Govinda ala re!!

Every year we get to see celebrations of Gokulashtami festival. More so in Mumbai and Thane, where so many groups of people participate. It is about breaking the curd filled mud pot, which is tied up at a certain height with a coconut. This pot is to be reached by a human ladder, wherein the top most person is able to get hold of it and eventually break it. It is a daredevil sport, which involves a lot of team work, coordination and courage to achieve the goal. Casualty levels have been always high for this sport, but it has not affected the response it gets year on year.

A lot has changed about this event in the last few years, quite obviously. Some noticeable changes are that these groups have started using buses for commuting unlike trucks and tempos in the past. A lot many women groups have started participating as well. Politicians have become more interested in sponsoring these events by announcing exorbitant prices for winner groups. Ofcourse, they difficulty levels have also increased at some famous locations to add to the excitement. Also, we have international groups coming in, like the recent Spanish Human Ladder group, to play this adventurous sport. Certain institutes and corporates, like Welingkar Institute of Management, also participate in this sport as they consider this sport to be a goal oriented sport with lots of management and teamwork teachings. However, the only unchanged thing about this day is that it always rains, no matter how good or bad the monsoons turn up that year.

The anecdote behind this sport goes back a lot many years in mythology. Krishna, a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, was born at 12 am midnight under intense conditions. Krishna's birth is celebrated in the form of Gokulashtami. Krishna had been a mischievous lad, known for stealing curd, butter and buttermilk kept in mud pots from other houses. People, after realizing this, hanging these pots by the ceiling, keeping it at a certain height above ground level. But they could not stop the naughty Krishna. He and his friends would create a human ladder and Krishna would get hold of it eventually. This activity is celebrated today as a sport by groups of people spending the entire day searching for dahi handi's and breaking them.

I do have a small anecdote of myself related to Gopalkala. This goes back to 1989 when I was a small kid staying at my granny's place in Lower Parel B. D. D. chawl. Our building had our own Dahi Handi group of young fellows who would practice every year for more than 2 weeks before setting off for the sport on the ultimate day. I used to always watch their practice in awe. On the day of Gopalkala I went down to watch them break the handi set up by our own building. They did complete it and everyone started shouting and dancing. I joined them when they set out to conquer other handi's. From Lower Parel to Byculla our group had been successful for about 4 times. I followed the troupe, dancing all the way!

Back at home, mom and grandparents started looking out for me without any success. Dad was away at work, and there were no cell phones back then to inform immediately. Besides, my mom was too scared to tell him about it as she would have to face his wrath. For a moment a thought clicked my mom's mind that I might have joined dahi handi group. She enquired about where would the handi troupe possibly be at this time. Thanks to the set trail followed every year, she was told to search somewhere in Byculla. She got there, looked for me for close to 15-20 minutes before she spotted me dancing. She approached, hugged me and we got back home in a cab.

I was fortunate enough to be found back then, otherwise my life would have been different I guess. Anyways, I never really got a chance to be a part of the human ladder. I prefer enjoying it by the sidelines! I am actually amazed at the level of interest this event still attracts. Is it the daredevilry, the adrenalin rush that pulls the masses? Or the realization that goals can be achieved by lot of people with teamwork and focus! Maybe, but it's surely fun to watch.

Life goes full circle

I think circle is one of the most popular geometrical shape. I always enjoyed studying its geometry, right from 'pi r square' to '2 pi r'. It always appealed to be as an intereting symbol right from my childhood. As I grew up, I started relating it to a lot of things around me. Like the sun, moon, football, omlette and cake when I was a kid. Then during school years when I, sometimes, used to get 0 for certain answers in mathematics I related it to failure, as the more 0's you scored the more your class rank dropped. Since college years I have related it with money, and I still do. Very recently I realized a few incidents that have illuminated a new dimension to this circle, that of completeness and continuity!

