24th March 2014 – 30th Mar 2014 [Prophecy - Meaning of Life]

This week we had a one more dinner at B7. Chinky's last exam of her 10th was over, Shyam - Ratna had come to Pune after two months gap, so a simple Black Dal -  Biryani & Raita dinner. It is nice to see that Sharat also joined us at proper time. A Chit-Chat and simple gossip made it a pleasant happy evening.

Mummy was feeling low and her health was bit down, but she has recovered from it and we saw her smiling happily, making us more happy. Bindiya complained about feeling electric current through her body in morning.

Sat : Kash – Dhwani are into Exhibition zone. Dhwani took the help of Manju & Sharat for decoration and planning of the Exhibition stall. Mummy, Gauri [our new maid], Chinky [who gave last exam on Friday] helped in creating accessories for Photo Shots planned.

Last year they had participated in Westin for wedding Exhibition conducted by them as they are doing this year. All event managers, photographers, videographers, dress designers etc participate in big way as this one Exhibition will generate full year inquiry, hopefully.

A major change took place in office on Friday. Our current business set-up started with American Tourister Distribution in 2010, during Diwali with 5 lakhs capital taken on loan from Anil Chandal, Mona Narang etc. Due to company’s policy we finally said ‘bye bye’ to American Torister. The process of closure has started. During last 4 years we have started and closed National – Renuka Sugar – Opal Clocks – Seiko Clocks – Meyaki Products – Tommy Hill Products, however, with AT we have special attachment and in spite of company’s attitude we continued. We touched 40.0 Lakhs turn over in July 13, and immediately our territory was reduced. Then again in Feb 14 half of the Pune’s territory was given to new distributor. Also, AT is constantly putting pressure on our liquidity problem. Hence this step.

A major undercurrent is on, which when surfaces, will bring dramatic change in our life. Mark my prophecy.

One issue simmering is Project 609. Akshay - Bindra – Ranka – Tushar have ganged up and are in serious mode to develop Plot 609 Land into a major project. Akshay is aggressive, marketing face, Bindra is experience cum motivational face, Sharma is resources face and Ranka is connection to high and mighty in government.  Even if this project does not materialize into major project, the foursome group can turn into a big project partnership.

Second point is finance to XRBIA. Lali and myself are trying to source funds vai Anuj for Xrbia. Possibility is high. We have crossed two levels, if third is executed successfully, we are on. This may happen anytime. This in itself will open for us a major source of funds and maybe give us take off into other orbit.

Third point is Kash – Sharat. Finally, I see the sign of Burn out in Sharat with regard to his Job. I feel that if Sharat – Kashyap team up and form a business team, they can do wonders. But downside is that money has capacity to sour strongest of relations, is it worth for kash – Sharat to put that bonding on risk?

Life is not a one dimensional issue of having luxuries, or having a target of certain bank balance. It is many more things. It is nurturing generation old relationships, it is enjoying tiny things on daily basis, it is caring for someone else then yourself , it is doing many things with no expectations in return, it is enjoying smile in other family members face, it is remembering your departed elders with a smile, it is having a dream.

 

by P G Dodeja

17th March 2014 – 23rd Mar 2014 [Holi Ke Rang]

 

A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on.  ~Carl Sandburg

Rang Barse……

We started from Wanwadi, ‘Aaramsee’. Akshay has started cycling towards Khandla from 6.30. So we expect him to reach his destination by 12 O’clock. In Xylo we were only 3 members and we have to make many stops in route to Khandala. Office -  Bakers Pride – Daimond Bakery – Pimple Saudagar – Medical Store – Krshna Kunj. As the topography of Pune is changing very fast, I missed one turn, this extended our driving time by 30 minutes.

 

Ready for Holi, with different hair colors!

Mona had planned this event and was highly tensed up, according to my sources.

 However, I was sure that we will all enjoy, simply because we were meeting after many years for Holi. All in all we were more then 25 souls, some carrying bad feelings, some carrying new feelings, some carrying nervous energies, some carrying holiday mood, some carrying stars in eyes and some carrying nostalgia in heart.  

Our lunch was planned at Prakash Chawla’s Bunglow. It must be more then 10 - 15 years that I got the chance to eat Lunch made by Bhabhi. She is typically Sindhi lady (though she would disagree), very good in cocking 'Kari-Chawar'. The best item she cocks still now is ‘Dahi Wada’s’ Wow. I was busy clicking pictures of new generation. Mehak – Mehar – Rohan and new member Aarti, Kunals fiance. Just as we were getting into a productive streak, lunch was announced. And I left my camera behind and attacked dinning table.

