26th Jan 2015 – 31st Jan 2015 [Republic Day ]

26^th Mon: This year has 6 long week end. Many holidays are falling on Friday or Monday. The very first long weekend passed, as Monday was 26^th Jan, Republic day. After thirty years I spent my day watching 26^th Republic Day parade on TV.  In 80’s when first time I had seen this parade in color, I had promised to visit Delhi, just to enjoy the feeling of being proud Indian, the promise remains unfulfilled. The grand Rajpath, the proud soldiers, perfect marching units, diversity of India and USA president as guest was a show stopper. And on top of it, the sprinkling of rains made everything look so fresh and clean. I am sure, those present will carry the memory of this day for life.

Avi and Rinky both are born in February, Avi in year 1972. Rinky will soon have special mentions in my blog, this week it is Avi's turn.

I still remember the day he was born. We had just returned from school and found mummy was not at home. Where is mummy? Pushpa aunty suddenly appeared, all smiles. Even before I asked her, where is mummy, she said, [in sindhi] 'Brother has come'. What?
From day one, Lali and myself enjoyed being big brothers of Avi. Mummy would give responsibility to us to take care of Avi,. He was very cute, cried very little and was always playful. For me he was first ever ready model, whom I clicked at my whim. During that time I had just learned few basics of photography, I would plan with Lali and shot Avi after elaborated planning and settings. 

 This picture is result of side lighting lesson, learned from Mr Pillai of Indo American Society. Excellent angle, composition and perfect use of window lights. See how like a obedient brother Avi is posing, with flower placed at right angle, his tongue out with direct look in camera. 

 Idea was to show a cliff hanger picture. Dare devil attitude, risky kid enjoying outing in terrace. In background is Somaiya Ground, where today Neelkanth Valley is built. I wounder how we managed to click him, as kids at this age are hyper and keep moving.

 Now this is taken after Avi started going to school. This was on a rainy afternoon. With the cap, cigarette in hand, rain coat in place of warm long coat is an attempt to make him look a great detective, seriously sorting out murder mystery in his mind. 

The main clincher for the success of this foto is just perfect expression on Avi's face. As if Contemplating and taking all small things seriously.  

Jump few years and here is Avi in his sober avtar.  
 He got busy in his school, lali after college, shifted to Pune and I was busy in Office. So the photo opportunities got sacrificed in daily survival efforts. This is maybe last planned photo shoot.
















Breaking News: Today, 1st Feb 2015, Lali - Manju - Sharat have appeared in TOI as happy family enjoying selfie time at 'Happy Street' last sunday! An exclusive picture.


by P G Dodeja

19th Jan 2015 – 25th Jan 2015 [ Daily Routine]

 

In short, this week we said good bye to winter, celebrated Bindiya Birthday. Kashyap – Dhwani kept their Mumbai trips restricted to one. But Muskan – Akshay compensated the same with flying visit to Mumbai. Sharat worked over time, which he has recently given up. Rinky has started acting like ‘Dadi Ma’ with Chinky. Who is busy applying for her driving license.

Here is a gem of foto. One of our outing.

Happy times with BLD family in 2006. Check out - Avi - Akshay - Kashyap - Chinky - Rinky - Rachna

Daily Routine circa 2015-01-22

Prakash Dodeja [Age 57 ]:

Sleep gently shrinks away as I judge time after having a glimpse of sky from the bedroom window, is it 6.15 am? My trusty Samsung mobile says, 6.25 am. Close. Time to start the one more day of my life. Without disturbing Bindiya, I close myself in bathroom, hurry with daily routine. My favorite toothpaste is Meshwak. Manufactured by Balsara, with some herbal ingredients. Many years back, I gave up on Colgate because it was manufactured by MNC. I was at that time in ‘Be Indian, buy Indian’ mode, hence this shift, same story is with soap.

