My dearest Bappa….and the 21 ‘darshans’

It was that time of the year again when I run around visiting many homes, wearing new clothes, devouring lovely sweets, clicking a couple of photos and above all seeking blessings of my beloved Ganu Bappa. The festivities of Ganesh Chaturthi in various households last for anything between one and a half days to 10 days, and I made the best of the celebrations this year.

As usual the first one and a half days were hectic, owing to all the ‘didh diwsache bappas’. 

Darshan started in the morning at Prasanna’s home at Kalyan, followed by the Korgaonkar’s Ganpati at Aditi’s place this year, where I had a traditional marathi lunch with a huge extended family, whom I shall call mine in a couple of months. Then I went over to Bhai’s home (luckily this year Amod and Paulomi landed there at the same time) and after a lot of serious talks with uncle, senseless chatter with both of them followed. From here, me and Yashashree proceeded to Maggie’s place, where the Bappa couldn’t have got cuter and eco-friendlier!! How I loved the hand-crafted personalized Lord that RT n her friends had carved. It was also nice to be meeting Chandru uncle after a very long time. 

The next visit was to my dearest best friend, Reema’s home, I have gradually lost count of how many years it has been since the first time I visited her home, and that visit was also on this beautiful occasion. I suppose it was way back when we were in the 9th standard of school. After Raj uncle generously offered me various fruits and we performed the ‘Sandhya-Aarti’, I rushed to Chintu’s home. It was a super happy occasion at his place this year, firstly Chintan and Nishit bhaiyya are back from UK, once and for all. On top of that Nishit bhaiiya had just got engaged, and happiness was sparkling on aunty’s pretty face! I was glad this time, since I was there last year, and could sense the emptiness in the home as well as the hearts. As each year aunty couldn’t have left me depart without offering me a sumptuous meal!

That was the end of day one. And the next morning, darshan began with Swati’s home, where little Anika greeted us with a cutie smile. The heavy rain outdoors could dampen anyone’s spirit, but hers. She was just so elated at the view of raindrops lashing at her windowpane! After a joyful chat with Sulu kaku and Vivek kaka we proceeded to Meena aatya’s place, where another part (the sweetest and dearest ones ) of the Korgaonkar clan awaited us. More fun followed, and then followed more mouthwatering food…hot ‘ukadiche modak’s ', ‘alu -wadi’s'….simply wow stuff!

From here I accompanied Ro to Eesha’s place, from where the chirpy lady and her parents accompanied us to Vikram Mama’s home. Here was my second day of remembering names and relations…a daunting task indeed; specially considering that Ro himself is confused most of the time! After this I did have some time to rest at home after a quick visit to Paul uncle’s place where I reached in the nick of time before they left for visarjan, and after a few hours I decked myself up again.Hoping to meet Anu ( and of course Bappa at the Bhosekar’s residence) Ro and me went to her place. But then she had left for Vile Parle, so we met aunty, offered our prayers to Bappa and went back to Aditi’s home, for the ‘maha aarti’ before visarjan.

Now this is a super-specialty of the Korgaonkar’s. The whole family, which consist of about (hmn.. now let me count… 3+7+3+10+…..let it be..)...say, twenty five people or more get together to perform the aarti well equipped with various music instruments! Various prayers are offered, and so many Ganesh vandana’s sung with brimming enthusiasm and tremendous joy is bound to please our kind ‘vighna-harta’.

After such a ceremonial end to the first two days of Ganpati, visits to a few more homes were pending. So we made it a point to visit Bappas at Purva’s, Uttam’s, Kaushik’s, Prachi’s homes. And the next day after my visit to Sanket’s place (he was super sweet to have picked me up and dropped me back home!!) me and Maa went over to Pansare uncle’s and Rashmi aatya’s homes were Gauri-Ganpati beckoned us.
After this I suddenly realized that I had already visited 19 Bappas and suddenly had the urge to complete 21 darshans this year. 

And I did so by Friday. After our routine Rotaract meeting a bunch of us went over to Akshay’s home. I just love the very adorable little Idol of Bappa at his place, neatly seated in-between sparkling lights, flowers and several tiny-miny beautiful show-pieces. From here we went over to Aditya’s (Belpathak’s) home. My twenty first Bappa’s visit was here where the Lord was seated in an unconventional ‘mhakar’ shaped like a modak itself.......nice, very nice.

Ganpati Bappa...Morya!!

Rotaract

Rotaract. A word. A movement. A passion. A challenge .

Yes. It is so. If you feel it, enjoy it and have a dream. 

To me it was a youth group, that a couple of my friends were a part of, which did some meaningful stuff to contribute to the society, which made me come to attend the meetings. During the course of attending a couple of meetings I realised that it had a bunch of very friendly kids (yes I realised that most were at least 3 years younger to me) who were super enthusiastic to try new things and meet new people, who spoke smoothly and stood firmly. Impressive.

Hence, gradually Friday evenings started being equal to Rotaract meetings. Gradually Chinmay, Ameya, Gauravi and Abhishek got me updated and did their best to keep me roped in every little activity. Then came words and abbreviations like ‘taking the agenda’ and being the ‘PCP’…gradually I was made the joint Community Service Director considering Aditya’s absence due to his exams. Then I initiated collection of old clothes for the Cancer Society. That was my first project as a Director in the club. Got a couple of appreciations…felt good.
Then completely unaware that the Rotaract year changes in June-July, I understood that my club, the Rotaract Club of Thane Central and its pillars were upto some serious discussions.. that of finding a new President for the year to come. Little did I know, that I would end up being the one! The day they brought upon this idea to me, I actually thought they were joking…I mean I was barely 3months old as a member…barely understood the bylaws and stuff…and PRESIDENT? Huh..’kuch bhi kya’!!! 
But then.. my Past Presidents knew what they had to do (smart they are I must admit!!) Loads of convincing and educative sessions started…after GBMs…after office..at Ram Maruti Road, New English School, Open House, CCD, Meadows..over the phone..gosh.madness.
But then while withstanding this madness I realised that I was enjoying it. It was now or never. It was a challenge. Someone believed in me. Some people thought I could. I had an opportunity knocking at my doorstep. I had a chance to dream with eyes open...to make it real. Could I? Should I? 
And then the most important question struck me… WHY NOT!!!

