20th Oct 2014 – 26th Oct 2014 [Diwali Week]

20^th Mon: This Diwali is turning into uncertain Diwali, unplanned Diwali, filled with twists Diwali of decade. Planning of Diwali week was done with great gusto, but at implement stage things have gone haywire. After 7 years, I was able to get affirmation from all my cousins for Diwali Dinner. In all 40 members gave confirmation. This is going to be high point of this Diwali. But… Location, based on certain budget is a challenge. Options are getting narrower, will we miss this dinner?

21^st Tue: (Dhan Teras) Kashyap – Dhwani are in Mumbai, for meeting. Suddenly on Sunday night, Dhwani’s grand father was hospitalized for food poising. Last year also he spent Diwali week in hospital. Return of Kashyap-Dhwani is based on his health report. All the activities, which we had planned are in suspended state. ‘Kila Competition’, ‘Photo Hunt’, Cocking Competition’, ‘Teen Patti’, ‘Shooting for DD2’, ‘Saras Baug Visit’, ‘Laxmi Road Visit’, ‘Cousins Diwali Party’ will any of these things take place?

22^nd Wed: Early morning, I called Kashyap to know about Bapuji’s condition. He was critical. Kashyap said, ‘He just passed away.’ One more episode of uncertainty appeared during this Diwali. Whatever plans I had were put on hold and I made program for Mumbai with Lali. Neha was going to Mumbai for Diwali Pooja at Valecha Chambers, her driver had left Mumbai for Pune to drive her to Mumbai! Lali and myself joined her and reached Matinga around 1 O’clock. We used this opportunity, like Dad used to do, and visited V K Munyal at Laxmi Nivas, Sion. I was visiting this place after years. After spending good time with VKM and Dhama, eating Pakoras, Mitahi, Fruit and tea, we returned to Matunga for Dhwani’s Granddad, ‘Bapuji’s’ last rituals. He was in spite of his health and other conditions, till end full with life. Always willing to joke, he never took things and life seriously. During Meeth’s engagement, I saw his relatives respect for him, his jovial nature. He had lungs problem, but he never gave up smoking ‘Beedi’ packet in a day! His argument being, ‘Beedi’ or no Beedi, I am going to die, so why sacrifice? Kashyap used to make him skip one or two Beedi, which he would skip for present by saying, ‘How can I say no to jamai!’ And then go and smoke one in balcony. He died of multiple organ failure, in other words, old age. After final rituals, Kashyap – Dhwani joined us and we returned in Xylo. This Diwali is different, no two thoughts. We chatted for a while, I said Happy Diwali and Happy birthday to Muskan, as it was past 12.30 am. We were into Diwali Day. When I hit the pillow, after waking Bindiya, it was 3.30 am! I drifted to deep sleep, wit the thought, This Diwali will stay with us for decades.

Call it early morning or late night. One huge twist, something which we will all keep repeating for decades!

23^rd Thu: This year Diwali Pooja was done in such a way that, family should become more disciplined. Being late, keeping irregular hours, taking all things for granted etc has become daily bane. So this is also an part of ‘different’ Diwali. We started Pooja bang on time fixed by Deepak Maharaj, that is 11.0 O’clock. This is for first time we skipped bonus for few of our staff, to bring some accountability to performance. Again a first step.

25^th Sat: Bang on Day. This day, made this Diwali more memorable for more than one reason. The reason will be engraved in Dodeja history, mark my word. Yes, after struggle of 7 years, we, managed to have all Pune Dodeja’s [Lokram Dodeja’s decedents] together for dinner party. Every one enjoyed it. Here is just the present mark picture. Rest will follow in future blog.   

Pune Dodeja's [Decedants of Lokram Dodeja]

 

by P G Dodeja

13th Oct 2014 – 19th Oct 2014 [Waiting for Diwali]

 Diwali means Light. Light means Diya's. So we started with Bang, {Surprise, Kashyap skipped Hrithik Movie, Bang Bang!} and painted few diyas. A colorful start for diwali!!!

See the intensicity of Dodeja workers couple number one towards creating the colorful Diya's!!

