Summer dress
Tote made to order for Vaishali Dighe
Tote made to order for Aditi
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Goldie & Vijender are growing...SRK is not...
An update on my second one....He is growing fast, so fast that we may have to change his house.
Hey I am talking about my goldfish. The bowl isn't big enough for him anymore. We are thinking of buying a tank so that we can get some friends for him. Strange..whether it is my daughter or the fish, I am worrying about getting playmates for them both. But the best update is that Bish (my husband) has also started talking to him. :) I found Bish apologising to Goldie for delaying his meal by a half hour.
...x............o...........................x..............................o...................................x.......................................o..................................................................................................................
Happy to know a celebrity put India's name on the map in a positive manner. Vijender Singh has become World no 2 in International Boxing 75kgs category. Congratulations to you Vijender. Way to go!!! Finally, we have a sportsman among us.
Meanwhile SRK created a ruckus about spending an hour aside at immigrations in US. I had been sent into a room the first time I traveled to UK. Because some idiot had not updated my health records. I had to prove I was healthy enough to enter UK. Fortunately, I had my X -Rays and med reports with me. Another Indian lady traveling alone had the misfortune to find out at the immigration counter, she had TB and was therefore to be stopped from entering UK. Wonder why no one told her before she left her country.
The UK guy looked badly overworked and ready to fuse. While traveling to US, we had a smooth transition. Should SRK have created such a ruckus? Considering the way celebrities (especially Americans) behave, I guess so. But I was really cheesed to see the Indian governtment and public crying foul, when hardly anyone said a word about Ex President APJ Kalam being frisked by an international airline. That is way beyond insulting.
I would love to hand over dear Mr Bush to the paan chewing paandus at Mumbai airport. Then maybe these Americans will learn to respect other people. They have their pride, these Americans, but it borders to insolence in most.
And we Indians can't ever get rid of white-skin worshipping, can we???
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Thursday, August 06, 2009
A Toast to my friends!!!
I have always felt blessed w.r.t my friends. They replaced my non-existent family, became my guardian angels, and helped me overcome some of my biggest troubles. Their friendship has stood the test of time, weathered the storms of life & is still going strong. I haven't met some of them in as much as a decade, but the connection is rock-solid.
These are the ladies & gentlemen to whom I owe my strength, life & sanity.
In no particular order:
1. Meenakshi Iyer (Mumbai) - We were competitors in college. She has come up with an Indian lawyerish drawl but still is a little girl at heart. Now a banker and a mom, she has her head firmly screwed on her shoulders. Need practical advice anyone?
2. Rohini Bangera (now Doshi, Mumbai) - Sweet & innocent!!! Now a harried housewife in a joint family, she talks straight to your face. Naive but incisive, she has been the most successful in keeping the romance in her life alive. She has wanted to kill me since college days. Lessons in love, perhaps???
At 21, Rohini & Meenakshi offered to put my life back on track, after my train derailed suddenly. And they did....
3. Meera Rajamani (now Sarma, Mumbai/Bangalore) - A surprising and a fierce ally, she has proved the mettle of her friendship is the finest. I have laid my heart bare in front of her, and she understood every single emotion. Without judgement, with honesty. Now a mother of 2 strapping boys, she can glance into your soul.
4. Sudha Devadiga (now Gandhi, Mumbai) - The best human being ever!!! Fortunate enough to know her since 6th form, my Noble prize for friendship & humanity goes to her. She is someone who will help you when you need it the most & then disappear. Quiet & gentle, she is a working woman & a mother. Everyone needs an angel like her in their lives.
5. Saurabh Gunderia (Mumbai) - He was in 6th form when I was in 10th. I used to knot his tie for him everyday, now I tie him a "Rakhi'. The only guy who succeeded in winning the position of "Brother", when my own died. Struggling with his own problems, he has never backed down. Supported me to the hilt and has done more than any blood relative could/would. Life's been dealing him bad eggs, but he is going strong. Way to go, bro!!!
6. Samit Kadakia (California, I think) - The man, the machine!!! He is so focused, he almost got tunnel vision. :) He is a shining example of how hard work & determination can get you places. An NRI, he probably saw me as a baby. We haven't really met as grownups, but he is a strong pillar in everyone's life. Always behind the scenes, sometimes I didn't even know that he had smoothed out my path. Married to a very very very nice lady, he has proved to be the strongest link in my life..Every gal needs a man like him in her life...
