There was a gentle knock on the classroom door. “Kambli, tell us if it's you?", "Otherwise the door won't open". A loud laughter broke out when someone said this in a classroom of about 15 guys. Another knock and this time someone started making some animal noise. The door kept being knocked and the students in the classroom kept making strange sounds and others kept laughing at the situation.
It was a Saturday in class XIIth science in our school K.V. ONGC Ankleshwar. We used to have a couple of C.C.A (Co-Curricular Activities) periods on every Saturday. We were about 15 boys and 10-12 girls in our class. All the boys hated the C.C.A periods where they forced us to participate in any of the cultural programmers, be it song dance or dramas. We being the senior most students of the school were not easily spared. This particular Saturday we decided to bunk the C.C.A. periods and stay in the class. We planned it in such a way that there were only boys in the classroom and we would lock the classroom from inside for these two periods which would give us about an hour and half of boys only time in our own classroom. Somehow, one of us whom we called Kambli had some urge to go out of the classroom (probably for drinking water or going to the loo). We did not want anyone to know that the whole gang of boys of the class is inside the classroom which is locked. But, Kambli didn't listen and he had to go out. Soon as he left, the mischievous gang of boys had a plan. They wanted to teach Kambli a lesson for breaking the rule. We decided not to open the door when Kambli comes back. So when the door was knocked we did not open it and the whole mockery started. People who were avoiding the C.C.A. period for avoiding being forced to participate in any of the activities on the stage were showing all their mimicry skills by making the noise of whatever animal they knew of whenever the door knocked. We had decided that we would finally open the door only when Kambli says it’s him.
The drama continued for about 15 minutes. Finally Kambli requested to open the door. Having heard Kambli's voice one of the most sincere guys named Dhiraj, opened the door. To our utter surprise in came our class teacher Pandey sir fuming with anger. There was a pin-drop silence in the class. Pandey sir was one of the most feared personalities in K.V. ONGC Ankleshwar. "Slap!!!" He relented his anger furiously on the first person who came in his way after the door was opened. Dhiraj, it was. "Why didn't you open the door?” No one replied. We were all equally responsible for the crime that was committed. The punishment was also equal. Everyone was given the same treatment. A tight slap! After having done his part of hitting everyone, Pandey sir left the class as fast as he had arrived.
It was about 20 seconds of silence after he left and then a unanimous thunder of laughter. People tried to remember what all rubbish they did during the 15 minutes of the drama when Kambli and Pandey sir were standing outside, and the laughter continued throughout the two C.C.A. periods got over. All of us had forgot the slap. People did not repeat any such thing on subsequent Saturdays, but the memory of that incident still brings a big smile to all of us. Whenever any of us get to meet each other we do remember this incident out of all the funny incidents that had happened during our school days.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
First impression is NOT the last impression.
How often do we judge someone in just the first meeting? I strongly believe that first impression has a biggest impact about a person or any other thing on human beings. How often has it happened to you that you met a person for the first time and you make an impression about him/her in your mind? I would say, it happens every time. The behavior of the person in the first meeting is the first step which generally decides how we would treat the person whenever we meet him or her the next time. There is a lot to do with the first impression. For an author he can be a sought after author only when his first publication gets accepted and meets or exceeds the reader’s expectations. For a film actor or director, it’s the first film they work in creates an impression in the viewer’s mind. For a player it’s his first performance that can help a great deal to his chances of making it to the team. For a job seeker, it’s his first impression during the interview that would help him get the Job. For a cricket batsman, it’s the first ball that he receives from the bowler which decides how he is going to treat the bowler.
So, there are a lot of firsts in life which are really very important to create a lasting impression. However, first impression should never be treated as the last impression. There a various examples that can be cited to support this argument. It has happened so many times in my life that the person with whom I was not very impressed in the first meeting turned out to be very impressive in subsequent meetings. I have various examples of my friends, who have been helpful to me in the time of need, which I never thought would ever turn up when required, based on their first impression. If I talk about cricket, when I first saw Gautam Ghambhir play for India, I was not at all impressed. I felt like he would not be able to stay in the team more than a couple of tours. But, to my surprise he completely changed my impression and became the spearhead of Indian batting. The 20-20 world cup and then the test matches and finally even in the world cup, his display of gritty and never give up attitude had a large role which helped Indian team achieve the improbable feats. Same goes with Virat Kohli. He came on the scene as one arrogant spoilt youngster. But, when you see his performances, he has made me change my impression of him as a player. The great legend Amitabh Bachchan was written off after his first film Saat Hindustaani. But, his performance in Zanjeer as an angry young man completely changed is first impression. When we saw Ajay Devgan for the first time, who would have thought that he has got such brilliant acting talent.
If everyone is judged only on the basis of first impression and there would have been no second or third chances of improvement, we would have never seen such individual brilliances. So on a closing note; I would like to repeat that first impression is NOT the last impression. We should give it enough chances before we can get completely convinced about the impression of a person or anything else in life.
