A Delhi Gardener's Blog

Vasant Ritu in Delhi

2011-02-13T23:54:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends,

Wondering if readers of my Blog are still around. Haven't written one in quite a while. Here I am again with a little bit of this and that, egged on by my son based in Hong Kong,. Will try to be more regular from now.

The spring season is truly one of celebration in the West, after long,harsh and bleak winters.It is a season of joy in Delhi as well, but much shorter(less than two months- Feb and March), and not for the same reasons.The farmers rejoice because its harvest time,and also an end to the severe cold weather (the last one was particularly bad with cold wave conditions lasting over long spells in Delhi), which comes as a relief especially to the poor.

It is also peak wedding season with the inauspicious period of the Hindu calender beginning in March and lasting till may.We have about one doz Wedding invites from friends and relatives,which means over 30 events. Each wedding in Delhi is marked by three, or two, and some even four events. I can neither fathom nor stomach the more and more lavish scales at which weddings are being organised in north India.The fun movie " Band Bajaa Baraat" which we saw yesterday brings out the ludicrous amounts which Delhiites have started spending over their gaudy,and often vulgar weddings, in a humorous,but quite true to life vein.

The winter annuals in the capital have taken longer to bloom this year because of the long and wet winter.But are nearing their peak now,and the lawns are lush green. A drive (a walk is better) around the city's parks, gardens and even the traffic round abouts in Lutyens Delhi is an exhilarating experience.It laterally lifts ones spirits.After a couple of spells of unseasonal rains, the dust has settled and the foliage is fresh.

The month of February also sees the more fortunate Delhiites, who live in either bungalows (mostly Government) and in Farm Houses , (mostly unauthorised)having a passion for gardening,hosting Garden Lunches. I have added pictures taken at homes of two friends at two recent lunches for your viewing pleasure.Both were real treats to the eyes as also the palates.

The famous and historical " Mughal Gardens" at Rashtrapati Bhavan have been thrown open to the public and is drawing large crowds.But how many parents are taking their young ones to see it and not the Shopping Malls which have unfortunately become the ultimate family pleasure haunts for the young Delhiites ?

After a long and very cold winter, the weather in Delhi has suddenly turned balmy. The lawns at the two DGCs - the Delhi Gymkhana Club and the Delhi Golf Club are packed with Members, mostly old timers ( Uncles) in Harris Tweed jackets or crested Blazers,spending leisurely afternoons there, tucking lavish spreads of ethnic and foreign cuisine and guzzling pints of Lager with friends and families. If you are not lucky enough to be a member of the two elitist clubs, get hold of a Member and go there to get the best out of Delhi Spring, without having to spend a penny from your own pocket!

If the weather in Delhi is at its best, the topics of discussion are at their worst. There is talk of nothing but " Corruption- Corruption, and Corruption"- everywhere, prompted no doubt by our media fired up over the issue. As if corruption in our country is a new or sudden phenomenon. The question I have been asked by very knowledgeable and informed persons in recent days is " Will the Govt last- Will the PM resign ?' and so on.Has the rot set in too deep for being cured, is the question I ask?

With the Tri- country Cricket World Cup just commencing in Bangladesh, India and Srilanka, the Cricket mania is visible everywhere. What I can't understand is the media building a hype over India winning the Cup this year,though all of us know that there is many a slip between the "Cup" and the lip,especially in the case of Indian players who are heartless lovers and often flatter to deceive! Yet the news magazines and papers continue to carry banner headiness- INDIA- INDIA".It would of, course,be nice if we can win it.

Don't wish to make the Blog too long. So Adieus Amigos!

Happy Vasant. I'll be back before Holi.

Desi Maali

Winter annuals season Again in Delhi

2010-11-13T07:58:00.000-08:00

May a thousand blooms adorn your house!
- Tips for winter annuals in your home.

Flowers... are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1844

This is the time to plan and plant the winter annuals in beds if you happen to live in a ground floor house with a compound, or pots in your terraces or roof tops in case you have a home in the upper reaches. Fortunately Delhi offers a very rich variety of winter annuals to choose from. There are two ways to grow them - from seedlings grown in seed pans or by directly planting seedlings in beds and pots - that need to be prepared by adding leaf mould or cow dung manure to sandy and loamy soil. The vermi compost bag available in nurseries makes a convenient manure. The seeds and seedlings are available in gardening stores and nurseries all over the city. My favourite haunts are, Argosy at Yashwant Place , Chanakyapuri and Rajdhani Nursery in Karbala Jor Bagh . You have a wide choice of imported and indigenous seeds to choose from.Goldsmith, PAN ( US), S&G (UK) and Sakata( Japanese) as also Indo- Amercan Hybrid, Namdhari( Bangalore), PlantMan ( Patiala) seeds are some of the popular and tested brands to go for. The Govt. owned ( CPWD) Sunder Nursery near Humayun Tomb in Nizamuddin is the most economical source to meet your requirement of winter annuals, both seeds and seedlings. The Club Nursery also sells seedlings to members. This is also the time to hard prune the rose plants, expose its roots to the sun for about one week, fill it up with manure and then flood them with water to get glorious blooms in December.
Most winter annuals need plenty of sun but there are a few like Cineraria and Salvia which also do well in the shade. The Chrysanthemums, called Mums in the US, also the national flower of Japan come both in the dwarf ( Korean) and giant varieties. Unfortunately, because of the prolonged monsoon over the Capital this year, the Chrysanthemum season is extremely bleak. I wonder how the organizers of the Annual Chrysanthemum Show in YWCA (where our Club got the prize for the best display last year) will put it together this year. The saplings that are normally planted early in August in the gardens and nurseries all withered away due to excessive rains. But potted Chrysanthemums brought from Calcutta and other places outside Delhi should be available in November.

My favourite winter annuals which do very well in Delhi are Pansies, Petunias Dahlias, Asters and Gerberas. You can procure their seedlings from any nursery and plant them in the pots and beds at home soon. They are heavy feeders and need frequent doses of bio manure. Other hardy varieties not requiring much pampering are Nasturtiums, Marigold, Phlox, Dianthus, Cosmos. Petunias, Nosturniums and Portulcas also look very pretty in window boxes and hanging baskets.
So don’t just admire the winter annuals in the parks and gardens but grow them at home. There is no greater joy than to gaze upon the seedling sown by you, break first into a bud and then blossom into a riot of colours, an unsurpassed beauty that only Mother Nature can bestow on mankind. Sheer aesthetics apart, if you are able to get your children to develop an interest in growing plants, you will be contributing your mite to conserve our environment and try to save the fast depleting green cover on earth. So go out and plant now. Happy gardening!
Herewith a few examples of winter annuals I had successfully grown in our home last year for your viewing pleasure.

Winter Annuals Sowing Season in full Swing in Delhi

2009-11-06T00:40:00.000-08:00

Hi fellow Gardeners,

It's busy time for all winter annuals gardeners in Delhi.
I have spent many afternoons with the Maalis and "Choudhries" in the Delhi nurseries sipping tea on Charpoys and discussing the peculiarities of this season. They are all lamenting the lack of rains , slow onset of winter and the slower germination of seedlings requiring lower ground temperature. Even the Chrysanthemums ( Mums in the US) which ought to have started budding and flowering by now are taking their own time.I talked to an old Maali friend in one of the Govt Nurseries ( the cheapest source of winter seedlings in Delhi if you have the right contacts) to know whether he would be able to spare some seedlings for my home garden.Pl wait for a week or two, he said. Because their first plantings failed to germinate and they had to sow a second time.

Since my new home has mostly flower beds in the shade ( north facing), I am trying to collect as many Cinenarias and Salvias ( the only winter annuals which bloom in the shade)as I can from my fellow gardening enthusiasts who take the trouble of making seedlings at home, instead of buying them from the various nurseries.I too used to sow seeds in trays aand specially prepared seed beds in my previous abodes but since we have to move out of the house in four months I am deprived of this pleasure this winter. My favourtes being the Rajdhani in Jorbagh and Masjid near Khan Market. On can of course getter cheaper seedlings in nurseries in Vasant Kunj and outlying areas of the city but one can not be sure of their quality.For those who have beds which get full or partial sun there is a huge variety to choose from starting with the hybrid varieties of Petunias ( go for seedlings made from Goldsmith Seeds Co - US) which are the longest lasting, giant pansies ( Japanese Sakata or other European seeds), giant Carnations or Dianthus from the same family or Phlox and Sweet Williams ( similar blooms mostly red and pinks), Dahlias double for show to be planted in pots and single for mass effect in beds. Mysembranthemums popularly called " Baraf" by local Maalis with hteir matyiad colourful blooms which open in the mornings and close at sun set are excellent for being planted to cover rockeries. For window boxes and baskets,Petunias ( Wave variety) and Nusturtiums are recommended. Then there are Larkspurs which yield blooms on long stems in blue,pink and white, Clarkias in purple, stocks in white and pink, Gerberas and Gajanias which are perennials really. For edgings of beds nothing to beat the aromatic Sweet Alysiums ( white and blue).

Mixing the right colours in your garden using your imagination holds the key to the beauty of a winter garden. The good old Calendulas, Escholias ( Californian Poppies) and Marigolds provide abundance of orange and yellow blooms.But pepole generally end up with too much of yellow and orange in Delhi gardens. Blue and red and pink are my personal favourite themes..

Those living in apartments can plant all the above named winter annuals in pots, environment friendly clay pots are recommended over cement . But please avoid the temptaion of over watering and fertilizing. Garden compost , leaf mould and Vermi compost only are recommended. Small doses of Neem Khali, bone meal and DAP to be used very judicially.Pl don't hesitate to seek guidance from experts for tendering your plants instead of experimenting. The young man at Argosy gardening( phone No 24107722) store at Yashwant Place is quite helpful and if you need the Master's help, call my good friend Mr Satish Mathur one of the leading floriculture experts in the capital, whom I call the "Gardening Moghul" of Delhi on his cell phone No 9810076178. Mr Mathur is a true lover of plants, and flowers and a thorough gentleman.I hope Mr Mathur will not mind my intrusion on his privacy, but since my blog is read by a very few friends and family, I don't expect him to get many calls out of this blog

I am adding a few pictures of winter annuals without their names to help you take your pick. I will let you guess the names and the one who adds a comment on my blog space naming them all right gets a big surprise prize from the Desi Maali. All except one ( of the pansies in a ball) have been taken of winter annuals in my home garden at Motibagh on Shanti Path, which unfortunately I was made to vacate recently since the houses there are being demolished to construct ministerial bungalows. Long live Minister Raj! I do hope they shall leave large green areas in those bungalows and some of the Ministers who live in them are garden lovers.

So happy gardening, as winter finally seems to have descended upon Delhi.

Desi Maali From Hong Kong

2009-10-02T06:13:00.000-07:00

My wife and I are visiting our elder son and family in Hong Kong for about ten days. This is my third visit to the former British Colony - now a show piece of China as its sovereinity passes back to them in 1997.

What strikes a Delhiite about Hong Kong instantly is its orderliness, cleanliness and efficient civic & transportation services. This Chinese fishing village was turned into a flourishing harbour by the British and the Chinese have maintained it as an important commercial and trading hub since its transfer to them in 1997.The excellent attention to horticulture and landscaping is what impresses Desi Maali immensely. All the shrubs and plants along the roads are sprayed with water almost daily to impart the sheen and shine. Compare this with the dusty trees and shrubs adorning the Delhi city roads.I am uploading a couple of photos I took to illustrate the freshness of the evergreens planted along road sides and the excellent landcaping in Condos.

Although the down town HK roads are narrow with steep gradients,the traffic on them flows very smoothly with no honking by cars , buses or Taxis which whizz around at amazing speed.Compare this witht the din and chaos on Delhi roads which are much wider. And no traffic policemen in sight anywhere. But there is the hidden "danda" and self discipline which does it all!

The population of Hong Kong is almost 90% Chinese. While they are extremely communicative among themselves in Mandadarin, their exchanges with forigners is very limited. This is largely because of their inadequate knowledge of the English language. This is rather intiguing. Why the British who ruled over Hong Kong for over a century did not teach them English, as they did to the natives of the other British colonies, including India.No one has given me a satisfactory explanation for this.

But there is a lot to be admired in the local Chinese. There is plenty of evidence that they have strong family ties.Three generations of most Hong Kong Chinese families live under the same roof. They take good care of their aged parents.Children carrying their very old parents on wheel chairs in the Malls is a common sight.Their children too are a pampered lot wit5h parents sending them to the best schools and buying them expensive toys and clothes.

At A More Personal Level

2009-09-02T08:22:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

This Blog is written from the heart . So no hard feelings for those who feel hurt - family and friends.

Taking a cue from Julie Andrew's song "These are a few of my Favourite Things" in the "Sound of Music", may I add,a few things I hate most in contemporary India:-

Flaunting of recently acquired wealth, vulgar pomp and show. Refined display of good taste on special occasions is , however, welcome.

"Bossy/ Overbearing Wives". Never seen one in the family.But I think sorry for several meek and submissive husbands both in the family and friends. Do I sound like an MCP?

I do not at all grudge the wife occupying an equal, if not more important place in the home, than the husband. She definitely must have the final say in all matters pertaining to the home.What getas my goat is wives transgressing limits to encroach on the professional/ social lives of their husbands. Need I say more?

I also hate " the Maha Kanjoos Log" who are forever trying to sponge off others on emotional, social and official planes to save their Pennies for the " next life" perhaps.

I also hate lack of ethics,hypocracy, integrity, and psycohphancy, especially among the bureacracy for progression of individual career goals.

I hate nosy neighbours, lack of public hygiene ,mean,illeterate, ignorant noisy ( honking) and unruly road users; jumping of quues and lack of respect for the elderly.

That's enough hate for a day, I guess!

Meanwhile, Delhi has been experiencing incessant rains past two days. Like the good old monsoon when " Moosladhar Baarish" and " Jhari lag jaana" were oft heard phrases. This should surely wipe out fears of drought and rain deficit in the capital region and the north western parts of the country also improving the outlook for Kharif and Rabi crops,and generally bringing hope and cheer to the farmers.

Taking advantage of the late monsoon revival, I have removed some of my favourite plants from the beds and planted them in pots.This is also the time to plant flowering and fruit trees and shrubs and to repot your Bonsais that require repotting.The copious rains will also hopefully reduce the water scarcity in NCR, particularly in Gurgaon.
Sorry no pictures this time.

It Pours Again in Delhi

2009-08-25T20:44:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

The thunder-storm which hit Delhi late afternoon last week took all by surprise! The ferocity of the winds and the intensity of the rains which lashed most areas for over two hours was unprecedented.Those indoors like me, felt protected.But those on the roads, mostly daily commuters trying to make their way home after work, were the worst affected.The traffic ground to a halt over long stretches of the wide Lutyens Delhi avenues.Chaos and frustration overtook the capital for almost four hours. Fortunately, despite the uprooting of several trees, there were no serious human casualties.

The inabilty of the capital to cope with heavy rains made headlines on TV channels and the national dailies the next morning marked by the usual blame games between civic authorities and the traffic police. I saw few comments on how the heavy unfetted construction activity in Delhi has chocked up the drainage systems and the natural reservoirs,leading to extensive water logging.More evidence of utter lack of planning by the city authorities.

But the good news is that the steady drizzles over the NCR since the deluge has revived hopes of the gap in the monsoon deficit being narrowed.

Have you wondered about the future of our country? We are all proud of our freedom, democracy and recent signs of rapid ecconomic progress. But few take notice of the all round devaluation in the values- both family and social which have overtaken the younger generation.Pursuit of money and material acqusitions have taken a toll of consideration and reverance of traditions and for elders,integrity and discipline in public life. But the votaries of rapid economic development say that cosumerism and buying drives the economy! Can't we have both?

Before I end, allow me to make a mention of jolts ahead for my passion for gardening.In the next six months we shall move out of the spacious ground floor Govt accommodation to our own multi-storied aprtment in NOIDA. The challenge, therefore,is the relocation of my plants- a variety of palms, crotons, evergreens and flowering perennials. I have faced similar predicaments in the past as well and each time I used to distribute my collection among fiends.Unfortuntely,there aren't too many "Maalis" among my male friends or extended family in Delhi.Therefore, this time I am planning to shift them to a location which I can visit regularly to take care of them. My Bonsai collection I shall move to our apartment terraces.

My blog is incomplete without pictures of flowers I grow. So I am adding a few taken by me today. These are blue Ruellia blooms in pots- pretty perennials which continue to bloom after intervals of a few months;Plumbago Capesis, also blue flowerng perennials and the multicloured summer flowering Portulacas including the variety which unlike te normal ones, bloom till the evenings called " Bathua Portulcas" ( because its leaves resemble the Bathua Saag)!I am also carrying a picture of " Sweet Potato Wine" which is so lush green and spreads rapidly to provide ground cover, and also excellent for hanging baskets and Window Boxes. I feel sorry that few exploit this local plant available in plenty to adorn the gardens during the otherwise bleak season for gardening in Delhi i e., from July till November.I am also adding a picture of a "Pilkhan" tree from my Bonsai collection. Unfortunately the picture is vertical! Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Till then wishing you all happy Ganesh Chaturthi which is about to end and and the Holy month of Ramadan which began about a week ago!

Happy Janmashtami & Independence day

2009-08-14T21:22:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Yesterday was JANMASHTAMI.It's Independence Day today. Janmashtami continues to be observed with great fervour throughout the northern, western and eastern parts of the country, but Independence Day is losing some of it's sheen and enthusiasm. No " Prabhat Pheris" or flag hoistings, 'Laddus' distribution in schools and colleges. This is natural: those who fought for Independence are either no more or are fading away; Independent India which seemed a distant dream then, is now a fait accompli.The youth of the country which constitutes the bulk of the population is clearly and undestandably disappointed with the poilitical and bureacratic leadership over various issues- enempoyment, lack of education and health sevices as also infrasture development and CORRUPTION being the key ones.The general mood is , however, upbeat and the pace of development all round is picking up.The world is looking upon the Indian Democracy with admiration and our neighbours with awe and bewilderment.

Childhood memories of Janmashatami are fresh with preparations of a variety of sugary sweets made with dry fruits, especially " Chiraunji", "Makhana'. " Gola", " Post or "Khus Khus" and even " Gum" of the edible variety. There was lots of " Charnamrit or Panchamrit" made out of, milk, curds, Ghee, honey, Ganga Jal , Tulsi and Chiraunji alonwith " Kasaar" which was Atta fried in Desi Ghee mixed with sugar, 'Shakar Paras' etc.At midnight, Lord Krishna was given birth amidst a lot of fan fare including blowing of Conch Shells, and ringing of bells, behind a curtain, curiously out of a Cucumber! I am still to figure out the rationale behind this ritual.The " Jhankis" were decorated in every Hindu home and " Mohalla" with forests, water falls, rivers and animals being hand crafted by the ladies and children. My father took a lot of ineterest in this as we watched in facination his creations of mud houses, water ponds and forests with scenes of Lord Krishna's birth in Mathura.