7. Shana Shah (London) - A grandmother!, she is Her Majesty's tax officer. She was a friend of a friend. We bonded one drunken night :) and that bond has stayed super strong. She has been an incredible support for her children & friends. I wish she had been my mother but I am thankful she is in my life. Heaven knows if we will ever meet again, but I know I will lobby with God to put me closer to her in my next life.
8. Sangita Tailor (Luton, UK) - My dad called her 'Shongitabehn'. She was the kindest person to me in a foreign land. In her, I found my other sibling. Like a true elder sister, she looked after me. Shopped for vegetables for me, clothes, gave me yummy ghar ka khana, took me out on family outings and generally guided me during my initial relation with my husband, Bish. And she is so funny!!! Always ready for a laugh, she made tedious work at ABB, Luton a joy. She was the only one who has cried on being separated from me. :) Loving & caring, that's who she is!!!
9. Jagruti Bahl (now Sarkar, Pune) - A very sweet Punjabi kudi. Her enthusiasm & zest for life rivals mine. We met in a park due to our daughters (both daughters are born a few days apart, and we share the same birth month).We were barely together for a few months, but she has forged a link of a lifetime. Ignoring her own pain, she runs to assuage others' pain. A heart of pure gold.
10. Prasad Manohar (Pune, US) & Vinod Chavara (Mumbai & God knows where) - Anyone who has worked in Choudhury International, knows these two names go together. I met them when I was at my lowest in life. Numb and dazed, I was hurtling through life, when these two individually gave me strength. They both somehow pulled me out of an abyss & got me going. Vinod had asked to be my brother, but I requested friendship. And he has been a rock-solid friendship. Have lost touch with Vinod, but I hope you know you made a big difference in my life. Prasad is desperate to get rid of me :), but I have my clutches on you my friend. Both sweet, caring and good boys, married to very sensible girls, I wish them the best in life..
Some other people who influenced, inspired, moved me or were simply there.
Priya Das (now Arun, Mumbai), Samiksha (Seth) n Sheetal Desai (Mumbai), Sheetal's mom, Mrs Desai, Cheryl Dias (Canada), Purvi Mehta (Mumbai), Aditi Chowdhury (US), Vaishali Dighe (US).
Thank you all for your incredible love and support. God bless you all!!!
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
We(e) women!!!
Caught an episode of Bhaskar Bharti on Sony. The one in which "Bharti" talks about the plight of women in India. It was good.
While the serial itself is a copy of Hollywood & an "inspired" Bollywood movie, at least its a step forward from the boring saas-bahu-jethani sagas. The men in the 'K serials' are basically 'katputlis' (puppets), maneouvored by their mothers, lovers, wife & sisters. Wish life was that easy!!!
The truth is no matter her education, race, religion or location, a woman has to compromise on most things...The most important reason is perhaps that she bears children. She is responsible for rearing them into, well..., good people. She has to give up on career, even hobbies, actually put her life on hold to look after her children. If not, who will teach the child values, manners, ethics, traditions. No amount of money can replace a mother. Motherhood is the essence of being a woman. It even made me a better cook. :)
Coming back to Bhaskar Bharti, "Bharti" says dont treat us like devis (idols, goddess), just treat us like humans. How appropriate!!! So many women in India are treated like cattle, or possesions, even objects. We aren't asked what we can do? We are asked what we can do for the man? We aren't judged by our character, always by our figures. So many women in India (where women are worshipped as devis) go through pain on a daily basis. Sometimes its a violent husband, or a neglectful child, a "sick" relative or a lecherous boss.
In a crowded city like Mumbai (considered among the safest city in India; because of its crowds, not law), a woman has to fight every single day against lechers, molesters and eve teasers. These days, even an infant isn't safe from psychos.
Earlier, we had some sense of respect, of family name, of "izzat". Marriages were arranged on the basis of family reputation (and ofcourse wealth). Now, even love marriages fail. Reason, we never know what the other person really is. Of course, this is true for both sexes; but where the injured party is a woman, she suffers the most.