So, there are a lot of firsts in life which are really very important to create a lasting impression. However, first impression should never be treated as the last impression. There a various examples that can be cited to support this argument. It has happened so many times in my life that the person with whom I was not very impressed in the first meeting turned out to be very impressive in subsequent meetings. I have various examples of my friends, who have been helpful to me in the time of need, which I never thought would ever turn up when required, based on their first impression. If I talk about cricket, when I first saw Gautam Ghambhir play for India, I was not at all impressed. I felt like he would not be able to stay in the team more than a couple of tours. But, to my surprise he completely changed my impression and became the spearhead of Indian batting. The 20-20 world cup and then the test matches and finally even in the world cup, his display of gritty and never give up attitude had a large role which helped Indian team achieve the improbable feats. Same goes with Virat Kohli. He came on the scene as one arrogant spoilt youngster. But, when you see his performances, he has made me change my impression of him as a player. The great legend Amitabh Bachchan was written off after his first film Saat Hindustaani. But, his performance in Zanjeer as an angry young man completely changed is first impression. When we saw Ajay Devgan for the first time, who would have thought that he has got such brilliant acting talent.
If everyone is judged only on the basis of first impression and there would have been no second or third chances of improvement, we would have never seen such individual brilliances. So on a closing note; I would like to repeat that first impression is NOT the last impression. We should give it enough chances before we can get completely convinced about the impression of a person or anything else in life.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Seven Dum Aloo Kashmiri
Childhood has its own fun. Sometimes, when each one of us look back and remember the golden days of our life, there are always so many funny incidents which have innocence attached with it. Those were the days really.
In a small town of Ankleshwar which was the world for all of us, we used to spend our entire time in the premises of ONGC colony. If we had to come out of it for any reason that used to be a special occasion for us. One such special occasion was my birthday when everyone had asked for a treat and I somehow convinced my mom that I need to give a treat to my friends in some hotel. Mom was surprised; saying how you think you will pay for that. I replied that I had saved enough money to be able to throw the treat. Reluctantly, she gave me the permission and asked us to return home early otherwise dad will get very angry. In those days 10 PM was our deadline.
I decided to invite a few friends (seven of them to be precise) for a Birthday treat at Shalimar hotel. In those days Shalimar was one of the most prestigious hotels in our hometown Ankleshwar (and I believe it still is). That was a first of its kind all boys treat at a hotel.
We all were excited for the treat and we reached the hotel at dinner time. The waiter served us water, gave us the menu card and waited on us anticipating what kind of order these little boys are going to place. We all browsed through the menu as if it was the biggest task that we had. And it surely turned out to be the toughest task at hand. Our task concluded with someone saying that he will have a Dum Aloo Kashmiri. Soon another person also joined him saying he will also have the same. Finally, it turned out that every one of us wanted to have nothing but Dum Aloo Kashmiri. Some of us were like should we order seven? Do we really need that much? But, then I said everyone should eat to his heart's content as it was my birthday. It was kinda stupid, but I wanted to get rid of the hovering waiters soon so when everyone wanted the same, I ordered 7 Dum Aloo Kashmiri's and 7 butter Rotis. The waiter was confused. His face changed many colors. But, I repeated the order in a firm voice. We will have seven Dum Aloo Kashmiri's and seven roti’s. The waiter had to finally oblige.
When the order finally reached our table, we all started looking at each other’s faces. Each one had his own plate of the delicious Dum Aloo Kashmiri. We were embarrassed at our stupid order when none of us could finish it. But, after the grand treat we did have a big laugh about the whole incident.
Whenever we meet we still discuss about our first grand treat and the Seven Dum Aloo Kashmiri's @ Shalimar Hotel. :) :) :)
In a small town of Ankleshwar which was the world for all of us, we used to spend our entire time in the premises of ONGC colony. If we had to come out of it for any reason that used to be a special occasion for us. One such special occasion was my birthday when everyone had asked for a treat and I somehow convinced my mom that I need to give a treat to my friends in some hotel. Mom was surprised; saying how you think you will pay for that. I replied that I had saved enough money to be able to throw the treat. Reluctantly, she gave me the permission and asked us to return home early otherwise dad will get very angry. In those days 10 PM was our deadline.
I decided to invite a few friends (seven of them to be precise) for a Birthday treat at Shalimar hotel. In those days Shalimar was one of the most prestigious hotels in our hometown Ankleshwar (and I believe it still is). That was a first of its kind all boys treat at a hotel.
We all were excited for the treat and we reached the hotel at dinner time. The waiter served us water, gave us the menu card and waited on us anticipating what kind of order these little boys are going to place. We all browsed through the menu as if it was the biggest task that we had. And it surely turned out to be the toughest task at hand. Our task concluded with someone saying that he will have a Dum Aloo Kashmiri. Soon another person also joined him saying he will also have the same. Finally, it turned out that every one of us wanted to have nothing but Dum Aloo Kashmiri. Some of us were like should we order seven? Do we really need that much? But, then I said everyone should eat to his heart's content as it was my birthday. It was kinda stupid, but I wanted to get rid of the hovering waiters soon so when everyone wanted the same, I ordered 7 Dum Aloo Kashmiri's and 7 butter Rotis. The waiter was confused. His face changed many colors. But, I repeated the order in a firm voice. We will have seven Dum Aloo Kashmiri's and seven roti’s. The waiter had to finally oblige.
When the order finally reached our table, we all started looking at each other’s faces. Each one had his own plate of the delicious Dum Aloo Kashmiri. We were embarrassed at our stupid order when none of us could finish it. But, after the grand treat we did have a big laugh about the whole incident.
Whenever we meet we still discuss about our first grand treat and the Seven Dum Aloo Kashmiri's @ Shalimar Hotel. :) :) :)
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
What has Cricket given you?
Oh no not again, you would say. But, I can’t just keep cricket out of anything in my life. So here I am again discussing the topic of cricket. People keep asking me why you are so much into cricket. What has cricket given you? With the smile I would reply, a lot. In fact I would not be exaggerating if I say I am what I am because of cricket to a certain extent.
