A journey past Mulshi Lake

I had heard about 'Vadkhal Naka' in the context of some alleged smuggling scandal involving A R Antule. I also knew about Karnala being famous for bird sanctuary and existence of the fort. Last week, I passed by both Vadkhal and Karnala on route towards the discovery of ‘Vile Bhagad’, a new industrial township being built by MIDC. But the travel past MIDC till Mulshi Dam made our day memorable.

Our ride started from Mumbai at 9am and culminated at Koregaon Park in Pune at 6pm. We passed through Panvel - Karnala -Pen - Vadkhal - Kolad - Vile Phata - Vile Bhagad - Bhira (Tamhini Ghat) - Mulshi - Paud - Pirangut - Bhoogaon - Bawdhan - Chandni Chowk - Pashan - Kothrud - . Alternating between plains, steep mountain curves, along the contour of an expansive Mulshi lake encircled by Sahyadri’s massive mountain range, this journey was turning out to be spectacular. This was a surprise package that we did not envisage. Road from Panvel to Vile Bhagad village, was through barren areas interspersed by heavy industries and town ships. The exception however was that of stretch of forestry in Karnala. Here winding roads flanked by thick foliage on both sides gave a respite from urban clutter and noise.

Once past Vile Phata (railway crossing), predictable yellowish dried bushes turned into a green belt of sugarcane fields packed together on black soil. This fertile transformation must have been due to water source in the vicinity, but we had no idea about the extent of water source. As we entered Bhagad village, it was back to barren rocks and dried bushes and I was happy MIDC won't be using fertile land for factory site. Few yellow colored blocks announced their identities. Village Panchayat, School, water pumping station and few tin roof shacks that served tea, coffee and perhaps meal. A small shop tucked at the corner had group of school kids huddled together. They all stood in great excitement while clicking the picture. In my next visit, I must carry a printout for them. I am sure they would be thrilled. Seeing them in red tie school uniform surprised me. Even in this remotest part of rural Maharashtra, It's not uncommon to see a sight of pony tailed school girls carrying school bags. This is a definite symbol of progressive state that Maharashtra is known for.

As our car climbed the mountain, we came across few ' varkari sampradya' who must have been on the return journey from 'Alandi' or ' Pandharpur’ after completing Kartiki Ekadashi. A glance around the mountain range makes one realize the varied shape of the mountain tops. Some are flat as chiseled. Some have protruding nose, some have one nose on top of another one. As the road encircles and goes half way, the shape of the mountain top becomes more pronounced. These peaks must be challenge to mountaineers and hikers. Soon after a stopover at Trimurti dhaba, we see a huge lake down below on the left side. For next an hour or so, we drive along this lake till we come across Mulshi dam. This ride is the most scenic and soothing. Few small resorts dot along the curve and white cranes appear at a distance. Condition of the road after Mulshi dam was hopeless due to Monsoon rains and bullock carts ferrying the goods. We could have taken a road to Pune via Pali reaching for Khopoli and then take Mumbai Pune road to reach Pune earlier but we would have lost an opportunity to feel the beauty of Mulshi Lake and dam.

I could conjure what this place must be in heavy Monsoon. Steep Mountain creating numerous waterfalls, cloud cover hanging over Mulshi Lake, rains lashing the earth creating a parrot green carpet.

How Mulshi lake side be after 50 years? I can imagine sign boards of five star hotel properties. Dotting of Fast food joints, colourful wind surfing canoes drifting across the lakes, tourist buses howling past the food joints destroying the tranquillity and peace of Mulshi Lake, before that happens, I would love to visit this place once in Monsoon season.

Death must be beautiful

This time, I was keen to erase my unpleasant memories of 1981. Then, the incident was 'acute appendicitis surgery'. Now, it was the surgical correction of 'avulsion fracture with displacement at the base of fifth metatarsal'. In 81, the procedure started with the local anesthesia induced through spinal injection. Was it the cause of an anesthetic agent or my fear ? I don't know. All I recall was I struggled violently for water to quench my parched throat and body. There was no mercy. I was forced to sleep and to wake up after 12 hours. The torrid memories stayed with me all these years.

