Republic Day celebrations

Every year nearly all buildings or areas or societies hoist the Indian flags or organise some events on Independence and Repulic Day. And it was no different this year too. I bought two tricolored chakras which move like crazy at the slightest swish of breeze instead of the usual flags. We already have a few flags at home. This year the roadside sellers also had tricolored balloons!

Apart from the usual stuff, Mira Road also has the Children's Marathon in which all the schools of Mira Road participate. I came to know how many schools are there in the place due to this Marathon (as we are only a few years old here). It was nice to see the enthusiastic children run a little, then walk a little when tired.... but their national spirit was at its highest!

So what if I missed the Mumbai Marathon due to Moharram and full booking even 3 months in advance !!!???

Speculations of the Mars Image!

Many scientists as well as others are wondering whether the Mars womanlike image is just like some mirage or appearance which is deceptive to our eyes! Whatever the case maybe, I do believe that life exists somewhere apart from earth.... whether in the Milky Way or some other Galaxy!

People have been seeing only the womanlike image on the rock, but I can see more. I can see a man falling off the cliff (if the woman is standing on a rock or mountain). Did she push him off ? ( hmm.....) Or is he flying away....??? Maybe people fly on Mars, if they exist there, that is!!! Also I can see few greenish transparent people-like images walking towards the so-called woman!

Keep thinking!!!

Woman's Image found on Mars!

Woman's Image found on Mars photograph sent by Spirit, NASA's Mars explorer vehicle! Maybe Women rule Mars just like Men dominate the Earth! If thats true, and life does exist there, we might be having space shuttles from Earth to Mars in the future!

And then I wouldn't mind settling there!

Revolutionalising Publishing -On the Pavement!

Hey, many of the small time writers face the problem of having their books published. The established publishing houses do not want to take chances with new, unknown writers! They will ask you whether you know any celebrity, who can be called for the lauch of your book. Some will just give lame excuses or even discourage you to drive you away!

This is exactly what Dr Shailendra Vaishampayan went through when the writing-bug bit him! He is a practicing Doctor (homeopathic) and has a clinic in Mira Road and Andheri. Apart from the usual hassles of publishing, he also realised that getting a book published involves a large sum of money! To combat all evils of publishing, Dr Vaishampayan, revolutionised the concept of Publishing under the banner -Pavement Publishers. This movement started by the doctor found many supporters in small as well a established writers. The idea of 'Pavement Publishers' (now run from the doc's house) is to launch a book on the pavement itself (without any celebrity) and sell it through the pavement booksellers! The writer has to only bear the cost of printing the book.

Dr Vaishampayan's first book as a writer, SATURN AND I, was launched in December 2007 on a pavement in Andheri (West).

Best of luck to him and his publishing concept!

Note - Await the review of the book on this page

Ashura (The 10th Day of Muharram)

Today is Ashura in India. Many non- Muslims wonder what this day stands for. In India, the holiday for Ashura is called Muharram (though Muharram is the first 'month' of the Islamic calender). People think it is like Eid and there was a time when friends and colleagues used to call and wish 'Happy Muharram' thinking it was a feast like the Eid !

But slowly over time, many people are becoming aware that Muharram not a time to feast but it is a time to mourn. Its the remembrance of the day Hazrat Imam Hussain (May Allah be pleased with him), the grandson of Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon him) was matyred at Karbala. The most unique call I received for Muharram was yesterday (now that many know) when a colleague from Baroda branch called and said -'I am sorry for tomorrow'!

Sunni Muslims observe the first ten days of Muharram (while the battle of Karbala was on) with reverence. Some of the Muslims (the Shias) mourn intensely for the entire month, even adorning black clothes. In India, shabbeels are made where water is kept for drinking. This is because Imam Hussain and his family and companions were not given food nor water for 3 days! On the day of Ashura, muslims make and distribute 'sherbet'. This is also symbolic of water and has nothing to do with sweets.

Hazrat Imam Hussain's matyrdom is of great significance to the history of Islam. This can be best explained in Washington Irving's words :

'' It was possible for Hussain to save his life by submitting himself to the will of Yazid. But his responsibility as a reformer did not allow him to accept Yazid's Caliphate. He therefore prepared to embrace all sorts of discomfort and inconveniance in order to deliver Islam from the hands of the Omayyads. Under the blazing sun, on the parched land and against the stifling heat of Arabia, stood the immortal Hussain''.

