Year of Crossroads

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

----------Robert Frost

There is a time in everybody’s life when life offers two choices: One right and One Wrong. This is the time to trust your instincts, use available information and experience, assess your abilities, respect your spirit, follow your conscience and keep faith in universal scheme of things. Year 2018 has led us to this crossroad as an Individual, Punekar, Maharashtrian, Indian and as a Global Citizen. We need to take this call in 2019. And it has to be right else we will be going back in time and be labeled either unfortunately as people who took wrong decision or gloriously as people who made right choice.

As a Global Citizen, every country is at steps to take a call where one needs to think beyond Nationalism and think as a part of very closed, interlinked world sharing same concerns.

Take Highway Exit No 18

As we buy planners, calendars and resolve to be resolute on resolutions, there is a sense and sound of a busy highway with endless variety of vehicles running at break neck speed to an observant listener   nearby. Each one has his/her own vehicle trying to reach the destination earlier than others throughout the year. Holiday Season is a small detour to take an exit on this Highway of life, to sit back for few precious moments. It’s the time to refresh with the stimulants, relieve all the pressure and join the fun, observing the endless movement of life. Happy Holidays and 2019.

Brothers in Arms: Tale of Two Soldiers

Brothers in Arms

It was my first month in this new continent. Thankfully it was summertime helping me cope up with the climate which is very much different from India.  Having moved to this city suburb, it was time to search and fix everything starting with a house, vehicle, furniture, electronics and whatever it takes to satisfy the comforts of modern life I was used to in India. One can manage everything except warmth and familiarity of home and of course domestic support. The summer days are really long when sun gods bid you an adieu only after 9 pm primetime slot that too after the display of variety of the shades of illumination reflecting your own shades of emotions as the day progresses.  The day was hectic starting with working on three time zones  ahead at work , followed by synchronizing with existing time-zone followed by ticking off other household list after the working hours. Life without Car in an American suburb is same as life without a two wheeler in Pune both of which are worse than being without a camel in a desert or without a boat in an Ocean. I had gone to a car dealership owned by a contact in distant suburb in the opposite direction of my house to explore some options. Thanks to some work in the office and missed bus timings, I was delayed for more than an hour. I ended my work at the dealership and rushed towards the bus stop which was at 15 minutes’ walk from the dealership to catch the bus which was the last bus of the day at 9 pm having missed 8 pm bus planned.   The walk was a pleasant one as sun was still shining on Uncle Sam’s Empire. The best part about New England suburb towns is the nature and elegant houses which can be very pleasant to the eyes. The locality was deserted especial one of the roads which was wooded with no houses lining it. As I was walking, a SUV going in same direction of my walk, zoomed past and braked to engage me in a conversation.  This does not happen here. I was alarmed. There was a couple who shocked me by asking if I wanted to buy a camera. I found it strange and obviously ignored. They followed me mentioning that they were pickpocketed and needed some money for food. They were not beggars so wanted trade their camera for cash they needed. I told I did not need Camera. Suddenly the male half of the couple got out of the SUV and threatened me with a knife asking me to give me whatever money I had. I was scared and thought about reaching my cell for emergency call. But the lady in car pointed a gun asking me not to do anything silly. I requested them not to do anything as I value my life more than dollars I had. But somehow out of nowhere a car zoomed in from the other direction. The driver of that car assessed the situation immediately and put his car between both of us (guy and me) on pavement and the lady in the SUV and in such a way that the SUV could not move without reversing. I realized that the lady’s gun was out of equation and I could run. I ran a distance to realize the good guy in the car and had neutralized the bad guy in SUV by hitting him on the knife holding hand in such a way that the knife was dropped. The bad guy ran to his SUV, Backed and zoom passed the other car. The good guy noted down SUV number.  He approached me asking me if I were ok. I thanked him for his timely intervention. The guy was 6 ft 3 inch tall, wearing glasses, extremely fit and dressed in black T-shirt and Jeans, handsome just like any hero out of a Hollywood Movie in his late thirties. After taking necessary actions to report to the authorities,  we came out of the Police Headquarters of that suburban Town. He volunteered to drop me off to my house as there was no public transport available by then. While driving he introduces himself as Aaron Albert Ambrose a   Veteran ex-Army Man and an Industrial Contractor. As we started our one   hour journey, he said “Gun Control is the biggest Challenge in this country”.  Was it a Déjà vu?                     ‘’ Corruption Control is the biggest challenge in this country” said Cap SS Sharma to me in the higher reaches of Himalayas five years back.

