Once you have achieved your degree in your respective field of education, how do you start? One way is to get associated with your field based local community. Having a strong subject based community can provide immense benefits to their members, be it freshers or experts having years of experience. Having a good bonding with like minded people in your field of interest can provide mutual benefits of all sizes and for all the stakeholders (Faculty, Job seekers, Employers, General public). This blog post is about how we got together our local Geological Community by organising a maiden trekking event.
I was first introduced to Geological Society of Goa (GSG) when I attended a farewell function for one of my Goa University professors, which the GSG had organised. It was for the first time that I found myself in the company of many of my seniors, some of whom had graduated decades before I joined the university and had become masters of their trade. It was one of the largest gathering of the pupil of Earth Science. I was eager to know more about this group, later I found out that the group had seen immense activity initially after its formation and off late it has been witnessing a struggle of a sort to maintain membership and expand its horizons. I had been keen to be associated with this vital organisation and that is when an opportunity struck. As I have been in the educational field for the last couple of years I got a chance to interact with one of the active members of the GSG. It was just a simple conversation between two intellectual beings, ideas and thoughts were shared and I was able to convey my interests. I learnt from him that GSG has been planning a revival.
The Goa University Geologists have an active Whatsapp group, though often it is heavily bombarded with content that is unrelated to geology and mostly annoying to its members but sometimes we get to witness a post or two which are geology related in addition to birthdays and condolence messages. It all began when a member posted an irrelevant video, a short argument followed and that is when a member rightly pointed out that we need to discuss something relevant
Here is a Script from the actual conversation
Member 1: Sir, we were supposed to arrange overnight camp. This is most relevant and we are sleeping on it🤣🤣 in that no one is interested.
Member 2: Plz take the lead Sir. we are ever ready
Member 1: we look forward to you sir for such things. I am there to support n participation
Member 2: Ok let us have an open discussion here about it
Member 1: Sir, we can think of a trekking event also. Thanks
And soon the conversation spiralled into a full blown discussion as other members quickly started givings inputs about locations and stuff. While all of this was happening another Whatsapp group was made, comprising of a few identified members who would form the core organising team for this particular event (I was one among the privileged). Though physically distant we could converse instantly. Dates and venue suggestions had been pouring in on the main group and soon the day was decided as 13th August 2017 and we were to trek from the ancient 13th century Mahadev Temple at Tambdi Surla up to the Tambdi Surla Waterfall, a 90 min trek which is not to be missed if you are in Goa during the monsoons.
As with organising events of this nature, each presents a unique set of challenges. One of the hurdles was to note down registrations of the participating members. As the core committee comprised of all working professionals this would have been a task however we could get this task done seamlessly and effortlessly by adopting Goggle forms for registrations. Its simple and effective, one just have to create the form and share link via email/whatsapp etc. all the responses are then presented in an excel sheet. We had set the benchmark as minimum 10 people for holding the event. We were surprised and at the same time motivated as the registrations crossed 60 marks withing a week. Thanks to the digital age. We soon had to wait-list interested candidates, due to the overwhelming responses. Wait listing candidates instead of closing the registration altogether played great dividends as a large number of participant dropped out as the day approached for various reasons. A day before the event we had 33 confirmed participants (a number more than 3 times our set benchmark of 10 but almost half the total no of participant registered for the event) which definitely gave us mixed feelings and a few anxious moments.
The day finally arrived with a blissful sunrise, no rain and slight mist, weather was perfect . Two buses were arranged, each to ferry trekkers from Panjim and Margao. So as to conserve travelling time. However just when we were expecting the participants to arrive at the designated boarding points, delayed participant messages started pouring in. Blame it on the poor public
transport in Goa or/and the early morning reporting time of 6.50 am and 7 am. Nevertheless all of the expected participant made it. On arrival everybody greeted each other and engaged in an instant conversation. Once in the bus, two serious rules were made 1) only rocking music, no sad songs 2) No Geology talk. Signalling that everyone came to enjoy and have a good time. We met our counterparts from Panjim en-route at Ponda. The Margao pupil then shifted to the larger capacity bus from Panjim and then on we proceeded together as one team. On arrival at Tambdi Surla we had a quick introduction session of all the members. In the meantime we energised ourselves with fresh snacks including Veg pattis, Wada pav and Jumbo bananas.
Having energised ourselves we started our trail to the waterfall at around 9.30 am. Our trail was filled with adventure and intermittently by showers of blessings in the form of light rain. The trail took us through the dense jungle of the western ghats, where even the sunlight found it difficult to touch the ground (did i forget to mention mobile network as well?). Most of the path was covered by foliage save some stretches where the many streams transected our path.
The trail was full of life and the water continuously made noise all along the trail as if trying to lift our spirits. At places some members did have falls due to loose and slippery pebbles, where one needs to be careful but nothing serious happened. The most encouraging thing to see was that each member who fell, got up, dusted themselves and moved on as if there was no turning back.
If the trail itself didn't give you enough thrill then the waterfall surely will. This beauty was flowing with such ferocity that it felt like bullets were passing through your body while sitting under the fall. This giant cascades down from more 50 meters height in a milky appearance. The sight is mesmerising and awe inspiring. The water was so cold that it made us scream like small children on a merry-go-round as we entered the pool. We got to enjoy for over a couple of hours at the waterfall, everybody had a good time. We began our return journey from the waterfall at 1 pm.
On returning to our starting point, participants visited the Mahadev temple to offer prayers and to admire the beauty and intricate architecture of the temple walls. By now our stomachs were already craving for food which was arranged at the internationally acclaimed Nature's Nest resort which incidentally belongs to one of our fellow member geologist. At Nature's Nest we were treated to mouth watering authentic cuisine served in traditionally made pottery and cutlery.
The resort besides having more than 10 cottages also boasts of a natural swimming pool and what can be described as a geological wonder i.e a bubbling pond (needs investigation to shed more light in this regard-see video below). The time spent at the resort was worth every penny and definitely impressed us with their hospitality and charm.
The trek provided an amazing platform for the first time, to our geology community, to meet and interact. It was a great success with the participation of over 30 members comprising of geology graduates spanning from 3 decades(1992 to 2016). Some young but all young in spirit. Friendships bonds were established and memories were made to cherish for life. We all departed home in peace hoping to meet again for another event.
Viva GSG!!!
P.S: Thank you for taking your time to read this post. Do share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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