स्वर सौख्याचे स्वप्न सा-यांचे!

" ज्याला भाषेचा आधार लागत नाही तरीही सर्वव्यापी, अनुभवसन्मुख आणि अक्षय असणार संगीत मात्र  सगळ्यांना भावत. अशा संगीताविषयी अरुणा ढेरे म्हणतात, 
        'ते गाणे कसले? होता नुसताच निळासा रंग
         आयुष्य समजण्याचाही तो निळा निळा प्रारंभ..'
असा काहीसा संगीताचा अर्थ उमगलेली अमेरिकेत जन्माला येउन वाढणारी  केवळ  १८ वर्षीय  युवती जेव्हा शास्त्रीय, उपशास्त्रीय ते bollywood, hollywood अशी एकपात्री  संमिश्र मैफिल  रंगवते. त्याविषयी थोडेसे … "

      अमेरिकेतील मेमोरिअल डे च्या विकांताला कालीफोर्निया बे एरियात एक अनोखा संगीत प्रवास भारतीयांना आणि अमेरिकन रहिवास्यांना अनुभवता आला. शास्त्रीय संगीताने  सुरु झालेल्या  गान प्रवासाची  हॉलिवूड गाण्यांनी सांगता झाली. ह्या प्रवासाची एकपात्री नायिका म्हणजे 'ABCD : अमेरिकन बॉर्न  कल्चर्ड  देसी - सौख्या इनामदार'.
ही एकपात्री संगीत मैफिल केवळ प्रसिद्धी झोतात येण्यासाठी नव्हे तर 'अमेरिकन लंग असोसिएशन' करिता मदतनिधी जमा करण्यासाठी केली गेली ही बातमी आपल्याला  सुखद आच्छर्याचा धक्का देते. ही मैफिल रसिकांसाठी मात्र मोफत होती. 

    ह्या मैफिलीत शुद्ध सारंग राग, मिया मल्हार, मिश्र तिलंग ह्यातील विविध बंदिशी सोबत  एकताल, तीनताल आणि दादरा तालातील विविध बंदिशी आणि तराणे सौख्याने सादर केल्या. ह्याचबरोबर ४० वर्ष जुन, सुप्रसिद्ध अस आशाजींच "युवती मना " हे संगीत मानापमान मधल नाट्यगीत तर "मी राधिका, मी प्रेमिका" आणि "तिन्ही सांजा सखे मिळाल्या" अशी कठीण भावगीतही तीने सादर केली.  "मन मंदिरा  तेजाने" ह्या नुकत्याच प्रदर्शित झालेल्या 'कट्यार काळजात घुसली' ह्या चित्रपटातील 'देस' रागावर आधारित सौख्याच्या गाण्याने, सगळ्या श्रोतृ वर्गाला मंत्र मुग्ध केल. अमेरिकन श्रोताही  तिच्या हिंदुस्थानी संगीतला मनसोक्त दाद देत होता. शास्त्रीय- उपशास्त्रीय आणि भावगीतांनी नटलेली मैफिल मध्यान्तरानंतर अचानक पान खायो संय्या हमार म्हणत समोर आली आणि खुर्चीतले श्रोते डान्स फ्लोअर वर येउन थांबले ते अगदी बॉलीवूड - हॉलीवूड फ्युझन संपेपर्यंत. बलम पिचकारी आणि How Deep is your love ह्या गाण्यांचं फ्युझन  रसिकांना सौख्याच्या पुढल्या यशस्वी  प्रोफेशनल मैफिलीची चाहूल देऊन गेला. तर  Whitney Houston यांच्या जागतिक विक्रम घडवलेल्या  'I will always love you' , ह्या सौख्याच्या ढंगातील गाण्याने  रसिकांच्या मनात कायमस्वरुपी घर वसवलं.   

     जेव्हा २०१३ मध्ये सौख्याच्या  झालेल्या मोठ्या लंग सर्जरी बद्दलची ओळख होते, तेव्हा विविधतेने नटलेली ही एकपात्री दोन- अडीच तासाची गान मैफिल श्रोत्यांना अधिकच भावते. "शास्त्रीय संगीतामुळे  फुफ्फुसाच्या मोठ्या आजारातून लीलया बाहेर आले" असे जेव्हा सौख्या सांगत स्टेज उभी राहते तेव्हा शास्त्रीय संगीताचा तिचा अभ्यास आणि कलेशी असलेल तिचं घट्ट नात आपल्या समोर येत. अतिशय नम्र पणे आपल्या गुरूंचा आणि माता-पित्यांचे आभार मानताना ही संगीत मैफिल ज्या कार्यकर्त्यांमुळे आणि वादकांमुळे  शक्य झाली त्यांचे ऋण ही आपल्यावर कायम राहतील अशी  गोड कबुलीही ती देते. अशी ही सौख्या सगळ्यांना "विद्या विनयेन शोभते।" संदेश पोचवते.
ह्या कार्यक्रमासाठी सौख्याचे जोशी मामा-मामी खास नाशिक हून तर अमेरिकेतल्या विविध शहरांमधून काही मित्र परिवार आवर्जून आला होता. 'सुझान गार्सिया' ह्या अमेरिकन लंग असोसिएशन मधील  सौख्याच्या परिचारिका विशेष करून उपस्थित होत्या.

