Ranichi bag

Amherstia Nobilis
Marathi name- Urvashi.the most beautiful flower of the world.It is at the entrance of garden.

Mokshda mavshi was explaining with full of joy and enthusiasm

Mesua Ferrea new leaves

Sterculia Urens Tree,Ghost tree

Sita ashok tree

Ironwood tree

Rat killer

Gulmohur tree

Cannonball tree, kailaspati

Brownea

Bottle brush tree

Baobab tree

banayan tree

bamboo tree

nagkesher planted last year

Hello friends
Last Sunday was very joyful,all we had enjoyed our morning in "Ranichi Bag" with Mokshda Mavshi and Sudhanshu Kaka .They gave us very important information about so many trees,flowers,leaves. That day I snapped some photos.One photo is of "Baobab". When we entered the garden there are two baobab trees to welcome us . They are also know as water tank and are mostly found in Africa .The tree is also know as the life tree with good reason .It is capable for providing shelter, food and give water to animals and human inhabitants of Africa savannah region.My sister collected the different types of flowers,seed.After coming home I showed the collection to my building friends. They were curies about the names of the flowers and trees.I gave the information to them as possible .Last year Ishwari collected the seeds of Nagkesher after that we sow it in the pot.Now we have the plant in our garden.Special thanks to kaka & mavshi for making our mind to take interest in trees ,flowers.

PLANTS ON THE TERRACE.

Hello everybody!!!

Here are few of the pictures of our small garden on the terrace. Hope you all enjoy them.

Flower plants in waste thermacol.

Farm fresh vegetables. I have prepared 'Bharali Vangi'.

Brahmi & Pudina bed again in the waste thermacol.

Do you see an Angel in the flower?

AT EASE at TAJ

I, once had been to Taj with Aai and Baba in Oct 2011. But the visit was only Baba's Official work;his bosses from US had arrived and had a will to go to Taj, hence we were only accompanying them.At that point we only saw the rest of the hotel, but not the Sea Lounge.

When Aaji decided the dates for going to Taj(children's),I felt bad as couldn't join the group because of my educational school trip to Dholavira,which is in Kachchh;Gujarat.But Aaji Later told me that I could accompany the Babas when they are going.So I was very happy on hearing this,but primarily I was excited about 2 things:

1st thing,Lataaji explained that the Pianists playing the piano at Taj were present during the 26/11 which took place. By God's grace they were saved,and till date they both are still playing joyfully there.So as a Token of gratitude Aaji suggested to make a small momento for them.Hence I thought that for a pianist his whole life revolves around a piano therefore why not gift them a small origami piano itself.

Second Important thing was that a long awaited member of our Shibir was going to join us back;Karan Thakur was coming with us to Taj.It was a pleasure to see, talk and spend time with him.







As we Entered Taj,we were dazzled by the beauty of the restaurant Sea Lounge. 4-5 long stretched windows revealing the seaface to our gazes. The same seaface which we do not even heed otherwise,was looking like something special and rather beautiful through that window. A soft melody from the magical piano put us to ease in the cozy chairs. After all of this amusement we atlast turned towards the main attraction; the starters and desserts of course.I wouldn't really write much about the food as it is difficult to describe in words; it was so delicious.
Finally , we went and presented the Piano and some origami flowers (which Sudhansu kaka had made) to the Manager and the Pianist present there. I could very well observe how happy and joyful they were. Those big smiles on their faces brought a expression of ecstasy to all of us. And thus storing a few new memories of shibir in our memory banks , we took a leave.

Cooking for the domestic help.

Dear All,
As an expression of gratitude towards our maids and other helpers like security guards, Lata Aji had asked us to specially cook for them. Initially I was wondering as to what difference it would make since the maids normally have their lunch at our place, we also give the food for their family members. But then I realised, never ever have I cooked for them.
We decided to cook for them yesterday. After discussion, we decided to cook Chicken Masala, Pudina Rice and Kheer (in coconut milk).
With help from Saniya and Milind the food was cooked and packed in steel dabbas (because they normally carry the leftover food in plastic containers), before 11am i.e. well before the maids came. We also washed most of the utensils so there was nothing left for them to wash.
I don’t think I will ever forget the expression on the faces of both the ladies when they realised that the food was specially cooked for them and their families, without their help and more so as it was a token of gratitude.

