Veterans-- Powerhouse of Energy

Veterans never get old--may be a rhetorical or symbolic sentiment. They do get old like all other senior citizens. But when they get together for Reunions, they are a powerhouse of energy! As if re-born!

This picture story shows the energy, enthusiasm and zest for life in 'young' Navy Veterans in the age group of 74 to 83 years! These Veterans who had served as faculty members together 50 years ago (in mid-1970s), had a Reunion in Kannur, Kerala recently. Indigo welcomed us at the airport.

Kannur is famous for Theyyam, Beaches, Cotton Weaves and Tea. Yes, Kannur boasts of real cool tea parlours. Cool from the point of design, but serving a hot cup of tea. On most roads in the city. Picture of a tea parlour at night.

What did these Veterans do during the Reunion?

• Woke up early morning (yes, on a vacation!) for a walk
• Sang to their heart's full
• Shook a leg or two-- never mind the walking stick!
• Feasted on rich chocolate cake and other desserts
• Danced on a house boat 
• Watched a martial art performance and so on

Does it not require high energy levels to do all of the above? Browse the pictures and videos below and then tell us whether the Veterans are a powerhouse of energy or not?

Beaches Excite All

As the old saying goes, 'Success comes in waves'. Do you agree?

'Feelings are much like waves: we can't stop them from coming, but we can choose which one to surf', does the short video reflect this thought?

Beaches bring people closer....

Kannur has hundreds of temples. We visited a few. Sharing a picture of Parassinkadavu Muthappan Temple on a river bank. You need to climb down a flight of stairs and then climb back. Pictures below.

Veterans Sing and Dance

Veterans may be walking with the support of a stick, but when it comes to shaking a leg with fellow Veterans, they forget the pains and aches! See the video below.

The dancing continued. More action shots for you.

Who says you can't dance at 78? See the video clip below Kumkum Jindal dancing on the Bhajan 'Janaki Vallabham'

The award for best dancing couple went to...

Feasting by Veterans (not fasting!)

Our Reunion was so well timed for GR Nair! We celebrated his 74th Birthday with a Chocolate Cream cake.

At Kannur, you can't miss the sea food. Our Resort served us some of the finest fish!

You are never too old to make noise. Just see the short video clip below where the veterans and spouses are waiting for the food to be served. Are they waiting patiently?

House Boat Cruise in Backwaters

Roads and highways criss-cross the backwaters in Kerala. Our houseboat also sailed under a bridge. See the video below.

After a hefty sea food lunch, do you enjoy a snooze on the upper deck of a house boat? Well, Ghumakkad certainly does till shaken up by 'jealous' buddies!

Theyyam - If you haven't seen a Theyyam performance, you haven't been to Kannur. We had posted an exclusive story on Theyyam earlier. Click the link below to browse.

Theyyam Dance of the Gods

Kalaripayattu - Similarly, watching a livewire performance of the ancient martial art of Kerala is a must. You can browse our exclusive  story below.

Kalaripayattu World's Oldest Martial Art

Where Did We Stay?

We stayed at Krishna Beach Resort in Kannur. Sharing few pictures and a video below.

Built using the local laterite building material, the resort has been designed very aesthetically. Each room has a spacious sit out. See the video below.

The promoters worship Lord Shiva. You would have noticed the Shiva statue in the video above. Few more pictures of the Resort which we wholeheartedly recommend.

Special thanks to GR Nair for sharing some of the pictures.

Other Reunions

We share below the links to some of the earlier Reunions. Feel the energy and the enthusiasm.

Manas National Park Assam - Where crickets sing like temple bells

Himachal Bound Grandparents - Veterans at Chail Palace and more

Did you know this part of Chandigarh - Veterans revelation for you

There is Magic in the Air - When they meet

Magical Sunrise at Puri  -  And the veterans go shooting at a sea beach! Never too old to splash your feet!

If you are a senior citizen or approaching to be one, do participate in your college and other Reunions. It recharges life's batteries and you return home ten years younger, if not more!

We close with a group photograph of the Veterans who made it to Kannur.

Thanks for browsing. Do leave a comment to encourage us. And yes, stay connected.

   - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ Secunderabad and Kannur/ 9th April 2026

#kannur #northkerala #DTPCKannur #KeralaTourism #KrishnaBeachResort #NavyVeterans #Reunion #RechergeLife #powerhouseOfEnergy #LivingLife #IndianNavy #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh

Golden Beach Puri -- Blue Flag Certified

Blue Flag Certification? What does it mean? Where can we find a Blue Flag Certified beach? How many certified beaches does India have?

Blue Flag Certification is a prestigious eco-label, awarded by Denmark's Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). It signifies beaches that meet strict criteria in areas like water quality, environmental management, safety, and environmental education, promoting sustainable coastal tourism.   Blue Flag Certification is given to beaches, marinas, boats and sustainable boating tourism operators worldwide. Ghumakkad recently visited the blue flag certified Golden Beach in Puri, on the east coast of India. 

Worldwide there are more than 5000 blue flag certified beaches with Spain leading the tally with 700+ beaches. India has 12 blue flag certified baches. See the map below.

Sharing below a short picture story of the Golden Beach in Puri. Enjoy the pictures, videos and do plan a trip to Puri. Don't miss the morning magic at the beach.

Here is a short video clip showing the pre-dawn panoramic view of the beach with the surf breaking close by.

Ghumakkad was part of the College Reunion in Puri. See another short video capturing the surf and few batchmates who were early risers at the beach.

Although approaching 75, the winter chill did not deter the 'young' batchmates from plunging into the sea. Short video clip shot by VK for you. Please pardon the camera shake.

Coming out of the sea, cold wind was biting. The teeth started to chatter while I shot the video below. Feel the chill and enjoy.

Beaches tell us to take a pause in life. Pause to reflect, pause to admire Nature. Pause to hear your inner voice.

Cleanliness

Entry to the beach is ticketed and visitors are fined for littering etc. It ensures cleanliness and upkeep of the beach.

Sustainable Coastal Ecosystem

Golden Beach at Puri meets the criteria of sustainable ecosystem. A two-km long walkway along the beach is a treat. With casuarinas to arrest the coastal winds and sand erosion, the walkway has been well conceived and maintained by a Beach Management Committee (BMC). The workers take pride in donning the BMC uniform.

The video below shows the sustaiable ecosystem including the amphitheatre. Whole beach is neat and clean. It can be done in India. Go Puri go!

Environmental Education

The beach has signages which bring out the words of advice from marine environment very imaginatively. See the pictures below.

Safety and First Aid

The beach caters for all safety aspects. There are life guards both male and female on the beach. In fact after kashi and I entered the water and were swimming afar, we heard a whistle. Someone was asking us not to swim. We ignored. This time two people blew their whistles. They were the life guards. We had entered the sea in a non-safe zone unknowingly. We later came to know that the safe zones are marked with a pair of yellow flags. Thankfully they did not fine us for the default. The beach has a proper first aid post.

The deadwood which gets washed ashore on a clean beach is left undisturbed. One such piece looked like a giant crab. See the picture below.

The Golden Beach is not very far from Jagannath temple in Puri. See the map below. We also visited Satapada for dolphin sighting in Chilka lake, which will be another story.

Our earlier story of two Blue flag certified beaches, can be accessed through the links below: Although Ghumakkad has been to four other certified beaches in Lakshadweep, Vizag and Kerala, I did not have digital camera then for posting the corresponding picture stories.

Radhanagar Beach - In Andamans, where the voice of the sea speaks to your soul.

Chandrabhaga Beach  - Picture story with video clips of a Blue Flag awarded beach in India.

Visit to a beach is so rejuvenating. If alone, you can speak to your self and hear your inner voice. If in a group, the whole group gets recharged. So, go ahead and plan a vacation at a beach. If it is blue flag certified, you are assured of the cleanliness and safety.

We end with a quotation by Martin Buber who said 'Solitude is the place of purification'. See the PQ of the beach at Surya Lanka near Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh below.

 Thanks for browsing and stay connected. Do leave a comment, even a word or two will encourage us.

    - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ Secunderabad/ 30th Jan 2026

#BlueFlagCertification #FEEDenmark #Beaches #BlueFlag #SeaBeach #Solitude #Reunion #Odisha #GoldenBeach #Puri #BeachManagementCommittee #GhumakkadHarsh #Ghumakkadhb #environmentaleducation #BITSPilani #196873Batch #Batchmates