Let me add this Mersia ( 'Mersias' are song of remembrance and mourning sung in memory of the matyrdom at Karbala), which I've been hearing from my Dad since childhood :

"Kahe Abideen ko Shah ne Madine mein ja kaho,

Sab doston ko meri taraf se dua kaho,

Puchey agar Hussain kahaan -

Is wajah kaho ;

Bismil kaho, shaheed kaho, sar juda kaho."

This is just the opening verse and means -

Shah (that's Hussain) tells his son Abideen(before going to the battlefield)-

'Go to Madina and give my regards to my people.

If anyone asks - Where is Hussain, then say

he's attained matyrdom'.

Ashura has a lot of historic significance apart from the Karbala matrydom. It has affected nearly all the Prophets of Islam in some way or the other.

Let's list the occasions which have taken place on the 10th Day of Muharram:

• Allah accepted the repentence and had mercy on Adam ('Alaihis-Salaam)
• The deliverance of Noah (Nuh 'Alaihis-Salaam) from the flood
• Abraham (Ibrahim 'Alaihis-Salaam) was saved from Nimrod's fire
• Joseph (Yusuf 'Alaihis-Salaam) was reunited with his father Jacob (Ya’qub 'Alaihis-Salaam)
• Allah spoke to Moses (Musa 'Alaihis-Salaam) and gave him the 10 Commandments
• Job (Ayyub 'Alaihis-Salaam) was healed from leprosy.
• Yunus ('Alaihis-Salaam) was taken out from the belly of the fish
• The Israelites were saved from Pharaoh's army as the sea was divided and the nation of Israel was delivered from captivity
• David (Dawud 'Alaihis-Salaam) was forgiven by Allah on this day.
• The kingdom of Solomon (Sulaiman 'Alaihis-Salaam) was restored
• Jesus was brought up to heaven after attempts by the Romans to capture and crucify him failed (according to Islamic belief).

The picture shows the neighbourhood guys preparing sherbet all through the night! Excuse the unclear image!

Nano- Watta name!

Hey, the World's cheapest car is here! It's been in the pipeline since long and people were waiting for its arrival. There's so much written about it everywhere. Everyone's talking about it. People are forwarding mails, speculating.... So I don't want to be another person talking or discussing about the price, the appeal, the safety or even the environmental hazards related to it!

What just appealed to me is it's name and the creativity behind it. The name says it all- NANO! The car's small in look and compact. In Gujarati (Tata's a Parsi and their mother tongue is Gujarati), 'Nano' means 'small' (pronounced as 'Naahno') and in English, 'Nano' is derived from the Italian word which means 'dwarf'. So scientifically, Nanotechnology deals with 'minutest' compotent of a substance or thing. Nanometer is equal to one billionth of a metre . So the name has a universal appeal and denotes what the car stands for!

The the name's 'superfine' as any Gujju would have said it !

Afterthought :

Me thinks, when a car worth a lakh rupees only gives you so much, why would anyone buy a Maruti 800? It's not great in appearance nor is on the high-safety list. I'd been wondering for a while now why a Maruti 800 costs as high as Rs2.5 lacs? But maybe that was the most basic and cheapest car for a beginner and person with low budget, so the company's been cashing in on it all thru the years! But finally now the even the commonest man's smiling!

Cute Song!

tera yakin kyon maine kiya nahi, tujhse raah kyon juda
mujh pe yeh zindagi karti rahi sitam, tune hi di hai panah
tera mera rishta puraana - 3

hai kya tadap hai, hai yeh kaisi saza
tu kyun mujhe aaj yaad aa gaya
bechain din mere, bechain raat hai
kya main karu kuchh bata
yeh mere paanv hi khud meri bediyaan
uss se tu mujhe chhooda
tera mera rishta purana - 4

kya mujh mein hai shaks woh keh raha
aa aab main du karz tera chuka
aankhen hai nam meri, saasein chubhan meri
zakham huwa pir haara, dil ke viraane mein
mere phasane mein, tu hi toh har dum raha
tera mera rishta purana - 4

oh tera mera rishta purana - 2

----------------------------------------------
Hindi Song Title: Tera Mera Rishta Puraana
Hindi Movie/Album Name: AWARAPAN
Singer(s): MUSTAFA ZAHID
---------------------------------------------

