Aditya Bhushan's Blog, page 3
June 16, 2014
Mumbai Metro...
Kolkata got it in 1984, Delhi got it in 2002, and even Bengaluru got one in 2011. It was a weak area for the Mumbaikar in the Mumbai vs Delhi debate. But June 8th, 2014 changed all of that as Aamchi Mumbai also got a metro. While it is really surprising that it took the financial capital of India almost thirty years since the country got its first metro to have one of its own. Some might say it is too late, but as they say for a wedding ‘there is no time as right time’.
Talking about weddings, the hoopla around the commencement of Mumbai Metro service was nothing short of a wedding. The honourable chief minister (CM) of Maharashtra, Mr Prithviraj Chavan was not happy with the proposed fare hike and threatened to skip the inauguration ceremony much in the way a relative on the groom’s side gets angry in an Indian wedding to show his importance. While in this case CM’s anger might be justified as he was thinking about the common Mumbaikar.
Then there were few politicians who staged protests few days back to get approvals in order to get the start metro started as soon as possible. In the end everyone seemed pleased on the day of the wedding. The bride had been decorated with flowers and the cameramen were ready to take the first shot. Mumbaikar’s who were the Baraati’s for this wedding had come in huge numbers and eventually the metro was inaugurated by the honourable CM. Mr Anil Ambani whose company is behind the construction of the metro was seen talking to day one commuters like a bride’s father would ask about arrangements to the guests.
Heat and my laziness ensured that I skipped the wedding function. But how could I not meet the bride for which the entire city had waited for so long. So two days after its inauguration, I decided to take a ride on the metro. The queue at the ticket counter at Ghatkopar station was hardly anything for people used to huge queues at the Mumbai Local railway stations (I have heard that the queue situation is worse in Andheri). Although, everything was not as smooth as expected and there was a bit of chaos at the platform entrance due to the security checks.
My minds slow processor had not realized that only one line had been opened and all trains from Ghatkopar will go to my destination – Andheri. As a result I innocently asked an official “Where do I catch the metro for Andheri?” The official chuckled and told that this very train will go to Andheri. And so I was finally in the Mumbai Metro.
My immediate observation was that people appeared a lot happier than they are on a local train. There was an air of excitement inside the metro. People were taking pictures and informing their near & dear ones that they were indeed travelling in metro. I was not to be left behind in this regard so I also took pics and immediately sent it to my friends through whatsapp.
It took only about fifteen minutes to reach to Andheri which is a considerable reduction in travel time. Add to it that one is travelling in the comfort of air-conditioner and it seems like a welcome change for the Mumbaikar. As far as I am concerned, it was indeed a memorable experience. But the metro has been added to the city’s public transport armour to do bigger things than providing happy memories to me.
Will the metros be as effective and efficient as the local trains of Mumbai? Will the famous Mumbai Dabbawalas prefer it over locals? Will we have a movie named “Ek Chaalis ki last metro?” Had it been Mahabharata time we would have got answers to most of these questions with the famous intro lines - “Main samay hoon”. But sadly it is not and we will have to wait for some time to judge the effectiveness of Mumbai Metro. So until then - “Ee hai Bamabi Nagariya tu dekh babua”
Talking about weddings, the hoopla around the commencement of Mumbai Metro service was nothing short of a wedding. The honourable chief minister (CM) of Maharashtra, Mr Prithviraj Chavan was not happy with the proposed fare hike and threatened to skip the inauguration ceremony much in the way a relative on the groom’s side gets angry in an Indian wedding to show his importance. While in this case CM’s anger might be justified as he was thinking about the common Mumbaikar.
Then there were few politicians who staged protests few days back to get approvals in order to get the start metro started as soon as possible. In the end everyone seemed pleased on the day of the wedding. The bride had been decorated with flowers and the cameramen were ready to take the first shot. Mumbaikar’s who were the Baraati’s for this wedding had come in huge numbers and eventually the metro was inaugurated by the honourable CM. Mr Anil Ambani whose company is behind the construction of the metro was seen talking to day one commuters like a bride’s father would ask about arrangements to the guests.
