WALKWAY TO SERENITY

MEET DHANANJAY DONGRE:
A MAN WHO SAYS A WALK ALONG THE THANE CREEK HELPS HIM GET OVER ALL HIS WORRIES!

An artist by profession, specialising in portraits, landscapes, cartoons, etc, Dhananjay did not have it easy while growing up. He would begin his day by delivering milk while working for a dairy. He then got a job with a customs clearing agent at the docks, but had to leave to take care of his father who was becoming visually impaired. He always liked to paint and now pursues his hobby with gay abandon. Here's how he counters stress...

Painting for 12 years now, I have had my share of ups and downs and have learnt to deal with stress before it dealt with me. Trouble usually begins when the shade of colour isn't just right or the expression is awry and the picture does not jell despite repeated attempts.

Every time I start getting that familiar feeling, I drop what ever I am doing and first of all go for a walk along the creek from Kalva Bridge towards the station side as the mangroves and the surrounding greenery soothes me. This space is also a feeding point for birds, and watching them rills me with peace. Other than this I do a lot of yoga, stretching exercises and most importantly I read the Shri Sai Satcharitra, Its spiritual beauty and guidance gives me unlimited peace.

Work times are absolutely erratic and sometimes I sleep when I should be working, and sometimes it is the other way around. But a few words of advice to all: bust that stress before it busts you. It is a killer disease. The moment you get that sinking feeling, get out, get going and get it out of your system.

(As told to Nasser Lalljee)