This song to be a hot favourite with many and has a universal appeal with wonderful lyrics and soulful music. Check the Net and you'll see how people have created their own video versions of the song! Cool !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3YKekDlHuc (original)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjnOPc0cplo (remix)

Happy New Year

Hmm... New Year's eve wasn't that bad, though. Managed to leave for dinner and catch up with sister and her colleague at 'Kalash' at Raghuleela (closer to home and safe) and had special Gujarati 'unlimited' thali (though our girlie appetites were quite 'limited'). That's the best place we could decide at the nth hour coz we didn't know when we'd complete our work. But we had our deadlines, so left in a short while. Reaching there took more time than the time we were actually there. While we left, the crowd was pouring in. Mostly families who'd nowhere to go had generally gone to Malls like these, which are multiplying by the day!

We brought in the new year with my youngest brother's birthday (1st Jan). We cut the cake. And like every year it was wishing time at home- New Year and B'day time! We had a family huddle and that gave each of us strength to face the world. Alhamdulillah for such a beautiful family and beautiful moment.

I am sure this New Year's going to be happy.

I have so many plans. Preparation for writing a book. But before that a website of my own, Inshallah!

When the world will be celebrating......

Its the end of yet another year!

Every year comes with a new hope, new resolutions. 'Cause only these things are in our hands! What's actually in store for us only God knows!

This has been a very eventful year internationally.

But let's talk about India.

On the Indian front...

...the stock market boomed

...the rupee value rose

...the Hindi cinema seeing a more realistic approach

...the low budget movies were surprise hits whereas the big budget ones were a disaster!

...Modi's modus operandi was revealed, shocked people, but soon forgotten as people gave him yet another chance!

...Terrorism showed its ugly face in many places!

...Security in Mumbai increased with CCTVs, police at all Railway stations and people getting more alert by the day (or are they?)

...Prices rose and so did Malls, multiplexes and in turn, the economy!

...Four railway tracks finally became a reality on the Virar line

...We had reality talent shows on nearly all TV channels and nearly all channels were churning out singers. Wonder where the present ones will go!

...Himesh transformed from a nasal singer to a Hindi phillum 'hero'

...Abdul Kalam stepped down as the President and made way to the first woman President of India- Pratibha Patil.

...Railways made huge profits and also added a number of 'Garib Raths' (economical trains) and cargo services affecting a lot of truckwallahs!

and a lot lot more.....

Internationally too a lot of events, happenings took place. The US dollar fell, the EURO got stronger... just to name a few. But the year ended with a shocking event in our neighbouring country - Benazir Bhutto was assasinated!

Personally, the year was no good. It was in fact, 'a disaster' disguised as a beautiful dream

But as the New Year 2008 comes closer to us, we all have our share of dreams, hopes and resolutions.

But before that all are preparing for the New Year's Eve tomorrow. Everyone has plans. Some will party, some will go for a late night dinner, some will attend some new year event.

But when the world will be celebrating, we will be working as usual. The usual work hours, the usual work, the usual travel back home! Oh, what it is to be a banker these days! Especially those in Operations!

The Increasing Crowd at Andheri Station

Andheri Station is the most crowded Railway Station in Mumbai - most of the crowd starts and ends there! Thats because there are numerous companies both on the East and the West side. Not only that, Andheri extends right till Chandivli/ Powai on the East side and many companies have their offices there because it turns out cheaper cost-wise!

Commuters on the Western Railway line travelling right from Chakala to Saki Naka to SEEPZ to Chandivli to Powai (on the East side) as well as people going towards Amboli to Versova to Lokhandwala (on the West side), all get off at Andheri Station!

So the situation during peak hours at the station is one hell-of-a-chaos! There's nearly a stampede as all try to run towards the staircase at once as soon as their train halts there! And there are also people trying to get off the stairs at the same time resulting in more chaos!!! And women smartly being alert and keeping men at bay by moving behind each other. There's swearing, screaming and loud words flowing as people try to find their way across the staircase towards the bridge above!