How can any topical blog be complete without a word about H1 N1 or 'Swine Flu' which has been declared to have acquired epidemic proporions, affecting a number of countries across continents. As long as there were no fatal casualties, the people in India took it in their stride. But about 10 days back, as deaths began to be reported from a few cities like, Pune, Bangalore, Ahmedabad , Mumbai and Delhi, the media started ringing panic bells! The lack of preparedness of the Govt. hospitals and health authorities made headline news over teh innumerable the TV news channels and even the national dailes leading to a scare , especially among parents of school going children. The Indian mass media has again come into sharp focus for its irresponsible coverage of national events. Factual reports and dos and don'ts are welcome but not the ones predicting mass casualties among children. In the US and Canada which are much worse affected, while the mediacl labs and researchers are working over time to discover vaccines, no school or college was closed down.

I ahve added pictures of Janmashtami Puja being perormed at our home by Antara our 2 1/2 year old grand daughter, and, of course, a couple of pictures of the flowers in our garden taken on Janmashtami.

Lord Indra seems to smile over Delhi agin with good rains being experienced in the past couple of days. The mercury has dipped and hope of a good vegetables and Ravi crop revived.

I end with prayers for more rains in the northern parts of the country.

Love you all

I Blog Again

2009-08-02T07:47:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Have finally managed to get rid of my lethargy & enertia to start blogging again.

Delhi has experienced perhaps the hottest and driest summer in living memory. After the smart showers which caused flooding and traffic snarls last week, there has been no rain, though dark clouds have been gathering intermittently. The notoriously incorrect Met ofice daily predictions of rains and thunderstorms have ben proved wrong for almost one whole week.But the overall monsoon scenario has improved with the south, west and the east getting copius rains. The north inluding Delhi and its neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana,and westerm UP being very deficit. Let us pray to Lord Indra to bring us more rains and soon.

My extended tenure of three years with the Govt.ended on July 10. Do I find myself at a loose end after 40 yers of hectic work scedule? No.Now I can now plan my day ahead, spend more time with family and friends> No grappling with files, and meetings. Both processes of the Govt.with no beginning or end which seem to last forever! Thank God, I don't have to face either again.

The mango season has been mixed.There were just a few good Dussehris and Langras and now the juicy and sweet Chausas, my favourite, have made their appearance, reminding us that the season of the King of Fruits will soon be over.

How can the Desi Maali's blog be complete without gardening.This is perhaps the leanest season in Delhi for growing flowers and vegetables.Only the muticolored Portulacas which open in the mornings and close in the afternoons, yellow Gillardias,Balsoms ( an apology for the more handsome original Impatience) the purple but dry Gomphrenias, the crimson Amaranthus and bright red Cockscomb can be seen in home gardens.The Sweet Potato Wine os Shakarkandi Bel,is an excellent lush green ground cover which I have used in my home garden. And, of course, the mauve, pink and white blooms of Crepe Myrtles or "Saawanis"( Lagaestromia Indica) on bushes adorn the parks and roud abouts of Lutyens Delhi. The Delhi Gymkhana boasts of a very large variety of these.

I am adding a few pictures of the monsoon blooms in my home garden taken this morning for your viewing pleasure.

But this is the time to start sowing your Chryanthemums by planting cuttings or by root separation from plants saved from the last season. They will herald the long winter annuals season in Delhi, beginning November.

Happy " Rakshabandhan" which falls on August 5 . Unfortunately, tying of Rakhees by sisters in our family is taboo. But the good old Pandit used to come along and do the honours on the day, also carrying away the return gifts meant for the sisters in his Jhola!!

Love you all

Desi Maali

Winter Vanishes- Spring Bids Adieu- Summer is Almost Here

2009-03-05T03:00:00.000-08:00

Hello All,

The four day sojourn in Goa last weekend was a relaxed affair.Lots of Goan cuisine, mainly fresh catch from the sea, sleep, and generally " Sushegaad" (leisurely- a Portuguese word) which describes Goa's ambiance. The annual "Carnival" pageantry in Panjim added colour.A gentle 7 hr cruise on a " Catamaran' well stacked with food and drinks was another high point of the holiday.

There is truly no other place in India like Goa with breathtakingly beautiful vast stretches of golden( Salcete) and silver ( Bardez)sans beaches south to north. Over the years, these have been dotted with shacks serving possibly the best in Goan and Continental cuisine mainly to cater to the hoards of tourists hanging out to catch the sun, surf and laze under the shades. The amazing variety of dishes are very pocket friendly, even by Indian standards.What is more intriguing is that none of them seem to have the well equipped kitchens and cellars/ pantries as back up.But you order your drinks and in about 30 mins the mouth watering dishes start being served.

It is not the same Goa where we had spent three of our happiest years, over thirty years ago, when there were no 5 Star hotels- just two 3 Stars- one in Panjim ( Mandovi) and another in Vasco ( Lapaz)and just one North Indian restaurant in Panjim( Good Food / Shere Punjab).But happily, the quintessential Goan spirit remains in tact.

"Basant Ritu" or Indian spring marked by strong winds, and strangely,leaves falling off from evergreen trees like Neem greeted us on our return to Delhi.During school,this was referred to by us as the "Exams Warning Winds" reminding the less serious students like me to get focused on the books as exams were knocking on the doors.Simultaneously, the winter woollens were being washed and dried to be be kept in steel trunks for eight long months with dried Neem leaves to act as insecticides, till Diwali.Preparations began for making the traditional Holi sweets and savouries like, Gujiyas, Papads, Samosas, which were a treat for the kids.We would eagerly await Maa's permission to start devouring them no sooner these were out of the Kadhai ( deep frying pans).i would specially devour the "Keema Samosas" with home made coriander Chutney. What a contrast from the spring season in the western hemisphere which is a long awaited event after the long and harsh winter.

In the years gone by, Holi was celebrated with gay abandon when young and old, rich and poor all hugged each other , smeared Gulal and sprinked Coloured water among neighbours . Our mixed Christian and Muslim neighbourhood in Meerut also joined in. The festival has lost much of it's charm now and degenerated into excessive drinking of "Bhang" ( a drink made of Milk, almond paste, rose petals, ground with Cannabis India leaves) and alcohol and hooliganism on the roads, giving a tough time to the local police. I recall that during my ASP days in Gauhati before the day was over, the city Police Station lock ups were full with inebriated revellers creating nuisance at public places.

The winter annuals in the Delhi parks, round- abouts and home gardens are are at their peak. But as the temperatures continue to mount,and the sun becomes stronger by the day, the blooms have started wilting. Today, I went and bought packets of seeds for the summer variety of flowers- Kochia, Portulacas, Zinnias, Gomphrenias, Gillardia, Amaranthus and Cosmos. Have sown them in mixture of Soil Light, sand and manure in seed pans. Will await the seedlings to come up before planting them in beds cleared of the wither annuals.Carrying a few pictures of the wither annual blooms in pots and beds in my home garden.

Let me see how many of my blog readers are able to guess the correct names of the varieties. Pl give it try and I shall reward the one who knows all the names correctly.

That's it for now till my next blog.

Happy Holi to all.

Desi Maali

I am Back at Last

2009-02-15T07:55:00.000-08:00

Hi Folks,

It's been really long since I posted a blog. First, we were overtaken by the visit of our kids in December- Jan, which was lovely. Then the pace at work picked up . A few among my Blog readers( they aren't many) reminded me over email and phone. So here I am again. And it does feel good.

I think Delhi has witnessed one of the mildest winters, which followed one of the wettest summers in many, many years . The way it started warming towards end January, it seemed that the cold weather had disappeared altogether.However, following a brief rainy and cloudy spell early Feb,the nip in the air has thankfully returned. It won't last very long though, as all Delhiites know.

The winter annuals have begun to bloom. The Chrysanthemum's ( called Mums in the US)having bid adieu, the Calendulas, Dahlias, Marigolds, Pansies, Nustrutiums, Cinenarias, Stocks, Primulas have begun spreading their cheer with their glorious variety of colors and hues. I have named only the varieties that are in bloom in my home garden, though I am sure many more are adorning other gardens. A lot depends on how early or late in autumnn these are planted. Carrying a few sample pictures of these from my own garden for your viewing pleasure.

It is also the peak time in Delhi for hosting garden lunches, bar- be -cues . As the days become warmer, the lunches shall give way to outdoor dinners, while the evening cool breeze lasts, leading inevitably to only dinners indoors in AC comfort starting April.

The Wedding Season, which continues to follow the Hindu calender for auspcious months/ dates/times ,and periods when weddings just can not take place, has also descended. It me amazes me how, despite rapid westernization and modernization of the affluent and middle classes in India, we are clinging to such beliefs! Is it the centuries-old shackle-hold of Pandits over Hindu society, or superstitions, or do cosmic conditions really impact life? It certainly impacts plant and animal life .So why not humans?

As to auspicious times and dates for weddings, I was informed today by a dear friend that his wife is unrelenting to change the " auspicipus" timing for their son's wedding from 3 AM in end April! Feel sorry for the young couple, though, while admiring their regard for traditions and parents.

Saw
"Billoo Barber" today. I give it just 2 stars out of 5. No story , poor music and direction and make it a movie very well worth passing by. It left me with an impression that SRK and his wife have put it together to try to boost his stardom, which they know is not going to last very long.

While on movies, how can I end without my comments on " Slum Dog Millionaire" which has been released in India after a cosiderable gap after the US, and possibly the rest of the western world, where it took audiences by storm. This is not surprising, since I feel (after having read " Q & A" on which it is based and watched the movie) that it caters mainly to western audiences. Ok here is my own take on the movie, which every one believes will bag a number of Oscars soon:-

The book is better than the movie.
The movie focusses entirely on our country's underbelly- forced begging accompanied by blindings, prostitution and other forms of child abuse, slums, and criminal sub culture.
Not that it does not exist, like in other parts of the world.
But it totally ignores the positives in Indian society like the fellow citizens willingness to help out others .
This may be fascinating stuff for the developed world, but not for those of us who have seen it from closer quarters.
Even Rehman's music in this movie ,which has recieved much media hype, is uninspiring. And quite frankly, a rehash of his earlier scores for a number of Indian movies.
ARR is capable of much better.

I would like to end by thanking the Almighty for having given me more than my rightful share of happiness and well being.For the lovely family that I have.
And wishing all those who believe, not only in becoming richer, but also better human beings, the best in ther lives.

Desi Maali

Pitajee- My Father : Discipline, Sports and Refinements

2008-09-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

As I grow old, I miss Pitajee my father, more and more

Let's take a walk down my memory lane starting with the earliest, with the man, who possibly had the max impact on my life.

Born on Ist December, 1910 into a well -to- do Civil Services and Zamindar family of central UP comprising three brothers and two sisters. He was named Ch. Pratap Bahadur, but affectionately called 'Rajjan' at home.There was a difference of more than 10 years between him and my Tau( his older brother), but less than 2 years between him and Chacha ( his younger brother). His relationship with Tau was marked more by reverence and respect, and with Chacha with affection and friendship.The three Chowdhry brothers lost their sisters, who were both, according to Bhabbi my grandmother rare beauties ( no photos of them in the family album though), failrly early, soon after their marriages, in a dreadful Plague epidemic.

Pitajee often recalled how he and "Kunwar" ( Chacha) were taught by a Maulvi Sahib who stayed with the family ( with seperate arrangements for his messing ofcourse) during their childhood. The Maulvi apart from teaching them calligraphy and Persian language, also related tales of wise and brave men.Maulvi Sahib was a great man and their good friend, philosopher and guide. Incidentally, Pitajee learnt to read and write the Devnagri script only after entering service. Before that it was only Urdu and English, and Babba could not write or read Hindi till he died at the age of 90!!

Pitajee was a born sportsman - excelling in Horse Riding, Shooting, Hockey and Boxing. One heard tales of his acute rivalry over riding with Chacha when they were both being brought up and taught the family sport by Babba ( grandfather who finds mention in my earlier blog), himself a keen rider whose prowess and stamina on the horse back, was phenomenal.Pitajee told us that as a 'Shaandaar' Tehsildar,( head of a segment of the revenue district in British india), Babba would set out on his inspections- riding miles and miles, changing horses from post to post ( since the animals tired out but not the rider). These 'Muffussil Dauras'( rural) inspections must have been great fun- with tents being pitched near a river or canal, complete with the kitchen, cooks, bearers, cows for fresh milk, bonfires in the evenings, and possibly Shikars early mornings. Babba's young sons often accompanied him on such inspections when they were on vaction from their schools and colleges. I have an old picture of one such camp site which vividly displays such camps, which I can't lay my hands on, but shall try to upload with a future blog.

Bhabbi would often recalled how Rajjan and Kunwar( Chacha)who were the best of friends at most times, were at loggerheads over the their choice of horses to ride( quite often the same animal in their father's stables), and over pieces of meat with the biggest "Haddi" in the mutton curry cooked by the phenomenal family Chef, Ramdin Maharaj, while sharing the "Thali" at meal times.I too had the good fortune os savouring Ramdin Maharaj's mouth- watering Mutton Kormah, when we visted Faridpur our native "Kasba" not village( as Bhabbi emphatically described it).What never struck me as curious then, but does now, is how Ramdin Maharaj, a Brahmin made the non veg fare for the Chowdhry household, which he served for his entire life time!

Both Chacha and Pitajee considered themselves to be superior to the other in horse riding skills. Alas, I never got the chance to see them together on the horse back! Pitajee was also the star performer in the local hockey tournments in Jhansi, where he spent the better part of his younger days. Bhabbi would recall with glee how her Rajjan would be often brought home on his team mates shoulders, after having scored a crucial goal. Pitajee had the priviledge to Captain the local team in Jhansi in which KD Singh Babu the brother of the Indian Hockey Legend Dhyan Chand also played. In Pitajee's view, Babu was a greater player of the game than Dhyan Chand.

I took to riding like a fish to water while training in NPA in Mt Abu but nevr got the chance to play the game of hockey that seriously.

In moments of relaxation , Pitajee would fondly recall his happy Hockey days in Jhansi and the delicious " Doodh Jalebi"in "Kulhars" treats from the local Halwai shop as the instant energisers at half time, during the gruelling 1 hour games in the evenings. I think Pitajee studied in Jhansi till High School and then moved on to Allahabad, the Mecca of higher education for the affluent sections of UP society- first to the Kayastha Pathshala( also called KP College), and then to the Hindu Boarding House House of the Allahabad University, which was considered the best in a 'macho'sort of way, than the more famous Muir ( later called the Amara Natha Jha Hostel), where only 'sissies' studied and lived.Pitajee strongly felt that while Muir produced only book-worms, Hindu has produced some of the finest all rounders from the prestigeous Alld Univ. BTW,yours truly also got affiliated to the 'Sissies' Amranatha Jha Hostel for my MA degree, to which Pitajee never objected( I am a third generation product of the Alld. Univ).

A bit surprising that that none of Babba's sons took to Cricket in which he had excelled. He played against visiting teams from England ( precurser to the Test Matches). Pitajee told us that " Laalajee", as he called his father, had hit the highest Sixer on the Muir Central College Cricket grounds. The ball had reached the top storey of the Muir Tower which stands to this day as the central edifice of the Science Faculty of Allahabad University and also adorns the university emblem.Babba was also reputed to be an outstanding fielder.

More on Pitajee's sportsmanship. He is supposed to have K.Od a Negro Boxer in the Alld. University inter- unit Boxing Tournment. I still possess the Bronze medal he won for that.Continuing the family tradition, I won the Alld University Silver Medal at he same tournment while in my MA final in 1967. Earlier, I had invariably won my weight in Boxing tourments in which I participated in School. Pitajee always came to watch the finals. I remember his coming to my Corner of the Ring, after the first Round (in which I was trailing in keeping with my Coach's startegy to preserve my energies to go for the kill in the third and final Round). "Anil,go for it now - Don't wait for the third round", he whispered to me.I took Pitajee's advice and hammered away! My heart jumped with joy when the blue light went up after the judges verdict came in and the referee raised my hand to signal that " Blue" was the winner. Pitajee took my friend Ruby Kohli, whom I had vanquished and I for an Ice-cream treat after the tournment. I was then in Class VII.

Discipline was the next strongest trait of Pitajee. He was physically tough and strong . Not tall- about 5 ft 6/2 in.As kids, by brother and I particularly admired his calf muscles. Vigorous riding and hockey perhaps had a lot to do with it. He was adjudged the best Sergeant in an inter unit UTC competition in the Univ. So impressesd was the British Army officer who had come to judge their performance in parade and drill that he suggested 'Sandhust' to him as a career option. Babba was fine with it, but Bhabbi turned it down.

So Pitajee was content to carry on with the Law Degree from Alld. University.He didn't make it to the State Judicial Service exam ( Munsifi as it was then called). This he did to emulate his elder brother who was held in great amiration by the entire family. But Pitajee was not Tau, a very studious and serious minded person. Pitajee was all for sports and finer things in life like music, painting and gardening which must have left little time for books, I guess. But he had a sharp and logical mind and soon established a good legal practice in Moradabad (I think ),as a junior lawyer under a successful Advocate, Tau's friend.But Bhabbi who was a powerful influence in the lives of her dutiful sons, persuaded him to give up practice, because it was an 'unethical' profession- Lawyers she said had often to lie in courts! This decision Pitajee sometimes regretted later in his life when he found that some of his less gifted colleagues and friends had built up roaring practices. Pitajee married Sushila, my mother, the daughter of Dr Sidh Gopal Gurha, Civil Surgeon, Bareilly, when he was doing his LLB and was 21 years old. Maa was 16!

My memories of my father are surrounded by the fragrances of " Ittars", especially Mogra, his favourite which he loved to wear, "Baba 120" Zafrani Patti which he ate with the "Desi Desawali" Paans, always made at home( never from a Paan shop), well starched and ironed clothes, and shining shoes.His 'Gutka' Ramayan, which he read and the Diary, which he wrote every day were the other hallmarks of Pitajee.He was a stickler for time and punctuality- forever looking at his watch.Extremely gregarious, who loved the company of friends and neighbours. He had a passion for gardening( which I have inherited) and music, especially Indian classical.Post retirement, he never missed his morning walks with his friends, pre and post lunch short naps and dinner at sharp 9 PM alongwith the Enlish news over AIR on his transistor radio which he carried to the dining table.

