A Scenic Journey, Family Bonds, and Factory Wonders: Our Eventful Trip to Bangalore

 As per our original plan, my wife and I had booked tickets on an Air India flight to attend my sister Hema's son Vadiraj's wedding. Unfortunately, the flight was cancelled about a month ago. After discussing alternatives, we decided to book seats on the Vistadome train for a more scenic experience. We reserved seats on train number 16576, the MAJN-YPR Express, which operates from Mangalore Junction (MAJN) to Bangalore Yesvantpur Junction (YPR) on Mondays,Wednesdays, and Fridays. The train departs from Mangalore Junction at 11:30 AM and arrives at Yesvantpur Junction by 8:45 PM, covering the distance in approximately 9 hours and 15 minutes. It passes through 15 major stations along the way, offering a comfortable and picturesque journey through the Western Ghats before reaching Bangalore.

This alternative allowed us to enjoy a unique travel experience, with the added bonus of scenic views along the way. We booked tickets in the Vistadome compartments, specially designed train coaches to enhance the travel experience. These coaches come equipped with large windows, a glass-domed ceiling, and comfortable seating, offering passengers a 180-degree view of the surrounding scenery. The Vistadome provides a unique and immersive journey, allowing travellers to connect with nature and enjoy the natural beauty along the route.

Here are some key features of the Vistadome:

• Expansive Windows: The large panoramic windows offer unobstructed views of the breathtaking landscapes outside, ensuring passengers don't miss any scenic vistas.
• Glass Rooftop: The glass-domed ceiling allows natural sunlight to pour in during the day, creating an open and airy atmosphere, and offers passengers the chance to stargaze during nighttime journeys.
• LCD Screens: The Vistadome coaches are equipped with LCD screens, although they primarily display welcome messages in English and Hindi rather than entertainment programs.
• Printed Ceiling Wallpaper: The ceiling is adorned with printed wallpaper that features advertisements, adding a touch of personalization to the interior design.

These thoughtful additions make travelling in the Vistadome a much more engaging and scenic experience than traditional train compartments.

To enjoy the lush green landscapes along the Mangalore to Sakaleshpur route, we purposely planned our journey during September, a month known for its vibrant greenery thanks to the monsoon rains. This time of year transforms the Western Ghats into a stunning visual experience, making it the perfect season for our trip.

As is our routine before any travel, we inform our car driver, Mr. Vitala Nayak, a day in advance to ensure smooth transportation to the railway station. On this occasion, my wife Shreemathi called Mr. Nayak, who drives for "Sarathi," and arranged for him to pick us up at 9:30 a.m. on the 4th of September, 2024.

Preparations for our departure to Bengaluru began well in advance, with everything being set up the day before. Shreemathi took charge, ensuring that all the details were handled, including an important task: informing our son, Arun, to take care of our dog, Timon, during our absence. The name Timon was inspired by the loyal and witty character from Disney's The Lion King, and it felt like a fitting choice, given its positive connotations. Initially, our children came up with the idea, and I thought it was perfect, too. However, Shreemathi decided to change the name to Thimma, giving it a more traditional touch. Thimma seems to suit him better, and he has grown fond of the name.

With all the arrangements in place, we looked forward to our scenic train ride, knowing everything at home would be well taken care of.

As expected, the Sarathi car arrived promptly with Mr. Vital Nayak, our seasoned and ever-reliable driver. During the journey, we engaged in an interesting conversation about various issues surrounding the Manipal Group. We reminisced about its rich history and the key figures who contributed to making Manipal what it is today. Like us, Mr. Nayak, who has a deep respect for the people responsible for the Manipal experiment, shared his admiration and insights.

In just under an hour, we reached Kankanadi Junction. With about thirty minutes to spare, we decided to grab some snacks for the journey ahead. Right on schedule, the train departed at 11:30 AM. The Vistadome, as anticipated, had two bogies, and surprisingly, it wasn't fully occupied. While the service on the train wasn't quite up to the Vande Bharat Express standards, they offered coffee and lunch for purchase. However, the real highlight of the Vistadome was the breathtaking scenic beauty, which is simply unmatched.

