24th Aug 2014 – 30th Aug 2014 [Ganpati Bapa Mourya]

 

Tue: Lali & Myself left Wanwadi at 10.00 am. Object, Show plots to One Mr Chadha.

 Wanwadi – Dhapodi – Chakan – Rajguru Nagar – Mancha – Malshi Ghat – DHOLEKHAM. Xylo covered this 275 km route in 5 hours after 'Missal' lunch. Roads are excellent, but narrow at some points, vehicle can touch 120 km speed on these roads, but good sense prevailed and I kept the speed under 100. On this route, all vehicle drivers have total disregard for traffic law. On one way highway, you kept seeing a vehicle rushing in your direction from left / right side of the road from wrong direction!

‘Ghat’ section of 35 km was heaven. Twisting roads, slight drizzle all the way, heavy fog and cool climate. It was an enthralling experience. There was no heavy traffic on this section. Enterprising people have made sit-outs at scenic points, or near waterfalls, where young couples and families were enjoying picnic even on a working day! It was so tempting. Mr Chadha was late, so we had a tea at ‘DholeKhambh’ zero milestone, walked towards 'Kasara Ghats' road, like it was tourist spot, in short, we chilled out in green valley in ‘Halki Bonda Bari’. For return route we took, Murbad – Neral –Karjat – Khalapur – Expressway to Pune. Day trip was on zig-zag roads, swinging at 80 km, turning and twisting in most pleasant atmosphere. With Heavy Fog, droplets dashing on wind screen, smooth wind whistling and blowing through slightly open window, the trip turned out memorable. In return journey, we took Murbad – Karjat road. This distance of 44 km was mostly in pitch darkness. We hardly saw the glimmering distant light bulb challenging darkness. Few of the villages we crossed had black out, few shops glowing with back-up power. This section is very sparsely populated, but under the powerful headlamps of Xylo, we devoured distance at 80 km. Wow! Instinct driving had taken over. Like Mr Chadha told Lali, it seemed the twisting road was like never ending ‘Hanumans Pooch.’

Both of us had a very late night dinner at ‘Sadanandh’. Our host of night was Suresh who still has fond memories of Kashyap’s wedding held in his Hotel, he gave us treat of excellent dinner.  

Thu: We have developed this tradition in Pune. On Diwali and during Ganpati, we visit 'Peth' area to enjoy the festival arrival scenes, shopping is mere an excuse. The hectic activity on Laxmi road, buying spree at 'Mandai', heavy pedestrian rush, continuous honking of cars, search for parking space, colorful stalls make this unique experience. This year Bathija family also joined Muskan – Myself and Chinky. Till this year, mummy also used to come, but due to her knee trouble, this time she opted out. Our first stop is ‘Chitle Bandhu’.  It is really an achievement, the kind of patronage they have. For generations they have maintained quality and loyalty of old faithful. After tasting few varieties, we settled on Jumbo Pedas and Moong Ka Halwa. Chinky devoured ‘Dhoklas’ as she had skipped lunch in college.

Our main objective was to buy Ganpati’s Decoration items. What to buy? How to decorate? All these questions were not answered. So Intelligent Muskan suggested, why not make something out of natural product like Bamboo? What about Bamboo ‘Chatia’. Moni is being eco-supporter, strongly supported her. With these two going strongly, we hardly had any chance to suggest anything. So be it.

Construction process started after excellent dinner of Panner Palak. Except for Avi-Pinky [ill health] all got involved, including Bathija's. 

Fri:  “Alla Ree Alla, Ganpati Bapa Alla.” We have become pro in welcoming the GanRaj. After years of experience, finally we followed Muskans suggestion and made a decent and lovable shelter for God. But does he need one? This setup was built with very little debates and the completed in record time and appreciated. Our new neighbor also a sindhi family has also kept Ganpati, their two kids aged 8 - 10 have started coming to our home. After first Aarti we sat down and played ‘Stock Exchange.’ Thus the first day vanished in ‘Akha Chimb.’

Sat: Today is Kashyap birthday. He is 28 years and it is high time he should not treat himself as youngest and most pampered child. We need fresh kids in the family. Chinky has started going to College, so she is not a kid anymore. Rinky is from start only, was more mature, sensitive and grown up then Chinky, so there is vacancy in Kids department.

Cake was very much innovative, movie spool with chocolate chair of director. Now Kashyap will have to start thinking of directing a movie also. 

What is he thinking? Is it, from tomorrow, Dhwani will break her 'moun vrat', should I buy ear plugs?

