Happy Independence Day!

अभिनव कामगिरी!

सु़टी असल्यानं माझ्यासाठी आजचा दिवस तसा उशीराच सुरू झाला. मोबाईलची रिंग वाजल्यानं मला जाग आली, आणि उशीरा का होईना, पण आजची सकाळ उजाडली ती 'अभिनव' बातमी घेऊनच. अभिनव बिन्द्रा फायनलमध्ये पोहोचल्याचं कळलं आणि पुन्हा हूरहूर वाटू लागली. साहजिकच आहे, गेले काही दिवस बीजिंगमध्ये मेडलवर नेम मारण्यात आपले नेमबाज चुकत होते ना.. पण अभिनव मात्र अजिबात चुकला नाही. शेवटच्या क्षणापर्यंत आपला संयम राखून अभिनवनं थेट सुवर्ण पदक जिंकलं आणि मी ताबडतोब ऑफिसच्या दिशेनं निघाले.

कळलंच नाही पण अचानक माझं मन चार वर्ष मागे गेलं. आणि आठवण झाली अथेन्समधल्या राज्यवर्धन राठोडच्या विजयाची. डबल ट्रॅपमध्ये राठोडनं रौप्य पदक जिंकलं त्या क्षणाची.. एरवी क्रिकेटच्या वेडात बुडालेला भारत त्या दिवशी रौप्यपदकाचं सेलिब्रेशन करण्यात बुडाला होता. अथेन्समधल्या विजयाआधी आणि नंतरही भारतीय नेमबाजांच्या कामगिरीचा आलेख चढताच राहिलाय. पण राठोडच्या पराक्रमानं भारतीय नेमबाजीभोवतीचं वलय ख-या अर्थानं वाढलं आणि नेमाबाजांकडून असलेल्या अपेक्षाही. बीजिंगमध्ये सुवर्णपदक जिंकून अभिनवनं त्या अपेक्षा चुकीच्या नसल्याचंच सिद्ध केलं. खरं सांगू? If Rathore's win in Athens gave a silver lining to the cloudy scene of India at Olympic, Abhinav has surely put us in a Golden Light. आणि या सोनेरी कीरणांमध्ये अवघा भारत प्रकाशमान झाल्यासारखं वाटू लागलंय.

आज प्रत्येक भारतीय अभिमानानं सांगू शकतोय की, होय आमच्याकडेही आता एक सुवर्णपदक आहे. खास करून बीजिंगमध्ये उपस्थित असलेले खेळाडू आणि पत्रकार- कारण त्यांनाच भारताच्या कामगिरीविषयी प्रश्नांना सारखं सामोरं जावं लागतं. आणि यंदाच्या ऑलिम्पिकदरम्यान तर या सगळ्या मंडळींची चांगलीच पंचाईत होतेय- कारण भारतीयांची हॉकीतली नामुष्की. भरवशाच्या हॉकीत ऑलिम्पिकमध्ये पोहोचण्याआधीच पडझड झाली. पण नेमबाजीनं पुन्हा एकदा भारताची लाजच राखली नाही तर शानही वाढवलीय. म्हणूनच अभिनवच्या सुवर्णपदकाची झळाळी आणखीनच उठून दिसतेय. आणि त्याहीपेक्षा उठून दिसतोय तो अभिनवनं दाखवलेला संयम.

नेमबाजीचा खेळ म्हणजे मानसिक क्षमतेची कसोटी पाहणारा. इथं एका क्षणासाठी एकाग्रता ढळली तरी मेडल हुकण्याची शक्यता असते. हवं तर मनशेर सिंगला विचारा. बीजिंगमध्येच ट्रॅप इव्हेन्टमध्ये शेवटच्या दोन्ही क्वालिफायिंग राऊंड्समध्ये २४ - २४ असं परफेक्ट यश मिळूनही मनशेरचं फायनलचं तिकाट थोडक्यात हुकलं. कारण आदल्या दिवशी तिस-या राऊंडमध्ये मनशेरचा स्कोअर होता अवघा २०.