Although he held important postions in the UP revenue administration, he never acquired any landed property, but chose to live in a rented bungalow in Alld. till the end of his life. In the Deptt which he finally headed ( Registration), known to be traditionally very corrupt, he was known for his impecable honesty, impartiality and accessibilty.

One day on his return from tour to Lucknow the state capital, he told us that he shall not be going to office the next day, and that he had sought voluntary retirement beacuse the CM wanted him to do something which his conscience did not allow. We were all shocked because he was just 57 years old and had another year of service left. But knowing how resolute he was in such matters, we did not argue with him. This should be seen in the backdrop of the current propensity of bureaucrats to cling to the chairs, especially after reaching the top of the ladder. But the likes of my father who were made out of a different alloy are raely to be found in the Indian bureacracy now!

I am adding five scanned photos with this blog from the family album- two of Maa and Pitajee after their wedding, and one which was taken after his graduation. The photo of an older Pitajee was taken when he took over as Inspector General of Registration UP. I am also adding a picture of our handsome and debonaire Chacha, Pitajee's younger brother and good friend. Chacha had joined the Royal Indian Airforce as a fighter pilot during World War II, but left as a young Flt. Lt., when he was medically grounded on account of a defect in his vision.

That's all for this blog.

Would love to see some comments on this one.

Love and good luck to all

Desi Maali

Janmashtmi

2008-08-23T21:18:00.001-07:00

Today is Janmashtmi - the birth day of Lord Krishna one of the most popular incarnations of God Vishnu, particularly in the North, Bengal and Orissa. Krishna's following has grown world-wide, thanks to ISCON. Unlike other Gods in the Hindu pantheon, Krishna's folklore is marked by romance,youthful pranks, music and dancing. Krishna's discourse to Arjun on the Mahabharat battle field is immortalised in the "Shrimad Bhagwat Gita"- the most powerful treatise on Hindu Dharma and philosophy.

Here are titbits of my childhood memories of Janmashtami- the pains we took over decorating the "Jhankis" depicting scenes of Lord Krishna's birth, with lots of foliage and flowers. The effect of reflecting water pools was created by using mirrors. Then there were the "Katri" sweets- basically dry fruits set in sugar, as exotic and varied as "Kharbooza"( Melon) seeds and natural gum ( "Gond"), "Post"( poppy seeds). The "Chiraunji" and Gola( dry coconut)Katris were my favourite. Every one kept " Vrat" ( fast), which meant you could eat to your hearts content but without " Anna" ( cereal) and salt.As as many sweets, as much milk or its products, fruits, vegetables . Therefore there were " Kutoo" and "Singhara" atta puris with the traditional " Arvi" ," Kaddu " Subzis, all cooked in "Sendha Namak" to be enjoyed while observig the Janmashtmi fast. Compare it with the rigours of fasting prescribed by other religions.
Lord Krishana's birth was invariably a noisy affair at mid-night, with a lot of fanfare, blowing of Conch ( "Shankh") shells and sounding of bells. A curtain was drawn to hide the actual birth of Baby Krishna. He came out of a "Kheera"( cucumber), bathed and clothed before, being placed in the traditional " Jhoola" ( swing). Why a Kheera, our young minds would ask, but we were never allowed to go beyond that . And we didn't care anyway, because the treat of " Charnamrit" or " Panchamrit"( made of milk, curds, honey, Ghee, Chiraunjis and Tulsi leaves ) Prasad "served in earthen " Kulhars""Kasaar" sweet roasted Atta which we kids called " Phoophoo" because if you said "that" while eating it , the powder would be strewn all over people next to you, awaited us!

Interestingly, " Janmashtmi" is the only festival celebrated in a big way in the Police Lines all over UP. The reason for this is simple. It is perhaps the only festival which does not require massive police deplyment for " Bandobast" or law and order duties. Well, I do hope that it remains that way, now that political fundamentalism and religious terrorism is taking a heavy toll of our day to day peaceful lives!

I am carrying a picture of " Laddu Gopal' decked out in his refineries adorning the Puja at home with this blog for all of you to have his Darshan. Shailey and I have kept up the long family tradition of observing Janmashtmi, while many of our peers are tending to give it up." OK . You find it tiresome to go through with all the hassles of cooking " Phalhari" meals, then why not order an egg less Cake with Kuttoo Atta flour from" Angels in the Kitchen" in Defence Colony with Baby Krishna and Happy Birthday icing to top it, in your choice of flavour- Vanilla, Chocolate or Pineapple", I suggested to a friend, who mentioned that his wife was prepared to go through with the Janmashtami shopping and cooking part, but since the kids don't relish the stuff any longer, they had decided to let it pass!

Last year on " Janmashtmi day, we decided to go out to a pure vegetarian restaurant to have " Phalhari Thali" lunch, but were greatly disappointed that it was not being served!

I had promised more on " Bhaggo Mausi" in my last blog. So here it is.She was an extemely warm, intelligent, affectionate and charming aunt- my mother's 7th sibling among 8. She could laugh, smile and cry within a matter of an hour! Rather emotional and sentimental but became a very strict disciplinarian after her marrige to Dr Vikram Singh, a self made Mona ( Jat) Sikh.She started an all Women's college in Ghaziabad, with only 10 students, which now has thousands on its rolls. She was a Phd. in English Literature from Patna Univ.and applied for a Commonwealth Scholorship for further studies in the UK, in the mid fifties. Dr. Vikram Singh,a "Leftist" from an agricultural and industrial background in the Punjab had somehow strayed into Govt service and was serving as a Deputy Secreaty to the GOI in the Education Minstry.He was on the Board to interview the applicants. A lonely handsome man, he was on the look out for a well bread and read life mate.I am Carrying a picture of Vikram mausaji with this blog.

Now this is how the interview went :-

DR VS, " Why do you want this scholorship?'

Dr Bhagya Gurha " Well I want to see England, where all this literature I have been studying comes from".

Dr VS " Hmm, what would you have to say if I show you England and many more foreign lands, minus the the scholorship?"

Dr BS, " What do you mean?"

Mausaji, " I will explain, if you meet me over coffee after the interview".

" OK " said Mausi without batting an eyelid in those days of innocence. She also did not complain to the Women's Commission or an NGO of being sexually propositioned by a Public Servant!

They met, not once but a few times, after which he proposed to her.Like a good daughter from respectable family,she gave him the postal address of Nanaji, Dr. Sidh Gopal Gurha, Civil Surgeon ( Retd)," Sidh Sadan", Mcnair Road, Prem Nagar Bareilly.This was the huge almost 30 room mansion Nanaji had built for himself to live in, but soon moved in to the Annexe, when the then Civil Surgeon approached him to give the house to accommodate the Nurses of the District Hospital, who did not have a place to live in. Nanaji's grandchildren,and my cousins, Girdhar and Manohar managed to get the house vacated after 50 long years of legal battle. I am carrying a picture of the house as it stood when I took Shailey there in 1997.

Mausaji wrote to Dr Gurha giving his brief background and asking for his fourth daughter's hand in marriage. Nanaji replied saying that he did not mind, if his daughter wanted to marry him. But he could not perform the marriage from Bareilly given Mausaji's unorthodox background ( a Sikh marrying a second time). Bhaggo Mausi then approached her dear elder sister, "Shillaji" ( my Mom), who asked my father whether the marriage could be solemnized from our house in Meerut and Pitajee said " Yes".
So we recieved Mausaji and the small Baraat of Punjabis for a very simple wedding followed by a very tearful " Bidaai", after which we didn't know whether to feel happy or sad. I was about 1o years old then in 1955.But Bhaggo Mausi led a very happy married life giving birth to her two daughters, Cuckoo and Tottoo. They first lived in a DII flat in Pandara Road and later moved to DI/75 Satya Marg, Chanakyapuri from where he retired, before moving to their own huge house in Ghaziabad- post retirement.This is the house where Bhaggo Mausi lived looked after by a loyal maid and her family who lived in the out houses, reciting Keat's poetry and reding Shakespear, till she breathed her last at the age of 89.Mausaji had passed away some years back. We had gone and spent some time with her in this house a month ago when she took ill. Her face had lit up on seeing us and she had hugged me fondly, smiling with tears in her eyes.

Well, that I feel is enough for this blog. Do let me see a few comments on it.
Love and all the best

Dadaji is No More- Bhaggo Mausi Also Gone

2008-08-10T08:30:00.001-07:00

Vijay, my wife's brother informed us on Monday, August 4 that he was taking Dadaji to the Mission hospital in Mysore to consult with the cardiologist taking care of him since his last heart attack in 2000. He was complaining of breathing difficulty for the past couple of days. Dadaji, my wife's father had been living with his son and family in a farm house on the outskirts of Mysore city after migrating there from Kanpur ( UP) the past few years. Despite two severe MIs in 1984 and one in 2000, he was leading a fairly active life, largely within the farm house. A comfortable,but lonely life- mainly because Ammaji, Shailey's mother passed away 15 years ago, and he had to relocate to a faraway place,due to extra-ordinary circumstances, beyond his control.

On Tuesday, Vijay called again to say that Dadaji had been admitted in the CCU and his condition was deteriorating rapidly. Shailey and I reached Mysore the same night after catching the evening flt to Bangalore and driving for 4 hrs. The senior cardiologist attending on him at the hospital saw only 50- 50 chances of his recovery. His age ( he had completed 86 years on June 23) was the factor holding them back from trying more aggressive procedures to revive his heart, which was functioning with only 25 % efficiency.

When we went in to see him, he was fully conscious, but very restless and apparently unhappy at being strapped up with the rice tube, ventillator and the drip etc. When Shailey called out to him after touching him, he looked at her, and looked away- expressing his disgust at what was happening to him! I don't think he saw me.After spending a few agonizing minutes with him the nurse asked us to leave ,and we did.

We came back home and had lunch. I kept thinking that Dadaji should perhaps go, but could not express it to the family. Shailey had been telling me that Dadaji was an exceptionally bad patient himself and hated any kind of illnesses in the family.He believed in good health and wellness.

It was 3 PM - Wednesday, August 6, 2008 when Vijay called from the hospital to say that Dadaji was no more!

We rushed back to the hospital to help Vijay take decisions on the last rites etc. The SIB officials came to the spot and helped. This is where the IB scores- always there in times of need in any part of the country! According to Vijay, Dadaji had asked him to take the "Arya Samaj" route,in preferece to the "Sanatan Dharma" the sect to which he belonged in the matter of his last rites. So it was Electric Crematorium - "Visarjan" of ashes at the " Sangam" at neighbouring Shrirangapatna, followed by a Shanti Havan ( Home) at home on the fourth day.

Part of the ashes were brought back by us the next day accompanied by Gaurav, Vijay's elder son for being carried to Kanpur for immersion in the Ganges.Gaurav had a very close emotional bonding with his grandfather.

Let's take a quick look at Dadaji's backround- Born into a family of lawyers and Zamindars in Banda, a small town in the arid Bundelkhand region of UP, bordering MP. His mother died when Dadaji was merely a Baby. He was brought up by his eldest Bhabhi and brother who had no issues of their own, and also later formally adopted him. His upbringing was marked by love and plenty, in both emotional and material terms. He went to Alld- Kayasth Pathshala the Mecca of all well- to- do Kayasth sons for higher education from where where he did his Intermediate, and moved to the Sir Ganga Nath Jha hostel of Alld. University for the Bachelors in Arts and Law Degrees. He often recalled with pride and pleasure the lavish lifestyle he led as a student in Alld. spending pots of money on good eating and clothes.

He returned to Banda to set up law practice under his foster father( eldest brother), who was a failrly successful lawyer in the District courts. It was then that a proposal was recieved for him to marry Kum Shailbala the only daughter of Dr. Sampurnanand hailing from Varanasi. Sampurnanadji was a well known figure as a freedom fighter and who was sucked into poltical activity and became an important Minister in the UP Govt. headed by Pt. Govind Vallabh Pant. Both families being educated and enlightened, he was allowed the privilege of seeing the girl's photograph. Dadaji went one step further and surruptitiously saw Ammaji stepping out of the Mahila College in Lucknow. His close buddy and fellow lawyer from Banda, Shri Jagdish Rajan,( later married to my eldest sister) had accompanied him on this important mission. The wedding took place at Lucknow and the Nigams returned with the bride to Banda.

When Ammaji's brother was sent to Banda to get the bride back to her " Maaika" soon after the wedding, which was customery, he took the family elders at home to task for having married his loving sister into the most backward and underdeveloped part of the country- sans electricity, sans water supply, sanitation or transport facilities .But Ammaji did not complain then or later in her life for having been married to Dadaji- possibly because the lack of civic amenities in Banda were more than made up by her husband's love and care! Ammaji was a very gifted and dignified lady with several virtues of head and heart. She was more composed, less demonstrative, and an extremely able home maker.She also kept Dadaji on track. Shailey has no doubt inherited some of her mother's qualities

After a few years of marriage, Shailbala gave birth to Shailja ( my wife)in her father's home in Lucknow. The Baby girl, brought much joy and cheer to the Nigam household. Ammaji would recall with mirth her dreary Banda days - the bumpy Tonga rides over Kutcha roads to attend social events like births and weddings in Purdah , ofcourse, and the rare evenings out to watch a movie in the only " Talkies' in town, where she was served mouth watering Lhassi & Samosas from the neighbouring " Boda Halwai" shop, when the screening of the film was interrupted with the generator running out of diesel, or the projector becoming overheated after showing heavy romantic movies starring Ashok Kumar and Nalini Jayawant for more than thirty minutes at a stretch, with Dadaji perhaps holding the hand of her bride in the darkness of the hall,and the lights would be suddenly switched on, without warnings!

Ammaji put her foot down when their daughter's " Deeksharambh( schooling) was to be launched. " We must move to a place where she gets decent schooling" she told Dadaji. He chose Kanpur, U.P's biggest city and industrial hub, located midway between his wif'e's home ( Lucknow) and his own Banda. They set up home in a house on rent in the posh Civil Lines area close to the courts where he set up law practice. He soon became a Govt Advocate on the criminal side and rose to become the District Govt Counse, a position he held for many years till his retirement. The Nigams were also blessed by a second child, a son they named Vijay , and continued to live happily in the " Doodh Wala Bangla" ( a strange name for a home, I thought) for over two decades -driving up and down in Dadaji's many ramshackled cars ( with frequent break-downs,)to visit Ammaji's home in Lucknow and Banda on weekends and holidays. These visits were great fun especially for the kids.

They were living in the same house,when Shailey and I got married in 1975. The house was full of birds and dogs- thanks to Vijay's love for them which he carries to this day.My visits to my Sasural were marked by lot of " Khatirdari" and good eating/sleeping, which Ammaji took special care of.

The happy days of the Nigam household were rocked badly for ten long years from 1984 to 1994, with serious health problems suddenly afflicting the family- first the 2 MIs in quick succession suffered by Dadaji in 1984, and then Ammaji's prolonged incurable illness from a hepatitis B viral infection she had contacted more than 15 years ago during post surgery blood transfusions. The family naturally came under severe emotional, physical and financial stress. Full marks to Ammaji and young Vijay for having battled both illnesses with fierce tenacity and grit. First in getting Dadaji back on his feet, after being bed ridden for over one year, and then ensuring the best possible quality of life to Ammaji during her 8 long years of illness. Shailey and I have the satisfaction of having helped in her treatment by the best doctors in the country at possibly the finest hospital in the country- the AIIMS.

After Ammaji's demise on January 30 ( Martyrs day) 1994, just a fortnight after her cherished desire of having a postage stamp released in memory of her father was fulfilled largely by our efforts, Dadaji , Vijay and family vacated the "Doodh Wala Bangla" and moved to their own farm house in Magarwara on Lucknow- Kanpur road about 12 Kms out of the city, across the river Ganges. Perhaps taking a cue from his love for nature,Dadji had bought a strech of of about 8 acres of agriculture land for his son. But the hassle of commute for Vijay's three school going children forced them to move back to the city in a rented house for about one year before they moved bag and baggage moved to Mysore, where Vijay took up a job.

My account of Dadaji's life would be incomplete without recalling some of his " Shaukeen" / quixotic ways.- Perhaps on being taunted about his various " Khachra" cars, and riding in the " Limos" of his Chief Minister ( and later Governor of Rajasthan) father-in-law, Dadaji ordered his nephew pursuing an engineering degree in the US ( financed by him) to bring back the longest car being sold there. So the white Ford Custom 500 was shipped out to him. And Dadaji proudly drove his family around on Kanpur, Banda and Lucknow roads for many many years, till Vijay explained to him why they could not afford the White Elephant any longer , and Dadaji grudgingly allwed Vijay to exchage it with a smaller car - a Fiat with a local Nawab of Unnao, who like Dadadi was smitten by big cars!

That more or less completes Dadaji's life story which its ups and downs like most. He was a good , honest and simple man, who was proudly independent and self -reliant till the end. My friends and family remember him as a jovial, spirited grand old man dressed mostly in Kurta - Pyjama or Shervani and Achkan on formal occasions, with his distinctive shock of shining silver hair.

Life treated him failrly well, except for two serious set backs- the loss of his life partner and friend ( Ammaji) at the young age of 61, and his own illness which took the zing out of his life, also at an early age. But he managed well till the end.Despite his frequent outbursts and refusal to see any other view point than his own, I immensely enjoyed his company and shall miss him. May God rest his soul in peace.

I am carrying two B/W pictures of Dadaji which Shailey fished out of the family albums which I hope you will like.He is holding Abhiram our elder son in one, and the other is with his Old Buddy and my late Jeejaji, Shri Jagdish Rajan

Bhaggo Mausi ( Dr. Bhagya Vikram) my mother's only surviving sibling who lived all by herself in Ghaziabad, with her two daughters living in Calcutta and Jallandhur passed away on August 12. She was nearing 90 and had been ailing for some time. She was also an unforgettably charming personality. A Phd. in English literature- her first love, and married a Mona Sikh ( Vikram Singh Mausaji), her third Love. I shall write of my memories of Bhaggo Mausi in my next blog, since this one has already become rather long. But I am carrying two photos of her younger days to give you an idea of her earthy charm!The picture of her next to the cactus was taken in 1956.

Love to all.

Pictorial Walk Down Memory Lane

2008-07-25T00:46:00.001-07:00

The Past in Pictures-
Returning to my blog after almost two weeks. Ankur our younger son reminded me about it.