Today winter harshness has reduced and I felt the effect of ‘Gulabi Thandi’, a pleasant, enjoyable, comfortable pleasing cold climate. I open balcony door of drawing room to welcome fresh air, then open main door to welcome milk man and paper-wala. I keep it open, so that I do not have to rush and open it for them. Make a refreshing, warm cup of tea for myself and sit down at dinning table, ready with newspaper, magazine, note book and enjoy first sip.

What is agenda of the day?

Nothing extra ordinary or critical. Good. Can relax.

Sipping tea, enjoying climate, I watch morning walkers, read paper as clock says, 7.28 am.

Bindiya takes her place at ‘morning’ sofa. Time for second cup of tea. I add Butter Toast to my second cup of Tea and enjoy Bindiya’s leg pulling routine of morning. Her birthday is round the corner, so I follow Muskan system and tell her ‘Happy Birthday’, which I have being saying for last week. She has become used to all this, she just smiles.

At 8.18 Tata Walky’s loud alarm fill ups our home. Bindiya reminds me to wake up our maid, Namarat, which I dutifully do and get ready for office.

Next one hour is kind of mechanical, Bath - Break fast – Some gossip with Muskan – Hello with Kashyap – Walk down to Office.

Morning time is Banking time for me, with minor meeting thrown in with Lali – Avi – Akshay on various issues, including family points. Due to limited resources, it takes lot of deliberation and thought to manage funds. Distribution - Estate Agency – Property Dealership – Press all take up few minutes of my time and soon it is lunch hour. Lali – Avi leave for home lunch, Akshay – Kashyap if around call for lunch from home, our staff settles down for with lunch 'dabbas', followed by brief nap, office is peaceful and quiet.  During winter, they go out and take sun bath. I also stretch my leg, take snack of ‘Munch’ or ‘Vada Pav’, sometimes share chocolate with Muskan and her group.

Post lunch time is very much fluid. If some meeting is fixed, preparation for same if required. Else it is Shopping or meeting guests at home or planning some project or writing this blog or giving unsolicited input to Kashyap for his wedding video projects or assisting Dhwani or Muskan or playing chess on net etc, lot more options are also open. Time flies and soon it is evening. 

I leave office anytime after 5.00 pm. Today it is 30 minutes past five. I count, yes, 4 stops to make in my short walk to home. First as always is ‘Varsha Bhel’. I enjoy ‘Dhabeli’ today, yesterday it was ‘Pani Puri’, tomorrow I may skip, as it is Bindiya Birthday and special dinner has being planned. Dhwani has started eating fruits, so I make a point to buy apple or grapes. I move ahead to buy fruit, my second stop. But no one is around. Nowadays, PMC is evicting vendors very earnestly and keeping roads clear. My route is today vendor free, new street lamps are being tested, in short area is getting posh. Near Ganesh Mandir at corner, ‘Kela Walla’ is hawking his product. I pay ten rupees for 3 bananas. One for Bindiya, one for me and one will stay in fruit basket, thus completing my third task. My next final stop is today, ‘Just Books’. It is a great library venture, very affordable and stuffed with good books. Wanwadi branch is in Sacred World, bang opposite sacred heart town gate. Currently I am into Indian fiction writer’s, After Amitav Ghosh, one Ravi Sumbramaniam has held my interest. He weaves good stories with Bandra – BKC – Coloba as backdrop, depicting Banking culture with crime thrown in. Finally on impulse, I go into Bakers Basket, buy two cup cakes.

As I open main door with my key, I see Bindiya has taken up the evening sofa. Namrata leaves for her computer classes. I chat a bit with Bindiya, eat some snack, read magazine or book, then watch some TV, till kids start coming back. Our dinner time is fixed between 8.00 and 8.30.

 Today Muskan has made an excellent ‘Gajjar Ka Halwa’, in response to ‘Gulab Jamun’ made by me from Govardhan packet, two days back. My ‘Gulab jhamuns’ were excellent, but fluke (I think). Whereas, Muskan’s ‘Halwa’ is every time like this, excellent. Big Boss 8 one more episode gets over, as we finish savoring full ‘Katora’ of sweet. Today, I had over stuffed myself, so I sit and take up my favorite topic, making shortlist of names for baby.

