The recently concluded festival season, and the now in progress marriage season, brings out the band-baja on the streets.
Here is an example of the DHOL-TASHA seen in Pune during Ganpati festival – discipline, rhythm, but just too many people involved to create the magic / passion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXl0htbW6fw&feature=related
Here is another version – sandal – popular in Nagpur – 2 people, 2 drums – the unique drum beats, the tempo, and the unique ‘sandal’ dances. I was not able to get a good video for this though. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWU3_IP4aUU
And here’s the worst example you can find – a marriage band in Pune. Called a ‘brass’ band, has drums, but any sound made by them is drowned out by the amplified output of keypad generated music. Really, money down the drain!
What is missing in Pune is the ‘real’ marriage band, example – as seen in one of the Love Aaj Kal songs, albeit used as a soft background.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDne5fEsxec – see the first 10 seconds to understand what I mean. The trumpets, the 6 feet drums, no electronic amplification needed. I do feel sorry about the band members though – dressed in 10 year old crazy uniforms, in the stifling heat.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Pune.. rapid urbanization
With rapid urbanization in Pune, we have now developed conjoined twins – the original village and the new townships that have come on the village land that was earlier used for farming. Some examples are – the urban “Aundh” has the “Aundh-gaon”, Baner has “Baner-Gaon”, “Pashan” has “Pashan-Gaon/Someshwarwadi” as their alter egos.
The folks staying in the old village still continue to do some marginal farming – either by choice, or waiting for it to be zoned as ‘residential’ so that it can be then sold for crores. Most farmers with bigger land holdings have made their moolah this way, and drive around in white Pajeros, Enddevours, Scorpio and other assorted SUVs – the only common factor being white clothes and white vehicles. Ex farmers have now become the local corporators, MLAs – they own the thriving water tanker business – people living in the’urban’ areas think that they have 24 hours corporation provided water supply, but in most cases, the meager water supply is augmented with the ‘water tankers’. At 800 Rs for 9000 litres of water, all of it drawn from wells owned by the farmers, it’s a business with 80% margins !
The old vacated semi-urban village houses are now occupied by migrants from various states, mostly you will see folks from Rajasthan who ply their trade as carpenters, electricians, painters – all servicing the booming realty market.
With the adhoc urbanization, city planning / development goes for a toss – you have 6000 Rs/sq foot real estate built – but no approach roads, no water. You have developed localities – but no civic amenities. Space for a police station, library, garden, play-ground – all exist – but only on paper – in the city’s Development Plan. The 1987 development plan for Pune, is still only 30% implemented J
The moment you enter the ‘gaon’ part – you will feel as if you are 100 kms outside Pune – the pace of life there is light years slower than the frenetic city life.
For those in Pune – visit the 300 year old Shiv temple in Someshwar-wadi ( 5 minutes off Baner/Aundh T point), and the adjoining civic garden. The temple premises are pretty big – old stone masonry, and a fort-like look.
Also, try the Baner hill (right behind Baner gaon, besides Pancard club) – a nice place for a weekend morning/evening stroll. 300 odd steps to the top of the mountain, excellent views all around. The main hillock adjoins a hilly area that separates Sus Road-Baner road – you can volunteer as part of a nature-lovers’ group who assemble on the hill top each Sunday morning at 7:30 AM. They have constructed few water tanks on the hill, and group together on Sunday mornings to water trees/plants that have been planted as part of an afforestation drive.
The folks staying in the old village still continue to do some marginal farming – either by choice, or waiting for it to be zoned as ‘residential’ so that it can be then sold for crores. Most farmers with bigger land holdings have made their moolah this way, and drive around in white Pajeros, Enddevours, Scorpio and other assorted SUVs – the only common factor being white clothes and white vehicles. Ex farmers have now become the local corporators, MLAs – they own the thriving water tanker business – people living in the’urban’ areas think that they have 24 hours corporation provided water supply, but in most cases, the meager water supply is augmented with the ‘water tankers’. At 800 Rs for 9000 litres of water, all of it drawn from wells owned by the farmers, it’s a business with 80% margins !
The old vacated semi-urban village houses are now occupied by migrants from various states, mostly you will see folks from Rajasthan who ply their trade as carpenters, electricians, painters – all servicing the booming realty market.
