ऐसा नही की जिंदगी बहुत छोटी है.....

दरअसल हम जीना ही बहुत देर से शुरू करते है

(Forwarded)
 

The WSD - Street Dogs Of India Calendar - 2015 is now available

Received the following email from WSD:

The WSD - Street Dogs Of India  Calendar - 2015 is now available. The calendar is available at various outlets in Mumbai. (Please see list given below). It can also be couriered 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 022-64222838 and we can speed-post 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
Rhythm House : 40, K. Dubash Marg (Rampart Row), Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 400023. Tel: 4322 2727

Nariman Point

Christina:  69, Oberoi Shopping Plaza (Trident), Nariman Point, Nariman Point, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021  Tel : 2282 506

Fort

Sleight of Hand:  Trafford House,  6, Prescott, Opposite Queens Mansion, Fort, 400 001.
Big Daddy, Lobby of Sterling Multiplex, Near CST, Mumbai 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 – Tel - 9820625092

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

Dadar

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

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

Andheri
Tailwaggers : Shop No 5, Excellency Building, Near Versova Telephone Exchange,Four Bunglows, Mhada Rd, Mhada, SV Patel Nagar, Andheri West, Mumbai, 400061 Tel : 98201 2757

Doggiie Dog World : Bunglow No.81, SVP Nagar, Janki Devi School Lane, MHADHA, Andheri, Mumbai. Tel : 91672 42218

Happy 2015!

Couldn't have found a better photo to say goodbye to 2014 and to welcome 2015. :-)

Hope the new year brings a lot more happiness, goodness, peace and prosperity everywhere on earth!

Unakoti (Ekaant, Epic Channel)

The promo for this one was compelling enough to make me check at least one episode out. It was about a place called Unakoti in one of India's Northeastern states - Tripura. It's a mountainous area surrounded by thick forest and scattered in this forest are innumerable carved and stone idols of Hindu Gods as well as Goddesses. It is evident that such a massive project must have involved a lot of artisans, executed over a considerable period of time and thus undertaken by some kingdom but there is no trace of it anywhere in history. Consequently, it is a mystery as to who were the creators of Unakoti, when did they create it and why. A lot of legends are told. Most of them based on its name - Unakoti, which in Bengali means one less to 1 Crore.

The first legend is about the trip that 1 Crore Gods were taking to Varanasi with Lord Shiva. By sundown they ended up in the vicinity of Raghunandan mountain (as Unakoti was called in the early days). They were tired so it was decided to spend the night on the mountain and start at the daybreak. Yet, the rising sun saw only Lord Shiva get up. The rest of the party was fast asleep. Lord Shiva left for Varanasi and cursed that the rest of the Gods be turned into stone idols right where they were sleeping.

Another legend involves a devotee of Goddess Parvati called Kallukumar. He wanted to travel with Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati to mount Kailas. Lord Shiva wasn't very keen on that so he told Kallukumar that he will take him with them if he could make 1 Crore idols in one night. Kallukumar toiled through the night but till morning one idol was short of the 1 Crore target. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati left for Kailash leaving poor Kallukumar behind with his idols.

A different version depicts Kallukumar as the master sculptor who was commissioned to carve out 1 Crore idols of Gods by a king. Kallukumar made one God idol less and instead made one idol of himself.

The last legend that the anchor mentioned was about the Gods leaving earth to go to the heavens at the beginning of Kaliyug - because earth would not be a good place to reside at. But they left their idols behind for anyone wanting to pray to them or seek their blessings. I am not sure why anyone would want to pray to a God who goes to the cozy comforts of the heavens and leaves behind the devotees to suffer.

The anchor summed up the mystery and allure of the place well when he said that "We cannot know much about any historical place unless the place itself wants to reveal its secrets. Unakoti isn't yet ready to do so. When it is, we will come back." Amen to that!

