There was palpable excitement in the air. The delivery date was more or less known now. The near and dear ones were there to comfort me and share the happiness on this occasion.
The previous night the debate continued weather it was baby girl or baby boy. Fortunately there was no money at stake to win or lose. And also the bet would have been significantly important as the following dawn was the day they had tied the knot some three years back.
Next day morning on a journey which usually lasts an hour looked more than one. It was unusual that on this day few of my colleagues preferred to stay indoors and not report to duty. Taj Pasha our company pick up van driver had arrived some 5 clear minutes early at my stop at the Banashankari Ring road.
I had to hurry my steps and it looked as if I was galloping like a horse on a derby. Taj never liked people coming late. He never expressed his displeasure but his face was more than enough to communicate to vent his ire. As he had reach office just in time to avoid late mark.
Chilly Bangalore winter made matter worse. The chilly wind would discomfort any foolhardy driver. There was no one in the van except Taj the driver. Seizing the opportunity I proposed for a freshly brewed filter coffee. Taj was more than enthusiastic to agree. He never minced words while saying “ Yes”.
Displaying his driving skills Taj changed gears and slowly stopped the van opposite a darshani hotel on the Kamakhya circle. After paying in advance for the coffee I also ordered for Idli a taste neutral pan cake which is consumed mostly early in the morning in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states.
Just then the call came on my mobile. The number was familiar. It was my father-in-law on the other end. He gave the details how my wife was admitted to hospital in the middle of the night with the help of a auto driver who did’t even take the auto hire charges to Apollo Hospital in Mysore . I mentioned Taj about my wife hospitalization. His advice to me,” Saab! Tumhe hospital ko jao” ( Sir, go to the hospital - Hyderbadi Hindi)
Taj words of wisdom did very little to trace my steps backwards. The idea of sales co-ordination meeting was looming large on my face. The same words of wisdom echoed from other colleagues who later boarded the van en route to office. Rather hesitantly I called up my father in law who was carrying my wife mobile to know the latest on the matter.
He equally seemed exited about the whole matter. The doctor had said that it will happen by this afternoon. With a assurance to call back in next 45 mts . I was nervous a lot and within next 20mts the call came to my mobile .The news was that Savitha had delivered a healthy girl baby at 10 past 20 mts on 2nd Dec 2004.
What a rare co-incidence, we got married same time and same date 2 Dec 2001.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Dombivli-Poli Bhaji Kendra- BPO
Mumbai , " Amchi Mumbai" is echoed by not only localities but also settlers who have come from other states. Dombivli in early 1950 to late 1970 was typically Chitpavan Brahmins paradise. Local Train connectivity made it more affordable. It was in the early 80s that the population of Dombivli started to balloon. Mumbai " Bombay" then had influx of people from all corners of India. Mumbai was a dream to millions who wanted to make it big.
Middle class families settled for Dombivli for its accessibility and affordability. Not to mention the educational institutions like Tilak high school, Pendharkar college etc. which held the town reputation high. It was the working educated class which made much impact to the city's reputation. The Dombivli railway station is known for its mad rushes and the sea of people are always on the move.
This sight is worth watching at 7 am in the morning on weekdays and evening after 7 pm. There would be equal numbers of Men and Women who would jostled to catch hold of the train.This made this town unique; both husband and wife are employed.Exhausted but not lost were the people who would be determined to see the next day, with new set of hope in their heart and to see a better tomorrow, for themselves and their children. And time was the essence of every activity and that is one reason why Mumbai still is called a Fast City as compared to other metros.
The women traditional role of cooking in house was about to go with the introduction of new concept," Poli Bhaji- kendra" The first of its kind in India. I believe the first one to start was one shop just below High tension line on the Manpada Road Intersection. (before Kasturi Plaza) The unique thing about this Poli ( Wheat Flat Bread- in Marathi or Chapati as it is called popularly) was its consistency in taste, shape and thickness and it was made by less educated ladies who would put all their experience behind those tasty Poli's. This gave the less educated ladies the opportunity to utilise their skill which would be economically beneficial to them.
This poli was priced at only Rs0.75 paise and Bhaji( Dry/Wet gravy of vegetables) would be sold in Grams as a weight of measure. This was instant hit in Dombivli. People who were busy to rush to their work would now get up late instead of getting up very early in the morning. They would straight head for Station. On the way they would get packed Poli and Bhaji. Many would do the same after returning from work. And it made sense for the working class to purchase Poli Bhaji and save the cooking time.
It was a win-win situation for all; for the businessman who had this brilliant idea of setting up the Poli-Bhaji Kendra, the customers who could now utilise their time with family and lastly the poor less educated ladies who could be employed in most effective way.
Middle class families settled for Dombivli for its accessibility and affordability. Not to mention the educational institutions like Tilak high school, Pendharkar college etc. which held the town reputation high. It was the working educated class which made much impact to the city's reputation. The Dombivli railway station is known for its mad rushes and the sea of people are always on the move.
This sight is worth watching at 7 am in the morning on weekdays and evening after 7 pm. There would be equal numbers of Men and Women who would jostled to catch hold of the train.This made this town unique; both husband and wife are employed.Exhausted but not lost were the people who would be determined to see the next day, with new set of hope in their heart and to see a better tomorrow, for themselves and their children. And time was the essence of every activity and that is one reason why Mumbai still is called a Fast City as compared to other metros.
