Saturday, December 31, 2016

Happy New Year

My last post for 2016. Another year is gone. I am sure each one of us has a collection of moments of happiness, frustration, anger, satisfaction and sadness belonging to this year. Each one of us must have been able to achieve something that we had thought of doing on January 1st, 2016. But if you are like the majority, there is a lot that is still left to be done. Our to-do list seems like a permanent 'work in progress', doesn't it? But then that's the beauty of life. If we achieved everything that we wanted to do, then life won't have any meaning anymore.

These days, the newspapers are full of articles that would have us believe that the world has become a more dangerous place in the past year. Maybe it is true, maybe it is not. I have stopped believing everything that is said on TV and in print. It makes you feel sad, helpless and dejected. Instead, I have begun to seek out news that is encouraging, that talks of people who are hellbent on making positive changes in their part of the world. I have begun to read about the little people who are dealing with whatever life is throwing at them with courage and who are refusing to give up. As far as I am concerned, only these people matter. Because they are humanity's best hope. They are doing what God (if indeed there is one!) had in mind for us when he put us on this planet.

I am determined to be one of these little people.

I don't know what you want out of 2017. But I am sure that I won't be very far off the mark when I say that may the Universe bless you with loving people, a satisfying occupation and the best of health.

See you all in 2017! :-)
अर्ज किया है.....

कुछ खास नही.....बस इतनीसी मुहोबत है तुमसे
हर रातका आखिरी खयाल और हर सुबहकी पहली सोच हो तुम

(Forwarded)
Postcards From The Edge - Carrie Fisher

Wishful Drinking - Carrie Fisher

The Princess Diarist - Carrie Fisher

 



 Belam Caves, Kurnool

Jigarthanda - special drink of Madurai

Iruttu Kadai Halwa, Thirunelveli

Guttikonda Bilam


Wednesday, December 28, 2016

अर्ज किया है.....

कुछ तो बात है तेरी फितरतमें ऐ दोस्त
वरना तुझको याद करनेकी खता हम बार-बार न करते

(Forwarded)
A friend forwarded a few songs from Coke Studio. Of course, the translation was a huge help in understanding the Urdu, Balouch and Punjani lyrics. Here's the list of ones that I loved and got converted to mp3 format (using http://www.youtube-mp3.org/):

Dilruba Na Raazi

Sammi Meri Waar

Ishq Di Booti

Saasu Mangay

पांगिरा, पानिपत, शोध, तडा...............

'डोक्याला भुंगा लावणारं आपण वाचू शकतो' ही १-२ पुस्तकं वाचून झालेली गैरसमजूत पुढल्या १-२ पुस्तकांनी पार धुळीस मिळवली. त्यातलं पहिलं पुस्तक म्हणजे विश्वास पाटील ह्यांचं 'पांगिरा'. एका छोट्या गावाची ही कहाणी. बदलत्या युगाचं वारं गावात शिरलं की काय होतं ह्याचं उत्तम चित्रण ह्यात पहायला मिळतं. ज्या सुधारणा होताहेत किंवा लोकांच्या कल्याणासाठी कायदे केले जात आहेत त्याची माहिती मोजक्या लोकांना असली की त्याचा ते कसा पुरेपूर फायदा करून घेतात आणि गरीब जनतेला नाडतात ते वाचून नुसता तिळपापड होतो. आपल्याला रोज दोन घास खायला मिळतात त्यामागे ज्याची ढोरमेहनत आहे त्या शेतकऱ्यांची ससेहोलपट 'सिस्टीम' कशी करते ते वाचायचं असेल तर 'पांगिरा' वाचावं. अर्थात अजूनही परिस्थिती फारशी बदललेली नाहीये म्हणा. निश्चलनीकरणाचा सर्वात मोठा फटका शेतकऱ्यांना बसलाय. पण इमोशनल डायलॉग मारून वेळ मारून नेणारे नेते आणि हतबल झालेले विरोधी पक्ष असल्यावर आणखी काय होणार. हे पुस्तक वाचून मी आजकाल जेवायच्या आधी 'वदनी कवळ घेता' म्हणून न दिसणाऱ्या देवाला धन्यवाद देण्याऐवजी शेतकऱ्यांना दुवा देते.

'पांगिरा' वाचलं आणि 'पानिपत' वाचायची इच्छा झाली. म्हणून लायब्ररीतून घेऊन आले खरी. पण कसलं काय. जेमतेम अर्ध वाचून झालं आणि लढाईला तोंड फुटायच्या आधीच उत्तरेला मराठी सैन्याचे झालेले हाल वाचवेनात. भाऊबंदकी, हेवेदावे, एकमेकांचे पाय मागे खेचण्याची वृत्त्ती, आत्यंतिक धर्मभोळेपणा असल्या सगळ्या सगळ्या सवयी मराठी सत्तेला पुरेपूर भोवल्या. उत्तरेत हाल होत असलेल्या सैन्याला रसद पुरवण्याऐवजी स्वत:साठी नवरी शोधण्यात वेळ घालवणारे नानासाहेब लवकर गेले तेच बरं झालं. असली माणसं असून काही उपयोग नसतो. नसली तर नुकसान कमीच होतं म्हणायचं. अर्ध पुस्तक वाचून बाजूला ठेवलं. आज वाचायला सुरुवात करू, उद्या करू असं म्हणेतो दोन आठवडे गेले आणि आता आपल्याच्याने काही हे वाचलं जाणार नाही हे ध्यानात आलं. तेव्हा मुकाट्याने पुस्तक परत करून आले. :-(