Although the intermittent rain somewhat hampered our view and made photography challenging, the allure of the Western Ghats was still captivating. Shreemathi enjoyed the dry grapes she had thoughtfully packed from home, while I couldn't resist buying a couple of Maddur Vadas from Sakaleshpur railway station. These iconic snacks, originating from the town of Maddur in Mandya, about 80 kilometres from Bangalore, are quite different from the usual vadas. Unlike the typical doughnut-shaped vadas, Maddur Vadas are large, circular, and made with flour, onions, semolina, and spices, fried to crispy perfection on the outside while staying soft inside. Once I start munching on them, I find it hard to stop!

After we passed Sakaleshpur, the excitement waned a bit, and the journey felt long as it takes almost the entire day to reach Bangalore. Finally, we arrived at Yeshwantpur Station at 8:30 PM, concluding a scenic, memorable, albeit lengthy, trip.

Instead of searching for accommodation near Yeshwantpur, I booked an AC retiring  room at the railway station. Upon arrival, Mr. Kemparaja, the manager, warmly greeted us, who promptly handed us the key to Room A2. The room was spacious, with two clean beds, fresh linens, and a comfortable rug. The attached bathroom was equally large, with an excellent hot water facility, courtesy of the geyser. The air conditioning was in perfect working order, ensuring a comfortable stay.

After settling in, we had a meal in the room. Later, I took a short trip to the nearby DMart to pick up some daily essentials. Although the station announcements and other ambient sounds disturbed our sleep slightly, we managed to wake up early at 4:30 AM.

We left the waiting room by 5:15 AM to head to the Nandgokula Convention Hall in Girinagar, Bangalore. After negotiating with an elderly auto driver, we agreed on a fare of ₹350 for the 10 km journey. True to his word, the driver dropped us off at the venue precisely at 5:45 AM, making the early morning ride smooth and hassle-free.

At the venue, I met our relative Babuli, who kindly guided us to the room assigned to him so we could store our bags. We waited for the rest of our relatives to arrive, and by around 6:45 AM, they all gathered. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the hall, including Moode, Biscuit Ambade, various sweets, Dosa, coffee, tea, and milk. It was a pleasant meal that everyone appreciated.

Following the priest's guidance, I performed my traditional role of preventing the groom from going to Kashi, a ritual symbolic of keeping him tied to his responsibilities. The silk dhoti I had brought came in handy to maintain the cultural decorum during this part of the ceremony.

I was glad to catch up with many of my relatives, including my Mava (uncle), Bava (Shoka's husband), Somanath Bava (Kasturi's husband), Niskala (my eldest sister Vedavathi's daughter), her children Medha and her sister, Prathik (Shreekala's son), Shridevi and her husband, Raghavendra and his wife, Santhosh and his wife, Prashanth (Shuka's son), Shreemathi, Babuli's wife, their children, and many more. It was a joyful reunion and a great opportunity to reconnect with everyone.

Nikshala kindly invited us to visit her house after lunch, so we finished our meal a bit early and accompanied her by auto to her residence. On the way, she pointed out the spot where Renukaswami's body was found on the day of the tragic incident. Upon arriving, we were warmly welcomed by Nishkala's in-laws, including Venkatramana and her mother-in-law. Medha, Nishkala's younger daughter, had efficiently arranged all the logistics for our visit.

Nishkala took pride in showing us her beautifully renovated home, and I was particularly impressed by the thoughtful engineering work and the well-organized kitchen setup. It was a marvel of both design and practicality, reflecting her attention to detail. She graciously served us a special Kashaya (herbal drink), and to my delight, it tasted like my mother used to make. When I mentioned this, she revealed that my mother had indeed taught her how to prepare it that way—a heartwarming connection to family traditions.