    ह्या उत्तम मैफिलीला दिग्गज वादक लाभले. शास्त्रीय संगीताच्या मैफिलीत सतीश तारे ह्यांनी तबलावादन केल तर मनोज ताम्हनकर ह्यांनी हर्मोनिअम वर साथ दिली. अवनी आणि प्रियांका ह्या मैत्रिणींची सौख्याला तानपुऱ्यावर साथ मिळाली. उत्तार्धात मेलडी मेकर्स ह्यांनी सौख्याच्या गाण्यांना सिने तारांकित साथ दिली तर ध्वनी संयोजन डीजे डनिअल यांनी सांभाळले. सौरभ इनामदार ह्या सौख्याच्या जुळ्या  बंधूने साक्सोफोन वर कमालीची झुबी डुबी रंगवली तर अमन चोप्रा ह्या सौख्याच्या मित्राने गिटार वर मज्जा आणली. सनी मोझा ह्यांनी इंग्रजीत तर प्रणाली उबाळे-पोतदार ह्यांनी मराठी सूत्रसंचालन उत्तमरीत्या संभाळल. उत्तम स्टेज डेकॉर आणि प्रकाश व्यवस्था अशा सगळ्याच साथींनी ही मैफिल  पंचतारांकित बनली. ह्या सगळ्या व्यवस्थापनेचे श्रेय खरतर इनामदार कुटुंबियांना आणि त्यांच्यासोबत जोडलेल्या अनेक कुटुंबियांना - ज्यांनी ह्या कार्यक्रमासाठी मनापासून काम केल त्यांना जात. 

   

   अमेरिकेत जन्माला येउनही हिंदुस्थानी संगीतात पारंगत होण्याचा ध्यास घेणारी सौख्या म्हणजे एक अजब रासायनच! खरतर सौख्याला वयाच्या अडीच तीन वर्षापासून हिंदुस्थानी संगीतातल  बाळकडू आई - रेणुका ह्यांच्याकडूनच मिळाल. खेळणी सोडून कीबोर्ड वर अलंकार वाजवण्याचा खेळ खेळणाऱ्या सौख्याला कालीफोर्निया बे एरियातील संगीत शिक्षक श्री मनोज आणि अर्चना ताम्हनकर  याचं योग्य ते मार्गदर्शन लाभत आहे.  इंग्रजी आणि हिंदी गाणी मात्र सौख्या ऐकून आत्मसात करते. "आजकाल सौख्याच्या हिंदी गाण्यांच्या उच्चारांवर आणि बारकाव्यांवरती मला जास्त मेहनत मला घ्यावी लागत नाही" असे रेणुका आनंदाने सांगते. सौख्याला "मी राधिका मी प्रेमिका" ह्या गाण्यासाठी संगीतकार श्रीधर फडके ह्यांचे प्रत्यक्ष मार्गदर्शन आणि आशीर्वाद लाभले, हा भाग्ययोगच म्हणावा.योगायोगाची गोष्ट अशी सौख्या आपला  वाढदिवस  श्रेया घोषाल ह्या तिच्या आवडीच्या bollywood गायीकेसोबत साजरा करते.     

      सौख्याला आतापर्यंत  मिळालेल्या  गाण्यातील पारितोषिकांची गणना तिच्या वयाहूनही अधिक आहे. ती बे एरीयातील फ्रीमाउंट शहरातील talent winner आहे,तिला कल्याणजी आनंदजी पैकी आनंदजींनी  best  teen  voice म्हणून गौरविले आहे, तर R. D. बर्मन स्पर्धेची ती विजेती आहे. 'सितारे' आणि 'आशिया TV' वरची ती प्रसिद्ध स्टार performer आहे. बऱ्याचश्या समारंभाची सुरुवात तिच्या गाण्याने होते. अवघ्या तीन दिवसात संस्कृत मध्ये वन्दे मातरम शिकून सादर करणाऱ्या सौख्याला  खूप ठिकाणी भारतीय आणि अमेरिकन राष्ट्रगीत एकाच ठिकाणी गाण्यासाठी खास निमंत्रणही असतं.

  

        अशा गुणी  सौख्याची अनोखी मैफिल व्हावी ह्याच स्वप्न रेणुका माऊलीने बघितलं, अमित ह्यांनी त्याला खतपाणी घातलं. साक्षात सौख्याने ही मैफिल सजवली तिच्या संगीत गुरूंच्या मार्गदर्शनाने आणि पूर्वा - महेश काळे, सुधीर अरविंदन यांच्या मदतीने. संदीप उमराणी आणि सिद्धार्थ राणे ह्यांनी सौख्याच्या मैफिलीसाठीचे खास फोटो शूट केले. हा कार्यक्रम योजनाबद्ध रीतीने व्हावा म्हणून श्री कृष्णन ह्यांचे मार्गदर्शन लाभले.  ह्याचबरोबर बे एरियातील पन्नास कुटुंब एक झाली आणि ही पाचशे रसिकांची मैफिल यशस्वीरित्या फुलली. ह्या मैफिलीच एका वाक्यात श्रेय द्यायचं झाल तर; "एक उत्तम मूल घडवायला एक अख्खा गाव असावा लागतो, तसं अशी आपल्या संस्कृतीशी नाती सांगणारी सुसंस्कृत पिढी परदेशात तयार करण्यासाठी आपल्या संस्कृतीचा वारसा जपणारी, प्रेरणादायी कुटुंब आपल्या जवळ असावी लागतात." असा मित्र परिवार लाभण हा दैवयोग असला तरी आपली मुलं अशा परिवारात वाढवण्याची दृष्टीही असावी लागते. अमित-रेणुका हे एका आदर्श पालकांचे उदाहरण आहे. योग्य तिथे प्रोत्साहन आणि योग्य तिथे आदरयुक्त धाकात ते आपल्या मुलांना घडवण्याचा प्रयत्न करत आहेत.  म्हणूनच  ही  मैफिल म्हणजे फक्त एका इनामदार परिवारापुरती मर्यादित न राहता खर तर साऱ्यांची होऊन जाते. 

       असा हा  "स्वर सौख्याचे, स्वप्न साऱ्यांचे" कार्यक्रम म्हणजे साक्षात पूर्वेकडून पच्छिमेकडला सुसंस्कृत भारतीय पिढीचा प्रवास, सगळ्या परदेशवासी भारतीयांना नक्कीच प्रेरणादायी ठरेल.