I happen to have a friend, one of my best friends whom I know since the last 11 years. We were in the same S.S.C. coaching classes. Then in H.S.C. coaching classes. Then classmates in B. Sc. I. T. Post graduation we sought out for MBA and did it from different institutions, so were not in touch for more than 2 years. I joined Logicserve Digital in August 2009 after completing MBA. This guy was working somewhere but he wanted to switch, wanted to get into Online Marketing, which is the business vertical of my company. I passed on his reference, he came down for interview. On that day, we went for lunch at a nearby restaurant Virangula. Very recently he got in Komli Media and today he had come down for his final settlement. Coincidentally, today we went for lunch at the same restaurant on his last day at Logicserve Digital.

This is the guy who has seen a lot of ups and downs in life. Most probably, he always received lesser pocket money than me. He did odd jobs to supplement his pocket money like selling tea powder to tea stall vendors in his locality, then assembling pc's and then selling domains and web hosting packages. He got through in a lower rep MBA institute which affected his first job compensation amount. He joined Logicserve Digital at a lower compensation than me. But among a small group of talented individuals at Logicserve, he has outperformed all. And today, he has surpassed me by a tremendous margin in compensation at Komli Media.

He fell in love with a girl in his college back in first year. He could never even strike up a conversation with her back then. He tried to be friends with her but to no avail. Post junior college, there was hardly any contact with that girl. Few years later, thanks to Orkut, he bumped into to her again and this time ended up becoming friends. When the time was right, he proposed her but his heartbreak was obvious back then. She was seeing someone already. He did not loose hope though, just kept up his friendship. Fate shined for him finally, and today he is very happy to be in a relationship with this girl. No problems from both parents as well and this couple is already planning their marriage soon.

Is this what is with the phrase 'Life goes full circle'? He never really left doing his part and life took care of the rest. Destiny had plans for him after all, and so it is going to be for you and me. Try and circle out all such circles in your life. I think it would be an amazing personal discovery!

Prabal was trouble

So just five of us finally arrived at Panvel ST depot for our first monsoon trek this year. The trek we all decided was Prabalgad & Kalavantin durg which is near Shedung phata in Panvel. After about two weeks of email intimation and follow up and last minute cancellations, we were just five to finally make it - Tushar, Sarvesh, Akshay, Zian and me. As it eventually turned out, we were glad that we were just five! ;)

We arrived at the meeting point on time, packed some food and drink supplies and went searching for transport to the starting point of the trek, which is Thakurwadi village. From this village we have to trek upto Prabalmachi, the base point of the trek. Here, you have two directions leading to Prabalgad and Kalavantin durg each. Very simple trek, as described by Tushar in his event inviation mail. I am quite sure we all would think twice before relating 'simple' with this trek.

When asked for fare, the rickshaw fellow claimed Rs. 250, which did not seem reasonable. He justified about long distance and we did not look for better offers so just got inside his tamtam and set off. Midway, when we asked him how much more time, he replied just 15 minutes. This was when had set off just 5 minutes back. Bloody bugger billed us a penalty for not surveying the market properly. Anyways, we all said, and asked him about the details of the trek. He told us a few things which seemed all glib lies, of which we were not aware back then. When we reached the starting point we could see two paths leading to different ways. He told us to take the right path, which eventually turned out to be very wrong. Left was the right path, if only we had known earlier!

We were lost a few times on the path we took, and never could see a clear trail. The path was dense with bushes, most of them having spines which pricked us often. It was a steep path and we were getting exhausted soon. Akshay started suffering with cramps in stomach which made him take halts often. We were also not sure if we were on the right track or not because it seemed that we are reaching nowhere. At a point in time, we had to take a call if we should drop this trek. But, we all are clear about this one thing related to trekking - that above all, it is about teamwork! So, we distributed some of the stuff Akshay had in his bag among us while Tushar held his bag and set off. In some time Akshay was fine and could trek properly, leading the way most of the time, the way which itself was wrong.

We crossed black rocks often seen at water falls, small waterfalls & water bodies, lush green fields and trespassed farm lands which had compounds made of spiny bushes. We could even see people ascending Prabalgad and also Kalavantin durg, sometimes heard their voices clearly as if they are very close to us. Yet, we were just not able to find a way. Ultimately, at 30 minutes past 1 we decided to chuck it; we would have lunch and set off our return journey. So we finished most of the food we had brought along, collected all the waste in a polythene to throw away at dumpyard. Before leaving, we all took a power nap of about 15 minutes. All this while, we had been very enthusiastic about clicking pictures all the way, it's needed to do a little show off and for personal possession. While setting off back we were discussing if we should tell our friends this true story or should we make up some excuse or should we lie that we made it. We could not lie that as we did not have any pictures of the landmarks as testimony. We were not able to come to a conclusion about what to tell others, but, we told ourselves that we are coming back here soon to conquer it!