Recently got back in touch with a friend who had had a love marriage, but went through a divorce. Happily remarried now, she says "I have become very depressed. No matter how much I try, I am unable to wipe out the pain". And she faces the constant pressure of being a 'divorcee'.
And heaven help you, if you don't have a child. Every Tom, Dick, Harry, Sally and their aunts make it their business to point out why you should have a child, and how its the right time etc. Factors like stress, career are considered excuses.
We Indian girls, tend to get married "into the family" versus "to a guy". I have heard countless tales of endless taunts, criticisms & negativity from in-laws. Always treated as the outsider. Why???
As a kid, when I lost my mother, I didn't really realise my loss. Somehow I had the impression that I will get motherly love from any number of women (courtesy Bollywood movies glorifying "Maa ka laad"). I had a bad emotional crash, when I realised no woman, absolutely no one had a heart big enough to treat me as a daughter. Not one!!! How to then expect being treated well as a daughter-in-law? And this is a universal experience!!!
Where have we lost the plot? More importantly, what can we do about this?
For one thing, unless we inject a massive dose of TLC, we as a species, are doomed. We need to get our balance right. Sons and daughters, men and women have to be treated the same and well. The onus lies on mothers. To teach our sons to respect women, and to teach our daughters self-confidence and self-reliance.
Teachers need to think of themselves as character-builders, not job holders. If each teacher teaches with genuine passion, the erst-while noble profession will regain its lost glory.
Lets give our and others' children our heart, our time and attention. Not just our money!!!
Maybe then, our next generation will get it right!!!
While the serial itself is a copy of Hollywood & an "inspired" Bollywood movie, at least its a step forward from the boring saas-bahu-jethani sagas. The men in the 'K serials' are basically 'katputlis' (puppets), maneouvored by their mothers, lovers, wife & sisters. Wish life was that easy!!!
The truth is no matter her education, race, religion or location, a woman has to compromise on most things...The most important reason is perhaps that she bears children. She is responsible for rearing them into, well..., good people. She has to give up on career, even hobbies, actually put her life on hold to look after her children. If not, who will teach the child values, manners, ethics, traditions. No amount of money can replace a mother. Motherhood is the essence of being a woman. It even made me a better cook. :)
Coming back to Bhaskar Bharti, "Bharti" says dont treat us like devis (idols, goddess), just treat us like humans. How appropriate!!! So many women in India are treated like cattle, or possesions, even objects. We aren't asked what we can do? We are asked what we can do for the man? We aren't judged by our character, always by our figures. So many women in India (where women are worshipped as devis) go through pain on a daily basis. Sometimes its a violent husband, or a neglectful child, a "sick" relative or a lecherous boss.
In a crowded city like Mumbai (considered among the safest city in India; because of its crowds, not law), a woman has to fight every single day against lechers, molesters and eve teasers. These days, even an infant isn't safe from psychos.
Earlier, we had some sense of respect, of family name, of "izzat". Marriages were arranged on the basis of family reputation (and ofcourse wealth). Now, even love marriages fail. Reason, we never know what the other person really is. Of course, this is true for both sexes; but where the injured party is a woman, she suffers the most.
Recently got back in touch with a friend who had had a love marriage, but went through a divorce. Happily remarried now, she says "I have become very depressed. No matter how much I try, I am unable to wipe out the pain". And she faces the constant pressure of being a 'divorcee'.
And heaven help you, if you don't have a child. Every Tom, Dick, Harry, Sally and their aunts make it their business to point out why you should have a child, and how its the right time etc. Factors like stress, career are considered excuses.
We Indian girls, tend to get married "into the family" versus "to a guy". I have heard countless tales of endless taunts, criticisms & negativity from in-laws. Always treated as the outsider. Why???
As a kid, when I lost my mother, I didn't really realise my loss. Somehow I had the impression that I will get motherly love from any number of women (courtesy Bollywood movies glorifying "Maa ka laad"). I had a bad emotional crash, when I realised no woman, absolutely no one had a heart big enough to treat me as a daughter. Not one!!! How to then expect being treated well as a daughter-in-law? And this is a universal experience!!!
Where have we lost the plot? More importantly, what can we do about this?
