20th July – 26th July 2015

Sapna’s son and Sunita aunt’s niece are getting married, we received invites from both sides, but only Avi left for this grand Hydrabad wedding. And Muskan in spirit of pulling his leg, gave him instruction like, ‘Do not lean our of door, do not accept eatable from stranger, take care of bag.’ And what happened? Within few hours of journey his Mobile was stolen!

Few years back, we all family members would have gone to attain this type of wedding, and that also in XYLO. And we would have thrown in few sightseeing days also. Nowadays, it has become difficult to even spare two days flying visit, everyone is busy in his/her sphere of activity and committed in such a way that to extract two days of free time appears impossible!

“Dil wahee chahe fursat ke raat din”

What more relaxing way is there for Sunday?

And there is one more wedding in Hyderabad in October. Vijay Dodeja’s daughter, Bhavini is getting married to a boy, related to Bal, settled in Hyderabad. It appears, Mumbai has lost as First option for wedding location in Sindhi community. Goa, Baroda, Hydrabad, Pune, Mahableshwar are preferred locations, in short, native place.

Thursday: Kabir received his life’s first three injections in one go. Poor guy cried and cried, his kegs kept hurting him, he nearly brought tears in all ladies eyes. He also had slight fever. So all 4 ladies we engaged for the day, trying hard to pacify him.

Is this process of long drawn vaccination process, lasting 14 years; necessary?

   Two conflicting views are there. Some say it is good for future health, some say it is more a marketing gimmick by drug companies.

Friday: Muskan and Akshay are off to Mumbai. Muskan will be in Mumbai, her father is getting operated for Gall Bladder removal, than she is off to Baroda for wedding. It had taken lot of cajoling by Nanda kids to make Hemchand [Muskan’s father] agree for operation. Like father, like daughter. It is minor operation which will be done in two stages.

Saturday: Finally I was able to sort out Black and White photographs. I use lot of digital media, but physical pictures are still holding its charm. I have finished 90% of album for Kabir’s grand children. This album contains picture of four generation belonging to [Lokram – Girdharilal – Prakash – Akshay] from 30’s to 90’s. I will seal it in airtight container and keep it as heirloom for future generations. Now I need to sit with Dhwani and write basic intro to picture.

by P G Dodeja

13th July – 19th July 2015 [Cricket Morning]

                              

Amar – Jeni joined us for Kari Chawar lunch on Last Sunday. After excellent Lunch, we sat down and gossiped. ‘Lets have a get together.’ Someone said, and in response instantly, Akshay/Amar created a group and announced, ‘Sunday Morning Cricket’. Soon every one showed interest. After considering few options, modern playground [synthetic grass, Mall terrace, Huge nets] was booked for morning. Few pictures of the morning.

Rare Sight, Akshay in Action

This week Kabir completed 40 days. This is considered as first mile stone as per tradition. So Dhwani & Kashyap along with kabir’s Nani and Badi Ma, paid visit to Dhagdu Seth Ganpati.

Rarer Sight, Chinky following Akshay

After taking blessing from “Ganpati”, doctor’s routine visit was fixed. According to her, his height has increased by 6 cm which is good. All other minor issues, like slight shiver, rough skin, little vomit etc were ignored by doctor and told parents to do so, according to her, when child starts losing weight, one should worry only then.

KhushiRam’s daily routine is taking shape. Whenever I pick him, he is sure to Yawn and in turn I do the same, giving him company. Be it in morning at 6.30 or late in evening at 7.30. After few yawns, today, he kept kick starting a Bajaj Two wheeler. When we were holding his right leg, he will continue kicking with his left leg.

Rishi Stretched Out

Bindiya calls him in her unique pronunciation, ‘Kabbiir’ and to everyone delight, he responds to her, looks and gives a loop sided smile. It appears soon he will be reacting to sounds. He has started staring us, maybe trying to recollect our shape. I am told that kids vision is blurred at this age.

Like all kids, his skin is sorting out all shades, and will settle down soon, his current range is ‘Gora to Kala’ full spectrum. Muskan takes offence if I call him ‘KalooRam’. But then it is upon him to settle for proper skin tone, if he also objects to ‘KalooRam’ he should settle for Chutki shade.  