Stock exchange game is getting very popular in family. We started game at 10.30 with idea that we will play for half hour, but it continued till 1.30! Even Shyam uncle and Moni enjoyed it.

Sun: Today, full family sat down for 'Satya Narayan' pooja, seriously. And all agreed with Sharat that among all kind of prasad, this podia's prasad is most awesome.  

 

by P G Dodeja

17th Aug 2014 – 28th Aug 2014 - Guruji BKS Iyengar

Happy independence day 

Punjab for fighting, Bengal for writing.                                       Kashmir for beauty, Andhra for duty.
Karnataka for silk, Haryana for milk.                                              Kerala for brains, Tamil for grains.
Orissa for temples, Bihar for minerals.                                                Gujarat for peace, Assam for trees.
Rajastan for history, Maharashtra for victory.                                 Himachal for cold, Jharkand for bold.
UP for rice, Arunachal for sunrise.                                                      Goa for wine, Meghalaya for rain.
MP for diamond, Sikkim for almond.                                          Mizoram for glass, Manipur for dance.
Naghaland for music, Chattisghd for physique.                       Uttarkhand for rivers, Tripura for singers..


INDIA............................... THE LAND OF CULTURE............................................. JAI HIND


  

Mon: Mummy has very strong hands and excellent grip, ideal hands for Tail Malish or Champee. I remember the days when I will sit for Champee, followed by Akshay and Kashyap. One would want this to continue for hours. I know, Mummy would continue as long as she can. So I had to say ‘enough’ after lot of struggle with ‘Lalchi Maan.’  Dhwani is once again in non-talking terms. Well, I mean 7 days 'Moaun Vrat'. Kashyap is already getting bugged on day two.
What exactly is objective for this activity? Is it being fulfilled? Or are we just following a ritual, blindly?

BKS Iyengar, Guruji

   Guruji

Two eternal personalities of Pune, which connect with our family for generations, starting with our Grandfather are in 90’s. Guruji and Dada Jashan. Both were critically ill, last week, Dada Jashan survived and Guruji left for heavenly abode at 3.0 am on Wednesday.

Our grandfather had his first heart attack in 1962. Doctors told him to take rest for at least 3 months. Do not use staircase, donot go to office, stay bed ridden, till your heart gets strong. After getting bored for one week in his bed, he visited BKS Iyengar Institute, against doctor’s advice and started strenuous Yoga exercises as suggested by ‘Yogarchya’ BKS Iyengar . Our family relationship started with Guruji in 1962 thus, which continues till this day.

Dada was Yoga student himself, but with Guruji’s guidance, Yoga became a tonic for him. Within 7 days, Dada started his office routine, also. Doctor was stunned to see the progress of his health and Dad’s complain was rejected by him. Doctor said, continue Yoga and Office! Such was positive impact of Gurujis yoga, not only on body but also on outlook towards life.

In last 60 years Dodejas have being in constant students of his yoga. Prahlad Uncles diabetes got cured and he continued Yoga classes till his death. Lali is his student since 80’s. On off, Manu – Myslef - Rani – Bansi and few others have being his students.

In 1980, before Akshay was born, Bindiya’s delicate health was big concern for all of us. She used to do Yoga, learning from a book. We made her joined Iyengar Institute in Pune crash course class of three months . Lali + Manju + Bindiya attended his classes, traveling triple seat! Sometimes, Dad used to take her to main Iyengar Shivajinagar institute center in MRX 8025, where Guruji himself would take classes. Dad got shocked to see, Guruji practically sitting on back of Bindiya, who was doing some Aasana, bending forward, but not enough. BKS, his initials were translated by his students as 'Beat, ,Kick, Slap'. Today also Avi remembers his heavy slap on his back, for not removing shoes outside the exercise hall.  Guruji had a great insight which told him, how much body can be pushed, hence his touch was a blessing. I had taken maximum number of heavy snacks during that period with Bindiya. Immediately after intense Yoga class, she would demand heavy snacks, not waiting even 30 minutes till we reach Mira Society, so our favorite place will be Dwarka in Deccan Gym area, where she will devour heavy 'Puri - Chole' or Triple Toast Sandwich, along with ice cream or tea.

Then again in 2008, she joined medical class after MS diagnoses. Guruji was now 90 years old, would on off visit classes. One day he spent 30 minutes taking Bindiya's class, after learning about her health condition.  Uma who was handling her, told me afterwards, now she will be OK, as God has touched her and made her healthy. How true. This shows the kind of respect he commanded from the instructors who were in touch with him on daily bases. Today, Pune is on international map of health institutes solely due to BKS Iyengar Institute. Hats off to him.

