata Boi Mela

After the success of our participation in the 1992 Kolkata Boi Mela, we wanted to spread our wings and tap the untapped potentials of probasi Bengalis – probasi or those who live outside West Bengal.
Once upon a time probasi meant those who live out of India. That meaning has changed over a period of time because plenty of Bengalis have had to leave their homeland in search of jobs and sacrifice the addas in the tea shops of the localities. They have settled in other corners of the country. And, not only the Bengali men but Bengali women also who have got married and moved out of Bengal.
Anyway, to make a beginning, I selected Bangalore as first base to tackle.
The reason of selecting Bangalore was twofold – firstly, it was where our Corporate Office was located and where I would have to go once in a while to undergo training programs. And, secondly, I had taken a decision to visit Lord Balaji at his abode in Tirupati. I had gone once when I was on training in the HAL Staff College and had fallen in love with not just the Lord himself but the temple and the journey.

Incidentally, I had taken a tourist package – the cost in those days was Rs 30 only. The luxury bus would leave Bangalore at 9pm, travel all through the night and land in a hotel in Tirupati early morning 4am. In the hotel, the visitors would be put up for half an hour to freshen up, have a bath etcetera.
Since I was alone, I had to share the room with an aged gentleman. We got to talking and I learnt that he stayed in the United States but would come down every year to pay his respects to Lord Balaji.
That set me thinking. If an old man could come all the way from the US to meet the Lord, why can’t I from Nashik? Therefore, I took a mental pledge to undertake the journey for 12-years, without break.
During one of these journeys, I looked around for a Bengali Association of sorts in Bangalore, the Garden City. It was not too difficult a task and, I came in contact with a lady who agreed to become our rep in Bangalore. (to be continued …)

A few more must reads -

Nashik Kumbhmela 2015 – a once in 12-years pilgrimage

Trip to Nashik should take in Shirdi and the Ajanta and Ellora caves

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the epic Ramayana

Nashik, a tourist center with links to the Mahabharata

Kumbhmela 2015 in Nashik – guided tours to wineries and vineyards

Nashik transforms from a place of pilgrimage to an industrial hub

British Army wants computer whizzkids to counter the growing menace of ISIS propaganda

IPL8 – Mumbai Indians break the jinx with first win against Royal Challengers Bangalore

Pattern of death changing in India – heart and lung related diseases are top killers

Stray dogs attend funeral of Mexican woman who fed them

Health tips – lose weight without dieting

Anchovies can boost good cholesterol and reduce risk factors of the heart

Another interesting blog - Citizen Journalist

Another interesting blog - Violence and atrocities