Completed 4 years at Jain College of Engineering

September 26th,2011, I joined Jain College of Engineering as a faculty in the department of Master of Computer Applications. The joy in the eyes of my parents was so touching. My daughter was only 8 months old. I was excited as it was my first job and a proud feeling of being the first employee to join a department whose seeds had just been sowed. The journey began with Prof Praveen Banasode and Prof Ramu Rendale as my colleagues and Prof Praveen Chitti as head of Department. Dr D.H.Rao sir was the Principal and Director. All these people motivated me to start my journey on a positive note.

         A heart full of gratitude to the management members of JCE for starting the MCA course and for having given me an opportunity to serve in this esteemed institution. I thank all the interview panel members (Prof G.B.Deshpande, Prof S.R.Mangalwede and Prof Anita Deshpande) for having short-listed me.
The memories of my first day in college are still fresh in my mind. The first person i met was Prof Veena Gadad from Computer science department in the CAED lab. Engaged in a converstaion with her and went on to become good friends. I miss you madam. Then i was asked to be seated with Prof Salma mam and Prof Sarita who were faculty members of Electronics and Communication department. They both used to guide me. They made me aware of the different rules and regulations at JCE. They told me about the tradition at JCE where the day starts with our National Anthem followed by yoga and that whoever joins the JCE family has to introduce themself to the other faculty members in the auditorium. I miss the company of both Salma mam and Sarita mam these days as their department is in a different building. The bell and powder story are unforgettable madam.

In first week of October, the classes for first semester MCA were to begin. Tips and suggestions from Salma mam and Sarita mam kept flowing as I was about to engage my first class. Fundamentals of Computer Organization and a part of Professional Communication and Ethics were the subjects alloted to me. My husband helped me to prepare my first lecture which was on digital electronics. First day the strength of students was 7 in number. Later it increased and the final strength was 59(availability of seats was 60).

We three of us i.e Praveen sir, Ramu sir and me, had to start everything from scratch. Praveen sir handled C programming and some part of Professional Communication and Ethics and Ramu sir handled Data structures. Ashok Hulkund sir handled Discrete Mthematics.It was a huge responsibility given to us. We were able to manage it under the able guidance of Prof Chitti. There were initial teething troubles which we handled with care. During the same month we had an outbound activity cum Fresher’s welcome at Shangri-La. Memorable moments. Day by day I got to learn new things. Later Odyssey fest which included the paper presentation event. We had sports event for faculty members which I really enjoyed playing. The annual sports day conducted at JCMM campus, in which I was the referee for the final volleyball match for the boys was a moment to cherish because I was happy being back on the playground. Avensis was another grand event and a small special memory of that evening brings a smile to my face.

Everything started well and things went on falling in place. It was a challenge for me to handle the pioneer batch of students who were smart and intelligent. But it was fun to teach them too. Learnt many things from them. After a year, few more faculty members joined the department. Prof Saraswati, Prof Pavankumar Chitawadgi, Prof Megha Kulkarni and Prof Gurpreet Kaur. We all got along and started working together for the betterment of our students. We all are a combo pack. Praveen sir is the staff coordinator, a hardworking person and a singer too. Pavan sir is famous for his personality, cool attitude and his lunch box which contains a variety of items. Saraswati mam is known for multitasking and is a good artist. Megha mam is a perfect entertainer, devotee of Shri Krishna, an awesome cook and good at programming too. Gurpreet mam is a nature lover, hygiene conscious and is fond of photography. We all used to sit together for lunch . Later Madhukar Desai sir joined us and debate over lunch on various topics was fun. We all had performed a skit for staff day which was scripted by Saraswati mam and Pavan sir. Full on entertainment. Enjoyed doing it. I still have maintained a copy of that video and burst out laughing every time I watch it. Hats off to their creativity. It is always fun to hear conversation of Megha mam and Saraswati mam. They talk like as though they are Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law.

Lot many activities followed. Time spent with the pioneer batch students is unforgettable as i started my teaching career with them. With every new batch of students I feel more young and energetic. The different activities like visiting Shantai Vridhashram and Mahesh foundation with students added value. An industrial visit to Infosys Bangalore and trip to Dandeli also add to my memories. Took sessions of the game I am passionate about i.e Volleyball for the USM students. Engaged a session on Importance of Communication for MCA students. During these 4 years i have seen my growth as a teacher and still continue to grow. I am a teacher by choice and not by chance. When i see my students of 2016 pass out batch, I wish I could turn back time and enjoy life like them, be naughty, travel around and have fun. They are so full of life.

