The Magik of... youth, bushes and much more!

As I walk back down the road to the back roads of Chincholi Bunder (Creek) I enter a new world. A world different from where i spend my entire day. The entire day is normally at home where the time table swings up and down between books, leisure and family. A evening stroll to a place which was once an untrespassed territory but now a different world all together. The lane starts with dim street lights with glass buildings on both sides and a mob of youth having their favourite snacks at the roadside Tajs & Oberois. Everything fine till now. A more closer watch will enable you to spot about people in the corners smoking their favourite sticks during their team breaks. The density of smokers is so high that a friend of mine can easily say thats Four Square, no Marlboro or today its Willls. Get a life i think about telling these guys and girls but then i tell myself i have no business nosing around their business. Glass Buildings here run round the clock supporting calls for the those abroad. Talking with a typical thick euro-asian assent these guys lead a carefree life. 

This is the first Magik that globalisation and westernisation has done to our cultural base. Nothing wrong but then its rightly said Aping others was , is and will never be cool. And loosing your identity to just be cool is completely wrong. Not to be prejudicial to our Western Borthers but if In Rome you do as the Romans do Then why do Indains in apna pichvada have to ape the whites and their ishtyle.

                As i move ahead I take my usual seat at the steps of this Garden built by the BMC or a like-government body. A 10 min rest over there and you will realise that the ultimate purpose for what these parks were built has gone drastically wrong. Yes it was supposed to be meant for Recreation, Exercise and Amusement for Children. But its turned out to be an epic centre for romance and a public display of affection. The Park sends out a strong signal of changing the edifice of our culture and the principals of Public Display of Affection laid down by it. Still nothing wrong, they say. Our life and our body. But then when you see children ogling at these engrossed couples , pointing and giggling, its a tough time for their parents back home. A crictic says bal manavar parinam hota na! The other day i was sitting outside when a terse couple got out from the rick arguing at the top of their voices entered the park and took a secure hiding place. The place I think was behind some bushes. The gardener had I think deisgned those bushes in such a way that the eye cant find a thing. But when they came back 20 mins later while I was still sitting outside. The scene has changed. A peacefull looking couple, the cuttest if its kind, walking hand in hand and laughing and smiling as thought they hadnt fought each other in their last upteen lives forget about the last 30 mins, presenting as thought they are a couple with the tag line: Till death do us apart. 

A word of caution to my friends and and their better halves. Constant Vigilance always!

Regards,

PV

Life in Madhur: Part I - MPL

Brought up with atleast 15 guys of the same age, give or take 5 years, in a society, old as this one. We are I think the third generation to step foot here and by far as I can estimate we have been the best. A perfect exposure to academics, sports and  daily upbringing. Yes, I think i am quite fortunate to have grown up here, made some great friends and shared some ever-lasting memories.

And that's the reason I thought about adding a couple of posts to my Memory Lane.

• The fever of every Sunday and Public Holiday: The Madhur Premier League (MPL) and secondly
• The Madhur Kaands

Now for the time being, lets go through the Madhur Premier League.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) started exactly 3 seasons back. WE on the other hand started 4 years back. Nope we never stopped playing cricket ever in our society even when we were under repairs. The sadness of  loosing out on the Big Ground for a mere free of cost 140 sq metres was a big blow but it did lead to 3 new avenues (pitches) under our MPL scanner. And this I think to the ritual of MPL.

Yes friends, A ritual followed like no other one. A desire to play and prove yourself every time you go out there. The passion which defines what the Sunday Morning Cricket of a mere 2 hours, is to us.

There are lot of stark differences with the IPL. Some funny bulleted points are as follows.