Monthly Roundup Whatsup: Season's Spirit

Seasons Spirit

December is king of the months. One gets bit reflective on the memories of the year that has almost gone past. Some ambitious ones plan for the next year while some people gifted with sangfroid mind correctly just live in present. But then this is a month to indulge in everything be it food, fun and things you like. And imagine if you throw in all the birthdays in family, anniversary in the concoction goes crazy. So this month let’s forget about G20, Presidential woes in US and France, Brexit, Trade Tariffs, 2019 elections and state elections, forget about Modi’s religion, forget DeepVeer, forget Picnic (Priyanka and Nick), Bank NPAs, Sensex, Caste based Reservations, Eternal problems in Pakistan, Yuti and Aghaadi, Water woes of Pune, Traffic in Pune. So the world is turning in 24 hours as it was and Earth revolving around Sun for another year just like before. Usual sound bites resounding world over. Let’s sit back and enjoy.

For me Cricket (not playing) is not just enjoyment but more than way of life, and Cricket in Australia is special. Itched in the memories are those early morning alarms (though now its late/mid night parties), channel9 transmission, Final Frontier. Audi, Radio Australia pre 90s, Ind Aus rivalries filled with sledging, controversies, players, commentators.  It all started in 81 with me glued to Radio and watching Highlights in the evening with seagulls flying behind square leg umpire. Chappell’s, Lilee, Border were some tough players. And that magic spell from my favorite Kapil Dev. Then there were morning ODIs in B&H trophy in 1985 with colored clothing.  India playing some fabulous cricket and it was great TV experience even on our black and white TV and finally champion of champion Audi ride. The 85-86 tour was the closest we got to win a series down under with rebuilding Australia but for rains. This series was followed by ODI Tri Series typical to Australian Summers which is no longer a feature in Cricket. The longest tour of 91-92 saw rise of young Tendulkar at Perth. But tour was fiasco except one win against Pak in WC which started unbeaten run for India vs Pak in World Cups. 

November Rains: Whatsup Monthly Roundup

November Rains

The change of Season sets a reflective tone all over. As the winter sets in the northern hemisphere, the mixed emotions prevail over somethings that have gone past and somethings to look forward especially as we have reached penultimate page of 2018 Calender. Grey images in the northern part of globe add to the blues as depicted in the great Guns and Roses Song, but same chill add ‘world famous’ romantic and invigorating spirits (Gulabi Thandi) in Pune. Festivities of Ganapati, Navratri , Dusshera and Diwali done and dusted with we now head towards year end festivities after this small hiatus.  

Festivities of Diwali was marked  with the debate on crackers. There is a repeated pattern to kind of stigmatize Indian festivals like Diwali branding it as a source of pollution while same crackers turn into festivities for year end. Dahi handi and Ganpati to create noise pollution while ignoring all political noise, honking, marriage processions etc. Holi being source of water wastage while allowing swimming pools, loose taps to waste water 24 by 7. That does not mean we should not tamper with traditions and improve them but not through consorted agenda to shame these festivals while being silent on such flaws on other festivals. This modernization has to be done by sensible leadership, internal examples and awareness. No court can have any say in matter of faith his unless actual rituals negatively affect human life and well being, safety and legal violations financially. This awareness resulted in less pollution this year. But forget this noise, lets salute Diwali Traditions which ensure creativity through rituals like Rangoli, Illumination. Food and Miniature forts. Diwali also creates awareness of cleanliness. New trends like Diwali early morning events and concerts, Deepotsav, Tourism/Trekking are in thing in Diwali and this Diwali was no exception.

Mention of courts lead to another serious issue which has resulted in creating questions over credibility of this August institution. Apart from Indian Armed forces it was the only institution in India which had respect and which was russet by masses to have sense and ensure that things are above the board  in India. But now with some curious judgments as in Sabrimala, Crackers, and some very frivolous issues, really that credibility is at stake. As a systemic fault this institution is overloaded but that requires sense of prioritization prevail which has not as shown in midnight hearing of Afzhal Pardon, out of turn hearing in Setalwaad bail, and unnecessary delay in Haywood dispute. One feels that all these years we were made to believe in efficacy of collegium system to ensure unbiased judgement but it seems most severe form of manipulation we had been living in past regimes. With new school of thoughts having power in center and most parts of India, these fractures are exposed. With Media in their pockets , past regime had made us to believing in the fairness of system. Only time will let us know but we should have concrete plan to restore the credibility of Judiciary.

