Family get together a new concept started by my parents’ family way back in 1997. Our first get together was held in Mount Abu. Subsequently we had such Meets at different places such as Ranakpur, Nathdwara (3 times), Bhilwara, Rishikesh and again in Mount Abu.
Cherishing the idea my in laws followed the suit. And afterwards we had wonderful Meets at different locations such as Mussoorie, Silvasa, Jodhpur, Pushkar, Udiapur, Mount Abu, Saputara, and Falna.
Though family member do meet during marriages or at any social functions. But to bring all of them at a single platform is a big task. Besides, during family functions, most of the family members are occupied in discharging their various duties and therefore they hardly get time for spending quality together. Especially female members are always busy in kitchen.
Therefore, the basic idea behind such meetings was to encourage participation of all family members so that the new generation can know about their cousins, grandparents, Mamas, Chachas, buas, Phuphas, Masi, Mausa and so on. Member do come from different parts of the world, therefore they do bring rich experience to share with other family members. Lot of learning takes place. The love, affection, brotherhood and sacrifices are shared. Indeed this is an exercise in building great institution in itself.
Normally such gathering takes places after every two to three years. For us three different families are there, so normally after 18 months or so one such Meet happens.
The responsibility of organising such event is taken by any one unit of the family for next summit on last or concluding day of each Meet. This time the whole programme was oranised by Ganpat Kaka at Pushakar, near Ajmer from 13th to 15th August 2011. The meet was from my wife’s parental side so ideally can be called “Bhandari Family Meet”. We are total 119 members and out of this 95 members (both domestic and NRIs) were present at the venue known as “Ananta Resort”, an excellent property with all the facilities one would dream for an ideal location. The Resort made in the Indonesian Architecture, is in the midst of a green carpeted valley, with water bodies, long walk ways, asthetically landscapped gardens, chirpping birds, gives you a serene and tranquil feeling.
The day one started with tying rakhies by all sisters to their brothers and bhabhis. This one hour programme was followed by Title giving ceremony by Singhvi family from KOTA. THEN THE SERIES OF WHOLE DAY PROGRAMME STARTED. LIGHT HUMOUR SKIT, WHO WOULD BE MY DREAM PARTNER, CHESS, CRICKET, FANCY DRESS, SONGS, DANCES AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST LATE NIGHT GOSSIPING WERE THE ORDER OF THE DAY.
The second day was again full of activities, swimming, morning walk, quiz, debate, Presentation on Virasat, were the programme upto lunch. Evening was meant for grand celebration on the occasion of Golden Jubilee Celebration of Gunpat Kaka. The whole programme was coordinated by Kaushal. It was a show of around 3 hours and almost all family members participated in various programmes like drama, poetry, profile reading and so on. And late evening was followed by disco dance by all and sundries. Some of the events which really will be remembered long time to come are:
1. Mimickery by Manoj : Ashok Gehlot and Justice Bhandari
2. Recipe Book : By Usha Bhandari
3. Interview on TV : Barkha Bhandari with Justice Singhvi and Ashok Bhandari (IPS-Rtd)
4. Who will be my dream partner : Presentation by Preksha, Vabhiv and Palak
5. Mimickery by Shail Kothari : Dadisa
6. Songs : Avi Mehta, Tanaya and Jaisal
7. Dances : Gaurv and Anshi, Prachi, Nandani, Arti
8. Presentation on heredity traits : Virasat by Preksha and Prateek
9. Fancy dress with theme presentation : Arpit (Sunny deol), Beenu (Rakhi Sawant), Smt Vandana Bhandari-Sonia Gandhi, Sh Subhash Bhandari : Manmohan Singh
10. Poetries : Sh Mohan Singhsa, Sh Daulat Singh sa, Sh Gulab Singhsa, Sh Shanta Bhandari
11. Chess : Mr Justice Singhvi
Song skit and Debates were notable programmes (peformed by me and Beenu) appreciated by all. Mohan Bade papa added special flavours to debate.
The third day was 15th August, our independence day. National anthem and patriotic songs rendered by Barkha and Usha didi enthralled the hall. This was followed by prize distribution ceremony. A visit to Pushkar Temples was in our itinerary. The Monsoon showers welcomed us in the town of temples and rose flowers. After visit to temples, the sumptuous Rajasthani meal (dal, bati, churma etc) made our day. And our Meet was concluded with a vote of thanks to Chair - Mrs. Kamla Mohnot.
Everybody is looking for next Meet. Yes….to be organised by Shri Mohan Singh sa who simply jumped to the mike and announced taking the responsibility. Great indeed. Hats off to him.
