Land of Enchantment!

Official trip predestined that the five days in Vietnam were tightly wrenched and overly exhausting. Anyways I tried to assimilate as much as possible from this mystical land of Enchantment.

The journey began 2nd March 2008 10 AM from Singapore on a flight destined towards Ha Noi – the capital of Vietnam with the three of us – me, Aditi(Sleeping and Snoring Piglet) and Arvind on board. The Hotel Intercontinental at Ha Noi was the next stop, nestled in the heart of the city at the banks of West Lake – a legend claims it be formed owing to trampling by a golden buffalo. The sunset at the West Lake was equally mystical.














An idyllic charm enamors your stay in Ha Noi. Onset of spring meant Ha Noi was shrouded in a weather mildly titillating and pleasurably soothing. Dotted with beautiful water bodies and small two storey colourful buildings – this place wafts innocence so pristine that you wonder if you could encase the same, wrap it tightly away from vulgar stares and carry a part of this unadulterated air.

Work took away most of the two days planned at Ha Noi but still I managed to assimilate some of this untouched air. 4th March 2008 – late evening and Ho Chi Minh City or otherwise formerly known as Saigon - beckoned. The innocence had, alas, evaporated and fallen prey to commercialization.

However, HCMC imprinted on me a sense of mélange – of an era gone by – of history, survival and of an era of change and globalization. Every nook that you glance by you shall find artists having opened shops – drawing melodies on canvases or carving wonders on wood. Perhaps the wars have cultured artists in this nation which welcomes you with a broad smile. Yes, everywhere you look – you shall be greeted with a smile, reminding you that world is a beautiful place.

Coming back to HCMC – weather though not as soothing as Ha Noi – French history of the region is etched in the architecture – especially in the area neighbouring the serpentine Saigon River.












Another factor that strikes you is that this Land of Enchantment is also a Two-Wheeler Country, where driving or riding or even walking on roads requires perhaps a special certification which is in ingrained in every Vietnamese. HCMC is also dotted variedly with cafés catering to the thirsty travelers camping here.

While I enshrine the role of a raconteur – I must touch upon a topic or experience that binds most humans and is in my opinion the only solution to peace on this planet – Food. If you are a strict disciplinarian with respect to the food you eat and refuse to eat anything non-Indian – good news beckons with Tandoor - with branches both in HCMC and Ha Noi. The other saviour for the endangered vegetarians like me was Al Fresco’s with its mouth-watering Italian and Mexican cuisines – weight watchers – leave your watches behind. Finally – such a thing as Vegetarian Vietnamese food exists (thanks largely to the Buddhist population) – even to the surprise of localites. One of the localites(client of ours) said ‘ So all you eat is vegetables?’

Anyways my tongue rolled in ecstasy as I savored joys of culinary delights including – jackfruit rice, rice pan-cakes, fried bean curd ,morning glory soup and yes lotus seed soup. The food amazingly oil free and healthy and yet seeped in joys of life.

On that note – a visit to Vietnam without a whiff of Vietnamese Coffee means having left the place and having not etched Vietnam in your heart. Not for the faint hearted though – the coffee is overly dark and thick and enlivens your senses out of slumber – for perhaps a week. A hint of milk recommended for those whose tongue is likely to burst in to hysteria at such esoteric tastes.

One other factor that surprised me - despite being classified as an economically developing country - was the distinct lack of shanties/slums. Also lacking were the footpath dwellers. May be I am wrong or may be I was presented a parochial view of Vietnam or perhaps socialism has it positives.

7th March 2008 and Singapore beckoned once again. But the Land of Enchantment stamped such unfathomable impressions that my soul yearns to be enmeshed in the pleasures of a sun-rise by the Saigon River or in the idyllic saunter through the streets of Ha Noi. The lady in this picture was too shy to pose for my camera – I shall be back – to capture that million dollar smile.

Will this trend continue?

Oil reaches historical peaks, so does gold! Now when my pet subject is so hotly contested - it leads me in to doing some digging.

I calculated the historical ratios of price of gold per oz vis-a-vis oil per barrel in dollars. Monthly data from Jan 1985 to Feb 2008. And the results -













Certainly the average value has hovered around 15-16 and todays value at 9 -10 makes gold look cheap.

Why this particular ratio?

1. Gold has for long been an alternate form of investment to counter the inflation injected in to the economy. The prime source/driver being oil.

2. Figures dating back from 1949 suggest a 15-16 average.

But does this average hold true as of today?

1. Gold is a prime and a lucrative investment. But surely we have far more avenues to invest today.

2. Will economies/investors go back to buying more gold as a hedge against inflation considering the continued devaluation of the dollar?

3. Consider this alternate school of thought'Gold being overvalued'. Surely supply surplus will slowly kick in and gold value will moderate.But gold unlike other commodities - is a metal, there is only so much that Mother Earth can produce.


Views?

Burning Bright!

Beauty conjures itself in a reddish-orange hue smeared with vertical dark stripes – nature is an artist with the right colours. Grace embodies itself through those proud white whiskers and the gait that evokes awe. A creature which would not want to relent!

The national animal of six countries namely India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaysia, N Korea and S Korea , it also has been adopted in various symbols, mascots and coat of arms. Revered and elevated to the status of deities in many cultures. One of the signs of the Chinese zodiac as well. Exhibited widely in literature and adopted in various cartoon depictions including Calvin and Hobbes - serving to the esoteric and the plebian cravings.

William Blake in his works ‘Songs of Innocence’ and ‘Songs of Experience’ juxtaposed child’s world versus an adult world, lamb versus a tiger(tyger) -

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

Yet – humans can be diabolical most of the time. Tiger’s bones heal our bones, tiger’s teeth relieve us of tooth aches and yes tiger’s skin provides us warmth and decorate our walls.

Latest survey indicates 1400 tigers surviving in India today. Of the nine known tiger species – three are extinct (Javan, Bali and the Caspian). Bengal tiger which accounts for more than half of world’s tiger population is dwindling at an alarming pace. Project Tiger fizzled out with the Sariska fiasco. The revered creature is struggling to keep pace in this ruthless world.

The economy is booming at a torrid pace for the betterment of its citizens - for a hearty and healthy life. Surely a sanguine world would accommodate this elegant beast. Alas! Where? And add to it - the forest officials in liaison with poachers – thereby ensuring comforts which a government job may not satiate.

Conservation does not mean armed guards. Tigers need space, they need water, and like us they need a home. Conservation should be imbued in every human. Conservation needs education, it also needs a leader with a vision (Project Tiger results show!). It’s the crimson beauty - today - in fear of losing its stripes – the malice can surely spread to other charms of the wild.

Valmik Thapar had once said - 'Nothing short of a miracle can save tigers in the wild in this country. There are many well-intentioned people, but they don't know the needs of the tiger. We have half the world's tiger population. But on the horizon, politically, I see a zero chance of its survival'.

Should I be?

O petite plant what shall you be?
O petite plant what shall you be?

Will you be an Oak – steadfast and stout?
Will you be an Acacia – branches o’er cuckoos shout?

Will you be a Flame tree – hue red and bright?
Will you be a Cedar – soaring and a pretty sight?

O petite plant, do tell me.

When I am old and green, will it matter thee?
When I am old and stout, will it matter thee?

Steadfast and stout – for flames and warmth of your family,
Nesting and dense – choking and in disharmony.

Colours I shall proclaim – for you to make a pretty frame,
Kissing the clouds – to be cut and rendered lame.

What shall I be, will it matter thee?
For I wonder, Should I be?

The movie that beat Lagaan...

Chinese New Year meant time on hand to catch up on some movies. Opportunity presented itself to revisit a movie that had left an indelible imprint on my senses.

The movie that beat Lagaan at the Oscars and was released way back in 2001 – yes I am talking about No Man’s Land. Written and Directed by Danis Tanovic – this movie on a very grave subject of the Bosnia-Serbia conflict renders itself in to a black comedy.

The movie meteors in with a bang with the dialogue which runs as –

‘Do you know the difference between a pessimist and an optimist?
‘A pessimist thinks things can't be worse. An optimist knows they can’.

This sets up the fable perfectly. In a strife-laden terrain and in the midst of smog emanating from the tanks and guns from either side – there lay a land which both parties dreaded to step on. A group of Bosniak relief workers lose their way and as the shroud of the night fog lifts – fall victim to the thundering Serbs.

The storyline meanders to find two Bosniak soldiers (one of them supine –with a triggered off mine under him which would explode if he moved) with a Bosnian Serb Soldier stuck in the same trench. What allures me to the movie is the way the movie encapsulates subtle plebian interactions under adversity. One scene that stands out is how the two soldiers try to prove a point on ‘Who started the war?’ by brandishing guns at each other!

With the two parties – Bosnia and Serbia – keeping away from the troubled trench – UNPROFOR comes in to play with media intervention as an added spice. The movie unfurls the politics at the helm and makes a mockery of ‘Play Neutral’ motto adopted.

These are just snippets in to what truly was a master class screenplay. The movie attempts to unravel, mock and question – inane human characteristics, politics overwhelming adversity and the war itself.

A must see!! Ah yes – you will need sub-titles.

Happy Birthday Rat! :)

Ousting Progress

‘Maharashtra is for Maharashtrians’ – 1970’s Balasaheb Thackeray Campaign

‘When in Maharashtra, act like Maharashtrians’ – 2008 Maharashtra Navnirman Sena(Raj Thackeray)

Like Uncle Like Nephew?

It all started in somewhere in 1967 with fiery speeches - that moved masses(or did it discombobulate), ‘son of soil’ admonishments and sparks of violence against the South Indians – who were slowly creeping in to middle class strata snatching away jobs from the ‘sons of the soil’.

Fast forward history pages and you shall find – Anti region turn to anti-religion and anti-Pakistan(including digging up Cricket pitches and the Bombay riots),Anti-actors and Anti-Bollywood (Dilip Kumar for the uncle and Big B for the nephew) and finally giving way to Anti-North Indian which now probably has culminated in to Anti Samajwadi Party!