Save your Wallets

As per FBI report, on an average every 46 seconds there is one car vandalism reported in United states.
Close to millions of car vandalism found throughout year are for stealing wallets and credit card frauds. 
It means you could be one of them any time soon or later. This statistics only tells us to take some smart actions to protect your finances. With any of vandalism acts one gets exposed to identity thefts to all sorts of financial thefts.  If you have electronic money, fraud could be reported and finances could be prevented. In such cases you’re not afraid to lose as everything is recoverable; but fact is you’re ruining up your head and spending your precious time with call centers.

Here are few ways you may want to pursue to take care of all such accidental situations.
1. Keep log of all important things in your wallet.
   Scan and keep your cards, IDs locked electronically. With any such accidents you may have
   certain important information handy to expedite your calls. This will help you to not get
   panic and recollect on important cards. With growing demands in life, our wallet grows with
   several membership cards to all sorts of credit cards, which makes it even more difficult to
   figure out what was there in your wallet that was stolen. 
2. Don’t make your wallet bulky :
   All sorts of store credit cards are nothing     but unwanted management we buy. So does with multiple company credit cards.
Even if you choose to have multiple credit/debit cards, it’s not always necessary to carry all
cards with you. Many of stores gets you discount with your phone numbers or by checking
driving license.
3. Use reader protector wallets:
        There are many devices easily available in market, which can read magnetic strip cards in
your wallet, including security code at back of credit card leading finance frauds and identity
thefts by reading your driving license.  If you often see public places, it’s a good idea to invest in
reader protecting wallets.

4. Be smart to use smart apps:
       On top of everything, best way to protect any thefts is use of smart phones and wallet apps
available. While making your smart phones valuable with more personal information, be smart
to protect your phone with biographic locks than using any password protections.
Here is list of apps best rated in 2016. Before using any of apps, please check compatibility of
these apps. Lower version of Android and IPhone may not be supported. These apps do have
workaround to support these apps on lower versions with some adaptive technology ways.
Please check more about them as per your need.
4.1.  LoopWallet :
- This is top pick app among all for iphones and android users, although this is paid app.
All you need to do is store all your cards including driving license and gift cards in app.
Other mobile wallet options utilize contact less technologies like Wi-Fi, bluetooth,
or NFC, which renders them unusable at any retail location that doesn’t have the correct
wireless capability. LoopWallet, on the other hand, allows users to store all of their
credit, debit, gift, and loyalty cards on their phones and pay using either a small key fob
or a charge case designed specifically for the iPhone. On check out you need to pull your
card from wallet app and put it in front of card reader.  The loop fob and charge case
generate a magnetic field that triggers the credit card terminal into thinking that a
physical card was swiped, making it indistinguishable from a traditional card transaction
for all practical purposes.
Best part of this app is there is no restriction on company of card you’re using it.
4.2. Softcard (Isis) :
This mobile wallet created by AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile for iPhone and Android
devices.  The app is free for anyone who uses AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon as their wireless
carrier, and it can be used to store and pay with credit cards from Chase, Wells Fargo, and
American Express as well as gift and loyalty cards. For users who do not carry cards from
these issuing banks, Isis allows payments to be made from a re-loadable American Express
Serve account. This utilizes NFC technology to enable contact less payments from a mobile
phone. After storing their cards in their phones, users simply open the app, enter a PIN,
choose the card they wish to pay with, and hold their phones over the designated area on
an NFC-compatible credit card terminal. Successful payments are confirmed with a beep.
4.3. Paypal :
PayPal offers a mobile app for iPhone and Android that allows users to make seamless
purchases at participating stores with funds from their PayPal accounts.
This app is now updated with a new emphasis on non-checkout features like early ordering,
improved store search, and simplicity of use. The PayPal app can store users’ debit and
credit cards as well as track coupons and time-sensitive deals. However, payments can only
be made from a designated PayPal account at locations that use PayPal-enabled POS
systems.
4.4. Google Wallet : 
Google Wallet allows users to store all debit, credit, gift, and loyalty cards
in their Google accounts, meaning that they can access these cards and make purchases
through their phone (via NFC), tablet, or desktop. Google Wallet users can also send money
to friends and pay for apps in the Play Store using their Wallets. Similar to Isis, Google
Wallet can be used to pay at physical locations using a PIN and an NFC connection. Users
just open the app, enter their PINs, and tap their phones to an NFC-enabled terminal. This
“tap-and-pay” functionality is only available on Android phones with NFC capability. The
three exceptions are the Samsung Galaxy Note III, the Evo 4G LTE, and the Nexus 7 (2012),
which are not tap-and-pay enabled. iPhone and Android users who do not have NFC-capable
phones or are running older versions of Android can still use Google Wallet to store cards,
make transfers to friends, and pay online.

With improved IoT and secure cloud technologies, it’s time to trust technology. 
There is always possibility to even hack your account electronically, yet considering companies investing much more on development and support; it’s much safer to protect your information than to expose in physical market causing thefts and harm to you.These apps do provide additional features to report on actual physical cards loss and send notification to your credit card companies immediately.
With these smart apps, all you need do is; grab your car key, phone and move out of home for outing!

...And it's yes!

Only Snapshot from First So Called date!

They say, love is blind and indeed one will not believe it unless it happens. As a practical, rational and logical girl I would have never fall in trap of saying… there is something...don’t know what happens but there is this click or instinct moves two of you forward or may be destiny...oh! We had to meet one fine day!


All logic apart, here I am! Saying all these and much more, whenever they asked how? Why he?

Well, I might have all special reasons and loads of explanations why he and why not someone else, however, how it clicked is probably a funniest journey we had.

They say, when something special is about to happen, you have lots of butterflies running in your tummy and you get some special waves and tickles. It is something to experience than to jot down and have someone follow waves that you’re in. We are one of those lucky couples, who could share such feelings and afford to have good courtship period,, though we met as totally unknown to each other on matrimony and in busy, fast running life.

Like, all others after discussing real objectives from marriage, we thought we were really not the once should meet for marriage, yet we kept talking. There was formal introduction, which got turned to funny-friendly and eventually a personal. I found listener in him, sometimes a friend who would give me rational and frank opinion or sometimes encouraging friend. He thought of me bubbly and cheerful friend, sometimes social butterfly but on very special note, one who will inspire him.