So here I am in a new format. Have been rummaging through a whole lot of old photos which Shailey has very meticulously preserved.The blotches on the 10 BW photos have become more prominent after scanning. But they bring back some very happy memories from my childhood and younger days which I have tried to recapitulate below:-

Top Photo
Goa 1976- Tanuja and her husband Somu Mukerje who was shooting a film there visited our homeYes that's Kajol in Shailey's lap.Friends and neighbours Narendra and Sudha, and Rita another good friend, are also seen in the picture with us.Shailey tells me little Kajol had wet our sofa in the Drawing room when Tanuja had spent the day at our home .

Second Row Left -That's Shailey as a Baby. She later came in to my life as my wife, and turned it upside down- from a Bindaas Happy go lucky ' most eligible bachelor in town' -to a home loving bird ,looking forward to returning to the nest after a hard days' work. But the change didn't happen overnight. As a matter of fact, I didn't realize when it did. And she let me be a Bindaas for quite a few years- giving me lots of space, smiling and watching from a distance.

I met Shailey for the first time in 1969 when she alongwith her parents visited our home in Alld ; then again in early 1970 while I was on home leave to attend Anand Bhai's Engagement. Her Dad was a good friend of my eldest brother- in- law.They drove in on their way back from Varanasi to Kanpur in the longest car I had ever seen- a Custom Ford 500! I remember her as a rather serious skinny young girl. A proposal quickly surfaced - " Nice girl- Nice known family" etc etc. But I was in no mood to loose my freedom and " Masti". So I said " Car now and the girl in easy instalments" . It was laughed off.

But they did come back 5 years later, to Goa where I was posted as SP for a " well planned holiday" . My parents were already with me and they arrived with my eldest sister and brother in law. I was cornered again. I said "I need more time." But my brother-in-law would have none of it. "We have given you enough time, Anil. And now you have to give us a firm Yes or No " he roared, which brought out a feeble "yes" from me. And then they acted fast - Dinner at home in the evening, after which I was allowed to take her out for a drive- to Donna Paula- where else. And the ring ceremony followed the next evening. The die was cast!

Right - In Goa in 1974 with a young photographer ( I think his name was Paul) with whom I made friends on a train journey from Bombay to Goa. I was still a bachelor.

Third Row- Pitajee with Bro. C P Burke Principal of our school St Marry's Academy. Shri Shanti Prasad IP, a close friend of Pitajee who was DIG Meerut Range is also seen in the background. Shri Prasad was a towering personality who later headed the UP Police. He largely inspired me to opt for the police as my career.

Fourth Row - with Anand Bhai and Roy Fanthome, our close friend and neighbour in Meerut. The year could be 1958 or 9.

Fourth Row Right-With Maa, Anand Bhai and younger sister Anurag ( Baby) much later in Meerut. Perhaps in 1964 when I was studying in College in Delhi and Anand Bhai was training to become a Commercial Pilot with Chacha in Alld.

Fifth Row -At home in Meerut with Babba, Bhabbi( Grandparents) , Anand Bhai and Baby- In the late fifties, I think.

Sixth from Top- Our friends in School, sons of the Sub Area Commander ( Brig R S Sodhi) had brought Army horses to our house in Meerut Cantt, when Aand Bhai and I first tried our hand at riding, a traditional family sport, which I cherish till today. Earnest Fanthome, Roy's elder brother is safely holding the stallion by his reins, while I am proudly on its back.

Seventh from Top- Taken around Dussehra time in the fifties in Meerut when Anand Bhai and I were allowed to fire from the family weapons. I am proudly holding the .32 bore Revolver ready to shoot! Does it matter that I am barefeet? The weapon was presented to my Grandfather by "HE The Commander - In- Chief of the British Forces in India for Services rendered during the Great War and after" -1919, when he was Tehsildar of Hathras, I think in Aligarh district ( UP). Did that make us "Todi Bachhas" ? I don't think so.It's a family heirloom which I have inherited from my father. I am truly proud of it. Manufactured by Johnson & Johnson Cycle Factory in Michigan USA. It has a gold plate on its butt commemorating its presentation to my Grandfather. I tried to find out about the factory which produced the weapon during my posting in the US much later and was told that it had closed down many years ago!

Babba my grandfather was known as a " Shandaar Tehsildar" an honest, strict and no nonsese type of administror. He is said to have performed his tours riding miles and miles on horseback when the horses were changed every 10 / 12 miles, but he would continue to gallop or canter (the least tiring for the rider), till he reached his destination, to camp in tents put up in forest areas close to the village, for a bit of " Shikar ", after the inspection was over. In a future blog I shall try to carry a picture of one such camp where my father and his brothers were also taken on the " Daura".

Finally the last picture - It wastaken in a studio in the school blazer in 1960, when I was filling out my forms for the NDA and "Dufferin" exams. Don't miss the crew cut- coz Elvis had got one in the Movie " G I Blues" and coz I was pretty fed up of my unruly hair which simply didn't stop falling on my forehead, despite liberal treatments with Brylcream, Vaseline Pomade etc.

The Present- In Delhi -

Delhi continues to be hot and sultry with little rain in the past week. But the heat and dust has hopefully settled, also after all the the political drama witnessed on July 22.In an obvious salute to the PM , Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM kept playing the number " Singh is King" from the yet to be released Akshay Kumar starrer movie by the same, after the UPA Govt won the vote of Confidence in the Lok Sabha. Young Omar Abdullah, son of Farukh Abdullah, the J & K NC leader's straight from his heart speech in Parliament clearly scored over all others.

Last Sunday, we went for a Mango Party in an orchard owned by Khan Sahib, owner of Rajdhani Nursery in Jorbagh. His orchard which also has a farm house and serves as the back up nursery and Green House for the Rajdhani Nursery in located on Garh Mukteshwar -Meerut road ;a good 2 1/2 hrs drive from Delhi. We had lots of fun feasting on the delicious varieties of mangos- Langdas, Dussehris, Chausas and the lesser known Ratauls and Gulab Jamuns grown only in western UP but very weet and tasty. The mangos were served in the tradional style, soaked in buckets filled with water and ice, and eaten jointly under the shades of trees also laden with mangos. There was a large tank fed by a tube well for the kids to frolic in. This was followed by a sumptuous meal of Pooris , Kachaudis , variety of Subzis and Biryani, Korma all made by gourmet chefs at the Farm House.There were no less than 200 guests who enjoyed Khan Sahib's hospitality!
I attended such a party which used to be an annual affair during our childhood after many, many years. And Khan Sahib's Khatirdari was impecable. He looked after every guest personally, extending the usual courtesies ( disappearing fast) only a Muslim from UP can- in proper Lakhnavi and Rampuri Andaaz, assisted by his sons and other family members. Small baskets of mangos were also placed in the cars of the VIP guests as they left the farm house. " Will your sons be able to continue with this tradition of hosting the annual mango party after you are gone," I asked Khan Sahib before leaving."I am sure" was his prompt answer. But I am not so sure...

That's all for now. All the best till I blog again.

Love from your "Desi Maali".

Uncertainties Over Delhi

2008-06-25T09:18:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks

It has been uncertainties all the way this week. Future of the Nuclear Deal; future of the UPA Govt at the Centre; the way inflation is heading; the speed at which the oil prices are heading noth and the stock market south; progress of the Monsoons; and what's in store for India in the short term and long, for those who love it.

My answers: The deal is not bigger than India.The UPA should hold because even a poltical novice like me knows that if the polls are held any time soon, the BJP will have a huge advantage mainly due to price rise. The future of India is good because the country has remained unshaken on the democratic path, despite several ups and downs.Because Indians are basically peace loving and God Fearing peple. But we have to move away from superstitions, religious intolerance,"Mobraj" castism, and bring down the birth rate by aiming for 100 % literacy, particularly of our female population.Each one of us has to do one's bit to improve matters, instead of looking to and blaming the Govt agencies.India shall bounce back. It is a matter of time.Does it sound a la Kalaam?

"Umas"( humidity) punctuated by brief cool spells of rain best descibes the weather conditions over Dilli the past week.My guess is that the monsoons are good and the early Kharif crop should bring relief by Dussehra - Diwali.

An article written by my sister in a Home and Parents Magazine of Mumbai on N. Lal ICS brings back memories of perhaps the most unforgettable character out of my childhood.Actual name Nathi Lal- profession- domestic help in a large upper middle class ex- Zamindar family of "Munshis"( Civil Servants of UP).The ICS stands for "Indian Children Service" given to him by my cousin also a Civil servant ( IRS). Very apt I think- looking at the devotion, love and care with which he brought up our large family of six siblings in Meerut.

His family background remains an enigma to this day. He made us believe that his father was a well- to- do " Kazanchi" ( probably Accountant but literal meaning Treasurer) of the Maharajah of Bikaner. He was spoilt due to his father's immense wealth: fell in love with " Shyama" a ravishingly beautiful nautch-girl who he wanted to marry. His father naturally disapproved. So Nathi Lal,smitten by Shyama's beauty, fled from home and eloped with her.The honey- moon was a romantic journey through the most idyllic spots, paid for by money and jewels he stole from his father. He related unbelievable tales of how he made tea for his beloved Shyama when she expressed the desire for a cuppa by lighting a fire of currency notes.No surprise that the money did not last long.

This romantic love story had a sad ending. Shyama fell terminally ill, and died in his arms.After that he went berserk-wandered in the wilderness joining a band of " Aghori", Sadhus ( a Tantrik cult which leads the most defiled life- living at the Burning Ghats, eating jungle produce, drinking urine and eating excreta), in their quest for inner peace and tranquility.Nathi Lal's father discovered his lost son in this state of utter disillusionment and despair.Why he turned to my "Tau" ( father's elder brother), who was Sessions Judge of the District, is not quite understood by me. But Tau who already had enough help at his home, turned to his younger brother, my father who was also posted in the same district of western UP. Nathi Lal was I believe employed as a tennis ball picker in the Officers Club patronised by both Pitajee and Tau.One day, he somehow ventured from the Club to my father's home. There he got hooked on the happy home atmospherics. That's the best I can do to explain N Lal's entry into the Chowdhry household, relying, on my adolescent ears.

Nathi Lal had extraordinary qualities of head & and heart He was a friend,philosopher and guide to all seven of us, in varying degrees. I may be wrong but I feel that I got the maximum out of his abundant love and care. He kept us all smiling and in good cheer while feeding us, reaching us to our schools and bringing us our lunch in school buying sweets and fruits, often out of his own pocket,on the way on the bicycle or cycle-Rikshaw that he rode all day long.

He was the first to wake up and last to go to bed. If you add our old grandparents who also lived with us, to the seven children, the range of the chores he ran for all of us was truly amazing.He would often take cudgels on our behalf with not only our parents but also with our teachers in school. Much to my embarrassment, he would occasionally burst into my class room with " Excuse me Madam but I must feed my Baba since I could not reach in time to catch the Lunch Break". He would mock at my rebukes at indulging in such antics.He was proud of his fluency with the English lanuage.

My brother and I had the happiest of times accomanying N Lal to the neighbourhood "Ram Leelas" afer dinner, when we would be seated in the front row of VIPs, and he would buy us "Teer Kamaans" and sweets at the stalls. Our young chests would fill with pride when the drama on stage was interrupted to annouce cash rewards mostly to the artist playing " Hanumanji". I also loved accompany him to the 'Halwai" shops for the "Kulhar" milk and Barfi treats .

He did go home to Mathura once in year to catch up with his family and returned frequently before time with lots of goodies like the special " Pedas, " Khurchan" and " Kulia " sweets ( "Rabri" set in tiny earthen "Kulhars") which all loved. Much later during one of my visits to Mathura, I looked for N Lal's " Kulias' all over, but couldn't find them. No one knew what local variety of sweet I was talking about!

N Lal ICS served us for over three decades till after I joined service. He fell ill and was forced to join his family in his last days. I used to receive his Post Cards full of love and grief at having been forced to leave our home. Also pleading to send him money to tide over the difficult financial position of his children to which I always responded as best as I could. Then one day, I heard from my parents that he was no more. I think it was 1973.

Could trace two pictures of Nathi Lal which I scanned and uploaded. I think in the picture of the younger N Lal, he has my eldest sister in his caring and solid lap. Hope you are able to see the nowblurred B & W pictures of my vivid childhood memories.There two other picture of Lagestromia India shrub in full bloom on the Satya Marg roundabout and a Gajania bloom in glorious yellow at home.

That's all for this week.

Lots of love and luck from your Desi Maali in Delhi

a

Earliest Monsoon Over Delhi

2008-06-20T02:28:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Couldn't do my Blog last week because the Internet at home was down last week end.

But here I am again this week with my lead news item from Dilli, which all of you must have heard or read several times over - the Monsoons have broken over Delhi, earliest in living memory, after the wettest month of May. What is this, if not climate change, I ask for want of a better reaction!

While the respite from the oppressing Delhi summer heat is welcome, I am not sure that it's all for the better. In the absence of the " Loo"( Hindi not English),mosquito fatality did not take place. The persisting humidity and stagnant water puddles all over the city are ideal setting for them to become amorous and intimate. One may, therefore, expect outbreak of the dreaded "Dengue" fever. So those of us who didn't escape to the hills in May and June, be prepared to flee from Dilli, if the Dengue outbreak takes place in autumn.

The " Andhees and " Toofans" preceding the Monsoons had already taken a heavy toll of the Mango ( my favourite fruit on earth) crop in the north. And now the Eastern and north Eastern parts of the country are being affected by floods!

The price of Crude oil which has not stopped galloping for a year now ( what stamina of the oily skinned Stallion)), and the world wide shortage of food grains have added to our woes.Spiralling inflation and prices of essential commodities is affecting the masses,as also the poll prospects of the ruling UPA alliance.Therefore, we cannot go ahead with the Indo- US nuclear deal which all believe will help us tide over our huge energy deficit to some extent.

The small increase in petroleum products retail prices, which was unavoidable, has added fuel to the raging inflationery fire. No one seems to know how to control it!

The US economy's recession, set off by the sub prime factor has also affected our share markets and the financial sector. Every one says- these are cyclic phenomena.. But none is willing to venture to forecast, when things will improve.

The Congress party and its Allies want the "Deal", but do not want early polls. Their Left parters do not want the deal so as not to be seen siding with the US( with an eye on the Muslim votes)- but also do not want to face the electorate. So we are stuck yet again at a crucial stage of our developing into an economic world entity, largely because no party leadership has the kind of credibility to carry the masses with them to tell them "We know what's good for you. So vote for us if you trust us."

Looks like the BJP may have to wait another year, before they regain power at the Centre, which they appear poised to, with their mouths watering ...

But let us hope for better times for all of us.

The copious rains have washed Delhi bright green. The " Sawani" ( Sawan or Shravan is the month heralding the Monsoons as per the Hindu calender) - Crepe Martyl ( popular English name and Lagestoemia Indica ( Botanical) shrubs are in full bloom all over the city. The ones on the Moti Lal Nehru Place round about are the prettiest. The poor Kochias which were also at their peak green glory are in a mess- state of shock over the monsoons early arrival! I am carrying illustrative photos of the Sawanis, the Kochias,the inscrutable ( "Besharam") Bougainvalleas and a few other flowers flowering in my home garden, for the non "Maalis" to understand what I am talking about. There is also a chance picture of my own with the Prime Minister and friend Jyoti at a recent Reception in the capital.

Speculation over the fate of the Indo- US Nuclear Deal has overtaken the spot light of the local media over the Arushi( NOIDA) murder case, which largely remains unsolved, despite our premier Central Investigating Agency taking over. But Vijay Shankar and his excellent team of officers will, I am sure, crack the case soon to maintain the fairly high standards of investigation which the CBI has built over years.

Well folks so much for this week. Trying to keep my blogs short and readable at one go, as advised by a friend.

Take care and have fun

June 8 2008 Delhi

2008-06-08T08:38:00.000-07:00

Couldn't write my Blog last week-end, because we travelled to Bangalore and Mysore.Both were nice and cool,with plenty of rains.
Our arrival in Bangalore coincided with the Swearing ofthe first BJP Govt South of the Vindhyas.Our Flt landed at the new airport on Bangalore - Hyderabad road, a good hour's drive from the city. Tried to enter the city to meet a friend for dinner, but gave up half -way, beacuse of traffic jams caused by jubilant BJP supporters flocking the city from the rural areas.Stayed at the Jalahalli BEL Guest House set out in a beautifully designed garden. Went out to eat at Neelam resturant close to Ramaiah( Engineering & Medical) College, especialising in Andhra cuisine . It was packed with students and tourists, guzzling beer and tucking in heaps of hot Andhra curries poured over steamed rice on a late Friday evening.

The drive from Bangalore to Mysore early next morning was pleasant with our usual halt for " Tiffin" at Kamath restaurant midway setb in a pleasing rural ambience. It was packed with almost 200 customers being served by 'Dhoti Kurta'- clad waiters with various south Indian delicacies.
It was almost noon by the time we reached the Farmhouse on Mysore -Hunsur ( Mangalore) road on the outskirts of Mysore,where my father in law lives with his son and family. The Essar petrol station started by my brother in law about one year ago was locked up . It could not cope with the highly subsidised rates at which the Govt owned gas stations sell petrol and diesel. The garden and my brother- in- law's "aviary" and dog kennels were however, doing well,as also the rest of the family trying to lead their Kanpur life in the deep south.

On Sunday, I went around some nearby Nurseries, ate farm fresh fruits and rested at my "Sasural". Early Monday morning,set out for Bangalore and came back to Delhi late evening.

Delhi weather continues to be very unusual, with a persiestent cloud cover and intermittent rain.

Yesterday(Saturday) Shailey and I spent almost three hours in Jan- Path and CP, shopping and looking around. Picked up some music CDs. The Cottage Industries Emporium continues to be our favourite place. Some one selecting the merchandise there, still does a good job of a government enterprise, in the most un- govt activity- selling handicrafts. It is one of the oldest relics of Delhi's attempts to show case the arts and crafts of India, soon after Independence. I feel proud that our family contibuted to this effort in no small measure with Ratna Ji and her husband Mr Fabri designing the interiors of the Cottage Industries Emporium for several years since its inception in the early Fifties.Old Delhiites will remember that the sophisticated and artistically inclined met at the CIE in the fifties thu seventies.

Today ( Sunday), we saw "Sarkar Raj",the new Ram Gopal Verma release starring the entire Bachchan family, minus Jaya, at the City Walk PVR in Saket, after a south Indian meal at "Naivaidyam" in Hauz Khas Village. The outing was with the Sawhney's our Samdhis,thanks to the energy & initiative of Shubhi, their young daughter.
" Sarkar Raj" very well acted ,but the story line was weak . So it tended to drag.