Next week, Sapna Bajaj’s second son is getting married in very flashy, rich and glamorous style to Ramu mama’s in-law family. They are super duper rich and into film distribution. So some south Indian film stars are also expected. All events are held in J W Marriot, where all guests will be staying. We received invitations from the both sides. And only Avi will be going from our side, reasons are many to list here.

One more marriage invitation is from Baroda, Ashok Ahuja’s sisters daughter, Kamna. She used to be integral part of Chawla Cousin Gang, during her stay in India, now she has shifted to USA. However, for wedding they have selected Baroda, as the boy is from there. All chawla cousins will be going and Akshay – Muskan are joining them.  

by P G Dodeja

6th July – 12th July 2015 [Meeting Time ]

 

On health front, God has being kind. Bindiya has gone through lot of trouble in this regard. Thankfully, she is back to the comfortable, healthy level. Then, ever reliable and constant factor in our life, Ratna Bathija, whom I have never seen in Sick Bed ever, developed serious health problem. News is, she is recovering from it and is on her way to healthy life. Well, Uncle should celebrate with bubli bottle, cheers.

Mummy is taking good care of herself and Kabira is keeping her occupied, happy and healthy. He is also responsible to keep Muskan, Dhwani and Dhwani’s Mum, Tarula all fully occupied and happy.

In brief span of 30 days, Khushiram, urf Kabira, has met many personalities. A brief glimps.

This is the group of friends, all had come down from Mumbai. Meet had come from Dubai to Mumbai and then to Pune for this visit. But I am jumping the line. I had planned to post his pictures in linear manner. So here we go.
Kashyap was first person from the family who set his eyes for the first time on Kabir, And his reaction. Picture say it all and this picture covers no 1000 but 10000 words. Massi and Nani can be seen in background.

It took lot of persuasion from every member present and finally Chinky agreed to hold Kabir on her lap. This is wounder stuck, Kabir's 'Boaa' when she hold him in her lap for the first time.

Technically Chachi Pinky is Great Grand Chachi and I am sure Kabir will enjoy pulling her leg, when he grows up. Here, she is wondering how she has reached at the stage in life where one kid is going to call her "Choti Dadi"

Here is Kabir with her proud mother, all smiling and looking at him. And to my surprise, Dhwani immediately started speaking to him in her mother tongue, Katchi. He need to first segregate and understand, Kachi from Dhawni and Nani, Sindhi from Dadi and 'Per-Dadi', Punjabi from 'badi Mama', Hindi from 'Booaa's' and Marathi from 'Malish Wali, Sarika'. 

 And finally the great Mother India, 'Badi Mama' who is going to spoil him. It is uphill task to control her extreme excitement. She thinks of kid as some eatable product. Because she is confused, she has not eaten him till now. Sometimes, he is ladoo, some other time, Jilebi and what not.

by P G Dodeja

29th June – 5th July 2015 [Tough Times]

 

Thursday : I mark my calendar daily. But this Thursday, I was looking for Monday on 2^nd July 15. When I realized that it is Thursday and not Monday, I got shock. For the first time I have blanked out three days. They were stressful and stretched, so maybe my mind blocked them, a survival instinct.  

Saturday : Then again tide turned. We have five stages in property deals. Follow up, Warm, Hot, Closed or Not Interested. There are many number of deals on Warm stage on any given day. And just in few morning hours, six property leads turned into Hot stage. Lali said, ‘Things are maturing.’ Akshay said, ‘Aab Leads Pak gaiyee hain.’ Avi said, ‘Lets see the color of money.’ Not his exact words, but he meant that as per his cautious attitude. And I announced, ‘In this month we should close one big deal, otherwise I will start believing in Bad Luck – Good Luck, and we may have to do some Pooja to improve our combined Luck.’

Under such dramatic conditions it is difficult to put things in proper prospective. So I turn to my passion. Photography. 

  So in Photographs are some views of our Sunday get together sponsored by Manohar Dodeja at Indian Panaroma, for ‘Tael’ function of Kunal. Slowly and painfully, we are coming closers. This is 2^nd gathering in last decade, but this was soon after December 14 get together, hopefully next will be during Diwali.

 

The trio, Avi - Sudha - Savi

Sudha in her sober avtar.She has recently hurt her eyes, so the goggles

.

Muskan in her always playful mood.

Couples playing games

Ravi and Amar's Kids

Savi's Daughter

Avi's Daughter

by P G Dodeja