Although we had departed on marriage lines and had created distance, more and more we were looking forward for each other. Our boat started selling there! We met for fun then for so called date then for serious date (LOL) and just kept meeting again and again... All the time we would meet to figure out why again and would end discussions on how you should find your Mr. or miss right one, what you should do for it. For sure, there was chemistry to be comfortable with each other or even to think about someone else then.

On one fine day, we had to stop by, looking deep into each other’s eyes, holding hands together and walking miles together. We were speechless, but knew this is happening to us. We are “the once” to come together and look forward for forever journey. We might not be perfect as an individual but we are complimentary companions to run our life with joy and positive attitude.

As many others, we would have heavy discussions, realizing without him or her I so cannot step out. The more things are falling apart, more we are comprehending its best thing we could have ever said to each other, “YES I do”!

"Adieu"

  21st august, 2011 - one more unforgettable day in my life. The day I caught flight for my good or just to leave everything behind and move on (?).With mixed of emotions I had stepped in to Mumbai international airport. Catching flight for US was not at all new nor was M.K.G. (Mumbai-Kurla Gang) gathering along with so many my other family members at airport to give me sendoff. Yet, this time everything was different. I was leaving everything behind and getting on to some other life. I was not going to return back after a month but to come back for a month's vacation in an year. I was in full of tears and so was all closed once at airport. I never thought I will actually cry so much after my teen age had crossed nor did I thought of becoming so much emotional that I could not even move my feet.
    This time I was praying from bottom of my heart for flight delay or something should happened to postpone flight for a day at least. Alas! Nothing changed. Not even after I boarded one. My every flight journey gave me inadvertent experiences. Especially,flight delay incidences. Couple of times I had even got down from flights and stayed back at airport. This time nothing abrupt had happened and I finally boarded the flight. My big B was yet under impression that airline had actually missed my name and hence everything was going so smooth and on time. Not sure why, but exactly when I wanted my flight to be delayed for few hours and  I wanted to spend some more time with loved once,nothing abrupt happened to change anything on those lines.
     I stepped into flight with soggy eyes, snarl voice and heavy heart. The moment flight started taking off, I simply gone to every moment of my past. I was moving in flashback more than the light's speed .
Starting from my school days, college days and the first day of my job everything was still so clear. First time outside home, lovely roomies, new freinds... First onsite, so much enthusiasm, so many wishes from friends and demands from near once to get something or other for them. Huge messes, warm get togethers...
Every weekend Mumbai-Pune hoppings. Starting from Indrayani train, `Hardik` travels (one of my friend who had car and we all used to jump in his car for weekend travels) to Shivneri journeys. Every weekend grand welcoming from big B’s, friends and sweet Sis. Drowsy Monday early mornings and every weekend drop till bus stop or railway station to push me to Pune by my friends and big B.  Every Monday answering same question to mumbai-pune group why my big B comes to drop me, otherwise how I would have been kicked out of my job due to every Monday off stories. Few abrupt Monday’s with sudden calls to manager- for taking off for no reason or just to get rid of weekend hangover.
Over the period of time so many assortments had formed. So many distinct activities with them…office events, coffee breaks, carom, resting at recreation room...Endless weekends and various debates. Long treks, sudden picnics,impulsive plans for weekends. Weird activities, some foolish jerks and touchy friends. Lot of messages from lovely hearts `don’t dare to forget`. So many send off parties… Everything is priceless! Now even I myself is startled that I made decision to leave such beloved once for couple of years! Everything seems to be surprising...
   I'm really lucky to have something that makes me saying good-bye to all of you so difficult.  
Not sure, what all I left behind or what I had actually clutched but for sure I’ll be missing all that…all of you friends, my beloved family and all my DVCI colleagues…


P.S. Thanks for giving me happy trails. I'm proud to have you all in my life, helping me turning all my blue trails in to happy once and making me riding them in counting way! Miss you all untill we meet again.

Happy New Year :)

Although be-lated - "happy new year to all of you". May this year brings lots of happiness and good health to you. You may have nice resolutions and at least this year you  follow them meticulously.

I am not an exception to one of you, who makes resolution list and tries to adhere till the time one has fervor (or fever) of resolutions.
Yet, I havn't even given up making up one. The only challenge I face is "what should be there on list?"

After around a month I could figure out I should have a bucket list which will help me to improve on most other fronts. Things we normally circumvent in being race of careerist and materialistic.
What will I actually count at the age of fifty, when I am settled with some secure amount, home or may be with kids and may regret upon few things should have been done in my lifetime or will sigh for -- must be on my list, making lifetime pleasant.

Well, this May not be for a year but for time I attain that age :) 

All Izz Well...

“Di, I got the tickets, I have to fly tomorrow early morning” unexciting voice replied me over the phone. My head started rotating too. I could not concentrate on my work and this news almost broke me down. The news was not at all bad nor was it surprising. We knew soon lil miss is gonna fly to Banglore to start her career. Yet, somewhere I was worried for her. Till now she was always with me. I used to see her every week-end. The moment I used to hear her soaked voice, I could take liberty to see her by leaving everything at my end. Now that she will be away at considerable miles, I’ll have to think of seeing her often for sure. Don’t know but I was not prepared for this actuality for sure.

In total thirteen students including my sis’s were moving to Banglore from Pune training centre. I knew she was not alone, and it’s her time to move on, explore new place and people too. Definitely she needs to breathe in independent air. Finally with all mindset preparations I went to drop her. Flight was at early morning and before flying buddies could reach at airport all their batch mates had gathered to give them sendoff. I was surprised to see her entire batch at airport coming from very distant places, yet managing to reach so early morning. The moment we got out of car, entire group hugged lil miss. I was shocked to see, other people’s love for her. I could see all innocent faces crying and trying to console themselves. For sure they had shared amazing bond, and when their associates are getting dispersed throughout India for job postings all of them getting sensitive. All of them were guaranteeing each other to see in vacations at different places. Few of them were instructing to take care. Most of them were forcing all Banglore posting buddies should stay in same apartments. As and when flying time was coming closer, all were getting touchy. Lot of crying, promising and what not …

My entire mindset changed in fraction of moment. I could perceive now, lil miss is not so lil and she has her own world, where she is protected and people around her are keeping her happy as best as they can.  There was absolutely no need to worry for her. She is really grown up which I never thought of she will ever be at one fine day. The moment I had reached airport, her Di had got misplaced and friends came in picture. But the developed kid made sure, I was alright. All her friends made me sure, there will be joy with them and I in fact was unnecessary concerned.