Dhwani is game so is Kashyap. Akshay & Muskan had gone to Ankit house to wish them happy anniversary. Debate starts and it goes on for some time. Do we want the name of baby to have some meaning, or should it have great sound, or maybe based on some icon. Kashyap suggests, ‘Kabir’. I say, ‘The name should have ‘sh’ in its spelling.’ Dhwani does not have any particular name in mind. But ultimately we get stuck, which alphabet? Is the name for boy or girl? So let’s wait. Meanwhile, my list of nominated names is growing as I add one more name in my dairy.

Finally, after 'Gajjar Ka Hawla' has settled down, at 10.40 pm I say hello to beauty sleep.

Good Night.      

 

by P G Dodeja

12th Jan 2015 – 18th Jan 2015 [Khandala]

 

11^th Sun: If one looks around, you find many people as owners of Bunglows and exotic properties. But do they enjoy it?

Mona knows how to enjoy ‘Bunglow’ life. Most of the people buy Bunglow for snob value. They move around in circles where you have to say, ‘I have a Bunglow…..blah..blah…blah’. They hardly spend time there, leaving the property for servants to enjoy. For those people, real holiday is going out of country or relaxing in 5 star environments in posh location in India. 

Good thing about Mona is that she enjoys the brief stays at her Bunglow, taking time out from daily grunge of life. She will take care of minor things, ligting that corner, reparing that section, do gardening during her routine visits. For her, if Bunglow is not laced with latest luxuries, it is ok, but all comfortable living gadgets should work in perfect condition. Be it boiler, TV, micro wave or flood lights. Then when she is satisfied with appearance of Bunglow, she will invite few guest one at a time. She is very particular about appearance, comfort, food etc. This week, she has camped at her Bunglow for six days with Shobha / Dimpi / Ananya [three generations] and send invitations to all. We were accepted as first guests on Sunday for overnight stay. Rest of chawla sister with follow, one by one.

I had during this stay, one mission, click Ananya’s picture. Sweet, ‘Shant’ kid, born to Indian Sindhi couple, settled in UK. In London, she is surrounded by her parents only. And in Khandala she was surrounded by 10 people, pampering her, pestering her, drawing her attention, but she only stuck to her mother and ‘Nani’ like a glue. She is programed in such a way that every 10 minutes, her body will automatically turn in her mother’s direction, wherever she is, and grab her!

On Sunday night, Kashyap and myself played with lights for photography experiments. Dhwani has not started to glow, so this experiment with her in glowing lights is presented here. Soon, glowing Dhwani's will adore this space. 

 Next day was Photo Shoot day of Ananya, which eveyone enjoyed fully. I kept clicking, Dimpi kept changing her dresses, Shobha kept running after her, Muskan & Pashu kept giving her posing instructions. This must be first Khandala visit when Pashu and Muskan happily allowed Ananya to over shadowed them as photo subject.

 

Mona had planned ‘Lal Loi’ for the evening. Excellent climate, Family in attendance, A baby full of joy, superlative food by Mona, no pollution, no noise, no TV, no mobile.

What else can you demand from life?

Akshay & Muskan are having Gala time, on Monday they returned from two days weekend(?) from Khandala and again they were off to Lonavala for Saturday – Sunday weekend, this time with Pinakin and Payal Chandan with twins in tow from Mumbai. Chandan Family of Sindhi Building, Ghatkopar is still deeply attached with us. On off we keep talking about them and are in loop vai our kids. Kashyap – Dhwani drop in Ghatkopar, to have lunch with Illa and enjoy playing with Pinakin’s twins, thus life rolls on.

