NDK

New year .. new thoughts

2012-01-02T09:05:00.000Z

Been a long while since I wrote on my blog.. shows how 2011 has been for me.. a blur. A challenging year with its ups and downs (unfortunately more of those). But everything has a purpose and am a firm believer that every challenge sows a seed for something better in the future. And when I look at some of the worst things which have happened in this world.. the Japan earthquake where people have lost everything and most importantly their families.. then all my trials and tribulations seem so trivial. Great tragedies are indeed humbling for those who experience first hand.

Today I am not writing of the past though, as its a new year and a new start. Sitting at my desk to set new goals, new resolutions and a framework for a transformed life. Nearing 40 indeed makes you sit up and take stock of ones life and what you want to achieve or rather see yourself doing for the next half. But as I sat down at 7 am at my desk.. I suddenly heard a bird cooing in my backyard. And on a spur of the moment, dropped everything and went for a walk. It was wonderful to hear the birds chirping away in the trees.. today being a bank holiday in UK, there was no one on the roads, except me and the birds up in the trees.. they were as if welcoming the morning and me to a wonderful experience. How many years since I did that. Looking forward to doing this much more often in 2012. Breaking away from mundane.. and just living.

This brings me to the topic of personal transformation, a way to look at oneself, understand what one is best at and then decide the future course of action.. this is something which schools must teach students early in life but seldom do. Thats another topic though.

For a transformation to happen, there needs to be a framework. A framework which shows us what is most important in our lives to achieve and whether on every single day, are we working towards those goals which we set out. We have many concepts here - Goals, objectives, resolutions, vision, mission, priorities, etc. How are they interrelated. This is my endeavor to work out such a framework and having read many articles, I failed to get one which could be my blueprint. So sat down to evolve one for myself and readers of this blog are more than welcome to provide their thoughts and more importantly experiences. No gyan please.. we are not preachers, but friends who are open to share their experiences for a common good.

Organisations do come up with mission and vision statements and I feel it applies to individuals too. The first step of the framework is therefore to create this personal mission statement.. writing down maybe in a day or over a week, what is the core purpose of life. This in marathi is called Jeevanacha uddesh and to realise it is - shakshatkar. For example Sachin Tendulkar realised it quite early in his childhood that his purpose was to play cricket for India.. or Amir Khan to make meaningful cinema. When this purpose is very clear, such an enlightened individual is not after records or awards (you never see Amir at award ceremonies) or position in life. The only desire is to fulfill the mission in life. Every activity before it is undertaken is then questioned whether it is in line with this mission or a waste of time. But the personal mission needs to touch every 5 aspects of life.. physical (fitness), mental (career), heart (relationships - family and friends), spiritual (being one with God) and societal (ones contribution to immediate neighbourhood/ society).

Next comes the visioning part which defines the future state.. and for this one must be able to sit alone, away from daily busyness of life. Best time is early morning.. what in India is called the 1st prahar or 3.30 to 6.30 in the morning. This was shown very nicely in the movie Iqbal, where the deaf and mute boy dreams of playing for India.. he goes in his small hut, which has only photos of his heroes and closes his eyes and visualises bowling in front of the crowds. One thing which is very important to note here is.. this visualisation is of what one would love to do.. its not about what one would like to become. Theres a big difference. Many people keep thinking of becoming VP, CEO, Director or getting a specific salary or making x amount of money and bank balance. But such an endeavor is self-defeating as it leads to comparison with those who seem to be achieving these standards. This path is not the path of excellence.. the path which I am describing here is more of passion. To envision a life full of passion and doing something which creates joy.. another movie 'Zindagi Na milegi dubara' as well as 'Rock On' - singing and playing music in front of a mad screaming crowd.

To define a future state, one indeed needs to start at the present state of affairs.. example ones own skillset and what it should be in the future state. This provides one an opportunity to do gap analysis and forces one to think of what needs to be done to bridge that gap.

The 3rd step is to then decide on goals in life.. 10 things which you would love to accomplish before you die. Dasvedaniya.. These can be 5 year, 2 year or yearly goals. Example would be to run a 10 K in 50 min in 2012. Great the yearly goal in one aspect of life - physical fitness is now decided. It can now be broken up into short term objectives to make them tangible. Jan objective is to be able to run continuously for 15 min or run a mile in 10 mins and so on. This is the planning bit and being able to almost draw out a plan in excel or projects.. to achieve the ultimate goal in each aspect of life. You may ask, how can we plan when it comes to relationships - family and friends. The way I like to think is.. envisioning what my kid should be 5 years down the line.. in specific area/ domain.. lets say a sport - she reaches level 10 in swimming by 2017.

