Ganagot: Memoirs of people in my life

Memories associated with PL and Ganesha go hand in hand thanks to dramas, cultural agenda and non associated childhood memories. So when this space had to be rebooted let me revive this with completion of planned series of Ganagot: Memoirs of few real people in my life who made a special mark. Let me take first step after reboot to complete an unfinished agenda.

Banyakaka

If any living person can come close to Haritatya in my life it could be Banyakaka. As PL said he doesn't remember the day when Haritatya started coming to his house, even I don't recollect since when Banyakaka started frequenting my house. His name is Prakash Khadilkar. He lives in my same lane where we used to stay in childhood in heart of Sadashiv Peth Pune-30. As we all know this address is epicentre of what is called as Marathi culture which includes art, drama, music, sports  and society. Money, Business and political clout were the only part missing till mid nineties ( post liberalization era). I am talking about my early conscious  life from late seventies till early nineties till I left for hostel. There were exceptions like Chitales, Gadgils, Desais, Patankars but very few who did well in business. Laxmi Rd and east city Peths were the bastion of hardworking Gujarati and Marwari owners. After nineties though Sadashiv Peth saw migration to western suburbs (mainly Kothrud, Baner, Aundh, Sinhagad rd while it turned into an educational hostel and wholesalers hub. So if Pune 30 was epicentre Banyakaka was the perfect sample of this culture. By profession he is publisher of Reference books in culture, politics, science, music, sports. His father was ex army person who wrote a great encyclopaedia on classical music (he himself played bulbul tarang). He has an elder brother in same setup. His mother was hard core devotee of religion and very enthusiastic person. May that enthusiasm rubbed on Banyakaka.

He used to be part of our family as most of week evenings he would drop in and spend lot of time on various discussions on various topics including cricket, politics, drama, literature .  This part of culture is lost now where people turn up unannounced. Sometimes those were great habits on a hindsight. These discussion i  think helped me remain aware on various issues with facts and figures which later translated into some quiz wins at school/college/corporate/social level and later as well remained large part of my persona. Out of all these memories most vivid memory remains is WC83 win. Right from day1 of world cup i don't know how he predicted that we will win world cup. I still remember him saying 'World cup Dari ala' ( here comes the world cup at our doorstep). I still remember we call glued to Radio set on BBC when India were 15/5 vs Zimbabwe. He still was hopeful that Kapil is still there on crease. And rest as they is history. We saw Greenidge wicket but then after that there was a news break on DD. We all felt WI will easily win. He said by the time news break got over they would be 5 down. so it was. Maybe he claims to know astrology that's what may have helped him know but knowing thin premises of astrology I doubt. He is also big believer in horoscope. He came with all funny predictions which could be interpreted anyways. He was big source of education and guidance for the believers in my family. He used to know future cricket program even when we didn't have cricinfo. I still remember him feeding me with underarm bowling inside our house with side of a table as stump.

Just like Haritatya,  he used to be away for few months thanks to his travels across Maharashtra for publication. He used to carry shabnam bag as typified by Journalists. He used to volunteer like Narayan for each family function. 

He was our entry point and reference to discuss everything on poiltics. Being part of right wing he is active member of BJP (jansangh earlier). He published books on Atal Bihari Vajpayee, scientists, saints and various books which had reference value. He has good friends circle in  politics, literary, drama and cinema sector. why he chose to be  bachelor (like my uncle  who is his friend) is still a question which never got any answers when i was young and after that never thought of asking him so when i grew up.

We  keep on meeting on various festivals and functions. We have a small group of my uncles , one of my cousin who meet few times. Wishing him good health and success for him.

The last but most important fact he tought us was habit of reading. He used to gift me and my sister with variety of books. Once he took me to book shop on my birthday and asked me to choose books. even last year when i invited him for house Diwali, he got me very good books. That inculcated habit of reading for me at very young age. Imagine yourself to do same to nephew of your good friend. We have lost that aspect of family friend where each friend of member is part of extended family. Life was so simple those days.

Tambolikaka

Just like Banyakaka, he was family friend a specie in extinction in modern life. He was classmate of my father. He was part of family. He was the most entrepreneurship oriented person i met in childhood. Though i never did understand then what he actually did. Did got to understand that when i ventured. He was out and out sales/networking guy. He did things where he was involved for trading/representation to sell /buy any item under sun, Such was the enthusiasm that at the advent of IT he even ventured there.  He gave me lot of tips when he knew about my venture. He was the person who visited US by boat, used to make international calls, buy videogames. And during those days it was superman like image which i had for him. He was the first one i knew who enjoyed chicken and chinese.

He used to walk at 6 am in morning when we housed in small home veryu asleep. He usee to sit and chat with father till he had 3 rounds of tea. my father and him were opposite poles so the friendship.

He was part of family in thick and thin. He advised us when needed and had an aura of wisecracks which could be very apt yet funny. Largely built he had strong averse for anything in haste and physical labour. He  was the first one whom i knew whio used to hire driver and car as and when needed

 Once he went to Buffalo to visit his son. All in the family were excited to see Niagara falls. he said ' lets drop  the plan, and rest at home. Whats there to see. Water will falls anywhere in the world from top to bottom'.

Avid tea follower was once frustrated in Punjab during his son's wedding with Punjabi girl. The girls family being from Punjab served him lassi at 8 am. He awaited till 10 and there was another lassi. He got frustrated and said  'please for god's sake serve me tea'.

Thorough gentleman has social side too, with his networking he did charities which i came to know later. He used to have large matrimonial network. Avid follower of drama, his son inherited that aspect from him.

Another memory of his is that he was the first person to take initiative from our  family side after my parents/sister to visit my wife;s place on his own to know her and her family.  He used to fondly call my wife as Rani Mukherjee. He had vast friends network and used to get someone along \even for functions and  normal visit without any qualms.

Now he is no more. We lost him in 2006 due to stomach ailment. Its been decade now , but still wish someone knock the bell at 7 am in morning and ask for tea and say in typical manner : 'Chyaayla'

New Innings

Another year passed by as we enter crucial year of 14. Hope we will be in much better shape as a nation than we are today while we celebrate New Year party for 2015.