As if God had finally sent his help, we came across a local guy while going through some unclear trails. We asked for directions and he offered his help in return. We would be leading us to the wadi, the base point of this trek. On the way we enquired everything we wanted to know and the guy oblidged. We reached the base point and he bid goodbye. Now, we could clearly see trails leading to Prabalgad and Kalavantini durg each, and also the way upto this point. It was a very clear trail, suitable for humans to tread comfortably. It was a path with scenic views of Sahyadri mountain ranges and the villages close by. We also came across a few wind points and just could not resist enjoying ourselves there and also doing some solo, group and scenary photography!

By the time we reached the starting point we had decided for a retake of this trek with the same people on third Sunday of July 2011. Earlier we had a painstaking feeling of regret that we were not able to find the correct trail, leave alone completing the trek. But we had learnt our lesson while descending back to base. This was our first real failure and we are going to make it our stepping stone for all future treks. Key learning is to be very sure about directions, and when not, get a local guide. Prabal almost had us in all sorts of trouble, but hopefully for this time only. And what fun is a trek without facing any of it! Never mind Prabalgad and Kalavantini durg, we are coming back soon to conquer you and it would be one of our eternal accomplishments, for sure!

Innocent even at 65

Innocence is a quality we would mostly associate with kids. Kids are ignorant enough to ask us silly questions and be innocent. As they grow innocence fades, for never to return back. It was in my recent trip to Kankavli that I realized that elderly people can be equally innocent. Just like Dalvi aaji (granny).

Laxman Dalvi, aajoba (grandpa), now a retired police employee has been a senior colleague to my father. Over time, they became good friends. Families got involved by means of monsoon trips and family functions and thus the relationship flourished further. Post retirement, aajoba and aaji went back to their native place, in Humbrat near Kankavli, to stay and started maintaining their farm and garden. Every year, atleast twice or thrice do my parents visit them at their native place. The last time I had visited them there was back in 1999. So, this time when my parents asked if I would want to join them I could not refuse. Somewhere even I wanted to visit them, and also enjoy a quick monsoon trip to the wonderful konkan region.

I was always aware about one facet of aaji, her loving and caring nature. She made sure we could relax after a long journey, have good food and self grown fruits as well. Mom helped her with household chores but aaji was always after providing us all the comforts. Very recently, they have repaired their old house into a new one storeyed mansion. The new house really looks very nice. Kitchen has a small window to peek in the living room. Window has a reflective glass, the kind of glass which we can see through only from one side and not from other. The problem with such glass is that it behaves totally opposite during the day and night. In the day, you cant see through from one side, on the night you cant see through from the other way round. So, we were all relaxing after evening snacks and tea discussing about the window and the glass. Aaji starts with enthusiasm saying, "You know, this glass is special. You can see through it from inside the kitchen but cannot peek from the living room into the kitchen.". Looking at the glass and realizing that we can, infact, peek into the kitchen from living room she says, "I guess, there's something wrong about it. The glass fitter must have goofed up!" We all just could not stop laughing about this and then explained her what was the reason behind it.

While having dinner that night conversation about health issues was taking shape. My mom appears to have a swelling on her right hand and she was talking about it. Aaji is quick to comment, "You know what, even I had a swelling and I made sure I did tests and checkups to weed out any posibilities of critical illnesses like cancer or others." Aajoba had a strange reaction creeping up on his face, we all saw that. My mom asked when did she do these tests and checkups to which aaji replies, "30 years back." Aajoba's reaction crystallized into something like, "Are you nuts!" We all burst out laughing about this and soon aaji joined us as well, realizing how humorous it turned out to be. Then, the next night we were getting ready to sleep. I asked for a blanket. Aaji came, looked here and there, took away the blanket which aajoba was sleeping with and gave it to me. Aajoba looked puzzled, like my dad and me. Aaji says to aajoba, "Dont you realize this is Rohan's blanket? He had taken it yesterday. Why cant you take your blanket? If you dont find it tell me, I'll find it for you!"