For one thing, unless we inject a massive dose of TLC, we as a species, are doomed. We need to get our balance right. Sons and daughters, men and women have to be treated the same and well. The onus lies on mothers. To teach our sons to respect women, and to teach our daughters self-confidence and self-reliance.
Teachers need to think of themselves as character-builders, not job holders. If each teacher teaches with genuine passion, the erst-while noble profession will regain its lost glory.
Lets give our and others' children our heart, our time and attention. Not just our money!!!
Maybe then, our next generation will get it right!!!
Monday, August 03, 2009
Love aaj kal!!! :(
Saw Love Aaj Kal..yuck..what a horrible movie...
Bollywood has completely run out of ideas and they can't even find proper movies to copy. I felt LAK was a rehash of Hum Tum, the difference being 2 love stories, kal (Rishi Kapoor & some new gal who doesn't say a word, and only has to look worried) and aaj (Saif n Deepika). In HumTum, gal's husband dies, while in LAK she divorces.
Its a receipe. Take 1 story from Hum Tum, add one more couple, with a little dash of KANK. Add a wedge of an item song and small clothes. You have instant Indian movie .
There is nothing positive to write about it at all. Nothing. Nada. Nyet. Why are we still copying movies? Am pretty sure the producer Saif pressurised to copy the script of his only solo hit.
Phew!!! Don't we have anything, absolutely anything to say about other subjects? I wanted to laugh when I heard Vipul Shah was planning to sue some Bong director for plaguerising from Namastey London. Only its too tragic. Chor kotwaal se zyaada taqatwaar hai.
Bollywood has completely run out of ideas and they can't even find proper movies to copy. I felt LAK was a rehash of Hum Tum, the difference being 2 love stories, kal (Rishi Kapoor & some new gal who doesn't say a word, and only has to look worried) and aaj (Saif n Deepika). In HumTum, gal's husband dies, while in LAK she divorces.
Its a receipe. Take 1 story from Hum Tum, add one more couple, with a little dash of KANK. Add a wedge of an item song and small clothes. You have instant Indian movie .
There is nothing positive to write about it at all. Nothing. Nada. Nyet. Why are we still copying movies? Am pretty sure the producer Saif pressurised to copy the script of his only solo hit.
Phew!!! Don't we have anything, absolutely anything to say about other subjects? I wanted to laugh when I heard Vipul Shah was planning to sue some Bong director for plaguerising from Namastey London. Only its too tragic. Chor kotwaal se zyaada taqatwaar hai.
Friday, July 31, 2009
What is the best invention of our times???
Moi says its the cell phone.
When Bish and I were dating, we were separated by a continent but connected with a single, palm sized device. Voila!!!! The cell phone.
It connects us to everyone, whether they are located in the desert or a jungle. Be it Bihar ke gaon ka gora ya london ki mem...They are all hooked to the mobile. During Bish & my time, we had to pay incoming call charges. We made Airtel what it is now ;) But the intense competition in the telecome sector has ensured high levels of service, accessibility and low prices per call. Even better, free incoming calls!!!
Bish thinks the best invention of our times is the GPS. You can never get lost...I beg to differ. The GPS is good for US and the UK. So far India hasn't even got its streets mapped. We have to rely on the local paanwallah for directions. I doubt the situation is different in say, Prague or Italy. They unfortunately dont even have the ubiquitous paanwallah. :))
What is the best invention of our times???
When Bish and I were dating, we were separated by a continent but connected with a single, palm sized device. Voila!!!! The cell phone.
It connects us to everyone, whether they are located in the desert or a jungle. Be it Bihar ke gaon ka gora ya london ki mem...They are all hooked to the mobile. During Bish & my time, we had to pay incoming call charges. We made Airtel what it is now ;) But the intense competition in the telecome sector has ensured high levels of service, accessibility and low prices per call. Even better, free incoming calls!!!
Bish thinks the best invention of our times is the GPS. You can never get lost...I beg to differ. The GPS is good for US and the UK. So far India hasn't even got its streets mapped. We have to rely on the local paanwallah for directions. I doubt the situation is different in say, Prague or Italy. They unfortunately dont even have the ubiquitous paanwallah. :))
What is the best invention of our times???
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