Speaking about the maids, I would like to share one more experience.
One of our maids is very actively involved with a political party. As it is she is very irregular, you can imagine what happens when elections are on hand. I have experienced this many times and was sure same thing would be repeated during the BMC elections.
But to my utter surprise this time, though we had to adjust a lot to her changed schedules, she managed her campaigning and work so well that there was no place to complain.
Normally, this aspect would have been discussed amongst ourselves in the family. This time, the day after the elections got over, I appreciated her skillful time management and told her that she had left no place to complain. I could read the satisfaction on her face. Needless to say, that gave immense satisfaction to me too.

Unique National Anthem

Dear Friends,
I came across an unique national anthem. A very moving and great new version of our National Anthem, ......do take a look ....saw it last night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0Eb0ch4CU0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Anand Naik

Taj - Sea Lounge

Dear All,
While there are few posts on the blog, my experience in Sea lounge was different. I was very happy to see few baba's at the lounge. The environment was quite relaxing and we spent few hours living in some old times and remembrance of sweet memories of shibir. Om, Karan, Neil, Ishan, Soham and Sanket were also enjoying the every moment of time at lounge. Om had prepared a model of Piano which he presented to the Pianist. I was particularly impressed with this ART and it represented the appreciation to an artist which was of highest order.
Om’s piano model was really EXCELLENT. If Om has picture of this model – requesting him to post the same on Chequebook. The greeter at lounge was also presented few origami flowers in appreciation of their hospitality extended to the guests.
I could see immense satisfaction on their faces, which is hard to capture in words.

It also gives me lot of pleasure in thanking OM for this act and sensitivity.

Anand Naik

The Performance

23.02.2012

Hi Friends,

I would like to share last week’s one incidence with all of you.

We were attending Keep alive’s program which was dedicated to late, our Chocolate Hero Dev Anand on 18th February. After about one hour, Mr. Manohar Iyer (Compere of the program) announced that next two songs will be delivered by new singer. We all were wondering who will be the new singer. Mr. Iyer had informed that she is not from India. Hence we were wondering how will be her voice and is she going to sing some non-Hindi songs which Dev Anand was associated with (I was not aware of any non-Hindi songs which are associated with Dev Anand but we always get new information from Mr Iyer) and hence not only me but entire audience was looking forward to hear next two songs.

The new singer was Adina from Romania. She sang Hindi song and that to from golden era. Her voice was superb and pronunciation of Hindi was very clear ( No English accent ! ) She had rehearsed both songs as any way she could not have kept any papers in front of her. I forgot to mention that she was blind.

What a touching experience it was!! The first song was fast number from the movie Taxi Driver and she was singing with the same enthusiasm as of heroine of Taxi Driver. Even after wearing saree, she was almost dancing. If anyone would have closed their eyes and listened to the song, they would have never realised that the song is being performed by the Romanian girl.

God forgot to give her eyes like us, but God has given Adina wide vision. I started thinking how difficult it would have been for her to learn these songs.

Mr. Iyer mentioned that her father is rock Band Singer in Romania and Adina started liking Hindi songs right in the early age. As she was from communist country, radio channel - broadcasting Hindi songs was not easily accessible. Hence with the help of homemade antennas, she could listen to All India radio and her interest for Hindi songs was further developed.

How could she remember so much Hindi words ? How can she sing a song in a same tone which was sung almost fifty years back. How music would have helped her to forget what she does not have and spread joy with what she has. Everything was amazing. When she finished her first song, audience stood up and gave her big clap of applause. Really, that time my eyes were full of tears.

She came to India for three programmes of Keep Alive and on the same day after her performance Adina left for her mother country.

Priyanka Navare

P.S.-- If you wish to listen to this Adina, you go to www.youtube.com and search for Adina from Romania

21.02.2012

Dear Children and Parents,

Hi!, How did you like my poem on soup? These days I am forced to reduce pace of my life and to be honest I quite enjoy it. Now I get lot of time for myself and I do spend it lavishly. Most of it I spend with Ananya learning realities of life from her, quite anew. Then I read a lot and the rest of the time I spend happily ruminating my past 15-16 years of Anandmeva Shibir. That gives me immense satisfaction and a sense of fulfilment. You people are wonderful.

