Stimulating Sunday at Glorious Greenfields

Welcome Greenfield farm. It is Zenobia (Zen) and Sarosh Rustomfram’s dream that has come true with their efforts of 2+ decades. 

Participating in Zen’s professionally tailored activities based on Outward Bound  while connecting with ‘Mother Nature’ at Greenfield is an enlightening experience. Various groups from different walks of life  get benefited from these activities. Can you believe that it just through word of mouth; no publicity via website, advertisement etc is needed! Today members of ‘Seva Counseling Centre’ are participating in activities. Aim is to enhance their counseling skills while enjoying together, away from city’s hustle-bustle.

Zen is psychologist and works as counselor with NASR school and ISB. Zen explains that ‘Outward Bound’ is an old outdoor pursuit inspired during WW II (year 1941) to enhance young sailor’s capacity as a team member to excel in difficult and daunting tasks. This technique had protected young sailors from succumbing to the torpedo like dangers of the Atlantic Convoys.

Zen and Sarosh’s memories about Greenfield’s inception and growth are still fresh in their minds. Two decades ago, Sarosh was totally involved in his family business, ‘Rustom Bar’ at Koti that is busiest area of Hyderabad.  Zen was also busy as psychologist and counselor.  Sarosh used to miss his tea estates at Assam dearly. One day, they decided to listen to their heart and bought these 2 acres of land that was stamped as infertile in those days.  With their efforts and arrangement of water source, presence of single tree is enhanced to un-countable trees now.  Multi-facility farmhouse caters to all needs now but initial make shift home in Ambassador Dickey is still fondly remembered :)

When first camp of ‘Outward Bound’ was initiated, Zen was not sure if participant would show up on successive day. However, Zen was pleasantly surprised when participants came before time as they had found strong content in Zen’s program and there was no looking back from that time. 

Did you know Greenfield attracts many migratory birds from nearby Gandipet Lake?  Can you listen to the bird chirping; are they announcing their happiness about fruit bearing trees reserved for them at the farm?  Look at these busy squirrels & dancing butterflies making the atmosphere livelier. Colorful blossom on trees is indicating the arrival of spring. 

Wow Sevaites have reached before 9:30 am, their allocated time. Zen and Sarosh are joined by Benzer the Labrador in welcoming and guiding the guests  to classroom. Does classroom remind you of Shanti-Niketan?  Enjoy nature in absence of walls but be assured about roof’s protection from heat and rain.

Plato’s quote on blackboard is saying it all: You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. 

Zen is mischievously pointing to adventure activity related equipments on adjacent ground but what is her real plan? Well, Pandora’s Box of surprises is slowly opening.

As first activity, randomly form pairs. Exchange fact about individual that group does not know, share feeling at particular moment and mention thought coming to mind.

As second activity, complete funny but virtually impossible task. Observation and repetition can lead to perfection.

Now Zen is taking the group to show how yield of farm is consumed at farm itself.  Cattle hay is grown at farm for the pair of plouging bulls. There are lot of fruits and crops like groundnut, wheat and vegetables like tomato etc. Effort is made to remain 80% organic. Compost manure is produced in the farm itself. Scientific approach of growing pest preventing plantations seemed really appreciable.  

Group is experiencing nostalgia about school days while testing raw tamarind. Zen is explaining characteristics of all plants; it is known that Neem tree possesses cooling properties but it is not known that tamarind’s warmth can lead to fever after 2-3 hours.

Zen is now suggesting that each participant should spend 10 minutes at their favorite spot in farm and bring back natural thing that would relate to trait of own personality.

Let’s exchange thoughts those were discussed in first activity and share relation of nature with own personality. Collected natural items are like Crossandra  (Aboli) seed, fruits like sweet lime, coconut, tomato vegetable, flowers like Jasmine, Hibiscus, curry leaf and Bougainvillea, tender leaf  of Mango, grass,  hay, pebbles, ash, wind etc.  Everyone is feeling the peace after finding own natural connection. Thought exchange and sharing of feelings is important for counselors.

Series of showers on sunny Sunday are stimulating surroundings and glorifying greens at Greenfield.

Third activity is completion of logical group task under specific restrictions. This is thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking activity for leaders and followers to build team spirit.

Last activity is about challenging human sense organs to express and respond to mutual faith.

Simultaneous to activities, delicious breakfast, lunch, snacks and tea (with biscuits/popcorn) are being personally served by gracious and charming hosts at appropriate times.

