22nd Dec. - 29th Dec 2013 [ Wishes]

This week we had three parties in row! On Sunday, we visited ‘Amanora’ Town center. It being 25^th we had traffic jam experience after a long time. We all with Bathija family reached at center around 8, nearly one hour late from planned time. Amanora Town Center is huge open as well as closed space for shopping and time Pass. It is very modern, layout is excellent and it is very new. It looks like a film set, with lots of corners, open spaces, display balconies, paved areas, benches etc. 

The climate was very cool and crowd is good. Due to traffic our spirits were down, but the ambiance and setting of center uplifted our moods. 

As mummy and Bindiya had also joined us, we picked a corner outside a huge coffee/ice-cream outlet, occupying their chairs. I had expected they will kick us out soon, but we stayed till 11 O’clock with no request from parlor staff to move on, so we purchased very expensive ice cream from them, just in form of thanks. Rest of the young brigade roamed around in groups. Manju took Sharat & Ratna aunty to Big Bazar, for buying groceries, Lali & Akshay were busy arranging for food, Moni & Uncle doing window shopping, Muskan - Chinky - Rinky enjoying the Christmas, looking out for Santa for gifts, and Myself, Mummy and Bindiya chatting, our subject being 'Khoya' made by myself. 

'Business is slack', it is general complain nowadays, but at the Amanora, I can confirm this by this simple observation. In three hours which we spent there I did not see a single person coming out of west wing with shopping bag (which has many branded shops), nor I saw people rushing in ice cream parlor on whose door steps we had set up our party. The Town Center was filled to its brim with all kind of fashionable young couples, middle aged families with kids in tow, and few joint families like us. 

Akshay Lai Avi brought food from the vendors settled between four corners of shopping center. We enjoyed Hot pizza, Kathi Roti, Burgers and returned home at 11 O’clock. This must be Bindiya’s first late outing in years.

This party was followed by Pattice & Kulfi party, next day at B-7. We started with pattice making activity at 6.0 O’clock. And went on making different shape pattice, rolls etc and ended at 11.0 by finishing all varieties. During this party I passed on paper and pen for every one to make one wish for 2014. Here is result.

• Prakash – Lali – Moni – Rinky – Avi, all wished for a Trip. Some said New Zealand, some England, some Rome! 
• Manju wished for Bahu. 
• Pinky was not satisfied with one wish, so she asked for five wishes! 
• Chinky wants 90% in 10^th.  
•  Akshay wished for flat stomach, not six packs. 
• Shyam uncle wanted his dues cleared. 
• Muskan played safe and wished happiness for her both families

However, when real discusion started, the maximum demand was for the increase in size of the family. Obviously, we meant a new addition in form of Bahu & Beta or Beta. This was from Mummy – Myself – Manju – Sharat – Kashyap (Via Phone) – Lali - Megha.

   This year will be remembered for:

VISITED :	| Bada Gaon, Kutch. [Prakash – Kash & Dhwani)    |  Mahableshwar [Akshay – Muskan – Ankit – Pallavi]    |   Bali – Lali & Fly  |  Singapore – Manju    |  Chennai – Megha     | Bangalore, Nashik, Port Blair [Akshay]    | South – North [Sharat] – Hrishikesh [Mummy – Lali & Fly – Kash & Dhwani] -  | Delhi/Chandigarh [Akshay - Muskan]
PICNIC & PARTIES:	Gadge Farm, Singadh [LGD fly with PLD kids fly],  Party at Atlantis,  Parties at B7 Pakora Party, Pizza Part, Patice Party, Idli Party!
STARTED:	| XRBIA dealership     |  Memories in Motion     |  Week that was.
WATCHED:	‘Tarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chashma’,  Big Boss 7,  Mahadev,  Gustak Dil,  Bhabi.
TASK OF YEAR:	7 days Moun Vrit by Dhwani!
CELEBRATED:	| Neha/Lali/Muskan/Chinky Birthday at Atlantis     | Kash Birthday at Breakfast time at Jyoti!

 

by P G Dodeja

16th December 2013 to 22nd December 2013. [Shivering Winter]

 

Hello everyone. It is time for and I have request for your co-operation. This year will end within 9 days for year 2014 to start. Every year one should make resolutions, plan a dream, make a wish. This year I request all my readers to send me their one wish, one dream, so that we all should pray for its fulfillment. And with their permission I plan to include that in my next blog. So go for it.