Next comes the weekly priorities and schedule. Taking the above example of my kid achieving excellence in her chosen field, I would need to be there with her when she is doing that.. and I mean completely. That needs to sit in my weekly schedule - on a Saturday and Sunday morning. Or if its to run the marathon.. 1 hour of running 4 times in the week. But during this time with the family or oneself.. one needs to be 'present'.. that is literally being in the 'present', being and experiencing completely.

But what about resolutions.. where do they sit. This brings me to 7 Habits.. Resolutions are behavioral changes one wants to see in oneself, which will drive change and achieve this years and lifetime goals, fulfill ones mission in life and realise that grand vision. Resolution starts with the statement.. I resolve to .. this is a promise to oneself to make that change. If we keep doing things in the same way as last year.. we will see the same results. But for a transformation to happen, one needs to resolve to do a particular activity in a different way. Sometimes a resolution may not achieve any stated goal.. example 'I resolve to spend most of my evenings playing with my kids' or 'I resolve to pray with devotion morning and evening'. But such resolutions indeed have an effect on breaking our samskaras or habits.

This brings me to the last but not the least.. Yoga. For a transformational change, its very important to have sthir buddhi and clarity of thought. To eliminate old samskaras which are the root cause of our misery, in my honest and humble opinion, there is no other way but the way of Yoga. For example to create the 100% focus and be in the present.. pranayama is the best technique to concentrate on the breathe and cleanse the body. Ultimately your focus decides your destiny.

So whats your Vision 2020?

I again welcome thoughts from my friends. Looking with renewed hope an eventful, challenging and fulfilling 2012.

India story at risk

2010-12-13T18:03:00.001Z

An interesting interview of Deepak Parekh: India story at risk

This is the other side of the India story.. compare that with the ease of setting up and running business in Sweden or Singapore. With so many scams happening, it will not be long when the world looks at better avenues for investment/ outsourcing. And when a guy of Deepak's stature speaks in such a way, its time people introspect and act.

Recently I was hosting a client dinner in London, and somehow the topic of terrorism came up as it was just after the anniversary of 26/11. And the client mentioned the fact that the Unilever board was caught in the Taj.. and I responded thats what our neighbour wants -- to stop western world investing in India out of fear. And he quickly responded.. "but see we are still outsourcing our Application support to you".

I was happy to hear that.. but I am not sure where the conversation will head, if its about the various scams.

Its probably easier to fight an enemy from outside.. but what about this enemy within.

Virtual Satsang

2010-02-11T20:28:00.002Z

World is made of so many different people, but if you can see the world in dimensions.. there is one dimension - 0.1% of people out there who have similar tastes as yours.. eventually you meet them as you do sitting together in a Sawai Gandharva .. or over the Internet discussing some abhangs.. not wanting anything from each other but to share the love of music.. is that not satsang!!

2010-02-11T11:29:00.000Z

Organisations and individuals have one big thing in common. There are always bigger organisations which are wanting to acquire niche players, who are best in a specific industry/ product/ solution. Organisations are always wanting to fulfil a gap in their own offerings and are ready to pay a good price, knowing well the ROI on that acquisition.
So every day one needs to ask oneself.. am I doing something unique, developing niche skills.. for which someone is ready to pay much more for the skills & experience 2-5 years down the line.

Emergency services

2010-01-26T21:43:00.000Z

7 am in the morning, I was outside Tottenham Court Road Underground.. making my way to the Belgium Visa centre in Soho square. Felt quite hungry due to freezing temperature.. and made a detour to the welcoming McDonald. Standing in the queque.. saw mostly workmen in their overhauls waiting to order their breakfasts. Suddenly a gentleman collapsed in front of me, he seemed to be having a fit.. and was shaking head to toe. My natural instinct was to offer help, a sip of water maybe. But one of the employees immediately called the manager who in turned called emergency services.. and while he attended to the customer, rest of us were told to resume ordering.
By the time I had finished my order.. and thats quick in McDonald, ambulance had already arrived and 2 paramedics took control of the situation.
I had heard of the excellent response time of emergency services here.. and many a times I have given way to an emergency vehicle as is the rule here. But todays first hand experience really was impressive.
And I thought, wish we had such good emergency services in India.. that would save so many precious lives. Many a times I have seen on Indian roads, that the ambulance keeps sounding the alarm and drivers on the road either ignore.. or reluctantly give way. There are some enterprising ones.. who stick to the emergency vehicle as a tail.. to go faster. Ridiculous.
Its time we realise it can be anyone of our near and dear ones who could be in an emergency and the vehicle has its right of way.. even more than the PM's or CM's cavalcade. Hope on India's republic day we take this resolution to try and save as many lives around us.. and not be mere bystanders like the Tamil Nadu ministers who let the poor policeman bleed to death.
Jai Hind!

