The past two days have been so to say, swift and hectic, as if they were just one day. It was the solemn Parish Feast (dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows). The Brothers were all assigned to different responsibilities and duties chiefly to assist the Parish Priest and the Parish Council members in the organisation of the feast. So far so good, but the number of pilgrims that descend on this sleepy village for the feast makes all the difference. The total crosses 2 to 3 lakhs of people. It is a sea of people, everywhere.
Having assigned and instructed the Brothers of their responsibility I was closely and personally following up the Seminary security. Given the fact that three-fourths of those who visit the Shrine also make a trip of the Seminary and the accommodation that we provide for as many as possible for the night, I wanted to oversee it myself. Most of the pilgrims walk about 35 - 70 kms to reach the Shrine. So naturally when they reach the Seminary for the night, they are hardly able to take the last few steps that will see them flat in the hall (for the ladies) and the verandahs (for the gents). What makes this feast a real adventure (and a pain too) is the presence of unruly youngsters and hooligans inside the campus for the night. Last night was no exception to this adventure night.
We evicted nearly two dozen youngsters from the campus who were fully drunk and had no clue as to what they were saying or doing. That kept them (and us, with them) awake the whole night. But that's not what I wish to dwell here. The best part is that these very unruly, uncouth and foul-mouthed youngsters turn into meek lambs and innocent 'boys' in the morning. As one of the most notorious one put it this morning: "The puli (Telugu word for tiger) within spoke and did all that Brother... we're sorry!" I purposely made it a point to meet all these youngsters, know their names and have a word with them in the morning. And not one of them (nearly two dozen of them), was the same as last night. They were entirely, totally and spectacularly different. And the most interesting fact, they left the campus today happy to have made friends with 'Brothers'! (More on this wonderful experience in the coming posts)
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