The women traditional role of cooking in house was about to go with the introduction of new concept," Poli Bhaji- kendra" The first of its kind in India. I believe the first one to start was one shop just below High tension line on the Manpada Road Intersection. (before Kasturi Plaza) The unique thing about this Poli ( Wheat Flat Bread- in Marathi or Chapati as it is called popularly) was its consistency in taste, shape and thickness and it was made by less educated ladies who would put all their experience behind those tasty Poli's. This gave the less educated ladies the opportunity to utilise their skill which would be economically beneficial to them.
This poli was priced at only Rs0.75 paise and Bhaji( Dry/Wet gravy of vegetables) would be sold in Grams as a weight of measure. This was instant hit in Dombivli. People who were busy to rush to their work would now get up late instead of getting up very early in the morning. They would straight head for Station. On the way they would get packed Poli and Bhaji. Many would do the same after returning from work. And it made sense for the working class to purchase Poli Bhaji and save the cooking time.
It was a win-win situation for all; for the businessman who had this brilliant idea of setting up the Poli-Bhaji Kendra, the customers who could now utilise their time with family and lastly the poor less educated ladies who could be employed in most effective way.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Our Small Dwelling
Whilst in Bombay we were put in middle class suburb called Dombivli. My father came to mumbai in the late 60's. It was like someone staying in USA or Europe now. Our locality was called Gokhale Wadi in Dombivli East. Gokhale wadi was cluster of residential labour lines as one may see now.
The facilities were very basic. And our dwelling was one of the smallest. It hardly measured
135 square feet. In that we had kitchen platform and bathroom without toilet. And the toilet block was some 200 feet away. Our small dwelling was attached to one "Girni " ( Flour Mill) and the grinding noise would always bring headache. Also it meant that the flour dust would enter our house.
My father was Asthmatic and the flour dust would trigger asthmatic attack. He tried every trick to stop the dust to come in but failed. It also ensured that house mice would make its round every night. Right diagonally across Manpada Road was a pond but later it was sewage discharge area.( Now it is a beautiful park) The mosquitoes would hold seige over our area.
We used Tortoise Mosquito coils earlier and then we were the first ones in Gokhale Wadi to purchase Good Night Mosquito repellent. My father was jubilant he had got hold of one brahmastra against mosquitoes. He tried some ultra-sound equipment, some liquid called MOSRUN ( read Mosquito Run) but none could match Good Knight which was bought out by a company called Transelecktra. And till today in my native place where my father and mother are settled you will find to much amusement Good knight keeps on burning continuously.
In that small room we had practically everything one could conceive of. We had a showcase which acted as a bifurcating wall in that small room. We also had a telivision a sewing machine, A diwan a water storage drum and kitchen wear, a study table and what not..
Hygiene was always in question. The water source was contaminated and my father again pitched in with Zero B water purifier. But one thing he had little control was Toilet. As I mentioned the toilet block was away and was used by many.
People didn't bother to keep toilet clean and would carry small bucket to flush. There were few hardened oldies who would carry a copy of newspaper to read leisurely inside without minding people were waiting in a que to get their chance to diffuse the bowel movement.
In spite of all the physical difficulties which we faced in Gokhale wadi we were contended and rarely thought of the bigger world for ourselves. And I will always remember Gokhale wadi residents as large hearted and full of empathy.
Today my dwelling is relatively big but not sure of my heart.
The facilities were very basic. And our dwelling was one of the smallest. It hardly measured
135 square feet. In that we had kitchen platform and bathroom without toilet. And the toilet block was some 200 feet away. Our small dwelling was attached to one "Girni " ( Flour Mill) and the grinding noise would always bring headache. Also it meant that the flour dust would enter our house.
My father was Asthmatic and the flour dust would trigger asthmatic attack. He tried every trick to stop the dust to come in but failed. It also ensured that house mice would make its round every night. Right diagonally across Manpada Road was a pond but later it was sewage discharge area.( Now it is a beautiful park) The mosquitoes would hold seige over our area.
We used Tortoise Mosquito coils earlier and then we were the first ones in Gokhale Wadi to purchase Good Night Mosquito repellent. My father was jubilant he had got hold of one brahmastra against mosquitoes. He tried some ultra-sound equipment, some liquid called MOSRUN ( read Mosquito Run) but none could match Good Knight which was bought out by a company called Transelecktra. And till today in my native place where my father and mother are settled you will find to much amusement Good knight keeps on burning continuously.
In that small room we had practically everything one could conceive of. We had a showcase which acted as a bifurcating wall in that small room. We also had a telivision a sewing machine, A diwan a water storage drum and kitchen wear, a study table and what not..
Hygiene was always in question. The water source was contaminated and my father again pitched in with Zero B water purifier. But one thing he had little control was Toilet. As I mentioned the toilet block was away and was used by many.
People didn't bother to keep toilet clean and would carry small bucket to flush. There were few hardened oldies who would carry a copy of newspaper to read leisurely inside without minding people were waiting in a que to get their chance to diffuse the bowel movement.
In spite of all the physical difficulties which we faced in Gokhale wadi we were contended and rarely thought of the bigger world for ourselves. And I will always remember Gokhale wadi residents as large hearted and full of empathy.
Today my dwelling is relatively big but not sure of my heart.
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