By south Indian fare, I only mean apna roz ka dosa, uttappa, idli aur upma.
I have never, ever, in my whole life, had such awesomely tasty upma or such wholesome and heavenly dosas.
I can die now.
Gaming parlours, television and shopping malls have cast their net far and in my opinion, most parents in cities, lack creative ideas to engage and help kids grow. It annoys me to see 9 and 10 year olds whiling away their vacations on Facebook. The other extreme of endless tuitions is equally frustrating.
The post is not so much about my skills but about the places I took these kids to.
Nehru Planetarium, Taraporewala Aquarium and Juhu beach.
The amount of joy, awe and entertainment shot through the roof at Nehru Planetarium. The place offers much to pique a kid's curiosity. Hell, adults have been known to squirm with delight during the screening of space shows.
Aquarium, on the other hand, even though unclean and poorly maintained, managed to interest the kids.
Juhu beach is an easy bet and always saves the day.
And if everything else fails, the streets of Mumbai and the local trains are a fun way to spend your day.
Some of my most cherished memories of summer vacations are of my father driving us across the city or taking us on foot tours through the lanes of Mumbai. I don't think we missed visiting any major area of Mumbai. Infact, we had been to all of Mumbai. Come vacations and my brother and I made endless lists of must see places, with several repetitions over the years. My father never tired of revisiting these places, pointing at buildings or narrating special stories about various localities.
When Vashi and other regions in New Bombay grew, we made an excited visit to all railway stations on the harbour line and understood how and why they were better than the older railway stations
One of our most interesting trips was a night spent outside the international airport. We spotted every departing airplane through the holes in the boundary wall and learned about the faraway lands these airplanes took people to.
We are no longer kids and our family outings are not the same anymore. Yet, a lot of my early education happened through the sights and sounds of Mumbai.
Thanks to my parents, I was happy to put these memories to good use this year.
These pups are a month old and are being cared for by a family in Mumbai.
Commuting is by far the most unpleasant part of the average person's day, and spending even an extra 20 minutes in transit is one fifth as harmful to your well being as losing your job.
When I told people I had said yes to my current job because the head office was shifting closer to my area, most of them laughed it off.
Yes, I had a very good profile and it was a good professional leap - quite frankly, I was happier because I would be traveling less within a few months time.
Having mazed through Powai and Saki Naka for close to 4 years, I cannot underline my absolute abhorrence for traffic jams and long distance travel in Mumbai.
You may point out to people who travel from Dombivli and Thane to VT/Churchgate. I even had professors who travelled from Pune to Mumbai, every single day.
I am sorry for them.
On reaching the lake, my initial enthusiasm got dented - being the only single one amongst couples, I felt my presence was intrusive.
So, while it took every ounce of courage not to run away from the promenade, I tried my best to appear nonchalant and busy at clicking silly shots of silly busses passing by...
Only after I was sure the couples had better things on their minds, did I start experimenting with my camera.
Coming back to Powai, I have never been much of a fan. Pollution, un-ending traffic jams and perennial construction always put me off.
Things however, have changed for the better.
For those of you who are interested, Powai Nisarg Udyaan since January 22, has been holding a light show every evening (except Fridays) at 7.30 pm. Similar to Hong Kong's Symphony of Lights, this desi version of the light show (on a boat) was entertaining and even innocent, if I may.
A colloseum like seating arrangement, cool air and an assorted mix of Bollywood songs (including my favourite) pleased my senses.
I have always wanted us to make better and more creative use of our water resources. I am glad, we are finally moving in the right direction.
Will we ever see more of such brilliant coverage in English media?
I know. Stupid question.
Btw, did I tell you that one of my many dreams has always been to become political journalist?
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On Gujarat : I absolutely love the infrastructure in the state. And we are not talking only about cities.
Small towns have been given equal importance and there is much to envy (especially for a Bombayite).
Btw, did I ever tell you that another of my many dreams has always been to work for the Urban Planning Commission?