I look at the world with an altogether different perspective because of cricket. Cricket taught me how to make friends with a complete stranger. Cricket taught me perseverance. Cricket taught me patience. Cricket being a gentlemen's game made me gentlemen. Well please don’t laugh, it might not be 100% true, but you have to agree with me to a certain extent.
I am playing and watching cricket right from my childhood. People used to devote their time in studies, I used to spend the same time in playing cricket and then if I get a chance watching cricket and listening to cricket commentary. Playing cricket with all sort of people having various different religions and beliefs made me understand people of different cultures. Made me realize that even when my mom always used to say that people of a certain religion are not good, I learned it myself that those people are just like us and just like me they love cricket. I always say that there is nothing that unites the whole country like cricket. Imagine a cricket match in which India is playing. Everything stops to watch the match. And then there is no particular religion that the fans are following apart from cricket.
Cricket taught me the language English to a certain extent. It was the test cricket commentary of Sir Jeffery Boycott, Michael Holdings, Tony Grieg, Henry Blofield, Sunny Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri and also non cricketer commentators like Harsha Bhogle who gave me a lot of my vocab power which I never learned from books. I always had fights with my elder brother over watching cricket. After listening to the commentaries I also used to read almost anything that I got to read in newspapers and magazines about cricket. It helped a lot. Indeed it did. The strength of oral and written English communication which I learned from cricket has a lot to do in making me who I am. I have always used my ability to write in all the examinations I have written since childhood. I learned expressing myself better thanks to cricket.
I remember there were tough times during my childhood when I used to get very depressed because of some personal family issues, but, cricket always came to my rescue. Just a call for playing a cricket match and I used to forget everything and totally engross myself into playing cricket. It really made a lot of difference in those years. I would not have been what I am had I not been involved totally into cricket.
Cricket taught me to be a leader. Since the time I have been playing, more often than not I was asked to lead the team. Sometimes because of my abilities, other times because no one wanted to do the Job of a team captain. It made me a balanced person as I always tried to do justice to the people playing in my team and at the same time keep the fighting spirit going. I might not be able to be a shrewd leader as that is one thing I could not overcome because of my nature. But, it off course gave me the experience that when you are leading a team, you are entirely on your own. People look up to you to make decisions. People look up to you to face the problems and to hold the bull by the horns. Cricket gave me the strength to be a whistleblower. It gave me the strength to bell the cat. This virtue did help me in professional career as well. It taught me that as a leader you have to take the decisions for the team and at the same time always take suggestions from the team.
It was still not always that I could play cricket. Once I got a Job and got into the business of working and making money, it was difficult to keep associated with playing cricket. But, even during that period I would always find time to watch cricket. I have been watching cricket since such a long time that more often than not I read the captains mind while watching it. I am able to read what bowling change is needed in a particular situation and the fielding captain just makes that bowling change. I can see the Leg before decision on the actual speed and make out whether the umpire is going to raise a finger. Well it’s called experience of watching cricket. Isn't it? :) :)
When in July 2007, I met with an accident and got the worst injury of my life in my leg, all hell broke loose. Not just because of the accident and pain, but because I felt that I would never be able to play cricket again. I had an iron rod implanted in my right leg which only got removed in November 2009. The recovery process again started. Finally one fine day in December 2010, I made a decision of now or never. I took a New Year resolution of playing cricket with my company's team. And on 8th Jan 2011, I started playing cricket again. It has been six months since I am playing cricket with my company's cricket team every Saturday. Life seems beautiful again. We just wait for playing cricket every Saturday. Every week we pray that it won’t rain on a Friday so that people would come to play cricket the next day. Such is the passion of cricket still after so many years. Off all the things cricket has given me, it always went un-noticed that it made me physically and mentally fit as well. And just to keep playing cricket, I do try to keep myself fit. Nothing motivates me more to keep myself physically and mentally fit.
Did I say cricket was, is and will be my first love? Well off course I did. All I want to say is Dear Cricket, you rock!!!. I want to play till I have the abilities to play. I wish I have it forever. :)
I look at the world with an altogether different perspective because of cricket. Cricket taught me how to make friends with a complete stranger. Cricket taught me perseverance. Cricket taught me patience. Cricket being a gentlemen's game made me gentlemen. Well please don’t laugh, it might not be 100% true, but you have to agree with me to a certain extent.
I am playing and watching cricket right from my childhood. People used to devote their time in studies, I used to spend the same time in playing cricket and then if I get a chance watching cricket and listening to cricket commentary. Playing cricket with all sort of people having various different religions and beliefs made me understand people of different cultures. Made me realize that even when my mom always used to say that people of a certain religion are not good, I learned it myself that those people are just like us and just like me they love cricket. I always say that there is nothing that unites the whole country like cricket. Imagine a cricket match in which India is playing. Everything stops to watch the match. And then there is no particular religion that the fans are following apart from cricket.
Cricket taught me the language English to a certain extent. It was the test cricket commentary of Sir Jeffery Boycott, Michael Holdings, Tony Grieg, Henry Blofield, Sunny Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri and also non cricketer commentators like Harsha Bhogle who gave me a lot of my vocab power which I never learned from books. I always had fights with my elder brother over watching cricket. After listening to the commentaries I also used to read almost anything that I got to read in newspapers and magazines about cricket. It helped a lot. Indeed it did. The strength of oral and written English communication which I learned from cricket has a lot to do in making me who I am. I have always used my ability to write in all the examinations I have written since childhood. I learned expressing myself better thanks to cricket.
