Hello folks, I am pausing my regular blogging (If you count what I was doing a regular) for my travel blog. I will be posting my experience with the Indian Railways and the places I visit. (All this while Working From Home enabled in my office profile).

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Just last week I got to know that my mom is visiting Andhra (My native place) for the Markar Sankranti celebration. It's a big festival in India. I mean, the name differs from state to state. In Tamil Nadu it's Pongal, here in Andhra, is Sankranti; Up north, it's called Lohri, and in Assam, it's Bihu. Makar Sankranti is a big harvest festival, clubbed with a lot of kite flying, bhogi bonfire, Tilgourh, and many customs.

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Now, to give you context for my excitement. I haven't been to Andhra in about 18years. And I had been there twice when I was just a kid. My last memory of the place was very vague and not so fun as I visited it for my maternal grandma's funeral, so one can imagine my disinterest in the place. But 18 years is a long time; maybe the place is no longer the dull, dusty village I remember, maybe it has grown into something beautiful and more vibrant. And I dont know what possessed me, but I asked Work From Home to my boss. I want to know my roots better. I want to know the place where my Mom and Dad spent their childhood. I want to know how Pongal is celebrated here in my native. Because all my knowledge is coming from crap movies. Maybe this place is still untouched by the corrupt city life, and maybe just maybe this place can offer some peace to my mind.

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I had been working a very hectic schedule for quite some time now, while the workload is showing no signs of slowing down. My physical and mental health is sounding all kind of warning alarms. While I think time off is very much necessary at this stage, I cannot afford it. I am admitting it, I am so connected and merged with the company that I am no longer able to differentiate if it's me working for the company or the company is making me work.. (Does that line make any sense? If yes.. Good. If not, you know where I stand. )

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Anyway, I decided to opt for work from home for a good 2 weeks. And even with critical projects ahead. I got the approval. Maybe the company is trying the "new year, a less grumpy employee" approach. Whatever it is, I got the approval. Now all I have to do is get the tickets and Hello ooru.. (Ooru is a village for Telugu)

TARGET - 2/200

Hi

I already reached the destination, but the posts are a little late. I started the journey on Sunday. I am just posting the events with a delay of a few days. I will try to accompany the future posts with lots of camera clicks.
Maybe after 4-5 posts, I will have the actual celebration. There is still time. See you all soon.