This time, I wanted to be alert to witness that moment of slipping into sleep. As my mobile stretcher wheeled inside the OT, familiar brands of Valleylab, Maquet were in sight. A bolus through the IV cannula pushed into the vein of my left wrist as the Nurse standing next to my right shoulder sighed in exasperation for a hairless site on my chest to paste ECG electrodes. That was it. Next moment, I found myself in the recovery room, under the protection of CMC Vellore trained nurse. ' You are done and your surgery is over '.

Two hours of deep sleep with no dreams, no past, no present, no future. An emptiness that detached my body and mind. I had no feelings. No pain, no anguish. no elation, no attraction, no distraction . Surgeon's cautery didn't bother me nor the metallic screws that penetrated through my bones rattled me. It was a silence both within and outside. Time froze where it was as I ceased to exist for myself and for the world around me. As I looked back, I realized this is what a death must be. If it is, I savored it with all its beauty.

I don't know if it was the technology of minimal anesthesia delivery system or efficacy of drugs or the skills of an anesthetist, the transition from the ' awakening' to the ' deep slumber' was swift and sudden ; so too was the shift from the 'black hole' to the 'realization of one's existence' . Whatever may have been the reason, it was beautiful and magnificent . I can safely assume that death in reality must be close to what I witnessed. A blissful state of nothingness.

'Auro' in 'PAA'

In my wildest imagination, I wouldn't have conjured that photo of 'Auro' in 'PAA' is that of Amitabh Bacchan. What an amazing creativity that must have involved top class sculptors, cast makers, make up artists, computer graphic designers. The illustrative, vivid description by Amitabh in his blog held me these artists in awe. To endure all that trouble and at the end of it give a theatrical performance is a tribute to Amitabh's abundance dedication to his profession. I like numerous others now await seeing this performance .

It is too early to talk about the commercial success of this movie but one thing is sure, it is going to get lot of accolades and recognition for physical portrayal of 'Auro"

I agree with another reader’s observation that Amitabh's posts away from home country - be it from another city, hospital, hotel and aircraft ‘ has lot of depth, profundity and fabulous choice of words . I guess his busy schedule in India and cacophony that surrounds him may not be giving him time and opportunity to synthesise his thoughts in fascinating words and expressions that has been hallmark of his blog.

His posts while being in London and journey through transatlantic had the same class as were from his posts from Singapore and elsewhere.

Phrases that stay fresh !!

If Columbus had been married he might never have discovered America because he would have had to answer all of the following :

· Where are you going?
· With whom?
· Why?
· How are you going?
· To discover what?
· Why only you?
· What do I do, when you are not here?
· Can I come with you ?
· Coming back when?
· Dinner ghar par hi khaoge?
· Mere liye kya laoge?
· It seems you deliberately made this ....
· Don't lie....
· Why r u making such n?
· You seem to be making a lot of such programs..
· Answer me..Why?
· I want to go to my parents place..
· I want you to come and leave me..
· I don't want to come back..
· I will never come back....
· Why are u not stopping me....
· I don't understand what is this discovery chakker?
· You always do like this.....
· Last time also u did like this....
· Now a day's u always seem to do like this....
· I still don't understand what else is left to be discovered..

President Obama wins Noble Peace Prize

I am shocked, surprised and to some extent disillusioned by this decision.

I thought Noble Prize was a testimony to a culmination of the spectacular success achieved by path breaking efforts that has far reaching consequences. President Obama may have charted a path breaking course but it's too early to fructify. Isn't this decision a whole lot premature ? I am curious to see the responses from American public.

Another visit to Tehran

A sign of a man and woman in a bedroom is enough for Iranian TV censor authorities to fudge the pictures. During my three day stay in Tehran , I only had BBC, Rai- Italian and DW German TV channels but they all went kaput as soon as there was any mention of Iran Nuclear story or a sight of man and woman in privacy. Equally surprise for me to read negative media coverage about India in English newspapers that are nothing but reproduction of Govt bulletins and wired news from elsewhere. I guess Iran is now reacting to India's coming under pressure of USA to ditch their old trusted ally . Topics ranging from ‘India losing out oil field project to China’ to ‘State sponsored perpetration of religious minority in Gujarat’ to ‘ Use of Endosulphon on cotton pesticides in Kerala making it as another Bhopal’ conveyed the tone of Iran Govt. Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti celebration at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Tehran had no Iranian govt presence. Chief Guest was a Sudan ambassador.