All this – ofcourse- can be disguised as Nirman. Nirman which pirouettes itself around the hinge called Politics – of deception, mockery, clannish penchant and insatiable desire for power.

The root of unemployment of the Marathi youths shall not be extirpated by ousting the clans who in a larger picture form one face of India. Nirman has to assume a larger and a social meaning. Fiery speeches which are directed towards discombobulative effect shall need to assume a progressive nature towards shaping tomorrow’s Maharashtrians. There are lessons to be learnt from the neighboring state of Gujarat (not from the politics or the politicians there but from the scale of development it has assumed). Castles cannot be built by blistering speeches – neither can Mumbai turn in to a Shanghai by ousting progress.

A close friend of mine reiterated something Charles Schultz had penned for Snoopy –

‘Yesterday I was a dog. Today I'm a dog. Tomorrow I'll probably still be a dog. Sigh! There's so little hope for advancement.’

Maze of ecstasy

Concoction mildly bitter benignly saccharine and cherubic overtly,
Time gazes in awe as Coffee and Chicory sieve in propinquity.
Davarah-Tumbler that encases this potion - ferments fantasy,
Milk and Filter Coffee twirl, bubbling aura elevating senses in to a maze of ecstasy.

You are still the morning sun to my Yelda

From Wikipedia - Shabe Yaldā or Shabe Chelle is an Iranian festival originally celebrated on the Northern Hemisphere's longest night of the year, that is, on the eve of the Winter Solstice.

I am talking about a promise I had made a few blogs ago – The Kite Runner. Gist of it – I have fallen in love with the way Khaled Hosseini writes.

The book is about the unquenchable quest for that morning sun, it is about the long excruciating wait for that blissful dawn, it is about never-ending darkness looming a devilish cloud of melancholy and it is about conquering your Yelda. Above all – the book is about – Redemption.

As with Khaled’s second book (A Thousand Splendid Suns) – the book revolves around Afghanistan, the Afghanistan of turmoil, of pathos, of blood-drenched soil and of spirit, of conviction and of culture.

The book conveys its renderings through Amir – a diffident, self-indulgent, artistically-inclined Afghan boy – born to a rich father, The book is also about Amir’s friend and servant – Hassan – a Hazara boy – altruistic, all-forgiving and a boy of undying loyalty towards his near and dear ones. Hassan is the Kite Runner. He is that unflinching friend who would run that extra mile for Amir.

The story takes stark and sometimes suffocating turns through the 30 years (close to) it spans. Khaled gasps the reader for air with his heart-wrenching rendition of sordid human character, of spirit, of friendship and camaraderie, of selfless acts and of Afghanistan. Khaled brilliantly portrays relationships – of friends, of master and servants, of father and son and of husband and wife.

I relent from mentioning the plot - I shall only eulogize. No amount of eulogy can tantamount the vividness and clarity in Khaled’s portrayal – of characters and his legerdemain in conjuring almost movie-like scenes.

If I were to pick between the two Khaled books? The writing style is unchanged in the two – but vividness seeps in much more life-like in The Kite Runner. 'The Kite Runner' is far more melodramatic than 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' and far more heart-wrenching.

As Hassan says ‘ For you, a thousand times over’ – I am a Khaled Hossieni fan!

Pouring Care...

The sky blushes in its crimson hue as the fickle lightning caresses the clouds,
Rhythm – in resonance with my heart beat - reverberates on earthly sprouts.
Silky brushes of droplets trickle and pirouette on my unkempt hair,
Eyes turn heavenwards hailed by peaceful and upbeat blessings pouring care.

Happy New Year!!!

May 2008 pour care!

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Yes, this is about the book written by Khaled Hosseini.

The title of the book inspired by the work of Saeb-e-Tabrizi, Seventeenth Century Persian Poet –

“One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs
Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls”

The verse describes Kabul.

The book is set in a war-torn land, of unfulfilled dreams, of torrid times, of misinterpretations(religion and otherwise), of wrecked relationships and of earth- shattering lies. The book is also of camaraderie, of hope, of unencumbered ambitions and of sacrifice.

Khaled Hosseini narrates a story of simple characters coloured by intricate human emotions. The book is in itself - a saga , spanning close to 30 years. The saga begins by conjuring itself through eyes of Mariam – a quiet, unwavering, God-fearing and an illegitimate child - of medium intellect and of limited wants. The saga meanders in to the life of Laila – a bubbly and spirited girl of high ambitions and above average intellect. The book unwinds through turmoils of their lives and through the saga called Afghanistan.

Khaled Hosseini spectacularly transports his message through immaculate use of metaphors, through enlivening words and by creating an effusive melody of literature. His descriptions of characters - vividly personify and transport the reader in to his world of splendid suns.

In the end – the book is about Afghanistan. Where once ‘a thousand splendid suns’ hid – became a playground to parties who could care less of her walls. The book is about the women of Afghanistan. The plight is heart wrenching and words conjure, deftly, images of sorrows that shall move the readers to empathies.

I am picking up ‘The Kite Runner’ next. What about you?

Fleeting glance of enchantment!

Freshness and verve waft from the verdant cover that engulfs the Lion Den- setting up an esoteric stage,
Droplets of bliss descend from beguiling gray cover – flirting with the air still- elucidating terms of endearment.
Sparks fly setting off winds ensnared in worldly bothers in to a roaring rage,
Earth reeks a moist aura – heaven descends on this world providing a fleeting glance of enchantment!

Iguana Lore!

By the silvery river that serpentines through the heart of Singapore,
Wind bellowed and mellowed alternately – conjuring vividly the Iguana lore!
Tongue rolled in ecstasy – as Nachos and Tortillas enmeshed themselves in Salsa and White Cream,
Chimichanga and Quesadilla did satiate the Mexican crave - as Fajitas pumped their chest in full steam!

An evening at Clarke Quay in Cafe Iguana, in honour of Vinod(my mentor) at i-flex - the gang did indeed rock!

Nachos laoded with cream sitting pretty...

Quench all worldly repugnance!

White paws, Blue-gray coat and proud whiskers - titivates a beguiling smirk,
Miniscule frame, cheese frenzy and tricks up its guiltless countenance.
Eyes never fail to pop out, Forehead never ceases to distend, Tail never ceases to be ensnared in mouse trap – Tom shall never lose his quirk,
Cheese shall never fail to entice, Samaritans always to the rescue, Smirk that never ceases to conjure jocundity – Jerry shall quench all worldly repugnance!

Keep laughing away to glory!

Lost in Indonesia!

Idea of traveling always conjures animation and unparalleled zeal – which is what prospective 2 days at Bintan Island, Indonesia managed. But what lay ahead of me – was only to be experienced to be believed.

From Wikipedia ‘Bintan is the largest of 3,200 islands in the Riau Archipelago, and is located less than 40 kilometers from Singapore. Bintan has tropical forest and beautiful white beaches’. On that note Indonesia has 17,508 islands - on last count!!

Sesh(Fellow SP Jainiite),Karthik(Sesh’s Cousin) and myself backpacked, after not much deliberations over the fate of travel, were on our way to Bintan! 9 AM(10th November 2007) ferry(Aria Bupala) from Tanah Merah ferry terminal headed towards Bintan – Singapore is gateway to the ASEAN countries with easy accessibility to most of its neighbours. 9 AM and we reach Bintan( Shocked? Bintan is one hour behind Singapore).

We were ushered in to this resort island - Northern portion of Bintan – and find ourselves in Nirvana resorts being greeted by young Indonesians performing a ritual dance – with wide innocent beams on their countenance entrenched in their occupation and celebrating our arrival in all gung ho. After figuring out our way through the resort (more on the resort to come later) – we decide to head for Tanjung Pinang(Capital of the Island) – southern portion of Bintan.

For the uninitiated- Singapore – for the betterment of Indonesia ( as well as itself) helps manage and maintain these resort( a couple of dozen of the them on the northern shore of Bintan offering tourist a world full of water sports,beaches and golf courses) – whereas the rest of the island is what you would typify to come under Indonesia. En route to Tanjong Pinang we serpentined our way through winding roads bedecked on both sides by green shrubbery and stark red soil(rich in Bauxite as per our driver –Rudi). These were dotted by small villages – strikingly desolate and deprived of the most basic necessities. Finally , we hit Tanjung Pinang - only to be hit by pangs of hunger.

Hold on! Three TamBrams in the middle of Indonesia? Thankfully – Chinese Buddhist – form a sizeable population of Bintan and make the lives of similar such vegetarians as us less thorny. Post a 7000 Rupiah lunch – our sojourn continued. 7000 Rupiah??? 1 SGD is approximately 6300 Rupiah. 50 SGD fetched us 3 Lakh 15 Thousand Rupiahs! Amusement coupled with distress clouded Karthik’s face as he held out the notes. The country hit hard by the 1997 Asian Crisis; red tap-ism and political turmoil hitting this oil producing economy.


A quick walk around the Tanjung(Bay in Bahasa) followed by boat trip along the fishermen colony(houses in the creek supported on bamboos) and heading towards a Chinese(Buddhist) temple at Senggarang. Stench wafted from the waters that our doddering boat managed to cut as we were flummoxed at the state of the bamboos that supported the hutments. At the Chinese Temple, history somehow reeked – although age and dilapidation seemed to have creeped on faster.

Post a saunter around the market area at Tanjung Pinang – we headed for Pasar Oleh Oleh(Pasar means Market Place in Bahasa and Oleh means Souverneir) – haven for tourists from Singapore for tax free goods shall entice their spendthrift(ing) urges.


Back in the resort – we strolled by beach that rimmed it – white sands and lazy waves brushing against foggy and misty clouds at the horizon – it was blissful and unaware of the world outside. As a hammock titillated between two coconut trees in the cool breeze ( climate here soothes – is mostly cloudy and averages 25 degree celcius though out the year).

A reassuring session at the Jacuzzi and a few saunters later bed beckoned.


