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VSNA 39 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION 2016 Hosted by Maryland Chapter
ನಮ್ಮ ಶರಣರ ಆಗಮ್ನದ ಮುನನ
as we have crafted a relaxed program
The VSNA Convention baton was transferred HIGHLIGHTS
Prologue By Convention Chair Entertainment highlights
to MD Chapter, one of
schedule for both days, plus a preconvention welcome day (see page 7 for Program details).
the prominent chapters
You said it and we have heard it. A large
in the VSNA, after a
number of people including those at the
successful Convention
BOD meeting asked us to have a special
last year by the NJ-NY
audience with Parama Poojya Shri Sid-
team. In science, the rule of thumb is
deshwara Swamji, of Jnana Yogashrama,
Dr. G Jagadeesh Convention Chair
‘without a plan, there can be no experiEditorial
Vijayapura. Thus, we have introduced a
ment and no publication.’ Imagination is
‘preconvention day’, July 1 (Friday), to
Registration
more important than knowledge and it
accommodate golf and a greater Wash-
embraces the entire world. This con-
ington, DC youth tour followed by evening
cept was applied to our convention
pravachana (discourse) by Swamiji. The
planning,
15
program ends with a beautiful dance per-
months ago with the confirmation of our
formance (by Smt. Uma Ettigi group) from
venue, Turf Valley, a beautiful golf re-
the Basava period. The convention will be
sort touting a serene atmosphere. This
formally inaugurated on the morning of
gorgeous location has attracted so
July 2 in the presence of Parama Poojya
many of our members that registrations
Shri Siddeshwara Swamiji, His Holiness
have skyrocketed beyond our expecta-
Jagadguru Shri Shivarathri Deshikendra
tions (see page 6 for registration de-
Mahaswamiji of Suttur mutt, His Holiness
tails). Sharanas have not only taken
Shri Siddalinga Swamiji of Siddaganga
over the entire Turf Valley resort, but
Gurukula,
are also overflowing into the two satel-
(Chairman and MD, Bharat Forge Ltd.,
lite hotels that are connected to the
Pune) and Dr. Shivananda Jaamdar, IAS
venue by frequent super-shuttle ser-
(Former Principal Secretary to the Govt.
vices running around the clock. We are
of Karnataka). Biographic sketches of all
Program Schedule Anubhava Goshti Food Sharana Philosophy Philanthropic activities of Shri Baba Kalyani
which
started
nearly
sure delegates will not miss anything,
Shri
Babasaheb
Kalyani
(Continued on page 2)
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P ROLOGUE
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VSNA 39 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION 2016
(Continued from page 1)
dignitaries are in the Convention
The
with
that it is the collective knowledge
newsletter ‘chennuDi’, which is up-
Anubhava goshti, part 2 on the con-
of individuals that enriches each
loaded on the Convention website
tribution of Vachanas to World liter-
one of us and awakens us toward
(www.vsnaconvention.com).
ature. This will be followed by or-
societal needs and the well-being
ganizational meetings, and a num-
of others.
second
day
begins
This will be followed by Anubhava
ber of workshops including health,
goshti on the five cardinal principles
nutrition, business and finance.
“Immaculate Body, Mind, Thoughts,
Adults are welcome to participate in
Deeds and Words.” Our actions
rangoli and vegetable carving com-
should mirror our words. We have
petitions.
chosen this revolutionary thinking
‘kayaka’ at the nearby JSS spiritual
that emanates from the treasures of
mission that includes yoga, linga
vachanas
pooja, speaking of sharanas and
as
our
Convention
Youth
will
be
doing
¨sÀQÛ E®èzÀ §qÀªÀ £Á£ÀAiÀiÁå PÀPÀÌAiÀÄå£À ªÀÄ£ÉAiÀÄ®èÆ ¨ÉÃrzÉ, ZÉ£ÀßAiÀÄå£À ªÀÄ£ÉAiÀÄ®èÆ ¨ÉÃrzÉ, zÁ¸ÀAiÀÄå£À ªÀÄ£ÉAiÀÄ®èÆ ¨ÉÃrzÉ, J®è ¥ÀÅgÁvÀgÀÄ £ÉgÉzÀÄ ¨sÀQÛ©üPÀëªÀ¤QÌzÀqÉ J£Àß ¥ÁvÉæ vÀÄA©vÀÄÛ PÀÆqÀ®¸ÀAUÀªÀÄzÉêÁ.
anubhava goshti. For the evening,
theme.
we have ‘vachana anthaakshari’ We will hold competitions in color-
followed by ‘sharana dampathigalu’
ing, vachana recital, singing, and
contest. The grand finale is an or-
dance (classical and non-classical)
chestra performance of Vachanas
It’s great to have VSNA on your side.
for children and youth on the first
and Kannada folk songs by award-
sharaNu sharNArthi.
day of the Convention. A number of
winning singer, Smt. M.D. Pallavi
workshops (Path to College, Busi-
and her group.
