31st December

We were visiting Saagar and Mona (Manali's chum) at Pheonix during 2001 December end. We had a nice trip to Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Disney, Universal and Griffith Observatory. On 31st we visited a nearby place and in winding down mood.

I am not a romantic type to understand the 31st December hype. I like to treat is as just another day in life.

On that night, we were relaxing around. Saagar informed us he has a telescope. Wow! Since discovering interest in Physics (pretty late), I wanted to use a telescope.

We set the telescope in the open space in front of their home. It was a clear beautiful night. I used my priliminary knowledge about light to locate possible planets. Star-gazing isn't much exciting with the personal telescope for its lack of magnification that is needed.

The first planet we selected turned out to be Jupitar. It had a pink hue, may be the giant red spot was directly in front. We also spotted at least 3 moons.

Next we chanced upon Saturn. Can you believe it! It was magnificent. I just couldn't control my excitement. This was my first use of telescope and I was already looking at Saturn's rings. The image was hardly bigger than a wheat grain. Yet we could identify the ring.

We also trained the telescope on, what we believe, Mars and Saptarshee (Seven Sisters?).

It was a great experience. The best New Year morning I have ever spent.

Winter Storm

My experience with American winter (North-East) was mostly pleasant, give or take couple of bad slips and odd driving experiences. In 2001, I joined BEA. There were two routes. One via 287->78 and the other through hills. The latter was a shorter distance and pretty nice leasurely drive. I used to prefer the latter.

During one winter evening, the storm started getting worst. Actaully, it was a blizzard, with sticky snow. I started in time, expecting some delay. The word-of-mouth was 287 was jam packed. As always, I chose the hill road! Bad decision. The signs were omnious. Just getting to the base took about an hour. Going uphill was nightmare. One particular spot was converted to muddy ice. It was like baton passing. A car would struggle to get through that spot. Either it would succeed after some struggle or vancuish. There were already about 3/4 vancuished. I got up next. The road was so muddy, the steering wheel was turning as if friction between the road and a tyre did not exist. I somehow got past the spot without either getting stuck or ramming the already stuck.

The road has two hills. The intersection between the hills was pretty empty. I should have got the message. Irrespective I pushed ahead to the next hill. The uphill wasn't as bad. In hindsight, it was only because the drivers had wisely stayed off it. The police had actually blocked the road with just enough opening for the residents living on the hills. I sneaked through that opening. The downhill started. The downhill has about 15 degree gradiant. I was just about managing to stay on the course. Suddenly the car started drifting towards the right. I applied the brakes. However the car, with its momentum, refused to stop. It also changed direction and now headed leftwards, towards the valley. My heart jumped to the mouth. It was a small curb that halted the car's travel. I was numb. Thankfully, the car still had life. It just about managed to get us safe at the base of the hill.

It must have taken me 4/5 hours to reach home that day. I rarely drove on that road then onwards. It was my stupid decisions that I remember this incident mostly about.

Cricket

I was born to watch the game of cricket from Sofa, ... not to land in the midst. If I ever have to step in the field, I must be ruler ... i.e. the umpire. I was so bad at batting, my highest score was a well-compiled 4. I was the original butter-finger. And the only ball I knew to bowl was a toss up and its-up-to-you-where-you-hit. In fact it was the society-cricket with its law of declared-out-if-you-hit-above-first-floor that fetched me few wickets. Whenever the fielding captain threw the ball at me, it usesd to be out of dispair than a vote of confidence.

So here I was next-in-turn for batting. The next to me was already warming up. Only this time, my cousines were standing near by, probably watching my game. I had my pride at stake.

Usually, I would choose heaviest bat. It used to be a funny site. I had a pretty thin build-up. After the ball was delivered, my concentration would be in lifting the bat so as to the connect the ball! This time, however, I accepted my own defficiency and picked up the lightest bat.

The geography of our fied was sort of 't' shaped. A pitch, emtpy drivable area in front, behind the slip and square of the wicket both on and off side.

First one, a bouncer. I realized it was a bouncer only after I had freed my arm and heard a gasp from one-and-sundry watching the game. The ball had disappeared in the square leg region. It was miraculous. I don't even remember seeing the ball.

The bowler sneered at me. It was his pride at stake now. A square leg was put in place. Next ball, again a bouncer. Another freeing of arms. Same result. The square leg put in position for the shot left searching for the ball.

The bowler got mad at me. He questioned, why I never play like this when we play against outside teams. Actually, the question was rhetorical, because I would figure in the playing eleven only when the team would be short of a guy.

I actually started enjoying the game for the first time in life. Next ball was a yorker length and I, like a pro, got fully forward and managed to push the ball in cover. It went the distance and I started for a run. However, the ball went to bushes and according to the law, 1 run was declared. I was too happy, since I would continue to enjoy my batting for another ball. I cut short my run and was returning to the crease. Suddenly a fielder found the ball and threw it to non-striker's end and I was declared out.