Sorry no photos this time,although the city panorama over Delhi looks very green and fresh. But I have the Langda mangoes, Muzzaffar Pur Leechis and Bombay Alphonsoes to look forward to the coming week.

A very happy week ahead.

Love

A Freakish Wet Week in Delhi

2008-05-22T07:57:00.000-07:00

Mother Nature never ceases to surprise ignorant mortals like me. The incessant rains that Delhi and its neighbourhood has been experiencing the past six days ( mid May) is like during the peak of the Monsoons which get here only by about mid July!Water logging in many areas of the city and the suburbs notwithstanding, the steep fall in temperatures was welcomed by all.

The double murder of 15 years old Arushi and a Nepali domestic in the home of the Talwars both successful and well known Dentists in a posh NOIDA colony on May 15 sent shock waves though out the capital. The TV channels and the print media were on the rampage again! A wave of sympathy for the 15 year old who was reported to be a brilliant 9th Grade student in DPS NOIDA swept over NCR.

The NOIDA police investigations into the sensational crime were slippery, bumbling and shoddy- jumping from one theory to another.The gory murders were carried out by slitting of their throats with a sharp, possibly surgical instrument after knocking them out with a blunt object.

The shocking climax was reached yesterday with the police announcing that the culprit was the girl's own father Dr Rajesh Talwar. But the manner in which the story was revealed at the press conference by IG Meerut Range was most unprofessional, to say the least.

Now the girl's mother and a colleague lady doctor with whom Dr Tarwar was, according to the police, having an affair have further complicated the case by going to the TV News Channels, vehemently denying Dr Talwar's involvement, and claiming that theirs was a perfectly normal happy family. I saw their interviews and thought that they were a bit contrived. The mother particularly was too composed! Let's see what twist the case takes next...

But we all feel sorry for the young and innocent Arushi. It is evident hat she was not getting enough parental attention, with both being focussed on their careers.The change in value systems where material gains have taken the place of close family bonds is worth pondering over.

I am not at all surprised at NOIDA ( UP) police's inept handling of the case.To expect sophisticated metropolitan policing from a Mofussil ( rural) police force deployed in NOIDA, devoid of basic forensic tools, training , orientation etc, is not being realistic. If the UP CM would like NOIDA to remain healthy a holy cow, she should act now to introduce a Commissioner of police system and equip it better to cope with the task of providing security to the failrly prosperous people who live there.

Let's leave the murky world of crime and take a look at nature again. The trees dotting new Delhi have all been washed bright green by the ample rains in the past few days. The grass in the lawns is also lush green and the Amaltash , Gul Mohar blossoms have fallen in abundance to provide yellow and orange carpets in the roadside parks.The Lagestroemias and Champas have, however, withstood the storms and still adorn the trees. Will try to catch this on my camera to post pictures on this blog for your viewing pleasure.Having failed in this I am carrying two pictures one of Gulmohar in full bloom ( downloaded from the net) and the other of Hybrid Petunias in a window box at my home taken last month.

Let me to take you back to my memories of Meerut, where the large Chowdhry family lived in a cottage owned by an old Anglo- Indian Spinster- Miss Newton, who also lived in an adjoining cottage in a sprawling estate on the outskirts of the Cantonement.Miss Newton was indeed a very courageous lady.She lived alone with her pet dog, a Dachshund ( also rumoured to be a spinster called "Missia"), ferociously guarding the large estate inherited by her alone since her brothers had decided either to go back to England or to Pakistan, after Independence/ Partition. She would take her rounds of the bungalows and the fruit orchards, including the long row of servants quarters attached to the property during the days and also nights with a powerful torchlight in her hand, putting the fear of God among the occupants of the servants quarters by shouting at them with a sprinkling of the choicest abuses in " Hindustani" making their children run for cover, as soon as her foot-steps or rather manly voice was heard.She smoked like a chimney and drank unending cups of tea hot or cold.
But behind her tough exterior, Miss Newton had a heart of gold. Whenever any member of our family was sick and in bed,she would come around and sit by the bed side. Her gestures of good neighbourliness were reciprocated generously by 'Pitajee', by not only visiting her during her illnesses but also arranging for food and tea to be taken to her home by one of the servants."Babba" our grand father who lived with us along with "Bhabbi"( Grand mother)would continue to annoy Miss Newton no end by his persistent but innocent queries about her age.But she was quite fond of "Bhabbi", despite the differences of race , language and religion. I would put her age around late seventies at that time

Given the bonhomie between the happy Chowdhry family and the " lonely' old Anglo- Indian land-lady, it was no surprise that she willed her entire property to Pitajee. As a matter of fact, she became so fond of my father that she alo offered him to buy the cottage that we lived in (for which we paid a rent of Rs 45/= ), for Rs 20,000/=, which was well below the actual value of the property . But with a large family of seven school and college going children and his old parents to support on a single income and the dwindling harvests from our ancestral farms in Faridpur, and being an" honest and proud civil servant of high pedigree",Pitajee was not in a position to accept her generous offer. But he asked his younger brother( my Chacha about whom you will read a lot in my later blogs)to take it, and he did.

But all this came to an end in the early sixties when the Chowdhrys decided to move bag and baggage to Allahabad, after living at 22 A 1 Ordnance Row Meerut Cantt for over a decade. This happened when my father became the Head of the Govt Dept he had served for many years.Chacha promptly sold off the house soon after we moved out and Miss Newton was pressurised by the local Church to change her will bequeathing her property to a Non- Christian. They wanted her to donate it to the Church, which she refused to( she was never a very devout Christan anyway,) but in deference to the wishes of her community, she changed her will so that her estate be inherited by a very nice Christian young man who also lived in the neighbourhood. But he too was too good a man to manage Miss Newton's Estates affairs large parts of which were encroached upon( after we moved out) by a local Jat leader.He gave up his rights over the property even without a fight!

Have discovered a couple of black & white small pictures of Miss Newton among the old family photos, which we have preserved.But I don't know how to carry them on my blog. Any suggestions / ideas? Next week I will tell you about N. Lal ICS, another unforgettable character out of my childhood and growing up years memories!!

We decided to buy a car for Shailey my wife. Closely looked at and test drove a few small cars. Shailey was clear that she wanted a small car. Her last was Zen.When we took stock of our funds we found that we were short by about 1 Lakh rupees. Our children very sweetly chipped in without consulting us and took us by surprise when two BDs were delivered in Shailey's name in a couple of days. The choice narrowed down to Maruti "Swift" and Hyunday's "i 10". When I turned to Dilip my friend from college who is an expert, he said, "your choice is between Asha Parekh and Deepika Padukone". An "i 10" in 'Blushing Red' colour was thus our natural choice!!It looks nice and drives well.

I end this blog, as the weather again turns cool with sharp showers accompanying a thunder-storm preceded by dark clouds taking Delhiites by suprise in the morning today.

Wishing you all a very happy and enjoyable week ahead

Love

The Week Begins on A Sad Note

2008-05-14T01:49:00.000-07:00

Series of bomb blasts in the Pink City have taken a toll of 70 innocent lives and another 150 are seriously injured. Eight blasts within 15 minutes in busy localities of old Jaipur City late May 13 evening.The TV news channels are carrying live statements of politicians; scenes of the blasts; and interviews of the affected people and their families. The usual political blame games have begun between the BJP ruled state and the Congress led Central governments.What is particularly annoying for people like me who know what intelligence and policing is all about is this talk of Central Intelligence Agency ( Congress) failure; state police( BJP) not doing its job etc etc.TV channels have turned into investigating agencies, providing various clues to the identity of the culprits and naming outfits responsible.

As a former cop and Sleuth, the following issues come to my mind-

(i) What is the motive of the groups who have caused these blasts and similar blasts elsewhere in the country in the past? What are they trying to achieve?

(ii) Can something be done to prevent them?

Before I attempt to answer these questions, let us look at the facts ( available from media channels)- There is no doubt that it was a carefully planned action in which more than one person was involved. Several teams must have been used by a Master Mind - those who imported and collected the explosives, detonators etc;the experts who assembled the IED; those who surreptitiously planted them at the vantage points- all very crowded places (probably at night) by dodging police and night watchmen vigils, so close to Police Stations; and finally, those who set the clocks ticking. The modus operandi of the 9 blasts strongly suggests that timer devices were used to trigger the blasts, to coincide with the maximum crowds gathered near the temples on a Tuesday evening Jaipur city is the pride of Indians for its traditional secular, peaceful and prosperous social milieu.It is the capital of Rajasthan, home to the Marwari community which like the Jewish, are master businessmen, and a fovourite with foreign tourists.

To revert to the two questions raised above. The motive was apparently to cause terror in the minds of the people of Jaipur and the rest of the country by striking at soft targets to achieve maximum loss of lives and to send out the message that India is not a safe destination.

Let's face facts-total prevention of such attacks by by policing is not possible,though intelligence driven operations that are able to penetrate the terrorist groups and better TECHINT inputs can produce some results. Such operations call for very professional planning and execution by highly skilled and motivated Intelligence operatives . It does not matter whether they are from Central or state agencies.In fact, the state intelligence set ups mostly known as Special Branches have a better chance of succeeding because of superior local knowledge and support of the Thana police. But where are the professional intelligence operatives? The situation on the ground is not conducive to effective counter terrorism intelligence. The best in the police forces want to remain in the executive police wings and the SBs energies are wasted, resources are inadequate and they are not given the requisite leagal and political freedom. Clearly, total lack of depth and foresight in the political and bureaucratic leaderships in the states.

Finally, unless every resident and shop keeper in crowded localities in our big cities ( towns appear safer at the moment)becomes an unpaid Intelligence Agent to report the slightest sign of suspicious or out of the ordinary activity to the local police OR intelligence officer, the terrorists shall continue to strike with impunity and get away. To think that either the police or Intelligence agencies will be able to stop such actions is to live in a fool's paradise.

Not very long ago,the 'Jehadis' tried to target market places in Tel Aviv capital of Israel which tops the list of most hated states by Islamic terrorists.But they soon gave up after being caught quickly by 'Shin Bet'.In Israel, which possibly faces the highest terrorist threat quotient in the world, every second taxi driver, shopkeeper and vendor acts as the eyes and ears of the security agencies. The Israeli police largely remains invisible, and yet it is the most effective! Why? In this context, a complete overhall of the intelligence machinery in India to meet the meance of terrorist violence ( not likely to go away) is called for.

The above tragedy ( man made) which struck India was preceded by another caused by nature in Sichuan province of China by a devastating earth-quake reading 7.8 on the Richter scale. Several thusand have lost their lives and thousands more remain untraced. Estimates of loss to property are not yet available.. But the Chinese know how to cope with natural calamities and I am sure shall overcome this tragedy.

It is the year of the Rat, according to the Chinese calender. I think I read somewhere that such years are marked by mass sufferings. Am I right?

The day after terrorists struck in Jaipur, Delhi and UP were hit by very strong dust storm with wind velocity exceeding 100 KMPH. A large number of trees got uprooted all over Delhi causing damage to cars and also to built up areas. Have you ever wondered why so many trees get uprooted in Delhi by thunder and dust storms? The civic authorities, who make cemented pavements around well established trees with the laudable motive of keeping the city green, of course, are to blame.
By cementing the areas around trees, they weaken the roots which are deprived of their natural intake of food and water, and not able to provide the anchorage to the huge trees with their full load trunks , branches and leaves against the strong winds.Again, lack of professional planning by the City Masters, comprising mostly generalist politicians and bureaucrats.

Nature and the human species are the two most fascinating objects of my quest with life.The first surprises me every day, and the second occasionally, when I have the time to ponder.Nature first- How have the hybrid petunias ( a winter annual) in my home garden survived the Delhi scorching summer heat and continue to bloom. I am carrying two photos of my petunias taken yesterday. How the very hot spells keep getting interrupted by dust and thunder storms which arrive quite unexpectedly in Delhi, is another natural phenomena I am not able to fully comprehend but marvel at, though weather men keep ascribing them to "local disturbances".The one last night also took Delhiites by surprise and "washed out" the Delhi Vs Mohali IPL game at the Feroz Shah Kotla, but brought the much needed relief from the sweltering heat to the city.

Before I close I must tell you about a small but wonderful gesture of a young NRI couple living abroad taking over the responsibility of educating Lakhu's( our domestic for over twenty years) two daughters( 1 and 3 years old )who live with his wife, parents, brother's family and eldest child (a son) in Village 'Piuan Tal' in 'Mau Nath Bhanjan' District in a remote, backward and poor corner of UP. They eke out their living from the fish they catch and by tilling a tiny piece land that they own, supplemented by Lakhu's monthly income, in no small measure. They have made an FD in Lakhu's name, the interest out of which will pay for the education of the two girls and the principal amount to be made use of when they are ready for marriage.Those who are aware of ground realities of the plight of daughters born into poor vallage families in India would realise the significance of this. God shall certainly bless them both and their own little daughter for this.

A little more about Lakhu (real name Lekh Raj), s/o Kalpu Mallah. He belongs to the Kewat( boat men)caste and is a total illiterate. Ran away from school and home after being thrashed by the village school teacher to Mumbai where he worked at juice stalls and Dhabas but kept going back to his parents and village. He was brought to us by a Thakur Inspector of police( who had worked under me) from his village when he was 16 years of age. He was clad in a " Lungi" and Tea- shirt." Sahib I know this boy's family and he shall be honest and faithful. But please do periodically thrash him, or else he is likely to go astray in the city of Delhi" was his sane advice!! Bsically, I had requested the Thakur Inspector for a domestic help to look after our two children who were then 10 and 7 years of age.

Since then he has been with us though thick and thin like a member of the family.Lakhu is a born sports man ( left arm pace bowlerwiith a natural swing, and tennis player), a fantastic cook, specialising in hot fish & mutton curries,a gardener, plus an electrician cum carpenter, all without being able to read or write ABC in Hindi or Enlish.Lakhu took to life in the US where he lived with us for 4 years, like fish to water.He was a hit with our mainly white( Jewish)neighbourhood in the upmarket Potomac suburb of Washington DC for his helpful and cheerful disposition. " Hi Raj How'er you doin?",they greeted him while walking past our house, while he was tending our garden with the various gardening gizmos he became very adept with. " Fine and you?" Lakhu would wave back at them!!No one at home was better aware of the displays and pricing of various merchandise in the stores like " Home Depots, Safe ways,Giants, Sears, Walmarts and K Marts".He was also very confident about the maze of express ways and city roads. Did he follow his horse sense, I often wondered?

More next week.Lots of good wishes and love till then

Cop Turned Spook turns Maali and Looks Back

2008-05-06T04:26:00.000-07:00

Being encouraged to write interesting bits of my experience as a police man and an Intelligence Operative by my Jeejai( sister's husband),I am tempted to look back and share a few pleasant memories, personal triumphs and disappointments.This week's blog carries just the seeds, or is the curtain raiser for short stories to follow.

I grew up in a Cantonment town ( Meerut) and studied for the most part in a school largely meant for children of Army Officers ( St Mary's Academy), perhaps the only 'Coed' school run by the Patrician Irish Brothers( Catholic))Society in India. My penchant for the uniform was,therefore,antural. The final choice of my career( police) was also guided by this. My first choice was the Merchant Navy after training at the " SS Dufferin" anchored somewhere in the Indian Ocean. The form along with the brochure for 'Dufferin' arrived at our home by post, as soon as I reached the qualifying age ( 15 1/2) and school level(10th). This eagerness to get set on my career path so early in life was driven by the twin desire of getting rid of studies( which never interested me much), and the spirit of adventure on the high seas, across nations. I would gaze for hours at the pictures in the Prospectus which accompanied the application form, imagining myself in a Sailor's shining white uniform, on board a ship as it sailed out magestically from the port.But alas it was not to be...

Maa knew about my fixation for a career in the Merchant Navy and I asked her to broach the subject when 'Pitajee' returned from his usual " Dauras" ( he was out on tour for 15 days in a month).She later told me that my father was not in favour of my seeking a career as a sailor. I pleaded with him, but to no avail". "It miight seem very glamorous and adventures at your impressionable age, but I know that a sailor's life is tough. Months away from home and the routine of deck scrubbing and peeling onions is not for you, my son", he said with the finality to which each in the family had learnt to bow.I considered the option of running away from home! But soon gave it up, since being a minor, I needed my father's consent for trying to get on board " SS Dufferin". I cried and sulked ( saying no to dinner when it was served and staying awake till late)for a few days. But my fever for the " Dufferin was soon replaced by ther more rampant fever in my school- the "National Defence Academy (NDA)" . Half my class had applied for it, and so would I( giving the Indian Navy as my first choice of service).The NDA forms also arrived after remitting a princely sum of Rs 20/= which my Mom, ever so generous towards me, gave me. The same melodrama followed. " No" said ' Pitajee'. "Please", I said, and I cried and sulked again, but not as much as I did for the " Dufferin".That is how I developed this strong sense of destiny, which I carry to this day.

There shall be more of the past in my future blogs, but for now the present...

Delhi's heat wave has been interrupted by the " Aandhis" which blow every evening.The IPL cricket fever is still on. They are yet to find a solution to the traffic mess created by the " BRT" corridor. The Delhi Chief Secretary has partially blamed the lack of traffic sense of Delhi road users for it.He is right, of course,and everyone knows it. But this is not a politically correct language for a "Babu" to use when the city is an election mode! Such is the hypocracy of Delhiites. Are we a pampered lot?

The glory of the summer flowering trees of Delhi tends to get buried under the haze of the overpowerng heat and dust. But I have captured them on my Nikon Coolpix in the few pictures of " Amaltash"( yellow ) and " Lagestreomia Flos Reginae ( mauve)and Champa Plumeria Alba/ Frangipani ( white ) in bloom: all growing in and around Moti Bagh which I am carrying with this blog, for your pleasure.

One has been enjoying the summer Sherbets like 'Khas', 'Rooh Afsah', 'Panna' and 'Phalsa' as also 'Mathha'or 'Chhach' ( buttermilk) and 'Thandai'( all old beat- the- heat presciptions), and eagerly awaiting the arrival of the better varieties of Mangoes from various parts of UP and "Lichees" from Muzaffarpur in Bihar and Dehradun in Up .Although the 'Sindooris' with reddish tinged skins have arrived, Banarsi 'Langras' or 'Maldas' from Deegha, as they are called in Bihar,'Dussehris from Lucknow ( Malihabad), ' Chausas'( the last to arrive) and 'Ratauls' from western UP, my fovourites, are yet to be seen. 'Hapus' or 'Alfansos' from Maharashtra score over all other varieties in terms of their longer shelf life and, therefore, their exportability, I personally feel that they are over- rated. My south Indian friends forever tell me that the varieties grown in Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh can match and even surpass the flavours of the north Indian mangoes named above. One has, of course, tasted the 'Baiganpallis' and 'Imam Pasands' from Andhra and also the "Neelams" from Salem in Tamilnadu. Perhaps they are not grown in such abundance as to find their way up to the fruit markets in Delhi. A pity!