This soup thing was a result of all that. Over last 30 years time and again I kept very indifferent health which did pose a big hurdle in my way. But it did so many good things too. I became more aware of life, its realities and purpose. I also developed a special eye to read the altered responses of my body, especially my sensory organs during illness.

Due to illness and medicines I often would lose taste in my mouth and not eat much. Everyone would blame my low intake for my weakness. However I experienced a totally different reality. The breathlessness of asthama did make me feel physically exhausted, but mentally I became rejuvenated during each episode of illness. How did it happen? I gave it a serious thought.

I gradually realised that though I did lose appetite for food, my other sensory organs used to become extra sensitive during illness. They rather used to get extra hungry. My body appreciated a pat on my back or a hug much more eagerly. My ears heard music better. My nose longed for mild floral fragrances. My eyes admired the beauty of life pulsating all around me with extra vigour. The children around me always gave extra zest and zeal to my living and my being.

I got ample time to analyse this. Gradually I learnt that the main seat of fire in our body is supposed to be in our stomach. Our prayer at meal time “ Aham vaishwanaro Bhootwa “ from ‘Gita’ narrates it beautifully. However like there is fire in our stomach, there is fire – a slow combustion – going on in each and every cell of our body. When main fire place in stomach was going slow due to illness, the other small fire places took over and as a result I became extra sensitive to sip the life all around and that rejuvenated me immensely in each episode of my illness.

When this wisdom dawned upon me, I bowed down to my body’s wisdom. This revelation literally changed me overnight. I became more compassionate towards sick and ailing people. I took extra efforts to comfort my patients. I made it a point to visit or atleast enquire about the illness of my near and dear ones more compassionately. Instead of just verbally enquiring about them I tried different ways to convey to them that ‘I CARE’. This also conveyed to them that ‘I LOVE’. This habit helped me more than it helped them. I almost developed an extra eye for pain and sorrow and also developed a healing touch to some extent.
A friend of mine fell sick and lost his appetite. I sent him his favourite soup along with this poem. The poem probably helped him happily ruminate about all the good things he had done to others as a doctor and also as a man in the past.
He thoroughly enjoyed the soup. I knew it was the poem that added an extra rejuvenating flavour to his bowl of soup. That gave him the feeling of satiety.

From Lata aji

A New Hobby

Hey, do all you teenagers remember that lata aaji gifted each of us a Rubik's cube a few months back??

Well, I JUST SOLVED MINE FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!

I took the help of a certain video from YouTube. Me and Baba have been trying for a few days, and today, finally, I cracked it. There is so much help available online. Its pretty cool. This video guides one through the steps. It feels so awesome. I need loads more practice, it took me about half an hour to solve this one. But now I know what to do, and, best of all, I got myself a new hobby.

Thanks, Lata aaji, and, of course, Amod for inspiring me. Everyone, do it!!

Now I'm off to practice more.

Saniya.

Chapter 2:At Taj

On 31/1/2010, Soham's birthday, Jayant and I planned a pleasant, memorable evening at Taj for our family.Our family of five members(including Aaji), my parents and of course Ankit's family of four(including Paresh's mother) went for a stroll at The Gateway of India.When it was dinner time, we casually remarked, "Let's eat at Taj."Nobody took us seriously and they laughed.But when we entered Taj, Mohit and Soham said, "Let's just look around this beautiful place and walk out.Don't spend on food it will cost you a bomb."

Here I must tell you that we had no idea whatsoever as to the expenses that we would incur today.We had stuffed our pockets and purses and carried our credit cards too.A personal communication from Gargi and Dynanesh; on 12/2/2012 as to how the two of them spent a beautiful evening at the sea lounge in 1993 just spending under 200 rupees; made us laugh at our ignorance.

As we reached the Masala Kraft restaurant we were greeted by the staff who led us to a table reserved for us by our nephew, Tanmay Tandel who was on his post degree training in hospitality at the Taj.We had discussed our intentions for that evening with him.Since he was off duty then, one of his batchmates personally attended us.She was a cute little girl who helped us through selecting and ordering the menu and personally supervised till we finished our dinner.Then came in some nice desserts for children and a beautifully decorated chocolate cake with HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOHAM written on it.We were told that this cake was on the house as a birthday gift.