And here Couple number two joins them.




Wed:  Life is at very delicately balanced stage. On one side is very dramatic, long awaited, long desired, major change for which we are thriving and working for, on the other side is change which will be difficult to digest, emotionally and personally. I am sure within few years after this inevitable ‘Chang
e’, when novelty is worn off, I along with few others, will miss this old tough and difficult times, which currently I also want to change. Ahh, what a paradox. But honesty demands, so I acknowledge this fact of life. For uninformed, please have patience, I will put name to this change in very near future.

Thu: Elder in home, brings lot of sobriety and peace. Though Mummy never interferes in day to day working, and she never asserts herself, still I see a very positive vibrancy in home. A simple nod from her or acknowledgment, a gentle guidance in right direction, clears in advance, minor irritants of life, and makes day to day life easy. And believe me, in total, this makes home a more pleasant, pleasing home.

I will like to have response to this statement. What is your take?

Fri:  This week is filled with border line illness. The climate is playing is usual Pre-Diwali week game. Surya Devta is blessing us with his fierce heat, so that for next twelve months we have sufficient food on our table. But this high heat during the day and bit cooler in night is effecting our delicate constitution. All are feeling drowsy, bit week, uncertain etc.

As we are approaching Diwali, Mumbai visits have started. Akshay – Muskan left for Mumbai and Kashyap – Dhwani will follow on Saturday.  Neha has reached Pune, with her two fast growing Kids. Bathija family may arrive on Sunday with kashyap or on Diwali day their arrival is for sure.
I started with Diya, so I should end with Deepa's news. Both Deepa – Deepak have planned Pune visit. Hopefully, this diwali Chillam Chilli members will be in full quorum. 

This blog is filled with indirect statements, so I am adding a quiz here.

This picture is taken in mid-60's, car in MRX 8025

 Identify four people in this picture. This was taken during south India trip of 30 days, in mid 60's. Name of photographer and these four people will appear in next edition of Blog. Enjoy.

 

by P G Dodeja

6th Oct 2014 – 12th Oct 2014 [Muskan, Karva Chouth]

 

Mon:  Akshay has reached golden age of 32 years. His birthday was celebrated with Muskan gusto and family gathering. I must give full credit to this energetic, forceful, life loving girl. Single handedly she cooked with help of her maid, Namrata, a delicious dinner for 15 family members. Dhwani-Kash are in Mumbai. Black Dal -  Rotis – Biryani – Gulab Jamu – Pinapple raita – Dal Kichari! All dishes were perfect and delicious, some ten on ten and some seven on ten. I do not know about others, but I am very proud of her. God bless her.

She loves having fun and works very hard to achieve that.  In the process if others benefit, enjoy, so be it. She never demands anything in return for making your life so good. One must also acknowledge family values incorporated in her by her parents.  In last six years I have never felt or experienced any incident which tell me she values anything more than, Akshay, Parents [Both Mumbai-Pune], and other family members.  It is hard, but worth it. Keep it up. 

  

It has taken nearly 10 months, but finally there is some moment on front of adding new member in family. ‘Well, I can hear every ones wrong assumption. By new member, I meant, Sharat’s wife.’  Manju has after returning from Singapore, seriously started the hunt for her DIL. She wants to enjoy this process, so things were on hold, till she returns. Let’s see, what will be the result by year end.

Wed: Day of fresh hopes. Within span of 2 hours, 5 projects, which we expected to bring lot of ‘Green Bucks’ moved in unison one step towards fruitful closure. Avi had discussed with Mirani and told him, ‘We many times achieve 95% success and final 5% breaks the tempo and project, and we miss on major financial gain.’ Why?  And Mirani repeated what he had earlier said, ‘It is ‘Vashtu’ of this property, which is impairing final success. Get it rectified.’

