Rebirth

Life does not give a second chance to anyone. Few lucky ones get this chance. Change is only constant is a cliche but speed of those changes sometimes dazzles you and you wonder if is it a  virtual reality or plain windmills of god. So as this space (blog) gets its rebirth, let try to do some good work.

On world front, lot of things are happening at speed mentioned above be it US politics, Brexit, Koreas, Syria, Saudi, Iran, Russia, Mexico, Afghanistan. As world enters few treasured months of summer, these are the issues which impact economy and directly the spirits of masses. Good days for some sectors which not for some. Technology scene is intriguing and promises some key inflection points.

Indian summer has led way to Monsoon on which its economy depends. Indian It also awaits paradigm shift thanks to various trade issues. We gear up to 2019, lot of political activities are shaping up. Only time will tell if the  opposition unity as shown in Karnataka is sustainable? Will it be applicable all over. Kashmir issue has turned more violent as it happens in summer. Pakistan is walking tight rope. There seems to be some sinister agenda on left to divide the nation on caste lines. Govt has taken lot of flak on implementation of aadhar linkup, demonetization, GST. Don’t expect more reforms and brave decisions till 2019.

In Maharashtra, SS is acting strangely just like any opportunist party. Even BJP is unsure to position itself due to tradition issues like separate vidharbha, their need to access keys of BMC, lack of local nuances in western maharashtra, marathwada and Konkan.

Pune having voted out NCP and having BJP in control, has got metro. Law and Order, Roads , pollution, traffic,environment, river cleaning etc issues are still in limbo.  Water issue is still a problem each year depending on Monsoon performance in the catchment areas. That reminds me of beautiful season for outings, trekking, tea, kanda bhaji, vad pav, bhutta…

As world will turn into soccer zone staring 14^th june in Russia, indian cricket also has a summer to prove in England…..

Come December

Finally its December again. Its that time of year which demands all celebrations with three birthdays, anniversary, Xmas and year end apart from other events planned around.

This forum is dormant for a while thanks to various new challenges, geography shift and events.  Last year has been hectic.

With 2019 looming and Congress less India seem to be a reality its all about three states: Karnataka, Kerala and WB. These states are real concern thanks to worst politics played.  In J&K,  J  is dominant over K and with forces squeezing out bad elements things are going north.

This part or world also has various political connotations impacting politics , sociology , healthcare and economy. Only time will tell the outcome but lot of uncertainly still prevails.

Technology domain remains turbulent thanks to disruptive technologies and processes but India has few things to offer. Its all about innovation.

Changes due to demonetization and GST have been absorbed and man on street has coped well. Make in India is not moving forward so is needed is momentum on swachh Bharat as pollution control.

Cricket has seen glorious seasons but no lies the real litmus test in overseas conditions.

Next year is the year of WC soccer and with draws just out will witness first WC without Italy or Netherlands.

Bollywood had very few creative moments but dogged by controversies.

My city Pune had few announcements like Metro, but real problems still persist without solutions like traffic, roads, waste management, crime etc.

Finally wishing all a very happy new year 18. Lets hope we have better 18 as this century turns adult.

Midsummer Night's Dream

Searing heat, Holidays for kids so keeping them busy with hobbies, camps and books, Mangoes, Vacations, Guests, Ice cream/beer parties depending upon your age/vices, Swimming, and finally since 2008 IPL made it into rituals of typical summer landscape of lifestyle.

Every night 8 pm was the time to switch on, see the best of international cricketers  in a mix with the new Indian talent hitting "Maximums" , Fours, getting wickets, catching and getting runouts. 

Initially when it all began in 2008, there was MonkeyGate looming after landmark Indian tour down under, so coming at right time IPL diffused tensions and made cricket a gentleman's game again. But that doesn't mean the aggression has died down on field.

There are many naysayers who feel IPL is circus, fixed, over rated, overkill of cricket. corrupt. And add to that wham bam non classical nature of t20 cricket over the longer formats. But for someone like me who has grown up on watching cricket and being a diehard fan (self proclaimed), any ball getting a wicket, or any stroke getting run is cherished. Add to that the drama of asking rates , match situations, brilliant performances, wrong decisions, and on the field tensions. They may say that only foolish watch ipl where players, officials, broadcasters, advertisers , all those who matter make money while we spend it as well as time and efforts. But watching IPL has been fun for last 10 years or so. It's more fun than watching unending serials, talk shows and stereotype movies. Aren't these cliché as well ?

It's been one experience watching in comforts of living rooms but also another to watch it in stadium. It's a big pain , crowd, heat , queues, traffic etc, but still the atmosphere compensates for all this.

