28th October 2013 to 3rd November 2013 [Happy Diwali]

Sunday: Evening. Rinky suggested, ’Lets have party in Atlantis.’ This place is just across the Sacred Heart entrance, above Macdonald.  Our dinning out has reduced so much that we have not visited this restaurant, in last 6 years! Atlantis printing is done by us, chef has personally invited us and offered 10% discount also and above all food review is very good.

Rinkys suggetion was taken and sharp at 7.30 Avi & family reached the venue and rest of us were there by 7.45. A very good start as per Dodeja standard, no one has to wait.
We were celebrating birthdays of Lali – Neha – Muskan & Chinky. 

Dhwani & Myself has arranged for Butter Scotch cake from new cake shop, bang opposite Atlantis. This cake turned out the best cake eaten in resent times. 

This cake fulfilled brain hunger also by putting a nice cross word puzzle on its face. 

 Sitting was arranged by management on a long table in main area. Pinky asked them to allot us small room they had for 12 people. Pinky told them, we will manage 19 people, but we want party room. It was a very good call by her. All of us were in good mood, occasion was great, all were getting ready for Diwali mood, Dhwani has instilled some creativity by asking all to bring unique gifts for four of them and also arranged some group games. Mahek-Palak represented childhood, Chinky-Renky represented teenage world. Umesh has not warmed up with us, I wounder why? But Neha along with her kids has started now joining us on such occasions, which makes our family complete. 

Digital world was amply present in three cameras, mobile cameras clicking away everything. The food turned out very good. This party will be considered as one of the best. Muskan was ‘phultu’ excited, and thanked earnestly.

Wednesday: Pre-Diwali activity should start with Cleaning of Home and Soul. Then it is turn of Shopping. Nowadays actual shopping is done on a whim, requirement and whenever shopkeeper puts SALE banner on its display window. And just to suggest for taking eight women for shopping is like asking for admission to Yervada Metal Hospital. It is nightmare for all males, and above all if you consider that this group comprises of four generations! No offence intended. 

However, to get the Diwali shopping feel I took all ladies in Xylo to Mundai. That place is still charming enough for me to enjoy the scenery and for ladies to make purchases of Diyas – Kandeel – Pooja Samgiri – Mittai and other knick knacks. Chitle Pede/Bakerwadi, Murlidhar Ghane-Ka Raas, Sind Karachi Grocery Shop, mandai Building take me back to early 70’s. It seems they have frozen the time for nearly 5 decades! They are still relevant and yet carry old world charm. And I wish them to survive 4 more generations, as they have already done. 

Dhawni - Neha - Mahek made a round of Tulsi Baug, hunting material to make ‘Toran’, and visited Chitle for Peda Purchase. Pinky - Rinky – Palak made round of shops to buy useful things for home, Mummy – Muskan – Myself made round purchased Pooja samgiri plus Kiran needs. I was able to Park Xylo in parking building next to Mandai, a new modern addition to area.    

Sunday: Diwali Pooja was fixed bit early due to Mahurat timing. Our staff  has increased a lot so it was very much crowded. The usual routine was following. Pooja – Plate - Bonus along with Mithai Box. From next year we are going to make some drastic change. We need to change this generations old tradition. This year Kashyap has hired three softies for taking family pics. Idea was to click some professional looking pictures. But we did not succeed in that as we kept shifting from taking professional pics to family candid pics with staff pictures in between. 

However we did click some good frames. I am planning to put that on google after creating a good album. However, here is just one frame of ever green, ever smiling, every ones darling, Muskan. 

Laxmi devi ka nur aap par barse
  Har koi aapse loan lene ko tarse
  Bhagwan aapko de itne paise
  Ki aap chillar paane ko tarse
  ***** HAPPY DIWALI *****

 

by P G Dodeja