FROM THE DESK OF PRADEEP KUMBHAT: November 2012

The 8^th Trk Family Meet was held at Ostra, a tiny village around 80 km from Jodhpur city from 21^st October 2012 to 23^rd October 2012. The venue was selected at a Jain temple site that is nestled in the lap of foothills.

It was great feeling to reach at the secluded place blessed with abundant nature bounties. Fresh and clean air, sweet water, neat and hygiene food and above all smiling villagers chanting bhajans at Ma Sachaiya’s temple at the top of hills were refreshing. The white marbled temple with its beauty and peaceful atmosphere had given special solace and energy to us. The lodging and boarding arrangement were at the Guest House of temple which was fully equipped with all amenities and well appointed rooms and a big hall for organizing cultural events.

Venue was selected near Jodhpur keeping in consideration limitation of movement by Baiji and Ashok.

The meet programme was organized at the behest of Niranjan Mohnot duly supported by Induji and Beenu. Their uninstinted efforts made it sure that everybody come and participate. We were 36 members present at venue out of 47.

Her Leadership Mrs Vineeta Kumbhat had circulated minute details of the each programme well in advance. She also talked to each and every member of the family personally and encouraged them to participate.

On 21^st October, programme was started with homage to Baosa and honoring to meritorious students in the family. The medals were given away to Akshya,Payal and Chinki who triumphed in the professional examinations. Charmi was also honoured with medal for scoring 100% in 10^th Board. Then we had series of different events.

Presentation by kids: Multilple topics were on agenda for presentation : My prospective bridegroom; If I were a girl and My dreams. Arpit came out with a beautiful theme, “If I were a girl” on audio video presentation and judges obliged him with first prize. Dimple was cheered by crowd and she bagged 2^nd prize for her humorous presentation on “My prospective bridgegroom”.

Many games were played in the afternoon session on 21^st by Chandu bhabhiji, Induji and evening was meant for outdoor games and Arti and Bhajans in temple. Late evening was followed by Dandiya and competition of popular film songs. At 12 midnight we all retired for rest. However, some of us went to temple site on hill where “Rati Joga” was in progress. Neeru was privileged to sing alongwith local ragis with his bhajan..”ranucha ra raja….”

The 22^nd was designed for the whole day programme. A lively debate on contemporary topics like The Merits and demerits of Face Book, Watching cricket is a waste of time, Junk Food Vs Regular food, Organised day routine Vs unregulated routine, Live in relationship Vs marriage, Bahu should be treated as Bahu or daughter. Renu-Raju, Niranjan and Arpit as a group were adjudged as best debators. This was followed by another interesting game of Quiz by Beenu. Ashok/Chinkiand Prasan/Sumit bagged the prizes.

Mimicry organized by Beenu was participated wholeheartedly by one and all. Chinki and Chinku done wonderful job by copying habits of their father and mother respectively.

Evening was meant for bhajans and dance competition. As usual, both kids and elders took participated in the events. Finally Arpit and Kshitij were chosen best couple dancer as they performed on Punjabi Rap. And as usual Nupur stole the show with her unassuming performance. All attitude and intellectual games were won by ladies of the family viz Renu, Anju,Sunitaji. Late evening after 11 pm was reserved for gossiping.

Numerous games were also played among them special Housie on family nicknames by Ashaji and Chnki, the games of proverbs and cinema names by Induji

23^rd October was the concluding day. The presentation ceremony was honoured by Bhai sab and Jijaji Grodhan sa. All winners were awarded with prizes, as a gesture of affection. While appreciating the efforts of youngsters and ladies of the family, Bhai sab expressed happiness on participation of each and every member of the family. Her leadership Mrs. Beenu kumbhat also thanked to all for coming all the way from different locations and participating in all events. With the resolution of house the responsibility of organizing next family event was passed on to Chinki our own Nupur. Anuranjan wanted more creative ideas and something different in performance particularly in cultural events. He has promised he would come out some very excellent idea in next meet.

The most important feature of this programme was that all Bahus of family played very active role in all events. The mimicry by Shilpi was just excellent, Priya also obliged the crowd. And children enjoyed the most by playing in sand. The joy of Rishu, Adi and Akshi was the star of attraction.

In category of 1 to 5 years, our kids Nandini and Adi in Dance and singing sequel, Akshi, Adi, Rishabh and Nandni, in Dandia enthralled the crowd.

Neel Kamal and Chandu bhabhiji were in full traditional costume in Dandia and ideally won the best dressed participants.

Sunitaji and Renu in Mind twister, Renu and Anju in Mobile character, Kshitij and Renu in Card Game, Chinki, Shilpi, Kartik and Arpit in Fancy Dress, Chinki and Anju in Song quiz, Kaku and Anju in letter filling made their strong presence felt.

Our great musician and singer Kartik made our evenings very soulful and melodious with his Synthesizer and sweet voice. His gazal “Chithi na Sandesh……” made the crowd jittery. Beenu and many audience could not stop their eyes being mist. Chinki our own Lata Mangeshkar made the crowd emotional with her gazal ….”Aaj Jane ki jid no karo….”. Ideally both were chosen as the best singers.

As usual Raju and his whole family entertained the audience with his trade mark group dance and copying Bhabhiji and Jain sab. Kshitij with his mummy and papa enchanted the spectators with his prop dance. Our Anju made the family immerse in the meditation with her early morning yoga session and she herself lost in deep meditation when danced on Rajasthani songs. The parody of the singer presented by Beenu Pradeep was also appreciated by the crowd.