Sinhgad 2009

Nandni & Kunal Nanda, our family's new member, Muskan Akshay Dodeja's brother and sister had come for overnight stay. 26th being republic day holiday, we decided to have early morning picnic at sinhgad fort. It being an before sunrise outing, many dropped. But Akshay - Muskan - Kashyap - Myself - Sharat - Nandani - Kunal and Ramu, all made up a good company.
Early morning drive was pleasant, fast and smooth. Van and Ramu's Karisma bike.


Reached before sunrise, and watched with awe, sun coming out gently from the womb of the earth, slowly, throwing its glow and warmth all around, bathing everything in its beauty. As it made its journey to heavens, birds welcomed it with its chatter, trees swayed, swished and we all marvelled at natures beauty.

Clicked plenty of photographs. Our new bahu gets very much excited in front of the camera. Also I had all other young good looking boys and girls ready to pose. So it was click time and fun time. After plenty of focusing and shooting, we took tea, had local food as lunch.

Normally it is very excellent, this time I found food, dull and not attractive. Why? No inkling. By 1.0 pm we were all tired. So trekked back to our vehicles. As we walked down, we acknowledged our wisdom of coming early. The parking lot, entrance, the whole place was crowded and jam packed! We thanked our stars and returned with pleasant memories.
by P G Dodeja

Shadi Ke Shad Mane [Dodeja - Wedding]

Akshay & Nikita finally said yes to each other! Frankly, they had said 'YES' long long time back. But being in India, the family yes also counts. The family 'YES' took its own time and after years of wait the day came.
Just one day before 'Shradh' month's start, Roka (Formal 'YES') ceremony was performed. Very close family members, Dodeja's - Chawlas - Nandas were present. The full program was planned in Pune. However, due to our 'fun' attitude in all matters, at last minutes suggestion that lets do the Roka in Khandala (It being very cool and cloudy) was considered very seriously. Mummy was not happy, but accepted our suggestion. However, after confirming, the plan was dropped as, no Hotel was ready to provide food for 40 odd people at last minute.
Currently I am going through the happy phase of wedding. The planning. As travel part is always best in a trip, so is the planning part of wedding. Daily, Lali - Myself and Avi consult, discuss and work on small part of event. The every 2nd day, late night meeting and discussion and observations and plans are held either at KK or at Sacred Heart. All said and done, real fun time. The tensions, the problems and issues will come just 5 days before the event, till then, I am Loving it.
But then, every possibility is that tensions, the problems and issues may not surface at all! So, god bless.
To start with, wedding is planned in Mahableshwar, a hill station, 210 Km from Pune. So the planning part is very crucial and delicate. We have dispatched the invitation letter, 2 months in advance. The letter was received with many compliments. The passing comment by maharashtrian friend of Sharat, 'Akki chi Jhali Nakki' was gleefully pouched and used in letter. Every one liked it and this letter is being refered to as 'Nakki' letter!

by P G Dodeja

House Full

This is from the era when only entertainment was 'Movies'. No Multiplexes, no 200 channel TV's, No road shows, No IPL's, No one day matches. So, the idea of Sunday evening out was, One: Visit Juhu Beach and eat pani puri, Two: Visit some boring relative, Three: Go for Friday release. 9 out of 10 times we voted for this option.
Our Dad and Grand Father were also into movies in big way. Dad used to see at least 3 movies in a week. 2 Hindi & 1 Hollywood flick. But he had this very idealistic attitude for seeing movies. We will never buy a ticket in 'Black'.
Well, during those times, good movies were booked week in advance. On Monday, within 2 hours all tickets will be sold out. Black Marketeers will then sell few tickets in Black, during show time. 2 ka 4, means, you pay double rate for the ticket. Rs:20/- ticket will cost 40/- bucks! So this sign board of 'House Full' was the first sign which Lali & myself dreaded. As we will near cinema hall, our prayers will start, 'Please God, no House Full Board, please'. We knew the exact location of House Full board in every cinema hall which we frequented. And, believe me, sometimes, absence of this Board gave more joy then the movie itself!
Now once so happened, we very badly wanted to see the movie and there was no option but buy the ticket in Black. I purchased and told Dad, who was in Car waiting for me to return empty handed, 'We are in luck today, one guy had come to return those tickets, I got 5 for us!'
During the movie my soul kept cursing me, because this was first time I have played trick on my Dad and lied also. By the end of the Movie (Himalya Ki Goad Mein) I vowed never to buy ticket in Black, I have finished my stack of pocket money and not enjoyed movie even for one minute! Very bad deal.
This incident made me organized person. I learned to plan Movie week ends. The trouble of going and booking ticket one week in advance turned into enjoyable experience. The wait made the Movie more desirable and thrill of walking into Cinema Hall with 100 of disheartened movie goers envious look on you made all the trouble worth it.
Alas, today we do not get this opportunity.
by P G Dodeja

Palakh Ke Pahle Jhalak

Palakh Umesh Valech, is 6th generation descendant of Diwan Pessumal!! We will be seeing much more of her, in future, but for now, I find it very amusing to see one Dodeja born in somewhere in 1850's and his 6th generation descendant born in 21st century, appearing on my blog. Wow!
Diwan Pessumals 2nd son Lokram, his 1st Son Girdharilal, his 2nd Son Haresh, his 1st daughter Neha and finally her daughter, Palakh. This is how this sixer was bowled.
by P G Dodeja

Diwan Pessumal & His Children

This I am sure is oldest photograph of Dodeja Family. The rough estimate says that this was taken in 1920's. In the center is Diwan Pessumal, my great grand father. He is surrounded by his 5 sons and on right side is his daughter. However, my GGF had five sons, who are 2 other boys? Oldest person in the family has no clue.

20 Months In Pune

This is the world of 20 - 20, so keeping this in mind here is my say on 20 months in Pune. A this is my first blog under The Week That was! Hope this will grow into full blooming flower.

On 10th of this month we completed 20 months stay in Pune. Wow!!!

Dad used to say, 'If you have donated diamonds in your previous birth, then only you get the chance to live in Pune.'  After many attempts in last 20 years, I finally gave up the thought of shifting to Pune, from Ghatkopar, Mumbai. Curing my last incarnation, not donating diamonds! But suddenly, without any indication the miracle happened. Akshay, managed somehow and convinced Bindiya for shifting. Imediatly we planned and executed shifting, just within 15 days flat !!!!
How this happened? It is still big mystery for me. But "Aam Khane se Matlab, Peadh Ginke kya Karna."

Outwardly, this shifting looks like a compromise, submission to situations, and this in itself is very accurate judgement, but this step in itself brought about the major positive shift in my mind and soul. Till now I was struggling to survive, now I knew that our struggling will continue, but we will enjoy every day of this struggle and be happy. This positive attitude is major benefit. And in endorsement of this I can claim that 20 months have being great.

Compare to Mumbai, Pune life is in many ways different. People carry impression that life in Pune is very laid-back. Things move at snails space, you get bored all the time, you have time but nothing to do etc...

Well, how wrong those opinions can be. Here, we can work and enjoy life at the same step. To keep yourself busy is not city centric, but person centric attribute. And to enjoy life, one should get opportunity to do so, not mere possibility is sufficient.

Yes, Mumbai makes every one 'appear' very much busy. All are rushing to catch a deadline. Be it, 9.23 local or 9.15 bus. That thrill of being in time is not there in Pune. Delay of 30 minutes is very normal and expected in all matter, be it appointment, be it start of function.