An Enlightening Encounter in Karwar: A Cyclist's Diary :

My bicycle journey along the Indian borders recently took an enriching detour in Karwar. Nestled beside the picturesque Karwar Beach, the Divekar College of Commerce served as my Basecamp for a couple of days, thanks to the warm reception extended by Dr. Keshav K G, the Principal. Roopesh Rai had already visited this college a few months on the Change Before Climate Change mission. so it was easy to establish my connect with Dr. Keshav K G. He was very warm and welcoming.

However, the most rewarding aspect of my stopover in Karwar proved to be an unexpected encounter with Mr. S.P. Kamat, a remarkable individual whose wisdom and energy belie his eight decades. A distinguished lawyer and the Chairman of the College, Mr. Kamat's aura of knowledge left an indelible impression on me.

Our pre-arranged beach walk commenced promptly at 6:10 am, with Mr. Kamat arriving in the company of his wife. As we strolled along the shoreline, our conversation naturally gravitated towards topics of significance, with climate change emerging as a central theme. I was genuinely impressed by the depth of Mr. Kamat's understanding of the subject and his balanced perspective on the need for both conservation and development.

During our discussion we explored the cyclical nature of the environment. He cited examples like the vanished Saraswati River and the extinction of dinosaurs, emphasizing that destruction in one location is often offset by creation elsewhere, maintaining a grand equilibrium across space and time. This insightful perspective prompted me to contemplate the interconnectedness of all natural phenomena on a grand scale. He indicated that Nature always seeks balance on a time or/ and a space coordinate (Deep Metaphysical stuff ;) .

Mr. Kamat further enriched the experience by sharing a fascinating historical anecdote. He revealed that Karwar played a pivotal role in igniting the literary journey of Rabindranath Tagore, the iconic poet and Nobel laureate. Over a century ago, Tagore found inspiration in Karwar's coastal beauty, which he immortalized in his poetic drama 'Prakritir Pratishodh'.

The entire walk alongside Mr. Kamat and Dr. Keshav was an enriching intellectual exercise. It was a rare privilege to engage with such personalities who effortlessly wove together philosophy, history, and environmental awareness.

In addition to these enriching interactions, I had the opportunity to participate in a session with the students and teachers of Divekar College, which proved to be quite enlightening.

During my stay, Rajesh Marathi, a Kannada Language Professor with a profound grasp of the subject, became a constant companion. He assisted me with every aspect of my stay, acting as a translator and guide.

Rajesh's local knowledge proved invaluable. He took me around different places in Karwar, from exploring the historic Sadashiv Gad Fort and the unique Rock Garden to indulging in the vibrant local cuisine at various eating joints.

My exploration of Karwar extended to its natural beauty. I was fortunate to meet Gopal, a forest officer with an exceptional understanding of the local ecosystem. Gopal, who hails from a village near the Karwar forest, possesses a deep knowledge of the forest's flora and fauna, including birds, mangroves, and their interconnectedness. He provided me with a thrilling guided tour for hornbill spotting in the thick forests and accompanied me during my visit to the Kalimandir Mangroves island, situated at the confluence of the Kali River and the Arabian Sea.

The beauty of the 14 different species of mangrove plantations was truly captivating. However, the sight of plastic waste scattered across the mangroves and the beach was a stark reminder of the environmental challenges we face. This experience further solidified my mission to spread awareness about climate change and the need for immediate action.

Beyond these experiences, Dr. Keshav introduced me to a fascinating form of Kannada poetry called Chutuku. The founder of this very college, in his love for Uttara Kannada, wrote about 1,000 Chutukus! Rajesh Marathi, with his deep understanding of the language, recited a few Chutukus for me and patiently explained their meanings. This unique introduction to the local culture enriched my understanding of Karwar and its rich heritage.

Still a lot of unexplored areas in Karwar but time is short so I will cycle to Gokarna and plan to reach Murudeshwar tomorrow evening