The moment flight announcement started so many hands waved with one sound…”All Izz Well”.

All the best kido! Hope you have nice time, people and lots of opportunities.

Toddlers -> Frank -> Over frank?

Those who are elder they for sure understand the pain behind this title.

 Here are some incidences to prove it –

  I buy some dress which I feel is best fit I can ever choose. My lil sis walks in with one glimpse over dress; she proves this is the worst thing I could ever pick. And then I comprehend x amount that I spent is just worth filling my wardrobe!

You change the phone ring to one of your favorite sentimental song instrumental …relating to your good old (young?) days – reminding you some ***stuff. In home when babyish siblings hear it – w/o seeing what you can feel about ring they declare “This is such an annoying ringtone one can ever have. Who the **** gave you this ringtone to fool you?” I somehow pick one of their phone and start looking for ringtone put in so called their ‘cool’ folders.

You go for alumni get together and come back home with wet heart. Your adolescent brother catches you asking did you find any handsome senior than what you thought he was before. You look at him – thinking was that the purpose? They prove: No wonder... you’re still single. 

??Resolution??

Writting blogs in  indian language is one of the painful thing I have ever found. (specially when you write them at your work-station!) I started writting marathi blog in May month. Wanted to say this was one of b'day resolution and immediately act on it. Alas! this blogpost and my work-station did not allow me to pursue this resolution. So after long time on one of my friend's b'day I went back and check 'my resolution-list'. There I found, below posted saved draft -written in marathi with hell lot of spelling mistakes. this time I put 100% energy and work time to rectify it. With all cursor playing games and transalations I could complete my first marathi blog in office hrs on office m/c. What else you need to gear up your resolutions?

"HaPpY BiRtH WeEk"

I am celebrating my b’day for aprrox a week now (and still celebrations with different groups are in queue). The whole week is full of joy, surprises, cakes, gifts, cards and off course with friends.
So now I am hearing new wishes – “Happy birth week dear!” Although I am celebrating some XX b’day, nevertheless my friends are motivating me to celebrate it on biannual basis.
Thanks freinds :)


P.S. This post is for them who forgot my b’day and forgot to even wish me belated or in advance.

Isn't it?

Me and my specs

Finally I had reached to the third specs shop in the same week and now I had to finalize one frame for me. Else Prady (my good friend :) ) for sure would have killed me and asked me to rescue her for any kind of shopping that I do with her and make her tired. (She is not the only one who gets nausea out of my shopping but there are many. :) ) Somehow I was not liking any of the frames that attendant was showing. Actually this time the problem was I didn’t know what I was looking for…Prady kept on knocking me saying “mam, you’re looking for specs since you have feared of getting lens infection that Sheetz have got and I know for sure you will not use that specs for that long. So better you choose the one that is cheap and fine.” But I was sure this time to use specs and being proactive for lens infection.

Still I was unable to choose one may be somewhere the in the background process was running another show and I was lost in that…. Last year of engineering I had got the number (power of specs). I was shocked to get specs and cried a lot… I had no other choice but to use specs. I was pleading my optician for lenses and he kept on denying.Suddenly my Sis shouted, “You moron, get specs and let’s go home. You have to wait till a year and half for getting lenses. And anyways who knows you’re acting or no….!” Here I got a jerk. For sure I was not acting for that big number than the one I had acted before.

I was in school that time, I guess had just passed the first term of eight’s std., it was when many of my friends had got power for their eyes. I don’t know why, how but I liked the look in battery they had got. Somehow I was jealous of all of them who had specs and were looking even more studious than what really were they. So I wanted the specs, for so called “studious” and “sincere” looks. But somehow I was not reading enough to get one or maybe I was too healthy to get it. Then I decided to get specs just by acting…Oh, yes. By Acting!

Then I started acting at home; while watching TV I used to cry…after returning from school my head -ache used start. While reading I used fetch tears from eyes. Somewhere my grandparents started noticing all the sufferings I had had. [:O] (After all one should have grandparents for whatever you need at right time [;)]) My granny informed my father, “seems her granddaughter is not well nowadays. Its being three days she was finding tears in my eyes and getting head-ache.”(I had gathered enough information when people get specs what kind of symptoms one will get et al.) My Father asked me and I nodded positively. He asked me whether I have any problem in noticing bus number while catching it for school. However I was not having any clue on this; still, I was bouncing that plan was taking correct move and I will get what I wanted.

Then I geared my study for specs frame, in which I’ll look so called “studious” and “sincere”. I tried my friends’ specs and found the one I was looking for resembling with my favorite cricket player ‘Dada’ (Saurav Ganguly). [There was a trend in my class that time to get things resembling one’s favorite actors, players to show off how much one is crazy for them :)]

My father said we will go to eye specialists on weekend to check what’s wrong with my eyes. Now I was upset. Because many of doctors I have ever visited turn out to be an honest friend or known person for my father. Somehow I wanted to visit optician where they have computerized eye-testing and they prove every human being on earth has minimum power. But who will resist father? Then Again I acted, saying the eye specialist had put the drop which was damn bitter in taste when it came to mouth and the test that doctor conducted was very long. (If you have ever visited any eye specialist then you will come to know what I am talking about. They have some two continuous days test running for determining the power of your eyes and drops they use are really repulsive to run from their dispensaries! ) I casually asked my father putting my problems down, “why can’t we see computerized optician in this new technology world than this eye specialists?” He calmly replied, “I don’t trust them! Eye specialist is the best source to determine and you can rely on.” Then I resisted, “But I don’t like them. They add drops which make me feel like vomiting. Let’s go to computerized checking.” I don’t know how but my father agreed and next day we visited one computerized optician.