I was up next day – 11th November - by 7 AM clicking away at the white sands and the coconut trees. The resort had one of those coconut trees – which you always think are creation of the movies - tilted at such an obtuse angle that it almost touched the sea floor ( By design I presume for it was supported on a concrete structure).

Breakfast beckoned – double omelet, bread toasts, salads, muffins, coffee and loads of pineapple. If bliss conjure itself in Indonesia – it is through those juicy pineapples that this country produces in humongous quantities. One hour of breakfast and soul levitated to unprecedented heights. Beach Volleyball and some more photographic experimentations later – it was time to get the first ferry back – Singapore.

Struggle ensued in pursuance of tickets at the ferry terminal – but we managed! Indera Bupala cruised us across the South China Sea and post a Mysore Masala Dosa at Komala’s – I was where I began , with memories I shall carry – forever.

Armaan bhara paigaam hain ye..

Choo lene do nazuk hoto ko…
Kuch aur nahi hain jam hain ye…
Kudrat ne humko baqsha hain..
Woh sabse haseen inaam hain ye…

Sharmake na yuun hi kho dena..
Rangeen jawani ki ghadiya…
Sharmake na you hi kho dena..
Rangeen jawani ki ghadiya…

Betaab dhadakte seeno ka…
Armaan bhara paigaam hain ye..


Voice so soft and soothing, for it shall wither away, that you beseech your ears to carefully harness,
Maestro could make clouds sob, make the rains flirt with beguiling winds, make the introverted moon dimple away in all coyness.
Trance encumbers my soul, as my mind rejoices over tears of joy, subconscious ventures a karaoke endeavour,
Music rendered from his soul wafting a halo of goodness - Mohd. Rafi etched forever!

Sun's Aloha....

An excursion to Lakeside in the wee hours of the morning for a photography expedition…


Trail winds - tearing through the greens braving the foliage and the aftermath,
Fog ensnared amidst the thick greens, soothingly caressing the unfaltering path.
Flowers rouse – blushing, as the dew flirts with the smiling corolla,
Sun drudges through the fog – stretching its rays - for the trail beseeching the Sun’s aloha.

Tu Tu Revisited...

Tu Tu is a sweet dish with coconut and sugar(or peanut) stuffed inside rind of powdered rice.

Concoction of coconut and sugar conjure magic as the duo titillate the savour,
Hidden under a veil of white rind – of rice – in ambush for the prospect to flirt with buds – alluring the buds with their multihued flavour.
Served on a neatly cut leaf – a bite in to this ambrosia and heaven unfurls petals of benevolence,
Memories refreshed – of the days gone by – as every morsel excites in ecstasy and music silhouettes itself in this atmosphere of dalliance.

Ganpati Bappa Moriya!

I was invited for a lunch at my distant cousin’s place here in Singapore on 15th September 2007. Banana leaf never seemed so alluring – and there in the corner on top left side ‘it’ stood brandishing its flavour and wafting an effervescent aroma.

Steam crawls over the rind - that does reek purity – like a vaporous halo – alluring all its followers seeking clemency,
Concoction within - sometimes sweet sometimes sour – levitates soul and sends the dizzying psyche in to frenzy.
Palate flirts with the ecstatic tongue as the savor immerses in to the soul ensconced in amnesia,
Time stands motionless – lost in a miasma, as the taste transcends boundaries - salute this ambrosia.

Ganpati Bappa Moriya! Pudcha Varshi Laukar Ya!

Doff my hat! Crave for more!

And yes, my Mom’s Modak (Kozhakattai) ROCKS!

Rapture Blitzkrieg

Shallow layer of blue water entices the corpse - weary and ambulating with a stutter,
Titillating senses of rapture blitzkrieg through the soul as the toe flirts with the surface tension of water.
Sprinkles of water rise - gently massaging and tickling the muscles hampered by stress and laze,
Encumbered mind flees and soul moans in rapture as the bubbling warm water unearths the mystery (of life) and demystifies the haze.


For the uninitiated..this is an Ode to Jacuzzi at my Condo - Yew Mei Green.

Octaves accolade

Melody croons from the depths – wafts sometimes in melancholy wafts sometimes in ecstasy,
Baritone yet mellifluous voice, psyche segues from rags to riches – from nadirs to summits – to rapture from despondency.
Mind and Soul levitate in to a reverie, as the tenor encumbers deliberation of this morsel.
Octaves accolade The King – as feelings transcend heights – ecstasy drools and soul does swivel.

Divya – Thanks for the Collection. Elvis never left the building!

Cafe Coffee Day and Aamchi Mumbai...

Bangalore etched memories indelible and imprinted experiences so fascinating that memory shall relish for eons to come. August 9th 2007, I left the IT city to embark on a stopover to Aamchi Mumbai. Little was I aware of what lay in ambush in the city that beckoned and in the city of Vada Pavs and Rains.

Smile embellished my tired countenance to see myself wedged at Dharavi – in the muck and smoke - in the middle of an incessant downpour – Mumbai was in its pristine elegance. Relieved looking parents awaited my arrival at residence – and a mom surprised at my saree picking abilities (well Divya- My engineering mate- takes credit for that). I wonder if the saree shall ever see the light of the day though 

9th August 2007 and time to catch up with remaining pillars of Char Minar (We were the Four inseparable Pillars during our training days at Patni) – Chirag or Chiga or Gujju Ghatti, Pramoth (our dear Giraffe) and Jasma aka Pinks. Ere the rendezvous, how dare I drop by the city and be not in the court of Pooh (Dipika). A sweet banter at Vikhroli Café Coffee Day and an Irish coffee later I was at Pizza Hut at Hiranandani. Chiga was not his usual self – not in his emblematic purple and not in his emblematic yellow – the colours might have gone in to mourning at such audacity. The bell at Pizza hut had never undergone such stern scrutiny as on that day when Chiga was around, even the waiters had a tough time. Giraffe was hoping that I get deported to Cambodia and run around the country protecting myself with a AK-47. Pinks – pictures of icecreams and pizzas still did the ruse for she still ordered by pictorial representations rather than content.

Next I caught up the ‘Hum Hain Na’ gang of Kush, Shikha and Koushik. Koushik aka Cow Boy seemed to be nucleus of all taunts - hurled at him by Kush and Shikha. Kush whose tie seemed to be more refulgent than the sun flashed his million dollar smile and Shikha was at her effervescent best. This was followed by an epigrammatic meet with Rashmi who happens to be sister of close friend of mine- Deepak. Inherit did she the poetic musings of her brother as well as the timing of wit and sarcasm.

August 14th was hurling towards the present fast and there was plenty of work left undone in Mumbai. August 11th,2007 and Sylvester aka PC aka Parasharan Chari graced my house with his un-laconic self and unmistakable charm. The duo then head to Dadar Café Coffee day where a broad beam and twinkling eyes of Rachna aka Rachno CA hails our ingress. Irish coffee again and more people trickle in – Jigar aka Jigsaw with his innocent charm and a mind hell bent on becoming the next Ambani. Ritesh aka Ritz barged in Riteshsque fashion brandishing his weighty camera and continuing further with the experiments on that front. Bhakti Bal aka Bee flew in and the keratin that overflowed from her scalp scared the air around – the spirit that lay about here was still relentless and present.

Sunday and Pooh actually undertook the arduous peregrination from Pune to Mumbai in the White and Green Asiad bus which reverberates more in the vertical direction rather than its propulsion forward. Indomitable spirit of Pooh and unbridled enthusiasm is what I have admired always. Amey aka Jet - joined at my cozy home where the trio devoured on Pooh’s favourite Pav Bhaji and Gulab Jamun. Nirmal Lifestyles was the next stopover which ensued by an encounter with Sushruta aka Derivative Champ and Lisa aka Pooh-2. Another Café Coffee Day sojourn later, the duo surprised me a typical Sushruta kind T-shirt – yellow with the addidas kind stripes- sweet indeed. The trio of Jet, Pooh and Rat (me!) then headed for Chak De India. No fuss No Songs No Rona Dhona. This was not a archetypal SRK movie and was really good in parts.

Post the movie session – Jet and Pooh drag the Rat to Fab India to bestow on him a nice kurta – blessed indeed. In the mean time Siddharth Ghaisas aka Ronald MacDonald Jr joined the trio through the peak hour Mumbai traffic. The light-eyed Ronald seemed perplexed with the discombobulating city and work pressure that seemed to mount itself in a heap. Post dinner at Ruby Tuesday – it was time to part.

Penultimate day in Mumbai – August 13th,2007 and time to catch up with Jhansi aka Anusha. Café Coffee Day again – Jhansi seemed low in health but soul within still bleated the tenacious spirit. Talk encumbered time – it flew. This was followed by a breezing visit to the Phoenix Mall with Pooh - and yes the Rat and the Pooh were lost in the twirls of Gelato. Jet – whose unencumbered spirit always lights up the fire of enthusiasm and ofcourse whose smile shall light up million mourning faces – breezed by for the final byes.

August 14th 2007 – bags packed and the wick of Mumbai sojourn flickered. 8 PM and Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport flashed a sign saying – visitors not allowed inside. Aggrieved at this – I awaited with my parents for the pony tail to conjure itself at the horizon. As Daisy Duck aka Divya waddled in – final moments at Mumbai flashed by…….

Bangalore Diaries - Part 3

Part2 of my narration of Bangalore experiences had glaring loopholes as was rightly pointed out by the gravity defying 'Dream Lover' Hemant.I had missed out on 'Biscuit Queen' Delnaz's blackberry which she would brandish at every juncture - whether to note down your number or to show the refulgence of that human invention to show how accurately it reflected the other human beings countenance. I also missed out on 'Hitler Jajee' Lohit who happened to be shoulders for crying out grub related tribulations during our college and his Hitlerish cap which reminded most of the Fuhrer's era.

Back to the source of my provender and my subsistence and a few of my colleagues. Act 1 Stage 1 - The Three Ammas - Aditi, Divya and Sireesha.

Aditi - Sleeping and Snoring Piglet. Perpetually pink and seems to have befriended cold. Slumber can incarcerate her any moment. She does indeed articulate brilliantly and was our 'awaaz' during the training period.