पण जिथं मनशेरनं गमावलं, तिथंच अभिनवनं कमावलं. फायनलमध्ये त्याचे सगळे शॉट्स अगदी near perfectच होते. आणि शेवटचा शॉट तर होता १०.८! Simply Unbelievable! अभिनवच्या त्याच शॉटनं त्याला पहिल्या स्थानावर सरकवलं आणि भारताला मिळालं पहिलं वहिलं वैयक्तिक सुवर्णपदक.

अभिनवचं आजचं गोल्ड मेडल असो वा राठोडचं अथेन्समधलं सिल्व्हर , एक गोष्ट मात्र विसरता येत नाही. या दोघांच्याही यशात त्यांच्या टीमचा मोठा हातभार होता. लेफ्टनन्ट राठोडला भारतीय सैन्याचं पाठबळ होतं, तर अभिनवचे वडील पहिल्यापासूनच त्याच्यामागे खंबीरपणं उभे राहिले. चंदीगडमधले मोठे बिझिनेसमन असलेल्या त्याच्या वडिलांनी घराच्या मागच्या अंगणातच त्याच्यासाठी शूटिंग रेंज उभी केली. त्याच भक्कम आधारावर अभिनवचं करियर उभं राहिलं आणि आता त्यावर सोनेरी कळसही चढलाय.
सगळेच जण अभिनवइतके नशीबवान नसतील, पण भारतात आज टॅलेन्टे़ड नेमबाजांची कमी नाही. गरज आहे ती त्यांच्या पायाखालचा आधार आणखी भक्कम करण्याची. तरच अभिनवचं यश ही एक अभिनव सुरूवात ठरेल.

Rains pouring again...

Thankfully, the rains are here again... After a break of nearly a month, the skies turned all black today and the air, fresh. There are a lot of things going on in my mind, but right now, I just want to enjoy the rainy air...

The Day World was waiting for...

Finally, the Games of 29th Olympiad have officially started.. What a grand Opening it was! Exactly like the world has anticipated it... China has successfully produced the biggest spectacle the Earth has ever witnessed.

I'm still overwhelmed by the greatness of it.. And so is everyone who has watched it, live or on TV.

So many performances! A great exhibition of the Chinese History, Culture and glimpses of it's present and future. everything in a Chinese flavour.. marvelous! Second by second, the drama unfolded inside the "Bird's Nest" and in the sky above it. (You know, I felt it's a perfect appellative for Beijing's National Stadium- a place where the representatives of whole world gathered with the bird of peace in their hearts.

But more than anything else, the opening ceremony has kept the promise. The promise that China made some two Olympiads ago. The promise that these games are going to be different, that these games hold a great potential to change the lives of this six millenia old civilization that has been cut off from the rest of the world for most of the past. The promise of the "One World, One Dream..."

The Games have began.. And I wish for a great fortnight of sporting feast.

A lot of Words...

It's been some days since I wrote here. well, that's what it happens sometimes after I write a lot of words...
So I decided to take a break from this blog and spent most of the time reading a lot of words. I can't believe but I've finished several books in last few days. Seems like I'm back to my good old days now, where there is no other thing to think of, and books are the place to take a refuge from the world around.

I think I shall soon write about my thoughts on these books...

Now, what next?

It's been a really happening day, but at the end of it, I find nowhere to go. (Sorry for this pessimism, but, tell me, what positive do you take out from the things that have happened in these two days, or for that matter, these many years ?) As I was coming back home, I've been wondering, what have actually happened? and more than that, what's going to happen henceforth?

The first thing that struck to me, is that, now Congress is free of schackles of the Left parties. ( surprisingly, the Left were not as agressive today. or have I missed their speeches? )

Now that the UPA Government is in power even without the support from the Left Front. So that means, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh can now take a few bold decisions quite freely. Also we might see a stability in the SENSEX.