Some days back I was enlightened on the truly entrepreneurial nature of Indians.
A small business owner saw ample opportunity in the Mumbai Railway Ticketing industry.
The business provides insurance to ticketless travelers.
You just heard it !
Insurance to ticketless travelers.
From my knowledge, this firm operates in Bhandup and provides insurance at a premium of Rs. 300/-
Any unlucky traveler can go and encash the fine receipt.
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We surmised the business to have a very good rate of return.
How many people end up getting caught anyway ?
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The company has been around for many years. Obviously, it is discreet and generates revenues through word of mouth.
I also think it's a very scalable model. Have a set up outside every station in Mumbai. Once monopoly has been established, set sail for the rest of the country.
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I am sure the railway authorities, TCs and police must be hand in glove.
Else, how do you explain the miniscule percentage of ticketless travelers that ever get caught ?
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I do not know the name of this company. So don't even ask.
Mumbai held it's first Farmer's Market yesterday at Linking Road, Bandra.
Nilgiri Garden saw a lot of activity - farmers, Ayurvedic Medicine sellers, Organic Paint companies, et al from all over Maharashtra put up a show and educated people on the benefits of going Organic.
The day seemed to be quite a success since most vendors had to call in for re-fills from the APMC market in Vashi.
Housewives, students, amateur film makers and writers showed up, wanting to capture the excitement and explore the subject.
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Organic Foods have seen a lot of debate and seem to have a convincing argument going for them.
I am undecided on the subject. My only argument is the cost factor. Most of us have used non-organic stuff till date and haven't suffered much, at least in terms of health. However, recent studies have poured in data on health hazards to farm workers and the ecological imbalance that has resulted from years of non-organic farming.
I am yet to settle on this subject. If you have the whole issue figured out, do share your thoughts.
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One factor that definitely struck me was how this mode of sales could be taken up by all farmers, whatever their produce be.
Farmers Markets seem to be quite a rage in a lot of cities, globally.
Small time entrepreneurs/ NGOs/ Farming Associations could help in holding weekly markets across various cities in India too. The logistics would have to be sketched out, but it's a win-win for everyone.
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This particular market will now make a show every Sunday from 10:00 am to 05:00 pm at Bandra. More information should be available on their Facebook group.
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Some shots of the market -
This Year I finally figured out what Kala Ghoda Arts Festival has stood for, for all these years.
KGAF is a boon for Mumbai and brings out the vibrant colours that make India.
While the original plan was to squeeze in as many plays, movies and discussions as possible, finally I could manage to be at the fest only for 2 days.
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KGAF 2010 had an interesting line up of activities, as expected. Short films, plays, foreign language movies, dance performances, classical music recitals and discussions on myriad subjects by experts.
However enjoyable these might be, they were only the fringe benefits.
KGAF is primarily about arts and craft, small time entrepreneurs and issues.
Artists, craftsmen, entrepreneurs, photographers, story tellers and NGOs from across the country put up their works at the festival. Through more than 100 stalls that make a show every year, various current/universal themes are brought to the audiences, inviting a healthy dialogue.
Madhubani designs, Zari work from Kolkata, cane accessories from Maharashtra, pots from Rajasthan and sarees from all over, made their way to the stalls this year.
Every year, the Festival has a theme and presents entertainment and informative sessions around it.
This year, the theme was Presence of the Past. Don't ask me to elaborate, I haven't been able to figure it out yet.
While KGAF is always known to attract huge crowds, I wasn't prepared for the masses I saw there. Every activity - be it Premchand's short stories or various dances put up by Troupes from across states, were happily lapped by audiences who just couldn't get enough of the magic.
While I absolutely regretted missing the works of Bahman Ghobadi, the talk on Food Writing by Vikram Doctor and Nilanjana Roy and Renuka Shahane's directorial debut Rita, Chanakya at Horniman Circle and a slew of short films made up for the disappointment.
