22nd March 2015 – 28st March 2015 [World Cup – Godh Bharia]

 

Wed: Akshay is being drawn to Mumbai like magnate draws iron. It is fate only. For last 2 months he is doing up-down on daily basis. He and his company are spending big money on diesel and toll taxes. After two months daily commuting, they zeroed on a and rented flat in Mahim. It is on 10^th floor, east-west open, in center of town, a brand new building with latest facilities. They keep meetings in Parel their office is in Parel, so local traveling is nil. And rent is just 22k!

Akshay says he will never shift to Mumbai, but will fate play its role and shift him back to Mumbai, I hope not?

He is getting in good books of Rohit Podar, a very big Industrialist whose only job is to appoint proper executive for his numerous projects. And if he wants someone for project, he gives very lucrative offer, and for him honesty, loyalty and hard work are main qualities. So what will happen if his offers is very attractive option for Akshay? It will be very tough decision to make for him. And yes all this depends on result of current project.

Sun: Godh Bharia Day:

We call it “Godh Bharia” and westerners call it “Baby Showers”

For last several months, my fingers were itching to announce this happy news, Dhwani – Kashyap are soon going to be proud parents of ‘Chutki’. But I follow the tradition and on Godh Bharia I announce this news to the world.

Last week was very hectic and busy. Muskan – Dhwani were busy making arrangements for this day. Avi- Dhwani finally selected ‘Indian Aroma’ near Lal Deval after rejecting RK, Sacred heart Town, Parmar Park, Atlantis etc. They fixed very elaborated menu for Lunch. All our  guests were coming from Mumbai. Bindiya’s sisters, her brother, Dhwani’s family, Muskan’s family. Kosha and her family, Bhabhi – Prakash – Tina - Vishal,  Pinky – Pashu and Party all came on Saturday, some stayed in B-7, some at Raheja Garden and some in O Hotel. Mona and Shobha were in Khandala! Thus Saturday evening created this happy, celebration atmosphere.

Sunday program started dot on time at 12.05 as planned. Deepka Maharaj was in mood and did full ceremony in systematic way with lot of interest. By the time this Pooja [more like marriage] got over, all guest were in attendance. Lot of ‘Oil’ was applied on the happy couple. Tarula, Dhwani’s mother then took over and did Katchi style ‘Godh Bharai’. All in all this mixture of cultures made the occasion look really like diversified India. I had asked Muskan to wear paranda with Punjabi dress, but she is only comfortable in Jeans or Salwar Kamiz. Muskan’s mother somewhat made the feeling of Punjabi’s being around more real. LP [Kosha’s husband, Sikh by birth] himself says that he is pure Mumbai Boy. He has no connect with Punjab or Punjabi culture!

  

Kosha with help of her family members, Avi, Akshay, Sharat and Palakh decorated the venue. All Dodeja kid’s childhood pictures were printed on A4 and displayed. This idea was appreciated for its freshness. Then Kashyap has arranged his staff for shooting of interviews about the baby. This kept the group of guest busy at entrance, where Sana was shooting interviews. 

This high point of the day was few games organized by Dhwani and Muskan. Pinky Narang who is event manager in her professional life, took over the stage and conducted games. Mona was captain from Chawla group, Neha was from Dodeja’s, Simi was from Shah’s, Muskan was representing Nandas. We made them sing nursery rhythms, then Lullabies’ and few songs in Sindhi – Punjabi – Katchi – Hindi. The house was brought down by laughter and loud screams when four captains selected four adults and did their makeup. 

Add caption

  This Baby is soon going to get a baby!

15th March 2015 – 21st March 2015 [Happy New Year]

 

Mon 16^th : Big debate is on. Question is ‘Chutkii’ ya ‘Kabira’.

This week started with big heated debate on this subject. In this time and century, I never thought I would participate on such debate? I surprised myself. Akshay & Kashyap earnestly want a boy whereas rest of us are hooting for baby girl. Debate started on light note at 10.0 pm and went on and on till 12.30! This few hours of debate showed us that this desire for male or female child is inbuilt genetically and it has deeply rooted in human DNA because no one gave any valid reason for his/her choice. Lot of our debate was light hearted and fun filled, but one can see the undercurrent.

Wed 18^th : Manohar Hinduja, and Maya Ramchand Dodeja were married for 53 years. Manoharlal died suddenly at home, on 16th. He had some health problem for some months, few years back, he recovered from it and became active once again. At the ripe age of 73 he still visited his 6 shops daily, spending 30 minutes or so in each shop. Daily he climbed two stiff floors twice in a day. On Monday, 16^th in morning he called his wife and told her, I am feeling uneasy. He took her hand and in seconds, he dropped his head and was gone. Doctor came rushing, but he announce him dead. Dad used to say that there are only two gentlemen and best SIL of Dodeja Khandan. One was Devidayal, SIL of Karamchand Dodeja, married to Sarla, and other Manoharlal Hinduja, now both are gone.