Fri: Lali and Myself left for Mumbai at 8.0 for 10.30 am meeting in vashi, and we reached just 15 minutes late. This is wow factor and to counter this wow factor, we started our return journey from Marol Naka, Andheri at 4.0 pm and reached Pune at 9.30 pm. This was in spite of one chock up at Vikroli, due to Riksha check up, and other jam at Aundh Bridge, Pune. Traveling has become very less and mode of travel also is comfortable.

  Sat: I meet Manu after big gap of time. A major change I saw in him was that he had mellowed down a lot. Do not care attitude, to hell with everyone thinking attitude was missing in big way. I found him a different person. We both prattled for one hour. Basically complaining about changed times! 

by P G Dodeja

10rd Aug 2014 – 16nd Aug 2014 [CarNama – 6]

 

Outskirts of Pune in November.

Shining Like Dulhan

       

Xylo: SUV from Mahendra. With coming of this huge vehicle, we shifted from Maruti Brand to Mahendra after 25 years! We also started using diesel as fuel for first time. Frankly, I agreed for this vehicle because our Mumbai – Pune trips were getting more irregular as of time schedule. One day return has become a norm, even if we have to start late at night and reach Pune in early hours of morning.  I was bit reluctant to drive this car, but gradually I also love to drive it. Keeping family tradition alive, Akshay had already made long trip to Mahableshwar, Banglore,  Cheanai  and Goa . Kashyap has made trips to Dhapoli – Silvasa etc. I have stopped counting Mumbai – Pune trips as they can be now practically put into local trip category. So with arrival of this vehicle our family’s trading of road journey has opened up.

Good thing about this car is that full family can most comfortably travel in it, all together. We still have space left for few kids.

Mon:  Ample rains have made ‘Vayumundal’ very pleasant.  Sunshine visited our area after 10 days or so. But it kept playing hide and seeks. Just like Dhwani was playing. She had gone to Mumbai for ‘Rakhi’ directly from Goa, [After attending Kunal – Aarti Wedding]. Kashyap reached home on Sunday. Mummy told Dhwani will come on Sunday. I said, no on Monday as per my information. Then Kashyap said, maybe on Tuesday as per latest information. This process went on and continued for two days. Her mother had caught some fever and investigation was going on. Dhwani, after confirming the recovery of her mother’s health, left for Pune on Tuesday. These hide and seek finally ended on Tuesday night.

  

Tue: Earnestly, our Diwali season program planning is on. As it is, we Indians like to celebrate in big way.  Festival season starts with coming of good rains. They have come, bring happiness and joy. This year, Rinky is in forefront and aggressively campaigning for Mahableshwar. Whereas, rest of us are just warming up for Diwali plans. Let’s see how things turn up.

 गणपति बापा मौर्य

Relishing Sujata Mastani with daughters

Yes, the preparations have started earnestly. Muskan - Dhwani & myself went for booking मूर्ति. We selected 2 idols and decided to book in morning. Then we went for walk and ended up at 'Sujata Mastani' ice cream parlour. This is new 22nd outlet of Sujata in Pune, the first one is at Sadhashiv Peth, which we used to frequent in 70's. Prahlad Uncle had introduced us to Mango Mastani during one of our vacation visits. And after 44 years I am still remembering Uncle and enjoying 'Mastani', a combination of Milk + Ice cream + Real fruit. I introduced Muskan & Dhwani to old stories and also to Mastani.

Fri: Independence Day. Muskan left for Mumbai, to tie Rakhi. She was in Goa on Rakshabandan Day, so this delayed celebration. As Manju is in Singapore, Lali & Sharat eat lunch and dinner with us. So after lunch we all sat down and planned proper decoration theme and setting. However when we went to book idol, all the short listed were booked! So the process of hunting proper मूर्ति is on.     

Sat: Neha came down to Pune for weekend with Umesh and kids. As luck would have it, they have to drive for 7 hours to reach Pune, so the day one of holiday goes in the car only. And next day, i.e. Sat, they immediately have to rush back to Mumbai. Umesh's Chachi, who was not keeping well, expired! Such are the vagaries of fate.

Sun: For a change, Akshay - Kashyap - Dhwani left for Mumbai at 5 O'clock in morning. Akshay sounded very happy, two reasons, early morning drive and just few hours away from Muskan. Daddy must be pleased to see his grandson taking car journey early in morning.
Muskan was in Mumbai for Rakhi. Arnav, her आंख का apple, keeps all family members busy. Latest report from her says, he fell down from bed. His mother cried, seeing her cry, his father cried and finally his grandmother joined the group. And what was his aunty doing? Laughing away.... 