• We are not Cash-Rich like the IPL. I think we are more of Cash-Stripped. Every Sunday begins with Malay getting some his Dads used Tennis Balls. If that does not suffice our Chairman ( referred to ahead), then we argue on who should fund out Rs. 35/- only for the Ball of the Day. After a discussion of 5 to 10 mins we end up contributing Rs.5 each or else catching A Bechara Bakra for the Day. Yes then the agony of someone going and getting the ball. No one wants to do an extra bit. After the new Ball comes. Everyone wants a piece of it and then the comments flow in......
• We dont have a scandalous Lalit Modi to frame the rules but yes we indeed have a Chairman. A Chairman who is heckled for rules and regulations and accused for rules unframed by him. It starts with a shout and ends with some chus, MCs, BCs. an lot more. And his taste of shifting the stumps until he is satisfied. 
• And then we also have the Secretary who keeps a close watch on the proceedings and always keeps  on bouncing from one Sunday to another with his characteristic shouts of 'Aai Aloo..'
• We dont have a Chidambaran who provides security and cover to our players. But we have a bowler who couples up as a Security Man. Well please dont under estimate him guys, he is a specialist nut-cracker. (*Experienced*),
• No Mandira Bedi . No Gavaskar. But yes we indeed have our own Arun Lal for the Extra-Innings who keeps a tab on the proceedings with the usual laugh, the unusual expert comments and the sickening feeling that he gives as thought he has coached Sachin Tendulkar.
• We are all domestic under graduate players playing for pride and entertainment. But we do have some foreign players like Chitli, Pudi and some friends who are free agents.
• We have no scorers , no statisticians and no umpires. All 15-20 players are umpires and scorers at the same time
• Every Ball is increased by the Bowling team and reduced by the Batting team. Then it is counted twice and then Recounted to the satisfaction to the opposition.
• Every  Run on the other hand is decreased by the Bowling team and increased by the Batting Team. And then recounted.
• Every run out is battled out there and every catch is re-casted in the mind. Such is the passion and decibel levels that people are in their balconies beckoning us to play or asking us to go home.
• The payers are characterized into many classes: we have the Radyas, the Fast Bowlers, the Cheaters, The Shupa Rustoms, The bouncers, The Creatives etc.
• We have the Shirke Riders, Vakde XI, Kulkarni Chargers,etc. 
• Generations will come and go but this I think will always stay. We have done everything. Thrown bats on Wind Shields of Cars after they slip out. Broken countless window panes and paid of just one till now. Injured passer-bys. Cracked Out People. Etc

I can think on only these many points as of now. I ll definitely add a few more when i recollect next time.

And yes for the next post of the Madhur Kaands, the readers will have to wait.

Disclaimer: All charecters and incidents are imaginary and any resemblance to any person alive or dead is purely co-incidental. The main objective of the author was to make a point of these evergreen instances in his memory lane.

Podar Clickers

Well the next academic year we start with a new forum in R. A. Podar College of Commerce & Economics. The Permissions taken, the plans have started being penned down but the name still hasnt been decided...

So its a plea to all those reading this blog to suggest an orginal, dhasu and an uptown name so that I and Priyanka Kanani can zero down on one.!









The Draft Rules are as follows:


1. The Club will be called ___________ (herein referred to as The Club).


2. The Object of The Club is to promote and foster the study, practice and appreciation of Photography by means of meetings, lectures, demonstrations, competitions, exhibitions, on-field practice and such other means as are deemed appropriate.


3. Ordinary membership of the Club shall be open to all those who are interested in photography from R. A. Podar College of Commerce & Economics. Membership is open to present as well as ex-Podarites.


4. Membership of the club implies the undertaking to comply and abide with the rules laid down from time to time.


5. The Committee shall be empowered to confer Honorary Membership on those considered deserving of such recognition.


6. The Officer Bearers of the Club shall consist of a Core-Committee consisting of Chairperson, Secretary, Joint-Secretary, Treasurer and Data Manager(s). At the discretion of the Committee, members to the post of Coordinators will be appointed. No member shall hold any office, other than the office of the Chairperson for a period longer than one academic year.


7. The affairs of the Club shall be managed by a Committee consisting of the Office Bearers selected under Rule 6, together with a maximum of four Coordinators from the other ordinary members of the Club.


