How I cooked Maggie Noodles

I came home early in the evening and was very hungry. There was no body else in home so I tried my hands at the Maggie Noodles. I had brought the new vegetable “aata” noodles and my mom had cooked half of it for me last evening. I thought of finishing the rest as nothing interesting was at home. But the moment I opened the pack, it was full of ants. I had 3 options
1. To throw it in the dust bin
2. To give it to the crows
3. To remove the ants and eat on my own

I selected the third option as I was damn hungry.
It was difficult to get the ants out of the raw noodles so
I transferred it in the hot water bowl,
and then very patiently removed the dead ants out of the bowl with a spoon.
It took me several minutes to do that,
with much of concentration,
to make sure that no dead ants were left.

After I was convinced that the Maggie is purely Veg, I poured the taste pack masala and ate them to fill my hungry stomach. Forget about cooking it in 2 minutes, it took me more than 20 minutes.

Damn it! Say a YES now!

For her dad…

Le jayenge le jayenge dilwaale dulhaniya le jayenge
Reh jayenge reh jayenge ghar wale dekhte reh jayenge

Dar pe khade hain kalyan kar do (kalyan kar do)
Oh kaam koi ek to mahaan kar do (oh mahan kar do)
Kharcha dahej ka bhi bach jayega
Lage haathon kanya ka daan kardo (hai kanya daan kardo)
Kabhi kabhi tere ghar teerath samajh kar
Darshan ko ham aayenge sasurji
Le jayenge le jayenge teri baanki hiraniya le jayenge
Le jayenge le jayenge dilwaale dulhaniya le jayenge
Reh jayenge reh jayenge gharwale dekhte reh jayenge..

Educated Illiterates

Last night as I entered my building campus, one “kele ka chilka” came flying to drop in front of my bike. This gives such a cheap impression; people are educated only to the extent of passing exams. People seems to have become oblivious of basic civics, and this is the case with most of the people, who just love to throw things out of their houses, or if travelling then out of their vehicles, buses, trains, whatsoever.

It’s so easy to blame someone at the Macro level that a city or locality is not clean, but are efforts made by the citizens at an individual level.

One more common occurrence that is so disgusting, especially for the bike riders, is people spitting out of a running bus. Many times I’ve missed those by narrow margins. I feel like pulling such person out of the bus and taking him left and right. Such behaviour actually sucks.

If ever I can find out from which flats these scraps are thrown, I’ll make sure to put a big notice on the building’s notice board.

Post impact of the Picnic

The WK’s picnic was too good and we freaked out to the core. But I had a bad hangover on Sunday morning; my whole body was paining and had some swellings on my shoulder.

I think it’s basically due to the slide rides at WK. Couple of slides were really breath-taking. There was a yellow colour steep slide, which had actually put the guys into embarrassment. The slide was so steep and fast that by the time one reaches the end the shorts come up and most of it gets locked in between the ass. It was so embarrassing to organize it in front of the girls sitting right in the front. Gosh! We only dared once to go in for that slide. In fact there was another red slide, which was less scary than the yellow one but had similar embarrassing ends.

I thought my shoulder pain will get over by Sunday but a day off was not enough I had to take a leave on Monday too. It was good in a way to get rid of the Monday blues, for a week at least. Anyways most of my CL gets wasted; hope to have more of such picnics ;-)

Water water every where

It’s Water Kingdom (WK) that I’m talking about. We’ve been to there on an office Picnic. What a day it was, started off playing Cricket in front of the office. After years I played cricket and it was a great fun-the typical gully cricket, with all close fielders and one drop out… reminds me of my teenage days.

Playing Cricket

Soon we boarded the bus and headed towards WK. Not to be different we too played the traditional bus game – “Antakshri”. Singing (actually attempt to sing) at the top of the voice. By the day end my throat had gone for a toss.