I remember there were tough times during my childhood when I used to get very depressed because of some personal family issues, but, cricket always came to my rescue. Just a call for playing a cricket match and I used to forget everything and totally engross myself into playing cricket. It really made a lot of difference in those years. I would not have been what I am had I not been involved totally into cricket.
Cricket taught me to be a leader. Since the time I have been playing, more often than not I was asked to lead the team. Sometimes because of my abilities, other times because no one wanted to do the Job of a team captain. It made me a balanced person as I always tried to do justice to the people playing in my team and at the same time keep the fighting spirit going. I might not be able to be a shrewd leader as that is one thing I could not overcome because of my nature. But, it off course gave me the experience that when you are leading a team, you are entirely on your own. People look up to you to make decisions. People look up to you to face the problems and to hold the bull by the horns. Cricket gave me the strength to be a whistleblower. It gave me the strength to bell the cat. This virtue did help me in professional career as well. It taught me that as a leader you have to take the decisions for the team and at the same time always take suggestions from the team.
It was still not always that I could play cricket. Once I got a Job and got into the business of working and making money, it was difficult to keep associated with playing cricket. But, even during that period I would always find time to watch cricket. I have been watching cricket since such a long time that more often than not I read the captains mind while watching it. I am able to read what bowling change is needed in a particular situation and the fielding captain just makes that bowling change. I can see the Leg before decision on the actual speed and make out whether the umpire is going to raise a finger. Well it’s called experience of watching cricket. Isn't it? :) :)
When in July 2007, I met with an accident and got the worst injury of my life in my leg, all hell broke loose. Not just because of the accident and pain, but because I felt that I would never be able to play cricket again. I had an iron rod implanted in my right leg which only got removed in November 2009. The recovery process again started. Finally one fine day in December 2010, I made a decision of now or never. I took a New Year resolution of playing cricket with my company's team. And on 8th Jan 2011, I started playing cricket again. It has been six months since I am playing cricket with my company's cricket team every Saturday. Life seems beautiful again. We just wait for playing cricket every Saturday. Every week we pray that it won’t rain on a Friday so that people would come to play cricket the next day. Such is the passion of cricket still after so many years. Off all the things cricket has given me, it always went un-noticed that it made me physically and mentally fit as well. And just to keep playing cricket, I do try to keep myself fit. Nothing motivates me more to keep myself physically and mentally fit.
Did I say cricket was, is and will be my first love? Well off course I did. All I want to say is Dear Cricket, you rock!!!. I want to play till I have the abilities to play. I wish I have it forever. :)
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Rajgad Trekking
The day for which we were waiting since about a month finally arrived. It was the 2nd of July, 2011, when our company Allscripts had organized the trekking event to Rajgad. I had to board the bus from my office EON Kharadi @ 6.00 AM in the morning. I kept an alarm in my mobile for 4.30 AM and slept at about 11 PM the night before. As it happens most of the times when I had to go out early, I woke up at 4.15 AM in the morning before the alarm. I could not go back to sleep and started my day so that I could reach the office to catch a bus in time.
I left home at 5.30 AM and I reached the office at 5.55 AM, just to find no one there. Soon I saw Ram Yadav and we started abusing the organizers that they were so strict with us about the timings and confirmation for the trip, but no one of the group leaders or the bus were anywhere to be seen till 6.15. We called up Bhaskar and then called up Jinx, who told us to come at the main gate from where the bus will pick us up. So off we went to the main gate sharing the jokes and having some chit chat. We were supposed to be at least 12 people to be getting into the bus from the EON, but not all of them turned up. Finally a bus came and to our surprise it was a 17 seater tempo traveller. The driver said..."Sorry for late" which came as a pleasant surprise and we exchanged smiles when we heard him speak English. But, everyone was thinking how this 17 seater but will accommodate about 25 people which were from to be picked up on route. Suddenly, one person appeared from nowhere and asked us, "Is this Sungard group?” No!!" came the reply from about 7-8 people, "This is Allscripts group." The guy said ..."Sorry! This bus is for Sungard group and not for Allscripts!!" .. Ohhh!!! We felt partially upset to get down from the bus and partially relieved that now we can hope for a bigger bus that can accommodate everyone. Soon at around 6.35 the scheduled bus came and one by one it picked up the people from Red Chillies, Reliance Mart, Magarpatta, Dominoz (near Noble hospital) and Swargate and reached the Mumbai Bangalore Express highway at about 7.15 AM. All the buses were supposed to gather at that location before we proceed further. It turned out that one of the buses had some problem (punchered wheel I assume) at Bund garden. It took another 1 hour for us to start from that location. Meanwhile, we started our photo session and got a chance to have some road side tea and biscuits.
At 8.15 we started from the Dhayri Phata and reached the base location of the trekking at around 9.45 AM. Breakfast (Pohe and Tea) and attendance followed. The organizers distributed the plants to all the people interested in plantation. We took the plants clicked a snap and followed the red capped leaders on our way to trekking at Rajgad.
It started raining as soon as we started climbing up. People like Sachin were very happy with this. But, I moved my hand toward the sky rotated the knob anti-clockwise and soon the rain stopped. :) :).. I dint want the rain to start so early. Sachin was kinda upset with this. But, we carried on further.
Life was difficult ahead. The trek was more difficult than we assumed. I had an earlier experience of Raireshwar which was not so bad. But, this was in real sense some trekking. At certain points we had to climb steep 70 degree angles and it was muddy and sticky at some points because of rains. At every difficult point while climbing we felt that it was good that certain (healthy :)) people did not come to this trekking. It would have been difficult climbing for them at certain points.