मग कोणीतरी 'शोध' सुचवलं. शिवाजीमहाराजांनी सुरत दुसऱ्यांदा लुटली तेव्हा जो खजिना मिळाला त्याचा काही भाग कधीच स्वराज्यापर्यंत पोचला नाही. तो खजिना मध्येच गायब झाला हे ऐतिहासिक सत्य. तेव्हाच्या आणि नंतरच्या काळातसुध्दा अनेकांनी त्याचा शोध घ्यायचा यत्न केला पण कोणाला यश आल्याचं ऐकिवात नाही. ह्यावर आधारलेली ही काल्पनिक कथा. अर्थात काही धागेदोरे सत्य असतील. पण सत्य आणि कल्पना ह्यांची एव्हढी बेमालूम सरमिसळ लेखकाने ह्यात केली आहे की त्यात फरक करता येत नाही. ऐतिहासिक मिस्टरी वाचायची हौस असेल तर ही कादंबरी नक्की वाचा.

खरं तर 'भैरप्पा' ह्यांचं 'आवरण' हे पुस्तक आहे का असं मी लायब्ररीत विचारलं होतं. ते काही मिळालं नाही पण बाकी पुस्तकांची चवड त्यांनी माझ्यासमोर ठेवली. त्यातून मी 'तडा' उचललं. आणि वाचायला सुरुवात केल्यापासून संपवेपर्यंत मेंदूला नुसत्या झिणझिण्या आणल्या. आत्यंतिक टोकाचा स्त्रीमुक्तीवाद काय विनाश करवून आणू शकतो हे त्यात प्रभावीपणे मांडलंय. अर्थात ह्यात पुरुषांची बाजूसुध्दा कधी कधी न्याय्य असू शकते हे दाखवायचा यत्न केला आहे तरी समाजात आजकाल जे घडतंय ते पाहाता शेकड्यात असे चूक नसलेले किती पुरुष असतील हा प्रश्न उरतोच. त्यामानाने इलासारखं वागणाऱ्या बायका जास्त असाव्यात हे कटू असलं तरी सत्य असावं. खरं-खोटं राम जाणे.

डिसेंबर-जानेवारी मध्ये लायब्ररीत गेले नाही. फेब्रुवारीमध्ये पुन्हा जाईन तेव्हा भैरप्पांची आणखी पुस्तकं वाचायचा बेत केलाय. पाहू किती तडीस जातो ते.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

The WSD 2017 Calendar - Stalwarts Of Mumbai is now available

I received the following email from WSD:

Dear Animal Lover

The WSD 2017 Calendars celebrates iconic street dogs and cats of Mumbai. Dogs truly are man’s best friends, and they have proven it through the ages.  Since the beginning of time, the dog has been our steady companion in every sphere of life.  History is peppered with incidents of animals (both dogs and cats) that have become iconic by showing great devotion, companionship or heroism. For us at WSD, every free-roaming pet is an icon.  Their unique quirks and eccentricities endear them to the neighborhood that they are an integral part of.  While these pages feature only 12 of them, the WSD calendar for 2017, is a tribute to every stray dog or cat that has made their home in the hearts of people … a home they live in forever!

The WSD Calendar - 2017 - Stalwarts Of Mumbai is now available. The calendar is available at various outlets in Mumbai. (Please see list given below). It can also be couriered in Mumbai and also to various cities outside Mumbai (check with us on the courier costs depending on the no and type). It is priced at Rs 150 each. (Wall and Desk) as a donation towards WSD's sterilisation, immunization and health care programmes. For outside Mumbai orders, you can e-mail on wsdindia@gmail.com or call 022-65343341 and we can courier it to you.

Outlets in Mumbai

South Mumbai

Kala Ghoda

WSD Office: C/o Mr F. Broacha, 2nd Flr, Yeshwant Chambers, B.Bharucha Marg, Near Fab India, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai – 23 Tel : 64222838

Nariman Point

Christina -  69, Obreroi Shopping Plaza, Nariman Point,  Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021 Tel :  2282 5069

Cuffe Parade

Shop no. 27, World Trade Centre, Next to Baskin Robbins Parlour, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai – 400 005 Tel: 9819930930

Fort

Sleight of Hand:  Trafford House, 6, Prescott, Opposite Queens Mansion, Fort, 400 001.