8. The selection of images to represent the Club in external events and any selection that may be required in connection with domestic competitions shall be conducted by a Selection committee, consisting of up to five members appointed by the Chairperson and he shall have the sole authority to consult any person or expert of the field of photography as he may deem to be fit. The Members of the Selection Committee may or may not have the Membership of The Club.

9. The Chairperson will be the principal of The Club and will overlook the working of The Club. The Chairman will be the Teacher-in-Charge of The Club as appointed by the Principal of R.A.Podar College of Commerce & Economics.


10. The Secretary and the Joint Secretary shall keep the Minutes of all Committee Meetings, Documentation, Reports of all visits and shall be responsible for the general correspondence of The Club. Photography, being completely dependent on the subject matter that is chosen, it is the responsibility of the Secretary and the Joint-Secretary that the group will be guided by a firm set of strict rules and regulations which shall be formed keeping in mind the Ethics and Values of our society. The Secretary and the Joint Secretary will be appointed by the Chairperson of the Club.


11. The Treasurer shall collect all subscriptions and monies as authorized by the Committee from time to time. The Treasurer shall keep proper accounts of all financial transactions and shall            prepare a income statement in the prescribed Excel Format for audit and inspection by any member of the club who has reservations regarding the application of money and transparency of the transactions. The Treasurer shall also have authority to make payments on behalf of the Club, and to determine, in consultation with the Chairperson or/and the Secretary which payments are, or are not, to be made. The Treasurer shall be appointed by the Secretary and the Joint-Secretary in consultation with the Chairperson.


12. The Data Manager(s) will be responsible for collecting all the photos and images immediately after the field visit. The Data manager(s) will save all these images and organize the database in a systematic manner. They will be keep a Back-up of this Database with the Secretary. The responsibilities also include maintaining the contact details of the Members in the prescribed Excel format. The Data-Manager shall be appointed by the Secretary and the Joint-Secretary in consultation with the Chairperson.


13. The Coordinators as appointed by the Committee will act as a link between the Committee and the Members. There shall be not more than 4 Coordinators appointed in the first meeting of The Club after a justifiable selection process conducted by the Committee. One from the Junior College, Two from the Senior College and One as required for the smooth functioning depending on the requirements for the Club.


14. The Entrance Fees shall be payable at the earliest opportunity. Any student whose subscription is more than two weeks in arrears shall be struck off the Register of Members by the Committee. New members joining at any time during the year will have to bear the full amount of the Entrance Fees.


15. A Member may be expelled or asked to resign from the Club at the decision of the Committee. The Committee may request a member to appear before it, provided that where any accusation or charge is made, the Member shall be given full and reasonable opportunity to put forward a defense and bring witnesses at a later Committee Meeting. All Committee proceedings called under this rule shall be treated as privileged and confidential.


16. No alterations of, or additions to, these Rules shall be made hereafter. The wording of any such alterations or additions shall be included in the meetings and conveyed to the members.\


17.  Any contingency not covered by these Rules shall be dealt with at the discretion of the Committee.


Quite a task to frame them.. Please comment here and give us suggestions for the name of our club.!!


Regards,
PV

1.

Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Blogs

Well the rules of the society say the blog is your best friend. It needs to be spoken to, visited every now and then and lessons in life should be shared no matter what. Yes no matter what. But i m really sorry I cant come back every day.

Its just that these exams, books take away all my time. With atleast 10 subjects swinging in and out of my head, it becomes increasingly difficult to think about something to write here. An this Heat doesnt help the already lost cause either. The Badges read thus:

I ll someday do justice to these..........

over and out,

PV

HAIRCUTS GONE ALL WEIRD!

Why is it that every time I go for a Haircut, I end up looking 'wierder' than before! Yes,.. I have a really good observation.. Whatever be my instructions, However keenly i explain to him ki listen bhaiya "this is what I want!"