With the adhoc urbanization, city planning / development goes for a toss – you have 6000 Rs/sq foot real estate built – but no approach roads, no water. You have developed localities – but no civic amenities. Space for a police station, library, garden, play-ground – all exist – but only on paper – in the city’s Development Plan. The 1987 development plan for Pune, is still only 30% implemented J
The moment you enter the ‘gaon’ part – you will feel as if you are 100 kms outside Pune – the pace of life there is light years slower than the frenetic city life.
For those in Pune – visit the 300 year old Shiv temple in Someshwar-wadi ( 5 minutes off Baner/Aundh T point), and the adjoining civic garden. The temple premises are pretty big – old stone masonry, and a fort-like look.
Also, try the Baner hill (right behind Baner gaon, besides Pancard club) – a nice place for a weekend morning/evening stroll. 300 odd steps to the top of the mountain, excellent views all around. The main hillock adjoins a hilly area that separates Sus Road-Baner road – you can volunteer as part of a nature-lovers’ group who assemble on the hill top each Sunday morning at 7:30 AM. They have constructed few water tanks on the hill, and group together on Sunday mornings to water trees/plants that have been planted as part of an afforestation drive.
Random....
As you travel towards Mumbai on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway – right after the Amrutanjan Point – as you start the descent towards Mumbai, you have a Tapri on the roadside, and 1 lane of the already congested ghat section is filled with parked trucks while the drivers have a cuppa
· If you get a chance, you must visit the Big Bazaar / Big Cinemas complex in Pimpri – a huge free parking lot – reminds me of the Walmart parking lots in the US – you can actually push the shopping cart right till your car – in almost all other malls – parking is non-existent, they charge you even if you park on the road, and you can’t carry the shopping cart out of the store J Lots of food court options, and a chance to catch up a movie in the same trip, free parking included!
· Here is an unique approach my friend is using to search for baby names, apart from searching for them online. The trucks and water tankers that ply around the city have the names of children of the owners painted on it, and per my friend, are a good source of potential names
· If you get a chance, you must visit the Big Bazaar / Big Cinemas complex in Pimpri – a huge free parking lot – reminds me of the Walmart parking lots in the US – you can actually push the shopping cart right till your car – in almost all other malls – parking is non-existent, they charge you even if you park on the road, and you can’t carry the shopping cart out of the store J Lots of food court options, and a chance to catch up a movie in the same trip, free parking included!
· Here is an unique approach my friend is using to search for baby names, apart from searching for them online. The trucks and water tankers that ply around the city have the names of children of the owners painted on it, and per my friend, are a good source of potential names
News from around the world..
US Army’s “smart” bullets: http://www.pcworld.com/article/212029/US_army_takes_on_taliban_with_smart_bullets.html?tk=out
England snow – man drive in circles for 72 hours, even with a GPS:
http://www.news.com.au/world/grandfather-72-drove-in-circles-for-three-days-in-heavy-snow/story-e6frfkyi-1225976656404
Gender discrimination in India - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/To-ensure-prized-baby-boy-Indians-flock-to-Bangkok/articleshow/7169495.cms
Dead child comes alive http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/living-infant-declared-dead-saved-from-pyre-75392?pfrom=Cities
Racism embedded in Indian psyche - http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-12-23-the-darker-side-of-indians
Day in the life of an Indian worker: http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-a-day-in-the-life-of-an-indian-worker/20101116.htm
England snow – man drive in circles for 72 hours, even with a GPS:
http://www.news.com.au/world/grandfather-72-drove-in-circles-for-three-days-in-heavy-snow/story-e6frfkyi-1225976656404
Gender discrimination in India - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/To-ensure-prized-baby-boy-Indians-flock-to-Bangkok/articleshow/7169495.cms
Dead child comes alive http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/living-infant-declared-dead-saved-from-pyre-75392?pfrom=Cities
Racism embedded in Indian psyche - http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-12-23-the-darker-side-of-indians
Day in the life of an Indian worker: http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-a-day-in-the-life-of-an-indian-worker/20101116.htm
Ever wonder...