Punjabi Kuddi

Muskan with Dadi

Karva Chauth: What we used to see in Bollywood movies, I see happening in our home. Muskan dresses up properly for the celebration, New colorful dress, fancy kungans, mendhi, fresh paint of nail polish, mithas, delicious dishes. ‘Surgi’ which MIL gives, is arranged by Muskan only, but she does that with Gusto. For Mendhi, she goes to Nagpal House. Pallavi Nagpal has become a good Punjabi friend of her, so Muskan’s Punjabi pan comes out frequently, and I enjoy it the most. So I need to thank Pallavi for making my Punjabi Bahu, more Punjabi. Muskan likes to say, “I am Sindhi.”
And yes, Most  important, messages to well wishers is sent. To Nandani, Kajal, Mumbai Mamma, Pinky Chachi, Chinky etc.
‘The moment you see the moon, call me.’ This year Moon was helpful and turned up around 8.30.

 

I am getting this Déjà vu feeling for last two nights. In 60'c, 70’s & 80’s, after watching movie with Bathija or Bajaj family on VCR, we will sit and gossip. Daddy was master in this. He used to shift from one subject to other, presenting same subject from different angle. Whenever intensity of discussion, debate got low, he will prop up subject with his unique twist. This will continue even after Bathija or Bajaj family has left. Normally such nights will end after 1 O’clock or so.

And for last two nights we are doing just this. TV is switched off and gossip starts. We dissect nature of one and all, analysis incidents, we predict our future, make judgments, but all in good humor. Dhwani gives her psychological input, Muskan brings in her rustic good judgement, mummy speaks from her insight, my input is based on past experience, Akshay suddenly will surprise with his blunt, direct, clear insight and kashyap will always be mature sound of debate. This sittings are killed by TV, how sad.

  Subjects are plenty. I bring up past stories, Muskan talks about Punjabi’s life style, whereas Dhwani speaks about her ‘Matunga’ life. Akshay never participates in such debate; he hears, and then makes the final statement. This matter is like this and not like that! Kashyap will join only if some technical angle is there in story, otherwise he is good listener. Last night Mummy was in form and she recalled many stories, surprising her grand children. It was 2.30 am to my utter surprise, when I hit the pillow. 

 

by P G Dodeja

29th Sept 2014 – 5th Oct 2014 [Holiday Week]

 

This week can be marked as Holiday week. 30^th is half year end for Banks, 2 and 3^rd are major holidays, [Gandhi Jayanti & Dassera] and 5^th is Sunday with 6^th Monday as Eid Holiday. And yes, it is Akshay's Birthday, a gentle reminder. Time was when, we used to hang calendars on walls, which highlighted these days only. Today we are not so much bothered about vacations. Mobile has made us 24X7 workers, even if we do not like to work.

Mon: Kashyap & Dhwani were off to Mumbai for few days. Objective, fix Kosha’s wedding date! It looks like 2014 is wedding year for Shah family. 9^th Jan was fixed as wedding day. A simple ceremony in ‘Darbar’, in sikh style, followed by reception. Dhwani is very much impressed with family’s jovial nature and chirpiness. But then all Punjabi are like that and we expect them be like that. The year 2015 will start with wedding preparation week. Hopefully, Sharat will make it more memorable.

 Wed: Today Mummy was again hospitalized at Kering after 11 months gap, for same problem. Mummy visited along with Akshay-Muskan-Avi-Pinky Vaishnavi Devi Temple at Pimpri on Monday, in spite of her knee pain. She has very strong will power, she took stairs and has to walk quite a bit. Though considering her age, they gave her VIP treatment, allowed her to jump line [2 hours waiting], take short route for ‘dharshan’. But in this small process also, her muscle developed some cramp and hardness. At Kering Hospital traction, heat treatment and light treatment relaxed her muscles and she was on her feet again. She had to stay overnight for two days. All is well, that ends well.   

Fri: This year we were limited competitors in ‘Toran’ Abhiyan. Myself, Muskan, Dhwani and Namrata, our fresh addition in never ending list of Maids. She is elder sister of Namita, our last maid. Last year Moni and Shyam uncle had joined us in Toran Competition. Bathija’s are coming during Diwali. Within two years everyone has become expert. The pictures speaks volume about the skill level. Bravo. Who is the winner? You decide.

Sat: The last mile is toughest. This topic was discussed intensely, and surprisingly once with Akshay and once with Lali & Avi.   

 

by P G Dodeja