Comrades facilitation evening

At around 6 pm, The Science Park in PCMC started to witness a barrage of visitors. The stage was set for the felicitation of our Comrades Heroes – CP, KP and VP. To compel them to answer straight from the heart, Avinash Mane and “****” anchored the event and posed probing questions to the guests.

We began with a keynote welcome address followed by a brief video on the Concept of Comrades. The event was attend by more than 100 runners across PCMC – novices, stalwarts and champions like wise.

The auditorium at Science Park was an apt venue for this – Compact stage with projector, comfortable seating for the audience and a learning ambience.

Venugopal shared his experiences on why he did Comrades and blood, sweat and tears that went into it. He stressed the importance on knowing one’s own body, the biomechanics and the science behind running. He articulated his methodical approach to training, diet and race day preparation. He was the epitome of the “Thought” Factor

Bhau,as Kisan Patil, is affectionately called  gave us another dimension. He did not have any thought or strategy nor did not follow any scientific approach. His rural upbringing bestowed him with a naturally strong body and his acquired passion for running got him home easily. He did not quite understand the hype surrounding Comrades. He represented the “flair” aspect.

CP had a training regimen under the guidance of Avinash – bombard yourself with mileage and elevation. Endurance was not a problem for him since he was an ultra-cyclist – an SR (Super Randonneur) who had cycled to Kanyakumari as well. He did make changes to his diet and his running stride to bring about the results. He demonstrated the virtue of “patience”.

Inspiration was in the air and so was the performance of the rising stars of PCMC runners – ordinary men and women who defied the stereotype notions and rose to compete with themselves. The “pillars of support” – self-motivated individuals who sustain the momentum of PCMC runners were also honoured.

Dinnertime offered an opportunity to have informal discussions with the Comrades and fellow runners. An informal Vote of Thanks was proposed to the Event organisers for putting together this fantastic knowledge share spectacle.

To sum it up – the success of the event was enhanced by vibrance and active participation of the fellow runners

Environment Quotes

Plant more green trees,

Helps generate more breeze,

Consider the work done

If, Each one plants one,

 

Don’t be in a haste

Segregate your waste,

Steps have to be drastic,

Ban the use of all plastic,

At Work, Take utmost care,

To prevent accident scare,

Don’t be in a hurry,

Be safe than be sorry,

 

Keep work injury free,

On this, we all agree,

SOPs should be the guide,

Each line we should abide,

Proven before and put to the test,

Tenneco Safety norms are the best,

2018 Pandharpur Wari-Vote of thanks

Vote of Thanks

I would like to propose a formal vote of thanks to all the ICC Core Team, Crew Team, Volunteers, Technicians, backup support staff who made this epic self-actualization journey possible.

We are grateful to all out hosts – Gajanan Maharaj Mandal, Hotel Mauli Krupa, Shivar Garden for the awesome food and the caring nature it was served with.

It would be doing disservice to “The Mauli” if we don’t mention the contribution of Giriraj’s relative (His name) who acted as Vaishnava Dhoot by helping us with the darshan of the “parabhram”

Following are the highlights of the Event –

1)      Revolution –

We know that the Great Saints like Dyaneshwar, Tukaram, Namdeo etc revolutionize the Bhakti Movement. To a large extent ICC has done the same through cycling. It has touched people’s lives and connected the masses. How else can you explain 250 cyclists for the Wari this year from 24 last year.

 

2)      Event Management –

Professional event planning and execution was anyway the hallmark of ICC events. However to pull off something where the route is not a loop and that too with 250 cyclists was nothing short of a miracle. The “cycling jersey” instead of a T-shirt was a masterstroke. The registration fee was minimum – in fact, we wonder how they managed it financially.

The Warkari Sampraday and Hari Paath promises 4 kinds of salvation for all who utter his name – Salookya (Vaikunt) Samipya (close to God) Saroopa (Almost like Him) , Sajujya (Become God/merge into Him).

Similarly, ICC promises to transform the masses in its own way – Just trust them and get involved in this unforgettable experience.

 

2018 Pandharpur cyclewari

Ramkrishna Hari

If my cycle wari the previous year was a spiritual BRM for me, this year’s Wari was a devotional RAAM for me.The success of the Wari and the challenges faced during the return journey has been well documented by the other cyclists and also in my vote of thanks.

Hence, here I wish to deal with my personal experience of this wari.I was not in physical shape at all and infact gained significant weight, but somehow I was sure that with ICC watching my back, I cannot fail. This year they also made me a group leader (how efficient I was is a matter of debate J). Thus I got the title of a dindi leader – leading a group of Warkari in their quest to attain salvation

I prepared a few Abhangs for the road and once again read up the great works of the saints a couple of days before the ride – this dope was enough for me. I did sing all the abhangs I knew on the way to Pandharpur.

I tried to reach early in evening so that I have time to take bath and do darshan without hurry. However things don’t work out the way we plan, it works out the way Vitthu has thought. The Truck with my bag didn’t arrive until 10 pm – but we got a red carpet darshan.

I believe every wari makes a better human being – we realise that our perceptions and thoughts about people are so prejudiced and wrong. Every wari also helps us make new friends which is very important. I see the selfless support provided by ICC team and volunteers and wonder how true  it is “ Kaaya hi Pandhari, aatmaa haa Vitthal”.

The Warikari Sampradaya is the only devotional tradition that is not bound by any caste, region or language bias. Infact it has got the best from Saints who belonged to all castes. The virtue of “Bhakti” overrides everything else. It is based on the principle of “substance over form”. This tradition is the really tailor made for Kaliyug, where we may not be able to follow the scriptures.

I see ICC in many ways, in line with this thinking. They are professionals at event management and can actually do many successful events – but their Core Team has this bent of thought. It is one way of giving back to society and to the Almighty. The ICC core team somehow stands out in this regard. It is said “Gyanadeva rachila paaya” – Gyaneshwar laid the foundation for the Warikari Samprdaya.

I would say that “ICC rachila paaya” to inspire many of us to come out and adopt a healthy lifestyle,reduce pollution and ban plastic. They don’t have any rules – no binding. You are free to express yourself in anyway you want – again similar to the Warkari sampradaya.

The Wari has made me more humble than ever – it has grounded me more- removed any bit of ego I had and I look forward to serve people and help achieve ICC goals.

Finally – yeh dil maange more – Aashadi la Pandhari, Kartikila Shirdi – may be be possible J

Ram Krishna hari