Aaji is a hard working lady. She has taken a lot of efforts to bring up 3 kids so wonderfully, that all of them are doing really well today. She has always been supportive, and has complimented aajoba very well. These years have taken a toll on her physical capabilities. However, a few things are still undeterred in her - her warm, loving and caring nature and her infectious innocence.

Monsoon - drizzle of fond memories

It’s time to get bored at work. It’s time to think of munching bhajia and cutting chai. It’s time to feel cozy. It’s time to go out with friends and family on a nature trail. Yes, monsoon has arrived for the year and as always, has brought a lot of exciting plans and fond memories. Telephonic discussions are in full swing to decide which place to trek, which waterfall to visit, which resort to plan for and how long should the trip last. All this just to let the mesmerizing rains kiss you all day long!

Unlike summer or winter, monsoon makes every place feel wonderful. Be it a hill station, a waterfall, a restaurant or even your office. When you are out there getting drenched in rain, it is total fun. When you are indoors, merely watching the rain drops with light music in background and hot cup of tea to sip on is equally enjoyable.

Talking about memories, I have always loved spending time at Marine drive in monsoon; how can you miss the waves splashing on the rocks and spilling up on you! The pleasant smell of soil in first rain is always soothing, so wonderfully etched in my memory. Trips to waterfalls at Palasdari dam, Amboli ghat, Bushi dam and a few others have been exhilarating. Treks to Singhagad, Raigad, Rajmachi and Lohagad have all been great physical activity. Then there have been beaches visited in rain. And, how can I you forget all the wonderful time I have spent indoors while it was raining.

I like to walk in rain, although not during the time when I am working at office. You have a lot of things to worry about, like your bag, smartphone, any paper docs you have, your clothes and your shoes; it's not a comfortable feeling to get wet and be working at office. The good old days are gone, when I was just a student and could be a bit careless about letting my books, my wallet and other things getting wet. Going for a bike ride when it’s raining is what I always look upto every year, as I did today. Rain drops pricking your face, eyes almost shut and wind blowing on your face; it’s a must experience feeling! To enjoy rain while I am at home, I make sure I listen to the album Gaarva by artists Milind Ingle and Saumitra while having a nice ginger tea.

Monsoon comes with a lot of emotions. You just can’t ignore the many memories nagging you when it’s raining. Your memories keep raining within you and remind of all the wonderful time you have spent with some really special people. Probably, there is a reason for this. Atleast once a year you ought to remember this wonderful time, as it has been very special. And what better time for this than monsoons! Enjoy the rains.

Living expands from 180 sq. ft to 840 sq. ft

After spending as long as 20 years in a small 1 room house in South Mumbai we have now moved into our big 2 bhk self owned residential flat in Navi Mumbai. I would call it a flat as I still cannot forget my home back in town. It's never easy to let go a place where you grow up, have so many memories attached. It will take me some time to call this new flat 'home'. It aint bad, just that I have not yet accepted it.

So, now we have a big place to stay which is fully furnished. We have decorated this place nicely, bought in new furniture, bean bag, swing chair, big screen led tv and many such things. Some of these are my recommendations, stuff which I always fancied. Its spacious and nice. This building is away from the main road so we have a quiet surrounding. We have just about 12 flats in my building, often with closed doors. So, do not really have good neighbours. Friends, acquaintances and relatives are not close by so we are here all by ourselves - mom, dad, sis and me. My current office is near so I leave without any hurry and reach back home quicker than before. This leaves a lot of time with me, so have to spend time watching tv or reading books or passing time on laptop; internet connection is pending still so it makes passing time a bit difficult. Still not aware about good hang out places nearby.

Back then, life was very different. We all lived in a single room in a chawl. Being a chawl, most of the times our door was open. Noise was very common and I was used to it. A friend gives me a call and asks to join him and I could rush for it without even thinking about it. Many great hang out and eat out places back there taking away all your time. Oh good lord, I miss all of this!

