Sometimes A Drop Of Rain Brings Along With It An Ocean Of Emotions.

It has been a lazy day so far. I have spent almost the entire day doing nothing. I decide to help myself with a cup of wending machine tea. I stand near the window sipping the stimulant. I can sense it is going to rain. There is a strange excitement around. People on the streets are in an unusual hurry. Every one wants to reach their destination before rain reaches there. But rain god has decided to spoil their plans. The showers have already begun from the sky. In less then a minute the streets are clear but the rain drops have gathered on the window frame near which I am standing. They have started making a rhythmic sound as they fall.

As these droplets splash on my hands I become a kid. I run out with a paper boat in my hand. I am wet in the rain, following the paper boat in the water streams at the side of the road. I jump in the puddle of mud and I am all set to bunk school.

I am a teenager now. I am racing with my friends on cycle in the rains. I am playing football with them in the mud. I am looking at my first crush. She is the most beautiful being on earth. I am standing in the school corridor and watching her as she waits for rains to stop (and I am hoping it doesn’t).

I am sitting in the college canteen with my friends and chatting endlessly with them. I am ridding triple sit on bike in college campus. I am eating Maggi at Umesh’s tea stall. I am trying to stay awake during the post lunch lecture. I am busy forwarding SMSes. I am in the hostel watching movies on the LAN during exams.

I am at home and my dad has brought samosas for us to enjoy it with the tea on a rainy evening. I hear my mom calling me for the tea. But I my standing near the window watching the rain droplets splash… because sometimes a drop of rain brings along with it an ocean of emotions.

Street Kids and Underarm Cricket.

Last weekend while visiting one of my friends place I came across bunch of kids playing on the street. They belonged to the slum near the road and most of them seemed to be around six to eight years of age. These kids where so talented that I had to stop and watch them in amazement. There was this kiddo who was continuously kart-wheeling on the road. His entire body had turned into a wheel with his hands and legs doing the role of the spokes of the wheel. Then there where two other kids jumping from the side wall performing somersault in air before they could perfectly land on theirs legs. All this made me wonder why India has never had a good representation at gymnastic at international level? This was same as asking why a country of more than a billion population was not able to produce a decent football team of 11 players.

As I came out of my thoughts I realized that the kids had divided themselves into two groups and were now ready to play gully cricket. These kids had found new format of underarm cricket by mixing cricket and football. The bat was replaced by leg. The batsman (or the leg-men) kicked the ball thrown at him by the bowler. These kids had learnt to have fun with the limited resources they had.

I continued my walk but only to take myself back in time to sweet old childhood memories of underarm cricket. Underarm cricket is a fun form of cricket with no written rules. That is what makes it very interesting. The rules are usually formed depending on the number of players and the area you are playing in. Only strict compulsion is that bowling should be done under the arm which is opposite to the rule of standard cricket.

There are some common rules which prevail at most places though. Like scoring a sixer is considered out. This means there is no scope for budding talents who aspire being Yuraj and Sehwag in this game. Also reinforces the fact that there are no ‘chakkas’ allowed in this format of the game. To make things worse for the batsman if he scores a six and the ball goes too far he is made to get the ball himself. One more rule which make life difficult for batsman is ‘one-tup’ catch or one bounce catch. Batsman is declared out even if the fielder catches the ball after one bounce.

But it is not that most of the rules of underarm cricket are against the batsman. There are rules which support the batting side as well. Firstly the boundaries are very close, so scoring four runs is easy. If there are places in gully which are difficult to reach or say there are thorny bushes near the play area, those places are marked restricted. Which mean if the ball goes in those places, declared one run or two runs is given directly without batsman having to actually run. Also usually there is no batsman at non-striker end, if a batsman scores one run or three runs he has to walk back to the striker end to face the next ball. Incase there are less players, wicket keeper’s role is usually avoided from the game. In this case no runs are allowed if ball is hit behind the wicket.