Somehow I was hoping for computerized optician theory; this one proved too that I have got very minor number but he also informed my father we can choose to get one specs or no. There I was standing in upset mood; my father glanced at me and said we will opt for one. Then optician asked for specs frame choice and bounced back with all the minor details of frame I desired for. Father was stun indeed to get specific details but he did not utter a word and paid bills. There I was having sigh of relief and ready for new looks.

After that I started using specs and realized I cannot see things from specs in clear way. All the time I was getting bothered with specs frame borders. Also specs was living footprints (may be frame-prints :)) on my nose, and I just left the use of specs. Again my caring grandpa noticed it and informed it to father. Seems his granddaughter was fine now and she was not using specs anymore. At one dine time my father asked me why I was not wearing specs while watching TV show, and reminded the pain and cry I had had before specs. I simply said, specs were not good and I used to see everything without wearing specs. And now after two weeks of continuous use of specs, even head-ache problem got solved, also I had very minor number and use of glasses was limited to my wish as per optician.

But after all I was talking to my father, he did not start conversation for forcing me to use the specs but it was something else. He continued, “so, how may in your class are still left with specs and actual power?” I was astounded with the question and jumbled, “don’t know, very few of us had got the number”. He re-questioned, “Give me the contact numbers of your friends having battery like you I mean having minimal number”. I was dazed while answering, “No no. Not like that you’re thinking father. It was just me.” Somehow he was successful in getting the root of the problem that I had acted for specs. I had almost broken into tears without even getting fired. Then the anchor of the story- my grandpa came into the picture and suddenly caught the ear of my father and said, “You do not have any right to scold your daughter since you had done the same drama when you were in school!” Wow! Suddenly my face turned into bright mood. Granny and grandpa were laughing too. My younger sis was rolling her eyes on me and my father. Needless to say, father took different stand and we had nice dinner.

Now I knew which kind of specs I was actually looking for and could choose one frame for me. Prady was behind me saying “thanks mam, for choosing one. Now let’s celebrate for your specs shopping…!”

Is the zeal going down?

