Panchali Vari Vivaham

Sivakumar (son of late Panchali Jagannadha Rao) married to Sowjanya on the 20th of February 2011 in Srikakulam. Wish both of them a Happy Married Life.

Faithful Dog - A touching story

This is a story I came across somewhere I cant remember but want to mention here just to let all know how faithful animals are!

A person was travelling on a bus and at one bus stop, a dog came inside the bus with a small bag in its neck. He was wondering how can a dog get into the bus and the conductor didn't have any objection!

Immediately the conductor took some change from its bag may be the bus fare! He was wondering, wondering and out of curiosity this person asked the conductor about the dog. The conductor said that this dog travels in this bus regularly and goes to market buy things for its boss and after that she goes back home. This person wanted to know more about this faithful dog and wanted to follow it. At a particular bus stop the dog got down and this person too got down and followed him. The dog went to a butcher and the butcher took the bag from its neck and took the money and packed meat and put it back in its neck. From there the dog walks back to the bus stop waiting for the bus to come. The dog got into the bus (this dog is familiar to most of the bus staff in this route) and he too followed her. After few stops the dog got down and he too got down and followed her. He went to a house and was trying to open the door. Since the door was locked it could not open. Then she started pressing the calling bell. One man came from inside shouting and beating - what hell are you doing - you disturbed my sleep. why did you ring the bell? The dog trying to convey the message that the door is locked. Then immediately that person said, that you could have taken a spare key with you!

This person who was following went near him and said, he man what are you doing? You have such a wonderful, faithful dog doing all the things for you in spite her being an animal and you are beating and shouting at her - you should feel ashame of yourself for this act. Rather you could have gone and buy things for yourself you are sending the animal which is not able to speak and risking her life travels on buses. Whether the owner has any sympathy for the dog or not, but this clearly shows how faithful these animals are!

Interview at Lakha - Part-III

In the Dharmasala there were dormitories where you have some beds to sleep. There are common toilets where people have to be in que. If you have valuables with you, it was advisable to carry the bag with you even if you go to toilet. Though I slept that night, I could not get sleep, as the whole night people were coming and going and since the Dharmasala is nearer to the Railway station, all through the night you will hear the sounds of trains coming and going.
The other reason for not getting sleep is about the interview.

Early morning I got up and took my bath and had some breakfast available nearby. Since the interview is next day (we came one day in advance) Then left at around 8 am and went to the bus station on a rickshaw. I reached bus station and saw the list of stations on the wall. To my surprise I found Lakha on the first station towards Ambikapur Later on I found that it is about 10 kms from Raigarh.

I was roaming around in the bus stand and found three people there asking for Lakha. Then I realised, that they also might be going for the same interview and met them. To my happiness, they were all going for the same interview. We introduced ourselves. One from Bhilai - he is a Telugu person, the other one from Bilaspur and the third one from Bhopal. I remember the person from Bhopal - Wasudeo Gondale, who was working at the Bhopal Airport in the Telephone section (will write more about Wasudeo later).

Since all of us are now aware that Lakha is not far off and there are plenty of buses available that route, then we all decided to roam around Raigarh to pass the time. It was very hot summer and in Madhya Pradesh it was even hotter. Everywehere you will find coolers. We went around walking and had some lunch, and then since it was very hot out, we decided to go to a movie to protect ourselves from the heat. Nearby we found a movie hall and there a movied
called "Rahu Kethu" was running. Since need some shelter, we decide to go to the movie. It was one of the worst movies I have ever seen. Since they were staying in nearby place they all went back and planned to meet next morning at bus stop for the interviews.

In the evening I was going alone to see the famous temple. In Raigarh there is very famous temple is there which is called Shyam Mandhir. While going I asked some people for the route to reach the temple. I met one Bengali gentleman - I cant remember his name - he was going on a his bicycle and immediately got down and asked me as to where I am from. With my broken Hindi and not that fulent English, I explained him the purpose of my visit to Raigarh and he
also shared about his work and family. He was so nice person and he was working in Raigarh District Hospital. I asked me the other interesting places in Raigarh. He said I will take to one or two other nearby places and asked me to sit on his bicycle and he took me around. I never forget this person's help. I gave my address and he also given his address. We continued correspondence by post for a long time.

That evening I again went back to the same Dharmasala and stayed there with more relaxed. Next morning left at 7 am for the bus stop and found the other friends there sitting. We all left for the interview place. When we reached Lakha we found that there is no other communication from there as it was in the ourskirts - only communication either your own vehicles or wait for the buses coming towards that place.

The interview took place, we all did well. We the candidates were sitting outside in anticipation of the results as we were told that they will intimate the results immediately. While we were sitting outside, whenever the peon comes out of the room, we used to ask as to what they were talking, who they were thinking of taking this and that. The next time when the peon came, he said about me and said that they might take you, and also said about the second person they were talking about. We waited till 3.30pm and the officer came out and said that they will intimate about the results by post. We all left the place and were waiting for some communication to go back to Raigarh. Since there were no vehicles, one of their office vehicles was going to Raigarh and we requested them and they dropped us at Raigarh bus stop.
Since the trains are in the evening, we spent some time in the bus stop and in the evening reached Railway station.

In the evening around 7 we took a train and all of us have boarded the train. We had purchased general tickets and got inside the train. All through the journey we enjoyed as we had good company. First the Bilaspur person got down, then in Bhilai the Telugu person, and finally in Raipur both the Bhopal person and I got down. The Bhopal person Wasudeo became a friend of mine and we continued our correspondence for a very long time. All through our journey
no TTE came to check the tickets.

