आणि भात पकला...

29 September 2009 वेळ: Tuesday, September 29, 2009
(भांड्यातील शिजलेला भात पाहून मी सुजयच्या खोलीकडे गेलो...)

मी: साला वनफोर्थ राईस लगाया था, पकके अभी पुरा बर्तन भर गया है|

(आपल्याच तंद्रीत असलेल्या सुजयला अचानक मी असं काही बडबडत आल्याने काही झेपलं नसावं)

सुजय: (???) पकके भर गया मतलब???

मी: मतलब मैने राईसको पकाया| PJ सुनाया| वो पक गया|

सुजय: च्यायला **साला... हाहाहा!!!

(बाजूच्या सोफ्यावर अमित नेहमीसारखा हेडफोन लावून त्याच्या लॅपटॉपमधे घुसून बसलेला. आमच्यातलं बोलणं ऐकून त्याच्या भुवया उंचावल्या. त्यांना दोनदा उडवत, काय झालं? म्हणून विचारलं...)

मी: काही नाही रे... मी सुज्याला बोल्लो की वनफोर्थ राईस पकके बर्तन भरा. त्याने विचारलं पक गया मतलब? मी म्हटलं मी झाकण उघडून राईसला जोक सांगितला. राईस पकला आणि भांड भरलं. आणखी ऐकवलं असतं तर भांड्याबाहेर आला असता वैतागून. नको... नको... मी पकलो... मी शिजतो...

अमित: (डोक धरून) अरेSSS... काय वाईट्ट होतं हे...

(एक लंSSSबी खमोशी... आणि मग आमचं 'ह'च्या बाराखडीतलं हसणंखिदळणं...)

आपला,
(पकाऊ) सौरभ

Wishes!

28 September 2009 वेळ: Monday, September 28, 2009
Wishing you all a very Happy Dsassera!

Google Meshram!

वेळ: Monday, September 28, 2009
I've a friend - Chetan Meshram! We all prefer calling him "Google Meshram"
He's got a speciality! Confidence about knowing each and everything around.......(though he dosent know shit about it :P)

Mangesh cooks up a story about 2 well's in Sarasbaug. Our dear friend Chetan recollects to have seen one of the well in his childhood!

A few days back I just felt like having some fun, I sucessfully caught Mr. Google Meshram in his act!

Heres the conversation :D


00:03 me: bhendi
aplya kade cutting kevdhyala aahe re?


00:53 chetanhmeshram: Rs14:50
00:54 me: sade chauda?
bhadvya zada khali nahi mhanat aahe mi


01:02 chetanhmeshram: market yard la hach bhav ahe
max 18
gauran
01:03 me: jay!!
chetanhmeshram: ka tikde kiti ahe
me: jaat ja mag tikde cutting karayla
chetanhmeshram: nashik la ajun swasta asel
01:05 me: mala kay mahiti
chetanhmeshram: mumbai la kaay bhav ahe
01:06 me: mala kay mahiti?
01:07 mi kay tula menu card vatlo ka?
lol
chetanhmeshram: mag mala vicharun upayog kay???
me: ki mala sagle rates mahiti astil
baghitla re.....ki tula sagle rates mahiti aahet ki nahi......
=))
01:08 chetanhmeshram: hmmmm








Today he pings me back asking for the complete conversation!
and then tells me >

chetanhmeshram: hmm
pan tyacha pahila sentence bhendi ahe
thts y i am safe
thoda miss communication
me: tari pan tuzich laal kaa?
bhadvya.....neat waach
bhendi chya nantar tula prashna takla hota
Sent at 14:41 on Sunday

"Aaplich Laal karun ghenyachi saway kahi kelya jaat nahi :P"


One more stereotype evening

27 September 2009 वेळ: Sunday, September 27, 2009
After a routine day of attending classes and slogging, felt like having some chai and spending some time with friends. The uninvited rains also showed up its presence. Managed to click a few photographs.


Steaming "Chai" cant be missed......especially on a rainy evening.


A Warkari pair were making efforts to gather alms.


On my way back, stopped at the S.M Joshi bridge to capture the Four-wheeler bridge.

