7th Jan - 13th Jan 2019

Thursday : Muskan wants to celebrate my birthday. So how to do that? I had told no cake, no lights etc. I believe after 60 you are living in bonus salary, so every day is pay day, birthday 🎂.
Dhwani and Muskan wrecked their brain and finally came out with this idea, for which i can not thank them enough. Our family trend of doing things little हटके continues. More than idea, I love this effort. Secondly, I love my sweets, that now every one knows.
And what they did? Instead of cake, this plate was presented for cutting. By cutting I meant finishing this thing off.

My challenge was to finish this plate after dinner. Now question is did I?
Dhananjay Anil Bajaj mata ki chowki was arranged at 'Khatwari Dharbar' khar Mumbai. Mummy, Lali, Manju, Avi left Pune at 10.30.
I do not like this roll reversal. Mummy used to worry about is, whenever we were out. Now, I unnecessarily worried about mummy doing up-down. They left Pune around 10.00 in morning and returned at 3.00 am. I remember during engagement period, I was late and returned by 1.00am, after meeting Bindiya and taking her to sun-n-sand. Mummy opened the door before I can use my key. She was awake and worried.
And after 40 years or so, I kept checking my mobile for Avi message that they have reached back. This is how life circle is completed. You reap what you sow. 😂😁
Jan birthday 🎂 list is long. Ashish Bajaj, Mohan Dodeja, Vibha Dodeja, Mehak Valecha, Prakash Dodeja, Dhwani Dodeja, Simran Raheja, Bindiya Dodeja and few more.

So Dhwani and company decided to celebrate her birthday in advance as she will be in Mumbai on 10th. All ladies of family did रखरपठी. Pinky was leader of the gang. After dinner in some posh restaurant, they went for drive till 2.30 am.

Birthday celebration

Thursday : Muskan wants to celebrate my birthday. So how to do that? I had told no cake, no lights etc. I believe after 60 you are living in bonus salary, so every day is pay day, birthday 🎂.
Dhwani and Muskan wrecked their brain and finally came out with this idea, for which i can not thank them enough. Our family trend of doing things little हटके continues. More than idea, I love this effort. Secondly, I love my sweets, that now every one knows.
And what they did? Instead of cake, this plate was presented for cutting. By cutting I meant finishing this thing off.

My challenge was to finish this plate after dinner. Now question is did I?
Dhananjay Anil Bajaj mata ki chowki was arranged at 'Khatwari Dharbar' khar Mumbai. Mummy, Lali, Manju, Avi left Pune at 10.30.
I do not like this roll reversal. Mummy used to worry about is, whenever we were out. Now, I unnecessarily worried about mummy doing up-down. They left Pune around 10.00 in morning and returned at 3.00 am. I remember during engagement period, I was late and returned by 1.00am, after meeting Bindiya and taking her to sun-n-sand. Mummy opened the door before I can use my key. She was awake and worried.
And after 40 years or so, I kept checking my mobile for Avi message that they have reached back. This is how life circle is completed. You reap what you sow. 😂😁
Jan birthday 🎂 list is long. Ashish Bajaj, Mohan Dodeja, Vibha Dodeja, Mehak Valecha, Prakash Dodeja, Dhwani Dodeja, Simran Raheja, Bindiya Dodeja and few more.

So Dhwani and company decided to celebrate her birthday in advance as she will be in Mumbai on 10th. All ladies of family did रखरपठी. Pinky was leader of the gang. After dinner in some posh restaurant, they went for drive till 2.30 am.

14th July - 20th July 2019

Which is best period for Parents in life of their kid?
Reply to this question is.
When your baby is 4 year old. Why I say this? Well, our Kabir turned four last month.
One: He is in KG, so no pressure of school or home work.
Two: Baby has learned many things by the time he/she is four year old.
Talking: Kabir is very talkative boy. Even when no one is around, he keeps talking to his toys. He loves to make stories, but his characters are Avengers or some one from youtube clips which he watches during his lunch or dinner.
Walking & dancing : Kabir loves to follow his heroes, from TV or YouTube. And he is very good in copying their style of walking and dancing. If his tune comes on TV, he leaves whatever he doing, and starts dancing till the tune ends.
[wpvideo D4YP25BJ]
Getting angry : His anger sits on tip of his nose. When he is in anger mood, even small tap by me on his shoulder will draw huge scream. And during the day, this happens many times. This is hereditary gift from Dhwani. And most of time, he fights in anger with Dhwani. Muskan is expert in diverting his attention. I make him more angry so that he realises that anger is unproductive, and stops getting angry.
Manipulating : When I talk with him in Sindhi or give him free advise or criticism, he says, "You are bad dadu." And when he wants something which his mother will not allow, like Gems, sweets, icecream etc, he will come to me and say, "I love you Dadu, lets go down and buy something."
Energetic activities. 'Boaa, lets do racing, ok, get set run.' Rinky or Chinky are his competitors nowadays. Of course they know, they are not allowed to win this game. We adults get tired soon enough, but he wants more races to win. We use Muskan tactics and divert his attention.