Infrastructure required for this format of the game is cheap and easily available. Ball used is a rubber or tennis ball. So this small change gets rid of pads, helmet and center pad as well. Bats vary from proper wooden ones, ‘piddo’ (midriff of coconut leaf) or a bat created at home from piece of wood. Scooter or car tyre or a wall with three lines drawn on it makes the wicket at the striker end and a large stone or brick forms wicket at the bowling end. Since the stone is quite low in height many times concept of ‘current’ is used to get the batsman run out. According to this rule if the fielder touches his leg to the stone and catches the ball in his hands then it is considered as good as ball touching the stone.

Single innings of underarm cricket varies from five to ten overs. This extra short format of the game brings in few interesting strategies and feelings as well. Most kids want to be a batsman, so if the batsman on the crease is not getting out you’ll find your own team mates hoping you get out soon and they get to bat. Bowling side also plays clever, if they find that a batsman is not able to hit they’ll try not to get him out and waste overs with him. You’ll see catches being dropped on purpose. Setting the fielding is usually not a problem because of the small size of the playing area.

This underarm cricket is real fun to play. After writing all this I miss my childhood even more. Is anybody game to play it?

Builder Mhojya Mama by Janardhan Goltekar.

I read the below konkani song on great singer Remo Fernandes’s Facebook page. This song is created by Janardhan Goltekar. It is a very nice improvisation of an old goan folk song “Undrea Mhojya Mama”. Remo has shared it to help spread this important message. Hope I am able to contribute a small bit from my side by posting it on my blog.

Builder mhojya mama aani haav sangta tuka..
Builder mhojya mama aani haav sangta tuka..
Aamchya Sobit Sundor Goyan tuji kai goroz na aamka..
Aamchya Sobit Sundor Goyan tuji kai goroz na aamka..

Builder mama aailo aani ministerfatlyan liplo..
Builder mama aailo aani ministerfatlyan liplo..
Aani zhada-Peda kapun Goyche vaat lavpak laglo..
Aani zhada-Peda kapun Goyche vaat lavpak laglo..

Vachoya goyak hya..
Vachoya goyak hya..
Vachoya goyak hya..
Vachoya goyak hya.. :-[

Good work Janardhan! But hope this message reaches across the masses and we don’t loose our beautiful Goa to builders.

Oh Ri Duniya…

Hi fellas! This song is inspired by ‘Duniya oh duniya’ song from movie ‘Gulaal’ and dedicated to my friends from IT industry. If possible please try to read this to the tune of song mentioned above for better effect 🙂

Oh Ri Duniya, Oh Ri Duniya
Aye 201R Bus Route Ki Duniya Oh Duniya
Ghanto Traffic Jams Mein Fhasse Rahne Ki Duniya Oh Duniya
Binna Meter Rickshaw Chalne Wallo Ki Duniya Oh Duniya.

Wending Machine Ke Karab Coffee Ki Duniya Oh Duniya Re
Baking Soda Wale Canteen Lunch Ki Duniya Oh Duniya Re
Aye Week End Pe Cheese Burst Pizza Ki Duniya Oh Duniya
Bugs Se Bhare Code Ki Duniya Oh Duniya
Tight Estimates Aur Aggressive Schedules Ki Duniya Oh Duniya Re
Late Working Hours Ki Duniya Oh Duniya
Oh Ri Duniya, Oh Ri Duniya, Oh Ri Duniya, Oh Ri Duniya
Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kya Hai? Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kya Hai?
Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kya Hai?

Weekly Status Reports Ki Duniya Oh Duniya
Bi-Annual Appraisal Process Ki Duniya Oh Duniya
Recession Mein Zero Increment Ki Duniya Oh Duniya Re
Pending Promotion Back Logs Ki Duniya Oh Duniya
Ooooo…Oooo…Hoooo…Hooo…Ooooooooo…
Management Ke Cost Cutting Bakwaas Ki Duniya
Layoff Ke Bhay Se Bhari Ye Duniya.
Company Mission Aur Vision, Aur Uske Beech Ka Difference Samaj Ne Ki Duniya!
Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kya Hai? Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kya Hai?
Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kya Hai?

