Video Van rocks Gulbarga!

Wow..as i write this i am very exhausted..the heat is killing and the day began yesterday!

I arrived in Gulbarga at 4:30pm(23rd) last evening met up with Vani (Manager- Karnataka) who was already looking frazzled..We immediately left to fix up arrangements for today.

After much haggling and negotiating we settled for shamianas and went to another place for the chairs..Mr Kattimani was the un-designated driver for the ladies!

After much running around we tucked in a simple meal and went off to bed..

The next morning was another early on..with lots to do,we set off to invite our Gulbarga voices to grace the inauguration..Vani tells me it is at the railway station and the Station master has been very cooperative in giving us permissions..I am thinking..railway station?!!

We started with the District Collector’s office then went on to the DC’s office..both places officials were either busy or on vacation.Government officials are on vacation even if they are working!

We then went to meet Ratna Kalamdar who is the assistant director for Woman and child welfare of Gulbarga district.She agreed to come immediately and also gave Vani lots of leads to conduct trainings at various anganwadis.She promised to be at the inauguration and also set up some organised shows for us.

Elated..we set off making final preparations for the the show in the evening.The Tirikita team works hard as we running around in the scorching heat.We decide to do a check of the van.

The Van looks great with new partner logos etc..and the Video loop works like a charm.Amen!

Finally the clock strikes four and we leave for the venue.Its nearing 4:30pm and the pandol guy is no where on site.He finally arrives giving the evergreen excuse of traffic..What would he say in Mumbai or Dilli?

Set up takes ages..mean while media people from Udayavani,Indian Express,Vijay Karnataka arrive at the same time!

I introduce Vani and let the Kannada bonding take over..While she is busy,Red fm guys come..Gosh! Must everything always happen at the same time.?

PHEW! Physically help tie the shamina together and the “set-up” is finally up..Madam Ratna arrives right in time and I signal to Vani to finish off with the press.

Event finally begins at 5:30pm…oh did i mention that I have to use the flip,tweet,take pictures to send to India team and run around at the same time..Anyways,i feel like a one man band !!

Thankfully,all goes smooth and the street play team draw applauses as do the ads.

Impact guys as usual fretting over the mike system while we say our final good byes..

All and all i can say i have had a smooth hatrick! Hope the pictures can tell you all a great story.