Heat and my laziness ensured that I skipped the wedding function. But how could I not meet the bride for which the entire city had waited for so long. So two days after its inauguration, I decided to take a ride on the metro. The queue at the ticket counter at Ghatkopar station was hardly anything for people used to huge queues at the Mumbai Local railway stations (I have heard that the queue situation is worse in Andheri). Although, everything was not as smooth as expected and there was a bit of chaos at the platform entrance due to the security checks.
My minds slow processor had not realized that only one line had been opened and all trains from Ghatkopar will go to my destination – Andheri. As a result I innocently asked an official “Where do I catch the metro for Andheri?” The official chuckled and told that this very train will go to Andheri. And so I was finally in the Mumbai Metro.
My immediate observation was that people appeared a lot happier than they are on a local train. There was an air of excitement inside the metro. People were taking pictures and informing their near & dear ones that they were indeed travelling in metro. I was not to be left behind in this regard so I also took pics and immediately sent it to my friends through whatsapp.
It took only about fifteen minutes to reach to Andheri which is a considerable reduction in travel time. Add to it that one is travelling in the comfort of air-conditioner and it seems like a welcome change for the Mumbaikar. As far as I am concerned, it was indeed a memorable experience. But the metro has been added to the city’s public transport armour to do bigger things than providing happy memories to me.
Will the metros be as effective and efficient as the local trains of Mumbai? Will the famous Mumbai Dabbawalas prefer it over locals? Will we have a movie named “Ek Chaalis ki last metro?” Had it been Mahabharata time we would have got answers to most of these questions with the famous intro lines - “Main samay hoon”. But sadly it is not and we will have to wait for some time to judge the effectiveness of Mumbai Metro. So until then - “Ee hai Bamabi Nagariya tu dekh babua”
April 22, 2014
Engagement Eve
It seems like any other night in the month of April in the capital of Bihar - Patna or Patliputra as it was called during the days of the great Maurya emperor - Samrat Ashoka. The city brings back many fond memories of my childhood and the summer vacations spent at my maternal grandfathers mansion. But this night seems a bit different at least to me, for I would be getting engaged tomorrow. There is a cocktail of excitement and nervousness being stirred inside me and I am "shaken not stirred" much like James Bond preferred his martini.
On a different note the entire nation is gripped in election fever and the well read journalists are saying that the masses want a change. Entire social media is filled with pictures of an inked finger and how there one vote will bring a change in the nation. Now, I don't know about the nation but change certainly seems to be the flavour for me. Experienced well wishers say that my world would change from tomorrow. But there tone is more like "Zindagi Na Milegi Dubara" instead of a cheerful "Hum Modi ji ko lane waale hain".
I am reminded of another sleepless night from around twenty years back. It was the night before my 5th standard annual exam results. Not that this result was going to play some decisive role in my life to come, but for some reason I was tensed during that night as well. To soothe my nerves I decided to read something. Don't remember why but I decided to try hands at some of my dad's book instead of the usual Tinkle or Chacha Chaudhary. I had started developing some interest in cricket thanks to the 1996 Wills World Cup and hence the book which caught my attention was a book on cricket. The cover of the book read as - Sobers: Twenty years at the top (autobiography of the great west indian all rounder Sir Garfield Sobers). The title of the book seems very relevant to me tonight. I wonder if the last twenty years were indeed my years on top? Well the way in which married well wishers are telling -"Welcome to the Gang", makes me a little suspicious.
One of my friend messaged me today - "All the best for the very brave step in life". Now my marriage is an arranged marriage so frankly I don't see why am I being portrayed as the winner of Red and White bravery awards? I always used to wonder why one of the favourite song during Wedding Baraat is " Ye desh hai veer jawanon ka". I mean why a patriotic song for an occasion like wedding. My friends message seems to be very much in line with this song.