Then in evening he spends hour or so in society compound running around with 'Sayuam - सयम' and other boys. He loves to do cycling also.
My weight is in control due to his activities. I try to keep up with him, but I am finding it difficult to keep up with him, now.

Imagination : He has plenty of heroes to play with and make stories. Few months back, on his top of the list were Spider-Man, Captain America. With my help he would crawl on walls, strike his pose and say I am Spider-Man. Then on his birthday last month, he received Captain America tee shirt and sheild as gift. So for few days he was CA. Running around sheild, hitting and jumping.
Currently he is fan of Lion King from Disney's movie. Whenever TV shows advertisements of this movie, he strikes the Lion pose for 20 seconds till advertisements is over. Shah Rukh dialogue has impressed him a lot. 'मैं तुम्हारे साथ हू....'
In all these activities, innocence is plenty which makes it very enlightening and entertaining.
Manju returned from Singapore on 18th. After Sharat wedding she has become free bird. She left Pune on 26th june, stayed at Neha house for week or so, went to Singapore. All her sisters also joined her there. This will be vacation of nearly a month.
Rashmi flew to Chennai to her maika for three days 'me' time.
Lali and Sharat are also in Mumbai, hopefully they will have gala time.

Mummy with her son and grand daughter playing board game.
by P G Dodeja

Mother & Son

This picture is more than 60 years old, clicked by Dad. This is one of the excellent photograph of our family album. Great composition, excellent use of light and perfect timing. This captures the mood perfectly. 

Now Kabir has crossed 3.5 year age mark. He loves to hear stories and also loves to make his own stories. The normal games which he plays are modified as per his imagination.

I thought I can keep up with him in his games. But i was wrong. Now he is strong enough to push move me, runs faster than me. In story making department he is getting strong. He has five super heroes to follow. Batman, Superman, Spiderman, Iron man and Captain America. And he is always Spiderman whereas I am Superman. This Superman is supposed to come second in any race or jumping competition.

Last afternoon he lined up all five super heroes and told me to talk to them! Now can you imagine talking to them for two hours? Level of stupidity was very high, but believe me, we both were engaged fully. We were asking them some thing, say about their dress, and they would reply, this reply will be routed through me.

Western world thinks that teenagers are very challenging to take care off. That phase of life is considered as most scary period for parents. Well in case of Rinky, there was no such experience, at least in my knowledge. Today, being her 18th birthday 🎂, she is officially now adult. LGD family has 20 members, out of which 19 are adults and 1 is monster boy. And in year 2000, when Dad left for his final journey, LGD family had 16 members, out of which eight were kids.

Between Chinky - Rinky I consider Rinky to be elder sister, the way she bosses over Chinky. Even slight mistake / error is observed, critisized and regulated. 'dideeeee' is Rinky operative word. Chinky tries to ignore her, but persistent Rinky never gives up.

Every one love their mother. No two thought. But this girl's love is at different level only. She must have created record of sort of saying 'I love you.' or flying kisses or hugs to her mother. Just mention of word "mother" brings up a gentle glow to her face.

Now, some observations on record, so that she gets correct boy friend. If he reads this and still wants to be boy friend, than I would say, he is right person.

She is Nani 👵 of the house. Likes to boss and keep track of every one. Loves her mum the most. Closely followed by her 'bhaaabhiii' Muskan. I have seen her scolding her Dadi also, if she becomes careless with herself! Chinky loves to read, and avoids social gathering, it is credit to Rinky's constant request to 'keep mobile down and participate,' has changed her into social being. One thing which I like in her is that she willingly accepts any situation. Yeh, but she is bit lazy. Smartly, she passes on small tasks to others, and they willing comply.

And she is good at keeping her feelings hidden. Basically she is very sensitive and gets hurt easily. One would have to observe her closely to know that she is hurt by this action or word.

And yes, I am going to get dressing down from her for writing all this. Hopefully she never reads.

Winter is back. Wow. Temperatures are hovering around 10-12 degrees. Very pleasant and lovely. Just enjoy it.

