Sankranti '08

The association celebrated the Sankranti '08, much the same way as we did Diwali '07. The celebrations were held over 2 days - 13th and 15th January. On the first day, we'd a Sudoku challenge held by myself for all adults at Palm Court, a carom competition and a cookery competition. Second day saw more of children's competitions, including a spellathon (create words by jumbling up letters from a given bigger word), memory games and a lecture demonstration on picture sketching by Ms.Maya Devadas (107, Palm Court).

On the first day, the Sudoku challenge - supposed to start at 3 pm - somehow managed to get enough people to start off, although 1/2 hour late. Mostly attended by ladies, everybody ruled that the puzzle was in fact quite a challenge! I also tend to agree to it somewhat , because I myself couldn't solve the challenge within the available time! But, unbelievably, two ladies (mother-daughter pair, who're visiting 301, Palm Court) got the puzzle solved, precisely on time! Not many hands tried out the carom competitions, but a few (2 from Palm Court and 1 from Daffodils) came prepared with their lip-smacking snacks for the cookery competition. Thanks to Mr.Sumiran (G1, Palm Court), and Mrs.Shetty (Daffodils), the entires were given a thorough test, from all possible angles! I couldn't hold my curiosity till the judges pronounced their final verdict, since I never saw any of them tasting the snacks anytime during the competition, but kept on asking questions after questions to the contestants!

While I can't hold my surprise at all these, I'm (so are the organizers) quite disappointed with the indifference of people who stay with us, during such occasions. The attendance was scanty, although the president/secretary of the association made all efforts to evoke interest from everybody. But, people seem to be pretty happy at their homes, remain strictly private and mind their own affairs. Given that more than 60% of our apartments are occupied by owners, it was among our expectations that most or all of them will take part in the activities. However, a mere 10% even bothered to come and go in a flash! The events organized with the intent of evincing more participation from owners, evoke interest and engagement from everybody else - our tenants, our neighboring apartments and our guests! Thanks to them, I still rate the events as a great success!

And yes, fortunately, nobody (even among those who didn't attend the events) was averse to giving free-hand to their kids in attending the events. Our kids - counting more than a dozen - were as cheerful and bubbly as ever, and now I can vouch that any event that has their participation is truly blessed with all the grandeur it deserves.

Does all this mean it is safer (for it doesn't hurt much anybody) and much more meaningful to conduct activities only involving kids during all occasions, and expect nothing from elders in the families? I still hope not!

PS: Here are some photos that I took of the first day events.