Activities leading to adrenaline rush like Burma Bridge etc.  are reserved for next visit.

 

Never realized how day passed and it is time now to give feedback, convey thanks to Greenfield team and bid goodbye. 

The experience will be cherished forever.

"Contriving Celebration with Celebrity"

He is path setter, celebrity, famous anchor, has interviewed "who's who" including ‘President Abdul Kalam’ ! There was so much of excitement about meeting ‘Sudhirji Gadgil’ in person to invite for parent’s golden anniversary. 

Location for Sudhirji’s  residence seemed tastefully chosen; cool breeze from nearby water body  and positive vibes from adjacent meditation center were enhancing the serenity of the place. Door to Sudhirji’s artistically decorated sweet home was already open & we were welcomed with warm “Namaskar” (greetings) as if we were old friends. 

Sudhirji was multitasking - discussion with colleague, playing with Neel – his bubbly grandson, ensuring comfort of guests who had gathered for family function, receiving successive work related calls involving leaders from politics and industry -  all simultaneous activities. Sudhirji seemed habituated to note all information in his brain. His driver acted as backup arrangement by reminding about important activity when missed. 

Plan for next day’s Mumbai tour after previous day’s Ratangiri tour showed his high energy levels that he claimed to receive from his bond with people. Sudhirji shared another secret of his health & energy as early morning walk in Saras Baug.

We were introduced to all family members - eldest Mom who is active in nineties, youngest grand daughter who is just 2 months old, architect son, charming daughter-in-law, advocate daughter & techie son-in-law. Sudhirji’s better half was smiling at us from photo decorated with fresh flowers.  Her presence was felt more from Sudhirji’s fond memories.

Each memento in the home had interesting story to share. 'Punyabhooshan Award' (Jewel of Pune) represented historical incident about Pune inception by King Shivaji. Awardee for Punyabhooshan are generally leaders from respective fields; in Sudhirji’s case, he is not only leader, his field of 'compering' itself is initiated by him. Sudhirji is lucky to be able to take up hobby of ‘people interaction’ as profession. Though being qualified in finance field, Sudhirji took bold step of choosing journalism. He thanked his soul mate  & thoughtful Mom for being supportive in his decision. 

“You ought to be deserving person if you are interviewed by Sudhirji” these words engraved on copper plate by ‘Shiv Sena’ founder 'Balasaheb Thakre' say it all.It was surprising to see drawing personally made by legendry writer and humorist  'P. L. Deshpande'. There were precious photos too – one sitting next to 'President Abdul Kalam' and another with singer queens 'Lataji' and 'Ashaji'.

We felt honored when Sudhirji accepted to accompany us to our parent’s place. Sudhirji’s humble nature surprised us when he bowed to our parents as mark of respect. He immediately created bond with father as both were N.M.V. alumni. Association with various social organizations, Madu friend circle from his BMCC college, knowledge of various food joints being foodie himself helped to strike the chord further. 

Sudhirji sat with our family for interesting discussion about various topics. We like “Indian Common Citizens”, were eager to know his judgment about current politics. It was interesting to get few pointers about his information network. He shared  innovative ideas about own shows like 'Varasa' (Inheritance) that brings successful successive generations on one dais and also about family documentaries that were admired by TOI under series ‘Packaging Grandpa’.  

He shared many anecdotes from his wide experience of being editor, advertising slogan writer, show producer at Doordarshan, other TV channels and organizations like Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City etc. 

We shared nostalgia with old memories about Babasaheb Purandare's live shows portraying King Shivaji at 'Renuka Swaroop' grounds and Sudhirji Phadke's 'Geet Ramayan' at 'New English School' grounds. We Puneites laughed at ourselves referring to famous 'Puneri Patya' (Suggestion Boards) & 'Puneri Bana' (Attitude).

We had always admired Sudhirji’s knack of pulling leg without offending others. After noticing my ignorance in handling new gadget, Sudhirji seriously asked, “You are an engineer, right?”. I joined others in laughter. 

We felt this meeting should continue for some more time but Sudhirji had an appointment at his favorite meeting joint 'Roopali'.

We bid him good bye. We are looking forward to watch his program 'Mulkha Vegli Manse' (Path-breaking Personalities) and benefit from his rich experience and high energy levels. 

Hats off to you Sudhirji.