Keep Walking...

...as long as you have 50 pair of legs to move on.

Stuck in traffic...

...my motivation to crawl on.

Hummer, RR Phantom & Pune

A pensioner's paradise or the face of an urban India tucked away in a secluded world of it's own? That was my conclusion after a 2 day 'reconnaissance' trip to Pune. The influx of IT companies have jacked up real estate and 'spending' power in the city. But what's funny is that as real estate is growing, the basic infrastructure in many pockets (read: roads) are yet to catch up with the pace. So in pockets like Aundh, Kalayani nagar, camp, the roads are decent but in University area or other areas, its not so good. A canary color Hummer that wizzed past me from the opp. end ysday, gives a totally different profile to this pensioner's city. (Btw, had there been no PMT bus behind me, I would have stopped my car in the middle of the road abrubtly, done a U turn and followed that Hummer to get a more closer look). Why only Hummer, the city also boasts of a Rolls Royce Phantom (out of the 6-8 cars sold till now, perhaps the only piece sold in Mumbai/Punce circle).

I found Pune more like Nasik - climate and infrastructure wise (houses/hills/cool environ, etc.). let's see how the new innings start in Pune. :)

Who says Pune is cheap?!

Spent Sat. & Sun hunting for house in Pune. Thanks to influx of IT companies, real estate rates have shot up in Pune. In the past 3-4 months, on an average a good 1/2BHK house situated in any good locality offering decent ammenities - rent have shot up by 1-3k. Must have seen around 8-9 houses. Barring one or two, didn't like any place. Once you are married, you have to think from all aspect. How's the security in that area, is there a marketplace nearby, accessibility, is the bathroom 'clean', construction of the building, water/power backup, etc. etc. Funny, never thought of all these when I had shifted to my current house in Mumbai during my bachelor days. :)

A drive on expressway in the rains...

Guys... if you haven't been on Mumbai-Pune Expressway during rains, you are missing something. The drive is simply out of the world. What makes it more beautiful during rainy seasons are the various 'waterfalls' that have cropped up on all those wet jet-green hills that surround the expressway. The breeze is awesome, the road near Lonavla stretch is misty...the feeling is so heavenly...it's a drive that has to be felt...words can't explain it.

My only regret, I wish I could have stopped on way to click snaps - but on Expressway, you are not allowed to stop.

This time touched 145kmph speed and was about to break that too but got a stern look from Suvi. Average driving speed was in between 85-100kmph. Reached Pune in 1hr 30 min flat.

Can't just live without Google Earth!

Google Earth is a fine example of how friendly and accessible a technology can be. Till a couple of years back, viewing satellite imaging of places (atleast by common folks like you and me) was unheard of. I remember when I was in school probably class 10th or so, one of my uncle who used to work for EIL had brought a satellite image of Janakpuri/Vikaspuri area. Though the entire image looked fudged up but I was too 'kicked' to see a spot of pink in one corner (that my uncle told was our society). That was my 1st brush with satellite images, till Google Earth came and redefined the viewing experience.

Tomorrow I and Suvi are going to Pune to hunt for a house. I have been to Pune only once but today I can very well direct you how to reach the place where my new office is situated, what are the landmarks near it, which road to take, from where should I take a turn, which are the major apartment complexes around my new office, which one of them have an open swimming pool and more. All this and more and mind you - I have not physically seen any of these places myself. But today I have an exact blueprint in my mind on how all these look like - thanks to Google Earth. For the past 4-5 days, I have scanned the entire area around my office in Pune, marked out residential complexes that I can check out (thanks to Google Earth Community who have placed notes against places in pune), nearest banks/atms, eating joints etc. Tomorrow I intend to put my viewing experience to practical use.

(Picture of my new office location)

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Good bye Mumbai...