But their woes don't end there. Because the 'ticket checkers' stand there blocking the whole bridge adding to the misery of commuters. Everyone likes an easy job, don't they? I dare them to step into the trains and check the tickets like the earlier times. Because checking on overhead bridges has only increased the number of Second Class ticket holders travelling in First Class. People are so confident that no TC will come to check the tickets that they laugh as if those who buy a First Class tickets are fools!

After you overcome this hurdle and move towards the Eastern side, there is a bigger crowd! Some coming into the station and some moving out! The entire situation on Andheri East station through Andheri-Kurla Road is worse, but thats a different story altogether! Let's concentrate on the problems at Andheri station.

But as of now, we need bigger or more staircases at the station. And no TCs waiting on the bridges and blocking the crowd! Please check tickets inside the trains or right outside the respective compartments and feel the problems of the travellers! Earn your living the tough way, man!

Thanks Laloo!

Thanks Laloo for ....

1) The 'New Look' trains with more ventilation and more space..... though they are just a handful now!



2) Increasing the timing of the First Class Ladies boogie from 9.15 pm to 11 pm!

Earlier there was only one Ladies compartment, which was further divided into two, out of which one section was Ladies for 24 hours, whereas the other was Ladies only from 7 am to 9.15pm ! Gone are the days when ladies used to work only from 9 am 5 / 6 pm. Women work same hours in most organisations. And organisations these days have no fixed timings !!!



3) Also increasing the timings of Second Class Ladies boogie adjoining Ladies First Class from 10 pm to 11 pm

This used to create a lot of nuisance for 'working ladies' travelling by train after a hectic and long working day! Many non- regular train travellers (as well as knowing-defaulters) used to stand near the Second Class and used to hop into the adjoining First Class (which itself was half after 9.15 pm) and create a terrible rush! This used to result into a daily fight between the first class ticket holders (who could not enjoy comfort even after 10 pm!) and the stubborn second class commuters! And all this inspite of the fact that there are two more '24 hours' Ladies second class compartments which not so crowded after 10 pm! But everyone looks for convenience as Ladies First Class is always near the staircase on the platform and who wants to walk down to the next boogie?! Damn the law and rules!

This also used to result in a scenario of one section of Ladies First Class becoming 'General Class' after 9.15 pm on one side and the entire Second Class Ladies becoming 'General Class' from 10pm on the other side. And we had men peeking from both sides into a small left-over section of Ladies compartment and passing comments!!!



4) Adding some new trains from Andheri to Virar as well as from Bhayander/Virar to Borivali.

This has helped commuters in a way! Of course, there's still a fight for a train every 5 mins between Virar-Churchgate and back! But for now, this is surely a good beginning! There a was a time when even four lines was a never-ending project!


One more request :

A lot of us take 'first class compartment' passes fearing the crowd on the Virar line by paying 3 to 5 times the price of a general compartment. But there are a lot of defaulters and law-breakers who get into a first class compartment when they see even an inch of space! Please help!

Long time, no post

Long time, no post. Work and life's again keeping me busy. But I did post something on my Girlie blog (check link to the right)

It was a eventful last week with Diwali fervour all around. This week has brought mixed feelings to me. It has brought memories and meetings with old friends. It also brought fun this weekend since all were at home due to the extended weekend due to Diwali holiday. The past week was not only about old memories of childhood, youth, previous work branch etc; it also set me thinking about what the future held for me!

We had a small party on our office terrace on Wednesday (7thNov) in the evening. Even the office was decorated with mini kandeels and usual festive stuff. We had also made rangoli in office like every year. But this time 80% of the staff in our department were new! For them it was their first Diwali in our bank. This was also the first time that I didn't help with the rangoli. It was time to give the younger, fresher staff a chance to feel part of the team. There was a time, when my earlier neighbours from RBI quarters used to approach me to make rangoli at their doorstep since I am at creative art. People adored my work. Its been 5-6 years since we moved to our new place now. Still miss the excitement of that place!