G. Jagadeesh
ness, Self-management) have been organized for the youth. Quizzes on
A convention of this size could not
Veerashaiva
and
have been possible without the
Vachana literature for youth will be
team efforts of dozens of people
held in the evening followed by en-
with a variety of experience and
tertainment. ‘Sharanu Sharanaar-
talents coming together, pitching in
thi’, a drama portraying Basa-
their
vanna’s principle of equality for all,
knowledge. All committees have
and the price he paid to establish it,
pulled the Convention chariot for-
will be the star attraction for that
ward. As the saying goes, “it takes
night.
a village to raise a child.” Likewise,
Philosophy
time
and
sharing
Chair, 2016 VSNA Convention
their
Basavanna said in the 12th century
naDeyoLage nuDitumbi, nuDiyoLage naDetumbi, naDenuDi eraDu pariNámadalli tumbi, liMgava koDaballátanE sharaNa nðDA akhaMDEshwarA.
JUNE 2016
E NTERTAINMENT
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VSNA 39 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION 2016
E VENING E NTE RTAINME NT G ROUP S ( JULY 2
AND
3, 2016) Smt. M.D. Pallavi, an accomplished playback singer, has consented to stage live music orchestra (vachanas and folk songs) with her group of 3 accompanists on one of the two evenings of the Convention.
A professional drama troupe from Bengaluru is scheduled to entertain the attendees with an historic drama, ‘sharaNu sharanArthi’ (kalyaNa krAnthi) on another evening of the Convention (pending visa approval).
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
JUNE 2016
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VSNA 39 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION 2016
ಶಶಿಕಲಾ ನಿಂಬಾಳ
(Continued on page 5)
JUNE 2016
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VSNA 39 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION 2016
(Continued from page 4)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ChennuDi is published monthly, starting from January 2016, by the 2016 VSNA Convention Souvenir and Newsletter committee consisting of Shashikala Nimbal, Shashikala Chandrashekhar, Jayashree Jagadeesh, Sulochana Guggari, Mruthyunjaya Gonchigar and Uday Dessai. Vijay Guggari (Graphics design and Web committee) designed and formatted the Newsletter.
JUNE 2016
ಚೆನ್ನುಡಿ
R E G I S T R AT I O N D ATA
ISSUE 6
VSNA 39 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION 2016
Attendees by Chapter
R E G I S T R AT I O N U P D AT E AS OF JUNE 5, 2016
Number of attendees: 630 Adults: 457 Children 1-13 : 97 Youth (14-24): 76
Attendees by State
Page : 6
Chapter
Attendees Registrations
Maryland
176
52
New York
144
47
DC & Virginia
93
31
New England
43
13
Chicago
36
11
Pittsburg
36
13
Connecticut
15
6
Florida
15
6
Texas (North)
13
4
California (North)
9
3
Detroit
9
5
North Carolina
8
4
Georgia
7
3
California (South) Tennessee Texas (South)
6 4 4
2 3 1
Colorado
3
1
Ohio Toronto, Canada UK
2 4 2
1 1 1
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P ROGRAM S CHEDULE
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VSNA 39 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION 2016
July 1st Time
Event
Time
Event
3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Path to College / Business Workshop (Y) (Oakdale)
1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Anubhava Goshti2 (Grand Ballroom)
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM REFRESHMENTS
3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Shri Siddeshwara Swamji 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM Pravachana (Grand Ballroom)
Singing (Nonclassical) Competition (Merriweather)
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
REFRESHMENTS (Cameo/Wedgewood)
6:00 PM to 6:45 PM
Jeopardy (Grand Ballroom)
Coloring Competition 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM (Cameo/Wedgewod Ballroom)
6:45 PM to 8:00 PM
Cultural Program 2 (Grand Ballroom)
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Anubhava Goshti (Y) (Oakdale)
Time
Event
8:00 AM to 12:30 PM Golf @Turf Valley 1:00 PM to 9:30 PM Youth Retreat @DC (Y)
8:00 PM to 9:00 PM 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM
July 2
Cultural Program 1 (Grand Ballroom) DINNER (Cameo/Wedgewood )
nd
Vegetable Carving / Ran2:00 PM to 3:00 PM goli (Merriweather) 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Health & Nutrition (Amphitheater)
Time
Event
8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
DINNER (Cameo/Wedgewood)
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Storytelling (Merriweather)
6:00 AM to 6:45 AM
Yoga (Willows - Lower Level)
9:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Cultural Program 3 (Grand Ballroom)
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Discussion w/ Swamijis (Y) (Oakdale)
7:00 AM to 7:45 AM
Linga Pooje (Oakdale)
7:30 AM to 8:30 AM
BREAKFAST (Cameo/Wedgewood )
