"Contriving Celebration with Celebrity"

He is path setter, celebrity, famous anchor, has interviewed "who's who" including ‘President Abdul Kalam’ ! There was so much of excitement about meeting ‘Sudhirji Gadgil’ in person to invite for parent’s golden anniversary. 

Location for Sudhirji’s  residence seemed tastefully chosen; cool breeze from nearby water body  and positive vibes from adjacent meditation center were enhancing the serenity of the place. Door to Sudhirji’s artistically decorated sweet home was already open & we were welcomed with warm “Namaskar” (greetings) as if we were old friends. 

Sudhirji was multitasking - discussion with colleague, playing with Neel – his bubbly grandson, ensuring comfort of guests who had gathered for family function, receiving successive work related calls involving leaders from politics and industry -  all simultaneous activities. Sudhirji seemed habituated to note all information in his brain. His driver acted as backup arrangement by reminding about important activity when missed. 

Plan for next day’s Mumbai tour after previous day’s Ratangiri tour showed his high energy levels that he claimed to receive from his bond with people. Sudhirji shared another secret of his health & energy as early morning walk in Saras Baug.

We were introduced to all family members - eldest Mom who is active in nineties, youngest grand daughter who is just 2 months old, architect son, charming daughter-in-law, advocate daughter & techie son-in-law. Sudhirji’s better half was smiling at us from photo decorated with fresh flowers.  Her presence was felt more from Sudhirji’s fond memories.

Each memento in the home had interesting story to share. 'Punyabhooshan Award' (Jewel of Pune) represented historical incident about Pune inception by King Shivaji. Awardee for Punyabhooshan are generally leaders from respective fields; in Sudhirji’s case, he is not only leader, his field of 'compering' itself is initiated by him. Sudhirji is lucky to be able to take up hobby of ‘people interaction’ as profession. Though being qualified in finance field, Sudhirji took bold step of choosing journalism. He thanked his soul mate  & thoughtful Mom for being supportive in his decision. 

“You ought to be deserving person if you are interviewed by Sudhirji” these words engraved on copper plate by ‘Shiv Sena’ founder 'Balasaheb Thakre' say it all.It was surprising to see drawing personally made by legendry writer and humorist  'P. L. Deshpande'. There were precious photos too – one sitting next to 'President Abdul Kalam' and another with singer queens 'Lataji' and 'Ashaji'.

We felt honored when Sudhirji accepted to accompany us to our parent’s place. Sudhirji’s humble nature surprised us when he bowed to our parents as mark of respect. He immediately created bond with father as both were N.M.V. alumni. Association with various social organizations, Madu friend circle from his BMCC college, knowledge of various food joints being foodie himself helped to strike the chord further. 

Sudhirji sat with our family for interesting discussion about various topics. We like “Indian Common Citizens”, were eager to know his judgment about current politics. It was interesting to get few pointers about his information network. He shared  innovative ideas about own shows like 'Varasa' (Inheritance) that brings successful successive generations on one dais and also about family documentaries that were admired by TOI under series ‘Packaging Grandpa’.  

He shared many anecdotes from his wide experience of being editor, advertising slogan writer, show producer at Doordarshan, other TV channels and organizations like Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City etc. 

We shared nostalgia with old memories about Babasaheb Purandare's live shows portraying King Shivaji at 'Renuka Swaroop' grounds and Sudhirji Phadke's 'Geet Ramayan' at 'New English School' grounds. We Puneites laughed at ourselves referring to famous 'Puneri Patya' (Suggestion Boards) & 'Puneri Bana' (Attitude).

We had always admired Sudhirji’s knack of pulling leg without offending others. After noticing my ignorance in handling new gadget, Sudhirji seriously asked, “You are an engineer, right?”. I joined others in laughter. 

We felt this meeting should continue for some more time but Sudhirji had an appointment at his favorite meeting joint 'Roopali'.

We bid him good bye. We are looking forward to watch his program 'Mulkha Vegli Manse' (Path-breaking Personalities) and benefit from his rich experience and high energy levels. 

Hats off to you Sudhirji.

Grandpa

Our scooter entered the compound of ‘YashoNand’ bungalow. It was our home, name was derived from names of our Dadi Yashoda and Dadaji Nandalal.   As usual Dadaji was waiting for us at window. Dadaji could guess that, my younger brother  had swapped pillion seat with me at corner of lane but gave benefit of doubt. This trick used to satisfy all, Dadaji could breathe sigh of relief that I was riding & bro could still continue with his excitement of riding though underage.  We never could think of causing any discomfort to Dadaji but played tricks sometimes though. 