From Raipur I had to get a train to Khariar Road. As I mentioned, it was summer season, and it was mango season, even the goods section of train was full of mangoes. Since there was not much time for me to buy a ticket, I had entered the train without a ticket. The train was so crowded, you cannot move from one place to the other. From Raipur it is three hours journey. Raipur to Khariar Road, since this belt mostly the business people travel, they generally
do not buy tickets rather pay some money to the TTEs for the tickets. On the way a TTE came and I gave him money for the ticket. After the train left Mahasamund, a squad entered the train.... you can understand my position, when I had a ticket all through from Raigarh to Raipur, no one came to check whereas from Raipur to Khariar Road, I could not buy ticket as the train was to move, the squad came... what to do.. when I noticed the squad moving from one
coach to the other, I used to jump in the nearby station, and got into the coach one the squad already checked. Still I was nervous, then since the train was full and people were hanging, in the next station, I decided to get down and went to the Guards' coach and requested him to allow as there was no space, he had kindly agreed to few of us. It was a safe place... Finally I was relieved and reached Khariar Road. As far as interview result was concerned, I never got any response from them!!!

Sonu Soni Moni photos Saraswati Pooja

Here are few snaps of Soni, Moni & Sonu on the occasion of Saraswati Pooja
today 8/2/11

Interview in Lakha - Part - II

cntd.. from Part-I

I boarded the train and I was even more nervous going to an unknown place without having much knowledge about the language.

I was trying to relax myself listening to my co-passengers discussions about their families, their agricultural products and so on.

In the mean time a person with a huge bag came and started shouting .... and flashing various products and people were curiously looking at the things and since they travel frequently they know what it is....its an auction... The seller show an item first and ask them to price it starting from a particular amount and people started adding money to the price and finally he shouts, 1,2,3 and if the bid is above his expectation he immediately give it to the highest bidder otherwise he say no.. the money you are offering is very small... you can not even buy a towel with this amount and puts back that item and take out another item... this way I enjoyed for some time slowly slowly easing out my nervousness.

It was in the evening it reached Bilaspur ... chaiwallah (tea vendor) came inside and shouting Chai, Chai very nice chai, you will only get it from me... etc. etc. I asked for a cup of tea and he has asked for money and I gave him a hundred rupee note as I was not having change. He said, I am sorry I too do not have change, you make some change and give it to me I will come back again said and he left the compartment. I was bit afraid as to what to do if I do not get change. The train stopped for 15 minutes or so, then I started moving from one compartment to the other to avoid the chailwallah!!! Because if come out of train to buy something the train may leave and I will have more problems. The train started moving and I was feeling relaxed with the expectation the chaiwallah may have stayed back in Bilaspur.

After an half an hour or so to my surprise the chaiwallah came and asked for money - can you guess what might have going into my mind that time. I again gave him the same hundred rupee note and said I could not get change... He was angry. I was bit nervous again. Then to my luck suddenly another vendor came with biscuits, cakes etc. Immediately I bought two biscuit packets and I got the change and gave the chaiwallah the money and took one more chai. On the way I had some snacks and had one of the biscuit packets also as I do not know by the time I reach Raigarh I may get something to eat.

I reached Raigarh around 12 in the night. Then started my next level of anxiousness as to where to go and sleep at that night. Again I may face the same problem that I faced in Raipur. In the railway station I asked for a glass of hot milk and had the remaining biscuit packet with that milk which was my dinner for that night. While paying money, I asked the chaiwallah is there any place that i can stay tonight as I am new to this place. He said there is Dharmasala (free or small amount needs to pay for staying). Then happily I went there and stayed that night in the Dharmasala.

See about my stay in Dharmasala and the next day interview process in Part-III

Interview in Lakha - Part - I

When I was in Khariar Road, I applied for a position in Central Silk and Tassar Board. Since I just came from my place in Andhra, I do not know Hindi. When I received the interview call, I started asking friends as to how to go to this interview place. Finally I got to know that this is near Raigarh in Madhya Pradesh. My friends suggested that I take a train from Raipur. Raipur is about 105 kms from Khariar Road.

The day before interview I left for Raipur by Link Express and reached around 3pm. Since this place called Lakha is not seen in the time table I thought it might wise to take a bus, in case it falls in between Raipur and Raigarh. Since the next train is 5.30 pm, I decided to to bus station which is about 15 mins journey by auto. I reached bus station with a small bag and roaming around to find the buses going towards Raigarh. Since I am new to Raipur and also doesn't know Hindi well I was little nervous.

In the meantime two people came to me asked me whether they should help me. I told them that I wanted to go to Lakha which is probably near Raigarh. Then they asked me to follow them so that they will put me in a right bus. I thought they are helping me and followed them.

In the meantime, one of my friends in Khariar Road who I asked about the route to Raigarh was going somewhere and was in another bus. Since he know that I am new, he spotted me with the two people and came out of the bus and rushed near me and asked me Suresh what are you doing here? I said, since you know, I have an interview in Lakha I am thinking of taking a bus in case in falls between Raipur and Raigarh. My friend was angry and said, why did you come to bus station as I suggested you to go by train and took me away from them. Both the people started quarelling with my friend and said why are you interfering. My friend was angry and told them that he is my friend and asked them to go away. Later on my friend told me that they are goondas and were trying to take money from you!

I reached railway station and there was hardly any time left for me to buy a ticket, but finally i was in que and bought a ticket and came to the platform and asking the fellow passengers what time the train will come and how much time it will take to reach Raipur this and that with my little knowledge of Hindi.

Finally the train came and I boarded the train...

for the rest see the second part....

Vadada vari Vivaham

Venakateswar Rao brother's elder son Arun got married to Shravanthi on the 9th of February 2011 in Salur. We all in the family joined together for this great occasion. Wish Arun and Shravanthi a Happy Married Life!