Poster Setup (Y) 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM (Cooridor) 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Inaugural Function (Grand Ballroom)
12 PM to 1:30 PM
LUNCH (Cameo/Wedgewood )
1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Anubhava Goshti 1 (Amphitheater)
1:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Discussion w/ Keynote Speakers (Y) (Oakdale)
July 3
Voice of Chapters & Gen3:30 PM to 5:00 PM eral Body Meeting (Grand Ballroom)
rd
Time
Event
6:00 AM to 6:45 AM
Yoga (Willows - Lower Level)
7:00 AM to 7:45 AM
Linga Pooje (Oakdale)
7:30 AM to 8:30 AM
BREAKFAST (Cameo/Wedgewood )
Seva Day (Y) 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM @JSS Mission (offsite) Sharan Dampathigalu 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM Prelim. Selection (Oakdale)
1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Vachana Competition (Merriweather)
2:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Jeopardy Selection (Y) (Oakdale)
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Dance (classical and nonclassical) Competition (Grand Ballroom)
9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Singles meet (Sangama) (Waverly)
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Video Presentation (Oakdale)
3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
BOD & BOR Meetings (Amphitheater)
12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
LUNCH (Cameo/Wedgewood )
Business & Finance (Amphitheater)
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Speaking of Sharanas (Merriweather)
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Self Management (Y) (Oakdale)
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
REFRESHMENTS (Cameo/Wedgewood )
6:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Vachana Anthakshari (Grand Ballroom)
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Sharana Dampathigalu (Grand Ballroom)
7:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Cultural Program 5 (Grand Ballroom)
8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
DINNER (Cameo/Wedgewood )
9:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Cultural Program 6 (Grand Ballroom)
Cultural Program 4 (Grand Ballroom)
Legend
All Ages
Workshops
Youth < 14 Youth 14+ Youth-All Ages
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A N U B H AVA G O S H T I VSNA 39 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION 2016
ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS One of the main themes of this year’s VSNA Convention regards speaking kindly and always following through with what you Megha Guggari preach. As this is a prominent theme, we see this message spread through multiple vachanas including vachanas by Guru Basavanna and Akkamahadevi. The first vachana reads, “nuDidaDe muttina hAradantirabEku. nuDidaDe mANikyada dIptiyantirabEku. nuDidaDe sphaTikada salákeyantirabEku. nuDidaDe linga mechi `ahudahudenabEku. nuDi yoLagági naDeyadiddaDe, kUDala-saMgama- devanentolivanayyá?”
In this first vachana, Guru Basavanna expresses that one can only receive blessings from God if one speaks truthfully and kindly, and always follows through with one’s words. One’s words should be as delicate and beautiful as “pearls strung on a thread,” and should stand out and shine like “sapphires.” Every time we speak, we have two choices: we can either speak kindly, or we can lash out on others and speak harshly. Basavanna was a strong believer in kind speech and greatly emphasized that no matter how difficult the situation, it is important to always speak with gentle words. Every day, we have the chance to interact with numerous
people and when we have this interaction, we can apply this simple, yet very important, principle to ensure that we remember to always speak in a way that will make us proud in the future. Furthermore, in this vachana, Basavanna notes that speech is useless without the corresponding actions to back up the speech. As the saying goes, “Actions speak louder than words.” It is quite easy to speak about completing good deeds but if this talk is never followed through with the corresponding actions, the great words are quickly put to waste. For example, if an individual constantly preaches about saving the environment to others, the individual will come off as an aware and responsible person. But if the individual does not even recycle or make attempts to save electricity, the individual is labeled as a hypocrite and his/her great words are instantly meaningless. Realizing this, Basavanna noted that Kudalasangama cannot care for anyone whose deeds do not match their words. In the next vachana, Akkamahadevi mentions the traits that correspond with a nearly perfect individual: “nadeshuchi, nudishuchi, tanushuchi, manashuchi, bhávashuchi inti panca teerthaMgaóLa-nnólakoMndu martyadalli ninda nimma sharaNara tOri ennanuLuhikoóLLaá chenna-mallikárjuná?”