Manu – Maa – Narendra attended his ‘choitha’ in Solapur. We started our journey at 9.30 am from Pune in Indrayani and returned by Shatabati at late night 11.45 pm. During these 15.15 hours we were silent for only 30 minutes in Jhulelal Mandir during ‘choitha’ ceremony. In this marathon, 'talkathon', Manu must have talked for 9 hours, Lajja Dodeja for 3 hours, myself for 3 hours and Narendra for 15 minutes, that also by way of mumbling a word or phrase, that also when directly nudged!

We reached Navjivan Society in Gurunanik Nagar, Solapur around 2.0 pm. Just as we entered, Sangeeta & Naresh’s car also entered the society, they have also started by car at 9.30am from Pune. I was taken back to my last visit to this place. It was during our trip to Hydrabad in Maruti Van to attend Sapna’s wedding, during that trip also we had reached in peak heat [40 degree] of afternoon. In last 27 years, time has frozen there. I saw no change in society, or surroundings. Same dusty filth filled ground on one side, sleepy road with no business activity on other side, area was as sleepy as it was three decades back. Neighbors were like one family, most of them wearing ‘Salwar Kurta’ for ladies and Pant – Shirt for men. Solapur’s climate and water combination makes their skin glow with pinkish tinge. All Men-Women had rolly-polly body structure, Fluffy, rounded cheeks in mostly round face, with round tires in middle and plenty of flesh all around.

 

 Manoharlal’s Choitha was attended by huge number of citizens. Hall was filled to the capacity. Must be around 500-700 people in all! He has three sons, all married, then brother and his children along with business connections of last 5 decades. Then he is well respected businessman of Sindhi community in Solapur. All this made up big number.

We returned by Shatabati departing from Solapur at 7.40. To my surprise I loved railways food served in train. Though Hindujas gave us packed dinner for return journey, we eat food served in ‘Shatabati’. It was simple menu, but tasty and hot. Tomato soup was excellent, Chapatis were soft with tasty mix-vegetable Sabji, Dahi was sweet, Gulab Jamun was soft and sweet. I skipped Dal-Chawal, which Narendra said were good. Way to good, Indian railways.

Sat: It was Godhi Parva / Cheti Chand holiday. Lali still takes active part in Jhulelal Mandir. When Mahendra Chawla was in-charge, one felt like taking part in its activities. Tarwani and Lali are dedicated free fund workers available to Mandir. The Mandir has become a good landmark for Sindhi community. Currently Cheti Chand is celebrated by having a Sindhi songs and dance program, followed by free Lungar bhoj. First few years we tried to Sale Books, collect data etc but there was no response. More so, daily life struggle is high priority.

 

by P G Dodeja

8th March 2015 – 14th March 2015 [ Birthday]

 

Just tick the items which are part of you already and start working of un-ticked items. You will feel the difference soon.

Signs of Happy People

·         1: Prioritizing Happiness

·         2: Seeing Beyond Success and Failure

·         3: Not compromising Self-Worth

·         4: Living by your own rules

·         5: Being Optimistic about goals

·         6: Not blaming circumstances

·         7: Happy to accept help

·         8: Being Open-Minded

·         9: Never forgetting your Goals

·         10: Living in the Moments

 That was Gyan Ghosti....

I quote:

Friday the 13th, also known as Black Friday, is considered an unlucky day in Western superstition. It occurs when the 13th day of the month in the Gregorian calendar falls on a Friday. Wikipedia

So what happened on 13^th Friday in our family members life, was it unlucky?

 It was routine working day. When I say routine, I meant for myself. I am able to stick to my fixed timings. From 8.18 am, when alarm rings I start rolling. I get ready for office. Subject to morning breakfast availability, I reach office by 9.10 am plus minus few minutes. By 5.00 pm I start closing my desk. Mostly I am out of the office by 5.15 pm. Many people visit Mandir while they return from office, I visit ‘Varsha’ Bhel, opposite our office. I make call for orders, Mummy asks for ‘Sukha Bhel’, Bindiya if in mood will ask for ‘Dhabeli’. Muskan & Dhwani will take some bite if in mood. Whereas I enjoy Pani Pori or Dhabeli. I buy some fruit and then detour to Just Books for magazine or book, and I am in B-7 around 6.15 pm. And on this 13^th same routine was followed, no change.

What about other family members?

Sharat has more or less fixed routine like me, only difference being he has ‘over time in office’ which I do not indulge in, much. His return to Home timing is bit uncertain. 

Will Akshay be in Pune or Mumbai? He, himself was not aware of this, so by the end of day, rather date, he returned from Mumbai. He left for Mumbai in afternoon, attended few meetings and returned on 14^th [1.0 am]. \

Muskan, was feeling getter, healthwise so came to office for few hours. Dhwani has a visit to Ruby Hall fixed. Kashyap has returned from Goa last night and he is in full form, targeting all his edits, so that he is free in first week of June. So he was prompt and attended office and worked with intensity and dedication. 