One more Dodeja wedding preparations are on. This is going to be in Hydrabad or if boy side agree in Mahableshwar. Most of the guest from our side will be from Mumbai – Ahemdabad and Pune. This is confirmation of generation shift. If Dada was first generation in India, the current lot of boys and girls getting married is fourth generation! i.e. great grandchildren of Lokram Pessumal Dodeja. First great grand child to get married was Neha in 2004.

 

by P G Dodeja

5th Jan 2015 – 11th Jan 2015 [Sikh Wedding]

 

Mon: Fresh air, fresh mind, fresh people, fresh ideas, fresh happenings, fresh year. I need to start this year with fresh story, fresh project. And I have two of them. But first one is not for public consumption, second is.

Sindhu Films and Cut-it Studio is soon going to announce its first ever, video channel on You tube. This can be precursor to a movie making project in future. Bravo. Script is ready, actors have being approached, and production department is ready. Soon shooting will start soon.

Kashyap and myself attempted a photography tricks experiment called by us ‘Playing with lights’. And here is one shot of Shyamlal Bathija, who volunteered to pose for us. This is a very good start of the year. And I am looking forward to next week Khandala stay at Mona’s Bunglow. So if that works out, the year starts in big way.

9^th Jan: Friday: First Sikh wedding which I attained was of Amit – Guneet way back in 90’s. During that wedding, we all sat on chairs, in pin drop silence, as brief ceremony was performed, in presence of all Sindhi’s with one Shikhni present, i.e. Gunit!

Kosha Shah, who works in Art Department of TV Serial Production company got married to Pure Sikh boy, Lovepreet. Wedding was arranged at Guru Nanak Darbar, Andheri (East) at 11.00 am. This wedding was similar, but again different also. Present as Bharaties were, Sikhs, Punjabis, Sindhis and Gujraties! In short, reflecting the current social mixing culture of this century in India.

Sikh wedding is a simple, elegant, colorful, happy event. After ‘Milni’ [which we missed], everyone gathered in Darbar, on first floor. Granthi said few ‘Vachan’, sang some bhajan’s, asked couple to pay obeisance to Granth Sahib. Shawl and ‘var malla’ was gifted by Granthi to couple, they signed a register and bingo, marriage was over. All ‘baratis’ sat on floor, some exchanging greeting, some making merry and some in serious mood. All got over in 40 minutes flat, and after exchange of ‘Bhadai’s’ we shifted to ground floor to eat excellent Punjabi Food. This week, Mumbai was cool, no perspiration or heat in afternoon, wow. Pune is going through lowest temperature of winter.   

10^th Jan: Dhwani’s birthday. This was dinner cum cake cutting day. After wedding, Dhwani – Kash – Akki – Niki stayed over in Mumbai and returned on 10^th. Dinner was planned with cake cutting. Dhwani had lots of gossip to exchange so her chatter was on, even after us requesting her, ‘Please take some breath in between the sentences. Pause is also great expression, use it.’ Cake was arranged from latest new bakery in Shivaji nagar. Some thing called ‘Chocolate Cup Cake’. It was very elegantly made with sculptured look. Great. Our anticipation level was raised high. But first bite dashed all our hope of eating excellent cake, in big way. Like Rajiv Masand says for movie review, my review for cake is, ‘I will give this 1 out of 5, that also for its look.’ But I am sure, this Bakery will do well, because it has learned the art of hype. Product itself is immaterial, they are selling exclusiveness, decoration, unique item design, up market feel.

Muskan & Rinky made us play few party games as suggested by Sharat. We turned of Comedy Night with Kapil Sharma on TV and laughed more during these games!  

Just as 10^th Jan turned into 11^th , we all wished once again ‘Happy Birthday, Dhwani’.        

 

by P G Dodeja

29th Dec 2014 – 4th Jan 2015 [New Year]

 

Dhwani’s uncle, Bhaveshbhai, his wife Simi, Dhwani’s mother Tarula and again Tarula’s mother visited us to invite full Dodeja family for Kosha’s wedding on 9^th. Her wedding will be held at Gurudwara in Andheri (East) at 11 O’clock, very convenient for us. She is marrying a Punjabi boy.