This year winter has blessed us. The temperature is hovering around 7 degrees. Nights are very pleasant and enjoyable. When mercury falls below 7, it is time for winter cloths to come out of closets. Till that time lets enjoy the season to maximum. Few nights back, Muskan made it more enjoyable by serving us a Hot Masala Milk, laced with 'masalas' and dry fruit. Wow!

I have not asked mummy to make ‘Khoya’ as she is not able to stand for long time. If we ask her, she will make it irrespective of trouble she will face during making it. Such is love of mother.  Muskan is very busy with Xrbia calls, so she is out. Now I am planning to make Khoya with Bindiya’s help. This will make this winter very special! For results of this venture, read next week’s blog. But one thing is clear, this will be great ‘Khoya’ only thing to know will be how much great!

CIS team returned from wedding in Panvel shooting. This time they used copter camera. This is new gadget available on rent. A camera is attached to toy copter, which shoots aerial shots and creates excitement in guest. They all watch with amazement as copter hovers fifty feet above them, shooting and taking pictures. Footage is quiet impressive and gives different prospective, let’s see what impact it will have on finished product. And breaking news is this team is again off to Mumbai on Saturday for 3 days shooting spree. More power to them.

A sweet, warmth producing pic of all the kids of family. I love this pictuer.

Ashish Asrani, just 11 days younger to Akshay, sindhi boy, doing Luggage distribution, living in Wanwadi, reads lot of religious books. He is quite similar to Akshay. Both have turned into great buddies. The best part been Ashish is successful in dragging Akshay to Gym for last one week. It is a major achievement in my books. I & Muskan, pray to God that this good streak continues, Ashish gets good support from us as well as from God for doing such great job. One can see the difference in Akshay, he looks healthy and alert now.

You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.

Michael Pritchard

 

by P G Dodeja

9th December 2013 to 15th December 2013.

It is freezing, it is cold, and it is not even December end! Temperature during this week was hovering around 7 degrees! And add to that wind factor. It is chilling experience during the evening, on two wheeler, devil in you prompts to zoom away and feel the icy winds, cautious mind says, take care, drive slowly. It is like Delhi Ke Ladoo. You want to eat and again you do not want to eat!

Kashyap & Dhwani are in Mumbai, on 10 days shooting spree! Attending and shooting the weddings of client as well as friend Bhavin & Tanvi. Kashyap is highly charged as during this schedule he will be using 5 cameras, and latest gadget, ‘Copter Camera’. This is a camera hovering above crowd on a mechanical gadget like helicopter, taking shots from 50 feet above!

Muskan in deeply involved in Xrbia Business, as it is based on call center type work, and she had done that for quiet some time in Mumbai, before marriage.

Akshay is not taking good care of his health. Quiet frequently he wakes up early in morning, vomits all the food out. He is putting on lot of weight also. He already has a stone problem, however Savi’s medicine are currently taking care of it. We keep telling him to do some physical activity. In last few years he had joined Gym three times, had started cycling as form of exercise, but never continued. I used to take care of my physical activity on Sundays. We used to go out at Juhu Beach, Pawai Gardens, Khandala etc where some physical activity took place. But today’s generation prefers lazy night out in some cozy restaurant on Sundays. 

Mummy's knee problem is somewhat sorted out, but her hip is giving her some problem, basically it is due to compression of nerves. So she has become immobile, which is unacceptable to her. Doctor says it will take some time but nerves will open up and she will be OK.  

Muskan’s Mother had a ‘Motiya’ Operation on next day of her wedding anniversary and it was successful. 2013 is coming to the end and hopefully, Sharat will stick to his words and agree for marriage. Then it will be in hands of God to get us a good match.

Can I say, Match – Set – Goal! Or it is very early for ‘khayali pulaos’.?

Before I sign off, here is a simple Puzzle.

Who is this joker, Muskan - Niki - Gudiya?

 
by P G Dodeja

2th December 2013 to 8th December 2013.

Happy birthday Moni!

Normally , Dhwani or Muskan remember the birthdays and make the announcement in morning. Please call and say ‘Happy Birthday’. This year they failed to remind me on 3rd.  So to compensate, you are the first person, who has received Birthday wishes on Blog. Rejoice.

Muskan has become fully involved in Xrbia. She is full filling her quota of verbal discharge by making calls to Xrbia prospects. I must give her credit for her stamina. Wow, how can she talk continuously for hours on mobile. We started in Xrbia this month with positive strike. Hope this month gives good results.

