So,I hopped into the rickshaw, and the driver-T.N. Manjunath briefed me about the places we would be going and warned me that it would take a long time.
Once we started visiting the media centres, I was taken aback, firstly, by his cognizance in this regard- he told me that if we had started early we could have reached out to about 70 centres(that's full attendance!). Nevertheless, in a span of two and a half hours, we visited not less than 40 newspaper and TV centres in the peak hours of Bengaluru traffic.
Out of curiosity I asked him as to how he was acquainted with the MEDIA map of the city. This initiated him to mention about his endeavors apart from being a rickshaw driver.
He is a proactive volunteer and activist of various social concern groups. He is also an active member in a political party and other forums. He and his buddies bring out a weekly newspaper-Janashakti in Kannada and he also lends support to another Malayalam daily. He narrated to me the legend of a Union leader of theirs-his hardships,sacrifices and accomplishments. He spoke about the Women's day celebrations one of the groups he endorsed had organized and the success of it.
There were a many other inspiring activities he was engaged in, which I might have missed out. But, one thing for sure,if each of us try to emulate a bit of T N Manjunath, trying to do a little towards the betterment of the society 'proactively' in our own ways, a lot of the reasons we crib about in the world would evanesce into oblivion.
I am deeply inspired to have met a 'common man' showing uncommon concerns towards the society,bundled with tremendous energy and strong conviction.
Now here's a real Maverick -:)
Manjunath drove you with a great gusto and bestowed with you a great experience. Its good to know and hear and great to meet people like Manjunath.
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