We reached the Rajgad fort Sanjivani Machi at around 1 PM through the Chor Darwaja. Once we reached there we realized that it was worth the effort as we were totally refreshed by the scenic beauty around. As expected various groups started photo sessions. We were totally engrossed in the photo sessions when I heard Sandeep Kulkarni telling that we must reach Balle Killa which has an even more outstanding view.
So, we started Climbing for Balle Killa again. If climbing to Sanjivani Machi was bad, this was worse. At certain points it was steep way up and only one person could climb at a time. To our discomfort there were a few people who wanted to come down as well. But, they had to wait as there was no way 2 people could go across each other through that pass. We kept climbing at a crawling pace and thanking the people who had installed railing to hold while climbing up. Once we reached atop it was mesmerizing. We were literally in the clouds. Sandeep asked whether we had seen Zunjaar burud which was at the extreme end of the Balle Killa. We (Shobhit, Sachin and Me) obliged and went to see the view from Zunjaar burud though we were very tired after climbing Balle Killa. View from Zunjaar burud was absolutely fantastic. We thanked Sandeep for insisting us to have a look from there. It was fantastic view from there. The best photographs of the whole trekking event were taken there.
We also did the plantation at the Balle Killa. Then we decided to have lunch as we had seen various groups of people from our trekking team having lunch there. But, we were told that we should have our lunch after reaching down at Sanjivani Machi as otherwise we would get late. But, when we saw that there was literally traffic Jam of the crowd climbing down and we realized that it would take long before the traffic of people clears out. So, we decided to use this time and opportunity to have our much deserved lunch. Having food at the top of the hill among the clouds is a wonderful experience. The air flowing was so fresh that a few people decided they would want to spend there retirement life at the top of some hill. We ate to our hearts content and still we could not finish the food that Shobhit and Sachin has brought. A few folks joined us while having lunch but still we had enough food that we had to carry it back.
After lunch we started our descent to Sanjivani Machi. Reached there in about 40 mins. There again some photo sessions and plantation activities started. We also cleared some plastic stuff from the fort and carried back the garbage bags with us. We started to move back at around 3-30 PM from Sanjivani Machi. After the tiring effort of climbing no one thought in the wildest of their dreams that coming back down would be more adventurous and full of risk. To make matters worse it started raining very heavy when we came down from the Chor Darwaja of the Sanjivani Machi. The same track from which we had climbed up was now a mini waterfall because of the heavy rains. We kept holding each others hand and kept coming down at a crawling pace. It was full of adventure coming down through a water fall. Somehow finally we reached the base after lots of hiccups and small slipping and sliding here and there. Shobhit had some minor sprain in his left hand when he slipped at one point.
Soon as we reached the bus we changed into dry clothes and removed the shoes and shocks. Most people were literally in pain because of fatigue of the whole trekking event. But, none of us were complaining. Every body had a gala time. Everyone who had come there had stories to tell to those who missed it. Finally, we reached Pune and I took my bike from the EON office and reached home.
It is worth saying here that those who missed this event really missed it. If there is heaven on earth it definitely is on the top of the hills in the Monsoon around Pune. :) :) I still have to see Kashmir to prove myself that there are still some better and beautiful places in the world..:) :)
For those interested to know more about the fort and the trekking here is a link from wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajgad
I left home at 5.30 AM and I reached the office at 5.55 AM, just to find no one there. Soon I saw Ram Yadav and we started abusing the organizers that they were so strict with us about the timings and confirmation for the trip, but no one of the group leaders or the bus were anywhere to be seen till 6.15. We called up Bhaskar and then called up Jinx, who told us to come at the main gate from where the bus will pick us up. So off we went to the main gate sharing the jokes and having some chit chat. We were supposed to be at least 12 people to be getting into the bus from the EON, but not all of them turned up. Finally a bus came and to our surprise it was a 17 seater tempo traveller. The driver said..."Sorry for late" which came as a pleasant surprise and we exchanged smiles when we heard him speak English. But, everyone was thinking how this 17 seater but will accommodate about 25 people which were from to be picked up on route. Suddenly, one person appeared from nowhere and asked us, "Is this Sungard group?” No!!" came the reply from about 7-8 people, "This is Allscripts group." The guy said ..."Sorry! This bus is for Sungard group and not for Allscripts!!" .. Ohhh!!! We felt partially upset to get down from the bus and partially relieved that now we can hope for a bigger bus that can accommodate everyone. Soon at around 6.35 the scheduled bus came and one by one it picked up the people from Red Chillies, Reliance Mart, Magarpatta, Dominoz (near Noble hospital) and Swargate and reached the Mumbai Bangalore Express highway at about 7.15 AM. All the buses were supposed to gather at that location before we proceed further. It turned out that one of the buses had some problem (punchered wheel I assume) at Bund garden. It took another 1 hour for us to start from that location. Meanwhile, we started our photo session and got a chance to have some road side tea and biscuits.
At 8.15 we started from the Dhayri Phata and reached the base location of the trekking at around 9.45 AM. Breakfast (Pohe and Tea) and attendance followed. The organizers distributed the plants to all the people interested in plantation. We took the plants clicked a snap and followed the red capped leaders on our way to trekking at Rajgad.