Dhwani – Kashyap are in full form, busy with working on 5 wedding projects. Shooting completed of One, second going on and rest in line.They have sort of formed a structure. Interviews, Functions Coverage, Favorite Song, Pre-shoot and Good shots.

Visit to Mall for Groceries buying.

When we shifted to Pune, Kashyap & Myself will visit Vishal Mega Mart for groceries shopping. We saved some money in discounts, did some shopping. Otherwise ‘Ganesh’ is always there. We had made it into a well organized routine. One Sunday, go to mall in afternoon with last list. Repeat the pattern. We never bothered to check offers, rates, various options.

Then Muskan came. She wants to visit different Mall every month. In this process we have visited Big Bazar – APMC Market – Vishal – More - Spenser – Reliance Mart – Phenix Mall. She looks for free offers, but rarely changes brands! Whereas Dhwani will always go for experimental product range, Muskan will remain struck to well beaten path. If we use Dove, it is always Dove Soap. I like to try some experiments is food department. Otherwise I use same tooth paste [Mishwak], same soap [Mysore Sandlewood], same oil [parachute] for ages.

We mostly buy two trolley loads of goods. One trolley is filled with Washing - Cleaning soaps. This trolley is practically same every month, in terms of quantity and in terms of brands. Second is filled with eatables. This trolley keeps changing. But we have developed a balance of buying Biscuits, Tea, Dairy Products, Sauce, Atta, Soups etc. I have noticed had we tent to buy new products whose advertisement was seen last night, such is the impact of advertisement.

What is our bill range? If we have to buy Oil, (Which we do in alternate visits), bill comes in range of 5500 plus, otherwise it is around 5000. 

Buying bread or calling for bread makes lot of difference. One, the cost difference is 4 rupees. Secondly, bread is something which we eat, if it is around, so many times we just eat it as it is most covenant food. Same goes for the biscuits, ‘Kacharpati’ etc. I have noticed that for weeks I can go without and when they are around, I think, why I have not missed them! Confusing, isn’t it.

आज का दिन बीजेपी का खास दिन हो सकता है। 

Today, 4 north state election results will be out. Congress is routed, BJP is strong, but not in a way as expected, Regional parties will play a good roll.

 

by P G Dodeja

24th Nov 2013 to 30th Nov 2013. [Bada ka Badha Mazaa - Part II]

This week was a sad week for Shyamlal Bathija and family. Ratna lost her young brother Keshu [66 years] along with her Jijaji Arjandas Sukhija [90 years]. Avi-Pinky-Savi-Ravi went to Mumbai on choutha of Arjandas on 29^th. Mummy had also planned to go, but at last minutes she decided to skip this trip as she has to sit around 12 hours at one place, which due to her nerves problem was difficult. A very sensible decision, which I am sure Ratna will also appreciate. 

 Bada ka Badha Mazaa - Part II

 DAY ONE: I was planning after good night’s sleep, a small session of sleeping peacefully till we reach Bhuj. Kashyap woke up early to my surprise and told, change of plan. We need to get down at Gandhidham and not at Bhuj! From Gandhidham, all ‘baraties’ will take ‘Toofan’ for Jain Mandir and reach Bada vai road.

Morning was pleasant and expectations were high. All twelve ‘Toofans’ reached the Jain Mandir where breakfast was ready. It was as good as Lunch and time was perfect for me, 9.0 Clock. Some 'Baraties' did a full 'Vidhi Porak' pooja. First taking bath, putting jains speacial dhooti-bochan type dress.

 

On day two, I got up early, enjoyed the fresh air and went for walk, without making a cup of tea for myself. Thought I will check out a tappri. But the sleepy town was really sleeping. No one was around when Sun came out, bringing rosy shades along with bright light.
I enjoyed pollution free atmoshpehere like a silly person, thanking god for such clean air, fresh climate, noise free background sounds filled with various early birds catching worms.

As I walked further, I meet a old man! Wearing muffler, walking briskly, with long hardwood 'Dhanda' in one hand. He claimed to be 70, but I had to practically trot along to keep up with him. He was one of the rare local resident, who has a good business in Mumbai, now in his son's hand. He prefers Bada gaon and stays here from Diwali to March. He showed me his Cotton fields and explained all about local economy. Agriculture, Wind Farms, Vipasana Center and Funding from Mumbai! 


by P G Dodeja