Playing Antakshri

We reached WK by 11-11:30 and after some initial formalities we were right in the middle of the pool in brisk speed. The wave pool is mind blowing, we spent maximum of our time in wave pool, dancing to the tune of music, splashing water, playing with cricket ball and just chilling out. The day being a Saturday there was terrific rush, we stood in line for quite a time for the water rides. The rides were worth the time. Some of the rides actually took the breath away. The best was with the float where we had to lie down on our stomach, holding the float handle and legs crossed. As soon as we raced into the ride the heart skipped a beat. It was mind blowing.

@ Water Kingdom

To add to the fun and excitement was the Aquadrome, the WK’s Dance Zone. All of us freaked out completely over there. We danced like crazy and danced for hours. A guy in our group tried his best to impress a girl out there and was successful to a large extent. The girl too was giving lot of “bhav” to him but she had lot many proposals from other guys too, which she bluntly refused. At the end of it, all his efforts went in vain, nevertheless we had a great time freaking over there.

By the time I reached home I was exhausted to the core, but it was worth the fun.

Photos of the Picnic

No dirty jokes

Sending dirty jokes to friends in office might put one in trouble. This is the front-page headline in “The Times of India”. I need clarity whether it will still come under offence, if the mail is marked to the personal id and not the official one. The offence is said to be committed under “publishing of information which is obscene in electronic form”.

I was wondering what would be a guy’s day with out sending or receiving such jokes ;-)

View article in TOI

Talking about Consistency

Since I was a kid I used to hear that our Cricket team lacks consistency. After loosing 4 matches in a row on home ground against Pakistan, I really wonder how correct is this blame on our players.

How more consistent they can be…

My Bike encounters

I have been riding bikes since I was 16 years old, and there are few occasions when I have fallen down from my bike.




1997: My bike skidded due to the road being very slippery and dirty coz of rains. No injury. Bike: Kinetic Honda, Place: Nagpur.

1999: I applied sudden brake coz a cyclist came from the wrong side. I lost control of the bike in seconds. I got some minor injuries on my leg. Bike: LML Vespa, Place: Nagpur.

2003: I dashed into an auto rickshaw when he signaled the right indicator and took a left turn. I had no time to stop my bike. Got some scratches in my hand and leg, ankle got hurt too. Bike: Hero Honda Splendor, Place: Mumbai.

2004: I was taking a turn and due to rains the road was very muddy and was full of cow dung. In spite of speed being very less, the bike skidded. I got a deep scratch on my right palm. Bike: Hero Honda – CBZ, Place: Nagpur.

2005: A truck dashed my bike when I was standing on the signal. I got some injuries on my leg. Bike: Hero Honda Splendor, Place: Mumbai.
Here's the complete story


2005: I was on my bike and my friend was in car, he took a rash turn scaring me, I lost concentration, and due to dry mud on the road the bike skidded. I didn’t had any injuries but the pillion rider had. Bike: Hero Honda Splendor, Place: Mumbai.

Another close miss

I was on my way to home in the evening. The traffic lights below the Andheri fly over turned green and all the front bike riders accelerated their bikes like anything. I was also one of them, and in no time my bike reached the speed of 40-50. I was taking the right turn, and suddenly saw that there is a 15-20 inches wide dug patch. It was impossible to stop the bike and was sure that I’ll encounter another accident. But my bike stunts and presence of mind came to my rescue. In the last few seconds when I reached the dug patch, I stood on the bike, lifted my ass and stood on the foot stand. The bike went into the dug patch and came out as it was on speed and there was no weight on the seat. I could control it after some shakes and shocks.

My heart almost skipped a beat and the moment I was out of it and in full control, I was so thrilled. I couldn’t believe my luck that I was out of it. I still believe that 7 out of 10 times bike will fall in such situation. Thanks to BMC for doing such hopeless works.

I’m not a rash kind of rider but can drive real rash if required. I generally drive fast and have even practised few bike stunts very religiously. My favourite is riding the bike without holding it. It is possible when the bike is in good speed. My favourite pose is keeping my elbows on my thighs and my face resting on my palms -as if some one is sitting on a desk. I also like to ride standing on the foot stand. I do this in my colony quite often and specially when the bike is in speed and there is a speed breaker ahead.

