9th Feb 2015 – 14th Feb 2015 [Change ARRIVES]

 

My intuition is saying, soon I will be singing, ‘Dil Chata Hai, phir wahi fursat ke raat din’

9^th Mon: Akshay continues his marathon meetings. I am glad to see Lali enjoying his ‘return to press’ days.  Noble Printers has started its life with Lali giving it existence in early years 80’s. Sanjay took over in 90's and worked as press in charge with big help from Lali, till 2007, he was followed by Avi taking charge as new blood. Avi shifted to more lucrative and promising field of Property Market from last month.

13^th Fri: Madon Dodeja has invited Dodeja Family for get together at Lagoona Resort, Lonavala for this week end. He has booked full resort, arranged for entertainment and satsang in late evening. He has spend huge sum on this event. His arrangements are always excellent. We had asked for rooms for 8 members but only three members were able to attain. Lali – Manju – Sharat. Neha cancelled at last moment, Chinky – Rinky were supposed to go with Avi following them for one day. I had planned one day visit on Saturday with Mummy. Akshay is extremely busy, so much so that recently I am talking with him more on cell then face to face. Muskan is not keeping good health. Kash – Dhwani are in Mumbai, they were supposed to attain Amit Botadkars wedding, but Kash was exhausted, skipped it and returned to Pune for brief rest.

I had dropped the day trip idea as response to advertisement for sale of 609 is unexpected. I have three site visits, which I cannot ignore. And then in evening urgent meeting was called by 609 committee for deal with builder. The irony of life continues. On one side I am trying to sell the plot and other side, working on retaining the plot. Mummy was also reluctant, but she cannot say no to constant requests from Madon. But with me running after 609 meeting, Avi busy at Landson office, she had no one take her to Lonavala. That is why, I keep saying, make the best of opportunities, which drop in your lap. I never thought we will all ever be so busy and say no to fun time.

14^th Sat: Valentine day. “Kuch Meetha Ho Jai”

In previous ‘Jhanma’ I was ‘Halwai’. As proof of pudding lies in eating, so does this statement. Just eat a ‘Gulab Jhamuns’ which I make with little help from Muskan. I have no training, no guidance, just this 'Fituer'. All forty Gulab jhamuns were gulped down and ‘wah wah’ resounded in our home.

Inspired from me, Rinky wanted to make some exotic sweet dish. Her adopted mother, and she sat down and planned a ‘Walnut Cake – Vanilla Ice cream – Choclate souce – Gulab Jhamun ‘ served on a sizzling hot plate. Dhwani also joined the gang. All five ladies, were in kitchen trying to spoil the brew. But they came out with excellent result. 

Chinky and Pinky joined us for Rinky’s creation tasting marathon. Food gulping lasted so much so that normally I sleep around 10.15, with such tasty dish on table, we all hogged and finished everything by 11.0, surprising Kashyap, who like Bindiya, is non food junki in family. Akshay was for a change in recent times at home before 11.0 pm. So he also joined us. I was jealous, for Rinky’s chocolate with Walnut cake dish received more 'Wah Wah' then my Gujab Jhamuns!  

I am thankful to Ekta kapoor for not keeping good TV program running on Saturday evening time slot and specially to Kapil Sharma for airing Comedy nights only on Sundays. I can keep TV switched off what a blessing.

Here are few questions for your thinking cap.

 Are we spoilt by many choices? 

Does many choices make life difficult? 

Is life better with little choice?

 

Welcome to "Bahar" Ritu i.e. Spring. Birds have started to chirp sweetly in mornings and days are getting warmers. 

 
by P G Dodeja

Mental Post : [Special Edition]

Mad Caper

Is madness growing in our family?

A worry some question. Last few days have forced me to think about the metal equilibrium of many members of the family. When ‘Chillam Chilly’ club members, specially Deepa was around, we will lose our balance and get involved in stupid acts. This effect, which I call ‘Lose of Balance’ will last few hours, normally. But this time around even in absence of Deepa, nuttiness lasted for days. This rabidness was even passed on to Puja [who had come from Amritsar in morning,] within hours of her arrival in our home. And to make my point, I present below few pictures. Only sober person was Akshay, who kept in check and did not allow us to cross line, and kept Yerwada Hospital at arms length.  