My great inning lasted 3 balls, each ball etched in my mind.
I was so happy with my performance, I did not bother protesting unfair runout.
I turned around to locate my source of inspiration. They were gone! I don't know when.

Indulgance

Kanjur Marg, where I spent my formative days, was (and probably still is) blue coller worker community, consisting mostly poor and lower-middle class families. I used to go to Vikhroli to attend school. Due to the factors like economic and social background, the company I enjoyed would not be exactly approved by 'marathi brahman pandharpesha' community. I was, however, having a great time. 'Vasarat Langdi Gaay Shahaani'! I used to figure in top 5. That was novelty for me. Quite a few friends of mine were pretty over-age, prone to getting in street-fights. Our division belonged to technical schooling, involving carpentry, smithy, leath work, electric circuits, engineering drawing. No girls. It used to be no holds barred. Even some of our male teacher used to crack noughty jokes.

When we entered 10th standard, Mrs. Vanzari, assumed responsibility of handling our class (besides teaching Marathi). Considering the raging bulls rampaging in the class, she was quite capable administrator. We used to idolize her.

Our school-term was nearing end. We friends were itching to do something before the group would break up (after 10th graduation). A plan was hatched up. Incidentally, my father was in hospital for appendix operation during that time. I went to our teacher, and made an excuse that I want to go to hospital to see my father. I lied to our teacher! 5-7 of us, bunked the school after lunch recess. We went to one of the guy's house. Someone had procurred 'Bombay Pilsnor'. We had beer that day! I drank about half a glass. I was actually scared of getting drunk or smelling.

I remember, my cousines were visiting that time and I actually boasted of my advanture to them. Not sure if they believed me.

This is not really the incident worth remembering. What I remember is, what I did on the next day.

As the day wore on, I started getting guilty-pangs. Afterall, we used to nearly worship our teacher, and I lied to her. Next day morning I reached school, wrekked up in my little emotional turmoil. Guilt aside, however, I did not want to betray my friends.

I saw our teacher arriving, made up my mind, and asked her if I could speak with her. I confessed that I had lied about visiting my father, and I actually bunked the class for no reason. I did not have courage to confess our indulgance though. She remained silent for sometime, taking in my audacity. She didn't blow up the issue but made sure I understood gravity of my mistake. My respect for her grew even more. I sure felt light-headed afterwards.

Revolt

Among all the grand-kids, I got Aaji's maximum company. She and I shared a love-and-hate relationship. There used to be a cycle, where she would disprove my behavior, I would disregard her, things getting escalated till the point that I get beat up by her, few days of silent treament from me, things gradually thawing, she would feel this immense urge to love me, I getting pampered and so on.

Before this incident, things had come to boil. I had a big quarrel with her and she was about to launch her capable pair of hands. Suddenly the door bell rang. It was her friend at the door. I was never relieved so much seeing someone at the door. Well, Aaji had different ideas. Sensing my shameless delight, she made me stand in the corner on the wooden stool. All of this in front of the guest! Like a stupid beacon!! I was enraged, fuming.

Few moments passed. My angry eyes were practically boring holes. Aaji was now narrating the incident that led to my punishment. It was all unjustified to me. I cought her returning my angry stare with hers. I instantly stuck my tongue out and mocked her. In front of the guest!

That was my moment of revolt!

A Let Down

I studied in Parle Tilak Vidyalay till 7th std. I was actually a good student till 4th. That's why I was drafted in the elite division for 5-7 std (BTW, I do not subscribe to elite division concept, but that's a different matter). I was good in Mathematics. Due to a particular incident, when I was 10 years old, my concentration-level dropped, studies suffered. I did not take introduction of Scicence kindly. Even Mathematics wasn't my friend anymore. My grades suffered. Due to the school policy, the next division assessment was going to be after finishing 7th standard. Even though I was still in elite division in 7th standard, it was all thanks to my good showing in 4th standard. Even couple of teachers were contemptous of few of us because they felt more deserving candidates were languishing in lower divisions.

After giving 7th standard exams, we shifted home to Kanjur Marg. If you know Mumbai, you will understand the distance between Parle and Kanjur Marg. I believe the only way I could have attended Parle Tilak was to go from Kanjur Marg to Vidya Vihar via train and from there catch bus #322. It would have taken more than 1 hour in one-way.

Aai was debating whether to continue me in Parle Tilak or look for schools in Kanjur Marg. The schools in Kanjur Marg did not appeal her and the reputation of Parle Tilak was tempting enough to continue, however impractical it looked. She hinted to me, if I get good grades I may continue in Parle Tilak.

The result day arrived. Aai waited by the road side. Predictably I had bad grades, and I was relegated to 5th division (demotion by 4 divisions). I was naturally disappointed. My companion, Makarand Nagle, commented on uselessness in repenting when I didn't study. It was pretty harsh but right-on in assessment.

I came out of the school. Noticed Aai sitting on a roadside fence with quisical looks. For the first time in my life I felt I have let her down.