Divya - Daisy Duck (also affectionately called Mickey Mouse). Descry a ponytail wagging at a distance and lo! thats the duck waddling her way through. A countenance so cheerful that can stop 100 armored ships, even a grimace on her looks rapturous.My fellow Mumbaiyya loves her vadapavs and the inundating rains.

Sireesha - Badi Amma for the fact she seems to be pertinacious on getting me incarcerated for life in to a relationship called marriage. Heart which beats within is no less than gold.

Next stop - my fellow assasin in foraging for chocolates - Charu or as I would call her Parakeet or Mirchi. Wit,Optimism and sarcasam precede her presence, she adores her slumber and lugs to office in the morning under duress.Irreproachable gift for her - clothes coloured black or gray! On that note - I should thank this person for introducing me to a fabulous outlet in Bangalore- Cakewalk - Chocolate lovers of the world rejoice!

Roll back time in to my B-School days. Two people I have hardly spoken to - Love and Siddharth. Behold, I find them as my colleagues!!

Love - Energy oozes out of this 6 footer. The staff and helpers at the college know him more than the fellow students.A childish grin daubs this dudes face as he wishes you a healthy morning.

Siddharth - Punter drives his horse of trading to death and then drags the body out of the grave till the person listening to him turns deaf and may be blind due to stress. Derivatives runs through his veins and gets filtered out through his heart as treasury. Passion peaks new levels in his case.

Bangalore was an exhilarating stop over. Plenty to look back on and ponder.....

Bangalore Diaries - Part 2

As I further try to articulate my stay in Bangalore, let me venture out of the Manor. Let me warn the claustrophobics – this is no effortless task for out of the cozy comforts of the home you step in to gravity-defying vertical ‘travellator’ called the elevator which at the Manor gives you an eerie sensation of disquiet and succumbs you in to numbness as you summon aid from the mighty forces to consecrate their sanguine prayers during your voyage in this mean machine.

Next stop – Lighthouse. Yes my office building in Bangalore. The sojourn was daubed with a training period which lasted 2 months – etched indelible experiences and memories.

First stop – project presentations. Sublime team with an ever bubbling buddy and a serene and collected mentor. I have attributed them with an ode before in my blog. I shall paste the same

‘Andhra Mess drives him higher and ‘rounder’,
Kaushik effuses a pertinent beam and energy - propels him farther and farther.

Smiling eyes belie the fire that in her soul, forever, dance,
On Marketing and Branding, Jennifer takes an obstinate stance

Cheer precedes her presence and Pumpkins make her skin glow,
Sinchana can wand her magic and pinch presentations from an unutterable low!

Reticent he may appear but the talent behind those specs he does belie,
Baboo (Vikas) scales new heights in concentration, tenacity - and success I do descry!

Universal Buddy Solutions is around when you need the most,
Mani’s lunch time is with dames galore, he – grossly engrossed- almost!.

Mentor indeed slogs and inspires to drive stronger and higher,
Intuitive and thought provoking, perfection Vinod strives over and over!’

So Kaushik is ‘Andhra Mess’, Jenny is ‘Smiling Eyes’, Sinch is ‘Pumpkin’, lets call Vikas as Baboo, Mani is UBS and Vinod is….hmm…Mentor!!

My stay at Bangalore was dotted with sporadic meets with the most entertaining characters of yore who would never fail to conjure blithe and a rotund smile of my countenance.

These included the ‘Biscuit Queen’ Delnaz who with her boundless energy and spark can scintillate a smile-blitzkrieg on the most blighted of the spirits. ’Dream Lover’ Hemant was his energetic gravity-defying self (his feet are never on the ground) who would ‘networked’ with every other Bangalore-an you would have come across. ‘Two left feet’ Rajaram has stopped dabbling around with basketball for the benefit of NBA aspirants and Mother Earth – still gets fired up with the word ‘Bangalore’ and adores a place called Chennai. ‘Oracle’ Murali smoking down Bangalore with his flagship product and is the ever chirpy character who would go ends for you.

More in next….

Bangalore Diaries - Part 1

As my flight to Bangalore segued itself in to the spongy clouds that resembled wings of angels bestowing their saccharine benevolence over the city – a feeling of enchantment overcame my soul. It would be a mammoth task to narrate in to the ‘its and bits’ the of stay which began 3rd June 2007 and ended 9th August 2007 – but I shall try my best.

Let me begin with the inmates of Oxford Manor. Yes my abode during my Bangalore sojourn. The species inhabiting this place were variegated indeed as well as splendid and blithe characters.

There was Janish. The nick for him was hard to come by but I shall resort to ‘Surfer’(he surfs through not ocean but movies,channels and yes books!!) Movie buff and bookworm indeed – and yes he likes his food more for the looks than the taste! This capital chap could finish three voluminous tomes in a day or flick through five or six movies in one sitting! Adores does he – sparkling colours (kidding) and is the latest bloke to sport the Anupam Kher look.

There was Mayank. I will call him ‘Chimney’. He abhors, detests all those in the populace who have fallen victim to the dreaded tobacco and are caught using the tobacco stick (eh? Mayank?). The ‘Young Man’ is indistinguishable when flat on his cot; you would have to rummage around hard for him amongst his quilt. He adores his idols – Indian Idol – would not miss it for the world. A stopover to the Manor and you shall find this bloke – on the couch or cot (almost indistinguishable) or at his IBM machine – cursing no ends or up in smokes (: )).

Then there was Divya. I am again at loss for a nick. A decade of acquaintance has only reinforced this dude’s marvelous personality. Oft mispronounced and referred by a feminine name – he has taken it in his stride. Neat and dapper – he folds every cloth so meticulously that he will give the most benevolent housewives a complex. My hindi falls to smithereens in ignominy when it encounters this fellows chaste diction. Camera is his new found love ( Divya – get married) for he finds art even in a towel- a wet one- arbitrarily placed on the cot.

Oxford Manor – indeed were capital times – from midnight tea at Electronic city , Scoops of icecreams at Gelato, frequent visits to Manipal Canteen for filter coffee including visit to the Manipal Hospital( Me not visiting a hospital in a new city? Impossible!!) and yes – accidentally bumping on to old acquaintances as well!!

More in next……

.........in the rain

Droplets of blessings sanctify from the heavens beyond - caressing your spirit and soul,
Countenance turns heaven-wards - as rain-drops reincarnate the tranquility that time stole.
Fancy they stay guiltless - cajoling my spirit, levitating my soul as I drench in the rain.
Extend my hands like wings as heavenly plummets crash in to my palms – cleaning destiny’s stain!

Bangalore Rains!

Wind flirts with the droplets from the clouds heavenly,
Tantalizing the aquatic plummet - testing the reverence of gravity!
Winds wail, ensnared among man-made structures, in agony,
Odour, that is redolent of the mud guzzled in water, levitates soul to spirits extraordinary!

Ecstasy Drone......

Fluffy,creamy and thick – tongue twirled in sensations unknown,
Seasons of flavour danced in the palate and romanced - as my tongue would ecstasy drone!
Chocolate Mousse , O Friend I must thank thee, was a bathe of bliss with every savour,
Aroma that reeked soothed the soul as the essence lingers and yearns once again for the endeavour!

Credit Card Solutions :)

An ode!

Andhra Mess drives him higher and ‘rounder’,
Kaushik effuses a pertinent beam and energy - propels him farther and farther.

Smiling eyes belie the fire that in her soul, forever, dance,
On Marketing and Branding, Jennifer takes an obstinate stance

Cheer precedes her presence and Pumpkins make her skin glow,
Sinchana can wand her magic and pinch presentations from an unutterable low!

Reticent he may appear but the talent behind those specs he does belie,
Baboo (Vikas) scales new heights in concentration, tenacity - and success I do descry!

Universal Buddy Solutions is around when you need the most,
Mani’s lunch time is with dames galore, he – grossly engrossed- almost!.

Mentor indeed slogs and inspires to drive stronger and higher,
Intuitive and thought provoking, perfection Vinod strives over and over!

Success Ferry!

Amidst the smoke and cacophony, a zephyr caresses gently,
Verdant cover of Bangalore flutters in the wind, which is sometime benign sometime ghastly.
Fog encumbers the early dawn as canaries chirp and squirrels merry,
Weather remains a saving grace in this IT city on the success ferry!!

Pune Diaries - Day 3

Supposedly the final day of my saccharine sojourn had dawned – 20th May 2007. I had to pay tribute to my sisters and B-School Mates – Pooh (Dipika) and Pooh –2 (Lisa). Anyways 11 AM and I was all set depart Mickey Mouse’s (Nilesh) apartment leaving Giraffe (Pramoth) behind, not before a splendid breakfast.

Noon-ish and I was at Pooh’s residence – the colony is idyllic, endowed with verdant cover and blessed with an old-worldly allure - slothfully entrenched in a sofa in tête-à-tête with Pooh-2, who had camped there over the weekend. Pooh was….err..helping auntyji (her mommy) to concoct what would be nothing less than ambrosia. Yes!! Pooh was actually cooking! She in fact made dal and sev puri – all be herself and so that world would not mistrust my statement – I made a video of the same. She was in to a groove in the kitchen among the culinary – indeed, roll back time a couple of months to the B-school days and you would have been aghast by these revelations!

Lunch was nicely served and set (again by Pooh) – as Pooh-2 and myself only devoured over the sev puri,paneer sabzi, dal and gulab jamun. Lunch served as a deterrent to any lateral movement of the corpse and enhanced earth’s gravitational pull – as was witnessed in case of Pooh –2 – gravity was particularly being mean to her eyelids. I expected the afternoon to be bashing session, for myself, amongst Pooh and Pooh-2, but both the Poohs seemed to have spared me and were more ponderous than anything. Anyways Pooh once again articulated her command over the kitchen by serving us finely prepared tea that we slurped up!