I have never been able to understand why “English” or proper nouns are written down in Hindi the way they are:
Indian Oil is written as INDIAN AAAA-YAL
Birla is written as BIDLA
· Instructions in public buses or trains are meant to give information to travelers or provide warnings. In India, they are never written in an easy to read format – be it in English or Hindi or Marathi – “beware of pickpockets” or similar such messages in buses etc are always written in a broken font (I think a stencil or something is used when painting the messages) - its impossible to reach such message until you really stare at them J
· The other way – “Ram” in all English school textbooks is always written as “Rama” – but “Lakshman” is not written as “Lakshmana” JJ
· What is the origin of the oft-heard word in old Hindi movies – “Vilayat”
Indian Oil is written as INDIAN AAAA-YAL
Birla is written as BIDLA
· Instructions in public buses or trains are meant to give information to travelers or provide warnings. In India, they are never written in an easy to read format – be it in English or Hindi or Marathi – “beware of pickpockets” or similar such messages in buses etc are always written in a broken font (I think a stencil or something is used when painting the messages) - its impossible to reach such message until you really stare at them J
· The other way – “Ram” in all English school textbooks is always written as “Rama” – but “Lakshman” is not written as “Lakshmana” JJ
· What is the origin of the oft-heard word in old Hindi movies – “Vilayat”
Memories from the past
It’s almost impossible to see kids flying kites (January), or playing with marbles (summer vacations) –
@ Kites : The words like “Suttar”, “Kanna”, “Saddi”, “Luddi”, “Bareilly ka manja”, “Girgot”, shouting “O….Paar”- till you were hoarse, “Serous” – I still don’t know the correct technical/scientific name for this raw material – which you boil and mix the ground glass -, searching the neighborhood kachra-peti for used tube- lights to crush/grind them to make “maanja” – will be lost with this generation.
@Marbles: Playing for hours under the baking sun, all for the “gola-baddi” , impriving your ‘anti’ and ‘nukka’ and playing for other various forms of “jeet” seems to be a lost art. I still have my collection of ‘won’ marbles. In the current milieu, apartment complexes with paved ground surfaces don’t even have earth surfaces to make the perfect “baddi”
@ Kites : The words like “Suttar”, “Kanna”, “Saddi”, “Luddi”, “Bareilly ka manja”, “Girgot”, shouting “O….Paar”- till you were hoarse, “Serous” – I still don’t know the correct technical/scientific name for this raw material – which you boil and mix the ground glass -, searching the neighborhood kachra-peti for used tube- lights to crush/grind them to make “maanja” – will be lost with this generation.
@Marbles: Playing for hours under the baking sun, all for the “gola-baddi” , impriving your ‘anti’ and ‘nukka’ and playing for other various forms of “jeet” seems to be a lost art. I still have my collection of ‘won’ marbles. In the current milieu, apartment complexes with paved ground surfaces don’t even have earth surfaces to make the perfect “baddi”
End of the year, end of the decade
While various media are doing their own yearend summaries, here are few of the key moments/events, IMHO
· 9/11 – the world changed for all, especially for Indians who now need to make trips to Mumbai for the visa interviews. No more visa-comes-to-your-home!
· The 2008-9 recession, all due to the US folks J
· Regarding cricket –
o I don’t think people will ever remember Ponting for the Cricket World Cups he won for Australia in 1999, 2003, 2007 – may be the 3 Ashes will be the daag on his safed chaadar for ever
o 2003 WC – India was so near, yet so far from lifting the trophy. In India, the general public did not blame the bowlers for letting Australia put up a 360+ score, it was more of talking that Sachin does not deliver in big matches J
o 2007 T 20 WC – the rise of Dhoni as a captain
· 9/11 – the world changed for all, especially for Indians who now need to make trips to Mumbai for the visa interviews. No more visa-comes-to-your-home!
· The 2008-9 recession, all due to the US folks J
· Regarding cricket –
o I don’t think people will ever remember Ponting for the Cricket World Cups he won for Australia in 1999, 2003, 2007 – may be the 3 Ashes will be the daag on his safed chaadar for ever
o 2003 WC – India was so near, yet so far from lifting the trophy. In India, the general public did not blame the bowlers for letting Australia put up a 360+ score, it was more of talking that Sachin does not deliver in big matches J
o 2007 T 20 WC – the rise of Dhoni as a captain
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Reading time..