Churchgate
 

Dr Leena Dalal’s Clinic : Green Fields, Opposite Oval Maidan, Churchgate, Mumbai – 21 Tel: 66153497

Marine Lines

Dr Kurush and Dr Dipti's Clinic: Shop No 4 & 5, Silk House, JSS Road, Opp Kayanis, Dhobi Talao, Mumbai - 400002

Kemps Corner
 

Ibrahim’s Pet Shop :, Next to Crossword, Kemps Corner, Mumbai – Tel: 23806278

Pawfect:  46, Hussain Manor, Bomanji Petit Street, Near Parsi General Hospital, Kemps Corner, Mumbai  -400026 – Lokeshi Agarwal - Tel :9820625092/6446 3129

Tardeo

Shake Hands My Pet Store - Shop No 8, Noor Mahal, Tardeo. Mumbai: 400 034  Tel : - 23515184

Baba Bazaar - 136, Tardeo Road. Opp HDFC Bank, Next to Everest Building, Sarvodaya Mill Compound, Tardeo - 23513096

Central Mumbai

Dadar

Dr Makrand Chavan’s Clinic : Shop No 1, Matoshree Tower, Kohinoor Mills Lane, Shivaji Park, Dadar – Mumbai- 28 Tel: 24380756

Kings Circle

Oh My Dog – Vora Bhavan, Kings Circle, Mumbai. Tel : 9820643128

Western Suburbs

Bandra

Paws and Furs : Shop No 3, Kailash,156, Waterfield Road, Bandra, Mumbai. Tel: 66990858

Tailwaggers : 16th Road, Behind Hawaian Shack, Bandra, Mumbai. Tel: 9820127572

Juhu
 

Pawwfect, Shop No1. T135 Coalho's Compound (near Sangeeta apts). Juhu Tara Rd. Santacruz West, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India 400049. Tel No :  9167719702

Andheri

Tailwaggers -  Shop No. 5, Excellency Building, near New Versova Telephone Exchange, SVP Road, 4 Bunglows, MHADA, Andheri (W). Tel: 9820507572

Eastern Suburbs
 

Ghatkopar

Pink Guppy Kids – S 61 – R City Mall, 2nd Floor, Below Kidzania, LBS Marg, Ghakopar (W)  Tel : 8080809315


Check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thewelfareofstraydogs

Pakke Paga Festival

The good folks at Nature Conservation Foundation wrote to let me know about the Pakke Paga Festival.

We are delighted to announce that the 2nd Pakke Paga Festival will be held in Seijosa between 16 – 18 January 2017. The festival will be organized on the banks of the Pakke River bordering the Pakke Tiger Reserve. This is the place where our Hornbill Nest Adoption Program is also being carried out.

Unlike the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, the focus here is as much on saving the diverse wildlife found in the area as it is on highlighting the diversity in local culture and people.

 The festival is being organized jointly by the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department, Pakke Tiger Reserve management, District Administration, local Panchayat, Ghora-Aabhe Society, Government officers of various departments and local public leaders/civil society members. Along with NCF, several NGOs that work in the area are participating and contributing to the festival – WWF, WTI, Balipara Foundation, Help Tourism, IT Nature Club and also supported by Saevus and Sanctuary Nature Foundation (of Sanctuary-Asia).

We hope that this festival, in future, will become as important as the Nagaland Hornbill Festival, and that it will stand out for its uniqueness in terms of its focus being on celebrating wildlife. It is only possible through support from all of us who come in large numbers, recognize the efforts of the local community and also indirectly enable them to earn economic benefits through staying at their homestays and the Pakke Jungle camp and enjoying the local cuisine and apung (rice/millet beer).

Highlights of the festival will be: Nature walks (bird-watching, butterfly walks etc), jeep safaris, nature-based activities including tree planting and other activities with local school children and dedicated stalls to highlight the diversity of Pakke and the conservation efforts in the area. There will be also conventional activities that are part of the usual festivals in north-east India that include traditional dances, sports and cuisine.


You can follow the details of the festival on its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PakkePagaFestival/
अर्ज किया है.....

हम भी मुस्कुराते थे कभी बेपरवाह अंदाजसे
देखा है आज खुदको कुछ पुरानी तस्वीरोमे

(Forwarded)
Whatsapp चं spring cleaning सुरु केलं तेव्हा सेव्ह करून ठेवलेल्या अनेक लिंक्स सापडल्या. त्यातल्या ह्या काही:

www.archive.org
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.upasanhar.marathi.kadambari

www.friendstosupport.com
indianblooddonors.com

http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/a-team-that-collects-your-plastic-waste/
http://rudraenvsolution.com/medha.html

https://www.meetup.com/rambler/events/235445735/
Once Within Borders - Charles Maier

A Sense Of Power - John A. Thompson

The Man Who Knew - Sebastian Mallaby

The Last Days Of Mankind - Karl Kraus

Journal Of A Residence In India - Maria Graham

Letters On India - Maria Graham

Western India in 1838 - Mrs. Marian Postans

Chaw Chaw - Amelia Falkland

Little Arthur's History Of England - Maria Callcott
सीएसटी आणि आंतरराष्ट्रीय विमानतळाच्या नावात 'महाराज' हा शब्द घालायची तयारी चालली आहे. आता 'शिवाजी पार्क'चं नाव पण 'शिवाजी महाराज पार्क' करणार का? :-(