Evening was spent in clicking the newly engaged couple, Kunal & Aarti. Narang family is still joint family, living right in middle of Mumbai’s most glamorous, materialistic society. So this new edition in family will have to understand this unique position and join the family. She is showing already the strong sense of possessiveness towards Kunal. He is enjoying that extremely, happy and content. Everyone is sounding various opinion on her, and I find it very difficult to form an opinion based on brief meeting and Hi – Hello on a social meet. Extremely difficult.

Lonavala has grown into a modern township from a laid back, weekend town. All kids wanted to go out for coffee and some snacks. We started for one 'Dhaba', Sunny said, we will have to return from there as the waiting period will be more than 60 minutes! Next alternative was go to Multiplex! Lonavala today boasts of 3 screen multiplex with more than 11 different restaurants! And can you believe the ‘Cream Center’ where girls wished to eat also had waiting period of 45 minutes in a Mall! So all who were hungry have to settle for pizza – pasta -  coffee – Pav Bhaji dinner.

Holi day,started with Mahek – Mehar – Myself getting busy filling the balloons with water. Ravi soon reached Khandala for Holi. Ravi – Bhabhi – Pammy – Bindiya – Khoshboo –Mehak – Mehar – Rohan, all formed a party of DO NOT TOUCH ME. I had other ideas, but was not sure if that will be accepted or I should pester them. 

So I started without color with Mehak – Maher. I have to run after young and energetic Ravi, just to come within striking distant of ‘pitchkari’. I failed in my first attempt, he was very fast.

Holi started earnestly with throwing of Akshay – Muskan in Swimming pool.  Akshay with Muskan was in swimming pool most of time. Muskan brought her oil jar, skin cleaning solutions etc and kept applying it. Sunny and myself were busy applying color and rest were busy removing it. 

This Holi I had planned to use Bhang in big way. But, my idea of Bhang failed. Bhabhi did make separate portion of ‘Thandai’ with Bhang. I drank half glass with no reaction. Khushbo drank one full glass with no effect.

 Rest I used as Holi color. Because whom so ever I was offering, some joy killer will come and warn, ‘Do not drink this, Jiju has added Bhang in it.’ Holi continued with series of No-No by victims, followed by ‘Lepa Poti Rang Ke’, in reaction of "LepaPoti' a dip in swimming pool. This process continued to my satisfaction. Mona was insisting on organic colors, whereas I have bought standard 5 kg color Gulal, After some time she also started using routine color, as organic color is good for pics only, not for Holi.

Best part was, when I would apply color on Aarti, Kunal will feel bad about it and will get busy in cleaning her face. And it was visa versa when color was applied to Kunal. So during this Holi, both newly engaged love birds were inseparable.       

 After Holi, may be some residue effect of Bhang made me confront Pammy in big way. I harassed her consistently for not playing Holi, so much that at one point, I was sure she was going to give her tongue lashing. Poor girl managed to control herself.  I was cajoled by her mother, who was enjoying this Pammy bashing to extreme. Even Dilip who stays away from all this banter, took me aside, and said, ‘If you are feeling so bad about her not applying color, please do so now.’

I replied ‘Wrong, I am feel more good by harassing her. When will I, get such opportunity again?’’

With Pashu not participating earnestly, Bhabhi / Vishal coming very late, Prakash feeling like vomiting, Pinky clicking picture, Mona all tensed up, Sona protecting her kids, Tina devoting her time to Rohan, No one in mood for dancing, so, we ended our Holi by 2.30.

It was one of those balanced enjoyable Holi, good, but could have being great celebration.  

 

by P G Dodeja

10th March 2014 – 16th Mar 2014 [Pre-Holi week]

 

“The soul is healed by being with children.”
― Fyodor Dostoyevsky

"Holi brings out the child in everyone."

 

 

Next Monday is Holi. And after many years or is it after decades, we will be celebrating Holi with Chawla Sisters. All I remember of old Holi is NO – NO – NO. Only in first few Holi’s Bindiya participated. Then like her sisters, she always avoided, sulked, got angry and finally won as passive holi player.  Today, Bhabhi, Mona, Meena, Shobha are grand parents, let’s see what reaction is of new generation of Chawla Sister. Watch out for Holi pics.

13^th Thu: Kashyap – Dhwani are going off to Mumbai to attain Meet Doshi’s engagement. Meet is Kashyaps ‘Langotya Yaar’. One thing I can safely vouch for Kashyap is that he has collected wide variety of friends. His all buddies, friends are made from different ‘Sachcha’.  So is Meet. I know him when he was just 6-7 year old and used to come home in Ghatkopar.