The other day my father was telling me the story of his engineering college days and how they used to beg the Vice Chancellor of the college to postpone the exams when they had not prepared for it. I am wondering if that is an option that I have. Its ironical that my dad would play the role of the chancellor if at all I happen to go for it.
Or am I just exaggerating things here? Just freaking out before the D-day like any other normal bachelor. I sincerely hope that this is the case. Today the book which I have in hand to soothe my nerves is - Sachin Tendulkar: The man cricket loved back. The book starts with his now famous farewell speech - "Settle down...Its getting a little bit difficult". I wonder if that's a thing I have to tell myself tonight.
On a different note the entire nation is gripped in election fever and the well read journalists are saying that the masses want a change. Entire social media is filled with pictures of an inked finger and how there one vote will bring a change in the nation. Now, I don't know about the nation but change certainly seems to be the flavour for me. Experienced well wishers say that my world would change from tomorrow. But there tone is more like "Zindagi Na Milegi Dubara" instead of a cheerful "Hum Modi ji ko lane waale hain".
I am reminded of another sleepless night from around twenty years back. It was the night before my 5th standard annual exam results. Not that this result was going to play some decisive role in my life to come, but for some reason I was tensed during that night as well. To soothe my nerves I decided to read something. Don't remember why but I decided to try hands at some of my dad's book instead of the usual Tinkle or Chacha Chaudhary. I had started developing some interest in cricket thanks to the 1996 Wills World Cup and hence the book which caught my attention was a book on cricket. The cover of the book read as - Sobers: Twenty years at the top (autobiography of the great west indian all rounder Sir Garfield Sobers). The title of the book seems very relevant to me tonight. I wonder if the last twenty years were indeed my years on top? Well the way in which married well wishers are telling -"Welcome to the Gang", makes me a little suspicious.One of my friend messaged me today - "All the best for the very brave step in life". Now my marriage is an arranged marriage so frankly I don't see why am I being portrayed as the winner of Red and White bravery awards? I always used to wonder why one of the favourite song during Wedding Baraat is " Ye desh hai veer jawanon ka". I mean why a patriotic song for an occasion like wedding. My friends message seems to be very much in line with this song.
The other day my father was telling me the story of his engineering college days and how they used to beg the Vice Chancellor of the college to postpone the exams when they had not prepared for it. I am wondering if that is an option that I have. Its ironical that my dad would play the role of the chancellor if at all I happen to go for it.
Or am I just exaggerating things here? Just freaking out before the D-day like any other normal bachelor. I sincerely hope that this is the case. Today the book which I have in hand to soothe my nerves is - Sachin Tendulkar: The man cricket loved back. The book starts with his now famous farewell speech - "Settle down...Its getting a little bit difficult". I wonder if that's a thing I have to tell myself tonight.November 23, 2013
Preparation, Tension, Anxiety & One Fine Hour
Like any other day, post dinner everyone in the house baring me had retired to bed I was the last person to go to sleep. But I had an uneasy feeling. I knew that tomorrow was a big day and I was naturally tensed. The last time I had been so nervous was when the results of my engineering entrance exam were to be announced. To overcome my fear, I decided to surf the net but it did little to soothe my nerves. So, I decided to check the preparations for tomorrow. Everything seemed to be in place other than my nerves. After few hours of wandering within the house, finally I managed to grab some sleep.
On the morning of the D day I got up on time without the usual repeated reminders of my parents. After checking my wardrobe for 10-15 minutes, I took out a dress which seemed appropriate to me for the occasion. By 8-45 AM, I was ready and raring to go. My mother was supposed to accompany me on this important day. She took some time to get ready as she had to do the daily household chores. With every passing minute, I was getting anxious and worried that we would be late.
