Rohida-Raireshwar: Trek report

Rohida – Raireshwar...

Date: 2-3 July 2011 (departure on 1st July 2011 @ 12.30am)

Route: Chakram office – Mulund -> Bajarwadi village (approx. 225km) -> Rohida fort climb -> Bajarwadi village -> Depart for Raireshwar -> Ambaghar village -> Korle village -> Raireshwar climb & stay -> Korle -> Mulund

Geography:

Rohida fort – ‘GiriDurg’ is situated to the south of Bhor. It is also known as ‘Vichitragad’ and ‘Binicha-killa’.
Raireshwar - Geographically Raireshwar is more like a table platue, which spans over 20 Kms in length and 7 Kms in breath.

Historical significance:
Rohida – Rohida was built during the reign of the Yadavas. Post 1656, this fort became a part of Shivaji Maharaja's Swarajya. In 1666, the Moghuls conquered the fort but could not hold it for long. On June 24, 1670, Shivaji Maharaj recaptured the fort.
Raireshwar – Raireshwar is situated in Bhor Taluka near Pune, India. Raireshwar has a temple famous for its historical importance. The temple is very old and of stone structure, but it was later re-constructed in 18th century. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took the oath of Hindavi Swarajya in this temple at the age of 16 in 1645 and then created history.

Places of attraction:
Rohida – Old temple, few big water tanks, Chor darvaja, Buruj (bastion) on North East Face, Chuna grinding wheel. Raireshwar, Kanjalgad and Rajgad are visible from Rohida.
Raireshwar – Shiv temple where Shivaji Maharaj took the oath, water tanks, Aswalkhinda. Kenjalgad, Kamalgad, Sinhagad are easily visible from Raireshwar. The main people leaving on this fort are ‘Jangam’.

Trek experience:
After a long break from trekking, I was eagerly looking fwd for this trek. But all went wrong that day. All the plans got shattered. My journey started with Hinjewadi, Pune to Mulund, Mumbai. I had a reservation of Shivneri bus whose departure time from Swargate was 6.00pm and was supposed to reach Hinjewadi by 6.45pm. The bus arrived in Hinjewadi at arnd 8.15pm. 2hrs long boring wait took away the zeal of trekking. I reached my Mumbai home at arnd 10.45pm and had only an hour for packing. Packing ‘Only the basic stuff’ I took off. It was a relief when I realized that I was not the last to arrive. Too tired I dozed off to sleep.

Friday Night: We took off to Bhor at around 12.30am.

Saturday –Day one: We reached Bajarwadi village. Eating our breakfast (idali-chatni) we started our climb at around 6.00am. Within no time we reached Rohida fort and did some sightseeing. At around 11.00am we started descending from Rohida. On our way back, we learned that it’s now possible to go to Raireshwar top via bus from Korle village (which is a new road constructed) or via Wai village. What a relief it was. We all lazy people decided to use the easiest mode of climbing and took off at arnd 12.30pm hoping to reach Raireshwar within no time and having our lunch. It was a decission taken as a group to go via bus. All we wanted or thought of doing luxurious trek without sweating and only enjoying the day. But the faith had decided something else for us. The clock turned, turning our faith. It all went wrong afterwards. No decision seemed to favour us.

We descended from Rohida fort too early and so decided to have our lunch on reaching Raireshwar. It was just half an hour after our bus took off towards Raireshwar when we realized that the road was too muddy for bus to pass. Some villagers told us, “It’s ‘The only’ bad patch which is muddy due to rains, and once you pass by this patch, it’s all good till the end.” So we decided to try out our luck. Requesting driver to pull off with the maximum speed, we decided to push the bus. We did it successfully only to realize that road is much muddier on the way up. The driver suggested not to take undue risk and worried that bus might get stuck in that mud. There was no point in pushing off when driver himself had no confidence. It’s his profession and he knows and understands the road condition better. And so, we again climbed down to try different route via Wai. Lazy bones!

Some people on the bus were very annoying. When we were tucked in that mud and were requesting driver to push off, some were engaged in making fun of the situation. All the rubbish things started with, “Look driver is getting frustrated as he is unable to meet his target. His boss has given him target of reaching the top of Raireshwar fort. Unable to do that he is tensed. In frustration he has now started smoking.” He even went ahead saying, “Oh! Mr. Smoking man, Mr. Smoking driver.” What an immaturity… How can someone employed in a reputed bank behave in such a nasty and childish manner? It was getting on my nerve when suddenly Gautami, yelled at him, “Show some maturity. What rubbish things are going on? Understand the situation and behave accordingly.” Even I yelled at him. It was really annoying. But I very well knew it was of no use and that these people will never improve and will never grow up mentally. Anyway…

I expressed my sincere thanks to the driver for accepting our request and taking up that first muddy patch. On the second such patch, he gave us his frank opinion of not taking risk and return back. After discussion, we all decided to listen to the driver. We came back to Korle Village and learned that the road via Wai is all the same. It was by that time 5.00pm. We decided to have our packed-lunch and then climb the Raireshwar as per our previous plan/schedule. Having our lunch, we took off to Raireshwar with ‘Watadya - Guide’ helping us showing the way up. Taking the count of the torched, we all took off. It took 3 hours for 25 people to climb. It was thrilling indeed. A big, long ladder added to our thrill. (There is a ‘Kaccha road’ which starts from Korle village and reaches near the ladder. It further goes to Wai village till Bhor village). This was my 3rd trek to Raireshwar but every time the fort looked so different, so new. We reached Raireshwar at 8.30pm. Shivaji – the villager at whose home we stayed, came to pick us up at the gate. Nevertheless to say, I dozed off again immediately being travelling since 6.00pm the previous night.