AAP is the most talked about event. They rode on anti establishment votes, Anna agitation and nirbhaya ordeal. And as i had predicted they played spoil sport to BJP cutting seats and votes. I have hotly debated that leftist idealism bordering on naxalism and aided by outsiders and incumbents is something we define as AAP won’t work as they never have in history. I don’t buy arguments that they have changed system as yet. But as demanded by many let us give them time. But they seem to be men in hurry as they plan to contest 400 seats. My advice for them is to focus on job in hand without cutting anti incumbency votes. End of the day the will create anarchy by means of hung parliament which will further dent us a nation. Then opportunist like nationalist, socialists, re-constructionists etc will have field day. It’s high time for development and Modi is only hope for now which was validated by much publicized interview of Raga.

For me more cause of worry is state of beloved Maharashtra and city of Pune. Both have no chance with tussle between NCP and congress leading us nowhere. There no one to lead. Opposition is in total disarray and disunited. As demonstrated in toll agitations, no one is ready for transparency. Lets hope we will have change for 2014.

Obama is fighting his battle with US congress. US system is much complex and i hardly care. Only thing i care about his protective polices hampering Indian IT and his empty political rhetoric. His healthcare reforms is something closely related to what we do. Thus keeping my fingers crossed. China vs Japan positioning is intriguing. AfPak policy targeted by Obama in 14-15 will also impact us.

We will see World cup soccer in 14. Indian cricket team needs to find its feet overseas and for ICC world cup in 15. I somehow feel these young guys have it in them as momentarily displayed in south Africa to lose the series thanks to one bad session. Lets see if they resolve ODI bowling issues.

Life has entered second innings in December 13. As in a test match, batting in second innings is always tougher than first. Pitch gets deteriorated. There is a pressure of first innings lead/debit. You need to score quickly if you are ahead. You need to hang to salvage a draw or you need to attack to achieve target. Now age of 40 may be defined as end of first innings or for some life can be ODI .till now it was net practise and match begins now. Various people have various takes on same. For some it can be even 20-20. Do or die. I still remember the old Marathi song sung horribly by Sunil Gavaskar in early 80s called “He jeevan mhanje cricket raja, hukla to sampala”(Life is like cricket, one who misses is finished).  That’s on personal note. But then had some wonderful surprises to see videos of old friends and partied with closed ones. Last 35 years so flshed by satrating with old sadashiv peth wada till ownership flat, XIIth , Purshottam, Kharagpur, Jobs, Entrepreneurship roller coaster rides in India and abroad, houses, travels, family, friends.  I still need to come to reality of the message or landmark of 40. Or is 40 just another number. Life begins at 40 as many say. 

There are new hopes and challenges for 14. Let there be new start. I have taken my stance and guard as I face the fast balls or spinning deliveries by destiny. Let the play begin...

Time to change

Another Diwali celebrated. And we are all ready for more celebration in this season.  Isn’t life all about celebrations? Though some ‘I am superior than thou’s will find Diwali too generic and short term to celebrate.  They dislike crackers agreed its more problem than we think: noise and air pollution, safety hazards etc. But each Diwali we find that society is changing though some diehards aka foolhardy don’t. But let’s hope they will change some day. Apart from crackers i don’t find these souls have anything to complain. At least mere mortals like me don’t find anything sad in meeting of friends and relatives , exchanging greetings (though hackneyed and customary without real emotions as they complain), buying things, helping needy, lights, decoration, food, killas,  rangolis, deepotasavs ( in IIT kgp we had splendid ilu festival still memories are fresh), cultural programs, outings, vacations . In fact i have enjoyed Diwali since chid good and same this year as well. And please don’t say that i celebrate 365 days so i don’t need these 4 days. You are self contradicting sirs. Enough of footage to these know it all, but just can help pointing contradictions. But then few of them are good friends so did not want to take them on publically to an extent i wanted, thus using my own platform to express. Those who want to debate on this, please do so here.  I am all game.

It was fun week and now back to work after short time out.  Elections are just round corner in 5 states. As semi-final to 14, they will give enough indicators to trend. I have been vocal against AAP and MNS to fragment opposition votes acting in the hands of ruling party. Both these parties may have strong justification in opposing all others. But now it’s time to make change and not support continuum else suffer weak economy, lack of development, vote bank uneconomic policies, terror, and corruption for next 5 years. At least give yourself an option. I know many will argue that  all the politicians are same but we have strong example from 91-96 under PVN and 99 to 04 under Vajapayee when economy revived . A well meaning govt can make impact for sure. Lets hope Delhiwalas show the incumbents and so called aam aadmi muazzins their place. Rest states are heading in right direction if you want to believe opinion polls. Congress wants to ban those polls. But will anyone take that party seriously whose election policies rely upon one night before actions leading to election victories as we all know in cities and villages. So there is lot of room to dis believe the opinion polls but congress can do wonders 24 hrs prior to elections as they have since independence. But for all those who care about India, Time to change.

Another controversy has rocked putting sardar patel vs Nehru. It’s a known fact that those opposing to Gandhi Nehru family within congress have been always sidelined in congress. So any defence of congress that sardar was congressman etc is just an empty rhetoric. Sardar showed nation way of unification and restoration of somnath temple out of public participation. Wish we had more of him.

Pune enjoyed Diwali with many cultural programs, less noise and pollution, deepostasavs etc. But spirit was somehow spoilt by tragic accident and loss of 4 lives on highway that leads to mahabaleshwar, konkan and goa. These are spots frequented by most including yours truly during Diwali and other occasions. One pays Rs 250 as toll to reach Kolhapur. But then highway state is pathetic and needs support. This calculation of toll and who benefits is taking sinister turn. Its high time a well meaning government comes out clean. But then when did Maharashtra had well meaning government esp with big barons at helm. But this is the a time to change that as well in 14.