It started raining as soon as we started climbing up. People like Sachin were very happy with this. But, I moved my hand toward the sky rotated the knob anti-clockwise and soon the rain stopped. :) :).. I dint want the rain to start so early. Sachin was kinda upset with this. But, we carried on further.
Life was difficult ahead. The trek was more difficult than we assumed. I had an earlier experience of Raireshwar which was not so bad. But, this was in real sense some trekking. At certain points we had to climb steep 70 degree angles and it was muddy and sticky at some points because of rains. At every difficult point while climbing we felt that it was good that certain (healthy :)) people did not come to this trekking. It would have been difficult climbing for them at certain points.
We reached the Rajgad fort Sanjivani Machi at around 1 PM through the Chor Darwaja. Once we reached there we realized that it was worth the effort as we were totally refreshed by the scenic beauty around. As expected various groups started photo sessions. We were totally engrossed in the photo sessions when I heard Sandeep Kulkarni telling that we must reach Balle Killa which has an even more outstanding view.
So, we started Climbing for Balle Killa again. If climbing to Sanjivani Machi was bad, this was worse. At certain points it was steep way up and only one person could climb at a time. To our discomfort there were a few people who wanted to come down as well. But, they had to wait as there was no way 2 people could go across each other through that pass. We kept climbing at a crawling pace and thanking the people who had installed railing to hold while climbing up. Once we reached atop it was mesmerizing. We were literally in the clouds. Sandeep asked whether we had seen Zunjaar burud which was at the extreme end of the Balle Killa. We (Shobhit, Sachin and Me) obliged and went to see the view from Zunjaar burud though we were very tired after climbing Balle Killa. View from Zunjaar burud was absolutely fantastic. We thanked Sandeep for insisting us to have a look from there. It was fantastic view from there. The best photographs of the whole trekking event were taken there.
We also did the plantation at the Balle Killa. Then we decided to have lunch as we had seen various groups of people from our trekking team having lunch there. But, we were told that we should have our lunch after reaching down at Sanjivani Machi as otherwise we would get late. But, when we saw that there was literally traffic Jam of the crowd climbing down and we realized that it would take long before the traffic of people clears out. So, we decided to use this time and opportunity to have our much deserved lunch. Having food at the top of the hill among the clouds is a wonderful experience. The air flowing was so fresh that a few people decided they would want to spend there retirement life at the top of some hill. We ate to our hearts content and still we could not finish the food that Shobhit and Sachin has brought. A few folks joined us while having lunch but still we had enough food that we had to carry it back.
After lunch we started our descent to Sanjivani Machi. Reached there in about 40 mins. There again some photo sessions and plantation activities started. We also cleared some plastic stuff from the fort and carried back the garbage bags with us. We started to move back at around 3-30 PM from Sanjivani Machi. After the tiring effort of climbing no one thought in the wildest of their dreams that coming back down would be more adventurous and full of risk. To make matters worse it started raining very heavy when we came down from the Chor Darwaja of the Sanjivani Machi. The same track from which we had climbed up was now a mini waterfall because of the heavy rains. We kept holding each others hand and kept coming down at a crawling pace. It was full of adventure coming down through a water fall. Somehow finally we reached the base after lots of hiccups and small slipping and sliding here and there. Shobhit had some minor sprain in his left hand when he slipped at one point.
Soon as we reached the bus we changed into dry clothes and removed the shoes and shocks. Most people were literally in pain because of fatigue of the whole trekking event. But, none of us were complaining. Every body had a gala time. Everyone who had come there had stories to tell to those who missed it. Finally, we reached Pune and I took my bike from the EON office and reached home.
It is worth saying here that those who missed this event really missed it. If there is heaven on earth it definitely is on the top of the hills in the Monsoon around Pune. :) :) I still have to see Kashmir to prove myself that there are still some better and beautiful places in the world..:) :)
For those interested to know more about the fort and the trekking here is a link from wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajgad
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Life is full of struggle, so take time out for yourself
Well philosophy again as you will say, but the above statement is the biggest truth of life. One has to struggle for achieving anything in life. Nothing comes free of cost and nothing comes as a side effect of any particular achievement. At least I have experienced it and I know there are many like me. Life is full of surprises and things happen almost always when you least expect them to happen.
When you are small and if you are born in a middle class family, all you are taught is to study and study hard to get the best marks. No one cares whether whatever you have studied has had any effect on your growth or personality. Its only one thing, get good marks in all the examinations. But, getting good marks itself is a lot of struggle. It really takes a lot of effort to get those good marks. All we believe is, once we get good marks future will be bright and we will be able to enjoy it to the fullest. Is it really so? I disagree totally. Once you get good marks in school and come out with probably the best of results, all you get is the admission to the best colleges. You feel like you are on the top of the world. You got admission to the best college and the best professional course available. Now, nothing can stop you to make the best out of life. All that you did throughout your childhood by sacrifising your playing days has been paid off. Well most students get a shock of their life when they get the result of first examination in their professional studies. In school, you might have been the best, but, here in the college, all the best possible people have got the admission. Which means competetion has increased many folds. So, now again you have to leave everything and start at the mad race of getting at the top. Otherwise you will lag behind in the race of getting a good Job. So now again you spend 4 or 5 years in total agony of working hard to get the good or top marks and trying to beat everybody in the race to get that dream Job.