What struck me most about Nishkala was her ability to see only the positive in people. She had a remarkable quality of never speaking negatively about anyone, which is truly something to be admired. Her strong relationships with all our relatives are a testament to this approach. During our conversation, she even floated the idea of organizing monthly gatherings for all our relatives who are settled in Bangalore, a thoughtful way to maintain family bonds and stay connected.

Later, Nishkala insisted that we visit their factory, and we gladly agreed. She immediately arranged an auto to take us to MN Industries, where her husband Mahesh is a partner. Upon arrival, we were introduced to Mahesh and Nagaraj, both partners in the company. Established in 2012, MN Industries has built a solid reputation in the field of Electrical Motors, catering to the needs of ABB Industries and several other firms.

Mahesh gave us a detailed explanation of the operations at MN Industries, and we were pleasantly surprised to learn that some of their products are used in the manufacturing of helicopters. The quality and precision of their work have earned them significant recognition and respect in the industry. During our visit, we also had the chance to speak with Nagaraj, who is a charming and dedicated partner in the business. Mahesh and Nagaraj appeared hardworking and passionate about their operations, making it clear why the business is thriving.

As the time for our return journey approached, we had to leave to catch the Panchaganga Express, which was scheduled to depart from Bangalore Railway Station at 6:50 PM. Nishkala quickly arranged for an auto to take us back to her house, where she graciously served us tea and snacks. We left her home at 5:15 PM and reached Majestic Railway Station by 5:45 PM. After rushing through the station, we waited until the train's departure at 6:50 PM.

The journey back to Udupi was quite comfortable. My alarm woke me up at 4:20 AM when the train reached Mulki, and shortly after, we arrived in Udupi at 4:30 AM. From there, we took an auto and reached home by 4:45 AM, concluding a memorable trip.

 

 

 

Reflections on My Role as a NAAC Mock Team Member at AJ Instiute of Management

The years 2023 and 2024 have provided me with an exceptional opportunity to engage with numerous educational institutions nationwide as a NAAC Peer Team Coordinator. This role has taken me to diverse locations and academic environments, allowing me to assess the quality of colleges and universities, a responsibility I have undertaken with utmost dedication and diligence. The experience has truly been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, where I have had the privilege to interact with esteemed Vice Chancellors, College Principals, and University Professors. Each interaction enriched my understanding and contributed to my professional growth. I am proud to say that I have performed this duty to the best of my abilities, drawing on my knowledge and experience to make meaningful contributions.

Recently, on August 12, 2024, I was invited by my classmate and the current Director of AJ Institute of Management, Jayaprakash Rao, to serve as a Mock NAAC Team Assessor at his institute. This was the second time I had been extended such an invitation, and I was eager to fulfill the responsibility. I began my journey from Manipal at 7:30 AM, arriving at the institute at 9:25 AM. This visit was particularly special as it provided an opportunity to reconnect with my classmates, Dr. Sridhar Shetty and Prof. Nagaraj, alongside Dr. Jayaprakash Rao. It also allowed me to engage with the young and dynamic faculty of AJ Institute of Management.

In preparation for the mock assessment, I thoroughly reviewed the institution’s self-study report for several days. My focus was on understanding every detail to prepare an accurate and comprehensive Peer Team Report. I evaluated the institution based on quantitative and qualitative data, meticulously awarding marks and ensuring a fair assessment. After an exhaustive review, I concluded that the institution deserved a grade higher than an A, a testament to the quality and efforts put forth by the faculty and administration.

Throughout the day, I remained on-site, diligently verifying each criterion and ensuring no detail was overlooked. Dr. Sridhar Shetty played an instrumental role in the assessment process, offering invaluable insights and perspectives to our evaluation.

After a productive and fulfilling day, I returned home to Manipal at around 8:30 PM, reflecting on the experiences of the day. This experience was not only a professional obligation but also a personal journey of reconnecting with old friends, contributing to the growth of an institution, and continuously learning in the ever-evolving landscape of education. As per my evaluation and assessment, AJ Institute of Management should score A Grade, possibly 3.5 to 3.15, the results are based on the benchmarks published by NAAC.