Mail That Did Not Bounce

 (This is my humble tribute, mediocre effort and  poor attempt to rever and respect my favorite writers, their style , the central plot, etc . PL  Deshpande and PG Wodehouse are my Idols. Please not that thios is work of fiction and all charatcters are imaginary.)

Today Mr and Mrs Bhatavadekar are the esteemed guests for dinner at our place. I am worried about how I should face them after almost a decade.. Actually I am feeling guilty that instead of being happy and excited about the reunion with someone who had been my best friend during most of my teens and young adulthood. But I am scared about both the past and the  future. Let me take back to the past first to explain root cause of my worries in present and define effects of present in my future.

When I say past , I mean those glorious college days with lots of friends, events, treks, picnics, restaurant food, movies, dramas when in Pune and Infinite fun of hostel life at a remote place. Life was an succession of events as endless like an Ekta Kapoor serial plot where something happens all the time. The most arduous task in life during those days was attending the lectures at 8 am in the morning after waking up at 7 45am squeezing breakfast in between. The most testing times were at the end of each semester where we would attend an event called as End Term Exams. The most bizarre task was to get inside my digestive system the most tasteless, pungent smelling and uncooked food someone can ever eat. I don’t know how I could have survived without  those omelets and Maggie dishes served at Naren Da (made to sound as NOren Da in Bengal) night canteen. The best parts of the life were the summer and winter vacations in Pune.

The past which I referring to was enacted in one of those winter vacations and the protagonist was my best friend Harshavardhan popularly knows at HB pencil. The genesis of this name was his pencil like tall and thin stature and his initials. Harshavardhan Bhatavadekar is a long name and if you add middle name it becomes an infinite loop. His father’s name is Shrinivas. I wonder if he gets enough space on the forms he need to fill in. I and HB met at preschool and had been together like a pillow and cushion till we parted ways after 12 th to different Engineering Colleges. We also had few other boys and girls in our motley group. We had named our group as MTV (empty vessels) as we made lot of noise. We had Prakash the eternal  forgetful day dreamer, Sumedh aka KK Kishore Kumar , Seema the emotional fool, Pradnya the fighter. HB was the joker and they called me scholar for my scholastic skills. I parted the group to join my far off college in middle of nowhere..

As we met in that eventful vacation, I found HB always lost like a passenger waiting for his Departure gate  to be announced at an European Airport. He was very uncharacteristically quiet  like a tap in a house where the water supply is cut due to non payment.  I could not trace the reason. I tried to talk to him but the guy avoided the topic like one avoids karela sabzi in the plate . But I am as persistent as a tele-caller. Sunset is the best time and any hill around Pune is the best place for one to feel more philosophical and feel an urge to open out to someone like one feels an impulse to throw out after smelling rotten fish. But what HB threw out was expression of his love he felt for Seema.

Higher Supreme Court Order

There is a Higher Court Over and above any Man-made Institution. It has decided in favor of all, that there would be no restrictions for anyone to:

Enjoy the Festival with Near and Dear Ones.

Buying Useful things for Self and Near and Dear Ones.

Be Creative in the Decoration, Illumination, Food, and other things during the Festival.

See New and Favorite Places.

Gain Knowledge, Health, Prosperity, Recognition and Self Actualization throughout the Next Year.

Spread Love, Harmony, Peace, Unity, Cleanliness, Discipline and Charity throughout the Next Year.

Help those who need the help throughout Next Year.

Stay Happy

So Please do not Violate this Order. Happy Diwali.

From R D Fan: Songs of Life

Repeating this post from past: Why RD today ?  Neither today is 27th June nor 4th January. But as they say RD was timeless like depicted in the song pciturised below or ahead of his times as thought be some. Just listening to his melodes made me republish same.

Oh Mazi Re...

Songs of Life: Tribute to RD

Last week we celebrated RD’s birth anniversary. Due to some issues, had to remain at home that day. Luckily one FM channel was playing RD songs throughout the day.  Lot has been said about genius of RD Burman. There are folklores amongst music lovers about his personality.  But I have a different angle to pay tribute to RD. His songs make you reflect upon various situations about life and thus they appeal. Though some might technically and correctly credit major part of that to lyricists but I feel the haunting music facilitates that reflection. Here is my case.

