We started our journey at 3:00 approximately. From marriage we went to our hotel to assume a lighter outfit. Australia/NZ match had become very interesting so we waited for a while to see Australia loose. It was a hot day, very unlikely for Feb, particularly in Bhopal - a hilly city. We contacted Tillu bhai and he told us a place from where we can pick them. So this was all needed on planning part and we left off for the journey.
We picked Tillu couple from "Bairagarh" (I hope that was the name of the place). This time Naveen has taken the place of Vipin's friend who did not come with us. Naveen and Tillu bhai are good freinds so we chatted for a while. Driver had switched on Himesh Reshmia numbers and only after three songs I started getting the headache. This is the time I had enough with cap-on-my-head wonder and asked driver either change the CD or just shut the music off. He rather changed the music and to my surprise it was a Mica song I had never heard before. This song was based on Mica-Rakhi Sawant incident and rather amusing. It went like "Ye bhai!! tune puppi kyon li".
We had few rounds of puppy song before we reached the dodi again. Though I was not feeling hungry, I could not resist dodi pohas so we had our second dodi blast in two days. It was not as good as the day one(mainly because of desire part), but it was worth anyway just for sharing a good time with the bunch.
We took off from Dodi and rest of the journey went quickly. We planned to take a halt at a dhaba but due to some unavoidable circumstances and due to the fact that the group was tired enough to be non-committal for any further evening plans, denied the opprtunity for anoter feast. We reached Indore round about 7:00 PM. Doel invited us for a cup of tea, but we cordially denied knowing she was just as tired as we were. Me, the poorest of all for now, had to go to office for couple of hours of more work.
So it ended our short and pleasant journey to Bhopal. It is astonishing to note, even for myself, that I could write a trilogy for just one day travel. It was a well place break and a day off from all the other things. For me, it was a promise well kept, since I have been missing marriage ceremonies of some of my best friends due to unavoidable situations.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Our Big Trip to Bhopal - Goes On
We reached Vipin's house at 8:45 PM. It took us some time as we lost our way in Minal Residency. I am impressed with the way Minal is developed and even started thinking of buying a house there. However it is not possible with the plans I have for my future. Anyway, Bhopal is one city where I would like to spend my retirement. Not carrying on anymore, Vipin's house was well decorated and it has festive mood written all over it. I met Mandeep there, almost after more than 2 years. He was in his "human" mode and that was a pleasing thing to note. Vipin was looking rather fresh, because marriages are normally Killer, and was mostly busy with the ceremonies.
We attacked the dinner as we had digested every bit of dodi by the time we reached Bhopal. I was waiting for the DJ to roll his disks as after a long time I was among my original group. However, it took away all the excitement the moment I saw DJ dialing the "garba" numbers. I am not a fan of garba and dancing the same steps in a crircle just dont appeal me. Anyway, I took few turns just to give company to others. Pooja also danced with me and broke her sandal in the routine. It was just the middle of the DJ night but I am in no mood to carry on the garba and Pande couple was also tired so we decided to go to hotel.
We reached hotel around 11:30 in the night. It was not the best of the place but manageable. Vipin has done his best but that side if city just don't have any better accommodation places. So our initial battle was against the daunting mosquitoes and few bugs here and there. I have seen worst in my life so I did not give any concern on such small matters. Also, the caretaker has brought some mosquitoes coils so it was alright after that. I could not dare to use blanket seeing it's condition so I asked the caretaker a fresh bed sheet to cover myself while sleeping. We were tired so we went to sleep in no time. I woke up early in the morning and only to find it's game time.
Aussies were playing NZ in their last one-day in Chapple-Hadlee series. I spent some time watching the game. The I got a call from Doel and we decided to get ready by 9:00 to join Vipin's "Barat". We did so and then we all were ready by 9:00. Tillu Bhai had joined us who came late in the hotal last night. I also met Nagu after a very long time. He is married to Mandeep now and both were looking a charming couple. We joined Vipin's Barat in Midway to the marrige garden. I dropped Pande and Tillu couple there and sped off to see somebody to repair Pooja's sandel. We found a "mochi" nearby so we were back to barat quickly. It was pleasing to see few moments of non-garba dancing in barat and we tried our steps and it was fun. But it again turned to a big garba circle once we reached the marriage garden. however it ended rather soon and we entered the marriage garden. Soone after the ceremony of marriage started and to my surprise everything ended in half an hour. My marriage ceremony lasted for more than 4 hours to I was a bit envious. There was nothing else to do for us so we decided to visit Shanky's home and Shanky promised a South Indian Breakfast. Tillu couple took the leave and went to visit one of their relatives in Bhopal.