The summer vacations in almost all schools and colleges in Delhi have begun. Therefore, the usual spurt in recreational activities.The IPL occupies the top slot, followed by the numerous Malls( Dewlhi must be having the highest density of Malls in a Metropolitan city) restaurants, pubs and movie halls. Just hanging out with friends in posh markets like CP, GK, Khan seems to the favourite past time of youngsters in Delhi, like elsewehere in the world.I wish there were more public swimming pools in Delhi for young Delhiites to get both healthy exercise and cool leisure which can't be beaten by any other.

The rush to the hill resorts like Shimla, Mussouri, Manali and Nainital must be on. These were cool locations and ideal summer get- aways for Civil and Defence Service Officers and rich business families from the Capital in the era gone bye.But they are hardly the places one would like to visit now, if one is looking for peace and proximity with nature.I know that a number of lesser known hill resorts like, Ranikhet, Bindsar, Landsdowne,Chakrata, Valley of Flowers, Gualdham, Auli, all in Uttarakhand now offer good facilties for tourists. But my country men and women like to follow the beaten path, till it is battered out of shape!And what is a holiday without good eating, drinking and shopping. The ladies of Delhi would particularly hate to be deprived of their favourite TV serials, even while on a hill vacation.So Shimla and Mussourie Mall roads are like big Melas in the summer vacations, and to keep them neat and clean becomes a challenge for the local civic authorities.One can still enjoy them in in spring and fall though.

Well folks, I think I have said enough for this week.

My best wishes and love to all

Summer Peaks Out over Delhi

2008-05-04T00:12:00.000-07:00

The summer heat generally peaks out around mid june in Delhi. But temps have already started touching 43, as we enter may. The typical cooling of rapidly rising mercury levels by thunder/ dust storms, a hallmark of the summer in Delhi is nowhere in sight. The almost "heat wave" conditions are making front page news items in HT and TOI, the two leading Delhi Dailies the most of past week.

As I resume writing in the evening, there were signs of a dust/ thunder storm ( mentioned above)building up late afternoon. But the fleeting hope of respite from the heat wave disappeared after a few drops of rain in parts of Delhi. The dreaded "loo"(strong hot and dry winds- Hindi ),is back since evening.The worst phase of the summer heat in north India is when the dreaded " Loo" does not subside even in the evenings and continues to blow through the nights. I think we are already in that phase.

The IPL has certainly taken a toll of Delhi life.There was hardly any traffic on the busy roads of 'Lutyens' Delhi, as we drove up and down for a social commitment this evening. 'Sit in' restaurant business, as also attendance in movie halls has taken a beating by about 20%. But 'carry away' and 'home delivery orders' have picked up. We seem going the "Uncle Sam" way, as the "Super Leagues" scenario is evolving around the passion game of millions in South Asia- Cricket. The "Super Bowl" final TV viewership, rated highest for an annual sports event in America, is sure to be overtaken by the IPL, I can see. Would that be a boost for Show Biz and Sports Events Biz. Not an altogether bad development for India. What say you?

A feature which never fails to fascinate me, as I drive around roads in different parts of India,in the south or north through towns, cities and villages is the amazing energy levels of road users. In the US ( where I have lived for a few years), the six or eight lane roads are mostly used by those commuting between home and work and by shoppers in their cars, in India the variety of road users is simply mind boggling! From hand and bullock driven carts to the latest models of European, Japanese, Korean and American autos , all are seen carrying goods and passengers of every description at neck break speeds, as per the capability of the modes, to reach their commercial, social, religious, or spiritual day to day destinations.The energy levels of the drivers is totally unaffected by the heat,the dust and the squalor visible all along the road sides- more in the north than the south.These fantastic energy levels, believe me, are only to be seen in Asia, possibly driven by sheer poplation numbers pressures.Do you agree?

I would like to make this an interactive and participative Blog. Any suggestions on how to do it?

There is less of gardening in this weekly blog of mine, than normal. Well the answer simply is that we are in the midst of the bleakest gardening seasom in Delhi. The "Desi Maalis" do not have much to look forward to in these days of water shotages and extreme heat, except to watch the summer flowering trees along the road sides and parks. The 'Gulmohar' blooms are losing their glory, the "Amaltash" or the "Cassia Fistula" ( a rather unpleasant botanical name), are yet to assume full potential of their blazing glory.The Lagestromia Thorelis large mauve blooms have started appering on the medium sized trees planted not that long ago ll over Lutyens Delhi. Can be seen in plenty in Nehru Park and Akbar Road round abouts.The white Champa flowers on trees with long slender leaves can also be seen in plenty.The Petuias in my home garden and other public parks are amazingly withstanding the sweltering heatand the scorching heat. Such are the marvels of nature if one has the eye and the time to admire them.

STEVIA is a plant to watch out for in future. It is a low growing shrub, less than the height of a tea bush which can grow well between 15 to 35 degrees temps range in sandy and loamy soils in several parts of India to produce a wholly plant derivative sweetener( the sugar is extracted from the leaves of the plant I am told), with 0 cholestrol, fat and calories content and ten times sweeter than beetroot or sugar cane sugar which is supposed to be fully safe for Diabetics. A Canada based scientist of Chinese origin did research to remove the slight bitter taste left by the STEVIA sweetener during the refining process moved back to Mainland China and has set up factories already in the production mode there.He is now being invited to set up a factory in India.Can you imagine the various sweets shops like Ghante Wala , Haldi Rams, Bengali and Agarwal Mithai shops all having separate stalls selling every description of Mithais with STEVIA. It does not as yet have certifications from the US Federal Agriculture Authority. All I can say is that the US must awake out of its slumber not to be overtaken by the giant shadow of the Dragon which has started moving.And the Tiger too is crawling!

This is all for this week folks from your ex- Cop and ex- Spook Desi Maali.
Have a great week ahead.

Delhi is Swept into the Hot Zone

2008-04-25T08:46:00.000-07:00

There is so much to tell you . Where should I begin?

OK . The weather it has to be.A cool breeze still blows starting sunrise till about 8AM, making the morning walks very pleasant. The Gulmohars are a riot of colour and the Jacarandas purple blooms are a treat too.But it becomes very hot by noon and the temp peaks out around 3PM to 40 + degrees Celsius. Still not entirely unbearable I'll say in Delhi,, though some other parts of north India are in the grip of a heat wave.I am carrying a picture of "Gulmohar" in full bloom that I took from our hotel room window in Bangkok a couple of years ago.

To beat the Delhi heat, one has to sit under the shade of a tree with a glass of iced " Nimbu Paani" or "Shikanjavi"( in Punjabi), Ice cream, "Kulfi Fluda",or " Chuskis" ( scraped ice popsickles with multicloured syrups poured over them)- if you are in parts of the Capital where they still have the stomach for them.For the more oriental palates, we have the all time fovourite " Rooh Afsah"(Cool the Soul)red syrup sold by Hamdard Dawakhana, the varieties of " Khus"and Badaam Sherbats and the bottled "Thandais" to be mixed with cold milk and ice ( Mishrambu's the famous brand made in the home of Thandais in Varanasi available in well stocked neighbourhood grocery stores in delhi being my fovourite).

My rare foray into the Sarojini Nagar market last evening was rewarding.I discovered juicy, sweet and pulpy "Jamuns" (dark purple berries), which normally make their appearance in Delhi when the monsoons arrive, were available in plenty- from Bangalore, I was told. But no one really knows where they grow them in such plenty and who package them and send them for being sold here. Must be some place beyond the Vindhyas for sure . But who cares, as long as we get them. The earliest variety of Mangoes probably from Andhra Pradesh were also seen in plenty, as were the juicy "Sherbati Adus"(peaches). One also caught a limpse of "Phalsas" and " Jarberi ke Ber" both tiny berries, which grow wild on shrubs in the plains of North India in the summers.But I didn't see any " Karaundas" the very sour variety of berries also grown in summers on very thorny bushes which are used to make all kinds of pickles and Chutneys. The holy( its leaves are offered to Lord Shiva at Shiv Ratri)hard crusted "Bel"fruits eaten with its seeds when fully ripe and used for making Sherbats and " Murabbas"( presrved in sugary syrups) with cooling and various stomach ailments curing properties were also to be seen.The " Phalsa Sherbat", "Kachey Aam Ka Panna"( both not easy to make)and "Sattu ka Ghol" made with roasted Barley and puffed rice flour and mixed with jaggery are my other favourite summer cold drinks.These rustic tastes were acquired quite early in life when the family maintained a live contact with Faridpur, a "Kasbah"( small town) and not village as our grand mother constantly reminded us, located on the rail line between Bareilly and ShahjahanpurinCentral UP, from where the "Chowdhry Khandaan", to which I belong, came.

The chaos created by the trial runs on the 5 Km stretch of main arterial road of Delhi joining Moolchand Fly over to Ambedkar Nagar has been on the headlines of almost all Delhi papers the past week.Not having personally shared the anguish of those traversing this stretch, my conclusions on this hot subject of debate in Delhi drawn on the basis of long analytical write ups in the dailies are:- Planners obviously failed to take into account certain basic requirements for its success: Inadequate widening of the road;commensurate increase in the number of buses;curtailing passage of slower moving objects, like hand or cycle pulled carts;and education of the road users, which is woefully lacking in Delhi. Despite the repeated appeals by the well meaning and sincere lady who heads the NCT Govt over the various FM Radio channels, we "Delhi Wallahs" simply refuse to drive in our lanes. Many of us are not even aware which is the right lane!The younger semi-literate "chauffeurs" seen behind the wheels of the plethora of cars/ tempos/buses/ trucks/ vans on the city roads hailing from the surrounding rural belt, as also more distant parts of the North Indian states are, in my view, the worst culprits in flouting every rule in the traffic books. But one can't blame them entirely.After all, each one of them comes from a very poor family,striving to make their ends meet. And he is at least working hard, far away from home, to contribute to keep them reasonably well clothed and fed. The fault lies deeper in our lax licencing and enforcement systems, made more rotten by the all pervasive malady of corruption which has infected every corner of public life.This is another price that we have to pay for presrving the democracy about which all of us rightly feel proud.Is there hope for Delhi, I sometimes wonder.Despite the apparent lack of civic support systems the energy levels, visible all around are amazing and perhaps unparalled, and that is our hope.

Stories of rapes, mostly of minors by members of the family,teachers,politicians, neighbours,taxi drivers, cops, Sadhus and almost every one:murders of spouses,even old parents and children arising out of marital discordsrds, sexual lust,property and business feuds are also flooding columns of the capital's national dailies.Making me wonder again which way are we really heading and how can things be improved.ARE WE TOO CONTRICTED aS a socity?.It certainly has a lot to do with falling family values, and quality of our educational systems, and rise in mindless consumerism. But this is what is driving the economy, I am told. Do we need such economic progress, I ask.

I will try not to deviate to such serious issues in my future blogs but one can't help occasioally looking at what is going wrong around us.

A little about a facinating and enigmatic personalty who has been a part of our lives for sveral years in Delhi. Mr Shamsuddin Ahmed or Tailor Masterjee or simply "Master", as he calls himself. Well, he lives in a dark corner of East Delhi near Shahadra, a particularly bad criminal area, I understand. He belongs to a family of Tailor Masters in the Walled City.Apart from stitching clothes and curtains etc at a few homes like ours , he also runs a small tailoring shop in his neighbourhood in which his sons help.The good old "Singer" hand- run sewing machine is his tool to demonstrate his amzing skills as a tailor. Hand stitching and cutting are his other areas of forte. Unable to cope with the challenges of modern technology in his trade, this traditional Old Delhi Muslim family, like many others have fallen on hard times.We have been utilising Masterjee's services to attend to various stitching chores at our home for the past twenty years or so. He still bicycles with his sewing machine tied neatly on the carrier more than 15 Km for sure to stitch Kurtas, Pyjamas, Shervanis and Achkans, while sitting on a Durry spread in one of the rooms, or even the garage, with his gear, like threads, needles and cloth spread all around him ( as can be seen in the picture carried by me in this blog taken a couple of years back).His tailoring skills are considerable. I and a few friends have even got English Tweed Jackets and shirts stitched by him to, near perfection. All he needs is the an article of clothing which fits you well, to be imitated.Masterjee is also served tea, snacks and lunch when he works at our home in addition to the Rs 200/- per day which he charges for his day long labour!

Before Shamsuddin his, old father who looked identical, used to stitch clothes for my sister, who also lived in Moti Bagh in the early Eighties. He is no more, but is known to have been an even more profficient tailor.A little more about Shamsuddin-
One evening about an year back as I was returning home from work, Shamsuddin called me on my cell phone as he often did." Sahib meri Biwi ko Badmashon ne maar dala- Mein ghar pe nahin tha.Meri Biwi aur beti thi. Do Budmash bagal ke ghar se ghus aye almari mein rakhey rupaye le gaye aur Biwi ke shor machane par usko Chaku mar diya. Nahin bachegi. Police ko phone kiya hai . Aap meri madad kijiye". My first reaction was Masterjee was exaggerating, as he usually did, while seeking my help in several property disutes in the family. But I called the DCP NE on his cell and asked him to check out what happened.I got a call back within 20 min from the DCP telling me that what Shamsuddin had told me was indeed true and that his wife was " declared dead" at the hospital.I requested him to do everything possible to nab the culprits and was assured that it would be done. " He lives in a bad area,Sir", the DCP added.Thereafter, I got several calls from the grief-stricken "Tailor Master" to help in getting the culprits arrested for the sake of his satisfaction, though he was reconciled to his wife's departure as part of his destiny. I mentioned about the poor fellow's plight to the CP and the Jt CP as well. They both knew about this henious crime.Two of the culprits were arrested promptly and sent to jail but Masterjee and his daughter were terrified to go to the jail to identify the suspects . I asked him to go, assuring all police help for his security.

I am not able to reaveal the shocking part of this story to you because Maserjee had come to invite us personally to attend the " Walima " of his daughter's marriage a few months back- half pleased and half scared of reprisals from a family where the marriage had been fixed earlier. We gave him gifts for the newly weds.Hope his daughter has a long and happy married life.

Maybe the blog's becoming too long so I'll stop here. Till we meet next week with more about my favourite summer food- Mangoes, the King of all fruits without doubt and more age old methods to keep your cool when Delhi is scorching!

Take care and have a wonderful week ahead.

Summer Sets in Over Delhi .

2008-04-19T21:04:00.000-07:00

Hello All,

The one or two spells of rain last week slowed down the scorching summer heat overtaking Delhi. But the signs are all there now- the earthen "Gharas" and "Surahis" on sale along the road sides: the ads of various brands of ACs in the Newspapers with theur energy saving capabilties & affordibility recieving more prominence than before(also signifying that the once symbol of affluence is switly breaking into the midle class homes);Icecream sales are picking up; several brands of "Lassis", "Chhachh" and "Matha" are being briskly sold by Mother Dairy and Amul booths all over;the Koel's "Kooks" are more audible now than before- a sure sign that the summers are here.Why do the Koels shriek continuously more in the summer than in the winter,I wonder? Is it out of glee or melencholy?

Here is what I wrote for the benefit of gardening enthusiasts of the Delhi Gymkhana Club on being asked recently by Ashwajit, the young Editor of the Gym News Letter to contribute to it's next issue:-

Drive Away Your Summer Blues with Summer Annuals and Fragrant Flowers

The Moghul rulers love for flowers and fragrances is well known. They have left behind their legacy not only in architectural marvles like the Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Humayun’s Tomb, but also in a rich variety of fragrant flowers to keep them cool doing the hot summer months of Delhi. Therefore, we have the Belas, Chamelis, Mogras, Harsingars (NYCTANTHUS), and Rat Ki Ranis (Queen of the night), spreading their heady fragrances over the Delhi gardens during the summer months.
December to April in Delhi are a treat for gardening enthusiasts. The very wide variety of Winter Annuals spread color and joy all over the Capital, in parks, roadsides, roundabouts and homes, starting with Chrysanthemums in December an ending with Petunias in April.

But what about the less talked about Summer Annuals which can survive the scorching summer heat. Although they can not match the splendor and abundance of Winter Annuals, here is a list of summer annuals which should be planted now in pots and beds, emptied of withering and drooping winter annuals and filled with fresh soil and manure mix. They are sure to drive away your summer blues.
Portulaca very pretty multicolored flowering plants which remain close to the ground. The flowers open in the morning and close in the evening. A new variety, which is a perennial, has become available recently and become popular. I am carrying a picture of this variety which I grew in profusion in my home a couple of years ago.
Cosmos - the yellow and orange varieties grow well in the summer, while the white, and purple larger blooms are winter annuals.
Zinnias- very pretty multicolored blooms which come in both double and single varieties. Better planted in beds for mass effect
Gompherenas- small purple blooms also popularly called ‘Bachelor's Buttons’ also make excellent fragrant dry flowers. Curiously, they become fragrant after drying.
Amaranthus - the Tricolor ornamental varieties are the best.
Sunflowers tall and majestic large yellow blooms. But beware, their seeds are a favorite food of parrots and hordes will attack and devour your prize blooms, unless you take suitable precautions.
Caladiums bright multicolored leaves grown in pots in and around rockeries from bulbs are best grown in semi shade . A very large variety of Caladiums also popularly called Bleeding Heart are available.
Gaillardia is also gaining in popularity as summer annuals, although I am personally not very fond of them.
Celosia furry red, yellow and orange flowers can be grown in pots and beds.
Vinca,the traditional Sada Bahaar known for its medicinal ( anti Diabetes properties with pink and white flowers are now available in several hybrid varieties and can be grown in beds for mass effect.
Cockscomb, with fiery red furry large blooms do well though the summer months and monsoon, and last almost into the winters. Crested flower heads resembles the comb of cock.
And finally, no garden in Delhi in summers is complete without the amazingly green balls of Kochias which grow so well in pots and in beds. Surely a soothing sight for sore eyes. The more sun and heat they get, the greener will be your Kochias. Just make sure that you water them every day. You will, however, notice them withering after the first monsoon showers.

Another silver lining that the summers provide for garden lovers is that the lawns will be much more green than during the winters, provided they are watered regularly preferably by sprinklers and given the right doses of manure and urea.