Then of course, the Nuclear Deal, which in first place is the need of the hour.

But it was not just the Deal that was discussed in this session, infact, the focus of discussion was also on the performance of this government. now before the elections, Congress has got a chance to win some votes back.

For Left, it was a golden chance that they've missed. I feel, they've definitely lost votes from some youngsters. and also they've lost the sort of "veto" over the UPA Government.

The BJP, main opposition to the UPA, has failed to hatch the opportunity as well. they seem to have lost their direction,in a way- They didn't seem powerful enough to argue.

Meanwhile, The Third Front- they too, jumped to seek an opportunity, but could not managed to do it, third time, I guess.

However, the allegations made by three NDA MPs about the bribing and "Horse-trading" are going to make a big news in coming days ( and CNN-IBN is going to get more TRPs.)

And hey, this is also a case of media's active involvement in active politics, isn't it?that also brings out an entire debate, whether the sting operation actually took place? If yes, then what really happened there? The Allegations made by the three MPs, may or may not hold true, but either way, the investigation is going to bring results that will demine the status of some parties as well as the whole structure of Indian Democracy. (and media, if in case it is provened to be a fabricated story- I don't think, it is though)

In short, the mayhem called Indian Democracy continues...

And that reminds me of Yeats again:

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere

The ceremony of innocence is drowned;

The best lack all conviction, while the worst

Are full of passionate intensity...

Yeats spoke of a "Second Coming" but sadly, there is no one to come and save us...

The D-Day: As It happens

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11.43

The Second day of the Special Session of Lok Sabha has ended. It was not much different than the first one. amidst the lot commotion The Government has secured the confidence of the house.

But the way things went on today, have made me more depressed than I was earlier about Politics. Even The Speaker of the House, Mr. Somnath Chaterji too got frustrated. He has said "Parliament of India has reached the lowest position."

Falling down, falling down, and how much bellow to go??

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20.26

The Government is safe( for now)

Just a few moments ago, The Speaker announced the results, And the Manmohan Singh Government has won the vote of confidence by 19 votes.

And it's time to leave for me, Have to catch the train. (No matter what happens in the Capital, I can't aford to miss my train. See you again after 11.30pm when I'll be home, (hopefully!)

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20.20

No News Yet

but I just remembered these famous lines from W B Yeats' "second Coming":

Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the center cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity...

somehow these lines explain the condition of India, isn't it?

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20.04

The chaos has calmed down for the time being and The Speaker has found his voice again. He has asked everyone to keep quiet. just like a teacher with some wonderful patience.

Well, I'm not a Congress Person, but Ireally really want this government to stay till the end, I don't want them to loose this. ( well, they don't seem to loose it. ) I actually want the N-deal to come to reality...

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20.01

Still waiting for the results....

Oh! I can hardly stand the suspense. and this one is really irritating! So much time to count just 51 votes???

Finish it fast, I've to catch the train.

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19.47

I just wonder how it were in the olden days, when Senators in Rome used to vote using fable stones. It was supposed to be a sacred ritual.

And today, what we are seeing is pathetic! (just imagine how our MPs would have made use of those tiny marbles! They would have thrown it allover the house.)

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19.43

This is getting chaotic. and really funny! :)

I've not seen News Room people getting so excited, Not even for a Cricket Match. Everyone is anxcious, everyone is clueless, and everyone is laughing- gags!

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19.35

Oh Dear! Somebody flashed the news that Government has got the vote! Well, 54 vots are not yet counted. Why such hurry????

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19.32

Electronic Votes-

For - 253

Against - 232

abstain votes- 2 (refrain to vote)

Total - 487

54 Votes by Forms are to be counted yet. but Congressmen are congratulating each othe...

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19.29

Poor little buttons on the Electronic voting system! Poor red lights of voting system! Poor pieces of paper! They are to decide the fate of our nation. :(

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19.22

Okey, PM is not going to answer. He finished with his speech and has submitted his reply in writting to the speaker.