This is a conversation between a student and a school teacher, who met after long period. Let’s call this student as “S” and teacher as “T”. (I know this has become a long one :) But one of my friend had suggested me to keep it on one page instead of breaking it in part. So here we have a long story....Any suggestions for breaking this are welcome.)
Just to give you background:
The student “S” is one the favorite of teacher “T” and they meet often , though “S” has left school and working as a software engineer in very good MNC firm. But this time “S” and “T” are meeting after an year. By this time”S” has completed almost two years of experience in IT industry. No doubt “S” has become professionally sound, economically healthy; but after meeting his teacher he is realizing something somewhere is going wrong with him…
S: Hi Sir, how are you? After long time we are meeting rt?
T: Ya really. After an year this time. Well I am good. You say. Wearing Nice shoes… any girl in life?
S: Oops. Fortunately no and enjoying freedom of being independent. BTW, thanks for the shoes comment. I bought this pair from States.
T: Oh, I just forgot to ask you about your foreign trip. So how was it? How was your work-experience there? Did you like the country?
S: Ya. Pretty much. Onsite experience was really good. I got to learn many things there. Sir, you should travel once to States. There are lot of places to explore. The great thing I found, there was people over there were pleasurable. The work culture is just awesome. People respect your personal life and unless and until there is a crucial time, they will not ask you to work late hours. In India the management is not so good. Sometimes we find here the late night working culture is the only thing you can count upon for getting benefits or perks.
T: Hey, Common, don’t curse your country so much. We are working this way, just because here we have people to do certain kind of jobs. Look at a person standing in your front. I never worked an extra hour. Still I’m doing my duty in fixed hours. And if you want to emphasize on IT industry then may be somewhere my knowledge is lacking. But I’m sure this trend will not continue for so long. At least a person will get bored in certain point of his/her life and will give up working like a dog. Don’t you?
S: [:) ] Ya. For sure. At least I’m thinking in the same way. But most of the time my collogues are ready to
work late hours and they are ready to provide extra support from their side, so it becomes a race. If you want to survive you have to show that kind of keenness towards work- life.
T: Oh, so you’re again in race. How many races you will participate in? First your academic race then performance race…life is not a race S. Does that mean you don’t like your work?
S: Well… I am yet to figure that out. But for sure sometimes work becomes a routine and IT life becomes monotonous. I don’t know why but I sound like boring guy now a days.
T: Hm. so this is the reason for creeping about work life and putting extra hours. The reason why you and your generation are suffering from this trend is because you people have developed a habit of seeing grass better always on other side. And sometimes you forget to compare your ground and other grass’s. You guys are well paid in such young age. At our time we had to struggle lot for just earning enough. And how is your life monotonous? What you would have done if you have to teach same chapter every year to the same standard of students in same season?
S: That’s the reason I did not even think of doing TA ship at any point. I don’t know how people get in to such field and survive. How could you do that?
T: I didn’t have to do anything. Though I have to teach the same books, students in front of me are new and for students the same books are new. I realized my job is so special that, even though for me it is job, students need to experience new endure through the same task and there is no other option but put life into routine. May be not for me but for the kids sitting in front of me and desiring some good lessons and new thrill from teacher.
S: Hm… I still remember your typical styles of reciting poems and every other batch used to talk on just that style. That time we never found you are getting bored of your typical style.
T: Yeah… My responsibility is not to get bored. Well, tell me what do you do after coming back from work?
S: Nothing great. Living away from home so sometimes we cook sometimes we watch movie or so, then go to bed and get ready for next day routine. There is no time to read books. I know you will get surprised by hearing this as I was the one who used to beg books on several topics from you daily. But this is the truth. Now days, I read hardly any book.
T: Oh I see. Hey you used to write nice articles too. Did you forget that? What about your guitar learning? I remember your flop show at guitar competition when you were in eighth standards and then your tenth class performance for the same competition in school. It was rocking. We all were shocked to see you performing so well. Do you still play guitar?
S: Ya sometimes I do play guitar, especially on weekends, when we have party or occasionally on any of my friend’s birthday party at home. But that happens very rarely. Most of the time, we have parties at nice restaurants. Since we all are bachelors’ and no one is ready to cook, moreover ready to clean up so we do parties outside. Sometime I do get bored of these parties and same dishes trying outside home too. Well, you were talking about writing nice articles…? You must be kidding. I don’t know whether I still have that drive to write.
T: Hey…don’t sound like a retired old person. Now days, I don’t do this and that. You are not even 25 and talking like this? How can you forget about your monthly articles for school magazine? You used write articles, stories, nice poems too. I still remember the drama that you and R (R is S’s best friend from school days. Still they are in touch. “R” is in arts field.) had written and directed for annual gathering. I can still show you those magazines in school and cassette of your play. You used write even in college am I right? Tell me, when did you write last time?
S: Ya. Last article was in engineering college. I do remember those glittery days. That drama was one of the challenges we had taken from A sir. We had got bored of doing his weeping dramas. So R and I had fought with him to give us the responsibility for doing something different. The outcome was superb. We had to go through lot of elimination rounds in front of all teachers and got disappointed several times. But still we all had fun at that time. That time this A sir helped us in editing the script. He taught us many things. With his help we had performed one of the professional dramas in gathering written and directed by students for students. Not only me and R but everyone in school had enjoyed it. Sometimes I feel R is lucky that he moved to arts side and enjoying his life with his own business that he always wanted to do.
T: So, again you have started looking at grass on other side? Ooh. But I guess R is also struggling with his business to come up and maintain his name. He is not even getting nice programs on radio. He is doing some sort of dubbings and max handling one or two shows on radio. So everyone has his or her own struggle to come up. But what you should not loose is the enigma, drive you have into you. Why don’t you start writing again? May be you can start your own blog. I am not asking you write drama or book, but try giving hand. May be you can do something you like to peruse. Remember, over the period of time any job irrespective how various things you handle in a day sound like a routine. Being an engineer, you will not always do something different that is challenging and as per your skills. After all it’s a job, which is an assignment. You will enjoy it, depending on how much life you’re putting in it. We have travelled so far and still you can get the same warm and energy from us. Even we have pass through the same situations at certain stage in life but have you ever realized that? Our generation’s intensity of getting bored is much lower than your generation. Isn’t it?
S: Ya. I do understand what you mean to say, Sir. But I am stuck. I don’t know what to do.
T: Start praying GOD. Do you do that?
S: Sir, here I am asking something else and you’re kidding…?
T: Oh am I?
S: Sir…
T: See that means you don’t pray GOD. You have lost humor from your life too? I am Just using your words…”from life!”
S: [:( ]
T: Look things are pretty simple but you’re not ready to take them the way they are and hence you’re messed up. You have given up your relaxing habits or the things you have most enjoyed or maybe you would like to enjoy so ultimately you’re stuck with the things which you don’t like and forced to do those with no other option in your hand. This is the reason everything is sounding boring or routine or no life for you. You are earning so well, why don’t you join some guitar class again and enjoy it? Why you’re not taking out your time and enjoying places nearby? I guess that will help you.
S: Ya. That’s true. Initially we used to do outings on weekend. But we all couldn’t continue as one or the other from my group travels to home or onsite on weekend. Initially I had even planned for guitar classes but on weekdays it becomes difficult. Sometimes on weekend I have to work so cannot pursue that on regular basis. I hope you’re aware of the traffic in city, most of the time I’m pieced of travelling to office and again the same travelling on weekend…?
T: Come on. You have to find the ways out for yourself. Don’t give reasons to yourself. What about writing? It seems your eluding that topic.
S: Sir, What to write?
T: You want me to give you topic as in school essay topic?
S: Well …again you started making fun. [:( ]
T: oh is it?
S: [:( ]
T: Just open your eyes and look at the coin’s other side. You yourself will come up with topics. I know you write well. You are just blocked for some time that does not mean that you cannot come out of that stage. It’s just a beginning for you…
S: Well, that’s true. I am thinking of reading old school and college magazines in which I wrote some crap things may be that will give me energy to do something.
T: That’s like a good boy. Never give up. There are always times when you are stuck or you can consider you are on down side, but these times are most crucial. These times will teach you what you don’t like and made you to think upon. Again such times are needed. Nobody is great teacher like a self experience. So this will bring you in better stage. What’s say?
S: I hope I’m on downside of the sine wave. By the way I had heard of your retirement from R. So when are you getting retired? What are your plans after retirement? Are you excited about it?
T: Well, I am excited as well as sad. After long period I will be leaving school and students. But I have to prepare for that time too. I still have one and half year in my hand. After that I’ll be free bird to do most of the energetic things. I was longing for starting my own column in newspaper since long. While working in school I was occupied with various responsibilities and off course I had my family to run. Now it is bit relaxing so can take up such jobs where I’ll enjoy and least bother about money. I have sent some selected articles to newspaper. I am just hoping to get a call from them. I am alos trying out some recording sessions on radio again, off course with R’s help.
S: Wow that’s great. But you think you can start with these kinds of things at any stage of your age?
T: Why not? Not everybody is on right place at right time. But one has to try to get that place and one should not let go his passion for it. You must be aware of Ravindranath Tagore.
S: Ya. The great poet and writer who refused “SIR” degree from British.
T: Yes. He was good painter too. He started learning or experimenting paintings at his 70’s.
S: Oh. So you mean everything can be learned at any age…well I used to think of it just as a concept.
T: Yes my dear. You will say the same thing when you will free yourself to explore and do what you like. You might have to take some risks or compromise on so called sophisticated and secure life for that. Take up risks and go ahead for what you’re enjoying the most. After all we get one life and in that you will not do things you like then when else, aren’t it?
S: Ya. Sometimes I feel I am just running behind the name, money and position and forgetting there is something that I need to enjoy.
T: Never do that. Remember we need money just to run life. Money can’t buy a name for you. You will get name by the things you’re enjoying the most. Have you ever seen a person who is having fame and he is not enjoying what he has achieved fame for? Take the example of any saint that you know. Did they work for getting name? Recently I read one article of St. Janabai, written by Mrs.Potdar in one of the local magazine, St. Janabai was a simple woman and never went to school. She must not be aware of name and fame too. At her time she must have not even thought of doing something, but look at the her abhngas’. They all are so sweet and revealing simple truths of life.
S: I guess you as well come under the same category… [:) ]
T: Oh thanks. I didn’t know that. Anyways there is alumni get-together next month and I am eagerly waiting for your presence there. This time I would liketo listen to your new creations and guitar performance on stage. Hey do plan some small play with R and rest of your friends. That will be great. What’s say?
S: I will try my best. This will be a really good opportunity to start something else. I will knock R tomorrow itself then.
T: Sure. [:)] I know you guys will again rock school stage. Keep enjoying your time. This time will not come again for you. Learn to enjoy your life and never let your enigma going down.
After this conversation it is needless to say, “S” was back to his mood and now doing his job in fixed hours and planning his time for various activities that he always wanted to start with.
I guess, even I need to take this dose and plan for myself. What’s say?