It was in the morning that I came to know one more nuisance created by few members. They all were chit-chatting till 1.00am. How can someone doesnot understand that we were guests staying at someone’s place and should behave in descent manner and should not annoy others. It was only after Amol, our leader interfered and asked everyone to go to sleep, that bunch of people maintained silence. One even went saying that, “Those who cannot enjoy should not be coming for treks”. I was pretty surprised to know that the person I thought to be much more mature and sensible than rest of her group members said those words. May be out of anger or frustration after all the bus story, she might have ended up saying it. So never mind. I think treks are not only for enjoyment, it’s an adventure in which one needs to respect the rules. Those who think rules are burden should go for a picnic instead. When you do trekking as passion and want to try out the difficult routes, the most needed thing is to follow the strict rules. Also leaders should hold power to withhold the crowd. These were the rules which I was taught to follow when I started trekking with the same group. And with the leaders under whose guidance I did treks, was pretty strict and we never dared to argue with their experience. Anyway, as I myself was hell tired I was fast asleep to realize or to hear the chaos. One more very bad thing I notice is that, whenever a girl leader scolds someone, the bunch of people terms her as rude or over smart. But when same thing is told by a guy leader, that bunch of crowd takes it in positive manner. It’s my overall observation across everywhere. Even at work place or anywhere else.

Sunday – Day Two: After much ‘Tu-Tu Main-Main’ last night we went for some sightseeing. We visited the temple where ‘Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’ took the oath of ‘Hindavi Swarajya – Freedom’ at the age of 16 along with few of his friends. Unfortunately, the temple was closed. As this was my 3rd trek to Raireshwar, I knew that there is a Lord Shankar Pindi inside and a beautiful portrait of Shivaji Maharaj cutting his finder with sword and taking oath of ‘Hindavi Swarajya’. I still remember my 1st trek to Raireshwar, wherein ‘Apte Kaka’ (A member of Chakram hikers and a well-known person for studding the history and who has visited all the forts of Shivaji Maharaj) told us the History of Shivaji Maharaj oath. Listening to that story, sitting inside 'that very' temple was thrilling. It was as if we were experiencing it all LIVE. As it was very foggy, we just visited few placed from where Sinhagad, Kamalgad and Kenjalgad are visible. After having lunch we started descending. Again getting down the ladder was exciting. We reached Korle village within three hours. Immediately after packing up we started our journey back home. It was approx. 3.00pm. As I was supposed to get down in Pune itself, I thought of reaching home by 5.00 – 5.30pm. But sometimes plans never seem to work, like what happened on this trek. Just after our bus took off on the road, driver realized that the rear wheel of the bus was damaged. We had to take the bus to nearby car mechanic. He did some welding and we again got into the bus. The cleaner again realized that the welding that was done was not proper and needed rectification. Again we all got down the bus and the driver took the bus back to the mechanic. To our disaster, the welding machine was then taken to Bhor by the owner for some work. It was then decided that we all should proceed to Bhor by government PMT while 2 leaders Parag & Manas - the most experienced leaders should go with the bus. Accordingly, when we reached Bhor by PMT bus, it was almost 7.00pm. We were told that the last bus Bhor-Borivali (Mumbai) would be taking off soon and if we missed on that, we had to wait till the next morning.

While we were deciding our next plan. It was my observation that some good experienced leaders were behaving in very improper manner. May be it was due to last night frustration that they were behaving harsh even while climbing down. Few things were definitely annoying, but that does not mean we shld be losing our temper. Such kind of things do happen during treks. Few situations are unavoidable and we shld accept those and shld work to solve those. It’s really not good to show our own frustration during that time. Something which we can control, we should and will. But frustration or anger or short temper worsens the situation. Even though she came as a member, she was looked as one of the good experienced girl leader. Few things done were too dramatic to handle.

We requested the driver to wait until our two leaders arrive. Luckily they agreed and when Manas & Parag joined us, we started our journey back. The travelling tragedy did not ended here. Just before the Toll-Naka near Pune – Satara road, our PMT driver dashed a new BMW car. We then had to go to the police station for registering the FIR complaint. It took more than an hour. Finally I got down the bus at around 9.30pm at Pune. Waving good bye to my friends, I reached home. As the bus was of Borivali, my friends had to get down at Sion, some 20km away from Mulund. Few of our Chakram members got the car to pick up everyone from Sion and droped them safely back home. My friend SMS me saying, the driver drived fast and we reached home at 1.00am.

The Best part:
In Chakram Hikers, one best think I have noticed is that, the new leaders get all the authority to make decision, implement those, change those, make mistakes and learn from those mistakes. New leaders are definitely guided by the experienced one. But final decision is taken by the leader himself/herself.

Moreover many of Chakram members took their own cars to pick-up all trek members from Sion and drop them safely back to their home. Thatz what group is all about. Thanks to those who showed such spirit. Heads Off!

Also good leadership and calmness shown by Amol Deshmuhk, Saagar Deshpande, Parag Thorat & Manas Thorat. 3 Cheers to them all !