Special Saturday afternoon with DRK

2010-01-06T10:12:00.000Z

I was thinking of some new resolutions for year 2010.. and while doing so Roma came running to share something...she had created a story book.. and I did not want to be disturbed as I wanted to focus on the job at hand. But suddenly I stopped and when I gave her my unwavering attention.. she was very happy.

And I suddenly realised.. that the most important things which I remember of my father.. was not him buying my first bike.. but the time he shared with me. We had a different kind of relationship.. we shared some common passions.. like listening to BBC radio and Iraq war late in the night.. radio had its own charm. And I and Baba used to try and tune in to the frequency.. and in my study (gallery as we used to call it) I would stick wires to make the signal stronger.

There are many more things like... I would never allow him to get the 'dalan' or wheat flour from the mill.. and if he went to get it while I was playing with my friends.. I would run to take it from his hand and take it up the 2 storeys. It gave me immense pleasure to see that smile on his face.. that he had a son he could depend upon.

Our relationship was so special (and is even special today) that when I wanted to first take a drag of cigarette, I actually spoke to him and requested him whether I could try and he said yes. My mother when she knew of this.. was very angry. But she never understood that Baba had in his own way told me.. "Son I know what your real character is. So go ahead try it once.. I am happy you asked me rather than hiding it from me".

But the most important aspect of our relationship was his keeping Saturday afternoons free to be with me. When I was studying in I.E.S. School in Dadar.. Baba used to come to pick me up from school after Saturday half day and we both used to go to Sterling or Regal cinema in town to see some English movie. He was then working as the Head of Industrial Relations and Factory manager for Sandoz India (now Novartis) and as such had weekends off. I remember the innumerable films which we saw together.. Guns of Navarone, Where Eagles Dare, The Shaolin temple.. he knew I liked war films and martial arts. He wanted me to join the army and fulfill his dream.. but fate had another role for me to play.

So coming back from my childhood.. if these are the things which I remember most of my father.. I would like Roma to remember similar things about me.. the special relationship which we have. I would not like her to grow up and ask where were you when I was growing up.. earning money, my promotions are all worthless for her.. The other day when I wore my suit to go for a meeting.. she immediately remarked 'Pappa you look so handsome and cool' and ran to kiss me. That was a special moment.

Therefore all new year resolutions aside... the one which I made as a promise to myself.. is to spend more of my non-working hours with my kid..quality time as Roops likes to call it.. to take her to some movie .. to spend the one hour watching her learn Bharatnatyam on Sunday morning.. and to go for my run some other time.. to tell her stories at bedtime and read book together, to know each of her friends and be part of her secrets.
I think when your child is really close to you is when he or she can whisper something in your ear and say its 'OUR' secret.

Song no. 11

2010-01-03T14:33:00.000Z

This one is my favourite (sung originally by another Kamat) which I like to sing for Rupali. Going forward I hope to list one song, and its special meaning to me, its lyrics and other details.

प्रथम तुज पाहता

प्रथम तुज पाहता,
जीव वेडावला, उचलुनी घेतले, नीज रथी मी तुला

स्पर्ष होता तुझा, विसरलो भान मी,
धुंद श्वासातला, प्राशिला गंध मी,
नयन का देहही, मिटूनी तू घेतला

जाग धुंदीतूनी, मजसी ये जेधवा,
कवळूनी तुजसी मी, चुंबीले तेधवा,
धावता रथ पथी, पळभरी थांबला

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjZ_9XD1njY&feature=related

गीत

संगीत

स्वर

चित्रपट

राग

Nike Gunghariya

2009-12-18T18:57:00.000Z

One of my favourite raagas has been Bilaskhani Todi.. I first fell in love with this raaga when I heard Pt. Satyasheel Deshpande sing this raaga in the song 'Jhoote Naina' along with Asha Bhosale in the film Lekin, composed by Pt. Hridayanath Mangeshkar.