 Dadaji had not only showered his love on everyone who came in his contact but had given different outlook towards surroundings.

He was a strong follower of Congress and had participated in freedom movement too. However, he did not opt to avail any extra benefits from government.  He always wore khadi (hand-woven cloth). He had strong liking for history and King Shivaji was his hero. He would never miss lectures of historians like Babsaheb Purandare.

He had a very gentle heart in his strong well built body. His Bachelor of Agriculture degree had probably made him more compassionate towards nature. He would never hurt even a plant forget about human beings. He had planted lot of fruit bearing and flowering plants around ‘YashoNand’.  He was also member of gardening hobby club run by local news paper ‘Sakal Gardening Association’ and would attend their lectures and visit exhibitions. This love for Mother Nature definitely helped people around him.

Like plants, he also loved wild life. In 1970’s, whatever wild life was shown on Doordarshan was feast for him. I wish ‘National Geographic’ and ‘Animal Planet’ existed those days. He had proud possession of books like ‘Elsa_the_Lioness’ and Jim Corbet’s ‘Leopard of Rudraprayag’.  

Dadaji would recall his childhood. He had grown up in business family like most of people originating from Rajasthan. However, the family could not sustain one big loss in cotton trading and it changed Dadaji’s life forever. He graduated and took various jobs and finally retired as Estate Manager at Ravalgaon sugar factory near Nasik. Though he was working, he always cherished spirit of businessman. He would daily follow share market. Though he did not have lot of cash to invest, he used to study Economic Times using his magnifying glasses.  Occasionally, one of us siblings used to accompanying him to share broker’s office too. He used to study Annual Reports of companies he had invested and would feel excited to attend share holder’s meetings for companies in Pune. This was spirit of making most from available resources.

Dadaji always maintained contact with x-colleagues by being member  of club formed by retired professionals related to sugar industry.  As members were getting old, meetings would have condolence sessions too. This was inevitable reality.

Dadaji would confirm expenditure details on slate even after visiting vegetable market. This was lesson  to value single penny and be methodical.

Dadaji would always enthusiastically take us to watch drama, movies and circus too.  Most of our childhood memories revolve around him.

I remember as a child, I had to run to match Dadaji’s speed. With age, his speed reduced. But his enthusiasm never ceased, he would enjoy company of nearby youngsters to maintain his high spirits. Slowly, age related problems started. Once he was hospitalized due to choking of throat with high BP. As soon as he recovered, he expressed his immense happiness by fondly resting his head on lap of near and dear ones. He believed in living with happiness and making others happy.

I still cherish the letter he had sent after my marriage, “We remember you when we look at plantation done by you in our garden”.

With small up-downs time passed and it was time to celebrate his 85^th birthday. It was indeed moment of happiness for immediate and extended family and his admirers too. Dadaji’s aarti was done with one thousand lamps. Sahasra_purna_chandrodayam – representing thousand full moons passed in his life. We all prayed for Dadaji’s happiness and long, healthy life. Dadaji we love you and will be proud of you always.

Parvathy wears new hat – The Drummer

Achieving something for first time has its own importance; they are magical moments to cherish forever.  For Parvathy, this magic happened twice on Friday, 21st June ’13. She appeared in national news paper ‘The Hindu – Metro Plus’ (for right reason :) of course – passion for music) and same evening she gave debut performance at well organized, well attended musical event.  ‘World Music Day’ was gracefully celebrated at ‘Taj Deccan’, Hyderabad. Event theme was ‘Vocal’ and Parvathy’s  drum beats took the group song (12 : The Incorrigible Dude’s Naughty Brood) to greater heights.

It was a rare site to see musician teachers and their students perform on same stage. These students were professionals from various fields and belonging to various nationalities but their passion for music had brought them together at event. There was western music with instruments like guitar, electric guitar, drum, synthesizer, violin etc and Indian music with tabla, flute too. There were solo as well as well coordinated group performances.  There were own compositions as well as popular numbers like Dire Straits too. There was western classical opera and also latest Bollywood number like Kabira. Two ballerinas won everyone’s heart with their performance matching to tunes of live song.

We few OMCites (Satya, Raj, Monika (Mrs. Raj)) were fortunate to share this special moment of first stage performance with Parvathy.  Chakri could not make it due to constraints at last moment. Other OMCites were virtually present with us in form of their good wishes through electronic media. Parvathy’s parents, colleagues and friends were there as ‘PK’s fan club’ and had a wonderful time.  Parvathy’s hubby Krishnan was beaming with joy, he shared with us that Parvathy was bit tensed before the event but he was very sure that she will do very well as she had practiced well. 