Cooking is not my stuff??

Sometimes people like to experiment obtusely @@@@
I think I am also one of them…..
Now that I had some endure of cooking I thought I can cook for my friends.
Also it was one of the occasions that we wanted to be together (or I had forced my friends?)before one of our effusive member Gopal go to India for home vacation….
So here I was … I invited my gulti group with whom I enjoyed the most when I come to visit this production US site and work in encumbrance environment.
So we all set to go for this new happening…I was supposed to prepare decent dinner for all of us at Satish’s apartment.
Before taking this decision I had couple of times experience with me of cooking for friends which had boosted my confidence …. (Although this experience means preparing khichadi and some other simple vegetables.) Also I had tips from Shubhashri(good Chef I know in this visit) .
And now mess started ….few of my cousins and friends were warning me on my experimentation. And also hoping people should be salvaged who will have to taste food….
In good mood me and Satish did required shopping, in back of my mind I was reciting recipe of some vegetables….which Shubhashri had given…
Finally I entered Satish’s Kitchen…
Now this can be one more blog if we start describing this nut’s customs…and disciplines.
I was impressed by his tidiness. His kitchen- it was not lesser than beloved Mother’s kitchen. Everything was up to date. You will find his kitchen drawers properly arranged- one for spices, one for cookery accessories. All shelves were arranged properly for food items. Moreover he had done bedding of news paper on which everything was placed neatly.
I was pleased to see a guy being so particular about kitchen. (I have seen bachelor’s houses to mention this artlessly.)
So now I saw his fridge and found okra was lying down….I don’t know how but I changed my plans and though of preparing it. From this point on words I started getting jerks…
It was first time I was about to prepare this vegetable and I knew the recipe so started to fry it … sometimes some things unnecessarily take time and this frying was one of them.
This okra was not getting fried as per expectation and was too obstinate to get rid of its stickiness…
I was trying my best but of no use… finally once I had smelled that Satish is a good chef I called him. Being a expert he could sympathized that I was frying okra w/o adding oil…..
So he caught my all such blunt methods when I was proceeding with cooking.
Then you can imagine how this cook helped me to come out of the convoluted situation and able to survived rest of my friends.
Anyways ultimate menu was palatable and upon that we had pickles. Alls well that ends well.I had received thanks from Gopal for food and the moment I revealed how I managed it he said, “you have passed the test although you did Cheating!!! Forget about the way to appear for exam concentrate on results!” Wah… here I admire Mr.Gopal for enjoying his life in all sense.
So there I am now …gearing up for cooking… and building new resolutions….

"Chack De" @ US...Fun , excitement!!!

I was there for supporting some critical issue @ site during July,2007 and there I caught this one to get relaxed and entertained with my freinds cum collogues. It was nice feeling to watch Chack De movie in US :)
whole theater was full! Although ticket was of 10$ !

Well there were firnags as well... :)

Theatre was typical Indian.. 1st of all it was art theatre exists in Champaign Urbana. Best part of theatre was although u book ticket ur seat can b decided how fast u reach the theatre! So we saw resvn thr by putting handkerchief , bags,popcorn packes....& god knows with what not! it reminded me @ our mumbai local trains resvns....! Movie gave nice feedback for this .... 2nd thing @ theatre that it was typical Indian ...in Us most of stuff u can buy online always with sm or other concessions but for this theatre if u book online ticket extra $ was charged! Upon tht movie started 15 min. late............... :) We n'joy all this...(but sm where deep down we were feeling bad too! :) But tht theatre was not ours so it was tradition followed here means even firangs r.... :)[lol] (so happy coz even for ENG movies they follow same thing! )

For this movie half of the Amdocs was present & quarter of Champaign students. (I cud see nice Indian guys...) rest being firnags! I had nice firanag uncle sitting besides me. He had a habit of watching hindi movies…! Crowd of firang was in all sort of Indian things … wearing some Indian stuff. most of ladies with bindi on head… Nice to c tht!

Thn the moment we all saw Shahrukh's name all girls started screaming thr….! The horrible sound we heard when we saw Preeti's entry…(from all stupid guys ! but obvious. As they really can't do anything special thn tht in movie hall!).

In interval it was nice to meet our directors & managers (of production sites)who never sleep apart from flight journey :) (thank god they at least know life exists w/o defects!)

Overall it was good experience of watching speacially this movie outside India.
It was better feeling as obvious and amazing when there were tight shifts of work and u ran out of ur workplace to catch this.....