Flirty messages and photographs found on social networking website Facebook are now leading to at least one in five divorces in the US, a survey has revealed
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/one-in-five-american-divorces-now-involve-facebook-survey/718663/
Collateral damage of Munni Badman Hui..
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/munnis-in-pakistan-miffed-with-badnaam-hui-tag/719356/
After 100+ Mercs that were bought in bulk in Aurangabad – now 101 people have grouped together and bought 101 BMWs – in aurangabad, again!
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/After-101-Mercedes-Aurangabad-citizens-chase-101-BMWs/articleshow/6975009.cms
A blind Indian man managing billions of dollars for JP Morgan
http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2010/12/02/managing-risk-for-jpmorgan-and-blindness/?partner=rss&emc=rss
Development of an articial kidney by a desi doctor
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/US-based-Indian-creates-first-artificial-kidney/articleshow/7038619.cms
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/one-in-five-american-divorces-now-involve-facebook-survey/718663/
Collateral damage of Munni Badman Hui..
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/munnis-in-pakistan-miffed-with-badnaam-hui-tag/719356/
After 100+ Mercs that were bought in bulk in Aurangabad – now 101 people have grouped together and bought 101 BMWs – in aurangabad, again!
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/After-101-Mercedes-Aurangabad-citizens-chase-101-BMWs/articleshow/6975009.cms
A blind Indian man managing billions of dollars for JP Morgan
http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2010/12/02/managing-risk-for-jpmorgan-and-blindness/?partner=rss&emc=rss
Development of an articial kidney by a desi doctor
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/US-based-Indian-creates-first-artificial-kidney/articleshow/7038619.cms
random thoughts
After underworld names like “munna mobile”, “chota pappu” etc… now politicians are also being called similarly.. “Adarsh” Chavan, “Spectrum” Raja
· June 21st is supposed to be the longest day, and the start of summer in the northern hemisphere – so why do the days actually start getting smaller when summer has just begun J
· On similar lines, Dec 21st is supposed to be the shortest day, and the official start of winter – but the days actually begin to get longer J. We un-necessarily blame the winter for short days, even though the days are actually becoming longer J
· While the English news channels, in prime time focus on ‘intellectual debates’ with party spokespersons, or debates with ‘educated’ citizens, it’s difficult to get a quick news digest or sports updates– my recommendation – switch to Hindi news channel – at the start of the hour, or half past the hour, they do 100 quick fire news reports in 2 minutes – enough to give you the gist of the day’s happenings.
· Ever wonder why Ram was always referred to as RAMA in school books?
· June 21st is supposed to be the longest day, and the start of summer in the northern hemisphere – so why do the days actually start getting smaller when summer has just begun J
· On similar lines, Dec 21st is supposed to be the shortest day, and the official start of winter – but the days actually begin to get longer J. We un-necessarily blame the winter for short days, even though the days are actually becoming longer J
· While the English news channels, in prime time focus on ‘intellectual debates’ with party spokespersons, or debates with ‘educated’ citizens, it’s difficult to get a quick news digest or sports updates– my recommendation – switch to Hindi news channel – at the start of the hour, or half past the hour, they do 100 quick fire news reports in 2 minutes – enough to give you the gist of the day’s happenings.
· Ever wonder why Ram was always referred to as RAMA in school books?
Community Dog
A few weeks ago, heard a commotion in my building’s parking lot – turned out that all the kids in my building in the 3-8 age group had brought in a stray puppy, and were trying to wash him and then feed him. Every kid had brought biscuits from their homes, and a couple of the 8 year olds were trying to give him a wash. Poor pup, in 10 minutes he moved from being a stray dog to being adored by numerous kids. He was absolutely scared, and never ventured near our building again the next day J
Since its extremely difficult to have a pet inside apartments, I guess it would be great idea to have a common community dog for a building, so that children can enjoy, and at the same time not dirty their homes, or be 100% responsible for the care of a pet.
Since its extremely difficult to have a pet inside apartments, I guess it would be great idea to have a common community dog for a building, so that children can enjoy, and at the same time not dirty their homes, or be 100% responsible for the care of a pet.
My first 10 K run...