The time has finally come to say adieu to this city. Over 3.5 years of my stay here has brought nothing but good memories. And to think of it, Mumbai was my least preffered destination for shifting. In terms of enjoying bachelorhood, the best times I have spent is in this city. Many of my friends from Delhi still have different views than me about living in this city. But I keep telling them that if you forget the infrastructure problems like roads, traffic, slums etc. this city is a fun place to be - both professionally and hanging out wise. Before you get on the city, the city gets on to you and then you get used to it :) Anyway, my love with Mumbai would stay but I have decided to move on. I have got an offer in Pune (and NO! It's not with Zia's company) and I would be shifting by next month. Can't disclose where I am going on this forum as it's in public domain but will send a mail to you guys later. So getting ready for the new place now!

Can we blame the police?

A major question being asked is was this an intelligence failure? The news floating around is that intelligence network had prior info. from Srinagar that there would be a series of blasts in local trains. How much of it is true only top guys would be knowing and I doubt if the real truth would be ever disclosed. But even if the police didn't have any info. I don't think an attack like this could have been prevented. Local trains serve as a soft target especially during peak hours. In jam packed hours, you are more concerned finding a foot hole for yourself - who has time to think what's kept in the luggage rack.

Back in office...the city moves on.

I have never quite understood the term "The Spirit of Mumbai". Perhaps coz to understand the term, you need to be a true blue 'Mumbaikar'. But of whatever I understand, I feel lately the term is getting used to cloak the weary patience of the innocent citizens here who time and again have to bear the brunt of acts like these. Rains, shiv sena hangama, the blasts - and yet, the city doesn't stop. My neighbour ( a muslim family) were kind of scared to send their daughters to school today but I tried to assure them that this would mean we are terrified. Even if we are, we have to move on.

Last year around this time I was in London and the city was reeling under the 7/7 train blast. I remember how the city commuters couldn't come to terms with the blast coz for them they had never witnessed anything like that before. For days people avoided trains. Special Counselors used to accompany people who were scared to travel in train alone. On 7th this month, a memorial service was organized and London stood standstill to honor those who died.

I know something like this can never take place here. We Indians over the years have got so immunised to terror that actually we don't care anymore. Tell me honestly, after any major attack, be it the Sarojni Nagar blast, the Mulund train blast, or the frequent attacks in Srinagar, how many times have we really stopped to think about those who died? 11/7 would soon become another date in history. One year down the line, many of us would probably not even remember that something like that had happened. We would be so engrossed in our day to day lifes to think about it.

Today morning saw that people were back in trains. The tense looks on their faces revealed their mood & thoughts, but they were back. Be it any kind of terror attack, in Mumbai, life doesn't stops. The city moves on and will keep on moving.

NY Transit system goes on high alert

Taking no chances, New York Mass Transit system have beefed up their security after hearing about the Mumbai train blast.

Infact in a sign of changing times, world over media have highlighted this blast as a symbol of 'global terrorism' a move from the usual stand of 'local terror' act.

Who says we are rude?

- The first one to reach the blast site and do the rescue operations were the nearby slumwallas
- Locals staying around the blast site helped in whatever way they could. They opened up their doors for people who couldn't go to their homes coz of suspension of train services.
- The whole night people in vehicles who were travelling on the western exp highway, offered lifts to strangers to drop them home.


- Local residents offered food & water to commuters.
- BEST deployed additional buses to ply whole night. In many buses, they didn't charge people.
-People lined up in hospitals to donate blood. There is a shortage of blood in the city.
- Strangers offered mobiles to commuters to call their home and inform about their safety. They didn't take any money from them.

And yet they bill Mumbai as the rudest city.

The city that never sleeps

Once again Mumbai lived upto its tag. The whole night work was on in ferrying stranded passengers back to their homes and carrying them to hospitals etc. Many orgs. had opened up temp. night shelters for people. The WR which bore the brunt of the attack and had suspended train services, managed to partially open up the remaining tracks late in the night. Incredibly, the damaged trains were shifted early morning today and work is on to repair the tracks and hopefully by afternoon train services would be normal.

blast pics

 

blast pics

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blast pics

 

Blast pics

 

I am fine guys

Since ysdy many people across the world have been trying to get in touch with me but couldn't get thru coz of jammed cellphone & landline network. Just wanted to tell everyone that Suvi, me and all of the ppl that I know in Mumbai are fine. The blasts took place on Western Line and we live on Central line. Otherwise also, we don't take train for commuting and travel by car.