I want to learn 2 more stunts, one is to skid the bike and second is to drive the bike with the front wheel in the air, balancing only on the back wheel. I can learn the first one from my best pal who is an absolutely cool rider, I don’t know from whom to learn the second, which is also quite risky.

It’s rightly said, learning never go waste, no matter even if it’s learning some stunts.

Fortune favours Saurav

He is definitely one of the luckiest people. Earlier even though he was not performing but as India was winning the game, fingers pointing to him were not much. But then India started loosing matches and his performance being the same, people started pointing Ganguly for the failure. Actually he is not to be blamed for, when India won he hardly contributed as when India lost. So his presence in the team is very much indifferent to the outcome of the game.


Saurav's ban actually a boon

With two consecutive losses against Pakistan, Saurav’s job was at stake. And just at the right time ICC banned him for 6 matches. He couldn’t have asked for more. This is indeed a safe way to exit. When I heard yesterday about his ban I thought he is a lucky chap, ICC has done what our selectors were finding difficult to. And no wonder today’s headlines of Times says, “ICC bans Saurav, takes load off selectors back”.

The cricketing crowd goes so much as per statistics. Just because he is the most successful captain he is retained in the team. Whenever a match is scheduled, the statistics of the ground are shown, whether that ground is lucky for India or not, what is the winning ratio in that ground, winning ratio against the team, how lucky is the ground for an individual player, and what all scrap! It’s high time they realise that statistics neither predict the results nor they contribute to.

Now with 2 more games left against Pakistan, I feel it will be an even contest. It will be India XI Vs. Pakistan XI, earlier it was India X + Captain Vs. Pakistan XI. Thankfully there is no Steve Bucknor also; coz Sachin has just regained his form.

Hope to see Saurav back only if he is there to play cricket, not to demonstrate how to cook Maggie Noodles.

How women drive a two-wheeler…

I was driving my bike in the morning traffic of Mumbai, when I saw a lady driving a two-wheeler. The funny part was, the speed of the vehicle was hardly 10-20 but both her legs where almost touching the ground-just like the pillion rider whose foot are not rested on the bike. Both of her legs where hanging so that she can stop the bike if sudden break is required. That is so pathetic driving.

I wish I could have taken a snap. This is the way most of the ladies drive bikes in India. They are so conscious about stepping on the brakes that their 4-inch heal almost touches the ground. This is not a safe way to ride a bike.

I observed her for quite some time and couldn’t resist laughing. But I still appreciate her and the other ladies for their guts, driving in Mumbai traffic.

I’m always extra careful if I have to overtake a lady driving a car or a bike ;-)

Helmet – One-liners

Earlier I mentioned about truck one-liners, now I can even see helmet one-liners. Helmet is now compulsory for riders, so it is actually fun to put liners on them.
Today I saw a rider wearing a helmet with the liner, “Helmet Rules Sucks”.
Actually it’s a good way to show your protest. I’m thinking of some good liner for my helmet too. If you know something witty do let me know.

Why Saurav is in the team?

Captain of our Indian Cricket team has scored 4, 9 and 0 in the recent one-day series against Pakistan. The scores were no better in the test matches. He is just hanging around in the team because he is the captain. So better give a kick on his ass and tell him go and get in form. Rahul Dravid can captain the side anytime; we need a playing captain not a non-playing captain. Saurav is short of confidence, so its better for him and Indian Cricket that he plays first class cricket to regain his confidence. He is unnecessarily blocking a place. There is so much of young talent in the country.


Saurav in for 2 Min only

He has become a good subject of jokes and fun for all. I’m sure everyone must have read Saurav Jokes. They have become popular in 2 Min ;-)

Not to forget our ex- master blaster – Sachin Tendulkar, “naam hi kaafi hn”. Now a day’s he is also in the team just for the namesake. His scores have been no great in the recent series - 6, 2 & 4. This is what he used to score in an over at one point of time, but now this is what he has scored in 3 one-day matches. People argue that he can bowl too, so why not include a regular bowler who can bat too.


Sachin & Steve Bucknor - Best Pals

Sachin and Saurav - take some rest guys and give us a break too. We are tired seeing you on the batting pitch for only a couple of minutes. You look better in ads. Just stay there.