As we enter final tests for sachin, euphoria is all around as i still remember my Diwali vacations in 89 while returning from Mumbai to Dombivali i read that a 16 year old Mumbai boy was selected in Indian team for Pakistan.  And that was 24 years back. Those were some days. Just had a trek to Rajgad back in 89 and this year also had a chance to visit Rajgad. Some places amaze you, and Rajgad does that to you every time. Isnt that another coincidence involving 89 and 13?  24 years have gone by. Then i was std XI student now i am on the brink of 40.  Many things have happened in these years. Lets prepare for a change ie  life watching cricket without sachin as we already have changed watching virat, Dhawan, and rohit exploits in ODI. Romanticism of life has given way to pragmatism. Life has taught you many lessons. It has shown you man great moments.  There is more to look forward from your next generation.  Time for them to form their memories, teachings, experiences. More interesting times ahead..... Time to change.

Dusk to Dusk, Ashes to Ashes, Eden to Eden

This is December again and that too second half. This is time to reflect and sit back, relax and enjoy. Linked to US in terms of profession makes this fortnight most relaxed in terms of work load and deadlines. Waiting to see if I wake up next Saturday morning on 22^nd and see if world still exist as they predicted 21^st Dec 2012 to be last day of world. 12.12.12 passed by eventfully ending series of repetitive dd, mm, yy dates starting with 12 am on 00.00.00 (though that was a second and not date) or Y2k. Many had predicted then that world will end as well. But that scare propelled Indian IT into next league. I remember 01.01.01 when some believed to start new millennium.  God damn these numbers. Why numbers make us feel different is something i cannot explain as why we feel special on birthday. Another 6^th December has gone past. FB posts make you feel good with sheer number of wishes. Of course phone call and sms make you feel more special. Heading towards 40s is scary though in spite of euphemisms like Life begins at 40 and so called pep talks. Thus your kids birthdate make you feel more enthused than your own these days. Cannot wait for 20^th Dec. Another number game is completing 13 years of marriage on 21^st which i will celebrate for sure before the doomsday. 13 again seems strange number considered unlucky. Thats too much for dates and numbers. Thats what December does it to me. Many important dates pass by, year going past while looking forward to future.

Future though seems tough for Indian Cricket Team. Phase of transition is taking toll and lack of bowling options have exposed even at home front. Decade of 00 was great starting with that test at eden gardens in 01 under Ganguly-wright reign. We won tests in England (Headingley) and Aus(Adelaide). We won series in Pak.  Almost won a series in Australia (though in absence of warne and mcgrath) but for some stubborn Steve Waugh batting and silly Parthiv Patel keeping). We were invincible at home. We shared champions trophy once .Only blot was home loss to aussies in 04. In mid naughties when chapell/dravid  took over things were unsettled but still we won test in SAF, series in England, WI and won many ODIs chasing. Lowest point of chapel dravid era was first round exit in WC07. The recovery started under Kumble which then culminated into of heights under dhoni-kirtsen era, which saw us fighting back from tricky situations. Starting with Perth victory after epoch Sydney test, winning at fast Durban pitch, coming back twice from behind in home SAF series.

Youth blended with experience in this era. New format of T20 clicked with India winning inaugural T20 resulting in rise of IPL which is now held responsible for downfall.

Meanwhile we played some good cricket home and away to rise to NO 1 Test position for 18 month. And finally icing on the cake was made with world cup win in 11.

Then it started falling apart. Even in west Indies we aborted chase of 200 with 6 wickets in hand and 55 overs to play. In England where experienced players like vvs and sachin struggled while dravid was lone hand. Bowling unit fell apart. Openers got curiously injured.  In  Australia where barring virat no one batted and bowling again struggled.  Finally at Eden vs England where it all started it has come to an end. Irrespective of whatever happens at Nagpur, an era has ended. Last 16 months have proven that again. Now it can’t go below this nadir. Give youth a chance and i am sure we will see another era. But Indian borad seems to be interested in making money than investing in cricketing future. It was out of sheer luck that we had so many great and good players playing together last decade. Sehwag, Tendulkars, Dravids, VVS, Kumble, Ganguly are not born every decade. To support them were good players like Bhajji, Zaheer, Gambhir,Dhoni (some promising seam bowlers who drifted like pathan, shreeshant, ishant, RP, Munaf ) Now we have to rebuild the team with Rahanes, Pujaras, Tiwari, Kohli, saha, yadav, varun, unmukt, harmeet, . Let the loss of eden make this happen. And let an era end with the greatest fellow to bat on the earth have a great farewell as he enters dusk. Thanks for all those great memories master blaster.  Dusk to Dusk, Ashes to Ashes, Eden to eden (01-12) , dusk to dusk...

This proves cyclic nature of things. Everything has to come to an end. As the year comes to an end, one gets philosophical.  There are certain things and legends you wish never to end like sachin career, Modis governance in Gujarat, people like Ravishankar, Rajesh Khanna, Yash chopra whom we have lost this year. But there are certain things you wish to end like UPA rule at center, DF rule in Maharashtra, Afzal guru’s life, corruption, biased media, terrorism. Wish in 2013 we have these things dusked. But nothing as they remains unchanged. This is time to change. This is that time of year...

Dusk to Dusk, Ashes to Asshes, Eden to Eden

 

Ganesha The God

Rains have gone by. Thought technically monsoon hasn’t retreated. Rainy season was intriguing. June July dry, wet august and steady start to sep. Dams have been filled 100% (on records still 90% as 10% was given to agriculture and downstream towns by guardian minister). The worries of dry year ahead were dispelled thanks to the almighty. The leaders and admin should thank their lucky stars for mismanagement last year when we had excessive rains as were planning paralysis especially for contingencies. We won’t learn from past. Let the lord of wisdom prevail and let there be proper approach to problems faced by our city. It is now time to welcome arrival of the Lord. Whole atmosphere has changed for something auspicious, festive and enjoyable. Though terror looms large (especially after J M Rd events on 1st Aug) but I think sense has prevailed and police seem to be on toes involving mandals and communities. Let the lord show way there to the digressed souls who don’t have any mercy to kill in name of lord. How does name or way of worship of the same lord matter. Why kill? Why insult someone’s beliefs in name of free speech. And why kill to protest same. How irrelevant. Let’s all bury our differences and live happily ever after. Just like terrorism and bad governance another obstacle we wish to almighty is to stop corruption which has resulted in loss of public money, faith in systems and has created role models for young to make big using hook or crook. And finally let there be innovation, let knowledge drive the quest to excellence and let’s break stereotypes, lets conquer our self beliefs, vices, shortcomings to really make our own selves, family, society and country a very better place than what it is now. Ganesha always comes with goodies and hope he helps us achieve my never ending wish list. Wish you a very happy Ganesh festival.