The height :

1. Welding machine: Can u in ur dreams think that welding machine go to Bhor when we just used it few min back. But it did :)

2. Asiad bus dashing new white BMW: When we thought all the tragedies are over. Our Asiad bus met with a small accident near Pune-Satara toll-naka. All we prayed was, "Hey bhagwan! aab is raat ko boring bana do.. bhagwan!" :)

Team:
Amol Deshmukh – Leader (M)
Saagar Deshpande – Co. Leader (M)

Parag Thorat – Dy. Leader (M)
Other Male participants:
Manas Thorat, Amey Paranjape, Gajendra Jadhav, Sriram Iyer
Female participants:
Sharvani Khare, Punit Thorat, Gautami Barve, Aditi Karnik, Arohi Atre, Maitri Bhatt, Apurva Paranjape, Ashwini Nawathe, Varada Nawathe, Pooja Chaudhari, Shamlayee Thakur, Priti Bhujbal, Aditi, Sayali Patil, Manasi Deshmukh, Saloni Modh and Tanvi Vaze.

My Views:
1. Girls/boys ratio:
Reading the experience above, you might have understood that it was a complicated trek. No decisions were working in our favor. Girls/boys ration was really pathetic. It was 18/7 with only 4 leaders. The complicated or nasty situations that we experienced during this trek, I myself think that the ratio between girls and boys participants should be either equal or in the reversed way. I still remember the tensed faces of the leaders. How much they try to hide their tension, one can clearly make out that they were tensed. Getting stuck in jungle with responsibility of 18 girls is a disaster.
2. Rules:
Again these are my views. And anyone disagree with it by all means. I started trekking under the guidance of best leaders. They were strict no doubt, but that made us perfect. You enjoy trekking, but that enjoyment also should have some limit and not bothering others. Sleeping time, departure time, summit time (with little flexibility) etc should be told to all the participants in advance and leader should see to it that everyone follows them

“All well that ends well”

* NOTE: I have written this blog very frankly. Have included all that I experienced during that trek, without favouring anyone. It was not to hurt anyone. It's not done intentionally. Sorry if anyone is hurt coz of me.

Really sorry!!!

Map:

Photo Link:

Big NEWS of Big family is out…

Finally! The news of big family “THE BACHCHAN’S” is out. Mrs. Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan is pregnant. Wow! The whole world was eager to listen to ‘this’ news since her marriage to Mr. Jr. Bachchan (Abhishek). You might wonder how this can be true, or how this can happen, or curse yourself for being more eligible bachelor at that time but missing the change of meeting Ash before Abhishek took her away in marriage. Even before you shut your fully opened mouth, the news about Bachchan’s spread across THE GLOBE.

The media went way back in time when Dr. Mr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan married a Sikh-Punjabi girl from Faisalabad, Mrs. Teja Bachchan. Showing few of their so-called rare marriage photos. They then showed Mr. Big B marriage to Jaya Bachchan. Netherless to say Mr. Sr. Bachchan news never ends without Rekha’s interference. And with Rekha entry media went bla bla bla …

Media was over thrilled with the outbreak of this news. All these days they were wondering why the Bollywood diva had to re-do her dress at Cannes 2011. And so do millions of Indians. They were suspecting Aishwarya to be pregnant. And this time to their surprise they guess it right. Ash putting-on some XYZ KG was highlighted by media as if it’s a million dollar question and will influence the share market.

Media in India can also go to extend of created an ‘animated image of the baby’ with a blend of Ash-Abhi, Big B – Jaya.
Good height as Mr. Big B
Sense of humor from Jr. Mr. Bachchan
Dazzling eyes, lusty looks, sexy body, killing (?) smile like Mrs. Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan.
Power to control a home (and husband) like Mrs. Jaya Bachchan.

Within no time the news was out, I received a sms saying, “Ash pregnant. Big B is thrilled and as usual Abhishek has ‘NO IDEA’. Or the online news paper home page had news, “Salman Khan wishing a cricket team for Ash-Abhi”. The way Big B’s news always ends with Rekha in the background, Ash news ends with Salman’s quote. Poor people their life is put at mess.

I really pity the life of these people who are always under the spotlight. Media might have appointed a person to stand outside Jalsa and report each and every move made by Bachchan’s. Here comes Big B in terrace with a cup of coffee. Or is it Tea? We will soon provide an exclusive report as to what exactly Big B drinks every morning. Here enters Jaya and Ash together. They are the best saas-bhau in centuries. And finally here comes Abhi, The man. Everyone is holding a cup. What exactly is the whole family drinking together? Whole India and world want to know and so please watch MBTV India and we will bring an exclusive report of Bachchan’s family breakfast LIVE.

Oh no! It’s not a cup that they are holding. They have got eggs to throw at the media to leak this most secret news of the decade. Did Bachchan themselves went to market to buy this eggs? We will show an exclusive report. Don’t go away, keep watching MBTV India…

This is endless……………………………………….

Anyway, from my side…….. I am very happy for the Bachchans and bless the baby all the happiness. I know that baby will be born with a silver spoon and a media camera. But wish that baby a happy and private life.

