For the purpose of promoting and encouraging the homemade Goodudeepas Bhandary varthe and Bhandary youth warriors organized a Goodudeepa competition for this deepawali. It was decided as, if the willing participants call us and inform their details, our team will go to their home and verify their home made lights and then to decide and award prizes. The team with Avinash Bhandary, Pradeep Bhandary, Kishore Sornad, Krishnanand Bhandary Shakti Nagar and me, Manoraj Rajeeva went to the informed houses. Our journey of competition started from chokkabettu of Suratkal.
When we reached Chokkabettu Bhandaryhouse in Suratkal, we got a very grand and warm welcome. We Received the hospitality they hosted, check out the lamp they made and captured a couple of photos and recorded their details. Their lamp was attracted but their joint family of 22 members attracted us more. The elderly pillar of the house Appi bhandary her children, nieces, son-in-law, daughters in law grandchildren their intimate friendship, intimacy, the laughter, the atmosphere, everything made us enjoy the feast. Within that short time we became one in their family. We walked from there, hoping that the lamp of their home “Appi Bhandary” should always be lit up in the house and We gave them the sweets and festival greetings while returning they offered us the gourds that were grown in their garden.
From their we straight away travelled to Ramakunja Kedila near Uppinangadi. While we reached the home of Karnataka State Road Rransport employee Mr. Prakash Bhandary and smt. Vishalakshi, we received a warm welcome. They hosted us beyond our expectation. Their special lamp drew our attention, which was very attractive. When we asked about it, they showed their hands towards their elder daughter, an eighteen years old girl sitting in a chair, who is partially handicapped both her legs. But anybody who looks at her skills should have a shock. She has passed her 10th standard in distinction, she is well versed in drawing and painting. She’s just amazing in creating art using coconut shell, woolen thread and more on. The lamp prepared by Pragathi, her sister Prakruthi, who scored 98% in the SSLC examination last year, and her brother Vikyath was mind blowing. By Offering the sweets and festival greetings to them and photographing some happy moments of their home and the lamp we left from their. Though we left the only thing which was in our mind was Pragathi. We decided to help that talented girl with the help of Bhandary varthe, Bhandary Youth Warriors, and some of Bhandary relatives.
I can never forget this festival that we celebrated with the Bhandary friends and family. Im very thankful for Bhandaryvarthe for giving this wonderful experience.