Thanks for the concern guys.

And now...7/11

Till last update 'officially' 190 people dead. Over 700 injured.

The power of 150

The other day I was reading some article on how Pizza Hut is planning to change its menu further by adding more Indian delicacies like Kulfi & rabadi for desserts & indianized pizzas and other dishes like Kathi kababs. The idea was to change the mindset of 'eating out' just for pizzas to a 'complete' meal experience. This reminded me of the new menus that they offer currently which I feel have become a run away success. The Treat for 1, 2, 3 & 4 menus. The power of advertising backed by sharp marketing & positioning the price & quantity offered in the meal (just imagine: 1 large pizza, 1 medium pizza, 1 portion of garlic bread, 2 colas, 2 ice creams just for 150 bucks!) have hooked on some loyal customers. One of them happens to be Suvi. Earlier she was not much of an advocate for occasional pizza outings coz she found it bit expensive. More than expensive it was the feeling of going back with a bill which didn't even give the feeling of going off with a full stomach. But the '150' tag has changed her mindset. The 'quantity' offered is sufficient enough for 2 people and don't leave a dent on pockets. So much so that these days if we go to some 'zhat-pat' resturant for a quick grub or something and the bill comes up to 150 or near about that, and the food is not that great, she wonders if it would have been better if we would have gone to pizza hut and had meal for 2!!

Saw this on National Geographic shopping site

Bihari Silk Embroidered Tunic

India's textile cottage industries involve entire villages in silk weaving,
fabric dyeing, and embroidery. The fabric of this traditional silk tunic is
hand-loomed in Bhagalpur, a town famous for its silk production. A spray of
embroidered and sequined flowers decorates the faux split neck and bell sleeves.
Made in Bihar province, India. Dry clean only.

Price Each: $68.00

I wonder the poor artisian who slogs 18 hrs a day in the rural area of Bhagalpur to produce such fine silk and garment knows that his product gets sold at over Rs. 4000 per piece abroad. Btw, in most of these silk units in Mumbai, Bhagalpur & UP, sweat & toil of children goes into making the fabric. No prizes for guessing how much they would be earning per day.

Craters that I encounter...

Typically this is the kind of road that I encounter everyday near my home and on my approach road to office. Inspite of having a good ground clearance, my car's bumper area once in a day kisses with the ground. I am really concerened about the damages my car would bear during the monsoons. THIS is the only area where I feel Delhi roads score over Mumbai. Atleast, the roads there suddenly don't 'self-destruct' after few showers.

Btw, this shot has been taken on the Jogeshwari-Vikroli Link Road near Powai. I travel on this road everyday.

A typical view from my car these days

4 days of non stop rains...

Finally today the rain stopped. The rains have already done the damage. My car average has dipped down further :( The roads, especially near my home and a few approach roads to office have gone worse. But this time around, ppl are well prepared and are not taking any chances. The Govt. had already shut school & colleages for the past2 days as a precautionary measure. Ppl have been leaving for home early in aftn. from work. Offices have been giving half day to employees. No one is willing to take chances this time. Many low lying areas in town are already half submerged. But all said and done, rains are still fun! :)

Ysdy celebrated a colleague's bd'ay at the nearby Pizza Hut. There was a shortage of staff thanks to the rains so they had shut dining-in and though we could sit there and eat, but pizza's were served in take away cartons.

I always wanted to resign on Monday morning...

...says a fellow in the Tata Dicor ad.