Dairy 2006

21 September 2009 वेळ: Monday, September 21, 2009
Came across my 2006 Dairy!
Putting down a few extracts.


Just happened to read the book "The great Indian dream". I was badly shaken to know that 30 million of my brothers sleep with a hungry stomach. Today in the the 20th century, though we have enough of funds, yet the corrupt leaders don't let them reach the needy. India ranks 124th in the human development index. I was shaken to acknowledge these facts.

I decided to visit the slum area of parvati today. Called up Mihir. We both were expecting to see some children. I'd decided to carry on a small chat with them. We approached two children flying their kite's. They were reluctant to let us know their name. It was no use making them talk. Soon the kids were accompanied by a few more friends. I stayed there with a small excuse......I wanted to see them fly the kite (I know it sounds lame......that was the only thing i could fire 3 years back). Soon I got introduced to all of them. These are a few observations I made.

Firstly the reluctant child I met was Rishikesh. Rishikesh was in class 2. As we both approached Rishikesh, his nosy granny gave us a weired look. She must be thinking we were there just to tease him and make fun of him, but as we took a friendly stance, she relaxed. A sweet girl sitting next to Rishikesh was Ankita. Ankita was also of the same age. She was good at the talking work! She told us more about Rishikesh and their friends. By then another face popped in - Mayur. They all had meaningful names and the most suitable ones. Soon Mangesh, Ram, Shyam also joined us. While describing these kids. I'd make it a point to tell you that these kids were neat and tidy. Do not misunderstand them as filthy and shabbily dressed up kids.

Mangesh was in class 7th, Shyam in class 8th and Ram was studying in class 10th. Ram was pretty friendly and we could easily catch up with his frequency. He told us about his various activities like - fishing at the canal, his hang outs around parvati. In a very short time I named him the Mr. Smart! He was good at history, yes it was his favourite subject.

As we were getting along, Rishikesh's nosy granny left us alone. In the meanwhile a lady came up from the maze. and threw a polythene bag full of waste. It landed a few steps near to us. 2 Elders joined the kite flying. They must be around 24-26. Not to mention they spoke the extreme foul version of marathi. A peculiar foul languages heard while passing a slum. Ram tipped us with their name - Babu and Yogesh.

Yogesh just disappeared for a while, and was back with "goodies" wrapped in a piece of paper and a polythene bag. As he came near " आणले बघ, वटने आहेत" he said while gasping for air. Immediately Babu ordered "जा कुठे ग्लास मिळतात का बघ, आणि उरलेले पैसे परत कर ४० असले पायजे बघ" They both left. I could make out it must be their booze time. Ram confirmed it.

As we were walking our way up to parvati, I made a few observations about Ram. He was a simple and a hard working boy. He had great faith in God. I was seeing that i keep my talks limited to a friend-to-friend relationship. He's invited me tomorrow.

On asking him about education, "शिकता येइल तितका शिकायच" I tried to inculcate a positive thought towards it. I think I can build up faith within. Once an image is made up, its east to help others out.

**********

We reached there a bit late. Ram wasn't present there. As I enquired about him, a kid agreed to show me his home. Soon I was walking the narrow lanes of the Maze. I wonder how perfectly the distance between the 2 houses is maintained just to let 2 persons to pass at a time. While passing by the lanes of the maze, I was collecting strange looks for my vault. Then a little girl enquires, "काय रे तुमच्यात रोज-रोज कोण येता रे?"
The kid replied,"ते आमच्यात नाय काय, ते त्या राम ला भेटाया आल्येत"

We had reached the kartikswami temple from the other way. As we sat on the compound wall of the temple, we could take a view of the plastic bags scattered around. The open air toilets were spreading their essence around. Still the children dwelling in the slums took the space as their own playground.

There's a well a few meters ahead. In the old day's Peshwa's fetched water from the well, its got a green film over it now, garnished with 2 or 3 plastic bottles. The historical well is converted into a dumping pit. Ram informed us about the 3 spirits dwelling in the well. On going closer to the well, the spirits pull you in the well. Ram also added that, he'd seen them dancing over the well once.

After a period of casual talk, I suddenly asked Ram - "How about getting this area cleaned? I'll get some friends." for a while no one replied. I pressed him down, "Wouldn't anyone love to stay in a clean and hygienic place?" After a while he answered , "They'll keep messing it again and again." After insisting he ended up giving up some negative gestures, trying to avoid the topic.