Mere observation taught me many things. I would like to mention a few people whom I admire at Jain College. Dharwadkar sir, his cheerfulness and presence of mind when he addresses the students during any function. Uday Chandra sir for his discipline. Rao sir for his administration and the way he respects even the people who are very junior to him. Dr K.G.Vishwanath sir for his dedication and hardwork. Dr G.H.Kulkarni sir who is systematic, well-organized and the way he leads and takes care of his faculty members. Dr D.G.Kulkarni sir for his full of life attitude and sense of humor. D.B.Patil sir for his strictness. I am grateful to Kerur sir who guided me on how to write a press note and master of ceremony scripts. Khannai mam and Jayashri Veergoudar mam for completing their Ph.D managing two kids and family. I have known how important it is to have a learned and experienced Head of Department to lead us on the right track.Vinayak Nanoji sir for his brave skill of catching snakes and sense of humor. Chitti sir for his smart work. Niranjan sir for his cheerful nature and application oriented thinking. Pooja Mam, Jagadish sir, Raju kotambri sir,Sachin sir, Amey sir, Ravi Tilaganji sir, Saraswati T N mam, Nivedita mam, S.B.Kulkarni sir, Sadanand sir,Tahir sir and Nita for their simplicity and caring nature. Khajaji sir for his intelligence and do it yourself attitude. All the office staff and Shahnawaz sir for their sincere work and affection. Parwati maushi, Maruti mama, Naveen and Sagar for their early morning greetings which makes my day. This is a limited list of people whom I have interacted with.

The year 2015 had many ups and downs. The ups included The PyBelgaum workshop which I was a part of. This mega- event was a great success and a learning experience for me. Then followed the trip abroad to Singapore to give my first International talk. Those 7 days were just superb with everlasting memories. It was like a dream come true. Thanks to my husband and Ovi.One major thing which hurt me this year was something that happened on May 25th. It was a nightmare and that was a day I realized that some people don’t take a stand when they have to and just let go things. Well it is said that things happen for good only and moreover I felt the people whom I trusted and cared for were not worth it. Two good friends have walked apart from me. From then on I have moved on and have kept my focus on a goal that I want to achieve having faith in God. “When people say they can’t see anything good in you, Hug them, because life can be very difficult for the blind”. There are still many more things to be shared but as I want to restrict the length of my page, these are the limited memories I could share.

Lastly I want to take this opportunity to thank the most important people without whom me doing a job was highly impossible. My parents, my husband, my daughter(Ovi), my mother-in-law, Soumya , Anita aunty and other members of Jakkannavar family and Simu family who have always motivated me and provided me a constant support and still continue to do so. Enjoying motherhood and the responsibility of being a teacher. Looking forward with a hope to create many more cherishable memories here at JCE.

Session about the game of Volleyball

Engaged theory sessions about the game of Volleyball for the students of Universiti Sains Malaysia. It included a brief history of Volleyball and official volleyball rules approved by FIVB (Federation Internationale de Volleyball). I spoke about the playing area,the officials,libero player and all the details concerned to the game.

  

The students of Universiti Sains Malaysia gave me a good response. It was an interective session. The word ‘continue’ coming from the students means alot to a teacher and I was very happy when these students insisted me to continue.

 

This is the first time I have engaged a session about the game I am very passionate about, the game I played for 12 long years and still feel like playing. All my wonderful playground memories came back alive.Indeed very thankful to my friend Bhartesh Patil for giving me this golden opportunity.

An evening at Platinum Jubilee of Arts Circle,Belgaum (1940-2015)

‘Arts Circle Belgaum’, is a central organization, where all the lovers of Art could meet, exhibit their various Arts,witness the same and discuss the merits and thus help the healthy growth of various fine Arts. The red letter day was 27th Jan,1940.

The Platinum Jubilee celebrations were held at Ramnath Mangal Karyalay. During the Inaugural function, the senior artistes as well as the senior members were felicitated who have given of their best to bring glory to the Arts Circle.