All through this evening the staff and Tanmay's friend constantly tried to make us comfortable in these surroundings.We were happy that we had surprised our family members and children.So we turned and asked for the dues."What dues?It's already settled", said the floor manager.When I called up Tanmay the mistery was revealed.HE PAID IT ALL!!!

A surprise for the surprise givers!!!

-Suchitra

Hello,

Let me share with you my first experience at Taj Mumbai.In 1986 my younger sister, Swati, ranked 10th in SSC board exams.A felicitation was arranged for all merit rankers at the Taj by Raja Rani Travels.I was amongst the four family members who were allowed to accompany Swati.In our childhood days, eating out in restaurants was a rare occasion.Visiting a five star venue, like the Taj was not even dreamt of.I was a little hesitant to enter the Taj as I felt out of place.I was contemplating about the ettiquets and mannerisms to be adhered at such a place.

To my pleasant surprise and a great relief, the staff at the Taj reception showed courtesy and welcomed us.It was a sign that all guests were accepted and respected irrespective of their age or social stature.The grandeur of Taj was unmistakable.All the exhibited articles, masterpieces of well-known painters, neatly done spic and span interiors and the flower arrangements at every nook and corner.Expensive silverware, gold and diamond jewellery shops shared the floor with traditional Indian clothing and art shops.I was in a different world all together.These memories have not gathered dust even after 25years.

-Suchitra

Memorable High Tea

On last Sunday I got an golden opportunity to visit world famous Tajmahal hotel for High Tea in their Sea Launge restaurant. I was looking forward for the same since Lataajit told us about the same . Hence I was very happy right from Sunday morning , as the day had come which I was eagerly waiting for!! Before departing for High Tea, Lataaji had explained us the concept of High Tea, as well as what we to look for, right after entering Taj. The entrance of Taj was huge. The amazing and beautiful floral arrangements, ethnic furniture, large chandeliers made me feel of entering palace. The photoframes of our well known politicians, dignitaries, players, actors, and also masteries were displayed in the lobby towards sea-launge. While walking towards sea-launge , I saw shops of international brands.

What a grand entrance to restaurant! A huge long staircase with a beautiful as well as colourful carpet led me to sea launge restaurant and I experienced what a red carpet welcome is! The restaurant’s atmosphere was filled in with euphony of piano. The hostess made all of us comfortable. She was so kind to have everyone’s sitting in such a way so that all can enjoy the direct view of Arabian Sea. The restaurant was lighten up with deemed lights. The corners were placed with variety of lamp shades with wooden carved stands. Walls were decorated with wooden carved show-pieces. The wooden carved statues playing Sarangi was perfect match to live piano. Another interesting thing I would like to share is the photoframes hanged on walls were so big, but the pictures or drawings mounted inside it were comparatively small. But still pictures look prominent. The same way we felt importance even in such big restaurant.

Now, the most interesting part that is the food section. Lataaji had already suggested us to try something new which normally we have not tasted. The same thing was also recommended by the manager of the restaurant. When steward placed three tier high tea stand on our table, we could see that it contained cold sandwiches with salmon, Turkey Quiches, Scones and some variety of vegetable food. I really enjoyed these food stuff a lot even though I tasted it for the first time. I also liked dimsums and golden prawns. In desserts I enjoyed eating swiss role, lemongrass brulee, lemon bavarois (as I like tangy taste more). Lataaji’s briefing and advice from the staff of restaurant - both helped us a lot in choosing items from a variety of food which was available. I had never seen so much variety of tea and coffee beans. The manager as well as other staff explained us about the ingredients of the food stuff.

The staff of restaurant was surprised when we gave them origami Flowers and pineapple made by Shubham as well as Thank U card drawn by Shivani on behalf of all of us.

Really this was the one of most memorable evening I had and I am sure this is more or less same for all my friends present at tea party. It was high time to say good bye to restaurant staff and I said to myself “Wah Taj”!!!!

Priyanka Navare

.. आणि वास्तवातली मृगया!‘

This is a letter which appeared in Lokrang on 12th Feb.2012. Lata Aji thought we all should read it. So Iam posting the same.