Then one day I heard late Pt D V Paluskar singing 'Nike Ghunghariya' in the same raaga... this recording is of 1959. I found so much similarity in the gayaki of both Pt Paluskar and Pt Deshpande. Pt. D V Paluskar is one of the gems of India.. albeit hidden from the current generation.

Pt. Deshpande took this raaga to another plane in his album Kahen - 'Tanat Na Dhim'. His heavenly voice makes me just close my eyes and drift along the path of perfection, of nirvana.. where there is nothing but me and 'the voice'.. in the shunya... .

But does the mind, worldly desires.. allow onself to break the chains.. go on a path of the heart.. which has nothing for me, no money, no fame, but pure bliss.. singing for communion with the Lord. Conversations are so futile.. compared with a Classical song.

आवडीने भावे हरिनाम घेशी

2009-10-02T11:05:00.010+01:00

आवडीने भावे हरिनाम घेशी

तुझी चिंता त्यासी सर्व आहे, सर्व आहे||

नको खेद करू कोणत्या गोष्टीचा

पती लक्ष्मीचा जाण तसे, जाण तसे||

आवडीने भावे हरिनाम घेशी|

सकळ जीवांचा तू करीतो सांभाळ

तुज मोकळील ऐसे नाही, ऐसे नाही||

आवडीने भावे हरिनाम घेशी|

जैसी स्थिति आहे तैसा परी राहे

कौतुकु तू पाहे संचिताचे, संचिताचे||

आवडीने भावे हरिनाम घेशी|

एका जनार्धनी भोग प्रारब्धाचा

हरीकृपे त्याचा नाश आहे, नाश आहे||

आवडीने भावे हरिनाम घेशी

तुझी चिंता त्यासी सर्व आहे, सर्व आहे||

Shri Eknaath wrote this abhang more than 400 years ago.. but the deep meaning of this is sometimes understood when I feel depressed seeing the state of today's society. It has been one of my favourites abhangs and I am trying to find it online... in vain. Somehow started singing this since morning.. dont know why

Ye Dil Mange More

2009-07-26T21:22:00.005+01:00

These words said by Capt Vikram Batra, honoured with Param Vir Chakra (posthumously), in his last few days in the Kargil war, have inspired thousands of us.. and even today on the 10th anniversary, it speaks volumes of the bravery of our jawans, our real heroes.

When I see the likes of young men - Capt Batra, Manoj Pandey, Lt Saurabh Kalia and many more who laid down their lives to safeguard our nation, I become tearful and even sad thinking how their parents are coping up with the loss of their children. Only a parent knows how much trouble we take to raise our children, how much love we shower, how much we take pride in their first steps, their achievements... and one fine day the body comes back wrapped in the 'Tiranga'.

But while we salute our heroes.. I feel a sense of anger.. for whom did they lay down their lives? Just a few days ago Mulayam and Laloo in theatrical fashion raised concerns about their lives if NSG commandos are removed from their security. Who is going to try and attack them, they are the enemy inside, they are the people behind communal riots, corruption, atrocities towards the comman man.. with their demands, they show how insecure they are.. or how brazenly they want to protect their status. This same Mulayam when he was defence minister, used IAF plane 100 times to fly from Delhi to Lucknow.. not a single day did he visit the forward posts and check how the soldiers live in immense harships on the borders. But people have short memories.. these politicians (I cant call them leaders) get elected year after year.

In Lucknow, Mayawati is busy unveiling her statues in such a hurry as if there is a target to erect 1000 in the next 1 year, spending 100s of crores of taxpayers money, while in the same breath shamelessly going to central govt asking for assistance for the drought in UP. In Patna, police and people shamelessly enjoy watching a young woman being stripped in broad daylight... there are many such disgusting events happening across the country.

The corrupt goondas turned politicians dont deserve being protected by the elite NSG commandos, while aam admi gets slaughtered on the streets of Mumbai on 26/11 or thousands being blown to bits in the hundreds of bomb blasts which have rocked all major cities of India. And I know of a few who were in the Mumbai locals when these blasts happened.. one lost her face and the other could never reach home to treat his daughter to a party.