Tribute to Dr. Sudheer & Ruta Phatak

Mrs. Vaidehi (Ruta) & Mr. Sudheer Phatak

What happened was unfair…

Yesterday 11^th June 2011 was a nightmare. The day started off badly with the news of sudden death of one local politician the previous night. Roads were jammed with those close to that politician. To add to the disaster, rains were heavy and nasty making it not so good. It turned worst when I received a call from my cousin sis Uma Patankar at around 9.00pm. She said, “I want to give you the shocking and horribly sad news. Are you alone at home?” I said, “No! Everyone is at home. What happened?” When someone calls you saying that he has some bad news, you think of an old sick person. I too though of few old people in their 80’s and sick. Unable to hold for too long I asked her to reveal the news.

She said, "Sudhir dada and Ruta Vahini cha car accident zala ahe ani te doghahi on the spot gele. Nilkhil la pan khoop lagala ahe ani to pan hospital madhe ahe”. [Dr. Sudheer Phatak, my cousin and his wife Ruta Vahini (Vaidehi Phatak) met with an accident on their way back to Pune from Mumbai and died on the spot. Their Son-in-law Mr. Nikhil Karkare is seriously injured and is admitted in the hospital].

I could not believe what I was listening. How can it be true? How can someone go away like this when he is so close of bringing his dream into reality?

Mr. Sudheer Phatak and Vaidehi Phatak together saw a dream of having an international standard school. They established "Millennium National School" in Karvenagar, Pune.

No school bags and no homework. The idea is not to create bookworms, but to have all round and well developed personalities. Students are also exposed systematically to 3 extra curricular activities every year. The sudden loss of a this two main poles of school will be noticed by all students and school staff.

That reminds me of few other people who too died at an early age of life.

This is really unfair…

Dr. Nitu Mandke who saw a dream of building a full equipped hospital with a helipad facility in Mumbai had a sudden death when he was in the middle of fulfilling his dream. A well-known cardiac surgeon himself died of a heart attack at the age of 53 (1st Jan 1948 to 22 May 2003). A person who dreamed of “Healthy India” himself had a very short life.

Mr. Anand Dighe who changed the look and feel of Thane state and if leaved longer would have changed the look of entire Mumbai also died at an early age of 50 (27^th Jan 1951 to 27 Aug 2001). A man who dreamed of “Clean, swift and healthy India” too had a small life.

These are the most recent examples. Also if you turn history book pages, you will find that many good people had short life span.

Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa I: Also known as ‘Thorle’ or ‘Rau’ too had a life of barely 40 years (August 18, 1700 – April 28, 1740). Baji Rao, who fought over 41 battles, is reputed to have never lost one.

Nanasaheb Peshwa: He bought few good developments in Pune city and converted a small Pune village into a big Pune city. If lived longer would have contributed much more to the city. (8^th Dec 1721 to 23^rd Jun 1761)

Raghobadada Peshwa: I read it some diary of some xyz Kashmiri. In that he mentioned courageous Marathas (Raghobadada Peshwa, Shivaji Maharaj etc) whose rule went as far as Attock (now in Pakistan). He said, if Peshwa would have conquered Kashmir the history of Kashmir would have been something different. This warrior king who brought end of Muslim rule at Hindu religious places like Mathura, Vrindavan, Gaya, Kurukheshtra etc. and destroyed the Mugal rule died at the age of 48 (1^st Aug 1734 – 1782).

Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj also died when he was just 50 yes old. If that great king would have lived for many years, today the condition of India would have been different. He would and had power to stop British from entering our country. Just imagine where India would have stand if this would have ever happened. He was one of the greatest king who requires no words.

These are few of many examples to show that good people whose aim is pure, who spend entire life in the welfare of society lived a short life themselves. People who want to contribute something positive to the country never are blessed with a long life. On the other hand, we see that corrupt politicians, in spite of suffering from chronic illness leave a long life. Not only that, a terrorist also leaves a wealthy and safe life in this country.

WHY? Destiny?

I know we can’t change our destiny nor do we have any control over our death. But then few things make me uneasy..

A person like Dr. Sudheer Phatak who had some vision for future India and willingly contribute positively things in the society, who through education wanted to change the next generation thinking, who wanted next generation to grow in all areas, wanted them to understand difference between good and bad and after finishing their education wanted them to rule the country in a good mannered, that person die at an early age.

What hurts more is that, a person who is a safety freak and has installed safety seat belts to each and every seat in his school bus, dies in a road accident. Reason: Tire bust making a person helpless.

These are the people who have courage to bring their dreams into reality. These are the people who can contribute many positive things to the society and to the nation.

Anger with the divine god, all mighty..

It is not that I am unorthodox. I do believe in some divine power. Till the time we can’t explain "death", I think I do believe in all mighty ‘God’. But few things do keep on pinching me…

It’s said that whenever there is lot of evil things in the society and when those evil things rule over the truth, god takes birth (Avatar) on the earth. God has to take avatar for the destruction of evil and to bring back peace on this planet. It’s said that today we are leaving in ‘Kali yug’ (Hindu religion belief) wherein there is lot of ill things, lot of destruction, lot of dissatisfaction etc. in the society. And when these ill or evil things will reach its peak, god will be born, god will take his last Avatar of "Kalki" to destroy the evil and rebuilt the power of truth is what we Hindus believe.

My question here is… Why god has to take birth on this planet? Don’t you think it is he who kills good people and give long life to evil people? He gives short life span to those who want to contribute to the society in a positive way. And he gives long life to those whose aim is to spread uneasiness, corruption, dissatisfaction etc. The only aim of these evil people is to loot the country wealth and charm. But they are untouched. Moreover these people having long lasting life so they keep on looting the country for many such years.