Well to end this series of Car nama, I present below the options for Future cars. Kids, which one do you like?

 This is ideal for Peth areas, And yes, Muskan will be able to buy Vegetables easily. No need to request 'Bhajiwalla' to kick her scooter.

 Kashy & Dhwani can use this vehicle for odd trips in Lavasa, Adventure Club, Hirve or where ever it pleases them.

 This is good for Lali and Myself. Maybe Manu can join us and we can go for long trip, this time in south direction.

  This is a Must. A full family Bus, ideal for every weekend, for Movies, Picnics, Short trips.

  Any other suggestions? We are not living in era when choice was between bullock cart, Fiat and Ambassador. We are spoilt with plenty. Keep dreaming. More the merrier.


by P G Dodeja

3rd Aug 2014 – 9nd Aug 2014 [CarNama – 5]

 

Be systematically heroic in little unnecessary points, do every day or two something for no other reason than its difficulty, so that, when the hour of need draws nigh, it may find you not unnerved or untrained to stand the test.

Now we shifted gears with regards to Cars. Till now, necessity was the main motivation for having a car. In late 90’s all necessary needs for vehicles were full filled. For office we had 2 wheelers, for Sunday outing we had Maruti Cars in Pune and most reliable Van in Mumbai. Sanjay booked two Piguets Cars when Premier announced booking. Dad was furious, but for unity of family kept mum. He liked frugal living. However, we waited for one year but those cars never came in the market and our deposits were total loss as we were not able to recover from Premier Auto.

In mid 90’s we were doing extremely well. Paper business was expanding; our construction business had crossed major hurdles and rushing forward to finishing line.  Avi’s wedding preparations were on and again this time also Sanjay booked two UNO’s. One was for Mumbai and one for Pune. Dad this time was not angry, but bit ‘Khafa’, why two, he asked.

 

New Generation of Dodeja Drivers getting ready to drive

We did maximum of trips to Wadgaon in UNO’s. And during one such trip [During Diwali ] Avi banged UNO into bullock cart near Dehu Road, head on at 70 km speed. We were following in other car. With Avi were all Kids of the family. I had near heart attack when I saw the banged UNO. Thankfully, I saw Akshay curiously watching the scene, no panic at all, immediately I knew all were safe with no injury, not even a scratch. UNO was first luxury car in our family and Akshay used this car to impress Nikita during his courtship days very successfully.

Both Uno Cars were white elephants, not ideal for Indian roads. We regularly developed silencer problem. Our weight, low clearance, pot wholes, spead breakers, weak suspension will work together damaging silencer, again and again. Considering our record of holding Cars for decades, these two were sold much before 1^st decade approached.

4^th Mon – Meet – Aska  were invited for dinner. They reached around 10, nearly 3 hours late, due to rare Tyre puncture problem! We all finished dinner. Full family corium was present, as Dhwani and Muskan will say, No TV, Family Time. Aska loves PJ’s, the kind Avi has become expert in creating after his Hrishikesh trip. Avi claims this all was started by Kashyap. And individually you may not like those PJ / Riddles, on the contrary they are very irritating when you can not judge the reply, but in group you do enjoy. Here are few examples of his creation. These are latest creation by Aska & Avi. For more visit 'Being Dodeja', it is brimming with all variety of PJ's.

1: What do you call China’s Key?

2: Who takes permission from his wife before eating? 

3: Which is a city where every  id, war takes place?

Avi creates  PJ’s / Riddles while sitting on his ‘Singhasan’, in morning and shots them off, first thing in morning from office. And because they are addictive, one struggles for reply, this makes a very irritating days opening. 

1: Chinky [Chini + Key]

2: Meeth [Me+Eat]

3: Haridwar [Har + id + War]

Wed: Mummy slipped in her room, result was a small cut on her elbow and panic in everyone else. Why she slipped, is she ok. But it happens, especially in old age, I also thought this was due to high blood pressure, but it seems that is not the problem. She slipped due to her wrong footwear and raised tiles in her room. Mummy along with Avi family had planned a stay at Sacred Heart from Thursday as Akshay – Kashyap – Muskan – Dhwani all are going for the Goa wedding. She will guide our new maid, Namita. Kashyap – Dhwani left for Goa in 6.45 pm train. Till 6.00 pm Dhwani was busy recollecting items to put in her bag, such is there management. Finally I forced them out to take train from  Pune station which was 20 minutes away in normal traffic, if it rains heavily, then it may take much more time. My second daughter is one step ahead of her. At 10.0 pm it was announced, she is ready, all I have to do is put my cloths in bags.  I told her, just for fun of it, this process will take 3 hours minimum. I was off by 1 hour, it took her to pack bags all of 4 hours! For 10 minutes job.