The Speaker has announced- that The Voting process is soon to begin (Finally). Lobies are being closed- chaos continues

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19.20 PM is finally speaking

But I can't get a word of what he's saying. All chaos!

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19.14 Waiting For Prime Minister to speak

Just got a call from home. There is load-shedding in my place and my family is eager to know what's happening in Delhi. sadly I don't have any good thing to tell them.

Oh! This should get over soon!

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19.04 Latest standings-

For The Government............. 269

Against The Government...... 265

will Not vote............................... 6

Not Yet Decided......................... 3

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18.58

One after another, MPs are speaking about their take on deal, and government. some are in support, some are against. all the issues, right from Telangana, Inflation, Horse-trading, are too brought in the discussion.

I'm feeling a bit sorry for the North-Eastern states, their MPs got comparatively little time to speak.

Meanwhile, Amar Singh has said- he'll take Sanyas if he's found guilty of any wrongdoing.

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18.50

Okey, Ms. Mufti has said that BJP is opposing the deal only to support it later. quite right, I feel.

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18.44 National Conference will support the Government

NC PresidentMr. Omar Abdullah just spoke in the House. He said, as a Muslim, he has no problem to have the deal with the US.

as he says it, The ruling party MPs are knocking on the benches to appreciate.

shortly before Mr. abdullah, President of the Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party was speaking, but I have no idea what she said.

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18.00

The Speaker, Mr. Somanath Chatterji, has described the day as a Sad day for democracy in India. and yes, it's a very sad day.

Now, the House will vote at 7.15pm and shortly before that, the PM will speak, ofcourse if the chaos ends.

I've to check an edited story so for a while, I'm away from the blog.

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17.45 Another deep dig in the dark- Indian politics to it's newest low

Can't really stay away from this all. Who would have imagined that they day will turn out to be like this? And well, whole world is interested in what's happening in Lok sabha.

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17.28

Yes, it's CNN IBN, they're claiming they have the tapes, but won't out it on air yet. they're saying, they'll first show it to the speaker.

Meanwhile, Mulayam Singh has come out to speak with press. he's claiming it's BJP's conspiracy to delay the vote.

Oh! I'm going out of Newsroom for some time with my colleague and friend Mugdha.

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17.25 No further Discussions

The Speaker has just announced that there won't be any more debate on the NO Trust Vote. The PM will give his reaction at 6 pm, when the house will meet again. and straight after that, LokSabha will vote at 6.30pm.

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17.20

Okey, Now this is turning out to be a real black day. Desaster Day as I had feared it to be.

The latest report from Delhi says that all this bribe incidence is recorded on by cameras. A TV channel has got the tapes of this sting operation- I guess it's CNN-IBN (If so, Rajdeep will soon be on air, bet on it.) Are we going to see the horse-trading in action?

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17.02 Discussion begins again...

MPs are back in the House, and it's all chaos everywhere.

What I just got to know is three BJP MPs Ashok Argal, Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mahavir Bhagor have alleged that they were approached by a Samajwadi Party MP.

Ok, latest update, Three of them said that they were offered Rs. 3 crore each by the Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh. They're claiming that Mr. Ahmed Patel was also present there. what's happening over here! Everyone is getting crazy un the office

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16.30

Lok Sabha channel has stopped the live Broadcast for a while. (Obiviously, they don't want to show the tamasha going on there. Money Bundles in Lok sabha!) House is adjourned again. NDA MP Argal got stacks of money in the parliament. Everyone is shocked!

Oh my my! This is turning out to be a high drama

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16.07 Hangaama! MPs say they were being bribed

It's all chaos in the house, there is so much noise on TV, I can't understand what's actually going on. what I've come to know is that some BJP MPs are claiming that they were offered money. and wait! they've got stacks of notes with them.