Inevitably, our talks with Shah’s shifted to Ghatkopar, Simi is born and brought up in Ghatkopar and was student of Vinay Mandir and Somaiya College. Ghatkopar being Guju area, the best element of Ghatkopar is snacks eating outlets. There are plenty of them on every nook and corner, You can find all varieties and types of food with road side hawkers, and believe me, they are best. There were two ‘A’ grade restaurants, Pride of India and Stockhome, both lasted for few years and have to close down!

I exchanged notes on current best outlets and was surprised to find that ‘Achija’ has lost his number one status in Pav Bhaji, however Dosa and Sandwich vendors are doing roaring business. Odean area is cleared of all food stalls. The best food now is available at Vikrant Circle. So much has changed in last 10 years. Many old buildings are demolished and rebuilt, Metro is passing through west side, major brands have opened huge showrooms, roads are filled with best cars.

And to top it, Shyam Uncle said, new project near Sindhuwadi was announced on redevelopment plot @80,000/- i.e. 8.0 cr for 2BHK flat! Wow. Of course that project is super luxurious project, but did we expect it?

Sindhu Baug, Sindhu Wadi areas [developed by Sindhi’s post partition in 50’s] are all being considered for redevelopment. Once that happens, our memories attached with those places will seem unreal, and section of Ghatkopar which exclusively belonged to Sindhi’s will be no longer in existence.

Thu: New year arrived with cloudy, windy and chilly day. Akshay – Muskan are heralding new year with Ankit and Palavi at some resort near Sinhgadh. Kashyap and Dhwani are in Lonavala with Dhwani’s gang. Avi – Megha are in Chennai celebrating new year and wedding anniversary. Lali and family with Umesh and family are celebrating new year in most happening party of Pune city. And we four, Mummy – Bindiya – Myself and Chinky, all representing three different generations enjoyed excellent climate, Anjeer Burfi, Milk Cake, Pastries, yummy food and sad TV programs. However, Big Boss – 8 this year is saving grace, we all enjoy watching it, which we did.

No new resolutions for this year. I will try to complete 2014 resolutions, which I had made in 2013 but not completed. Those resolutions were planned in 2012. Which actually were supposed to be completed in 2011! This is how life takes its strides, at its own speed, which we sometimes find very slow and sometimes, super fast, yesterday Lali said, 2014 is gone, just in a blink!

One more twist in saga of Lulla Nagar Plot. Since 2007, we are in process of finding its solution, the roller coaster ride provided by it has being thrilling. What not has being planned for this plot? Outright sale, JV with builders for Land against ‘R’ zone, tree plantations, business use [like wedding lawn, play ground, jogging center], building small farm house, mortgage ideas were floated.

In 2015, one more builder came out with more exciting offer i.e. flats against land. New government wants to clear DP of Pune and we have this window of 30-45 days to convert this new opportunity.  Finally this matter has cornered eye balls of big shots, MLA’s, and maybe CM. So chances are good for resolution. But will all owners agree?

3^rd Jan is my birthday, and before I say, ‘Happy Birthday’, a thought came to my mind. If I was following Hindu Calender, when was my birthday? Google told me, it was on 27^th December 2014, nearly one week back. So, moral of story is ‘Date’ is a simple calculation, which can keep changing.

So why celebrate one particular day as birthday, why not every day?

Neha celebrated Mahek’s birthday which falls on 4^th, in advance on 31^st. So Mahek kept saying this year 4^th came before 1^st, that is why we are celebrating my birthday.

See, again confusion regarding dates.

One principle we need to follow this year is:

  Seek happiness through seeking

TRUTH, WISDOM & LOVE.

And not by chasing
Thrills, Wealth, Titles, or Fame.

 

by P G Dodeja