Registrations
This was my first race in India, having earlier run the 5K charity run organized by the Asha Foundation of Chicago in September 2009 in Wheeling. The Pune marathon had an online registration facility, which I used, but the site was missing key information like start place and time. They had tied up with a payment interface to process registration payments. No responses to “ask me” questions and no contact could be made to any of the phone numbers listed on the site
· T Shirts
Reached Deccan/Alka talkies square at around 7, saw people had already gathered in groups, wearing Pune Intl Marathon T shirts (for girls) and vests/banians (for guys). Lots and lots of NCC volunteers to manage the crowd. Lot of corporate presence – many companies had 10-50 member teams planning to do the run. Tried to see if I could get my marathon vest, and my chest tag, but was told that this was supposed to be collected from the office of the organizing committee in advance. I grouped with the group 5 folks, and talking to them, found out that the full marathon was already flagged off at 7 AM sharp. Mr Kalmadi was the chief guest, few politicians/ministers, 2-3 track and field Asiad medalists present for their felicitation, and also Vivek Oberoi and Sameera Reddy for the Bollywood presence. Lot of balloons, and few speeches, and finally the half marathon, 2K, 3K, 5K, 10 K races were flagged off at 8 AM. (my registration card that I had printed online said 8:30 AM J)
· Petals
The crowd was mostly people in the 15-40 age group, with good participation from children, and the 60+ folks. Lot of goreys as well. The route was ‘runners only’ and all vehicular traffic was routed on alternate roads. As we passed down Laxmi road, at each square you had school children showering runners with flower petals
· Live band
At each intersection, big crowds to cheer you on, and live bands, dhols, to create a fantastic atmosphere. This was true on the first 5 KM of the route though J. All along the route the stopped traffic was patiently waiting for the mama folks to give them the green signal – no honking no road rage – a welcome change in the road manners from Pune-ites
Enough water stations and first aid stations to cater to any medical issues. No mobile loos though, anyone wanting to take a leak had to go in to the ‘PATLI GALI’ and relieve yourself. Don’t know how the girls managed though!
· 1 lire bottles
Most water stations – almost every km or so, were handing out 200/500 ml bottles but some were giving out huge 1 liter bottles – running 10 KM is hard, and trying to lug around a heavy bottle – no chance – people just took a sip and discarded them- you could see water being wasted like anything.
· School kids live band
On MG road, school kids in uniforms were having a blast belting out loud drum beats – no tunes, just raw energy hitting the drums with all their might!
· Architecture tour
As we passed through the old areas of Pune, with 200 year old WADAs and houses choc a bloc with each other, some of them being replaced by concrete buildings, you could almost have a ‘architecture’ tour similar to the French Quarter in NOLA. Well, almost J
· Police
lots and lots of traffic and regular police – they did an excellent job! No more lathis, but lot of cops were carrying modern fiber glass sticks :J
· Rasna and Venky’s ‘Gatorade’
Some water stops were actually handing out Rasna in plastic glasses, while some of them were promoting the Indian version of the energy drink Gatorade – manufactured by Venky’s –the same company which bought a EPL football club
· Missing 9 K mark
Completed the 5 K milestone in 40 minutes, 2 minutes shaved off from my previous best – thought of quitting at that point and going home but saw a pretty face chugging along, and thought, what the heck – have paid for 10 K, might as well run the entire distance.
· HSBC & Capgemini
Passed the main branch of HSBC bank somewhere after the 8 K mark, and saw a steep incline of a flyover on the route – switched to the ‘walk’ mode, and saw the welcoming sign of Capgemini’s MIKON office. Did the run-walk-run routine, I was averaging 8 minutes for a KM – and after spending 14 odd minutes, still no sign of the 9 K mark. Went ahead, made a right turn towards Koregaon park, and the finish line for 10 K was right in front of me. I guess the organizers missed putting the 9 K signpost.