On 8th Nov, we all dressed in Traditional attire in office with females in sarees. This time again I could not wear a saree. Every year I look forward to this one day where I can wear a saree. But due to hectic schedule and so many things on my mind, I couldn't manage to stitch a blouse. And thus I lost the chance to wear a saree. Maybe I'll get many such occasions in the future. But I went in my traditional best in a salwar khameez. Same evening I was called to attend a party filled with games and competitions at my previous Fort branch. I had to complete work at the earliest and rush there. It felt great to meet old friends-cum-colleagues. There were many new faces there too. I was happy and at the same time my mind was saying- 'I am slowly becoming part of the older generation now'. Everthing old has to finally pave path for the new! The return journey with two old colleagues in the train was filled with talk of old times, funny anecdotes from our respective branches, usual office cribbing and sharing some latest events of our lives.

The next day, i.e. 9th Nov, was a bank holiday on account of Diwali. But again there seemed no chance of rest. The morning went in cleaning up my cupboard. I was following what life had been pointing at in the last few days- the old should make way for the new. So I removed my old or unattended clothes and packed them up for giveway to some needy. Unless you clear the old, how will the new come into your life? The same evening I had to attend a good old friend's wedding. And our old group (named SCAMS) was meeting up! And yeah my sister is also part of our group and my youngest bro is also known to all. Don't wonder how someone could marry on Diwali day, coz that someone happens to a Catholic. The meeting of our gang after ages at the wedding was again lots of fun! We unmarried girls were discussing the pros and cons of marriage and being single. We wondered where life would take us from there.

10th Nov was a Saturday and half day for us. The Diwali mood was still on. There was hardly any work at office and we all left early. I wanted to revel in the holiday mood. So I called up my sister in office and decided to meet at a nearby Mall to eat, enjoy and shop! It was fun as we hogged on pizzas, garlic bread and also enjoyed a fun egyptian ride filled with eerie effects! We enjoyed getting little scared like kids! Then we shopped like all girls do!

Sunday was again fun as we had ordered 'Yakhni' (mutton pulao) and later we siblings (my sister and two brothers) went to watch 'Om Shanti Om'. The movie's fun if you enjoy the 'puns' and the projection of the exaggeration in Indian cinema. Most of it is intelligent humor. Not much stress is laid on the storyline. And neither does it have the usual melodrama. All in all, it can be labelled as a spoof on Indian cinema.

Finally its Monday today and everyone in office seemed bored after the fun filled weekend! Luckily today was US holiday on account of Veteran's day and Forex market was closed. So I could leave early again! Tomorrow its back to hard work and dull boring routine!

Cute memories

Not only is this picture cute, but it also has cute memories of a sweet place!

The picture is of course clicked by me! :)

Eid wishes!

Finally, its Eid day!

Had a proper breakfast in the day time after a month! The body had got so used to getting up at 4 am for 'sehri', that I woke up suddenly at 4.30 am today even without an alarm ! Then went back to sleep after having water coz everyone was going to get up by 5.30 am.

By namaz, I was very hungry though it was only 8 am coz the body clock had got used to breakfast at pre-dawn!

Now I sit at my PC after lunch donning pretty pink clothes and matching accessories .

Some cousins expected in evening. Tomorrow will be 'our' day. We, siblings, will go for outing as we have all taken a day off!

On the Eve of Eid (13th Oct)

On the eve of EID (13th Oct), I went shopping with my brother for his kurta- chudidaar followed by dinner at Spenta (good restaurant at Singapore Plaza, Mira Rd) at 11 pm. The place and road were filled with people and there was illumination all around. People were shopping for last moment items like matching bangles, cosmetics etc. Apart from that some people were out for essentials for the next day- Milk, meat and stuff. The security near Shams Masjid (the main masjid in Naya Nagar) was tightened in the night, following the Ajmer blast. No vehicles, even bikes were allowed in the surrounding area.

Enjoyed late night dinner with Chinese chicken crispies, chicken fried rice and manchurian and finally with 'kesar kulfi'. Had a heavy meal in ages!

Thankfully, this year Eid day was unanimously agreed as 14th Oct, without any confusion about the sighting the moon (as it happens many times in India)!!!

(Pic : Illuminated Shams masjid)