Is it that god himself want to show that he is the diving power and no one is above him? Does he want human beings to always keep in mind that the final destination of all human being “Death” or “Life and death” is only and only controlled by him, making him all mighty? Does he fear that if he gives long life-span to good people, they might build heaven on earth which will reduce his popularity?

And when these questions are unanswered… we again believe in destiny, faith and God… Life and death chakras…

* Dr. Sudheer Phatak: the founder and main brain behind Millennium National School project in Pune. Dr. Phatak obtained his Ph.D. in Physics from New York, USA. He was a Professor of Physics at University of Rochester, New York and University of Mumbai. He is a leading educationist and is credited with new systems of learning in schools through modern technology. He has over 15 years of experience in setting up and running schools. He is widely acknowledged all over India for his vision on using modern technology in schools.

* Mrs. Vaidehi Phatak is a co-ordinator in the Millennium National School. She maintains the quality in academics and food. She oversees and plans activities like the annual gathering. She is the Human Resources Manager and manages all the day to day activities of the school.

I know for sure that the next generation of Dr. Sudhir Phatak and Mrs. Vaidehi Phatak and their son-in-laws are capable of making their parents dream come into reality. I wish them all lots of success in their project. Mrs. Arpita Karkare, Mr. Nikhil Karkare, Mr. Anchit Phatak, Mrs. Neha Phatak, Miss. Anchita Phatak.

“Millennium National School entering a millennium year of establishment” is what we all pray for.

About Millennium National School… (Video – Exclusive report on SAAM TV)

We all are and will always be proud of you!

Craziest of craziness

You might have read about products like ‘girlfriend’s leg pillow’, ‘boyfriend’s arm pillow’ or a robot that puts a baby to sleep. I was pretty much OK with this stuff until recently when I came across some funniest, craziest products that Japan has manufactured.



1. Bilk: It’s said that, the idea for the drink was conceived after dairy firms threw out a huge amount of surplus milk in March last year. The son of the manager of a liquor store in Nakashibetsu, whose main industry is dairy farming, suggested the idea of producing the milk beer. So there you go, a milk beer!

I just wanna know, is it OK for infants to drink this bilk?




2. Pouched Mother’s milk: Milk that taste just like your mother’s milk is the tag line they use. Wonderful! A typical Bollywood movie then have to change their ever green dialogue, “Kutte, Kamine.. Maa ka doodh Piya he to saamne aa”. They might need to now say, “Kutte, Kamine… Maa ka pasteurized pouch milk piya he to saamne aa”. I don’t think Dharam Pa will agree to use this improvised dialogue. Actors…..




3. Diaper harness for your dogs: Worried that your dog will run around trees or street lamps? Use harness with a diaper attached to eat. All you have to do is Diaper train your dogs. Probably just as easy as potty training your kids. :)




4. Anti-flatulence Underwear: You want to fart in public without smelly flatulence? It’s now easy. All you have to do is buy a “Subtle Butt” product manufactured by “Pony Inc.”

This "Subtle Butt", acts as a fart neutralizer, to eliminate smelly flatulence. It's an activated carbon fabric pad, measuring 3.25" x 3.25" square, and adheres to the inside of your underwear with two self-adhesive strips. As the wind breaks, Subtle Butt filters the flatulence, absorbing and neutralizing its odor.

Now you need not worry what you eat and how much you eat. Eat as many choole and aloo gobi etc. as you want. You can still have a social life. And need not worry about your reputation.

Also you can hear people say out loud,” THAT’s ME!”.

In a meeting:
Employee: That’s me!
Manager: It’s ok! I like the smell of vanilla. Next time try out chocolate flavor. I am being using it. Girls go crazy behind it just like AXE effect.




5.Infant with a cleaning mob: Worried that your infant is not productive enough? And are you eager to have them recognized or counted in the productive age group? Get him/her a new clothes with a cleaning mob attached to it. “Clean while you crawl”. Even Infants in some country like Japan are not allowed to be unproductive. Soon the productive age group in Japan will be considered from 6months to unlimited. (Considering no retirement age in Japan). This will increase the productive generation ratio 80% or more. To get it near to 100% they might come up with a new idea for new born babies and sick people too. Don’t lay un-productive while in ICU or in a crab.

Multi-tasking and sharing...

Multi-tasking: Being brought up in a typical Indian family we are thought to do multi-tasking since childhood. Reciting god’s prayer while taking a bath. It’s was only after I grew up, that I came to know about the bathroom singer concept. I also remember solving my math/maths problems while watching cricket match. It does require lots of skill and concentration. Some people even go to the extent of brushing their teeth while preparing tea. And the most common is to read newspapers while on toilet seat, pertaining you have western toilet system at your home. In a typical chawl in Mumbai, where you share ‘one toilet behind four - five Families’, multitasking is as necessary as attending the nature call itself. You can even see people standing in a queue, brushing their teeth and reading newspapers while waiting for their turn to attend nature’s call. And for a change, Indian people do maintain a perfect queue holding a ‘Tamrel’ which serves as a flush in many Indian toilets even today. Sometimes they place their Tamrel outside the toilet to indicate the queue.