Following the inaugural function, there was a Kathak performance by a well known Kathak dancer Smt. Sharvari Jamenis. She is a member of the Spic Macay. She gave a stunning performance.

Flute Accompaniment: Shri. Sunil Avchat

Vocal Accompaniment: Shri. Chinmay Kolhatkar

After that a vocal receital by Pt Kaivalyakumar Gurav, who also spellbound the audience. It was an evening to remember.

Happy to be a member of the Arts Circle.

Luck by chance visit to a site at Navage, Belgaum

January 7th, a bright sunny day, we had just returned from our vacations back to college routine. The faculty from Civil department had planned to visit a site at Navage and have their lunch.

We faculty at MCA dept got to know about this plan. As we (Megha mam, Pavan sir and Minal) were interested in visiting new places, decided to join the others with the permission of our beloved Director and Principal Dr K.G.Vishwanath sir, Head of Civil department Prof Sachin Kulkarni sir and Head of MCA department Dr K.S.Naik sir. They granted us permission to join the Civil department faculty members. We were happy on receiving their permission.

We took our two wheelers and proceeded to the destination at a site which was about a 3 Kms drive from our college. On reaching there, we took a walk around the site, took some selfies and some good photographs. Thankful to Prof V.S. Dolli,who has a very good sense of humour, for the short laughter session.We also came across some peacock feathers lying there.

Then the aroma of the healthy dishes i.e chapatis,different kinds of tasty vegetables and a variety of rice items gave us a kind of gravitational pull towards the Homemade Food Court (I call it a homemade food court because every member had prepared a dish at home and brought it). A special mention about those sweet lime pickles which added more flavour to our food. It was a pleasure to have lunch together at that place under the shade of those huge trees.

It was a kit kat break from the daily routine for everyone. I personally feel such get togethers do help for communication between faculty members of all departments. We all being a member of the JCE family get to know each other and work together and also strengthen the bonding. I called this visit luck by chance because luckily we got a chance to be a part of such a wonderful trip.

It gives me immense pleasure to thank all the management members, our Principal, Head of Civil and MCA departments and all the faculty members of the Civil department for this refreshing visit to Navage.

A living and lively inspiration

Its been years we began our journey of life together, on the road less travelled by,but with every year passing by, I get to know about the treasure of talents hidden in you. Every year you come up with some new and happening activity and I get more inspired. My graph of love and respect for you keeps increasing linearly.

The kind of patience that you have, your perspective of looking at things differently, your simplicity, your hunger for learning, your passion for physics…. In short you are a gem.Very few people know that you are an artist too. A SSLC topper and a great orator. Now you are a keynote speaker and a mentor too. (http://fossasia.org/)

“Simple living, high thinking” perfectly suits you.

I just keep wondering, what more about you I still do not know.

Your mere presence around me motivates and encourages me to keep doing things at my best. Your very thought of we, growing together makes me realize, how lucky i am to have you in my life. You  are truely an inspiration and a role model for me, to keep doing interesting things and moving forward in life.

Every little thing that you do, you do it with perfection.

You have always given me my space to grow.

Indeed very, very lucky to be YOUR wife Praveen!

Thanks for always being there…

Secret of Life Works!

              At five o’clock in the morning, Meera was seated on the bed, thinking of all the things that she had on her to-do list. Meera, a lecturer by profession had her monsoon vacations due to which she dreamt of lot many things like travelling, shopping, playing badminton … the list was endless.But she had almost assumed the role of a complete housewife. Days passed by doing all the household work and spending time with her 4years old cute and naughty daughter with her dreams always on her mind.

            Meera’s husband in the mean time had been to France to participate in a conference. On his way back to Belgaum, his baggage was misplaced by the airport authorities. He came back home without the baggage. After two days he received a call that his bag had been traced, so he opted to collect it from the Goa airport.

            It was a saturday and just last 2 days leftover of Meera’s vaction, so her husband made all plans to take along meera and their daughter Ovi for a long drive to Goa. Ovi was very much excited and eager about the trip.They decided to take the car. It was drizzling. There were two routes to reach Goa, one was via anmod and another via chorla ghat. They opted the anmod route. As he drove the car amidst all nature’s beauty, the road with huge trees on both sides and all the fog was so amazing. Yeh haseen vadiyaan from the movie Roja was the song being played which added to set the mood even more for a romantic long drive. Innocent questions asked by Ovi were like a cherry on the cake.

