22nd Feb 2015 – 28th Feb 2015 [THE GAME CHANGER WEEK]

 

Sat: It is 4.30. Suddenly I smell the ‘Bheeni Bheeni sugandh of Mitee’ wow. My mind is playing games. I think. Rains are three months away and I am getting this feel of start of rainy season. But it persists. From my corner in office I move towards staircase, smell grew stronger. I look out from the office Landing. View from landing is always good, but today it was great. Dusty, cloudy, windy, wet and clean!

Indra Devta has graced our city with unseasonal rains. And this rain turned out like Mumbai rains. It started in evening and lasted till 11.0 clock, Sunday morning. This blessing turned the Pune city into a beautiful Hill station.

We have started a new trend at request of Rinky, let’s see how long we can continue. On every Saturday, we all together [Inc Avi family], convert sitting into a small cinema hall, buy ice creams, gather sweets or ‘Mukhavas’ and watch one Hindi movie after heavy dinner. Today Lali was also supposed to join us, but Sharat is busy in office, so they cannot make it. Today’s show was bit different, light hearted movie ‘Ungli’. And Bathija’s, who are in Pune joined us. Ratna aunty remembered Ghatkopar days, when we would see movies on VCR, she kept reminding us.

Kashyap and myself are planning Old Classic collection for viewing. Any suggestion? It should be light, bit different but not serious show. Few selected English movies are. Sound of Music. All six Star War movies. Great escape. Its Mad Mad world. Maybe if young generation enjoys, will watch Dev Anand starring classics like Hum Dono, Tere Ghar Ke Samane, Kala Pani etc They Rajesh Khanna classics like Aan Milo Sajna, Kati Patang, Aradhana.

Our old 8 mm movies would have made these evening activities totally memorable. But alas, during shifting to Pune in 2006, only one box of luggage got misplaced, and that was all 8 mm movies box. That included all wedding movies, our ‘Sindhu Films’ products, dramas, skits and what not. How I miss it.

Sunday: I am dying to write few game changing facts. But considering past experience, I restrain myself with diffeculty. But let me indirectly mention them.

One is very old [26 years old] issue finally got resolved in positive way. This is result of four years long struggle

Past three months 24X7 working of Akshay, has taken concrete shape on 29^th. Though the process of reaching this stage started in September 2013 with Lali and myself taking unconventional decision.

From tomorrow we will break away from our tradition of being traders. Trading is in our blood. Noble group, as I call it has its foundation in 1930’s, in Karachi with Sind Stationery Mart. It was but a trading activity. Our grandfathers decedents are still in trading, and we will be first to break this norm.

Any one of the above mentioned point in itself is very big game changer, but all taking final shape in same weekend in itself speaks volume about the play of ‘Ghrahas’. Just I need to keep my fingers crossed. And from national point of view, today is Budget day.

  

  And the last but not the least, Arun Jetly came out with really a Game Changer Budget. Though technically this is BJP governments second Budget, but today's budget is full fledged with new India vision presentation and firm step towards bright future.
I see a very prosperous future for India and Indians, no doubt about it.

by P G Dodeja

15th Feb 2015 – 21th Feb 2015 [Baby at Home]

Sun: It was flash back to 80’s kind of Sunday. Bathija family and / or Chandan family will join us for movie on VCR, a new entertainment activity in those days. Everyone will be scattered, some sitting straight, some lying down, some even sleeping! If movie was average, we will have more fun time. Instead of watching movie in silence, comments, wise cracks, planning for next picnic will take place. Fast forward to 2015, Kashyap showed us ‘BABY’ on TV. All 11 members were scattered, some eating, some snoozing and some watching movie earnestly, just like in 80's.
Rinky loved so much that she now insists on having at least a weekly show!

‘Akki Bhaiya, next Sunday again we will see a movie just like today.’  She remarked.

‘Today is Sunday?’ Akshay asked her. This is status of Akshay. Not aware of which day of the week it is! Thank god, he is aware of Day-Night. Well, currently I am proud to say, Akshay is working very hard, one could say, literally round the clock. And most important is that he is enjoying it every second of it. Very soon results will start coming out. Whatever the outcome, it will be life changing in big way. Mark my words.

And what is the most important lesson Akshay has learned? kashyap and myself are making wild guess.

As Kashyap said, ‘The most important lesson learned from current status is that without MONEY in pocket, one can grow and dream. You need to have ‘JUNOON’ or deep wish to succeed. Then you will hardly notice the lack of working capital, one can find out ways and means to bypass this problem. Of course, the solution will be required in time bound range.’ 