Weekends Toh Aisse Hi Chale Jaate Hai Hai
Reh Jaata Hai Woh Public Holidays Ki Intezar Mein
Vacation Ki Approval Workflow Ke Chakar Mein
Jaisi Bacchi Hai Waisi Ki Waisi Toh Bacha Lo Yeh Duniya
Apna Samajh Ke Apno Ke Jaisi Utha Lo Yeh Duniya
Shopping Mein Credit Limit Khatam Ho Jaati Hai, Sambhalo Yeh Duniya
Share Market Crash Mein Savings Gayab Ho Jaati Hai, Sambhalo Yeh Duniya
Oh Ri Duniya, Oh Ri Duniya
Woh Kahen Hai Ki Duniya Yeh Itni Nahi Hai
Shopping Malls Se Aage Jahan Aur Bhi Hai
Yeh Hum Hi Nahi Hai, Wahan Aur Bhi Hai
Hamari Hare Ek Baat Hoti Wahin Hai
Magar Project Plan Yeh Bigad Jaata Hai Jo
Woh Kehte Hai,
Client Jo Kheta Woh Ishwar Hai
Client Jo Kheta Woh Allah Hai
Client Jo Kheta Woh Issa Hai
PL Yeh Kheti Tab Team Members Se Ki,
Tumhari Hai Tum Hi Sambhalo Yeh Duniya
Yeh ‘IT’ Ke Maare Chand Baasi Charago
Tumhare Yeh Kale Future Ki Duniya.
Oh Ri Duniya, Oh Ri Duniya Hoo Ri Duniya.

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Hi fellas! This song is inspired by ‘Duniya oh duniya’ song from movie ‘Gulaal’ and dedicated to my friends from IT industry. If possible please try to read this to the tune of song mentioned above for better effect 🙂

Oh Ri Duniya, Oh Ri Duniya

Aye 201R Bus Route Ki Duniya Oh Duniya

Ghanto Traffic Jams Mein Fhasse Rahne Ki Duniya Oh Duniya

Binna Meter Rickshaw Chalne Wallo Ki Duniya Oh Duniya.

Wending Machine Ke Karab Coffee Ki Duniya Oh Duniya Re

Baking Soda Wale Canteen Lunch Ki Duniya Oh Duniya Re

Aye Week End Pe Cheese Burst Pizza Ki Duniya Oh Duniya

Bugs Se Bhare Code Ki Duniya Oh Duniya

Tight Estimates Aur Aggressive Schedules Ki Duniya Oh Duniya Re

Late Working Hours Ki Duniya Oh Duniya

Oh Ri Duniya, Oh Ri Duniya, Oh Ri Duniya, Oh Ri Duniya

Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kya Hai? Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kya Hai?

Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kya Hai?

Weekly Status Reports Ki Duniya Oh Duniya

Bi-Annual Appraisal Process Ki Duniya Oh Duniya

Recession Mein Zero Increment Ki Duniya Oh Duniya Re

Pending Promotion Back Logs Ki Duniya Oh Duniya

Ooooo…Oooo…Hoooo….Hooo…Ooooooooo…

Management Ke Cost Cutting Bakwaas Ki Duniya

Layoff Ke Bhay Se Bhari Ye Duniya.

Company Mission Aur Vision, Aur Uske Beech Ka Difference Samaj Ne Ki Duniya!

Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kya Hai? Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kya Hai?

Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kya Hai?

Weekends Toh Aisse Hi Chale Jaate Hai Hai,

Reh Jaata Hai Woh Public Holidays Ki Intezar Mein,

Vacation Ki Approval Workflow Ke Chakar Mein,

Jaisi Bacchi Hai Waisi Ki Waisi Toh Bacha Lo Yeh Duniya,

Apna Samajh Ke Apno Ke Jaisi Utha Lo Yeh Duniya,

Shopping Mein Credit Limit Khatam Ho Jaati Hai, Sambhalo Yeh Duniya,
Share Market Crash Mein Savings Gayab Ho Jaati Hai, Sambhalo Yeh Duniya,
Oh Ri Duniya, Oh Ri Duniya,
Who Kahen Hai Ki Duniya Yeh Itni Nahi Hai,
Shopping Malls Aur Complexes Se Aage Jahan Aur Bhi Hai,
Yeh Hum Hi Nahi Hai, Wahan Aur Bhi Hai,
Hamari Hare Ek Baat Hoti Wahin Hai,
Magar Project Plan Yeh Bigad Jaata Hai Jo,
Wo Kehte Hai,
Client Jo Kheta Woh Ishwar Hai,
Client Jo Kheta Woh Allah Hai,
Client Jo Kheta Woh Issa Hai,
PL Yeh Kheti Tab Team Members Se Ki,
Tumhari Hai Tum Hi Sambhalo Yeh Duniya,
Yeh ‘IT’ Ke Maare Chand Baasi Charago
Tumhare Yeh Kale Future Ki Duniya
Oh Ri Duniya, Oh Ri Duniya Hoo Ri Duniya.