When we eventually left home well past 9 AM, we were greeted by the infamous Bombay traffic. This increased my heartbeat but I was still hopeful that we would reach the centre on time. The cab driver fought through the traffic and made us reach the centre on time (at least that's what we thought). There was a huge queue just to enter the venue. How stupid could I have got, I mean this was expected. Was I expecting that a red carpet would be laid out to welcome me? There were thousands like me with just one dream. The length of the queue made me certain that it would be too late by the time I get in. This frustration was taken out on my mother. Knowing that I was really worried, she calmly and silently faced my burst. In my heart, I was praying for success. Half an hour into the line and the destination still seemed far. After about forty five minutes of anxious wait our turn came to enter the gate.
As I entered, my ears were treated to a deafening noise. I don't know if the noise was of the thumping of my heart or the people outside. I guess it was a mixture of both. The first sight of him in the middle calmed my nerves. For about one more hour we witnessed a scene which was never going to be repeated again. I must say, all through the hour I was still tensed and worried that it might end up soon. That has been the case when I have watched him bat even on TV.
And finally when the time came, we did not know what had happened. There was a pin drop silence in a stadium filled with thirty thousand odd fans. It took a moment for us to realise the magnitude of the event that we had just witnessed and when we did, we stood up in respect. The silence was broken by a shower of claps and chants of 'Sachin Sachin'. He was walking back with bat in his hand for the last time. During his walk back to the pavilion, my mind was telecasting a highlight of all the wonderful moments that he had given us over the years. As he reached the boundary line, he stopped for a moment, looked back and acknowledged the cheer. I told my heart that he had turned back to just acknowledge my cheer and it gave a tremendous sense of accomplishment to me.
Although, I was there at the Wankhade stadium for the rest of the day, it is this one hour that will remain with me forever. Whether I boast of this day to my grand children only time will tell. As of now I only know that this was one of the finest hours of my life.
On the morning of the D day I got up on time without the usual repeated reminders of my parents. After checking my wardrobe for 10-15 minutes, I took out a dress which seemed appropriate to me for the occasion. By 8-45 AM, I was ready and raring to go. My mother was supposed to accompany me on this important day. She took some time to get ready as she had to do the daily household chores. With every passing minute, I was getting anxious and worried that we would be late.
When we eventually left home well past 9 AM, we were greeted by the infamous Bombay traffic. This increased my heartbeat but I was still hopeful that we would reach the centre on time. The cab driver fought through the traffic and made us reach the centre on time (at least that's what we thought). There was a huge queue just to enter the venue. How stupid could I have got, I mean this was expected. Was I expecting that a red carpet would be laid out to welcome me? There were thousands like me with just one dream. The length of the queue made me certain that it would be too late by the time I get in. This frustration was taken out on my mother. Knowing that I was really worried, she calmly and silently faced my burst. In my heart, I was praying for success. Half an hour into the line and the destination still seemed far. After about forty five minutes of anxious wait our turn came to enter the gate.
As I entered, my ears were treated to a deafening noise. I don't know if the noise was of the thumping of my heart or the people outside. I guess it was a mixture of both. The first sight of him in the middle calmed my nerves. For about one more hour we witnessed a scene which was never going to be repeated again. I must say, all through the hour I was still tensed and worried that it might end up soon. That has been the case when I have watched him bat even on TV.
And finally when the time came, we did not know what had happened. There was a pin drop silence in a stadium filled with thirty thousand odd fans. It took a moment for us to realise the magnitude of the event that we had just witnessed and when we did, we stood up in respect. The silence was broken by a shower of claps and chants of 'Sachin Sachin'. He was walking back with bat in his hand for the last time. During his walk back to the pavilion, my mind was telecasting a highlight of all the wonderful moments that he had given us over the years. As he reached the boundary line, he stopped for a moment, looked back and acknowledged the cheer. I told my heart that he had turned back to just acknowledge my cheer and it gave a tremendous sense of accomplishment to me.Although, I was there at the Wankhade stadium for the rest of the day, it is this one hour that will remain with me forever. Whether I boast of this day to my grand children only time will tell. As of now I only know that this was one of the finest hours of my life.