Akkamahadevi expresses that the five holy traits are purity in deeds, words, body, mind, and thought. She questions whether there is any Sharana on the mortal Earth who perfectly represents purity in all five traits. This vachana again emphasizes our convention’s theme that every individual must strive for purity in body and mind. Without purity in mind and thoughts, one cannot be respected. Both Basaveshwara and Akkamahadevi’s vachanas express that in order to be respected by others and God, an individual must have purity in their mind and body; they must always speak kindly and must always follow through with their words. As we wake up every day, we must remember these vachanas to strive to accomplish all of our goals. Only when this is accomplished can an individual lead a great and respected life. We will be discussing these and many more vachanans as part of Anubhava goshti at the 39th Annual Convention. Megha Guggari MD Youth Member 2016 VSNA Convention
JUNE 2016
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S A M M E L A N A D A R U C H I YA N U
VSNA 39 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION 2016
ಸ ವಿ ಯಿ ರೆೊೀ
ಸ ಮ್ಮೇ ಳ ನ್ ದ
ರನ ಚಿ ಯ ನ್ನ
ಈ ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನ್ವೆೀ ಆಹಾ
ದೆೊರಕದೆ ರನಚಿಯ ಸವಿಯಲನ
ಆಹಾ ಈ ಮಿಲನ್ವೆೀ ನ್ವರಸಗಳ ಉಣಬಡಿಸಲನ ಸೆುೀಹದಂದೆೊಡಗೊಡಿದ ನ್ಮ್ಮ ನ್ಳಪಾಕವಿದನ ದನಡಿವ ಜನ್ರನ ಬಿಡನವಿನ್ಲ್ಲಿ
ತೆರೆವ ಬನತ್ತಿಯೀ ಬಲನ ರನಚಿ
ಬೆರೆತನ ಉಂಡರೆ ಅಧಿಕವಾಗನವ
ಸರಳ ಸೆುೀಹದ ವಿರಳ ರನಚಿ ಇದನ ತರಹ ತರಹದ ಚಿತಾಾನ್ು
ಮ್ಮೀರಿಲಾಯಂಡುಲ್ಲಿ ಉಂಡವನೆೀ ಜಾಣ ದಾವಣಗೆರೆ ಬೆಣ್ೆೆ ದೆೊೀಸೆ
ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನ್ದಲ್ಲಿ ತ್ತನೆೊುೀ ಆಸೆ ಉತಿರ ಕನಾಾಟಕದ ರೆೊಟ್ಟಿ ಕಾಳು
ಕೆಂಪು ಚಟ್ಟು ತ್ತಂದವನೆೀ ಗಟ್ಟಿಯಾಳು ಎಣ್ಾಾಯಿ ಬದನೆ, ಸೆೀಂಗಾದ ಚಟ್ಟು,
ಮಾಡಿವೆ ಜೆೊೀಳದ ರೆೊಟ್ಟಿಯ ಗೆಳೆತನ್ ತನಪಪದಲ್ಲ ಅದಿದ ಹೆೊೀಳಿಗೆಗಿದೆ ಮಾವಿನ್ಕಾಯಿಯ ಸೀಕರಣ್ೆ
ಬೆರಳು ಚಿೀಪಿ ಉಂಡ ಮ್ನ್ಕೆ ಬದನಕನ್ಲ್ಲಿ ಬಲನ ಅಭಿರನಚಿ
ಬಿಸ ಬಿಸ ಇರಲ್ಲದೆ ನ್ಮ್ಮ ನ್ಳಪಾಕ ದನ್ ದನ್ವೂ ಸಗದೀ ಮ್ೃಷ್ಾಿನ್ು ಈ ಬಿಸಯನ ಆರನವ ಮ್ನನ್ು
ಎಲಿರ ಜೆೊತೆಗೊಡಿ ಹಂಚಿ ತ್ತನ್ನುವ
ಅನ್ನಭವವೆೀ ನ್ಮ್ಮ ಮ್ಹಾ ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನ್ * We
acknowledge gratefully the original content of the lyrics from the Kannada movie ‘Oggarane’.