This blog enters fifth year as I complete four years on eve of Ganesh Chaturthi on 2008. This blog has following posts to mark each of Ganpati festival. Would also like to add blog for Ganpati in 2007 when we won inaugural ICCT20. This blog started in next year. What an event that was. Who can forget that last over by much maligned and forgotten Ajit Agarkar leading to bowl out , six sixes by yuvi, great catch by Kartik and great spell from RP choking SAFers, Yuvi knock against Aussies and Shreeshant bowling out mighty Hayden, and finally Gambhir’s knock and that catch by Shreeshant...

Wish all these scenes get repeated once more as this T20 happens to be in Ganesh fest. Bappa’s wish list gets added by one more item. 09 and 10 T20 WCs were followed by IPL seasons where Kirsten had complained about burn out but this time things are different and that difference is emergence of Virat Kohli. I will stick my neck out to say that he will be difference between teams in any match. Let’s get Unmukt Chand into mix as i saw the knock in U19 WC finals. But the big question remains is HIS exit. Or will He have third wind. Important home series follow after T20 WC. The final warrior of golden generation which has defined our cricket life (college and professional live for my generation) will decide upon his future course. New season will be landmark for that reason as we will witness change of guard. And let History begin with shortest format.....

The title of this blog is named after one of the few innovations i got involved with my entrepreneurship career. This CD ROM was inaugurated by Shammi Kapoor who is no more. Though was just there at right time at right place, but that reminds me back to those early IT days (pre Y2K). We all were driven by a vague zeal to be next Infosys. After interacting with young entrepreneurs of today at IIT Kharagpur alumni events and other networks, I can see now people aim to be next Apple or Google or Facebook or some new web3.0 service or some cutting age mobile app, or some new cloud based solution and so on... Things have changed drastically in last decade as we welcome Walmarts and Tescos of world to enter Indian shores. As we also go ahead on US elections, Arab Iran Pak crisis, Prelude to 2014 general elections in India, Maybe MNS-SS joining hands in state, New development plan for Pune, or when we will enact PL’s Narayan this Ganesha in society or will embrace upon new personal challenges , wish for the Lord Ganesha’s blessing. Starting from global to country to state to city to society and self, the timeline ahead is intriguing. Also awaiting start to last quarter which traditionally has been action packed and defining for next year......

11,11,11

Lot was predicted of 11.11.11. entire decade falshed back. these dates have been hectic
Y2k (marraige), 01-01-01 (family event), 02-02-02 (UK), 03 -03-03 (during WC 2003), 04-04-04 (landmark for business)05-05-05 (social service), 06-06-06 (WC soccer germany), 07-07-07 (death of colleague), 08-08-08 (bejeing olympics and lights off), 09-09 (posted here), 10-10-10 (family function), only 12-12-12 to go...
someone messaged me saying we just missed 11.11.1111 by a millenium.. haha thats for the numbers

Its mere number and we always fall for numbers when they mean nothing. Just as we wait of 100th 100 when its just another inning. ash has delivered baby girl. Euro crisis is still unresolved. Indian ecnomy slowed down for sure thanks to some ineffective economic policies and in action. Corruption is at forefront. Mood is not so positive for an occasion like 11.11.11

We celebrated round table week by organizing Taare zameen par painting competition for differently abled children. Had a Gala time and thanking lord for making us what we are. November also saw IIT KGP alumni gettogether in Pune at a lovely resort amidst great weather. Weather has turned excellent with chill in air. KGP renuion always takes you back to those wonderful years . can we turn time back. lets hope our batch meets in 2012 to celebrate 20 years...

all set for December the king of the months and festive season. November acts as precursor. so was it this time but this Nov had 11.11,11

Last Quarter

As we enter last quarter of 11, seasons have changed globally. Rains have given way to autumn here. Fall has already started in US. English summer has ended. Its now 3D time, dandiya-dasara-diwali. This is special season for fun. Then after lull of november the king of the months set in with winter, parties, travel, events personally for me. Empirically for me, new things plan start from Oct and firm up in Dec and next year is action to get into some herrings by monsoon and 3rd quarter, which creates need to innovate on that plan in last quarter. I think its the same everywhere. In india, people traditionally start their conquests on dasara. so time to regroup and recharge. This year was fabulous in terms of getting back to old dreams. Live cricket, treks, world cup win and last but not the least Purshottam karandak.
This year had a chance to see final plays of purshottam karandak the most prestigious intercollegiate drama competition in pune. I had partcipated in 91 and now after 20 yrs was back at bharat. the slogans, the shouts etc were the same. tempo and prestige has increased. The quality of drama was amazing to believe lack of professional touch. that was the case in our time as well that alumni who later went big into professional stage used to proxy direct the plays. Now i think a trend of outsourcing can be experienced. so we have merceneries (motivated by money than college pride) helping out. But issues, depth , acting etc was amazing.
As coming back to 2011 last quarter, world economy still continue to scare. The mild shackles which were being broken in 2010 are again back. Companies are more scared. IT companies though is cautious. But its easy to predict a large panic like situation eauivalent to 2008 levels. and this time india wont be so lucky as inflation, rupee and interests have gone to recession levels as global slowdown has caught up this time and internal parameters are unsound. Need some real good policy making. But govt seems to be on tricky situation due to corruption and other political issues. The Euro govt intervention and US policies also are eagerly observed and any trend can setin mass actions from investors. Markets have already taken beating here. So 2012 will be fingers crossed and can turn out landmark. Ofcourse there still can be opportunities for innovation. tech scene is also tricky with new paradigms are set in cloud, mobility, social media. But end clients adopting them in such situation is a big question mark. again there is room for innovation.
Few new lessons learnt during rainy season last time can be bit help as well.
that marks beggining of new season, new hopes, new plans. Last quarter has always been challenging... same with indian team to recoup after a disaster that was in english summer.

