Senior Citizens’ Forum organized Teej and Group Travel – V.K. Gauba As a normal practice, Forum for Welfare of Senior Citizens organizes two trips in April and October every year. Even though 24 Senior Citizens traveled to Ranthambore in April, 2024, a trip was organized from 20.8.2024 to 23.8.24 to Odisha (Puri and Bhubaneswar), in which 25 persons made the trip.
We traveled to Bhubaneshwar by air from Delhi on 20th August. One representative of the Travel Agent traveled with the group throughout. From Bhubaneswar Airport, we were taken to Puri hotel by coach. Same day, we went to Jagannath Temple, Puri. Guide and temple pujari were fixed by the Travel Agent. The Jagannath Temple was found to be utterly lacking in cleanliness and good management. The steps inside were wet and dirty. One wondered that with so much money collected from a huge number of devotees, the Temple management is so inefficient in proper up-keep.
The next day, we went to Konark Sun Temple. It was a contrast; the surroundings and the area were absolutely clean. A guide explained the history of the Temple. Our Group had many photographs. The sun was very bright but it was breezy. Everybody in the group carried sweet memories of the Konark Sun Temple.
The next stop in the evening was Golden Beach. While the more enterprising went into the Bay of Bengal water, those quite old preferred to take seats in chairs, enjoying the sight of waves and the men floating therein. The group members did not miss the Tambola session sitting in the Hotel. They also had a game of Tambola, songs and some games while traveling in the bus.
The next day, we went to Chilka Lake. The local people informed us that as many as 52 rivers confluent into the Lake. The weather was very pleasant and there was a pleasant breeze. Boating continued for about 100 minutes.
Next we came to Bhubaneshwar. Our Hotel there greeted the group members by applying tilak and putting vastra (patka) around every member’s neck. Visit to Lingaraj Temple there was not pleasant as it was a repeat story of Jagannath Temple in terms of cleanliness.
All group members returned to Delhi with very pleasant memories of the trip. Remembering and uttering some words, which were very special to the film “Sholay in the bus” by one of the senior members, marked the glorious moment on the trip.
I do not want to forget that the Forum celebrated the festival of Teej on the 7″ August, 2024 at the Recreation Centre. Teej, as you know, is associated with the month of Saawan’. Members came to attend the function in green attire. About 150 senior citizens celebrated the festivity. The programme included Saawan ke geet including Kajree, ramp walk and dances, which were very lively. There was a lot of fervor amongst the ladies. Main organizer was Mrs. Meena Kapur, who organized rehearsals to come out with perfection.