As KPD-DKD will not be joining us for Holi, we celebrated wet holi after dinner. Akshay has gone more on in Nana Side of family in this respect. He really dislikes all this, but at the same time he knows if he shows his dislike, Kash & Myself will pester him more and make him angry.

Is this sadistic streak or is this Indian way of bonding? 

Muskan is getting used to this type of Holi and like Dhwani, she is also enjoying this. Hopefully we will have gala time on Monday.

On Monday, I was busy with Holi, so this blog was not updated. I am tempted to write about the Monday, but legally it is supposed to be released next week. So we will have to wait. Meanwhile, I can give pre-view.

Saturday was birthday of Mummy and Manju. These two opposite persons by natue, who share same date as birthday. How unconvincing. We planned a nice dinner with lot of chatter and 'chatkas' at our most favorite and reliable place, Ram Krishna Hotel. Nice food, great variety, excellent decor and great price. After light hearted banter and dinner, a cake was cut by odd couple of DIL & MIL. These type of occasions one will forget in few weeks time, but believe me, they are as important as the elaborated, splashy, expensive and excitement filled events. Maybe more so as these simple episodes in life teach you how to enjoy tiny day to day happenings. And one feels fullness of life. Bindiya and Mummy was also happy, as we returned home by 9.30! Nowadays Mummy is feeling her age and likes to rest and sleep more. She completed her 8th Decade on this earth, making few families around her as happy and satisfied families by her dignified, helpful, non-demanding nature. We brothers have inherited love for life from her only. Dad was more involved in sensitive, boarding side of life.

 On Sunday, Akshay started for the Holi party on cycle for Khandala! Muskan tried to discourage him by involving 3 M's, Me-Mona-Mummy. I tried half heatedly, mummy did not try and Mona failed in her attempt. As Akshay is going to Gym regularly, and Pune to Khandla is mostly gentle downhill, I was sure he will be able to cover the distance in five hours. So accordingly we followed him in Xylo, so that we all reached Khandla at same time.

 Kashyap and party of 18 people left Mumbai for Pune on Sunday morning to celebrate Holi. 9 couples, few just engaged, few just married. I left some 'Bhang' for them. So this Holi two parties will start, One at Pune, other in Khandala.

Lets begin with the Party. 

 

by P G Dodeja

3rd March 2014 – 9th Mar 2014 [Elections fever starts]

“The only love that I really believe in is a mother’s love for her children.”
― Karl Lagerfeld 

Haresh Kukreja, Savi’s husband met with his third accident in Dundh. He is a gentle, soft spoken, hard working contractor. Currently he is working on his project in Dundh, his birth place. A 14 year old boy, knocked the scoter he was riding with his brand new car, breaking his knee cap. The boy turned out to be nephew of local Don!  Haresh was brought to Sachati Hospital and operated for fracture. They have put a knee plate and have already started physiotherapy.

More than physical issue, the mental tension is eating Savi. She feels that the medical problem is sorted out and manageable,. Soon, he will be hale and hearty soon. The real problem is to face next 4-5 months of idleness.Pinky - Dhwani - Avi & Myself had a brief visit at Sancheti Hospital, where Haresh to recovering. He looked good, resting with full leg in cast, as Bindiya had in 2000. Haresh's sister was meeting us for first time. 'Pinky-Dhwani have come from school.' This was true as both are working in same school, one as administrator and one as consultant. This statement brought surprised look on Haresh's sister face, and after some swift nudging, she believed that both are still studying in school,in other words they are school going girls!  Pinky - Dhwani were hugely flattered and happy to know that they are considered college girls!!

Arnav Nanda

General elections are announced on 5^th March. India is largest democracy, five time bigger then next largest, USA! The results will be announced on 16^th May. What a day, it will be. For next 70 days, news channels will be cornering highest TRP. They started with a bang, when AAP Party was targeted in Lucknow, Gujrat and Delhi. There will be lots of drama, accusations, counter accusations’, sting operations, debates, analysis, predictions, Exit Polls, Surprises and behind the door activities, big deals and what not. Arvind Kejriwal may turn out the next Mahatma Gandhi of Indian Politics, post independence. All he wants is clean politics and good governance. What he is trying to achieve, looks impossible, but the recent assembly win has created hope in every one. And after hearing his interview on TV, I also have started in believing him. Even if he comes in opposition in substantial way, India's growth is assured.  

We Indian’s, specially males, think 365 days are for women, whereas as per western culture, one day is, i.e. 8^th March is for women. And like sheep, Indian women are discarding 364 days and celebrating only one day of the year as women day. What an irony! Pinky – Muskan – Dhwani ganged up and celebrated with few friends ‘Women Day’ at Atlantis.

 

by P G Dodeja