Dusk was settling over Pune and as the sun was sanctifying the city with a crimson drape– it was time I set my foot out and head back to Aamchi Mumbai as Pooh-2 headed back to her accomodation– or I thought so. Swaargate ( Pune’s M.S.R.T.C terminus) proved callous and an hour’s wait in the queue proved futile as buses to Thane/Mumbai seemed to have been booked till 10:00 PM. Pune had incarcerated me. Anyways, I decided to make the most of it.

8:30 PM and a rendezvous was set at a place near Mac Donald’s. This was preceded by pillion seat ride with Pooh – who rides her scooter as if it is reincarnated Hayabusa. Roopa greeted us and the first statement that came to me was ‘ I dink I daw a Puddy Cat’ – indeed she was a human reincarnation of Tweety! Her expressive eyes (owing –as she avers- to her dance training) and unbolted beam eased me in to a conversation with Tweety – another addition to my list of sisters.

Sid Ghaisas aka Placomm guy aka Ronald MacDonald Jr was perched on a bench and seemed to have been in a profound conversation with Ronald MacDonald seated beside him. Differentiating between the two was quite a undertaking! After the usual vacillations over the venue we decided to stick to a desi restaurant (Ronald McDonald must have been extremely peeved over Junior’s conduct!). Over dinner Tweety went about interrogating me..err.. pulling my leg as well Ronald Jr’s leg as both Pooh and Tweety giggled away their time!

Post a not so auspicious dinner (the food was below par) the four decided that the soothing Pune air deserved a saunter. Chocolate milkshake – that would make my stomach linings dance to the tune of its magic – beckoned. Tweety went about explaining the galaxy of stars that stared at us and with consummate ease. After a few more rounds of leg pulling and interrogations– it was time to part ways. I would venture again on the Hayabusa, as Pooh showed me her old residence before I retired for the day, only to head back to Mumbai the next day!

Pune Diaries - Day 2

19th May 2007 would start off, late with the, usual laze, which deters most commonsensical humans from getting off their comfy cot. The day continued with sumptuous and scrumptious breakfast ..err..brunch as we gorged ourselves with upma (Minnie Mouse has an extraordinary culinary knack) daubed all over with bhujiya sev. With stomach declining any further advances of ambrosia and legs feeling the effects gravity we were vacillating over the next..err…move!

Life in a Metro at Miramax Adlabs seemed a good watch. The 2:15 show seemed apt. Giraffe (Pramoth) would pillion with Mickey Mouse (Nilesh) aka Valentino Rossi aka Bullet ki Safari while I shall venture my courage by agreeing to pillion with Minnie Mouse (Shilpa) on a use-starved Kinetic Honda. Ok, relax, I survived.

The movie was…well..convoluted to say the least. Irfan Khan despite his typecast and clichéd performance stood out as he delivered dialogues with astounding comic sense. The three singers popping up in the streets of Mumbai were the obscure elements. I wonder if they would croon for me whilst I am sauntering! Anyways, the film is a worth a watch, atleast watch it to pity Shilpa Shetty and Shiney Ahuja over their fate!

While Mickey Mouse continued in his vein of pulling Minnie Mouse’s leg, grub awaited us at Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). A few roosters might have shrieked in enchantment as Giraffe and Rat ( arrey..me yaar!) ordered Veggie Delight( envisage that too at KFC!!). Back abode and away from the desiccating Pune heat and sloth encapsulated us again as the snug sofa seemed to defy gravity.

Rat was lost deciphering the fiefdom of rock music that seemed to be providing some vague delectation to Giraffe and Mickey Mouse. But the Tube Box came to rescue albeit not for long. Television brings home such startling movies that can be viewed only in the company of friends over probing looks and mirth. Lethal Dose playing on HBO was one such. Rodent bites to Human Brain the less I delve in to this the better, but it sure did keep us clinging on to our sofas..err..in frustration cocktailed with mirth! Dare not watch it alone!!

As the soothing evening air revisited Pune to tranquil the scorched souls hiding in concrete walls, Mickey Mouse would guide us to the Camp area in Pune. Abuzz with activity and filled with bevy of shoppers, Camp provides capital opportunities while away. Pangs of hunger revisited and Mickey Mouse suggested open-air restaurant was the way to go and rightly so!

Pune seemed to have congregated to eating out that night as restaurant eating entailed long waits. Finally we hit upon Prem’s which had a decent ambiance and saved on electricity by having kerosene lamps on every table(what else?? MSEB is starved of electricity anyways!!). After munching on the delicious paneer, that would make palate go wild in enthrallment, and recollecting the good old days it was time to head home. Not before we devoured over Pune’s very own Kulfi and the belly groaned in rapture for the last time that night!

Pune Diaries - Day 1

After scheduling and rescheduling and series of mails later we decided to head for Pune on the weekend starting 18th May 2007(a non Grand Prix weekend).

Sacks packed and tickets booked, Giraffe (Pramoth) and me were all set to leave for quaint city of Pune. The time set to meet was 5:30 PM at the mystifying ST stand opposite imposing, pristine and notorious Vandana Cinema at Thane. Giraffe must have lumbered in as the clock stuck the half hour and me as usual was lagging behind trundling along in our very own polluting agent called the Auto Rickshaw.

The Rat (who else? Me) was lugging along 10 Kg sack that Nilesh had ..err..forgotten in the city and Amol had passed it on to the Rat under the shroud of a diminutive hand bag. As the Rat and Giraffe met conversation ebbed toward the days gone by. Giraffe exploited the 10 Kg sack to catch up on the exercise which he had skipped earlier. Our bus…err…trundled in. The white and green Asiad bus inundated all over probably effects of aging (these buses are way past their prime). Hats off to M.S.R.T.C that they keep these beasts ambulating.

The journey was pleasant with Sahyadri waving her unkempt hair in the southwestern winds and parching summer not enough to mess the verdant landscape. Series of tunnels dot the silky roads that serpentine along the mountainous terrains ever climbing and ever extending. Sun was shying away in the horizon as the sodium vapour lamps took over. Rat and Giraffe as usual surmised back to the pizza parties and Mahabaleshwar trip of the days of the yore. A few of our ex-managers might have definitely got hiccups that night.

10:30 PM Pune City beckoned. As we hailed, another pollutant, to hurl ourselves towards Viman Nagar,through the tangled roads of Pune, the weather was titillating and the slight breeze that soothed all nerves. Nilesh aka Mickey Mouse (both are endowed with similar cheeks) awaited us at his colony. Mickey Mouse has not changed over the years – I must admit he had pruned up – his hairstyle might have undergone an inconsequential tweak but largely unaffected and yes loves to be with friends.

Cozy and comfortable in a house, we relished over culinary artwork carefully concocted by Shilpa (I am tempted to use Minnie Mouse). In the balcony outside, as we ex-roomies tided over the days gone by – Beeper stories ,DVD player stories(ok these stories entail another blog by themselves) – an owl circled overhead penetratingly looking out for a snack. The air in Pune during the evenings and nights levitates the spirits as it encumbers your body with its coolness. But, alas, it levitates the mosquitoes in to a renewed sense of potency as well!!

Back in to the cozy comforts of concrete walls and it was time to hit the bed, but not before it took some time for the Giraffe to soak in the brutal reality that no matter where he goes his feet would always hang over the edge of the bed!!

Saunter in the city!

It is probably once in a year I get to meet and yes anguish my cousin – Anusha (I have nick named her Jhansi). So 10th May 2007 was the auspicious day, which was set, and at a timing – 1 PM - that beat the bevy that accompanies any expedition in Mumbai. The encounter spot was set to Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus – near the tea stalls at the egress. As usual – I was held up in traffic and Jhansi reached 10 minute early and me about 15 minutes late.

As I alighted at CST after a not so momentous sojourn through dug up Thane roads(why do they dig up roads just before rains?) and CST fast train shown on the indicator to arrive at a wooly time I was again enchanted by the terminus in to a sense of levitation. As Jhansi rightly commented later ‘I never get bored at this station’.

Jhansi stood in a corner- bewildered and bemused – probably observing probably in incredulity – shifting positions every minute. She seemed have lost height or have interactions with the human race – most of whom do not enjoy adequate summit to see eye to eye with her – had its toll? Her torch like spectacles seemed not have changed covering almost her entire countenance. Draped in green and she carried a colossal(she claimed not) purse which could probably lug merchandise for the entire Iceland cavalry.

Down we went the murky and cacophonous subway outside CST and out in the open sun as our conversation meandered around my new employment and finally reached ‘Not Just Jazz by the Bay’ (yes again!). This time we seated ourselves at the red furniture in Pizzeria outside gaping at the Arabian Sea through a neat set of windows adorned with red sills. Conversation flew in to her area of expertise as the pasta was being drained.

Out in the open again, as we set out to saunter towards Metro through the perky Fashion Street. Marketing Gurus and sales gurus – this is the real world – fashion street abuzz with innovative ways for luring customers including having fake customers admiring the eminence of clothes they hope to vend. A sorry looking Metro cinema(adlabs now) beckoned. Disappointed with having no shows for us at an appropriate time we trundled back to Eros Cinema to catch Spiderman–3. Jhansi was not complaining thus far despite the abject walking exercises I was subjecting her to.

Eros Cinema has a stately façade, which seems to rise in countless tiers. The spiral staircases that glided up at an extreme curvature at Eros are a treat to any connoisseur. The foyer leading to the main cinema hall is a delight to the iris, as it gazes in marvel towards the ceiling gilded in marble. Ok the seats at the stall area do not recline they do not glide and they are not exactly ergonomically friendly.

As we giggled at the promos and ads, and at this very Americanized Spiderman was going about his errands spreading the web of justice over the city of New York. Did I sound dreary about the movie? Well the graphics were good but it was too mushy for an action hero movie.

Post movie was saunter session again. As we vacillated over the next haunt, our minds could not go beyond crimson kissed waters, soft zephyr and spacious promenade -that embellish the Queen’s Necklace. Chat went around the social issues in the Indian Educational system and well as the waters shone in gleaming lights of the city – it was time to head home. Not before we drained down a glass of sugarcane juice at one of stalls Jhansi had gained adeptness on.