          A few days before Meera’s vacation commenced, she had read a book entitled “The Secret” by Rhonde Byrne, suggested by one of her good friend and it was all about the law of attraction and belief in ones dreams, to think more about what one wants in life rather wasting time thinking about what they dont want to happen to them. Meera had started working on those lines and had dreamt of a long drive accompanied by heavy rains and a cup of tea at a tupri (small shop roadside) with her better half, inshort some quality romantic time with her husband.

           She suddenly recalled all that and also a dialogue by Shahrukh Khan from the movie “om Shanti Om” which goes as follows “ Itne shidattse maine tumhe pane ki koshish ki hai, ke har zarrene mujhe tumse milane ki saazish ki hai, agar kisi cheez ko dil se chaho, to puri kaynat usse tumse milane ki koshish mein lag jati hai” which means when you wish something from the bottom of your heart, the whole world conspires to give you that. Meera had a voice from within which whispered “The Secret of Life Works!” and in her mind she was grateful to the authorities of Air India for having misplaced his baggage and then tracking it due to which her vacation ended with an awesome trip to Goa.

           Meera’s small and cute family stayed at her husband’s relatives place at Phonda. Her husband’s cousins Rucha and Shreyas were fun to be with because of all their amazing conversations! One thing that Meera could not forget about their stay at Phonda was a squirrel.

A squirrel came down by the windowside everyday as Rucha fed it with biscuits and pomegranate and then it would keep staring at her expecting more of it. Ovi was on cloud nine to see all this happening as she was very fond of animals and moreover the excitement that kids have when they see something which was in their book come live.. Wow! Later they all had a delicious breakfast of aaloo parathas and went for an outing.

They visited various places like the fish museum, a few churches and the highlight for the day was the magnificent Mahalsa Narayani Temple at Verna. In all, their stay at Phona was cherishable.

All things went on pretty well. On their way back to Belgaum, they chose the chorla route. A special mention about the road from the moment you enter Karnataka border to Jamboti, it seemed like a grand welcome for them back to their hometown as it was so beautifully lit up by reflectors. A heartfelt thanks to the contractor of that road due to whom they had a safe journey. Now Meera and family are back to their routine 

and she waits for some more magic of law of attraction!

 

Ovi – adds meaning to my life!

Its just been 3 years 6 months… I gave birth to ovi, my daughter!

During this period i have learnt to enjoy life in its true sense coz there is so much to learn from her..

Innocence and naughtiness drips from her face, she takes a second to cry and the very next moment she forgets for what she was crying when diverted by someone…

A full on “drama queen”… the way she explores new things without any user manual or tutorial, merely by observation and hands on the gadget…

She finds happiness in small-small things, to mention a few:

a drizzle , hailstones, a butterfly, a bedtime story, playing with clay, painting,a rhyme, a simple hug just makes her day!

What a relief her smile provides after i come home from work in the evening, all my tiredness, frustration evaporates in seconds..

Earlier i was never keen on observing things around me… say the butterfly, rainbow, fountain on the way near bogarves, the cows, the pigs, the sheep; but these days i too get excited when i see them moreover coz all these immediately bring a picture of my daughter smiling infront of my eyes.. and automatically even the curve on my face appears( a smile).

Ovi is so very full of life, inspiring,encouraging… She made me realize that we have so much in life to enjoy… n that i cant force her to learn things. i just need to do it myself coz she learns by observing me..

My heart aches when i leave her and go for my job, but somewhere deep in the bottom of my heart a voice, a feeling which says “ovi will learn to be independent and adjust with everyone and gain knowledge from so many people around her”.

The proud feeling that i get to be introduced as ovi’s mom keeps me on cloud nine!

I have been playing the roles of a daughter, a wife, a daughter-in-law, a mother,a friend, a neighbour, a relative, a teacher but this role of a mother is a special one with all the warmth, love, patience, adventure, responsibility and lots more..

And now that she has started going to school, answering her queries is a challenge in itself!

Ovi means “a meaningful stanza” and her presence has really added a meaning to my life..

Love you Ovi!