· Did it! Boiled eggs
A good crowd was waiting at the 10 K finish line to encourage people who were running the 10 K and also the people who would continue ahead for their half marathons. There were crates and crates of hard boiled eggs being handed out as ‘refreshments’ haven’t yet understood the logic of eggs though. Couple of buses were waiting to take the people back to the starting point. So finally completed my first 10 K in 83:23 J Something that can be definitely improved. Have a bad sprain now in my right foot – waiting for that to subside before I run again – abhi to haalat aisi hai ki chalna mushkil hai J
This was my first race in India, having earlier run the 5K charity run organized by the Asha Foundation of Chicago in September 2009 in Wheeling. The Pune marathon had an online registration facility, which I used, but the site was missing key information like start place and time. They had tied up with a payment interface to process registration payments. No responses to “ask me” questions and no contact could be made to any of the phone numbers listed on the site
· T Shirts
Reached Deccan/Alka talkies square at around 7, saw people had already gathered in groups, wearing Pune Intl Marathon T shirts (for girls) and vests/banians (for guys). Lots and lots of NCC volunteers to manage the crowd. Lot of corporate presence – many companies had 10-50 member teams planning to do the run. Tried to see if I could get my marathon vest, and my chest tag, but was told that this was supposed to be collected from the office of the organizing committee in advance. I grouped with the group 5 folks, and talking to them, found out that the full marathon was already flagged off at 7 AM sharp. Mr Kalmadi was the chief guest, few politicians/ministers, 2-3 track and field Asiad medalists present for their felicitation, and also Vivek Oberoi and Sameera Reddy for the Bollywood presence. Lot of balloons, and few speeches, and finally the half marathon, 2K, 3K, 5K, 10 K races were flagged off at 8 AM. (my registration card that I had printed online said 8:30 AM J)
· Petals
The crowd was mostly people in the 15-40 age group, with good participation from children, and the 60+ folks. Lot of goreys as well. The route was ‘runners only’ and all vehicular traffic was routed on alternate roads. As we passed down Laxmi road, at each square you had school children showering runners with flower petals
· Live band
At each intersection, big crowds to cheer you on, and live bands, dhols, to create a fantastic atmosphere. This was true on the first 5 KM of the route though J. All along the route the stopped traffic was patiently waiting for the mama folks to give them the green signal – no honking no road rage – a welcome change in the road manners from Pune-ites
Enough water stations and first aid stations to cater to any medical issues. No mobile loos though, anyone wanting to take a leak had to go in to the ‘PATLI GALI’ and relieve yourself. Don’t know how the girls managed though!
· 1 lire bottles
Most water stations – almost every km or so, were handing out 200/500 ml bottles but some were giving out huge 1 liter bottles – running 10 KM is hard, and trying to lug around a heavy bottle – no chance – people just took a sip and discarded them- you could see water being wasted like anything.
· School kids live band
On MG road, school kids in uniforms were having a blast belting out loud drum beats – no tunes, just raw energy hitting the drums with all their might!
· Architecture tour
As we passed through the old areas of Pune, with 200 year old WADAs and houses choc a bloc with each other, some of them being replaced by concrete buildings, you could almost have a ‘architecture’ tour similar to the French Quarter in NOLA. Well, almost J
· Police
lots and lots of traffic and regular police – they did an excellent job! No more lathis, but lot of cops were carrying modern fiber glass sticks :J
· Rasna and Venky’s ‘Gatorade’
Some water stops were actually handing out Rasna in plastic glasses, while some of them were promoting the Indian version of the energy drink Gatorade – manufactured by Venky’s –the same company which bought a EPL football club
· Missing 9 K mark
Completed the 5 K milestone in 40 minutes, 2 minutes shaved off from my previous best – thought of quitting at that point and going home but saw a pretty face chugging along, and thought, what the heck – have paid for 10 K, might as well run the entire distance.
· HSBC & Capgemini
Passed the main branch of HSBC bank somewhere after the 8 K mark, and saw a steep incline of a flyover on the route – switched to the ‘walk’ mode, and saw the welcoming sign of Capgemini’s MIKON office. Did the run-walk-run routine, I was averaging 8 minutes for a KM – and after spending 14 odd minutes, still no sign of the 9 K mark. Went ahead, made a right turn towards Koregaon park, and the finish line for 10 K was right in front of me. I guess the organizers missed putting the 9 K signpost.
· Did it! Boiled eggs
A good crowd was waiting at the 10 K finish line to encourage people who were running the 10 K and also the people who would continue ahead for their half marathons. There were crates and crates of hard boiled eggs being handed out as ‘refreshments’ haven’t yet understood the logic of eggs though. Couple of buses were waiting to take the people back to the starting point. So finally completed my first 10 K in 83:23 J Something that can be definitely improved. Have a bad sprain now in my right foot – waiting for that to subside before I run again – abhi to haalat aisi hai ki chalna mushkil hai J
Nice one- April fool
While travelling back from Mumbai to Pune, at the Khopoli rest area saw few people at the food stall poring over a SMS joke which has a nice animation along with it. Had them transfer the file over Bluetooth to my phone as well. Here is this new age joke –
Ravan goes to the place where Ram/Sita/Laxman are staying, disguised as a SADHU while ram and laxman are busy hunting the golden deer.