Lessons for monsoon season

There is a saying in marathi that "nehemichi yeto pavasala" meaning certain experiences in life occur regularly and periodically so whats new about it. and whats thje point to blog about it. Point is human minds wants more. quoting famous vikram batra quote on this Kargil Victory memorial day.
Monsoon magic has set in for sure. Time for hot wadas, bhajis, tea cutin at some pristine location atleast 30 kms from Pune. July has been kind with outings to Mulshi, Panchagani, Lonavala the usual suspects. I dont dare go sinhgad side to avoid getting stuck by weekend crowds. Need to find an off week day to drive atop sinhagad and enjoy.
Dams are full and i still remember water cuts in 2009. Nothing new has happen though we face situation every year. No dam connecting , no rain water harvesting, no pipe leakage planning. We dont learn from past even monsooon arrives every year.
since i referred to kargil, how prepared we are against such occurrences. It was due to personal strenght of brave soldiers and officers we won then. Is our political and military leadership adept now. Have they learnt their lessons.
Same with terror. It happen again and again and we dont learn anything.
why blame politicians, have we learnt that we should follow traffic rules to avoiud accidents, have we learnt to maintain cleanliness to avoid monsoon illness, Have we learnt to have safe outings to places like forst, dams, waterfalls. so horrific was patalpani.
Nevertheless have a great monsoon and may you have chance to go near nature....

1983 to 2011

What final it was? There was a great knock from Mahila Jaywardena. Every boundary hit during last 5 overs was adding immense pressure. At the break someone asked me to predict. I said India will win, because
1. it was easy pitch to bat on as batsmen like Perrera and kulasekhara were hitting out bowlers like zaheer.
2. we had played lankan bowlers atleast 30-40 times in past two years and had chased much bigger targets.
Its that experience and belief that counted. Imagine india of 90s with sachin gone. we would have been all out 170s with some one holding one fort till end while a little cameo of 30 odd fast runs by some bowler. Not this team. Opposition fears Yuvraj, dhoni and gambhir as well. Then there is X factor of Pathan, Raina or bhajji. Not add that they are shit scared of sehwag and SRT. Bowling comes under severe pressure when someone bowls team india. This was evident even against Australia. That was tougher chase than final. we were 5 down and one wicket away from tail with 80 odd runs to get. Role played by sachin, gambhir etc was again crucial then which allowed us to survive middle order collapse. That match gave team belief and that made difference. I was very sure that we would beat pak and srilanka . In fact my close friends can vouch for that. Innings from Ponting was also great at ahmedabad. This world cup i had a chance to witness in person two great innings: one at Nagpur the 99th hundred for losing cause, and one by ponting for another losing cause. This makes cricket a team game and individual brilliance may or may not guarantee success.
That was the thing of past. Only sachin playing for lost cause.
Last 7 world cups we had be dissappointed as per above script though in 03 we had a team effort led by dada. its dada who laid foundation to rise of India in cricketing sense. coming back to world cups;
in 87, i was in IX . and those were diwali vacations. I had enjoyed cup in mumbai and pune. Sweeps of grahan gooch and vengasrkar's stomach upset costed us more that loose shot by kapil when we were crusing. remember jubiliation day before when pak was destroyed by Mc dermott
in 92 when i was preparing for JEE, the campaign never took off in australia. First world cup for sachin. we beat pakis, but lost to austraia due to rain rule. Lost to england, NZ, WI listlessly.
in 96 , i was in hostel and final year. Had seen every match as its most relaxed time after getting campus etc. Had a great victory procession all around kharagpur after we beat pakis. Dhoni was in kharagpur for 3 yrs as ticket collector. Its water of Kharagpur you know what makes everyone cool and tough.... But srilanka match was disaster even after getting dangerous kalu and jaysurya in first two overs. Till sachin was batting in 2nd innings there everything was fine....
in 99, we played two bad games : one gainst zimbabwe where we lost from winning position (sachin was absent for this match due to his fathers death), and one against Australia where Mcgrath outswinged us. These matches got us at bottom of table due to supersix rules. Only consolation was victory against pak as those were Kargil days. I was engaged during that world cup. another memories from mumbai.
in 03, riyas first world cup. she was 1.5 yrs old. she used to see matches with me. my grandma passed away a day after world cup final. India vs pak was highlight though team played well under ganguly to come out of humiliation against austraila in group stages, to beat all other teams till get humiliated by aussies again in final. yet near yet so far.
07 was disaster. newly joined to round table, I had arranged great parties for both matches but lost them both.
2011 was the cup. which brought back memories in 83 i had just started my 5th standard and highschool. we were staying in temporrary home as main house was under construction. we had old crown b/w TV. I remember shrikants shots, during half time we were dissappointed except one uncle who had predicted india win since start of world cup. Then that sandhu ball. We had news on TV for an hr , when we were back , WI were 5 down. we danced that evening...all over pune
in 2011, We partied a lot at table this world cup. had a chance to see live matches.
Now the god of cricket has everything in life. soon he will reach 100 hundreds. Many people have anologies for growth and liberalization of India to rise and career of Sachin. I agree to an extent. Really the growth of sachin can be paralleled with growth in wealth and purchasing power of Indian middle class enabled by new economy esp by IT. Today people like me can spend sizable money just to be at stadium. My earlier generation in 83 would not have atleast in my community. (white collored, middle class mentality with small town upbringing)
riya is 9.5 yrs old. she now understands cricket. i have passed on my crkcet craze this world cup. She is now what i was in 83.. she will join 4th next year. Entire circle has turned round.