But no. The end result is always the same. Today I had decided I wont give him any instructions. Just went and sat there. He asked me whether I wanted to shave or have a haircut. I looked at myself.. Ok i know I am bald but not to that extent that you cant make it out that my hair is overgrown.


Damn I took my position apprehensively. Ok. I told my self. Consoling. The ordeal will be through in ant time. He took his machine trimed it off from the sides. I opened my eyes. Not bad i told myself. Then started the fun. He took a spray of water. Sprayed it all over. Damn I look good. I smiled to myself. He realised. That fellow gave me a Filmfare mag of some April 2006. I flipped thorugh. There was Mallika Sherawat in a bikini from the movie Murder and then Priyanka from that Sad Muhjse Shaadi Karogi. I read a few articles while there was a running commentary from him going on about the Match where Dada aka Ganguly took an excellent catch. He almost chopped off my eyebrow that time in excitement. but then i dint look at myself . Completely immersed in Bollywood Heorines. Then after discussing things from IPL, politics and much more, I was given a fair bit of gossip. He says that his bro in Punjab saw Preity and Lalit kissing each other (he said, "angrezi cinemaa mein hota hai na , voh wala kissie!")


Time flew by. Kolkata gained a firm control. I was amused by the gossip chitters. 20 mins gone.


Alas. All Hair gone. it seemed that the rat had a gala feast. In short like always the result was the same. 


But it was not just that. I was handsomely made a chutia as locals call it.


One experience though!  

God where are you?

When you have no free time.. your mind wavers to no length. Its good I have this webpage as my best friend.

A just-for-timepass post.. Read ony in your leisure...

"What you are is God's gift to you,

What you become is your gift to God!"

One of my teachers wrote this in my Autograph book on the day of our 10th Standard farewell. Ever since that day I have been thinking what is it that ONE thing that God thought I ll do when he decided that I should be born . In other  words what is that one thing I should be in the quest for ! Yes i somehow fail to realize what is the purpose of my birth and survival?

Its said that only 5% of our plans are executed to perfection even by die-hard perfectionists. God according to me is no exception. Only 5 people out of 100 actually do what they are born for. If all his plans were to perfection we wont have robbers, terrorists and suicide bombers. They after all our also sons and daughters of the almighty like us.

Everyday as I go to bed, I pray to God that I hope I dream today. I hope he comes to me in my dreams and tells me in his heavenly echoing voice, "Dude this is what you are meant for!" 

But alas for the last couple of weeks, I have been dreaming: myself riding a horse, galloping up and down the length and breadth of our country and chasing away our idiotic politicians. And every-time I get up in the morning you wont believe it. my bums and limbs are paining like hell as  thought I have been up all night and riding that horse. But common you gotto be kidding me... I speak to myself in half-sleep as my alarm goes on.. I wasn't sleep walking, was I.../ Putting away these fears of sleep-walking (sorry, sleep-riding, mind you), I lead a normal day of books and books and timetables. But today when I got up I had some conclusive evidence that I wasn't sleep walking. Because yesterday I killed Mayawati by strangling her in her multi-crore curreny ki mala and then burying her in the deserts of Jaiselmer and covering that place with those 1000 rupee notes. But then today morning she was waving in that newspaper.. So that fine!

But then coming to the point.. What am I meant for? Withstanding the pain in my limbs each time I wake up, I pray again as I sleep so that I can hear that Godly Amitabh Bachhan like heavenly voice, " Haain Dude , you are meant for this!"

Look around guys, you are not meant to just support your life and wife, not meant to churn in lakhs or maybe crores at each year-end. Might be its time you look towards the society, for the people(may it be your own) family), but most importantly LIVE a life and not just follow the footsteps. Might be you are that successful 5% which can do wonders..

Lead a life which you shall be proud of. Make real friends and not just commercial friends. Remember always, when you kicked out of you mother's womb ( or otherwise in case of Ceaserian babies) the world rejoiced as you cried. Leave such a mark that the world cried as you attain salvation.....

