New Humsafar Express

Karmveers of India

I am an ardent follower of  KBC-10 particularly Kamveer episodes. These karmveers have done such marvelous work that I think I just wasted my life  earning only a living for me and my family. I remember seeing a mentally deranged man every day during morning walk,  sitting and sleeping on a bench of a bus stop near our home or eating from garbage bins. I was scared to talk or stare at him but one day decided to give some clothes to this half naked man to cover him self during the winter months. Next day I carried a small carry back with one old shirt and a pyjama. Being scared I left it as near to him as I could without offending him. Next day I saw he had worn these clothes though in a messy way. I could muster some courage and next day I left a old chaddar and some biscuits near him. I could see him immediately open the bag and started eating the biscuits. That day was the last day I noticed him. Still wonder where he had gone. This small incident gave tremendous satisfaction to me. Recently I gave some money to son of my ex maid who needed to under go some costly operation and had no money. But these small things done intermittently is too little for this society. KBC karmveers gave us some insight into life of few extra ordinary people. 

Dr Prakash and Dr Mandakini Amte who instead of usual carrier option, have dedicated their life for uplift of a Adiwasis village which lacked any modern facility, now this village has electricity, school hospital. The doctor couple also had a orphanage for wild animals. Simply awesome life full of good work.

This photo is of Ms Sudha Vergese. She has championed the cause of mushars of Bihar / UP. A caste at the bottom of social ladder. Not only that mushars women make and sell country liquor  are not surprised if they have to sleep with their customers. Ms Vergese has been also active to see that Police acts on complaints from this community. 

Mr Ajit and Mrs Manju Singh. Singhs are active in the red light areas mainly to rescue minor girls in the flesh trade. He narrated during KBC that he has found even 6-7 years girls in flesh trade and the brothel keepers use hormone for fast maturity of such minor girls. Very commendable efforts by them.  They have made the red light area of Varanasi free of minor girls. 

Ms Sarbani Dasroy works for treating and welfare of mentally deranged people who are home less and forced to stay in the streets of Kolkata. Even tea vendors have aligned with her for taking care of such home less people near to him. 

Salute to these great children of mother India. 

Obituary - Shreedevi

During my stay in Salem 1980-82 I used to daily see one Tamil or Malayalam films with my colleagues Mr TV Vaidyanathan who knew both Tamil and Malayalam and  Mr CND Nair who was a Malayali. 

Most of the days we would complete our site work by 10 PM so as to have enough time to take our dinner . Our standing instructions to our favourite waiter Thambi Manjunath of Hotel Gokulam, 5 Roads Junction was to keep  our dinner in our rooms. We will quickly take our dinner and then rush to Salem city for 11 PM last show. We will go for either an English movie or a Tamil / Malayalam movie recommended by our friends or as chosen by our driver. I learnt to read Tamil a  little to  read name of films and name of cinema halls as in the posters. Our usual pick used to be films made by Bhagya Raja and we saw the films Antha 7 Naatkal (original version of Woh Saat Din) and Moondram Pirai (Original of Sadma). Moondram Pirai starred Kamal Haasan and Sridevi. I instantly became fan of both Kamal Haasan and Sridevi. Innocence on the face of Bhagyalaxmi (Sridevi) who has lost her memory and is behaving like a child is so real. Cheenu (Kamal Haasan) who tries hard to get her memory back is so desperate to make Bhagyalaxmi recognize him one she regains memory is remarkable in the climax scene. . 

Sridevi Kapoor born Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan  (1963-2018) entered Hindi film industry in 1983 and soon stole heart of millions through her performances. I particularly like her comical performances in Mr India, Chalbaaz and Judaai. Her more serious films such as Sadma, lamhe, Chandini, Ladaala and Khuda Gawah do also touch our heart. Her two second innings films English Vinglish and MOM were welcome come back and Film going public expected many more such films from her. Her untimely departure has shocked millions of her fans -- that includes me !

May her soul rest in peace. God bless her family. 

1965-December- A Life event to remember

It was 25th December 1965, papa had come to Patna to attend Chhatii (6th day after birth) ceremony of Pappu (my cousin bro) and he visited my hostel as well. One of my first year engineering hostel colleague had changed his room and as a teenager (I was 15 going on 16) I thought of a prank to dramatise his shifting. I was an ardent Sadhana fan and had seen her film Arzoo released that year 6 times. I remembered each scene and dialogue of the film and my roomates enjoyed me dramatically recreating the film with all dialogues which could last almost for one to two hours. I was getting famous for my dramatics and I went ahead to make sentimental statements for my roomate changing the room. 

Now about the prank and the repercussions..

Around mid night when all the roommates were asleep I wrote a small suicide note and kept a liquid medicine bottle for minor  skin problem labelled  "poison" over the letter. After some time I started making strange noises as if I was having difficulty in breathing and choking. My room mates took note of this and were panicked. 
They started linking of this with visit of papa who as per their understanding had noticed a photo of Sadhana in my purse and had scolded me (though nothing like this had happened). I continued my drama and my friends were convinced that I am dying and called the warden, who was visibly annoyed being disturbed at this hour. However seems he was also convinced about my attempt and gave me some homeo medicine which I took after initially refusing it. He ordered for me to be taken to hospital urgently. It is then I realized that I am in grave self created problem. My pleadings that it was all fake and a drama fell flat on about 30 pair of ears and I was taken on a  cycle rickshaw to Patna Medical College Hospital.   On way I though of getting off the rickshaw and run, however two strong friends escorting me made it impossible. In hospital I was given a bucket of water with K2MnO4 and was forced to drink almost all. All patients in near by beds were looking at me as a zoo animal and I was very uncomfortable with so much attention from strangers and friends ( all most whole hostel had come to hospital at this late hour. 

In the morning Police came and started inquiring me and I became more and more nervous. I anyway wanted to go even run away but some one warned me not to attempt any misadventure. Now my family at Patna my cousin sisters Shanti di and Chhotu di were informed. They informed my uncle who was appearing in a Public Service Commission exam and he has to leave the exam. My father who had gone back home was informed, who came back in a hurry,  my cousin sis Dr Pushpa was called from Buxar  to tackle hospital. My Bhullar mama an advocate was put in service to tackle the Police and with the help of a related minister Police were restrained from harassing me. I had some relief but the hospital will  not release.  Dr Pushpa Prasad  Intervened and the hospital released me under own risk. Now the new problem surfaced as the warden had recommended my expulsion to the principal. However as per argument put forward  by my uncle I was merely expelled from the hostel for rest of the session and I returned to hostel in the 2nd year ! 

My efforts to clear the air however did never work with my friends who still feel I really consumed the poison !!