Mon: In last seven days, we have enjoyed three seasons
in six days! Chilly winter – Warm Summer and Windy rains. This week started
with cloudy day. It promised good rains. And ‘Indra Devta’ fulfilled his
promise. It rained heavily, at 4.0 it was dark, windy and pouring and by 7.15 Wanwadi,
MG road and many areas of Pune were blacked out. This black out lasted long
enough to kill batteries of all cell phone. After candle light dinner and with
no TV, we all sprawled out in living room. Dhwani had planned candle light
dinner for Akshay – Muskan and I had planned photo session, but Akshay had
other engagements, so plans were on hold/cancelled. Dhwani – Muskan – Chinky
and #KabirDodeja snuggled on ‘Gadhela’, whereas others enjoyed lazy sofa lie
down. This rare TV free, electricity
free time opened the flood gates of memory. I recalled the process of
electricity use in our life.
60’s, when I was just a growing kid, electricity was
used mostly for lighting and fans. Our day will start at 6.15 and we will be
sleeping by 9.30. So the dependency on electricity was negligible. And slowly,
Radios, Record Players started consuming ‘bijlee’ and entertaining us.
It was in 70’s that black and white TV came along, to occupy center place in
our life. Luckily, we had very few programs to look forward to. Sunday evening
were fixed for ‘Movie’, Thursday after dinner was ‘Chaya Geet’ time,
Friday was depending upon start fixed for ‘Phool Khele hai Guldshan Gulshan’.
I remember, Lali – Mohan and myself had fitted out dark room made for
Photography, including absorto wall, dark interior, in gallery of Ghatkopar
residence with electricity wires along with extensions, enlarger connection, heater
connection. This was done just by understanding the basic principle, one wire
[+] for power supply and other wire [-] for earthling. Mohan helped us in
electricity department as Madon had joined Finolex and he considered himself an
expert in electricity department. We would repair blown fuses in main meter
room also, with his help. And 80’s made electricity necessity and for Mumbai
people, it was always there just like air we breath. Thanks to TATA’s. Colour
TV, Refrigerators, Air conditioners, Lights, Kitchen’s equipment and all
prevailing Computers, needed power and it was there.
 |
| Result of 2 hours downpour |
This Monday was rare Monday in this sense. For power outage
lasted 17 hours, a record of its kind in our life. This turned our mobiles
dead, laptops redundant, other equipments just pieces of junk. This 9 degrees
temperature jumps had its effect on health also.
Avi and Pinky had rushed to Chennai. Pinky’s Mum, had
developed few health problems and was in ICU. High diabetic issue, mild heart
attack, some stroke effect had made her critical. Chennai was under siege of
Indra Devta. Some areas were with power for two days, many roads were flooded.
And in between, one more unpleasant news. Jyoti was in Mumbai, due to demise of
Tulsidas Mama. She has to rush to Chennai, due to very dramatic and sudden
death of Seth Balchand, her FIL! He was hale and hearty, watching TV and
writing some notes. He asked his DIL some coffee. She made cup of coffee and
when she offered him coffee made as per his choice, he was no more! Even his
pencil which he was using, was also properly set in his hand, as if he wants to
write few more notes. He just moved on, with no reaction, jerk, even a murmur!
He had heart issue, but few years back, otherwise his health was perfect.
Thankfully, Ratna Aunty has recovered well from her
ordeal and Bathija family was take respite from last few months ordeal. Over
the few dinners together, we [Mummy – Myself – Ratna aunty – Shyam uncle]
entertained kids by telling 60’s, 70’s and 80’s stories. And this story telling
sometimes reveals few past gems. It is kind of treasure to possess, one which
you distribute and it grows!
I have shifted finally to smart phone. Amar and Akshay
kept pestering me and finally I replaced my three year old Samsung DUOS, with
smart phone, Lenovo. I love its camera feature. But the most addictive feature
is its games and Whatapp! I played Candy Crush and found that I was turning
into games slave, I un-stalled it. It took me three un-stalls to overcome this
addiction. Finally I am free. Whatapp is different story. It is total time
pass. I am member of six groups. In one day, hundreds of messages are
exchanged. When we added Dodeja’s from Hydrabad – Nashik – Canada – Nagpur –
Mumbai to our family group which was restricted to #PuneDodeja’s, a record was
created by posting of 550 messages! Currently this group is roaring with
laughter and innovative ideas. We do know how to laugh at ourselves.
Sat: Finally, Kabir learned to cry like a baby, after 5
months and 20 days. This erratic weather, his teething has started, last
month’s dehydration, few bites from mosquitoes took its tool. He kept every one
awake for the night, crying non-stop, he had fever and was highly irritated.
For the first time our home was completely filled with his cries. Everyone was
on toes, including Rinky – Chinky. Akshay said, “This tiny boy ne Ghar ko hila
rakha hai.” He stayed bit calm in ‘Godi’
of family members, so each of us took turn in keeping him ‘shant’. And during this period, Muskan also caught the viral fever, which is going around. By Monday morning,
however, with end of two days, out of three days mandatory fever days, things
were manageable.
Hence this addition of blog is late by 24 hours, first
time in history of my blog life!!!!!!!!!!!!
by P G Dodeja
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