People do multi-tasking like, listening to music while working. Or is it the other way round? Working while listening to music. Few exercise machines also are renewed to do multi tasking. Like loose few calories while listening to music. I know one company who has designed a treadmill with food racks. ‘Eat while you lose some calories’. ‘Exercise made fun while eating’ might be their promotion tags.

Driving while on call, makes me wonder of multiple multi-tasking like multiple accidents, multiple death, multiple chaos. Multi-tasking of multi-tasking. On a typical Indian road, one can even find a beggar with a laptop. It might also be a part of multi tasking. Working as a customer service guy attending US customer calls while begging on Indian roads. Multi tasking leading to multi income with NO multi taxes.

Talking while eating is another multi-tasking skill adapted by people. Is it to show-off the expensive food that we are eating? Or to show that you floss every day? Or is it just to save time? Or is it for showing how multi-ugly one can look?

Sharing: Alas! We are ‘forced’ to share. We are taught that ‘sharing is good’. Since childhood, I am being sharing books, toys, room etc. with my sister. My mother is very particular about sharing. Once when I sneezed on my sister’s face trying to share some germs with her, my mom scolded me. Making me wonder if sharing is good or bad? After that, I have never shared anything from chocolate, cakes to germs with my sis.

I have even seen my friend sharing a tooth BRUSH while on one trek. Hope they also share their dentist and his bills. This reminds me of a nice story of an old couple. The lady used to serve her husband dinner and only after he is done, she used to start with her dinner. People thought it to be the most romantic thing until the truth was revealed. The reality was they share common set of complete dentures. Now that’s called a romantic sharing.

I have also seen my friends sharing one ‘Tamrel’ between four while on many treks. They even go to extend by marking the amount of water one should use to flush off their deeds. Friend in need is a friend inDEEDS.

I even saw one Hollywood movie wherein a wife files for divorce seeing her husband sharing a bed with other women and cheating on her. He tries to explain the importance of sharing, but she fail to understand it.

What make people celebrate Holi in Mumbai?

Holi is usually mis-interpreted as ‘Festival of colors’. Rangapanchami which is celebrated on the next day of Holi or on the 5th day is actually a ‘Festival of colors’. Ranga = color and Panchami = 5th day. The main purpose of Holi is to welcome the summer. After extreme cold days of winter, people welcome the summer season by lighting a fire and assuming it as a god they perform its Pooja. We offer coconut, sweet Pruanpoli (a typical Maharashtrian sweet dish cooked specially on this day) to that fire and request him to cool down his anger and protect us all human beings from fire.

In Mumbai too, we celebrate Holi every year. It makes me wonder what makes Mumbaikars welcome summer so desperately. If you ask me, Mumbai has only two seasons – summer and rainy. What we Mumbaikar call winter season is considered as summer season in most of the part of the world. Mumbai’s has average of 27.2°C temperature. In winter, the day highs hover around 32.0°C. The nights in winter do not fall below 18 °C. And still we are eager to welcome summer.

In spite of sweating profusely, we light up fire and welcome summer season. I still wonder what makes us do this. Just because it’s been celebrated for years together, we Mumbaikar celebrate it as an essential and important festival. We Mumbaikars should replace this festival with something to welcome winter season. Just like we lit a fire to welcome summer, we should have snow and artificial winds to welcome winter season. Now that sound so Kool !!!

Incredible Women – My role model.

Incredible Women – My role model.
My role model is a very common, middle class girl. What makes her different is her tremendous control on her mind and emotions. Her good presence of mind and power to think even during life taking situations has flattered me. One of my friend’s dad is a Commissioner of police. He told me this story of a ‘Brave girl’. I thought of sharing with all women, who are incredible in their own way and need to discover that incredibility within them.
It so happened that – A girl named Kanchan (name changed) was waiting on the bus stop when 5 devils came to her and offered her a lift. When she denied, they forced her into the car. In her own words… When I was forced in, I yelled out for help. But many people just ignored my cry for helped and I was pushed in. When they closed the door at my back, I realized that, I cannot fight these five psycho guys who were in lust for women’s body. I thought to myself, I do not have strength to fight these five beasts and if I pleaded, they will get wilder to pounce on me. That was the time when I thought to try some other way and summit myself to their lust. When one of the guy kissed me on my lips, I too kissed him back. He was shocked to receive a kiss from me when he was expecting some protest. I could read that clearly and told myself ‘This is the only way out’. Seeing him scared I asked him, “What happened? Look like this is your first time. Don’t worry! I will teach you how to do this”. With that I actually started unzipping my top. That made them more scared and worried. I knew right then, that my trick is working. I went on to continue saying, “I will teach you everything you want to know. And for that you need to pay me Rs. 15000/- each. And do not try to mess with me, as, by now my men might have noted down your car number.” She said, “She could clearly see all those five guys were scared, exchanging looks within themselves”. They looked at each other and suddenly the guy in the driver seat took U-turn and dropped me safely at the bus stop.
[NOTE: I have exactly told the story in the same exact words, un-edited, just the way Kanchan told us]
After this incident, Kanchan went to police station and told my friend’s dad the whole story. She said, “I do not want to register any complaint against anyone as nothing has happened as such. I just thought to bring this to your notice”. When my friend’s dad told me about this, I could not stop myself from meeting her. Pleading him many times, he took me and my friend to meet Kanchan. Hearing the story, I had made some image of Kanchan. . I imagined her to be bold, with hard looks, strength, sharp etc. All that fit to my imagination of ‘Brave women’. I was shocked to see her altogether different avatar. She was just like any other Mumbai girl. Wearing pajamas and T-shirt, hair tied up neatly, soft-spoken, jolly. I once again heard the story from her. That was the time when I noticed the incredible spark in her eyes, making her different from all of us. I hugged her tightly before taking her leave. Today I am still in tough with her via mails. My role model!
I always believe, God give us 1 second to think before any action to happen. That 1 second is quite enough to think and to take action accordingly.