Two positives: one negative

They say 24th Jan (correct me but i think its some date in third week of Jan) is the saddest day for all. They have some quotient that holiday season is over, year looms ahead, new years resolutions end here for many and so on... I think some points are true but i think its just useless study. Here i am am finding time to muse on this day. On work side things are hectic and looking up as here in IT things seems to have gathered momentum since third quarter of 2010.
Start to 2011 can be summed as Two positives and one negative for me.
On personal side, physicall fitness and detox has worked. This resolution is still intact. tough as they say shwaznegger was not built in a day. its ongoing process. I had opportunity to climb sinhagad, ARAI,parvati twice. also had chance to enter swimming pool on the coldest day in this winter (5.3 deg c) for acquaerobics session with some lovely ladies. All this thanks to solaris xform challenge.
Second postive is the performance of Indian Team in SA. Though Durban test was won last yr and fightback started at centurian in dec, it was wonderful fight at Capetown between legends like kallis, sachin and good cricket all round. India earned respect through this series. They will not be criticzed anymore for being lucky test team to be No1. No1 ranking is justified with tied series. Though we had golden opportunity on fourth day at Capetown. we let them through the jail... ODI series also was close inspite of absence of sachin, sehwag, gambhir . I really though we would struggle but bowlers did good job along with few batters like pathan, Kohli. Rest batting collapses but fight shown was great. With us winning T20 and they winning by 3-2 again i feel limited over series was tied. Looking forward to great world cup. But keeping fingers cross as in past we have seen strange things happen.
Last thing which made 24th Jan the saddest day in real sense is demise of panditji. Great singer Pt Bhimsen Joshi. I feel a personal loss. I remember attending his santwani prog with my grand mom when i was 7 yrs old. That voice mesmerised me. That baritone, melody, discipline, style everything. Though i am not classival buff, but his voice (along with pt Jasrajji) i feel some great feeling which i cannot define. The depth of voice, some magic. His film songs, abhangs are the ones i really like. Remember Ramya hi swargahun lanka, majhe maher pandhari, yachi sathi kela attahas, amazing.... feel like this gap can never be filled. People like PL, Panditji, Latadidi, sachin have made our lives rich. We are poorer today....

Dramatic Moments

This is Ganpati time. After many years, i had an opportunity to be involved in drama during Ganesh festival. Thanks to rejuvinated spirit in my society, which celebrated public festival after 6 yrs of its inception. Drama with kids aged 6-8 was another challenge. So had to write script and work on practice sessions with those kids. Kids were so enthused abt it as they used to assemble for 4-5 mins earlier to 930 practice time and used to ring bell at sharp 9 30. They performed well including my daughter who later attempted to write her own drama. Everybody enjoyed it.

Drama is so fun. Mostly i have done one act plays expect for few productions at KGP. It all started at my high school, where kale sir (Shri Pramod kale, who wrote and directed kahe kabira and many more performances, and an active sudarshan rangmanch member) spotted talent in me. I was a non entity till say 5-6th. Jaagar Prasang Natya was a real best opportunity where we had to do extenpore drama. Thats a different challenge. We did some good plays for school gathering written by Kale sir/Tapasvi sir. I remember performing in front of Nilu phule and sriram lagoo. Then came a group play called Kavle where we won a competition. It was a ballet. We had great time practising it. We also participated in rajya Natya in mumbai.
The concept of writing script (hand written) from the Book. Remembering dialogues. Reactions, timing , positioning etc. Endless practices, tea shops, snacks, late night cycling, opportunity to interact with opposite gender, rangeet talim, final show, some blunders and timely recoveries, prompting. the process is real fun. The next day after performance was sad, as we felt loss of purpose of life.

Then came my opportunity to have tryst with purshottam karandak in college. It was different experience all together. though we did not do well as it was well foreseen.(It was sacrificial entry as other play from college was the main entry). Those practices in college campus, selection process (I had a friend whom people used to call as my godfather. he provided helpful jack.) Those snacks at 3 am. We had passouts and alumnii helping us. A great learning curve.

In kharagpur, with my background, i took interest in Hindi Drama. I had a senior from Pune who was also active in drama circles. He was genious. We did few sanjay pawar translations. In my first year (ours was the first batch to have separate fresher's hostel). I directed a hindi drama. I got best direction award. Since then directing took frontseat than acting. Spring fest was great event . we had plays from calcutta colleges. I volunteered as organizer there. For all 4 years i was involved in that. I became drama secretary and organized 3 competitions. Those organizational skill, right from booking auditorium, getting makeupman, budgeting, slotting, property really helped in professional life. I had an intersting senior called Rehan Khan from Lucknow. He ate, drank and breathed drama. We had very little female population. So all girls had opportunity to participate in drama at some event or other. Thus we were the most envied population on campus. We also performed at Ghatshila (near jamshedpur). we did picnics for drama teams. We did freshers play : Moruchi maushi hindi version. People had gala time. I performed in bengali translated plays by badal sarkar. I translated elkunchwar play Holi, directed and acted in it. we won a prize. Tried to understand bengali drama as well. Badal sircar, Mohan rakesh, tendulkar form trinity. In my final year, I was drama society governor.
After that saw many plays but never had that chance to perform again throughout my professional life. Attempted (successfully) to write a play. Also tried staging it but for lack of team. But its never late. Will surely try to be involved in stage, and also new media. lets hope this tryst during ganesha starts that track.

Coming back to where we started, very early in my life, we used to have ganpati festival at my wada. We did some kids plays. We used to watch seniors perform. It used to be an event which we used to look forward to from months together. We also performed for Dynandeep a TV program on social causes. That was a different era.

Time has flown by. Life has come whole circle. So let me live some more dramatic moments ahead. Thats a prayer to Ganesha, master of 64 arts.....

Good Old Times

Every philosophy talks about living in present. That seems to be only way of maximizing potential of achievements. Past is history. Future is unknown.
But i feel, what we treasure most is memories. especially the good ones. I am sure we are all selective about memories. How many of us would like to ponder over say sad memories or the tough times faced by each one of us. Human mind conveniently tries to mask them. that brings me to the topic of some of the very best memories of my life. School days. Reason, a gettogether where i met some classmates after 21 years. Three idiots met after 10 yrs out of college. Here we attempted to rewrite the script by rewinding 20 years. (sure not a remake of "bees saal baad").

