8th Nov 2015 – 14th Nov 2015 [Diwali Week]

This Diwali, just came and went in blink of an eye. Now that I am sitting and writing about it, all I remember, packing my bag and saying, wow, Diwali holidays start. Time to chill out. And I woke at this place now, writing these words. I have named this Diwali as zip-zap Diwali.

This Diwali was usual routine with two new first time additions. One, Kabir and two [for me] WhatApp! Normally half day goes in exchanging greetings on phone, but whatApp has made this as five minute activity, which can be completed while sitting in loo ! An example of multi tasking.

So this after party hangover is choking words in my mouth, so lets take the shelter in pictures. And they say a picture is more than 1000 words. Here they are, 10 k words.

Some basic items are needed to lick start Diwali. Lights, Diyas, Lamps, Rangooli, Flowers, Crackers, and off course visit to Mandir.

With some labor and dedications your home shines along with the city. 

Here is Muskan adding tradtional touch by putting 'Ghee Ke Diya'

 

And here is something which can happen only in India. Yes, this is  Dr Poonam, who visits Bindiya for her Physiotherapy treatment. And she has this hobby of Putting Mehndi. And she is showing her talent. So by profession she is doctor and by hobby an artist.

And here is example of her talent on Dhwani's hand. Excellent job, next day Rinky also got her mendhi.

Muskan has made us Mandir Visiting family on Diwali. Earlier on-off we will visit Mandir, Lali & Manju would always visit this mandir during Diwali days, but Muskan made it kind of compulsory activity. Very first act of diwali is to buy a gift, [Saree] for Mahalaxmi Devi opposite Saras Baug. Post Diwali it is very heavily crowded, so this time we visited one day earlier. The decoration was going on and we had great relaxed time. One can see Rinky checking out the flaws.

On Puja day, every one gathers in office. This is central Hall of our office in present form, from where Samosa, wafer, Mithai, Soft drink etc was distributed.

Lucky Kabir in Lap of Good looking Dadi and with very good looking Dadi-Chachi. The Diwali brings that extra glow which makes it special!

Our Laxmi Pooja is conducted by Mummy under Ratna Anty's help. Earlier I used to sit and act like Maharaj, conduct pooja but i would end up making fun of it. Now, everyone wants to do proper, serious Pooja. Hence, I have to take back seat. We end with proper 'aarti' and 'palou' thanks to youtube.

And after dinner, the Teen Patti party is on. Shyam Uncle missed the glass of good whisky, along with Kashyap and Moni. But we stuck to our guns and did not allow the 'Peg' party. However, they were sporting enough and participated and enjoyed party without intoxication.
.

 
And then there was after many years our Skit Shooting day. This time our skit was, "Aaj Khane Mein Kya Hai?" This skit will be released with fun fare in near future, wait till then.

For last two years last activity of Diwali is having dinner party of all Pune Dodeja's. This being just few hours old, will be bisected in next week.

HAPPY NEW YEAR
  
by P G Dodeja

1st Nov 2015 – 7th Nov 2015 [Welcoming Diwali]

 

Last week we three Male Dodeja’s took active part in cooking. Kashyap made dinner, which was simple Biryani with Dahi. I made sweet dish of egg Pudding. Goggle, Rinky, Pinky and Pinky’s mother were in my advising committee. Akshay made something from ‘Malgapuram’ masala, which he had collected in Hyderabad. All three items were at the edge of failure, a disappointing act from our side.

Pre - Diwali week is upon us. Our living room at PP is white and just intense cleaning of two hours changed the room into pure white, bright and sparkling hall. All credit to Muskan and Sarika. 

The ususal routine of Diwali is on. Cleaning, getting lights ready, planning the 5 days holidays, birthday marathon plan [5 birthdays + Anniversary fall before 11 Nov], shopping in Peth area, arguing on 5 days menu, buying / not buying crackers, planning two puja’s.

We plan family activity for Diwali holidays, [skit shooting, playing cards, diya making competition etc] selecting options for entertainment [games, movies, photography, picnic], arranging extended family dinner, all this process is standard for Diwali, sometimes more enjoyable than actual event! The difference will be in execution and success of plans. This is what I call Diwali spirit. 

My intuition is telling me that from next year, our Diwali will be drastically different. Hope we will keep the Diwali spirit alive in changed scenario, the way enjoy it thoroughly. If all above mentioned activities will continue and some richness is added, it is ok, but no drastic changes. Change should be there not for sack of change, but betterment. If all those activities bring smile and joy to us, let’s continue with them.

How Diwali celebration process has changed.

Earliest I remember, was when our high point used to be going to Noble Paper Mart [from 60 to 90’s], taking part in Pooja, admiring Lal Baug Kandels and other areas lights while driving back home. Then we added Diwali night dinner at copper chimney, Worli. The dinner out started then, still continues, however nowadays, on Diwali night, we eat at home, but have one night dinner in some good restaurant.

