Lonavala Greets The Group Of Pretty Women

“Remember the time when I jumped over the school wall to be in time for school prayers and I got punished for that?”

“And you remember the time when our class teacher came home to complain to my mom about my naughtiness at school and you defended me?’

“I used to love the two plaits, folded neatly and I really admired you for your interest in sports”

I sat listening to the conversation of 12 grown up women in late fifties who travelled back four decades and were nostalgic about the times way back when they were in school together. I was invited by my friend to spend out-station picnic (reunion) at Lonavala with her school friends from St Teresa’s School, Santacruz.

Forty years have passed but the memories are fresh. Each one with a story of their own, the different experiences, some happy, some sad, but the comfort level was high and much too much laughter. The conversation was punctuated with music of the late 60’s and early 70’s and talk about their crush over the famous Bollywood star of that era, Rajesh Khanna, as they gyrated their body with seductive gestures singing “Roop tera mastana….Pyar tera diwana..bhool na koi hamse ho ja ye…”

I was in the midst of women, who preferred to sit cuddled in the room than to venture out on rainy wet streets, who preferred to cook the comfort food of Dhal, potatoes, rice and spicy pickle rather than to sit in a fancy restaurant and eat the unhealthy food, who preferred to sip slowly on red, fruity Sangria concocted to a perfect flavor.

Most of the time was spent at home in a beautiful cozy bungalow, ethnically furnished, surrounded with greenery and fresh air. There was aroma of freshly brewed coffee that escaped from well-stocked kitchen and kept us in good spirit.  Just a small fraction of our time was used to take a quick ride to the city to do a bit of shopping and to see those large gushing waterfalls. But there too, the child in them transported them to bathe under strong sparkling waterfalls, with slippery rocks to stand on. They came back with the bruises on their body (having lost their balance on slippery rocks), completely drenched, leaving a puddle of water wherever they stood, their clothes clinging to their body exposing their pale skin and a playful smirk on their faces.

In the group of like minded people, it was easy to share stories, to lay back and enjoy the game of ‘GK quiz’, a ‘Bingo’ and ‘Passing The Parcel’(with naughty punishments, like seductive belly dance or bold daring gestures) and winning gift was presented to the best performer. 

The time ticked too quickly, packing to head back home arrived too soon. Saying Goodbye is always painful but all good things come to an end. I sit here now, in solitude, on my own, but the wonderful memories brighten up my day.

I play the movie on U-tube to refresh the lovely time spend with girls from St. Teresa's School.........  You can watch too.....click on the link at tube . Thank you girls for letting me peep into your friendly world..May your friendship prosper till the last breath of your life.......

100 Happy Days: Day 49 Senior Citizen Home.

Happiness is spending some time with senior citizens.

While in Lonavala, I visited ‘Senior Citizen Home’ at Varsoli Village off old Mumbai-Poona road managed by Swami Ramanand Shastri Charitable Trust. Stretched over 12500sq meters, surrounded by scenic beauty on all four sides, with birds chirping away, the home for senior citizens at Lonavala is a beautiful place to be.

 Several times I have considered an old age home for myself too, when I reach that ripe old age. I always romanticized on an idea that if you pay the rent of a posh room, be in the company of like-minded-people of same age and have cooking and cleaning out of way, life could be easy.

But I think it is easily said than done. I am not sure I want to be there.

The environment can be created taking into consideration the interests of the group. For example, many senior people are inclined towards religion, so there was a small temple in the campus of the home.

 The rooms were large with two beds per room, an attached bathroom, and a small pantry in the balcony. There was a small cushioned bench outside every room where they could interact with their neighbors. A large park and a walking tract dominated the campus. A community kitchen and a gym situated at the further end of the building were clean and spacious.

 The management has made their uttermost effort to make their stay as comfortable as possible. On the day I visited, most of the seniors had gone out for one-day picnic to a tourist spot. There are regular eye-camps held and they are well looked after. They are even allowed visitors to come and spend few days with them, but still, I didn’t see 100% contentment in their faces. When I spoke to some of the sweet old women at the home, I realized that they miss their family a lot. I got the feeling that it’s the compromise they have made by coming and living away from their family.

 When senior citizens are in the midst of their family, they get involved in all the activities; they have an opinion in family decisions and are surrounded by their grandchildren and relatives.

Indians are used to community living and they like to stay in familiar setting. Young children want to take care of their parents, but sometimes it becomes difficult because of other pressing priorities. Moreover, there is stigma attached to the home, that makes it difficult for young people to sent their parents to 'Senior Citizen Home'. Parents also feel unwanted and rejected if they are sent away from the family.

