Varan bhat

 In the first month of our marriage, my husband visited my mom's for dinner. I wasn't joining, so my mom asked what to make. I come from a fish-eating family, so usually, we'd have an assortment of fish for a son-in-law. But my husband is vegetarian,and he wanted rice so my mom made varan bhat, koshimbir,chutney and batatyachi bhaji instead. To her surprise, he only ate varan bhat and a little koshimbir and chutney She called me, concerned that he didn't like the bhaji and koshimbir

I explained that he eats varan bhat just like that with no accompaniments. We're used to having bhaji with it, but he doesn't.

I was reminded of it today when I made a simple and easy dinner of just varan bhat accompanied by ready chutney.
It reminded me of how much my food preferences have evolved  in my 11 years of marriage and how I am ok with only varan bhat as dinner sans any accompaniments

Remembering Mehendale Kaka

 Mehendale kaka

It was last Friday – I was travelling from work and I get a call from Baba – “Pradnya che baba - Mehendale kaka” passed away. 

Mehendale Kaka was battling cancer for last 4 years .He was on a liquid diet post his first cancer surgery. He couldn’t speak recently and could communicate only through text. But full of life as always, he wrote 4 books in this period, one even as recent as this September. 

As I heard this news, my mind went in a total flashback mode – 

Of my childhood

Of the place I grew up in 

Of childhood plays and friends

Pradnya and I are childhood building friends. We are birthday twins, both born on 9th October, Pradnya 2 years elder than me. Pradnya stayed on 2nd floor, I on 3rd. 

We played in each other’s homes, we almost grew up together. We bonded with each other’s aajis. I had a very wonderful childhood, surrounded by lovely family, friends and families of friends. 

In our summer vacations, Mehendale kaka played cards with our group. This , after coming from office . So much energy and enthusiasm he had. Today, if my kids ask me to play immediately after coming from office, I get irritated.

Mehendale kaka was very fond of me. He always praised me for my academic excellence.

Very fond of reading, writing and art –kaka had a zest for life. He was very methodical and disciplined. While he was going through all these cancer treatments, he wrote 4 books.

Losing kaka has been like losing a very big part of my childhood . I never had the courage to meet him when he was battling cancer as I was a bit scared to see him in that state. I don’t know if there is any point writing this now. But good people must be remembered and celebrated.

IIM Bangalore Anthem Contest

A few months ago I received an email inviting entries from the IIMB community for the IIMB anthem contest.

Very happy to share that my entry was acknowledged as a valuable submission amongst so many entries received for the contest.

Oh IIMB, we sing this anthem with pride,

Forever grateful to you, our trusted guide

 

तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु "Let our study be enlightening," the logo declares,

A beacon of knowledge that each of us shares

Fostering excellence in the management sphere,

Innovation and entrepreneurship, IIMB’s goals are clear

 

Oh IIMB,  A network of brilliance, 

Of equal opportunity, camaraderie, and memories to treasure

A transformative space where learning thrives

From grades to friendships, the challenges we face

The spirit of resilience, forever embraced

 

Oh IIMB, हम गर्व से यह गान गाते हैं, 

हमारे मार्गदर्शक बनने के लिए आपके  आभारी हैं

 

Oh IIMB, where friendships grow,

From humble roots to academic might

Nurturing leaders, igniting futures shining bright

Faculty wisdom, a guiding light

A mentorship that shaped generations ,forever entwined

 

Oh IIMB, गर्वाने गातो आम्ही हे गीत

निरंतर आभारी राहू तुमच्या मार्गदर्शनासाठी

 

Oh IIMB , With values as your compass, you forge ahead, 

With passion and purpose, your spirits never fade

Integrity, the cornerstone, unwavering and strong, 

Ethics and honesty, your compass all along

 

For business, government, and society at large,

You strive to create an diverse and inclusive impact

With knowledge as the sword and vision held high,

IIMB shines bright, reaching for the sky

 

Oh IIMB, we sing this anthem with pride,

Forever grateful to you, our trusted guide

Oh IIMB, हम गर्व से यह गान गाते हैं, 

हमारे मार्गदर्शक बनने के लिए आपके  आभारी हैं

Oh IIMB, गर्वाने गातो आम्ही हे गीत

निरंतर आभारी राहू तुमच्या मार्गदर्शनासाठी

 

 

My Chitale bakarwadi story

 Pune = Chitale Bakarwadi and Amba Barfi was an equation etched in my head right since childhood. Anytime anyone went to Pune, they would get these two things. 

Fast forward to when I started working ( post 2008), I remember Chitale bakarwadi was available in rectangular packaging in select shops in Mumbai. One such shop I remember is the Swami Samarth shop near Sujata Hotel / Waman Hari Pethe at Ranade Road Dadar. 

In 2016 ,I was working in Bangalore  and Chitale bakarwadi used to be available sometimes on grofers ( now blinkit ) and that used to be a sheer delight. To find Marathi food outside Maharashtra is always special.

In 2017, when I used to commute by the Andheri-Ghatkopar metro - a small shop at the Ghatkopar metro station would have Chitale Bakarwadi and amba Barfi. The amba barfi would always run out of stock and I used to pray that the stock lasts till I reach there. 