The Golden lining... :D

My life has a golden lining!
All thanks to a bundle of golden joy, a little Golden Retriever pup who became family since 28th Nov, 1999. She is Chikoo, one of the most loving and gentle pets you can ever think of having. It was my dream to have a pet canine, and having a Golden retriever was even more delightful!
And she has perhaps changed our lives forever. Ever since, it has been just like having a toddler in your house. Its solely she who draws our focus – love, attention, cuddles and well…food as well! ;)
And what we get in return is priceless…joyful wags, wet sticky licks, and a look in her eyes that you could die for! (If you do not understand how much this means…go get a life!!!!!)
And the best-est gift she’s given us, is Pari.

MY PARI. I was adamant about not letting her go since the day Chikoo gave birth to 9 tiny bundles of joys from 12am on 13th March 2004.

Pari is her first born, me the only elated and overjoyed witness. It was two months of insanity and joy to be taking care of 36 tiny feet scampering all around, only someone who has been there and done that knows how much it takes to do this. But then Maa and I were more than glad. It’s a beautiful time we had, that we shall always cherish.
After giving away her siblings to loving homes, I just couldn’t part with her…so... I did not! 
She is this hyper-active pack of energy and intelligence. The remotest sight of a cat, and she shoots of at the speed of lightning, unless the swift feline is over a fence or atop a tree. Then it is back to sniffing and running about (again in search of another cat…!) 

At home the ringing of the door bell has a series of activities that follow. A sleepy lethargic, pleasantly plump 10year old beauty wondering who it could be, and a on-your-toes 4year old ‘babe’ rushing towards the door, circling like a whirlwind until you open it and usher the individual in.

And if it is me, Maa or Baba then a super elated Pari follows us everywhere for the next 10 minutes at least…even if it means sitting outside the washroom door like a threshold!

Truly, there could have been no one else who could shower us with so much importance and unconditional love. They are not prejudiced, do not judge you and see to it that you are never alone.
There are simply always ‘there of you, no matter what’. Isn’t that just ‘the one thing’ we could ask of any companion?

Lifelines

Cinema

Now, this is a very unlikely topic for me to be writing about. I do not fit into the category of people who feel something missing in life if they aren't updated with the hits and misses of the Box Office.

I watch movies very rarely, and on the big screen very, very rarely.

But then the last week has seen me watch quite a couple of movies on television...all thanks to my fluctuating health condition which saw me sitting at home most of the time of the day. The weekend was fun with a hat-trick! I had been wanting to see Asoka for a long time, having always caught the movie on TV in bits and parts, Saturday morning I caught a glimpse of it just when it has begun...and sat glued throughout. There is something very catchy about these epics and legends. Just when I thought I would switch off the TV after having refreshed my knowledge about the Emperor Asoka's journey, Rang De Basanti was the next movie - back to back. So I was again glued to the couch...for a movie so good and songs that I simply love, my comp could sacrifice my presence a little more. That is why the club stationary and banner designs for my Presidential year in Rotaract Club of Thane Central were inspired by this image.

After this I again spent Sunday morning watching Jodha-Akbar, a gorgeous looking movie that I did enjoy watching, something I wasn't really anticipating. So all in all the weekend was entertaining (but I missed munching on pop corn!)

I still have a wish list of a bunch of movies I haven't yet managed to watch. Topping the list would still be Lion King!! (Yes, I know...I haven't seen it yet! just like I still haven't been to Essel world!!) Rutu you owe me this movie, but yes thanks to you that we had such a gala time watching Wall E, one of the most cuteeeeeest movies I have seen in a long time!

Let's see if someone actually recollects what all was mentioned in the wish-list I had made on scrap paper a long, long time back.

Home Revamped!.... Phewwww!!

A one of a kind experience indeed!
It was partially a dream to be doing this and but ofcourse a need as well. What could have been a better opportunity than to be doing up your own home just the way you wanted it to be.

After being in this field for a while now, and doing up homes for so many people, I always wished to someday be able to treat my own home as beautifully. And I am grateful that my father agreed to fund it benevolently!! (err.. ok.. the benevolence came after loads of persuation and tiffs!)  The process was lengthy and very strenuous indeed. Right from sourcing each and every material, fixing up rates, designing each detail and supervising the workmanship, it wasn't all that simple, that too when I am the resident of the same messy residence every single day, with barely any 'decent' place to sit or relax in the 600sqft spread. It was a bigger ordeal for my parents and Chikoo and Pari, our Golden Retrievers.
But then all is well that ends well. Once the finishing touches were taken care of, and each artifact in the house had found its worthy place (and light for the privileged pieces),it was then that I felt content. Content not necessarily with the outcome but the contentment was for having dreamt and working towards making it happen.

Enthusiasm

Every new venture in life is run by this fuel of enthusiasm, one thing that can keep us going on. Only if we do not get distracted or disillusioned.

I am glad I am enthusiastic right now in doing what I am doing . It gives me a sense of being alive, of having something to do... something to create. If this urge doesn't remain...very little will.

And with so much going on in my head and around it as always, I doubt I'll be falling short of stuff to scribble about. 

Right now I am feeling content having re-started blogging, and having finally settled down after so much of pondering on a name for this space. I'll save up the rest of my energy for the other tasks that need my attention right now.