You get the government you deserve.. so true, with so many rapes of minor girls, brazen attacks on women in Mangalore.. the citizens are no worse. People have no value for others lives, the way they drive crazily on the roads.

So the question is why should our soldiers die for this nation which is falling in the abyss of corruption and disrespect of civil society. Its no wonder that the Indian army is facing a shortage of 12000+ officers. Its high time politicians understand that they cant keep playing with only money, power and people's lives. India's 4 wars with Pakistan happened because of the self-centered politicians not having time to think strategically, so engrossed they are in raising petty issues. Kargil happened because Indian politicians never had the same courage of Captain Batra to retort to Pakistan's policies of fostering terrorism. When the first bomb went off in Kashmir in 80s, the Indian response should have been ferocious.. so that the enemy thinks 100 times before they plan any other attack. Today US is not siding India.. because suddenly India has become a super power.. after 9/11, when they felt the same brunt of terrorism, its now in their interest to confine the terrorists to Pakistan, Afghanistan.. and India acts as a good counter balance. I remember in the 90s, Indian politicians/ diplomats used phrases like our neighbours should desist from creating trouble.. fearing to take name of Pakistan and Bangladesh. And even today when the ground reality hasnt changed, they are ready to start dialogue. But is that in our interest, it will be almost an year since 26/11 and we still keep making requests.. to get the perpetrators of the heinous crime, while these terrorists roam freely in Pakistan. Who are they fooling..

While we are proud of the ultimate sacrifices of our soldiers, I doubt whether the majority of us would be really proud of India. India's politicians, babus in government, police force, also sing the same mantra 'Ye Dil mange more'.. albeit for wine, women and wealth.

My favourite marathi songs.. the first 10

2009-07-19T18:49:00.010+01:00

After a hectic week and even more busy weekend.. after hazaar chores, the most beautiful time spent on a Sunday evening is sitting at my desk reading and listening to age old favourite Marathi songs. It takes me to a culture which flourished in the sixties to nineties.. Abhang, Natya sangeet.. a legacy left behind by the likes of Pula, Pt Vasantrao Deshpande, Pt Jitendra Abhisheki, Ramdas Kamat, Lata and many more.

Here I would like to share some of the songs which i have liked.. and somewhere I am sure it connects me to some of you at a deeper level. I always felt that I was connected to the total stranger sitting whole nights next to me during Sawai Gandharva.. the love of Hindustani Classical music and Marathi culture creates that unseen bond. Here I go..

Starting with some of the songs from my favourite singer Pt Jitendra Abhisheki

1. दिव्य स्वातंत्र्य रवि

2. घेई छंद मकरंद

3. हे बंध रेशमाचे

4. कैवल्याचा चांदण्याला

This song has been one of my favourites.. it wells up tears, the last stanza Pandurang Pandurang.. crys to the self to leave the worldly things and get lost in the Lords bhakti.

5. काटा रुते कुणाला

6. सर्वातामाका सर्वेश्वरा

7. सागरा प्राण तळमळला

Never has this song failed to make me weep.. weep at the sacrifice of leaders like Swatantrya Veer Sawarkar.. sad that the freedom fighters went through so much hardships, torture, sacrifice for the Matra bhoomi which is today. How will we ever pay back their sacrifice.. I feel their तळमळ to see that our land is free .. not from any foreign rulers.. but from the enemy within.

8. घनश्याम सुंदरा

I would love to wake up with this Bhoopali.. it takes me to villages of Maharashtra.. myself walking bare foot on the red mud, seeing birds fly away in the clear sky, villagers herding their cattle.. walking towards their fields.

9. शूर आम्ही सरदार

Proud to be part of the land of the Greatest Warrior of all, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

10. गगन सदन तेजोमय

Amazing the way Lataji has sung this.

To be continued..

Proud of Nandan

2009-07-11T14:44:00.000+01:00

Well I am not referring to self.. but the other Nandan, Nandan Nilekani. At the height of his career as the head of Infosys, India's second largest IT company, this gentleman leaves it all to give back to India and its people. I was never happy about Congress policies.. but hearing Dr Singh wanting more intellectuals like Nandan to join the government and bring about change.. it made me change my views.

