Calcutta aka Kolkata

Calcutta.........its too difficult for me to call it Kolkata. But I have to; because that's the new official name the city has! Kolkata, the 'pucca' colonial city, the city of joy, the city of dreams of pre-independence era of every youth of 'Hindoostan', the city of art, the city of culture and above all, the city I love immensely. (One must know what 'Hindoostan' means to appreciate what I am saying) To be precise, one of the city I love. And I love the city immensely. Other cities, of course, are Aurangabad, Mumbai, Hyderabad-Secunderabad and old Dilli aka Shajahanabad. I just fall in love of this city way back in 1986 when I had an opportunity to visit it for one full month! Though, my visit was official, because then I was in job, I utilised the opportunity to explore the city to the fullest possible extent. I was a young lad of just 26 then. No camera of my own. So whatever is engraved in my memory is the only picture I have with me to this day! But I remember vividly the city as it was then. Thoroughly Colonial! May be because I had an opportunity to stay in a thoroughly British hotel at Explanade. It was famous by name 'Carlton' and was owned by a British lady. Now the hotel is demolished. It's no more in existence. But my memories are! They are vivid! And I shall write about them here, in addition, of course, to the experience I had this year in the city I love. A entirely new structure, being hotel again, has come up on the very site where the Carlton was. Carlton was two storied structure. With typical colonial slanting roof. Now the building which came up there is a high rise. And my friend told me the other day, that the new hotel has one restaurant which serves the best Bengali food in town! When I was standing in front of the building, for clicking its photographs, I was very emotional, nay almost in tears! 

Independence of Law Officers

To conclude, the principle of independence of law officers enunciated above resonates in the words of former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee when he said,

“Leave aside Attorney General, every lawyer is an officer of the court and he owes a duty of fairness and frankness to the court. That should never be breached. Of course, you have to protect your clients’ interest but more important is the question of how you deal with the court. The court must not be taken for a ride in any case. There should be no lack of honesty as far as the court is concerned. And these are the high standards, which a law officer should always maintain. When I was a law officer, I said things that I knew would go against the government; but you have to be frank. You are not in court to win every case.  You have to essentially see that justice is done.”

My icons.............

Two of my icons of my youth times got "Padma" awards this year!!! Mangesh Padgaonkar-Padma Visbhushan and Sudha Malhotra-Padmashree! I am their ardent fan since 1977. The third one is left out this year....Arun Date-the great singer, who made the feelings alive! My days at VJTI and Kandivli thereafter spanning total period of 9 years was greatly influenced by these three persons and their eternal songs!. Shukra Tara Mand waara, Haat tuza haata tun, dilya ghetlya vachanan chi shapath tula aahe............OMG! Ultimate in Marathi Bhavgeet!

My Deities

Have you ever noticed that there is a small temple of Lord Hanuman just outside Dadar Central Railway Station? Come out of Dadar (CR) Station from main gate. Immediately turn to left and you will find a temple. Lord Hanuman sitting on his knees and stretching both his hands. The statue is of silver. Yes, all solid silver. This is one of my prime deity. Whenever I reach Bombay (now Mumbai) by train. Since 1977 till this date, whenever I reached Bombay by train, I never proceeded any further without the "darshan" of this statue at this temple. Later on, a statue of Sai Baba is installed in the same temple with Silver Crown et all. I don't know why. But it is there now. Be as it may.

The second one is at Dadar BB! Do you know what is Dadar BB? We used to call and still we do call it Dadar BB. That is the area known as Dadar (West) now. BB is the short form of BBCI…. Bombay Baroda Central Indian Railway. That is known as Western Railway now. We used to call it BBCI. There is one "Kabutarkhana" at Dadar BB market. At that Kabutarkhana, you will find a temple in the middle of the junction of roads. That is the temple of Lord Hanuman. This is my second deity.

The third one is at Matunga. The road which originates from Kings Circle to Matunga Central Railway Station, on the right, there is a complex of temples! That is known as Aasthika Samajam. Within that complex, there are number of deities! Chief of them is Ram, Laxman and Sita. Lord Ganesh. Then you have Guru Vayyur and then all Nakshatras et all! And yes, Ramanjaneya too! I used to visit this Aasthika Samajam every Friday. Now I just go there whenever time permits.

Then you have this "Albela Hanuman". Come from Dadar TT circle towards Wadala side. At the first junction, turn left, immediately you will find the temple. That is Albela Hanuman. My God! This is the deity which sailed us through all exams. At VJTI!!!

Mahalaxmi temple is known to all. I have nothing more to add in respect of this except to say that it is our family deity (kuladevta). So after my engagement, I took my (then would be) wife to Mahalaxmi when we went out for the first time.

And last is………can you believe? There was a small temple having red dome at the top and walls pained in off white…. all in oil paint. The deity inside was fully painted in red. We used to go by BEST bus and get down at Agar Bazar stop and walk little ahead. At the left side, little inside in a 'wadi' there was this temple. Yes, that is Siddhi Vinayak at Prabhadevi. Yes, I used to visit him then. But his temple was too small as compared to what we have today. Today, it is a "sanstahn" !!! That time it was not! It was just an ordinary temple! Bhagwaan ka bhi naseeb hota hain! But there is something in the deity. I mean something in 'Siddhi Vinayak'. Even if it was a small temple, the feeling inside was different. Strange divine feeling used to raise in mind. I donated part of my first salary to this temple.

Today's vacation blues......... enter in the old walled city of Aurangabad of the era prior to year 1707 AD on your scooter......(caution: with wify on the back seat) and then hunt for the authentic Brass utensils of old Mughal fashion which can cook the authentic Murg Biryani with same age old technique......find them and purchase them instantly..... of course with HER approval ..........and then enjoy the authentic Mughlai Murg Biryani at home in the evening :) Kaun kehta hain......Dastrakhwan par Mughlai khana nahi raha? :) All are invited.........of course with HER prior approval :)

Satyamev Jayate and Kaksparsh

Memorable Sunday coming to end. Watched the serial "Satyamev Jayate" by Amir Khan at 11.00 am on Doordarshan. In the afternoon, went to see "Kaksparsh" a fantastically superb Marathi movie by Mahesh Manjrekar. I would say, both the shows focused on two different but grave problems of our society which pertain to women. Rather, the plight of women in those situations; which are projected there. I was shaken by the serial as well as the movie. The social structure as shown in the movie no longer exist in Maharashtra, but the central theme is still applicable. The message is loud and clear. Every one must watch the movie and if possible now, the episode of the serial.  

Taxing Times!!! :)

It is no less than 'torture' to receive notices to attend so many matters on Saturday before vacation............when you are dreaming about your plans for one full month of  vacation......you receive notices on E-mail saying that you are required to argue this many matters............and that too on Saturdays! It's really too much and 'taxing'! No matter that the matters are relating to taxes! :) (PS : Why the Saturdays just before vacation are working Saturdays? (when almost ALL Saturdays of the year are holidays?) :) Compensation? :)))