Thu: Akshay – Muskan left in Xylo for Goa at 6.40 am. Muskan called me. The excitement was 100% genuine as she poured out her happiness.  During the rains the ‘Ghat’ section to Goa is heaven. Rolling hills, fresh shades of unimaginable green, swinging palm trees and misty, tingling, shivering fog makes a cocktail of beauty which words cannot define, only can be understood by someone who has experienced such happiness filled with joy and by those whom natures blesses with just experiences. 

Kunal - Aarti wedding : Mehandi Location at Goa Wow Factor

Fri: Goa pictures are coming in. Constant feed back from location is very enlightening. Kash-Dhwani are multi-tasking as CIS members doing shooting taking interviews, and also attending wedding as one of Chawla Cousins. Whereas Akshay is full on in holiday mood. Muskan is busy attending functions and also using her make up skill on any willing 'Bakra.' 

by P G Dodeja

27th July 2014 – 2nd Aug 2014 [Carnama – 4]

IN BLD - Akshay - Kashyap - Sharat - Neha early 90's at our private river side picnic spot in Khandala Area 

• "There's nothing more contagious than the laughter of young children;
•  it doesn't even have to matter what they're laughing about.” 

CarNama- Pune is still a city of two wheelers. And during 80’s we used to travel even Mumbai – Pune  by two wheeler. Dad did not like this idea. After birth of Akshay & Neha we also felt the need of car in Pune. Of course, MRX 8025 was stationed in Pune, but Pune family was not confidant about this car. So, two Maruti cars were purchased with gap of some time. One was christened 'BLD', due to its number plate initials matching with our uncle initials. Cars were mostly used for city conveyance, Lonavala / Khandala picnics and not for long journeys. 

Mon: Sharat - lali have returned from Singapore trip. So story season is on for last few days. After Dinner, Sharat loves to tell tales of his Singapore trip. Then there are 1250 pictures to be seen and commented upon, along with detailed story of how and why of the photograph. Singapore is a small country, thriving on tourism. They have developed Santosa Island into a great place to spend some time. Sea Aquarium, Paramount Studio Rides, Mustafa Bazar, Live Studio, Light & Sound Shows etc are all designed to attract tourists. To my surprise, we had managed to live without watching TV.

 ‘No TV, No Life’ people should not be offended. No one in our family is addicted to TV. Akshay likes to see same movie again and again, I love to surf news channels, Dhwani loves teenager based shows, Kashyap only wants to see Hollywood, Bindiya loves ‘Tarak Mehta’ and Kapil Sharma, for Muskan some serial are ‘Bade Achhe’, but again she cannot sit and watch earnestly for long. So our nights are spent without TV shows, gossiping past, telling old stories and planning future.

We visited Kahne Goan after 7 years. All memories of 1^st decade of 21^st century came flooding back. We had so many outings, Holi, New Year, Birthday Celebration. Akshay kept saying, “Papa..”. As we passed Krsna Bhoomi, I expected to see mini Jungle of Mango trees, but all looked pygmy version of Mango trees! The pleasant, pure and fresh breeze of Vadgaon Valley refreshed everything in its path, making world seem made up of dew drops and fresh deodorant! Rain Gods have blessed us with excellent 10 days of rainfall. Weather has turned into a ‘Climate of Heavens.’ Let’s say thank you to God.

Thursday: 10 days steady rainfall has being followed by hard rains for last four days. Pune rains are not like Pune rains, but more like Mumbai rains i.e. non-stop and heavy pour.’ Lakdi Pull,’ i.e. Bridge at Deccan was touching Mutha River. And meteorological department warned about cloud burst! So all citizens are on high alert and long distance travels are cancelled, even Muskan cancelled her Mumbai visit on her Mumbai-Papa’s birthday.There was some land slide 80 km from Pune, in which one small village was buried. However, could burst did not happen.
Fri: We all sat down after Dinner, including Lali & Sharat, to make Diwali Program. Normally lot of excitement is generated and some dreams are built. High plans are made with clear understanding that some small part of plan will be implemented. Muskan nowadays is promoting the idea of full family going out for 10 days trip to place where you need passport to go. She says her intuition is saying that this year we will do so. Our wait is only  for 5 months. Lets wait & watch.
   

 

by P G Dodeja