If i were a diety

Remember those days in school when we used to write essays like – “If I were a -‘President’, ‘god’, ‘creator of earth’, ‘book’, ‘100 Rupee note’, ‘old wall clock’ etc. Whatever you turn into – your life always starts with 'My master found me when he was a child. He used to love me, papmer me etc.bla bla bla... and at the end -Today I am old and miserable, wanting to die in some pit'.

Anyways, in case you haven’t notice, world is not a perfect place to leave in. There’s corruption, pollution, hunger, war and of course Gandhi family.

I am still wondering about the things I would love to change ‘If I were a deity’. Here is my list:

* new Indian rupee notes without Gandhi’s photo on it

* political speeches would be delivered by the people who write them
* Sonia Gandhi returning back to Italy - a real freedom to India
* all politicians in India and around the world turn into Pinocchio
* all Indian people gives vote to right candidate
* US stop poking nose in other countries affair
* highways, trains and jobs would grow at the same rate as the population of India
* traffic lights change when you honk at them
* lawyers would speak a language that humans also understand
* boot would rhyme with foot
* f**** would rhyme with Oh fish
* sick days would include when you're sick of work.
* when team loses the cricket match, spectators would get their money back
*drivers are polite.
* men understand what women want and when
* dogs find a shelter while having sex
*all street dogs are couriered to Menaka Gandhi’s residence
* children movies does not have kissing / sex scenes
* K- serial would have an official end
* Deepika Padukone finds a steady boyfriend
* Salman Khan gets married
* Bobby darling understand who she/he really is
* Rakhi Sawant……………. Nothing ……. (she just needs to be re-born as human)
* news channels actually delivers NEWS
* dull and pessimistic people just vanish
* someone publish a book called ‘mothers dialogue’ which are common across the globe

But again world is not perfect either. We have floods and droughts, tsunami and typhoons, earthquakes and volcanoes etc. making people wonder about the deity existence who can change this.

ABC Adjectives for my niece – Ahana

A for “Attractive”, that's what you are,
B for “Beautiful”, creation of art.
C for “Cute”, that's what you are,
D for “Darling”, who rule our heart.

E for “Energetic”, that's what you are,
F for “Friendly”, natural power to make everything alive
G for “Great”, that's what you are,
H for “Happiness”, that you bought in all's life.

I for “Intelligent”, take the decision right.
J for “Joyous”, make others smile
K for “Kind”, make others delight,
L for “Lavishing”, have a amazing style.

M for “Mischievous”, looks on your face,
N for “Naughty”, playing some prank
O for “Obedient”, with eyes that you face,
P for “Passionate”, for Himalaya trek

Q for “Queen”, of everyone's heart
R for “Ravishing”, that's what you are
S for “Stunning”, you are so smart,
T for “Tolerant”, that's what you are.

U for “Understanding”, that's what you are
V for “Valuable”, gift that you are
W for “Wonderful”, person that you are
X for “X-mas”, gifts that you adore

Y for “Yes”, this means yuppy
Z for “Zest”, this means hurray.
A-Z you have learned it all
You are so quick, to learn it all so fast!

- Sharvani / Amala Mavshi
15 February 2011

To my Angel, to my niece – Ahana

My little angel, how much you have grown
Nine months of awaiting, and now nine months old.
From tender little bud, to a blooming flower
You have made us all so proud, so mature

When you were born, several people too were born,
A Mother, A Father
A Grandmother and Grandfather
Cousins & Aunts
All the creators were re-created by the new creation.

Softly and tenderly you conquered the hearts
Took all the attention, and are center for all.
People cuddle you and you cuddle them back
They kiss you and you kiss them back.

You are the lucky champ, to receive blessings from all
You are god's miracle, whom he has blessed with all.
Talking and crawling, you have learned a lot
We all are here, to guide you and to show the right path.

My little angel, My niece 'Ahana'
Today you are my Valentine, to shower my love on.
I bless you with unconditional love and affection…
Smile on your lips,
Knowledge on your face,
Politeness in your gesture,
Softness in your words.

All I wish is 'All the BEST in the world'.

- Sharvani / Amala Mavshi
14 February 2011.

Japanese Language – 'A height of politeness'...

'East' has always excited me for their own uniqueness. Before learning 'Japanese Language' I started searching about Japan & its culture on Google. I always try to find out some kind of similarities between Indian culture and Asian culture. In some or the other way we are always related. Many of our words too have their Sanskrit base. Like for eg. In Malay, Queen is called as 'Raja', Grandmother is called 'Nene'. Sri-Lanka have roots of Sanskrit and Tamil languages. In Indonesia you will see a Chemist name as, 'Nakul Chemist' or Bank name as 'Dirghayu Bank' which have base in Sanskrit. Indonesia indicate women by 'Devi' and have names like 'Arti devi', 'Chandrika devi' etc. They even believe in Indian saga like 'Mahabharat and Ramayan'. And many believe that Lord Ram was born in Indonesia and then went in India. Medan , which is a big city in Indonesia, actually came from Indian Hindu language word "Maidan" meaning "ground" or "land". Similarly, we find some common roots in every Asian countries.

