The D-Day has come

It's almost 10. 45 pm. The first day of special session of Lok Sabha has just ended- in chaos as expected. But this is just the beginning of the Great Indian Circus.

By this time tomorrow, we will come to know (hopefully!) what is the climax ( or anti-climax) of this ongoing drama in New Delhi.

I've decided to cover it live for my blog, I don't want to forget this day. So I'll try to put all my experiences here. It's really going to be a lot of words.

(Just forgot to mention one thing. D-day in this title can mean anything from the Deciding Day, Dooms Day, or Democracy Day or may be Disaster Day. Let's see what it turns out to be:) )

Three Mistakes of Three Parties

I've found some strange behaviour patterns in the manner our political parties are working. I'm too much jumbled up to put it in right words. but I'll try to fo it.

1. Congress forgot to consult NDA over the issue of Nuclear Deal. afterall, it was during NDA's rule that seeds of Indo-American Friendship flourished.

The government did not made the draft, at least the points, public and created an aura of suspicious.

Also, Why they had waited for this long to seek confidence, is beyond my comprehension.

2. BJP could have got the occasion if they had shown a little more keenness towards the deal. Their focus seems to be lost. BJP is forgetting, that although they are the opposition party, the no-trust motion is asked by Left.

3. Left had made a mistake a decade ago when Jyoti Basu didn't became the prime minister of India. This time, the Left parties had a chance to get into the government, but they chose to enjoy power without responsibility and finally might have to pay for it soon. Over the issue of the Nuclear Deal, they are taking a stand that's suitable only to the cold war days. Already, very few youngsters are inclined to the CPI or CPI(M) and now they've lost a few potential supporters because of their rigid stance over the N-Deal.

Back To "Life"

When you are a child, you think less and get hurt and still you are happy.

When you grow up, you keep thinking so much that you just can't enjoy.

So, once in a while, it's required to be a child again...

and that is what I did in these two days. I had an off from work and I've done a lot of things- a lot of silly things... :) I walked for miles, I climbed the hills, chatted with friends, I cooked, I did painting, All the things I wanted to do since days.(or may be, months)

................................................................................................................................................................................................................

My Monday Morning began with sweet sounds from the temple nearby my house, it was Ashadhi Ekadashi, a Festival of the Vitthala. Then I saw the school children's Dindi- a sort of sacred procession to the temple. All little boys and girls were dressed in traditional "warkari" clothes, and were singing "Abhangas" I remembered how I used to do the same in my childhood and then I really felt like joining with them. But I had another things to do.

I then went to Tehsil Office, which is on a hill top near station. My friend Tanuja had some work there. We climbed the pavements carved in stones, You know, I was almost in tears to see the little waterfall almost dried up... But, that was supposed to be so, as the rain-gods are gone on a vacation. :(

Anyways, by the time Tanuja was busy with her wok, I had a walk in and around the 103 years old building (we used to call it "Bhutbangala" when we were lilttle kids, and believe me, I still felt it is not much better than a bhut bangala, the clerks and files there are enough to scare me :) ) I explored some amazing things about the structure. Truely, Great stone-work!

Well, when Tanuja was over with the documents, we almost ran down the hill :) I wanted to take a short-cut, which was a straight slope, but Tanu caught my arm, saying, "Hey, we need to go home safely and unhurt" (well, well, my grown-up friend...)

It was such a nice afternoon! I felt why there are not so good songs for a windy, chilled afternoon?

I returned home and soon I was off to Dahivali with Manasi, another friend of mine. We went to the Vitthal Temple over there, and don't know why but I really felt great. Once left from Dahivali, we just kept walking on an outside road- free of traffic and everything. we passed through several villages and kep waliking and talking (well, I was not actually walking. I was, as Manasi said, bouncing on the road- jumping, flying in my own world) You know, at one corner of the road, amongst the green grass, I saw a beautiful flower. white, little, cute but lonely... (Just like me?)

soon we two realised it was getting dark, so we had to come back to the town.

................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Today also was a busy morning- a lot of paper-work for bank and all. but afternoon was again a beautiful one. Manasi and me went with Tanuja to help her in admission process.- She's doing MMS from New College in Chandai. believe me, it's such a wonderful place! Green, Green, Green Everywhere... All cool winds, and you know it rained in Karjat today! And we enjoyed that rain on the hill again- Tanuja had some work today as well.

There on the edge of hill, up away from the town, we were standing... we three girls... mesmorized by the nature around... tiny, blinking droplets of rain came head on us... Wind was freezing, but who cares? Just beside the Hill is Karjat Railway station. Trains kept coming and going there.. At a distance below, people were working in the Farm... Over us, clouds were roaring... Noises got together, but what reached to us, was only the music of it...

We three girls... stood there for an hour, looking at the ambiance... I wish I stayed there forever...

Marathon Sunday...

They say, Marathon race is not just a race. It's a celebration, a kind of triumph of human mind, body and soul. But I think, It's not just a celebration of that triumph, it's perhaps an education that helps in a rediscovery of oneself. I've experienced it once again today.

Although I didn't run in the race. I covered Thane varsha Marathon. You know, I really had a Marathon ride through Thane City. But I enjoyed it. (Just I missed the rains... well, that happens!)

My day too, was a real Marathon Day- started at 4 am and is yet to end. but it's been quite a nice day. (well, not quiet, but perhaps one of the nicest of past fortnight or so. ) Today, I kept all thoughts away, except my duty, literally I mean. and then when I got somt time, I had again jumbled up a lot of thoughts. ( Oh I need to get over this-whatevr it is- as soon as possible) Oh dear, there are so many things that Ive to do! really, my whole life is going to be like a Marathon again... but right now I need to take rest.

Deccan Queen

She's Supercool, She's Beautiful,
She's the Queen, She's Deccan Queen...

