18-NOV-2010:
I am on my way to Yalamanchili village in Visakhapatnam for doing a Pada Yatra.
I got severe allergies after reaching Bangalore. I met a lot of village youth during Navaratri Celebrations. It is a big thing in Bangalore where our VVM Center is location. On Chandi Homa day, 50,000 people attended the Homa. On other days, we have 30-40,000 people each day for other Homas.
2. I then reached Hyderabad for Diwali and my health started improving. There were heavy rains in AP and lakhs of crops have been destroyed. Avoided travel because of bad weather.
13-NOV-2010: Reached Chintalapudi in W.Godavari district. Last year, we did Pada Yatras, created village committees and conducted Zero Budget Organic Farming Workshop here. Visited a farm to see the progress of Organic Farming. The farmer is very happy. He said that each time, he sprays pesticides, it costs him Rs.10,000 to 12,000 for 9 acres of lentils. Now he is spending Rs.500 for 1 round of pesticides that he makes with cow dung, cow urine, leaves, etc. I video taped how they make the organic fertilizer.
14-NOV-2010: At 5:30am conducted Yoga and Meditation workshop for villagers in Seethanagaram village. It is a 1 hr drive from where I am staying. Around 11am, visited Tribal village: Gattugudem, T.Narsapuram (Mandal), W.Godavari. It is 1:30hr bike ride from Chintalapudi. Roads are HORRIBLE and car or bus will not go there. It is kind of in the middle of the forest. Met with the village president, his educated sons and others. They don't have a temple. Had lunch in the tribal village. Came back to Chintalapudi and then visited Tribal village: Jeerugumilli (1:30hr by bike). Addressed villagers from about 40 villages who are doing Hanuman Deeksha for 40 days (wearing Orange clothes).
15-NOV-2010: Visited Geerugumilli Tribal Village again by 8am (1:30hr bike ride). Then visited a well managed Tribal School in village: Vankavarigudem (15 minutes bike ride from Jeegurgumilli). Talked with the students (about 250 students), checked their rooms, classrooms, kitchen, local temple, etc. Then visited local farms, and talked with a few village heads. It was dark and roads are horrible to come back. So, I stayed back in the tribal village for the night.
16-NOV-2010: I was planning to go back to Gattugudem to speak with youth who will be gathering for me by 6:30am. They leave to the farms/work at 7am. I got late and reached by 7:30am and so I missed them. Returned to Chintalapudi by bike rides (farmers take turns to drop me from one village to the other). Meeting with Village Committee in Chintalapudi, visited farms for learning and inspection, conducted a Guru Puja in a Chilli (Mirchi) Farmers office, attended a satsang (bhajans).
17-NOV-2010: Reched Eluru by 6am to catch a train to Visakhapatnam. Reached Visakhapatnam by 12:30pm. The train in full and had to stand for 3:30 hrs. Our International Team from USA, Netherlands, Slovania, Italy, Germany have arrived from Hyderabad. Attended a local Indian Wedding.
On NOV 14th: The International Team, visited a Slum School for Childrens day and talked about the importance of India culture, etc.
On Nov 15th: The International Team, went for Pada Yatra in Khanapur (Shankarpalli Road outskirts of Hyderabad).
On Nov 16th: The Internation Team left Hyd and arrived in Visakhapatnam.
Today 18NOV10: We are going to Yalamanchili village for Pada Yatra. We will be doing Pada Yatra for the rest of the month in AP.
I will send you more details after I return from Yalamanchili to Visakhapatnam.
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