Most of us have some complaints about life thus the most favourite song of mine is applicable universally: ‘Tuzse Naaraz Nahin Zindagi Hairan Hoon Main’. Note the difference between Naaraz (being dejected) and being ‘Hairan’ (bemused). It’s subtle and also note on stress in the music of “Main”. That ‘main’ is what magic of Panchamda does to lyrics. Also note the differentiating nuances of Naaraz and Hairan which go parallel. ‘ Main’ (meaning I) is universal.  I am driver of my own life, ambition, my problems, my destiny. So I have all rights either to be naraaz but I am not pessimist so I am hairan (live human will). Isn’t it amazing? Most of us strive hard and get perplexed by life. Some situations add to misery so that you feel “muskurayen to muskurane ke karz utarane honge” ie even if you find small pleasures you have to pay big price for that figuratively.

Life moves on.  Being in naraz state of mind leads to the resilience of human mind and this resilience reaches stage where you are content with what you have. Katra katra milti hain. Life is like that. I am enjoying my pain and let me stay where I am.  The repetitive echo of asha sound creates magic as if this is an afterthought...

They say the darkest part of night is before the dawn. When something bad happens to our lives we feel dejected and song to capture this is helplessness of ‘Chingari koibhadke’

Then there is  aredemption and a dawn where human mind which is a universal seeker of knowledge, happiness and destiny regroups and starts the new journey. The wanderlust, indomitable spirit of never ending journey is reflected in tune of ‘Musafir Hoon Yarron’

Then comes the moksha , destiny and happiness. Not necessarily at the end of journey but journey becomes destiny and there is eternal calm, euphoria. The spirit of having conquered everything slightly bordering on egotist feelings are reflected in ‘Aaj Kal paaon zameen par nahin padte ‘

That completes the spiritual cycle of life as canvassed musically by RD. RDs music have given love , romance a great meaning and style across all films but his music touches all physical stages of human journey.

Childhood is benign, innocent, vivacious and bubbly. The imagination of child can turn a stick into horse and they can take you to a horse ride journey. How many of us have played like those kids in the song ‘Lakdi ki kathi’?

Child grows in to a youth and he collects friends of his choice. As they say one cannot choose relatives but can choose friends. These friendship bonds turn into lifelong bonds. Very aptly said in “Diye jalte hain, phool khilte  hain , badi mushkil duniyan me dost milte hain’ . Do you remember your childhood, college, work friends while listening to this song?

Then she comes into your life. There is heartburn. You idolize her to be a fairy from heaven. You are scared whether she will reciprocate. All that you can request is ‘Huzur is kadar bhi na iterate chaliyen’. You keep on waiting and waiting for her to show up in your life.

 You can wait long. Sso what do you do is propose her. And what a way to do that in the song ‘O mere dil ke chain, chain aye mere dil ko duaan kijiye’

For few lucky people, it works for many it doesn’t. But they say there one mate for everyone in universe (unless female infanticide in India changes that ratio). Two minds meet, and their only  wish  is to meet. In that stage, all the roads have a specific destination. How beautiful is the song ‘Is mode pe jaaten hain’

Then there is a small tiff or a mischief and then comes repentance. How many guys would like their girl to sing ‘Oh mera sona re’ ,  and girls would like to hear ‘Meri soni, meri tammanna’

Some unlucky souls are betrayed not just in typical hindi film manner. But expectations are let down, reality sets in and one has a complaint against life (not against someone)’Kya Huan tera wada’

Some people take up vices to forget these small dejection. This sprit is captured beautifully in ‘Nadiya se darya’. Not to glorify the vices as pointed by Aamir Khan in satyamev jayate recently but then the human mind is weak and it is sucked into vices. Idea is to be strong and live life healthily living with all its deficiencies, problems. This spirit is captured in “Tere Bina Jindai se koi’

The family and career goes on. Some have success some not so. Nevertheless constant threat of living up to the public image is universal for family and career. This kills our originality, creativity and thus we have to follow advise of’ Kuch to log kahenge’

Beautiful emotions of parenting are reflected in “ Bada Natkhat hain yeh”

Life goes on to a stage when live more in past than in present. But you cannot do anything to correct and change past deeds and destiny which is sadly expressed in ‘ Zindagi ke safar mein gujar jaaten hain jo mukaam”

Finally one realizes that only solace is either spirituality or hedonism. Both are diametrically opposite but both give same effect as sung in ‘Hare Krishna Hare Ram’ and ‘Aayo Kahan se Ghanshyam”

That completes both spiritual and actual life cycles as composed by RD a great composer. Somehow I cannot imagine that the mediocre decade of 80s, was so cruel to RD. Especially barring few producers like Vidhoo Vinod Chopra, no one gave work to RD  . Somehow 80s were  strange. 70s were brilliant. Amitabh was on decline in the 80s. Economy was strange under Rajeev Gandhi. Politics was dirty with likes of VP singh, Devilal. Cricket saw some success in 83 and 85. But we were waiting for khans to explode in 90s along with economic liberalization and Sachin. Ironically Sachin was named after father of RD.