In 2020, it was my daughter's 5th birthday in May and apart from cake - she wanted Chitale amba barfi and bakarwadi.  Amba barfi was non-negotiable. This was a strict lockdown and there was no amba barfi available in my nearby stores. I tweeted this and it was noticed by Indraneel Chitale. He promptly arranged the logistics and amba barfi and bakarwadi were delivered to me before my daughter's birthday. It was a very special moment for me. 

Long story short, before Chitale express outlets opened up - Chitale Bakarwadi was not as easily available in Mumbai as it is now , or at least I didn't know many outlets. 

Fast forward to now - we have Chitale express stores across Mumbai. We visit the one in Goregaon and we have always been treated with warmth. 

Every time I go to their store- their assortment of products keeps increasing. Butterscotch flavoured shrikhand ( butterscotchkhand  ) is our recent favourite. My daughters refuse to eat any other shrikhand now. 

All of us - me , my husband and my daughters are Chitale fans. Whenever we travel - be it in India or internationally - many packs of bakarwadi are in our bag. During our last trip to Singapore , our 0.75 kg of bakarwadi got over before we returned and my 3.5 yr old threw a tantrum to get more bakarwadi. I almost wished Chitale Express was present in Singapore.

I saw the new Chitale Bakarwadi ad by Harsha Bhogle today and was taken back down the memory lane.Chitale Bakarwadi is an emotion for me:) Coincidentally , I shopped my monthly quota from Chitale express today and the star of our independence day lunch was butterscotch khand by Chitale.

Btw - do you even eat any other Bakarwadi apart from Chitale ? Ok, honestly - I can't  

बाईपण भारी देवा - Movie Review

अगदी धमाल मूवी - 

वंदना गुप्तेचं मराठमोळं हिंदी याने सुरुवात होते या चित्रपटाची " मेरे पाच बेहेन कि तर्हाच वेगळी हैं - नग हैं नग "

आणि मग ह्या सहा बहिणींची मंगळागौर स्पर्धेसाठी तयारी - आणि या तयारीमध्ये उलगडले जाणारे प्रत्येकीच्या आयुष्यातले वेगवेगळे पैलू . 

या सहा बहिणी - आपल्याने परीने आपल्या आयुष्याचे प्रश्न सोडवत पुढे चालल्या आहेत. 

चित्रपटात Depression , Menopause  , Divorce हे विषय अगदी सहजतेने हाताळले आहेत. 

थेरपी साठी घेऊन जाणारा नवरा, 

नवरा दुसऱ्या मुलीच्या प्रेमात आहे हे accept करत  त्याला divorce देणारी बायको 

कसलीही कला perform करायला बंधन असणारी बहीण, मंगळागौर स्पर्धेत भाग घेणं 

मग मध्येच एकीला जाणवतंय- या धकाधकीच्या आयुष्यात आपण श्वास घ्यायला विसरलो का? अर्ध आयुष्य संपलं आणि स्वतः साठी जगलोच नाही?

आपल्या सर्वांनाच विचार करायला लावणारा हा प्रश्न....

 सर्वात सुंदर - या चित्रपटाचा शेवटचा dialogue आणि मेसेज

"विसरून जाऊ स्पर्धा, नको ती भांडणं ,आपणच आहोत आपल्या आयुष्यातलं चांदणं"

Picture जरूर बघा - वंदना गुप्ते म्हणतात तसं - या धकाधकीच्या आयुष्यात थोडा तरी ब्रेक हवा 

@officialjiostudios @emveebeemedia @kedarshindems 

@sukanyamoneofficial @vandanagupteofficial @deepaparabchaudhariofficial @shilpanavalkar 

#baipanbharideva

I am not a poet

I am not a  poet

I just write

And scribble sometimes

I am not a poet

I just write poetry

Sometimes the words flow

Sometimes they don't 

But still I write

I am not a poet

But this year I managed 

30 days, 30 poems and a prize

The World Around Me

Todays poem is inspired by the cute stuff around me . The words in the poem are the name of the toya of my daughter 

The world around me

Animal Puzzles

Iconic Monuments

Mastermind, Punishment

Shopping cart

Doctor set 

Soft dogs and Teddys

Colourful crayons and books

I am in a wonderland

What else do I need 

Believe

 Believe in

Yourself

Your ability

Your capability

Your strengths

Your greatness

Just Believe It

To -do List

It's the long weekend

I want to relax

Let me just read

And have my tea in peace

But.....

The groceries must be bought

The week must be planned 

But...

 It's the long weekend 

And I want to relax

But...

I look at my to -do list

And then think let me finish this 

The long weekend is gone

When can I relax?

Alone in a crowd

So many buildings

So many shops

So many people around 

Yet no one to talk

So many relatives

So many get togethers

So many WhatsApp groups

Yet no one to share thoughts

We are in the midst of people

Yet so lonely

Maybe we need to listen more

Lend each other a helping hand

And not send just Good Morning messages every day

A leisurely morning

I woke up early

And enjoyed the chirping of birds

Looked down from the balcony

And said hi to morning walkers

Savoured the tea leisurely

With a book in my hand

With no hurry to go anywhere

I was so calm

Tring Tring the bell rang

What's this noise I thought

It woke me up

It was all a dream, not in reality