.. आणि वास्तवातली मृगया!‘लोकरंग’ ८ जानेवारीच्या अंकात आलेली ‘आर्त प्रेमाची गोष्ट’ ही ‘बालमैफल’मधील आदिवासी लोककथा वाचनात आली आणि ४०-४५ वर्षांपूर्वी प्रत्यक्षात घडलेली एक घटना डोळ्यांपुढून सरकून गेली.फलटणच्या दक्षिणेला गिरवी हे माझे सासरगाव. सासरघरी पाहुणे आले की हमखास त्यांना शिकारीला न्यायचा बेत आखला जाई. असाच एकदा मी गिरवीला गेलो होतो. दुसऱ्या दिवशी रीतीप्रमाणे मला शिकार पाहायला नेण्यात आलं. एका पठारावर हरणाच्या नर-मादीची जोडी अगदी रंगात आली होती. शिकारी आल्याचे त्यांना भानच नव्हते. शिकाऱ्याने त्यांच्यावर बंदुकीचा नेम धरला असता माझे मेव्हणे म्हणाले, ‘अरे, मारू नकास त्यांना. हरणाची जोडी फोडून पाप करू नकोस.’ पण तेवढय़ात शिकाऱ्याकडून गोळी सुटली अन् नर खाली पडला. हात-पाय झाडू लागला. या अकस्मात आघातानं घाबरलेली त्याची मादी त्याला चाटून उठवायला बघत होती. पण तो गतप्राण झाला होता.थोडय़ा वेळानं रामोशांनी नराचे पुढचे दोन आणि मागचे दोन पाय बांधून आणि त्यात भाल्याची काठी घालून मृत नराला उचलून खांद्यावर घेतलं आणि ते गावाकडे निघाले तरी मादी त्याला चाटतच होती. ओढा ओलांडला तरी मादी माघारी जाईना. गावाजवळचा ओढा आला तसे रामोशाने मादीला कानाला धरून ओढत लांब नेऊन सोडलं. पण तरीही लगेचच झेपा घेत मादी पुन्हा नराजवळ आली आणि त्याला चाटू लागली. सगळेजण गावात शिरले, तेव्हा गावातली तीन-चार कुत्री भुंकत आली. मग मात्र हरणाची मादी पळून गेली. कुत्र्यांनी तिचा पाठलाग केला. पण हरणाचा वेग कुत्र्यांच्या चौपट! मादी जंगलाच्या दिशेनं गायब झाली.दुसऱ्या दिवशी मी म्हसवडला- माझ्या गावी निघालो. शाळेजवळ आलो. पाहतो तर तिथे तीच हरणाची मादी पळत आली अन् शाळकरी मुलांच्यात पाळलेल्या कुत्र्यासारखी बागडू लागली. मुलांनाही गंमत वाटली. ती तिला गोंजारू लागली. मादी मुलांच्या अंगाला डोके घासून गावाकडे बघे. घंटा झाली, मुले गेली, आणि मादी जानाई देवीच्या देवळामागे उंचवटय़ावर जाऊन बसली. माझे मेव्हणे सोबत होते. ते मला म्हणाले, ‘मादी काय म्हणतेय कळलं का? मी म्हणालो, ‘नाही.’ तेव्हा ते म्हणाले, ‘मादी मुलांच्यात बागडत नाहीए, तर त्यांच्या अंगाला डोके घासून गावाकडे बघतेय. ती सांगतेय की, माझा जोडीदार गावात आहे, त्याला सांगा- मी आले आहे. पण मुलांना हे कसं कळणार?’महिनाभराने मी पुन्हा गिरवीला आलो. मी आणि मेव्हणे गावाकडे निघालो. शाळेजवळ आलो तर हरणाची मादी मुलांमध्ये बागडत होती. घंटा झाली. मुले शाळेत गेली. मादी ठरावीक उंचवटय़ावर जाऊन बसली. आम्ही दोघं गावात आलो. नराचे कातडे हळद-मीठ लावून वाळवायला एका माणसाकडे दिले होते. त्याच्याकडे गेलो. त्याने कातडे वाळवून ठेवले होते. ते मेव्हण्यांनी आणायला सांगितले. वर्तमानपत्राच्या कागदात गुंडाळून एका पोत्यात घालून ते आम्ही सोबत घेतले आणि पुन्हा शाळेकडे आलो. मादी देवळामागे उंचवटय़ावर बसली होती, तिथे गेलो. मेव्हण्यांनी कातडे बाहेर काढले. तर मादी लगेचच जवळ आली आणि कातडे हुंगून चाटू लागली. मेव्हण्यांनी ते कातडे जमिनीवर टाकले. तेव्हा केसांची बाजू वर करून मादी ते कातडे चाटू लागली. मग मागे वळून आपलं पोट चाटायची. आणि पुन्हा डावीकडे वळून कातडं चाटायची. असा अर्धा-पाऊण तास झाला. मेव्हणे मला म्हणाले, ‘कळलं का, ती काय सांगतेय? ती नराला सांगतेय- तू गेलास, पण तुझं बाळ माझ्या पोटात वाढतंय. मी तुला विसरले नाही आणि विसरणारही नाही.’दोन-तीन दिवस माझे मेव्हणे ते कातडं घेऊन शाळेजवळ जायचे. मादी अर्धा-पाऊण तास कातडं आणि स्वत:चं पोट आळीपाळीने चाटायची. मात्र, तीन-चार दिवसांनी ती मादी तिथं यायची बंद झाली. मेव्हणे म्हणाले, ‘तिला आता कळलंय, की आपला नर आता जिवंत नाही.’ त्यानंतर मादी पुन्हा म्हणून गावाकडे फिरकली नाही. या घटनेचा परिणाम असा झाला की, माझ्या मेव्हण्यांनी पुन्हा म्हणून बंदूक हातात घेतली नाही. आणि मीही मांस खाणे कायमचे सोडून दिले.- बाबुराव माने, म्हसवड.