Somehow one has to admit that RD was ahead of times as now we acknowledge that.....

Happy Dussehra

May you drive your limits till the final frontiers, derive all the happiness from the journey and integrate all your strenghts towards your dreaams this Dussehra. Happy Dussehra

Late Flight Cadet Parag Chandrakant Limaye

I remember watching Rang De Basanti. Scene marks out for us is the one in which Aamir Khan jibes Madhavan that he will die with gun salute draped in Tricolor. We lost our friend in MIG crash on 25th Oct 1995 (born on 14th Oct 1973). Parag Limaye our batchmate at katariya Highschool, was never destined to be designated a Fighter Pilot: A dream which he shared with us in primary school. This is one man who had clear objective in school days when all of us mere mortals decided to join rat race of medical/engineering to be later evolved most of us into IT coolies of new age India. Parag was lone son of Sujata and Late Chandakant Limaye who used to work with Defense accounts. Right from school days he got into preparatory mode for NDA entrance. That mainly comprised of entrance exam books, exercise, and expert advice from defense guys. To top that he attended a gliding course at Hadapsar. He went into SP College in 11 and 12th with main focus on NDA entrance. He cleared the first attempt but was denied airforce in first attempt. So he had to do engineering course at COEP (had got good marks in 12th to manage that). But he attempted twice. He then cleared PAPT and health test to enter India squadron of NDA. Throughout he remained an enthusiast about trekking and other adventure sports. We still remember his comments in his soft spoken style and unique voice during our treks to places like rajgad, makarandgad, etc. We used to meet him at NDA or in Pune on his Sunday offs. He used to tell us stories of hardships in NDA life and most importantly the fun part of it as interpreted by him. He then went into Air-force training academy at Allahabad. He completed his solo flight; instructor led flight and had just few routines to be designated as Fighter Pilot. That was never to be…
During routine instructor led flight alongside Sq ldr Anuj Baid, on fateful day of 25th Oct 1995, his MIG developed a technical snag and crashed into Ganga river near sangam.. His dreams and parents aspirations were killed on same date…
His mother and few friends, relatives brushed aside the loss and decided to keep his memory alive in form of a Trust in his name. Lt Flt Cdt Parag Chandrakant Limaye memorial trust was formed in 1998 to stand for everything he stood for. The main cause is to promote defense entrance, support adventure sports and other social causes. The Trust carries out activities every October. It has donated the best cadet trophy for Pune NCC camp, defense entrance books to SP College, Rani Laxmi School. The Trust Constituted trophy for punt race at COEP boat club. Trust conducted defense entrance lectures by experts at Nerlekar school, SP College. Trust conducted treks for underprivileged children, sponsored Ramkrishna Math students to Bhosala military school, had rappelling, parasailing camps. Trust wishes to continue this work further and enliven his memory. You can contact  or on 9403185508 for any support.

Happy Navratri

Happy Navratri to all. Lets celebrate and respect Women Power

Whats Up: October Fest

He came , He saw and He conquered us for ten days and made us longing for more and then departed creating a feeling of sadness but his promise to return next year keeps us going. As the fortnight to remember the departed  coming to close, now we head towards nine nights filled with Dandiyas, Bhondalas, Poojas to the tenth day when we celebrate Dussehra and challenge new frontiers. With Kojagiri fun and then festival of lights beckoning, we are promised with action packed October

Pune has faced tragedies, crime and people have faced  many problems which existed from ages but are left without resolution. The water canal breach was very serious issue. Water is lifeline and how can we be so callous about it. Though no fatal casualties were reported but many poor people lost their livelihoods. We need permanent solutions and just cover up knee jerk actions. Pune need to have separate governing body for water management and don’t have to rely upon irrigation department. Both should have independent access to same resources allocated once for all. A full-time team should manage the coordination between irrigation dept and PMC water works.

Next tragedy was hoarding crash. It was again a man-made disaster due to negligence and corruption. City need signage policy and flexes should have blanket ban period. Many politicians will find it tough but those who fight for this ban will get lot of public goodwill.

Short Story: Closed Circuit

Please note that this is story is a fiction and no such characterss exists in reality.