There have been issues , controversies, scams, owners problems,  accusations , even murders. But then watching Gayle hitting sixes, AB playing those incredible shots, Virat's skills, Malinga's yorkers, Dhoni's finishing, young players showing off their talent, incredible fielding all makes these issues irrelevant for someone who is focussed on cricket. As far as T20 format is concerned its only way cricket can be globalised. Cricket is followed by at least 25% of world population so means something and cannot be ignored.

Uncertainty of results add the intrigue. Any bottom finisher team can upset board leaders on any given day.

Staring with Mcullum's innings, Sachins innings, Gilchrist final innings, Dhoni's sixes in last over, Gayle double century, Pollards hitting , hattricks, Maxwell miller hitting, KKR's consistency there are many memories. Add to that personal memories of get-togethers, parties, public viewing events , those seen at exotic places while on vacation around important memorable matches. It's been an enjoyable experience

Mumbai, KKR, CSK won twice, Hyderabad also did same twice though they had different owners. RR inaugural run under Warne was intriguing as well as conspiracy theory angle. Let's see who wins 10th one.

Please note i am not on BCCI payrolls or of any stakeholder but plain simple cricket fan. But it's been fun all the while. It's now a part of Indian Summer just like Alphonso Mango: Delicious.

Dream Season for a Die Hard Fan...

What a season this has been on cricket front as well as for the nation.

It's been a while that  this space had  commented 'on the field' moments on  subject as trivial as cricket. But as everyone knows including the big brothers (Orwellian reference in this age) that this space belong to a blogger.

The season started with 4 tests in WI which was on the road and then home season run of 13 tests. Nevertheless the efficiency of Indian team on its own  shores was always been granted. There were the aberrations as  I recount like 2000 series with SA , 2004 Aus series. These two series were won by pace  which followed  a set trend  by WI wins in 80s (Marshall Holding and others). I remember the terror of these fast bowlers. I remember that series when we grew up to  drinking Thumsup and getting a player picture on reverse of the lid and completing the team to win fun bottles. How fooled we were just after a triumph at the Lords versus WI  when we claimed ourselves world champions on that glorious evening in London in June 03. But it was '85 Melbourne which made us felt like real champions which was followed with Rothmans trophy victory in Sharjah . Only instance when foreign spinners won on Indian soil in my cognizant  cricket memory is 2012-13 England in India . The pitch strategy had to be blamed apart from exceptional skills by Cook, Pieterson, Monty and Swann....

This season has been most memorable acknowledging the winning ratio of Indian team .  To say that it was a team effort is a cliché' but then all stood up when it counted; be it skilful spin of Ashwin, unsung batting heroics of Pujara, Rahul, Rahane , Vijay and most surprisingly pace efforts led by Umesh ( who was exceptional in his bowling ahead of leading pacers servicing their respective teams like SA, NZ , Aus , Eng), Ishant, Bhuvi ( priceless wicket of Smith whom we had no clue of getting out but this bowler had that in final decider innings). Few new comers made their inclusions count like Kuldip, Nair, Jayant . Lost were  the old guards like Mishra (Hard Trier), Rohit and few more .  I would like also to acknowledge the rubbing effects of Captain HOT ( as against reference to MSD) who mattered in all the season with his bat except that the  law of averages caught up in final series where he mattered in a different role  countering everything said against him and his team verbally . We did not miss Dhoni thanks to non fussed Saha behind wickets and scoring crucial runs. And last but not the least it was light and sound show of Sir Jadeja.  Also Kudos to Team Australia and captain smith for their performance and spirit.

It was not just the result of series vs Australia but consistent performance of team against England , NZ and WI ( Not that I discount Bangladesh) that made all fans, who followed Indian cricket religiously since the times of Gavaskar and the great Kapil Dev take a special note. We always will miss the generation of Ganguly, Dravid, VVS, Kumble neither we ignore the impact of greatest SRT in all formats and game patterns. Then Dhoni led us to ultimate glories in WC, ICCT20 and CT. Next Gen comprisng of Sehwag, Yuvi, Bhajji, Gambhir, Pathan  also clicked when it mattered the most. Unsung heroes like Kaif (lords 02), Agarkar (Adelaide 03), Bangar (Leeds 02), Akash Chopra and few more with due apologies for non  inclusion.

But this is pinnacle of history for a hard core fan like yours truly. I hear someone say that victories in away conditions matter most which they do but for now it's the best moment. Then always there is a final frontier for everyone in cricket and life as said by indomitable Steve Waugh . Just to mention that the Final Frontier  is as fictional as star trek for all teams playing now. There were teams like  WI in 80s and Aus in next two decades who managed to dominate everywhere. Wishing that this team does same.  Dil Mange More......