Plays, short films and dances were often followed by discussions with the artists and the performers. This part was the most relished by all. One could see a very different Mumbai - people who were interested in the nuances of Premchand's writings and who could discuss the motivations of a particular short film with its director.
It felt nice to look at the audiences, many of who, turned up in crumpled clothes, with laptop bags, just out of office, not willing to miss the excitement that the festival had to offer.
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Chanakya officially dethroned Double Deal as the best play I have ever seen.
Manoj Joshi and his fellow performers, put up such a strong, splendid play, that it stayed with the audiences long after everybody left the cool, scented air of the Horniman Circle.
Chanakya made me respect theatre artists like never before. Especially, because it was played right in the middle of a busy street, with honking cars zooming by and stray dogs holding a meeting of their own.
Not once during the entire 3 hour play, did I get a feeling that these artists were mouthing Sanskrit lines. The whole delivery was so fluid, that the team got a standing ovation by the end of the show.
Ofcourse, fine performances have to be backed by good writing. Bringing an epic of this scale, live to an audience, required finesse and attention to detail. Chanakya was one of the best strategists and selfless Patriots India has ever had. Sad, a lot of people only associate him with what is now bad in politics.
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I got a chance to view 3 short films, selected from the Vikalp Archives. While the overall experience of watching a short movie was enjoyable, there was more to learn from the happenings off screen.
One of the movies showcased the lives of small town "sex experts" and quacks. These men, in their own way, were doing their bit to spread awareness amongst men on how and when to do it, how to meet the unbelievably high "standards" set by their partners, never once losing their self esteem. The movie trailed the lives of 4 men - a former police hawaldar, a halwai, a gymnast and an aam aadmi. Through each of their stories, the director tried to bring out what went on in each one's mind and how each represented most Indian men, in some way or the other.
While the theme was bold and the writing made a lot of people squirm, it was hilarious to see a lone, old lady, seated in the front row and laughing away at every piece of advise dispensed in the movie.
A lot of men felt uncomfortable and left within the first few minutes of the movie, while those of who stayed back didn't have much courage to face the ladies in the audience.
The movie on and off screen, really highlighted our need of having a formal Sex Education class in school !
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I have decided to be a regular at all the future KGAFs.
Pity, I might have to drag along alone.
Most people I know couldn't care less about the happenings at the festival. Some who showed a passing interest, were too tired to travel all the way to town.
On some days, I love technology !
Like, when I read about Librarywala. This venture was covered in the Economic times under "Entrepreneur's" section. It is India's very first online library.
For book lovers like me, this is a BLISS !
An amazing khazana of kitaabein…at a monthly rental of 139/- ONLY?!
I have been through their list of books and it is pretty varied and exhaustive. Apart from bestsellers, they also have a pool of regional language literature.
They get brownie points since they deliver books within 24 hours…AND there are no late charges involved.
Wow…!
Now, what more could a sust like me ask for??
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For people who didn't know – Mumbai festival is beginning from January 15th and shall go on till the 31st.
Lots of international movies, music, theatre, food fests, dance shows, photography and arts activities shall be showcased across various venues.
For a more detailed listing, you can go here
An email forward that's being dong rounds this week -
Ok, before I go away for the weekend...let me tell you that -
I have been looking forward to this weekend since months now...
A close friend shall be visiting India for the first time (two weeks Bharat Drashan trip) and some friends and I shall be taking her around Mumbai tomorrow.
I have been out shopping for all ethnic Indian stuff for her and am looking forward to this great Gifting Indian ritual !
I generally hate to shop, yet, when it comes to loved ones, I loooveee to go around the bazaars, look around for valuable stuff that shall please and make them happy !
Also, tomorrow we shall be showing her off the Taj, Colaba Causeway, treating her with a sandwich at Cafe Leopold, Lunch at Delhi Durbar/Chetna, trip to the Elephanta Caves, Prince of Wales Museum, a drive along the Queens Necklace, some Kala Khatta at Chowpatty and finally a dinner party at Bar-be-que Nation at Bandra.
