The weather report projects rain and thunderstorms for Saturday June 25th, 2011. In spite of it, I tell my dear husband, “Rain or Shine, I’ll be there” as I pack a bag for the picnic at Pomps Pond, Andover, MA. And yet again, having blamed the kids and GPS for everything, we arrive, albeit a couple of hours late. As we try to drive around for a parking spot, we hear cheers of laughter from a distance and feel the essence of much fun. I am now quite excited as this is the first time I’ve come to an New England Kannada Koota (NEKK) picnic. It always takes place every year in summer at the same place. I often wondered at that.

As I enter the picnic area, I am very happy to see both familiar and unfamiliar faces mingling, talking, and laughing!. The older children are playing basket ball in the courts, the dads are playing cricket and volley ball while the little ones are running through the inflated slide, jumping and bumping into each other. The food committee has churned up a great lunch menu for the event, which included Pav Bhaji, Idli Vada Chutney/Sambhar, Curds Rice and not to forget the cool neer majjige (spiced butter milk) and yummy bhelpuri for an evening snack.

The entertainment committee gathers us for Antakshari, an engaging and fun round of singing and trivia. My, did we have some nostalgic moments! The healthy food is topped by a rousing lemon and spoon race. Not to mention other sweat-breaking exercises like running race, win-it-in-a-minute games. Some moms and children adorn their palms with Mehendi, an excuse to not to shake hands or high-five.

To me, the highlight of the day was the photography contest. I thoroughly enjoyed taking pictures of people and situations that capture the glory of Indianness at the picnic. After all, it turned out to be a beautiful and perfect day! Good weather, food, friends, fun and frolic. It was indeed A Fine Picnic Day!

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