Can NN make the difference and create India's equivalent of a SSN (US) or NI number (UK). will he be able to cut through the hazaar red-tape and corrupt officials to get the task done professionally and transperantly. Its a big risk more by the Congress govt than NN. Yes, you can say NN has by quitting Infosys and joining govt as a Cabinet minister actually raised Infy brand value. And knowing the high moral values advocated by Infosys, he would not be biased in awarding the multi-million contract to the organisation he founded. But if he is unable to progress on a massive IT and logistics project of creating a card for every Indian citizen..it will expose the inadequacies of the corrupt babudom that plagues govt administration.

I would go even one step further, link all bank accounts, credit cards, mobile phones to ISN (Indian Security number) or unique identifier.. in that way you get to know all financial transactions of film personalities, politicians, businessmen, cricketers, etc. Havala transactions can be then made extremely difficult.

Will the ISN as I call it.. weed out the lacs of Bangladeshis living in the country illegally.. or will it be as easy as getting the ration card by greasing a few palms. But the beginning itself is exciting and I wish to remain positive that a 'Few good men' maybe finally able to change India's destiny.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

2009-07-11T13:47:00.000+01:00

Saw this movie first time when I was doing my graduation.. saw it again a few weeks ago.. but did not find it as hilarious as the first time. Is life getting too serious.

Talking of automobiles.. it takes me back to India where there are too many autos on the road.. with too many people packed as sardines (once I counted 12 in Hyderabad while going to Hitech city in Hyderabad). And too many accidents starting with the one in which I and my father were involved travelling on my first day of 10th Std board exam. Fortunately we both escaped with minor injuries and I could give my exam. Or the one in which my father was caught under the overturned auto and spent the next 6 months limping. But there are few who are not so lucky on the Indian roads.. where no one can guess where someone will come in front or from the side. Too many accidents, chaotic traffic conditions, indisciplined drivers, even driving on the wrong side on National highways.. I just thought thats the way and if you have to survive, you need to anticipate others mistakes. But its not surprising to know the reason behind this.. I go back 10 years to 1999 when I first got my car license in Ghatkopar driving test centre. It was a rainy day in July and the fat inspector was so lazy, he just asked the driving school staff to bring all the applicants and asked their name and gave away the licenses. He and his superiors had already pocketed their share through the well oiled system.

So the first thing which struck me in UK was the disciplined traffic, where everyone drives in their own lane and change lanes/ direction only after indicating. I was amazed at the way everyone drove with similar discipline. I thought its because of being a first world country, people being educated, therefore everyone is considerate to the other driver, or cyclist and people crossing the road. It was not long before I realised that though these may be some of the reasons, the main one is the way driving tests are conducted in UK. There is first of all no scope for corruption, due to total transperancy in the way the test is conducted. Each driver is allowed 16 minor faults before he is failed, but even one serious or dangerous fault means failure. Considering my driving experience of 10 years, I was sure to pass the test the first time. I must have taken more than 2 months to go through 1000+ Q & A to pass the theory test, and even took 5 lessons for the practical. And the result, FAIL. I was shocked.. the inspector had given 3 minor and 1 serious fault as I indicated at the very last moment before exiting from a roundabout. I knew I had to unlearn my Indian way of driving.

I did many practice runs on roundabouts before the second test, which I cleared eventually. Thats when I realised how the test system puts everyone through the grind. And now when I take the car out everyday, its become second nature to give way when entering a main road, or MSM (Mirror-signal-manoeuvre) routine before changing lanes or entering motorway.

The best part of driving in UK is the country roads. I used to take 45 min to an hour driving every morning to my office from Wakad to Pune station, a distance of 16 km.. while here I travel through the A/B roads, the same distance in 20 min or take the motorway and travel at 70 mph to reach office without my blood boiling. The other day while returning home.. on the M4, I was listening to Sanjeev Abhyankar, passing an Edie Stobart long haul truck.. and suddenly it struck me.. that though in a foreign country my heart still belonged to what is good about India and secondly if only I could drive so hassle-free in India, lost in Raga Bhairav instead of cursing the nth driver cutting lanes, or trying to save the car from being dented by some auto..

Dr Manmohan Singh wants to invest heavily in infrastructure.. but wider roads dont mean lesser accidents. First the system has to change to educate people the essence of driving.. that you are not alone on the road and every life is precious. Hope to see that day when we Indians 'give way' to others on the road to safety (and probably prosperity).