ಚಂದಾಶೆೀಖರ ನಂಬಾಳ Program Committee 2016 VSNA Convention
JUNE 2016
I N V I TAT I O N
ಚೆನ್ನುಡಿ TO
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S OUVENIR A RTICLES VSNA 39 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION 2016
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
S OUVENIR A DVERTISEMENTS Back cover page, full, color Inside back page, full, color Inside front page, color Full page inside, color
$5,000 $4,000 $3,500 $1,000
Half-page, inside, color Full page inside, black and white Half-page inside, black and white
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JUNE 2016
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S HARANA P HILOSOPHY VSNA 39 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION 2016
VACHANOPANISHATH A Vachana from Chennabasavanna:
J. Kalmath
Meanings: Akasha:=Sky, Pata=kite, Moolasuthra= controlling string for flying, Kali=hero or warrior, kajja= duty, Bhoomi= earth, bandi=chariot or cart, anga=body, sanga=association. Philosophy: Spirituality is essential to all human beings. Human beings, being the most advanced living beings on this Earth have the sense of communication and understanding unlike any other living species. These God given superior qualities are not present in any other living beings. Athma (The Soul) being born as a human Being after several re-births, has this birth as the last stage of passage to merge with Paramathma (The Universal Soul). This human birth being the highest in the order of evolution, is supposed to be the last chance in the birth and death cycle for Salvation. Also this highest order of evolution comes after several rebirth cycles of 84 lakh types of living beings and finally to facilitate the union with the Universal Soul -Shiva (Paramathma). As per the philosophy of Indian religions (Hinduism) the good and the bad (Papa and Punya) done during this/ these lifetimes, Karma (fate) will dictate the rebirth of the Soul as, any other living being or human. Your action
is judged in each and every action of good and the bad deeds, that you have done in the life, to achieve the Salvation or Mukthi. Hinduism believes in rebirth but Veerashaivism claims that there is no rebirth as a Veerashaiva, but the subtle catch mentioned in Vachana’s is that you have to be a true Veerashaiva to escape this birth-death cycle. Because of the intellectual capacity in this human life, the Soul has to keep a constant touch with the Supreme Almighty. Thus comes the necessity for Spirituality. If this spiritual connection is not kept, the Athma has no direction to go and loses the focus which will result again into the Birth-death cycle. Analysis: As per the religious and spiritual practices of Veerashaivism and as per one of the Panchachara principles, “Lingachara”: it dictates that everyone should wear “Istalinga” on the body to achieve Anga-Linga Samyoga. The Anga-Linga Samyoga (the union of body and Soul) is like the relation of husband and wife. A true couple even though separate live and survive together. This Vachana describes with examples how important it is to achieve the Salvation by wearing Istalinga on the body and achieve Anga-Linga Samyoga. The Anga (body) and the Linga (symbol of Shiva) exist together and are inseparable in the path of Salvation. Just like A kite flying in the sky has to have the controlling thread (Moola suthra) to balance and fly high even in the presence of turbulence and drastic wind currents Anga-Linga have to keep the connection all the time to gain the balance. The analo-
gy is that main suthra (the main string), if disconnected makes the kite to crash and will travel with no direction or focus. It is subjected in Toto to the entire external forces and loses the correct direction and the Soul, loses the focus of Salvation. Similarly, a trained warrior or a hero has to have a duty to keep up the trainings and refine the learning. The warrior has to have responsibility and duty to abide to discipline his life. If he has no duty to perform he has no goal and the training and life’s goal is wasted. Here comes the principle of discipline and practice (Sadhane). Likewise for a cart or chariot, to roll smoothly has to have a solid smooth ground. The smoother the road to roll the travel becomes a pleasure. The cart loses control if there are ditches and potholes. The travel to the destination is easy on a smooth solid ground. Here comes the principle of dedicated practice. The Anga (body) should not be devoid of Linga (the Universal Symbol of Shiva) and the devotee’s goal to Salvation is not achieved with a separation. Anga should never be in the state of ‘Nissanga’ the state of disassociation. For a person in the path of Salvation, the devotee’s search for Mukthi is in experiencing the Supreme. The Nissanga is not the way of pursuit to Salvation. So the Linga has to be on the body of a veerashaiva all the time.
Jayaraj Kalmath
JUNE 2016
P HILANTHROPIC
ಚೆನ್ನುಡಿ ACTIVITIES OF
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S HRI B ABA K ALYANI
VSNA 39 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION 2016 Pratham Pune Education Foundation
Bharat Forge supports Pratham, which works with an objective to develop the educational skills of the children belonging to the most underprivileged section of the community, to clear basic concepts of Maths, Science & Marathi to help them learn with fun and therefore motivate them for further education.
Swachh Bharat: Swachh Vidyalay
Drought free Maharashtra: 2019 By adopting a village in Khed Taluka, Pune where various water conservation activities like repairs, renovation and restoration of percolation tanks, minor irrigation tanks etc., are undertaken.