Closed Circuit

Last week I was driving my daughter to an industry in Branford CT for her visit. The road passes through countryside which resembles Indian landscape especially in konkan. There were farms, hills, winding small roads, cattle, tin covered houses.  There was hardly any traffic either ways. We were using GPS. At one place there was cemetery with many crosses on a vast ground. Road winds through the cemetery. GPS asked me to turn left and take a U turn. It happened few times. I panicked and my thinking was clouded as well. Maybe its human psychology. I thought we were caught in Closed Circuit popularly know as ‘Chakwa’ in Marathi. Suddenly I remembered by grandmother who had once said to break the circuit (chakwa) you should pray god and do take new unknown path. I did that we reached a highway and were then properly guided by GPS till destination.

I remember in my childhood my grandfather Grand Mother used to narrate story to all grandchildren about Closed Circuit. Her native village was in border district of Belgaum between Maharashtra and Karnataka. The incident happened in 1920s. She and her 4-5 siblings were traveling back to her village after attending marriage in neighboring village.It was getting dark and road passed through a Forest area. The driver of the bullock cart asked kids to take a blanket and pray to God. Kids asked questions but driver asked them to be quiet. Later when they reached home the driver told my grandmothers father that he was caught in Closed Circuit. Finally he took the cart uphill on non conventional road and reached their village safely

This experience also took me back 20 years ( Bees saal baad) 

Review of International Books by Indian Origin Authors

This is  my first attempt to review books. I had done analysis of Ayn Rand Books in past and also compared GA and PL school of thoughts and have shared my enjoyment of P G Wodehouse stories. I have appreciate language of  Raja Shiv Chatrapati and memories of Mryutunjay, Swami.  Though they might not be classic in literature, II have been highly impressed by the  Intrigue of Dan Brown In Da Vinci Code, logic of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Thrills by Foresyth, Ludlum , legal drama of Grisham, medical crimes by Robin Cook, Scifi of Asimov. On classic I read Charles Dickens, R L Stevenson, Shakespeare (language was tough),

On my review style I will first explain plot and then render my opinion. I have chosen Indian Authors in International stage as that's what we need Indian Author to write globally. But They should not try to sell Poverty in India or Use Underworld/Bollywood combo. These books though end up in same line.

A Distant Heart : By Sonali Dev

Plot:

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Her name means “miracle” in Sanskrit, and to her parents, that’s exactly what Kimaya is. The first baby to survive after several miscarriages, Kimi grows up in a mansion at the top of Mumbai’s Pali Hill, surrounded by love and privilege. But at eleven years old, she develops a rare illness that requires her to be confined to a germ-free ivory tower in her home, with only the Arabian Sea churning outside her window for company. . . . Until one person dares venture into her world.

Tasked at fourteen-years-old with supporting his family, Rahul Savant shows up to wash Kimi’s windows, and an unlikely friendship develops across the plastic curtain of her isolation room. As years pass, Rahul becomes Kimi’s eyes to the outside world—and she becomes his inspiration to better himself by enrolling in the police force. But when a life-saving heart transplant offers the chance of a real future, both must face all that ties them together and keeps them apart.

As Kimi anticipates a new life, Rahul struggles with loving someone he may yet lose. And when his investigation into a black market organ ring run by a sociopathic gang lord exposes dangerous secrets that cut too close to home, only Rahul's deep, abiding connection with Kimi can keep her safe—and reveal the true meaning of courage, loss, and second chances. 

Infused with the rhythms of life in modern-day India, acclaimed author Sonali Dev’s candid, rewarding novel beautifully evokes all the complexities of the human heart.

Nayakgiri: Author captures the reader’s interest in back and forth foray into time in flash back mode. She successfully builds characters like politician, his religious wife detached from family, the orphan Cop and his family. The underworld part is portrayed in balanced unlike many contemporary authors.  The heart transplant issues and details have been depicted in correct manner. Only downside is she eats up many pages with some silly romantic thought process of the girl which at least I cannot correlate with as I found the issues raised by girl as non issues and unnecessarily vague. And the pages and pages of this dilutes the punch of the main plot.

State of Freedom: By  Neel Mukherjee

Prayers: Ganpati Bappa Morya

Let the Lord of Wisdom give all the world politician the wisdom to work towards peace and progress without affecting nature. Let the Lord of Wisdom give all students to be innovative and work hard towards excellence. Let the Lord give working world the wisdom to work diligently and ethically to create innovation and growth. Let the Lord of Wisdom give us wisdom to live a happy, content and healthy lives.