The first 4 mile run

2009-03-12T13:14:00.001Z

Sunday's weekly run started from Chestnut Avenue and down the woods towards Bearwood Road. The initial stretch goes past some playgrounds and tennis courts, but as I progressed further the trail became narrow and surrounded by dense foliage. Scary if there were animals around so I quickened my pace to reach Bearwood road. But reaching it made me realise I was on to a state road with 50 mph restriction and no pathway. with cars wheezing past, evening time, with no reflector vest, I realised my mistake immediately. Being a single carriageway some of the cars had to stop to let cars coming from opposite to cross.
Relief now that I was on Sandy lane and again that seemed to end abruptly in another trail, but a family coming back from a playground directed me ahead to Barkham road. By now I had done 1.5 miles. Went slight downhill and back to tar road and onto Barkham road.
Barkham road had lot of traffic and due to repair work, even dusty. By the time I took left onto Woosehill lane, I had completed 2.5 miles and was going on a song. the first 1-2 miles are always the difficult.
But the next part up Meadow and Murray Road was a climb and slowed me down. My aim to complete in 36 min at 9 min pace was looking to be difficult. Reached Oxford road and now it was a smooth run onto Reading road, I was overtaking 15-20 cars standstill all waiting to get onto Reading road.
Once on Reading road, I looked at my watch and I had already crossed 30 min and legs were hurting due to running on the uneven pavement, kept pushing as I had to reach Morrisons on Woosehill. Met an old man on the way, who smiled in an appreciating manner and gave way on the narrow footpath. Made me rush to complete my first breaking the 4-mile barrier, time 37.18. Phew.. the sense of achievement is nothing compared to the loneliness of the long-distance runner.
My coach from Reading Roadrunners just finished two races, the Portland Bill coastal path half marathon in 2:56 and Bramley 20 mile in 3:18, all at the age of 70 plus.. it put my effort in perspective though.

Punha ekda Konkanachi vaat dharu

2009-03-12T11:44:00.001Z

The thought of writing a blog been there for last 1 year.. but today thanks to a friend I finally ventured to write one and kickstart writing on issues which are closest to my heart.

The first one I chose was on Konkan, maybhoomi. And the man who took me 1000s of km from my current location in UK to my native place in Konkan is none other than the famous Pu La Deshpande. It was late after dinner that self and wife sat down to listen to Pu La's Antu Barva and thats when Konkan flashed in front of our eyes and brought back memories... of some of my childhood days spent in my village, Aros, which is near Sawantwadi. One of the summer vacations I stayed there for a week and understood the way of the village man. Taking buffaloes to the river for their bath (and ablutions) was quite a task.. but enjoyable. Sitting at the family shop in the Aros bazaar, I came in close contact with the village folk.. I was introduced as the cousin from Mumbai. Some of them fondly recalled that I was son of 'Anna' Kamat as my father was known in the village which he left in the 1950s to settle in Mumbai.

There is an Antu Barva in many of these villagers.. who are quite poor, but have an opinion on anything and everything. When railway finally came to Konkan, Goa.. this man still remained away from it. It was constructed probably by Telugu labour force which moves around with their families. While our Antu sat down with his bidi (udhar chi) in the cool shade in the bazaar talking of what some person in Sawantwadi or Vengurla making money.

But the lack of industry has its own way of keeping Konkan beautiful. My bath used to be a wonderful experience.. standing under a coconut tree, taking hot water from the 'hundi' sitting on a fire.. to going and getting the cold water from the well nearby. Later half of the mornings was spend in constructing the 'gotha' for the buffaloes.. that time the house flooring was of 'shena' or cow dung. But it used to be so cool in the afternoon to sleep on such a floor. I still lament the fact that today tiles have replaced the 'shena'. there used to be a verandah with a stone seat.. i could sleep there and read my novels.. while the house dog would stay below always hungry for some tit bits from me. Or ready to go with me on a walk to the 'tali' or pond which was 300-400 m away up in the fields. Once I even went and had a bath there.. and I still remember the scent in the air and the cold water flowing down my body.

Konkan is because of its people who are satisfied in what they get rather than join the rat race of big cities like Mumbai. Today if one of my uncles would not have made a choice to remain back in the village I would never have had such beautiful memories..

So next time I go, it will not be a flying visit but to stay for a week and let my daughter also experience Konkan as it needs to be experienced.. 'nivant' and preserve beautiful memories of the Kamat household and be called the grand-daguhter of Anna Kamat.