Finally, you get the top rankings in your college, get the job in the top MNC, and again you tend to believe that wow, I am on the top of the world. Now, everything will be just fine. I can live life on my own terms now. People make you believe that good Job means great salary and that means you will get the best possible life partner. Guys, think about it. Haven't all of us thought the same way? But, tell me honestly does that really happen? I can confidently say that for at least 80 percent of the cases the answer is NO. Once you get the Job the search of good life partner begins and it takes the hell out of you to find the someone would you match your wavelength, culture and social status. Believe me, that is the biggest challenge that one has faced in his entire life. 95% of the people dont get what they really want in a life partner and end up with a compromise. Well ok, one more hurdle crossed.
Now, the next hurdle. The company who has selected you to work for them expects a hell lot out of you against the salary and the perks they pay you. To retain the big job and the social status, one has to keep growing and keep impressing the bosses by good work. More stress, more struggle and more work. Its an endless journey of struggle. People tend to think that they will finally save all the money and enjoy retired life. Are they really able to enjoy retirement after so much struggle in the entire life? Well still the answer is a Big No. Life and struggle are two sides of a coin. One has to really live life fully at the time they can. Right from the childhood till the death.
Struggle is part of life, but one must realize that there can never be a time when you would be able to completely relax and enjoy life. So, make hay when the sun shines. Try to enjoy and do things you like as much as you possibly can. There's only one life, so make the most of it.
When you are small and if you are born in a middle class family, all you are taught is to study and study hard to get the best marks. No one cares whether whatever you have studied has had any effect on your growth or personality. Its only one thing, get good marks in all the examinations. But, getting good marks itself is a lot of struggle. It really takes a lot of effort to get those good marks. All we believe is, once we get good marks future will be bright and we will be able to enjoy it to the fullest. Is it really so? I disagree totally. Once you get good marks in school and come out with probably the best of results, all you get is the admission to the best colleges. You feel like you are on the top of the world. You got admission to the best college and the best professional course available. Now, nothing can stop you to make the best out of life. All that you did throughout your childhood by sacrifising your playing days has been paid off. Well most students get a shock of their life when they get the result of first examination in their professional studies. In school, you might have been the best, but, here in the college, all the best possible people have got the admission. Which means competetion has increased many folds. So, now again you have to leave everything and start at the mad race of getting at the top. Otherwise you will lag behind in the race of getting a good Job. So now again you spend 4 or 5 years in total agony of working hard to get the good or top marks and trying to beat everybody in the race to get that dream Job.
Finally, you get the top rankings in your college, get the job in the top MNC, and again you tend to believe that wow, I am on the top of the world. Now, everything will be just fine. I can live life on my own terms now. People make you believe that good Job means great salary and that means you will get the best possible life partner. Guys, think about it. Haven't all of us thought the same way? But, tell me honestly does that really happen? I can confidently say that for at least 80 percent of the cases the answer is NO. Once you get the Job the search of good life partner begins and it takes the hell out of you to find the someone would you match your wavelength, culture and social status. Believe me, that is the biggest challenge that one has faced in his entire life. 95% of the people dont get what they really want in a life partner and end up with a compromise. Well ok, one more hurdle crossed.
Now, the next hurdle. The company who has selected you to work for them expects a hell lot out of you against the salary and the perks they pay you. To retain the big job and the social status, one has to keep growing and keep impressing the bosses by good work. More stress, more struggle and more work. Its an endless journey of struggle. People tend to think that they will finally save all the money and enjoy retired life. Are they really able to enjoy retirement after so much struggle in the entire life? Well still the answer is a Big No. Life and struggle are two sides of a coin. One has to really live life fully at the time they can. Right from the childhood till the death.
Struggle is part of life, but one must realize that there can never be a time when you would be able to completely relax and enjoy life. So, make hay when the sun shines. Try to enjoy and do things you like as much as you possibly can. There's only one life, so make the most of it.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
India World Champions 2011
Awesome, stupendous, outstanding, excellent. Actually there is shortage of words to describe the way INDIA won the Finals of the World cup against the Sri Lankan team. We are on the top of the world.
For me and for all the cricket fans this was the greatest achievement and the greatest victory that we could ever see.
A few things I would like to keep as a treasure for lifetime as people just remember the victory, but not the real reasons behind. Here's a list of things which I believe made the difference in the end. If you come across this post and feel that there is something which could be added to this list, feel free to do so.
1. Zaheer Khan's bowling in the tournament. Zak was the most formidable bowler in the tournament. The Mr. Dependable for captain Dhoni, whenever asked to bowl he delivered with a wicket or two. Who can forget his deadly spells with the old ball against England and West Indies in the league stages and then against the aussies in the Quarter final.
2. Suresh Raina's inclusion and performance in the knock out stages of the world cup. That was a master stroke by Indian team management and to me that turned out to be the reason for change of fortunes for India's batting and fielding.
3. Ashwin given just one opportunity and he was a dependable bowler against the aussies.
4. Ashish Nehra and Munaf Patel bowling with great dignity against the Pakis.
5. Bhajji's magic ball which got rid of an in form Umar Akmal when he was threatening to end India's cup dreams.
6. Misbah ul haq and Younis Khan the way they batted against us in the semis. Now how can we ever forget their contribution :) :) :)
7. Sachin Tendulkar's luck factor in the semi finals. It showed that there was SOMEONE up there WHO wanted him to keep going and WHO wanted INDIA to win the world cup. :)
8. Gautam Gambhir's knock in the Finals. To me that was the real turning point of the match which should not go unnoticed. When Sachin and Sehwag got out cheaply, the onus was on Gambhir to take the responsibility and how well he shouldered it.
