Mon: The old world charm of 'Visarjan' is still active and
kicking. The excitement, the charm, the fun, the 'Mela feel', the crowd impression, all is alive and impressive. It is difficult to relate and put it in words the experience, one can only feel it. This year, we three brothers, plus Akshay & Muskan made a program to participate
in Visarjan with huge Pune crowd at Alka, which is main submersion point. Roads were blocked 2 km away.
We walked
down and by the time we reached Alka, celebration effect was full on. Balloons, Totaries, Bhuta Wala, Wadawala, Coffee/Tea stall, Mask vendors, all dotted the road. Everyone seemed to be using cell phone more as a camera here. I also joined them with Chinky;s Canon on Mono Pod. "Visarjan' process has started around 12 O'clcok from Mandai and reached Alka by evening. There are five ‘Manacha Ganpati’, the first one has reached submersion site, at 4.30 pm, rest will follow in line on Laxmi Road. I
enjoyed taking movie clips. Muskan was in her elements and if given
opportunity, she would have done ‘Ghati’ jig in middle of the road. Lali went nostalgic, as usual, whenever he is in peth area.
Thu: Palli Arora just
barged in at Mira Flat in 1979, when we first opened the door of 5/75 flat after getting the possession of flat. She introduced
herself and welcomed us to Mira Society. Very friendly and ‘Vachal’. In
those days, Bindiya used to come with me, so soon she developed a lifelong
friendship with her. In Ghatkopar, it
was Illa and in Pune, Pali. Both have only one thing in common, they do not
allow others to speak! Pali had 3 daughter and a son. Eldest is Sheetal, Calm,
composed, sober and mature. As mostly all the eldest kids are. Second one is
Payal. Like Payal, she enters with ‘Chan – Chan’ and exits with ‘Chan
– Chan’. Typical Punjabi bubble person. Youngest is called Anchal. She comes in lightly like a gentle breeze,
swings around swiftly, floating and moving around, hence the name ‘Anchal’
is perfect for her. And yes, she is good chatter box also.
She is Rakhi sister of Akshay-Kash-Sharat, and on every
Rakhi she visits us for dinner. She along with Guarav, her husband, and Simran
her two years old daughter were invited for dinner. A small kid kept all nine
people present engrossed for 4 hours, by her innocent antics. The home was
filled with what Manu used to say ‘Bachan Ki Kilkariyan’. This included
adult wow, ohh.. etc. Such is child power.
Last such baby in our family which kept us smiling was in
start of this century, in form of Rinky. Her statement, ‘Dhimag’
pointing figure on her template, still brings smile on my face. Palak – Mehak
give us rare appearance, hence you cannot count them in this category. Time flows…..
Fri: ‘Finding Fanny’ director Homi Adajania is a mad person.
As his film is releasing today, Times has published his story. Here is quote
which put me in deep thought, and brought big knowing smile on my face.
“If you are broke
and you are happy, you will never be happier.”
Every soul in this
world be it beggar on street or King of Saudi, has one or other nagging worry,
tension, problem always with him/her. There is no running away from it. But the
task is not to run away from it, but to handle it. You learn to handle or sort
out such things in positive manner, when you think was are finished, but then
you still survive. This teaches you a big lesson of the life, ‘Sirji,
Upperwale ki yeh nagri hai, hamara kuch nahi chalta’ You understand and
learn to handle life’s mini crisis in happy manner or die. And this ‘funda’
works more when your pocket has only one Gandhi.
Sat: Mona – Kunal –
Aarti came down for lunch at Coffee House. Bindiya readily agreed just on phone
to go out for Mona, whereas we have to ‘Patao’ her a lot for such
activity. She even climbed one floor, though was very exhausted by end of it.
In early 80’s Coffee house was our main eating out place, till Ram Krishna came
along to replace it. In recent times this is second time we went for Lunch with
Mona there. They have still maintained the quality and service. Wow. Mona took
all kids to Lonavala for overnight stay!
by P G Dodeja
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