I came home by Deccan Queen today. Now you'll ask, what's so special about it? (except that I got home early today.) well, it's everything!

Travelling aboard Deccan Queen from CST to Pune was one of my childhood dreams. Oh don't laugh! We do have such dreams in those days. Once we are grown-up our dreams too, get too complex and too difficult to achieve ( and too painful, too...) But yes, I always wanted to travel in Deccan Queen.

I stil remember how we used to go to the station (somebody used to take us) We used to go there to see the Deccan Queen. We'd be ready to wait on it in the rain as well. Back then, it was such a posh train! I always felt, and still I feel, so proud that once left from VT the Queen stops nowhere but in Karjat...

Back then, it was a really really very beautiful train (and it is still, although it has lost its past glory) I always felt jealous about people who daily travelled by Deccan Queen.

So many new trains have come, but for me, still Deccan is the queen. Whenever I see her, I just feel- What a Train! Such a great history! and great pride! Really Deccan is still the Train with attitude. And I saw that attitude again today. You know, she passes through like a true queen- ruffling away the dust from the platforms after platforms. Today, it ruffled away from my mind the burden of all the thoughts as well...

Left Over

When you go down the hill, you just can't stop yourself going down..

seems like the left parties have made a habit of ruinning there chances of getting in to the "main-stream" of powerhouse in India. So many times they have missed the chances of doing something out of the box, so many times they have failed to earn the confidence of the people. Oh, yes, the one that needs to be proven in the parliament as well as the one that is called the Political Goodwill. Now what will happen this time? I don't know. or rather I don't want to know. it's been a lot of politics on my mind. I need a break...

Triumph and Disaster...

"If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster,

And treat those two impostors just the same... "

These famous lines from Rudyard Kipling's "If..." are inscribed over the player's entrance to the Wimbledon's Centre Court. Last night, they were personified on the same venue. Roger Federer, who ruled over the lawns of SW 19 met with the worst lost of his career, only after putting the best fight of his life so far.

I sort of didn't want to watch the match, but I also didn't want to miss it. The drama the tension... Finally I got to see it and I'm glad that I did watch it. What a Match! On Every point they played, Roger and Rafa poured their heart out (and gave me a heart-attack!)

As an whole-hearted supporter of Roger, I desperately wanted him to lift the golden trophy for a sixth consecutive time. But right from the beginning, Rafa took the control. Everyone called me to tease about Roger's loss. But they forgot, one shall never write-off a Champion of Federer's calliber for just like that.

He not just came up from two sets down, but forced the match to a fifth set. still that was not enough to stop Rafa.

Don't know why, but I didn't feel devastated to see Roger loose. rather, I enjoyed the great exhibition of tennis from both the players. And Rafa might have dethorned him, but for me and for all his fans, Roger is still the best ever and most elegent.

I didn't feel hurt when Rafa lift the trophpy, but it really pained to watch Roger after the losss. angry with himself, but Calm and Composed as ever... So Cute!!!

The End was inevitable, although it came late. It came after four hours and fourty- eight minuits of play, it came when the dusk was falling on Wimbledon's Centre Court. With Rafa's victory, the match ended in darkness but Tennis was shining in the brightest lights...

V for Venus, W for Wimbledon

So Venus has done it again... This time, she did it by beating her young sister Serena.

And now I hope Federer repeats his feat again as well...

Le Tour Arrive

"Finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. But this is one hell of a race. This is a great sporting event and you should stand around and believe it. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it. "

- Lance Armstrong in his Podium farewell speech, Tour de France, July 24, 2005

This is one of my favourite quotes. And you guessed it right, why I put it here right now- The Tour De France is starting from tomorrow.

This is one of my favourite event, and I wish to visit France and see it one day. But sadly, since some years, the tour is known more for the doping drama and not for the action...

Beauty of the Beast- Monsoon as I saw today.

Sometimes, one gets confused, whether to listen to heart or to brain. Well, with me that happens quite often. And most of the times, I go against the call of my heart. (Arrogant Janhavee! Such conceit about herself!)

Today, I did the same and got punished once again. It was raining hard since last evening and Trains were not on schedule (well, when do they? ) It was too gloomy in the morning. I was not at all feeling like going out. But I went and got stranded near Badlapur. (and then had to return home, when I really wanted to go to work.)

Now you'll say, 'what's new about it? people in Mumbai get into such situations quite often.' Yes, they do, but not me. Never befor this year, I got into any problem during the monsoon. But this time, twice it rained hard and twice I suffered. And that was very bad (See I'm still sneezing, God Bless!)

Still, my love for monsoon is unmoved. And so, even in today's deludge I found some beautiful moments. Just wanted to share them with the world. ( okey, okey, over to pictures- I've already typed a lot of words. ;) )

......................................................................................................................................................................

1.

From the Sinhagad Express- near Badlapur, the visibility was really very low...

2.

That's a stream into the River Ulhas...

3.

And the Overflowing River Ulhas- at her full force...

4.

Can you spot Mountains in these pictures? They are somewhere near the horizon...

5.

That's Matheran Hills surrounded by clouds

6.

Somewhere in these clouds is the famous Ashane-Koshane Waterfalls (at Bhivpuri Rd., Near Karjat) can't spot it at all, such was the downpour

7.

That's me in the train- tired because of all the mayhem yet happy to be with the nature . I was shievering with cold still standing in the wind, height of Monsoon madness.

(In the back-drop are hills outside Karjat, which are obiviously lost somewhere in the clouds! )

8.

And Finally, when the skies opened up.... lights and darkness, scenery and machines- the Monsoon at it's best...

It's just the start of July, Monsoon is going to stay. and I'm going to enjoy... But got to go now, need a lot of rest.