Images of Iran from the recent post election turmoil were not so visible except discussion on the dinner table. Arrival at the airport was smooth this time. No more closed corridor flanked by card boards. I had thought this as a sign of secrecy but now realized that it must have been due to some construction work . Benefit of choosing a seat on the first row was immediate but short lived. I was the first one to secure visa form but the person at the bank counter had gone for early morning errand . By the time he arrived , net result was the same as that of previous visit - One-hour delay. Hotel Esteghal – formerly Hilton is very strict with check in time.(They blame it on their computer system). If check in is before 7am then full day is charged. Hoard of people who arrive by 5am have no choice but to sit in the lounge. Luckily they allow to have breakfast that starts at 6am. For me, this was the most relaxed one-hour b’fast. This hotel was hosting Iranian Film festival and barring a man on the table organizing batches, there was no cinematic presence or excitement. Next two days, I realized that I have no access to SMS but their business center had an access to the Internet. International Tel calls more often than not, did not go through or when they did, it would get disconnected in next few minutes. Esteghal hotel is lavish with paintings and carpet but at US$200 per day, it is no more than three star hotels elsewhere. It was my first time to try Thai, Italian cuisine in Iran but the taste of fresh raw pistachios is still lingering on my tongue. Peeling up the pink white skin that looks like a rose bud and opening up the soft seed housed under not so hardened cover was a delight to taste. Salad and Fruits in Iran are always juicy and sweet and are the best in the world. Impact of US sanction is visible in the horrible Traffic congestion in Iran. Despite with huge gas reserves, Iran spends US$ 6.5 billion on the import of fuel. They have no access of technology to tap this oil. To make common person happy, govt. gives petrol at 10 cents a liter making life on road choked with cars. However, good roads and no honking tendency make the life little more bearable than being on Mumbai or Cairo roads.

While driving from airport to the city, the sight of Khomeini mausoleum with its illuminating lights under the cover of darkness had always beckoned me. This time, I did venture inside its campus but was disappointed to see it during the daylight. Baring taking a photo with its backdrop, it did not evoke any interest to go inside. This must also be true with few other Iranian families who preferred to camp on the green lawns and have kebabs while making use of its facilities .

Traveling on Valiasr Street makes me conjure the images of Iranian lifestyle during Shah’s regime. This street built in Shah’s time was known as Pahlavi Street. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution the street's name was changed initially to Mossadeq Street (former prime minister Mohammad Mossadeq) and later to Valiasr (Shi'ite Imam). This tree-lined 20 km street in Tehran flanked by glass façade stores, restaurants similar to Champs Elysee's of Paris still exudes a western touch amidst Islamic aura. Tehran university is close by and also is the grand estate of Mohd Reza Shah Pahlevi. If Indira Gandhi’s home in New Delhi portrays simplicity and elegance , Shah’s palace displays the stamp of regalia and royalty. This Royal palace of Saadabad show cases Persian artistry surrounded by greenery. A two-story palace has looks similar to that of US white House .Most of the possessions were looted during revolution but whatever is left with expensive carpets, huge chandeliers and ancient artifacts does show the rich lifestyle. This is just one of the many palaces he owned in Iran and elsewhere in the world as well . Seeing an artifact of 200 AD era in the showcase of the palace , my Iranian woman colleague commented ‘This is so beautiful …..because it belongs to Pre-Islam era’. This summed up the exasperation of young Iranians about current Islamic governance. ‘We don’t want this gift’ was another instant response to the hoarding at the airport that said ‘Hijab is the greatest gift to the Iranian Woman’.

Last day, I finally managed to catch up my date with Chello Kebab. This time it was at Al Borz , a famous restaurant frequented by trendy Iranians. My interest in Persian words continues. Shina, my friend has compiled a list of Persian words that are common in India. I intend to update this list as I gather more such words.