Who am I?

There are many questions which come in mind,

Who,When and why?

but the question whose answer I seek is

Who am I?

Am I the person who must

just take birth,live and die?

Or a person who is so emotionless to shed a tear,

Let alone cry?

Am I the person who will steal money,

diamonds and treasures?

Am I the person who does not have place for happiness,

Just room for pleasures?

Am I selfish or selfless

Or something in between?

Am I a generous person,

Or am I just mean?

Still there may be questions,

How,When and Why?

Am I good?Am I bad,

I don't know who am I?

Letter from Lata Aaji

10.02.2012
Dear Children and Parents,
I was planning for Ananya’s birthday. Most important thing on the agenda was to decide what bye bye gift I could give to her friends in the shibir.
It had to be a thing that Ananya loves to use. Equally important was the fact that every single child should also find it worth having and should be able to use it often. Several things were considered but I could not choose a common thing that every child in shibir would find interesting.
Last week a friend of mine fell sick and lost his appetite completely. He could not eat anything and became very weak. He needed to eat well and get well soon. I made a soup for him and sent.
I used my secret recipe of soup. A soup of potato, tomato, and onion. I also put my secret ingredient in it. You know what? Yes! Love!
And something great happened. He simply wallopped it. He felt happy, full and satisfied. He immediately phoned me up to say so and requested for some other soup with same secret ingredient for his dinner the next day.
I got my answer. I bought lovely soup bowls for children. I decided to make soup for them. The children will now come on Sunday and have the soup in their own colourful bowl with equally pretty spoon. And while going home they will take it with them as a bye bye gift.
I sent the soup to my friend along with this simple poem on his get well card.
Please have this soup.
It is made for you only.
The first sip will tell you now
“You have a lovely appetite”.

The appetite with which you were listening
To my story of children
Enjoying their high tea at ‘Taj’.

The next sip will convey to you
That you can digest so well,
The way you digested the joy of those children
Awed and excited simply the grandeur of
‘Taj’ and of course that of ‘Tatas’.

One more sip has gone in now,
Into your system.
A further grandeur is floating
Before your eyes.
The seeds that had floundered
From your sowing hands all along
Have thrived beautifully
Into a blooming dale.
From Lataaji.

After returning from TAJ on 22^nd January, I was so thrilled and happy that I narrated the whole event to Shubham and my parents.

The big carpeted staircase, the dome, the food……..

