Good Attracts Good

A short video of ReBirth’s Bharat Organ Yatra, in its second edition, had flooded the Kannada television screens. Its version was broadcasted for WhatsApp, too. The efforts of a news channel interviewing Kaka in Hubballi were materialising.

B.O.Y. 2.0’s mascot’s phone rings. Kaka had been anyway waiting for a call. But this call surprises
him, pleasantly!

‘Namaskar, Manoj Sir!” Kaka greets him as soon as the call connects.

Allow us to introduce the caller. Mr Manoj Nayak is from Jeevansarthakathe – a nodal agency of the Government of Karnataka to implement organ donation.

He and Jeevansarthakathe were an integral part of B.O.Y. 1.0’s journey in Karnataka.He seems to be fighting mixed emotions. Mr Nayak is elated to find out about Kaka and B.O.Y. being in Karnataka again, but upset (in good spirit) that Jeevansarthakathe wasn’t involved this year!

This message is relayed to the coordination team in Pune who is working on the backend for B.O.Y. 2.0’s success. Corrective measures are put in top gear.

And within a few minutes of the next morning, things are on a roll! Two willing organisations join forces, once again, to form one remarkable team. The goal is constant – organ donation awareness.

Kaka is riding back to the state of Karnataka from Goa today. On the way, Mr Nayak has arranged sessions in a few colleges that Kaka will cross on the highway.

One college hasn’t confirmed their availability to Mr Nayak yet. However, when Kaka reaches the college, the faculty accommodate him and handover a class. No unnecessary protocols stand in way of a noble cause like organ donation.

Another college’s Principal is waiting to welcome Kaka at the gates. She remembers his last visit. She is unhappy, too! She complains that most of her students are caught up in their annual fest and aren’t available. But to honour Kaka, she gifts him a Lord Ganesha idol. Also known as the vighnaharta – the remover of obstacles and the lord of beginnings, Ganesha is an essence of journeys. She blesses Kaka for another productive and gratifying journey.

The third college is also not able to arrange enough number of students to respect Kaka’s time. So, they gather all the staff and professors for the session.

Having fulfilled the new additions to the day, B.O.Y. 2.0 reaches Ankola in time. He may not have been able to reach a substantial number of people today; yet, Kaka is satisfied with the day’s plan.

He unwraps the Ganesha idol to appreciate it. Kaka can't help but wonder in amazement at the power of human memory. Imprints last forever in us. Let’s strive to make sure we are the cause for the good ones; everything falls into place automatically!

Day 006
Panjim to Ankola via Karwar |100 kms

– Juhi Kothari / Shetty