At last...

Though endless debates rage on the infrastructure in the city of Mumbai, it will be a welcome relief to see sheets of water pouring throughout the day.A voluntary "work from home" stand helped me avoid the perils that lay in front of me in my path - Takshila, shortcut from Andrews church to Floral deck plaza near seepz, MIDC and finally Akruti Trade center.Atleast this guess that today would be a washout was absolutely perfect.However with Daughter braving it to school, i will have to downplay my act.A lot of "out of work" people have come together on the small screen to really create a stir. marc robinson, FIZA and a few other Telly "yester-days" stars in a Jungle reality show, Kambli in a truth or dare session..i think with jobs taking the plunge and adspends unable to support serial attacks we might just see more making a line to such sessions for the daily bread.One can just take pity on Kambli.Watching an early pepsi ad featuring him and Sachin in one frame and how each ones carrear has turned out- really is a sad situation. A hand to nurture and manage Kambli was missing. Like Ajit Tendulkar standing like a rock behind his brother, Peter Lundgren and Peter carter being the support structure of Federer, Kambli missed them all. The comments are for Kambli to sort out on a personal basis with Sachin. Sachin am sure, being dignity personified is going to distance himself away from this latest controversy. This is like a "Billu/Kuselan" situation that is shaping up here. Kambli, just like Azhar get into public service. That can help you purge all the negativities of the years gone by...All the best and God bless

Water Woes

There is a virtual fear psychosis going around town on the rainfall deficit in the lake catchment areas around mumbai.Every news paper has ensured that your gulp from morning cuppa does not go down your throat.What is surprising is that there are no discussions happening around avoiding such a situation in the future. The BMC is yet to discuss any proposals surrounding rain water harvesting systems; and making them compulsory. In my building, the builder just dug a pit and ensured that an imaginary "peter pan" pipeline led in to it feeding some water. Compare this to my flat in native Madurai where there is an elaborate network of pipes in the stilt parking area which originate in the terrace and lead right up to a gravel pit which soaks up the rain water and sends it right below the ground and recharges the water table. A jayalalithesque determination can only save the situation. While Shekar Kapur just talks about his move "pani" , Mumbai could brace up for water wars in the future. It is raining as this blog is being typed out, but all that we can do right upto ganesh festival is to cross our fingers and hope that we wont be let down. My mother tells me that in the city of a living saint (Haji Ali) and Mahalakshmi, its citizens will never be let down.However that is no reason for us to stay lethargic and not do anything to ensure a secure future.

Powai capers

A short trip to Powai ensued this evening; courtesy a trip to the physio to check my aching lumbar region.A round of ultrasound and muscle stimulator later, i did get to do some walk around the many societies that dot the area that has been carved out of a hill (still being done). name the utility and it is made available. There is infact a medical assist shop that rents out convenience equipment for the elderly who dont have control over their bowels. A tea shop churns out litres of tea to the office crowd (pre-dominantly BPO). Chaat, Juhu Naturals, Vada Pav, Bhaji Pav with vegetable and fruit shops carved out of delivery vans dot the area. While it affords a lot of convenience, the place is choc a bloc. For the already harried pedestrian, this is anything but a relief. The stretch from Subway to Dmart is by far the most well designed, pedestrian friendly walkway. This space came up much after Galleria, the original hang out spot at hiranandani. Sweet Bengal tucked away in the first floor of Galleria offers some fabulous bengali sweets. This can be preceded or succeeded with a chaat/dabeli from the shop downstairs. Other shops selling clothes are passe.Powai - pretty good to hang out with friends. Get your parking right and you really can get a good evening out...