Parvathy’s family loves music.. Krishnan plays piano and son Rishi plays guitar. Many of us OMCites have attended daughter Gauthamy’s Arangetram (debut on-stage performance for classical dance). Parvathy feels music is real stress buster for all of them. 

We wish all the best to Parvathy’s in-house band and may you all enjoy your passion for music. Parvathy, you can always count on us OMCites to be there to applaud for you during all events you rock with your drum beats.

 

XLRI Visit

It was a sunny morning on Thursday, 13^th June’ 13. Greenish blue waves of ‘Bay of Bengal’ were looking beautiful below white clouds from plane’s window. View changed to lush green paddy fields extending welcome to ‘West Bengal’. We were on the way to Jamshedpur (Jharkhand) XLRI for our son’s admission.

Journey from perfect GMR style ‘Dum Dum’ Airport  to railway station took us from highway surrounded by skyscrapers and bit of marshy land reminding us of Mumbai. There was lot of greenery too. On the way we enjoyed great hospitality at cousin’s place with Bengali delicacies like Kachori-Sabzi and Sandesh.

View of ‘Eden Gardens’ was very exciting. The engineering marvel - Howrah Bridge reminded of movie ‘Yuva’. Dalhousie area and Howrah station sported exact British Colonial Structure. Kolkatta still maintains unique mode of transport ‘Tram’.Howrah station impressed us with its size when we reached on 19^th platform using road parallel to platform – no hassles of staircase or coolie.Train journey was over while tasting Jhal Moodi (Mumbai Bhel variation) and appreciating lotus varieties in ponds/canals along with fields.

Jamshedpur Junction also called as Tatanagar welcomed us to its clam and cozy culture. Many XLRIians were approaching the campus with us in autos those were little bigger than usual. Roads were good with lot of greenery, gardens and lakes around. One cannot miss to pay respects to Jamshedji’s statue on the way.

The campus was so well designed and well organized! Student hostel allotment list and section was already displayed. Neat, clean room was handed over to him. All the students started interacting. Everyone represented premium under graduation institute and great work experience. There was a lot to share with old BITSians friends :) and new acquaintances. New long lasting bonds of friendship and network were blossoming. BITSians had moved from G.D. Birla's birthplace Pilani to JSR - city founded by Jamshedji Tata. 

Friday morning was fresh post shower. All students in their formal outfits were energetically approaching towards auditorium to begin new phase of their life. Everyone sported pleasant personality and spread the charm.

The Inaugural function started sharp at 9 am. The atmosphere was built with live prayers, bhajans and lighting of lamp. XLRI gives highest professional education with high moral values. The journey was initiated with recitals of extracts from Holy Quran, Gita and Bible. Director’s speech was very motivating and prepared students for forthcoming two years of hectic schedule to improve their professionalism. Seasoning of funny stories with meaningful punch lines added extra value to the speech. He also emphasized fulfilling social responsibilities in spare time. This was followed by key speaker’s speech that reached to heart of audience. He explained Gandhiji’s ‘Seven Sins’ to avoid.  The function concluded with melodious prayers. We were very happy to see all world class facilities at campus for curricular (library, WI-Fi connection, modern lecture halls), extracurricular activities (foot ball ground, tennis court, basket ball court, indoor badminton court, gym etc.).

The well groomed garden occupying whole campus had lot of well classified flowering and fruit bearing plants. The continuous chirping of birds and view of animals like busy squirrel helped to connect to nature instantly. It surely boosts energy to withstand hectic schedule.

Everywhere great motivational quotes were displayed i.e ‘Laughter has no foreign accent’, ‘Words have a life of their own, think before you speak’,  ‘Positive people don’t put others down’.

There were funny quotes too :) ‘When I feel like studying, I lie down till the feeling goes away’.

There were many temporary allied businesses in surrounding area like bank selling loans or small vendors selling day to day required items. It was amusing to hear the vendors effortlessly using the XLRI terminology like, ‘Mam, do you belong to GMP course?’

It was now time for students to get involved in their activities. On their way back, parents carried wonderful dreams for future woven by XLRI for their children.

Chalo Hyderabad

“We forgot one bag !!” exclamation was heard as we entered home at H’bad. We had just experienced ‘Chalo Delhi’ movie in real life! The difference was: in place of Vinay Pathak & Lara Datta, 7 family members were involved. Luckily someone remembered that taxi could still be located while getting minor repair done at Chevrolet showroom. Finally bag could be recovered before taxi left for its original town, Nanded. Bag was at extreme corner under rear seat. This was sweet end of roller-coaster ride between Hyderabad and Nasik.