Lali is working on one more order from Singapore. Press is keeping him busy and happy to certain extend, this trend continued on 13^th. Avi is enjoying working in Landson office as Business Adviser, in full attire. i.e. full suit without tie [Landson dress code] and as some fresh leads are expected, he was gearing up for handling those leads. 

Rest of the ladies also stayed tuned to usual routine. So all in all it was not unlucky day for any of us.

I would rather say, this day can turn out very lucky day, depending on the net result of what started on 13^th. How? Here are day’s highlights.

I start my day by making few collection calls. One such client is named ‘Hinglaj’. He calls me after not picking my call, I start my spiel but he cuts me short and in his most sweet tone tells me, “Tell me you are still looking for a flat?” I tell him Yes, still looking for it. “Good, I have very nice place. Come at gate, I will show you.” Ashok Dhawle, our first friend in Parmar Park has the keys. Secondly, Lali calls Ramesh Oswal, who has shown some interest in plot, for one more meeting, which is fixed for Saturday. [On Saturday one step forward was taken.] Best part is, Tele caller team was shaken up for doing shoddy job in last two weeks. Hope this will infuse some positive energy and bring some good results.

So what is your take on Friday 13^th being unlucky day?

Birthday Ladies Pics from my Personal Desk Top calender for 2015.  Both share same birthdate, 15th March

 P G Dodeja

1st March 2015 – 7th March 2015 [Holi Week]

   

6^th Fri:   Busy – Busy – Busy

We are very chilled out, happy go lucky family, this word 'Busy' will exist in our life? I never thought. But I was wrong. Normally I start celebrating Holi at least 4-5 days in advance. Not with color but by pouring all kind of liquids on my children. Water – Tea – Sharbat etc. But this year we all were so occupied that Holi just knocked at our door, suddenly taking us unaware. I then realized how life has shifted its gears. How true are Avi's words, 'Last three months have vanished in blink of eye.'  But still we managed to make some samosas with Mummy as master cook. 

Akshay is 24X7 working with his better half, i.e. KK. Kashyap was busy during this week in planning his Goa trip. No, not as tourist, but as a professional movie maker. And he left for Goa in Xylo in early morning at 5.0 am. His dairy is full for next six months, inspite of his attempt in keeping himself free during first week of June, for obvious reason. 

Sharat has become a rare sight since he took up the job, currently he is revolving in his orbit of office colleagues, friends. He was supposed to come to play formal, symbolic Holi, but he did not. Muskan is not keeping well so no Holi for her, same goes for Dhwnai as she is in her special zone. Chinky – Rinky stay away, always, Megha takes her holidays seriously as sleep catch up time, Manju has maid problem for last three days, hence her vote is ‘no’ for everything.

So I am left with only one option. Play symbolic Holi by putting color ‘tikka’. I started with Mummy and Bindiya and ended with Akshay, who was very much reluctant but I managed him and splashed him with color.  

In last six decades we had gone through different phases of Holi celebrations. In 70’s we were part of big Holi celebrations in santacruz. As a child I used to play pranks and enjoy Holi. Holi of that period is still remembered warmly by all involved.

Than came a bit slack period of decade or so of Holi celebration. This period was more like a duty then fun. We would start Holi at 9 O’clock in Ghatkopar with neighbors and Bathijas, then with Daddy we will visit Munyals in Sion, my grand fathers ‘Sasural’, this will be followed by formal Holi at Dad’s ‘Sasural’ in Santacruz, as this was period of family strain in Bajaj House. 

And finally, ending my tiring day, in evening at Bandra, my ‘Sasural’, with excellent lunch prepared by Bhabhi. It will always be Dingri - Dahi Wadas - Bheeh Aloo etc, my most enjoyable Lunch even at 4-5 O'clock in evening. 

Again in late 90’s our fun Holi period started. We started going to Vadgaon plot for Holi day and picnic thrown in. This was only period when G L Dodeja full family played Holi together. Playing Holi in water filled Tank, with mud bath thrown in, eating Samosa's, Pragari was totally freaking out Holi in open 11 acres of space, in clean pollution free air,  cool air soothing nerves. During this period only missing part of Holi fun was ‘Bhang’, which we avoid now also. 

Currently we have one year of good Holi, followed by slack Holi. First few Holi's with Muskan as Dodeja were very good, celebrated at KK terrace or KK garden. Last year we had great Holi at Khandala with Mona. This must have being very first full fledged Holi with Narang's. Two years back, Kashyap’s friends landed in Pune and had good Holi celebrations laced with ‘Bhang’. We have yet to celebrate funtosh Holi with Dhawni!

I plan to start new trend in celebration of Holi in Pune. We are more than 75 First cousin dodeja’s staying in Pune, why cannot we have one day dedicated to Dodeja Party? Play big Holi at some farm house? Let youngster enjoy coloring each other, old people can see them enjoying and gossiping among themselves and have a heavy fat filled lunch? 

 Why Not?