Not sure how much to tip? The complete guide to tipping

मुझे ढून्ढने की कोशिश अब न करना
तूने रास्ता बदला तो मैने मंजील बदल ली

(Forwarded)

Bermuda Triangle - by Charles Frambach Berlitz

The Poseidon Adventure - by Paul Gallico

Atlantis: The Eighth Continent - by Charles Frambach Berlitz

Lo! - by Charles Fort

The Devil's Triangle - by Richard Winer

Dariba Diaries (Epic Channel, Mondays, 9pm)

I first came across the channel while surfing for something worthwhile to watch. I saw a couple of people in Mughal era costumes but didn't pay much attention to it and moved on. On another occassion, I saw a promo of some episode of Mahabharata. 'Can't these people find any other subjects than Mahabharata and Jodha-Akbar?' I thought and moved on again.

Then one day I saw a weird name - 'Dariba Diaries' - on the TV guide. 'Must be either about the diaries of a teenage girl named Dariba or some story in a mountain place called Dariba' I thought but instead of moving on I decided to investigate the matter this time. From the information on the net, it appeared that the show is about the crime solving capabilities of a guy called Mirza in Delhi when it was being ruled by the British. Aha! Surely, an episode would be worth watching.

So I did, yesterday night from 9pm-10pm. And it looks like I will be hooked on to it. The characters seem well defined. The period setting doesn't fatigue you though it has, no doubt, been the subject of many shows. And yesterday's story seemed to have a novel plot. Unfortunately, when you watch too many detective stories, you know the victim's cousin is the culprit the moment he makes an appearance on screen. :-)

But all in all, I won't mind reading a few pages of the Dariba Diaries - though I am yet to figure out who or what Dariba is!

Exodus: Gods And Kings

It has been a few weeks since I saw this movie. I had planned on writing in detail about it but as usual I proposed and God disposed of it pretty efficiently. Nah! I am just laying the blame at the Pearly Gates. The truth is that I was plain lazy. There, a bit of a confession before old 2014 bids a goodbye. :-)

Okay, I saw the movie without much background information on the subject except for 2 things - Moses parted the red sea to take the Hebrews to safety and then transcribed the 10 Commandments on Mount Sinai. I certainly had no idea about the Egyptians in general and Ramesses in particular. So it was very interesting to see the story unfold. More so, because Egypt has always been a fascinating subject for me.

I had no idea about Moses' childhood and his young days. So it came as a surprise that he was  treated as a part of the royalty and that there was a prophecy regarding the leader. Ramesses somehow did not sound like a 100% villain but then this is not a typical Hindi movie where the hero is the epitome of all that is pure in this world while the villain is rotten to the core. Ramesses had shades of grey - he was anxious when told that Moses could be Hebrew but had cared enough for Moses to help him foil an assassination attempt by Queen Tuya - which is often what people are like in real world.

I understood God's punishment of 10 plagues to hit Egypt because the Egyptians won't free the Hebrews. But I don't understand a God which brings about the killing of children, who had  nothing to do with any of this, just to punish their parents. And I don't understand why Moses, instead of just asking Ramesses to keep a watch over his son, didn't ask all Egyptians to smear the blood of lambs on their doors - so every child could be protected - when he clearly disapproved of God's plan. 'Not a single Hebrew child died' sounded kind of hollow (and callous!). :-(

As far as the look of the movie goes, the sets and costumes were grand. If there were any  discrepancies or mistakes, they would not have been apparent to a layman like me. Everyone seemed to act their part well. But I think the 10 plagues were dealt with rather summarily. I had expected a grandiose parting of the red sea and was kind of disappointed with mere receding of the tides. The transcribing of the 10 Commandments were played down in my opinion. And I am not sure whether the child was God's representative or God himself.

The one scene that will remain forever etched in my mind is the tiny speck of a solitary white horse that is trying to flee to safety against a gigantic ocean wave.

Shammi Kapoor movies on Zee Classic, 1st January

A treat for all you Shammi fans! Begin your new year with 2 of his movies on Zee Classic - "Prince" at 11:15am and "Professor" after that. Yahooooo!

Krispy Kreme

Doughnuts! Doughnuts! Doughnuts!  I used to be a die-hard fan of Dunkin' Donuts. But after sampling a few creations from Krispy Kreme (they have an outlet in Bandra), I know they rock!

Since I have decided not to think about calories till the morning of 1st January, there was no guilt whatsoever as I eyed the box full of goodies. The first one was, of course, Glazed Cinnamon. I swear I had planned on eating just the half of it but I just couldn't control myself and gobbled up the whole. A melt-in-your-mouth sugary magical piece ofconfectionery - words simply cannot describe it.