Why Jhansi? Well that entails another blog altogether!!

Rendezvous by the bay!

Back to Mumbai. Amchi Mumbai. The air never felt so capital (err for it provides you respite from the scorching heat and cools the overheated pores reeking sweat). Time to catch up with some ex-Patniites (Ex from my perspective..)and ex-Somaiyaites…

After an extended deliberation and series of mails it was decided that April 28th,2007 at Churchgate Station ticket counter …the rendezvous shall transpire! I left out one inconsequential detail, the time! 1 PM. Yes when the gorgeous sun shall grin all its love over its joyous subjects!

So I set out boarding a fast local for CST station from Thane - bemused and nostalgic,for it had been an year since I set foot on this mode of transport(Mumbai Train). As the train neared Ghatkopar, I was almost about karaoke to my favourite song which was playing in my vicinity ‘Ajeeb Dastaan hain ye..’ …Hold on that’s my ringtone! I held up my cell..call from a mysterious number. I answered and was greeted ‘Tum apna dabba uthake fek do..’.

Smiles daubed my countenance as I realized this to be none other than an aggravated Pooh(Dipika) whose patience had brimmed limits trying to reach me through a labyrinth of network issues that AirTel service assures you. Incidentally Mr Mittal happens to be her role model (Ask her!!). Time flew – in conversation with Pooh or lambasting the AirTel connection, which could not keep lick with the Mumbai locals.

Anyways after short jaunt through Azaad Maidan,Cross Maidan et al I arrived sodden in sweat and pouring like Niagara to descry a giraffe in deep tête-à-tête with a pink canary(kidding). Now NatGeo experts beat that! Ok the Giraffe is none other than Pammu Don aka Pramoth who incidentally has ceased growing any taller and the pink canary is Pinks aka Jasma.

Giraffe was his usual hunky dory self dressed in his emblematic maroon T-shirt and sporting that ‘I am gonna take your case’ grin on his face! Its bird flu season it seems!! No wonder he has stopped ascending heights..he has had to cut down on his egg ingestion. Eggs of the world rejoice!!

Pinks was the Indian Bahu in Western outfit. Apart from the typical Indian bahu jewelry that she adorned - nothing had changed. She was her usual pink self. She changed earrings for every occasion. Apparently she had procured two sets of earrings at the station and in fact immediately embellished herself with one of them. She had to- regrettably -carry her purse for her hubby was not around to carry her credit cards.

As we waited for our fourth accomplice to materialize chatter meandered towards the times gone by and as our banter was ambling along in came a roly poly figure which was unmistakably that of the person we were waiting on. Ten years have not changed a thing about this individual or at least the way he carried himself neither have they changed his greeting style – quick beam and witty gag – Divya (it’s a He :)). Divya… I am at loss for a nick that suits you!

Next stop – ‘Not Just Jazz by the Bay’. A protracted wait and we had a nice little table by the corner and sumptuous lunch awaited. Giraffe loves his mocktails and more so for their names. Some things do not change. Indeed! As the three assassins tried to beguile me in to savouring the Tabasco sauce to reminisce the good ol’days where yours truly would sweat under the attack of heavily spiced up culinary preparations!

Meal never tasted so good with the warm Marine drive breeze for desserts. The sweeping promenade along turbulent water refulgent under the late afternoon sun and a warm zephyr that soothed the soul set the stage for a fun filled afternoon show!! Yes Mr Bean’s Holiday playing at Inox. Pinks had changed her earrings in the interim as fun never ceased to stop as Rowan Atkinson set the stage on fire.

As the sun slowly ventured beyond the horizon it was time to head back home. Wait!!
Pinks had caught sight of Nautica outlet on her way and that surely needed a stopover. We were amused by the multihued Bermuda shorts, which only reminded us of another Patniite – Gujju Ghaati aka Chirag. As we reeled under the price tags so heavy Pinks set out buying saccharine gifts for Mr Singh(her husband!!) and Churchgate beckoned…..

8:47 Kasara Fast

It was May 2,2007. An evening well spent. I caught up with a couple of my B-school batch mates – Ritesh who was blandishing his weighty camera around trying to capture the sprawling city – Aamchi Mumbai and Lisa err ..Pooh-2 who was in the city as well.

Anyways as the clock stuck 9 PM, I thought wisdom fairy would advise any commonsensical individual out of touch with the crowded worm like trains of the city to head back abode. The edifice of Mumbai Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus with the triumphant figure of progress towering over the city, Jaguar shaped water outlets and the two large lions welcoming you at the gate have always beguiled my iris in to a feeling of enchantment. As I headed in to the train terminus and in to the ticket counter and gazed up the beautiful British work on the ceiling, I would but stare in approbation for the roof this section still sprightly as it might have been in the hey days and of days when white marble was the preferred material of construct to titivate the ceiling.

After a menacingly long stay at the ticket counter, I headed back in to train terminus. This colossal structure can distress those uninitiated whose first glimpse of the city invariably is this humongous edifice with translucent roof that conjures up an eerie yet idyllic ambiance. The stained glass windows never fail to bewilder me. A swift glance at what was in store for me – 8:47 F N (interpretation 8:47 fast for Kasara). A glance towards the clock indicated 9:20 PM. A smirk adorned my countenance, this is central railway , this is Mumbai!

Platform number 5. Crowd started pouring - ready to pounce like a predator on a creepy crawly – the Mumbai train! A beam of light conjures in the distance. The light gets sharper and assumes a circular shape. This sight is closely followed by a familiar sound – the bellow of the train and the rhythmic beating of the metal wheels against the iron track. As the train caresses itself between the concrete platforms, the predators pounce. Using door handles and the vertical iron rods for supports the clutches of these predators grasp on to the running worm, hungry for a place on the wooden bench. Four people squeeze in on benches which are made for 3. This is Mumbai. This is General second class compartment of the Subarban local train! The train finally came to a standstill…and the platform was almost empty!

My mind must have numbed over the period of next few minutes…err seconds? For I next found myself all cramped and crouched one place away from the window in a vantage position for I would receive all the odoured air on my face as the train chugs away. I was not as ill-fated as the teen seated in front of me who looked diffident and profusely sweating – perhaps trying to figure out the mechanics of the Shankar fan as to why the air flew reverse towards the roof instead of showering the coolness of its love over him!

The person next to me on the window seat looked like one of those characters in the movie the politicians send out as goons. Thankfully he was asleep and ..err yes snoring. The person diagonally opposite at the window was at an unfinished crossword in one of the Devanagiri scripts perhaps left incomplete from the morning journey. As the train refused to budge from the platform more people poured in trying fill every crevice. The leg space that I proudly occupied till now gave way to 3 more pair of legs!

Thud! The train was mobile…I sighed a sign of relief for my pores which were reeking sweat will now undergo a break! Over the chug of the train I could hear my neighbour – 30 something - on my right (away from the window) asking his hubby the specifics of the culinary preparations that await him and ensuring that everything was done – just right! While my goonish neighbour managed to sleep through all the cacophony, the people who had snatched my legspace away started conversing about the poor state of affairs of the Indian cricket team. Over the chug and expletives I could make out that the entire Indian cricket team needed to be sacked!

A few stations later – I never knew how time flew off – I was either engrossed in The Economic Times or disturbed by the not-so-hush conversations floating around or trying to makes sense of ads which urged you to call Baba Bengali for all your ailments! – Mulund had arrived. Prudence angel appeared once again urging me to make my way to the door else I would be stranded in the train. I squeezed past corpses, which were drenched in sweat – Shankar fan takes the credit for this- stomped a couple of hundred legs and finally made it to point were I felt safe of my egress.

Thane arrived. Avalanche. I didn’t move a muscle and I was landed safely on to the platform!!! As I stood there taking toll of what just happened, I saw this worm leaving the platform bulging with people hanging on to whatever they can hold on to…..

What ‘lies’ beneath

Rind that is dreary, hirsute, greenish-brown fails to conjure the tartness of what ‘lies’ beneath,
Origins trace back to China but the name ‘Kiwifruit’- echoes with what is marketing replete!
Refulgent green seizes the iris, high in Vitamin- C content, tanginess exemplifies itself with this gooseberry,
Tongue rolls over in joy as buds stir up in ebullience and palate gathers verve with the savor so extraordinary!!

Wikipedia serves well to uncover the secrets that this fruit hides!

Happy eating!

Glimpses of rapture

Passion soared novel summits as glimpses of rapture I could encapsulate in a frame,
48 X zoom and Leica lens - a tool incredible that proved any convoluted light conditions so tame!
Bliss when encumbered in my palms as this Panasonic camera sanctified me from Baltimore to the islands of Phi Phi,
Cultivated dexterity did I, it now does lay in heavenly accord, and of learning there shall not be atrophy.

An ode in remembrance of my Panasonic Lumix Camera that met the fatal waves at Phi Phi Dawn...

Grains of Sand

White sand and green waters mystique shrouds this land so marvelous,
Refulgent in the torching sun, grains of sand sparkle and romance with the reverberating waves.
Vulnerable and naive is this terrain, fallen prey to outsiders so treacherous,
Bungee Jumping, Rafting, Jet, corals and yes trickling waterfalls– etched in my memory are those - Phuket – fun filled days!

Rohit ,Kau,Sesh,Dip....4 ROCKING days guys!!

:)

Saunter Through Fog

Roads that wind up incessantly never ceasing to plough through the carpets verdant,
Trees that crawl along the land walking through the grassy terrains and crawl up kissing the azure heaven and the cloudy pendant!
Serene environment bequeaths peace and harmony, joy it does goad,
A saunter through fog, journey through calm on the patch they call Hyderabad Road!

Juggernaut!

Gravity lost its directional orientation under this juggernaut,
Hauled in to the sky lungs scream as the ground beneath appears as a mere dot.
Sky was never so near and clouds would caress the bewildered soul,
A ride in the Singapore river would then put your simmering heart on roll!