Regards,

PV

  

  

Long Days at my Table

With all these-not-meant-for -me exams coming up ans stress levels already registered in Guinness Book Of Records at an all time high, I find little time each day to devote some time to my best friend - Memory Lane. Its not  that I dont have any memories to be shared but its just that I dont want to relive these memories. These three months i would like to really forget and move ahead.

Ahead, in a world of, exams, new rules and regulations and restrictive practices. When I argue with my dad about the working of this world he tells me. "There are some people who are never wrong- Your parents, Your headmaster, The emperor and yes, (How can I forget) your Employer." Peace I say.... Yes Peace....
But then he reminds me , "When was the last time I adhered to rules?".. Failing to recollect an occasion for the same, I give a twinkled smile.

Just waiting.Come 16th May, and I bet i ll begin a new life. A life full of realization of what lies ahead. A life full of plans of what I want to do.

Its time, I really think its time we realize to try and become what we are good at rather than what others want us to become.


A Happy Easter to all my Catholic Brothers...

Regards,

PV

Colonial Cousins Say it.

One of the most fantastic songs i have heard. 
Cant put an intro to it.. It says a lot on its own...


Krishna Nee Begane Baro
-Colonial Cousins




Krishna nee begane baro
Krishna nee begane baro
Darkness coming round
And everybody fighting with their brothers
Everybody wants control
Don't hesitate to kill one another
So come back as Jesus
Come back and save the world
That's all the future
Of every boy and girl
Come back as Rama
Forgive us for what we've done
Come back as Allah
Come back as anyone

Krishna nee begane baro
krishna nee begane baro

Religion is the reason
The world is breaking up into pieces
Colour of the people
Keeps us locked in hate please release us
hmm..

So come down and help us
Save all the little ones
They need a teacher
And you are the only one
We can rely on
To build a better world
A world that's for children
A world that's for everyone

Krishna nee begane baro
Krishna nee begane baro
=========================
(2:53)
Time is the healer
Time moves on
Time don't wait for anyone
You tell you'll be back
But that will take some time
I'm waiting...
ahh......
I'm waiting...
Waiting...
I'm waiting...
=====================
(3:48)
I'm waiting
Yea.... Yea...
Come back as Jesus
Come back and save the world
We need a teacher
You are the only one
Come back as Rama
Forgive us for what we've done
Come back as Allah
Come back as anyone

Krishna nee begane baro
Krishna nee begane baro

Jesus!
Come back and save the world
That's all the future
Of every boy and girl
Come back as Rama
Forgive us for what we've done
Come back as Allah
Come back for everyone
============================
(5:18)
Govinda bolo hare Gopal bolo.....(Repeat)






PS: hey chikoo, this one for you. Fantastic song. mwah!!

Personal to Corporate!

Gokhale & Sathe

A firm with that personal touch.

A firm to whom I owe quite a lot...

Yes, Quite a lot..

My Time, Attitude, Persona, Ethics Friends.

Well we moved into a new office premises.

It was wonderful. Just like a festive occasion.Colors all around. With girls in saris and guys in their best traditional clothes, it was indeed a sight to behold. All partners, employees, articles and peons enjoying the move. But then there were many changes, observed by the heart with the aid of the mind and not just the eyes...

The wooden partitions were now replaced with glass ones. Everything was chaka-chak. The open work places are now replaced by cubicles. The flooring was done afresh. All the cupboards were numbered and everything was organised to perfection something which has not been the usual Gokhale & Sathe. lol. Everything filled, packed and shifted to new places. Yes but definitely something to be proud off. We mooved froma residential colony to an Industrial gala.  Many more changes. and why not... 'afterall we are starting afresh!!'... But these observations were met by my eyes..

Then as time grew older, my mind and heart observed. Somewhere deep down, my heart missed something. The memories of the old place were not Filled. Those were not packed. Those were left behind there. Almost two years of meeting some fantastic people, working with even better people and the memories of being thought work ethics, were left behind. The September where I worked day in and night out and all those past memories. Why cant we carry it here? After all Laxmikant was an important phase in Gokhale&Sathe's life. It has now graduated to a mid-size firm with a widespread clientele. It has grown both in numbers and professionally. Then why not carry all these treasured memories together?