I want her to see a LOT more - like maybe the Discs at the Marriott and Lower Parel, the clubbing scene, Haji Ali, ISKCON temple, Prithvi & NCPA, etc...
Yet, to fit all of these and some more in a span of 2 days looks like a herculean task...
Still, if you guys have any MORE suggestions about the "must visit" places in Mumbai...do drop a line !
Thanks in advance :)
Now, you can go ahead and have a greatttt weekend too !
It's been more than a week since the terror attacks shook Mumbai...
I have refrained from writing on the subject till now since all I felt were raw emotions...and all that would have come out would have been some blabber and lots of obscenities.
Now that I have felt shock, disbelief, helplessness, frustration and anger, not forgetting the meaningful and endless chats with my Dad (he is my anchor while it comes to venting anger against "the system")... I am ready to pen down a few of my thoughts on the tragedy and it's aftermath...
- I love Taj. It is a symbol of national pride for all Indians. We take our visitors to the Gateway of India and show off THE TAJ to all. While betting with friends, the takeaway prize often consists of a "treat" at the Taj. The common guy on the road wishes to take his family for a hearty meal at the Taj. My heart goes out to all the staff and their undying hospitality - safety of guests before self, politeness and sanity amidst murder and mayhem. I am sure this symbol of India's collective pride, the First 5 Star Hotel - By an Indian for all Indians - will stand up again - tall and mighty
- I love, admire and respect all our armed forces - the Police, the NSG and even our Firemen. These men fought to save people whose names they did not know ! They gave away ther lives for a country plagued with "Chalta Hai" attitude. They fought and won against a well prepared, better equipped enemy for people and polity who paid homage to the armed forces only on Kargil Divas and Martyrs Day
- We, the people, have unlimited power, IF only we were to realise it. No more "Chalta Hai", no more cynicism, no more blame games - we need to stand up and do all things that a citizen of a democracy is capable of. Remember Jessica Lal? It was public outcry against the system that led to a quasi national movement and brought the culprits to book. We have already seen the mass movements in Mumbai, Delhi, Banglore, Hyderabad, Chandigarh on December 3. Hope this spirit doesn't wither with time
- Mere rolling of heads won't satisfy us anymore. Bring in POTA, give more power to our state police and other machinery
- Stop being a soft state and making a mockery of our inherent "good". Stop chanting tunes of our resilience. We are not resilient. Why should we be??
- Give more benefits to our armed and police forces. Survival in one of the most competitive and expensive cities of India is NOT a Joke ! How and why do we expect these people not to accept favours and bribes? Don't they have families to feed, children to send to schools? Does a meagre pay (worse than what a BPO employee gets) suffice for their existence? Aren't we corrupt as a nation? Then why blame our police, coastal guards for lapses?
- Establish a central agency for Intelligence collection and dissemination. Inspite of IB & RAW, there is no way states share their intelligence inputs. Shouldn't Maharashtra know terrorists attacking Assam, Karnataka keep an eye for culprits attacking Gujarat?This is a national battle and not a state/religious/sectarian battle
- I won't stop visiting malls, watching movies or going to hotels with family
- I still love and respect my friends who happen to follow Islam. I won't fall prey to communal hatred and disharmony
- During those three days filled with despair and hatred, while channel zapping, I came across a breather...A Journo on INDIA TV mentioned in his calm, re-assuring voice - "...amidst mayhem and innocent lives being snatched away, amidst such inhuman and evil doing, not all is lost.We do have some glimmer of hope, some respite, a sliver of happiness at the end of the tunnel...We at INDIA TV are the first to tell you that - THE TEST MATCHES WILL BE PLAYED !......."
- I WILL NOT TOLERATE SUCH INSENSITIVE, BULLSHIT MEDIA DRAMA ANYMORE !