... and a Delight

As I mentioned earlier, I was a good student till 4th standard. Well, I had also secured Maharastra state-wide scholership for the 4th standard students. There are about 300 student from the whole state who get this scholership.

I also mentioned, my performance degraded after that. Based on my grade in 6th std I was never going to be selected for appearing in 7th std scholership exam. Yet, Parle Tilak made an exception for couple of us based on our record in previous scholership exam.

The scholership exam results are announced pretty late. By that time, I had joined a school in Vikhroli (Vikas Highschool).

One day, Aai got up early. She was bit hyper, nervous that day. She left for some work. I don't remember if that was a school day. In the afternoon, I also went out to market for some work.

As it happened, I bumped upon her in the market itself. She was beaming! "Guess what!" After a false start, I managed to connect the dots. I had secured the scholership for the 7th standard.

There are few other occations where I have made her proud. However, the sheer delight on her face and the 'Guess What!' expression made this moment my favorite.

Incidently, if I remember correctly, I was second-from-last in both 4th as well as 7th scholership exam.

Fire

I was pretty young, young enough to have quite a few curiosities and not to be trusted with dangerous things, like say a matchbox. I was debarred from touching it but had ample demonstrations of how it could be used. It looked interesting.

One day Aaji went to take a bath and I was identifying next curiosity to satisfy. I sighted the matchbox! Couple of trials and I was expert in using it. It still did not excite me enough. The light should be bigger to admire. I started hunting down something to light! Kitchen, Hall, ... nothing!

I wandered into balcony. Perfect! There was this open cuboard, wooden!! With a cloth piece hanging in front!!! With newspapers!!!! I quickly went to work. A cotton cloth lights up pretty quick you know! It was amazing! Suddently I realized, it is out of control. I panicked! What should I do?

I ran up to bathroom and knocked on door. 'Aag! Aag!!' was all I could describe. Aaji sensed the urgency. She came out as soon as she could put on some descent amount of cloths. In front of her was the cupboard with its content on fire. She did not have time to collect water to throw at it. I was useless. She practically used her bare hands to douse the fire. She finally succeeded. It was the burns on her hands that saved me from a big beating. She resumed her bath, and made me stand in inverse U position holding my toes till she finished her bath. She took a looong time that day!

A Lock and a Key

I used to spend my vacations with my cousins, being a single child. I and Jyots were very close, and I and Prachi were poles apart. We had a cousine-sibling rivalary. One year, Maavashi and Kaka took us to Akluj. We must be very young. If I remember correctly, tai was in 7th std, so I must be in 2nd std i.e. 7 years old.

The guest house that we stayed in had a common Toilet, situated bit away from the guest house building. The routine would be if someone has to go to loo, someone other would accompany. We were very scared of the numerous pigs around.

One day I went in and for some inexplicable reason, took the lock with me. Kid's hands! Yes, ... the lock went down the drain. I came out! Explained the story to Jyots. She went in ... with the keys!! It's the key's turn to go down the drain. We were petrified.

We had a slowest walk towards the home. We then waited outside the entrance, to decide the strategy. Prachi (oh, she was so snobbish) spotted our shadows. Prompty she called up Maavshi and ushered us in. I don't recollect the details but the defence wasn't upto scratch. Maavshi being Maavshi did not touch me, not sure what fate Jyots suffered. Further test awaited us when Kaka returned from office. However, Maavshi handled it on our behalf.

Aaji

I was talking to aai on phone. This is in 2000 and I was in US.
Suddenly the phone went blank. There were some muffled voices in the background. Aai came back and asked me to call back in 5 minutes. Apparantly Aaji fell down.
I paced up and down, not sure how serious it was. Aaji was 81.
I called back. It was serious. Prashant, my neighbour, had carried her downstairs to the ambulance.
While combing her hair, she just collapsed.
The day went in nail-biting...

Aaji had a brain stoke. She passed away in couple of months.

A Joy Walk!

Nice breeze...beautiful panoramic view...fast cars, really fast...roaring sound! Yes, we are near. Just some distance away. We are going to see aeroplanes take off...fly! Yes!

"Where are you heading?" Silence. It's a police constable. A little glance towards the companion...all 8 or 10 year old...as old as I.
"Kuthe challat?"
"...Airport!!!"

His turn to get stunned! This is in the middle of eastern highway. We two buddies, all of 8 or 10 year old, are walking on the highway devider towards Santacruz Airport (yet to become domestic).

He makes us turn around!
A dream crushed...what's the problem with the guy?
Where's home, by the way? How do you head back?...don't panick...keep walking back!
Suddenly some commotion by the road side! Some familiar faces.
Oh, these guys are from our housing society!
Big relief.
We are carried home.

Did I get a beating of my life? Was there a big drama at home?
I don't remeber and since I don't remember it must be neither. Just a little spanking and a sight of worried faces probably.

I did attempt this stunt once again, but it did not have the charm of original. Even the people took it lightly.

PS

I confirmed with Aai. Apparantly I was 4-5 years old. And, she did not beat me.