This was an experience that has been indelibly etched in my memory. A visit to the Simlim (Electronics Center), a temple and then a wild swing in the reverse bungee followed by an assuaging boat ride around Singapore and then topping that up with a sumptuous dinner!!!

:)

Say 'Booooo'

Based on the Night Safari sojourn...

Birds of the dark chirped in the silence of the night,
Eyes that appeared on vague shadows glowing in ominous light.
Tram that through curvy shadows meander in paths filled with bugaboo,
And yes if you see a flash..say ‘Boooo’.

A Melange....

On request of my cousin who was tired of seeing my Empress not grunt for a while!! Well this is just a thought and I am sure there shall perkier ones to follow..good ol' cuz...

Peregrination reaches another inflection point,
Roads that wind up incessantly arrive at another turning point.
The year past with a mélange of ardor pain triumph and glory,
Memories shall always ‘flex’ themselves to recite the same ol’ story!

Me and My Empress

Thats my Empress :)

8th Feb

I was born!

Saunter none the less

Ok! I am almost there! I mean I can walk…well almost run as well. Well let us call my ambulation more of a slow saunter. Saunter none the less.

My peregrination of travails had various phases. It encompassed the pre stitches phase which lasted a day. Then an out of touch doctor sewed the gaping tear. I must admit did a good job. This phase had me mostly tied to bed and limping here and there. Stitches came off on Jan 18th only to reveal a not so pretty wound split as if someone had driven a Road Roller through it. This again involved a lot of the Rat Hole. I must admit it had become a hospital by that time! Then came an excruciatingly slow recovery phase which involved painstaking steps, frequent cramps and my muscles crying hoarse. Final stages involved having the liberty to shower again!! Yeppie..Ask me how it feels now to shower!

These phases however were very pleasant owing largely to the junta out here. Jet, whose propellants had less fire owing largely to his stubborn ligament, was the perennial tea man and my accomplice in limping around(Later on Bhakti gave me company limping around!). Owl was the nurse , unfortunately we could not afford a nurse as the nurses should really be! Owl and Jet would ensure my sustenance by ensuring my meals reached me on time!

It also saw me making Coco and Kau (he did crib and still does and will for ever) for a dressing and French toast! I did not mention Coco,Kau and Sesh rushed to the hospital when they heard my plight ..I bet they would have given anything to have my mouth stitched as well..he he. Hassan, the sweetest of all, ensured I could walk, gifted me an umbrella when my original broke under heavy usage and yes ensured I got all the books at the right time!

And yes I always had apples up my sleeve and lotsa dark chocolates!

Well, I always had hordes of entertainment with Jigsaw, Dream Lover, Hunter boy(Sahil..the cake was lovely yes!),Psycho, Beba (Anup) and loads of others ensuring that my wound shall die laughing! Now I know why laughter is the best medicine?! And yes the resident of Pooh’s Den – Pooh, Piglet and Manisha would ensure Rat Hole was all blithe and spirited!

On a final note – praying for the Invisible Man to gain back his visibility very sooon!!!!!

I shall be 27 soon…and shall be running as well! Cool na?

25!

Smile shall defy failure and Joy portends end of strife,
Commemorating the silver jubilee for it has been days counting to 25!
Tenacity and verve I do have copious and aplenty,
Patience and Time are the lessons taught etched till eternity!

Sunshine!!!

Powdery and Chocolaty!

Empowered by a Greek Legend this drink boasts his legend,
Powdery and Chocolaty wafts that bliss portend.
Blends in to piping hot lactose this benign Milo,
A stratum remains congealed on top despite spoons spirited gyro.

Yummmy...

Seize the day!

When the barrels are down and the mind is wary,
Listen to thy heart, for it shall rhythmically say yes, where your mind has betrayed.
Focus and Tenacity in unison can accomplish the extraordinary,
Seize the day, for life shall give you tests in which there is no grade!

On special request!

The Beginning...

Destiny has a way of having the last laugh. Rat hole fell victim to it. It was 3rd Jan and the weather was at its tempestuous best. It was howling like a wild hyena trapped by lions. Rat was at his desk browsing through the infinite web pages. Rat suddenly felt thirsty. As the Rat stood …THUDDDDD… The Drawer beneath the study table had caved in to gravity (and this time acting under no inebriation..tsk tsk.. Dream Lover). Phew! Else you had a handicap for sure!!

Well hold your horses..or rats. The day seems have had all the rotten cats in store for the Rat. As Jet and Owl finished their very tiring day, Rat volunteered to make some tea. THUDDDDD… No no the desk didn’t cave in. Rat just spilled whole loads of sugar that Jet had propelled all the way from India. Eeks..now we shall have more creatures in the rat hole…ANTS…Anyways sugar was mopped up and the tea was served .(Her Highness Pooh had requisitioned some as well so one extra serving was the order of the day). Anyways after the grueling experience of having to mop up the floor with stench filled mops and giving Rat Paws tough time…it was time for the Rat to cleanse itself.

It was 7:30 PM.

Shower is one soothing experience. As water trickles, you lose your sense of reality and the dream is what you want to continue till perpetuity. Alas some dreams have to end! And Rat’s did pretty drearily. As the Rat squeezed past the bathroom door laying the paws on a very slippery mat…..zshhhooom…(the sound effects may not be right). Plethora of Blood on the floor. The skin near right ankle above the heel in tatters. Split Wide Open. Apparently a minor slip gave steel edge enough opportunity to find a safe cushion…eeeks…this was a blood bath…

Rat tried to leave the bathroom ..limping..entered the Rat Hole(warm and cozy..when bitten all rats do that). Rat hole was now blood drenched. Owl and Jet now extricate the Rat out of the Rat Hole. After ½ hour of continuous water force on the wound, blood gave up. Jet was by this time ready with ½ a kilo of cotton and probably 1 litre of savlon. Rat shirked. Whiskers that were dangling…drooped. After some oohs and aahs…diluted Savlon was applied on the wound. Owl was more…err…owlish in his manner with concentrated Savlon directly being applied to the wound. That was OUCH.

Jet seems to have had degree in taping wounds. A near perfect job of bandaging the battered area. The Rat was all ready to enter the Rat Hole again…albeit..limping.

It was 9:30 PM. After an inquisitive and worried visit by Pooh..it was time to hit the bed.

This is the beginning….

Gravity-adhering Stream!

Droplets a million dribble down soothing the much ached soul,
Bliss and tranquility attain zeniths as droplets alleviate as they roll.
Destitute am I of that gravity-adhering stream called shower,
Anticipate I do for the instant for my hands tingle to swivel the tap that shall have dreams hover!

Ok do not make faces. This does not mean I do not take bath. Shower is well just the phenomenon I miss!!

:-)

Green Apples!

Rind refulgent in a hue which is pleasantly green,
Hails from the family of fruits, apples, which makes doctors run out of steam.
A nibble in to this benign fruit levitates body, mind and soul,
Flirts with the tongue with a tang mildly tart and senses with passion roll!!

Eat away!

Ode to the Umbrellla :-)

Thankless and Unforgiving the profession may sound, little it objects,
But on fiat it does flare up, like an angel spreading her wings on her benign subjects.
Seasonal you may think is its use, but cornucopia of effervescent goodness fills this article round,
Lo! When things go off beam, it does flare up its chest and like a savior rallies you around!

No I am not off my marbles!! :-)

Aye lal batti,hari matt hona

The air rhymed with harmony, the trees were fluttering with foretaste and birds were tweeting with hope. The century was closing another chapter in history – 2006. 2007 was just below the horizon……

After the accustomed bamboozled preparatory decisions, we (Rat, Owl, Jet, Dipika and Neha) decided to head for Marina Bay. (Ok I haven’t named Dipika and Neha yet. Let me for the sake of the blog call them Pooh and Piglet respectively. Please do not get in to the reasons of why!!).

First stop: Harbour Front. After mingling with the college folks who were heading for a beach party and after the 2 P’s trying hard not to shop anything, we decided that our stomach cravings need to be satiated else hell shall break loose. Owl has an uncanny habit of having a relationship one degree lesser than revulsion with all salespersons and cleaners in Singapore. Well, ours was the only table that the cleaner refused to free of contaminations. Anyways, we managed that!!


After the customary expedition through the worm train (MRT) and the usual back and forth over and through the escalator we landed up at City Hall. Mumbai local trains were put to ignominy. The area was cramped. We arrived at around 11 PM and we thought we were early! People had already parked themselves in every nook, cranny, cleft or crevice available.

‘It’s the final countdown’ filled the air in expectancy. Last few minutes of what had been a turbulent, fun filled year. 2006 was soon becoming a narration. Air was expecting a change. The usually wet and rain drenched Singapore was unusually dry. Rain God had kept away. Then something gave away. Clock stuck 12. The atmosphere went multihued and variegated. There was a detonation of colours. The sound of crackers reverberated in the pristine Lion Kingdom. The fireworks ushered in a new era and new dawn and a new year!!

2007 was here!!!!

With a spinning head and incredulity we decided to head on to the subsequent leg of our journey – Clarke Quay. Well, we did so almost smoothly – Rat had gone astray in between, we were being trampled in the bevy of Singaporean mass, we just about managed to catch the last train – yes it was downy and smooth!

Singapore is as alluring and as resplendent as Dubai. A look at Clarke Quay, the river side Pub Haven, shall divulge the splendours of Singapore. We settled ourselves by the river side at Hooters(after much ado) and eventually engaged ourselves in a splendid game of Dumb Charades. It was Rat, Pooh and Jet teamed up against Piglet and Owl. Rat –Pooh-Jet was no wonder up the trumps in closely matched event. Time must have slipped in an overdrive at warp speed. It was 3 AM, time to close shop and guess what …no transportation back home!

Anyways a sight of 7-11 was enough for the 2 P’s to get in to the muffin craving mode and a nice little round of Antakshari later, we realized that the Sun was ready to peek in for the first time in Singapore in 2007. 5:30 AM, we decided to give MRT a try and lo! It was up and ready.