The exciting events of last 2 days were a result of money making scheme – ‘Tatkal’ of Indian Railways . Tickets were booked months in advance but they remained in ‘waiting list’. It was possibly because tatkal scheme bookings done on previous day of journey got confirmed. Railway had earned additional charges.

Actually it started like: We, group of 6 family members had booked tickets 2.5 months in advance. We had also planned to take Shirdi Sai Baba blessings before reaching to Nasik for marriage. Just 2 hours before boarding the train, it was noticed that tickets of 2 group members still remained in waiting list & they had to experience virtual Sai Baba blessings with packed tiffin & suitcases at respective homes itself.  Pandora’s box had just opened.

   We, the remaining 4 group members bravely boarded the train with RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation). Strategy was chalked out to kill night with 2 berths amongst 4 in the group. After few hours, Ticket Checker declared availability of required 2 additional berths. Big sigh of relief! Luckily our compartment was also free from other disturbances like snoring co-passengers or noisy children.

Group completed 1^st phase of journey & reached Manmad junction. Waiting room was occupied as there was time for connecting train. Announcements were going on in background: some were about delays of other trains too. Thankfully our train was not late. It was fun to explore various eating options at platform. There was lot of activity at junction: passenger train, parcel train, goods train, super fast non stopping train etc.  Hats off to railway network. In journey time was passed in overhearing discussion of co-passengers. Hit topic was about luggage lost from AC compartment near notorious Bhusawal station.

The group reached marriage hall & suddenly the group leader realized that his proud possession – return ticket - for return journey also, just connecting train was confirmed & main journey was in waiting list. Now there remained no option but to bow before tatkal scheme agent. Whopping distance of 575 km could not be covered by any other means. Buses would have been very tiring & facility of flights was not available.

Our perfect host understood our helpless situation. Contact to ‘tatkal agent’ was possible only through host in new city. Group went on worrying about return journey while enjoying marriage functions. The wedding eve musical night was about to start & it was realized that the anchor was running around for tickets with script in his pocket. The performers somehow covered up the situation & music program still went rocking with small hitches in between. Marriage is no fun without such tensed moments right?

Finally tatkal agent made tickets available for sleeper class instead of AC class in some other inaugural train & group which had current count of 5 instead of 4, reached junction to catch train for main journey. Again group had good time exploring various stalls at platform while waiting for train. Some time was spent in sorting clothes available in luggage to use as make shift bed rolls in sleeper class. Many stall owners were cautioning that our train had not still gone in upward direction so there was no question of its in-time return for our boarding. During journey, hawkers always give exact estimation of delay. The group had ignored these conversations as no one was ready to believe the worst news. Finally the news bomb exploded & railway authorities accepted the fact that train schedule was still out of control.

Luckily there was availability with some other train ‘Nandigram Express’ to reach Nanded. That means at least half the distance to H’bad would be covered.  There were many mobile call exchanges with family (who were sleeping at respective homes) & finally it was accepted that this was the best possible option. However, ticket checker told that our current berths would be occupied at Aurangabad in travel & he would give some other berths at that time. Since beggars are no choosers, everyone agreed & hit the berths to catch up on well deserved sleep to get over tiredness due to marriage. At god forsaken hours in midnight, berths had to be exchanged. The group somehow managed to do luggage & berth shifting after recovering from slumber. When we were arranging luggage in new compartment, some co-passenger who was possibly returning from washroom in half sleep thought we were fiddling with his luggage. He was deeply embaressed when he realized that it was a wrong (compartment) number. Journey can be really crazy sometimes. Once again everyone slept like logs on new berths & at sun godly hours at 5:30 am, train destination Nanded arrived.

Now it was time to shift in ‘Chevrolet Travera’ taxi & head towards H’bad.  The cab’s driver didn’t seem to respect any pot hole or speed breakers. The bumpy ride caused some health problems to the member who had volunteered for rear seat. At Nizamabad, group took small break to freshen up & seat exchange. Now, perfect highway (NH 44) was hit after Nizamabad & there was no stoppage except toll gate till H’bad traffic welcomed us at Medchal.

Finally the group happily reached home. Though the journey of ‘Chalo Hyderabad’ was completed with many modes of transport, group had finally reached without losing any luggage or any other major delay.

Such crazy experiences are part of life. The major lesson learnt this time was: do not to step out of house without confirmed train tickets!