Japan in particular are influenced by Indian and China. King Ashoka's daughter married Japanese king and with her took lots of Indian tradition. Festivals like, 'Pongal(Tamil Nadu)', 'Chaitragaur (Maharashtra)', 'Pitrupandravda (Remembering own Ancestor) ', 'Shastrapuja (weapons – puja) etc are few of the festivals that are celebrated in Japan too. Whereas 'Tea' was introduced to Japan by China traders. Japan accepted it and included it in their own polite way leading to formation of 'Tea ceremony'. The written script too was taken from China.

If you are listening to Japanese language, its sounds like the mixture of all impolite / bad words. To give an eg. 'Tsuitachi', 'Futsuka', 'Mikka', 'Yokka', 'Itsuka', 'Muika', 'Nanoka', 'Youka', 'Kokonoka' and 'Touka' are the names of 1 to 10 dates. Now seriously tell me, don't they sound like some of the bad words? I still remember one incidence related to this. I was traveling back home from my Japanese class. We took 'ladies special' train at CST. Ladies special train can by compared to the place wherein all radio stations are played at a time. College girls laughter, office ladies celebrating festivals and chitchatting, sales person making his way out and ladies standing at the door even thought they wanted to get down at the last stop. All this was making me restless. To add to my restlessness, one lady had a bad fight with the lady standing at the door. Using all bad words starting from 'Ba' and 'Bha' they started with a fight. It was getting on my nerve. I then started saying all those Japanese dates in similar tone like those bad words. All the ladies started looking at me, and unable to understand the meaning of any word, thought I was someone with a PhD for bad words. I got so much respect that day in the train, that one lady offered me a seat... Flattered!!!

But Japanese language is 'The politest' language in the world no matter how harsh it sounds. One can get an idea by counting the number of times a Japanese person bows to great you. They can just go on bowing. Even bowing has different types. Just bowing your head implies an informal way of greeting, Ok for your friend but No-Gu (not good) to show respect. While walking, one can just bend a little. Actual, respectful bowing is one wherein you need to bend 90 degree from your waist. That's the reason you won't find any Japanese with a big tummy. I think, looking at Indian police growing tummy, they should be also made to bow like Japanese. (It's different that the reason for such big fat stomach of Indian police is due to money they collect from under the table. Huge the amount, bigger is the tummy size). Anyways, back to Japanese bowing. If you are sitting on a 'Tatami' (mat) one still need to bow a little. In short, one need to keep bowing no matter how and where you are. Our Marathi say, “'मोडेन पण वाकणार नाही' ” meaning: “Will break but not bend” cannot be even translated in Japanese. They wont understand the meaning of it being brave.

Now moving on to the language: Politeness also has many ways and differs from person to person and from designation to designation.
Let me elaborate it with an eg;. ジョンさんがさとさんを待つ。[John waits for Sato (his friend)]

But if Teacher is waiting for any student, then – 先生がお待ちになる。Here teacher is of high authority and thus she has done a favor on us by waiting.

Student is waiting for a teacher, then – 先生をお待ちする。Even thought we are waiting for teacher, teacher being of higher authority, it's shows our pleasure to wait for teacher.

The height of politeness does not end here. Just imagine one situation wherein you need to go home early one day from office and need to ask permission from your boss. In English, “Would it be fine for me to leave early today” or “Can I leave early today, please” is considered as polite. But in Japanese one need to say, 「ちょっと早く行かせていただけませんか」。which literally mean: “May I get you to let me go early”. Make sure that while talking to you boss, one need to bend down, so that you are way below your boss height and keeping your eyes as low as possible and without making any eye contact with high authority one should communicate. They might have adopted the American standard of leaving. But it's just limited to dressing, marriage, marriage constitute, leave-in-relationship etc. They have not adopted American rudeness or over friendliness into Japanese culture. The hierarchy system is followed in Japan even today.

「お元気ですか」。(O-Genki Desuka): They not only show respect to person, but to words too. If they want to emphasis any particular word then the use 'O' or 'Go' before that word to show respect. Here 'Genki' means 'health' but to show respect or to emphases it they include 'O'. Answer to this also differ according to one's post / designation. (Here its not only related to office designation or post... but also personal life post is taken into consideration). If the person you are asking is of height authority he/she can just reply by saying 「はい、元気です」。(Yes! I am fine). But if you are answering to higher authority then one should say, 「おかげさまで元気です」。(Because of your favor, I am fine).

San: San means Mr. Miss. Mrs. everything. But one should not use it for oneself. It's for others to indicate with respect. But if a Japanese person is traveling outside his country, he/she indicated himself by 'San' showing respect of being a Japanese.

Yesterday, my friend 'Kranti' was on a customer call as interpreter. She greeted the Japanese on the other side with, 「お世話になっております」。meaning “I am here to help you”. So much unlike our any Indian language. Just imagine the same situation taking place in Mumbai or Delhi. The Indian person might have said, “Oh Fish! (Indian version of F***) I don't believe you don't understand simple English. OK yaar, tell me what you want to convey. I will help you no”.