Murphy travels with me from Goa to Bangalore

First time in my life, the interstate bus which I was traveling in departed on time at 6 pm. I was celebrating the idea that my bus can beat Bangalore traffic by reaching early the next day and I would manage to reach office on time. But little did I know I had an adventurous trip ahead. My bus was full of people who had come to enjoy a long week end in Goa. I was busy admiring some of the nature’s beautiful creations surrounding me in the bus until a bunch of guys (10 to be specific) who climbed the bus in Margao started making hulla. First I wouldn’t understand what the fuss was all about because I couldn’t comprehend the language they where communicating in. Then suddenly I heard the bus conductor shout “If you don’t have tickets please get down!!!” And the bus suddenly came to a halt at Navelim. When I tried to understand the situation I realized this bunch of guys had forgotten their return ticket in Bangalore itself and now where caring a printout of the scanned copy which they had asked one of their friends to mail them. But the conductor refused to accept the scanned ticket and insisted on them presenting the original. This was the start of an endless argument which began eating patience of other passengers in the bus and others started to interfere to resolve the matter.

Argument which the bunch of guys made was:

1. We can’t afford to leave the bus has they had paid around Rs. 8000/- for it already.
2. The customer care person had informed them that they can present a scanned copy of the ticket. (On calling the customer care from the bus the new customer care executive backed off from supporting this statement).
3. This is age of IT and 21^st century and such provision should be considered reasonable.

Argument which the conductor made was:

1. If the passenger is not carrying original ticket he/she is not allowed to travel. This rule is universal across any mode of transport.
2. If he allows these guys to travel one of their other friends can go and get the original ticket cancelled and claim 50% of the money back.
3. If there is any checking done on the way for ticket less travel his job is on stake.

The argument went on for next half an hour without conclusion and the bus driver finally decided to turn the bus back to Margoa police station. Neither of the parties involved in the argument where ready to take into consideration that there are 30 other people who are getting delayed. It looked as if the other passengers had bought the bus ticket to watch their show and popcorns would be served soon.

The drama now shifted to Margoa police station. All the other passengers had now crowed the road near the police station and eagerly waiting for the verdict from the police officer. Who was going to win? I had just decided to start making others bet on the odds and evens that we suddenly heard a crash sound near by. A car with 2 boys and 2 girls had banged into a man riding his scooter. It turned out that these kids driving the car where tourists come to spend their long week end in Goa. The car had come from no entry side, it was fast and people inside it were drunk (Yeah a long week end in Goa might have had half their blood replaced with ‘feni’ and beer). One of the guys in the car started yapping to prove their innocence in the accident when a wise man in the crowd gave them an advice saying “Look boy! You are drunk, a tourist and more important at fault by coming from a no entry. The best think you can do is keeping your mouth quiet or get bitten by the crowd” Good from him the boy took the advice. ‘108’ Ambulance was there at the scene in just two minutes (Must appreciate the efficiency of this system) and took the man on the scooter to hospital as he suffered some bleeding on his head. Cops reached the scene next and took the guy who was yapping earlier in custody for rash driving. Let me mention one more heroic act by our yapping burger here, actually the person driving the car was one of the girls but like a true gentleman he took the blame.

We returned to the police station to check if our bus had left us. But it seems both the parties involved in the bus argument had decided to keep the cops entertained too. Finally after eternity the police officer came to a verdict. The group of 10 guys had to keep Rs. 8000/- deposit with the conductor which would be returned to them on showing the original ticket in Bangalore. Also the conductor had to give a written proof to these guys about acceptance of the money and it had to be signed by all the remaining passengers in the bus. Finally the bus left Margao at 8:45 pm. What an evening it had turned out to be. All I could do is acknowledge Murphy’s presence yet again!