Not so short story titled contemporary as "Bharat Bandh"

 I was in hurry to reach my office on that day in March .  I live in a good locality and have to travel a significant distance too my office. I have to cross a prime junction so avoided using my car on day when Bharat Bandh is called by opposition party in Center who is ruling in state. I had taken work from home option a day before and only key staff was to report to office that too in a minibus rented for the day at premium price.. Unexpectedly due to my past work resulting in sizable work increase and there was urgency for me to reach office. These efforts of mine could possibly earn significant revenue for my company. I had to be in office and would need to be before US west coast evening civil hours.  I immediately called the company for a transport vehicle, but that vehicle would take long time to reach reach me. I started looking for public transport without any result. I started walking. I turned to see a jeep coming from behind. The jeep stopped near me. The driver   asked if he can drop him. I told the office address. He asked for 140 Rs/-. I didn’t care as I had to reach. I jumped on to vehicle and opened a laptop and started making few more notes on points I had to tell the team and the clients. I never noticed a cop sitting near the driver. As soon as I Got inside van , I took out my laptop to prepare and was oblivious to outside world. I did not know the driver’s name of for that matter any of the other co-passenger’s which the Jeep guy offered ride. But as events unfolded I knew each character and their stories later. Lets start explaining with Driver who name was Gopi.

Gopi had an old Mahindra jeep which he had bought from his brother in law who had Midas touch of turning anything that he touched into gold. His BIL was a tout, his business was to manage everything and still aloof of everything. He was was a Politician now as corporator Bharat Jawale . He commanded respect in the society for no apparent reason. He was called Bharat Dada by everyone. He could get someone new gas connection, could threaten someone, get someone out of lockup, manage any procession or riot or a crowd as per need. He was into real estate, he was into food with a small hotel, he owned fleet of veheciles, managed RTO or government work. He used to wear thick gold plate.

Gopi’s sister and Bharat were married 5 years back. It was a proper arranged marriage. Gopi’s sister was a pretty girl.. Bharat seemed to be a man of world with a lot of alleged alliances all over. But when it came to marriage his parents had selected Gopi’s sister Ratna. Gopi was always a loser trying to manage fathers poultry business which one day became nonviable. Bharat on Ratna’s insistence had called one day Gopi to Bharat’s office as a corporator and party functionary. That day corporator Bharat was at inauguration function of a bar. So ofcourse was in his ‘senses’. There was a small tiff between an honest corporation officer and Bharat. So Gopi was welcomed with a usual banter and some unsophisticated rowdy bad words by Bharat.  That day Bharat had made an offer to Gopi to buy one of his old jeeps .  Gopi had expected a fair market price of 25K for that old vehicle. But he said he is obliging him by giving him the jeep for 45K. He should work hard to travel people from his locality to city center. He also assured that he will do the setting with RTO for not harassing him for bribes and allow him to make Rs 300 per day making it 9000 rs per month out of which he can pay Bharat 1k  per month for next 4 years so jeep will be all his own. He knew had been fleeced but cannot say a word against Bharat who was god in his house. That day onwards Gopi used to start his day at 6 am reaching many people and end by 10 pm at night. Sometimes he did night duty to earn extra. On his best day he could earn 200 Rs over all costs. On normal day it could be no more than 150 . Night duties used to earn him 100 Rs extra.. He used to fleece unsuspected passengers, tourists and earn more so he could repay back his loan. Last night he had heard that Bharat’s party which was a national party had organized Bharat Bandhh against some govt policies. So he had requested Bharat’s colleagues to not allow municipal buses to ply and thus he could earn more that day.He asked Bharat to help him with some inside help from system.

On that eventful day in March,  all roads were supposed to be blocked by activists, all shops were forced to close and so on. He went to Constable who was suppose to be in Van to allow smooth package. He had to share his jackpot that was worth. Constable entered jeep and sat next to driver Gopi. He had just picked up a man in white shirt with tie and told him a fare of 140 Rs to his destination  Guy did not care.. He was sure he could get five such more on sharing basis and he could do 3 such more trips. Windfall but with risk. But with Bharat to support he was not  worried.

Whats up: Come September

Whats Up: Come September 2, 2018

Have you selected your Ganapati Idol? Have you planned the decoration? Are you participating in Society/locality Ganapati pandal? Are you performing anywhere during festival or at school? Can you listen to dhol tasha practise? HIS arrival augurs all that is auspicious. Countdown begins.

Asian Games India has worn 15 golds among the total of 69 medals at Jakarta Asian Games. Has our sports administration changed its earlier bureaucracy and non caring attitude ? Or is the something. I think its about young aspirational India. Thanks to few visionary PMs, economic benefits have percolated to masses, across urban and rural regions. This young India knows value of success, they want to excel. They are ready to do hard work, make sacrifices and cannot settle for less. Each of these unknown athletes from hinterlands has a story. Known stars like PV Sindhu whom we highly regard as in last month’s  whats up. When will her jinx with Gold medal end.