After a brief excursion to Labrador Park to catch a glimpse of the bashful sun and after a dab a piping hot masala dosa, hostel beckoned and time to regroup and restart.(Pooh and Piglet were in thoughtful disposition by this time and Owl was in his own world…I was just left wondering with Jet trying his heart out to make sense out of the breezy waters) So tired were we that on suggestion on running to catch a bus which ominously close to the bus stop (at some distance away) and only bounded by traffic signal, Jet commented ‘ Aye lal batti,hari matt hona’. Well the red light was not so kind and we had caught the next one only to crash in to our bed a little time later…..9 AM…..Dreams unlimited.

Happy New Year Folks!

Get well soon!

Stability has been discernible by its dearth; pluck shall not take flight,
Mind tempted to be squat and meek, tenacity is what extricate you from the plight!
This blighted sickness shall mislay its garrote; tranquility shall awake from amnesia,
Fight fight and fight the worst is behind you, get well soon O my cousin Anusha!!

Get well soon...2007 is around the corner!! :-)

A promise is a promise!

I am the IT Leader!!

Verdant land of Singapore was moaning under the oppression of heavy winds. Angels were weeping from the sky. The gloom of the horizon was ominous and visible from my Rat Hole. Ah! Didn’t I tell you? Rat hole does have windows! Two of them. One of them is actually a complete window and other one, well, a poor excuse of it, badly obscured by a pillar. Rat hole after all!

Do not let the anguish of the preceding paragraph delude you in to a misconception on the atmosphere of the room. I would not say it was lively and sorts, but neither was it somber. Three of us (Rat, Invisible man and the Jet) were at our books(or were at least pretending to be). As for the Owl, he was probably out there in the howling of the night, focusing ever so intensely on his next victim (Come on laugh!!). Anyways, it was about 10:30 PM (time which portends dawn of a new day for many in Singapore) and what was about to happen in the span of the next hour or so was truly a manifestation of mental turbulence that these folks undergo during the course of a MBA.

The door squeaked open paving way to a hoarse cry ‘I am the IT leader!!’ We gaped in surprise and in unison, it was Vivek( Psycho as he is known as!). What proceeded from his mouth in the duration of the next few minutes apart from his habitual taunts directed towards the Invisible Man have been cleansed while penning the contents of this blog! His frustration clearly directed at the paper scheduled the ensuing morning for the IT guys. ‘I do not care a rat’s ass for the paper’ he said. Though I must take hostilities towards defamation of the sacrosanct creature especially in a rat hole!
Ah well! I continued my reading on ‘For God, Country and Coca Cola’. A capital read indeed.

‘Changing Coke is like God making grass purple’ strong sentiments echoed by millions of Americans on their pet drink. So engrossed was I in the book that little did it dawn on me that there was second visitor to the rat hole. Only when a soft voice bespoke ‘Abbey kal ke IT exam ke liye kya padna hain’ did I realize of the humanly presence. It took only expectant faces and a few seconds for Teghjeet to air out his frustrations on the state of affairs. Back to Coca Cola and the art of making money, and then there was loud cry from beyond the door followed by a slam and a very peeved Vineet (Bade Bhaiyya) walking in. And yes what ensued has been purged, for my over curious readers.

More frustrations were to follow during the course my perusal of the book. Strangely the next visitor was finance guy, Sid Ghaisas, who announced in his usual flair ‘I have given up studying’. Finance or IT story remains the same. Frustrations do indeed descry themselves in variegated forms. You might have heard of people jumping all over the place. Well I have witnessed gravity failing under acute frustration. This manifested in the form of Hemant(Dream Lover), who was all over, except the floor of course! By this time Coca Cola was looking more like ‘C_ c_ C_l_’ to me(well gravity has been very mean to my eyelids many a times). Have you noticed vowels are always the first ones to fly off?
I could hear frustration revealing itself in the form of an ice cream, when Invisible man and Teghjeet set out plans to venture out and grab some. Considering the not so auspicious squally weather that seemed to have persisted despite erratic behavior by gravity, the plan was soon abandoned.

Well eyes had almost settled in the balmy comforts of the eyelids and then there was Tushar who stopped by. My ears were expecting the culmination of all the frustrations to personify. Pleasantly, he had stopped by for a movie file and the Rat hole had absorbed all it could have for the night…..

Frustrations are the tests that nature gives us! But Rat Hole is something that you have to extricate, never let the frustration grow into an insidious behemoth devil for it shall encumber you with gloom and restlessness…

Go find yourself a Rat Hole!!

Bicycle Jaunt!!

Tiring though it was, the bicycle jaunt (and an epic episode!) was worth a million years,
Riding on the pier with a melting heart; hugged by the evening sky and cajoled by the green murky waters.
Exhaustion knew no bounds but the zephyr that caressed was nothing less than holy,
Eyes began to droop, but rejuvenation ambushed in the form of piping hot puran-poli!

Rat Hole at Room 523

This will come as a surprise to my loyal blog readers for this blog is devoid of any rhymes. It is devoid of any scheme. Well most of my blogs are devoid of schemes! So what am I writing about? Well to begin with I am not sure. I sit here in this corner which my roommates have so disreputably called ‘rat hole’ for I seem to have limited my interactions with the outside world to the bare minimum, required for sustenance. Have I? I will come back to that.

My room. This looks more like an wholesale edition of a train compartment. It has four beds (compartmental if I may say) and of course 3 lovely roommates and yours truly occupying his rat hole. Cupboards or poor excuses of cupboards and study table which was designed brilliantly immovable. On that note cupboards do not have locks..well actually the locks are exultantly non existent! How can I forget the chairs? These blighters have an inbuilt momentum, they throw you off their seats (literally).Ask my roommate Amey. He has had the poor fate of having fallen flat on his nose one more than one juncture (well on that note he also bumped in to a glass door and distended his forehead… pinkish hue!). May be its Amey and not the chairs? May be he runs on jet fuel!

My train also has good quilts on beds. Ask Ankit. He adores those. In fact, once inside you would have to plumb deep and dig really hard to find out where the chap really is!! It also has an owl, IT wizard and a blogger. Naa…I have only 3 roommates. Sid,the owl(and wizard et al), abhors sleeping. He has not realized the potential of his eyelids and the potential reassurance his bed can provide. Rumours are that he has even stopped sleeping in the class!

And then there is my rat hole! Well as far as my interaction goes I have enough of it! A jet propellant, an owl and an invisible man..!

Adios…
More on my room in next! Please do comment!

Smiles blitzkrieg

Conglomeration aggregated as the clock stuck the blessed hour,
Smiles blitzkrieg, beguiling at times, daubed a confused countenance all over!
Palates (and a face!) treated to coffee flavored cake and piping hot tutu,
Singapore hummed in unison ‘Happy Birthday Chotttttttttttttttttu’.


Happy B’day Sid!!!

Insomnia and Turbulence

In a state of insomnia and turbulence,
Slumber seems to be a remote saccharine dream.
Body knows no rationale, mind strives to a sustain a balance,
Horizon may be distant but pastures do appear green!

In a state of insomnia and turbulence,
Coffee blissfully oblivious of the import it portrays!
Slumber shall be in abeyance and nap only on chance,
Numbness tries to incarcerate a mind in overdrive, in vain anyways!

In a state of insomnia and turbulence,
Slumber may privilege itself another day.
Gusto and fire still blaze disheveled though my appearance,
Beyond the horizon in ambush I am sure success does lay!

Of Smiles and Blushes!!

Expansive smiles and blushes pink bedecked on two faces apart,
Birthdays they do share and in goodness that reeks you cannot tell them apart!
Assignments may hound us but the spirit shall not say its last,
The college reverberated ‘Happy B’day Manisha and Amey’ for now till eternity and to last!

P.S: Amey did manage to hunt through piles of wrapper paper for a gift beloved at last!!!
:-)

No hounding me please :-)

Ambling through the greens

Stretches by the intense verdant landscape,
Silently praying while they on mud lands they drape.
Ever winding, ever twisting and motherly heed they do possess,
Ambling through the greens, never complaining of the brutalities mortal profess!

The pic was taken on Canterbury Street!

Tutu!

Wind stood still, pondering which direction to would suit best,
Crescent moon enmeshed among the cajoling cloud, away from the worldly unrest.

Green Lion’s Den haven in this quibbling world of common herd,
Tutu, Chinese namesake for Modak, caressed by tastebuds with flavours unheard.

Walk was long, lonesome in swarm and yet tranquil,
Crazy night dotted democratic misgivings and walk so long that it required a painkilling pill!

Pug Marks...

Away from the Dubai deserts and my Mumbai’s shore,
Verdant Singapore beseeches me caressingly in to her core. :-)
Rapture and gusto score my every stroll,
Lion Kingdom has engraved its pug marks on my soul.

Saga till eternity…Mumbai my city!

Queues anticipate every progress, Whiff iniquitous hails at every corner,
Pot-bellied hawaldars and roads inundated with revamp forever!
Taxis of yellow-black hue and creaking body yet run with alacrity,
Saga till eternity…Mumbai my city!

Streams of Red that flurry through that we discern is the BEST,
Worms on track transfer millions at no extraordinary behest.
Dabba wala or the vada pav stall, flavor buds shall never cease marveling in this city,
Saga till eternity…Mumbai my city!

I can go on...but would like to salute the the spirit of the city I call home!

Rendezvous with Gomati

Muddled mind and ruminating heart it was en route airport,
Desert’s eventual call as the grains bid farewell ere I did deport!
Refulgent in an afternoon glaze, reveled my Gomati,
After much ado, thuddd it did at a bizarre yet decipherable city I call home and will till eternity!

Gomati is the name of the flight I traveled in..

Happy Birthday Gundeeeeee!

Fountains tip-toed in the hush of the crescent moon,
Night was young and the silence we could hear croon!

A face daubed with cream on occasion so extraordinary,
A smile she professed that could stop hundred battleships, laden with armory.

Topped the night so bewildering with a piping hot tea,
Grains of sand could not but sing ‘Happy Birthday Gundeeeeee’!