I shifted to his favourite subjects. He says he loves History and English. Once again I offered him to help him in his subjects. I asked him about the school library. He told us the school library was under construction. It will be available after paying Rs. 25. He was even more than happy when I offered him some small storybooks. He promised to read them in his free time only. He exchanged these books with his fishing locations at the canal.

**********
That day the elder lads were hanging around. they were having a serious talk between them. I could recognise Babu and Yogesh amongst them. As the saw me, Babu showed the decency to invite me over there. They all value friendship even more than other relations. Many a times, they hang up there till 2200 hours. at such cases when they return back home, they check for food. most of the time the hold a fast at night.

I made a new friends namely Rahul and Ganesh. On our way up to parvati temple, I found out that Rahul was the man of his own principles. He had his own morals. He was a drop out since class 3. He used to work with a workshop, but due to some blunders worked out by his insane friends, he lost his job. Now he's having a seasonal flower selling shop and a newspaper stall.

Ganesh spoke very little. He was conservative regarding words.

Gradually I got to know a Ram and Rahul even better. The children out there loved reading the folk tales. At least they amused themselves watching the beautiful pictures on every page. It felt great to hear Ram seeking admission for junior college.

Still once in a while Ram taps my shoulder, and stops by to have a word :)


आपलेपण!

08 September 2009 वेळ: Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Doordarshan वर फार पूर्वी कुश्ठरोग्यांना आपले म्हणून घेण्यासाठी एक जाहिरात यायची. आज माझया समोर असेच काही शुल्ल्लक - शुल्ल्लक प्रॉब्लम्स येऊन उपटले. आणि वरुन सगळ्यांच्या कपाळावर एकच फीत >> "आम्हाला आपले म्हणा!" तोडगा सगळ्यांना आहे, पण एका वेळी एक सॉल्व केला तर कसे काम फ्फ्टे होऊन जाईल! उगाच उद्याच्या दिवशी मकडऊडया मारत सगळा गुंता सोडवावा लागेल.

Emotional Baggage!

07 September 2009 वेळ: Monday, September 07, 2009



Dust away the magnificence of your lost love
And the remainder shall take you by surprise
It will take some time before you decide
Was it really worth what it claimed after all?
Chunk by chunk, piece by piece depleting your life
Snap, brood and the fragility becomes even more conspicuous

There lies among other chaotic paraphernalia
Almost mortal inter-dependence
Broken shards of trust
Foot-trampled self-worth
Dead weeds of lust
Charred remains of loneliness

Among all that command their existence,
Lies the absolute absence of belongingness
All this unwanted excess baggage
Created, Circulated & Carried
for a painstakingly long distance
by the emotional fool called YOU


By Me!

My First Best Friend- Jacky!

वेळ: Monday, September 07, 2009
Friendship Sonnet

When to the session of sweet silent thought
I summon up remembrance of things past,
I sigh the lack of many a thing I sought,
And with old woes new wail my dear time's waste:
Then can I drown an eye, unused to flow,
For precious friends hid in death¹s dateless night,
And weep afresh love's long since cancelled woe,
And moan the expense of many a vanish¹d sight:
Then can I grieve at grievances foregone,
And heavily from woe to woe tell o'er
The sad account of fore-bemoaned moan,
Which I new pay as if not paid before.
But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,
All losses are restored and sorrows end.

by William Shakespeare



Circa 1988

The other day I was at home in Thane, my brother took me near the burial grounds where my very first best friend - Jacky was laid to rest. Can’t believe it has been 8 long years since he passed away. Every memory of his is fresh in my mind. Just 6 months after my Grandma passed away, Jacky left for heavenly abode on 21st Jan, 2002. I and my brother both have always missed him and have never treated him as gone because he just went away physically. We have always felt his presence in our rough times and in our happiness. It is practice that we follow my brother and I, we seek his blessings along with god because we know he is watching us. I have constantly addressed Jacky as a Him and not it. It is a deliberate attempt because Jacky was more like a Human than animal. And because the bond that we shared was that of two great friends.