9. Mahendra Singh Dhoni's promotion in the batting order in the finals which had a lot to do with 3 reasons. a) To keep the Right-left hand combination going b) Yuvraj's inability to handle spin as well as he plays seam bowling c) Dhoni's ability to read the Murali's doosra. (who could have imagined that IPL will contribute to India's world cup victory in such a BIG way :). Dhoni had been keeping behind the stumps to Murali for Chennai super kings in IPL and that's how he has the ability to read Murali's doosras as well as anyone else.)
10. India's fielding in the knock out stages of the tournaments. Can anyone imagine that during the first powerplay of ten overs in the finals Sri Lanka scored only 38 runs.
11. Throughout the tournament the players kept saying that we want to win the cup for Sachin. What was really wonderful to see that when on the big stage, the finals of the world cup, they had to do it for Sachin (without his help), THEY DID IT.
12. Garry Kirsten the man who did it for India. He was the man behind raising India to the top of the world in Test cricket and now in One day cricket too. Thanks Garry, India will never forget your contribution.
After Kapil's Devils in 1983 its Dhoni's Dhurander's in 2011. Well done men in Blue, you have brought such great joy to the country which cannot be described in words. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. THANKS A TON AND CONGRATULATIONS FOR A WONDERFUL VICTORY. Let the celebrations begin. :) :) :)
For me and for all the cricket fans this was the greatest achievement and the greatest victory that we could ever see.
A few things I would like to keep as a treasure for lifetime as people just remember the victory, but not the real reasons behind. Here's a list of things which I believe made the difference in the end. If you come across this post and feel that there is something which could be added to this list, feel free to do so.
1. Zaheer Khan's bowling in the tournament. Zak was the most formidable bowler in the tournament. The Mr. Dependable for captain Dhoni, whenever asked to bowl he delivered with a wicket or two. Who can forget his deadly spells with the old ball against England and West Indies in the league stages and then against the aussies in the Quarter final.
2. Suresh Raina's inclusion and performance in the knock out stages of the world cup. That was a master stroke by Indian team management and to me that turned out to be the reason for change of fortunes for India's batting and fielding.
3. Ashwin given just one opportunity and he was a dependable bowler against the aussies.
4. Ashish Nehra and Munaf Patel bowling with great dignity against the Pakis.
5. Bhajji's magic ball which got rid of an in form Umar Akmal when he was threatening to end India's cup dreams.
6. Misbah ul haq and Younis Khan the way they batted against us in the semis. Now how can we ever forget their contribution :) :) :)
7. Sachin Tendulkar's luck factor in the semi finals. It showed that there was SOMEONE up there WHO wanted him to keep going and WHO wanted INDIA to win the world cup. :)
8. Gautam Gambhir's knock in the Finals. To me that was the real turning point of the match which should not go unnoticed. When Sachin and Sehwag got out cheaply, the onus was on Gambhir to take the responsibility and how well he shouldered it.
9. Mahendra Singh Dhoni's promotion in the batting order in the finals which had a lot to do with 3 reasons. a) To keep the Right-left hand combination going b) Yuvraj's inability to handle spin as well as he plays seam bowling c) Dhoni's ability to read the Murali's doosra. (who could have imagined that IPL will contribute to India's world cup victory in such a BIG way :). Dhoni had been keeping behind the stumps to Murali for Chennai super kings in IPL and that's how he has the ability to read Murali's doosras as well as anyone else.)
10. India's fielding in the knock out stages of the tournaments. Can anyone imagine that during the first powerplay of ten overs in the finals Sri Lanka scored only 38 runs.
11. Throughout the tournament the players kept saying that we want to win the cup for Sachin. What was really wonderful to see that when on the big stage, the finals of the world cup, they had to do it for Sachin (without his help), THEY DID IT.
12. Garry Kirsten the man who did it for India. He was the man behind raising India to the top of the world in Test cricket and now in One day cricket too. Thanks Garry, India will never forget your contribution.
After Kapil's Devils in 1983 its Dhoni's Dhurander's in 2011. Well done men in Blue, you have brought such great joy to the country which cannot be described in words. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. THANKS A TON AND CONGRATULATIONS FOR A WONDERFUL VICTORY. Let the celebrations begin. :) :) :)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Final before the Finals
There's SOMEONE up there WHO wants him to keep going and he is just doing that. The statement brings goose bumps to me and I am sure to all those cricket crazy fans in the country. This was said by Ravi Shastri when Sachin Tendulkar was put down by Shahid Afridi. This was the fourth time the Pakistani team has put down Sachin in a space of about 1 hour. True, there was some divine power that did help to India's cause yesterday to win the Semi Final of the world cup against Pakistan. I have never seen this happen on a cricket field. Sachin was living a charmed life and why not. A person who has played cricket for 21 years and is still having the same feeling and same passion for the game and the country, he truly deserved a blessing. 100 million people were praying for India yesterday and all those prayers were listened. To all the cricket crazy people who believe in the religion of cricket just like me, this is a time for celebration. But, let just keep patience and hold on for one more game. Let India, our team, the men in blue beat Sri-Lanka in the world cup Finals in Mumbai and then we have more reasons to celebrate.
To most yesterday's match was the Final before finals. But, there is nothing bigger than a world cup final victory. It's a great feeling to be witnessing our men in blue in the world cup finals. May GOD and luck be with us for one more time in the Finals. All the very best to Team India.
To most yesterday's match was the Final before finals. But, there is nothing bigger than a world cup final victory. It's a great feeling to be witnessing our men in blue in the world cup finals. May GOD and luck be with us for one more time in the Finals. All the very best to Team India.
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