To start with, Shyam Uncle drew my attention to this sign. This is a Departmental Store near Dhagdo Seth Ganpati. But the few letters missing say a different story. 'H' is silent because the most sober person in our group was Haresh.

Dhwani's 'maun vrat'  starts this process of mental illness. Even though she is supposed to keep mum and meditate, for 10 days we also get carried away start communicate with each other in 'Dham Shraz Game' style. We have added sound effect of 'Hoo - Ha - Oh' and shake of heads.

During this Ganpati I kept saying no to sweets! Each and every one was shocked. Some even suggested that I need to get my head checked. Poor Dhwani, tried her best, but her sweet Bondi offer was rejected, which Rinky though was sure sign of mental deficiency on my part.

  

No after seeing this picture, do I need to say anythig? Rinky, captured the mood, the status of mental health perfectly in this picture. Thankfully, Avi did not attempt to fly, thinking himself being a bird.

 Shart is most sober, intelligent and grounded person in our family. The process of his brains getting damaged has started. For no rhyme and reason, Avi [which we understand] and Sharat kept saying Babaji Ka Thulu. Kapil Sharma must have not said so many times, which they did.

Our guest, Pooja got so carried away with our antics, that she said, we citizens of Amritsar are also capable of doing senseless activities. To prove this she played this huge drum, right in middle of the street,  next to Mandai. She was traffic stopper, no two views. A modern looking girl in jeans, playing a drum, which she is not able to carry also.

Suddenly Muskan gets possessed as we walk towards Manacha Ganpati Pandal. Dhwani tires to analysis her, but in the end gives up and accepts her defeat and keeps smiling

Finally, Akshay uses brute force and drags her out of danger zone. On close study you see the totally difference 'रूप  of Muskan. And finally, in the scary dark night, all are relieved when Muskan is her old self, specially Pooja.

by P G Dodeja

29th July 2013 to 4th August 2013: [Brunch-Lunch]

 

Winds of change are flowing very hard just as climate is very much pleasant and enjoyable. Atmosphere is extremely charged and lots of changes are around the corner not the least the climate change as Lali observed. He said, this is the first time in last 50 years that we have seen continuous rains for last 60 days! All said and done one should pray for happy and contained life. This week will go in history for me as the week which changed our life drastically. I cannot put everything on paper as I need to keep few things hidden from public view. But I can hint.

Politically all parties have geared up for elections. Someday, it looks like BJP is going to come back in power and someday it looks like third or fourth front will be in power. Nowhere, congress is in sight of winning elections. So the possibility of congress coming back is also there. Because, this is how nature works.

BJP is projecting Modi as future PM, who has bad image with Muslims, is also somewhat dictator type. Congress is hit by lot of corruption and bad governance. Third & Fourth front very much divided. Nitesh – Lalu – Mamta – Patnaik – Mayavati all feel they have good chance of king makers. Due to high young generation population, development issue to very important and Modi is leading on that plank.

India is seeing lot of changes in development field. Latest being the ‘Affordable Housing’. Lot of builders have ventured into this field. They are building mini cities in 40-50 acres of land with smallest flat being 285 feet, with price tag of 12 Lakhs. These projects can be called as Modern slums with good facilities, like shopping plazas, gardens, Gym, Swimming pools, schools and hospital.

We wish to be the part of new India. How/ Only the time will tell. Say within 30 days I will be in position inform about this, so stay tuned in. Exciting times ahead, beware!

Rinky made a wish and we tried to fulfill her wish. She said, ‘Let’s eat Breakfast together.’ 

This breakfast suggestion turned into Brunch party at planning stage. And in turn the Brunch party turned into full day picnic at B-7 Sacred Heart Town. Climate was excellent, the menu was very much inspiring and unique, mood was pleasant.

After fulfilling Brunch [Tacoos-Idli-Bhaji-Fruits & combination of all) we played games as suggested by Dhawni. It was screaming fun, all shouting and making fool of themselves. 

Part of Brunch, ‘Pizza Sandwich’ by Manju was turned into late lunch at 3.00 p.m.! This party which started for us at 9.0 a.m. with preparation procedure ended with hot tea served by Sarika our maid and light drizzle at 4.15 p.m.! A happy Sunday.