In Shanky's home we met Aunty who was delighted to meet us. She was already prepared and I tried all the new things in breakfast and all are so good that I again stuffed myself. We were in Shanky's house for almost one hour and then went back to Vipin's party. In Vipin's party we went on the stage to meet the newly married couple. Vipin introduced us to his better half, Vinita, and we wished all the best to the couple. We had few rounds of photos and then we were off to Lunch. After Shanky's house breakfast, we were not feeling hungry so it was a very short lunch. After the lunch we started our journey back to Indore.
We attacked the dinner as we had digested every bit of dodi by the time we reached Bhopal. I was waiting for the DJ to roll his disks as after a long time I was among my original group. However, it took away all the excitement the moment I saw DJ dialing the "garba" numbers. I am not a fan of garba and dancing the same steps in a crircle just dont appeal me. Anyway, I took few turns just to give company to others. Pooja also danced with me and broke her sandal in the routine. It was just the middle of the DJ night but I am in no mood to carry on the garba and Pande couple was also tired so we decided to go to hotel.
We reached hotel around 11:30 in the night. It was not the best of the place but manageable. Vipin has done his best but that side if city just don't have any better accommodation places. So our initial battle was against the daunting mosquitoes and few bugs here and there. I have seen worst in my life so I did not give any concern on such small matters. Also, the caretaker has brought some mosquitoes coils so it was alright after that. I could not dare to use blanket seeing it's condition so I asked the caretaker a fresh bed sheet to cover myself while sleeping. We were tired so we went to sleep in no time. I woke up early in the morning and only to find it's game time.
Aussies were playing NZ in their last one-day in Chapple-Hadlee series. I spent some time watching the game. The I got a call from Doel and we decided to get ready by 9:00 to join Vipin's "Barat". We did so and then we all were ready by 9:00. Tillu Bhai had joined us who came late in the hotal last night. I also met Nagu after a very long time. He is married to Mandeep now and both were looking a charming couple. We joined Vipin's Barat in Midway to the marrige garden. I dropped Pande and Tillu couple there and sped off to see somebody to repair Pooja's sandel. We found a "mochi" nearby so we were back to barat quickly. It was pleasing to see few moments of non-garba dancing in barat and we tried our steps and it was fun. But it again turned to a big garba circle once we reached the marriage garden. however it ended rather soon and we entered the marriage garden. Soone after the ceremony of marriage started and to my surprise everything ended in half an hour. My marriage ceremony lasted for more than 4 hours to I was a bit envious. There was nothing else to do for us so we decided to visit Shanky's home and Shanky promised a South Indian Breakfast. Tillu couple took the leave and went to visit one of their relatives in Bhopal.
In Shanky's home we met Aunty who was delighted to meet us. She was already prepared and I tried all the new things in breakfast and all are so good that I again stuffed myself. We were in Shanky's house for almost one hour and then went back to Vipin's party. In Vipin's party we went on the stage to meet the newly married couple. Vipin introduced us to his better half, Vinita, and we wished all the best to the couple. We had few rounds of photos and then we were off to Lunch. After Shanky's house breakfast, we were not feeling hungry so it was a very short lunch. After the lunch we started our journey back to Indore.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Our Big Trip to Bhopal - The Beginninig
It started with the big day of Vipin Patel. He was getting married on 20th Feb and so it gave all of us a fantastic opportunity to travel and have few moments off from our very busy schedule. The preparation of the travel was a typical bhasad type, haphazard, and unplanned. But this is the thing I enjoy and like most about our group. Myself with wife Pooja, Doel, Samir, Tillu Bhai with wife shweta, Prasoon, Shanky, Hemant and Himanshu agreed to go to the marriage. Finally, Himanshu could not make it because he could not get the leave from his manager. It turned out rather fortunate for us since Vipin has requested us to take one of his friend along with us, which was not possible had Himanshu been coming with us.
For the preparation, Pande dual has done the bookings of Innovas, and Prasoon was given the duty of coordinating within the group and with Vipin, for which he has done a miserable job. Tillu bhai could not confirm if he is coming or not until Saturday, just two days before the travel date. Finally all came along and it was decided that we would leave at 4:00 PM on Monday. For me, it was particularly very difficult due to the assignments but I managed it somehow. There was some delay since one of the vehicle was caught by Police for some reason and could not be made available to us. The travel guy had to arrange a new one for us. Also, Tillu bhai went to pick Shweta which took some more time. Doel became a little impatient and things became little tense for a while. So finally we started from Indore at 4:45 PM, just 45 minutes late from our planned time. Considering the very bad record of our group, and particularly bad record of Shanky, it was a grand performance.