My heart screamed for a someone to notice. My mind cried. But I did not shed the tears.
I assured myself that it is time to move on. Someone had said I think, "Change is a Nature's Principle".
Might be yes, variety is a spice of life. I think for a Firm to grow this corporate-ness is essential.
Well thats it then, as I pondered on my way back....


Time to form new Memories.
Time for new Beginning.
Time for a new September.
Time for something new...

But I hope, I pray..
That with the same people around
And even with Gokhale & Sathe embarking
Towards a Corporateness
I want that Personal touch to remain...

PS: Might be when I resume work.. I ll still get down at Matunga and walk to Laxmikant. Because I am so used to it now.!

Religious Pluralism

India.. An epic centre of religons flocking to glory, they say. Allow me to quote a TOI Crest Article. The World over, India is admired as an icon of religious pluralism. Every terror attack rooted in religious fundamentalism is a calculated attempt to subvert and dishonor this world heritage. For the most part, Indians have shown remarkable restraint in their response to the attacks on Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmadabad, Jaipur and now Pune. But its rightly said that shrapnel cannot shatter a secularism that is far older and deeper than terrorism can ever hope to be. In a country like India where the word 'Ali' nestles in 'Diwali' and Ram in 'Ramzan', it is hardly surprising that same person who reveres Ganesha and Guru Nanak also bows to Ahura, Allah and St. Anthony. The Indian has a remarkable capacity not only to be multidimentional but multidenominational. Being born into one religion doesn't restrict access to other Gods. Perhaps its time we were allowed to state more than one religion while filling up a form.

There is a specific reason why the above topic engraves a marking on my heart. My mother is a Catholic and my Father a Maharashtrian Brahmin. It goes without saying that, when I was small I was put to bed by stories of the Holy Bible, the Bhagvad Gita, Marathi and English songs and also Sanskrit Shlokas and Bible verses. I studied in a school which was a Roman Catholic Convent with a church in the front yard. I sung hymns in school in the morning, and said Sanskrit prayers in the evening. This I think has moulded my attitude towards religion.

I have friends from all religions alike. I have this uncanny ability of making friends alike. I always concentrate on the first name and never have I paid heed to the last name. If a new friend tells me his name is Krish, then it doesnt matter for me if he is Krish Singh, Krish Vadia, Krish Khan, Krish Kulkarni or just Krish. Why is it that the religion to which a person belongs doesnt matter to our generation when he/she is walking, talking, working with us. Might be we are entrusted to form the new world order. Isnt it? The young muslim today is aware of the Muslim alienation in the world. Alas, it continues to exist. But does it matter to you that there is a muslim in your work place? I beg to differ.....

At the back of my mind, it sometimes strikes to me. That the big bang that has been predicted by the Mayan Calendar on the 21/12/2010 should occur. Not because I want everyone dead. But because I think, but I can only hope, that, that time the world will rise for the new world order. No fundamentalists, No nationalists, No communists, No republicans, No democrats, Just THE PEOPLE.

There are a few instances which I would like to narrate in Mumbai which have caught my eye.
The Lalbaug Ganapati is the biggest sarvajanik ganeshotsav mandal in Mumbai. Everyone, boletoh everone, right from hindus, sikhs, muslims, catholics visit HIM. Its a seen to believe.The Haji Ali Durgah is a shrine visited by all. So is Siddhivinayak Temple or even the Mahalaxmi Temple.The Bandra Fair ie the Mount Mary Festival is a great Crowd puller where people of all faiths bow their heads.


I m waiting for that day when India will say....

'Vakratund mahakaya....
My father in heaven holy be thy name,...
Allah hi Rahem.. Allah hi Rahem...
Ik onkar, Satnaam, Karta Purak...'

It will be the 8th wonder of the world for sure.... waiting.....