Almonds are supposed to be good for your health, right? Okay, the 'Almond All Over' lives upto its name and more. A ring of almond flakes sits like a crown on top of this delectable doughnut and brings a slice of heaven right onto your plate.

Though I love chocolates , as a rule, I stay away from anything that has chocolate sauce in it. So there was no way I was going to eat even a morsel of the Chocolate Dream Cake. But I was told, in no uncertain terms, that in doing so I am missing out on something that is simply out of this world. So I decided to take the risk (what the hell! It's almost year end!) and the first bite told me  that it had paid off. Hats off to the person who coined its name! If this is what chocolate dreams are made up of, I never wanna wake up :-)

Reading the first few paragraphs of Raghu Raman's article "Taking a gun into a knife fight", I thought that he had hit the nail right on its head describing the asymmetrical fight between the security forces and the terrorists. That should not come as a surprise. The guy knows what he is talking about.

What surprised me instead was the later part of the article in which he stopped short of suggesting any concrete measures to help even out the fight. Clearly more is expected of him than the words like 'sustained efforts on creating long-term intelligence and technology-driven capacity' which, very frankly, any of us civilians could have penned.

६. आकंठ, दिवाळी अंक २०१४

लोकसत्तामध्ये दिवाळी अंकांची जी माहिती येते त्यात असं म्हटलं होतं की यंदाचा 'आकंठ' चा अंक सिंधी साहित्य विशेषांक असणार आहे. खरं तर २-३ दुकानं धुंडाळूनही मला मिळाला नव्हता पण नेटाने चौकशी केल्यावर दीपोत्सवसोबत मिळाला. अंक हातात पडूनही वाचायला वेळ मिळत नव्हता. आणि मिळाला तेव्हा मात्र नाही म्हटलं तरी थोडीशी निराशाच झाली.

दुसर्या भाषेतल्या कथा वाचायच्या म्हणजे मूळ कथेची गोडी भाषांतरात न उतरण्याचा धोका असतोच. त्यामुळे ह्यातल्या बऱ्याच कथांतली भाषा कृत्रिम वाटते ह्यात नवल वाटण्यासारखे काही नव्हतं. नवल ह्या गोष्टीचं वाटलं की बऱ्याच कथा बेतलेल्या वाटल्या, खोट्या वाटल्या. कथा प्रसिद्ध झाल्या ते साल कुठेच नमूद केलेलं नसल्यामुळे त्या त्या काळाला अनुसरून त्या कथा होत्या का हेही कळायला मार्ग नाही. उदा. आईवडिलांकडे लक्ष न देणारा मुलगा ही कल्पना २-३ कथांत येते ती तेव्हाच्या काळात 'shocking' असली तरी आजच्या काळात सत्यपरिस्थिती आहे, वास्तव आहे - कितीही कटू असलं तरी. 

असो. मला आवडलेल्या कथा म्हणजे समंजस सासू, खानवांहण, श्रध्दा, दस्तावेज, बैल आणि भाषा, चुन्नू आणि मुन्नी आणि "सिंधी लोक आणि त्यांची संस्कृती" हा लेख. कविता हा माझा प्रांत नसला तरी त्या सदरातल्या काही कविता - विशेषत: फाळणीची, घरादाराला मुकल्याची भावना व्यक्त करणाऱ्या - मनाला स्पर्शून गेल्या.

त्यामुळेच पुढल्या वर्षी हा अंक आणायचा की नाही ते अजून ठरवता येत नाहिये हे नक्की.

If people are not laughing at your goals, your goals are too small.

-- Azim Premji

Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell

An exhibition of rocks, mineral and fossils

Where: Mumbai University's Shankarrao Chavan Building, Kalina
When: 3 to 7 January

For more information, visit check out  in Marathi newspaper Loksatta

Strand Book Stall Book Fair

Where: David Sassoon Library, in front of Jehangir Art Galary, Kala Ghoda
Timings: 10am to 7pm

Their Fort shop will also have books available at same discounted prices. So go stock up your libraries!