- It is said that it took more than 2 lakh lives at Kalinga battle for Ashoka to realise his folly. This in turn led to the spread f Buddhism. I hope, this attack makes India a strong, self sufficient, no-nonense nation according respect to her Armed Forces and ensuring safety for the common man on the roads
I was in office on the fateful day. Suddenly, a colleague got news alert stating that a bomb blast had occurred at Khar Station and a police red alert had been sounded. Within the next several minutes we kept getting messages and images began flashing on TOI about the gruesome attacks at 7 stations in Mumbai.
A few friends had their parents using the railways to commute to and fro office. It was heartbreaking to see them undergo the ordeal.
174 dead. More than 400 maimed.
Next few days saw the country's top brass holding hushed meetings, sound bytes given by intelligence agencies, news coverage and detailed analysis ranging from intelligence failure to crumbling infrastructure to huge and unmanageable population.
Then came editorials and chain mails espousing "Mumbai's indomitable sprit".
Finally, life resumed its course and most people went back to their routine schedules. Some with signs of indignation, many with signs of indifference and most with resignation to fate.
The memory still triggers emotional and agitated reactions in most of us.
Time and again, I have wondered why we often end up as soft targets. India has probably been one of the worst victims of terrorism. Yet every time we seem to miss the lessons.
Instead of facing the problem head on and taking stern action and remedial measures, our polity has always been escapist and lethargic at best. I do not think we should label such incidences as "Intelligence Failure" alone. In most cases, we have had prior warnings and signals. But it's preventive action that we fail at miserably. We have known the existence and mushrooming of sleeper cells in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai and other major economic hubs of India. We are also aware of how well connected these terrorist outfits are and how very simple it is for them to raise finance.
What's scary is that these people are now in the mainstream. For all I know, I could be traveling with one and be blissfully unaware.
The bomb blasts were deemed to be an intelligent and meticulous strike. I do not think so. It was the easiest and the simplest task on earth. If you want to hit and make Mumbai bleed – target its lifeline – the Railways! Timing was perfect too – evening 6 – to inflict maximum fatalities.
A careful study shows that terrorists have changed strategies from religious terrorism to economic terrorism. Instead of attacking places of worship and breaking the tolerant fabric of India, they now target symbols of our prosperity and economic freedom. Their future targets would be educational institutions, stock exchanges, hotels, SEZs.
Are we prepared?
Though the answer might sting and give us nightmares, but to be fair and optimistic - our preparation seems to be rudimentary at best.
Khar Police station is a stone's throw away from the railway station. Yet, it took more than 20 minutes for our forces to gather some sense and reach out to the bleeding masses.
Also, there is a widespread disconnect and alienation with affected areas.
How far has the government gone to relieve people from naxal attacks (More than 20% of Indian districts are inflicted with Naxal presence)? Does the disenchanted and jobless youth from Hyderabad and other affected areas from South India figure on the polity's radar? Why is it that seemingly smart and intelligent youth join extremist Organizations?
It's this widespread inaction and lack of sympathy that has lead to many people taking up arms. The government has failed miserably to address their issues.
Also, we have always been keen to appear as "Diplomatic" and "Correct". Why please our neighours at the cost of national security? Why can't we put our foot down and demand punitive action? More so, why do we keep cribbing and sending polite reminders to our neighbours to correct erring terrorist orgs? What is it that keeps us from cracking down these miscreants on our own?
How far has the government gone to promote Anti Terrorism Squads? How well is the public aware of such organisations and the various options available to it? Does it know how to respond to such acts of violence? Are there any formal channels of redressal?
Is a budget of 1000 crores not enough to defend the nation?? What use are our 2nd largest Standing army and 4th largest Air Force if we cannot serve the public? If people do not feel safe while traveling or shopping? If people become cynical and stay with fear !A sea change in attitude and action is required to fight this menace of terrorism.
Any thoughts on how and what we as responsible citizens should be doing?