Thu: Muskan’s Aru, i.e. Arnav Nanda came down with his parents to Pune. Kunal will be joining the Landson Marketing team, so he has to come for training and Muskan was missing her nephew very much, so to please her he also joined his papa. We are being entertained by him in evening. He is very much calm, obedient for a child and ever smiling. Smiling part I can understand, but calm? Anyway, due to him, we are now watching less TV, and has not even missed Arnav Goswami shouting. A child brings a pleasing smile for no reason, this you can experience only with child around.

Question is, Heart or Mind? Which One to select? Which hold more power?

Sat: It was very dark, mid night, swiftly, I woke up from deep slumber and heard heavy vehicle being turned off. Is it Xylo? Akshay must have reached. So it must be around 1 O’clock. I visualized him getting out of car, walking to lift. Opening and closing the lift, reaching 2^nd floor. Will he Ring the bell or use his key? For few second no response. And as my drowsiness was getting replaced by worry, I heard bell ring and instantly with relief I was asleep. Akshay has reached home.

This simple few minutes experience tells us lot about the brain power or is it heart? In my sleep, how I was able to hear Xylo, how brain woke me up, and after confirmation again drifted into deep sleep. I just am amazed. And believe me, I had not thought or even considered keeping awake till Akshay reaches home or worried about him in any way. Did sub conscious mind worked its ‘jadu’ or was heart playing its trick? Please wise-person stand up and answer.

I will consider this Saturday, 21st February 2015,  as Landmark day. One needs landmarks, though one moment, one action or day is never responsible for any particular event. They are culmination of series of actions-reactions. But today 1^st Flat was sold on day one of launch. Project name, scheme etc are not to be disclosed.  

 

by P G Dodeja

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

2nd Feb 2015 – 7th Feb 2015 [ Sign, Future]

 

Sign.

 Sown a seed. That is Karm. Plant grows. It is God’s blessing. Harvesting completed. It is sign that good times are here. So easy to write, but to understand it and live based on this is different story.

6^th Thursday: Kashyap shifted to Mumbai for 10 days with Dhwani. He is busy editing a movie trailer, like he did for Anand Gandhi’s ‘Ship of Theseus’. He is rather very busy. Between the shoot of two wedding, he is doing this edit. And interesting part is that all three projects are not done for ‘MONEY’ but for relationship, for prospects, for friendship. This is sign of maturity and growth. I love it. Dad would have loved more. Some people will disagree with me, but I believe money has set boundary, a 1000 rupees is no more, no less than 1000. But a relationship can be worth ‘Zero’ or “Millions’. And believe me, last few years have proven that personal bonding counts in big way and it is worth much more then you can calculate.

7th Friday: Good to see that Avi has joined Akshay in big way and both are moving in right direction. Lali has totally taken over working of press from this week onwards and Avi has shifted to Property Division. Lali always kept saying that property word is beneficial for us and soon this is going to turn into a fact.

Dhwani says that Kashyap's first wife is iMac. And Muskan tells Akshay is nowadays married to KK. They are meeting in all odd hours and for uncertain time. She is finding it difficult to keep track of him.

The last three/four months have just set the indication’s, given us the sign's, today first concrete step will be taken, giving recent past working a solid shape. I call these days as waiting days as just surviving days. Waiting for this meetings to end. Waiting for approval from Karan. Waiting for funds to arrive. Waiting for clients to respond. Waiting for call from 609 prospects. Waiting for NN papers. It is nearly impossible to put in words the feelings, atmosphere and under currents. All are feeling this hidden trend and are not able to identify. For proof, I site Muskan's condition. She is feeling down and out for past few months, doctors are saying there is nothing wrong with you, She is very open and discussed all aspects, no answers!

One more sign I saw recently was, Pinky has learned the ropes of managing the schools very well. I will not be surprised if she is heading one of the new branches very soon. She has matured a lot. She has confidence, intelligence and caring attitude. Only she has to learn to handle office politics in refined way.

        

“Finish each day and be done with it. Have you done what you could? Some blunders and mistakes, absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day, fresh day.

You shall begin it serenely and with high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”

This is best way to live.

This week Madon Dodeja and family has organized major get together for three days of Dodeja clan at Lagoona' resort, Lonavala. Just like he did two years back in Hrishikesh, in remembrance of his mother. This was at Parmarth Ashram, with Bhagwat Katha along with 'Pravachan' and 'Gyan Ghosti'.

  So on 13 to 15th Dodeja's will be at Lagoona Resort. This group will be there along with new additions. Bye...


by P G Dodeja