Raavan asks for alms, bhiksha de do devi…
and Sita comes and says YE LE… SAB KUCH LE LE…
Raavan removes his disguise and laughs a crooked laugh – APRIL FOOL..
mai koi sadhu-vaadhu nahi hu.. mai to raavan hu..RAAVAN..
Pat comes the response from Sita…
Chal be saale…
…
..
…
Mai bhi koi sita-vita nahi hu…
..
…
Mai to RAKHI hu RAKHI.. and Raavan has an heart attack JJ
Ravan goes to the place where Ram/Sita/Laxman are staying, disguised as a SADHU while ram and laxman are busy hunting the golden deer.
Raavan asks for alms, bhiksha de do devi…
and Sita comes and says YE LE… SAB KUCH LE LE…
Raavan removes his disguise and laughs a crooked laugh – APRIL FOOL..
mai koi sadhu-vaadhu nahi hu.. mai to raavan hu..RAAVAN..
Pat comes the response from Sita…
Chal be saale…
…
..
…
Mai bhi koi sita-vita nahi hu…
..
…
Mai to RAKHI hu RAKHI.. and Raavan has an heart attack JJ
Visit to Bhopal - city of lakes
Haven’t yet heard the Bhopali accent made famous by “Soorma Bhopali” in Sholay
· I can understand MNS or Shiv Sena enforcing “Mumbai” in Mumbai/Bombay, but was surprised to see many of the roadside thela/shops selling Mumbai Pavbhaji and Mumbai Vada Pav rather than ‘Bambai’ Pav Bhaji J
· Here for a recruitment drive - while most IT companies are giving packages around 3 or 3.5 lakh per annum, lot of students from the core branches – Mech, Electrical, Civil are opting for core companies like automobiles, construction, engineering – the packages given by L&T, Bajaj, Tata Motors, GM, Hyundai and the likes – 6 lakhs plus !!!The salaries (CTC) for PSU companies like BHEL, ONGC, IOCL, BPCL, NTPC – 9 lakh per annum – the “real” part is around 6 and remaining 3 lakhs or so is the indirect “CTC” portion which includes accommodation, medical costs, etc.. something which only the PSU can provide
· Just came back – had Supriya Pathak, Sonu Sood (Dabangg villain) and Tiku Talsaniya on the flight back. Don’t have a photo or would have uploaded on rediff.com under their “SPOTTED” section
· I can understand MNS or Shiv Sena enforcing “Mumbai” in Mumbai/Bombay, but was surprised to see many of the roadside thela/shops selling Mumbai Pavbhaji and Mumbai Vada Pav rather than ‘Bambai’ Pav Bhaji J
· Here for a recruitment drive - while most IT companies are giving packages around 3 or 3.5 lakh per annum, lot of students from the core branches – Mech, Electrical, Civil are opting for core companies like automobiles, construction, engineering – the packages given by L&T, Bajaj, Tata Motors, GM, Hyundai and the likes – 6 lakhs plus !!!The salaries (CTC) for PSU companies like BHEL, ONGC, IOCL, BPCL, NTPC – 9 lakh per annum – the “real” part is around 6 and remaining 3 lakhs or so is the indirect “CTC” portion which includes accommodation, medical costs, etc.. something which only the PSU can provide
· Just came back – had Supriya Pathak, Sonu Sood (Dabangg villain) and Tiku Talsaniya on the flight back. Don’t have a photo or would have uploaded on rediff.com under their “SPOTTED” section
skywalks in Mumbai
You will see a lot of them spread across Mumbai – at railway stations or at busy road junctions. At a station, the skywalks will start at the overbridge – on the East and West sides, and continue for upto 0.5 Km or 1 KM – for use of pedestrians to enable them to walk and get down further away from the extremely crowded roads just outside the station where there’s a very good chance that pedestrians may get hit by BEST buses, taxis, autos or street traffic.
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