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16.00

Ram Naik is in our studio. It's just two hours to the voting. I've almost finished with my work, and now I can keep a closer eye on things around.

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15.57 Dharamji returns

Another unwell MP- actor Dharmendra just returned to India. He was in US to have his knee surgery done. See, nobody can bunk this lecture- even if you are on stretcher, even if you are suffering hard, you have to be present.

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15.10 Lalu steals the show

This man, whenever he gets up to speak, everyone in the newsroom turns to listen. :D This man is so hillarious!

Look at his comment on Mr. L. K. Advani- the jist of what he said is- "Advaniji has no problem with nuclear deal, it's just that he thinks his signature is better than that of the PM. So he wants to be the one to sign the pact with America."

(But Lalu himself too wants to be the prime minister one day. )

well, I've just finished with my story and now I'm off for lunch.

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14.35 Rahul Gandhi speaks

The Young Congressman is up again. now let's see what he's got to say...

Hmm, He's professing the nuclear deal. Mr. Gandhi spoke of Kalavati. A poor woman he met in Vidarbha. he says nuclear power will help remove her poverty. He gave this example to explain how we can overcome our Energy problems.

sounds like he's giving a presentation to a MNC. I'm not sure if he's completed his education, but he's style is that of a management studant.

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12.57 Adjourned till 2 PM

Rahul gandhi was speaking in favour of the nuclear deal ofcourse. But could not conclude his speech. A BSP MP Brajesh Pathak is complaining that four of his party colleagues had been kidnapped. there is a total chaos in the Huose. and House is adjourned!

Speaker Somnath Chatterjee is forced to adjourn the Lok Sabha till 2 p.m. "You can continue after lunch," He just said the troublemakers.

Oh! These MPs should be taught how the should behave.

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12.50 Rahul Gandhi speakes up

Okey, The Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, spoke about his trip to Vidarbha. he has linked energy security to maintaining 9 per cent growth.

The opposition is repeatedly interrupting his speech, don't understand what's actually going on.

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12.21 Wrong alert!

well, there is no big change as yet. The six MPs has asked the permission to be absent for last session.

hmm, I need to work on my story. so good bye till I finish it!

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12.07 Calculations change

The Speaker, Mr. somnath Chatterji has granted leave application of Six MPs. The names are not yet confirmed, but this means all the calculations might change now. Congress is to gain by this.

Oh! lots of maths going on again! See, if you want to be a reporter, you must be thorough with your history, geography, science - and maths as well.

(and physiology, bio-mechanics, statastics and many more if you are covering sports and do stories on cricket- well economics is a must if your job also includes stories about IPL. But for now, I'm finishing with my script on Umpire referral system. and keeping an eye on debate in Lok Sabha to start again)

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12.03 The FM angle

Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said- with the end of its nuclear isolation, India can fast attain the status of Economic Superpower. He also suggested that he'd like to see that the Nation emulates China for faster growth.

Another blow to the Left.

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10.50 The office- environment

Just reached Office a few minuites before. You know, it looks like we are having a parallel session of ours going on. So many people here together!

well, that was supposed to be the case- it's a big day for Indian Government, The opposition, The Left , The Share Markets, the SENSEX (which have opened up at 13837.64 ) and more so for News Channels.

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(7.40 am ) Three hours of suspense

In a few minuites, I'll be leaving for Office and so for next two to three hours, I'm totally away from all news from Delhi. Well, since it's very early in the morning, chances are less that anything big will happen.

But, It's India, so you never know... See you again when I'm in the office!
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(6.40 am ) Will it? Won't it?

In a few hours time, the lawmakers will gather again in Lok Sabha to decide on the future of the UPA Government. I think I'll be able to keep a track of each happening. Ofcourse, only if I get time from my work. I've to do a story on ICC's New Third Umpire Referral System.

Hey, wait a minuit! What if we use a referral system for our parliamentarians as well???

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)

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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.

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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...