I have been picking up most of my gardening requirements from" ARGOSY", the small shop run by Mr Menderitta in the basement of Yashwant Place. Although one misses Mr Menderitta's friendly presence at the shop now since he is old and stays mainly at home, his staff are helpful and knowledgeable. More importantly, they don't overcharge and state correctly the quality of the products they sell.

Happy gardening to all Delhi Gym. nature lovers.

Well, that's all for this week folks . So enjoy the week ahead and wait for my Next Weekly Delhi Diary on my Blog when I plan to write about time old recipes to beat the Delhi heat& " Tailor Mastejee". There is more to come in my next Blogs on the King of Fruits and my favouirite the Mangoes.

Baisakhi- Ram Navami Weekend in Delhi

2008-04-13T22:20:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Today is Ramnavami- the end of Navarata, following the harvest festival of Baisakhi in the Punjab and the beginning of the Tamil New Year(April 13).Most religions prescribe a strict code of restrictions in the matter of eating and drinking during holy periods. Nvaratra is the most liberal, I think. Allowing those observing the fast to eat, fruits,most vegeatbles, dry fruits, milk products and even breads ( Puris and Kachauris) fried in Desi Ghee made out of non cereal Attas ( flour) like Kutoo and Singhara.How can a devout Hindu be deprived of either salt or dessert, even for a few days. So Sendha Namak( rock salt ) is allowed and Makhane Ki Kheer for Hindus with a sweet tooth during the Navaratra ( 9 nights) fasting period. It is truly a boon to be born a Hindu. A totally liberal religion without physical or mental rigours!!

I stepped into the hallowed portals of the Delhi Public School ( RKP)the flagship of the DPS world wide network of High Schools located not far from where we live, for the second time last weekend..The first was in 1985 when I had gone to meet with the then Principal Mr R S Lugani to pursue him to admit our two sons in the 3rd and 5th grades, unsuccessfully. Both, however, did study there (free of cost) thanks to my wife being selected to teach in it's Junior Branch at East of Kailash.The DPS( RKP,) has over the years earned and preserved the formidable reputation of being the leader in a fiercely competitive academic world of Indian Schooling.

I was to pick up my wife who was attending a workshop for Teachers on the weekend.
Instead of waiting in the car outside , I decided to walk in- more out of curiosity than anything else.The building is less imposing than the school's reputation. But the small garden was neatly and aesthetically maintained. The playing fields located in the rear couldn't be seen.Well I am glad that I finally managed to get a glimpse of the premises where both our sons did their entire schooling and my wife has been teaching for over two decades.I wonder though why I was not invited to their Annual Sports Day and the various other cultural activities,as my aprents were to my school.

Delhi is becoming warmer by the day, but early mornings and late evenings are still pleasant. The winter annuals at home are surprisingly still doing well, particularly the Petunias, the Dahlias and Asters. The pictures carried in this Blog taken this morning are proof of this.

We saw " Khuda Ke Liye" in the matinee show at Satyam, Nehru Place yesterday. The first Pakistani movie to be released in India after many years.It's bold and sends several strong messages across the continents. The story on how those professing liberal Islam are caught between pressures of the fundamentalists among whom they have to live and survive, and the mistrust of the western world. The Sufi musical scores, though few, are beautiful. The US Law Enforcement autohrities and the hardline Mullahs preaching hatred in the name of religion have both been painted in deep black colour." All Muslims are not terrorists" pleads the Pakistan hero being tortured in a Chicago police interrogation Centre. " But why are all terrorists Muslims," asks the interrogator. All in all, a well directed, powerful movie with a strong appeal to audiences in the Sub-Continent.

Anther long weekend ahead. Thanks this time to Lord Mahavir, whose Jayanti falls on Friday April 18. Long live Lord Mahavir , Jainism and "Indian" brand of secularism which honours all religions alike by declaring a holiday for it's overworked Babudom, irrespective of the religion they profess, on Birth Anniversaries of their Prophets and Gods. "Ishwar Allah Tero Naam Sabko Sammati de Bhagwan"

That's all for this week.

Love and all the best for the week ahead.

Faltering Onset of Summer Over Delhi

2008-04-06T04:28:00.000-07:00

Hi There,

Since our return to Delhi, last week the weather has been playing tricks with hot and dry first have, followed by cloudy and wet last three days. The thunderstorm and heavy spells of rain on two consecutive nights has brought much relief to the city dwellers, but caused havoc to the ripened standing wheat crop over most of north India.

The damage to the standing crops by the unseasonal heavy rains have made the overall picture of vegetables and food grain prices even more grim. The Govt faces a serious challenge from the sharply rising inflation. The fact that nature is beyond the control of the Govt and the shortage of food grain and rising cost of crude oil is a worldwide phenomenon is unlikely to blunt the flak faced by the UPA Govt at the centre for the spiraling prices of essential commodities hitting the poorer sections of society the hardest.

There are umpteen suggestions by eminent economists and polticians every day on how to bring down the rising trend of prices. But none of these hold out any hope of an effective check on the spiral.

The drop in the mercury and rains have gladdened garden enthusiasts like me since it gives a fresh lease of life to the fast disappearing winter annual blooms. The Petunias seem to last the longest and even the the giant Dahlias and Sylvia's are still in bloom, although their peak is over.The two pictures posted on this blog of hybrid Petunias in a window box in my office ( grown from Gold Smith - US seeds germinated by me) and double Dahlias ( from seedlings from Calcutta in tiny earthen pots bought from Rajdhani Nursery in Jorbagh)in a bed at home, are proof of this unusual spectacle at this time of the year.

Gardeners all over Delhi are getting ready to plant the Portulacas, Zinnias , Cosmos, Gilardia, Sunflowers and Kochias, the only varieties known to survive the scorching heat of a Delhi summer which is round the corner.

The "Raat Ki Rani" tree in the front lawn at our home has started spreading its heady sweet aroma as the nights fall. The fragrant "Belas" on bushes are also beginning to bud and blossom. The glorious yellow "Amaltash" ( Laburnum or Casia Fistula) Gulmohur, Jacaranda and Bauhanias " Kachhnaar, Ticoma Argentinium. Tebubea Roseas,the other beautiful summer flowering variety of trees growing in abundance at round abouts and city parks all over Delhi will start spreading their magic from next month. For garden lovers the "Phoolon Ki Bahaar" never really leaves the capital city of Hindustan. But you must have the time and eye for them.

The Navaratras are due to begin tomorrow ( April 7)when the devout Hindus shall start observing their own version of fasting with only certain varieties of food- grains and vegetables are allowed to be eaten for nine days. This is fairly easy, as compared to the rigorous regime to be followed by the devout Muslims during the month long fasting in Ramzaan.Another significant contrast between Indians professing the two prominent faiths of the Sub- Continent is that while the vast majority of Muslims young and old, Sunnis and Shias strictly observe fasting during Ramzaan, only a hand full of Hindus living in the northern parts of the country observe the much more liberal fasting code prescribed for Navratras and other one day Hindu festivals.Any analysis or interpretaion of this sharp divergence??

There was very impressive gathering at the celebration over dinner hosted by our good friends the Mathurs to welcome their first grandchild with 90 % participation by guests, despite the torrential rains in the afternoon preceding the happy event. A reflection of the strong ties which bind families and friends in India -that was Hindustan and Bharat!

Jai Hind and God bless till next week

2008-03-27T07:05:00.000-07:00

I am visiting Honk Kong after almost 18 years.Was here as a tourist with a friend on our way back from the US in January 1990 for three nights.This time it is to visit Our elder son Abhiram and daughter-in-law Anuja who have lived here for about 9 months, after migrating from Washington DC.

Hong Kong has changed a lot. First the new airport in Lantau Island- very modern and much bigger, as compared to the airport on the main HK island where I landed last.
Also, the island looks cleaner,and better organised in terms of the public commute systems. Many new skyscrapers now adorn the central parts known as the commercial centre.
Btw, HK was a British Colony when I came last and now it is a Special Administrative Region( SAR) of China for the past one decade.It was bursting with business activity then, and continues to do so even today. There are fewer Britishers to be seen around though.Most of them left for home- not quite comfortable to continue to live in Communist HK, I guess.
The population is overwhelmingly Chinese with a noticeable floating population of tourists,and Business Executives from Mainland China,other parts of Asia, Europe and America. These Corporates are conspicuously seen strutting around in their formal or semi- formal attires, particularly around the Business District in Central HK.

The glitz and the glamour has been built around new Hog Kong with shining glass exteriors and the leading Fashion Designer brands flashing everywhere. There is very little of it's colonial past visible. Possibly by design, the new regime has tried to brush its "Western Imperialist" past under the new "progressive" carpet.

Dearth of English knowing people on the roads is a major handicap for tourists and visitors while dealing with Taxi drivers and shop keepers.This phenomenon, I wasn't able to figure out. Why the British who taught us Indians their mother tongue so assiduously failed to do so in HK? Was it an unwillingness on the part of the native Chinese to take to the language of the " uncivilized" occupiers of their mother land or lack of effort on the part of the rulers??

An overnight visit to Macau Island, an erstwhile Portugese colony and now like HK also an SAG of China has ben the high point of our visit. It was an hour's ride on a hovercraft from HK. There is more of Macau's colonial past to be seen, though much of it remains hidden behind the Las Vegas like gambling hotels, where a huge Chinese tourists flow, keeps trying their luck.The gambling instinct among the Chinese is quite pronouned, I am told. But the strict laws on the Mainland do not allow them to surface.

Real estate values and rentals in HK's central district surpass even Manhattan's. The lack of space in the main Island keep pushing prices up. Day to day expenses in Hk are much the same level as in NY, with less spent on the commutes beacause of cheaper taxi, bus and train fares .

A visit to the "Ladies Market" in Mong Kok and the adjoining Flower Market was a treat in terms of the variety of the merchandise at very affordable prices as compared to the shops in central district. But beware of the" enormous haggling" involved and the fairly aggressive salesmanship of the local ladies selling handcrafted items.

Well two more days of our very relaxed vacation in Hong Kong with our son and daughter in law trying their best to make it as memorable as possible so that we come back again and again - in a competitive mode with NY where our younger son and daughter in law live.

Bye and a very Happy belated Holi.

Delhi Diary Dated March15,2008

2008-03-15T05:44:00.000-07:00

"Beware the ides of March" the Soothsayer had warned Julius Ceaser!But why should we?

My late sister Minoojji,perhaps the liveliest among the 7 Chowdhry children, was born on this day. I used to tease her that Shakespear had foreseen her arrival and had issued a general warning through his immortal writing!I miss and pray for her today.

After my return from a short trip to Mumbai last weekend,to my suprise, Delhi had become much cooler. Cool bracing winds continue to make the mornings and evenings very pleasant.

The winter annuals are also at their peak. My 9 months old home garden is turning into a riot of colours.

This morning, I had finished with my weekly oil massage by Ram Kumar, ITBP barber who has helped me indulge in this luxury for a tip of a mere Rs 100 for about 15 years incessantly pleading for his several realives to get some Govt job or the other, occasinally reminding me when my supply of imported ( Neuteregena) Body oil stock was running low and he may have to switch to the smelly and sticky mustard oil unless Bhaiyya Log ( my sons) living abroad replenish the stock.

Could hear a commotion among the domestic helps, security staff and the part time Maali . Lakhu, our domestic of twenty years standing was asserting his auohority by informing the Security guy on the gate, "Thehro Hum aake dekhte hain". "What is it" I asked. " Koi Madam ayi hain or garden ki photo lena chahti hain" he answered me in his usual reverent tone. I stepped out and found a young lady with a camera at the door step with her digital camera. " I lived here a decade ago with my parents( father IAS)- got married ( to an IAS) in a Mandap under that tree. Have returned to look at the house whenever on my visits to Delhi out of nostalgia, but never found the garden looking so beautiful" she explained, with nostalgia written all over her face.
" Thank you", I said with a sense of pride expanding my aging chest. "You may click as many pictures as you please" I responded cheerfully. My day was made!!

The other day, as I left office to collect my wife from her school where she teaches or our usual lunch get-togetheras at home, she frantically called on my cell phone. " I won't be free for another 20 minutes so you go home and start your lunch, unless you want to spend 15 minutes at the Priya complex (adjoining her school in Vasant Vihar)". OK I said and asked to stop the car near Priya Cinema.

Perhaps for the first time in many years I found that I was at a fovourite hang out of the young in Delhi all by myself. I walked along leasurely observing activity all around me at the busy shopping , eating and entertainment complex.
It was indeed very fascinating to see youngsters of all hues enjoying themselves during the lunch hour. From school kids to college students. What I found intresting was that there were two distinct layers of the Delhi youth mostly in denim jeans and T shirts, all enjoying themselves- the richer kids inside the posh retaurants like Punabi By Nature, TGI Friday, Macdonalds, Nirulas, Barista etc and the not so affluent, equally happy tucking in the Momos, Chinese , South and North Indian cusine at the numerous kiosks selling adjoining the posh shops and eating places. The added advantage at these kiosks was that you could guide the cooks on exactly how much Masala and chillies you wanted in your mouth watering dishes being prepared in the open air.The weather was balmy and the mixed aromas of the far eastern and Indian cuisine filled the air. There were certainly signs of the new buying power of the young in India's capital city.

Sunday was spent exploring Gurgaon and Manesar on Delhi Jaipur road with old friends Dilip and Sushil looking for investment opportunities for our NRI kids. The explosion of construction of swanky commercial buildings on both sides of the NH 8 was amazing and thrilling.

Took pictures of our home garden on my return home.
Will try to post a few on this blog for your viewing pleasure.

My next weekly blog will hopefully be about my impressions of Hongkong which I am visiting after 15 years.
visit Delhi

Istanbul Diary

2008-03-01T09:11:00.000-08:00

Impressions of a first time traveller from New Delhi to Istanbul( Turkey)- a brief stop over lasting a day and night- end February

A liberal Islamic city with a well preserved history of its arts and crafts by monuments of the ancient Roman ( Byzantine), Muslim ( Ottoman)and modern Turkey ushered by Kamal Ataturk,the Father of the Nation around 1932.

A very touristic place with a super Int Airport and beautifully laid out lawns, gardens along the 15 Km drive to the old city CAREFULLY CRAFTED TO attract tourist traffic from America, Europe and Japan.Thre were very few Indian tourists, but the trickle has started.

The Blue Mosque built by Sultan Mahmud II, Santa Sophia, a Church converted to a mosque - reconverted to a secular monument by Kamal Ataturk are truly beautiful pieces of medieval Islamic and Christian architecture and interior adornments. The royalty which created these masterpieces must have indeed been very rich and powerful.Were they created to overawe the populace?

Istanbul is a very large city skirting the Phosphorous and the Mediterranean seas - a Gateway between Europe and Asia. There are clearly demarcated Asian and European parts of Istanbul! The dilemma the Turkish people continue to face, visible on its roads and by- lanes and politic is - are they Eurpean or Asian- membership of the European Union is eluding them but it is an impotrtant a NATO base, while maintaining good relations with the Islamic world led by Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
All that has to change.

Cobbled roads over undulating surfaces , crowded Bazaars selling precious stone jewellery, hand-woven carpets, blue ceramic tiles, dry fruits, sweets ( Turkish Delights),and endless chains of Cafes and restaurants selling a variety of Mediterranean foods, especially Donner Kebabs ( layers of variety of meats cooked off slow fires sliced and mixed with fresh salads and sauces).

The Grand Bazaar, in the heart of the Old City is definitely worth couple of visits to enjoy the rich variety of handcrafted stuff being sold ny shopkeepers young and old - all sipping 'Turkish Chai' or Coffee from gold- rimmed glasses being vended by hordes of 'Chai wallas' all smoking cigarettes. I don't think I have seen a more 'lit up' city in public anywhere. The innumerable 'butts' noticeably stuck in the crevice's of the cobbled roads are deftly sweeped by expert hands and brooms, so as not to put the tourists off!!

But shopping in the Grand Bazaar is tough. Haggling by hard sellers and soft buyers like me are most likely to end in 'loosing deals' most of the times, unless the visitor is accompanied by a local friend.

Because of the apparent boom in tourism, every second house in Istanbul has been coverted, either into a handicrafts shop, or a restaurant.

The few Turkish people I had the occasion to interact with, did not appear a very happy lot. Wonder why? Despite the claims being made on the Turkish Airlines videos on the flight back home to Delhi of Turkey being the sixth fastest growing economies in the world, I was left a bit unconvinced.The controversy around the present Govt allowing ladies to wear scarves ( Hijabs), a symbol of Islamist society conservatism, was prominent in the English print media of Turkey in the morning editions of papers.

I have come back a bit confused- is Turkey a buoyant secular society or is it inhibited by lack of liberal education, and being sucked into the fundamentalist Islamist mould, which the world would be better off without?
In my limited horizon, its good to be back in Delhi with all the chaos on the roads but with plenty of democracy and freedom!!

Delhi is much warmer a hrbinger of the long summer ahead.The flowers in my home garden are 40 % in bloom. Waiting for the full 100 % is a dream, because they have different life cycles.
The picture I am trying to carry in this blog is of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

Hope I have not confused you with the picture of Istanbul, of which I had fleeting glimpse!

Take care all
Love

Weekly Delhi Diary- week ending February 16,2008

2008-02-15T06:51:00.000-08:00

To the great relief of those (like me) who have a problem with keeping their toes warm during the winter in Delhi,the season finally shows signs of change. Cold winds continue,but there is a perceptible warmth in the sun, which shines bright over Delhi, thoughout the day since wednesday. One is cosy and warm in the sun, but cold when inside. This phenomenon is to be experienced, and not described.

There are clear signs of Spring.I hope that the hordes of winter annuals planted in my garden will soon start to bloom!

On the social scene, the wedding season is back with a bang. The Annual Book Fair in Pragati Maidan concluded last week with record number of visitors. The annual Surajkund Mela in the outskirts of Delhi in Haryana, which has been growing in popularity, and even finds mention under Events Worth Witnessing in the last issue( Asia) of Time magazine, is on. Did not venture to either for two reasons - I work on week-days, and reports of the huge crowds at the venues raising unhealthy dust and long cuues on weekends.There is a 2 day Sufi Music festival being organised by the Times of India at the Kuli Khan's tomb at Qutub Minar, the Defence Expo Exhibition ( MOD)alongwith Security Exhibition Export Promotion Council & CISF) at the Pragati Maidan, Flower Tourism festival at the Garden of Five Senses being organized by Delhi Tourism and the Moghal Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan being thrown open to the public

Two quick thoughts to share here- the oragnisers of these events are all Govt bodies and the need for better planning to make sure that those genuinely interested, are able to visit them, without hassles of traffic,parking, entry and exit, in a reasonably dust and filth free environment, including clean facilties of Loos within two to three minutes from where one is, when the need arises!