So we started from Indore in two Innovas. Myself and Pooja, Tillu bhai and Shweta and Vipin's friend took one and the rest of the party has taken the other Innova. It was a pleasant day and AC of the Innova was doing wonders. We had a opportunity to interact with Shweta since this has been only two months since Tillu bhai was married. It was the first time myself and Pooja met her and we found her to be a charming lady. Vipin's friend has taken the front seat, the gentlemen took the middle and ladies had taken the back. Me and tillu mainly jabbered about the company and projects while I had given no attention to as what the ladies are upto. It rather went well and we took a break at Dodi.
In Dodi, we had a feast. For some reason everybody seemed to be very empty and they had a blast at Poha and Idli. It was the birthday of Shweta also so we had a small cake cutting ceremony and feasted on the gulabjamun brought by the Tillu couple. We have given up on the count on poha plates and chai and took turns until we all are full and had no more. Pandeji gave me a rather nice dodge when he went for second plate of idli, which prompted me to go for one of myself, but it turned out to be rather sour in taste. We spent almost half an hour there and had some very good time.
Finally we took off again. The rest of the journey was rather boring as the gentlemen have finished talking about the projects and I was mostly interested in having my eyes closed and relax. Round about 8:30 we entered in Bhopal and from there it took another 45 minutes to reach Minal residency, our destination, becuase of one or two traffic jams one the account of Barats.
For the preparation, Pande dual has done the bookings of Innovas, and Prasoon was given the duty of coordinating within the group and with Vipin, for which he has done a miserable job. Tillu bhai could not confirm if he is coming or not until Saturday, just two days before the travel date. Finally all came along and it was decided that we would leave at 4:00 PM on Monday. For me, it was particularly very difficult due to the assignments but I managed it somehow. There was some delay since one of the vehicle was caught by Police for some reason and could not be made available to us. The travel guy had to arrange a new one for us. Also, Tillu bhai went to pick Shweta which took some more time. Doel became a little impatient and things became little tense for a while. So finally we started from Indore at 4:45 PM, just 45 minutes late from our planned time. Considering the very bad record of our group, and particularly bad record of Shanky, it was a grand performance.
So we started from Indore in two Innovas. Myself and Pooja, Tillu bhai and Shweta and Vipin's friend took one and the rest of the party has taken the other Innova. It was a pleasant day and AC of the Innova was doing wonders. We had a opportunity to interact with Shweta since this has been only two months since Tillu bhai was married. It was the first time myself and Pooja met her and we found her to be a charming lady. Vipin's friend has taken the front seat, the gentlemen took the middle and ladies had taken the back. Me and tillu mainly jabbered about the company and projects while I had given no attention to as what the ladies are upto. It rather went well and we took a break at Dodi.
In Dodi, we had a feast. For some reason everybody seemed to be very empty and they had a blast at Poha and Idli. It was the birthday of Shweta also so we had a small cake cutting ceremony and feasted on the gulabjamun brought by the Tillu couple. We have given up on the count on poha plates and chai and took turns until we all are full and had no more. Pandeji gave me a rather nice dodge when he went for second plate of idli, which prompted me to go for one of myself, but it turned out to be rather sour in taste. We spent almost half an hour there and had some very good time.
Finally we took off again. The rest of the journey was rather boring as the gentlemen have finished talking about the projects and I was mostly interested in having my eyes closed and relax. Round about 8:30 we entered in Bhopal and from there it took another 45 minutes to reach Minal residency, our destination, becuase of one or two traffic jams one the account of Barats.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
This is a boring Sunday
Okay! I don't have nothing to do today. My wife has to go to work. My dishTV is out and my social competency is that of an owl so I have no where to spend my time. This brings me back to blogger to write my second blog of the day. Having said this, my creativity is at all time low so best thing I could think of to write is - I can't write.
This makes me think and realize, I really don't have any constructive hobby. I used to read books but now, after marriage, this is a distant dream. I used to play games but with people getting involved in their carreers more and more, games are almost a myth. I don't like to watch movies. And I am not artistic types. This thought is more depressing than the boredom.
Let me look at my options for the day. I do have a presentation to prepare but it is office work and I am least interested to do it now. I have to get a hair cut but I will wait for some more time considering sunday morning rush at barber shop. I need to iron my dresses but I will be giving this to laundary. So I am back to nada.
This is frustrating thought. I waited so much for the Sunday, due to my work load, and now here it is and I am neither relaxing nor doing anything useful. This almost looks like end of my intellactual self. This makes me think, why did men creat a day like Sunday. Do you really need a day off once in a seven days. Curse you Sunday.
But all is not gone. What i need is something construcive. I need to open some books. May be I will go to the book shop and get "In the Line of Fire" from Prez Mushraf. This is a long time I am trying to read that. Or may be I should bring few flower pots and try to decorate my balcony. I can also go for property search as I am trying to buy something for sometime now.
This is enough. I just want to say at last to Sunday, come next time and I will be prepared for you.
