Basava Samithi – Melbourne Chapter

Yes, me too got surprised when I heard it very first time over phone. But I could see that fact here in Melbourne. Am pretty much convinced in the very first week of my stay here in Melbourne. It was someone from India – Sitara Vadaka – who was here in Australia past one month or so, was invited to Melbourne to perform on stage and create an occasion to bring all the Basava Samithi (http://www.bsoaa.org/melbourne/index.html) members together. I was one among them.
Founders of Samithi were there on stage to welcome all of us and talk about the planned activity on that particular day. It started with a Pooja and then some Vachana’s. It was a great feeling. A feeling like a home away from home. It also happened to meet some of those whom I was missing since long time. They are here with Connex – so called public transport - past three to four yrs and well settled. It was a great time to get along and share their experiences of their day one to day hundred in Australia. It was a memorable day in less than hundred days of my life in Australia. I become a volunteer to serve the snacks coz I knew that people will notice a new face while collecting their Laadu and Samosa, but I was wrong. It was post winter and by that time most of all went back to the stage, we were left with only the hot coffee and tea.
Thanks giving and honoring the chief guest was on stage and we were ready to get back home. Final settlements were done from the finance In charge and good night call was their in breeze with high frequency. I thought I should get guarded with my sweater, to our surprise it was not there in car. I asked Patil and to his surprise he was also missing his one. Yes, the fact was pretty clear as both of our sweaters were stolen from our car. It became more memorable event than I ever expected. We drove back to home, had dinner and slept with good memories…. That’s it… Chapter close.

Piece of life in Australia - Sample size is 30 days

About more than a month old here in Melbourne, I guess it’s the time to write something about my experience. I got all the amenities (Courtesy- Praveen Patil) in turn was forced to spend most of my time in interacting with as many people as possible and getting closer to the actual. Diwali is another booster to know more about people over here and be part of the celebration.

It was like Iskon in India as we entered the Hindu temple near Dandenong. People are there as if they are there to take part in the ` Hindu fashion show. I agree that Diwali is the right time to be with new apparel but not the time to be one next to other and shout for Idli and Sambhar…! These are the words which were making more dhamaka than the actual fire cracking on the other side of the temple. It was fun watching both Dhamakhaaas.
Here comes the weekend and a phone call from my bro, I was missing all of them who are all gathered in my hometown to be part of the Diwali Pooja. It was Nagaraj Dandagi uncle who called us for lunch at their place, made me to feel good by spending lot of their time with us as well with their delicious food. I like kids and they were so many at uncle’s place. I used to spend most of my time with Sadu and Dundu at home. I always remember that example quoted in a book - How to negotiate. Kids are always best negotiators and I started fighting with them from the day I read this book.

Anyway, it was my call to mess up this Diwali and get some experience to make some clear definitions. Am sure this piece of life has taught me a lot and hoping to carry forward all those bits and pieces to make my life more peaceful.