SPARK, what an event!
After coming back to India, I felt like I should get into stuff that could keep me from getting bored!
Now that Salsa intermidiate classes are over so what next? Hmm..what else could I do?
How does one pass time in his company? Work Work ..naaaah.

Lets teach the kids, as soon as this idea popped out of my brain, I contacted E&R (education and research) guys.And immediately I got a mail from Brijesh, who I later came to know is a gem of a person. More on him later but yeah he initiated me into CTY and Spark initiatives.

On 31st of January, Spark and CTY events were organized in Infosys. Being a socialy responsible coprporate, Infosys invites class 8th students for a competitive exam. Selected students from CTY get opportunity to work for 2 months in Infosys production projects.

Considering my experience (common I am not that old yet :( ), I had to keep teachers, wards and senior students engaged. Being a tutotr for 7 years, I knew that handling senior students and teachers won't be easy. But one can't shy away in front of juniors :), specially the fairer sex. So, I was ready for the dreadful encounter fearing the kind of questions that could pop out of such a crowd.

Event was well planned, volunteers were assigned due responsibilities and backup were also put in place. On 31st, all of us were ready to meet the young guns from all strata of Hyderabad schools.

Volume of participants is a story in itself; Arrangements were in place for approx 600 but its anyones guess what transpired when over 1000 participants eventually turned up.

Chaos is the word that come to mind, isn't it?

Man, was it a Chaos! aye, it surely was. But there was such a symmetry amidst the huge chaos, students in all the directions, in different uniforms. I closed my eyes to enjoy the moment, all I could hear was interference of different notes and syllables. No meaninful conversation could be heard but still it was beautiful. I don't know if this happens with others too but I have a habit of going back down the memory lane, revisiting similar events from my life.

Toughest task of the day was to segregate 8th std kids from other kids of same school and to keep a mapping of room and school so that their wards can track the students. Task was further complicated by the requirement that guys and girls should be in different rooms, thanks to Women special sessions :).
Nari Shakti key samney natmastak!

Eventually, I reached the hall and tried to settle down the crowd by getting into active one to many conversations. Oh dear, there were so many stunners; I got in touch with 4 smart guys from some school named Oak Ridge (I hope I got it right). One of these guys asked me, "Why did you come back from US?". Though, I had answered this question so many times but it got difficult for me. They were unable to appreciate that some people prefer working in home country even if it's India.Blame the pre recession US hype amoung Andhrites, which has still not died.
Phew, except when it comes to marrying ones duaghter to a poor IT chap in US!

Now how many of us believe in coincidence? My hand is up in support.

After the tiresome 4 hours, myself and Sunita (who was also in same hall as mine) were about to go for first tea break. Suddenly, one of Oak ridge guy (aye, coincidence) got severe Asthma attack, he was about to faint. To save the time, we took this smart guy in Sunita's car to the nearest pharmacy where he got the puff. But it was only temporary so we took him to Apollo and finally to CARE center in Jubille Hills.

Though I was tense because of the kid's condition but what was driving me crazy was deadly combination of Sunita's fast and nervous driving. Probably, she was worried for what if we make it late to the hospital.

Eventually, we arrived back just in time. Event was over! but we didn't miss the photo sessions :)

It was an eventful day that started with a calm prayer, had it's share of excitement, thrill and drama.
But like bollywood movies, day ended on a happy note:)

Finally, my take at end of day; such events are great not only 'coz one gets chance to contribute to society but also 'coz one's friend circle increases many fold and never forget the happiness factor :)