A Calming Retreat

Last week I was in Pune and those few days have been the best for me this year so far. I stayed at Koregaon Park. I didn’t got much time to roam about in Pune except for the late night bike rides, some shopping at MG road and that’s all. But I enjoyed thoroughly in Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar. The climate was so cool and romantic, I felt like spending my entire life there. After being in traffic and rush hours of Mumbai, to be on a hill station was like heaven. I was surrounded by complete peace and beauty (including natures ;-)).


Mahabaleshwar

We were 5 of us, had hired a Tata Sumo and freaked out completely. Reaching there via the beautiful ghats is a fun in itself. Freaking on strawberries, Mapro squashes and garam garam bhuttas. Sitting on horse and riding on horse cart was entertaining too. I love horses. If I happen to earn good handsome green bucks in life, I will definitely buy a cottage in a hill station with open space and a black horse. Wow! (Now Puneet, come back to reality).

We just made one overnight stay over there, so had to rush up a bit to cover all the tourist points. I would love to ride on my bike over there along with my girlfriend. I was wondering that the place would be heaven during the rains. It’s a bit risky too.

After returning from Mahabaleshwar we rushed for Shirdi overnight. Being in Shirdi is always great. But, every time I go there and miss the morning aarti. Next time I’ll make sure to attend it. We were in Shirdi for a day and then returned back to Mumbai.

I really wish I could have narrated the complete story of what all had happened but I know there are some people keeping an eye on me to screw up my happiness, so I had to cut short a lot of things.

Leaving keys at home.

Today morning was not very good for me. When I reached my office I realised that I’ve left my drawer keys at home. Unfortunately my laptop was in my drawer, I had to travel all the way back home to collect my keys. This happens when office is resumed after a long break. One doesn’t feel like working. I wish to forget to come to office one day. It will be relaxing at least.
My office and home are almost 25kms apart. So most of the time in between 9.00am to 11.30am, I was driving on Mumbai roads. The temperature here is also hot and traffic sucks.


This is not the first time it has happened to me. Couple of times earlier I have returned half way to collect my keys. Even I have returned home once after coming all the way to office. Gosh! This is really bad, I’m not learning from my past mistakes. Hope to keep my belongings more systematically so that I can catch hold of the right things in the morning ;-).

A bachelor’s room will always be a bachelor’s room it can’t be systematic.

I’m not Bajirao

My friend had got a couple’s pass from office for this show. She had to attend it due to some official reason and called me in the morning to come along. Thank god! She told me about the dress code and all, I never thought watching a play requires a dress code. But this was different; Citi group had sponsored this play for its premium clients - top businessmen of the cities.

Anyways, guys have horrible dress sense; I always consult my female friends or sister if I’m unsure about what to wear. Which means most of the time I consult ;-). Strange, my girl friend is into fashion designing. Hope I’ll learn something from her.

The play was at JW Marriot, and you can imagine the crowd invited over there. After some formal introductions, the play began at 9 PM. The play was rocking right from the start. It was too fundu. One can’t stop laughing right from the start till the end. It starred Bomin Irani and Sudhir Joshi as the main characters. The play is a big hit in Mumbai. It has been running successfully for years.

Adapted from Herb Gardener’s I’m not Rappaport, I’m not Bajirao tickle the senses and laughter that has been suppressed for long. The story revolves around two old men, One Parsi and Other Maharashtrian. Two friends sitting on a park bench look at life as it had passed them by. They encounter Junkies and Goondas, they prank with head of building secretary, make witty arguments with own daughter and helps a young girl out. Both Bomin Irani and Sudhir Joshi are amazing in their performances; both are a treat to watch.


I'm not Bajirao

I love to watch plays and take part in it. But gone are those days when I used to do a lot of stage shows and programmes. Stage shows are always great fun, whether to watch or to be a part of it. The best part of it is, what ever happens is live and only in one take. If you blunder or goof up, you have to rectify that there it self, and do that in a style that audience doesn't notice the blunder.

I think I should take out more time for the plays than watching sick movies in the movie halls.