India lose series; First test was close, Second was bad, in third we showed character to outplay England. But again fourth though might sound one sided but was fought well by Team India. Wishing they restore pride of a 3-2 result at oval. The main reasons for losses?

1. Lack of preparation: Playing only one 3 day match. Limited over cricket is different and also different set of players barring mainstays like Captain. Dhawan, Umesh, Rahane (who was in reserves).

2. Wrong Selections for test. When we needed 4 seamers at edgbaston we had only  Three, While in second test as well as in fourth we needed 2 spinners but we had one.

3. Batting failure: Openers, lower order did not support Kohli though Rahane, Pujara

and Rahane did that in test we won or we fought. Both tests at Edgbaston and Southampton were won by contributions from Curran. Broad/Anderson pair sounded threatening while Moeen Ali surprised. Their batting sounded shaky except Butler, Bairstow, Stokes and Curran

Shravan Masi Harsh Manasi

“ Aghada Durva Phula” meaning a collection set of leaf named Aghada, Durva ie grass type and flowers rang in the month of Shravan in my childhood days in Pune peth areas. Shravan the most auspicious month of Indian Calendar was something special for us in childhood. Today advent of shravan is marked by akhaad or Gatari very ironically. Most of the people even those who had non veg as a part of their staple diet used to desist. Today I don’t agree why non veg could be unholy unless you have qualms about killing a life morally. But then its ‘jeevo jeevasya jeevanam’ or food cycle which is more important. Of course vices are always bad but then life has indulgences. So sacrifice them in shravan. It started with divyachi amavasya or new moon day of light which is also notorious as Gatari meaning night where you end up in drainage. But in my childhood we used to have edible diyas made out of Puran: cooked mix of jaggery and chana daal. They were yummy. Shravan was challenge too taste buds. During old days my grandmother, mother, aunt used to read from a book called kathas. Each day had different stories , in fact more than four of them for new story each day. It was fun in the evenings, when we sand evening prayers name shubhamkaroti. We used to light a lamp in front of god idols. I don’t remember those stories but there was common theme. A pious lady oppressed by family or poverty and divine saviour guest whom she treats with respect and kindness. The lady gets wealth and respect at the end. Then came in festivals starting with Naagpanchami. 

End of an Era: Atal Bihari Vajpayee (25th Dec 1924- 16th Aug 2018)

(25th Dec 1924- 16th Aug 2018)

End of an Era: Will miss you Atalji. I had personal events attended by him in past. Great Statesman, Orator, Consensus Politician, Journalist  Poet, Social Servant, Parliamentarian and PM.

I was 5 years old. It was 1979 Children’s Year. I joined a camp which had swimming coaching for young children. There is a well near the tank which was treated as final test. They had announced a competition. One who jumps firsst in the well (around 20-25 ft jump into water will get a cricket bat and second will get season ball. Many tried , but I finally made up my mind with assumption that someone will rescue me as there weer coaches swimming around in the well. I jumped and everyone clapped. I got the bat. No one else did so I asked them to give me ball as I will jump again. Then it was a ritual that they used to make me jump whenever any guest came. One day there was a guest. Then foreign minister Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He appreciated my jump and patted my back with saying “Jite raho aise hi dar ka saamna karo”

Today I have no words to say as Atalji left us. Those images still fresh. Atalji was multifaceted personality. As a Freedom fighter, social worker, journalist, Orator, Poet, Politician, Parliamentarian, Minister and PM. He was respected all across his journey in above facets.

As a Freedom Fighter, he joined Quit India movement in 1942 and designed few innovative plans to achieve its ends.

As a Social Worker, he chose RSS as medium of service, he did lot of relief work, structured the organization at very young, His social work continued in politics as well.

As a Journalist, he was entrusted task of of organizational publications in Political party and RSS. He did good writing on current issue which continued through his columns in papers, interviews, speeches and so on.

As an Orator, his speeches are archived and shared across social media even today. I remember waiting for him to arrive at local ground to hear him. I was spellbound as other audience. He was mass enchanter. His speeches in Parliament, political rallies, DD releases, UN are still remembered. Though his pauses very used by each stand up mimicry artist but it created some effect.

As a Poet, he was creative, enthralling and his poems showed ways to those depressed, under motivated. It created ethereal effect across life space.