Crackers were major part of Diwali from 70’s to early 90’s. I still remember, waking up early in morning due to heavy sound of crackers [Russi Bomb, Tharathari, Laxmi Bomb] in Ghatkopar and trying to measure silence between two blasts of crackers. I started the crackers bursting ritual at office in big way. Lalu will be given good amount to buy in bulk crackers from Mohamed Ali Road, and those will be burst by Mamtu – Maruti etc after the pooja, over the snack plate. Then under the influence of Pollution Controllers [like Moni – Chinky] somehow we started skipping firing ‘Dharu’ [as our mama’s would call it]. I think in last 10 years we must have skipped 6/7 times. Muskan remains the only child in family, who is very much interested in crackers, for her, Diwali without crackers is lame Diwali.

There was time when, neighbors / relatives would visit each other in best dress to wish happy new year, customers will just come to office for wishing happy Diwali only. All this changed as Life got busy, time for vacation got erased during the year. So taking advantage of extended holiday week of Diwali, we started our only vacation time at sterlin resort spots. Now Diwali has turned from Social event to personal chill-out event. It was time when you put your hair down and relaxed. For socialization, the world has moved ahead with Greeting Cards, Telephone, e-Mail, Cell Phone, and now whatapp.  Business which was pursued from one generation to other, had life of few years only. So the need to develop personal rapo is not there, today only thing which count’s is how good a deal you make.

 Dad used to send two different Diwali cards, one group was all his relatives, which will be inrange of 200/250 and his litterateur friends. He would specially make card for his Sindhi Writers friends in Sindhi. Few times he even made personalised cards also. He will painstakingly write address on each envelop in his clear handwriting. He would enjoy this process. If any address was not available, he would go to great extend to get it. The e-mail and mobile has killed the greeting cards charm. Now we hardly get two / three cards and yes, we do not send any.

Things which has remained constant all these?

It is cleaning of house, removing all accumulated rubbish. I do that with deleting my data files from Lap top and cell phone also! And this happens so naturally, that suddenly I realize, yes Diwali is arriving.

Other constant, in spite of advancement of diabetes etc, is good presence of ‘Mithai’.

And thankfully our ladies make this day special more so by wearing Sari!

Rangoli and flowers Decoration.

Lights and Kandeels.

And yes, good wish’s.      

HAPPY DIWALI TO ALL.

PS: Just in nick of time, before posting, I remember... 

I promise to remember wedding anniversary date...7th Nov

by P G Dodeja

27th Oct 2014 – 2nd Nov 2014 [New Chapter Opens]

 

Meet the Dodeja’s [Honest but some sugar coated synopsis] 

 Savita Haresh Kukreja, daughter of Daya-Prahlad Dodeja

Savita Kukreja: Mother of Bubli and Jayu married to Haresh Kukreja, is a really a great Bubli Person, female version of Chulbul Pandey. Short in height [Like her mother], she is constantly speaking machine with lot of energy and concern for all and yes, always smiling, enjoying life. And one rarity in her is that she is only professional in family of Lokram Dodeja, that also a Doctor! In the era, when SSC was considered as pinnacle of education in our family, she scaled heights and against family opinion of wasting her time in studies, she completed medicine. Among all 19 cousins she is only one highly educated.

She never carries the burdens of past. Lives in present, enjoys present.

This week is listed as sick week. Well, not the way you think. Muskan, Akshay, Dhwani and Kashyap all visited doctors for illness like fever, body ach, infection, virus!!!!! Kashyap is on 5 days course of 2 injections daily. Muskan has tried many antibiotics, Akshay is avoiding medicine and trying to recover without help of pills. Avi had mild fever attack also, so he is also taking pills.

Climate is fluctuating by 10 or more degree. Hot then cold, then again moderate temperatures are affecting health. This is first time I saw Muskan sitting at home for full day, taking rest. She exclaimed that this has being the most slow week of her married life! A record. I made a loaded comment ‘this is prelude to your next stage of life’, Get used to it.

Due to Bapuji’s recent death, Dhwani is with her mother, consoling her and taking rest in Mumbai. Why? Diwali was very hectic, very surprising and full of news. Meet Doshi’s [Kashyap’s Langotia Yaar of Ghatkopar] wedding preparations are going on, and his wedding will be like Sharat wedding for Kashyap, they are so close.

 Muskan is monitoring Dhwani as well as brother Kunal’s health [who is also hospitalized for infections!], via mobile.  

  Shyam Uncle has finally made up his mind to shift his main base to Pune. He has freed himself from Sindhuwadi’s management work. As he is very active person, a daily routine activity of few hours will for sure make him Pune citizen.

Rarest of Rare Picture. Except for kid in coat sitting, rest of them are no more in this world. I can make out our elders by looking at their grand children! Identify six kids. Girl sitting in saree was Gopi, Kanyalal Dodeja daughter, whom most of us have hardly seen, as she expired in early 70's. But 5 boys can be identified, give it a try.

Rare Picture. Five Sons of Pessumal Dodeja with Family and Parvati Bhabhi [Buo] 

Quiz Answer of past week. The photograph was taken during mid 60’s trip by MRX 8025, Fait, to South India. The photographer is  Dad. In picture are myself, Lali, Bansi Uncle and Sanjay.

 

by P G Dodeja

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