Community Picnic to Indore (19th Feb)

It was a NEW day with lot of enthusiasm and excitement. Since the rising was at 5 a.m., Most of us slept before the usual time. We had Holy Eucharist at 5:30 and breakfast at 6 in the morning!!! It was wonderful experience, for many of us perhaps this was the first breakfast of life so early in the morning. After the breakfast and little preparations, we set out to Indore at about 7 o’clock. It was thrilling; we sang songs and hymns on the way. With one break on the way, we reached around 9:30. Our first halt was the Lal Baag Palace (or Nehru Palace), in fact the palace of the Maharaja Tukoji Rao Holkar. It was interesting to see the architect and designs inside the palace. It is a huge palace with beautiful designs of east and west (i.e. Indian style and Western, especially Paris).

After spending some time there, we had short refreshment and moved to Kaanch Mandir (glass temple) which is a Jain temple. From there some brothers went for shopping and rest returned where the bus was parked. It was a crowded place so bus could not take us to the temple. From there we moved to the SVD provincialate house, where delicious meal was waiting. The food was ordered and the caterers themselves were present to serve us. Fr. Provincial and other fathers gave us a cordial welcome. After the lunch we had little free time to go around and the visit the neighboring communities as it was the area where many of the institutions situated. We met Fr. Michael (our former residential professor) and his ‘under construction’ college. Some of us also went to see Bishop’s house and cathedral.

Around 3:30 we moved form there to Meghdoot Garden. It was a beautiful park with lots of greenery and beauty. There were lots of young people having few moments of ‘peace and love!’ we enjoyed going around. Before the actual scene, we had our left over refreshment and spend some more time there. Around 6:15 p.m. there put on the fountain and lights, it gave a beautiful appearance when the glittering lights reflected on the glass-like flowing water. After feasting our eyes with beauty, we left Indore around 6:30. On the way, Bro. Martin and others made it interesting journey with their creative singing which consisted of their own readymade songs. On the way we had tea on one of the restaurants. We reached back to the seminary around 9:30 p.m. Next day was free rising, but Mass at 7:30. Tired, we slept, thanking God for the whole enjoyment –filled day.