Level 1 Completed !!

Yesterday was the last dance class for Level 1. Sorry guys, I forgot to tell you, that I’ve been learning dance (Jive, Salsa & Waltz) from last 8 weeks.

It had been a fantastic experience for a person like me, who doesn’t know even the ‘D’ of Dancing. Although I’ve danced few times before too: But only in marriages, where you don’t need to know, how to dance; it is sufficient enough, if you know how to jump… I never thought of dancing, except for marriages and parties in our hostel. But these classes made me think differently.

Even though I have lot more to learn, then too, now I can say that I know a little bit of dancing too… I’ll always be thankful to my company (who organized these dance classes), the dance academy and the instructors (especially Sagar, Tanvi & Bosky).

After all this, the thought which is revolving in my mind is: When will the classes for next level commence? Looking forward for Level 2

Jashn...

Jashn – A Live Musical Concert by Pankaj Udhas.

Last Friday I went to see this concert @ Nehru Centre, Worli. This was the second time I went for a live concert. The first one was when I was in class 11th and went to see a Daler Mehndi Show (hope you all still remember him).

Pankaj Udhas is my favorite ghazal singer. Rather I should put in this way: I listen only to his ghazals. Thus it was a very good opportunity for me to see him performing live. Two of my friends also agreed to come with me. I booked the tickets and reached the venue on time (which happens rarely). As I have said, till date I have seen only two live concerts. Both were awesome, the only difference being the ticket prices. The first one was for Rs.20 (I know you people won’t believe me, but its true) and for this concert; it was 10 times the first one.

Luckily we got seats at the center of the auditorium. So the view of the stage was absolutely clear. I was very excited to see my favorite artist performing in front of me.

Once he started singing, the whole auditorium seemed to be intoxicated by his melodies. And after 2 ghazals, when he sung a famous Bollywood number, the crowd was unable to control their emotions. Everyone was clapping and some of them were whistling too. His musicians too, were good. They played really well. There was one Jugalbandi performance by the musicians. Everyone was astonished to see such a performance. Finally came the turn of the song, for which almost everyone present in that audi was waiting: “Chithi Aayi Hai.” I even saw a lady sitting there, who started weeping on hearing this song.

We took some photographs, recorded videos and overall, enjoyed a lot. It was totally a paisa vasool show…

What Lies Ahead...

I got this as a forwarded mail but couldn't resist myself posting it. I know it's lengthy but worth reading

Date: 1st June, 2020

Sun is rising as usual in the east. I’m standing here outside the school waiting for my 10 yr kid. He studies is class 2. Only this year he could get admission into the school. For the last 3 yrs admissions were closed for the general category students. School bell rings. I can see a lot of happy children coming out of the gate, I waited for half an hour and my kid came at last after other children. General students are not allowed to cross the gate unless other OBC/SC/ST students have crossed the gates. OBC/SC/ST fathers drive away their children in classy cars. But I have to walk back home with my kid a 5 km stretch. I lost my car some years back when Govt. came with a rule that general people have to deposit a tax equal to cost of their cars. Failing which, I had to sell the car. As far as buses are concerned, the seats in buses are reserved for OBC/SC/ST. So no place there also. After walking some 5 km in scorching heat I finally reached home. It was Wednesday... shit, no electricity. Every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday is power cut in the houses of General category population. So that SC/ST/OBC can be uplifted by providing them with every opportunity and in that consideration electricity is an important factor.

Its 10:00 pm in night, no electricity at home. It’s very hot inside the four walls of home. So I dare to step out in park with my wife and kid. I seated myself with my family on a secluded bench in garden. It was hardly 5 min, when a guard came to us strolling in the park. He asked me what caste you belong to. I said with some hesitation; G..General. He asked me to pay a fine of Rs.200 and get out of the park. My Fault... The bench I was sitting on was meant for again the SC/ST/OBC, for their upliftment peace of mind is on essential things. So govt came with this decision, to reserve benches for them. Kudos to them...
Its early in the morning... the newspaper wala just knocked the door. I took the newspaper and started reading.., it’s Independence Day. I never used to forget this day some 20 yrs back. My kid hardly knows wat 15th August is, because I never told him any stories of greatness of our country or anything realted to country. I don't feel like telling him the failures after freedom.

On front page of newspaper, in a corner their is a news about a OBC member getting 6 months impriosonment in "BAL SUDHAR GRAHA" from a juvenile court for murdering and raping a six year old girl. Yes the rules have been amended, since the last 5 years. The Culprit was a 20 year old OBC so age relaxation was provided for trial of crime. So he was taken to juvenile court, since there is an age relaxation for OBC/SC/ST.
About 11 am some one gave me the BAD news about demise of one of my neighbour and friend Mr.Mehta. I went to his house for condolence next day, his body was lying there still rotting in the heat. I asked his son about the Cremation. His son told me "Many reserved category have died yesterday so we are not getting entry to creamtion ground." This rule is the latest from Govt. where the seats in creamtion ground will be reserved for SC/ST/OBC for their upliftment. Finally next day Mehta ji was cremated. I could see sun seeting through the Flames burning a libarated Body, liberated from casre n creed. I was surprised sun still sets in the west?

It was about 9 pm, I was about to sleep in my bed my son came to me with innocence in his eyes, inquisitively he asked me the question, what is reservation? I asked him where you listened that. He suddenly burst in tears. I asked him to keep quiet. But I could listen through his sobs "mujhe bhi reservation chahiye (I too want reservation)". How can I convince him that it’s no other toy in the market, which I can get for him? He kept crying that night, claiming many of "his classmates have got reservation". To make him quiet I said ok, I’ll buy you reservation at your next B'day.

Bye Bye INDIA !!!

Barsaat ke mausam mein...

Rains always remind me these lines, written by Rossiter Johnson:

How it pours, pours, pours, In a never-ending sheet! How it drives beneath the doors!

How it soaks the passer's feet! How it rattles on the shutter! How it rumples up the lawn! How 'twill sigh, and moan, and mutter, From darkness until dawn.
(Source: Rhyme of the Rain)


Yesterday, first time I witnessed the rains in Mumbai. The rains brought both joy n reliefs from the scorching heat of summer but along with this, it also brought panic n feeling of fear in the minds of the people.

As soon as the rain started, my mailbox was flooded by the mails, warning about the future dates on which there is the possibility of heavy rainfall. But this was not all, then came a warning SMS came from my mobile service provider. People here in Mumbai, really fear rains now, atleast after last year’s 26/7.

Panicked Mumbaikars believe that this was only the trailer, as it rained only for few hours. The rains led to water-logging at many places between my office and home. Addition to this was heavy traffics jams on the road, as everyone was in a rush to reach their homes.

Finally, I managed to reach my place, bare-footed, with shoes in my hands and singing the song “Barsaat ke mausam mein…”