Real Estate in Andheri

During morning walks, trips to the school bus pick up/drop point are always peppered with talks on the jobs situation.Inevitably the conversation veers towards a discussion on the real estate situation.People who thought the rates at Kalpataru were obnoxious are now secretly hopeful about a change of heart by the builder. There are ads appearing on sunday newspapers and the local "anything but friendly" estate consultant/agent/broker.All of them effortlessly mention the big C as the prevailing rate. Paying 1 Cr of rupees for a flat with 800 odd sq ft of carpet might sound ridiculous but there is a shy group of buyers who are lurking around the corner. Many such deals are still being struck.One such broker offered an under construction building behind Majas Depot for a princely sum of 7000 rs psqft. Who was the builder? John Builders was the reply. No one really has a tab on the credentials of such builders. It is for the buyer to do the bull work of figuring out for himself/herself.Everyone in his/her building is eyeing for any potential movement in their own societies.That is where they feel they can strike a value deal without compromising much on the set up.The Real estate economy runs on the runrate business of leave and license and strikes gold when some greater fool steps in.The stretch between Namaskar to Takshila has a minimum of 40 to 50 agents, subs and the chain below.Its for you to figure out who has the best hold in the area

Better Neighbourhood

Prior to the rains hitting us, one good thing that has happened in Andheri is the laying of a concrete road from Takshila to MOdel town in Andheri (E).The start and completion of the project was a much watched one given the impending rains. The corporation made good use of the delay and ensured that the work got completed. Else, Takshila would have continued to haunt evening shoppers and the residents. The Bhaji and fruit wallahs spilled on to the road and were lamenting about their condition.On the whole, the area now looks chic, though still not good enough to attract a resto bar. The best evening spot is an Amul ice cream parlor with a shaggy bhel walla outside his premises.As far as the rest are concerned its business as usual. We are now eagerly awaiting the completion of the stretch from PMGP to Poonam Nagar near Zodiac hotel. There is a huge population working in the Seepz - MIDC area. Why cant there be a circular bus service from green fields to Seepz via poonam, model, takshila,MIDC and Tunga? This can run in the mornings from 8 Am to 10 AM just like the services in the business district between WTC and churchgate. Need to present it at the altar of Mr Waikar...

2009 Rains in Mumbai

Back exactly after two years. This time we have been humbled by the rain gods.A long wait ensued before we could ensure that Mumbai started to receive its quota.Some of the most harassed people in Mumbai include one lady by name Ms Sathidevi.She had to ensure that her weather forecasts are worded carefully to ensure that there is no chaos in the city.We can feel the turmoil in her head.She should just log in to CNN and do a Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V for the weather forecast given against Mumbai. As usual, Buses are the only guys who come to your rescue. Rickshaws scoot at your wave rather than stop.The last time i stepped down to my lobby was on Friday at 9.30 PM. After that i have been stopped on my tracks by the copious amount of rain and a generous amount of lower back pain.Totally unexpected.Did a check on whether i lifted anything..wife, daugter,provisions etc...Cant remember. Have felt better today after a saturday of wincing pain.Warm water bottles have ensured today that the region releases the stiffness and restores normalcy.Just waiting to get through the weekend before visiting the physio

Start of 2007 Rains in Mumbai

The long awaited rains are here. Here rains are like an annual festival and are tracked very carefully once the monsoon hits the Kerala coast. Thursday was the first day the city and suburbs experienced showers.I was particularly lucky to be caught in the first shower inspite of being drenched in the washed out mud from the trees.The rain was just a teaser with the big bang still a few days away like Rajini's new movie Sivaji slated to release on the 15th of June. The second spell of rains came in today and not wanting to miss the verdant spectacle that is Aarey colony, i put on my running shoes only to have the soles peel off near Zodiac hotel and i had to turn back. Thanks to the new pair which i have recently procured, i hope to catch this first glimpse during a run tomorrow morning. I would love to portray the condition of roads in mumbai this monsoon peppered ofcourse with a lot of photographs wherever possible. Andheri(east) where i live in is usually a very troubled spot especially near pump house which is legendary for traffic snarls during downpours. Manouvering my two wheeler is an art which i have perfected in the last 3 monsoons but one has to have a gut feel of the best route to take (chakala/pump house) after leaving andheri station. Auto drivers always have a no when asked to be taken to poonam nagar. Any amount of persuasion is futile. This is just the start and lets get ready for the wild ride this monsoon......