I was 5 years old at that time- badly wanted to visit the loo and was tugging my Mom ( my nemesis of that time- my younger bro was still a lot smaller than the whopping 6ft 1inches he is now and only a few days old in this world ) to take me to the nearest place where I could relive myself..my grandparents house. My grandfather saw me approaching his house from his favorite swing in the balcony and waved at me excitedly to come up and said there was a surprise for me. I ran upstairs only to be baffled by the BOW WOW sounds coming from behind the door. As the door opened, I was thrilled to see this beautiful 5-6 month year old pup with killer looks, golden & white fur and eyes that spelt the color and warmth of golden- red embers.

Not that I was head-over heels in love with him in my first meeting. In fact we started off on a terrible note. He was a tad bit hostile towards me and was restrained with a chain around his neck. But I remember clearly I wanted to stay with him. I remember I was staring at him for a long time..and was reluctant to leave my newfound object of curiosity. I had clearly never seen a dog as beautiful as him and I still maintain my stance till this day. Being a cross breed, his mom hailing from a rich Alsatian family and his father a stray( Sounds like filmy love story) he had qualities that encompassed the best of both worlds. When it came to naming him….he was called JACKIE, a very common name for Dogs back in 1988(I knew atleast 2 other Jackie’s of those times). Everyday after school I used to go to my grandparents place, to find him barking hysterically at me as if not liking my presence at all.( He absolutely hated sharing my grandparent’s attention with me). Then slowly because of my interest in him and partly because of the delicious biscuits I gave him we became best of mates. I even remember emulating him by drinking milk like him from a plate. We were very close, because we both were growing up together. I remember at many times I shared with him my teenage sorrows with him and he staring in a distance out of the grill like a keen listener and even licking my face when I would cry. Even at a tender age I knew this was a bond that would last a lifetime.

Jacky and I loved to go on long walks together. I remember I could man him from a very early age and we would go together to run errands. In fact, I felt proud when I was along with him. People-kids-aunties used to stop on the road to admire his beauty. Jacky used to love kids- kids of all ages, when let loose in the park he would play with them but never bite anyone. I was the only one whom he had bitten 3 times. Entirely my fault, I agree because of my naughtiness I had pulled his whiskers or tail and had landed in trouble. But there was something about him, this aggressive friend of mine used to feel guilty for biting me. He used to lie low and refrain from food (even if it was his favorite non-veg) for 2-3 days and would come back wagging his tail to me with a look that said “ I AM SORRY. Now please forgive me and let’s have some delicious biscuits…..I am very hungry). I clearly remember his steel round biscuit box where his special biscuits lay. We would immediately burry the hatchet and be the best of pals that we were.

Once when I was about 9 years old and Jacky about 4, my grandma was giving me food in the kitchen when we heard a “Bachao Bhacao” sound coming from the Bedroom. We were surprised to hear a male voice as we were the only ones in the house at that time. We rushed to see what was wrong and saw Jacky pouncing on a man with a hammer in his hand near the main Shelf. We quickly assessed what had happened and called for help. The guy admitted that he was the building painter and had wandered in thru the balcony with an intention of robbing the house. He did not know that this home had a dog. And boy a ferocious one at that! I sometimes wonder what would have happened to us, if Jacky wasn’t there for our rescue that day. Jacky had all the human qualities an animal would ever have. Not only was he very loyal he was very possessive about his things. Though a very friendly dog Jacky hated strangers coming to my grandpa’s house and touching our stuff. He hated the cable guy even worse and tore his shirt once for touching our tv. Whenever our uncle used to hang us by our legs upside down playfully, Jacky would jump on him till the time we were let go. He absolutely adored us! Whenever we went on an outdoor picnic in my uncle’s car or bus he used to always sit beside me and put his head out of the window and peek outside. He loved feeling the breeze on his face. Whenever alerted “Ketaki has come” he used to go to the door and wait for me to arrive. He was a highly alert dog and hated staying alone at home. I remember my angry young friend had once torn all the newspapers in anguish because he was left alone.