WINTER MORNINGS

In Jammu when Shyamuncle was posted as RBI manager, they used to shift their office tables etc on terrace of building during sever winter months. RBI Office used to work from terrace, staff sitting under open sky but under glittering sun, with files scattered on floor, peon rushing constantly from original office to terrace office. It must be a scene.
Middle aged men in full suit, head covered in woolen cap or thick scarf, drinking numerous cups of piping hot tea, huddled over some file in group discussing how to arrange delivery of cash in Srinagar! Or any other matter.

And in Pune, here is Kabir and Muskan enjoying morning milk, tea under open sky, with sun sending warm blessings. Priceless.

I take my first cup of tea along with Bindiya around 6.45. The tea is made by me with exact measurements, two spoons of 'chai pati' two spoons of 'sugar' two spoons extra sugar for Bindiya, Adhrak and Three leaves of tulsi. Second cup is repeat of first. Then I wait for newspaper.

Before newspaper arrives, Dhwani comes down in rush-rush mood. Her pick up office bus comes around 7.10. In 24 hours of day this is best time to catch her and talk. She loves to talk, and her cell phone is constantly busy. During day, phone, kabir and school keeps her fully occupied.

 During these 5—15 minutes in morning, kabir is sleeping, she keeps cell phone free so that she can keep track of Bus arrival. Her friend keeps her informed about the route of bus and expected time of arrival at Parmar park gate. In this brief time, I come to know about her program, or say what is happening in Tanvi or Tini's life. What are plans, fun activities arranged for 23rd engagement party of her cousin Harsh. If we have time, we discuss Jan 2019, Bunty wedding in Goa. Though she is not going, but she is fully aware of all programs etc. And finally there is always some student's serious issue to discuss.

Thankfully she does not like to complain or play politics and raise some family member issue. Mostly we discuss upcoming event or party. Like new year party is round the corner, so plans and oprions are discussed. Ofcourse she sometimes loves to gossip also, but for that Muskan presence is required. 😊

By 7.30, news paper drops on door. Most of the news is stale as per current standard. TV channels, Goggle news, Whatapp messages have already passed on all news upto last one hour. But old habits are very difficult to kill. And add to it, this joy of reading paper with grand son. Kabir looks out for Animal pictures or super hero (spiderman, captain America) pics. Once he finds that, he takes the control of paper and makes stories based on his hero. Muskan only knows how to divert him from his obsession.

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26th Nov — 2nd Dec 2018

خوشنما آھساس Khushnima Ahsas

This is typical sindhi word, whose English equivalent, i am not able to trace. And I find it very appropriate for above picture as well as for my following story.

When Mummy is around, i feel this “Khushnima Ahsas” in our atmosphere. And this feeling gets enhanced when Mummy makes or rather helps in making her old dishes. Here is brief tour of this week menu.

On Monday night, we had great pleasure of enjoying her Karela made in onions with ti-Daal. This dish took me back to Ghatkopar in late 60`s when we would over eat, or say binge eat. Lali, Sanji, Myself will sit on floor of kitchen with our plates, as mummy will roll chapatis and keep feeding us. Because rotis will be hot, I would always end up one-two roti more than my hunger’s demand. After long time same feeling is back. In last two weeks I must have put on some extra weight. Instead of on eating one roti, I am eating 2/3 roties.

Someone from Muskan office asked her to make ‘bea-aaloo’. Wow, what a demand. With Mummy’s help and her recipe she made ‘tairi and bea-aaloo’ the way we used to enjoy. I eat lunch and dinner to fullfill craving, which ofcourse never get fulfilled. And everyone in planeti enjoyed it. Muskan is getting famous there for her culinary skills. She is popular for Kali daal, now bea-aaloo.

Turi is a humble vegetable. When muskan makes it, that is ‘turi-daal ki sabji’, it is bright and properly cooked, delicious. And when Mummy cooks, it is dark, very tasty and superb. And along with this comes long past experiences of enjoyment memory.

And when I thought, week is over, mummy has supervised lot of cooking, so do not expect more, but she came out with one more item. It was blast from the past. Dahi wade! Muskan loves to make softest possible dahi wade, whereas mummy makes bit hard but high in masala etc.

I had kept ‘Changu – Mangu’ pet name of ‘Akki – Kash.’ They used to love it specially when we went out for drive. I told Kabir that you are son of Mangu, so he should be named Mangulal. Our Kabir dislikes to be called anything else. He is very much rigid in that sense. You speak with him only in English, no Hindi or Sindhi words. Call him Kabir only. Now, I have few pet names for Kabir. So whenever I call him, ‘Chutki ke bhai’, ‘Mangulal’, ‘Mungerilal’, ‘Khushiram’, ‘Captain America’ etc he ignores it, waiting for me to call him Kabir.

But when he is in mood, he calls his father ‘Mangu’ as loud as he can. Then he gives his mischievous smile.
Now what should we make of this?