Nevertheless if senior people need a secure home, a place where they don’t have to worry about cooking meals, a place where there are professional doctors and counselors to look after their needs, a place where they don’t have to worry about anti-social elements that is prevalent in the society, a home for senior citizen is a perfect choice.

So here I am, with the project of ‘100 Happy Days’I am posting pictures each day here on my blog then sharing the link on my page on FB too. You can enjoy my work either here or on my page at FB at Pushee’s World

100 Happy Days: Day 47 Day Out at Ambay Valley.

Happiness is being with the nature.

Just two hours away from the hustle and bustle of crowded Mumbai, you enter a completely different world. Surrounded by natural beauty on all four sides, well maintained big roads with flower beds at the curbs and a river cutting through the city, Ambey valley is a peaceful place where one can spend quiet hours with nature.

There is water sport too. I just went for few hours but came back refreshed.

So here I am, with the project of ‘100 Happy Days’I am posting pictures each day here on my blog then sharing the link on my page on FB too. You can enjoy my work either here or on my page at FB at Pushee’s World

The Unplanned Sunday Afternoon

This Sunday was not the day what I had planned to do. I had not planned to go out with the family to soak in the sunshine and visit the nature behind man-made blot. It just happened.

I was sitting with my cousin late night, chatting away, when one of her friend suggested that he take her out for a picnic to Lonavala, ‘Aamby valley’, he said and my antenna shot up to 20 feet, now I have wanted to see this town since a long time but somehow, it has never worked out therefore I decided to tag along if ever such picnic was to take place.

“Can I come along Didi, please?” I said and she smiled gently not confirming if we were to take this trip.

“We will decide in the morning, go to sleep now.” she said

I got up much early than my usual time. 6am is not the time I would opt to wake up on any day, and especially not on Sunday, but then this was not to be an ordinary day.

By 8am, the house was bustling with energy, more than 25 people showed up. We huddled into four cars and started our journey towards Lonavala.

Rainy season is the best time to make a trip to this place which is at the altitude of 620 m above sea level .The hills sing a melodious tune with waterfalls churning out through layers of rocks. Different shades of greens add sparkle to the landscape.

Our first stop was to Naryani Dham which is nestled in the valley. This temple with sparkling ivory white marble had carving even on the roof. The idols of Gods were decked with finest jewelry and brocade clothes that reflected rainbow hues when the lights of the chandeliers and spot lights were focused on them. The spotless and shiny walls had beautifully carved windows in marble. On the ceiling were the paintings of Krishna in his large chariot. Some beautiful designed motifs of colored stones, glass and mirrors decorated the entire upper walls. The building was still under construction, the railing of craved marble was being installed for support. I struggled to walk up the stairs and the volunteer stretched his hand to offer me the support and informed me that there was a separate lift to go up too. It was a cloudy day, as we emerged from the temple, we saw children enjoying the garden equipments and we were tempted too to enjoy a swing or two. We walked down the path which had water fountains along the way till we reached a bigger building which had 60 rooms with attached bathrooms for weary travelers. There were some cottages too behind the temple for people who would like to enjoy the nature for more than one day.   

After a short visit to this Dham we drove through the winding roads, into the deep narrow lanes which opened up into the vast plains and high up on the hill was the Shiva temple.My cousin is the devotee of Lord Shiva and I could see the glow in her eyes as we approached this temple. This was a carved stone structure, well maintained, which had a large black Shiv-ling dominating the centre of the dark room.  There was a  three-forked trishul and dumroo on one side of the black stone Ling. A beautifully carved metal pot hung from the ceiling which had the tiny aperture to the base of the pot. When the devotee poured water into the pot, it dripped drop by drop on the Ling bathing it. They offered rice and vermillion and sprinkled some flower petals on it. Then they sat down with eyes close seeking blessing. A pundit sat there guiding the devotees to the proper way to pray and offereing prasad to every devotee.

 

Next was our program to go to Aamby valley. We had only 8 passes to go to restricted Aamby valley, where one can go only by invitation, so while the rest of the group headed home, only eight of us drove through Bhushi dam and Tiger’s leap to the other side of the hills to reach the Aamby Valley.

 

Aamby valley is the man-made town in the midst of the hills. The architecture and design is worth the visit. The place is well maintained with manicured gardens and proper roads. This is the lonely town, where streets are empty, the privileged few who drove down the streets were crazy, perched on the roof-top or protruding half the body out of the window in the speeding car. At the lake, where we went for the boat ride, there was a loud music where the youngsters danced while waiting for a boat ride. The gardens and side-walks were continuously preened by local gardeners.

This is the town where greenery is restored in its virgin form, with the waters running through its soul, birds chirping freely and flowers have freedom to bloom