Jacky was a very energetic dog and loved playing with rubber bushings from my Uncle’s cars rather than red rubber balls. He loved hunting Mice and helped my uncle in tracing them. Jacky used to kill the mice but he never ate them. Taking Jacky to a vet was an experience in itself. He would put up a tantrum or two during his vet visits and had to be muzzled. My brave friend used to cry at the sight of his vet and the big syringe of his vaccination. He would then be angry on us for taking him there and would lie low for a day before barking his way back to his ebullient original self. We would love to give him baths. But trust me he hated it. I still have the smell of his wet fur polished with clean and clear shampoo lingering in my nose. He used to look so vulnerable and dangerous both at the same time with his wet fur. Finally when he was all dry he used to look amazing and clean. I and my grandma used to take out the lice from his body (Which he would have imported form his stray frinds) and he would allow us to do that only on his terms. We had to show him the lice before putting them away. He used to smell it first and then allow us to throw it. Even if he had to puke, he was so considerate that he would go and do it only in the Balcony to spare my grandma the horror of cleaning it in the house. Jacky used to them go down and eat some grass to help him feel better.

Jacky was a typical male. He atleast had 5 girlfriends in our locality but his favorite was a black and white female stray. If Jacky went missing for more than a couple of hours we knew where to find him. J Infact many times I used to play with him, I used to give him a gender bender by getting him all dolled up by applying talcum powder, a small bindi on his forehead (Which this intelligent friend of mine used to remove with his paw) and he used to look so cute with it and a duppata draped around his head. I used to tie ribbons around his neck and tail and trust me he hated it. It is as if he always knew all this was meant for sissy dogs and he was a MAN. When indulged in fights he would bravely fight for his women and scorn at other fellows by gritting his molars and making fierce growling sounds. He used to get hurt but he never used to give up.

We practically grew up together- he saw me through my KG Years, Primary, secondary, high school and college days. My grandpa called me oneday to tell Jacky was very sick and old and he had gone down but was unable to climb up the stairs. Even my uncle and grandpa tried getting him up but could not. I was apprehensive of hurting him but slowly I picked him up and he climbed the stairs on his hind legs and waited in intervals. I was surprised how at ease he felt with me and was ready to come up with me because he felt I could be trusted.

Jacky passed away a few days after that. I was not with him at that time. I was away in college. This is something that I will regret all my life. My brother called me to tell me the fatal news. I was very disturbed. I had lost my soul mate. We had spent nearly 15 years of precious time together. He had been there for me in my every joy and sorrow. And now he was gone. But before going he instilled me with something very precious. He taught me to be compassionate for his kind. I learnt to love all animals. He was the one who increased my affinity towards animals. I came to know that animals are selfless-beings who love you back with unconditional love only because of him.

Jacky is the very reason behind my interest in helping out those who don’t have a voice!

Jacky is woven integrally in my childhood and adolescence memory. He was my first best friend….and he will always be remembered and his presence will always be cherished.


Jacky, I miss you direly dear……..




Circa Mid 1990's

Naive!

वेळ: Monday, September 07, 2009



Sweet, shy, coy smiles are deceptive
And so is the sound of intelligent silence
They will take your numbness for granted
For they will drill a hole in your scattered heart
And out shall ooze pangs of profound pain

Releasing anguish; much better in than out
There! Out gushes the mellifluous restrain
And rancorous words become swords of defense
Pugnacious sanctity goes to doldrums
Much guarded assertiveness transforms into a sin
Lack of peace breaks loose its maddening havoc….

And you stand all alone & cornered.
Far away from what according to them is “acceptable”
And the world fiercely stares at you
And laughs vociferously in your face
“This one!” they cruelly point out…..
“Must pay the price for being too Naïve all his life”

- By Me!

Byack to Pune

05 September 2009 वेळ: Saturday, September 05, 2009
Came byackh to poona after a very laang time!
Sniff!! Sniff!!

I think there was some conspiracy written against me!
Firstly the Bus driver seemsed to be in his low moods of driving. Next The Bus breaks-down somewhere on the Mumbai-Pune express highway, driver claims there's another bus coming in 10 Min's, pooh.......

The Truckwala whom we asked for a lift, could drop us till wakad.

There seems to be no PMT "SEVA" around :(

Finally managed to reach shivajinagar.......thanks to the BPO cab driver, who gave us lift in his Indica :)


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