School days were the most carefree days of our lives. Only purpose of going to school for me was recess and PT periods. Cricket, football, volleyball, hand ball, appa rappi, hand cricket, list of sports goes on.. They were seasonal. Primary school days were the most formative days. I still remember impact i had for every langauge class, maths funda, composition etc. But in secondary, the scholastics took back seat atleast till 9th. Exams were the only spoilers. Vacations were the high points. Extra curricular really started in secondary where the setup became more democratic. In primary , access to activities was controlled by teachers. Thus backbenchers like me never had chance. With advent of interest in Quizes, Drama, etc, extra curricular activities added a lot of confidence. My head master was another inspiration, such dedicated teachers are very hard to find. At home, no one pressurized me to study. And i compare what i am doing to my daughter. These are different times but still we all parents should have sanity and reflect upon our own school days. Ofcourse, we had many self motivated colleagues who used to be toppers and use to generate an awe. In my daughter's class , i find such characters. They say , your child is an opportunity for you to revisit your childhood. and thats whats happening with me as a parent.
Coming back to school memories, I remember those bus journeys, cycle journies, some crazy events. Fights with girls. (so silly of us as we realized that in later life)
In fact in our gettogether, we had girls (now ladies) outnumbering gents. Welcome change... Those interhouse competitions, social service camps, trips. Many more memories.
Its a tough choice for me to judge between hostel life in kgp and school days to be the 'best days of my life' (summers of 80-89 or summers of 91-96 as i can say)
Kgp life was different. i have an earlier blog titled Rocking memories here if you want to read abt that kgp life.
Professional life also has some great moments. But also were challenges. In both these phases (kgp and school), there were hardly any low points. Thats why if i had a time machine, i would definitely go back then. Buts its hard to chose if i had only one option to revisit....

Break ke baad

Read somewhere that thoughts of holiday ahead gives pleasure. Infact act of planning a vacation is great happiness booster. Compare your own travelling for work and travelling for fun. Travelling on work is pain especially intercontinental ones. Some people like that. They keep on posting on email groups/fb entire itinerary. Maybe its cool to be a globetrotter. Today in London tomorrow Frankfurt before flying to NYC. How many times have you seen this status. For me its simply pain. Having done some years of globetrotting and due to peculiar circumstances i took a choice to stay put. Look after Indian side of things. Avoided almost confirmed journeys by hook or crook. lets see how long i can hold on . Reason being i hate the journeys especially alone. Though for education i used to travel 36hrs in train but those were different days. when you are 18-20, every journey has an expectation (esp after tracking bogey reservation chart for F 18-21s around). Life was different then. Seems like ages... Seems also like mid life pangs have started when you feel that way..
Its different story when i have to go on family vacations. Then flights are fun with my daughter around. Friends around. I remember last vacation we were 15 close friends & families around.
It was rocking.
Another year has passed by. At this rate i dont see that far that my daughter will reach serious academic standards. What summer vacations we used to have as child or as youth even in college. Total Fun. No worries. Read books, eat mangoes, go to grandparent's place, see films, watch TV, go on long bicycle rides, swim, sleep on terrace.... so much fun.
Our kids here do it differently. now they have summer camps, sleep outs, Computer games, internet, malls , multiplexes, IPL and so on.... They will feel about these with nostalgia when they grow up.
Vacations are refreshing. Away from mundane routine. No time-check, relax, eat, drink.
Looks like i need a good break. These breaks are necessary... I am looking for one promised to daughter in summer vacations

Winter

Living in tropics has some advantages. You dont have to face extremes of weather. More or less you get warm climate throughout the years . Here in Pune, you have three months of monsoon magic which takes people like me who have wanderlust to the hills around Pune. Summers have their own charm. In pune, thankfully evenings are breezy making things bearable. Modern lifestyle has given us comforts of ACs at work and home to help. Summers meant holidays for us as kids and now for our kids. Dont forget mangoes, icecreams, and ofcourse now we end up filling coffers for vijay mallya. Thats a separate fun.
But whats the most enjoyable part of year is winter. Have experienced harsh winters at some Northern locations, thus know difficulties. There of course we had modern technology helping us.
But for outdoor man like me, its a pain.
In pune, at the onset of november you get 'pink cold' a marathi term translated. Its Gulabi thandi. meaning romantic chill. Sweaters are out and you see punekars taking morning walks etc. Evenings start setting it quickly. Blankets are out. Fans are put off. Then comes in month of year December. Nights get chilly. Thats a great time to drive out. It then starts becoming diffoculy to keep up Morning school timings. Add to that the party quotient and spirits to take care of the cold.
In the newspapers, temperature starts getting headlines. By reading the celcius ( we get confused by Faranheits as used in US, why US has to be different i dont know), we decide whether to wear a sweater or not. I remember a day in my 12th when mercury recorded 3.8 deg. I remember that night , it was unusually cold. Blankets were inadequate. so we took out moms sareers etc. Morning i had a tution class. The teacher himself suggested we go out to a tea shop and have hot tea to help. We used to sit on steel benches which has turned ice cold.
Then we read next day that it was 3.8 deg. a delay of 1 hr was declared by my teacher.
In my school, i had to cycle 3 kms. In those dec/jan days it used to be difficult on saturdays.
it was tough to hold cricket bat. (playing cricket was only incentive to go to school on saturdays as we could stay after school for an hr)
In kharagpur, winters were more severe. Getting up for 8 am lecture was tough. Daytime also we had cold. ofcourse we had holidays in dec and jan used to be a start of new semester. Academics were at ease and spring fest was what used to get the attention span. so overall good funfilled weekends.
In my service days, december meant time to be healthy with early morning jogs. Few winter visits to foreign countries made me taste the dreadful winters. But if one wants to enjoy snow, freezing cold, one can really enjoy.
In my entrepreuner life, December also meant Holidays in US meaning less work load. But plenty of client visits, thus eating outs, parties etc. January meant start of new hopes, aspirations etc.
Winters have been great througout...

Soil Sport

I had an opportunity to connect with soil. Never in my life which spans more than three decades, I had this opportunity to be connected to soil. I had lived for four years at semi rural town but there we were cocooned in a campus which was modern. I had gone to various treks in western ghats or himalayas , visited villages , understood people and lives but had never been connected to soil.
Here i had a chance to be a farmer. we planted potatoes. I ran a plough ('hal') on bullock pairs. we picked tomoatoes, rajma, coriandar, banana fields. we had special farm food. took tractor ride. later we played kabbadi on ploughed fields with locals.
It was fun and i really felt connected with soil.
Its some different experience. I recommend surely.