This makes me think and realize, I really don't have any constructive hobby. I used to read books but now, after marriage, this is a distant dream. I used to play games but with people getting involved in their carreers more and more, games are almost a myth. I don't like to watch movies. And I am not artistic types. This thought is more depressing than the boredom.
Let me look at my options for the day. I do have a presentation to prepare but it is office work and I am least interested to do it now. I have to get a hair cut but I will wait for some more time considering sunday morning rush at barber shop. I need to iron my dresses but I will be giving this to laundary. So I am back to nada.
This is frustrating thought. I waited so much for the Sunday, due to my work load, and now here it is and I am neither relaxing nor doing anything useful. This almost looks like end of my intellactual self. This makes me think, why did men creat a day like Sunday. Do you really need a day off once in a seven days. Curse you Sunday.
But all is not gone. What i need is something construcive. I need to open some books. May be I will go to the book shop and get "In the Line of Fire" from Prez Mushraf. This is a long time I am trying to read that. Or may be I should bring few flower pots and try to decorate my balcony. I can also go for property search as I am trying to buy something for sometime now.
This is enough. I just want to say at last to Sunday, come next time and I will be prepared for you.
Eklayva: A big waste of time
Don't get fooled by the promos - this is the only thing I gathered from "Eklavya - The Royal Guard". This is that movie where you get all the good scenes in the promos and then you have nothing to watch in the theater.
I can not tell how it started because I entered in PVR after 15 mins of movie start. But with my bollywood sixth sense I could guess 15 mins easily and don't need any one to tell me as what all I missed, because I am sure I did none. Eklayva is, supposedly, a saga of a royal guards genre who are serving a bunch of "ranas" for ages. Their "dharma" is well told to them since the childhood and that is to protect the "rana" at any cost. If they failed in the "dharma" then their nine generation would end up in the fist of hell. The latest guard in the generation, Eklayva, is also trying to serve his dharma. But then tale took a turn and he had to do few more favors to the rana family because the great rana himself was naturally unable to regenerate. And thus he ended up becoming father of two twins of rana, the secret which unveils, to rana, only when both the children are in their adulthood. This starts a series of mumbo-jumbo and senseless garbage of events with the word "dharma" being repeated in every frame by every actor in the movie, and perhaps by director, camera-men, sidies and spot boys. This is when I started praying to god to end this movies which, from mercy of god, did end.
Apart from few fantastic cinematography there is nothing to watch in this movie. And frankly, you don't have to turn up in theater to see the same as it is available every 10 mins on ETC.
My favorite actor and character in the movies has to be Bomen Irani (Rana). A thakur, who has noting manly than his mustaches and beard, is fantastically played by Bomen. Mr. AB has else but to be real tense with lot of redness in the eyes. Saif is good and Vidya Balan is allright. Raima irritates in every frame she appears and Sanjay Dutt asks the same question in his look as do I - why the heck I am here.
All in all, it's a waste of time and for me - waste of money. A lot was expected from VVC as I like this guy but looks like he should better stick to production only.
Star - 1 and half (out of five)
Recommendation - Stay away unless you know you will never be able to visit Udaipur.
I can not tell how it started because I entered in PVR after 15 mins of movie start. But with my bollywood sixth sense I could guess 15 mins easily and don't need any one to tell me as what all I missed, because I am sure I did none. Eklayva is, supposedly, a saga of a royal guards genre who are serving a bunch of "ranas" for ages. Their "dharma" is well told to them since the childhood and that is to protect the "rana" at any cost. If they failed in the "dharma" then their nine generation would end up in the fist of hell. The latest guard in the generation, Eklayva, is also trying to serve his dharma. But then tale took a turn and he had to do few more favors to the rana family because the great rana himself was naturally unable to regenerate. And thus he ended up becoming father of two twins of rana, the secret which unveils, to rana, only when both the children are in their adulthood. This starts a series of mumbo-jumbo and senseless garbage of events with the word "dharma" being repeated in every frame by every actor in the movie, and perhaps by director, camera-men, sidies and spot boys. This is when I started praying to god to end this movies which, from mercy of god, did end.
Apart from few fantastic cinematography there is nothing to watch in this movie. And frankly, you don't have to turn up in theater to see the same as it is available every 10 mins on ETC.
My favorite actor and character in the movies has to be Bomen Irani (Rana). A thakur, who has noting manly than his mustaches and beard, is fantastically played by Bomen. Mr. AB has else but to be real tense with lot of redness in the eyes. Saif is good and Vidya Balan is allright. Raima irritates in every frame she appears and Sanjay Dutt asks the same question in his look as do I - why the heck I am here.
All in all, it's a waste of time and for me - waste of money. A lot was expected from VVC as I like this guy but looks like he should better stick to production only.
Star - 1 and half (out of five)
Recommendation - Stay away unless you know you will never be able to visit Udaipur.
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