So? Errr...hmmmmm..cough..cough.... ;-)

MOnsoon Magic

Ah! Finally the rains are here for good. Monsoons are always fun in Mumbai. Leave apart the fact that there are traffic problems and low lying areas get submerged, but rains are always fun in Mumbai. The temperature has dipped drastically. As it is my house is located in a open, greener area in Thane, the temp is relatively 1 or 2 degree lower than what's shown on TV. These days we use blanket at night! For the past 2 days, it's raining non stop. My seat in office is located in a cabin which faces this french window from where I get to see the panaromic view of Hiranandani. With rains on, the view is magnificient. I just can't wait to go out on long drives now. The best time to visit all these places around Mumbai is during the rains as the entire region bears a misty green looks. Probably would be hitting out next week or so.

The only drawback of the monsoon which I am realising this year is that in few stretches near my home, I feel I am driving in MotoRally. It takes 1-2 heavy showers and all these wierd sized potholes emerge on that road. Already my car's average has dipped from an impressive 17kmspl to 15-16. Guess that's part and parcel of the Monsoon magic.

Better address me as Your Highness...

Why so?

It says here so: (As reported in TOI, Mumbai Edition)


Everyone of us on earth has royal ancestors
Actress Brooke Shields has an impressive pedigree—hanging from her family tree are Catherine de Medici and Lucrezia Borgia, Charlemagne and El Cid, William the Conquerer and King Harold. Shields also descends from five popes, a whole mess of early New England settlers, and the royal houses of every European country. She counts renaissance pundit Niccolo Machiavelli and conquistador Hernando Cortes as ancestors.
Even without a documented connection to a notable forebear, experts say the odds are virtually 100% that every person on Earth is descended from one royal personage or another. “Millions of people have provable descents from medieval monarchs,’’ said Mark Humphrys, a genealogy enthusiast and professor of computer science at Dublin City University in Ireland. “The number of people with unprovable descents must be massive.’’ By the same token, for every king in a person’s family tree there are thousands and thousands of nobodies whose births, deaths and lives went completely unrecorded by history. We’ll never know about them, because until recently vital records were a rarity for all but the noble classes. It works the other way, too. Anybody who had kids more than a few hundred years ago is likely to have millions of descendants today, and quite a few famous ones.
Take King Edward III, who ruled England during the 14th century and had nine children who survived to adulthood. Among his documented descendants are presidents (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, Zachary Taylor, the Roosevelts), authors (Jane Austen, Lord Byron, Alfred Lord Tennyson), scientists (Charles Darwin) and actors (Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, Brooke Shields). Some experts estimate that 80% of England’s present population descends from Edward III. The longer ago somebody lived, the more descendants a person is likely to have today. Humphrys estimates that Muhammad, the founder of Islam, appears on the family tree of every person in the Western world.
Some people have tried to establish a documented line between Muhammad, who was born in the 6th century, and the medieval English monarchs, and thus to most if not all people of European descent. Nobody has succeeded yet, but one proposed lineage comes close. Though it runs through several strongly suspicious individuals, the line illustrates how lines of descent can wander down through the centuries, connecting famous figures of the past to most of the people living today. The proposed genealogy runs through Muhammad’s daughter Fatima. Her husband Ali, also a cousin of Muhammad, is considered by Shiite Muslims the legitimate heir to leadership of Islam. They had a son, al-Hasan, who died in 670. About three centuries later, his ninth great-grandson, Ismail, carried the line to Europe when he became Imam of Seville. Finally, 43 generations from Mohammed, you reach an Italian princess named Marina Torlonia. Her granddaughter is Brooke Shields.

FAMILY MATTERS
Even without a documented connection to a notable forebearer, experts say the odds are virtually 100% that every person on earth is descended from royal personage Experts say 80% of England’s population descends from King Edward III who ruled England during the 14th century. His documented descendants include George Washington, Jane Austen, Lord Byron, Charles Darwin, Audrey Hepburn and Brooke Shields The longer ago somebody lived, the more descendants a person is likely to have today. Experts say Muhammad, the founder of Islam, appears on the family tree of every person in the Western world