Year of November Rains

Sorry friends, it was really an year of hectic activities be it demonetization , US elections or physical displacement.

Rest events were not as important unless if cricket is your religion . I am one of those who admire Dhoni . End of era or baton change. Legal problems of BCCI apart good time to be an Indian cricket  fan but for one semi-final in Mumbai during ICCT20WC.

I am no more fan of clichéd Bollywood but Dangal got one  of the Khans back  on tracks (despite parental guidelines in TZP) . Big B  rules again in Pink.  Year starting with Natasamrat  for Marathi but feel it's time to  get off Ventilator and move on from going wild as in Sairat.  Sorry theatre folks (including those at Happy colony Kothrud sangha) was not there to comment.

On world stage US elections ruled under awe for the incumbent who had defied everything in past but had to accommodate a new comer who deserves a chance despite a surprise. Need a full stop on terror . Lot of expectations for a newcomer.  World had refugee and terror issues (europe , turkey etc) which are still to be solved. Brexit also opened Pandora's box.

On demonetization having debated with all stake holders ,  it was  a  good move . Though could have been implemented better. Point is we have someone who acts despite odds. Being away from action  never helped for  me to comprehend but nothing mattered eventually for those on ground that what ground reality is. Move towards cashless (or less cash) was needed. Opposition got further into abyss and really feel there would have been better leaders to challenge the incumbents. But then few idiots on helm spoilt that . Not good for democracy. State elections in 17 will help us really gauge the winds of change.

Don't want to comment on IT and business these days.  There is a game changer evolving every day. Exciting time to be an entrepreneur. Real estate though needs to reinvent after November.  Make in India story needs impetus  and innovation.

Pune will go to municipal elections in 17 and post November we have seen many equations changing.  Metro and other few important plans have been approved but feel really sceptical about implementation. Thankfully we had good monsoon in 16 which eased out few problems.  Pune no more is as safe it was say in earlier years but still in comparison to peer cities its ok.

Year  2016 experienced  November Rains  but then  only  the time will tell its consequences

Year 2017  is  very important  new year and  has lots in store.  All the best. Lets enjoy 17th year of millennium. Last few years left as a teenager.

Part 2

As one famous Mr Indravadan would to address his younger son Roshesh as  PART 2 in the landmark TV show Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, I would call this year as PART2. This year had part 2  where things have gone unexpectedly intriguing  if this definition serves well. Be it in the part of the world where i am in (new govt) or in the motherland (demonetization). Second half really mattered this year even in personal life as well.

Statement that  'Life flies' is a cliché and every coming year flows faster than earlier one  is another fact  we hear from all and  the sundry. But if there was any year that can define same its 2016 (this confirms above statement that i am one of those whom I term as 'all and the sundry') but its truer in the sense I have felt especially thanks to the vagaries of climate at the place where I am today. The summer heat has transformed into beautiful green pictures of fall, winter arrived gradually and turned into occasional heavy snowfall and we look ahead to chillier days in first months of 17. In Pune, from where I have been displaced temporarily had thankfully sufficient rains solving (postponing) the water crisis. Thankful again that I had a opportunity to experience first part of  Pune rains and associated rituals like kanda bhaji, trek, Lonavala (missed mahabi), long drives. Summer in India was eventful as well with lots of changes on work side. As we look forward to experience Xmas and year end in this part of world, had an opportunity to experience the new type of celebrations for Ganapati, , Dushehra and the festival of lights.

On generic note things looked promising for Indian economy thanks to good monsoon, reduced interests, pay commissions, slow but steady growth etc. so it was happier Diwali for all in India. This part of world also had steady recovery. But then there was Nov 9 here and in India. As they say in Marathi ' solava varees 'dhokaye' but 17 will be 'dokyache' . (Sweet sixteen was tricky but 17 will be crucial)

So this post is not an analysis of the year almost gone by. That analysis will be done soon but just this was an quick update after long hiatus. Days are short and lot much to do. so wish you a great holiday season and  new year 17 and stay posted for some on ground analysis and offline analysis for home and away. Stay healthy, stay positive. Change is inevitable....... Accept it.

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'

Reboot

This blog celebrated its completion of 8 years and start of 9th year of existence on the eve of Ganesha Chathurthi. May the lord of wisdom help me render this blog with more creative, relevant and appealing as well as entertaining posts in this year. There has been a huge gap between the posts but now it's time to take a new guard  in a new continent geographically and in the land of dreams.  Time to remove old bugs ( with promise to correct things and giving it back) ,  upgrade the features and  reboot the system.