United colors of India

wishing happy holi to all.
I am surprised how bollytainment industry has influenced whole of India to spread this predomintantly North Indian Tradition across the nation.
Though i have to admit that underlying similarities do exist between indian peninsula and gangetic plains for each tradition.
Here in Maharashtra we used to celebrate Holi just by burning bon fire and eating Puran Polis. I remember in my childhood going to a 'wakhar' for wood/gaurya etc. Holi used to run till late nights with 'marooing bombas', 'bailachya'.... sorry for a lot of marathi words but there is no equivalent stuff for that. those who have done that need no further explaination.
Then we used to have rang panchami after 5 days . It was played with colored water, baloon, pichkaris etc.
Normally it used to be exam time but there used to be alloted time by each parents.
Old wadas in Pune were amazing. maybe another blog topic : Old Pune... sometimes later.
Then the northern influence started creeping in with all holi songs: rang barses, holi ke din, Yash raj songs etc. so rangpanchami has lost its sheen and Holi is in thing.
Earlier we used to have a Hasya Kavi Sammelan on DD on holi eve. real fun with shail chaturvedi, sushil, suresh sharma etc. somehow i dont see many channels arranging that (ofcourse maybe due to number of laughter shows).
this holi was quiet . celebrated it in neighbourhood. Riya has some fever so had to restrict her. some friends dropped in. Last year was a typical bollywood bash at Khopoli bunglow. a typical jalsa with colors, friends, beverages... year before it was with some marathi film stars at shooting location in Pune.
Holi is fun. Nature is changing. summer has now set in. But the best Holi was in Kgp with friends, processions and profs. I remember in 94 when sachin came first for opening in ODI in NZ. It was holi. all of us waited till india won and then we started the celebrations.
Today again after 15 years we had another ODI in NZ with Sehwag scoring fastest ODI hundred by India. Very Nostalgic... Those were the best days of my life.

Month of the year

December is the month of year especially for me and for many i suppose around. Xmas/year end are the icings on the cake. For me, add the following celebrations; My birthday, wifes Birthday, daughters birthday and anniversary of my own and parents. Also add visits of my colleagues in US, relatives in US and friends. Add to that few more friend's birthdays(3 very close ones) .., add to that company foundation day, add to that atleast a marraige on an average of close relatives, friends, acquaintances, office staff (being indian marraige season, this time we had 4 such close marraiges), add to that two roundtable meetings (once a fortnight) and atleast one winter trek. finally add to that daughters gathering (she danced really well that day). Moreover there is cricket happening. December has only 31 days !!
We celebrated Riyas birthday last weekend. she was so thrilled. Birthdays are always special for kids: cakes, gifts, return gifts make their significant part of emotional world. We had good guest turnout at Club solaris. had great games and party rocked (atleast for us, .. need to ask guests, which they will always say so.. anyways)
Normally in Dec, Climate is best. Days are shorter and mornings are lovely. It becomes diffocult to get up from sleep. Though this time winter is not that cold at all (global warming). Unfortunately, Pune 31st is not the best occassion to be. Roads are clogged, the parties are boring and rowdy, not many happening parties except private ones depending on group. venkys is unanimous choice,.. also good time to travel if you plan in advance. Thus we always end up spending year end outside Pune.
Work becomes difficult as US comes to close halt by around 20th and holiday mood sets in.
Over my childhood, i had enjoyed December for my birthday, gathering, Xmas. year end. Xmas was occassion to visit Camp (MG road), east Marzorin sandwitches, softies and watch girls. For year end, we friends used to meet or else were left to watch TV at home. In KGP we had routine trip to Pune between semesters. At work its been always US focussed (except for NOCIL days in Mumbai where it was CAT and other managment entrance mood).
December has been special since ages: lot of important things in life: family and work have happened in Dec. My entrepreunership was planned in Dec, merger happened then, marraige, riya, lot more: even biggest heartbreaks and dissapointments (pesonal as well as at work) have happened in Dec.
Month of the year award goes to :::: December.

Feeling so special

I am no politician or a renowned filmstar, cricketer whose birthday is remembered by masses, but feeling i have is no less. All those around me made my day special on this saturday 6th. Another day another birthday, if i have to take a cynical view about it. I have not yet achieved anything proportional to the romantic visions i had about my own life maybe when i was in junior college, kgp days. yes its not a total washout as well. there are somethings done which matter. there were missed opportunities, there were failures, unimaginable losses, unexpected gains, fair successes. Lots of positive and negatives in balance sheet till today while reflecting back. But the most positive gain of all is a set of people who made my day on 6th. Phone never stopped ringing right from midnight: friends at table, friends at solaris, old school friends, old wingmates in KGP calling from US, my staff at office, my relatives in Pune,mumbai, delhi amazing.. hardly i was away from phone for mins. It feels so special that people take pains to remember and call. I am sure all of you have same feelings on your b'day as well.
Moreover i made a double take by hosting a table social with all families of 15 tablers attending. It was great event with last guest leaving by 2 midnight.
I dont want to be self praising or boastful, but i see the collection of relationship that i have maintained with my friends and my own people as my biggest achievement. Throughout i have made a point to build relationships even at my workplace and clients. I also had few past employees/clients/business associates making a point to call. That was biggest achievement that they have valued me as genuine human being over a business man. While noting upon these achievements, I might have failed in building relationship with few people, i might have rubbed few of them wrongly be it ex employees, clients, friends, relatives. I still feel those failures as my greatest failures. I promise to improve so that i wont lose out on any friend ever. But as you know life is not perfect.
Friends and your own people are your biggest strengths and i have flexed my muscles on that strength on 6th. I had a great day starting with a sweet hand made greeting card by Riya (she was as excited as me), she and alpana giving me flower to start my day. After that a long drive at khadakwasla dam followed by a great social and never ending calls/sms/emails.
and a secret to share: could not sleep whole night treasuring those great moments.
You get sentimental looking back at your life on a birthday. But much more to look forward to...
Thanks to almighty (shrisaibaba) for moments like 6th and wish His Blessings on subsequent 6th decembers as well....