On a more personal note, a rather hectic weekend lies ahead - the Delhi Police Day Parade tomorrow followed by the CISF Security Exhibition inauguration on Sunday morning. Looking forward to the "Jodha Akbar" show at the the Citiwalk Mall PVR at 4.45 PM on Sunday- thanks to Shubhi's amazing advance planning for Movie tickets!

The lettuce in the kitchen garden are becoming bigger and jucier. The Methi and the Moolis are developing buds and seeds- signs of aging!! They have to be cut . The life of a vegetable is simpler than humans.

I am continuing the Blog on Saturday. The Delhi Police as usual put up a good show at their Raising Day Parade at Kings Way Camp. DP is sixty one years old today we were informed. No one denies the important role the DP has to play in improving the quality of life of Delhiites. But the comfort level of the average citizen on seeing a policeman remains woefully low. But that is another story about which a lot has been said and written but little done, and life goes on- Sab Chalta hai. One has the temples and Masjids and Gurudwaras mushrooming all over the city to pray, and forget the discomforts of every day life.Blame the Sarkar- the Netas and Babus but not think how we as individuals can make a difference.

Enough of lecturebaazi for the week I guess.
Looking fwd to another bright and sunny day ahead tomorrow and the week ahead

Weekly Delhi Diary for week ending February 9, 2008

2008-02-10T05:46:00.000-08:00

Icy winds continue to blow over the city. Though the sun is out bright for the past couple of days, the temperatures reamin sub normal. The cosiest place to be in during the day time is a black sedan car with windows up! The cold winds hit you as soon as you step out.

Freakish weather all over with Mumbaikars running for woollens and lit fires. Did I hear right that several parts of Gujarat are in grip of cold wave as well, and there was snowfall over Bhuj!
Tomorrow is Basant Panchami-heralding the onset of spring and warmer weather- celebtrated in parts of north India by wearing yellow coloured clothes, flying kites and having Zarda (sweet saffron rice with Pista, Badaam, Kishmish), Pili Tahiri ( Rice with Gobhi, Alu and Matar). The day is observed as Saraswati Pooja among the educated in the north and the Begalis.
It also signalled hard mugging days ahead for the students since the annual examinations were generally held in March- April.
The sweet rice- Zarda deserves a little more. It surprises me that this delicacy has not been made popular by gourmets of the Mughlai cuisine. I think it deserves more recognition than it has recievedso far in homes and resturants in north India.

But the weather over most of north India this year is not typically Basant Panchami variety.

A strong aroma mixed with nostalgia greeted me when I entered home after work late Friday evening. Shailey, was in the kitchen making guava jelly out of the left over over-ripe guavas sent from Allahabad by my friend Bugun. Knowing my weakness for fresh Allhabad guavas and Moongphalis alongwith with the two varieties of salt one mixed with fresh dhaniya leaves and hari mirch and the other with zeera and kala namak ( natly wrapped in scraps of newspper stips )with which every Allhabadi (worth his salt) is so familiar (they sell like hot cakes all over the city in every nook and corner throughout the winter months), Bugun religiously sends three consigments of these, thrice during the winter months every year to remind us of the good old days. The guava jelly made by my Maa were a favourte at breakfast for the family, especially my father who devoured it with relish, spread over pieces of bread, with generous helpings of a layer of fresh Malai.

Four days ago,as I was getting ready to go to work, I got a frantic call from Kuckee my Mausi's daughter who lives in Calcutta telling me that Bhaggo Mausi, her Mom was very unwell and had to be taken to a hospital by " Mala". " Who is Mala?", I asked. "She is the the one who started Silver Line School" was the very helpful answer! "Cd I have her cell no" " Yes Bhaiyya I think you shd be in direct touch with her to get the latest situation on the ground" was the answer. Kuckee wanted
the phone #s of my nephews and nieces who stay in the neighbourhood of Bhaggo Mausi in Ghaziabad, adding that although there was a Calcutta Bundh, she was trying to fly out to Delhi and Tottoo her younger sister who stays in Jallandhar will leave by road in the next hour. Tried to reach Mala on her cell but her Vodaphone was "either swithed off or out of range" !!
Contacted my nephew and niece in G Bad and told them to get the update on Bhaggo Mausi's condition. Felt very proud to get an update shortly thereafter that she was better.Thank God that there was better connectivity among our family!

Was reminded that I am getting old today. We landed up at a lunch get together at a club in NOIDA to discover that it was for next Sunday!Had checked out invitation card to see the time and the venue before we left. But did not see the date beacuse I was so sure that it was today.

Anyway, went to see Bhaggo Mausi after a lunch in a Chinese restaurant in Sector 18 NOIDA.
She didn't look very good but was very very happy to see us. All of eighty six years . Made her sit up and brush her silver hair. Think she will pull through, with both her daughters and sons in law with her now. But Bhaggo Mausi chooses to live by herself in the large house built by Mausaji, post retirement in 1964. A maid and her husnand who works in the college she was principal of, stay with her and look after her needs for the past 16 years!She remembered her family,including my Maa, and how she me-her dark son! Very affectionate and unaffetced, like the rest of my mother's family.

After Bhaggo Mausi, we went over my late sister's home in Gbad to meet with her children- all doing well, by God's grace.
So much for this weekend. Hopefully, the last "cold weekend in Delhi.
Take care all, and God Bless
Love

Delhi Diary ( February 2, 2008)

2008-02-02T05:54:00.000-08:00

No respite from the Cold wave conditions over Delhi!

Today was worse than yesterday with the sky overcast thoughout the day. The brisk walk to Nehru Park with Shailey in the morning, and a spot of gardening braced me for the day . But by noon the icy winds began to cast its gloom.

Looking back at the week gone by, Delhiites continued to shiver. Seems like the cold wave is almost a worldwide phenomena. Today, I heard that parts of China are experiencing the worst cold wave conditions in 50 years!Hope it gets over in Delhi soon.

India got a drubbing by the Kangaroos in Melborne. Typical of us to falter badly after the heroic victory at the Twenty Twenty world Cup. Forever, dicieving their fans fans after flattering them - that's the Indian Cricket team!

The long awaited Delhi Gurgaon Expressway finally opened. But the newspapers are full of stories about problems being faced by the commuters due to faulty functioning of the controls at the Toll posts Teething troubles I hope.

Lunch at the Islamic Culture Centre on Lodhi road with friends from the US ( the food was nothing to write home about but the decor was impresive with tialled Islamic caligraphy murals on the walls and ceilings of the recently commisioned building. It was followed by tea in Delhi Gymkhana Club alcoves. There was no place to sit by the four fireplaces. But the tea and muffins were nice. Now to the dinner at the Army Golf Course.

It drizzled bit in the evening washing the dust laden trees and plants. The forecast for tomorrow is bright and sunny day. Looking foward to it.

Not much to write about the winter annuals. Not many bud formations or blooms t except the Pansies and Calendulas, (which I didn't plant) noticed. A sample of another fresh bloom in the potted plants at home is added for your viewing pleasure-

Another small dinner get-together being hosted at home tomorrow night for a former colleague leaving on posting abroad to Germany. A mutton and fish menu of home cooked and well tried recipes planned. Chicken is going off the table in Delhi due to the fear of bird flu having spread to several parts of West Bengal and even Pakistan( Karachi)!!

Nothing more for this week.

Good luck to all

Delhi Diary

2008-01-26T05:29:00.000-08:00

Brrr it's cold. Don't remember a colder Rashtrapati Bhavan Republic Day Reception in the past 18 or so that I have attended. The gatherings at the Reception have grown enormously in recent years. It was a couple of hundred's in the Eighties but now a couple of thousand.

The Mughal Gardens through which the guests walk was resplendent with a variety of roses, petunias and pansies in full bloom. The other winter annuals are yet to start blooming. One does get chance to meet with old friends. There was as usual a preponderance of Defence Forces officers but one also spotted faces of a known politicians of yest er-years ( Buta Singh V. C Shukla),artists,writers and scribes; met a few friends in the bureaucracy and police. All in all the function still carries the aura and grandeur of the Raj with buglers on hte ramparts of the Presidential palace heralding the arrival of our first Lady PresidentPratibhaji and Zarkozy, her French counterpart who was Chief Guest at India's 59th Republic day celeberations.

With icy winds blowing over Rashtrapati Bhavan lawns under an overcast sky, there was less glamour to be seen among the guests! Ladies had to cover their backless Cholis with Pashmina and Jamavar shawls. Many in the gathering were disappointed not to get a glimpse of Bruni the French President's girlfriend who according to media gossip was to have joined him at the Taj in Agra ,which he visited immediately after the Republic Day Parade in the morning. There was a 30 minute holdup in the proceedings due to the delayed arrival of Zarkosy's flight from Agra.

Have to attend my Chhotey Mama's younger daughter's son's wedding in the Delhi Cantt later in the evening, Trying to brace myself for this heroic act by lacing myself with Rum in Hot water with Daalchini and Laung. Will wear leggings and thermal vest underneath the Band Gala. Why can't we do something about the Delhi weddings- like making them strictly family affairs or holding much smaller Receptions spread over a year ( a memorable event like marriage should not be allowed to fade away in the one week). This would bring relief to the hundreds of guests who have to travel long distances and face traffic jams to be there at Farm Houses and Party Places in far corners of the city. The experience during peak wedding dates is nightamarish. And yet the Melas continue. Because they came so you go!!

Incidentally, I wore my dark Pinstiped Sherwani and Churidar to the RPB Reception and the comments from friends were very interesting. I quote a few- Very Elegant and approprate"; "Hope to wear this one day if I can stay in shape"; " Didn't know you had joined politics"; " Have you converted ?"- all speaking volumes for background of those who made them. I tried explaining to a few that "this was the only formal wear used by my family for generations so I am comfotable in them"to the presribed and dress worn by all first generation leaders of free India from the North. But I gave up!!

Will attempt attaching a few pictures from my outdoor garden as promised and encouraged to do by Abhiram my older son in his comments added to my last Blog tomorrow, if I manage to save it with my limited knowledge of computronics!!

For your viewing pleasure are attched a few pictures of fresh blooms in my home garden taken this morning with my Nikon Coolpix

C U next week .

Have a great week ahead

Weekly Delhi Diary

2008-01-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

After three warm days, winter began creeping back midweek with the temps dropping and the skies remaining occasionally overcast over Delhi. All in all, fairly dicey weather from the colds and coughs angle.

Winter annuals laid out in Lutyens Delhi's roadside parks and traffic islands have begun to bloom with the Calendulas and Dahlias taking the lead over the other varieties. The Chrysanthemums ( Mums in America), the first to bloom and spreading colour and joy the past month in private and public gardens took a beating when Delhi experienced sharp showers on January 9 night. They are now being removed and replaced by by pots of other winter annuals.
In my own home garden, the marigolds have begun to wither and pansy buds formation started, with just a few blooms peaking shyly from behind a thick cluster of leaves. These are, of course, the hybrid varieties from Sakata( Japanese) seedlings. The hardier desi yellow varieties are already in full bloom

Next week shall try to sprinkle my weekly diary with outdoor pictures taken from my digital camera to make the blog more colourful.

My namesake ( Anil Kumble) has brought a wave of good cheer all over India with the team's fantastic victory over the Aussies at the invincible Perth ground. Th tenacity displayed by each member of the team in the teeth of a fierce opposition from the Australian team was in my view, the key to the magic victory scored by us. The match by any standard was very interesting and watchable, restoring, to an extent, the waning appetite among Indian cricket lovers in Test cricket. More hard work and the same spirit may well see India levelling the Series at Adelaide.

Delhiites long expectation of faster commute to Gurgaon are finally set to become a reality with the official opening of the long network of Fly Overs connecting Delhi with Gurgaon and the IGI airport three days before( Jan 23) the Republic Day.
One listens almost daily to the woes of road users over the traffic snarls and increasing chaos on Delhi roads. But the solution, in my view, certainly does not lie in the attention this gets in the local print and electronic media.

First I would like to bring to the notice of the highly spoilt Delhi road users that the delays being suffered by them are nothing compared to the other Metros like Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Calcutta.

Also, some credit is due to the city planners and the authorities in Delhi, whether in the Central or state Gov ts for at least thinking about the traffic needs of one of the fastest growing cities of the world in terms of power driven vehicles, in a holistic manner, though a couple of decades late , some planning is finally discernible!

Most of the blame for the chaos on Delhi roads is due to the utter lack of road sense on the part of the users and the almost total absence of enforcement of traffic laws by the Delhi Police.Insufficiency of numbers of Delhi traffic police may be contributing to this phenomenon, but is totally unacceptable as an excuse on the part of DP. I think better supervision and utilization of existing resources is called for.

Another thought on how we celebrate Republic Day. Yes we must be remember the sacrifices of our forefathers in achieving Independence and Democracy in a befitting manner, and keep patriotism and nationalism alive,no doubt. But the scale on which we spend and the rather repetitive nature of the elaborate processions and march pasts on Raj Path causing immense discomfort to road users over several days needs to be looked at again.Is the objective being achieved ?Is there no scope for a more imaginative and innovative approach , but to see India's rich and diverse heritage folk art and and dances performed by children floated past ??

Enough for this week, I think. Hey, this chance to share my thoughts on subjects of interest has whetted my appetite to continue writing this weekly.
How do you find it? Pl help me to make it more readable.
Best of everything in the week ahead

A Cold Week End in Delhi

2008-01-13T07:40:00.000-08:00

The Met office was right for a change when it predicted fall in min temp on the weekend, due to "cold westerly winds". Though the sun was out bright and warm, the strong cold winds kept Delhites chilled and mostly indoors.

Shailey went to the Garden of Five Senses with the NTRO Ladies Club for Housie and Lunch at the the Bhau Sahib Ka Dhaba, I lazed around after Ram Kumar's rub down. Went to CP to get my new wollen trouser refitted at Mhan lal and Sons ( unsuccessfully) and had Patiey ke Mataren and Kulchey at Bhogal's behind Scindhia House.

Then Ashok Saikia's Prayer Meting at the Chinmaya Mission at Lodhi Rd in the evening.. It could have been better. The Bhajan singer broke in with a Nhajan set on Bollywood tune which put me off. The speakers were also inimpressive, except the last who( Gunnu) spoke from the heart and made people close to Ashok cry

Today was Lohri. There was no agenda. Shuchi's parents dropped in with the Moongphalis, Revadi and Ghazak. Had tea with them outside on the terrace.

Called Kaushal Sahib to check whether they were home and joined them for lunch. Came back and enjoyed a snooze. Lallan( Maj Gen Parmar) and his wife dropped in in the evening and joined us for dinner. All in all a relaxed Sunday.

Not much to do in the garden, except watering the beds and sprinking of the lawns. Spinach, Lal Moolis and Dhaniya were cropped and shared with the Sawhneys and Kaushals.

Cmpleted my sixth day on the Treadmill during the week. Maight take a break tomorrow and take a walk in Nehru Garden if I wake up early enough.

That's all for tonight.

Shailey's school officially reopens tomorrow. So back to the routine.

Another Year Begins

2008-01-05T05:45:00.000-08:00

A leap year I am told.

The last year ended on a very dark note - losing an old jewel among my friends, suddenly and without any apparent reason, except a one in a thousandth case of cardio surgery complications, at one of the best equipped and manned Heart Care centres in Delhi. The combined prayers and efforts of the best Cardiovascular surgeons in town over several tortous hours failed to check the cruel hand of fate .

The grief stricken faces of Ranjana, Suman, Pikku and the Saikia brothers known to me for over 40 years was too much to bear and I left the hospital, desolate, around midnight. I knew that the battle was over, and the last minute efforts of the AIIMS team which went into the Escorts OT were highly unlikely to succeed.

When Gokul confirmed at 0430 hrs on the cell phone that Ashok ( Roon to family) was no more. Oh No was my reaction in disbelief, though I knew that it was inevitable when I had slept. That is the philosophy of miracles not happening!

Did not quite feel upto leaving for the airport with the kids for the brief get away at Goa planned months in advance. I had anticipated the family taking ashok to Titabar in Assam for the last rites which I was informed was being done. Embalming at AIIMS and the entire family alongwith the remains leaving for Guwahati by the 4 PM flt. Moon the brother immediately after Roon ( based in Jorhat Assam)had already in the morning via Calcutta to make advance preparations.

It was over. Only the formalities involving the family remained to be carried out. The gettogether of three generation cutting across contents involving six cuples and children would have turned sour if I dropped out at the last minute. his would not be fair I thought. So I went to the airport.

Shailey and I were in Goa after nearly eight years. Despite the steep rise in the volume and density of the autos on the roads, we were not disappointed. Met up the few old friends from the early seventies when I spent three years there, as SP Goa , Daman and Diu. The landscape was as charming and the air as balmy as before. The pace of life suddenly slows down as one drives out of the Dabolim( Goa) airport in the port town of Vasco.

The one big change was the bridge over the Zuari river. Earlier, there was only the two ferry boats which took across four cars at a time in the opposite directions.

The Sun and Sand hotel overlooking the Mandovi ( the other great river estuary on which Goa is located) in Panjim is an architectual beauty . It appears tht the five storied hotel has been woven around the old trees on the hill top. A nice and cozy place with the proverbial Goan friendly and hospitable service.

Funkiet Martins and Dr Antonio Valadares our old friends had both gone out of their way as usual to arrange every evening entertainment for the nearly fourteen strong family which had congregated in Goa to spend three nights together. We met up with Funkiet and Antonio's families at different places including the fabulous house of Sadiq, Funkiet's brother-in law married to Gidda, Nanda's ( Funkiet's wife) sister overlooking the Arabian Sea at Donna Paula, a picturesque land mark of Goa close to Panjim town.

Except for our 1 year old granddaughter Antara's stomach infection and six months old Akshay (my late brother's grandson) alo being similarly infected just before our departure at Dabolim, the Goa trip was enjoyable and tranquil with a lot of good goan sea-food, wine, drinks and live music by Goan musical Groups.

Goa was nice and warm but Delhi was feezing when we landed at Palam on Second Jan evening. Delhi was in the grip of a severe cold wave withtemperatures 5 degrees below normal.

The family and close friends dinner do at home last night was well attended with almost all turning up. Shailey had as susual put together a lot of good food while the Boys and I kept the best drinks flowing. All 40 + had a good time with the kids spilling into the bedrooms and the Study.

More in my next Blog for the family with some stuff on my favourite subject Gardening.

Wishing all a happy and healthy 2008