The food, deserts were not only good to taste, but so wonderfully presented, that one won’t feel like eating and spoiling its beauty. The staff members who attended us were so sweet and spoke very politely that I actually realized that how I should present myself with others.

The corridor was so huge, and spacious that I just felt like I was in a movie and not in the real world. The view we saw from the side window was same as which one could see from The Gate Way of India, but I felt it was different because my mind was at peace; I was feeling relaxed and fresh.

As I was talking about all this I noticed that Shubham was upset as he couldn’t come with all of us. I also felt bad for him as he also would have enjoyed with us.

Later when it was decided that even parents can go to TAJ, Shubham was once again upset as he would not experience the same as all 3 of us would experience. But there was a surprise for him; Baby Ananya had sent a invitation card inviting him to TAJ on 12^th Feb along with all mothers. As soon as he returned from the school he opened the card with curiosity. He was so happy that he started jumping with excitement. I was waiting for this moment with the camera. I captured his gestures and excitements. He said he was happy as Ananya had invited him and will be doing something that all of us will be able to share.

dhobighat

Few impressions about Dhobighat & Lata Aaji's thoughts about it.

Dhobighat essentially depicts 3 classes. Shaya is a rich upper-class girl facing no big problems. Lady in Video is in higher middle class & Dhobi is lower / working class. Per se, all three are not bad. As a class, we can identify with lady in video ie higher middle class.

Shaya's approach towards life is casual. Lady can not come to the terms with loneliness one feels because of circumstances especially faced by most of us living in a city like Mumbai. Poor dhobi is struggling with day-to-day life & being exploited. Fourth character ie Artist belongs to different world as most creative fellows are. He starts viewing video's just as a curiosity. Towards the end, it hits him emotionally which reflects in his painting.

Before screening the film, Lata Aaji talked about the film & reality facing us. Her observations are something like this.

Globalization has impacted different cultures adversely. Everything has become commodity with a price tag. Value system has eroded. Subconsciously, American culture is a role model. Pace of day to day life has become so fast, hectic & uncertain that nobody is at peace. We are in the world, where except for our immediate family, we are not bothered about anybody. When going is good, we tends to feel that its because of our ability or intellect. But when calamity falls on you, you have nobody to take advise or calm you & you are shattered.

She pointed that to keep afloat in this situation emotionally, you should have strong communication/bonding with like-minded group ie whole Anandmeva shibir group. Secondly you should have compassion towards working class lower income strata of the society & it should be reflected in your own deeds. Lastly, you should be grateful towards the world.

Coincidentally on same day morning, I had gone to Yusuf Meherally Centre at Tara for the felicitation of Dr G.G. Parikh who is at very young age of 88 years working towards upliftment of have-nots. Programme was organised by Mr Datta & Mrs Asha Gandhi who at ripe age of 86, collected donation worth Rs. 4 lacs for this cause just writing personal letters to around 150 people. On stage, Mrs Khanolkar (age 82) who is a mother of Medha Patkar is running school for orphan girls in chembur. She started it after retiring from the job & Mrs Apate (80 yrs) who runs 100 bed hospital for downtrodden. In every speech, they ponder about upliftment of poor have nots & whether they have any role in the globalised world. Mr & Mrs Gandhi are ordinary middle class couple. Sixty years back, they have decided to be in a teaching profession, never to enter politics & lead a frugal life. During course of 50 years, they have collected donations more than 50 lacs & run orphanage for Latur Earthquake sufferers. We must ponder `Hey Sarva Yeta Kuthun.'

All these fellows are at peace with themselves, have great social network & very happy.

I felt they were practical examples what Lata Aaji meant.

Sanjay

`Dhobighat'

To see a movie knowing Lata Aaji's perspective at background made it all the more enriching. Lata Aaji asked, `can u relate with the character or situation in it?' Yes of-course. Sometimes we find ourselves in Aamir's shoe or sometimes in Pratik's shoe-a very thin line of demarcation in-between. You can really jump on both sides in different situations in your life. If u don’t want to become a ping-pong ball tossed constantly between being a `user' or being `used'. U have to walk a tight rope-balancing on it is very difficult. For that u need support – being connected with each other can provide that. Anandmewa in this context become all the more necessary and absolutely essential.