 

by P G Dodeja

15th July 2013 to 21th July 2013: [Kashyap’s official First Release]

 

Monday:  Lali & family have returned, happy with short trip to Bali. Good thing about family business is that, in an instant office can get converted into drawing room, all family members indulging into small talk, telling stories. Professionals will hate such set up, as this type of activity will hamper the growth and progress of business. I disagree with them. On this Monday morning, Lali told us all about his Bali trip, in simple words, it is Goa, more neat and disciplined. Work was put on the hold and we all, Akshay, Avi and Myself enjoyed gossiping and sharing of experience. It was half hour well spent, as it created a healthy, positive atmosphere. That is why I disagree with Professional.

 Thursday: ‘Ship of Thesues’. I hope spelling is right. This is first movie, released by Kiran Rao’s company, in which Kashyap’s name as assistant editor rolled out in credits! Kashyap was invited by Anand Gandhi, its director to attend special screen arranged for cast & crew. Anand lives in Rajawadi and made ‘Right Here, Right There’ a short film. Kashyap has edited his movie ‘Ship of Thesues’ small version (20 minutes) and a tailor, nearly two years back. It took so much time to find a financer for release of movie. It has three stories and has high philosophical content. It has superlative photography, excellent performances.   Yes, you need to pause and think to understand the concept and content of movie.

 

 

 

 The profound thought behind the movie is, if a ships all wooden planks as and when they get spoiled, are replace one by one during its span of life, will this become different ship in the end?

Dhwani was more excited than Kashyap on seeing his name on wide screen. She immediately called me from ‘PVR theater’.  For brief tailor, just click the link for Tailor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5xt0cKasDw

And a thought before I sign of.

Happy family is but an earlier heaven. George Bernard Shaw

 


by P G Dodeja

3rd June 2013 to 9th June 2013 - Good Morning

 

Vacation time is over. It is time to start daily routine. This is Chinky is in 10^th Standard. The most important school year and most tension filled year. How will she fair?

Monday: To describe Pre-showers relief, after the stifling heat and stiffness in air, is impossible. You have to feel it to love it. Muskan informed me the gathering of clouds so I climbed out of my dug out i.e. office. I meet Kashyap near the gate, all smiles and giving filmy pose and saying, ‘Wow, Papa. Rains have come to Pune.’

As is the tradition since 60’s, first light shower brings among other best things, power cut! Yes. MSEB obliges us with frequent power cut of 45-60 minutes right up to 12 O’clock in night. With blessing of MSEB we enjoy candle light dinner with no TV. Then we sit around a candle discussing anything and everything. Kids call it quality time! After some quality time, Akshay went for his BC party, Kashyap to Ma Faiza, Bindiya to her Bed. So we three decided to take a walk and buy vege’s at 10.0 pm! One round of sacred heart tells you how blessed you are if you live in this place. Thanks to Gods.

Tuesday:  During last night debate it was decided that Akshay – Kashyap should get up early in the morning. And to make that happen, I was given the charge! First day was success, let’s hope this continues.

Thursday: Officially monsoon arrived with great funfair in Pune. Lights and Sound effects were good. And the best part is, myself and Dhawani got wet, reached home and with help of Muskan prepared ‘Garma Garam’ Onion Pakodas. Sorry, ‘Kandha Bhaji!’. And Akshay-Kashyap who usually take their own time to reach home,  somehow they got the smell of hot bhajia and were on table devouring and relishing the Pav-Bhaji.

Saturday: Akshay-Muskan-Mummy-Jia with her child left in Xylo for Mumbai. Now here is story for those cynics who say that there is no effect of planets on human being. While coming to Pune, Jia was involved in serious accident, but she and her child survived without a scratch. And in her return trip to Mumbai, for the first time in some many years, Xylo stopped at Vashi, and it moved only after it was repaired, which took 5 hours time! Muskan says that it was Jia’s travelling ‘Grahas’, effect.

Sunday: Akshay returned with Mummy & SLB family to Pune. In past, whenever we will take our fiat to Pune, Daddy will see to it that car was utilized full. That means, minimum of 5 passengers, dicky full with bags and other material, or if nothing else ready, his books! Akshay has somehow learned to fill up the Xylo at least with maximum number of passengers. What would you say to this, DNA effect? Or ‘Sanat’? Or ‘Sanskars’?

 

by P G Dodeja