I aint complaining here, this new big flat is something I would have wanted in a couple of years when I needed to settle down in life. My parents have put in their best effort to buy this place, had they been wealtheir this flat would have been somewhere in town. This achievement of theirs is no small in any way; my grandpa has seen prosperous days in his life but he never thought of buying a house in town for his family. My parents had no choice but to stay in the house provided by their employer, where we spent 20 years. My parents have managed to buy a property on their own which is so close to Mumbai. It's upto me now to go a step further and buy a property in mumbai in time to come, something which is definitely not easy but really worth trying!

It will take me time to get accustomed to this place, make new friends and improve social life here. Life shall keep changing, as it always does. The sooner we accept this, the easier it becomes. But, my love for my older home shall remain unparallel to anything on this earth. Living has certainly expanded, house is yet to become home!

Courtroom experience

My father, being an employee of Mumbai Police department always keeps saying, "A wise man should never climb steps of a court!". Let me not disclose the reason, but I had been to a court today. So when I entered my father's word crossed my mind again. But, I took the elevator to the floor on which I was supposed to go - yes, this court has an elevator!

Jokes apart, my experience in the court today makes me agree with my dad completely on this point. The working is somewhat like this - Court opens up at 11 am. From 11 am to 2 pm only paper work has to be done with. So, if you have a hearing you have to make sure all your paperwork is done properly. You cannot even do all paperwork on the same floor, why should they make your life simple? You already are in trouble by getting involved in a court case, might as well some more jitters. So, your paperwork is done on atleast 2 floors. From 2 pm to 3 pm, they enjoy their lunch break. 3 pm to 5 pm is the time when you are supposed to be in the actual court for your hearing. Today, there must have been atleast 60 cases which were heard by our Majesty, the honourable Judge.

Imagine, 60 cases in 2 hours with going through all paperwork as well! Impossible it may seem but not for our efficient Judges. In roughly 2 minutes, this lady Judge today heard, read and gave away her decision for the moment and also the next date of hearing. It reminded me of the famous monologue in the film Damini by actor Sunny Deol which goes, "Taarikh pe Taarikh, Taarikh pe Taarikh..". Why cant a case, atleast straight forward ones like the one I was involved with today, be solved in as less time as possible? Instead of giving 2 minutes to every case and going just an inch ahead, give 60 minutes and get done with a particular case completely. I could clearly see that the lady Judge was doing her work just for the sake of it. No big deal if you spot zero motivation and cent percent boredom.

If you miss corruption or it's been a long time you have seen one please do visit the court, its a wonderful place for it. You have to shell out your hard earned bucks for the chief person who arranges for your paperwork, the peon who takes your papers safely and quickly from 1 floor to the other and also tries to keep it them at the top of the stack during hearing so that it is picked up and addressed soon, the clerks who just fill just about 1 to 2 pages of your particulars and verify your documents. Rs. 100/- is minimum and it increases in multiples of 50. By the way, this rate is for police employees, or government employees and not for regular people. Why the f*%$ do these crooks expect money for doing their own work? They are definitely not giving us any secret code in return. I do agree that its important to make these officials happy with some monetary gifts but shouldn't it be something which they pulled off for you beyond their actual job profile?

I was in the courtroom waiting for our turn and was observing the whole thing. Court staff was unmotivated and disinterested to the core. Police guards were sleepy. Convicts were indifferent. How the f*%$ can one expect an outcome out of this? Indian Judiciary system is slow as a snail and it is in firm grip of corruption. These are the only macro factors I could point out. Just consider Ajmal Kasab's case which has been going on for close to 2 and a half years now with no firm conclusion. If such a prime level convict's case goes for such a long time you can comfortably assume eternity to be the time frame for a common man's case. For me, its utter shame and disgrace for my country which otherwise has many highlights I am certainly proud of. It is high time today's young generation of lawyers understand this concern and do something about it. Hope keeps us going in life and that is what I shall hold on to see some positive improvements on this front, possibly in near future. Yet, my suggestion - Avoid involvement in court cases; as the cliche goes "Prevention is better than cure!"