Byblos, High Street Phoenix

I was inconsolable when Komala's downed their shutters in High Street Phoenix. Their Thali had been my favorite - tasty, filling, light on the tummy as well as on wallet. I spent days moping about it. Then on one of my visits I saw a new restaurant in its place - the name didn't give away any clue to its identity, it was called Byblos. So I googled to take a look at its menu. Turned out that it boasted of a lot of new dishes. I am not very good at geography but most of the dishes sounded middle eastern. Already a few reviews were in place - the good people of this city never waste any time in trying out a new eating place. Thankfully, most of the reviews were favorable.

But then I was down with a nasty attack of cold with a lot of phlegm that wouldn't just go away - no matter what remedy I tried. Fed up of all the Glycodins, Benadryls and assorted allopathy medicines, I trouped into the nearest store selling Ayurvedic medicines and trouped out with a bottle of their version of the cough syrup. Two spoonfuls of the liquid and several severe bouts coughing later I felt like I could actually breath. To cut the long story short, soon I was well enough to plan a lunch at Byblos.

When we actually sat down, it was difficult to decide what to order because we wanted to try out a lot of them. Finally we zeroed in on 3 of them - Bedouin Biryani  (believe it or not, this one is a veg dish!), Shawarma Plate (chicken) and Leek & Parmesan Crème brûlée.

Shawarma Plate

 I have eaten Shawarma as a wrap but was seeing it in this form for the first time. A very flavorful dish, no doubt, but the chicken was a bit too dry for my taste.

Leek & Parmesan Crème brûlée

The Crème brûlée was piping hot, velvety soft and every mouthful was a glimpse into culinary heaven, if there is any. I am going to end up ordering this dish on every future visit to this place.

Bedouin Biryani

I am not so thrilled by Bedouin Biryani. It tasted good when eaten with pomegranate gravy but when I tried a mouthful without the gravy I found that it didn't have much of a taste. I am unlikely to order it again. :-(

I forgot to add that we were served a small bread basket with an edible butter candle. Very nice, though I think the basket could do without the pieces of chapatis. :-)

The place is well decorated, spacious and clean. The staff is courteous and very attentive. The menu has enough novelties to last you for a few visits and some that will definitely make you go there again and again.

Spanish - Class XIX

Our Maestra is on the roll. I am having a nasty feeling that by the time February's first weekend rolls in, she is going to pile on a lot of material which most of us will not be able to digest. Till last weekend major part of each class would be spent in revising the homework and the last 30-45 minutes would see us covering new material. But today the revision of the homework was done in thirty minutes flat. And then it was the turn of the new portion.

First, we learnt how to ask for and tell time. 'ये बंबई शहर है, यहा टाईम का मतलब है पैसा' I remembered Nana Patekar from the movie 'Taxi no. 9211' :-) We had learnt numbers from 1 too 100 till now. Today we learnt from 101 till 1000. The teacher asked each one of us to write our own mobile numbers by dividing them in 3 groups of 3 digits each and one lone digit at the end. e.g. a number such as 1234567890 would be 123 456 789 0 and so read as ciento veinti tres cuatrocientos cincuenta y seis setecientos ochenta y nueve cero......I hope. :-) 5-6 students were randomly selected to read out their numbers and the rest of us were supposed to write the numbers down. Finally, we were asked to divide each of the numbers in 5 groups of 2 digits each and tell the teacher. We all had loads of fun doing that and all of us were grinning from ear to ear by the time the exercise was over.

Time for some new vocabulary - lugares en una ciudad like library, post office, press, newspaper stall, theatre and departmental store. And as if all this wasn't enough, in the last 15 minutes of the class we were taught how to ask for and give directions. I just hope the Spaniards are better than Indians when it comes to directions :-)

I have come to realize that when this class ends I am going to miss it. Today morning when I was going through my notes while waiting for the teacher, two students (one of them a senior citizen and another a professional) had their books open and were discussing the homework just like kids. 'Did you get question number 5?', 'What is the meaning of this word?' and so on. It is refreshing and energizing to spend two hours every week in an academic environment, not to mention the fact that I have finally taken baby steps towards my long-cherished dream of learning a foreign language.

As 2014 draws to an end, it is one of the few thoughts that I find immensely comforting.