I would like to share one small experience in this context which took place on 26th January. After returning back home from the school, I prepared our lunch. Being holiday, we all had our lunch together and went to take a small nap. Manava and Aniruddha started with their studies. At around 2.00 clock, some people came banging on the door – shouting and bullying and started threatening about calling the police. It was actually difficult to understand the situation. After much shouting, what we could understand was this – that morning some girl on pink scooter had dashed with one boy from our lane. Since I was a female with pink scooter, they felt that I am a culprit and started threatening. In spite explaining to them that we were not involved & scooter is parked in the compound for last 3-4 hrs, they were not convinced. At that time, our neighbor came out and stood firm with us throughout the episode which was ultimately settled peacefully. It really unsettled our children very much.

Lata Aaji always stressed this point. She urges to be friend with like-minded people around you on continuous basis. That day because of neighbour's support and strength, we could sail through safely.

Third point was about `loneliness' in the crowd. I think it started with disintegration of our joint families, became more severe with demolition of chawl system and became acute with globalization. I am sure everyone is facing it sometime or other in our life. Shades of it may vary but it is very much their looming in the nearby dark corner. All the more reason for us to stay connected & make stronghold of our inter-personal relations.

I hope this will compel us to take constructive steps towards it very seriously & sincerely.

Bhagyashree

Real And Abstract v/s Virtual

On Sunday,5th February,lunch was full of curiosity and guess work about evening teenage meeting and discussion about the film Dhobi Ghat.My afternoon nap was interrupted by the doorbell. A tall,hefty man,in his late fifties,was at the door."I am the vegetable vendor--Vasaiwala Gonsalves.Could I please see your mother?"he said in a very soft tone.He had come all the way from Vasai just to deliver freshly prepared homemade Kharvas.And he even did not wait for the next working day.

"Some people were nice and helpful to me in my early days of business.Your mother gave me some genuine advice then.I can never repay them,but today I am on a trip to see each one of them and let them know how important they are,to me."He left immediately after seeing my mother,politely refusing even a cup of tea.He had forgone his holiday and afternoon rest but his face was lit up with joy,which reflected his gratitude filled heart.

Lata aaji explained us about how every country had its own cultures,varying with geographical locations and their history.Globalisation is diluting and destroying these cultures and hence destabilising the minds of many races.This has changed their working hours,leisure time,lifestylesand social life.Human relations have been steadily losing emotional warmth and depth and acquiring a transaction type of status.

Idolisation of American lifestyles and values and a subconscious efforts to adopt them has made us lose our peace of mind,the unstructured time spent by kids,the casual chat with our next door neighbours or sharing of joys and sorrows with our dear ones and friends.Our time,money,energy,thoughts and each action is centred on 'EFFICIENCY' and the harvest reaped after investing them.

Let us again relive our childhood days with innocent interactions with our family ----ANANDMEWA GROUP.Let us all bask in the warmth showered by AJOBA--AAJI.Offer help and comfort to those of us who need these now by reading emotions from troubled faces.Don't be carried away by VIRTUAL WORLD,Friends,Money and Life.They have nothing concrete to offer us but drain us of our real resources,time,energy and money.

In the film 'Dhobi Ghat',the artist expresses his inner world through his medium of art paintings.His outer (real)world is orderly when his emotional world is happy.But when his mind is shattered,his art shows it.So when we get an unpleasant or unusual response from our children and friends (like the artist in pain) try to peep into their minds to locate the trouble breving in it and make efforts to soothe it.

--Jayant & Suchitra

My New Prayer

6th February, 2012
Dear Children and Parents,

My New Prayer

I am much better now
Getting better everyday.

In this episode of illness
My morning prayer has
Suddenly changed,
All by itself.

It is anew!

I thank God, Providence
And you all to begin with.
The newer addition comes then.

I thank my body and being
Profusely till I am filled
With gratitude.

In this episode of illness
I realised,
My body and being have been
Extremely kind to me,
They have been my “Rajdars”.
All along.

They have undertaken all the toil,
Play, love and care for
Whatever it was worthwhile.
And
At whatever cost they had to bear.

They have simply obeyed me all along
With utmost trust.
Trust that says ‘I care’.
Trust that says ‘I mean well’.

Now I bow down
To give a big Thank you to them.
Get up,
And Get going!

From – Lataaji